Part 40 (2/2)

And Ananda was filled with wonder that the Blessed One was thus honored. But the Blessed One said: ”Not by such events, Ananda, is the Tathagata rightly honored, held sacred, or revered. But the brother or the sister, the devout man or the devout woman, who continually fulfils all the greater and the lesser duties, walking according to the precepts, it is they who rightly honor, hold sacred, and revere the Tathagata with the worthiest homage.

Therefore, O Ananda, be ye ”constant in the fulfilment of the greater and of the lesser duties, and walk according to the precepts; thus, Ananda, will ye honor the Master.” 3

Then the venerable Ananda went into the vihara, and stood leaning against the doorpost, weeping at the thought: ”Alas! I remain still but a learner, one who has yet to work out his own perfection. And the Master is about to pa.s.s away from me--he who is so kind!” 4

Now, the Blessed One called the brethren, and said: ”Where, O brethren, is Ananda?” 5

And one of the brethren went and called Ananda. And Ananda came and said to the Blessed One: ”Deep darkness reigned for want of wisdom; the world of sentient creatures was groping for want of light; then the Tathagata lit up the lamp of wisdom, and now it will be extinguished again, ere he has brought it out.” 6

And the Blessed One said to the venerable Ananda, as he sat there by his side: 7

”Enough, Ananda! Let not thy self be troubled; do not weep! Have I not already, on former occasions, told you that it is in the very nature of all things most near and dear unto us that we must separate from them and leave them? 8

”The foolish man conceives the idea of 'self,' the wise man sees there is no ground on which to build the idea of 'self,' thus he has a right conception of the world and well concludes that all compounds ama.s.sed by sorrow will be dissolved again, but the truth will remain. 9

”Why should I preserve this body of flesh, when the body of the excellent law will endure? I am resolved; having accomplished my purpose and attended to the work set me, I look for rest! 10

”For a long time, Ananda, thou hast been very near to me by thoughts and acts of such love as never varies and is beyond all measure. Thou hast done well, Ananda! Be earnest in effort and thou too shalt soon be free from the great evils, from sensuality, from selfishness, from delusion, and from ignorance!” 11

And Ananda, suppressing his tears, said to the Blessed One: ”Who shall teach us when thou art gone?” 12

And the Blessed One replied: ”I am not the first Buddha who came upon earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a Holy One, a supremely enlightened One, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax, and glorious at the goal, in the spirit and in the letter. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure; such as I now proclaim.” 13

Ananda said: ”How shall we know him?” 14

The Blessed One said: ”He will be known as Metteyya, which means 'he whose name is kindness.'” 15

XCVII.

THE BUDDHA'S FINAL ENTERING INTO NIRVANA.

Then the Mallas, with their young men and maidens and their wives, being grieved, and sad, and afflicted at heart, went to the Upavattana, the sala grove of the Mallas, and wanted to see the Blessed One, in order to partake of the bliss that devolves upon those who are in the presence of the Holy One. 1

And the Blessed One addressed them and said: 2

”Seeking the way, ye must exert yourselves and strive with diligence. It is not enough to have seen me! Walk as I have commanded you; free yourselves from the tangled net of sorrow.

Walk in the path with steadfast aim. 3

”A sick man may be cured by the healing power of medicine and will be rid of all his ailments without beholding the physician. 4

”He who does not do what I command sees me in vain. This brings no profit. Whilst he who lives far off from where I am and yet walks righteously is ever near me. 5

”A man may dwell beside me, and yet, being disobedient, be far away from me. Yet he who obeys the Dharma will always enjoy the bliss of the Tathagata's presence.” 6

Then the mendicant Subhadda went to the sala grove of the Mallas and said to the venerable Ananda: ”I have heard from fellow mendicants of mine, who were deep stricken in years and teachers of great experience: 'Sometimes and full seldom to Tathagatas appear in the world, the holy Buddhas.' Now it is said that to-day in the last watch of the night, the final pa.s.sing away of the samana Gotama will take place. My mind is full of uncertainty, yet have I faith in the samana Gotama and trust he will be able so to present the truth that I may become rid of my doubts. O that I might be allowed to see the samana Gotama!” 7

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