Chapter 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Chapter 27: Praise of the Bodhisattva

When the Tathagata Sakyamuni speaks the Sutra of the Golden Light, countless bodhisattvas in the worlds in the ten directions also left their world systems to arrive at the Vulture’s Peak, to the place where the Blessed One is, and fall down to prostrate on the ground, they then bow down to the Buddha and one-mindedly, with different mouths but the same speech, praised:

The color of the Buddha’s form body

Glows with the color of Golden Light

Its light spreads throughout

Just like a real mountain of gold,

Which is pure and gentle,

Just like the lotus blossom

Iridescent with colors

And supreme decorations

The 32 good signs

Decorate His whole body

Together with 80 forms of beauty

Perfectly adorned, with bright luminescent light

None (people) are the same, and

As clear as the full moon.

His voice, among all sounds

Is very subtle

And has the authority of a thunder

Like the roaring of a lion,

With the 8 special qualities,

That correspond (adapt?) to all

Much more than the sound

Of the kalavinga sparrow etc.

You decorate your body form

With hundreds of merits

The perfect light that is stainless,

Your wisdom is clear and quiet

Just like the great ocean,

Your vast merits

Are like space.

The light shining to all world systems

In the ten directions.

You salvage countless sentient beings,

Depending on the causes and circumstances.

Love and attachment, even habits are exhausted,

The Dharma torch is ever burning

Never extinguished.

You pity all kinds of sentient beings

In the present and future

Giving them great joy and bliss,

You often speak about the supreme meaning of the path

And make them acquire

The true and pure Nirvana.

The Tathagata speaks of

The supreme Dharma

Which is like the dews of immortality

And offers the meaning (reason)

Of the miraculous dew of immortality

He leads beings to the castle

Of the dew of immortality of Nirvana,

And enables them to enjoy

The dew of immortality of Dharma bliss.

The Buddha often abides

In the sea of birth and death,

And free many sentient beings

From suffering

Buddha helps them stand firmly

On the blissful path,

Bringing about the joy

Of acquiring what one wishes for

Which is hard to measure (the joy)

The ocean of merits

(Is) Extremely wide and deep,

One cannot use examples to portray.

Buddha often generates the heart of great compassion

Towards sentient beings,

Often using various means to help them

Without stopping.

Buddha’s sea of wisdom

Has no (external) boundaries

Suppose human and devas

Together try to measure and estimate

(That sea) for thousands of eons

They are still unable to know,

And the little that they know

Is indeed little.

What we can summarily

Offer praise to Buddha’s virtues

Is just a droplet

Among that sea of merits,

We dedicate this mass of merit (from praising?)

To all sentient beings,

May we quickly attain

The miraculous fruit of enlightenment.

At that time, the Tathagata speaks to the bodhisattvas, how benign, you have skillfully offered such praise to the Tathagata’s virtues, benefitting sentient beings, and doing the work for the Tathagatas: eliminate countless wicked results, and generate countless good results.

Chapter 28: The Praise of Gentle Garland

At this time, the Gentle Garland bodhisattva stands up from his seat, lets bear the right shoulder, touches the right knee to the ground, and hold the palms together towards the Tathagata and praises:

The good body form of the Tathagata

With hundreds of perfect (completed) merits

And countless virtues

Adorn the Tathagata’s body

Pure as silver

And pleasing to behold

Buddha’s light shines forth

Just like a thousand suns

The light glows brightly

With all colors.

Buddha’s commanding good signs

Are just like a whole mass of precious gemstone (jade)

Just like the rising sun

Which shines brightly the whole space,

With its pink, white and special golden color.

And just like a golden mountain

Which spreads Its light

To everywhere

Hundreds of thousand world systems

And eliminate infinite sufferings

For sentient beings, bringing to them

The supreme joy and peace.

The whole and complete good signs of the Tathagata

Are very pure and solemn

Sentient beings like to behold

Without bore.

Buddha’s hair is soft and smooth

With a dark blue color

Like the pure black (honey?) bees

Which group on beautiful flowers.

(Buddha’s) Great bliss and great forgiving

Are very solemn

Great compassion and loving-kindness

Very complete,

Buddha’s supreme good signs

Decorate the body

These are formed by (and made up of)

The Bodhyanga.

Giving to sentient beings

Numerous merits

And let them abide in great peace and joy.

Buddha’s good signs

Are adorned with many wondrous virtues

As such, the light shines forth

To thousands of world systems

The light and good signs

Is ultimate and completely bright

As such, They are like the sun

Shining brightly, and hovering in space

And like mount Sumeru

Which has complete and whole merits

Its forms change in various places (biến thể cùng khắp)

In the worlds in the ten directions.

Buddha’s mouth is gold, and supremely beautiful

Very solemn and commanding.

Buddha’s teeth are white, uniform and close (one to another)

Just like snow and pearl

And the whole face of the Tathagata

Is unsurpassed, and peerless

Together with the white hair between Buddha’s eyes

Which curls to the right;

Shimmering white, fresh and gentle

Just like crystals

And like the moon

Which stays freely in space.

