Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

144
DHAMMAPADA.
On which the master was affrighted, and, in consultation
with the king and his ministers, it was agreed that he
shovdd no more be brought into the battle-field." In con-
tinuation, Buddha said : " Eahula ! if men committing the
niile faults only guai-d their tongtae as this elepliant was
trained to guard his trunk, all would be well. Let them
guard against the arrow that strikes in the middle ! let
them keep their mouth, lest they die, and fall into the
misery of future births in the three evil paths 1" And
then he added these stanzas :
—
" I am like the fighting elephant, without any
,
fear of the middle arrow (the arrow wounding the
middle part). By sincerity and truth I escape the
unprincipled man (lawless man). Like the ele-
phant, well subdued and quiet, permits the king
to mount on hia trunk (offers his trunk for the
king to ascend), thus tamed is the reverend man,
he also endures truthfully and in faith."
Eahula, hearing these words, was filled with sorrow for
his careless disregard of his words, and gave himself up to
renewed exertion, and so became a Eahat.
2, In days of old, when Buddha was residing in the Jeta-
vana of ^^r&vastl, preaching his doctrine for the sake of
angels and men, at this time there was a certain nobleman,
a householder (grihapati), named Atidharma (ho-ti-
wan), who, having come to th? place where Buddha was,
after the customary homage, stood on one side and said
"World-honoured! whenever I undertake any religious
duty, such as making an offering or other service, I feel
harassed and oppressed by some selfish feeling or other,
that destroys my peace of mind. Would that of your
great love you would explain this." Then the Lord bade
him sit down^ and forthwith asked him his name, and
whence he came. On this, again prostrating himself, he
: