died but yesterday, on which Buddha, by his eyes of Wisdon that he also had been born in one of the Arupa Heavens, w would live for sixty-three thousand great Kalpas, after w would be born on earth as a Râja, and after that in hell; of again Buddha exclaimed, "Alas! alas! would that Alâra h vived that he might have heard the saving words of my Law alas!" On Turning the Wheel of the Excellent Law. § 2. BUDDHA, having thus considered who of all living cre was in a condition first to hear his Law, remembered the five who had dwelt with him during the time of his severe penanc perceiving their fitness for it, he resolved to turn the wheel Law first for their benefit. He then considered where they d and using the power of his Divine sight he perceived that were living in the Deer park near Benares, occupying one på it and another according to circumstances. Then the w honoured one, having stood for a little time near the Bôdhi turned away, and then gradually advanced towards the count Benares; as the Gâtha says "The world-honoured one, wishing to preach to Râmaputra, Bending his mind to discover where he was living, Found that his present life ended, he was now in Heaven, Then his mind turned to the five Rishis, and he desired to g them." 66 1 This expression "turn the wheel of the Law" (dhammac kam pavatteti) is better rendered "establish the dominion of Law," in other words the dominion of Religion." The evide contrast between Buddha, as a Chakravarti Raja, and a Spirit Teacher or Ruler, observed throughout this work, will help to sh that dhammacakkam" is only an expression used for religio dominion, instead of Regal or Secular authority. Vide Childe Pali Dict., sub voce Dhamma. 66 him; having rrived, honoured! I pray thee leave no honoured remain here in rest as l honoured one replied, "Mâra R further about me! In days gone baffle me in vain; at the pres Supreme Wisdom, your efforts wi Then the world-honoured, hav Knowledge, proceeding by easy village called Chandra [beautiful he advanced to the village of (Ch. ed.)]. In the middle of th met a mendicant Brahman cal business (Ch. ed.)]. This Brahr addressed him thus, " Venerable comes it that thy form is so pe thy appearance so peaceful? W imparts to thee such joy and su honoured replied, as he proceeded "I have conquered and overco I have perfected in myself e I live now in the world, spot For ever have I cast off the t Then Upakama, the Brahma whither he was going, and on h he inquired for what purpose h world-honoured replied in the fo "I now desire to turn the w 1 Named "Upagana" by Bu Upaka" by Spence Hardy (M Etudes Bouddhiques, by M. Leon Every evil law throughout the world destroyed, I am, therefore, called the True and Perfect Teacher (I [There are other Gâthas also which speak of the folly of o though himself enlightened, seeks not to enlighten other as a lamp enlightens all in the house-so Buddha, by the his religious system desires, to dispense light to all.] Then Upakama cried out, "Venerable Gôtama, yonder way," and himself turned to the eastward. Then a certain Deva, who in days of yore had been a rel Upakama's, on this account wishing to do him some bene to point him to the way of deliverance and of rest and peac out fear) came near and uttered the following Gâthas: "You have now met with the Supreme Teacher of gods and You know not that this world-honoured one has attain true condition of Bôdhi; Whither goest thou then-immersed in heresy ; Wheresoever thou goest, sorrow and disappointment will be Rejecting thus the advances of the one true teacher, Deserting him and offering no religious alms, What service can thine hand or foot render thee, In him alone can be found the source of the true faith." Then the world-honoured one gradually advancing from T nasatra [the same as Tchundajira (Ch. ed.)] came to the villa Karnapura [the city of the ear (Ch. ed.)]; from thence h vanced to Sarathi [harmonious-royal-city (Ch. ed..)], thenc proceeded to Rohita vastu [obstruction-city1 (Ch. ed.)]. E this city he advanced straight to the banks of the Ganges, there encountering the owner of a ferry boat, he addressed thus," Hail! respectable sir! I pray you take me across the r in your boat!" To whom the boatman replied, "If you can me the fare, I will willingly take your honour across the riv 1 Compare Attak, "Archæolog. Survey," ii, 7. e remnants of all personal being; True and Perfect Teacher (Lord)." which speak of the folly of one, who, eeks not to enlighten others—even ehouse-so Buddha, by the light of dispense light to all.] Venerable Gôtama, yonder is your e eastward. days of yore had been a relative of shing to do him some benefit, and verance and of rest and peace (withthe following Gathas: Supreme Teacher of gods and men, -ld-honoured one has attained the nersed in heresy; and disappointment will be thine. foot render thee, the banks of the Ganges, and blog. Survey,” ii, 7. the man who would kill me, o both are alike to me-where of me as a fare ?" To whom give me the money I will fer only means of livelihood, for Then the world-honoured on from the south to the north 1 dressed the boatman in the fo "See yonder geese in fellow They ask not as to fare of But each by his inherent Flies through the air as I So, by my power of spirit Will I transport myself a Even though the waters Stood up as high and firm Then the boatman, having braid himself, saying, "alas! great religious merit of this free passage across the rive have I lost!" and reproachin in a swoon. At length comin and went straight to Bimbâsa all that had happened, hearin decree : 66 It is impossible t spiritual ability of locomotion mand that in every case whe cross the river, that he be fer Then the world-honoured of over the river, kept up his flig in that neighbourhood ther dragon's name being "Sankh The world-honoured one ha alighted, the Nâga Râja rai They await awhile till the time of fasting be over. Those who beg at improper times have great sorrow Therefore it is an ordinance for ever, to abide the tim Then Buddha entering in at the western gate of the cit ceeded in order through the streets asking alms after leaving the city and taking his place beside some water (the he sat down and ate; and then washing his (hands and fe proceeded northward by easy steps to the grove of Deer. Gâtha says: A "In the Deer park, the carols of the various birds resounding The place where the holy ones of old have ever dwelt, The shining body of the world-honoured one also Slowly advanced towards that sacred spot, as the sun for glo Now when the five Rishis saw him approaching, they said on another, "This is none other than that Shaman of the Gauta elan; he has lost all his spiritual power, and is now approach with his body full of strength and grace; let us disregard hir let us offer him no reverence, let us not offer him an abode in company." [Now Adjñata alone did not feel these sentiments his heart, nevertheless he said nothing]. And so the Gâtha say "See this Gôtama now approaching, Let us Rishis not disagree, We will pay him no reverence or worship, So it happened that in this mood the five Rishis awaited th approach of the world-honoured one as he slowly advanced; but at the same time, as they sat one beside the other, they were dis tressed beyond measure in their hearts, and desired above all things to rise to salute him. Even as the Sakuna bird (the eagle). caught in an iron net surrounded by fire, frets and tears his prison chains to get away, so did those five men vex their hearts to rise and pay the world-honoured one due reverence. At length, unable |