Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

1 3 8 DHAMMAPADA.
man is also hard, i To dwell in a religious community
on terms of perfect equality as to worldly
goods is diflScult ; but difl&cult beyond comparison
is the possession of worldly, goods (or, ' it is difficult
not to transgress in having such goods'). To
beg one's food as a mendicant is hard, but what
can a man do who does not restrain himself ? By
perseverance the duty becomes natural, and in the
end there is no desire to have it otherwise. Having
faith, then duty is easily accomplished ; from
following in the path of duty {i.e., moral duty) a
man greatly enriches himself, and from this, moreover,
it results that wherever he is, by whomsoever
seen, he is respected, (cherished). Sitting alone,
occupying one place for sleep, ceaselessly pursuing
one line of conduct (walk, or action), jealously
guarding one upright (or correct) state of mind,
there will be of necessity joy to such a man (though)
living in the forest."
On hearing these words the seven mendicants, filled
with shame on account of their behaviour, bowed them-
selves down at the Lord's feet, and returning to the
mountain wilds, and continuing to guard "one perfect
heart," they attained supreme wisdom, and became
'
Bahats.
1 There is a general agreement here mth ver. 302 of the PSli,