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Adams Beck</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The splendour of Asia</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>The story and teaching of the Buddha</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: L. Adams Beck</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 14, 2023 [eBook #69787]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Al Haines, Cindy Beyer & the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPLENDOUR OF ASIA ***</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:372px;height:auto;'/> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<table id='tab1' summary='' class='center'> -<colgroup> -<col span='1' style='width: 15em;'/> -</colgroup> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><span class='it'>THE NOVELS OF</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><span class='it'>L. ADAMS BECK</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'> <span class='sc'>The Key of Dreams</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'> <span class='sc'>The Perfume of the Rainbow</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'> <span class='sc'>The Treasure of Ho</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'> <span class='sc'>The Ninth Vibration</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'> <span class='sc'>The Way of Stars</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle1'> <span class='sc'>The Splendour of Asia</span></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/front.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0001' style='width:350px;height:auto;'/> -<p class='caption'>A GANDHARA BUDDHA AT HOTI-MARDAN</p> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0' style='margin-top:1em;font-size:1.5em;'>THE</p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:1.8em;'>SPLENDOUR OF ASIA</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'><span class='sc'>The Story and Teaching of the Buddha</span></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'>BY</p> -<p class='line0'>L. ADAMS BECK</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/title.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0002' style='width:80px;height:auto;'/> -</div> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'>NEW YORK</p> -<p class='line0' style='margin-top:.2em;margin-bottom:.2em;'>DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY</p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'>1926</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style='margin-top:2em;'> <!-- rend=';fs:.8em;' --> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1926,</span></p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'><span class='sc'>By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, Inc.</span></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'>PRINTED IN U. S. A.</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'>THE VAIL-BALLOU PRESS</p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'>BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style='margin-top:2em;'> <!-- rend=';fs:.9em;' --> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.9em;'><span class='it'>I dedicate this book to</span></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.9em;'>ELLERY SEDGWICK</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.9em;'>WHO INSPIRED ME WITH THE IDEA</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0' style='font-size:.9em;'>OF WRITING IT.</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1>PREFACE</h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>I have endeavoured in this book to make not only the story -but the teaching of the Buddha intelligible and human, so that -those who wish to understand one of the greatest facts in -history may not find themselves entangled in the mazes of -scholastic terms, and may perhaps be enabled to realize its -strange coincidences with modern psychology and certain -scientific verities. The teaching of the Indian Prince has -indeed nothing to dread from science. Sir Edwin Arnold’s -beautiful “Light of Asia” ends very early in that great ministry, -and I have continued the story to the death of the Buddha, -and have enriched it with many scriptures and ancient traditions -unknown to or unused by Sir Edwin. Words would fail -me if I attempted to express how necessary I think a knowledge -of this high faith and philosophy is to leaven the materialism -of the West, and the reception my books on cognate -subjects have had encourages me to think there may be those -who will see in what I here set down a great revelation of -truth. It is, at all events a truth which influenced not only -the mightiest thinkers of Greece and Rome, but also the -beginnings of Christian teaching—which it antedated by five -or six hundred years. It may well claim kindred with all the -great faiths, persecuting and opposing none which differ with -it, and this for reasons which are easily seen in the teachings -themselves. In relation to its noble and scientific austerity -no words are needed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of the Founder himself, I may quote a great Buddhist -scholar’s opinion, one which none who have studied the subject -impartially will controvert. “Perhaps never while the world -has lasted has there been a personality who has wielded such -a tremendous influence over the thinking of humanity. And -whoso recognizes this will also recognize that almost two -and a half millenniums ago the supreme summit of spiritual -development was reached, and that at that distant time in -the quiet hermit groves along the Ganges already had been -thought the highest man can think.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of the august beauty of the Life those who read will form -their own judgment. It has been the mainspring of the highest -art of Asia. It has brought peace to myriads. It will bring it -to many more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>I have consulted all the available Scriptures, and have not -forgotten the great traditions. I am indebted to all the best -known scholars, including Max Müller, Faüsboll, Dahlke, -Rhys Davids, his accomplished wife, Beal, and many more. -I must mention Professor Radhakrishnan and other Indian -writers, and among illuminating thinkers I must not forget -Dr. Carus, and Mr. Edmond Holmes. To the latter’s work -I owe a debt because he appears to me to appreciate more -keenly than other writers the true point of junction between -the early and later interpretations of the Buddha’s teaching. -I have myself had the advantage of studying later Buddhist -interpretation with Japanese scholars, with whom I have -translated the Buddhist Psalms of Shinran Shonin. About -some of these interpretations there will always be points of -difference until we have access to the whole body of ancient -teaching in the Far East as well as in India, and freedom from -all error is beyond hope.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>If any Buddhist scholars should look into this book they will -recall the immense difficulty of (so to speak) translating their -work for the public, especially where the words of one language -often fail to represent the thought of another. They -will therefore be lenient to shortcomings. They will note that -I have employed Pali or Sanscrit words and names alternatively -as I thought they would be more familiar or easier to remember. -<span class='it'>Karma</span> for <span class='it'>kamma</span>, and <span class='it'>Nirvana</span> for <span class='it'>Nibbana</span> are instances -of many others. I have omitted accents as mystifying -to those unfamiliar with Indian languages.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>I can scarcely hope to satisfy scholars and the general public. -But if I succeed in interesting some of the latter, the former, -will, I think, recognize that my aim was justified.</p> - -<p class='line0' style='text-align:right;margin-right:1em;'><span class='sc'>L. Adams Beck.</span></p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='line0' style='text-align:center;margin-top:4em;margin-bottom:2em;font-size:1.2em;'>CONTENTS</p> - -<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0'><a href='#pt1'><span class='sc'>Part I</span></a></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'><a href='#pt2'><span class='sc'>Part II</span></a></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'><a href='#pt3'><span class='sc'>Part III</span></a></p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'><a href='#pt4'><span class='sc'>Part IV</span></a></p> -</div></div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1 id='pt1'>PART I</h1></div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER I</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nearly two thousand five hundred years ago, in the -City of Kapila in Northern India, the spring came with -glory. And surely nowhere in all the three worlds is spring -more gracious, for the sunshine, life-giving, inspiring, draws -divine scents from moist earth and the deep luxuriance of leaves -and flowers to send on every breathing breeze pure incense -from the world, rejoicing as a bride in the all-enfolding delight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here stood the little City of Kapila, nobly placed, as beseems -the birthplace of the Perfect One, and above it the Himalayas -stormed the skies with tossing billows of snow, leading the aspiration -of man on and up until it melted in the Divine. On -these, as was known, the Divinities had their dwelling. -Thence Indra, the heavenly lord, drove his flocks of clouds to -pasture in pure air, taking form and colour from the splendours -of the sun and the moon and the silver embroidery of the constellations. -Vaya, lord of the winds, charged in thunder or -breathed in music from awful heights of snow. Surya, the Sun, -urged his golden steeds from the low horizon to the zenith and -on to the confines of night. Chandra, the moon, rose on the -crest of the mighty range and sank below it into his mysterious -kingdom in the darkening west. The deep pine forests clothing -the lower spurs and veiling the sources of the rivers must surely -have their indwelling spirits, and the river Rohini, breaking -light-foot from the heights to scatter her diamonds as she -leaped from rock to rock or brooded a moment in deep pools -mirroring her ferns and flowers—what was she but a lovely, -living nymph, a Dancer, pure as the silver peaks that fathered -her? Therefore let it be known that this city was set among -celestial influences, that the gates of the Paradise of India were -not far from it, and that the Four Celestial Kings were its -wardens. And it dwelt at this time in a great peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The city and surrounding country, a part of the great kingdom -of Kosala, were inhabited by the Sakya clan. Very great -was the kingdom of Kosala. The vast and holy city of Benares, -a hundred miles south from Kapila, was but one of its -cities, and its capital, Savatthi, lay in the cloudy mountains -of Nepal. To the south-east lay the kingdom of Magadha, -and only the great Gods then knew to which of these kingdoms -would fall the sceptre of India.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And peaceful was the City of Kapila, the City of Red Earth, -home of the Sakya clansmen, a race strong and high, for they -were of the Arya, the Noble People, and it was they who descending -into India through the passes had conquered the dark -men of the land and driven them before them like the shadows -of night fleeing before the arrows of dawn; and having dispossessed -the dark-skinned, the lawless, the godless, the fair-skinned -Noble People entered in upon their lands and made -them theirs. With them the Noble People brought their Gods -of Heaven and Earth, and these they worshipped with sacrifice -and ritual and chanting of mantra and offerings of cows and -grain and ghi and all the savours dear to hovering divinity. -And in peace and plenty their Maharaja ruled them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Very fair was the city on the banks of bright Rohini. As -there were few men of arrogant, dominant riches, so was there -no piercing poverty, and, since life was simple, all had enough. -The streets were clean-swept and watered, and parks and gardens -lay about them where men might shelter in the great heats -and the gay, golden-skinned children played beside the river -and grew sleek and round on their food of pure rice and plantains -and milk from the deep-dewlapped cattle that wound -home in the evenings from high pastures by running water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nor was there fare only for the body. Wise men, the Wanderers, -they whose minds are fixed on things unearthly and -whose souls climb toward keen stars as the cragsmen follow the -eagle to her eyry above the clouds, came in from mighty forests -where the hermits and their families dwell in peace with -God and man pursuing the purities of the householder’s life in -the wilds;—bringing with them the dreams, the speculations, -the conclusions of the hermits and themselves. And for such -the Raja had made a hall of cedarwood in the city, where -they might hold disputations with its wise men and the simpler -folk sit and listen, bestowing applause or condemnation as they -heard. For there was none in the city, gentle or simple, noble -or humble, but set the things of the spirit above the chaffer of -the market-place and lent a ready ear to such talk. Nor did -they fear to speak, for the Arya are free peoples, coming from -the north and bold and adventurous.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And of these Wanderers the people learnt much, for if the -clansmen were free, these were freer. No love of earthly -homes or riches held them. Strip one of them of his worldly -all—his tattered robe and bowl for alms—and he would depart -content, smiling his strange, secret smile, as a man whose -treasure is beyond thief or destroyer. But for the <span class='it'>Wasa</span>, the -three months’ rainy season, they would stay, willing to speak -or to hear, satisfied with a very little, and when the sun shone -again, depart like migrating birds on their mysterious way. -And sometimes would come one, God-intoxicated, utterly heedless -of men, scarce emerging from <span class='it'>samadhi</span>, the mystic ecstasy; -and him would men surround with mute envy because in that -trance he beheld things not lawful nor possible to be uttered. -And such would stay but a little while and then, heedless of -rain or sun or wind or snow, press on to the cold glories of the -mountains, alone and in haste, and reappear no more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So does the flame of the Divine draw the moth of the spirit -of man to hover about it until, dazzled and drunken with radiance, -it joins itself to the flame and is consumed into pure light.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet was not the talk of the City of Kapila for ever of things -divine, for bygone Rajas and this one also (knowing that -where there is a North-man he must still be talking and much -trouble thereby averted) had made a Folk Mote, a meeting -hall, and not one only, where in the different quarters of the -town men might gather and talk of their affairs, the farmers -and handicraftsmen alike,—the sowing and harvesting of rice, -the well-doing of cattle, the doings of the Kosalans, of whom -they themselves were a clan, the subjugation of the swarthy natives -among whom they lay as pearls in a black ocean, the ambitions -of the Kings of Magadha, the trading of the merchants, -and many things more which concerned them nearly. And -each householder had the right to be heard, for each in his own -house was king and priest and there none might say him nay, -were it not that the Brahmans made or unmade his peace with -the Lords of Heaven through gifts and sacrifices and a ritual -grown exceedingly heavy and burdensome. But against these -even the fair-skinned people, the Arya, as they called themselves, -did not as yet dare to murmur.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The women of Kapila also were wives and mothers of free -men. Their faces were not veiled save when they themselves -for modesty chose to draw the folds between themselves and -too bold a gaze. They shared the joys and sorrows of their -men, though the great ladies were screened. And if they -walked in the ways of ritual piety even more eagerly and laid -daily gifts even more precious at the feet of the Brahmans, this -is the way of women all the world over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And these happy people had a good Maharaja, named Suddhodana, -or Pure Rice, because not only were his granaries and -those of his fathers’ before him full to overflowing, but his -heart was pure as the grains of living pearl; a man grave and -kind, rich also in cattle and elephants, yet not arrogant with -riches, charitable, alms-giving, reverencing the Brahman and -the ascetic, walking in peace in the way of ancient pieties, with -thoughts of his own to think as he raised his eyes to the mountains, -awful in the heavens as intermediaries between men and -Gods. And he had taken to wife two fair sisters, the elder, -Maya, the younger, Prajapati; and by the elder, the more -dearly loved, had as yet no child and by neither a son to succeed -him on his peaceful seat of rulership. And this was a -grief to him, for when he was gone who should sacrifice to his -soul and the souls of the great dead fathers? Very sweet and -grateful is the tenderness of daughters, but this they cannot do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And one day, as they sat in the pleasure pavilion beside the -waters of Rohini, listening to her song of the snows as she -danced onward, downward from the heights, the Maharaja -Suddhodana opened his heart once more to his wives. And -one, Maya the Maharani, sat at his feet on a cushion of silk -woven with gold, and her beauty was calm as the evening star -shining in a faint moonlight, luminous, remote, veiled with -dreams and hopes unknown to others. The second Queen, -Prajapati, was fair and gentle, and no more—yet that is much, -as shall be shown. And these two were sisters in heart as in -blood and wifehood. So, laying his hand on the head of -Maya, the Maharaja spoke softly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What dreams my Queen?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she, pointing to the bamboo grove where stood in green -slim hand clasping her sister’s:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of motherhood. Of this I dream night and day, knowing -many beautiful things, but most of all this—that the heart of -my lord, my beloved, cannot rest until a son of his is laid in -his arms. O would, if I am barren, that my heart’s sister, my -Prajapati, might give to our husband this gift of gifts!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he, with heavy brows:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear lady and wife, the Gods give and withhold their great -gift of life at pleasure. What have we left undone? We have -besought them. We have offered of our best on many an altar. -We have fed Brahmans, we have kept the precepts, and yet—they -do not give. If in some former life we have sinned—Yet -who can tell? It is their will, and must be borne even if -it break my heart.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Prajapati, raising her sweet eyes timidly to him, one -slim hand clasping her sister’s:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If my lord please to take another wife, then indeed my -sister and I will serve her, and if a son is born, what can we -but rejoice?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That son would not be the child of my Queens, and most of -all of Maya, the Great Lady. Dear he might be, but not so -dear; and, moreover, you both, my ladies, have heard the word -of the wandering Rishi, the wise ascetic, who prophesied that -in this city, in this fortunate palace, should a child be born, a -ruler of men, a King among Kings.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“May it be here and now!” said the lady Maya. And -again, softly: “May we be found worthy!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a long silence and only Rohini, the river, talked -of sweet secret things as she went her way. And presently -the Maharaja added:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think it will not be!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a large tear pearled itself on the long lashes of Prajapati -and spilt down the bloom of her cheek as she watched her -baby daughter in the arms of a dark-skinned nurse lulling her -to sleep with strange and wistful songs of the native people, -by the lotuses on the great marble tank in the shade of the -pippalas.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And presently the evening came, gliding with silent steps -through the woods and along the waters, veiled as a maid who -steals to meet her star-eyed lover. And having beheld the -pomps of sunset, the mountains withdrew into their mysteries -and a star stood on each of their summits for guard, and in a -great peace the moon floated upward, resplendent. Then the -beauty of heaven and earth became marvellous and remote, -and the earth was no longer for men but Gods.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now that night Maya, the Great Lady, asleep beside her lord -in the pleasure pavilion when moonlight blanched the dewy -lawns like snow, dreamed a dream. Nor was it the first. -This lady was vision-haunted. Her eyes, her ears, were open -to all the starry influences to all the weeping of winds and the -tales the reeds whisper to one another in lonely places. But -this dream came, not flitting ghostly along the ways of sleep -nor with the morning dissolving cloud-like, illusive, scarcely to -be grasped or recorded, more a feeling than a thought, but clear, -majestic, terrible and beautiful, so that she found herself (and -knew not how) sitting up, awake, aware, breathless, as it were -a Queen to whom has been made a great annunciation from -equal powers. And, with an awakening hand laid upon her -husband, she spoke, nor did her voice tremble:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beloved, awake! I have dreamed. For it seemed to me -that the four Guardian Divine Kings lifted me from my bed -and bore me away to the great mountains and laid me down. -And heavenly spirits, shining as stars, came about me and -bathed me in the pure waters of a mountain lake, freeing me -of all human stain. And when this was done they laid me -down again, clothing me in the gold of divine garments and -shedding perfumes about me. And I saw a lordly elephant, -white as silver, wandering beneath the trees. For, as you -know, this is the symbol of royalty. And touching me on the -right side with his trunk, he appeared to melt into a cloud and -pass like a vapor into my womb. In the darkness I have seen -a great light shine, and in the air myriads of radiant spirits -sang my joy. And O, beloved, all is well!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he stammering, amazed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beloved, when you awaked me, the music of these very -spirits rang in my ears, and they cried to me with voices more -tunable than all songs of birds or harmony of well-touched -lutes, ‘The child shall be born when the Flower-Star shines in -the east.’ And as you touched me, I awoke.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And more they could not say, but clung to each other, trembling -for joy and wonder. Nor could any sleep come to them -that night, for in their gladness it seemed they stood on the -shining shores of heaven, its light about them like an ocean. -And when on the morrow these dreams were told to Prajapati, -she rejoiced with them, no thought of envy to cloud the crystal -of her soul. And when they were laid before the dream-readers, -they could presage nothing but good, and being called -in before the Maharaja where he sat in state with his Maharanis, -they spoke as follows:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A lord of men shall be born, a great and awful ruler. Let -the soul of the Maharaja be exalted, and the heart of the -Maharani rejoice and triumph, since to their house is given a -son whose kingdom is the earth and the fullness of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the Maharaja shouted for joy, while Maya the Maharani, -listened with dreaming eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For he shall conquer the earth!” he cried, “and the trampling -of his elephants be heard like thunder, and Kosala shall -be his kingdom and Maghada prostrate before his feet, and -riches and glory shall be the slaves of the Conqueror for ever -and ever!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharani said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For ever and ever? Yet there is death.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Prajapati hid her face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the dream-readers, looking up with reverence where -they knelt before their diagrams and circles, answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great Lady, there are riches that Death cannot thieve. -There are conquests that Time does not triumph over. -There is an Empire that passes not away. What the fate of -this child is to be we cannot yet tell. It bewilders us, for -great and auspicious as are the signs, they are not plain reading -as is the custom. It may be that the child shall be a sage, -dominating the souls of men, ruling by pure wisdom, a conqueror——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But here the Maharaja broke in, in anger:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Be silent, for this I will not have! The men of my race -are Kshatriyas, warriors. The Brahman, the ascetic, the hermit, -have their sacred uses, and may the guardian Gods -forbid that I should disparage their merit—but my son is my -son and a warrior, and if the signs are great, it is a warrior’s -greatness I claim for him, for in my family is no other known -or considered.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But still the dream-readers lingered in doubt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great sir, there is more to be told, strange and very wonderful. -Two ways lie before the child to be, and in which he -will walk we cannot say. If, when he is of age to judge, he -beholds a sick man, an old man, a dead man, and a holy monk, -then great and wide is his kingdom but not of this world. And -if he see not these signs, he shall be a king of the earth, magnificent -in riches, glory and power. Therefore it is in the -hand of his father to choose what he shall see or not see. The -dream is read.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gladly and gloriously is it read!” shouted the Maharaja. -“No such sights shall my son see. Leave spiritual things to -spiritual men, for he shall reign for ever and ever!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And bowing, with minds perplexed, the dream-readers -gathered up their calculations and departed. And in the city -they spread their news, and there was scarcely a man but -thought and rejoiced with the Maharaja, commending him in -that he chose rather to have a son to fight beside him and ride -terribly at his bridle rein than an ascetic in the woods, with -matted hair and clawed hands, to pray for his victories——“So -would we all choose, like men!” they said. And very joyful -was the city.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Maya the Great Lady, saying little, went her way in -peace, strong and calm of purpose as our general mother the -earth, pure within and without as the white lotus; and surrounding -herself with a great tranquillity, she floated on its -surface as a water-lily, rooted in the life-giving bosom of earth, -turning an adoring face to the purities of the heavens and absorbing -their radiance, until her heart was pure gold and her -body white as the ivory of the flower that is a prayer embodied -and throne of all the Gods. And if she passed through the -city, the women and children strewed flowers before her as before -a goddess borne in procession, and when the benediction -of her eyes fell on them, they prostrated themselves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And always her sister, Prajapati, went beside her, guarding -her with her own hands, treasuring her as a thing already enskied -and sainted, a fear in her heart clasping hands with joy. -And the Maharaja Suddhodana would stride into the pavilion, -saying in his great voice:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wife, how goes it? For the time passes onward, and soon -the spring shall be here again, and with it our boy. This day -have the farmers given me a little plough, made of red cedarwood, -banded with ivory, and when he can walk and talk he -shall plough his furrow like a man!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she, smiling, answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear lord, he shall plough his furrow and sow his seed, -and very great shall his harvest be. All goes better than well.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again another day he came with a sword, the haft -sparkling like frost with jewels, and he cried, rejoicing:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This have the goldsmiths and handicraftsmen of the city -given me, that with it my son may strike off the head of the -goat for his first sacrifice, and after destroy his enemies as -when Indra thunders and lightens from the peaks. But is all -well?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she, smiling:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beloved, his enemies shall fall before him like chaff driven -on a gale. And all goes better than well.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she spent her time in deep meditation, free from grief -or pain, free also from illusions and desires, in a measureless -content and foreseeing. Thus the time went by, not swiftly -as a dancer nor slowly as a mourner, but in a great quiet, pacing -with majesty from day to day.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now, on a certain day when Spring with her birds and blossoms -was come to earth, the Maharani, following the custom -of the ladies of her race, with her sister made ready all her -matters and entered the presence of her husband, speaking -thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear lord, it is a habit of my people that when our children -are born it is in the house of our parents. Have I then -your permission to journey to them for this auspicious birth, -that, returning, I may bring my sheaves with me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he, embracing her with true affection, gave her leave -to go, commending her to the care of Prajapati and giving strict -command that men should go before making all the ways clear -for her litter, and men and women be warned that no sight -painful or terrifying should meet her eyes. So, tenderly invoking -the prayers and ritual of the Brahmans on her and -his son’s behalf, he sent her forth and returned to his duties -full of thought. But she, borne in her litter and embraced in -the very arms of peace, went her way, thinking to reach the -house of her parents and knowing not that the great hour of -her life was even then upon her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And passing the Lumbini gardens, where trees and flowers, -placid waters and green shades, the song of birds and cooing -of doves combine to make a heaven on earth, she commanded -them to stay her litter that she might set her feet in the sun-warmed -grass and stand beside the coolness of the lake. So it -was done, and leaning on the arm of Prajapati, she descended -and entered the garden and wandered awhile, silent for joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And suddenly, as they stood beneath a great palsa tree, -sweeping the sward with robes of green and the honeyed snow -of blossom, awe and trembling seized her and a measureless -marvelling; and the tree swept its boughs earthward until the -leaves and flowers lay thick upon the grass, and she knew that -the life of all growing things and of the divine earth and the -mountains and skies lived within her and that her hour was -come. So she laid her hand on a bough of the palsa tree, and -as Prajapati knelt beside her, stilled with joy and fear, and her -women crowded outside the close blossomed shelter of the -palsa tree, her son was born: not like a human birth with -agony but painlessly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now, it was told afterwards that for wardens the Four -Heavenly Kings stood about him, and that the air was -thronged with those birds of heaven, the happy Shining Ones, -singing and rejoicing. And it is told that throughout the -world all polluted streams flowed clear as crystal, and that -even as the lady his mother suffered no pang of childbirth, so -all sentient creatures knew surcease of pain because of that -great Birth and rejoiced with her in jungle and meadow, in -deep waters, and in clouds aerial—for what mother or child -could sorrow in that hour?</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER II</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>B</span><span class='sc'>ut</span> of the child, what shall be said? Borne back to -the palace with flute and drum, through streets -thronged with eager men and women pressing forward -to behold him, he did not sleep, nor shrink, like other -children, but gazed about him as though the gem of thought -were hidden beneath the blue deeps of his eyes. He shone like -pure gold, after the manner of his people, Aryan, noble, a child -of high descent. And it is told that the hidden sweetness of -precious lilies went with him and that the garments of shining -spirits, sweeping unseen above him, made the air vibrant. So -the Maharaja, receiving him in his arms, blessed his son, rejoicing -in his happy fate who was the father of such a one as -the world could not show the like. And in his ears the voices -of prophecy made a changing music of pride and triumph. -And the Maharani, overweighted with gladness, like a lily surcharged -with dew, was borne to her noble couch of ivory and -gold; and Prajapati watched each breath she drew, so great -were her love and fear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, to the rejoicing palace, came an ascetic of pure life -and understanding, a dweller on the holy heights of Himavat, -a great marvel-worker, honoured of all men; and he desired to -enter the presence of the Maharaja and make obeisance. And -this was granted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bowing before the Maharaja, he addressed him thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great sir, as I came on the sun’s way, I heard the rejoicing -of radiant spirits in the air, and when I asked why they were -glad, they triumphed in this verse—</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“ ‘The Wisdom-Child, that precious Jewel, unmatched, unrivalled,</p> -<p class='line0'>Is born in Lumbini, in the land of the happy Sakyas,</p> -<p class='line0'>For good and joy to all the world of men.’</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='noindent'>“Therefore am I come. Lead me now to the young child that -I may see him and be glad also. Rejoice, O Maharaja of -happy fortune, for most surely is it owing to your righteous -deeds in former lives that this good celestial is fallen to your -lot!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja, dumb with love and pride, led the way -to the palace hall where the child slept; and they uncovered -his little lovely person that the old man might see and be glad -also. So he considered the precious marks and signs of his -body, assuring him to be a Buddha, one perfect in enlightenment, -reading and comprehending them all with a heart that -scarce for joy could believe what lay before him. And, seeing -these wonderful birth-portents, the tears rolled down his -cheeks; and at his weeping fear seized the father, and he bowed -down at the ascetic’s feet, crying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O what is my lord’s grief: O what are his tears? Is the -child doomed? Do we lose him? Forbid it, all-seeing Divinities! -Forbid it that one parched, within reach of the -eternal draught, should lose all and perish of thirst! Forbid -it that I should lose my treasure! For when a man dies who -owns a son, it is as a man with two eyes—one sleeps yet the -other watches,—but a man without a son is blind in death’s -darkness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the ascetic, seeing his grief, answered swiftly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sir, have no fear. Good and better than good are the portents. -I wept for myself. This child shall rule the world, -but I, by reason of my age, shall not live to see it. Deep and -full and wide is the river of his Law. Like a great lake is the -calm of his Yoga; like the sun at the zenith his wisdom. The -earth shall be glad for him, and he shall reign and he SHALL -reign, and mighty the glory of his dominion!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having said this, the ascetic departed mysteriously, -after the fashion of the Instructed, leaving joy as his gift.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But still Prajapati watched by the Queen Maya and leaned -her ear close to catch a whisper—for as yet the Great Lady -had not spoken.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now the child lay in the hollow of her arm, and it was -the seventh day. And without raising her lashes, she whispered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sister, my true sister! On the seventh day I die, for -so it is with those mothers whose joy, too great for the lowlands -of earth, soars like a bird to the mountains of heaven. My -joy is winged. No more can it walk beside my sweet sister -nor follow my husband as his shadow nor guard the steps of -my child. It is become divine. Already its wings quiver for -flight. But all is well. My place is prepared in a heaven -where my bliss, rolling outward, may spread into a sea to mirror -the Wisdom I have borne. And you, my true sister, will not -forget me, but, taking this child for your own, will nourish him -with noble milk from your pure bosom. And for our lord you -will take heed. And this I know, that the Way of Peace shall -be opened to the feet of my son’s foster-mother as to mine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Prajapati pressed her cheek against the Great Lady’s -in silence that laid a finger on the lips of grief, and the child -slept between them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now Night, with the moon in her hair and the stars for ear -and breast jewels, came gliding down from the high mountains -and wandered in the palace gardens, shedding sleep unutterable -and all sweet influences from her outspread hands. And -there was not one in the palace, from the Maharaja to the -sweeper but slept, dreaming auspicious dreams.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in the morning all woke refreshed and at peace. But -Maya, the Great Lady waked not. And her sister, the Queen -Prajapati, seeing the child, lovely as an image of pure gold, -blue-eyed and beautiful, loved him, and took him to her -fragrant bosom, and became his mother. And he received the -name of Siddhartha, meaning “He who has attained his aim”—for -who could doubt that such a child must conquer where he -would?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With this child all good came to the City of Kapila and -to the country round about, and all the Sakya clansmen -prospered very greatly. Their cows were pure-coloured, well-proportioned, -giving fragrant and rich milk with even flow; -their horses were as though winged, shaped for speed and -strength; their elephants royal beasts and understanding. -When rain was needed the air distilled it seasonably, and the -five cereals swelled with scented grain, wholesome and soft for -food. All creatures about to produce their young were content -and at ease, their bodies well-knit and healthful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nor was this grace confined to the lower creation, for in the -City of Kapila and its dominions, amongst men and women -auspicious things grew like seed flung from the hands of Gods, -and even those whom their passions spurred down the broad -way of a dangerous karma, considered and took heed, and, laying -aside their selfish desires and covetousness, thought no -proud, envious thoughts, but lived in quiet with their neighbours; -and men were grave and recollected and women chaste -and calm, and by all were the Four Rules of Purity honoured. -And it is told that the Maharaja, seeing this heavenly guest -within his palace, for his sake dwelt purely, practising virtue, -putting away from him all evil company, that his heart might -not be polluted with lust. And he meditated much by night -and day, drinking the moon’s brightness with clasped hands and -sacrificing in the golden silences of the dawn, when all high influences -are unloosed. And this course of conduct must ensue -from such a birth, for, as the lotus and champak flowers exhale -their perfume and the moon drops camphor in her secret -glories, so do the influences of purity and high thought spread -outward from the person of a Buddha-to-be. Therefore, as -the light of sun or moon increases little by little and none can -measure its growth, so was it with the child, orbing into beauty -perfect and yet more perfect—if such a thing can be. And -with precious things they surrounded him. Noble amulets -guarded his person, great gems adorned him, and the scent of -sandalwood made sweet the air for his breathing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now, when the time for instruction came, the Maharaja considered -whom he should employ to teach his son. Should it -be a man of the Wanderers, who, having cast the world utterly -aside, scans its wisdom with the diamond ray of perfect comprehension—one -of the Unfettered? Or should it be one of -the men of braided hair—a Brahman hermit, held, as yet, in -family ties, but living the life of pure contemplation? Or a -bearer of the Triple Staff?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Much he revolved these matters and, gathering opinions, -digested them, and summoned to the high task the wise and -saintly Viswamitra. And the boy was brought before him and -made due obeisance to his teacher (who is, if possible, more to -be reverenced than even a father, being the father of the soul -and mind, whereas that other may be but the father of the -transitory body); but when Viswamitra questioned the noble -child, it has been told that there was nothing he did not know -already. For it is related that he was familiar with all that -has been written in books or told with tongues, even from the -number of the spheres and heavenly bodies, as also their triangular, -square and sextile aspects, to the powers of the lowliest -worm that creeps upon the earth, unable even to raise its -head to adore the divine luminaries. There was nothing that -teacher could teach him, for already he knew all. So Viswamitra -heard and trembled, and at last, seeing that this matter -touched on things deep, incomprehensible and wonderful, he -prostrated himself before the child, and, closing up his books, -went his way marvelling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet let it not be thought that the Maharaja Suddhodana -could behold these portents with a heart of ease, for mingled -with all his pride and joy was fear. His son moved before -him, beautiful exceedingly, perfect in duty not only to his -father and his foster-mother, Prajapati the fair and noble, but -also to all with whom he had to do, quick to smile and reply, -glad in a boy’s sports and games, and yet—apart. As a man, -looking down through the clear crystal of a lake, may behold -beneath it groves of strange leafage where silver fish dart and -disappear in a life unknown to him, so the Maharaja, looking -through the translucence of his son’s eyes uplifted to his, knew -that they revealed yet hid a world in which he had no part. -And this aloofness grew to be to him a knife driven into his -very heart. And time passed, and the child became a noble -youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One day the Maharaja sent for his minister, an old man, -wise and instructed, and to him he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is all well in the city and the country about it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the old minister, saluting, replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O Maharaj, all is well. And since the birth of your auspicious -son how could it be otherwise? For it appears that -in past times when a child of pure brilliancy was born, there -prevailed great prosperity, and wickedness came to an end. -And so it is now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, sighing as if his heart were like to break, the Maharaja -replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is true. And who should rejoice more than I? Yet -it is not so, and my heart is consumed with anxiety.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the minister remained respectfully silent, and the Maharaja -continued:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For my son is not as the other young nobles, free and gay -and enamoured of sports and battle and women, but the opposite—rather -enduring than sharing the frolics suited to his age; -and when I see him meditating beneath the rose-laurels and -mark his calm, abstracted eyes, it recalls to me the saying of -the sage Asita, that ‘embarking in the boat of wisdom, he -shall save the world from peril.’ Now, were this to be the -wisdom of a great King delivering his people, I might triumph -as I did in hearing it, but if it is to be the cold wisdom of the -Wanderers and forest-dwellers, then I desire none of it, for to -embark in that boat is to be severed from power and from all -things dear and desirable to the heart of man. What, then, is -your counsel?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And with grief written in his face, the aged minister replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great sir, who shall challenge Fate and the unwritten laws -of the Divine? I will own that sometimes in the noble youth’s -presence I have felt as it were a cold air blowing between him -and me, as though he stood apart from lesser men. And more -than once this thought has occurred: Suppose this noble Siddhartha -is a Bodhisattva, destined in his next re-birth to be a -Buddha, how then shall we fight against a destiny so great -and awful? But yet it may not be thus, and so rarely does a -Buddha appear upon the earth that there is neither experience -nor knowledge to guide us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, trembling, the Maharaja replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You voice my very fear. It is certain that many of the -predictions which my soul applied to earthly glory, may be -read otherwise if considered. But since I dread this unspeakably -and we are by no means certain of the end, what is your -counsel that we may divert him and so fulfil his mind with -beauty and bliss, that these cold visions may blow away like -mists at sunrise and leave him glad?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, smiling subtly, the old man answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There is one way, and one only. For it is acknowledged -throughout the three worlds that there is no charm of forgetfulness -like the beauty of a woman. On her bosom the Gods -are forgotten and the wisdom of the wise is vanity.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Maharaja, with impatience:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is true of others, but as for my son, he has seen the -loveliest face to face and has never turned to look again. -Think better, old man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For the noble, a noble bait. And there is a girl, daughter -of the great Suprabuddha, young and lovely as the Maiden -of the Dawn when she stands, rose-fingered, smiling upon the -mountain peaks, and this maiden is pure in health and person, -constant and faithful, cheerful evening and morning, one to -establish the palace in purity and quiet, full of dignity and -grace. Among her companions she moves as the queen-swan -leading the flotilla, with stately neck, yet bowed in humility. -For a King of all the earth this is a fitting consort. I have -made diligent inquiry. Her name is Yashodara.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja replied with joy:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In this Yashodara may be our deliverance! Send in -haste, but with dignity, to Suprabuddha her father, and call a -gathering at which the bridegroom-to-be shall show his -strength with bow and sword and horse against all rivals, after -the manner of the free choice of our women.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the old man bowed and went away, smiling, but with a -sore doubt at his heart—for he also recalled the words and -portents of the Prince’s birth and dreaded the anger of awful -Gods if any should let their purpose.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus on a certain day the lists were set, and the Sakya -lords were challenged by the noble Siddhartha to archery, to -sword-play and to riding, that the maiden, Yashodara, might -know she chose no craven to be her husband. And all -the people crowded to see, some wagering on the success of this -lord and some on that, but all, on whomsoever they wagered, -hoping that the son of the good Maharaja might win honour -and the bride. Yet most believed that the victor would be -Devadatta, cousin of Siddhartha, a young prince proud and obstinate -and amorous and very skilful in feats of arms.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was in the golden silence of very early morning when the -people crowded to the <span class='it'>maidan</span> where all should be done, for the -heat of the later day forbade it then. So still was it that not -a frond of the palms stirred nor even a bamboo leaf lifted on -the air, and the dew lay bright as silver upon grass and -flower. So still that the voice of Rohini, full-throated from the -melting snows, would have filled the quiet but for the myriad -shufflings of bare feet through the dust and the tinkle of litter -bells as the hidden beauty and her companions were borne to -the place of meeting. For her face should not be seen until -she made her choice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And all the way was strewn ankle-deep with flowers, as -though the Spirits of the Air had rained them with both hands -upon the glad earth, and from their bruised beauty was shed -such sweetness on the dew that the fragrance rose like incense -to greet the lovely ones on their way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when the rival lords rode on to the <span class='it'>maidan</span> in splendour -of armour jewelled and inlaid with gold and swords that -flashed like lightning from the rifts of cloudy mountains, and -horses that seemed to spurn the ground with their hoofs and -desire to ride the air like the very coursers of the sun, then -the joy of the people so grew that they clapped their hands and -shouted lustily, for of all things the noble fair-skinned Northern -peoples love a good man and a good horse, and only next to -these a beautiful woman. And of the last the most beautiful -as yet was hidden. So they shouted until their voices were -like the noise of a great wind and the echoes returned them -from far-off heights and woods.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Devadatta rode a horse so black that in the night he -seemed a part of it, but Siddhartha’s horse was white, proud -and great and gentle, and his name shall not be forgotten while -the round world holds, for he was Kantaka—and of him more -hereafter. And when the maiden, looking between the curtains -of her palanquin so that none might know she looked, -saw the young Sakya lord, her heart left her bosom and fled -into his, settling there like a bird nestling with feet and wings, -for there was none like him—none. With calm he sat his -horse, awaiting the moment, and young he was and slender -and like an image of pure gold, and his eyes were blue and dark -after the manner of his people, and his lips and cheek shaped -by a great graver. He carried his head as a stag in the spring -season, and for all his slenderness was he tense and eager as -a bow in the hand of the Brahma King with the arrow laid -on the string. And so he waited, and his eyes never sought -the palanquin where was hidden the Pearl of Victory. And -to her sick heart she said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is not mine! He is above me. What woman can cloud -the serenity of those eyes? How can the fiery dart of Madhu, -the God of Love, pierce that breast, guarded with the snow of -high thoughts? He is a King too high for me—too high.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is true that the noble youth thought little of the -maiden, but much of the great clash with his rivals, for he -knew well that Honour was the prize of the day and that his -father’s heart must needs break if he failed before all the Kin -of the House and the people.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now it is certain that of this jousting many tales have grown -up, of arrows flying miraculously, winged by eager Gods, of -sword-strokes such as the world has never seen nor shall see, -of horses that the Wind, Vaya himself, might bestride for -swiftness and cruel, dangerous pride. And how all this may -be I know not, who was not there; but this I know, that Siddhartha -was better than the best in all the tests, and that the -people stormed and shouted and laughed and wept, knowing -not what they did so only they might hail him conqueror, while -he stood leaning on his sword, breathing lightly and resting, for -the first time smiling, a very splendid young knight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja, scarcely daring to look in his son’s face -lest he should too openly show his pride and joy, said only:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son, you have done well.” And, turning, “Bring forth the -bride.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then all the people were of a sudden silent, that not a word, -not a sound of that Beautiful should be lost. And they drew -back the pictured curtains of the litter and she stepped forth, -most resembling the silver moon floating through clouds to her -unveiling and pure radiance, and so stood before the people, -clad in supple silver that flowed about her like water and jewels -that dripped glory braided among the silk-soft hair that fell to -her ankles and crowned her brows. (Yet none could look -at her splendour, for her face drew the bees of all glances to -the honey of its sweetness and there held them, dizzy with -ecstasy.) Thus, with a maiden, only less fair, on either side, -she paced towards Siddhartha where he sat motionless on his -white horse as a man of marble, carrying in her hand the Garland -of Choosing. And coming before him, she raised her -eyes to his and stood silent; but her look pleaded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then for the first time he knew in the solitude of his heart -the drawing near of another. And soft spring airs came before -her, with the singing of mating birds, and pearling of young -buds and delicate tremble and thrill of life in green silences -and all the good things of this world. And it troubled his -calm, because he knew not what it meant, and it was more -pain than pleasure. This sweet melody, as it were of flutes -and lutes, that came from the tattling of her anklets and the -rustle of her garments, overpowered the austere, high voices -that had breathed in his ear from birth, and they were silent. -Like a man bewildered, he dismounted from white Kantaka, -with his arm still laid along the noble neck, and gazed down -upon her, and their looks met and were one.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So she stooped and took the dust from his feet, then rising, -stately as a young palm-tree, she put the Garland of Choosing -about his neck and together they faced the shouting people -and the rivals, some sullen as Devadatta the evil-hearted, some -glad in the victory as Ananda the Prince, his true cousin.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And of all men who saw that sight be sure that none more -beautiful could ever meet their eyes than the silver bride hand -in hand with the golden lover, shining as Surya the Sun rejoicing -to run his course; for with the touch of her hand, doubt -dropped from him like a garment and they were submerged, -he and she alike, in the joy of the bridegroom and the bride.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja, laughing aloud for triumph and gladness, -said to the old minister:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We have caught our bird! Thanks be to the God of -Love!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the old man replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great sir, it will need the triple cord of love to bind him—your -own, the wife’s and the child’s. Let us wait. Still are -we not secure.”</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER III</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Time went by, but since he had snared his bird, the -Maharaja Suddhodana resolved that the fetters should -be gilded, and calling his minister again, he said to him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If a man would cage a bird of heaven (and such, I think, is -my son), it is necessary that earth should be made heaven, so -that no home-sickness for the blue heights should take him. -And because a young man may weary of one woman’s beauty, -however beautiful, let fresh faces be found to make for him a -wreath of such roses of the earth as may intoxicate him with -its love and perfume. Send north to Savatthi and south to -Benares, and fetch such beauties, such players on the vina and -sitar as sing before the high Gods, such dancers as those whose -white limbs, melting to music, enchant their eyes. Give orders -to build him a house for the winter, when the snow is blue in -the hollows of Himalaya and the rivers are locked in his cold -heart. See that it be warm and silent and that no wind may -creep in, and let white furs of snow-leopards, clouded with -black, lie about it, soft and smooth to the touch, and let there -be story-tellers to speed the long nights with jest and amorous -tale and clash of battle. Shut out the cold and terrible moon -with close lattice-work and rich curtains, for she, remote and -small in the blue, profound skies, may freeze his soul to the -chill calm I fear.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the minister, saluting, said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All shall be done. And yet——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And yet there is more before we may sleep in peace. -Build for him also a house of spring. Let it be pavilioned, -and with little stiff, frilled roofs flying outward like the skirts -of a dancer when she revolves swiftly. On every point set a -wind-bell to resemble her anklets and armlets in their tinkling, -so that the soft breezes from the hills shall make an aerial -music as they wander about it. Let it appear as if the whole -were blown together like a cloud on a wind and might be -lifted and dispersed like thistle-down—a dream of spring.