འདལ་བ་གཞ 1.22
The Chapter on Going Forth; The Chapter on the Restoration Rite; The Chapter on Lifting Restrictions; The Chapter on the Rains; The Chapter on Medicines 1.22
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- English
1.22
I seek to settle a matter in debate with an opponent in Your Majesty’s presence.”
The king asked the ministers, “Gentlemen, where is Preceptor Māṭhara?”
“In Nālada, Your Majesty.”
“Summon Preceptor Māṭhara.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
On receiving the summons, Māṭhara went to see King Bimbisāra. On arrival, he wished the king success and long life then took a place off to one side.
The ministers said, “This is the preceptor, Your Majesty.”
The king greeted him with words of welcome and asked, “Preceptor, can you settle a matter in debate in my presence with this brahmin Tiṣya?”
“I, as a capable man, shall do as the king pleases,” replied Māṭhara.
The king ordered the ministers, “Gentlemen, prepare the debate arena and assign the disputants their roles.”
The ministers prepared the debate arena and assigned the disputants their roles. The ministers then prostrated at the king’s feet and asked, “Your Majesty, who would you have defend a position first?”
“The brahmin Tiṣya is a visitor so have him defend a position first.”
“Your Majesty,” said he brahmin Tiṣya, “as the brahmin Māṭhara is the elder, I ask that you have him defend a position first.”
The brahmin Māṭhara thought, “This brahmin Tiṣya is clearly acquainted with new treatises so I cannot debate him on them. I shall focus on an old text.” And with that he recited five hundred lines.
The brahmin Tiṣya repeated them and then declared, “This position of yours is devoid of logic. It is inconsistent and incoherent.” The other brahmin remained silent as Tiṣya pointed out the text’s flaws.
Linked texts (1)
- འདུལ་བ་གཞི — Classical Tibetan