Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c23.21

c23.21

¹ Somewhat allied to this example of the entertainment of the Buddha by non-Buddhists and of the Buddha's toleration towards them is that related in the story of the Lichchhvi Commander-in-Chief Sīha already referred to. In the story, when Sīha deserts his own sect of the Nigaṇṭhas and becomes converted to Buddhism by the Buddha's religious discourse delivered after dinner, the Buddha generously asks him not to transfer all his liberality to him at once but to continue it towards his quondam religious brethren so that they may not turn away disappointed from a house which by its long established charities became the refuge of the helpless [*Mahāv.*, vi, 31, 11]. Similarly, when Uruvela Kassapa decides to be ordained, the Buddha asks him not to decide it in a hurry but, as the leader, guide, and highest of his 500 Jaṭila followers, "to go first and inform them of his intentions" [ib., i, 20, 18]. Before his conversion, the Buddha showed a fine consideration towards his feelings by withdrawing from the scene of his great sacrifice to which would come "all the people of Aṅga and Magadha", bringing with them as offering "abundant food, both hard and soft", so that the Buddha's superior merits might not spoil his reputation with his followers as he secretly feared.