Page:Henry Mulford Tichenor - The Buddhist Philosophy of Life.djvu/32

 30 was done according to the religious superstition to avert evil, said: "Why performest thou these ceremonies?"

And Sigala replied: "Dost thou think it strange that I should protect my home against the influences of demons?"

Then the Teacher answered: "Ceremonies will not protect thy home. Thou must guard it with good deeds."

And Buddha taught the people, saying:

He who labors in the interest of self, so that he may become powerful, or rich, or renowned, will find no reward; but he who labors for righteousness and truth will find great reward, for even his worldly defeat will be a victory.

Self is not a fit vessel to receive lasting success. Self is small and brittle, and its contents will soon be spilt; but truth is large enough to hold the yearnings and aspirations of all selves, and its' contents will be kept forever.

The overcoming of self is not to destroy the souls of men, but to preserve them.

He whose mind is free from the illusion of self, will stand and not fall in the battle of life.

He who follows after Justice and truth will endure forever.

He who has in his heart the love of truth has drunk the water of immortality.

There is no self. He who says that the soul is his self and that the self is the thinker of our thoughts and the actor of our deeds, teaches a wrong doctrine, which leads to confusion and darkness.