Lotus Sutra
Chapter 1: Introduction
Summary Overview
| Section 1: Paragraphs 1─18 | A diverse range of living beings from different realms of existence—bodhisattvas, humans, heavenly gods, asuras, etc.—congregate at Eagle Peak so as to listen to the Buddha’s teachings.
A divine sign appears: the Buddha emits a brilliant ray of light from the tuft of his white hair between his eyebrows, illuminating the thousand worlds and making visible all living beings dwelling in the six realms of existence. Seeing this, Bodhisattva Maitreya asks Bodhisattva Manjushri to explain the divine sign.
Key Messages It is rare for the kings of various living beings to assemble for the Buddha’s teachings. This signifies the supreme importance of the Dharma that the Buddha was going to expound.
|
| Section 2:
Paragraphs 1─60 |
Bodhisattva Maitreya asks Manjushri in poetic stanzas about the appearance of the light. |
| Section 3:
Paragraphs 1─14
|
Bodhisattva Manjushri narrates the history of the former Buddha—Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha. The Buddha had eight sons who subsequently attained Buddhahood under the guidance of Bodhisattva Splendid Light, who was a Dharma Teacher at that time.
By drawing parallels to the light emitted by Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha prior to the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, he explains that the light was a sign that Shakyamuni Buddha was going to expound the Lotus Sutra.
Moreover, Bodhisattva Manjushri also reveals his past identity as Bodhisattva Splendid Light and the fact that Bodhisattva Seeker of Fame was the former life of Bodhisattva Maitreya. Although Bodhisattva Seeker of Fame was obsessed with fame and fortune, he will be able to attain Buddhahood in the future by virtue of his generosity and philanthropy.
Key Messages The light emitted by the Buddha is a sign of the revelation of the Ultimate Truth through the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. The light is a metaphor for truth and wisdom.
|
| Section 4:
Paragraphs 1─41 |
Manjushri speaks in poetic stanzas to summarize his narration of the history of Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha. He also mentions that Bodhisattva Maitreya will be the next successive Buddha after Shakyamuni Buddha.
|
Section 1: Paragraphs 1─18
1.1 Thus have I heard. Once, the Buddha was in Rajagriha on Eagle Peak together with twelve thousand great monks. All of them were arhats. Immaculate and free of agonies, they had received personal benefits by severing their bonds of existence and achieving freedom in their minds. The names of these well-known great arhats were: Ajnata-Kaundinya, Maha-Kashyapa, Uruvilva-Kashyapa, Gaya-Kashyapa, Nadi-Kashyapa, Shariputra, Maha-Maudgalyayana, Maha-Katyayana, Aniruddha, Kapphina, Gavampati, Revata, Pilindavatsa, Bakkula, Maha-Kaushthila, Nanda, Sundarananda, Purna (son of Maitrayani), Subhuti, Ananda, and Rahula. In addition, there were two thousand disciples—both the apprentice and the proficient ones.
1.2 Nun Mahaprajapati came with her six thousand followers. Rahula’s mother, nun Yashodhara, also came with her followers.
1.3 Eighty thousand bodhisattvas-mahasattvas were free from regressing in their pursuit of Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. All had gained dharani. Eloquent in joyful preaching, they turned the irreversible Dharma Wheel. Constantly praised by the Buddhas, they had planted bountiful virtuous roots by giving offerings to immeasurable hundreds of thousands of Buddhas living in the Buddhas’ abodes. Moreover, they had cultivated themselves in compassion and entered the Buddha-wisdom with readiness. Having mastered the Great Wisdom, they had arrived at the shore of enlightenment. All of them were renowned in the immeasurable worlds for their ability to save countless hundreds of thousands of living beings.
Bodhisattva Manjushri, Bodhisattva Avalokitasvara, Bodhisattva Gainer of Great Authority, Bodhisattva Ever Diligent, Bodhisattva Never Resting, Bodhisattva Precious Palm, Bodhisattva Medicine King, Bodhisattva Courageous Giver, Bodhisattva Precious Moon, Bodhisattva Moonlight, Bodhisattva Full Moon, Bodhisattva Great Power, Bodhisattva Infinite Power, Bodhisattva Transcending Threefold World, Bodhisattva Bhadrapala, Bodhisattva Maitreya, Bodhisattva Accumulated Treasures, and Bodhisattva Mentor.
