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THE WAY.
67
CHAPTER XX.
THE WAY.
273. The best of ways is the eightfold ; the best of truths the four words; the best of virtues passionlessness; the best of men he who has eyes to see.
274. This is the way, there is no other that leads to the purifying of intelligence. Go on this way! Everything else is the deceit of Māra (the tempter).
275. If you go on this way, you will make an end of pain! The way was preached by me, when I had understood the removal of the thorns (in the flesh).
276. You yourself must make an effort. The Tathâgatas (Buddhas) are only preachers. The thoughtful who enter the way are freed from the bondage of Mâra.
. 277. 'All created things perish,' he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain ; this is the : way to purity. .
273. The eightfold or eight-membered way is the technical term for the way by which Nirvana is attained. (See Burnouf, Lotus, p. 519.) This very way constitutes the fourth of the Four Truths, or the four words of truth, viz. Duhkha, pain ;' Samudaya, origin;' Nirodha,'destruction;' Mârga, 'road.' (Lotus, p. 517.) See note to verse 178. For another explanation of the Mârga, or 'way, see Hardy, Eastern Monachism, p. 280.
274. The last line may mean, this way is the confusion of Mâra;' i.e. the discomfiture of Mâra.
275. The salyas,' arrows or thorns,' are the sokasalya,' the arrows of grief.' Buddha himself is called mahâsalya-hartâ, the great remover of thorns.' (Lalita-vistara, p. 550 ; Mahâbh. XII, 5616.)
277. See v. 255.
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| SR No. | 007674 |
| Book Title | Dhammapada |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Max Muller |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1881 |
| Total Pages | 2540 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 45 MB |