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"Rajakumara! Suppose due to your own carelessness, or to that of the attending nurse, this child places a piece of wood or pebble in his mouth. Then what will you do "?
"Bhante! I shall take it out. If I cannot do so easily, then I shall hold his head with my left hand, and then with a finger on my right hand turned like it hook, I shall force it out, if necessary, with blood. I shall do so because I have great affection for the child".
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Picking up the thread, the Buddha started,
"Rajakumara! The Tathāgata does not utter words which are meaningless, harmful and harsh. Though full of meaning, but harmful or harsh, the Tathāgata does not utter even such words. Though pleasant to others, but meaningless or worthless, even such words the Tathagata does not utter. The Tathāgata who has full time sense speaks only what is meaningful and necessary, no matter whether words are palatable or harsh. This he does because he has compassion for all living beings".
497
"Bhante!
Scholars from among the Ksatriyas, the Brahmins, the Grhapatis and the Sramanas prepare their questions, come to the Tathāgata and put their questions before him. Does the Tathāgata know beforehand that he will be asked such and such questions so that he will give such and such answers"?
J
"Rajakumāra ! put a question to you. You give whatever reply you like. I guess, you are an expert in the mechanism of a chariot".
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"Yes, I am. I know thoroughly the mechanism of a chariot".
- "Suppose, somebody points to a chariot and asks, what is this part of the chariot called. Do you think beforehand what reply you will give to such and such question? Or, you just give the reply as it may suit the occasion"?
