大乘悲分陀利經

Chapter 28: THE ASSEMBLY OF BODHISATTVAS

O Bodhisattva Tranquil Resolve, today, with the Buddha-eye, I observe that throughout the ten directions, all the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, as numerous as the dust motes in a Buddha-land, who have entered parinirvana, were in the past first encouraged and guided by me when they initially aroused the resolve to seek bodhi, cultivated the perfection of giving through the perfection of wisdom, and attained unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment.

The Buddhas of the future will likewise be so. Good man, I now see in the east immeasurable Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, presently abiding in the world, turning the Dharma wheel and teaching the Dharma to sentient beings. They too were first encouraged and guided by me in the past to arouse the resolve to seek unsurpassed enlightenment and cultivate the six perfections.

The same is true in the south, west, north, the four intermediate directions, above, and below.

Good man, in the east, more than eight thousand nine hundred million Buddha-lands from this Buddha-land, there is a world called Hoa Phu. The Buddha there is named Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata, who is presently abiding in the world and teaching the Dharma to sentient beings. I was also the first to encourage that World-Honored One to arouse the resolve for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi; through my initial encouragement and guidance in the past, he aroused the resolve to seek unsurpassed enlightenment and cultivated the six perfections.

Also in the east is the land Joyful Delight, whose Buddha is named Akshobhya; the land Tử Ma, whose Buddha is named Buddha Treasury; the land Joyful Sovereignty, whose Buddha is named Joyful Sovereign Moonlight; the land One Sun, whose Buddha is named Wisdom Sun; the land Victorious Rest, whose Buddha is named Dragon Thunder; the land Equal Grove, whose Buddha is named Vajra Renown; the land Sovereign King, whose Buddha is named Tiger Crown; the land Without Delight, whose Buddha is named Sun Treasury; the land Illuminating Enmity, whose Buddha is named Sovereign Renown; the land Pervading Light, whose Buddha is named Inconceivable King; the land Protected by the Multitude, whose Buddha is named Treasury of Moon Virtue; the land Flower Light, whose Buddha is named Victorious Sound Light;

the land Supreme Peace, whose Buddha is named Manifest Peace Sovereign Meru; the land Upholding the King, whose Buddha is named Wisdom Image; and the land Variegated Flowers, whose Buddha is named Stainless Eye....

Good man, in this way immeasurable, boundless asamkhyeyas of Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, in the east are presently turning the Dharma wheel and expounding the true Dharma for sentient beings. Before they aroused the resolve for bodhi, I was the first to encourage and guide them to enter and abide in the path to unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment, urged them to cultivate the six perfections, and led them before the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, then abiding and teaching the Dharma throughout the ten directions, where they received predictions of unsurpassed enlightenment.

At that time, in the eastern world Hoa Phu, while Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata was seated upon his lion throne, the great earth quaked in six ways, a great radiance shone forth, and countless kinds of precious flowers rained down. Seeing these events, the bodhisattvas addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, for what cause and condition has the Tathagata’s seat trembled in this way? We have never before seen such a thing!”

Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata replied:

“Good men, to the west, more than eight billion nine hundred million Buddha-lands from this Buddha-land, there is a world called Saha. The Buddha there is named Shakyamuni Tathagata, who is presently teaching the four assemblies of disciples the Dharma of past events. Formerly, when that Tathagata was practicing the bodhisattva conduct, he was the first to encourage and guide me toward enlightenment, causing me to arouse the resolve to seek unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment and cultivate the six perfections.

Moreover, that Tathagata was also the first to lead me before the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, and enabled me to receive a prediction of unsurpassed enlightenment. That Shakyamuni is my good spiritual friend. He is now in the Saha world teaching the four assemblies of disciples the Dharma of past events.

Through the majestic power of Shakyamuni, my seat has been caused to tremble. Good men, who among you can go to the Saha Buddha-land and, on my behalf, respectfully inquire after Shakyamuni Tathagata’s health and ask whether his daily life and work of teaching proceed in ease and peace?”

