Questions of King Milinda Part 02

SR No.: 007682
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2240
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

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THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
IV, 6, 16.
'And it was said by the Blessed One himself, the god over all gods:
"There is one being, O brethren, who is born into the world for the good and for the weal of the great multitudes, out of mercy to the world, for the advantage and the good and the weal of gods and men. And what is that being? A Tathagata, an Arahat Buddha supreme 1."'
'Very good, Nâgasena! That is so, and I accept it as you say.'
[Here ends the dilemma as to the precedence of the Order over the Buddha.]
[DILEMMA THE FIFTY-FOURTH.
IS IT MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TO BE A LAYMAN, OR TO
ENTER THE ORDER?]
16. Venerable Nâgasena, it was said by the Blessed One:
"I would magnify, O brethren, the Supreme Attainment either in a layman or in a recluse. Whether he be a layman, O brethren, or a recluse, the man who has reached the Supreme Attainment
the Thera Gâthâ we have a collection of verses ascribed to Sâriputta, but this is not one of them. The literal translation is: 'There is but one feeling of faith, but one taking of refuge, but one stretching forth of the hands (with joined palms, in adoration -that paid) to the Buddha, who puts to rout the armies of the Evil One, and is able to make (us) cross (the ocean of continual becomings).' The taking of refuge meant is the confession, the repetition of which characterises a man as a Buddhist-'I take my refuge in the Buddha, &c.'
1
Anguttara Nikâya I, I3, I.
2 That is, of insight and of the practice of right conduct.
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