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T0157 Volume 6
COMPASSIONATE LOTUS SUTRA
Karuna Pundarika Sutra
Mahayana Compassionate Pundarika (White Lotus) Sutra
Translated during the North-Lerng Dynasty by Tripitaka Master Dharmaraksa from India
Volume 6
The 4th Section of Chapter 4: Awarding the Bodhisattvas the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood
At that time, the Buddha told Quiescent-Mind Bodhisattva: "Virtuous man, at that time, Ocean-Atoms Brahmana thought: 'Now I have persuaded innumerable and illimitable hundreds of thousands of Kotis of nayutas of living beings to dwell in Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. I saw that all those great Bodhisattvas have vowed to choose the pure Buddha Worlds, except one person - Vayuvisnu. In the Good-kalpa (Bhadra-kalpa: the present kalpa), all the other Bodhisattvas will also evade the evil (kali *) age of the five turbidities. Thus, in that evil age, I should give the true flavor of Dharma to the living beings. Now I should be persevering and brave, I should make virtuous vows like a Lion's Roar, to make all Bodhisattvas become more astonished than ever before after hearing my vows; to make all the assembly, the gods, dragons, ghosts, divinities, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human and non-human beings, join their palms, pay homage, and make offerings to me; to make the Buddha, the Bhagavan praise me and award me the distinctive mark of future Buddhahood; to make the Buddhas at everywhere of the innumerable and illimitable worlds of the ten directions, who are now speaking Dharmas for living beings, all praise me and award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi after hearing my Lion-Roar, and send their envoys to here and let the assembly all see the envoys.'"
(* The Sanskrit word 'kali' means vice/evil/strife/discord/quarrel /contention. 'kali age' is the present age. )
"'Now, at last, I shall make some great vows, to fulfill the great compassion of Bodhisattvas, so that, as far as when I achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, if any living beings hear my greatly compassionate vows, they will become more astonished than ever before. If in the future, there will be any Bodhisattvas who achieve the great compassion, they will also wish to choose such worlds, inside which all the living beings lack Dharma, have no wisdom-eyes, and fully have the four outflows. The Bodhisattvas will save the living beings in such worlds and speak Dharmas for them. After my Nirvana, the Buddhas at everywhere of the innumerable and illimitable hundreds of thousands of billions of worlds of the ten directions, will all praise me in front of the great Bodhisattvas, and reveal my virtuous vows. Having heard these vows intently, with the heart of great compassion and diligence, those Bodhisattvas will become greatly astonished and exclaim that the vows are unprecedented. The compassion that they have achieved will be enhanced, and they will choose the defiled worlds, just like how I do. Those Bodhisattvas will be like me, will achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in the defiled worlds, pull out the living beings of the four outflows, and make them dwell peacefully within the Three Vehicles (yana), unto Nirvana.'"
"Virtuous man, after Ocean-Atoms Brahmana had pondered upon such great compassionate vows, he uncovered his right shoulder, and proceeded to where Treasure-Store (ratna-garbha) Tathagata was. At that time, innumerable hundreds of thousands of ten thousands of billions of gods performed heavenly music and rained down myriads of flowers from the sky, and praised together: 'How virtuous, how virtuous! Virtuous great hero, you are now going to where the Buddha is, to make the unique vows, to eliminate the afflictions of the living beings in all worlds, by using the wisdom water.'"
"At that time, all members of the congregation joined their palms respectfully in front of the Brahmana, paid homage to him and praised together: 'How virtuous, how virtuous, venerable great wise one! We have obtained great benefits from you, so that we can make those solid virtuous vows. Now we wish to hear the virtuous vows that you will make, venerable one.'"
"At that time, in front of the Buddha, the Brahmana placed his right knee on the ground. Subsequently, the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds shook in six ways, myriads of music by themselves performed, the birds and beasts uttered harmonious sounds, all the trees flowered even though it was out of season. In the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds, the living beings in Causal-Stage, whether they had aroused Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi Heart or not, all aroused the heart of great benefaction, the heart of pure goodness, the heart free from hatred and jealousness, the heart without defilement, the heart of mercy, and the heart of matchlessness, except those who belong to hell, hungry ghosts and animals."
"The flying living beings became happy, rained down various flowers, ground-incenses, paste-fragrances, and made offerings of various music, streamers, flags, and garments. They glorified the Brahmana with gentle and wonderful voice, and listened with single mind, wishing to hear the virtuous vows that the Brahmana will make."
"Even the gods of Akanistha heaven also came down to Jambudvipa, rained down various flowers, ground-incenses, paste-fragrances from the sky, made offerings of various music, streamers, flags, garments, glorified the Brahmana with gentle and wonderful voice, and listened with single mind, wishing to hear the virtuous vows that the Brahmana will make."
"At that time, Ocean-Atoms Brahmana joined his palms respectfully, and glorified Treasure-Store Tathagata with these gathas (verses):
He plays among Samadhis,
like the great Brahma God;
Bright and sublime,
like the heavenly Lord Sakra Devanam Indra;
Donates properties,
like a Wheel Turning King;
Holding wonderful rare treasures,
like a Repository-mastering minister;
Meritorious, virtuous and unrestricted,
like a Lion King;
Immovable,
like the Sumeru Mountain;
His heart is free from ripple,
like a calm great ocean;
He bears both good and bad things,
like the great earth;
Eliminates all afflictions,
like pure water;
Burns out all the knots and shackles,
like a flaming fire;
Blows away all the obstructions,
like a high wind;
Reveals the reality,
like the four heavenly kings;
Rains down Dharma rains,
like the great dragon king;
Fulfills all,
like the rains in the right time;
Conquers all the Exterior-Paths,
like a great polymath (abhidharmika);
The fragrance of merits,
Is like the smell of Sumana flowers;
The wonderful voice of Dharma speaking,
Is like that of the Brahma God;
Heals all illnesses,
like an excellent doctor;
Treats all equally,
like a merciful mother;
teaches all living beings,
like a kindly father;
The body is indestructible,
like a Vajra mountain;
Can cut off the branches of love,
like a sharp sword;
Ferries all living beings,
like a boatman;
Imparts wisdom to people,
like the sages;
Bright and refreshingly cool,
like the full moon;
Makes the flowers of living beings bloom,
like the rising sun;
Bestows upon the living beings,
the four fruitions of Sramana;
Grows out myriads of fruits,
like a tree in autumn;
Being surrounded by super-mundane persons and sages,
like a phoenix;
With deep and vast mind,
like a great ocean;
has the heart of equality towards all,
like the grass and woods;
Discerns all phenomena,
like watching an empty fist;
Benefits the worlds with the heart of equality,
like waters;
Has achieved the wonderful appearance,
along with the great compassion;
Can award innumerable living beings,
the distinctive mark of future Buddhahood.
I now have enlightened,
innumerable living beings;
Please Bhagavan,
award me the distinctive mark of Buddhahood,
which predicts that I will,
achieve the supreme Way (Perfection, Enlightenment),
in the age of turbidities and evil.
The Bhagavan with delicate and wonderful wisdom,
The great immortal one,
Please speak it with the wonderful voice.
In the evil age,
I will practice myriads of forbearances,
fight with the knots, shackles and afflictions,
pull out all the innumerable living beings,
and settle them,
in the Way of stillness and quiescence."
"Virtuous man, after Ocean-Atoms Brahmana had glorified Treasure-Store Tathagata by speaking the gatha(verse), at that time, all members of the congregation praised him together: 'How virtuous, How virtuous! Great hero, you are so virtuous that can praise the Tathagata -- the Dharma King.'"
"The Brahmana then said to the Buddha again: 'Bhagavan, I have taught and enlightened innumerable billions of living beings, and made them arouse the Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi Heart. Those living beings have already vowed to choose the pure and wonderful worlds, and get away from the defiled worlds. They have chosen to teach the living beings who cultivate the virtuous roots with pure mind and are easy to be enlightened.'"
"'For the 1004 persons including Fire-Wreath Manavaka, who reads and recites Veda -- the Exterior-Path scriptures, the Tathagata has already awarded them the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood, which predicts that they will become Buddhas in the Good-kalpa (Bhadra-kalpa: the present kalpa), and will, by using the three vehicles (yana), enlighten all the living beings who often commit greed, lechery, anger, ignorance, and arrogance. Those 1004 Buddhas also abandon the living beings in the evil age of the five turbidities, the living beings who have thick and weighty afflictions, commit the five heinous sins(*), demolish the true Dharma, slander sages(holy persons/saints), behave according to the evil views, keep away from the holy seven treasures, do not treat their parents well, do not respect Sramanas and Brahmanas, do what ought not to be done, do not do what ought to be done, do not cultivate blessings, do not fear for the consequences of future, do not wish to cultivate the merits of the three virtuous places, do not want the result and recompense of becoming heavenly or human beings, constantly committing the ten evil deeds, incline to the three non-virtuous destinies, keep themselves away from the virtuous knowledgeable advisors (kalyana-mitra), and are not conscious of approaching the real wisdom, are being confined in the prison of birth and death of the three existences, are being driven by the four outflows and are submerged in the gray river, are blinded by ignorance, are away from virtuous karma, and only producing evil karma. For such living beings, the worlds of those Buddhas do not accept them, therefore they are banished and gathered in this world, because they commit the deeds of non-virtuous karma instead of cultivating virtuous karma. Being tied in the evil path, the weighty evil sins that they accumulate are like huge mountains. At that time, in the Good-kalpa in Saha world, when the lifespan of human beings is a thousand years, those 1004 Buddhas will not choose such a bad and evil world, so the living beings will be drifting and rolling in birth and death, will be helpless, will have no dependence, no refuge, and no lamp, and will suffer from myriads of afflictions. The sages have abandoned them, only wish to choose the pure and wonderful worlds, and only embrace the living beings who are already easy to be enlightened, having pure mind, having planted the virtuous roots and practicing diligently, and having already offered and sustained innumerable Buddhas. Bhagavan, is that true?'"
(* The holy seven treasures:
1. The treasure of Belief;
2. The treasure of Diligence;
3. The treasure of Precept-keeping;
4. The treasure of Shame/Compunction;
5. The treasure of Hearing Dharmas;
6. The treasure of Generosity;
7. The treasure of Samadhi and Wisdom.)
(* The five heinous sins:
1. Killing one's mother;
2. Killing one's father;
3. Killing an Arhat;
4. To wound the body of the Buddha;
5. To destroy the harmony of the Sangha )
"Treasure-Store Tathagata replied: 'Yes it is, virtuous man. These people choose various sublime and pure worlds according to their favors, and I have awarded them the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood, according to their wishes.'"
"The Brahmana then said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavan, my heart is now trembling like a banana leaf, my mind is greatly worrying, and my body is filled with depression. These Bodhisattvas, despite having all aroused the great compassion, they cannot choose the evil age of the five turbidities, so that those living beings will fall into the darkness of ignorance.'"
"'Bhagavan, from now on, unto one Ganges-river-sands asamkhya kalpas, two Ganges-river-sands asamkhya kalpas, and three Ganges-river-sands asamkhya kalpas later, as far as the Good-kalpa, when the human lifespan is a thousand years, I will be carrying out the Bodhisattva practices, staying within birth and death for eons and forbearing myriads of afflictions. By the power of Samadhi of Bodhisattvas, I must not abandon those living beings.'"
"'Bhagavan, I will, in person, practice the Six Paramitas to enlighten the living beings. Just like what the Buddha said, giving money and properties is called Dana Paramita. Bhagavan, when I am practicing Dana Paramita, if any living beings, in lifetimes after lifetimes, ask me for what they need, I will fulfill all their requests, including drinks, foods, medicines, clothes, beds, houses, gardens, flowers, fragrances, necklaces, and paste-fragrances. I will offer the patients with medicines and nurses according to their illnesses. I will donate streamers, precious canopies, properties, grain, silks, elephants, horses, vehicles, gold, silver, money, goods, pearls, lapis lazuli, sphatika, jades, shells, corals, ambers, heavenly crowns, adornments, and other precious things. I will arouse the great compassionate heart towards the living beings including the poor ones and donate to them, and, although I make such donations, I do not want any reward of heavenly or human worlds, just for enlightening and embracing the living beings, I donate all that I have. If any living beings ask too much, for the things such as my servants, servant-girls, villages, cities, wives, men, women, hands, feet, nose, tongue, head, eyes, skin, blood, bones, fleshes, body, and so forth, I will arouse the great compassionate heart and donate such things to them, without desire for any reward, but just for enlightening and embracing the living beings.'"
"'Bhagavan, the way that I practice Dana Paramita, cannot be matched by any Bodhisattvas in the past, who practiced Dana Paramita, and cannot be matched by any Bodhisattvas in the future, who will arouse Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi Heart and practice Dana Paramita. Bhagavan, in order to carry out the Bodhisattva-Way in the future, I will be practicing such Dana Paramita for hundreds of thousands of billions of kalpas. Bhagavan, if in the future, there will be anyone who wishes to practice the Bodhisattva-Way, I will practice Dana Paramita for him, to encourage him not to give up.'"
"'When I first cultivate Sila Paramita, for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will keep myriads of precepts, carry out myriads of austerities, as what the Buddha teaches.'"
"'Discerning that I have no Self, I will not be hurt by the five dirt(*), this is Ksanti Paramita. I will be practicing Ksanti Paramita as the Buddha teaches.'"
(* The five dirt: form(seeing), sound(hearing), odor(olfaction), taste, touch)
"'Discerning the faults of all behaviors (samskrta) and keeping away from them, seeing the delicateness, wonderfulness and quiescence of uncreated (asamskrta) Dharma, practicing the unsurpassed Way diligently and do not retrograde, this is Virya Paramita. I will also be practicing Virya Paramita in such a way.'"
"'Meditating on the state of emptiness everywhere, and gaining the Dharma of still quiescence, is called Dhyana Paramita.'"
"'Understanding that all things(dharma) do not have the essence of being created, therefore they do not vanish, is called Prajna Paramita. I will be practicing Prajna Paramita firmly and diligently for innumerable hundreds of thousands of billions of Asamkhya kalpas. Why? Because there could be some Bodhisattvas in the past, who did not practice Prajna Paramita firmly and diligently for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi and the Bodhisattva-Way; and there would be some Bodhisattvas in the future, who are not yet able to practice Prajna Paramita firmly and diligently for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi and the Bodhisattva-Way. Therefore, I have to, in such a way, arouse Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi Heart and practice the Bodhisattva-Way in the future, to make all the virtuous Dharmas not to be lost.'"
"'Bhagavan, when I first arouse Bodhi-Heart, I will have already unveiled the Great Compassion, unto Nirvana, for the Bodhisattvas in the future. Those who hear my greatly compassionate vows will be astonished and exclaim that they are unprecedented. Thus, I will not praise myself for my donating practices, will not be proud of my precept keeping, forbearance, diligence, or Dhyana practices, and all my wisdom will not be attached to any of the Three Times (the past, the present and the future). Although I practice the Six Paramita in such a way, I do not do it for any reward. Just because there are some living beings, who are away from the holy seven treasures, are abandoned by the Worlds of the Buddhas, commit the five heinous sins, demolish the true Dharma, slander the sages, behave according to the evil views, have weighty evil sins as huge as great mountains, and are constantly obstructed by evils. Thus, for those living beings, I have to cultivate the Six Paramita intently, bravely, and diligently. In order to help each of the living beings to plant virtuous roots, I wish to enter into Avichi Hell for ten kalpas and suffer from immeasurable afflictions, and also do the same in the incarnations of animals, hungry ghosts, poor ghosts and spirits, and low-class persons. For those living beings who have no virtuous root, lost their minds (have difficulty in concentrating), or have withered or burning hearts, I will embrace and enlighten all of them to make them plant virtuous roots. I will be practicing in such a way, and, unto the age of Good kalpa, I will never seek for any bliss of heavenly or human worlds, except that when I am going to become a Buddha in the next lifetime, dwelling in Tushita heaven and waiting for the achievement of Buddhahood.'"
