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Pearls of Universe
Pearls of Universe
Selected Quotes of the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra Volume XIV
Original Translation to English by Kosho Yamamoto Edited and Revised by Dr. Tony Page Translation to Brazilian Portuguese by Marcos Ubirajara de Carvalho e Camargo
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Pearls of Universe
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Pearls of Universe
Pearls of Universe this king then built this castle. It measured 12 yojanas in width and length. It was adorned with the Seven Treasures. The soil was good. There were rivers here, whose waters were pure and clear, and sweet taste. These were: Nairanjana, Airavati, Hiranyavati, Usmodaka, and Vipasa. There were some 500 other rivers. Both banks were fully grown with leafy trees that gave fruit and flowers, all fresh and pure. At that time, the life-span of the people was immeasurable. Then, after 100 years, the Chakravartin [mighty ruler] said: 'Just as the Buddha says, all things are non-eternal. Someone who practices the ten good deeds does away with all such sorrows of the non-eternal'. The people, on hearing this, all practiced the ten good deeds. I, at that time, hearing the Buddha's name, practiced the ten good deeds, meditated and aspired to unsurpassed Bodhi [Enlightenment]. My mind having aspired, I also transferred this Dharma to innumerable and boundless beings, and said that all things are non-eternal and subject to change and dissolution. Because of this, now I proceed and say that all things are non-eternal, are those that change and dissolve, and that only the Buddha-Body is Eternal. I remember what I did by the causal relations. That's why I came here now, I intend to enter Nirvana, and wish to repay what I owe to this place. For this reason, I say in the sutra: My relatives know how to repay what they owe me'." Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 36, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 4.
Pearls of Universe attended the Prince was called Ananda. At that time, under the sal trees, he delivered the sermon of the Great Nirvana Sutra. At that time, I was one of the congregants and was able to testify that sermon. There, I was told that all beings possess the Buddha Nature. Upon hearing this, I was unmoved in Bodhi. Then, I took a vow: If I attain Buddhahood in the days ahead, it will be as now. I'll be a teacher for my father, my mother, and for the nation, the names of disciples and attendants will be the same, just as things stand with the present World-Honored One. Nothing will be different. That's why I'm here now, and am delivering this sermon of the Great Nirvana Sutra. Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 36, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 4.
Pearls of Universe satisfied, I'll go to the magistrate. And both went to the magistrate. The magistrate said: The forest belongs to Sudatta. Jeta should take the gold. Sudatta immediately sent men with loads of gold on carts and horses. When they arrived, he covered the ground with gold. In one day he found himself an area of 500 'bu' [unit of land Chinese, around 6 feet or 6.4] covered, and yet not all was covered. Jeta said: 'Oh rich man! If you have any regret within you, you are quite free to cancel the deal. Sudatta said: 'I feel no any regret. He thought to himself, which store he should open now, to get gold for the area still left without coverage. Jeta thought to himself: The Tathagata, the King of Dharma, is truly one unsurpassed. The wonderful things that he teaches are pure and pristine. That is why this man thinks so lightly about this treasure. He then said to Sudatta: 'I do not now need any gold for what remains uncovered. Please take it. I myself will build a gate for the Tathagata, such that he may go in and out of it. Jeta built the gate, and in seven days, Sudatta built a great Vihara on an area of 300 'ken' [the 'ken' is about 6 feet] in width and length. There were rooms for quiet meditation, to the number of 63. The rooms were different for winter and summer. There were kitchens, bathrooms, and a place to wash ones feet. There were two kinds of lavatory. The buildings completed, he (Sudatta) took up an incense burner, and pointing toward Rajagriha, said: The buildings are now completed. Oh, Tathagata! Please have pity and occupy this place, and live here for the sake of beings'. As soon I read the thought of this rich man from far off, I started out from Rajagriha. In the short space of time it takes a strong and youthful man to bend and extend your arm, I travelled to Sravasti, to Jetavana, and took possession of the Jetavana Vihara. When I arrived, Sudatta dedicated it to me. I then received it, and lived in it." Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 36, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 4.
