妙法蓮華經

Volume VII

24. Chapter on Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound

At that time, Shakyamuni Buddha emitted a ray of light from the ushnisha ⁽¹⁾, the mark of a great person, and also emitted a ray of light from the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows, illuminating everywhere eight million koṭis of nayutas of Buddha lands, equal in number to the sands of the Ganges, in the eastern direction.

Beyond that number of worlds was a world named Adorned with Pure Light. In that land was a Buddha named Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly Enlightened, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One ⁽²⁾. He was reverently surrounded by an immeasurable and boundless great assembly of bodhisattvas, for whom he expounded the Dharma.

The light from the tuft of white hair of Shakyamuni Buddha illuminated that entire land.

At that time, in the land Adorned with the Light of All Purities, there was a bodhisattva named Wonderful Sound. Long ago he had planted roots of merit, made offerings to and attended upon immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of Buddhas, and had fully attained exceedingly profound wisdom. He had attained the Samadhi of the Banner of the Wondrous Mark, the Lotus Dharma Samadhi, the Samadhi of Pure Virtue, the Samadhi of the Play of the Constellation King, the Samadhi Free from Conditions, the Samadhi of the Seal of Wisdom, the Samadhi of Understanding the Languages of All Sentient Beings, the Samadhi of Gathering All Merits, the Samadhi of Purity, the Samadhi of the Play of Spiritual Powers, the Samadhi of the Torch of Wisdom, the Samadhi of the King of Adornments,

the Samadhi of Pure Radiance, the Samadhi of the Pure Treasury, the Samadhi Shared with None, the Samadhi of the Sun's Revolution, and so forth.

He had attained hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of great samadhis such as these, equal in number to the sands of the Ganges.

When the light of Shakyamuni Buddha illuminated the body of that bodhisattva, he immediately addressed Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! I should go to the Saha world to bow in homage to, attend upon, and make offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha, and also to behold Bodhisattva Manjushri, Prince of the Dharma; Bodhisattva Medicine King; Bodhisattva Courageous Giving; Bodhisattva Constellation King Flower; Bodhisattva Superior Resolve in Practice; Bodhisattva King of Adornments; and Bodhisattva Superior Medicine.”

Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha then said to Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound: “Do not look down upon the Saha world or conceive it to be inferior. Good man! That Saha world is uneven, with high and low places, and its mountains of earth and stone are filled with defilement and ugliness. The Buddha's body is small, and the bodies of the bodhisattvas are also small, whereas your body is forty-two thousand yojanas tall, and my body is six million eight hundred thousand yojanas tall. Your body is supremely beautiful, radiant and wondrous, adorned with hundreds of thousands of myriads of blessings. Therefore, when you go there, do not look down upon that land or conceive the Buddha, the bodhisattvas, or the land itself to be inferior.”

Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound addressed that Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! My journey now to the Saha world is entirely accomplished through the Tathagata's spiritual power, the Tathagata's play of spiritual powers, and the adornment of the Tathagata's merit and wisdom.”

At that time, without rising from his seat or moving his body, Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound entered samadhi. Through the power of samadhi, at Mount Gridhrakuta, not far from the Dharma seat, he magically produced eighty-four thousand precious lotus flowers, with stems of Jambunada gold, petals of silver, stamens of diamond, and calyxes of kimshuka jewels.

Thereupon Manjushri, Prince of the Dharma, saw the lotus flowers and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! What is the cause and condition for the appearance of this auspicious sign—these many thousands of myriads of lotus flowers, with stems of Jambunada gold, petals of silver, stamens of diamond, and calyxes of kimshuka jewels?”

Shakyamuni Buddha then said to Manjushri: “The great Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound wishes to come from the land of Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha to this Saha world, accompanied and surrounded by eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, to make offerings to me, attend upon me, and bow in homage to me. He also wishes to make offerings to and hear the Lotus Sutra.”

Manjushri addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! What roots of goodness did that bodhisattva plant, and what merits did he cultivate, that he possesses such great spiritual powers? What samadhi does he practice? I pray that the Buddha will tell us the name of that samadhi. We also wish to cultivate it diligently. Only by cultivating this samadhi will we be able to behold that bodhisattva's bodily form, whether great or small, and his dignified deportment and conduct. I pray that the World-Honored One, through his spiritual power, will enable us to see that bodhisattva when he arrives.”

Shakyamuni Buddha then said to Manjushri: “Many-Jewels Tathagata, who entered nirvana long ago, will now manifest the bodily form of that bodhisattva for you.” At once, Many-Jewels Buddha said to that bodhisattva: “Come here, good man! Manjushri, Prince of the Dharma, wishes to see your body.”

Thereupon Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound disappeared from that land and, together with eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, journeyed to the Saha world. In every land through which they passed, the earth shook in six ways, lotus flowers made of the seven precious substances rained down everywhere, and hundreds of thousands of heavenly instruments sounded of themselves without being played. The eyes of that bodhisattva were as broad and large as the petals of a blue lotus.

Even if hundreds of thousands of myriads of moons were brought together, his countenance would be more beautiful still. His body was the color of pure gold and adorned with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of merits. His majestic virtue was exceedingly great, his light blazed brilliantly, and he was endowed with all the marks, his body as firm as that of Narayana ⁽³⁾.

He entered a terrace made of the seven precious substances and rose into the air to a height of seven tala trees above the ground. Reverently surrounded by the assembly of bodhisattvas, he came to Mount Gridhrakuta in this Saha world. Upon arriving, he descended from the terrace of seven precious substances and, carrying a jeweled necklace worth hundreds of thousands, approached Shakyamuni Buddha.

He bowed with his head and face at the Buddha's feet, presented the jeweled necklace, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha inquires after the World-Honored One: Are you free from illness and suffering? Are your movements light and easy?

Is your practice peaceful and joyful? Are the four great elements in harmony? Are you able to endure the affairs of the world?

Are sentient beings easy to liberate? Are there none who are filled with greed, anger, delusion, jealousy, stinginess, and arrogance? Are there none who are unfilial toward their parents, disrespectful toward shramanas ⁽⁴⁾, possessed of wrong views and unwholesome minds, or unable to restrain the five senses ⁽⁵⁾?

“World-Honored One! Are sentient beings able to subdue the hostile maras? Has Many-Jewels Tathagata, who entered nirvana long ago and abides within the stupa of seven precious substances, come to hear the Dharma? He also inquires after Many-Jewels Tathagata: Is he peaceful and secure, free from suffering, and able to endure abiding for a long time? World-Honored One! I now wish to see the body of Many-Jewels Buddha. I pray that the World-Honored One will reveal it and enable me to behold him.”

Shakyamuni Buddha then said to Many-Jewels Buddha: “This Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound wishes to behold you.”

