Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study

SR No.: 022804
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 804
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 49

"Yes, bhante. I did. I asked the same question to six of them. They expressed their views, but these did not appear to me to be right answers. So, bhante, their answers did not satisfy me."
From his own angle, Bhagavān Buddha elaborated the visible effect of śramana -hood in the following words:
"Oh King ! A valet of yours who acts according to your wishes, who is always ready to carry out your orders, who is sweet in his speech, and who is ready for everything, thinks that the way of virtuous activities, the outcome of virtuous activities, is highly strange and wonderful. He thinks that Ajátasatru, the king of Magadha, is a human being, and he is also a human being. But the king moves about like a god enjoying all the five objects of desire, whereas he is a mere valet of the king, and so he serves him. He thinks that he should do pious deeds, tonsure his head and chins, put on red robes and renounce his home. And he does as he had thought. Restrained in body, words and mind, he starts wandering (like a monk). Satisfied with simple food and clothes, he leads a lonely life. Now, King, if someone reports this to you, will you then desire that this man be brought back from his seclusion, made to resume his duties and to live on like that (for the rest of his life) ?"
- "No, bhante, I would surely not desire like that. I shall take my hat off him, I shail honour him, I shall serve him, I shall give him a seat, I shall invite him to accept food, clothes, bed, seat, medicine, sickman's food, etc., from me, and I shall take care of him in every respect."
- "Oh King ! If this be so, then, don't you think that this is the most visible effect of śramana -hood ?"
- "To be sure, bhante, I do. I fully agree that this is the visible effect of śramana - hood."