BOOK
VI: He and His Contemporaries
Part
III—Critics of His Doctrines.
1.
Gift
from Bimbisara.
2.
Gift
from Anathapindika.
3.
Gift
from Jeevaka.
4.
Gift
from Ambrapali.
5.
Munificence
of Vishakha.
§
1.
Gift fro King Bimbisara
1.
King Bimbisara was not merely a follower of the Blessed Lord: he was also a great devotee
and a great supporter of his Dhamma.
2.
After his becoming a lay disciple Bimbisara asked: "Might the Blessed Lord consent to
take his meal with me tomorrow together with the fraternity of the monks ? "
3.
The Blessed One expressed his consent by remaining silent.
4.
Then King Bimbisara, when he understood that the Blessed One had accepted his invitation,
rose from his seat, respectfully saluted the Blessed One, and, passing round him with his
right side towards him, went away.
5.
And when the night had elapsed, Bimbisara ordered excellent food to be prepared, and at
time announced to the Blessed One in the words: " It is time. Lord, the meal is
ready."
6. And in the forenoon the Blessed One, having put on his under-robe, took his alms-bowl, and with his robe on, entered the city of Rajagraha accompanied by monks who had all been Jatilas before.
7. And the Blessed One went to the palace of King
Bimbisara. Having gone there, he sat down with the monks who followed him, on seats laid
out for them. Then King Bimbisara with his own hands served the fraternity of monks with
the Buddha at its head; and when the Blessed One had finished his meal and cleaned his
bowl and his hands, he sat down near him.
8.
Sitting near him King Bimbisara thought:
" Where may I find a place for the Blessed One to live in, not too far from
the village and not too near, suitable for going and coming, easily accessible for people
who keep on seeking him, by day not too crowded, where there is little sound, little noise
by night, sequestered, hidden from men, well fitted for a retired life ? "
9.
And King Bimbisara thought: " There is the
Veluvana, my pleasure garden, which is not too far from the town and not too near,
suitable for going and coming. What if I were to make an offering of the Veluvana pleasure
garden to the fraternity of monks, with the Buddha at its head ? "
10.
And King Bimbisara took a golden vessel with water in it, to be poured over the Buddha's
hand; and made a gift to the Blessed One, saying, "I give this Veluvana pleasure
garden, Lord, to the fraternity of monks with the Buddha at its head." The Blessed
One accepted the park.
11.
Then the Blessed One, after having taught, incited, animated, and gladdened King Bimbisara
by religious discourse, rose from his seat and went away.
12.
And in consequence of this event the Blessed One, after having delivered a religious
discourse, addressed the monks: ' I allow you monks, to receive this donation of a
park."
§
2. Gift from Anathapindika
1.
After his conversion Anathapindika once went to the Blessed Lord. Taking his seat on his
right side, he said:
2.
"The Lord knows that I dwell in Shravasti, a land rich in produce, and enjoying
peace; Pasendi is the great king thereof.
3.
"Now am I wishful to found a Vihar there, I pray you, of your tenderness come to
Shravasti and accept it from me."
4.
The Blessed Lord kept silent and thereby showed his willingness to accept the gift".
5.
Anathapindika, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of orphans, having returned
home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, Jeta, with its green groves and limpid
rivulets, and thought: "This is the place which will be most suitable as a Vihara for
the fraternity of the Blessed One." And he went to the prince and asked leave to buy
the ground.
6.
The prince was not inclined to sell the garden for he valued it highly. He at first
refused but said at last: " If you can cover it with gold, then, and for no other
price, shall you have it."
7.
Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold; but Jeta said: " Spare yourself
trouble for I will not sell." But Anathapindika insisted. Thus they differed and
contended until they resorted to the magistrate.
8.
Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding and the prince hearing more
of the details, and knowing that Anathapindika was not only very wealthy, but also
straightforward and sincere, inquired into his plans. On hearing the name of the Blessed
One, the prince became anxious to share in the foundation and he accepted only one-half of
the gold, saying: " Yours is the land but mine are the trees. I will give the trees
as my share of the offering to the Lord."
