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V, 26.
MAHẬPARINIRVÂNA.
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singular character and very profound (difficult to fathom), and that he (has reached) the highest wisdom (anuttarà(sam)bodhi) in the world, the first of all horse-tamers 1. 1986
'(I hear moreover) that he is now about to die (reach Nirvana), it will be difficult 2 indeed to meet with him again, and difficult to see those who have seen him with difficulty, even as it is to catch in a mirror the reflection of the moon. 1987 • I now desire respectfully to see him the greatest and most virtuous guide (of men), because I seek to escape this mass of sorrow (accumulated sorrow) and reach the other shore of birth and death. 1988
The sun of Buddha now about to quench its rays, O! let me for a moment gaze upon him.' The feelings of Ananda now were much affected, thinking that this request was made with a view to controversy, 1989
Or that he (i.e. Subhadra) felt an inward joy because the lord was on the eve of death. He was not willing therefore to permit the interview with Buddha (the Buddha-sight). Buddha, knowing the man's (that one's) earnest desire and that he was a vessel fit for true religion (right doctrine), 1990
Therefore addressed Ananda thus: 'Permit that heretic to advance; I was born to save mankind , make no hindrance therefore or excuse!' 1991
1 Compare Purisa-damma-sârathi,' as before. We observe, again, how the reference here is to taming of 'horses,' in the Southern accounts to the taming of the 'steer,' showing the associations of the people using the figure.
3 'Sometimes and full seldom do Tathagatas appear in the world,' Sacred Books of the East, vol. xi, p. 104. * Here again the construction is inverted and un-Chinese, but
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