佛本行集經

Chapter 1: AROUSING THE MIND TO MAKE OFFERINGS (Part 3)

At that time, while dwelling in the city of Sravasti, the Blessed One said to the Venerable Ananda:

“Ananda, day and night the Buddhas and bodhisattvas constantly teach that there are four means by which all dharmas are gathered together for the guidance and transformation of sentient beings. What are these four means of gathering? The first is giving, the second is loving speech, the third is beneficial conduct, and the fourth is cooperation.”

The Venerable Ananda then rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, bared his right shoulder, knelt with his right knee upon the ground, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, in former times, how many Buddhas did you make offerings to in seeking unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment? In the presence of which Buddhas did you plant roots of goodness, seeking the path of bodhi for the future?”

The Buddha said to the Venerable Ananda:

“Listen attentively, reflect well, and remember. I shall now recount for you the names of the Buddhas in whose presence I planted roots of goodness in the past.

“Ananda, I recall that in former times a Buddha appeared in the world named Dipankara Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One. In the presence of that Buddha, I planted roots of goodness, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Incomparable in the World. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Supreme Lotus. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Supreme Conduct. At that time, I planted roots of goodness in the presence of that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Virtue of Supreme Renown. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Sakyamuni. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Tisya. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Pusya. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Seer of All Benefits. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Vipasyin. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Sikhin. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Visvabhu. At that time, I planted roots of goodness and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Krakucchanda. At that time, I planted roots of goodness, cultivated the pure life, and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Kanakamuni. At that time, I planted roots of goodness, earnestly cultivated the pure life, and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“A Buddha appeared in the world named Kasyapa. At that time, I planted roots of goodness, earnestly cultivated the pure life, and made offerings to that Buddha, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.

“Ananda, while continually dwelling in the abode of the bodhisattva Maitreya, I planted roots of goodness, seeking to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.” He then spoke this verse:

The Buddhas possess great majestic virtue,

Having abandoned desire, they realize nirvana.

The Buddha Sakyamuni

Made offerings to them all.

At that time, the Venerable Ananda addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, when the Tathagata made offerings to those Buddhas, Tathagatas, Worthy Ones, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened Ones, what did he offer, and what roots of goodness did he plant in seeking unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future?”

The Buddha said to the Venerable Ananda:

“I recall that immeasurable kalpas ago, there was a king named Subduer of Enemies, a ksatriya who inherited the imperial throne. The king was replete with merit and virtue, enjoyed an exceedingly long life, possessed a dignified and handsome countenance, and was renowned everywhere.

“Ananda, King Subduer of Enemies established his capital in a great city named Lotus. Within that city, he governed the people and built his palace. From east to west, the city measured twelve yojanas; from south to north, seven yojanas.

Its soil was fertile, the rains and winds came in due season, grain was abundant, and not a single person was poor or distressed. People lived densely everywhere, and no place lay deserted. Its flower gardens and groves abounded in blossoms and fruit.

The waters of its rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes were always calm. Along both sides of the roads, the markets were bustling, and merchants came and went without cease. Just like the city of Alaka belonging to Vaisravana, the god of the north, the city of Lotus was adorned on all four sides—east, west, south, and north—with every kind of ornament, in no way different from it.

“Ananda, in the city of King Subduer of Enemies there lived a wealthy and eminent great brahmin named Lord of the Sun. He was powerful, courageous, and strong, possessed abundant riches and jewels, many servants, elephants, horses, cattle, and sheep, and lacked nothing whatsoever. His treasuries were filled entirely with exceptional precious objects: pure gold, white silver, precious gems, pearls, jewels, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, and amber, just like those of King Vaisravana in the north.

“Ananda, at that time, the great brahmin Lord of the Sun was especially esteemed by the king, who cherished him, made him an intimate friend, and maintained a close bond with him.

“Ananda, one day King Subduer of Enemies had a matter that he entrusted to the brahmin Lord of the Sun, commanding him to resolve it properly. The brahmin Lord of the Sun settled it in accordance with Dharma and to the king’s satisfaction. King Subduer of Enemies therefore became twice as delighted with that brahmin. He divided his kingdom in half and appointed the brahmin Lord of the Sun as king over the other half, to govern its people.

“Furthermore, the great King Subduer of Enemies built a separate city for King Lord of the Sun called Lord of Continuance. On all four sides—east, west, south, and north—its roads, crossroads, walls, and fortifications were beautifully adorned, exactly like the city of Lotus.

