Baratani

(Baratani) Re: Shakyamuni's Prophecy About Buddhism in Tibet

As for "Statements and Realization," flourishing in the Noble Land in the past, these teachings of the Buddha--the Dharma of Statements is the Three Collections (the Tripitaka), while the Dharma of Realization is the Three Trainings--were prophesied to spread further and further north. This is stated in the Sutra of Prajnaparamita in Eight Thousand Verses: [see The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines (RiBa) ]:

"Shariputra, later on these sutras endowed with the six paramitas, after the Tathagata has passed away, at the time when the sacred Dharma of the Vinaya teachings is being destroyed, will appear from the south when their essence is re-obtained. From the south thse will appear in Bartani. From Bartani, these will appear in the north. Shariputra, at this time, the ones who memorize this Prajnaparamita, who retain it, read it aloud, teach it, explain it, give the reading transmission of it, make it their daily recitation, or even make it into a scripture and keep it, such noble sons or daughters will be considered by the Tathagata. These ones are known by the Tathagata. Shariputra, these are blessed by the Tathagata. Shariputra, these are perceived by the Tathagata. Shariputra, these ones are seen by the Tathagata with his buddha eye."

Shariputra asked, "Blessed One, will this profound Prajnaparamita spread to the lands in the north and the areas in the north in the future times later on?"

The Blessed One said: "Shariputra, in the lands in the north and the areas in the north, the ones who listen to this profound Prajnaparamita and make this profound Paramita their practice will make it spread. Shariputra, the bodhisattva mahasattvas who listen to this profound Prajnaparamita, write it down, memorize it, retain it, read it, master it, read it aloud, teach it, explain it, give the reading transmission of it, make it their daily recitation, train in suchness, cultivate suchness, or make suchness their practice, are suitable to enter perfectly the vehicle before long."

Shariputra asked, "Blessed One, in the lands in the north and the areas in the north, will there be few or even numerous bodhisattva mahasattvas who will listen to this profound Prajnaparamita, write it down, memorize it, retain it, master it, read it aloud, teach it, explain it, give the reading transmission of it, make it their daily recitation, train in suchness, cultivate suchness, or make suchness their practice?"

The Blessed One said: "Shariputra, in the lands in the north and the areas in the north, will be many and extremely numerous bodhisattva mahasattvas."

The precious teachiongs of Buddha consist of Statement