Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

IMPURITY. I2S
(daily) conversation (words). Want of diligence is
the disease of a household. Want of becoming
dignity is the disease of manner (outward appear-
ance). Carelessness is the disease of business.
Stinginess is the disease of charity. Vice is the
disease, of daily conduct. Both now and hereafter
an evil Eule of life (Law) is an everlasting disease
(taint). But the disease of all diseases, than which
none is worse, is ignorance.^ He who is wise
(enlightened) should free himself from this. Then,
Bhikshus !
there is no disease."
The man having heard these words, and perceiving that
ignorance (in the sense of " folly," or " infatuation ") was
at the bottom of all Ms misfortunes, returned to his father's
house, and gave himself up t6 obey and to work ; he paid
respect to his teacher, and was constant in the recitation
of the Scriptures, and in all respects ordered his life dih-
gently and circumspectly, and after three years returned
to Buddha, and having paid homage to him, related how
he had changed his life, and now besought admission into
his society. On this the World-honoured One addressed
him in these words, " Welcome,
!
youth " and at once,
his hair falHng off, he became a Shaman, and by an inward
effort of mind arrived at a knowledge of the four truths,
and became after a day's perseverance a complete Eahat.
1 Moha, i.e., delusion ; not avidyd. The P41i text gives avijjd, however.