Lotus Sutra of the Wondrous Dharma, Volume Two
及聲聞菩薩，如見今滅度。
and the Shravakas and Bodhisattvas, as if seeing the extinction today.
諸比丘當知！佛智淨微妙，
Monks, know this! The Buddha's wisdom is pure and subtle,
無漏無所礙，通達無量劫。」
Free of outflows, without hindrance, penetrating immeasurable kalpas."
佛告諸比丘：「大通智勝佛壽五百四十萬億那由他劫。其佛本坐道場，破魔軍已，垂得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，而諸佛法不現在前。如是一小劫乃至十小劫，結加趺坐，身心不動，而諸佛法猶不在前。爾時忉利諸天，先為彼佛於菩提樹下敷師子座，高一由旬，佛於此座當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。適坐此座，時諸梵天王雨眾天華，面百由旬，香風時來，吹去萎華，更雨新者。如是不絕，滿十小劫，供養於佛，乃至滅度常雨此華。四王諸天為供養佛，常擊天鼓，其餘諸天作天伎樂，滿十小劫，至於滅度亦復如是。
The Buddha told the bhikshus: "The lifespan of the Buddha Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu was five hundred and forty myriad kotis of nayuta kalpas. That Buddha originally sat at the site of the Way, and after he had defeated the army of Mara, he was about to attain supreme perfect enlightenment, yet the dharmas of the buddhas did not appear before him. So it went for one small kalpa, and up to ten small kalpas, as he sat cross-legged with body and mind unmoving, yet the dharmas of the buddhas still did not appear before him. At that time the devas of the Trayastrimsa heaven first spread a lion seat for that Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree, one yojana in height, on which the Buddha was to attain supreme perfect enlightenment. As soon as he sat on this seat, the Brahma heavenly kings rained down heavenly flowers all around, a hundred yojanas in every direction, and fragrant winds came from time to time and blew away the withered flowers, after which fresh ones rained down again. So it continued without cease for a full ten small kalpas, as an offering to the Buddha, and up to his extinction they constantly rained these flowers. The devas of the Four Heavenly Kings, in offering to the Buddha, constantly beat heavenly drums, and the other devas made heavenly music, for a full ten small kalpas, and so it was until his extinction.
「諸比丘！大通智勝佛過十小劫，諸佛之法乃現在前，成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。其佛未出家時，有十六子，其第一者名曰智積。諸子各有種種珍異玩好之具，聞父得成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，皆捨所珍，往詣佛所。諸母涕泣而隨送之。其祖轉輪聖王，與一百大臣及餘百千萬億人民，皆共圍繞，隨至道場。鹹欲親近大通智勝如來，供養恭敬，尊重讚歎。到已，頭面禮足，繞佛畢已，一心合掌，瞻仰世尊，以偈頌曰：
(The Buddha continued:) "Bhikshus! After ten small kalpas, the Buddha Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu finally saw the dharmas of the buddhas appear before him and attained supreme perfect enlightenment. Before that Buddha left the household life, he had sixteen sons, the first of whom was named Jnanakuta, Accumulated Wisdom. Each of the sons had various kinds of precious and rare playthings, but on hearing that their father had attained supreme perfect enlightenment, they all abandoned what they treasured and went to where the Buddha was. Their mothers followed and saw them off, weeping. Their grandfather, the wheel-turning sage king, with a hundred great ministers and hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of other people, all surrounded them and followed to the site of the Way. All wished to draw near to the Tathagata Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu, to make offerings, show reverence, honor and praise him. On arriving, they bowed with their heads and faces at his feet, circled the Buddha, and then with one mind put their palms together, gazed up at the World-Honored One, and spoke in verse:
「『大威德世尊，為度眾生故，
"'Great and majestic World-Honored One, in order to liberate living beings,
於無量億劫，爾乃得成佛，
through immeasurable kotis of kalpas you have at last become a buddha,
諸願已具足，善哉吉無上。
all your vows are fulfilled; how excellent, how supremely auspicious.
世尊甚希有，一坐十小劫，
The World-Honored One is extremely rare, sitting ten small kalpas in one seat,
身體及手足，靜然安不動。
his body, his hands and feet, still and at peace, unmoving.
其心常惔怕，未曾有散亂，
His mind is ever tranquil and detached, never once scattered or disturbed,
究竟永寂滅，安住無漏法。
ultimately and forever extinguished, dwelling peacefully in the dharma free of outflows.
今者見世尊，安隱成佛道，
Now we see the World-Honored One, securely accomplishing the Buddha Way,
我等得善利，稱慶大歡喜。
we have gained excellent benefit and rejoice with great joy.
眾生常苦惱，盲瞑無導師，
Living beings are always in suffering and distress, blind and in darkness without a guide,
不識苦盡道，不知求解脫。
not knowing the path to the end of suffering, not knowing to seek liberation.
長夜增惡趣，減損諸天眾，
Through the long night they increase evil destinies and reduce the host of devas,
從冥入於冥，永不聞佛名。
going from darkness into darkness, never hearing the name of a buddha.
