The Lotus of the Wonderful Law (W. E. Soothill, 1930)第 4 品 · Soothill 英译节本

From among the throng on the stage of the Spiritual Vulture Peak, four of the oldest disciples of Śakyamuni are now seen to approach the Master. They come to say that, having fulfilled all the course previously laid down by him, they considered they had reached the stage of Nirvana; old and worn out they had not realized the possibility of a still higher bodhisattva state with its supernal joys. Now, hearing it so wonderfully portrayed, despite their advanced years they are filled with delight and longing.From among the throng on the stage of the Spiritual Vulture Peak, four of the oldest disciples of Śakyamuni are now seen to approach the Master. They come to say that, having fulfilled all the course previously laid down by him, they considered they had reached the stage of Nirvana; old and worn out they had not realized the possibility of a still higher bodhisattva state with its supernal joys. Now, hearing it so wonderfully portrayed, despite their advanced years they are filled with delight and longing.

At the prospect of Perfect Enlightenment they rejoice, and ask permission to make their meaning clear in a parable. This may be styled the Buddhist parable of the Prodigal Son, though it might even more correctly be called the parable of the Seeking Father. In it appears another defence of the Buddha’s tactical method of teaching.At the prospect of Perfect Enlightenment they rejoice, and ask permission to make their meaning clear in a parable. This may be styled the Buddhist parable of the Prodigal Son, though it might even more correctly be called the parable of the Seeking Father. In it appears another defence of the Buddha’s tactical method of teaching.The Prodigal Son and the Seeking Father.The Prodigal Son and the Seeking Father.

“It is like a youth who, on attaining manhood, leaves his father and runs away. For long he dwells in some other country, ten, twenty, or fifty years. The older he grows, the more needy he becomes. Roaming about in all directions to seek clothing and food, he gradually wanders along till he unexpectedly approaches his native country. From the first the father searched for his son but in vain, and meanwhile has settled in a certain city. His home becomes very rich; his goods and treasures are incalculable; gold, silver, lapis lazuli, corals, amber, crystal, and other gems so increase that his treasuries overflow; many youths and slaves has he, retainers and attendants, and countless elephants, horses, carriages, animals to ride, and kine and sheep. His revenues and investments spread to other countries, and his traders and customers are many in the extreme.“It is like a youth who, on attaining manhood, leaves his father and runs away. For long he dwells in some other country, ten, twenty, or fifty years. The older he grows, the more needy he becomes. Roaming about in all directions to seek clothing and food, he gradually wanders along till he unexpectedly approaches his native country. From the first the father searched for his son but in vain, and meanwhile has settled in a certain city. His home becomes very rich; his goods and treasures are incalculable; gold, silver, lapis lazuli, corals, amber, crystal, and other gems so increase that his treasuries overflow; many youths and slaves has he, retainers and attendants, and countless elephants, horses, carriages, animals to ride, and kine and sheep. His revenues and investments spread to other countries, and his traders and customers are many in the extreme.

“At this time, the poor son, wandering through village after village, and passing through countries and cities, at last reaches the city where his father has settled. Always has the father been thinking of his son, yet, though he has been parted from him over fifty years, he has never spoken of the matter to any one, only pondering over it within himself and cherishing regret in his heart, as he reflects: ‘Old and worn, I own much wealth; gold, silver, and jewels, granaries and treasuries overflowing; but I have no son. Some day my end will come and my wealth be scattered and lost, for there is no one to whom I can leave it.’ Thus does he often think of his son, and earnestly repeats this reflection: ‘If I could only get back my son and commit my wealth to him, how contented and happy should I be, with never a further anxiety!’“At this time, the poor son, wandering through village after village, and passing through countries and cities, at last reaches the city where his father has settled. Always has the father been thinking of his son, yet, though he has been parted from him over fifty years, he has never spoken of the matter to any one, only pondering over it within himself and cherishing regret in his heart, as he reflects: ‘Old and worn, I own much wealth; gold, silver, and jewels, granaries and treasuries overflowing; but I have no son. Some day my end will come and my wealth be scattered and lost, for there is no one to whom I can leave it.’ Thus does he often think of his son, and earnestly repeats this reflection: ‘If I could only get back my son and commit my wealth to him, how contented and happy should I be, with never a further anxiety!’

