The virtuous rest
in bliss in this world and in the next.
Look upon the world as you would on a bubble, look upon it as you would
on a mirage: the king of death does not see him who thus looks down upon
the world.
Come, look at this world, glittering like a royal chariot; the foolish
are immersed in it, but the wise do not touch it.
He who formerly was reckless and afterwards became sober brightens up
this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.
He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this world,
like the moon when freed from clouds.
This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven, like
birds escaped from the net.
The swans go on the path of the sun, they go miraculously through the
ether; the wise are led out of this world, when they have conquered Mara
and his train.
If a man has transgressed the one law, and speaks lies, and scoffs at
another world, there is no evil he will not do.
The uncharitable do not go to the world of the gods; fools only do not
praise liberality; a wise man rejoices in liberality, and through it
becomes blessed in the other world.
Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven,
better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of Sotapatti, the
first step in holiness.
CHAPTER XIV
THE BUDDHA--THE AWAKENED
He whose conquest cannot be conquered again, into whose conquest no one
in this world enters, by what track can you lead him, the Awakened, the
Omniscient, the trackless?
He whom no desire with its snares and poisons can lead astray, by what
track can you lead him, the Awakened, the Omniscient, the trackless?
Even the gods envy those who are awakened and not forgetful, who are
given to meditation, who are wise, and who delight in the repose of
retirement from the world.
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