法句譬喻經 16.p9

16.p9

There was in old time a certain disorderly person living in Rājagriha, who neither reverenced his parents or paid respect to his superiors, but always had resort to sacrifice and worship of the sun and moon and fire when he went wrong, hoping thereby to get merit, and feel happy in himself; but notwithstanding all his bodily exercises, in worship and offerings, he found no peace, even after three years' incessant perseverance. He at length resolved to go to Śrāvastī to inquire of Buddha. Arrived there, and seeing the glory of his person, he fell down at his feet, and said how he was placed. Then Buddha explained the folly of animal sacrifice, and the uselessness of all such exercises where the heart was untouched, and there was no filial reverence or dutiful behaviour to those to whom it belonged; and in conclusion recited these Gāthās :—