of all companions, but this good pilgrim has arrived here
late, just like myself, tired from his wanderings. And he has
also passed by the houses where people follow unwhole‐
some and bloody livelihoods, past the house of wrangling
and strife, the house of clamour and unholy pleasure, and
he has not rested until he entered the house of the potter.
In the company of such a man it is possible to spend the
night.”
So the Buddha entered the outer hall and there he
perceived a young man of noble bearing sitting in a
corner on a mat.
“If it is not disagreeable to you, friend,” said the
Master, “I would like to spend the night in this place.”
“The hall of the potter is spacious, brother; please
stay here if you wish.”
The Master thus spread out his mat close to one of
the walls and sat down with his legs crossed, his body
perfectly upright, focusing his mind in deep meditation.
The Blessèd One remained sitting in this way during the
first part of the night.
The young man also remained sitting thus during
the first part of the night. Seeing this, the Buddha thought
to himself: “I wonder whether this noble youth is happy in
his search after Truth. How would it be if I asked him?”
So he turned to the young seeker and enquired,
his voice both deep and golden: “What were the reasons,
young friend, what were the causes that encouraged you
to choose the life of homelessness?”
The young man answered: “The night is yet young,
venerable sir, if you are happy to lend an ear I shall gladly
tell you why I have chosen the life of the spiritual seeker.”
The Blessèd One gave assent by a friendly move‐
ment of his head, and the young man began to tell his tale.
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~ 3 ~
T
O THE BANKS OF THE GANGĀ
M
Y NAME IS KĀMANĪTA. I was born in
Ujjenī, a town lying among the mountains
far to the south, in the land of Avanti. My father was a
merchant and rich, though our family could lay claim to
no special rank. He gave me a good education and, when
of age to assume the Sacrificial Cord, I already possessed
most of the accomplishments which befit a young man of
position, so that people generally believed I must have
been educated in Taxilā, at the great university.
I could wrestle and fence with the best. My voice
was melodious and well‐trained, and I was able to play
the vīnā with considerable artistic skill. I could repeat all
the verses of the Mahābharata by heart and many others
also. I was most intimately acquainted with the mysteries
of poetic construction, and was myself able to write verses
full of feeling and ingenious thought. I could draw and
paint so that few surpassed me, and my originality in the
art of arranging flowers was universally lauded.
I attained an unusual mastery in the knowledge of
the colouration of crystals and, furthermore, could tell at
sight from what place any jewel came. My parrots and
minah‐birds I trained so that none spoke so well as they.
And to all these accomplishments I added a thorough
command of the game of chess, the wand game, archery,
ball games of every description, riddles and of flower
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games. So that it became, my friend, a proverbial saying in
Ujjenī: “Talented as the young Kāmanīta.”
*
*
*
When I was twenty years old, my father sent for me
one day and said:
“My son, your education is now complete; it is time
for you to see something of the world and begin your
career as a merchant. A suitable opportunity has just offered
itself. Within the next few days our king will send an
embassy to King Udena in Kosambī, which lies far to the
north. There I have a friend named Panāda. He and I have
visited and stayed with each other at various times. He has
frequently told me that in Kosambī there is good business
to be done in the products of our land, particularly in rock
crystals and sandalwood powder, and also in artistic
wicker‐work and woven goods. I have always, however,
shunned such business journeys, holding them to be too
hazardous an undertaking on account of the many dangers
of the road; but for anyone going there and back
along with the embassy there can be no danger whatso‐
ever. So now, my son, we had better go to the warehouse
and inspect the twelve wagons with their teams of oxen
and the goods which I have decided on for your journey.
In exchange for these items you are to bring back muslin
from Benares and carefully selected rice; and that will be
the beginning, and I trust a splendid one, of your business
career. Then you will have an opportunity of seeing
foreign countries with trees and gardens, landscapes and
architecture other than your own, and other customs; and
you will have daily contact with courtiers who are men of
the highest station and of most refined aristocratic manners.
All of this I consider will be a great gain, for a merchant
must be a man of the world.”
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