The Meeting of those Near and Dear. - Page 555

z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 536

536 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

3. Seating himself on the seat set for him, the Lord poured water over his feet while Rahula, after salutations, took his seat to one side.

VII

4. Addressing Rahula, the Blessed Lord said— “He who does not shrink from deliberate lying has not—say I—left undone any evil thing which he could. Therefore, you must school yourself never to tell a lie even in jest.

5. “In the same way you must reflect and again in doing every act, in speaking every word and in thinking every thought.

6. “When you want to do anything you must reflect whether it would conduce to your or others’ harm or to both, and so is a wrong act productive of woe and ripening into woe. If reflection tells you that this is the nature of that contemplated act, you should not do it.

7. “But if reflection assures you there is no harm but good in it, then you may do it.

8. “Grow in loving kindness; for as you do so malevolence will pass away.

9. “Grow in compassion; for as you do so vexation will pass away.

10. “Grow in gladness over others’ welfare; for as you do so aversions will pass away.

11. “Grow in poised equanimity; for as you do so all repugnance will pass away.

12. “Grow in contemplation of the body’s corruption; for as you do so passion will pass away.

13. “Grow in perception of the fleeting nature of things; for as you do so the pride of self will fall away.”

14. Thus spoke the Lord. Glad at heart, Rahula rejoiced in what the Lord had said.

§ 5. Last Meeting between the Buddha and Sariputta

1. The Blessed Lord was staying in Shravasti in the Jetavana in the Gaudhakuti Vihar.