and art meditating on the skilfulness of the leaders of the world, thou repeatest their teaching.
120. ‘We also, being Buddhas, will make clear the highest word!, divided into three parts; for men (occasionally) have low inclinations, and might perchance from ignorance not believe (us, when we say), Ye shall become Buddhas.
121. ‘Hence we will rouse many Bodhisattvas by the display of skilfulness and the encouraging of the wish of obtaining fruits.’
122, And I was delighted to hear the sweet voice of the leaders of men; in the exultation of my heart I said to the blessed saints, ‘The words of the eminent sages are not spoken in vain.
123. ‘I, too, will act according to the indications of the wise leaders of the world; having myself been born in the midst of the degradation of creatures, I have known agitation in this dreadful world.’
124. When I had come to that conviction, O son of Sari, I instantly went to Benares, where I skilfully preached the law to the five Solitaries*, that law which is the base of final beatitude.
125. From that moment the wheel of my law has been moving’, and the name of Nirvaza made its appearance in- the world, as well as the name of Arhat, of Dharma, and Sangha.
126. Many years have I preached and pointed to the
1 Properly, the most lofty place; the word pada in the text means place, spot, word, subject, &c.
® AgfAta-Kaundinya and the four others mentioned in the opening chapter.
* In chap. VII we shall see that the wheel was put in motion at
an inconceivably long period before, by the Tathagata Mahabhigtagianabhibha.
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stage of Nirvana, the end of wretchedness and mundane existence. Thus I used to speak at all times.
127. And when I saw, Sariputra, the children of the highest of men by many thousands of koéis, numberless, striving after the supreme, the highest enlightenment ;
128. And when such as had heard the law of the Ginas, owing to the many-sidedness of (their) skilfulness, had approached me and stood before my face, all of them with joined hands, and respectful ;
129. Then I conceived the idea that the time had come for me to announce the excellent law and to reveal supreme enlightenment, for which task I had been born in the world.
130. This (event) to-day will be hard to be understood by the ignorant who imagine they see! here a sign, as they are proud and dull. But the Bodhisattvas, they will listen to me.
131. And I felt free from hesitation and highly cheered ; putting aside all timidity, I began speaking in the assembly of the sons of Sugata, and roused them to enlightenment.
132. On beholding such worthy sons of Buddha (I said): Thy doubts also will be removed, and these twelve hundred (disciples) of mine, free from imperfections, will all of them become Buddhas.
132. On beholding such worthy sons of Buddha (I said): Thy doubts also will be removed, and these twelve hundred (disciples) of mine, free from imperfections, will all of them become Buddhas.
133. Even as the nature of the law of the former? mighty saints and the future Ginas is, so is my law
* One would rather expect ‘who imagine not to see, fail to see,’ but the words of the text do not admit of such an interpretation.
free from any doubtfulness, and it is such as I to-day preach it to thee.
134. At certain times, at certain places, somehow do the leaders appear in the world, and after their appearance will they, whose view is boundless, at one time or another preach! a similar law.
135. It is most difficult to meet with this superior law, even in myriads of ko¢is of AZons; very rare are the beings who will adhere to the superior law which they have heard from me.
136. Just as the blossom of the glomerous figtree is rare, albeit sometimes, at some places, and somehow it is met with, as something pleasant to see for everybody, as a wonder to the world including the gods;
137. (So wonderful) and far more wonderful is the law I proclaim. Any one who, on hearing a good exposition of it, shall cheerfully accept it and recite but one word of it, will have done honour to all Buddhas.
138. Give up all doubt and uncertainty in this respect; I declare that I am the king of the law (Dharmaraga); I am urging others to enlightenment, but I am here without disciples.
139. Let this mystery be for thee, S4riputra, for all disciples of mine, and for the eminent Bodhisattvas, who are to keep this mystery.
140. For the creatures, when at the period of the five depravities’, are vile and bad; they are blinded
1 DesayuA, plural; Burnouf seems to have read the singular.
* The five kash4yas are summarily indicated in Dhammapada 115 by ‘ragAdi.’ As the list of klesas, Lalita-vistara, p. 348 seq., commences with r4ga, there can be no doubt that Burnouf was right in supposing the five kashAyas to be synonymous with the corresponding number of klesas. The items of the list are variously given.
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by sensual desires, the fools, and never turn their minds to enlightenment.
141. (Some) beings, having heard this one and sole vehicle! manifested by the Gina, will in days to come swerve from it, reject the Stra, and go down to hell.
142. But those beings who shall be modest and pure, striving after the supreme and the highest enlightenment, to them shall I unhesitatingly set forth the endless forms of this one and sole vehicle.
143. Such is the mastership of the leaders; that is, their skilfulness. They have spoken in many mysteries?; hence it is difficult to understand (them).
143. Such is the mastership of the leaders; that is, their skilfulness. They have spoken in many mysteries?; hence it is difficult to understand (them).
144. Therefore try to understand the mystery® of the Buddhas, the holy masters of the world; forsake all doubt and uncertainty: you shall become Buddhas; rejoice ! x
1 Or, rather, learnt this way.
* The word in the text is sandhavakanaiA, evidently synonymous with sandhabh4ashya.
* Sandh4, by Burnouf rendered ‘langage énigmatique.’ On comparing the different meanings of sandh4 and sandh4ya, both in Sanskrit and in Pali, 1am led to suppose that sandh4- (and sandhaya-) bhashita (bhdshya) was a term used in the sense of ‘speaking (speech) in council, a counsel,’ scarcely differing from mantra. In both words secrecy is implied, though not expressed. If we take the term as synonymous with mantra, the connection between updyakausalya, diplomacy, skilfulness, and sandhabh4shita is clear. Cf. the Gothic word rfina, both Sovdy and pvornpov; garfini, ovpBovdkwv. The theistical sect have taken it in the sense of ‘God’s counsel,’ but I cannot produce a warrant for this guess. By Hiouen Thsang, the term sandh4ya is translated by ‘in a hidden sense,’ as we know from Professor Max Milller’s note, in his edition of the Vagrakkfediké, p. 23.
60 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. Ti.
CHAPTER III.
A PARABLE.
