Garland of the Buddha’s Past Lives (Volume 1). Aryashura
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will be an example to those eager to benefit
the world,
an incitement to those of little courage,
a delight to those accomplished in charity,
a lure to the minds of the virtuous.
1.40
Disheartening the great armies of Mara,* it will gladden those fond of the Buddha’s qualities, and arouse shame in those intent on self-profit, their natures afflicted by envy and greed.
Inspiring faith in followers of the supreme vehicle,* it will astound those who sneer at renunciation and clear the highway to heaven for approving men who cherish charity.
By offering up my very own limbs,
I can also fulfill my wish
of benefiting other beings
and come nearer to attaining the highest awakening.
Furthermore,
It is neither ambition nor desire for fame,
nor the attainment of heaven nor kingship,
nor my own perpetual happiness that motivates me.
My sole concern is to benefit others.
1.45
May I thus have the power
to destroy the suffering of the world
and also produce its happiness,
just as the sun dispels darkness and creates light.
Whether I am seen, heard, or remembered,
or become the stuff of stories from being encountered,
may I benefit the world in every way
and perpetually bring it happiness.”
Making this resolution, he felt joy
at ending his life to benefit others
and hurled down his body,
astounding even the composed minds of the gods.
The thud made by the fall of the Bodhi·sattva’s body aroused the curiosity and anger of the tigress. Delaying her impulse to butcher her young, she cast her eyes around her and when she caught sight of the Bodhi·sattva’s lifeless body, she rushed forward suddenly and began to eat it.
The Bodhi·sattva’s disciple then returned, having failed to obtain any meat. As he searched around for his teacher, he spotted the Bodhi·sattva’s lifeless body being devoured by the tigress. The astonishment Ajita felt at his teacher’s remarkable deed countered any shock of grief or sorrow. On the contrary, he seemed to gleam as he spoke the following words to himself, admiring the Bodhi·sattva’s commitment to virtue:
1.50
“What compassion he has for those suffering
misfortune!
How unattached the Great One is to his own happiness! Through him the conduct of the good has reached its peak! The fame and glory of his enemies have been crushed!
1.51 [35] 1.56 [38] 1.56 [38]
What supreme love he has shown,
brave, fearless, and founded on goodness!
His body, by no means slender in virtue,* has instantly become a vessel of supreme veneration!
Gentle in generosity and sturdy as the earth,
how intolerant he is of the sorrows of others!
His accomplishment in bravery
reveals my own harsh qualities!
The world should never be commiserated
for gaining a protector such as him.
Desire surely sighs deeply on this day,
quivering with fear of defeat!
I pay homage in every manner to this illustrious being, a refuge for all living creatures, a source of immense compassion and boundless goodness, a true Bodhi·sattva.”
1.55
Ajita then informed his fellow ascetics of what had happened.
The pupils were astonished
by the Bodhi·sattva’s deeds,
and with gandharvas, yakshas,* snakes and chief deities, they strewed the earth bearing the treasure of his bones with showers of garlands, clothes, ornaments and sandal powder.*
So it is that, even in his previous births, the Lord naturally felt a spontaneous and immense affection for all creatures, identifying himself with every living being. One should therefore show the highest devotion toward the Lord Buddha.
One should also draw the following conclusion: “Alongside feelings of faith, one should generate joy in the Lord Buddha. For this will give foundation to our devotion.” Similarly one should listen to the Teaching* with respect. For it has been delivered to us through hundreds of such difficult deeds. And one should also narrate this story when praising compassion, saying: “Compassion thus produces an outstanding nature. For it motivates a person to favor others.”
STORY 2 THE BIRTH-STORY OF SHIBI
2.5 [1]
2.1
T
he Lord acquired the Good Teaching for us through hundreds of difficult feats. One should therefore listen to it reverently.
Tradition has handed down the following story.
When he was a Bodhi·sattva, the Lord once lived as king of the Shibis.* He acquired this position through an accumulation of pure deeds that had become ingrained in his nature by repeated practice over a limitless period of time.
From as early as his childhood, he delighted in serving his elders and took pleasure in self-discipline. Loved by his people, he applied his natural intelligence to purify his mind by studying various branches of knowledge. Blessed by fortune, he was endowed with energy, prudence, strength, and power, and protected his people as if they were his offspring.
2.5
Hordes of virtues suited to the three pursuits*
seemed to have joyfully set up camp in him,
glittering radiantly as a group,
their splendor unimpaired by clash or conflict.
Like a facade for those inflated with arrogance,
a terrible calamity for fools,
and a drug for the small-minded,
success was in him exactly what the word states.
His exalted nature, compassion, and wealth
made him an exemplary king
who delighted at seeing beggars’ faces
gleam brightly with joy on receiving their desire.
2.8
In his love of giving, the king had alms halls built throughout the city, abounding with wealth, grain, and every type of provision. In keeping with his magnanimous nature, he would rain down showers of gifts, as if he were a cloud in the Krita Era.* Given promptly and with charming deference, the generous gifts satisfied everyone’s desire. Food was given to those who asked for food, water to those who asked for water, and beds, seats, lodgings, meals, perfumes, garlands, gold, silver, and other objects to whoever requested them.
Men from various regions and well-known countries came to the king’s realm, the news of his liberal nature filling their hearts with astonishment and joy.
2.10
Even surveying the entire world with their minds,
they could find no others