The Blessed One says to the Gentle Garland bodhisattva, your praise of the virtues of Buddha is inconceivable, and capable of benefitting sentient beings, making those who have not previously known conform and cultivate their virtues.

Chapter 29: The praise of the Bodhi Upholding goddess

At this time, the Bodhi Upholding goddess also speaks the following verses to praise the Tathagata.

I bow down to the one

Whose wisdom is extremely pure

I bow down to the one

Whose wisdom often wishes to attain the Righteous Dharma

I bow down to the one

Whose wisdom separates Itself from unrighteousness

I bow down to the one

Whose wisdom forever surpasses all distinction (differentiate)

The virtues that have no boundaries are rare

Just as rare and hard to see

As the Udambala flowers

As rare as the ocean

Which protects (and abides by) the lord of mountains,

Rare is the light that has no quantities

Rare are the vows of great compassion

Rare is the light that surpasses the ocean

You speak of this Sutra,

The gem among all Sutras

Which often thinks of ways to benefit

All sentient beings.

Demonstrate the Emptiness

Of the sense of fixed meditation

Enter into emptiness

The fort of Nirvana,

Abide in emptiness

All methods of Universal dharani (pháp đẳng trì)

Consummate the emptiness (vắng lặng)

Of the profound realm

Abide in the supreme Emptiness

And see even oneself as empty,

Also see that the Dharma,

Are all empty in nature,

Also see sentient beings as empty.

I often think of

The Tathagata,

I often like to look at

The Tathagata,

I am often keen on

The Tathagata

I often meet

The Sun of the Tathagata (comparison)

I often bow down

To the Tathagata

I crave to make a vow

My mind will never leave (abandon)

I am moved to tears,

And my thought is uninterrupted,

I vow to serve

With an untiring heart.

May the Blessed One

Generate the thought of great compassion

And enable me to frequently see

The appearance of the Tathagata,

I pray that the Tathagata

Together with the Pure retinues

Will often salvage

Countless human and devas

Your Body is transparent and bright

Just like space

And the transformed body is like

Illusions, moon (image) in the water

Pray the Tathagata please speak

The dews of immortality of Nirvana,

To generate the mass of merits

The pure realm of the Tathagata,

Compassion, righteous virtues

Are all inconceivable;

Hearers and Solitary Enlightened ones

Are unable to understand, (measure)

And the bodhisattvas

Also cannot conceive it thoroughly

Pray the Tathagata, please love

And sympathize with me (keep me in Your mind),

Please make me often see

The body of the Great Compassionate One.

I use my 3 habits (speech, mind, body)

To worship the Great Compassionate One

Untiringly

May I quickly be liberated

From birth and death

And return to Suchness.

When the Tathagata has heard these verses of praise, He uses the voice of Brahma to say to the Bodhi Upholding goddess, how benign, goddess; goddess can have such words of praise to benefit oneself and others like this; you have praised the wondrous form of the Tathagata’s Dharma body, the true body, not one that is false, and (is) one that is very pure. Thanks to the merits that come from these praises, you will quickly attain the Unsurpassed Enlightenment, and also make sentient beings cultivate their virtues just like goddess does. Whoever listens to this praise will enter into the sweet dews of immortality, and the door of Non-birth.

Chapter 30: The praise of the Sarasvati goddess

At this time, the Great Heavenly Eloquent goddess stands up from her seat, holds the palms together respectfully and uses the following words to praise the Tathagata:

I now down to You, the Sakyamuni Buddha, the Tathagata, Arhat, Perfect and Complete Buddha, the one whose body has a golden color, a neck like nacre, a face like the moon, eyes like the blue lotus, mouth and lips as red and beautiful as crystal. Your nose is high, long and straight, just like the tip of gold. Your teeth are white, uniform and close together, just like the white lotuses. The light from Your body shines forth like hundreds of thousand suns. The color of that light is like the gold in the Jambudvipa world.

You often speak with certainty and truth; open the three doors of liberation and the three paths of enlightenment. Your mind is often pure, and so is your liking. The place where you live and the place where you walk are also pure. Not wanting in authority and solemnity, your movement is also without a fault. You undergo arduous activities for 6 years, and turn the wheel of Dharma 3 times, you help sentient beings who are suffering from misery, and make them return to the shore of enlightenment and knowledge. Your body form is just like the Cau da great tree. 6 levels of cultivating virtues; and your 3 habits (speech, etc.) are perfect. Sufficient with the Buddha’s knowledge, consummate the benefits for oneself and others. Whatever you speak is directed towards sentient beings. You do not speak meaninglessly (without a purpose), you are the great lion of the Sakya lineage. Fortified, courageous, complete the 8 methods of salvations.

Today, with my limited ability, I praise a small portion of the Tathagata’s virtues. The deed that I did is just like a water mosquito (attempt) drinking the water of the great ocean. However, I now dedicate this merit to all sentient beings, and pray that we together will be free from cyclic existence, and accomplished the Unsurpassed Method.

The Tathagata says to Sarasvati, how benign, goddess; you have cultivated virtues for a long time, and you have great eloquence; now you have presented your praise to the Tathagata. Thanks to this act, you will quickly attain the supreme method, having complete and bright good forms, and benefit all.