9.
Having made the foundation, they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due
proportions according to the directions which the Blessed One had given; and it was
beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings.
10.
This Vihara was called Jetavana and the friend of the orphans invited the Lord to come to
Shravasti and receive the gift. And the Blessed One left Kapilavastu and came to
Shravasti.
11.
While the Blessed One entered Jetavana, Anathapindika scattered flowers and burned
incense, and as a sign of the gift he poured water from a golden dragon pitcher, saying,
"This Jetavana Vihara I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the
world."
12.
The Blessed One received the gift and replied: " May all evil influences be overcome;
may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness and be a permanent blessing to
mankind in general and especially also to the giver."
13.
Anathapindika was one of the eighty chief disciples who bore the title of Chief
Airnsgiver.
§
3. Gift from Jeevaka
1.
Jeevaka the physician visited the Blessed One twice a day whenever the Blessed One
happened to be in Rajagraha.
2.
Jeevaka found the Veluvana gifted away to the Blessed One by King Bimbisara too far away.
3.
Jeevaka had his own park in Rajagraha, known as Ambavana, which was much nearer from his
place. 4. He thought of building a Vihara with all its adjuncts and present the Ambavana
and the Vihara to the Blessed One.
5.
With this idea in his mind he approached the Blessed One and requested him to let him
fulfil his wishes.
6.
The Blessed Lord showed his acceptance by remaining silent.
§
4. Gift from Ambrapali
1.
Now the Exalted One was staying at Nadika and was wishing for a change. He addressed
Ananda, and said: " Come, Ananda, let us go on to Vesali."
2.
" So be it. Lord," said Ananda, in assent, to the Exalted One.
3.
Then the Exalted One proceeded, with a great company of the brethren, to Vesali, and there
at Vesali, the Exalted One stayed at Ambrapali's grove.
4.
Now the courtesan Ambrapali heard that the Exalted One had arrived at Vesali and was
staying there at her mango grove. And ordering a number of state vehicles to be made
ready, she mounted one of them, and went forth with her train from Vesali towards her
garden. She went in the carriage as far as the ground was passable for carriages; there
she alighted and she proceeded on foot to the place where the Exalted One was, and took
her seat respectfully on one side. And when she was thus seated the Exalted One instructed
her with religious discourse.
5.
Then she addressed the Exalted One, and said: " May the Exalted One do me the honour
of taking his meal, together with the brethren, at my house tomorrow ? "
6.
And the Exalted One gave, by silence, his consent. Then when Ambrapali the courtesan saw
that the Exalted One had consented, she rose from her seat and bowed down before him, and
keeping him on her right hand as she passed him, she departed thence.
7.
Now the Licchavis of Vesali heard that the Exalted One had arrived at Vesali, and was
staying at Ambrapali's grove. They too wanted to invite the Buddha to their place for a
meal. And ordering a number of state carriages to be made ready, they each mounted one of
them and went forth with their train from Vesali.
8.
They and Ambrapali crossed on the way.
9.
And Ambrapali drove up against the young Licchavis, axle to axle, wheel to wheel, and yoke
to yoke, and the Licchavis said to Ambrapali the courtesan, " How is it, Ambrapali,
that thou drivest up against us thus ? "
10.
" My Lords, I have just invited the Exalted One and his brethren for their morrow's
meal," said Ambrapali.
11.
"Ambrapali, sell this honour to us fora hundred thousand," said they.
12.
" My Lords, were you to offer all Vesali with its subject territory, I would not give
it up."
13.
The Licchavis cast up their hands, exclaiming: "We are outdone by this mango girl. We
are out-reached by this mango girl," and they went on to Ambrapali's grove.
14.
Knowing that they were outdone they still thought of approaching the Blessed One in the
hope that he might reconsider and give their invitation first preference. So they went on
to Ambrapali's grove.
15.
When the Exalted One saw the Licchavis approaching in the distance, he addressed the
brethren and said: "Brethren, let those of the brethren who have never seen the
devas, gaze upon this company of the Licchavis, behold this company of the Licchavis,
compare this company of the Licchavis—-for they are
even a company of next-world devas."