“Ananda, King Lord of the Sun had a consort named Supreme Moon. When the bodhisattva Dipankara departed from Tusita Heaven and descended in spirit into the palace of King Lord of the Sun, he entered the right side of Lady Supreme Moon. While in the womb, he remained seated upright and composed. He was subsequently born, attained enlightenment, and taught the Dharma, guiding innumerable people, all of whom attained arhatship. These causes and conditions are related above in the Dipankara Bodhisattva section of the Sutra of Former Lives.

“Buddha Dipankara traveled back and forth between those two cities in due course, teaching the Dharma and liberating sentient beings. His father, King Lord of the Sun, constantly made offerings of the four requisites, always revering and honoring the Buddha, and was praised by him.

“Ananda, these events gradually reached the ears of King Subduer of Enemies. The king heard that in the city of Lord of Continuance, within the palace of King Lord of the Sun, the foremost royal consort, Lady Supreme Moon, had given birth to a boy named Dipankara. He was handsome, his body resembled pure gold, he possessed all the excellent marks, and no one in the world was his equal.

The boy was taken to a brahmin physiognomist renowned throughout the country, who was asked what such marks portended for his future. The physiognomist replied: ‘This boy is adorned with merit and virtue. If he remains in household life, he will become a wheel-turning sage-king, lord of the great earth, ruling the four continents beneath heaven.

He will possess the seven treasures: first, the precious golden wheel; second, the wish-fulfilling jewel; third, the precious queen; fourth, the precious elephant; fifth, the precious horse; sixth, the precious general who commands the army; and seventh, the precious minister who guards the treasury. He will also have one thousand princes, all dignified in appearance, endowed with the marks of great men, skilled in repelling enemies, and renowned for their awesome power everywhere.

Throughout the four seas, mountains, and forests, all will submit. The country will be secure, the rains and winds will come in due season, the five grains will flourish, and the people will live in peace and happiness, free from suffering and disease. He will not employ armies in campaigns but will govern the people according to the true Dharma.

If, however, the boy renounces household life, he will become a Buddha endowed with the ten epithets: Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, and so forth, and his renown will spread everywhere.’

“Ananda, the boy Dipankara abandoned worldly life and went forth. He attained unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment and turned the Dharma wheel, his renown spreading everywhere, exactly as the physiognomist had foretold.

“At that time, King Subduer of Enemies thought to himself, ‘Rare indeed is the Blessed One! The conditions for his appearance in the world are exceedingly difficult to encounter. Only after a very long time does one hear his name even once, yet it is still difficult to behold him.’ The great King Subduer of Enemies immediately dispatched a messenger to the capital of King Lord of the Sun to convey these words:

“‘I have now heard by word of mouth that the king’s great consort has given birth to an exceptionally dignified boy, endowed with all the excellent marks.... I now wish to invite Buddha Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, to the city of Lotus, my capital, to receive and enjoy offerings. If the king agrees to allow the Buddha to come, both countries will benefit. But if this request is not granted, I shall dispatch the four divisions of my fully equipped army to wage war.’

“Having received this command, the messenger immediately went to the city of Lord of Continuance, the capital of King Lord of the Sun, and fully reported those words to the king.

“When King Lord of the Sun heard this report, his heart became sorrowful and distressed, and he was deeply troubled. He immediately summoned his ministers and presented the matter fully before all his officials, saying, ‘Such is the intention of the great King Subduer of Enemies. My ministers, consider how we should respond.’

“The ministers jointly replied to King Lord of the Sun:

“‘Great King, you should know that regarding this matter, we ought to go and ask Buddha Dipankara what he instructs us to do, for Dipankara Tathagata, Blessed One, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, is ever endowed with great loving-kindness and compassion.’

“King Lord of the Sun told his ministers:

“‘I have thought the same.’

“The king and his ministers then personally went to the place where Buddha Dipankara was dwelling and asked him about the matter.

“The Buddha consoled the king:

“‘Royal Father, be at ease. Do not be alarmed or afraid, and do not give rise to sorrow. Why? I am also about to travel to that country to guide and transform its people, for the Blessed One has compassion for all sentient beings.’

“At that time, Buddha Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, accompanied by an immeasurable and innumerable assembly of hundreds of thousands of bhiksus, journeyed together to the country of King Subduer of Enemies to guide and transform sentient beings.

