Lotus Sūtra | Ch. XI | Jewelled Stūpa

Lotus Sūtra | Chapter XI

The Appearance of a Jewelled Stūpa

At that time there appeared before the Buddha a 7-Jewelled Stūpa, 500 Yojanas in height and 250 Yojanas both in length and width, which emerged from the ground and hovered in the air.

It was adorned with various jewels, had 5 000 railings, and thousands of myriads of chambers. It was decorated with innumerable flags and banners and hanging jewelled necklaces, and myriads of koṭis of jewelled bells hung from the top.

The fragrance of tamāla leaves and sandalwood trees exuded from all sides of the Stūpa, covering the world.

The banners and umbrellas were composed of the 7 jewels such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, agate, pearl, and ruby; and they rose as high as the palaces of the world-protectors of the 4 quarters.

The 33 Devas rained down heavenly Mandāravā flowers in homage to the Jewelled Stūpa.

The other thousands of myriads of koṭis of humans, and such nonhumans as Devas, Nāgas, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garuḍas, Kiṁnaras, and mahā ragas

also respected, honoured, revered, and praised the precious Stūpa by offering all kinds of flowers, perfumes, necklaces, flags, banners, and music.

Then a tremendous voice issued forth in praise from the Jewelled Stūpa, saying:

“Splendid, splendid! O Śākyamuni!

The Bhāgavat teaches the Lotus Sūtra to the great assembly: the instruction for Bodhisattvas and treasured lore of the Buddhas, which is the wisdom attainable by every sentient being! Just so! Just so, O Śākyamuni Bhāgavat! What you teach is true!”

Thereupon the 4-fold assembly saw the great Jewelled Stūpa hovering in the air and also heard the voice that issued forth from the Stūpa.

They all were pleased with the teaching and marvelled at this unprecedented experience.

They stood up from their seats, honoured Śākyamuni with their palms pressed together, and withdrew to one side.

At that time there was a Bodhisattva Mahāsattva called Mahā Pratibhāna who, realizing that the Devas, humans, and asuras of the entire world were puzzled, addressed the Buddha saying:

“O Bhāgavat! Why has this Jewelled Stūpa emerged from the earth? And why has this voice come forth from it?”

Then the Buddha told Bodhisattva Mahā Pratibhāna:

“The Tathāgata is in this Jewelled Stūpa.

In the remote past, immeasurable, incalculable thousands of myriads of koṭis of worlds away in the East there was a land called Rātna Viśuddha.

In that land there was a Buddha called Prabhūtaratna. When this Buddha was practicing the Bodhisattva path in his previous lives he made a great vow, saying:

If I become a Buddha, after my Parinirvāṇa if the Lotus Sūtra is being taught anywhere in all the lands of the 10 directions,

my Stūpa shall appear there so that this Sūtra may be heard, and in order that I may bear testimony to it and praise it with the word “Splendid!”

“After the Buddha had perfected the path and immediately before his Parinirvāṇa, he addressed the monks among the great assembly of Devas and humans, saying:

After my Parinirvāṇa anyone who wishes to pay me homage should build a great Stūpa!

“If there is anyone teaching the Lotus Sūtra anywhere in the worlds of the 10 directions, this Buddha makes a Jewelled Stūpa emerge out of the ground in that place through his transcendent powers and the power of his vow.

He is in the Stūpa giving praise with the words, ‘Splendid, splendid!’

“O Mahā Pratibhāna! The Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna has now emerged from the earth, within his Stūpa, so that he may hear the Lotus Sūtra and give praise with the words, ‘Splendid, splendid!’”

At that time Bodhisattva Mahā Pratibhāna spoke to the Buddha through the Tathāgata’s transcendent powers, saying: “O Bhāgavat! We all want to see this Buddha’s form.”

The Buddha answered Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Mahā Pratibhāna, saying: “This Buddha Prabhūtaratna made a great vow, saying:

Whenever my Jewelled Stūpa appears in the presence of a Buddha in order to hear the Lotus Sūtra, if that Buddha wants to show my form to the 4-fold assembly

he should gather into one place all his magically created forms that are teaching the Dharma in the worlds of the 10 directions. After that my form will appear.