16.
And when they had ridden as far as the ground was passable for carriages the Licchavis
alighted there, and then went on foot to the place where the Exalted One was, and took
their seats respectfully by his side.
17.
Then they addressed the Exalted One, and said : " May the Exalted One do us the
honour of taking his meal, together with the brethren, at our house tomorrow ? "
18.
"I have promised, Licchavis, to dine tomorrow with Ambrapali," was the reply.
19. Then the Licchavis knew that they had failed.
And after expressing their thanks and approval of the words of the Exalted One, they rose
from their seats and bowed down before the Exalted One, and keeping him on their right
hand as they passed him, departed thence.
20.
And at the end of the night Ambrapali the courtesan made ready in her mansion sweet rice
and cakes, and announced the time to the Exalted One, saying: "The hour. Lord, has
come, and the meal is ready."
21.
And the Exalted One who had dressed himself early in the morning, took his bowl, and his
robe and went with the brethren to the place where Ambrapali's mansion was ; and when he
had come there he seated himself on the seat prepared for him. And Ambrapali, the
courtesan, set the sweet rice and cakes before the order, with the Buddha at their head,
and waited upon them till they refused any more.
22.
And when the Blessed One had quite finished his meal and had cleansed the bowl and his
hands, the courtesan had a low stool brought, and sat down-at his side, and addressed the
Exalted One, and said :
23.
" Lord, I present my pleasance to you and to the order." And the Exalted One
accepted the gift; and after giving a religious discourse he rose from his seat and took
her leave.
§
5. Munificence of Vishakha
1.
Vishakha was a wealthy woman of Shravasti. She had many children and grandchildren.
2.
When the Blessed One stayed at Shravasti, Vishakha went up to the place where the Blessed
One was, and tendered Him an invitation to take his meal at her house, which the Blessed
One accepted.
3.
And heavy rain fell during the night and the next morning; and the bhikkhus doffed their
robes to keep themselves dry and let the rain fall upon their bodies.
4.
When the next day the Blessed One had finished his meal, she took her seat at his side and
spoke thus; " Eight are the boons, Lord, which I beg of the Blessed One."
5.
Then the Blessed One said: " The Tathagatas, 0 Vishakha, grant no boons unless they
know what they are."
6.
Vishakha replied: "Proper, Lord, and unobjectionable are the boons I ask."
7.
Having received permission to ask the boons, Vishakha said: " I desire. Lord, through
all my life to bestow robes for the rainy season on the Sangha, and food for incoming
bhikkhus, and food for outgoing bhikkhus and food for the sick, and food for those who
wait upon the sick, and medicine for the sick, and a constant supply of rice-milk for the
Sangha, and bathing robes for the bhikkhunis, the sisters."
8.
"But," said the Lord, "What, 0 Vishakha, have you in view in asking these
eight boons of the Tathagata ?"
9.
And Vishakha replied: "I gave command, Lord, to my maid-servant, saying, ' Go thou
and announce to the fraternity that the meal is ready,' and my maid went, but when she
came to the vihara, she observed that the bhikkhus had defied their robes, while it was
raining, and she thought: ' These are not bhikkhus, but naked ascetics letting the rain
fall on them.' So she returned to me and reported accordingly and I had to send her a
second time.
10.
" Impure, Lord, is nakedness, and revolting. It was this circumstance, Lord, that I
had in view in desiring to provide the Sangha throughout my life with special garments for
use in the rainy season.
11.
"As to my second wish. Lord, an incoming bhikku, not being able to take the direct
roads, and not knowing the places where food can be procured, comes on his way wearied out
by seeking for alms. It was this circumstance, Lord, that I had in view in desiring to
provide the Sangha throughout my life with food for incoming bhikkhus.
12.
" Thirdly, Lord, an outgoing bhikkhu, while seeking about for alms, may be left
behind, or may arrive too late at the place whither he desires to go, and will set out on
the road in weariness.
13.
