In this episode of Teaching Peace, we explore Chapter 11 of the Dhammapada, a meditation on decay, impermanence, and the unraveling of harmful systems. Drawing from the Buddhist concept of jaramarana—the cycle of aging, deterioration, and death—we reflect on how things fall apart not only within us, but around us: in our relationships, communities, and the world.

Jason Storbakken takes us from ancient wisdom to contemporary resonance, connecting the Dhammapada’s verse 154 with The Roots’ album Things Fall Apart, inspired by Chinua Achebe and illustrated by a photo of police violence in 1960s Brooklyn. This imagery evokes the deep entanglement of personal and systemic collapse—yet also the potential for post-traumatic growth.

What does it mean to acknowledge decay, not as the end, but as the opening to transformation? From the entropy of systems to the liberation of the spirit, this episode weaves together trauma-aware spirituality, liberation theology, and Buddhist insight. We hear echoes of Audre Lorde—“the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house”—as a call for revolutionary change through nonviolence and compassion.

We explore:

• Jaramarana and the law of entropy

• Healing from decay through breath, awareness, and intention

• Why systems built on violence can’t be reformed—they must be replaced

• The Buddha’s declaration: "House-builder, you are seen. The structure shall not be rebuilt." (v. 154)

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