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 XXII.
ANCIENT DEVOTION OF BHAISHAGYARÂGA.
Thereupon
the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña spoke to the Lord as
follows: Wherefore, O Lord, does the Bodhisattva
Bhaishagyarâga pursue his course in this Saha-world,
while he is fully aware of the many hundred thousands of
myriads of kotis of difficulties he has to meet? Let the
Lord, the Tathâgata, &c., deign to tell us any part
of the course of duty of the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Bhaishagyarâga, that by hearing it the gods, Nâgas,
goblins, Gandharvas, demons, Garudas, Kinnaras, great
serpents, men, and beings not human, as well as the
Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas from other worlds here present,
and these great disciples here may be content, delighted,
overjoyed.
And the Lord, out of regard to that request of the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña,
told him the following: Of yore, young man of good
family, at a past epoch, at a time (as many) Æons ago as
there are grains of sand in the river Ganges, there
appeared in the world a Tathâgata, &c., by the name
of Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî, endowed with science and
conduct, a Sugata, &c. &c. Now that Tathâgata,
&c., Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî had a great
assembly of eighty kotis of Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas and
an assembly of disciples equal to the sands of seventytwo
Ganges rivers. His spiritual rule was exempt from the
female sex, and his Buddha-field had no hell, no brute
creation, no ghosts, no demons; it was level, neat,
smooth as the palm of the hand. Its floor consisted of
heavenly lapis lazuli, and it was adorned with trees of
jewel and sandal-wood; inlaid with a multitude of jewels,
and hung with long bands of silk, and scented by censors
made of jewels. Under each jewel tree, at a distance not
farther than a bowshot, was made a small jewel-house, and
on the top of those small jewel-houses stood a hundred
kotis of angels performing a concert of musical
instruments and castanets, in order to honour the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî, the Tathâgata, &c.,
while that Lord was extensively expounding this
Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law to the great
disciples and Bodhisattvas, directing himself to the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana. Now,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the lifetime of that
Lord Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî, the Tathâgata,
&c., lasted forty-two thousand Æons, and likewise
that of the Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas and great disciples.
It was under the spiritual rule of that Lord that the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana applied
himself to his difficult course. He wandered twelve
thousand years strenuously engaged in contemplation.
After the expiration of those twelve thousand years he
acquired the Samâdhi termed Sarvarûpasandarsana (i. e.
the sight or display of all forms). No sooner had he
acquired that Samâdhi than satisfied, glad, joyful,
rejoicing, and delighted he made the following
reflection: It is owing to this Dharmaparyâya of the
Lotus of the True Law that I have acquired the Samâdhi of
Sarvarûpasandarsana. Then he made another reflection: Let
me do homage to the Lord Kandravimalasuryaprabhâsasrî and
this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law. No
sooner had he entered upon such a meditation than a great
rain of Mandârava and great Mandârava flowers fell from
the upper sky. A cloud of Kâlânusârin sandal was formed,
and a rain of Uragasâra sandal poured down. And the
nature of those essences was so noble that one karsha of
it was worth the whole Saha-world.
After a while, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana rose from
that meditation with memory and full consciousness, and
reflected thus: This display of magic power is not likely
to honour the Lord and Tathâgata so much as the sacrifice
of my own body will do. Then the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana instantly began to eat
Agallochum, Olibanum, and the resin of Boswellia
Thurifera, and to drink oil of Kampaka. So,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana passed twelve years in
always and constantly eating those fragrant substances
and drinking oil of Kampaka. After the expiration of
those twelve years the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana wrapped his body in divine
garments, bathed it in oil, made his (last) vow, and
thereafter burnt his own body with the object to pay
worship to the Tathâgata and this Dharmaparyâya of the
Lotus of the True Law. Then,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, eighty worlds equal to
the sands of the river Ganges were brightened by the
glare of the flames from the blazing body of the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana, and the
eight Lords Buddhas equal to the sands of the Ganges in
those worlds all shouted their applause, (and exclaimed):
Well done, well done, young man of good family, that is
the real heroism which the Boddhisattvas Mahasattvas
should develop; that is the real worship of the
Tathâgata, the real worship of the law. No worshipping
with flowers, incense, fragrant wreaths, ointment,
powder, cloth, umbrellas, flags, banners; no worshipping
with material gifts or with Uragasâra sandal equals it.
This, young man of good family, is the sublimest gift,
higher than the abandoning of royalty, the abandoning of
beloved children and wife. Sacrificing one's own body,
young man of good family, is the most distinguished, the
chiefest, the best, the very best, the most sublime
worship of the law. After pronouncing this speech,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, those Lords Buddhas
were silent.
