3.
The Chapter on Yudhañjaya
1.
The Conduct of Yudhañjaya
Having seen a dew-drop fallen in the sunshine, I was stirred.
And having paid homage to my mother and father, I requested the going forth.
'This very day, son, proceed with the prosperous, flourishing great earth.'
While they were lamenting pitiably, without longing I gave them up.
Giving them away, I did not grieve, because of enlightenment itself.
Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave up the kingdom."
The Conduct of Yudhañjaya is the first.
2.
The Conduct of Somanassa
A longed-for, beloved son, renowned as Somanassa.
Respectful to elders, having shame, and skilled in the means of inclusion.
Having planted a park and a flower garden, he lives.
Like a tree hollow inside, like a plantain without core.
Having abandoned shame and the bright qualities, for the sake of livelihood.
Going to suppress that, my father instructed me.
Attend to him according to his wishes, for he is the giver of all desires.'
'Is it well with you, householder, or what shall be brought for you?'
'I will have you killed today, or I will banish you from the kingdom'.
'Is it bearable for you, venerable sir, has honour been shown to you?'
Having heard that word of his, the lord of the earth commanded.
From road to road you should display it, that is the destination for those who scorned the matted-hair ascetic.'
While I was sitting in my mother's lap, dragging me away, they lead me off.
'Show me quickly to the king, I have matters for the king.'
Having seen him, I convinced him, and brought him under my control.
I, having dispelled the darkness, went forth into homelessness.
Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave up the kingdom."
The Conduct of Somanassa is the second.
3.
The Conduct of Ayoghara
Raised in an iron house, by name I was Ayoghara.
This very day, son, proceed with this entire earth.
Having raised my joined palms, I spoke these words.
Without protection in their own homes, they grow with their own relatives.
Raised in an iron house, where moon and sun had little light.
Into suffering more terrible than that, again thrown into an iron house.
If I find pleasure in kingdoms, I would be the lowest of the evil ones.
I shall seek peace, where death may not crush me.'
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I entered the forest grove.
33.
Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave up the kingdom."
The Conduct of Ayoghara is the third.
4.
The Conduct of Bhisa
A sister and seven brothers, were born in a brahmin family.
Having seen existence as peril, I delighted in renunciation.
They invite me with sensual pleasures, 'Maintain the family lineage.'
That was hard for me, like a heated ploughshare.
'What do you desire, my dear, if you do not enjoy sensual pleasures?'
'I do not aspire for the household life, I delight in renunciation.'
Mother and father said thus, 'Let us all go forth, friend.'
Having abandoned immeasurable wealth, we entered the great forest."
The Conduct of Bhisa is the fourth.
5.
The Conduct of Soṇa the Wise
There, in an excellent noble family, a great household, I was born.
My mind shrinks back from existence, as if struck by the force of a goad.
'When shall I, having gone forth from home, enter the forest.'
To them too I declared my desire, 'Do not invite me with those.'
He too, following my example, delighted in the going forth.
Even then, having abandoned wealth, we entered the great forest."
The Conduct of the Wise Soṇa is the fifth.
6.
The Conduct of Temiya
By the name 'Mute-cripple', they call me Temiya.
With the passing of days and nights, I alone was born.
Having held the white parasol, my father nourishes me on a bed.
Saw a white umbrella, by which I went to hell.
Having attained judgment, 'How shall I release this?'
She, having seen me suffering, engaged me in three states.
Let all the people despise you, thus will your welfare come to be.'
'I shall do that word of yours, which you speak, O deity;
Joyful, with an agitated mind, I determined upon three factors.
Having determined these limbs, I dwelt for sixteen years.
Having seen me complete, they disparaged me as 'a wretch'."
All having become of one mind, gave thanks for the abandonment.
For the purpose of which austere asceticism was practised, that purpose has been accomplished for me.
Having consecrated him with an umbrella, they caused him to circumambulate the city.
Having taken me out by chariot, the charioteer went to the forest.
The charioteer digs a pit, to bury me in the earth.
I did not break that determination, because of enlightenment itself.
Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I determined upon the ascetic practice.
66.
In determination there is none equal to me, this is my perfection of determination."
The Conduct of Temiya is the sixth.
7.
The Conduct of the Monkey King
Oppressed by a crocodile, I did not obtain passage.
There sat the enemy, the murderer, the crocodile of fierce appearance.
Having trodden upon his head, I stood on the other bank.
In truth there is none equal to me, this is my perfection of truthfulness."
The Conduct of the Monkey King is the seventh.
8.
The Conduct of Sacca the Ascetic
By truth I protected the world, I made the people united."
