for going and coming, easily accessible to all people who want to see him, a place that is by day not too crowded and by night not exposed to noise, wholesome and well fitted for a retired life? There is my pleasure-garden, the bamboo grove Veluvana, fulfilling all these conditions. I shall offer it to the brotherhood whose head is the Buddha."9
The king dedicated his garden to the brotherhood, saying: "May the Blessed One accept my gift."10
Then the Blessed One, having silently shown his consent and having gladdened and edified the Magadha king by religious discourse, rose : from his seat and went away.11
XXII.
SĀRIPUTTA AND MOGGALLÂNA.
At that time Sāriputta and Moggallāna, two Brahmans and chiefs of the followers of Sañjaya, led a religious life. They had promised each other: "He who first attains Nirvāna shall tell the other one."1
Sāriputta seeing the venerable Assaji begging for alms, modestly keeping his eyes to the ground and dignified in deportment, exclaimed: "Truly this samana has entered the right path; I will ask him in whose name he has retired from the world and what doctrine he professes." Being addressed by Sāriputta, Assaji replied; "I am a follower of the Buddha, the Blessed One, but being a novice I can tell you the substance only of the doctrine."2.
Said Sāriputta: "Tell me, venerable monk, it is the substance I want." And Assaji recited the stanza:3
"The Buddha did the cause unfold
Of all the things that spring from causes.
And farther the great sage has told
How finally all passion pauses."4
