SEVENTH INCARNATION
In the seventh incarnation, they were born as twins in the Uttarakurus. Then they were born among the Uttarakurus as twins, for the same fate results to those who have died with the same thought. Continue reading “Seventh & Eighth Incarnation” »

Then the fourth minister said: “It is illusion; nothing is real. The visible world is like a dream or a mirage. A teacher and a disciple; a father and a son; virtue and vice; one’s own and another’s; such things as appear, that is only a form of expression, not reality. Continue reading “The Doctrine of Maya (Vedanta)” »

A drum sounded, making the heavens resound with its echoes, and Bards recited: “Hail! O Delight of the World,” etc. The palace, filled with the sounds of song and music and outcries of the Bards, thundered as it were with delight at the arrival of the lord. Then he, like one who had just arisen from sleep, seeing this, wondered: “Is this magic? Is it a dream? Is it illusion? What sort of thing is it? Are the singing, dancing, etc., for my benefit? Are these respectful people here for my benefit as their lord? How did I obtain this abode, luxurious, beautiful, enjoyable, pleasant, the abode of joy?” Continue reading “Refutation of Maya – Part 3” »

After he had enjoyed pleasures unceasingly, the soul of Vajrajangha fell from the exhaustion of his life-span, Just as a snow-ball melts in the sun. In Jambudvipa in the Videhas, in the city Ksitipratisthita, he was born as the son, named Jivananda, of the physician Suvidhi. At the same time in this city four other boys were born, like pieces of Dharma joined to bodies. Among them, one was the son, named Mahidhara, of King Isanacandra by his wife Kanakavati. Continue reading “Ninth Incarnation as a physician Jivananda” »

Just then Vajrajangha came from the city Lohargala, saw the events painted in the picture, and swooned. Fanned with fans, sprinkled with water, he got up. Recollection of his former birth took place, as if he had just come from heaven. Questioned by Pandita, “Why did you swoon, O Prince, when you saw this painting?” Vajrajangha said: “This painting is the life of my wife and myself in a former birth, madam. When I saw it, I fainted. This is the holy heaven Isana, and this the palace Sriprabha. Here am I named Lalitanga, and that is my wife, Svayamprabha. Here in Dhatakikhanda, having descended in Nandigrama, she, named Nirnamika, was born in the house of a poor man. Continue reading “Sixth Incarnation as Vajrajangha – Part 2” »

Then he was born as the son of King Suvarnajangha and Queen Laksmi in Jambudvipa,, in the East Videhas, near the Ocean on the north bank of the big river Sita, in the province Puskalavati, in the city Lohargala. Then with delight blossoming forth, on an auspicious day the happy parents gave him the name of Vajrajangha. In a short time Svayamprabha, afflicted by grief, devoted to works of Dharma, also fell like Lalitanga. In this same province in the city Pundarikini, she became the daughter of the Cakrin Vajrasena and his wife Gunavati. She was endowed with beauty surpassing all the world, and was named Srimati by her parents. Cared for by nurses like a creeper by women-gardeners, she grew up gradually, her body delicate and her hands like shining blossoms. As a jewel adorns a gold ring, youth adorned her making the sky blossom, as it were, with her glossy beauty. Continue reading “Sixth Incarnation as Vajrajangha – Part 1” »

Svayambuddha said: “If an object is not real, how can it be useful? If illusion is such, then why does not a dream elephant perform work? If the existence of cause and effect of objects is not considered real, then why are you afraid of a falling thunderbolt? That being as you say, you are not, I am not; there is no speech, and no speaker. How would the knowledge of the thing desired produce results?
Your Majesty, you are deceived by these learned in perverse arguments, themselves greedy for sense objects, constantly averse to future welfare. Relying on discernment, keep far away from sense objects. Rely only on Dharma, O Master, for happiness in this world and next.” Continue reading “Refutation of Maya – Part 1” »

Then Sambhinnamati, like the night before the new moon, a heap of darkness of exceeding wrong belief, whose mind was like poison, said: “Well said! Well said! Svayambuddha. You desire the Master’s welfare, for intention is inferred from speech like food from vomiting. Only hereditary ministers like you, no others, speak thus for the pleasure of the Master who is always sincere and gracious. Continue reading “Exposition of the Carvaka system (Materialist)” »

One day, the gods came to a garden outside the city to honor Muni Silandhara who had acquired omniscience. The King was informed about this by Subuddhi and, his mind engraved with faith, went on horseback to the best of munis. After the King had sainted him and had seated himself, the Muni delivered a sermon that was moonlight to the darkness of wrong doctrine. At the end of the sermon, the King with folded hands asked him, ‘Master, to what condition of existence did my father go after death?’ Continue reading “Refutation of Maya – Part 2” »

Dhana made a march day by day like the sun, looked for by all the people with wide-open eyes. At that time, it was the fiery summer season terrible to travelers, diminishing the water of the ponds and rivers, as well as shortening the nights. Winds that were like fires, thoroughly unbearable, blew, and the sun spread its heat that was like a mass of fire on all sides. The members of the caravans stopped at every tree near a pond and, having entered every water-dispensary, drank much water, and fell (on the ground). Continue reading “The first Incarnation of Rishabhdev as the Merchant Dhana – Part 2” »