Difference between revisions of "The Gospel of Buddha:Chapter 20: The Sermon at Rajagaha"

Latest revision as of 18:40, 31 December 2013

And the Blessed One having dwelt some time in Uruvela went forth to Rajagaha,
accompanied by a great number of bhikkhus, many of whom had been Jatilas before;
and the great Kassapa, chief of the Jatilas and formerly a fireworshipper, went with him. [1]

When the Magadha king, Seniya Bimbisara, heard of the arrival of Gotama Sakyamuni,
of whom the people said, "He is the Holy One, the blessed Buddha,
guiding men as a driver curbs bullocks, the teacher of high and low,"
he went out surrounded with his counsellors and generals
and came to the grove where the Blessed One was. [2]

There they saw the Blessed One in the company of Kassapa,
the great religious teacher of the Jatilas,
and they were astonished and thought:
"Has the great Sakyamuni placed himself under the spiritual direction of Kassapa,
or has Kassapa become a disciple of Gotama?" [3]

And the Tathagata, reading the thoughts of the people, said to Kassapa:
"What knowledge hast thou gained, O Kassapa,
and what has induced thee to renounce the sacred fire
and give up thine austere penances?" [4]

Kassapa said:
"The profit I derived from adoring the fire
was continuance in the wheel of individuality
with all its sorrows and vanities.
This service I have cast away,
and instead of continuing penances and sacrifices
I have gone in quest of the highest Nirvana.
Since I have seen the light of truth,
I have abandoned worshipping the fire." [5]

The Buddha, perceiving that the whole assembly
was ready as a vessel to receive the doctrine,
spoke thus to Bimbisara the king: [6]

"He who knows the nature of self
and understands how the senses act,
finds no room for selfishness,
and thus he will attain peace unending.
The world holds the thought of self,
and from this arises false apprehension. [7]

"Some say that the self endures after death, some say it perishes.
Both are wrong and their error is most grievous. [8]

"For if they say the self is perishable,
the fruit they strive for will perish too,
and at some time there will be no hereafter.
Good and evil would be indifferent.
This salvation from selfishness is without merit. [9]

"When some, on the other hand,
say the self will not perish,
then in the midst of all life and death
there is but one identity unborn and undying.
If such is their self,
then it is perfect and cannot be perfected by deeds.
The lasting, imperishable self could never be changed.
The self would be lord and master,
and there would be no use in perfecting the perfect;
moral aims and salvation would be unnecessary. [10]

"But now we see the marks of joy and sorrow.
Where is any constancy?
If there is no permanent self that does our deeds,
then there is no self;
there is no actor behind our actions,
no perceiver behind our perception,
no lord behind our deeds. [11]

"Now attend and listen:
The senses meet the object
and from their contact sensation is born.
Thence results recollection.
Thus, as the sun's power through a burning-glass causes fire to appear,
so through the cognizance born of sense and object,
the mind originates and with it the ego, the thought of self,
whom some Brahman teachers call the lord.
The shoot springs from the seed;
the seed is not the shoot,
both are not one and the same,
but successive phases in a continuous growth.
Such is the birth of animated life. [12]

"Ye that are slaves of the self and toil in its service from morn until night,
ye that live in constant fear of birth, old age, sickness, and death,
receive the good tidings that your cruel master exists not. [13]

"Self is an error, an illusion, a dream.
Open your eyes and awaken.
See things as they are
and ye will be comforted. [14]

"He who is awake will no longer be afraid of nightmares.
He who has recognized the nature of the rope
that seemed to be a serpent will cease to tremble. [15]

"He who has found there is no self
will let go all the lusts and desires of egotism. [16]

"The cleaving to things, covetousness,
and sensuality inherited from former existences,
are the causes of the misery and vanity in the world. [17]

"Surrender the grasping disposition of selfishness,
and you will attain to that calm state of mind
which conveys perfect peace, goodness, and wisdom." [18]

And the Buddha breathed forth this solemn utterance: [19]

"Do not deceive, do not despise

Each other, anymore.

