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དམ་པའ་ཆས་པད་མ་དཀར་པ་ཞས་བྱ་བ་ཐག་པ་ཆན་པའ་མད 5

The White Lotus of the Good Dharma 5

Language
English

5.2

There were in all those worlds the unfortunate existences in between worlds where there was complete darkness. The moon and sun with their great miraculous power, their great might, and their great brilliance could not with their light illuminate them. They could not with their color bring color there or with their brilliance bring brilliance.²⁹⁴ The great light appeared even in those places. The beings who had been reborn between the worlds saw each other and knew that each other were there and they said, ‘Oh my! There are other beings who have been born here! Oh my! There are other beings who have been born here!’

“In all those worlds the paradises and heavenly residences shook in six ways, even as far up as the paradise of Brahmā, and were filled with a great light, which transcended the divine power of the devas.

“Bhikṣus, in that way, at that time, those worlds shook and were filled by a great light.

“The airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the east became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.

“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes²⁹⁵ and spoke with each other.

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Sarva­sattva­trātā

5.3

²⁹⁶ spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:

“ ‘Today we are all very happy.
These excellent airborne palaces are shining,
Glorious, bright, and beautiful.
Why has this happened today? {18}

“ ‘It will be good to find its meaning.
What deva’s son has been born today?
Through whose power has there appeared
Today this kind of unprecedented event? {19}

“ ‘Perhaps a buddha, a king who is lord of humans,
Has appeared in some world today
And, as a sign of that, these splendors
Have shone in the ten directions today.’ {20}

“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces²⁹⁷ into the four directions.

“Bhikṣus, when they went to the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that, they approached the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, and upon the Bhagavān they tossed and scattered flowers from their baskets the size of Sumeru.

5.4

They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree. They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the Bhagavān, saying, ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’

“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān, they fittingly praised him with these verses:

“ ‘You, the inconceivable, wonderful Jina,
Compassionate, helper of the world, have appeared.
You have been born as Lord, Teacher, and Guru,
And today have taken the ten directions into your care. {21}

“ ‘We have come from a total of
Fifty²⁹⁸ quintillion worlds.
We have come to pay homage to the Jina
And have given up our excellent airborne palaces. {22}

“ ‘Through the karma we created in the past
We have these brilliant, beautiful airborne palaces.
Accept them out of compassion for us.
Knower of the world, enjoy them in whatever way you wish.’ {23}

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!

5.5

“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’

“Bhikṣus, then those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, recited these verses to the Bhagavān:

“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma!
Supreme human, teach!
With the power of kindness, teach!
Free beings from suffering! {24}

“ ‘The Lamp of the World is difficult to find,
Like the flower of a fig tree.
Great hero, you have appeared.
Tathāgata, we supplicate you.’ {25}

“Bhikṣus, the Bhagavān gave his assent by saying nothing to the Mahābrahmās.

“Bhikṣus, at that time the airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the southeast became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.

“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes²⁹⁹ and spoke with each other.

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Adhi­mātra­kāruṇika spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:

5.6

“ ‘Friends, whose omen is this
That has appeared on this day?
Today our airborne palaces are beautified.³⁰⁰ {26}

“ ‘Has there come here today
A deva who is endowed with merit?
Is it through his power
That all these airborne palaces have been beautified? {27}

“ ‘Or has a buddha, a supreme human
Appeared in this world
And through his power
Our palaces have become like this? {28}

“ ‘We should all search together.
This is not something of little importance.
I have never before
Seen an omen such as this. {29}

“ ‘We should go into the four directions
And travel through millions of realms.
Clearly in this world today
There will be the appearance of a buddha.’ {30}

“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces³⁰¹ into the four directions.

“Bhikṣus, when they went into the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that, they came to the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times,

5.7

and upon the Bhagavān they threw and scattered flowers from the baskets the size of Sumeru. They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree.

“They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the bhagavān, saying, ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’

“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān they fittingly praised him with these verses:

“ ‘Homage to you, the unequaled great rishi.
Deity above deities, with the voice of an avadavat,
Guide of the World and its devas,
We praise you who benefits and is kind to the world. {31}

“ ‘Lord, it is wondrous that after a long time,
You have somehow appeared in the world today.
A full eight thousand eons in this world of beings³⁰²
Has been devoid of buddhas.³⁰³ {32}

“ ‘An entire eight thousand³⁰⁴ eons
Has been devoid of a supreme human.
During that time the lower existences have multiplied
And rebirths as devas have diminished. {33}

“ ‘Now, through our merit, there has appeared in the world
The compassionate helper, the King of Dharma.
He is our eyes, our recourse, and refuge,³⁰⁵
Our protector, father, and likewise, friend.’ {34}

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān,

5.8

‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!

