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LARGER SUTRA (2)

THE LARGER SUTRA ON AMITAYUS
delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha
Translated into Chinese during the Ts'ao-Wei dynasty
by the Tripitaka Master Samghavarman from India

translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki

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Revised June 24, 2000

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The text follows the Taisho Tripitaka edition, vol. 12, and the passage numbers follow Jodoshinshu Seiten, 1988, pp. 47-83.

[TT. 12, 273b]

Fulfillment of the 11th, 17th, and 18th vows

第11、17及18愿的成就

佛告阿难。其有众生生彼国者。皆悉住于正定之聚。所以者何。彼佛国中无诸邪聚及不定之聚。

[22] The Buddha said to Ananda, "Sentient beings who are born in that Buddha-land all reside among those assured of Nirvana. The reason is that in that land there are neither beings who are destined to adverse conditions nor those whose destinies are uncertain.

十方恒沙诸佛如来。皆共赞叹无量寿佛威神功德不可思议。诸有众生闻其名号。信心欢喜乃至一念。至心回向愿生彼国。即得往生住不退转。唯除五逆诽谤正法。
"All Buddhas, Tathagatas, in the ten quarters, as numerous as the sands of the River Ganges, together praise the inconceivable, supernal virtue of Amitayus. All sentient beings who, having heard his Name, rejoice in faith, remember him even once and sincerely transfer the merit of virtuous practices to that land, aspiring to be born there, will attain birth and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression. But excluded are those who have committed the five gravest offenses and abused the right Dharma."

Three grades of aspirants:

三辈往生
1) higher grade 上辈往生

[0272b15] 佛告阿难。十方世界诸天人民。其有至心愿生彼国。凡有三辈。其上辈者。舍家弃欲而作沙门。发菩提心。一向专念无量寿佛。修诸功德愿生彼国。此等众生临寿终时。无量寿佛与诸大众。现其人前。即随彼佛往生其国。便于七宝华中自然化生。住不退转。智慧勇猛神通自在。是故阿难。其有众生。欲于今世见无量寿佛。应发无上菩提之心。修行功德。愿生彼国。

[23] The Buddha said to Ananda, "Devas and humans in the worlds of the ten quarters who sincerely aspire to be born in that land can be classified into three grades. The higher grade of aspirants are those who leave their homes and abandon worldly desires to become monks. Having awakened aspiration for Enlightenment, they single-mindedly remember Amitayus and perform meritorious practices, aspiring to be born in his land. When they are about to die, Amitayus, together with a host of sages, will appear before them. Then they will follow him and attain birth in his land. At once they will be born by transformation spontaneously from within seven-jewelled lotus-flowers. They will dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression, attain steadfast wisdom and be capable of freely exercising supernatural powers. For this reason, Ananda, sentient beings who wish to see Amitayus while in this world should awaken aspiration for the highest Enlightenment, do meritorious deeds, and aspire to be born in his land."

2) middle grade

中辈往生

[0272b24] 佛语阿难。其中辈者。十方世界诸天人民。其有至心愿生彼国。虽不能行作沙门大修功德。当发无上菩提之心。一向专念无量寿佛。多少修善。奉持斋戒。起立塔像。饭食沙门。悬缯然灯。散华烧香。以此回向愿生彼国。其人临终。无量寿佛。化现其身。光明相好具如真佛。与诸大众现其人前。即随化佛往生其国。住不退转。功德智慧次如上辈者也。

[24] The Buddha said to Ananda, "The middle grade of aspirants are the devas and humans in the worlds of the ten quarters who sincerely desire to be born in that land. Although unable to become monks and cultivate much merit, they awaken aspiration for the highest Enlightenment, single-mindedly think on Amitayus, perform some good deeds, observe the precepts of abstinence, build stupas, donate Buddhist statues, give alms to mendicants, hang banners, light candles, scatter flowers, burn incense, and so forth. They transfer the merit of those practices to his land, aspiring to be born there. When they are about to die, Amitayus will manifest his transformed body, [272c] which is fully possessed of the same radiance and physical characteristics and marks as those of the real Buddha, and make it appear before them, together with a host of sages. Then they will follow this transformed Buddha and be born in the Pure Land, where they will dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression. Their virtue and wisdom will be next to those of the higher grade of aspirants."

