BUDIIISM 



135 



thought much on the subject, and considered that a Prince 

 without a knowledge of religion, was like a man, ornamen- 

 ted with jewels, but destitute of garments requisite for the 

 purposes of decency. He communicated his thoughts to his 

 councillors, and enquired if any of them could either instruct 

 him or tell him where he could obtain information on this 

 important subject. The noblemen of his Court acknowledged 

 their inability to give their Sovereign the information he 

 required. The King then directed the public crier to 

 make proclamation, that if any individual could explain 

 any of the doctrines of Budha he should be munificently 

 rewarded, upon communicating his knowledge to the King. 

 He afterwards sent an elephant laden with the most costly 

 treasures, round the city, promising to bestow the whole 

 upon any person who could communicate to him any por- 

 tion of the teaching of a former Budha. Not meeting with 

 success he afterwards offered to become the personal slave 

 of any one who could recite to him only one stanza spoken 

 by a Budha. 



His mind became exceedingly agitated with this un- 

 quenchable thirst for religious knowledge, and he deter- 

 mined to leave his kingdom in charge of his Chief Ministers 

 while he sought in foreign lands the information he so 

 much desired. During his travels he entered a thick forest, 

 and regardless of the fierce animals who dwelt there, enter- 

 tained a hope that he should succeed in his efforts even in 

 that unpromising place. 



When a peculiarly meritorious act is performed by any 

 person, the Crystal Throne of India (or Sakraya, the King 

 of the Gods residing on the summit of Maha Meru,) 

 becomes hot, and by this his attention is directed to the 



