A CURIOUS ILLUSTRATION
Categories: Chapter I - The Twin-VersesBooks: Mastery of Self
A point has neither length, breadth, nor thickness Move it in
thought any distance in one direction, and you have the line Move
the line FROM its direction any distance, you have the surface
Move the surface OUT of its plane any distance, you have the
solid Thus you have obtained length, breadth, thickness, line,
surface, solid, motion, space, time, number, structure, body, and,
in the attention, mind,--and
long list),--by means of that which has no length, no breadth, no
thickness
The real YOU is that point YOU move and describe a line of life
This line, repeated, becomes habit, which moved through time,
makes conduct, and right conduct, projected through life, yields
magnetism
If you live only on surface I, you are mere animal If you
project, that surface through to III, you are a fine moral person
If you project surface II through to surface IV, you are magnetic
If you combine these solids, YOU are the Ideal Pyramid, "_I_ AM
More
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, A man is not just if he carries
, A man is not just if he carries a matter by violence; no, he who distinguishes both right and wrong, who is learned and leads others, not by violence, but by law and equity, and who is guarded by the law and intelligent, he is called just ... , A wise man should leave the dark state
, A wise man should leave the dark state (of ordinary life), and follow the bright state (of the Bhikshu) After going from his home to a homeless state, he should in his retirement look for enjoyment where there seemed to be no enjoyment Leaving all ... , As on a heap of rubbish cast upon
, As on a heap of rubbish cast upon the highway the lily will grow full of sweet perfume and delight, thus the disciple of the truly enlightened Buddha shines forth by his knowledge among those who are like rubbish, among the people that walk in darkne... , But he whom those who discriminate praise continually
, But he whom those who discriminate praise continually day after day, as without blemish, wise, rich in knowledge and virtue, who would dare to blame him, like a coin made of gold from the Gambu river? Even the gods praise him, he is praised even by ... , He who pays homage to those who deserve
, He who pays homage to those who deserve homage, whether the awakened (Buddha) or their disciples, those who have overcome the host (of evils), and crossed the flood of sorrow, he who pays homage to such as have found deliverance and know no fear, his... , Looking for the maker of this tabernacle, I
, Looking for the maker of this tabernacle, I shall have to run through a course of many births, so long as I do not find (him); and painful is birth again and again But now, maker of the tabernacle, thou hast been seen; thou shalt not make up this t... , Not only by discipline and vows, not only
, Not only by discipline and vows, not only by much learning, not by entering into a trance, not by sleeping alone, do I earn the happiness of release which no worldling can know Bhikshu, be not confident as long as thou hast not attained the extinctio... , One's own self conquered is better than all
, One's own self conquered is better than all other people; not even a god, a Gandharva, not Mara with Brahman could change into defeat the victory of a man who has vanquished himself, and always lives under restraint ... 0 Governing a great state is like cooking small
0 Governing a great state is like cooking small fish ... 0 He who would assist a lord of men
0 He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Tao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms Such a course is sure to meet with its proper return ... 0 In a little state with a small population,
0 In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there should be no employment of them; I would make the people, while looking on death as a grievous thing... 0 Men come forth and live; they enter (again)
0 Men come forth and live; they enter (again) and die ... 0 My words are very easy to know, and
0 My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them ... 0 The movement of the Tao
0 The movement of the Tao By contraries proceeds; And weakness marks the course Of Tao's mighty deeds ... 0 When the intelligent and animal souls are held
0 When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating When one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe When ... 0 When we renounce learning we have no troubles
0 When we renounce learning we have no troubles The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'-- Small is the difference they display But mark their issues, good and ill;-- What space the gulf between shall fill? What all men fear is indeed... A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in earnestness, who looks with fear
A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in earnestness, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, moves about like fire, burning all his fetters, small or large ... A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection, who looks with fear
