237. The Bodhisatta And The indolent King
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta became his minister. The king of Benares was of a slothful disposition, and the Bodhisatta went about considering some means to rouse the king. Now one day the king went to his garden, accompanied by his minister, and while wandering about there he saw a slothful tortoise. Lazy creatures like these, they say, though they are in motion a whole day, move only just an inch or two.
236. The Bodhisatta And The Thought Of Death
Once upon a time when Brahadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin, in a village outside the gates of Benares, and rearing a family he supported them by field labour. He had two children, a son and a daughter and a slave. When the son was grown up, the father brought a wife home for him from a family of equal rank with his own. Thus all the six lived happily and affectionately together. The Bodhisatta thus admonished the other five; “According as you have received, give alms, observe holy days, keep the moral law, live on the thought of death, be mindful of your mortal state. For in the case of beings like ourselves, death is certain, life uncertain; all existing things are transitory and subject to decay. Therefore take heed to your ways day and night.” They readily accepted his teaching and lived earnestly on the thought of death.
235. The Bodhisatta And The Ten Questions
Once upon a time, when Janasandha was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as the son of his chief queen. His face was resplendent, wearing a look of auspicious beauty, like a golden mirror well polished. They named him as Adasamukha, Prince Mirror-face.
Within seven years his father made him to be taught the Three Vedas, and all the duties of this world; and then he died, when the lad was seven years old. The courtiers performed the king’s obsequies with great pomp, and made the offering for the dead; and on the seventh day they gathered together in the palace court, and talked together. The prince was very young, and he could not be made king.
234. The Bodhisatta And The Teacher’s Fee
Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the country was without gold; for the king oppressed the country and so got treasure. At that time the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin family of a certain village in Kasi. When he came of age, he went to Takkasila, saying, “I will get money to pay my teacher afterwards, by soliciting alms honourably.” He acquired learning, and when his education was done, he said, “I will use all diligence, my teacher, to bring you the money due for your teaching.” Then taking leave of him, he departed, and traversing the land sought alms. When he had honourably and fairly got a few ounces of gold, he set out to hand them over to his teacher; and on the way went aboard a boat in order to cross the Ganges. As the boat swayed to and fro on the water, the gold fell in.
