Page:Gospel of Buddha.djvu/151

  "After pleasures they hanker and find no satisfaction; Riches they covet and can never have enough. They are like unto puppets held up by a string. When the string breaks they come down with a shock. "In the domain of death there are neither great nor small; Neither gold nor silver is used, nor precious jewels. No distinction is made between the high and the low. And daily the dead are buried beneath the fragrant sod.

"Look at the sun setting behind the western hills. You He down to rest, but soon the cock will announce morn. Reform to-day and do not wait until it be too late. Do not say it is early, for the time quickly passes by. "It is good to reform and it is good to exhort people to reform. It is good to lead a righteous life and take refuge in the Buddha's name. Your talents may reach to the sides, your wealth may be untold— But all is in vain unless you attain the peace of Nirvāna."

XLIV.

SECRECY AND PUBLICITY. The Buddha said: "Three things, O disciples, are characterized by secrecy: love affairs, priestly wisdom, and all aberrations from the path of truth.

"Women who are in love, O disciples, seek secrecy and shun publicity; priests who claim to be in possession of special revelations, O disciples, seek secrecy and shun 123