Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

LUST. 155
thoughts, the robber takes his life (or, ' these, like
a robber, take his life'). The wise man, therefore,
puts aWay all covetous desire."
The householder hearing these words was filled with
joy; he forgot his grief, and rising from his seat, he and
his associates at once obtained the fruition of the first
path.
5. In days of old when Buddha was residing in the Jetavana
Vih§,ra, near ^r§,yastl, preaching his word for the
sake of Devas and men, &c., there happened to be two
wandering fellows who were sworn friends, and as it were
one in heart, who being in the neighbourhood thought
they would iecome Shamans. They came accordingly to
the place where the master was, and after doing homage
they explained their wish. Having admitted them to his
community, he sent them to one place to give themselves
up to meditation. Notwithstanding all their efforts, how-
ever, they were unable to forget the pleasures of their
former life, and were enslaved by longing for sensual in-
dulgence. Buddha by his divine sight understanding
their condition, and desiring to save them, caused a
Shaman to go to their place of abode, and addressing
them said, " What think you if we three go to the neigh-
bouring harlot-quarter, and without further ado, have a
look at the form of one of the beauties about whom you
think so much ? " Accordingly they all went to the har-
lots' quarter, and meeting with one (who was indeed only
Buddha himself so transformed), they asked her to let
them behold her charms, without actually committing any
overt-act of transgression. Accordingly the woman began
to take off her wreaths and her jewels, and gradually
such a ghastly sight of defor-
stripping off her clothes, lo !
mity met their eyes, and such a fetid odour assailed their
sense, that they could not come nigh the place where she
was. Then the Shaman turned and addressed the two
" "W>at the world calls beauty is but the combination of
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