Difference between revisions of "The Gospel of Buddha:Chapter 25: Jetavana"

Latest revision as of 18:45, 31 December 2013

Anathapindika, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of orphans,
having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, Jeta,
with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and thought:
"This is the place which will be most suitable
as a vihara for the brotherhood of the Blessed One."
And he went to the prince and asked leave to buy the ground. [1]

The prince was not inclined to sell the garden, for he valued it highly.
He at first refused but said at last,
"If thou canst cover it with gold, then,
and for no other price, shalt thou have it." [2]

Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold; but Jeta said:
"Spare thyself the trouble, for I will not sell."
But Anathapindika insisted.
Thus they contended until they resorted to the magistrate. [3]

Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding,
and the prince, hearing more of the details
and knowing that Anathapindika was not only very wealthy
but also straightforward and sincere, inquired into his plans.
On hearing the name of the Buddha,
the prince became anxious to share in the foundation
and he accepted only one-half of the gold, saying:
"Yours is the land, but mine are the trees.
I will give the trees as my share of this offering to the Buddha." [4]

Then Anathapindika took the land and Jeta the trees,
and they placed them in trust of Sariputta for the Buddha. [5]

After the foundations were laid,
they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due proportions
according to the directions which the Buddha had suggested;
and it was beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings. [6]

This vihara was called Jetavana,
and the friend of the orphans invited the Lord to come to Savatthi and receive the donation.
And the Blessed One left Kapilavatthu and came to Savatthi. [7]

While the Blessed One was entering Jetavana,
Anathapindika scattered flowers and burned incense,
and as a sign of the gift
he poured water from a golden dragon decanter, saying:
"This Jetavana vihara
I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the world." [8]

The Blessed One received the gift and replied:
"May all evil influences be overcome;
may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness
and be a permanent blessing to mankind in general,
to the land of Kosala, and especially also to the giver." [9]

Then the king Pasenadi, hearing that the Lord had come,
went in his royal equipage to the Jetavana vihara
and saluted the Blessed One with clasped hands, saying: [10]

"Blessed is my unworthy and obscure kingdom
that it has met with so great a fortune.
For how can calamities and dangers befall it
in the presence of the Lord of the world,
the Dharmaraja, the King of Truth. [11]

"Now that I have seen thy sacred countenance,
let me partake of the refreshing waters of thy teachings. [12]

"Worldly profit is fleeting and perishable,
but religious profit is eternal and inexhaustible.
A worldly man, though a king, is full of trouble,
but even a common man who is holy has peace of mind." [13]

Knowing the tendency of the king's heart,
weighed down by avarice and love of pleasure,
the Buddha seized the opportunity and said: [14]

"Even those who, by their evil karma,
have been born in low degree,
when they see a virtuous man, feel reverence for him.
How much more must an independent king,
on account of merits acquired in previous existences,
when meeting a Buddha, conceive reverence for him. [15]

"And now as I briefly expound the law,
let the Maharaja listen and weigh my words,
and hold fast that which I deliver! [16]

"Our good or evil deeds follow us continually like shadows. [17]

"That which is most needed is a loving heart! [18]

"Regard thy people as men do an only son.
Do not oppress them, do not destroy them;
keep in due check every member of thy body,
forsake unrighteous doctrine and walk in the straight path.
Exalt not thyself by trampling down others,
but comfort and befriend the suffering. [19]

"Neither ponder on kingly dignity,
nor listen to the smooth words of flatterers. [20]

"There is no profit in vexing oneself by austerities,
but meditate on the Buddha and weigh his righteous law. [21]

"We are encompassed on all sides by the rocks of birth, old age, disease, and death,
and only by considering and practising the true law
can we escape from this sorrow-piled mountain. [22]

"What profit, then, in practising iniquity? [23]

"All who are wise spurn the pleasures of the body.
They loathe lust and seek to promote their spiritual existence. [24]

"When a tree is burning with fierce flames,
how can the birds congregate therein?
Truth cannot dwell where passion lives.
He who does not know this,
though he be a learned man
and be praised by others as a sage,
is beclouded with ignorance. [25]

"To him who has this knowledge true wisdom dawns,
and he will beware of hankering after pleasure.
To acquire this state of mind, wisdom is the one thing needful.
To neglect wisdom will lead to failure in life. [26]

