ago, This is the true and only sound philosophy; To seek wealth, or pleasures of the world, The thoughts of these things I dismiss-I seek religio Neither can final deliverance be found in the wo of gods, or in sacrifice; "For if a man born in the world, Destroy life to secure present happiness, The wise man considers this unbecoming, How much more (to destroy life in sacrifice), {For the purpose of being poor life reafter in heaven." On w Bimbasâra then inquires in astonishment who what he is of what race and caste, etc. Bôdhisatwa tells him plainly his history and far On this Bimbasara with tears beseeches him not to pose his body thus to the hardships and dangers hermit's life; but Bôdhisatwa declares he has no either of wild beast or other danger-his only fear i the demon Death, old age, disease, and renewed bi Bimbasara further asks what is the end for which B hisatwa gives up all his possessions, and what it is seeks? On this, Bôdhisatwa explains that his en to attain the condition Anuttara Samyak Sambôdhi, to establish the Kingdom of Religion (turn the whee the Law). Then Bimbasara, seeing his firm resolution, doubts not of ultimate success; but begs him to come daily to his palace receive in charity the four necessary provisions (food, drink, me cine, clothing). Bôdhisatwa excuses himself on the ground th - birth, old age, disease, aly sound philosophy; sures of the world, things I dismiss-I seek religion." erance be found in the worship e world, resent happiness, this unbecoming, Eroy life in sacrifice), born hereafter in heaven." es in astonishment who and is the end for which Bôd- resolution, doubts not of his come daily to his palace to provisions (food, drink, medihimself on the ground that Considering with great joy th Then Bodhisatwa, proceeding fr to the city of Gâya, and having hill Gâyasirsha, wishing to enjoy arranged a seat of leaves he sat Seated thus, he began to reflect themselves; that as it is impos wood that is wet, or by using d Shaman or a Brahman may not 1 is the least love of it in the heart dom (the dampness of the wood a Again, he thought, that though a every measure to overcome evil and keep the rules of penance, yet nant of covetous desire in the he Again, he thought, that when a to abstention from evil, has exp universal love, and desires to a profit others, then like dry wood easily kindled. Bodhisatwa then descended from various villages, he came at las Gâya called Uravilva, and it bein entered that village to beg. Ha an earthern dish, holding this i house to house to beg some food. approach the house, and as he did so, take his stand befo door, and remain in silence. Having seen this, lo! the milk e from both her paps (from very joy and reverence), and sh ceeded to address Bôdhisatwa thus-" Most excellent and trious Sir! what is your name, and of what family and tri you? who are your father and mother? and whither go you For in truth your Divine appearance has so affected me th: very milk from my breasts exudes of itself!" Bodhisatwa replied, "Illustrious sister! my name is Sidda my father and mother are so-and-so, and I am now in sea the highest condition of Wisdom, known as Anuttara Sa Sambhôdi, having obtained which I desire to turn the wheel Law which is above every Law. Then Sujatâ, having heard words, took the alms-dish from the hands of Bôdhisatwa, entering the house filled it with every kind of choice delicacy most luscious fruit; and bringing it out she respectfully of her gift to Bôdhisatwa, and spake thus-"Most excellent Si vow to minister always to your wants; and I pray that when have attained the end of your present search that I may be one of your followers." To whom Bôdhisatwa replied, "Illust sister! be it as you desire!" Having said this, he departed, having selected a clean place, according to the religious rule had adopted, he sat down and ate his food. Having finished his meal, he proceeded onwards, and sele a most delightful spot, smooth and free from inconveniences sight of the river which ran by in peaceful flow, at a mode distance from the village, so that he might easily resort thither the purpose of begging, he there sat down and composed himsel severe contemplation. [Now Gaya is so called because this was spot where an old Rishi king called Kâya (the Chinese interpret by "Form," and therefore it must be Kâya) founded a town dwelt.] 1 Ekamantam. y and grace; it holding his alms-dish in his hand, y joy and reverence), and she pro- pus sister! my name is Siddartha, roceeded onwards, and selected kind of penance and self-mortific should be entertained." Thin powered with grief; and so the C "Bodhisatwa seated beside His heart composed as he When he thought over the His heart was grieved and Thus thinking, Bôdhisatwa com his mouth closed, his teeth joined against the palate. Now there was living near t certain Brahman of a high cast tained from Bimbasara authorit to Uravilva, and had adopted t possession of his dominion; and Deva, born near to Kapilavastu, in the house of Senayana, to tran he had occasion to go to the tising austerities. Whereupon immediately recognised him an Prince Royal, who is now livin heart was filled with joy at seein seen the joy of Deva, addressed will you undertake to provide n take a daily meal and so to sup Brahman, with a narrow and illi merit by this act of charity, pro day for six years, Bôdhisatwa re ficient to keep him alive. Thus it his body attenuated and his eye his limbs were unable to suppor beheld him were filled with a str at the sight of the penance he w= [Kiouen XXIV contains 678 m. § 1. Now at this time, when the spring was just in its pri came to pass that Suddhôdana Râja went forth from his pala enjoy the beauties of the gardens that were near his Royal c the opening flowers, the budding trees and the chattering Whilst thus enjoying the delights of the gardens, a melan recollection of his son overwhelmed him, and he exclaimed, my son, it is now six years since you left your home; wher thou now? Alone, in the wild mountains, surrounded by roving beasts, and the tenants of the forest!" 66 Meanwhile, the Devas, observing that Bodhisatwa was practi such severe penance, so that he could not long survive, dep one of their number to go quickly to Suddhôdana; who, con to Kapilavastu, declared to the king that the prince was d But another Devaputra immediately came and contradicted t but told the Râja that his son could not endure such affliction yond seven days more. Whereupon the king was overpowe with grief, and gave way to his sorrow with lamentable cries. On this, Suddhôdana, assembling the Sâkya princes, who heard the expression of his grief, related the news to them, a besought them to seek some mode of finding out if the prince w still alive, and if so to induce him to return to his home. [ number of the Sakya princes was ninety-nine thousand.] At last, when all of them had failed to suggest any method effecting this, Udâyi undertook to search after the prince and bri him back. Then Udâyi, leaving Kapilavastu, proceeded to Uravilva, to t banks of the Nairañjana River, and there first of all encounteri Kaundinya 1 and the other hermits, he asked of them saying, "Illu trious Kaundinya! can you tell me where Siddartha abides ?" whom Kaundinya replied, "Siddârtha is practising austerities yonder grove." Then again Udâyi inquired and said, “And wha 1 Kaundinya and four other Rishis had associated themselve with Bodhisatwa during his penance. |