Do not be angry, nor should ye

Secret resentment bear;

For as a mother risks her life

And watches o'er her child,

So boundless be your love to all,

So tender, kind and mild. [20]

"Yea, cherish good-will right and left,

All round. early and late,

And without hinderance, without stint,

From every free and hate,

While standing, walking, sitting down,

Whate'er you have in mind,

The rule of life that's always best

Is to be loving-kind. [21]

"Gifts are great,
the founding of viharas is meritorious,
mediations and religious exercises pacify the heart,
comprehension of the truth leads to Nirvana,
but greater than all is loving kindness.
As the light of the moon is sixteen times stronger the the light of all the stars,
so lovingkindness is sixteen times more efficacious in liberating the heart
than all other religious accomplishments taken together. [22]

"This state of heart is the best in the world.
Let a man remain steadfast in it while he is awake,
whether he is standing, walking, sitting, or lying down." [23]

When the Enlightened One had finished his sermon,
the Magadha king said to the Blessed One: [24]

"In former days, Lord, when I was a prince, I cherished five wishes.
I wished: O, that I might be inaugurated as a king.
This was my first wish, and it has been fulfilled.
Further, I wished: Might the Holy Buddha, the Perfect One,
appear on earth while I rule and might he come to my kingdom.
This was my secong wish and it is fulfilled now.
Further I wished: Might I pay my respects to him.
This was my third wish and it is fulfilled now.
The fourth wish was: Might the Blessed One preach the doctrine to me, and this is fulfilled now.
The greatest wish, however, was the fifth wish:
Might I understand the doctrine of the Blessed One.
And this wish is fulfilled too. [25]

"Glorious Lord! Most glorious is the truth preached by the Tathagata!
Our Lord, the Buddha, sets up what has been overturned;
he reveals what has been hidden;
he points out the way to the wanderer who has gone astray;
he lights a lamp in the darkness so that those who have eyes to see may see. [26]

26 "I take my refuge in the Buddha.
I take my refuge in the Dharma.
I take my refuge in the Sangha." [27]

The Tathagata, by the exercise of his virtue and by wisdom,
showed his unlimited spiritual power.
He subdued and harmonized all minds.
He made them see and accept the truth,
and throughout the kingdom the seeds of virtue were sown. [28]