" Fourthly, Lord, if a sick bhikkhu does not obtain suitable food, his sickness may
increase upon him, and he may die.
14.
"Fifthy, Lord, a bhikkhu who is waiting upon the sick will lose his opportunity of
going out to seek food for himself.
15.
" Sixthly, Lord, if a sick bhikkhu does not obtain suitable medicines, his sickness
may increase upon him, and he may die.
16.
" Seventhly, Lord, I have heard that the Blessed One has praised rice-milk, because
it gives readiness of mind, dispels hunger and thirst; it is wholesome nourishment for the
healthy and for the sick as a medicine. Therefore I desire to provide the Sangha
throughout my life with constant supply of rice-milk.
17.
" Finally, Lord, the bhikkhunis are in the habit of bathing in the river Archiravati
with the courtesans, at the same landing-place, and naked. And the courtesans. Lord,
ridicule the bhikkhtmis, saying, 'What is the good, ladies, of your maintaining chastity
when you are young? When you are old, maintain chastity then; thus will you be obtainers
of both ends.' Impure, Lord, is nakedness for a woman, disgusting, and revolting.
18.
" These are the circumstances, Lord, that I had in view."
19. The Blessed One said: " But what was the advantage you had in view for yourself, 0 Vishakha, in asking these eight boons of the Tathagatha ?"
20.
Vishakha replied: "Bhikkhus who have spent the rainy season in various places will
come, Lord, to Shravasti to visit the Blessed One. And on coming to the Blessed One they
will ask, saying: * Such and such a bhikkhu. Lord, has died. What, now, is his destiny?'
Then will the Blessed One explain that he has attained the fruits of conversion; that he
has entered Nirvana or attained arhantship, as the case may be.
21.
" And I, going up to them, shall ask, ' Was that brother, sirs, one of those who had
formerly been at Shravasti,' then shall I arrive at the conclusion, 'For a certainty did
that brother enjoy either the robes for the rainy season, or the food for the incoming
bhikkhus, or the food for the outgoing bhikkhus, or the food for the sick, or the food for
those that wait upon the sick, or the medicine for the sick, or the constant supply of
rice-milk.'
22.
"Then will gladness spring up within me; thus gladdend joy will come to me; and so
rejoicing all my frame will be at peace. Being thus at peace I shall experience a blissful
feeling of content; and in that bliss my heart will be at rest. That will be to me an
exercise of my moral powers, an exercise of the seven kinds of wisdom ! This, Lord, was
the advantage I had in view for myself in asking those eight boons of the Blessed
One."
23.
Then the Blessed One said: " It is well, it is well, Vishakha. Thou hast done well in
asking these eight boons of the Tathagata with such advantage in view. Charity bestowed
upon those who are worthy of it is like good seeds sown in good soil that yields an
abundance of fruits. But alms given to those who are yet under the tyrannical yoke of the
passions are like a seed deposited in bad soil. The passions of the receiver of the alms
choke, as it were, the growth of merits."
24.
And the Blessed One gave thanks to Vishakha vi
in these verses ; " Whatsoever donation a woman upright in life, a disciple of
the Blessed One, may bestow in gladness of heart and without stint, her gift is heavenly,
destructive of sorrow, and productive of bliss." " A blissful life does she
attain entering upon the path that is from corruption and impurity." "Aiming at
good, happy does she become; and she rejoices in her charitable actions."
25.
Vishakha gave to the Order the Purva-Aram or
Eastern Garden, and was the first to become a matron of the lay-sisters.
1.
Charge of Conversion by Glamour.
2.
Charge of being a Parasite !
3.
Charge of Breaking Happy Households.
4.
Jains and a False Charge of Murder.
5. Jains
and a False Charge of Immorality.
6. Devadatta
a Cousin and an Enemy.
7. Brahmins
and the Buddha.
§
1. Charge of Conversion by Glamour
1.
Once the Exalted One dwelt at Vesali, in the Gable-roofed Hall in the Great Wood. Now
Bhaddiya the Licchavi came to the Exalted One and said: " Lord! People say ' Gotama
the recluse is a charmer and knows a trick of glamour, whereby he entices the followers of
other sects.'
