妙法蓮華經 5.47

5.47

"Bhagavat, as for this multitude of great bodhisattvas, even if one were to count them for thousands of myriads of kotis of kalpas, one could not reach their end or find their limit. From long ago, at the places of immeasurable, boundless buddhas, they have planted kuśalamūlas, fulfilled the bodhisattva way, and constantly practiced pure conduct. Bhagavat, such a matter is difficult for the world to believe! It is like a man, handsome and with black hair, twenty-five years of age, who points to a hundred-year-old man and says, 'This is my son'; and the hundred-year-old man also points to the youth and says, 'This is my father, who gave birth to and raised me.' Such a thing is difficult to believe. The Buddha is also like this: since attaining the way, the time has in fact not been long, yet this great assembly of bodhisattvas has already, for immeasurable thousands of myriads of kotis of kalpas, for the sake of the Buddha path, practiced vigor diligently, skillfully entered, emerged from, and abided in immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of samādhis, attained great supernatural powers, long practiced pure conduct, and is skilled in successively training in all good dharmas, proficient in question and answer, treasures among humans, and exceedingly rare in all worlds. Today the Bhagavat only says: 'When I attained the Buddha way, I first caused them to generate the resolve, teaching and guiding them, causing them to head toward anuttarā samyaksambodhi.' Not long after attaining buddhahood, the Bhagavat has been able to accomplish this great work of merit. Although we believe that what the Buddha speaks according to what is appropriate is never false, and that whatever the Buddha knows is thoroughly penetrated, nevertheless, if bodhisattvas who have newly resolved hear these words after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, they may not believe and accept them, but rather give rise to causes and conditions for the karmic offense of destroying the Dharma. Indeed, Bhagavat, we pray that you will explain this, dispelling our doubts, and so that in future ages kulaputras who hear of this will not give rise to doubts either."