“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’

“Bhikṣus, then those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, recited these verses to the Bhagavān:

“ ‘Great Muni, turn the wheel of the Dharma!
Teach the Dharma in the ten directions!
Liberate beings tormented by the phenomena of suffering!
Bring joy and happiness to beings! {35}

“ ‘Through hearing that, enlightenment will be attained.
They will go to the realm of the devas,
They will all avoid rebirth as an asura,
And be disciplined, peaceful, and completely happy.’ {36}

“Bhikṣus, the Bhagavān gave his assent by saying nothing to the Mahābrahmās.

“Bhikṣus, at that time the airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the south became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.

“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’

5.9

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes³⁰⁶ and spoke with each other.

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Sudharma spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:

“ ‘Friends, for no reason, with no cause,
All our airborne palaces are shining.
This is some sign that has appeared in this world.
We must seek well for the meaning of this. {37}

“ ‘No fewer than hundreds of eons have passed
Without such a sign having ever appeared.
Either a deva has been born here
Or a buddha has appeared in this world.’ {38}

“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces³⁰⁷ into the four directions.

“Bhikṣus, when they went into the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that they came to the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, and upon the Bhagavān they tossed and scattered flowers from their baskets the size of Sumeru. They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree. They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the Bhagavān, saying, ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us,

5.10

enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’

“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān, they fittingly praised him with these verses:

“ ‘It is difficult to see the guides.
You have arrived well and have defeated existence’s desires.
After a very long time you are seen today.
After a full hundred eons you have appeared. {39}

“ ‘Lord of the World, quench the thirst of beings.
Never seen before, you have somehow appeared.
Just as the fig tree flower is rarely found,
In that way, Guide, you have been seen. {40}

“ ‘Guide, these airborne palaces of ours
Today were beautified through your power.
You who see all, please accept them,
And enjoy them out of compassion for us.’ {41}

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world! Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!

“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world, including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’

5.11

“Bhikṣus, then those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, recited these verses to the Bhagavān:

“ ‘Guide, Bhagavān, teach the Dharma!
Turn the wheel of the Dharma!
Beat the drum of the Dharma!
Blow the conch of the Dharma! {42}

“ ‘Send down the rain of the Dharma onto the world!
Teach perfectly with your beautiful voice!
Teach the Dharma as we request,
And liberate quintillions of beings!’ {43}

“Bhikṣus, the Bhagavān gave his assent by saying nothing to the Mahābrahmās.

“The same occurred in the southwest, the same in the west, the same in the northwest, the same in the north, the same in the northeast, and in the downward direction.

“Bhikṣus, at that time the airborne palaces of the Brahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds in the upward direction became very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic.

“Bhikṣus, those Brahmās wondered, ‘These airborne palaces of the Brahmās have become very beautiful, bright, radiant, glorious, and majestic. Who is this a sign of?’

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās who were in the fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds came to each other’s homes³⁰⁸ and spoke with each other.

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmā named Śikhin spoke these verses to the great assembly of Brahmās:

“ ‘Friends, what is the reason why this has occurred?
Why have the airborne palaces become brilliant?³⁰⁹
Their majesty, color, and brightness
Have exceptionally increased for what reason? {44}

“ ‘We have never seen such a thing as this before.
No one has ever heard of such a thing before.
Today this place has been filled by this light.
What is the cause for this extreme beauty? {45}

5.12

“ ‘Perhaps some deva has appeared here
Who is endowed with good karma,
And what has occurred is because of his power.
Or there is the rare appearance of a buddha in this world.’ {46}

“Bhikṣus, then all the Mahābrahmās who lived in those fifty hundred thousand quintillion worlds and who had gathered together each entered his own divine Brahmā palace and, holding a basket of divine flowers that was the size of Sumeru, flew in their airborne palaces³¹⁰ into the four directions.

“Bhikṣus, when they went into the west those Mahābrahmās saw in the west the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, who had come to the sublime, highest Bodhimaṇḍa and was seated on a lion throne at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Before him were assembled devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were gazing upon him, and the sixteen young princes, who were requesting him to turn the wheel of the Dharma. When they saw that, they came to the Bhagavān, and bowed their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān many hundreds of thousands of times, and upon the Bhagavān they threw and scattered flowers from the baskets the size of Sumeru. They strewed flowers up to a distance of ten yojanas from the Bodhi tree. They offered their divine Brahmā palaces to the Bhagavān, saying ‘Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, accept these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Bhagavān, for the sake of showing compassion to us, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās. Sugata, enjoy these airborne palaces of the Brahmās.’

