The Resolution of ParadoxesPreliminary Discussion After pondering the whole night on the discussions he had had with Nāgasena, the king took upon himself eight vows: “For these seven days I will decide no case of law, I will harbour no thought of desire, hatred or delusion. Towards all servants and dependants I shall be humble. I shall watch carefully over every
bodily act and my six senses. I shall fill my mind with loving-kindness for all beings.”
Then he desired to talk with Nāgasena alone saying, “There are eight places to be avoided by him who wants to discuss deeply: uneven ground where the matter considered becomes scattered, verbose, diffuse and comes to nothing; unsafe places where the
mind is disturbed by fear and so does not perceive the meaning clearly; windy places where the voice is indistinct; in secluded places there may be eavesdroppers; in sacred places the subject of discussion may be diverted to the serious surroundings; on a road it may become banal; on a bridge it may become unsteady and wavering; and at a public bathing place it would become a matter of common talk. “Again there are eight kinds of people, Nāgasena, who are apt to spoil the discussion; the lustful, the angry or deluded man, the proud, the covetous, the sluggard, the man of one idea, and the poor fool — these eight are the spoilers of high argument. “There are eight causes, Nāgasena, of the development and maturing of intelligence: the advance of
years, the growth of reputation, frequent questioning, association with a spiritual guide, one’s own reasoning, discussion, association with the virtuous and dwelling in a suitable place. This spot is free from objections to talking matters over and I am a model pupil; I am discreet and my insight is mature. “These, Nāgasena, are the twenty-five duties of a teacher towards his worthy pupil: he must always
protect his pupil, let him know what to cultivate and what to avoid, what he should be earnest about and what neglect. He should instruct him as to sleep, keeping in health, what food to accept or reject, teach him moderation in food, and share with him what he gets in his own almsbowl. He should encourage him when he is discouraged and advise him as to suitable company, villages and monasteries
to frequent. He should never indulge in joking or foolish talk with him. Having seen any defect he should be patient with him. He should be diligent, one who fulfils the precepts, worthy of respect and open-hearted. He should regard him as a son, strive to bring him forward, make him strong in knowledge, love him, never desert him in need, never neglect any duty and help him back onto the right path when he stumbles.” “O king, there are these ten qualities of a lay disciple. He should share the joy and sorrow of the Order, take the Dhamma as his guide, delight in giving as far as he is able and should strive to revive the religion if it is in decay. He holds right views and, being one free from the excitement of celebrating festivals,1 he does not run after another teacher even for the sake of his life. He keeps watch over his thoughts, words and deeds, delights in harmony and is unbiased. As he is no hypocrite he takes refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. All of these qualities are present in you hence it is proper and becoming in you that, seeing the decay in the religion of the conqueror, you desire its prosperity. I give
you leave to ask me whatever you wish.” |
