The First Treatise on the Perfections – 2560
on. He is able to eradicate the natural tendencies towards defilements
(
kilesa-vāsanā
).
5.
By abstaining from slander (
pisuṇā-vācā
), the Bodhisatta possesses a
physical body which is indestructible and a following that cannot be
divided by the wiles of others. He has unbreakable faith in the true
Dhamma. He is a firm friend, endearing to all beings, enjoying the
benefits of having but few defilements (
kilesa
).
6.
By abstaining from abusive language (
pharusā-vāca
), the Bodhisatta
becomes dear to beings. With a pleasant, amiable disposition, sweet in
speech, he is held in high esteem by all. He becomes endowed with a
voice of eight qualities.
According to the Discourse concerning Mahā Govinda (
Mahā-govinda-
sutta
, DN 19) the eight qualities of voice possessed by Sanaṅkumāra
Brahma are: 1) Purity of enunciation; 2) clearness, being easily understood;
3) melodiousness; 4) pleasantness; 5) being full and rounded; 6) not being
scattered and diffused; 7) being deep and resonant; and 8) not travelling
beyond his audience; like the Brahma, Bodhisattas are also possessors of a
voice with these eight qualities.
7.
By abstaining from frivolous talk (
samphappalāpā-vāca
), the
Bodhisatta is dear and agreeable to all beings, esteemed and revered by
them. Speaking, as a rule, in a cautious manner, his words are well
accepted and have much influence on them. He wields great power and
has the skill to give instant answers to questions asked by others. When
he becomes a Buddha, he becomes capable of answering all the
questions put forward by beings in numerous languages. He answers by
giving a single reply in Pāḷi, the language of noble persons (
ariya-vācā
),
which is well understood by the audience of different races numbering
101, each speaking their own language.
8.
By abstaining from covetousness (
abhijjhā
), the Bodhisatta gains
whatever he wishes without difficulty. He obtains excellent riches to his
liking. He is honoured and revered by
[87]
wealthy kings, Brahmins and
householders. He is never vanquished by his adversaries. He has no
defects in his faculties of eye, ear, nose, etc., and becomes a person
without a peer.