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58
SADDHARMA-PUNDARÎKA.
ii.

free from any doubtfulness, and it is such as I to-day preach it to thee.

134. At certain times, at certain places, somehow do the leaders appear in the world, and after their appearance will they, whose view is boundless, at one time or another preach l a similar law.

135. It is most difficult to meet with this superior law, even in myriads of ko/is of iEons ; very rare are the beings who will adhere to the superior law which they have heard from me.

136. Just as the blossom of the glomerous fig-tree is rare, albeit sometimes, at some places, and somehow it is met with, as something pleasant to see for everybody, as a wonder to the world including the gods ;

137. (So wonderful) and far more wonderful is the law I proclaim. Any one who, on hearing a good exposition of it, shall cheerfully accept it and recite but one word of it, will have done honour to all Buddhas.

138. Give up all doubt and uncertainty in this respect; I declare that I am the king of the law (Dharmar^-a) ; I am urging others to enlightenment, but I am here without disciples.

139. Let this mystery be for thee, .S&riputra, for all disciples of mine, and for the eminent Bodhisattvas, who are to keep this mystery.

140. For the creatures, when at the period of the five depravities 2 , are vile and bad; they are blinded

Dcrayu^, plural; Burnouf seems to have read the singular.

The five kashdyas are summarily indicated in Dhammapada 115 by 'rag&di.' As the list of klexas, Lalita-vistara, p. 348 seq., commences with rdga, there can be no doubt that Burnouf was right in supposing the five kash&yasto be synonymous with the corresponding number of klexas. The items of the list are

variously given.