Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/144

28 186. Having taken upon me the Perfections of a Buddha, having made firm my resolve, Having bowed to Dīpankara, I rose from my seat.

And as the Bodhisatta rose from his seat, the angels in all the ten thousand worlds having assembled and offered him garlands and perfumes, uttered these and other words of praise and blessing, "Venerable hermit Sumedha, this day thou hast made a mighty resolve at the feet of Dīpankara Buddha, mayest thou fulfil it without let or hindrance: fear not nor be dismayed, may not the slightest sickness visit thy frame, quickly exercise the Perfections and attain supreme Buddhaship. As the flowering and fruit-bearing trees bring forth flowers and fruit in their season, so do thou also, not letting the right season pass by, quickly reach the supreme knowledge of a Buddha." And thus having spoken, they returned each one to his celestial home. Then the Bodhisatta, having received the homage of the angels, made a strenuous exertion and resolve, saying, "Having fulfilled the ten Perfections, at the end of four asankheyyas and a hundred thousand cycles I shall become a Buddha." And rising into the air he returned to Himavanta. Therefore it is said,

187. As he rose from his seat both angels and men Sprinkle him with celestial and earthly flowers.

188. Both angels and men pronounce their blessing, A great prayer thou hast made, mayest thou obtain it according to thy wish.

189. May all dangers be averted, may every sickness vanish, Mayest thou have no hindrance, — quickly reach the supreme knowledge of a Buddha.

190. As when the season is come the flowering trees do blossom, Even so do thou, mighty One, blossom with the wisdom of a Buddha.

191. As all the Buddhas have fulfilled the ten Perfections, Even so do thou, mighty One, fulfil the ten Perfections.

192. As all the Buddhas are enlightened on the throne of knowledge, Even so do thou, mighty One, receive enlightenment in the wisdom of a Buddha.