[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Buddhist Sanskrit literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit) › [Mahāyāna sūtras](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra) › [Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika) › [妙法蓮華經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva) › [The Lotus Sutra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk) › 1.35 # 妙法蓮華經 1.35 The Lotus Sutra 1.35 - **Language:** English ### [1.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.1.35) other monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen who had set out to become śrā- vakas and pratyekabuddhas: “Why has the Bhagavat just now so earnestly praised skillful means? For what reason has he declared that the Dharma that the buddhas have attained is very profound and difficult to understand? Why has he said that their intention in adapting their teaching to what is appro- priate is so difficult to comprehend that all the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas are not able to understand it? “As long as the Buddha taught the meaning of the single liberation we thought we had attained that Dharma and achieved nirvana. But now we do not understand what he means.” At that time Śāriputra, aware of the confusion of the fourfold assem- blies and himself also feeling confused, addressed the Buddha saying: “O Bhagavat! For what reason and on what grounds have you so earnestly praised the unique skillful means of the buddhas and the profound and subtle Dharma that is difficult to understand? Never before have I heard such a thing from the Buddha. Now Bhagavat, I entreat you to explain this because the fourfold assemblies are confused. O Bhagavat! Why have you so earnestly praised the Dharma that is profound, subtle, and difficult to understand?” Thereupon Śāriputra, wanting to further explain what he meant, spoke these verses: O Great Seer, Sun of Wisdom! Now, after a long time, You have taught this Dharma, saying, I have attained the inconceivable Dharma, That is to say, power, fearlessness, Samādhi, meditation, and liberation. No one has ever questioned the Dharma That I attained on the terrace of enlightenment. No one has ever questioned my intentions, So difficult to conceive. Without being asked You explained it by yourself And praised the path you have practiced, saying, The wisdom the buddhas have attained Is extremely subtle! The arhats free from corruption And those seeking nirvana Have all fallen into confusion. Why has the Buddha said this? Those seeking to become pratyekabuddhas, Monks, nuns, devas, nāgas, Yakṣas, gandharvas, and the others Glanced at each other in confusion And looking toward the Best of Humans asked: O Buddha! We entreat you to explain why this is so! The Buddha has said that I am the foremost Among the śrāvakas, yet now I am confused About my own knowledge and unable to understand. Is it the ultimate Dharma? Is it a path to be practiced? - [Previous: 1.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.1.34) - [Next: 1.38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.1.38) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-mt.1.35) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [妙法蓮華經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva.1.35) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.1.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.1.35) · Pramāṇa