The Jubilee in Kapavistu. Jesus teaches in the plaza and the people are astonished. He relates the parable of the unkept vineyard and the vine dresser. The priests are angered by his words.
It was a gala day in sacred Kapavistu; a throng of Buddhist worshippers had met to celebrate a Jubilee.
2 And priests and masters from all parts of India were there; they taught; but they embellished little truth with many words.
3 And Jesus went into an ancient plaza and he taught; he spoke of Father-Mother-God; he told about the brotherhood of life.
4 The priests and all the people were astounded at his words and said, Is this not Buddha come again in flesh? No other one could speak with such simplicity and power.
5 And Jesus spoke a parable; he said, There was a vineyard all unkept; the vines were high, the growth of leaves and branches great.
6 The leaves were broad and shut the sunlight from the vines; the grapes were sour, and few, and small.
7 The pruner came; with his sharp knife he cut off every branch, and not a leaf remained; just root and stalk, and nothing more.
8 The busy neighbors came with one accord and were amazed, and said to him who pruned, You foolish man! the vineyard is despoiled.
9 Such desolation! There is no beauty left, and when the harvest time shall come the gatherers will find no fruit.