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THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA. IV, 1, 59.
Certainly not, Sir.' But why not, O king ?' Because of the continual downpour of the rain.'
Just so, O king, is the glorious reservoir of the good law of the teaching of the Conqueror ever full of the clear fresh cool water of the practice of duty and virtue and morality and purity of life, and continues overflowing all limits even to the very highest heaven of heavens. And if the children of the Buddha rain down into it continuously, and in addition, the rainfall of still further practice of duty and virtue and morality and purity of life, then will it endure for long, and the world will not be bereft of Arahats. This was the meaning of the Master's words when he said : “But if, Subhadda, in this system the brethren continue in perfectness of life, then will the world not be bereft of Arahats."
59. 'Now suppose again, O king, that people were to continually supply a mighty fiery furnace with dried cow-dung, and dry sticks, and dry leaves would that fire go out?'
[133] No indeed, Sir. Rather would it blaze more fiercely, and burn more brightly.'
Just so, O king, does the glorious teaching of the Conqueror blaze and shine over the ten thousand world systems by the practice of duty and virtue and morality and purity of life. And if, O king, in addition to that, the children of the Buddha, devoting themselves to the five' kinds of spiritual exertion, continue zealous in effort—if cultivating a longing for the threefold discipline, they train themselves therein
1 Pañka-padhânangani. This is curious. In the Pitakas there are four kinds only.
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