อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: The words "the end of life" mean the time when life is about to come to a close, a time that most people fear because they must be parted from everything they love. This saying teaches that merit brings happiness at such a time; in other words, when wealth and possessions, rank and position, and loved ones can no longer help, the merit one has made becomes a refuge for the mind, enabling one to pass away peacefully and without fear.

ขยายความบทตั้งWhen death is near, people's minds often recall what they have done. Those who have done much evil recall that evil with distress and fear the results that will follow, while those who have made much merit recall their own goodness with contentment, having nothing to regret or leave unfinished. This happiness of mind at the final moment is a clearly visible result of merit, and in Buddhism, a clear and bright mind at the end of life is also a cause for going to a good destination.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑After leaving this world, wealth, relatives, and rank cannot follow. Only merit is the support that protects beings in the next world. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Saṃyutta Nikāya, Sagāthāvagga:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The word "support" means something that gives protection and comfort and helps one escape from danger. As for "the next world", it means the state of existence in which beings are reborn after their life in this world has ended. This saying teaches that merit is the support of all beings in the next world; in other words, after one leaves this world, no possessions, relatives or rank can follow one. Only the merit and evil one has done follow along, and merit is the one thing that can protect one.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In this world, human beings have many supports: parents are the support of their children, relatives and friends are a support in times of hardship, and possessions are a support for making a living. But these supports have their limits; when the time comes to leave this world, they cannot follow. Buddhism teaches that beings are the owners of their kamma and the heirs of their kamma; whatever kamma they do, good or evil, they will receive its result. After one leaves this world, therefore, all that follows is the kamma one has done. Merit that has been well made receives its maker in the next world, just as relatives gladly welcome a dear relative who has long been away when he arrives home safely. Merit is therefore the true support in the next world.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, we hear stories of many elderly people who lived honestly, made merit, helped others and raised their children and grandchildren well. When their final moment came, they passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and respect of their children and grandchildren. On the other hand, some people who have harmed many others, even though they have great wealth, are filled at the end with anxiety and guilt, with no one sincerely at their side.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to leave this world peacefully should therefore accumulate merit starting today, and not wait until they are old or ill, because no one knows when his final moment will come. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.