Questions of King Milinda Part 02

Author(s): T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford

Page 33

IV, 5, 3.
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dwelling-place, so also should the recluse be of opinion that
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In friendship of the world anxiety is born, In household life distraction's dust springs up."
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3. But when the Blessed One said:
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OF MILINDA THE KING.
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Have pleasant dwelling-places built, And lodge there learned men,"
that was said with respect to two matters only. And what are those two? The gift of a dwellingplace (Wihara) has been praised and approved, esteemed and highly spoken of, by all the Buddhas. And those who have made such a gift shall be delivered from rebirth, old age, and death. This is the first of the advantages in the gift of a dwellingplace. And again, if there be a common dwellingplace (a Wihâra) the sisters of the Order will have a clearly ascertained place of rendezvous, and those who wish to visit (the brethren of the Order)' will find it an easy matter to do so. Whereas if there were no homes for the members of the Order it would be difficult to visit them. This is the second of the advantages in the gift of a dwelling-place (a Wihara). It was with reference to these two matters only that it was said by the Blessed One: Have pleasant dwelling-places built, And lodge there learned men."
"
[213] And it does not follow from that that the sons of the Buddha should harbour longings after the household life.'
1 The words in brackets are added from Hîna/i-kumburê. That is, the members of the Order.
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