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the old wise man saluted, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It shall be done. And yet——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And yet it is not enough,” mused the Maharaja, stroking -his great beard. “For we must build also a house for summer—to -drowse in, dim and cool and with long echoing colonnades -to catch the faintest breath of breeze. Let this house be -set in the grass by Rohini, that her liquid voice may sing of -the snows when the dog-days are sultry. And let it be paved -with shining stone from the mountains, and the walls be of -dark cedar, carved wonderfully, and all the windows dimmed -and latticed that the heats die on the threshold. Choose a -place for it where the asoka trees are deep with rich leafage -and golden blossom, and the neems spread their shade and the -acacias rain white petals and the champak swoons in its heavy -sweetness. Let there be a lake, pensive with reeds and green -reaches, the haunt of swans and cranes and all beautiful water -birds, and silver rills by which my son may sit and muse if he -will, until the langour of slowly dropping water shall pass into -his veins and be a narcotic binding him for ever to long dreaming -days and nights, and he be utterly content.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the old man saluted, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So it shall be done. Is it also your pleasure, Maharaja, -that I set a guard at the gate of the park of the three Pleasure -Houses?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is my pleasure. And now I will visit my son’s wife and -hear her mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he went to the place of the women in the great house. -And his presence being told to Yashodara, she came before -him, sweet as the star of evening bathed in rosy vapours, for a -dress fell about her coloured as though dipped in the blood of -red roses and bound with gold that, winding spirally upward -round her lovely limbs and bosom, embraced them, drawing -the eye to the slender curves, and she wore no jewels but only -the great rings in her ears sparkling with fiery gems. And he -drew her to his feet and she sat on a cushion beside him, looking -upward with duty and affection, waiting for the favour of -his speech. And at last, having observed the delicate sweetness -of her face and her grace and majesty, he said, sighing:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble daughter, you have now been wedded to my son, -Siddhartha, for six months. Is all well with you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, stooping to touch his feet, she replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great father, all is well. And I did not know that in all the -world there was such joy as I share night and day with my dear -lord. For beyond all beauty he is beautiful and beyond all -goodness, good, and his gentleness of speech is not like that of -a woman, but with strength behind it like Himalaya when he -smiles in sunshine. And yet——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The words stopped like hovering birds on her sweet lips -and her fine brows drew together as she meditated. And the -Maharaja, drawing his hand from her head, leaned forward -to look into her eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Daughter, have you a doubt—and what is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She, lovely and submissive, made haste to answer:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great lord, all is pure joy, and yet——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he, in great anger, so that she shrank down, veiling her -face with her hands:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And yet! When I command my minister to surround my -son with all joy wherewith to bind and hold him, he obeys, but -ends always with ‘And yet—’ as though some mystery surrounded -him! And you, that should triumph in pride and -joy, say the like. My son is fair and free and noble and -sharer in my riches and pride. What is this miserable ‘And -yet—’ that mocks my hope? Speak out, woman, and tell me -what is in your heart.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, kindling her courage at his sternness, the wife of Siddhartha -looked at him with clear, unsullied eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Father, all I have said is truth, but there is also this. In -the midst of rejoicings of song and when the women dance -before him and the feast is spread and the great fruits, cooled -with snow, and purple wines in cut crystal cups are set to his -hand, then often I know that though his fair body is among us, -his soul is escaped and fled away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in her eyes two tears gathered and stood but did not -fall.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he, with anger:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Would it not be thought a woman should know her business! -For what is beauty but to hold a man prisoner to the -senses? And you are beautiful as the woman the high Gods -made with flowers—how then do you fail? Does he not love -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sir, he loves me. But not me only. He loves something -that I know not, and his thought flies away to it as a dove flies -home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“True, true! It is true. What is this thing? For I, too, -have felt it. When I have spoken of wealth and power and -pride, I have known that as you, daughter, say, his soul is escaped -and gone, I cannot tell where. But have no fear. Tell -me only this—has never a word, never a sight of sorrow crept -into the paradises I have made for him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not one. All is joy unceasing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And no sign of age, of sickness, of death? For, as I have -told you, he must not know that these things are, and until -he passed into your keeping, the secret was well guarded.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she replied gravely:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The secret is well guarded. He does not know. When he -speaks, it is of an eternity of delight and of nothing else. And -yet—if I may speak and live——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Speak. Even in the words of women there is sometimes -wisdom, and you are a pearl among women.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great lord, is it possible to strive against the high Gods? -For they have appointed death and sickness and grief to be -our lot, and it may be that the very joy of life is the greater -because we know it is brief. Children suck sugar-cane until -they sicken, and may not grown man and woman weary of -sweet things, desiring to match their fortitude against grief? -And he is great of soul.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then he would not look at her for anger, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Folly and double folly—woman’s madness! Have you -not heard the saying of the wise, that if ever he hears tell of -age and sickness and death, his doom is sealed? And mine -with it—and mine with it! For I love my son.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the great tears overflowed her eyes and ran down like -a stream at the thaw.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Forgiveness!” she cried. “Forgiveness! for I love my husband, -and if this unknown sweetness capture and carry him -from me, what good should my life do me? But now, most -honoured father of my lord, I have a hope—a hope! Will a -child’s hand hold him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And even as the words left her lips, he caught her two hands -and gazed deep into her eyes and triumphed. And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Daughter, you are hope, and your words a cup in the desert! -For, knowing what my son is to me, I know that those -hands will hold him when yours and mine drop helpless. Go -back to him and tell him, and to the great Gods do I give -thanks because my prayers and sacrifices have not run to waste -but are rewarded!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as she knelt before him, the tears rolled down his cheeks -for gladness, nor could he hide them, as a warrior should.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, beautiful as a rainbow flowering against a black cloud, -the Princess returned to the carved chamber of cedar with its -lattices set wide to the perfumed air of summer. Beneath and -around them the ivory chalices of the frangipani blossoms and -starred clouds of jasmine offered warm incense to the sun and -all was calm as ecstasy, as though the world, captured by the -power of Yoga, were in ecstasy, dreaming with open eyes upon -Perfection. The leaves of deep-foliaged trees floated on air in -absolute stillness, swimming, silent, in liquid gold, and below -the shades of the gardens gleamed Rohini, she also dancing no -longer as in spring, but calm and silent as the meditation of a -saint, pursuing her shining way in a deep quiet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There, seated beneath a neem tree, in the green bower of -its heart, the Princess beheld Siddhartha as he sat with his feet -folded and his hands lying upon his knees. And as she -watched, kneeling by the lattice, he stirred no more than a -noble image of himself made in gold and there was that in his -calm that struck her soul with fear. Then presently, gathering -courage from knowledge of the gladness she bore within -her, she rose, and folding the gold sari about her brows, she -went with rose-leaf footsteps through the House of Joy, passing -those palace rooms where the fair women talked and -sang and made low music with their vinas and sitars, eating -fruits cooled in blocks of ice from the mountains and laughing -with each other as though joy could never cease nor death -wreck youth and life, for it seemed that the secret of the house -held them also and that they, like the Prince, believed that -these things were immortal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Yashodara, going through the garden ways, past groups -of tall flowers bee-haunted, flickered about by rose-coloured -and black butterflies, caught wafts of varying perfumes, like -strains of music through the opening and closing of celestial -doors, so sweet was the world that day. The jewelled peacock -and his wife led forth their train of little ones to pace in -deep grass and silver pheasants went daintily in the plumed -shades of the bamboo and their young followed rejoicing in -life and warmth and plenty, and birds hidden in high branches -sang as if never they would cease, and above all floated the -blue sky—a blue pure and strong as that of the infinite ocean, -and life and love wandered hand in hand along the blossomed -earth in sunlight like clear water. So though her secret winged -her feet the Princess must needs pause here and there to share -with all these living creatures the wine of joy poured from the -sun’s brimming cup, and her soul gladdened within her in the -youth of the world. And at last with steps light as the fall of -a petal she approached the great neem tree and stood and -looked into its shade.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now here was an extraordinary stillness as though an arresting -finger were laid upon the pulse of life, but not wholly -silencing it, for from a fern-fringed spring there fell at regular -intervals a bright drop of water marking time into divisions -lest it should wholly slip into Eternity and be lost. And the -shade within was deep and green making a soft dusk at noon, -and through the shade could be seen the great spires of silver -mountains ecstatic in blue air and resembling the highest reach -of the aspiration of man arrested on the verge of comprehension.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Very still in green shade sat the son of the Maharaja, his -hands, palm upward, laid empty upon his knees, his eyes fixed -on the everlasting hills, neither joy nor trouble upon calm -brows, lost in meditation so deep that it walled him as in -crystal from the fair shows around, and her coming was nothing -to him for he neither saw nor heard it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then a wave of anguish rose in her bosom and swelled until -it spilt in salt and bitter water from her eyes, and she could -not restrain herself from that forbidden show of sorrow and -putting aside the boughs she ran to him and fell at his knees -and laid her head upon them, sobbing. And with a long sigh -he awoke and looked down upon her, smiling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it, wife, and why do your eyes run like Rohini. Is -it a new gladness beyond gladness? And why are you so -glad?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Weeping and sobbing she hid her fair face upon his knees, -clasping them passionately, her words stumbling from her lips -in agony.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is not gladness, O heart of my heart. It is grief.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he, from the inward Kingdom of Calm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And what is grief, my lotus flower?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For in all his life he had neither heard the word nor seen the -thing and she spoke an unknown language. And as she sobbed -on, he lifted her face gently in his two hands and looked at -her closed eyelids, the lashes wet and matted on her cheek -with running tears, she pale as death, the rich colour dead in -her lips, and on his beautiful face was amazement and no more, -for how could he pity who had lived only in the presence of -joy? And at last he said very slowly as if bewildered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My rose, my delight, what is this new thing, and what have -you to tell me? Speak that I may rejoice also.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And his words stung some terror in her because he could not -understand and it seemed that she must bear the burden of -grief and the hidden secret of the world’s woe not only for him -and herself, but for all the earth. For from any creature born -human, though young and beautiful and a Prince, it may well -seem a daring too great for mortals to deny grief and affront -sorrow and to shut the door in their grey faces—knowing them -waiting and watching outside. So the words broke from her -sobbing lips:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This morning I woke, and in the august quiet of the dawn -I knew that my hope of hopes was given to me and my joy -brimmed and sparkled in the cup of jewelled gold from the -Gods, and I would have turned then into my lord’s breast to -tell of it, but that night you had not passed with me but in -the chamber of deodar, so I lay and dreamed awake, lost in -bliss until they brought me word that our father would speak -with me, and I went.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But all this was good, my lily swaying on blue waters. -And what was your hope?” he said with a hand coming and -going softly in her hair, and the monotony and gentleness of -his touch soothed her like the immeasurable falling of far-distant -water—no louder than the humming of a bee. And -drawing more quiet breath, she continued:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Our father asked me, lord of my soul, whether still you -escaped away in soul from all the love and laughter about you. -For when this is so, is it not that we fail to make you glad, -and am not I, your wife, the worst sinner? O heart of my -heart, what more is there that we have not done? Tell me, -I beseech you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he answered, “Nothing,” looking above her head to the -heights.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Passionately she caught his hands in hers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then, O beloved, if we have done all and fail, <span class='it'>what</span> is it -that draws you from me? What is your soul’s desire? When -our father, believing a man might weary of my poor beauty, -sought out new faces for the Painted Chambers, did I weep? -I smiled, though—But no, I will not say it. If it was your -pleasure, what should I be but glad? But still you were drawn -from us, and it has been a terror that bit into my soul, when -waking in a white moonlight, I have seen you sitting with alien -eyes fixed upon the great march of the stars. And yet I have -kept silence. But now, lord of my life I ask this—where is -it your soul goes, and to whom?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her hands, hot with the fever of the soul, pleaded for her, -clasping his. Her dark eyes heavy with tears entreated mercy. -He answered gravely:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I go to my own people.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And we are not your own people? Beloved, beloved—Your -words are swords, who then are your own?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I cannot tell.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her hope forgotten, the Princess knelt beside him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O noble one, is it life or death that draws you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I cannot tell. What is death? But life such as this is -weariness inexpressible, and how men endure it I cannot know. -Without change, break, or ripple the sunshiny days glide past, -each bringing in its hands the same offering of love and peace -monotonous as a dove’s cooing. My life is without hope, for, -having all, what is there to hope for? And what I have is over-sweet. -It cloys in the tasting like honey. And the Brahmans -make their sacrifices and mutter their mantras of invocation -and propitiation, and for what? For if we have all, what more -is there to have, and why pray for what is unneeded? If this -Paradise over-sweet can never crack asunder; if ages and ages -hence we still shall sit here young and beautiful as to-day,—the -Gods have emptied their hands and what have they left to -give? And if we do amiss, how shall they punish us? And -will not the day come when I may lift up my hand to the -mountains and curse them, saying—‘Be at ease in your careless -heavens, O unapproachable Gods,—but I am a man with -a soul not to be captured and tamed in earth’s paddock. I -demand my rights, though what they are I know not, for I -move in a perfumed cloud that blinds me. But I shall know -one day.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She looked up at him in fear that forbade speech.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hear the noise of hammers outside the gardens, the cry -of the plougher, the song of the maids who come home with -cattle from the outer meadows. And I say that these people -have lives better than mine, and if I could change I would, for -sweet must be their sleep and glad their leisure, but for me life -is all idleness and sleep, and their eternity is better than my -own. I will ask my father to let me too go out and labour in -the glad world outside this prison, that buys its food with -happy toil, that I too may know what it is to eat the bread I -have earned in contentment.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Pale with fear Yashodara answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, lord of my life, how is it known to you that their life -is all good? Is it possible to envy what you know not?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know that with them life is eternal as with me and doubtless -joy perpetual. But to this they add useful toil that gives -us our luxuries. All these fair things about us are made by -the hands of free men rejoicing in beauty. And I make nothing. -I pass from one enjoyment to another, fettered—a -winged bird in a jewelled cage. Are they not happier than I? -And you, sweet wife,—what joy have you in comforting the -long hours of a slave?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She kissed his hands with passion, her black hair falling -silken about his feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is I that am the slave, my King—the happy slave of your -beauty and nobleness, and what could I ask but to wait eternally -upon your pleasure and that of your son.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He turned his eyes gravely upon her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My son?” he said. And she:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is true—it is true. And it is because I bear this hope -in my bosom that it pierces me like a sword to see your calm -averted eyes and know you far away in that strange heaven -where I cannot follow. O, my lord, if it be true that you have -alien kindred I cannot reach, let your son be of them. Give -him all good!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then stooping, he drew her head to his breast and put his -arm about her and drew her gently until she sat upon his left -knee—that throne of the Indian wife, and thus they remained -awhile in silence, and his touch was better than speech and his -quiet healing as moonlight. Nor did she miss words of love or -rejoicing for his calm folded her in the very wings of peace. -At long last he spoke:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My Pearl of Perfectness, we two are one, and of our true -oneness springs this new delight. To me the hope is sweeter -than all harps touched in the hollow of Heaven, and if you -were dear to me before, judge how dear now. But since we -are so one, come nearer, share my thought as well as my heart. -Does it content you that we should bring into our prison another -prisoner and one so dear? Here the days slip by uncounted—a -chain of fadeless flowers. Here the river links its -long silver thought for ever and ever down the channel from -the peaks. Here the bright birds flash by eternally. Will they -people the garden to overflowing with their beauty or do they -fly away to freer lands as I would if I could? When this garden -is full of our children and theirs, what then? Am I the -only prisoner or they also? <span class='it'>What</span> is the secret my father -holds from me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But she, trembling, could answer nothing. And again there -was silence and only the bright slow dropping of the little -spring, and her heart forboded sorrow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O day of joy made bitter with fear!” it said within her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again he fell into deep cold meditation, and forgot her -utterly and his arm relaxed and slipping fell beside him, and -she crept from his knee, and he did not know, staring with lost -eyes toward the stainless heavens. And for awhile she stood -and watched unnoticed, and then crept shuddering away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And beneath the shade of the neem Siddhartha sat motionless -until the rays from the low sun struck high up the tree -trunks, and sunset followed, a breath of rose on a rainbow sky, -and presently the moon rose unclouded in luminous loveliness -and floated to the zenith, and all boughs dropped dew, and -the mountains were lost in stars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nor did any dare to break his dream.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER IV</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Time went by, each day sweet as new honey dripping -golden from a golden comb, sweet, inexpressibly -sweet, and the Princess, moving languidly, trembling with hope -mingled with doubt and fear, would tell only her joys to the -Maharaja Suddhodana and not her fears. For what help -was there in him? He could not strengthen the guarding gates -for they were strong and armed men watched by them, nor the -walls, for they were high, and observed from watch-towers. -And yet, day by day and night by night the spirit of Siddhartha -had passed invisible between the swords and unsleeping eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But since the hope of the Princess was made known to him, -he shut himself within the great gardens in spirit also. There -should no cloud dim the eyes of the mother of his son—flowers -must bud and blossom in her heart as about her slender feet, -and no thought but peace and security creep into her Paradise. -And little by little, as a wild deer glimpsing through the green -flies in terror, yet may be slowly won with patience and tenderness -till it will browse the rose-leaves in a girl’s hand, so -was the fear of the Princess put to sleep, and a low song of -joy and immeasurable thankfulness made music in her heart -like the summer voice of Rohini after the melting of the snows—when -the river is little and peaceful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And one day the Maharaja came to visit her in the cool -chamber of roses looking toward the north and the eternal -mountains and found her stringing jade and crystal and amber -on a fine golden cord, while ladies sat about her plucking rose -petals for paste of roses, and there was a sound of far music -in the gardens and looking through the lattice he saw Siddhartha -with his best and dearest cousin, the Prince Ananda, shooting -with bow and arrow in a wide meadow by the river, and -Devadatta and another of the Sakya lords stood by, and the -young men laughed and shouted, and their voices came small -and clear with distance, so that the heart of the King exulted -and he triumphed as he seated himself on the golden and peacock -cushions, dismissing the women.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We have conquered, lovely one!” he said, laughing kindly -in his black beard. “What neither I nor all my sages could -do your small wise hands have done, for in them the mother of -his child holds my son’s heart. I knew—I foretold, it must be -so, for he is loving and good and all the pieties of life hold -him like bands of iron. You are content?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she smiling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble father, I am content. I have no more ‘And yets’ -with which to wound your ear. My lord leaves me neither by -night or day, except when I entreat him to try his strength with -Ananda and Devadatta and the Sakya lords. And this is -wisdom. We strained too tight upon the fetters and they ate -into his soul. This freedom among the young lords is well. -My noble father, I entreat you to give him what liberty -you can, for it is good. Never now do I see him submerged -in the cold dreams that stole him from us. Those strange -voices call him no more, the hands have ceased to beckon. -He is ours—yours and mine and the child’s, and of the child is -all his talk and thought. He shall ride with sword and lance -and be a King of Kings. So we say—one to the other.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She looked up with tears of pure joy trembling like shed -diamonds on her long black lashes, and the Maharaja, grave -with delight, replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So it shall be! What!—the kingdom of Maghada is ruled -by a foolish man—the King Bimbisara,—why shall not my son -oust him as we gather strength? Ha! are not we too of the -Arya—the great fighting people, and may not one elephant -subdue another! Daughter, I would have you breathe these -things in my son’s ear, and thrill him with hope of great splendours -for the child.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She answered eagerly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Father, I have done—I do it. I say each day—‘Give him -his inheritance, my lord. Let all good that you gain be his, -for he is yours and ours,’ and always he replies: ‘Could I -find the whole world’s Pearl it would be for my great father, -for you and for the child. Be content, wife, for my heart is -with my own people.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as she spoke his words the tears of gladness brimmed -and fell on the crystals and jade and amber in her golden lap -and the Raja clapped his hands together and shouted for joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ha, ha! we have won him! O auspicious daughter, dip your -hands in my treasury and take at your will. What reward is -enough for your beauty and wisdom? But now be cautious”—[There -he became grave and weighty]—“guard your health -and your person as the deposit of a King, and all shall be well. -And the day is not far distant when we shall laugh at the sickly -foretelling that said if he saw death, pain or old age he would -flee into the jungle. What! Shall not my son have strength -to face the common lot of man like a great King! But not -yet—not yet! We will go warily.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the wise Princess saw that beneath his triumph he was -not even yet wholly reassured. But she herself was content.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So when Siddhartha returned flushed and gay from riding -and shooting by the parks of Rohini with the great bow in -his hand and quiver at his shoulder, a glittering glorious young -warrior, she clung about him shining with bliss so that it appeared -that visible rays surrounded her as they do the Dawn -Maiden when she, standing, flings her golden arrows about the -world from the peaks of Himalaya. And with his arms about -her in their chamber of marble he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And is my dove content? And is life good?” and she replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Most utterly content. If life is good to my lord it is delight -to me. But you, O, heart’s dearest—and are you not -content? See how the world is white with blossom dropping -perfumed dew, and the blue birds flash through them, and there -is piping and singing and the flutter of wings through all the -happy gardens and the humming of black bees mad for honey. -And this morning as I walked with Gautami the slender-waisted, -close, close hidden in the jasmin flowers I found a -small nest—small and heart-holding and in it four blue jewels -of eggs warm from the mother’s breast—warm as love and -home, and blue as the skies, and I looked and said—‘One, two, -three, four. This is a prophecy. These are the three sons -and the one daughter I shall bear to my lord. First—three -sons, one by one, and then a daughter so lovely that all Kings -of the earth shall desire her, and the three strong brothers shall -guard her beauty—that is fit only for the enjoyment of the -King of the Three Worlds! And we will hide this lovely one -in the heart of the gardens until he comes. Now, since I have -seen this portent, four there must be. Less there cannot. -But possibly more!’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she leaned back, flashing the sunshine of her eyes in -his, and he laughed back holding her by the two hands, half -dazzled with her beauty and gladness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is life,” he said—“and the cold dreams are gone. -They rose like mists from Rohini in autumn mornings—and in -the rising of the sun they disperse. And the coming of my son -has driven them into the night where they belong.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore great gladness reigned in the House of Gardens -and doubt was forgotten, and in his pride, willing to make his -son more free and yet security more secure, the Maharaja -made another and most beautiful garden across the city where -Siddhartha might take his pleasure if he wearied of the Gardens -of Rohini, and the Princess approved this with her wisdom, -saying: “We must stretch the tether, lest the bird guess -he is not free to fly into the distances.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this was a most exquisite garden, with great pools and -lakes where white cranes stood meditating all day among blue -lotus blossoms—the very essence of the blue of the waters, and -it was made a Paradise where none might take life or harm the -creatures of earth or air or water, and the wild swans floated -as pure and fearless upon those lakes as upon the bosom of -holy Manasa in the sky-uplifted bosom of the mountains, and -the deer were not shy but walked beside men, and with great -eyes, silent though full of speech, told them the hidden histories -of their wild hearts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And on a certain day Siddhartha sent a message to his -father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great father, if my Paradise is ready, give me permission -to drive through the city to-morrow that I may enjoy it with -my cousins Ananda and Devadatta and the Sakya lords.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the answer returned was “To-morrow,” and that night -Siddhartha passed with his wife Yashodara in a pavilion of -Chinese silks with blue and gold dragons by the banks where -Rohini wandered among her reeds singing a little song of sleep, -and as the orange sunset faded into grey a few large stars came -out, and swam in immeasurable deeps above them. And she -said, holding his hand:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How beautiful—how beautiful is the coming of the night -with all the stars caught like bees in her net of blue,—and is -it not strange, O lord of my life, to think that long ages after -we and our love are forgotten other lovers shall sit by this little -river and see the night glide down the mountains scattering -stars about the world like seeds of light. Shall we see, shall -we know, in those cold other lives they promise?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he in great astonishment:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Forgotten? In what age to come shall you not still be -loveliest and gentlest, Queen of the whole earth for beauty? -Then, as now, shall men come to happy Kapila because the city -holds the most beautiful as the shell its pearl. How should we -be forgotten?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And for a moment cold fear crept by her like the silent passing -of a snake, compelling her to remember that the truth was -shut from those dear eyes, light of her life,—and she brushed it -from her and said laughing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“True—who should forget us? I dream sometimes that of -all names in the world my lord’s shall be greatest, uplifted, -splendid, like that great star throbbing upon the topmost peak -of all, and men shall bow down and do homage to it not only -in the land of the Sakyas and in Maghada and Kosala, but in -the wide great world among strange people who send us their -treasures but whose very names we cannot utter.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you have dreamed this, beloved? And how?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have dreams that beat in my ears and their sound goes -over the mountains, north and south and east and west. And -the sun is dimmed with fumes of incense offered to a great -King. And I see golden palaces like the sands of all the rivers -for number, with my lord sitting throned beneath them in gold—palaces -innumerable, and flowers cast in heaps to exhale -their perfume. And all this in my lord’s honour. This have -I dreamed four times.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he said, slowly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is my dream also. Certainly the Gods come in dream. -But who can say? See, beloved, how the night, mother of -men, brings us her dark reposes lulling all things to sleep. -There is no moon, but strange spirits as white as moonbeams -moving among the trees. Sing low to me, beloved, sing low. -I would not see their eyes—they look upon me with thoughts -I cannot read. Sing to me—fill my eyes with the love in yours. -Sing!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she took her sitar of ebony and ivory and sang softly -as Rohini that made a silver music at their feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But there was a seal upon her lips that she might not sing -of love though love was beside her, for the awe of the mountains -was heavy on them and the listening of night. Therefore -she sang these words, but no louder than a bee hovering -about a flower.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“The wild swans rise from earth,</p> -<p class='line0'>Strong in the path of the sun.</p> -<p class='line0'>How should it give them mirth</p> -<p class='line0'>With his great day begun?</p> -<p class='line0'>Upward the white wings fly,</p> -<p class='line0'>Clouds in the bluest blue,</p> -<p class='line0'>Far they soar—and high!—</p> -<p class='line0'>Would I might follow too.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And again after awhile she sang a great hymn of the ancient -Scripture but lower still:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Though difference be none, I am of Thee,</p> -<p class='line0'>Not Thou, O Lord, of me.</p> -<p class='line0'>For of the sea is verily the wave,</p> -<p class='line0'>Not of the wave the sea.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was silence, and he turned and laid his cheek to -hers and they sat together long, gazing speechless at the marvel -of the starry deeps. Nor did they know that their last -night of peace was with them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile the commands of the Maharaja went out into -every street and house of Kapila.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To-morrow the chariot of my son goes through the streets -to the Paradise of Pleasure. See and beware that no aged man -or woman be abroad in the city, for my son’s eyes must behold -no aged, sick or dead person. It is forbidden by the Powers -that rule his destiny. Therefore let none but healthy, glad -and beautiful persons fall in his way, for if otherwise the transgressor -must die.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was not a soul in the place but heard this command -and touching their foreheads murmured, “It is an order.” -And men, women and children ran busily here and -there garlanding the happy streets, and they set up poles -gilded and painted and with gay fluttering banners. And -dwarfed trees after the Chinese manner were placed along the -roads, and there were hanging canopies of blue and rose silk, -and magnificent tapestries were hung from the windows, until -the city shone beautiful as the Paradise of the Gods on the holy -mountain Sumeru, and bands of children running like the lesser -angels strewed flowers through all the ways where Siddhartha -should pass.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then steadily as the running of a river the people poured in -from the country-side to see their young Prince, and the ways -were gay with happy folk dressed in their best and garlanded -with garlands of marigolds and little rosebuds scented with fragrant -oils to increase their own fragrance. The towers were -filled with men and women clustering like bees. The mounds -by the trees, the windows and terraces—were thronged with -eager persons,—the men looking sharply about them to see that -nothing was left which might offend the eyes of the heir. And -there was nothing, for in bright sunshine, tempered by a cool -breath from the mountains none but happy and beautiful people -with their children rejoiced and were glad.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now see the glorious chariot of ivory inlaid with gold made -ready by the gate of the Garden House, fronted with jewels -glittering in the bright challenging sunbeams, spread with noble -silks flowered with gold, and drawn by four equal-pacing -stately horses, white as the ivory they drew, and harnessed -with splendour,—their pride subdued to the pride of their master. -And beside them stood Channa, the charioteer, a young -man well born and noble in mind and person.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So having saluted his wife, the Princess Yashodara, the -Prince Siddhartha advancing ascended the chariot, robed in -gold and jewels and appearing like Surya the sun when he -blazes at his zenith, and all veiled their eyes from his brilliance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he came through the streets, his horses pacing gently, -the people swayed toward him and a whisper of awe and delight -ran through them like the breathing of a breeze that -blows the blossoms in passing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Looking upon them his heart exulted with joy and kindness, -for he thought—“This is my city of delight. These are my -people, and it shall eternally be my bliss to do them good. -Look at the strong fathers holding up their little sweet children -to see their Prince. Their hearts are full of love even as -my own. Look at the lovely mothers with their babes in -warm bosoms—only less fair than Yashodara, and full of love -and gentleness. And the glorious young men straight and tall, -and the antelope-eyed girls with silken hair braided with blossoms. -The Gods know it is a happy world with all these noble -creatures in it, and my sick dreams of I know not what are -dispersed in this bliss and the great joy of my people.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he saluted with his hands, smiling right and left that -none might be forgotten, and sometimes from the chariot he -took an armful of flowers and tossed them lightly among the -crowd and they were gathered up with delight and pressed -to eager lips and brows because they had touched the Prince’s -hand. So he went through the city, marvelling why his father -had forbidden it hitherto. And as he flung his last handful -of flowers the appointed moment struck—predestined by the -Rulers,—and across the way of the chariot staggered an old, -old man, and the stately stallions arched white necks and tossed -their heads in disdain at this revolting sight, for they too had -beheld nothing but loveliness until that moment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And because the commands of the Maharaja were stern it -is said that this figure was no mortal man but a divinity hidden -in flesh whom none could let or hinder and that the myriad -people of Kapila saw nothing of this—but two saw clearly—the -Prince and the charioteer, Channa. And how this may -be I cannot tell. Thus have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the aged man with tattered white hair depending from -his bleached and bony head like lichen from a stricken tree, -supporting his painful steps on a stick, weak, imbecile, skinny -jaw fallen disclosing toothless gums, eyes red and bleared, without -lashes, and moisture oozing from them, drawing oppressed -and painful breath and terror-stricken amidst the crowds, -tottered across the flowery way and sank, heaped and huddled -beside the chariot, casting a look of terror upon the radiant -Prince, and mumbling and muttering what none could hear, -his head shaking like a leaf in wind. And it was as if darkness -and terror obliterated the sun and all the crowded people -bowed forward to see the stopping of the chariot, breathlessly -remembering the Maharaja’s commands, but none stirred in -his place and even the children were dumb. And yet they -had seen nothing but the face of the Prince with a shadow -fallen upon it. And the Prince laid his hand on the reins and -the horses stopped with drooped crests, and shaken with horror -he cried aloud to the charioteer:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Channa, what is it? What is this man? If indeed man -it be.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the old man crouched there, muttering, and great fear -held Channa silent, and again the Prince cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it? What is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again the crowd sighed like the first stirring of winter -answer from Channa’s lips where he stood, bowed over the -golden reins grasped in his hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, this is an old man. This is old age.” And a long -sighing sob commoved the crowded people as though their -doom were pronounced, when they heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Prince, the words almost dying on his lips, said -trembling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is old age? Was this unhappy one born so, or has -it fallen as a judgment from Heaven?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again the crowd sighed like the first stirring of winter -winds and Channa, face hidden, replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, he was not so born, nor is it the Gods’ anger, but -this is the common lot and to every man born on earth it comes -nor can it be escaped. This ruin of a man was once a child at -his mother’s breast, and then a boy filled with laughter and -sportive gaiety, a joy to see and hear. Later, a youth, beautiful, -amorous and brave, such as attended on bliss, and in -enjoyment of the Five Pleasures. But old age, dogging the -steps of men as a hound with fell teeth, has dragged him down -at last and had its will of him, and he lives a life of pain -and men avoid him and women pass him by.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And some women in the crowd wept aloud, and the air was -heavy with sighing and the old man moaned and muttered -with toothless jaws.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Prince, still unbelieving and trembling said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And will this doom come upon my great father?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble sir, yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And upon the beauty of—my ladies?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even so.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And upon me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was a fearful silence like death among the crowd -and no word from Channa so that had a breath stirred in the -palms it would have affrighted the soul.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then suddenly the Prince cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Turn back the chariot. What heart have I for pleasures! -Tear down the garlands. Where is there room for joy! I -have seen what I have seen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, wordless, Channa turned the white horses, and guided -the chariot along the way it came and the people fell back to -make way, and men and women hid their faces like mourners -for it seemed as though in the knowledge of the Prince knowledge -had come to them also of the terror of life and the doom -inevitable.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER V</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>N</span><span class='sc'>ow</span> when Siddhartha returned to the Garden House, -one ran before him and told the women what had -occurred and the ladies bore the news to the Princess -where she waited, and when she heard it she said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O ill-foreboding heart of mine! Did I not know that the -anger of the Gods must burn against those who would conceal -their righteous doom from any man born upon this cruel -earth? For who can fight with fate? If this drives my lord -to despair, what shall be done?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So she sent messages to the Maharaja telling him the danger -and went forth into the Painted Hall to seek the Prince, and -he sat there alone, surrounded by lovely images painted upon -the walls, where joy and triumph and love clasped hands, -and dancing limbs shone amongst flowers and all the world -was white with spring.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now something in his eyes held his wife from him and she -had no courage to draw near, and went and sat herself humbly -on the ground before him but at a distance, and at last he -said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This was the secret. You knew it and did not tell me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in the hall was no sound.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You saw me fed with lies such as these—” (and he flung -out his arm against the pictures) “and you did not tell me -they were the mask of horror.” She bowed her head upon her -hands speechless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I, most pitiable, most ignorant, rejoiced that a son -should be given to me, not knowing that such a one is born to -a heritage of wretchedness and the inevitable approach of -shame and ruin. And from this is no escape, for the Gods -have appointed no end to our misery, no door from the prison, -but we must live eternally and horribly, old and disgraced in -body and mind. Could a man but end it and fall into the -dark and be forgotten! O had I known, no child of mine -should ever have felt the whip and dragged the chain. I will -not blame you who are but a woman,—but my father—my -father.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in the hall was no sound at all. And the Princess, hiding -her face, thought, “Shall I tell him of the end—of Death?” -But she dared not.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he called aloud for the women and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Deface these pictures for they are lies, and the sight of -them turns the knife in the wound. Blot them out with -blackness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So it was done, but the Maharaja in terror bade them redouble -the pleasures of the Paradise and of the Garden House. -And at great cost he bought a fair slave from the outlands, -golden-haired as dawn, sapphire-eyed as blue ice of the -Himalaya, white as the elephants’ tusk, skilled in all arts of -love, and among the darker beauties of the pleasure chambers -she moved radiant as though day had broken forth in starry -midnight, and all the neighbouring Kings hearing were envious. -And in this beauty all hoped, even the sad Yashodara, and her -heart failed her when she saw the Prince’s eyes coldly averted -from loveliness that might have stirred the eternal Gods. -And again she sent a message to the Maharaja.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Your son, my lord, will not look upon the beautiful white -stranger nor on any. O send him forth in freedom, for penned -in these sweet gardens he muses and meditates and what is in -his heart I cannot know, but fear very terribly. Yet guard -the way that no sad sight approach him, for if he sees more -all is lost.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again orders were given, and as before the Prince set -forth, but this time grave and sad, and the crowds shared -his mood and the city could not rejoice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as they neared the street all a-flutter with banners and -flowers and perfumes and thronged with silent gazing thousands -again a divinity masked his divinity in tortured flesh -(thus it is told), and by the way was seen a sick man struggling -for life in a losing battle.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His body was swollen and disfigured, his hollow cheeks -blazed with fever and in his dying eyes fear and agony contended. -Scarce could he drag himself along, moaning and crying -for pity, the hot tears pouring and searing his cheeks as -they ran. And seeing it, the Prince set his hands on the -reins and checked the horses and cried aloud.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is this horror?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the charioteer, Channa, with fear tearing at his vitals, -yet compelled by a force beyond all resistance to no other than -the truth, answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, it is a sick man. The four elements are all confused -and disordered, he is worn, feeble, and strengthless, tortured -in body and mind, dependent upon the mercy of men -whose own evil day is but postponed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a shudder ran through the crowd as the Prince questioned -him, shrinking back as one in mortal fear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And this too is the common doom?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, none escape it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And the few poor years that old age leaves us are broken -into misery like this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, so it is.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Turn my chariot again, I will go no further. I have seen -what I have seen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the news was carried to the Maharaja and he was almost -beside himself, raging with anger that was half fear, and he -sent for his wise minister, and cried to him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What shall we do? For my son is learning the guarded -secrets, and if I keep him shut in the gardens he will rebel -and break away, and if I send him through the city such -devils are my servants that horrible sights afflict him and disperse -my hopes in him. Here have I built a Paradise so -heavenly that could he but see it I need fear no more, for the -man is not born who could leave its deep and delicious shades -for the dusty world. And there have I placed a golden maiden -whose smile is sunshine and her lips singing roses, and were -he to see her—But what do I say? Is it not possible to -a great person like myself that for a few short hours the -city ways should be guarded from horror while he passes -through? I am fallen indeed, otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the old wise minister shook his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great Sir, one should say it is possible, yet when I remember -how the city was searched and guarded this twice, what -dare I say? O Maharaj—may it not be that the high Gods -being resolved may not be thwarted, and that we fight against -iron destiny? Great fear possesses me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But his Master replied angrily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Foolish old man! And was I not given the choice? If -I could withhold the truth he would be a great world-King. If -he guessed it he would be an ascetic of the jungles. What -father would choose other than I have done? Once more I -will send him to my Paradise, and if this time I am tricked -let your head answer it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again the Prince was sent out but this time also though -the city was decorated and garlanded, there was no semblance -of joy, and the very horses went with drooped heads as -though fear were the charioteer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as they reached the street, where most the people -crowded, the Divinity was again ready with his work, having -prepared a sight terrible and woeful. For slowly preceding -the chariot there went a funeral train, with four men bearing -a bier and lying on it a body cold and stiff, with dropped jaw -and dreadful dead eyes staring blindly at the sun. Withered -flowers lay on the bier and the mourners beat their breasts -and wept aloud, filling the air with wailing and lamentation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince closing his eyes to shut out the horror, and -clenching his palms said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Channa not daring to look in his face, answered very -low: bowed under the weight of words he was compelled to -utter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is a dead man, all his powers of body destroyed, life -departed, his heart without thought, his intellect dispersed. -His spirit is fled, his body withered, stretched out like a dead -log, taken from all who loved him. And mourning they carry -him forth to burn and obliterate him, for they—even they—will -have no more of his presence now become loathsome, but -cast him from them utterly. And this is Death.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And into his clenched hands he murmured:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is this also the common lot?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the charioteer replied, with hidden face:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, so it is. He who begins his life must end it. And -thus. For death may at any moment seize us and carry us -away into darkness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Siddhartha sank down in the chariot, his soul warring -with his body, catching at the leaning-board for support, hiding -his face from the light of day as the dead man was borne -on before him and wailing and lamentation filled the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And into his clenched hands he murmured:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O terrible delusion of mortal men, who born in pain and -utterly deluded are brought through grief and sickness and old -age to this frightful end! Disperse the people. Turn back -my chariot. The whole world is a lie. I have seen what -I have seen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the people melted silently away in tears, as clouds disperse -in rain. For seeing the Prince’s horror and amazement -in learning the truth, for the first time they also sounded the -deeps of their own misery, and life appeared to them a traitor, -and in all the universe was no comfort.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Channa the charioteer, not daring to return because of -the Maharaja’s strict command, drove onward to the Paradise, -and the Prince crouching in the silks and gold with face hidden -neither knew nor cared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So at last they came in among the green lawns and pleasant -waters and deep-leaved trees, the last hope of the Maharaja, -and slowly and painfully he dismounted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly about the chariot, running and fluttering like -doves came the lovely ones provided for pleasure, beautiful -as flowers in a Paradise of Gods, adorned with chains of pearls -and other jewels.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Beautiful were they, each one chosen as merchants choose -a pearl to complete a queen’s necklace, for their eyes were -long and languishing, half hidden in black lashes as stars in -midnight, and their mouths pomegranate buds disclosing seeds -of ivory, and down to the ankle rolled their lengths of perfumed -hair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Most beautiful is the bosom of a woman, for in its gentle -curves are all love, all tenderness expressed, and these displayed -its loveliness—dear as rare jasmin flowers, precious as sweet -food to the hungry, unveiled or veiled a little in transparency -like the running of shallow water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus they surrounded him as he passed through the -blossomed trees rapt in sorrowful meditation, pale with the -terror of gazing for the first time on the face of Death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they fluttered about him, the lovely ones, skilled in all -subtleties of love, shedding enticements as the moon distils -dews of camphor. One, seeing him sad, saddened her sweet -face and looked at him with tears hanging on long lashes, as -though she would say—“Dear Prince, I too have tasted grief. -Do I not know?” And one, smiles chasing one another to -cover in her merry eyes, promised forgetfulness, gladness in -her arms, and some clinging together like sister roses on -twined stems, seemed to defy severance even if love should call -them, tempting him who watched them to essay that sweet -sorrow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But amidst them the Prince paced lost in grief, not seeing -them, or, seeing, heeding not at all. And presently when they -had tried all their arts and could draw his regards no more -than remote stars can draw the gaze of a cold moon, they fell -silent and gathered fearfully into groups,—drawing back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now there stood in the shade of the bamboos a man much -about the person of the Maharaja, sent to see if all were well, -and when the Prince passed on, careless, this nobleman, Udayi, -came out and addressed the silent beauties.