Ja 166 The Story about (the Brahmin) Upasāḷaka
(Upasāḷakajātaka)
In the present a brahmin called Upasāḷaka is concerned that the place where he will be cremated is pure, and no outcaste had been cremated there before him. The Buddha tells them of a previous life in which he pointed out that every place on earth has seen endless people die on it.
1. Upasāḷakanāmāni sahassāni catuddasa
Asmiṁ padese daḍḍhāni, natthi loke anāmataṁ.
There are fourteen thousand people named Upasāḷaka who were burned in this place, there is no place on earth unaffected by death.
2. Yamhi saccañ-ca Dhammo ca, ahiṁsā saṁyamo damo,
Etaṁ ariyā sevanti, etaṁ loke anāmataṁ.
In whom there is truth, Dhamma, non-violence, restraint, and self-control, the noble keep company there, on earth that’s unaffected by death.
In this connection, no place on earth unaffected by death means it is a place where there is death. Because of being close to, without death is said, prohibiting that, no place... unaffected by death is said. Anamatan is another reading. This is the correct form, but the second -a- is lengthened to meet the needs of the metre both times. It literally means: not (an-) immortal (amataṁ). In this world there is normally no place unaffected by death, that is not a charnel ground, this is the meaning.
In whom there is truth, Dhamma, whatever person is based on the four truths, there is knowledge of the former part of the truths, A rare phrase, in the Paṭisambhidāmagga commentary it says [PTS 1.303]:“Idaṁ dukkhan,” ti yoniso manasi karotī, ti vuccamāne anussavavasena pubbabhāgasaccānubodho pi saṅgayhati; “This is suffering,” paying proper attention, by repeating what was heard from oral tradition, understanding the former part of the truths is also arranged. and the supermundane state.
Non-violence means being non-violent, not hurting, others.
Restraint means restraint according to virtue.
Self-control means self control of the faculties.
In this person in whom virtue is born, the noble keep company there, the noble Buddhas, Independent Buddhas, and the Buddha’s disciples keep company in that place, they approach, associate with, such a person, this is the meaning.
On earth that’s unaffected by death, from settling on the deathless on this earth, this type of virtue is called unaffected by death.