Those bodhisattvas then addressed Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata:

“Yes, World-Honored One. The bodhisattvas in this land of Hoa Phu possess complete supernormal powers and are all bodhisattvas who have attained mastery of every virtue. Thus, when they saw that great sphere of light early this morning, they all knew it to be a portent coming from another land. The great earth repeatedly quaked, and marvelous flowers rained from the heavens. After seeing this, countless bodhisattvas wished to use their supernormal powers to travel to the Saha world, behold Shakyamuni Tathagata, respectfully make offerings to him, honor and praise him, and inquire about and receive all the dharani gateways. Yet none of them knows in which direction the Saha world of Shakyamuni Tathagata lies.”

Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata then extended his golden right arm. From the tips of his five fingers he emitted countless wondrous rays of light, which illuminated eight billion nine hundred million Buddha-lands and reached as far as the Saha world. By means of this light, those bodhisattvas saw that throughout the Saha world there were presently countless bodhisattvas, as well as assemblies of devas, nagas, yakshas, asuras, and others, filling all of space. Having seen this, the bodhisattvas addressed Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata:

“World-Honored One, we have now seen the Saha world and clearly know the direction in which that land lies. We also see countless bodhisattvas and assemblies of devas, humans, nagas, and asuras filling it everywhere, so that there appears to be no vacant place at all. That Shakyamuni Tathagata also sees us. He is expounding the wondrous path of Dharma.” ■

Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata then told the bodhisattvas:

“Good men, Shakyamuni Tathagata constantly sees everything everywhere without omission through his unsurpassed, pure Buddha-eye. All sentient beings in the Saha world, whether on the ground or in space, say, ‘Shakyamuni Tathagata sees my mind alone and teaches the Dharma specifically for me.’ Good men, that Shakyamuni Tathagata teaches the Dharma to countless different kinds of beings with a single voice. If sentient beings in that land worship Brahma, they see the Tathagata’s bodily form as resembling Brahma and hear him teach the Dharma in the voice of Great Brahma.

Likewise, sentient beings who worship Mara, Shakra, the Sun, the Moon, Vaishravana, Virudhaka, Virupaksha, Dhritarashtra, Maheshvara, and so forth—up to eighty-four thousand kinds of worshipers—each see Shakyamuni Tathagata in the form of the being they revere and hear the Dharma as medicine suited to their condition, believing it to have been taught exclusively for their own kind.”

At that time, within the great assembly in the Buddha-land Hoa Phu were two bodhisattvas, one named Banner Image and the other named Moonlight Illumination. Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata told these two bodhisattvas:

“Good men, go to the Saha world and convey my words: ‘I respectfully inquire after the health of Shakyamuni Tathagata. Do his daily life and work of teaching proceed peacefully and with pure joy?’”

The two bodhisattvas addressed the Buddha:

“We see that the assemblies gathered throughout that Buddha’s entire Saha land fill it everywhere without leaving any vacant space. If we go there, where shall we stand?”

Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata said:

“Good men, do not say that there is no room in that world. Why? Because that place is vast and boundless.

Shakyamuni Tathagata is endowed with immeasurable, inconceivable virtues. Through the power of his original vows and the great compassion with which he constantly pities sentient beings, he enables immeasurable kinds of beings to enter the Buddha-Dharma and receive the Three Refuges. He then teaches them the Dharma of the Three Vehicles, instructs them in the various precepts, reveals the three gates of liberation, rescues sentient beings from the three evil destinies, and establishes them in the three good realms.

Good men, not long after Shakyamuni attained enlightenment, wishing to tame sentient beings, he sat in the Bà-la cave on Mount Tỳ-đà and for seven days and seven nights entered meditative absorption, enjoying the purity of the Dharma. At that time, the Buddha’s body completely filled the cave, leaving not the slightest vacant space. After seven days had passed, twelve nayutas of great bodhisattvas from worlds throughout the ten directions came to the Saha world.

Standing on the mountainside, they wished to enter the cave to behold, bow to, honor, approach, question, and receive the wondrous Dharma from Shakyamuni Tathagata.

“Good men, Shakyamuni Tathagata then manifested supernormal powers for that great assembly of bodhisattvas, causing the Bà-la cave to become immensely spacious. Even after the twelve nayutas of bodhisattvas entered the cave, they still found it broad and open. Each bodhisattva employed the various sovereign supernormal powers of the Lion’s Sport that he had attained to make offerings to the Tathagata.

