_Ap._ Are they gone, my Lord, and what did you decide? _Bb._ I propose to go to war. _Ap._ You are rightly called "the Warlike." _Bb._ I want to round off my kingdom and expand my power northward until it reaches the Himalayas. _Ap._ The gods will speed you and the blessings of the saints shall be upon your people. _Servant enters._ _St._ There is a holy man who wants to see your Highness. His name is Devadatta. _Bb._ Show him in. _Servant exit._ _Ap._ Is he not one of the disciples of the Buddha? _Bb._ I believe he is. _AMBAPALI retires._ _DEVADATTA enters._ _Dd._ Hail, great King! Protector of religion and victor of many battles! _Bb._ What brings you to my presence? I always rejoice to see holy men. Their coming is auspicious, and I am happy to be of service to them. _Dd._ Great King, I implore your assistance for the brotherhood which I have founded. We need your royal support and the holiness of our lives will surround you as a halo with heavenly protection. _Bb._ Are you not a disciple of Gotama, who is called the Buddha? _Dd._ No longer, mighty King, I was his disciple so long as I believed in him; but he is not holy. I have abandoned him. He is not austere; his disciples do not practise self-mortifications, and he speaks kindly and dines with sinners. My disciples do not dress in worldly garments; they would not accept the invitation of women; they would not touch animal food. He who calls himself the Buddha is unworthy of that high title; he is a pretender who has not reached the highest goal. My rules are much more strict than his, and my brotherhood alone is holy. _Bb._ Holiness is a mighty thing. _Dd._ Yea, and our vows will shield your government, your throne, your army and your people against any misfortune. _Bb._ I shall send my treasurer to investigate and will do what is right. _Dd._ Maharaja, be assured of my deepest gratitude. _Bows low, exit._ _Ap._ [_re-enters, excited_] My royal friend, do not trust that man [_pointing toward the door where DEVADATTA went out_]. He is false. He may be holy, but he is treacherous. He may be virtuous; he may shun joy and the blessings of life, he may practise all penances, he may torture and mortify his body. But there is no true goodwill in him. His holiness is egotistic, and his religion is hypocrisy. Support his brotherhood with money or gifts as you see fit, but do not believe what he says about the Buddha. _Bb._ [_With an inquiring look_] Why?