Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

I02 DHAMMAPADA.
First, -when young and capable of higli moral resolves
secondly, when rich and possessed of. means; thirdly,*
when happy enough to gain the knowledge of the' three
honourable ones, and so have the opportunity of widening
one's capabilities of merit ; fourthly, when by experience
a man has learned the vanity of earthly things, to act
accordingly. Those who avail themselves of these oppor-
tunities wiU in the end certainly attain wisdom;" and
then the World-honoured one added these stanzas:
"Day and nigh.t, striving to get rid of fleshly'
desires, and at tlie right opportunity putting forth
earnest effort ; discovering the truth that all things
are impermanent—such a man shall never fall into .
the pit of destruction. Aiming to learn how to
kindle the lamp of reflection, and seeking in the
light of experience supreme wisdom (prajn4), removing
all defilements, and avoiding pollution, by
this light a man shall discover the ground of escape
(B6dhi)."
The World-honoured having uttered these words, caused
the glory of his person to manifest itself, and in consequence
the young Brahmans were convinced of his charac-
ter, and besought permission to enter the church, and at
length arrived at perfect deliverance (the condition of
Eahats).
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