Part 36 (1/2)
”The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. For there is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings. 15
”As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are always in danger of death. 16
”As all earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals. 17
”Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall into the power of death; all are subject to death. 18
”Of those who, overcome by death, depart from life, a father cannot save his son, nor kinsmen their relations. 19
”Mark! while relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. 20
”So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world. 21
”In whatever manner people think a thing will come to pa.s.s, it is often different when it happens, and great is the disappointment; see, such are the terms of the world. 22
”Not from weeping nor from grieving will any one obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation. 23
”People pa.s.s away, and their fate after death will be according to their deeds. 24
”If a man live a hundred years, or even more, he will at last be separated from the company of his relatives, and leave the life of this world. 25
”He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. 26
”He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed.” 27
Lx.x.xV.
FOLLOWING THE MASTER OVER THE STREAM.
South of Savatthi is a great river, on the banks of which lay a hamlet of five hundred houses. Thinking of the salvation of the people, the World-honored One resolved to go to the village and preach the doctrine. Having come to the riverside he sat down beneath a tree, and the villagers seeing the glory of his appearance approached him with reverence; but when he began to preach, they believed him not. 1
When the world-honored Buddha had left Savatthi Sariputta felt a desire to see the Lord and to hear him preach. Coming to the river where the water was deep and the current strong, he said to himself: ”This stream shall not prevent me. I shall go and see the Blessed One,” and he stepped upon the water which was as firm under his feet as a slab of granite. 2
When he arrived at a place in the middle of the stream where the waves were high, Sariputta's heart gave way, and he began to sink. But rousing his faith and renewing his mental effort, he proceeded as before and reached the other bank. 3
The people of the village were astonished to see Sariputta, and they asked how he could cross the stream where there was nether a bridge nor a ferry. 4
And Sariputta replied: ”I lived in ignorance until I heard the voice of the Buddha. As I was anxious to hear the doctrine of salvation, I crossed the river and I walked over its troubled waters because I had faith. Faith, nothing else, enabled me to do so, and now I am here in the bliss of the Master's presency.” 5
The World-honored One added: ”Sariputta, thou hast spoken well.
Faith like thine alone can save the world from the yawning gulf of migration and enable men to walk dryshod to the other sh.o.r.e.” 6
And the Blessed One urged to the villagers the necessity of ever advancing in the conquest of sorrow and of casting off all shackles so as to cross the river of worldliness and attain deliverance from death. 7