“Bhikṣus, then those Mahābrahmās each offered to the Bhagavān their own airborne palace, and at that time, in the presence of the Bhagavān they fittingly praised him with these verses:

“ ‘It is excellent to see the buddhas,
The lords of the worlds, the protectors,

5.13

The buddhas who in these three realms
Liberate beings from their bondage. {47}

“ ‘The all-seeing lords of the worlds
See into the ten directions.
They open the door to deathlessness
And liberate many beings. {48}

“ ‘In the past there have been
Countless empty eons.
The lords of jinas were not seen
And the ten directions were blind. {49}

“ ‘There was an increase in the dreadful hells,
And among the asuras and the animals.
Thousands of millions of beings
Took rebirth among the pretas. {50}

“ ‘There was a diminution of rebirths as devas,
And at death beings went to the lower existences.
The Dharma of the buddhas was not heard
And these existences were sinful. {51}

“ ‘There was a diminution among all beings
Of the wisdom of the way of pure conduct.
Their happiness was destroyed
And the concept of happiness was lost. {52}

“ ‘They performed incorrect practices
And followed that which was not the Dharma.
They were not subdued by a lord of the world
And fell into the lower existences. {53}

“ ‘Lamp of the World, you are now seen.
After a long time, you have come.
You, compassionate one, have appeared here
For the sake of all beings. {54}

“ ‘You have joyfully and happily attained
The unsurpassable wisdom of the buddhas.
We rejoice in what you have attained,
As does the world and its devas. {55}

“ ‘Leader, it is through your power
That our airborne palaces have become magnificent.
Hero, we offer them to you.
Great Muni, accept them. {56}

“ ‘Guide, please enjoy them
Out of compassion for us.
And then we and all beings
Will reach the highest enlightenment.’ {57}

“Bhikṣus, the Mahābrahmās in the presence of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū fittingly praised him with those verses, and then said to the Bhagavān, ‘Bhagavān, turn the wheel of the Dharma in the world!

5.14

Bhagavān, teach nirvāṇa! Bhagavān, liberate beings! Bhagavān, take this world into your care!

“ ‘Bhagavān, teach the Dharma to the world including its devas, māras, and brahmakas, to beings including mendicants and brahmins, and to the devas, asuras, and humans. Then there will be a benefit for many beings, happiness for many beings, compassion for the world, and welfare, benefit, and happiness for a great multitude of beings, devas, and humans.’

“Bhikṣus, those fifty hundred thousand quintillion Mahābrahmās, speaking as one voice, now recited these verses to the Bhagavān:

“ ‘Turn the highest, supreme wheel!
Beat the drum of deathlessness!
Liberate beings from the net of suffering!
Teach the path to nirvāṇa! {58}

“ ‘Teach the Dharma that we request!
Take us and this world into your care!
Speak with your beautiful voice
That has been accomplished through billions of eons!’ {59}

“Bhikṣus, thereupon the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, knowing what was requested by the many hundred thousand quintillions of Brahmās and the sixteen young princes, at that time, in accord with Dharma, turned the Dharma wheel that had never been turned by any mendicant, brahmin, deva, māra, or Brahmā in the world:

“ ‘This is suffering. This is the origin of suffering. This is the cessation of suffering. This is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ This was repeated three times so that there were twelve turnings of the Dharma wheel.

“ ‘Bhikṣus, in this way, through the factor of ignorance there is formation. Through the factor of formation there is consciousness.

5.15

Through the factor of consciousness there is name-and-form. Through the factor of name-and-form there are the six āyatanas. Through the factor of the six āyatanas there is contact. Through the factor of contact there is sensation. Through the factor of sensation there is craving. Through the factor of craving there is grasping. Through the factor of grasping there is becoming. Through the factor of becoming there is birth. Through the factor of birth there is old age, death, misery, wailing, suffering, unhappiness, and disturbance. In that way there arises a great mass of sheer suffering.

“ ‘Through the cessation of ignorance there is the cessation of formation. Through the cessation of formation there is the cessation of consciousness. Through the cessation of consciousness there is the cessation of name-and-form. Through the cessation of name-and-form there is the cessation of the six āyatanas. Through the cessation of the six āyatanas there is the cessation of contact. Through the cessation of contact there is the cessation of sensation. Through the cessation of sensation there is the cessation of craving. Through the cessation of craving there is the cessation of grasping. Through the cessation of grasping there is the cessation of becoming. Through the cessation of becoming there is the cessation of birth. Through the cessation of birth there is the cessation of old age, death, misery, wailing, suffering, unhappiness, and disturbance. In that way there is the cessation of the great mass of unalloyed suffering.’ In that way he taught dependent origination extensively.

“Bhikṣus, in that way the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū turned the Dharma wheel before the world with its devas, māras, and brahmakas, and before the assembly with its mendicants and brahmins.

“In that moment, in that instant, sixty hundred thousand quintillion beings became free of grasping and their minds were liberated from the defilements. They all became meditators possessed of the three insights, the six higher knowledges, and the eight liberations.