Each sat upon a magically manifested jeweled throne and listened to the wondrous Dharma. Through the Buddha’s supernormal power, after hearing the Dharma, the bodhisattvas rose from their seats, respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him three times to the right, and then returned in succession to their own lands. Thereafter, the Bà-la cave returned to its former state.

Shakra, lord of the second heavenly realm over the four continents, whose name was Kaushika, saw that his lifespan was nearing its end and that he would fall into the animal realm. Greatly frightened, he went with eighty-four thousand devas of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, or Trayastrimsha Heaven, to the Bà-la cave and approached the World-Honored One. They remained at the cave entrance, which was guarded by the yaksha Đế Nhãn.

Through the majestic power of the Buddha, Shakra thought, ‘I should now send the gandharva youth Pancasikha to praise the World-Honored One with wondrous music; perhaps the World-Honored One will then emerge from samadhi.’

“Having thought this, Shakra ordered the gandharva youth Pancasikha to play his lapis lazuli lute. Producing extraordinarily wondrous sounds, he uttered five hundred praises extolling the World-Honored One.

“Good men, as Pancasikha praised the Buddha, Shakyamuni Tathagata entered the Samadhi of Unsurpassed Illumination. Through the wondrous power of that samadhi, all the assemblies of yakshas, rakshasas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, gandharvas, and devas of the desire and form realms throughout the Saha world gathered together in full. Among them, those who delighted in wondrous sounds heard whatever they wished and rejoiced greatly.

Those who delighted in hearing praises of the Buddha heard them and rejoiced, giving rise to reverence and respect for the Tathagata. Sentient beings who delighted in music immediately heard it and likewise rejoiced. Shakyamuni Tathagata then emerged from samadhi.

The great assembly stood at the entrance to the Bà-la cave, and Shakra alone approached the World-Honored One and respectfully asked:

“‘World-Honored One, where shall I sit today?’

“The Buddha said:

“‘Kaushika, your retinue should all assemble inside the Bà-la cave. The Tathagata will cause this cave to become vast and spacious, with enough room to seat great assemblies and their retinues numbering twelve times the sands of the Ganges.’

“Shakyamuni Tathagata then expounded the true Dharma in a wondrous voice, enabling eighty-four thousand sentient beings of differing capacities to hear. Those in the assembly who trained in the shravaka vehicle heard the shravaka Dharma, and nine billion sentient beings attained the fruit of stream-entry. Those who trained in the pratyekabuddha vehicle heard the pratyekabuddha Dharma.

Those who trained in the immeasurable Buddha Vehicle heard the pure Dharma of the immeasurable Mahayana. In the assembly headed by the gandharva youth Pancasikha, eighteen nayutas of sentient beings attained non-retrogression toward unsurpassed bodhi. Those who had not yet aroused the resolve all did so: some aroused the resolve to seek complete and perfect enlightenment, some to seek pratyekabuddhahood, and some to seek the shravaka vehicle.

Shakra Kaushika alone was freed from fear, his lifespan was extended by one thousand years, and he attained the fruit of stream-entry.

“Good men, through his supernormal power, Shakyamuni Tathagata can create such vast and boundless events. The voice with which he expounds the true Dharma is likewise so; no one can measure its limits. That Buddha’s skillful means for teaching and guiding sentient beings are immeasurable and boundless, and no one can fully know their extent.

Good men, that Tathagata’s physical body is also boundless and immeasurable. No one can see its crown or know its furthest limit. For example, if all the sentient beings gathered today in the Saha land wished to enter Shakyamuni Tathagata’s belly, it could contain them all, yet the Tathagata’s belly would neither increase nor decrease.

Those sentient beings would not know where the boundary of the Tathagata’s belly lay. If all these beings gathered together and simultaneously entered a single pore, none would be obstructed. Even with the divine eye they could not see the boundary of that pore, yet the Tathagata’s pore would neither increase nor decrease.

Thus the bodily form of Shakyamuni Tathagata can contain immeasurable, boundless sentient beings!

