Compassionate Lotus Sutra
Karuna Pundarika Sutra
Mahayana Compassionate Pundarika(White Lotus) Sutra
Translated during the North-Lerng Dynasty by Tripitaka Master Dharmaraksa from India


Volume 7

The 5th Section of Chapter 4: Awarding the Bodhisattvas the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood


"'Bhagavan, when I have achieved Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will speak Dharma with a single voice, but when the living beings hear my speech, those who want the Voice-hearer's vehicle will understand the Voice-hearer's Dharma-Store; those who want the Conditional-Awakener (Pratyeka-buddha)'s vehicle will understand the Conditional-Awakener's Dharma; and those who want the unsurpassed vehicle -- Mahayana will understand the Dharma of pure Mahayana.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who wish to achieve Bodhi but have not enough merits and virtues will be able to practice donation; those who wish to be reborn in heaven but have not enough blessings will be able to keep precepts; those who have defiled hearts and often frighten each others will arouse the hearts of kindness; those who enjoy killing will arouse the hearts of compassion; those whose hearts are polluted by miserliness and jealousness will begin to cultivate the delightful heart; those who are proud of their beauties and powers and have dissipated hearts will arouse the hearts of abnegation; those who have lustful hearts will contemplate the impurity of their desires; the Mahayana learners who are obstructed by distraction (* Literally: Fallen-lift) will understand the Dharma of Anapana; and those who lack wisdom and want the lamplight of Dharma will understand the profound twelve interconnected causes;'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who lack knowledge will gain the non-forgetful Dharani so that they will be able to uphold many Dharmas; those who are in the wilderness of incorrect views will understand the profound Dharma of the emptiness of all things; those whose hearts are covered by sensations will deeply understand the Dharma-Gate of formlessness; those who have many impure wishes will deeply understand the Dharma-Gate of Non-Action; and for the living beings whose bodies and minds are defiled, their bodies and minds will become gentle when they hear my Dharma speech.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who are trapped in messy conditions will understand the Dharma of Non-losable Bodhi heart; those whose hearts are covered by anger will have their angers quenched, understand the nature of the Reality, and will be awarded the distinctive mark of future Buddhahood; and those who are attached to the two views (of existence and inexistence) will understand the profound Dharmas and be free from the attachments;'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those whose hearts are covered by impure desires will understand quickly that all things (dharma) are undefiled and pure; those who have lost their virtuous hearts will deeply understand the Sunlight Samadhi; those who commit demonic karmas will quickly understand the pure Dharma; those whose hearts are covered by incorrect theories will gain deep understanding and improvement on the Correct Dharma; those whose hearts are covered by worries will understand the Dharma of being free from worries; and those who walk on evil paths (believe in evil theories and do evil deeds) will turn back immediately.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who long for Mahayana will acquire the non-regression; those who tire of births and deaths will realize the joy of Bodhisattvas; those who have not yet gain the wisdom of virtuous state will gain improvement on it; those who do not appreciate others' virtuous deeds will accordingly rejoice at the virtuous deeds; those whose hearts are unfair will understand the unobstructed light; those who commit bad deeds will understand the retributions of bad deeds; those who are cowardly among crowd will understand the Lion Samadhi; those whose hearts are oppressed by the four demons will achieve Shurangama Samadhi quickly; and those who cannot see the brilliant lights of the Buddha-Worlds will achieve the Samadhi of Deep Understanding on Myriads of Sublime Lights.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who have hatreds and loves in their hearts will abnegate all those emotions; those who have not yet perceived the light of Buddha-Dharma will gain Dharma-Banner Samadhi; those who lack great wisdom will gain Dharma-Torch Samadhi; those who are trapped in foolishness and darkness will gain Sun Lamp Light Samadhi; and those who lack eloquence will gain the merits and virtues needed for good eloquence.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who contemplate all phenomena and find that the constructions are as infirm as bubbles, will gain Narayana Samadhi; those whose hearts are unstable will gain Firm and Decisive Samadhi; those who wish to observe the Buddha's crown will gain Sumeru Banner Samadhi; those who abandoned their previous vows will gain Firmness Samadhi; those who lost their supernatural abilities will realize Vajra-Mind; those who seek Bodhi-Manda (enlightenment site) will realize Vajra-Manda; those who are not in thrall to any phenomena will understand Vajra-Like Dharma; those who wish to know what others think will fulfill their wishes; those who wish to know others' roots (faculties for Dharma-learning) will understand the Way to the Wisdom; and those who do not understand the languages of each others will gain the Samadhi of Full Understanding of Sounds.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who have not yet achieved Dharma-Body will understand the Dharma for cultivating the Universal Body; those who long to see the Tathagata will gain Non-Wink Samadhi; those who discriminate all activities will gain Non-Strife Samadhi; those who wish to turn the Dharma-Wheel will realize the Undefiled Wheel; those who do not believe in causality and seek evil goals will understand and comply with the teachings on causes and relationships; those who believe in only one Buddha-World will understand that there are countless Buddha-Worlds; those who have not yet generated the causes of beautiful appearance [of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas] will achieve Sublime Beauties Samadhi; and those who cannot master all words will gain the Samadhi of Rhetoric.'"

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who seek the Universal Wisdom absorbedly will gain Indistinguishable Dharma Realm Samadhi; those who retrogress from Dharma will gain Firmness Samadhi; those who do not understand the nature of all dharma(phenomena) will gain the thorough wisdom; those who give up their virtuous vows will gain Non-losable Samadhi; those who discriminate various paths will gain the path of Oneness and be free from discrimination; those who seek the wisdom as vast as all spaces will gain Free-From-Existences Samadhi; those who have not yet perfected all Paramitas will dwell in the purity of Paramitas; those who have not yet perfectly mastered the Four Dharmas of Attraction will become expert at winning living beings over; those who discriminate among the Four Immeasurable Minds will practice them impartially and diligently; and those who have not fully gained the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment will realize the non-attaching practices.'"