“Before the Buddha departed on his journey, King Lord of the Sun provided Dipankara Tathagata with all four requisites, lacking nothing, and then followed behind, accompanying the Buddha as far as the border of his kingdom. The king circumambulated him three times, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and tearfully returned to the royal palace.

“When King Subduer of Enemies heard that Buddha Dipankara was coming to the city of Lotus together with an immeasurable assembly of hundreds of thousands of sravaka bhiksus, all of them arhats, he was exceedingly delighted. He ordered the roads to be properly repaired, every unclean place to be cleansed, and everything to be solemnly arranged and decorated, until the city resembled a city of the gandharvas in every respect.

“King Subduer of Enemies issued a decree informing all the people within the city and throughout the region extending twelve yojanas beyond it that no one was permitted to sell garlands or fragrant flowers freely. Wherever flowers were found, the king would purchase them to offer to Buddha Dipankara. At that time, the great King Subduer of Enemies, accompanied by the four great divisions of his mighty and imposing army, departed from the royal city to welcome Buddha Dipankara.

Chapter 2: THE CERTAINTY OF RECEIVING THE PREDICTION

(Part 1)

“At that time, south of the Snow Mountains in that country, there lived a religious adept named Precious Jewel. He was born into a pure brahmin lineage in which, for seven generations of ancestors, no one had committed any base or defiled deed, and no one had ever dared to disparage or slander the family. This lineage was praised by learned men and revered by spiritual teachers.

He possessed the three practices and was able to teach all the Vedic treatises, having mastered the four Vedas. He was also thoroughly versed in the treatise on prosody, the treatise on writing, the treatise on phonetics, the treatise on humor, the treatise on spells, the treatise on predictions, the treatise on worldly marks, and the treatise on worldly sacrificial invocations, among others. He possessed the marks of a great man, had been born into a virtuous family, and was attended and served by five hundred disciples who likewise came from virtuous lineages.

“Ananda, you should know that the brahmin Precious Jewel of that time was none other than the present bodhisattva Maitreya. His five hundred disciples followed their master in those days, studying and reciting sacrificial rites, spells, and so forth. Among those five hundred disciples was one from a noble brahmin lineage named Megha, who was foremost in the assembly.

He was fully endowed with virtue and had studied under his master from childhood. When he reached the age of sixteen, his appearance was handsome and venerable. He had been born into a virtuous family; his parents were pure, and for seven generations his ancestors had been without blemish, so that no one dared ridicule his family.

He also possessed the marks of a great man, had no equal in the world, and his bodily complexion resembled pure gold, as did his hair. His voice was clear and pure like the voice of Brahma. He always remained beside the sage Precious Jewel, receiving instruction and reciting spells.

Intelligent and keen, he acquired the true Dharma; upon hearing something once, he immediately understood it, and his arguments were lucid and his sentences clear. He completely mastered all the spells, arts, and skills possessed by the brahmin Precious Jewel. After the boy Megha had mastered them, he addressed his revered teacher:

“‘Great Master and Acarya, I have now thoroughly mastered the virtuous teachings and learning you have imparted to me. I wish to return home.’

“The religious adept and acarya was deeply attached to the boy Megha and did not wish to be separated from him. He therefore said to the boy:

“‘Young practitioner of the pure life, I possess a treatise called the Veda, handed down by the sages of ancient times. None of the heterodox brahmins has ever heard of it, much less seen it. I shall now teach this treatise to you.’

“The boy said:

“‘I respectfully beseech the Acarya to instruct me.’

“The religious adept then taught him the essential secrets of the spells, and the boy received them all. He again addressed the religious adept:

“‘I have now fully understood the Acarya’s spells. What else must I do?’

“The religious adept again told the boy:

“‘I am an heir to the brahmin lineage and also possess a Dharma treasure transmitted through my family. If a disciple follows a teacher in study, he must assuredly repay the teacher’s kindness by offering all the appropriate goods.’

“The boy said:

“‘The Acarya has taught me the Dharma treasure transmitted through your family. With what shall I repay your kindness? What does the Acarya desire today?’

“The religious adept said:

“‘Boy, if you wish to repay my kindness, you may offer me such articles as a parasol, leather shoes, a golden staff, a golden crutch, a golden vase, a golden bowl, garments, and five hundred gold coins.’

