cured by going to the physician that is no fault of the physician; even so if a man who is oppressed by the disease of sin seeks not a spiritual guide who is at hand and knows the road which puts an end to sin, the fault lies with him and not with the sin-destroying teacher." Therefore it is said,
24.As a man fallen among filth, beholding a brimming lake,
If he seek not that lake, the fault is not in the lake;
25.So when there exists a lake of Nirvāna that washes the stains of sin,
If a man seek not that lake, the fault is not in the lake of Nirvāna.
26.As a man beset with foes, there being a way of escape,
If he flee not away, the fault is not with the road;
27.So when there is a way of bliss, if a man beset with sin
Seek not that road, the fault is not in the way of bliss.
28.And as one who is diseased, there being a physician at hand.
If he bid him not heal the disease, the fault is not in the healer:
29.So if a man who is sick and oppressed with the disease of sin
Seek not the spiritual teacher, the fault is not in the teacher.
And again he argued, "As a man fond of gay clothing, throwing off a corpse bound to his shoulders, goes away rejoicing, so must I, throwing off this perishable body, and freed from all desires, enter the city of Nirvāna. And as men and women depositing filth on a dungheap do not gather it in the fold or skirt of their garments, but loathing it, throw it away, feeling no desire for it; so shall I also cast off this perishable body without regret, and enter the deathless city of Nirvāna. And as seamen abandon without regret an unseaworthy ship and escape, so will I also, leaving this body, which distils corruption from its nine festering apertures, enter without regret the city of Nirvāna. And as a man carrying various sorts of jewels, and going on the same road with a band of robbers, out of fear of losing his jewels withdraws from them and gains a safe road; even so this impure body is like a jewel-plundering robber, if I set my affections thereon the precious spiritual jewel of the sublime path of holiness will be lost to me, there-
