________________
Lilliy
SADDHARMA-PUNDARÎKA
OR
THE LOTUS OF THE TRUE LAW.
HOMAGE TO ALL THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS.
CHAPTER 1.
INTRODUCTORY. Thus have I heard. Once upon a time the Lord was staying at Rågagriha, on the Gridhrakuta 1 mountain, with a numerous assemblage of monks, twelve hundred monks, all of them Arhats, stainless, free from depravity, self-controlled”, thoroughly emancipated in thought and knowledge, of noble breed, (like unto) great elephants, having done their task, done their duty, acquitted their charge, reached the goal; in whom the ties which bound them to existence were wholly destroyed, whose minds were thoroughly emancipated by perfect knowledge, who had reached the utmost perfection in subduing all their thoughts; who were possessed of the transcendent faculties 3;
* I. e. Vulture Peak.
• Vasîbhūta. Like vasin, it likewise means, having subdued others or the world.' * The five Abhigñas, viz. the magical powers, the divine ear, [21]
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