—The Light of Asia. Sir Edwin Arnold.
[7] “As the Buddhist strove to reach a state of quietism or holy meditation in this world, namely the state of the perfect disciple or Arhat; so he looked forward to an eternal calm in the world to come, Nirvana. Buddha taught that this end could only be attained by the practice of virtue.”—The Indian Empire. Sir William Hunter.
[8] “The heart of it is love, the end of it Is peace and consummation sweet.”—The Light of Asia. Sir Edwin Arnold.
[9] The first of six Paramita—charity, morality, endurance, energy, contemplation, wisdom—or means of attaining to Nirvana.
“What the Tathagata preaches as the Prajna-Paramita, that was preached also by innumerable Blessed Buddhas. Therefore it is called the Prajna-Paramita,”—The Vagrakkhedika. Max Müller.
[10] “An ancient kingdom S.E. of Kos’ala, a nursery of heretical sects, the present Calingapatah, a town in the northern Circars (Lat. 18° 15 N., Long. 85° 11 E.).”—Handbook of Chinese Buddhism. Eitel.
It is recorded that the Lord Buddha, in a previous incarnation, was living in a mountainous region, strictly observing the monastic vows. The Prince of Kalinga, a cruel and dissolute ruler, having organised a hunting expedition, visited the secluded region, accompanied by numerous ladies of his harem. Fatigued by the excitement of the chase, the prince fell into a deep siesta. Meantime, the ladies resolved upon a short excursion along a mountain path. Unexpectedly meeting the Lord Buddha, they were greatly astonished at his dignified bearing and edifying conversation. When the prince awoke from his siesta, he was irritated to find that his ladies had disappeared. Instituting an immediate search, he became filled with implacable rage upon discovering them in the society of a hermit. The incident, as narrated in the Chinese text, proved to be a distressing sequel to the modest ladies’ innocent adventure. (Compare Chinese Annotations, etc.)
[11] “Various forms of pre-existence to the number of 500 or 550 are recorded, in the course of which he (Buddha) marked his way up through as many different stages of transmigration from the lowest spheres of life to the highest, practising all kinds of asceticism, and exhibiting in every form the utmost unselfishness and charity.”—Handbook of Chinese Buddhism. Eitel.
“I and thou, O Arjuna! have passed through many transmigrations. I know all these.... Even though I am unborn, of changeless essence, and the lord also of all which exist, yet, in presiding over nature (Prakrita), which is mine, I am born by my own mystic power (Maya). For whenever there is a relaxation of duty, ... and an increase of impiety, I then reproduce myself for the protection of the good.... I am produced in every age.”—Bhagavad-Gita. J. Cockburn Thomson.
[12] “Explained by patient endurance of insult. The virtue of patience, implying constant equanimity under persecution, and excluding hatred and revenge.”—Handbook of Chinese Buddhism. Eitel.