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.