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Read Ebook: La civiltà del secolo del Rinascimento in Italia Volume II by Burckhardt Jacob Valbusa Diego Translator
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Ebook has 98 lines and 16247 words, and 2 pages
Perchance on their account I ought to stay. But no! my father can take care of them. It is my tender heart that makes me weak. This is the greatest sacrifice I bring.
I hear the call and naught shall hold me back. I see my duty and I will obey.
A scene of the Prince's life as a mendicant friar.
A Hindu village, Siddhattha stands bowl in hand before a hut; a woman dishes some rice from a kettle into his bowl; villagers, including children, stand around gazing at him,--a few with clasped hands.
Tradition tells that King Bimbisara, hearing of the noble monk, went out to see him and offered him to take part in the government. This being refused, the King requested him to visit Rajagaha, the royal residence, as soon as Siddhattha had become a Buddha.
Siddhattha is seated under a tree near a brook; the king stands before him, surrounded by his retinue.
Under the tree in the market place of a Hindu village The Buddha is seated in the attitude of a preacher. The villagers stand or squat around intently listening.
In company with other monks, Siddhattha sought for a while enlightenment by self-mortification.
Being exhausted by severe fasts, the mendicant faints, and Nanda, the shepherd's daughter, passing by, refreshes him with rice milk. His five disciples at a distance fear that he has given up his quest for truth.
FIRST SCENE
Captain, have this room guarded by your soldiers. The gong shall call you when I need your service.
Be seated, my good lords. You helped me gain a wondrous victory Which proves I have the favor of the gods. I probed your skill, your courage and your faith And found you both most able and most trusty. Therefore you are to me much more than vassals And servants of the state; you are my helpers, Indeed my friends and nearest to my heart. A king needs friends who share his secret thoughts, Who stand by him in all vicissitudes, Who bear with him responsibilities, And above all, who frankly speak the truth. I ask you, will you be such friends to me?
Do not listen to a traitor. Send me with all the army of the kingdom, Bid me lead captive all the Sakyas; do it In open fight but not by treachery. My King, avoid alliance with Visakha, His very breath contaminates. He lowers Ourselves to his low level.
May I not listen to a traitor's words, Nor hear him,--profit by his information?
The world is growing wider every day And our souls broaden with the general progress. A new era dawns upon us. Let us all Help to mature the fruitage of the times.
SECOND SCENE
THIRD SCENE.
Sweetest on earth 'tis in pleasure to live, Love thou must ask for, and love thou must give. Pain we can soothe and assuage every smart, Yea, we will grant thee the wish of thy heart. Power bestow we, enjoyment and mirth, Health and wealth also, and all that has worth. Lo, of life's happiness naught shalt thou miss, Satisfied longings are greatest of bliss.
Through many births I sought in vain The builder of this house of pain. Now, builder, thee I plainly see! This is the last abode for me. Thy gable's yoke, thy rafters broke, My heart has peace; all lust will cease.
Behold the great muni, His heart unmoved by hatred, The wicked Mara's host 'Gainst him did not prevail.
Victorious Buddha Thou art wise and pure, The darkness is gone And enlightenment gained.
Proclaim the truth To all the world. Truth will bring salvation. Glory to the truth!
Buddha preaches to his five disciples the way of salvation, which speech, preserved in a special book, is frequently compared to Christ's Sermon on the Mount.
Buddha stands with raised hand, while five monks stand or sit or squat around him in devout attitude.
When Buddha came to Rajagaha, the people met him on the way and accompanied him into the city in triumphal procession which is analogous to Christ's entry into Jerusalem.
The Buddha with bowl in one hand and staff in the other is followed by yellow-robed monks. The people strew flowers, carry palm branches and wave kerchiefs.
Ambapali, the Buddhist Mary Magdalen, came to Buddha, worshiping him and invited him to take his meal at her home. To the astonishment of several moralists, he accepted and honored the penitent sinner.
A beautifully dressed woman with clasped hands kneels before Buddha, a maid in attendance behind her. Some well dressed people of high caste watch the scene with an expression of indignation.
The wealthiest man of Savatthi invites the Buddha to his home and offers to build a resthouse for the Buddha and his brotherhood.
Anatha Pindika kneels before the Buddha, holding in one hand the picture and plan of a building. Buddha indicates by his lowered hand acceptance of the gift. Buddha attended by two monks, Anatha Pindika accompanied by the architect.
It is told that the most beautiful spot in Savatthi was the royal park of Prince Jeta, which Anatha Pindika wanted to buy for the brotherhood of Buddha. The owner was unwilling to sell and made the exorbitant demand to have the whole ground covered with gold as its price. But Anatha Pindika had the gold carried to the garden and paid the price.
The scene is laid in the garden. Anatha Pindika with bags of gold stands in commanding attitude. His servants spread the coins while Prince Jeta throws up his hands in astonishment.
FIRST SCENE
Be a man.
Come, shepherd, take the frightened lambkin up And bear it to its mother in the fold.
"The Sakyas are a stubborn little nation. Their institutions are free; their laws differ from those of the other surrounding states. These people are a source of discontent and revolution, and are a sore in my eye. Therefore, the Sakyas must be crushed, even if they sue for peace. Keep the army near the border and be ready for a sudden attack."
War is unavoidable and I am to be the means by which the Sakyas will be wiped off the earth. It is my duty, for the King commands it. A soldier should not argue, he obeys.
This sword is consecrated to the service of my king. Never have I drawn it except in honest fight.
Is Sakyamuni the Buddha?--Is he truly the Buddha? Buddhas are wise; Buddhas are omniscient; Buddhas foresee the future.-- Is Sakyamuni truly the Buddha?--I believe he is. And if he is the Buddha, is it right to wage a war against his people?--What shall I do? Oh, ye gods, teach me my duty! Oh, ye gods, may it not be my lot to fight for an unrighteous cause! Cursed be the sword that sheds innocent blood.
SECOND SCENE.
Is our kingdom in readiness?
The Buddha called his disciples together, and having ordained them, bade them spread the Gospel, with these words translated from the Buddhist Canon:
"Go ye now, O disciples, and wander forth for the benefit of the many, for the welfare of mankind, out of compassion for the world. Preach the doctrine which is glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle, and glorious in the end, in the spirit as well as in the letter. There are beings whose eyes are scarcely covered with dust, but if the doctrine is not preached to them they cannot attain salvation. Proclaim to them a life of holiness. They will understand the doctrine and accept it."
Yasa, the son of a wealthy nobleman of Benares, came by night to the Blessed One and exclaimed: "What misery!" But the Buddha answered, "There is no misery for him who has entered the Path."
Yasa, richly dressed, with an expression of distress, before the Buddha who comforts him. The scene is framed in darkness, the two figures being lit up by a torch.
FIRST SCENE
You are most welcome, my Prince.
A stream of blessings goes out from him.
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