..续本文上一页hould habour no evil thoughts, but think of salvation."
30. The Buddha said, "Those who walk the Way should avoid sensualism as those who carry hay would avoid coming near the fire."
31. The Buddha said, "There was once a man who, being in despair over his inability to control his passions, wished to multilate himself." The Buddha said to Him, "Better destroy your own evil thoughts than do harm to your own person. The mind is lord. When the lord himself is claimed the servant will themselves be yielding. If your mind is purified of evil passions, what avails it to multilate yourself
" Thereupon, the Buddha recited the gatha:
"Passions grow from the will,
The will grows from thought and imagination.
When both are calmed,
There is neither sensualism nor transmigration."
The Buddha said that this gatha was taught by Kashyapa Buddha.
32. The Buddha said, "From the passions arise worry, and from worry arises fear. Away with passions, and no fear, no worry."
33. The Buddha said, "Those who follow the Way are like unto warriors who fight single-handed with a multitude of foes. They may al go out of the fort in full armour; but among them are some who are faint-hearted, and some who go halfway and beat a retreat, and some who are killed in the affray, and some who come home victorious.
O monks! If you desire to attain enlightenment, you should steadily walk in your Way, with a resolute heart, with courage, and should be fearless in whatever environment you may happen to be, and destroy every evil influence that you may across for thus you shall reach the goal."
34. One night a monk was reciting a sutra, bequeathed by Kashyapa Buddha. His tone was so mournful and his voice was so fainting, as if he was going out of existence. The Buddha asked him, "What was your occupation before you become a homeless monk
" The monk replied, "I was very fond of playing a stringed instrument." The Buddha said, "How did you find it when the strings were too loose
" "No sound is possible." was the reply. "How did you find it when the strings were too tight
" "They will break." "How did you find when they were neither too tight nor too loose
" "Every note sounds in its proper tone."
35. The Buddha then said to the monk, "Religious discipline is also like unto playing such a stringed instrument. When the mind is properly adjusted and quietly applied, the Way is attainable. But when you are too feverntly bent on it, your body grows tired, and when your body is tired, your spirit becomes weary, your discipline will relax, and with the relaxation of discipline there follows many an evil. Therefore, be calm and pure, and the Way will be gained."
36. The Buddha said, "Even if one escapes from the evil creations, it is one”s rare fortune to be born as a human being. Even if one is born as a human, it is one”s rare fortune to be born as a man and not a woman. Even if one is born as a man, it is one”s rare fortune to be perfected in all the six senses. Even if he is perfected in all the six senses, it is his rare fortune to be born in the middle kingdom. Even if he is born in the middle kingdom, it is rare fortune to be born in the time of a Buddha. Even if he is born in the time of a Buddha, it is rare fortunate to see the Enlightened One. Even if he is able to see the Enlightened One, it is his rare fortune to have his heart awakened in faith. Even if he has faith, it is his rare fortune to awaken the heart of wisdom. Even if he awakens the heart of wisdom, it is his rare fortune to realise a spiritual state which is above discipline and attainment."
37. The Buddha said, "O Sons of the Buddha! You are away from me ever so many miles, but if you remember and think of my precepts, you shall surely gain the fruit of enlightenment. You may st…
《四十二章经 The Sayings of the Buddha in Forty-Two Sections by Kasyapa Matanga and》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…