Few among human beings are those who go to the other shore. Most people only run along this shore.

Appakā te manussesu ye janā pāragāmino — few are those who go to the other shore: pāragāmin is one who crosses to the other side. The river metaphor is fundamental in Buddhism: nibbana is the other shore (pāra), samsara is this shore (ora).

The statistical honesty of the verse is notable. The Buddha does not offer liberation as something easy or majority. This honesty is not pessimism but useful realism: one who knows the path is difficult can prepare adequately.

Athāyaṃ itarā pajā tīramevānudhāvati — the majority only runs along this shore: running along the shore is staying on the edge without crossing — participating in the world of Dhamma without internalizing it, listening without practicing, knowing without transforming.

In a world where spirituality has become consumable, the question “Am I really crossing or just running along the shore?” has special urgency and relevance.