2.
"They who say this disclaim any desire to misrepresent the Exalted One. Indeed, Lord,
we Licchavis do not believe in this charge. But we would like to know what the Exalted One
has to say about it."
3.
The Lord said: "Come now, Bhaddiya, accept not on hearsay, nor by tradition, nor by
what people say. Accept not because it is in the scriptures, by mere logic, nor by
inference, nor by consideration of appearances, nor because it accords with your view, nor
because you think it must be right, nor out of respect, with the thought that ' One must
revere a recluse."
4.
"But, Bhaddiya, if at any time you know of yourself by examination of facts that what
is being done is sinful or wrongful, that it is reproached by the wise and the result is
loss or injury, then, Bhaddiya, eschew them.
5.
"Now as to your question, Bhaddiya, what think you; Are not those who accuse me of
performing conversion by glamour ambitious persons ? " " They are. Lord,"
replied Bhaddiya.
6.
"What think ye, Bhaddiya; Does not an ambitious person, overcome by avarice and with
mind overpowered, tell lies or commit crime to achieve his ambition ? " " It is
so. Lord," replied Bhaddiya.
7.
" What think you, Bhaddiya, when thoughts of ill-will and vindictiveness arise in the
mind of such a person, does he not instigate others to level accusations against those who
come in the way of his ambition?" "That' is so Lord," said Bhaddiya.
8.
" Now, Bhaddiya, all I do is to exhort my pupil thus: ' Come you, my dear man, dwell
controlling (thoughts of) avarice. So dwelling you will not commit acts born of avarice,
either by body, work or thought. Dwell controlling ill-will and ignorance.'
9.
"So, Bhaddiya, those recluses and Brahmins,
who wrongly reproach me with being a teacher and proclaimer of such views, are
false, empty liars, when they say: ' The recluse Gautama is a charmer and knows a trick of
glamour, whereby He entices the followers of other sects.' "
10.
" A lucky thing indeed, 0 Lord—a fair find is this trick of glamour ! Lord would
that my beloved blood-relations were enticed by this same trick of glamour ! It would
indeed conduce to their advantage and happiness! Lord, would that all the classes the
Brahmins, the Khatiyas, the Vessas and the Suddas were enticed by this same trick of
glamour, it would indeed conduce to their advantage and happiness for a long time."
11.
"It is so, Bhaddiya ! It is so Bhaddiya ! If all the classes enticed by this trick of
glamour, were to eschew sinful conditions, my trick would result in great advantage and
happiness to the world. "
§
2. Charge of Being a Parasite!
1.
The Blessed One was accused of being a parasite, living upon others and not earning his
living by working for it. The accusation and the reply of the Blessed Lord is set out
below :
2.
Once the Lord was living among the Magadha folk at Dakkhina-giri in the Brahmin village of
Eka-Nala, at a time when the Brahmin Kasi-Bharadvaja's five hundred ploughs were harnessed
for the sowing.
3.
In the morning early, duly robed and bowl in hand, the Lord went to where the Brahmin was
busy, at an hour when a meal was brought forward; and stood there to one side.
4.
Observing him standing there for alms, the Brahmin said: " Before I eat, I plough and
sow, anchorite; and you too should plough and sow before you eat."
5.
"I too Brahmin, do plough and do sow before I eat."
6.
" I fail, however, to see the worthy Gautama's yoke, or plough, or ploughshare, or
goad, or ox-team —albeit, he asserts that he ploughs and sows before he eats.
7.
" You claim to be a tiller, though we see none of your tillage. Tell us how you till;
for of your tilling we would fain hear more."
8.
" My seed is faith; austerity of life my rain; wisdom my yoke and plough; my pole is
fear to err; with thought to Strap the yoke; and mindfulness for plough share and the
goad," replied the Lord.
9.
