VI: Sumedha’s Reflection on the Perfections – 81 

 

“Sumedha, a pair of scales remains steady without tipping to one side or 
the other when poised by equal weights; likewise, if you remain evenly 
balanced in mind when faced with happiness or suffering, you will attain 
the knowledge of the paths, fruitions and omniscience.” 

He continued to admonish himself (Bv 164-165): 

“Sumedha, this great earth shows no sign of love or 

[46]

 hate towards all 

the things that are dumped upon it, whether they are clean or foul. 
Likewise, Sumedha, you should always remain composed, equable in heart, 
not being affected either by love or hate. When you are accomplished in 
fulfilling the perfection of equanimity, you will attain the path and 
fruition, and omniscience.” 

When Sumedha had reflected on the perfection of equanimity, it occurred to 
him thus (BvA, PTS 113): 

“The perfections which contribute to the maturity of the knowledge of the 
paths, fruitions and omniscience and make a Buddha, and which a 
Bodhisatta has to fulfil, are exactly these ten. There are no other 
perfections besides these. And these ten perfections, which are essential to 
become a Buddha, do not exist outside myself; neither in the sky above 
nor on the earth below; nor do they lie in the east or in any other direction. 
In fact, they are in my heart.” 

When he had thought thus, he urged himself (BvA, PTS 113): 

“Sumedha, fulfil these ten perfections, which are the excellent factors 
conditioning Buddhahood, without swerving in any way.” 

Then he considered going over the perfections in forward order: generosity, 
morality, renunciation, wisdom, energy, forbearance, truthfulness, resolution, 
loving-kindness and equanimity. Then he considered them in reverse order: 
equanimity, loving-kindness, resolution, truthfulness, forbearance, energy, 
wisdom, renunciation, morality, and generosity. 

Then he considered going over them in groups of two beginning with the middle 
two: energy and forbearance; wisdom and truthfulness; renunciation and 
resolution; morality and loving-kindness; generosity and equanimity. Then he 
considered going over them again, beginning from the two ends: generosity and 
equanimity; morality and loving-kindness; renunciation and resolution; wisdom