Lotus Sutra of the Wondrous Dharma, Fascicle 3

我復於彼中，為說無上法。

I again among them teach the unsurpassed Dharma.

汝等不聞此，但謂我滅度。

You have not heard this, and only think I have passed away.

我見諸眾生，沒在於苦惱，

I see beings sunk in suffering and distress,

故不為現身，令其生渴仰，

So I do not show my body to them, to make them give rise to thirst and yearning,

因其心戀慕，乃出為說法。

And because their hearts are longing, I then come forth to teach the Dharma.

神通力如是，於阿僧祇劫，

Such is the power of my spiritual abilities, for asamkhyeya kalpas,

常在靈鷲山，及餘諸住處。

I am always on Vulture Peak and in other dwelling places.

眾生見劫盡，大火所燒時，

When beings see the kalpa ending and burning in a great fire,

我此土安隱，天人常充滿。

This land of mine is peaceful, and always filled with devas and humans.

園林諸堂閣，種種寶莊嚴，

Gardens, groves and halls and pavilions, adorned with all kinds of jewels,

寶樹多花菓，眾生所遊樂。

Jeweled trees with many flowers and fruits, where beings wander and take delight.

諸天擊天鼓，常作眾伎樂，

The devas beat heavenly drums and always make all kinds of music,

雨曼陀羅花，散佛及大眾。

Raining mandarava flowers, scattering them on the Buddha and the great assembly.

我淨土不毀，而眾見燒盡，

My pure land is not destroyed, yet the multitude see it burned up,

憂怖諸苦惱，如是悉充滿。

With anxiety, fear and all sufferings, thus all filled.

是諸罪眾生，以惡業因緣，

These sinful beings, through the causes and conditions of evil karma,

過阿僧祇劫，不聞三寶名。

Pass asamkhyeya kalpas without hearing the name of the Three Jewels.

諸有修功德，柔和質直者，

Those who cultivate merit, who are gentle and honest,

則皆見我身，在此而說法。

All see my body here, teaching the Dharma.

或時為此眾，說佛壽無量，

Sometimes for this assembly I tell that the Buddha's life is immeasurable,

久乃見佛者，為說佛難值。

And to those who see the Buddha only after a long time I tell that the Buddha is hard to meet.

我智力如是，慧光照無量，

Such is the power of my wisdom, my wisdom light shines without measure,

壽命無數劫，久修業所得。

My life is countless kalpas, attained by long cultivation.

汝等有智者，勿於此生疑，

You who are wise, do not give rise to doubt about this,

當斷令永盡，佛語實不虛。

Cut it off so that it is forever exhausted, for the Buddha's words are true and not false.

如醫善方便，為治狂子故，

As the physician, with skillful means, for the sake of curing his mad sons,

實在而言死，無能說虛妄。

Though alive said he was dead, and no one can say he lied.

我亦為世父，救諸苦患者，

I too am the father of the world, saving all from suffering,

為凡夫顛倒，實在而言滅。

For the sake of ordinary people who are upside down, though I am truly here I say I pass away.

以常見我故，而生憍恣心，

Because they would constantly see me, they would give rise to arrogance,

放逸著五欲，墮於惡道中。

Become negligent and attached to the five desires, and fall into evil paths.

我常知眾生，行道不行道，

I always know beings, who practice the path and who do not,

隨所應可度，為說種種法。

And according to what they are fit to be saved by, I teach all kinds of Dharma.

每自作是意，以何令眾生，

I always have this thought in myself: by what means may I enable beings

得入無上慧，速成就佛身。」

To enter the unsurpassed wisdom, and quickly attain a Buddha's body?"

爾時大會，聞佛說壽命劫數長遠如是，無量無邊阿僧祇眾生得大饒益。於時世尊告彌勒菩薩摩訶薩：「阿逸多！我說是如來壽命長遠時，六百八十萬億那由他恆河沙眾生，得無生法忍；復有千倍菩薩摩訶薩，得聞持陀羅尼門；復有一世界微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，得樂說無礙辯才；復有一世界微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，得百千萬億無量旋陀羅尼；復有三千大千世界微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，能轉不退法輪；復有二千中國土微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，能轉清淨法輪；復有小千國土微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，八生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有四四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，四生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有三四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，三生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有二四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，二生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有一四天下微塵數菩薩摩訶薩，一生當得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提；復有八世界微塵數眾生，皆發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。」

