"Buddhism teaches methods for attaining a saner state of being, a happier life and ultimately an awakened state of mind." Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
Chapter XXIII
THE ELEPHANT
320 Silently I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow: for the world is ill-natured.
325 If a man becomes fat and a great eater, if he is sleepy rolls himself about, that fool, like a hog fed on grains, is born again and again.
326 This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant.
330 It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone, let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest.
331 If the occasion arises, friends are pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever be the cause; a good work is pleasant in the hour of death; the giving up of all grief is pleasant.
332 Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a Samana, pleasant the state of a Brahmana.
333 Pleasant is virtue lasting to old age, pleasant is a faith firmly rooted; pleasant is attainment of intelligence, pleasant is avoiding of sins.
Chapter XXII
THE DOWNWARD COURSE
307 Many men whose shoulders are covered with yellow gown are ill-conditioned are unrestrained; such evil-doers by their deeds go to hell.
309 Four things does a reckless man gain who covets his neighbour's wife,- demerit, uncomfortable bed, thirdly punishment, and lastly, hell.
311 As a grass-blade, if badly grasped, cuts the arm, badly-practised asceticism leads to hell.
313 If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely.
316 They who are ashamed of what they ought not to be ashamed of, and are not ashamed of what they ought to be ashamed of, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.
317 They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.
318 They who see sin where there is no sin, and see no sin where there is sin, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.
319 They who see sin where there is sin, and no sin where there is no sin, such men, embracing the true doctrine, enter the good path.
