Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c8.s1.t2.18

c8.s1.t2.18

∗ By this it is not meant to imply that people of humble origin in no case appear in the old texts as members of the order. Interesting, but standing quite alone, is the narrative which is attributed to the Thera (Elder) Sunîta in the collection of “ Sayings of the Elders ” (Theragâthâ) : “ I have come of a humble family, I was poor and needy. The work which I performed was lowly, sweeping the withered flowers (out of temples and palaces). I was despised of men, looked down upon and lightly esteemed. With submissive mien I showed respect to many. Then I beheld the Buddha with his band of monks, as he passed, the great hero, into the most important town of Magadha. Then I cast away my burden and ran to bow myself in reverence before him. From pity for me he halted, that highest among men. Then I bowed myself at the Master’s feet, stepped up to him and begged him, the highest among all beings, to accept me as a monk. Then said unto me the gracious Master, the compassionator of all worlds : ‘ Come hither, O monk ;’ that was the initiation which I received.” (Sunîta further relates how he withdrew to the forest, and there wrapt in contemplation, longed for deliverance. The gods came to him and paid him reverence.) “ Then the Master saw me, how the host of the gods surrounded me. A smile broke over his features, and he spake these words : “ By holy zeal and chaste living, by restraint and self-repression, thereby a man becomes a Brahman : that is the highest Brahmanhood.”