Читать книгу 108 Buddhist Parables and Stories - Olga Gutsol - Страница 14
12. THE KING’S GIFT
ОглавлениеKing Bimbisara, having taken his refuge in the Buddha, invited the Blessed One with his monks to his palace for a meal.
The Blessed One having donned his robes, took his alms-bowl and, together with a great number of disciples, entered the city of Rajagraha. Sakka, the king of the Devas, assuming the appearance of a young brahmin, walked in front and said, “He who teaches self-control with those who have learned self-control; the redeemer with those whom he has redeemed; the Blessed One with those to whom he has given peace, is entering Rajagraha! Hail to the Buddha! Honor to his name and blessings to all who take refuge in him.” Sakka intoned this verse:
Blessed is the place in which the Buddha walks,
And blessed the ears which hear his talks;
Blessed his disciples, for they are
The tellers of his truth both near and far.
If all could hear this truth so good
Then all men’s minds would eat rich food,
And strong would grow men’s brotherhood.
When the Blessed One had finished his meal, the king sat down near him and thought, “Where may I find a place for the Blessed One to live in, not too far from the town and not too near, suitable for going and coming, easily accessible to all people who want to see him, a place that is by day not too crowded and by night not exposed to noise, wholesome and well fitted for a retired life? There is my garden, the bamboo grove Veluvana, fulfilling all these conditions. I shall offer it to the order of monks, to the Sangha, led by the Buddha.”
Thus the king dedicated his garden to the order of monks.
