經律異相 8.18

8.18

The Bhagavat in the past was a bodhisattva named Sadāprarudita. Seeing the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha in the world, [and seeing] how the world was filthy and defiled, turning its back on the correct and heading toward the deviant, being hypocritical and pursuing profit just as moths delight in flame; [and seeing that although] the four immeasurables and the six perfections are a dwelling of everlasting peace, yet the world abandons the Buddha and turns toward those perils and disasters to destroy itself, the bodhisattva was constantly grieved, distressed, and wept sorrowfully. In antiquity, there was a Buddha named Jingfa Wuhui. Not long after his passing into extinction, the sūtras and teachings had completely vanished. Sadāprarudita saw that Buddha in a dream preaching the Dharma to him. Hearing it, the bodhisattva's defilements of mind were eradicated and he entered pure concentration. Thereupon he abandoned his wife and children and entered the mountains to be secluded and quiet, sustaining himself with fruits and water. Beating his chest and wailing mournfully, [he cried]: 'I did not encounter the Buddha and do not see the Dharma and Saṅgha, the supreme ultimate of the Great Path!' Just as his lamenting voice finished, a heavenly deity descended and said: 'Luminous Knight, do not wail anymore in this way. The Buddha has a Great Dharma named the Illumination of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñāpāramitā), through which all Buddhas of the three periods have attained [awakening]. Seek it, recite and study its text, keep its meaning in your mind, and practice it with devotion; then you will certainly attain buddhahood.' Sadāprarudita looked up and said: 'From whom should I hear this noble Dharma? By what expedient means, to what land, and what is the name and lineage of that master?' The deva replied: 'Go directly east. Do not give thought to form, feeling, perception, volitional formations, or consciousness; cut off all desires in your mind and hold your resolve without wavering. I teach you to behold the sacred scripture of the Perfection of Wisdom.' Sadāprarudita said: 'Yes, I shall hold it to heart from beginning to end.' The deva repeated: 'Vigorously preserve it,' and suddenly disappeared. The bodhisattva, receiving the instruction, journeyed east seeking it, and after several days he stopped. Reflecting deeply to himself, he said: 'My past merits are meager; rulers and subjects are confused and heedless, with no one knowing the Buddha. How many leagues from here is the noble master who dispels darkness?' Due to the culmination of his sincerity, he moved a Buddha from the zenith to appear before him, flanked by devas. He praised the bodhisattva: 'Excellent, excellent! You are rare in the world!' The bodhisattva, seeing the Buddha, was both joyful and sorrowful. Bowing his head, he said: 'May the Buddha have pity on me and expound the sūtras for me.' The Buddha told him: 'The three realms are entirely empty. Whatever exists must become non-existent; the myriad things are like illusions. A single birth and a single death are like waves on water; behold that all the world is thus, and take care never to forget it. From here, journeying east for twenty thousand leagues, there is a country named Gandhavatī, a city of bodhisattvas. Within that country, all are superior knights and there are no ordinary people. Were I to recount the virtues of the bodhisattvas for you, the number of kalpas would be exhausted, yet their virtues would still remain. A bodhisattva [there] is named Dharmodgata; among those sages, he is like the moon among the stars. Holding all scriptures, he repeatedly teaches others. The bodhisattvas receive, recite, write, and read them. He who is the origin of this sūtra will certainly be your teacher; I urge you to approach him, and he will preach it to you.' Sadāprarudita awoke from his absorption and looked around him; he saw the Buddha no more. His heart was sorrowful and tears flowed, and he said: 'From where did the miraculous brilliance of the Buddhas come, and where has it now departed?' (Extracted from the Liudu ji jing, fascicle 7).