Mahavagga 10.2

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Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

MAHAVAGGA

TENTH KHANDHAKA (SCHISMS AMONG THE SANGHA)

Chapter-3.

And in the forenoon the Lord Buddha, having put on his under-robes, took up his alms-bowl and his kivara, and entered the town of Kosambi for alms. Having collected alms in Kosambi, after his meal, when he had returned from his alms-pilgrimage, he put his resting-place in order, took up his alms-bowl and his kivara, and standing in the midst of the assembly he pronounced the following stanzas:

'Loud is the noise that ordinary men make. Nobody thinks himself a fool, when divisions arise in the Sangha, nor do they ever value another person higher (than themselves).

'Bewildered are (even) the clever words of him who is versed in the resources of eloquence. As wide as they like they open their mouth. By whom they are lead they do not see.

'"He has reviled me, he has beaten me, he has oppressed me, he has robbed me,"--in those who nurse such thoughts, hatred will never be appeased.

'"He has reviled me, he has beaten me, he has oppressed me, he has robbed me,"--in those who do not nurse such thoughts, hatred is appeased.

'For not by hatred is hatred ever appeased; by not-hatred it is appeased; this is an eternal law.

'The others do not know that we must keep ourselves under restraint here; but those who know it, their quarrels are appeased.

'They whose bones are broken (by their foes), who destroy lives, who rob cows, horses, and treasures, who plunder realms,--even these may find conciliation. How should you not find it?

'If a man find a wise friend, a companion who

lives righteously, a constant one, he may walk with him, overcoming all dangers, happy and mindful.

'If he find no wise friend, no companion who lives righteously, no constant one, let him walk alone, like a king who leaves his conquered realm behind, like an elephant in the elephant forest.

'It is better to walk alone; with a fool there is no companionship. Let a man walk alone; let him do no evil, free from cares, like an elephant in the elephant forest.'