Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada
Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada
Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada
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I . There<br />
( "6 )<br />
SECTION XXVII.<br />
FIRMLY HOLDING BY THE LAW (DHAMMATTHVAGGO).<br />
w<strong>as</strong> once a very old Brahman, called Sa-che (Sacha<br />
or Satya) Nirgrantha, celebrated for his acuteness in dis-<br />
cussion. He had 500 disciples, and all of <strong>the</strong>m were so<br />
sfelf-opinionated with regard to <strong>the</strong>ir superior learning that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y used to clo<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>mselves with iron plates, lest <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
wisdom should overflow and run to w<strong>as</strong>te (sic). Now<br />
when Sacha heard that Buddha had come into <strong>the</strong> world,<br />
and w<strong>as</strong> converting men by his superior wisdom, '<br />
he w<strong>as</strong><br />
filled with jealousy, and could not rest at night <strong>from</strong> very<br />
envy, a;ad '<br />
<strong>the</strong>refore, addressing his disciples, he said,<br />
" I hear that <strong>the</strong> Shaman Gotama professes to be a Buddha.<br />
I will go and <strong>as</strong>k him a few questions, and make him blush<br />
for shame when he finds he cannot answer <strong>the</strong>m." Accord-<br />
ingly, he with his followers went to <strong>the</strong> Jetavana (VihS,ra),<br />
and <strong>as</strong> <strong>the</strong>y stood without seeing <strong>the</strong> glory of Buddha's<br />
person, like <strong>the</strong> sun when he first comes forth in his<br />
strength, <strong>the</strong>y were overpowered and confused by <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
feelings, and so p<strong>as</strong>sing through <strong>the</strong> door <strong>the</strong>y came before<br />
Buddha, and did him reverence. On this Buddha requested<br />
<strong>the</strong>m to be seated. Being so seated, <strong>the</strong> Nirgrantha <strong>as</strong>ked<br />
Buddha <strong>as</strong> foUows :— " Who is <strong>the</strong> just man ? Who is <strong>the</strong><br />
learned man ? Who is <strong>the</strong> reverend man ? What is true<br />
beauty and grace ? 1 What is a Shaman ? Who is a true<br />
Bhikshu ? and who is <strong>the</strong> truly enlightened ? and who <strong>the</strong><br />
obedient man (who respectfully observes <strong>the</strong> rules of moral<br />
Or, Who is <strong>the</strong> upright- man? (twan ching).<br />
'