restored to him his father's troops and vehicles, his realm, his treasures, and his storehouses, and he gave him his daughter.
"Now, O Bhikkhus, if such is the forbearance and mildness of kings who wield the sceptre and bear the sword, so much more, O Bhikkhus, must you so let your light shine before the world, that you, having embraced the religious life according to so well-taught a doctrine and a discipline, may be seen to be forbearing and mild."
Not only forbearance and mildness, but the virtue of good acts is repeatedly and impressively enjoined by Gautama on his followers.
"Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the fine and fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly.
"A man is not an elder because his head is gray. His age may be ripe, but he is called old in vain.
"He in whom there is truth, virtue, love, restraint, moderation, he who is free from impurity and is wise, he is called an elder."
Again in the Amagandha Sutta of the Sutta Nipata, Gautama explains to a Brahman, Kasyapa by name, that the destruction of life, killing, cutting, binding, stealing, lying, fraud, adultery, backbiting, treachery, cruelty, intoxication, deceit, pride, and a bad mind and wicked deeds are what defile a man, who can be purified neither by abstinence from fish or flesh, nor by nakedness, tonsure, matted hair, dirt, rough garments, penances, hymns, oblations, or sacrifices.