Many-Jewels Buddha immediately said to Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound: “Excellent! Excellent! You have come to this world to make offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha, to hear the Lotus Sutra, and to behold Manjushri and the others.”

At that time, Bodhisattva Flower Virtue addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! What roots of goodness did Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound plant, and what merits did he cultivate, that he possesses such spiritual powers?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Flower Virtue: “In the past there was a Buddha named Cloud-Thunder-Sound-King Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly and Fully Awakened. His land was called Manifesting All Worlds, and his kalpa was called Joyful Vision. For twelve thousand years, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound made offerings to Cloud-Thunder-Sound-King Buddha with a hundred thousand kinds of music and also presented eighty-four thousand bowls made of the seven treasures.

Through the karmic recompense of these causes and conditions, he has now been born in the land of Buddha Pure-Flower-Constellation-King-Wisdom and possesses such powers of spiritual penetration. Flower Virtue! What do you think?

The Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound who, at that time and in the presence of Cloud-Thunder-Sound-King Buddha, made offerings of music and presented precious bowls—could he have been anyone else? He was none other than the present great Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound.

Flower Virtue! This Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound has previously made offerings to and drawn near to immeasurable Buddhas. For a long time he has planted roots of merit and has also encountered hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of nayutas of Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.”

Flower Virtue! You see only the form of Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound that is here, but this Bodhisattva manifests all kinds of forms and, in place after place, expounds this sutra for sentient beings.

He may manifest the body of Brahma King, the body of Shakra, the body of the Sovereign Deva, the body of the Great Sovereign Deva, the body of a great heavenly general, the body of Heavenly King Vaishravana, the body of a wheel-turning sage-king, the body of a minor king, the body of an elder, the body of a layman, the body of a minister, the body of a brahmin, the body of a bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika; the body of a minister’s wife, the body of a brahmin’s wife, the body of a boy or girl; or the body of a deva, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, nonhuman, and so forth, and thus expounds this sutra.

He is able to rescue and aid beings in the hells, among hungry ghosts and animals, and in all places of adversity. He may even transform himself into a woman within a king’s inner palace and expound this sutra.

Flower Virtue! This Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound is able to rescue and protect sentient beings in the Saha world. Transforming himself and manifesting such forms in this Saha world, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound expounds the Lotus Sutra for sentient beings, yet his spiritual powers of transformation are never diminished. With such wisdom, this Bodhisattva brilliantly illuminates the Saha world, enabling all sentient beings to attain understanding and knowledge. He does likewise throughout lands in the ten directions as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.

If sentient beings are to attain liberation through the body of a shravaka, he immediately manifests the form of a shravaka and expounds the Dharma for them.

If they are to attain liberation through the body of a pratyekabuddha, he immediately manifests the form of a pratyekabuddha and expounds the Dharma for them. If they are to attain liberation through the body of a bodhisattva, he immediately manifests the form of a bodhisattva and expounds the Dharma for them.

If they are to attain liberation through the body of a Buddha, he immediately manifests the form of a Buddha and expounds the Dharma for them.

According to the manner in which they are to be liberated, he manifests all such forms for them. He may even manifest entry into nirvana for those who are to attain liberation through nirvana.

Flower Virtue! Such is the great Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound’s perfect accomplishment of the mighty powers of spiritual penetration and wisdom.

At that time, Bodhisattva Flower Virtue addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound has deeply planted roots of goodness. World-Honored One! In what samadhi does this Bodhisattva abide that enables him to transform and manifest his form in various places, liberating sentient beings in this way?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Flower Virtue: “Good man! This samadhi is called ‘Manifestation of All Forms and Bodies.’ By abiding in this samadhi, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound is able to benefit immeasurable sentient beings in this way.”

When this chapter, “Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound,” was expounded, the eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas who had accompanied Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound all attained the Samadhi of the Manifestation of All Forms and Bodies. Immeasurable bodhisattvas in this Saha world also attained this samadhi and dharani.

After the great Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound had made offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha and to the stupa of Many Treasures Buddha, he returned to his native land. All the lands through which he passed quaked in six ways, precious lotus flowers rained down, and hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of kinds of music resounded. When he reached his native land, surrounded by eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, he went before Buddha Pure-Flower-Constellation-King-Wisdom and said: “World-Honored One!

I went to the Saha world to benefit sentient beings. I beheld Shakyamuni Buddha and the stupa of Many Treasures Buddha, bowed before them, and made offerings to them. I also beheld Bodhisattva Manjushri, Prince of the Dharma; Bodhisattva Medicine King; Bodhisattva Attainment through Diligent Power of Vigor; and Bodhisattva Courageous Giving.

I also enabled these eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas to attain the Samadhi of the Manifestation of All Forms and Bodies.”

When this chapter, “The Coming and Going of Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound,” was expounded, forty-two thousand heavenly princes attained patient acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas. Bodhisattva Flower Virtue attained the Lotus Sutra Samadhi.

25. The Universal Gateway Chapter of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

At that time, Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention immediately rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms toward the Buddha, and said: “World-Honored One! For what causes and conditions is Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara named Avalokiteshvara?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention: “Good man! If immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of sentient beings undergo various sufferings and afflictions, and they hear of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and single-mindedly invoke his name, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara immediately perceives the sound of their voices, and they all attain liberation.

If anyone who upholds the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara enters a great fire, the fire will be unable to burn that person, owing to the majestic spiritual power of this Bodhisattva.

If one is swept away by a great flood and invokes the name of this Bodhisattva, one will immediately reach a shallow place.

If hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of sentient beings, seeking gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, amber, pearls, and other treasures, enter the great ocean, and if a fierce wind blows their ship adrift into the realm of rakshasa demons, then if even one among them invokes the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, all those people will be delivered from the peril of the rakshasa demons. For this cause and condition, he is named Avalokiteshvara.

If someone who is about to be harmed invokes the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the knives and clubs wielded by the attackers will immediately break into pieces, and that person will be delivered.

If yakshas and rakshasas filling the entire trichiliocosm wish to approach and harm a person, upon hearing that person invoke the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, those evil demons will be unable even to look upon that person with malevolent eyes, much less inflict harm.

If a person, whether guilty or innocent, has fetters, shackles, chains, or bonds fastened upon the body and invokes the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, they will all break apart, and that person will immediately be delivered.

If hostile bandits fill the entire trichiliocosm, and a merchant leader guides a company of merchants carrying many precious treasures along a dangerous road, one person among them may proclaim: ‘Good men! Do not be afraid. You should all single-mindedly invoke the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. This Bodhisattva can bestow the gift of fearlessness upon sentient beings. If you invoke his name, you will be delivered from these hostile bandits.’

Upon hearing this, all the merchants raise their voices together, saying: ‘Namo Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara!’ Because they invoke the Bodhisattva’s name, they are immediately delivered.

Inexhaustible Intention! Such is the greatness of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s majestic spiritual power.

