Chapter X - King Bimbisāra Goes to the Crown Prince

1. When the Crown Prince had taken leave from the royal preceptor and the righteous chief minister, he braved the current and crossed the Ganges River, then followed the road to Vulture Peak.

2. Its base hidden among the five mountains, it was magnificent, standing alone among the peaks. Its trees had luxuriant flowers and fruits, and rivers and springs separated warm from cool. [The Crown Prince] entered the city of the five mountains as quietly as if it were beyond the heavens.

3. When the people of the land saw that the virtues in the Crown Prince’s appearance were profound and bright, that the figure of the youth was bright, with an unequaled manly appearance, they all thought it was wonderful, as if they were seeing Īśvara’s banner.

4. Those who passed him stopped, and those who were behind all quickly rushed on. Those who were advancing in front all turned back and watched him, tirelessly and with wide-open eyes.

5. As they saw the primary and secondary marks of his four limbs, their eyes did not move. They reverently came to welcome him. They did obeisance with palms held together and made polite inquiries.

6. They were all very joyful and made worship as fitting. They looked up to his worthy and excellent countenance, and they looked down in shame at their own different appearances.

7. They adjusted their former impetuous deportment and increased their respect in silence. They wished to undo their dislikes and their kind feelings suddenly increased.

8. Men and women all at once withdrew from their public or private occupations. Full of respect for [the Crown Prince’s] appearance, they honored his qualities and completely forgot to return [to their activities] as they watched.

9. The mark of the white tuft of hair between his eyebrows, his long and wide blue eyes, the golden radiance of his whole person, his pure, webbed hands. Even though he had the appearance of someone who had gone forth, he had the marks associated with a noble king.

10. The men and women of the city of Rājagṛha, both young and old, all felt ill at ease. “Even this person has gone forth! What common joy could there be for us?”

11. At that moment King Bimbisāra sat high on an observation pavilion. He saw that the people were agitated, not behaving as usual.

12. He summoned someone from outside and asked him details about the reason [for the disturbance]. [The man] respectfully knelt below the king’s pavilion and fully informed him of what he had seen and heard:

13. “It has been made known in the past that the Śākya clan has a wonderful and excellent son. His divine wisdom surpasses the worldly external, and as a king he would lead in the eight directions. He has gone forth and is here now. Everyone is welcoming him.”

14. When the king heard this, he was pleasantly surprised in his heart. His demeanor was unchanged but his spirit was already racing. He ordered a messenger to go quickly and secretly observe the propriety of [the Crown Prince’s] destination. After [the messenger] had received his instructions, he secretly followed [the Crown Prince], observing his behavior.

15. [The Bodhisattva’s] gaze was tranquil and he looked straight ahead. Walking with dignity, he showed his true deportment. When he entered a neighborhood on his almsround, he was first among the beggars.

16. He controlled his appearance, his mind unconfused. Whatever the conditions around him, he was not ill at ease. He accepted what he received, whether fine or coarse. With his bowl in his hands he turned to a secluded grove. After his meal he rinsed his mouth in a clear stream. Enjoying the tranquility, he felt at ease on Mount Pāṇḍava.

17. Green groves lined the high cliffs and red flowers grew among them. Birds, peacocks and other kinds, flew about, crying in confusion.

18. His robe of the Law helped the morning freshness arise, just as when the sun is shining from the mulberry tree.^[1] When the [king’s] messenger saw that [the Crown Prince] was staying [in the grove], he gave a full report in due order.

19. When the king heard [the messenger’s report], his mind quickly became respectful. He immediately had his carriage adorned and went on his way. With his celestial crown, his girdle with pendants, and his ornamented garments, he walked like a lion king.

20. He selected several elders, tranquil and careful gentlemen, and led a large crowd. Like a rising cloud, they ascended Mount Pāṇḍava.

21. He saw the dignified demeanor of the Bodhisattva, who had quieted his sense faculties. He was sitting upright in his hut on a cliff, just like the moon in the blue sky. His fine beauty was pure and majestic, like a transformed body of the Law.

