REFORMERS AND THEIR FATE 195
learning and in virtuous exertions.” In such a way, then, those whose hearts are pure do not act up to the enticement of the wicked. Knowing this, pure-heartedness is to be striven after.”
(In the spiritual lessons for princes, also this is to be said:
‘Who to his subjects wishing good, himself exerts, Thus brings about salvation, glory, happiness. No other should be of a king the business.’
And it may be added as follows: ‘(The prince) who strives after material prosperity, ought to act in accordance wih the precepts of religion, thinking, a religious conduct of his subjects to be the source of prosperity.’
Further this is here to be said: ‘Injuring animals never tends to bliss, but charity, self-restraint, continence and the like have this power; for this reason he who longs for bliss must devote himself to these virtues. ‘And also when discoursing on the Tathagata : ‘In this manner the Lord showed his inclination to care for the interests of the world, when he was still in his previous existences.’)
IV
Another powerful attack against Yadna is contained in his discourses known as Kutadanta Sutta. It is as follows:
THE WRONG SACRIFICE AND THE RIGHT
- Thus have I heard. The Blessed One once, when going on a tour through Magadha, with a great multitude of the brethren, with about five hundred brethren, came to a Brahman village in Magadha called Khanumata. And there at Khanumata he lodged in the Ambalatthika pleasance.
Now at that time the Brahman Kutadanta was dwelling at Khanumata, a place teeming with life, with much grassland and woodland and water and corn, on a royal domain presented him by Seniya Bimbisara the king of Magadha, as a royal gift, with power over it as if he were the king.
And just then a great sacrifice was being got ready on behalf of Kutadanta the Brahman. And a hundred bulls, and a hundred steers, and a hundred heifers, and a hundred goats, and a hundred rams had been brought to the post for the sacrifice.
- Now the Brahmans and householders of Khanumata heard the news of the arrival of the Samana Gotama. And they began to leave Khanumata in companies and in bonds to go to the Ambalatthika pleasance.