26.03.2016 Views

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.

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>Buddha</strong>-<strong>carita</strong>, <strong>or</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buddha</strong> - 134<br />

24. ‘Those men <strong>of</strong> no self-control who are bitten <strong>by</strong> them in their<br />

hearts, fall into ruin and attain not bliss, – what man <strong>of</strong> self-control<br />

could find satisfaction in these pleasures, which are like an angry,<br />

cruel serpent?<br />

25. ‘Even if they enjoy them men are not satisfied, like dogs<br />

famishing with hunger over a bone, – what man <strong>of</strong> self-control could<br />

find satisfaction in these pleasures, which are like a skeleton<br />

composed <strong>of</strong> dry bones?<br />

26. ‘What man <strong>of</strong> self-control could find satisfaction in these pleasures<br />

which are like flesh that has been flung away, and which produce<br />

misery <strong>by</strong> their being held only in common with kings, thieves, water,<br />

and fire?<br />

27. ‘What man <strong>of</strong> self-control could find satisfaction in these<br />

pleasures, which, like the senses, are destructive, and which bring<br />

calamity on every hand to those who abide in them, from the side <strong>of</strong><br />

friends even m<strong>or</strong>e than from open enemies?<br />

28. ‘What man <strong>of</strong> self-control could find satisfaction in those<br />

pleasures, which are like the fruit that grows on the top <strong>of</strong> a tree, –<br />

which those who would leap up to reach fall down upon a mountain<br />

<strong>or</strong> into a f<strong>or</strong>est, waters, <strong>or</strong> the ocean?<br />

29. ‘What man <strong>of</strong> self-control could find satisfaction in those<br />

pleasures, which are like snatching up a hot coal, – men never attain<br />

happiness, however they pursue them, increase them, <strong>or</strong> guard them?

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!