Essential Theravada And Mahayana Texts

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• Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9783849621896
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Buddhism

This is the annotated edition including* an annotation of more than 10.000 words about the history and basics of Buddhism, written by Thomas William Rhys DavidsThis book contains essential texts that have been written or translated from the most important Theravada and Mahayana scriptures.Contents: Mahâ-Samaya-Sutta (Or Discourse Addressed To The Great Assembly)The Legend Of Dipañkara BuddhaThe Friendly Epistle Of NâgârjunaPreface.Nâgârjuna's "Friendly Epistle."The Niti KyanIntroductionNiti Kyan.Vidhûra JâtakaBhûridatta Jâtaka.Chapter I. (Nâgara.)Chapter II. (Uposatha.)Chapter III. (Nagarapavesana.)Chapter. IV. (Micchâditthikathâ.)Chapter V. (The Bodhisat's Discourse)Suva.N.Na Sâma JâtakaTemiya Jâtaka VatthuChapter I.Chapter II.Khuddaka Pá.ThaNotes.Â.Tânâ.Tiya-SuttaSîgâlo-Vâda-Sutta

VIDHÛRA JÂTAKA

ONE day, when the disciples were discussing the various forms of wisdom peculiar to the Buddha, the Lord came into the hall and inquired what they were discussing. On being informed, he said: "Rabans, there will be no difficulty in understanding how I can now so easily overcome the opinions of Brahmans, princes, and others, bringing them to a right frame of mind, when you hear how, in a former existence as the high-born Vidhûra, on the summit of Mount Kâ.lâgiri, I overcame and subdued the virulence of the Rakshasa Pu.n.naka." He then related as follows:--

Long ago, in Kururajja"m, in the city of Indapattanagara"m, there reigned a king whose name was Dhanañcaya Korabya, whose prime minister, Vidhûra, expounded the law so well and sweetly that everyone was attracted to him, and all the rulers of Jambudvîpa came to get his decisions. Now in the city of Bârânasi there were four rich Brahmans who were friends, and they, having determined to renounce the lusts of this world, went into Himavanta. Having dwelt there some time as hermits, they came into the inbabited country in search of salt and pickles, and at last arrived at Campânagara"m, in the country of A"nga, and dwelt in the king's garden. The rich people of the city, seeing that their deportment was correct, undertook their maintenance, and begged them to remain. One of these hermits, in a state of ecstatic meditation, used to go daily to the country of the Nâgas, another to Tâvatisma, another to the country of the Ga.lunas, and the fourth to the park called Migâjina, which belonged to King Dhanañcaya Korabya, at Indapattanagara"m. On returning, each praised the delights of these places to his particular supporters, so that each desired, when the time of change came, to go to these places.

When they at length died, by reason of the good works they had performed, one became Sakko, another became king of the Nâgas, another became king of the Ga.lunas in a forest of silk-cotton trees, and the fourth took birth with the chief queen of King Dhanañcaya Korabya. At his father's death Prince Korabya succeeded to the throne.

King Korabya was passionately fond of dice, but abiding by the instructions of his minister Vidhûra, observed his fasts and religious duties. One fast-day, in order to be quiet, he went into his garden. Sakko, the Nâga king, and the Ga.luna king, also came to that garden to spend the fast-day in quiet meditation; and, in the cool of the evening, all four met at the auspicious water-tank and recognized each other. Sakko sat on the auspicious stone slab, and the others seated themselves in suitable places.

Sakko then asked: "Which of us four kings, do you think, has performed the most excellent duty?"

Varu.na, the Nâga king, answered: "I think mine is the best. The Ga.lunas generally take our lives, and yet, when I saw their king, I displayed no anger."

The King of the Ga.lunas said: "This Nâga king is the food in which we most delight, and yet, though oppressed by hunger, I did him no harm."

Sakko said: "I have left the wonderful pleasures and delights of Tâvatimsa and come down to this earth to keep my fast."

Then said King Korabya: "I have left the delights of my palace and sixty thousand concubines and come to fast in this garden."

Thus the four kings extolled their own piety.

Then said the three kings: "O King Korabya, have you no wise man in your dominions who can dispel our doubts in this matter?" King Dhanañcaya Korabya answered: "I have a wise minister named Vidhûra, and he will probably be able to do so."

So they all agreed to go to the Judgment Hall, and, having caused Vidhûra to take his seat on a splendid couch, stated their case to him.

Vidhûra (after questioning them) replied: "O kings, your words are all good, and there is no fault in them. Wise men say that, like an axle well fitted to the hub of a wheel, those persons who are longsuffering, who do no ill to obtain food, who avoid lust, and have no anxiety, are they who in this world have extinguished evil" (Sama.na"m).

On hearing this, the four kings gave great praise to Vidhûra, and said: "Indeed, thou art a religious person. There is no one equal to thee. Thou canst decide clearly, as the worker in ivory cuts through an elephant's tusk with a saw."

Sakko presented him with a valuable cloth. The King of the Ga.lunas gave him a golden flower garland. The King of the Nâgas presented him with a priceless ruby; and King Korabya gave him one thousand milch cows, ten bulls, ten elephants, ten horses, ten chariots with Sindh horses, and the revenue of sixteen villages.

Now the King of the Nâgas had a queen, whose name was Vimalâ, and, when he returned, she noticed that the ruby he usually wore round his neck was gone, so she said: "My Lord, where have you left your ruby?" He answered: "Lady, I wished to do honour to Vidhûra, the son of Canda, the Brahman, who decided a case for me, and gave it to him. Sakko gave him a cloth. The Ga.luna king gave him a gold garland, and King Korabya also gave gifts."

Queen Vimalâ asked whether he was one who preached the law; and on being told that there was no one equal to him, she thought thus: "If I were to say--'My Lord, I want to hear him preach the law: bring him here,' the King would not bring him. I will say that I want this wise man's heart, and, by worrying the King, get what I want." So she went into her inner chamber, and, giving notice to her attendants, went to sleep. On that day the Nâga king, at the time when the Queen and concubines usually came to pay their respects to him, missing Vimalâ, asked where she was. They told him she could not come, because she was ill. Hearing this, he got up from his seat, and, going to her couch and stroking her with his hand, said: "Lady, you are like a withered leaf, and your body emaciated. What ails you?"

Queen Vimalâ answered: "O Lord of the Nâgas, in the land of men if women do not get what they want they suffer great pain. I have a strong desire to obtain the heart of this wise Vidhûra, lawfully and not by force. When I have obtained his heart I shall be well. If I do not, I shall shortly die."

The King answered: "...

Table of contents

• BUDDHISM
• The Legend of Dipañkara Buddha
• THE NITI KYAN
• VIDHÛRA JÂTAKA
• SUVA.N.NA SÂMA JÂTAKA
• TEMIYA JÂTAKA VATTHU