添品妙法蓮華經

Chapter 23: BODHISATTVA WONDROUS SOUND

At that time, from the uṣṇīṣa, the mark of a Great Person, Śākyamuni Buddha emitted a light that universally illuminated hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of nayutas of worlds, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, in the eastern direction. Beyond those innumerable lands was a world called Adorned with Pure Light, where there was a Buddha named Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One. Surrounded by an immeasurable, incalculable assembly of bodhisattvas, he was teaching the Dharma to them. The light from between the brows of Śākyamuni Buddha universally illuminated that land.

At that time, in the land Adorned with Pure Light, there was a bodhisattva named Wondrous Sound, who had long planted roots of merit, made offerings to and attended upon immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of Buddhas, and had accomplished profound wisdom. He had realized such samādhis as the Samādhi of the Banner Mark, the Lotus of the Dharma, Pure Virtue, the Play of the King of Wisdom, Without Conditions, the Seal of Wisdom, Understanding All Languages of Sentient Beings, Accumulating All Merits, Pure and Sovereign Spiritual Powers, the King Adorned with the Torch of Wisdom, Pure Light, the Pure Treasury, and the Sun-Revolution Unique Samādhi.

He had attained hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of great samādhis, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. When the light of Śākyamuni Buddha illuminated his body, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound immediately addressed Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha:

“Blessed One, I shall go to the Sahā world to pay homage and make offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha and attend upon him, and also to meet Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, Prince of the Dharma; Medicine King; Courageous Giver; Resolute in Practice; King of Adornment; Constellation King Flower; and Superior Medicine.”

At that time, Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha said to Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound:

“Do not look down upon the Sahā world or regard it as inferior. Good man, this Sahā world is filled with many impurities. Its mountains, stones, and earth are high and low and uneven. The Buddha’s body is small and short, and the bodies of the bodhisattvas are also small and short, whereas your body is forty-two thousand yojanas tall and my body is six million eight hundred thousand yojanas tall. Your body is endowed with merit and virtue and possesses especially subtle and wondrous radiance. Therefore, when you go to the Sahā world, do not disparage or look down upon its Buddha, bodhisattvas, or land.”

Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, my journey to the Sahā world is made possible by the Tathagata’s wondrous power, sovereign spiritual abilities, merit, wisdom, and adornments.”

Without rising from his seat or moving his body, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound entered samādhi. Not far from the Dharma seat, on Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa, through the power of samādhi, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound manifested eighty-four thousand precious lotus flowers, with stems of pure gold, petals of silver, stamens of diamond, and calyxes of kiṃśuka gems.

At that time, Mañjuśrī, Prince of the Dharma, saw these lotus flowers and immediately addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, through what causes and conditions has this auspicious sign appeared—these tens of thousands of lotus flowers with stems of pure gold, petals of silver, stamens of diamond, and calyxes of kiṃśuka gems?”

Śākyamuni Buddha said to Mañjuśrī:

“The great Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound, together with eighty-four thousand attendants, wishes to come from the buddha-land of Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom to the Sahā world to draw near to me, pay homage to me, and make offerings to me. He also wishes to hear the Lotus Sutra.”

Mañjuśrī addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, what roots of goodness has this great bodhisattva planted, what merits has he cultivated, and what samādhi has he practiced to attain such great spiritual power? I pray that the Blessed One will tell us the names of those samādhis. We too wish to hear of and practice them. Only by practicing those samādhis will we be able to see the size and appearance of that bodhisattva’s form and the dignity of his movements. I beseech the Blessed One to use his spiritual power to enable me to see that bodhisattva when he arrives.”

Śākyamuni Buddha said to Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī:

“The Tathagata Many Treasures, who entered parinirvana long ago, will now cause you to see the bodily form of that bodhisattva.”

Many Treasures Buddha said to that bodhisattva:

“Good man, come here! Mañjuśrī wishes to see your body.”

Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound, together with eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, disappeared from his own land and set out for the Sahā world. Every land through which they passed quaked in six ways, seven-jeweled lotus flowers rained down from the heavens, and hundreds of thousands of celestial instruments sounded without being played. This bodhisattva’s eyes resembled the broad petals of a blue lotus. Even if hundreds of thousands of myriads of moons were brought together, they could not equal the beauty of his perfectly formed countenance. His body was of pure gold, adorned with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of merits. His majestic virtue shone brilliantly, his radiance illuminated all around, and he was endowed with all the marks, his body as firm as that of Nārāyaṇa.

That bodhisattva ascended a terrace of the seven treasures and rose into the air to a height of seven tāla trees above the ground. Reverently followed by the assembly of bodhisattvas, he arrived at Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa in the Sahā world. Upon arriving, the bodhisattva descended from the seven-jeweled terrace, took a priceless jeweled necklace, and approached Śākyamuni Buddha. Bowing with his head and face at the Buddha’s feet, he presented the jeweled necklace and said:

“Blessed One, Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha inquires after the Blessed One: Are you free from illness and distress, and are you peaceful and at ease? Are the four great elements in harmony? Are worldly affairs bearable? Are sentient beings easy to liberate? Are they deficient in greed, anger, delusion, jealousy, and arrogance? Are they not unfilial toward their parents, disrespectful toward śramaṇas, possessed of wrong views, harboring unwholesome thoughts, or failing to guard the five sense faculties?

