No. 6. — 1853.] laws op the btjddhist priesthood. 



19 



connected with it) constitutes the state of a Rahat. Super- 

 natural wisdom and super-human power result from these i 

 but he who receives the doctrine of Buddha, and is thus free, 

 is a Eahat. " There-were now/' says the author, "six Eahats 

 in the world." 



The next accession to the priesthood was from the family of 

 a wealthy nobleman of Benares. His son Yaso became disgusted 

 with the sensualities with which he was surrounded, and, filled 

 with uneasy emotions, he left his house at night and repaired 

 to Buddha at Isipatana, a retreat near the city. Buddha 

 calmed his mind with his conversation, and the young noble- 

 man was convinced of the truth of his doctrine. The mother 

 of Yaso, missing her son, alarmed her husband, who, sending out 

 mounted servants to seek him in every direction, repaired 

 himself to Isipatana, where he also became converted to the 

 faith of Gautama, and consented to the desire of his son to 

 become a priest. The whole family followed the example of 

 the nobleman, and embraced the new religion. 



There were four young men of noble birth, the friends of Yaso, 

 living in Benares . They, hearing that Yaso had forsaken secular 

 life, shaved his head and beard, put on the yellow robe, and 

 ' • become a priest of Buddha, were induced to follow his example. 

 Fifty young men also, -who were the friends of Yaso in the 

 provinces, were persuaded by him to become his companions; 

 and as they all became Rahats, the Buddhist community consisted 

 of 61 priests, all of whom had attained the perfection of virtue. 



Buddha then called his priests together and directed them 

 to travel into the provinces, to disseminate his doctrines, that 

 from a feeling of compassion they might promote the profit 

 and happiness of gods and men. He added " Go singly, priests, 

 not two to one place, and preach this doctrine which is excellent 

 in its commencement, excellent in its continuance, and excellent 

 in its termination, which is replete with instruction and clearly 

 expressed : thus make known the perfect and pure path of the 



