Dialogues of the Buddha, Part II — trans. T. W. and C. A. F. Rhys Davids (1910)

' Enough, sirs ! I have already abundant possessions, thanks to the action of my lords. It is that luxury that I am now relinquishing in leaving the world for the homeless life, [even as I have told you].'

49. Then the six nobles went aside together, and thus deliberated : ' These brahmin folk are greedy about women. What if we, were to gain him over through women?' And coming to the High Steward they said : ' There is, sir, in those seven kingdoms abundance of women. Wherefore, sir, conduct away with you as many as you want.'

' Enough, sirs ! I have already these forty wives equal in rank. All of them I am forsaking in leaving the world for the homeless life, [even as I have told you].'

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50. [248] ' If the honourable Steward goes forth from the home into the homeless life, we too will do the like. Whither thou goest we will go.'

• If ye would put off fleshly lusts that worldling's heart coerce, Stir ye the will, wax strong, firm in the power of patience. This is the Way, the Way that's Straight1, the Way unto the End 2, The Righteous Path that good men guard, to birth in Brahma's heaven.'

51. 'Wherefore, my lord Steward, wait yet seven years, and when they are over, we too will go forth from the world into the homeless life. Whither thou goest we will go.'

' Too long, my lords, are seven years ! I cannot wait for my lords seven years. For who can answer for the living ? 3 We must go toward the future, we must learn by wisdom 4, we must do good, we must walk in righteousness, for there is no escaping death for all that's born. Now I am o-oino- forth in accordance with the word of Brahma which I have heard concerning foul odours. They cannot be easily suppressed when one is living in the world.'

52. 'Well then, lord Steward, wait for us six years, . . . [or] wait five years . . . four years . . . three . . . two years . . • one year. When a year has gone by we too will leave the world for the Homeless State. Whither thou goest we will go.'

53. 'Too long, my lords, is one year. I cannot [247] wait for my lords one year. For who can answer for the living ? We must go towards the future, we must learn by wisdom, we must do good, we must walk

1 See S. I, 33 : — ' Straight is that way named.'

2 Anuttaro, lit. having no beyond. The Cy. interprets asadiso, uttamo (unique, supreme).

3 See above, p. 268.

* Mantaya. Manta vuccati pafifia, says Buddhaghosa. Cp. the commentary on Dhp. 363; and Anguttara II, 141-228.

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in righteousness, for there is no escaping death for all that's born. Now I am going forth in accordance with the word of Brahma which I have heard concerning foul odours. They cannot easily be suppressed when one is living in the world.'

54. ' Well then, lord Steward, wait for us seven months . . . six months . . . five . . . four . . . three . . . two months . . . one month . . . [55] half a month . . . seven days, [248] till we have devolved our kingdoms on to our sons and brothers. When seven days are over, we will leave the world for the Homeless State. Whither thou goest we will go.'

' Seven days, my lords, is not a long time. I will wait, my lords, for seven days.'

56. Then the High Steward, the brahmin, came to those seven eminent and wealthy brahmins and to those seven hundred graduates, and said: — 'Will ye now seek another teacher, sirs, who will (by repetition) teach you the mystic verses ? * I wish to leave the world for the homeless life. I am going forth in accordance with the word of Brahma which I have heard concerning foul odours. These cannot easily be suppressed when one is living in the world.'

' Let the honourable Steward not leave the world for the homeless life ! Leaving the world means little power and little gain ; to be a brahmin brings great power and great gain.'

' Speak not so, gentlemen, of leaving the world or of being a brahmin. Who for that matter has greater power or wealth than I ? I, sirs, have been hitherto as a king of kings, as Brahma to brahmins, as a deity 2 to householders. And this, all this, I put away in leaving the world, in accordance with th? word of Brahma . . .' [249]