________________
140
LIFE OF BUDDHA. been hidden, or should point out the way to one who had lost his way, or should bring a lamp into the darkness, thus has the Blessed One preached the doctrine in many ways. I take my refuge in the Blessed One, and in the Truth, and in the Order of the monks; may the Blessed One receive me from this day forth while my life lasts, as a disciple who has taken his refuge in him.” These are typical stories; whether it is that there was not much necessity for adaptation to the individual cases, or that such individual touches have been lost by the narration, we find little but general teaching. There is one simple consistent teaching, one refuge for all who would attain full knowledge, to join the Order of monks.
Something like the Socratic method is not infrequently made use of when an argument is held with a learned
Socratic person. Thus, in arguing with Brahmans,
method. Buddha says: “Is Brahma in possession of wives and wealth, or is he not? "_"He is not." "Is his mind full of anger, or free from anger ?"_" Free from anger." "Is his mind full of malice, or free from malice?" - Free from malice." "Is his mind depraved, or pure?” _“It is pure.” “Has he self-mastery, or has he not?" -"He has.” “Now, what think you, are Brahmans versed in the Vedas in the possession of wives and wealth, or are they not?”—“They are." And so on through all the questions; leading to the triumphant reply: “ Can there then be agreement and likeness between the Brahmans with their wives and property, and Brahma who has none of these things?”:
It is noteworthy how frequently parables and similes are made use of in the higher Buddhist teaching. Here is an instance.
“ Just as when a hen has eight or ten or twelve eggs, and the hen has properly brooded over them, properly
Darmowe sat upon them, properly sat herself round them,
Farables. however much such a wish may arise in her heart as this, “Oh, would that my little chickens should break open the egg-shell with the points of their claws, or with their beaks, and come forth into the light in safety!" yet all the while those little chickens are sure