“Bhikṣus, in conclusion, the Bhagavān taught the Dharma a second time, and then he taught the Dharma a third

5.16

and a fourth time.

“Bhikṣus, each time the Bhagavān taught the Dharma, as many beings as there are grains of sand in a hundred thousand quintillion Ganges Rivers became free of grasping, and their minds were liberated from the defilements.

“Bhikṣus, after that, his śrāvaka saṅgha became innumerable.

“Bhikṣus, at that time the sixteen young princes, having faith, together renounced home for homelessness. They all became mendicants who were wise, had clear minds,³¹¹ sharp minds,³¹² were learned, had practiced under hundreds of thousands of buddhas, and were dedicated to the highest, complete enlightenment.

“Bhikṣus, the sixteen mendicants said to the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, ‘Bhagavān, these many thousands of quintillions of the Tathāgata’s śrāvakas have through the Dharma teaching of the Bhagavān accomplished great miraculous abilities, great power, and great might. Bhagavān, that being so, out of compassion give us the teachings that commence with the highest, complete enlightenment, so that we also may be students of the Tathāgata. Bhagavān, our goal is to have the visions of the Tathāgata’s wisdom; Bhagavān, this is evident to you. Bhagavān you know the thoughts of all beings, and you know our thoughts.’

“Thereupon, bhikṣus, as soon as they saw that those princes, those young boys, had become renunciants and mendicants, half the retinue of the cakravartin, numbering eighty-four hundred thousand quintillion beings, themselves all became renunciants.

“Bhikṣus, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha

5.17

Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū knew the aspiration of those mendicants and, after twenty thousand eons had passed, he taught the fourfold assembly that instruction for bodhisattvas possessed by all the buddhas, the great extensive sūtra, the Dharma teaching entitled The White Lotus of the Good Dharma.

“Bhikṣus, at that time the sixteen mendicants acquired, maintained, and understood that teaching of the Bhagavān.

“Bhikṣus, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū then gave to the sixteen mendicants the prophecy of their complete enlightenment.

“Bhikṣus, śrāvakas aspired to the teaching given by the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, and the sixteen mendicants and many hundred thousands of quintillions attained freedom from doubt.³¹³

“Bhikṣus, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū gave this Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma uninterruptedly for a hundred thousand eons. He then entered the temple in order to be alone.

“Bhikṣus, the tathāgata stayed alone in the temple in that way for eighty-four thousand eons.

“Bhikṣus, the sixteen mendicants, knowing that the Bhagavān was staying in solitude, each set up a Dharma seat, a lion throne, sat upon it, and extensively taught for eighty-four thousand eons this Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma to the fourfold assembly.

5.18

“Bhikṣus, each mendicant bodhisattva taught as many hundred thousand quintillions of beings as there are grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers. They inspired them, brought them joy, and made them retain it, and ripened them for the highest, complete enlightenment.

“Bhikṣus, at that time, the bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Mahābhijñā­jñānābhi­bhū, after eighty-four thousand eons had passed, mindfully and knowingly arose from his samādhi. After the Bhagavān had arisen from his samādhi, he went to where his Dharma seat was. He came to the arranged seat and sat upon it.

“Bhikṣus, as soon as the Bhagavān sat on the Dharma seat, he looked upon the gathered assembly and addressed the saṇgha of bhikṣus: ‘Bhikṣus, these sixteen mendicants are amazing, wonderful, and wise; they have been honoring many hundred thousands of quintillions of buddhas, they have been perfectly practicing proper conduct, they have been encouraging beings to receive the wisdom of the buddhas, they have been introducing beings to the wisdom of the buddhas, and they have been teaching the wisdom of the buddhas. Bhikṣus, you must continue to honor these sixteen mendicants. Bhikṣus, those noble sons who follow the Śrāvakayāna, the Pratyeka­buddha­yāna, or the Bodhisattva­yāna, who do not reject or malign the Dharma teaching, will all quickly attain the highest, complete enlightenment. They will all attain the wisdom of the Tathāgata.’

“Bhikṣus, those sixteen noble sons taught again and again this Dharma teaching of The White Lotus of the Good Dharma within the teaching of that bhagavān.

“Bhikṣus, each of those bodhisattvas, those sixteen mendicant bodhisattva mahāsattvas,

5.19

guided to enlightenment as many hundred thousand quintillions of beings as there are grains of sand in sixty Ganges Rivers. All those beings, in all their lifetimes, became renunciants with those sixteen, gazed upon them, and heard the Dharma from them. They served four hundred thousand million buddhas and some are still serving buddhas.

“Bhikṣus, you should aspire to this and comprehend it. Those sixteen young princes who as youths were mendicants who taught the Dharma in the Bhagavān’s teaching all attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, and they are all now present, living, and remaining. In their separate buddha realms in the ten directions they are teaching the Dharma to many hundred thousand quintillions of śrāvakas and bodhisattvas.

