Baratani

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

According to the Victorious One's prophecy that the teachings would spread further and further north, the precious Dharma of [[Statement and Realization later on moved from the Noble Land to this country of Tibet where, until this present time, it has remained without waning. Filled with innumerable special representations of body, speech, and mind, such as the Twin Buddhas, this land is in many ways most wonderous, for example, being covered with temples and congregations of the Sangha. This demonstrates the exaltedness of the land where the Buddhadharma is present.

The Twin Buddhas, means the representatives of the Buddha--the two Jowo Shakyamuni statues in Lhasa. These two statues were said to have been enshrined in the upper stories of the stupa in Bodhgaya. Later these were brought to Tibet by the two brides to be married to King Songtsen Gampo. Today, one is situated in the Jokhang Temple and the other in the Ramochey Temple in Lhasa.

As for "Statement 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