Ch.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
CHAPTER XVI.
OF PIETY.
While
this exposition of the duration of the Tathâgata's
lifetime was being given, innumerable, countless
creatures profited by it. Then the Lord addressed the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Maitreya: While this exposition of
the duration of the Tathâgata's lifetime was being given,
Agita, sixty-eight hundred thousand myriads of kotis of
Bodhisattvas, comparable to the sands of the Ganges, have
acquired the faculty to acquiesce in the law that has no
origin. A thousand times more Bodhisattvas Mahisattvas
have obtained Dharanî [Dhârani usually denotes a magic
spell, a talisman. Here and there it interchanges with
dhâranâ, support, the bearing in mind, attention. The
synonymous rakshâ embraces the meaning of talisman and
protection, support. It is not easy to decide what is
intended in the text]; and other Bodhisattvas
Mahâsattvas, equal to the dust atoms of one third of a
macrocosm, have by hearing this Dharmaparyâya obtained
the faculty of unhampered view. Other Bodhisattvas
Mahâsattvas again, equal to the dust atoms of two-third
parts of a macrocosm, have by hearing this Dharmaparyâya
obtained the Dhârani that makes hundred thousand kotis of
revolutions. Again, other Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal
to the dust atoms of a whole macrocosm, have by hearing
this Dharmaparyâya moved forward the wheel that never
rolls back. Some Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal to the
dust atoms of a mean universe, have by hearing this
Dharmaparyâya moved forward the wheel of spotless
radiance. Other Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal to the
dust atoms of a small universe, have by hearing this
Dharmaparyâya come so far that they will reach supreme,
perfect enlightenment after eight births. Other
Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal to the dust atoms of four
worlds of four continents, have by hearing this
Dharmaparyâya become such as to require four births
(more) before reaching supreme, perfect enlightenment.
Other Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal to the dust atoms
of three four-continental worlds, have by hearing this
Dharmaparyâya become such as to require three births
(more) before reaching supreme, perfect enlightenment.
Other Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal to the dust atoms
of two four-continental worlds, have by hearing this
Dharmaparyâya become such as to require two births (more)
before reaching supreme, perfect enlightenment. Other
Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, equal to the dust atoms of one
fourcontinental world, have by hearing this Dharmaparyâya
become such as to require but one birth before reaching
supreme, perfect enlightenment. Other Bodhisattvas
Mahâsattvas, equal to the dust atoms of eight macrocosms
consisting of three parts, have by hearing this
Dharmaparyâya conceived the idea of supreme, perfect
enlightenment.
No sooner had the Lord given this exposition determining
the duration and periods of the law, than there fell from
the upper sky a great rain of Mandârava and great
Mandârava flowers that covered and overwhelmed all the
hundred thousand myriads of kotis of Buddhas who were
seated on their thrones at the foot of the jewel trees in
hundred thousands of myriads of kotis of worlds. It also
covered and overwhelmed the Lord Sâkyamuni, the
Tathâgata, &c., and the Lord Prabhûtaratna, the
Tathâgata, &c., the latter sitting fully extinct on
his throne, as well as that entire host of Bodhisattvas
and the four classes of the audience. A rain of celestial
powder of sandal and agallochum. trickled down from the
sky, whilst higher up in the firmament the great drums
resounded, without being struck, with a pleasant, sweet,
and deep sound. Double pieces of fine heavenly cloth fell
down by hundreds and thousands from the upper sky;
necklaces, halfnecklaces, pearl necklaces, gems, jewels,
noble gems, and noble jewels were seen high in the
firmament, hanging down from every side in all directions
of space, while all around thousands of jewel censers,
containing priceless, exquisite incense, were moving of
their own accord. Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas were seen
holding above each Tathâgata, high aloft, a row of jewel
umbrellas stretching as high as the Brahma-world. So
acted the Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas in respect to all the
innumerable hundred thousands of myriads of kotis of
Buddhas. Severally they celebrated these Buddhas in
appropriate stanzas, sacred hymns in praise of the
Buddhas.
