DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45392#0135
The Master’s Death
sainthood, either of the first, the second, the third, or the
fourth degree. But in that Doctrine and Discipline in
which is found the Ariyan Eightfold Path, there are men
of true sainthood, of all the four degrees. Void are the
systems of other teachers—void of true saints. But in
this one, Subhadda, may the Brethren live the Perfect
Life, that the world be not bereft of Arahats.” And
Subhadda’s doubt being thus resolved, he resorted to
the Exalted One, to the Law, and to the Congregation
as his refuge, and he was received into the Order: and
“ ere long he attained to that supreme goal of the higher
life (Nibbana), for the sake of which the clansmen go out
from all and every household gain and comfort, to
become houseless wanderers—yea, that supreme goal
did he, by himself, and while yet in this visible world,
bring himself to the knowledge of, and continue to realize,
and to see face to face I And he became conscious that
birth was at an end, that the higher life had been fulfilled,
that all that should be done had been accomplished, and
that after this present life there would be no beyond.”
Thus it was that the venerable Subhadda became yet
another among the Arahats; and he was the last disciple
whom the Exalted One himself converted.
Now the Exalted One addressed the Brethren and said
thrice, “ It may be, Brethren, that there may be doubt or
misgiving in the mind of some Brother as to the Buddha,
or the doctrine, or the path, or the method. Inquire,
Brethren, freely, Do not have to reproach yourselves
afterwards with the thought : ‘ our teacher was face to
face with us, and we could not bring ourselves to inquire
of the Exalted One when we were face to face with him.’ ”
But none had any doubt or misgiving. And the vener-
able Ananda said to the Exalted One: “ How wonderful
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sainthood, either of the first, the second, the third, or the
fourth degree. But in that Doctrine and Discipline in
which is found the Ariyan Eightfold Path, there are men
of true sainthood, of all the four degrees. Void are the
systems of other teachers—void of true saints. But in
this one, Subhadda, may the Brethren live the Perfect
Life, that the world be not bereft of Arahats.” And
Subhadda’s doubt being thus resolved, he resorted to
the Exalted One, to the Law, and to the Congregation
as his refuge, and he was received into the Order: and
“ ere long he attained to that supreme goal of the higher
life (Nibbana), for the sake of which the clansmen go out
from all and every household gain and comfort, to
become houseless wanderers—yea, that supreme goal
did he, by himself, and while yet in this visible world,
bring himself to the knowledge of, and continue to realize,
and to see face to face I And he became conscious that
birth was at an end, that the higher life had been fulfilled,
that all that should be done had been accomplished, and
that after this present life there would be no beyond.”
Thus it was that the venerable Subhadda became yet
another among the Arahats; and he was the last disciple
whom the Exalted One himself converted.
Now the Exalted One addressed the Brethren and said
thrice, “ It may be, Brethren, that there may be doubt or
misgiving in the mind of some Brother as to the Buddha,
or the doctrine, or the path, or the method. Inquire,
Brethren, freely, Do not have to reproach yourselves
afterwards with the thought : ‘ our teacher was face to
face with us, and we could not bring ourselves to inquire
of the Exalted One when we were face to face with him.’ ”
But none had any doubt or misgiving. And the vener-
able Ananda said to the Exalted One: “ How wonderful
85