Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha’s Past Lives (Volume 1) - Aryashura - Страница 39

E

ven in his previous births, the Lord* naturally felt a spontaneous and immense affection for all creatures, identifying himself with every living being. One should therefore show the highest devotion toward the Lord Buddha.

Tradition has handed down the following story regarding a deed performed by the Lord in a past life. It is a tale that used to be proclaimed by my teacher, who was devoted to the Three Jewels* and profound in his examination of virtues, and who pleased his own teacher with his moral behavior and goodness.*

The Bodhi·sattva,* tradition tells us, used to favor the world with outpourings of compassion. Suited to the extraordinary vow he had made,* they included gifts, kind words, and acts of welfare, his grasp of wisdom making them beyond reproach.

He is said to have once taken his birth in a great and eminent brahmin family. Pure in conduct, the family delighted in following the duties prescribed by its class. As he grew up, the Bodhi·sattva underwent the normal series of rites, passing through the birth ceremony and other rituals. And due to his innate intelligence, his specialized tutoring, his curiosity for knowledge, and his lack of indolence, he quickly mastered the eighteen sciences and the arts*, none of which conflicted with the customs of his clan.

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For Brahman-knowing brahmins he was like

Brahman.* Among kings he was respected like a king. For the people he was like thousand-eyed Shakra* in person.