Page:The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 4-1875.djvu/109

 96 THE 'INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [MABcn. 1875. the assurance that lie would here alter become'. a Chakravaiiti RiVja. (cc /•'..-..'■ vo-tai-t8eu-Muh-jnh*king (Buddha declares the history of Prince Muh-pih). This Sutra was delivered at Sravasti, in the Jeta- vana. Buddha recounts the history of the prince Muh-pih, the son of V a r a n i r a j a. He was a beautiful child, but unable to speak ; having consulted the astrologers, they resolved to put him to death by burying him alive; ■when on the point of being thus sacrificed, he opened his mouth and spake ; he declared that, owing to rash words in a former birth, be had suli'i- red punishment in hell. He had resi therefore, to remain silent, rather than risk a tike punishment. (This Sutra is one of the earliest translated into Chinese, A.D. 100.) (dd) Fo-8hwQ-ftg-i0Qnff'Jeing (Buddha de- clares the history of the five kings). There were once five kings, one of whom was wise, the other four were foolish. The wise king wishing to convert the others, asked them their several ideas of happiness. The first said, " Nothing would delight me more than during the spring-time to wander through gardens and parks, to see the flowers and watch the foun- tains. This would be pleasure." The second said, " Nothing would delight me more than as a king to mount my royal horses, to dwell in a lordly court, and ever to be surrounded by my faithful subjects paying me reverence." The third said, " Nothing would delight me more than the joys of wedded life surrounded by my children, beautiful and full of grace, ever de- siring to give mo happiness." The fourth said, "Nothing would delight me more than to dweH ever with ray parents, in company with my brothers and sisters, wilh the daintiest food, clothed in the costhest raiment, and enjoying the indulgences of sense." Tho four having thus spoken, the wise king replied. ™ All these < hi hits arc vain und perishable; for my part, I would <k-s;re nothing BO lnii'li as 8 CO thiii admij et birth nor death, joy nor sorrow, nor any other extreme;" on which the others replied, -And where, shall we find a teacher who will explain how this condition 1 ':'-' Wnereupon the wise king conducted them to the presence' of Buddha, at the Jetavana Vihara. Buddha then enters on a discourse in which be describes the eight kinds of sorrow which are incident to all condi- tions' of life. In the end the four kings are converted, / / wo-lan-ch^ng-fuh-ii-hing (Buddha declares the five conditions of happiness be- longing to the virtuous man). This Sutra was also delivered at Sravasti, in the Jetavana Vihara. Buddha declares that the virtuous man is in this life rewarded in five ways, — first, with long life : second, with great wealth; third, with graceful form ; fourth, with honour and renown ; filth, wiih much wisdom. He then proceeds to explain the character of the truly virtuous man. [fj ) ;'..' 100-I } (Buddha «le- clares the Avalambona SHira). Tl B was delivered at Sravasti, in the Jetavana Viliara. Mahi JI u g a 1 a n, by the exercise of his spiri- tual power, beholds his mother suffering as a Preta from starvation ; on proceeding to 1 and offering her food, she was unable to receive it, as It v. t into burning ashes in her hand. On this he went, with many tears, to Buddha, and declared his great sorrow. Where- upon Buddha ordains a service to be held on the 15th day of the 7th month, for the purpose of providing food for all those BttfFering tormenta of hunger as Pretas. M u ga 1 an, with great joy, performs this service, and so provides his mother with food. (oo) Ta-Utng-h'-rinft-fnh-i. m (Tho charity section of the Ma) ptdydvatamsaka This Sutra was delivered at Rajiigriha, on the "Vulture-peak mountain. It is a part <>f one of the most popular Sutras known in China, viz. the /V 7 -king. V<!<) Fo (Buddha narrates the hi a ra fesh it a). This indeed Le a branslataon ■ I aha /r«7.-- shi'la A >'" ' ' |], e mi given by Boumonf. (Introd. to '.) The Chinee in the main with tfiis version. I: 1, .,„ it of tho Nilga, whie! form and became a BhiksJni; i lo sleep, accidentally, his true natu re v. having been instruc was dis- missed to hie Dragon Palace by Buddha : lure he was visited by Sangfaa Rakflhita, and farther instructed in the sacred books. The earn proceeds with the adventures of S a n g h a Rakshita after having b. ! from the Dragon Palace. (Tl,,. details are nearly the same as those given by Bouruouf.)