悉达多讲的什么 名著精读:《悉达多》-和儿童般的俗人在一起(1)

名著精读:《悉达多》-和儿童般的俗人在一起(1)  

WITH THE CHILDLIKE PEOPLE
Siddhartha went to Kamaswami the merchant
he was directed into a rich house
servants led him beeen precious carpets into a chamber
where he awaited the master of the house.
Kamaswami entered
a swiftly
smoothly moving man with very gray hair
with very intelligent
cautious eyes
with a greedy mouth. Politely
the host and the guest greeted one another.
"I have been told
" the merchant began
"that you were a Brahman
a learned man
but that you seek to be in the service of a merchant. Might you have bee destitute
Brahman
so that you seek to serve?"
"No
" said Siddhartha
"I have not bee destitute and have never been destitute. You should know that I'm ing from the Samanas
with whom I have lived for a long time."
"If you're ing from the Samanas
how could you be anything but destitute? Aren't the Samanas entirely without possessions?"
"I am without possessions
" said Siddhartha
"if this is what you mean. Surely
I am without possessions. But I am so voluntarily
and therefore I am not destitute."
"But what are you planning to live of
being without possessions?"
"I haven't thought of this yet
sir. For more than three years
I have been without possessions
and have never thought about of what I should live."
"So you've lived of the possessions of others."
"Presumable this is how it is. After all
a merchant also lives of what other people own."
"Well said. But he wouldn't take anything from another person for nothing; he would give his merchandise in return."
"So it seems to be indeed. Everyone takes
everyone gives
such is life."
"But if you don't mind me asking: being without possessions
what would you like to give?"
"Everyone gives what he has. The warrior gives strength
the merchant gives merchandise
the teacher teachings
the farmer rice
the fisher fish."
"Yes indeed. And what is it now what you've got to give? What is it that you've learned
what you're able to do?"
"I can think. I can wait. I can fast."
"That's everything?"
"I believe
that's everything!"
"And what's the use of that? For example
the fasting-- what is it good for?"
"It is very good
sir. When a person has nothing to eat
fasting is the smartest thing he could do. When
for example
Siddhartha hadn't learned to fast
he would have to accept any kind of service before this day is up
whether it may be with you or wherever
because hunger would force him to do so. But like this
Siddhartha can wait calmly
he knows no impatience
he knows no emergency
for a long time he can allow hunger to besiege him and can laugh about it. This
sir
is what fasting is good for."
"You're right
Samana. Wait for a moment."
Kamaswami left the room and returned with a scroll
which he handed to his guest while asking: "Can you read this?"
Siddhartha looked at the scroll
on which a sales-contract had been written down
and began to read out its contents.
"Excellent
" said Kamaswami. "And would you write something for me on this piece of paper?"
He handed him a piece of paper and a pen
and Siddhartha wrote and returned the paper.
Kamaswami read: "Writing is good
thinking is better. Being smart is good
being patient is better."