The Conduct of the Truthful Ascetic is the eighth.
9.
The Conduct of the Young Quail
A young one with unborn wings, a lump of flesh in the nest.
By her contact I live, there is no bodily strength in me.
It approaches us, the fire, the black-pathed one.
Burning gradually, the fire approached me.
Having abandoned me in the nest, freed themselves.
I, without means of going there, thus I thought then.
They have departed, leaving me behind, what am I to do today?
By that truth I will make the highest declaration of truth.
Relying on the power of truth, I made a declaration of truth.
Mother and father have departed, fire, go back.'
Avoided sixteen karīsas, like fire having reached water;
In truth there is none equal to me, this is my perfection of truthfulness."
The Conduct of the Young Quail is the ninth.
10.
The Conduct of the Fish King
In the heat of the sun's burning, the water in the lake was exhausted.
Eat the fish day and night, having sat close by.
'By what means indeed might I release my relatives from suffering?'
Established in truth, I released my relatives from that great destruction.
He made a declaration of truth, which is everlasting and eternal in the world.
I do not know of having intentionally harmed even a single living being.
Thunder forth, O Rain-God, destroy the treasure of the crow;
Afflict the crow with sorrow, release the fish from sorrow.'
Filling the high ground and the low, in a moment he rained down.
I caused the great cloud to rain, relying on the power of truth's radiance;
The Conduct of the Fish King is the tenth.
11.
The Conduct of Kaṇhadīpāyana
For more than fifty years, I lived without delight.
For I did not tell anyone, discontent roams in my mind.
Connected with former deeds, he obtained impalement.
Having asked permission, I came to my own hermitage.
Three people having come together, came as guests.
The boy, throwing up a ball, angered a venomous snake.
Touched the head of the venomous snake with his hand.
Enraged with supreme anger, bit the child in a moment.
By that I was afflicted, you bear that suffering of mine.
I performed the first act, the highest truth, the excellent best.
And furthermore, this that I have practised, for more than fifty years.
Let the poison be destroyed, may Yaññadatta live.'
Without awakening he arose, and the young man became healthy;
In truth there is none equal to me, this is my perfection of truthfulness."
The Conduct of Kaṇhadīpāyana is the eleventh.
12.
The Conduct of Sutasoma
Seized by the man-eater, I remembered my promise to the brahmin.
Having exhausted these, he led me for the purpose of sacrifice.
I will do according to your wish, if you will come back to me.'
Having approached the charming city, I handed over the kingdom then.
Having given wealth to the brahmin, I approached the man-eater.
Protecting truthful speech, I approached ready to give up my life;
In truth there is none equal to me, this is my perfection of truthfulness."
The Conduct of Sutasoma is the twelfth.
13.
The Conduct of Suvaṇṇasāma
In the forest wilds, I extended friendliness to lions and tigers.
By spotted deer and boars, surrounded, I dwelt in the forest.
Supported by the power of friendliness, I delight in the forest wilds then."
The Conduct of Suvaṇṇasāma is the thirteenth.
14.
The Conduct of King Eka
Having determined supreme morality, I governed the great earth.
By the four ways of supporting others, I support the great multitude.
Dabbasena, having approached, taking by force my city.
Having taken all into his possession, he buried me in a pit.
Having taken them by force, I looked upon him as a dear son;
The Conduct of King Eka is the fourteenth.
15.
The Conduct of the Great Terror
Village louts, having approached, display no small amount of antics.
They bring as offerings, joyful, with stirred minds.
I am equal towards all, compassion and irritation are not found.
Everywhere I am even-minded, this is my perfection of equanimity."
The Conduct of Mahālomahaṃsa is the fifteenth.
The Yudhañjaya Chapter is the third.
Its summary:
Soṇananda, Mūgapakkha, the monkey king, the one named Truth.
Again I was Sutasoma, and Sāma, and Ekarāja;
There was the perfection of equanimity, thus was said by the great sage.
Having experienced this or that existence, I attained the highest enlightenment.
Having gone to the perfection of renunciation, I attained the highest enlightenment.
Having gone to the perfection of patience, I attained the highest enlightenment.
Having gone to the perfection of friendliness, I attained the highest enlightenment.
Having become even-minded everywhere, I attained the highest enlightenment.
Be those putting forth strenuous energy, this is the Buddha's instruction.
Be united, be kindly in speech, this is the Buddha's instruction.
Develop the eightfold path, this is the Buddha's instruction.
Thus the Blessed One, extolling his own former conduct, spoke this exposition of the Teaching called 'The Life History of the Buddha'.
The Conduct Canon is concluded.