Only, steadfastly pointing the way, he rejoiced that men should follow it, casting forth his light like the sun, not compelling men to guide their steps by it. Nor did he teach resignation to sorrow nor its acceptance as a blessing and discipline. Far from it. For in the clear percipience of the Lord sorrow is ignorance and shameful. “One thing only, monks, now as always I declare to you—sorrow and the uprooting of sorrow.” For what man would wander in the mist of sorrow when he may walk glad and straight to the goal in the sunlight of wisdom. And sorrow understood is sorrow ended. Therefore the Lord taught understanding of sorrow, as the first need and therefore says the wise Nagasena: “As a boy I was admitted to the Order, and nothing did I know of the goal. But I thought—‘These men taught by the Awakened One will teach me.’ And they taught, and now I know with understanding the foundation and the crown of Renunciation.” And what the Lord taught he knew: that there is no sorrow for the wise. And thus when he stayed at Alavi, by the cattle-path in the forest he rested on a couch of leaves, and it so chanced that a man of Alavi as he went through the forest saw the Exalted One sitting absorbed in meditation, and greeting him with respect this man sat down at his side and said: “Master, does the World-Honoured live happily?” And the Perfect One answered: “It is so, young man. Of those who live happily in the world I also am one.” “Cold, Master, is the winter night, the time of frost is coming: rough is the ground trodden by cattle: thin is the couch of leaves: light the monk’s yellow robe: sharp the cutting winter wind.” For his heart pitied the aging of the Exalted One. But he replied, again smiling: “It is so, young man. I live happily. Of those who live happily in the world I also am one.” And so it was, and with his own also. For his mendicants rejoicing said to one another: “We who call nothing our own, drenched with happiness, we in this world cast out light like the radiant Gods.” And their song was— “Abolished is the round of birth: Completed the ascetic life; Done what was to do. This world of form is no more. This we know.” And sometimes proud and learned Brahmans would come to dispute haughtily with the Perfect One, and they, full of pride and anger, would rage and trip in their discourse thinking to show their much learning rather than to seek the truth. But like the waves of a muddy river lashing rock so were they, and the Lord sat there always, answering duly, teaching duly, clothed in serenity, his skin the colour of bright gold, his eyes bright and calm, for he said: “That in disputation with anyone whatsoever I could be thrown into any confusion or embarrassment,—there is no possibility of such a thing, and because I know of no such possibility I remain quiet and confident. And even when I am carried here upon a bed shall my intellectual strength remain unabated.” And his monks said: