The Lotus Sutra: Expedient Chapter 2
Scripture of Lotus Magnificence of Marvelous Law
Volume ２ of Scripture of Lotus Magnificence of Marvelous Law
The translator: Master Kumarajiva, Buddhist monk, A.D. 344-413, born in Kutsi ﹝Kuci(na), Kucha or Kuche (B.C. 272-A.D. 14th century)﹞, which currently is located in Xinjiang of China in 21 century A.D. At that time, the era of state power was the post-Qin period, 384-417 A.D. Master Kumarajiva accepted the emperor's order to translate this Buddhist scripture from Sanskrit into Chinese.
The modern translator: Tao Qing Hsu, Buddhist-at-home, not Buddhist nun, born and living in Taiwan. She has translated this Buddhist scripture from Chinese into English since the year of 2024 A.D.
Notes and explanations are by Tao Qing Hsu
Notes and explanations on related words, placed after the article.
At that time, the World Venerable One arose from the tranquility of samadhi and told Shariputra: "The wisdom of all Buddhas is extremely profound and immeasurable. The gates of their wisdom are difficult to comprehend and are difficult to enter, and cannot be understood by all voice-hearers and Pratyekabuddhas. The Buddha has gotten close to hundreds of thousands of billions of countless Buddhas, practiced the immeasurable Dao-Law (Path-Law) of all Buddhas, been bravely and dedicated himself to progress, and been named Universally-Heard. He has achieved the extremely profound Law which has never been had before, and which is spoken following any expedient and appropriate, in which the delighted and interested within the meaning is difficult to understand. Shariputra. Since I became a Buddha, various causes and conditions, all kinds of metaphor, extensive performing the speeches and teachings, and countless expedients have been used to guide sentient beings, so as to make them leave all addictions. Why is that? What the paramita of the expedient and insight owned by the Tathagata, all of them have been owned adequately. Shariputra. The Tathagata's insight is vast, great, profound and lasting, immeasurable and unhindered. The power, nothing-fearing, Zen-steady and liberated samadhi, all of them are deep in the limitless, thus to achieve all Laws (Dharma) that have never been had before. Shariputra. The Tathagata is able to make various distinctions, speak various Laws (Dharma) skillfully, and any spoken words and phrases are soft, delighting everyone's hearts. Shariputra. Let me tell you the most important things. There are countless, boundless and never-had-before Laws (Dharma), and which the Buddha has achieved them all.”
"Stop, Shariputra. There is no need to say it again. Why is that? The Law of the first-most rare and difficult to understand has been achieved by the Buddha, and only the one Buddha and the other Buddha, who can fully understand the true phenomenon of all Laws(Dharma). The so-called all Laws(Dharma) have such phenomena, such nature, such a body, such a force, such an action, such a cause, such a condition, such a result, such a reward(or a retribution), such the original and final of what actually happened, etc.”
At that time, the World Venerable One intended to reiterate this meaning, and spoke verses:
The World-Hero cannot be measured. All the heavens and worldly humans, and all sentient beings, no one can understand the Buddha.
The Buddha-power and nothing-fearing, liberation and all samadhis, and Buddha's all remaining Laws(Dharma), all of these things cannot be measured by anyone.
The Buddhas were originally following countless Buddhas, and were adequately possessed in practicing all Daos(Paths). The profound and subtle Law (Dharma), it is difficult to see and hard to understand.
For countless billions of kalpas, the Buddhas had already practiced these all Daos(Paths), and achieved results in Dao-place, all of which I have fully known and seen.
Such as the great result and reward, and the various meanings of nature and phenomenon, only I and the Buddhas of the ten directions, are able to know these matters.
This Law (Dharma) cannot be demonstrated. Its phenomena of any words and expressions is still and extinguished. All other sorts of sentient beings, there is no one who is able to understand it.
Except for those who are the masses of Pusas, and those whose faith-power is firm. The masses of disciples of all Buddhas, and those who have ever made offerings to all Buddhas,
And those whose Leaks have been exhausted, and those who are dwelling in the last body, like this the all humans, etc., their strength cannot bear it.
If they were filled with the whole world, all of them were like Shariputra, doing their best to think and altogether measuring this Law(Dharma), they still cannot fathom the wisdom of the Buddha.
Even if they were to fill the ten directions, all of them would be like Sariputra. And the other disciples, who would also fill the ten directions.
They tried their best to think and measure it altogether, but they still could not know it. The wisdom of the pratyekabuddha, the without-leaking and the last body,
All of them also filled the ten directions, and their number was like a bamboo forest. They all shared one mind, and for a hundred-million countless aeons.
They wanted to think of the Buddha's true wisdom, they could not understand even a tiny bit of it. The newly-intending Pusas(Bodhisattvas), they make offerings to countless Buddhas,
Understand the interests of various meanings, and could speak of the Law (Dharma) well, if they would be like the rice, hemp, bamboo and reeds, to be filled in the ten directions,
Using wonderful wisdom with one mind, through countless kalpas of Ganges Sand, all of them contemplated and measured it altogether, yet they could not understand the wisdom of the Buddha.
