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WHAT IS SADDHAMMA ?
SECTION I
THE FUNCTIONS OF SADDHAMMA
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§ 1. To Cleanse the Mind of its Impurities
Once when the Blessed Lord was residing at Shravasti, Prasenjit, the king of the Kosalas, came to the place where he was staying and descending from his chariot, approached the Teacher with the deepest reverence.
And invited him on the morrow to enter the city and partake of his hospitality, with a view to exhibit to the people the excellence of his person and doctrine, that they might believe in him.
The Buddha having consented, on the morrow entered the city with all his disciples, and having passed through the four cross streets of the town, he came to the place appointed and sat down.
After finishing the meal, he began, on the request of the king, to preach in the midst of the four highways, whilst his auditors were very many.
At this time there were two merchants listening to him.
One of them reflected, “What excellent wisdom on the part of the king to have such doctrines as these publicly preached ! How wide their application, how searching their character !”
The other reflected thus, “What folly is this on the part of the king, bringing this man here to preach !
“Like the calf that follows the cow, here and there, fastened to a vehicle she draws, bleating as it goes, so is this Buddha following the king.” The two merchants having departed from the city came to an inn where they put up.
In taking some wine the good merchant was restrained and protected by the four guardian spirits that watch over the world.
The other, on the contrary, was incited by an
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