If any sentient beings are beset by excessive lust and constantly reverently recollect Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, they will immediately be freed from lust.

If any are beset by excessive anger and constantly reverently recollect Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, they will immediately be freed from anger.”

If a person beset by much foolishness constantly reverently recollects Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, that person will immediately be freed from foolishness.

Inexhaustible Intention! Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva possesses such great awe-inspiring spiritual powers and bestows so many benefits. Therefore, sentient beings should always single-mindedly remember him.

If a woman wishes to have a son and worships and makes offerings to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, she will give birth to a son endowed with merit, virtue, and wisdom. If she wishes to have a daughter, she will give birth to a daughter of beautiful appearance who, having planted roots of merit and virtue in the past, will be honored and loved by all.

Inexhaustible Intention! Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva possesses such spiritual power.

If sentient beings reverently bow to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, their merit and virtue will never be in vain. Therefore, all sentient beings should uphold the name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

Inexhaustible Intention! Suppose someone upholds the names of bodhisattvas as numerous as the sands of sixty-two kotis of Ganges Rivers, and throughout that person's life makes offerings to them of food and drink, clothing, bedding, and medicine. What do you think? Would the merit and virtue of that good man or good woman be great?

Inexhaustible Intention replied: "World-Honored One! It would be exceedingly great." The Buddha said: "If another person upholds the name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and bows and makes offerings to him for even a single moment, the blessings of these two people will be equal and without difference, and could not be exhausted throughout hundreds of thousands of kotis of kalpas.

Inexhaustible Intention! Upholding the name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva brings such immeasurable and boundless blessings, merit, and benefits."

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One! How does Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva travel throughout the Saha world? How does he exercise the power of skillful means?"

The Buddha told Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva: "Good man! If sentient beings in any land can be liberated by means of the body of a Buddha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva immediately manifests the body of a Buddha and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a pratyekabuddha, he immediately manifests the body of a pratyekabuddha and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a shravaka, he immediately manifests the body of a shravaka and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of Brahma King, he immediately manifests the body of Brahma King and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of Shakra, he immediately manifests the body of Shakra and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of Ishvara, he immediately manifests the body of Ishvara and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of Maheshvara, he immediately manifests the body of Maheshvara and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a great heavenly general, he immediately manifests the body of a great heavenly general and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of Vaishravana, he immediately manifests the body of Vaishravana and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a minor king, he immediately manifests the body of a minor king and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of an elder, he immediately manifests the body of an elder and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a layperson, he immediately manifests the body of a layperson and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a minister or official, he immediately manifests the body of a minister or official and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a brahmin, he immediately manifests the body of a brahmin and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika, he immediately manifests the body of a bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of the wife of an elder, layperson, minister or official, or brahmin, he immediately manifests a woman's body and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a boy or girl, he immediately manifests the body of a boy or girl and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a deva, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or nonhuman being, he immediately manifests each such body and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

To those who can be liberated by the body of a Vajra-Wielding Spirit, he immediately manifests the body of a Vajra-Wielding Spirit and teaches the Dharma for their sake.

Inexhaustible Intention! Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva has accomplished such merit and virtue. Manifesting various bodies, he travels throughout all lands to liberate sentient beings. Therefore, you should single-mindedly make offerings to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

This great bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara can bestow fearlessness upon those in urgent danger and terror. Therefore, throughout this Saha world he is called the ‘Bestower of Fearlessness.’"

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One! I shall now make an offering to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva." He then removed from his neck a necklace made of precious jewels worth hundreds of thousands of taels of gold, presented it to Avalokiteshvara, and said: "Please accept this Dharma offering of a precious necklace."

At that time, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva declined to accept the necklace. Inexhaustible Intention again said to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva: "Out of compassion for us, please accept this necklace."

The Buddha then told Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva: "Out of compassion for Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, the fourfold assembly, and the devas, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and others, you should accept this necklace."

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, out of compassion for the fourfold assembly and for the devas, dragons, humans, nonhumans, and others, accepted the necklace and divided it into two parts: one part he offered to Shakyamuni Buddha, and the other he offered to the stupa of Many Treasures Buddha.

Inexhaustible Intention! Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva possesses such sovereign spiritual power and travels throughout the Saha world."

At that time, Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva spoke verses, asking the Buddha:

World-Honored One, replete with excellent marks!

I now ask once again:

For what reason is this Buddha's disciple

Named Avalokiteshvara?

The One replete with excellent marks

Answered Inexhaustible Intention in verse:

Listen to the deeds of Avalokiteshvara,

Who skillfully responds in every place.

His vast vows are deep as the ocean,

Throughout inconceivably many kalpas.

Having attended many thousands of Buddhas,

He made a great and pure vow.

I shall now explain it briefly for you:

Those who hear his name and see his body,

And recollect him without letting their thoughts pass in vain,

Can extinguish the sufferings of all realms.

If someone with harmful intent

Pushes them into a great fiery pit,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

The fiery pit will become a pond.

Or if they drift upon the vast sea,

Facing dangers from demons, fish, and dragons,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

The waves cannot drown them.

Or if, from the summit of Mount Sumeru,

Someone pushes them down,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

They remain suspended like the sun in the sky.

Or if pursued by evil people,

They fall from Vajra Mountain,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

Not even a single hair is harmed.

Or if surrounded by hostile bandits,

Each wielding a blade to harm them,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

All immediately give rise to kindness.

Or if they suffer persecution by a king,

And face execution at the moment of death,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

The blades immediately break into pieces.

Or if imprisoned and bound in chains,

With hands and feet confined in shackles,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

The bonds fall apart and they are liberated.

If curses and various poisons

Are intended to harm their bodies,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

The harm returns to its originator.⁽⁶⁾

Or if they encounter ferocious rakshasas,

Poisonous dragons, and various demons,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

None will dare to harm them.

Or if surrounded by savage beasts,

With terrifying, sharp fangs and claws,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

They swiftly flee far away.

Poisonous snakes and scorpions,

Breathing venom like burning smoke and fire,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

At the sound of his name they depart of themselves.

When thunderclouds roar and lightning strikes,

And hail ⁽⁷⁾ and torrential rain pour down,

Through the power of recollecting Avalokiteshvara,

All immediately disperse and vanish.

Sentient beings afflicted by hardships,

Oppressed by immeasurable sufferings,

Avalokiteshvara's wondrous power of wisdom

Can rescue the world from suffering.

Fully endowed with spiritual powers,

He extensively cultivates wisdom and skillful means;

Throughout the lands of the ten directions,

There is no realm where he does not appear.

The beings in the evil destinies—

Hell beings, hungry ghosts, and animals—

And the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death,

He gradually brings entirely to an end.

True contemplation, pure contemplation

Vast is the contemplation of wisdom,

The contemplation of compassion and loving-kindness;

Ever aspire, ever look up with reverence—

Pure and radiant, free from defilement.

The sun of wisdom ⁽⁸⁾ dispels all darkness,

Subduing calamities of wind and fire,

And universally illuminating the world.

His compassionate precepts are like thunder,

His loving intent is like wondrous clouds ⁽⁹⁾,

Pouring down the Dharma rain of sweet dew,

Extinguishing the flames of affliction. ⁽¹⁰⁾

When disputes bring one before officials,

Or when one is terrified amid battle,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

All enemies and resentments retreat and disperse.

Wondrous Voice, Avalokiteshvara,

Brahma Voice, Voice of the Ocean Tide,

A voice surpassing all worldly sounds—

Therefore, one should ever be mindful of him.

From thought to thought, give rise to no doubt.

Avalokiteshvara, the pure sage,

Amid suffering, distress, and mortal peril,

Can be our refuge and support.

Perfect in every merit and virtue,

With benevolent eyes he beholds sentient beings;

His ocean of blessings is vast beyond measure—

Therefore, one should bow in homage.

At that time, Bodhisattva Dharanimdhara immediately rose from his seat, came before the Buddha, and addressed him, saying: “World-Honored One! If any sentient being hears this chapter concerning Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s sovereign spiritual practice, his universal gateway of manifestations, and the power of his spiritual penetrations, it should be known that the merit of that person is not slight.”

When the Buddha spoke this chapter of the Universal Gateway, eighty-four thousand sentient beings in the assembly all brought forth the resolve for the unequaled, unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment.

26. The Chapter on Dharanis

At that time, Bodhisattva Medicine King immediately rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms toward the Buddha, and addressed him, saying: “World-Honored One! If a good man or good woman is able to accept and uphold this Lotus Sutra, whether reading and reciting it with fluent mastery or copying the sutra scroll, how much merit will that person obtain?”

The Buddha said to Medicine King: “Suppose a good man or good woman were to make offerings to eight million koṭis of nayutas of Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. What do you think? Would the merit gained by that person be great?” “World-Honored One, it would be exceedingly great.”

The Buddha said: “If a good man or good woman is able to accept and uphold even a single four-line verse of this sutra, read and recite it, explain its meaning, and practice in accordance with its words, that person’s merit will be exceedingly great.”

Then Bodhisattva Medicine King addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! I shall now give those who expound the Lotus Sutra a dharani spell to guard and protect them.” He then spoke the spell:

“An nhĩ, mạn nhĩ, ma nễ, ma ma nễ, chỉ lệ, già lê đệ, xa mế, xa lý đa vĩ, chuyên đế, mục đế mục đa lý, ta lý, a vĩ ta lý, tang lý, ta lý xoa dệ, a xoa duệ, a kỳ nhị chuyên đế xa lý, đà la ni, a lư dà bà ta kî đá tỳ xoa nhị, nễ tỳ thế, a tiện đa la nễ lý thế, a đàn dá ba lệ thâu địa, âu cứu lệ, mâu cứu lệ, a la lệ, ba la lệ, thủ ca sai, a tam ma tam lý, Phật đà tỳ kiết lợi diệt đế đạt ma ba lợi sai đế, tăng già niết cù sa nễ bà xá bà xá thâu địa, mạn đá lã, mạn đá lã xoa dạ đa, bưu lâu đá, bưu lâu đá kiêu xá lược, ác xoa lã, ác xoa dã đa dã, a bà lư, a ma nhã na đa dạ.”

World-Honored One! This spiritual dharani spell was spoken by sixty-two koṭis of Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. If anyone assaults or slanders this Dharma teacher, that person thereby assaults and slanders those Buddhas.

At that time, Shakyamuni Buddha praised Bodhisattva Medicine King, saying: “Excellent! Excellent, Medicine King! Out of compassion and the wish to protect this Dharma teacher, you have spoken this dharani spell, thereby greatly benefiting sentient beings.”

At that time, Bodhisattva Courageous Giving addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! To protect those who read, recite, accept, and uphold the Lotus Sutra, I too shall speak a dharani spell. If a Dharma teacher obtains this dharani, then whether yakshas, rakshasas, putanas, krityas, kumbhandas, hungry ghosts, or others seek to discover the Dharma teacher’s weaknesses, they will find no opportunity.” Then, before the Buddha, he spoke the spell:

“Toa lệ, ma ha toa lệ, úc chỉ, mục chỉ, a lệ, a la bà đệ, niết lệ đệ, niết lệ đa bà đệ, y trí nỉ, vi trí nỉ, chỉ trí nỉ, niết lệ trì nỉ, niết lê trì bà để.”

World-Honored One! This spiritual dharani spell was spoken by Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, and they all rejoice in accord with it. If anyone assaults or slanders this Dharma teacher, that person thereby assaults and slanders those Buddhas.

Then Vaishravana, the Heavenly King and Protector of the World, addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! Out of compassionate concern for sentient beings and to protect this Dharma teacher, I too shall speak this dharani.” He then spoke the spell: “A-lê, na-lê, nâu na lê, a na lư, na lý, câu na-lý.”

World-Honored One! With this spiritual spell I shall protect the Dharma teacher, and I shall personally protect those who uphold this sutra, ensuring that no calamity or misfortune occurs within a hundred yojanas.

Then Dhritarashtra, the Heavenly King Upholder of the Nation, who was present in the assembly together with thousands of myriads of koṭis of nayutas of gandharvas reverently surrounding him, came before the Buddha, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! I too shall use a dharani spell to protect those who uphold the Lotus Sutra.” He then spoke the spell:

“A dà nễ, dà nễ, cù lợi, càn đà lợi, chiên đà lợi, ma đắng kỳ, thường cầu lợi, phù lâu sa nỉ, át để.”

World-Honored One! This dharani spell was spoken by forty-two koṭis of Buddhas. If anyone assaults or slanders this Dharma teacher, that person thereby assaults and slanders those Buddhas.

At that time, there were rakshasa women: the first named Lamba; the second, Vilamba; the third, Crooked Teeth; the fourth, Flower Teeth; the fifth, Black Teeth; the sixth, Many Tresses; the seventh, Insatiable; the eighth, Bearer of Garlands; the ninth, Kunti; and the tenth, Robber of the Vital Essence of All Sentient Beings. These ten rakshasa women, together with the Mother-of-Children demon, her children, and their retinues, all came before the Buddha and addressed him in unison, saying: “World-Honored One!

We too wish to protect those who read, recite, accept, and uphold the Lotus Sutra, and to remove their sufferings and afflictions. If anyone seeks to discover the Dharma teacher’s weaknesses, we shall ensure that person finds no opportunity.” Then, before the Buddha, they spoke the spell:

“Y đề lý, y đề dẫn, y đề lý, a đề lý, y đề lý, nê lý, nê lý, nê lý, nê lý, nê lý, lâu hê, lâu hê, lâu hê, lâu hê, đa hê, đa hê, đa hê, đâu hê, nâu hê.”

