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146
O Lord! I have not the Knowledge of the heart of the Arahat Buddhas that have been, and are to come, and now are. I only know the lineage of the faith just, Lord ! as a king might have a border city, strong in its foundations, strong in its ramparts and toranas, and with one gate alone; and the king might have a watchman there, clever, expert, and wise, to stop all strangers and admit only friends. And he, on going over the approaches all round the city, might not so observe all the joints and crevices in the ramparts of that city as to know where even a cat could get out. That might well be. Yet all living things of larger size that entered or left the city, would have to do so by that gate. Thus only is it, Lord, that I know the lineage of the faith. I know that the Arhat Buddhas of the past putting away all lust, ill will, sloth, pride, and doubt; knowing all those mental faults which make men weak; training their minds in the four kind of mental activity, throughly exercising themselves in the sevenfold higher wisdom, received the full fruition of Enlightenment. And I know that the Arhat Buddhas of the times to come will (do the same). And I know that the Blessed one the Arahat Buddha of today, has (done so) now".
Tr. by T. W. Rhy Davids, Buddhist Sutta the Sacred Books of the East Series, Vol. X, pp. 12-14.
The renowned Buddhist Scholar Rahul Sankrityayana commenting on this Chapter of Maha-Parinivvanna-Sutta writes that the name of Sariputta has been referred to here on account of the error committed by the Bhanakas the persons who used to learn the Scriptures by heart (Buddha Carya, p.525). If we suppose so, can it not be probable that the whole event of Vassakara is also compiled in the Maha-Parinivvana-Sutta only erroneously? (78) Ayasyaka Kathanka,
(79) Maha Parinivvanna Sutta, Tr. By T. W. Rhys Davids;
S.B.E. Vol. XI, p.3. (80) Indian Antiquary, 'The date of Mahāvira' Vol. XLIII,
1914, pp.118 ff. 125 ff. 167 ff. (81) See, 'Mahāvira's Nirvana in which Paya', in the
Chapter III of this book.