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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> - 65<br />

35. ‘Let not my life be subject to death, and let not disease impair this<br />

health <strong>of</strong> mine; let not old age attack my youth, and let not<br />

misf<strong>or</strong>tune destroy my weal.’<br />

36. When his son uttered a speech so hard to be understood, the king<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Śākyas thus replied: ‘Abandon this idea bent upon departure;<br />

extravagant desires are only ridiculous.’<br />

37. Then he who was firm as Mount Meru addressed his father: ‘If<br />

this is impossible, then this course <strong>of</strong> mine is not to be hindered; it is<br />

not right to lay hold <strong>of</strong> one who would escape from a house that is on<br />

fire.<br />

38. ‘As separation is inevitable to the w<strong>or</strong>ld, but not f<strong>or</strong> Dharma, this<br />

separation is preferable; will not death sever me helplessly, my objects<br />

unattained and myself unsatisfied?’<br />

39. The monarch, having heard this resolve <strong>of</strong> his son longing f<strong>or</strong><br />

liberation, and having again exclaimed, ‘He shall not go,’ set guards<br />

round him and the highest pleasures.<br />

40. Then having been duly instructed <strong>by</strong> the counsell<strong>or</strong>s, with all<br />

respect and affection, acc<strong>or</strong>ding to the śāstras, and being thus<br />

f<strong>or</strong>bidden with tears <strong>by</strong> his father, the prince, s<strong>or</strong>rowing, entered into<br />

his palace.

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