1. The Chapter on the Jewelled Earring

351. The Maṇikuṇḍala Birth Story (5-1-1)

Having lost chariot and horses and jewelled earrings, and sons and wife likewise having lost;

In all possessions without remainder, why do you not grieve in time of sorrow?

Wealth abandons a mortal first, or the mortal gives them up even earlier;

Non-eternal are the wealthy, O lover of sensual pleasures, therefore I do not grieve in time of sorrow.

The moon rises, waxes and wanes, the sun, having heated, goes to its setting;

The worldly adversities are known by me, O enemy, therefore I do not grieve in time of sorrow.

A lazy householder enjoying sensual pleasures is not good, an unrestrained one gone forth is not good;

A king not acting considerately is not good, whoever is a wise one prone to wrath, that is not good.

A warrior should act considerately, a lord of the land not inconsiderately;

For a king who acts considerately, fame and renown increase.

The Maṇikuṇḍala Birth Story is the first.

352. The Sujāta Birth Story (5-1-2)

"Why, as if in a hurry, having mowed green grass,

Do you prattle 'Eat, eat!' to an old bull whose life has departed?

"For indeed not by food or drink, will a dead bull rise up;

And you talk hollow nonsense, just as a fool would."

The head remains just so, and hands and feet and tail;

The ears remain just so, methinks the bull should rise up.

The grandfather's head, and hands and feet are not seen;

Crying at a clay stupa, are you not yourself the fool?

10.

"Indeed, as I was blazing, like a fire sprinkled with ghee;

Pouring down as if with water, he extinguished all my anguish.

11.

"He has indeed drawn out my dart, which was lodged in my heart;

He who, for me overcome with sorrow, dispelled my sorrow for my father.

12.

I have had the dart pulled out, free from sorrow, undisturbed;

I do not grieve, I do not weep, having heard you, young man.

13.

Thus do the wise act, those who are compassionate;

They turn one away from sorrow, as Sujāta did his father.

The Sujāta Birth Story is the second.

353. The Venasākha Birth Story (5-1-3)

14.

This is not to be permanent, Brahmadatta, security, plenty of food, and pleasantness in the body;

When benefit has passed, do not be bewildered, like one with a broken raft in the middle of the ocean.

15.

Whatever a person does, that he sees in himself;

The doer of good reaps good, the doer of evil reaps evil;

Whatever kind of seed one sows, that kind of fruit one reaps.

16.

This is that teacher's word, which Pārāsariya spoke;

Do not do evil, which done, afterwards torments you.

17.

This is indeed that Piṅgiya tree with spreading branches, under which I had a thousand warriors killed;

Adorned, anointed with the essence of sandalwood, that very suffering has returned to me.

18.

And she, dark-skinned, with body anointed with sandalwood, risen like a young shoot of the drumstick tree;

Without seeing Ubbarī, I shall die, that will be more painful for me than this.

The Venasākha Birth Story is the third.

354. The Uraga Birth Story (5-1-4)

19.

Just as a snake goes, leaving behind its worn-out skin;

So too when the body is useless, when the departed one has died.

20.

The one burning does not know the lamentation of relatives;