"The teachings of all religions should centre here,
for without wisdom there is no reason. [27]

"This truth is not for the hermit alone;
it concerns every human being, priest and layman alike.
There is no distinction between the monk who has taken the vows,
and the man of the world living with his family.
There are hermits who fall into perdition,
and there are humble householders who mount to the rank of rishis. [28]

"Hankering after pleasure is a danger common to all;
it carries away the world.
He who is involved in its eddies finds no escape.
But wisdom is the handy boat, reflection is the rudder.
The slogan of religion calls you to overcome the assaults of Mara, the enemy. [29]

"Since it is impossible to escape the result of our deeds,
let us practise good works. [30]

"Let us guard our thoughts that we do no evil,
for as we sow so shall we reap. [31]

"There are ways from light into darkness and from darkness into light.
There are ways, also, from the gloom into deeper darkness, and from the dawn into brighter light.
The wise man will use the light he has to receive more light.
He will constantly advance in the knowledge of truth. [32]

"Exhibit true superiority by virtuous conduct and the exercise of reason;
meditate deeply on the vanity of earthly things,
and understand the fickleness of life. [33]

"Elevate the mind,
and seek sincere faith with firm purpose;
transgress not the rules of kingly conduct,
and let your happiness depend,
not upon external things,
but upon your own mind.
Thus you will lay up a good name for distant ages
and will decure the favour of the Tathagata." [34]

The king listened with reverence
and remembered all the words of the Buddha
in his heart. [35]