1.4 At that time, Lord Shakra, King of the Heavenly Gods, was present together with his twenty thousand heavenly sons, namely Heavenly Son of the Moon, Heavenly Son Universal Fragrance, and Heavenly Son Precious Light. The Four Great Heavenly Kings were there with their ten thousand followers of heavenly sons. Heavenly Son Freedom and Heavenly Son Great Freedom were also present with their thirty thousand followers of heavenly sons.
1.5 Heavenly King Brahma, Lord of the Saha World, Great Brahma Shikhin, and Great Brahma Brilliant Light were present together with their twelve thousand heavenly sons.
1.6 Eight Dragon Kings—Dragon King Nanda, Dragon King Upananda, Dragon King Sagara, Dragon King Vasuki, Dragon King Takshaka, Dragon King Anavatapta, Dragon King Manasvin, and Dragon King Utpalaka—were present with hundreds and thousands of their followers.
1.7 Four Kimnara Kings—Kimnara King Dharma, Kimnara King Marvelous Dharma, Kimnara King Great Dharma, and Kimnara King Upholder of the Dharma—were present with hundreds and thousands of their followers.
1.8 Four Gandharva Kings—Gandharva King Joy, Gandharva King Joyful Music, Gandharva King Lovely, and Gandharva King Lovely Music—were present with hundreds and thousands of their followers.
1.9 Four Asura Kings—Asura King Balin, Asura King Kharas-kandha, Asura King Vemachitrin, and Asura King Rahu—were present with hundreds and thousands of their followers.
1.10 Four Garuda Kings—Garuda King Great Prestige, Garuda King Great Torso, Garuda King Great Abundance, and Garuda King Wishes Fulfilled—were present with hundreds and thousands of their followers.
1.11 Last but not least, the son of Vaidehi—King Ajatashatru—was also present with hundreds and thousands of his followers. Each of them, after having bowed at the feet of the Buddha, withdrew, and seated themselves at one side.
1.12 At that moment, the Lord of the World was surrounded by four groups of people who gave offerings, reverence, respect, and praises to him. For the sake of the bodhisattvas, the Buddha taught the Mahayana sutra known as The Immeasurable Meanings Sutra—the Dharma to guide bodhisattvas, the Dharma protected and mindfully guarded by Buddhas. Having finished expounding the sutra, the Buddha sat cross-legged in lotus position and entered into the Samadhi of the Sanctuary of Immeasurable Meanings; his body and mind remained still and motionless. Meanwhile, the sky rained down mandarava flowers, great mandarava flowers, manjushaka flowers, and great manjushaka flowers on the Buddha and the multitudes in the great assembly. All the Buddha-worlds trembled in six different ways.
1.13 Meanwhile, the attendees in the assembly gained an unprecedented experience—they were the monks, nuns, lay male disciples, lay female disciples, heavenly gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, and non-human beings as well as the ordinary kings, such as the Holy King of Wheel-Turning. With their palms delightfully pressed together, they gazed at the Buddha with a focused mind.
1.14 At that instant, the Buddha emitted a ray of light from the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows, illuminating the eighteen thousand worlds in the east—down from the lowest of Avichi hell and up to the highest of Akanishtha heaven—making the living beings in the six realms of existence visible. The present Buddhas living in those lands were also made visible, and their preaching of sutras was audible. Furthermore, practitioners, such as the monks, nuns, lay male disciples, and lay female disciples in those lands could also be seen, as could the bodhisattvas-mahasattvas practicing the bodhisattva ways through various causes and conditions, faith and understanding, as well as forms and appearances. Moreover, one could also see Buddhas entering parinirvana and the seven-jeweled pagodas being built for the keeping of the relics.
