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

of a needle in a commentary written at just that period of Buddhist history which corresponds to the Middle Ages of Christendom. The passage in the text does not really imply or suggest any such doctrine, though the whole episode is so absurd that the author of the text could not have hesitated to say so, had such an idea been the common belief of the early Buddhists. With these sections should be compared the similar sections in Chapter VI, of which these are perhaps merely an echo.

There is no comment on nittudana, but there can be little doubt that Childers's conjectural reading is correct.

1 It is literally, ' the Eye in the world will vanish away,' where Eye is of course used figuratively of that by the aid of which spiritual truths can be perceived, corresponding exactly to the similar use in Europe of the word Light. The Master is often called ' He with the Eye,' ' He of the Spiritual Eye ' (see, for instance, the last verses in this Book), and here by a bold figure of speech he is called the Eye itself, which was shortly about to vanish away from the world, the means of spiritual insight which was no longer to be available for the common use of all men. But this is, it will be noticed, only the lament of the foolish and ignorant.

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trate on the ground, and roll to and fro in anguish at the thought : — " Too soon will the Exalted One die ! Too soon will the Happy One pass away ! Full soon will the Eye of the world disappear from sight."

' But the spirits who are free from passion bear it, calm and self-possessed, mindful of the saying which begins: — "Impermanent indeed are all component things. How then is it possible [whereas anything whatever, when born, brought into being, and organized, contains within itself the inherent necessity of dissolution — how then is it possible that such a being should not be dissolved ? No such condition can exist 1 ! "

7. ' In times past, lord, the brethren, when they had spent the rainy season in different districts, used to come to see the Tathagata, and we used to receive those very reverend brethren to audience, and to wait upon the Exalted One. But, lord, after the end of the Exalted One, we shall not be able to receive those very reverend brethren to audience, and to wait upon the Exalted One.'

8. ' There are these four places, Ananda, which the believing clansman should visit with feelings of reverence. Which are the four ?

A

' The place, Ananda, at which the believing man can say : — " Here the Tathagata was born ! ' is a spot to be visited with feelings of reverence.

' The place, Ananda, at which the believing man can say : — " Here the Tathagata attained to the supreme and perfect insight ! " is a spot to be visited with feelings of reverence.

A

' The place, Ananda, at which the believing man can say: — " Here was the kingdom of righteousness set on foot by the Tathagata ! ': is a spot to be visited with feelings of reverence.

' The place, Ananda, at which the believing man can say : — " Here the Tathagata passed finally away in that utter passing away which leaves nothing whatever to

1 The words in brackets have been inserted from par. Ill, 48 above.
See par. VI, 19 below.

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remain behind ! " is a spot to be visited with feelings of reverence. [i4l] These are the four places, Ananda, which the believing clansman should visit with feelings of reverence.

A

' And there will come, Ananda, to such spots, believers, brethren and sisters of the Order, or devout men and devout women, and will say : — " Here was the Tathagata born ! " or, " Here did the Tathagata attain to the supreme and perfect insight!" or, " Here was the kingdom of righteousness set on foot by the Tathagata ! " or, " Here the Tathagata passed away in that utter passing away which leaves nothing whatever to remain behind ! "

' And they, Ananda, who shall die while they, with believing heart, are journeying on such pilgrimage, shall be reborn after death, when the body shall dissolve, in the happy realms of heaven.'

9. ' How are we to conduct ourselves, lord, with regard to womankind ? '

' As not seeing them, Ananda.'

' But if we should see them, what are we to do ? '

' No talking, Ananda.'

' But if they should speak to us, lord, what are we to do ? '

' Keep wide awake, Ananda.'

10. 'What are we to do, lord, with the remains of the Tathagata ? '

O A