THE BUDDHA REPLIES TO THE DEVA

  ON a certain day when the Blessed One dwelt at jetavana, the

garden of Anathapindika, a celestial deva came to him in the shape

of a Brahman whose countenance was bright and whose garments were

white like snow. The deva asked questions which the Blessed One

answered.

  The deva said: "What is the sharpest sword? What is the deadliest

poison? What is the fiercest fire? What is the darkest night?" The

Blessed One replied: "A word spoken in wrath is the sharpest sword;

covetousness is the deadliest poison; passion is the fiercest fire;

ignorance is the darkest night."

  The deva said: "Who gains the greatest benefit? Who loses most?

Which armor is invulnerable? What is the best weapon?" The Blessed One

replied: "He is the greatest gainer who to others, and he loses most

who greedily receives without gratitude. Patience is an invulnerable

armor; wisdom is the best weapon."

  The deva said: "Who is the most dangerous thief? What is the most

precious treasure? Who is most successful in taking away by violence

not only on earth, but also in heaven? What is the securest

treasure-trove?" The Blessed One replied: "Evil thought is the most

dangerous thief; virtue is the most precious treasure. The mind

takes possession of everything not only on earth, but also in

heaven, and immortality is its securest treasure-trove."

  The deva said: "What is attractive? What is disgusting? What is

the most horrible pain? What is the greatest enjoyment?" The Blessed

One replied: "Good is attractive; evil is disgusting. A bad conscience

is the most tormenting pain; deliverance is the height of bliss."

  The deva asked: "What causes ruin in the world? What breaks off

friendships? What is the most violent fever? Who is the best

physician?" The Blessed One replied: "Ignorance causes the ruin of the

world. Envy and selfishness break off friendships. Hatred is the

most violent fever, and the Buddha is the best physician."

  The deva then asked and said: "Now I have only one doubt to be

solved; pray, clear it away: What is it fire can neither burn, nor

moisture corrode, nor wind crush down, but is able to reform the whole

world?" The Blessed One replied: "Blessing! Neither fire, nor

moisture, nor wind can destroy the blessing of a good deed, and

blessings reform the whole world."

  The deva, having heard the words of the Blessed One, was full of

exceeding joy. Clasping his hands, he bowed down before him in

reverence, and disappeared suddenly from the presence of the Buddha.