2.
The Chapter on the Lotus
261.
The Lotus Birth Story (3-2-1)
31.
So may your nose grow back, give the lotus when asked.
32.
So may your nose grow back, give the lotus when asked.
33.
Whether they would say it or not say it, there is no growing of the nose;
Give me lotuses, my dear, I ask as one who has been asked.
The Lotus Birth Story is the first.
262.
The Soft Hand Birth Story (3-2-2)
34.
And darkness were to rain down, then surely it might be so.
35.
Knowing that they sink, one should avoid them from afar.
36.
Like fire, they quickly burn up his own state.
The Soft Hand Birth Story is the second.
263.
The Lesser Enticement Birth Story (3-2-3)
37.
Having gone to intimacy with a woman, you sink in the great ocean.
38.
Knowing that they sink, one should avoid them from afar.
39.
Like fire, they quickly burn up his own state.
The Lesser Enticement Birth Story is the third.
264.
The Great Panāda Birth Story (3-2-4)
40.
Across it measured sixteen in height, upwards they said a thousandfold.
41.
There the gandhabbas danced, six thousand in seven groups.
42.
I was Sakka then, your steward."
The Great Panāda Birth Story is the fourth.
265.
The Razor-Arrow Birth Story (3-2-5)
43.
In that fear when death was imminent, why was there no trepidation for you?
44.
In that fear when death was imminent, I obtained abundant and lofty inspiration.
45.
For indeed, one making attachment to life, a hero would never do a hero's duty.
The Razor-Arrow Birth Story is the fifth.
266.
The Wind-Swift Sindh Horse Birth Story (3-2-6)
46.
This husband of yours has come, why do you now run away?
47.
The fame of women diminishes, therefore dear son, I flee.
48.
Grieves for a long time, like a bhaddalī creeper in the wind.
The Wind-Swift Sindh Horse Birth Story is the sixth.
267.
The Crab Birth Story (3-2-7)
49.
Overpowered by it, I cry miserably, may he not abandon me who am dear as life.
50.
On the earth bounded by four quarters, you have been dear to me.
51.
Of them you are the foremost water-born, release the husband of her who is crying.
The Crab Birth Story is the seventh.
268.
The Park Spoiler Birth Story (3-2-8)
52.
Such is his wisdom, what then of the other generation?
53.
How, without seeing the root, could one know a tree to be established?
54.
Vissasena alone is blameworthy, for whose benefit the tree planters existed.
The Park Spoiler Birth Story is the eighth.
269.
The Sujāta Birth Story (3-2-9)
55.
If harsh in speech, is not dear, in this world and the next.
56.
The cuckoo, dear to many living beings through its smooth speech.
57.
He explains the meaning and the Teaching, sweet is his saying.
The Sujāta Birth Story is the ninth.
270.
The Owl Birth Story (3-2-10)
58.
If permitted by the relatives, I would speak a single word.
59.
For there are young birds, wise ones, resplendent.
60.
See the face of one not angry, what will he do when angry?"
The Owl Birth Story is the tenth.
The Lotus Chapter is the second.
Its summary:
Then Bhaddālī, Elephant, Tree, Again, Harsh Speech, with Excellent Owl - ten.