Jarāmaraṇasuttaṃ (The Discourse on Aging and Death)

This is my first attempt at translating a Pali sutta. My aim is to produce some translations here from the Pali with the guidance of Thanissaro Bhikkhu and Bhikkhu Bodhi's translations, which are according to the norms of english language prose as opposed to the difficult to read chanting format of the originals. I will not knowingly omit or re-interpret any content.

At Savatthi, King Pasenadi of Kosala said to the Bhagavan: "Bhante, is anyone who is born free from aging and death?"

"Great King, no one who is born is free from aging and death. Even those of the warrior caste, the brahmin caste, or affluent householders, wealthy in property and resources, because they are born are not free from aging and death. Even those bhikkhus who are arhats, whose effluents are destroyed, who have lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached the goal, utterly destroyed the bondage of becoming, and are freed through right knowledge: even for them this body is subject to disintegration and will need to be laid down.

"The beautiful chariots of kings wear out
this body too decays
but the Dhamma of the good does not decay
so the good proclaim along with the good."

SN 3:3

notes: Bhagavan has a range of meanings including: Divine One, Gracious One, Generous One, Blessed One, Source of Blessings. Sometimes translated as "Lord". Bhante is a term of respect. Sometimes translated as "venerable sir". It is still used to address monks in Sri Lanka.

Pali:

Sāvatthinidānaṃ . Ekamantaṃ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṃ etadavoca – ‘‘atthi nu kho, bhante, jātassa aññatra jarāmaraṇā’’ti? ‘‘Natthi kho, mahārāja, jātassa aññatra jarāmaraṇā. Yepi te, mahārāja, khattiyamahāsālā aḍḍhā mahaddhanā mahābhogā pahūtajātarūparajatā pahūtavittūpakaraṇā pahūtadhanadhaññā, tesampi jātānaṃ natthi aññatra jarāmaraṇā. Yepi te, mahārāja, brāhmaṇamahāsālā…pe… gahapatimahāsālā aḍḍhā mahaddhanā mahābhogā pahūtajātarūparajatā pahūtavittūpakaraṇā pahūtadhanadhaññā, tesampi jātānaṃ natthi aññatra jarāmaraṇā. Yepi te, mahārāja, bhikkhū arahanto khīṇāsavā vusitavanto katakaraṇīyā ohitabhārā anuppattasadatthā parikkhīṇabhavasaṃyojanā sammadaññāvimuttā, tesaṃ pāyaṃ kāyo bhedanadhammo nikkhepanadhammo’’ti. Idamavoca…pe…

‘‘Jīranti ve rājarathā sucittā,

Atho sarīrampi jaraṃ upeti;

Satañca dhammo na jaraṃ upeti,

Santo have sabbhi pavedayantī’’ti.