3) lower grade 下辈往生

[0272c04] 佛语阿难。其下辈者。十方世界诸天人民。其有至心欲生彼国。假使不能作诸功德。当发无上菩提之心。一向专意乃至十念。念无量寿佛愿生其国。若闻深法欢喜信乐不生疑惑。乃至一念念于彼佛。以至诚心愿生其国。此人临终。梦见彼佛亦得往生。功德智慧次如中辈者也

[25] The Buddha said to Ananda, "The lower grade of aspirants are the devas and humans in the worlds of the ten quarters who sincerely desire to be born in that land. Although unable to do many meritorious deeds, they awaken aspiration for the highest Enlightenment and single-mindedly concentrate on Amitayus even ten times, desiring birth in his land. When they hear the profound Dharma, they joyfully accept it and do not entertain any doubt; and so, remembering the Buddha even once, they sincerely aspire to be born in that land. When they are about to die, they will see the Buddha in a dream. Those aspirants, too, will be born in the Pure Land. Their merit and wisdom will be next to those of the middle grade of aspirants."

Bodhisattvas' visit to the Pure Land from other lands

他方菩萨瞻净土

[0272c11] 佛告阿难。无量寿佛威神无极。十方世界无量无边不可思议诸佛如来。莫不称叹于彼东方恒沙佛国。无量无数诸菩萨众。皆悉往诣无量寿佛所。恭敬供养及诸菩萨声闻大众。听受经法宣布道化。南西北方四维上下亦复如是。

[26] The Buddha said to Ananda, "The majestic virtue of Amitayus is boundless. All the innumerable, uncountable and inconceivable Buddhas, Tathagatas, in the worlds of the ten quarters praise him. Innumerable and uncountable bodhisattvas in the Buddha-lands of the eastern quarter, as numerous as the sands of the River Ganges, all without exception, visit Amitayus in order to worship and make offerings to him and to the assembly of bodhisattvas and shravakas. Having heard the teaching, they expound it to lead people into the Path of the Buddha. As in the eastern quarter, so it is in the southern, western and northern, as well as in the four intermediate quarters, above and below."

Verses on bodhisattvas' visit

尔时世尊而说颂曰

[27] Then the World-Honored One spoke the following verses:

东方诸佛国　　其数如恒沙 彼土诸菩萨　　往觐无量觉

1. In the eastern quarter there are Buddha-lands,
As numerous as the sands of the River Ganges;
Bodhisattvas dwelling in those lands
Go to pay homage to Amitayus, the Enlightened One.

2. 南西北四维　　上下亦复然　彼土菩萨众　　往觐无量觉
2. So it is in the southern, western, and northern quarters,
The intermediate quarters, above and below;
Bodhisattvas dwelling in those lands
Go to pay homage to Amitayus, the Enlightened One.

3. 一切诸菩萨　　各赍天妙华　宝香无价衣　　供养无量觉
3. All those bodhisattvas, taking with them
Exquisite heavenly flowers,
Precious incense and priceless robes,
Make offerings to Amitayus, the Enlightened One.

4. 咸然奏天乐　　畅发和雅音　歌叹最胜尊　　供养无量觉
4. Playing heavenly music in concert,
Producing harmonious and delicate sounds,
They praise the Most Honored One with hymns
And make offerings to Amitayus, the Enlightened One:

5. 究达神通慧　　游入深法门 具足功德藏　　妙智无等伦
5. 'You have perfected supernatural powers and wisdom,
With which you freely enter the gates of the profound Dharma;
You also possess stocks of merit and virtue
And unparalleled supreme knowledge.

6. 慧日照世间　　消除生死云　恭敬绕三匝　　稽首无上尊
6. Illumining the world with the sun of wisdom,
You disperse the clouds of birth-and-death.'
Having reverently walked round him three times,
They pay homage to the Unsurpassed One.

7. 见彼严净土　　微妙难思议 因发无量心　　愿我国亦然
7. Having seen the glorious Pure Land,
Wonderfully resplendent, [273a]
They are led to awaken supernal aspiration
And wish their lands to be like his.

