佛本行集經

Chapter 2: THE CERTAINTY OF RECEIVING A PREDICTION

(Part 2)

At that time, Dipankara Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, knew my thoughts. Together with one hundred thousand great bhikshus and countless hundreds of millions of devas and nagas, he came toward me. The Buddha walked calmly upon my hair and body like a great naga king. Looking to either side, he told the bhikshus:

“Bhikshus, you must not walk along the same path as I. No one is permitted to step upon this youth’s body and hair. The Tathagata alone may walk upon his body and hair. Why is this? Because these are the hair and body of a bodhisattva.”

Dipankara Buddha then said to me:

“Excellent! Excellent! Young man, you have awakened a great mind, vast as the ocean. Your aspiration is to benefit all sentient beings and bring happiness to them all.

“Young man, you have made the great vow to bring benefit and happiness to the entire world, to have compassion for immeasurable and boundless sentient beings, and to become a teacher of devas and humans. Only through a mind of great, courageous diligence can such qualities be perfected. Your resolve is like vajra, and you do not begrudge even your body or life. Therefore, today you have supported the heels of the Tathagata with your body so that he might pass. In future lives, you will likewise never begrudge your body or life, much less any other possessions.

“Young man, you seek the fruit of unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. This is the first undertaking. Having made such a vast vow, you should give away everything you possess.

Young man, in practicing such generosity, you must not seek worldly rewards in future lives, but seek only the supramundane path of unsurpassed bodhi. Do not give rise to greed. When you see another’s property, do not seize it.

Guard the precepts and do not violate them. Do not commit defiling deeds. Do not seek fame.

Do not praise yourself and disparage others. Even when others slander you, you must patiently endure it. If someone comes to beat, revile, bind, or kill you, you must patiently accept it all.

Even if they cut your body into pieces, you must be patient toward such enemies and give rise to loving-kindness and compassion. Do not kill or take the lives or property of others. Always keep far away from another’s property.

Even in conducting business for your own profit, know what is sufficient. Do not approach the wives, children, or concubines of others, and do not become excessively attached even to your own wife or concubines. Throughout your life, do not speak falsely.

Do not speak of others’ faults or quarrels. Do not sow contention that turns relatives into strangers. When you see people creating division, always reconcile them with harmonious words.

Do not speak harshly or rudely, but always use gentle and gracious speech. Do not engage in frivolous talk; speak only words that are beneficial. Speak at the proper time and in accordance with the Dharma.

Practice right view and remain far from all wrong paths.

“Young man, if you can accomplish these things, your aspiration will be fulfilled. Regard all sentient beings with compassion, as though each were your only child. Guard your speech and mind, and do not be deceitful or flattering. Be one who honors and makes offerings to sentient beings. Do not become arrogant or allow your mind to grow heedless. Always abide in tranquil meditation and contemplate the selflessness of dharmas. Do not sever the seed of bodhi in future lives. In this way, you must benefit and bring happiness to all sentient beings.

“Young man, if you can accomplish all these things, then say: ‘I can do so.’”

I then addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, I can do so.”

Dipankara Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, knowing my mind, smiled. His attendant bhikshu immediately rose from his seat, arranged his robes, bared his right shoulder, knelt, and addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, for what reason did you smile?”

Dipankara Buddha told the attendant bhikshu:

“Bhikshu, did you see this youth holding seven flowers as an offering to me, bending down and spreading out his hair as a bridge across the mud so that I might pass over it? Because of this cause and condition, after incalculable kalpas this youth will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni, complete with the ten epithets: Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and so forth, no different from me.”

Ananda, when I heard Dipankara Buddha bestow upon me this definitive prediction, my body and mind became light, and I suddenly soared into the sky to a height of seven tala trees. With palms joined and a pure mind, I bowed toward the Buddha. Ananda, at that time my entire body was filled with such ease and joy that I could not contain myself.

Ananda, Dipankara Buddha instructed me:

“Look toward the worlds of the east.”

I immediately saw Buddhas in the eastern lands as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, and all those Buddhas bestowed definitive predictions upon me: “Young man, after incalculable kalpas in future lives, you will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni, complete with the ten epithets.” The Buddhas of the south, west, and north, the four intermediate directions, and above and below likewise gave the same prediction.

