妙法蓮華經 1.38

1.38

The sons born from the mouths of the buddhas

Stand waiting with palms pressed together,

Looking at the Buddha.

I entreat you to proclaim the truth,

Speaking in the finest voice!

The devas, nāgas, and others,

As numerous as the sands of the Ganges River,

As many as eighty thousand bodhisattvas

Who are seeking buddhahood, and noble emperors

Who have come from myriads of koṭis of countries,

Are all standing respectfully with palms pressed together

Asking how to accomplish the path.

Then the Buddha addressed Śāriputra, saying: “Enough, enough! Speak

no more! If I explained this matter, the devas and humans in all the worlds

would be astounded.”

Then Śāriputra again addressed the Buddha: “O Bhagavat! Please explain

it! I entreat you to explain it, because in this assembly there are innumerable

hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of incalculable sentient beings,

sharp in faculties and possessed of wisdom, who have previously encoun-

tered the buddhas. When they hear the teaching of the Buddha they will trust,

believe, and accept it.”

Thereupon Śāriputra spoke in verse to explain this again:

O King of the Dharma, the Best of Humans!

I entreat you to explain it.

Please explain it without hesitation!

In this assembly there are innumerable sentient beings

Who will trust and accept it.

Then the Buddha again tried to dissuade Śāriputra, saying: “If I explain

it, the devas, humans, and asuras in all the worlds will be astounded, and arrogant monks will certainly go to their downfall.”

At that time the Bhagavat again spoke in verse:

Enough, enough! Speak no more!

The Dharma that I have attained

Is excellent and incomprehensible.

Though the arrogant hear it,

They will never accept it.

And again Śāriputra addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bhagavat! Please explain it! Please explain it! In this assembly there are people like me and others, numbering into the hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of beings, who have been led and inspired by the buddhas in their former existences. Such people will certainly trust, believe, and accept it. And they will benefit, profit, and receive solace from it for a very long time.”

Thereupon Śāriputra spoke these verses to elaborate on what he meant:

O Best of Humans!

Please teach the ultimate Dharma!

I am the eldest son of the Buddha.

Please illuminate and explain it!

Innumerable beings in this assembly

Will certainly trust and accept this Dharma,

Because the Buddha in former existences

Led and inspired such people.