“Bhikṣus, they are like this: In the eastern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Akṣobhya in the realm named Abhirati and there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Merukūṭa.

“Bhikṣus, in the southeastern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Siṃhaghoṣa and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Siṃhadhvaja.

“Bhikṣus, in the southern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Ākāśa­pratiṣṭhita and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Nitya­pari­nirvṛta.

“Bhikṣus, in the southwestern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Indradhvaja and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Brahmadhvaja.

“Bhikṣus, in the western direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Amitāyus and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Sarva­loka­dhātū­padra­vodvega­pratyuttīrṇa.

5.20

“Bhikṣus, in the northwestern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Tamāla­patra­candana­gandhābhijña and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Merukalpa.

“Bhikṣus, in the northern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Meghasvaradīpa and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Meghasvararāja.

“Bhikṣus, in the northeastern direction there is the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Sarva­loka­bhayacchambhita­tva­vidhvaṃsana­rakara and the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha named Śākyamuni.

“Those sixteen attained the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood in this central world realm named Sahā.

“Bhikṣus, those beings who within the teaching of that bhagavān heard the Dharma from us when we were mendicants, from each of us bodhisattvas,³¹⁴ those hundreds of thousands of beings as numerous as the sand grains in the Ganges River were guided by us toward the highest, complete enlightenment.

“Bhikṣus, they still remain on the level of the śrāvakas but have been ripened for the highest, complete enlightenment. They will in the course of time attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. Why is that? Bhikṣus, it is because it is difficult to aspire to the wisdom of a tathāgata.

5.21

“Bhikṣus, who are those countless hundred thousands of quintillions of beings, who are as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River, whom I caused to hear the Dharma of omniscience when I was a bodhisattva in the teaching of that bhagavān? Bhikṣus, at that time, on that occasion, you were those beings.

“Bhikṣus, in the future times when I have passed into nirvāṇa, there will be śrāvakas who will hear of the practices of the bodhisattva, but they will not think, ‘We are bodhisattvas.’ They will all have the concept of nirvāṇa, and they will enter into nirvāṇa.

“Bhikṣus, however, I will be dwelling in other worlds under other names, and they will be reborn there, seeking the wisdom of the tathāgatas and they will hear, ‘There is only one nirvāṇa of the tathāgatas. There is no second nirvāṇa other than that.’

“Bhikṣus, that practice of the teaching of the Dharma should be known to be the skillful method of the tathāgatas.

“Bhikṣus, when a tathāgata sees that the time has come for his passing into nirvāṇa, he sees that his followers are pure, with deep dedication and realization of the Dharma of emptiness,³¹⁵ and have acquired dhyāna and great dhyāna.

“Bhikṣus, a tathāgata, knowing the time has come, assembles all the bodhisattvas and all the śrāvakas, and then proclaims to them this meaning: ‘Bhikṣus, there is no second yāna or nirvāṇa in this world at all, let alone a third. Bhikṣus, that is the skillful method of the tathāgatas. Seeing that beings have been depraved for a long time, delight in the inferior, and are attached to desires, then, bhikṣus, the tathāgata teaches them nirvāṇa in accordance with their aspirations.’

5.22

“Bhikṣus, it is like this: A group of beings, in order to go to an island of jewels, comes to a jungle that is five hundred yojanas wide. They have a single guide who is wise, bright, clever, intelligent, and has brought many travelers through that difficult jungle.

“That great group of beings becomes tired, exhausted, and frightened. They say, ‘O noble guide, we are tired, exhausted, frightened, and miserable. We are going to turn back. This jungle goes on too far.’

“Bhikṣus, the guide who has skill in methods, knowing that the people wish to turn back, thinks, ‘These distressed people must not fail to reach the great island of jewels!’ Then with compassion for them he employs a skillful method. He conjures up in the middle of the jungle a miraculous city that is more than a hundred yojanas, or two hundred yojanas in size. He says to those people, ‘Do not be afraid! Do not turn back! Rest in this great region! Here you may do whatever you wish! There you will rest and attain relief from misery.³¹⁶ Then the one who has more to accomplish can go on to the great island of jewels.’

“Bhikṣus, those people who entered the jungle are astonished and think, ‘We are freed from the jungle. We will stay here where we have attained relief from misery.’

“Bhikṣus, those people enter the miraculous city and believe they have arrived at their destination. They believe they have crossed through the jungle, and they believe they have gained tranquility³¹⁷ and relief from misery. When the guide knows that they have rested, he causes the miraculous city to vanish.

5.23

“When it has vanished he says to them, ‘This great city was conjured up by me for you to rest in. We are close to the great island of jewels so you beings should go there.’

“Bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha is the guide for you and all beings.

“Bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha sees that the great jungle of kleśas is to be left behind, departed from, and abandoned. But if these beings hear only of the wisdom of the buddhas they will be afraid and turn back, thinking, ‘The accomplishment of the wisdom of the buddhas involves many hardships!’ and they will not set out toward it.

“The Tathāgata knows the weakness of the aspirations of beings. Just as the guide conjured up a miraculous city for beings to rest in, and when they had rested told them that this was a miraculous city, in that way, bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha employs a great skillful method so that beings may rest. He describes and teaches two levels of intermediate nirvāṇas. Those are the level of the śrāvakas and the level of the pratyeka­buddhas.

“Bhikṣus, while the beings are dwelling on those levels, then, bhikṣus, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha says to them, ‘Bhikṣus, you have not done what needs to be done, you have not accomplished what needs to be accomplished! Bhikṣus, you are close to the wisdom of the Tathāgata. Look and see! Understand! That which is your nirvāṇa is not nirvāṇa. Bhikṣus, the three yānas that the tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas teach are their skillful method.’ ”

Then the Bhagavān taught this in detail through verses:

5.24

“The guide of the world, Abhi­jñā­jñānābhi­bhū
Was seated upon the Bodhimaṇḍa.
For ten full intermediate eons,
He did not attain enlightenment—insight into ultimate truth. {60}

“Devas, nāgas, asuras, and guhyakas
Were dedicated to making offerings to that Jina.
A rain of flowers rained down there
For the enlightenment and buddhahood of this guide of humans. {61}

“They played drums up above in the sky
In order to honor and make offerings to that jina,
And they greatly sorrowed that the Jina
For a long time did not realize the highest state.³¹⁸ {62}

“Then after ten intermediate eons had passed
Bhagavān Anābhibhū attained enlightenment.
At that time, the devas, humans,³¹⁹ nāgas,³²⁰ and asuras
All rejoiced and were overjoyed. {63}

“The sixteen young heroes who were the sons
Of that guide of humans, the one wealthy in qualities,
Leading thousands of millions of beings,
Came before the highest Lord of All Humans. {64}

“They bowed to the feet of the Guide
And requested him, ‘Lion who is Lord of Humans,
Teach the Dharma! With your excellent speech
Satisfy us who are in this world. {65}

“ ‘Great Guide, after a long time your appearance
Is known in the worlds in the ten directions.
There are omens that have aroused beings.
The airborne palaces of the Brahmās have been shaken. {66}

“ ‘In the eastern direction five hundred
Thousand million worlds have been shaken.
The supreme airborne palaces of the Brahmās
Have become endowed with extreme brilliance. {67}

“ ‘Seeing omens such as these
They have come before the Lord, the Guide of the World,
And they have scattered flowers over the Guide
And offered to you all of their airborne palaces. {68}

“ ‘They request you turn the wheel
And praise you through verses.
But, King and Lord of Humans, you are remaining silent,
As if to say, “It is not yet time for me to teach the Dharma.” {69}

“ ‘It has been the same in the southern direction
And similarly in the west, below, and in the north,
And the same above and in the intermediate directions,

5.25

And billions of Brahmās have arrived here. {70}

“ ‘They have scattered flowers upon the Guide
And bowed to the feet of the Leader.
They have brought to you all their airborne palaces
And have praised you and again supplicated you. {71}

“ ‘You with infinite vision, turn the wheel!
In many millions of eons you are difficult to find.
Reveal the power of kindness that you have developed in the past
And open the door to deathlessness.’ {72}

“The one with infinite sight knew their request
And taught the Dharma in many ways.
He taught the four truths extensively,
And the dependent origination of all that occurs. {73}

“The one with infinite sight explained
Ignorance as the first cause, and the suffering of death:³²¹
‘Know that the death of humans and
All these faults originate from birth.’ {74}

“As soon as he taught the Dharma
In infinite various ways,
Eighty quintillion beings who heard it
Quickly reached the level of the śrāvakas. {75}

“Then the following second time
That the Jina taught many dharmas,
Beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges
Instantaneously became śrāvakas. {76}

“After that, at that time, the saṅgha
Of the world’s guide became innumerable.
Even if you were to count them for a quintillion eons
You would not reach the end of them. {77}

“Those sixteen princes,
Who were his own young sons,³²²
Those mendicants requested the Jina,
‘Guide, teach us the highest Dharma! {78}

“ ‘May we become knowers of the world
Just like you, supreme among all beings!³²³
May all of these beings who exist
Become just like you, the hero with pure sight!’ {79}

“The Jina, knowing the aspiration
Of the youths who were his own sons,
Taught the highest, supreme enlightenment
Through many quintillions of parables. {80}

“He taught through many thousands of causes,

5.26

Displaying higher knowledge and wisdom.
The Lord of the World taught the true conduct,
Just as is practiced by wise bodhisattvas. {81}

