經律異相 9.8

9.8

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, renowned for his sovereign supernatural powers and majestic virtue, came from the east together with innumerably many great bodhisattvas. The lands he passed through all quaked, and they rained down precious lotus blossoms and played various kinds of music. He was also surrounded by a great assembly of countless gods, spirits, and other members of the eight classes. Paying homage to Śākyamuni Buddha, he said to the Buddha: "In the land of the Buddha Sovereign King of Precious Majestic Virtue, I heard from afar that the Lotus Sūtra was being preached in this Sahā world, and we have come together to listen to it and receive it. We only pray that the Bhagavat will preach it for us." The Buddha told Samantabhadra: "If good men or good women fulfill four conditions, they will obtain this Lotus Sūtra after the Tathāgata has entered extinction." Samantabhadra Bodhisattva said: "If there are those who walk or stand, diligently reciting this sūtra and meditating upon it; if someone should forget a single phrase or verse of this sūtra, the host of great bodhisattvas will all go to where that person is, manifesting their forms to make offerings, protect, and comfort their minds, and also to ensure it flows fluently once more for the sake of making offerings to the Lotus Sūtra. Those who see them will rejoice and become even more vigorous. Because they see me, they will instantly obtain samādhis and dhāraṇīs. If in the evil age to come anyone among the four assemblies comes seeking, upholding, reading, reciting, or copying this Lotus Sūtra with a desire to practice it, they should be single-mindedly vigorous for three times seven days. When the three times seven days are fulfilled, I will also appear before them and preach the Dharma for them." (Extracted from the seventh fascicle of the Lotus of the True Dharma Sūtra.)