"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who forget virtue and lose wisdom will gain Great Ocean Wisdom Seal Samadhi; those who desire the Uncreated Dharma Forbearance will gain the decisive Samadhi of all dharmas, because the nature of dharmas is the same; those who forget the Dharma they heard will gain Non-forgetful Samadhi; those who tirelessly preach virtuous teachings to each others will gain pure wisdom-eyes and be free from the net of doubts; those who do not have faith in the Three Treasures will gain Merits-Accumulating Samadhi; those who are thirsty for Dharma-Rain will gain Dharma-Rain Samadhi; those who hold nihilistic views (uccheda-drsti*) with regard to the Three Treasures will understand the sublime of the Treasures; those who do not cultivate wisdom and do not practice diligently will gain Vajra-Wisdom Samadhi; those who are bound by vexations will gain Empty Space Seal Samadhi; and those who are attached to both Self and the things possessed by Self will gain Wisdom Seal Samadhi.'"

(* uccheda-drsti: "nihilism", the mistaken view that results from not discerning the principle of cause and effect that centers on the idea that the world or oneself can be destroyed; for example, the idea that once a being dies, there is no future rebirth, or that life is something limited to this world, is the nihilistic view of denying the reception of the fruits of good and evil acts.)

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who do not know that the Tathagata's merits and virtues are perfect will gain the Samadhi of Liberation from the World; those who have not accumulated enough merits in the present of the previous Buddhas will gain many supernatural powers including the Holy-Feet(*) and various transformation abilities; those who are not yet able to preach even one Dharma-Gate will gain the ability of expounding all Dharmas and their natures; those who have not yet mastered all Sutras will understand that the natures of all Dharmas are equal; those who do not comply with the Six Harmony Principles (*) will gain Understanding All Dharmas Samadhi; those who do not think of the liberation will gain the unrestricted supernatural power of Lion's Playing Samadhi; those who wish to enter into the secret of Tathagatas will be able to enter into the treasuries of Tathagatas without consulting any others; those who do not diligently carry out Bodhisattva-Practices will gain the wisdom to practice diligently; those who have not yet seen the Sutras on the legend of the Buddha will gain Everywhere Dwelling Samadhi; and those who are on the Way to Bodhi but have not yet achieved the perfection will gain Mark-Awarding Samadhi.'"

(* Holy-Feet (rddhi-pratiharya): The supernatural power of unimpeded bodily function, which includes such abilities as flying, reaching anywhere instantly, making oneself invisible, etc. One of the six supernatural powers.)

(* The Six Harmony Principles:
Six ways that Buddhist practitioners should live in harmony and be sensitive and caring towards each other:
1. To unify their respectful deportment to be the same [bodily karma];
2. To unify their chanting [verbal karma];
3. To unify their purpose [mind karma];
4. to unify their practices of purity [precepts];
5. to unify their view;
6. to unify their benefits. )

"'Furthermore, when the living beings hear my Dharma speech, those who do not fully have the Ten Powers of Tathagatas will gain Indestructible Samadhi; those who do not fully have the Four Fearlessnesses will gain Inexhaustible Meanings Samadhi; those who do not fully have the uncommon characteristics peculiar to the Buddhas will gain Uncommon Characteristics Samadhi; those whose views are not yet free from ignorance will gain Vows Sentences Samadhi; those who are not yet directly awakened to all Buddha-Dharmas will gain Pure White Undefiled Seal Samadhi; those who have not yet obtained the Universal Wisdom (sarva-jnana / omniscience) will gain Perfect Knowledge Samadhi; and those who have not yet accomplished all activities of Buddhas will gain Unbounded and Inexhaustible Dharmas Samadhi.'"

"'Such living beings will gain respective faiths and understandings with regard to the Buddha-Dharmas.'"

"'Furthermore, there will be some Bodhisattvas whose hearts are straight-forward, ingenuous, and free from perverse minds, when they hear even one sentence of my Dharma speech, they will gain 84 thousand Dharma-Gates, 84 thousand Samadhis, and 75 thousand Dharanis. Furthermore, there will be immeasurable and unbounded Asamkhya Bodhisattvas who cultivate the Great Collection, when they hear my Dharma speech, they will also gain such immeasurable merits and virtues, and stay peacefully at the non-retrogression stage."

"By the aid of such merits and virtues, the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas will adorn themselves with great sublimities -- they will be able to make unimaginable vows bravely, and enhance their unimaginable wisdom and knowledge to adorn themselves: Their bodies will be adorned with the 32 marks and the 80 minor marks; their mouths will be adorned with their Dharma-speeches preached according to the living beings' likes to make the audiences joyful; their hearts will be adorned with the non-retrograde Samadhis; their mindfulness will be adorned with the non-losable Dharanis; their thoughts will be adorned with their great knowledge; and their achievements will be adorned with the ultimate Awakening.'"

"'Furthermore, they will be adorned with virtuous wishes so that they will keep their vows firmly, practice diligently, and reach the other shore [of liberation] as they wish; they will be adorned with concentration so that they will achieve the cultivation stages step by step; they will be adorned with charity so that they will give out everything; they will be adorned with precept-keeping so that their hearts will be pure white, clean, and undefiled; they will be adorned with forbearance so that they will regard all living beings impartially; they will be adorned with diligence so that all their works will be accomplished; they will be adorned with Dhyana so that from all Samadhis they will gain the power of Lion's playing; they will be adorned with wisdom so that they will understand the causes of all afflictions and habits; they will be adorned with kindness so that they will be mindful of every living being absorbedly; they will be adorned with compassion so that they will not abandon any living being; they will be adorned with joy so that they will have no doubt on any Dharma; they will be adorned with relinquishment so that praises and slanders will not be different for them; they will be adorned with supernatural powers so that they will have the supernatural ability of playing everything; they will be adorned with blessings so that they will gain the precious hand of inexhaustible treasuries; they will be adorned with wisdom so that they will know all living beings' thoughts; they will be adorned with awakening so that they will awaken all living beings using virtuous Dharmas; they will be adorned with brightness so that they will have the illuminating wisdom eyes; they will be adorned with eloquence so that they will be able to explain the meanings of Dharmas with proper words; they will be adorned with fearlessness so that they will defeat all demons and incorrect theories; they will be adorned with merits and virtues so that they will gain the unsurpassed merits and virtues of the Buddhas; they will be adorned with Dharmas so that they will speak Dharmas for living beings with countless figures of speech; they will be adorned with illumination so that they will be illuminated by all Buddha-Dharmas; they will be adorned with light so that they will illuminate all Buddha-Worlds; they will be adorned with Dharma-speaking so that they will gain the proper wisdom which allow them to remember things correctly; they will be adorned with teaching so that they will be able to keep precepts in accord with their preaching; they will be adorned with supernatural abilities so that they will gain the Four Holy Feet which allow them to reach the other shore [of liberation]; they will be adorned with the enhancements given by all Tathagatas so that they will enter into the secrets of the Tathagatas; they will be adorned with the unrestricted power so that they will gain the independent wisdom; and they will be adorned with their compliance with all virtuous Dharmas so that they will practice in accord with the Buddhas' teachings and no one will be able to make them retrograde.

