2.
The Chapter on Bull Elephants
1.
The Conduct of the One Who Supported His Mother
There was none on earth then, equal to me in virtue.
'A fitting elephant for you, great king, dwells in the forest.
Once seized by the trunk, he will come here by himself.'"
Sent an elephant tamer, a skilful trainer, well-trained.
One pulling up lotus roots and fibres, for the sustenance of his mother.
Having said 'Come, son,' he grasped my trunk.
Today is equal and similar in power to a thousand elephants.
I would be competent against them, even up to the human kingdom.
Do not make alteration in my mind, seeing them throwing me into the stake.
I would indeed not become angry with them, out of fear of breaking my morality."
The Conduct of the One Who Supports His Mother is the first.
2.
The Conduct of Bhūridatta
With the great king Virūpakkha, I went to the world of the gods.
For the purpose of going to that heaven, I undertook moral rules and austerities.
Having determined the four limbs, I lie on the top of the ant-hill.
Whoever has need of this, let him take what is given."
Having put me in a box, he makes me perform here and there.
16.
At Ālampāyana I do not become angry, out of fear of breaking my morality.
Transgression of morality for me is like the overturning of the earth.
I would indeed not break morality, even for the sake of the four continents.
Do not make alteration in my mind, even when being thrown into the box."
The Conduct of Bhūridatta is the second.
3.
The Conduct of Campeyya the Nāga
Even then I was righteous, devoted to moral rules and austerities.
A snake-catcher, having taken me, plays at the king's gate.
Following his mind, I became like what was thought of.
If I were to become angry with him, I could reduce him to ashes in a moment.
For one who has fallen away from morality, the highest good does not succeed.
I would indeed not break morality, like chaff being scattered."
The Conduct of the Campeyya Serpent is the third.
4.
The Conduct of Cūḷabodhi
Having seen existence as peril, I went forth into renunciation.
She too, without concern for the round of rebirths, went forth into renunciation.
Wandering through village and market town, we arrived at Bārāṇasī.
Undisturbed and quiet, in the royal garden we both dwelt.
Having approached, he asked me, 'Who is she to you, whose wife is she?'
'She is not my wife, she shares the same teaching, under one discipline'.
Oppressing her by force, he led her into the inner palace.
Was being dragged away and led off, irritation arose in me.
Right there I restrained the irritation, I did not allow it to grow further.
I would indeed not break morality, because of enlightenment itself.
Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I shall guard morality."
The Conduct of Cūḷabodhi is the fourth.
5.
The Conduct of King Mahiṃsa
With a fully grown body, powerful, great, dreadful to behold.
Here and there is a place for buffaloes, one here, one there.
Having approached that place, I stand and I lie down.
On the shoulder, on the forehead, on the eyebrows, he urinates and defecates on me.
He ill-treats me at all times, by that I am troubled.
'Destroy this wretched evil one, with horns and with hooves.'"
'Why do you smear me with a corpse, with evil, with what is ignoble?
And my morality would be broken, and the wise would censure me.
Why would I, even for the sake of life, do harassing of others?'
They will kill him, that will be my freedom."
Thus the wise one obtains what is wished for in the mind."
The Conduct of King Mahiṃsa is the fifth.
6.
The Conduct of King Ruru
A king of beasts named Ruru, established in supreme morality.
There I took up abode, on the delightful bank of the Ganges.
A man fell into the Ganges, 'whether I live or die'.
Crying a pitiful cry, goes in the middle of the Ganges.
Standing on the bank of the Ganges, I asked 'Who are you, man?'
'Frightened and trembling because of creditors, I leapt into the great river'.
Having entered, I brought him out, in the darkness of the night.
'I request one boon from you, do not tell anyone about me.'
Having taken the king, he approached my presence.
The king, having heard the word, prepared an arrow for him;
'Right here I will have killed the betrayer of friends, the ignoble one.'
'Let him remain, great king, I become your servant at will.'
For I was moral then, because of enlightenment itself."
The Conduct of King Ruru is the sixth.
7.
The Conduct of Mātaṅga
Mātaṅga by name, virtuous and well concentrated.
I dwelt upstream, the brahmin dwelt downstream.
There, having abused me, he cursed me with the splitting of my head.
Having looked at him, I could reduce him to ashes, as it were.
It fell upon his very own head, by exertion I released him from that.
For I was moral then, because of enlightenment itself."
The Conduct of Mātaṅga is the seventh.
8.
The Conduct of Dhamma the Young God
A great demon named Dhamma, having compassion for the whole world.
I wander through village and market town, with friends and retinue.
He wanders here on earth, with friends and retinue.
Clashing shaft against shaft, we both met on the opposite path.
For the purpose of turning aside from the road, a great battle was at hand.
I could reduce him together with his retinue to dust.
Having stepped aside together with my people, I gave the path to the evil one.
The earth gave an opening to the evil demon at that very moment."
The Conduct of Dhamma the Young God is the eighth.
9.
The Conduct of Alīnasattu
A king named Jayaddisa, endowed with virtuous qualities.
Alīnasatta, endowed with virtues, always protecting my attendants.
He seized my father, 'You are my food, do not move.'
His thighs became stiff, having seen the man-eater.
Having given wealth to the brahmin, my father addressed me.
A promise was made by me to the man-eater, for my return again.'
Having laid down the bow and sword, I approached the man-eater.
By that, morality will be broken, when terror is caused in me.
With a mind of friendliness, speaking for his welfare, I spoke these words.
You, having understood the time when cooked, eat me, grandfather.'
And I gave the going forth to him, the constant killer of living beings."
The Conduct of Alīnasattu is the ninth.
10.
The Conduct of Saṅkhapāla
With fangs as weapons, with terrible poison, two-tongued, lord of serpents.
Having determined the four factors, I made my dwelling there.
Whoever has need of this, let him take what is given."
They approached me there, with sticks and clubs in hand.
Having placed me on a carrying pole, the sons of hunters carried me away.
If I wished, I could burn it there with the breath from my nose.
I do not become angry at the Bhoja princes, this is my perfection of morality."
The Conduct of Saṅkhapāla is the tenth.
The Chapter on the Elephant is the second.
Its summary:
Ruru, Mātaṅga, Dhamma, and the son Jayaddisa.
Having protected my life, I guarded the moralities.
Was given up to whoever it may be, therefore that is the perfection of morality.
The Exposition on the Perfection of Morality is concluded.