________________
88
BUDDHIST INDIA
When the King of Magadha, the famous (and infamous) Ajātasattu, made his only call upon the Buddha, he is said' to have put a puzzle to the teacher to test him -a puzzle characteristic of the King's state of mind. It is this:
“What in the world is the good of your renunciation, of joining an Order like yours? Other people (and here he gives a list), by following ordinary crafts, get something out of them. They can make themselves comfortable in this world, and keep their families in comfort. Can you, Sir, declare to me any such immediate fruit, visible in this world, of the life of a recluse ?”
The list referred to is suggestive. In the view of the King the best examples of such crafts were the following: 1. Elephant-riders.
17. Bath-attendants. 2. Cavalry.
18. Confectioners. 3. Charioteers.
19. Garland-inakers. 4. Archers.
20. Washermen. 5-13. Nine different 21. Weavers.
grades of army folk. 22. Basket-makers. 14. Slaves.
23. Potters. 15. Cooks.
24. Clerks. 16. Barbers.
25. Accountants. These are just the sort of people employed about a camp or a palace. King-like, the King considers chiefly those who minister to a king, and are dependent upon him. In the answer he is most politely reminded of the peasant, of the tax-payer, on whom both he and his depended. And it is evident enough
?P. I. 51,
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
