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LECTURE XIX.
91
no value; so when the whole world is on fire, as it were, by old age and death, I shall save my Self, if you will permit me.' (22, 23)
To him his parents said : "Son, difficult to perform are the duties of a Sramana ; a monk must possess thousands of virtues. (24)
"Impartiality towards all beings in the world, whether friends or enemies, and abstention from injury to living beings throughout the whole life : this is a difficult duty. (25)
“To be never careless in abstaining from falsehood, and to be always careful to speak wholesome truth: this is a difficult duty. (26)
"To abstain from taking of what is not given, even of a toothpick, &c.; and to accept only alms free from faults : this is a difficult duty. (27)
“To abstain from unchastity after one has tasted sensual pleasures, and to keep the severe vow of chastity: this is a very difficult duty. (28)
“To give up all claims on wealth, corn, and servants, to abstain from all undertakings, and not to own anything: this is a very difficult duty. (29)
"Not to eat at night any food of the four kinds", not to put away for later use or to keep a store (of things one wants): this is a very difficult duty. (30)
“Hunger and thirst, heat and cold, molestation by flies and gnats, insults, miserable lodgings, pricking grass, and uncleanliness, blows and threats, corporal punishment and imprisonment, the mendicant's life and fruitless begging: all this is misery. (31, 32)
“Such a life is like that of pigeons (always afraid of
* I.e. food, drink, dainties, and spices.
