The deva said: "What causes ruin in the world?"
The Teacher replied: "Ignorance causes the ruin of the world."
The deva said: "I have but one more question: What is it that fire cannot burn, nor dampness corrode, nor wind blow down, and which is able to redeem the world?"
The Teacher replied: "Neither fire, nor dampness, nor wind can destroy the blessing of a good deed; and by good deeds shall the world be redeemed."
And the deva, hearing the words of the Teacher, bowed down before him in reverence.
GOOD AND EVIL.
Buddha said to his disciples: "What is evil?
"Killing is evil; stealing is evil; yielding to sexual passion is evil; lying is evil; slandering is evil; abuse is evil; gossip is evil; hatred is evil; false teaching is evil.
"And what is the root of evil?
"Lust is the root of evil; hatred is the root of evil; illusion is the root of evil.
"What is good?
"Not to kill is good; not to steal is good; abstaining from sensuality is good; speaking only the truth is good; not to slander is good; kindness is good; not to gossip is good; not to envy is good; to love, and not hate, is good.
"And what is the root of good?
