________________
270
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA. IV, 4, 11.
yourself that he had given the blow to, what would then be the punishment ?'
We should condemn him to have his hands cut off, and his feet cut off, and to be skinned alive', and we should confiscate all the goods in his house, and put to death all his family to the seventh generation on both sides.'
But, great king, what is the distinction? Why is it that for one slap of the hand there should be a gentle fine of a penny, while for a slap given to you there should be so fearful a retribution ?' 'Because of the difference in the person (assaulted).'
Well! just so, great king, is a falsehood a light or a heavy offence according to the attendant circumstances.'
* Very good, Nâgasena! That is so, and I accept it as you say. [Here ends the problem as to the degree of
offence in falsehood.]
(THE BODISAT'S CONSIDERATION.] 11. Venerable Nâgasena, it has been said by the Blessed One in the discourse on the essential conditions : : “ Long ago have his parents been destined for each Bodisat, and the kind of tree he is to select for his Bo tree, and the
1 Yava sîsam kalirakkheggam khedapeyyâma, which the Simhalese merely repeats. It is literally "We should have him " bambd-sprout-cut” up to his head. What this technical term may mean is not exactly known possibly having slits the shape of a bambù sprout cut all over his body.
Dhammata-dhamma-pariyâye. I don't know where this is to be found,
Diglized by Google
