quirements of every single being, he does not reveal himself to all alike. He does not impart to them at once the fulness of omniscience, but pays attention to the disposition of various beings."11
LVI.
THE LESSON GIVEN TO RĀHULA.
Before Rāhula, the son of Gotama Siddhattha and Yasodharā, attained to the enlightenment of true wisdom, his conduct was not always marked by a love of truth, and the Blessed One sent him to a distant vihāra to govern his mind and to guard his tongue.1
After some time the Blessed One repaired to the place, and Rahula was filled with joy.2
And the Blessed One ordered the boy to bring him a basin of water and to wash his feet, and Rāhula obeyed.3
When Rāhula had washed the Tathāgata's feet, the Blessed One asked: "Is the water now fit for drinking?"4
"No, my Lord," replied the boy, "the water is defiled."5
Then the Blessed One said: "Now consider thine own case. Although thou art my son, and the grandchild of a king, although thou art a samana who has voluntarily given up everything, thou art unable to guard thy tongue from untruth, and thus defilest thou thy mind."6
And when the water had been poured away, the Blessed One asked again: "Is this vessel now fit for holding water to drink?"7
"No, my Lord," replied Rāhula, "the vessel, too, has become unclean."8
And the Blessed One said; "Now consider thine own case. Although thou wearest the yellow robe, art thou fit
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