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Source

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{DisplayImages|122|439|904|527|1829|1156|1432|1681|1983|326|1804|1903|1169|848|863|1011|123|387}}
-And the Blessed One having dwelt some time in Uruvela went forth to Rajagaha,<br/>
+And the [[Blessed One]] having dwelt some [[time]] in [[Uruvela]] went forth to [[Rajagaha]],<br/>
-accompanied by a great number of bhikkhus, many of whom had been Jatilas before;<br/>
+accompanied by a great number of [[bhikkhus]], many of whom had been Jatilas before;<br/>
-and the great Kassapa, chief of the Jatilas and formerly a fireworshipper, went with him. [1]<br/>
+and the great [[Kassapa]], chief of the Jatilas and formerly a fireworshipper, went with him. [1]<br/>
 <br/>
-When the Magadha king, Seniya Bimbisara, heard of the arrival of Gotama Sakyamuni,<br/>
+When the [[Magadha]] [[king]], Seniya [[Bimbisara]], heard of the arrival of [[Gotama]] [[Sakyamuni]],<br/>
-of whom the people said, "He is the Holy One, the blessed Buddha,<br/>
+of whom the [[people]] said, "He is the [[Holy One]], the blessed [[Buddha]],<br/>
-guiding men as a driver curbs bullocks, the teacher of high and low,"<br/>
+guiding men as a driver curbs bullocks, the [[teacher]] of high and low,"<br/>
 he went out surrounded with his counsellors and generals<br/>
-and came to the grove where the Blessed One was. [2]<br/>
+and came to the grove where the [[Blessed One]] was. [2]<br/>
 <br/>
-There they saw the Blessed One in the company of Kassapa,<br/>
+There they saw the [[Blessed One]] in the company of [[Kassapa]],<br/>
-the great religious teacher of the Jatilas,<br/>
+the great [[religious teacher]] of the Jatilas,<br/>
-and they were astonished and thought:<br/>
+and they were astonished and [[thought]]:<br/>
-"Has the great Sakyamuni placed himself under the spiritual direction of Kassapa,<br/>
+"Has the great [[Sakyamuni]] placed himself under the [[spiritual]] [[direction]] of [[Kassapa]],<br/>
-or has Kassapa become a disciple of Gotama?" [3]<br/>
+or has [[Kassapa]] become a [[disciple]] of [[Gotama]]?" [3]<br/>
 <br/>
-And the Tathagata, reading the thoughts of the people, said to Kassapa:<br/>
+And the [[Tathagata]], reading the [[thoughts]] of the [[people]], said to [[Kassapa]]:<br/>
-"What knowledge hast thou gained, O Kassapa,<br/>
+"What [[knowledge]] hast thou gained, O [[Kassapa]],<br/>
-and what has induced thee to renounce the sacred fire<br/>
+and what has induced thee to {{Wiki|renounce}} the [[sacred]] [[fire]]<br/>
 and give up thine austere penances?" [4]<br/>
 <br/>
-Kassapa said:<br/>
+[[Kassapa]] said:<br/>
-"The profit I derived from adoring the fire<br/>
+"The profit I derived from adoring the [[fire]]<br/>
-was continuance in the wheel of individuality<br/>
+was {{Wiki|continuance}} in the [[wheel]] of [[individuality]]<br/>
 with all its sorrows and vanities.<br/>
 This service I have cast away,<br/>
 and instead of continuing penances and sacrifices<br/>
-I have gone in quest of the highest Nirvana.<br/>
+I have gone in quest of the [[highest]] [[Nirvana]].<br/>
-Since I have seen the light of truth,<br/>
+Since I have seen the light of [[truth]],<br/>
-I have abandoned worshipping the fire." [5]<br/>
+I have abandoned worshipping the [[fire]]." [5]<br/>
 <br/>
-The Buddha, perceiving that the whole assembly<br/>
+The [[Buddha]], perceiving that the whole assembly<br/>
-was ready as a vessel to receive the doctrine,<br/>
+was ready as a vessel to receive the [[doctrine]],<br/>
-spoke thus to Bimbisara the king: [6]<br/>
+spoke thus to [[Bimbisara]] the [[king]]: [6]<br/>
 <br/>
-"He who knows the nature of self<br/>
+"He who [[knows]] the [[nature]] of [[self]]<br/>
-and understands how the senses act,<br/>
+and [[understands]] how the [[senses]] act,<br/>
-finds no room for selfishness,<br/>
