JETAVANA

JETAVANA, THE VIHARA

  ANATHAPINDIKA, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of

orphans, having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent,

Jeta, with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and thought: "This is

the place which will be most suitable as a vihara for the

brotherhood of the Blessed One." And he went to the prince and asked

leave to buy the ground. The prince was not inclined to sell the

garden, for he valued it highly. He at first refused but said at last,

"If thou canst cover it with gold, then, and for no other price, shalt

thou have it." Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold;

but Jeta said: "Spare thyself the trouble, for I will not sell." But

Anathapindika insisted. Thus they contended until they resorted to the

magistrate.

  Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding, and

the prince, hearing more of the details and knowing that Anathapindika

was not only very wealthy but also straightforward and sincere,

inquired into his plans. On hearing the name of the Buddha, the prince

became anxious to share in the foundation and he accepted only

one-half of the gold, saying: "Yours is the land, but mine are the

trees. I will give the trees as my share of this offering to the

Buddha."

  Then Anathapindika took the land and Jeta the trees, and they placed

them in trust of Sariputta for the Buddha. After the foundations

were laid, they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due

proportions according to the directions which the Buddha had

suggested; and it was beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings.

This vihara was called Jetavana, and the friend of the orphans invited

the Lord to come to Savatthi and receive the donation. And the Blessed

One left Kapilavatthu and came to Savatthi.

  While the Blessed One was entering Jetavana, Anathapindika scattered

flowers and burned incense, and as a sign of the gift he poured

water from a golden dragon decanter, saying, "This Jetavana vihara I

give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the world." The Blessed

One received the gift and replied: "May all evil influences be

overcome; may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness and be

a permanent blessing to mankind in general, to the land of Kosala, and

especially also to the giver."

  Then the king Pasenadi, hearing that the Lord had come, went in

his royal equipage to the Jetavana vihara and saluted the Blessed

One with clasped hands, saying: "'Blessed is my unworthy and obscure

kingdom that it has met with so great a fortune. For how can

calamities and dangers befall it in the presence of the Lord of the

world, the Dharmaraja, the King of Truth. Now that I have seen thy

sacred countenance, let me partake of the refreshing waters of thy

teachings. Worldly profit is fleeting and perishable, but religious

profit is eternal and inexhaustible. A worldly man, though a king,

is full of trouble, but even a common man who is holy has peace of

mind."

  Knowing the tendency of the king's heart, weighed down by avarice

and love of pleasure, the Buddha seized the opportunity and said:

"Even those who, by their evil karma, have been born in low degree,

when they see a virtuous man, feel reverence for him. How much more

must an independent king, on account of merits acquired in previous

existences, when meeting a Buddha, conceive reverence for him. And now

as I briefly expound the law, let the Maharaja listen and weigh my

words, and hold fast that which I deliver!

  "Our good or evil deeds follow us continually like shadows. That

which is most needed is a loving heart! Regard thy people as men do an

only son. Do not oppress them, do not destroy them; keep in due

check every member of thy body, forsake unrighteous doctrine and

walk in the straight path. Exalt not thyself by trampling down others,

but comfort and befriend the suffering. Neither ponder on kingly

dignity, nor listen to the smooth words of flatterers.

  There is no profit in vexing oneself by austerities, but meditate on

the Buddha and weigh his righteous law. We are encompassed on all

sides by the rocks of birth, old age, disease, and death, and only

by considering and practicing the true law can we escape from this

sorrow-piled mountain. What profit, then, in practicing iniquity?

  "All who are wise spurn the pleasures of the body. They loathe

lust and seek to promote their spiritual existence. When a tree is

burning with fierce flames, how can the birds congregate therein?

Truth cannot dwell where passion lives. He who does not know this,

though he be a learned man and be praised by others as a sage, is

beclouded with ignorance. To him who has this knowledge true wisdom

dawns, and he will beware of hankering after pleasure. To acquire this

state of mind, wisdom is the one thing needful. To neglect wisdom will

lead to failure in life. The teachings of all religions should

center here, for without wisdom there is no reason.

  "This truth is not for the hermit alone; it concerns every human

being, priest and layman alike. There is no distinction between the

monk who has taken the vows, and the man of the world living with

his family. There are hermits who fall into perdition, and there are

humble householders who mount to the rank of rishis. Hankering after

pleasure is a danger common to all; it carries away the world. He

who is involved in its eddies finds no escape. But wisdom is the handy

boat, reflection is the rudder. The slogan of religion calls you to

overcome the assaults of Mara, the enemy.

  "Since it is impossible to escape the result of our deeds, let us

practice good works. Let us guard our thoughts that we do no evil, for

as we sow so shall we reap. There are ways from light into darkness

and from darkness into light. There are ways, also, from the gloom

into deeper darkness, and from the dawn into brighter light. The

wise man will use the light he has to receive more light. He will

constantly advance in the knowledge of truth.

  "Exhibit true superiority by virtuous conduct and the exercise of

reason; meditate deeply on the vanity of earthly things, and

understand the fickleness of life. Elevate the mind, and seek

sincere faith with firm purpose; transgress not the rules of kingly

conduct, and let your happiness depend, not upon external things,

but upon your own mind. Thus you will lay up a good name for distant

ages and will secure the favor of the Tathagata."

  The king listened with reverence and remembered all the words of the

Buddha in his heart.