CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. |§S 



ray of spiritual light, or any indication of super human wis- 

 dom. He then thought, The teacher has said that there are four 

 classes of men : I am of the lowest class. I shall not, in this 

 state of existence, ascertain the path to Nirwana, nor the re- 

 sults of entering into that path* What advantage shall 1 ob- 

 tain by residing in a wilderness : I will return again to Budha 

 and view his glorious person, and live there listening to his 

 excellent discourses* He accordingly returned to Jetawaney. 

 Some wise and holy priests who were there said to him, Friend, 

 you received instructions from Budha. and left this to fulfil your 

 priestly duties i you have now returned and live with the priests; 

 have you attained the object iur which you became a priest? 

 are yon freed from future transmigration ? He replied, Friends 

 I have neither attained the path nor the results of such at- 

 tainment. I am only lit to be with unmeritorious persons: I 

 have lost courage and returned. They said,. Friend, you have 

 acted very improperly in abandoning your endeavours after hav- 

 ing become a priest of the religion of the persevering Budha* 

 Come, let us go to Budha. Budha seeing them said, you have 

 brought this priest with you contrary to his will : what has he 

 done ? They replied, This person^ Lord, having become a priest 

 of this religion, has failed in his efforts to perform his priestly 

 duty, and ceasing from exertion has returned. Budha enquired, 

 Is it true, priest, that you have ceased from persevering effort ? 

 It is true, Bagawa. He replied, In becoming a priest of this 

 religion you became a man of few desires, contented, removed 

 from carnal objects, and perseveringly diligent. When it is said, 

 this priest has abandoned his efforts, it appears as though you 

 were not such a person. Certainly in former ages you were 

 persevering. On one occasion by your energy the men and oxen 

 of 500 waggons obtained water in the sandy desert, and were 

 saved from destruction; wherefore do you now cease your ef- 

 forts. Upon hearing these words the priest became established 

 in resolution. The other priests requested Budha to deckie 



