Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

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SECTION VI.
ON EEFLECTION.
I. In olden time, when Buddha was in the world, a certain
E^ja called Fo-kia-sha^ was a friend of Binibisi,ra E&ja;
the first, however, was not a heliever in Buddha, as
Biinbis§,ra was. On a certain occasion Vaksha had sent
seven precious umbrellas (chattas) to his friend Bim-
bisEira. On receiving them, the latter offered them to
Buddha, and said, " My friend, Vaksha E^ja, has presented
me with these precious umbrellas! Pray permit me to
offer them to you, with the intention that his heart may be
convinced and his eyes opened to behold Buddha, and he
be thus led to receive your doctrine, and reverence the
Holy Assembly as his reward." Then Buddha replied:
"Bimbas^ra E^ja, cause to be written the Siitra of the
twelve Nidanas, and present the book to that king in
return for the seven, precious umbrellas; and his heart
win be enlightened (or, receive deliverance wrought by
Faith)." [Accordingly Bimbis^ra did so, and his friend,
in consequence, was convinced and became a disciple
and finally gave up the kingdom to his son. Having
failed to obtain an interview with Buddha, although he
had frequently met him in begging through the streets of
ESjagriha, the Teacher at length caused the appearance of
a Shaman to meet the king, and explain to him that by
reflection on the work in his possession he might truly
behold Buddha ; and to this he added these words] :
" The man who takes refuge in Buddha, this is
1 (Vaksha?).
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