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V, 25.
PARINIRVANA.
289
'Even as when a house is burnt a man rejoices if his friends are saved from out the flames; the gods ! perhaps they rejoice-then how much more should men! 1970
‘But—when Tathagata has gone and living things no more may see him, eternally cut off from safety and deliverance--in thought of this we grieve and sorrow. 1971
‘Like as a band of merchants crossing with careful steps a desert, with only a single guide, suddenly he dies ! 1972
'Those merchants now without a protector, how can they but lament! The present age, coming to know their true case ', has found the othniscient, and looked to him, 1973 : 'But yet has not obtained the final conquest; how will the world deride! Even as it would laugh at one who, walking o'er a mountain full of treasure, yet ignorant thereof, hugs still the pain of poverty. 1974
So spake the Mallas, and with tearful words excuse themselves to Buddha, even as an only child pleads piteously before a loving father. 1975
Buddha then, with speech most excellent, exhibited and declared the highest principle (of truth), and thus addressed the Mallas: 'In truth, 'tis as you say; 1976
Seeking the way, you must exert yourselves and strive with diligence-it is not enough to have seen me! Walk, as I have commanded you; get rid of all the tangled net of sorrow; 1977
1 Men now living having learned their case, or condition, from the teaching of Buddha.
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