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152
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
IV, 1, 16.
16. Now hear another and further reason for the same thing. Do men consent, О king, that the ninety-eight diseases should be produced in their bodies ?' 'Certainly not, Sir.'
Then how is it the diseases come?' By evil deeds done in former births.'
But, great king, if evil deeds done in a former birth have to be suffered here and now, then both good and evil done here or done before has weight and bears fruit. Therefore is it that acts done to the Tathagata, notwithstanding his having passed away and not consenting, are nevertheless of value and bear fruit.'
17. Now hear another and further reason for the same thing. Did you ever hear, O king, of the ogre named Nandaka, who, having laid hands upon the Elder Sâriputta, was swallowed up by the earth ?'
“Yes, Sir, that is matter of common talk among men.'
Well, did Säriputta acquiesce in that ?'
[101] ‘Though the world of gods and men, Sir, were to be destroyed, though the sun and moon were to fall upon the earth, though Sineru the king of mountains were to be dissolved, yet would not Sâriputta the Elder have consented to any pain being inflicted on a fellow creature. And why not? Because every condition of heart which could cause him to be angry or offended has been in him destroyed and rooted out. And as all cause thereof had thus been removed, Sir, therefore could not Sâriputta be angered even with those who sought to deprive him of his life.'
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