今佛得最上、安隱無漏道，
Now the Buddha has attained the supreme, secure, flawless path,
我等及天人，為得最大利，
and we, together with devas and humans, because we have gained the greatest benefit,
是故鹹稽首、歸命無上尊。』
therefore all bow our heads in homage and take refuge in the supreme honored one.'
「爾時十六王子偈讚佛已，勸請世尊轉於法輪，鹹作是言：『世尊說法，多所安隱、憐愍、饒益諸天人民。』重說偈言：
(The Buddha continued:) "At that time the sixteen princes, having praised the Buddha in verse, urged the World-Honored One to turn the Dharma wheel, all saying: 'May the World-Honored One preach the Dharma, bringing much peace and security, compassion, and benefit to the devas and people.' Then they spoke again in verse:
「『世雄無等倫，百福自莊嚴，
"'Hero of the world, without equal, adorned of yourself with a hundred blessings,
得無上智慧，願為世間說。
having attained supreme wisdom, may you speak it for the world.
度脫於我等、及諸眾生類，
Liberate us and all kinds of living beings,
為分別顯示，令得是智慧。
distinguish and reveal it for us, that we may attain this wisdom.
若我等得佛，眾生亦復然。
If we attain buddhahood, living beings too will be likewise.'
世尊知眾生，深心之所念，
The World-Honored One knows living beings, what they deeply think in their hearts,
亦知所行道，又知智慧力，
and knows the paths they practice, and knows the power of their wisdom,
欲樂及修福，宿命所行業。
their desires and pleasures and cultivation of blessings, and the karma they practiced in former lives.
世尊悉知已，當轉無上輪。』」
Having fully known these, the World-Honored One should turn the supreme wheel.'"
佛告諸比丘：「大通智勝佛得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提時，十方各五百萬億諸佛世界六種震動，其國中間幽冥之處，日月威光所不能照，而皆大明。其中眾生，各得相見，鹹作是言：『此中雲何忽生眾生，又其國界、諸天宮殿乃至梵宮，六種震動，大光普照，遍滿世界，勝諸天光？』
The Buddha told the bhikshus: "When the Buddha Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu attained supreme perfect enlightenment, in each of the ten directions five hundred myriad kotis of buddha worlds shook in six ways, and in the dark, obscure places between those lands, where the majestic light of sun and moon could not reach, there was great brightness everywhere. The living beings there could see one another, and all said: 'How is it that living beings have suddenly arisen here? Moreover, the realms of this land, the palaces of the devas, and even the palaces of Brahma shake in six ways, and a great light shines everywhere and fills the world, surpassing the light of the devas.'
「爾時東方五百萬億諸國土中，梵天宮殿光明照曜，倍於常明。諸梵天王各作是念：『今者宮殿光明，昔所未有。以何因緣而現此相？』是時諸梵天王，即各相詣，共議此事。時彼眾中，有一大梵天王，名救一切，為諸梵眾而說偈言：
(The Buddha continued:) "At that time, in the five hundred myriad kotis of lands in the east, the palaces of the Brahma heavens shone brilliantly, twice as bright as usual. The Brahma heavenly kings each thought: 'The light of our palaces today has never been seen before. By what cause and condition does this sign appear?' Thereupon the Brahma heavenly kings went to one another and discussed this matter together. Among that assembly was a great Brahma heavenly king named Saviour of All, who spoke in verse to the Brahma host:
「『我等諸宮殿，光明昔未有，
"'The light of all our palaces has never been seen before;
此是何因緣，宜各共求之。
by what cause and condition is this? Let us each seek it together.
為大德天生，為佛出世間，
Has a deva of great virtue been born, or has a buddha appeared in the world?
而此大光明，遍照於十方。』
For this great light shines everywhere throughout the ten directions.'
「爾時五百萬億國土諸梵天王，與宮殿俱，各以衣裓，盛諸天華，共詣西方推尋是相。見大通智勝如來處於道場菩提樹下，坐師子座，諸天、龍王、乾闥婆、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人非人等恭敬圍繞，及見十六王子請佛轉法輪。即時諸梵天王頭面禮佛，繞百千匝，即以天華而散佛上——其所散華如須彌山；並以供養佛菩提樹——其菩提樹高十由旬。華供養已，各以宮殿奉上彼佛，而作是言：『唯見哀愍，饒益我等。所獻宮殿，願垂納受。』時諸梵天王，即於佛前，一心同聲以偈頌曰：
(The Buddha continued:) "At that time the Brahma heavenly kings of the five hundred myriad kotis of lands, together with their palaces, each filled the folds of their garments with heavenly flowers and went together to the west to seek out this sign. They saw the Tathagata Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu at the site of the Way beneath the Bodhi tree, seated on the lion seat, reverently surrounded by devas, dragon kings, gandharvas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans, and saw the sixteen princes asking the Buddha to turn the Dharma wheel. At once the Brahma heavenly kings bowed with heads and faces to the Buddha, circled him a hundred thousand times, and scattered heavenly flowers over the Buddha; the flowers they scattered were like Mount Sumeru. They also offered them to the Buddha's Bodhi tree, which was ten yojanas high. After offering flowers, each presented his palace to that Buddha, saying: 'We beg you to have compassion for us and benefit us. May you deign to accept the palaces we offer.' Then the Brahma heavenly kings, before the Buddha, with one mind and one voice, spoke in verse:
「『世尊甚希有，難可得值遇，
"'The World-Honored One is extremely rare, hard to encounter,
具無量功德，能救護一切。
possessing immeasurable merit, able to save and protect all.
