Lord, I was thus guarded and protected, I was fearful, anxious, distrustful, and alarmed. But now, Lord, even when in the forest at the foot of a tree, in solitude, I am without fear or anxiety, trustful, and not alarmed; I dwell at ease, subdued, secure, with my mind as peaceful as an antelope."
We have narrated this story because some of the converts, spoken of here, rose to distinction. Ananda became the most intimate friend of Gautama, and after his death led a band of five hundred monks in chanting the Dharma in the Council of Rajagriha. Upali, though a barber by birth, became an eminent member of the Holy Order, and was recognized as an authority in matters connected with Vinaya. Anuruddha lived to become the greatest master of Abhidamma, or metaphysics, but Devadatta, a cousin to the Buddha, subsequently became the rival and opponent of Gautama, and is even said to have advised Ajatasatru, the Prince of Magadha, to kill his own father Bimbasara, and then attempted to kill Gautama himself. Such at least is the orthodox Buddhist tradition.[1]
After spending his second vassa, or rainy season, in Rajagriha, Gautama repaired to Sravasti, the capital of the Kosalas, where Prasenajit reigned as king. A wood called Jetavana was presented to the Buddhists, and there Gautama often preached.
The third vassa was also passed in Rajagriha, and in the fourth year from the date of his proclaiming his creed Gautama crossed the Ganges, went to Vaisali,
- ↑ For an account of this tradition see vol. ii, pp. 30-32.
