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WARREN: BUDDHISM IN TRANSLATIONS |
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§ 9 First Events After the Attainment of Buddhaship Translated from the MahĪ-Vagga, and constituting the opening sections
HAIL TO THAT BLESSED ONE, THAT SAINT, AND SUPREME BUDDHA!
At that time The Buddha, The Blessed One, was dwelling at UruvelĪ at the foot of the Bo-tree on the banks of the river NeraūjarĪ, having just attained the Buddhaship. Then The Blessed One sat cross-legged for seven days together at the foot of the Bo-tree experiencing the bliss of emancipation. [84]Then The Blessed One, during the first watch of the night, thought over Dependent Origination both forward and back:--
Thus does this entire aggregation of misery arise. But on the complete fading out and cessation of ignorance ceases karma; on the cessation of karma ceases consciousness; on the cessation of consciousness cease name and form; on the cessation of name and form cease the six organs of sense; on the cessation of the six organs of sense ceases contact; on the cessation of contact ceases sensation; on the cessation of sensation ceases desire; on the cessation of desire ceases attachment; on the cessation of attachment ceases existence; on the cessation of existence ceases birth; on the cessation of birth cease old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, misery, grief, and despair. Thus does this entire aggregation of misery cease. Then The Blessed One, concerning this, on that occasion, breathed forth this solemn utterance,--
Then The Blessed One, during the middle watch of the [85] night, thought over Dependent Origination both forward and back: -- On ignorance depends karma. . . . Thus does this entire aggregation of misery arise. But on the complete fading out and cessation of ignorance ceases karma. . . . Thus does this entire aggregation of misery cease. Then The Blessed One, concerning this, on that occasion, breathed forth this solemn utterance, --
Then The Blessed One, during the last watch of the night, thought over Dependent Origination both forward and back: -- On ignorance depends karma. . . . Thus does this entire aggregation of misery arise. But on the complete fading out and cessation of ignorance ceases karma. . . . Thus does this entire aggregation of misery cease. Then The Blessed One, concerning this, on that occasion, breathed forth this solemn utterance, --
End of the account of what took place under the Bo-tree. Then The Blessed One, after the lapse of seven days, arose from that state of exalted calm, and leaving the foot of the Bo-tree, drew near to where the AjapĪla (that is, the Goatherd's) banyan-tree was; and having drawn near, he sat cross-legged at the foot of the AjapĪla banyan-tree for seven days together, experiencing the bliss of emancipation. Then a certain Brahman, who was of a proud and contemptuous disposition, drew near to where The Blessed One [86] was; and having drawn near, he exchanged greetings with The Blessed One. And having passed with him the greetings of friendship and civility, he stood respectfully at one side. And standing respectfully at one side, the Brahman spoke to The Blessed One as follows: -- "Gotama, what is it constitutes a Brahman? and what are the Brahman-making qualities?" Then The Blessed One, concerning this, on that occasion, breathed forth this solemn utterance, --
End of the account of what took place under the AjapĪla-tree. Then The Blessed One, after the lapse of seven days, arose from that state of exalted calm, and leaving the foot of the AjapĪla banyan-tree, drew near to where the Mucalinda tree was; and having drawn near, he sat cross-legged at the foot of the Mucalinda tree for seven days together, experiencing the bliss of emancipation. Now at that time a great cloud appeared out of season, and for seven days it was rainy, cloudy weather, with a cold wind. Then issued Mucalinda, the serpent-king, from his abode, and enveloping the body of The Blessed One seven times with his folds, spread his great hood above his head, saying, -- "Let neither cold nor heat, nor gnats, flies, wind, sunshine, nor creeping creatures come near The Blessed One!" Then, when seven days had elapsed, and Mucalinda, the serpent-king, knew that the storm had broken up, and that the clouds had gone, he unwound his coils from the body of The Blessed One. And changing his natural appearance into that of a young man, he stood before The Blessed One, and with his joined hands to his forehead did reverence to The Blessed One. [87] Then The Blessed One, concerning this, on that occasion, breathed forth this solemn utterance, --
End of the account of what took place under the Mucalinda-tree.
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