“World-honoured One! Meanwhile the poor son, hired for wages here and there, unexpectedly arrives at his father’s house. Standing by the gate, he sees from afar his father seated on a lion-couch, his feet on a jewelled footstool, revered and surrounded by brahmanas, kshatriyas, and citizens, and with strings of pearls, worth thousands and myriads, adorning his body; attendants and young slaves with white chowries wait upon him right and left; he is covered by a rich canopy from which hang streamers of flowers; perfume is sprinkled on the earth, all kinds of famous flowers are scattered around, and precious things are placed in rows for his acceptance or rejection. Such is his glory, and the honour of his dignity. The poor son, seeing his father possessed of such great power, is seized with fear, regretting that he has come to this place, and secretly reflects thus: ‘This must be a king, or some one of royal rank; it is no place for me to obtain anything for the hire of my labour. I had better go to some poor hamlet, where there is a place for letting out my labour, and food and clothing are easier to get. If I tarry here long, I may suffer oppression and forced service.’“World-honoured One! Meanwhile the poor son, hired for wages here and there, unexpectedly arrives at his father’s house. Standing by the gate, he sees from afar his father seated on a lion-couch, his feet on a jewelled footstool, revered and surrounded by brahmanas, kshatriyas, and citizens, and with strings of pearls, worth thousands and myriads, adorning his body; attendants and young slaves with white chowries wait upon him right and left; he is covered by a rich canopy from which hang streamers of flowers; perfume is sprinkled on the earth, all kinds of famous flowers are scattered around, and precious things are placed in rows for his acceptance or rejection. Such is his glory, and the honour of his dignity. The poor son, seeing his father possessed of such great power, is seized with fear, regretting that he has come to this place, and secretly reflects thus: ‘This must be a king, or some one of royal rank; it is no place for me to obtain anything for the hire of my labour. I had better go to some poor hamlet, where there is a place for letting out my labour, and food and clothing are easier to get. If I tarry here long, I may suffer oppression and forced service.’

“Having reflected thus, he hastens away. Meanwhile, the rich elder on his lion-seat has recognized his son at first sight, and with great joy in his heart has also reflected: ‘Now I have some one to whom my treasuries of wealth are to be made over. Always have I been thinking of this my son, with no means of seeing him; but suddenly he himself has come and my longing is satisfied. Though worn with years, I yearn for him as of old.’“Having reflected thus, he hastens away. Meanwhile, the rich elder on his lion-seat has recognized his son at first sight, and with great joy in his heart has also reflected: ‘Now I have some one to whom my treasuries of wealth are to be made over. Always have I been thinking of this my son, with no means of seeing him; but suddenly he himself has come and my longing is satisfied. Though worn with years, I yearn for him as of old.’

“Instantly he dispatches his attendants to pursue him quickly and fetch him back. Thereupon the messengers hasten forth to seize him. The poor son, surprised and scared, loudly cries his complaint: ‘I have committed no offence against you; why should I be arrested?’ The messengers all the more hasten to lay hold of him and compel him to go back. Thereupon, the poor son, thinking within himself that though he is innocent yet he will be imprisoned, and that now he will surely die, is all the more terrified, faints away and falls prostrate on the ground. The father, seeing this from afar, sends word to the messengers: ‘I have no need for this man. Do not bring him by force. Sprinkle cold water on his face to restore him to consciousness and do not speak to him any further.’ Wherefore? The father, knowing that his son’s disposition is inferior, knowing that his own lordly position has caused distress to his son, yet convinced that he is his son, tactfully does not say to others: ‘This is my son.’“Instantly he dispatches his attendants to pursue him quickly and fetch him back. Thereupon the messengers hasten forth to seize him. The poor son, surprised and scared, loudly cries his complaint: ‘I have committed no offence against you; why should I be arrested?’ The messengers all the more hasten to lay hold of him and compel him to go back. Thereupon, the poor son, thinking within himself that though he is innocent yet he will be imprisoned, and that now he will surely die, is all the more terrified, faints away and falls prostrate on the ground. The father, seeing this from afar, sends word to the messengers: ‘I have no need for this man. Do not bring him by force. Sprinkle cold water on his face to restore him to consciousness and do not speak to him any further.’ Wherefore? The father, knowing that his son’s disposition is inferior, knowing that his own lordly position has caused distress to his son, yet convinced that he is his son, tactfully does not say to others: ‘This is my son.’

