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IV, 1, 10.
GIFTS.
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be entirely passed away (from life), unattached to the world, escaped from all existence, then honours would not be offered to him. For he who is entirely set free accepts no honour, and any act done to him who accepts it not becomes empty and vain."
This is a dilemma which has two horns. It is not a matter within the scope of those who have no mind", it is a question fit for the great. Tear asunder this net of heresy, put it on one side. To you has this puzzle been put. Give to the future sons of the Conqueror eyes wherewith to see the riddle to the confusion of their adversaries.'
The Blessed One, O king,' replied the Elder, 'is entirely set free. And the Blessed One accepts no gift. Even at the foot of the Tree of Wisdom he abandoned all accepting of gifts, how much more then now when he has passed entirely away by that kind of passing away which leaves no root over (for the formation of a new existence). For this, O king, has been said by Sâriputta, the commander of the faith ? : “Though worshipped, these Unequalled Ones, alike
By gods and men, unlike them all they heed Neither a gift nor worship. They accept It not, neither refuse it. Through the ages All Buddhas were so, so wil. ever be 8!".
1 Apatta-mânâsanam. Of those who have not attained to the insight of the Arahats,' says the Si halese by way of gloss.
! This verse is not found in our printed texts. The Thera. Gâtha (981-1017) has preserved thirty-seven of the verses attributed to Sâriputta, but this is not one of them.
· Hînati-kumburê, who quotes the Pâli verses, reads pagayantà, and sâdîyanti.
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