Then the venerable S4riputra, pleased, glad, charmed, cheerful, thrilling with delight and joy, stretched his joined hands towards the Lord, and, looking up to the Lord with a steady gaze, addressed him in this strain: I am astonished, amazed, O Lord! I am in ecstasy to hear such a call from the Lord. For when, before I had heard of this law from the Lord, I saw other Bodhisattvas, and heard that the Bodhisattvas would in future get the name of Buddhas, I felt extremely sorry, extremely vexed to be deprived from so grand a sight as the Tathagata-knowledge. And whenever, O Lord, for my daily recreation I was visiting the caves of rocks or mountains, wood thickets, lovely gardens, rivers, and roots of trees, I always was occupied with the same and ever-recurring thought : ‘ Whereas the entrance into the fixed points! of the law is nominally? equal, we have been dismissed by the Lord with the inferior vehicle.’ Instantly, however, O Lord, I felt that it
1 Or, elements.
* Tulye nima dharmadh&tupravese vayam—niry atitar. The terms are ambiguous, and open to various interpretations. The Tibetan version has, according to Burnouf, ‘in an equal introduction to the domain of the law,’ from which at least thus much results, that the text had tulye, not tulya, as Burnouf reads. Tulye pravese I take to be a so-called absolute locative case. As to the plural ‘ we,’ it refers to Sariputra.
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Tulye pravese I take to be a so-called absolute locative case. As to the plural ‘ we,’ it refers to Sariputra.
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was our own fault, not the Lord’s. For had we regarded the Lord at the time of his giving the allsurpassing demonstration of the law, that is, the exposition of supreme, perfect enlightenment, then, O Lord, we should have become adepts in those laws. But because, without understanding’ the mystery of the Lord, we, at the moment of the Bodhisattvas not being assembled, heard only in a hurry, caught, meditated, minded, took to heart the first lessons pronounced on the law, therefore, O Lord, I used to pass day and night in selfreproach. (But) to-day, O Lord, I have reached complete extinction; to-day, O Lord, I have become calm; to-day, O Lord, I am wholly come to rest; to-day, O Lord, I have reached Arhatship; to-day, O Lord, I am the Lord’s eldest son, born from his law, sprung into existence by the law, made by the law, inheriting from the law, accomplished by the law. My burning has left me, O Lord, now that I have heard this wonderful law, which I had not learnt before, announced by the voice from the mouth of the Lord.
And on that occasion the venerable S4riputra addressed the Lord in the following stanzas:
1. I am astonished, great Leader, I am charmed to hear this voice; I feel no doubt any more; now am I fully ripe for the superior vehicle.
2. Wonderful is the voice? of the Sugatas; it dispels the doubt and pain of living beings; my pain also is all gone now that I, freed from imperfections, have heard that voice (or, call).
3. When I was taking my daily recreation or was
1 Rather, call.
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walking in woody thickets, when betaking myself to the roots of trees or to mountain caves, I indulged in no other thought but this:
4. ‘O how am I deluded by vain thoughts! whereas the faultless laws are, nominally, equal, shall I in future not preach the superior law in the world ?
5. ‘The thirty-two characteristic signs have failed me, and the gold colour of the skin has vanished ; all the (ten) powers and emancipations have likewise been lost. O how have I gone astray at the equal laws!
6. ‘The secondary signs also of the great Seers, the eighty excellent specific signs, and the eighteen uncommon properties have failed me. O how am I deluded!’
7. And when I had perceived thee, so benign and merciful to the world, and was lonely walking to take _ my daily recreation, I thought: ‘I am excluded from that inconceivable, unbounded knowledge!’
8. Days and nights, O Lord, I passed always thinking of the same subject; I would ask the Lord whether I had lost my rank or not.
g. In such reflections, O Chief of Ginas, I constantly passed my days and nights; and on seeing many other Bodhisattvas praised by the Leader of the world,
Days and nights, O Lord, I passed always thinking of the same subject; I would ask the Lord whether I had lost my rank or not.
g. In such reflections, O Chief of Ginas, I constantly passed my days and nights; and on seeing many other Bodhisattvas praised by the Leader of the world,
10. And on hearing this Buddha-law, I thought: ‘To be sure, this is expounded mysteriously’; it is an inscrutable, subtle, and faultless science, which is announced by the Ginas on the terrace of enlightenment.’
1 Sandh4ya; the Chinese translation by Kumar4-giva, according to Stan. Julien’s version, has ‘suivant la convenance.’
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11. Formerly I was attached to (heretical) theories, being a wandering monk and in high honour (or, of the same opinions) with the heretics!; afterwards has the Lord, regarding my disposition, taught me Nirvaza, to detach me from perverted views.
12. After having completely freed myself from all (heretical) views and reached the laws of void, (I conceive) that I have become extinct; yet this is not deemed to be extinction.
13. But when one becomes Buddha, a superior being, honoured by men, gods, goblins, Titans, and adorned with the thirty-two characteristic signs, then one will be completely extinct.
14. All those (former) cares* have now been dispelled, since I have heard the voice. Now am I extinct, as thou announcest my destination (to Nirana) before the world including the gods.
15. When I first heard the voice of the Lord, I had a great terror lest it might be Mara, the evil one, who on this occasion had adopted the disguise of Buddha.
16. But when the unsurpassed Buddha-wisdom had been displayed in and established with argu-
1 Parivragakas Tirthikasammatas fa. The term parivragaka or parivr4g is occasionally applied to Buddhist monks, but here it would seem that the Brahmanistic monks are meant, the brahmasamsthas of Sankara in his commentary on Brahma- Stra III, 4,20. They are to be distinguished from the Tirthika’s.
2 Or, thoughts; one MS. has vyapanita sarv4ni ’mi (read °ni ’mi) manyit4ni; another reads, vy. sarvAni 'mi makéitAni. Manyita is a participle derived from the present tense of manyate, to mean, to mind, in the manner of gahita from gahati. Makéitani is hardly correct; it is, however, just possible that it is intended to stand for ma&-Aittani.
64 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. Til.
ments, reasons, and illustrations, by myriads of ko/is, then I lost all doubt about the law I heard.
17. And when thou hadst mentioned to me! the thousands of ko/is of Buddhas, the past Ginas who have come to final rest, and how they preached this law by firmly establishing it through skilfulness ;
18. How the many future Buddhas and those who are now existing, as knowers of the real truth, shall expound or are expounding this law by hundreds of able devices ;
How the many future Buddhas and those who are now existing, as knowers of the real truth, shall expound or are expounding this law by hundreds of able devices ;
19. And when thou wert mentioning thine own course after leaving home, how the idea of the wheel of the law presented itself to thy mind and how thou decidedst upon preaching the law ;
20. Then I was convinced: This is not M4ra; it is the Lord of the world, who has shown the true course; no M4ras can here abide. So then my mind (for a moment) was overcome with perplexity ;
21. But when the sweet, deep, and lovely voice of Buddha gladdened me, all doubts were scattered, my perplexity vanished, and I stood firm in knowledge.