天人之大師，哀愍於世間，
Teacher of devas and humans, pitying the world,
十方諸眾生，普皆蒙饒益。
all living beings of the ten directions are universally benefited.
我等所從來，五百萬億國，
We come from five hundred myriad kotis of lands,
捨深禪定樂，為供養佛故。
giving up the joy of deep dhyana concentration in order to make offerings to the Buddha.
我等先世福，宮殿甚嚴飾，
By our merit from former lives, our palaces are splendidly adorned;
今以奉世尊，唯願哀納受。』
now we offer them to the World-Honored One; we only pray that you will compassionately accept them.'
「爾時諸梵天王偈讚佛已，各作是言：『唯願世尊轉於法輪，度脫眾生，開涅槃道。』時諸梵天王，一心同聲而說偈言：
(The Buddha continued:) "At that time the Brahma heavenly kings, having praised the Buddha in verse, each said: 'We only pray that the World-Honored One will turn the Dharma wheel, liberate living beings, and open the path to nirvana.' Then the Brahma heavenly kings, with one mind and one voice, spoke in verse:
「『世雄兩足尊，唯願演說法，
"'Hero of the world, honored one among two-legged beings, we only pray that you will expound the Dharma,
以大慈悲力，度苦惱眾生。』
with the power of great compassion, to liberate suffering and distressed living beings.'
「爾時大通智勝如來默然許之。
(The Buddha continued:) "At that time the Tathagata Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu silently assented.
「又，諸比丘！東南方五百萬億國土諸大梵王，各自見宮殿光明照曜，昔所未有，歡喜踴躍，生希有心，即各相詣，共議此事。時彼眾中有一大梵天王，名曰大悲，為諸梵眾而說偈言：
(The Buddha continued:) "Moreover, bhikshus! The great Brahma kings of the five hundred myriad kotis of lands in the southeast each saw the light of their palaces shining brilliantly, as never before, and leaped with joy and gave rise to a mind of wonder, and at once went to one another and discussed this matter together. Among that assembly was a great Brahma heavenly king named Great Compassion, who spoke in verse to the Brahma host:
「『是事何因緣，而現如此相？
"'By what cause and condition is this matter, that such a sign appears?
我等諸宮殿，光明昔未有。
The light of all our palaces has never been seen before.
為大德天生？為佛出世間？
Has a deva of great virtue been born? Has a buddha appeared in the world?
未曾見此相，當共一心求。
We have never seen this sign; let us seek it together with one mind.
過千萬億土，尋光共推之，
Passing through a thousand myriad kotis of lands, let us follow the light and investigate it together;
多是佛出世，度脫苦眾生。』
most likely a buddha has appeared in the world to liberate suffering beings.'
「爾時五百萬億諸梵天王與宮殿俱，各以衣裓盛諸天華，共詣西北方推尋是相。見大通智勝如來處於道場菩提樹下，坐師子座，諸天、龍王、乾闥婆、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人非人等恭敬圍繞，及見十六王子請佛轉法輪。時諸梵天王頭面禮佛，繞百千匝，即以天華而散佛上——所散之華如須彌山，並以供養佛菩提樹。華供養已，各以宮殿奉上彼佛，而作是言：『唯見哀愍，饒益我等。所獻宮殿，願垂納受。』爾時諸梵天王即於佛前，一心同聲以偈頌曰：
(The Buddha continued:) "At that time the Brahma heavenly kings of the five hundred myriad kotis, together with their palaces, each filled the folds of their garments with heavenly flowers and went together to the northwest to seek out this sign. They saw the Tathagata Mahabhijna-jnanabhibhu at the site of the Way beneath the Bodhi tree, seated on the lion seat, reverently surrounded by devas, dragon kings, gandharvas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans, and saw the sixteen princes asking the Buddha to turn the Dharma wheel. At that time the Brahma heavenly kings bowed with heads and faces to the Buddha, circled him a hundred thousand times, and scattered heavenly flowers over the Buddha; the flowers they scattered were like Mount Sumeru, and they also offered them to the Buddha's Bodhi tree. After offering flowers, each presented his palace to that Buddha, saying: 'We beg you to have compassion for us and benefit us. May you deign to accept the palaces we offer.' Then the Brahma heavenly kings, before the Buddha, with one mind and one voice, spoke in verse:
「『聖主天中王，迦陵頻伽聲，
"'Holy lord, king among the devas, with a voice like the kalavinka (bird of wondrous voice),
哀愍眾生者，我等今敬禮。
you who have compassion for living beings, we now bow in reverence.