“Blessed One, are sentient beings able to subdue the hostile māras? Has the Tathagata Many Treasures, who entered parinirvana long ago and abides within the stupa of the seven treasures, come to hear the Dharma, Blessed One? He also inquires whether the Tathagata Many Treasures is peaceful and secure, free from illness, and able to remain for a long time. I now wish to see the body of Many Treasures Buddha. I beseech the Blessed One to reveal it and allow me to see him.”

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha said to Many Treasures Buddha:

“Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound wishes to behold you.”

Many Treasures Buddha said to Wondrous Sound:

“Excellent, excellent! You have come here to make offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha, hear the Lotus Sutra, and meet Mañjuśrī.”

At that time, Bodhisattva Flower Virtue addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, what roots of goodness did Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound plant, and what merits did he cultivate, to possess such spiritual power?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Flower Virtue:

“In the past there was a Buddha named Cloud Thunder Sound King, Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly Enlightened One. His land was called Manifesting All Worlds, and his kalpa was called Joyful to Behold. For twelve thousand years, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound made offerings to Cloud Thunder Sound King Buddha with one hundred thousand kinds of music and also presented him with eighty-four thousand bowls made of the seven treasures. Through these causes and conditions, he has now received the reward of being born in the land of Pure Flower Constellation King Wisdom Buddha and possesses such great spiritual power.

“Flower Virtue, what do you think? Was the Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound who at that time made offerings of music and presented precious bowls to Cloud Thunder Sound King Buddha someone unknown to you? He was none other than this great Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound.

“Flower Virtue, Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound has already attended upon and made offerings to a great many Buddhas. Long ago he planted roots of merit, and he has also encountered hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of nayutas of Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.”

Flower Virtue! You see only Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound’s present body here, but in truth this bodhisattva manifests various forms everywhere in order to expound this scripture to sentient beings. He may manifest the body of Brahma King, Shakra, Ishvara, Maheshvara, a great heavenly general, Vaishravana, a heavenly king, a wheel-turning king, a minor king, an elder, a householder, a chief minister, a brahmin, a bhikshu, a bhikshuni, an upasaka, an upasika, the wife of an elder, householder, chief minister, or brahmin, a young boy, a young girl, a deva, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or nonhuman, and expound this scripture.

He is able to rescue beings in the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals, as well as those in dangerous and difficult circumstances. He may even transform himself into a woman in a king’s inner palace in order to expound this scripture.

Flower Virtue! This Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound is able to save sentient beings in the saha world. Therefore, he manifests such a variety of forms to expound this scripture to sentient beings, yet his wisdom, spiritual powers, and transformative abilities suffer no diminution.

With such wisdom, this bodhisattva illuminates the saha world, enabling all sentient beings to gain understanding; and throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in all ten directions, he does likewise with this wisdom. For sentient beings who should be liberated through the body of a shravaka, he manifests the body of a shravaka and expounds the Dharma. For those who need to be saved through the body of a pratyekabuddha, he manifests the body of a pratyekabuddha and expounds the Dharma.

For those who should be liberated through the body of a bodhisattva, he manifests the body of a bodhisattva and expounds the Dharma. For those who should be liberated through the body of a Buddha, he manifests the form of a Buddha and expounds the Dharma. In this way, he manifests the appropriate form for every kind of person who should be saved.

He may even manifest entry into nirvana for those who must be liberated through such a manifestation.

Flower Virtue! Bodhisattva Mahasattva Wonderful Sound has perfected such mighty spiritual powers of wisdom.

At that time, Bodhisattva Flower Virtue addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One! Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound has deeply planted roots of goodness. In what samadhi does he abide that enables him to transform and manifest his own body everywhere in order to liberate sentient beings?”

The Buddha told Bodhisattva Flower Virtue:

“Good man! This samadhi is called the Manifestation of All Forms. By abiding in this samadhi, Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound is able to benefit immeasurable sentient beings in this way.”

When the Buddha expounded this chapter on Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound, the eighty-four thousand people who had come together with Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound all attained the Samadhi of the Manifestation of All Forms. Immeasurable bodhisattvas in the saha world also attained this samadhi and dharani.

After making offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha and the stupa of Many Treasures Buddha, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Wonderful Sound returned to his own land. All the lands through which he passed quaked in six ways, precious lotus flowers rained down from the heavens, and hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of kinds of music resounded. Upon reaching his own land, the bodhisattva, together with the eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas who accompanied him, went to the place of Buddha Wisdom of the King of the Pure Flower Constellation and said:

“World-Honored One! I went to the saha world to benefit sentient beings. I bowed to and made offerings to Shakyamuni Buddha and the stupa of Many Treasures Buddha. I also met Bodhisattva Manjushri, Medicine King, Earnest Zeal Power, and Courageous Giving, and enabled these eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas to attain the Samadhi of the Manifestation of All Forms.”

After the Buddha finished expounding this chapter on the Coming and Going of Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound, forty-two thousand sons of devas attained acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas, and Bodhisattva Flower Virtue attained the Lotus Dharma Samadhi.