A messenger says to the son: ‘I now set you free; go wherever you will.’ The poor son is delighted, thus obtaining the unexpected. He rises from the ground and goes to a poor hamlet in search of food and clothing. Then the elder, desiring to attract his son, sets up a device. Secretly he sends two men, doleful and shabby in appearance, saying—‘You go and visit that place and gently say to the poor man—“There is a place for you to work here; you will be given double wages.” If the poor man agrees, bring him back and give him work. If he asks what work you wish him to do, then you may say to him—“We will hire you for scavenging, and we both also will work along with you”.’ Then the two messengers go in search of the poor son and, having found him, place before him the above proposal. Thereupon the poor son, having received his wages beforehand, joins with them in removing a dirt-heap.A messenger says to the son: ‘I now set you free; go wherever you will.’ The poor son is delighted, thus obtaining the unexpected. He rises from the ground and goes to a poor hamlet in search of food and clothing. Then the elder, desiring to attract his son, sets up a device. Secretly he sends two men, doleful and shabby in appearance, saying—‘You go and visit that place and gently say to the poor man—“There is a place for you to work here; you will be given double wages.” If the poor man agrees, bring him back and give him work. If he asks what work you wish him to do, then you may say to him—“We will hire you for scavenging, and we both also will work along with you”.’ Then the two messengers go in search of the poor son and, having found him, place before him the above proposal. Thereupon the poor son, having received his wages beforehand, joins with them in removing a dirt-heap.

His father, beholding the son, is struck with compassion for, and wonder at, him. Another day he sees at a distance, through a window, his son’s figure, gaunt, lean, and doleful, filthy and unclean with dirt and dust; thereupon he takes off his strings of jewels, his soft attire, and ornaments, and puts on a coarse, torn, and dirty garment, smears his body with dust, takes a dust-hod in his right hand, and with an appearance fear-inspiring says to the labourers: ‘Get on with your work, don’t be lazy.’ By such a device he gets near to his son, to whom he afterwards says: ‘Ay, my man, you stay and work here, do not go again elsewhere; I will increase your wages; give whatever you need, bowls, utensils, rice, wheat-flour, salt, vinegar and so on; have no hesitation; besides there is an old and worn-out servant whom you shall be given if you need him. Be at ease in your mind; I am, as it were, your father; do not be worried again. Wherefore? I am old and advanced in years, but you are young and vigorous; all the time you have been working, you have never been deceitful, lazy, angry or grumbling; I have never seen you, like the other labourers, with such vices as these. From this time forth you shall be as my own begotten son.’His father, beholding the son, is struck with compassion for, and wonder at, him. Another day he sees at a distance, through a window, his son’s figure, gaunt, lean, and doleful, filthy and unclean with dirt and dust; thereupon he takes off his strings of jewels, his soft attire, and ornaments, and puts on a coarse, torn, and dirty garment, smears his body with dust, takes a dust-hod in his right hand, and with an appearance fear-inspiring says to the labourers: ‘Get on with your work, don’t be lazy.’ By such a device he gets near to his son, to whom he afterwards says: ‘Ay, my man, you stay and work here, do not go again elsewhere; I will increase your wages; give whatever you need, bowls, utensils, rice, wheat-flour, salt, vinegar and so on; have no hesitation; besides there is an old and worn-out servant whom you shall be given if you need him. Be at ease in your mind; I am, as it were, your father; do not be worried again. Wherefore? I am old and advanced in years, but you are young and vigorous; all the time you have been working, you have never been deceitful, lazy, angry or grumbling; I have never seen you, like the other labourers, with such vices as these. From this time forth you shall be as my own begotten son.’

