- The Gospel of Buddha (1894) The Gospel of Buddha is a compilation from ancient records by Paul Carus
Ch. 58 The Buddha Replies to the Deva
- On a certain day when the Blessed One
- dwelt at Jetavana, the garden of Anathapindika,
- a celestial deva came to him in the shape of a Brahman
- enlightened and wearing clothing as white as snow.
The deva asked,
- What is the sharpest sword?
- What is the deadliest poison?
- What is the fiercest fire?
- What is the darkest night?”
The Blessed One replied,
- The sharpest sword is a word spoken in wrath;
- the deadliest poison is covetousness;
- the fiercest fire is hatred;
- the darkest night is ignorance.
The deva said,
- What is the greatest gain?
- What is the greatest loss?
- Which armour is invulnerable?
- What is the best weapon?
The Blessed One replied,
- The greatest gain is to give to others;
- the greatest loss is to greedily receive without gratitude;
- an invulnerable armor is patience;
- the best weapon is wisdom.
The deva said,
- Who is the most dangerous thief?
- What is the most precious treasure?
- Who can capture the heavens and the earth?
- Where is the securest treasure-trove?
A saviour has a greater right over the saved one than killer.
The Blessed One replied,
- The most dangerous thief is unwholesome thought;
- the most precious treasure is virtue;
- the heavens and the earth may be captured by the mind’s eye;
- surpassing rebirth locates the securest treasure-trove.
The deva asked,
- What is attraction?
- What is repulsion?
- What is the most horrible pain?
- What is the greatest enjoyment?
The mind is everything. What you think you become.
The Buddha replied,
- Attraction is wholeness;
- repulsion is unwholesomeness;
- the most tormenting pain is bad conscience;
- the height of bliss is redeemed awakening.
The deva asked,
- What causes ruin in the world?
- What breaks off friendships?
- What is the most violent fever?
- Who is the best physician?”
The Blessed One replied,
- Ruin in the world is caused by ignorance;
- friendships are broken off by envy and selfishness;
- the most violent fever is hatred;
- the best physician is the Buddha;
The deva continued,
- Now I have only one doubt to resolve and absolve:
- What is it fire cannot burn,
- nor moisture corrode,
- nor wind crush down,
- but is able to enlighten the whole world.
To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others.
The Buddha replied,
- Blessing!
- Neither fire, nor moisture, nor wind
- can destroy the blessing of good deeds,
- and blessings enlighten the whole world.
Hearing these answers,
- the deva was overflowing with joy.
- Then clasping hands, bowed down in respect and
- disappeared suddenly from the presence of the Buddha.