er the law, to be
moderate in eating, to sleep and sit alone, and to dwell on the highest
thoughts--this is the teaching of the Awakened.
There is no satisfying lusts, even by a shower of gold pieces; he who
knows that lusts have a short taste and cause pain, he is wise; even in
heavenly pleasures he finds no satisfaction, the disciple who is fully
awakened delights only in the destruction of all desires.
Men, driven by fear, go to many a refuge, to mountains and forests, to
groves and sacred trees.
But that is not a safe refuge, that is not the best refuge; a man is not
delivered from all pains after having gone to that refuge.
He who takes refuge with Buddha, the Law, and the Church; he who, with
clear understanding, sees the four holy truths: pain, the origin of
pain, the destruction of pain, and the eightfold holy way that leads to
the quieting of pain;--that is the safe refuge, that is the best refuge;
having gone to that refuge, a man is delivered from all pain.
A supernatural person (a Buddha) is not easily found: he is not born
everywhere. Wherever such a sage is born, that race prospers.
Happy is the arising of the Awakened, happy is the teaching of the True
Law, happy is peace in the church, happy is the devotion of those who
are at peace.
He who pays homage to those who deserve homage, whether the awakened
(Buddha) or their disciples, those who have overcome the host of evils,
and crossed the flood of sorrow, he who pays homage to such as have
found deliverance and know no fear, his merit can never be measured by
anyone.
CHAPTER XV
HAPPINESS
We live happily indeed, not hating those who hate us! among men who hate
us we dwell free from hatred! We live happily indeed, free from ailments
among the ailing! among men who are ailing let us dwell free from
ailments!
We live happily indeed, free from greed among the greedy! among men who
are greedy let us dwell free from greed!
We live happily indeed, though we call nothing our own! We shall be like
the bright gods, feeding on happiness!
Victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy. He who has given up
both victory and defeat, he, the contented, is happy.
There is no fire like passion; there is no losing throw like hatred;
there is no pain like this body; there is no happiness higher than rest.
Hunger is the worst of diseases, the elements of the body the greatest
evil; if one knows this truly, that is Nirvana, the highe
|