first step in holiness.


Chapter XIV
The Buddha (The Awakened)

179. He whose conquest is not conquered again, into whose conquest no
one in this world enters, by what track can you lead him, the
Awakened, the Omniscient, the trackless?

180. He whom no desire with its snares and poisons can lead astray, by
what track can you lead him, the Awakened, the Omniscient, the
trackless?

181. Even the gods envy those who are awakened and not forgetful, who
are given to meditation, who are wise, and who delight in the repose
of retirement (from the world).

182. Difficult (to obtain) is the conception of men, difficult is the
life of mortals, difficult is the hearing of the True Law, difficult
is the birth of the Awakened (the attainment of Buddhahood).

183. Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that
is the teaching of (all) the Awakened.

184. The Awakened call patience the highest penance, long-suffering
the highest Nirvana; for he is not an anchorite (pravragita) who
strikes others, he is not an ascetic (sramana) who insults others.

185. Not to blame, not to strike, to live restrained under the law, to