The response by Manjusri to Maitreya begins with:

The Lotus Sutra

Chapter 1, Introduction, Page 20

The verse response by Manjusri to Maitreya’s question

It begins with Manjusri speaking of the similarity of these signs with those of the first Buddha named Bright Lamp of the Sun & Moon.

Then Manjusri, wanting to reiterate the meaning of this to the assembly, spoke in verse, saying:

“I remember in ages past
Immeasurable countless eons ago
There was a Buddha, honored among men
Named Bright Lamp of the Sun and Moon.
This World Honored One taught of the Dharma
Liberating countless living beings
Incalculable millions of Bodhisattvas
Making them enter into the Buddha’s wisdom.”

Then Manjusri discusses the similarity with the last of the twenty thousand Buddhas Bright Lamp of the Sun & Moon. This is three parts: First, there is the similarity of the past with that which has already occurred:

“Before this Buddha left home
Eight princes were born to him.
Seeing their great noble father leave home
They followed him, cultivating the Brahma practice.”

The Brahma mind is the pure mind of meditation, or Samadhi (singleness of mind or singleness of thought). The four basic meditations (each being a deeper level of the Brahma mind) were known as the Brahma Heavens. This Brahma mind was the mind of worship, reverence and devotion, and was cultivated by the Brahman priests in the Vedic period through the practice of mantras, which yoke the cognitive thought of the mind to the deepest states of mental concentration. This discipline of yoking the cognitive functions of the mind with the deepest resources of one's spiritual being (the spiritual realm) was known as yoga (literally, 'yoking'). Sakyamuni practiced this meditation and encouraged his followers to do so in order to attain enlightenment.

Next there is the similarity of the past with what is happening in the present. This is the similarity in the manifesting of signs; First there are the similarity with the signs that are in this (material) world:

“Then the Buddha taught the Great Vehicle
A Sutra called Limitless Meanings.
Amongst the great multitude
He elaborated on it in great detail.
After the Buddha taught the Sutra
Seated cross-legged on throne of the Dharma
He entered into a Samadhi
Called The Sphere of Limitless Meanings.
Mandarava blossoms rained from heaven
Divine drums spontaneously sounded
Gods, dragons, demons and spirits
All offered service to this most honored among men.
In all the lands of the Buddha
The ground greatly trembled and shook
A ray of light emanated from the Buddha’s brow
Revealing a host of rare marvels.”

Next there is the similarity with the signs of the other (spiritual) world, in 6 parts; First there is seeing living beings in the six spiritual realms of Life & Death (Samsara):

“This ray of light lit up the east
Eighteen thousand lands of the Buddha
It revealed the host of living beings
The sphere of life & death, karma & retribution.
The many lands of the Buddha were seen
Adorned with a host of treasures
Colored with lapis lazuli and crystals.
From the shining of the Buddha’s ray of light
I also saw gods and men
Hosts of dragons, spirits and yaksas
Gandharvas and kinnaras
Each offering service to the Buddha.”

Second and third: Seeing the Buddhas and hearing the Dharma:

“I also saw The Ones That Have Come
Naturally attaining the path of enlightenment
Their bodies like mountains of gold
Most wonderful and majestic.
Just as in pure lapis lazuli
A pure golden image is best revealed
The World Honored One in His audience
Unfurls the deepest meaning of the Dharma.”

Fourth: Seeing the fourfold audience (the Sangha) attaining the path of enlightenment

“In each one of the lands of the Buddhas
There were countless hosts of disciples.
Because of the shining light of the Buddha
Their great assembly was completely visible.
Some of them were Bhiksus
In the mountains and forests
Diligently embracing the precepts of purity
As if they were protecting bright jewels.”

Fifth and Sixth: Seeing the cultivation of the Bodhisattva practices and Nirvana:

“I also saw Bodhisattvas
Practicing generosity, endurance and the like
They were as countless as the sands of the Ganges
Because of the shining light of the Buddha.
I also saw Bodhisattvas
Deeply entering into meditations
With body and mind serene and unstirring
Because they sought the supreme path.
I also saw Bodhisattvas
Understanding the Dharma & the aspect of serenity and extinction.
Each of them were in their own country and land
Teaching of the Dharma & seeking the path of enlightenment.”

Next: Similarities of the doubts and questions in the audience

“Then the fourfold assembly
Saw the Buddha Bright Lamp of the Sun and Moon
Manifesting great power of spiritual penetration
Their hearts all rejoiced
Each of them asking
What is the reason for these things?”

Next, the conclusion of the Manjusri's verse and the conclusion of the chapter.

Next Page Literature Home Page

Outline of the Chapter

Copyright Policy - Contact the Author at pj@tientai.net

Since July 9, 2001

FastCounter by bCentral