Chapter 24: THE UNIVERSAL GATEWAY OF BODHISATTVA AVALOKITESHVARA

At that time, Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms toward the Buddha, and said:

“World-Honored One! For what reason is Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara called Avalokiteshvara?”

The Buddha told Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent:

“Good man! If immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of sentient beings undergoing various sufferings hear the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and single-mindedly call upon Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, then Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara will immediately perceive their voices and enable them to attain liberation.

“If anyone upholds the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, even if that person enters a great fire, the fire will not burn them, owing to the bodhisattva’s spiritual power. If they are swept away by a great flood and call upon this bodhisattva’s name, they will immediately reach a shallow place. If hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of sentient beings enter the great ocean in search of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, amber, pearls, and other precious jewels, and if a violent wind blows their ship adrift into the land of rakshasa demons, then, if even one person among them calls upon the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, all those people will be delivered from the peril of the rakshasas. For this reason, he is called Avalokiteshvara.

“If someone is about to be killed and calls upon the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the knives and clubs of the attackers will immediately break into pieces, and that person will be delivered. If yaksha and rakshasa demons filling the entire trichiliocosm come intending to harm someone, upon hearing that person call the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, those evil demons will be unable even to look upon that person with malicious eyes, much less cause harm.

If a person, whether guilty or innocent, is bound in fetters, chains, and shackles, and calls upon the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, all those bonds will break apart, and the person will immediately attain liberation. Suppose a caravan leader guides a group of merchants carrying many precious goods through a dangerous road, and one among them calls out loudly:

“‘Good men! Do not be afraid. You should single-mindedly invoke the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. This bodhisattva can bestow fearlessness and rescue sentient beings. If you invoke the name “Namo Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara,” you will be delivered from this danger of bandits.’

“Upon hearing this, all the merchants together invoke the bodhisattva’s name and are immediately delivered.

“Inexhaustible Intent! Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokiteshvara possesses such vast and mighty spiritual power.

“If any sentient beings are beset by lust and constantly recollect and revere Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, they will be freed from lust. If any are beset by anger and constantly revere and recollect Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, they will be freed from anger. If any are deluded and constantly revere and recollect Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, they will be freed from delusion.

“Inexhaustible Intent! Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara possesses such mighty spiritual power and confers many benefits. Therefore, sentient beings should constantly keep him in mind.

“If a woman wishes to have a son and bows to and makes offerings to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, she will give birth to a son blessed with merit, virtue, and wisdom. If she wishes to have a daughter, she will give birth to a daughter of beautiful appearance who, because she planted roots of merit and virtue in the past, will be respected and loved by everyone.

“Inexhaustible Intent! Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara possesses such spiritual powers. If any sentient being reverently bows to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, that person’s merit and virtue will never be diminished. Therefore, all sentient beings should uphold the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

“Inexhaustible Intent! 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, medicines, and other necessities. What do you think? Would the merit and virtue of that good man or good woman be great?”

Inexhaustible Intent replied:

“World-Honored One, it would be exceedingly great!”

The Buddha said:

“If another person upholds the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and bows to and makes offerings to him for even a single moment, the merit and virtue of these two people will be equal and no different. It could not be exhausted throughout hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of kalpas.

“Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent! Upholding the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara brings such immeasurable and boundless benefits of merit and virtue.”

Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent addressed the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! How does Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara teach and transform beings in the Saha world? How does he expound the Dharma to sentient beings? And how does he employ the power of skillful means?

The Buddha told Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention:

– Good man! If the sentient beings in any land need the body of a Buddha in order to attain liberation, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara immediately manifests the body of a Buddha and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of one enlightened through conditions in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of one enlightened through conditions and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a pratyekabuddha in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a pratyekabuddha and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a shravaka in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a shravaka and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of Brahma King in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of Brahma King and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of Shakra in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of Shakra and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of the God of Sovereignty in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of the God of Sovereignty and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of the Great God of Sovereignty in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of the Great God of Sovereignty and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a great heavenly general in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a great heavenly general and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of Vaishravana in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of Vaishravana and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a minor king in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a minor king and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of an elder in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of an elder and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a householder in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a householder and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a minister in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a minister and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a brahmin in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a brahmin and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the bodies of a bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of the wife of an elder, householder, minister, or brahmin in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of the wife of an elder, householder, minister, or brahmin and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a boy or girl in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a boy or girl and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a deva, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or nonhuman in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests all such bodies and expounds the Dharma to them.

Those who need the body of a Vajra-Bearer in order to attain liberation, the Bodhisattva manifests the body of a Vajra-Bearer and expounds the Dharma to them.

Inexhaustible Intention! Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara has accomplished such merits and, assuming many different forms, travels throughout the lands to liberate sentient beings. Therefore, you should single-mindedly make offerings to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

This Great Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara bestows fearlessness upon those beset by anxiety and fear. Amid terrifying calamities, the Bodhisattva is able to grant freedom from fear. Therefore, throughout this Saha world he is called the Bestower of Fearlessness.

Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention said to the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! I now wish to make an offering to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

Inexhaustible Intention immediately removed from his neck a precious jeweled necklace worth hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold, presented it to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and said:

– Bodhisattva, please accept this precious jeweled necklace.

