toward the door where DEVADATTA went out_]. He is false. He
may be holy, but he is treacherous. He may be virtuous; he may shun
joy and the blessings of life, he may practise all penances, he may
torture and mortify his body. But there is no true goodwill in him.
His holiness is egotistic, and his religion is hypocrisy. Support his
brotherhood with money or gifts as you see fit, but do not believe
what he says about the Buddha.

_Bb._ [_With an inquiring look_] Why?

_Ap._ I know what he meant when he scoffed at him. When the Buddha
stayed at Vesali, I invited that noblest of all monks to take his meal
with me. I am not holy; I am a worldly woman; I am not a saint; but I
have a warm heart, I feel for others and I want to do what is right.
When I heard that the Buddha stayed in the mango grove, I thought to
myself, I will go and see him. If he is truly all-wise, he will judge
my heart and he will judge me in mercy. He will know my needs and will
not refuse me. I went to the mango grove and he looked upon me with
compassion; he accepted my invitation in the presence of witnesses,
openly, fearlessly, and in kindness. There were the proud Licchavi
princes, and close to him stood the envious Devadatta. How they
scowled; how they condemned the great and kindly saint! How they
whispered, "Shame on him!" and I saw how they despised me--yet they
did not dare to speak out or to censure him publicly. Then, my
gracious King, I knew that he was truly the Lord Buddha, the Allwise.

_Bb._ My dear friend, I accept every word you say as true. I know the
goodness of your heart, I know your worth, your loving kindness, and
if you were of royal birth you would be worthy to wear a crown. The
Buddha did not demean himself when he honored you.

_Ap._ Allow me one question. Did the Buddha ever beg you to support
his brotherhood?

_Bb._ No, he did not; but I will give him all the assistance he may
need.

_Ap._ Did he ever offer you the support of his vows, or did he ever
praise the efficacy of his holiness?

_Bb._ He never did.

_Ap._ Neither does he stand in need of self-recommendation, for his
very presence is a blessing, because he spreads goodwill and
kindliness, and the people who hear him are ashamed of doing anything
unrighteous. Devadatta extends to you the promise, if you but support
his disciples, of an unconditional protection through his holiness.
The Buddha's protection is not so cheaply earned. I heard him say that
eve