-- I wish that those living beings will gain all such merits, virtues and benefits.'"

"'For the countless Asamkhya living beings who seek Mahayana, I wish that even one sentence of my Dharma-speech will fill them with the pure white virtuous Dharmas, so that such Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas will gain the wisdom on all dharmas without consulting any others, attain the great Dharma-light, and achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi quickly.'"

"'Bhagavan, in the other worlds, there will be living beings who commit the five heinous sins, violate the four grave prohibitions, have burnt and withered hearts, or seek the Voice-Hearers'(Sravaka) Vehicle, Conditional-Awakeners'(Pratyeka-buddha) Vehicle, or the Great Vehicle (Mahayana). When they are reborn in my Buddha-World by the power of the vows, they will have many non-virtuous faculties and enjoy evils, they will be rough, tough, have inverse views, and have difficulty concentrating their minds. For such living beings disturbed by the 84000 moving paths of their hearts, I will widely speak the 84000 Dharmas, each Dharma treats one of the disturbances. For the living beings among them who seek the unsurpassed Mahayana, I will explain in full the six Paramitas, including the Dana (giving) Paramita unto Prajna Paramita. For the living beings among them who seek the Voice-Hearers' Vehicle or the Conditional-Awakeners' Vehicle but have not planted virtuous roots and wish to learn from the Buddhas, I will make them first take refuge in the three treasures, and then practice the six Paramitas.'"

"'For those who enjoy killing, I will make them stop killing; for those who commit crimes due to their greed, I will make them not to steal; for those who commit sexual misconducts, I will make them keep away from such immoral behaviors; for those who deliberately slander each others, I will make them not to slander; for those who enjoy inebriation, I will make them not to drink alcohol. -- For the living beings with such five illnesses, I will make them keep the five precepts of Upasaka (Lay-persons).'"

"'For those living beings who do not like any virtuous Dharmas, I wish that I can make them keep the eight precepts for at least one day and one night;'"

"'For those who have few virtuous roots and slightly enjoy virtuous Dharmas, I will make them get closer to my Dharmas, become monks, keep the ten precepts, and stay in the Brahma-practice;'"

"'For those who desire virtuous Dharmas, I will make them keep the Complete Precepts of virtuous Dharmas, and all stay in the Brahma-practice;'"

"'For such living beings who commit the sins leading to Uninterrupted Hells and who lose control of their minds, I shall speak Dharmas for them using various words, sentences, languages, and supernatural manifestations. I will reveal to them the five skandhas(*), the eighteen realms (astadasa-dhatavah)(*), the twelve loci(*), and the Dharmas on impermanence, sufferings, emptiness, and no-self, to make them stay in the virtuous, peaceful, stable, wonderful, and tranquil city of Nirvana.'"

(* The five skandhas:
1. form - matter in general;
2. feeling - receptive or sensory function;
3. perception - images that surface in the mind;
4. impulse - will, intention, or the mental function that accounts for craving. The power of formation potential.
5. consciousness - the cognitive, or discriminating function. Knowing through discrimination.)

(* The eighteen realms:
The eighteen compositional elements of human existence, including the six roots [six sense faculties], the six defilements [their six objects], and the six consciousnesses.

* The six roots are:
Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.

* The six defilements are:
Forms/phenomena, sound, smell, flavor, touch, and things.

* The six consciousnesses are:
Eye consciousnesses, ear consciousnesses, nose consciousnesses, tongue consciousnesses, body consciousnesses, and mind consciousnesses.)

(* The twelve loci: the six roots and the six defilements)

"'I will also speak such Dharmas for the fourfold assembly that consists of Bhiksus(monks), Bhiksunis(nuns), Upasakas(laymen), and Upasikas(laywomen).'"

"'For those who like to hear theories, I will speak the theories of correct Dharmas; for those who seek the liberation, I will speak the theories on the emptiness; for those who do not like virtuous dharmas, I will persuade them to do good deeds; for those who like virtuous Dharmas, I will tell them to recite and study Dharmas, and expound the emptiness, Samadhis, and the true liberation.'"

"'For each of such living beings, I will walk hundreds of thousands of Yojanas without using supernatural powers, to reveal to him the countless and various expedient means [to the liberation]; and in order to make him understand the meanings of my words, I will manifest various supernatural transformations or even appear as entering Nirvana -- I will never be tired of doing so.'"

"'Bhagavan, by the power of Samadhi, I will hide my fifth part of lifespan and enter into Nirvana, and at that time, I will shatter my own body to pieces of Shariras(relics) each as big as half of a mustard seed -- Out of compassion for living beings, I will enter into Nirvana.'"

"'After my Nirvana, let my Proper Dharma dwell in the world for one thousand years, and my Semblance Dharma dwell in the world for five hundred years.'"

