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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 />

'

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