“Thereupon the elder gives him a new name and calls him a son. The poor son, though he rejoices at this happening, still thinks of himself as a humble hireling. For this reason, during twenty years he continues to be employed in scavenging. After this period, there grows mutual confidence between them, and he goes in and out and is at his ease, though his abode is still the original place.“Thereupon the elder gives him a new name and calls him a son. The poor son, though he rejoices at this happening, still thinks of himself as a humble hireling. For this reason, during twenty years he continues to be employed in scavenging. After this period, there grows mutual confidence between them, and he goes in and out and is at his ease, though his abode is still the original place.

“World-honoured One! Then the elder becomes ill and, knowing that he will die before long, says to the poor son: ‘Now I possess abundance of gold, silver, and precious things, and my granaries and treasuries are full to overflowing. The quantities of these things, and the amounts which should be received and given, I want you to understand in detail. Such is my mind, and you must agree to this my wish. Wherefore? Because, now, I and you are of the same mind. Be increasingly careful so that there be no waste.’“World-honoured One! Then the elder becomes ill and, knowing that he will die before long, says to the poor son: ‘Now I possess abundance of gold, silver, and precious things, and my granaries and treasuries are full to overflowing. The quantities of these things, and the amounts which should be received and given, I want you to understand in detail. Such is my mind, and you must agree to this my wish. Wherefore? Because, now, I and you are of the same mind. Be increasingly careful so that there be no waste.’

“The poor son accepts his instruction and commands, and becomes acquainted with all the goods, gold, silver, and precious things, as well as all the granaries and treasuries, but has no idea of expecting to inherit so much as a meal, while his abode is still the original place and he is yet unable to abandon his sense of inferiority.“The poor son accepts his instruction and commands, and becomes acquainted with all the goods, gold, silver, and precious things, as well as all the granaries and treasuries, but has no idea of expecting to inherit so much as a meal, while his abode is still the original place and he is yet unable to abandon his sense of inferiority.“After a short time has again passed, the father, knowing that his son’s ideas have gradually been enlarged, his aspirations developed, and that he despises his previous state of mind, on seeing that his own end is approaching, commands his son to come, and gathers together his relatives, and the kings, ministers, kshatriyas, and citizens. When they are all assembled, he thereupon addresses them saying: ‘Now, gentlemen, this is my son, begotten by me. It is over fifty years since, from a certain city, he left me and ran away to endure loneliness and misery. His former name was so-and-so and my name was so-and-so. At that time in that city I sought him sorrowfully. Suddenly in this place I met and regained him. This is really my son and I am really his father. Now all the wealth which I possess entirely belongs to my son, and all my previous disbursements and receipts are known by this son.’“After a short time has again passed, the father, knowing that his son’s ideas have gradually been enlarged, his aspirations developed, and that he despises his previous state of mind, on seeing that his own end is approaching, commands his son to come, and gathers together his relatives, and the kings, ministers, kshatriyas, and citizens. When they are all assembled, he thereupon addresses them saying: ‘Now, gentlemen, this is my son, begotten by me. It is over fifty years since, from a certain city, he left me and ran away to endure loneliness and misery. His former name was so-and-so and my name was so-and-so. At that time in that city I sought him sorrowfully. Suddenly in this place I met and regained him. This is really my son and I am really his father. Now all the wealth which I possess entirely belongs to my son, and all my previous disbursements and receipts are known by this son.’

