Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-09
Continued from Third Page)

peared, like the Sophists in Greece
land like them "Wanderers'o, who
held that life and thought were me-
chanical, and the spirit only word.
1t was amid this vivid conflict of
asceticism and free thought that Budd-
ha appeared, to reconcile their half.
truths, and express for his age the
highest reaches Of the Hindu mind.
In this forest of impure and barbaric
faiths the purest and gentlest of all
religions was born.
X X X X
Buddha.
Buddha was no more his name than
Christ was the name of Jesus; it was
the title given him by his disciples to
express their belief that he was one
of the many avatars of god or saint
who periodically took flesh among the
Hindus to bring them salvation.
From the very moment of his birth
lin Nepal 563 B,CD legend claimed him
and embroidered his simple life with
tales as multiple and marvellous as the
fanciful figures that adorn the Hindu
temples. 1t is impossible to Sift the
facts from the myths; let us regale
ourselves with the story. and trust IN
dividual wisdom to see behind the
legend the profound philosophy which
it represents. For here in the story
of Buddha (of whose existence. even.
we cannot now be sure) India offers
us its most considered ana most char-
acteristic lesson:
Queen Mahamaya, bearing the
Bodhisatta for 10 months like oil
in bowl (Says the holy DOCK
indiana -katha). when her time was
come, desired to go to her relatives
house and addressed King Suddho-
dana: II wish, O King, to go to
Dcvadaha, the city Of my family.
The King approved and caused the
road from Kapilavatthu to Deva-
6aha to be made smooth and
adorned with vessels filled with
p,aintains. flags and banners, and
seating her in IA golden palanquin
borne by a thousand courtiers sent
her with a great retinue. Between
the two cities and belonging to the
inhabitants of both is pleasure
grove of sal-treeS named the Lum-
bini grove At that time from the
roots to the tips of the branches
1t was one mass of flowers, and
from within the branches and
flowers hosts of bees OF the five col
ors and various f1ocks of birds
sported, singing sweetly. When the
Queen saw it, a desire to sport in
the grove arose. The courtirs
brought the Queen and entered the
grove. She went to the foot of the
great sal-tree and desired to seize
a branch The branch, like the tip
of a subtle reed, bent down and
came within reach of her hands.
Stretching out her hand she seized
the branch. Thereupon she was
shaken with the throes of birth.
So the multitude set up a curtain
for her and retired. Holding the
branch, and even while standing,
she was delivered. At that moment
the four pure-minded Mahabrahmas
came with a golden net. and there
with receiving the Bodhisatta, set
him before his mother and said. =
"Rejoice. o Queen, a mighty son
has been born to thee" And as
other beings when born came forth
stained with impure matter. not so
the Bodhisatta.. But the Bodhisatta
like a preacher of the doctrine
like man descending
stairs, stretched out his two hands
and feet. and standing unsoiled
end unstained by any impurity,
shining like jewel laid on Benares
cloth. descended from his mother.
The story proceeds to tell Of Bud
dhas youth as happy prince: now
he dweit in his three palaces like
god and how 10000 dancing girls
entertained him. When he grew up
500 ladies were sent him that he might
choose one as his wife. He married
became a happy father and lived in
wealth and peace. But then one day
fiezwent forth into the streets of the
people and saw an old man. and an
other day a sick man, and on another
day dead man. He himself tells the
story:
! Then o monks, did I. endowed
with such majesty and such ex-
cessive delicacy, think thus: IAN
ignortant, ordinary person, who is
himself subject to old age, not be-
yond the sphere Of old age, on see
ing an old man is troubled,
ashamed and Disguised. extending
the thought to himself. l. too. am
subject to old age, not beyond the
sphere of old age, and should I,
who am subject to old age. not be-
yond the sphere Of old age. on see
ing an old man be troubled,
ashamed and disgusted?' This
seemed to me not fitting. AS thus
reflected all the. elation in youth
utterly disappeared. Thus,
Q monks. before my enlightenment,
being myself subject to birth, I
sought out the nature of birth; be-
ing subject to old age, sought out
the nature of old age. of sickness,
of sorrow. of impurity. Then I
thought sWhat if 7 being myself