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CEYLON BRANCH 



advantage shall I obtain 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 ; you have now re- 

 turned and live with the priests : have you attained the object 

 for which you became a priest ? Are you freed from future 

 transmigration ? He replied, Friends. I have neither attained 

 the path nor the results of such attainment. I am only fit to 

 be with unmeritorious persons : I have lost courage and re* 

 turned. They said, friend, you have acted very improperly 

 in abondoning your endeavours after having 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 reli* 

 gion, 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 efforts ? Upon hearing these words, the priest became 

 established in resolution. The other priests requested Budha 

 to declare this event ; upon which he revealed that which was 

 hidden in past transmigrations. 



