經律異相 3.28

3.28

While staying in Śrāvastī, the Buddha addressed the monks: “There are eight causes and conditions for a great earthquake. This earth is sixty-eight thousand yojanas deep and is supported by water. The water rests on space. At times, the wind of space moves and the water also moves; when the water moves, the earth then greatly shakes. This is the first quake. If a monk attains supernatural powers and does whatever he wishes at will, looking upon the earth as his palm, he can make the earth greatly shake. This is the second quake. If gods possess great supernatural powers and great majestic power, they can make the earth shake. This is the third quake. When a bodhisattva in the Tuṣita heaven is about to descend his spirit to take birth, the earth shakes at that time. This is the fourth quake. When a bodhisattva consciously enters his mother’s womb, the earth greatly shakes. This is the fifth quake. When a bodhisattva knows that the ten months are complete and he is about to emerge from his mother’s womb, the earth greatly shakes. This is the sixth quake. When a bodhisattva leaves the household life, sits at the site of enlightenment, subdues Māra’s adversaries, and finally attains complete enlightenment, the earth greatly shakes. This is the seventh quake. When the Tathāgata enters parinirvāṇa in the realm of nirvāṇa without remainder, this is the eighth quake.” (From the twenty-fourth fascicle of the Ekottarika Āgama.)