Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha's Past Lives (Volume 2) - Aryashura - Страница 70

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blow like deep breaths from the forest, infused by the fragrance of flowers from kadamba, sarja, arjuna, and ketaki trees.* Or when young cranes stand out like a row of teeth on a cloud and flocks of geese are anxious to migrate, warbling softly in their desire to depart.

When this season arrived, the pair of geese set out for Lake Manasa. There they approached the king of the geese and while discussing the topic of geography, they praised the special virtues of the lake, saying:

“There is, Your Majesty, a king called Brahma·datta who rules in Varanasi to the south of Mount Himavat. He has made an offering of a huge and extraordinarily beautiful lake. Indescribable qualities furnish this delightful lake and it is for birds to enjoy at their own pleasure and will. Every day a proclamation of immunity is made in the area and birds take delight in the lake without fear or worry, as if it were their own home. Your Majesty should go there after the rains have passed.”

When they heard this, all the geese became eager to see the lake. The Bodhi·sattva then looked at his general Sumukha with an intent expression of inquiry: “What are your views on this?” he asked. Whereupon Sumukha bowed before the Bodhi·sattva and gave the following reply:

“My view is that Your Majesty should not go. Why? Because they are simply enticements—attractive forms set up as baits—and we lack none of such things here. The hearts of men are usually false whenever they display tender compassion. Fabricated courtesies and honeyed words conceal a vicious depravity. Consider this, master:

Garland of the Buddha's Past Lives (Volume 2)

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