Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

8o DHAMMAPADA.
blamed : just as a deep lake (is not easily stirred but
remain) tranquil and still), so the wise man hearing
the Law (way), his heart is quiet and at rest,"^
The Shaman having recited these verses, by his super-
natural power raised himself in the air, and exhibited the
thirty-two superior signs of Buddha's person, on which
the BrahmachHrin was converted, and obtained the fruit of
Eahatship.
2. In old times, when Buddha was residing in SrS,vastl,
there was a village about 500 li off, in which dwelt some
fifty or sixty families (mountain people). Amongst these
there was a certain poor man and his wife, to whom had
been born two boys (twins), very lovely to behold, and of
incomparable grace. The one they called " Grace " (tih),
the other " Fortunate " (fuh). Now it so happened one day
the father had returned from his work, and lain dolvn on
his bed to rest, whilst the mother was stiU in the fields.
The two children, who were then only seven or eight
weeks old, not seeing their father, began to speak reproach-
fully one with the other, because they were born in such
circumstances as they were, and had to fare so badly as
they did. The father, overwhelmed with astonishment at
hearing the children talking thus, and thinking that they
were demons in human shape, resolved to kill them and burn
their bodies. Accordingly, he went out into the fields to
gather wood for the purpose, and meeting his wife he told
her all about it. On this the mother, moved with pity,
and scarce beheving the truth of the matter, begged a
respite for the children for a few days. On the morrow
she herself went outside the dwelling and Listened, when
lo !
she heard the children reproaching one another as be-
fore. On this, being persuadeid that they were demons in
children's form,. she consented to the course usual in these
cases, that they should be burned (either " burned ahve,"
or "killed ^.nd burned "). At this time Buddha, knowiag
1 Compare w. 80, 81 of the PMi.