法句譬喻經 9.p4

9.p4

In days of old, at the back of the Gridhrakūta mountains, near Rājagriha, there was a village, of some seventy or so families, all of them Brahmans. Buddha wishing to convert these people, came to the place and sat down under a tree. The people seeing the dignity of his presence, and the glorious appearance of his body, flocked round him, on which he asked the Brahmans how long they had dwelt in the mountain there, and what their occupation was. To this they replied—"We have dwelt here during thirty generations past, and our occupation is to tend cattle.” On asking further as to their religious belief, they said—"We pay homage and sacrifice to the sun and moon, the rain (water), and fire, according to the several seasons. If one of us dies, we assemble and pray that he may be born in the heaven of Brahma, and so escape further transmigrations.” Buddha replied to this—"This is not a safe way, nor by it can you escape from the three evil ways of further existence. The true way is to follow me, become true ascetics, and practise complete self-composure with a view to obtain Nirvāna;” and then he added these lines: