"The fire will as soon lose its power to burn, And the flowings of the water cease and stand still; As soon will the earth lose its power to hold and sustain, Or the wind forget its power to blow and rest, As the power of this one's virtuous life and conduct Fail in the end to lead him to attain his vow. Desist, then, from your efforts, for this holy one Shall certainly accomplish all he seeks to do." But still Mâra, maddened with rage, advanced. Then the eight guardian angels of the place, whose names were these [eight names given] encouraged and comforted Bodhisatwa in various ways. And so numerous other Devas came to strengthen him. (The rest of this book is occupied in detailing the temptations of Mâra, and the supporting influences of the Devas.) [Kiouen XXIX contains 61,57 words, and cost 3.078 taels.] CHAPTER XXX. At this time, Bodhisatwa, having defeated and overpowered all the evil influences and devices of Mâra and his companions, proceeded to pass through the various grades of perfect self-abstraction (dhyâna), and so having put away for ever all remnants of selfishness and evil desire, the first three watches of the night being passed, on the dawn of the fourth watch he attained to the perfect state of Enlightenment known as Anuttara Samyak Sambhôdi. And so the Gâtha says “Three parts of that eventful night were gone, The stars that indicated the fourth part just appeared, At this time the heavens, the earth, and all the spaces between the encircling zones of rock, were lit up with a supernatural splendour; whilst flowers and every kind of precious perfume fell down ery Mahamandara, and so on; all Let a man but persevere w All sin and guilt are for ev This was the very first utter Supreme Wisdom. [Kiouen XXX contains 6, dawn, overcame and destroyed the devil and his followers earth shook six times, and up to the very highest point of was the reverberation heard. Then all the people of the world, observing these strange pl mena, inquired anxiously one of another as to their meaning further, they consulted the Rishis and soothsayers as to the m ing of these strange portents. At length these various Rishis soothsayers replied, "In the country of Magadha, near the vi of Gaya, there has been a deadly contest betwixt one who has his home to become a king of the highest law, and one who s to be king of the world of sin; and the former has just preva and beaten down the latter; and soon he will begin to preach establish his kingdom amongst men, by declaring the tiding his most excellent doctrine. And so the Gâtha says [to the s effect]. At this time also, Suddhôdana Râja, unable to sleep thro restlessness and fear, was informed by his Brahman soothsay that if he would wait awhile with patience, they would expl the cause. Meanwhile, Mâya, the mother of Buddha, who acquired a heavenly body, taking the form of a hand-maiden, scended from heaven to the spot where Suddhôdana, and Yas harâ, the mother of Rahula, were, and spake thus," Mahârâja, be known to you that on this night, your son, Siddartha, has tained supreme wisdom, and on this account the earth shook." Again the Devas of the Rupa worlds, perceiving all the pher mena we have before named, were also filled with doubt as to th meaning, on which the world-honoured one uttered the followi words with his own lion voice-" Now have I entirely cut mys away from the bondage of all impure desires. The lustful hea is entirely destroyed, and all sources of sorrow; the waters shall longer flow, no further form of life shall I receive, no more to tossed upon the waves of misery, I have crossed over and for ev escaped." Then all those Devas, having heard these words, reflected th Tathagata had obtained complete deliverance, and then the twa, pointing to the earth at early the devil and his followers, the o the very highest point of space ld, observing these strange phenoanother as to their meaning, and is and soothsayers as to the meanAt length these various Rishis and ntry of Magadha, near the village contest betwixt one who has left e highest law, and one who seeks nd the former has just prevailed, soon he will begin to preach and nen, by declaring the tidings of so the Gatha says [to the same Raja, unable to sleep through ed by his Brahman soothsayers h patience, they would explain e mother of Buddha, who had the form of a hand-maiden, dewhere Suddhôdana, and Yasôdnd spake thus," Mahârâja, be it - your son, Siddârtha, has atIs account the earth shook." lds, perceiving all the phenolso filled with doubt as to their red one uttered the following Ow have I entirely cut myself re desires. The lustful heart of sorrow; the waters shall no hall I receive, no more to be ave crossed over and for ever d these words, reflected that deliverance, and then their nessing all this, sat down at s heart filled with grief, and wh thing on the ground, he thoug that I, who am able to hold in other Devas, have been defeated this Shaman of the Sâkya race? The Story of the § 2. IN explanation of this we mus teaching of Buddha, when all t him and inquired thus-" Oh! would know by what power of the world-honoured one has at of perfection." On which Ta Bhikshus! it was not on this oc this resolution and power of fix arrive at the condition of Samb but I remember, in years gone severance I recovered a very pr Bhikshus requested Buddha on ticulars of this event. At this follows-"Attend, then, O ye B say. I remember in years gone who entered the sea in order to so engaged I obtained one Mar suddenly, after getting possessio and so lost it. Then, having t determination to empty out the dry it up with a view to recove observing what was done, forth This man is foolish and ignoran for how can he hope with a lad 1 Vide Ei But now I see you are a man wholly bereft of sense, This great ocean is eighty-four thousand yojanas in widt The water you emptied away would be but a drop You are ignorant, therefore, and void of reflection, Like one who would take Mount Sumeru for an earring.' "At this time I (the merchant prince) answered the Seathus Divine Being! this is not well said on your part, And, having obtained it, I will return home again.' "At this time, the Sea-spirit, having heard these words, filled with anxiety, and reflected thus- This man, so firm in resolution, will really empty out the sea and make it dry;'so, having reflected thus, forthwith he gave back to me (the m chant prince) my priceless jewel; and, in so doing, repeated following Gâthas "All men should encourage a resolute and firm determination And vow that what they undertake they will never give up, I see now the power of this principle Having recovered your lost gem, go to your home."" |