Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

LUST. 149
tree, first of all enjoys release, and then returns
again (to its bondage), such is the ease with men,
they escape from hell and then return to it. Long-
ing thoughts are like the ever-flowing waters of a
river ; giving way to the free enjoyment of indol-
ence and luxury, the mind like a savage dog seeks
for continual indulgence, and the man himself
becomes clouded and unable to see the truth.
Every thought flowing in the same channel, then
lusts bind a man as with strong rattan bonds.
The wise man alone is able rightly to distinguish
the truth, he is able to cut off the very root and
source of his (lustful) thoughts. A man by self-
indulgence becomes sleek and shining, his thoughts
increase like the sprouting tendril, the depth of
lust cannot be fathomed ; from this proceeds the
ever-increasing succession of old age and continual
death."
The Bhikshu beholding the glorious appearance of
Buddha, and hearing the words of the verses he had
uttered, prostrated himself on the earth in lowest rever-
ence hefore him, and repenting of his sloth, he assiduously
practised the rules of Samatha and Vipassin^,^ arrived at
the condition of a Eahat. And all the Devas who had
heard the words, with joyful thoughts scattered flowers
before the person of Buddha, as a rehgious offering, and
with countless 2 " S^dhus" departed/
2. In days of old when Buddha was residing at Srlvastl,
and there preaching his doctrine for the good of Devas
and men, there was residing in the city a certain rich Brahman
of a very covetous and niggard disposition, who, from
1 For the meaning of these terms Buddhists in China), vide ChUder's
(tranquiUity and contemplation, the Diet., sub. voc.
chi kwan of the Tieu-tai school of s* "S&dhu"—an expression of approval,
as our "Amen."