The body of Sarvasattvapriyadarsana continued blazing for
twelve thousand years without ceasing to burn. After the
expiration of those twelve thousand years the fire was
extinguished. Then, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana, having
paid such worship to the Tathâgata, disappeared from that
place, and (re)appeared under the (spiritual) reign of
that very Lord Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî, the
Tathâgata, &c., in the house of king Vimaladatta, by
apparitional birth, and sitting crosslegged. Immediately
after his appearance the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana addressed his father and mother
in the following stanza :
1. This, O exalted king, is the walk in which I have
acquired meditation; I have achieved a heroical feat,
fulfilled a great vote by sacrificing my own dear body.
After uttering this stanza,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana said to his father and
mother: Even now, father and mother, the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî, the Tathâgata, &c., is
still living, existing, staying in the world, the Lord by
worshipping whom I have obtained the spell of knowing all
sounds and this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True
Law, consisting of eighty hundred thousand myriads of
kotis of stanzas, of a hundred Niyutas [a thousand
billions], of Vivaras [a hundred thousand billions], of a
hundred Vivaras, which I have heard from that Lord.
Therefore, father and mother, I should like to go to that
Lord and worship him again. Instantaneously,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Bodhisattva
Mahasattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana rose seven tâlas [the
height of a palm-tree,or a span.] high into the sky and
sat cross-legged on the top of a tower of seven precious
substances. So he went up to the presence of that Lord,
and having approached him humbly saluted him,
circumambulated him seven times from left to right,
stretched the joined hands towards the Lord, and after
thus paying his homage addressed him with the following
stanza:
2. O thou whose face is so spotless and bright; thou,
king and sage! How thy lustre sparkles in all quarters!
After having anciently paid thee homage, O Sugata, I now
come again to behold thee, O Lord.
Having pronounced this stanza, the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana said to the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasri, the Tathâgata, &c.:
Thou art then still alive, Lord? Whereon the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhasasrî, the Tathâgata, &c.,
replied: The time of my final extinction, young man of
good family, has arrived; the time of my death has
arrived. Therefore, young man of good family, prepare my
couch; I am going to enter complete extinction. Then,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasri said to the Bodhisattva
Mahasattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana: I entrust to thee,
young man of good family, my commandment (or mastership,
rule); I entrust to thee these Bodhisattvas Mahâsattvas,
these great disciples, this Buddha-enlightenment, this
world, these jewel cars, these jewel trees, and these
angels, my servitors. I entrust to thee also, young man
of good family, my relics after my complete extinction.
Thou shouldst pay a great worship to my relics, young man
of good family, and also distribute them and build many
thousands of Stûpas. And,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, after the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî, the Tathâgata, &c., had
given these instructions to the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana he in the last watch of the night
entered absolute final extinction.
Thereupon, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana,
perceiving that the Lord Kandravimalasûryaprabhâsasrî,
the Tathâgata, &c., had expired, made a pyre of
Uragasâra sandal-wood and burnt the body of the
Tathâgata. When he saw that the body was burnt to ashes
and the fire extinct, be took the bones and wept, cried
and lamented. After having wept, cried and lamented,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana caused to be made
eighty-four thousand urns of seven precious substances,
deposed in them the bones of the Tathâgata, founded
eighty-four thousand Stûpas, reaching in height to the
Brahma-world, adorned with a row of umbrellas, and
equipped with silk bands and bells. After founding those
Stûpas he made the following reflection : I have paid
honour to the Tathâgata-relics of the Lord
Kandravimalasûryaprabhasasrî, but I will pay to those
relics a yet loftier and most distinguished honour. Then,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana addressed that entire
assembly of Bodhisattvas, those great disciples, those
gods, Nâgas, goblins, Gandharvas, demons, Garudas,
Kinnaras, great serpents, men, and beings not human: Ye
all, young men of good family, unanimously vow to pay
worship to the relics of the Lord. Immediately after,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana, in presence of those
eighty-four thousand Stûpas, burnt his own arm which was
marked by the one hundred auspicious signs, and so paid
worship to those Stûpas containing the relics of the
Tathâgata, during seventy-two thousand years. And while
paying worship, he educated countless hundred thousands
of myriads of kotis of disciples from that assembly, in
consequence whereof all those Bodhisattvas acquired the
Samâdhi termed Sarvarûpasandarsana.
Then, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the entire
assembly of Bodhisattvas and all great disciples, seeing
the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana
deprived of a limb, said, with tears in their eyes,
weeping, crying, lamenting: The Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana, our master and instructor, is
now deprived of a limb, deprived of one arm. But the
Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana addressed
those Bodhisattvas, great disciples, and angels in the
following terms: Do not, young men of good family, weep,
cry, lament at the sight of my being deprived of one arm.