All not-retreat Pusas(Bodhisattvas), their number was as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, even if they would contemplate and seek it altogether with one mind, they still could not understand it.
The Buddha also told Shariputra, the without-leaking and the inconceivable, the profound and subtle Law(Dharma), that I have now obtained.
Only I know this phenomena, and so do the Buddhas in the ten directions. Shariputra. You should know that the words of all Buddhas are no different(are the same).
In what the Buddha says, you should raise the great faith. After the Buddha's Laws (Dharma) have lasted for a long time, he will speak the truth.
I will tell all Voice-Hearers(the Śrāvakas), and those seeking the Pratyekabuddha-boarding, that I will make them free themselves from the bondage of suffering, and enable them to reach and attain Nirvana.
The Buddha uses expedient strengths, to demonstrate the teaching of the Three Boardings for them. The sentient beings are attached to everything everywhere, the Buddha leads them so as to make them out of their attachments.
At that time, among the great assembly, there were all voice-hearers, leak-ended arhats(it means those practitioners had eliminated all defilements）, Ajñāta Kauṇḍinya, and etc., those were 1,200 humans, and those who had developed the mind of voice-hearers and pratyekabuddhas, Bhikkhu(Buddhist monks), Bhikkhuni(Buddhist nuns), Upasakas(residence-scholar of male Buddhist), and Upasikas(residence-scholar of female Buddhist). They all thought, "Now, why is the World Venerable One(Tathagata) so earnestly praising the expedient means and saying these things? The law (Dharma) attained by the Buddha is very profound and difficult to understand. What has been spoken and expressed, its interesting meaning is difficult to know. All voice-hearers and pratyekabuddhas cannot reach it. When the Buddha has spoken of the one meaning of liberation, and we have also attained this law (Dharma) and have reached Nirvana, but now we do not know what this meaning leads to."
At that time, Shariputra knew that the four congregations of people were doubtful and that he himself had not yet understood it. He then said to the Buddha, "World Venerable One, what causes and conditions do you so earnestly praise the Buddhas' number-one expedient means, the profound and subtle, and the difficult-to-understand law (Dharma)? I have been since the past, and I have never heard such words from the Buddha. Now, all four congregations of people have doubts. We only hope that the World Honored One (Tathagata) will elaborate on this matter. Why does the World Venerable One (Tathagata) so earnestly praise the profound, subtle, and difficult-to-understand law (Dharma)?"
At that time, Shariputra wanted to reiterate this meaning, and he said in verse:
Wisdom-sun-great-saintly Venerable One, he speaks of this law (Dharma) after a long time, he himself says that he has attained like this, the power-fearlessness samadhi,
Meditation and liberation, etc., the inconceivable Laws(Dharma). What Laws (Dharma) are obtained in the place of Dao, yet no one is able to ask questions.
My mind is hard to fathom, and also no one is able to ask questions. Without any questions but speaking it by myself, praising what the Dao (Way) has been practiced (taken).
Wisdom is very subtle, it is attained by all Buddhas. All without-leak Arhats, and those who seek Nirvana,
Now they are all trapped in the web of doubt, why does the Buddha say this? Those who seek the pratyekabuddha, and those who are bhikkhus and bhikkhunis,
All gods, dragons, ghosts, spirits, and Gandharvas, etc., all of them look at each other with hesitation, and look up at the Two-footed Venerable One.
What is the matter and how to say it? May the Buddha explain it. Among all Voice-hearers（Śrāvakas）, the Buddha said, "I am the Number-One."
I now in my own wisdom, have doubts about it and cannot understand it, whether this is the ultimate law (Dharma), or whether this is what the Dao to be practiced (whether this is what the Path to be followed).
The disciples born from the Buddha's mouth, fold their hands and look on while waiting, wishing for a subtle sound to come out(from Buddha), and he would speak anything for such truth at that moment.
All gods, dragons, and spirits, etc., their number is as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Of all Bodhisattvas who seek the Buddha, the large number is as many as eighty thousand.
Also, tens of millions of countries, their wheel-turning holy kings have arrived here, they join their palms in reverence, and wish to hear the abundant-complete Dao(Buddha Path).
At that time the Buddha told Shariputra, "Stop, stop, there is no need to say again. If I say these matters, the heavens and humans of all the worlds will be shocked and suspicious." Shariputra said to the Buddha again, "World Venerable One, I only wish you to talk about it. I only wish you to explain it. Why? This assembly of countless hundreds of thousands of millions of asamkhyeyas (immeasurable) sentient beings, who have seen the Buddhas, have sharp faculties in all roots, and have wisdom to understand, can respect and believe what the Buddha says.
