XXXII. THE BHIXU. I (365). A BHIXU who is satisfied with what alms are given him, and who frets not about what is given to others, who is protected by continual passionlessness and reflection, him the gods do delight in. 2. A Bhixu who is satisfied with what alms are given him, and who frets not about what is given to others, who is protected (by passionlessness and reflection), and in whom the gods delight, in such a one there is no desire for honours, riches, and fame. 3. A Bhixu who has cast off all desires, is free from passions, though having before him (the objects of desire); the steadfast one, who is without selfishness and is controlled, ought not to hold intercourse with others.1 4. Hurt by the words of uncontrolled men, and listening to the words of the ill-natured, the Bhixu is without anger 1 Çariputra having gone to the house of some relatives, had done them the kindness to teach them the law. An inimical Brahman, who could not bear it, said, "He has been deluded himself and does delude others." (Bhagavat) then said: "By entering the priesthood one cuts off desires which pervade all the regions of the world, one cuts off desires entirely. The Bixhu overcomes all that inwardly disturbs him by keeping his mind remote from all; by being in seclusion he can destroy the remotest root of desire-that is to say, the six vanities (phra-rgyas) of existence.-P. what ere occurs, like the elephant pierced by arrows on the battlefield. 5. Hurt by words of uncontrolled men, and listening to the words of the ill-natured, the Bhixu is equally composed what ere occurs, like the elephant pierced by arrows on the battlefield. 6. Not exercising any handicraft1 for the gratification of the self, his senses under control, perfectly emancipated, without fondness for a home, without selfishness, having cast off desires and living all alone, that man is a Bhixu.2 7 (375). Associating only with men whose lives are pure and who are without slothfulness, observing the different prescriptions, one will learn the necessary rules to follow in life (to acquire nirvâna). 3 8 (362). He who controls his hands, who controls his feet, who controls his speech, who controls his senses, who finds all his pleasure in solitude, who is contented, him I call a Bhixu. 9 (364). The Bhixu who finds perfect joy in the law, who delights in the law, who meditates on the law, who bears in mind the law, will never depart from the law. 10 (373). The Bhixu having entered an empty abode and seeing 1 This is to teach dislike for worldly goods.-P. 2 That is to say, one who has found the destruction of suffering-P. 3 So-sor bgo-bshah bya. There are two kinds of bgo-bshah (prescriptions-I. The different prescriptions of the law. 2. The different prescriptions concerning objects (zang-zing). - P. The first probably alludes to the Prâtimoxa, the latter to the Vinaya. Comp. the Pâli text santuṭṭhi pâtimokkha ca samvaro. 4 Who has taken up his abode in solitude.-P. the innermost (part of the law), will experience divine joy on perceiving the law rightly. II (374). As soon as he has rightly understood the creation and destruction of the skandhas, he will find joy and ravishment; the Bhixu filled with joy will find the way to put an end to suffering. I2. As a rocky mountain is unshaken by the wind, so likewise the Bhixu who has put an end to passions is immovable. 13. As a rocky mountain is unshaken by the wind, so likewise the Bhixu who has put an end to ignorance is immovable. 14. As a rocky mountain is unshaken by the wind, so likewise the Bhixu who has put an end to selfishness is immovable. 15. As a rocky mountain is unshaken by the wind, so likewise the Bhixu who has put an end to lust is immovable. 16. As a rocky mountain is unshaken by the wind, so likewise the Bhixu who has put an end to affection is immovable.1 17. He who is without worldly goods, who cares not for self, for whom there is no affliction in anything, he is called a Bhixu. 1 Mâha Maudgalyayana's body had been dreadfully beaten by Gudashikhiyaka (sic); the Brahmans and householders having come to where he was, asked why he showed no agitation. (Bhagavat) then spoke verses 12-16.-P. This probably alludes to Maudgalyayana's death. See Spence Hardy, Manual, p.351; also xxix. 52, and note 2, p. 150. 18. They who only beg of others must not be considered as Bhixus; they who are attached to the ways of the world1 must not be considered as Bhixus. 19. He who has cast off virtue 2 and vice,3 who leads a life of holiness, who lives away from the society of men, he is called a Bhixu. 20. The Bhixu who is kind, who has perfect faith in the teaching of the Buddha, will find the perfection of peace (amatam padam), of which one can never weary. 21. The Bhixu who is kind, who has perfect faith in the teaching of the Buddha, will find the perfection of peace, the peace from the sanskâra (body). 22. The Bhixu who is kind, who has perfect faith in the teaching of the Buddha, will arrive by degrees at the complete destruction of all attachment. 23. The Bhixu who is kind, who has perfect faith in the teaching of the Buddha, will pull himself out of the evil way, as the elephant does himself out of the mire.1 24. The Bhixu who is kind, who has perfect faith in the 1 Lit. the practice (tchos) of the village, which the Commentary explains by selfishness. 2 The fruits of existence.-P. bu ma hdod pao). cannot explain these definitions as they are given in the Comment. Comp. Dhamm., 327, and iv. 26; also verses 24, 25, with iv. 27, 28. M teaching of the Buddha, will shake off all wickedness, as does the wind the leaves of a tree. 25. The Bhixu who is kind, who has perfect faith in the teaching of the Buddha, is so near nirvâņa that he cannot possibly fall away from it.1 26. The Bhixu who has subdued what charms the heart, what is agreeable to the mind, what delights and what does not delight (i.e., passions), is full of delight, and will find the end of suffering. 27. His body at rest2 and dispassionate, his mind perfectly composed, having cast off all worldly affairs, the Bhixu is (then) in peace, I declare. 28 (372). Without meditation" (samâdhi) there is no knowledge; without knowledge there is no meditation: he who possesses knowledge and meditation, he shall be called a Bhixu.3 29. They who are wise devote themselves to meditation and knowledge; the first thing therefore for an intelligent Bhixu is to acquire these. 1 The boatmen living on the shore of the Ganges, being angered, had commenced abusing Bhagavat and his disciples when yet a great way off. On drawing nigh, all the disciples remarked Bhagavat's perfectly calm exterior; so they, believing in him, requested him to go to these boatmen (and talk to them); having done which, he spoke to (his disciples) verses 20-25.-P. 2 Having given up all wicked deeds.-P. 3 A great number of Ashthavangana (sic) Rischis were assembled on the shore of the Ayoda (Ayôdhyâ?), and on seeing the Bhixus they were greatly pleased (with their appearance). Bhagavat spoke the two following verses (28, 29).—P. There is a slight difference in the last line of 28 between the text of the Bkah. and that of the Bst. According to the latter, it is "he is near to nirvana." The Comment. follows the version of the Bst. |