All the Lords Buddhas who be, exist, live in the endless,
limitless worlds in every direction of space, have I
taken to witness. Before their face have I pronounced a
vow of truth, and by that truth, by that word of truth
shall I, after the sacrifice of my own arm in honour of
the Tathâgata, have a body of gold colour. By this truth,
by this word of truth let this arm of mine become such as
it was before, and let the great earth shake in six
different ways, and let the angels in the sky pour down a
rain of flowers. No sooner,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, had the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana made that vow of
truth, than the whole triple macrocosm was shaken in six
different ways , and from the sky aloft fell a great rain
of flowers. The arm of the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana became again as it was before,
and that by the power of knowledge and by the power of
pious merit belonging to that Bodhisattva Mahasattva.
Perhaps, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, thou wilt have
some doubt, uncertainty or misgiving, (and think) that
the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana at
that time, and that epoch, was another. But do not think
so; for the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Bhaishagyarâga here
was at that time, and that epoch, the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana. So many hundred
thousand myriads of kolis of difficult things,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, and sacrifices' of his
body does this Bodhisattva Mahâsattva
Sarvasattvapriyadarsana accomplish. Now,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the young man or young
lady of good family striving in the Bodhisattva vehicle
towards the goal and longing for supreme, perfect
enlightenment, who at the Tathâgata-shrines shall burn a
great toe, a finger, a toe, or a whole limb, such a young
man or young lady of good family, I assure thee, shall
produce far more pious merit, far more than results from
giving up a kingdom, sons, daughters, and wives, the
whole triple world with its woods, oceans, mountains,
springs, streams, tanks, wells, and gardens. And,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the young man or young
lady of good family, striving in the Bodhisattva-vehicle
for the goal, who after filling with the seven precious
substances this whole triple world should give it in alms
to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, disciples, Pratyekabuddhas,
that young man or young lady of good family,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, does not produce so
much pious merit as a young man or young lady of good
family who shall keep, were it but a single verse from
this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law. I
positively declare that the accumulation of merit of the
latter is greater than if a person, after filling the
whole triple world with the seven precious substances,
bestows it in alms on all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas,
disciples, or Pratyekabuddhas.
Just as the great ocean,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, surpasses all springs,
streams, and tanks, so, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña,
this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law surpasses
all Sûtras spoken by the Tathâgata. just as the Sumeru,
the king of mountains, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña,
all elevations at the cardinal points, horizon circles
and great horizons, So, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña,
this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law surpasses
as a king all the Sûtrântas spoken by the Tathagâta. As
the moon, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, as a
luminary, takes the first rank amongst the whole of the
asterisms, so, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, this
Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law ranks first
amongst all Sûtrantas spoken by the Tathâgata, though it
surpasses hundred thousands of myriads of kotis of moons.
As the orb of the sun, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña,
dispels gloomy darkness, so,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, this Dharmaparyâya of
the Lotus of the True Law dispels all the gloomy darkness
of unholy works. As Indra,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, is the chief of the
gods of paradise, so, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña,
this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law is the
chief of Sûtrântas spoken by the Tathâgata. As Brahma
Sahâmpati, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, is the king
of all Brahmakayika gods and exercises the function of a
father in the Brahma world, so,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, this Dharmaparyâya of
the Lotus of the True Law exercises the function of a
father to all beings, whether under training or past it,
to all disciples, Pratyekabuddhas, and those who in the
Bodhisattva-vehicle are striving for the goal. As the
Srotaâpanna, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, as well as
the Sakridagâmin, Anâgamin, Arhat, and Pratyekabuddha,
excels the ignorant people and the profanum vulgus, so,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, the Dharmaparyâya of
the Lotus of the True Law must be held to excel and
surpass all Sûtrântas spoken by the Tathâgata; and such
as shall keep this king of Sûtras,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, must be held to surpass
others (who do not). As a Bodhisattva is accounted
superior to all disciples and Pratyekabuddhas, so,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, this Dharmaparyâya of
the Lotus of the True Law is accounted superior to all
Sûtrantas spoken by the Tathâgata. Even as the Tathâgata
is the crowned king of the law of all disciples,
Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas, so,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, this Dharmaparyâya is a
Tathâgata in respect to those who in the vehicle of
Bodhisattvas are striving to reach the goal. This
Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, saves all beings from
all fear, delivers them from all pains. It is like a tank
for the thirsty, like a fire for those who suffer from
cold, like a garment for the naked, like the caravan
leader for the merchants, like a mother for her children,
like a boat for those who ferry over, like a leech for
the sick, like a lamp for those who are wrapt in
darkness, like a jewel for those who want wealth, like
the ocean for the rivers, like a torch for the dispelling
of darkness. So, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, this
Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law delivers from
all evils, extirpates all diseases, releases from the
narrow bonds of the mundane whirl. And he who shall hear
this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law, who
shall write it and cause it to be written, will produce
an accumulation of pious merit the term of which is not
to be arrived at even by Buddha-knowledge; so great is
the accumulation of pious merit that will be produced by
a young man of good family or a young lady who after
teaching or learning it, writing it or having it
collected into a volume, shall honour, respect, venerate,
worship it with flowers, incense, fragrant garlands,
ointment, powder, umbrellas, flags, banners, triumphal
streamers, with music, with joining of hands, with lamps
burning with ghee, scented oil, Kampaka oil, jasmine oil,
trumpet-flower oil, Vârshika oil or double jasmine oil.