“World-honoured One! When the poor son heard these words of his father, great was his joy at such unexpected news, and thus he thought: ‘Without any mind for, or effort on my part, these treasures now come of themselves to me.’“World-honoured One! When the poor son heard these words of his father, great was his joy at such unexpected news, and thus he thought: ‘Without any mind for, or effort on my part, these treasures now come of themselves to me.’“World-honoured One! The very rich elder is the Tathagata, and we are all as the Buddha’s sons. The Tathagata has always declared that we are his sons. World-honoured One! Because of the three sufferings, in the midst of births-and-deaths we have borne all kinds of torments, being deluded and ignorant and enjoying our attachment to trifles. To-day the World-honoured One has caused us to ponder over and remove the dirt of all diverting discussions of inferior things. In these we have hitherto been diligent to make progress and have got, as it were, a day’s pay for our effort to reach Nirvana. Obtaining this, we greatly rejoiced and were contented, saying to ourselves: ‘For our diligence and progress in the Buddha-law what we have received is ample.’ But the World-honoured One, knowing beforehand that our minds were attached to low desires and took delight in inferior things, let us go our own way, and did not discriminate for us, saying: ‘You shall yet have possession of the treasury of Tathagata-knowledge.’ The World-honoured One, in his tactfulness, told of the Tathagata-wisdom; but we, though following the Buddha and receiving a day’s wage of Nirvana, deemed this a sufficient gain, never having a mind to seek after the Great-Vehicle. We, also, have declared and expounded the Tathagata-wisdom to bodhisattvas, but in regard to this Great-Vehicle we have never had a longing for it. Wherefore? The Buddha, knowing that our minds delighted in inferior things, by his tactfulness taught according to our capacity, but still we did not perceive that we were really Buddha-sons.“World-honoured One! The very rich elder is the Tathagata, and we are all as the Buddha’s sons. The Tathagata has always declared that we are his sons. World-honoured One! Because of the three sufferings, in the midst of births-and-deaths we have borne all kinds of torments, being deluded and ignorant and enjoying our attachment to trifles. To-day the World-honoured One has caused us to ponder over and remove the dirt of all diverting discussions of inferior things. In these we have hitherto been diligent to make progress and have got, as it were, a day’s pay for our effort to reach Nirvana. Obtaining this, we greatly rejoiced and were contented, saying to ourselves: ‘For our diligence and progress in the Buddha-law what we have received is ample.’ But the World-honoured One, knowing beforehand that our minds were attached to low desires and took delight in inferior things, let us go our own way, and did not discriminate for us, saying: ‘You shall yet have possession of the treasury of Tathagata-knowledge.’ The World-honoured One, in his tactfulness, told of the Tathagata-wisdom; but we, though following the Buddha and receiving a day’s wage of Nirvana, deemed this a sufficient gain, never having a mind to seek after the Great-Vehicle. We, also, have declared and expounded the Tathagata-wisdom to bodhisattvas, but in regard to this Great-Vehicle we have never had a longing for it. Wherefore? The Buddha, knowing that our minds delighted in inferior things, by his tactfulness taught according to our capacity, but still we did not perceive that we were really Buddha-sons.

“Now we have just realized that the World-honoured One does not grudge even the Buddha-wisdom. Wherefore? From of old we are really sons of Buddha, but have only taken pleasure in minor matters; if we had had a mind to take pleasure in the Great, the Buddha would have preached the Great Vehicle Law to us. At length, in this Sutra, he preaches only the One-Vehicle; and though formerly, in the presence of bodhisattvas, he spoke disparagingly of sravakas who were pleased with minor matters, yet the Buddha had in reality been instructing them in the Great-Vehicle. Therefore we say that though we had no mind to hope or expect it, yet now the Great Treasure of the King of the Law has of itself come to us, and such things as Buddha-sons should obtain, we have all obtained.”“Now we have just realized that the World-honoured One does not grudge even the Buddha-wisdom. Wherefore? From of old we are really sons of Buddha, but have only taken pleasure in minor matters; if we had had a mind to take pleasure in the Great, the Buddha would have preached the Great Vehicle Law to us. At length, in this Sutra, he preaches only the One-Vehicle; and though formerly, in the presence of bodhisattvas, he spoke disparagingly of sravakas who were pleased with minor matters, yet the Buddha had in reality been instructing them in the Great-Vehicle. Therefore we say that though we had no mind to hope or expect it, yet now the Great Treasure of the King of the Law has of itself come to us, and such things as Buddha-sons should obtain, we have all obtained.”

