The Lotus Sūtra 3.5

3.5

「迦葉！當知如來亦復如是，出現於世，如大雲起，以大音聲普遍世界天、人、阿修羅，如彼大雲遍覆三千大千國土。於大眾中、而唱是言：『我是如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊，未度者令度，未解者令解，未安者令安，未涅槃者令得涅槃，今世後世，如實知之。我是一切知者、一切見者、知道者、開道者、說道者，汝等天、人、阿修羅眾，皆應到此，為聽法故。』爾時無數千萬億種眾生，來至佛所而聽法。如來于時，觀是眾生諸根利鈍、精進懈怠，隨其所堪而為說法，種種無量，皆令歡喜，快得善利。是諸眾生聞是法已，現世安隱，後生善處，以道受樂，亦得聞法。既聞法已，離諸障礙，於諸法中，任力所能，漸得入道。如彼大雲，雨於一切卉木叢林及諸藥草，如其種性，具足蒙潤，各得生長。

this great manifold cosmos and rain falls at the same time everywhere, moistening the small, medium, and large roots, stems, branches, and leaves of all the grasses, trees, shrubs, and herbs.

“The sizes of all the trees depend on whether their capacities are superior, mediocre, or inferior; and the rain falling from the same cloud makes them grow according to the nature of their various seeds. Flowers blossom in the same place and fruit ripens in the same place moistened by the same rain, yet there are differences among these grasses and trees.

“O Kāśyapa! You should know that the Tathāgata is exactly like this. He appears in this world like a great overspreading cloud. His great voice resounds over the devas, humans, and asuras in the world, just as the great cloud thoroughly covers the great manifold cosmos. He declares to the assembly:

I am the Tathāgata, Arhat, Completely Enlightened, Perfect in Knowl-

edge and Conduct, Well-Departed, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed,

Tamer of Humans, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, Bhaga-

vat. I set free those who have not been freed. I enlighten those who

have not been enlightened and bring calm to those who have not been

calmed. I cause those to obtain nirvana who have not yet obtained it.

I am the one who knows the present and future worlds exactly as they

are. I am the All-Knower, the All-Seer, the Knower of the Path, the

One who discloses the path and explains it. All of you devas, humans,

and asuras! Come and listen to my teachings.

“At that time innumerable thousands of myriads of koṭis of sentient

beings approach the Buddha and listen to his teaching. Then the Tathāgata,

perceiving the faculties of sentient beings—whether they are sharp or dull,

diligent or idle—explains the teachings according to their capacities in a

variety of immeasurable ways, gladdening and benefiting them all.

“Having heard his teaching, all of these beings are at peace in this world

and are born into a good existence in the future. Through this they will receive

peace of mind and be able to hear the teaching. Having already heard the

teaching they will become free from obstructions and be able to gradually

enter the path to the Dharma according to their capacities.

“Just like the great cloud that rains upon all the grasses, trees, shrubs,

and herbs, whose seeds are watered and which grow according to their capac-

ities, the Tathāgata teaches the Dharma of one aspect and character; that is

to say, the character of liberation, dispassion, and cessation which ultimately

leads to omniscience.

“Those sentient beings who hear, hold, and recite the teachings of the

Tathāgata and practice it accordingly will nevertheless not perceive the merit

that they have obtained.

“Why is this? Only the Tathāgata knows the seed, character, disposi-

tion, and capacity of sentient beings. Only he knows what they contemplate,

think, and practice; how they contemplate, think, and practice; what teach-