“Let them climb upon our heads rather than trouble or harm the Dharma teacher—whether they be yakshas, rakshasas, hungry ghosts, putanas, krityas, vidalas, skandas, umarakas, apasmarakas, yaksha-krityas, human krityas, or demons that cause fever for one day, two days, three days, four days, or as long as seven days, or that cause perpetual fever; whether they appear in the form of a man, a woman, a boy, or a girl, they must not trouble or harm the Dharma teacher, even in dreams.”

Then, before the Buddha, they spoke this verse:

Whoever disobeys our spell

And troubles one who expounds the Dharma,

That person’s head shall split into seven pieces,

Like the branches of the arjaka tree.

Their offense shall be like that of killing one’s parents,

Like the crime of pressing oil fraudulently, ⁽¹⁵⁾

Or cheating others with weights and measures,

Or Devadatta’s offense of dividing the Sangha.

Whoever harms this Dharma teacher

Shall meet with calamity such as this.

After speaking this verse, the rakshasa women addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! We ourselves shall also protect those who accept, uphold, read, recite, and practice this sutra, enabling them to dwell in peace, be free from all suffering and affliction, and neutralize all poisons.”

The Buddha said to the rakshasa women: “Excellent! Excellent! The merit gained merely by protecting those who accept and uphold the title of the Lotus Sutra is already immeasurable. How much more so is the merit of protecting those who accept and uphold the entire sutra and make offerings to its scrolls of flowers, incense, jeweled necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, banners, canopies, music, and every kind of lamp: wax lamps, oil lamps, lamps of various fragrant oils, lamps of sumana flower oil, lamps of champaka flower oil, lamps of varshika flower oil, lamps of utpala flower oil, and hundreds of thousands of offerings such as these.”

Cao-De! You and your retinues should protect Dharma teachers such as these."

When this chapter, "Dharani," was spoken, sixty-eight thousand people attained acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas.

27. Chapter on the Former Deeds of King Wondrous Adornment

At that time, the Buddha addressed the great assembly, saying: "In the distant past, an immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable number of asamkhya kalpas ago, there was a Buddha named Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly and Fully Awakened. His land was called Adorned with Radiance, and the kalpa was called Joyful Vision.

"Within the Dharma assembly of that Buddha was a king named Wondrous Adornment. The king's consort was named Pure Virtue, and they had two sons, one named Pure Treasury and the other Pure Eye. These two sons possessed great powers of spiritual penetration, merit, virtue, and wisdom.

For a long time they had cultivated the bodhisattva path, namely: the perfection of giving, the perfection of moral discipline, the perfection of patience, the perfection of diligence, the perfection of meditation, the perfection of wisdom, the perfection of skillful means, loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, as well as the thirty-seven factors conducive to awakening; they had thoroughly mastered and comprehended them all.

They had also attained the bodhisattva samadhis: the Sun, Stars, and Constellations Samadhi; the Pure Radiance Samadhi; the Pure Form Samadhi; the Pure Illumination Samadhi; the Enduring Adornment Samadhi; and the Treasury of Great Majestic Virtue Samadhi. They had also thoroughly comprehended all these samadhis.

"At that time, because that Buddha wished to guide King Wondrous Adornment and, out of compassion, to care for sentient beings, he expounded this Lotus Sutra.

"Then the two sons, Pure Treasury and Pure Eye, went to their mother, joined their palms, and said to her: 'We earnestly hope that Mother will go to the place of the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom. We too shall attend upon you, draw near to him, make offerings, and pay homage.'

"Why was this? Because that Buddha was expounding the Lotus Sutra amid the entire assembly of devas and humans, and so they should hear, believe, and accept it.

"Their mother said to her sons: 'Your father believes in non-Buddhist teachings and is deeply attached to the doctrines of the brahmans. You should go and speak with your father so that we may all go together.'

"Pure Treasury and Pure Eye joined their palms and said to their mother: 'We are sons of the Dharma King, yet we have been born into this household of wrong views!'

"Their mother said to her sons: 'You should have compassion for your father and display transformations through your spiritual powers for his sake. If your father sees them, his mind will surely become purified, and perhaps he will permit us to go to the Buddha.'

"Thereupon, out of compassion for their father, the two sons rose into the air to a height of seven tala trees and manifested various spiritual transformations. In midair they walked, stood, sat, and reclined. Water issued from the upper parts of their bodies and fire from the lower parts; water issued from the lower parts of their bodies and fire from the upper parts.

At times they manifested bodies so vast that they filled the sky, and then manifested themselves as small; having become small, they again became large. They disappeared in the sky and suddenly appeared upon the ground. They entered the earth as though entering water and walked upon water as though walking upon land.

By manifesting such spiritual transformations, they caused the mind of their royal father to become purified, believing, and understanding.

"When their father saw that his sons possessed such spiritual powers, his heart rejoiced greatly at this unprecedented sight. Joining his palms toward his sons, he said: 'Who is your teacher, and whose disciples are you?'

"The two sons replied: 'Great King! That Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom is now seated upon the Dharma throne beneath the seven-jeweled bodhi tree. Amid the entire assembly of devas and humans in the world, he is extensively expounding the Lotus Sutra. He is our teacher, and we are his disciples.'

"Their father said to his sons: 'I too now wish to behold your teacher. Let us all go together.' Thereupon, the two sons descended from the sky, went to their mother, joined their palms, and said: 'Our royal father now believes and understands, and is capable of awakening the mind of unsurpassed, complete, and perfect enlightenment. We have already performed the Buddha's work for our father's sake. We earnestly hope that Mother will permit us to renounce household life in the presence of that Buddha and cultivate the Buddha Way.'

"At that time, wishing to restate their intention, the two sons spoke these verses to their mother:

May Mother permit us

To renounce household life and become shramanas.

The Buddhas are exceedingly difficult to encounter;

We wish to follow the Buddha and learn.

Like the udumbara flower,

Encountering a Buddha is even more difficult.

Freedom from all adversities is also difficult;

May you permit us to renounce household life.

"Their mother immediately said to her sons: 'I permit you to renounce household life. Why? Because a Buddha is difficult to encounter.'

"Then the two sons said to their father and mother: 'Excellent, Father and Mother! We ask that you now go to the place of the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom, draw near to him, and make offerings.

"'Why? Because a Buddha is as difficult to encounter as the udumbara flower, or as a one-eyed turtle encountering a hole in a floating log. ⁽¹⁶⁾ Because the merit from our former lives is deep and abundant, we have been born in this life and encountered the Buddha Dharma. We ask that Father and Mother permit us to renounce household life.

"'Why? Because the Buddhas are difficult to encounter, and a time in which a Buddha may be encountered is also difficult to find.'

