<h2 id='chap26'>THE DREAMER IN THE WOOD</h2>
<p class='c004'>Now the Buddha once upon a time lived
alone in the woods, in the ecstasy of
meditation. For wild fruits he went no further
afield. When fruit grew upon the tree,
he ate the fruit; in time of flowers, he ate flowers.
When the leaves grew, he ate leaves.
When leaves were none, he ate the bark of
trees. Thus, in the highest contentment he
lived a long time in that place.</p>
<p>Now on a day, Sakka, the King of the gods,
appeared before him and, wishing to test him,
said: “Behold yon man, all black of hue, my
spirit likes him not.”</p>
<p>Now by his divine insight the Buddha knew
that Sakka spoke to him. And he made answer
and said:</p>
<p>“Though black of hue, I am a true Brahmin.
A man is not black by reason of his
outer skin; only can sin make him black.”
Thus he discoursed to Sakka, and it was as
he had made the moon to rise in the sky. And
<SPAN name='Page_174'></SPAN>the god asked him what boon he would crave.</p>
<p>And the Divine being asked to be free of
three things: malice, hatred and greed.</p>
<p>Then Sakka: “What is bad in these
things?” And Buddha made answer, “Because
hatred grows from small to great and
is ever full of bitterness. Malice brings evil.
First word, then touch, next fist, then staff,
and last the swordstroke flashing free. When
men are urged by greed, then arise fraud and
deceit and swift pursuit of savage loot——”</p>
<p>“Then,” said Sakka, “choose another boon.”</p>
<p>Then said the Buddha, “Grant that in the
woods where I live alone, no disease may mar
my peace, or break my ecstasy.”</p>
<p>Then said Sakka, “He chooseth no thing
connected with food.” And he granted yet
another boon.</p>
<p>And the Buddha said, “Let no creature ever
be harmed for me in body or in mind.”</p>
<p>And Sakka made the tree bear fruit perennially,
and saluting the Buddha by touching
his head with joined hands, he said:</p>
<p>“Dwell here for ever free from disease,”
and returned to his throne.</p>
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