NO. 29. — 1884.] BUDDHISTICAL CEREMONIES. 



215 



the Blessed One, and saluted him and stood aside. And standing 

 aside addressed him with this verse : — ■ 



Many gods and men, yearning after good, have held divers 

 things to be blessings ; say thou, what is the greatest blessing ? 



Buddha : To serve wise men and not serve fools, to give honour 

 to whom honour is due ; this is the greatest blessing. 



To dwell in a pleasant land, to have done good deeds in a former 

 existence, to have a soul filled with right desires ; this is the 

 greatest blessing. 



Much knowledge and much science, the discipline of a well- 

 trained mind, and a word well spoken ; this is the greatest 

 blessing. 



To succour father and mother, to cherish wife and child, to 

 follow a peaceful calling ; this is the greatest blessing. 



To give alms, to live religiously, to give help to relatives, to do 

 blameless deeds ; this is the greatest blessing. 



To cease and abstain from sin, to eschew strong drink, to be 

 diligent in good deeds ; this is the greatest blessing. 



Reverence and lowliness, contentment and gratitude, to receive 

 religious teaching at due seasons ; this is the greatest blessing. 



To be long-suffering and meek, to associate with the priests 

 of Buddha, to hold religious discourses at due seasons ; this is the 

 greatest blessing. 



Temperance and chastity, discernment of the four great truths, 

 the prospect of Nirvana ; this is the greatest blessing. 



The soul of one unshaken by the changes of this life, a soul 

 inaccessible to sorrow, passionless, secure ; this is the greatest 

 blessing. 



They that do these things are invincible on every side — on every 

 side they walk in safety ; yea, theirs is the greatest blessing. 



The Three Jewels. 



All spirits here assembled, — those of earth and those of aig- 

 let all such be joyful ; let them listen attentively to my words. 



Therefore hear me, ye spirits ; be friendly to the race of men, 

 for day and night they bring you their offerings, therefore keep 

 diligent watch over them. 



Whatsoever treasure there be here or in other worlds, whatso- 

 ever glorious jewels in the heavens, there is none like Buddha. 

 Buddha is this glorious jewel. May this truth bring prosperity. 



Did the tranquil sage of the race of Sakya attain to the 



