Barlaam and Josaphat: A Christian Tale of the Buddha by Gui de Cambrai, Peggy McCracken

in the Holy Trinity will be saved. This is what Christians believe.’
    â€œThe king understood and answered, ‘You have hidden this from me for too long. You are my man and I am your lord. You should tell me everything that will benefit me and keep me from danger. If what you have told me is true, why did you hide it from me for so long?’ ‘I did not neglect to instruct you because I was indifferent or because of ill will,’ his companion explained, ‘but for fear of losing your friendship. I did not want to tell you anything you did not wish to learn. The things I tell you are true, and anyone who cares for his own well-being should believe them.’
    â€œThe king responded, ‘I command you not to hide these things from me any longer. You will teach me about them every day, and I will hear you out of love.’ The councilor advised the king willingly, and he converted his lord through his teaching. From that time forward, the king was a wise man, greatly esteemed and of great renown, and he lived a very holy life.”
    Barlaam then explained the lesson of his story. “I tell you, then, that if anyone can show your father the truth and bring him into the right path, he will be baptized. He will leave the false belief that holds his soul in the balance.”
    Josaphat responded, “Good brother, may God’s pleasure and his will be done with my father. But now that I know the things of this world are vain, I wish to leave it. I will go with you to live, for according to what I have heard you say here, anyone who seeks to serve God with a good heart should flee this world.”

Josaphat learns the value of earthly possessions
    The hermit answered Josaphat with another parable. “By faith, you want to do what a rich and handsome young man once did. He was from a noble lineage, the son of a wise and wealthy man. Another nobleman from an important family also lived in the city. He was wise and brave and had earned many honors, and he lived in great luxury. He had a daughter who was richer and more beautiful than any other young woman in the city. The father of the handsome young man asked for this young woman as a bride for his son, and her father agreed to the marriage, but when the young man learned of the arrangement, he was sorrowful. He did not love the girl, because she did not believe in God, and so he fled. He did not want to live with a woman who did not put her faith in God.
    â€œThe young man left his home and went away. He suffered from the heat of the day, and as he passed through a city, he stopped to rest. The heat prevented him from going any farther. He went into a nearby house where an old man lived in poverty with his daughter, who sat alone, sewing a ragged dress. This young woman worshipped God in her heart and prayed for his grace. She gave thanks to him for the salvation he had bought for her with his life. The young man marveled when he heard this. ‘Maiden,’ he said, ‘may it not offend you, but is this a jest? What sweetness have you found and what rich gift have you received that you should offer thanks in this way? Show it to me, I want to see it. Do not hide it from me. Whom do you praise so wholeheartedly?’ ‘Friend,’ said the young lady, ‘I am God’s servant and handmaiden. My father is poor and aged, but up to now God has been pleased to provide for him and for me too. God has given me everything I have, and I serve him with my whole heart. I am certain that if he wished, he could give me more than I could ever ask for. But God knows that I do not care about possessions in this life, for all the wealth of this world will soon pass away. There is nothing here below that compares to the glory on high. Since I am able to understand reason, I offer thanks to God, who made me and who will take me when he wishes. He will judge my soul and my body. What justification will I have to offer when the judgment comes if