The lengthy version in verse, while faithful to the ideas of the prose section, is interesting for the further detail it gives. For instance, the description of the father’s wealth:The lengthy version in verse, while faithful to the ideas of the prose section, is interesting for the further detail it gives. For instance, the description of the father’s wealth:“Very rich is his house, Abundance of silver and gold, Moonstones and agates, Pearls and lapis lazuli, Elephants, horses, oxen, and sheep, Palanquins, litters, carriages, Husbandmen, young slaves, And a multitude of people; His revenues and investments Spread even to other countries; His traders and his customers Are everywhere to be found; Thousands, myriads, kotis of people Surround and honour him; Constantly by the king He is held in affection; The ministers and noble families Honour him most highly; For all these reasons His guests are many; Such is the abundance of his wealth, And the greatness of his power.“Very rich is his house, Abundance of silver and gold, Moonstones and agates, Pearls and lapis lazuli, Elephants, horses, oxen, and sheep, Palanquins, litters, carriages, Husbandmen, young slaves, And a multitude of people; His revenues and investments Spread even to other countries; His traders and his customers Are everywhere to be found; Thousands, myriads, kotis of people Surround and honour him; Constantly by the king He is held in affection; The ministers and noble families Honour him most highly; For all these reasons His guests are many; Such is the abundance of his wealth, And the greatness of his power.

But his years are wearing away And he mourns the more his son; Morning and night he ponders: ‘The time of my death is approaching; My foolish son has left me For over fifty years; The things in my storehouses— What shall I do with them?’But his years are wearing away And he mourns the more his son; Morning and night he ponders: ‘The time of my death is approaching; My foolish son has left me For over fifty years; The things in my storehouses— What shall I do with them?’At that time the poor son Was seeking food and clothing From city on to city. From country on to country, Sometimes getting something, Sometimes finding nothing; Famished, weak and gaunt, Covered with scab and itch, Gradually he passes along To the city where dwells his father. Hired for wages he roams, At last reaching his father’s house. At that very hour the elder, Within his gate, has set up A great costly canopy, And sits on a lion-seat, Surrounded by his attendants, Every one caring for him, Some are counting up Gold, silver, and precious things; Incoming and outgoing goods, Noting and recording bonds.At that time the poor son Was seeking food and clothing From city on to city. From country on to country, Sometimes getting something, Sometimes finding nothing; Famished, weak and gaunt, Covered with scab and itch, Gradually he passes along To the city where dwells his father. Hired for wages he roams, At last reaching his father’s house. At that very hour the elder, Within his gate, has set up A great costly canopy, And sits on a lion-seat, Surrounded by his attendants, Every one caring for him, Some are counting up Gold, silver, and precious things; Incoming and outgoing goods, Noting and recording bonds.

The poor son, seeing his father So noble, honoured and splendid, Thinks: ‘This must be a king Or one of royal rank.’ Alarmed and wondering, he says: ‘Why have I come here?’ Again he thinks to himself, ‘If I tarry here long, I may suffer oppression And be driven to forced labour.’ Having pondered thus, He hurries away in haste To seek some poorer place, That he may hire his labour.The poor son, seeing his father So noble, honoured and splendid, Thinks: ‘This must be a king Or one of royal rank.’ Alarmed and wondering, he says: ‘Why have I come here?’ Again he thinks to himself, ‘If I tarry here long, I may suffer oppression And be driven to forced labour.’ Having pondered thus, He hurries away in haste To seek some poorer place, That he may hire his labour.

