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.