“The boy said to the religious adept:

“‘Great Master and Acarya, I do not possess the articles you have mentioned to offer you. I ask the Acarya to permit me to leave this place and travel throughout the four directions in search of them. As soon as I obtain them, I shall return immediately and offer them to you.’

“The religious adept said:

“‘If you understand this, you may go wherever you wish.’

“The boy Megha then bowed at his teacher’s feet, circumambulated him three times, took his leave, and departed. At that time, he heard that five hundred yojanas from the Snow Mountains there was a city named Saurabhasa. In that city lived a great brahmin family named Virtue of Sacrifice.

Among all the residents of the city, this brahmin was the wealthiest and possessed immense riches. The great brahmin Virtue of Sacrifice was about to conduct an unrestricted almsgiving assembly for sixty thousand other brahmins for an entire year, preparing sixty thousand sets of articles as offerings. Each person was to receive a parasol, a crutch, a pair of leather shoes, an alms bowl, a suit of clothing, money, and so forth; everything needed for personal use was complete.

Especially for the senior brahmin, he had made articles of gold: an excellent parasol, a pair of superior leather shoes, a staff made entirely of gold, a golden crutch, a golden bowl, a golden vase, and a suit of clothing. Each article was worth hundreds of thousands of measures of gold. There were also five hundred gold coins and one thousand cows, each with a calf.

Each cow yielded one dou of milk, and its horns were capped with gold. Five hundred maidens were adorned with jeweled necklaces. Foremost among these women was a maiden named Skilled in Goodness.

“Only one day remained before this unrestricted almsgiving assembly would complete its full year. At that time, the boy Megha descended leisurely from the Snow Mountains and approached the city of Saurabhasa, where the unrestricted assembly was being held. When the sixty thousand brahmins at the assembly saw the boy from afar, they raised their voices and proclaimed:

“‘Excellent! This unrestricted assembly has been skillfully established. Today Brahma himself has spontaneously come here to receive its offerings.’

“The boy Megha said to those sixty thousand brahmins:

“‘Do not call me Brahma. I am a human being and truly am not Brahma.’

“The brahmins then asked:

“‘Who, then, are you, noble one?’

“The boy Megha said:

“‘Perhaps you have not heard that south of the Snow Mountains there is a religious adept named Precious Jewel, who has mastered all scriptures and teaches five hundred disciples. Among his assembly is a chief disciple named Megha, who is only sixteen years old, intelligent and wise, complete in talent and virtue, and no less accomplished than his teacher. Moreover, his voice resembles the voice of Brahma. Have you heard of him?’

“The brahmins all replied:

“‘We have heard of him.’

“The boy Megha said:

“‘I am that very person.’

“After the brahmins understood who he was, they became even more delighted and cried aloud: ‘Excellent! Excellent! This unrestricted assembly has been skillfully established, for the boy Megha has come to receive its offerings.’

“At that time, the daughter of the brahmin Virtue of Sacrifice, beautiful in countenance, was upon a high tower with a number of maidens. When she saw from afar that the boy Megha was so handsome in appearance that scarcely another like him could be found, she rejoiced. Facing the four directions, she bowed to the devas and spirits and silently prayed: ‘May this boy, foremost in debate, surpass the former senior brahmin of the assembly in argument, so that I may be separated from that unwholesome man and not bind my hair with his for a hundred years.’

“When the boy entered the assembly, he circumambulated the senior brahmin three times, then approached him, courteously inquired after his health, and asked:

“‘Noble one, which treatises do you uphold and recite?’

“The sixty thousand brahmins answered the boy Megha:

“‘Noble one, do not ask which treatises our senior upholds and recites. Why?

“‘Our senior can uphold and recite all the treatises, spells, and brahminical teachings that we possess.’

“The boy asked:

“‘Among the brahmins, you are the senior. Although you have studied and recited your brahminical teachings on medicine and the arts, the brahminical learning of my teacher and me contains a unique teaching, and we should learn from one another. Do you know the treatise named Possessed by the Ancient Sages?’

“Each of the sixty thousand brahmins replied:

“‘We have never even heard the name of that treatise, much less possessed it, and still less recited it!’

“The boy said:

“‘Among the teachings my master imparted to me is a Vedic treatise named Possessed by the Ancient Sages, which I am able to recite.’

“The brahmins in the great assembly said:

“‘Please expound it for us. We would be delighted to hear it.’

