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THE SAME TITLE GIVEN TO DIFFERENT WORKS.
And having met with him, to sow the seeds of virtue, Whereby for ever to escape the sorrows of hell (Pretas), And to destroy and put to rout The combined power of all the Asuras (this also is difficult). Truly to attain this when Buddha is born Is as difficult as to cast a mustard seed on the point of a spear. But now having completed (the Pâramitâ) of charity, It is my happy privilege to deliver both Devas and men from life an
death. The law of Buddha is an uncontaminated law, Like the pure flower on the surface of the water, Able to deliver to the utmost (those highest in existence), Able to rescue eternally from the waters of birth and death. It is difficult when born to be born as a man, To meet with Buddha in the world is difficult, Even as it is hard for a blind turtle To find the hole in a piece of wood floating on the great ocean. And now on the ground of this offering of food, I aspire to attain the highest recompense, Deliverance from the whole concourse of sorrows, To destroy them and be held by them no more. I desire not as my aim in this To be born as a man or a Deva, Like others who look only for this recompense: And when obtained find no real delight. But now Tathagata, by receiving my offering, Has inspired me with true and lasting joy, Even as the Hiranya (golden ?) flower Placed on (or in a setting of) scented sandal-wood, - So my body, like that flower, Is now filled with joy in consequence of Tathagata ; Like that sandal-wood (setting), having received my gift, Such is the delight that now fills my soul. And my present reward is equally great, Beyond any other in point of excellence, For Sakra, and Brahma, and all the gods Here present, adore and reverence (bring their offerings to) me. But alas ! all the world Is filled with unutterable sorrow, In the knowledge that the world-honoured Buddha Is about to enter Nirvana. And the cry is heard on every hand, "The world is left without a ruler.' But it is not well thus to leave mankind, They should rather be looked on as an only son, And Tathagata dwelling in their midst Should completely expound the supreme lawThat law, grand as the precious Sumeru, Planted firmly in the midst of the great sea. The wisdom of Buddha is able completely to dissipate The dark gloom of our ignorance,
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