It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and flighty,
rushing wherever it listeth; a tamed mind brings happiness.
Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive,
very artful, and they rush wherever they list: thoughts well guarded
bring happiness.
Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about alone, is
without a body, and hides in the chamber of the heart, will be free from
the bonds of Mara, the tempter.
If a man's faith is unsteady, if he does not know the true law, if his
peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect.
If a man's thoughts are not dissipated, if his mind is not perplexed, if
he has ceased to think of good or evil, then there is no fear for him
while he is watchful.
Knowing that this body is fragile like a jar, and making his thought
firm like a fortress, one should attack Mara, the tempter, with the
weapon of knowledge, one should watch him when conquered, and should
never rest.
Before long, alas! this body will lie on the earth, despised, without
understanding, like a useless log.
Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a
wrongly-directed mind will do him greater mischief.
Not a mother, not a father, will do so much, nor any other relatives; a
well-directed mind will do us greater service.
CHAPTER IV
FLOWERS
Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama, the lord of the
departed, and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly
shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds the right flower?
The disciple will overcome the earth, and the world of Yama, and the
world of the gods.
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