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IV, 4, 8.
ESOTERIC DOCTRINE.
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extent, kept secret out of reverence for the Dhamma. For if not, then it would be like the best, most costly, and most rare red sandal wood of the finest kind, which when brought to Savara (that city of the outcast Kandalas ) is despised and contemned, treated shamefully, made game of, and found fault with.'
8. (192] And how is it that the Pâtimokkha is kept secret, up to that extent, out of reverence for the position of a member of the Order ? The condition of a Bhikkhu, great king, is in glory beyond the reach of calculation by weight, or measure, or price. None can value it, weigh it, measure it. And the recitation of the Pâtimokkha is carried on before the Bhikkhus alone, lest any one who has occupied that position should be brought down to a level with the men of the world. Just, О king, as if there be any priceless thing, in vesture or floor covering, in elephants, chargers, or chariots, in gold or silver or jewels or pearls or women, or in unsurpassable strong drinks, all such things are the appanage of kings— just so, O king, whatever is most priceless in the way of training, of the traditions of the Blessed One, of learning, of conduct, and of the virtues of righteousness and self-control-all these are the appanages of the Order of Bhikkhus. This is why the recitation of the Pâtimokkha is, to that extent, kept secret 8.'
1 Added from the Simhalese.
Niggita-kamma-surâ, rendered in the Simhalese (p. 254), gaya-grihita-kritya-sora-pânayen.
It will be noticed that there is no mention here in a connection where, if it had then existed, it would almost certainly have been referred to) of any Esoteric Buddhism. So above, at
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