“Furthermore, good men, the world of Shakyamuni Tathagata is also infinitely vast. Good men, even if there were sentient beings from worlds throughout the ten directions as numerous as the sands of the Ganges rivers, that Buddha’s world could contain them all. Why? Because when that Tathagata first aroused the resolve to attain perfect enlightenment, he made immeasurable and boundless vows. Good men, not only could it contain sentient beings from worlds as numerous as the sands of one Ganges, but even sentient beings from worlds throughout the ten directions as numerous as the sands of a thousand Ganges rivers. Yet the appearance of that world would remain as before, neither increasing nor decreasing.

“Good men, when Shakyamuni Tathagata first aroused the resolve to attain perfect enlightenment, he wished to perfect omniscience and therefore made great vows. Consequently, today he possesses an immeasurable and boundless world. Shakyamuni Tathagata possesses these four qualities in which the other Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, cannot equal him. Good men, now take these Stainless Moon-Delight flowers to the Saha Buddha-world in the west, which you have seen, and on my behalf ask Shakyamuni Buddha: ‘Do your daily life and work of teaching proceed in stability and peace?’”

Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata then gave the Stainless Moon-Delight flowers to Bodhisattva Banner Image and Bodhisattva Moonlight Illumination and said:

“Rely upon the wondrous power of my supernormal abilities and go to that world.”

At that moment, twenty thousand bodhisattvas in that land together addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, we too wish to rely upon the Tathagata’s supernormal power and travel to the Saha world to behold, revere, and make offerings to Shakyamuni Tathagata.”

Stainless Virtue Luminous King Buddha said:

“Good men, you should know the proper time.”

Thus Bodhisattva Banner Image and Bodhisattva Moonlight Illumination, together with twenty thousand other bodhisattvas, relied upon the supernormal power of Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata and departed from the world Hoa Phu. In the brief interval of a single thought, they arrived in the Saha world and went directly to Mount Gridhrakuta. Before Shakyamuni, they knelt upright, joined their palms, and addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, to the east, more than eight billion nine hundred million Buddha-lands from here, there is a world called Hoa Phu. The Buddha in that land is named Stainless Virtue Luminous King Tathagata. He is presently surrounded by countless great assemblies of bodhisattvas who are listening to the Dharma.

He extolled and praised the virtues of the World-Honored One, saying: ‘In the Saha world there is a Buddha named Shakyamuni Tathagata who is presently turning the wheel of the true Dharma for the great assembly. When that World-Honored One was a bodhisattva, he was the first to encourage me to arouse the resolve for bodhi. After I aroused the resolve to seek the unsurpassed path, he further encouraged me to cultivate the six perfections.

Shakyamuni Tathagata possesses these four qualities in which the other Tathagatas cannot equal him.’ Today Stainless Virtue Luminous King Buddha sent us to present these Stainless Moon-Delight flowers to the World-Honored One and respectfully inquire after your health, asking whether your daily life and work of teaching always proceed in peace and pure joy.”

Good man, in the eastern world Joyful Delight, the seat of Akshobhya Buddha also quaked in six ways. Seeing this, the bodhisattvas in his Dharma assembly addressed the Buddha, as stated in brief above. At that time, immeasurable and countless Tathagatas in the east sent bodhisattvas, each bearing Stainless Moon-Delight flowers, to the Saha world to behold, bow to, greet, and make offerings to Shakyamuni Tathagata, respectfully approach him, and receive the wondrous Dharma.

O Bodhisattva Tranquil Resolve, I see in the south, more than Buddha-lands equal in number to the sands of one Ganges from this Buddha-land, a world called Dispelling All Sorrow and Affliction. The Buddha there is named Affliction-Free Virtue Tathagata, who is presently abiding in the world and teaching the Dharma. Formerly, while that Buddha was practicing the bodhisattva conduct, I encouraged him to arouse the resolve for bodhi and seek unsurpassed enlightenment.

