The Gospel of Buddha

Preface

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The Gospel of Buddha

The Bikkhu's Conduct toward Women

The bhikkhus came to the Blessed One and asked him: [1]

"O Tathagata, our Lord and Master,
what conduct toward women dost thou prescribe
to the samanas who have left the world?" [2]

And the Blessed One said: [3]

"Guard against looking on a woman. [4]

"If ye see a woman, let it be as though ye saw her not,
and have no conversation with her. [5]

"If, after all, ye must speak with her,
let it be with a pure heart,
and think to yourself,
'I as a samana will live in this sinful world
as the spotless leaf of the lotus,
unsoiled by the mud in which it grows.' [6]

"If the woman be old, regard her as your mother,
if young, as your sister,
if very young, as your child. [7]

"The samana who looks on a woman as a woman,
or touches her as a woman, has broken his vow
and is no longer a disciple of the Tathagata. [8]

"The power of lust is great with men,
and is to be feared withal;
take then the bow of earnest perseverance,
and the sharp arrow-points of wisdom. [9]

"Cover your heads with the helmet of right thought,
and fight wih fixed resolve against the five desires. [10]

"Lust beclouds a man's heart,
when it is confused with woman's beauty,
and the mind is dazed. [11]

"Better far with red-hot irons bore out both your eyes,
than encourage in yourself sensual thoughts,
or look upon a woman's form with lustful desires. [12]

"Better fall into the fierce tiger's mouth,
or under the sharp knife of the executioner,
than dwell with a woman and excite in yourself lustful thoughts. [13]

"A woman of the world is anxious to exhibit her form and shape,
whether walking, standing, sitting, or sleeping.
Even when represented as a picture,
she desires to captivate with the charms of her beauty,
and thus to rob men of their steadfast heart. [14]

"How then ought ye to guard yourselves? [15]

"By regarding her tears and her smiles as enemies,
her stooping form, her hanging arms, and her disentangled hair
as toils designed to entrap man's heart. [16]

"Therefore, I say, restrain the heart,
give it no unbridled license." [17]

End Chapter 33

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