“The boy Megha adjusted his position before the senior and then, in a voice like that of the god Brahma, recited this Vedic Treatise Possessed by the Ancient Sages.

“At that time, the assembly of sixty thousand brahmins became joyful and elated, and proclaimed in unison:

“‘It accords perfectly with our minds! It accords perfectly with our wishes!’

“Overjoyed, they said to the boy:

“‘Noble boy, from this day onward you shall be our senior. Sit in the foremost place among us, receive the finest drink allotted to our senior, and receive the first portion of food allotted to our senior.’

“Thus, the boy displaced the former senior to a lower seat and ascended to the senior seat. He received the first drink and the first food, all of which pleased him. After each meal, he accepted whatever offerings he needed in accordance with the rules for seniors, but did not accept anything he did not require.

“At that time, the great brahmin Virtue of Sacrifice thought to himself, ‘Have I not established this unrestricted assembly in accordance with the noble Dharma? Or are all these offerings not in accordance with the noble teaching? Why does the boy Megha not fully accept all the gifts in this almsgiving assembly as I had wished?’

“The great brahmin Virtue of Sacrifice prostrated himself and said to the boy Megha:

“‘Venerable boy, please accept all these gifts of mine. Do not allow my almsgiving assembly to remain incomplete.’

“The boy Megha said to the brahmin Virtue of Sacrifice:

“‘Great brahmin, your almsgiving assembly is excellent, complete in every respect, and lacks nothing. Yet today I accept only what I require. Even if I accepted things I do not need, they would be of no use.’

“At that time, the former senior brahmin thought to himself, ‘For a long time I have hoped to receive such gifts and was determined to accept them first. Why has this boy come today, thrust me down to a lower seat, and seize my offerings and benefits? Whatever merit I have accumulated from observing the precepts and practicing diligently from the time of my birth until now, and whatever fruits I have gained from ascetic practice—through this karmic recompense, may I meet this boy again in life after life and kalpa after kalpa. Because he has seized my offerings and benefits, I will never relinquish this enmity.’

“Ananda, you should know:

“‘The boy Megha at that time was I myself. The brahmin Virtue of Sacrifice at that time is now Dandapani, while the senior brahmin of that time is now Devadatta.

“‘Ananda, because of those causes and conditions, the foolish Devadatta has, throughout lives and kalpas since former times, continually created enmity with me and has never desisted.

“At that time, the boy Megha took the gifts he had received and carried them back toward the Snow Mountains to offer them to the religious adept. He passed through numerous villages, hamlets, cities, and countries. Sometimes resting and sometimes traveling as he observed the scenery, he gradually arrived at last at the city of Lotus.

Upon entering the city, he saw that its extraordinarily splendid and beautiful adornments were beyond imagination or description, as related above. The boy immediately thought, ‘For what reason is the city of Lotus today adorned beyond imagination and description? Is someone about to hold an unrestricted almsgiving assembly in this city?

Or are they performing sacrifices to the celestial constellations? Or are they creating some auspicious and excellent occasion? Or are they holding a meritorious observance?

Or is it the season for a brahminical festival? Or have the people of this city heard of my reputation for great wisdom and extensive learning, and do they think that I have come here to debate with the brahmins? Or are they showing reverence and paying homage to me?

Yet why does not a single person pay any attention to me?’ I then asked a person in the city:

“‘Noble one, why is this city adorned so magnificently?’

“The person in the city replied:

“‘Young man of great wisdom, have you not heard? The Blessed One Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, will soon come to this city to teach the Dharma and guide its people. For this reason, the great King Subduer of Enemies has ordered the people to decorate every household. Everyone wishes to create meritorious karma and has therefore arranged all these adornments, for they are resolved to make offerings to Dipankara Tathagata.’

“Ananda, at that time I thought to myself, ‘My teaching states that anyone endowed with the thirty-two excellent marks will receive one of two fruits: first, if he remains in household life, he will certainly become a wheel-turning sage-king; second, if he goes forth and cultivates the noble path, he will certainly attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment, and his renown will spread everywhere while his majestic virtue will be sovereign. I do not doubt these words.’

“Ananda, at that time I again thought, ‘Today I should first remain here, make offerings and pay homage to the Blessed One Dipankara, and seek to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future. Only afterward shall I repay the kindness of my teacher, the religious adept.’

