The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient RecordsCarus, Paul
ReligionEastern
The Gospel of Buddha, Compiled from Ancient Records
Carus, Paul
Buddhism; Christianity and other religions -- Buddhism; Gautama Buddha; Gautama Buddha -- Teachings
"There is not a self residing in Name and Form, but the
cooperation of the conformations produces what people call a man. 13
"Just as the word 'chariot' is but a mode of expression for axle,
wheels, the chariot-body and other constituents in their proper
combination, so a living being is the appearance of the groups
with the four elements as they are joined in a unit. There is no
self in the carriage and there is no self in man. 14
"O bhikkhus, this doctrine is sure and an eternal truth, that
there is no self outside of its parts. This self of ours which
constitutes Name and Form is a combination of the groups with the
four elements, but there is no ego entity, no self in itself. 15
"Paradoxical though it may sound: There is a path to walk on,
there is walking being done, but there is no traveler. There are
deeds being done, but there is no doer. There is a blowing of the
air, but there is no wind that does the blowing. The thought of
self is an error and all existences are as hollow as the plantain
tree and as empty as twirling water bubbles. 16
"Therefore, O bhikkhus, as there is no self, there is no
transmigration of a self; but there are deeds and the continued
effect of deeds. There is a rebirth of karma; there is
reincarnation. This rebirth, this reincarnation, this
reappearance of the conformations is continuous and depends on
the law of cause and effect. Just as a seal is impressed upon the
wax reproducing the configurations of its device, so the thoughts
of men, their characters, their aspirations are impressed upon
others in continuous transference and continue their karma, and
good deeds will continue in blessings while bad deeds will
continue in curses. 17
"There is no entity here that migrates, no self is transferred
from one place to another; but there is a voice uttered here and
the echo of it comes back. The teacher pronounces a stanza and
the disciple who attentively listens to his teacher's
instruction, repeats the stanza. Thus the stanza is reborn in the
mind of the disciple. 18
"The body is a compound of perishable organs. It is subject to
decay; and we should take care of it as of a wound or a sore; we
should attend to its needs without being attached to it, or
loving it. 19
"The body is like a machine, and there is no self in it that
makes it walk or act, but the thoughts of it, as the windy
elements, cause the machine to work. 20
"The body moves about like a cart. Therefore 'tis said: 21
"As ships are by the wind impelled,
As arrows from their bowstrings speed,
So likewise when the body moves
The windy element must lead. 22
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account