22. I shall become a Tathagata, undoubtedly, worshipped in the world including the gods; I shall manifest Buddha-wisdom, mysteriously? rousing many Bodhisattvas.
After this speech of the venerable S4riputra, the Lord said to him: I declare to thee, S4riputra, I announce to thee, in presence of this world including the gods, Maras, and Brahmas, in presence of this
1 ‘Yada 4a me Buddhasahasrako/yad, kirteshy (var. lect. kirtishy) atitan parinirvritim Ginin. Kirteshi is Sanskrit adikirtas.
* Sandh4aya. Burnouf’s rendering ‘aux créatures’ points to satvaya, which is nothing but a misread sandhaya. Cf. stanza 37, below.
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people, including ascetics and Brahmans, that thou, S4riputra, hast been by me made ripe for supreme, perfect enlightenment, in presence of twenty hundred thousand myriads of ko/is of Buddhas, and that thou, Sariputra, hast for a long time followed my commandments. Thou, S4riputra, art, by the counsel of the Bodhisattva, by the decree of the Bodhisattva, reborn here under my rule. Owing to the mighty will of the Bodhisattva thou, S4riputra, hast no recollection of thy former vow to observe the (religious) course; of the counsel of the Bodhisattva, the decree of the Bodhisattva. Thou thinkest that thou hast reached final rest. I, wishing to revive and renew in thee the knowledge of thy former vow to observe the (religious) course, will reveal to the disciples the Dharmapary4ya called ‘the Lotus of the True Law,’ this SftrAnta, &c.
Again, S4riputra, at a future period, after innumerable, inconceivable, immeasurable A£ons, when thou shalt have learnt the true law of hundred thousand myriads of ko¢is of Tathdgatas, showed devotion in various ways, and achieved the present Bodhisattva-course, thou shalt become in the world a Tathagata, &c., named Padmaprabha', endowed with science and conduct, a Sugata, a knower of the world, an unsurpassed tamer of men, a master of gods and men?, a Lord Buddha.
1 Padma, Nelumbium Speciosum, having a rosy hue, we must infer that Sariputra will be reborn at twilight.
1 Padma, Nelumbium Speciosum, having a rosy hue, we must infer that Sariputra will be reborn at twilight.
* The supreme tamer of men is, in reality, Yama, personified Twilight, and as evening twilight the god of death and the ruler of the infernal regions. The word yama itself means both ‘twin’ (cf. twi-light) and ‘tamer.’ Owing to the fact that in mythology many beings are denoted by the name of ‘the twins,’ e. g. morning and evening, the Asvins, Castor and Pollux, it is often
[21] F
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At that time then, Sariputra, the Buddha-field of that Lord, the Tathagata Padmaprabha, to be called Viraga, will be level, pleasant, delightful, extremely beautiful to see, pure, prosperous, rich, quiet, abounding with food, replete with many races of men?; it will consist of lapis lazuli, and contain a checker-board of eight compartments distinguished by gold threads, each compartment having its jewel tree always and perpetually filled with blossoms and fruits of seven precious substances.
Now that Tathagata Padmaprabha, &c., Sariputra, will preach the law by the instrumentality of three vehicles*. Further, Sariputra, that Tathagata will not appear at the decay of the Zon, but preach the law by virtue of a vow.
That AZon, Sariputra, will be named Mahératnapratimanaita (i.e. ornamented with magnificent jewels). Knowest thou, Sariputra, why that AZon is named Mahératnapratimazdita? The Bodhisattvas of a Buddha-field, Sariputra, are called ratnas (jewels), and at that time there will be many Bodhisattvas in that sphere (called) Viraga; innumerable, incalculable, beyond computation, abstraction made from their being computed by the Tath4gatas. On that account is that Zon called Mahératnapratimazdita.
Now, to proceed, Sariputra, at that period the difficult to make out which pair of twins is meant in any particular case. The sun himself appears in the function of Yama, because it is he who makes twilight.
* One MS. reads bahuganamanushy&kiraa, the other bahuganamaruprakiraa.
* Cf. the threefold vehicle, trivr7t ratha, of the Asvins, Rigveda I, 34, 9. 12, 47, 2.
III. A PARABLE.
Bodhisattvas of that field will in walking step on jewel lotuses'. And these Bodhisattvas will not be plying their work for the first time, they having accumulated roots of goodness and observed the course of duty under many hundred thousand Buddhas ; they are praised by the Tath4gatas for their zealous application to Buddha-knowledge; are perfectioned in the rites preparatory to transcendent knowledge ; accomplished in the direction of all true laws; mild, thoughtful. Generally, Sariputra, will that Buddha-region teem with such Bodhisattvas.
Generally, Sariputra, will that Buddha-region teem with such Bodhisattvas.
As to the lifetime, S4riputra, of that Tathagata Padmaprabha, it will last twelve intermediate kalpas, if we leave out of account the time of his being a young prince. And the lifetime of the creatures then living will measure eight intermediate kalpas. At the expiration of twelve intermediate kalpas, Sdriputra, the Tathaégata Padmaprabha, after announcing the future destiny of the Bodhisattva called Dhritipariptrza? to superior perfect enlightenment, is to enter complete Nirvaza. ‘This Bodhisattva Mahdsattva Dhr‘“tiparipdrvza, O monks, shall immediately after me come to supreme, perfect enlightenment. He shall become in the world a Tathagata named Padmavyvishabhavikr4min, an Arhat, &c., endowed with science and conduct, &c. &c.’
Now the Tathagata Padmavrzshabhavikramin, Sariputra, will have a Buddha-field of quite the same description. The true law, Sariputra, of that Tathagata Padmavyshabhavikramin will, after his
1 We may express the same idea thus: roses are springing up under their feet at every step.
* Dhriti, perseverance, endurance. Dhritiparipfraa is, full of perseverance or endurance.
F 2
68 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA, In.
extinction, last thirty-two intermediate kalpas, and the counterfeit of his true law will last as many intermediate kalpas'.
And on that occasion the Lord uttered the following stanzas :
23. Thou also, son of Sri, shalt in future be a Gina, a Tathagata named Padmaprabha, of illimited sight ; thou shalt educate thousands of ko/is of living beings’.
