z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 05.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 404
404 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
practise cleansing by water, abiding night and day given to the habit of going down to bathe ?”
- “ True it is, Master Gotama.”
IV
“ Now, Brahmin, seeking what profit dost thou so practise the habit of going down to bathe, and so forth?”
“ It is in this way, Master Gotama. Whatsoever evil I do by day, I get it washed away that very evening by my bathing. Whatsoever evil I do by night I get it washed away next morning by my bathing. That is the profit I am looking for in being a cleanser by water and so forth.”
Then said the Exalted One :
“The Norm is the pool. It is clear and undefiled.”
“Hither when they have come to bathe, the masters of the lore, are cleansed in every limb, and pass unto the Further Shore.”
Whereupon the Brahmin Sangarava said to the Exalted One : “Excellent it is, Master Gotama. May the Master Gotama accept me as His follower, from this day forth so long as life doth last, as one who has taken refuge in Him.”
§ 7. What is Holy Life
Once while the Blessed Lord was on journey he gave, as was his practice, the following discourse to the Bhikkhus who were accompanying him.
Addressing the Bhikkhus the Lord said : “O brethren, this holy life is not practised with a view to deceive people, nor to seek their favour, nor for the purpose of gain, benefit, or fame, nor with the intention of getting out of difficulties in controversy, nor that one may be known as such and such by men. Indeed, brethren, this holy life is practised for the controlling (of body and speech), the cleansing (of corruptions) and the detachment (from) and cessation (of craving).”