"I must stay in births and deaths in such a way, for as many kalpas as there are atoms of a Buddha World, and make myriads of offerings to the Buddhas. In order to plant virtuous roots for a single living being, I will offer up as many offerings as there are atoms of a Buddha World, to each of the innumerable and illimitable Buddhas of the ten directions, and gain the merits and virtues as many as the atoms of a Buddha World, from each of the innumerable and illimitable Buddhas of the ten directions. And then, in front of each of the Buddhas, I will be able to teach and enlighten as many living beings as there are atoms of a Buddha World, and make them dwell in the Way of unsurpassed Bodhi, Pratyeka-buddha, or Voice-hearer(Sravaka), according to their wishes.'"
"'During the age that there is no Buddha in the world, I will be a supernatural person (rsi) to teach the living beings, to make them persist in the ten virtues, gain the five supernatural powers, and keep away from the evil views.'"
"'If there are any living beings, who worship the heavenly God Mahesvara, I will transform myself into Mahesvara to teach and enlighten them, to make them dwell at the virtuous Dharmas.'"
"For those who worship the eight-armed God Narayana, I will transform myself into Narayana to teach and enlighten them, to make them dwell at the virtuous Dharmas.'"
"For those who worship the sun, the moon, or the Brahma God, I will also transform myself into the sun, the moon, or the Brahma God to teach and enlighten them, to make them dwell at the virtuous Dharmas.'"
"For those who worship Garudas (Golden-winged bird) or even rabbits, I will also transform myself into Garudas or rabbits to teach and enlighten them, to make them dwell at the virtuous Dharmas.'"
"For hungry and thirsty living beings, I will give them the flesh and blood of my body to make them full up.'"
"For those living beings who commit various sins, I will make my bodies and my lives suffer from their retributions instead of those living beings, to save and protect them.'"
"'Bhagavan, in the future, there will be some living beings who lack virtuous root and have their virtuous hearts burnt out. For the sake of those living beings, I must practice the Bodhisattva-Way diligently, and endure myriads of sufferings in births and deaths, unto one Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya kalpas later, two Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya kalpas later, and unto the beginning of Good-kalpa, when Fire-Wreath Manavaka has achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, with the name Krakucchanda Tathagata. At that time, for those living beings that I will have taught and enlightened,, who were away from virtuous karma, committed evil karma, had withered and burning hearts, lacked the holy seven treasures, committed the five heinous sins, demolished the true Dharma, slandered sages, behaved according to the evil views, had weighty sins as huge as great mountains, were constantly overlaid by evil obstructions, were abandoned and living in the worlds that had no Buddha, I wish that they will all have aroused Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi Heart and practice Dana-Paramita up to Prajna-Paramita, will be dwelling stably at the non-retrograde stages, will have achieved Buddhahood, and will be turning the true Dharma Wheels in the ten directions, in the Buddha Worlds as many as the atoms of thousands of Buddha Worlds, to make all living beings plant the virtuous roots of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, get away from the evil paths, gain merits, virtues and wisdom, and achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. I wish I will see that at that time.'"
"'Bhagavan, now the living beings who have been sent to the present Buddhas, Bhagavans' worlds, who have been awarded the distinctive marks of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, who have gained Samadhis, Dharanis, forbearances, or the Bodhisattva Stages (Bhumi), are all persuaded and enlightened by me, so that they vowed to select sublime Buddha Worlds, and will gain the sublime Buddha Worlds as they wish. In the Good-Kalpa, when Krakucchanda Buddha will be appearing in the world, these living beings will also have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in the ten directions, in the Buddha Worlds as many as the atoms of thousands of Buddha Worlds, will be speaking Dharma everywhere and make me see all of them.'"
"'Bhagavan, when Krakucchanda Buddha has achieved Buddhahood, I will go to where he will be, make various offerings to him, and inquire various Dharmas. I will become a monk (leave home), keep pure precepts, study diffusely, listen extensively, practice Samadhis intently, carry on the diligence, and become the number one Dharma-expounder among all living beings, except the Tathagatas.'"
"'At that age, there would be some dull living beings who lack virtuous root, fall into evil views, behave immorally, commit the five heinous sins, demolish the correct Dharmas, slander the sages, and have weighty evil sins like huge mountains. I will speak correct Dharmas for such living beings to assimilate and enlighten them.'"
"'After the sun of Buddha disappear, I will be naturally performing innumerable Buddha-Works (Buddha-karya). In such a way, unto the time when Kanakamuni Kasyapa Buddha appear in the world and speak Dharmas, I will also go to where he will be, and fully perform the Buddha-Works.'"
"'When the human lifespan become one thousand years, I will teach the living beings to cultivate the three blessing karma, so that they will be reborn in the heavens after the end of their lives. I will then speak Dharmas for those heavenly gods to enlighten and ferry them.'"
"When the human lifespan becomes 120 years, the sentient beings will be foolish and ignorant, they will be proud of their appearances or races, will be dissipated, miserly, jealous, and be imprisoned in the darkness of the five turbidities. They will have thick and weighty greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, miserliness, and jealousy, they will satisfy their desires immorally, and earn money immorally. They will behave according to the evil and upside-down views, will lack the holy seven treasures, will not treat their parents well, and will not respect the Sramanas or Brahmanas. They will not do what they should do, and will do what they should not do. They will not cultivate blessings and they have no fear of their next lifetimes. They will not cultivate the three virtues diligently, and will not enjoy any of the three vehicles. They will not cultivate the three virtuous karma, but only commit the three evil karma. They will not cultivate the ten virtues, but often commit the ten evils. Their hearts will always be covered by the four inverted views, and they will persist in breaking the four precepts, so that the four demon kings will always be unrestricted. They will be floating in the four sick rivers, and their hearts will be covered by the five coverings.'"
(* The four inverted views [to the mundane world]:
1. The inverted view of permanence--taking the impermanent to be permanent;
2. Enjoyment--perceiving suffering as enjoyment;
3. Self--perceiving what is not a self to be a self.
4. Purity-- seeing the impure as pure;
However, in the Great-Nirvana(Maha-Parinirvana), the Buddhas can truly achieve the Permanence, Great-Enjoyment, True Self, and Purity, which are the four meritorious virtues of the Great-Nirvana.)
(* The five coverings: desire, anger, dullness, agitation, and doubt)
"'Their six sense organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) will be dissipated, and they will commit the eight kinds of evil deeds. They will be burdening the great mountains of sins, and will be tied by various knots. They will not want the karma-fruits of being reborn in heavens or human worlds, but will be going to the evil destinies because of their evil and upside-down views. They will produce Uninterrupted Hells' karma, will slander the correct Dharmas, slander sages, and destroy their own virtuous roots. They will be poor and rascally, have no fear of retribution, have no awareness of kindness or righteousness, lost the correct minds, disdain virtuous teachings, have no wisdom, lack knowledge, often forget, break the precepts, and will be adulatory. Because of their jealousy, they will not share their properties with others, but will despise each other with no respect. They will be lazy and have lacunas in their various roots, their bodies will be emaciated, and they will have not enough clothes. They will like to get close to non-virtuous advisors, and they will lose their memories of being in the wombs. They will often be afflicted with various illnesses so that their appearances will be ugly. They will glare at each other without shame or compunction, to scare each other. In one moment, they will produce immeasurable and limitless evil karma through their bodies, mouths and minds, and they will be admired by others because of their immoral deeds.'"
"'At that age, the living beings will follow the views of nihilism or substantialism, be attached to their flimsy bodies which are full of the five skandhas(aggregates), be attached deeply to the five desires, often arouse the mind of anger, resentment, hatred, and cheat, with the desire of hurting living beings.'"
(*The five desires:
1. The cravings of the five organs. Five kinds of desire that arise from attachment to the objects of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body.
2. The five desires of wealth, sex, food, fame and sleep. )
"'Their hearts will often be filled with anger, worry, and other defilements; their hearts will be coarse, non-gentle, miserly and greedy. It will be difficult for them to give up immoral behaviors and insist on virtues. They will often scare each others and argue with each others, and kill and hurt each others with their defiled hearts. They will be far away from the virtuous Dharmas, often arouse non-virtuous minds and commit various evil deeds. They will not believe the retribution of karma, will arouse opposite minds towards virtuous teachings, will arouse happy minds towards non-virtuous phenomena, will arouse the mind of doing non-virtuous things intently, will not seek for the salvation of the still quiescence and Nirvana, will not respect the precept-keeping Sramanas and Brahmans, will be fond of and thirst for the ties and knots, will believe that aging, illness and death are inescapable, will believe that their myriads of afflictions are the nature of things, will enjoy the five coverings, will arouse the mind of keeping away from the true Dharmas, will arouse the mind of attaching to various views, will often arouse the minds of hostility, disdain, hurting, fighting, and eating each others, will arouse the minds of arrogance and bullying others, and will arouse the mind of hatred, the mind of killing each others, the mind of unsatisfiable greed, the mind of being jealous of the properties of others, the mind of ungratefulness, the mind of stealing, the mind of committing sexual misconduct, and the mind of molesting others.'"
"'At that age, all the living beings have no virtuous wish in their hearts, therefore they will, during their continuous rebirths, often hear the sounds of hells, the sounds of animals, the sounds of hungry ghosts, the sounds of diseases, the sounds of aging, the sounds of death, the sounds of hurting, the sounds of the eight difficulties(*), the sounds of imprisoning, the sounds of being restricted by shackles, the sounds of torturing, the sounds of robbing the properties of others, the sounds of gossips, the sounds of scolding, the sounds of destroying the harmony of people, the sounds of stealing, the sounds of wars, the sounds of hunger, the sounds of greed, the sounds of sexual misconduct, the sounds of false speeches, the sounds of ignorance and madness, the sounds of loose speeches, the sounds of harsh speeches, the sounds of sowing discords, the sounds of jealousy, the sounds of miserliness, the sounds of arguments, the sounds of egotism, the sounds of love or hatred, the sounds of being separated from the persons or things that one loves, the sounds of being associated with the persons or things that one dislikes, the sound of selling, the sounds of betraying, the sounds of being in wombs, the sounds of feculences, the sounds of cold, the sounds of hot, the sounds of hunger, the sounds of thirst, the sounds of tiredness, the sounds of the aches caused by illnesses, the sounds of planting, the sounds of the weariness caused by various workings, the sounds of being tortured by various afflictions, the sounds of various pestilences, and so forth.'"
(* The eight difficulties:
Eight circumstances in which it is difficult to see the Buddha or hear his teaching:
1. The condition of a hell-being;
2. Hungry ghost;
3. Animal;
4. In the long-life heavens [where one's life is long and easy];
5. In Uttara-kuru -- the northern continent, where all is pleasant so that no one wish to be enlightened;
6. As deaf, blind or dumb;
7. As a mundane philosopher;
8. In the intermediate time between the life of a Buddha and his successor.)
"'The living beings in that age will often hear such sounds. At that time, within the Saha world, there will be full of those living beings, who lack virtuous roots, keep themselves away from virtuous knowledgeable advisors, and often arouse evil minds. Due to their weighty evil karma, they will be abandoned by the worlds of other Buddhas, and live in the period of Good-kalpa that the human lifespan is 120 years.'"
"'At that age, because of the weighty evil karma of those living beings, the Saha world will be very ugly and defiled, so that most of the persons who have blessings and virtuous roots will get away from that world. In the Saha world, there will be many alkali soils with bitter or salt taste, and there will be plenty of dirt, sands, gravels, and rocks. The ground will be uneven, with peaks, hills, precipices, rivulets, and abysses. There will be plenty of mosquitoes, flies, poisonous snakes, and various fierce birds and beasts. At that time, there will be many evil winds, hard rains, and hailstones, which befall unseasonably. The water of the rains will be poisonous and have unpleasant taste, so that the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of the herbs and the trees, and the grains and crops, will all be polluted by the poisons. Having eaten such foods polluted by the poisons, the living beings' angers and hatreds will increase, and their looks will become unhealthy. They will fail to arouse the merciful heart towards other living beings, they will slander sages(holy persons) and will not respect each others; they will often arouse the mind of frightening, hurting, and killing each others; they will eat flesh, drink blood, and wear the clothes made of skins, will often hurt and kill each others with their weapons, will be arrogant because of their races or beauties, will learn the books of Exterior-path(*) theories, will exercise the fighting skills such as horse-riding, swordplay, archery, etc, and fight against each others, and will be jealous of their own relatives.'"
(* Exterior-path:
The true way to the Correct-Awakening is called Inner-path, oppositely, all other ways that cannot reach this goal are called Exterior-paths.
Generally, "Exterior-path" is interpreted by many people as "non-Buddhist"/"other religious teachings than Buddhism"/"heretic".)
"'Those living beings will often commit such evil deeds.'"
"'Bhagavan, in that distressful age, I vow to go down from Tushita heaven and be born in a supreme Wheel-Turning-King's family. I will enter the womb of the first-lady of the royalty. In order to soften the hearts of the living beings and make them cultivate the virtuous roots, I will emit forth a great light when I am entering the womb. The light, which is delicate and wonderful, will illuminate everywhere of the Saha World -- from the Gold-Wheel-Place to Akanistha heaven. I wish that all the living beings, including the hell beings, animals, hungry ghosts, heavenly gods, human beings, corporeal beings, formless beings, having-thoughts beings, having-no-thought beings, non-having-thoughts beings, non-having-no-thought beings, and so forth, will all see that delicate and wonderful light, and can perceive it when the light touch their bodies. Having seen and perceived that light, they will all discern the disadvantages within birth and death, and then will diligently seek for the uppermost tranquil extinction - the Nirvana, till they cut off all afflictions. -- This is called making the living beings plant the seed of Nirvana at the first time.'"
"'I wish that during the ten months when I will be in the womb, I will attain all Dharmas and enter into all Dharma-Gates, such as the Dharma-Gate of Uncreated Empty Samadhi, and so forth. I will be speaking these Samadhis for countless kalpas in the future, and my virtuous resolved heart will never end.'"
"'When I come out of the womb and achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will pull up all those living beings from births and deaths, and make them all able to see me.'"
"'Although I will be situated in the womb of my mother for fully ten months, during that period, I will be actually staying in Rare-Treasure Samadhi, sitting with my legs crossed in lotus position, and meditating with the correct concentration (Samapatti). After the ten months, I will be born from the right armpit, and will, by the Samadhi power built of all merits and virtues, make the Saha world -- down to the Gold-Wheel-Place and up to Akanistha heaven -- shake in six different ways, so that the living beings in Saha world, no matter they are hell beings, animals, hungry ghosts, heavenly gods, or human beings, they will all be awakened. At that time, I will also emit forth a delicate and wonderful light, which illuminate everywhere of Saha World, to awaken other innumerable living beings. If there will be any living beings who will have not yet planted virtuous roots, I will appease them and make them plant virtuous roots; after planting the virtuous roots of Nirvana, I will make their buds of Samadhi grow out.'"
"'When I am born from the right armpit, and touch the ground with my feet, I wish that the Saha World, from the Gold-Wheel-Place up to Akanistha heaven, will again shake in six different ways, so that all the living beings in the five paths(*), including those who live in water, those who live on earth, those who live in the sky, those who are born from wombs, those who are born from eggs, those who are born from moisture, and those who are born miraculously, will all be awakened.'"
