Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

( H2 )
SECTION XXXI.
THE ELEPHANT (nIgAVAGGO).
I. In days of old, iDefore Eahula had attained to supreme
wisdom, his natural disposition being .somewhat low and
disorderly, his words were not always marked by love of
truth. On one occasion Buddha had ordered him to go to
the Kien-tai (Ghanda or Ghanta ?) Vih§,ra, and there remain
guarding Ms mouth (tongue), and governing his
thoughts, at the same time dUigently studying (or ob-
serving) the rules of conduct laid down ia the Scriptures.
Eahula, having heard the command, made his obeisance
and went. For niaety days he remained in deep shame
and penitence. At length Buddha repaired to the place,
and showed himself; on seeing him, Eahula was filled
with joy, and reverently bowed down and wbrsTiipped him.
After this, Buddha having taken the seat provided for
him, he desired Eahula to fill a water-basia with water
and bring it to him, and wash his feet. Having done so,
and the washing being over, Buddha asked Eahula if the
water so used was now fit for any purpose of domestic use
(drinking, &c.) ; and on Eahula replying in the negative,
because the water was defiled with dust and dirt, Buddha
added : " And such is your case, for although you are my
son, and the grandchild of the King, although you have
voluntarily given up everything to become a Shaman,
nevertheless you are unable to guard your tongue from
untruth and the defilement of loose conversation, and so
you are like this defiled water—useful for no further pur-