24. After paying honour to many kofis of Buddhas, making® strenuous efforts in the course of duty, and after having produced in thyself the ten powers, thou shalt reach supreme, perfect enlightenment.
25. Within a period inconceivable and immense there shall be an AZon rich in jewels (or, the Aon jewel-rich), and a sphere named Viraga, the pure field of the highest of men;
26. And its ground will consist of lapis lazuli, and be set off with gold threads; it will have hundreds of jewel trees, very beautiful, and covered with blossoms and fruits.
27. Bodhisattvas of good memory, able in showing
1 This counterfeit, pratirdpaka, of the true law, reminds one of the counterfeit, paitiy4ro, produced by Ariman in opposition to the creation of Ormazd; mythologically it is the dark side of nature. That there is some connection between the Buddhistical pratirdpaka and the Iranian paitiy4ro can hardly be doubted.
* A striking example of how the original Prakrit of the verse has been adulterated in order to give it a more Sanskrit colouring is afforded by this stanza. One MS. has bhavishyast Sarisut& tuhampi; another bhavishyase S arisutanukampfi, with marginal correction tvayampi.
5 Upadayitva, i.e. Pali upadiyitva, synonymous with 4rabhya(viryam) ; the var. lect. upargayitv4, having acquired, is an innovation, at first sight specious enough.
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has bhavishyast Sarisut& tuhampi; another bhavishyase S arisutanukampfi, with marginal correction tvayampi.
5 Upadayitva, i.e. Pali upadiyitva, synonymous with 4rabhya(viryam) ; the var. lect. upargayitv4, having acquired, is an innovation, at first sight specious enough.
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the course of duty which they have been taught under hundreds of Buddhas, will come to be born in that field.
28. And the afore-mentioned Gina, then in his last bodily existence, shall, after passing the state of prince royal, renounce sensual pleasures, leave home (to become a wandering ascetic), and thereafter reach the supreme and the highest enlightenment.
29. The lifetime of that Gina will be precisely twelve intermediate kalpas, and the life of men will then last eight intermediate kalpas.
30. After the extinction of the Tathagata the true law will continue thirty-two A®ons in full, for the benefit of the world, including the gods.
31. When the true law shall have come to an end, its counterfeit will stand for thirty-two intermediate kalpas. The dispersed relics of the holy one will always be honoured by men and gods.
32. Such will be the fate of that Lord. Rejoice, O son of S4ri, for it is thou who shalt be that most excellent of men, so unsurpassed.
The four classes of the audience, monks, nuns, ' lay devotees male and female, gods, Nagas, goblins, Gandharvas, demons, Garudas, Kinnaras, great serpents, men and beings not human, on hearing the . announcement of the venerable Sariputra’s destiny to supreme, perfect enlightenment, were so pleased, glad, charmed, thrilling with delight and joy, that they covered the Lord severally with their own robes, while Indra the chief of gods, Brahma Sah4mpati, besides hundred thousands of ko¢is of other divine beings, covered him with heavenly garments and bestrewed him with flowers of heaven, Mand4ravas and great Mandaravas. High aloft theyp. 70 whirled celestial clothes and struck hundred thousands of celestial musical instruments and cymbals, high in the sky; and after pouring a great rain of flowers they uttered these words: The wheel of the ‘law has been put in motion by the Lord, the first time at Benares at Azshipatana in the Deer-park ; to-day has the Lord again put in motion the supreme wheel of the law.
And on that occasion those divine beings uttered the following stanzas :
33- The wheel of the law was put in motion by thee, O thou that art unrivalled in the world, at Benares, O great hero! (that wheel which is the rotation of) the rise and decay of all aggregates.
34. There it was put in motion for the first time ; now, a second time, is it turned here, O Lord. Today, O Master, thou hast preached this law, which is hard to be received with faith".
35. Many laws have we heard near the Lord of the world, but never before did we hear a law like this.
34. There it was put in motion for the first time ; now, a second time, is it turned here, O Lord. Today, O Master, thou hast preached this law, which is hard to be received with faith".
35. Many laws have we heard near the Lord of the world, but never before did we hear a law like this.
36. We receive with gratitude, O great hero, the mysterious speech of the great Sages, such as this prediction regarding the self-possessed Arya Sariputra.
37. May we also become such incomparable Buddhas in the world, who by mysterious speech announce supreme Buddha-enlightenment.
38. May we also, by the good we have done in this world and in the next, and by our having
1 Duhsraddheyo yas te ’yam, var. lect. duksraddheyo 'yan tesham. It may be remarked that sraddh4 not only means faith, belief, but also liking, approval. Cf. the passage in Mahavagga I, 5, 2 8q.; the verses in Lalita-vistara, p. 515.
Ti. A PARABLE. 71
propitiated the Buddha, be allowed to make a vow for Buddhaship.
Thereupon the venerable S4riputra thus spoke to the Lord: My doubt is gone, O Lord, my uncertainty is at an end on hearing from the mouth of the Lord my destiny to supreme enlightenment. But these twelve hundred self-controlled (disciples), O Lord, who have been placed by thee on the stage of Saikshas', have been thus admonished and instructed : ‘My preaching of the law, O monks, comes to this, that deliverance from birth, decrepitude, disease, and death is inseparably connected with Nirvana ;’ and these two thousand monks, O Lord, thy disciples, both those who are still under training and adepts, who all of them are free from false views about the soul, false views about existence, false views about cessation of existence, free, in short, from all false views, who are fancying themselves to have reached the stage of Nirvdza, these have fallen into uncertainty by hearing from the mouth of the Lord this law which they had not heard before. Therefore, O Lord, please speak to these monks, to dispel their uneasiness, so that the four classes of the audience, O Lord, may be relieved from their doubt and perplexity.
On this speech of the venerable S4riputra the Lord
1 J.e. of those who are under training, Pali sekho. The term is applied to the first seven degrees of persons striving for sanctification, the eighth, or Arhat, being Asaiksha (Asekha). It implies that they still have a remainder of human passion to eradicate, still duties to perform, still a probation to be passed through; see Childers, Pali Dict. p. 472. The seven degrees of Saiksha answer to the sevenfold preparatory wisdom in the Yoga system ; see YogasAstra 2, 27.
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p. 472. The seven degrees of Saiksha answer to the sevenfold preparatory wisdom in the Yoga system ; see YogasAstra 2, 27.
