妙法蓮華經 3.54

3.54

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

O Bhagavat! We request that you turn the wheel of the Dharma, thus

causing the devamāras, Brahmas, śrāmaṇas, and brahmans to be at

ease and saving them all!

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

We entreat you, O Best of Devas and Humans,

To turn the wheel of the highest Dharma,

Beat the drum of the great Dharma,

Blow the conch of the great Dharma,

Rain the rain of the great Dharma everywhere,

And save incalculable sentient beings!

We have all come to request

That you expound it

With your profound voice!

“Then the Tathāgata Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū silently consented.

“The very same thing happened in the worlds from the southwestern to the lower regions, as well as those in other directions.

“Then all the great Brahmas in the five hundred myriads of koṭis of lands in the upper region saw their palaces illuminated with a light that had never existed before. Joyful and ecstatic, they were struck with wonder. They immediately assembled to discuss this matter together, asking:

Why have our palaces been illuminated?

“There was a great Brahma in that assembly called Śikhin. He spoke to the assembly of Brahmas in verse, saying:

Why have all our palaces

Been brilliantly illuminated

With this light of virtuous dignity

And adorned in this unprecedented way?

We have never seen such a wonderful phenomenon!

Has a deva of great merit been born,

Or has a buddha appeared in the world?

“Thereupon five hundred myriads of koṭis of great Brahmas went into the lower regions with their palaces to enquire about this phenomenon, carrying heavenly flowers in their robes. They saw the Tathāgata Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū on the terrace of enlightenment sitting on the lion seat under the bodhi tree. He was respectfully surrounded by humans and such nonhumans 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 great Brahmas bowed until their foreheads touched the Buddha’s feet and then circumambulated him one hundred thousand times. They scattered 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 him flowers, they presented their palaces to the Buddha saying:

Please accept the palaces we now offer you, and benefit us through your compassion!