The Gospel of Buddha
Preface
by Paul Carus
Introduction
Rejoice
Samsara and Nirvana
Truth the Saviour
Prince Siddhattha becomes Buddha
The Bodhisatta's Birth
The Ties of Life
The Three Woes
The Bodhisatta's Renunciation
King Bimbisara
The Bodhisatta's Search
Uruvela, the Place of Mortification
Mara, the Evil One
Enlightenment
The First Converts
Brahma's Request
The Foundation of the Kingdom of Righteousness
Upaka
The Sermon at Benares
The Sangha
Yasa, the Youth of Benares
Kassapa
The Sermon at Rajagaha
The King's Gift
Sariputta and Moggallana
Anathapindika
The Sermon on Charity
Jetavana
The Three Characteristics and the Uncreate
The Buddha's Father
Yasodhara
Rahula
Consolidation of the Buddha's religion
Jivaka, the Physician
The Buddha's Parents Attain Nirvana
Women Admitted to the Sangha
The Bhikkhus' Conduct Toward Women
Visakha
The Uposatha and Patimokkha
The Schism
The Re-establishment of Concord
The Bhikkhus Rebuked
Devadatta
Name and Form
The Goal
Miracles Forbidden
The Vanity of Worldliness
Secrecy and Publicity
The Annihilation of Suffering
Avoiding the Ten Evils
The Preacher's Mission
The Teacher
The Dhammapada
The Two Brahmans
Guard the Six Quarters
Simha's Question Concerning Annihilation
All Existence is Spiritual
Identity and Non-Identity
The Buddha Omnipresent
One Essence, One Law, One Aim
The Lesson Given to Rahula
The Sermon on Abuse
The Buddha Replies to the Deva
Words of Instruction
Amitabha
The Teacher Unknown
Parables and Stories
Parables
The Widow's Two Mites and the Parable of the Three Merchants
The Man Born Blind
The Lost Son
The Giddy Fish
The Cruel Crane Outwitted
Four Kinds of Merit
The Light of the World
Luxurious Living
The Communication of Bliss
The Listless Fool
Rescue in the Desert
The Sower
The Outcast
The Woman at the Well
The Peacemaker
The Hungry Dog
The Despot
Vasavadatta
The Marriage-Feast in Jambunada
A Party in Search of a Thief
In the Realm of Yamaraja
The Mustard Seed
Following the Master Over the Stream
The Sick Bhikkhu
The Patient Elephant
The Last Days
The Conditions of Welfare
Sariputta's Faith
Pataliputta
The Mirror of Truth
Ambapali
The Buddha's Farewell Address
The Buddha Announces His Death
Chunda, the Smith
Metteyya
The Buddha's Final Entering into Nirvana
Conclusion
The Three Personalities of the Buddha
The Purpose of Being
The Praise of All the Buddhas
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The Gospel of Buddha
The Buddha Replies to the Deva
On a certain day when the Blessed One dwelt
at Jetavana, the garden of Anathapindika,
a celestial deva came to him in the shape of a Brahman
whose countenance was bright and whose garments were white like snow.
The deva asked questions which the Blessed One answered. [1]The deva said:
"What is the sharpest sword?
What is the deadliest poison?
What is the fiercest fire?
What is the darkest night?" [2]The Blessed One replied:
"A word spoken in wrath is the sharpest sword;
covetousness is the deadliest poison;
passion is the fiercest fire;
ignorance is the darkest night." [3]The deva said:
"Who gains the greatest benefit?
Who loses most?
Which armour is invulnerable?
What is the best weapon?" [4]The Blessed One replied:
"He is the greatest gainer who gives to others,
and he loses most who greedily receives without gratitude.
Patience is an invulnerable armour;
wisdom is the best weapon." [5]The deva said:
"Who is the most dangerous thief?
What is the most precious treasure?
Who is most successful in taking away by violence not only on earth, but also in heaven?
What is the securest treasure-trove?" [6]The Blessed One replied:
"Evil thought is the most dangerous thief;
virtue is the most precious treasure.
The mind takes possession of everything not only on earth, but also in heaven,
and immortality is its securest treasure-trove." [7]The deva said:
"What is attractive?
What is disgusting?
What is the most horrible pain?
What is the greatest enjoyment?" [8]The Blessed One replied:
"Good is attractive;
evil is disgusting.
A bad conscience is the most tormenting pain;
deliverance is the height of bliss." [9]The deva asked:
"What causes ruin in the world?
What breaks off friendships?
What is the most violent fever?
Who is the best physician?" [10]The Blessed One replied:
"Ignorance causes the ruin of the world.
Envy and selfishness break off friendships.
Hatred is the most violent fever,
and the Buddha is the best physician." [11]The deva then asked and said:
"Now I only have one doubt to be solved;
pray, clear it away:
What is it fire can neither burn,
nor moisture corrode,
nor wind crush down,
but is able to reform the whole world?" [12]The Blessed One replied: "Blessing!
Neither fire, nor moisture, nor wind can destroy
the blessing of a good deed,
and blessings reform the whole world." [13]The deva, having heard the words of the Blessed One, was full of exeeding joy.
Clasping his hands, he bowed down before him in reverence,
and disappeared suddenly from the presence of the Buddha. [14]End Chapter 58
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Compiled from ancient records by Paul Carus, 1894
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