21. "Reflection is the path of immortality, thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who reflect do not die; those who are thoughtless are as if dead already." 25. "By rousing himself, by reflection, by restraint and control, the wise man may make for himself an island, which no flood can overwhelm." 27. "Follow not after vanity, nor after the enjoyment of love and lust. He who reflects and meditates obtains ample joy" We dare not affirm that the writer of the first epistle of John was familiar with the Dhammapada, but his words (chap. ii, v. 15), "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world," &c., are as purely Buddhistic as if he had known the doctrine of the Indian sage. We doubt whether, in the whole Bible, a parallel passage to the following can be found:-- 36. "Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive, very artful, and they rush wherever they list: thoughts well guarded bring happiness." It is true that in the Psalms, and elsewhere, there is a full recognition of the power of God to know, and even to punish man for, bad thoughts, but there is no precept recommending man to cultivate his mental powers for the pleasure which the task will bring. The following observation is equally to be commended:-- 40. "Knowing that this body is (fragile) like a jar, and making this thought firm like a fortress, one should attack Mara (the tempter, or Satan, the adversary) with the weapon of knowledge, one should watch him when conquered, and never cease from the fight."