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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> - 174<br />

16. ‘Others having many arms are split like timber with axes, but even<br />

in that agony they do not die, being supp<strong>or</strong>ted in their vital powers <strong>by</strong><br />

their previous actions.<br />

17. ‘Whatever deed was done only to hinder pain with the hope that it<br />

might bring pleasure, its result is now experienced <strong>by</strong> these helpless<br />

victims as simple pain.<br />

18. These who did something evil f<strong>or</strong> the sake <strong>of</strong> pleasure and are<br />

now grievously pained, – does that old taste produce even an atom <strong>of</strong><br />

pleasure to them now?<br />

19. ‘The wicked deed which was done <strong>by</strong> the wicked-hearted in glee, –<br />

its consequences are reaped <strong>by</strong> them in the fulness <strong>of</strong> time with cries.<br />

20. ‘If only evil doers could see the fruits <strong>of</strong> their actions, they would<br />

vomit hot blood as if they were smitten in a vital part.<br />

21. ‘And w<strong>or</strong>se still than all these bodily t<strong>or</strong>tures in hell seems to me<br />

the association <strong>of</strong> an intelligent man with the base.<br />

22. ‘Others also, through various actions arising from the spasmodic<br />

violence <strong>of</strong> their minds, are b<strong>or</strong>n miserable in the wombs <strong>of</strong> various<br />

beasts.<br />

23. ‘There the po<strong>or</strong> wretches are killed even in the sight <strong>of</strong> their<br />

kindred, f<strong>or</strong> the sake <strong>of</strong> their flesh, their skin, their hair, <strong>or</strong> their<br />

teeth, <strong>or</strong> through hatred <strong>or</strong> f<strong>or</strong> mere pleasure.

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