co.

Table of Contents

s.

Summary

s.­1

While resting in a park outside the city of Vaiśālī, the Buddha is approached by the bodhisattva Prāmodyarāja, who requests meditation instruction. The Buddha proceeds to give a teaching on a meditative absorption called elucidating the way of all phenomena and subsequently delivers an elaborate discourse on the six perfections. Prāmodyarāja then learns that all the future buddhas of the Good Eon are now present in the Blessed One’s audience of bodhisattvas. Responding to Prāmodyarāja’s request to reveal the names under which these present bodhisattvas will be known as buddhas in the future, the Buddha first lists these names, and then goes on to describe the circumstances surrounding their birth, awakening, and teaching in the world. In the sūtra’s final section, we learn how each of these great bodhisattvas who are on the path to buddhahood first developed the mind of awakening.

ac.

Acknowledgements

ac.­1

Translated by the Dharmachakra Translation Committee under the guidance of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. Thomas Doctor produced the translation and Andreas Doctor, Anya Zilman, and Nika Jovic compared the draft translation with the original Tibetan and edited the text. The introduction was written by Thomas Doctor and the 84000 editorial team.

The translation was completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha.


ac.­2

The generous sponsorship of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Zhou Tian Yu, Chen Yi Qin, Zhou Xun, Zhao Xuan, Chen Kun, and Zhuo Yue, which helped make the work on this translation possible, is most gratefully acknowledged.

Text Body

The Translation
The Noble Great Vehicle Sūtra
The Good Eon
2.C.

The engendering of the mind of awakening

2.C.­1

When the Blessed One had spoken these words, the bodhisattva Prāmodyarāja once more addressed him: “Excellent, O Blessed One, excellent. Now please make clear the identity of the blessed buddhas before whom these blessed buddhas of the Good Eon first gave rise to the mind of awakening. Please also state the roots of virtue that allowed them to venerate those buddhas [F.288.a] and give rise to the mind of awakening.”

2.C.­2

In reply, the Blessed One spoke these words to the bodhisattva Prāmodyarāja: “Prāmodyarāja, listen carefully and keep my words in mind; I shall explain.”

2.C.­3

“Respected Blessed One, so be it,” answered the bodhisattva Prāmodyarāja and he listened accordingly. Then the Blessed One spoke:

