Then, casting himself upon the ground, the Brahman wept as one smitten
by infinite despair, and so sobbed, until the child, touching him,
spoke again: "I know thee not! Thou art to me a stranger! I know,
indeed, that thou art foolish--uttering the terms _father_ and
_mother_, signifying conditions that pass away like the grass of the
earth. I perceive, also, that thou art sorrowful, and therefore a
victim of delusion; for sorrow springeth from ignorance and desire,
as the fungus from corruption. Here we know not desire, we know not
sorrow, neither do we harbor illusion. Thou art no more to me than
the wind to the moon, than the flame blown out is to the object once
illuminated. Get thee from hence, therefore, as it will profit thee
nothing to bring thy sorrow and thy folly into this place."...
So the Brahman departed, speechless for grief.
Only then did he seek the Buddha, the Shaman Gautama, that he might
obtain advice and consolation. And the Buddha, pitying him, laid his
hand upon his heart, and gave him rest, saying:
"O Brahman, thou hast only been punished for thy self-delusion and
folly.
"Know that the spirit of the dead receiveth a new bodily form after its
departure, so that former relationship utterly ceaseth, even as one
visiting a tavern by the wayside is no longer a guest, having departed
therefrom.
"Much thou art to be pitied for thy weakness and this delusion of thy
love, nor canst thou find consolation but in supreme wisdom only.
"Vainly do men concern themselves regarding wife and child; for the end
cometh to all as a roaring torrent, sweeping away whatsoever earthly
affection clings to.
"Then neither father nor mother can save; then neither love nor
strength may succor; parent and kinsman become as blind men set to
guard a burning lamp.
"Therefore the truly wise considereth not such things, seeking only
to save the world, to enlighten men, to destroy sorrow by destroying
desire, to redeem himself.
"Even as the wind driveth away clouds, so should the wise seek to
banish thought, to banish worldly consciousness, and thus escape
forever the future birth and death, attaining the eightfold
Wisdom--finding at last the eternal peace, the eternal rest.
"Whatsoever is high shall be brought low; wheresoever is agreement will
surely come division; where there is birth there shall surely be death
also.
"Therefore cast off, O Brahman, all passion, all affection, all regret,
as the Vasika plant sheds its withered flowers; therefore flee the
ignorant, and seek in solitude the true wisdom, needing no companion,
rejoicing as the elephant escaped from the herd...."
And, perceiving the vanity of life, the evanescence of joy, the folly
of grief, that Brahman ceased to mourn, and besought permission to
follow the footsteps of the Teacher....