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Chorus of Angels.
Trio of Brahma Vishnu Shiva.
Chorus of Angels as above.
Chorus of Angels as above.
[Lotus flowers rain down thicker and thicker, clouds cover the scene, but the Buddha under the Bodhi tree remains still dimly but sufficiently visible.]
Yasodhara wakes up. She rises and lights a candle from a rush lamp. She kneels with clasped hands before the vision of the Buddha.
Y. Oh Siddhattha, my Lord and Husband, no longer my Husband, but the Buddha. In thee I take my refuge. In thee and thy word, I believe. Thy doctrine shall guide me. Accept me as thy faithful disciple, a disciple of the Buddha, my Lord, the Tathagata, the great thinker, the Saviour of mankind.
[Curtain.]
Living pictures accompanied by appropriate music to introduce the Third Act.
1. The Foundation of the Kingdom of Righteousness.
Buddha preaches to his five disciples the way of salvation, which speech, preserved in a special book, is frequently compared to Christ's Sermon on the Mount.
Buddha stands with raised hand, while five monks stand or sit or squat around him in devout attitude.
2. Entering the Capital.
When Buddha came to Rajagaha, the people met him on the way and accompanied him into the city in triumphal procession which is analogous to Christ's entry into Jerusalem.
The Buddha with bowl in one hand and staff in the other is followed by yellow-robed monks. The people strew flowers, carry palm branches and wave kerchiefs.
3. The Courtesan.
Ambapali, the Buddhist Mary Magdalen, came to Buddha, worshiping him and invited him to take his meal at her home. To the astonishment of several moralists, he accepted and honored the penitent sinner.
A beautifully dressed woman with clasped hands kneels before Buddha, a maid in attendance behind her. Some well dressed people of high caste watch the scene with an expression of indignation.
4. The Philanthropist.
The wealthiest man of Savatthi invites the Buddha to his home and offers to build a resthouse for the Buddha and his brotherhood.
Anatha Pindika kneels before the Buddha, holding in one hand the picture and plan of a building. Buddha indicates by[53] his lowered hand acceptance of the gift. Buddha attended by two monks, Anatha Pindika accompanied by the architect.
5. Prince Jeta.
It is told that the most beautiful spot in Savatthi was the royal park of Prince Jeta, which Anatha Pindika wanted to buy for the brotherhood of Buddha. The owner was unwilling to sell and made the exorbitant demand to have the whole ground covered with gold as its price. But Anatha Pindika had the gold carried to the garden and paid the price.
The scene is laid in the garden. Anatha Pindika with bags of gold stands in commanding attitude. His servants spread the coins while Prince Jeta throws up his hands in astonishment.
(Anatha Pindika is not the real name of the founder of the Jetavana. The name means, "[He who gives to] the indigent, alms.")
[A Brahman temple with a statue of Durga; before the idol an altar. In the background a landscape with farms and a sheep-fold.]
Enter from the right General Siha (GS.) with a Captain (C) and some soldiers.
GS. Pitch the tents on the slope of yonder hill where that farmhouse stands.
C. It shall be done, my general.
GS. What crowd is gathered there with flags and flowers?
C. It is the farmer's family led by the village priest, and neighbors flock around to swell their number.
GS. The priest handles a big knife that flashes in the sun. I see his hands are stained with gore. They seem to celebrate a feast in honor of a god.
C. The villagers inform me that the occasion of it is[55] sad. One of the farmer's children died of late, and others being sick the father invokes the goddess Kali to preserve the rest of his family. They are arrayed for a procession and having offered a young sheep at the altar of the homestead they have started out. See how the crowd are wending their way hither to the temple.
General Siha looks around and contemplates the scenery, then turns to the Captain.
GS. Now pitch the tents before the sun goes down.
In the meantime, the Buddha enters with two disciples. They sit down under a tree. The Captain bows to them reverently and leaves the stage.
GS. Greetings to you, holy monks.
B. Peace be with thee, and may thy sword ne'er reek with blood.
GS. I draw the sword for my king, for my country and for the restoration of order where enemies or rebels have disturbed it.
B. Thou lookst courageous and thy very words
Possess a ring of simple honesty.
GS. I serve a mighty king who means to do the right. He prefers to establish his rule by treaty and spares an enemy who sues for peace.[56]
B. Thou speakst of Bimbisara, King of Magadha?
GS. Indeed I speak of the great Bimbisara, and he is born to sway the world. My sympathy and my allegiance go with him. I am Siha, his general.
B. Thy name is known throughout the Indian lands.
GS. When I chose my profession I prayed to the gods that they would never let it be my lot to fight for any unjust cause.
B. Let this thy prayer be a sacred vow
Which thou wilt keep inviolate. Our fate,
Or say the gods, create conditions; but thou
Thyself must act. Thou art responsible,
Thou shapest thine own life, and not the gods.
GS. Thy words please me! What is thy doctrine, venerable monk?
B. I teach the middle way between extremes.
Neither mortifications of the body
Nor self-indulgence should be practised.
We must make up our minds and walk
On the eightfold noble path of righteousness.
GS. Who art thou, wondrous monk? Thy doctrine is so plain, and so convincing that I grant thou speakest truth. The people ought to know thee and accept thy creed. Who art thou?