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You women, all so graceful and fair, are you thus worsted? -Surely in all ages men have been subject to women when they -put forth their power. Too soon are you discouraged—too -soon. For this Prince, though he restrains his heart with the -bit and bridle of purity, is but a man, and the wisest and -greatest in time past have slipped where they thought themselves -secure. And there is no fetter strong as white arms -about a man’s neck. Strive after new devices. Redouble -your efforts. Great is the prize.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the maidens, ashamed and angry at his chiding, fluttered -again about the Prince where he sat in the shade of a jambu -tree, putting forth amorous enticements, forgetful of all -modesty and womanly reserve, pressing on, striving to move -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he in his great heart, sorrowful, apart, looked upon them, -sighing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O creatures most miserable, unheeding the dooms of age -and death, forgetful of the briefness of beauty, unconscious -that above your throats is suspended the sharp two-edged -sword, how wretched is your empty playing in the very jaws -of destruction!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And though he spoke nothing, they saw the homeless horror -in his eyes, and again they shrank away afraid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So seeing the Prince alone, Udayi, smooth of speech, came -softly along the pleasure-paths of the Paradise, brushing aside -the flowers, observant and quiet as a serpent, and saluting the -Prince he drew up beside him and spoke this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince in whom all beauty and nobility meet, you sit -here sad and alone, and it is therefore that your great father, -consumed by care for your welfare appointed me to act as -beseems a friend. Permit me then to speak, for a wise friend -removes what is unprofitable, promotes real gain, and in -adversity is true.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Siddhartha lifting his eyes said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Speak, if indeed in this great strait there be anything to -say.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So supporting his arm on a bough of the fire-flame tree -Udayi spoke, inclining his delicate dark face and subtle eyes -toward the Prince.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“True it is that sickness may assail us and that old age -and death will by no means be baulked of their prey, yet youth -is youth and beauty divine, and the man who turns his back -on pleasure because it passes is a coward. Indeed the rose -is the sweeter because even in blooming it treads the way of -death and soon we see it no more. Truly, my Prince, you -are afflicted with a distempered mind. Acquiescence is the -secret of life. We who are wise know that these things must -be, and even old age and death, the conquerors, we take to -enhance our pleasures, saying to ourselves, ‘The moment is -mine, and love is sweet and lust the spur of life. This moment -neither death nor old age can take from me. I will spend it -as a man would spend his all if he knew that next day he would -be plundered, and a beggar.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Siddhartha was silent, with brooding eyes fixed on the -ground, and presently Udayi resumed, in a delicately modulated -voice:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“While you believed that joy and beauty were eternal, and -that ages hence these women would still surround you, beautiful -and yielding, then you might well shrink from a delight -too prolonged, for dropped honey cloys. An eternity of love -may well become hell. Was it not so, my Prince.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And slowly the Prince answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was so. I have looked on the racing river, swollen with -melting snows, thinking that, were any end possible, to be -hurled beaten and broken down the rocks in its mad hurry -were better than the changeless Paradise of love and soft words -and swooning music. There you are right, Udayi the smooth-tongued. -This is true.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And highly satisfied, Udayi resumed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And now, having learnt that there <span class='it'>is</span> an end, what should -be your course? The pleasures of a prisoner released, who -enjoys knowing that he has a respite though the doors will -shut upon him one day. Surely it is not the part of a brave -man to fling away what he has because he cannot have all, -nor to own himself conquered because one day he must face -the enemy whom as yet he has not seen. No—not so. Take -what the Gods send—the Gods who have themselves been -amenable to beauty and docile in the arms of loveliness. -Indeed what choice is there but to slink through life starting -at every shadow, or to dice and drink and love, like a man -tasting the best while it lasts. For what comes after we cannot -tell. Who knows?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This has the sound of wisdom, yet wisdom it is not. There -is an answer—there is a way, but I have not found it. It may -be that it cannot be found—that there is no such thing. Yet, -better the search than dully to agree with necessity. And as -for these women—To me they are no enticement, and if I -would I cannot. Under their fair faces I see the skull and -they mop and mow like apes in the face of Horror. If the -Gods have thus made the world it is a folly and a brutality -and they are more foolish than men who must abide their -cruelties, and if they have not made it and all is chance we -sink in the slough lit only by the flicker of dying dreams. -Leave me, Udayi the smooth-tongued. I would be alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the courtier crept silently away under green shades, -treading lightly on turf and blossoms, thanking destiny that he -was not as Siddhartha but could lift the brimming cup and -drain it to the dregs, savouring every sparkle. And in his -heart he mocked him, laughing at his weakness—he whose -name is now remembered only because one day he spread out -his folly before the Perfect One!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Prince, bending his great brows upon life and -death, sat beneath the jambu tree, feet folded, hands laid -upon his knees in perfect immobility. And he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hollow compliance and a protesting heart! Is this life? -Is there a better? Great are the concerns of life and death. -So great, so awful that the poor race of mankind struggles -only to forget for a brief moment what it can never comprehend. -For all about us are seen injustices that were a King -to commit his miserable people would rise and hurl him from -his bloody throne. And we are told of the priests that the -Gods have committed these crimes and yet are worthy of -worship and honour. No—rather is it the propitiation of -fiends who will torture us if they have not the servility of our -praises while we die for their pleasure. And the good suffer -and the evil flourish, and to the rich man is given more riches -and to the poor more toil even exceeding their strength. Now -indeed all that was hidden from me bursts upon my mind as -when a flash of lightning tears the dark, and things I put aside -for want of comprehension shriek aloud in my ears. Why -am I clothed in jewels, why is my father generous and good, -and my wife the fairest and most loving of women, when at this -moment were my eyes opened they would behold men dying -for bread that the least of my jewels would buy, with none to -tend or pity them. And what are my deserts more than -theirs? And why are some evil and some good as it were by -nature? O cruel Gods who, lapt in far-off pleasures, care -nothing for our agonies, and let fall your good things on the -wicked and evil things on the good—yourselves perhaps the -sport of chance, if indeed you are at all!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And these thoughts and many like them, black and miserable, -stormed about him in the wreckage of the world.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at long last he aroused himself and the Paradise was -empty of all but a broad moonlight that lay in glories of light -and shadow on trees and waters and there was deep silence. -For the women, ashamed and terrified, had slipt noiselessly -away and so back to the city, and far off down a long glade his -chariot and wearied horses stood waiting in marble patience, -and Channa sat beside them his head bowed upon his raised -knees like an embodied grief.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Very slowly the horses paced through the city, and that -also was empty of all but moonlight, for not a living soul -went or came in the quiet, and the pacing of the horses echoed -loudly down the empty ways.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And not a word was spoken as they went, but when they -reached the House of the Garden, a woman ran out to meet -them veiled like a ghost in the moonlight, and cried aloud.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O happy Prince, and happiest,—the Gods are good to this -glad House and to you, for on the bosom of the Princess lies -your first-born son.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at these words a strange trembling seized him, so that -for a moment he hid his face in his hands. Then pale in the -moonlight he said these words:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A fetter, a fetter is set upon me, therefore call the child -Rahula, a Fetter.”</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER VI</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>N</span><span class='sc'>ow</span> at the birth of her son, so great was the joy -of the Princess that life and death were little things -in her eyes, black rocks submerged in bright water -glittering with sunshine, and every day she blossomed more -beautiful and the child in her arms was like the star shining -within the moon’s crescent. And seeing this what could the -nobility of Siddhartha do otherwise than hide his grief and -deep searchings of a heart tossed like waves in a mighty wind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Beautiful in his eyes was the tenderness of the lovely mother -and her eyes dwelling upon him and the child, but terrible -also remembering that at any moment the bright picture of -life might break asunder and disclose beneath the lurking -horror of death and the dark and unknown hereafter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For if the Gods with their utmost forethought had made the -world so full of shameful things, what wise man could trust -such unskilful workmen for the world to come, and no hope -was left anywhere.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He sat much alone by Rohini, his gaze dwelling on the silver -peaks far off and serene in blue air, and at his feet little fish -darted in the transparency of the pure waters, and the pheasant -would lead her brood to his unmoving feet, and the shimmering -peacocks feed beside him. And when the wild white swans -spread snowy vans above his head, taking wing for the mountains -and for far lands beyond that he knew not, it seemed -in his deep musings that all these happy creatures were subject -to a law they knew and obeyed with content and that their -life was better than his own.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But compassion grew daily in his heart now that his eyes -were opened—Compassion for all the sorrows that surrounded -him bleeding in his heart like a wound such as drains life -itself away. He saw the little lovely dancer Amra drag wearied -feet through the dance one night and called her to him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Child, what ails you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great my lord, I must not tell you. But I dance no more. -To-morrow I go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Child, I command you to speak. What is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She looked about her with eyes large and fearful as the deer’s -when she sees the hunter’s knife glitter above her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great my lord, it is an order. I dare not speak.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My order stands higher. Speak.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She trembled as she stood, with fear and weakness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My lord, it is the sickness. Two years ago my sister -Vijaya was a dancer. Yourself has commended her. But -the cruel cough came and tore her breast, and at last she could -scarcely lift her little feet, and then they sent her secretly -away, and she spat blood and the cough devoured her, and -she died. And now it has taken me also and the blood came -from my mouth last night, and to-morrow I go. But O I beseech -your greatness to hide my words, for it is forbidden that -any grief should soil the air about your noble presence.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But when you rest the cough will decline and you will be -glad again, my sister.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great Prince, I shall die. For this there is no cure.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a long silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And do you fear this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My lord, I fear very terribly—but there is no help. What -must be, must. And I am now too weary to dance, and it is -better I die for I am a burden and a distress to my mother now -I am worth no more money, and she is poor. There is scarce -bread to eat.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the blood poured into the pale face of Siddhartha for -shame and horror, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On such foundations was my happiness built, and others -have bled and wept that I might laugh! O, evil Gods, shameful -and disastrous to man, if this is all! How shall the heart -of man forgive your crimes against us, and where is justice -in all the wide Three Worlds?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he spoke he lifted the chain of pearls from his shoulders -and threw them upon the dancer’s and she, beholding his -nobleness and grief with tears, went sobbing away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The next day he sent a message to the Maharaja.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great father, since now I know all the secrets and there -is nothing hidden from me of the world’s woe, what hinders -that I should go free to see it? It may be that some joy shall -meet my eyes and relieve the burning of the flame of pity -that consumes me. Also, since I have a son it is now surely -well that I should see and know the lives of the people whom -he and I one day shall rule. And I say this for truth, I am -weary, weary even to death of the music and dancing and the -miserable diversions of my prison, and if there be any hope -for me it is in the things of men, for I have done with those -of women and children. Set your prisoner free. It is your -son who beseeches.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when the Maharaja agreed, the Prince sent another -message.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And let the city be neither decorated nor feasting. I desire -to see the life of the people as they live it, not as they would -pretend it is lived to please us great ones.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this too was conceded, but the Maharaja commanded -that the chief minister and a guard of the Sakya lords should -accompany the Prince.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore once more the chariot and well-paced horses were -prepared, adorned with precious stones and gold glittering like -splendid sunshine, and he passed through the city and out by -the further gate into a new world hitherto unknown.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he went on the road was smooth and white, and -gardens gay on either side and trees loaded, some with flowers -and some with fruit, and seeing this and knowing it unprepared -for his eyes, his heart stirred under the snow of grief -and thawed a little from its ice, for it seemed that the people -who lived therein must know some happiness and freedom -from misery. But as he went further the heat of the day -strengthened and became like a weight of lead, oppressive -even beneath the silken canopy of the chariot and the sweat -stood on his brow and his garments clung to the moisture -of his skin and weariness weighed upon him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But for all this the toil about him could not cease, for men -must eat, and work be completed and the fields of the -Maharaja ploughed, and he saw how the labourers struggled -with painful exertion, their bodies bent, their wet hair falling -about haggard faces, their bodies fouled with mud and dust. -And some were old and some were weak, and yet all must -greatly toil and very pitiful was it to see their strained muscles -and starting eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The ploughing oxen also—they, toiling so pitifully and with -no reward,—their lolling tongues and gaping jaws, the whip -and goad indenting smooth flanks until bright blood drops -started and they trembled and shrank—all these things tortured -the mind of Siddhartha as he sat silently observant. -And he said within himself:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The world is built on pain and its foundations laid in agony. -O Gods, most cruel and unjust, if there be a way, where is it? -If there be a Law of Peace, where shall I find it? For I am -bound in the dungeons of despair.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, nobly moved to sympathy, he dismounted from the -chariot, forcing himself to look steadfastly upon the sufferings -of man and beast, and he sat down beneath a jambu tree, -reflecting on the ways of death and birth. And he desired -his companions, the Sakya lords, to leave him and wander -where they would, and they went away laughing with each -other and talking, costly umbrellas borne over them in the -heat until they should reach the shade of the forest and there -rest beside their wines and fruits. And then, as was now his -wont, he gave himself to deep meditation on life and death, on -transiency, and the progress of all to decay, desiring with all -his soul that somewhere, anywhere, he might behold the -changeless, the Abiding and in that find rest. And he asked of -his soul:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is there safety in riches? Are the rich exempt and high -in the Gods’ favour. No—no, indeed,—for their very luxuries -consume them body and soul, making their bodies the -home of disease and death, and their souls the harbourage of -cowardice and terror. For it is harder to leave a Palace of -gold than a mud hovel, and these are the spoilt children of the -universe. There is no refuge in riches. In all the Three -Worlds I see no refuge at all from the three Enemies—death, -old age, and disease.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he meditated, his heart thus fixed, the five senses, -as it were, extinguished, lost in the clear light of insight he -entered on the first stage of pure rapture. All low desires -submerged and in an ecstasy that was not joy but perfect -clarity he saw the misery and sorrow of the world, sounding -its deeps of agony and loss, the ruin wrought by age, disease, -and death,—the hopeless dark beyond.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hitherto he had known only in part, but now the whole, even -as an eagle suspended on unmoving pinions, floating in supernal -sunshine looks down beholding the earth spread like a -picture below him, and nothing hidden.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And suddenly a great light shone within him—not to be -described in words nor in thought comprehended. And he -said these words, radiant with the first dawning beams of -illumination:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have heard the wisdom of men and it is the crackling -of dry wood in a destroying fire. Now will I seek a Noble -Law they have not known, a Law hidden and divine, and I will -wrestle with disease and age and death and bind their terrors. -For behind these things is Peace, if the way is opened. And -I will seek until I die.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And slowly at length, passing downward from ecstasy his -thoughts collecting centred again about things earthly, and -he became aware that a man approached him, carrying a bowl -in his hand, wearing a coarse robe of yellow, pacing slowly -in the roadway. And their eyes met.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it appeared to the Prince that he had never before seen -a man who resembled this strange mendicant, and he rose to -greet him with courtesy, saying in his heart:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who is this person? For his face is calm and joyful, and -his eyes bespeak a soul at rest. Nor has he the mien of one -tricked by sensual happiness, but austerity and contentment -guide him, and though he treads on earth it does not hold -him. And what is this bowl in his hand? I will accost him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this done, the stranger, with due salutation grave and -sweet, replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great lord, I am a religious mendicant, who, shuddering -at the victorious onslaught of age, disease and death, seeing -that all things are transient and permanence nowhere to be -found, have left the fetters of my home behind me that I may -search for some happiness that is trustworthy, that decays -not, that is imperishable, that looks with equal mind on friend -and enemy, and is regardless of wealth and beauty. Such -is the only happiness that will content me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Siddhartha in deep amazement on hearing thoughts -thus resembling his own, enquired eagerly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And where, O wise man, do you seek it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great lord, I seek it in solitude, in the tranquillity of deep -woods, free from molestation. There in the Quiet dwells enlightenment. -And I carry this bowl that the charitable may -deposit an alms of food within it, and this is all I ask of the -world. And now, pardon haste, for my way lies onward to the -mountains where the true light awaits me, and joy for its -attendant.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he passed onward and was no more seen, and it is -related that this ascetic was that divinity veiled in flesh who -had made known to the Prince the Three Terrors,—but this -I cannot tell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Be he what he might, this man left behind him the first hope -that had enlightened the midnight of grief. And the Prince -said within his soul:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This too is a seeker, and this is the life I covet, for the -pleasures of earth are but sea-waters enraging the thirst they -seem to quench, and what now has life to offer but the search -for truth? Were there no others in the world but my son, my -father, my wife, then surely is it incumbent upon me to find -some means for their deliverance, but since the whole wide -earth weeps uncomforted, what a craven should I be, if I -spared to help it even with my blood and tears for unguents to -its wounds. The way most surely opens before me, and the -cry of the conquering ages is in my ears.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And after a time the Sakya lords, weary of their enjoyments, -gathered about him and the horses were harnessed, and all -returned to the city. And the people, rejoicing to see their -Prince, gathered to meet and greet him, and one fair lady, -leaning from a window, rejoicing in his beauty cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Happy be the father, happy the mother, happy the wife of -such a son and husband.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But this word “happy” means also “freed,” for are not -freedom and happiness one? And taking her auspicious words -for the cry of freedom he looked up smiling into her eyes, and -said “Good is the teacher. Let this be her fee,” unclasped -his necklace of pearls and sent it to the happy lady and passed -on, forgetting, while she dreamed in vain of love.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And all dispersed to their abodes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the next day the Prince entered into his father’s presence, -his face bright with resolution like the full moon, his -step strong and steady as the gait of the King of Lions, noble -and beautiful in strength.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And making due obeisance he asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is the Maharaj well and happy?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, my son, and rejoicing to see your face so bright and -calm after long sorrow. Is the cloud past?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My father, it is past in part. A clear way lies before me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That too is well. Praise to the Wielder of the thunder and -to all great Gods who hear our prayers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then tenderly, but with a calm immovable, the Prince declared -his heart’s desire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O kind father, worthy of all obedience, hear my case. The -grief that has moved me is not my grief alone. Were I to -die, I can die silent, after the manner of our race. But a man, -when he beholds other men old, diseased, dying, is hurt, -ashamed, revolted that such things should be, and no way of -conquering such evils. There is a way if it could but be -found.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja replied with anger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What way? This is child’s folly. These things have -been from Eternity, and men have faced the common lot as -best they could, taking their pleasure where they might. -What would you have more than others? Life is good, if -you will but see it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Siddhartha answered steadfastly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O my father, I desire your august permission to seek the -solitude, and there, deeply meditating, to find true deliverance -not only for myself but for you and all the world.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when the Maharaja heard these words—“to seek the -solitude” a great trembling of the heart seized him, and his -strong voice choked in his throat. And at last, even as the -mighty wild elephant shakes with his weight the boughs of -a fair green sapling in the jungle, he caught the hands of the -Prince and clung to them most pitifully, crying aloud.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop. Let not such ill-omened words be spoken. The -time is not yet come—even if come it must. You are young -and full of life and your heart beats to a glad measure. If -you were to do this miserable thing you would bitterly repent -it. You have not the strength, nor the knowledge. This -is a resolution for old men, world-wearied. But you—beautiful -as the day, full of youth, husband of a fair and dutiful -wife, father of a young son, what talk is this? My son, I -am ashamed for you. It is for me to undertake the ascetic’s -life, for you to rule in Kapila. Let it be so, and I will -go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Siddhartha holding his father’s hands tenderly replied -thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My father, honoured and loved, you are the ruler and -what have I to do with putting you from your seat? No—far -be it from me! Rule in gladness and honour until the appointed -day. But for myself—there is but one condition on -which I can stay! If you will assure me against old age, -disease, and death, I will remain—but not otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja, blind with grief, the white hairs showing -on head and beard, said only:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Such words are impious. Am I a God that I can say to -these three, ‘Thus far and no farther’? No—Betake yourself -to pleasure and business like other men and forget. -There is no other remedy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Siddhartha flung himself on his knees before his father -and grasped his robe in the agony of his pleading.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Father, hinder me no more if you love me. If I were shut -in a burning home would you bar the door? Let me solve my -doubt for it consumes my very life. O let me go, let me go! -For if not—what way is left? Men have slain themselves for -a lesser hope than mine, that perhaps down the dark ways of -death they might seek and find what they could not in this -world of lies and counterfeits.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he appealed in vain for the ears of his father were -sealed, and when after pleading even to anguish the Prince -had left him grave and silent, he issued orders that the Garden -House should be guarded more strictly than before—that fresh -dancers, fresh music, should be ordered and new pleasures invented -and that every road and way should be watched with -ten-fold diligence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Siddhartha seeing the tears of his father with a compassion -that pierced his own heart returned to the Garden -House, and set himself in silence to consider, not knowing -whence help would find him, but firm in his resolve.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And beneath the trees Yashodara awaited him, carrying his -young son in her arms, and she knelt beside him, uncovering -the face of the child, bright and beautiful as a budding rose in -earliest summer. For she thought—“Let this speak for me,” -and Siddhartha read the little face so like his own, in silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, stretching out his hand, he clasped the hand of his -wife, and spoke thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well-beloved, if our child were in a house ruining about him, -and I stood by to see him crushed and broken, what would be -your thoughts of me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She smiled with pride and contentment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why ask? That could not be. You would give your life -for him and count it nothing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well-beloved, mother of my son, that word is true; you -know it. And would you who love me hold me back if I -rushed on death for his sake, counting my own life as nothing?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For my love’s sake I would bid you go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“True again. So speak, so do the women of our race. But -hear further. Suppose my son fallen into bitter poverty, and -that I knew of a great treasure hidden in far-off forests and -mountains, so far that great was the danger, great the severance, -would you bid me stay or go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Doubt clouded the beauty of her eyes, raised toward him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There, my heart’s lord, I know not. You are more to my -son and me than any treasure. What are jewels, pearls or -gold compared with the heaven of your presence? Better -poverty together and the blue heaven above us and bright -earth beneath, than loneliness and splendour.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Clasping her hand he answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But starving, his face gaunt with want, haunted by ghosts -of grief and fear, would you send me or bid me stay? Think -well, mother of my son. Would you weigh your grief against -his good, and he too young to know?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I would say, Go—how otherwise? But, O beloved, these -words are dreadful. Forget them. Look at the sunset strewing -roses on the cold snows and the splendour of Surya driving -his chariot down the western sky after the long day of glory. -He is weary of pomp and colour. He longs for the cool refreshing -dews and the dusk and quiet and the dark repose of -midnight. Would that we could see him face to face, golden-eyed -and inconceivably divine. The Gods are far and grief -is near.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He loosed her hand gently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Those words are true also, wise and beautiful.” And slowly -he added:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Night comes and the Gods are far. Go in and sleep, beloved,—Yet -do not forget the words we have spoken together, -for grief comes to all and when it comes there is but one way—to -agree nobly with necessity.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she took the dust from his feet, rapt on the beauty of -his eyes and went, carrying the child with her.</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1 id='pt2'>PART II</h1></div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER VII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On that night of terror and wonder were strange -influences astir in the darkness, influences moving -steadily to war. For the battle was not between the armies of -Kings nor was the prize a throne, but a combat strange, unearthly -between the armies of the Appetites and Desires, and -the warriors of the World of pure spirit and wisdom eternal, -and there and thus was it fought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was the night of No Moon and the stars hung larger and -brighter, suspended but a little above the earth, and the dark -was still and breathless, so that Siddhartha would have willingly -sat all night by Rohini listening to the cool ripple of -water as she made her way through the gardens to an end -he knew not. But this could not be, for by the Maharaja’s -new orders the women must dog his footsteps, never permitting -him to wander, or remain unseen. And thus, though they were -invisible, he knew that bright eyes watched in every brake, -and feet light as a spirit’s trod noiselessly where he went.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore at last, sighing, he rose and passed into the Hall -where the dancers stood ready to sway in their beautiful measure, -and the singers and musicians were ranged in order, fair -face outshining fair face until the most beautiful were nearest -to the gold cushions of his seat. But the Princess Yashodara -slept far off in the little marble chamber with her child clasped -to her bosom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at last as the night went on a deep weariness oppressed -him and lay like lead on his eyelids, and the subtly stealing -dark and wearisome iteration of music and of rhythmic feet -became like an opiate, and his head dropped on the raised -pillows and he slept. So the dance slackened quietly and the -dancers whispered one to another:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How pale is the Prince! How careworn! Was it wise in -the Maharaj to hide from him what cannot be hidden? But -we are dancers—this is not our business. Do not wake him -lest there be anger. Mute the instruments very slowly and -softly and let none jangle as we lay it aside. We must not -leave him alone, lest suddenly he awake and demand more -pleasure, therefore remain here but be very quiet and, if it -be possible, sleep. O, it is good to rest. We too are weary -of singing and dancing. It is a hard service. Sleep, sisters, -sleep.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is told that when midnight drew veils of darkness over -earth and sky there came Influences noiseless—winged as the -white moth that haunts the evenings of summer, and that as -these came, thought died from the soul of Siddhartha and it -became Perception,—and he saw and heard inwardly while -the women about him lay drunk with heavy sleep.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now along the night crept a strange music, thin at first and -faint as the far-off falling of rain, but drawing nearer, nearer, -sweeter than all harps and lutes struck with earthly hands, -and at first no words could be distinguished but only an unearthly -sweetness, soul-dividing, purer than the crystal purity -of ice on the highest summits of the mountains that speak -face to face with heaven.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at last, the clear sounds glided into clear words, and the -Prince heard the mystic music, whether within or without his -soul who shall say? But it fell from on high like white flakes -of snow falling cold and passionless and drowning desire.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Mighty One, O Mighty One.</p> -<p class='line0'>There is a Way—a Way.</p> -<p class='line0'>The wise of old have trodden it.</p> -<p class='line0'>Rise now and go.</p> -<p class='line0'>Finding the Light,</p> -<p class='line0'>Share it with men.</p> -<p class='line0'>Grant unto all</p> -<p class='line0'>To drink in peace</p> -<p class='line0'>The water of Righteousness.</p> -<p class='line0'>Thou who in past lives</p> -<p class='line0'>Didst agonize for men,</p> -<p class='line0'>Nothing withholding,</p> -<p class='line0'>Again go forth,</p> -<p class='line0'>Conqueror of sorrow.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he listened in tranced silence once more the clear -words shaped themselves from the heart of silence.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Light of the world,</p> -<p class='line0'>Remember past lives.</p> -<p class='line0'>Griefs without end,</p> -<p class='line0'>Revilings and prisons,</p> -<p class='line0'>Deaths many and cruel.</p> -<p class='line0'>These hast Thou borne,</p> -<p class='line0'>Loving and patiently,</p> -<p class='line0'>Shedding forgiveness</p> -<p class='line0'>On those who slew thee.</p> -<p class='line0'>Go forth again,</p> -<p class='line0'>Riding to Victory.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he heard and had understood this music, the -Prince rose from sleep and looked about him in the faint light -of the lamps, with thoughts new and awful stirring in his breast—thoughts -beyond words, unutterable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the women slept in disorder about him, heavily lolling -as though drunk with wine, their faces wried and twisted, -mouths awry, running over with saliva, limbs flung into coarse -attitudes, sprawling, couchant like animals, with pendant lips -and breasts, laughing foolishly at worthless dreams, hidden -blemishes visible, abandoned to the disclosures of careless sleep, -ungainly, revolting, as though the truth had suddenly touched -them with clear ray disclosing them as they were.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince said slowly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is a graveyard, and these are the corpses.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And shrinking in his very soul, he rose, looking down upon -them with horror, and drawing his feet and garments from the -contact went forth treading quietly and ascended to the roof -of the House of the Garden to look out into the night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dead silent was it as he turned to the eastern horizon, the -air breathless as though the Universe waited in suspense to -know what he would do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he, standing alone in the night, joined the ten fingers -of his hands, and rendered homage to all the Enlightened who -had preceded him, exalting and uniting his purpose to theirs -who had opened the way which the eternities shall not close.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And even as he joined his hands he perceived that the bright -star Pushya which had shone upon his birth was rising in the -sky, and he knew that his hour was upon him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then turning he descended, led by human anguish and longing -to see once more his young child and its mother, for in -the very deeps of his heart those lives were rooted, but, lest -resolution should waver, he went first to the doorway where -slept Channa the charioteer, wrapped in his white garment, -and even as the Prince stooped above him, this man sprang to -his feet, alert and faithful, saluting his Prince,—and in dim -lamplight each looked into the eyes of the other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Siddhartha said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O faithful! The blessing that is upon me has this night -touched perfection. Bring out my noble white horse, for my -life here is done and I depart.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Channa stood perfectly silent staring in his face as -one bereft of purpose, and once more Siddhartha spoke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What must be, must. I thirst and long for a draught -of the Fountain of Sweet Dew. Delay no more. Saddle white -Kantaka. It is an order.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Channa obeyed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the Prince entered the little marble chamber where on -her golden bed lay the Princess, drowned in sweet sleep, clasping -the child in her arms, unconscious of the grief approaching. -And it appeared to Siddhartha that the cold air of his sorrow -must rouse her, but it did not. She slept and smiled, rapt -in a dream of content. And garlands of flowers hung about -the chamber mingling their perfumes with the pure air of -night breathed through marble lattices, and all this was home -and his, and for the last time he looked upon it. And so -great a desolation fell upon him that twice he stretched his -empty arms to clasp the child in all its rosy warmth and dearness, -and twice they fell because he feared to wake Yashodara -from her last dream of joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he stood, enduring, looking upon them as a man who -faces death and for a while he stayed, with thoughts that cannot -be told, nor should that veil be lifted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when the end was come and he could endure no more, -he stooped above them until his breath mingled with theirs, -and turned away leaving them sleeping.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, passing through the quiet house, he came to the doorway -where stood white Kantaka, and Channa held him pale -as death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now this horse was of all most noble, high-maned, with flowing -tail, broad-backed, wide-browed, with round and claw-shaped -nostrils, and he stood regarding his lord, and there was -prescience in his great eyes. And the Prince soothed and caressed -the strong neck, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O brave in fight and fearless, now put forth strength in -a sterner battle. To-night I ride far—even to the River of -Eternal Life. I ride far to seek deliverance—not for men -only, but for all your kind also. Therefore for your own sake, -great horse,—for the sake of all that draw the breath of life, -carry me far—far this night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so, springing upon the noble horse, he settled himself in -the saddle, and pacing quietly the horse went on his way. So -they passed out dreamlike, the man like the sun shining forth -from his cloudy palaces, the horse like the white cloud beneath -him, drawing quiet breath because no sound must awake the -house of sleepers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is told—but I know not—that four attendant divine -spirits laid their hands beneath the strong ringing hoofs to -deaden the sound, and that others, casting the watchmen into -sleep, caused the heavy barred gates to roll open slowly and -noiselessly. But be that as it will it is certain that the Prince -passed out, and gaining the road before the gates, stopped and -turned, saying these words:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never again shall I come here—never again see this beloved -place, unless I conquer old age, disease, and death, for -this is my quest.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is told that divine voices in the air cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well done. Well said.” And whether the Prince heard -this or no I cannot tell, but he rode on his way. And man and -horse, strong of heart, went far that night, so far that when -the east flashed into light and the world-wide radiance of the -rising sun they stood beside great woods and the habitations -of those ascetics who had relinquished the world.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There, wearied, the royal horse himself stopped, to draw -restful breath and to drink the pure lymph of those crystalline -streams. So the Prince dismounted and looking into the horse’s -eyes he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have borne me well.” And from that he turned to -Channa, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you, O faithfullest, swift-footed as a bird is swift-winged, -long have you followed me, and even before this night -my heart was full of gratitude, and I knew you as a true man,—strong -of heart and strong of body. But now I know more, -for you have come with me utterly disdainful of profit, courting -danger and rebuke, and what shall I say to you? Many -words I cannot say—but only this. My heart will remember. -But, here we part—here is our relationship ended. Take my -horse and return. For me are births and deaths about to be -ended.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And taking off the chain of beaten gold and glimmering -jewels which he wore about his neck, he gave it to Channa, -saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take this in remembrance. Let it console your grief.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then loosing the precious jewel that shone in his head-tire, -he looked at it lying in his palm where it flashed resplendent -like the sun of Indra’s Paradise, and he said slowly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take this, Channa, to my father and lay it reverently before -him. It is my heart. Tell him that I have entered upon -the life of the ascetic, not indeed seeking a heavenly birth, for -what is that to me if again I fall into rebirth and it leaves me -in this world of lies and illusions?—but that I may find the Way -of Deliverance. For if that way is found then no more need -I leave those whom I love; no more put away my kindred. -But since I must go, let not my father endure grief for me. -Let him forget me and be glad.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Channa, listening with reverence, tried to make his -voice heard, choking with grief.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This will I do—but O the heaping up of sorrow! How -shall it be endured? Your father increases in years, your -son is but a little infant, the sister of your mother, who tended -your childhood, loves you as a son,—your wife, the mother of -your child—My Prince, my Prince!—think better before all -are lost. And drive me not from you. If I have been faithful -is not trust the reward of fidelity? O turn for pity’s sake: set -your face homeward. This I beseech you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Prince, pale and resolved, made answer:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is relationship? Were I to die I must leave them. -My own mother loved me, but she is vanished from among us. -The kinships of this world are like a flock of birds that for a -night settle on the same tree and when dawn comes disperse. -Such are its ties, no more. Does any tie of relationship ensure -the joy of permanent union? No. All is said. Say no more, -faithful one. Return to the city and make known to all men -these my words—‘When I have found the Way—that Way -which puts an end to the sad endless chain of birth and death, -then and not otherwise I will return.’ And if I do not obtain -this victory my body shall perish in the jungle.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he turned to go, the horse, hearing, bent his head -and licked the foot of the Prince, and grief was seen in his large -eyes. So the Prince, fondly stroking his head, bade him also -farewell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My horse, gentle and noble, your good deeds have gained -their reward. No painful rebirth awaits you—this I know. -Be content, for it is well.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then taking his jewelled sword, shining like a meteor, he -cut off the knot of hair which as a Prince he wore twisted with -jewels and even as he did this, there passed a hunter going toward -the jungle with bow and arrows and wearing a garment -of coarse yellow, and Siddhartha hailed the man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Friend, will you change your garment for mine, for with -mine I have done for ever.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the man drew near, consenting, and stripped off his -garment and took the other, and for a moment the two looked -each other in the eyes, Channa standing by.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now it is told—but this I cannot know—that this hunter -was the same divine spirit, who disguised in flesh had brought -enlightenment to the Prince, but be that as it may, he took the -garment and went his way in silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having made this exchange Siddhartha took off his jewels -one by one and placed them in the hands of Channa, and -stood a moment in the dull garment as it were a bright star in -eclipse, and so looked into the faithful eyes of Channa—as -though he would have spoken. But this he could not, then -slowly turning he made his way to the forest, and its boughs -and leaves opened to receive him, he parting them with his -hands, and he passed in and was seen no more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Channa left alone, cried aloud</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is done.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Raising his hands to the unpitying skies and letting fall his -arm on the neck of Kantaka, he stumbled homeward, his tears -falling, and great fear and grief possessing his soul.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And here and thus ends the scripture of the great Renunciation -leading us onward to the Discipline, the Enlightenment -and the Victory.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER VIII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Going deeper into the forest, calm and resolved in -mind, startling the deer as he passed, the birds rising -about him with cries, the Prince went on his way, plucking the -wild berries and fruits for food, he who had been served from -gold and silver, and the sun now fully risen poured floods of -light between the quivering leaves and ancient branches of -those venerable trees. And as he passed, seeing the world so -beautiful, dew trembling like crystals upon leaf and flower and -the perfume of the morning exhaling like the breath of a -maiden in pure mist, the beginning of peace rose in his troubled -mind, and he said within himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“After a great storm comes calm. Let me now control my -grief, remembering that the past returns no more than Rohini -after she has flowed into the ocean. And as in the ocean -drifting logs for awhile meet and touch and are then driven -apart by the waves so is it with parents, wives, children and -wealth. This is most true.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when at noon he was weary and his feet torn with the -strong thorns and hooks of jungle creepers he sat down to rest -and the thought came.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Were I now in the sweet garden by Rohini how would my -wife, soft-handed, gentle-voiced, weep to see these feet, with -what cool dropping unguents would she staunch the blood, -which now I have not so much as a rag to wipe away.”——</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, seeing this and waiting his opportunity Mara the Tempter—that -One evil from of old, drew near through the shining -trees, and whether he spoke within or without the heart of -Siddhartha I cannot tell, but most certainly he spoke and his -voice at first distant as the humming of ardent black bees about -a flower became nearer, sweeter, subtle, until it sealed every -sense to all but its meaning. And thus he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O Prince, merciful and compassionate but utterly misled, -what is it you would do in the wild forest? Is this a place -for a ruler of men? Far be it from you! By what evil -counsel do you abandon your duties, flinging all madly aside -to become an ascetic? What reason is there in believing that -pain and destruction of the body give wings to the soul? No—but -far otherwise, for the soul dwindles with the tortured -body as flame dies when it has consumed the fuel. And if your -aim be to benefit mankind, are not just and powerful Kings -needed, and was it not foretold at your auspicious birth that you -would become an empire-ruling King? Here—living and dying -in the jungle, how is your might wasted, and the people -forsaken!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the voice grew sweeter and more poignant and verily -before him did Siddhartha see the face of the Tempter, beautiful -and melancholy with pleading mouth and eyes that entreated -and hands spread out in prayer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Think better, O Prince. Consider how the kingdom of -Kosala lies near to Kapila and easily to be captured. Great -are the cities of Kosala. Consider the city of Ayodhya—in -length it is eighty-four miles, in breadth seventy, and the -streets so broad that a team of elephants—nay two; might be -easily driven abreast, and flowering trees stand along them, -and there are rows of stalls to which the wealthy merchants -flock from all the countries of the world, from China and Lanka -and down the Passes from Balkh and Samarkhand; their caravans -of camels and horses carrying such rarities as kingly -hearts desire. There are gardens and mango groves for the -delight of the citizens and clear waters where they may sport -like swans and other aquatic birds, and mountain-like palaces -adorned with pinnacles and banners and glittering with precious -inlay,—and great houses where skilled actors delight -their hearers with song and dance and story, so that eye and -ear are transported in seeing and hearing. And there is a -quarter of the city where dwell women of beauty exceeding the -Apsaras, for they are brought from the ends of the earth to -delight the happy people of Kosala. And the town is thronged -with splendid elephants and horses; and neighbouring kings, -decked with earrings and armlets, come to pay tribute and -marvel at the glittering beauty of the city. There is no want -of food and the very water is sweet as the juice of the sugar-cane, -and night and day the air resounds with music and -stringed instruments. And all this is yours for the taking.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And heart-enthralling was the picture that rose before the -Prince’s eyes in hearing, for he beheld Yashodara a Queen -beside him, fair and royal, example to women, and between his -knees his son Rahula proud and gentle—a great King to be, and -a happy people sheltered in his shadow—a noble people enlightening -the dark tribes about them. And the soft voice proceeded -like the breathing melody of a flute.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nor are the Gods forgotten in the city of Ayodhya; great -reverence is done them, and were a royal saint upon the throne, -crime would be banished and forgotten and the Golden Age -return to earth. O bountiful and merciful, all this is in your -hands. There also are troops of noble Brahmans, celebrated -for learning and piety, for it were shame indeed if greatness of -mind and soul were forgotten in the pleasure of the senses. -No—far otherwise. And with such wisdom, there is no poverty, -for every householder is rich in horses and cattle and -food. All possess earrings and garlands, each is content with -his own gains, free from covetousness, speaking the truth.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when the sweet subtle voice ceased the Prince replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then it is only I who shall be covetous—I, who must plunge -this happy city in blood and tears that I may take it to be -my slave? And the King who has made them happy I must -slay. Is this what you would have me do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Tempter replied gravely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Prince, there is no good but what it might be better, and -if that King is wise you are wiser. Turn again to Kapila and -to glory, and to the good of mankind and this that I promise -shall befall in seven days.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then summoning his fortitude, Siddhartha said slowly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This city filled with pleasure, beauty and wealth, with wisdom -and content,—is it safely protected, O wise one? Is it -well fortified against attack?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And eager was the voice of the Tempter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well asked, O Prince, and wisely. It is fortified as never -city in the world’s history. About it goes a mighty wall where -the King’s chariots may drive abreast, and about that a moat -wide and deep, and there is a host of warriors, each able to -combat with a thousand. Never city so safe. Nor could even -yourself conquer it did I not give you friends within the gates.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then is it certain that age, disease and death, those fell -enemies, must needs stay outside? They cannot enter in this -guarded city?” So said the Prince.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was silence. And presently Siddhartha answering the -subtle voice said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go from me, thou Ancient Evil! The snare is set too -plain. For all their wealth this miserable people must suffer -and decay and die like all the world and their riches are but -a pang the more. Truly one day I may come to Ayodhya and -as a conqueror bringing great riches in my hand for their good, -but not thus—not thus!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in his heart the subtle voice was stilled and he rose -and went on his way with bleeding feet. And as he went he -said this to himself:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Before the days when I considered the terrors of re-birth, -old age, disease and death, I sought after such merchandise -as the merchandise of Kosala, subject to all these lures. But -now, seeing the danger, awake and alert, let me seek only after -the things which have no part in these, even the supreme joy -and security of the Peace.