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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
the Blessed One, delivered his last sermon.
· Sermon (25-28)
“There are four objects of existence of people in this world. Of these, wealth and love are valuable in name only; in reality they are worthless. Emancipation alone is of value and dharma is the cause of it. The tenfold self-control, et cetera is a boat for the ocean of worldly existence. Worldly existence has infinite pain, but emancipation has infinite bliss. There is no means for the giving up and acquirement of the two except dharma. Just as a lame man may go a long way slowly, if he follows a path, so one even with heavy karma may attain emancipation, if he practices dharma."
The eight dreams (29–73)
After delivering this sermon, the Teacher of the World stopped; and the governor, Puṇyapāla, bowed to the Lord and announced: “Master, today I saw eight dreams: an elephant, monkey, fig tree, crow, lion, lotus, seed, and pitcher in succession. Tell me the meaning of these. I am frightened, Blessed One.”
Questioned, the Lord of the World explained their meaning: “ Those who have discernment, having become equal to elephants, in the future will live as greedy laymen in a house pleasant with transitory wealth. They will not take initiation, if a bad condition or a hostile army is present; and even if initiation has been taken, they will abandon it from bad association. Certainly a few will keep the vow even in evil association. This is the meaning of the elephantdream.
The meaning of the monkey-dream is as follows: The chief-ācāryas, belonging to sects, for the most part equal to monkeys, with uncertain mental processes and little strength of character, will become negligent in the vow. The pious will deteriorate constantly, but very few will exert themselves
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