1.15 Meanwhile, Bodhisattva Maitreya pondered: “Now, the Lord of the World has manifested the divine sign. What is the reason for this auspicious sign? It is indeed an inconceivably rare event now that the Buddha-Lord of the World has entered into samadhi! Whom should I ask? Who can give me an answer?”
1.16 Then he pondered further: “There is Manjushri, the Prince of Dharma, who has been acquainted with and given offerings to immeasurable former Buddhas. Surely he must have seen this rare sign before. I shall ask him now.”
1.17 At the same time, the monks, nuns, lay male disciples, lay female disciples, and all the heavenly gods, dragons, demons, and others thought: “Who should I ask about the divine sign—the brilliant light emitted from the Buddha?”
1.18 At that moment, Bodhisattva Maitreya resolved to clear his doubts. After having observed the minds of the four groups—the monks, nuns, lay male disciples, and lay female disciples—as well as the heavenly gods, dragons, demons, and the rest of multitudes, he proceeded to ask Manjushri: “What is the reason for the manifestation of such an auspicious and divine sign—the resplendent ray of light that illuminates the eighteen thousand eastern lands, making the eminence of the Buddha-worlds visible to all?”
Thereupon, Bodhisattva Maitreya, wishing to reiterate his meaning, asked in stanzas:
Section 2: Paragraphs 1─60
2.1 “O Manjushri!
Why does our teacher emit a ray of resplendent light
from the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows,
bringing illumination everywhere in the worlds?
2.2 “Mandarava flowers
and manjushaka flowers are rained down;
fragrant breeze of sandalwood is blown,
bringing delights to the hearts of the assembly.
2.3 “What are the reasons
for the Earth to be adorned with purity
and the entire world
to tremble in six different ways?
2.4 “Meanwhile,
the four groups are delighted;
rejoicing in their bodies and minds,
at having gained something unprecedented.
2.5 “The brilliant beam of light from between his brows
illuminates the eighteen thousand lands
in the eastern direction,
enveloping all of them in golden hue.
2.6 “Living beings in the six realms of existence
throughout the Universe,
from the lowest of Avichi hell
to the highest of Akanishtha heaven;
2.7 “The direction of their births and deaths,
virtuous and villainous actions and environment,
fortunate and unfortunate retribution,
are made completely visible.
2.8 “I have also seen Buddhas,
the Holy Lords, the Lions,
expounding the sutras
of the foremost in subtlety and marvel.
2.9 “Their voices, clear and pure,
soft and gentle,
are used to teach
countless of millions of billions of bodhisattvas.
2.10 “The respective Buddhas in their own worlds
expound the True Dharma
by using voices as deeply wonderful as the Brahma,
bringing joy to people who listen to their teachings.
2.11 “To awaken living beings,
Buddhas explain the Buddha-Dharma
by using infinite reasoning,
similes, and parables.
2.12 “For those who are suffering,
weary of aging, illness, and death,
the Buddha will teach them nirvana
in order to put an end to their distress.
2.13 “For those who have blessings,
because of giving offerings to the Buddhas,
by virtue of their aspiration for the superior Dharma,
the Buddha will teach them the way of pratyekabuddha.
2.14 “For those children of the Buddhas
who have been practicing many good karmas
and seeking the unsurpassed wisdom,
the Buddha will teach them the pure way.
2.15 “O Manjushri!
Dwelling here,
I have seen and heard all these,
thousands of billions of them.
Innumerable as they are,
I shall now describe them in brief.
2.16 “I have seen bodhisattvas in those lands,
as numerous as the Ganges’s sands,
seeking the Buddha-way
through various causes and conditions.
2.17 “Some give alms,
such as gold, silver, corals, pearls,
seashells, and agates,
and various kinds of precious jewels.
2.18 “Some joyously offer alms—
diamonds and other precious stones,
male and female servants, carriages,
precious wagons, and palanquins.
2.19 “Dedicating their merits back to the Buddha-way,
they wish to attain the Vehicle
that is the foremost in the Threefold World,
the one being praised by all Buddhas.
