PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN
Canto III.
Psalms of three Verses
CLXXXV
Vimala (2)
Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.
Public Domain
Reborn in this Buddha-age at Benares in a brahmin family, he entered the Order under Thera Amitta,[1] and through his instigation acquired insight and won arahantship. Thereupon he admonished a bhikkhu who was his comrade as follows:
[264] From evil-minded friends keep far away,
And make thy choice among the best of men.
[174] To his advice hold fast, and let thy heart
Aspire to happiness immutable.
[265] As[2] one who, mounted on a puny plank,
Is in mid-ocean whelmed beneath the waves,
So even he of blameless life doth sink,
When throw'n together with the man of sloth.
[266] Wherefore from such an one keep well apart,
The sluggard and the poor in energy.
Dwell thou with them who live aloof,
With wise, with noble souls who have renounced,
Who in rapt contemplation ever strive.
[1] On this curious name (? Amita) cf. Jāt., vi. 271.
[2] See above, CXXXIV. This Thera is not met with elsewhere, nor is Vimala identical with the author of Psalm L.
