Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 138
BUDDHISM from his own lips. Once, Vâsettha and Bharadvaga of the same village, while taking a walk after their bath in the river, began to debate a religious doctrine. Neither of the two could convince the other of the correctness of the opinions of their respective gurus. Vâsettha, the young. Brahman, suggested that it should be taken to the court of. Buddha. This agreed upon they proceeded to present the issue to Buddha seeking his wise council. During the meeting, Bharadvaga, the young Brahman, remained silent and Vâsettha asked the questions. Before responding to the question, Buddha posed some counterquestions. . First he asked, 'Did any Brahmans versed in the Three. Vedas, ever see Brahmâ face to face?' The answer was 'No'. Then Buddha asked Vâsettha if any of the Brahmans or their pupils of the previous seven generations had seen. Brahmâ, and the answer was again, 'No'. Then Buddha asked them if they themselves claimed that they had ever seen Brahmâ. Again the answer was, 'No'. Then he asked. Vâsettha that if a man, born and brought up in Manasâkata was asked the way to Manasâkata, would that man be in any doubt or difficulty in answering that question. Vâsettha answered: 'Certainly not, Gotama! And why? If the man had been born and brought up in Manasâkata, every road that leads to Manasakâta would be perfectly familiar to him. ". At this point Buddha expounded: 138 "That man, Vâsettha, born and brought up at. Manasakâta might, if he were asked the way to. Manasakâta, fall into doubt and difficulty, but to the. Tathagata,' (the fully enlightened one, meaning himself), 'when asked touching the path which leads to the world of Brahmâ, there can be neither doubt nor difficulty. For Brahmâ, I know, Vâsettha, and