+finds no room for [[selfishness]],<br/>
-and thus he will attain peace unending.<br/>
+and thus he will attain [[peace]] unending.<br/>
-The world holds the thought of self,<br/>
+The [[world]] holds the [[thought]] of [[self]],<br/>
 and from this arises false apprehension. [7]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Some say that the self endures after death, some say it perishes.<br/>
+"Some say that the [[self]] endures after [[death]], some say it perishes.<br/>
 Both are wrong and their error is most grievous. [8]<br/>
 <br/>
-"For if they say the self is perishable,<br/>
+"For if they say the [[self]] is perishable,<br/>
 the fruit they strive for will perish too,<br/>
-and at some time there will be no hereafter.<br/>
+and at some [[time]] there will be no hereafter.<br/>
-Good and evil would be indifferent.<br/>
+[[Good and evil]] would be indifferent.<br/>
-This salvation from selfishness is without merit. [9]<br/>
+This {{Wiki|salvation}} from [[selfishness]] is without [[merit]]. [9]<br/>
 <br/>
 "When some, on the other hand,<br/>
-say the self will not perish,<br/>
+say the [[self]] will not perish,<br/>
-then in the midst of all life and death<br/>
+then in the midst of all [[life]] and [[death]]<br/>
-there is but one identity unborn and undying.<br/>
+there is but one [[Wikipedia:Identity (social science)|identity]] {{Wiki|unborn}} and undying.<br/>
-If such is their self,<br/>
+If such is their [[self]],<br/>
-then it is perfect and cannot be perfected by deeds.<br/>
+then it is perfect and cannot be perfected by [[deeds]].<br/>
-The lasting, imperishable self could never be changed.<br/>
+The lasting, imperishable [[self]] could never be changed.<br/>
-The self would be lord and master,<br/>
+The [[self]] would be [[lord]] and [[master]],<br/>
 and there would be no use in perfecting the perfect;<br/>
-moral aims and salvation would be unnecessary. [10]<br/>
+[[moral]] aims and {{Wiki|salvation}} would be unnecessary. [10]<br/>
 <br/>
-"But now we see the marks of joy and sorrow.<br/>
+"But now we see the marks of [[joy]] and [[sorrow]].<br/>
 Where is any constancy?<br/>
-If there is no permanent self that does our deeds,<br/>
+If there is no [[permanent]] [[self]] that does our [[deeds]],<br/>
-then there is no self;<br/>
+then there is [[no self]];<br/>
-there is no actor behind our actions,<br/>
+there is no actor behind our [[actions]],<br/>
-no perceiver behind our perception,<br/>
+no {{Wiki|perceiver}} behind our [[perception]],<br/>
-no lord behind our deeds. [11]<br/>
+no [[lord]] behind our [[deeds]]. [11]<br/>
 <br/>
 "Now attend and listen:<br/>
-The senses meet the object<br/>
+The [[senses]] meet the [[object]]<br/>
-and from their contact sensation is born.<br/>
+and from their [[contact]] [[sensation]] is born.<br/>
-Thence results recollection.<br/>
+Thence results [[recollection]].<br/>
-Thus, as the sun's power through a burning-glass causes fire to appear,<br/>
+Thus, as the sun's power through a burning-glass [[causes]] [[fire]] to appear,<br/>
-so through the cognizance born of sense and object,<br/>
+so through the cognizance born of [[sense]] and [[object]],<br/>
-the mind originates and with it the ego, the thought of self,<br/>
+the [[mind]] originates and with it the [[ego]], the [[thought]] of [[self]],<br/>
-whom some Brahman teachers call the lord.<br/>
+whom some [[Brahman]] [[teachers]] call the [[lord]].<br/>
 The shoot springs from the seed;<br/>
 the seed is not the shoot,<br/>
 both are not one and the same,<br/>
 but successive phases in a continuous growth.<br/>
-Such is the birth of animated life. [12]<br/>
+Such is the [[birth]] of animated [[life]]. [12]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Ye that are slaves of the self and toil in its service from morn until night,<br/>
+"Ye that are slaves of the [[self]] and toil in its service from morn until night,<br/>
