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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> - 136<br />

swallows the iron hook, – theref<strong>or</strong>e w<strong>or</strong>ldly objects produce misery as<br />

their end.<br />

36. ‘As f<strong>or</strong> the common opinion, "pleasures are enjoyments," none <strong>of</strong><br />

them when examined are w<strong>or</strong>thy <strong>of</strong> being enjoyed; fine garments and<br />

the rest are only the access<strong>or</strong>ies <strong>of</strong> things, – they are to be regarded as<br />

merely the remedies f<strong>or</strong> pain.<br />

37. ‘Water is desired f<strong>or</strong> allaying thirst; food in the same way f<strong>or</strong><br />

removing hunger; a house f<strong>or</strong> keeping <strong>of</strong>f the wind, the heat <strong>of</strong> the<br />

sun, and the rain; and dress f<strong>or</strong> keeping <strong>of</strong>f the cold and to cover<br />

one’s nakedness.<br />

38. ‘So too a bed is f<strong>or</strong> removing drowsiness; a carriage f<strong>or</strong><br />

remedying the fatigue <strong>of</strong> a journey; a seat f<strong>or</strong> alleviating the pain <strong>of</strong><br />

standing; so bathing as a means f<strong>or</strong> washing, health, and strength.<br />

39. ‘External objects theref<strong>or</strong>e are to human beings means f<strong>or</strong><br />

remedying pain, not in themselves sources <strong>of</strong> enjoyment; what wise<br />

man would allow that he enjoys those delights which are only used as<br />

remedial?<br />

40. ‘He who, when burned with the heat <strong>of</strong> bilious fever, maintains<br />

that cold appliances are an enjoyment, when he is only engaged in<br />

alleviating pain, – he indeed might give the name <strong>of</strong> enjoyment to<br />

pleasures.

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