妙法蓮華經 5.57

5.57

Buddha Dīpaṃkara and others. Furthermore, I also said that they had entered

parinirvāṇa. I have explained such things through skillful means.

“O sons of a virtuous family! If any sentient being comes to me, I per-

ceive the dullness or sharpness of his faith and other faculties with my buddha-

eye. According to the way I should bring them to the path, I, myself, proclaim

different names and lifespans in various places. In each case I have also clearly

stated that I would enter parinirvāṇa. Through various skillful means I have

explained subtle teachings and have made the sentient beings rejoice.

“O sons of a virtuous family! To those beings whom the Tathāgata per-

ceives as taking pleasure in the inferior teachings, who have few qualities

and grave defilements, he teaches that the Buddha attained highest, complete

enlightenment after he renounced household life in his young age. However,

it has been a very long time indeed since I attained buddhahood. I give such

an explanation only to lead and inspire the sentient beings to enter the buddha

path through skillful means.

“O sons of a virtuous family! The sutras that the Tathāgata has expounded

are all to save the sentient beings. Whether the Tathāgata teaches about him-

self or others, whether he reveals his form or that of others, whether he shows

his acts or those of others, everything he says is true, never false.

“Why is this? Because the Tathāgata perceives all the marks of the triple world as they really are: that there is no birth and death, coming or going; that there is also no existence or extinction in the world, truth or falsehood, sameness or difference. The Tathāgata does not view the triple world as sentient beings in the triple world see it. The Tathāgata perceives such things clearly and without mistakes.

“Since sentient beings have various natures, desires, behaviors, thoughts, and distinctions, the Tathāgata, wanting to cause them to plant roots of good merit, has explained various teachings through a variety of examples, explanations, and illustrations. He has not desisted from doing buddha acts even for a single moment and in this way it has been an extremely long time since I attained buddhahood. My lifespan is immeasurable and incalculable. I abide forever without entering parinirvāṇa.

“O sons of a virtuous family! The lifespan that I first attained through practicing the bodhisattva path has not yet expired. It is twice as great as the number previously mentioned. Although I do not actually enter parinirvāṇa I proclaim that I do. It is through this skillful means that the Tathāgata leads and inspires sentient beings.