"'After my Nirvana, if any living being makes offerings to my Shariras with treasures or music, or, in front of my Shariras, says "Namo Buddha" even once, or makes obeisance just once, or circumambulate it clockwise even once, or joins his palms even once, or makes an offering of just one flower -- out of this cause, he will achieve the non-retrograde stage in any of the Three Vehicles, according to his wish.'"

"'After my Nirvana, if any living being can uphold even one precept that comes from my Dharmas and can comply with it as I taught, or if he can read or recite even as few as four gathas, speak them for others and make the hearers delightful, and the hearers can make an offering to the Dharma-teacher with even one flower or one obeisance, then, all of them will respectively achieve the non-retrograde stages in any of the Three Vehicles according to their wishes.'"

"'As far as when the correct Dharmas vanish, the Dharma-torch quenches, and the Dharma-flag falls down, my Shariras will sink into the Gold Wheel Position. At that time, the Saha world lacks treasures, therefore, let my Shariras transform into a flaming bright beryl named Superior-Mind, emerge from the Gold Wheel Position, ascend to Akanistha heaven, and rain down multifarious flowers, including Mandara flowers, Maha-Mandara flowers, Parijata flowers, Manjusaka flowers, Maha-Manjusaka flowers, Rocamona flowers, Dhara flowers, Maha-dhara flowers, Undefiled Wheel Flowers, Hundred-petaled flowers, Thousand-petaled flowers, Hundred thousand-petaled flowers, Universal Light flowers, Universal Fragrance flowers, Virtuous Joy flowers, Sato flowers, Rocana flowers, Joy-Limitation Moonlight flowers, Bright Moon flowers, Countless Colored flowers, Countless Fragrances flowers, and Countless Light flowers.'"

"'During such a great rain, those flowers will also utter multifarious gentle sounds, including the sounds of Buddhas, sounds of Dharmas, sounds of Sanghas, sounds of taking refuge in the three treasures, sounds of Upasaka precepts, sounds of the holy eight precepts, sounds of the monks' ten precepts, sounds of giving, sounds of precept-keeping, sounds of pure Brahma-practices and the complete great precepts, sounds of persuading and teaching, sounds of sutra-reading and reciting, sounds of Dhyana and meditations, sounds of contemplating the unclean, sounds of meditating on inhales and exhalations, sounds of the neither-thought-nor-no-thought concentrations, sounds of the nothingness concentrations, sounds of the immeasurable consciousnesses concentrations, sounds of the immeasurable emptiness concentrations, sounds of the eight victorious stages, sounds of the ten ubiquitous things, sounds of the stopping and contemplations, sounds of emptiness, sounds of the formless, sounds of non-action, sounds of the twelve interconnected causes, sounds of the complete Dharma-Store of Voice-hearers, sounds of the complete Dharma-Store of Pratyeka-buddha Vehicle, and sounds of the full speech on the six Paramitas of Mahayana.'"

"'When the heavenly gods of the Form Realm hear these sounds, they will recall their previous virtuous roots respectively, and regret their bad deeds, thereupon, they will go down to Saha World, teach the people in there, and make them practice the ten kinds of virtuous deeds (*)'"

(* The ten kinds of virtuous deeds:
1. not killing;
2. not stealing;
3. not committing adultery;
4. not lying;
5. not speaking harshly;
6. not speaking divisively;
7. not speaking idly;
8. not being greedy
9. not being angry;
10. not having wrong views )

"'When the heavenly gods of the Desire Realm hear these sounds, let them be free from their attachments to loves, greed, and desires, and let their hearts attain the tranquility. Let them recall all their previous virtuous roots, and regret their bad deeds. Thereupon, they will also go down to Saha World to teach the people in there, and make them practice the ten kinds of virtuous deeds.'"

"'And then, those flowers in the sky will turn into multifarious treasures, such as gold, silvers, Mani gems, pearls, beryl, spiral shells, sila gems, carnelians, clockwise-circumvolving treasures, and so forth. These treasures will be rained down to Saha World.'"

"'Therewithal, the evils in Saha World, such as hatreds, strives, hungers, diseases, wars, and so forth, will all be eliminated. The people will become healthy, the quarrels will cease, the world will have plenty of foods, and everyone will be delighted.'"

"'If any living being sees, touches, or uses any of those treasures, they will never retrograde from the Three Vehicles.'"

"'Those treasures will grant such benefits, then go down again, and stay upon the Gold Wheel Position.'"

"'Bhagavan, when the kalpa of wars comes, let my Shariras transform into an Indranila Mani pearl, ascend to Akanistha heaven, and rain down multifarious flowers, such as Mandara flowers, Maha-mandara flowers, Parijata flowers, unto Countless Light flowers. Those flowers will utter multifarious wonderful sounds, such as the sounds of Buddhas, sounds of Dharmas, sounds of Sanghas, etc., and do the same works as mentioned previously. After that, my Shariras will go down again and stay upon the Gold Wheel Position.'"

"'When the kalpa of hunger comes, let my Shariras ascend to Akanistha heaven, rain down a lot of flowers, and do the same works as mentioned previously.'"

"'When the kalpa of diseases comes, my Shariras will also do the same works, as mentioned previously.'"

"'In such a way, after my Nirvana, during the great kalpa of goodness (bhadra maha-kalpa), my Shariras will do such works to enlighten innumerable living beings, and make them achieve the non-retrograde stage in any of the Three Vehicles. In the same way, during as many great kalpas as there are atoms of five Buddha-Worlds, my Shariras will enlighten countless living beings and make them achieve the non-retrograde stage in any of the Three Vehicles.'"

"'During my Bodhisattva practice for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, I will enlighten countless living beings, so that, one thousand Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya Kalpas later, in the ten directions, in the other countless and boundless Asamkhyas of worlds, the Buddhas that appear in those worlds, are all those previously enlightened and persuaded by me to arouse their initial resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and henceforth stay in the Six Paramitas.'"

"'Those living beings who, after my achievement of Bodhi, will be enlightened and persuaded by me to arouse their resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and those who, after my Nirvana, will be enlightened by the supernatural manifestations of my Shariras and arouse their resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, will all achieve Buddhahood in the future. One thousand Ganges-river-sands Asamkhya Kalpas later, when they become Buddhas and appear in the countless and boundless Asamkhyas of worlds of the ten directions, they will all announce my name and praise that:

"In the remote past there was a kalpa named Good(Bhadra), from the beginning of that kalpa, the fourth Bhagavan was named such-and-such, He enlightened and persuaded us to arouse our initial resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. At that time, our Hearts were withered, we had many non-virtuous faculties, we committed the sins of Uninterrupted Hells, and we had evil views. That Buddha enlightened us and made us stay in the Six Paramitas. For this reason, we entered into the Universal Wisdom, so that we can turn the True Dharma Wheel and break loose from births and deaths, and make hundreds of thousands of Kotis of Nayutas of living beings attain the rebirths in heavens, up to the fruits of liberation." '"

"'If any living beings who seek the Bodhi Way, having heard the praise, ask the Tathagata: "Bhagavan, what truth that Tathagata had seen, that made him attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in the evil age of the five turbidities?" '"

"'Those Tathagatas will then tell the virtuous men and virtuous women about the great compassion that I achieved, my initial awakening of Bodhi Heart, and my causal-stage vows for subliming the Buddha-worlds.'"

"'Having heard those things, the askers will become astonished and gain the unprecedented faith and happiness, they will then arouse the great compassion towards all living beings, and make the wonderful vows just like mine. They will vow to, in the evil ages of the five turbidities and in the defiled worlds, receive and enlighten those living beings who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells and have many non-virtuous faculties. Because of their achievements of the great compassion and their wills to Bodhi, the Buddhas, the Bhagavans will award them the distinctive marks of future Buddhahood, to fulfill their wishes of enlightening living beings in the evil ages of the five turbidities.'"

"'The Buddhas, the Bhagavans will also tell the virtuous men and virtuous women, who will be seeking Bodhi, about my Shariras' supernatural transformations, saying:

"In the remote past there was a Sacrosanct Sun named such-and-such, after His Nirvana, there were calamities of wars, diseases, hunger, and so forth. At that time, we were suffering from various afflictions. For our sake, that Buddha's Shariras manifested multifarious supernatural transformations, therefore we aroused our initial resolves for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, planted the virtuous roots (set up the virtuous foundations), began practicing the Six-Paramitas diligently, and so forth, as mentioned previously." '"

(The Buddha told Quiescent-Mind Bodhisattva:) "Virtuous man, when the great master Ocean-Atoms Brahmana had made these five hundred greatly compassionate vows in front of Treasure-Store Tathagata and the great assembly, including gods, Gandharvas, human and non-human beings, and so forth, he said further:

"'Bhagavan, if my vows cannot be fulfilled, that is, in the future evil age of the five turbidities in Good Kalpa, when the world will be defiled, disordered, and full of wars and quarrels, and when the living beings will be blind to the truth and have no teacher, if I cannot do the Buddha-works at that time according to my vows, I do not wish to achieve Bodhi, and do not wish to plant my virtuous roots in any other Buddha-worlds.'"

"'Bhagavan, with this determination, I wish not to transmit the merits of my virtuous roots to Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and wish not to become a Pratyeka-buddha, Voice-Hearer, king of heavenly gods, or king of human beings; I do not want any enjoyments of the five desires, do not want any offerings, and do not want any happiness of heavens or human worlds, I also do not want to be a Gandharva, Asura, Yaksa, Raksa, dragon, or the like. I will not exchange the merits of my virtuous roots for any of those rewards.'"

"'Bhagavan, it is said that giving is the cause of great richness, precept-keeping is the cause of rebirths in heavens, the extensive learning is the cause of the great wisdom, and the cultivations are the cause of the liberation. The Bhagavan also said that, such practices will produce many merits which can benefit the practitioners themselves, so that, by transmitting their merits to their wishes, they can gain whatever they want.'"

"'Bhagavan, if I can also gain those merits, I wish that all the merits produced from my cultivations, including giving, precept-keeping, extensive learning, meditating, and so forth, will be transmitted to all living beings in hells. If any living beings are suffering in Avichi hells, when they have received my merits, they will be liberated from the hells, and become human beings in this Buddha-world (Saha World). They will then encounter the Tathagatas' Dharmas, become Arhats, and enter into Nirvana.'"

"'If those living beings' evil karmas are still not exhausted, let me abandon my lifespan and enter into Avichi hells to suffer instead of them. Let my body be divided into as many bodies as there are atoms in a Buddha-world, let each of these bodies be as huge as the Sumeru mountain-king, let each of them has the same feeling as my current body, which can feel multifarious pains, and let each of my bodies suffer from as many kinds of intense pains as there are atoms in a Buddha-world.'"

"'Now in the ten directions, in the worlds as many as atoms in the Buddha-Worlds, there are countless living beings who commit the karma of Uninterrupted Hells and therefore will fall into Avichi hells; From now to the future, after as many great kalpas as there are atoms in a Buddha-world, in the ten directions, in the worlds as many as atoms in the Buddha-Worlds, there will also be countless living beings who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells.'"

"'Therefore, for the sake of all these living beings, I will dwell in Avichi hells and suffer in place of them, so that they will not fall into the hells, instead, they will encounter Buddhas and learn Dharmas, will be free from births and deaths, and will enter into the city of Nirvana.'"

"'I will stay in Avichi hells for eons and eons to save such living beings.'"

"'For all the living beings in the ten directions, whose karma will lead them to Extremely Scorching Hot hells, I will also suffer instead of them and save them, in the same way as mentioned above.'"

"'For all those who would fall into Burning hells, Greatly Screaming hells, Collectivity hells, Black Rope hells, Repeating Painful Lives hells, and so forth, I will also do the same, as mentioned above.'"

"'For all those who would become animals, hungry ghosts, Yaksas, and poor beings, I will also do the same, as mentioned above.'"

"'For all those who would become Kumbhandas, Pisacas, Asuras, and Garudas, I will also do the same, as mentioned above.'"