There are also Dharma Sovereign Thunder Buddha in the land Jambudvipa Light; Resolute Sovereign Firm Truth Buddha in the land Peaceful Meru; Lion’s Vigorous Advance King Buddha in the land Majestically Adorned Virtue; Narayana Hidden Treasury Buddha in the land Adorned with Pearl Light; Precious Accumulation of Virtue Vigorous Advance Buddha in the land Pervaded by Radiance; Luminous Treasury Buddha in the land Celestial Delight; Constellation Renown Buddha in the land Sandalwood Root; Merit-Power Brahma King Buddha in the land Fragrant Renown; Gentle Thunder Voice Buddha in the land Good Understanding; Brahma-Renowned Sovereign King Buddha in the land Tranquil Dwelling; Sovereign Bright Illumination Buddha in the land Thunder Manifestation; Gentle Voice Buddha in the land Cloud Thunder;

Jeweled Palm Dragon Buddha in the land Distributing Jewels; and Dharma-Cloud Moonlight Sovereign Buddha in the land Paramita Jeweled Tree... (as stated in brief above).

Thus, in the south, the seats of immeasurable asamkhyeyas of Buddhas all trembled. Those Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, all extolled and praised Shakyamuni Tathagata and sent bodhisattvas bearing Stainless Moon-Delight flowers to this Saha land to behold him, make offerings to him, revere and approach him, honor and praise him, and then take their seats in order to receive the wondrous Dharma.

Good man, I also see in the west, more than nine billion seven hundred million nayutas of Buddha-lands from here, a world called Tranquil. The Buddha there is named Jeweled Mountain Tathagata, who is presently abiding in the world and teaching the Dharma to sentient beings. When that Buddha was practicing the bodhisattva conduct, I was the first to encourage him to arouse the resolve for bodhi and seek unsurpassed enlightenment.

There are also Wondrous Light Treasury Buddha, Voice of Wisdom Treasury Buddha, Light Renown Buddha, Universal Treasury Subduer Buddha, Brahma Flower Buddha, Transcendent Palm Buddha, Dharma-Lamp Illumination Buddha, Unequaled Loving-Kindness Buddha, Joyful Lofty Voice Buddha, Proclamation King Buddha, and Brahma Sovereign Voice Buddha... (all as previously stated).... Thus, in the west there are immeasurable and countless Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, whose names Shakyamuni Tathagata proclaimed and praised.

Their seats all trembled. At that time, immeasurable and countless Buddhas in that direction sent bodhisattvas bearing Stainless Moon-Delight flowers to the Saha world, where they all took their seats to hear the Dharma... (stated in brief).... The same occurred in the north, above, below, southeast, southwest, and northwest, as stated above.

Good man, I see in the northeast, more than nine billion eight hundred million nayutas of Buddha-lands from this world, a world called Dustless. The Buddha there is named Dispeller of Sorrow, Courageous Supreme, Vastly Learned Brahma King Tathagata. When he was a bodhisattva, I was the first to encourage that Tathagata to arouse the resolve for bodhi, seek unsurpassed enlightenment, cultivate the six perfections, and go before the Buddhas, where he received a prediction.

At that time, the seat of that Buddha also trembled.... In that Tathagata’s assembly were two bodhisattvas, one named Mountain Mystery and the other named Equal Delightful Progress. Dispeller of Sorrow, Courageous Supreme, Vastly Learned Brahma King Tathagata then told those two bodhisattvas:

“Good men, go to the Saha world and say on my behalf: ‘I respectfully inquire after the health of Shakyamuni Tathagata. Do his daily life and work of teaching proceed peacefully and with pure joy?’”... (as stated in brief above). There were also the Buddhas Destroyer of All Maras, Sala King, Great-Power Radiance, Lotus Increase, Sandalwood, Meru King, Firm Deep Water, and Fire-Wisdom Great Power. Immeasurable Buddhas such as these all sent bodhisattvas to the Saha world. The same was true in the north, the four intermediate directions, above, and below.

Chapter 29: ENTERING THE GATEWAY OF SAMADHI

At that time, all the assemblies had gathered together in full within this Saha land. Through the wondrous power of his supernormal abilities, Shakyamuni Tathagata caused the body of every person present to become as small as a mustard seed. They filled the earth and space everywhere, so that throughout the entire Saha world there was scarcely a vacant space even as small as a hair.

At that moment, the members of the assembly could not see one another. Nor could they see Mount Sumeru, the Cakravada and Great Cakravada Mountains, or the regions of darkness enclosed between the Great and Lesser Cakravada Mountains; nevertheless, none of these caused any obstruction. This extended upward to the palaces of the devas and downward to the vajra foundation. Only the Buddha, the World-Honored One, saw everything throughout.