“O Mahā Pratibhāna! I shall now gather all my magically created forms who are teaching the Dharma in the worlds of the 10 directions.”

Mahā Pratibhāna spoke to the Buddha, saying:

“O Bhāgavat! We also strongly wish to see the Bhāgavat’s magically created forms, to honour and pay homage to them!”

Then the Buddha emitted a ray of light from the tuft of white hair between his eyebrows;

and they immediately saw the Buddhas in 500 myriads of koṭis of nayutas of lands in the eastern direction equal in number to the sands of the Ganges River.

In these lands the soil was of crystal and adorned with treasure trees and Jewelled garments; and these lands were full of innumerable thousands of myriads of koṭis of Bodhisattvas.

Jewelled drapes were hung everywhere and were covered with jewelled nets. All the Buddhas in these lands were teaching the Dharma in most harmonious voices.

They also saw immeasurable thousands of myriads of koṭis of Bodhisattvas, filling all the lands and teaching the Dharma to sentient beings.

The other directions to the south, north, and west, the 4 intermediary directions, and the upper and lower regions were also illuminated by the ray of light emitted from the tuft of white hair between the Buddha’s eyebrows; and they were also exactly like this.

Then all the Buddhas in the 10 directions each addressed the assembly of Bodhisattvas, saying:

“O sons of a virtuous family! We will now go to the place where Śākyamuni is in the Sahā world and pay homage to the Jewelled Stūpa of the Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna.”

At that time the Sahā world was immediately purified; the earth was of lapis lazuli, adorned with Jewelled trees, its roads laid out like a chessboard and bordered with golden cords; and there were no villages, towns, cities, oceans, rivers, mountains, streams, forests, or groves.

Very precious incense was burning, Mandāravā flowers were spread everywhere on the earth, and it was covered with Jewelled nets and drapes from which Jewelled bells hung.

With the exception of this assembly the Devas and human beings were all moved to other lands.

Then the Buddhas each took one great Bodhisattva as an attendant and arrived under a Jewelled tree in the Sahā world.

Each Jewelled tree was 500 Yojanas in height and adorned with branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits in their proper turn.

Under all these jewelled trees were lion seats 5 Yojanas in height that were adorned with great jewels.

The Buddhas each sat cross-legged on these seats. They sat one after another in this way, filling the great manifold cosmos.

Yet the separate forms of Śākyamuni Buddha of even one direction had not all arrived yet.

At that time Śākyamuni Buddha, wanting to be able to receive all of his magically created forms, transformed and purified 200 myriads of koṭis of nayutas of lands in each of the world-systems in the 8 directions.

There were no hells, hungry ghosts, animals, or asuras; and all the Devas and humans were moved to other lands.

In these transformed lands the earth was made of lapis lazuli and adorned with jewelled trees.

These trees were 500 Yojanas in height and were adorned with branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits in their proper turn. Under every tree was a jewelled lion seat 5 Yojanas in height which was adorned with various jewels.

There were no oceans, rivers, or Great Mountain kings such as Mount Mucalinda, Mount Mahā Mucalinda, Mount Cakravāḍa, Mount Mahā Cakravāḍa, or Mount Sumeru.

The lands were all made into one Buddha world throughout.

The Jewelled earth was level and covered everywhere with jewel-studded drapes. Banners and umbrellas were set up, precious incense was burning, and heavenly jewelled flowers covered the ground everywhere.

Then Śākyamuni Buddha again transformed and purified 200 myriads of koṭis of nayutas of lands in each of the 8 directions so that the Buddhas could come and sit.

There were no hells, hungry ghosts, animals, or asuras; and the Devas and humans were moved to other lands.

In the transformed lands the earth was of lapis lazuli and adorned with jewelled trees.

The trees were 500 Yojanas in height and were adorned with branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits in their proper turn.

Under these trees were jewelled lion seats that were 5 Yojanas in height and decorated with great jewels.

There were no oceans, rivers, or Great Mountain kings such as Mount Mucalinda, Mount Mahā Mucalinda, Mount Cakravāḍa, Mount Mahā Cakravāḍa, or Mount Sumeru.