Continue Reading

Source

mountainman.com.au

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{DisplayImages|574|407|919|667|2103|1765|17|925|265|2046|1680|340|1753|260|1344|1434|1771|447}}
+{{DisplayImages|574|407|919|667|2103|1765|17|925|265|2046|1680|340|1753|260|1344|1434}}
-Anathapindika, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of orphans,<br/>
+[[Anathapindika]], the [[friend]] of the destitute and the supporter of orphans,<br/>
-having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, Jeta,<br/>
+having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, [[Jeta]],<br/>
-with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and thought:<br/>
+with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and [[thought]]:<br/>
 "This is the place which will be most suitable<br/>
-as a vihara for the brotherhood of the Blessed One."<br/>
+as a [[vihara]] for the brotherhood of the [[Blessed One]]."<br/>
-And he went to the prince and asked leave to buy the ground. [1]<br/>
+And he went to the {{Wiki|prince}} and asked leave to buy the ground. [1]<br/>
 <br/>
-The prince was not inclined to sell the garden, for he valued it highly.<br/>
+The {{Wiki|prince}} was not inclined to sell the garden, for he valued it highly.<br/>
 He at first refused but said at last,<br/>
-"If thou canst cover it with gold, then,<br/>
+"If thou canst cover it with {{Wiki|gold}}, then,<br/>
 and for no other price, shalt thou have it." [2]<br/>
 <br/>
-Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold; but Jeta said:<br/>
+[[Anathapindika]] rejoiced and began to spread his {{Wiki|gold}}; but [[Jeta]] said:<br/>
 "Spare thyself the trouble, for I will not sell."<br/>
-But Anathapindika insisted.<br/>
+But [[Anathapindika]] insisted.<br/>
 Thus they contended until they resorted to the magistrate. [3]<br/>
 <br/>
-Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding,<br/>
+Meanwhile the [[people]] began to talk of the unwonted proceeding,<br/>
-and the prince, hearing more of the details<br/>
+and the {{Wiki|prince}}, hearing more of the details<br/>
-and knowing that Anathapindika was not only very wealthy<br/>
+and [[knowing]] that [[Anathapindika]] was not only very wealthy<br/>
 but also straightforward and sincere, inquired into his plans.<br/>
-On hearing the name of the Buddha,<br/>
+On hearing the [[name]] of the [[Buddha]],<br/>
-the prince became anxious to share in the foundation<br/>
+the {{Wiki|prince}} became anxious to share in the foundation<br/>
-and he accepted only one-half of the gold, saying:<br/>
+and he accepted only one-half of the {{Wiki|gold}}, saying:<br/>
-"Yours is the land, but mine are the trees.<br/>
+"Yours is the land, but mine are the [[trees]].<br/>
-I will give the trees as my share of this offering to the Buddha." [4]<br/>
+I will give the [[trees]] as my share of this [[offering]] to the [[Buddha]]." [4]<br/>
 <br/>
-Then Anathapindika took the land and Jeta the trees,<br/>
+Then [[Anathapindika]] took the land and [[Jeta]] the [[trees]],<br/>
-and they placed them in trust of Sariputta for the Buddha. [5]<br/>
+and they placed them in [[trust]] of [[Sariputta]] for the [[Buddha]]. [5]<br/>
 <br/>
 After the foundations were laid,<br/>
 they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due proportions<br/>
-according to the directions which the Buddha had suggested;<br/>
+according to the [[directions]] which the [[Buddha]] had suggested;<br/>
 and it was beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings. [6]<br/>
 <br/>
-This vihara was called Jetavana,<br/>
+This [[vihara]] was called [[Jetavana]],<br/>
-and the friend of the orphans invited the Lord to come to Savatthi and receive the donation.<br/>
+and the [[friend]] of the orphans invited the [[Lord]] to come to [[Savatthi]] and receive the donation.<br/>
-And the Blessed One left Kapilavatthu and came to Savatthi. [7]<br/>
+And the [[Blessed One]] left [[Kapilavatthu]] and came to [[Savatthi]]. [7]<br/>
 <br/>
-While the Blessed One was entering Jetavana,<br/>
+While the [[Blessed One]] was entering [[Jetavana]],<br/>
-Anathapindika scattered flowers and burned incense,<br/>
+[[Anathapindika]] scattered [[flowers]] and burned [[incense]],<br/>
-and as a sign of the gift<br/>
+and as a sign of the [[gift]]<br/>
-he poured water from a golden dragon decanter, saying:<br/>
+he poured [[water]] from a golden [[dragon]] decanter, saying:<br/>
-"This Jetavana vihara<br/>
+"This [[Jetavana vihara]]<br/>
-I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the world." [8]<br/>
+I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the [[world]]." [8]<br/>
 <br/>
-The Blessed One received the gift and replied:<br/>
+The [[Blessed One]] received the [[gift]] and replied:<br/>
-"May all evil influences be overcome;<br/>
+"May all [[evil]] [[influences]] be overcome;<br/>
-may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness<br/>
+may the [[offering]] promote the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of [[righteousness]]<br/>
-and be a permanent blessing to mankind in general,<br/>
