大方便佛報恩經 1.34

1.34

At that time, the Sahā world was immediately transformed and became pure, free of marshes, mountains great and small, rivers, ponds, lakes, streams, ravines, and gullies. The sentient beings therein, following the light, saw the Buddha; rejoicing, they joined their palms, bowed their heads in homage, and conceived deep affection and yearning, not turning their eyes away even for a moment. At that time, the Bhagavat gathered in the radiance; it circled his body seven times and returned to enter the crown of his head. The Venerable Ānanda, observing the minds of the assembly, saw that they all harbored doubts. Wishing to reveal the Tathāgata's secret practices of upāya, and also wishing to open the eye of wisdom for all future sentient beings; wishing to cause all sentient beings to cross the ocean of thirsting craving, reach the other shore, and attain eternal peace and joy; and wishing to cause sentient beings to be mindful of and recognize the weighty kindness of their parents, teachers, and elders, he immediately arose from his seat, straightened his robes, bared his right shoulder, knelt with both knees on the ground, joined his palms, and said to the Buddha: "Bhagavat! Ever since Ānanda served the Buddha, he has never seen the Buddha smile. A smile must have a purpose. May the Buddha show it, may the Buddha explain it, and resolve the web of doubts of this great assembly!"