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TV, 20.
RECEIVING THE GETAVANA VIHÂRA.
239
can the birds congregate therein ? The wise man, who is regarded as an enlightened sage, without this knowledge is ignorant; 1659
Having this knowledge, then true wisdom dawns; without it, there is no enlightenment. To get this wisdom is the one aim, to neglect it is the mistake of life. 1660.
All the teaching of the schools should be centred here; without it is no true reason. To recount this excellent system is not for those who dwell in family connection; 1661.
Nor is it, on that account, not to be said', for religion concerns a man individually [is a private affair). Burned up with sorrow, by entering the cool stream, all may obtain relief and ease; 1662
'The light of a lamp in a dark room lights up equally objects of all colours, so is it with those who devote themselves to religion, - there is no distinction between the professed disciple and the unlearned (common). 1663 . Sometimes the mountain-dweller (i.e. the religious hermit) falls into ruin, sometimes the humble householder mounts up to be a Rishi; the want of faith (doubt) is the engulfing sea, the presence of disorderly belief is the rolling flood, 1664
The tide of lust carries away the world ; involved in its eddies there is no escape; wisdom is the handy boat, reflection is the hold-fast. 1665
The drum-call of religion (expedients), the barrier (dam) of thought, these alone can rescue from
1 This and the preceding line are obscure. The sense of the whole passage seems to point to the adaptation of religion for the life of all persons, laïc or cleric.
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