“I further thought to myself, ‘What shall I offer to the Buddha? Through what deed shall I plant roots of goodness?’

“My mind again reflected, ‘The Buddhas, the Blessed Ones, do not esteem offerings of wealth; only offerings of Dharma are praised by the noble ones. I do not yet possess a Dharma offering, but surely I cannot merely stand and watch. Right now, I can go and purchase the finest and most beautiful flowers to offer to the Buddha, vowing thereby to attain Buddhahood in the future.’

“Having thought thus, I immediately went to a flower shop and said to the proprietor:

“‘Noble one, can you sell these flowers to me?’

“The flower seller said to me:

“‘Noble youth, have you not heard? The great King Subduer of Enemies has issued a decree to the people that wherever flower garlands are found, they must not be sold to anyone. Why? Because the king himself will purchase them to offer to the Buddha.’

“After hearing the flower seller say this, I went to the stalls of other flower sellers and implored them to sell me flowers. They all replied just as the first flower seller had. Thus, though I searched everywhere, I could not buy any flowers. I secretly made inquiries of the people along both sides of the road. Suddenly I saw a maidservant dressed in blue, named Bhadra, approaching after drawing water. She had hidden seven blue lotus blossoms in her water jar. When I saw her, joy arose in my heart, and I immediately said to the maidservant:

“‘For what purpose are you carrying these flowers? I will now give you five hundred gold coins. Will you give me the seven blue lotus blossoms in your jar?’

“The maidservant replied:

“‘Noble youth, have you not heard? The Blessed One Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, is about to enter the city today. He has accepted the invitation of King Subduer of Enemies, the ruler of this country.

The king has given rise to a mind of reverence toward the Buddha and also wishes to cultivate merit and virtue. He has therefore commanded that throughout the country, within twelve yojanas of the city, wherever fragrant oils and flower garlands are found, no one may secretly sell them. If any are sold, the king alone may purchase them and personally offer them to the Buddha.

Near my home lives a flower-garland seller named Enemy, whose daughter secretly accepted five hundred gold coins from me and hid these seven blossoms for me. I have violated the king’s command in obtaining these flowers because I myself wish to offer them to the Blessed One Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One. I truly cannot sell them to you.’

“I again said to the maidservant:

“‘Good woman, you have explained how you obtained the flowers, and I now understand. You may take five hundred gold coins and give me five of the blue lotus blossoms, while the remaining two shall belong to you.’

“The maidservant then asked:

“‘Noble youth, for what purpose will you use these flowers?’

“I replied:

“‘It is difficult to see and encounter a Tathagata appearing in the world. Having now encountered one, I wish to purchase these flowers and present them to Buddha Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, thereby planting roots of goodness and seeking unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment in the future.’

“The maidservant said to me:

“‘I see that in your outward appearance and inward mind you are courageous and vigorous, diligently aspiring to the teaching. You will attain the fruit of unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment. Young man, if you will promise me that until you realize the noble path, I shall be your wife in life after life and kalpa after kalpa, and that when you attain the path, I shall shave my hair, go forth to study, seek the fruit of arhatship, become your disciple, and cultivate the life of a sramana—if this can be so, I shall give you these five lotus blossoms today. Otherwise, I shall not give them to you.’

“I again said to the maidservant:

“‘Good woman, I now belong to a pure brahmin lineage and have mastered the four Vedic treatises. My Vedic treatises teach that anyone who seeks unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment and practices the bodhisattva path should give rise to compassion for all sentient beings and to the resolve to bring them happiness. If anyone comes asking for something, he should not be miserly, but must give even his own body and life, to say nothing of beloved things such as wife and children or external possessions, toward which he must not be greedy or stingy.

Good woman, I now make the vow to seek bodhi in order to bring happiness to all sentient beings. If someone should come asking for my wife and children, I would give them away. If your attachment obstructs the bodhisattva practice, then my resolve to relinquish everything cannot be fulfilled, and I would also create immeasurable transgressions in relation to you.

If you make a vow that, when I give away any wealth or precious objects we possess at that time, you will not hinder me, then I shall promise to join with you as husband and wife.’

“The maidservant said to me:

“‘Young man, if someone came to ask you for my body, I would not give rise to a miserly mind, much less if they asked for sons, daughters, or any other possessions.’

“I said to her:

“‘If you can be thus, I shall comply with your wish and promise that in a future life you shall become my wife.’

