all is lovingkindness. As the light of the moon is. sixteen times stronger than the light of all the stars, so lovingkindness is sixteen times more efficacious in liberating the heart than all other religious accomplishments taken together.22
"This state of heart is the best in the world Let a man remain steadfast in it while he is awake, whether he is standing, walking, sitting, or lying down."23
When the Enlightened One had finished his sermon, the Magadha Jang said to the Blessed One:24
"In former days, Lord, when I was a prince, I cherished five wishes. I wished: O, that I might be inaugurated as a king. This was my first wish, and it has been fulfilled. Further, I wished: Might the Holy Buddha, the Perfect One, appear on earth while I rule and might he come to my kingdom. This was my second wish and it is fulfilled now. Further I wished: Might I pay my respects to him. This was my third wish and it is fulfilled now. The fourth wish was: Might the Blessed One preach the doctrine to me, and this is fulfilled now. The greatest wish, however, was the fifth wish: Might I understand the doctrine of the Blessed One. And this wish is fulfilled too.25
"Glorious Lord! Most glorious is the truth preached' by the Tathāgata! Our Lord, the Buddha, sets up what has been overturned; he reveals what has been hidden; he points out the way 'to the wanderer who has gone astray; he lights a lamp in the darkness so that those who have eyes to see may see.26
"I take my refuge in the Buddha. I take my refuge in the Dharma. I take my refuge in the Sangha."27
The Tathāgata, by the exercise of his virtue and by wisdom, showed his unlimited spiritual power. He subdued and harmqnized all minds. He made them see and accept the truth, and throughout the kingdom the seeds of virtue were sown.28