"'Besides, in the ten directions, in the worlds as many as atoms of a Buddha-World, if any living beings, due to their evil karmas, would become human beings but would be deaf, blind, dumb, or physically disabled; or their minds would be scattering, they would be forgetful, would eat filthy things, and so forth, for the sake of such living beings, let me be born again in Avichi hells to suffer instead of them, for eons and eons.'"

"'The living beings in births and deaths, who accept the Aggregations (skandha), Realms (dhatu), and Fields (ayatana), all suffer from myriads of afflictions, such as the afflictions of hell beings, animals, hungry ghosts, Yaksas, Asuras, human beings, and so forth. I will also suffer instead of them, as mentioned above.'"

"'If these vows cannot be fulfilled, I wish not to achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.'"

"'If my above vows can be fulfilled, and I will achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, all the Buddhas in the ten directions, who are speaking Dharmas for living beings in countless Asamkhya worlds, should be my witnesses:

Bhagavan, please award me the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, which predicts that in Good kalpa, when the human lifespan is one hundred and twenty years, I will become a Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, One of right and universal knowledge, One of perfect clarity and conduct, Well-Gone One, One fully understands all worlds, Unsurpassed One, Taming and Subduing Hero, Teacher of gods and human beings, Buddha, World-Honored One, and appear in the world.'"

"'I will indeed accomplish such Buddha-Works, according to my vows.'"

"At that time, the members of the great assembly, including the gods, dragons, Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, human beings, and so forth, whether they were in the sky or on the earth, except the Tathagata, all wept. With their five bodily parts touching the ground, they prostrated to the Brahmana's feet, and praised him with one voice:

'How virtuous, how virtuous, greatly compassionate one! You have gained the deep and wonderful mindfulness towards all living beings, your great compassion has been aroused, so that you made these profound great vows.'

'You have made these vows with no need of being taught by others; your dedicated mind and great compassion shelter all; you can also receive those who commit the five sins of Uninterrupted Hells, and receive those who have many non-virtuous roots. We all know your virtuous vows now.'

'When your Heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi was first aroused, you had provided the great excellent medicine to living beings, and had become their refuge. In order to save living beings from sufferings, you have made these vows. Your wishes will certainly be fulfilled, and the Bhagavan will award you the distinctive mark of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.'"

"At that time, king Infinite Purity, weeping feelingly, prostrated to the Brahmana's feet with his five bodily parts touching the ground, joined his palms, and praised the Brahmana with verses:

'Your vows are so profound and wonderful,
that they are not for your own happiness.
You have aroused your great compassion towards all living beings,
and have revealed to us the supreme treasure.'

Then, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said:

'Living beings are attached to many things,
while you are not attached to anything.
You have tamed the loosened root and the unfastened horse,
You have gained the self-mastery over your roots.
You will attain the Total-Retention Store of Wisdom.'

Then, Great Strength Achievement (Maha-sthama-prapta) Bodhisattva said:

'These trillions of living beings,
gathered for virtues.
Having learnt your great compassion,
They all wept.
The very difficult practices that you carry out,
are unprecedented.'

Then, Manjusri Bodhisattva said:

'With diligence, your Samadhi is firm.
Your superior wisdom is splendid.
You deserve the offerings of flowers and fragrances.'

Then, Space-Seal (Gagana-mudra) Bodhisattva said:

'In such a way you practice giving,
You have achieved the great compassion for all living beings,
and will save them in the evil ages.
You will fully have the thirty-two bodily characteristics.

Then, Vajra-Cutting Wisdom Light (Vajra-ccheda-prajna-avabha) Bodhisattva said:

'The space is boundless,
So does your compassion.
You wish to be all living beings' bridge [to the other shore],
so that you manifest your Bodhi-Practices.'

Then, Space-Sun Bodhisattva said:

'No one pities living beings in such a way,
except the Tathagatas.
You have perfect merits and virtues,
Your supreme Wisdom is luminous.'

Then, Lion-Fragrance (Simha-gandha) Bodhisattva said:

'In the future,
In the turbid age of Good Kalpa,
You will have a grand name,
and will liberate living beings from sufferings.'

Then, Universal-Goodness (Samanta-bhadra) Bodhisattva said:

'Living beings are busy
on the cliff of births and deaths,
and in the wild field of wrong views.
However, you are able to receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those unmerciful ones who eat meat and drink blood.'

Then, Aksobhya Bodhisattva said:

'Those in the state of non-brightness (ignorance),
Those submerged in the deep pool of afflictions,
Those with burning and withered hearts,
and those commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells,
You have received all of them.'

Then, Fragrance-Hand (Gandha-hasta) Bodhisattva said:

'You see the terrors in the future,
[so clear that] as if you see them through a mirror.
Those with burning and withered hearts,
and those who slander the correct Dharmas,
You are able to receive them.'

Then, Treasure-Appearance (Ratna-ketu) Bodhisattva said:

'Your Wisdom and precept-keeping are equally achieved,
You are sublimed by your mercy and compassion.
Therefore you can receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those who slander sages.'

Then, Free-of-Fear Bodhisattva said:

'You carry out countless ascetic practices
in order that in the future,
you will receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those attached to wrong views.'

Then, Lotus-Hand (Utpala-hasta) Bodhisattva said:

'Your compassion, wisdom, and diligence
have made you the topmost one among this assembly.
Therefore you can receive
those whose hearts are burning and withered,
and those tortured by births, aging, illnesses, and deaths.

Then, Wisdom-Fame (Jnana-kirti) Bodhisattva said:

'Myriad illnesses and afflictions,
Overwhelming winds of defilements,
You can quench them with the water of Wisdom,
and defeat the troops of demons.'

Then, Earth-Seal (Dharani-mudra) Bodhisattva said:

'Without firm diligence,
We cannot match you, Mighty Sun,
Who is free from afflictions,
and has broken the net of defilements.'

Then, Lotus-Moon (Utpala-candra) Bodhisattva said:

'With unwavering heroic deeds,
Depending on virtues and compassion,
Your name will be spread everywhere in the Three Realms,
And you will cut off the knots of births and deaths.'

