Barlaam and Josaphat: A Christian Tale of the Buddha Read Online Free Page A

church was found in just one man than can be seen today in one hundred.)
    King Avenir took great delight in his reign, but his soul did not profit from the pleasures he pursued. And indeed, because he did not yet have a child, the king’s enjoyment of his privileges was lessened. (A child is a beloved thing! If children could remain with us always, there would be less to regret in the world.) This is what King Avenir and his thoughts were like.
    The Christians in Avenir’s lands did not fear the king’s laws or his prisons. The more the king persecuted them, the stronger their faith became. Their martyrdom was doubled since they willingly received death when the king demanded it, and they found victory in vanquishing the one who would vanquish them. King Avenir tested his earthly power against the Christians’ resolve, and his laws proved ineffective.
The Christians did not fear pain or death, and all the king’s efforts were in vain. King Avenir was angered by his inability to overcome the Christians. He prepared new tortures and punishments for them. He threatened them with dolorous days and painful weeks, but they held their loyalty to God like a shield before the king’s attacks. The Holy Spirit who comforted them would destroy the king’s power.
    And so things remained there, as between a text and its gloss, and a great gap requires great caution. But the holy church would take her share even from among the king’s councilors who despised her and sacrificed to ancient idols. One of these men was noble, wealthy, and very handsome. He denounced the king’s sins and left his service, abandoning his land, his household, his domain, and his wealth. He exchanged all the king’s marks of favor for the life of a hermit. The king loved this councilor above all men, but his vassal did not care for the world and left it behind, to purify himself of his sins and worship the Lord who dwells on high.
    When the king heard about the man’s departure, he was sorely tried. He lamented the loss of his good friend, and his heart was filled with hatred for the Christians and the life they led. King Avenir wished to avenge his anger, so he sent messengers to the Christians’ hermitage, instructing them to search everywhere until they found the vassal who had abandoned the king. The messengers found the man and brought him back to court. He came without a wealthy entourage: he appeared impoverished, but he was rich inside. The king said to him, “What a state you are in! What happened to your wealth and wisdom? Where are your honor and prowess? You were a lord, and now you are a serf. See what kind of master you serve! The man who would keep his servant in such misery is a bad overlord. What are you thinking? Your pride and your honor have turned to shame! Nature has been denied! You have forgotten what is right and you fight against nature, for it is a sin to have no pity for your children! You have forgotten the name of your father, and you do not remember your children or their mother. They are your flesh! They are your limbs! Why have you done this? Explain it to me! Alas, what an evil time this is. Your thoughts are secret and your intentions harsh—why would you exchange wealth for poverty?”
    When the man of God understood what the pagan king wanted from him, he responded willingly and joyfully. He said to him carefully, “If you wish to listen to reason, you must banish two enemies at your court.”
    The king responded, “Ha, foolish man! You who were once my dear friend, speak to me and show me my enemies.”
    â€œKing, listen and understand,” the man responded humbly. “The enemies I describe are anger and greed. Whoever seeks to understand with his heart must renounce these two things, for anger overcomes and destroys a man, and greed shames him. Sire, these two are your enemies. But if you will listen to a friend’s advice, replace anger and