deadly sins. This excellent jewel (is found) in the Assembly, by this truth may there be salvation. (230) 11. Even if he commit a sinful deed by his body, or in word or in thought, he is incapable of concealing it, (for) to conceal is said to be impossible for one that has seen the state (of Nibbâna). This excellent jewel (is found) in the Assembly, by this truth may there be salvation. (231) 12. As in a clump of trees with their tops in bloom in the first heat of the hot month, so (Buddha) taught the excellent Dhamma leading to Nibbâna to the greatest benefit (for all). This excellent jewel (is found) in Buddha, by this truth may there be salvation. (232) 13. The excellent one who knows what is excellent, who gives what is excellent, and who brings what is excellent, the incomparable one taught the excellent Dhamma. This excellent jewel (is found) in Buddha, by this truth may there be salvation. (233) 14. The old is destroyed, the new has not arisen, those whose minds are disgusted with a future existence, the wise who have destroyed their seeds (of existence, and) whose desires do not increase, go out like this lamp. This excellent jewel (is found) in the Assembly, by this truth may there be salvation. (234) 15. Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect (tathâgata) Buddha, revered by gods and men; may there be salvation. (235) 16. Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect (tathâgata) Dhamma, revered by gods and men; may there be salvation. (236) 17. Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect (tathâgata) Sangha, revered by gods and men; may there be salvation. Ratanasutta is ended. (237) 2. ÂMAGANDHASUTTA. A bad mind and wicked deeds are what defiles a man; no outward observances can purify him. Comp. Gospel of S. Matthew XV. IO. 1. Âmagandhabrâhmana : Those who eat sâmâka, kingûlaka, and kinaka, pattaphala, mûlaphala, and gaviphala (different sorts of grass, leaves, roots, &c.), justly obtained of the just, do not speak falsehood, (nor are they) desirous of sensual pleasures. (238) 2. 'He who eats what has been well prepared, well dressed, what is pure and excellent, given by others, he who enjoys food made of rice, eats, O Kassapa, Âmagandha (what defiles one). (239) 3. (The charge of) Âmagandha does not apply to me,' so thou sayest, 'O Brahman (brahmabandhu, although) enjoying food (made) of rice together with the well-prepared flesh of birds. I ask thee, O Kassapa, the meaning of this, of what description (is then) thy Âmagandha ?' (240) 4. Kassapabuddha: 'Destroying living beings, killing, cutting, binding, stealing, speaking falsehood, fraud and deception, worthless reading 1, intercourse with another's wife;-this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of flesh. 1 (241) Agghenakuggan ti niratthakânatthaganakaganthapariyâpu- nanam. 5. Those persons who in this world are unrestrained in (enjoying) sensual pleasures, greedy of sweet things, associated with what is impure, sceptics (natthikaditthi), unjust, difficult to follow;-this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of flesh. (242) 6. Those who are rough, harsh, backbiting, treacherous, merciless, arrogant, and (who being) illiberal do not give anything to any one;-this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of flesh. (243) 7. 'Anger, intoxication, obstinacy, bigotry, deceit, envy, grandiloquence, pride and conceit, intimacy with the unjust;-this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of flesh. (244) 8. 'Those who in this world are wicked, and such as do not pay their debts, are slanderers, false in their dealings, counterfeiters, those who in this world being the lowest of men commit sin;—this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of flesh. (245) 9. 'Those persons who in this world are unrestrained (in their behaviour) towards living creatures, who are bent upon injuring after taking others' (goods), wicked, cruel, harsh, disrespectful;—this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of flesh. (246) 10. Those creatures who are greedy of these (living beings, who are) hostile, offending; always bent upon (evil) and therefore, when dead, go to darkness and fall with their heads downwards into hell; this is Âmagandha, but not the eating of (247) flesh. II. Neither the flesh of fish, nor fasting, nor nakedness, nor tonsure, nor matted hair, nor dirt, nor rough skins, nor the worshipping of the fire, nor the many immortal penances in the world, nor hymns, nor oblations, nor sacrifice, nor observance of the seasons, purify a mortal who has not conquered his doubt 1. (248) 12. The wise man wanders about with his organs of sense guarded, and his senses conquered, standing firm in the Dhamma, delighting in what is right and mild; having overcome all ties and left behind all pain, he does not cling to what is seen and heard.' (249) 13. Thus Bhagavat preached this subject again and again, (and the Brâhmana) who was accomplished in the hymns (of the Vedas) understood it; the Muni who is free from defilement, independent, and difficult to follow, made it clear in various stanzas. (250) 14. Having heard Buddha's well-spoken words, which are free from defilement and send away all pain, he worshipped Tathâgata's (feet) in humility, and took orders at once. Âmagandhasutta is ended. (251) 3. HIRISUTTA. On true friendship. 1. He who transgresses and despises modesty, who says, 'I am a friend,' but does not undertake any work that can be done, know (about) him: 'he is not my (friend).' (252) 2. Whosoever uses pleasing words to friends without effect2, him the wise know as one that (only) talks, but does not do anything. (253) 3. He is not a friend who always eagerly suspects a breach and looks out for faults; but he with whom he dwells as a son at the breast (of his mother), 2 1 Comp. Dhp. v. 141. Ananvayan ti yam attham dassâmi karissâmîti bhâsati tena ananugatam. Commentator. he is indeed a friend that cannot be severed (from him) by others. (254) 4. He who hopes for fruit, cultivates the energy that produces joy and the pleasure that brings praise, (while) carrying the human yoke1. (255) 5. Having tasted the sweetness of seclusion and tranquillity one becomes free from fear and free from sin, drinking in the sweetness of the Dhamma2. (256) Hirisutta is ended. 4. MAHAMANGALASUTTA. Buddha defines the highest blessing to a deity.-Text by Grimblot in Journal Asiatique, t. xviii (1871), p. 229, and by Childers in Kh. Pâtha, p. 4; translation by Gogerly in the Ceylon Friend, 1839, p. 208; by Childers in Kh. Pâtha, p. 4; and by L. Feer in Journal Asiatique, t. xviii (1871), p. 296. So it was heard by me: At one time Bhagavat dwelt at Sâvatthi, in Getavana, in the park of Anâthapindika. Then, when the night had gone, a deity of beautiful appearance, having illuminated the whole Getavana, approached Bhagavat, and having approached and saluted him, he stood apart, and standing apart that deity addressed Bhagavat in a stanza : 1. Many gods and men have devised blessings, longing for happiness, tell thou (me) the highest blessing.' (257) 2. Buddha said: 'Not cultivating (the society of) 1 Pamuggakaranam thânam Pasamsâvahanam sukham Phalânisamso* bhâveti Vahanto porisam dhuram. 2 Comp. Dhp. v. 205. * Phalam patikankhamâno phalânisamso. Commentator. |