-ye that live in constant fear of birth, old age, sickness, and death,<br/>
+ye that live in [[constant]] {{Wiki|fear}} of [[birth]], [[old age]], [[sickness]], and [[death]],<br/>
-receive the good tidings that your cruel master exists not. [13]<br/>
+receive the good tidings that your {{Wiki|cruel}} [[master]] [[exists]] not. [13]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Self is an error, an illusion, a dream.<br/>
+"[[Self]] is an error, an [[illusion]], a [[dream]].<br/>
-Open your eyes and awaken.<br/>
+Open your [[eyes]] and [[awaken]].<br/>
 See things as they are<br/>
 and ye will be comforted. [14]<br/>
 <br/>
-"He who is awake will no longer be afraid of nightmares.<br/>
+"He who [[is awake]] will no longer be afraid of nightmares.<br/>
-He who has recognized the nature of the rope<br/>
+He who has [[recognized]] the [[nature]] of the rope<br/>
-that seemed to be a serpent will cease to tremble. [15]<br/>
+that seemed to be a [[serpent]] will cease to tremble. [15]<br/>
 <br/>
-"He who has found there is no self<br/>
+"He who has found there is [[no self]]<br/>
-will let go all the lusts and desires of egotism. [16]<br/>
+will let go all the lusts and [[desires]] of [[egotism]]. [16]<br/>
 <br/>
 "The cleaving to things, covetousness,<br/>
-and sensuality inherited from former existences,<br/>
+and [[sensuality]] inherited from former [[existences]],<br/>
-are the causes of the misery and vanity in the world. [17]<br/>
+are the [[causes]] of the [[misery]] and vanity in the [[world]]. [17]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Surrender the grasping disposition of selfishness,<br/>
+"Surrender the [[grasping]] disposition of [[selfishness]],<br/>
-and you will attain to that calm state of mind<br/>
+and you will attain to that [[calm]] [[state of mind]]<br/>
-which conveys perfect peace, goodness, and wisdom." [18]<br/>
+which conveys perfect [[peace]], [[goodness]], and [[wisdom]]." [18]<br/>
 <br/>
-And the Buddha breathed forth this solemn utterance: [19]<br/>
+And the [[Buddha]] breathed forth this solemn utterance: [19]<br/>
 <br/>
 :"Do not deceive, do not despise<br/>
 :Each other, anymore.<br/>
-:Do not be angry, nor should ye<br/>
+:Do not be [[angry]], nor should ye<br/>
-:Secret resentment bear;<br/>
+:Secret [[resentment]] bear;<br/>
-:For as a mother risks her life<br/>
+:For as a mother risks her [[life]]<br/>
 :And watches o'er her child,<br/>
-:So boundless be your love to all,<br/>
+:So [[boundless]] be your [[love]] to all,<br/>
 :So tender, kind and mild. [20]<br/>
 <br/>
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 :All round. early and late,<br/>
 :And without hinderance, without stint,<br/>
-:From every free and hate,<br/>
+:From every free and [[hate]],<br/>
-:While standing, walking, sitting down,<br/>
+:While [[standing]], walking, sitting down,<br/>
-:Whate'er you have in mind,<br/>
+:Whate'er you have in [[mind]],<br/>
-:The rule of life that's always best<br/>
+:The rule of [[life]] that's always best<br/>
 :Is to be loving-kind. [21]<br/>
 <br/>
 "Gifts are great,<br/>
-the founding of viharas is meritorious,<br/>
+the founding of [[viharas]] is [[meritorious]],<br/>
-mediations and religious exercises pacify the heart,<br/>
+[[mediations]] and [[religious]] exercises pacify the [[heart]],<br/>
-comprehension of the truth leads to Nirvana,<br/>
+[[comprehension]] of the [[truth]] leads to [[Nirvana]],<br/>
-but greater than all is loving kindness.<br/>
+but greater than all is [[loving kindness]].<br/>
-As the light of the moon is sixteen times stronger the the light of all the stars,<br/>
+As the light of the [[moon]] is sixteen times stronger the the light of all the {{Wiki|stars}},<br/>
-so lovingkindness is sixteen times more efficacious in liberating the heart<br/>
