The Path of Purity Part II (of Concentration)

114 The Path of PurityFor his love towards themselves the devas of the Ordinatkmhallwith sympathetic hearts maintain by righteous meansa well-ordered watch over him [98]. • For his love towards theruler of people in the village of his begging-round, rulersresponding with their whole being maintain by righteousmeans a good watch over his necessities. Through his lovefor the men who there are well-disposed towards*him, he walksabout not despised by them. Through his love for all bemgshe goes unharmed everywhere. And being mindful of deathand thinking " I must surely die/' he gives up the wrongsearch (for food) and, his concern gradually increasing, he doesnot get sluggish in his duties. Not even celestial objects canthrough greed overwhelm the mind of him who is practised 11 in the perception of the Foul. Thus because of its great usefulnessit is to be desired and wished for under all circumstances,and it is the condition for the work of applying oneself inculture. Hence it is called a subject of meditation beneficialto all.And because one ought constantly to practise that subjectof meditation which, among the forty, befits one's practice,and because (such a subject) is the proximate cause of higherand higher work in culture, it is called " special." Whoevergives this twofold subject of meditation is known as giver ofa subject of meditation. That giver of a subject of meditation,the good friend means the good friend who isAdorable, revered and lovable,A counsellor, a patient listener,A speaker of discourses deep, one whoWould not apply himself to useless ends, 2who is endowed with such and other qualities, who verily isa seeker after good, and already is on the. side of progress.From such expressions as " Indeed Ananda, on account of methe goodfnend, beings liable to birth are freed from birth/ 13 theBuddha Supreme himself was a good friend endowed with allqualities. Therefore the subject of meditation which was—— ______„ ap ,1 Read °paricitassa.3 Samyutta i, 88.Head atthdne for thane.