at that many of the early Christian Fathers rejected it as being
fabulous,[175:2] but this, according to orthodox teaching, cannot be
done; because, in all consistent reason, "_we must accept the whole of
the inspired autographs or reject the whole_,"[175:3] and, because, "the
very foundations of our faith, the very basis of our hopes, the very
nearest and dearest of our consolations, are taken from us, when _one
line_ of that sacred volume, on which we base everything, is declared to
be untruthful and untrustworthy."[175:4]

The reason why we have this story in the New Testament is because the
writer wished to show that Christ Jesus was proof against all
temptations, that _he_ too, as well as _Buddha_ and others, could resist
the powers of the prince of evil. This Angel-Messiah was tempted by the
devil, and he fasted for forty-seven days and nights, without taking an
atom of food.[175:5]

The story of Buddha's temptation, presented below, is taken from the
"_Siamese Life of Buddha_," by Moncure D. Conway, and published in his
"_Sacred Anthology_," from which we take it.[176:1] It is also to be
found in the _Fo-pen-hing_,[176:2] and other works on Buddha and
Buddhism. Buddha went through a more lengthy and severe trial than did
Jesus, having been tempted in many different ways. The portion which
most resembles that recorded by the Matthew narrator is the following:

"The Grand Being (Buddha) applied himself to practice
asceticism of the extremest nature. _He ceased to eat_ (that
is, _he fasted_) and held his breath. . . . _Then it was that
the royal Mara_ (the Prince of Evil) _sought occasion to tempt
him._ Pretending compassion, he said: 'Beware, O Grand Being,
your state is pitiable to look on; you are attenuated beyond
measure, . . . you are practicing this mortification in vain;
I can see that you will not live through it. . . . Lord, that
art capable of such vast endurance, go not forth to adopt a
religious life, but return to thy kingdom, and in _seven_ days
thou shalt become _the Emperor of the World_, riding over the
four great continents.'"

To this the Grand Being, Buddha, replied:

"'Take heed, O Mara; I also know that in seven days I might
gain universal empire, but I desire not such possessions. I
know that the pursuit of religion is better than the empire of
the world. You, thinking only of evil lusts, would force me to