2.20 “Some bodhisattvas give
precious four-horse carriages
decorated with railings and elaborated canopies
on the top and sides.
2.21 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who give away their own flesh, hands, and feet,
their wives, and children
in order to seek the unsurpassed way.
2.22 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who joyously give away
their own heads, eyes, and bodies
in order to seek the Buddha-wisdom.
2.23 “O Manjushri!
I have seen kings
who visit the abode of the Buddha
to inquire about the unsurpassed way.
2.24 “Choosing to abandon their lands of pleasure,
palaces, ministers, and concubines,
they shave their beards and heads
and put on the Dharma robes.
2.25 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who choose to become monks.
They enjoy reciting scriptures and sutras
in solitude and seclusion.
2.26 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who advance with courage and diligence.
Venturing deep into the mountains,
they contemplate about the Buddha-way.
2.27 “I have seen them discarding their desires,
dwelling always in seclusion,
practicing deep meditation,
and achieving the five divine powers.
2.28 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas,
with their palms pressed in peaceful meditation,
praise the Dharma Kings,
using thousands of millions of verses.
2.29 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who are profound in wisdom and firm in will,
skilled in asking the Buddha questions,
and capable of accepting the entire teaching.
2.30 “I have also seen the children of the Buddhas,
who are perfect in both meditation and wisdom,
able to preach the Dharma in the assembly
by using immeasurable similes and parables.
2.31 “Joyfully preaching the Dharma,
they teach and transform the bodhisattvas
by beating the drum of the Dharma
and vanquishing the army of devils.
2.32 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who are calm, tranquil, and silent.
They take no joy in
being revered by heavenly gods and dragons.
2.33 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
emitting light while dwelling in the forests,
saving those who are suffering in hell,
and leading them to enter the Buddha-way.
2.34 “I have also seen children of the Buddhas,
who walk through the forest,
never once asleep,
earnestly seeking the Buddha-Way.
2.35 “I have also seen those who observe all precepts,
dignified and perfect,
as pure as the precious pearls,
seeking the Buddha-way.
2.36 “I have also seen children of the Buddhas
who abide in the strength of endurance;
even if arrogant men
were to viciously lash at them,
they are able to persevere
in order to seek the Buddha-way.
2.37 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
staying away from amusement
and foolish companions,
choosing to affiliate only with people of wisdom.
2.38 “They focus on eliminating distractions,
controlling their thoughts amidst the mountains,
for thousands of millions of billions of years,
in order to seek the Buddha-way.
2.39 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who give sumptuous food and drink
and hundreds of herbal soups
to the Buddha and the monks.
2.40 “Some give fine robes and superior garments
worth thousands or millions,
or clothing that is priceless
to the Buddha and the monks.
2.41 “Some give thousands of millions of billions of
opulent buildings made of sandalwood
and various exquisite articles of bedding
to the Buddha and the monks.
2.42 “Some give impeccable gardens,
abundant in flowers and fruit,
replete with flowing springs and bathing pools,
to the Buddha and the monks.
2.43 “Some, joyfully and willingly,
give an assortment of
exquisite and wonderful alms
in order to seek the unsurpassed Way.
2.44 “There are bodhisattvas,
who expound the Dharma of nirvana
and a variety of other teachings
so as to lead the innumerable living beings.
2.45 “I have also seen some bodhisattvas
who view the nature of all phenomena
as having non-dual characteristics
just like an empty space.
2.46 “I have seen children of the Buddhas,
who have minds free of attachments,
with such remarkable wisdom,
they seek the unsurpassed Way.
2.47 “O Manjushri!
There are some bodhisattvas,
after the parinirvana of the Buddha,
who give offerings to his relics.
2.48 “I have seen children of the Buddhas
who build temples and pagodas,
as countless as the Ganges’s sands,
to majestically adorn the lands.
2.49 “These treasure pagodas, lofty and marvelous,
are of five thousand yojana in height,
and equal in width and depth,
measuring at two thousand yojana.
