________________
358
THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
VII, 6, 19.
be alloyed with any other substance; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, never mix with wicked men as friends. This, O king, is the second quality of the diamond he ought to have.
19. And again, O king, just as the diamond is set together with the most costly gems; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, associate with those of the higher excellence, with men who have entered the first or the second or the third stage of the Noble Path, with the jewel treasures of the Arahats, of the recluses, of the threefold Wisdom, or of the sixfold Insight. This, O king, is the third quality of the diamond he ought to have. For it was said, O king, by the Blessed One, the god over all gods, in the Sutta Nipâta :
""
'Let the pure associate with the pure, Ever in recollection firm;
Dwelling harmoniously wise
Thus shall ye put an end to griefs '."
58. THE HUNTER.
20. [412] Venerable Nâgasena, those four qualities of the hunter you say he ought to have, which are they?'
"
'Just, O king, as the hunter is indefatigable, so also, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, be indefatigable. This, O king, is the first quality of the hunter he ought to have.
21. And again, O king, just as the hunter keeps his attention fixed on the deer; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, keep his
1 Sutta Nipâta II, 6, io (verse 282).
Google
Digitized by
