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42
THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
IV, 5, 37.
the ground of the homage of so powerful a personage, show homage to and worship—just so, O king, when Brahmâ had paid homage to the Tathâgatas, so would the whole world of gods and men. For the world, O king, is a reverer of what is revered. And that is why Brahma asks of all Tathagatas that they should make known the Doctrine, and why, on so being asked, they make it known.'
Very good, Nagasena ! The puzzle has been well unravelled, most able has been your exposition. That is so, and I accept it as you say.'
[Here ends the problem as to the Buddha's hesitation
to make the Doctrine known.]
Here ends the Fifth Chapter.
i Hinaf-kumburê here gives a page of description--not found in the Pali-of the episode of Brahma's request to the Buddha. The oldest account of this episode has been already translated in vol. xiii of the Sacred Books of the East,' in "Vinaya Texts,' part i, pp. 84-88.
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