2.50 “Each of these pagodas and temples
is decorated with thousands of banners and streamers,
which have patterns of interlacing dew-like pearls
and suspended jeweled bells chiming harmoniously.
2.51 “Heavenly gods, dragons, and spirits,
humans and non-human beings,
always make offerings such as
incense, flowers, and music.
2.52 “O Manjushri!
These children of the Buddhas
adorn the pagodas and temples gloriously
for the sake of making offerings to the relics.
2.53 “The lands become naturally
and exceptionally splendid and lovely,
like the king of heavenly trees
having its flowers blooming profusely.
2.54 “When the Buddha emits the ray of light,
those in the assembly and I myself
are able to view these lands
in all their extraordinary wonders.
2.55 “Buddhas use their divine powers
and exceptional wisdom
to give out the beam of pure light,
illuminating the immeasurable lands.
Upon beholding this,
we gain an unprecedented experience.
2.56 “O Manjushri! The son of the Buddha!
We entreat you to resolve all our doubts!
The four groups have been gazing with joyous anticipation,
looking up to you and me.
2.57 “Why does the Lord of the World
emit this brilliant ray of light?
The son of the Buddha! Please enlighten us!
Remove our doubts and gladden us!
What benefits will flow
from this beam of resplendent light?
2.58 “The Buddha, seated at the sanctuary of enlightenment,
is awakened to the Marvelous Dharma.
Does the Buddha wish to expound the Dharma?
Or bestow to us the prophecy?
2.59 “It is definitely not a trivial occurrence,
for the Buddha to reveal the Buddha-lands,
so that we could behold the Buddhas
and the lands adorned with treasures, glory, and purity.
2.60 “O Manjushri! You should know
the four groups, dragons, and spirits
are looking up to you, the Benevolent One,
for your explanation of the reason.”
Section 3: Paragraphs 1─14
3.1 Meanwhile, Manjushri replied to Bodhisattva-Mahasattva Maitreya, many great gentlemen, and virtuous men: “I surmise that the Buddha-Lord of the World is now going to expound the Great Dharma, shower the rain of the Great Dharma, blow the conch of the Great Dharma, beat the drum of the Great Dharma, and explain the meanings of the Great Dharma.
3.2 “O virtuous men! In the past, I have seen this auspicious sign from the former Buddhas. After emitting the beam of light, they would expound the Great Dharma. Therefore, having seen the light from the Buddha, we should know that he will do likewise. Because of his wish to enable all living beings to hear and awaken to the Dharma that is the most difficult to believe, he has manifested the auspicious sign.
3.3 “O virtuous men! Once in a remote past, immeasurably boundless and inconceivable asamkhya kalpas ago, there was a Buddha named Sun Moon Lantern Bright Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfect in True Wisdom and Enlightenment, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Liberated, the Omniscient, the Almighty, Master Trainer, Teacher of Heavenly Gods and Humans, Buddha-Lord of the World. His discourse was excellent at the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent at the end. The meanings were profound in depth and breadth while the words were skillful and wonderful. Pure and spotless, perfectly purified and impeccable, he portrayed the mark of the Brahma practice. For those who sought to become shravakas, he taught the Four Noble Truths so that they could achieve nirvana by overcoming birth, aging, illness, and death. For those who sought to become pratyekabuddhas, he taught the Twelve-linked Chain of Causation. For the sake of bodhisattvas, he taught the Six Paramitas, leading them to accomplish perfect wisdom so that they could attain Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.
3.4 “The succeeding Buddha was also named Sun Moon Lantern Bright and the next Buddha was named Sun Moon Lantern Bright as well. There were a total of twenty thousand Buddhas with the same name—Sun Moon Lantern Bright—and the same surname, Bharadvaja. O Maitreya! You should know that the first Buddha to the last all shared the same name, Sun Moon Lantern Bright. They were worthy of Ten Epithets and the teachings they expounded were excellent at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end.
