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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> - 189<br />

30. ‘We are women <strong>of</strong> older age, much to be pitied, bewildered <strong>by</strong> the<br />

fear <strong>of</strong> death, – we are theref<strong>or</strong>e w<strong>or</strong>thy to be established in that<br />

doctrine <strong>of</strong> Nirvāṇa which puts an end to all future births.’<br />

31. These w<strong>or</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> the enchantresses were heard <strong>by</strong> him, yet he felt<br />

no anger; but they all became the victims <strong>of</strong> old age, through the<br />

manifestation <strong>of</strong> his divine power.<br />

32. Having beheld him plunged in meditation, immovable like the<br />

mountain Meru, – they turned away their faces and they could not<br />

retain their beauty.<br />

33. Bending their feet, with decrepit limbs, they thus addressed their<br />

father: ‘O father, do thou, the l<strong>or</strong>d <strong>of</strong> the w<strong>or</strong>ld <strong>of</strong> Desire, rest<strong>or</strong>e us<br />

to our own f<strong>or</strong>ms.’<br />

34. His daughters were dear, but he had no power to alter the effect<br />

<strong>of</strong> the will <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buddha</strong>; then their father said to them, ‘Go to the<br />

refuge which he gives.’<br />

35. Then they in various guises, bent humbly at his feet, impl<strong>or</strong>ed the<br />

perfect <strong>Buddha</strong>, ‘Pardon our transgression, whose minds were<br />

intoxicated with youth.’<br />

36. The teacher, that mine <strong>of</strong> F<strong>or</strong>giveness, in silence rest<strong>or</strong>ed them <strong>by</strong><br />

his will; and having repeatedly w<strong>or</strong>shipped and praised him they went<br />

joyfully to their home.

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