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
3. After the people's departure, Buddha bathed and took a walk in the
open verandah of the monastery. His mat, cushion, &c., were spread in a
becoming and open place. The Rahans hastened at that hour to come and
communicate freely the result of their mental exertions. When they
wanted any explanation, they were encouraged to put him questions,
which were instantly answered; and they received submissively the
answers which he condescended to give to them. This exercise lasted
until it was dark. The disciples retired from their master's presence.
4. After their departure, the Nats and other celestial beings were
admitted. Buddha conversed with and instructed them until nearly
midnight.
5. Buddha then walked awhile to relieve his limbs from extreme
lassitude, and went into his apartment to take some rest. He rose very
early, and began to review the beings who, during the days of former
Buddhas, had distinguished themselves by their exertions in the path of
virtue and in the high mental attainments.
During one of his usual benevolent errands through the country, Gaudama
converted Ouggasena, his wife and companions. Here is an abridged
narrative of that event. Ouggasena was the son of a rich man. In the
time of his youth a company of comedians came to Radzagio and exhibited
during seven days in the presence of King Pimpathara and his court. Our
young man, along with many of his companions, attended the exhibition.
On a sudden, he became passionately enamoured of a rope dancing-girl,
who performed many feats with accomplished grace and uncommon address.
Despite his parents' remonstrances and entreaties, he sacrificed to his
ungoverned passion all considerations, and he married the damsel. In his
new situation, he had no alternative but to learn the art of
rope-dancing, tumbling feats, and standing in various attitudes on the
extremity of posts or masts, sometimes sixty cubits high. During his
noviciate, he had to bear the laughter and taunts of his wife and of his
new friends. By dint of exertion he became proficient in the art of
performing tumblers' feats with a surprising agility. One day it was
announced at the sound of the drum that Ouggasena was to perform on the
top of a post sixty cubits high. An immense crowd of citizens went out
with great eagerness to see the performance. When the amusements had
just begun, Buddha happened to pass by with a number of disciples. He
desired Maukalan to go ahead, and begin to preach to Ouggasena. Soon he
came up himself in person, and converted the juggler, who forthwith
descended from his mast, prostrated himself before Buddha, and asked to
be admitted as a member of the assembly. After further instructions he
obtained the science of Rahanda. His wife and all the company became
likewise converts.[4]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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