[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [四十二章經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784) › [The Sutra of Forty-two Sections](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-bdk) › 1.45 # 四十二章經 1.45 The Sutra of Forty-two Sections 1.45 - **Language:** English ### [1.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-bdk.1.45) The Buddha asked the śramaṇas, “How long is the lifespan of a human being?” “It is but a few days,” was the reply. “You still have not understood the Way,” the Buddha replied. He asked another, “How long is the lifespan of a human being?” “It is the time required for a single meal,” was the reply. The Buddha said, “You have not yet understood the Way.” Again, he asked another, “How long is the lifespan of a human being?” “It is the time taken to inhale and exhale a single breath,” was the answer. The Buddha said, “Excellent! You are a follower of the Way.” \[38\] The Buddha said, “My disciples may be thousands of miles away from me, but if they are mindful of my precepts they will definitely attain the Way. But if those who are in close contact with me have non-virtuous thoughts, they will never attain the Way. The important thing is to practice. How can there be the slightest benefit from staying close to me if one does not practice?” \[39\] The Buddha said, “Following the Way is like tasting honey—it is sweet both within and on the surface. So are my teachings, the meaning of which is fineedged. Those who practice them will attain the Way.” \[40\] The Buddha said, “Those who follow the Way can extirpate desires. Just as pearls can be removed from a string one by one until there are none left, one attains the Way when defilements have been eradicated.” \[41\] The Buddha said, “Śramaṇas practicing the Way should be like oxen carrying heavy loads through deep mud. Despite their extreme fatigue, they dare not glance to the left or right. They are eager to emerge from the mud in order to get some rest. Śramaṇas should regard desire as worse than the mud and be wholeheartedly mindful of the Way; thus will they be freed from suffering.” \[42\] The Buddha said, “I regard \[those of\] royal and official positions as I would passers-by. I regard treasuries of gold and jewels as I would rubble. I regard garments of fine silk as I would worn-out rags.” THE SUTRA OF PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT - [Previous: 1.37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-bdk.1.37) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-bdk.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-mt.1.45) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [四十二章經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784.1.45) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-bdk.1.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.784~en-bdk.1.45) · Pramāṇa