8. 应时无量尊　　动容发欣笑　口出无数光　　遍照十方国
8. Then Amitayus, the Enlightened One,
Changes his countenance and smiles;
From his mouth come forth innumerable rays of light,
Which illuminate the worlds in the ten quarters.

9. 回光围绕身　　三匝从顶入　一切天人众　　踊跃皆欢喜
9. These rays of light return, encircle his body
Three times, and enter the crown of his head.
All devas and humans are delighted to see this
And are filled with great joy.

10. 大士观世音　　整服稽首问　白佛何缘笑　　唯然愿说意
10. Avalokiteshvara, the Exalted Being, having respectfully arranged
His clothes and bowed his head,
Asked the Buddha, 'Why are you smiling?
Reverently I enquire. Please tell me why.'

11. 梵声犹雷震　　八音畅妙响　当授菩萨记　　今说仁谛听
11. The Buddha's majestic voice was like thunder,
Producing wonderful sounds in eight qualities of voice;
'Because I am about to give predictions to the bodhisattvas.
I now explain to you. Listen carefully!

12. 十方来正士　　吾悉知彼愿　志求严净土　　受决当作佛
12. I am fully aware of the vows of the bodhisattvas
Who come from the ten quarters;
They seek to glorify their pure lands.
After receiving my predictions, they will become Buddhas.

13. 觉了一切法　　犹如梦幻响　满足诸妙愿　　必成如是刹
13. While realizing that all dharmas are like a dream,
An illusion or an echo,
They will fulfill their excellent vows
And surely establish pure lands such as this.

14. 知法如电影　　究竟菩萨道　具诸功德本　　受决当作佛
14. Knowing that dharmas are like a flash of lightning or a shadow,
They will pursue the Bodhisattva Path to its end
And amass a stock of merit. After receiving
My predictions, they will become Buddhas.

15. 通达诸法门　　一切空无我　专求净佛土　　必成如是刹
15. While thoroughly knowing that the nature of all dharmas
Is empty and without substance,
They will single-mindedly seek to produce their pure lands
And will surely establish lands such as this.'

16. 诸佛告菩萨　　令觐安养佛 闻法乐受行　　疾得清净处
16. The Buddhas tell the bodhisattvas to go and pay homage
To the Buddha of the Land of Peace and Provision.
'Listen to his teaching, joyfully receive and practice it,
And then quickly reach the Realm of Purity.

17. 至彼严净土　　便速得神通 必于无量尊　　受记成等觉
17. When you go to his glorious Pure Land,
You will instantly acquire supernatural powers.
Having, without fail, received predictions from Amitayus,
You will attain perfect Enlightenment.

18. 其佛本愿力　　闻名欲往生　皆悉到彼国　　自致不退转
18. By the power of that Buddha's Original Vows,
All who hear his Name and desire birth,
Will, without exception, be born in his land
And effortlessly enter the Stage of Non-retrogression.

19. 菩萨兴志愿　　愿己国无异　普念度一切　　名显达十方
19. Bodhisattvas, if you make vows
That your lands will be like this,
While aspiring to save all beings everywhere,
Your name will be renowned throughout the ten quarters.

20. 奉事亿如来　　飞化遍诸刹　恭敬欢喜去　　还到安养国
20. In order to serve millions of Tathagatas,
You can assume various forms and fly to those lands;
After worshipping them with joyful hearts,
You will return to the Land of Peace and Provision.'

21. 若人无善本　　不得闻此经 清净有戒者　　乃获闻正法
21. Without a stock of goodness from past lives,
One cannot hear this sutra;
But those who have strictly observed the precepts
Can hear the right Dharma.

22. 曾更见世尊　　则能信此事 谦敬闻奉行　　踊跃大欢喜
22. One who has met a World-Honored One in the past
Can accept this teaching.
Such a person respectfully worships, hears
And upholds it, and rejoices so greatly as to dance.

23. 憍慢弊懈怠　　难以信此法 宿世见诸佛　　乐听如是教
23. Arrogant, corrupt and indolent people
Cannot readily accept this teaching.
But those who have met Buddhas in their past lives
Rejoice to hear it.