Ananda, I then descended from the sky and stood upon the ground. I bowed at the feet of Dipankara, the World-Honored One, withdrew to one side, and thought: “Today I can request permission to go forth under Dipankara Buddha.” I then addressed the Buddha:

“I beseech the World-Honored One to allow me to go forth and receive full ordination, so that I may cultivate the holy life beside the Buddha.”

The Buddha told me:

“Young man, now is the proper time for you to shave off your beard and hair and live the life of one gone forth.” As soon as my beard and hair had been shaved, immeasurable devas came to the pile of hair and made offerings to it. Each of one billion devas received a single strand.

Ananda, from the time I attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment until now, I have never seen any sentient being who failed to make offerings to the Buddhas yet gained happiness.

Ananda, at that time I was still completely bound by the afflictions; my craving, anger, and delusion had not yet been extinguished. Nevertheless, immeasurable hundreds of thousands of millions of sentient beings took my hair, preserved it, and made offerings to it, and they still attained liberation. How much more so today, when I have left craving, anger, and delusion behind! It is impossible that anyone who creates merit in my presence should fail to attain liberation. Therefore, Ananda, all sentient beings should resolve to make offerings to the Tathagatas.

Ananda, from that time onward, while I still dwelt amid the afflictions and cultivated the bodhisattva conduct, I never abandoned courageous diligence. I constantly practiced generosity and continually planted merit. Because I performed such wholesome deeds, for immeasurable hundreds of thousands of kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, or, hundreds of thousands of times, a wheel-turning sage king. Through these causes and conditions of wholesome roots, I have today become a Buddha, a Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and turned the unsurpassed, supremely wondrous Dharma wheel.

Ananda, through the power of my merit and wisdom, all noble lineages of kings and officials, brahmins, elders, householders, shramanas, and learned persons now believe my words and practice according to my teaching.

Ananda, consider how my words have remained entirely unchanged, exactly in accord with Dipankara Buddha’s prediction and instructions to me. I practiced on that basis and have today attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment.”

The World-Honored One then spoke these verses:

After speaking these verses, the World-Honored One again told Ananda:

“The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, always act in this manner: Though they possess immeasurable, boundless radiance, for the sake of sentient beings they draw it within one fathom; and from within that fathom they again manifest immeasurable, boundless radiance for sentient beings. Why? Because the Buddhas fear that sentient beings might not know the divisions of time—day and night, a month, half a month, a year, half a year—and might lose track of the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

“Ananda, Dipankara Buddha, complete with the ten epithets, possessed a radiance produced by karmic causes. His radiance shone constantly and there was never any darkness; therefore, the Buddha was named Dipankara, ‘Light-Maker.’ He always had light illuminating heaven and earth because of the causes and conditions described above.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Tathagata appeared in the world named All-Victorious Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. I scattered golden flowers over the Buddha and made this vow: ‘In a future life, may I obtain a wondrous body complete with all the excellent marks, like the Buddha’s body today.’

“At that time, the Buddha knew my thoughts and smiled. The Buddha’s attendant bhikshu arranged his robes and addressed the Buddha... until All-Victorious Buddha told that attendant:

“‘Bhikshu, do you see the person who scattered golden flowers over my body?’

“The attendant bhikshu replied:

“‘Yes, World-Honored One, I see him.’

“The Buddha told the attendant bhikshu:

“‘After one hundred million kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni, complete with the ten epithets: Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and so forth.’

“Ananda, after receiving the prediction from All-Victorious Buddha, I did not abandon courageous diligence, but cultivated meritorious karma in ever-increasing measure. Through the causes and conditions of this wholesome karma, throughout immeasurable kalpas I was born in the Brahma heaven, became Shakra, and became a wheel-turning sage king. On one occasion I was a king named Good Vision. My fortified city, city gates, watchtowers, chambers, and royal palace were made entirely of pure gold. The flower gardens, groves, streams, and ponds were all adorned with gold.

“Because of the cause and condition of scattering golden flowers in that former time, today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed, pure Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Supreme Lotus Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. I scattered silver flowers over the Buddha’s body and made the same vow... until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘Do you see this person offering silver flowers to me?’

