________________
IV, 4, 14.
SUICIDE.
273
These are the eight occasions on which investigation ought to precede action.'
* Very good, Nâgasena! That is so, and I accept it as you say
[Here ends the problem as to the Bodisat's
consideration.]
[ON SUICIDE.] 13. [195] Venerable Nâgasena, it has been said by the Blessed One: "A brother is not, O Bhikkhus, to commit suicide. Whosoever does so shall be dealt with according to the law ?." And on the other hand you (members of the Order) say: “On whatsoever subject the Blessed One was addressing the disciples, he always, and with various similes, preached to them in order to bring about the destruction of birth, of old age, of disease, and of death. And whosoever overcame birth, old age, disease, and death, him did he honour with the highest praise ?." Now if the Blessed One forbade suicide that saying of yours must be wrong, but if not then the prohibition of suicide must be wrong. This too is a double-edged problem now put to you, and you have to solve it.'
14. “The regulation you quote, O king, was laid down by the Blessed One, and yet is our saying you refer to true. And there is a reason for this, a
1 Literally is not to throw himself down,' and I think from a precipice' is to be understood, especially as the nearest approach to the words quoted, that is the passage in the Sutta Vibhanga on the 3rd Pârågika (III, 5, 13), has that meaning. ? Here again the passage referred to is not known.
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