XXII
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Soothill, William Edward and Kumārajīva
On this Śakyamuni Buddha arises from the Lion-throne in the sky, where he has been seated with the Buddha Abundant-Treasures, and by his supernatural power lays his right hand on the heads of the countless Great Bodhisattvas, saying:
“I, for incalculable hundreds, thousands, myriads, kotis of numberless kalpas have practised this rare law of Perfect Enlightenment. Now I entrust it to you. Do you with all your mind promulgate this Law, and make it increase and prosper far and wide.”
Three times does he thus place his hand on their heads, and give them his final commission, before his entry into Nirvana. For
“the Tathagata is most benevolent and compassionate, not mean and grudging; he is able fearlessly to give the Buddha-Wisdom, the Tathagata-Wisdom, and the Self-Existent Wisdom to the living. The Tathagata is the great Lord of Giving to all living beings. Do you also follow and learn the Tathagata’s example, ungrudgingly. If good sons or good daughters, in ages to come, believe in the Tathagata-wisdom, do you proclaim this Law-Flower Sutra to them that they may hear and know it, in order that they may obtain the Buddha-wisdom. If there be living beings who do not believe it, do you direct, teach, profit, and rejoice them with the other profound laws of the Tathagata. If you are able thus to act, then you will have repaid the grace of the Buddhas.”
Thereupon they all, filled with joy, make obeisance, and cry three times with united voice, “We will do as the World-honoured One has commanded. Yes, World-honoured One! Have no anxiety.”
“On this Śakyamuni Buddha causes the emanated Buddhas, who had come from all directions, each to return to his own land, saying: ‘Buddhas! Peace be upon you. Let the Stupa of the Buddha Abundant-Treasures be restored as before’.
“As these words are spoken, the innumerable emanated Buddhas from every direction, who are seated on Lion-thrones under the jewel-trees, as well as the Buddha Abundant-Treasures, the host of infinite, numberless Bodhisattvas, Superior-Conduct and others, also the four groups of hearers, Śariputra and others, and the worlds, gods, men, asuras and so on, hearing the words of the Buddha, all rejoice greatly.”