“The Bhagavān taught this extensive sūtra,
The White Lotus of the Good Dharma,
Through no fewer than thousands of verses
As numerous as the sand grains of the Ganges. {82}

“The Jina, having taught that sūtra,
Entered the temple where the Lord of the World
Contemplated in meditation on one seat
For an entire eighty-four eons. {83}

“The mendicants, knowing that the Guide
Was seated in the temple and was not coming out,
Proclaimed to many millions of beings
The immaculate wisdom and peace of this buddhahood. {84}

“They each arranged their own throne
And taught upon it this very sūtra,
And in that way fulfilled that role
Within the teaching of that sugata. {85}

“Each of those sons of the Sugata
At that time taught beings as numerous
As the sand grains of sixty thousand Ganges
And guided an endless number of beings. {86}

“When the Jina had passed into nirvāṇa,
Following their proper conduct,³²⁴ they saw millions of buddhas,
And together with those who had listened to them
They made offerings to those supreme humans. {87}

“They engaged in conduct that was vast and superior
And attained enlightenment, buddhahood in the ten directions.
Those sixteen sons of the Jina became
Two jinas in each of the directions. {88}

“At that time, those who had listened to them
All became the śrāvakas of those jinas,
And attained this enlightenment
In stages through various methods. {89}

“I also was one among them
And you all have listened to me.
Therefore you are still my śrāvakas
And using methods I lead you all to this enlightenment. {90}

“In that past time there was this cause, this condition,
Because of which I am teaching the Dharma,
And because of which I am leading you to enlightenment.
So, bhikṣus, have no fear in these circumstances. {91}

5.27

“If there were a dreadful, terrible jungle
That was uninhabited, with no shelter or refuge,
With many wild beasts and no water
And which was terrifying for the foolish, {92}

“And if many thousands of people
Were to enter into that jungle,
And that jungle was uninhabited and long,
A full five hundred yojanas, {93}

“And if there were a wealthy, mindful, learned,³²⁵
Brave,³²⁶ educated, and fearless person
Who was there as their guide
In that terrifying, dreadful jungle, {94}

“Those many thousands of beings would become exhausted
And at that time they would say to the guide,
‘Noble sir, we are exhausted and we cannot go on.
It is our wish that we turn back today!’ {95}

“He who is wise and who is skilled
Would think of a method by which he might lead them:
‘Alas, all of these foolish persons
Will deprive themselves of the jewels if they turn back. {96}

“ ‘I shall today through my miraculous powers
Cause a great city to appear
That is adorned with a billion houses
And beautified by temples and gardens. {97}

“ ‘I shall manifest ponds and rivers
Adorned with groves and flowers.
I shall create a beautiful wall and gates,
And men and women without an equal. {98}

“ ‘And having manifested all that I shall say to them,
“Do not be afraid, but be happy!
You have now reached this perfect city;
Enter it and quickly fulfill your needs.” ’ {99}

“In order that they might gain relief
And that they would not turn back, he says,
‘You have passed through the dreadful jungle
So now be at ease and be happy.’ {100}

“When he sees that they are all rested,
He gathers them together³²⁷ and says to them,
‘Come here, and listen to what I have to say!
This city is a manifestation of my miraculous powers. {101}

“ ‘I had seen that you were exhausted
And this was to prevent your turning back.
This was my skillful method.
Be diligent and proceed to the island!’ {102}

5.28

“Bhikṣus, I³²⁸ am like that guide—
The guide of ten thousand million beings.
See the exhausted beings as those
Who cannot break out through the eggshell of the kleśas. {103}

“I thought that for their benefit
I should create this nirvāṇa as a rest.
On the level of the arhat you have accomplished your goal,
Which is the cessation³²⁹ of all suffering. {104}

“When I see that you are all
Arhats who are upon this level,
Then I gather you all together
And tell you truly what the Dharma is. {105}

“When the rishis teach that there are three yānas,
That is the skillful method of the guides.
There is one yāna; there is no second.
Two are taught so that there may be a rest. {106}

“Bhikṣus, therefore on this day I declare
That just this is not nirvāṇa.
You must develop a powerful diligence
In order to attain omniscient wisdom. {107}

“When you attain omniscient wisdom,
The qualities of a jina, the ten strengths,
And a body that has the thirty-two signs,
Then you will be a buddha, and that is nirvāṇa. {108}

“This is the nature of the teaching of the guides:
They teach nirvāṇa so that beings may rest.
Knowing that they have rested in nirvāṇa,
They lead all to omniscient wisdom.” {109}

Chapter 8

The Prophecy to the Five Hundred Bhikṣus

Brother Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇī­putra, having heard directly from the Bhagavān about this wisdom insight into skillful methods, about the teachings with implied meaning, and having heard the prophecies made to the great śrāvakas, and having heard of the connections with the past, and having heard of the preeminence of the Bhagavān, was astonished and amazed, without worldly concerns, and filled with delight and joy. Then with great delight and joy and great reverence for the Dharma, he rose from his seat, bowed down to the feet of the Bhagavān,

5.29

and thought, “Bhagavān, it is wonderful! Sugata, it is wonderful! The tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas accomplish that which is extremely difficult—they teach the Dharma to beings according to the different concerns of the world, through many wisdom insights into skillful methods, and they liberate³³⁰ beings attached to this and that.³³¹ Bhagavān, what are we able to do? The Tathāgata is the one who knows our aspirations and our past.”

