..续本文上一页s. They omit the practice of those qualities which really make a man a Brahman, and say, ”Indra, we call upon thee; Soma, we call upon thee; Varuna, we call upon thee; Brahma, we call upon thee.” Verily, it is not possible that these Brahmans, on account of their invocations, prayers, and praises, should after death be united with Brahma.

　　"Now tell me," continued the Buddha, "what do the Brahmans say of Brahma

　　 Is his mind full of lust

　　" And when the Brahmans denied this, the Buddha asked: "Is Brahma”s mind full of malice, sloth, or pride

　　"

　　"No sir!" was the reply. "He is the opposite of all this."

　　And the Buddha went on: "But are the Brahmans free from these vices

　　" "No, sir!" said Vasettha.

　　The Holy One said: "The Brahmans cling to the five things leading to worldliness and yield to the temptations of the senses; they are entangled in the five hindrances, lust, malice, sloth, pride, and doubt. How can they be united to that which is most unlike their nature

　　 Therefore the threefold wisdom of the Brahmans is a waterless desert, a pathless jungle, and a hopeless desolation."

　　When the Buddha had thus spoken, one of the Brahmans said: "We are told, Gotama, that the Sakyamuni knows the path to a union with Brahma."

　　And the Blessed One said: "What do you think, O Brahmans, of a man born and brought up in Manasakata

　　 Would he be in doubt about the most direct way from this spot to Manasakata

　　"

　　"Certainly not, Gotama."

　　"Thus," replied the Buddha, the Tathagata knows the straight path that leads to a union with Brahma. He knows it as one who has entered the world of Brahma and has been born in it. There can be no doubt in the Tathagata."

　　The two young Brahmans said: "If thou knowest the way show it to us."

　　And the Buddha said: "The Tathagata sees the universe face to face and understands its nature. He proclaims the truth both in its letter and in its spirit, and his doctrine is glorious in its origin, glorious in its progress, glorious in its consummation. The Tathagata reveals the higher life in its purity and perfection. He can show you the way to that which is contrary to the five great hindrances. The Tathagata lets his mind pervade the four quarters of the world with thoughts of love. And thus the whole wide world, above, below, around, and everywhere will continue to be filled with love, far-reaching, grown great, and beyond measure. just as a mighty trumpeter makes himself heard--and that without difficulty--in all the four quarters of the earth; even so is the coming of the Tathagata: there is not one living creature that the Tathagata passes by or leaves aside, but regards them all with mind set free, and deep-felt love.

　　"This is the sign that a man follows the right path: Uprightness is his delight, and he sees danger in the least of those things which he should avoid. He trains himself in the commands of morality, he encompasseth himself with holiness in word and deed; he sustains his life by means that are quite pure; good is his conduct, guarded is the door of his senses; mindful and self-possessed, he is altogether happy. He who walks in the eightfold noble path with unswerving determination is sure to reach Nirvana. The Tathagata anxiously watches over his children and with loving care helps them to see the light.

　　"When a hen has eight or ten or twelve eggs, over which she has properly brooded, the wish arises in her heart, ”O would that my little chickens would break open the eggshell with their claws, or with their beaks, and come forth into the light in safety!” yet all the while those little chickens are sure to break the egg-shell and will come forth into the light in safety. Even so, a brother who with firm determination walks in the noble path is sure to come forth into the light, sure to reach up to the higher wisdom, sure to attain to the highest bliss of enlightenment."

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