The Pilgrims Quotations from the Buddhist Scriptures

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To a Dean's questions whether there was anything in Buddhism, Brian Houghton Hodgson made the answer: "Sir, Buddhism is simply the creed most widely spread over the face of earth. It has more followers than any other religion in the world, and it is older than our own. It has a vast and learned literature. Perhaps you might find it not unworthy of the attention of an educated man or even of a dignitary of the Church."

A grand-nephew of the Bishop of London who desired that Hodgson should be destined to the Church, he lived in Nepal from 1820 to 1843. He was the British Resident at the Court of Nepal and a greater friend the country has never known. The then king described him emotionally as "the Saviour of Nepal." Hodgson was a Member of the Institute of France; Fellow of the Royal Society; Vice President of the Royal Asiatic Society; and a member of many learned societies of Italy, Germany, America and India. He is credited with the discovery of a living Buddhist tradition in Nepal and its introduction to Europe.

Buddhism needs no introduction to the rest of the world now. As the land of the Buddha's birth. Nepal has a special place in the hearts of all Buddhists. For centuries pilgrims from as for away as Mongolia, China and Tibet have made their way to Nepal. With the opening of the country in the middle of this century, many people have come from many different parts of the world in pilgrimage.

Long the home of Mahayana, one of the two great vehicles of Buddhism, and the more exclusive school of Vajrayana, Theravada was reintroduced in the 1940's by Newar monks after studying it in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, and before long it took from root in Nepal.

It is hoped that this book of quotations from the Buddhist scriptures of the Theravada tradition would be found helpful by visitors to Nepal to understand the people of Nepal and their religious beliefs and way of life. I have borrowed many of the quotations from The Buddha and his Teachings by Ven. Narada Maha Thera and Lotus Blossoms by Bhikkhu Silacara. Had he been alive, Ven. Narada Maha Silacara. There, one of the main sources of encouragement and support to Nepalese Buddhists, I am sure, would have been pleased of the use made of his book. Thanks are also due to Mr. Rama Tiwari, without whose help I would not have been above to share the teachings of the Buddha with you.

K.L.

August 16, 1994

Back of the Book:

Realizing how vain and transient were sensual pleasures, Sariputta, a very intelligent and rich young Brahmin, along with his friend Moggalana, gave up a life of luxury. Highly impressed by the calm and dignified deportment of Assaji, one of the first five disciples of the Buddha, Sariputta asked who his Teacher was and to sum up for him the substance of the Teaching.

Assaji replied modestly that he was but a novice. However, he summed up the profound scientific truth of the Law of Cause and Effect as propounded by his Teacher, the Buddha, as follows:

"Of things that proceed from a cause,/Their cause the Tathagata has told,/And also their cessation:/Thus teaches the Great Ascetic."

Overwhelmed with joy, Sariputta at once sought his friend and they went to hear more of the Teaching. Very soon the two young Brahmins became the foremost disciples of the Buddha.