THE GREAT CHRONICLE OF BUDDHAS
110
and by which those who have done so reach maturity.
(These are the advantages accruing from the PÈramÊs.)
16. What is The Fruit of The PÈramÊs
To the question, ‚What is the fruit of the
pÈramÊs
?‛ the answer briefly is:
The fruit of the
pÈramÊs
is the Buddha's innumerable attributes headed by the
arahatta-
magga ÒÈÓa
and Omniscience which is Supreme Enlightenment; that is to say, the
attainment of Buddhahood is the fruit of the
pÈramÊs
.
To elaborate: It is the acquisition of the physical body (
r|pa-kÈya
) adorned with many
attributes, such as the thirty-two characteristics of a Great Man, eighty minor marks (which
will be given in detail in the Chronicle of Buddha Gotama), the aura emanating from his
body extending up to eighty cubits even in the total darkness of four conditions
49
, the
acquisitions of the Dhamma body (
dhamma-kÈya
) which is founded on the physical body
and which is glorious with innumerable attributes, such as the Ten Powers
50
(
Dasa-bala
ÒÈÓa
), the fourfold valorous Wisdom
51
(
Catu-vesÈrajja ÒÈÓa
); the sixfold unique Wisdom
52
,
(
Cha-asÈdhÈraÓa ÒÈÓa
); and eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha (
ŒveÓika
-
dhamma
)
53
.
Furthermore, according to the following verse which is quoted by Commentators:
Buddhopi buddhasea bhaneyya vaÓÓam
kappam pice aÒÒam abhasamÈno
khiyetha kappo cira dÊgham antare
vanno na khiyetha tathÈgatassa.
‚So numerous are the attributes of a Buddha that even another Buddha,
devoting all the time to nothing else but dwelling on the virtues of that
Buddha for the whole of His life, cannot finish describing them.‛ All such
attributes of a Buddha are the fruit of His
pÈramÊs
.
At this point, in order to arouse devotional faith and appreciation of the innumerable,
inestimable attributes of the Buddha, and to let the reader of this treatise develop merit
which is conducive to wisdom, I shall conclude this Chapter on Miscellany by reproducing
the three verses with their meanings, recited in honour of Buddha AnomadassÊ by Suruci
the Hermit, who later become Venerable SÈriputta.
(i)
SakkÈ samudde udakaÑ
49. Four conditions: at midnight, on new moon, amidst a thick forest and under an overcast sky
without lightning.
50. Ten powers (
Dasabala ÒÈÓa)
, perfect comprehension in the ten Spheres of knowledge. Ref:
Chapter 2: RARE APPEARANCE OF A BUDDHA.
51. The fourfold valorous Wisdom (
Catu vesÈrajja ÒÈÓa
); Ref: Chapter VI REFLECTION ON
PERFECTIONS.
52. The sixfold unique Wisdom (
Cha-asÈdhÈrana-ÒÈÓa)
; Ref: Chapter VI REFLECTION ON
PERFECTIONS.
53. (i) having no hindrance with regard to knowledge of the past; (ii) having no hindrance with
regard to knowledge of the present; (iii) having no hindrance with regard to knowledge of the
future; (iv) being preceded by wisdom in all physical actions; (v) being preceded by wisdom in
all verbal actions; (vi) being preceded by wisdom in all mental actions; (vii) having no falling
off in intention; (viii) having no falling off in energy; (ix) having no falling off in concentration;
(x) having no falling off in wisdom; (xi) having no falling off in teaching the Dhamma; (xii)
having no falling off in emancipation; (xiii) not indulging in joking and laughter; (xiv) not
making blunders; (xv) having nothing which cannot be gauged by wisdom; (xvi) having nothing
which needs to be attended in a hurry; (xvii) being never negligent; and (xviii) not undertaking
anything without due reflection.