And on that occasion the Lord uttered the following stanzas:
17. Let a man who is seeking after this knowledge, superior Buddha-knowledge, undertake to practise in this world the five perfect virtues;
18. Let him, during eight thousand kotis of complete Æons, continue giving repeated alms to Buddhas and disciples;
19. Regaling Pratyekabuddhas and kotis of Bodhisattvas by giving meat, food and drink, clothing and lodging[1];
20. Let him build on earth refuges and monasteries of sandal-wood, and pleasant convent gardens provided with walks;
21. Let him after so bestowing gifts, various and diversified, during thousands of kotis of Æons, direct his mind to enlightenment[2];
22. Let him then, for the sake of Buddha-knowledge, keep unbroken the pure moral precepts which have been recommended by the perfect Buddhas and acknowledged by the wise;
23. Let him further develop the virtue of forbearance, be steady in the stage of meekness[3], be constant, of good memory, and patiently endure many censures;
24. Let him, moreover, for the sake of Buddha-
- ↑ These Pratyekabuddhas can hardly be other persons than hermits, and the Bodhisattvas must be the ministers of religion, who otherwise are called Pandîtas, and Vaṇdyas, whence our Bonzes.
- ↑ I. e., if I rightly understand it, let him, after having lived in the world, retire from a busy life to take orders.
- ↑ I. e. of a monk under training.
