Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

LOVING THE BODY. 105
wHch I now do in my body, hereafter shall I my-
self receive ; if I do evil, myself will cause the more,
as the steel drUl bores the gem." ^
Makhara, on hearing these words, and seeing the glory
of Buddha's appearance, immediately fell at his feet ia
worship, and was able to attain to peace. Moreover
Buddha directed. him to repair to the King's palace; and
having preached there, he became a Eahat.. [And the King
and his ministers, &c., entered on the Paths.]
2. In days of old, when Buddha was residing at ^rS,vasti,
there were 500 Brahmans who continually sought to bring
some railing accusation against him. Buddha, by his
divine sight, penetrating their intention, and being moved
by compassiop towards them, desired to bring them to a
knowledge of the truth. They had arranged between
themselves to persuade a butcher to ask Buddha to receive
his hospitality, and then, whilst he was there, to cause the
slaughter of different creatures around him, so that in condemning
slaughter, he must of necessity condemn his host,
or, in praising his host, he mu^t condone the slaughter.
Then Buddha, having accepted his host's invitation, ad-
dressed him thus— " When the fruit is ripe it wiU faU of
itself, so when merit is ripe, it Will of itseK exhibit itself
(produce salvation)." Then the butcher, returning to his
house, made all necessary preparations for the entertain-
ment. At the appointed time Buddha arrived, and having
mounted the preaching throne, he was moved by a strong
desire to bring about the conversion of the Brahmans, and
those assembled with them ; and perfectly knowing their
hearts, he began by causing his tongue to cover his face,2
and his glory to appear through the whole city ; and then
he uttered the following stanzas :
^ Compare ver. 161 of the Pali. assumed to T)e the proof of strict
—
^ This extraordinary sign is referred truthfulness,
to in all Buddhist books, and is