Shakyamuni Tathagata then entered the Samadhi of the Uninterrupted and Indestructible Dharma Pervading Space, causing the immeasurable Stainless Moon-Delight flowers to enter the pores throughout his body. The entire great assembly saw this. At that time, the sentient beings there no longer remembered that this was the Buddha’s physical body, but saw only beautiful gardens within his pores.

In those gardens were jeweled trees whose branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits flourished luxuriantly. They were adorned with countless precious robes, banners, jeweled canopies, jeweled crowns, jeweled necklaces, and pearls, just like the Land of Bliss in the west. Upon seeing this, everyone in the great assembly thought, “We should go and stroll through those beautiful gardens.” At that time, except for sentient beings in the hells, hungry ghosts, animals, and the formless heavens, all members of the assembly present entered through the pores, sat down, and wandered through each garden within the Tathagata’s body.

When the World-Honored One withdrew his supernormal manifestation, the sentient beings could once again see one another as before. They then asked:

“Where is Shakyamuni Tathagata?”

Bodhisattva Maitreya told the great assembly:

“You should know that we are all presently within the Tathagata’s body.”

Having seen both the inside and outside of the Tathagata’s body, this great assembly realized that they and immeasurable other assemblies were gathered within the Tathagata’s body. They said to one another:

“How did we enter this place? Who guided us inside?”

Bodhisattva Maitreya again told the great assembly:

“You should know that the Tathagata is manifesting the wondrous power of a great supernormal transformation. To benefit the great assembly, he is about to teach four dharmas. Single-mindedly direct your attention and receive them.”

Hearing this, everyone in the great assembly knelt upright, joined their palms, and obediently listened to the teaching. The Tathagata then expounded the Sutra of the Practice of All Dharma Gateways. What is called the Sutra of the Practice of All Dharma Gateways? It is the sutra that carries sentient beings across the abyss of birth and death, brings them into the Noble Eightfold Path, and enables them to perfect omniscience in all its aspects.

Good men, there are ten earnest resolutions for bodhi through which one can enter this gateway. What are the ten?

First, earnestly resolve that all sentient beings attain liberation, rejoice in their merit, and dedicate it.

Second, maintain a mind of great compassion toward sentient beings and rescue them.

Third, benefit, gather, and deliver all sentient beings.

Fourth, ferry across all who have not yet crossed, like a great shipmaster.

Fifth, liberate all who have not yet been liberated and completely eliminate every inversion.

Sixth, roar the great lion’s roar to awaken all sentient beings and cause them to contemplate the Dharma of non-self.

Seventh, travel to all worlds and awaken sentient beings to understand that all dharmas are like illusory dreams.

Eighth, create a radiant and adorned world, put the dharma-dhatu in order, and cause it to become pure.

Ninth, accomplish the adornment of the Tathagata’s ten powers and perfect all the paramitas.

Tenth, accomplish the adornment of the four fearlessnesses, practice in accordance with what has been taught, and adorn the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha.

These are the ten dharmas of earnestly arousing the resolve for unsurpassed bodhi, through which one can enter all these gateways of practice, attain non-retrogression toward unsurpassed enlightenment, and enter the gateway of signless practice and the gateway of the practice of the path of wisdom. Therefore, it is neither retrogression nor non-retrogression, neither annihilation nor permanence, neither concentration nor distraction.

When the World-Honored One taught these dharmas, sentient beings numbering eighty billion times the sands of the Ganges, who were within the Tathagata’s belly, immediately attained non-retrogression toward unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment. Countless great bodhisattvas also realized profound samadhis and dharanis. All the great assembly then emerged through the Tathagata’s pores.

Filled with astonishment, they praised this unprecedented event, immediately approached the Buddha, respectfully bowed at the Tathagata’s feet, and then returned to their respective lands throughout the ten directions.

At that time, the great assemblies within the bodies of the Tathagatas all emerged through their pores. They respectfully bowed at the feet of the World-Honored One, circumambulated the Buddha three times, and then, before the Tathagata, unanimously extolled and praised him with countless wondrous verses complete in wording and meaning.

