Fourfold Advent of Death (Marana’uppatti-catukka)

Fourfold Advent of Death (Marana’uppatti-catukka)

The fourfold advent of death may be compared to the four ways of extinguishing a lighted oil-lamp.

The flame of the oil-lamp may go out when:

1 the wick burns out,

2 the oil burns out,

3 both the wick and the oil burn out, or

4 the wind blows suddenly or the light is put out purposely even though the wick and the oil still remain.

In the same way, a person may die in one of the following ways:

1 Ayukkhaya-marana

Death due to the expiration of the age-limit,

2 Kammakkhaya-marana

Death due to the expiration of the reproductive kammic force,

3 Ubhayakkhaya-marana

Death due to the expiration of both the age-limit and kamma,

4 Upacchedaka-marana

Death due to the intervention of a destructive kamma. It is sudden death such as the one encountered in car accident or suicide or at a young age sometimes, etc.

May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruits of Nibbana.

Suranda Weediyage

BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali & Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,

surandalk@gmail.com

http://www.thebuddhadhamma.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebuddhadhamma

https://www.facebook.com/suranda.weediyage