And on that occasion the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Maitreya
uttered the followino, stanzas:
1. Wonderful is the law which the Sugata has expounded,
the law we never heard before; how great the majesty of
the Leaders is, and how infinite the duration of their
life!
2. And on hearing such a law imparted by the Sugata from
face to face, thousands of kotis of creatures, the
genuine sons of the Leader of the world, have been
pervaded with gladness.
3. Some have reached the point of supreme enlightenment
from whence there is no return, others are standing on
the lower stage; some have reached the standpoint of
having an unhampered view, and others have obtained
thousands of kotis of Dhâranis.
4. There are others, (as) atoms, who have reached supreme
Buddha-knowledge. Some, again, will after eight births
become Ginas seeing the infinite.
5. Among those who hear this law from the Master, some
will obtain enlightenment and see the truth after four
births, others after three, others after two.
6. Some among them will become all-knowing after one
birth, in the next following existence. Such will be the
perfect result of learning the duration of life of the
Chief.
7. Innumerable, countless as the atoms of the eight
fields, are the kotis of beings who by hearing this law
have conceived the idea of superior enlightenment.
8. Such is the effect produced by the great Seer, when he
reveals this Buddha-state that is endless and has no
limit, which is as immense as the element of ether.
9. Many thousand kotis of angels, Indras, and
Brahma-angels, like the sands of the Ganges, have flocked
hither from thousands of kotis of distant fields and have
poured a rain of Mandairavas.
10. They move in the sky like birds, and strew fragrant
powder of sandal and agallochum, to cover ceremoniously
the Chief of Ginas withal.
11 High aloft tymbals without being struck emit sweet
sounds; thousands of kotis of white cloth whirl down upon
the Chiefs.
12. Thousands of kotis of jewel censers of costly incense
move of their own accord on every side to honour the
mighty Lord of the world.
13. Innumerable wise Bodhisattvas hold myriads of kotis
of umbrellas, elevated and made of noble jewels, like
chaplets, up to the Brahma-world.
14. The sons of Sugata, in their great joy, have attached
beautiful triumphal streamers at the top of the banner
staffs in honour of the Leaders whom they celebrate in
thousands of stanzas.
15. Such a marvellous, extraordinary, prodigious,
splendid phenomenon, O Leader, is being displayed by all
those beings who are gladdened by the exposition of the
duration of life (of the Tathâgata).
16. Grand is the matter now (occurring) in the ten points
of space, and (great) the sound raised by the Leaders;
thousands of kotis of living beings are refreshed and
gifted with virtue for enlightenment.
Thereupon the Lord addressed the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Maitreya: Those beings, Agita, who during the exposition
of this Dharmaparyâya in which the duration of the
Tathâgata's life is revealed have entertained, were it
but a single thought of trust, or have put belief in it,
how great a merit are they to produce, be they young men
and young ladies of good family? Listen then, and mind it
well, how great the merit is they shall produce. Let us
suppose the case, Agita, that some young man or young
lady of good family, desirous of supreme, perfect
enlightenment, for eight hundred thousand myriads of
kotis of Æons practises the five perfections of virtue
(Pâramitâs), to wit, perfect charity in alms, perfect
morality, perfect forbearance, perfect energy, perfect
meditation-perfect wisdom being excepted; let us, on the
other hand, suppose the case, Agita, that a young man or
young lady of good family, on hearing this Dharmaparyâya
containing the exposition of the duration of the
Tathâgata's life, conceives were it but a single thought
of trust or puts belief in it; then that former
accumulation of merit, that accumulation of good
connected with the five perfections of virtue, (that
accumulation) which has come to full accomplishment in
eight hundred thousand myriads of kotis of Æons, does not
equal one hundredth part of the accumulation of merit in
the second case; it does not equal one thousandth part;
it admits of no calculation, no counting, no reckoning,
no comparison, no approximation, no secret teaching. One
who is possessed of such an accumulation of merit, Agita,
be he a young man or a young lady of good family, will
not miss supreme, perfect enlightenment; no, that is not
possible.
