Vol. 11 · pages 126–130

BOOK II Campaign of Conversion Part I —Buddha and His Vishad Yoga. Part II —The Conversion of the Parivrajakas. Part III —Conversion of the High and the Holy. Part IV —Call from Home. Part V —Campaign for Conversion Resumed. Part VI —Conversion of the Low and the Lowly. Part VII —Conversion of Women. Part VIII —Conversion of the Fallen and the Criminals.

PART I Buddha and His Vishad Yoga 1. To preach or not to preach. 2. Proclamation of good news by Bramha Sahampati. 3. Two types of conversion.

111 BUDDHA AND HIS VISHAD YOGA BOOK II II II § 1. To Preach or Not to Preach 1. After having attained enlightenment and after having formulated his way, doubt arose in the mind of the Buddha. Should he go forth and preach his doctrine or should he continue to devote himself to his own personal perfection. 2. He said to himself: “True, I have gained a new doctrine. But it is too difficult for the common man to accept it and follow it. It is too subtle even for the wise. 3. “It is hard for mankind to liberate itself from the entanglement of God and Soul. It is hard for mankind to give up its belief in rites and ceremonies. It is hard for mankind to give up its belief in Karma. 4. “It is hard for mankind to give up its belief in the immortality of the Soul and accept my doctrine that the Soul as an independent entity does not exist and does not survive after death. 5. “Mankind is intent on its selfishness and takes delight and pleasure in it. It is hard for mankind to accept my doctrine of righteousness overriding selfishness. 6. “If I were to teach my doctrine, and others did not understand it or understanding it did not accept or accepting it did not follow it, it would be weariness to others and a vexation to me. 7. “Why not remain a sanyasi away from the world and use my gospel to perfect my own self?” He asked himself. “At least I can do good to myself.” 8. Thus as he reflected, his mind turned to inaction, not to teaching of the gospel. 9. Then Brahma Sahampati knowing what was passing in the mind of the Buddha thought, “Verily the world is being destroyed, verily the world is going to destruction, if the Tathagata, the fully enlightened, turns to inaction and not to teaching his doctrine.” 10. Filled with anxiety Brahma Sahampati left