CHAPTER II
The Division Bodies Gather
At that time the division bodies of Earth
Store Bodhisattva began gathering in the Palace of the Trayastrimsha
Heaven from billions of inexpressible, unutterable, immeasurable,
ineffable, limitless Asamkhyeyas of worlds. They came from
wherever hells were found.
Due to the spiritual powers of the Thus Come
One, each came from his own direction and was joined by billions
of nayutas of those who had obtained liberation from the
force of bad karma. All came holding incense and flowers as offerings
to the Buddha.
Those groups that came were irreversible from
Anuttara- samyaksambodhi because they had been taught and
transformed by Earth Store Bodhisattva.
For long eons they had wandered in birth and
death, undergoing suffering within the Six Paths without even
temporary respite. Now they had reached levels of Sagehood due
to the great compassion and deep vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva.
They felt joyful as they arrived at the Trayastrimsha
Heaven and gazed at the Thus Come One, their eyes not leaving
him for a moment.
At that time, the World Honored One stretched
forth his golden colored arm and rubbed the crowns of all the
division bodies of Earth Store Bodhisattva, Mahasattva, gathered
from billlons of Inexpressible, Inconceivable, immeasurable, ineffable,
limitless Asamkhyeyas of worlds, and said,
"I teach and transform obstinate beings such
as these within the evil worlds of the Five Turbidities, causing
their minds to be regulated and subdued so they renounce the deviant
and return to the proper.
But one or two of ten still cling to their
bad habits. For them I again divide into billions of bodies and
use numerous additional expedient means.
Those with keen roots will listen and immediately
believe. Those with good rewards will respond to exhortation and
strive to succeed. Those who are dark and dull will return only
after being taught for a long time. Those whose karma is heavy
fail to show any respect.
My division bodies take across and liberate
all those different kinds of beings. I may appear in a male body.
I may appear in a female body. I may appear in the body of a god
or dragon. I may appear in the body of a spirit or ghost. I may
appear as a mountain, as a forest, as a stream, as a spring, as
a river, as a lake, as a fountain, or as a well in order to benefit
people. I use all these ways to save beings.
I may appear in the body of God Shakra.
I may appear in the body of Lord Brahma.
I may appear in the body of a Wheel-Turning King.
I may appear in the body of a lay person.
I may appear in the body of a national leader.
I may appear in the body of a prime minister.
I may appear in the body of an official.
I may appear in the body of a Bhikshu, a Bhikshuni, an Upasaka,
an Upasika, and so forth to my appearing in the body of a Sound-hearer,
an Arhat, a Pratyekabuddha, or a Bodhisattva in order to teach
and rescue beings.
It is not that I only appear to them in the
body of a Buddha.
"Reflect on how I have toiled for repeated
eons and endured acute suffering to take across and free stubborn
beings who resist being taught and who continue to suffer for
their offenses.
Those not yet subdued undergo retributions
according to their karma. If they fall into the evil destinies
and are enduring tremendous suffering, then you should remember
the gravity of this entrustment I am now giving you here in the
palace of the Trayastrimsha Heaven:
Find ways to liberate all beings in the Saha
world from now until the time when Maitreya comes into the world.
Help them escape suffering forever, encounter Buddhas, and receive
predictions."
At that time all the division bodies of Earth
Store Bodhisattva that came from all those worlds merged into
single form. Then he wept and said to the Buddha, "Throughout
long eons I have been receiving the Buddha's guidance and from
that have developed inconceivable spiritual power and great wisdom.
My division bodies fill worlds as many as
grains of sand in billions of Ganges Rivers. In each of those
worlds, I transform myself into billions of bodies. Each body
takes across billions of people, helping them to return respectfully
to the Triple Jewel, escape birth and death forever, and reach
the bliss of Nirvana.
Even if their good deeds within the Buddhadharma
amount to as little as a strand of hair, a drop of water, a grain
of sand, or a mote of dust, I will gradually take them across,
liberate them, and help them gain great benefit.
I only hope that the World Honored One will
not be concerned about beings of the future who have bad karma.
" In that way he addressed the Buddha three times: "I only hope
that the World Honored One will not be concerned about beings
of the future who have bad karma."
At that time the Buddha praised Earth Store
Bodhisattva and said, "Excellent! Excellent! I will help you in
this work you so willingly undertake. When the vast vows that
you keep making throughout so many eons are fulfilled and all
those beings have been saved, then I will certify your ultimate
Bodhi."
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