Questions of King Milinda Part 02

SR No.: 007682
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2240
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

Page 219

IV, 8, 66.
189
things, and is such that it can be made evident by metaphor 2?'
OF MILINDA THE KING.
'Though there is nothing as to its form which can be so explained, there is something, O king, as to its qualities which can.'
[318] O happy word, Nâgasena! Speak then, quickly, that I may have an explanation of even one point in the characteristics of Nirvana. Appease the fever of my heart. Allay it by the cool sweet breezes of your words!' 'There is one quality of the lotus, O king, inherent in Nirvâna, and two qualities of water, and three of medicine, and four of the ocean, and five of food, and ten of space, and three of the wish-conferring gem, and three of red sandal wood, and three of the froth of ghee, and five of a mountain peak.'
66. 'Venerable Nâgasena, that one quality of the lotus which you said was inherent in Nirvâna,— which is that?'
'As the lotus, O king, is untarnished by the water, so is Nirvâna untarnished by any evil dispositions. This is the one quality of the lotus inherent in Nirvana.'
1 Aññehi anupavittham; 'not previously explained by others,' says Hînani-kumburê. Neither rendering is altogether satisfactory. Perhaps of which you have been convinced by others,' in agreement with the use of the word above, p. 270 of the Pâli.
In the French of Mr. da Sylva this sentence runs (p. 342): 'Mais vénérable, n'y a-t-il pas une vertu du Nirvâna dont on puisse percevoir quelque ressemblance.'
That is, no drop of water adheres to the lotus, though it is surrounded by water and water may fall on it. For instances of the frequent similes drawn from this fact see below, V, 14; and
Dhammapada 401; Sutta Nipâta II, 14, 17; The French translation is: 'de même que le sa tête au-dessus de l'eau' (!).
III, 9, 32; IV, 6, 9. lotus élève fièrement
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