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said to him the following: Have I not told thee before, Sariputra, that the Tathagata, &c., preaches the law by able devices, varying directions and indications, fundamental ideas, interpretations, with due regard to the different dispositions and inclinations of creatures whose temperaments! are so various ? All his preachings of the law have no other end but supreme and perfect enlightenment, for which he is rousing beings to the Bodhisattva-course. But, Sariputra, to elucidate this matter more at large, I will tell thee a parable, for men of good understanding will generally readily enough catch the meaning of what is taught under the shape of a parable.
Let us suppose the following case, S4riputra. In a certain village, town, borough, province, kingdom, or capital, there was a certain housekeeper, old, aged, decrepit, very advanced in years, rich, wealthy, opulent; he had a great house, high, spacious, built a long time ago and old, inhabited by some two, three, four, or five hundred living beings. The house had but one door, and a thatch; its terraces were tottering, the bases of its pillars rotten, the coverings? and plaster of the walls loose. On a sudden the whole house was from every side put in conflagration by a mass of fire. Let us suppose that the man had many little boys, say five, or ten, or even twenty, and that he himself had come out of the house.
Now, Sariputra, that man, on seeing the house from every side wrapt in a blaze by a great mass of
* Dhatvasaya, properly the disposition of the constitutive elements of the body. 2 Or, boards.
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fire, got afraid, frightened, anxious in his mind, and made the following reflection: I myself am able to come out from the burning house through the door, quickly and safely, without being touched or scorched by that great mass of fire; but my children, those young boys, are staying in the burning house, playing, amusing, and diverting themselves with all sorts of sports. They do not perceive, nor know, nor understand, nor mind that the house is on fire, and do not get afraid. Though scorched by that great mass of fire, and affected with such a mass of pain, they do not mind the pain, nor do they conceive the idea of escaping.
They do not perceive, nor know, nor understand, nor mind that the house is on fire, and do not get afraid. Though scorched by that great mass of fire, and affected with such a mass of pain, they do not mind the pain, nor do they conceive the idea of escaping.
The man, Sariputra, is strong, has powerful arms, and(so) he makes this reflection: I am strong,and have powerful arms; why, let me gather all my little boys and take them to my breast to effect their escape from the house. A second reflection then presented itself to his mind: This house has but one opening ; the door is shut; and those boys, fickle, unsteady, and childlike as they are, will, it is to be feared, run hither and thither, and come to grief and disaster in this mass of fire. Therefore I will warn them. So resolved, he calls to the boys: Come, my children; the house is burning with a mass of fire; come, lest ye be burnt in that mass of fire, and come to grief and disaster. But the ignorant boys do not heed the words of him who is their well-wisher; they are not afraid, not alarmed, and feel no misgiving; they do not care, nor fly, nor even know nor understand the purport of the word ‘burning ;’ on the contrary, they run hither and thither, walk about, and repeatedly look at their father ; all, because they are so ignorant.
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Then the man is going to reflect thus: The house is burning, is blazing by a mass of fire. It is to be feared that myself as well as my children will come to grief and disaster. Let me therefore by some skilful means get the boys out of the house. The man knows the disposition of the boys, and has a clear perception of their inclinations. Now these boys happen to have many and manifold toys to play with, pretty, nice, pleasant, dear, amusing, and precious. The man, knowing the disposition of the boys, says to them: My children, your toys, which are so pretty, precious, and admirable, which you are so loth to miss, which are so various and multifarious, (such as) bullock-carts, goat-carts, deer-carts, which are so pretty, nice, dear, and precious to you, have all been put by me outside the house-door for you to play with. Come, run out, leave the house; to each of you I shall give what he wants. Come soon; come out for the sake of these toys. And the boys, on hearing the names mentioned of such playthings as they like and desire, so agreeable to their taste, so pretty, dear, and delightful, quickly rush out from the burning house, with eager effort and great alacrity, one having no time to wait for the other, and pushing each other on with the cry of ‘Who shall arrive first, the very first ?’
The man, seeing that his children have safely and happily escaped, and knowing that they are free from danger, goes and sits down in the open air on the . square of the village, his heart filled with joy and delight, released from trouble and hindrance, quite at ease. The boys go up to the place where their father is sitting, and say: ‘Father, give us those toys to play with, those bullock-carts, goat-carts, andp. 75 deer-carts.”” Then, S4riputra, the man gives to his sons, who run swift as the wind, bullock-carts only, made of seven precious substances, provided with benches, hung with a multitude of small bells, lofty, adorned with rare and wonderful jewels, embellished with jewel wreaths, decorated with garlands of flowers, carpeted with cotton mattresses and woollen coverlets, covered with white cloth and silk, having on both sides rosy cushions, yoked with white, very fair and fleet bullocks, led by a multitude of men. To each of his children he gives several bullockcarts of one appearance and one kind, provided with flags, and swift as the wind. That man does so, Sriputra, because being rich, wealthy, and in possession of many treasures and granaries, he rightly thinks : Why should I give these boys inferior carts, all these boys being my own children, dear and precious? I have got such great vehicles, and ought to treat all the boys equally and without partiality. As I own many treasures and granaries, I could give such great vehicles to all beings, how much more then to my own children. Meanwhile the boys are mounting the vehicles with feelings of astonishment and wonder. Now, Sariputra, what is thy opinion? Has that man made _ himself guilty of a falsehood by first holding out to his children the prospect of three vehicles and afterwards giving to each of them the greatest vehicles only, the most magnificent vehicles ?
Sariputra answered: By no means, Lord; by no means, Sugata. That is not sufficient, O Lord, to qualify the man as a speaker of falsehood, since it only was a skilful device to persuade his children to go out of the burning house and save their
76 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. It.
lives. Nay, besides recovering their very body, O Lord, they have received all those toys. If that man, O Lord, had given no single cart, even then he would not have been a speaker of falsehood, for he had previously been meditating on saving the little boys from a great mass of pain by some able device. Even in this case, O Lord, the man would not have been guilty of falsehood, and far less now that he, considering his having plenty of treasures and prompted by no other motive but the love of his children, gives to all, to coax! them, vehicles of one kind, and those the greatest vehicles. That man, Lord, is not guilty of falsehood.
them, vehicles of one kind, and those the greatest vehicles. That man, Lord, is not guilty of falsehood.
