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FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
1,5.
. Now by the roadside as he beheld the ploughmen,
plodding along the furrows, and the writhing worms, his heart again was moved with piteous feeling, and anguish pierced his soul afresh; 330
To see those labourers at their toil, struggling with painful work, their bodies bent, their hair dishevelled, the dripping sweat upon their faces, their persons fouled with mud and dust; 331
The ploughing oxen, too, bent by the yokes, their lolling tongues and gaping mouths; the nature of the prince, loving, compassionate, his mind conceived most poignant sorrow, 332
And nobly moved to sympathy, he groaned with pain; then stooping down he sat upon the ground, and watched this painful scene of suffering; reflecting on the ways of birth and death! 333
'Alas! he cried, for all the world! how dark and ignorant, void of understanding !' And then to give his followers chance of rest, he bade them each repose where'er they list; 334
Whilst he beneath the shadow of a Gambu tree, gracefully seated, gave himself to thought. He pondered on the fact of life and death, inconstancy, and endless progress to decay. 335
His heart thus fixed without confusion, the five desires (senses) covered and clouded over, lost in possession of enlightenment and insight, he .entered on the first pure state of ecstacy. 336
All low desire removed, most perfect peace ensued; and fully now in Samadhi (he saw) the misery and utter sorrow of the world; the ruin wrought by age, disease, and death; 337
The great misery following on the body's death ; and yet men not awakened to the truth! oppressed
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| SR No. | 007676 |
| Book Title | Text of Confucianism Part 02 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | James Legge |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1882 |
| Total Pages | 2405 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 43 MB |