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But though he did not know it, that Tempter followed, for -who is immune from his arts, and he thought, watching the -serenity of the Prince:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This time he has conquered, but sooner or later even if -riches fail some hurtful or malicious thought will burn within -him and then—then he is mine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And from that hour he crept behind the Prince on the watch -for sin, cleaving to him like a shadow which follows the object -from which it falls.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So after long journeying he came to Rajagriha—name never -to be forgotten because once the Light of the world sojourned -there. And this was the capital of King Bimbisara, King of -Magadha, and it lay very pleasantly in an eastern valley of -holy Ganges, surrounded by the five mountains of the Vindhya -range, and these are beautiful though but as foothills comparing -them with those great ramparts of the Gods—the mountains -beyond Kapila.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now in these Vindhya mountains are caves in the lower -hills, all grown about by trees, in the solitude yet not so far -but what an ascetic may go to the city if needful, and in these -caves certain learned and holy Brahmans had established themselves -and to each came disciples, counting this world as husks -if they might rise to the heavens on strong wings of knowledge -and belief.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Coming wearily through the forest, pale and worn with unused -hardships, the Prince climbed upward to the caves shaded -by great trees and in an excellent quiet, and at last before -him he saw the mouth of a cave hung with vines and grown -about by bushes in blossom, and before it sat a man clothed -in a garment of red bark, and he was in the lotus posture to -ward off evil, and the Prince seeing him thus meditating passed -around him respectfully three times and took his seat in silence -at a proper distance, waiting his pleasure.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So time went by, and the ascetic never stirred though his -shadow shifted as the sun went on his golden journey westward, -and Siddhartha meditated on the Way of Peace, wondering -if the man before him had its key, and to him too the -time was not long, and the cool shade bathed his wounded -feet and refreshed them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at last the ascetic returned to earth and looked at him -with visionary incurious eyes while the Prince waited respectfully, -and finally he accosted Siddhartha, asking what had -brought him hither, to whom the Prince dutifully replied, for -a teacher is more even than a parent, being a spiritual and -not a fleshly father, and he besought his instruction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having heard, the Brahman Alara considered awhile, -and agreed that he should study the Vedas and Upanishads, -those ancient holy scriptures, under his guidance and amid -the families of holy persons, both men and women, who dwelt -in the caves and woods each engaged in religious duties and -pursuing the way to Heaven.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince, with folded hands, said humbly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am but a beginner, great sir; I do not know the rules of -the religious life. Be pleased to grant me information.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And that twice-born Brahman of high lineage informed Siddhartha -of the rules of the various teachers and of the fruits -expected from their practices. He declared how some lived -only on food proceeding from pure water, some subsisting on -edible roots and tender twigs, others on fruits and flowers -some, like deer, eating grass and herbs, others again begging -their food and giving it in charity, keeping only the crumbs -and remnants for themselves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Also he named those ascetics who torture the body in order -to subdue it, those who let water drop continually on their -heads—and many more, cunning in devising sufferings and -cruel austerities, so that at the end of every life they may -purchase birth in Heaven and taste divine tranquillities and -pleasures before they are again launched into the dreary sea -of mortal existence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And thus,” he said, “are great joys attained, impossible -to be described in words, delectable to the soul.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince heard with reverence, and the ascetics, men -and women who dwelt in the woods and caves, seeing the beauty -of his face and his serenity and courtesy were moved with -wonder and admiration, saying—“Who is this most beautiful -young man, so calm and noble? Surely he has the appearance -of a great Prince and can be no other. Well is it when -such forsake the world’s things for the things of the Gods.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And his master appointed a cave for his dwelling tapestried -with nests of the wild black bees, and dripped about in one -part with golden honey, but because the holy men were friendly -to all creatures and disturbed none of their combs but only ate -a little of the dripped honey, the bees were friendly also and -pleasant companions, their myriad voices soothing to meditation -as the sounds of a great ocean far off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here dwelt Siddhartha joining in the strong chanting of -Vedic hymns and hearing the recital of the Vedas and Upanishads, -for books were none—the memories of men carrying all -knowledge, and he learnt these things with a swiftness almost -incredible, because his heart was in it. And when food was -needed, clad in his yellow garment he took his begging bowl, -and went down to the city begging from house to house, for -he considered thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Full of hindrances is the household life; the haunt of passion. -Free as air is the homeless state,” and all the luxuries -of his former life seemed empty as a dream that flies at dawn. -“Better is the alms of food I beg than the wines and fruits -cooled in snow, the rich meats and costly of Kapila.” So he -said night and day, though at first his soul loathed the food.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now one day when he went to the town of Giribaja to beg -his food it so happened that the King of Magadha, Bimbisara, -stood on the high terrace of his palace, looking down the -street, and he saw the young ascetic coming slowly, holding his -bowl in his hands and courteously accepting what was given. -And there was that in the nobility of his person and evident -signs of Aryan birth which arrested the eyes of the King and -he said to those about him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look upon this man, lords, beautiful is he, great and pure. -He is guarded in conduct: his eyes do not wander, he looks -not more than a fathom’s length before him. Such a man is -of no low caste. See how, like a great noble, he is self-possessed -and serene, moving in solitary majesty as the moon -among faint stars. Send my royal messengers and inquire -where that mendicant goes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the messengers ran at the King’s word and hurried -down into the street saying to one another.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is that Bhikkhu<a id='r1'/><a href='#f1' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[1]</span></sup></a> going? It is toward the mountain -Pandava. That must be his abode.”</p> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<p class='footnote'> -<span class='footnote-id' id='f1'><a href='#r1'>[1]</a></span> - -Monk.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<p class='pindent'>And having followed where Siddhartha went they returned -to the King and told him—</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On the eastern slope of Mount Pandava that Bhikku has -taken his seat, a King among men as the tiger among beasts.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the King said, “Bring out my chariot,” and he directed -it to the mountain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now when the road ended he did not return discouraged but -dismounting went onward climbing up on foot until he came -near to where the Prince sat, and there with eagerness and -courtesy the King greeted him, for as lions know their kind, -not mistaking them for jackals, so is it with the great. And -the King took his seat on a rock, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I beseech you, sir, to tell me your family and lineage. -Young are you, a man in his first youth, fine and delicate in -colour, the glory of the vanguard of an army. I would lay -wealth at your feet, if wealth delighted you. Speak, and tell -me your mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he spoke the nobles stood grouped about to hear, -correcting every careless or unseemly gesture because the -man was great and the very air about him pure, and they -beheld with joy his noble body bright as gold, his eyes of -darkest blue, and the kingliness of his manners.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince replied with gratitude and noble courtesy:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great King, kind and liberal is your heart, and precious -your generosity to my own, but all these things lie behind me -far as dawn from sunset. I had wealth and power, and more, -but regarding these things as hindrances to perception I am -come out into the solitude to seek the Way of Peace.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having thus begun he related to the King his family -and history and all about them held breath to listen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the King, sighing, at last said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble one, I cannot but reverence your choice yet I lament -it, for the world has need of you. I would share my kingdom -with you could that shake your resolution. There is nothing -I could refuse would it draw you to us again for I see you -surpassing other men and have not known your like.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the steadfast Prince replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Illustrious and world-renowned, descendant of Arya, your -words are heard with deep veneration. Righteous and sincere, -you speak the truth, and virtue is not confined to any -one school of thought—the sun lights the whole world and -the Way of a great and just king is blessed. But for me, I -have heard a call. My way is onward and behind me lie -the Five Desires. Would a hare rescued from a serpent’s -jaws go back to be devoured? As little would I return to the -dreams and illusions that have fallen from me. King, there -are many quests and mine is to find deliverance for the world -from the Wheel of Agony that turns and turns and will not -cease through pitiless ages of rebirth and sorrow. There is -a way,—and I have given all that I may find it. But you—return, -O wise King, to your happy city. May you direct -and defend your subjects in peace. May the Gods be good -to you. May all good go with you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the King replied with gratitude and noble courtesy -said these words:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That which you seek, great Prince, may you attain, receiving -the perfect fruit of your birth. And when this is -gained I pray you return to me that I also may share in your -wisdom, and graciously receive me as one who would learn.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the Prince rising, with courteous salutations, pursued his -way to the solitude, and the King and his nobles with folded -hands followed a little way in reverence and then with -thoughtful and mindful hearts returned to the city.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER IX</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So while the Prince went on into the woods, turning -his steadfast face to the dawn of Enlightenment, -Channa the charioteer went slowly back to Kapila, grieving -and weeping, leading the noble horse, for he had most surely -hoped that where his lord went he might follow, having proved -himself faithful; and as the darkness of night closed in upon -him he wavered, halting and looking behind him and then -again proceeding, irresolute in mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the horse also grieved for his master, going heavily, his -head bowed that was held so nobly, neither would he eat -grass nor drink water, and no joy nor spirit were left in him, -for he thought “I shall never see him again.” And even as -he thought this, his great heart broke for grief, and he died. -But in a happy place was he reborn because of his fidelity, -even as the Prince had foreseen, for in no world can love -lose the blessedness of its love.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Channa went yet more slowly, weeping a second sorrow, -and to him the land appeared withered as when a man returns -to a ruined city which once he knew glad and living, and it -seemed as though the sun hidden behind a mountain no longer -enlightened the world.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the men about the way, seeing him in grief, turned -again to look, and consternation seized them and one cried -aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where is the Prince—beloved of the world? Have you -taken him away by stealth? Where is he hidden?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Channa halting, said with sighs;</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I who followed him always with a loving heart, would -I have left him? Little do you know me! He has dismissed -me,—O men of Kapila! He has buried himself in the forests -to live the life of an ascetic.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And those who listened heard this with dark foreboding, -for it appeared to them that things deep, strange, and mysterious -had suddenly appeared in their way, and that the very -world had changed in its course if such things could be. -What had there been lacking to the Prince that he should go -out thus to seek it? What had he beheld, invisible to them?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the news spread from them to the city and men and -women rushed out to the gates, and when they saw that -Channa wept as he returned in loneliness, they, not understanding -whether the Prince was dead or alive, cried out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What has befallen? Surely sorrow is added to sorrow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And like the flash of lightning news spread to the House -of the Garden and the women of the palace, their hair dishevelled -about them, their robes flung hastily on as for a -night-alarm, came pouring down to the doors that they might -hear the worst, and when they saw the charioteer alone, they -raised a loud and bitter cry. So women mourn the beloved -dead when hope itself is dead with him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the cry reached Prajapati, aunt and foster-mother of -the Prince, sister of Maya his mother, and she wept, saying -to herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Alas—his beauty, his beauty! O my son, who was there -to compare with him? I see his dark locks bound with gold, -his eyes blue and deep as the Ox-King’s, his broad shoulders -and strong arms, a Tiger-King among men. How can it be -endured that you should suffer the chills and heats of the -forest and we, bereft and miserable, see you no more!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the great lady threw herself upon the earth and so lay, -with the women sitting about her, held motionless by strong -grief, as marble images.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when at last one gathered up courage to tell the -Princess she sent for Channa, towering in indignation above -him like an angry Queen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O faithless man, and trusted in vain! evil contriver, false -servant!—beneath these pretended tears there is a hidden -smile. You went out with him and alone you return. What -have you done? Better an open enemy than a false friend. -Alas, the sorrows of our line! Surely his noble mother died -foreseeing the grief of to-day, for our house is left unto us -desolate!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Channa, pierced to the soul and thunderstruck, was -silent, and she spoke again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You weep aloud now. Why did you not awake the Palace -when he went? Then all might have been saved. Now -it is too late.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, folding his hands, with no anger in his heart, for the -agony of the Princess was visible, the true Channa replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great Lady, have pity on my grief, for I am innocent in -this. In my soul I believe it was the Gods’ doing. From -the day of his birth there have been portents, and who was -I to stand against it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the Princess, just and noble of soul, recollected herself, -regretting her words, knowing well that the burden of -the Gods’ purpose is their own and cannot be charged upon a -man, and she spoke gently to him, and when he was gone -she sat alone mourning, recalling the face and voice of her -Prince, and slowly as the strong grief overburdened her she -slipped down strengthless from the golden cushions and lay -upon the ground, her empty arms stretched out before her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So her women found her, and as they raised her tenderly, -she said this only:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take away my golden bed where my lord and I lay, for -henceforth I will lie upon bare earth. Take away my robes of -silk and my jewels and bring me the yellow robe of the mendicant, -for I am beggared indeed. Henceforth I will wear no -other. Cut off my long hair, for I have done with beauty. -And once a day and once only, bring me the food of the -mendicant, such as will keep the flame of life alight and no -more, for as to pleasure, the name of it is forgotten.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as she said so was it done, and the long and perfumed -tresses that touched her lovely feet fell about her like a -dropped veil, and thus she lived henceforward, and for her -child’s sake only.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But as to the Maharaja his case was different, for love and -anger contended in him, and his thoughts charged each other -as in battle, rushing madly hither and thither like a herd of -wild elephants. And when his nobles gathered about him he -raged aloud before them:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Once I had a son. Now I have none. What is my kingdom -to me, and my horribly echoing empty palace? And -what are rule and dominance? Why was he given to be -taken?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And for all the royal priest and the wise minister could do, -they could not assuage his wrath and grief until the thought -occurred to them that they might follow the wanderer and -yet compel or persuade him to return. Then, and then only, -the King listened:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go,” he said, “and swiftly. Let not a breath intervene -between now and your going, for life is unendurable until -you return with him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So in great haste the priest and minister set out on the -way indicated by Channa, counting every instant of time -they lost precious as dropped grains of pearl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when they were come to the forests and hills of -Rajagriha, they asked their way of the wandering religious -persons whom they met, and of the cave-dwelling ascetics, -and to these grave persons they said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are come, beseeching your aid. We serve a King like -to the greatest of the Gods and his son, beautiful as the God -who pierces hearts, has forsaken us and gone out into the -solitudes seeking a remedy against old age, disease, and death, -a thing no man can find. Knowing this, tell us, we entreat, -where we may find him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the ascetics replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We know him and his beauty and nobleness. He is gone -to the cave of Alara the Brahman that he may seek for -illumination.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Scarcely giving themselves time to hear and to utter thanks -those two old men, the priest and minister, hurried on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now as they did so the awe of the place and its quiet and -the spirit of deep contemplation arising from the residence of -so many holy persons fell on them, and insensibly their speed -slackened, and neither said this to the other, but the same -influence was upon them both, and as they had abandoned -the royal chariot when the track ceased, so also they now -divested themselves of the insignia of their high offices, and -advanced humbly towards their destination. And as they -went they saw a young ascetic seated beneath a tree, his -hands folded and eyes fixed upon the running water of a -stream before his feet, and he heard their steps and rising -saluted them, and it was their Prince.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Surely words cannot tell how this sight moved them—they -who had seen him far otherwise, who perceived about him -now a difference immeasurable even in thought!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But they saluted him with more than the old obedience, -and being hidden took their seats beside him as the twin -stars attend the moon. And about them was the vast quiet -and silence and shadow of the forest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then choosing their words with care as a warrior chooses -the arrows that shall lose his life or save it, in turn they set -before him the condition of his father the King, asking him -with deep earnestness how it could be right in his eyes to -abandon all his duties, inflicting sorrow worse than death -upon those he loved and left.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when they had spoken, only the little running water -took up the tale for the Prince meditated upon their words, -and they dared not interpose.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a long interval he raised his head and answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is well spoken, but I have entered the road wherein -is no turning. For it is not for myself only that I seek the -remedy, but for all creation. And to me the earth is filled -with this thought and with this only, and however you may -use the sorcery of words to bewilder me it fails. I have heard -and I will again hear your plea, but this is and will be my -answer—The sun, the moon, forsaking the sky, may fall to -earth, the snowy mountains topple from their base, but I will -never change my purpose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having said this he rose, and the two with him, and -they, seeing that they broke themselves against rock, answered -gently:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My Prince, it is enough. No more remains to be said. -We will intrude our presence on you no more, but will return -to the King and lay your fixed resolution before him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they saluted him, and returned slowly through the -forest, pausing here and there as they went to speak with the -calm and untroubled inhabitants who therein sought the -treasure of wisdom, eager to understand from them if possible -the teaching which as the nectar of flowers draws the -bee, had drawn the Prince to the homeless life. Hard was -it to comprehend, and at last, sad and bewildered, they -emerged from the green ocean of leaves to the light of common -day and mounting the chariot, plied lash and shout -hastening homeward, and thus was the last tie with Kapila -broken.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Prince remained behind them, upborne by the -love of those he had forsaken, a love too great for them and -such as they to comprehend.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER X</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then for patient years. Siddhartha, the Buddha -to be,—struggled to the light in the forest, finding -none. Surely was this the dark night of the soul wherein -not so much as a star gleams in the thick and stifling midnight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With Alara he studied long and patiently, so mastering his -system of thought that the ascetics who followed Alara besought -the Prince to become their master. But this he would -not, for he discerned no finality in this teaching, nor any real -deliverance, because desire is not extinguished even though -it be for high things, and though it be held but by a finger -the ego of man is drawn again and yet again into the revolving -wheel that mangles him,—the wheel of birth and -death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore abandoning the teacher Alara he went sorrowfully -on to the teacher Uddaka, that wise dweller in solitude, -and with him he studied in patience, hoping yet against hope -that here at last might be the beginning of light.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he mastered this system also, confronting his instructor -with difficulties which could be neither explained nor overcome,—finding -that Uddaka promised a glittering heaven not -founded upon the Unchangeable, but transitory, vanishing, -illusory. And here too the Way was not, nor the unchanging -Law.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then at last on his long patience dawned a certainty—that -no help was in any son of man, that the riddle was too -high for them and their wings fluttered lamed in the blue -and awful heights where his own thoughts soared—and that -even this height was not high enough. And within himself -he said:—</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What I have learned here I have learned and there is no -more. The pasture is eaten bare. I will go on alone into -the forests of Uruvela and there I will practise a terrible -asceticism beyond all I have seen in Rajagriha, for it may be -these men are right who teach that in the destruction of the -body lies enfranchisement of the soul. I cannot tell, but I -will pass by no opening which may set my feet in the Way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So travelling alone (for he said in his heart:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better -or his equal let him steadfastly keep to his solitary journey: -there is no companionship with a fool.”) He came at last -to the town of Uruvela, and when he saw the place he -loved it, and long afterwards, when Enlightenment was come -he spoke of it thus.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then, O disciples, I thought within myself, Surely this is -a place dear and delightful. The forest is wide and deep. -There flows a pure river, with little creeks where a man may -bathe, and fair lie the villages of the simple people. This is -a good place for one in search of deliverance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he was very weary, and often he said to his heart:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Long is the night to him who is awake, long is a mile to -him who is tired, long is life to him who knows not the true -Law. O that it would shine upon me in this gross darkness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there in the great woods he set himself to a cruel discipline -so that other wood-dwellers marvelled at his austerities -though themselves treading a painful way. And of these -were in especial five, of whom more hereafter. And they -established themselves within reasonable distance, hoping to -learn from him when he should attain, and talking with him -of great things.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So by the river in the forest composing his body and mind -he set himself to contemplation lessening his food little by -little daily until he subsisted on a morsel incredible to the -mind of man, and even this he would have spared had it been -possible that the attenuated body could still have caged the -soul. And after awhile he spoke to no man, sitting lost in -far-off regions they could not enter, even controlling his -breath so that scarcely could he be said to breathe at all.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So still, so motionless, he sat day-long that he became a -part of nature as much as the tree that sheltered him, and -the creatures of the forest moved about him unafraid. The -furry mothers brought their cubs to nestle by his feet, and -winged mothers lit upon his shoulders to call their broods, -and at his feet the wild peacock outspread his jewelled fans, -and fear was unknown in the still presence of the Bodhisattva—the -Buddha-to-be.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Far and wide spread the fame of this great and noble -ascetic in the woods of Uruvela, and persons would journey -from the city that they might stand far off and see him lost -in meditation, and when, looking timidly through the boughs, -they beheld his starved body like a withered tree and his calm -unseeing eyes they were moved with wonder and compassion, -and went away very softly, in their hearts entreating his -prayers and blessings.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But lost in deep meditation Siddhartha was beyond prayer -or blessing and whether they came or went, he neither saw -nor knew.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Making his way perfect through the disentangling powers of -wisdom, fasting cruelly, yet not trusting in this austerity for enfranchisement, -he strengthened in heart and wisdom even as his -body weakened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And first he meditated on transience, and all about him confirmed -the truth, for nothing stayed but all became and passed -instantly, never resting, into further becoming. About him -the seasons trod their quiet round. Scarcely had the young -spring burst into blossom, when, before she had leisure to -mirror her beauty in the river at his feet, she was lost in the -burning splendour of summer, and this passed without pause -or division into the gold and orange fruitage of autumn and -the passionate weeping of the rains, and so ended in the -temperate sweetness of winter, there to recommence the -eternal Wheel of Change.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he thought: “There is no being, for all is becoming. -On what shall we build?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And before him the spider spun her frail thread, glittering -with morning dew, lovely as a queen’s garments in the pale -morning gold that filtered through green leaves. And so in -a moment it was gone. And he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Surely the existence of man is frailer. A blow, a breath -of pestilence and he lies broken, an offence to the earth. To -appear, to disappear. Such is the history of man as of the -meanest of insects.” And before his strained perception unrolled -itself the whole vast phantasmagoria of thought like a -veil hung to conceal the Permanent, the Eternal, and he could -not penetrate behind it. Before him were the steps by which -the creature ascends to the Source, but in the height they -dissolved into vapour and dispersed into cloud and there was -no way there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And sometimes so present were the evil and pain of life to -his vision, so unescapable their presence, that for a space -it seemed the perfection of divine attainment was but an infinite -of the first power, but evil and pain an infinite of -immeasurable power, terrible in perfection. And to a lesser -than the Bodhisattva this must have brought madness or despair, -but strong as an eagle to the sun he outsoared the dark -clouds. And unknown to himself nature spread her guards -about him. In the rising of the moon was peace and her -light shed tenderer dreams like the soft falling of snow, and -the strong leap of the sun at dawn in the first of his three -strides, was the outrush of hope—hope unfulfilled but ever -on before. And the breeze was good to him, laying a cool -hand on weary temples, and the singing of the river overflowed -from the very heart of quiet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as the tapestry of life unrolled its pictures before his -eyes he read its lesson. Happiness is a dream and sorrow a -truth and individual life a misfortune from which impersonal -contemplation is the only enfranchisement. Could this be -true? Could it be possible that a barren soul, a proud and -complete selfishness and heedlessness of all other sufferers -than himself, disdain of the crowd and indifference to all that -the vulgar covet, represent the only escape for the wise man -from the entanglements of Maya—Illusion? No—a thousand -times no! Better to drop into the jaws of darkness and be extinguished -than remain petrified and apart in a world where -men must bleed and die.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then is goodness itself a lie? Is man the eternal dupe of -words and phrases contrived to make us docile to suffering as -slaves to the whip? Is hope but a watery rainbow painted on -a dissolving cloud? Is the Way itself a dream begotten of -Misery, the Mother, and Pride, the father—Pride that will have -man think himself a something when in reality he is nothing -and his fate concerns the universe as much as blown grains -of sand in a whirlwind, rising and settling as aimlessly?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at such times the Bodhisattva felt the endless turning -of the Wheel within his own soul, and a vertigo of perception -seized him as the Infinities gazed over his head in untroubled -calm, and only the Wheel turned and turned in merciless revolution.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then were it not better to submit to passive ignorance and -fight no more? To sink into wearied submission, accepting -the lash and fetter for doom? For each life is built up of -millions, and where is the redemption for its infinite littleness? -Let all pass for all is nothing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But at such times he steadied himself upon the thought of -Law. Could a man nobly agree with necessity which is the -other name of Law, were that no peace and enlightenment? -Is not Law beheld in nature? What is this incessant changing -yet unchanging series of phenomena unperplexed by self-contemplation -and analysis which man sees about him. What? -Is it a play—a spectacle that Brahm the Universal Spirit -has set in motion for Its own delight, or is it Itself expanded -throughout the Universe, and if this be so is man the one -thing outside Its circumference, and if he be within it, shall -he only be ignorant of the Law and agonized because he does -not obey it? If man is capable of conceiving the Law surely -it exists and is his and him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he looked down the abyss and beheld nothing but persistence -in change and the infinity of infinities. Was there -anywhere a fixed point? Surely only in the relation of all -to Law. Therefore he hungered and thirsted for Law, forgetting -the emaciation of his body and its pitiable weakness, -thirsting for the Way with a deathly thirst that consumed -him, rendering him incapable of all other suffering.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But though he knew full well and each day perceived more -clearly that the climax of wisdom is perception of this universal -Law from which nothing—no, not the very soul of man -is exempt—still it evaded him. Freedom from deception he -attained, diamond-clear lucidity, certainty that there is a first -principle and final aim of the Universe, but the Way to touch -hands with it he could not find.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus, having caught but a glimpse of the Absolute like a -star in driven clouds, he had gained the certainty of what is -not, but not as yet the knowledge of what is, and there even -the majesty of the Bodhisattva’s<a id='r2'/><a href='#f2' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[2]</span></sup></a> intellect fell back baffled, -and at last his mind became like a dimness in which thought -itself lost its way and analysis stumbled, and the clear call -became like the falling of a great water in which many sounds -fuse into a confused roar in which nothing but mere noise is -to be discerned, deafening the ears and confusing the senses.</p> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<p class='footnote'> -<span class='footnote-id' id='f2'><a href='#r2'>[2]</a></span> - -The Buddha-to-be.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus he sat for six long years, and at the end though -he had discerned the perishable, the transient, the Eternal Way -was far from his perception, and life rushed by him from an -unknown beginning to a hopeless end, defending itself frantically -for a few brief years, but in the end conquered, and the -man broken in the frail edifice which is called his being.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now he was so wasted that life hung in him by a thread -worn slender as a spider’s, and the fame of his terrible austerities -had spread like the sound of a great bell hung in the -canopy of the skies, and if he had gained what he sought all -this would have counted as nothing in his eyes, but in the long -six years he had not gained, and his mind tortured him because -now it seemed that it broke itself and its power dispersed like -a mighty wave broken on rocks and fleeing in foam and spray. -And one day when he rose to his feet, still drowned in hopeless -meditation, his limbs failed beneath him, and he fell and -so lay exhausted, spent, believing “This is death, and I am -conquered.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it could not be otherwise for very terrible had been his -austerities and later he told his disciple this.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I remember when a crab-apple was my only daily food. I -remember when a single grain of rice was my only grain of -food. And my body became extremely thin and lean. Like -dried withered reeds my arms and legs, my hips like a camel’s -hoof, like a plait of hair my spine. As project the rafters of -a house’s roof, so raggedly stuck out my ribs. As in a deep-lying -brook the watery mirror beneath appears so small as almost -to disappear, so in the deep hollows of my eye-pits my -eye-balls well nigh wholly disappeared. As a gourd becomes -shrivelled and hollow in the hot sun so did the skin of my head -become parched. And pressing my stomach my hands touched -my spine, and feeling my spine my hand felt through to the -stomach. And yet with all this mortification I came no nearer -to the supernatural faculty of clearness of knowledge.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So for a long time he lay in the borderland of death, and had -this been the end—O Light of the World extinguished, O Sun -set at dawn!—but it was not to be, and slowly, very slowly, -consciousness returned, and his heavy eyelids lifted and once -more he beheld the light. And he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If I could creep down to the river the waters, warm and -kindly, would refresh me, and thought would perhaps return -to me, and a little rest.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And painful inch by inch Siddhartha crept down to the river, -supporting himself as he went by the extended hands of -branches, and in a warm shallow of water, sparkling in green -shade he lay, foredone, and it flowed about him gently, bringing -healing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the five ascetics watching him from far off said to each -other:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He will die now; the ascetic Gotama will die now. It is -not possible that a man so worn and exhausted should -live.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And indeed, when he tried to struggle up and leave the kindly -water, there was no strength in him and he could not rise. And -it is told that a heavenly spirit pressed down a branch that he -might reach it and support himself. This it is certain he did, -laying hold on a bough which dipped over its own image in -still water, and he crept up the bank, dizzily, and seated himself -beneath a tree, supporting his weakness against it, with -closed eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now, being refreshed, he had power to reflect, and he -said within himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This way of mortification has failed me also. Like other -ways I have sought this beats against a shut door and there -is no help in it. My body is so broken that it can no longer -support the intellect. I will eat and drink and strengthen this -tortured body that it may still be the servant of the higher in -me, no longer complaining of its own griefs and diverting attention -from the goal. For it is possible that what I have already -learned has prepared the way to Right Ecstasy and that -in ecstasy I may behold the beginning of the Wisdom which -in all the methods I have tried has been hidden from me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And even as he thought this the strong weakness overwhelmed -him again and he could think no more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now, on the other side of the wood dwelt a chief herdsman, -very wealthy in cattle and rice, owning land far-spreading and -fertile in the rich water-meadows by the river, and he had a -daughter fair and wise, named Sujata. And reaching womanhood -this fair maiden had made a vow to the Tree-Spirit of the -forest, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If I should wed a husband of equal rank with myself and -my first-born should be a son, then would I make a noble offering -every year, never forgetting the benefit.” And this -prayer was heard, and her first-born son lay upon her bosom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So wishing to make her offering on the day of the full moon, -she pastured a thousand cows in the woods, and with their -milk she nourished five hundred cows, and with theirs two -hundred and fifty, drawing life through life until at last she -possessed eight cows thus fed on the strength and life of a -thousand, and no purer nor stronger milk could be. And this -being ready Sujata rose earlier than dawn and, went to the byre -with her pails, and as she came near the milk flowed in streams -without milking, even as when the calves crowd for their food -about their mothers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So she took it and placed it in a new vessel and added rice, -and herself made a fire and cooked it. And the bubbles rose -and froth, but not a drop ran over the brim, and the fire burned -clear and steady without smoke or blackness. And as a man -crushes golden honey from the comb that has formed about -a stick—the very essence of honey—so into that pure food -was infused a marvellous sustenance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Sujata said to her waiting-maid, Punna:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Punna, dear girl, surely the deity is auspiciously disposed -to us. The omens are good. Run therefore and get all ready -beneath the tree.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Punna answered obediently:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, lady,” and ran.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when she came to the tree, the Bodhisattva—the -Buddha-to-be—sat beneath it, and it appeared to her that his -body shone like light and she flushed and trembled with terror, -saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good indeed are the omens, for this is the Tree-Spirit himself -come to receive our offering!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And with all her might she ran to tell this to her lady, and -when Sujata heard it she cried out:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“From this day be to me as a daughter, for this great good -news!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And running to where she kept her jewels she put upon the -happy Punna all those ornaments suitable to a daughter of the -house. And she thought; “What more can I do? For this -is a great day,” and so took up a precious golden dish and into -this she poured the milk-rice, and it rolled in like drops of -water slipping off a lily-leaf and filled the vessel, neither more -nor less. Then, covering it with a golden cover, she adorned -herself with her best jewels and went stately to worship and -make her offering.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So she came along the banks of the river, glad in the dawn, -robed in grey like a cloud before sunrise, and about her slender -wrists were bracelets of white chalcedony and the grey and -white of them resembled the colours of the rounded river-bubble -before it breaks, and she came as softly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And parting the boughs she saw the Prince, his head fallen -back against the tree, eyes closed and helpless hands beside -him, and deep pity and veneration stirred in her heart, and -seeing it was no Tree-Spirit but a holy man she thought “May -he accept it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And bowing repeatedly she raised the dish in both hands, -entreating his greatness and thus offered it humbly, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, accept my gift and go where it seems good to you.” -And he, seeing in this the accomplishment of his purpose, received -it, and partook of that pure food while the happy giver -watched with such delight as when a mother feeds her only -child and beholds new life flow through his veins, and the -very air about the Prince appeared to distil in dews of visible -blessing upon her head and joy hitherto unknown possessed -her noble soul. And she said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, may your wishes prosper as mine have done!”, and so -departed, caring no more for her golden dish than as if it had -been an autumn leaf upon the ground.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the five ascetics, watching far off with greedy eyes, said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The ascetic Gotama has failed. He is now mere man. -Like the common herd he eats and drinks. He has nothing -to teach us—nothing! Mistaken indeed were we in thinking -to learn from a mere backslider! It is done and over, and the -Gods are angry with him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they turned their backs in scorn and departed to Benares, -there to resume their austerities.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when Sujata was gone, timidly receiving thanks, the -Future Buddha arose and stood beneath the tree, refreshed in -heart and body, his face shining with renewed strength, his -energy swelling like a river in spate rushing rejoicing to the -sea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he knew that that place where for six years he had pursued -a vanishing truth could hold him no more, its use being -ended, and he set steadfast steps toward the tree.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>O Tree of Wisdom, Tree of Knowledge unsearchable, Tree -whereunder the world’s deliverance was attained,—through all -the rain of years between our sight and thee, shall we not look -back and behold and veil our faces? For beneath this Tree -was Wisdom perfected.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then taking his way, Bodhisattva begged from a man cutting -grass for his cattle, an armful of pure and pliant grass, -and, going onward, he saw before him that Tree of Knowledge, -broad-leaved, noble, a tower of leafage, and knowing that -this was where time and place meeting clasped hands, he spread -the grass and seated himself with folded hands and feet beneath -the pillared stems and the night came quietly down the -woodland ways and veiled him from the sight of man.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XI</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet of what follows I veil my face in writing, for -it is high, holy, and beyond the mind of man to conceive, -nor can it be told but in great parables, for by pictures -we teach little children. It is the Arhats only,—the perfected -saints,—who comprehend and can distinguish the symbol from -the truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Bodhisattva was tempted in the wilderness. Against him -that Wicked One led his hosts, strong and cunning to daunt -and allure. And as our Lord sat there in peace, suddenly the -calm sea, heaven-reflecting, of his mind, was tossed and torn -into wild billows as in a furious storm, and foes which he had -thought conquered, rose mighty against him, some most infinitely -sweet, piercing the heart with a pain more to be desired -than joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For, shaping on the dark like a picture—but real, so real -that he had but to rise and enter, came the lost heaven of -Kapila, where Rohini flowed in liquid light, and there in cool -green shades he beheld those loveliest in whose arms once he -lay. Soft bosoms, intolerably sweet after long pain and loneliness, -entreated him to rest. Deep eyes, love-filled, invited. -And at the last one alone drew near him and it seemed that -in that one fair face was centred all beauty that was his in those -far days. In one all wooed him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come to me—Come to me. Dear lord, you have borne -torture for long years and grief exceeding. You have hungered -and thirsted and wept tears of blood and still the Way eludes -you, and all was vain. There is no Way. It is delusion. -Vain it must be: not thus is Paradise found. Love is heaven—there -is no other.”—So said the Beautiful kneeling before -him, most dear and desirable, with passionate dark eyes more -eloquent than music plucked on harp or sitar, words spoken -between kisses and the slackening and straining of arms that -are the bonds of love. On his knees he felt the warmth of her -golden bosom, sun-kissed fruit for the tasting, on his hands -the clasp of those little fingers that once clenched his heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Put away your pale dreams of Heaven. O Prince beloved!” -she pleaded. “Heaven is here and now by bright -Rohini. Come, taking and giving joy. O sad and wearied, -and utterly foredone, come back to us and be made whole and -glad. Am I not yours? Rest in my arms. Forget the cold -ascetic, and be again our Prince, our warrior. Come! Time -goes swiftly and the sands of life are blown about the desert -and man knows them no more.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She moved as if to draw him with her, and all her naked -loveliness swam rose and gold before his eyes, long hair, -brightening at the tendril-ends, caressing the slender curves of -perfect feet, the smile of victory touching soft lips,—breathless -beauty waiting its fruition, queen and slave of men, thinking -its victory won, looking downward half amazed at its own -perfection.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then lifting her head that Beautiful regarded him in triumph -as the moon rides serene over tossing waves, and lo! he sat -motionless and unmoved, with eyes looking past her to a distant -hope, and his face was set and calm as doom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And suddenly, shuddering together with the sighing shudder -of leaves in cold rain, the sweet shape wavered, trembled like -an image in water when the rings widen outward and all is -dispersed, and it was gone, for the waste night closed about it -and took it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the garden remained—that home beloved, and a new -and dearer shape wandered lonely by the river bank gazing -steadfastly upward to the bright billows of the silver peaks, -remote and pure as they, and she led by the hand a child. -And surely he whom lust cannot conquer may unashamed -kneel at the feet of love pure as the very sources of light! -And his heart said “My Princess!” and almost ceased to beat, -so strange, so sweet, that living bleeding memory;—and -whether it was the voice of his own soul or hers he could not -know,—but she seemed to shape the one word, “Beloved”, and -so withdrawing her gaze from the mountains, looked at him, all -love, all entreaty in those sunken eyes—beauty faded by grief, -but stronger a thousandfold to plead with him, and mutely she -showed the child, and so stood, waiting to know his sentence -whether she must live or die.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And round her like mourning shadows swept the image of -his father, aged by grief and visibly stooping under the heavy -burden; the gentle queen, sister of his mother, who had fed -him from her own bosom, wrung her hands beside him and -all the faithful friends and servants who had guarded his -youth; and together they were the very voice of home, and his -own heart asked itself, “Have I the right to hurt these faithful -ones! But what are they and myriads like them to her—my -wife, my son!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And whether he would have moved to reach her, I cannot -tell, but suddenly, past all knowledge, he certainly knew that -never could that great lady his wife present herself as an obstacle -and a temptation, and that this was but a shift and a -shape-changer not to be trusted, dangerous and cunning like -the first, and steadfastly he gazed past her, his face set and -calm as doom, and shrieking horribly she fled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then, thick as rain in <span class='it'>Wasa</span>, fell delirious dreams and -delusions, and there came about him frightful things, misshapen, -goblin, the very spume and smoke of the pit, and there -was a noise in the air, that stupified the brain, of shrieks and -shouts and groans and terrible cries and far off wailings and -it appeared as though great spirits fought in the air about -him with the black armies of the Wicked One.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And upon the night the Tempter flung a vast phantasmagoria -of the power and splendour awaiting the Prince if he would -but stoop to grasp them. King of the earth, throned and -crowned, he saw himself. And flames shot about the pictures -and huge confusions, and an ocean of terrors broke against -him, and the billows threatened to overwhelm him, and he knew -that did he relax but for the instant that a man blinks his eye, -all were lost.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he sat motionless his face fixed and calm as doom, and -it is told that in all the tumult not one leaf of the Tree flickered -but hung still as if carved in stone. Within its shadow -was calm: without tumult as when heaven and earth break -together in storm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the strife raged about him and Lust and Love, and -Power and Wealth thundered or pleaded at his ear and could -not move him. And huge elemental Powers led on their armies, -deep instincts from the abyss of the primeval life of man, conqueering, -cunning, rock-rooted, hard to be fought, beckoning, -alluring, threatening. And some, robed like heavenly spirits, -showed, as it were, the Way, but it was no way, and very terrible -were the confusions, sights and sounds of that night of -dread. Nor is it possible or lawful that all should be uttered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when the worst and utmost were done and endured and -no more remained, the Wicked One and his hosts, outwearied, -ceased their torment, and very slowly the angry roar of the -billows subsided and the foam of their fury stilled, and the -mind of the Blessed One relaxed into peace, and the great -darkness thinned as at the cold breath of dawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The moon and the stars reappearing shed dying light, the -barriers of the dark being removed. And now—the marvel,—the -marvel!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Let the Three Worlds wait in silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For the east became grey, and all being now hushed, our -Lord passed into deep and subtle contemplation and entered -thus upon the First Stage of Ecstasy, and this was the First -Watch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, consciousness withdrawn into the Infinite, passing -through the bounds of human comprehension, seeing the world -as it truly is, not as it appears, his mind moved swiftly onward -and upward as the eagle soars effortless to the sun, or -rather, as the swimmer daring the current, is caught up and -carried strongly and without volition to his desired end. For, -be it known, this world about us is far other than it appears, -and with enlightenment we pass free from the fetters of illusion. -And this is Perception in which time as it is known in this our -world ceases to exist.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in this Perception he beheld his past lives and all his -former births, with their gains and losses, their sins and purities, -as they passed steadily onward and led him inevitably -to the Tree; seeing all at once as a picture.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And soaring higher, carried ever more swiftly onward, ever -more profoundly withdrawn, in the second watch he beheld with -diamond-clear perception all that lives, and the round of birth -and death of all mankind, hollow all and false and transient, -built upon nothingness—the piers and fabric of a dream; and -saw before him erring creatures born and born again to die, -the righteous and the evil heirs alike of pain self-inflicted, -and stabbed with daggers their own hands have forged.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he saw the transient heavens gained through desire, won -through righteousness that craves reward, and beheld these -longer-lived than the joys of earth yet transient also, for he -who desires the joys of an individual heaven and pays down -righteousness as the coin of its price, he too is still held within -the pitiless fetters of craving, though it be for heaven, and -nothing rooted in desire is eternal, but must pass and be done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he saw the hells that, gorged with suffering, yet again -yield up their prey to the weary round of rebirth and lo—heaven -and hell and earth empty and vain, the Wheel of Birth -and Death revolving evermore, hopeless and without delay -or stay, now heaven-high, now low as earth, but ever and ever a -whirling Wheel without rest. And in the third watch there -came Perception higher still and our Lord entered upon the -deep apprehension of Truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in this the secrets of birth and death were apparent and -he became assured that age and death have their source in birth -and are rooted in it as trees in the ground, for the body and -earthly self implicate man in all evils, divided thus from the -Source, and, in a word, life in this world of ignorance, is suffering. -For here men walk blinded with ignorance, not knowing -whence nor whither, and the high things move veiled about -them and are not seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as to rebirth, he saw that its cause is in deeds done and -thoughts thought in former lives.