The lands were all made into one Buddha world throughout. The Jewelled earth was level and covered everywhere with jewel-studded drapes.

Banners and umbrellas were set up, precious incense was burning, and heavenly jewelled flowers covered the ground everywhere.

Then the magically created forms of Śākyamuni Buddha, which had been teaching the Dharma in the hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of nayutas of lands in the east, equal in number to the sands of the Ganges River, gathered here.

In this way all the Buddhas in the 10 directions gradually came until all were assembled, sitting in the 8 directions.

At that time these Buddha Tathāgatas filled 400 myriads of koṭis of nayutas of lands in each direction.

Then sitting on the lion seats under the Jewelled trees, the Buddhas each dispatched their attendants with hands full of Jewelled flowers to inquire after the Buddha Śākyamuni, saying:

“O son of a virtuous family! You should approach the Buddha Śākyamuni on Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa and give him a greeting, saying:

Are you without illness and pain and are you full of vigour and at ease; and are the assemblies of Bodhisattvas and Śrāvakas all at ease or not?

“Then, having paid homage to the Buddha by scattering him with these jewelled flowers, say this to him:

The Buddha So-and-so wishes you to open this Jewelled Stūpa.

All the other Buddhas dispatched their messengers like this.”

Then the Buddha Śākyamuni saw that his magically created forms had already gathered and were each sitting on a lion seat. And he heard that all the Buddhas also wanted him to open the treasured Stūpa.

Immediately rising, he hovered in the air and the entire 4-fold assembly rose and gazed attentively at the Buddha with their palms pressed together.

Thereupon Śākyamuni Buddha opened the entrance to the 7-Jewelled Stūpa with his right finger. There was a tremendous sound as if the bar and lock to the gateway of a large city were being pushed aside.

Then immediately the entire gathering saw the Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna in the Jewelled Stūpa sitting on a lion seat as if he were in meditation, his body whole and undecomposed.

They heard him say: “Splendid, splendid! The Buddha Śākyamuni is teaching the Lotus Sūtra and I have come in order to hear it.”

At that time the 4-fold assembly saw the Buddha who had entered Parinirvāṇa immeasurable thousands of myriads of koṭis of kalpas ago speaking those words.

They praised this unprecedented experience and scattered heavenly jewelled flowers upon the Buddhas Prabhūtaratna and Śākyamuni.

Then from within the Stūpa the Buddha Prabhūtaratna offered half of his seat to the Buddha Śākyamuni, saying:

“O Śākyamuni Buddha, please take a seat here!”

The Buddha Śākyamuni immediately entered the Stūpa and sat cross-legged on half of the seat.

Thereupon the great assembly saw the 2 Tathāgatas sitting cross-legged on the lion seat in the 7-Jewelled Stūpa and they each thought thus:

“The Buddhas are seated far away. O Tathāgata, we entreat you to use your transcendent powers so that we may be in the air together with you.”

The Buddha Śākyamuni immediately moved the entire 4-fold assembly into the air through his transcendent powers and addressed them with a great voice, saying:

“Who in the Sahā world is able to extensively teach the Lotus Sūtra? It is now the right time! The Tathāgata will enter Parinirvāṇa before long and the Buddha wants to transmit this Lotus Sūtra to you.”

Thereupon the Buddha, wanting to further elaborate upon the meaning of this, spoke these verses:

Although the Great Sage, the Bhāgavat, Entered Parinirvāṇa long ago, He has been abiding in a Jewelled Stūpa; and he has now come for the sake of the Dharma.

Why is it that people do not strive for the Dharma?

Although this Buddha entered Parinirvāṇa Incalculable kalpas ago, because it is difficult to encounter, He listens to the Dharma Wherever it is taught.

The original vow of this Buddha was:

After my Parinirvāṇa I will always listen to the Dharma Wherever it may be.

My magically created forms, Incalculable as the sands of the Ganges River, Have come to hear the Dharma and see the Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna, Who has entered nirvana.

Each Buddha-form, having abandoned his beautiful land, Disciples, Devas, humans, Nāgas, and ritual tributes, has come here So that the Dharma may abide forever.

