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
At a certain time,[1] when Buddha lived in the city of Radzagio, the
country of Wethalie was made rich, gay, and attractive by the presence
of a famous courtesan. A nobleman of Radzagio, who had just returned
from that country, narrated to the king all that he had seen at
Wethalie, and induced the monarch to set up, in his own kingdom, some
famous courtesan, who would be skilful in music and dancing, as well as
attractive by the form and accomplishments of her person. Such a person
having been procured, she was, by the munificence of the king, placed on
a most splendid footing, and one hundred pieces of silver were to be
paid for each evening's visit. The king's son being rather assiduous in
his visits to her place, she became pregnant. Aware of her state, the
courtesan affected to be sick until her confinement. She directed her
servant to throw out the newly-born infant, on a heap of rubbish, in
some lonely and distant place. The next morning the king's son, going
out with some attendants, chanced to pass close to the spot where the
infant had been deposited. His attention having been attracted by the
noise of crows hovering close by, he went to see what it was. To his
great surprise, he saw an infant, yet breathing, half buried in rubbish.
Taken with the beauty of this little creature, the prince ordered the
child to be carried to the palace, where he was brought up with the
greatest care and attention. He was named Dzewaka, which means life,
because the prince, when he found him, inquired if he was alive. The
young lad, having reached the years of discretion, was unwilling to
remain in the palace, not occupied with any business. In order to afford
relief and comfort to his fellow-creatures, he resolved to study
medicine. He repaired to Benares, placed himself under the direction of
a famous physician, and soon became eminent by his extreme proficiency
in the profession. Having left his master, and begun practice in his own
name and for his own account, Dzewaka worked the most wonderful cures,
which soon procured to him unbounded wealth and an extraordinary
reputation.
Dzewaka was at the height of his fame, when, on a certain day, Buddha
happened to be troubled with bellyache. He called Ananda and said that
he wanted some medicine to relieve him from pain. Ananda went to the
place where lived the celebrated Dzewaka, and informed him of Buddha's
complaint. The doctor ordered first a rubbing of oil, which was to be
repeated three days after. This remedy not having a full effect, Dzewaka
took three lily flowers, whereupon he spread several powders, and came
to Buddha, saying, "Most glorious Phra, here is one lily flower, please
to smell it; this will be followed by ten motions. Here is a second one;
the smelling thereof will produce a similar effect; and this one will
cause the same result." Having handed over the three flowers, the doctor
paid his respects to Buddha, turned to the right, and left the
monastery.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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