Chapter 4: Flowers

The text poses a rhetorical question asking who can overcome the earth, the realm of Yama, and the world of gods, and who can discern the path of virtue like a clever man discerns the right flower.

The text answers that the disciple possesses this capacity to overcome all worlds and realms, and can find the path of virtue through proper discernment.

One who understands the body as froth-like and unsubstantial as a mirage can break Mara's flower-pointed arrow and escape death.

Death takes away those who gather flowers with distracted minds, just as a flood sweeps away a sleeping village.

Death subdues the distracted flower-gatherer before he can become satiated with his pleasures.

The sage should dwell in his village like a bee that gathers nectar without damaging the flower, its color, or scent.

A sage should attend to his own misdeeds and negligences rather than scrutinizing the sins or omissions of others.

Fine words without corresponding action are like beautiful flowers with color but no scent—fruitless.

Fine words accompanied by right action are like beautiful flowers with both color and scent—fruitful.

Just as many wreaths can be made from a heap of flowers, many good things can be achieved by a mortal once born.

While ordinary flower scents do not travel against the wind, the influence of good people spreads everywhere, transcending natural limitation.

Among all material perfumes, the perfume of virtue is supreme and incomparable.

The scent of material perfumes is mean in comparison; virtue's perfume rises to the gods as the highest.

Those who possess virtue, live without thoughtlessness, and possess true knowledge are protected from Mara's temptation.

Like a lily blooming beautifully on a heap of rubbish, the enlightened disciple shines with knowledge among those in darkness.