A. In the Jātakatthakathā, a book containing stories of the Bōdhisattva's reincarnations, there are several hundred tales of that kind.
112. Q. What lesson do these stories teach?
A. That a man can carry, throughout a long series of reincarnations, one great, good purpose which enables him to conquer bad tendencies and develop virtuous ones.
113. Q. Can we fix the number of reincarnations through which a Bōdhisattva must pass before he can become a Buddha?
A. Of course not: that depends upon his natural character, the state of development to which he has arrived when he forms the resolution to become a Buddha, and other things.
114. Q. Have we a way of classifying Bōdhisattvas? If so, explain it.
A. Bōdhisattvas—the future Buddhas—are divided into three classes.
115. Q. Proceed. How are these three kinds of Bōdhisats named?
A. Pannādhika, or Udghatitajña—"he who attains least quickly"; Saddhādhika, or Vipachitajña—"he who attains less quickly"; and Viryādhika, or Gneyya—"he who attains quickly". The Pannādhika Bōdhisats take the course of Intelligence; the Saddhādhika take the course of Faith; the Viryaāhika take the course of energetic Action. The first is guided by Intelligence and does not hasten; the second is full of Faith, and does not care to take the guidance of Wisdom; and the third never delays to do what is good. Regardless of the consequences to himself, he does it when he sees that it is best that it should be done.
116. Q. When our Bōdhisattva became Buddha, what did he see was the cause of human misery? Tell me in one word.