At that time, Shariputra wanted to reiterate this meaning, and he said in verse:
The Law-King and Supreme Venerable One, please just say it and do not worry. There are countless sentient beings in this assembly, and there are those who are able to respect and believe.
The Buddha stopped Shariputra again, "If I say these matters, all the heavens, humans, and asuras of all the worlds will be certainly shocked and suspicious, and the increased-up-arrogant bhikkhus, they will fall into a big pit."
At that time, the World Venerable One reiterated by the following verse:
Stop, stop, there is no need to talk about it. My Law (Dharma) is wonderful and difficult to comprehend. Those who are increased-up-arrogant, they will certainly not respect and believe it when they hear it.
At that time, Sariputra said to the Buddha again, "World Venerable One, I only wish you to talk about it, I only wish you to explain it. There are hundreds of thousands of millions of sentient beings like me in this assembly who have been influenced and reformed by the Buddha in every life. Like these humans and so on, they can certainly have respect and faith, and have long nights of peace and safety, and get many benefits from it."
At that time, Shariputra wanted to reiterate this meaning, and he said in verse:
The Supreme and Two-footed Venerable One, I wish you to speak of the First Law(Dharma). I am the Buddha's eldest disciple, so I hope you will speak of it in a way to differentiate.
There are countless sentient beings in this assembly, they can respect and believe this Law(Dharma). The Buddha already in each life, had influenced and reformed them like these numbers of sentient beings.
They all put their hands together with one mind, wishing to listen to the Buddha's words. I and the thousand and two hundred, and others who seek Buddha,
For the sake of all these sentient beings, I wish you to speak of it in a way to differentiate. When these sentient beings hear this Law(Dharma), they will thus feel great joy.
At that time, the World Honored One told Shariputra, "You have earnestly requested three times, so how can I not tell you? Now listen carefully and think well, and I will explain it to you by differentiating." When he said this, in the assembly, there were monks, nuns, and upasakas and upasikas, all of them in five thousand, etc., who immediately stood up from their seats, bowed to the Buddha and left. Why is that? Such people have deep and serious sin-root and are increased-up-arrogant. What they have not obtained they claim to have obtained. What they have not realized they say they have realized. Because of such faults, they cannot stay. The Buddha remained silent but did not stop it.
At that time, the Buddha told Shariputra, "My assembly now has no more branches and leaves, only pure and real things. Shariputra. It is better for such increased-up-arrogant people to retreat. You should listen carefully, and I will explain it to you. Shariputra said, "Yes, World Venerable One, I am willing to listen with joyfulness."
The Buddha told Shariputra:
"Such wonderful Law(Dharma), all Buddha and Tathagata speak it from time to time, just like the Udumbara flower, which appears only once. Shariputra. You should believe what the Buddha says, for his words are not false-lying. Shariputra, the Buddhas speak the Law(Dharma) as any appropriate, but in which its meaning-interesting are difficult to understand. Why? I have used countless expedients, various causes and conditions, parables and words to demonstrate and speak the Law(Dharma). This Law(Dharma) cannot be understood by thinking, measuring and differentiating (distinguishing). Only the Buddhas can know it. Why? All Buddha and World Venerable One appear in the world only for one great cause. Shariputra. Why is it said that all Buddha and World Venerable One appear in the world only for one great cause? All Buddha and World Venerable One are for the sake of making sentient beings open the Buddha's knowledge and insight, so as to make them obtain the pure, therefore appearing in the world; and of making sentient beings be notified the Buddha's knowledge and insight, therefore appearing in the world; and of making sentient beings be enlightened the Buddha's knowledge and insight, therefore appearing in the world; and of making sentient beings enter the Dao (path) of the Buddha's knowledge and insight (the Dao (path) of Buddha), therefore appearing in the world. Sariputra. This is what all Buddhas appear in the world for a great cause.
The Buddha told Shariputra, "All the Buddha and Tathagata only teach, influence and reform the Bodhisattvas. All they do is always for one purpose, only using the Buddha's knowledge and insight to notify and enlighten sentient beings. Shariputra. With only One Buddha Boarding, the Tathagata speaks the Law for sentient beings, without any other boardings, whether two or three. Shariputra. All the Buddhas in the ten directions, their Law(Dharma) is also like this."
