妙法蓮華經 3.45

3.45

Since we have never seen such a phenomenon,

We should seek thoroughly for its source.

Even if we have to pass

Through thousands of myriads of koṭis of worlds,

We should seek together for the source of this light.

Possibly a buddha has appeared in the world

To save suffering sentient beings.

“Thereupon five hundred myriads of koṭis of great Brahmas went toward

the northwest with their palaces, carrying heavenly flowers in their robes, to

enquire about this phenomenon. They saw the Tathāgata Mahābhijñā-

jñānābhibhū on the terrace of enlightenment, sitting on the lion seat under

the bodhi tree. He was respectfully surrounded by humans and such nonhu-

mans as devas, nāga kings, gandharvas, kiṃnaras, and mahoragas. They

also saw the sixteen princes requesting the Buddha to turn the wheel of the

Dharma.

“Then all the Brahmas bowed until their foreheads touched the Buddha’s

feet and then circled around him one hundred thousand times. They scat-

tered heavenly flowers on the Buddha, and the flowers they scattered were

piled up as high as Mount Sumeru. They also paid homage to the Buddha’s

bodhi tree. Having reverently offered the Buddha flowers, they presented

their palaces to him, saying:

Please accept the palaces we now offer you and benefit us through

your compassion!

“Then the great Brahmas spoke these verses wholeheartedly and in uni-

son before the Buddha:

O Great Sage, Deva of Devas!

We now bow to the one

Whose voice is as beautiful as the kalaviṅka bird’s

And who has compassion for sentient beings. The Bhagavat is truly extraordinary And can only be seen once In an extremely long time. One hundred and eighty kalpas Have passed away fruitlessly, And no buddhas have appeared during this time. The worlds have been filled With people in the three troubled states of being, And the devas have decreased. The Buddha has now appeared in the world To be the eyes of sentient beings. He will be the refuge of the world And will seek to protect all. As the father of sentient beings, He is the compassionate benefactor. Because of our past merits, We now have the good fortune to be able To meet the Bhagavat!

“Thereupon, having praised the Buddha in verse, the great Brahmas said this:

O Bhagavat! We entreat you to turn the wheel of the Dharma out of your compassion for all and save sentient beings.

“Then the great Brahmas spoke these verses wholeheartedly and in unison:

O Great Sage! Make us very happy! Turn the wheel of the Dharma, Reveal the character of all dharmas, Save the suffering beings! If sentient beings hear this Dharma They will attain the path and be born as devas. The beings in the troubled states of being will decrease