24. 声闻或菩萨　　莫能究圣心 譬如从生盲　　欲行开导人
24. Neither shravakas nor bodhisattvas are able to know
The Sage's Mind exhaustively;
They are like those who are born blind
And yet wish to guide others.

25. 如来智慧海　　深广无崖底 二乘非所测　　唯佛独明了
25. The ocean of the Tathagata's wisdom
Is deep, vast and boundless.
Even sages of the Hinayana cannot fathom it;
Only the Buddha clearly knows it.

26. 假使一切人　　具足皆得道　净慧如本空　　亿劫思佛智
26. Let us suppose that all human beings,
Without exception, have attained Enlightenment
And, with pure wisdom, realized original emptiness.
Even if they pondered on the Buddha's wisdom for myriads of kalpas,

27. 穷力极讲说　　尽寿犹不知　佛慧无边际　　如是致清净
27. And expounded it with the utmost effort all through their lives,
They would not come to exhaustive knowledge of it.
The Buddha's wisdom is thus limitless
And pure to its depths.

28. 寿命甚难得　　佛世亦难值 人有信慧难　　若闻精进求
28, To obtain human life is difficult in the extreme;
To meet a Buddha in this world is also difficult;
It is difficult, too, for a man to attain faith and wisdom.
Once you have heard the Dharma, strive to reach its heart.

29. 闻法能不忘　　见敬得大庆 则我善亲友　　是故当发意
29. If you have heard the Dharma and do not forget it,
But adore and revere it with great joy,
You are my good friend. For this reason,
You should awaken aspiration for Enlightenment.

30. 设满世界火　　必过要闻法 会当成佛道　　广济生死流
30. Even if the whole world is on fire,
Be sure to pass through it to hear the Dharma;
Then you will surely attain the Buddha's Enlightenment.
And everywhere deliver beings from the river of birth-and-death.

Bodhisattvas in the Pure Land

净土中的菩萨

[0273b19] 佛告阿难。彼国菩萨。皆当究竟一生补处。除其本愿。为众生故。以弘誓功德而自庄严。普欲度脱一切众生。阿难。彼佛国中。诸声闻众身光一寻。菩萨光明照百由旬。有二菩萨最尊第一。威神光明。普照三千大千世界。

[28] The Buddha said to Ananda, "All the bodhisattvas in the land of Amitayus will ultimately attain the Stage of Becoming a Buddha After One More Life. Excepted are those who have made original vows for the sake of sentient beings, resolving to cultivate the merit of realizing their great vows to save all sentient beings. Ananda, each shravaka in the Buddha-land of Amitayus emits light for one fathom around his body. The light of a bodhisattva shines a hundred yojanas. There are two bodhisattvas who are the most dignified; their majestic light shines everywhere in the universe of a thousand million worlds."

阿难白佛。彼二菩萨其号云何。
Ananda asked, "What are the names of those two bodhisattvas?"

佛言。一名观世音。二名大势至。[10]是二菩萨。于[11]此国土修菩萨行。命终转化生彼佛国。阿难。其有众生生彼国者。皆悉具足三十二相。智慧成满深入诸法。究畅要妙神通无碍。诸根明利。其钝根者成就二忍。其利根者得[12]阿僧祇无生法忍。又彼菩萨。乃至成佛不[13]更恶趣。神通自在常识宿命。除生他方五浊恶世。示现同彼如我国也。
The Buddha replied, "One is called Avalokiteshvara and the other, Mahasthamaprapta. They had both performed Bodhisattva practices in this world, and, at the end of their lives, were born by transformation in that Buddha-land. Ananda, the sentient beings born there all fully possess the thirty-two physical characteristics of a Great Man as well as perfect wisdom, with which they penetrate deeply into the nature of all dharmas and reach their subtle essence. Their supernatural powers know no obstruction, and their physical senses are sharp and clear. The bodhisattvas of lesser capacities attain two insights. [273c] Those with superior capacities attain innumerable [merits by the] insights into the non-arising of all dharmas. Those bodhisattvas will not be subject to rebirth in evil realms before they become Buddhas. Excepted are those who seek birth in the worlds of other quarters during the turbulent period of the five defilements, manifesting their forms in the likeness of the beings there, as in this world. They can freely exercise supernatural powers and always remember their past lives."