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Swept on and up in ecstasy, perception becoming ever clearer, -he beheld the so-called soul-self of man unravelled into its -component parts and laid before him like the unwoven threads -of a garment, and behold in these was no durability nor immortality, -for there is but one Immortal, one Infinite, and the -man who claims his own, his separate immortality, is dying and -reborn through the ages and but the fierce desire of life gives -him its simulacrum and the long-linked chain of births and -deaths and griefs immeasurable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So then, swept on and up in ecstasy, he beheld the causes of -the long-linked chain of existence stretching from Infinite to -Infinite.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And these are they, and this is the lineage of suffering:</p> - -<div class='dramastart'><!----></div> - -<p class='dramaline-cont'>Contact brings forth sensation.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Sensation brings desire.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Desire produces the clinging to shows and illusions.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Clinging to shows and illusions produces deeds.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Deeds engender birth.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Birth produces age and death.</p> - -<p class='line'> </p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this is the weary round, the offspring of Ignorance repeated -in the endless turning of the Wheel, the dragging of -a lengthening chain of births. For the ignorant man, desiring -the things that are worthless, transient, illusory, seeing about -him false shows instead of the high things which are real, -creates in himself a passion which in turn creates more and -more dangerous illusions, and thus is his own victim. But -when false desire dies, illusions end, and Ignorance, dispersing -like the night, gives place to the Sun of Enlightenment and -the world lies about such a man as it truly is. And he <span class='it'>knows</span>, -being no more the prisoner of time and space and their brood -of follies, for Ignorance, the true cause of all ill, in him is -dead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having thus perceived the world as it is, our Lord was -perfected in wisdom, and shows and illusions being ended for -him, there died in him that false self which will have all for -its own; never again to be born, utterly at an end,—even that -false ego shut in the prison of itself. And in him was completed -the destruction of craving and evil desire, as a fire -goes out for lack of fuel. For the man in whom is no separation -from the Source, in whom is no ignorance, how shall he -desire that which has no eternity but is transient as a morning -dream? And over him Desire and Death—which indeed are -one—had no more dominion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus first he found the way of perfect knowledge, and in the -broad east the onrushing of the sun’s golden wheels was heard -afar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he reached at last the unfathomable source of Truth, beholding -past, present, and future as one, having passed beyond -the glimmer of the six senses into true perception, no longer -gazing through a narrow window, but about and around him -the wide horizon—and more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Illumined with all wisdom sat the Buddha, the Perfected One, -having at last attained, and the light strengthened and grew -in rapture. And about him the world lay calm and bright and -a soft breeze lifted the leaves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And for seven days and nights sat our Lord beneath the Tree, -lost in contemplation of the World as it Is, submerged in the -ocean of love, having entered the Nirvana, most utterly at -peace, and day and night—or what men call such—made their -solemn procession about him unheeded, for he was lost in bliss, -and his heart said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, resting here, have I attained my birth-weary heart’s -desire, having traversed many lives to this goal. Now have -I slain the self, and the fetters are broken, and not for myself -alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And lifting up his voice he cried aloud this song of triumph -in the hearing of all worlds.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>  “Many a house of life</p> -<p class='line0'>Has held me, seeking ever that which wrought</p> -<p class='line0'>These prisons of the senses, sorrow-fraught,</p> -<p class='line0'>  Sore was my ceaseless strife.</p> -<p class='line0'>    But now,</p> -<p class='line0'>  Thou Builder of the body-prison,—Thou!</p> -<p class='line0'>I know thee! Never shalt thou build again</p> -<p class='line0'>  These walls of pain,</p> -<p class='line0'>Nor raise the roof-tree of deceits, nor lay</p> -<p class='line0'>  Fresh rafters on the clay.</p> -<p class='line0'>Broken the House is, and the ridge-pole split,</p> -<p class='line0'>  Delusion fashioned it.</p> -<p class='line0'>Safe pass I hence, deliverance to attain.”<a id='r3'/><a href='#f3' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[3]</span></sup></a></p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<p class='footnote'> -<span class='footnote-id' id='f3'><a href='#r3'>[3]</a></span> - -For this verse I have used Edwin Arnold’s translation slightly modified.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<p class='pindent'>For now he knew that the builder of the prison, the cause -of rebirth, the hinderer from the Peace was his own false self, -the dreamer of dreams, the creator of false desires and illusions, -and in him this false self was dead, and only the true, the Self -that is mysterious and high and One with the One survived.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And next, sending his sight through the invisible (for when -enlightenment is attained all bars of time and space fall and -man is no longer blinded by his eyes and deafened by his ears), -he considered all that live, and like a swelling tide there rose -in him compassion for their darkness and misery, and in deep -contemplation he considered how to gain deliverance for them -also, and with this came the thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shall I teach? And how?” for he doubted that any would -believe and relinquish that false and illusory self which holds -men from the light. And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How can they believe the world is other than it seems -and the very sea and sky and mountains far differing from what -they have supposed? And they the prisoners of Ignorance.” -And a deep voice from the Divine within and without him -answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O let your heart most loving be moved into pity toward -the people, most ignorant, toiling amid deathly illusions to a -goal unknown.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as this purpose rooted and flowered within him—a -mighty blossom opening its chalice of perfume to all worlds -and heavens, the dawn of the seventh day broke resplendent, -as it were a new heaven and a new earth and it was light.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Light also within him and a great flooding of light, for not -only was the Way opened but the steps now lay clear before -him—the Noble Eightfold Path whereby men setting one foot -before the other achieve the first heights, the true Self developing -as does the body from lowly beginnings to great ends and -royalties, but all in order and gradually, each step rising by -the stepping stones of dead selves in dead lives to higher.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>O peace: O bliss inexplicable, not to be confounded with -others, but singular, lovely, and alone! Not in the heavens, -unattainable save by the strength of Gods, but within reach -of all who set their faces to the heights in true and steadfast -endeavour, proceeding step by step in love and patience. For -the lowly, the little children of the Law, as for the wise and -noble. For he who is ruler over a few things in this life shall -in lives to come be ruler over many, so he be found faithful. -And at the last—not the dewdrop lost in the ocean, but the -ocean drawn into the dewdrop and eternal Unity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in his heart this thought arose.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will proclaim accordingly the way unto the further shore!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he saw it, so he told it: He the stainless, the Very -Wise, the Passionless, the Desireless Lord; for what reason -should he speak falsely?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus, flooded with sunshine and bathed in peace sat the -Perfect One.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>N</span><span class='sc'>ow</span> as the Blessed One sat beneath the Tree in the -Dawn, two merchants bound on their way passed -through the wood, and within them spoke the Voice -of Wisdom, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In this wood, outspread upon the spurs of the mountain, -dwells a Rishi—a wise ascetic—deeply to be reverenced; go -then and make him an offering.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And with joy they went, glad in the opportunity of righteousness, -and found him enthroned beneath the Tree, laving his -feet in the ripples of the Sea of Bliss; and with reverence they -placed food in his bowl, a simple gift and good; and they were -respectfully silent while he ate, but when they saw that the -Exalted One, his need over, had washed his bowl and hands -in the mountain stream, they bowed their heads to his feet, -saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We who are here take refuge in the Perfect One and his -Law. May the Blessed One accept us as his adherents from -this day forth throughout our life, who have taken refuge in -him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they were accepted as lay followers and went on their -business rejoicing in peace; and these were the first persons -who accepted the Law, with faith in the One Enlighted and his -teaching, for as yet the communion of the Order was not. And -their names were Bhallika and Tapussa.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet, having risen, he paused, and again seated himself in -meditation, for he doubted again whether it were either wise or -possible to make known the great Law to the world.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And into the mind of the Exalted One yet retired in solitude, -came this thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have penetrated this deep truth of the abandonment of -the imprisoning self, hard to be perceived, difficult to grasp. -Man moves in an earthly sphere, and there has he his place -and delights, tapestried about with illusions real indeed to the -dim feelers of his poor senses. For such it will be hard to -grasp this matter, the chain of causes and effects, for man -sees the effect but not the cause. And hard indeed to grasp -are withdrawal from earthly illusions, extinction of desire, cessation -of longing, and the deep mysterious Peace. Should I -now preach the Law, it would gain nothing—grief and weariness -would be the only fruit of labour. The truth remains -hidden from men absorbed by hate and greed. It is deep and -difficult, veiled from the coarse mind. How shall he apprehend -it whose thought moves in the darkness of earthly preoccupations?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this was without doubt the last, the uttermost temptation -of that Wicked One, and the subtlety of it stirred a vibration -in the highest of the Divine Beings, and this thought arose.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Truly the world is lost, truly the world is undone if the -heart of the Perfect One be set on abiding in peace without -revealing the Law.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And instantly this Divine thought was light in the heart of -the Exalted One and its symbol was that he beheld a Divine -Being who raised his folded hands before him, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“May it please the Perfect One to preach the Law! There -are a few whose eyes are not dimmed with the dust of earth. -They will see. They will hear. Open, O Wise One, the door -of Eternity. He who stands on the mountain peaks looks out -over all peoples. Go forth to Victory.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, hearing this voice in his ears, the Exalted One turned -the gaze of perfect enlightenment upon the world, and he beheld -this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As on a lotus stem bearing the lotus blossom of ivory, -some flowers do not rise out of the water but are below the surface, -and others float on the calm surface, and others rise -high, reflecting themselves in its mirror, so are men—some -pure, and some impure, some noble and some ignoble, some -strong in mind and intellect, others weak and dull,—but all -needing what they are qualified to take of the light of wisdom. -And perceiving this, he replied as it were to the Divine Voice:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was because I believed the toil fruitless, Holy One, that -I have not yet uttered the Word.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Divine Voice perceived what would be, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is done. The Perfect One will preach the Law,” and the -matter being thus ended the Divine Voice returned to its source -and the Buddha passed onward in majesty, musing on the -first means whereby the Law should be made known. And -since a man owes deep duty to his teachers who, if they have -not opened the gate have yet directed him in the Path, his -though hovered first over Alara and Uddaka the Brahmans,—but -the diamond-clear inward sight revealed to him that in -the six years of his asceticism they were dead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And next he remembered the five ascetics who had scorned -him when in starving he had tasted of the food offered by the -lady Sujata, thinking “These shall be the first fish I catch in -my net!”—and because they had betaken themselves to -Benares, he resolved that leaving the Forest of Enlightenment -he would go to that great and ancient city bathing her feet in -holy Ganges and there for the first time make known the -Pearl he had found.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, alone in the wood, he arose from beneath the Tree and -turning regarded it steadfastly, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O Tree, because of this, many generations of men as yet -unmanifested on earth, shall hold your name in honour and -a leaf of you shall be precious. Rejoice therefore and accept -the sunshine and rain gladly, knowing that life is in the least -of your leaves for ever and ever.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then with eyes deep and kind, shedding light, as it were -about him, steadfast in noble composure did he advance -through the Wood of Wisdom, taking the way to Benares, -strengthened as one fed on food divine. And beside the way -to Benares, journeying on in peace, he met a young and haughty -Brahman, proud in the possession of his greatness, whose name -was Upaka, and as this man went he repeated the mystic word -“Aum,” of which the three letters are the Threefold and the -word the One, and in this he put his faith. And seeing the -Exalted One passing by, rapt in meditation, he cried aloud -with scorn:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ha, Master,—what constitutes the true Brahman?” hoping -to trip him in his answer. And from the heart of his calm -the Exalted One replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To put away all evil, to be pure in thought, word and deed, -to transcend pride and desire,—this it is to be a true Brahman.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the answer astonished the proud young man, and turning -suddenly he looked into the face of the Perfect One and -said slowly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How comes it that your face is so beautiful, shining like -the full moon reflected in water, your form so stately? And -whence the peace that surrounds you? What is your noble -tribe, and who your master? Here, in this country, where each -man struggles to find the Way, what is your way?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, glad at heart, the Perfect One answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Happy the solitude of him who is full of joy, who has seen -the truth. Happy he who in all the wide world has no ill-will, -self-restrained and guided, Happy—happiest is freedom -from lusts and desires. And highest is the bliss of freedom -from the pride of the thought <span class='it'>I am I</span>. No honourable tribe -have I,—no Teacher. I go alone and content.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Brahman heard in great astonishment, for much as -he had heard of religion it was not this. And he said, -hesitating:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And where, sir, are you bound?” And the World-Honoured -replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I desire to set revolving the Wheel of the Excellent Law, -and therefore I go to the great and ancient city of Benares, -to give light to them that sit in darkness and to open the gate -of true Immortality to men.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when the Brahman Upaka heard this his pride was -revolted and he was angry that a man should assume to himself -such mastership, and he replied curtly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Reverend person, your way lies onward,” and struck into -the opposite path, yet as he went, he stopped, proceeded, -stopped again, lost in thought, for there was that in the occurrence -which startled him from his equanimity. So the -moment goes by us, and we do not know it! But the Blessed -One, proceeding quietly day by day, came at last to Benares, -to the Deer Park of Isipatana where now dwelt the five -ascetics who had scorned him. And there they sat practising -the weary round of their austerities, not knowing that the -Perfect One who approached them had discovered the way -that leads from the world of sorrowful becoming and the -flowing stream of transiency into the world of happy being -where all is beheld as it is.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For to the man who knows not the way all things flow and -pass in unreality and nothing abides; but the foot of him who -has thus attained is set on the Eternal and in That is no motion -nor any change.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So when they saw him coming the five ascetics were angry, -and they said to one another:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Friends, here comes the ascetic Gotama [using in contempt -his family name] he who eats rich food, who lives in self-indulgence -and has given up his quest. Let us show him no -respect nor rise up to meet him, nor take his alms-bowl nor -cloak from him. Let us only give him a seat as we would to -any person, and he can sit down if he likes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the nearer the Exalted One came to the five the more -did the majesty of his presence precede him, and the less -could they abide by their resolution. Slowly they rose, and -went forward, and one took the cloak and alms-bowl—another -brought a seat, a third brought water, and accepting the -water the Blessed One sat down and bathed his weary feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then they addressed him as “Friend” and “Gotama” but -he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is not seemly, monks, that you should address Him who -has thus Attained as ‘Friend’ and ‘Gotama.’ For I am now -the Enlightened. Open your ears: I teach you the Law. If -you will learn, the Truth shall meet you face to face.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, still in much doubt, they said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you were not able, friend Gotama, to attain full knowledge -by mortification of the body, is it likely you can attain -it by self-indulgence and a worldly life?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus replied the Blessed One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monks, I do not live in self-indulgence although I torture -my body no more. Nor have I forsaken my quest. Open -your ears. Found is deliverance from death and illusion!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And because the five still doubted, the Blessed One said -to them:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tell me, monks,—when we dwelt in the forest, did I ever -before speak to you in this manner?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sir, never.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is told in the ancient scriptures that the very Evening -opened their ears and heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, with the five about him, the Perfect One spoke the -first words of the Teaching of the Law, the first ever heard -in this world,—and where the last shall be spoken who can -tell? But it is needful that all to whom their happy Karma -allows it should hear and ponder these words for in them is -all truth. Now this is the high teaching in the Deer Park of -Isipatana, as dusk came on and the shadows.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is told in the ancient scriptures that the very evening -appeared to bow at the knees of the Exalted One—the World-Honoured, -that she might hear his word. Like a maiden she -came, the stars the pearls about her throat, the gathering dark -her braided hair, the deepening vastness of space her cloudy -robe. For a crown had she the holy heavens where dwell -divine spirits. The Three Worlds were her body, her eyes -were as blue lotus blossoms opening to the moonlight, and her -voice of stillness as the distant murmur of bees. To worship -and to hear the Perfect One this lovely maiden came.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And though our Lord spoke in the Pali tongue each man -heard his own. And thus said the Blessed One, the Tathagata, -He who has thus Attained:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monks, there are two extremes which he who would follow -my attainment must shun. The one is a life of pleasure devoted -to desire and enjoyments. That is base, ignoble, unworthy, -unreal, and is the Path of Destruction. The other -is the life of self-mortification and torture. It is gloomy, -unworthy, unreal. It is nothing and leads to nothing. But -hear and be attentive, monks, for I have found the Middle -Way which lies between these two, the way which in a spiral -of eight stages ascends the Mount of Vision even to the summit -where dwells the glory of the Peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is the Noble Eightfold Path, and the stages in their -order. Right Comprehension. Doubts and wrong views and -mere opinions must be laid aside. The man must perceive -the distinction between the Permanent and the Transient. -He must behold facts behind hypotheses. Realization of the -need of truth is the attitude for its reception. This is the -first stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Resolution. This is the will to attain, based on self-discipline -and the vision which has perceived that attainment -of perfect knowledge is possible. This is the second stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Speech. This is the first step in the practice of self-discipline. -Indiscretion, slander, abuse, and bitter words are -forbidden. Only such words must be uttered as are kind, -pure, true. This is the third stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Conduct. Deeds which are blameless, true, and noble. -These only must be done. Put away all thought of gain or -reward here or hereafter, for the motive is the deed. Retaliation -is dead. Impulse cannot exist with discipline. Deeds -actuated by likes and dislikes are forbidden,—let each action -be guided by inward Law irrespective of whom it concerns. -Act only from this Law which is in its highest Love and Pity, -and very swiftly will come the insight to distinguish which -deeds are in harmony with the Law and which gainsay it,—and -that blessedness will follow which the doer has not thirsted -to gain or garner. This is the fourth stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Very difficult to climb are the two stages of Right Speech -and Right Conduct, but, when they are surmounted, fair and -wide and noble is the prospect seen from those heights, and -very great self-mastery is gained.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Living. And this includes the right means of earning -a livelihood for there are means a man cannot follow and -maintain his integrity and purity. Let him take heed to avoid -these dangerous circumstances, and which they may be that -man’s mind shall declare to him if he have trodden the Four -First Stages. Such a man cannot be in doubt. And so is -the learner become a Master. This is the Fifth stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Effort. Now, loving, wise, and enlightened, he apportions -all his strength to wise purpose, fully comprehending -his deed and its aim. He who has reached this noble stage -does all, whether eating or drinking, sleeping or waking, working -or resting, in harmony with the great Law, for in his -obedience he is perfect, and the Law is his life, nor does he -need to consider longer than while a man in health need count -his heart-beat. And this is the Sixth Stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Meditation. This is the right state of a mind at peace, -self, he considers only the truth, and having utterly abandoned -the thought of self he is clear in perception, having slain -illusion and stood face to face with Reality as a man speaks -with a friend. He is the Knower of Truth. More, he <span class='it'>is</span> the -Truth, and this is the Seventh Stage.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right Meditation. This the right state of a mind at peace. -At peace indeed, for what is left for grief? Nothing is here -to wail, nothing but what must quiet us. Doubt and fear, -trouble and confusions are dead. Groundless beliefs, false -hopes and fears are forgotten, and in this stage is the attainment -of the Peace which passes understanding. This is the -Eighth Stage from which, having attained, a man cannot fall.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, monks, you may ask, what is the cause from which -springs the need for the Noble Eightfold Path? It is this. -Hear the Four Noble Truths.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Birth is the cause of suffering, for life is suffering, passing -through all the stages of grief from birth to death. This is -the first Truth. The cause of birth is the thirst for living, -leading from birth to birth, fed by the lust of the flesh, the lust -of the eye, the pride of life. This is the second Truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The cure of the cause of birth is the extinction of this -thirst for living by complete extinction of wrong desire, letting -it go, expelling it, giving it no room. This is the third Truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And the fourth Truth is the Noble Eightfold Path. These -are the four Truths.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So by the truth of suffering, monks, my eyes were opened to -these conceptions and judgment and vision were opened in me. -Not by sacrifice nor mortification nor prayer, but by that -which a man has in himself is the Way of Deliverance opened. -And as long as I did not know this I had not received enlightenment. -But now have I attained, and deliverance is secured, -and henceforth I shall no more go out into birth and death. -Death has no more dominion over me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This is the first Teaching and it was spoken in the Deer Park -at Isipatana,—and the five ascetics sat about to hear, -and borne on these great words, their eyes were opened and -with joy they accepted the Law, and the chief of them, Kondanna, -since called “Kondanna the Knower,” entreated the -Lord that he would receive them as disciples, and in these -words he received them:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Draw near, monks, well preached is the Doctrine. Walk -in purity to the goal of the end of all suffering.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And further he taught them of the transiency and impermanence -of all earthly things and of the Truth that lies beyond -when the world is apprehended as it is, free of illusion, free -of the fleeting apprehensions of the senses, and knowing this, -they entered into the Peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when it was ended the darkness was deep about them -and the night of rest was come.</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1 id='pt3'>PART III</h1></div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XIII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>S</span><span class='sc'>o</span> for a time the World-Honoured dwelt in the Deer -Park of Isipatana, and men came eagerly to hear him, -for his teachings resembled none they had heard as -yet and delivered them from the yoke of priests in teachings -and beliefs which if they could not inwardly accept made them -very sorely afraid of the anger of the Gods and compelled -much ceremonial and expiation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But He, who has thus Attained, the Tathagata, taught them -thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No priest, no God, can deliver a man. By himself is evil -done, by himself he endures the shame and pain. By himself -and his own will and struggle he becomes pure. There is none -can save a man but himself—No, none in heaven or earth. -It is he himself who must walk the Way: The Enlightened -can but show it. Therefore where and how can a priest aid -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this appeared to them a most wonderful doctrine, inspiring -with great courage and resolution, and looking upon -each other they said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If it be thus, and a man holds deliverance in the hollow -of his hand, it can be done. To-day, brother, let us take the -first step.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so the Exalted One taught them to break the fetter -of the delusion of self—the delusive belief that the individual -self is real and self-existent. For to abide contented in the -prison of this apparent self not looking forward to its expansion -into the Universal self is the shadow of egoism and -egoism is the mother of sin.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he broke off them the fetter of the belief that outward -righteousness of conduct will deliver a man, or that safety -lies in rites and ceremonies, for truly a man can never say -within himself, “I have placated the Gods and may now go -my way in peace.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now at this time there was in the great city of Benares, a -noble youth named Yasas, son of a rich man, master of one of -the city guilds, and on this son his parents had lavished every -good thing. He possessed a house of cool shades for summer, -and another for the season of the rains. And his houses were -full of delicately beautiful dancing girls, jewelled and perfumed, -and what pleasure was absent, whether of food or -wines, or music or any other?—None indeed, for the rich merchants -dwell in luxury resembling that of kings.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at first all this was good to him and he asked no more; -but fulfilled every desire on the instant. There are men so -embruted that this will content them until bodily power fails, -but the noble youth Yasas was not of these.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And suddenly in the midst of his pleasures deep loathing -fell upon him and secret disgust because he had sounded the -utmost of pleasure and no more or better remained, and it -was like vomit in his mouth, revolting to his soul.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And one night as he lay among his women, and they, abandoned -to sleep, surrounded him, lovely as maidens of Mount -Sumeru, he leaned against his silken cushions and the hall -became hateful to him and he could no more endure it, but rose -softly and put on his gilded shoes and went out into the midnight -gardens where dripping dew impearled every leaf and -blossom and glittered in pure moonlight, and the cool and -calm were excellent. And he walked under the black and -white light and dark of a long path by trees whose carven -leaves hung like sculptured stone in the stillness of the air -and their shadows flitted like dreams over his robes and face -as he went, meditating upon the unspeakable weariness and -distaste that filled him and the uncomforted wretchedness of -youth that in all the world can find no good. And he said -aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O my heart, how oppressive it is! O, my soul, the speechless -weariness! Who in all the world shall show me any -good.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, in his walking, he came to the gate of the garden and -it stood wide open and the porter lay drowned in sleep, his -face hidden from the moonlight, and there was none to see -who came or went, and Yasas wandered on through dewy ways -and silver pools of moonlight, not knowing where he went, -having fled the house because he could no longer endure his -despair. And as he came at last to the Deer Park of Isipatana -the darkness began to thin for dawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so it was that the Lord had risen from sleep and -walked beneath the trees of Isipatana in meditation and he -saw a young man coming, and in the great stillness heard him -say:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O my grief, how deep is my wretchedness,” and he pitied -him, for he himself had been a rich young man, and he knew -his heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, taking his seat, the Blessed One said aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sir, you are weary, but I hold in my hand a life that is -neither grievous nor wretched. Sit down beside me and hear -the Law. This doctrine, Yasas, is not oppressive. This is -not afflicting.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Yasas seeing beneath the trees a young man of royal -bearing and beauty like to but surpassing his own, yet robed -as a monk, was startled. Nor could he refuse, and he took -off his gilded shoes and having saluted the stranger with -courtesy sat down beside him, and in the quiet of the coming -dawn, the Blessed One spoke. And first he spoke of the -misery, worthlessness and ruin of lust, of the strong calm of -renunciation, of the high way of the Law, and as he heard, in -place of burning disgust there flowed into the heart of Yasas -the refreshing streams of wisdom, as when a man sets hot and -travel-worn feet in the coolness of a pellucid lake. And there -was that fruit of former births within the noble youth which -drew him to high things, even as a pure silken fabric is with -ease dyed a noble colour.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord saw this, and knowing his heart elate and -ready he then set before him the Four Noble Truths of Sorrow -and the Noble Eightfold Path, and the eyes of Yasas were -opened and conquering joy possessed him, and the sun rose -within and without him in splendour, and it was day.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Yasas arose and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is impossible that I should return to my former life for -I see it now unreal and foolish, a tale told by a madman -signifying nothing. Let me receive from the Lord ordination -and admission to the Order that I may spend eternity in acquiring -knowledge.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, monk. The Doctrine is well taught. Lead henceforward -a new life.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he was received into the Order.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And presently his father, the rich guild-master, came running, -eagerly asking whether the Exalted One had seen his son -pass that way. And thus he fell into talk with the Tathagata, -(even with Him who has thus Attained) and he too became -ensnared by that great Presence and great Doctrine as a bee -with perfumed mogra blossoms, for sweet, sweet is the Truth -to them who are akin to it; and last he exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wonderful, great sir, most wonderful! This truly is showing -the way to the lost and setting a lamp in darkness. I take -refuge in the Lord, the Law, and the Assembly. May the -Lord take me as a lay-disciple henceforth, while my life lasts.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he was accepted, and looked upon his son, now divested -of jewels and clad in the yellow robe with bared shoulder, -and the Exalted One said to him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it possible, householder, that Yasas, the noble youth -should return to a worldly life of lusts and pleasure?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sir, it is not possible. It is gain to Yasas the noble youth, -that his mind should be set free. Will the Exalted One consent -this day to take food with me, with Yasas beside him as -a younger brother?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Buddha by silence gave his consent. So were -these two freed from the bonds of desire and entered into the -Peace. For they knew the Truth, and this was their desire.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“From the unreal lead me to the real,</p> -<p class='line0'>From darkness to light.</p> -<p class='line0'>From death to immortality.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And of the light companions of Yasas, many, allured to the -teaching by his joy, heard and were glad and followed, and -many more, too many to tell, women as well as men (for -the Blessed One welcomed women also, regarding neither sex -nor caste) sought the Deer Park of Isipatana and followed the -Law.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And these are the commandments they accepted, and be it -understood that the first five only are binding upon laymen -and women, but the whole ten are binding on the Brotherhood, -and they may not marry nor take upon them the householder’s -life while they are a part of the Order.</p> - -<div class='blockquote-right95percent'> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>1.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not destroy life.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>2.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not take what is not given.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>3.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt abstain from unchastity.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>4.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not lie nor deceive.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>5.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt abstain from intoxicating drinks.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>6.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt eat temperately and not after noon.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>7.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not behold dancing, singing, music, or plays.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>8.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not wear garlands, perfumes, ornaments and adornments.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>9.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not use high nor luxurious beds.</p> -</div> - -<div class='listEntry'> -<span class='listTag'>10.</span><p class='listPara'>Thou shalt not accept gold and silver.</p> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>And now, when sixty of the disciples had attained complete -enlightenment, it came into the mind of the Blessed One that -the time was come to send them forth into the world to spread -the high Doctrine, and he said to them:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See now!—You have passed the river and reached the shore -of peace, and for you birth and death are no more, being one -with the Unchanging. Go then through every country, teach -those who have not heard. Make known the Teaching, lovely -in its origin, its progress, and most lovely in its consummation. -Make it known both in the spirit and the letter, Go!—each -one travelling by himself (But later they went two together) -rescue and receive. I too will go—for the work is -begun.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Yasas he would not send out into the world for his -aged parents had need of him in Benares.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the sixty having in all reverence received his commands -went forth, for in those days books were not and -each man was a book of the Law, and the Lord himself went -on to Gayasisa, followed by many who had been ascetics. -And great joy went with them and a shining peace, for like a -swelling wave exaltation lifted their souls so that each looking -on the other was glad.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was at Gayasisa that the Exalted One uttered the great -Fire teaching.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the cause of it was this. As he and his disciples sat -on the Elephant Rock near Gaya, with the wide and pleasant -valley of Rajagriha outspread beneath them, a jungle fire broke -out across the valley and they watched it, and thus spoke the -World-Honoured; drawing a lesson as they looked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Everything about and within us, brethren, is on fire, and -how? The senses are afire with passion, hate and illusion. -The mind with its perceptions and sensations is afire with -passion, hate and illusion, betrayed and deceived every way. -Every approach by which a man beholds and comes in contact -with life is afire with passion and illusion, and these all in turn -supply fuel to the burning. And the wise and noble disciple, -perceiving this, is indifferent to the lies of the senses and the -sensations arising from them whether pleasant or unpleasant. -He is indifferent to mental perceptions whether pleasant or unpleasant. -And this indifference extinguishes the fire and cools -its ashes and deprives it of fuel and thus frees him from passion -and illusion, and being free he recognizes his freedom. He -clings no more to the individual and selfish self. Rebirth is -destroyed, the life of pure duty and love is lived, and the world -has no more wherewith to tempt him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And many heard and accepted the teaching and found peace, -having seen that behind this false world of illusion created -by the senses lies the true world of things as they are.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And from Gaya, the World-Honoured, followed by his disciples, -went onward to the city of Rajagriha, the chief town -of King Bimbisara, and with him went Kassapa, a great disciple, -and wise, who had been a worshipper of the pure element -of the sacrificial fire until he had heard the teaching of the -Buddha, and so great and wise was this man that many of -the people of Rajagriha doubted which was the Master and -which the disciple. But the Exalted One willing to honour -the disciple addressed him thus in presence of the King and -people.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Welcome, great Master, welcome! Rightly have you distinguished -Law, winning the highest wisdom. And now, as a -wealthy noble displays his treasures to bring forgetfulness of -sorrow to those who love beauty, so do you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it is told that immediately Kassapa, composing himself -into ecstasy, was raised up in the air before the eyes of all -and this wonderful sight drew their eyes in adoration of so -mighty a marvel, so that with different mouths but in language -one they magnified the Buddha, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let the World-Honoured be our teacher. We are his -disciples.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And perceiving them eager to hear, he addressed them on -the false self the lying, that is nothing but claims all within -and without as fuel for its greed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hear and be wise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The mind, the thought and all the senses are subject to the -law of life and death, and, understanding the self and the -transient things of which it is compounded and how the thought -and senses act, there is no room left for this individual <span class='it'>I</span> nor -any ground for this <span class='it'>I</span>, for it is this belief in <span class='it'>I</span> which gives -rise to all sorrows binding us as with cords to the world of -illusion. But when a wise man knows there is no such <span class='it'>I</span> and -that it does not exist, the bonds are severed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of those who believe in this false <span class='it'>I</span>, some say it endures -beyond death some say it perishes. Grievous is the error of -both. For if they say this <span class='it'>I</span> is perishable, then all the fruit -of their striving perishes and there is no hereafter, and who -can call this deliverance?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And if they say this greedy <span class='it'>I</span> is immortal, then in the midst -of all life and death in this world of illusion there is but one -identity that is not born and does not die—even this greedy -<span class='it'>I</span>. And if the one immortal thing is this greedy <span class='it'>I</span> which arrogates -all to itself then is it the one thing in the whole Universe -that is self-perfect, and there is no need of high and noble -deeds,—this greedy self is lord and master of all, and what -need to strive for what is already done? For if this greedy -<span class='it'>I</span> is lasting and imperishable then can it never be changed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But when a man has learned there is <span class='it'>no</span> greedy <span class='it'>I</span>, that it -does not exist, that it can do nothing, is but an illusion, then, -freed, he passes on to the wider outlook, the nobler knowledge, -and he passes on also in other lives the same yet not the same, -as the shoot springs from the seed, and the seed is not the -shoot, not one and yet not different. Such is the birth of all -that lives. Learn therefore that this <span class='it'>I</span> does not exist, and the -illusion of it conceals That which Is.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the World-Honoured, the Happy One, great and glad, -addressed the King and people, and very joyfully they heard, -understanding that in the egoism of the <span class='it'>I</span> lives all curse, all -ignorance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the King became a lay follower and throughout his life -was faithful and many of the noble young men about him -believed also, and many of the people.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was here too, in happy Rajagriha, that the Perfect One, -gained the two greatest of his Arhats, his perfected saints, -and thus it befell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On a day to be remembered, it so chanced that Assaji, a -disciple, walked in the streets, collecting alms of food in his -bowl, and he walked in the shade, in the yellow robe, one -shoulder bare, composed and with majesty, musing as he went. -And he was thus observed by a young Brahman of noble birth -who was studying spiritual things in the city under a teacher, -and when he saw him the dignity of his serene presence moved -the heart of the Brahman Sariputta, and he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Surely this is one who has already attained the way of -purity! I will go and ask him in whose name he has renounced -the world and by what Law. Not yet, for he is collecting alms, -but presently.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore he watched, and when the venerable Assaji had -received food from the householders he turned back, and Sariputta -approached him with a courteous salutation, which having -concluded, he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Friend, your eyes are shining, your colour pure and clear. -Great is your composure. In whose name have you renounced -the world and who is your honourable Master?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Friend, my master is the Son of the Sakya House, the descendant -of Kings; I am but a novice. As yet I cannot tell the -great heights of the Law, but in a few words I can give its -spirit.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Be it so, friend. Instruct me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And musing a moment, Assaji said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Perfected One teaches how existences apparently -separate are dependent upon One Cause, how they depend upon -one another, their apparent separateness springing from ignorance -and illusion as its cause, and how these existences can be -ended and the Truth of Unity appear. This is the teaching -of the Son of the Sakyas.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as he heard these words, suddenly their implications -and how they affect all within and without us and the whole -Universe, flashed into the clear vision of Sariputta, and he understood -as a consequence:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whatever is subject to the law of beginning that also is -subject to the law of decay, and how should the <span class='it'>I</span> be excepted? -There is but one Unchanging, motionless and eternal.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And deeply moved, he said to Assaji:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If the teaching were nothing else but this you have at any -rate overpassed suffering. That which many ages have not -seen is revealed to us now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And leaving Assaji, who pursued his way in peace, Sariputta -hastened with winged feet to his friend and fellow-student -Moggalana, and Moggalana seeing him cried out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Your eyes are shining. Your colour is pure and clear. -Have you then found deliverance from death?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have found it. I have found it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And standing there breathless he told him of Assaji and his -words, and on the great mind of Moggalana, strong in clear -perception, flashed also the truth of the nonentity of the -greedy <span class='it'>I</span>, and unable to delay, panting for the truth, they left -the ascetic who taught them, and hurried to the wood where -the Perfect One taught sitting among his disciples, and when -he saw the two young Brahmans approach full of eagerness -and awe, he said to those about him. “Welcome these two, -for they shall be my greatest—the one unsurpassed for wisdom, -the other for supernormal power.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he himself welcomed them with joy, seeing that they -would stand about him as bright stars about the moon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So when they had told him their case and heard his words, -he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, monks, the Doctrine is well taught! Lead henceforward -the pure life for the extinction of suffering,” and thus -received them to be his own.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And shortly after this he founded the Sangha, the Brotherhood -formally, and drew up the first code for its governance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the number of his followers grew and increased mightily, -for not only the people but many of the noble youths of the -Kingdom of Maghada joined themselves to this most noble -young man, the Son of the Sakyas, so much so that some of the -people were angry and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The ascetic Gotama is come to bring childlessness and -widowhood and the decay of families,” and they made a verse -that was repeated in the streets:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“The great monk has come through the wood-ways:</p> -<p class='line0'>  he sits on the hill,</p> -<p class='line0'>And whom will he steal from us next,</p> -<p class='line0'>  for he takes whom he will?”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And his disciples hearing this verse went to the Exalted One -and repeated it, dwelling on the anger of some of the people. -But the Perfect One smiled, for the young monks were angry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Seven days will this excitement last, monks, and for that -time only. But if they taunt you with that verse, reply with -this:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“The heroes, the Perfect Ones, lead by the Truth:—</p> -<p class='line0'>    and who calls it amiss?</p> -<p class='line0'>If the Buddha persuades by the truth, will ye</p> -<p class='line0'>    blame him for this?”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And the disciples smiled also and were content, and in seven -days it was forgotten, and still the great and lowly flocked to -hear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now of the people who flocked to him many desired signs -and wonders that so they might be convinced of the truth, -but these were not given in that manner and the Blessed One -forbade his disciples to exalt themselves thus. For there is -nothing but the taintless beauty of Law throughout the worlds, -and the wise know there is no miracle at all, but only a higher -law, not known to the ignorant, which in its action appears to -them strange and a miracle. Yet did our Lord teach that -for the instructed there are the powers, since to them in their -higher consciousness the bonds of time and space and form -exist no more. But it is useless and perilous to expose these -mysteries before the ignorant who can but see in them the -breaking of the law, and see it either with fear or greed. -Therefore he taught that those who have attained should be -wise and silent in knowledge where the occasion does not -demand speech or action, and very rarely can they be demanded, -for each stage has its own knowledge and cannot rise to the -knowledge of a consciousness above its own. Hence all this -foolish talk of miracle and the like. But for those who know -even in part the fetters are broken:—the binding fetters of -form, time and space. And of such a case the Lord told this -story, while he rested at one time at Jetavana:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There was a faithful, noble, joyful disciple who desired to -hear again the words of Him who has thus Attained, and he -came in the evening to the river Aciravati, hoping to cross -by the ferry. But so it was that the boatman had himself gone -to hear the great words and there was no ferry. Then, joyful -in meditating on the Light, and lost of all else, that -faithful disciple walked on the water of the river, and his -feet made no holes in the water, and he went as if on dry land. -But suddenly in the middle of the river he saw waves, and his -joy sank and his feet with it, for fear entered his soul and -fear is a fetter of the world of form, so that he immediately -became subject to it. But again he strengthened his inmost -self in meditation on the Enlightened One, and again he walked -on the water and so came to Jetavana and saluted the Blessed -One, and took his seat respectfully beside him, and the Lord -asked: ‘Disciple, did you come with little fatigue by the road? -Have you lacked for food?’ And he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, in my joyful meditation I received support so that -I walked on the water and did not sink, and thus have I come -to Jetavana as though I walked on dry land.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord said: “So also has it been in past lives.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For he taught that though there are times and seasons for -the powers to be manifested to the ignorant, they are very -few.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XIV</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>N</span><span class='sc'>ow</span> while the Perfect One dwelt by Rajagriha there -came to him a message from Kapila, from his father, -the Maharaja Suddhodana, and it said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My son, tidings have reached me of great things concerning -you and the fulfilment of prophecies. But of these I will -not speak for it is fitting that I should hear them from your -own lips. But this I have to say: Is it not just and right -that I should see my son before I die? Come to me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when this reached the Enlightened One it was impossible -that he should doubt or hesitate, for who had more right -to call upon him? And so, preparing himself for the journey -on foot with certain of his disciples, once more he set his face -to Kapila looking toward the mountains.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And many things filled his heart, of memory and of affection, -but all now controlled and guided by divine knowledge and -certitude so that he went surrounded by peace and glad in that -he carried a great gift to his father exceeding all gold, all -jewels of all kings, if so it could be received, repaying thus -the tenderness which had guarded his youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when the Maharaja and the people of Kapila heard -he would come, from that day forth they watched the ways to -the city that they might with due eagerness and joy welcome -the great return of their Prince. For they said proudly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Our Prince who left us to seek enlightenment has now -found it, and gloriously returns!” and they thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To what kingdom has the like happened?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So journeying on foot, the Blessed One, crowned with the -Ten Perfections, at last approached Kapila, and those who -were the far outposts of the watch ran back to the next and -those to the next until it reached the city crying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Prince comes! The Prince comes!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Maharaja having prepared himself, surrounded by -his lords and all the neighbouring nobility, went forth along -the flower-strewn ways (for the people hurried with flowers -and banners and perfumes) to meet the great guest. And the -heart of the Maharaja was hot within him and exulted, -thinking:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He returns and the clouds are past and the sun of his glory -drowns all in its brightness, and my good days are come again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they paused in the principal street of the town and there -waited in the shade, with banners and flowers making gay the -blue air about them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then at long last moving through the streets, followed by -two others, the Maharaja and his nobles saw a young monk -clad in the yellow robe, with one shoulder bared, who in his -hands carried an alms-bowl, and at each house door stopped -and silently tendered the bowl, receiving with majesty what -was given, and passing on with patience when it was refused. -And it was his son.