2.C.­4
“The thus-gone Krakucchanda
Offered golden parasols
To the thus-gone Moon of Humanity
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­5
“The thus-gone Kanakamuni, when a garland maker,
Offered a garland of sumanā flowers
To the thus-gone Lion Gait
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­6
“The well-gone Kāśyapa, when the son of a brahmin,
Offered a belt
To the thus-gone Supreme Campaka
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­7
“When in the past I was a doctor
I offered a cup of rice gruel
To the thus-gone Śākyamuni
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­8
“The bodhisattva Maitreya, when the universal monarch named Illuminator,
Invited the well-gone Powerful
To the midday meal
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­9
“The thus-gone Siṃha
Offered a refuse rag the size of a palm
To the thus-gone Melodious Roar
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of unexcelled awakening.
2.C.­10
“The well-gone Pradyota, when a merchant,
Offered a precious jewel
To the thus-gone Infinite Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of unexcelled awakening.
2.C.­11
“The thus-gone Muni
Offered a parasol made of pearls [F.288.b]
To the thus-gone Compelling Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of unexcelled awakening.
2.C.­12
“The well-gone Kusuma, while a city beggar,
Offered laḍḍu sweets
To the thus-gone Leader
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­13
“The second thus-gone with the name of Kusuma
Offered toothsticks
To the well-gone Truly Superior Glory
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­14
“The thus-gone Sunetra, when a householder,
Offered a multistoried mansion
To the thus-gone Excellent Speaker
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­15
“The thus-gone Sārthavāha
Offered seats of red sandalwood
To the thus-gone Seeing the Truth
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­16
“The well-gone Mahābāhu, when a musician,
Offered a flute in the city
To the thus-gone Supreme Fame
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­17
“The well-gone Mahābala, when the son of an incense merchant,
Offered a piece of aloeswood
When the well-gone Lion Mind was entering the city
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­18
“The well-gone Nakṣatrarāja, when a cattle herder,
Offered tāmbūla flowers
To the thus-gone Melody Gift
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­19
“The well-gone Oṣadhi, when a chariot maker,
Offered a small lamp
To the thus-gone Sweet Fragrance
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­20
“The well-gone Yaśas,190 when a weaver,
Offered woven tassels
To the thus-gone Flashing Lamp
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­21
“The thus-gone Ketu, when a farmer,
Scattered flower petals
Before the thus-gone Radiant Lotus
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening. [F.289.a]
2.C.­22
“The well-gone Mahāprabha, when a city beggar,
Offered a lamp
To the sage, the thus-gone Great Lamp,
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­23
“The well-gone Muktiskandha, when a cobbler,
Offered a set of footwear
To the thus-gone Brahmā Melody
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­24
“The well-gone Vairocana, when a universal monarch,
Offered eighty-four thousand talibati191
To the thus-gone Destroyer of Doubt
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­25
“The well-gone Sūryagarbha, when a brahmin boy,
Offered kośātaka flowers
To the thus-gone Infinite Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­26
“The well-gone Candra, when a goldsmith’s son,
Offered a jeweled staff
To the thus-gone Moon Face
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­27
“The well-gone Arciṣmat, when a city beggar,
Offered grass torches
To the thus-gone Infinite Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­28
“The well-gone Suprabha, when guarding a forest,
Offered campaka flowers
To the thus-gone Delightful Splendor
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­29
“The well-gone Aśoka, when the son of a merchant,
Offered karṇikā flowers
To the thus-gone Destroyer of Doubt
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­30
“The well-gone Tiṣya, when the son of a householder,
Offered a pair of jeweled footwear
To the thus-gone Merit Lamp
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­31
“The well-gone Pradyota, when a seafaring merchant,
Offered a bed made of red sandalwood
To the thus-gone Excellent Sight
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­32
“The well-gone Mālādhārin, when the son of a householder, [F.289.b]
Offered kakaniya incense
To the thus-gone Delightful Splendor
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­33
“The well-gone Guṇaprabha, when a gold dealer,192
Offered a single flower
To the thus-gone Incomparable
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­34
“The well-gone Arthadarśin, when a universal monarch,
Offered a thousand multistoried houses
To the thus-gone Treasury of Infinite Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­35
“The well-gone Pradīpa, when the son of a dealer in fragrant oils,
Offered a bathhouse with sixty million attendants
To the thus-gone Playful Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­36
“The well-gone Prabhūta, when a garment merchant,
Offered rolls of fine cloth193
To the thus-gone Expansive Fame
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­37
“The well-gone Vaidya, when a physician’s son,
Offered small balls of incense
To the thus-gone Without Banner
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­38
“The well-gone Sūrata, when an oil producer,
Offered a lamp
To the thus-gone Superior Conqueror
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­39
“The well-gone Ūrṇa, when a garland maker,
Offered red utpalas
To the thus-gone Universal Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­40
“The well-gone Dṛḍha, when a universal monarch of strength,
Offered eighty-four jewel-studded seats
To the thus-gone Indomitable
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­41
“The well-gone Śrīdeva, when a seafaring merchant,
Offered a canopy of precious jewels that shone for one league
To the thus-gone Radiant Mass of Splendor
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening. [F.290.a]
2.C.­42
“The well-gone Duṣpradharṣa, when a timber merchant,
Offered toothsticks
To the thus-gone Steadfast Movement
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­43
“The thus-gone Guṇadhvaja, when a water donor,
Offered water containers
To the well-gone Delightful Fame
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­44
