Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

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SECTION" XXI.
THE WOELD (LOKAVAGGo).
I. In days of old there was a certain Brahman King, whose
name was To-mi-seay (Dhamasa ?). It came into the heart
of this King one day to distribute, according to the fashion
of the Brahmans, an unlimited quantity of precious stones,
&c., among the followers of his faith, the rule being that
every Brahmach§,rui who came as a recipient (beggar)
might take a handful from the heap and go. And so for
many days the affair was conducted ; and yet the pile of
wealth did not appear to diminish. On this, Buddha,
knowing the condition of the King, and his aptitude
(capacity) for conversion, transformed himself into a
Brahmach9,rin, and went to the spot. The King going out
from his palace, when he beheld him approaching, paid
him due respect, and conducting him within, inquired
what he would desire to receive, and requested him to
have no reserve in asking. On this the Brahmach^rin re-
plied, " I have come from far, and I desire to beg a few
jewels, that I may have enough to build me a house."
The King immediately answered, "Most virtuous sir, you,
may take a handful, and welcome." On this the Brahma-
ch§,rin took so much from the heap, and then having gone
seven paces, he returned and replaced them on the heap.
On this the King .inquired why he acted thus, in not
taking the jewels. Whereupon- the BrahmachMn replied,
" This handful is indeed enough to enable me to build a
house ; but afterwards I shall want to take a wife, and
for that purpose this handfiil is not sufBcient." On this