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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> - 222<br />

3. The priest <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>or</strong>d <strong>of</strong> the city Marakata, a Brāhman named<br />

Ajaya, and his son Nālaka, well versed in sacred learning and full <strong>of</strong><br />

Vindhya, and an invincible Brahman ascetic Sañjayin with his<br />

disciples, – these all, dwellers in the Vindhya, – when they came to<br />

him f<strong>or</strong> refuge, the chief <strong>of</strong> saints initiated as mendicants, touching<br />

them with his hand bearing the mark <strong>of</strong> a wheel; m<strong>or</strong>eover the Nāga<br />

Elapatra came to the abode <strong>of</strong> the best <strong>of</strong> saints, and stood resplendent<br />

there, perfectly calm in his demeanour and w<strong>or</strong>shipping him with his<br />

rosaries.<br />

4. There was also a female ascetic <strong>of</strong> Mathurā named Trikavyaṅgikā,<br />

and a Brāhman named Vidyākara, – their son was named Sabhya, a<br />

dweller in the district called Śvetabālārka, a wise ascetic, proud <strong>of</strong> his<br />

wisdom, – he went into the Deer Park, wearing the aspect <strong>of</strong> one<br />

perfectly illumined, and desiring the highest wisdom from the chief <strong>of</strong><br />

mendicants; seeking from the omniscient admission to the noble life,<br />

he became renowned as the mendicant Sabhya in all assemblies.<br />

5. The son <strong>of</strong> Lalitāprabudhā, b<strong>or</strong>n after w<strong>or</strong>ship paid to the best <strong>of</strong><br />

trees on the bank <strong>of</strong> the stream Varaṇā, – renowned in the w<strong>or</strong>ld as<br />

Yaśoda, – wise from the besprinkling <strong>of</strong> the ambrosia <strong>of</strong> the w<strong>or</strong>ds <strong>of</strong><br />

the king <strong>of</strong> heaven, – remembering all f<strong>or</strong>mer discourses which he<br />

had heard, came with his friends to the wood in the Deer Park,<br />

accompanied <strong>by</strong> his gl<strong>or</strong>y; and the holy one, touching his head with<br />

his hand, made him the guru <strong>of</strong> the chief Bhikṣus.

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