妙法蓮華經 6.43

6.43

for a thousand kalpas. After having been freed from the consequences of

their errors they finally met Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta, who led and inspired

them to highest, complete enlightenment.

“O Mahāsthāmaprāpta, what do you think about this? Were those in the

fourfold assembly of that time who disparaged this bodhisattva persons

unknown to you? They are the five hundred bodhisattvas in this assembly,

beginning with Bhadrapāla, the five hundred nuns beginning with Siṃha-

candrā, and the five hundred laymen beginning with Sugatacetanā, all of

whom will never turn back on the path to highest, complete enlightenment.

“O Mahāsthāmaprāpta, know that this Lotus Sutra will greatly benefit

the bodhisattva mahāsattvas and lead them to highest, complete enlighten-

ment. For this reason, after the Tathāgata’s parinirvāṇa the bodhisattva

mahāsattvas should always preserve, recite, explain, and copy this sutra.”

Thereupon the Bhagavat, wanting to elaborate on the meaning of this

In the past there was a buddha

Called Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja.

He had immeasurable transcendent powers,

Led and guided all sentient beings,

And was paid homage by devas, humans, and nāgas.

After the parinirvāṇa of this buddha,

When the True Dharma faced extinction,

There was a bodhisattva called Sadāparibhūta.

At that time the fourfold assembly

Was becoming attached

To its own interpretation of the Dharma.

Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta

Would approach them and say:

I do not belittle you;

Practice the path

And you will all become buddhas.

After hearing this,

All the people insulted and disparaged him;

But Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta Patiently bore this. As he neared the time of his death, When he had expiated his past errors, He was able to hear this sutra, And his six sense faculties became pure. Through his transcendent powers He prolonged his life And explained this sutra far and wide, Acting, once again, for the benefit of others. Those who were attached To their own interpretations of the Dharma Were led and inspired by this bodhisattva And were enabled to abide Within the buddha path. After the end of his life, Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta Met innumerable buddhas. Because he explained this sutra, He attained immeasurable happiness. Gradually accumulating his merits, He quickly attained the buddha path. The Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta of that time Was none other than I. Because the fourfold assembly, Which was then attached to Particular aspects of the Dharma, Heard Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta say:

You will all become buddhas,

They have since met innumerable buddhas. Those people are none other Than the five hundred bodhisattvas And laymen and laywomen of pure belief Who are now gathered before me

In this assembly to hear the Dharma.

In my previous lives I taught them

And led them to hear and accept this sutra,