"Shariputra. The Buddhas of the past used countless expedients, various causes and conditions, parables and words to act and speak all Law(Dharma) to sentient beings. This Law(Dharma) is all one Buddha Boarding. All sentient beings who heard this Law(Dharma) from the Buddhas ultimately obtained all Seed-Wisdom (all kinds of wisdom; the root-wisdom). Shariputra. The future Buddhas will appear in the world and will also use countless expedients, various causes and conditions, parables and words to perform and speak the Law(Dharma) to sentient beings. This Law(Dharma) is all one Buddha Boarding. All who hear this Law(Dharma) ultimately obtain all Seed-Wisdom (all kinds of wisdom; all root-wisdom). Shariputra. In the immeasurable hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddha lands in the ten directions, all Buddha and World Venerable One have greatly benefited and brought peace and happiness to sentient beings. These Buddhas have also used countless expedients, various causes and conditions, parables and words to perform and speak the Law(Dharma) to sentient beings. This Law (Dharmas), all is One Buddha Boarding. All sentient beings who hear the Law(Dharma) from the Buddha ultimately obtain all Seed-Wisdom (all kinds of wisdom; all root-wisdom). Shariputra. All these Buddhas only teach, influence and reform the Pusas (Bodhisattvas; Bosas), intend to use the Buddha's knowledge and insight to notify sentient beings, and intend to use the Buddha's knowledge and insight to enlighten sentient beings, and intend to make them enter the Buddha's knowledge and insight. Shariputra. I am also like this now. I know that sentient beings have various desires and what attachment by their deep mind. According to their nature, I perform and speak the Law(Dharma) for them with various causes and conditions, parables, words, and expedient powers. Shariputra. This is all for the purpose of obtaining the One Buddha Boarding and the all Seed-Wisdom (all kinds of wisdom; all root-wisdom).
"Shariputra. In the ten direction worlds, there are not even two Boardings (Vehicles) (the Large Boarding (Mahayana) and the Little Boarding (Hinayana)), let alone three (Three Boarding : Voice-hearer Boarding, Pratyekabuddha Boarding and Bodhisattva Boarding). Shariputra. The Buddhas came from the evil world of the five turbidites, namely, the turbidity of the kalpa, the turbidity of afflictions, the turbidity of living beings, the turbidity of views, and the turbidity of life. It is like this. Shariputra. In the turbid and chaotic times, sentient beings were heavily stained, greedy, jealous, and cultivated all kinds of unwholesome roots. Therefore, the Buddhas, with the expedient powers, in the One Buddha Boarding(Vehicle), speak the Three Boardings separately. Shariputra. If my disciples called themselves Arhats or Pratyekabuddhas, and they did not hear and did not know that all Buddhas and Tathagatas, but they only teach, influence and reform the matters of Bodhisattvas, then he is not a disciple of the Buddha, nor an Arhat, nor a Pratyekabuddha.
"Moreover, Shariputra. Those bhikkhus and bhikkhunis who claim that they have attained the arhat hood, are the last body, and are in the ultimate nirvana, therefore they no longer aspire to attain the supreme right-equility-and-right-enlightenment(anuttara-samyak-sajbuddha), you should know that such people are the humans of increased-up-arrogant. Why? If there are bhikkhus who have attained the state of arhathood, but do not believe in this Law(Dharma), there is no such place (it is impossible to attain the Buddhahood). Except after the extinction of the Buddha, and there is no Buddha now. Why? After the extinction of the Buddha, such sutras, those who uphold, read, recit, understand and explain them, such a person is hard to encounter. If he meets other Buddhas, he will be able to understand this Law(Dharma). Shariputra. All of you should believe, understand and uphold the Buddha's words with one heart. The words of the Buddhas are not false-lying. There are no other Boardings(Vehicle), only the Buddha Boarding(Vehicle)."
At that time the World Venerable One wished to reiterate this meaning, and uttered the following verse:
If there are bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, who are increased-up-arrogant, or upasakas who are self-conceited, upasikas who are unbelieving,
Such people of four congregations,etc., there are five thousand, who do not see their own faults, and have omissions in the precepts,
Protect and cherish their flaws. All these small wisdomers have been went out, are the dregs among the crowd, they leave because of the Buddha's mighty and virtue,
These persons lack blessings and virtues, and cannot accept this law (Dharma: One Buddha Boarding (Vehicle)). In these four congregations, there are no longer branches and leaves, only all virtuous fruits.
Sariputra. You listened carefully. What the Law(Dharma) all Buddhas have attained, the infinite expedient power has been used, so as to speak it to sentient beings.
What the thoughts in the sentient beings are, what the various paths they take, what their various desires are, and what the good and bad karma of their past lives are.
The Buddhas know all this, and use various conditions and parables, words and expedient powers(means), so as to make everyone joyful.
Or he said that Sutaras(Scriptures), Gathas and the Original Matters (the other stories of their past lives), the Original Generating (the Buddha said what the matters of the past lives that the Buddha himself practiced in the Path of Bodhisattva.) and What Has Never Happened(the Buddha said what the rare and miraculous stories of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are). Also he spoke of the Cause and Condition,
Parable and Peace Night(Recite the teachings of the Sutra in verses), Upatisa Sutra. The blunt-root (dull-witted) people delight in Minor Law(Minor Dharma), and are attached to birth and death.
In the place of countless Buddhas, they do not practice the profound and wonderful Dao(path), and they are troubled and harassed by many sufferings, I therefore speak of Nirvana.
