:: 4. Risk of Conversion. ::
1. In olden times, Buddha was residing in a country about 500 li from Rajagraha, full of mountains. In these mountains there lived a certain clan of about 122 persons, who occupied themselves in hunting, and fed themselves on the flesh of the animals they killed.
2. (Buddha goes to the place and converts the women, who 'were left alone during the day, whilst their husbands were hunting, and then adds these lines.)
3. " He who is humane does not kill (or, it is humane not to kill); he is ever able to preserve (his own?) life.
4. "This principle (chu) is imperishable; whoever observes it, no calamity shall betide that man. 5. "Politeness, indifference to wordly things, hurting no one, without place for annoyance—this is the character of the Brahma Heaven (or of Brahma Deva).
6. "Ever exercising love towards the infirm; pure, according to the teaching of Buddha ; knowing when sufficient has been had; knowing when to stop,—-this is to escape (the recurrence of) birth and death."
The women, having heard these words, were converted, and on the men's return, although they wished at first to kill Buddha, they were restrained by their wives ; and, listening to these words of love, they also were converted.
7. And then he added these lines.
8. " There are eleven advantages which attend the man who practices mercifulness, and is tender to all that lives.
9. "His body is always in health (happy); he is blessed with peaceful sleep, and when engaged in study he is also composed."
10. " He has no evil dreams, he is protected by Heaven (Devas) and loved by man ; he is unmolested by poisonous things, and escapes the violence of war; he is unharmed by fire or water.
11. "He is successful wherever he lives, and when dead goes to the Heaven of Brahma. These are the eleven."
12. Having uttered these words, both men and women were admitted into the company of his disciples, and obtained rest.
1. In olden times, Buddha was residing in a country about 500 li from Rajagraha, full of mountains. In these mountains there lived a certain clan of about 122 persons, who occupied themselves in hunting, and fed themselves on the flesh of the animals they killed.
2. (Buddha goes to the place and converts the women, who 'were left alone during the day, whilst their husbands were hunting, and then adds these lines.)
3. " He who is humane does not kill (or, it is humane not to kill); he is ever able to preserve (his own?) life.
4. "This principle (chu) is imperishable; whoever observes it, no calamity shall betide that man. 5. "Politeness, indifference to wordly things, hurting no one, without place for annoyance—this is the character of the Brahma Heaven (or of Brahma Deva).
6. "Ever exercising love towards the infirm; pure, according to the teaching of Buddha ; knowing when sufficient has been had; knowing when to stop,—-this is to escape (the recurrence of) birth and death."
The women, having heard these words, were converted, and on the men's return, although they wished at first to kill Buddha, they were restrained by their wives ; and, listening to these words of love, they also were converted.
7. And then he added these lines.
8. " There are eleven advantages which attend the man who practices mercifulness, and is tender to all that lives.
9. "His body is always in health (happy); he is blessed with peaceful sleep, and when engaged in study he is also composed."
10. " He has no evil dreams, he is protected by Heaven (Devas) and loved by man ; he is unmolested by poisonous things, and escapes the violence of war; he is unharmed by fire or water.
11. "He is successful wherever he lives, and when dead goes to the Heaven of Brahma. These are the eleven."
12. Having uttered these words, both men and women were admitted into the company of his disciples, and obtained rest.
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