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Buddhacarita by Ven Asvaghosa - Ancient Buddhist Texts

Buddhacarita by Ven Asvaghosa - Ancient Buddhist Texts

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Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha - 179<br />

48. He reflected exhaustively that they arise in ignorance; thus did the<br />

great seer, the Bodhisattva, the lord of saints,<br />

49. After reflecting, pondering, and meditating, finally determine,<br />

‘The latent impressions start into activity after they are once<br />

developed from ignorance.<br />

50. ‘Produced from the activity of the latent impressions incipient<br />

consciousness starts into action; (the activity) of the organism starts<br />

into action on having an experience of incipient consciousness;<br />

51. ‘The six organs of sense become active when produced in the<br />

organism; sensation is produced from the contact of the six organs<br />

(with their objects);<br />

52. ‘Desire starts into activity when produced from sensation; the<br />

attachment to existence springs from desire; from this attachment<br />

arises a (continued) existence;<br />

53. ‘Birth is produced where there has been a (continued) existence;<br />

and from birth arise old age, disease, and the rest; and scorched <strong>by</strong><br />

the flame of old age and disease the world is devoured <strong>by</strong> death;<br />

54. ‘When it is thus scorched <strong>by</strong> the fire of death’s anguish great pain<br />

arises; such verily is the origin of this great trunk of pain.’<br />

55. Thus having ascertained it all, the great Being was perfectly<br />

illuminated; and having again meditated and pondered, he thus<br />

reflected,

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