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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> - 15<br />

38. The great dragons in their great thirst f<strong>or</strong> the Law, – they who<br />

had had the privilege <strong>of</strong> waiting on the past <strong>Buddha</strong>s, – gazing with<br />

eyes <strong>of</strong> intent devotion, fanned him and strewed Mandāra flowers<br />

over him.<br />

39. Gladdened through the influence <strong>of</strong> the birth <strong>of</strong> the Tathāgata, the<br />

gods <strong>of</strong> pure natures and inhabiting pure abodes were filled with joy,<br />

though all passion was extinguished, f<strong>or</strong> the sake <strong>of</strong> the w<strong>or</strong>ld<br />

drowned in s<strong>or</strong>row.<br />

40. When he was b<strong>or</strong>n, the earth, though fastened down <strong>by</strong><br />

(Himālaya) the monarch <strong>of</strong> mountains, shook like a ship tossed <strong>by</strong> the<br />

wind; and from a cloudless sky there fell a shower full <strong>of</strong> lotuses and<br />

water-lilies, and perfumed with sandalwood.<br />

41. Pleasant breezes blew s<strong>of</strong>t to the touch, dropping down heavenly<br />

garments; the very sun, though still the same, shone with augmented<br />

light, and fire gleamed, unstirred, with a gentle lustre.<br />

42. In the n<strong>or</strong>th-eastern part <strong>of</strong> the dwelling a well <strong>of</strong> pure water<br />

appeared <strong>of</strong> its own acc<strong>or</strong>d, wherein the inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the<br />

gynaeceum, filled with wonder, perf<strong>or</strong>med their rites as in a sacred<br />

bathing-place.<br />

43. Through the troops <strong>of</strong> heavenly visitants, who came seeking<br />

religious merit, the pool itself received strength to behold <strong>Buddha</strong>,<br />

and <strong>by</strong> means <strong>of</strong> its trees bearing flowers and perfumes it eagerly<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered him w<strong>or</strong>ship.

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