Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

Author(s): Nagrajmuni, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 47

Dr. Jacobi's Second Approach
27 That most of the events described in the Maha-Parinivvāņa Sutta, are connected with the last days of Buddha's life is understandable, but that all the events contained in above Sutta are so, can not be accepted as a fact. It is to be noted that Sāriputta's conversation with Buddha is also one of the subjects of the Mahā-Parinivkāņa Sutta, whereas
1. The following is the translation of that chapter of the Maha
parinivvāņa Sutta : "Now, when the Blessed one had stayed as long as was convenient at Ambalatthikā, he addressed the venerable Ananda, and said : Come Ananda, let us go on to Nalandā."
"So be it Lord !” said Ananda, in assent, to the Blessed one.
Then the Blessed one proceeded, with a great company of the brethren of Nalanda, and there at Nalandā, the Blessed one stayed in the Pavarika mango grove.
Now the venerable Säriputta came to the place where the Blessed one was, and having saluted him, took his seat respectfully at his side and said : "Lord ! Such faith have I in the Blessed one, that me thinks there never has been, nor will there be, nor is there now any other, whether Samaņa or Brahmana, who is greater and wiser than the Blessed one, that is to say, as regards the higher wisdom.' . Grand and bold are the words of thy mouth, Sāriputta ! Verily, thou hast burst forth in a song of ecstasy ! Of course then thou hast known all the Blessed ones who in the long ages of the past have been Arahat Buddhas, comprehending their minds with yours, and aware what their conduct was, what their doctrine. what their wisdom, what their mode of life, and what salvation they attained to ?'
'Not so, O Lord !
But at last then, O Sāriputta ! thou knowest me as the Arhat-Buddha now alive, and hast penetrated my mind (in the manner I have mentioned).'
'Not even that, O Lord !'
"You see then, Säriputta ! that you know the hearts of the Arahat Buddhas of the past and of the future. Why, therefore, are your words so grand and bold? Why do you burst forth into such a song of ecstasy ?
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
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