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Waley, Arthur
Melanges chinois et bouddhiques
Vol. 1931-1932
Juillet 1932
P.355-376
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In the country of Sindh (Chinese, Shen-t'ou) there
is a vast expanse of flowing sands (desert). I did
not know which way to go. I came upon a tree with
fruit like peaches. I was very hungry and took two
of them to eat. I had not finished eating them when
the Air Spirit (Chinese, K'ung-shen) appeared in a
great hall suspended in space. An old man occupying
the main seat said: ((Why does not this thief do
obeisance to me?)) I said: ((I am a follower of
Buddha. Why should I do obeisance to you?)) The old
man abused me saying that if I was really a follower
of Bouddha I had no business to be stealing fruit. I
said ((The flames of hunger pressed hard upon me.))
The old man said:((To take what one is not given is
stealing. If I let you go, it is because I am a good
spirit who protects observers of the Monastic
Rules.)) He made me shut my eyes, and in a moment I
found myself at the far side (of the desert). I
began to boil myself some hot water on a fallen
tree; but discovered that it (the fallen tree) was a
python!
In the country of Ti-li-lo-ern (1), a woman wanted
to have inter-course with me. I was hungry, but knew
that if I took food from her I should have to yield
to her(?). However, I asked whether a good horse
could be obtained. She answered sensibly, and I
continued on horseback. It was indeed a splendid
horse and I flew to the frontier. But suddenly a man
came and bound me, and took me away too look after
his sheep. Heavy snow began to fall, but I got into
a cave and spent seven days and nights in samadhi,
during which time a bright light shone out of the
cave. The people cleared away the stone and on
entering the cave were delighted ot see me sitting
cross-legged. They offered me clothes and treasure;
but I refused to accept anything. The hearts of both
the men and women were enlightened, and they put me
on to my right road. For a long while I met no-one
at all. But suddenly I came upon people on the road,
and was glad indeed to see them. They hurried me
into the presence of their king and kneeling before
him said:((The drought
wwwwwwwwwwww
1 This seems to represent a Sanskrit Tridhaara
'place of the Three Streams'; perhaps somewhere in
the neighbourhood of the modern Multaan.
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