Page:Henry Mulford Tichenor - The Buddhist Philosophy of Life.djvu/54

 52 righteousness. As rivers must at last reach the sea, so their minds will be reborn in higher states of existence and continue on to their ultimate goal, to the ocean of truth, to the everlasting peace of Nirvana."

The Buddha, with his disciples, went to Vesali, and stayed at the grove of the courtesan Ambapali. When Ambapali heard that the Buddha was staying in her mango grove, she was greatly pleased, and drove in her chariot as far as the road permitted. Then she alighted and walked to the spot where the Buddha was, and seated herself at his feet. As a woman goes forth to perform worthy deeds, so Ambapali appeared in a simple garment, without ornaments; and she was beautiful to look upon. And the Buddha thought: "This woman is a favorite of princes, yet is her heart composed. She is prepared to hear the truth." And when she was seated, he instructed her in the way of life. And as she listened, the face of the courtesan became bright, and she said, "Will the Enlightened One do me the honor, with his brethren, of taking his meal tomorrow at my house?" And, in silence, the Buddha gave consent.

Now the Licchavi, a family of princely rank, hearing that the Buddha was slaying at Ambapali's grove, drove there with their magnificent chariots and retinue, gorgeously dressed and decorated with costly jewels. And seeing them coming, Ambapali drove up against the