Lotus Sutra of the Wondrous Dharma, Fascicle 3

阿難面於佛前，自聞授記及國土莊嚴，所願具足，心大歡喜，得未曾有。即時憶念過去無量千萬億諸佛法藏，通達無礙，如今所聞，亦識本願。

Ananda, standing before the Buddha, heard himself given the prediction together with the adornments of his land, his wishes were fulfilled, his heart was greatly joyful, and he gained what he had never had. At once he recalled the Dharma treasuries of immeasurable thousands of ten thousand billions of Buddhas of the past, penetrating them without obstruction, just as what he now heard, and he also recognized his original vow.

爾時阿難而說偈言：

At that time Ananda spoke in verse:

「世尊甚希有，令我念過去，

"The World-Honored One is most rare, making me recall the past,

無量諸佛法，如今日所聞。

the Dharma of immeasurable Buddhas, as if heard today.

我今無復疑，安住於佛道，

I now have no more doubts, and abide securely in the Buddha Way;

方便為侍者，護持諸佛法。」

as an attendant by skillful means, I will protect and uphold the Buddhas' Dharma."

爾時佛告羅睺羅：「汝於來世當得作佛，號蹈七寶華如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊。當供養十世界微塵等數諸佛如來，常為諸佛而作長子，猶如今也。是蹈七寶華佛，國土莊嚴，壽命劫數，所化弟子，正法、像法，亦如山海慧自在通王如來無異，亦為此佛而作長子。過是已後，當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。」

At that time the Buddha said to Rahula: "In a future age you will become a Buddha, named Tathagata Saptaratnapadmavikrantagamin, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly and Universally Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. You will make offerings to Buddhas and Tathagatas as numerous as the dust motes of ten worlds, and always be the eldest son of the Buddhas, just as you are today. This Buddha Saptaratnapadmavikrantagamin's land adornments, life span in kalpas, disciples transformed, True Dharma and Semblance Dharma will be no different from those of the Tathagata King of Mountain-Sea Wisdom Sovereign Penetration, and you will also be the eldest son of that Buddha. After this, you will attain unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment."

爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：

At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:

「我為太子時，羅睺為長子，

"When I was a crown prince, Rahula was my eldest son;

我今成佛道，受法為法子。

now that I have attained the Buddha Way, he receives the Dharma and is my Dharma son.

於未來世中，見無量億佛，

In the future ages, he will see immeasurable billions of Buddhas,

皆為其長子，一心求佛道。

and be the eldest son of them all, single-mindedly seeking the Buddha Way.

羅睺羅密行，唯我能知之，

Rahula's secret practice only I can know;

現為我長子，以示諸眾生。

he now appears as my eldest son, to show all living beings.

無量億千萬，功德不可數，

His merits, immeasurable billions of thousands of ten thousands, cannot be counted;

安住於佛法，以求無上道。」

he abides securely in the Buddha's Dharma, seeking the unsurpassed Way."

爾時世尊見學、無學二千人，其意柔軟，寂然清淨，一心觀佛。佛告阿難：「汝見是學、無學二千人不？」

At that time the World-Honored One saw two thousand learners and non-learners, whose minds were gentle, still and pure, gazing at the Buddha with one mind. The Buddha said to Ananda: "Do you see these two thousand learners and non-learners?"

「唯然，已見。」

"Yes, I see them."

「阿難！是諸人等，當供養五十世界微塵數諸佛如來，恭敬尊重，護持法藏。末後同時於十方國各得成佛，皆同一號，名曰寶相如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊。壽命一劫。國土莊嚴，聲聞、菩薩，正法、像法、皆悉同等。」

"Ananda! These people will make offerings to Buddhas and Tathagatas as many as the dust motes of fifty worlds, respecting and honoring them, and protecting and upholding the Dharma treasury. In the end they will at the same time become Buddhas in the lands of the ten directions, all with one name, called Tathagata Ratnaketu, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly and Universally Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. Their life span will be one kalpa. Their land adornments, shravakas and Bodhisattvas, True Dharma and Semblance Dharma will all be equal."

爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：

At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:

「是二千聲聞，今於我前住，

"These two thousand shravakas, now dwelling before me,

悉皆與授記，未來當成佛。

are all given predictions that in the future they will become Buddhas.

