Parable of the Burning House.
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Soothill, William Edward and Kumārajīva
Carnal passions inflame them,
No better are they than beasts;
Because of slandering this Sutra,
Such is their punishment.’
I say to you, Śariputra!
Those who slander this Sutra,
To tell the tale of their evils,
A whole kalpa would not suffice.
For this cause and reason
I especially say to you:
‘Among unwise people,
Do not preach this Sutra’.”
Following this is a long account of those to whom The Lotus may be preached; that is, to those who have understanding, are true seekers of Buddhahood, unselfish, have left all, are reverent, upright, patient, compassionate, and in general the sincere humble seeker, who refuses all substitutes, such as other sutras, books, and philosophies.
“I say to you, Śariputra,
Were I to detail all the kinds
Of seekers of the Buddhahood
I could not finish in a kalpa.
Such people as these are able
To believe and to discern.
Preach then to such as these
The Wonderful Law-Flower Sutra.”