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IV, 6, 4.
OF MILINDA THE KING.
47
[DILEMMA THE FIFTY-SECOND. WHY MUST THERE BE ONLY ONE BUDDHA
AT A TIME ?] 4. Venerable Nagasena, this too was said by the Blessed One :
“This is an impossibility, an occurrence for which there can be no cause, that in one world two Arahat Buddhas supreme should arise at one and the same time [237—such a thing can in no wise be ?."
'But, Nagasena, when they are preaching, all the Tathagatas preach (the Doctrine as to) the thirtyseven constituent elements of insight?; when they are talking, it is of the Four Noble Truths that they talk; when they are instructing, it is in the three Trainings that they instruct; when they are teaching, it is the practice of zeal that they teach. If, Nagasena, the preaching of all the Tathagatas is one, and their talk of the same thing, and their training the same, and their teaching one, why then should not two Tathâgatas arise at the same time ? Already by the appearance of one Buddha has this world become flooded with light. If there should be a second Buddha the world would be still more illuminated by the glory of them both. When they were exhorting two Tathagatas would exhort at ease; when they were instructing two Tathagatas would instruct at ease. Tell me the reason of this, that I may put away my doubt.'
• Anguttara Nikāya I, I5, Io.
· These divisions of the seven Jewels of the Law of Arahatship are set out in my 'Buddhist Suttas,' pp. 62-63.
& Adhisîla, a dhikitta, and adhipanna. • Appamada.
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