The Light Of The World
There was a certain Brahman in Kosambi, a wrangler and well
versed in the Vedas. As he found no one whom he regarded his
equal in debate he used to carry a lighted torch in his hand, and
when asked for the reason of his strange conduct, he replied:
"The world is so dark that I carry this torch to light it up, as
far as I can."
A samana sitting in the mar
et-place heard these words and said:
"My friend, if thine eyes are blind to the sight of the
omnipresent light of the day, do not call the world dark. Thy
torch adds nothing to the glory of the sun and thy intention to
illumine the minds of others is as futile as it is arrogant."
Whereupon the Brahman asked: "Where is the sun of which thou
speakest?" And the samana replied: "The wisdom of the Tathagata
is the sun of the mind. His radiancy is glorious by day and
night, and he whose faith is strong will not lack light on the
path to Nirvana where he will inherit bliss everlasting."