The Lotus Sūtra 1.20

1.20

「文殊師利！導師何故，眉間白毫，
大光普照。雨曼陀羅、曼殊沙華，
栴檀香風，悅可眾心？以是因緣，
地皆嚴淨，而此世界，六種震動。
時四部眾，咸皆歡喜，身意快然，
得未曾有。眉間光明，照于東方，
萬八千土，皆如金色，從阿鼻獄，
上至有頂。諸世界中，六道眾生，
生死所趣，善惡業緣，受報好醜，
於此悉見。又覩諸佛、聖主師子、
演說經典，微妙第一。其聲清淨，
出柔軟音，教諸菩薩，無數億萬，
梵音深妙，令人樂聞。各於世界，
講說正法，種種因緣。以無量喻，
照明佛法，開悟眾生。若人遭苦，
厭老病死，為說涅槃，盡諸苦際。
若人有福，曾供養佛，志求勝法，
為說緣覺。若有佛子、修種種行，
求無上慧，為說淨道。文殊師利！
我住於此，見聞若斯，及千億事，
如是眾多，今當略說。我見彼土，
恒沙菩薩，種種因緣，而求佛道。
或有行施，金銀珊瑚、真珠摩尼、
車𤦲馬腦、金剛諸珍，奴婢車乘、
寶飾輦輿，歡喜布施。迴向佛道，
願得是乘，三界第一，諸佛所歎。
或有菩薩，駟馬寶車、欄楯華蓋、
軒飾布施。復見菩薩，身肉手足，
及妻子施，求無上道。又見菩薩，
頭目身體，欣樂施與，求佛智慧。
文殊師利！我見諸王，往詣佛所，
問無上道，便捨樂土、宮殿臣妾，
剃除鬚髮，而被法服。或見菩薩，
而作比丘，獨處閑靜，樂誦經典。
又見菩薩，勇猛精進，入於深山，
思惟佛道。又見離欲，常處空閑，
深修禪定，得五神通。又見菩薩，
安禪合掌，以千萬偈、讚諸法王。
復見菩薩，智深志固，能問諸佛，
聞悉受持。又見佛子，定慧具足，
以無量喻，為眾講法。欣樂說法，
化諸菩薩，破魔兵眾，而擊法鼓。
又見菩薩，寂然宴默，天龍恭敬，
不以為喜。又見菩薩，處林放光，
濟地獄苦，令入佛道。又見佛子，
未甞睡眠，經行林中，懃求佛道。
又見具戒，威儀無缺，淨如寶珠，
以求佛道。又見佛子，住忍辱力，
增上慢人，惡罵捶打，皆悉能忍，
以求佛道。又見菩薩，離諸戲笑，
及癡眷屬，親近智者，一心除亂，
攝念山林，億千萬歲，以求佛道。
或見菩薩，餚饍飲食、百種湯藥，
施佛及僧。名衣上服，價直千萬，
或無價衣，施佛及僧。千萬億種，
栴檀寶舍、眾妙臥具，施佛及僧。
清淨園林，華菓茂盛，流泉浴池，
施佛及僧。如是等施，種種微妙，
歡喜無厭，求無上道。或有菩薩，
說寂滅法，種種教詔，無數眾生。
或見菩薩，觀諸法性，無有二相，
猶如虛空。又見佛子，心無所著，
以此妙慧、求無上道。文殊師利！
又有菩薩，佛滅度後，供養舍利。
又見佛子，造諸塔廟，無數恒沙，
嚴飾國界，寶塔高妙，五千由旬，
縱廣正等，二千由旬。一一塔廟，
各千幢幡，珠交露幔，寶鈴和鳴。
諸天龍神、人及非人，香華伎樂，
常以供養。文殊師利！諸佛子等，
為供舍利，嚴飾塔廟，國界自然，
殊特妙好，如天樹王，其華開敷。
佛放一光，我及眾會，見此國界，
種種殊妙。諸佛神力、智慧希有，
放一淨光，照無量國。我等見此，
得未曾有。佛子文殊！願決眾疑。
四眾欣仰，瞻仁及我。世尊何故，
放斯光明？佛子時答，決疑令喜。
何所饒益，演斯光明？佛坐道場，
所得妙法，為欲說此？為當授記？
示諸佛土，眾寶嚴淨，及見諸佛，
此非小緣。文殊當知，四眾龍神，
瞻察仁者，為說何等。」

“The ray from between his brows Illumines the eastern quarter Of the eighteen thousand worlds, Colouring them all with gold. From their Avici-hells To the Summit of All-Existence, The living in those worlds, The destinies of unborn and dying, I behold them all from here. In those distant lands I see Bodhisattvas like sands of Ganges, Who in every varying degree Seek the Buddha-Way. Some there are who give alms, Gold, silver and coral, Pearls and felicitous gems, Moonstones and cornelian, Diamonds and precious things, Male and female slaves, Fine carriages and horses, Jewelled palanquins and litters, These alms they give with joy, Turning to the Buddha-way, Seeking to gain this Vehicle, The supreme in the Triple World. . . . . . Also I see bodhisattvas Give their flesh, hands and feet, And their wives and children, as alms, To find the Supreme Way. Again I see bodhisattvas Giving their heads, eyes, bodies, Cheerfully as alms, To find the Buddha-wisdom.”

He sees also kings leaving their palaces, shaving their heads, and putting on the monk’s robe to seek the Buddha-way. He sees bodhisattvas who

“Enter the depths of the mountains To ponder the Buddha-way.”

“Dwellers in secluded wilds In profoundest concentration To obtain transcendent powers.”

“Profoundly wise and resolute, Are able to question the Buddhas And apprehend all they hear. . . . . . I see, too, Buddha-sons Expounding the Truth to the multitude, Cheerfully preaching the Law, Converting bodhisattvas And, having defeated the army of Mara, Beating the drum of the Law.”

He sees other bodhisattvas, who

“Dwelling in forests, emit radiance That saves the sufferers in hell, Leading them into the Buddha-way.”

He sees also Buddha-sons who,

“Abiding in the strength of long-suffering, Though men of utmost arrogance Hate, abuse and beat them, Are able through all to endure, To find the ♦Buddha-way.”

Others are seen bestowing dainties, drink and food, medicines, and robes of priceless value, precious buildings of sandal-wood, flowers, fruits, and bathing-pools on the Buddhas while seeking the Supreme Way. Buddha-sons are seen building numberless stupas, adorned with precious jewels, bells, and streamers, in homage to the Buddhas, the light from such stupas illuminating their lands.

Though the Buddha has emitted but one solitary ray, and only in one of the six directions of space, yet all these worlds are revealed. Why, asks Maitreya, has he shed so wondrous a light? Is it that he is now about to reveal some mystic truth? The host of gods, men, and spirits of the underworld yearn for an answer.