Conversion of the High and the Holy. - Page 164

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CONVERSION OF THE HIGH AND THE HOLY

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Samana follow the holy life under Uruvella Kassyapa, or does Uruvella Kassyapa follow the holy life under the great Samana ?”

  1. And the Blessed One, who understood in his mind the reflection which had arisen in the minds of those twelve myriads of Magadha Brahmins and householders, addressed the venerable Uruvella Kassyapa: “What hast thou seen, O dweller of Uruvella, that thou who art called the great one hast forsaken the fire worship ? How is it thou hast forsaken the fire sacrifice ?”

  2. Kassyapa replied : “It is sights and sounds, and also tastes, and women of sense desire that the sacrifices promise ; because I understood that these things are impure that I took no more delight in sacrifices and offerings.”

  3. “But if you don’t mind, tell us what made you think so ?”

  4. Then the venerable Uruvella Kassyapa rose from his seat, adjusted his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, prostrated himself, inclining his head to the feet of the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: “My teacher is the Blessed One, I am his pupil.” Then those twelve myriads of Magadha Brahmins and householders understood : “Uruvella Kassyapa follows the holy life under the great Samana.”

  5. And the Blessed One, who understood in his mind the reflection that had arisen in the minds of those twelve myriads of Magadha Brahmins and householders, preached to them his Dhamma. Just as a clean cloth free from black specks properly takes the dye, thus eleven myriads of those Magadha Brahmins and householders with Bimbisara at their head, while sitting there, obtained the pure and spotless dye of the Dhamma. One myriad announced their having become lay followers.

  6. Then the Magadha king, Seniya Bimbisara, having witnessed the scene, having understood the Dhamma, having penetrated the Dhamma, having overcome uncertainty, having dispelled all doubts,

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