I have devised this expedient, to enable them to enter the Buddha's wisdom. I have never told you that you will be able to attain the path to Buddhahood.
Why it has not been spoken before, because the time for speaking it has not yet come. Now it is the right time, and I have the decision to speak of the Great Boarding (Mahayana).
These nine parts of Law(Dharma) in mine, which are spoken in accordance with sentient beings, enter the Great Boarding(Mahayana) as the base, and that is why I have spoken of this Scripture(Sutra).
There are Buddha's disciples whose hearts are pure, gentle, soft and sharp-root. In the places of countless Buddhas, they practice the profound and subtle Dao (taking and following the profound and wonderful Path; Dao means Path).
For all these Buddha's disciples, I have spoken of this Great Boarding Scripture (Mahayana Sutra). I give the record-conferring to such people, which are the people who will attain the result of Fo-Dao (Buddha-Path;Buddhahood) in their next life.
Because of their chanting the Buddha with a deep heart, and of their practicing and holding the pure precepts, when such people hear the Buddha (Buddha's names and words), great joy fills their bodies.
The Buddha knows their mind and behavior, so I speak of the Great Boarding(the Mahayana) for them. If they were the Voice-Hearers (Śrāvakas) or the Bodhisattvas, when they had heard the Law (Dharma) what I have said,
Even if it is just one verse, there is no doubt that they can attain Buddhahood. In the Buddha Lands of the ten directions, there is only One-Boarding-Law (the Buddha Boarding).
There are no Two nor Three. Except for the Buddha's expedient speakings, which only use fake (dummy) nouns and words (characters) （only make use of nouns and characters）, so as to guide sentient beings,
For speaking of the Buddha's wisdom. All Buddha's appear in the world, this is the only fact, the remaining two are not true.
The Buddha actually never uses the Small-Boarding (the Hinayana), to succor(save;help;support) and transport (ferry;pass through) all living beings. The Buddha himself abides in the Great-Boarding(Mahayana), that is according to the Law (Dharma) what he has obtained,
Which is adorned with the power of stability and wisdom, so as to ferry (save) all living beings with it. The Buddha realized the supreme Path by himself, which is the Great-Boarding(Mahayana) Equality-Law.
If I use the Small-Boarding(the Hinayana) to influence and reform people, even to one person, I would fall into stinginess and greed. This is not acceptable.
If people believe in and return to the Buddha, the Tathagata will not take advantage of and not deceive them, nor will he have the mind of greed or jealousy, and he will cut off the evil in all Laws (Dharmas).
That is why the Buddha is in the ten directions, and is the only one who has nothing to fear. I adorn my body with my appearance, and my light shines on the world.
I am revered by countless sentient beings, and I speak of the seal of true phenomenon for them. Shariputra. You should know that, I have made a vow in the original(beginning),
Intending to make all sentient beings, to be the same as and no different from me. As I wished in the past, now I have fulfilled my wish.
To influence and reform all sentient beings, and to lead them to enter the Fo-Dao (Buddha-Path). If I meet sentient beings, I will teach them all the Path of Buddha to the utmost.
No-wisdomers are in disorder, and are bewildered so as unable to accept the taught. I know these sentient beings, who have never cultivated the good originals( beginnings).
They are firmly attached to the Five Desires, and are because of infatuation and love so as to generate any affliction. By their all desires and thus causes and conditions, they fall into the Three Evil Path,
To reincarnate in the Six Toward-Going, thus to fully experience all kinds of suffering poisons, the tiny form of the being impregnated fetus, which always grows in each life after each past life.
Those people with little virtue and few blessings, who are constrained and oppressed by many sufferings, and who enter the dense forest of evil views, which seems to have something or seems to have nothing, etc..
They are dependent on and stop on these all views, which fully have sixty-two, and they are deeply attached to false-and-lying Laws (Dharmas), firmly accepting them and unable to abandon them,
Being ego-arrogant and self-conceited to be the High, being flattering and heart-dishonest, for thousands of millions of kalpas, they thus have not heard the Buddha's names.
They also have not heard the true Law(Dharma) either. Such people are difficult to ferry (save;help;support;transport;pass through). Therefore, Shariputra. I have devised the expedient(means or Laws) for them.
I tell them all of how to end the Path of Suffering, and demonstrate Nirvana for them. Although I speak of Nirvana, it is not a true extinction.
All laws (Dharma) from the original(beginning), they are constantly in a phenomenon of Silence-Extinction by themselves. After the Buddha's disciples have practiced the Way (Buddha-Path;Fo-Dao), they will become Buddhas in their next life.
I have the expedient power, open and demonstrate the Three Boardings(Śrāvakayāna, Pratyekabuddhayana, Bodhisattvayāna; Hinayana and Mahayana). All the World Venerable One (Buddhas), they speak of the One-Boarding Path (the Path of One-Boarding; Buddhayana).
