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Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha by Ven. Aśvaghoṣa

An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.

An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.

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<strong>Buddha</strong>-<strong>carita</strong>, <strong>or</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buddha</strong> - 154<br />

85. And because the intellect rested there, not proceeding any further,<br />

– it became very subtil, and there was no such thing as un-named n<strong>or</strong><br />

as named.<br />

86. But because, even when it has reached this goal it yet returns<br />

again to the w<strong>or</strong>ld, theref<strong>or</strong>e the Bodhisattva, seeking something<br />

beyond, left Udraka.<br />

87. Having quitted his hermitage, fully resolved in his purpose, and<br />

seeking final bliss, he next visited the hermitage, called a city, <strong>of</strong> the<br />

royal sage Gaya.<br />

88. Then on the pure bank <strong>of</strong> the Nairañjanā the saint whose every<br />

eff<strong>or</strong>t was pure fixed his dwelling, bent as he was on a lonely<br />

habitation.<br />

(Then he saw five mendicants who had come there bef<strong>or</strong>e him; they had<br />

taken vows on themselves and practised austerities, vaunting<br />

themselves <strong>of</strong> control <strong>of</strong> the five senses.)<br />

89. Five mendicants, desiring liberation, came up to him when they<br />

beheld him there, just as the objects <strong>of</strong> the senses come up to a<br />

percipient who has gained wealth and health <strong>by</strong> his previous merit.<br />

90. Being honoured <strong>by</strong> these disciples who were dwelling in that<br />

family, as they bowed reverently with their bodies bent low in<br />

humility, as the mind is honoured <strong>by</strong> the restless senses,

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