+and be a [[permanent]] [[blessing]] to mankind in general,<br/>
-to the land of Kosala, and especially also to the giver." [9]<br/>
+to the land of [[Kosala]], and especially also to the giver." [9]<br/>
 <br/>
-Then the king Pasenadi, hearing that the Lord had come,<br/>
+Then the [[king]] [[Pasenadi]], hearing that the [[Lord]] had come,<br/>
-went in his royal equipage to the Jetavana vihara<br/>
+went in his {{Wiki|royal}} equipage to the [[Jetavana vihara]]<br/>
-and saluted the Blessed One with clasped hands, saying: [10]<br/>
+and saluted the [[Blessed One]] with clasped hands, saying: [10]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Blessed is my unworthy and obscure kingdom<br/>
+"Blessed is my unworthy and obscure {{Wiki|kingdom}}<br/>
-that it has met with so great a fortune.<br/>
+that it has met with so great a [[fortune]].<br/>
-For how can calamities and dangers befall it<br/>
+For how can {{Wiki|calamities}} and dangers befall it<br/>
-in the presence of the Lord of the world,<br/>
+in the presence of the [[Lord of the world]],<br/>
-the Dharmaraja, the King of Truth. [11]<br/>
+the [[Dharmaraja]], the [[King]] of [[Truth]]. [11]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Now that I have seen thy sacred countenance,<br/>
+"Now that I have seen thy [[sacred]] countenance,<br/>
 let me partake of the refreshing waters of thy teachings. [12]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Worldly profit is fleeting and perishable,<br/>
+"[[Worldly]] profit is fleeting and perishable,<br/>
-but religious profit is eternal and inexhaustible.<br/>
+but [[religious]] profit is [[eternal]] and inexhaustible.<br/>
-A worldly man, though a king, is full of trouble,<br/>
+A [[worldly]] man, though a [[king]], is full of trouble,<br/>
-but even a common man who is holy has peace of mind." [13]<br/>
+but even a common man who is {{Wiki|holy}} has [[peace]] of [[mind]]." [13]<br/>
 <br/>
-Knowing the tendency of the king's heart,<br/>
+[[Knowing]] the tendency of the king's [[heart]],<br/>
-weighed down by avarice and love of pleasure,<br/>
+weighed down by [[avarice]] and [[love]] of [[pleasure]],<br/>
-the Buddha seized the opportunity and said: [14]<br/>
+the [[Buddha]] seized the opportunity and said: [14]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Even those who, by their evil karma,<br/>
+"Even those who, by their [[evil]] [[karma]],<br/>
-have been born in low degree,<br/>
+have been born in low [[degree]],<br/>
-when they see a virtuous man, feel reverence for him.<br/>
+when they see a [[virtuous]] man, [[feel]] reverence for him.<br/>
-How much more must an independent king,<br/>
+How much more must an independent [[king]],<br/>
-on account of merits acquired in previous existences,<br/>
+on account of [[merits]] acquired in previous [[existences]],<br/>
-when meeting a Buddha, conceive reverence for him. [15]<br/>
+when meeting a [[Buddha]], conceive reverence for him. [15]<br/>
 <br/>
 "And now as I briefly expound the law,<br/>
-let the Maharaja listen and weigh my words,<br/>
+let the {{Wiki|Maharaja}} listen and weigh my words,<br/>
 and hold fast that which I deliver! [16]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Our good or evil deeds follow us continually like shadows. [17]<br/>
+"Our good or [[evil]] [[deeds]] follow us continually like shadows. [17]<br/>
 <br/>
-"That which is most needed is a loving heart! [18]<br/>
+"That which is most needed is a [[loving]] [[heart]]! [18]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Regard thy people as men do an only son.<br/>
+"Regard thy [[people]] as men do an only son.<br/>
 Do not oppress them, do not destroy them;<br/>
-keep in due check every member of thy body,<br/>
+keep in due check every member of thy [[body]],<br/>
-forsake unrighteous doctrine and walk in the straight path.<br/>
+forsake unrighteous [[doctrine]] and walk in the straight [[path]].<br/>
 Exalt not thyself by trampling down others,<br/>
-but comfort and befriend the suffering. [19]<br/>
+but {{Wiki|comfort}} and befriend the [[suffering]]. [19]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Neither ponder on kingly dignity,<br/>
+"Neither ponder on kingly [[dignity]],<br/>
 nor listen to the smooth words of flatterers. [20]<br/>
 <br/>
 "There is no profit in vexing oneself by austerities,<br/>
-but meditate on the Buddha and weigh his righteous law. [21]<br/>
+but [[meditate]] on the [[Buddha]] and weigh his righteous law. [21]<br/>
 <br/>
-"We are encompassed on all sides by the rocks of birth, old age, disease, and death,<br/>
+"We are encompassed on all sides by the rocks of [[birth]], [[old age]], {{Wiki|disease}}, and [[death]],<br/>
-and only by considering and practising the true law<br/>
+and only by considering and practising the [[true law]]<br/>
 can we escape from this sorrow-piled mountain. [22]<br/>
 <br/>
 "What profit, then, in practising iniquity? [23]<br/>
 <br/>
-"All who are wise spurn the pleasures of the body.<br/>
+"All who are [[wise]] spurn the [[pleasures]] of the [[body]].<br/>
-They loathe lust and seek to promote their spiritual existence. [24]<br/>
