..續本文上一頁 easily swayed. He paid as little attention to your words as we pay to the grass when we step on it!"
Soon the king arrived at the throne room, where the princess was waiting. He walked steadily up the royal staircase - not hurrying, not slowing down, but dignified like a strong young lion. The princess was so impressed by his attitude that she went to him, respectfully gave him her hand, and led him to the throne. He gracefully sat on the throne.
Then he asked the royal ministers, "Did the previous king leave behind any advice for testing the next king
" "Yes lord," they said, "Whoever can satisfy my daughter Sivali." The king responded, "You have seen the princess give me her hand. Was there another test
"
They said, "Whoever recognises the head of the royal square bed." The king took a golden hairpin from his head and gave it to Princess Sivali, saying, "Put this away for me." Without thinking, she put it on the head of the bed. As if he had not heard it the first time, King Fruitful asked the ministers to repeat the question. When they did, he pointed to the golden hairpin.
"Was there another test
" asked the king. "Yes lord," replied the ministers, "Whoever can string the bow that only a thousand men can string." When they brought the bow, the king strung it without even rising from the throne. He did it as easily as a woman bends the rod that untangles cotton for spinning.
"Are there any more tests
" the king asked. The ministers said, "Whoever can find the 16 hidden treasures." These are the last tests."
"What is the first on the list
" he asked. They said, "The first is the treasure of the rising sun." King Fruitful realised that there must be some trick to finding each treasure. He knew that a Silent Buddha is often compared to the glory of the sun. So he asked, "Where did the king go to meet and feed Silent Buddhas
" When they showed him the place, he had them dig up the first treasure.
The second was the treasure of the setting sun. King Fruitful realised this must be where the old king had said good-bye to Silent Buddhas. In the same manner he found all the hidden treasures.
The people were happy that he had passed all the tests. As his first official act, he had houses of charity built in the center of the city and at each of the four gates. He donated the entire 16 treasures to be given to the poor and needy.
Then he sent for his mother, queen of the dead King Badfruit, and also for the kind wise man of Campa. He gave them both the honour they deserved.
All the people of the kingdom came to Mithila to celebrate the restoration of the royal line. They decorated the city with fragrant flower garlands and incense. They provided cushioned seats for visitors. There were fruits, sweets, drinks and cooked foods everywhere. The ministers and the wealthy brought musicians and dancing girls to entertain the king. There were beautiful poems recited by wise men, and blessings chanted by holy men.
The Enlightenment Being, King Fruitful, sat on the throne under the royal white umbrella. In the midst of the great celebration he seemed as majestic as the heavenly god, King Sakka. He remembered his great effort struggling in the ocean against all odds, when even the ocean goddess had abandoned him. Only because of that almost hopeless effort, he himself was now as magnificent as a god. This filled him with such joy that he spoke this rhyme -
"Things happen unexpectedly, and prayers may not come true: But effort brings results that neither thoughts nor prayers can do."
After the wonderful celebration, King Fruitful ruled in Mithila with perfect righteousness. And he humbly gave honour and almsfood to Silent Buddhas - enlightened ones living in a time when their teachings could not be understood.
In the fullness of time Queen Sivali gave birth to a son. Because the wise men of the court saw signs of a long and glorious life ahead of him, he was named Prince Longlife. When he grew up, the king made him second in command.
《Gaining Power (Chapter 2· )》全文閱讀結束。