Chapter XXIII — Sakra (RiBa)

Chapter XXXII

~ENTRUSTING~

End of the Story of Sadaprarudita

In conjunction with acquisition of these six million concentration doors, the Bodhisattva Sadaprarudita sees the Buddhas and Lords, - in all ten directions in countless trichiliocosms - surrounded by congregations of monks, accompanied by multitudes of Bodhisattvas, teaching just this perfection of wisdom, through just these methods, in just these words, in just these letters, even as I just now in this great trichiliocosm demonstrate dharma, - surrounded by this congregation of monks, accompanied by multitudes of Bodhisattvas, and teaching just this perfection of wisdom, through just these methods, in just these words, in just these letters. He is endowed with inconceivable learning and a sacred knowledge vast as the ocean. In all his births he never again is deprived of the Buddha. He is reborn only in such places as he is face to face with Buddhas, the Lords. All unfortunate rebirths he abandoned, and he secured circumstances which allowed him to accomplish one auspicious rebirth after another.

The Perfection of Wisdom Entrusted to Ananda

The Lord hereby says to the Venerable Ananda: In this manner also do you know this perfection of wisdom as the one who nurses the cognition of the all-knowing in the Bodhisattvas. Here now, Ananda, a Bodhisattva who aspires to acquire cognition of the all-knowing courses in this perfection of wisdom, [528] hears this, takes this up, studys, spreads, repeats and writes this. Now, through Tathagatas sustaining power this is well written, in very distinct letters, in a great book, one honors, reveres, adores and worships this, with flowers, incense, scents, wreaths, unguents, aromatic powders, strips of cloth, parasols, banners, bells, flags and with rows of lamps all round, and with manifold kinds of worship. This is our admonition to you, Ananda. For in this perfection of wisdom the cognition of all-knowing is brought to perfection. What do you think, Ananda, is Tathagata your teacher?

Ananda: He is, O Lord.

The Lord: The Tathagata is your teacher, Ananda. You minister to me, Ananda, with friendly acts of body, acts of speech, acts of mind. Here now, Ananda, just as you give affection, faith and respect to me as I am at present in this incarnation, just so, Ananda, act after my decease towards this perfection of wisdom. For the second time, for the third time, I entrust and transmit to you this perfection of wisdom, so this does not disappear. No man is as suitable as you are. As long as this perfection of wisdom is observed in the world, one can be sure for so long does Tathagata abide in this, also for so long does Tathagata demonstrate dharma, and the beings in it are not lacking in vision of the Buddha, hearing of dharma, attendance of the Sangha. One knows these beings are living in presence of Tathagata who hear this perfection of wisdom, take this up, study, spread, repeat and write this, and who honor, revere, adore and worship this.

Thus spoke the Lord. Enraptured, the Bodhisattvas, headed by Maitreya, and the Venerable Subhuti, and the Venerable Ananda, and Sakra, Chief of Gods, and the entire world with its Gods, men, Asuras, Garudas and Gandharvas delighted in the Lord's teaching.

phyag 'tshal lo

Sarva Mangalam...

May All Beings Benefit...

On this 11th day, of this Earth Tiger Month, in this year of the Wood Bird was this menial task of setting this Holy Perfection of Wisdom to this site by the lowly servant 'jam dbyangs tshe ring - completed