(* The five paths: hell being, hungry ghost, animal, human being, and heavenly god)
"'For those living beings who would have not yet attain Samadhi, I wish that they will all attain Samadhi, and then stay in the Dharma of the three vehicles, and reach the none-retrograde stage.'"
"'When I have been born, all the heavenly beings in Saha world, including the Brahma gods, heavenly demons, gods of Trayastrimsha heaven, gods of sun, gods of moon, the four heavenly kings, the great dragon kings, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, miraculously born beings, immortal beings (rsi), Yaksas, and Raksas, will all come to make offerings to me.'"
"'Having just been born, I will take seven steps, and then, I will speak correct Dharma with the Samadhi power that centralizes all merits and virtues, to make the great assembly happy and dwell in the three vehicles.'"
"'For the living beings in the assembly, if anyone wish to study the voice-hearer's vehicle, I will make them achieve the goal within that very life. If anyone wish to study the Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, I will make them all achieve the Sun-Flower Forbearance. If anyone wish to study the Great vehicle(Mahayana), I will make them all achieve the Vajra-Holding Ocean Immovable Samadhi, and exceed the third Bhumi(stage) by the power of the Samadhi.'"
"'At that time, when I wish to bath, the supreme great dragon king will come to bath my body, and if any living being see the bath, they will enter into the three vehicles, and attain the merits and virtues as mentioned above.'"
"'I will appear as doing various things, which are manifestations, for enlightening all living beings. I will be a boy, ridding a sheep cart, will be staying in the palace, playing with the princesses, will realize the faults of that life, escape from the city in a midnight, and take off the ornaments such as necklaces from my body. In order to conquer the theories of the exterior-paths such as Nirgrantha-jnata-putra(Jain), etc., and make them respect the Dharma-Cloths, I will go under the Bodhi-tree wearing a Kasaya. If any living beings see that I am under the Bodhi-tree, I will speak the Dharma of the three vehicles for them, with the Samadhi power built of all merits and virtues, to make them study the three vehicles diligently. If any of them have germinated the bud of voice-hearer's vehicle, I will make them eliminate all afflictions in that very lifetime, and be ferried by me. If any of them have germinated the bud of Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, I will make them obtain the Sun-Flower Forbearance. If any of them have germinated the bud of Great-Vehicle (Mahayana), I will make them all achieve the Vajra-Holding Ocean Immovable Samadhi, and exceed the forth Bhumi(stage) by the power of the Samadhi.'"
"'I will arrange a Vajra-seat beneath the Bodhi-tree with some grass, sit on it with my legs crossed in lotus position, set both my body and my mind upright, and enter into the immovable Samadhi, which makes both my inhalation and exhalation stop. In every day, when I come out of the Samadhi, I will eat only half a sesame, and donate another half to others. I will be practicing such austerities for a long time, so that all the heavenly beings in the Saha world, up to Akanistha heaven, will come to where I will be, make offerings to me, and bear witness to my austerities. If any of them have planted the virtuous root of voice-hearer's vehicle, Bhagavan, I wish that all his knots of afflictions will be eliminated, and he can be ferried by me in that very lifetime; for those who want Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle or Great-vehicle(Mahayana), I will also ferry them as mentioned above.'"
"'Moreover, the dragons, Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, hungry ghosts, pisacas, the supernatural humans with the five supernatural forces, and so forth, will also come to where I will be, make offerings to me, and bear witness to my austerities. If any of them want to study the voice-hearer's vehicle, Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, or the Great-vehicle(Mahayana), I will also ferry them as mentioned above.'"
"'For those living beings in the four great continents who practice harsh austerities, some non-human beings will go to where they will be and say to them: 'Your austerities cannot obtain great fruitful rewards, and are not unprecedented. Now somewhere, a Final-Incarnation Bodhisattva is practicing austerities. He can enter into a delicate and wonderful Samadhi so that his karma of the body, mouth, and mind can all be extinct, and both his inhalation and exhalation can be stopped. He eats only half a sesame for one day and one night. Such austerities will attain great fruitful rewards, gain great benefits, and will enlighten many living beings. That practitioner of austerities will soon achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. If you do not believe me, you can go to where he is and see what he is doing.'"
"'Bhagavan, I wish that those people will all stop their practices, go to where I will be, and see my austerities. If any of them want to study the voice-hearer's vehicle, Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, or the Great-vehicle(Mahayana), I will also ferry them as mentioned above.'"
"'For the kings, officers, commoners, lay-persons, monks, and so forth, who can see my austerities, I wish that they will all go to where I will be and make offerings to me. If any of them want to study the voice-hearer's vehicle, Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, or the Great-vehicle(Mahayana), I will also ferry them as mentioned above.'"
"'If any woman, who see my austerities, come to make offerings to me, then she will never be reborn in a female body again. If she wants to study the voice-hearer's vehicle, Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, or the Great-vehicle(Mahayana), I will ferry her as mentioned above.'"
"'If any birds or beasts see my austerities and come to where I will be, then upon their death, they will never be reborn in animal body again. If any of them have planted the virtuous root of voice-hearer's vehicle, I will ferry them within that very lifetime; if any of them want Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle or Great-vehicle(Mahayana), I will also ferry them as mentioned above.'"
"For other various animals, small insects, hungry ghosts, and so forth, I will also ferry them as mentioned above.'"
"'I will practice such austerities at that time, and as soon as I sit with my legs crossed in lotus position, hundreds of thousands of billions of nayutas innumerable living beings will come to bear witness. Those living beings will have planted the seed of liberation for immeasurable and illimitable Asamkhya kalpas.'"
"'Bhagavan, I will practice austerities in such a way that, no living being in the past, who ever practiced the exterior-paths, voice-hearer's vehicle, Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, or the Great-Vehicle(Mahayana), could carry out such practices, and also, no living being in the future, who will practice the exterior-paths, voice-hearer's vehicle, Pratyeka-buddha's vehicle, or the Great-Vehicle(Mahayana), will be able to carry out such practices.'"
"'Before I have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will have already been able to do the great things, such as taming the demon kings and their relatives. When I have defeated the demons of afflictions and achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, in order to make one living being stay peacefully in the supreme and wonderful fruition of Arhat, I will appear in a body which bears the remaining karma retributions. In the same way, I will also convert the second, the third, the fourth, and so on, to Arhat.'"
"'For every living being, I will manifest hundreds of thousands of immeasurable supernatural powers of unimpeded bodily functions, to make them have the correct views. For every living being, I will expound the meanings of hundreds of thousands of innumerable Dharma-gates, to make them achieve the saintly fruitions according to their wishes. I will destroy the mountains of afflictions of all living beings, and speak the Dharma of the three vehicles for them. For every living being, I will go personally to where he is and speak Dharma for him without using my supernatural power, even if the distance is more than hundreds of thousands of Yojanas, to make him stay peacefully in fearlessness. If anyone wishes to become a monk who practices my Dharma, I wish that he will not be obstructed by any things such as weakness, forgetfulness, madness, arrogance, bigotry, ignorance, the knots of afflictions, or distraction. If any woman wishes to become a Buddhist nun, study the Way to enlightenment, and accept the complete precepts, I wish that her wishes will be fulfilled. I wish that my fourfold assembly - Bhiksu, Bhiksuni, Upasaka, Upasika, will all gain the offerings. I also wish that the heavenly gods, ghosts, and deities will all achieve the four noble truths(*), and the dragons, Asuras, and various animals will accept and uphold the eight precepts and carry out pure Brahma practice.'"
(* The four noble truths:
1. The truth of suffering [duhkha];
2. The truth of the arising of suffering [samudaya];
3. The truth of the cessation of suffering [nirodha];
4. the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering [marga]
)
"'Bhagavan, when I have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, if any living-being being angry towards me, wants to hurt me with the weapons such as swords, staffs, fire, pits, and so forth, slanders and scolds me with rude words, curses me at everywhere of the realms of the ten directions, or puts poisons into my drinks and foods, I will accept all such retributions of my remaining karma. When those living beings, who are the enemies of my past lifetimes, arouse cruel intentions towards me, curse me with various vicious words, put poisons into my drinks and foods, come to where I will be with weapons and make my body bleed, I will speak Dharma for them, with my heart filled with great compassion, and my wonderful Brahma gentle voice, to give them the teachings such as precept-keeping, broad knowledge, and Samadhi, to purify their hearts, make them stay in virtuous Dharmas, make them repent and never commit again the evil karma that they have committed, make them all be reborn freely as heavenly or human beings and achieve wonderful liberations, make them free from evil desires and stay peacefully in the supreme fruitions, and make them cut off all outflows forever, and eliminate all karma obstructions.
After that, all my remaining karma retributions will be ended.'"
"'Bhagavan, when I have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, coming out of every hair pore on my body day after day, there will be many miraculously created (nirmana) Buddhas, who fully have the 32 marks(*) and the 80 minor marks.'"
(* The 32 marks:
The thirty-two distinguishing marks on the body of a Buddha:
1. Flat soles;
2. A thousand-spokes Dharma-wheel on each sole;
3. Slender and long fingers;
4. Flexible limbs;
5. Webbed fingers and toes;
6. Perfect heels;
7. Perfect insteps;
8. Perfect thighs like those of a deer king;
9. Arms extending past the knees;
10. A concealed sex organ like that of a horse;
11. Arm-span equal to the height of the body;
12. One hair in each pore;
13. Hair standing straight up;
14. Golden body;
15. Great light radiating from the body
16. Delicate skin;
17. The seven places: two sole, two palms, two shoulders, and neck, where there are pits on a mundane person's body, are flat;
18. Flat armpits;
19. A dignified body like that of a lion king;
20. An erect body;
21. Perfect shoulders;
22. Forty teeth;
23. White, firm, and tight teeth;
24. Four white canine teeth;
25. Full cheeks like those of a lion;
26. Flavored saliva;
27. A long, slender tongue;
28. Brahma voice which can reach far distance;
29. Blue eyes;
30. Perfect eyelashes like those of a bull king;
31. White hair between the eyebrows, which circumvolve clockwise and emit forth light;
32. A fleshy bun on the top of the head, also called the crown that no one can see its top. )
"'I will send those miraculously created (nirmana) Buddhas to the worlds that have no Buddha, the worlds that have Buddha, and the worlds of the five turbidities, within which there are persons who commit the five heinous sins, demolish correct Dharmas, slander saintly persons, or even cut off all their own virtuous roots. Some of them may study the Voice-hearer's vehicle, Conditional-Awakener(Pratyeka-buddha)'s vehicle, or the Great-vehicle(Mahayana), but they break the precepts and commit serious sins. For such hundreds of thousands of billions of living beings, who have their virtuous hearts burnt out and lost the virtuous paths, who are submerged in the moor of birth and death, are walking on the evil paths, and are climbing the mountains of sins, each of the nirmana(miraculously created) Buddhas will speak Dharma for them day to day. For those who worship Mahesvara, the nirmana Buddhas will appear as Mahesvara and speak Dharma for them. The nirmana Buddhas will also tell those living beings about my name and my Buddha World, and persuade them to make virtuous wishes. I wish the living beings who hear that will become happy and be willing to reborn in my Buddha World.'"
"'Bhagavan, when those living beings are about to die, if I do not appear in front of them and speak Dharma for them to purify their hearts, then let me be unable to achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in the future. After their death, if they fall into any of the three evil paths(hell, hungry ghost, and animal) and cannot be reborn in my World with human bodies, then let me forget all the innumerable correct Dharmas that I have known, and let me be unable to accomplish any Buddha-Works(buddha-karya).'"
"'For those who worship Narayana, it will be the same as mentioned above.'"
"'Bhagavan, when I have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I wish that the sinful living beings in all other worlds, including those who commit the five heinous sins, who are walking on evil paths, who are climbing the mountains of sins, and so forth, will all be reborn in my world after their death. Due to their own karma, their skin will be lackluster and their faces would be as ugly as Pisaca. They will be forgetful, will break the precepts, will be feculent and have many illnesses, and will often lack enough materials to maintain their lives. Their lifespan will be short, and they will commit various evil deeds to even shorten their lives.'"
"'For such living beings, at one time, I will manifest in the Saha World that I go down from Tushita heaven, stay in the mother's womb, be born, be a child, study various skills, leave home, practice austerities, defeat the demons, achieve the uppermost Way, turn the True Dharma Wheels, enter into Nirvana, distribute my sharira, and so forth. I will manifest various Buddha-Works(buddha-karya) in such a way, at everywhere of the hundreds of billions of the four great continents.'"
Volume 7
The 5th Section of Chapter 4: Awarding the Bodhisattvas the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood
"'Bhagavan, when I have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will speak Dharma with a single voice, but when the living beings hear my speech, those who want the Voice-hearer's vehicle will understand the Voice-hearer's Dharma-Store; those who want the Conditional-Awakener (Pratyeka-buddha)'s vehicle will understand the Conditional-Awakener's Dharma; and those who want the unsurpassed vehicle -- Mahayana will understand the Dharma of pure Mahayana.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who wish to achieve Bodhi but have not enough merits and virtues will be able to practice donation; those who wish to be reborn in heaven but have not enough blessings will be able to keep precepts; those who have defiled hearts and often frighten each others will arouse the hearts of kindness; those who enjoy killing will arouse the hearts of compassion; those whose hearts are polluted by miserliness and jealousness will begin to cultivate the delightful heart; those who are proud of their beauties and powers and have dissipated hearts will arouse the hearts of abnegation; those who have lustful hearts will contemplate the impurity of their desires; the Mahayana learners who are obstructed by distraction (* Literally: Fallen-lift) will understand the Dharma of Anapana; and those who lack wisdom and want the lamplight of Dharma will understand the profound twelve interconnected causes;'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who lack knowledge will gain the non-forgetful Dharani so that they will be able to uphold many Dharmas; those who are in the wilderness of incorrect views will understand the profound Dharma of the emptiness of all things; those whose hearts are covered by sensations will deeply understand the Dharma-Gate of formlessness; those who have many impure wishes will deeply understand the Dharma-Gate of Non-Action; and for the living beings whose bodies and minds are defiled, their bodies and minds will become gentle when they hear my Dharma speech.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who are trapped in messy conditions will understand the Dharma of Non-losable Bodhi heart; those whose hearts are covered by anger will have their angers quenched, understand the nature of the Reality, and will be awarded the distinctive mark of future Buddhahood; and those who are attached to the two views (of existence and inexistence) will understand the profound Dharmas and be free from the attachments;'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those whose hearts are covered by impure desires will understand quickly that all things (dharma) are undefiled and pure; those who have lost their virtuous hearts will deeply understand the Sunlight Samadhi; those who commit demonic karmas will quickly understand the pure Dharma; those whose hearts are covered by incorrect theories will gain deep understanding and improvement on the Correct Dharma; those whose hearts are covered by worries will understand the Dharma of being free from worries; and those who walk on evil paths (believe in evil theories and do evil deeds) will turn back immediately.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who long for Mahayana will acquire the non-regression; those who tire of births and deaths will realize the joy of Bodhisattvas; those who have not yet gain the wisdom of virtuous state will gain improvement on it; those who do not appreciate others' virtuous deeds will accordingly rejoice at the virtuous deeds; those whose hearts are unfair will understand the unobstructed light; those who commit bad deeds will understand the retributions of bad deeds; those who are cowardly among crowd will understand the Lion Samadhi; those whose hearts are oppressed by the four demons will achieve Shurangama Samadhi quickly; and those who cannot see the brilliant lights of the Buddha-Worlds will achieve the Samadhi of Deep Understanding on Myriads of Sublime Lights.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who have hatreds and loves in their hearts will abnegate all those emotions; those who have not yet perceived the light of Buddha-Dharma will gain Dharma-Banner Samadhi; those who lack great wisdom will gain Dharma-Torch Samadhi; those who are trapped in foolishness and darkness will gain Sun Lamp Light Samadhi; and those who lack eloquence will gain the merits and virtues needed for good eloquence.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who contemplate all phenomena and find that the constructions are as infirm as bubbles, will gain Narayana Samadhi; those whose hearts are unstable will gain Firm and Decisive Samadhi; those who wish to observe the Buddha's crown will gain Sumeru Banner Samadhi; those who abandoned their previous vows will gain Firmness Samadhi; those who lost their supernatural abilities will realize Vajra-Mind; those who seek Bodhi-Manda (enlightenment site) will realize Vajra-Manda; those who are not in thrall to any phenomena will understand Vajra-Like Dharma; those who wish to know what others think will fulfill their wishes; those who wish to know others' roots (faculties for Dharma-learning) will understand the Way to the Wisdom; and those who do not understand the languages of each others will gain the Samadhi of Full Understanding of Sounds.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who have not yet achieved Dharma-Body will understand the Dharma for cultivating the Universal Body; those who long to see the Tathagata will gain Non-Wink Samadhi; those who discriminate all activities will gain Non-Strife Samadhi; those who wish to turn the Dharma-Wheel will realize the Undefiled Wheel; those who do not believe in causality and seek evil goals will understand and comply with the teachings on causes and relationships; those who believe in only one Buddha-World will understand that there are countless Buddha-Worlds; those who have not yet generated the causes of beautiful appearance [of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas] will achieve Sublime Beauties Samadhi; and those who cannot master all words will gain the Samadhi of Rhetoric.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who seek the Universal Wisdom absorbedly will gain Indistinguishable Dharma Realm Samadhi; those who retrogress from Dharma will gain Firmness Samadhi; those who do not understand the nature of all dharma(phenomena) will gain the thorough wisdom; those who give up their virtuous vows will gain Non-losable Samadhi; those who discriminate various paths will gain the path of Oneness and be free from discrimination; those who seek the wisdom as vast as all spaces will gain Free-From-Existences Samadhi; those who have not yet perfected all Paramitas will dwell in the purity of Paramitas; those who have not yet perfectly mastered the Four Dharmas of Attraction will become expert at winning living beings over; those who discriminate among the Four Immeasurable Minds will practice them impartially and diligently; and those who have not fully gained the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment will realize the non-attaching practices.'"
