IX
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Soothill, William Edward and Kumārajīva
The beloved disciple of Śakyamuni was Ananda, sometimes spoken of as the St. John of the Buddha. He it was whose memory guarded the Treasury, or Doctrine of the Master’s Law. Rahula was Śakyamuni’s son born while he was Prince Gautama. These two, Ananda and Rahula now come forward to the feet of Buddha. Both prostrate themselves and implore that they too may share in this Mahayana glory.
“Ananda is always thy attendant, protecting and keeping the treasury of the Law, and Rahula is the Buddha’s son. If the Buddha sees fit to predict us to Perfect Enlightenment, our desires will be fulfilled and every hope be satisfied.”
“Thereupon two thousand disciples, who had completed their hinayana training, all rose from their seats, bared their right shoulders, went before the Buddha, with one mind folded their hands, and gazed upon the World-honoured One, wishing as Ananda and Rahula wished, and stood there in line.
“Then the Buddha speaking to Ananda said: ‘In a future world you will become a Buddha with the title of Sovereign-Universal-King-of-Wisdom Mountain-high and Ocean-deep’.” His domain would be “Never-lowered Banner of Victory”, and his aeon “Full of Wonder-Sound.”
Then follows this arresting endeavour to depict infinity:
“His lifetime will be such immeasurable thousands, myriads, kotis of numberless kalpas, that even if a man tried to count them through thousands, myriads, kotis, immeasurable, numberless kalpas it would be impossible to know it.”
A certain perplexity and seeming envy is bruited among eight thousand bodhisattvas in the assembly, which the Buddha appeases by explaining the favour done to Ananda in this prediction. He tells them that he and Ananda first met in the realm of the Buddha King-of-the-Firmament, and there they together attained the concept of Perfect Enlightenment. Ananda was the more meditative; Śakyamuni the more energetic. Consequently Śakyamuni first attained to Buddhahood, while Ananda became the studious rememberer of his teaching. Until Ananda becomes Buddha, therefore, he will continue to be Guardian-of-the-Law of future Buddhas, and instruct and bring to perfection the host of bodhisattvas. “Such was his original vow, and consequently he receives this prediction.”
Instantly Ananda recalls to mind the Law-treasuries in the past of unlimited myriads, kotis of Buddhas, and understands them without difficulty as if he were now hearing them, recalling also his original vow:
“The rare World-honoured One
Recalls to my mind the Law
Of countless Buddhas past,
As if I were hearing it to-day.
I now, having no more doubts,
Take up my abode in Buddhahood.
With skilfulness will I serve
And care for the Buddha’s Law.”
Of Rahula it is foretold that he will become a Buddha entitled “Treader on Seven-jewelled Lotuses”. He will “pay homage to Buddha-Tathagatas equal in number to the atoms of ten worlds, always as the eldest son of those Buddhas, just as at present”. The Buddha says:
“When I was prince-royal
Rahula was my eldest son.
Now that I have attained Buddhahood
He, as Law-heir, inherits the Law.
In ages of the future,
Seeing infinite kotis of Buddhas,
To all he will be eldest son,
Whole-hearted seeking Buddhahood.”
The two thousand who, with appealing looks stand expectant, are now blessed in like manner. They will each attain to be Buddhas, at the same time obtaining a realm in infinite space. The title of each Buddha will be “Jewel Emblem” and their realms in every respect will be equal.
“In the future they will every one be Buddhas.
. . . . .
And will reach Perfect Enlightenment.
In domains in all directions
Each will have the same title.
Simultaneously on wisdom-thrones
They will prove the Supreme Wisdom.”