Chapter 31: Confer the king of Sutra

At this time, the Tathagata speaks in general to the assembly, with its countless bodhisattvas, human and devas, you should know that the Tathagata has undergone arduous activities in countless great eons, and thanks to this, Buddha has acquired the profound Dharma- the Dharma that acts as an essential factor for the Bodhi wisdom, and now, I have spoken to you about this Dharma. Who amongst you can have the courage and will to respectfully maintain and keep that Method? When the Tathagata has entered into Nirvana, who can spread and expound this Sutra, making It abide long in this world?

At this time, in the assembly, there are 60 kotis bodhisattvas and 60 kotis devas, with different mouth yet the same speech who say as followed, Blessed One, each and every one of us will always rejoice, will always be keen on this profound Method; we will not spare our lives in maintaining It- The method which is the essential factor in attaining the Bodhi wisdom, one which the Tathagata has acquired only after He has undergone arduous activities for countless great eons. When the Tathagata has entered into Nirvana, we will expound and propagate that Method, and make It abide long in this world. The great bodhisattvas speak to the Tathagata in the following verses:

The Tathagata speaks the truth

And abide in the true Dharma:

Just this truth will protect this Sutra.

Great compassion as the armor,

Great loving-kindness as the footing:

The might of that compassion and loving-kindness.

Will protect and sustain this Sutra.

When the reasoning (tư lương) of merits is consummated

The reasoning of wisdom will be born

Just that whole and complete consummation

Will protect and sustain this Sutra.

Subduing all kinds of wicked Mara,

Eliminating all kinds of wicked, evil teachings,

Eliminating all wicked views,

These will protect and sustain this Sutra.

The Protectors of the world, and Indra

The Brahma king together with the 8 classes (of Yaksa?)

Such gods and devas

Will protect and sustain this Sutra.

Often abiding long

On earth and in void space

Respectfully listening to the words of the Buddha

To protect and sustain this Sutra.

Adapting (correspond) to the 4 Brahma abiding (Thích ứng bốn phạn trú)

Decorating the 4 Noble Truths,

Vanquishing the 4 kinds of Mara.

These will protect and sustain this Sutra.

Void air can become matters

Matters can become void air

Yet the Dharma that the Buddhas keep

Cannot shift and chage.

When the four Protectors (Heavenly Kings) of the world have listened to the request from the Tathagata to protect the Dharma, everyone rejoices and protects that Dharma, at the same time, they spoke these verses:

We and our relatives,

Will one-mindedly protect and sustain

This Dharma Sutra

And we will propagate It wide and far.

Whoever upholds this Sutra

As the cause (seed) for Bodhi

 We from all directions

Will protect and serve that person

.

Indra respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

When the Tathagata has attained this Method,

He wishes to repay the kindness

So Buddha speaks this Sutra

To benefit bodhisattvas.

I often think of ways to repay Buddha’s kindness

Thus I will protect this Sutra

And those who uphold this Sutra.

The Tushita deva’s son respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

The Tathagata speaks of this Sutra,

Whoever upholds It

Will abide on the altar of wisdom

And will be born to the Tushita heaven.

Blessed One, I rejoice in leaving behind

The bliss of the deva’s world

To praise this king of Sutra

In the Jambudvipa world.

The Brahma king of the Saha world system respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

Countless Samadhi and meditation (doors)

And all liberation (doors)

All come forth from this Sutra,

As such, One must speak of this Sutra.

In the place where this Sutra is spoken

I will abandon my joy

To listen to this Sutra

And often protect that place.

The son of Mara king called Traders respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

Anyone who upholds this Sutra-

The Sutra that accords with the righteous practice (and virtues)

Will not be bothered by Mara

And will themselves eliminate the karma (habits) of Mara

As such, I also protect this Sutra.

We will exert great efforts

To spread this Teaching, wherever we are.

The Mara king respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

Anyone who upholds this Sutra,

Suppressing defilements,

Such people like these

I will protect.

Anyone who expounds this Sutra

Will not be harmed by the wicked Mara;

Under the might of the Tathagata

I will offer them protection.

The Gentle Auspicious deva’s son also speak the following verses in front of the Tathagata:

The wisdom of the Tathagata

Is spoken of in this Sutra,

As such, anyone who upholds this Sutra

Makes offerings to the Tathagata at the same time.

I will uphold this Sutra

And expound It to the devas

Whoever respects and listen

I will encourage them to reach Bodhi.

The bodhisattva Maitreya respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

For those who stand firmly

In the nature of Bodhi (enlightenment)

I will become their uninvited friend;

I will even give up my life

To protect the king of Sutra.

Having listened to this Method

I will return to the Tushita heaven

And under the sustaining might of the Tathagata

Will speak to the devas (about this Sutra).

The great Ca Yip ba the Supreme respectfully holds the palms together and says the following verses:

The Tathagata has said

That I am weak in wisdom,

Thus, I will do as I can

And protect this Sutra.

I will accept those

Who can uphold this Sutra,

I will grant them unhindered speech

Together with unhindered eloquence,

And I will often rejoice,

Praising: how benign.

