countenance; the exceeding profundity of his mind inspired awe; his face radiated, as it were, from the splendour of his penance and, owing to his diligent exercise of dhyâna, bore the beautiful expression of calm, as is proper to undisturbed senses, even though the loftiest subjects of meditation were present to his thoughts. In short, he was like the embodied Dharma. The lustre of his penance subdued the minds of those royal wives, and the very sight of him was sufficient to make them abandon their dalliance, frivolity, and haughtiness. Accordingly they went to him in a humble attitude, and sat down respectfully in a circle around him. He, for his part, performed to them the usual salutation, welcoming them and saying to them kind and courteous things which are agreeable to guests; then availing himself of the opportunity which their questions procured him, he showed them his hospitality by a religious discourse, preaching in, such terms as were easily understood by women, and illustrating his exposition of the Law with examples.
15. 'He who, having obtained the blameless human state, and being born in the full possession of organs and senses sound and vigorous, without any defect[1], neglects to do good actions every day from lack of attention—such a one is much deceived; is he not subject to the necessity of death ?
16. 'A man may be ever so excellent by his birth, his figure, his age, his superior power, or the wealth of his estate, never will he enjoy happiness in the other world, unless he be purified by charity, good conduct (sîla), and the rest of the virtues.
17. 'For surely, he who though devoid of a noble birth and the rest, abhorring wickedness, resorts to the virtues of charity, good conduct &c., such a one is hereafter visited by every kind of bliss, as the sea in the rainy season by the water of the rivers.
- ↑ Bodily infirmities are the effect of former actions. They are with the Buddhists an impediment to proceeding on the way to salvation for the same reason, as they entail impurity and incompetence to assist at sacrificial performances in Brâhmanism.
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