所行藏（Sujato 英译）第 12 阅读页 · CP11 · The Conduct of One Who Provided for His Mother

The Conduct Leading to BuddhahoodThe Conduct Leading to BuddhahoodThe Chapter on an ElephantThe Chapter on an Elephant

The Perfection of Ethics (1st)The Perfection of Ethics (1st)The Conduct of One Who Provided for His MotherThe Conduct of One Who Provided for His Mother“Once I lived in the forest“Once I lived in the forest

as an elephant who provided for his mother.as an elephant who provided for his mother.At that time no one on earthAt that time no one on earthcould equal my virtues.could equal my virtues.

Seeing me in the forest, a foresterSeeing me in the forest, a foresterinformed the king about me.informed the king about me.‘Great King, an elephant that befits you‘Great King, an elephant that befits you

is dwelling in the forest grove.is dwelling in the forest grove.No need to dig a moat around him,No need to dig a moat around him,nor tether him to a post in a pit.nor tether him to a post in a pit.

Taken by the trunk,Taken by the trunk,he will come here by himself.’he will come here by himself.’When he heard these words,When he heard these words,

the king, elated,the king, elated,sent an elephant-tamer,sent an elephant-tamer,a well-trained and expert tutor.a well-trained and expert tutor.

When the elephant-tamer reached there,When the elephant-tamer reached there,he saw me in a lotus pond,he saw me in a lotus pond,pulling out lotus rootspulling out lotus roots

to feed my mother.to feed my mother.Discerning my moral virtue,Discerning my moral virtue,he checked me for marks.he checked me for marks.

Saying, ‘Come, child’,Saying, ‘Come, child’,he took me by the trunk.he took me by the trunk.What was at that timeWhat was at that time

the natural strength of my body,the natural strength of my body,would equal a thousandwould equal a thousandof the elephants of today.of the elephants of today.

If I had been upsetIf I had been upsetwith those who came to capture me,with those who came to capture me,I would have had the powerI would have had the power

to defeat even a kingdom of men.to defeat even a kingdom of men.Nevertheless, for the sake of guarding my ethics,Nevertheless, for the sake of guarding my ethics,and fulfilling my perfection of ethics,and fulfilling my perfection of ethics,

I did not let my mind change,I did not let my mind change,even as they caged me.even as they caged me.And even were they to beat meAnd even were they to beat me

with hatchets and lances,with hatchets and lances,I would never become upset,I would never become upset,for fear of violating my ethics.”for fear of violating my ethics.”