" Watchful o'er word and deed, and temperate in diet, I make in sight weed my crop,
nor rest till final bliss is harvested. Effort is my stout ox, which turns not back at
headlands;—straight to Peace he bears me on, to that last bourne where anguish is no
more. Thus, I till with Deathlessness for crop. And who tills as I, is freed from
ills."
10.
Thereupon the Brahmin served up milk-rice on a great bronze dish and offered it to the
Lord, saying: "Eat this, Gautama, a tiller indeed art thou, in that thou tillest a
crop that is Deathless."
11.
But the Lord said: "I take no chanter's fee. Seers countenance it not; the
Enlighten'd scout such fees; and while this Doctrine lasts, this practice must hold good.
Provided with other fare a sage of holy calm, consummate, cankerless; merit Co reap,—
sow there."
12.
On hearing these words the Brahmin went over to the Lord, and, bowing his head at the
Lord's feet, cried: "Wonderful, Gautama; quite wonderful. Just as a man might set
upright again what had fallen down, or reveal what had been hidden away, or tell a man who
had fallen down, or reveal what had been hidden away, or tell a man who had gone astray
which was his way, or bring a lamp into darkness so that those with eyes to see might see
the things about them,—even so, in many ways has Gautama made his Doctrine clear !
13.
"To the reverend Gotama I come for refuge and to his Doctrine and to his community.
Be it mine to receive admission and confirmation at the hands of the Lord!" So the
Brahmin Kasi-Bharadvaja was admitted and confirmed as an almsman of the Lord.
§3.
Charge of Breaking Happy Households
1.
Seeing that many distinguished young Magadha noblemen had become the discipJes of the
Blessed One, people became annoyed and angry, saying: " The Samana Gautama causes
parents to be childless; the Samana Gautama causes wives to become widows; the Samana
Gautama causes the uprooting of families.
2.
" Now he has ordained one thousand Jatilas, and he has ordained these two hundred and
fifty wandering ascetics who were followers of Sanjaya, and these many distinguished young
Magadha clansmen are now leading a holy life under the Samana Gautama. What will happen
next ? No one can say! "
3.
And, moreover, when they saw the monks they chide them in the following terms: " The
great Samana has come to Giribhaja (i.e., Ragagaha) of the Magadha people, leading with
him all the followers of Sanjaya ; who will be the next to be led by him ?"
4.
The monks heard this accusation and they reported it to the Blessed One.
5.
The Blessed One replied: "This noise, monks, will not last long; it will last only
seven days; after seven days it will be over.
6.
"And if they chide you, monks, you should reply that it is truly by a good Dhamma
that the great heroes, the Tathagatas, lead. Who will murmur at the wise, why grudge the
wise leading men righteously? There is no compulsion in my Dhamma. One is free to leave
home. One is free to remain attached to his home."
7.
When the Bhikkhus replied to the revilers as the Blessed One had directed, then the people
under-stood : "It is by Dhamma, and not unrighteously that the Sakyaputtiya Samana
leads men"; and ceased to accuse the Blessed One.
§
4. Jains and a False Charge of Murder
1.
The Tirthikas'were beginning to feel that the people no longer respected them with the
appearance of Samana Gautama and that even some people did not know of their existence.
2.
So, "let us see whether with the connivance of somebody, we can lower his
prestige," thought the Tirthikas. " Perhaps with Sundari's help we might
succeed."
3.
And they approached Sundari and said to her: " Sister, you are extremely beautiful
and charming. If you spread a scandal about Samana Gautama, the people might believe it,
and it would lower his influence."
4.
Sundari used to go every evening towards the Jetavana with garlands, camphor, and sweet
scents when the people used to return to the city; and if anybody asked her, "
Sundari, where are you going ? " she used to answer, "I am going to Samana
Gautama to stay with in the garden house (Gandha Kutir)."
5.
And staying the night in some gardens of the Tirthikas, she used to return in the morning,
and if anybody asked her where she had spent the night, she would say that she had spent
the night with Gautama.
6.
After a few days the Tirthikas hired a few assassins and told them: " Kill Sundari
and throw her body on the rubbish heap near Gautama's Gandha Kutir." This the
assassins did.
7.
