bow of earnest perseverance, and the sharp arrow points of wisdom, cover your head with the helmet of right-thought, and fight with fixed resolve against the five desires.  Better far with red-hot iron pins bore out both your eyes, than encourage in yourselves lustful thoughts, or look upon a woman’s form with such desires.  Lust beclouding a man’s heart, confused with woman’s beauty, the mind is dazed, and at the end of life that man must fall into an ‘evil way.’  Fear then the sorrow of that ‘evil way!’ and harbor not the deceits of women.  The senses not confined within due limits, and the objects of sense not limited as they ought to be, lustful and covetous thoughts grow up between the two, because the senses and their objects are unequally yoked.  Just as when two ploughing oxen are yoked together to one halter and cross-bar, but not together pulling as they go, so is it when the senses and their objects are unequally matched.  Therefore, I say, restrain the heart, give it no unbridled license.”

Thus Buddha, for the Bhikshus’ sake, explained the law in various ways.  And now that Amra lady gradually approached the presence of the lord; seeing Buddha seated beneath a tree, lost in thought and wholly absorbed by it, she recollected that he had a great compassionate heart, and therefore she believed he would in pity receive her garden grove.  With steadfast heart and joyful mien and rightly governed feelings, her outward form restrained, her heart composed, bowing her head at Buddha’s feet, she took her place as the lord bade her, whilst he in sequence right declared the law:—­

“Your heart, O lady! seems composed and quieted, your form without external ornaments; young in years and rich, you seem well-talented as you are beautiful.  That one, so gifted, should by faith be able to receive the law of righteousness is, indeed, a rare thing in the world!  The wisdom of a master derived from former births, enables him to accept the law with joy:  this is not rare; but that a woman, weak of will, scant in wisdom, deeply immersed in love, should yet be able to delight in piety, this, indeed, is very rare.  A man born in the world, by proper thought comes to delight in goodness, he recognizes the impermanence of wealth and beauty, and looks upon religion as his best ornament.  He feels that this alone can remedy the ills of life and change the fate of young and old; the evil destiny that cramps another’s life cannot affect him, living righteously; always removing that which excites desire, he is strong in the absence of desire; seeking to find, not what vain thoughts suggest, but that to which religion points him.  Relying on external help, he has sorrow; self-reliant, there is strength and joy.  But in the case of woman, from another comes the labor, and the nurture of another’s child.  Thus then should everyone consider well, and loathe and put away the form of woman.”