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then shame and love and anger contended in the heart of -the Maharaja and tore him like a whirlwind among the leaves -of a tree, and he clenched his robe across his breast and cried -out aloud to Siddhartha:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am put to shame—to horrible shame. My son a beggar! -Our race is beaten to the earth with shame.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And standing calmly before the angry Maharaja the Blessed -One after due salutation lifted his eyes and replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maharaj, this is the custom of our race.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This horrible thing is not so. Not one of our ancestors has -ever begged his bread.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Maharaj, you and your high race claim descent from kings,—but -my descent is far otherwise. It is from the Buddhas -of ancient days, and as they have done, begging their food from -the charitable, so do I, nor can I otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But seeing his father still in pain from anger and sorrow, -the Perfected One spoke thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do I not know that the King’s heart bleeds with love and -memory, and that for his son’s sake he adds grief to grief? -But now let these earthly bonds of love be instantly unloosened -and utterly destroyed, for there are greater and higher. Ceasing -from thought of such love, let the King’s mind receive -from me such spiritual food as no son has yet offered to father, -a gift most beautiful and wonderful.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So leading the King by the hand they went together to the -palace, the mind of the Maharaja quieted and subdued as after -a storm the billows sink to rest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And within the palace the Perfected One looked for Another, -but she was not there, for her very life beat against her body -in agony, remembering, remembering, and she said in her -heart:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will not go. I cannot go. If I am of any value in his -eyes, I, the mother of his son, he will come to me. I cannot -go to him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, when a little time had passed, the Perfected One arose, -and attended by the two mightiest of his disciples and followed -by the Maharaja went to the Palace of his wife, and as he -went, he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monks, if this lady should embrace me, do not hinder her, -though it be against the rule.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And pacing silently beside him, the two comprehended the -wisdom and compassion of the Lord, bowing their heads.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they entered the hall where the Princess stood unveiled, -the glory of her hair shorn, clad in a coarse robe of -yellow resembling his own, and divested of all jewels and -splendours, and she stood like the marble image of a woman as -he entered, pale in the shadows.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, seeing him, suddenly love and manifold anguish broke -in a freshet in her heart as when the melting snows fill Rohini -until she floods her banks; and pride and love, each stabbed -to the heart, strove within her, and with piteous eyes she looked -upon her Lord once so near and now so far, as he stood calmly -regarding her with a look she could not understand, and love -had the victory, and she ran to him and falling on the ground -laid her face upon his feet and embraced them weeping most -bitterly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was silence, none hindering or speaking, and he -looked down upon her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So she lay.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But after awhile remembrance returned to her and his silence -and the distance wide as heaven and earth between them, -and she rose with majesty and withdrew herself to one side -and stood with bowed head while the Maharaja declared to the -Perfected One her griefs and patience and mortifications so -that she might resemble him, abjuring her bed for a mat laid -upon the ground, and the feasts of the palace for one poor -meal a day, and much more. And the Prince heard and speaking -slowly, still with his eyes upon her, said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is true. Great also was the virtue of this high lady, -the mother of Rahula, virtue in a former life which I remember -and she too will remember one day with gladness. Lady, -mother of my son, the way that I have opened is open for you -also. Come and hear.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And with his eyes upon her to the last he turned and went -away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So that evening, seated by the bank of Rohini, the Perfect -One taught the Way before his own people, and they crowded -to hear; and this high lady seated, veiled so that none might -see her hidden eyes, heard also, and as she listened, illusion -fell from her; she perceived the Unchanging, the Formless, the -Beautiful, and the illusory forms of this world and the delusion -of time fell from her also, and she beheld her love no longer -past and done with, but eternal as the eternity of the Self that -alone endures, and the imprisoning self which alone can suffer -died within her and left her enfranchised, and inward light -shone upon her and she knew the truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So also was it with the Maharaja and the Maharani Prajapati -and many more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But on the next day the Princess Yashodara called to her son -Rahula and dressed him in his best until he shone bright and -beautiful as a star, and she laid her cheek against his, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go now, beloved, and seek your father and ask for your -inheritance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mother, I know of no father but the Maharaja. What father? -And why should he withhold my inheritance?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she said: “Go and ask. But first see, that you may -know him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She led the boy to the window and pointed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That monk, clothed in the yellow robe, he whose face -shines like the sun in its strength, is your father. And he has -great wealth—riches, not to be told in words. Go, son, and -demand your inheritance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the boy went, wondering and desiring, and in the garden -he ran quickly and catching the robe of the Blessed One, he -said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My father, how happy I am to be near you. O day of -gladness,” and tears of joy overflowed his eyes, seeing his father -so great and beautiful. But to test him, the Blessed One was -silent, pacing toward the Nyagrodha grove, and still the child -followed, entreating for his inheritance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then when they reached the grove, the Perfected One turned -smiling to Sariputta the great disciple, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monk, what think you? For worldly wealth perishes, but -this remains. Shall I make my son heir to the Greatest? Let -us admit him to the Order.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it was done, and the heart of the Princess sang within -her for bliss, and henceforward the boy trod the way of Peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So leaving joy and tranquillity behind him and measureless -content in the soul of Yashodara, the Blessed One returned to -Shravasti on the river Rapti and there a rich merchant, Anathapindika, -gave to the Order a pleasant grove named Jetavana, -and a monastery, and there during the rains our Lord -dwelt and many of his teachings and discourses were spoken at -Jetavana.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this was the manner of his life.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Blessed One would rise early in the morning, and that -some one of his followers might gain merit he accepted service, -and water was brought to him for ablution, and having performed -this he would sit alone until it was time to go and beg -his food. Then he would put on his tunic, girdle, and robe, -and taking his bowl would enter the village or town for alms. -Sometimes alone, sometimes with other monks, many of them -men of great and noble birth. And it seemed that gentle -breezes cleared the air for him and clouds let fall rain to lay the -dust, and where he placed his foot the way was even and -pleasant and flowers blossomed. And it appeared to those -who saw, that rays of radiance surrounded his person, since -he possessed the attributes of that true world which encompasses -the illusions of the false world perceived by the senses.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By all these tokens and more did the people know who approached, -and they said to each other:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bhagavat—the Blessed One—has now entered for alms,” -and robed in their best, with perfumes, flowers, and such offerings -as they could give, they came into the street. There, -having paid their homage, some would implore him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Reverend sir, let us feed ten monks,” and some, “Let us -feed twenty,” and the rich “Let us feed a hundred.” And the -most fortunate would take the bowl of the Blessed One and -fill it with food.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When he had finished his meal, the Blessed One considering -what was suited to the minds of those who listened, would so -teach them the Law that many would attain to the fruit of -knowledge in its different degrees, and some in the highest—that -of a clear perception in saintship,—and having thus given -his good gifts to the multitude he would rise and return to the -quiet monastery.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On his arrival there he sat in a pavilion shaded from the -sun, on an excellent Buddha-mat which had been spread for -him, and there waited for the monks to finish their meal, and -when this was done he entered his chamber and bathed his -feet from the dust of travel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, standing, he exhorted the assembly of monks, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monks, diligently work out your salvation, for not often -is a Buddha—an Enlightened One—seen in the world—not -often is it possible thus to hear the Law. And if even an animal -can keep the Precepts, how much more a man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at this point some would ask the Blessed One for exercises -in meditation and to each he assigned what suited -best their characters. And then all did obeisance to the Perfect -One, and dispersed to the places where they were in the -habit of spending the night or day, some to the forest, some -to the foot of trees, some, in meditation, to the heavenly places.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One, then entering his chamber, would, if -wearied, lie down for awhile, not sleeping but mindful and -conscious and on his right side, as a lion takes his repose. And -when refreshed he rose, and sent his gaze through the world -(for to the Illuminated this is possible), to see who it was possible -he might aid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And after this, the people of the village or town near which -he might be dwelling assembled, again in their best robes, and -he, approaching with majesty, took his seat on the Buddha-mat -in the little audience hall, and declared the doctrine to his -hearers who sat before him rapt in hearing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when they had made obeisance and departed it was the -custom of the Perfected One to bathe himself, and after that -to assume his tunic and girdle, and throwing his robe over his -right shoulder to go into his chamber and there fall into -deep meditation, and after that was the rest of the day given -to the monks who assembled, coming from here, there, and -everywhere, to question the Blessed Lord and ask his instructions -or plead for a sermon and all this he very gladly gave, -so consuming the first watch of the night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And during the middle watch of the night he would commune -with the blessed spirits of the Universe, they drawing very -near him in the true accord.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the last watch of the night he divided into three parts, -and weary with much sitting he paced up and down considering -many things, and in the second part would enter his chamber -and rest, and in the third, seated, send the diamond-clear -ray of his perception through the world that he might commune -with any soul who needed that communion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus were spent the days of him who had attained the -<span class='it'>Paramitas</span>, the Ten Perfections.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And if there be any who would know of the ten, these are -they.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Almsgiving, morality, long-suffering, manliness, meditation, -mystic insight, resolution, strength, knowledge, and skill in -the choice of means.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In all these was our Lord perfected. And above even these -in Love. For hear the teaching of the Lord:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, protects her -son, her only son, so let the disciple cultivate love without -measure toward all beings. Let him cultivate toward the -whole world above, below, around, a heart of love unstinted, -unmixed with differing or opposing interests. And let a man -maintain this mindful love whether he stands, walks, sits or -lies. For in all the world this state of heart is best.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For the Lord, the Blessed One, taught that this love must -increase until the wide Universe is suffused with its radiance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Our mind shall not waver. No evil speech will we utter. -Tender and compassionate will we abide, loving, void of malice. -And with rays of love shall we suffuse all that is, even with -love grown great and measureless.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And because of this high teaching many men and women attained -to Arhatship, becoming perfected saints, seeing things -as they are in themselves and not according to their illusory -appearances in this world of illusion,—and they made great -songs of triumph and victory, saying that when the Hindrances -are removed from a man he is as one set free from debt, imprisonment, -and slavery.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For when the five Hindrances are put away within him, he -is a free man and secure, and gladness springs up within him, -and joy, and so rejoicing all his frame becomes at ease, and -in that peace his heart is stayed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again, this song of Right Rapture.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“It is in very bliss we dwell, we who hate not those who hate us:</p> -<p class='line0'>Among men full of hate we dwell, who are void of hate.</p> -<p class='line0'>It is in very bliss we dwell, we in health among the ailing.</p> -<p class='line0'>Among men weary and sick, we continue well.</p> -<p class='line0'>It is in very bliss we dwell, we, free from care among the careworn.</p> -<p class='line0'>Among men tortured with unrest, we are calm.</p> -<p class='line0'>It is in very bliss we dwell, we who have no hindrances.</p> -<p class='line0'>We have become feeders on joy, like to the shining Gods.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>“The shining Gods.” What then are these Gods and Shining -Ones? Thus have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Surely the Gods are they who having acquired mighty merit -by great good deeds reign and shine for ages until the power -of their good deeds is exhausted. For they knew not the -Nirvana and the disintegration of the false self, and so desired -Paradise as their reward, and Paradise they have. But though -it last for ages, when the power of their good deeds is exhausted -then they too must enter again by the gate of birth and humbly -learn to extinguish all desire, even though it be the desire of -Heaven, and to know that the greedy <span class='it'>I</span> which desired these -things is non-existent, until they too, treading the Noble Eightfold -Path, enter upon the highest wisdom and attain to the Nirvana, -the Peace, for this alone is that comprehension which -beholds the heavens and hells as pictures, as illusions, as nothing,—and -whoso possesses it sits above manhood and Godhead -alike, having utterly attained.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus it must be when ignorance is dead and wisdom made -perfect, for the vain shows of ignorance are dispersed in clear -perception of the things that are true and eternal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the wise man by earnestness has driven vanity far -away, he has climbed the terraced heights of wisdom, and, -care-free, looks down upon the illusory world, the careworn -crowd, as he who standing upon a mountain top watches serenely -the toilers in the plain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a man must have what he desires, be it the Paradises -that pass, or the Peace that is eternal.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XV</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now persons of all castes, high and low, women as -well as men, sought the teachings of the Lord—and -he received all with courtesy and gladness, for he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There is no caste in blood and tears.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they brought him their griefs and questionings. And -very strange to them did it seem to behold a great Prince surrounded -by young men of the noble families who each and all -had thrown off the Hindrances of the illusory world and forsaking -all had followed the Truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when they themselves had seen the light no longer did -it appear strange, for who will stay to watch a fragment of -broken glass flash in the sun, when before him pulse the great -lights of a royal jewel, brother of the sun and stars.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And about this time the beautiful harlot of Vaisali, the Lady -Amra, lovely as the divine Shri rising from the ocean, heard -that a great Lord of Wisdom was come to Vaisali, and she offered -him the use of her Garden of Mangoes outside the city -that he might rest in the delicious shade of her trees and in the -little pavilion where she took her pleasure, for she was rich in -gold and jewels and resembled a great Princess in pride and -beauty. But she did not herself think to see him, for the joy -of life held her as the nectar of flowers holds the clinging bee, -making his wings heavy so that he scarce can fly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But her steward came to her, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O auspicious lady, I know not how it is, but all the nobles -and people are afoot, making their way to the Garden of -Mangoes, and when I asked the reason they replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is because of the man who rests there. There is none -like him—none! And he is the son of a King and has forsaken -his kingdom that he may find a greater.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she leaped to her feet laughing, ever ready for some -new sight, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it so? Then make ready my vehicle and I will go with -Subaddha to see the man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they harnessed her velvet-white oxen with tassels of -gold to her gilded car, and she took her place with the lady -Subaddha at her feet and a golden canopy above her head, -shining like the moon in her glory, and she went as a queen, -casting proud glances about her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now it was so early in the day that folk were busied with -their labours and the nobles were yet sleeping and the way was -clear before her, and the oxen trod quietly between the neem -trees and fan palms until she came to the gate of her Garden -of Mangoes, and there they halted in young sunlight and the -dew of dawn. And a man stood by the gate as though he -guarded it, and he was robed in yellow with one arm and shoulder -bare, and when she would have entered he stretched out his -arm and forbade her, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lady, being such a woman as you are, how is it seemly that -you should enter this garden? Return whence you came.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the blood fell away from her face and left her pale -at that saying, for she had lived all her life like a queen, and -now it seemed that scorn and the end were come upon her, and -her beauty nothing though she shone like a night of moon and -stars in her woven webs of gold. And silence fell upon her -as she looked upon this noble young man serene and beautiful, -who regarded her not, nor could she say, “The garden is mine,” -for she was afraid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So then, between the feathering palms and the bamboo leaves -that floated on still air, came another man, also clothed in the -yellow robe, but walking like a Prince, and he said softly to -the other:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stay her not, brother Yasas, for our Master would look -upon her beauty. Descend, Lady, and follow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a little comforted at his saying she descended from -beneath the canopy and followed through the palms and the -mango trees that were her own and now seemed not hers. -And there was great quiet, for the monk said no word and -the leaves forbore to stir and not a cricket chirped and the -sun was very early and dewy in the green ways. And she -thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What shall I see? For kings and princes have feared my -beauty and I mocked them. And if he be wise, yet have the -stern ascetics of the forests—those whose power the very Gods -dreaded,—been seduced from their wisdom by the nymphs of -Heaven. They have gone utterly astray, and very certainly -I am beautiful as Menaka or Urvasi.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, now they turned into a green way beside the still -pool where the lotuses bloomed, and it was cool and dim with a -deep shade of trees, for they let down pillared stems to root -again in earth and make a forest temple that scarcely a ray -might pierce. And within the shade was One seated with -folded hands and feet and behind his head a raying light that -shone like the midnight moon, and, lost in calm, he looked out -into the worlds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the man beside her fell on his knees and hid his face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Not for me, O, not for me, least of all the disciples is it -meet that I should tell of this or of the similitude of the Blessed -One—the very wise, the passionless, the desireless Lord in the -eyes of such as loved him. Only this I know, that the woman -stood amazed, forgetting her beauty, forgetting herself, forgetting -all in the Three Worlds but only that One. And the -rock crystal that was her heart melted within her and flowed -away in a river of tears: nor could she stay her feet, but slowly, -very slowly, she approached and before his feet she fell and -laid her face on the earth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now after awhile the Exalted One commanded her to rise -and be seated, and he incited and gladdened her with high -discourse so that she could no longer fear but only love in -hearing these great words with ears that drank them as the -parched earth yearns for the rains. And if it be asked how a -woman of evil life should thus be honoured, should thus harken -with love and understanding, I tell this thing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Many lives ago was there a deep forest where beasts and -birds dwelt and nourished their young in peace, but one day -a wind blew and brought on its wings a great fire. And none -had pity on the beasts and birds but one pheasant, glorious of -plumage, and this, caring nothing for her own life, plunged -into a stream of pure water, and flying upward shook the drops -from her feathers on the flames. Therefore Indra, King of the -Gods, seeing said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Foolish bird! and what can this do? You weary yourself -in vain! This is a deed for the great and not for a little bird!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she: “You are Indra, King of Heaven, and with a wish -you could quench this fire, yet do not. But as for me while -it burns I have no time for words.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again she flew against the fire, sprinkling water. And -the Great God blew with his breath, extinguishing the fire, but -the pheasant had perished. Now in that former life was the -Lady Amra that bird, and because the fruit of a high deed can -never perish so, passing through many lives, she attained at last -to lie at the feet of the Blessed One. Just and perfect is the -Law.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, seated, at his feet, she received the Heart of Wisdom -and accepted the first noble Truth, the Truth of suffering. -And when the Exalted One judged that she could receive no -more that day, he dismissed her, and she bowed at his feet -and said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O, may the Lord in deep compassion do me the honour of -eating at my house to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And all assembled thought this could not be, but the Blessed -One gave by silence his consent, and circling reverently about -him three times she departed glad of heart, and the people -made way for one so honoured.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now the nobles of Vaisali had come out to meet the World-Honoured -and they were on the road, and Amra in the dancing -joy of her heart drove up against them, axle to axle, and they -said angrily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How is it, Amra, that you, being such a one, drive up -against us?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she cried aloud.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble persons, I have bidden the Exalted One for tomorrow’s -meal, and he comes—he comes!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they halted amazed, and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sell us the honour of his company for great weights of gold.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she, glowing with joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble persons, were you to give me Vaisali and all its subject -territories yet would I not give up this honourable meal.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the angry nobles cast up their hands, crying.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are outdone by this mango-girl! We are out-reached -by this mango-girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in anger they proceeded to the garden and went in before -the Lord where he sat surrounded with calm, and they -said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“May the Exalted One do us the honour of taking his meal -together with his disciples at one house to-morrow?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Noble persons, I have promised to eat with the Lady Amra.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again they threw up their hands exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are outdone by this mango-girl. Great shame to us is -this!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord Buddha robed himself early in the morning -and took his begging bowl and his disciples followed, and he -went to the Street of Flowers, and Amra set sweet milk-rice -and cakes before the Lord and his followers and she herself -attended upon them in great humility and they ate the food -they had not thought to eat, and when it was eaten, she sat -lowly by his side and folding her hands, said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Holy One, I present this house to the Order. Accept it, if -it be your will.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One accepted the gift, seeing the heart that -made it, and after inciting and gladdening her with high discourse, -he rose and went his way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in merciful deeds and right living this lady grew, and -the Heart of Wisdom strengthened in her, and in this very -life she became a perfected saint—a great Arhat—and entered -the Nirvana—the Peace. For, as the lotus flowers do not -grow on dry land but spring from black and watery mud, so -even by the strength of her passion and sin and the deeps of -experience she reached the heights. And she it was who made -The Psalm of Old Age, and smiled in its making.</p> - -<div class='dramastart'><!----></div> - -<p class='dramaline-cont'>“Glossy and black as the down of the bee my curls once clustered.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>They, with the waste of years, are liker to hemp or to bark-cloth,</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Such and not otherwise, runneth the rune of the Soothsayer.</p> - -<p class='dramaline-cont'>Lovely the lines of my ears as the delicate work of the goldsmith.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>They, with the waste of years, are seamed with wrinkles and pendent.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Such and not otherwise runneth the rune of the Soothsayer.</p> - -<p class='dramaline-cont'>Full and lovely in rounding rose of old the small breasts of me.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>They, with the waste of the years, droop sunken as skins without water.</p> -<p class='dramaline'>So and not otherwise runneth the rune of the Soothsayer.</p> - -<p class='dramaline-cont'>Such hath this body been. Now age-weary, weak and unsightly,</p> -<p class='dramaline'>Home of manifold ills: old house whence the mortar is dropping</p> -<p class='dramaline'>So and not otherwise runneth the rune of the Soothsayer.”<a id='r4'/><a href='#f4' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[4]</span></sup></a></p> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<p class='footnote'> -<span class='footnote-id' id='f4'><a href='#r4'>[4]</a></span> - -Translated by C. F. Rhys Davids.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<p class='pindent'>And inasmuch as the Sister thus discerned impermanance in -all phenomena, knowing the world we see is but the creation -of our senses, she, making clear her insight, attained, leaving -behind her all fear and grief. For who shall measure the -bounds and deeps and height and length of that wisdom that -is one with Love?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hear also the story of the very wise and glad and gay Lady -Visakha—that pillar of the Order, who abiding in the world as -a great lady of riches yet gave her heart to wisdom and the -Law of the Perfect One, for open is the way to all.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She was daughter to a great man, Balamitra, and was a young -maiden in her father’s house, when a Brahman commissioned -by the Treasurer Migara to choose a wife for his son came -that way, and when he arrived he saw Visakha and other girls -going into the wood in search of amusement, and he watched -them idly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now the other girls were frivolous, running, skipping, whirling -about and singing, but Visakha walked quietly with them, -observing all and saying little. And when they came to the -tank the others carelessly stripped themselves and began to -play in the clear water. But Visakha lifted her clothes by -degrees as she entered and by degrees lowered them as she came -out, careful and modest in her conduct. And, after this, food -was distributed, and the other girls ate hurriedly and greedily -and then gave the remnants to their attendants. But Visakha -gave food first to those who served her, and then ate temperately -herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Brahman, still watching, saw that as the girls returned -there was water across the path and the others took -off their shoes and waded, but Visakha remained shod, and -when they came to a wood she kept her sunshade up though -the others had lowered theirs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there the Brahman came up with her, in much astonishment -and questioned her, and seeing him to be a holy and dignified -person she replied with respectful courtesy. And thus -he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear girl, whose daughter are you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sir, I am the daughter of Balamitra.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear girl, be not angry if I question you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“While those girls were skipping, dancing and twirling, with -other unseemly manners, you walked quietly; why, dear girl?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because, great sir, all girls are their parents’ merchandise. -If in leaping and twirling I were to injure myself, I must be -kept by my parents while I live, for none would woo me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good, dear girl. I understand. Now, in entering the water -your companions stripped themselves but you went clothed -and modest. And why?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O uncle, maidens must be shame-faced. It is not well for -them to be seen unclothed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear girl, there was none to see.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Uncle, you saw.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good, dear girl. And again, the others neglected their attendants, -but you fed yours first. And why?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For this reason, uncle; we have easy days and feastful; -they, hard work always.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good, dear girl. And why in wading through the water did -you keep your shoes on?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because in water one cannot see where one plants one’s -feet. I would not cut mine!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And in the wood, dear girl, you kept your sunshade open. -Why? For then there was shade from the trees?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But also, uncle, the droppings of birds, the malice of -the monkeys letting fall unpleasant fragments, the falling of -leaves and twigs. In the open this seldom happens; in a wood -often.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So full of delight at her good sense, the Brahman went to -her parents, and asked her in marriage for the son of Migara. -And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This girl will make a noble wife and a great lady, for she -is full of thought for others and wise with the very wisdom -of the Law. Give her to the son of Migara.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it was granted and they sent her to her husband in the -city of Savatthi. Now Visakha was one who followed the -Enlightened One with all her wise heart, but it was not so with -Migara, her husband’s father, nor yet with his household. -But she gratified their eyes for they demanded the Five Beauties -in a daughter of the House, and these five she richly possessed -namely, beauty of hair, beauty of flesh, beauty of bone, -beauty of skin, and beauty of youth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And beauty of hair is when the hair resembles a peacock’s -tail, falling to the end of the tunic where it curls upward. -Beauty of flesh, when the lips resemble a bright red gourd. -Beauty of bone, when the teeth gleam between the rosy lips like -cut mother-of-pearl, with even division. Beauty of skin, when -without the application of any cosmetic it is smooth as a lotus-wreath -and white as Kanikara flowers. Beauty of youth is -the endurance of the gaiety and freshness of youth after many -child-births. All these had Visakha, and yet another, for her -voice was sweeter than music, like the silver sounding of a little -gong. And on parting her father presented her with a magnificent -jewel adornment known as the Great Creeper Parure, -and a part of it consisted of a peacock with five hundred feathers -of red gold in each wing, the beak of coral, the eyes of -jewels and likewise the neck and tail-feathers. And on Visakha’s -head it resembled a peacock perched on a height, and it -gave forth music and appeared to be real.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when she was established in her new home she found -that Migara, her father-in-law, was a follower of the naked -ascetics, and they and he cast scorn on the Perfect One, and -this disturbed her much, and the ascetics said to Migara:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O householder, you have introduced into your family an -arrant misfortune breeder, a disciple of the monk Gotama. -Expel her instantly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And that is not easy!” thought Migara, “for she comes of a -great family,—But I will take measures.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he sat down and began to eat sweet rice-milk from a golden -bowl, and Visakha stood before him, dutifully fanning him. -And a holy mendicant entered with his begging bowl for alms, -but Migara made as though he did not see him, and ate on, -keeping his head down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pass on, reverend sir!” said Visakha with courtesy. “My -father is eating stale food—it would not be agreeable to you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when she said this, Migara leaped to his feet and cried:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take away this food and drive the girl from the house. -To think the slut should accuse <span class='it'>Me</span> of eating stale food, and -at a time of festival!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Father!” said Visakha, with composed serenity. “I shall -not easily leave the house. For I am no harlot picked up at -some river bathing place, but a great lady. And my father -foresaw such a case, and when I left commanded eight householders -of this town to investigate any charge brought against -me. Summon them now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Migara agreed joyfully, knowing what they must adjudge -to such insolence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then they came—eight grave and wise men, and the story -was told. And when it was heard:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear girl,” said the eldest householder, “is it as he says?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is not as <span class='it'>I</span> say! For when my father-in-law ignored -the monk I said ‘He is eating stale fare.’ And I meant this—He -is uselessly consuming the merit acquired in a former life -instead of making fresh. Now, what fault was that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“None, dear girl. Our daughter speaks justly. Why are -you angry with her, sir?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sirs, granted that was no fault,—But when she came to us -her mother gave her ten admonitions of a hidden meaning, and -I dislike them. First: ‘The indoor fire is not to be taken out -of doors.’ Now you know it is the friendly custom to send -fire to our neighbours.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it as he says, dear girl?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good sirs, this is the meaning: ‘If you notice any fault -in any of your new family, never tell it outside the house. For -there is no worse fire than this.’ Was this a fault in me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Migara was ashamed and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sirs, I grant this. But she was also instructed thus: -‘Outdoor fire must not be brought indoors.’ It is the custom -to accept fire if ours should go out, and therefore this was an -unseemly instruction.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And seated in a row and consulting, the householders appointed -their eldest to answer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it as he says, dear girl?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, good sirs. The meaning is—‘If any outside the house -speak ill of any within, never repeat it within doors. For there -is no fire like the tongue.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well and good, dear girl. And the rest?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she repeated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I was instructed. ‘Give to him who gives and also to him -who does not give,’ and this means ‘Be liberal to needy relatives -and friends whether they can repay you or no.’ And -again: ‘Sit happily.’ And this means—‘When you see your -father-in-law or his wife or your husband, you must rise and -stand before them.’ ‘Eat happily.’ This means—‘They must -be served by you before you eat yourself.’ ‘Wait upon the -fire.’ This signifies, ‘These three must be looked upon as beautiful -as a flame of fire or a royal serpent.’ ‘Reverence the -household divinities.’ This means that these three are your -divinities indeed. ‘Sleep happily.’ This means ‘You must not -lie down to sleep till you have done all possible services for -them.’ All these rules, good sirs, I have kept. Now am I in -fault?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Migara sat with downcast eyes and the eight said to him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Treasurer, is there any other sin in our daughter for she -is clear of any wrong in all this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. None.” But Visakha then arose in just anger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good sirs,” she said, “It would not have been fitting that -I should be dismissed, yet now I am found guiltless I will go. -It is a good time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she ordered her many carriages and slaves to be made -ready. But Migara implored her to remain with them, half -in fear and half in shame. And when she refused he redoubled -his entreaties, and asked her forgiveness earnestly. And she -replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good sir, what there is to pardon I pardon cheerfully. But -I am daughter to a family which follows the Law of the Exalted -One. If I can be allowed to attend upon the Assembly, -then I will stay. Not otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear girl, wait on your Assembly as you please.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the end of the matter was that Migara went with Visakha -to hear the World-Honoured, doubtful and unwilling, and -it appeared to Migara, as it did always to all, that the eyes of -the Buddha were fixed steadfastly on him and his proclamation -of the Law addressed to him, and to him only. And Migara -heard and the words reached his innermost being and he became -established in the truth and acquired an immovable faith -in the Three Refuges—the Law, the Lord, and the Assembly. -And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Truly it was for my advantage, truly it was for my good -that my daughter-in-law came to my house,” and when he returned, -he touched her breast with his hand, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Henceforth you are as my mother,” thus giving her the position -of honour. And he caused to be made for her an ornament -known as the Highly Polished Parure, and gave it to her under -the eyes of the Buddha.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And she continued to give alms and to do many deeds of -merit, and as the crescent moon rounds in the sky she became -great in sons and daughters, ten of each. She lived to be an -hundred and twenty years old, and not one grey hair was seen -upon her head, insomuch that when she walked to the monastery -with her children and their children, people asked:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Which is the great Visakha?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they said: “That great lady who walks so lightly,” -and the others replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“May she walk further! Our lady looks well when she -walks.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And those who saw her stand, sit, or lie, would say:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hope she may do each a little longer. Our lady looks -well in all she does.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So that it could not be charged against her that there was -any posture in which she did not look well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And great and magnificent were her charities to all who -needed. And even the great Creeper Parure she gave for -the needy, and redeemed it with a King’s ransom, and she -attended upon the sick, healing them with wise medicaments, -and she built a monastery and it is easy to rehearse what she -did not do that was good, but impossible to rehearse all her -innumerable nobilities of deed and thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it was of her the One who is Awakened said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just, monks, as a skilful garland-maker if he obtain a -heap of flowers will go on making beautiful garlands without -end, even so does the mind of Visakha incline to do all manner -of noble deeds weaving them into loveliness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this is the history of that great, generous and happy lady, -the daughter of the Law.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XVI</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this time the Queen Prajapati, she who had -nourished the Blessed One with noble milk when his -mother Maya was received into Paradise, sent to our Lord, with -a message from herself and from the Princess Yashodara and -other ladies of the royal family, and it was this.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Full of hindrances is the household life, very free the life -of the homeless for such as would walk in the way. Let the -Blessed One, the Happy One, permit that women also retire -to the peace of the homeless life under the discipline taught by -the Exalted Lord.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he was silent, and a second time they made their petition, -for they thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Much need have women of the Peace, and is the way closed -to them only?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Queen Prajapati came herself and besought him -with tears, and he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Enough, Lady. Do not make this request,” and weeping -and saluting him with reverence she left him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So wandering from place to place and teaching by the way, -the Blessed One came to Vaisali and stayed awhile in the -Pagoda Hall, and when she knew where she could find him the -Queen Prajapati with shorn hair and yellow robes, followed -by a number of the Sakya women journeyed along the dusty -ways to Vaisali and stood in the porch of the Pagoda Hall -weeping and very sorrowful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now it so chanced that the disciple Ananda, cousin of the -Exalted One and much loved by him (and he was chosen -to wait always about his person), saw those weeping women -stand in the porch, dusty and foreworn with the long journey -and their tender feet swollen and cut with unwonted -travel, and he pitied them and inquired into the cause of -their grief.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having heard all he approached the Blessed One with -reverence where he sat full of peace looking out into the green -shade of the nyagrodha trees, and after salutation Ananda the -beloved sat down beside him waiting until the Lord turned his -eyes serenely upon him. And then said Ananda:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Reverend Sir, here in the entrance stands Prajapati the -Queen with swollen feet, sorrowful and weeping, and her word -is that the Blessed One will not permit women to retire to the -homeless life. Exalted One, I beseech you for these. Let -their petition be heard.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Blessed One replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Enough, Ananda. Do not ask this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again and yet again the beloved Ananda besought and -still the Lord refused. And then the thought occurred to -Ananda that he might ask in another manner with more success, -for he pitied the women for this great denial of their -hope. And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, if women retire to the homeless life is it possible for -them to attain to the goal of returning only once more to -rebirth? Is it possible that escaping from sorrow they should -attain to saintship?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One in whom is all truth, answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is possible.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the face of Ananda gladdened even like his name which -signifies Joy, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I beseech the Perfected One to consider how great -a benefactress to the Order has been the Queen. She is sister -to the mother of the Blessed One and at her breast was he -nourished. I beseech and yet again beseech that they be admitted, -for if it be possible that they thus make an end of -sorrow shall not this be permitted?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then said the Blessed One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hard is it to refuse and I cannot. If therefore these -women will accept eight weighty regulations in addition to -those accepted by the Order—eight weighty regulations making -them subject to the Order, it shall be reckoned to them for -ordination.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he had received the eight weighty regulations -hard to be borne, for they set the oldest and most venerable of -nuns below the youngest and least of the Order, Ananda went -out to the Queen and told her all as she stood patiently with -the wearied women. And when they heard the regulations -sorrow passed from them as when the moon escaping -from a cloud floats in pure radiance in pure air, and the -Queen answered for Yashodara and for all those tender -ones:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Reverend Ananda, as a woman young, beautiful, and loving -to beautify herself, having obtained a wreath of blue lotus-flowers, -or of perfumed jasmin, takes it and wreathes her head -with joy, so do we. O venerable Ananda, we take up those -eight weighty regulations, not to be transgressed while life -lasts.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And that was their ordination, as the Exalted One had said, -and Ananda returned to the Lord and told him of their joy. -And he meditated and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If, Ananda, women had not retired to the homeless life, -under my discipline then would religion have endured long -in this country, even a thousand years. But now, not very long -will the discipline and religion endure. And just as a man -prudently builds a dike in order that water confined may not -transgress its bounds, have I laid down the eight weighty regulations. -Yet shall it not endure, since women have accepted the -rules.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And true it is that in India the faith has not endured, but -over the rest of Asia has it spread, strong and mighty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the women were glad at heart, for the homeless life drew -them with the very passion of peace and many became great -saints, some dwelling in forests and in caves, and great to them -was the joy of peace in the solitudes far from crowds, and they -were filled with the life of trees and great forests and the -strength of the up-running sap and the speechless communion -and growth of trees and plants. And in many joy broke forth -in words and they made the Psalms of the Sisters, even as -their brothers the monks also sang for joy and could no more -be silent than birds at dawn, and the world they had known -called to ears that heard no longer. And thus it called:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Young art thou, sister, and faultless—what seekest <span class='it'>thou</span> in the holy life?</p> -<p class='line0'>Cast off that yellow-hued raiment and come!”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And each replied in her own manner.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“I what was well to do have done, and what</p> -<p class='line0'>Is to my heart delectable. Therein</p> -<p class='line0'>Is my delight, and thus through happiness</p> -<p class='line0'>Has happiness been sought after and won.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>Young and old they rejoiced, and the solitudes were kind to -them, admitting them to fellowship. And one aged sister spoke -this:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Though I be suffering and weak and all</p> -<p class='line0'>My spring of youth be gone, yet have I come</p> -<p class='line0'>Leaning upon my staff and climbed aloft</p> -<p class='line0'>On mountain peak. My cloak have I thrown off</p> -<p class='line0'>My little bowl o’er-turned; so sit I here</p> -<p class='line0'>Upon the rock. And o’er my spirit sweeps</p> -<p class='line0'>The breath of Liberty. I win, I win</p> -<p class='line0'>The Triple Lore! The Buddha’s will be done.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>For now, they who had been the prisoners of man and of -opinion learnt the beauty of the solitudes, and knew the silence -that is in the starry sky, the sleep that is among the lonely hills, -and it became theirs, and they attained to the coolness, purity -and luminance of the Peace, bathing in it as in moonlit water. -For they had passed through the Three Grades of Training, -the Higher habit of Conduct, the Higher Consciousness, and the -Higher Wisdom, and thus, knowing the world, not as it appears -to be but as it is, knowing “This is Ill; this is the cause of Ill; -this is the way leading to the cessation of Ill,” they were glad, -and right ecstasy was theirs and joys that cannot be told, and -they were free.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And another said this:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Nirvana have I realized and gazed</p> -<p class='line0'>Into the mirror of the holy Norm.</p> -<p class='line0'>I, even I, am healed of all my hurt.</p> -<p class='line0'>Down is my burden laid, my task is done,</p> -<p class='line0'>My heart is wholly set at liberty.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='noindent'>And again:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“One day bathing my feet, I sit and watch</p> -<p class='line0'>The water as it trickles down the slope.</p> -<p class='line0'>Thereby I set my heart in steadfastness,</p> -<p class='line0'>As one shall train a horse of noble breed.</p> -<p class='line0'>Then, going to my cell, I take my lamp,</p> -<p class='line0'>And seated on my couch I watch the flame.</p> -<p class='line0'>Taking the pin I pull the wick right down</p> -<p class='line0'>Into the oil. Extinguished is the fire.</p> -<p class='line0'>Lo, the Nirvana of the little lamp.</p> -<p class='line0'>Emancipation dawns. My heart is free.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>For as the flame is quenched so are all lusts, desires and -cravings extinguished in the clear waters of Nirvana. There -is no fire so burning as the greed of passion, no luckless cast of -the dice so cruel as hate, no ill so miserable as that of the ego -that would claim all. Nor is there any bliss to be compared -with the Nirvana.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the monks, also musing, made psalms that cannot die, -for upon them also was the bliss.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“When in the lowering sky thunders the storm-cloud’s drum,</p> -<p class='line0'>And all the pathways of the birds are thick with rain,</p> -<p class='line0'>The brother sits within the hollow of the hills</p> -<p class='line0'>Alone, rapt in thought’s ecstasy. No higher bliss</p> -<p class='line0'>    Is given to men than this.</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>Or where by rivers flowers crowd the bank,</p> -<p class='line0'>And fragrant rushes scent the tranquil air</p> -<p class='line0'>With heart serene the brother sits to see,</p> -<p class='line0'>Alone, rapt in an ecstasy. No higher bliss</p> -<p class='line0'>    Is given to men than this.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='noindent'>And another:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Whene’er I see the crane, her clear pale wings</p> -<p class='line0'>Outstretched in fear to flee the black storm cloud,</p> -<p class='line0'>A shelter seeking, to safe shelter borne,</p> -<p class='line0'>Then does the river Ajakarani</p> -<p class='line0'>    Give joy to me.</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>Who shall not love to see on either bank</p> -<p class='line0'>Clustered rose-apple trees in bright array</p> -<p class='line0'>Beyond the great cave of the hermitage?</p> -<p class='line0'>Or hear the soft croak of the frogs, their foes,</p> -<p class='line0'>The legions of the air, withdrawn, proclaim</p> -<p class='line0'>Now from the mountain streams is’t time to-day</p> -<p class='line0'>To flit. Safe is the Ajakarani.</p> -<p class='line0'>She brings us luck! Here it is good to be.”<a id='r5'/><a href='#f5' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[5]</span></sup></a></p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<p class='footnote'> -<span class='footnote-id' id='f5'><a href='#r5'>[5]</a></span> - -These Psalms are all translated by C. F. Rhys Davids.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus very great joy had come to be by the Blessed One’s -sufferings, and for each pang he had paid came a golden harvest -of the peace of others.