Death or Deathless?

พระไตรปิฎกบาลี

Death or Deathless?

Not up in the air,
nor in the middle of the sea,
nor going into a cleft in the mountains
–nowhere on earth–
is a spot to be found
where you could stay & not succumb
to death.
—Dhammapada 128

At Savatthi. “Monks, remain with your minds well-established in the four establishings of mindfulness. Don’t let the deathless be lost for you.

“In which four? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself—ardent, alert, & mindful—subduing greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings… mind… mental qualities in & of themselves—ardent, alert, & mindful—subduing greed & distress with reference to the world.

“Monks, remain with your minds well-established in these four establishings of mindfulness. Don’t let the deathless be lost for you.”
Amata Sutta (SN 47:41)

These reflections are from the Pali Canon. Both have been translated into English by Thanissaro Bhikkhu and are referenced respectively.