The venerable Sariputra having thus spoken, the Lord said to him: Very well, very well, Sariputra, quite so; it is even as thou sayest. So, too, Sariputra, the Tathagata, &c., is free from all dangers, wholly exempt from all misfortune, despondency, calamity, pain, grief, the thick enveloping dark mists of ignorance. He, the Tathdgata, endowed with Buddha-knowledge, forces, absence of hesitation, uncommon properties, and mighty by magical power, is the father of the world *, who has reached the highest perfection in the knowledge of skilful means, who is most merciful, long-suffering, benevolent, compassionate. He appears in this triple
1 Slaghamana.
* Here the Buddha is represented as a wise and benevolent father; he is the heavenly father, Brahma. As such he was represented as sitting on a ‘lotus seat.’ How common this representation was in India, at least in the sixth century of our era, appears from Varaha-Mihira’s Brshat-Samhit4, chap. 58, 44, where the following rule is laid down for the Buddha idols: ‘ Buddha shall be (represented) sitting on a lotus seat, like the father of the world.’
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world, which is like a house the roof! and shelter whereof are decayed, (a house) burning by a mass of misery, in order to deliver from affection, hatred, and delusion the beings subject to birth, old age, disease, death, grief, wailing, pain, melancholy, despondency, the dark enveloping mists of ignorance, in order to rouse them to supreme and perfect enlightenment. Once born, he sees how the creatures are burnt, tormented, vexed, distressed by birth, old age, disease, death, grief, wailing, pain, melancholy, despondency ; how for the sake of enjoyments, and prompted by sensual desires, they severally suffer various pains. In consequence both of what in this world they are seeking and what they have acquired, they will in a future state suffer various pains, in hell, in the brute creation, in the realm of Yama; suffer such pains as poverty in the world of gods or men, union with hateful persons or things, and separation from the beloved ones. And whilst incessantly whirling in that mass of evils they are sporting, playing, diverting themselves ; they do not fear, nor dread, nor are they seized with terror; they do not know, nor mind; they are not startled, do not try to escape, but are enjoying themselves in that triple world which is like unto a burning house, and run hither and thither. Though overwhelmed by that mass of evil, they do not conceive the idea that they must beware of it.
Under such circumstances, Sariputra, the Tath4gata reflects thus: Verily, I am the father of these beings; I must save them from this mass of evil, and bestow on them the immense, inconceivable bliss of
1 Or, coping.
78 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. Itt.
Under such circumstances, Sariputra, the Tath4gata reflects thus: Verily, I am the father of these beings; I must save them from this mass of evil, and bestow on them the immense, inconceivable bliss of
1 Or, coping.
78 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. Itt.
Buddha-knowledge, wherewith they shall sport, play, and divert themselves, wherein they shall find their rest.
Then, S4riputra, the Tath4gata reflects thus: If, in the conviction of my possessing the power of knowledge and magical faculties, I manifest to these beings the knowledge, forces, and absence of hesitation of the TathAgata, without availing myself of some device, these beings will not escape. For they are attached to the pleasures of the five senses, to worldly pleasures; they will not be freed from birth, old age, disease, death, grief, wailing, pain, melancholy, despondency, by which they are burnt, tormented, vexed, distressed. Unless they are forced to leave the triple world which is like a house the shelter and roof whereof is in a blaze, how are they to get acquainted with! Buddha-knowledge ?
Now, S4riputra, even as that man with powerful arms, without using the strength of his arms, attracts his children out of the burning house by an able device, and afterwards gives them magnificent, great carts, so, Sariputra, the Tathdgata, the Arhat, &c., possessed of knowledge and freedom from all hesitation, without using them, in order to attract the creatures out of the triple world which is like a burning house with decayed roof and shelter, shows, by his knowledge of able devices, three vehicles, viz. the vehicle of the disciples, the vehicle of the Pratyekabuddhas, and the vehicle of the Bodhisattvas. By means of these three vehicles he attracts the creatures and speaks to them thus: Do not
? Paribhotsyante; Burnouf’s rendering, ‘pourront jouir,’ points toa reading paribhokshyante.
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delight in this triple world, which is like a burning house, in these miserable forms, sounds, odours, flavours, and contacts}, For in delighting in this triple world ye are burnt, heated, inflamed with the thirst inseparable from the pleasures of the five senses. Fly from this triple world; betake yourselves to the three vehicles : the vehicle of the disciples, the vehicle of the Pratyekabuddhas, the vehicle of the Bodhisattvas. I give you my pledge for it, that I shall give you these three vehicles; make an effort to run out of this triple world. And to attract them I say: These vehicles are grand, praised by the Aryas, and provided with most pleasant things ; with such you are to sport, play, and divert yourselves in a noble* manner. Ye will feel the great delight of the faculties*, powers‘, constituents of Bodhi, meditations, the (eight) degrees of emancipation, self-concentration, and the results of self-concentration, and ye will become greatly happy and cheerful.
Ye will feel the great delight of the faculties*, powers‘, constituents of Bodhi, meditations, the (eight) degrees of emancipation, self-concentration, and the results of self-concentration, and ye will become greatly happy and cheerful.
* The same idea and the same moral form the warp and woof of the sermon on the hill of Gay4sirsha, the Aditta-pariy4ya, Mahévagga I, 21. This sermon was the second in course of time, if we leave out of account the repetitions of the first, preached near Benares. The parable also is propounded at the time when the Master moves the wheel of the law for the second time; see above, st. 34. Hence we may conclude that the sermon and parable are variations of one and the same monkish moralization on the base of a more primitive cosmological legend.
* Akrzpazam, properly, not miserably.
5 Indriya; here apparently the five moral faculties of faith, energy, recollection, contemplation, and wisdom or prescience; cf. Spence Hardy, Manual, p. 498 ; Lalita-vistara, p. 37.
* Bala, the same as the indriya, with this difference, it would seem, that the balas are the faculties in action or more developed ; cf. Spence Hardy, 1. c., and Lalita-vistara, 1. c.
