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THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA. IV, 1, 70.
the Tathagatas, o king, long for the enjoyment of the bliss of attainment, of the joy of the tranquil state of Nirvana, that they devote themselves to meditation, with their minds fixed on the end they aim at.
70. 'And there are four reasons for which the Tathagatas, o king, devote themselves to meditation. And what are the four? That they may dwell at ease, O king-and on account of the abundance of the advantages of meditation, advantages without drawback—and on account of its being the road to all noble things without exception--and because it has been praised and lauded and exalted and magnified by all the Buddhas. These are the reasons for which the Tathagatas devote themselves to it. So it is not, great king, because they have anything left to do, or anything to add to what they have already accomplished, but because they have perceived how diversified are the advantages it possesses, that they devote themselves to meditation.'
Very good, Nagasena ! That is so, and I accept it as you say.
[Here ends the dilemma as to meditation.]
[THE LIMIT OF THREE MONTHS.] 71. Venerable Nâgasena, it has been said by the Blessed One: “The Tathagata, Ananda, has thought out and thoroughly practised, developed, accumulated, and ascended to the very height of the four paths to saintship’, and so mastered them as to be able to use them as a means of mental advancement, and as a basis for edification—and he therefore, Ananda,
· Kattâro iddhi-pâda.
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