Now, all of you in this great assembly, should put aside your doubts. The words of all Buddhas are no different (are the same), that there is only One Boarding (Buddhayana) without Two Boardings(Śrāvakayāna, Pratyekabuddhayana).
In the countless kalpas of the past, there were countless extinct-ferried Buddhas, there were hundreds of thousands of millions of types, and their number is immeasurable.
Such World Venerable Ones, they use various kinds of conditions and parables, and countless expedient powers, so as to expound all phenomena of Law (Dharmas).
All of these World Venerable Ones and others, all of them speak of the One-Boarding Law (Dharma), influencing and reforming countless living beings, and leading them to enter the Buddha-Path (Fo-Dao).
Moreover, all of these great saints, who know the worlds of all, the sorts of heavens, humans and living beings, and what the desires are in their deepest hearts.
They furthermore use the different expedients, to assist to demonstrate the First Meaning (the ultimate truth). If there are sentient beings, who have met the Buddhas of the past,
And if they had heard the generous of giving the Law (giving the Law (Dharma) for all living beings), or they had held the precepts, had endured the humiliation, or had dedicated themselves to progress, or had done the Zen, or had aroused the wisdom, etc., had cultivated blessings and wisdom in these various ways,
All such humans, etc., have all achieved the Buddha-Path(attained Buddhahood;Fo-Dao). After the Buddhas have been in the extinct-ferried, if a person had a kind and soft heart,
All such sentient beings, who will have achieved the Buddha-Path (attained Buddhahood). After the Buddhas have been in the extinct-ferried, those who keep and support relics,
Build pagodas of trillion types, use gold, silver, glass, clamshell, agate, rose, or glass beads,
to clearly, widely and solemnly decorate them, and make solemn silence in all pagodas. Or some build stone temples, with sandalwood and agarwood,
Wood honey and other materials, bricks, tiles, soil, etc. If in the wilderness, someone piles up earth to build a Buddhist temple.
Even when children play, they gather sand to make a Buddhist pagoda. All such humans, etc., who will have all achieved the Buddha-Path(attained Buddhahood; Fo-Dao).
If, for the sake of Buddha, people create various images, and carve various forms of living beings, they will have already achieved the Buddha-Path(attained Buddhahood;Fo-Dao).
Or they use seven treasures to form various images, or use tungsten, stone, red copper, white copper, pewter, lead, tin, iron, wood, and mud.
Or they use glue, lacquer, or cloth, to solemnly adorn and make Buddha statues. All such humans, etc., who will have all achieved the Buddha-Path(attained Buddhahood; Fo-Dao).
Color painting so as to make the Buddha statues, with a hundred auspicious and solemn appearances, whether they make them themselves or make others do it, all of them will have achieved the Buddha-Path(attained Buddhahood; Fo-Dao).
Even when children play, or they use plants, wood, and brushes, or use fingernails to draw Buddha images,
All such humans, etc., who will have gradually accumulated merits and virtues, will be completely filled with great compassion, and all of them will have achieved the Buddha-Path(attained Buddhahood; Fo-Dao).
But only influencing and reforming all the Bodhisattvas, and ferrying and liberating countless living beings. If a person in a pagoda or temple (regarding Buddha), in the front of precious statue or picture (about Buddha),
He uses flowers, incense, banners and canopies, to provide for them with a respectful heart. If he lets humans make music, beat drums and blow the horn shell,
Flute, zither, harp, pipa, cymbals, such all wonderful sounds, all are holded to provide for them.
Or if someone with a joyful heart, sings and chants the Buddha's virtues, even a tiny sound, it has achieved the Buddha-Path(the attainment of Buddhahood; Fo-Dao).
If people with a distracted mind, even using one flower, provide for the painted image (Buddha image), they will gradually see countless Buddhas.
Some people may bow, or just put their hands together, or even raise one hand, or slightly bow their heads,
By making offerings to the statue in these ways, they will gradually see countless Buddhas. They will realize the supreme Path by themselves, broadly ferry countless living beings,(Ferry means saving or supporting or helping living beings. It is a metaphor and means to ferry living beings on board a ship from one shore of suffering to another shore of peace, safety and joy.)
Enter into without-remainder Nirvana, like the extinguishing of fire when the firewood is exhausted. If people with a distracted mind, enter a pagoda or temple,
By chanting Namo Buddha once, all of them will have attained Buddhahood. Of all the past Buddhas, whether they are alive or after extinguished,
If people have heard this Law(Dharma), all of them will have attained Buddhahood. All World Venerable Ones (Buddhas)in the future, Their number is immeasurable.
These all Tathagatas and others, also speak of this Law (Dharma) by expedient means. All Tathagatas, use infinite expedients,
To ferry and liberate all living beings, and enable them to enter the Buddha's without-leak wisdom (unobstructed wisdom). If anyone hears this Law(Dharma), no one would not become Buddha. (It means that such people will all become Buddhas).
