ON MIRACLES. 



49 



Gotama-— e what would in that case become of the denizens 

 of the earth'? — divests the proposed work of all miraculous 

 power : and though it is stated that Moggallana replied, 

 ' that he would collect all the inhabitants of the earth into 

 one of his hands, whilst with the other he would turn the 

 earth over,' Gotama knew perfectly well, that he had no 

 such power. For, if he had, Gotama's common-sense, of 

 which his doctrines show he was not deficient, must have 

 not only shewn that Sariputta might have produced rice 

 out of stones, but that the same mighty power, which 

 could be exerted to turn the earth over, would enable him 

 to save living beings from distress. And that such was 

 Gotama's opinion is pretty clearly implied in the reply 

 with which this part of the dialogue concludes, and 

 which the narrator in his innocence records — Don't ; it 

 will cause much distress to the people.' It is then reason- 

 able to believe that Gotama not only abstained himself 

 from working miracles, and forbade others to do so ; but 

 did not believe in any supernatural power. 



Buddhists may, however, refer us to an Admonition in 

 the Vinaya,* or to the beginning of the Kevatta Sutta, 

 and tell us that the prohibition was confined to ex- 

 hibitions ' before the laity clad in white.' The concluding 

 words of the Sutta, viz., ' I abhor, refrain from, and cen- 

 sure miracles' — are certainly not open to such a construc- 

 tion. The words which we have quoted are not controlled 

 by the words quoted against us. The absence here of the 

 repetitions generally used in the Bauddha discourses, 

 raises a suspicion in our minds, and renders it necessary 



• We are obliged to omit the notes, and quotations for want of 

 the necessary type. 



