The Gospel of Buddha

Preface

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The Gospel of Buddha

Sariputta and Moggallana

At that time Sariputta and Maggallana,
two Brahmans and chiefs of the followers of Sanyjaya,
led a religious life.
They had promised each other:
"He who first attains Nirvana shall tell the other one." [1]

Sariputta seeing the venerable Assaji begging for alms,
modestly keeping his eyes to the ground degnified to deportment, exclaimed:
"Truly this samana has entered the right path;
I will ask him in whose name he has retired from the world
and what doctrine he professes."
Being addressed by Sariputta, Assaji replied:
"I am a follower of the Buddha, the Blessed One,
but being a novice I can tell you the substance only of the doctrine." [2]

Said Sariputta:
"Tell me, venerable monk, it is the substance I want."
And Assaji recited the stanza: [3]

"The Buddha did cause unfold
Of all the things that spring from causes.
And further the great sage had told
How finally all passion pauses." [4]

Having heard this stanza, Sariputta obtained the pure and spotless eye of truth and said:
"Now I see clearly, whatsoever is subject to origination is also subject to cessation.
If this be the doctrine I have reached the state to enter Nirvana
which heretofore has remained hidden from me." [5]

Sariputta went to Moggallana and told him, and both said:
"We will go to the Blessed One, that he, the Blessed One, may by our teacher." [6]

When the Buddha saw Sariputta and Moggallana coming from afar, he said to his disciples,
"These two monks are highly auspicious." [7]

When the two friends had taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha,
the Holy One said to his other disciples:
"Sariputta, life the first-born son of a world-ruling monarch,
is well able to assist the king as his chief follower
to set the wheel of the law rolling." [8]

And the people were annoyed.
Seeing that many distinguished young men of the kingdom of Magadha
led a religious life under the direction of the Blessed One,
they became angry and murmured:
"Gotama Sakyamuni induces fathers to leave their wives
and causes families to become extinct." [9]

When they saw the bhikkhus, they reviled them, saying:
"The great Sakyamuni has come to Rajagaha subduing the minds of men.
Who will be the next to be led astray by him?" [10]

The bhikkhus told it to the Blessed One, and the Blessed One said:
"This murmuring, O bhikkhus, will not last long.
It will last seven days.
If they revile you, O bhikkhus,
answer them with these words: [11]

"'It is by preaching the truth that Tathagatas lead men.
Who will murmur at the wise? Who will blame the virtuous?
Who will condemn self-control, righteousness, and kindness?'" [12]

And the Blessed One proclaimed this verse:

"Commit no wrong but good deeds do
And let thy heart be pure.
All Buddhas teach this doctrine true
Which will for aye endure." [13]

End Chapter 22

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