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IV, 19.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN FATHER AND SON. 219
great multitude who went before and came after him, he advanced towards the Ni-kin: mountain, 1535
Near Kapilavastu; and there he conceived in himself a generous purpose to prepare an offering according to his religious doctrine to present to his father, the king. 1536
And now in anticipation of his coming the royal teacher (purohita) and the chief minister had sent forth certain officers and their attendants to observe on the right hand and the left (what was taking place); and they soon espied him (Buddha) as he advanced or halted on the way. 1537
Knowing that Buddha was now returning to his country they hastened back 8 and quickly announced the tidings, 'The prince who wandered forth afar to obtain enlightenment, having fulfilled his aim, is now coming back.' 1538
The king hearing the news was greatly rejoiced, and forthwith went out with his gaudy equipage to meet (his son); and the whole body of gentry (sse) belonging to the country, went forth with him in his company. 1539
Gradually advancing he beheld Buddha from afar, his marks of beauty sparkling with splendour two
This may be the Nyagrodha garden alluded to by Spence Hardy, Manual of Buddhism, P. 200, and also in the Romantic Legend, P. 350. The symbols ni-kin, however, seem to have some other equivalent, such as Nigantha.
* This of course means 'a religious offering,' or service of religion,' i. e. agreeable to religion.
There is no reference here to their conversion as in the Southern accounts. The account in the Manual of Buddhism, p. 200, of the king's preparation to meet his son, bears the appearance of a late date, and in exaggeration surpasses all we find in the Northern books.
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