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THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
VII, 2,5.
13. THE SEED. 5. Venerable Nâgasena, those two qualities of seed which you say he ought to have, which are they?'
Just, О king, as seed, tiny though it be, yet if sown in good soil, and if the god rains aright, will give abundant fruit; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, so conduct himself aright that the righteousness of his life may give abundantly of the fruits of Samanaship. This, O king, is the first quality of seed which he ought to have.
6. 'And again, O king, as seed planted in wellweeded soil comes quickly to maturity; just so, O king, will his mind, when well-mastered ', and wellpurified in solitude, if it be cast by the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, into the excellent field of self-possession, come quickly to maturity. This, O king, is the second quality of seed which he ought to have. [376] For it was said, O king, by Anuruddha, the Elder: “If seed be sown on a well-weeded field,
Its fruit, abounding, will rejoice the sower. So the recluse's heart, in solitude made pure, Matures full fast in self-possession's field ?":
14. The SAL-TREE. 7. Venerable Nâgasena, that one quality of the Sal-tree which you say he ought to take, which is it?'
Supariggahitam, which the Simhalese, p. 553, omits. ? Not in the published texts.
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