佛[14]语阿难。彼国菩萨承佛威神。一食之顷往诣十方无量世界。恭敬供养诸佛世尊。随心所念。华香伎乐[15]缯盖幢幡。无数无量供养之具。自然化生应念即至。珍妙殊特非世所有。[16]转以奉散诸佛[17]菩萨声闻[18]大众。在虚空中化成华盖。光色[19]晃耀香气普熏。其华周圆四百里者。如是转倍。乃覆三千大千世界。随其前后以次化没。其诸菩萨佥然欣悦。于虚空中共奏天乐。以微妙音歌叹佛德。听受经法欢喜无量。供养佛已未食之前。忽然轻举还其本国。The Buddha said to Ananda, "By the Buddha's power, bodhisattvas of that land go to innumerable worlds of the ten quarters, in as short a time as it takes to eat a meal, in order to pay homage and make offerings to the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones. If those bodhisattvas so wish, uncountable and innumerable offerings, such as flowers, incense, music, silken canopies and banners, spontaneously appear before them as soon as they are imagined. They are rare and marvelous, unlike anything in this world. They are, accordingly, offered to the assemblies of Buddhas, bodhisattvas and shravakas. The flowers remain in the sky and gather into canopies. Their brilliance is dazzling and their fragrance pervades everywhere. The flower-canopies range in size, from those of four hundred li in circumference up to those large enough to cover the universe of a thousand million worlds. As new flower-canopies appear, old ones disappear. These bodhisattvas all rejoice together, and, while poised in mid-air, play heavenly music and praise the virtues of the Buddhas with hymns accompanied by wonderful sounds. They listen to the Dharma and attain immeasurable joy. After thus worshipping the Buddhas, they quickly return home to the Pure Land before their meal."

Amida's preaching and exquisite sounds produced by the trees, etc.

宝树演说阿弥陀佛的妙法音声

佛语阿难。无量寿佛。为诸声闻菩萨大众颁宣法时。都悉集会七宝讲堂。广宣道教演畅妙法。莫不欢喜心解得道。即时四方自然风起。普吹宝树出五音声。雨无量妙华随风周遍。自然供养如是不绝。一切诸天皆赍天上百千华香万种伎乐。供养其佛及诸菩萨声闻大众。普散华香奏诸音乐。前后来往更相开避。当斯之时。熙然快乐不可胜言。

[29] The Buddha said to Ananda, "When Amitayus expounds the Dharma to shravakas and bodhisattvas, they all assemble in the seven-jewelled lecture-hall. There he fully expounds the teachings of the Way and proclaims the wonderful Dharma. The whole audience rejoices, comprehends, and attains Enlightenment. At that time a breeze spontaneously arises in each of the four directions and wafts over the jewelled trees, producing sounds of the pentatonic scales and causing innumerable exquisite flowers to fall like rain and scatter everywhere. Natural ways of glorification such as these are endlessly repeated. All the devas bring with them a hundred thousand flowers and pieces of aromatic wood and thousands of musical instruments to use as offerings to the Buddha and the assembly of bodhisattvas and shravakas; they scatter flowers, diffuse perfumes everywhere and play various kinds of music. They come and go in succession, giving way to each other. At such times their joy and happiness are beyond description."

Bodhisattvas' virtues

菩萨功德

佛告阿难。生彼佛国诸菩萨等。所可讲说常宣正法。随顺智慧无违无失。于其国土所有万物。无我所心无染著心。去来进止情无所系。随意自在无所适莫。无彼无我无竞无讼。于诸众生得大慈悲饶益之心。柔软调伏无忿恨心。离盖清净无厌怠心。等心胜心。深心定心。爱法乐法喜法之心。

[30] The Buddha said to Ananda, "The bodhisattvas born in that Buddha-land expound the right Dharma whenever appropriate and, because they are in accord with the wisdom of enlightenment, their expositions are infallible and free of error. In regard to the myriads of things in that land, they have no thought of possession or attachment. Whether going or coming, proceeding or remaining, their hearts are unattached, their acts are in accordance with their will and are unrestricted, and they have no thought of discrimination. In them there is no idea of self or others, no idea of competition or dispute. With the heart of great compassion to benefit all living beings and with tenderness and self-control, they bear no enmity or grudge against anyone. Free of mental hindrances, they are pure in mind and without indolence. Unbiased, noble-minded, sincere and tranquil, [274a] their hearts can revere, appreciate and enjoy the Dharma.