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Now, S4riputra, the beings who have become wise have faith in the Tath4gata, the father of the world, and consequently apply themselves to his commandments. Amongst them there are some who, wishing to follow the dictate of an authoritative voice, apply themselves to the commandment of the Tathagata to acquire the knowledge of the four great truths, for the sake of their own complete Nirvaza. These one may say to be those who, coveting the vehicle of the disciples, fly from the triple world, just as some of the boys will fly from that burning house, prompted by a desire of getting a cart yoked with deer. Other beings desirous of the science without a master, of self-restraint and tranquillity, apply themselves to the commandment of the Tathagata to learn to understand causes and effects, for the sake of their own complete Nirvaza. These one may say to be those who, coveting the vehicle of the Pratyekabuddhas, fly from the triple world, just as some of the boys fly from the burning house, prompted by the desire of getting a cart yoked with goats. Others again desirous of the knowledge of the all-knowing, the knowledge of Buddha, the knowledge of the self-born one, the science without a master, apply themselves to the commandment of the Tathagata to learn to understand the knowledge, powers, and freedom from hesitation of the Tathagata, for the sake of the common weal and happiness, out of compassion to the world, for the benefit, weal, and happiness of the world at large, both gods and men, for the sake of the complete NirvAza of all beings. These one may say to be those who, coveting the great vehicle, fly from the triple world. Therefore they are called Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas. They
IIl. A PARABLE. 81
These one may say to be those who, coveting the great vehicle, fly from the triple world. Therefore they are called Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas. They
IIl. A PARABLE. 81 may be likened to those among the boys who have fled from the burning house prompted by the desire of getting a cart yoked with bullocks.
In the same manner, Sariputra, as that man, on seeing his children escaped from the burning house and knowing them safely and happily rescued and out of danger, in the consciousness of his great wealth, gives the boys one single grand cart; so, too, Sariputra, the Tathagata, the Arhat, &c., on seeing many ko/¢is of beings recovered! from the triple world, released from sorrow, fear, terror, and calamity, having escaped owing to the command of the Tath4gata, delivered from all fears, calamities, and difficulties, and having reached the bliss of Nirvaza, so, too, Sariputra, the Tath4gata, the Arhat, &c., considering that he possesses great wealth of knowledge, power, and absence of hesitation, and that all beings are his children, leads them by no other vehicle but the Buddha-vehicle to full development*. But he does not teach a particular Nirvamza for each being; he causes all beings to reach complete Nirvaza by means of the complete Nirvaza of the Tathagata. And those beings, Sariputra, who are delivered from the triple world, to them the Tathagata gives.as toys to amuse themselves with, the lofty pleasures of the Aryas, the pleasures
1 Paripfirzan; in one MS. there is a second-hand reading, parimukt&n. I suppose that paripfirsa is the original reading, but that we have to take it in the sense of ‘ recovered, healed.’
* Time, Siva or Vishnu ekap4d, the One-footed, who at the same time is trip4d, three-footed, leads all living beings to final rest. The Buddha-vehicle is the ratha ekakakra, the one-wheeled carriage, each wheel being trinabhi, three-naved, as in Rig-veda I, 164, 2.
(21) Gp. 82 of meditation, emancipation, self-concentration, and its results; (toys) all of the same kind. Even as that man, Sariputra, cannot be said to have told a falsehood for having held out to those boys the prospect of three vehicles and given to all of them but one great vehicle, a magnificent vehicle made of seven precious substances, decorated with all sorts of ornaments, a vehicle of one kind, the most egregious of all, so, too, Sariputra, the Tath4gata, the Arhat, &c., tells no falsehood when by an able device he first holds forth three vehicles and afterwards leads all to complete Nirvava by the one great vehicle. For the Tath4gata, S4riputra, who is rich in treasures and storehouses of abundant knowledge, powers, and absence of hesitation, is able to teach all beings the law which is connected with the knowledge of the all-knowing. In this way, Sariputra, one has to understand how the Tathagata by an able device and direction shows but one vehicle, the great vehicle.
In this way, Sariputra, one has to understand how the Tathagata by an able device and direction shows but one vehicle, the great vehicle.
And on that occasion the Lord uttered the following stanzas : .
39. A man has! an old house, large, but very infirm; its terraces are decaying and the columns rotten at their bases.
40. The windows and balconies are partly ruined, the wall as well as its coverings and plaster decaying; the coping shows rents from age ; the thatch is everywhere pierced with holes.
41. It is inhabited by no less than five hundred beings ; containing many cells and closets filled with excrements and disgusting.
1 The original has ‘as if a man had,’ &c. I have changed the construction to render it less wearisome.
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42. Its roof-rafters are wholly ruined; the walls and partitions crumbling away; kofis of vultures nestle in it, as well as doves, owls, and other birds.
43. There are in every corner dreadful snakes, most venomous and horrible; scorpions and mice of all sorts; it is the abode of very wicked creatures of every description.
44. Further, one may meet in it here and there beings not belonging to the human race. It is defiled with excrement and urine, and teeming with worms, insects, and fire-flies; it resounds from the howling of dogs and jackals.
45. In it are horrible hyenas that are wont to devour human carcasses; many dogs and jackals greedily seeking the matter of corpses.
46. Those animals weak from perpetual hunger go about in several places to feed upon their prey, and quarrelling fill the spot with their cries. Such is that most horrible house.
47. There are also very malign goblins, who violate human corpses; in several spots there are centipedes, huge snakes, and vipers.
48. Those animals creep into all corners, where they make nests to deposit their brood, which is often devoured by the goblins.
49. And when those cruel-minded goblins are satiated with feeding upon the flesh of other creatures, so that their bodies are big, then they commence sharply fighting on the spot.
56. In the wasted retreats are dreadful, malign urchins, some of them measuring one span, others one cubit or two cubits, all nimble in their movements.
51. They are in the habit of seizing dogs by the
G 2
84 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. Til.
feet, throwing them upside down upon the floor, pinching their necks and using them ill.
52. There also live yelling ghosts naked, black, wan, tall, and high, who, hungry and in quest of food, are here and there emitting cries of distress.
53. Some have a mouth like a needle, others have a face like a cow’s; they are of the size of men or dogs, go with entangled hair, and utter plaintive cries from want of food.
54. Those goblins, ghosts, imps, like vultures, are always looking out through the windows and loopholes, in all directions in search of food.
54. Those goblins, ghosts, imps, like vultures, are always looking out through the windows and loopholes, in all directions in search of food.
55. Such is that dreadful house, spacious and high, but very infirm, full of holes, frail and dreary. (Let us suppose that) it is the property of a certain man,
56. And that while he is out of doors the house is reached by a conflagration, so that on a sudden it is wrapt in a blazing mass of fire on every side.
57. The beams and rafters consumed by the fire, the columns and partitions in flame are crackling most dreadfully, whilst goblins and ghosts are yelling.
58. Vultures are driven out by hundreds; urchins withdraw with parched faces; hundreds of mischievous beasts of prey! run, scorched, on every side, crying and shouting *.
59. Many poor devils move about, burnt by the fire; while burning they tear one another with the teeth, and bespatter each other with their blood.
