🧚 Opening, part 8 · page 2

At that time the Future Buddha was learning the arts and crafts in the house of that Brahman.82 Now one day the Brahman, accompanied by the Future Buddha, departed from his own village and set out for the kingdom of Cetiya on some business or other.83 Along the road, at a certain place in the forest, five hundred Despatcher-thieves were in the habit of committing outrages on travelers.84 They captured both the Future Buddha and Brahman Vedabbha.85

(But why were these thieves called _Despatcher-thieves_?86 We are told that whenever they captured two persons, they would _despatch_ one of them to fetch ransom-money; therefore they were appropriately called _Despatcher-thieves_.87 For example, if they captured father and son, they would say to the father: “Fetch us ransom-money first; then you may take your son and go.”88 Similarly, if they captured mother and daughter, they would despatch the mother; if they captured an older and a younger brother, they would despatch the older; if they captured teacher and pupil, they would despatch the pupil.)89

So it was on this occasion.90 Having captured the Brahman Vedabbha, they despatched the Future Buddha.91 The Future Buddha bowed to his teacher and said: “I will return in the course of a day or two.92 Have no fear.93 However, do as I tell you.94 To-day will occur the conjunction of the moon which causes the Rain of Riches.95 Under no circumstances, because you cannot endure your misfortune, must you recite the charm and cause the Rain of Riches.96 If you do so, you will yourself come to ruin, and these five hundred thieves likewise.”97 Having thus admonished his teacher, he went for the ransom-money.98

When the sun had set, the thieves bound the Brahman and laid him down.99 At that very moment, from the eastern quarter rose the disk of the full moon.100 The Brahman surveyed the constellations and reflected: “The conjunction of the moon which causes the Rain of Riches is at hand.101 Why should I endure misfortune?102 I will recite the charm, cause the Rain of Riches, give the riches to the thieves, and go where I please.”103

Accordingly he addressed the thieves: “Well, thieves, for what purpose did you capture me?”104 “For ransom-money, noble sir.”105 “If you want ransom-money, quickly free me from my bonds, bathe my head, clothe me with new garments, perfume me with scents, deck me with flowers, and set me on my feet.”106 The thieves, hearing his words, did so.107 The Brahman, noting the conjunction of the moon, recited the charm and looked up at the sky.108 Straightway jewels fell from the sky.109

The thieves gathered up that wealth, wrapped it in folds of their upper garments, and went their way.110 The Brahman followed close behind them.111 Now a second pack of five hundred thieves captured the first pack of thieves.112 “For what purpose did you capture us?” inquired the first.113 “For ransom-money,” replied the second.114 “If you want money, capture this Brahman.115 It was he who, by looking up at the sky, caused a Rain of Riches; he is the man who gave us this wealth.”116

The second pack released the first, captured the Brahman, and said to him: “Give us wealth too.”117 Said the Brahman: “I would gladly give you wealth.118 But the conjunction of the moon which causes the Rain of Riches will not occur for a year yet.119 If you want money, have patience, and I will cause the Rain of Riches then.”120 At this the thieves became enraged and said: “Oh, you rascally Brahman!121 You caused a Rain of Riches for others but a moment ago, but you tell us to hold our patience for another year!”122 So saying, they cleft the Brahman in twain with a sharp sword and left him lying on the road.123

Then the second pack pursued the first pack hotly, fought with; them, killed every man of them, and took the spoils.124 Again dividing into two packs, they fought with each other until one pack of two hundred and fifty had killed the other.125 Continuing in this wise, they killed each other off until there were only two men left.126 Thus those thousand men came to ruin.127 Now those two men, having gotten away with the spoils by a ruse, hid the spoils in a thicket near a certain village.128 One sat guarding the spoils with sword in hand; the other, having procured rice, entered the village to have some porridge cooked.129

“Cupidity is the root of ruin!”130

The man sitting by the spoils reflected: “When this fellow returns, this wealth will have to be divided into two portions.131 Suppose I were to strike him with the sword and kill him the very moment he returns!”132 So girding on his sword, he sat watching for his companion to return.133

His companion reflected: “That wealth will have to be divided into two portions.134 Suppose I were to put poison in the porridge, let that fellow eat it, cause his death, and get the spoils for myself alone!”135 So when the porridge was done, he ate some himself, put poison in the rest, and then took it and went to the thicket.136

The moment the second thief took that porridge out and set it down, the first thief cleft him in twain with his sword and flung his remains away in a secluded spot.137 Then he ate that porridge and himself died on the spot.138 Thus, by reason of that wealth, every one of those men came to ruin.139

As for the Future Buddha, he returned in the course of a day or two with the ransom-money.140 Not seeing his teacher where he had left him, but seeing the spoils scattered all about, he reflected: “It must be that my teacher disregarded my words and caused the Rain of Riches; it must be that all of those men have come to ruin.”141 And he continued his walk along the highway.142

As he proceeded, he saw his teacher lying on the highway, cleft in twain.143 Thought he: “My teacher disregarded my words and is dead.”144 Then he gathered firewood, built a pyre, cremated his teacher, and honored him with forest-flowers.145

As he proceeded, he saw farther on five hundred thieves who had met destruction; farther on yet, two hundred and fifty; and so on until finally he came upon two.146 Thought he: “These thousand thieves have come to ruin save only two.147 There must be two thieves besides.148 They also could never have restrained themselves.149 Where can they be?”150

As he proceeded, he saw the footprints of the two thieves who had entered the thicket with the spoils.151 Proceeding farther, he saw first a heap of riches wrapped up in a bundle, and then one of the two thieves dead with a porridge-bowl overturned beside him.152 Then he knew all.153 “Such-and-such they must have done,” thought he.154 Then he reflected: “Where can that fellow be?”155 Making a search, he found his body also flung away in a secluded spot.156 Then he reflected:157

“Our teacher, because he disregarded my words, through his own habit of disobedience, through his own fault, has come to ruin.158 Moreover through him a thousand men besides have perished.159 Alas!160 By employing wrong means, for no reason at all, seeking gain for themselves, these thieves, like our teacher, must all have come to a fearful end indeed!”161 And he recited the following stanza:162