"At that time, all eighty-four thousand people in the inner palace of King Wondrous Adornment were capable of receiving and upholding this Lotus Sutra. Bodhisattva Pure Eye had long since mastered the Lotus Samadhi. For an immeasurable number of hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of kalpas, Bodhisattva Pure Treasury had mastered the Samadhi of Freedom from All Evil Destinies, because he wished to enable all sentient beings to leave the evil destinies. ⁽¹¹⁾

"The king's consort had attained the Samadhi of the Assembly of All Buddhas and was able to know the treasury of the Buddhas' secret Dharma. Through the power of skillful means, the two sons thus ably converted and guided their royal father, causing his mind to believe, understand, delight in, and cherish the Buddha Dharma.

"Then King Wondrous Adornment, together with his ministers and retinues; his consort Pure Virtue, together with her ladies-in-waiting and attendants of the inner palace; the king's two sons; and forty-two thousand people all went at the same time to the Buddha. Upon arriving, they bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and then stood to one side.

"At that time, the Buddha expounded the Dharma for the king, instructing and guiding him so that he attained benefit and joy. The king was filled with great delight.

"King Wondrous Adornment and his consort then removed from their necks pearl necklaces worth hundreds of thousands and scattered them over the Buddha. In midair, the necklaces transformed into a jeweled dais with four pillars. Within the dais was a great jeweled couch spread with hundreds of thousands of myriads of celestial robes. Seated cross-legged upon it was a Buddha who emitted a great and brilliant radiance.

"King Wondrous Adornment then thought: 'The Buddha's body is excellent, beautiful, extraordinary, and rare, having attained the foremost subtle and wondrous form-body.'

"The Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom then addressed the fourfold assembly, saying: 'Do you see King Wondrous Adornment standing before me with his palms joined?

"'This king shall become a bhikshu within my Dharma and diligently cultivate all the practices conducive to the Buddha Way. He shall become a Buddha named Sala-Tree-King. His land shall be called Great Radiance, and his kalpa shall be called Great Exalted King.

"'The Buddha Sala-Tree-King shall have an immeasurable assembly of bodhisattvas and an immeasurable number of shravakas. His land shall be level and even, and its merit and virtue shall be such as this.'

"King Wondrous Adornment immediately entrusted his kingdom to his younger brother. Then, together with his consort, his two sons, and all their retinues, he renounced household life within the Buddha Dharma and cultivated the path.

"After renouncing household life, the king constantly practiced with diligence and vigor for eighty-four thousand years, cultivating the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wondrous Dharma. After this period, he attained the Samadhi of the Adornment of All Pure Merit and Virtue.

"He immediately rose into the air to a height of seven tala trees and addressed the Buddha, saying: 'World-Honored One! These two sons of mine have performed the Buddha's work. Through spiritual powers and transformations, they turned my mind away from wrong views, enabled me to abide securely in the Buddha Dharma, and brought me to behold the World-Honored One. These two sons are my good and wise spiritual friends. Wishing to awaken the wholesome roots from my former lives and benefit me, they came to be born into my household.'"

At that time, the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound-Constellation-King-Flower-Wisdom said to King Wonderful-Adornment: “Indeed! Indeed! It is just as you have said. If any good man or good woman plants roots of goodness, then life after life that person will encounter good spiritual friends. Such good spiritual friends are able to perform the work of the Buddha, teaching, guiding, benefiting, and bringing joy, and causing that person to enter the path to unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment.

“Great King, you should know that such a good spiritual friend is a great cause and condition, teaching and guiding one so that one may see the Buddha and arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment.

“Great King! Do you see these two sons? These two sons have previously made offerings to sixty-five hundred thousand myriads of kotis of nayutas of Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. They drew near to and reverently honored them, and in the presence of those Buddhas received and upheld the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma. Out of compassion for beings holding wrong views, they caused them to abide in right view.”

King Wonderful-Adornment immediately descended from the sky and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! The Tathagata is exceedingly rare. By virtue of his merit and wisdom, the fleshly protuberance upon the crown of his head shines with brilliant radiance. The Buddha’s eyes are long and broad, and their color is deep blue. The tuft of white hair between his brows is like the jewel of the kha moon. His teeth are white, even, and close-set, constantly emitting light; his lips are beautifully red, like the bimba fruit.”

At that time, after King Wonderful-Adornment had praised the Buddha’s immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of merits, he single-mindedly joined his palms before the Tathagata, bowed, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! Never before has there been anything like this! The Dharma of the Tathagata is perfectly complete, endowed with inconceivable and wondrous merit. His instruction concerning the path of practice is peaceful, secure, and excellent. From this day forward, I shall no longer act according to my own mind, nor shall I give rise to such evil thoughts as arrogance, anger, or wrong views.”

After saying these words, the king bowed to the Buddha and departed.

The Buddha said to the great assembly: “What do you think? King Wonderful-Adornment was no stranger; he is now the bodhisattva Flower-Virtue. Lady Pure-Virtue is now the bodhisattva Radiant-Adornment-Mark, who is presently before the Buddha. Out of compassion for King Wonderful-Adornment and his royal household, this bodhisattva was born and lived in the palace. The two princes are now the bodhisattva Medicine-King and the bodhisattva Medicine-Superior.”

These bodhisattvas Medicine-King and Medicine-Superior have accomplished such great merits. In the presence of immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of Buddhas, they planted roots of merit and accomplished inconceivable wholesome merits. If anyone knows the names of these two bodhisattvas, all devas and human beings throughout the world should bow in reverence to that person.

When the Buddha taught this chapter, “The Former Deeds of King Wonderful-Adornment,” eighty-four thousand people became separated from the dust of defilements, freed from impurity, and attained the purity of the Dharma-eye with regard to all dharmas.

28. The Chapter on the Encouragement of the Bodhisattva Universal-Worthy

At that time, the bodhisattva Universal-Worthy, through the sovereign power of his spiritual penetrations, majestic virtue, and renowned fame, came from the east together with an immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable assembly of great bodhisattvas. All the lands through which they passed universally quaked; precious lotus flowers rained down, and immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of varieties of music were played.

He was also accompanied and surrounded by countless great assemblies of devas, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and others. All manifested the power of their majestic virtue and spiritual penetrations and came to Vulture Peak in the saha world. They bowed with their heads and faces at the feet of Shakyamuni Buddha, circumambulated him seven times to the right, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One!

In the land of the Buddha Precious-Majestic-Virtue-Superior-King, I heard from afar that the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma was being taught here in this saha world. Therefore, together with an immeasurable and boundless assembly of hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of bodhisattvas, I have come to hear and receive it. I respectfully entreat the World-Honored One to teach it for us.

“How can good men and good women obtain this Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma after the Tathagata’s nirvana?”

