The Religions of India c19.133

c19.133

Later Buddhism made of Buddha a god. Even less exaltation than this is met by Buddha thus: Sāriputta says to him, “Such faith have I, Lord, that methinks there never was and never will be either monk or Brahman who is greater and wiser than thou,” and Buddha responds: “Grand and bold are the words of thy mouth; behold, thou hast burst forth into ecstatic song. Come, hast thou, then, known all the Buddhas that were?" "No, Lord." "Hast thou known all the Buddhas that will be?" "No, Lord." "But, at least, thou knowest me, my conduct, my mind, my wisdom, my life, my salvation (i.e., thou knowest me as well as I know myself)?" "No, Lord." "Thou seest that thou knowest not the venerable Buddhas of the past and of the future; why, then, are thy words so grand and bold?" (*Mahāparinibbāna.*)