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To Him who had thus Attained came men and women from -far and near with doubts and questions, and seated with dignity -(for his noble Aryan birth was upon him as well as the -Peace) he received them all, answering and resolving their -doubts, nor was it difficult for him to do this for his eyes were -as the sun in his strength to divide light from darkness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet let it be well understood that of certain things he would -not speak, counting them beyond human knowledge and knowing -well that in no human speech are there words to bear the -burden of the Ineffable. Therefore when men asked him of -the Beginning, how division from the Eternal into the false ego-self -came into the world and from what well of bitterness evil -thought and evil doing flowed to become tears and blood in -their flowing, he would not answer, for none but a Buddha can -comprehend the deepest, and he only in ways beyond transmission -to others. And he would say:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The arrow sticks in the wound, will you wait before the -healer draws it out to enquire of what wood is it made and -whether the bowstring is of hair or vegetable fibre? Life -is ebbing while you theorize credulously about present and -future, self or identity. Of the origins I do not teach.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when again they besought him to say whether life or -nothingness lay beyond death, only his own nearest disciples -could read the fathomless depths of his calm, looking -rather to this than to his speech. For he said, being alone -with them to whom it was given to know:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In this world of forms and illusions created by our senses, -according to our illusion a man either is or is not, either lives -or dies, but in the true and formless world this is not so for -all is otherwise than according to our knowledge and it is easier -to answer in negatives than in affirmatives. And if you -ask Does a man live beyond death, I answer No, not in any -sense comprehensible to the mind of man which itself dies at -death. And if you ask does a man altogether die at death, I -answer No, for what dies is what belongs to this world of form -and illusion, that is the false I, but beyond this is another world -incomprehensible as yet to such as are not instructed and beyond -all human categories, so that if I would I cannot tell you -of it, but I would not, for the things are disturbing and do not -aid the traveller on the only path which can bring him to -their threshold. Therefore of that and of the origins I do not -teach.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But this ego which the unenlightened believes to be himself, -very certainly falls apart and dissolves at death, nor is there -any place of continuance for it, and it is wholly extinct.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it so happened that one day a wandering monk, by -name Vacchagotta, came to the Exalted One, and saluting him -with friendly greetings he sat down beside him, and he asked:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How does the matter stand, venerated Gotama? In a man -is there the Ego?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Exalted One was silent, and Vacchagotta asked -again and yet again and still there was silence, and after awhile -he rose and went away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the beloved Ananda came to Him who has thus Attained, -and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, sir, did you not answer the wandering monk Vacchagotta?” -And, smiling, he looked in the face of the beloved -Ananda.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If, Ananda, when he asked me, I had answered ‘The ego -is,’ then that reply would have confirmed the teaching of those -who believe in the permanence of that false ego which is a -bundle of tendencies and consciousness and proudly calls itself -I and the Soul; and if I had said the ego is not, this would have -confirmed the teaching of those who say there is annihilation -and nothing beyond death. For neither of these schools, nor -yet Vacchagotta, know the distinction between the ego of -which he asked me and the true Ego, for this last is eternal and -beyond comprehension, and the false ego passes and is gone like -a dream in the awakening of dawn. Therefore since Vacchagotta -has not attained to the threshold of that knowledge, being -prisoned in the world of appearances, what could I do but keep -silence?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the beloved Ananda laid his hand upon his mouth and -retired, for with all his heart of love he had not yet attained -to the full insight of the unreality of appearances, but where -he could not understand he loved. And love is also the Way, -as witness the monk Purna who was about to carry the light -into a land of violent and perilous people. So the Perfected -One sent for him, and asked:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And if, monk, these people abuse and injure you, what will -be your thought?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That these people are good in that they only abuse me -and do not beat me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But if they beat you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I shall think they are good in that they only beat me -and do not stab me with swords.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But if with swords?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I shall think: They are good. They leave me my -life.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But if they take your life?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then,—They are good to me in that they have lifted a burden -from me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And looking upon his face the World-Honoured said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well have you spoken, Purna. Go and deliver, you who -have delivered yourself. Comfort, for you are comforted. -Guide to the Peace, for you have entered it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Purna went in joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was a monk named Yamaka who, considering the -teaching, believed that on the dissolution of the body the man -who has lost all depravity is annihilated and exists no more. -And his fellow monks having in vain urged him to abandon so -wicked a heresy called upon Sariputta the Great to teach him -better, and by his silence he consented.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So when the evening was come, Sariputta the Great rose from -deep meditation and drawing near to Yamaka he greeted him -with courtesy as one monk should another and sitting down respectfully -beside him he questioned him thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is the report true, brother Yamaka, that the wicked heresy -of annihilation has sprung up in your mind?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even so, brother, do I understand the teaching of the -Blessed One.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Sariputta the Great mused a moment and resumed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What think you, brother Yamaka;—is his bodily form the -saint?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No indeed, brother.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are sensation, perception, predispositions, the saint?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Certainly not, brother.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then can you consider the saint as apart and distinct from -form, sensation, perception and predispositions?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Brother, I cannot.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And if separately they are not, are they when united the -saint?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Brother, no.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then what think you, brother Yamaka? If you cannot -prove the very existence of the saint in this world of forms -and appearances, is it reasonable for you to say that at death -the saint is annihilated and does not exist.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And holding down his head for shame Yamaka answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Brother Sariputta, it was through ignorance I held that -wicked heresy, but now I have acquired the True Doctrine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For Sariputta the Great taught as did his Master that the -true being is detached from each of these delusive selves of -consciousness, sensation, perception, and predispositions, and -the saint who has attained has detached himself even in this -life from belief that these are himself—his ego. How then -should it be that the essential perishes when these dissolve -with the dying brain in death? Yet has this wicked heresy -been spread, though clear as day must it be made to those who -tread the way that it is a lie and no truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For thus have I heard. After the death of the Perfected -One, the King of Kosala, journeying from Savatthi, met with -the learned nun Khema, renowned for wisdom, and the King, -respectfully saluting her, asked her of the Teaching.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Venerable Lady, the Perfect One is dead. Does he exist -after death?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great King, the Exalted One has not declared that he exists -after death.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then, venerable Lady, does the Perfect One not exist.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Perfect One has not declared that he does not exist -after death.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, venerable Lady,—does and does not? How is this -possible?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, smiling a little, the learned nun replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great King, have you an accountant or a mint-master who -could count the sands of Ganges and lay the figure before you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Venerable Lady, no.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Or who could measure the drops in the ocean?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Again no, venerable Lady.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And why? Because the ocean is deep, immeasurable, unfathomable. -So also is it if the existence of the Perfect One be -measured by any human category, for all statements of bodily -form are abolished in the Perfect One; their root is severed; -they are done with and can germinate no more. The Perfect -One is released from the possibility that his being can be gauged -in any human terms. He is now deep, immeasurable and unfathomable -as the ocean, and neither the terms of existence or -of non-existence as understood by the world fit him any more.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then there was a long silence and the King having heard -the nun Khema’s words with approbation, rose and bowed -reverently before her and went his way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor can the tongue tell of -such matters for they are beyond and above us. And it is -for this reason that the Blessed One replied thus to the venerable -Malukya, when he reproached the Perfect One as -follows:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is the world eternal or the slave of time? Does the World-Honoured -live on beyond death? It pleases me not at all that -all these important matters should remain unanswered. May -it please the Master to answer them if he can. And if he -does not know let him say so plainly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Master replied with his smile:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Did I say to you, Malukya,—‘Come and be my disciple, -and I will teach you whether the world is everlasting or finite, -whether the vital faculty is separate from the body or one -with it, whether the Exalted One lives or does not live after -death?’ Did I promise all this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, sir, you did not.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And, Malukya, if a man is struck by a poisoned arrow, -suppose he says—‘I will never allow my wound to be treated -until I know who shot the arrow—was it a man of high or -low caste. And I must know whether he is tall or short, and -how his bow and arrows are made!’—Would this be a sensible -proceeding? Surely no. He would die of his wounds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why have I not made these things clear? Because the -knowledge of them does not conduce to holiness nor right detachment, -nor to peace and enlightenment.—What is needed -for these I teach, the truth of suffering and its origin, the -truth of the Way to its cessation. Therefore let what I have -not revealed rest, and follow that which I have revealed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Malukya was content, knowing at last that in this life -these questions are deep, mysterious and unanswerable, and the -sole way to their understanding is to live the life, untroubled -by controversy and dogma on such things as cannot be uttered -in terms of human knowledge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For there is a Knowledge veiled in excess of light which -dazzles the eyes to blindness. Let words be few. Let good -deeds be many. He understands it for whom it passes thought. -Who thinks of it can never know it. And if it could be told -in words it would not be the Truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there is yet another example of this. For once in early -days the Blessed One sat high among his own upon the Peak -of Vultures, and there came before his quiet feet a Shining -One and laid there a golden flower, praying that he would -speak and in sweet speech instruct them of the innermost of -the Peace. The Blessed One received the golden flower within -his hand and sat in utter calm but spoke no word and all the -Assembly mused what this might mean, and, musing, could -not know. But at long last, Kassapa the Great smiled, also -in silence, and the Blessed One said softly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hold within my heart the Treasure of the Law, the wondrous -knowledge that is the Peace. This have I given to -Kassapa wordless, and wordless he has seen and known.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So passes the vision from heart to heart. But words cannot -tell it to the brain.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XVII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A Brahman, high and haughty, having great possessions -and full of this world’s power, raised his voice -railing against the teaching of the Holy One, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But this is against the teaching of the Vedanta! Who shall -hear Gotama the Sakya when he teaches thus?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he came proudly from Rajagriha far off, and stood beside -to hear, that he might scoff at his ease, but the nobleness -of the teacher drew him as with the kindred understanding of -high birth, and the marvellous deeps of the Law caught him -by the pride of his intellect for he thought it was too high for -the foolish, and the wisdom beyond all words that falls like dew -on the thirsty soul subdued him into an amazing quiet, and -when it was done he went alone into the wood and sat himself -in the shade by a clear running stream and considered these -things in his heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he could not stay away for cords drew him and bonds -were forged between him and That Other and they were -smithied in iron unbreakable. So after awhile he rose, and -hanging his head went back to the Jetavana monastery and demanded -to see the World-Honoured, and when he came, this -Brahman Vasettha made due salutation and seated himself respectfully -beside him, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It has been told to me, Gotama, that the monk Gotama -knows the way to the state of union with the Ultimate.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Perfect One replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is to be known I know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So has it been told to me, Gotama. It is well. Let the -venerable Gotama be pleased to show me the way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then said the Happy One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Know, Vasettha, that from time to time is born into the -world a fully Enlightened One happy with knowledge of the -Truth, a Blessed Buddha, and he sees as it were face to face -this Universe, freed from his senses in that they no longer can -shape illusions to blind and deceive him, for with ordinary men -their thought creates shapes about them, a false world in which -they believe and are blinded. But it is not so with the Buddhas -for they see things as they are. Then do they proclaim this -truth of the Universe as it is, lovely in origin, lovely in progress, -lovely in consummation, and this is to be known by the -higher life, which is the Way to Wisdom in all its purity and -perfectness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Brahman Vasettha as in a dream, fixed, unconscious -of all else, said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Speak, Lord,—I hear.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There are two levels of the Way. One for the monk, one -for the householder, and of the monk I speak first.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He takes nothing that is not his own. He is content with -what is given, and honesty and a pure heart are his.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“His life is pure, having put aside the habit and thought of -sexual intercourse. This is for the householder only, but in -all purity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“From truth in speech he cannot swerve, faithful and trustworthy, -he hurts no man by deceit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Slander is not for him, and calumny dies upon his tongue. -He is a binder together of those who are divided, a peacemaker, -a peace-lover, impassioned for peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“From him come no harsh words. Whatever word is humane -and lovely, pleasing and comforting, that he speaks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Foolish talk and idle words are not his. In season he speaks -what redounds to profit and wisdom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He will not injure any creature. He eats but once a day. -Gay and trivial shows are not for him. He does not adorn -himself richly, for this is folly for a grown man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For riches, be it in silver and gold and jewels, or flocks and -herds he has no desire, and putting field to field does not tempt -him who knows the world as it Is. And as for any deed of -fraud or violence the possibility of it is not in him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nor will he teach magical spells nor gain a living or influence -by any such arts or lying practices. And among the disturbed -and careful, he moves serene and pure, as the moon, -freed from clouds, pursues her way in midnight skies, shedding -her light abroad to guide the wayfarer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Vasettha, musing, said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is no low teaching. This is the way of a great nobleman, -and such are his manners.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is true. And there is more. Having attained right conduct -within and without, he sets his mind free like a bird uncaged -from the self, to pervade the four quarters of the world -with love and sympathy, and as a mighty trumpeter makes -himself heard with ease in all the four directions, so there is -no living thing he passes by, but surrounds them with love, -grown great and beyond measure.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And when Love is attained, the way to be one with the Supreme -is known and is not far from him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was a silence, and the Brahman Vasettha said -slowly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Venerable Gotama, I have been a liberal giver: justly I -sought riches, bountifully I bestowed them. Was this well?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well. Yet have I shown you a more excellent way, for -love is the path of wisdom to true understanding and union -with all that is.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Brahman said with passion:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Instruct me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the Perfect One opened to him the Way and, seated beside -him, the Brahman Vasettha learned the Four Noble -Truths of suffering, the truth, the cause, the cessation, and the -way that leads to its extinction. And immediately there arose -within him forgetfulness of all his riches and wisdom came -upon him—the Light-bearer, so that he knew illusions for what -they are and saw the Universe about him wholly fair, being -united with it as a bridegroom with a bride. And seeing being -substituted for blindness, he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Most excellent, Lord, are the words of your mouth, most -excellent! Just as if a man were to bring a lamp into the -darkness so that all is seen clear, so is the truth made known -by the Blessed One. And I, even I, betake myself to the -Blessed One as my refuge, and to the Truth and the Brotherhood. -May I be accepted!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, monk! Well taught is the Doctrine. You have -broken every fetter. You have made an end of pain.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Vasettha was made one of the Brotherhood and glad at -heart he exalted the word of the Blessed One.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so it was that even the Shining Ones desired instruction -of the Perfect One.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When He who has thus Attained dwelt in the monastery of -Jetavana, once there came to him a Shining One in the dead of -night, and the place was lit up by the clear luminance that -streamed from his body. And this Shining One placed himself -neither too far nor too near, but where he should rightly -be, and bowing low thus he addressed the Buddha:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Most Excellent, during the twelve years of teaching many -Shining Ones desiring to reach the holiness of the Peace have -striven to discover what things are blessed, and still are ignorant. -Instruct us therefore in those matters which are most -blessed. Pronounce the Beatitudes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Perfected One replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to shun the company of the foolish, to -pay homage to the learned, to worship what is worship-worthy, -these are blessed things. Son of Light, mark them -well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to dwell among good men: to hold within the -consciousness of good deeds done in a former state of existence, -to guard well the actions;—Son of Light, these are blessed -things. Mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to hear and see much in order to acquire -knowledge, to study all science that does not lead to sin, to use -right language, to study right manners, these are blessed things. -Son of Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to treat parents with tenderness and love, to -guard wife and children, to do no evil when tempted, these are -blessed things. Son of Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to make offerings and give nobly, to follow -the precepts of law and virtue, to assist relations and friends: -these are blessed things, Son of Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to avoid sin steadfastly, to abstain from strong -drink, to lay up great treasure of good deeds: these are blessed -things. Son of Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to reverence those who are worthy of veneration, -to walk in humility, to dwell in content and gratitude, to -hear the teaching of the Law; these are blessed things. Son of -Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to be patient and endure suffering, to rejoice -in good words, to visit saintly persons when possible, to talk -on high matters; these are blessed things. Son of Light, mark -them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to practise holy austerities, to walk steadfast -in the Truth with eyes fixed on the attainment of the Peace: -these are blessed things. Son of Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Son of Light, to be unmoved, to be of serene mind, exempt -from passion, composed and fearless amid all earthly dangers: -these are blessed things. Son of Light, mark them well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O Son of Light, whoever possesses these blessings shall -never be overcome; shall in all things find joy. Son of Light, -mark them well, thus attaining the peace of the Arhats, the -Perfected Saints.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus replied the World-Honoured and the Shining One -heard and went away content. And it is told that it was the -beloved Ananda who handed down this discourse to the ages, -having received it from the Blessed One, and mark it well, for -in a little compass it contains all.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Praise be to the Possessor of the Six Glories, the Holy, the -All-Wise!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now of the bodily presence of the Blessed One will I say -this.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When age came upon him it came with beauty, so that all -hearts fell at his feet and embraced them because he was as -one to whom all evil things must fly for refuge that being -delivered from the self they might be made one with him and -the Truth. And none could see him without this desire. Nor -in his presence was virtue remembered for he was virtue’s self -made manifest in love, and in the ocean of love were all submerged -who saw him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His face was worn and calm as in an image of royal ivory, -his nose prominent and delicate, bespeaking his Aryan birth, -his eyes of a blue darkness, and he carried himself as one of -the princes. But all this might be said of another, and there -was none like him—none! For Wisdom walked on his left -hand and Love on his right, and light as of the sun surrounded -him. Wise and piercing were his words, delighting even those -who would have scoffed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And once the Holy One approached with his begging bowl -the ploughed fields of a rich man and stood apart, waiting, and -the man saw this saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Having ploughed and sown I eat. You also should plough -and sow, for the idle shall not eat.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I also, Brahman, plough and sow.” Thus said the Perfected -One.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yet we do not see the plough of the Venerable Gotama!” -so said the other, mocking. And the World-Honoured answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Faith is the seed, understanding the yoke and plough, tenderness -the deliverance. So is my ploughing done. And the -fruit is immortality, and having thus ploughed a man is freed -of all ill.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Brahman poured rice-milk into a bowl and offered -it, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let the Blessed One eat of the rice-milk for he also is a -ploughman who makes to grow the fruit of immortality.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this man also entered the Way and became glad at heart, -having heard the Truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Holy One talked with men and women of all ranks -and affairs, so that the mind of none was hidden from him, and, -even as they felt, he knew, and their hopes and fears were not -far from him. Fathomless were the wisdom and compassion -of Him who has thus Attained.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So also with women, from the queens to the weaver-maidens -they feared not to implore his mercy. Very patiently and according -to the measure of their weakness he instructed them, -and they grew like bamboos in a night shooting up to the -light with glory of leaf and stem. And surely in these tender -ones the Lord beheld the likeness of his mother, of whom -it was said, “Joyful and reverenced of all, even as the young -moon, strong and calm of purpose as the earth, pure of heart -as the lotus, was Maya the Great Lady.” And of these women -many became nuns and teachers, and not a few attained unto -the Perfect Enlightenment passing even in this life into that -Nirvana wherein are no more birth and death. And even the -light women sought him in hope and he drove them not away, -and wisdom rose within them like a wind of fire and burnt -away all dross and alloy and they too entered the Way and -wielded the powers, perceiving the Love in which all loves are -one.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet let it not be thought that because of this compassion -the Lord at any moment relaxed the watchfulness of those -who followed him, knowing well that of all snares women -may be the very worst. Stern were the rules he made for -the men who live on the austere heights of contemplation, -strait the fences about the way. For the householders, purity -in marriage, kindness reverence to mother, sister, wife, daughter, -in their daily duties. For all, watchfulness and discipline -lest the foot slip in the mire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And one day, when they rested in the shade on a journeying, -Ananda the well-beloved, cousin of the Lord, asked an instruction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, how should we who are monks, conduct ourselves -with regard to women-kind, for this is a hard matter.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Excelling One said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“See them not, Ananda.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even so, Lord. But if we should see them, what then?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Abstain from speech, Ananda.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even so, Lord. But if they should speak to us, what -then?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Keep wide awake, Ananda.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And O that it were possible to set down the laughter of -the Lord among his own, and the sweet converse when he related -to them the stories of his former births, and whether -parables or truths, how is it possible for the not wholly enlightened, -who know not their own chains of births, to say? -But wise were these stories and sweet and full of teaching for -the little ones of the Law and babes might run to hear and -laugh, and yet again the wisest pause and ponder the noble -truths hidden in them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hear now a Birth Story of the Lord. For this is called -the Holy Quail, and the Blessed One told it as he and his went -through a jungle. For there a very great jungle fire arose -and roared toward them very terribly, and some would have -made counter-fire and burned the ground before it, but others -cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monks, what is it you would do? Surely it is madness, -for we journey with the Master who can do All. And yet, -making a counter-fire you would forget the power of the Buddhas! -Come, let us go to the Master.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they went, and the flame came roaring on to the place -where they stood, and when it came within fifteen rods of the -Blessed One it was extinguished like a torch plunged in water, -and they magnified him. But he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Monks, this was not due to my power but to the faith of -a Quail. Hear this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even so, Lord.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the beloved Ananda folded a robe and spread it as a -seat and he sat and told this tale:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In this very spot long, long ago, was a young Quail, and he -lay in the nest and his parents fed him, for he could neither -fly nor walk. And with a mighty roar there came a jungle -fire and all the birds fled shrieking away and even his parents -deserted him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So the young Quail lay there alone, and he thought this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Could I fly, could I walk, I might be saved, but I cannot. -No help have I from others and in myself is none. What -then shall I do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he reflected thus.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In this world is Truth if it can be found. There are also -the Buddhas who have seen the Truth and have shown it -abroad, and in the Buddhas is love for all that lives. In me -also is the Truth (though but a poor little Quail) and faith -that has power. Therefore it behoves me, relying on these -things to make an Act of Faith and thus to drive back the fire -and find safety for myself and the other birds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So the Quail called to mind the Powers of the Buddhas, the -Truth-Seers, and making a solemn asseveration of faith existing -in himself he said this:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Wings have I that cannot fly,</p> -<p class='line0'>Feet I have that cannot walk.</p> -<p class='line0'>My parents have forsaken me,</p> -<p class='line0'>O all-devouring fire, go back!”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>“And before this Act of Faith the fire dropped and died, retreating. -And the Quail lived his life in the forest and passed -away according to his deeds, and because of his strength of -faith fire dies for ever when it touches this spot.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So said the Excellent One, and when he had finished this -discourse he made the connection and summed up, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My parents at that time were my present parents, and the -Quail was I myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they marvelled and were instructed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And one day two monks approached him, having travelled -far, and according to his manner he said in welcoming them:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it well with you, monks? Are you able to live? Have -you passed the rains in peace and unity, and have you experienced -any lack of support?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is not well with us, Blessed One, for there is great anger -between us, and we devour our hearts with bitterness and know -no peace.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they laid their case before him in mutual hatred, and -he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He abused me! He beat me! In those who harbour such -thoughts how can hatred die? By oneself evil is done. By -oneself one suffers. The swans go on the path of sun, they -go through the air by means of their miraculous power. In a -man’s power is his salvation from evil. There is no fire like -passion: there is no losing throw like hatred. Let a man leave -anger, let him forsake pride. Let him overcome anger by love -and conquer the liar by truth. For hatred ceases not at any -time by hatred, but only by love. This is an old rule.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An old rule. Yet when the Lord spoke it from his heart of -bliss it became a new commandment and wisdom. So these -two saluted one another in love before the face of the Perfect -One, and, hand clasped in hand, they left him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again when a young monk was led away by the transient -smile of a woman to his undoing, the Perfected One said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Rise above the five senses which see things as they are not, -and open the sight which see things as they are. Even the -Divine Beings may well envy him whose desires like horses well -broken are utterly subdued. Him whom no false desires can -lead captive any more, by what temptation can he be felled—he -the Awakened, the all-seeing, the desireless? And make -thought pure, for all that we are is the result of what we have -thought. It is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our -thoughts. If a man speaks or acts from an evil thought pain -follows him as the wheel follows the ox that draws the carriage. -Earnest among the thoughtless, awake among the -drowsy, the wise man presses steadily onward to joy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they said, “Even so, Lord,” and seeing their faces glad -about him, he added:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As on a heap of refuse cast forth by the highway a lily may -grow filling the air with sweetness, thus the disciples of the -true Buddha shine forth among the people who walk in darkness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And on another day when they talked of the lures of desire, -the Lord said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As long as the evil deed does not bear fruit the fool thinks -it sweet as honey, but later comes the bitterness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And when the evil deed is thrown upward in recklessness, -like a stone it falls back on the fool and breaks his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For those who will not learn, who cannot as yet understand, -hard to follow is the path of the wise man, like that of birds -flying home through trackless depths of air. But what is difficult -may with taking thought be done. The arrow-maker -trues his arrow, the carpenter shapes his log, the wise man -shapes himself, for no other hand can do it. Tranquil are his -thoughts, serene his meditation when he has obtained freedom -by knowledge. But the beginning is this—Let no man think -lightly of the beginning of evil, saying—‘It is only a little -thing,’ for by the falling of water drops one by one, a pit is -filled, and so is it with a little evil,—and with good it is the -same. Little by little do good thoughts and deeds grow into -the Peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“By a man’s self is evil done, by himself he suffers, by himself -comes good, by himself purification, and by none other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is the sole victory that brings gladness, for in the world -of forms victory breeds hatred for the conquered is unhappy. -He who has given up both victory and defeat, he is the taster -of bliss.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>I write and men read, but who can declare the wisdom of the -Lord? For as mists ascend at dawn so illusion was dispersed -before his radiance and the veil was lifted and men beheld -about them the true Universe of the Powers and the Truth,—the -One, the Alone, in which we live and move and have our -being.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XVIII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span><span class='sc'>hus</span> have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet another thing, and heed it well for it was a day -precious as clean gold.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the Lord went with his disciples, they came to the river -by the fields of Dhaniya the herdsman, a rich man who trusted -in his goods, but kindly and simple, such as the Blessed One -loved. And here he stayed his feet, smiling a little as at a -thought of his own; and his disciples stood about him, and he -said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here we see great riches of beasts and pasture; surely the -man owning these good things is well content!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Dhaniya seeing the Holy One, drew near in his peasant’s -pride and addressed him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have boiled my rice, I have milked my cows,” so said the -herdsman Dhaniya. “I dwell near the banks of the Mahi, my -house is roofed, my fire kindled. Therefore, if thou wilt, rain, -O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For believing his riches a strong shield he feared nothing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am free from anger, free from stubbornness,” said the -Blessed One, “For one night I abide by the Mahi river. My -house is unroofed, the fire of passion is extinguished. Therefore, -if thou wilt, rain, O sky!” And he smiled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gadflies are not found with me,” said the herdsman -Dhaniya. “In meadows rich with grass my cows are roaming, -and well can they endure rain when it falls. Therefore if thou -wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have made a raft, I have passed over to the shore of the -Peace,” so said the Blessed One. “Therefore if thou wilt, rain, -O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My wife is obedient!” boasted the herdsman Dhaniya. -“Winning she is, and I hear no ill of her. Therefore, if thou -wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My mind is obedient, delivered from all worldly matters,” -so said the Blessed One. “And in me there is no ill. Therefore -if thou wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I support myself by my own riches!” so said the herdsman -Dhaniya, “and my children are healthy about me. I hear -nothing wicked of them. Therefore if thou wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am no one’s servant,” so said the Perfect One, “with what -I have gained I wander through the world. For me there is -no need to serve. Therefore, if thou wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have cows, I have calves!” so said the herdsman Dhaniya. -“I have also a bull as lord over the herds. Therefore if thou -wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have no cows, I have no calves!” so said the Happy One, -“—And I have no bull as lord over the herds. Therefore, if -thou wilt, rain, O sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The stakes are driven in and cannot be shaken,” so said the -herdsman Dhaniya. “The ropes are new and well made: the -cows cannot break them. Therefore if thou wilt, rain, O -sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Having, like a bull, rent the ropes: having like an elephant -broken through the tangle,” so said the Blessed One, “I shall -no more be born to death. Therefore if thou wilt, rain, O -sky!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he smiled as one at rest, enthroned above pain or change.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then all at once, from a full-wombed cloud, a shower poured -down, filling both land and water. And the eyes of Dhaniya -were enlightened, and seeing the true riches of the empty hand -and freed soul, the herdsman spoke thus, bowing at the feet of -the Perfect One.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No small gain has indeed accrued to us since we have seen -the Blessed One. We take refuge in thee, O Wisest. Be thou -our Master.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He who has cows has care with his cows,” so said the -Blessed One, concluding the matter. “But he who is free of -these things has not care.” So Dhaniya entered the Way of -Peace, and taking the vow of the householder was at rest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now in this of Dhaniya is a thing much to be pondered. -For it is observable that the Holy One said these words to him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have passed over to Nirvana—to the Peace.” How could -this be and he yet living in the world of form? What then is -the Nirvana? For, since the departing of Him who has thus -Attained, the ignorant have taught the heresy which Sariputta -the Great rebuked in the monk Yamaka,—even that the true -Nirvana is extinction, is dispersal of all that once was the man, -the ego known to himself and others, he being annihilated in -death as a flame blown out in vast darkness. Yet no, and -again, not so, though not in words may the Truth be fully told. -Yet—if a man may attempt to throw a stone at a star, this that -follows may be told of the Nirvana.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They who talk of existence and non-existence are ignorant, -for these are words only. There is no existence or non-existence, -but in their stead reality and unreality, and in this -world of form is unreality and in That World, reality. So -that the unreal ego which we here believe to be the man is -nothing and whether here or there has no reality but is a compound -of causes which dissolve at death, while the reality -of the man abides whether here or There. True it is that after -death no longer can it be perceived, no longer can it be guessed -by the bodily senses—the liars, the deceived, the slaves; yet in -a profundity beyond all depths of all oceans it abides. The -rest is silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus, the Blessed One and they who with him attained, were -in life delivered from the illusion of the world of forms and seeing -all as it is were glad. For the true Nirvana is an extinction—not -of the eternal—but of craving, the lust of the flesh, the -lust of life, and the pride of life. And when the inward fires -of lust, and hatred and pride are extinguished, then that man -has entered into the Nirvana whether here or there. And -surely this was the Lesson of Lessons, and many a parable, -many a teaching did the World-Honoured utter in all solemnity -that we might know it is the self—the individual self lurking -in a man like an ape in the boughs, clutching, greedy, foul, -foolish, that is the cause of all evil and sorrow and of his separation -from the universe of life and light that lies about him. -And he must learn that this foul and foolish chatterer is dream -and illusion of the senses and consciousness, for when this -teaching is mastered we lift the true eyes of wisdom and look -about us seeing at last that the world is wholly fair. Know -this, for it is the very kernel of the nut. This is the Way of -Peace, this is the Gate of the Ten Perfections whereby we also -are perfect being One; this is the Nirvana, absolute in joy -and bliss immortal.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Be not misled. If this false belief of annihilation be accepted -the belief in the Karma and its awful justice falls to the -ground, and the Blessed One is made to utter words unreal -and deceptive. It is not well to traduce the teaching of the -Blessed One, for what he taught he knew, and where he was -silent it was from knowledge too great to be uttered save to -his high initiates, and they too, knowing, were content. For -a man can but receive as he is able, and the Truth needs two -servants—the one to speak and the other to hear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>True is it that the Lord before he passed away from the -world of the senses said to the beloved Ananda, this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have preached the truth, Ananda, and in respect of the -Truth He who has thus Attained had no such thing as the -closed fist of the Teacher who holds back his knowledge.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yes, but a man can but take what he can, and where the -great saints of the Lord knew and were content, the lesser -men guessed and stumbled blindly by excess of light and this -was unavoidable for they were not prepared, and in future lives -they have learned, will learn, and they too be content in wisdom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore when men ask the disciple of the Nirvana, and -say:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it annihilation? Is it the end of all, for so many teach?” -reply thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is the annihilation of ignorance and passion and all their -brood. It is the annihilation of conditioned being and of all -the illusion that fettered us. It is the rending of the painted -veil of life that hides from us the light. It is the end of all -turning of the wheel of the long pilgrimage through self-shaped -dream-worlds of deception. It is the end of grief and self-deceit. -It is awakening from the dream of life, from the crippling -of the ego-self, into freedom. It is beyond all that we -call life, and death is unknown to it. It is All and One and -above right and wrong and in it are all things reconciled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And it is us and in us and we in it for ever.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Open the eyes of understanding and see and know, as he -the Awakened, has taught.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now must the story turn to the Princess Yashodara, released -from grief and grown strong in wisdom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Musing night and day on these thoughts and this blessedness -the Princess excelled in knowledge and in her true eyes the -light shone brighter and more bright in the deep contemplation -of her heart, and when in the passing of the years the wealth -of the Maharaja fell into her hands she valued it nothing, placing -it where most good and least harm could flow from it. -And with attendant princesses she walked nearly five hundred -miles, refusing all offers of assistance, that she might be near -the World-Honoured, breathing the same air, sometimes attendant -upon his teaching, sometimes sending dutifully to enquire -after the health of the monk Rahula, her son.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, having grown old, but still eminent in the nobility of her -beauty and its calm, as she sat alone one day she remembered -many of her friends who through the Peace here to be attained -had departed to that Other. And she thought this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I was born on the same day as my lord, the Awakened -One, and in the regular order of things I should on the same -day enter the Great Peace. But this is an honour too great -for me and far beyond my deserts, nor can it be. I am now -seventy eight years in this world of illusion, and in two years -from now, he, the Blessed One, will enter that which cannot be -named. I will therefore request permission to precede him, -as the lower should precede the great.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, accompanied by her attendants, the Princess went to the -Vihara, the monastery, where the Lord sat at the time with a -company of disciples, and presenting herself before him humbly -asked forgiveness for any faults she might have committed. -And he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are the most virtuous of women. But from the time -you received the Light, you have done no marvels, so that -many have not known the power that is in you, doubting -whether you were indeed an Arhat. There is a company assembled -about us, who know not the Powers. Show them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Princess, doubting in her humility that this should -be, doubting whether a woman should display the beauty of -her person to onlookers, was not assured that this was well. -Yet, with the insight to which time is nothing, she spoke, rehearsing -the mystery and marvel of all her former lives, for -now having vanquished rebirth she was as the traveller who -nearing the mountain top and the eternal purities sees the way -by which he has come, rejoicing in perils escaped and rest unending. -And all sat entranced, listening to the music of her -voice and the marvels she—to whom time was no more than a -child’s toy cast aside—unfolded before them. And suddenly, -as she ended, the air upbore her light feet and a marvel was -done before them, for in the air she prostrated herself before -Him who has thus Attained, attributing to him the knowledge -that had guided her into bliss. And those who saw hid their -faces.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when all was concluded she retired to her own dwelling -and there, that same night, rising from contemplation to contemplation, -she beheld the Peace, being delivered for ever from -all illusion, and so passed into That which is to come.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And of her son—the monk Rahula—this also must be told:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At one time the Lord, with robe and bowl, went to Savatthi -in search of alms, and his son Rahula followed step for step, -and the Blessed One, turning, said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whatever form one bears, monk, is to be viewed with perfect -wisdom and the understanding—‘This is not mine; it is -not I. This is not my true self.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Rahula answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And only form, O Lord, and only form, O Happy One?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Form, Rahula, and sensation and perception and the tendencies -and consciousness. These also are not the true self.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Rahula, being thus addressed with an Instruction, would -not go to roam and beg among the people, but set aside his -bowl, and sat beneath a tree to meditate upon the Instruction. -And in the evening, having ended his calm contemplation, he -sought the Blessed One and saluting him reverently seated -himself respectfully beside him and besought him to instruct -him on the discipline of meditation and training, and the -Blessed One instructed him in all the processes, even to the -ruling of the breath in inspiration and expiration so that the -false senses may be lulled and the true eye of wisdom opened, -and pleased and gladdened was the venerable Rahula with that -high instruction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus Rahula in time became first a great warrior for the -Truth and then a great Arhat: a perfected saint. And in what -way did he become a warrior? Even as a monk asked of the -Awakened One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Warriors, warriors, we call ourselves, O Happy One, and in -what way are we warriors?”, and had this reply:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We make war, monk. Therefore are we warriors?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And for what do we make war, O Leader?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For perfect virtue, for high endeavour, for sublime wisdom. -To see in a world of blindness, to be free in a world of slaves,—therefore, -do we make war.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when is the victory gained?—When the dark night of -I-ness is enlightened,—when the man is no longer a swimmer -struggling for life in agony against the waves, but the grey -gull borne on the winds in bliss or floating at peace on the billows -of eternity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This is the victory of the monk Rahula and of the wise.</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1 id='pt4'>PART IV</h1></div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XIX</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>S</span><span class='sc'>o</span> continued our Lord, wandering from place to place, or -resting in the season of the rains in the monasteries provided -by the supporters of the Brotherhood, and, followed -by his own, he taught the Breaking of the Fetters—and -the fetters he broke are these:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The delusion of self—namely that the individual ego is real -and self-existent. For what can exist outside the Universal -Self? And egoism is the very root of death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Doubt. For who can advance boldly, doubting the way -and where he shall set the next step?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Belief in good works and ceremonies. For what good work -can open a man’s eyes if his motive is mean, and what value -have rites and ceremonies in themselves?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Fleshly lust. By no means did the Lord command a cruel -asceticism, for this he had tried to the uttermost and having -laid it aside, passed on. No, but a joyous temperance, the -child of wisdom and duty, the fosterer of endeavour. And -duty in all things, a strength by some to be attained now, by -others with patience in later lives.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ill-will. For this is a cruel fetter, biting to the very bone -of the wretch who carries it, and it is forged indeed from the -black iron of egoism and belief in the separate ego.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this being all accomplished the last fetters to be broken -are:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The desire for separate and individual life in the world of -forms we see about us.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The desire for separate life in the formless world to which we -shall attain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Pride—the very snarer of Divine Beings.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Self-righteousness, the womb-sister of pride.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And last, the most terrible of fetters—</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ignorance—mother of a deadly brood.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And where he went these fetters fell before him, and prison -doors were opened and they who had sat in darkness walked in -light. And they aspired to perfection for he taught that Perfection -was their heritage, if not now, then in some future life -where the sown seeds of good expanding should throw out -strong arms and glorious blossom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they believed, and some set tottering steps in the path, -and some advanced with wings rather than feet, but all were -seekers and finders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he compelled none, nor threatened, for by a man’s -true self comes his salvation, and seated among his own he -said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Tathagata—He who has thus Attained, does not think -that it is he who must lead the Brotherhood or that the Order -is dependent upon him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Only, steadfastly pointing the way, he rejoiced that men -should follow it, casting forth his light like the sun, not compelling -men to guide their steps by it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nor did he teach resignation to sorrow nor its acceptance -as a blessing and discipline. Far from it. For in the clear -percipience of the Lord sorrow is ignorance and shameful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“One thing only, monks, now as always I declare to you—sorrow -and the uprooting of sorrow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For what man would wander in the mist of sorrow when he -may walk glad and straight to the goal in the sunlight of wisdom. -And sorrow understood is sorrow ended.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore the Lord taught understanding of sorrow, as the -first need and therefore says the wise Nagasena:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As a boy I was admitted to the Order, and nothing did I -know of the goal. But I thought—‘These men taught by the -Awakened One will teach me.’ And they taught, and now I -know with understanding the foundation and the crown of Renunciation.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And what the Lord taught he knew: that there is no sorrow -for the wise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And thus when he stayed at Alavi, by the cattle-path in the -forest he rested on a couch of leaves, and it so chanced that a -man of Alavi as he went through the forest saw the Exalted -One sitting absorbed in meditation, and greeting him with -respect this man sat down at his side and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Master, does the World-Honoured live happily?