And on that occasion the Lord uttered the following
stanzas:
17. Let a man who is seeking after this knowledge,
superior Buddha-knowledge, undertake to practise in this
world the five perfect virtues;
18. Let him, during eight thousand kotis of complete
Æons, continue giving repeated alms to Buddhas and
disciples;
19. Regaling Pratyekabuddhas and kotis of Bodhisattvas by
giving meat, food and drink, clothing and lodging;
20. Let him build on earth refuges and monasteries of
sandal-wood, and pleasant convent gardens provided with
walks;
21. Let him after so bestowing gifts, various and
diversified, during thousands of kotis of Æons, direct
his mind to enlightenment;
22. Let him then, for the sake of Buddhaknowledge, keep
unbroken the pure moral precepts which have been
recommended by the perfect Buddhas and acknowledged by
the wise;
23. Let him further develop the virtue of forbearance, be
steady in the stage of meekness [i.e. of a monk under
training.], be constant, of good memory, and patiently
endure many censures;
24. Let him, moreover, for the sake of Buddha-knowledge,
bear the contemptuous words of unbelievers who are rooted
in pride;
25. Let him, always zealous, strenuous, studious, of good
memory, without any other pre-occupation in his mind,
practise meditation, during kotis of.Æons;
26. Let him, whether living in the forest or entering
upon a vagrant life [i.e. a Yogin, a contemplative
mystic.], go about, avoiding sloth and torpor, for kotis
of Æons;
27. Let him as a philosopher, a great philosopher who
finds his delight in meditation, in concentration of
mind, pass eight thousand kotis of Æons;
28. Let him energetically pursue enlightenment with the
thought of his reaching all-knowingness, and so arrive at
the highest degree of meditation;
29. Then the merit accruing to those who practise the
virtues oft described, during thousands of kotis of Æons,
30. (Is less than that of) a man or a woman who, on
hearing the duration of my life, for a single moment
believes in it; this merit is endless.
31. He who renouncing doubt, vacillation, and misgiving
shall believe even for a short moment, shall obtain such
a reward.
32. The Bodhisattvas also,who have practised those
virtues during kotis of Æons, will not be startled at
hearing of this inconceivably long life of mine.
33. They will bow their heads (and think): 'May I also in
future become such a one and release kotis of living
beings!
34. 'As the Lord Sâkyamuni, the Lion of the Sakya race,
after he had occupied his seat on the terrace of
enlightenment, raised his lion's roar;
35. 'So may I in future be sitting on the terrace of
enlightenment, honoured by all mortals, to teach so long
a life!'
36. Those who are possessed of firmness of intention and
have learnt the principles, will understand the mystery
and feel no uncertaint.
Again, Agita, he who after hearing this Dharmaparyâya,
which contains an exposition of the duration of the
Tathâgata's life, apprehends it, penetrates and
understands it, will produce a yet more immeasurable
accumulation of merit conducive to Buddhaknowledge;
unnecessary to add that he who hears such a Dharmaparyâya
as this or makes others hear it; who keeps it in memory,
reads, comprehends or makes others comprehend it; who
writes or has it written, collects or has it collected
into a volume, honours, respects, worships it with
flowers, incense, perfumed garlands, ointments, powder,
cloth, umbrellas, flags, streamers, (lighted) oil lamps,
ghee lamps or lamps filled with scented oil, will produce
a far greater accumulation of merit conducive to
Buddha-knowledge.