The Venerable Ananda holds the palms together towards the Tathagata and says the following verses:

I have directly heard from the Tathagata

Countless Sutras

Yet I have never listened

To the King of Sutra.

When I have listened to this Sutra

It is hearing from You. (là thân nghe trước Ngài)

Whoever loves wisdom

I will expound this Sutra for them.

At this time, the Tathagata sees that the bodhisattvas, devas and human, together with the whole assembly, (they all) generate the thought of expounding and protecting this king of Sutra, and encourage the bodhisattvas (to keep practicing), and benefit sentient beings. Thus the Tathagata praise: Excellent, you can sincerely expound this king of Sutra so, even when the Tathagata has entered into Nirvana, (you?) vowing to not let this Sutra disappear. This work is the essential and most important factor to attain Unsurpassed Enlightenment, and the merits acquired will last for countless eons.  The four types of Disciples of the Tathagata, and other sons or daughter of the lineage, should make offering, respect, copy, spread and explain the meaning of this king of Sutra, the merits that you acquire is as such. Thus, the assembly should diligently practice the encouragement of the Tathagata.

At this time, when the assembly has heard the Teaching of the Tathagata, everyone was greatly rejoiced, accept and practice accordingly. 

Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Sacrificing (offering) one’s life

When the Tathagata has spoken about the story of the 10000 devas, the Tathagata continues to speak to the Bodhi Upholding goddess and the assembly: in the past, when the Tathagata was still on the path of a bodhisattva, the Tathagata not only gave water and food to save the school of fish, but the Buddha also offered His life. Such a phenomenon should be known together.

At this time, the Tathagata- the Arhat, Unsurpassed Buddha, the Master of human and devas, the one whose hundreds and thousands rays of light shine forth in the worlds in the 10 directions, Knower of the world, the one who completes great merits- leads the monks and the whole assembly to the residential area called Bajara, and from there enters a forest. The land here is flat, free from thorns; there spring up many renowned kinds of flowers; soft grass grows all over the earth surface. The Tathagat says to the Venerable Ananda: do make a seat for the Tathagata under the trunk of that tree, The Venerable carries is out and says to the Blessed One: I have already arranged a sitting place, may the Tathagata tell me when the time is suitable. The Tathagata then sits cross-legged on that place, his body is up straight, and with mindfulness, he ask of the monks: do you wish to see the relics of the ancient bodhisattva who underwent arduous activities? The monk replies, Blessed One, we wish to. The Tathagata then uses his hand with hundreds of solemn merits and presses on the ground. Immediately, the whole world trembles in six ways, and cracks apart, and a stupa made of the 7 precious substances appears, on the top of this stupa are covered nets of pearls and jewels attached to it. The whole assembly sees this and regards it as very rare. The Tathagata then stands up from his seat, pays homage to the stupa, walks around the stupa on the right side, and goes back to his seat. He then tells the Venerable Ananda to open the door of the stupa. When the Venerable does that, he sees that there is a box made of the 7 precious substances, greatly adorned with many rare kinds of jewels. The Venerable speaks to the Tathagata: there is a box made of the 7 precious substances, decorated with many kinds of gems. The Tathagata tells him to open it; the Venerable obeys, and opens it; when he opens, he sees that there are white relics, just like the white agate, like white snow and the white lotus. The Venerable says to the Tathagata: there are relics in the box, which have extraordinary color and beauty. The Tathagata tells him to bring the relics of the great bodhisattva here, and the Venerable Ananda take the relics and respectfully hand it to the Blessed One. The Blessed One holds the relics in his hand and speaks to the monks, do take a look at the relics of the bodhisattva who undergoes arduous activities. He then speaks in verses:

The great virtues of the Bodhisattva

Correspond with having wisdom,

He is courageous and constantly exerting efforts

And able to consummate the 6 realms

He often cultivates virtues, without stopping,

All just for the great Enlightenment.

He does not leave (the mind of) fortitude

 And his mind is never tired

Monks, you should together bow down in homage to the bodhisattva’s relics. These relics are fumed (supported) by infinite perfumes of (the precepts of) great wisdom and meditation, it is the supreme field of merits, and extremely hard to see. The monks, together with the whole assembly one-mindedly hold the palms together and respectfully bow down to those relics, praising: excellence, how rare! At this time, the Venerable Ananda walks forward to the Tathagata and bows down to his feet, saying, Blessed One, You are the great master, surpassing all, and You are venerated by all sentient beings; (then) why do you bow down to this Relics? The Blessed One says, Venerable Ananda, thanks to these Relics, the Tathagata has quickly attained Unsurpassed Enlightenment. To repay the past kindness, Buddha bows down (to the Relics). The Tathagata also says, Ananda, I will speak to you about the past story of these Relics, so that all your doubt, and the doubt of the whole assembly, will be eliminated. You should ruminate on this, and one-mindedly listen. The Venerable Ananda says: we wish to listen. May the Blessed One speak to us (about the history of these Relics)

