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FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
IV, 16.
Sakra, king of gods, going to where Brahmadevarâga dwells. 1338
Bowing down at Buddha's feet, he asked him, with respect, about his health of body; Buddha in his turn, having made enquiries, begged him to be seated on one side. 1339
Then the king's mind reflected silently: “This Sâkya must have great controlling power, to subject to his will these Kâsyapas who now are round him as disciples.' 1340
Buddha, knowing all thoughts, spoke thus to Kâsyapa, questioning him: 'What profit have you found in giving up your fire-adoring law?' 1341
Kâsyapa hearing Buddha's words, rising with dignity before the great assembly, bowed lowly down, and then with clasped hands and a loud voice addressing Buddha, said : 1342
‘The profit I received, adoring the fire spirit, was this,-continuance in the wheel of life, birth and death with all their sorrows growing,—this service I have therefore cast away; 1343
'Diligently I persevered in fire-worship, seeking to put an end to the five desires, in return I found desires endlessly increasing, therefore have I cast off this service. 1344
'Sacrificing thus to fire with many Mantras, I did but miss (i.e. I did not find) escape from birth; receiving birth, with it came all its sorrows, therefore I cast it off and sought for rest. 1345
'I was versed, indeed, in self-affliction, my mode of worship largely adopted, and counted of all most excellent, and yet I was opposed to highest wisdom. 1346
"Therefore have I discarded it, and gone in quest
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