“At that time, the maidservant accepted my five hundred gold coins and immediately handed me five blue lotus blossoms. She entrusted the remaining two blossoms to me to offer to the Buddha on her behalf. She also said to me:

“‘Wherever you wish to plant roots of goodness, scatter these two blossoms there, and vow that you and I shall live together in life after life, never being separated.’

“At that time, Buddha Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, entered the city of Lotus from outside. Holding the seven lotus blossoms, I saw the Buddha approaching from afar and gradually drawing near. I saw that the Buddha’s body was upright, handsome, and venerable; his brilliant radiance illuminated the entire world.

His faculties were tamed, his mind was tranquil, abiding unmoved, and his six faculties were serene like the waters of a crystal pond. His deportment in walking and standing resembled that of a king of elephants. Furthermore, an immeasurable assembly of hundreds of thousands of millions of kotis of devas surrounded him before and behind.

Each scattered immeasurable celestial flowers and immeasurable celestial sandalwood powder, blue lotuses, red lotuses, white lotuses, and great white lotuses upon Buddha Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One, reverently making offerings to him.

“At that time, the great King Subduer of Enemies prepared the four divisions of his army in all their imposing splendor and departed through the city gate to welcome Buddha Dipankara.

“At that time, immeasurable and boundless sentient beings had gathered in the royal city: humans, asuras, devas, nagas, and the eight classes of spirits and supernatural beings.... They brought fragrant powder and various flowers to scatter upon Buddha Dipankara. Not a single flower fell to the ground; all remained suspended in the air above the Buddha’s crown, forming a great precious canopy. Whenever the Buddha walked or stood, this canopy moved with him.

“When I saw Buddha Dipankara, I gave rise to true faith and reverence. I scattered the seven blue lotus blossoms upon the Buddha and made this vow: ‘When I become a Buddha in the future, may the Dharma I attain and my presence among the great assembly be exactly like those of Dipankara Tathagata today, without any difference.’

“The flowers scattered by the boy remained suspended in the air, their petals facing downward and their stems pointing upward. Directly above the Buddha’s head, they formed a floral canopy that followed the Buddha as he walked and stood. When I witnessed such majestic spiritual power, my reverence and faith increased twofold.

“Ananda, at that time, immeasurable and boundless people spread priceless and excellent garments upon the road: fine and delicate Kasi cloth, garments of fine white wool, garments of thin brocade, garments of beautiful soft animal hair, and silk blankets embroidered in many colors. Intending to make offerings to Buddha Dipankara, they covered the entire ground with them.

“Ananda, I saw immeasurable and boundless people cover the ground with precious garments, while I possessed only a single deerskin. I spread it upon the road, but the people reproached and despised it. They picked up my deerskin and threw it far away. I thought, ‘Alas! Can it be that the Blessed One Dipankara has no compassion for me?’ Having silently thought thus, the Buddha knew my mind and had compassion for me.

“Through spiritual power, Buddha Dipankara transformed a section of the road into a muddy pool. When the people saw the muddy road, they all took another way, and no one crossed that stretch of mud.

“At that time, when I saw the road in such a state, I hurried to that place. Seeing the muddy road, I thought to myself, ‘How can the Blessed One cross this? If he wades through this muddy stretch, his feet will be stained with filth.

I can now use this impure body of flesh as a great bridge across the mud, so that the Buddha may step upon my body and cross over.’ I immediately loosened my hair and spread it over the ground where the deerskin had lain, then cast myself facedown to form a great bridge for the Buddha to cross. Before any of the people could pass over me, the Buddha alone was the first to walk upon my hair. In this way, I made offerings to Buddha Dipankara, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Completely and Perfectly Enlightened One.

I further formed the thought: ‘May the feet of Dipankara Tathagata and this assembly of sravakas tread upon my hair and body and cross this muddy road.’ I also vowed: ‘When I become a Buddha in the future, may I possess majestic virtue and power and become a spiritual teacher of devas and humans, exactly like Dipankara Tathagata today, without any difference.’ I further vowed: ‘If today I do not receive a prediction from Buddha Dipankara, I vow that for the rest of my life I shall not rise from this pool of mud.’

“While the boy lay there with his body and hair spread out, the great earth shook in six ways: the east rose and the west sank; the west rose and the east sank; the south rose and the north sank; the north rose and the south sank; the center rose and the surrounding regions sank; and the surrounding regions rose and the center sank.”