tree, with gaze unmoved and never wearying:—­“Now resting here, in this condition, I have obtained,” he said, “my ever-shifting heart’s desire, and now at rest I stand, escaped from self.”  The eyes of Buddha then considered “all that lives,” and forthwith rose there in him deep compassion; much he desired to bring about their welfare, but how to gain for them that most excellent deliverance, from covetous desire, hatred, ignorance, and false teaching, this was the question; how to suppress this sinful heart by right direction; not by anxious use of outward means, but by resting quietly in thoughtful silence.  Now looking back and thinking of his mighty vow, there rose once more within his mind a wish to preach the law; and looking carefully throughout the world, he saw how pain and sorrow ripened and increased everywhere.  Then Brahma-deva knowing his thoughts, and considering it right to request him to advance religion for the wider spread of the Brahma-glory, in the deliverance of all flesh from sorrow, coming, beheld upon the person of the reverend monk all the distinguishing marks of a great preacher, visible in an excellent degree; fixed and unmoved he sat in the possession of truth and wisdom, free from all evil impediments, with a heart cleansed from all insincerity or falsehood.  Then with reverent and a joyful heart, great Brahma stood and with hands joined, thus made known his request:—­“What happiness in all the world so great as when a loving master meets the unwise; the world with all its occupants, filled with impurity and dire confusion, with heavy grief oppressed, or, in some cases, lighter sorrows, waits deliverance; the lord of men, having escaped by crossing the wide and mournful sea of birth and death, we now entreat to rescue others—­those struggling creatures all engulfed therein; as the just worldly man, when he gets profit, gives some rebate withal.  So the lord of men enjoying such religious gain, should also give somewhat to living things.  The world indeed is bent on large personal gain, and hard it is to share one’s own with others.  O! let your loving heart be moved with pity towards the world burdened with vexing cares.”  Thus having spoken by way of exhortation, with reverent mien he turned back to the Brahma heaven.  Buddha, regarding the invitation of Brahma-deva, rejoiced at heart, and his design was strengthened; greatly was his heart of pity nourished, and purposed was his mind to preach.  Thinking he ought to beg some food, each of the four kings offered him a Patra; Tathagata, in fealty to religion, received the four and joined them all in one.  And now some merchant men were passing by, to whom “a virtuous friend,” a heavenly spirit, said:  “The great Rishi, the venerable monk, is dwelling in this mountain-grove, affording in the world a noble field for merit; go then and offer him a sacrifice!” Hearing the summons, joyfully they went, and offered the first meal religiously.  Having partaken of it, then he deeply pondered, who first should hear the law;