“The bhikshu replied:

“‘World-Honored One, I see him.’

“The Buddha told the bhikshu:

“‘After one hundred thousand kalpas in future lives, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.’ After hearing this prediction, I did not abandon courageous diligence, but created merit in ever-increasing measure. Through the wholesome karmic reward of this deed, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. In a former life I was also a king named Great Good Vision.

My capital was Kushila, and its watchtowers, mansions, and windows were all made of silver. The flower gardens, groves, rivers, streams, ponds, and so forth were all adorned with silver. That I have today become a Buddha, a Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel is likewise due to that cause and condition.

“Ananda, from ancient times until now it has been the rule that whenever bodhisattvas are newly born, they walk seven steps in each of the four directions—east, west, south, and north—without anyone supporting them. When Supreme Lotus Buddha was born upon a lotus flower and placed his feet upon the ground, lotus flowers magically appeared wherever he stepped. As he walked seven steps in each of the four directions—east, west, south, and north—lotuses appeared wherever the Buddha’s feet touched.

Therefore, he was honored with the name Supreme Lotus. At that very moment, immeasurable and boundless hundreds of thousands of myriads of devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans all cried aloud at once, their voices resounding everywhere: ‘This great bodhisattva is named Supreme Lotus.’ Because devas and humans proclaimed these words, that Buddha was named Supreme Lotus.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Tathagata appeared in the world named Supreme Walker Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time I scattered a handful of golden grain over the Buddha’s body... until that Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After one thousand kalpas, this person will attain buddhahood and be named Shakyamuni.’

“After hearing the prediction, I did not abandon diligence, and my wholesome karma increased. As the karmic fruit of that merit and those causes and conditions, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. I was also once a wheel-turning sage king named Crown-Born. For seven days, golden grain rained down in my palace until it reached the knees and filled every place. Because of the wholesome karma of offering that handful of golden grain to Supreme Walker Buddha, today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, when Supreme Walker Tathagata was about to enter a village, town, or city to seek alms, his feet moved through the air six feet above the ground. At that time, assemblies of devas, humans, nagas, nonhumans, and others proclaimed in loud voices: ‘This Buddha, the World-Honored One, is named Supreme Walker.’ Because of that cause and condition, he was honored with the name Supreme Walker.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Supreme Renown Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time I offered a dwelling to the World-Honored One and the Sangha of bhikshus, and I made a vow... until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After five hundred kalpas in a future life, this person will attain buddhahood and be named Shakyamuni.’

“After hearing the prediction, I did not abandon diligence, but created wholesome karma through its causes and conditions. Thus, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Through that meritorious reward, I was once a wheel-turning sage king named Good Vision. At that time, the builders of the god Shakra descended and erected for me a palace named All-Victorious. Because of the causes and conditions of that wholesome karmic merit, I have today attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Shakyamuni Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, who shared my name. His clan, parents, personal name, lifespan, and all else were the same as mine. I scattered a handful of sumana flowers over that Buddha—Kashyapiya says it was a handful of gold—and made a vow... until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After completing one hundred kalpas in future lives, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.’

“After receiving the prediction, I did not abandon diligence, but increased my merit. Therefore, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king, all through the power of the causes and conditions of this wholesome karma.

“I adorned the Dharma body with the thirty-seven factors conducive to bodhi. Today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Tishya Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. I scattered a handful of sandalwood powder over the Buddha’s body... until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After ninety-five kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.’

“After receiving the prediction, I did not abandon diligence, but increased my merit. Therefore, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Through the power of the causes and conditions of this wholesome karma, I received the epithet One Fully Endowed with Supreme Purity of Moral Conduct.

Through the karmic reward of these wholesome causes and conditions, I also received the epithet One Fully Endowed with the Supreme Merit of Knowledge and Vision. Kashyapiya says: ‘Through the power of the causes and conditions of wholesome karma, I received the epithet One Endowed with the Merit of Supreme Moral Conduct and, furthermore, the epithet One Endowed with the Merit of Supreme Knowledge and Vision; my renown resounded everywhere.’ Today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Pushya Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time, the Buddha was dwelling in a mountain cave filled with precious jewels. When I saw the Buddha, joy arose in my mind. With palms joined, I stood upon one leg for seven days and nights, reciting these verses in praise of the Buddha:

“Ananda, after reciting these verses in praise of the Buddha, I made a vow... until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After ninety-four kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.’

