But now attend to me and listen:  The senses six and their six objects united cause the six kinds of knowledge, these three united bring forth contact, then the intervolved effects of recollection follow.  Then like the burning glass and tinder through the sun’s power cause fire to appear, so through the knowledge born of sense and object, the lord of knowledge (self) is born.  The shoot springs from the seed, the seed is not the shoot, not one and yet not different:  such is the birth of all that lives.”  The honored of the world preaching the truth, the equal and impartial paramartha, thus addressed the king with all his followers.  Then King Bimbisara filled with joy, removing from himself defilement, gained religious sight, a hundred thousand spirits also, hearing the words of the immortal law, shook off and lost the stain of sin.

The Great Disciple Becomes a Hermit

At this time Bimbisara Raga, bowing his head, requested the honored of the world to change his place of abode for the bamboo grove; graciously accepting it, Buddha remained silent.  Then the king, having perceived the truth, offered his adoration and returned to his palace.  The world-honored, with the great congregation, proceeded on foot, to rest for awhile in the bamboo garden.  There he dwelt to convert all that breathed, to kindle once for all the lamp of wisdom, to establish Brahma and the Devas, and to confirm the lives of saints and sages.  At this time Asvagit and Vashpa, with heart composed and every sense subdued, the time having come for begging food, entered into the town of Ragagriha.  Unrivalled in the world were they for grace of person, and in dignity of carriage excelling all.  The lords and ladies of the city seeing them, were filled with joy; those who were walking stood still, those before waited, those behind hastened on.  Now the Rishi Kapila amongst all his numerous disciples had one of wide-spread fame, whose name was Sariputra; he, beholding the wonderful grace of the Bhikshus, their composed mien and subdued senses, their dignified walk and carriage, raising his hands, inquiring, said:  “Young in years, but pure and graceful in appearance, such as I before have never seen.  What law most excellent have you obeyed? and who your master that has taught you? and what the doctrine you have learned?  Tell me, I pray you, and relieve my doubts.”  Then of the Bhikshus, one, rejoicing at his question, with pleasing air and gracious words, replied:  “The omniscient, born of the Ikshvaku family, the very first ’midst gods and men, this one is my great master.  I am indeed but young, the sun of wisdom has but just arisen, how can I then explain the master’s doctrine?  Its meaning is deep and very hard to understand, but now, according to my poor wisdom, I will recount in brief the master’s doctrine:—­’Whatever things exist all spring from cause, the principles of birth and death may be destroyed, the way is by the means he has declared.’” Then the