“The well-gone Rāhu, when a garland maker’s son,
Offered a set of golden footwear
To the thus-gone Infinite Form
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­45
“The well-gone Gaṇin, when a bath attendant,
Offered bathing soap
To the thus-gone Lucid Heart
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­46
“The thus-gone Brahmaghoṣa, when a cattle herder,
Offered a full measure of flour
To the thus-gone Beautiful Melody upon his awakening,
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­47
“The well-gone Dṛḍhasaṃdhi, when a cowrie-shell merchant’s son,
Offered a handful of cowries
To the well-gone Gone Immutably upon his awakening,
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­48
“The well-gone Anunnata, when he was prince Joy Wish,
Offered songs and music
To the thus-gone Infinite Array
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­49
“The well-gone Prabhaṃkara, when a universal monarch,
Offered precious garments
To the thus-gone Light of Compiled Splendor
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­50
“The thus-gone Mahāmeru
Offered seven aśoka flowers
To the thus-gone Abiding Mind
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­51
“The well-gone Vajra, when born as Śakra, ruler of the gods,
Offered a shower of mandārava flowers
To the thus-gone Steadfast [F.290.b]
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­52
“The thus-gone Sañjayin, when king of Jambudvīpa,
Offered a golden canopy
To the well-gone Delighting in Liberation
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­53
“The well-gone Nirbhaya, when a musician,
Offered musical veneration by beating big drums
To the thus-gone Giver of Fearlessness
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­54
“The well-gone Ratna, when a chief minister,
Offered a garland saturated with incense
To the thus-gone Nectar Maker
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­55
“The well-gone Padmākṣa,194 when a maker of devices,
Offered a fine throne
To the thus-gone Universal Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­56
“The well-gone Balasena, when a royal physician,
Offered a myrobalan fruit
To the thus-gone Possessor of the Great Carriage
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­57
“The well-gone Kusumaraśmi, when the son of a goldsmith,
Offered a garland of jewels
To the well-gone Universal Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­58
“The well-gone Jñānapriya, when a maker of ornaments for children,
Offered flowers and incense195
To the thus-gone Worshiped in All Lands
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­59
“The well-gone Mahātejas, when the son of a merchant,
Offered a canopy of fine fabrics
To the thus-gone Glorious Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­60
“The well-gone Brahmā, when a cook,
Offered a ball of sugar
To the thus-gone Highest Teacher
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­61
“The well-gone Amitābha, when a hired laborer,
Offered a single parasol
To the thus-gone Array of Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening. [F.291.a]
2.C.­62
“The thus-gone Nāgadatta, when a garland maker,
Offered a wreath of flowers
To the thus-gone Striding Lion
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­63
“The well-gone Dṛḍhakrama, when a jeweler,
Offered a jewel net
To the thus-gone Abandoning Doubt
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­64
“The well-gone Amoghadarśin, when the son of a medicine maker,
Invited the saṅgha of monks and provided medicine
To the well-gone Excellent Sight
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­65
“The well-gone Vīryadatta, when a universal monarch,
Built one hundred thousand temples of red sandalwood
And covered them with fine cloth before the thus-gone Nectar Strength
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­66
“The well-gone Bhadrapāla
Invited the well-gone Moonlight along with one hundred thousand of his saṅgha of hearers,
Offering them satisfying food endowed with a hundred tastes for seven days,
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­67
“The well-gone Nanda, when the son of a brahmin endowed with great power,
Offered a yak-tail fan with a jewel-studded handle
To the thus-gone Supreme Fame
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­68
“The thus-gone Acyuta, when a royal messenger,
Offered fruit from Pāñcālī196
To the well-gone Hidden Faculty
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­69
“The well-gone Siṃhadhvaja, when a farmer,
Offered myrobalan fruit
To the thus-gone Clear Roar
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­70
“The well-gone Jaya, when a garden worker,
Offered harītakī fruit
To the thus-gone Unimpeded Wheel
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­71
“The thus-gone Dhārmika, when a hero,
Offered banners [F.291.b]
To the thus-gone Nectar Roar
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­72
“The well-gone Prāmodyarāja, when an incense merchant,
Offered and sprinkled handfuls of incense powder
Before the thus-gone Stūpa of Wisdom
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­73
“The well-gone Sārathi, when a young child,
Offered three palabata197
To the thus-gone Miraculous Display of Splendor
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­74
“The well-gone Priyaṅgama, when a prince,
Offered silver flowers
To the thus-gone King of Qualities
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­75
“The thus-gone Varuṇa, when a merchant,
Offered an alms bowl filled with honey
To the thus-gone Infinite Colors
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­76
“The well-gone Guṇabāhu, at the time of play,
Constructed a monastic walkway with a perimeter wall eight cubits long
For the thus-gone Great Strength
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­77
“The well-gone Gandhahastin, when the son of an incense merchant,
Sprinkled a monastic walkway with fragrant water
For the thus-gone Array of Liberation
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­78
“The well-gone Vilocana, when a garment merchant,
Offered flower parasols
To the thus-gone Unobscured Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­79
“The well-gone Meghasvara, when a potter,
Offered fragrances and a water pot
To the thus-gone Lion Gait
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­80
“The well-gone Sucintita, when three years old,
Offered lotus flowers
To the thus-gone Universal Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­81
“The well-gone Sumanas, when the son of a merchant,
Offered a garland of sumanā flowers
To the thus-gone Energy Gift
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening. [F.292.a]
2.C.­82