“After receiving the prediction, I did not abandon diligence, but increased my merit. Throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Through the power of the causes and conditions of that wholesome karma, I attained four kinds of eloquence, and no one could surpass or defeat me in debate. Today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Seer of Truth Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time I scattered various flowers over the Buddha’s body—Kashyapiya says this Buddha was named Seer of All Truths—until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After ninety-three kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.’

“After receiving the Buddha’s prediction, I did not abandon diligence, but increased my merit. Therefore, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Through that cause and condition, I also gained the renown of being ‘fully endowed with supreme moral conduct,’ and thereafter received the epithet Fully Endowed with All Liberating Knowledge and Vision. I attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Vipashyin Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time I scattered a handful of mung beans over the Buddha’s body, until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After ninety-one kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni, complete with the ten epithets.’

“After receiving the Buddha’s prediction, I did not abandon diligence, but increased my merit. Therefore, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Through the power of the causes and conditions of that wholesome karma, I was also once a wheel-turning sage king named Crown-Born, who ruled the four continents beneath heaven and was given half of Shakra’s seat. Through that karmic reward, today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Shikhin Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time, I draped priceless robes over the Buddha and the assembly of shravakas, and made the vow described above, until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After thirty-one kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.’

“After receiving the Buddha’s prediction, I did not abandon courageous diligence, but constantly practiced generosity and created meritorious karma. Through the causes and conditions of those wholesome deeds, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Today I also receive many kinds of robes, including kathina robes, robes of fine brocade, cotton-silk robes, silken robes, and kausheya robes. Today I have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past a Buddha appeared in the world named Vishvabhu Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. At that time, I offered food and drink of one hundred flavors to the Buddha and the assembly of shravakas, and made the vow described before, until the Buddha told his attendant:

“‘After thirty kalpas, this person will become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.’

“After receiving the prediction, I did not abandon courageous diligence, but constantly practiced generosity and created meritorious karma. Through the causes and conditions of such wholesome roots, throughout immeasurable kalpas I became Great Brahma, Shakra, and a wheel-turning sage king. Today I receive food of one hundred flavors and have attained unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and turned the unsurpassed, pure Dharma wheel.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past, in the presence of Krakucchanda Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, I practiced purity and sought to attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment in a future life.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past, in the presence of Kanakamuni Buddha, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, I practiced purity and aspired to attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment in a future life.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past, in the presence of Kashyapa Buddha, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, I practiced purity and aspired to attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment in a future life.

“Ananda, I remember that in a past life, in the presence of Maitreya Bodhisattva, I offered fine articles of the four kinds of offerings, praising, honoring, revering, and freely making offerings to him, while aspiring to attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment in a future life.

“Ananda, I remember that in the past I brought immeasurable kinds of offerings and presented them to immeasurable Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and shravakas of the past, seeking to attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment in a future life.

“Ananda, one hundred incalculable kalpas ago, a Buddha appeared in the world named Dipankara Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after ten billion kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named All-Victorious Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after five hundred kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named Supreme Renown Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after one hundred kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named Shakyamuni Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after ninety-four kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named Pushya Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after ninety-three kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named Seer of Meaning Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after ninety-one kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named Vipashyin Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, proceeding in sequence, after thirty-one kalpas, a Buddha appeared in the world named Shikhin Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. In that same kalpa, a Buddha appeared in the world named Divine Voice Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Ananda, in this fortunate kalpa, the first Buddha to appear in the world was Krakucchanda; the second was Kanakamuni; the third was Kashyapa; and the fourth was Shakyamuni, who is none other than I, now still abiding in the world.

“Ananda, Dipankara Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“All-Victorious Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Supreme Lotus Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Supreme Walker Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Supreme Renown Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Tishya Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Pushya Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Seer of True Meaning Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Vipashyin Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Shikhin Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Divine Voice Buddha appeared in the world and was born into the family of a great kshatriya king.

