to the same source, the influence of his example 

 and discipline may be said to sway more than 

 half the entire population of the globe. 



It always seems to me that the only reason 

 why the wisdom of Gautama has not been ac- 

 cepted and practised more widely and more 

 strictly is simply that his philosophy is too high 

 for poor weak human nature, I will not say to 

 grasp, but to hold permanently. We can all 

 grasp the truth that desire can not be controlled 

 and quenched by its satisfaction, but only by its 

 limitation; but who can hold to this truth and 

 go on practising fresh limitations continually till 

 the Nirvana of perfect peace, the cessation of 

 desire, is attained? 



Great trees which rise and spread their shape- 

 ly arms toward the sky, whether in leaf and 

 blossom or unclothed, always recall to my mem- 

 ory the beautiful poem of Oliver Wendell 

 Holmes, Under the Violets : 



At last the little rootlets of the trees 

 Shall find the prison where she lies, 



And bear the buried dust they seize 

 In leaves and blossoms to the skies. 

 So may the soul that warmed it rise! 



16 