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who forget virtue and lose wisdom will gain Great Ocean Wisdom Seal Samadhi; those who desire the Uncreated Dharma Forbearance will gain the decisive Samadhi of all dharmas, because the nature of dharmas is the same; those who forget the Dharma they heard will gain Non-forgetful Samadhi; those who tirelessly preach virtuous teachings to each others will gain pure wisdom-eyes and be free from the net of doubts; those who do not have faith in the Three Treasures will gain Merits-Accumulating Samadhi; those who are thirsty for Dharma-Rain will gain Dharma-Rain Samadhi; those who hold nihilistic views (uccheda-drsti*) with regard to the Three Treasures will understand the sublime of the Treasures; those who do not cultivate wisdom and do not practice diligently will gain Vajra-Wisdom Samadhi; those who are bound by vexations will gain Empty Space Seal Samadhi; and those who are attached to both Self and the things possessed by Self will gain Wisdom Seal Samadhi.'"
(* uccheda-drsti: "nihilism", the mistaken view that results from not discerning the principle of cause and effect that centers on the idea that the world or oneself can be destroyed; for example, the idea that once a being dies, there is no future rebirth, or that life is something limited to this world, is the nihilistic view of denying the reception of the fruits of good and evil acts.)
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who do not know that the Tathagata's merits and virtues are perfect will gain the Samadhi of Liberation from the World; those who have not accumulated enough merits in the present of the previous Buddhas will gain many supernatural powers including the Holy-Feet(*) and various transformation abilities; those who are not yet able to preach even one Dharma-Gate will gain the ability of expounding all Dharmas and their natures; those who have not yet mastered all Sutras will understand that the natures of all Dharmas are equal; those who do not comply with the Six Harmony Principles (*) will gain Understanding All Dharmas Samadhi; those who do not think of the liberation will gain the unrestricted supernatural power of Lion's Playing Samadhi; those who wish to enter into the secret of Tathagatas will be able to enter into the treasuries of Tathagatas without consulting any others; those who do not diligently carry out Bodhisattva-Practices will gain the wisdom to practice diligently; those who have not yet seen the Sutras on the legend of the Buddha will gain Everywhere Dwelling Samadhi; and those who are on the Way to Bodhi but have not yet achieved the perfection will gain Mark-Awarding Samadhi.'"
(* Holy-Feet (rddhi-pratiharya): The supernatural power of unimpeded bodily function, which includes such abilities as flying, reaching anywhere instantly, making oneself invisible, etc. One of the six supernatural powers.)
(* The Six Harmony Principles:
Six ways that Buddhist practitioners should live in harmony and be sensitive and caring towards each other:
1. To unify their respectful deportment to be the same [bodily karma];
2. To unify their chanting [verbal karma];
3. To unify their purpose [mind karma];
4. to unify their practices of purity [precepts];
5. to unify their view;
6. to unify their benefits. )
"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who do not fully have the Ten Powers of Tathagatas will gain Indestructible Samadhi; those who do not fully have the Four Fearlessnesses will gain Inexhaustible Meanings Samadhi; those who do not fully have the uncommon characteristics peculiar to the Buddhas will gain Uncommon Characteristics Samadhi; those whose views are not yet free from ignorance will gain Vows Sentences Samadhi; those who are not yet directly awakened to all Buddha-Dharmas will gain Pure White Undefiled Seal Samadhi; those who have not yet obtained the Universal Wisdom (sarva-jnana / omniscience) will gain Perfect Knowledge Samadhi; and those who have not yet accomplished all activities of Buddhas will gain Unbounded and Inexhaustible Dharmas Samadhi.'"
"'Such living beings will gain respective faiths and understandings with regard to the Buddha-Dharmas.'"
"'Furthermore, there will be some Bodhisattvas whose hearts are straight-forward, ingenuous, and free from perverse minds, when they hear even one sentence of my Dharma speech, they will gain 84 thousand Dharma-Gates, 84 thousand Samadhis, and 75 thousand Dharanis. Furthermore, there will be immeasurable and unbounded Asamkhya Bodhisattvas who cultivate the Great Collection, when they hear my Dharma speech, they will also gain such immeasurable merits and virtues, and stay peacefully at the non-retrogression stage."
"By the aid of such merits and virtues, the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas will adorn themselves with great sublimities -- they will be able to make unimaginable vows bravely, and enhance their unimaginable wisdom and knowledge to adorn themselves: Their bodies will be adorned with the 32 marks and the 80 minor marks; their mouths will be adorned with their Dharma-speeches preached according to the living beings' likes to make the audiences joyful; their hearts will be adorned with the non-retrograde Samadhis; their mindfulness will be adorned with the non-losable Dharanis; their thoughts will be adorned with their great knowledge; and their achievements will be adorned with the ultimate Awakening.'"
"'Furthermore, they will be adorned with virtuous wishes so that they will keep their vows firmly, practice diligently, and reach the other shore [of liberation] as they wish; they will be adorned with concentration so that they will achieve the cultivation stages step by step; they will be adorned with charity so that they will give out everything; they will be adorned with precept-keeping so that their hearts will be pure white, clean, and undefiled; they will be adorned with forbearance so that they will regard all living beings impartially; they will be adorned with diligence so that all their works will be accomplished; they will be adorned with Dhyana so that from all Samadhis they will gain the power of Lion's playing; they will be adorned with wisdom so that they will understand the causes of all afflictions and habits; they will be adorned with kindness so that they will be mindful of every living being absorbedly; they will be adorned with compassion so that they will not abandon any living being; they will be adorned with joy so that they will have no doubt on any Dharma; they will be adorned with relinquishment so that praises and slanders will not be different for them; they will be adorned with supernatural powers so that they will have the supernatural ability of playing everything; they will be adorned with blessings so that they will gain the precious hand of inexhaustible treasuries; they will be adorned with wisdom so that they will know all living beings' thoughts; they will be adorned with awakening so that they will awaken all living beings using virtuous Dharmas; they will be adorned with brightness so that they will have the illuminating wisdom eyes; they will be adorned with eloquence so that they will be able to explain the meanings of Dharmas with proper words; they will be adorned with fearlessness so that they will defeat all demons and incorrect theories; they will be adorned with merits and virtues so that they will gain the unsurpassed merits and virtues of the Buddhas; they will be adorned with Dharmas so that they will speak Dharmas for living beings with countless figures of speech; they will be adorned with illumination so that they will be illuminated by all Buddha-Dharmas; they will be adorned with light so that they will illuminate all Buddha-Worlds; they will be adorned with Dharma-speaking so that they will gain the proper wisdom which allow them to remember things correctly; they will be adorned with teaching so that they will be able to keep precepts in accord with their preaching; they will be adorned with supernatural abilities so that they will gain the Four Holy Feet which allow them to reach the other shore [of liberation]; they will be adorned with the enhancements given by all Tathagatas so that they will enter into the secrets of the Tathagatas; they will be adorned with the unrestricted power so that they will gain the independent wisdom; and they will be adorned with their compliance with all virtuous Dharmas so that they will practice in accord with the Buddhas' teachings and no one will be able to make them retrograde.
-- I wish that those living beings will gain all such merits, virtues and benefits.'"
"'For the countless Asamkhya living beings who seek Mahayana, I wish that even one sentence of my Dharma-speech will fill them with the pure white virtuous Dharmas, so that such Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas will gain the wisdom on all dharmas without consulting any others, attain the great Dharma-light, and achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi quickly.'"
"'Bhagavan, in the other worlds, there will be living beings who commit the five heinous sins, violate the four grave prohibitions, have burnt and withered hearts, or seek the Voice-Hearers'(Sravaka) Vehicle, Conditional-Awakeners'(Pratyeka-buddha) Vehicle, or the Great Vehicle (Mahayana). When they are reborn in my Buddha-World by the power of the vows, they will have many non-virtuous faculties and enjoy evils, they will be rough, tough, have inverse views, and have difficulty concentrating their minds. For such living beings disturbed by the 84000 moving paths of their hearts, I will widely speak the 84000 Dharmas, each Dharma treats one of the disturbances. For the living beings among them who seek the unsurpassed Mahayana, I will explain in full the six Paramitas, including the Dana (giving) Paramita unto Prajna Paramita. For the living beings among them who seek the Voice-Hearers' Vehicle or the Conditional-Awakeners' Vehicle but have not planted virtuous roots and wish to learn from the Buddhas, I will make them first take refuge in the three treasures, and then practice the six Paramitas.'"
"'For those who enjoy killing, I will make them stop killing; for those who commit crimes due to their greed, I will make them not to steal; for those who commit sexual misconducts, I will make them keep away from such immoral behaviors; for those who deliberately slander each others, I will make them not to slander; for those who enjoy inebriation, I will make them not to drink alcohol. -- For the living beings with such five illnesses, I will make them keep the five precepts of Upasaka (Lay-persons).'"
"'For those living beings who do not like any virtuous Dharmas, I wish that I can make them keep the eight precepts for at least one day and one night;'"
"'For those who have few virtuous roots and slightly enjoy virtuous Dharmas, I will make them get closer to my Dharmas, become monks, keep the ten precepts, and stay in the Brahma-practice;'"
"'For those who desire virtuous Dharmas, I will make them keep the Complete Precepts of virtuous Dharmas, and all stay in the Brahma-practice;'"
"'For such living beings who commit the sins leading to Uninterrupted Hells and who lose control of their minds, I shall speak Dharmas for them using various words, sentences, languages, and supernatural manifestations. I will reveal to them the five skandhas(*), the eighteen realms (astadasa-dhatavah)(*), the twelve loci(*), and the Dharmas on impermanence, sufferings, emptiness, and no-self, to make them stay in the virtuous, peaceful, stable, wonderful, and tranquil city of Nirvana.'"
(* The five skandhas:
1. form - matter in general;
2. feeling - receptive or sensory function;
3. perception - images that surface in the mind;
4. impulse - will, intention, or the mental function that accounts for craving. The power of formation potential.
5. consciousness - the cognitive, or discriminating function. Knowing through discrimination.)
(* The eighteen realms:
The eighteen compositional elements of human existence, including the six roots [six sense faculties], the six defilements [their six objects], and the six consciousnesses.
* The six roots are:
Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
* The six defilements are:
Forms/phenomena, sound, smell, flavor, touch, and things.
* The six consciousnesses are:
Eye consciousnesses, ear consciousnesses, nose consciousnesses, tongue consciousnesses, body consciousnesses, and mind consciousnesses.)
(* The twelve loci: the six roots and the six defilements)
"'I will also speak such Dharmas for the fourfold assembly that consists of Bhiksus(monks), Bhiksunis(nuns), Upasakas(laymen), and Upasikas(laywomen).'"
"'For those who like to hear theories, I will speak the theories of correct Dharmas; for those who seek the liberation, I will speak the theories on the emptiness; for those who do not like virtuous dharmas, I will persuade them to do good deeds; for those who like virtuous Dharmas, I will tell them to recite and study Dharmas, and expound the emptiness, Samadhis, and the true liberation.'"
"'For each of such living beings, I will walk hundreds of thousands of Yojanas without using supernatural powers, to reveal to him the countless and various expedient means [to the liberation]; and in order to make him understand the meanings of my words, I will manifest various supernatural transformations or even appear as entering Nirvana -- I will never be tired of doing so.'"
"'Bhagavan, by the power of Samadhi, I will hide my fifth part of lifespan and enter into Nirvana, and at that time, I will shatter my own body to pieces of Shariras(relics) each as big as half of a mustard seed -- Out of compassion for living beings, I will enter into Nirvana.'"
"'After my Nirvana, let my Proper Dharma dwell in the world for one thousand years, and my Semblance Dharma dwell in the world for five hundred years.'"
"'After my Nirvana, if any living being makes offerings to my Shariras with treasures or music, or, in front of my Shariras, says "Namo Buddha" even once, or makes obeisance just once, or circumambulate it clockwise even once, or joins his palms even once, or makes an offering of just one flower -- out of this cause, he will achieve the non-retrograde stage in any of the Three Vehicles, according to his wish.'"
"'After my Nirvana, if any living being can uphold even one precept that comes from my Dharmas and can comply with it as I taught, or if he can read or recite even as few as four gathas, speak them for others and make the hearers delightful, and the hearers can make an offering to the Dharma-teacher with even one flower or one obeisance, then, all of them will respectively achieve the non-retrograde stages in any of the Three Vehicles according to their wishes.'"
"'As far as when the correct Dharmas vanish, the Dharma-torch quenches, and the Dharma-flag falls down, my Shariras will sink into the Gold Wheel Position. At that time, the Saha world lacks treasures, therefore, let my Shariras transform into a flaming bright beryl named Superior-Mind, emerge from the Gold Wheel Position, ascend to Akanistha heaven, and rain down multifarious flowers, including Mandara flowers, Maha-Mandara flowers, Parijata flowers, Manjusaka flowers, Maha-Manjusaka flowers, Rocamona flowers, Dhara flowers, Maha-dhara flowers, Undefiled Wheel Flowers, Hundred-petaled flowers, Thousand-petaled flowers, Hundred thousand-petaled flowers, Universal Light flowers, Universal Fragrance flowers, Virtuous Joy flowers, Sato flowers, Rocana flowers, Joy-Limitation Moonlight flowers, Bright Moon flowers, Countless Colored flowers, Countless Fragrances flowers, and Countless Light flowers.'"
