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
went in person to convert him. He began to relate to him all that he had
done during former existences, mentioning in particular the sin he had
been guilty of towards a brother hermit. At this unexpected declaration,
Tsampooka humbled himself. Buddha then preached to him his law. The
repenting Tsampooka firmly believed in all that was said to him. He then
rose up, and, with a heart overflowing with joy, instantly left his
place, followed his new master, and soon became a Rahanda. His
proficiency in science and virtue was such that he soon occupied a
distinguished rank among the members of the assembly.
FOOTNOTES
[1] In glancing over the episode of Thoodaudana's deputation to
his son, to invite him to come and visit his native country, the
reader is almost compelled to confess that the motive that
influenced the king was only inspired by the natural feeling of
beholding once more, before he died, him whose fame, spread far
and wide, rendered him an object of universal admiration. Was
the monarch induced by considerations of a higher order to send
for Buddha? There is no distinct proof in support of this
supposition. He was his father, and he but obeyed and followed
the impulse of his paternal heart. He entertained a high sense
of his son's distinguished qualifications. He had faith in the
wonderful signs foretelling his future matchless greatness. He
desired, therefore, to honour him in an extraordinary way, on
the very spot where he had been born. But he appeared to concern
himself very little about the doctrines he was preaching with a
success never before equalled. The king exhibited a great amount
of worldly-mindedness, until his mind had been enlightened by
the oral instructions of the great reformer.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to form an accurate idea of
the effect produced on the mass of the people by Buddha's
preachings. We see that eminent and zealous reformer surrounded
by thousands of distinguished disciples in the country of
Radzagio. These converts belonged chiefly to the class of
anchorites and philosophers, already alluded to in foregoing
notes as existing at the time Buddha began to enter the career
of preaching. But the great bulk of the populations of the
various places he visited seemed to have received for a long
time little or no impressions from his discourses. The opponents
of Buddha, the Brahmins in particular, exercised a powerful
influence over the public mind. They used it most effectually
for retaining their ancient hold over the masses. It required
the extraordinary display of the greatest wonders to break
through the almost insuperable barriers raised by his enemies.
From that period we see the people following Buddha, crowding
round him, and showing unmistakable signs of belief in him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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