3.5 “The last Buddha had eight princes before renouncing secular life. The first was named Imbibed Intention, the second Ideal Intention, the third Infinite Intention, the fourth Invaluable Intention, the fifth Increased Intention, the sixth Indisputable Intention, the seventh Imitated Intention, and the eighth Instituted Intention. Dignified, virtuous, and independent, each of them ruled over four continents. After hearing about their father’s attainment of Supreme Perfect Enlightenment upon renouncing secular life, all the princes followed the footstep of their father by renouncing their royal positions and leaving home. They conceived the aspiration for the Great Vehicle and carried out the Brahma practices consistently. After having planted various good roots under the guidance of thousands of millions of Buddhas, all of them eventually became Dharma Teachers.
3.6 “At that time, Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha expounded the Great Vehicle sutra entitled The Immeasurable Meanings—the Dharma to guide bodhisattvas, the Dharma protected and mindfully guarded by Buddhas. As soon as he finished preaching the sutra, in the midst of the great assembly, he sat cross-legged in lotus position and entered into the Samadhi of the Sanctuary of Immeasurable Meanings; his body and mind remained still and motionless. Meanwhile, the sky rained down mandarava flowers, great mandarava flowers, manjushaka flowers, and great manjushaka flowers on the Buddha and the multitudes in the great assembly. All the Buddha-worlds trembled in six different ways.
3.7 “Meanwhile, the attendees in the assembly—the monks, nuns, lay male disciples, lay female disciples, heavenly gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, non-human beings, and the ordinary kings such as the Holy King of Wheel-Turning—all pressed their palms together at having gained an unprecedented experience and gazed at the Buddha with a focused mind.
3.8 “At that moment, Tathagata emitted a ray of light from the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows, illuminating the eighteen thousand Buddha-lands in the east. There was no place that the light did not penetrate, in the same way as you had seen the Buddha-lands.
3.9 “O Maitreya! You should understand that at that time in the assembly, two billion bodhisattvas were enthusiastically looking forward to hear the Dharma. Having gained an unprecedented experience of seeing the beam of light illuminating the entire Buddha-lands, all the bodhisattvas wished to find out the reason for the light.
3.10 “During that time, there was a bodhisattva named Splendid Light who had eight hundred disciples. When Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha emerged from his samadhi, he expounded the Great Vehicle sutra called The Lotus Sutra—the Dharma to guide bodhisattvas, the Dharma protected and mindfully guarded by Buddhas—for the sake of Bodhisattva Splendid Light. For sixty small kalpas, he remained seated, expounding the Dharma while the listeners in the assembly remained seated listening to the Dharma. Their bodies and minds were motionless for sixty small kalpas and yet, it seemed to them that the discourse lasted no more than the duration of a mealtime. None of them in the assembly experienced physical or mental weariness.
3.11 “Having taught the sutra for sixty small kalpas to the Brahmas, Maras, shramanas, Brahmans, heavenly gods, humans, and asuras, Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha proclaimed: ‘Tonight at midnight, Tathagata will enter parinirvana.’ At that time, there was a bodhisattva named Virtue Treasury. Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha bestowed a prophecy of his attainment of Buddhahood by addressing to all the monks: ‘Virtue Treasury will become the next Buddha. His name will be known as Pure Body: Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha.’ Having done so, the Buddha entered parinirvana at midnight.
3.12 “Following the parinirvana of the Buddha, Bodhisattva Splendid Light accepted and preached the Lotus Sutra for a full eighty small kalpas. All the eight sons of Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha accepted Bodhisattva Splendid Light as their teacher. Bodhisattva Splendid Light taught and led the eight sons in strengthening their vows and aspirations to attain Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. Having given offerings to immeasurable hundreds of thousands of millions of billions of Buddhas, these eight princes eventually attained Buddhahood.
3.13 “The last to become a Buddha was named Blazing Lantern. Among the eight hundred disciples of Blazing Lantern, there was one disciple who was named Seeker of Fame. Despite reading and reciting a litany of sutras, he understood little and failed to remember most of what he had read. Avaricious for profits and obsessed with luxury, he was thus named Seeker of Fame. Nevertheless, as a result of planting many virtuous roots, he was able to meet innumerable Buddhas and give offerings, reverence, respect, and praises to hundreds of thousands of millions of billions of Buddhas.
