Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

( 74 )
SECTION XII.
FLOWERS (PUPPHAVAGGO).
1. In days of old, when Buddha was residing at Sr§,vasti,
there was to the south-east of that country, in the mid-
ocean, a certain islet (a mound, or fort, or look-out), on the
top of which was a tree that bare beautiful scented flowers.
In the same 'spot dwelt five hundred women' of the
Brahman caste, wholly devoted to their worldly duties,
ignorant that there was a Buddha born in the world. Now
these women were in the habit of conversing together on
the unhappiness of their worldly condition, and in conse-
quence they used to go to the tree that surmounted their
abode, and pluck the flowers and offer them to BrahmS,-
deva, with the prayer that they might escape the power of
Yama, and be born in heaven (Brahma-heaven). Now
Buddha, perceiving their case, and knowing that they had
the capacity of being converted, suddenly transported him-
,
self with his followers to their place of abode, and then
came and sat down near them. The women seeing the
wonderful sight, were lost in amazement, and exclaimed,
" BrahmS, himself has come to answer our prayers !
" But
on this a certain Deva answered them, and said, " This is
not Brahml, but the World-honoured Buddha, who has
come to save the world." On this the women bowed
down in reverence, and addressed Buddha in these
words— "We, indeed, are but women, much polluted,
yet we desire, above all things, to escape the power of
Tama, and to be born in the highest heaven ;
" to whom
Buddha replied, "May you, indeed, obtain your desire!