+so [[lovingkindness]] is sixteen times more efficacious in liberating the [[heart]]<br/>
-than all other religious accomplishments taken together. [22]<br/>
+than all other [[religious]] accomplishments taken together. [22]<br/>
 <br/>
-"This state of heart is the best in the world.<br/>
+"This state of [[heart]] is the best in the [[world]].<br/>
-Let a man remain steadfast in it while he is awake,<br/>
+Let a man remain steadfast in it while he [[is awake]],<br/>
-whether he is standing, walking, sitting, or lying down." [23]<br/>
+whether he is [[standing]], walking, sitting, or lying down." [23]<br/>
 <br/>
-When the Enlightened One had finished his sermon,<br/>
+When the [[Enlightened One]] had finished his {{Wiki|sermon}},<br/>
-the Magadha king said to the Blessed One: [24]<br/>
+the [[Magadha]] [[king]] said to the [[Blessed One]]: [24]<br/>
 <br/>
-"In former days, Lord, when I was a prince, I cherished five wishes.<br/>
+"In former days, [[Lord]], when I was a {{Wiki|prince}}, I cherished five wishes.<br/>
-I wished: O, that I might be inaugurated as a king.<br/>
+I wished: O, that I might be inaugurated as a [[king]].<br/>
 This was my first wish, and it has been fulfilled.<br/>
-Further, I wished: Might the Holy Buddha, the Perfect One,<br/>
+Further, I wished: Might the {{Wiki|Holy}} [[Buddha]], the [[Perfect One]],<br/>
-appear on earth while I rule and might he come to my kingdom.<br/>
+appear on [[earth]] while I rule and might he come to my {{Wiki|kingdom}}.<br/>
 This was my secong wish and it is fulfilled now.<br/>
 Further I wished: Might I pay my respects to him.<br/>
 This was my third wish and it is fulfilled now.<br/>
-The fourth wish was: Might the Blessed One preach the doctrine to me, and this is fulfilled now.<br/>
+The fourth wish was: Might the [[Blessed One]] {{Wiki|preach}} the [[doctrine]] to me, and this is fulfilled now.<br/>
 The greatest wish, however, was the fifth wish:<br/>
-Might I understand the doctrine of the Blessed One.<br/>
+Might I understand the [[doctrine]] of the [[Blessed One]].<br/>
 And this wish is fulfilled too. [25]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Glorious Lord! Most glorious is the truth preached by the Tathagata!<br/>
+"Glorious [[Lord]]! Most glorious is the [[truth]] {{Wiki|preached}} by the [[Tathagata]]!<br/>
-Our Lord, the Buddha, sets up what has been overturned;<br/>
+Our [[Lord]], the [[Buddha]], sets up what has been overturned;<br/>
 he reveals what has been hidden;<br/>
-he points out the way to the wanderer who has gone astray;<br/>
+he points out the way to the {{Wiki|wanderer}} who has gone astray;<br/>
-he lights a lamp in the darkness so that those who have eyes to see may see. [26]<br/>
+he lights a [[lamp]] in the darkness so that those who have [[eyes]] to see may see. [26]<br/>
 <br/>
-"I take my refuge in the Buddha.<br/>
+"I take my [[refuge]] in the [[Buddha]].<br/>
-I take my refuge in the Dharma.<br/>
+I take my [[refuge]] in the [[Dharma]].<br/>
-I take my refuge in the Sangha." [27]<br/>
+I take my [[refuge]] in the [[Sangha]]." [27]<br/>
 <br/>
-The Tathagata, by the exercise of his virtue and by wisdom,<br/>
+The [[Tathagata]], by the exercise of his [[virtue]] and by [[wisdom]],<br/>
-showed his unlimited spiritual power.<br/>
+showed his [[unlimited]] [[spiritual]] power.<br/>
-He subdued and harmonized all minds.<br/>
+He subdued and harmonized all [[minds]].<br/>
-He made them see and accept the truth,<br/>
+He made them see and accept the [[truth]],<br/>
-and throughout the kingdom the seeds of virtue were sown. [28]<br/>
+and throughout the {{Wiki|kingdom}} the [[seeds]] of [[virtue]] were sown. [28]<br/>
 {{The Gospel of Buddha}}

Difference between revisions of "The Gospel of Buddha:Chapter 20: The Sermon at Rajagaha"

Latest revision as of 18:40, 31 December 2013

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