In order to seat all these Buddhas, I transferred immeasurable beings and purified the lands through my transcendent powers;

And each of these Buddhas Settled under a jewelled tree— as lotus blossoms Adorn a limpid, cool pond.

Under every Jewelled tree was a lion seat on which the Buddhas sat radiating light— as a great bonfire Blazes in the dark of the night.

They emitted a subtle fragrance from their bodies which filled the lands of the 10 directions.

Sentient beings who smelled this fragrance Were overcome with unsurpassed joy, Like branches of a small tree Being blown by a great wind.

Through this Skilful Means I enable the Dharma to abide forever.

I tell the great assembly that after my nirvana whoever can preserve and recite this Sūtra should now individually make a declaration In the presence of the Buddhas.

Although the Buddha Prabhūtaratna Entered Parinirvāṇa long ago, through his great vow He has roared the lion’s roar.

The Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna, I myself, and all the magically created forms Who have gathered here Should know this intention.

O heirs of the Buddhas!

Whoever is able to preserve the Dharma Should make a great vow So that it may abide forever.

Whoever is able to preserve the teaching of this Sūtra will thus honour me And Prabhūtaratna.

This Buddha Prabhūtaratna Always roams the 10 directions In a Jewelled Stūpa In order to hear this Sūtra.

He also honours all the transformed Buddhas who have come here and who adorn all the worlds with light.

Whoever teaches this Sūtra will see me, The Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna, and the transformed Buddhas.

O sons of a virtuous family! Each of you must carefully consider this. This is indeed a difficult matter.

Make a great vow accordingly!

It is not really difficult to teach all of the other Sūtras, The number of which is Equal to the sands of the Ganges River.

It is not difficult to take Mount Sumeru and throw it to another quarter, over innumerable Buddha worlds.

It is also not difficult to shake free the manifold cosmos with one toe and throw it Far into another distant world.

It is not difficult to stand on the highest summit of the world and teach the other innumerable Sūtras For the sake of sentient beings.

However, it will indeed be difficult to teach this Sūtra in the troubled world after the Buddha’s nirvana.

It is not difficult for anyone to grasp empty space and wander around with it.

But it will certainly be difficult to copy and preserve this Sūtra and cause others to copy it after my nirvana.

It is not really difficult to put the great earth on a toenail and ascend with it to the world of Brahmas.

However, it will indeed be difficult to recite this Sūtra, Even for a moment, in the troubled world After the Buddha’s nirvana.

It is not really difficult to enter into the conflagration at the time of the close of a kalpa Carrying hay on your back and yet not be burned.

It certainly will be difficult to preserve this Sūtra and teach it to even a single person after my nirvana.

It is indeed not really difficult for anyone to preserve the 84 000 treasure houses of the Dharma, and the 12-fold scriptures, and teach them so that the listeners can attain the 6 transcendent powers.

It will indeed be difficult for anyone to hear and accept this Sūtra and to ask about its meaning after my nirvana.

It is not really difficult for people to do such beneficial things as teaching the Dharma and making thousands of myriads of koṭis of Immeasurable, incalculable sentient beings, Numbering as many as the sands of the Ganges River, Attain Arhatship and perfect The 6 transcendent powers.

It will certainly be difficult to preserve such a Sūtra as this After my nirvana.

I have extensively taught many Sūtras In incalculable lands from the beginning until now, For the sake of the Buddha path; and yet among them This Sūtra is the best.

If anyone preserves it, He preserves the form of the Buddha.

O sons of a virtuous family!

Those who preserve and recite this [Lotus] Sūtra After my nirvana must now individually make a declaration In the presence of the Buddhas.

It is hard to preserve this Sūtra.

If anyone preserves it even for a single moment, I shall truly rejoice. All of the other Buddhas Will do so also.

Such people as these are praised by the Buddhas.

They are courageous. They are persevering. They are known as those

Who follow the rules of good conduct and carry out ascetic practices. Subsequently they quickly attain the highest Buddha path.

Those in the future who recite and preserve this Sūtra, Are the true heirs of the Buddha and abide in the stage of purity.

Those who can understand its meaning After the Buddha’s nirvana will become the Eyes of the World for Devas and humans.

Those who teach it, even for a moment, In the fearful world Will be revered By all the Devas and humans.