THE NIDĀNAKATHĀ OR THE THREE EPOCHS. · 6

135. For the conditions that make a Buddha cannot be so few, I will investigate others, the conditions that bring Buddhaship to maturity.

136. Investigating then I beheld the third Perfection of Abnegation Practised and followed by former sages.

137. This third one do thou strenuously undertake, And reach the perfection of abnegation, if thou wilt attain Buddhahood.

138. As a man long a denizen of the house of bonds, oppressed with suffering, Feels no pleasure therein, but rather longs for release,

139. Even so do thou look upon all births as prison-houses, Set thy face toward self-abnegation, to obtain release from Existence.

But considering further, “These cannot be the only Buddha-making conditions,” and beholding the fourth Perfection of Wisdom, he thought thus, “O wise Sumedha,21 do thou from this day forth fulfil the perfection of Wisdom, avoiding no subject of knowledge, great, small, or middling,137 do thou approach all wise men and ask them questions; for as the mendicant friar on his begging rounds, avoiding none of the families, great and small, that he frequents,138 and wandering for alms from place to place, speedily gets food to support him, even so shalt thou, approaching all wise men, and asking them questions, become a Buddha.” And he strenuously resolved to attain the fourth perfection of Wisdom. Therefore it is said,

140. For the conditions that make a Buddha cannot be so few, I will investigate the other conditions that bring Buddhaship to maturity.

141. Investigating then I beheld the fourth Perfection of Wisdom Practised and followed by former sages.

142. This fourth do thou strenuously undertake, And reach the perfection of wisdom, if thou wilt attain Buddhahood.

143. And as a monk on his begging rounds avoids no families, Either small, or great, or middling, and so obtains subsistence,

144. Even so thou, constantly questioning wise men, And reaching the perfection of wisdom, shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.

But considering further, “These cannot be the only Buddha-making conditions,” and seeing the fifth Perfection of Exertion, he thought thus, “O wise Sumedha, do thou from this day forth fulfil the perfection of Exertion. As the lion, the king of beasts, in every action139 strenuously exerts himself, so if thou in all existences and in all thy acts art strenuous in exertion, and not a laggard, thou shalt become a Buddha.” And he made a firm resolve to attain the fifth perfection of Exertion. Therefore it is said,

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145. For the conditions of a Buddha cannot be so few, I will investigate the other conditions which bring Buddhaship to maturity.

146. Investigating then I beheld the fifth Perfection of Exertion Practised and followed by former sages.

147. This fifth do thou strenuously undertake, And reach the perfection of exertion, if thou wilt attain Buddhahood.

148. As the lion, king of beasts, in lying, standing and walking, Is no laggard, but ever of resolute heart,

149. Even so do thou also in every existence strenuously exert thyself, And reaching the perfection of exertion, thou shalt attain the supreme Buddhaship.

But considering further, “These cannot be the only Buddha-making conditions,” and beholding the sixth Perfection of Patience, he thought to himself, “O wise Sumedha, do thou from this time forth fulfil the perfection of Longsuffering; be thou patient in praise and in reproach. And as when men throw things pure or foul upon the earth, the earth does not feel either desire or repulsion towards them, but suffers them, endures them and acquiesces in them, even so thou also, if thou art patient in praise and reproach, shalt become Buddha.” And he strenuously resolved to attain the sixth perfection of Longsuffering. Therefore it is said,

150. For the conditions of a Buddha cannot be so few, I will seek other conditions also which bring about Buddhaship.

151. And seeking then I beheld the sixth Perfection of Longsuffering Practised and followed by former Buddhas.

152. Having strenuously taken upon thee this sixth perfection, Then with unwavering mind thou shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.

153. And as the earth endures all that is thrown upon it, Whether things pure or impure, and feels neither anger nor pity,

154. Even so enduring the praises and reproaches of all men, Going on to perfect longsuffering, thou shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.

But further considering, “These cannot be the only conditions that make a Buddha,” and beholding the seventh Perfection of Truth, he thought thus within23 himself, “O wise Sumedha, from this time forth do thou fulfil the perfection of Truth; though the thunderbolt descend upon thy head, do thou never under the influence of desire and other passions utter a conscious lie, for the sake of wealth or any other advantage. And as the planet Venus at all seasons pursues her own course, nor ever goes on another course forsaking her own, even so, if thou forsake not truth and utter no lie, thou shalt become Buddha.” And he strenuously turned his mind to the seventh perfection of Truth. Therefore it is said,

155. For these are not all the conditions of a Buddha, I will seek other conditions which bring about Buddhaship.

156. Seeking then I beheld the seventh Perfection of Truth Practised and followed by former Buddhas.

157. Having strenuously taken upon thyself this seventh perfection, Then free from duplicity of speech thou shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.

158. And as the planet Venus, balanced in all her times and seasons, In the world of men and devas, departs not from her path,

159. Even so do thou not depart from the course of truth,140 Advancing to the perfection of truth, thou shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.