22. Respectful thoughts reverently arose [in the king’s mind] and he gradually drew near with reverential steps, just like Śakra, ruler of the gods, who went to Maheśvara.

23. With controlled appearance and dignified manners, he respectfully asked [of the Crown Prince] if he was well. The Bodhisattva moved with care and repaid him the courtesy.

24. When the king had completed his polite questions, he then sat down on a clean rock. He gazed and stared at [the Bodhisattva’s] divine deportment. His countenance was serene and his feelings were mixed with joy.

25. “I have humbly heard that you have inherited the abundant qualities of your famous family. My feelings of esteem have been accumulating for a long time, but now I want to settle some doubts.

26. “While Āditya is your original ancestor, your position has been high for ten thousand generations, so that their qualities have continually been bequeathed, widely collected in the present. You are wise and able, but you are yet youthful. Why have you gone forth?

27. “As a noble prince who surpasses the worldly, you beg for alms and do not abide in splendor. Your fine person should be perfumed. Why do you wear the kāṣāya? Your hand should control the land, but [instead] you receive despicable food with it.

28. “If you will not succeed the king, your father, and receive his land, I will now divide my country in half. It is my earnest hope that I may somehow entertain your interest.

29. “As you avoid compelling likes or dislikes, with the passing of time one will comply with what should be followed. Show consideration to my sincere words! When one’s wish is obtained, one is a good neighbor.

30. “You may rely on your famous and excellent family, and ability and virtue may be combined in your demeanor. If you would not wish to subdue your noble character, or if you yield and accept the goodness of others, I shall provide you with valiant men, weapons, and resources for a military.

31. “Widely winning over others by one’s own strength, who in the world would not promote this? When a bright person knows the right time and makes his choice, his duty, his riches, and his five desires are increased. 32. “If one does not obtain these three gains, one will always toil in vain. One may respect duty and reject riches and beauty, but riches are for people in the whole world.

33. “If one is wealthy and has given up duty and desire, one will preserve one’s wealth. But if one is poor and forgetful of one’s duty, who could find joy in the five desires?

34. “Therefore, if the three things go together, virtue spreads and the path is propagated. When one is endowed with duty, riches, and the five desires, one is called a great man in the world. Do not let your person bearing the marks of perfection be without any merit, toiling in vain!

35. “The wheel-turning king Māndhātṛ ruled over the four worlds and Lord Śakra shared half his throne with him, but his power could not rule over heaven. Your straight, long arms are quite sufficient to seize the regions of humans and gods now.

36. “Not relying on my royal power, I wish to compel you to stay with us! I see that you have abandoned any fondness for your appearance, and that you wear the garment of someone who has gone forth.

37. “I have respect for your virtue, but I grieve and feel for you as a man. You now go begging for alms. I wish you would accept the land!

38. “In youth one may experience the five desires, and in middle age one may indulge in riches to enjoy. When one’s faculties have matured in old age, that is the time to comply with the Law.

39. “One may hold on to the riches of the Law in one’s youth, but one will certainly be destroyed by desire. When older, one’s vigor is lessened and one may be courteous and seek silence. When one is in old age and ashamed of one’s desire for riches, and practices the Law, one is honored by the whole world.

40. “In youth one’s mind is fickle and rushes to the objects of the five desires. One is bound by the plight of one’s associates, and in the exchange of feelings one’s affection for others is deep.

41. “As one grows old one has fewer sentimental attachments, and one is honored by those who comply with the Law. The five desires have all withdrawn and one increases one’s thoughts of happiness with the Law.

42. “Respect the law of the ruler, and serve the celestial spirits in a great gathering! You will ride upon a celestial dragon and ascend to heaven, experiencing happiness!

43. “The previous excellent noble kings adorned themselves with precious necklaces. They arranged for great gatherings, offering sacrifices. In the end they took refuge and experienced the good fortune of heaven.”

44. Such was the explanation of King Bimbisāra using all kinds of means, but the determination of the Crown Prince remained firm, as immovable as Sumeru.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Chinese mythology holds that the sun comes up in the east underneath a giant mulberry tree, which has one root but two mutually supporting trunks. This tree, the rodhra tree, has yellow flowers, like the color of the Law.