所供養諸佛，如上說塵數，

The Buddhas they make offerings to will be as numerous as the dust motes just spoken of,

護持其法藏，後當成正覺。

they will protect and uphold their Dharma treasuries, and later attain perfect enlightenment.

各於十方國，悉同一名號，

In each of the lands of the ten directions, all will have the same name,

俱時坐道場，以證無上慧，

and at the same time sit at the site of the Way to realize unsurpassed wisdom,

皆名為寶相。國土及弟子，

all named Ratnaketu. Their lands and disciples,

正法與像法，悉等無有異。

True Dharma and Semblance Dharma, will all be equal without difference.

鹹以諸神通，度十方眾生，

All with their divine powers will save living beings of the ten directions,

名聞普周遍，漸入於涅槃。」

their names will be heard everywhere, and gradually they will enter nirvana."

爾時學、無學二千人，聞佛授記，歡喜踴躍，而說偈言：

At that time the two thousand learners and non-learners, hearing the Buddha's predictions, leapt with joy and spoke in verse:

「世尊慧燈明，我聞授記音，

"The World-Honored One's lamp of wisdom, we hear the sound of prediction,

心歡喜充滿，如甘露見灌。」

our hearts are filled with joy, as if bathed in sweet dew."

爾時世尊因藥王菩薩，告八萬大士：「藥王！汝見是大眾中，無量諸天、龍王、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人與非人，及比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，求聲聞者、求辟支佛者、求佛道者，如是等類，鹹於佛前，聞妙法華經一偈一句，乃至一念隨喜者，我皆與授記，當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。」

At that time the World-Honored One, speaking through Bhaishajyaraja Bodhisattva, said to the eighty thousand great beings: "Bhaishajyaraja! Do you see in this great assembly the immeasurable devas, dragon kings, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans, and bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas and upasikas, those who seek to be shravakas, those who seek to be pratyekabuddhas, and those who seek the Buddha Way? All such beings, who before the Buddha hear a single verse or a single phrase of the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra, or even give rise to one thought of joyful acceptance, I give them all a prediction that they will attain unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment."

佛告藥王：「又如來滅度之後，若有人聞妙法華經，乃至一偈一句，一念隨喜者，我亦與授阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記。若復有人受持、讀誦、解說、書寫妙法華經，乃至一偈，於此經卷敬視如佛，種種供養——華、香、瓔珞、末香、塗香、燒香，繒蓋、幢幡、衣服、伎樂，乃至合掌恭敬。藥王！當知是諸人等已曾供養十萬億佛，於諸佛所成就大願，愍眾生故，生此人間。

The Buddha said to Bhaishajyaraja: "Furthermore, after the Tathagata's extinction, if anyone hears the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra, even a single verse or a single phrase, and gives rise to one thought of joyful acceptance, I will also give that person a prediction of unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment. And if anyone receives, upholds, reads, recites, explains, or copies the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra, even a single verse, regards the scrolls of this sutra with reverence as the Buddha, and makes all kinds of offerings, flowers, incense, garlands, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, silk canopies, banners, clothing, music, or even joins palms in reverence, Bhaishajyaraja! know that these people have already made offerings to a hundred thousand billion Buddhas, and have fulfilled great vows in the presence of the Buddhas, and out of compassion for living beings have been born in this human world.

「藥王！若有人問：『何等眾生於未來世當得作佛？』應示：『是諸人等於未來世必得作佛。』何以故？若善男子、善女人，於法華經，乃至一句，受持、讀誦、解說、書寫，種種供養經卷——華、香、瓔珞、末香、塗香、燒香、繒蓋、幢幡、衣服、伎樂，合掌恭敬；是人，一切世間所應瞻奉，應以如來供養而供養之。當知此人是大菩薩，成就阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，哀愍眾生，願生此間，廣演分別妙法華經。何況盡能受持、種種供養者？

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! If anyone asks: 'What kinds of beings will become Buddhas in a future age?' You should show them: 'These people will surely become Buddhas in a future age.' Why? If a good man or good woman, in regard to the Lotus Sutra, even a single phrase, receives and upholds, reads, recites, explains, or copies it, and makes all kinds of offerings to the scrolls, flowers, incense, garlands, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, silk canopies, banners, clothing, music, and joins palms in reverence, that person should be looked up to and served by all the world, and should be offered to as one would make offerings to a Tathagata. Know that this person is a great Bodhisattva, who has accomplished unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment, and out of pity for living beings, has vowed to be born here and widely expound and explain the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra. How much more one who is able to receive and uphold it in full and make all kinds of offerings!

