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VII, 2, 8.
OF MILINDA THE KINGA
297
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Just, o king, as the Sal-tree grows within the ground to the depth of a hundred cubits or more ; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, perfect in solitude the four Fruits of Samanaship, the four Discriminations, the six forms of transcendental Insight, and all the qualities befitting a recluse. This, o king, is the one quality of the Sal-tree he ought to have. For it was said, O king, by Rahula, the Elder : “The tree that's called the Sal-tree grows above the
earth, And shoots beneath, a hundred cubits deep. As in the fullness of time, and at its highest
growth That tree shoots in one day' a hundred cubits
high, Just so do I, O Buddha, like the Sal, Increase, in solitude, in inward good.” :
15. THE SHIP. 8. Venerable Nâgasena, those three qualities of the ship that you say he ought to take, which are they?'
Just, О king, as a ship, by the combination of the quantity of the different kinds of timber of which it is composed, conveys many folk across; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, cross the whole world of existence, whether in heaven, or on earth, by the combination of a number of qualities arising out of good conduct, righteousness, virtue, and the performance of duty.
1 Ekâham. I follow the Simhalese (eka divasim), but confess myself very doubtful as to this being the meaning intended by the author.
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