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250
FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
IV, 22.
the frontier town of Magadha, defending the outskirts of the country. 1736
Ruling the country was a Brahman1 of wide renown and great learning in the scriptures (sætras); and (there was also) an overseer of the country, to take the omens of the land with respect to rest or calamity. 1737
At this time the king of Magadha sent to that officer of inspection (overseer) a messenger to warn and command him to raise fortifications in the neighbourhood (round) of the town for its security and protection. 1738
And now the lord of the world, as they were raising the fortifications, predicted that in consequence of the Devas and spirits who protected and kept (the land), the place should continue strong and free from calamity (destruction). 1739
king Agâtasatru for receiving the Likkhavi princes of Vaisâlî, who had come to a conference at this place to settle their affairs with the king. This hall is probably represented at Aganta, Cave xvi (see Burgess' Report, vol. i, plate xiii, fig. 2; also Mrs. Speirs' Ancient India, P. 197); at least it would seem so from the exact account left us of the position Buddha took on this occasion, 'he entered the hall and took his seat against the central pillar of the hall' (Rhys Davids and Bigandet in loc.) Does this hall, built by king Agátasatru, and called in our text a 'Ketiya hall,' bear any resemblance to a Basilica ?
1 Rhys Davids (Sacred Books of the East, vol. xi, p. 18) tells us that the chief magistrates of Magadha Sunidha and Vassakâra were building a fortress at Pataligama to repel the Vaggians;' I have therefore in my translation supposed the 'ku kwó' and the 'yang kwan' to be the two officers referred to. It would seem that these titles 'ruling the country' and 'overseer' were recognised at the time. The text, however, would bear another translation, making the Brahman ruler the same as the omen-taking overseer.
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