CHAPTER VIII.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FUTURE DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS.
On hearing from the Lord that display of sinfulness and the instruction by means of mysterious speech; on hearing the announcement of the future destiny of the great Disciples, as well as the foregoing tale concerning ancient devotion and the leadership 1 of the Lord, the venerable Pfir#a, son of Maitr!ya#t, was filled with wonder and amazement, thrilled 2 with pure-heartedness 3 , a feeling of delight and joy. He rose from his seat, full of delight and joy, full of great respect for the law, and while prostrating himself before the Lord s feet, made within himself the following reflection: Wonderful, O Lord; wonderful, O Sugata; it is an extremely difficult thing that the Tath&gatas, &c, perform, the conforming to this world, composed of so many elements, and preaching the law to all creatures with many proofs of their skilfulness, and skilfully releasing them when attached to this or that. What could we
Vrishabhitva, a curious and irregular form instead of vrishabhatva.
Sphuta, in the sense of vyâpta; Pâli phuta.
Nirâmishakittena. Nirâmisha is both 'free from worldly taint, sensual desire,' and 'without having a lure, not eager for reward,' i.e. disinterested. Both meanings are so intimately connected that it is not always easy to decide which we should prefer, e.g. Lalita-vistara, p. 215, and Manu VI, 49.
