[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) › 4.56 # 妙法蓮華經 4.56 The Lotus Sutra 4.56 - **Language:** English ### [4.56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.4.56) transformed monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen to hear this teaching. All these transformed beings will hear the Dharma, believe and accept it, and not reject it. “If an expounder of the Dharma resides in a secluded place, I will then dispatch many devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, and asuras to hear his teaching. Although I will be in a different land, I will periodically let the expounders of the Dharma see me. If they forget a line of this sutra I will explain it again, enabling them to master it.” Thereupon, the Bhagavat, wanting to elaborate on the meaning of this If you wish to rid yourself of idleness, You should listen to this sutra. This sutra is rarely heard, And it is also difficult to accept. Suppose there were a thirsty man Seeking for water by drilling Into the earth on a high plain. He sees only dry earth and knows That water is still far away. He gradually sees The moist earth turn into mud And knows with certainty That water is near. O Bhaiṣajyarāja! You should know that those people Who do not hear the Lotus Sutra Are very far away From the Buddha’s wisdom. If they hear this profound sutra Which brings resolution to the śrāvakas And if they hear this King of Sutras And attentively contemplate it, Know that these people Are close to the Buddha’s wisdom. If people want to expound this sutra, They should enter the Tathāgata’s chamber, Put on the Tathāgata’s garments, And sit on the Tathāgata’s seat. They then should face the people without fear, So that they may extensively Illuminate and explain it to the assembly. The Tathāgata’s chamber is great compassion, His garments are gentleness and perseverance, And his seat is the emptiness of all existent things. After settling among them, They should expound the Dharma. Even if, when they expound this sutra, People disparage them with evil words, Or attack them with swords, sticks, tiles, or stones, Being mindful of the Buddha, They should persevere. I will manifest my pure and solid form In thousands of myriads of koṭis of lands And teach the Dharma to sentient beings For immeasurable koṭis of kalpas. If after my parinirvāṇa There is someone who is able to teach this sutra, I will dispatch a transformed fourfold assembly Of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen To pay homage to this expounder of the Dharma. - [Previous: 4.51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.4.51) - [Next: 4.58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.4.58) - [Up: 4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.4) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-mt.4.56) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [妙法蓮華經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva.4.56) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.4.56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.mahayanasutra.saddharmapundarika*zh-kumarajiva~en-bdk.4.56) · Pramāṇa