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________________ Hiuen Tsiang's Travels in Vatsali 337 At this time Yasada sent a message to summon the sages and saints to a convocation at the city of Vaigali. There was only wanting one to make up the 700, when Fu-she-su-mi-lo by the use of his divine sight saw the saints and sages assembled and deliberating about religions matters. By his miraculous power he appeared in the assembly. Then Sambhoga, in the midst of the assembly. baring his right breast and prostrating himself, (arose) and exclaimed with a loud voice, "Let the congregation be silent, respectfully thoughtful ! In former days the great and holy King of the Law, after an illustrious career, entred Nirvana. Although years and months have elapsed since then, his words and teaching still survive. But now the Bhikshus of Vaigali have become negligent and pervert the eommandments. There are ten points in which they disobey the words of the Buddha (the ten power : 'dasabala'). Now then, learned sirs, you xnow well the points of error; you are well acquained with the teaching of the highly virtuous (bhadanta) Ananda : in deep affection to Buddha let us again declare his holy will." . Then the whole congregation were deeply affected; they summoned to the assembly the Bhikshus and, accordi:g to the Vipaya, they charged them with transgression, bound afresh the rules that had been broken, and vindicated the holy law. Going south 80 or 90 li from this place, we come to the sangharama called Sveta pura (Shi-fei-to-pa-lo); its massive towers, with their roundod shapes and double storeys, rise in the air. The priests are calm and respectful, and all study the great vehicle. By the side of this building are traces where the four past Buddhas, sat and walked. By the side of these is a stupa built by Asoka-raja. It was here, when Buddba was alive, that, on going southwards to the Magadha country, he turned northwards to look at Vaisali, and left there, on the road where he stopped to breathe, traces of his visit. . Going south-east from the Svetapura Sangharama 30 li or so, on either (south or north) side of the Ganges river there is a stupa; this is the spot where the venerable Ananda divided his body between the two kingdoms. Ananda was on his father's side cousin of Tathagata. He was a disciple (saiksha) well acquainted with the doctrine (collectanea), thoroughly instructed in ordinary matters (men and things), and of masculine understanding. After Buddha's departure from the world he succeeded the grcat Kasyapa in the guardianship of the true law, and became the guide and teacher of men devoted to religion (men not yet Arhats). He was dwelling in the Magadha country in a wood; as he was walking to and 43
| SR No. | 012088 |
| Book Title | Vaishali Abhinandan Granth |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Yogendra Mishra |
| Publisher | Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa |
| Publication Year | 1985 |
| Total Pages | 592 |
| Language | Hindi, English |
| Classification | Smruti_Granth |
| File Size | 17 MB |