Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/187

 practise a virtuous life may observe this Law in their homes as well as in the wilderness.

6, 7. 'How, then, is it that you give yourself up to a life of pain, embracing this state of incarnate Poverty, as it were ? You are sustaining yourself by alms obtained from the charity of strangers, and you are not a bit more regarded than a vagabond. Covered with rags and devoid of relations and friends, you are hiding yourself in this abode in the midst of the forest. Even the eyes of your enemies would be filled with tears, if they were to see you in this condition.

8. “Therefore, return to your paternal house. Certainly, the abundance of its estate must be known also to you. Living there, you might fulfil at the same time both your religious duties and your desire of possessing a virtuous son.

'For such is the saying, indeed, you know :

9. 'Even to a hired labourer his home is comforting, like a well of fresh water, how much more an easily obtained luxurious residence, resplendent with wealth!'

But the Bodhisattva's mind was purified by that delicious and comforting ambrosia, the name of which is detachment. His heart clung to it, for he knew well the difference between the life of a householder and the forest-life; and the invitation to enjoy worldly pleasures had the same effect of discomfort upon him, as talking of a meal would have upon one who is satiated. So he spoke:

10. 'What you said was spoken out of affection, of a truth, and on this account your words did not grieve me so much. Nevertheless, do not employ the term “comfort,” when speaking of one who lives in the world.

11. The householder's state is a state of great uneasiness, whether he have money or not. The rich man is vexed by the toil of guarding his wealth, and the poor one by the labour of earning it.

12. 'Now, since there is no comfort to be found in that state either for the rich or for the poor, it is