Zend Avesta Part 03

SR No.: 007673
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: L H Mills
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1887
Total Pages: 2618
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 2295

54
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
II, 1, 10.
“This is the base-like the great earth to menAnd this the root of all increase in goodness, The starting-point of all the Buddhas' teaching, Virtue, to wit, on which true bliss depends ?." Well said, Nagasena!'
102. The king said, 'Venerable Nâgasena, what is the characteristic mark of faith ?' *Tranquillisation, O king, and aspiration 3.' And how is tranquillisation the mark of faith ?'
As faith, o king, springs up in the heart it breaks through the five hindrances-lust, malice, mental sloth, spiritual pride, and doubt-and the heart, free from these hindrances, [35] becomes clear, serene, untroubled.'
Give me an illustration.'
Just, О king, as a suzerain king, when on the march with his fourfold army, might cross over a small stream, and the water, disturbed by the elephants and cavalry, the chariots and the bowmen, might become fouled, turbido, and muddy. And
1 Vara-pâtimokkhiyo, a poetical expression found only in this passage, and of the exact connotation of which I am uncertain. It is not in Childers; and Hinati-kumburê gives no assistance. The whole line may mean, 'The scheme of a virtuous life as laid down in the most excellent Pâtimokkha.' See the use of Samyutta-Nikâya-vare below, p. 36 of the text. On the whole section compare M.P.S. I, 12.
This section is summarised in Hardy's Manual of Buddhism,' pp. 411, 412 (1st edition).
- Sampasadana and sampakkhandana. Buddhaghosa, loc. cit., does not give faith in his list, but he gives the power of faith (saddha-bala), and as its 'mark' that it cannot be shaken by incredulity.
* Lulita, not in Childers; but compare Anguttara I, 55, and Book of the Great Decease,' IV, 26-32.
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