And, Agita, as a test whether that young man or young
lady of good family who hears this exposition of the
duration of the Tathâgata's life most decidedly believes
in it may be deemed the following. They will behold me
teaching the law I here on the Gridhrakûta, surrounded by
a host of Bodhisattvas, attended by a host of
Bodhisattvas, in the centre of the congregation of
disciples. They will behold here my Buddha-field in the
Saha-world, consisting of lapis lazuli and forming a
level plain; forming a chequered board of eight
compartments with gold threads; set off with jewel trees.
They will behold the towers that the Bodhisattvas use as
their abodes. By this test, Agita, one may know if a
young man or young lady of good family has a most decided
belief. Moreover, Agita, I declare that a young man of
good family who, after the complete extinction of the
Tathâgata, shall not reject, but joyfully accept this
Dharmaparyâya when hearing it, that such a young man of
good family also is earnest in his belief; far more one
who keeps it in memory or reads it. He who after
collecting this Dharmaparyâya into a volume carries it on
his shoulder carries the Tathâgata on his shoulder. Such
a young man or young lady of good family, Agita, need
make no Stûpas for me, nor monasteries; need not give to
the congregation of monks medicaments for the sick or
(other) requisites [This agrees with the teaching of the
Vedanta that Brahma-knowledge is independent of good
works]. For, Agita, such a young man or young lady of
good family has (spiritually) built for the worship of my
relics Stûpas of seven precious substances reaching up to
the Brahma-world in height, and with a circumference in
proportion, with the umbrellas thereto belonging, with
triumphal streamers, with tinkling bells and baskets; has
shown manifold marks of respect to those Stûpas of relics
with diverse celestial and earthly flowers, incense,
perfumed garlands, ointments, powder, cloth, umbrellas,
banners, flags, triumphal streamers, by various sweet,
pleasant, clear-sounding tymbals and drums, by the tune,
noise, sounds of musical instruments and castanets, by
songs, nautch and dancing of different kinds, of many,
innumerable kinds; has done those acts of worship during
many, innumerable thousands of kotis of Æons. One who
keeps in memory this Dharmaparyâya after my complete
extinction, who reads, writes, promulgates it, Agita,
shall also have built monasteries, large, spacious,
extensive, made of red sandal-wood, with thirty-two
pinnacles, eight stories, fit for a thousand monks,
adorned with gardens and flowers, having walks furnished
with lodgings, completely provided with meat, food and
drink and medicaments for the sick, well equipped with
all comforts. And those numerous, innumerable beings, say
a hundred or a thousand or ten thousand or a koti or
hundred kotis or thousand kotis or hundred thousand kotis
or ten thousand times hundred thousand kotis, they must
be considered to form the congregation of disciples
seeing me from face to face, and must be considered as
those whom I have fully blessed. He who, after my
complete extinction, shall keep this Dharmaparyâya, read,
promulgate, or write it, he, I repeat, Agita, need not
build Stûpas of relics, nor worship the congregation; not
necessary to tell, Agita, that the young man or young
lady of good family who, keeping this Dharmaparyâya,
shall crown it by charity in alms, morality, forbearance,
energy, meditation, or wisdom, will produce a much
greater accumulation of merit; it is, in fact, immense,
incalculable, infinite. just as the element of ether,
Agita, is boundless, to the east, south, west, north,
beneath, above, and in the intermediate quarters, so
immense and incalculable an accumulation of merit,
conducive to Buddha-knowledge, will be produced by a
young man or young lady of good family who shall keep,
read, write, or cause to be written, this Dharmaparyâya.
