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.
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