法苑珠林 8.68

8.68

Furthermore, the Mahākaruṇā Sūtra states: The Buddha said to Ānanda: 'Why is it named the Bhadrakalpa? When this trichiliocosm is about to form at the end of the kalpa, it is entirely a single expanse of water. At that time, the devas of the Śuddhāvāsa heaven, observing this world with divine eyes, see only one great expanse of water, and see a thousand lotus flowers. Each lotus flower has a thousand petals, is golden with golden light, blazing brightly and shining everywhere, its fragrant aroma delightfully sweet. Because the devas of the Śuddhāvāsa heaven see this matter, their minds give rise to joy, and they praise it as rare, [saying]: "In this kalpa there shall be a thousand Buddhas appearing in the world!" By this cause and condition, this kalpa is consequently named; it is called "Bhadra" (Worthy). After my parinirvāṇa, in this Bhadrakalpa there shall be nine hundred and ninety-six Buddhas appearing in the world, with the Tathāgata Buddha Krakucchanda at the head, and myself as the fourth; next Maitreya shall succeed to my place, and so on up to the final Tathāgata Rocana. Such is the order that you should know.' (Other sūtras give the name of the final Buddha as Ruci).