ABSTRACT
1. Once on a time in Śrâvastî there was a certain housewife, poor though she was, who had no religious principle, and was without faith. Buddha seeing her condition was moved with pity. He saw that, whenever his followers went begging through the city, they met with nothing but abuse at the door of this woman’s house. On a Shaman expostulating with her, on the ground that he only sought alms as a religious duty, she said, “If you were dying I would give you nothing, much less now that you are hale and well.” On this the Shaman, standing before her, assumed the condition of one who was really dead. The various functions of his body ceased, and from his mouth and nose crept in and out the hateful insects that accompany death. On seeing this ghastly sight, the woman fell down in a swoon, and so remained. Meanwhile the Shaman, by his spiritual power, transported himself thence a few lis, and, sitting beneath a tree, composed himself to contemplation. Meantime the husband of the woman returning, and finding his wife in the condition related, inquired the reason of it, on which she replied that she had been frightened by a rascally Shaman. On this the husband in a rage seized his bow and his sword, and set out to pursue and avenge himself on the mendicant. Coming to where he was, the Shaman, by his spiritual power, surrounded himself with a wall, through which there were gates of approach, but all were closed. The incensed husband, being unable to get at the mendicant, asked him to open the gates; on which he replied, “Lay aside your bow and your sword and you may enter.” On this the man thought, “Even if I leave my weapons behind me I shall be able to maul him with my fists.” On this he put down his bow and sword, and asked again for admission. But the Shaman said, “The gate cannot be opened, for the bow and the sword which you must lay aside are not those weapons you carried in your hand, but the enmity and malice that fill your heart; lay these aside and you may enter.” On this the man, struck with the conviction of his sin, both he and his wife repented of their evil designs and became disciples—on which occasion the enlightened follower of Buddha (man of Bôdhi, or religious man) added these words, and said—
“The disciple (Śrâvaka) who is able to hold (the precepts) firmly, like a wall, difficult to be overturned, surrounds himself with the protection of the Law, and thus persevering perfects himself in saving wisdom. The disciple, with his mind enlightened, by this enlightenment adds yet to his store of wisdom, and so obtains perfect insight into the mysteries of Religion (Truth), and thus illumined, he practises the duties of his calling in peace. The disciple, able to cast away (the causes of) sorrow, in perfect rest enjoys happiness, and by virtuously preaching the Law of Eternal Life, himself obtains Nirvâna. By hearing, he acquaints himself with the Rules of a Holy Life; he shakes off doubt and becomes settled in faith. By hearing, he is able to resist all that is contrary to the Law (Truth, or Religion), and so advancing, he arrives at the place where there is no more Death.”