「藥王！當知是人自捨清淨業報，於我滅度後，愍眾生故，生於惡世，廣演此經。若是善男子、善女人，我滅度後，能竊為一人說法華經，乃至一句；當知是人則如來使，如來所遣，行如來事。何況於大眾中廣為人說？

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! Know that such a person has himself given up the reward of pure karma, and after my extinction, out of pity for living beings, is born in an evil age and widely expounds this sutra. If this good man or good woman, after my extinction, is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to even one person, even a single phrase, know that this person is a messenger of the Tathagata, sent by the Tathagata, performing the Tathagata's work. How much more one who widely expounds it to others in the great assembly?

「藥王！若有惡人，以不善心，於一劫中現於佛前，常毀罵佛，其罪尚輕；若人以一惡言，毀呰在家、出家讀誦法華經者，其罪甚重。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! If there is an evil person who, with an unwholesome mind, appears before the Buddha for a whole kalpa and constantly slanders and reviles the Buddha, his offense is still light; but if someone with a single evil word disparages a lay or ordained person who reads and recites the Lotus Sutra, his offense is very grave.

「藥王！其有讀誦法華經者，當知是人以佛莊嚴而自莊嚴，則為如來肩所荷擔。其所至方，應隨向禮，一心合掌，恭敬供養，尊重讚歎，華、香、瓔珞，末香、塗香、燒香，繒蓋、幢幡，衣服、餚饌，作諸伎樂，人中上供，而供養之，應持天寶而以散之，天上寶聚應以奉獻。所以者何？是人歡喜說法，須臾聞之，即得究竟阿耨多羅三藐三菩提故。」

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! One who reads and recites the Lotus Sutra, know that this person adorns himself with the Buddha's adornments and is carried on the Tathagata's shoulders. Wherever he goes, one should bow toward him, join palms with one mind, make offerings with reverence, honor and praise him, with flowers, incense, garlands, powdered incense, paste incense, burning incense, silk canopies, banners, clothing, delicacies, music, the finest offerings among humans, and one should offer to him, and one should scatter heavenly treasures over him, and heaps of heavenly treasures should be presented. Why? Because this person joyfully expounds the Dharma, and one who hears it for a moment attains ultimate, unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment."

爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：

At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:

「若欲住佛道，成就自然智，

"If one wishes to abide in the Buddha Way and attain natural wisdom,

常當勤供養，受持法華者。

one should always diligently make offerings to those who uphold the Lotus.

其有欲疾得，一切種智慧，

One who wishes quickly to attain all-knowing wisdom

當受持是經，並供養持者。

should uphold this sutra and also make offerings to those who uphold it.

若有能受持，妙法華經者，

If there are those who can receive and uphold the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra,

當知佛所使，愍念諸眾生。

know that they are sent by the Buddha, having compassion for all beings.

諸有能受持，妙法華經者，

All who can receive and uphold the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra

捨於清淨土，愍眾故生此。

have left the pure land and out of pity for beings are born here.

當知如是人，自在所欲生，

Know that such people are free to be born where they wish,

能於此惡世，廣說無上法。

and in this evil age can widely proclaim the unsurpassed Dharma.

應以天華香，及天寶衣服，

One should offer heavenly flowers and incense, and heavenly jeweled garments,

天上妙寶聚，供養說法者。

and heaps of wonderful heavenly treasures to those who expound the Dharma.

吾滅後惡世，能持是經者，

Those who in the evil age after my extinction can uphold this sutra

當合掌禮敬，如供養世尊。

should be bowed to with joined palms as if making offerings to the World-Honored One.

上饌眾甘美，及種種衣服，

Fine delicacies and sweet foods, and all kinds of garments,

供養是佛子，冀得須臾聞。

offer to this Buddha's child, hoping to hear him for a moment.

若能於後世，受持是經者，

If one can, in later ages, receive and uphold this sutra,

我遣在人中，行於如來事。

I send that person among humans to do the work of the Tathagata.

若於一劫中，常懷不善心，

If for one kalpa one constantly harbors an unwholesome mind