Wunian At that time the World-Honored One looked vigorous and joyful; His appearance pure, radiant, and majestic. The venerable Ananda, at the Buddha’s unspoken holy command, rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, and fell on both knees. With palms joined, he said to the Buddha, “World-Honored One, You look vigorous and joyful today, Your … Read more
They all cultivate the virtues of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva-Mahasattva. Equipped with immeasurable Bodhisattva action vows, they stand firm in all virtuous ways. They visit worlds in the ten directions, skillfully carrying out suitable missions. They enter into the store of the Buddha Dharma, arrive on the shore of nirvana, and demonstrate attainment of samyak-sambodhi in innumerable … Read more
Thus I have heard: At one time the Buddha was staying on the Grdhrakuta Mountain, near the city of Rajagrha, together with 12,000 great bhiksus, who all had acquired great transcendental powers. Such venerable ones included Ajnatakaundinya, ASvajit, Baspa, Mahanama, Bhadrajit, Vimala, Yasodeva, Subahu, Purnaka, Gavampati, Uruvilva-kasyapa, Gayakasyapa, Nadi-kasyapa, Mahakasyapa, Sariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakapphina, Mahakausthilya, Mahakatyayana, … Read more
“Buddha Pronounces the Sutra of Amitabha Buddha”, translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by Kang Sengkai in the Cao Wei Dynasty. The name of the Mahayana sutra is “Buddha Pronounces the Sutra of Amitabha Buddha”. The first Buddha in the title of the sutra refers to Shakyamuni Buddha. “Amitabha Buddha” refers to the teaching host who … Read more
This chapter is about Gadgadasvara (Wonderful Sound) Bodhisattva. The final few chapters all describe the deeds of several great Bodhisattvas. Actually, the Lotus Sutra is very simple. You see, the first part consists of the Buddha bestowing predictions of enlightenment upon his disciples, while the Small Vehicle disciples continuously share their realizations. Then the Buddha … Read more
Chapter 5. The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs the Parable of the Medicinal Herbs One of the “Seven Parables of the Lotus Sutra” is the Parable of the Medicinal Herbs. In this parable, the Buddha says that his appearance in the world is like a great cloud rising in the sky. It can cause sentient … Read more