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
Fully satisfied with the answer he had obtained, the venerable Ananda
saluted Buddha, and hastened to the gate of the monastery, where his
return was impatiently awaited. On hearing the good news, Patzapati, in
the name of her companions, spoke to Ananda: "Venerable Ananda, we all
rejoice that the favour so often asked for has been at last granted unto
us. As a young maid, who has bathed, and washed her hair, is anxiously
desirous to put on her fine ornaments, as she receives with delight the
beautiful and fragrant nosegays that are offered to her, so we are
longing for the eight precepts, and wish for admittance into the
assembly." They all promised to observe the rules of their new
profession to the end of their lives. Yathaudara and Dzanapada-kaliani
were among these converts. They all, owing to their former meritorious
works, became subsequently Rahandas.
One of the new female converts seemed to have retained as yet a certain
admiration of and fondness for her handsome features, and secretly
prided herself on her beauty. Buddha, who quickly perceived the latent
enemy lurking in the folds of her heart, resorted to the following
expedient to correct her. On a certain day, when the proud and vain
woman was in his presence, he created in an instant a consummate beauty,
who as much exceeded her in perfection of form as the snow-white swan
surpasses the black crow. Whilst she looked on this suddenly appearing
rival with somewhat jealous eyes, Buddha caused the beauty of his
creation to appear on a sudden very old, with a wrinkled face and an
emaciated frame, and to exhibit on her person all the various and
disgusting inroads which the most loathsome diseases make on the human
body. The change acted as an electric shock on the young religious
woman. When Gaudama perceived the change, and that she was so horrified
at such a sight that she was nearly fainting, he said to her: "Behold,
my daughter, the faithful foreshowing of what shall inevitably happen to
that form you are so proud of." He had scarcely spoken those words, when
she was instantly and for ever cured of her vanity.
Buddha left Wethalie and went on the Makula mountain, where he spent his
sixth season. During his stay in that place thousands of people were
converted and obtained the deliverance. At the end of that season,
Buddha went to Radzagio, and stayed in the Weloowon monastery.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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