The Blessed One says, Venerable Ananda, in the past there was a king named Great Chariot, he was very rich, having many properties; his whole stores were always abundant and filled up; his armies were strong and mighty, earning great respect from all. The king also used the Dharma to teach those who are less fortunate. The people are populous, and there were no enemies to that kingdom. The Queen gave birth to 3 sons, who were all handsome, solemn, and good-looking. The Eldest Prince was named Mahabala, the second eldest was named Mahadeba, and the youngest was Mahasatva. At this time, the king travelled to the forest, and the three Princes followed as his retinues. They were busy looking for fruit and flowers, thus, the three Princes were separated (from the king?); they wandered about the bamboo forest and rested here. The Eldest Prince said: I feel insecure, are there wild beasts in this forest who want to harm us? The second eldest Prince said: I have never held on to my body; I am just afraid of the sorrow of those who are close to me (when I am gone). The youngest Prince said to his two Elder brothers:

This is the dwelling place of fairies

I am not afraid, not even of the suffering

Caused by being separated from my loved ones

My body and mind

Are suffused with great bliss

This is the sign that there will be

Supreme and Distinctive merits and virtues

(To be acquired)

When the three Princes had spoken about their feelings and premonitions, they walked forward, and saw a tiger which had just given birth to 7 cubs. Since the mother tiger had just given birth (to the cubs), and was surrounded by its youngsters, it suffered greatly from thirst and hunger; its body was thin and emaciated, as if about to die. The first Prince said: this tiger is really pitiful, since it was surrounded by its youngsters, and was unable to look for food. It must be so hungry that it might even eat its cubs. The Satva Prince asked his brother, what does this mother tiger often eat? The Eldest one spoke to him:

Tigers, leopards, wolves and lions

Only eat hot-blooded creatures

And nothing else

To overcome this hunger

When the second eldest Prince heard this, he said: this tiger is about to die, but how can we look for the food like what you have said? Who wants to give up one’s life for the sake of this tiger (his predicament)? The Eldest Prince said: There is nothing harder than giving up one’s life. The Satva Prince said, we hold on to this life, and have no wisdom, not being able to give anyone else some benefits. However, the great bodhisattvas have the heart of compassion, often giving up one’s life for the sake of others. The Prince Satva then thought to himself, this body of mind has been thrown away and left to rot for hundreds of thousands of eons, yet not bringing about a single benefit to anyone, why may I not give up this life to save the tigress from hunger. All the 3 (2?) Princes, having spoken the above words, showed great pity and worry for the hungry tigress, they looked at the tigress, not knowing what to do and so they left. However, the Satva Prince thought to himself incessantly: now is just the time for me to abandon this body. Why?

Since a long time ago in the past

I have held on to this body

The body is which belching and impure

I am unable to love it

I have offered beds to lie on

Together with clothes, chariots

And all kinds of precious items

Yet this body still decays,

Because it is impermanent

One is unable to be satisfied

With what one wishes (to have for this body)

And even if one holds on to this body

It still perishes.

I nourish it so

And now, it still comes back to harm me

And then abandons me,

Not knowing anything about gratitude!

Moreover, this body is not permanent; it is useless to me. This body is as fearful as the enemy, as stained and impure as manure. Today, I command it to work for a great cause. In the great sea of birth and death, it must be the great vessel. It must abandon cyclic existence and reach liberation. The prince also thought: when one abandons this body, one also abandons much sickness and terrors. This body only has decomposition. It is as fragile as water bubbles. It is the gathering place of worms and maggots; it lives only because of the connections between ligaments, bones, blood and veins. As such, I should abandon it, to pray for the Supreme Nirvana and the great salvation. In there, one forever abandons impermanence, birth-death and the suffering of cyclic existence. That place is cultivated by the might that comes from meditation and wisdom, solemn with hundreds of virtues and merits. That place consummates the Supreme Knowledge, attaining the miraculous Dharma body. When one has accomplished and attained such qualities, one then give to sentient beings boundless joy that comes from the Dharma. The Prince Satva at this time generated the thought of great courage and strength; he made great vows, and fortified himself (his mind) with great compassion. However, he was afraid that his two brothers might grow attached and worried, and thus stop him. Thus, he said, my two brothers please go first, and I will follow awhile. The Prince Mahasatva then returned to the forest, to the place where the hunger tigress was; he then took off his clothes and hang them on the bamboo trees and make a vow:

For the sake of sentient beings

As numerous as contained in the whole worlds

I pray for the Unsurpassed Enlightenment

And great Wisdom

I now generate the thought of great compassion,

Which is unswerving

And I will abandon the body

That the lay people held on to.

The Bodhi place is free from all heat

Whoever is wise likes It much.

All kinds of sentient beings,

Who are in the great sea of sufferings

May I liberate them,

And raise them to Enlightenment.

