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 another day, Phralaong, on his way to his garden, met with the same
Nat under the form of a sick man, who appeared quite sinking under the
weight of the most loathsome disease. Frightened at such a sight,
Phralaong, hearing from the mouth of his faithful driver what this
disgusting object was, returned in all haste to his palace. His father,
more and more disturbed at the news conveyed to him, multiplied the
pleasures and enjoyments destined for his son, and doubled the number of
guards that had to watch over him. On a third occasion, whilst the
prince was taking a walk, the same Nat, assuming the shape of a dead
man, offered to the astonished regards of the prince the shocking sight
of a corpse. Trembling with fear, the young prince came back forthwith
to his residence. Thoodaudana, being soon informed of what had taken
place, resorted to fresh precautions, and extended to the distance of
one youdzana the immense line of countless guards set all round the
palace.
On a fourth occasion, the prince, driving rapidly towards his garden,
was met on his way by the same Nat under the meek form of a Rahan. The
curiosity of the prince was awakened by the extraordinary sight of that
new personage: he asked his coachman what he was. "Prince," answered the
coachman, "he is a Rahan." At the same time, though little acquainted
with the high dignity and sublime qualifications of a recluse, he was
enabled, by the power of the Nats, to praise and extol in dignified
language the profession and merits of Rahans. The prince felt
instantaneously an almost irresistible inclination to embrace that
attractive mode of life. He quietly went as far as his garden.
The whole day was spent in all sorts of rural diversions. Having bathed
in a magnificent tank, he went a little before sunset to rest awhile on
a large well-polished stone table, overshaded by the far-spread branches
of beautiful trees hanging above it, waiting for the time to put on his
richest dress. All his attendants were busily engaged in preparing the
finest clothes and most elegant ornaments. When all was ready, they
stood silent round him, waiting for his orders. Perfumes of every
description were disposed in a circular row with the various ornaments
on the table whereon the prince was sitting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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