________________
338
THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
VII, 5, 1.
Book VII. CHAPTER 5. THE SIMILES (continued).
[400] 41. The Lion. 1. 'Venerable Någasena, those seven qualities of the lion you say he ought to have, which are they?'
Just, О king, as the lion is of a clear, stainless, and pure light yellow colour ; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, be clear, stainless, and pure light in mind, free from anger and moroseness. This, O king, is the first quality of the lion he ought to have.
2. “And again, O king, as the lion has four paws as his means of travelling, and is rapid in his gait; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, move along the four paths of saintship. This, O king, is the second quality of the lion he ought to have.
3. ‘And again, O king, as the lion has a beautiful coat of hair, pleasant to behold; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, have a beautiful coat of righteousness, pleasant to behold. This, o king, is the third quality of the lion he ought to have.
4. 'And again, O king, as the lion, even were his life to cease, bows down before no man; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, even though he should cease to obtain all the requisites of a recluse-food and clothing and lodging and medicine for the sick-never bow down
Digitized by Google