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Romanised transliteration as printed by the translator, not the original script. This is what we hold.
1He was also, monks, the foremost among the preachers of the law under the seven Tathagatas, the first of whom is Vipasyin and the seventh myself*. And as to the Buddhas, monks, who have in future to appear in this Bhadra-kalpa, to the number of a thousand less four, under the mastership of them also shall this same Parma, son of Maitrayazi, be the foremost among the preachers of the law and the keeper of the true law. Thus he shall keep the true law of innumerable and incalculable Lords and Buddhas in future, promote the interest of innumerable and incalculable beings, and bring innumerable and incalculable beings to full ripeness for supreme and perfect enlightenment. Constantly and assiduously he shall be instant in purifying his own Buddha-field and bringing creatures to ripeness. 1 Suvinishita. 2 The seven so-called Manushi-Buddhas; a rather transparent disguise of the fact that in cosmological mythology there are seven Manus, rulers of certain periods. {ar] fe) 194 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. VIII. After completing such a Bodhisattva-course, at the end of innumerable, incalculable Af®ons, he shall reach supreme and perfect enlightenment; he shall in the world be the Tath4gata called Dharmaprabhasa, an Arhat, &c., endowed with science and conduct, a Sugata, &c. He shall appear in this very Buddhafield. Further, monks, at that time the Buddha-field spoken of will look as if formed by thousands of spheres similar to the sands of the river Ganges. It will be even, like the palm of the hand, consist of seven precious substances, be without hills, and filled with high edifices of seven precious substances?. There will be cars of the gods stationed in the sky; the gods will behold men, and men will behold the gods, Moreover, monks, at that time that Buddha-field shall be exempt from places of punishment and from womankind, as all beings shall be born by apparitional birth. They shall lead a spiritual life, have ideal? bodies, be self-lighting, magical, moving in the firmament, strenuous, of good memory, wise, possessed of gold-coloured bodies, and adorned with the thirty-two characteristics of a great man. And at that time, monks, the beings in that Buddha-field will have two things to feed upon, viz. the delight in the law and the delight in meditation. There will * The Buddha-field of Parva, i.e. full, is so extremely pure, because he is, I suppose, the full moon. He is called the son of Maitr4yani, because the full moon is born on the 15th day of the month. Maitréyasf is a,slightly disguised Maitri, otherwise called Anuradha, the 15th asterism, in the ancient series. Hence we may infer that the story of Pfirza is comparatively old. No wonder that Pfrna is surpassed by none, the Buddha excepted. * Manomaya. VIII. DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS, 195
2Hence we may infer that the story of Pfirza is comparatively old. No wonder that Pfrna is surpassed by none, the Buddha excepted. * Manomaya. VIII. DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS, 195 be an immense, incalculable number of hundred thousands of myriads of kofis of Bodhisattvas ; all endowed with great transcendent wisdom, accomplished in the (four) distinctive qualifications of an Arhat, able in instructing creatures. He (that Buddha) will have a number of disciples, beyond all calculation, mighty in magic, powerful, masters in the meditation of the eight emancipations. So immense are the good qualities that Buddha-field will be possessed of. And that AZon shall be called Ratnavabhasa (i.e. radiant with gems), and that world Suvisuddha (i.e. very pure). His lifetime shall last immense, incalculable Afons; and after the complete extinction of that Lord Dharmaprabhasa, the Tathagata, &c., his true law shall last long, and his world shall be full of StQpas made of precious substances. Such inconceivable good qualities, monks, shall the Buddha-field of that Lord be possessed of. So spoke the Lord, and thereafter he, the Sugata, the Master, added the following stanzas: 1. Listen to me, monks, and hear how my son has achieved his course of duty, and how he, welltrained and skilful, has observed the course of enlightenment. 2. Viewing these beings to be lowly-disposed and to be startled at the lofty vehicle, the Bodhisattvas become disciples and exercise Pratyekabuddhaship. 3. By many hundreds of able devices they bring numerous Bodhisattvas to full ripeness and declare : We are but disciples, indeed, and we are far away from the highest and supreme enlightenment. 4. It is by learning from them this course (of duty) that ko¢is of beings arrive at full ripeness, 02 196 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. VIII. who (at first), lowly-disposed and somewhat lazy, in course of time all become Buddhas. 5. They follow a course in ignorance (thinking): We, disciples, are of little use, indeed! In despondency they descend into all places of existence (successively), and (so) clear their own field. 6. They show in their own persons that they are not free from affection, hatred, and infatuation ; and on perceiving (other) beings clinging to (heretical) views}, they go so far as to accommodate themselves to those views. 7. By following such a course my numerous disciples skilfully save creatures; simple people would go mad, if they were taught the whole course of life (or story). 8. Pfirza here, monks, my disciple, has formerly fulfilled his course (of duty) under thousands of ko¢is of Buddhas, he has got possession of this true law by seeking after Buddha-knowledge. 9. And at all periods has he been the foremost of the disciples, learned, a brilliant orator, free from hesitation; he has, indeed, always been able to excite to gladness and at all times ready to perform the Buddha-task.
