424 ANALYSIS OF THE MDO. 



doctrine. They are so firm in their faith that Shakya says of them, they 

 shall become Bodhisatwas. 



Twenty-fifth Chapter, toe* 282—291. After having found the supreme 

 wisdom, Sha kya thinking that men cannot understand his profound doctrine, 

 he will therefore not instruct them except he should be solicited by Brahma' 

 and other gods to do so. They appear ; and on their request he commences 

 to teach his doctrine. 



Twenty-sixth Chapter, lecwes 291—323. The running of his religious 

 course. Recapitulation of his principal acts. The great qualities he had ac- 

 quired. To whom should he first teach his doctrine? Several of them 

 whom he judged fit to understand him, are dead. He proceeds to Vdrandsi. 

 The five persons, formerly his attendants, behig now convinced of his having 

 found the supreme wisdom, pay homage or respect to him, and become his 

 disciples. Leaves. 295 — 312. He instructs them in his doctrine ; explains to 

 them the four excellent truths — 1. There is sorrow or misery. 2. It will 

 be so with every birth. 3. But it may be stopped. 4. The way or mode of 

 making an end to all miseries. Leaf ^01. Whence originated the epithet or 

 name of Buddha, " Tathdgatd" (in Tibetan, De-hxhin-gshegs), viz. from having 

 run his religious race in the same manner as his predecessors. There is 

 an enumeration of several epithets or names of each Buddha* 



Twenty-seventh Chapter, leaves 323 — 329- Conclusion. Sha'kya recom- 

 mends this sufra to his auditors, the gods, to keep it in their remembrance, 

 and to repeat it often. The several benefits and blessings arising from 

 hearing this siitra. 



This work was translated first, in the 9th century, by the Indian Pandits, 

 Jina-mitra, Dana-shi'la, and Mune -varma, and the Tibetan Lotsava, or 

 interpreter, Bande' Ye'-she's-^de^. 



* It has been thought fit to retain the above epitome of the contents of the Lalita Vistara 

 here, but the same has been given in more detail in the notice of Shdkya's life and death, printed 

 in the present volume. Sec. 



