Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 156,382 words
The Mahavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of Gautama Buddha’s and the ten principal disciples’ awakenings, as well as rules for ordination, rules for reciting the Patimokkha during uposatha days, and various monastic procedures....
Mahavagga, Khandaka 1, Chapter 19
1. At that time a great sacrifice which the Jaṭila Uruvelā Kassapa used to celebrate was approaching, and all the people of Aṅga and Magadha wished to go to that sacrifice carrying abundant food, both hard and soft. Now the Jaṭila Uruvelā Kassapa thought: 'Presently my great sacrifice is approaching, and all the people of Aṅga and Magadha will come and bring with them abundant food, both hard and soft. If the great Samaṇa should perform a wonder before that great assembly, gain and honour would increase to the great Samaṇa, and my gain and honour would diminish. Well, the great Samaṇa shall not appear here to-morrow.'
2. Then the Blessed One, understanding by the power of his mind this reflection which had arisen in the mind of the Jaṭila Uruvelā Kassapa, went to Uttara Kuru; having begged alms there, he took the food (he had received) to the Anotatta lake[1]; there he took his meal and rested during the heat of the day at the same place.
And when the night had elapsed, the Jaṭila Uruvelā Kassapa went to the place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, he said to the Blessed One: 'It is time, great Samaṇa, the meal is ready. Why did you not come yesterday, great Samaṇa? We have thought of you: "Why does the great Samaṇa not come?" and your portions of food, both hard and soft, were served up for you.'
3. (Buddha replied): 'Did you not think, Kassapa: "Presently my great sacrifice (&c., as above down to:). Well, the great Samaṇa shall not appear here tomorrow?"
4. 'Now I understood, Kassapa, by the power of my mind this reflection which had arisen in your mind, and I went to Uttara Kuru; having begged alms there, I took the food to the Anotatta lake; there I took my meal and rested during the heat of the day at the same place.'
Then the Jaṭila Uruvelā Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samaṇa possesses high magical powers and great faculties, since he is able to understand by the power of his mind the thoughts of other people. He is not, however, holy like fie.' And the Blessed One ate (&c., as in chap. 16, 2).
End of the fifth Wonder.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
One of the supposed seven great lakes in the Himavant.