1 Vy4ada.
2 Krosanti, var. lect. kroshanti. Burnouf’s version, ‘sont en fureur,’ points to a reading roshanti, which, however, is not appropriate, for the would-be conflagration is a description of the time of twilight.
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60. Hyenas also perish there, in the act of eating one another. The excrements burn, and a loathsome stench spreads in all directions.
61. The centipedes, trying to fly, are devoured by the urchins. The ghosts, with burning hair, hover about, equally vexed with hunger and heat.
62. In such a state is that awful house, where thousands of flames are breaking out on every side. But the man who is the master of the house looks on from without.
63. And he hears his own children, whose minds are engaged in playing with their toys, in their fondness of which they amuse themselves, as fools do in their ignorance.
64. And as he hears them he quickly steps in’ to save his children, lest his ignorant children might perish in the flames.
65. He tells them the defect of the house, and says: This, young man? of good family, is a miserable house, a dreadful one; the various creatures in it, and this fire to boot, form a series of evils.
66. In it are snakes, mischievous goblins, urchins, and ghosts in great number ; hyenas, troops of dogs and jackals, as well as vultures, seeking their prey.
67. Such beings live in this house, which, apart
1 This trait is wanting in the prose relation. The explanation, I fancy, is this: If the description of the glowing house refers to morning twilight, the father (Pitamaha, or Day-god) will needs step in afterwards; if, on the other hand, the evening twilight is meant, he will already have left the house. In the former case he calls his children to activity, to théir daily work ; in the latter he admonishes them to take their rest, exhorts them to think of the end of life.
* In addressing more persons it is not uncommon that only cne is addressed as representing the whole company.
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* In addressing more persons it is not uncommon that only cne is addressed as representing the whole company.
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from the fire, is extremely dreadful, and miserable enough; and now comes to it this fire blazing on all sides.
68. The foolish boys, however, though admonished, do not mind their father’s words, deluded as they are by their toys; they do not even understand him.
69. Then the man thinks: I am now in anxiety on account of my children. What is the use of my having sons if I lose them? No, they shall not perish by this fire.
70. Instantly a device occurred to his mind: These young (and ignorant) children are fond of toys, and have none just now to play with. Oh, they are so foolish!
71. He then says to them: Listen, my sons, I have carts of different sorts, yoked with deer, goats, and excellent bullocks, lofty, great, and completely furnished.
72. They are outside the house; run out, do with them what you like; for your sake have I caused them to be made. Run out all together, and rejoice to have them.
73. All the boys, on hearing of such carts, exert themselves, immediately rush out hastily, and reach, free from harm, the open air.
74. On seeing that the children have come out, the man betakes himself to the square in the centre of the village, and there from the throne he is sitting on he says: Good people, now I feel at ease.
* The sun reaches the meridian point. The poetic version which makes the father enter the blazing house is consistent; the prose version has effaced a necessary trait of the story. Therefore
Til. A PARABLE. 87
75. These poor sons of mine, whom I have recovered with difficulty, my own dear twenty young children, were in a dreadful, wretched, horrible house, full of many animals.
76. As it was burning and wrapt in thousands of flames, they were amusing themselves in it with playing, but now I have rescued them all. Therefore I now feel most happy.
77. The children, seeing their father happy, approached him, and said: Dear father, give us, as you have promised’, those nice vehicles of three kinds ;
78. And make true all that you promised us in the house when saying, ‘I will give you three sorts of vehicles.’ Do give them; it is now the right time.
79. Now the man (as we have supposed) had a mighty treasure of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; he possessed bullion, numerous slaves, domestics, and vehicles of various kinds ;
80. Carts made of precious substances, yoked with bullocks, most excellent, with benches? and a row of tinkling bells, decorated with umbrellas and flags, and adorned with a network of gems and pearls.
81. They are embellished with gold, and artificial wreaths hanging down here and there ; covered all around with exceJlent cloth and fine white muslin.
82. Those carts are moreover furnished with choice mattresses of fine silk, serving for cushions, it is posterior to the version in metre, and apparently belongs to a much later period.
82. Those carts are moreover furnished with choice mattresses of fine silk, serving for cushions, it is posterior to the version in metre, and apparently belongs to a much later period.
1 Yathabhibh4&shitam, var. lect. °-bhAvitam.
* Vedikés.
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and covered with choice carpets showing the images of cranes and swans, and worth thousands of ko/is.
83. The carts are yoked with white bullocks, well fed, strong, of great size, very fine, who are tended by numerous persons.
84. Such excellent carts that man gives to all his sons, who, overjoyed and charmed, go and play with them in all directions.
85. In the same manner, S4riputra, I, the great Seer, am the protector and father of all beings, and all creatures who, childlike, are captivated by the pleasures of the triple world, are my sons.
86. This triple world is as dreadful as that house, overwhelmed with a number of evils, entirely inflamed on every side by a hundred different sorts of birth, old age, and disease.
87. But I, who am detached from the triple world and serene, am living in absolute retirement? in a wood*, This triple world is my domain, and those who in it are suffering from burning heat are my sons.
88. And I told its evils because I had resolved upon saving them, but they would not listen to me, because all of them were ignorant and their hearts attached to the pleasures of sense.
89. Then I employ an able device, and tell them of the three vehicles, so showing them the means of evading® the numerous evils of the triple world which are known to me.
go. And those of my sons who adhere to me,
1 Ekantasthayin,
? Vana, a wood, also means a cloud, the cloudy region.
5 Nirdhavan4rthaya; a var. lect. has nirvapanarth4ya, i.e. to allay.
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who are mighty in the six transcendent faculties (Abhig#4s) and the triple science, the Pratyekabuddhas, as well as the Bodhisattvas unable to slide back ;
g1. And those (others) who equally are my sons, to them I just now am showing, by means of this excellent allegory, the single Buddha-vehicle. Receive it; ye shall all become Ginas.
92. It is most excellent and sweet, the most exalted in the world, that knowledge of the Buddhas, the most high among men; it is something sublime and adorable.
93. The powers, meditations, degrees of emancipation and self-concentration by many hundreds of kofis, that is the exalted vehicle in which the sons of Buddha take a never-ending delight.
94. In playing with it they pass days and nights, fortnights, months, seasons, years, intermediate kalpas, nay, thousands of ko/is of kalpas’.
95. This is the lofty vehicle of jewels which sundry Bodhisattvas and the disciples listening to the Sugata employ to go and sport on the terrace of enlightenment.