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I, 1.
THE BIRTH.
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was born from the top of the head, as king Kia-k' ha? was born from the arm-pit, 10
So also was Bodhisattva on the day of his birth produced from the right side; gradually emerging from the womb, he shed in every direction the rays of his glory. I
As one (born) 'from recumbent space”, and not through the gates of life, through countless kalpas, practising virtue, self-conscious he came forth to life, without confusion. 12
Calm and collected, not falling headlong (was he born), gloriously manifested, perfectly adorned, sparkling with light he came from the wombs, as when the sun first rises (from the East). 13
(Men) indeed regarded his exceeding great glory, yet their sight remained uninjured: he allowed them to gaze, the brightness of his person concealed for the time, as when we look upon the moon in the heavens. 14
His body, nevertheless, was effulgent with light, and like the sun which eclipses the shining of the lamp, so the true gold-like beauty of Bodhisattva shone forth and was diffused everywhere. 15
Upright and firm and unconfused in mind, he deliberately took seven steps", the soles of his feet
1 Kakshîvat. These names are supplied from the Sanskrit text.
This may also be translated as one who falls from space,' i.e. miraculously born from space.
• He passed from the womb to be born. The idea seems to be that though conceived in the womb, he was born supernaturally from the side.
• Kwan-tsai, weighed and considered.
* These seven steps are frequently figured by seven lotus-marks. I-tsing refers to such marks at Nâlanda, where Buddha walked seven steps, forward and backward; they are also figured on the
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