A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t4.155

v2.c19.s6.t4.155

The first 22 fragments are reminiscent of the section of four in the Aṅguttara-Nikāya. Four good and four bad qualities, four good and four bad friends, etc., of a Bodhisattva are enumerated. The first of the four good qualities is a love of truth: "Not even in order to save their lives, do they utter a falsehood" (p. 8). Then come the comparisons (p. 56 ff.). As the vast earth is useful to all living creatures, unchanging and without seeking a reward, so also is the Bodhisattva. "As the element of water, O Kāśyapa, enables all the grasses, shrubs, herbs and trees to grow, even so the Bodhisattva, who is pure of heart, enables all beings to blossom forth, by the manifestation of his love (maitra), and continuing thus, enables all the luminous qualities of all beings to mature" (p. 58). In similar fashion the Bodhisattva is compared to fire, the wind, the moon, the sun, a lion, an elephant, a lotus, etc. There is a series of other similes in explanation of the Śūnyatā. Even as a physician heals the sick man, the Śūnyatā is a remedy for all who are entangled in heresies (p. 97). Then come fresh similes having reference to the Bodhisattva. "O Kāśyapa, just as the new moon is worshipped, and the full moon is not worshipped to the same degree, even so, Kāśyapa, a Bodhisattva should be honoured far more than a Tathāgata, by my followers. And why? Because the Tathāgatas arise from the Bodhisattvas" (p. 129).