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180
FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
KIOUEN IV.
IV, 16.
VARGA 16. BIMBISARA RAGA BECOMES A DISCIPLE.
And now those five men, Asvagit, Vâshpa, and the others, having heard that he (Kaundinya) 'knew' the law, with humble mien and self-subdued, 1277
Their hands joined, offered their homage, and looked with reverence in the teacher's face. Tathâgata, by wise expedient, caused them one by one to embrace the law. 1278
And so from first to last the five Bhikshus obtained reason and subdued their senses, like the five stars which shine in heaven, waiting upon the brightening moon. 1279
At this time in the town of Ku-i1 (Kusinârâ) there was a noble's son (called) Yasas; lost in night-sleep suddenly he woke, and when he saw his attendants all, 1280
Men and women, with ill-clad bodies, sleeping, his heart was filled with loathing; reflecting on the root of sorrow, (he thought) how madly foolish men were immersed in it; 1281
Clothing himself, and putting on his jewels, he left his home and wandered forth; then on the way he stood and cried aloud, ‘Alas! alas! what endless chain of sorrows.' 1282
1 The scene of this history of Yasas is generally laid in Benares; see Romantic Legend, p. 261; Sacred Books of the East, vol. xiii, p. 102.
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