Then, Undefiled-King Bodhisattva said:

'Out of great compassion,
Your have proclaimed your Bodhisattva-Practices.
We now pay homage to you,
the one who brings forth the cause of compassion.'

Then, Strength-Holding Bodhisattva said:

'There are myriad afflictions
in the evil age of the five turbidities,
However, in accordance with Bodhi,
You made the firm vows,
and will cut off the roots of afflictions.'

Then, Fire-Garland Bodhisattva said:

'Your Wisdom is like a treasury,
Your vows are pure.
The Bodhi-Practices that you carry out
are the excellent medicines for living beings.'

At that time, Strength-Manifesting Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, weeping feelingly, prostrated to the Brahmana's feet with his five bodily parts touching the ground, joined his palms, and praised the Brahmana with verses:

'How wonderful, you wise one!
You eliminate defilements and illnesses,
Your accumulated merits are as deep as an ocean,
And you are saving living beings from sufferings.'"

"Virtuous man, at that time, the whole assembly, including the gods, dragons, ghosts, Gandharvas, human beings, and so forth, all prostrated to the Brahmana's feet with their five bodily parts touching the ground. Having done that, they joined their palms and praised the Brahmana in many manners."

The Buddha told Quiescent-Mind Bodhisattva: "Virtuous man, at that time, in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, when Ocean-Atoms Brahmana placed his right knee on the ground, everywhere of the earth started quaking. Besides, in the ten directions, the Buddha-worlds as many as atoms started quaking in six ways. A great light illuminated the world, raining down myriad kinds of flowers, including Mandara flowers, Maha-mandara flowers, and so forth. Besides, myriad lights, which were also raining down those flowers, illuminated all the ten directions and made it look like one Buddha-world."

"In the ten directions, in those undefiled and defiled worlds as many as atoms, there were countless Buddhas, Bhagavans, who were speaking Dharmas for living beings. In the world of each of those Buddhas, there were many Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas sitting and listening to the Dharmas. When those Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas saw the earthquakes, the great lights and the rains of flowers, they asked their Buddhas:

'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?'

"At that time, from that world to the east, passing through one Ganges-river-sands Buddha-worlds, there was a Buddha-world named Treasure-Selecting (Ratna-vicaya), in which there was a Buddha named Treasure-Moon (Ratna-candra) Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, One of right and universal knowledge, One of perfect clarity and conduct, Well-Gone One, One fully understands all worlds, Unsurpassed One, Taming and Subduing Hero, Teacher of gods and human beings, Buddha, World-Honored One. He was surrounded by countless Asamkhya Bodhisattvas and speaking Mahayana Dharmas."

"In that Buddha-world there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was called Treasure-Appearance (Ratna-ketu), and the other one was called Moon-Appearance (Candra-ketu). These two Bodhisattvas joined their palms, paid homage to Treasure-Moon Tathagata, and asked Him:

'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?'

"Treasure-Moon Tathagata said: 'Virtuous men, from this Buddha-world to the west, passing through one Ganges-river-sands Buddha-worlds, there is a Buddha-world named Santirana, in which there is a Buddha named Treasure-Store (Ratna-garbha) Thus Come One, One worthy of offerings, and so forth, unto World-Honored One.'

'He is awarding the distinctive marks of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi to billions of Bodhisattvas, and is revealing the Dharmas such as the Bodhisattvas' Dominions (visaya), their sublime vows, their Samadhis' Dominions, their Dharani-Doors, and so forth.'

'In the midst of that great assembly, there is a greatly compassionate Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, who has made many great vows. His heart being filled with the great compassion, he wishes that all Bodhisattvas will gain the distinctive marks of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, so that he revealed his eye-like vows. Firstly, he persuaded billions of Bodhisattvas to make great vows, so that they vowed to choose sublime Buddha-worlds and enlighten living beings therein. However, the great compassion that this Bodhisattva has achieved surpasses anyone else's in that great assembly. He has chosen the defiled world in the evil age of the five turbidities, to receive and enlighten all those who commit the sins of Uninterrupted Hells, those who have many non-virtuous roots, and those whose hearts are burning and withered.'

'Therefore, that great assembly, including the gods, dragons, Gandharvas, human beings, and so forth, who had made offerings to Treasure-Store Tathagata, all turned to this greatly compassionate Bodhisattva who was the last to vow, and made offerings to him. Having prostrated to him with their five bodily parts touching the ground, they joined their palms, and praised him with many verses.'

'At that time, when the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva was in the presence of the Bhagavan with his right knee touching the ground, and was waiting for the award of the distinctive mark, the Bhagavan smiled. Therefore, the Buddha-worlds of the ten directions, which are as many as atoms, all started quaking in six ways, and myriad great lights appeared, raining down multifarious flowers.'

'In order to awake the Bodhisattvas in all these Buddha-worlds and reveal to them the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva's vows and practices, in order to gather the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas in the ten directions' Buddha-worlds which are as many as atoms, and in order to explain the Bodhisattva Dharma Doors of the Samadhis, Dharani-Doors, vows and practices, and fearlessnesses, that Tathagata manifested such supernatural things.'

"Virtuous man, having heard that, the two Bodhisattvas asked Treasure-Moon Tathagata:

'Bhagavan, how long have that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva aroused his Bodhi-Heart? How long have he been carrying out Bodhisattva-Practices, so that he can choose the heavily defiled world in the evil age of the five turbidities, and receive the living beings who commit the karma of Uninterrupted Hells, who have many non-virtuous roots, and whose hearts are burning and withered?'

Treasure-Moon Tathagata said: 'Virtuous men, that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva aroused his Heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi just now.'

