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IV, 4,2.
MURDER OF MOGGALLÂNA.
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Book IV. CHAPTER 4.
[THE MURDER OF MOGGALLÂNA.]
1. Venerable Nâgasena, it has been said by the Blessed One: “This is the chief, O Bhikkhus, of those of my disciples in the Order who are possessed of the power of Iddhi, I mean Moggallana ?." But on the other hand they say his death took place by his being beaten to death with clubs, so that his skull was broken, and his bones ground to powder, and all his flesh and nerves bruised and pounded together? Now, Nâgasena, if the Elder, the great Moggallâna, had really attained to supremacy in the magical power of Iddhi, then it cannot be true that he was beaten to death with clubs. But if his death was on that wise, then the saying that he was chief of those possessed of Iddhi must be wrong. How could he who was not even able, by his power of Iddhi, to prevent his own murder, be worthy nevertheless to stand as succour to the world of gods and men ? This too is a double-edged problem now put to you, and you have to solve it.'
2. 'The Blessed One did declare, o king, that Moggallâna was chief among the disciples in power
From the Anguttara Nikâya I, xiv, 1 (page 23 of Dr. Morris's edition for the Pâli Text Society).
* Parikatto, which the Simhalese version renders garhâ wemin.
s By robbers,' adds Hînali-kumburē, so there is no question of martyrdom.
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