When the Prince has made those vows, he then lay prostrate in front of the tigress. However, the might of great compassion of the bodhisattva prevented the tigress from doing anything. Seeing so, the bodhisattva then ran to a high mountain top and threw himself down, yet still he did not die; it was due to the support of gods and fairies. The Prince thought, the tigress must be really hungry, thus it cannot even devour me. He stood up and looked for a knife, but could not find any. He then took dry bamboo sticks and stabbed through his throat to bleed himself, and walked to the place of the tiger. At this time, the great earth trembled in six ways, just like the wind agitating the water, the earth shook up and down continuously. The sun did not shine, just as if it had been covered by Rakula. Everywhere, there was darkness, without any light. The devas scattered renowned flowers and wondrous perfumes all over the forests. In mid space, when they saw such scenes, they praised: How rare and benign, great being! They spoke in the following verses:

The great one has generated great compassion

To save the animals,

He looks at all sentient beings

Just like his only child;

Strong and rejoiced

He does not regret

Giving up his life,

This is truly inconceivable and hard to measure

You will definitely reach

The supreme permanent truth

And be released from cyclic existence

Together with all its bonds;

You will quickly attain

The supreme Knowledge of Enlightenment,

Which is quiet and peaceful-

Appearing the state of Non-birth

At this time, when the tigress sensed the blood that trickled from the neck of the Bodhisattva, it licked the blood, and ate the flesh of the bodhisattva, only leaving behind bones

When the Eldest Prince saw the earth trembling, he spoke to his brother:

The great continent, mountains and rivers

All trembled together

All four directions, there is no light

Not seeing the sun rays

Heavenly flowers fell down

All over the space

This must be the sign

Of our youngest giving up his life

.

When the second eldest Prince heard his brother, he spoke the following verses

I heard our youngest

Speak kind words of compassion

When he saw the hungry tigress

With its pale and thin body

Hunger tormented it

It must have nearly eaten its cubs

I suspect that our brother,

Has given up his life.

 The second Prince was devastated, grieved and cried out in lamentation. They immediately travelled to the place where the tigers were. When they reached there, they saw the clothes of their youngest brother hanging on the bamboo trees, while bones and hair were scattered all over, and blood stained the whole ground red. Upon seeing this, they fainted, uncontrollably, They fell down to the bones of their youngest brother, and only regained consciousness after a while. They raised their arms, cried out and lamented:

My brother has great appearance, good signs

Our parents love him the most

Why, we arrived here as 3 people

And now, he abandoned us, never to return!

If our parents should ask,

How are we to reply?

Rather that we also kill ourselves

What use is there to live?

While the two princes cried out in lamentation, and decided to return home, the retinues of the youngest prince said to one another, where is the Prince? We must look for him!

As for the queen, who was sleeping on a high platform, she saw many unusual phenomenons in her dream: she saw that her breasts have been cut off, and all her teeth were dislodged (from their cavities). And that there are 3 doves, one was captured and killed, the other 2 was terrified. When the tremor occurred, she woke up, bearing great sorrow in her blossom:

Why is there such a great tremor today?

The whole continent shook,

The rivers and forests were all shifting

The sun became pitch black

As if covered by something,

My eyes are twitching, and my chest is moving

These are abnormal (compared to daily phenomenon)?

My heart was as if struck by an arrow

Of great fear and impatience,

My whole body is trembling uncontrollably

The unusual phenomenons that I dreamed of,

Must have indicated some extraordinary incident!

From the breasts of the queen there flowed milk. She was certain that there must be something amidst. At this time, when the female messengers have heard those from the outside saying that they could not find the prince, she was terrified, and immediately rushed to the queen, saying: Your Majesty, you should know that outside, the people are running in great disorder to look for the prince, yet could not find him. When the queen heard this, she became even more worried, and her eyes were full of tears; she approached to the king and say: Great king, I heard those outside say that our youngest- the one we love the most- has been lost. The King was in great shock when he heard this, and he cried: This is too much; I have lost my dear child. However, he washed away his tears and said to the Queen: Benign Sustainer, do not cry any more. We should together go to look for our dear child. After that, he, together with the queen and the people exit the castle and spread out to look (for the Prince) everywhere. After a while, a great minister came up, and said: I heard that the Princes are still alive, pray Your Highness worry not. Only the youngest prince is yet to be found. The king having heard just that, lament- I am wretched, my poor child, I have lost the child I love the most!

When I have just had a son

I was happy for a little

Now that I have lost my son

I suffer much

Whoever can revive my son,

Even if I lost my life

I am willing to.

When the Queen has heard such words, she appeared as if struck by an arrow, and she lamented

I had 3 sons, together with their retinues

They went to the forest

To enjoy the scenery

Now my youngest, he alone did not return

There must be something amidst!

When the second Minister approached the king, the king immediately enquired him: where is my son? The great minister was full of misery and sorrow, his tongue was dry, and his throat hurt, he was speechless, not knowing how to reply. The queen said:

Great Minister, please quickly say

Where is my son?

My whole body is set ablaze

I am terrified and in great panic

I have no patience left

Do not let my stomach burst!

The great Minister had no choice but to recount the story of the prince giving up his life. When the king and queen have listened, they felt great unbearable sorrow, and they ran to the place where the Prince gave up his life- to the bamboo forests where the bodhisattva abandoned his life. When they see the bones scattered all over the place, they also fell to the ground, as if they were struck dead. They are like a great tree that has been uprooted by the wind. They passed out, and only regained consciousness when the great Minister spray water on them. They spread their arms wide, cry out and lament:

A disaster has befallen on you

You are very beautiful!

