________________
IV, 18.
CONVERSION OF THE SUPPORTER ETC.
213
in the true doctrine he lowly bent in worship at the feet of Buddha and with closed hands made his request : 1497
I dwell indeed at Srâvasti (Sâvatthi)", a land rich in produce, and enjoying peace; Prasenagit (Pasenit) is the great king thereof, the offspring of the “lion" family; 1498
‘His high renown and fame spread everywhere, reverenced by all both far and near. Now am I wishful there to found a Vihâra, I pray you of your tenderness accept it from me. 1499
'I know the heart of Buddha has no preferences, nor does he seek a resting-place from labour, but on behalf of all that lives refuse not my request.' 1500
Buddha, knowing the householder's heart, that his great charity was now the moving cause, untainted and unselfish charity, nobly considerate of the heart of all that lives 1501
(He said), 'Now you have seen the true doctrine, your guileless heart loves to exercise its charity, for wealth and money are inconstant treasures, 'twere better quickly to bestow such things on others. 1502
For when a treasury has been burnt, whatever precious things may have escaped the fire, the wise
1 She-po-ti; evidently a Páli or Prakrit form of the Sanskrit Sravasti. The Chinese explanation of this name is (as found in the next line) a country of abundance. It has been identified by General Cunningham with Sâhet Mâhet.
* Po-sze-nih, i.e. Prasenagit (victorious army). With respect to this king, we know from Hiouen Thsang (Jul. II, 317) that he did not belong to the Sâkya race, but he became a convert to Buddhism. His son Virûdhaka massacred a number of the Säkyas,
and the ground was covered with their dead bodies as with pieces of straw' (Jul. II, 317). The king is here described as belonging to the Simha race; probably he was a Scyth, of the same family as the Vaggis, one tribe of whom was called the 'lion' tribe.
Digitized by Google
