The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume I)Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Religion
The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume I)
Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Buddhism -- Burma; Burma -- Religion; Gautama Buddha
On a certain morning one of Gaudama's disciples named Athadzi, having
put on his religious habit, and carrying his patta on his left arm, went
out to receive his rice. Everything about his person was noble and
graceful; his countenance and behaviour were at once gentle and
dignified, whether he walked or stopped, looked forward to the right or
the left, or sat in a cross-legged position. The false Rahan Oopathi,
who became afterwards Thariputra, perceiving the Rahan Athadzi with such
a meek and dignified deportment, said to himself, "Such a Rahan is
assuredly worthy to receive offerings: he has doubtless attained
perfection. I will go to him and ask him, in case he has had a teacher,
who is that distinguished instructor under whom he practises virtue; and
in case of his being himself a teacher, what is the doctrine that he
teaches. But it is not becoming to put to him any question whilst he is
on his way to beg alms. I will follow at a distance." Athadzi, having
collected alms, left the city and went to a small dzeat, where he sat
down and ate his meal. Oopathi followed him thither. Having entered into
the dzeat, he rendered to him the services that a disciple usually pays
to his teacher. When the meal of Athadzi was over, he poured water over
his hands, and with a heart overflowing with joy, he conversed with him
for a while. He withdrew then to a becoming distance, and addressed him
as follows: "Great Rahan, your exterior is full of meekness and
benevolence; your countenance bespeaks the purity and innocence of your
soul; if you be a disciple, pray under what teacher have you become a
Rahan? Who is your guide in the way to perfection? and what is the
doctrine he is preaching to you?" "Young Rahan," replied Athadzi, "have
you not heard of the illustrious Buddha, the descendant of a long
succession of great monarchs, who has entered the profession of Rahan? I
have become Rahan under him; he is my teacher; to his doctrine I cling
with all the energy of my soul." "What is the doctrine of that great
master?" asked Oopathi. "I am but a novice in the profession," replied
modestly Athadzi, "and am as yet imperfectly acquainted with the
doctrine of my teacher. The little, however, I know, I will freely
communicate to you." Oopathi entreated him to do so. Athadzi replied,
"The law which I have learned at the feet of Buddha explains all that
relates to matter, to the principles that act upon it, to passions, and
to the mind; it makes man despise all that is material, conquer his
passions, and regulate his mind." On hearing this doctrine, Oopathi felt
the ties of passions gradually relaxing and giving way; his soul became,
as it were, disentangled from the influence of the senses. He became
enamoured with such a pure and perfect law, and obtained the condition
of Thautapan. Convinced that he had at last found what he had hitherto
searched after in vain, the law of Neibban, he went without delay to his
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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