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 hearing the answer of the Nats, Kaladewila immediately left the seat
of Tawadeintha, and directed his aërial course towards the palace of
Thoodaudana. Having entered into the palace and occupied the place
prepared for him, he conveyed to the king the good tidings of a son
having been born unto him.
A few days after this message, the royal child was brought into the
presence of his rejoicing father. Kaladewila was present on the
occasion. Thoodaudana ordered that the child should be attired with the
finest dress, and placed in the presence of the Rathee, in order to pay
him his respects. But the child rose up and set his two feet on the
curled hair of the venerable personage. The persons present on the
occasion, not knowing that a Buddha in his last existence never bows
down to any being, thought that the head of the imprudent child would be
split into seven parts as a punishment for his unbecoming behaviour. But
Kaladewila, rising up from his seat, and lifting up his hands to his
forehead, bowed respectfully to the infant Phralaong. The king,
astonished at such an unusual condescension from so eminent a personage,
followed his example, and out of respect prostrated himself before his
son.
By virtue of his great spiritual attainments, Kaladewila could recollect
at once all that had taken place during the forty preceding worlds, and
foresee all that would happen during the same number of future
revolutions of nature. On seeing the high perfections shining forth in
our Phralaong, he considered attentively whether he would become a
Buddha or not. Having ascertained that such a dignity was reserved for
him, he wished to know if the remaining period of his own existence
would permit him to witness the happy moment when he would be a Buddha.
To his deep regret, he foresaw that the end of his life would come
before the occurrence of that great event, and that he would have then
migrated to one of the seats of Arupa, and be, therefore, deprived of
the favour of hearing the law from his mouth. This foresight caused a
profound sadness in his heart, and abundant tears flowed from his eyes.
But when he reflected on the future destiny of the blessed child, he
could not contain within himself the pure joy that overflowed his soul.
The people present on the occasion soon observed the opposite emotions
which alternately affected the soul of Kaladewila. They asked him the
reason of such an unusual occurrence. "I rejoice," said he, "at the
glorious destiny of that child; but I feel sad and disconsolate when I
think that it will not be given to me to see and contemplate him clothed
with the dignity of Buddha. I bewail with tears my great misfortune."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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