CHAPTER IX
The Names of Buddhas
At that time, Earth Store Bodhisattva, Mahasattva
said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I want to discuss some
practices that will be helpful to beings of the future and will
enable them to gain great benefit throughout their lives and deaths.
World Honored One, please hear my words."
The Buddha told Earth Store Bodhisattva, "Now
with your expansive compassion you wish to discuss the inconceivable
events involved in rescuing all those in the Six Paths who are
suffering for their offenses. This is the right time. Speak now,
since my Nirvana is near, so that I may soon help you complete
your vows. Then I too will have no need to be concerned about
beings of the present or future."
Earth Store Bodhisattva said to the Buddha,
"World Honored One, countless Asamkhyeya eons ago a Buddha
named Boundless Body Thus Come One appeared in the world.
If men or women hear this Buddha's name and
have a momentary thought of respect, those people will overstep
the heavy offenses involved in birth and death for forty eons.
How much more will that be the case for those who sculpt or paint
this Buddha's image or praise and make offerings to him. The merit
they obtain will be limitless and unbounded.
"Furthermore, in the past as many eons ago
as there are grains of sand in the Ganges River, a Buddha named
Jewel Nature Thus Come One appeared in the world.
If men or women hear this Buddha's name and
instantly decide to take refuge, those people will never retreat
from the Unsurpassed Path.
"Furthermore, in the past a Buddha named Padma
Supreme Thus Come One appeared in the world. If men or women hear
this Buddha's name or if the sound of the name merely passes into
their ears, those people will be reborn one thousand times in
the Six Desire Heavens. How much more will that be the case if
those people sincerely recite the name of that Thus Come One.
"Furthermore, in the past inexpressibly ineffable
Asamkhyeya eons ago, a Buddha named Lion's Roar Thus Come
One appeared in the world. If men or women hear this Buddha's
name and in a single thought take refuge, those people will encounter
numberless Buddhas who will rub the crowns of their heads and
bestow predictions of enlightenment upon them.
"Furthermore, in the past a Buddha named Krakucchanda
appeared in the world. If men or women hear this Buddha's name
and sincerely behold, worship, or praise him, those people will
become Great Brahma Heaven kings in the assemblies of the thousand
Buddhas of the Worthy Eon and will there receive superior predictions.
"Furthermore, in the past a Buddha named Vipashin
appeared in the world. If men or women hear this Buddha's name,
those people will eternally avoid falling into the Evil Paths,
will always be born among people or gods, and will abide in supremely
wonderful bliss.
"Furthermore, in the past as many eons ago
as there are grains of sand in limitless and countless Ganges
Rivers, a Buddha named Jewel Supreme appeared in the world. If
men or women hear this Buddha's name, those people will never
fall into the Evil Paths and will always abide in the heavens
experiencing supremely wonderful bliss.
"Furthermore, in the past a Buddha named Jeweled
Appearance Thus Come One appeared in the world. If men or women
hear this Buddha's name and give rise to a thought of respect,
those people will soon attain the fruitions of Arhatship.
"Furthermore, limitless Asamkhyeya
eons ago, a Buddha named Kashaya Banner Thus Come One appeared
in the world. If men or women hear this Buddha's name, those people
will overcome the offenses of birth and death for one hundred
great eons.
"Furthermore, in the past a Buddha named Great
Penetration Mountain King Thus Come One appeared in the world.
If men or women hear this Buddha's name, those people will encounter
as many Buddhas as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, who
will speak Dharma extensively for them, making certain that they
realize Bodhi.
"Furthermore, in the past there were Buddhas
named Pure Moon Buddha, Mountain King Buddha, Wise Victory Buddha,
Pure Name King Buddha, Accomplished Wisdom Buddha, Unsurpassed
Buddha, Wonderful Sound Buddha, Full Moon Buddha,
Moon-Face Buddha, and indescribably many other
Buddhas.
"World Honored One, beings of the present
and future, both gods and humans, both male and female, can amass
such limitless merit and virtue by reciting only one Buddha's
name. How much more merit will they amass by reciting many names.
Those beings will personally obtain benefits
in their lives and deaths significant enough to keep them from
ever falling into the Evil Paths.
"When people are on the verge of dying, a
group of their relatives, or even just one of them, should recite
Buddhas' names aloud for the people who are sick. By doing so,
the karmic retributions of those people who are about to die will
be dissolved, even offenses deserving Fivefold Relentless Retribution.
Offenses warranting Fivefold Relentless Retribution
are so extremely heavy that those who commit them should not escape
retribution for millions of eons. If, however, at the time of
such offenders' deaths, someone recites the names of Buddhas on
their behalf, then their offenses can gradually be dissolved.
How much more will that be the case for beings
who recited those names themselves. The merit they attain will
be limitless and will eradicate measureless offenses."
End of Part Two of Sutra of
the Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva
|