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VIII.
DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS. 191
CHAPTER VIII.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FUTURE DESTINY OF THE
FIVE HUNDRED MONKS.
On hearing from the Lord that display of skilfulness and the instruction by means of mysterious speech; on hearing the announcement of the future destiny of the great Disciples, as well as the foregoing tale concerning ancient devotion and the leadership of the Lord, the venerable Parna, son of Maitrayani, was filled with wonder and amazement, thrilled with pure-heartedness, a feeling of delight and joy. He rose from his seat, full of delight and joy, full of great respect for the law, and while prostrating himself before the Lord's feet, made within himself the following reflection: Wonderful, O Lord; wonderful, O Sugata; it is an extremely difficult thing that the Tathagatas, &c., perform, the conforming to this world, composed of so many elements, and preaching the law to all creatures with many proofs of their skilfulness, and skilfully releasing them when attached to this or that. What could we
? Vrishabhitva, a curious and irregular form instead of vrishabhatva.
s Sphuta, in the sense of vyâpta; Pâli phula.
* Nirâmis hakittena. Nirâmisha is both free from worldly taint, sensual desire,' and 'without having a lure, not eager for reward,' i.e. disinterested. Both meanings are so intimately connected that it is not always easy to decide which we should prefer, e.g. Lalita-vistara, p. 215, and Manu VI, 49.
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