3.14 “O Maitreya! You should know that Bodhisattva Splendid Light who lived at that time was none other than I myself while Bodhisattva Seeker of Fame was you. Now when I witness this auspicious sign, it is no different from what I had seen before. I surmise that today Tathagata is going to expound the Great Vehicle sutra known as The Lotus Sutra—the Dharma to guide bodhisattvas, the Dharma protected and mindfully guarded by Buddhas.”
Thereupon, Manjushri, wishing to reiterate his meaning to the assembly, proclaimed in stanzas:
Section 4: Paragraphs 1─41
4.1 “I remember in the remote past,
immeasurable kalpas ago,
there was a Buddha, the most honorable of humans,
who was known as Sun Moon Lantern Bright.
4.2 “The Lord of the World expounded the Dharma,
saving innumerable living beings
and leading innumerable billions of bodhisattvas
to enter the Buddha-wisdom.
4.3 “Before the Buddha renounced secular life,
he had eight princes.
Having seen the Great Sage leave home,
they followed him to carry out Brahma practices.
4.4 “At that time, the Buddha expounded the Great Vehicle
called the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra.
In the midst of the great assembly,
he delivered the teaching widely using different methodologies.
4.5 “After the Buddha had finished expounding the sutra,
he sat crossed-legged on the Dharma throne
and entered into samadhi
known as the Sanctuary of Immeasurable Meanings.
4.6 “Mandarava flowers rained down from the sky
while heavenly drums were played spontaneously.
Heavenly gods, dragons, demons, and spirits
gave offerings to the most honorable of humans.
4.7 “All the Buddha-lands
experienced an immediate quake of great magnitude.
The Buddha emitted a beam of light from between his brows,
manifesting an exceptionally rare sign.
4.8 “The light shone in the east,
illuminating the eighteen thousand Buddha-lands,
thus revealing to all living beings the results of their actions
in the cycles of birth and death.
4.9 “Because of the light of the Buddha,
many witnessed the Buddha-lands
being majestically adorned with a myriad of treasures—
lapis lazuli and crystal glasses were gleaming colorfully.
4.10 “Some also witnessed heavenly gods and humans
as well as dragons, spirits, and yaksas,
gandharvas and kimnaras,
who gave offerings to their respective Buddhas.
4.11 “Some also witnessed Tathagatas,
who naturally attain Buddhahood.
Their bodies were glowing like golden mountains,
majestically dignified and impressively wonderful.
4.12 “The Lord of the World expounded the profound meanings of the Dharma
in the midst of the great assembly.
Just like the pure lapis lazuli,
he manifested the golden form of his True Self.
4.13 “Because of the light of the Buddha,
innumerable multitudes of shravakas
in each and every Buddha-land
were able to witness that great assembly.
4.14 “There were monks
living in the midst of mountains,
who observed pure precepts with diligence,
as if protecting luminous pearls.
4.15 “Because of the light of the Buddha,
they could also see bodhisattvas
as immeasurable as the Ganges’s sands
practicing charitable acts with perseverance.
4.16 “Bodhisattvas could also be seen
entering into different stages of deep meditation.
Their bodies and minds were tranquil and motionless
in order to attain the unsurpassed way.
4.17 “Bodhisattvas could also be seen
awakening to the aspect of tranquil dissolution of phenomena,
expounding the Dharma in search of the Buddha-Way
in each of their respective lands.
4.18 “Now, having seen Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha
manifesting his divine powers,
the four groups in the assembly,
with joy in their hearts,
asked each other:
‘Why does the Buddha display such divine powers?’
4.19 “The One honored by heavenly gods and humans
arose from his samadhi
and extolled Bodhisattva Splendid Light:
‘You are the Eyes of the World,
a refuge of faith for all.
You are able to uphold Treasury of the Dharma,
the Dharma that I preach,
only you can perceive.’
4.20 “Having bestowed his exaltation,
the Lord of the World caused Splendid Light to brim with jubilation.