'Go, virtuous men, to Santirana Buddha-World, to see Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha. Make obeisance to Him, make offerings to Him, and listen to the Dharmas of Samadhis, Dharani-Doors, fearlessness, and so forth. When you see that greatly compassionate Bodhisattva, deliver my words to him, as follows:

'Virtuous Hero, Treasure-Moon Tathagata greeted you. He presented this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower to you, and praised you for your virtuousness. You just aroused your Bodhi-Heart for the first time, yet you have achieved such a great compassion. Your name has already prevailed in the ten directions, in the Buddha-Worlds as many as atoms. They all call you Greatly Compassionate Bodhisattva. Therefore we praise you: Virtuous indeed!'

'Furthermore, Virtuous Hero, to help the future Bodhisattvas achieve the great compassion, you have set up the flag -- the Eye of greatly compassionate sounds and vows. Therefore we praise you again: Virtuous indeed!'

'Furthermore, Virtuous Hero, in the future, your name will be prevailing in the Buddha-worlds of ten directions, for Asamkhya Kalpas as many as atoms in a Buddha-world. You will persuade countless billions of nayutas of thousands of living beings and make them stay in Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, so that they will proceed to the Buddha's dwelling, will not retrograde, and will achieve Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi. Some of them will vow to receive and enlighten living beings in sublime Buddha-worlds, and will gain the distinctive marks of Buddhahood in the future. Later on, passing Asamkhya Kalpas as many as atoms of a Buddha-world, in the ten directions, those living beings, who are persuaded and enlightened by you, will become Buddhas in the worlds as many as atoms of a Buddha-world. Having turned the Dharma-Wheels, they will talk about you and praise you. Therefore we praise you the third time: Virtuous indeed!'"

"At that time, 9.2 billion Bodhisattvas said with one voice: 'Bhagavan, we wish to visit Santirana Buddha-World, to see Treasure-Store Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, make offerings to Him, and to see and make obeisance to that Virtuous Hero.'

"Then, Treasure-Moon Tathagata entrusted to the Bodhisattvas the three praises and the Moon-Bliss-Purity flower, saying: 'Go, virtuous men, it is the right time now, to visit Treasure-Store Tathagata's world, and listen to the Dharmas of vows, practices, and fearlessness.'

"Thereupon, Treasure-Appearance Bodhisattva and Moon-Appearance Bodhisattva received the Moon-Bliss-Purity flower from Treasure-Moon Tathagata, and departed from Treasure-Selecting Buddha-World along with the 9.2 billion Bodhisattvas.

"Like lightning, those Bodhisattvas disappeared from Treasure-Selecting Buddha-World, and arrived at Jambuvana garden in Santirana Buddha-World, where Treasure-Store Tathagata was dwelling.

"They bowed with their heads at Treasure-Store Tathagata's feet, and made offerings to Him with myriad kinds of supernatural manifestations by using their Bodhisattva-Powers.

"They then saw that Ocean-Atoms Brahmana was in the presence of Treasure-Store Tathagata, and everyone of the great assembly had joined his palms and was praising the Brahmana.

"The Bodhisattvas thought: 'This must be the greatly compassionate one, who deserves this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower given by Treasure-Moon Tathagata.'

"Thereupon, in front of the Bhagavan, the two Bodhisattvas turned to the Brahmana, and gave him the flower, saying: 'Virtuous Hero, Treasure-Moon Tathagata presented this Moon-Bliss-Purity flower to you.' They then gave the three praises to the Virtuous Hero, as mentioned above.

"Likewise, from the countless Asamkhya Buddha-Worlds in the east, innumerable Bodhisattvas were sent to Santirana Buddha-World. They also gave Moon-Bliss-Purity flowers and the three praises to the Brahmana, as mentioned above.

"Furthermore, from that Buddha-World to the south, passing through 97 koti-nayuta-hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Pinnacle-Lion-Roar, in which there was a Buddha named Lion-Rousing-Unrestricted-King (simha-vijrmbhite-svara-raja) Tathagata, Arhat, Samyak-sambuddha, who was speaking pure Mahayana Dharmas for the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas.

"Among that assembly there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, one of whom was named Wisdom-Vajra-Sign (jnana-vajra-ketu), and the other one was named Lion-Vajra-Sign (simha-vajra-ketu). These two Bodhisattvas asked Lion-Rousing-Unrestricted-King Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?' The things happened next are like those mentioned above.

"Likewise, from the countless Asamkhya Buddha-Worlds in the south, innumerable Bodhisattvas were sent to Santirana Buddha-World. The things happened next are like those mentioned above.

"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the west, passing through 89 koti-nayuta-hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Superior (jayavati), in which there was a Buddha named Gathering-Roots Extensive-Eye (jita-indriya-visala-netra) Tathagata, who was speaking the three vehicles' Dharmas for the fourfold assembly.

"Among that assembly there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was named Good-Sun (bhadra-vairocana), and the other one was named Lion-Rousing-Body (simha-vijrmbhita-kaya). These two virtuous men asked Gathering-Roots Extensive-Eye Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?' The things happened next are like those mentioned above. In the other countless western worlds, the same things also happened.

"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the north, passing through 90 koti-nayuta-hundred-thousand Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Jambu, in which there was a Buddha named World-Unrestricted-King (loke-svara-raja) Tathagata, who was speaking pure Mahayana Dharmas for many Bodhisattvas who want Mahayana.

"Among them there were two Bodhisattvas, one of whom was named Moveless-Dwelling (acala-sthavara), and the other one was named Prajna-Dhara. These two Bodhisattvas asked World-Unrestricted-King Tathagata: 'Bhagavan, for what cause and relationship that the earths are quaking in six ways, the great lights appeared, and the flowers are raining down?' The things happened next are like those mentioned above. In the other countless northern worlds, the same things also happened.

"At that time, from that Buddha-World to the lower direction, passing through 98 nayuta Buddha-Worlds, there was a Buddha-World named Free-of-Darkness, in which there was a Buddha named Fearless-Surrounding-Sound Tathagata, who was speaking the three vehicles' Dharmas for the fourfold assembly.

"In that Buddha-World there were two Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas. One of them was named Royal-Sun (raja-vairocana), and the other one was named Heavenly-Sun (svarga-vairocana). The things happened next are like those mentioned above. In the other worlds of the lower direction, the same things also happened."