Then the Tirthikas brought it to the notice of the officers of peace and justice that
Sundari used to frequent Jetavana and she was missing.
8.
So with the assistance of the officers they found Sundari's body on the rubbish heap. 9.
And the Tirthikas accused the disciples of Gautama
to have killed Sundari in order to hide the shame of their leader.
10.
But the assassins began to quarrel amongst themselves in a liquor shop about the
distribution of the prize money for having killed Sundari.
11.
The officers at once arrested them and they admitted their guilt and implicated the
Tirthikas at whose instigation they had committed the crime.
12.
Thus the Tirthikas lost whatever influence was left for them.
§
5. Jains and a False Charge of Immorality
1.
As with the sunrise the glow-worms vanish, so miserable became the situation of the
Tirthikas. The people ceased to pay them respects or presents.
2.
Standing on the public streets they used to harangue: " If Samana Gautama is
enlightened (Buddha), we are also. If you acquire virtue by showering presents on the
Buddha, you will get the same by giving us presents. Therefore make gift to us."
3.
But the public paid no heed to it. So they conspired in secret how by spreading scandal on
the character of Samana Gautama, they could discredit the Sangha.
4.
At that time there used to live in Shravasti a Brahmani Parivrajaka, known as Chincha. In
bodily formation and physical charms she was a seductive beauty. She used to radiate
voluptuous grace with her bodily movements.
5.
One of the crafty schemers among the Tirthikas said that with the help of Chincha it would
be easy to spread a scandal about Gautama, and thereby discredit him, to which other
Tirthikas gave their consent.
6.
Then, one day Chincha came to the park of the Tirthikas and saluting them, sat near them.
But nobody talked with her. 7. Surprised at this she said: "How have I offended you ?
I have saluted you thrice though you do not say a single word to me."
8.
"Sister," the Tirthikas said, "Don't you know that Samana Gautama is
causing us harm and loss by his popularity." " I do not know that. And have I got any duty to perform toward
its solution? "
9.
" Sister, if you mean to do us good, then by your own efforts, spread scandals about
Gautama, and thus make him unpopular." " All right ; be content ; and depend
that on me," saying thus she left the place.
10.
Chincha was an expert in feminine charms and coquetry. When the citizens of Shravasti used
to return from the religious discussions at Jetavana, Chincha wearing a red garment and
with perfumes and garlands in her hands used to go towards it.
11.
If anybody asked her: " Where are you going now ? " " That's none of your
business," she used to answer. Spending the night at the rest house of the Itinerants
(Tirthikarama) near Jetavana, she used to return to the city in the morning, when the
citizens used to go to the Jetavana to pay respect to the Buddha.
12.
If anybody asked her, "Where did you spend the night ? " she used to say, "
That is none of your business. I spent the night with Samana Gautama in his garden house
(Gandha Kutir) at Jetavana." The remark used to create doubts in the minds of some.
13.
After four months she used to increase the size of her belly by wrapping round it some old
rags, and say that she became pregnant through Samana Gautama. Some began to believe it.
14.
In the ninth month, she suspending a wooden protuberance round her belly and having arms
swollen through insect bites, appeared before the Buddha when he was making a religious
discourse before monks and laymen and said: " Great teacher, you give many people
religious lessons. Your voice is sweet, and your lips are very tender. Through
cohabitation with you I have been pregnant, and my delivery time is near.
15.
"You have not fixed any delivery place for me, nor I do see any medicine for that
emergency. If you cannot do that yourself, why don't you appoint one of your disciples,
the king of Kosala, Anathpindika or Visakha for that purpose.
16.
"It seems you know well how to seduce a girl, but you do not know how to take care of
the new-born baby that is born out of the seduction." The assembly remained silent.
17.
The Buddha, breaking the continuity of his lecture, answered her with reserved dignity.
" Sister, whatever you have said, whether true or false, is only known to us
both."
18.
Chincha coughing loudly, said. "Yes, O Teacher, such a thing can be known to us
only."
19.
With her coughing the knot with which the wooden protuberance was tied round her belly
slackened, and it fell on her feet to her discomfiture.
