Again he reasoned thus, “Just as a man who has fallen into a heap of filth, if he beholds afar off a great pond covered with lotuses of five colours, ought to seek that pond, saying, ‘By what way shall I arrive there?’ but if he does not seek it the fault is not that of the pond; even so where there is the lake of the great deathless Nirvā_n_a for the washing of the defilement of sin, if it is not sought it is not the fault of the lake. And just as a man who is surrounded by robbers, if when there is a way of escape he does not fly it is not the fault of the way but of the man; even so when there is a blessed road loading to Nirvā_n_a for the man who is encompassed and held fast by sin, its not being sought is not the fault of the road but of the person. And as a man who is oppressed with sickness, there being a physician who can heal his disease, if he does not get cured by going to the physician that is no fault of the physician; even so if a man who is oppressed by the disease of sin seeks not a spiritual guide who is at hand and knows the road which puts an end to sin, the fault lies with him and not with the sin-destroying teacher.” Therefore it is said, 24. As a man fallen among filth, beholding a brimming lake, If he seek not that lake, the fault is not in the lake; 25. So when there exists a lake of Nirvā_n_a that washes the stains of sin, If a man seek not that lake, the fault is not in the lake of Nirvā_n_a. 26. As a man beset with foes, there being a way of escape, If he flee not away, the fault is not with the road; 27. So when there is a way of bliss, if a man beset with sin Seek not that road, the fault is not in the way of bliss. 28. And as one who is diseased, there being a physician at hand, If he bid him not heal the disease, the fault is not in the healer: 29. So if a man who is sick and oppressed with the disease of sin Seek not the spiritual teacher, the fault is not in the teacher.