At that very time the elder, Seated on the lion-seat, Seeing his son from afar, Secretly recognizes him, And instantly orders servants To pursue and fetch him back. The poor son cries in alarm, Faints and falls on the ground: ‘Ah! These men have caught me; I shall certainly be killed; Why did food and clothing, Cause me to come here?’At that very time the elder, Seated on the lion-seat, Seeing his son from afar, Secretly recognizes him, And instantly orders servants To pursue and fetch him back. The poor son cries in alarm, Faints and falls on the ground: ‘Ah! These men have caught me; I shall certainly be killed; Why did food and clothing, Cause me to come here?’The elder, knowing that his son. Being foolish and inferior, Will not believe in his word, Nor believe he is his father, With tactful method then Again dispatches others, One-eyed, squat, and common, And unimposing, bidding them: ‘Go and tell him saying, ‘You be hired with us To remove dirt and rubbish And you shall have double wages.’ The poor son hearing this Is glad, and comes with them, For the purpose of moving dirt And also cleansing outhouses.The elder, knowing that his son. Being foolish and inferior, Will not believe in his word, Nor believe he is his father, With tactful method then Again dispatches others, One-eyed, squat, and common, And unimposing, bidding them: ‘Go and tell him saying, ‘You be hired with us To remove dirt and rubbish And you shall have double wages.’ The poor son hearing this Is glad, and comes with them, For the purpose of moving dirt And also cleansing outhouses.

The elder, through a lattice, Constantly sees his son, And thinks of him as simple And pleased with humble things. Thereupon the elder, Donning a tattered garment, Taking along a dirt-hod, Goes to where his son is; By this device he gets near him, Bidding him be diligent: ‘I have decided to raise your wages, And give you oil for your feet, And plenty of food and drink, And also thick warm mats.’ With sharp words he thus chides: ‘Get you on with the work.’ Again he speaks gently: ‘You are as it were my son.’ The elder, being wise, Gradually has him go in and out, And after twenty years, Employs him as his steward, Showing him his gold and silver, His pearls and his crystal, And the income and outgo of things, All these he makes him know.”The elder, through a lattice, Constantly sees his son, And thinks of him as simple And pleased with humble things. Thereupon the elder, Donning a tattered garment, Taking along a dirt-hod, Goes to where his son is; By this device he gets near him, Bidding him be diligent: ‘I have decided to raise your wages, And give you oil for your feet, And plenty of food and drink, And also thick warm mats.’ With sharp words he thus chides: ‘Get you on with the work.’ Again he speaks gently: ‘You are as it were my son.’ The elder, being wise, Gradually has him go in and out, And after twenty years, Employs him as his steward, Showing him his gold and silver, His pearls and his crystal, And the income and outgo of things, All these he makes him know.”

The scene opens, as already shown, with the approach to the Buddha of the elders, who tell the parable given above and now close, in the verse section, as follows:The scene opens, as already shown, with the approach to the Buddha of the elders, who tell the parable given above and now close, in the verse section, as follows:“We all, during a long night-time, Neither coveted nor were allied To the true Buddha-wisdom, Nor had aspiration to it. For we, in regard to the Law Thought we had reached finality. We, for a long night-time, Keeping the law of the Void, Escaped from the triple world’s Harassing distresses, And dwelt in the last bodily stage Of Nirvana, where form only remains. Taught by the Buddha we thought We had attained, without doubt, the Way, And that we had thereby Repaid the Buddha’s grace. . . . . . But in the law of bodhisattva We never had wish nor pleasure. Our Leader saw and let us be, For he looked into our minds, And at first stirred not our zeal By telling of the true Gain. Just as the rich elder, Knowing his son’s lower bent, By his own tactfulness, Moulds and subdues his mind, And, only after that, gives him The whole of his riches. So is it with the Buddha In the display of his rarities; Knowing those pleased with trifles, Yet by his tactfulness He subdues their minds, And teaches them the greater wisdom. To-day we have obtained What we never had before; What we previously never looked for We have unforeseen obtained, Just as that poor son Obtained inestimable treasures.“We all, during a long night-time, Neither coveted nor were allied To the true Buddha-wisdom, Nor had aspiration to it. For we, in regard to the Law Thought we had reached finality. We, for a long night-time, Keeping the law of the Void, Escaped from the triple world’s Harassing distresses, And dwelt in the last bodily stage Of Nirvana, where form only remains. Taught by the Buddha we thought We had attained, without doubt, the Way, And that we had thereby Repaid the Buddha’s grace. . . . . . But in the law of bodhisattva We never had wish nor pleasure. Our Leader saw and let us be, For he looked into our minds, And at first stirred not our zeal By telling of the true Gain. Just as the rich elder, Knowing his son’s lower bent, By his own tactfulness, Moulds and subdues his mind, And, only after that, gives him The whole of his riches. So is it with the Buddha In the display of his rarities; Knowing those pleased with trifles, Yet by his tactfulness He subdues their minds, And teaches them the greater wisdom. To-day we have obtained What we never had before; What we previously never looked for We have unforeseen obtained, Just as that poor son Obtained inestimable treasures.