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Perfect One answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is so, young man. Of those who live happily in the -world I also am one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Cold, Master, is the winter night, the time of frost is coming: -rough is the ground trodden by cattle: thin is the couch of -leaves: light the monk’s yellow robe: sharp the cutting winter -wind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For his heart pitied the aging of the Exalted One. But he -replied, again smiling:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is so, young man. I live happily. Of those who live -happily in the world I also am one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so it was, and with his own also. For his mendicants -rejoicing said to one another:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We who call nothing our own, drenched with happiness, we -in this world cast out light like the radiant Gods.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And their song was—</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Abolished is the round of birth: Completed the ascetic life;</p> -<p class='line0'>      Done what was to do.</p> -<p class='line0'>  This world of form is no more. This we know.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And sometimes proud and learned Brahmans would come -to dispute haughtily with the Perfect One, and they, full of -pride and anger, would rage and trip in their discourse thinking -to show their much learning rather than to seek the truth. -But like the waves of a muddy river lashing rock so were they, -and the Lord sat there always, answering duly, teaching duly, -clothed in serenity, his skin the colour of bright gold, his eyes -bright and calm, for he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That in disputation with anyone whatsoever I could be -thrown into any confusion or embarrassment,—there is no possibility -of such a thing, and because I know of no such possibility -I remain quiet and confident. And even when I am carried -here upon a bed shall my intellectual strength remain -unabated.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And his monks said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Truly from the Exalted One comes all our wisdom.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And because he was so near the Blessed One many monks -would come to the venerable Ananda and say:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is long, brother, since we heard a discourse from the -Exalted One. It were very good if we might hear one now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, venerable ones, betake yourselves to the hermitage -of the Brahman Rammako. Perhaps you will get to hear a -discourse from the lips of the Exalted One.” For Ananda was -wise in the ways of the Master.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now after the Perfected One had returned from his begging-round, -he turned and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, Ananda, let us go to the East Grove, to the terrace -of the Mother of Migara, and stay there until the evening.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they went, and when he had finished his meditation he -turned to the venerable Ananda:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, Ananda, let us to the Old Bath and refresh our -limbs.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they went. Then the beloved Ananda addressed the Perfected -One thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The hermitage of the Brahman Rammako, Master, is not -far from here. It is pleasantly situated in peaceful solitude. -Good were it if the Master should betake himself there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One signified by silence his assent. And -there they found many monks in edifying discourse. And he -waited till they were done, and cleared his throat and rapped at -the knocker, and they opened the door, and the World-Honoured -entered in and seated himself and incited and gladdened -them all with great and high discourse.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So they got what they needed, for very wise was the beloved -Ananda in dealing with the Master.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Amazing indeed were the experiences of those who followed -the Lord, and not to be understood of those who have not stood -face to face with Truth and Love unveiled and terrible in -beauty, and terrible also in the loves they inspire. What can -words avail?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And where he went the Awakened One strewed little precepts -like flowers, easy for a child to remember yet each an upward -spiral on the Way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If all knew the fruits of alms-giving as I, monks, know them, -most surely they would not eat the last least mouthful without -dividing it with another.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they answered, “Even so, Lord,” and gave of their food, -living in peace amidst the Transient, until even its semblance -should pass for ever away. And nothing else than food had -they to give, being monks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And one asked of the learned nun Dhammadhina:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And how, venerable Lady,—how and what has the Blessed -One taught about the arising of the false ego in the beginning -of things? How came it to be? What does he teach of this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is the lust of life that sows repeated being in successive -lives.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And how is the annihilation of the false ego to be attained, -Venerable Lady? How has the Exalted One taught?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even by the complete annihilation, rejection, and driving -forth of the lust of life—this is what was taught by the Exalted -One.” So answered the nun Dhammadhina. “Even through -the breaking of any attachment to the Transient.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But of how Attachment began to be in the beginning of -things the Lord would not answer. The Way out, he taught; -the way in concerns not at all the man who is fleeing for his -life to peace and safety from attachment to the Transient and -its illusion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But what follows after death? What follows after the extinction -of illusion?” the seeker asked of the learned nun -Dhammadhina. And she replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Abandon the question, brother. I cannot grasp the meaning -of the question. If you will, go to the Enlightened One -and ask him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he went, and the Lord answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wise is Dhammadhina and mighty in understanding. My -answer is hers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For the Unknown cannot be known until the way is built to -it. Build then the way, and knowledge will come in time. -But, without words, to the few, the very few, this knowledge -has come, as has been told.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when the nun Gotami asked him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will the Exalted One teach me the very quintessence of the -Law,” he answered thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whatever teaching leads to passion and not to peace, to -pride and not to humility, to desire of much in place of little, -to love of society and not of solitude, to idleness and not to -striving, to a mind of unrest and not to a mind at peace—that, -O Gotami,—note well!—that is not the way,—that is -not the teaching of the Master.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as they sat in the calm of the sunset and discoursed, -Sariputta the Great said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I desire not life. I desire not death. I wait until my hour -shall come like a servant that waits for his wage. I await the -coming of the hour, conscious and of thoughtful mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus steadfast in the way they continued, not cruelly mortifying -the body but in the true asceticism of the heart that cannot -be tempted. For the Awakened One said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I teach asceticism inasmuch as I teach the burning away of -all evil conditions of the heart. And the true ascetic who thus -lives may fitly and rightly eat of the food that is given him in -alms, of rice pleasantly prepared and such-like, and it will do -him no ill.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So quietly and in radiance life went on as a summer day -which from dewy dawn passes through every gradation of light -until the night comes, taking the world in her net of stars and -laying all to rest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And still the Exalted One journeyed and taught, now being -very aged, and the seeds of his doctrine were carried as if by -far-flying birds into the outer lands which had never felt in this -life the tread of his blessed feet nor seen the calm of his face -nor the majesty that attended him. And taking root these -seeds shot up later into mighty trees of glorious growth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And still he journeyed to and fro, and the people said to -the monks:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let not the World-Honoured overweary himself, for in -what are we worthy that our well-being should cost the world -its Light?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All he does is well. This also is well and could not be -otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the beloved Ananda saw with fear that the World-Honoured -moved more slowly and with more painful effort -on each journey he made. And awe and grief possessed Ananda, -seeing this, for he had not as yet attained to perfect enlightenment,—and -with many cares he compassed the Blessed -and followed him wherever he went.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XX<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'>THE LAST JOURNEY</span></h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>A</span><span class='sc'>nd</span> the Blessed One passed through Pataligama and -went on to the river and at that time Ganges was -swollen and brimming, and some with him began to -seek for boats and some for basket-rafts that they might pass -over. But the Exalted One, swiftly as a powerful man could -stretch out his arm and withdraw it, vanished from the hither -side of the river and stood on the other bank with the brethren. -And he uttered this verse:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Those who cross the stormy sea</p> -<p class='line0'>Making a firm way for their feet,</p> -<p class='line0'>While the blinded tie their basket-rafts,</p> -<p class='line0'>These are the wise, these are the safe and glad.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And they passed on to the villages of Nadika and at the last -the Happy One rested at the Brick Hall, and the beloved Ananda -(who tended him always) came and sat down respectfully -beside him, and having passed through the village and heard of -the deaths of several devout followers, men and women, who -had followed them formerly, he asked the Lord of their destiny -and of what had befallen them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And naming them each and all by name, replied the Exalted -One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of those men and women there are some who in their first -return to this world will make an end of sorrow and illusion -and return no more. And some there are for whom having attained -the highest knowledge, it is no longer possible that they -should return to mortal birth, for they are now assured of final -salvation.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in the Brick Hall at Nadika he taught the people, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great is the fruit, great the advantage of earnest contemplation -when adorned with right doing. And great the fruit -of high intellect adorned with earnest contemplation. For the -mind set round with intelligence is thus delivered from sensuality, -from the false ego, from delusion and ignorance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they went on to Vaisali, and from thence to Beluva, and -there the Blessed One rested in the village. And he said to -the brethren:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mendicants, do you take up your abode round about Vaisali -for the rains, each according to his friends. For I shall -enter upon the rainy season here at Beluva.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So be it, Lord,” said the brethren in assent, and so it was -done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now when the Blessed One had thus entered on the rains at -Beluva there fell upon him a sickness, and sharp pains came -upon him even to death. But mindful and self-possessed he -bore them without complaint. And this thought came into his -mind:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It would not be right for me to pass away without addressing -the disciples, without taking leave of the Order. Let me -now by a strong effort of the will bend down this sickness and -keep my hold on life until the allotted time be come.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he bent that sickness down and it abated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he began to recover he went out of the little vihara—the -monastery, and sat down behind it on a seat spread out -for him. And the venerable Ananda went where the Blessed -One was, and sat respectfully beside him, and said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have seen, Lord, how the Blessed One suffered, and -though at that sight my body became weak as a creeper, yet I -had some little comfort in thinking that the Blessed One would -not pass from existence until at least he had left some instructions -touching the Order.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What then, Ananda? Does the Order expect that of me? -Now, He who has thus Attained thinks not that it is he who -shall lead the Order or that it is dependent upon him. I too, -Ananda, am now grown old and full of years. My journey is -drawing to its close. I have reached my sum of days, I am -turning eighty years of age. And just as a worn-out cart can -only with much additional care be made to move, so, I think, -the body of the Tathagata can only be kept going with much -additional care. It is only when ceasing to attend to any -outward thing he becomes plunged in devout meditation concerned -with no material object,—it is only then that the body -of the Tathagata is at ease.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there was a long pause, and the venerable Ananda remained -steadfastly gazing at the Perfect One, absorbed in his -words as foreseeing the end. And the Lord resumed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Therefore, Ananda, be lamps unto yourselves. Betake -yourselves to no external Refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a -lamp. Look not for refuge to anyone beside yourselves. And -whoever after I am dead shall be a lamp unto themselves and -holding fast to the truth look for refuge to no one outside -themselves, it is they, among my mendicants, who shall reach -the Height.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And again the Blessed One robed himself early in the morning -and taking his bowl went into Vaisali for alms and when he -returned he sat down upon the seat prepared for him and when -he had finished eating the rice he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take up the mat, Ananda,—I will go to spend the day at -the Kapila Ketiya.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So be it, Lord,” said the venerable Ananda, and he followed -step for step behind the Blessed One.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he had come there the Blessed One sat down upon -the mat spread out for him, and the venerable Ananda took his -seat respectfully beside him. And the Blessed One said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whoever, Ananda, has developed himself and ascended to -the very heights of the four paths to Power, thus transcending -bodily conditions and using these Powers for good may if he -desires it, remain in the same birth for an age, or that portion -of the age which is yet to run. Now He who has thus Attained -has developed these Powers and could therefore live on -yet for an age or that portion of the age which has yet to run.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But even though this suggestion was given by the Blessed -One, the venerable Ananda did not comprehend it, nor did he -say, “Vouchsafe, Lord, to remain! Live on for the good and -happiness of the peoples, out of pity for the world and the weal -of Divine Beings and men.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a second time did the Blessed One say this, and yet did -not the beloved Ananda speak.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now the Blessed One addressed him thus:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You may leave me, Ananda, for awhile.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And rising from his seat, Ananda saluted the Lord, and sat -down at the foot of a tree not far off, and when he was gone, -the Evil One, the Tempter, approached the Lord and stood -beside him, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pass away now, Lord, from existence. Let the Blessed -One die. For did he not say that when the Order was established, -and the lay-people, and the truth made known, that then -the time would be come? And all this is now done, and the -time is here. Pass away now, therefore, Lord. Let the -Blessed One die.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he had spoken, the Blessed One said to the Evil -One:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Be happy. At the end of three months from this time the -Blessed One will die.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus did the Lord deliberately and consciously reject the -rest of his possible sum of life. And there followed an earthquake -and tremblings and thunders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Ananda returned in haste and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wonderful and marvellous is this earthquake, Lord, and -what is its cause?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of the eight causes of earthquake and tremblings, this is -one—when an Awakened One,—He who has thus Attained, -consciously and deliberately rejects the remainder of his life, -then is the earth shaken.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, still speaking of the mastery of the Powers, the Lord -continued:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now I call to mind, Ananda, how when I used to enter into -an assembly of many hundred nobles with discourse of religion -I would instruct and gladden them, and they would say,—‘Who -may this be who thus speaks? A man or a God?’ And -having taught and gladdened them, suddenly I would vanish -away. But they knew me not even when I vanished away, and -they would say in bewilderment, ‘Who may this be who has -thus vanished away? A man, or a God?’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he spoke also of the eight stages of deliverance from -errors of perception, passing beyond the apprehension of form -through infinite space and infinite reason and finally beyond -sensation and ideas, even into the eighth stage of deliverance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And having given this instruction the Lord related to the -venerable Ananda how that in three months’ time he should -hear his voice no more, and the venerable Ananda cried out -vehemently:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Vouchsafe, O Blessed One, to live. Stay with us for the -weal of Divine Beings and men.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Lord answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The time for making such a request is past.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a second and a third time Ananda entreated and the -Lord replied, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Verily, the word has gone forth from Him who has thus -Attained. That the Tathagata for the sake of living should -repent of that saying can in no wise be. Come, Ananda, let us -rise and go to the Mahavana.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they went to the Mahavana, to the Service Hall, and -he commanded Ananda to assemble there such of the brethren -as dwelt in the neighbourhood of Vaisali. And when they were -assembled the Blessed One sat down upon his mat and addressed -them. And he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The truths, monks, which I have made known to you and -you have mastered, these practise, meditate, and spread abroad, -that it may continue to be for the good and happiness of great -multitudes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Behold, monks, now I exhort you. All component things -must grow old and pass away. Work out your salvation with -diligence. At the end of three months from this time He who -has thus Attained will die. My age is now full ripe: my life -draws to its close. I leave you, I depart, relying on myself -alone. Be earnest, holy, full of thought. Be steadfast in -resolve. Keep watch over your own hearts. Who wearies -not, but holds fast to the Law, shall cross this sea of life, shall -make an end of grief.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So he spoke, and they dispersed silently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One robed himself early in the morning -and took his bowl and went into Vaisali for alms and when he -had eaten his meal and was returning, he gazed steadfastly at -Vaisali and he said this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is the last time, Ananda, that He who has thus Attained -will behold Vaisali. Let us now go to Bhandagama.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they went, and the Lord rested in the village itself, and -there he addressed the brethren, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is through ignorance of the Truths that we have had to -run so long, to wander so far in this weary road of rebirth—you -and I. But when the noble conduct of life, noble meditation, -noble wisdom and noble freedom are realized and known, -then is the craving for existence rooted out, the chain broken -and we return to earth no more.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it was there also that he delivered the high discourse on -the nature of the Four Truths; and having done this he pressed -on with the venerable Ananda and a great company of his own -to Pava. And there he stayed in the Mango Grove of Chunda, -and Chunda was a smith by family.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when Chunda heard that the Perfect One had come to -Pava and rested in his Mango Grove, he went to him and saluted -him joyfully, and with reverence took his seat beside him, -and the Blessed One gladdened him with talk of high things. -And, so gladdened, he addressed the Lord, and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“May the Blessed One do me the honour of taking his meal, -together with the brethren, at my house to-morrow?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord signified by silence his consent, and seeing -he had consented, Chunda the worker in metals, bowed before -him and keeping him on his right hand, departed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at the end of the night Chunda made ready in his house -excellent food, hard and soft, sweet rice and cakes and the -food, found in the earth and loved by boars, truffles, and when -all was ready he announced it to the Lord saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Exalted One, the meal is ready.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One robed himself and took his bowl and -he and his followers went to the dwelling-place of Chunda. -And when the meal was over, he gladdened the smith with discourse -of high matters, and so rose and departed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But after the Blessed One had eaten of his food then fell -upon him a grievous disease, and sharp pain came upon him -even to death, but he bore it without complaint mindful and -self-possessed. And to the venerable Ananda he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, let us go to Kusinara.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Even so, Lord,” said the venerable Ananda.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they went, but as they went the Blessed One grew very -weary and he rested beneath a tree and said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fold the robe and spread it for me, I pray you. I am -weary, Ananda, and I must rest awhile.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the robe was spread, folded fourfold, and when the -World-Honoured was seated he asked for fresh water to drink -and Ananda answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, Lord, five hundred carts have just gone by across the -stream and stirred up by the wheels it has become fouled and -turbid. Let us wait for the river, cool and transparent, easy -to get into. There the Blessed One may drink and cool his -limbs.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But his thirst would not wait, and taking a bowl Ananda -went down to the stream, and when he came to it it flowed clear -as light. And he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How wonderful, how marvellous is the power of Him who -has thus Attained. For this turbid stream is flowing brightly -now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he returned he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Great is the power of the Lord. Let the Happy One -drink!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now at that time a young man named Pukkusa, a disciple of -the Brahman Alara, passed along the highway, and seeing the -Blessed One very weary beneath the tree he came and saluted -him taking his seat respectfully beside him, and the Holy One -discoursed with him on the depths of calm in pure contemplation -and abstraction of mind from the vain shows about us, -and with every power of his mind and heart did the young man -listen, and when the great teaching was ended, he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Most excellent, Lord, are the words of your mouth—most -excellent. As it were to bring a lamp into the darkness so -are your words. And I, even I, betake myself to the Blessed -One as my refuge, to the Truth and the Brotherhood. May I -be accepted as a disciple!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the young Pukkusa presented two robes of burnished -cloth of gold to the World-Honoured, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“May favour be shown and these accepted at my hand!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In that case, Pukkusa, offer the one to me and the other to -Ananda.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so it was done and the young man gladdened and -strengthened, rose and bowed down and went his way.</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XXI</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>N</span><span class='sc'>ow</span> not long after the young man was gone the venerable -Ananda placed that glorious robe upon the -Blessed One, and so placed it appeared to dim and -lose its splendour, and Ananda said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, it is marvellous that the colour of the skin of the -Blessed One should now be so clear, so bright, beyond measure, -for this robe of burnished gold has lost its splendour in the -radiance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is even so, Ananda. For on the night that He who has -thus Attained achieves supreme Enlightenment and also on -the night in which he passes away for ever leaving no residue -behind, the colour of his person becomes exceedingly bright -and clear. And now this day at the third watch of the night -at Kusinara, between the twin sala trees the utter passing away -of Him who has thus Attained will take place. Come, let us -go forward.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he was come to the Mango Grove by the river, he -said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fold a robe for me, Kundaka, for I am forespent and -would lie down.” And it was done and the Blessed One laid -himself down on his right side, and meditated, calm and self-possessed, -and finally, calling to Ananda the beloved, he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now it may happen that someone may grieve Chunda the -smith, saying, ‘it is evil to you, Chunda, and loss, that the -Blessed One died after he had eaten his last meal from your -provision.’ But check this remorse, Ananda, by saying—‘It -is good and gain to you, Chunda, that this should have been. -For the very mouth of the Blessed One has told me this—There -is laid up for Chunda the smith a good Karma of long -life and good fortune and good fame and the inheritance of -Heaven and sovereign power.’ In this manner check any remorse -in Chunda the smith.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then once more rising, the World-Honoured began again his -pilgrimage of pain, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, let us go to the Sala Grove of the Malla people at -Kusinara.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they went on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So with the monks the Exalted One reached at last the Sala -Grove of the Mallas, and he desired that Ananda the beloved -would lay a couch for him with its head to the north between -the twin sala trees that they knew. And this was done, and -the sala trees shed their dropping blossoms on the body of the -Blessed One, for so it must be with a departing Buddha.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And here, Ananda seeing that the time drew on, reverently -besought the commands of the Lord as to the disposal of his -mortal body. And he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hinder not yourselves by honouring what remains of Him -who has thus Attained. Be zealous, I beseech you, in your -own behalf: be intent on good. There are wise men among the -nobles who will do due honour to the body of the Tathagata.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he heard this Ananda could no longer endure his -grief, and that the Lord might not see his tears, he went into -the monastery and stood leaning against the door and wept, for -he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Alas! I still remain but a learner, one who has not yet -attained perfection, and the Master is about to pass away from -me—he who is so kind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Blessed One called the brethren and asked:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where then, monks, is Ananda?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they told him, and he said to a certain brother:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go, brother, and say ‘Brother Ananda, the Master calls -you.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it was done and the beloved Ananda returned, and the -Blessed One said to him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Enough, Ananda. Do not let yourself be troubled. Do -not weep. Have I not often told you that it is in the very nature -of things most near and dear to us that we must divide -ourselves from them and leave them? How then could it be -possible that anything containing within itself the necessity of -dissolution should not be dissolved? For a long time, Ananda, -have you been very near to me by acts of love, kind and good, -that never varies and is beyond all measure. And not only -by acts but by words and thoughts of love. You have done -well, Ananda. Be earnest in effort and you too shall soon be -delivered and attain the perfect percipience.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the Blessed One said to the others:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is a wise man, monks, is Ananda. Knowing what is -right he has four marvellous qualities, for those who see him, -who hear him speak or teach are filled with joy on beholding -and hearing him, and the company of the Assembly are ill at -ease when Ananda is silent.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And later he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go now, Ananda, to the town of Kusinara and inform the -people of the Mallas that in the last watch of the night He -who has thus Attained will pass away. And say this—‘Be -favourable herein, Mallas, and leave no occasion to reproach -yourselves that you did not visit the World-Honoured in his -last hours.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Ananda the beloved went, robed and carrying his bowl -and attended by a member of the Order.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, as it chanced, the Mallas were assembled in the Council -Hall and when they heard his words, they wept, they and -their wives and children saying:</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Too soon will the Blessed One die!</p> -<p class='line0'>Too soon will the Happy One pass away.</p> -<p class='line0'>Too soon will the Light of the World be darkened!”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And trooping out with their wives and children, these Mallas -came to the Grove of the sala trees, and Ananda considering -their great number thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There is not time that they should speak singly with the -Lord. But I will present them by families.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this he did, causing the Mallas to stand in groups and -so presented them, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lord, a Malla of such and such a name, with his wives, his -children his retinue and his friends, humbly bows down at the -feet of the Blessed One.” And that family with its retinue -then advanced, weeping.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And after this manner were all presented during the first -watch of the night, and when it was done they retired in heavy -grief.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But there was yet one work of mercy left unto the Lord. -For at this time a mendicant named Subaddha was dwelling at -Kusinara, and he heard the news that the Blessed One was -about to pass away and his religious doubts rushed into his -mind and he thought:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Seldom indeed in this world do the authentic Buddhas appear. -I have faith in the monk Gotama that he may be able to -remove my uncertainty. I will go to him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he went and told his case to Ananda and he replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Enough, friend Subaddha. Do not trouble Him who has -thus Attained. The Lord is weary.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And three times he refused. But the Lord heard and he -said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let him come to me. He will ask from a true desire of -knowledge and will quickly understand my replies.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Ananda said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Enter in, friend Subaddha. The Blessed One gives you -leave.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And speaking respectfully that mendicant put his questions, -awaiting the answer with anxiety. And it was this: “Is the -Way of the Law the only path possible for a saint? Can that -way alone produce sainthood of the first order?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Lord replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perfect saints from the first to the fourth degree are found -only in the Noble Eightfold Path.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And when he had given the reason why only under such -discipline is perception perfected, Subaddha, hailing his words -with gladness, every doubt lost in light, besought admission as -a disciple and it was granted and the probation of four months -remitted, though Subaddha himself willingly undertook that -probation. But the Lord said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In this case I acknowledge the difference in persons.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this was the last man the Lord himself received. And -because it could not be otherwise Subaddha attained light and -percipience, and became conscious that for him birth was at an -end, and he became a great Arhat. And he sat beside the -Blessed One until the end.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now the time drew on swiftly and knowing this, the -Blessed One said, while they all stood in great grief surrounding -him:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It may be, Ananda, that in some of you the thought may -arise—‘Now that the word of the Master is ended we have no -Teacher.’ But this is not so. The truths and the rules of the -Order—let them be your Teacher when I am gone. And when -I am gone, Ananda, let the Order if it will, abolish the Lesser -Precepts.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And after awhile the Blessed One spoke again, and he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It may be, brethren, that there is doubt or misgiving in the -mind of some brother as to the Buddha, the Truth, the Way. -Enquire freely, monks! Do not reproach yourself afterwards -with the thought,—‘We were face to face with the Blessed -One, and yet could not bring ourselves to enquire.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the brethren were silent. And again and a third time -the Lord repeated this. And in his care for them he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It may be that the brethren will not question out of reverence -for the Teacher. Let one friend then communicate with -another.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And still they were silent, and the venerable Ananda said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is wonderful, Lord. I have faith to believe that in this -whole Assembly of the brethren there is not one who has any -doubt or misgiving as to the Buddha, the Truth, or the Way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the Blessed One, sinking yet lower into weakness, -answered:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“From the fulness of faith do you speak, Ananda. But He -who has thus Attained knows of certain knowledge that in this -whole Assembly there is not one brother who has any doubt or -misgiving. For even the most backward of all these brethren -knows and has seen and will be born no more in a state of -suffering and is assured of final peace.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And by these words did the World-Honoured reassure -Ananda the beloved in whom as yet the tenderness of love crippled -its wings, restraining it from the eagle-flight of the perfected -Arhat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Ananda knelt, hiding his face beside the sala trees where -lay the Blessed One, for he knew that the parting drew very -near. And there was a deep silence, and it was as though all -the spirits of earth and air, and the Divine Beings and the -Three Worlds, the earth, the heavens, and hells waited with -them nor would lose a breath that remained. And He who has -thus Attained lay with closed eyes, submerged in calm as in a -great ocean.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And after awhile his eyelids opened and for the last time he -looked upon them and for the last time his disciples heard his -voice, strong in death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying—‘Decay is inherent -in all component things. Work out your own salvation -with diligence.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they trembled, kneeling about him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the Blessed One entered into the first state of ecstasy, -and, rising from this, into the second, and so passed into the -third and into the fourth and rising from that realm of ecstasy -he entered the realm of the infinity of space, and from this he -entered the realm of the infinity of consciousness and rising -from this he entered the realm of nothingness, and beyond this -the realm of neither perception nor non-perception, and from -this he arrived at the cessation of sensation and idea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And Ananda cried out to the great Anuruddha in an agony:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“O my Lord—O Anuruddha, the Blessed One is dead!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he, leaning above that Peace, said with calm:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nay, brother Ananda. He has entered that state where -sensation and ideas have ceased to be.”</p> - -<hr class='tbk100'/> - -<p class='pindent'>And all veiled their faces.</p> - -<hr class='tbk101'/> - -<p class='pindent'>And the mind of Him who has thus Attained retraced its -way downward again and passing through all the stages entered -into the fourth stage of deep meditation and passing out -of this he immediately entered the Great Peace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And at the moment of his expiring the thunders of Heaven -broke forth roaring about them and there was a loud and terrible -trembling of the earth and the voice of Him who is the -First uttered this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All beings in the world must lose their compound selves -and individuality, and even such a Master as this, he, unrivalled -and endued with all the powers, even he has passed -into the Nirvana.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the voice of Indra, King of Gods, took up the tale.</p> - - - <div class='poetry-container' style=''> - <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<div class='stanza-outer'> -<p class='line0'>“Transient are all component things.</p> -<p class='line0'>They being born must die, and being</p> -<p class='line0'>    dead are glad to be at rest.”</p> -</div> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>And Anuruddha the Great said these words:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“When he, the Desireless, lay in peace, so ending his span -of life, resolute and with unshaken mind did he endure the -pains of death, attaining his final deliverance from the Fetters.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Ananda cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then there was terror, then the hair rose on the head, when -he who possessed all grace—the supreme Buddha died.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus spoke the Four Loves, from the highest to the lowest,—and -these of the brethren who were not yet enfranchised -from the passions wept and wailed in anguish, crying aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Too soon has the Blessed One died. Too soon has the -Happy One departed. Too soon is the World’s Light darkened.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the great Arhats bore their sorrow calm and self-possessed, -saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Transient are all earth’s things. How is it possible they -should not be dissolved?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And all that night did the great Sariputta and Anuruddha -spend in high discourse but Ananda wept nor could be comforted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in the morning the great Anuruddha addressed the sorrowing -Assembly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Enough, my brethren. Weep not nor lament. Has not -the Blessed One declared to us that it is in the very nature of -things near and dear to us that we and they must part? How -then can it be possible that anything born and thus containing -within itself the necessity of dissolution should not dissolve? -Weep no more. Even the spirits would reproach us. For -they who have attained wisdom say ‘Transient indeed are all -component things. How is it possible they should not be dispersed? -This cannot be.’ ”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And calling to Ananda he sent him into the town of Kusinara -that he might tell the faithful Mallas that their Lord was departed -and that in their true hands should be the burning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they came out lamenting, having made great and costly -preparation, and they encased the body of the Lord in new -cloth and folded sheets of wool and lastly in a vessel of iron -for the burning, and having clad themselves in new garments -eight chieftains of the Mallas lifted the body, and they bore -it through their little town to their own shrine, and there in -the presence of the Order with devotion and spices and flowers -and perfumes they did what was needful, and the body of the -Lord passed into grey ash, fulfilling all even to the uttermost.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bow down with clasped hands.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hard, hard is it to meet with a Buddha through hundreds -of ages.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But they knew in whose presence they had stood.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This also have I heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The great Ananda, casting aside the fetters of love and retaining -only its radiance, became a mighty Arhat and laid aside -all sorrow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After these things, one day it so chanced that one of the -brothers sat with Pingiya the aged Brahman, the disciple of -the Lord, and Pingiya from the fulness of his heart spoke of -the Blessed One, saying:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As he saw the Way, so he taught it, he, the very wise, the -passionless, the desireless Lord, and how should he do otherwise, -for in him was no shadow nor turning of untruth. I will -praise the voice of him who was without folly, who had left -arrogance far behind. It is he only, the Dispeller of darkness, -the high Deliverer, who giveth light.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And seeing his love, the other said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How then can you stay away from him even one instant, -O Pingiya?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the old man replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not even for one instant do I stay away from him, my -brother. Vigilant day and night I see him in my mind. In -reverencing him do I spend the night, and verily I think I am -not far from him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And he mused awhile and added this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am worn out and feeble, but my heart, venerable brother, -is joined to him for ever.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And lo, as Pingiya sat and said this word, there shone about -them a great light and Pingiya beheld the Blessed One stand -there in majesty that cannot be uttered. And he said these -words:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Strong is thy faith, O Pingiya, and it shall be made glad. -Fear not. You too shall reach that further shore, the haven -of the realm of death.”</p> - -<div><h1>CHAPTER XXII</h1></div> - -<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>A</span><span class='sc'>nd</span> when the burning was done, the faithful Mallas -gathered the bones and they took them to their Council -Hall and surrounded them with a lattice-work of -spears and a rampart of bows, and there for seven days they -did them reverence and homage with solemn dance and music -and garlands and perfumes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And the King of Maghada sent to beg a portion of the relics, -for he said: “The Blessed One was of the soldier caste and so -too am I; I am worthy to receive a portion and I will set -over it a sacred monument and hold a solemn feast.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And other peoples, and among them the Sakyas of Kapila,—the -Lord’s own people—sent demanding each a portion. And -the Sakyas said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He who has thus Attained was the pride of our race. We -are worthy to receive a portion, and we will put up a sacred -monument and celebrate a solemn feast.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so it was with six more peoples all demanding their -portion, and the true Mallas grew angry, for they loved the -Lord, and they replied:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The Blessed One died in our land and he is ours. We will -not give away any of the relics.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the wise Brahman Dona rose amongst them and said -this:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hear, sirs, one word from me. Our Lord taught forbearance, -and gentleness was the law of his lips. Would it -not be unseemly that strife should arise over the relics of -him who was in all things highest? Sirs, let us all with one -accord unite in friendly harmony to divide these precious relics -into eight portions.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And they asked him, this being so, to undertake the division, -and he answered “Be it so,” and with scrupulous care he -divided the relics, asking for himself the vessel that he might -set a monument over it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And to the Moriya people (who too late asked their share -of the precious relics), seeing their grief they gave the embers -of the pyre, and these with all reverence they took away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus is the story told of Him who cast aside earthly love -and riches and power that he might open the way to the -myriads of mankind who have trodden it after him and who -will tread it until all things merge in the unity and reconcilement -of the Peace. For like a bright shining went forth the -words of the Lord unto the ends of the earth, and those -countries that have not heard shall yet hear and rejoice, for in -Him were all wisdom and all love. And Kings and Emperors -have heard and adored, and peasants looked up in gladness -to see the night of sorrow dawn into the sunrise of joy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And for that man who desires no longer the illusions of earth, -ended—ended is the passing from death to death, the illusion -of that false self and ego being slain over whom alone death has -dominion! For the All in whom we are One is life and not -death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet do not think that all the appearances of this world are -wholly illusion for that was not the Teaching of the Lord. -No; but he taught that the five senses cannot see nor hear -nor touch nor the dissolving brain apprehend Absolute Truth, -and that this being so there is only relative truth for those -unenlightened who see but as in a glass darkly, while those -who have attained enlightenment, as did He who has thus -Attained, behold the Truth face to face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Therefore here we see things but as they can appear to us -and not in their true Being, and are most mistaken and -deceived.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Furthermore it is a strange thing and not to be uttered in -words how by following the narrow way of right thinking and -right doing is the cleansed perception attained. But the Lord -said: “Do thus and thus, and you shall know.” And so it is.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And to the weak and poor in spirit as to the great of mind -he did not say:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Believe this, for so it is told you” but “Do this, and little -by little, as when a man climbs a mountain the earth unfolds -beneath him, for yourselves you shall see and know, needing -no testimony from another—No, not even from the ancient -scriptures, the Vedas, the Vedanta or any Brahman nor another. -For the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. Look -inward and see it and be glad.” Thus the Lord taught and -so it was.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And because this is so I who have seen many teachings of -the old writings and of the Brahmans pass away in later -knowledge have never seen one jot or one tittle of the Law pass -rebuked into oblivion, neither shall I, nor any other. Knowledge -is a good thing and a great, but all knowledge that comes -through the brain and the five senses shall be rebuked later -or sooner by the majesty of the Truth and shall crumble and -pass. Only he who perceives beyond knowledge and sees beyond -sight can apprehend these matters and so sit above error, -being one with the One, and beyond that is the Nirvana, and -even beyond the Nirvana it may well be there are states inconceivable -in glory.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As for the ignorant, nothing is as they think it and they -move through a world of distorted forms most alien to the -Truth, just as in the lower consciousness of insect, reptile, and -beast the forms perceived by them are still more alien from the -Truth, for consciousness evolves from lowly beginnings. And -this must be so since the thing seen is shaped by him who sees -it through his own fettered consciousness, the limits of which -he can in no way escape until he reaches that perception to -which the perception of the ignorant is as the snail’s or worm’s -to the man’s.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet let us not think that Reality is far from us. It lies -about and in us and we walk in it and see it not, and in the -higher perception bright things move about us and we of -the lower perception see them no more than the blind man -the sunshine in which he sits, and they touch us with strange -instincts and visitings through the dark and we do not know, -and our heart calls them to come nearer and there is silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, the -Blessed One summed up all teachings of the wise men of old -and those who are yet to come, and no more can be added -to it though it shall be more clearly understood as time and -knowledge join hands. Therefore walk in the Way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And whereas there are wise men of the West who teach that -there is but one life in this world of form and illusion, one -hope of development and knowledge,—I say this: Very wise -and near the Truth must be those men of the West if one life -of twenty, thirty, ninety years suffices to free them from the -fetters of ignorance and render them perfect as their Father in -Heaven (for so they phrase it) is perfect. With us this is not -so, nor yet do we hold that any of the Buddhas can pay the -debt of another nor lift his sins from his shoulders, holding -that the debt incurred must be paid by the debtor, and this for -the sake of immortal Justice and for his own sake also. For -the Law is evolution in the innermost as in the mortal body. -First the lowly beginning, the seed in black earth. Then the -tender shoot, the waxing strength of trunk and bough till they -can bear the glory of expanding blossom, and last, the perfect -fruit. And in one life this cannot be. And so have all the -Buddhas taught.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet another thing. It was said by our Wisest that the man -who truly perceives sits above good and evil and may do what -he will. Is this a hard saying? How can it be?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It is because the Truth is now his will. It is his being; he -sits in it and it in him, and the Truth and he are one. How -should such a man think; “This is right. I will do it. This -is evil; I will not do it,” any more than he will think; “I must -breathe or I shall die,” considering each breath or heart-beat? -How can sin draw him any more than the writhing of the -snake tempts to imitation the man who walks erect? These -things are the necessary laws of the beginner in the Way. -They are stages of the Noble Eightfold Path, but for the -Enlightened, they who see things as they are, laws have no -meaning, for they themselves are Law.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And this is the faith that must triumph, for Wisdom is its -sceptre and Knowledge its footstool, and the science of the -schools its slave to follow where it has led the way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Did not the Blessed One say—“We know. He who has thus -Attained has nothing to do with theories.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And great is the patience of the Law, for Eternity is its own -and of time it knows nothing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now in ending I write down a few maxims which the -wise have made for those who did not see the Face nor hear -the Voice of Him who has thus Attained, that they also may -consider and attain. For these are steps on the Way. “Let -a man learn to comprehend the True Nature of the World of -Law. Then will he perceive that all things are but the production -of Mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In all living creatures there exists and has existed from -the beginning the nature of the Law. All, by this nature, contain -the original essence of Enlightenment. Wherefore birth -and death and even the Nirvana itself are transcended and become -for us a dream of the night that is gone, being lost in a -greater Light.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To the eye of flesh, plants and trees appear to be gross -matter. But to the eye of the Buddha they are composed of -minute spiritual particles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Grass, trees, countries, the earth itself, all these shall wholly -enter into Enlightenment.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hail to the Buddhas of the Three Worlds, who are all but -One in the One Mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So I end.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With lips of clay have I told that which cannot be uttered -and with mortal thought have I set forth the Highest. And -well I knew this could not be, for it is above the flesh and the -tongue cannot speak it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Glory to the Blessed One, the Holy, the Perfect in Enlightenment!</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:3em;margin-bottom:2em;font-size:.8em;'>THE END</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:4em;margin-bottom:2em;font-size:1.2em;'>TRANSCRIBER NOTES</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Misspelled words and printer errors have been corrected. -Where multiple spellings occur, majority use has been -employed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Punctuation has been maintained except where obvious -printer errors occur.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A cover was created for this eBook and is placed in the -public domain.</p> - -<p class='line'> </p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPLENDOUR OF ASIA ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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