Vol. 11 · pages 501–505

482 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES VI a seed deposited in bad soil. The passions of the receiver of the alms choke, as it were, the growth of merits.” 24. And the Blessed One gave thanks to Vishakha in these verses ; “ Whatsoever donation a woman upright in life, a disciple of the Blessed One, may bestow in gladness of heart and without stint, her gift is heavenly, destructive of sorrow, and productive of bliss.” “ A blissful life does she attain entering upon the path that is from corruption and impurity.” “Aiming at good, happy does she become; and she rejoices in her charitable actions.” 25. Vishakha gave to the Order the Purva-Aram or Eastern Garden, and was the first to become a matron of the lay-sisters.

PART II His Enemies 1. Charge of Conversion by Glamour. 2. Charge of being a Parasite ! 3. Charge of Breaking Happy Households. 4. Jains and a False Charge of Murder. 5. Jains and a False Charge of Immorality. 6. Devadatta a Cousin and an Enemy. 7. Brahmins and the Buddha.

485 HIS ENEMIES VI § 1. Charge of Conversion by Glamour 1. Once the Exalted One dwelt at Vesali, in the Gable-roofed Hall in the Great Wood. Now Bhaddiya the Licchavi came to the Exalted One and said: “Lord ! People say ‘Gotama the recluse is a charmer and knows a trick of glamour, whereby he entices the followers of other sects.’ 2. “ They who say this disclaim any desire to misrepresent the Exalted One. Indeed, Lord, we Licchavis do not believe in this charge. But we would like to know what the Exalted One has to say about it.” 3. The Lord said: “Come now, Bhaddiya, accept not on hearsay, nor by tradition, nor by what people say. Accept not because it is in the scriptures, by mere logic, nor by inference, nor by consideration of appearances, nor because it accords with your view, nor because you think it must be right, nor out of respect, with the thought that ‘ One must revere a recluse.’ 4. “But, Bhaddiya, if at any time you know of yourself by examination of facts that what is being done is sinful or wrongful, that it is reproached by the wise and the result is loss or injury, then, Bhaddiya, eschew them. 5. “Now as to your question, Bhaddiya, what think you; Are not those who accuse me of performing conversion by glamour ambitious persons ?” “ They are, Lord,” replied Bhaddiya. 6. “What think ye, Bhaddiya; Does not an ambitious person, overcome by avarice and with mind overpowered, tell lies or commit crime to achieve his ambition ?” “It is so, Lord,” replied Bhaddiya. 7. “ What think you, Bhaddiya, when thoughts of ill-will and vindictiveness arise in the mind of such a person, does he not instigate others to level accusations against those who come in the way of his ambition?” “That is so Lord,” said Bhaddiya. 8. “Now, Bhaddiya, all I do is to exhort my pupil thus: ‘ Come you, my dear man, dwell controlling

486 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES VI (thoughts of) avarice. So dwelling you will not commit acts born of avarice, either by body, work or thought. Dwell controlling ill-will and ignorance.’ 9. “So, Bhaddiya, those recluses and Brahmins, who wrongly reproach me with being a teacher and proclaimer of such views, are false, empty liars, when they say: ‘ The recluse Gautama is a charmer and knows a trick of glamour, whereby He entices the followers of other sects.’ ” 10. “ A lucky thing indeed, O Lord—a fair find is this trick of glamour ! Lord would that my beloved blood-relations were enticed by this same trick of glamour ! It would indeed conduce to their advantage and happiness ! Lord, would that all the classes the Brahmins, the Khatiyas, the Vessas and the Suddas were enticed by this same trick of glamour, it would indeed conduce to their advantage and happiness for a long time.” 11. “ It is so, Bhaddiya ! It is so Bhaddiya ! If all the classes enticed by this trick of glamour, were to eschew sinful conditions, my trick would result in great advantage and happiness to the world.” § 2. Charge of Being a Parasite! 1. The Blessed One was accused of being a parasite, living upon others and not earning his living by working for it. The accusation and the reply of the Blessed Lord is set out below : 2. Once the Lord was living among the Magadha folk at Dakkhina-giri in the Brahmin village of EkaNala, at a time when the Brahmin Kasi-Bharadvaja’s five hundred ploughs were harnessed for the sowing. 3. In the morning early, duly robed and bowl in hand, the Lord went to where the Brahmin was busy, at an hour when a meal was brought forward; and stood there to one side. 4. Observing him standing there for alms, the Brahmin said: “Before I eat, I plough and sow, anchorite; and you too should plough and sow before you eat.”