"'During such a great rain, those flowers will also utter multifarious gentle sounds, including the sounds of Buddhas, sounds of Dharmas, sounds of Sanghas, sounds of taking refuge in the three treasures, sounds of Upasaka precepts, sounds of the holy eight precepts, sounds of the monks' ten precepts, sounds of giving, sounds of precept-keeping, sounds of pure Brahma-practices and the complete great precepts, sounds of persuading and teaching, sounds of sutra-reading and reciting, sounds of Dhyana and meditations, sounds of contemplating the unclean, sounds of meditating on inhales and exhalations, sounds of the neither-thought-nor-no-thought concentrations, sounds of the nothingness concentrations, sounds of the immeasurable consciousnesses concentrations, sounds of the immeasurable emptiness concentrations, sounds of the eight victorious stages, sounds of the ten ubiquitous things, sounds of the stopping and contemplations, sounds of emptiness, sounds of the formless, sounds of non-action, sounds of the twelve interconnected causes, sounds of the complete Dharma-Store of Voice-hearers, sounds of the complete Dharma-Store of Pratyeka-buddha Vehicle, and sounds of the full speech on the six Paramitas of Mahayana.'"
"'When the heavenly gods of the Form Realm hear these sounds, they will recall their previous virtuous roots respectively, and regret their bad deeds, thereupon, they will go down to Saha World, teach the people in there, and make them practice the ten kinds of virtuous deeds (*)'"
(* The ten kinds of virtuous deeds:
1. not killing;
2. not stealing;
3. not committing adultery;
4. not lying;
5. not speaking harshly;
6. not speaking divisively;
7. not speaking idly;
8. not being greedy
9. not being angry;
10. not having wrong views )
"'When the heavenly gods of the Desire Realm hear these sounds, let them be free from their attachments to loves, greed, and desires, and let their hearts attain the tranquility. Let them recall all their previous virtuous roots, and regret their bad deeds. Thereupon, they will also go down to Saha World to teach the people in there, and make them practice the ten kinds of virtuous deeds.'"
"'And then, those flowers in the sky will turn into multifarious treasures, such as gold, silvers, Mani gems, pearls, beryl, spiral shells, sila gems, carnelians, clockwise-circumvolving treasures, and so forth. These treasures will be rained down to Saha World.'"
"'Therewithal, the evils in Saha World, such as hatreds, strives, hungers, diseases, wars, and so forth, will all be eliminated. The people will become healthy, the quarrels will cease, the world will have plenty of foods, and everyone will be delighted.'"
"'If any living being sees, touches, or uses any of those treasures, they will never retrograde from the Three Vehicles.'"
"'Those treasures will grant such benefits, then go down again, and stay upon the Gold Wheel Position.'"
"'Bhagavan, when the kalpa of wars comes, let my Shariras transform into an Indranila Mani pearl, ascend to Akanistha heaven, and rain down multifarious flowers, such as Mandara flowers, Maha-mandara flowers, Parijata flowers, unto Countless Light flowers. Those flowers will utter multifarious wonderful sounds, such as the sounds of Buddhas, sounds of Dharmas, sounds of Sanghas, etc., and do the same works as mentioned previously. After that, my Shariras will go down again and stay upon the Gold Wheel Position.'"
"'When the kalpa of hunger comes, let my Shariras ascend to Akanistha heaven, rain down a lot of flowers, and do the same works as mentioned previously.'"
"'When the kalpa of diseases comes, my Shariras will also do the same works, as mentioned previously.'"
"'In such a way, after my Nirvana, during the great kalpa of goodness (bhadra maha-kalpa), my Shariras will do such works to enlighten innumerable living beings, and make them achieve the non-retrograde stage in any of the Three Vehicles. In the same way, during as many great kalpas as there are atoms of five Buddha-Worlds, my Shariras will enlighten countless living beings and make them achieve the non-retrograde stage in any of the Three Vehicles.'"
"'During my Bodhisattva practice for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will enlighten countless living beings, so that, one thousand Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya Kalpas later, in the ten directions, in the other countless and boundless Asamkhyas of worlds, the Buddhas that appear in those worlds, are all those previously enlightened and persuaded by me to arouse their initial resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and henceforth stay in the Six Paramitas.'"
"'Those living beings who, after my achievement of Bodhi, will be enlightened and persuaded by me to arouse their resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and those who, after my Nirvana, will be enlightened by the supernatural manifestations of my Shariras and arouse their resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, will all achieve Buddhahood in the future. One thousand Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya Kalpas later, when they become Buddhas and appear in the countless and boundless Asamkhyas of worlds of the ten directions, they will all announce my name and praise that:
"In the remote past there was a kalpa named Good(Bhadra), from the beginning of that kalpa, the fourth Bhagavan was named such-and-such, He enlightened and persuaded us to arouse our initial resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. At that time, our Hearts were withered, we had many non-virtuous faculties, we committed the sins of Uninterrupted Hells, and we had evil views. That Buddha enlightened us and made us stay in the Six Paramitas. For this reason, we entered into the Universal Wisdom, so that we can turn the True Dharma Wheel and break loose from births and deaths, and make hundreds of thousands of Kotis of Nayutas of living beings attain the rebirths in heavens, up to the fruits of liberation." '"
"'If any living beings who seek the Bodhi Way, having heard the praise, ask the Tathagata: "Bhagavan, what truth that Tathagata had seen, that made him attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in the evil age of the five turbidities?" '"
"'Those Tathagatas will then tell the virtuous men and virtuous women about the great compassion that I achieved, my initial awakening of Bodhi Heart, and my causal-stage vows for subliming the Buddha-worlds.'"
"'Having heard those things, the askers will become astonished and gain the unprecedented faith and happiness, they will then arouse the great compassion towards all living beings, and make the wonderful vows just like mine. They will vow to, in the evil ages of the five turbidities and in the defiled worlds, receive and enlighten those living beings who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells and have many non-virtuous faculties. Because of their achievements of the great compassion and their wills to Bodhi, the Buddhas, the Bhagavans will award them the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood, to fulfill their wishes of enlightening living beings in the evil ages of the five turbidities.'"
"'The Buddhas, the Bhagavans will also tell the virtuous men and virtuous women, who will be seeking Bodhi, about my Shariras' supernatural transformations, saying:
"In the remote past there was a Sacrosanct Sun named such-and-such, after His Nirvana, there were calamities of wars, diseases, hunger, and so forth. At that time, we were suffering from various afflictions. For our sake, that Buddha's Shariras manifested multifarious supernatural transformations, therefore we aroused our initial resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, planted the virtuous roots (set up the virtuous foundations), began practicing the Six-Paramitas diligently, and so forth, as mentioned previously." '"
(The Buddha told Quiescent-Mind Bodhisattva:) "Virtuous man, when the great master Ocean-Atoms Brahmana had made these five hundred greatly compassionate vows in front of Treasure-Store Tathagata and the great assembly, including gods, Gandharvas, human and non-human beings, and so forth, he said further:
"'Bhagavan, if my vows cannot be fulfilled, that is, in the future evil age of the five turbidities in Good Kalpa, when the world will be defiled, disordered, and full of wars and quarrels, and when the living beings will be blind to the truth and have no teacher, if I cannot do the Buddha-works at that time according to my vows, I do not wish to achieve Bodhi, and do not wish to plant my virtuous roots in any other Buddha-worlds.'"
"'Bhagavan, with this determination, I wish not to transmit the merits of my virtuous roots to Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and wish not to become a Pratyeka-buddha, Voice-Hearer, king of heavenly gods, or king of human beings; I do not want any enjoyments of the five desires, do not want any offerings, and do not want any happiness of heavens or human worlds, I also do not want to be a Gandharva, Asura, Yaksa, Raksa, dragon, or the like. I will not exchange the merits of my virtuous roots for any of those rewards.'"
"'Bhagavan, it is said that giving is the cause of great richness, precept-keeping is the cause of rebirths in heavens, the extensive learning is the cause of the great wisdom, and the cultivations are the cause of the liberation. The Bhagavan also said that, such practices will produce many merits which can benefit the practitioners themselves, so that, by transmitting their merits to their wishes, they can gain whatever they want.'"
"'Bhagavan, if I can also gain those merits, I wish that all the merits produced from my cultivations, including giving, precept-keeping, extensive learning, meditating, and so forth, will be transmitted to all living beings in hells. If any living beings are suffering in Avichi hells, when they have received my merits, they will be liberated from the hells, and become human beings in this Buddha-world (Saha World). They will then encounter the Tathagatas' Dharmas, become Arhats, and enter into Nirvana.'"
"'If those living beings' evil karmas are still not exhausted, let me abandon my lifespan and enter into Avichi hells to suffer instead of them. Let my body be divided into as many bodies as there are atoms in a Buddha-world, let each of these bodies be as huge as the Sumeru mountain-king, let each of them has the same feeling as my current body, which can feel multifarious pains, and let each of my bodies suffer from as many kinds of intense pains as there are atoms in a Buddha-world.'"
"'Now in the ten directions, in the worlds as many as atoms in the Buddha-Worlds, there are countless living beings who commit the karma of Uninterrupted Hells and therefore will fall into Avichi hells; From now to the future, after as many great kalpas as there are atoms in a Buddha-world, in the ten directions, in the worlds as many as atoms in the Buddha-Worlds, there will also be countless living beings who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells.'"
"'Therefore, for the sake of all these living beings, I will dwell in Avichi hells and suffer in place of them, so that they will not fall into the hells, instead, they will encounter Buddhas and learn Dharmas, will be free from births and deaths, and will enter into the city of Nirvana.'"
"'I will stay in Avichi hells for eons and eons to save such living beings.'"
"'For all the living beings in the ten directions, whose karma will lead them to Extremely Scorching Hot hells, I will also suffer instead of them and save them, in the same way as mentioned above.'"
"'For all those who would fall into Burning hells, Greatly Screaming hells, Collectivity hells, Black Rope hells, Repeating Painful Lives hells, and so forth, I will also do the same, as mentioned above.'"
"'For all those who would become animals, hungry ghosts, Yaksas, and poor beings, I will also do the same, as mentioned above.'"
"'For all those who would become Kumbhandas, Pisacas, Asuras, and Garudas, I will also do the same, as mentioned above.'"
"'Besides, in the ten directions, in the worlds as many as atoms of a Buddha-World, if any living beings, due to their evil karmas, would become human beings but would be deaf, blind, dumb, or physically disabled; or their minds would be scattering, they would be forgetful, would eat filthy things, and so forth, for the sake of such living beings, let me be born again in Avichi hells to suffer instead of them, for eons and eons.'"
"'The living beings in births and deaths, who accept the Aggregations (skandha), Realms (dhatu), and Fields (ayatana), all suffer from myriads of afflictions, such as the afflictions of hell beings, animals, hungry ghosts, Yaksas, Asuras, human beings, and so forth. I will also suffer instead of them, as mentioned above.'"
"'If these vows cannot be fulfilled, I wish not to achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.'"
"'If my above vows can be fulfilled, and I will achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, all the Buddhas in the ten directions, who are speaking Dharmas for living beings in countless Asamkhya worlds, should be my witnesses:
Bhagavan, please award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, which predicts that in Good kalpa, when the human lifespan is one hundred and twenty years, I will become a Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, One of right and universal knowledge, One of perfect clarity and conduct, Well-Gone One, One fully understands all worlds, Unsurpassed One, Taming and Subduing Hero, Teacher of gods and human beings, Buddha, World-Honored One, and appear in the world.'"
"'I will indeed accomplish such Buddha-Works, according to my vows.'"
"At that time, the members of the great assembly, including the gods, dragons, Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, human beings, and so forth, whether they were in the sky or on the earth, except the Tathagata, all wept. With their five bodily parts touching the ground, they prostrated to the Brahmana's feet, and praised him with one voice:
'How virtuous, how virtuous, greatly compassionate one! You have gained the deep and wonderful mindfulness towards all living beings, your great compassion has been aroused, so that you made these profound great vows.'
'You have made these vows with no need of being taught by others; your dedicated mind and great compassion shelter all; you can also receive those who commit the five sins of Uninterrupted Hells, and receive those who have many non-virtuous roots. We all know your virtuous vows now.'
'When your Heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi was first aroused, you had provided the great excellent medicine to living beings, and had become their refuge. In order to save living beings from sufferings, you have made these vows. Your wishes will certainly be fulfilled, and the Bhagavan will award you the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.'"
"At that time, king Infinite Purity, weeping feelingly, prostrated to the Brahmana's feet with his five bodily parts touching the ground, joined his palms, and praised the Brahmana with verses:
'Your vows are so profound and wonderful,
that they are not for your own happiness.
You have aroused your great compassion towards all living beings,
and have revealed to us the supreme treasure.'
Then, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said:
'Living beings are attached to many things,
while you are not attached to anything.
You have tamed the loosened root and the unfastened horse,
You have gained the self-mastery over your roots.
You will attain the Total-Retention Store of Wisdom.'
Then, Great Strength Achievement (Maha-sthama-prapta) Bodhisattva said:
'These trillions of living beings,
gathered for virtues.
Having learnt your great compassion,
They all wept.
The very difficult practices that you carry out,
are unprecedented.'
Then, Manjusri Bodhisattva said:
'With diligence, your Samadhi is firm.
Your superior wisdom is splendid.
You deserve the offerings of flowers and fragrances.'
Then, Space-Seal (Gagana-mudra) Bodhisattva said:
'In such a way you practice giving,
You have achieved the great compassion for all living beings,
and will save them in the evil ages.
You will fully have the thirty-two bodily characteristics.
Then, Vajra-Cutting Wisdom Light (Vajra-ccheda-prajna-avabha) Bodhisattva said:
'The space is boundless,
So does your compassion.
You wish to be all living beings' bridge [to the other shore],
so that you manifest your Bodhi-Practices.'
Then, Space-Sun Bodhisattva said:
'No one pities living beings in such a way,
except the Tathagatas.
You have perfect merits and virtues,
Your supreme Wisdom is luminous.'
Then, Lion-Fragrance (Simha-gandha) Bodhisattva said:
'In the future,
In the turbid age of Good Kalpa,
You will have a grand name,
and will liberate living beings from sufferings.'
Then, Universal-Goodness (Samanta-bhadra) Bodhisattva said:
'Living beings are busy
on the cliff of births and deaths,
and in the wild field of wrong views.
However, you are able to receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those unmerciful ones who eat meat and drink blood.'
Then, Aksobhya Bodhisattva said:
'Those in the state of non-brightness (ignorance),
Those submerged in the deep pool of afflictions,
Those with burning and withered hearts,
and those commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells,
You have received all of them.'
Then, Fragrance-Hand (Gandha-hasta) Bodhisattva said:
'You see the terrors in the future,
[so clear that] as if you see them through a mirror.
Those with burning and withered hearts,
and those who slander the correct Dharmas,
You are able to receive them.'
Then, Treasure-Appearance (Ratna-ketu) Bodhisattva said:
'Your Wisdom and precept-keeping are equally achieved,
You are sublimed by your mercy and compassion.
Therefore you can receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those who slander sages.'
Then, Free-of-Fear Bodhisattva said:
'You carry out countless ascetic practices
in order that in the future,
you will receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those attached to wrong views.'
Then, Lotus-Hand (Utpala-hasta) Bodhisattva said:
'Your compassion, wisdom, and diligence
have made you the topmost one among this assembly.
Therefore you can receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those tortured by births, aging, illnesses, and deaths.
Then, Wisdom-Fame (Jnana-kirti) Bodhisattva said:
'Myriad illnesses and afflictions,
Overwhelming winds of defilements,
You can quench them with the water of Wisdom,
and defeat the troops of demons.'
