Which is more expensive, sour buttemilk or sandalwood? Both items are foreign to me but since buttermilk is just the liquid left behind after churning butter and in India, the oil of sandalwood is used in the cosmetic industry, I just figure the latter should be more expensive. In King Pasenadi's eleventh dream, sour buttemilk is bartered for sandalwood. Something cheap being exchanged for something expensive is interpreted as a negative sign. It is said during the days when Buddha's doctrine is waning, people preach using fine words and sweet voices to induce men to give them costly gifts. Don't you think this happen all the time, here and there, in ancient and modern times too? I figure here and there, in ancient and modern time, Buddha's doctrine wanes. Just like a flame, it wavers here and there; glowing brightly sometimes, flickers and even get extinguished, depending on whether the situation allows it. When Buddhists sit and meditate and work hard to purify themselves, thinking they are not up to par yet to help and support another sentient being, whatever would you think would happen to the flame of Buddhism?
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