The devas of the desire and form realms then rained down all kinds of exquisite flowers, scented ointments, and powdered incense; played celestial music; and hung five-colored celestial silken streamers, banners, jeweled canopies, jewels, and jeweled necklaces as offerings to the Tathagata.

Chapter 30: ENTRUSTMENT

At that time, within the assembly was a bodhisattva named Fearless Samadhi. He approached the Buddha, knelt upright, joined his palms, and addressed him:

“World-Honored One, what shall this great bestowal of predictions be called, and how should it be upheld?”

The Buddha said:

“This sutra is called ‘The Dharani Gateway of Entering the Practice of Omniscience in All Its Aspects.’ It is also called ‘The Treasury of the Buddhas,’ ‘The Great Gathering,’ ‘Bestowing Predictions upon Bodhisattvas,’ ‘Entering the Fearless Path,’ ‘Entering All Samadhis,’ ‘Manifesting the Buddha-Lands,’ ‘Like the Great Ocean,’ ‘Beyond Number,’ and ‘The Great Compassion Pundarika.’”

Bodhisattva Fearless Samadhi again addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, if a good man or good woman receives, upholds, reads, and recites this sutra and explains it to others, even if only a single four-line verse, what merit will that person obtain?”

The Buddha said:

“I have already spoken earlier of the merit of this sutra; I shall now explain it briefly for you. If a good man or good woman receives and upholds this sutra, reads, recites, and copies it, and explains it to others, even if only a single four-line verse, that person’s merit will surpass that of a bodhisattva who cultivates the six perfections for ten great kalpas. Why?

Because this sutra can eliminate the evil thoughts of devas, humans, Brahmas, Maras, shramanas, brahmins, yakshas, rakshasas, nagas, gandharvas, kumbhandas, hungry ghosts, pishacas, kimnaras, and asuras. This sutra can also eliminate every affliction arising from disputes, enmity, and jealousy, as well as storms, floods, epidemics, famine, and similar calamities. It can enable sentient beings always to enjoy stability and peace, increase their health, and live happily.

It reconciles those who are in discord; those who are terrified are freed from all fear and attain fearless peace. The sutra can eliminate the various fetters and increase wholesome roots. It enables sentient beings in the three evil destinies to escape all suffering, reveals the wondrous path of the Three Vehicles, and enables them to attain samadhis, dharanis, and patience.

It benefits all sentient beings, enables one to sit upon the vajra seat at the bodhi-manda, destroys the four kinds of demonic obstruction, teaches the dharmas that aid bodhi, and turns the wheel of the true Dharma. Those lacking the noble treasures obtain them in full, and immeasurable, boundless sentient beings are enabled to enter the citadel of fearlessness. This is a great sutra that brings many great benefits.

To whom shall it now be entrusted? Who can protect and uphold this Dharma in an age filled with the five evil defilements? Who can proclaim this sutra so that non-retrogressing bodhisattvas everywhere may hear it?

Furthermore, who can teach this Dharma to sentient beings who commit unlawful acts, are driven by sensual desire, hold wrong views, and do not believe in the consequences of good and evil?”

The great assembly then understood the Tathagata’s intention. A yaksha seer named Na-di-lâu-phất-sa, who was present in the assembly, was led by Bodhisattva Maitreya before the World-Honored One.

The Buddha said:

“Great seer, you shall receive this Dharma gateway.... In the future, during an evil age, you shall widely proclaim and circulate it everywhere, enabling all non-retrogressing bodhisattvas in every direction to know it. Those who hear it will establish their minds in non-retrogression.”

The seer addressed the Buddha:

“Yes, World-Honored One! Through an original vow, I became a yaksha seer and cultivated the bodhi conduct for eighty-four thousand great kalpas. I have encouraged and guided countless sentient beings to cultivate the four immeasurable minds and abide on the stage of non-retrogression. World-Honored One, in the future evil and defiled age, if any sentient being receives and upholds this sutra, reads, recites, and copies it, or explains to others even a single four-line verse, I shall personally and wholeheartedly protect that Dharma teacher and cause him to remain far removed from every suffering and affliction.”

When the Buddha had finished teaching this sutra, Bodhisattva Tranquil Resolve and the great assemblies of devas, nagas, gandharvas, asuras, and humans all rejoiced, paid homage, and withdrew.

END OF VOLUME 8