"So blest is an age in which Buddhas arise, So blest is the truth's proclamation. So blest is the Sangha, concordant and wise, So blest a devout congregation! 6 "And if by all the truth were known, More seeds of kindness would be sown, And richer crops of good deeds grown." 7 When the Blessed One had finished his meal, and had cleansed his bowl and his hands, the king sat down near him and thought: 8 "Where may I find a place for the Blessed One to live in, not too far from the town and not too near, suitable for going and coming, easily accessible to all people who want to see him, a place that is by day not too crowded and by night not exposed to noise, wholesome and well fitted for a retired life? There is my pleasure-garden, the bamboo grove Veluvana, fulfilling all these conditions. I shall offer it to the brotherhood whose head is the Buddha." 9 The king dedicated his garden to the brotherhood, saying: "May the Blessed One accept my gift." 10 Then the Blessed One, having silently shown his consent and having gladdened and edified the Magadha king by religious discourse, rose from his seat and went away. 11 XXII. SĀRIPUTTA AND MOGGALLĀNA. At that time Sāriputta and Moggallāna, two Brahmans and chiefs of the followers of Sañjaya, led a religious life. They had promised each other: "He who first attains Nirvāna shall tell the other one." 1 Sāriputta seeing the venerable Assaji begging for alms, modestly keeping his eyes to the ground and dignified in deportment,[1] exclaimed: "Truly this samana has entered the right path; I will ask him in whose name he has retired from the world and what doctrine he professes." Being addressed by Sāriputta, Assaji replied: "I am a follower of the Buddha, the Blessed One, but being a novice I can tell you the substance only of the doctrine." 2 Said Sāriputta: "Tell me, venerable monk, it is the substance I want." And Assaji recited the stanza: 3 "The Buddha did the cause unfold Of all the things that spring from causes. And further the great sage has told How finally all passion pauses." 4 Having heard this stanza, Sāriputta obtained the pure and spotless eye of truth and said: "Now I see clearly, whatsoever is subject to origination is also subject to cessation. If this be the doctrine I have reached the state to enter Nirvāna which heretofore has remained hidden from me." 5