The Buddha said to the bodhisattva Universal-Worthy: “If good men and good women accomplish four dharmas, they will obtain this Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma after the Tathagata’s nirvana: first, they are protected and kept in mind by the Buddhas; second, they plant roots of merit; third, they enter right concentration; and fourth, they arouse the resolve to liberate all sentient beings.”

Good men and good women who accomplish these four dharmas will assuredly obtain this sutra after the Tathagata’s nirvana.

At that time, the bodhisattva Universal-Worthy addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! In the evil and defiled age during the latter five hundred years, if anyone receives and upholds this scripture, I shall protect that person, remove all suffering and affliction, bring peace and security, and prevent anyone from finding an opportunity to spy upon and harm that person—whether Mara, a son of Mara, a daughter of Mara, a subject of Mara, one possessed by Mara, a yaksha, a rakshasa, a kumbhanda, a pishacha, a kritya, a putana, a vetala, or any other being who harms people. None shall find an opportunity to do so.

“Whether that person is walking or standing while reading and reciting this sutra, I shall at that time mount the royal white elephant with six tusks and, together with an assembly of great bodhisattvas, go to that person and manifest myself, in order to make offerings, protect, and comfort that person’s mind, and also to make offerings to the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma.

“If that person sits in contemplation of this sutra, I shall again mount the royal white elephant and appear before that person. If that person has forgotten a sentence or a verse from the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma, I shall teach it to that person and join in reading and reciting it, causing that person to comprehend and memorize it thoroughly.

“At that time, the person who receives, upholds, reads, and recites the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma will behold my body, rejoice greatly, and become even more diligent. By beholding my body, that person will immediately attain samadhi and dharanis called ‘Revolving Dharani’ and ‘Dharani of Skillful Means in the Voice of the Dharma.’ That person will attain such gates of dharani.

“World-Honored One! In a future age, during the evil and defiled latter five hundred years, if bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas, upasikas, seekers, upholders, readers, reciters, and copyists wish to cultivate this Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma, they must single-mindedly practice diligently for twenty-one days. When the twenty-one days are completed, I shall mount the white elephant with six tusks and, surrounded by immeasurable bodhisattvas, manifest before that person in a body that all sentient beings delight to behold. I shall teach that person the Dharma, instructing, benefiting, and bringing joy, and I shall also bestow a dharani mantra.

“Upon obtaining this dharani mantra, no nonhuman being will be able to harm that person, nor will that person be confused or disturbed by women. I myself will also constantly protect that person. I respectfully entreat the World-Honored One to permit me to pronounce this dharani mantra.” He then pronounced the mantra before the Buddha:

“A đàn địa, đàn đà bà địa, đàn đà bà đế, đàn đà cưu xá lệ, đàn đà tu đà lệ, tu đà lệ, tu đà la bà để, Phật đà ba chiên nễ, tát bà đà la ni a bà đa ni, tát bà bà sa a bà đa ni, tu la bà đa ni, tăng già bà lý xoa ni, tăng già niết dà đà ni, a tăng kỳ, tăng già bà dà địa, đế lệ a nọa tăng già đâu lược, a la đế ba la đế, tát bà tăng già địa, tam ma địa dà lan địa, tát bà đạt mạ tu ba lợi sát đế, tát bà tát đỏa lâu đà kiêu xá lược, a nâu dà địa, tân a tỳ cát lợi địa đế.”

“World-Honored One! If any bodhisattva hears this dharani mantra, one should know that this is through the power of Universal-Worthy’s spiritual penetrations.

“If the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma circulates throughout Jambudvipa and anyone receives and upholds it, one should know that this is entirely through the majestic spiritual power of Universal-Worthy.”

If there is a person who accepts, upholds, reads, recites, correctly remembers, and understands the meaning and purport of this sutra, and who practices in accordance with its words, know that this person practices the conduct of Samantabhadra. In the presence of immeasurable and boundless Buddhas, that person has deeply planted roots of goodness and is caressed on the head by the Tathagatas. If that person merely prints or copies it, when that person's life ends, that person will be born in the Trayastrimsa Heaven.

At that time, forty-eight thousand heavenly maidens will play various kinds of music and come to welcome that person, who will immediately don a crown of seven treasures and, amidst the company of celestial maidens, enjoy delight and pleasure. How much more will this be so for one who accepts, upholds, reads, recites, correctly remembers, understands the meaning and purport of the sutra, and practices in accordance with its words.

If there is a person who accepts, upholds, reads, recites, and explains the meaning and purport of the sutra, when that person's life ends, a thousand Buddhas will extend their hands, so that the person will have no fear and will not fall into the evil destinies, but will immediately ascend to the palace of the Tusita Heaven, where Maitreya Bodhisattva dwells, and be born among the retinue of hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of heavenly maidens.

Maitreya Bodhisattva possesses the thirty-two marks and is surrounded by an assembly of great bodhisattvas. Such are the merits and benefits. Therefore, a wise person should single-mindedly copy it personally or cause others to copy it, accept and uphold it, read and recite it, correctly remember it, and practice in accordance with its words.

World-Honored One! I shall now use my spiritual powers to guard and protect this sutra, so that after the Tathagata's nirvana it may be widely circulated throughout Jambudvipa and never be cut off or lost.

At that time, Shakyamuni Buddha praised him, saying: “Excellent! Excellent, Samantabhadra! You are able to assist this sutra and cause many sentient beings to gain peace, joy, and benefit. You have already accomplished inconceivable merit and possess profound and great loving-kindness and compassion. Since the distant past, you have resolved to attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, and you are able to fulfill this vow through your spiritual powers in order to guard and protect this sutra.

“I shall use my spiritual powers to guard and protect those who are able to accept and uphold the name of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

“Samantabhadra! If there is a person who accepts, upholds, reads, recites, correctly remembers, practices, and copies this Lotus Sutra of the Wondrous Dharma, know that this person thereby sees Shakyamuni Buddha and hears this scripture as though directly from the Buddha's mouth. Know that this person makes offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha.

Know that the Buddha praises this person, saying, ‘Excellent!’ Know that Shakyamuni Buddha caresses this person on the head with his hand. Know that Shakyamuni Buddha covers this person with his robe. Such a person will no longer crave the pleasures of the world, will not delight in the scriptures and writings of non-Buddhist paths, and will not delight in associating with followers of non-Buddhist paths or with evil persons, whether butchers, those who raise pigs, sheep, chickens, or dogs, hunters, or traffickers in women.

This person's mind will be upright, this person will possess right mindfulness and the power of merit, and will not be afflicted by the three poisons, nor be afflicted by jealousy, self-conceit, false conceit, or overweening pride. This person will have few desires, know contentment, and be able to practice the conduct of Samantabhadra.