“Krakucchanda Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Kanakamuni Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Kashyapa Buddha appeared in the world and was born into a great brahmin family.

“Ananda, I have now been born into the family of a great king of the kshatriya lineage.

“Ananda, Dipankara Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, had a lifespan of eight hundred and forty thousand billion years and remained in the world benefiting its sentient beings. The Mahishasaka master says this. The Kashyapiya master further says that Dipankara Buddha and his assembly of shravakas remained in the world for one kalpa, benefiting the world.

“Ananda, All-Victorious Tathagata remained in the world for eighty thousand billion years, benefiting and bringing happiness to all sentient beings in the world. The Mahishasaka master says this. The Kashyapiya master says that All-Victorious Buddha remained in the world for one kalpa, benefiting the world.

“Supreme Lotus Buddha remained in the world for eighty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Supreme Walker Buddha remained in the world for eighty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Supreme Renown Buddha remained in the world for sixty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Shakyamuni Buddha remained in the world for eighty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Tishya Buddha remained in the world for sixty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Pushya Buddha remained in the world for fifty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Seer of True Meaning Buddha remained in the world for forty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Vipashyin Buddha remained in the world for eighty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Divine Voice Buddha remained in the world for sixty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Krakucchanda Buddha remained in the world for forty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Kanakamuni Buddha remained in the world for thirty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Kashyapa Buddha remained in the world for twenty thousand years, benefiting its sentient beings.

“Ananda, having now attained the fruit of Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, I shall remain in the world for eighty years, benefiting its sentient beings.”

He then spoke these verses:

“Ananda, Dipankara Buddha had an assembly of two hundred and fifty trillion shravaka disciples. After the Tathagata’s passing, his teaching remained in the world for seventy thousand years. During the final ten years, the bhikshus no longer possessed reverence or faith.

They delighted in worldly commerce and enjoyed creating karma that perpetuated birth and death, without any sense of shame. When doubts arose concerning the teaching, they did not know to learn from one another. Each was conceited about his own understanding, and they treated one another arrogantly.

They often assembled to perform unlawful deeds, befriended evil teachers of unwholesome views, and gathered together to eat, drink, and amuse themselves. Because these foolish people acted contrary to the Way, they caused the Three Jewels to disappear prematurely from the world, and all the scriptures perished.

“All-Victorious Buddha had an assembly of fourteen thousand shravaka disciples. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world only for a brief time.

“Supreme Lotus Buddha had an assembly of seventy thousand shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for one hundred thousand years.

“Supreme Walker Buddha had an assembly of sixty thousand shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for seventy-seven thousand years.

“Supreme Renown Buddha had an assembly of twenty thousand shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for five hundred years.

“Shakyamuni Buddha had an assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for five hundred years, and the semblance Dharma also remained for five hundred years.

“Tishya Buddha had an assembly of six trillion shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for twenty thousand years.

“Pushya Buddha had an assembly of immeasurable hundreds of millions of shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma, semblance Dharma, abiding of the Dharma, and extinction of the Dharma were as described above.

“Seer of All Meanings Buddha had an assembly of three billion two hundred million nayutas of shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for only a brief time.

“Vipashyin Buddha held three Dharma assemblies to liberate shravakas. At the first great assembly, he liberated one hundred and sixty thousand eight hundred people; at the second, one hundred thousand people; and at the third, eight hundred thousand people. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for twenty thousand years.

“Divine Voice Buddha held only two assemblies to liberate shravakas. At the first assembly, he liberated seventy thousand people; at the second, sixty thousand people. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for sixty thousand years.

“Krakucchanda Buddha had forty thousand shravaka disciples. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for five hundred years.

“Kanakamuni Buddha had an assembly of three million shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for twenty-nine days.

“Kashyapa Buddha had an assembly of twenty thousand shravakas. After the Tathagata’s passing, the true Dharma remained in the world for seven days.

“Ananda, having attained the fruit of Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, I have an assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty shravakas. After my passing, the true Dharma will remain in the world for five hundred years, and the semblance Dharma will also remain in the world for five hundred years.