灭诸烦恼。离恶趣心。究竟一切菩萨所行。具足成就无量功德。得深禅定诸通明慧。游志七觉修心佛法。肉眼清彻靡不分了。天眼通达无量无限。法眼观察究竟诸道。慧眼见真能度彼岸。佛眼具足觉了法性。以无碍智为人演说。等观三界空无所有。志求佛法具诸辩才。除灭众生烦恼之患。从如来生解法如如。善知[1]习灭音声方便。不欣世语乐在正论。
"Having extinguished all evil passions, they are free of those tendencies which cause one to fall into evil realms. They have accomplished all the duties of a bodhisattva and are fully endowed with immeasurable virtues. Having reached deep meditation and gained supernatural powers, transcendent knowledge and wisdom, they are established in the seven practices leading to Enlightenment and are devoted to the Buddha Dharma.
"With the physical eye they see clearly, discerning objects without error; the sight of their heavenly eye reaches everywhere without limit; with the Dharma-eye they observe and know thoroughly the teachings of the Way; with the wisdom-eye they see truth and attain the Other Shore; with the Buddha-eye they completely realize the nature of dharmas; and with unhindered wisdom they expound the Dharma to others.
"Although they observe with the eye of equality that the three worlds are empty and non-existent, they strive to learn the Buddha Dharma and acquire varied eloquence in order to rid living beings of affliction caused by evil passions. Since all dharmas have arisen from Suchness, the bodhisattvas see them as they really are and know skillful means of speech that will develop good habits and destroy bad ones in living beings. They dislike secular talk, enjoying only right discourse on the Dharma.

修诸善本志崇佛道。知一切法皆悉寂灭。生身烦恼二余俱尽闻甚深法心不疑惧。常能修行其大悲者。深远微妙靡不覆载。究竟一乘至于彼岸。决断疑网慧由心出。于佛教法该罗无外。"They cultivate roots of virtue, revere the Path of the Buddha, and know that all dharmas are completely tranquil and non-existent. Their samsaric bodies and evil passions have been extinguished together with their remaining karmic tendencies. When they hear the profound Dharma, their minds are free of doubt and fear. They are always able to cultivate great compassion which is deep and subtle, embracing everything like the sky and bearing all like the earth. Having reached the end of the Single Path, they have gone to the Other Shore. Having cut the net of doubt, wisdom arises in their minds. Within the Buddha Dharma there is nothing that they do not comprehend.