20.
And she was turned away with stones and sticks.
§
6. Devadatta a Cousin and an Enemy
1.
Devadatta was a cousin of the Buddha. But from the beginning he was jealous of the Buddha
and disliked him intensely.
2.
When the Buddha had left his home, Devadatta tried to make love to Yeshodhara.
3.
Once when Yeshodhara was about to retire, he without being intercepted by anybody entered
into her chamber in the guise of a monk. She asked him, " Bhikkhu, what do you want ?
Have you got any message for me from my husband ?"
4.
" Your husband, he cares a damn for you. In your house of happiness he cruelly and
wickedly abandoned you," said Devadatta.
5.
" But he did it for the good of many," replied Yeshodhara.
6.
" Whatever that be, now take revenge on his disdainful cruelty to you,"
suggested Devadatta.
7.
" Stop it, 0 Monk : your words and thoughts are impure," countered Yeshodhara.
8.
" Don't you recognize me, Yeshodhara ? I am Devadatta who loves you."
9.
" Devadatta, I knew you to be false and vile.
I thought you would make a bad monk, but did not
suspect you to be so mean-minded."
10.
" Yeshodhara, Yeshodhara, I love you" pleaded Devadatta. "And your husband
shows you nothing but contempt. He has been cruel to you. Love me and revenge his
cruelty."
11.
Yeshodhara's pale and emaciated face became tinged with a purple hue. Tears rolled down
her cheeks.
12.
"Devadatta, it is you who are cruel to me. Even if your love were sincere, it would
have been an insult to me. You are simply lying when you say you love me.
13.
"When I was young and pretty you hardly looked at me. Now I am old, broken down by
sorrow and anguish, you have come at night to declare your treacherous and guilty love.
You are a base coward."
14.
And she shouted: " Devadatta, get out from the place," and Devadatta left the
place.
15.
Devadatta was very angry with the Buddha who did not make him the chief in the Sangh and
instead made Sariputta and Mogallana the chief men in the Sangh. Devadatta made three
attempts on the Buddha's life, but did not succeed in any of them.
16.
At one time the Blessed One was walking up and
down in the shade below the hill called the Vultures Peak (Girdhra Kuta).
17.
Devadatta climbed it up and hurled down a large stone with the intention of depriving the
Blessed One of his life, but it fell upon another rock and there it was entombed; only a
splinter falling from it made the foot. of the Blessed One to bleed.
18.
A second time he made an attempt to take the life of the Buddha.
19.
This time Devadatta went to Prince Ajata-satru and said: " Give me some men."
And Ajata-satru, the prince gave orders to his men : " Whatsoever the worthy
Devadatta tells you, do that."
20.
Then to one man Devadatta gave command: " Go, my friend ; the Samana Gautama is
staying at such a place. Kill him." And the man returned and said to him : " I
cannot deprive the Blessed One of his life.
21.
He made a third attempt on the life of the Buddha.
22.
This time there was at Rajgraha an elephant named Nalagiri, fierce and a man-slayer.
23.
And Devadatta went into Rajgraha and to the elephant stables, and said to the elephant
keepers : " I, my friends, am a relative of the raja, and am able to advance a man
occupying a low position to a high position, and to order an increase of his rations or of
his pay."
24.
Therefore, my friends' when Samana Gautama shall have arrived at this carriage road, then
loose the elephant Nalagiri and let him go down the road.
25.
Devadatta engaged archers to kill the Buddha. He had also let loose on his way the mad
elephant Nalagiri.
26.
But he did not succeed. When these attempts became known, Devadatta lost all the public
endowments given to him. And even the king (Ajatasatru) stopped giving him interview.
27.
For living he had to beg from house to house. Devadatta received many favours from
Ajatasatru, which he could not retain long. Devadatta lost all his influence after the
Nalagiri incident.
28.
By his acts, Devadatta becoming very unpopular in Magadha left it for Kosala, thinking
that Prasenjit might receive him cordially. But he was contemptuously driven out by
Prasenjit.