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IV, 2, 15.
PIRIT.
213
Death is a thing disliked by all beings. And therefore are they in dread of it though they want to be released from purgatory.'
Very good, Nagasena ! That is so, and I accept it as you say.
[Here ends the dilemma as to the fear of death.]
[PIRIT.] 15. 'Venerable Nâgasena, it was said by the Blessed One: “Not in the sky, not in the ocean's midst, Not in the most secluded mountain cleft, Not in the whole wide world is found the spot Where standing one could 'scape the snare of
death 1." But on the other hand the Pirit service was promulgated by the Blessed One 2—that is to say, the Ratana Sutta and the Khanda-paritta and the Moraparitta and the Dhagagga-parittà [151] and the Atânâtiya-parittà and the Anguli-mala-parittà. If, Nâgasena, a man can escape death's snare neither by going to heaven, nor by going into the midst of the sea, nor by going to the summits of lofty palaces,
1 Either Dhammapada 127, which is the same except the last word (there 'an evil deed'), or Dhammapada 128, except the last line (which is there where standing death would not overtake one').
? This is a service used for the sick. Its use so far as the Pitakas are known has been nowhere laid down by the Buddha, or by words placed in his mouth. This is the oldest text in which the use of the service is referred to. But the word Parittà (Pirit) is used in Kullavagga V, 6, of an asseveration of love for snakes, to be used as what is practically a charm against snake bite, and that is attributed to the Buddha. The particular Suttas and passages here referred to are all in the Pirakas.
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