Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/138

22 145. For the conditions of a Buddha cannot be so few, I will investigate the other conditions which bring Buddhaship to maturity.

146. Investigating then I beheld the fifth Perfection of Exertion Practised and followed by former sages.

147. This fifth do thou strenuously undertake, And reach the perfection of exertion, if thou wilt attain Buddhahood.

148. As the lion, king of beasts, in lying, standing and walking. Is no laggard, but ever of resolute heart,

149. Even so do thou also in every existence strenuously exert thyself, And reaching the perfection of exertion, thou shalt attain the supreme Buddhaship.

But considering further, "These cannot be the only Buddha-making conditions," and beholding the sixth Perfection of Patience, he thought to himself, "O wise Sumedha, do thou from this time forth fulfil the perfection of Longsuffering; be thou patient in praise and in reproach. And as when men throw things pure or foul upon the earth, the earth does not feel either desire or repulsion towards them, but suffers them, endures them and acquiesces in them, even so thou also, if thou art patient in praise and reproach, shalt become Buddha." And he strenuously resolved to attain the sixth perfection of Longsuffering. Therefore it is said,

150. For the conditions of a Buddha cannot be so few, I will seek other conditions also which bring about Buddhaship.

151. And seeking then I beheld the sixth Perfection of Longsuffering Practised and followed by former Buddhas.

152. Having strenuously taken upon thee this sixth perfection. Then with unwavering mind thou shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.

153. And as the earth endures all that is thrown upon it, Whether things pure or impure, and feels neither anger nor pity,

154. Even so enduring the praises and reproaches of all men, Going on to perfect longsuffering, thou shalt attain supreme Buddhaship.

But further considering, "These cannot be the only conditions that make a Buddha," and beholding the seventh Perfection of Truth, he thought thus within