At that time, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara would not accept the necklace. Inexhaustible Intention again said:

– Bodhisattva, out of compassion for us, please accept this jeweled necklace.

The Buddha then told Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara:

– Out of compassion for Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention, the fourfold assembly, and the devas, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and others, accept this jeweled necklace.

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

Inexhaustible Intention! Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara possesses such sovereign spiritual powers and travels throughout the Saha world teaching and transforming beings.

At that time, Bodhisattva Banner of Adornment asked Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention:

– Disciple of the Buddha! For what reason is he called Avalokiteshvara?

Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention then contemplated all the ocean-like practices and vows made by Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in the past and said to Bodhisattva Banner of Adornment:

– Disciple of the Buddha! Listen attentively to the deeds of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. He then spoke in verse:

World-Honored One, replete with auspicious marks,

I now ask about this matter:

Disciple of the Buddha, for what reason

Is he named Avalokiteshvara?

The One replete with auspicious marks

Answered Inexhaustible Intention in verse:

Listen to the practices of Avalokiteshvara,

Who responds and manifests throughout all places.

His vast vows are deep as the ocean,

Through inconceivably many kalpas.

He has attended many thousands of Buddhas

And made great and pure vows.

I shall now explain them briefly to you:

Hearing his name or seeing his form,

And keeping him in mind is never in vain,

For he extinguishes the sufferings of every realm.

If someone intending harm

Pushes one into a great fiery pit,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

The fiery pit becomes a cool pond.

Or if one drifts upon the vast ocean,

Imperiled by demons, fish, and dragons,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

The mighty waves cannot drown one.

Or if, atop Mount Sumeru,

One is pushed down by another,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

One remains suspended like the sun in the sky.

Or if pursued by wicked people

And cast down from a Vajra Mountain,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

Not even a single hair is harmed.

Or if surrounded by hostile bandits,

Each brandishing a knife to do harm,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

They immediately give rise to kind hearts.

Or if suffering persecution by a king

And facing execution and death,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

The blade immediately breaks into pieces.

Or if imprisoned and bound in chains,

With hands and feet confined in fetters,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

The bonds fall away and one gains release.

If poisons, spells, and curses

Are used to harm a person's body,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

They return upon the one who cast them.

Or if one encounters ferocious rakshasas,

Venomous demons, or dragons,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

None of them dares to cause harm.

Or if surrounded by savage beasts,

With terrifying, sharp fangs and claws,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

They swiftly flee in every direction.

Poisonous snakes and scorpions,

Breathing venom like burning smoke,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

Hearing his voice, they depart of themselves.

When clouds thunder and lightning strikes,

Hailstones fall and torrential rain pours down,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

All immediately dissipates.

When sentient beings suffer hardships,

And hundreds of thousands of afflictions torment their bodies,

Avalokiteshvara, through the wondrous power of wisdom,

Can rescue the world from suffering.

Fully endowed with spiritual powers,

Vast in compassion, wisdom, and skillful means,

Throughout all lands in the ten directions,

There is no realm where he does not manifest.

The beings in the evil destinies—

Hell-beings, hungry ghosts, and animals—

And the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, and death

All gradually come to an end.

Contemplation of truth, contemplation of purity,

Contemplation born of vast wisdom,

Contemplation of loving-kindness and compassion—

May we ever aspire to behold him.

His pure and immaculate radiance,

A light that dispels all darkness,

Can quell the perils of fire and smoke

And shines throughout the whole world.

His compassionate heart resounds like thunder;

His loving intention is like an auspicious cloud,

Pouring down the Dharma rain of ambrosia

To extinguish the flames of affliction.

When lawsuits bring one before officials,

Or fear arises amid armies in battle,

By the power of mindfulness of Avalokiteshvara,

All enmity and hostility retreat and disperse.

Wondrous Voice, Avalokiteshvara,

Voice of Brahma, Voice of the Ocean Tide—

His voice transcends all worldly sounds;

Therefore, one should always keep him in mind.

From thought to thought, give rise to no doubt.

Avalokiteshvara, the pure and holy one,

Amid the sufferings of distress, sickness, and death,

Can provide rescue and aid.

Fully endowed with all merits,

His compassionate eyes behold sentient beings.

His ocean of blessings is vast and inexhaustible;

Therefore, one should bow in homage.

At that time, Bodhisattva Earth-Holder rose from his seat, went before the Buddha, and said:

– World-Honored One! If any sentient being hears of the spiritual power, all-embracing manifestations, and sovereign work of the path of this Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, it should be known that such a person's merit is not slight.

When the Buddha preached this chapter of the Universal Gateway, eighty-four thousand beings in the assembly all brought forth the aspiration for unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment.

Chapter 25: THE FORMER DEEDS OF KING WONDERFULLY ADORNED

At that time, the Buddha addressed the great assembly:

“In the distant past, immeasurable, boundless asamkhyeya kalpas ago, a Buddha appeared in the world named Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly and Completely Awakened. His land was named Adorned with Radiance, and the kalpa was named Joyful Vision. In the Dharma assembly of that Buddha was a king named Wonderfully Adorned.

