Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha’s Past Lives (Volume 1) - Aryashura - Страница 26

In both stories, however, the Bodhi·sattva’s concern is not limited solely to helping the recipients of his gift. The gift is instead viewed as part of a greater design aimed at attaining Buddhahood, or “omniscience,” and the benefit this brings the world. Immediately after the above verse, the Bodhi·sattva therefore states:

Through this pure deed, may I attain Omniscience.

By conquering the vices that are my enemies,

may I raise the world out of the ocean of existence

with its huge surging waves of old age, sickness,

and death.(8.107 [55])

The potential conflict between the needs of the recipient and the Bodhi·sattva’s focus on awakening is probed by “The Birth-Story of the Hare.” Here the Bodhi·sattva’s desire to fulfill his spiritual path contradicts the wishes of his recipient, who in fact requests the Bodhi·sattva not to sacrifice his body for him. The Bodhi·sattva responds thus:

Giving is a duty and my heart wishes to give.

And it is apt when I have a guest such as you.

An opportunity like this cannot easily be gained.

I rely on you to ensure my gift is not in vain.(6.55 [32])

Far from fulfilling the needs of the recipient, the emphasis is on the Bodhi·sattva’s pure renunciant attitude and the miraculous extent to which he is willing to give.²³ In stories such as this the Bodhi·sattva performs an absolute form of giving that bears little or no relational significance to the context at hand. Nor is the text reluctant to explore the ramifications of this absolute type of giving. On the contrary, ________