Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

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SECTION XX.
LOVING THE BODY (sELF) (ATTAVAGGO)'.
— "
I. In old time there was a country called To-mo-lio-lo
(Damakara ?), and about seven lis from the (chief) city
there was a Vih§,ra, in which dwelt 500 Shamans. Amongst
these was an aged mendicant named Mo-ho-lu (Makhara ?),
who, being of a heavy and dull mind, was unable to learn
even one Gkihsi^ though, instructed by the 500 Shamans
through many years. On this he was treated contemptuously
by the rest, and not allowed to go in their company,
but left to sweep the monastery, and look after the cells of
the monks. On one occasion the King of the country had
asked all the Shamans to assemble at his palace, and
accept his hospitality. On this occasion, Makhara, having
been left behind as usual, he thought thus with himself
" I have been born dull and stupid, and cannot even recollect
one verse of Scripture. What use is it to live any
longer, to be neglected and despised by my fellow-men ?
On this he took a rope, and going to the back of the
garden, he placed himself under a great tree intending to
hang himself. At this time Buddha, by his power of
religious discernment (eyes of religion), seeing the case of
this man, transformed himself at once into the appearance
of the Tree-Spirit, and with half his bodyl projecting
from the tree, addressed the old monk in these words of
1 This is constantly the sign of & the Tree, is respeetfully aoknowledgsupematural
appearance, as e.g., in- ing the announcement of Buddha's
in PI. xoi. fig. 4, " Tree and Serpent hirth, and, in so doing, reveals " half
Worship," where the Deva of the his body." [This scene is frequently
B6dhi Tree, or the Vajr^saua under referred to in Buddhist books.]