The king’s wife was named Pure Virtue, and they had two sons, one named Pure Treasury and the other Pure Eye. These two sons possessed great spiritual powers, merit, virtue, and wisdom. For a long time, they had practiced the bodhisattva path, cultivating the paramitas of generosity, moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, wisdom, and skillful means, as well as loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.

They had also completely understood and penetrated the thirty-seven factors conducive to awakening. Moreover, they had realized and mastered the bodhisattvas’ pure samadhis, including the Samadhi of the Constellation of the Sun’s Radiance, the Samadhi of Pure Light, the Samadhi of Pure Form, the Samadhi of Pure Illumination, the Samadhi of Enduring Adornment, and the Samadhi of Great Majestic Virtue.

“Wishing to teach and transform King Wonderfully Adorned, and out of compassionate concern for sentient beings, the Buddha preached this Lotus Sutra. The two sons, Pure Eye and Pure Treasury, went to their mother, joined their palms, and said:

“‘Mother, we ask you to go to the place of the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom. We shall also accompany you so that we may draw near to him, make offerings, and pay homage. Why? Because this Buddha is now preaching the Lotus Sutra amid the great assembly of devas and humans. We should listen to and receive it.’

“Their mother said to them:

“‘Your father believes in non-Buddhist teachings and is deeply attached to the doctrines of the brahmins. You should go and ask your father to come with us.’

“Pure Treasury and Pure Eye joined their palms and said to their mother:

“‘We are disciples of the Buddha, yet we have been born into a family of wrong views.’

“Their mother told them:

“‘You should have compassion for your father and manifest spiritual powers. If your father sees them, his mind will immediately become purified, and he will permit us to go see the Buddha.’

“At that time, 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, lay down, and sat. From the upper parts of their bodies they poured forth water, while from the lower parts they emitted fire; or from the upper parts of their bodies they emitted fire, while from the lower parts they poured forth water.

At times they manifested bodies so immense that they filled the sky; at other times they manifested small bodies. Having become small, they became large again. They vanished from the sky and suddenly appeared upon the ground.

They entered the earth as though entering water, or walked upon water as though walking upon land. By manifesting such spiritual powers, they caused their royal father to develop right faith and understanding.

“Seeing his sons’ spiritual powers, the royal father rejoiced greatly and experienced something unprecedented. Joining his palms toward his sons, he said:

“‘Who is your teacher? Whose disciples are you?’

“The two sons replied:

“‘Royal Father, he is the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom. He is now seated upon the Dharma throne beneath the seven-jeweled Bodhi tree, preaching the Lotus Sutra to the entire assembly of devas and humans in the world. He is our teacher, and we are his disciples.’

“The father said to his sons:

“‘I too now wish to see your teacher. Let us go together.’

“At that time, the two sons descended from the sky, went to their mother, joined their palms, and said:

“‘Our father now has faith and understanding and has brought forth the aspiration to seek unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. We have performed the work of the Buddha for our father. We ask you, Mother, to permit us to go to the Buddha, leave the household life, and cultivate the path.’

“Wishing to restate their meaning, the two sons spoke in verse:

“May our mother permit us

To leave home and become shramanas.

The Buddhas are exceedingly difficult to encounter;

We wish to follow the Buddha and train.

The udumbara flower is difficult to behold,

Yet encountering a Buddha is even harder.

Freedom from all adversities is also difficult;

Please permit us to leave the household life.

“Their mother then said:

“‘I permit you to leave the household life. Why? Because it is exceedingly difficult to encounter a Buddha.’

“At that time, the two sons said to their parents:

“‘Excellent, Father and Mother! We now ask to go to the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom so that we may draw near to him and make offerings. Why? Because it is exceedingly difficult to encounter a Buddha, just as it is difficult to see an udumbara flower or for a one-eyed turtle to encounter the hollow of a floating log. Because of the profound merit and virtue we accumulated in former lives, we have encountered the Buddhadharma in this life. Therefore, Father and Mother, please permit us to leave the household life. Why? Because the Buddhas are difficult to encounter, and a time in which a Buddha appears is even harder to meet.’

“At that time, eighty-four thousand people in the inner palace of King Wonderfully Adorned all brought forth the aspiration to receive and uphold the Lotus Sutra. Bodhisattva Pure Eye had long since mastered the Lotus Samadhi. Bodhisattva Pure Treasury, throughout immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of kalpas, had mastered the Samadhi of Freedom from All Evil Destinies, wishing to enable all sentient beings to leave the evil destinies far behind.

The king’s consort attained the Samadhi of the Buddhas’ Practice and was able to know the secret treasury of all Buddhas. Through the power of skillful means, the two sons ably taught and transformed their father, causing him to develop clear faith and understanding and to delight in the Buddhadharma. At that time, King Wonderfully Adorned, together with all his ministers and attendants, the ladies of the inner palace, his two sons, and forty-two thousand people, went at once to the Buddha’s dwelling place.

“Upon arriving, they bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him three times, and stood to one side.

“At that time, the Buddha taught the Dharma, bringing benefit and joy to the king. King Wonderfully Adorned and his consort removed from their necks pearl necklaces worth hundreds of thousands of taels of gold and scattered them before the Buddha. They transformed into a jeweled platform with four pillars, suspended in midair. Within the platform was a great jeweled throne spread with hundreds of thousands of myriads of celestial garments. Seated upon it in the lotus posture was the Buddha, radiating brilliant light.