39. And at all periods has he been the foremost of the disciples, learned, a brilliant orator, free from hesitation; he has, indeed, always been able to excite to gladness and at all times ready to perform the Buddha-task. 10. He has always been accomplished in the sublime transcendent faculties and endowed with the distinctive qualifications of an Arhat; he knew the faculties and range of (other) beings, and has always preached the perfectly pure law. 11. By exposing the most eminent of true laws he has brought thousands of kofis of beings to full ripeness for this supreme, foremost vehicle, whilst purifying his own excellent field. * Drish/ivilagna, VIII. DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS. 197 12. In future also he shall likewise honour thousands of ko¢is of Buddhas, acquire knowledge of the most eminent of good laws, and clean his own field. 13. Always free from timidity he shall preach the law with thousands of kofis of able devices, and bring many beings to full ripeness for the knowledge of the all-knowing that is free from imperfections. 14. After having paid homage to the Chiefs of men and always kept the most eminent of laws, he shall in the world be a Buddha self-born, widely renowned everywhere by the name of Dharmaprabhdsa. 15. And his field shall always be very pure and always set off with seven precious substances; his Eon shall be (called) Ratnavabh4sa, and his world Suvisuddha. 16. That world shall be pervaded with many thousand kofis of Bodhisattvas, accomplished masters in the great transcendent sciences, pure in every respect, and endowed with magical power. 17. At that period the Chief shall also have an assemblage of thousands of ko/éis of disciples, endowed with magical power, adepts at the meditation of the (eight) emancipations, and accomplished in the (four) distinctive qualifications of an Arhat. 18. And all beings in that Buddha-field shall be pure and lead a spiritual life. Springing into existence by apparitional birth, they shall all be goldcoloured and display the thirty-two characteristic signs. 19. They shall know no other food but pleasure in the law and delight in knowledge. No womankind shall be there, nor fear of the places of punishments or of dismal states. 198 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. VIII. 20. Such shall be the excellent field of Parza, who is possessed of all good qualities; it shall abound with all goodly things, a small part (only) of which has here been mentioned.
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
Romanised transliteration as printed by the translator, not the original script. This is what we hold.
1He was also, monks, the foremost among the preachers of the law under the seven Tathagatas, the first of whom is Vipasyin and the seventh myself*. And as to the Buddhas, monks, who have in future to appear in this Bhadra-kalpa, to the number of a thousand less four, under the mastership of them also shall this same Parma, son of Maitrayazi, be the foremost among the preachers of the law and the keeper of the true law. Thus he shall keep the true law of innumerable and incalculable Lords and Buddhas in future, promote the interest of innumerable and incalculable beings, and bring innumerable and incalculable beings to full ripeness for supreme and perfect enlightenment. Constantly and assiduously he shall be instant in purifying his own Buddha-field and bringing creatures to ripeness. 1 Suvinishita. 2 The seven so-called Manushi-Buddhas; a rather transparent disguise of the fact that in cosmological mythology there are seven Manus, rulers of certain periods. {ar] fe) 194 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. VIII. After completing such a Bodhisattva-course, at the end of innumerable, incalculable Af®ons, he shall reach supreme and perfect enlightenment; he shall in the world be the Tath4gata called Dharmaprabhasa, an Arhat, &c., endowed with science and conduct, a Sugata, &c. He shall appear in this very Buddhafield. Further, monks, at that time the Buddha-field spoken of will look as if formed by thousands of spheres similar to the sands of the river Ganges. It will be even, like the palm of the hand, consist of seven precious substances, be without hills, and filled with high edifices of seven precious substances?. There will be cars of the gods stationed in the sky; the gods will behold men, and men will behold the gods, Moreover, monks, at that time that Buddha-field shall be exempt from places of punishment and from womankind, as all beings shall be born by apparitional birth. They shall lead a spiritual life, have ideal? bodies, be self-lighting, magical, moving in the firmament, strenuous, of good memory, wise, possessed of gold-coloured bodies, and adorned with the thirty-two characteristics of a great man. And at that time, monks, the beings in that Buddha-field will have two things to feed upon, viz. the delight in the law and the delight in meditation. There will * The Buddha-field of Parva, i.e. full, is so extremely pure, because he is, I suppose, the full moon. He is called the son of Maitr4yani, because the full moon is born on the 15th day of the month. Maitréyasf is a,slightly disguised Maitri, otherwise called Anuradha, the 15th asterism, in the ancient series. Hence we may infer that the story of Pfirza is comparatively old. No wonder that Pfrna is surpassed by none, the Buddha excepted. * Manomaya. VIII. DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS, 195