He will be zealous in worshipping the Tathâgata shrines;
he will laud the disciples of the Tathâgata, praise the
hundred thousands of myriads of kotis of virtues of the
Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas, and expound them to others; he
will be accomplished in forbearance, be moral, of good
character, agreeable to live with, and tolerant, modest,
not jealous of others, not wrathful, not vicious in mind,
of good memory, strenuous and always busy, devoted to
meditation in striving after the state of a Buddha,
attaching great value to abstract meditation, frequently
engaging in abstract meditation, able in solving
questions and in avoiding hundred thousands of myriads of
kotis of questions. Any Bodhisattva Mahâsattva, Agita,
who, after the Tathâgata's complete extinction, shall
keep this Dharmaparyâya, will have the good qualities I
have described. Such a young man or young lady of good
family, Agita, must be considered to make for the terrace
of enlightenment; that young man or young lady of good
family steps towards the foot of the tree of
enlightenment in order to reach enlightenment. And where
that young man or young lady of good family, Agita,
stands, sits, or walks, there one should make a shrine',
dedicated to the Tathâgata, and the world, including the
gods, should say: This is a Stûpa of relics of the
Tathâgata.
And on that occasion the Lord uttered the following
stanzas:
37. An immense mass of merit, as I have repeatedly
mentioned, shall be his who, after the complete
extinction of the Leader of men, shall keep this Sûtra.
38. He will have paid worship to me, and built Stûpas of
relics, made of precious substances, variegated,
beautiful, and splendid;
39. In height coming up to the Brahma-world, with rows of
umbrellas, great in circumference gorgeous, and decorated
with triumphal streamers;
40. Resounding with the clear ring of bells, and
decorated with silk bands, while jingles moved by the
wind form another ornament at (the shrines of) Gina
relics.
41. He will have shown great honour to them by flowers,
perfumes, and ointments ; by music, clothes, and the
repeated (sound of) tymbals.
42. He will have sweet musical instruments struck at
those relics, and lamps with scented oil kept burning all
around.
43. He who at the period of depravation shall keep and
teach this Sûtra, he will have paid me such an infinitely
varied worship.
44. He has built many kotis of excellent monasteries of
sandal-wood, with thirty-two pinnacles, and eight
terraces high;
45. Provided with couches, with food hard and soft;
furnished with excellent curtains, and having cells by
thousands.
46. He has given hermitages and walks embellished by
flower-gardens; many elegant objects of various forms and
variegated.
47. He has shown manifold worship to the host of
disciples in my presence, he who, after my extinction,
shall keep this Sûtra.
48. Let one be ever so good in disposition, much greater
merit will he obtain who shall keep or write this Sûtra.
49. Let a man cause this to be written and have it well
put together in a volume; let him always worship the
volume with flowers, garlands, ointments.
50. Let him constantly place near it a lamp filled with
scented oil, along with full-blown lotuses and suitable'
oblations of Michelia Champaka.
51. The man who pays such worship to the books will
produce a mass of merit which is not to be measured.
52. Even as there is no measure of the element of ether,
in none of the ten directions, so there is no measure of
this mass of merit.
53. How much more will this be the case with one who is
patient, meek, devoted, moral, studious, and addicted to
meditation;
54. Who is not irascible, not treacherous, reverential
towards the sanctuary, always humble towards monks, not
conceited, nor neglectful;
55. Sensible and wise, not angry when he is asked a
question; who, full of compassion for living beings,
gives such instruction as suits them.
56. If there be such a man who (at the same time) keeps
this Sûtra, he will possess a mass of merit that cannot
be measured.
57. If one meets such a man as here described, a keeper
of this Sûtra, one should do homage to him.
58. One should present him with divine flowers, cover him
with divine clothes, and bow the head to salute his feet,
in the conviction of his being a Tathâgata.
59. And at the sight of such a man one may directly make
the reflection that he is going towards the foot of the
tree to arrive at superior, blessed enlightenment for the
weal of all the world, including the gods.
60. And wherever such a sage is walking, standing,
sitting, or lying down; wherever the hero pronounces were
it but a single stanza from this Sûtra;
61. There one should build a Stûpa for the most high of
men, a splendid, beautiful (Stûpa), dedicated to the Lord
Buddha, the Chief, and then worship it in manifold ways.
62. That spot of the earth has been enjoyed by myself;
there have I walked myself, and there have I been
sitting; where that son of Buddha has stayed, there I am.