Great will be the pious merit,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, to be produced by a
young man of good family or a young lady striving to
reach the goal in the Bodhisattva-vehicle, who shall keep
this chapter of the Ancient Devotion of Bhaishagyarâga,
who shall read and learn it. And, Nakshatrarâga, should a
female, after hearing this Dharmaparyâya, grasp and keep
it, then this existence will be her last existence as a
woman. Any female, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, who
in the last five hundred years of the millennium shall
hear and penetrate this chapter of the Ancient Devotion
of Bhaishagyarâga, will after disappearing from earth be
(re)born in the world Sukhâvatî, where the Lord Amitâyus,
the Tathâgata, &c., dwells, exists, lives surrounded
by a host of Bodhisattvas. There will he (who formerly
was a female) appear seated on a throne consisting of the
interior of a lotus; no affection, no hatred, no
infatuation, no pride, no envy, no wrath, no malignity
will vex him. With his birth he will also receive the
five transcendent faculties, as well as the acquiescence
in the eternal law, and, once in possession thereof,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, he as a Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva will see Tathâgatas equal to the sands of
seventy-two rivers Ganges. So perfect will be his organ
of sight that by means thereof he shall see those Lords
Buddhas, which Lords Buddhas will applaud him (and say):
Well done, well done, young man of good family, that
after hearing this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True
Law which has been promulgated by the spiritual
proclamation of the Lord Sakyamuni, the Tathâgata,
&c., thou hast studied, meditated, examined, minded
it, and expounded it to other beings, other persons. This
accumulation of thy pious merit, young man of good
family, cannot be burnt by fire, nor swept away by water.
Even a thousand Buddhas would not be able to determine
this accumulation of thy pious merit, young man of good
family. Thou hast subdued the opposition of the Evil One,
young man of good family. Thou, young man of good family,
hast victoriously emerged from the battle of mundane
existence, hast crushed the enemies annoying thee. Thou,
young man of good family, hast been superintended by
thousands of Buddhas; thine equal, young man of good
family, is not to be found in the world, including the
gods, with the only exception of the Tathâgata; there is
no other, be he disciple, Pratyekabuddba, or Bodhisattva,
able to surpass thee in pious merit, knowledge, wisdom or
meditation. Such a power of knowledge,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, will be acquired by
that Bodhisattva.
Any one, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, who on hearing
this chapter of the ancient devotion of Bhaishagyarâga
approves it, will emit from his mouth a breath sweet as
of the lotus, and from his limbs a fragrance as of
sandal-wood. Such temporal advantages as I have just now
indicated will belong to him who approves this
Dharmaparyâya. On that account then,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, I transmit to thee this
chapter of the Ancient Devotion of the Bodhisattva
Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana, that at the end of
time, the last period, in the latter half of the
millennium it may have course here in Gambudvipa and not
be lost; that neither Mâra the Fiend, nor the celestial
beings called Mârakâyikas, Nâgas, goblins, imps may find
the opportunity of hurting it. Therefore,
Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, I bequeath this
Dharmaparyâya; it is to be like a medicament for sick and
suffering creatures in Gambudvîpa. No sickness shall
overpower him who has heard this Dharmaparyâya, no
decrepitude, no untimely death. Whenever a person
striving to reach the goal in the vehicle of Bodhisattvas
happens to see such a monk as keeps this Sûtrânta, then
he should strew him with sandalpowder and blue lotuses,
and reflect thus: This young man of good family is going
to reach the terrace of enlightenment; he will spread the
bundle of grass on the terrace of enlightenment; he will
put to flight the party of Mâra, blow the conch trumpet
of the law, beat the drum of the law, cross the ocean of
existence. Thus, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña, should
a young man of good family, striving to reach the goal in
the vehicle of Bodhisattva, reflect when seeing a monk
who keeps this Sûtra, and he will acquire such advantages
as have been indicated by the Tathâgata.
While this chapter of the Ancient Devotion of
Bhaishagyarâga was being expounded, eighty-four thousand
Bodhisattvas attained the spell connected with skill in
all sounds. And the Lord Prabhûtaratna, the Tathâgata,
&c., intimated his approval (by saying): Well done,
well done, Nakshatrararâgasankusumitâbhigña; thou hast
done well in thus questioning the Tathâgata, who is
endowed with such inconceivable qualities and properties.