The Long Āgama Sūtra 3.11

3.11

「帝釋報言：『諦聽！諦聽！善思念之。諸賢！如來、至真、等正覺，十號具足，不見過去、未來、現在有如來、至真，十號具足，如佛者也。佛法微妙，善可講說，智者所行，不見過去、未來、現在有微妙法，如佛者也。佛由此法，而自覺悟，通達無礙，以自娛樂，不見過去、未來、現在能於此法而自覺悟，通達無礙，以自娛樂，如佛者也。諸賢！佛以此法自覺悟已，亦能開示涅槃徑路，親近漸至，入於寂滅。譬如恒河水、炎摩水，二水竝流，入於大海。佛亦如是，善能開示涅槃徑路，親近漸至，入于寂滅，不見過去、未來、現在有能開示涅槃徑路，如佛者也。諸賢！如來眷屬成就，剎利、婆羅門、居士、沙門、有智慧者，皆是如來成就眷屬，不見過去、未來、現在眷屬成就，如佛者也。諸賢！如來大眾成就，所謂比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，不見過去、未來、現在大眾成就，如佛者也。諸賢！如來言行相應，所言如行，所行如言，如是則為法法成就，不見過去、未來、現在言行相應，法法成就，如佛者也。諸賢！如來多所饒益，多所安樂，以慈愍心利益天人，不見過去、未來、現在多所饒益，多所安樂，如佛者也。諸賢！是為如來八無等法。』

“Lord Śakra replied, “Listen closely, listen closely! Consider it well.

“‘Gentlemen, the Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One has perfected the ten epithets. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present perfect the ten epithets like the Buddha has.

“‘The Buddha’s Dharma is sublime and a good exposition of the wise person’s training. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present with a sublime teaching like that of the Buddha.

“‘The Buddha awakened himself as a result of this teaching. Without any obstacle to his understanding, he enjoys himself. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present awaken themselves with this teaching and have no obstacle to their understanding like the Buddha has.

“‘Gentlemen, after awakening himself with this teaching, the Buddha reveals the way to Nirvāṇa and the gradual approach and entry into extinguishment. It’s like the Gaṅgā River and the Yamunā River. Those two rivers flow into each other and then enter the ocean. The Buddha is likewise. He reveals the way to Nirvāṇa and the gradual approach and entry into extinguishment. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present reveal the way to Nirvāṇa like the Buddha does.

“‘Gentlemen, the Tathāgata has achieved a following of warriors, priests, householders, and ascetics. Wise is the following achieved by the Tathāgata. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present achieve a following like the Buddha has.

“‘Gentlemen, the Tathāgata has achieved a great assembly known as monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present accomplish a great assembly like the Buddha has.

“‘Gentlemen, the Tathāgata’s words and actions correspond. He does what he says, and he says what he does. Thus, he has achieved one teaching and the next. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present whose words and actions correspond and achieve one teaching and the next like the Buddha.

“‘Gentlemen, the Tathāgata has benefited many and made many happy. He bestows these blessings to gods and humans out of compassion. I’ve not seen a Tathāgata, Arhat, and Completely Awakened One in the past, future, or present benefit many and made many happy like the Buddha has.

“‘Gentlemen, these are the Tathāgata’s eight unequalled qualities.’