Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

THE THOUSANDS. 87
But to explain one sentence of tlie Law, and to
walk accordingly, this is the way to find supreme
wisdom (to become a Eahat)."
On hearing these words, two hundred BMkshus obtained
deliverance, and the King and his ministers were filled
with joy.
2. In days of old, when Buddha was hving in the Jetavana
Vihira, at SrS,vasti, preaching his doctrine, there was
a certain rich Brahman of that country called Yamata, -who
was in the habit of askiug aU the Brahmans of the neigh-
bourhood, upwards of 5000 men, to share in his hospitality,
and receive gifts of cattle, slaves, clothes, money,
&6., in the middle of ^very fifth year. On the present
occasion, having received these gifts, and joined in the
various sacrifices, they came to the place where Buddlia
was, flushed with joy and elated with pride. On this,
Buddha, having reproved them for .their folly, uttered the
following stanzas :
—
" If 1 a man each month repeat a thousand sacri-
fices, and go on making his bodily ofi"erings with-
out ceasing, this is not equal to that man's con-
duct who but for a moment, with undivided atten-
tion {yih, sin, ekachittam), fixes his mind upon the
Law. The happiness consequent on one moment
of deep reflection exceeds that (which results from)
of the sacrifice of the bodies (of untold victims).
Although a man for a hundred years worship and
sacrifice to the spirit of Fire, his merit is not equal
to that of the man who for a moment pays reve-
rence to the Three Holy Ones ; the happiness con-
sequent on one such act of homage excels that
resulting from all those hundred years."
1 Compare this with vers. 106, 107 of the P41i.