Practices and Vows of
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Chapter Forty, New Edition

 

To Request the Turning of The Wheel of Dharma

 

SUTRA: 

Moreover, Good Man, to request the turning of the wheel of Dharma is explained like this. Within each and every smallest atomic particle in the Buddha kshetra-lands throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time, to the exhaustion of the dharma-realm and the reaches of space, there are vast Buddha kshetra-lands as many as the smallest atomic particles in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddha kshetra- lands. In each and every land, in thought after thought, all Buddhas are accomplishing Equal and Right Enlightenment, their number as many as the smallest atomic particles in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddha kshetra-lands. An ocean-wide assembly of Bodhisattvas surrounds each Buddha. Using all manner of skill-in-means with my body, mouth, and mind, I earnestly request that they turn the wonderful wheel of Dharma.

COMMENTARY: 

I will now explain the principle of requesting the turning of the wheel of Dharma. Moreover, Good Man, to request the turning of the wheel of Dharma is explained like this. Within each and every atomic particle in the Buddha kshetra-lands throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time, to the exhaustion of the dharma-realm and the reaches of space, there are vast Buddha kshetra-lands as many as smallest atomic particles in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddha kshetra-lands. In each smallest atomic particle are again ineffably ineffable Buddha-lands as numerous as the smallest atomic particles in vast Buddha kshetra-lands, and in each and every land, in thought after thought, there are all Buddhas accomplishing Equal and Right Enlightenment, their number as many as the smallest atomic particles in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddha Lands. An oceanic assembly of Bodhisattvas, just as vast as the great ocean, surrounds each Buddha. Using all manner of skill-in-means with my body, mouth, and mind and all kinds of skillful words, I earnestly request that they turn the wonderful wheel of Dharma. I request them to turn the great wheel of Dharma of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Shravakas, and Those Enlightened to Conditions throughout the ten directions.

SUTRA: 

So it is that even if the reaches of space, the realms of living beings, the karma of living beings, and the afflictions of living beings come to an end, my constant request that all Buddhas turn the wheel of proper Dharma is without end. It continues in thought after thought without cease. I never tire of this karma in body, speech, and thought.

COMMENTARY: 

I earnestly request the Buddhas to turn the wonderful Dharma wheel, which is the vow I made. So it is that even if the reaches of space are ended, when there is no more space, the realms of living beings are ended, when there are no more living beings, the karma of living beings is ended, when the karmic obstructions of living beings have come to an end, and the afflictions of living beings are ended, when the afflictions of living beings are no more, still my vow to constantly request that all Buddhas turn the wheel of proper Dharma is without end. There is no way my vow can end. It is without end.

My vow continues in thought after thought without cease. This vow continues through each thought continuously and is never cut off. I never tire of this karma in body, speech, and thought. My three karmas of body, mouth, and mind never get fatigued. I would never feel that it is too much trouble, so I don’t want to do it anymore. This will never happen.

 

To Beseech the Buddhas to Remain in the World

 

SUTRA: 

Moreover, Good Man, to beseech the Buddhas to remain in the world is explained like this. All Buddhas, Tathagatas, are as numerous as the smallest atomic particles in all Buddha kshetra-lands, throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time, exhausting the dharma-realm and the reaches of space. When they are about to enter Parinirvana, or when any Bodhisattva, Shravaka, One Enlightened to Conditions, Learner, and One Beyond Learning, including any Good Teacher wishes to enter Parinirvana, I ask them all not to enter Nirvana. I request that they remain in the world for as many kalpas as the smallest atomic particles in all Buddha kshetra-lands to benefit and delight all living beings.

So it is that even if the reaches of space, the realms of living beings, the karma of living beings, and the afflictions of living beings come to an end, my beseeching is without end. It continues in thought after thought without cease. I never tire of this karma in body, speech, and thought.

COMMENTARY: 

Moreover, Good Man, to beseech the Buddhas to remain in the world is explained like this. I will now explain the meaning of the vow to beseech the Buddhas to remain in the world. All Buddhas, Tathagatas, are as numerous as the smallest atomic particles in all Buddha kshetra-lands throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time, exhausting the dharma-realm and the reaches of space, filling up all the dharma-realm, all of space, as well as all Buddha-lands. These Buddhas, Tathagatas, are as numerous as smallest atomic particles. When they are about to enter Parinirvana—after they have taught those who have affinities with them, the Buddhas prepare to enter Nirvana. When they are about to enter Nirvana, I will definitely beseech them not to enter Nirvana, but to always remain in the world, teaching and transforming living beings. Not only will I ask all Buddhas to dwell in the world forever, I will also ask any Bodhisattva, Shravaka, One Enlightened to Conditions, Learner, and One Beyond Learning not to leave the world. Those Arhats of the First Fruition, the Second Fruition, and the Third Fruition are still on the level of Learners, whereas those Arhats of the Fourth Fruition are on the level of Those Beyond Learning.

Including any Good Teacher who wishes to enter Parinirvana...Not only will I request all these enlightened sages, but I ask all good teachers, Dharma Masters who lecture the Dharma and the Sutras, not to leave the world. Following my vow, I ask them all, each and every one of them, not to enter Nirvana or at least not to do it so quickly. I request that they remain in the world for as many kalpas as there are smallest atomic particles in all Buddha kshetra-lands. I request that they stay with us for a period of time as long as the kalpas that are as numerous as the smallest atomic particles in all these Buddha kshetra-lands, to bring benefit and delight to all living beings. I wish that all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Shravakas, Those Enlightened to Conditions, and all Good Teachers remain in the world forever and bring benefit to all living beings.

So it is that I make my vow like this: even if the reaches of space come to an end... Basically, the reaches of space cannot come to an end. However, let’s suppose that it could not exist anymore. If the realm of living beings comes to an end... Fundamentally the realm of living beings can never come to an end nor could it not exist anymore. But let’s suppose that it could not exist anymore. If the karma, the karmic obstacles, of living beings comes to an end...Again, basically it is not possible for it to not exist anymore. If the afflictions of living beings come to an end…It is also not possible for these to be exhausted and no longer exist. However, suppose they all could come to an end, yet my vow to beseech all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Shravakas, Those Enlightened to Conditions, and Good Teachers to constantly remain in the world would still be endless. It continues in thought after thought without cease, in a continuum of thought that is never ever interrupted. I never tire of this karma in body, speech, and thought. The power of my vow is the same as what was mentioned before.

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