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of this Brahmin Sela. Accompanied by his three hundred pupils, Sela went and saw all the fire-worshippers there busy with their several tasks, with Keniya himself marking off the reserved circles.
At the sight of this the Brahmin said to Keniya: “What is all this? Is it a wedding feast? Or is there a great sacrifice afoot ? Or have you invited to a repast tomorrow Seniya Bimbisara, king of Magadha, with all his host? ”
“It is no wedding feast, Sela, nor is the king coming with all his host. But I have got a great sacrifice afoot. For, the recluse Gotama has arrived at Apana, in the course of an alms-pilgrimage, with twelve hundred and fifty alms-men in his train.
“Now, such, according to report, is the high repute of this Gotama that he is deemed to be the Lord of Enlightenment.
“It is he whom I have invited to tomorrow’s meal here, together with his confraternity. The feast that is being prepared is for him.”
“Did you attribute to him Enlightenment, Keniya,” asked Sela. “Yes, I did,” replied Keniya. “Did you?” “Yes I did.”
§ 6. Pasendi In Praise of the Master
Once the Exalted One was staying near Shravasti, at Jeta’s grove, in Anathapindika’s park.
Now at that time the rajah of Kosala, Pasendi, had just returned from a sham-fight, in which he was victorious, having carried out his object. And on reaching the park he turned in that way. So far as the cart-road went he rode in his chariot, and then got down and went on foot through the park.
On that occasion a number of the brethren were walking up and down in the open air. Then Pasendi, the rajah of Kosala, went up to those brethren and thus accosted them: “Reverend sirs, where now is the Exalted One staying, that Arahant, Buddha Supreme: for I long to behold Him ? ”
“ Yonder, Maharajah, is his lodging, and the
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