智慧如大海。三昧如山王。慧光明净超逾日月。清白之法具足圆满。犹如雪山。照诸功德等一净故。犹如大地。净秽好恶无异心故。犹如净水。洗除尘劳诸垢染故。犹如火王。烧灭一切烦恼薪故。犹如大风。行诸世界无障阂故。犹如虚空。于一切有无所著故。犹如莲华。于诸世间无染污故。犹如大乘。运载群萌出生死故。犹如重云。震大法雷觉未觉故。犹如大雨。雨甘露法润众生故。如金刚山。众魔外道不能动故。如梵天王。于诸善法最上首故。如尼拘类树。普覆一切故。如优昙[3]钵华。希有难遇故。如金翅鸟。威伏外道故。如众游禽。无所藏积故。犹如牛王。无能胜故。犹如象王。善调伏故。如师子王。无所畏故。旷若虚空。大慈等故。
"Their wisdom is like the ocean, and their samadhi, like the king of mountains. The light of their wisdom, being brilliant and pure, outshines the sun and the moon. They are in complete possession of the pure, undefiled Dharma. They are like the Himalayas, because the brilliance of their virtues is reflected evenly and clearly. They are like the great earth, because they have no discriminative thoughts, such as pure or impure, beautiful or ugly. They are like pure water, because they wash away afflictions and defilements. They are like the king of fire, because they burn the firewood of all evil passions. They are like a great wind, because they travel throughout the worlds without hindrance. They are like the sky, because they have no attachments. They are like lotuses, because nothing in the world can defile them. They are like a great vehicle, because they carry the multitude of beings out of birth-and-death. They are like a heavy cloud, because they cause the great thunder of the Dharma to roar and awaken the unenlightened. They are like a great rain, because they cause the nectar of Dharma to fall like showers to nourish living beings. They are like the Adamantine Mountains, because demons and non-Buddhists cannot move them. They are like the king of the Brahma Heaven, because they are foremost in the performance of various good deeds. They are like the nyagrodha tree, because they afford shelter to all beings. They are like the udumbara flower, because they rarely appear in the world and are difficult to encounter. They are like the gold-winged garuda, because they subdue non-Buddhists. They are like a flock of playful birds, because they do not store things. They are like the king of bulls, because they are invincible. They are like the king of elephants, because they conquer adversaries. They are like the king of lions, because they fear nothing. They are like the vest sky, [274b] because their great compassion reaches everywhere without discrimination.

摧灭嫉心不[4]望胜故。专乐求法心无厌足。常欲广说志无疲倦。击法鼓。建法幢。曜慧日。除痴闇。修六和敬。常行法施。志勇精进心不退弱。为世灯明最胜福田。常为师导等无憎爱。唯乐正道无余欣[6]戚。拔诸欲刺以安群生。功[7]德殊胜莫不尊敬。

"They have destroyed envy by not being jealous of the superiority of others. With singleness of heart they seek the Dharma tirelessly. Always desiring to expound the doctrine, they never grow weary. Striking Dharma-drums and hoisting Dharma-banners, they cause the sun of wisdom to shine forth and dissipate the darkness of ignorance. They perform the six acts of accord and respect, and always provide others with the gift of the Dharma. Strong-willed and diligent, their determination never falters. Thus they become lamps to the world and fields of supreme merit; they always become teachers and harbor no thought of discrimination, aversion, or attachment. They seek only the right Path, finding neither joy nor sorrow in other matters. They extract thorns of passion and give peace of mind to multitudes of beings. Because of their supreme wisdom, there is no one who does not revere them.

灭三垢障游诸神通。因力缘力。意力愿力。方便之力。常力善力。定力慧力。多闻之力。施戒忍辱。精进禅定。智慧之力。正念止观诸通明力。如法调伏诸众生力。如是等力一切具足。"They have destroyed the hindrances of the three defilements and mastered the supernatural powers. They also possess the power of good karma from their past lives, the power of guiding others, of the will, of vowing, of employing skillful means, of continuous practice, of doing good, of meditation, of wisdom, of hearing the Dharma widely. They also possess the power of the Six Paramitas -- generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom -- and the power of right mindfulness, concentration, contemplation, the supernatural faculties, transcendent knowledge, and the power to tame and train living beings in the right way, as well as other powers.

身色相好功德辩才。具足庄严无与等者。恭敬供养无量诸佛。常为诸佛所共称叹。究竟菩萨诸波罗蜜。修空无相无愿三昧不生不灭诸三昧门。远离声闻缘觉之地。"Fully possessed of all the physical characteristics and marks, virtues, and eloquence, they have no equals. They revere and worship innumerable Buddhas and are, in turn, always praised by them. They have completed the bodhisattva's course of Paramitas and practiced the samadhis of emptiness, non-form and non-desire, the samadhi of non-arising and non-ceasing and many other samadhis; they have gone far beyond the stages of shravakas and pratyekabuddhas.

阿难。彼诸菩萨。成就如是无量功德。我但为汝略言之耳。若广说者。百千万劫不能穷尽。
"Ananda, bodhisattvas of that land have innumerable virtues such as these, of which I have given you only an outline. If I were to expound them in full detail, a thousand million kalpas would not be long enough to do so."

Three kinds of evil passions and their consequences

三毒之苦

[0274b18] 佛告弥