“I shall now speak a concise verse:

Chapter 3: THE ROYAL LINEAGE DURING THE FORTUNATE KALPA

(Part 1)

At that time, the Buddha was dwelling at the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rajagriha, the place where the kalandaka birds lived, together with an assembly of five hundred great bhikshus. The Buddha then acted in accordance with the custom of all Buddhas... and, while abiding in the pure holy life, told the bhikshus:

“Bhikshus, listen attentively and remember this, in accordance with the teaching of the World-Honored One.”

The bhikshus replied:

“World-Honored One, we shall joyfully receive and uphold it with reverence and faith.”

The Buddha told the bhikshus:

“At the very beginning of this fortunate kalpa, after the great earth had been established, there was an exceedingly wealthy and intelligent man whose virtue surpassed that of others. He became the great leader of the lineage of wheel-turning sage kings and was named Collective Wisdom.

“After his position had been determined, the people addressed that lord of the land:

“‘Our great lord of the land, please govern us by punishing the wicked and rewarding the virtuous. Please distribute seed grain and divide the fields among us so that each of us may cultivate them. After gathering our harvests, we shall set aside a share and present it to you, worthy sir.’

“The lord of the land accepted the people’s request. He governed in accordance with the Dharma and the principle of justice, punishing the wicked and rewarding the virtuous. Having received fields and seed grain, the people tended them diligently and enjoyed their proper shares after the grain had ripened.”

The Buddha told the bhikshus:

“At that time, the people assembled in harmony and unity and together supported that worthy man, honoring him as lord of the land. Because the whole assembly deliberated and jointly elevated him, he was called ‘Equal Choice of the Multitude.’ This lord of the land governed the people according to the Dharma, causing them to rejoice, admire him wholeheartedly, and remain united. Because he served as their adjudicator, this lord of the land was called king.

Moreover, the people tended all the fields, and when the grain ripened, the king took one share from the fields he had allotted to them. Therefore, this king was called a kshatriya king. ‘Kshatriya king’ means ‘lord of the fields.’ You should understand that through these causes and conditions, the office of king was first established at the beginning of the kalpa.”

The Buddha told the assembly of bhikshus:

“After the people had established a king, that king had a son named Truth, who became a wheel-turning sage king. A wheel-turning sage king is a great lord of the earth who rules the four continents beneath heaven. The seven treasures arise for him naturally, and he begets one thousand princes, all complete with the thirty-two marks of a great man, mighty and courageous, able to repel hostile forces.

While the wheel-turning sage king lives and governs the people, the great earth and seas have no thorns, uneven mounds, or depressions. The five grains yield abundant harvests, and the people live in happiness, without fear or hardship. Without employing military force or weapons, all regions submit of their own accord.

The wheel-turning sage king governs the people in accordance with the true Dharma.

“Bhikshus, among King Truth’s one thousand sons, the eldest was named Joyful Mind and was also called Self-Reliant. This son likewise ascended the throne as a wheel-turning sage king. He possessed the seven treasures and one thousand sons and governed the people throughout the great earth... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the first among King Self-Reliant’s one thousand sons was named Wise One and was also called Upholder of the Precepts. This Wise One likewise succeeded his father as a wheel-turning sage king, complete with the seven treasures and one thousand sons, and governed the people throughout the great earth... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the eldest among King Wise One’s one thousand sons was named Crown-Born. He likewise succeeded his father as a wheel-turning sage king and governed and instructed the people throughout the great earth in accordance with the Dharma... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the eldest among King Crown-Born’s one thousand sons was named Great Ocean. He likewise succeeded his father as a wheel-turning sage king... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the eldest among King Great Ocean’s one thousand sons was named Fully Endowed and was also called Vī Phu. He next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the first among King Fully Endowed’s one thousand sons was named Nurturing. He next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the first among King Nurturing’s one thousand sons was named Merit Chariot. He next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the first among King Merit Chariot’s one thousand sons was named Liberation. He next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, the first among King Liberation’s one thousand sons was named Good Liberation. He next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, King Good Liberation had a son named Carefree, who next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, King Carefree had a son named Great Carefree, who next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, King Great Carefree had a son named Radiant, who next ascended the throne... as described above.

“Bhikshus, King Radiant had a son named Great Radiance, who next ascended the throne... as described above.”