A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, cannot fall away (from his perfect state)--he is close upon Nirvana Thought ... A Bhikshu who has entered his empty house, and whose
A Bhikshu who has entered his empty house, and whose mind is tranquil, feels a more than human delight when he sees the law clearly ... A Bhikshu who, though he receives little, does not despise
A Bhikshu who, though he receives little, does not despise what he has received, even the gods will praise him, if his life is pure, and if he is not slothful ... A creature's pleasures are extravagant and luxurious; sunk in lust and
A creature's pleasures are extravagant and luxurious; sunk in lust and looking for pleasure, men undergo (again and again) birth and decay ... A CURIOUS ILLUSTRATION
A point has neither length, breadth, nor thickness Move it in thought any distance in one direction, and you have the line Move the line FROM its direction any distance, you have the surface Move the surface OUT of its plane any distance, you h... A fool does not know when he commits his evil
A fool does not know when he commits his evil deeds: but the wicked man burns by his own deeds, as if burnt by fire ... A GENERAL ENUMERATION OF FEAR-CAUSES
Fear of hurt of self by self (fear of self): substitute reason, thus--just estimate; no cause; cause magnified Fear of hurt of self by outer things (fear for self): substitute reason, thus--just estimate; no cause; cause magnified Fear... A man does not become a Brahmana by his platted
A man does not become a Brahmana by his platted hair, by his family, or by birth; in whom there is truth and righteousness, he is blessed, he is a Brahmana ... A man is not a mendicant (Bhikshu) simply because he
A man is not a mendicant (Bhikshu) simply because he asks others for alms; he who adopts the whole law is a Bhikshu, not he who only begs ... A man is not a supporter of the law because
A man is not a supporter of the law because he talks much; even if a man has learnt little, but sees the law bodily, he is a supporter of the law, a man who never neglects the law ... A man is not an elder because his head is
A man is not an elder because his head is grey; his age may be ripe, but he is called `Old-in-vain' ... A man is not an elect (Ariya) because he injures
A man is not an elect (Ariya) because he injures living creatures; because he has pity on all living creatures, therefore is a man called Ariya ... A man is not learned because he talks much; he
A man is not learned because he talks much; he who is patient, free from hatred and fear, he is called learned ... A man who has learnt little, grows old like an
A man who has learnt little, grows old like an ox; his flesh grows, but his knowledge does not grow ... A master of the art of war has said, 'I
A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive) I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot' This is called marshalling the ranks where ther... A Prayer For Sanctity And Its Benefits
I pray with benedictions for a benefit, and for the good, even for the entire creation of the holy and the clean; I beseech for them the generation which is now alive, for that which is just coming into life, and for that which shall be hereafter.... A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops
A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops He does not dare (by continuing his operations) to assert and complete his mastery He will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of... A state may be ruled by (measures of) correction; weapons
A state may be ruled by (measures of) correction; weapons of war may be used with crafty dexterity; (but) the kingdom is made one's own (only) by freedom from action and purpose ... A supernatural person (a Buddha) is not easily found, he
A supernatural person (a Buddha) is not easily found, he is not born everywhere Wherever such a sage is born, that race prospers ... A true Brahmana goes scatheless, though he have killed father
A true Brahmana goes scatheless, though he have killed father and mother, and two valiant kings, though he has destroyed a kingdom with all its subjects ... A true Brahmana goes scatheless, though he have killed father
A true Brahmana goes scatheless, though he have killed father and mother, and two holy kings, and an eminent man besides ... A wise and good man who knows the meaning of
A wise and good man who knows the meaning of this, should quickly clear the way that leads to Nirvana Miscellaneous ... Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of
Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth If H... After a man has once understood the law as taught
After a man has once understood the law as taught by the Well- awakened (Buddha), let him worship it carefully, as the Brahmana worships the sacrificial fire ... After a stronghold has been made of the bones, it
After a stronghold has been made of the bones, it is covered with flesh and blood, and there dwell in it old age and death, pride and deceit ...