Why has death come to you first?

I would rather see my own death before you,

So as not to see such great misery as this!

When the queen regained consciousness, her hair was disheveled; her two hands beat at her own stomach and lay writhing on the ground. Just like a fish away from the water, like a cow losing her calf, the queen was greatly depressed:

Who has killed my son?

There are only bones remaining.

Now that I have lost my dear child

I am in great unendurable distress!

Who has killed my son?

And created this misery

My heart is not made of Vajra

How can it not break into pieces!

In my dream, I saw my two breasts cut off

My teeth also fell off.

And now I was suffering so much!

I also dreamed of 3 doves

One was taken away and killed

Now I know reason,

My son was killed

The nightmare was not false!

At this time, the king, together with the queen and his two sons, everyone was crying in lamentation, they left behind their strings of pearls. Together with the people, they collected the relics of Bodhisattvas, and placed them in a stupa to make offering. Venerable Ananda, you should know, these are the relics of that Bodhisattva

The Blessed One says to the Venerable Ananda, in the past, when the Tathagata still had (some remnants of) greed, hatred and ignorance, together with all kinds of defilement, yet (even on these 5 evil paths), the Tathagata still salvaged sentient beings (from those realms), depending on their particular predicaments and circumstances; there is no need to speak of the Tathagata now, when I have uprooted all defilements, all past habits having been eliminated, and become the Master of human and devas, Knower of the world, how much more do I wish to benefit them now? I am willing to help each individual sentient beings, willing to live in hell and other realms for many eons on their behalf (so that they will not suffer), and liberate them from birth-death, defilement and cyclic existence. At this time, the Tathagata wants to repeat what he has said in verses:

I remembered in the past

Countless of eons ago

I was kings, and also princes.

I have often done great acts of offering

Even giving away my own life

And pray to become liberated from birth-death

To approach the Great Enlightenment.

In the past there was a great kingdom

The king was called Great Chariot,

And the prince was named Great Strength

He courageously gave offering

The Prince had two brothers

Great Skills and Great Heaven

The three brothers embarked on a journey

And gradually they entered a forest

Where they saw a tiger, which was suffering from hunger

They thought: this tigress was tormented by hunger

And it had nothing to eat.

The great bodhisattva upon seeing this

Feared that the tigress might even devour its cubs

As such, he gave up his life,

To save both mother and child.

The great continent and mountains

All tremble at the same time

Water in rivers and ocean also boiled up

Waves grew fierce and the river flowed

In opposite directions

The earth lost its light

And there was darkness everywhere

Beasts and animals dwelling in the forests

Also flew from their lairs

The other two Princes, not seeing their brother

Were troubled and devastated

They together with their retinues

Looked for him everywhere in the forest

The two brothers discussed with each other

Let us go back to the mountain far away

They looked around and saw no sign of him

What they saw was just the tigress

And its 7 cubs, their snouts smeared by blood

While the heap of bones and hair

Was scattered everywhere

They also saw blood dripping

From the jungle’s trees

And they were terrified.

They fell down to the ground

And was unconscious, not knowing anything.

Their bodies were soiled with dirt

And there senses lost their consciousness.

The retinues of the two princes

Cried out and remained in great fear,

They took the water and sprayed on the princes

And shook their arms to the sky

Cried out and shouted in lamentation.

At the same time as when the bodhisattva

Gave up his life, the mother in the palace

Together with 500 female servants

Was still enjoying bliss

Suddenly, from the Queen’s two breasts

Milk flew out,

Her body was as if punctured by needles

Which was greatly painful and uncomfortable.

Suddenly, she thought of losing her son

She was terrified, as if her heart was struck

With an arrow

She immediately came to the king

And told him the suffering she was enduring.

She bursted into tears and was unable to calm down

And heart-rendingly spoke to the king

Your Highness, please know that I am in great misery

From my breasts suddenly flows out water

And I could not stop it.

My whole body was as if punctured

My body was ablaze, and my stomach

Is almost ready to burst.

The evil premonition of that nightmare

Must have indicated that I would lose my son

Pray the king, please save me

And order people to look for him.

I dreamed of 3 doves

The youngest one was my favorite

Suddenly, it was snatched away and killed

And I was indescribably sorrowful.

I was flooded with fear and terror

Quickly arriving death

I fear that the prince is no longer alive

Pray the king, please quickly go and look for him.

When I heard others say that

My youngest was nowhere to be found

I was uneasy

Pray the king please sympathize with me!

When the Queen has spoken to the King

Her whole body crashed to the ground,

In great pain, she fainted

And lost consciousness, not knowing anything

When the female servants saw the Queen faint,

They let out a piteous cry

As they lost their balance, and also a support.

When the King has heard the Queen say so

He was greatly worried and agitated

Then, he ordered to soldiers

To look for his most beloved son.

The king and his retinues exit the castle

And divided themselves into groups

To look for the Prince

Whoever they saw, they ask:

Do you see the Prince?

Is the Prince still alive?

Where did he go?

How can I find him, and make my heart rest easy.

(And liberate me from all fear)

Everyone heard the rumor

That the Prince is dead.