“Samantabhadra! After the Tathagata's nirvana, in the latter five-hundred-year period, if anyone sees a person accepting, upholding, reading, and reciting the Lotus Sutra, that person should think: ‘Before long, this person will proceed to the place of enlightenment, defeat the hosts of Mara, attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, turn the Dharma wheel, beat the Dharma drum, blow the Dharma conch, pour down the Dharma rain, and sit upon the lion throne of the Dharma amid the great assembly of devas and humans.’

“Samantabhadra! If, in a future age, there is a person who accepts, upholds, reads, and recites this scripture, that person will no longer crave clothing, bedding, or the necessities of life. Whatever that person seeks will not be in vain, and even in the present life that person will receive such blessed rewards.

“If someone disparages that person, saying, ‘You are insane! You perform these practices in vain and will ultimately gain no benefit,’ the retribution for that offense will be blindness, life after life. If someone makes offerings to and praises that person, that individual will receive manifest reward in this very life.

“If, upon seeing a person who upholds this sutra, someone exposes that person's faults, whether those faults are true or untrue, that individual will contract leprosy ⁽¹²⁾ in the present life. If someone scorns and laughs at a person who upholds the sutra, life after life that person will have sparse and missing teeth, ugly lips, a flat nose, crooked hands and feet, crossed eyes, a foul and filthy body, malignant sores oozing blood and pus, a swollen belly, shortness of breath, and severe and terrible illnesses.

“Therefore, Samantabhadra, if one sees a person accepting and upholding this scripture, one should rise and go forth from afar to welcome that person, showing the same reverence as one would to a Buddha.”

When the Buddha taught this chapter, “The Encouragement of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva,” immeasurable and boundless bodhisattvas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, attained hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of “revolving dharani gateways,” and great bodhisattvas as numerous as the motes of dust in a three-thousand-great-thousand world-system perfected the path of Samantabhadra.

When the Buddha taught this sutra, Samantabhadra and the other bodhisattvas, Shariputra and the other shravakas, and the devas, dragons, humans, nonhumans, and all the rest of the great assembly rejoiced exceedingly. They accepted and upheld the Buddha's words, paid homage, and departed.

THE SUTRA OF THE LOTUS FLOWER OF THE WONDROUS DHARMA

Volume Seven

EXPLANATION OF MEANINGS:

⁽¹⁾ On the crown of the Buddha's head, the flesh rises high in the shape of a topknot. This is one of the thirty-two excellent marks of the Buddha's body.

⁽²⁾ Every Buddha fully possesses these ten epithets; only one who possesses all ten may be called a Buddha:

1. Tathagata: Entirely thusness, unmoving; yet, in accordance with conditions, he comes among the myriad kinds of beings to transform and liberate them—and though coming among the myriad kinds of beings, he remains thusness, unmoving.

2. Worthy of Offerings: As an immeasurable field of merit, he comes for the benefit of all beings and receives the offerings of beings in the nine realms.

3. Rightly and Universally Knowing: He correctly comprehends and penetrates all dharmas everywhere, just as they truly are.

4. Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct: “Wisdom” means prajna; “conduct” means practices that benefit oneself and others. Both wisdom and conduct are perfected.

5. Well-Gone One: One who has gone well. He enters nirvana yet constantly liberates sentient beings, and still never departs from nirvana.

6. Knower of the World: One who thoroughly understands all worldly and supramundane dharmas.

7. Unsurpassed One: The unsurpassed being, with none above him.

8. Tamer of Beings: The great person who skillfully regulates, transforms, and liberates gentle sentient beings, and skillfully subdues, transforms, and liberates obstinate sentient beings.

9. Teacher of Devas and Humans: The teacher of all devas, humans, and so forth.

10. Buddha: The Unsurpassed, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One.

“World-Honored One” is a general title encompassing the ten epithets above. One who fully possesses these ten virtuous epithets is honored throughout the worldly and supramundane realms.

⁽³⁾ Vajra: A substance so exceedingly hard that nothing can break it.

⁽⁴⁾ A general designation for all who have left the household life.

⁽⁵⁾ The five faculties: eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body.

⁽⁶⁾ A master who uses spells and poisons to harm others.

⁽⁷⁾ What we commonly call hail.

⁽⁸⁾ The sun of wisdom, meaning wisdom that shines brilliantly like the sun.

⁽⁹⁾ “The mind of compassion” is the wish to save sentient beings from suffering and to admonish them to eliminate poisons, like thunder terrifying demons and spirits.

“The intention of loving-kindness” is the wish that sentient beings enjoy every happiness and satisfaction; thus, one constantly bestows benefit and joy upon sentient beings, like clouds pouring rain that moistens grasses, trees, and the myriad things.

⁽¹⁰⁾ Greed, anger, jealousy, and so forth disturb, torment, and cause suffering to people's bodies and minds like burning fire. Bodhisattvas teach the Dharma to eliminate these unwholesome traits, making people's bodies and minds peaceful, refreshed, and cool, like pouring amrita to extinguish a fire.

⁽¹¹⁾ The hells, hungry ghosts, and animals.

⁽¹²⁾ Leprosy, in which the skin peels and becomes rough and both hair and eyebrows fall out.

⁽¹³⁾ A vast, great assembly, as numerous and immeasurable as the ocean!

⁽¹⁴⁾ 1) The cycle of teaching the Dharma; 2) the cycle of parables; 3) the cycle of causes and conditions. Supplement.—Pratyekabuddhas are of two kinds:

1) They appear in the world when there is no Buddha and no true Dharma; upon observing transformation

changes in life, such as flowers withering and leaves drying up, and so forth, and thereby awakens on his own to the principle of impermanence, severs the delusions of views and thought, and escapes the cycle of birth and death, is called a Pratyekabuddha.

2) One who is born into the world, encounters a Buddha, encounters the true Dharma, practices the teaching of the “Twelve Links of Dependent Origination” (see Chapter Seven, “The Parable of the Conjured City,” in Volume Three), realizes the unborn, and escapes the cycle of birth and death is called one awakened through conditions. These two classes—the solitary awakened one and the one awakened through conditions—are, in terms of attainment, equal to the fruition of an arhat.

⁽¹⁵⁾ When people in India pressed oil, they first crushed sesame seeds, beans, and so forth, then left them to incubate until insects arose before pressing them. Since pressing the oil thus killed many insects, they were bound to suffer calamity in retribution.

⁽¹⁶⁾ This illustrates things so remote and difficult to encounter or obtain. A sutra says: “In a great ocean, there is a hollow piece of wood floating upon the surface. Once every hundred years it drifts one way, and once every hundred years it drifts back. At the bottom of the ocean is a blind turtle that rises to the surface once every hundred years, seeking the hollow in the wood so that it may enter it. The ocean is vast; the wood drifts past only once every hundred years; and the turtle, being blind, rises only once every hundred years. For it to happen to enter the hollow in the wood is exceedingly difficult!”

⁽¹⁷⁾ That is, “dharani.”