The original vow of all Buddhas, what the Buddha Path I practice, it is universally to enable all living beings, identically to also attain this Path (Buddha-Path).
All Buddhas in the future Times, although there will be hundreds of billions of them. All countless Law Gates (Dharma Doors), all of them are actually One-Boarding.
All Buddhas who are the Two-footed Venerable Ones, know that the Law (Dharma) is always without nature, and that the Buddha's seed arises from causes and conditions, that is why the One-Boarding is spoken. (All Laws and all matters arise from causes and conditions and their nature is emptiness. It means the nature of Buddha's seed. From this seed, it generates them all. That is, emptiness and havingness are unify.)
This Law (Dharma) dwells in its Law (Dharma) position. Worldly phenomena are often dwelled. When it is known (by all Buddhas）in the Dao-place (Path-place), The guide-teacher speaks of it in convenience. (The guide-teacher means Buddha here.)
The guide-teacher is supported and offered by gods and humans. The present ten-direction Buddhas, whose numbers are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, appear in the world.
For the sake of pacifying and stabilizing all living beings, they also speak of this Law(Dharma). Because these Buddhas understand the Number-One Silence-Extinction, that is why they use the power of expedient,
Although they demonstrate various Paths, those are actually the Buddha Boarding (Boarding on the board of Buddha transportation or ship so as aiming and toward to become Buddha. It is a kind of metaphor). They know all actions of living beings, what the thoughts are in their deepest hearts,
What their past habit-karma are, and what their desire-nature and their power of dedicating themselves to progress are, and whether their all roots are sharpness or dullness, therefore the Buddhas by various causes and conditions,
And by parables and words, speak it according to convenience. Now I am also like this, for pacifying(tranquilizing) and stabilizing all living beings,
Using various Law Gates (Law Methods), so as to propagate and demonstrate the Buddha Path. I use my wisdom-power, therefore, to know the natural desires of all living beings,
I speak of all Law(Dharma) in expedient ways, all these make everyone joyfull. Shariputra. You should know that, I perceive with the Buddha's eyes,
Seeing the sentient beings of Six Paths, they are poor and without blessings and wisdom, and entering the dangerous path of birth and death, which being continuously and its suffering never being cut,
They are deeply attached to the five desires, it is like a yak loving its tail, to conceal and evil the self with greedy-love, as if being blind or closing the self-eyes, so as nothing can be seen.
They do not seek the grand mighty Buddha, nor the Law(Dharma) of cutting suffering. They go deep into various evil views, and use the sufferings to intend to abandon the sufferings.
For the sake of these sentient beings, I have great compassion. I began to sit in the Dao-Place (Path-Place), perceiving the trees and also walking often.
During the three seven days, I contemplated such things. The wisdom I have gained, which is subtly wonderful and extremely Number-one.
All roots of living beings are dull, attaching to pleasure and blinded by their infatuation. Like this are the same, how can such beings be ferried (saved)?
At that time, the Brahma kings, the Ability-Heaven- Gods, the four guardian kings of protecting worlds, and the Great-Ease-Heaven(Mahadeva),
And all other living beings of the remaining heavens, their relatives numbering in the hundreds of thousands, respectfully join their palms in greeting, and request me to turn the Law Wheel (Dharma Wheel).
I then thought to myself, if all only praise the Buddha Boarding, sentient beings will not be in suffering. If they are unable to believe in this Law(Dharma).
Because of breaking the Law(Dharma) and not having faith in this, they fall into the Three Evil Paths. I would rather not speak of this Law (Dharma) and quickly enter Nirvana.
Seeking and thinking of the past Buddhas, what the expedient strength (means) they used, what the Dao(Path;Buddha-Path) I have attained at present, I should also talk about the Three Boardings.
When I am thinking like this, all the Buddhas of the ten directions appear, and their Sanskrit voices comforted me. Well done, Shakyamuni.
The guide-teacher of the Number One, you have obtained this supreme Law(Dharma), have followed all the Buddhas, and have used expedient power(means).
We such-like also have all obtained this, the most wonderful Number-one Law. For the sake of all sentient beings, we have separately expounded the Three Boarding.
Those with little wisdom like minor Law (Dharmas), and do not have the self-confidence in becoming Buddhas. Therefore, we use the expedient, to separately speak of the various results.
Although we speak of the Three Boardings again, but for the purpose of teaching Bodhisattvas. Shariputra. You should know that, I have heard the Holy Lion(Holy Master),
With deep, pure and subtle sound, to happily chant Namo Buddha. I have such a thought again, I have come out from this evil world,
As what the Buddhas have said, I will also follow them to act. After thinking about this, I went to Varanasi.
Silence-extinction-phenomena of all Law (Dharmas), which cannot be expressed and propagated in words. By the expedient power (means), I expound it to the five monks.
