The Buddha's Path of Virtue Part 9

189.

These are no refuge safe, no sure retreat, By these we are not from all woe released.

190.

He who takes refuge in the Awakened One, The Doctrine and the Brotherhood, beholds By right insight the Fourfold n.o.ble Truths,

191.

Sorrow and sorrow's cause and sorrow's ceasing, The n.o.ble Eightfold Path that leads thereto--

192.

This is the refuge safe, the sure retreat; This only from our woes can us release.

193.

Hard is that one of n.o.ble birth to find; Not born in every land is He; the race Wherein that Sage is born is prosperous.[4]

194.

Blest is the rising of the Awakened Ones; Blest is Their teaching of the Doctrine True; Blest is the union of the Brotherhood; And blest to dwell together in unity.

195.

The Awakened Ones and they that follow Them, Worthy to be adored, have conquered all The hosts of evil, crossed the flood of sorrow.

196.

Whoso shall wors.h.i.+p Them, the worthy Ones, In whom desires are quenched and fear allayed, None can declare the merits of that man.

[1] _Padam_, "track, footstep," may here refer to the _khandhas_, basis, or occasions of rebirth, destroyed by Arahants, cf. vv. 92-3.

[2] These verses may refer to any man who is "awakened," who has found "_Nibbana_."

[3] This might mean, "it is hard to get a hearing of it".

[4] All _Buddha's_ must be born in India, the sacred land.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Happiness[1].

197.

O happily we live Angerless amid the angry!

O happily we spend our days Amid the angry angerless!

198.

O happily we live In health amid the sickly ones!

O happily we spend our days Amid the sickly ones in health!

199.

O happily we live Free from greed amid the greedy!

O happily we spend our days Amid the greedy free from greed!

200.

O happily we live Who have not anything at all!

Like ever-radiant G.o.ds above, Our food immortal joys shall be.

201.

Hate follows victory; Conquered ones sit sorrowing.

But the calm live blissfully, Renouncing conquest and defeat.

202.

There is no fire like l.u.s.t; No sin brings such ill-luck[3] as hate; No pains so great as body's pains; No bliss is like the perfect Calm.[4]

203.

Hunger's the greatest plague, Embodied life the greatest woe; Whoso knows this in truth, can say: "Nibbana is the Bliss Supreme."

204.

Health is the greatest gain; Contentment is the greatest wealth; Best kinsman is the trusty friend; Nibbana is the Bliss Supreme.

205.

Who tastes the savour sweet Of solitude, who drinks of calm, Is free from terror, free from sin, Draining the nectar of the Norm.

206.

'Tis good to see the saints; To dwell with them is blessedness; If he should never fools behold, A man could dwell in happiness.

207.

The company of fools Ne'er fails to bring distress.

To live with fools brings suffering, As living with an enemy, But wise men's company brings bliss, As being with dear relatives.

208.

If one be good and wise, Well-versed in lore profound, Long-suffering, dutiful, a saint, Righteous and wise; if such there be, Follow his footsteps, as the moon Follows the path of the stars.

[1] This chapter applies especially to those who have retired from the world.

[3] Ill-luck, _kali_, the unlucky throw in playing dice.

[4] _Nibbana._

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

AFFECTIONS.

209.