Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha by Ven. Aśvaghoṣa
An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.
An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.
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<strong>Buddha</strong>-<strong>carita</strong>, <strong>or</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buddha</strong> - 117<br />
51. Or let it be conceded they duly attained quitude while holding<br />
kingship, still I have not gone to the f<strong>or</strong>est with an undecided mind; f<strong>or</strong><br />
having cut through the net known as home and kindred I am freed and<br />
have no intention <strong>of</strong> re-entering the net."<br />
42. Having heard the king’s son uttering this discourse, well suitable<br />
to his virtues and knowledge <strong>of</strong> the soul, freed from all desires, full <strong>of</strong><br />
sound reasons, and weighty, – the counsell<strong>or</strong> thus made answer:<br />
43. ‘This resolve <strong>of</strong> thine is an excellent counsel, not unfit in itself but<br />
only unfit at the present time; it could not be thy duty, loving duty as<br />
thou dost, to leave thy father in his old age to s<strong>or</strong>row.<br />
44. ‘Surely thy mind is not very penetrating, <strong>or</strong> it is ill-skilled in<br />
examining duty, wealth, and pleasure, – when f<strong>or</strong> the sake <strong>of</strong> an<br />
unseen result thou departest disregarding a visible end.<br />
45. ‘Again, some say that there is another birth, – others with<br />
confident assertion say that there is not; since then the matter is all in<br />
doubt, it is right to enjoy the good f<strong>or</strong>tune which comes into thy hand.<br />
46. ‘If there is any activity hereafter, we will enjoy ourselves in it as<br />
may <strong>of</strong>fer; <strong>or</strong> if there is no activity beyond this life, then there is an<br />
assured liberation to all the w<strong>or</strong>ld without any eff<strong>or</strong>t.<br />
47. ‘Some say there is a future life, but they do not allow the<br />
possibility <strong>of</strong> liberation; as fire is hot <strong>by</strong> nature and water liquid, so<br />
they hold that there is a special nature in our power <strong>of</strong> action.
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