He bowed down to the Bhagavān’s feet and then sat to one side and with his hands placed together in homage gazed unblinking upon the Bhagavān.

Then the Bhagavān, seeing the thoughts in the mind of Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇī­putra, said to the complete saṅgha of bhikṣus, “Bhikṣus, look upon my śrāvaka Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇī­putra. He is the best teacher among those who teach the Dharma within my³³² saṅgha of bhikṣus, and he is praised for having many true qualities. He is dedicated to holding the Dharma in many ways within my teaching. He tirelessly teaches the Dharma, bringing joy to the four assemblies, encouraging them, and inspiring them. He is able to teach the Dharma. He is able to aid those who maintain celibacy.

“Bhikṣus, other than the Tathāgata, there is no one who can match Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇī­putra in meaning or in words.

“Bhikṣus, what do you think? If you think that he has been a holder solely of my Dharma, bhikṣus, you should not regard him in that way. Why is that? Bhikṣus, I remember that in the past, in a time gone by, he was a holder of the Dharma of nine hundred and ninety million buddhas. Just as he is now the supreme teacher of my Dharma,

5.30

so he was for all of them. For all of them he was someone who had realized emptiness. For all of them he was someone who had attained discernment. For all of them he was someone who had realized the higher knowledge of a bodhisattva. He was someone who taught the Dharma with complete certainty. He was someone who taught the Dharma free of doubt. He was someone who taught the Dharma in its purity. In the teaching of those buddha bhagavāns he practiced the conduct of celibacy throughout his life, and everywhere he was known as a śrāvaka. By this method, he benefited innumerable, countless hundred thousand quintillions of beings. He ripened innumerable, countless beings for the highest, complete enlightenment. At all times he has served beings through the activity of a buddha. At all times he has been purifying his own buddha realm, and has been dedicated to ripening beings.

“Bhikṣus, he has been the primary teacher of the Dharma for the seven tathāgatas, the first of whom was Vipaśyin and of whom I am the seventh.³³³

“Bhikṣus, in the future in this fortunate eon, this Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇī­putra will be the principal teacher of the Dharma within the teachings of the thousand buddhas less four, and he will be a holder of their teaching. In the same way, in the future he will hold the entire Dharma of innumerable, countless buddha bhagavāns. He will benefit innumerable, countless beings. He will ripen innumerable, countless beings for the highest, complete enlightenment. He will be someone who is continuously dedicated. He will be dedicated to purifying his own buddha realm and ripening beings. He will in this way perfect his bodhisattva conduct

5.31

and after innumerable, countless eons he will attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. He will appear in the world as the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha, the one with perfect wisdom and conduct, the sugata, the knower of the world, the unsurpassable guide who tames beings, the teacher of gods and humans, the buddha, the bhagavān named Dharmaprabhāsa. He will appear in this very buddha realm.

“Bhikṣus, at that time this buddha realm will be like billion-world world realms as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River combined into one buddha realm. The ground will be made of the seven precious materials. It will be as level as the palm of a hand. There will be no mountains. It will be filled with kūṭāgāras made of the seven precious materials. The airborne palaces of the devas will be close so that the devas can see the humans, and the humans can see the devas.

“Bhikṣus, at that time, in this buddha realm, there will be no lower existences and there will be no women. All the beings there will be born miraculously. They will practice celibacy with their immaterial bodies. They will emit their own light. They will have miraculous powers. They will fly through the air. They will have diligence. They will have mindfulness. They will have wisdom. They will have golden bodies adorned by the thirty-two signs of a great being.

“Bhikṣus, at that time, in this buddha realm, those beings will have two kinds of food. What will they be? They will be the food of joy in the Dharma and the food of joy in meditation. He will have innumerable, countless hundred thousand quintillions of bodhisattvas. All of them will have attained the higher knowledges, have the realization of the discernments, and be skilled in instructing³³⁴ beings. His śrāvakas will be beyond number and they will all have great miraculous abilities, great power, the eight liberations, and dhyāna. That buddha realm will have limitless qualities of this kind. The eon will be named Ratnāvabhāsa. The world will be named Suviśuddhā.

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