220 



journal Ei A. s. (ceylon). [Vol, VIL, Pt. III. 



" Thus I have heard. On a certain day dwelt Buddha at 

 Sravasti, at the J e'tavana Monastery, in the garden of Anatha- 

 pindaka. And when the night was far advanced a certain 

 radiant celestial being, illuminating the whole of Jetavana, 

 approached 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 (good omens) ; say thou, what is the 

 greatest blessing (the best omen or the best omens) ? 



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

 honour to whom honour is due, this is the greatest blessing ( this 

 is the best omen or these are the best omens). 



' 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 ( this is the best omen or these are the best 

 omens), 



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

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

 blessing (this is the best omen or these are the best omens). 



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

 follow a peaceful calling, this is the greatest blessing ( this is the 

 best omen or these are the best omens). 



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

 do blameless deeds, this is the greatest blessing ( this is the best 

 omen or these are the best omens). 



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

 be diligent in good deeds, this is the greatest blessing ( this is- 

 the best omen or these are the best omens). 



'Reverence and lowliness, contentment and gratitude, to 

 receive religious teaching at clue seasons, this is the greatost 

 blessing (tJiis is the best omen or these are the best omens). 



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

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

 greatest blessing (this is the best omen or these are the best omens.) 



- Temperance and chastity, discernment of the four great 

 truths, the prospect of Nirvana, this is the greatest blessing 

 (this is the best omen or these are the best omens). 



