Sacred Books of the East eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 632 pages of information about Sacred Books of the East.

Sacred Books of the East eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 632 pages of information about Sacred Books of the East.
with the complete wisdom of the world-honored one.  And so, convinced at last, humbly submitting, he accepted right instruction.  Thus U-pi-lo Uravilva Kasyapa, and five hundred of his followers following their master, virtuously submissive, in turn received the teaching of the law.  Kasyapa and all his followers were thus entirely converted.  The Rishi then, taking his goods and all his sacrificial vessels, threw them together in the river, which floated down upon the surface of the current.  Nadi and Gada, brothers, who dwelt down the stream, seeing these articles of clothing and the rest floating along the stream disorderly, said, “Some great change has happened,” and deeply pained, were restlessly concerned.  The two, each with five hundred followers, going up the stream to seek their brother.  Seeing him now dressed as a hermit, and all his followers with him, having got knowledge of the miraculous law—­strange thoughts engaged their minds—­“our brother having submitted thus, we too should also follow him.”  Thus the three brothers, with all their band of followers, were brought to hear the lord’s discourse on the comparison of a fire sacrifice:  and in the discourse he taught, “How the dark smoke of ignorance arises, whilst confused thoughts, like wood drilled into wood, create the fire.  Lust, anger, delusion, these are as fire produced, and these inflame and burn all living things.  Thus the fire of grief and sorrow, once enkindled, ceases not to burn, ever giving rise to birth and death; but whilst this fire of sorrow ceases not, yet are there two kinds of fire, one that burns but has no fuel left.  So when the heart of man has once conceived distaste for sin, this distaste removing covetous desire, covetous desire extinguished, there is rescue; if once this rescue has been found, then with it is born sight and knowledge, by which distinguishing the streams of birth and death, and practising pure conduct, all is done that should be done, and hereafter shall be no more life.”  Thus the thousand Bhikshus hearing the world-honored preach, all defects forever done away, their minds found perfect and complete deliverance.  Then Buddha for the Kasyapas’ sakes, and for the benefit of the thousand Bhikshus, having preached, and done all that should be done, himself with purity and wisdom and all the concourse of high qualities excellently adorned, he gave them, as in charity, rules for cleansing sense.  The great Rishi, listening to reason, lost all regard for bodily austerities, and, as a man without a guide, was emptied of himself, and learned discipleship.  And now the honored one and all his followers go forward to the royal city (Ragagriha), remembering, as he did, the Magadha king, and what he heretofore had promised.  The honored one when he arrived, remained within the “staff grove”; Bimbisara Raga hearing thereof, with all his company of courtiers, lords and ladies all surrounding him, came to where the master was.  Then at a distance seeing Buddha seated,
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Sacred Books of the East from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.