He then expounded the Lotus Sutra
for a full sixty small kalpas.
4.21 “Never arising from his seat,
he taught the supreme and wonderful Dharma.
The Dharma Teacher, Splendid Light,
was able to fully accept and embrace.
4.22 “After the Buddha had finished teaching the Lotus Sutra,
and bringing joy to the assembly,
immediately on that very day,
he proclaimed to heavenly gods and humans, saying:
4.23 “ ‘I have already taught all of you,
the meaning of the true aspect of all phenomena.
Today, at midnight,
I will enter parinirvana.
Cast away self-indulgence and frivolity,
you must diligently advance single-mindedly
because it is very difficult to encounter a Buddha;
you will only meet a Buddha once in a billion kalpas.’
4.24 “Having heard the imminent parinirvana of the Buddha,
the disciples of the Lord of the World
were overwhelmed with grief and sorrow
wondering why should the Buddha enter parinirvana so soon?
The Holy Lord, the Dharma King,
comforted the countless multitudes, saying:
4.25 “ ‘When I enter parinirvana,
do not be sad and fearful.
Because Bodhisattva Virtue Treasury
has already fully mastered
the immaculate true aspect.
He will become the next Buddha
with the name Pure Body,
who will save immeasurable living beings.’
4.26 “That night the Buddha entered parinirvana,
like a fire goes out when the firewood is exhausted.
His relics were distributed
for the construction of immeasurable pagodas.
4.27 “The monks and nuns,
as countless as the Ganges’s sands,
redoubled their efforts to earnestly advance
for the sake of the unsurpassed Way.
4.28 “Having upheld the Treasury of the Buddha-Dharma,
Splendid Light, the Dharma Teacher,
broadly expounded the Lotus Sutra
for eighty small kalpas.
4.29 “The eight princes,
taught and transformed by Splendid Light,
pursued the unsurpassed Way with determination.
Hence they were able to meet innumerable Buddhas.
4.30 “They had given offerings to the Buddhas
and followed him in the practice of the Great Way.
One after another they became Buddhas,
who, in turn, bestowed prophesies to their successors.
4.31 “The last of them, the God of heavenly gods,
was named Blazing Lantern Buddha.
A leader and teacher of all sages,
he saved incalculable living beings.
4.32 “Bodhisattva Splendid Light, the Dharma Teacher,
had a disciple at that time.
Always idle and indolent,
the disciple greedily pursued fame and fortune.
4.33 “Seeking fame and fortune insatiably,
the disciple frequently acquainted with the nobility.
Neglecting his learning,
he had neither good memory nor mastery of his study.
4.34 “As a consequence,
he was named Seeker of Fame.
Yet, because of his charity and philanthropy,
he was able to meet immeasurable Buddhas.
4.35 “He gave offerings to the Buddhas
and followed them in the practice of the Great Way.
Having mastered the Six Paramitas,
he was able to meet the Lion of Shakya.
4.36 “He will be the next Buddha
with the name Maitreya,
who will broadly save all living beings
in numbers beyond measure.
4.37 “After the parinirvana of that Buddha,
the slothful one is you yourself,
while the Dharma Teacher, Splendid Light,
is none other than I myself.
4.38 “I saw how Sun Moon Lantern Bright Buddha
manifest such an auspicious light.
Hence, I know that the present Buddha
is going to expound the Lotus Sutra.
4.39 “The present sign is identical to the former one;
this is an expedient method used by all Buddhas.
Now the Buddha has emitted the beam of brilliant light
as a means to reveal the meaning of the true aspect.
4.40 “Now, all of you should understand
that the Buddha is going to shower the Dharma rain,
and bring satisfaction to the Seekers of the Dharma.
Let us single-mindedly press our palms together and wait.
4.41 “If the seekers of three Vehicles
should have any doubts and regrets,
the Buddha will completely cut them off,
leaving no remnants whatsoever.”
Action #1: Be a Patron of Lotus Happiness
Action #2: Buy the Book at the Amazon
