The Gospel of Buddha
Compiled from ancient records by Paul Carus, 1894Luxurious LivingChapter 70 of 100
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia
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Luxurious Living |
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The Tathagata, seeing the luxuries with which the man was surrounded asked him:
"Hast thou a desire to know the cause of thy ailments?"
And when the wealthy man expressed his willingness to learn, the Blessed One said:
"There are five things which produce the condition of which thou complainest:
opulent dinners, love of sleep, hankering after pleasure,
thoughtlessness, and lack of occupation.
Exercise self-control at thy meals, and take upon thyself
some duties that will exercise thy abilities
and make thee useful to thy fellow-men.
In following this advice thou wilt prolong thy life." [2]
The rich man remembered the words of the Buddha
and after some time having recovered his lightness
and body and youthful buoyancy
returned to the World-honoured One and,
coming afoot without horses and attendants, said to him:
"Master, thou hast cured my bodily ailments;
I come now to seek enlightenment of my mind." [3]
And the Blessed One said:
"The worldling nourishes his body,
but the wise man nourishes his mind.
He who indulges in the satisfaction of his appetites works his own destruction;
but he who walks in the path will have both the salvation from evil
and a prolongation of life." [4[
The Gospel of Buddha
Compiled from ancient records by Paul Carus, 1894Luxurious LivingChapter 70 of 100
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia
| |
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