Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/307

 After these words the king offered him the hospitable reception due to a worthy guest, water to wash his feet and the arghya-water, accompanying this act (of homage) with kind words of welcome and the like. Then, casting admiring looks at his face, he said: 'Very wonderful, O Great Rishi, is thy figure. Indeed, thy power is supernatural.

5. 'Without clinging to the walls of a building, thou walkest in the sky as easily as on earth. Tell me, O thou whose brightness has the lustre of a flash of lightning, how didst thou obtain this supernatural power?'

The Bodhisattva spoke:

6. 'Such superhuman power is the result, О king, of meditation (dhyâna), spotless good conduct (sîla), and an excellent restraint of the senses, which I have so practised in other existences that they became essential elements of my nature.'

The king said: 'Does there exist in earnest anything like a world hereafter?' The Brahman said: 'Verily, Your Majesty, there is a world hereafter.' The king said : “But, my dear sir, how should I too be able to believe so?' The Bodhisattva said: 'This is a tangible truth, Your Majesty, which may be proved by reasoning with the ordinary modes of proof (pramâna): perception by the senses and the rest. It is exemplified by the declarations of reliable persons, and may be tested by the method of accurate examination. Do but consider this:

7. 'The heaven, with its ornament of sun, moon and stars, and the many-shaped variety of animals, are the