And so on through the whole Sanscrit alphabet.
In the First Gospel of the Infancy, chap. xx., it is recorded that when taken to the schoolmaster Zaccheus, "The Lord Jesus explained to him the meaning of the letters Aleph and Beth.
"8. Also, which were the straight figures of the letters, which were the oblique, and what letters had double figures; which had points and which had none; why one letter went before another; and many other things He began to tell him and explain, of which the master himself had never heard, nor read in any book.
"9. The Lord Jesus further said to the master, Take notice how I say to thee. Then He began clearly and distinctly to say Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, and so on to the end of the alphabet.
"10. At this, the master was so surprised, that he said, I believe this boy was born before Noah."
In the "Lalita Vistara" there are two separate accounts of Buddha showing his marvellous knowledge. His great display is when he competes for his wife. He then exhibits his familiarity with all lore, sacred and profane, "astronomy," the "syllogism," medicine, mystic rites.
The disputation with the doctors is considerably amplified in the twenty-first chapter of the First Gospel of the Infancy:—
"5. Then a certain principal rabbi asked Him, Hast Thou read books?
"6. Jesus answered that He had read both books and the things which were contained in books.
"7. And he explained to them the books of the law and precepts and statutes, and the mysteries which are contained in the books of the prophets—things which the mind of no creature could reach.