Whoever heard that was in great pain and sympathy

They can hardly control their pain and sorrow.

At this time, the Great Chariot king

Stood up and cried out

And arrived at the place

Where the Queen was (unconscious)

And spray water on her body.

After a long time, when she was sprayed with water

She came round, and cried out, asking the King

Is my son still alive?

The King said to the Queen:

I have ordered people to travel

To 4 directions to look for the Prince

Yet I have heard no news.

The King then said to the Queen:

You should not be too worried,

Try to keep calm a little

So we can go together and look for him.

The king and the queen travelled by a chariot

Uttering great yells of despair

They were worried, as if their body were burnt.

Thousands of the king’s people

Also travelled with the king,

They also wish to find the Prince,

Their lamentation was incessant.

The King tried to look for his son,

And looked to the 4 directions,

As he saw a person, walking towards him

That person’s body was covered with blood

And his hair was let loose.

His body was soiled by dust.

He was crying and walking in the opposite direction.

When the king saw this evil sign

He became more distressed and uneasy.

He raised both his arms and shouted uncontrollably.

The first great Minister

Quickly went near the king,

And tried to comfort the king, saying:

Your Majesty, please do not be so distressed,

Your most beloved son has yet been found,

But maybe after in a while, he will arrive

And disperse your worries.

The king kept on moving, and saw the second Minister.

This person went to the king

With tears trickling down from his eyes, he said

The two Prince are still alive,

But they are greatly troubled.

As for the third Prince,

He had been devoured

By impermanence.

A hungry tigress gave birth to its cubs

And was about to eat them.

When the Prince Satva saw this,

He loved and pitied them,

Wishing to attain the Unsurpassed method

And salvage all sentient beings.

His mind was intent on the great Enlightenment

As deep and wide as the sea.

Thus, he climbed on top of a mountain,

And tried to tumble down

In front of the hungry tigress

Since the tigress was too weak,

It could not grab and devour the Prince,

The Prince then used bamboos

And inflicted a wound on his neck

Letting our blood.

The Tigress licked his blood, and ate him

Now what remained are just bones.

When the King and the Queen heard this

They faint (right there),

And great love and sorrow filled their hearts,

In the great blazing fire of defilement.

The great Minister used perfumed water

To scatter on the King and the Queen.

When they came round, they again shouted out

And used their fists to beat on their chests.

The third Minister said as followed to the king:

I have discovered the 2 Princes

Who have fainted in the forest.

I have used cool water to spray on them,

Thanks to that, they regained consciousness,

And looked to 4 sides

Saw it as if it were consumed by fire.

Thus, he fell again while making an attempt

To stand up, they cried out ceaselessly.

Raising both their arms and said,

My younger brother is rare.

When the King heard this,

He became even more worried.

While the mother shrieked out

And lamented as followed:

How I love my youngest son,

Now, he has been devoured by demons!

Though my two elder sons are still alive

They are burnt by the fire of sorrow.

I must quickly go under that mountain,

And console them, to save their lives.

The Queen immediately drove there,

Wishing to quickly come to the place

Her youngest son had given up his life.

On the way, she saw her sons

Crying while walking, and beat about their stomachs

They lost all refined gait, and in deep despair.

When the parents see them thus,

They hugged their sons with sorrow,

And together, they went to the place

Where the youngest one gave up his life.

When they arrived at the place

The bodhisattva had given up his life,

The family cried out

With extreme pains

They took off the strings of pearls

And woefully collected

The bones of the bodhisattvas.

Then everyone made offerings together:

They took that Relic, and put It inside this box

And construct at that place

A stupa (tower) made of the 7 precious substances,

After that, they came back to the castle

With great despair.

Venerable Ananda,

The past Satva

Is Me now, Sakyamuni,

Do not think as of anyone else.

The king is The Pure Brahma,

The queen is Maya,

The Eldest Prince is Compassionate views (Từ thị)

And the second eldest is Manjushri

The Tigress is the Great Lord of the world

5 cubs: the 5 monks

Another is Mahamagkashyapa (Mục kiền liên)

Another is Sariputra.

The Tathagata speaks of the old story

For the assembly to know

That one should benefit others

That is the practice of a bodhisattva

The cause of becoming a Buddha:

The whole assembly

Should practice as such.

When a bodhisattva gives up his life,

He made a great vow,

I vow that my bones

Will bring great benefits

To all sentient beings,

In countless lives after this.

And at this location here

Is exactly the place

Where the bodhisattva has given up his life,

It is also the place of the Stupa

Made of the 7 precious substances,

Since many eons have passed

It has been buried deep in the ground.

Thanks to the might of the past great vow,

That I will salvage sentient beings

Depending on suitable conditions

As such, this treasure tower appears

To benefit all human and devas

.

When the Tathagata speaks of this story, the whole assembly, including countless human and devas, everyone was greatly moved and sad, they praise and rejoice, saying that it is a rare phenomenon, and they together generated the thought of Unsurpassed Enlightenment. The Tathagata speaks to the Bodhi Upholding goddess: The Tathagata respectfully bowed to repay the past kindness. Having said so, Buddha withdrew His power, and the treasure tower came back to earth.