Then, Earth-Seal (Dharani-mudra) Bodhisattva said:
'Without firm diligence,
We cannot match you, Mighty Sun,
Who is free from afflictions,
and has broken the net of defilements.'
Then, Lotus-Moon (Utpala-candra) Bodhisattva said:
'With unwavering heroic deeds,
Depending on virtues and compassion,
Your name will be spread everywhere in the Three Realms,
And you will cut off the knots of births and deaths.'
Then, Undefiled-King Bodhisattva said:
'Out of great compassion,
Your have proclaimed your Bodhisattva-Practices.
We now pay homage to you,
the one who brings forth the cause of compassion.'
Then, Strength-Holding Bodhisattva said:
'There are myriad afflictions
in the evil age of the five turbidities,
However, in accordance with Bodhi,
You made the firm vows,
and will cut off the roots of afflictions.'
Then, Fire-Garland Bodhisattva said:
'Your Wisdom is like a treasury,
Your vows are pure.
The Bodhi-Practices that you carry out
are the excellent medicines for living beings.'
At that time, Strength-Manifesting Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, weeping feelingly, prostrated to the Brahmana's feet with his five bodily parts touching the ground, joined his palms, and praised the Brahmana with verses:
'How wonderful, you wise one!
You eliminate defilements and illnesses,
Your accumulated merits are as deep as an ocean,
And you are saving living beings from sufferings.'"
"Virtuous man, at that time, the whole assembly, including the gods, dragons, ghosts, Gandharvas, human beings, and so forth, all prostrated to the Brahmana's feet with their five bodily parts touching the ground. Having done that, they joined their palms and praised the Brahmana in many manners."
The Buddha told Quiescent-Mind Bodhisattva: "Virtuous man, at that time, in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, when Ocean-Atoms Brahmana placed his right knee on the ground, everywhere of the earth started quaking. Besides, in the ten directions, the Buddha-worlds as many as atoms started quaking in six ways. A great light illuminated the world, raining down myriad kinds of flowers, including Mandara flowers, Maha-mandara flowers, and so forth. Besides, myriad lights, which were also raining down those flowers, illuminated all the ten directions and made it look like one Buddha-world."
"In the ten directions, in those undefiled and defiled worlds as many as atoms, there were countless Buddhas, Bhagavans, who were speaking Dharmas for living beings. In the world of each of those Buddhas, there were many Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas sitting and listening to the Dharmas. When those Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas saw the earthquakes, the great lights and the rains of flowers, they asked their Buddhas:
'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?'
"At that time, from that world to the east, passing through one Ganges-river-sands Buddha-worlds, there was a Buddha-world named Treasure-Selecting (Ratna-vicaya), in which there was a Buddha named Treasure-Moon (Ratna-candra) Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, One of right and universal knowledge, One of perfect clarity and conduct, Well-Gone One, One fully understands all worlds, Unsurpassed One, Taming and Subduing Hero, Teacher of gods and human beings, Buddha, World-Honored One. He was surrounded by countless Asamkhya Bodhisattvas and speaking Mahayana Dharmas."
"In that Buddha-world there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was called Treasure-Appearance (Ratna-ketu), and the other one was called Moon-Appearance (Candra-ketu). These two Bodhisattvas joined their palms, paid homage to Treasure-Moon Tathagata, and asked Him:
'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?'
"Treasure-Moon Tathagata said: 'Virtuous men, from this Buddha-world to the west, passing through one Ganges-river-sands Buddha-worlds, there is a Buddha-world named Santirana, in which there is a Buddha named Treasure-Store (Ratna-garbha) Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, and so forth, unto World-Honored One.'
'He is awarding the distinctive marks of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi to billions of Bodhisattvas, and is revealing the Dharmas such as the Bodhisattvas' Dominions (visaya), their sublime vows, their Samadhis' Dominions, their Dharani-Doors, and so forth.'
'In the midst of that great assembly, there is a greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, who has made many great vows. His heart being filled with the great compassion, he wishes that all Bodhisattvas will gain the distinctive marks of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, so that he revealed his eye-like vows. Firstly, he persuaded billions of Bodhisattvas to make great vows, so that they vowed to choose sublime Buddha-worlds and enlighten living beings therein. However, the great compassion that this Bodhisattva has achieved surpasses anyone else's in that great assembly. He has chosen the defiled world in the evil age of the five turbidities, to receive and enlighten all those who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells, those who have many non-virtuous roots, and those whose hearts are burning and withered.'
'Therefore, that great assembly, including the gods, dragons, Gandharvas, human beings, and so forth, who had made offerings to Treasure-Store Tathagata, all turned to this greatly compassionate Bodhisattva who was the last to vow, and made offerings to him. Having prostrated to him with their five bodily parts touching the ground, they joined their palms, and praised him with many verses.'
'At that time, when the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva was in the presence of the Bhagavan with his right knee touching the ground, and was waiting for the award of the distinctive mark, the Bhagavan smiled. Therefore, the Buddha-worlds of the ten directions, which are as many as atoms, all started quaking in six ways, and myriad great lights appeared, raining down multifarious flowers.'
'In order to awake the Bodhisattvas in all these Buddha-worlds and reveal to them the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva's vows and practices, in order to gather the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas in the ten directions' Buddha-worlds which are as many as atoms, and in order to explain the Bodhisattva Dharma Doors of the Samadhis, Dharani-Doors, vows and practices, and fearlessnesses, that Tathagata manifested such supernatural things.'
"Virtuous man, having heard that, the two Bodhisattvas asked Treasure-Moon Tathagata:
'Bhagavan, how long have that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva aroused his Bodhi-Heart? How long have he been carrying out Bodhisattva-Practices, so that he can choose the heavily defiled world in the evil age of the five turbidities, and receive the living beings who commit the karma of Uninterrupted Hells, who have many non-virtuous roots, and whose hearts are burning and withered?'
Treasure-Moon Tathagata said: 'Virtuous men, that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva aroused his Heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi just now.'
'Go, virtuous men, to Santirana Buddha-World, to see Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha. Make obeisance to Him, make offerings to Him, and listen to the Dharmas of Samadhis, Dharani-Doors, fearlessness, and so forth. When you see that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva, deliver my words to him, as follows:
'Virtuous Hero, Treasure-Moon Tathagata greeted you. He presented this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower to you, and praised you for your virtuousness. You just aroused your Bodhi-Heart for the first time, yet you have achieved such a great compassion. Your name has already prevailed in the ten directions, in the Buddha-Worlds as many as atoms. They all call you Greatly Compassionate Bodhisattva. Therefore we praise you: Virtuous indeed!'
'Furthermore, Virtuous Hero, to help the future Bodhisattvas achieve the great compassion, you have set up the flag -- the Eye of greatly compassionate sounds and vows. Therefore we praise you again: Virtuous indeed!'
'Furthermore, Virtuous Hero, in the future, your name will be prevailing in the Buddha-worlds of ten directions, for Asamkhya Kalpas as many as atoms in a Buddha-world. You will persuade countless billions of nayutas of thousands of living beings and make them stay in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, so that they will proceed to the Buddha's dwelling, will not retrograde, and will achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi. Some of them will vow to receive and enlighten living beings in sublime Buddha-worlds, and will gain the distinctive marks of Buddhahood in the future. Later on, passing Asamkhya Kalpas as many as atoms of a Buddha-world, in the ten directions, those living beings, who are persuaded and enlightened by you, will become Buddhas in the worlds as many as atoms of a Buddha-world. Having turned the Dharma-Wheels, they will talk about you and praise you. Therefore we praise you the third time: Virtuous indeed!'"
"At that time, 9.2 billion Bodhisattvas said with one voice: 'Bhagavan, we wish to visit Santirana Buddha-World, to see Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, make offerings to Him, and to see and make obeisance to that Virtuous Hero.'
"Then, Treasure-Moon Tathagata entrusted to the Bodhisattvas the three praises and the Moon-Bliss-Purity flower, saying: 'Go, virtuous men, it is the right time now, to visit Treasure-Store Tathagata's world, and listen to the Dharmas of vows, practices, and fearlessness.'
"Thereupon, Treasure-Appearance Bodhisattva and Moon-Appearance Bodhisattva received the Moon-Bliss-Purity flower from Treasure-Moon Tathagata, and departed from Treasure-Selecting Buddha-World along with the 9.2 billion Bodhisattvas.
"Like lightning, those Bodhisattvas disappeared from Treasure-Selecting Buddha-World, and arrived at Jambuvana garden in Santirana Buddha-World, where Treasure-Store Tathagata was dwelling.
"They bowed with their heads at Treasure-Store Tathagata's feet, and made offerings to Him with myriad kinds of supernatural manifestations by using their Bodhisattva-Powers.
"They then saw that Ocean-Atoms Brahmana was in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, and everyone of the great assembly had joined his palms and was praising the Brahmana.
"The Bodhisattvas thought: 'This must be the greatly compassionate one, who deserves this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower given by Treasure-Moon Tathagata.'
"Thereupon, in front of the Bhagavan, the two Bodhisattvas turned to the Brahmana, and gave him the flower, saying: 'Virtuous Hero, Treasure-Moon Tathagata presented this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower to you.' They then gave the three praises to the Virtuous Hero, as mentioned above.
"Likewise, from the countless Asamkhya Buddha-Worlds in the east, innumerable Bodhisattvas were sent to Santirana Buddha-World. They also gave Moon-Bliss-Purity flowers and the three praises to the Brahmana, as mentioned above.
"Furthermore, from that Buddha-World to the south, passing through 97 koti-nayuta-hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Pinnacle-Lion-Roar, in which there was a Buddha named Lion-Rousing-Unrestricted-King (simha-vijrmbhite-svara-raja) Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, who was speaking pure Mahayana Dharmas for the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas.
"Among that assembly there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, one of whom was named Wisdom-Vajra-Sign (jnana-vajra-ketu), and the other one was named Lion-Vajra-Sign (simha-vajra-ketu). These two Bodhisattvas asked Lion-Rousing-Unrestricted-King Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?' The things happened next are like those mentioned above.
"Likewise, from the countless Asamkhya Buddha-Worlds in the south, innumerable Bodhisattvas were sent to Santirana Buddha-World. The things happened next are like those mentioned above.
"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the west, passing through 89 koti-nayuta-hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Superior (jayavati), in which there was a Buddha named Gathering-Roots Extensive-Eye (jita-indriya-visala-netra) Tathagata, who was speaking the three vehicles' Dharmas for the fourfold assembly.
"Among that assembly there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was named Good-Sun (bhadra-vairocana), and the other one was named Lion-Rousing-Body (simha-vijrmbhita-kaya). These two virtuous men asked Gathering-Roots Extensive-Eye Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?' The things happened next are like those mentioned above. In the other countless western worlds, the same things also happened.
"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the north, passing through 90 koti-nayuta-hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Jambu, in which there was a Buddha named World-Unrestricted-King (loke-svara-raja) Tathagata, who was speaking pure Mahayana Dharmas for many Bodhisattvas who want Mahayana.
"Among them there were two Bodhisattvas, one of whom was named Moveless-Dwelling (acala-sthavara), and the other one was named Prajna-Dhara. These two Bodhisattvas asked World-Unrestricted-King Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?' The things happened next are like those mentioned above. In the other countless northern worlds, the same things also happened.
"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the lower direction, passing through 98 nayuta Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Free-of-Darkness, in which there was a Buddha named Fearless-Surrounding-Sound Tathagata, who was speaking the three vehicles' Dharmas for the fourfold assembly
"In that Buddha-World there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was named Royal-Sun (raja-vairocana), and the other one was named Heavenly-Sun (svarga-vairocana). The things happened next are like those mentioned above. In the other worlds of the lower direction, the same things also happened."
Volume 8
The 6th Section of Chapter 4: Awarding the Bodhisattvas the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood
"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the upper direction, passing through two hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Opened Flower (samkusumita), in which there was a Buddha named Opened-Flower-Sun (prasphulitakusuma-vairocana) Thus Come One, and so forth, unto Buddha, World-Honored One. He was speaking the Three Vehicles' Dharmas for the fourfold assembly.
"In that Buddha-World there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was named Choosing-His-Own-Realm-Without-Anger (svavisayasamkopitavisaya), and the other one was named Dharani-Bliss-Without-Anger (dharani-sampraharsa-navikopita). These two virtuous men asked Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?'
"Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata said: 'Virtuous men, from this Buddha-world to the lower direction, passing through two hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there is a Buddha-world named Santirana, in which there is a Buddha named Treasure-Store Thus Come One, and so forth, unto Buddha, World Honored One. He is awarding the distinctive marks of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi to billions of Bodhisattvas, and is revealing the Dharmas such as the Bodhisattvas' Dominions (visaya), their sublime vows, their Samadhis' Dominions, their Dharani-Doors, and so forth.'
'Among that great assembly there is a greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, who has made many great vows. His Heart being filled with the great compassion, he wishes that all Bodhisattvas will gain the distinctive marks of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, so that he revealed his eye-like vows. Firstly, he persuaded billions of Bodhisattvas to make great vows, so that they vowed to choose sublime Buddha-worlds and enlighten living beings therein. However, the great compassion that this Bodhisattva has achieved surpasses anyone else's in that great assembly. He has chosen the defiled world in the evil age of the five turbidities, to receive and enlighten all those who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells, those who have many non-virtuous roots, and those whose hearts are burning and withered.
'Therefore, that great assembly, including the gods, dragons, Gandharvas, human beings, and so forth, who had made offerings to Treasure-Store Tathagata, all turned to this greatly compassionate Bodhisattva and made offerings to him. Having prostrated to him with their five bodily parts touching the ground, they joined their palms, and praised him with many verses.'
'At that time, when the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva was in the presence of the Bhagavan with his right knee touching the ground, and was waiting for the award of the distinctive mark, the Bhagavan smiled. Therefore, the Buddha-worlds of the ten directions, which are as many as atoms, all started quaking in six ways, and myriad great lights appeared, raining down multifarious flowers.'
'In order to awake the Bodhisattvas in all these Buddha-worlds and reveal to them the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva's vows and practices, in order to gather the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas in the ten directions' Buddha-worlds which are as many as atoms, and in order to explain the Bodhisattva Dharma Doors of the Samadhis, Dharani-Doors, vows and practices, and fearlessnesses, that Tathagata manifested such supernatural things.'"
"Virtuous man, then those two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, the Choosing-His-Own-Realm-Without-Anger Bodhisattva and Dharani-Bliss-Without-Anger Bodhisattva asked Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata:
'Bhagavan, how long have that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva aroused his Bodhi-Heart? How long have he been carrying out Bodhisattva-Practices, so that he can choose the heavily defiled world in the evil age of the five turbidities, and receive the living beings who commit the karma of Uninterrupted Hells, who have many non-virtuous roots, and whose hearts are burning and withered?'
Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata said: 'Virtuous men, that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva aroused his Heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi just now.'
'Go, virtuous men, to Santirana Buddha-World, to see Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha. Make obeisance to Him, make offerings to Him, and listen to the Dharmas of Samadhis, Dharani-Doors, fearlessness, and so forth. When you see that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva, deliver my words to him, as follows:
'Virtuous Hero, Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata greeted you. He presented this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower to you, and praised you for your virtuousness. You have just aroused your Bodhi-Heart for the first time, yet you have achieved such a great compassion. Your name has already prevailed in the ten directions, in the Buddha-Worlds as many as atoms. They all call you Greatly Compassionate Bodhisattva. Therefore we praise you: Virtuous indeed!'
'Furthermore, Virtuous Hero, to help the future Bodhisattvas achieve the great compassion, you have set up the flag -- the Eye of greatly compassionate sounds and vows. Therefore we praise you again: Virtuous indeed!'
