Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha's Past Lives (Volume 2) - Aryashura - Страница 15

Even randomly meeting

a virtuous person just once

creates something firm and enduring,

requiring no constant attention. (31.138 [71])

Never roam far from virtuous people.

Modest in conduct, frequent the good.

For their flower-like virtues spread pollen

which easily touches those nearby.5 (31.140 [72] )

The importance of other people is also relevant to the Bodhi·sattva himself. Although the primary focus of the “Garland of the Buddha’s Past Lives” is usually on the Bodhi·sattva and his deeds, his achievement of virtue is not always an entirely solitary task. In the introduction to the first volume, we already had cause to mention the important role played by the Bodhi·sattva’s wife, Madri, in ‘The Birth-Story of Vishvan·tara’ (9). By giving her approval to her husband’s extreme gifts, Madri’s devotion not only assists the Bodhi·sattva in fulfilling the perfection of giving but also offers a resolution to the conflict between renunciate and social values brought about by the Bodhi·sattva’s absolutist moral outlook. The depth of intimacy between the Bodhi·sattva and his wife is highlighted in that story by the god Shakra, who describes their relationship as one of inseparability and interdependence:

I give you back

Madri, your wife.

For moonlight should not

exist apart from the moon. (vol. 1, 9.184 [99])