2Hence we may infer that the story of Pfirza is comparatively old. No wonder that Pfrna is surpassed by none, the Buddha excepted. * Manomaya. VIII. DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS, 195 be an immense, incalculable number of hundred thousands of myriads of kofis of Bodhisattvas ; all endowed with great transcendent wisdom, accomplished in the (four) distinctive qualifications of an Arhat, able in instructing creatures. He (that Buddha) will have a number of disciples, beyond all calculation, mighty in magic, powerful, masters in the meditation of the eight emancipations. So immense are the good qualities that Buddha-field will be possessed of. And that AZon shall be called Ratnavabhasa (i.e. radiant with gems), and that world Suvisuddha (i.e. very pure). His lifetime shall last immense, incalculable Afons; and after the complete extinction of that Lord Dharmaprabhasa, the Tathagata, &c., his true law shall last long, and his world shall be full of StQpas made of precious substances. Such inconceivable good qualities, monks, shall the Buddha-field of that Lord be possessed of. So spoke the Lord, and thereafter he, the Sugata, the Master, added the following stanzas: 1. Listen to me, monks, and hear how my son has achieved his course of duty, and how he, welltrained and skilful, has observed the course of enlightenment. 2. Viewing these beings to be lowly-disposed and to be startled at the lofty vehicle, the Bodhisattvas become disciples and exercise Pratyekabuddhaship. 3. By many hundreds of able devices they bring numerous Bodhisattvas to full ripeness and declare : We are but disciples, indeed, and we are far away from the highest and supreme enlightenment. 4. It is by learning from them this course (of duty) that ko¢is of beings arrive at full ripeness, 02 196 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. VIII. who (at first), lowly-disposed and somewhat lazy, in course of time all become Buddhas. 5. They follow a course in ignorance (thinking): We, disciples, are of little use, indeed! In despondency they descend into all places of existence (successively), and (so) clear their own field. 6. They show in their own persons that they are not free from affection, hatred, and infatuation ; and on perceiving (other) beings clinging to (heretical) views}, they go so far as to accommodate themselves to those views. 7. By following such a course my numerous disciples skilfully save creatures; simple people would go mad, if they were taught the whole course of life (or story). 8. Pfirza here, monks, my disciple, has formerly fulfilled his course (of duty) under thousands of ko¢is of Buddhas, he has got possession of this true law by seeking after Buddha-knowledge. 9. And at all periods has he been the foremost of the disciples, learned, a brilliant orator, free from hesitation; he has, indeed, always been able to excite to gladness and at all times ready to perform the Buddha-task.
39. And at all periods has he been the foremost of the disciples, learned, a brilliant orator, free from hesitation; he has, indeed, always been able to excite to gladness and at all times ready to perform the Buddha-task. 10. He has always been accomplished in the sublime transcendent faculties and endowed with the distinctive qualifications of an Arhat; he knew the faculties and range of (other) beings, and has always preached the perfectly pure law. 11. By exposing the most eminent of true laws he has brought thousands of kofis of beings to full ripeness for this supreme, foremost vehicle, whilst purifying his own excellent field. * Drish/ivilagna, VIII. DESTINY OF THE FIVE HUNDRED MONKS. 197 12. In future also he shall likewise honour thousands of ko¢is of Buddhas, acquire knowledge of the most eminent of good laws, and clean his own field. 13. Always free from timidity he shall preach the law with thousands of kofis of able devices, and bring many beings to full ripeness for the knowledge of the all-knowing that is free from imperfections. 14. After having paid homage to the Chiefs of men and always kept the most eminent of laws, he shall in the world be a Buddha self-born, widely renowned everywhere by the name of Dharmaprabhdsa. 15. And his field shall always be very pure and always set off with seven precious substances; his Eon shall be (called) Ratnavabh4sa, and his world Suvisuddha. 16. That world shall be pervaded with many thousand kofis of Bodhisattvas, accomplished masters in the great transcendent sciences, pure in every respect, and endowed with magical power. 17. At that period the Chief shall also have an assemblage of thousands of ko/éis of disciples, endowed with magical power, adepts at the meditation of the (eight) emancipations, and accomplished in the (four) distinctive qualifications of an Arhat. 18. And all beings in that Buddha-field shall be pure and lead a spiritual life. Springing into existence by apparitional birth, they shall all be goldcoloured and display the thirty-two characteristic signs. 19. They shall know no other food but pleasure in the law and delight in knowledge. No womankind shall be there, nor fear of the places of punishments or of dismal states. 198 SADDHARMA-PUNDARIKA. VIII. 20. Such shall be the excellent field of Parza, who is possessed of all good qualities; it shall abound with all goodly things, a small part (only) of which has here been mentioned.
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
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