Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada
Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada
Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada
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REST AND REPOSE. 117<br />
a view to final rele<strong>as</strong>e. Whilst dwelling tlfus, four animals<br />
also came and took up <strong>the</strong>ir abode near Hm, namely,<br />
a small bird (sparrow?), a large bird (quail?), a poisonous<br />
snake, and a deer. On one occ<strong>as</strong>ion <strong>the</strong> Bhikshu heard<br />
<strong>the</strong>se creatures also contending between <strong>the</strong>mselves which<br />
w<strong>as</strong> <strong>the</strong> greatest misery in <strong>the</strong> world, and <strong>the</strong>y also, <strong>from</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir various dispositions, <strong>as</strong>signed <strong>the</strong> same causes of<br />
suffering <strong>as</strong> you have, namely, lust, hunger, anger, and<br />
fear. Whereupon <strong>the</strong> Bhikshu explained to <strong>the</strong>m also, <strong>as</strong><br />
I have done to you, that <strong>the</strong> body, <strong>the</strong> source of all sor-<br />
row, is <strong>the</strong> greatest misery, and <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> greatest<br />
happiness is to get rid of <strong>the</strong> body and obtain Nirv^a.<br />
And on this <strong>the</strong>y were able to iinderstand <strong>the</strong> truth. Now<br />
at that time I w<strong>as</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bhikshu, and ye were <strong>the</strong> four<br />
creatures. On hearing this <strong>the</strong> mendicants were filled<br />
with holy fear and self-upbraidings, after which <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
able to come to <strong>the</strong> condition of Eahats.
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