113
Even if one were to live a hundred years,
without seeing arising and passing away (appearance and disappearance, formation and dissolution [udayabbaya]);
Better is a single day of life,
of one who sees arising and passing away.
114
Even if one were to live a hundred years,
without seeing the deathless state (epithet of Nibbāna [amata]);
Better is a single day of life,
of one who sees the deathless state.
115
Even if one were to live a hundred years,
without seeing the ultimate truth (the ultimate nature of things [dhammamuttamaṁ]);
Better is a single day of life,
of one who sees the ultimate truth.
Related Teachings:
Even if one were to live a hundred years (DhP 110 - 112) - The pairs of unprincipled / virtuous, undiscerning / discerning and lazy and weak in effort / steady in effort are contrasted.
Not fully understanding and not penetrating the four noble truths leads to continuation in samsara (SN 56.21) - The Buddha describes the wandering in cyclical existence due to not fully understanding and penetrating the Four Noble Truths.
Importance of cultivating wisdom (AN 76 - 81) - A series of short teachings of the Buddha highlighting the importance of cultivation of wisdom.
