ABSTRACT
1. There was once a very old Brahman, called Sa-che (Sacha or Satya) Nirgrantha, celebrated for his acuteness in discussion. He had 500 disciples, and all of them were so self-opinionated with regard to their superior learning that they used to clothe themselves with iron plates, lest their wisdom should overflow and run to waste (sic.). Now when Sacha heard that Buddha had come into the world, and was converting men by his superior wisdom, he was filled with jealousy, and could not rest at night from very envy, and therefore, addressing his disciples, he said, “I hear that the Shaman Gotama professes to be a Buddha. I will go and ask him a few questions, and make him blush for shame when he finds he cannot answer them.” Accordingly, he with his followers went to the Jetavana (Vihâra), and as they stood without seeing the glory of Buddha’s person, like the sun when he first comes forth in his strength, they were overpowered and confused by their feelings, and so passing through the door they came before Buddha, and did him reverence. On this Buddha requested them to be seated. Being so seated, the Nirgrantha asked Buddha as follows:—“Who is the just man? Who is the learned man? Who is the reverend man? What is true beauty and grace? 1 What is a Shaman? Who is a true Bhikshu? and who is the truly enlightened? and who the obedient man (who respectfully observes the rules of moral conduct)? If you are able, be pleased to answer these questions for the sake of my followers.”
