🧚 Opening, part 4 · page 2

With the seventy crores of gold, causing those three animals also to be carried along, he went to the city.85 And ascending to the grand floor of his magnificent palace, he caused that wealth to be stored and guarded.86 For the snake to live in, he caused a golden tube to be made; for the rat, a crystal cave; for the parrot, a golden cage.87 For the snake and the parrot to eat, he caused every day sweet parched grain to be given in a vessel of gold purified with fire; for the rat, grains of perfumed rice; he gave alms and performed the other works of merit.88 Thus those four persons, one and all, dwelt together in unity and concord all their days, and when their days were come to an end, passed away according to their deeds.89

Said the Teacher: “Monks, not only in his present state of existence has Devadatta gone about for the purpose of killing me; in a previous state of existence also he went about for the purpose of killing me in the very same way.”90

_3.91 Elephant and Ungrateful Forester.92

_The whole earth will not satisfy an ungrateful man.93

Jātaka 72: i. 319-322.94

_To an ungrateful man.95 _ This parable was related by the Teacher while he was in residence at Bamboo Grove with reference to Devadatta.96 The monks, seated in the Hall of Truth, were saying: “Brethren, Devadatta the ungrateful knows not the virtues of the Teacher.”97 The Teacher drew near and asked: “Monks, what is the subject that engages your attention now, as you sit here all gathered together?”98 “Such-and-such,” was the reply.99 “Monks,” said the Teacher, “not only in his present state of existence has Devadatta proved to be ungrateful; in a previous state of existence also he was ungrateful just the same.100 At no time soever has he known my virtues.”101 Then, in response to a request of the monks, he related the following Story of the Past:102

In times past, when Brahmadatta ruled at Benāres, the Future Buddha was reborn in the region of Himavat as an elephant.103 When he was born, he was pure white, like a mass of silver; moreover his eyes were like globules of jewels, and from them shone forth the Five Brightnesses; his mouth was like a crimson blanket; his trunk was like a rope of silver, ornamented with spots of ruddy gold; his four feet were as if rubbed with lac.104 Thus his person, adorned with the Ten Perfections, attained the pinnacle of beauty.105

Now when he reached the age of reason, elephants from all over Himavat assembled and formed his retinue.106 Thus did he make his home in the region of Himavat, with a retinue of eighty thousand elephants.107 After a time, perceiving that there was contamination in the herd, he isolated himself from the herd and made his home quite alone in the forest.108 Moreover, by reason of his goodness, he became known as Good King Elephant.109

Now a certain resident of Benāres, a forester, entered the forest, seeking wares whereby to make his living.110 Unable to distinguish the directions, he lost his way, and terrified with the fear of death, went about with outstretched arms lamenting.111 The Future Buddha, hearing those profound lamentations of his, thought: “I will free this man from his suffering.”112 And impelled by compassion, he went to him.113

The instant that man saw the Future Buddha, he fled in fright.114 The Future Buddha, seeing him in flight, halted right where he was.115 The man, seeing that the Future Buddha had halted, himself halted.116 The Future Buddha came back.117 The man fled a second time, but halting when the Future Buddha halted, thought: “This elephant halts when I flee, and approaches when I halt.118 He has no desire to do me harm, but without a doubt desires only to free me from this suffering.”119 And summoning up his courage, he halted.120

The Future Buddha approached him and asked: “Why, Master man, do you go about lamenting?”121 “Master, because I couldn’t distinguish the directions, lost my way, and was afraid of death.”122 Then the Future Buddha conducted him to his own place of abode, and for a few days gladdened him with fruits and other edibles.123 Then said the Future Buddha: “Master man, don’t be afraid: I’ll conduct you to the path of man.”124 And seating him on his back, he proceeded to the path of men.125

But that man, that betrayer of friends, even as he sat on the back of the Future Buddha, thought: “If anybody asks me, I must be able to tell him where this elephant lives.”126 So as he went along, he noted carefully the landmarks of tree and mountain.127 Now the Future Buddha, having conducted that man out of the forest, set him down on the highway leading to Benāres, and said to him: “Master man, go by this road; but as for my place of abode, whether you are asked or not, say nothing to anybody about it.”128 So saying, he took leave of him and went back to his own place of abode.129

Now that man went to Benāres, and in the course of his walks came to the street of the ivory-carvers.130 And seeing the ivory-carvers making various kinds of ivory products, he asked: “But, sirs, how much would you make if you could get the tusk of a real live elephant?”131 “What are you saying, sir!132 The tusk of a live elephant is far more valuable than the tusk of a dead elephant.”133 “Very well!134 I’ll fetch you the tusk of a live elephant.”135 Accordingly, obtaining provisions for the journey and taking a sharp saw, he went to the place of abode of the Future Buddha.136

When the Future Buddha saw him, he asked: “For what purpose have you come?”137 “I, sir, am a poor man, a pauper, unable to make a living.138 I came with this thought in my mind: ‘I will ask you for a fragment of one of your tusks; if you will give it to me, I will take it and go and sell it and with the money it brings make a living.’”139 “Let be, sir!140 I’ll give you tusks, if you have a sharp saw to cut them off with.”141 “I brought a saw with me, sir.”142 “Very well, sever the tusks with your saw and take them and go your way.”143 So saying, the Future Buddha bowed his knees together and sat down like a cow.144 The man actually cut off his two principal tusks!145

The Future Buddha, taking those tusks in his trunk, said: “Master man, not with the thought, ‘These tusks are not dear to me, not pleasing to me,’ do I give you these tusks.146 But dearer to me than these a thousand times,--a hundred thousand times,--are the Tusks of Omniscience, which avail to the comprehension of all things.147 May this gift of tusks which I here bestow enable me to attain Omniscience!”148 So saying, as it were sowing the Seed of Omniscience, he gave him the pair of tusks.149