Dhammapada

SR No.: 007674
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

Page 634

TEVIGGA SUTTA.
177
the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas is foolish talk!'
Very good, Vasettha. Verily then, Vasettha, that Brâhmans versed in the Three Vedas should be able to show the way to a state of union with that which they do not know, neither have seensuch a condition of things has no existence.'
21. 'Just, Vasettha, as if a man should make a staircase in the place where four roads cross, to mount up into a mansion. And people should say to him, “Well, good friend, this mansion, to mount up into which you are making this staircase, do you know whether it is in the east, or in the south, or in the west, or in the north? whether it is high or low or of medium size ?' * And when so asked he should answer “No."'
And people should say to him, “But then, good friend, you are making a staircase to mount up into something-taking it for a mansion-which, all the while, you know not, neither have seen!”
And when so asked he should answer “Yes.": * Now what think you, Vasettha ? Would it not turn out, that being so, that the talk of that man was foolish talk ?'
'In sooth, Gotama, it would turn out, that being so, that the talk of that man was foolish talk !'
22. 'And just even so, Vâsettha, though you say that the Brâhmans [are not able to point out the way to union with that which they have seen), and you further say that [neither any one of them, nor of their pupils, nor of their predecessors even to the seventh generation has ever seen Brahmâ]. And you further say that even the Rishis of old, (whose
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