A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t4.192

v2.c19.s6.t4.192

Among the later Mahāyāna-Sūtras there is also the Samādhirāja, "(the Sūtra about the) King of Meditations," or the Candrapradīpa-Sūtra, as it is called after the principal speaker.⁴ Here, in a dialogue between Candrapradīpa (or Candraprabha) and Buddha, it is shown how a Bodhisattva can attain to the highest knowledge by means of the various meditations, especially the highest of all, the "King of Meditations," and which preliminary conditions are necessary in order to prepare the spirit for this highest stage of meditation. Such preliminary conditions are worship of the Buddhas, complete renunciation of the world, gentleness and goodness towards all beings, entire indifference as to one's own life and one's own health if there is a question of sacrificing them for others, and lastly the knowledge of the non-reality of the world, the steadfast belief in the unreality (śūnyatā) of all phenomena. Passages of moral contents, mostly in Gāthās, are quoted by Śāntideva in the Śikṣā-Samuccaya, as for instance the beautiful verses about peace of mind (Śikṣ., p. 242 f.):