Page:Karl Gjellerup - The Pilgrim Kamanita - 1911.djvu/223

 Men, the Fully-Enlightened One, the Buddha," he answered; "the is the Master. Thou hast assuredly heard of him ere now?"

I shook my head.

"I count myself happy," he exclaimed, "in that I am the first from whose lips thou dost hear the name of the Blessed One. If Angulimala once, as robber, did thee much evil, he has done thee now, as disciple, more of good."

"Who is, then, this Buddha?" I asked again, in the same tone, without wishing to let it be seen how much my sympathy was awakened. "What has he to do with this enigmatical behaviour of thine, and what blessing could it bring me to hear his name?"

"Even to hear the name of him whom they call 'The Welcome One, said Angulimala, "is as the first shimmer of light to him who sits in darkness. But I will relate everything to thee—how he met me, and how he changed the current of my life; for certain it is that its happening just this day has not been least on thy account."

In spite of the fierceness which emanated from his whole being, even on the first evening a certain grace of bearing had surprised me in him; how much more striking, however, was the unsought dignity with which he now sat down beside me, like one who feels himself among his equals.