'Furthermore, Virtuous Hero, in the future, your name will be prevailing in the Buddha-worlds of ten directions, for Asamkhya Kalpas as many as atoms in a Buddha-world. You will persuade countless billions of nayutas of thousands of living beings and make them stay in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, so that they will proceed to the Buddha's dwelling, will not retrograde, and will achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi. Some of them will vow to receive and enlighten living beings in sublime Buddha-worlds, and will gain the distinctive marks of Buddhahood in the future. Later on, passing Asamkhya Kalpas as many as atoms of a Buddha-world, in the ten directions, those living beings, who are persuaded and enlightened by you, will become Buddhas in the worlds as many as atoms of a Buddha-world. Having turned the Dharma-Wheels, they will talk about you and praise you. Therefore we praise you the third time: Virtuous indeed!'"
"At that time, billions of Bodhisattvas said with one voice: 'Bhagavan, we wish to visit Santirana Buddha-World, to see Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, make offerings to Him, and to see and make obeisance to that Virtuous Hero.'
"Then, Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata entrusted to the Bodhisattvas the three praises and the Moon-Bliss-Purity flower, saying: 'Go, virtuous men, it is the right time now, to visit Treasure-Store Tathagata's world, and listen to the Dharmas of vows, practices, and fearlessness.'
"Thereupon, Choosing-His-Own-Realm-Without-Anger Bodhisattva and Dharani-Bliss-Without-Anger Bodhisattva received the Moon-Bliss-Purity flower from Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata, and departed from Opened Flower Buddha-World along with those billions of Bodhisattvas.
"As quick as a thought, those Bodhisattvas arrived at Jambuvana garden in Santirana Buddha-World, where Treasure-Store Tathagata was dwelling.
"At that time in Santirana Buddha-world, the Mahayana Bodhisattvas, Pratyeka-buddhas, Voice-Hearers, virtual men, gods, Mahoragas, and so forth, were like serried sugarcanes, bamboos, reeds, straws, sesames, and rice, which crammed the world. They bowed with their heads at Treasure-Store Tathagata's feet, and made offerings to Him with myriad kinds of supernatural manifestations by using their Bodhisattva-Powers.
"They then saw that Ocean-Atoms Brahmana was in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, and everyone of the great assembly had joined his palms and was praising the Brahmana.
"The Bodhisattvas thought: 'This must be the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, who deserves this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower given by Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata.'
"Thereupon, in front of the Bhagavan, the two Bodhisattvas turned to the Brahmana, and gave him the flower, saying: 'Virtuous Hero, Opened-Flower-Sun Tathagata presented this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower to you.' They then gave the three praises to the Virtuous Hero, as mentioned above.
"The rains of flowers also reached the worlds that have no Buddha at all, and produced myriad kinds of virtuous sounds at everywhere in those worlds. Those sounds are: Buddha sounds, Dharma sounds, Sangha sounds, Extinction sounds, Motionlessness sounds, Paramita sounds, Strength sounds, fearlessness sounds, supernatural abilities sounds, Inaction sounds, non-creation sounds, non-extinction sounds, Tranquility sounds, Quietness sounds, Ultra-tranquility sounds, great benevolence sounds, great compassion sounds, Uncreated-forbearance sounds, Awarding of Distinctive marks sounds, Achievement of Stages sounds, Mahayana-preaching sounds, and so forth. Such rains of flowers, and such virtuous sounds, spread all over those non-Buddha worlds.
"In those non-Buddha worlds there were many Bodhisattvas who had great supernatural abilities and mightiness. They had achieved Freedom by practicing the profound Dharmas. Because of their original vows of ferrying living beings, they were staying in those worlds.
"When they heard those sounds, they launched their supernatural powers by the aid of the powers of the Buddhas and the powers of their own vows, so in the time it takes for a vigorous person to bend and extend his arm, they arrived at Jambuvana garden in Santirana Buddha-World, where Treasure-Store Tathagata was dwelling, and bowed with their heads at His feet. They then made offerings to Treasure-Store Tathagata and the great assembly with myriad kinds of supernatural manifestations by using their Bodhisattva-Powers. Having done so, they sat down and started listening to the Dharmas.
"Virtuous man, at that time, Ocean-Atoms Brahmana made offerings to Treasure-Store Tathagata with those Moon-Bliss-Purity flowers, and said to Him: 'Bhagavan, please award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.'
"Then, Treasure-Store Tathagata entered into a Samadhi called Electric-Lamp. By virtue of this Samadhi, in Santirana Buddha-world, the mountains, forests, plants, rocks, earth, and so forth, all turned into the seven treasures, and the living beings all saw that they were sitting in the presence of the Buddha and listening to the Dharma.
"In accord with their minds, some living beings among them saw that their bodies became blue, yellow, green, purple, red, or black; some others saw that their bodies became like winds, fires, wild horses, or became transparent; some saw that their bodies became like ices, bubbles, or mountains; some saw that they became like Brahma, Indra, or flowers; some saw that they became like Garudas, dragons, lions, suns, or moons; and some others saw that they became like stars, vultures, or jackals. In such a way, in accord with their virtuous minds, those living beings saw their own bodies, which were sitting in the presence of the Buddha and listening to the Dharma
"Virtuous man, after that, the living beings saw that their bodies became identical to Treasure-Store Tathagata's body.
"Then, virtuous man, the great assembly saw that in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, the great master Ocean-Atoms Brahmana was sitting on a one-thousand-petaled lotus made of the seven treasures. Everyone of those living beings, whether he was on the ground or in the sky, whether he was sitting or standing, saw that Treasure-Store Tathagata was sitting in front of him, looking at him and speaking Dharma only for him.
"Then, virtuous man, Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha praised Ocean-Atoms Brahmana: 'How virtuous! How virtuous! Great compassionate Great Brahmana! For the sake of countless living beings, you aroused your great compassion, which can offer great benefit and great light to the worlds.
'Brahmana, suppose that there is a good field of flowers, in which there are many flowers of various colors, various fragrances, various feelings to the touch, various leaves, various stems, various roots, and various merits. They are all good medicines.
'Among them, some flowers' light and fragrances can fill one hundred square yojanas; some others' light and fragrances can fill two hundred or three hundred square yojanas, and so forth. Some flowers' light and fragrances can even fill the four continents. When a living being in there smells the fragrances, if he is blind, he will be able to see; if he is deaf, he will be able to hear. In short, no matter which of his roots are incomplete, the roots will be completed. Moreover, if any living beings are suffering from any of the four hundred and four illnesses, when they smell the fragrances, they will be free from those illnesses immediately. If any living beings are mad, berserk, sleepy, distracted, or mind-losing, when they smell the fragrances of the flowers, they will become single-minded.
'In that flower field there is also a Pundarika flower, which is as adamant as a diamond. Its stem is made of emerald (vaidurya), its seed platform has one hundred seeds, its leaves are made of gold, and its hairs are made of carnelians, Kimsukas, and red pearls. This flower is eighty-four hundred-thousand yojanas in height, and its diameter is one hundred-thousand yojanas. This Pundarika flower's luster and fragrance universally illuminate the ten directions' Buddha-worlds, which are as many as atoms.
'Brahmana, in those ten directions' Buddha-worlds which are as many as atoms, if any living beings are suffering from physical illnesses because their four great elements are disharmonious, or if they are mad, indolent, sleepy, distracted, or mind-losing, when they see the Pundarika flower's light or smell its fragrance, all their illnesses will be eliminated and they will become single-minded. If any beings are dead but their bodies are not yet corrupted, when the Pundarika flower's light and fragrance touch their bodies, they will regain their lives, see their relatives again, and have fun together with them in gardens or parks by satisfying their five kinds of desires. Later, when their lives end, they will not be reborn in anywhere else, but will be reborn in Brahma heaven, and their lifespan will be immeasurable.
'Brahmana, that flower field is like this great assembly, when the sun rises, the flowers open and emit their light and fragrances. Some of them are one hundred yojanas in height, while some others are one thousand yojanas in height. They will then cure many living beings' various kinds of illnesses.
'Likewise, virtuous hero, a Tathagata, a Buddha, is a sun that rises in the world. When the flowers of living beings get this rising sun's light, they will open and universally emit their light, which will eliminate the living beings' myriad kinds of illnesses.
'Virtuous hero, when I appear in the world, my compassionate light universally covers all. It enlightens the living beings' virtuous roots, and settles the living beings in the three places of blessings.
'Virtuous hero, you have persuaded countless Asamkhyeya living beings to stay in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi. They have come to me and made vows in front of me. Some of them chose pure Buddha-worlds, while some others chose defiled Buddha-worlds, and I have therefore awarded them the distinctive marks.
'Virtuous hero, if a Bodhisattva vows in front of me that he chooses a pure Buddha-world and will accept and ferry the living beings who are pure-minded, easy to be enlightened, and have planted their virtuous roots, although he is called Bodhisattva, he is not yet a great brave hero who has the great compassion in his heart. This Bodhisattva's wish to attain Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi is not come from the compassion towards all living beings, therefore he chooses a pure Buddha-world and evades the hardship. Furthermore, if a Bodhisattva does not wish to preach the vehicles of Voice-Hearers and Pratyeka-buddhas, this Bodhisattva lacks the virtuous skillful wisdom and impartial heart.
'Suppose one vows: 'Let me achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi in a Buddha-world that free of Voice-Hearers, Pratyeka-buddhas, women, animals, hungry ghosts, and those who have non-virtuous roots; let me speak only Mahayana Dharmas for the Bodhisattvas that want Mahayana; when I achieve Bodhi, let me have an immeasurable lifespan, stay in the world for myriad kalpas, and speak Dharmas only for those who are pure-minded, easy to be enlightened, and have planted their virtuous roots.' In such a case, although he is called a Bodhisattva, he is not a Mahasattva, because he lacks the virtuous skillful wisdom.
"Virtuous man, at that time, Treasure-Store Tathagata extended His golden arm; His five fingers emitted myriad light of hundreds of thousands of colors, which illuminated the countless Asamkhyeya Buddha-worlds in the eastern direction.
"Among those worlds there was a world named Pollex (angustha), in which the human beings' lifespan was thirty years. Their appearances were ugly, they were shameless, they had many non-virtuous roots, and they were as tall as three elbows. In that world there was a Buddha named Great Light Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, who was speaking the Three Vehicles' Dharmas for the fourfold assembly.
"Virtuous man, at that time, in Treasure-Store Tathagata's world, everyone of the great assembly saw that Buddha-world, as well as the Buddha and living beings in that world.
"Treasure-Store Tathagata then spoke to the great assembly: 'Countless Asamkhyeya kalpas ago, that Great Light Tathagata had first aroused His Heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi in the presence of Treasure-Canopy-Light (ratna-cchatra-abhyudgata-vabhasa) Tathagata, and persuaded myriad Kotis of Nayutas of living beings to stay in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi. Those living beings had vowed in the presence of Treasure-Canopy-Light Tathagata. Some of them chose pure sublime Buddha-worlds, while some others chose the defiled worlds of the five turbidities. That Mahasattva had also persuaded me to stay in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
'At that time, in the presence of Treasure-Canopy-Light Tathagata, I had made a sublime vow that I was going to achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi in a defiled Buddha-world of the five turbidities. That Tathagata praised me: 'Virtuous indeed, Virtuous indeed!' and awarded me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
'That virtuous friend who enlightened me on Bodhi, that virtuous hero himself, had chosen an evil age of the five turbidities and a heavily defiled Buddha-world, in which he was going to accept and enlighten the living beings who produce Uninterrupted Hells' karma, have many non-virtuous roots, have burning and withered hearts, and are roaming the wilderness of births and deaths.
'At that time, from the ten directions' countless Asamkhya worlds, all the Buddhas, the Bhagavans, sent their envoys to where the virtuous hero was to deliver their praises, and named him Greatly Compassionate Universal Light (maha-karuna-vairocana-saumyo).
'That Greatly Compassionate Universal Light Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, who was my virtuous friend and benefited me greatly, achieved Buddhahood in Pollex (angustha) world not long ago, and is turning the righteous Dharma-wheel for those people whose life-spans are thirty years.
When He initially achieved Bodhi, from the ten directions' countless Asamkhya worlds, countless Buddhas sent their envoys to where He was to make offerings to Him. Those Buddhas were all persuaded and enlightened by Him previously, so that they stayed in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, Dana Paramita, and so forth, up to Prajna Paramita. Because those Bhagavans were mindful of His previous kindness, they delivered their offerings by sending their envoys.
'Brahmana, do you see that? Those Bhagavans, whose life-spans are immeasurable, are now dwelling in their pure Buddha-worlds and doing Buddha-works for those living beings who have pure minds and easy to be enlightened.
'However, that Great Light Buddha achieved Buddhahood in a five turbidities' world, in which many living beings produce Uninterrupted Hells' karma, have many non-virtuous roots, and have very short life-spans. He is doing countless Buddha-works for them, and preaching the three vehicles, including the Dharmas of Voice-Hearers (Sravaka) and Conditional Awakeners (Pratyeka-buddha).
'Likewise, virtuous hero, your vows are so supreme that all other Bodhisattvas in this congregation are no match for you, because you chose a defiled Buddha-world of the five turbidities, and will accept and enlighten those living beings who produce Uninterrupted Hells' karma and have many non-virtuous roots.
'If a Bodhisattva chooses a pure Buddha-world and keep himself away from hell beings, animals, hungry ghosts, as well as Voice-Hearers and Conditional Awakeners; if he only accepts and ferries those who are pure-minded, easy to be enlightened, and have planted their virtuous-roots, such a Bodhisattva is like the other flowers, he is not a Mahasattva, and is not like a Pundarika flower, because he does Buddha-works only for those whose virtuous roots are matured and are easy to be enlightened.
'Brahmana, a Bodhisattva may have four types of laziness. What are these four? One: Vowing to choose a pure Buddha-world; Two: Wishing to do Buddha-works only for pure-minded living beings; Three: Wishing that after achieving Bodhi, he will not speak the Dharmas of Voice Hearers and Conditional Awakeners; Four: Wishing that after achieving Bodhi, he will be a Buddha that has a very long lifespan. -- These are the four types of laziness of Bodhisattvas. Such a Bodhisattva is like the other flowers, he is not a Mahasattva, and is not like a Pundarika flower.
'Brahmana, among these great Bodhisattvas, there is only one person -- Vayuvisnu, who chose a defiled Buddha-world in which he will accept and ferry the living beings tied by afflictions. In Good Kalpa, such Bodhisattvas are also rare.
'Brahmana, a Bodhisattva can have four types of diligences. What are these four? One: Vowing to choose defiled Buddha-worlds; Two: Wishing to do Buddha-works for the living beings whose minds are impure; Three: Wishing that after achieving Bodhi, he will speak the Dharmas of the Three Vehicles, including Voice Hearers' and Conditional Awakeners' Vehicles; Four: Wishing that after achieving Bodhi, he will be a Buddha that has a moderate lifespan, neither too long nor too short. -- These are the four types of diligences of Bodhisattvas. Such a Bodhisattva is like a Pundarika flower that is different from other flowers. Therefore such a Bodhisattva is called Mahasattva.
'Now Brahmana, among this flower field of immeasurable and incalculable Bodhisattvas, you have made your vows and are wishing to gain the distinctive mark of Buddhahood, you are like a compassionate Pundarika flower growing up in front of the Tathagata.
'You have vowed to accept and ferry those who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells and those who have many non-virtuous roots; and you have chosen a Buddha-world of the five turbidities. Virtuous Hero, because of your greatly compassionate speech, in the ten directions' Buddha-worlds, the Buddhas, the Bhagavans as many as atoms, sent their envoys to you to deliver their praises, and named you Greatly Compassionate One. Moreover, because of your greatly compassionate vows, everyone in this great assembly made offerings to you.