“The well-gone Vimala, when a weaver,
Offered a woolen robe198
To the thus-gone Excellent Sight
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­83
“The well-gone Śaśin, when an elephant tamer,
Offered a cubit of flower garlands
To the thus-gone Excellent Form
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­84
“The well-gone Mahāyaśas, when a city beggar,
Offered flowers
To the thus-gone Famed Intelligence
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­85
“The well-gone Maṇicūḍa, when a boy,
Offered a handful of earth
To the thus-gone Jewel Array
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­86
“The thus-gone Ugra, when a divine son,
Offered a divine palace
To the thus-gone Majestic Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­87
“The well-gone Siṃhagati, when a parasol maker,
Offered a leaf parasol during the hot season
To the thus-gone Gone to Liberation
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­88
“The thus-gone Druma, when a herdsman,
Offered fine linen at trees by the roadside
To the thus-gone Array of Qualities
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­89
“The well-gone Vijitāvin, when a cowherd,
Offered an alms bowl filled with milk
To the thus-gone Mind of Certainty
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­90
“The well-gone Prajñākūṭa, when a monk,
Offered a Dharma seat to be used for a day
To the thus-gone Crest of Wisdom
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­91
“The well-gone Susthita, when a shoemaker,
Offered shoes with one lining199
To the thus-gone Immutable Mind
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening. [F.292.b]
2.C.­92
“The thus-gone Mati, when a worker,
Offered tasty drink
To the thus-gone Intelligence in Practice
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­93
“The well-gone Aṅgaja, when a jailer,200
Offered bathing cloths
To the thus-gone Excellent Form
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­94
“The thus-gone Amitabuddhi, when a guide,
Offered a bed at the foot of a tree
To the well-gone Truth Speaker
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­95
“The thus-gone Surūpa, when a general,
Offered five utpalas
To the thus-gone Melodious Voice
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­96
“The well-gone Jñānin, when a monk living in solitude,
Offered a well-swept monastic walkway
To the thus-gone Excellent Sight
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­97
“The well-gone Raśmi, when a chariot maker,
Offered a bed worth one thousand
To the thus-gone Infinite Splendor
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­98
“The thus-gone Dṛḍhavrata, when a garland maker,
Offered a canopy of flowers
To the well-gone Delightful Mind
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­99
“The thus-gone Maṅgala, when a wood gatherer,
Offered service during a snowstorm
To the thus-gone Famed Chariot
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­100
“The thus-gone Satyaketu, when a bath attendant,
Washed the face
Of the thus-gone Flower of Qualities
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­101
“The well-gone Padma, when the son of a merchant,
Offered lotus flowers
To the thus-gone Radiant Flowers
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­102
“The thus-gone Nārāyaṇa, when an incense merchant,
Offered a multistoried mansion rubbed in red sandalwood [F.293.a]
To the thus-gone Hard to Subdue
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­103
“The thus-gone Subāhu, when a royal messenger,
Offered the three Dharma robes
To the thus-gone Speaker with Beautiful Voice and his ten millionfold following,
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­104
“The thus-gone Jñānākara, when a champion about to enter the battlefield,
Offered a banner
To the well-gone Excellent Sight
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­105
“The thus-gone Arciṣmat, when a physician,
Offered incense sticks
To the thus-gone Stūpa for Humanity
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­106
“The thus-gone Brahmadatta, when a guide,
Showed the way
To the thus-gone Great Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­107
“The well-gone Ratnākara, when a ferryman,
Ferried the thus-gone Indestructible Departure
And his retinue of ten million hearers,
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­108
“The well-gone Kusumadeva, when a jeweler,
Offered a parasol studded with precious jewels
To the thus-gone Clear Intelligence
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­109
“The well-gone Sucintitārtha, when a prince,
Offered a canopy studded with precious jewels
To the thus-gone Melodious Voice
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­110
“The well-gone Dharmeśvara, when the son of a carpenter,
Constructed a bridge
For the well-gone Starlight
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­111
“The well-gone Yaśomati, when a garden guard,
Offered māṣa flowers
To the thus-gone Moon Lamp
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­112
“The well-gone Pratibhānakūṭa, when the son of a merchant,
Offered welcome and perfect generosity [F.293.b]
To the thus-gone Wisdom Crest
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­113
“The thus-gone Vajradhvaja, when a garden worker,
Offered mango fruit
To the thus-gone Merit Array
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­114
“The thus-gone Hitaiṣin, when the son of the leader of a city,
Received the vow of refraining from killing for one day
From the thus-gone Light of Merit
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­115
“The well-gone Vikrīḍitāvin, when a child in a village,
Offered an alms bowl filled with honey
To the thus-gone Source of Wisdom
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­116
“The thus-gone Vigatatamas
Presented a lamp filled with māṣa bean oil
To the thus-gone Seeing the Ends of Existence
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­117
“The well-gone Rāhudeva, when a city beggar,
Offered hastabashaka201
To the thus-gone Joyous Vision
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­118
“The well-gone Merudhvaja, when a young leader of a group,
Offered a garland of flowers
To the well-gone Infinite Light
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­119
“The well-gone Gaṇiprabha, when a garland maker,
Offered a flower canopy
To the thus-gone Compelling Melody
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­120
“The well-gone Ratnagarbha, when a bath attendant,
Washed the face
Of the thus-gone Diverse Teaching
And in doing so first gave rise to the mind of awakening.
2.C.­121
“The well-gone Atyuccagāmin, when a city beggar,
Prepared seats