VI: Sumedha’s Reflection on the Perfections – 77 

 

“A monastic on his alms round receives sufficient food by going from one 
household to another, be they low, middling or high. Likewise, Sumedha, 
you should always approach all learned persons, irrespective of their 
depth of learning and ask them the facts and the meaning of all that 
should be known by raising questions, such as: “Sir, what is merit? What is 
demerit? What is faulty? What is faultless?” and so on. You should thus 
make an effort to become accomplished in the perfection of wisdom. 
When you are thus accomplished, you will attain the knowledge of the 
paths, fruitions and omniscience.” 

5.   The Perfection of Energy 

After discovering and reflecting on the perfection of wisdom, he discovered 
energy as the fifth perfection which former Bodhisattas cultivated and fulfilled. 
Then he admonished himself thus (Bv 137-138): 

“Sumedha, if you are desirous of attaining the knowledge of the paths, 
fruitions and omniscience, you should constantly establish the perfection 
of energy and make efforts to become accomplished in fulfilling this 
perfection.” 

He continued to admonish himself (Bv 139-140): 

“Crouching, standing and walking, the lion, the king of beasts, is possessed 
of undiminished energy in these postures, and is always alert. Likewise, 
Sumedha, you should constantly arouse your energy in all your existences. 
When you are accomplished in fulfilling the perfection of energy, you 
will attain the knowledge of the paths, fruitions and omniscience.” 

6. The Perfection of Forbearance 

After discovering and reflecting on the perfection of energy, he discovered 
forbearance as the sixth perfection which former Bodhisattas had always 
cultivated and fulfilled. 

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 Then he admonished himself thus (Bv 142-143): 

“Sumedha, if you are desirous of attaining the knowledge of the paths, 
fruitions and omniscience, you should constantly establish the perfection 
of forbearance without being inconsistent, such as being tolerant 
sometimes and not at other times, being patient with some people and not 
with others; if you can practise thus, you will attain the knowledge of the 
paths, fruitions and omniscience.”