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RENUNCIATION FOR EVER
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with old age as his weapon, and diseases scattered about as his arrows, smiting down living creatures who fly like deer to the forest of destiny, what desire can there be in anyone for length of life ?
“It well befits the youthful son or the old man or the child so to act with all promptitude that they may choose the path of the religious man whose soul is all mercy.
“And as for what thou saidst, ‘ be diligent in sacrifices for religion, such as are worthy of thy race and bring a glorious fruit,’—honour to such sacrifices ! I desire not that fruit which is sought by causing pain to others !
“To kill a helpless victim through a wish for future reward,—it would be unseemly action for a merciful, good-hearted man, even if the reward of the sacrifice were eternal.
“And even if true religion did not consist in quite another rule of conduct, by self-restraint, moral practice and a total absence of passion,—still it would not be seemly to follow the rule of sacrifice, where the highest reward is described as attained only by slaughter.
“Even that happiness which comes to a man, while he stays in this world, through the injury of another, is hateful to the wise compassionate heart; how much more if it be something beyond our sight in another life ?
“I am not to be lured into a course of action for future reward,—my mind does not delight, O King, in future births; these actions are uncertain and wavering in their direction, like plants beaten by the rain from a cloud.”
The king himself, folding his hands, replied, “Thou art obtaining thy desire without hindrance; when thou hast at last accomplished all that thou hast to do, thou shalt show hereafter thy favour towards me.”
Having received a firm promise from Gautama to visit him again, the monarch, taking his courtiers with him, returned to the palace.
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