“At that time, King Wonderfully Adorned thought, ‘The Buddha’s body is adorned, pure, and exceedingly rare, having perfected the foremost subtle and wondrous physical form.’

“Then the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom said to the great assembly:

“‘Do you see King Wonderfully Adorned standing before me with palms joined? Within my Dharma, this king will become a bhikshu and diligently cultivate the practices that aid the Buddha path. He will later attain Buddhahood and be named Sala-Tree King Buddha. His land will be named Great Light, and his kalpa will be named Great Lofty King. The Buddha Sala-Tree King will have immeasurable assemblies of bodhisattvas and shravakas. His land will be level. Such will be his merit and virtue.’

“At that time, the king entrusted his kingdom to his younger brother. The king, together with his consort, his two sons, and all their attendants, left the household life and trained in the path within the Buddhadharma.

“After leaving the household life, the king constantly practiced the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wondrous Dharma with diligence for eighty-four thousand years. When that period had passed, 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:

“‘World-Honored One! My two sons have now performed the work of the Buddha. Through the power of spiritual transformations, they turned my mind away from falsehood, enabled me to become firmly established in the Buddhadharma, and allowed me to see the World-Honored One. These two sons are my good spiritual friends. Wishing to awaken the roots of goodness from my previous lives and to benefit me, they were born into my family.’

“At that time, the Buddha Cloud-Thunder-Sound Constellation-King Flower-Wisdom said to King Wonderfully Adorned:

“‘So it is, so it is, just as you have said! If a good man or faithful woman plants roots of goodness, then life after life that person will encounter good spiritual friends. Those good spiritual friends are able to perform the work of the Buddha, teaching and guiding that person, bringing benefit and joy, and leading that person toward unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. Great King, you should know that a good spiritual friend is a great cause and condition who guides others to see the Buddha and bring forth the aspiration for unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment.’

Great King! Do you see these two sons? These two have previously drawn near to and 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. Out of compassion for beings who held false views, they caused them to enter right view.

King Wonderful Adornment descended from the sky and praised the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! The Tathagata is exceedingly rare, fully endowed with merit and wisdom. The ushnisha atop his head emits brilliant light; his eyes are long and broad, deep blue in color; the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows resembles a moon-pearl; his teeth are white, even, and close-set, always radiating light; and his lips are beautifully red like the bimba fruit.

Having praised the Buddha’s immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of merits in this way, King Wonderful Adornment single-mindedly joined his palms before the Buddha and addressed him:

– World-Honored One! The World-Honored One is exceedingly rare. He has perfectly accomplished all the qualities of the Tathagata, and his subtle and wondrous merits are inconceivable. His teachings and conduct are peaceful and perfect. From this day onward, I will no longer act according to my own mind, nor will I give rise to false views, arrogance, anger, or any evil.

Having spoken these words, the king bowed to the Buddha and withdrew.

The Buddha told the great assembly:

– What do you think? King Wonderful Adornment was no stranger; he is now Bodhisattva Flower Virtue. Lady Pure Virtue is now Bodhisattva Adorned with the Marks of Radiant Illumination, who is here before the Buddha. Out of compassion for King Wonderful Adornment and his attendants, she was born into that household. Those two princes are now Bodhisattva Medicine King and Bodhisattva Medicine Superior. Medicine King and Medicine Superior accomplished such great merits because, in the presence of immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of Buddhas, they planted roots of merit and perfectly accomplished inconceivable virtues. If anyone knows the names of these two bodhisattvas, all devas and humans should also pay homage to that person.

When the Buddha taught the Chapter on the Former Deeds of King Wonderful Adornment, eighty-four thousand people were freed from the dust and defilements and attained the purity of the Dharma-eye within the Buddha-Dharma.

Chapter 26: THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF BODHISATTVA UNIVERSAL WORTHY

At that time, Bodhisattva Universal Worthy, endowed with sovereign spiritual powers and far-reaching majestic virtue, arrived from the east together with immeasurable, boundless, incalculable numbers of bodhisattvas. As they passed through various lands, the earth everywhere trembled, precious lotus flowers rained from the heavens, and immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of kinds of music sounded. Accompanying them were also innumerable great assemblies of devas, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, kimnaras, garudas, mahoragas, humans and nonhumans, and others.

Each displayed majestic virtue and spiritual powers. Upon arriving in the Saha world at Mount Gridhrakuta, they bowed with their heads at the feet of Shakyamuni Buddha, circumambulated him seven times to the right, and then addressed the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! In the land of the Buddha King Superior in Precious Majestic Virtue, I heard that the Lotus Sutra was being taught in the Saha world. Therefore, together with immeasurable, boundless hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of bodhisattvas, I have come to hear and receive it. We beseech the World-Honored One to instruct us: “After the Tathagata’s parinirvana, how may good men and good women obtain the Lotus Sutra?”

