Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/146

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THE NIDĀNAKATHĀ.

203. He of the mighty jaw, of the broad shoulder, Dīpankara by name, Procured the salvation of many men, warded off from them future punishment.

204. Beholding persons ripe for salvation, reaching them in an instant, Even at a distance of four hundred thousand leagues, the Great Sage awakened them (to the knowledge of the truth).

205. At the first conversion the Buddha converted a thousand millions. At the second the Protector converted a hundred thousand.

206. When the Buddha preached the truth in the angel world, There took place a third conversion of nine hundred millions..

207. The Teacher Dīpankara had three assemblies. The first was a meeting of a million millions.

208. Again when the Conqueror went into seclusion at Nārada Kūta, A thousand million spotless Arhats met together.

209. When the Mighty One dwelt on the lofty rock Sudassana, Then the Sage surrounded himself with nine hundred thousand millions,

210. At that time I was an ascetic wearing matted hair, a man of austere penances. Moving through the air, accomplished in the five supernatural Faculties.

211. The (simultaneous) conversion of tens of thousands, of twenties of thousands, took place. Of ones and twos the conversions were beyond computation.[1]

212. Then did the pure religion of Dīpankara Buddha become widely spread. Known to many men prosperous and flourishing.

213. Four hundred thousand saints, possessed of the six Faculties, endowed with miraculous powers. Ever attend upon Dīpankara, knower of the three worlds.

214. Blameworthy are all they who at that time leave the human existence. Not having obtained final sanctity, still imperfect in knowledge.

215. The word of Buddha shines in the world of men and angels, made to blossom by saints such as these, Freed from human passion, void of all taint (of sin).

216. The city of Dīpankara Buddha was called Rammavatī, The khattiya Sumedha was his father, Sumedhā his mother.

217. Sumangala and Tissa were his chief disciples, And Sāgata was the servitor of Dīpankara Buddha.

218. Nandā and Sunandā were his chief female disciples. The Bodhi-tree of this Buddha is called the Pipphali.[2]

219. Eighty cubits in height the Great Sage Dīpankara Shone conspicuous as a Deodar pine, or as a noble Sāl-tree in full bloom.


1 Lit. "arithmetically innumerable."

2 The Banyan-tree.

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