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 2155

194
KULLAVAGGA.
VI, 6, 3.
this banyan tree, keeping it between my thighs, and its topmost twig brushed against my stomach. So far back, friends, can I remember."
*Then, O Bhikkhus, the partridge and the elephant asked the monkey (the same question),
"" Friends! when I was little, sitting once on the ground, I gnawed at the then topmost twig of this banyan. So far back can I remember."
Then, O Bhikkhus, the monkey and the elephant asked the partridge (the same question),
“"Friends! there was formerly a lofty banyan tree in yonder open space. One day after eating one of its fruits, I voided the seed here; and from that this banyan tree grew up. So I must be older than either of you."
*Thereupon, O Bhikkhus, the elephant and the monkey said to the partridge, “ You, friend, are the oldest of us all. Henceforth we will honour and reverence and esteem and support you, and by your counsels will we abide.”
Thenceforth, O Bhikkhus, the partridge kept the monkey and the elephant in obedience to the Five Precepts, and observed them also himself. And dwelling together in mutual reverence, confidence, and courtesy, at the dissolution of the body after death they were reborn unto a happy state in heaven. And this (perfect life of theirs) became known as "the good life of the partridge ?."
'Tis those who reverence the old That are the men who Dhamma know,
1 Tittiriyam brahmakariyam. It is quite possible that a covert sarcasm is here intended to be understood against the Taittirîya Brahmans.
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