The Buddha taught Bodhisattva Universal Worthy:

– If, after the Tathagata’s parinirvana, good men and good women fulfill four dharmas, they will obtain this Lotus Sutra. First, they are kept in mind and protected by the Buddhas; second, they plant roots of merit; third, they enter the assembly of those established in right concentration; and fourth, they give rise to the aspiration to save all sentient beings. Good men and faithful women who fulfill these four dharmas will obtain the Lotus Sutra after the Tathagata’s parinirvana.

At that time, Bodhisattva Universal Worthy addressed the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! In the evil and defiled age five hundred years after the Tathagata’s parinirvana, if anyone receives and upholds this Lotus Sutra, I will protect that person and remove all calamities, enabling that person to dwell in peace and security. I will allow no one to find an opportunity to cause that person harm. Whether it be a 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 that seeks to harm that person, none will succeed. Whenever that person walks or stands while reciting this sutra, I will mount a royal white elephant with six tusks and, together with a great assembly of bodhisattvas, appear before that person to make offerings, provide protection, and bring peace and security to that person’s mind, and also to make offerings to this Lotus Sutra.

If anyone sits contemplating this sutra, I will again mount the royal white elephant and appear before that person. If that person has forgotten a sentence or a verse of this Lotus Sutra, I will teach it and recite it together with that person, enabling that person to understand it thoroughly. At that time, the one who receives, upholds, reads, and recites this Lotus Sutra will see my body, rejoice greatly, and become even more diligent. By seeing my body, that person will immediately attain samadhis and dharanis, such as the Revolving Dharani, hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of Revolving Dharanis, and the Dharani of Skillful Means in the Voice of the Dharma. That person will attain dharanis such as these.

World-Honored One! In the evil and defiled age five hundred years after the Tathagata’s parinirvana, if any bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika seeks to receive, uphold, read, recite, copy, and cultivate this Lotus Sutra, that person should single-mindedly practice diligently for twenty-one days. When those twenty-one days are completed, I will mount a royal white elephant with six tusks and, surrounded by immeasurable bodhisattvas, appear before that person in a body that all sentient beings delight to behold.

I will teach the Dharma, instructing, benefiting, and bringing joy to that person. I will also bestow a dharani mantra. Having attained this dharani, no nonhuman being will be able to harm that person, nor will that person be deluded or disturbed by women.

I myself will also protect that person. I beseech the World-Honored One to permit me to proclaim this dharani mantra.

He then proclaimed before the Buddha:

“Đa điệt tha, a đàn đồ, đàn đồ bạt để, đàn đồ bạt la đa nhĩ đàn đồ củ xá lê, đàn đồ tô đà lê tô đà-la-ni, a bạt la đát nhĩ, a la đát nhĩ, tăng giá bá lê, ỷ yết tăng già nhĩ, già đa nê đạt la ma bả lê, ỷ yết la bà sa đa, bà hộ lô đa, kiếu xá na gia, a nỗ giả đê tư già tỉ chỉ lê trì đê.”

World-Honored One! If a bodhisattva hears this dharani mantra, it should be known that this is through the spiritual power of Universal Worthy. If anyone in Jambudvipa receives and upholds the Lotus Sutra, this too is through the majestic spiritual power of Universal Worthy.

If anyone receives, upholds, reads, and recites it, correctly recollects it, understands its meaning, and practices in accordance with its teachings, it should be known that this person is practicing the conduct of Universal Worthy. In the presence of immeasurable, boundless Buddhas, this person has deeply planted roots of goodness and will be stroked on the head by the Tathagatas. If a person merely copies the sutra, after death that person will be born in the Trayastrimsha Heaven, where eighty-four thousand heavenly maidens will welcome that person with music.

That person will wear a crown adorned with the seven treasures and enjoy pleasures among the celestial maidens. How much more will this be true of one who receives, upholds, reads, and recites it, remembers its meaning, and practices in accordance with its teachings! If anyone receives, upholds, reads, and recites it and clearly understands its meaning, after death a thousand Buddhas will extend their hands to that person, causing that person to be without fear and not to fall into the evil paths.

That person will be born in the presence of Bodhisattva Maitreya in the Tushita Heaven. Bodhisattva Maitreya possesses the thirty-two excellent marks and is surrounded by an assembly of great bodhisattvas, with hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of celestial maidens as attendants dwelling there. Such are the merits and benefits this person will attain.

Therefore, wise persons should single-mindedly copy the sutra themselves or have others copy it, receive, uphold, read, and recite it, correctly recollect it, and practice in accordance with its teachings.

World-Honored One! After the Tathagata’s parinirvana, I will use my spiritual powers to protect this sutra, causing it to circulate widely and preventing it from ever disappearing from Jambudvipa.

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha praised him:

“Excellent, excellent, Universal Worthy! You are able to support this sutra, enabling sentient beings to gain much peace, joy, and benefit. You have accomplished inconceivable merit and possess vast loving-kindness and compassion. Since long ago, you have resolved to attain unsurpassed bodhi, and thus you have made the vow to protect this sutra with your spiritual powers. I shall use my spiritual powers to shelter those who uphold the name of Bodhisattva Universal Worthy.

“Universal Worthy! If anyone upholds, reads, recites, remembers, reflects upon, practices, and copies this sutra, know that such a person has encountered Śākyamuni Buddha and heard this sutra spoken from the Buddha’s own mouth. Know that this person has made offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha, is praised by the Buddha, has had the Buddha place his hand upon their head, and is covered by the Buddha’s robe.

