The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume II)Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Religion
The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume II)
Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Buddhism -- Burma; Burma -- Religion; Gautama Buddha
[10] The Buddhists of these parts, following the track of their
ancestors, or rather copying their writings, are fond of arbitrary
divisions in all that concerns the different parts of their metaphysics.
Buddha, on this occasion, alludes to thirty-seven articles, which may
be considered as the foundation whereon rests philosophical and moral
wisdom. They are called _Bodi-pek-kera_; meaning, I believe, points or
articles of wisdom. They are subdivided into seven classes. In the first
are enumerated the four subjects most deserving of attention, viz., the
body, the heart, the sensations, and the law. In the second are described
four objects extremely worthy of our efforts, viz., preventing the law
of demerits to come into existence; preventing its developments, when it
exists; causing the law of merits to come into existence, and furthering
its progress when it is already existing. In the third are found likewise
four points meriting control, viz., one’s will, one’s heart, one’s
efforts, and one’s exertions. In the fourth class we find enumerated
five pre-eminently necessary dispositions or inclinations; that is to
say, disposition to benevolence, to diligence, to attention, to steady
direction towards what is excellent, and to considerate wisdom.
The fifth class comprises the _pola_, or rewards or good effects
resulting from the above inclination, viz., perfect benevolence,
diligence, attention, steadiness in what is excellent, and considerate
wisdom.
The sixth class comprehends the seven following virtues, which enable
man to raise himself very high in the scale of perfection:—Attention,
consideration of the law, diligence, equanimity of the soul, constancy in
good, fixity, and delight.
The seventh class comprises the ways that lead to good and perfection.
They are eight in number:—Perfect doctrine, intention, language, actions,
regular mode of life, diligence, attention, and fixity in good.
A volume might be written upon these thirty-seven principles or points
of moral philosophy, by way of comment and explanation; but we think
it better to leave the reader to make his own reflections, and run at
liberty over this broad field of metaphysics.
[11] The Kakouda stream was one of the arms or channels of the little
Gundak. It is at present dried up, but up to this day are to be seen
several marks indicating the ancient bed of that stream.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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