法苑珠林 8.67

8.67

Furthermore, the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra states: When the kalpa ends in conflagration, everything becomes empty. By the power of the merit of sentient beings, winds arise from the ten directions; blowing against and striking one another, they can hold up the great waters. There is a being with a thousand heads and two thousand hands and feet named Viṣṇu. From the navel of this being emerges a thousand-petaled, golden, wonderful jeweled lotus flower, its light blazing brightly like ten thousand suns shining together. Within the flower, there is a being sitting cross-legged; this being also possesses immeasurable radiance and is named King Brahmā. From his mind were born eight sons; the eight sons gave birth to heaven, earth, and people. This King Brahmā sits upon the lotus flower. Therefore, the Buddhas, conforming to worldly convention, are said to sit cross-legged upon a precious lotus flower to preach the six pāramitās.