reason that the Lord just now tells us that we are to him as sons[1] and that he reminds us of being heirs to the Tathâgata. For the case stands thus: we are as sons[2] to the Tathâgata, but low (or humble) of disposition[3]; the Lord perceives the strength of our disposition and applies to us the denomination of Bodhisattvas; we are, however, charged with a double office in so far as in presence of Bodhisattvas we are called persons of low disposition and at the same time have to rouse them to Buddha-enlightenment. Knowing the strength of our disposition the Lord has thus spoken, and in this way, O Lord, do we say that we have obtained unexpectedly and without longing the jewel of omniscience, which we did not desire, nor seek, nor search after, nor expect, nor require; and that inasmuch as we are the sons of the Tathâgata.
On that occasion the venerable Mahi-Kâsyapa uttered the following stanzas:
1. We are stricken with wonder, amazement, and rapture at hearing a voice[4]; it is the lovely voice, the leaders voice, that so unexpectedly we hear to-day.
2. In a short moment we have acquired a great heap of precious jewels such as we were not thinking of, nor requiring. All of us are astonished to hear it.
3. It is like (the history of) a young[5] person who, seduced by foolish people, went away from his father and wandered to another country far distant.