World-honoured One! Now we Have got the Way and the Fruit, And, in the faultless Law, Attained to clear vision. For long time have we kept The Buddha’s pure commands, To-day for the first time We obtain its fruit and reward. In the Law of the Law-King, Having long practised arya deeds, Now we attain the faultless, Peerless great Fruit. Now at last we are Really hearers of the Sound, Who take the news of Buddhahood And make all creatures hear. Now at last we are Really Arahats, Who, in all the worlds of Gods, men, maras, and brahmans, Universally by them Are worthy of worship.World-honoured One! Now we Have got the Way and the Fruit, And, in the faultless Law, Attained to clear vision. For long time have we kept The Buddha’s pure commands, To-day for the first time We obtain its fruit and reward. In the Law of the Law-King, Having long practised arya deeds, Now we attain the faultless, Peerless great Fruit. Now at last we are Really hearers of the Sound, Who take the news of Buddhahood And make all creatures hear. Now at last we are Really Arahats, Who, in all the worlds of Gods, men, maras, and brahmans, Universally by them Are worthy of worship.

The World-honoured One, in great grace, With rare and precious things, Compassionates, instructs And confers benefits on us; Through countless kotis of kalpas, Who could ever repay him? Service of hands and feet, Homage all prostrate, Every kind of offering, Are all unable to repay. If one bore him on one’s head, Or carried him on one’s shoulders, Through kalpas as the sands of Ganges, Revering him with the whole mind; Or with the best of food, Countless costly garments, And all kinds of bed-things; Or every sort of medicament; Or, with Ox-head sandal-wood And all kinds of jewels, Erect stupas and monasteries, Or carpet the ground with costly robes; With such things as these, To pay him homage Through kalpas as sands of Ganges, One still could not repay. Buddhas, with their rare, Infinite and boundless, Inconceivably great Powers transcendent, Faultless and effortless, Kings of the Law, Are able, for inferior minds, In this matter to be patient, And, for common folk attached to externals, To preach as may befit them. Buddhas, in the Law, Attain to supreme power, Know all living beings, With their desires and pleasures, And their aspirations, So, according to their capacity, By innumerable parables, To them they preach the Law. According as all the living Have in past lives planted good roots, The Buddhas, discerning the mature From the immature, And taking account of each, Discriminating and understanding, As may be most befitting In the One Vehicle preach the Three.”The World-honoured One, in great grace, With rare and precious things, Compassionates, instructs And confers benefits on us; Through countless kotis of kalpas, Who could ever repay him? Service of hands and feet, Homage all prostrate, Every kind of offering, Are all unable to repay. If one bore him on one’s head, Or carried him on one’s shoulders, Through kalpas as the sands of Ganges, Revering him with the whole mind; Or with the best of food, Countless costly garments, And all kinds of bed-things; Or every sort of medicament; Or, with Ox-head sandal-wood And all kinds of jewels, Erect stupas and monasteries, Or carpet the ground with costly robes; With such things as these, To pay him homage Through kalpas as sands of Ganges, One still could not repay. Buddhas, with their rare, Infinite and boundless, Inconceivably great Powers transcendent, Faultless and effortless, Kings of the Law, Are able, for inferior minds, In this matter to be patient, And, for common folk attached to externals, To preach as may befit them. Buddhas, in the Law, Attain to supreme power, Know all living beings, With their desires and pleasures, And their aspirations, So, according to their capacity, By innumerable parables, To them they preach the Law. According as all the living Have in past lives planted good roots, The Buddhas, discerning the mature From the immature, And taking account of each, Discriminating and understanding, As may be most befitting In the One Vehicle preach the Three.”