Such a person will no longer be attached to worldly sensual pleasures, will take no delight in the scriptures of non-Buddhist paths, and will not associate with authors of non-Buddhist texts or with those engaged in evil occupations, such as butchers, breeders of pigs, goats, chickens, or dogs, hunters, or traffickers in women. This person’s mind will be honest and upright, their recollection correct, and they will possess the power of merit.

This person will not be harmed by the three poisons, nor by jealousy, self-conceit, false conceit, or overweening pride. Having few desires and knowing contentment, this person will be able to cultivate the practices of Universal Worthy.

“Universal Worthy! Five hundred years after the Tathagata’s parinirvana, if anyone sees a person reading, reciting, and upholding the Lotus Sutra, they should think: ‘Before long, this person will proceed to the place of enlightenment, defeat the hosts of Māra, attain unsurpassed bodhi, turn the Dharma wheel, beat the Dharma drum, blow the Dharma conch, pour down the rain of Dharma, and sit upon the lion throne of Dharma amid the assemblies of devas and humans.’

“Universal Worthy! In future ages, those who uphold, read, and recite this sutra will no longer be attached to worldly things. Their clothing, bedding, food, possessions, and all that they seek will be obtained according to their wishes, and even in this present life they will receive blessed rewards.

“If anyone scorns and slanders such a person, saying, ‘You are a madman! What you do is useless and will yield no result,’ the one who slanders in this way will suffer the retribution of blindness lifetime after lifetime. If anyone makes offerings to and praises such a person, they will enjoy blessed rewards in this very life.

If anyone sees a person who upholds this sutra and exposes that person’s faults, whether real or unreal, they will contract leprosy in this present life. If anyone scorns, ridicules, or mocks such a person, lifetime after lifetime their teeth will be sparse and missing, their lips ugly, their nose flat, their hands and feet crooked, their eyes crossed, and their body filthy and covered with sores, blood, and pus; their abdomen will be diseased and ulcerated, their breath short, and they will suffer other grave illnesses.

Therefore, Universal Worthy, if you see anyone who upholds this sutra, you must rise and respectfully receive that person as you would the Buddha himself.”

When the Buddha spoke this chapter, “The Encouragement of Universal Worthy,” immeasurable and boundless bodhisattvas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, attained hundreds of thousands of koṭis of revolving dhāraṇīs, and innumerable bodhisattvas, as numerous as the motes of dust in the three-thousand-great-thousand world, perfected the path and practices of Universal Worthy.

Chapter 27: ENTRUSTMENT

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha rose from his seat and manifested great spiritual power. With his right hand, he stroked the heads of immeasurable great bodhisattvas and said:

“Throughout immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of asaṃkhyeya kalpas, I cultivated this Dharma of unsurpassed, complete, and perfect enlightenment, which is difficult to attain. I now entrust it to you. You must single-mindedly propagate this Dharma far and wide and cause it to flourish.”

The Buddha stroked the bodhisattvas’ heads three times in this way and then said:

“Throughout hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of asaṃkhyeya kalpas, I cultivated this Dharma of unsurpassed, complete, and perfect enlightenment, which is difficult to attain. I now entrust it to you. You must uphold, read, recite, and expound this Dharma so that all sentient beings may hear and know it.

“Why is this? Because the Tathagata possesses great loving-kindness and compassion, without stinginess or fear, and is able to enable sentient beings to attain the wisdom of the Buddha, the wisdom of the Tathagata, and self-arising wisdom. The Tathagata is the great donor to all sentient beings. You should follow and learn the Tathagata’s Dharma and must not be stingy.

“In future ages, if any good man or good woman has faith in the wisdom of the Tathagata, you should expound this Lotus Sutra so that they may all hear and know it and attain the wisdom of the Buddha. If there are sentient beings who do not believe and accept it, you should instruct them with other profound and wondrous teachings of the Tathagata, enabling them to gain benefit and rejoice. If you can do this, you will have repaid the great benevolence of all the Buddhas.”

Having heard the Buddha teach in this way, all the great bodhisattvas rejoiced exceedingly and expressed their reverence and faith. Bending forward and bowing their heads, they joined their palms toward the Buddha and said in unison:

“We shall fully carry out all that the World-Honored One has instructed. We humbly pray that the World-Honored One have no concern!”

The assemblies of great bodhisattvas all spoke three times in this way:

“We shall fully carry out all that the World-Honored One has instructed. We humbly pray that the World-Honored One have no concern!”

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha, wishing the emanation Buddhas from the ten directions all to return to their original places, said:

“May all the Buddhas remain at peace in their respective places, and may the stupa of the Buddha Abundant Treasures return to its former place.”

When the Buddha had finished speaking, the immeasurable emanation Buddhas seated upon lion thrones beneath jeweled trees, together with the Buddha Abundant Treasures; the immeasurable, boundless asaṃkhyeya assemblies of bodhisattvas of superior practice; Śāriputra; the fourfold assembly of śrāvakas; and the devas, humans, and asuras—all who had heard the Buddha teach this sutra—rejoiced exceedingly.