Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c8.t1.2

c8.t1.2

At Uruvelâ there reside Brahman hermits, a thousand in number, who keep alight the sacred fire of sacrifice according the rites of the Vedas, and perform their ablutions in the river Neranjarâ. Three brothers, Brahmans, of the Kassapa family, are the leaders of these ascetics. Buddha comes to one of them and overcomes with miraculous power the terrible serpent-king, who dwelt in Kassapa’s sacrificial chamber. The Brahmans wonder-struck persuade him to spend the winter with them. He stops there, dwelling in the forest near Kassapa’s hermitage, in which he takes his food every day. Miracle after miracle convinces the Brahmans of his greatness: gods come to listen to his discourses; they shine like flaming fire all night long. Kassapa, overcome with wonder, admits the superhuman greatness of his guest, but he cannot bring himself to submit to him. “Thus the Exalted One,” as our old narrative states in this connection, “thought within himself: ‘this simpleton will long continue thinking: “the great Sumana is very powerful and mighty, but he is not holy as I am.” So then, I shall work on this hermit’s heart.’ Therefore the Exalted One spake to the hermit Kassapa of Uruvelâ: ‘Thou art not holy, Kassapa, nor hast thou found the path of holiness: and thou knowest nothing of the way by which thou canst be holy and mayest reach the path of holiness.’ Then the hermit Kassapa, of Uruvelâ, bowed his head to the feet of the Exalted One, and said to the Exalted One: ‘Grant me, O sire, to receive the degrees of initiation, the lower and the higher.’”