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VII, 1, 19.
OF MILINDA THE KING.
291
"In accord alway with Buddha's ninefold word And stedfast in all lawful, blameless acts, I have passed beyond rebirth in evil states ?."'
8. THE Bow. 18. “Venerable Nâgasena, that one quality of the bow which you say he ought to have, which is it?'
Just, o king, as a well-made and balanced bow bends equally from end to end, and does not resist stiffly, like a post; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, bend easily in accord with all his brethren—whether elders, juniors, of medium seniority, or of like standing with himself -and not repel them. This, o king, is the one quality of the bow he ought to have. For it was said, O king, by the Blessed One, the god over all gods, in the Vidhura Punnaka Gâtaka : "Let the wise bend as the bow, yield as the reed, Not be contrary. He shall dwell in the home of kings ?.”
9. THE Crow. 19. Venerable Nâgasena, those two qualities of the crow that you say he ought to take, which are they?'
Just, О king, as the crow goes about full of apprehension and suspicion, [373] always on watch and guard ; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, go about full of apprehension and suspicion, always on watch and guard,
· Not traced as yet. Hinati-kumburê reads samuttarim. 9 Gataka, No. 545, verse 159.
U 2
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