Buddhism in Translations - § 38. Be a Friend to Yourself.

Sacred-Texts Buddhism  Sources  

p. 213

[S.iii.1.41

§ 38. BE A FRIEND TO YOURSELF.

Translated from the Samyutta-Nikâya (iii.1.4¹).

   Thus have I heard.

   On a certain occasion The Blessed One was dwelling at Sâvatthi, in Jetavana monastery in Anâthapindika's Park.

   Then drew near king Pasenadi the Kosalan to where The Blessed One was; and having drawn near and greeted The Blessed One, he sat down respectfully at one side. And seated respectfully at one side, king Pasenadi the Kosalan spoke to The Blessed One as follows:--

   "Reverend Sir, it happened to me, as I was just now in seclusion and plunged in meditation, that a consideration presented itself to my mind, as follows: 'Who are those who love themselves? and who do not love themselves?' And, Reverend Sir, it occurred to me as follows: 'All they who do evil with their body, who do evil with their voice, who do evil with their mind, they do not love themselves.' And although they should say thus: 'We love ourselves,' nevertheless, they do not love themselves. And why do I say so? Because, whatever a man would do to one whom he did not love, that they do to themselves. Therefore, they do not love themselves.

   "But all they who do good with their body, who do good with their voice, who do good with their mind, they love themselves. And although they should say thus: 'We do not love ourselves,' nevertheless, they do love themselves. And why do I say so? Because, whatever a man would do to one whom he loved, that they do to themselves. Therefore, they love themselves."

   "Thus it is, great king! Thus it is! Certainly, great king, all they who do evil with their body, who do evil with their voice, who do evil with their mind, they do not love themselves. And although they should say thus: 'We love ourselves,' nevertheless, they do not love themselves. And why do I say so? Because, whatever a man would do to one

p. 214

[S.iii.1.45

whom he did not love, that they do to themselves. Therefore, they do not love themselves.

   "But all they, great king, who do good with their body, who do good with their voice, who do good with their mind, they love themselves. And although they should say thus: 'We do not love ourselves,' nevertheless, they do love themselves. And why do I say so? Because, whatever a man would do to one he loved, that they do to themselves. Therefore, they love themselves.

"Let any one who holds self dear, That self keep free from wickedness; For happiness can ne'er be found By any one of evil deeds.

"Assailed by death, in life's last throes, At quitting of this human state, What is it one can call his own? What with him take as he goes hence? What is it follows after him, And like a shadow ne'er departs?

"His good deeds and his wickedness, Whate'er a mortal does while here; 'T is this that he can call his own, This with him take as he goes hence. This is what follows after him, And like a shadow ne'er departs.

"Let all, then, noble deeds perform, A treasure-store for future weal; For merit gained this life within, Will yield a blessing in the next."