At that time, the great assembly, hearing the Buddha speak of the length of his life-span in kalpas as being so long and distant, countless, boundless asamkhyeyas of beings obtained great benefit. Then the World-Honored One said to Maitreya Bodhisattva Mahasattva: "Ajita! When I spoke of this long and distant life of the Tathagata, six hundred and eighty myriads of billions of nayutas of Ganges' sands of beings attained the forbearance of non-arising; again, a thousand times as many Bodhisattva Mahasattvas attained the dharani gate of hearing and holding; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of one world attained the unobstructed eloquence of delight in speaking; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of one world attained hundreds of thousands of myriads of billions of countless revolving dharanis; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of a three-thousand great-thousand world were able to turn the non-retreating Dharma wheel; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of two medium-sized lands were able to turn the pure Dharma wheel; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of a small thousand-world would attain unsurpassed, perfect awakening after eight more births; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of four four-continent worlds would attain unsurpassed, perfect awakening after four more births; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of three four-continent worlds would attain unsurpassed, perfect awakening after three more births; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of two four-continent worlds would attain unsurpassed, perfect awakening after two more births; again, Bodhisattva Mahasattvas as numerous as dust motes of one four-continent world would attain unsurpassed, perfect awakening after one more birth; again, beings as numerous as dust motes of eight worlds all gave rise to the mind of unsurpassed, perfect awakening."

佛說是諸菩薩摩訶薩得大法利時，於虛空中，雨曼陀羅華、摩訶曼陀羅華，以散無量百千萬億眾寶樹下、師子座上諸佛，並散七寶塔中師子座上釋迦牟尼佛及久滅度多寶如來，亦散一切諸大菩薩及四部眾。又雨細末栴檀、瀋水香等。於虛空中，天鼓自鳴，妙聲深遠。又雨千種天衣，垂諸瓔珞、真珠瓔珞、摩尼珠瓔珞、如意珠瓔珞，遍於九方。眾寶香爐燒無價香，自然周至，供養大會。一一佛上，有諸菩薩，執持幡蓋，次第而上，至於梵天。是諸菩薩，以妙音聲，歌無量頌，讚歎諸佛。

When the Buddha spoke of these Bodhisattva Mahasattvas attaining great Dharma benefit, in empty space mandarava flowers and great mandarava flowers rained down, scattering on the countless hundreds of thousands of myriads of billions of Buddhas seated on lion thrones beneath jeweled trees, and also on Shakyamuni Buddha seated on the lion throne in the seven-jeweled stupa and the Tathagata Prabhutaratna who had long ago passed away, and also on all the great Bodhisattvas and the four assemblies. Fine powdered sandalwood and aloeswood incense also rained down. In empty space, heavenly drums sounded of themselves, with wondrous sounds deep and far-reaching. Again a thousand kinds of heavenly robes rained down, with hanging necklaces, pearl necklaces, mani-jewel necklaces and wish-granting jewel necklaces, throughout the nine directions. Many jeweled incense burners burned priceless incense, which naturally spread everywhere as an offering to the great assembly. Above each Buddha were Bodhisattvas holding banners and canopies, rising in order up to Brahma Heaven. These Bodhisattvas, with wondrous voices, sang countless verses praising the Buddhas.

爾時彌勒菩薩從座而起，偏袒右肩，合掌向佛，而說偈言：

Then Maitreya Bodhisattva rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, pressed his palms together toward the Buddha, and spoke in verse:

「佛說希有法，昔所未曾聞，

"The Buddha has spoken a rare Dharma, never heard in the past,

世尊有大力，壽命不可量。

The World-Honored One has great power, and his life-span cannot be measured.

無數諸佛子，聞世尊分別，

Countless sons of the Buddha, hearing the World-Honored One's explanation,

說得法利者，歡喜充遍身。

Those who have gained the Dharma's benefit are filled with joy throughout their bodies.

或住不退地，或得陀羅尼，

Some abide in the stage of non-retreat, some attain dharanis,

或無礙樂說，萬億旋總持。

Some unobstructed delight in speaking, myriads of billions of revolving total-retention.

或有大千界，微塵數菩薩，

Some are Bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes of a great-thousand world,

各各皆能轉，不退之法輪。

Each of whom is able to turn the Dharma wheel of non-retreat.

復有中千界，微塵數菩薩，

Again, there are Bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes of a medium-thousand world,

各各皆能轉，清淨之法輪。

Each of whom is able to turn the Dharma wheel of purity.

復有小千界，微塵數菩薩，

Again, there are Bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes of a small-thousand world,

餘各八生在，當得成佛道。

Who each have eight births remaining, and will attain the Buddha path.

復有四三二，如此四天下，

Again, those with four, three or two births, as in the four continents,

微塵諸菩薩，隨數生成佛。

Bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes, according to their number of births will become Buddhas.

或一四天下，微塵數菩薩，

Or Bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes of one four-continent world,

餘有一生在，當成一切智。

Who have one birth remaining, will attain all-knowing wisdom.

如是等眾生，聞佛壽長遠，

Such beings, hearing the Buddha's life-span is long and distant,

得無量無漏，清淨之果報。

Gain countless, flawless, pure fruits of reward.

復有八世界，微塵數眾生，

Again, beings as numerous as dust motes of eight worlds,

聞佛說壽命，皆發無上心。

Hearing the Buddha speak of his life-span, all give rise to the unsurpassed mind.

世尊說無量，不可思議法，

The World-Honored One has spoken countless inconceivable teachings,