'Greatly Compassionate One, in the future, passing one Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya kalpa, at the end of the second Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya kalpa, in Saha world, when the human lifespan is one hundred and twenty years, when the world in darkness has no guidance, the living beings tied by aging and illnesses will gather myriad non-virtuous roots and follow evil paths. In the wilderness of afflictions, they will commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells, will defame holy persons, slander the righteous Dharmas, violate the four grave prohibitions, and so forth, as mentioned previously.
'In such a world full of afflictions, you will become a Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, One of correct and universal knowledge, One perfected in Clarity and Conduct, Well gone one, One fully understands all worlds, Unsurpassed one, A hero who subdues and tames, A teacher of gods and humans, Buddha, World Honored One. You will be free from the wheel of births and deaths, will turn the wheel of Correct Dharma, and will defeat the four types of demons.
'At that time, your name will prevail in the countless and boundless Buddha-worlds of the ten directions. You will have 1250 monks of great Voice-Hearers. During forty-five years, you will do your Buddha-works successively according to your vows.
'For example, that Immeasurable Purity King will become a Buddha named Amitayus (Infinite Life), and will be doing Buddha-works for countless Kalpas. Likewise, you, the Greatly Compassionate One, in Saha Buddha-world and in the great Kalpa named Good, when the human lifespan is one hundred and twenty years, will become a Tathagata named Sakyamuni, and within forty-five years, the great Buddha-works that you accomplish will be as many as the Buddha-works that Amitayus Buddha will spend countless Kalpas doing.
'Virtuous Hero, after your Unsurpassed Perfect Nirvana (Parinirvana), your Proper Dharma will remain in the world for one thousand years.
'After the extinction of your Proper Dharma, your Sariras (relics) will do the Buddha-works according to your vows. They will stay in the world for a long time and give benefits to living beings, as you mentioned before.
"Virtuous man, at that time, a Brahmana in the assembly, who was named Screwed-Topknot, said to Ocean-Atoms Brahmana:
'Virtuous Hero, during the coming countless Asamkhya kalpas that you will be carrying out your Bodhisattva practices, in your every coming lifetime (every coming reincarnation), I will always be your servant, who benevolently offers you everything that you need. In your final incarnation, I will be your father. When you have achieved Bodhi, I will be your first Danapati, and you should award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-sambodhi.
"And then a goddess of sea, whose name was Softened Mind, said to Ocean-Atoms Brahmana:
'Virtuous Hero, from now on, in your every coming lifetime (reincarnation), including your final incarnation, I will always be your mother. When you have achieved Bodhi, you should also award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-sambodhi.
"And then a goddess of water, whose name was Water Appearance, said:
'From now on, in your every lifetime, including your final incarnation, I will always be your nursing mother. When you have achieved Bodhi, you should also award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-sambodhi.
"Moreover, at that time there were two Chief Gods of Sakra, one of them was named Virtuous Mind, and the other one was named Treasure Mind. They said:
'Greatly Compassionate One, when you have achieved Bodhi, we will be your Voice-Hearing disciples, who are wise and have great supernatural powers.
"Then another Chief Gods of Sakra, whose name was Good Sight Hand, said:
'Greatly Compassionate One, from now on, in your every coming reincarnation including your final incarnation, I will always be your son.
"Then a goddess of mountain, whose name was Peaceful Bliss Flower, said:
'Greatly Compassionate One, in your every coming reincarnation including your final incarnation, I will always be your wife. When you have achieved Bodhi, you should award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-sambodhi.
"Then an Asura Lord, whose name was Kadus-Practice, said:
'Greatly Compassionate One, during the coming countless Asamkhya Kalpas that you will be carrying out your Bodhisattva practices, in your every reincarnation, I will always be your benevolent relative and your virtuous friend, who serves and sustains you. In your final incarnation, I will also sustain and make offerings to you. When you have achieved Bodhi and begin to turn the Wheel of True Dharma, I will be the first one who realizes the Dharma, achieves the precious fruit, tastes the flavor of the Dharma, takes the medicine of Immortality (Amrta), cuts off all afflictions, and becomes an Arhat.
"Then a great number of gods, dragons, ghosts, Asuras, human and non-human beings, who were as many as the sands in Ganges River, vowed in front of the Greatly Compassionate One that they wish to be taught and enlightened by Him.
"Then an Exterior-Path cultivator, whose name was Fearsome Bad Thoughts, said:
'Great Brahmana, I vow to be your companion who helps you achieve your goals. During the coming countless Asamkhya Kalpas, I will always come to you, beg for your clothes, beds, furniture, elephants, horses, vehicles, villages, cities, nations, boys, girls, wives, and beg for your skin, flesh, bones, blood, hands, feet, ears, eyes, noses, tongues, heads, and so forth.
'Great Brahmana, in this way, I will be the target of your Giving Practice to help you achieve Dana-Paramita (the Perfection of Giving). I will also be the targets of your other practices, to help you achieve the other Paramitas, including Prajna-Paramita.
'Great Brahmana, when you carry out your Bodhisattva practices, I will in this way help you achieve all the six Paramitas. When you have achieved Bodhi, I will be your Voice-Hearing disciple, who will accept and hold the Eighty Thousand Dharma Aggregate, and then be able to expound the Dharma to others. After that, you should award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-sambodhi.
"Virtuous man, having heard that, the greatly compassionate Brahmana bowed to Treasure-Store Tathagata with the five parts of his body touching the ground, and said to that Exterior-Path cultivator called Fearsome Bad Thoughts:
'Excellent, excellent, virtuous man, you are my real friend who assists my Unsurpassed Practice. For my sake, during the countless Asamkhya Kalpas, you will always come to wherever I will be, and beg for my clothes, heads, eyes, and so forth. I will then fulfill your begs with a joyful and pure mind, so that you will never get any sins by doing that.'
"Virtuous man, the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva then said again to Treasure-Store Tathagata:
'Bhagavan, during the coming countless Asamkhya Kalpas that I will be carrying out the practice towards Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, if anyone comes to me and begs for foods, by using soft language, strong language, flippant language, or straight language, Bhagavan, in my mind I will not have even one angry thought against the beggar. If I should have any anger in my heart for even one Ksana, or if I should wish for any fruition-rewards for my giving, then I would have lied to the Buddhas in countless Asamkhya worlds of the ten directions, who are speaking Dharmas now, so that I would certainly not achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi in the future.
'Bhagavan, I will offer my giving to the beggar with a pure heart, so that the acceptor's faith will not be decreased, and his virtuous dharmas will not be obstructed. If I should cause any minor harm to the acceptor's faith or virtuous dharmas, as few as one-billionth of a hair tip, then I would have also lied to those Buddhas. Bhagavan, if I were to cause any minor obstruction to the acceptor's virtuous dharmas, as few as one-billionth of a hair tip, let me fall into Avichi Hell.
'Likewise, if anyone comes to me and begs for clothes, I will also do the same.
'Furthermore, if the beggar, by using soft language, strong language, flippant language, or straight language, begs for my head, Bhagavan, if I were to have any anger or unpleasantness in my heart for even one Ksana, or if I should wish for any fruition-rewards for my giving, then I would have also lied to those Buddhas, and therefore I would fall into Avichi Hell.
'Just like how I practice Giving, I will practice Precept-keeping, Prajna, and Renunciation in the same way, as I mentioned above.
"Then, virtuous man, Treasure-Store Tathagata praised the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva: 'Virtuous indeed, virtuous indeed! Virtuous Hero, your mind stays firmly in the great compassion, so that you can make such vows!
"Then, virtuous man, all members of the great assembly, including the gods, Gandharvas, human beings, Asuras, and so forth, joined their palms and praised: 'Virtuous indeed, virtuous indeed! Virtuous Hero, your mind stays firmly in the great compassion, so that you can make such vows. Your practice of the Six Harmonious Dharmas will fully satisfy all living beings!
"Then, virtuous man, just like how that Exterior-Path cultivator Fearsome-Bad-Thoughts vowed to accept the Bodhisattva's giving, eighty-four thousand living beings also made the same vows.
"Virtuous man, when the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva heard that those eighty-four thousand living beings made the same vows as Fearsome-Bad-Thoughts had made, he became much delighted. He joined his palms, looked around, contemplated all members of the great assembly, and said with both compassion and joy:
'Wonderful! In the future evil age of the five turbidities, when the Dharmas become scarce and diminished, when there are lots of afflictions, I will be a guide, a leader, a luminary, and a lamp of the world. For those who have no protection and are unawakened, I will show them the Way.
'I have just aroused my Bodhi-Heart, yet I already have such companions who will assist my practice towards Unsurpassed Bodhi! I wish that you will accompany me in my every reincarnation, to accept my heads, eyes, ears, noses, tongues, hands, feet, blood, fleshes, skins, bones, and my clothes, drinks, foods, and so forth.
"Virtuous man, then the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva sat in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, and said to the Buddha:
'Bhagavan, in the coming countless hundreds of thousands of Kotis of Nayutas of Asamkhya Kalpas, during my every reincarnation, if anyone comes to me and accepts anything handed by me, such as my food, drink, head, and so forth, which may be as few as one-billionth of a hair tip, when I have achieved Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, the acceptor will certainly be free from births and deaths, and will gain the distinctive mark of Voice-Hearer, Conditional Awakener, or Mahayana. If this was not true, I would have lied to the present Buddhas of the ten directions, so that I would certainly not achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
"Then, virtuous man, Treasure-Store Tathagata praised the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva:
'How virtuous it is, how virtuous it is, that you can vow to carry out such Bodhi-Practices! Virtuous Hero, in the past, there was a Bodhisattva named Meru-Peak-Holding who, in the presence of World Omnipotent Light Tathagata, had aroused his Bodhi-Heart for the first time, and also vowed to carry out such Bodhisattva-Practices. One Ganges-river-sands Great Kalpas later, from here to the east, passing through hundreds of thousands of Kotis of Buddha-Worlds, there will be a world named Flaming Consciousness. In that world, when the human lifespan becomes one hundred years, that virtuous hero will become a Buddha named Wisdom-Flower-Undefiled-Superior-Bodhi-Omnipotence Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, Bhagavan, who will stay in that world and do His Buddha-Works for forty-five years, and then enter into the Nirvana Without Remainder.
'Then, Greatly Compassionate One, after Wisdom-Flower-Undefiled-Superior-Bodhi-Omnipotence Tathagata's Parinirvana, His Proper Dharma Eye will stay in that world for one thousand years, and after the extinction of the Proper Dharma, His Semblance Dharma will also last for one thousand years.
'Furthermore, Greatly Compassionate One, after Wisdom-Flower-Undefiled-Superior-Bodhi-Omnipotence Tathagata's Parinirvana, during the time of His Proper Dharma and Semblance Dharma, there would be some Bhiksus or Bhiksunis who break the precepts, violate the Dharma, and do wicked deeds without shame. They may ruin the Dharma-Offering without feeling guilty, usurp the properties of the four directions' Sangha, take away the present Sangha's supplies such as clothes, drinks, foods, sleeping or resting furniture, medicines, and so forth, and use those things for their own purposes or give them to mundane people. However, Greatly Compassionate One, such people will all gain the distinctive marks of the Three Vehicles awarded by Wisdom-Flower-Undefiled-Superior-Bodhi-Omnipotence Tathagata.
'Greatly Compassionate One, during the time of that Bhagavan's Dharma, all those who ever wear the colored Kasayas will be awarded the non-retrograde distinctive marks of the Three Vehicles.
'Even if any of the Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Upasakas, or Upasikas commit the Root Sins, if only they regard the Tathagata as their teacher, then, because of these virtuous roots, they will also be awarded the non-retrograde distinctive marks of the Three Vehicles.
"Then, virtuous man, the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva said again to Treasure-Store Tathagata:
'Bhagavan, I vow that, during the time of my practice towards Unsurpassed Bodhi, if any living beings can accept my teaching and practice any Paramita, such as Dana Paramita, Prajna Paramita, and so forth, or if only they can cultivate their virtuous roots slightly, as little as one-billionth of a hair tip, then, after my achievement of Bodhi, these living beings will all settle at the stages of the Three Vehicles and will never retrogress, and none of them will be left out. If this was not true, I would have lied to the present Buddhas, the Bhagavans in the ten directions' immeasurable and incalculable Asamkhya worlds, who are speaking Dharmas, therefore I would certainly not achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
'Bhagavan, after I have attained the unsurpassed wisdom, there will be living beings who, as the followers of my teaching, wear the colored Kasayas. Some of them may commit the Root Sins, act according to their evil views, or commit many offenses against the Three Treasures. However, if these Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Upasakas, or Upasikas, for even one Ksana, ever regard me as their teacher, or arouse from their hearts a little respect towards the Buddha, the Dharma, or the Sangha, Bhagavan, I will award all these living beings the non-retrograde distinctive marks of the Three Vehicles, without leaving out any one of them. If this was not true, I would have lied to the Buddhas, the Bhagavans, therefore I would certainly not achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
'Bhagavan, after I have attained Bodhi, if any gods, human beings, or so forth, can honor or make offerings to the Gurus who wear the colored Kasayas, or if any living beings happen to see a small portion of a Kasaya, they will never retrograde in the Three Vehicles.
'If any living beings suffer from hunger or thirsty, whether they are poor Yaksas, hungry ghosts, or any other living beings, when they gain a small portion of a colored Kasaya, even if it is as short as four fingers, they will gain enough foods and drinks, and their wishes will be fulfilled.
'If any living beings conflict with, hate, or fight against each other, whether they are gods, Yaksas, Raksas, dragons, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, Kumbhandas, Pisacas, or human beings, when they are fighting, if they can be mindful of a Kasaya, then from these living beings' hearts, compassion, gentleness, non-hatred, tranquility, and tameness will arouse.
'When a living being is in a fight, dispute, conflict, or quarrel, if he can honor and make offerings to even a small portion of a Kasaya, or if he constantly carries a Kasaya with him, this living being will always win and never be defeated, will not be misled or hurt, and will be able to quit safely from the fight, quarrel, or dispute.
'Bhagavan, if my Kasayas did not have these five types of holy merits, I would have lied to the Buddhas, the Bhagavans of the ten directions, therefore I would not be able to achieve the perfection or do Buddha-Works in the future, I should lose my virtuous Dharmas, and should not be able to overcome those of Exterior-Paths.
'Bhagavan, when I have become a Buddha, and after my Parinirvana, if any living being pays homage to me, or says "Namah Sakyamunaye Tathagataye" even once, then eventually, all his karma-obstructions will be eliminated, he will also become an unsurpassed Buddha, and will be able to manifest Parinirvana.
"Then, virtuous man, Treasure-Store Tathagata stretched out His golden right arm, rubbed on the top of the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva's head, saying: 'Virtuous indeed, Virtuous indeed! Virtuous Hero, your vows are great rare treasures, and are great worthy results of your deliberation. As you wish, Virtuous Hero, your Kasayas will have all these five types of holy merits, they will give great blessings to living beings.
"Then, virtuous man, the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, having been awarded the distinctive mark and praised by the Buddha, became very much delighted. Having been rubbed on the head by the Tathagata's merit-adorned right hand, which has beautiful webs between the slim fingers and was as soft as a heavenly garment, the Bodhisattva, whose appearance changed immediately, became look like a youth of twenty.
"Thereupon, virtuous man, all members of the great assembly, including the gods, Gandharvas, human and non-human beings, joined their palms, made offerings to the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva with flowers, music, and so forth, and glorified him with wonderful praises. Having done these, they stay there silently.
COMPASSIONATE LOTUS SUTRA
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