Section 1a

THE VA G RA KKH EDIKÂ OR DIAMOND-CUTTER. ADORATION to the blessed Ârya-pra gñ â-pâramitâ (perfection of wisdom). I. Thus it was heard by me: At one time Bhagavat (the blessed Buddha) dwelt in S râvastî, in the grove of G eta[1], in the garden of Anâthapi nd ada[2], together with a large company of Bhikshus (mendicants), viz. with 1250 Bhikshus[3], with many noble-minded Bodhisattvas[4]. [1. G eta, son of king Prasena g it, to whom the park belonged before it was sold to Anâthapi nd ada. 2. Another name of Sudatta, meaning, literally, he who gives food to the poor. 3. The number of 1250 is explained by a Chinese priest Lun-hin, in his commentary on the Amitâyur-dhyâna-sûtra. According to the Dharmagupta-vinaya, which he quotes, the number consisted of 500 disciples of Uruvilva-kâ s yapa, 300 of Gayâ-kâ s yapa, 200 of Nadî-kâ s yapa, 150 of S âriputra, and 100 of Maudgalyâyana. The Chinese translators often mistook the Sanskrit expression 'half-thirteen hundred,' i.e. 1250. See Bunyiu Nanjio, Catalogue of Tripitaka, p. 6. 4. Higher beings on the road to Bodhi or perfect knowledge. They are destined hereafter to become Buddhas themselves.] Then Bhagavat having in the forenoon put on his undergarment[1], and having taken his bowl and cloak, entered the great city of S râvastî to collect alms. Then Bhagavat, after he had gone to the great city of S râvastî to collect alms, performed the act of eating[2], and having returned from his round in the afternoon[3], he put away his bowl and cloak, washed his feet, and sat down on the seat intended[4] for him, crossing his legs[5], holding his body upright, and turning his reflection upon himself. Then many Bhikshus approached to where Bhagavat was, saluted his feet with their heads, turned three times round hira to the right, and sat down on one side. (1) II. At that time again the venerable Subhûti came to that assembly and sat down. Then rising from his seat and putting his robe over one shoulder, kneeling on the earth with his right knee, he stretched out his folded hands towards Bhagavat and said to him: 'It is wonderful, O Bhagavat, it is exceedingly wonderful, O Sugata, how much the noble-minded Bodhisattvas have been favoured with the highest favour by the Tathâgata, the holy and [1. In Pâli pubba m hasmaya m nivâsetva, the technical expression for putting on the robes early in the morning; see Childers, s.v. nivâseti. 2. In Pâli katabhattaki kk o, see Childers, s.v. 3. In Pâli pa kkh âbhatta m pi nd apâtapa t ikkânta, see Childers, s.v. pi nd apâta. Vi g .