+They loathe [[lust]] and seek to promote their [[spiritual]] [[existence]]. [24]<br/>
 <br/>
-"When a tree is burning with fierce flames,<br/>
+"When a [[tree]] is burning with fierce flames,<br/>
 how can the birds congregate therein?<br/>
-Truth cannot dwell where passion lives.<br/>
+[[Truth]] cannot dwell where [[passion]] [[lives]].<br/>
 He who does not know this,<br/>
 though he be a learned man<br/>
-and be praised by others as a sage,<br/>
+and be praised by others as a [[Wikipedia:Sage (sophos|sage]],<br/>
-is beclouded with ignorance. [25]<br/>
+is beclouded with [[ignorance]]. [25]<br/>
 <br/>
-"To him who has this knowledge true wisdom dawns,<br/>
+"To him who has this [[knowledge]] [[true wisdom]] dawns,<br/>
-and he will beware of hankering after pleasure.<br/>
+and he will beware of hankering after [[pleasure]].<br/>
-To acquire this state of mind, wisdom is the one thing needful.<br/>
+To acquire this [[state of mind]], [[wisdom]] is the one thing needful.<br/>
-To neglect wisdom will lead to failure in life. [26]<br/>
+To neglect [[wisdom]] will lead to failure in [[life]]. [26]<br/>
 <br/>
-"The teachings of all religions should centre here,<br/>
+"The teachings of all [[religions]] should centre here,<br/>
-for without wisdom there is no reason. [27]<br/>
+for without [[wisdom]] there is no [[reason]]. [27]<br/>
 <br/>
-"This truth is not for the hermit alone;<br/>
+"This [[truth]] is not for the [[hermit]] alone;<br/>
-it concerns every human being, priest and layman alike.<br/>
+it concerns every [[human being]], priest and [[layman]] alike.<br/>
-There is no distinction between the monk who has taken the vows,<br/>
+There is no distinction between the [[monk]] who has taken the [[vows]],<br/>
-and the man of the world living with his family.<br/>
+and the man of the [[world]] living with his family.<br/>
-There are hermits who fall into perdition,<br/>
+There are [[hermits]] who fall into perdition,<br/>
-and there are humble householders who mount to the rank of rishis. [28]<br/>
+and there are [[humble]] householders who mount to the rank of [[rishis]]. [28]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Hankering after pleasure is a danger common to all;<br/>
+"Hankering after [[pleasure]] is a [[danger]] common to all;<br/>
-it carries away the world.<br/>
+it carries away the [[world]].<br/>
 He who is involved in its eddies finds no escape.<br/>
-But wisdom is the handy boat, reflection is the rudder.<br/>
+But [[wisdom]] is the handy boat, {{Wiki|reflection}} is the rudder.<br/>
-The slogan of religion calls you to overcome the assaults of Mara, the enemy. [29]<br/>
+The slogan of [[religion]] calls you to overcome the assaults of [[Mara]], the enemy. [29]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Since it is impossible to escape the result of our deeds,<br/>
+"Since it is impossible to escape the result of our [[deeds]],<br/>
 let us practise good works. [30]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Let us guard our thoughts that we do no evil,<br/>
+"Let us guard our [[thoughts]] that we do no [[evil]],<br/>
 for as we sow so shall we reap. [31]<br/>
 <br/>
 "There are ways from light into darkness and from darkness into light.<br/>
 There are ways, also, from the gloom into deeper darkness, and from the dawn into brighter light.<br/>
-The wise man will use the light he has to receive more light.<br/>
+The [[wise]] man will use the light he has to receive more light.<br/>
-He will constantly advance in the knowledge of truth. [32]<br/>
+He will constantly advance in the [[knowledge]] of [[truth]]. [32]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Exhibit true superiority by virtuous conduct and the exercise of reason;<br/>
+"Exhibit true superiority by [[virtuous]] conduct and the exercise of [[reason]];<br/>
-meditate deeply on the vanity of earthly things,<br/>
+[[meditate]] deeply on the vanity of [[earthly]] things,<br/>
-and understand the fickleness of life. [33]<br/>
+and understand the fickleness of [[life]]. [33]<br/>
 <br/>
-"Elevate the mind,<br/>
+"Elevate the [[mind]],<br/>
-and seek sincere faith with firm purpose;<br/>
+and seek [[sincere faith]] with firm purpose;<br/>
 transgress not the rules of kingly conduct,<br/>
-and let your happiness depend,<br/>
+and let your [[happiness]] depend,<br/>
 not upon external things,<br/>
-but upon your own mind.<br/>
+but upon your own [[mind]].<br/>
-Thus you will lay up a good name for distant ages<br/>
+Thus you will lay up a good [[name]] for distant ages<br/>
-and will decure the favour of the Tathagata." [34]<br/>
+and will decure the favour of the [[Tathagata]]." [34]<br/>
 <br/>
-The king listened with reverence<br/>
+The [[king]] listened with reverence<br/>
-and remembered all the words of the Buddha<br/>
+and remembered all the words of the [[Buddha]]<br/>
-in his heart. [35]<br/>
+in his [[heart]]. [35]<br/>
 {{The Gospel of Buddha}}

Difference between revisions of "The Gospel of Buddha:Chapter 25: Jetavana"

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