Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 1788

IV, 20.
RECEIVING THE GETAVANA VIHÂRA.
231
they sang in sweet concord, according to their kind; 1613
Beautiful in every way as the palace of Mount Kilas (Kailâsa)', (such was the Getavana.) Then the noble friend of the orphans, surrounded by his attendants, who met him on the way, 1614
Scattering flowers and burning incense, invited the lord to enter the Getavana. In his hand he carried a golden dragon-pitcher 3, and bending low upon his knees he poured the flowing water 1615
As a sign of the gift of the Getavana Vihâra for the use of the priesthood throughout the world 8. The lord then received it, with the prayer* that overruling all evil influences it might give the kingdom permanent rest, 1616
And that the happiness of Anathapindada might flow out in countless streams.' Then the king Prasenagit, hearing that the lord had come, 1617
With his royal equipage went to the Getavana to worship at the lord's feet. (Having arrived) and
.
1 Mount Kailasa, the fabulous residence of Kuvera ; the paradise of Siva.
In the Barahut sculpture there is a figure carrying a pitcher in the act of pouring out the water ; but the figure is not kneeling.
3.The four quarters,' that is, 'the world.'
4 The prayer,' the devout incantation ;' it has often been questioned whether prayer' is possible with Buddhists; the expression in the Chinese is the same as that used for prayer in other books; but it may of course denote sincere or earnest desire, coming from the heart.
• There are various representations of Prasenagit going to the Getavana in the Barahut sculptures. In plate xiii (Cunningham's Barahut) the Vihara is represented, the wheel denoting the sermon which Buddha preached; the waving of garments and whistling with fingers denoting the joy of the hearers.
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