This is called Turning the Wheel of Law (Dharma), and then there is the sound of Nirvana, as well as the Arhats, and the different names of Law(Dharma) and Monk(Sangha).
From the long-far (earliest) eons, I have praised the Law(Dharma)of Nirvana, the sufferings of birth and death thus have ended completely. I have always said this.
Shariputra. You should know that, I have seen Buddha's disciples and so on, who have the aspiration to seek the Buddha's Path, like this are countless thousands and millions of them.
All of them with a reverent heart, come to the Buddha's Place, and have heard from the Buddhas, what the Law(Dharma) is spoken by the expedient.
I then thought, the reason why the Tathagata came out, for the sake of speaking of the Buddha's wisdom, and now is the right time.
Shariputra. You should know that those people who are dull-root, have little wisdom, are attached to phenomena and are arrogant, cannot believe in this Law(Dharma).
Now I am joyful and feel fearlessness. Among all the Bodhisattvas, I rightly speak the truth, directly abandon the expedient, and only speak of the supreme Path.
When the Bodhisattvas heard this Law(Dharma), all their doubts were removed, and the 1,200 Arhats, they were all destined to become Buddhas.
Just as the Buddhas of the three ages, the ceremony of preaching Law(Dharma), I now also do the same, speak of the without-discrimination Law(Dharma).
The Buddhas flourish and appear in the world, the time is so long and it is far away to hardly encounter them. Even if they appear in the world, it is also difficult for them to speak of this Law(Dharma).
Even after countless kalpas, it is difficult to hear this Law(Dharma). Those who can hear this Law(Dharma), such people are also difficult to be existent (Those who can hear this Law are rare).
For example, the Udumbara flower, it is loved by all. It is rare among heavens and humans, and only blooms once in a while.
Those who are hearing this Law(Dharma) and praising it with joy, or even speaking of a single word, are considered as making an offering to all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future.
Such people are extremely rare, even rarer than the Udumbara flower. All of you do not doubt me, I am the King of all Law(Dharmas).
I universally tell all the sentient beings, that only by the One Boarding Path, which is used to teach, influence and reform all Bodhisattvas, and there are no voice-hearer disciples (Śrāvaka disciples).
You all and Shariputra, the Voice-hearer and the Bodhisattvas, you should know this wonderful Law(Dharma), which is the secret importance of all Buddhas.
In this evil age of the five turbidities, sentient beings are only happily obsessed with all desires. Such beings will never seek the Buddha's path.
When there will be evil people in the future, they will hear the Buddha speak of the One Boarding, but will be confused and not believe it, and will break the Law(Dharma) and fall into the evil paths.
If there are people who are ashamed and pure, and aspire to seek the Buddha's Path, I should do such things for such people and etc., to widely praise the One Boarding Path.
Shariputra. You should know that, the Law(Dharma) of all Buddhas is like this, and with thousands of the expedient, according to the circumstances so as to speak of this Law(Dharma).
Those who do not learn it, who cannot understand it. You all already know it, all Buddhas are the teachers of the world,
All of them are according to the circumstances to do all convenient matters. You should no longer have any doubts, should feel great joy in your heart, and self-know that you will become a Buddha.
Note:
1. Boarding means to get on a vehicle, go by, travel by, or ride. In Buddhism, the word Boarding is used as the meaning of saving.
2. Small Boarding means Hinayana in Sanskrit. Small Boarding means to travel by a small ship, usually it can only carry on a person. That is, it only ferries a person from one shore of suffering to the other shore of peace and safety. Small Boarding means one gate of the Law of Buddhism, which is spoken by Buddha. When the sentient beings hear, think and practice the Small Boarding, it would lead them to achieve the voice-hearer or the Arhat. If they want to achieve the Path of Bodhisattva or Buddha, they have to give up the Law of Small Boarding, and return to and depend on the Great Boarding.
3. Great Boarding means Mahayana in Sanskrit. Great Boarding means to travel by a big ship, so as to ferry a lot of sentient beings from one shore of suffering to the other shore of peace and safety. Great Boarding means one gate of the Law of Buddhism, which is spoken by Buddha. When the sentient beings hear, think and practice the Great Boarding, it would lead them to achieve the Path of Bodhisattva, to attain the Bodhisattva hood.
4. Buddha Boarding means Buddhayana in Sanskrit. Buddha Boarding means to travel by a big ship, so as to ferry a lot of sentient beings from one shore of suffering to the other shore of peace and safety. What the difference from the Great Boarding is that Buddha Boarding is directly by the expedient way so as toward the aim to become Buddha. Buddha Boarding is also one gate of the Law of Buddhism, which is spoken by Buddha. When the sentient beings hear, think and practice the Buddha Boarding, it would lead them to achieve the Path of Buddha, to attain the Buddha hood.
5. One Boarding is Buddha Boarding.