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Pearls of Universe way, 3) it enables (distinguish) the right way and wrong, 4) it enables beings make away with depression and blesses them with purity and freshness, 5) it indeed destroys the arrogance of the firefly, 6) it truly dispels the thought of any thieves, 7) it indeed dispels the fear of the evil beasts of the beings, 8 ) it opens the bloom of the kumuda, 9) it thoroughly closes the petals of the lotus, 10) it calls forth within the traveler the thought of proceeding along the way, 11) it enables beings to enjoy the acceptance of five pleasures and to gain the joy in many ways. Oh, good man! It's the same with the Tathagata's Full-Moon, to wit: 1) it truly dispels the gloom of ignorance, 2) it exposes the right way and wrong, 3) it shows clearly the wrong and steep path of birth and death, and the straight and plane path of Nirvana, 4) it enables beings to segregate themselves from greed, ill-will, and ignorance, 5) it destroys the ignorance of the tirthikas, 6) it destroys the bondage of the thieves of defilement, 7) it kills the mind that fears the five shadowings ["pancaavaranani"], 8) it enables the beings minds reveal the root of good of all beings, 9) it indeed stops the mind of the five desires, 10) it promotes the mind of beings [which want] to move forward towards the Great Nirvana, 11) it enables all beings to be pleased with the [thought of] Emancipation. For these reasons, I enter Nirvana on the fifteenth day. But, truth to tell, I do not enter Nirvana. The ignorant and the evil among my disciples say that I definitely enter Nirvana." Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 37, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 5.
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Pearls of Universe "Oh good man! The Bodhisattva-Mahasattva can acquire great arrogance when he becomes blessed with happiness, arrogance from delivering a sermon, or arrogance from effort, or arrogance in discussing of understanding of a [particular] meaning, or arrogance from befriending an evil friend, or arrogance from giving (donations) which he estimates much, or arrogance from (have) good things and virtues of worldly nature, or arrogance from being respected by the nobility of worldly life. Such is not the right time to wisdom. He should then practice meditation well. " Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Pearls of Universe the Bodhisattva knows when is the time and when is not the time. Oh, good man! When the Bodhisattva experiences the rise of defilement, and if he practices meditation and Wisdom, knows that this is not the time to practice equanimity. He should actually read and recite, write and copy, expound the twelve types of sutras, think of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the precepts, the heavens, and equanimity. This is where we say we practice equanimity. Oh, good man! When the Bodhisattva practices these three phases of Dharma, he gains from this the formlessness Nirvana." Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
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Precepts
"Second, there is perfection of purity in the observance of moral precepts. Oh, good man! There may be a Bodhisattva who is pure in upholding the precepts. And yet, he does not so for the sake of shila, for the sake of shilaparamita, nor by beings, nor for profit, nor for Bodhi, nor for Nirvana, and nor to [become] a Sravaka or Pratyekabuddha. He only observes the precepts for the highest 'Paramartha-satya[Ultimate Reality]. Oh, good man! This is what we call perfection in purity of the precepts of a Bodhisattva." Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Quietude
"Fourth, he seeks quietude. By quietude is meant the quietude of body and mind, through which one meditates on the depths of all existences. We call this quietude." Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
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Effort
"Fifth, there is effort. By effort is meant that someone thinks singlemindedly on the Four Noble Truths. Even if that person's head was on fire, he would not cast off this [the weighting on the Four Noble Truths]. This is effort. " Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Remembrance
"Sixth, he is perfect in remembrance. By perfection in remembrance is meant thinking about the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, the precepts, the heavens, and equanimity. We call this perfection in thought." Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Gentleness
"Seventh, he has gentleness of speech. By gentleness of speech is meant the true and wonderful words that one utters and queries before the mind acts. It is timely speech and words of truth. We call this 'gentle words'. " Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Protection of Dharma
"Eighth, there is protection of Dharma. By protecting the Dharma is meant to love the Wonderful Dharma, be always happy to talk about it, read and recite, write and copy it, think about its meaning and expound it widely, and make it prevail. If there is a person who copies, expounds, Volume XIV Page 12
Pearls of Universe recites and praises [Dharma] and think about the meaning, one should seek things and offer him such as support, things such as clothing, food and drink, bedding and medicines. For the protection of Dharma, one must be ready to sacrifice his own body and life. This is protection of Dharma." Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Donation
"Ninth, if the Bodhisattva sees any of his brethren, or anyone who is upholding the same precepts, lacking in things; he goes to others, and begs for an incense burner, priestly robes, for what is required in nursing practice, clothing, food and drink, bedding, and accommodations. " Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Wisdom
"Tenth, his wisdom is perfect. By Wisdom is meant seeing the so-called Tathagata, the Eternal, Bliss, the Self, the Pure, and the fact that all beings possess the Buddha Nature. He sees the two phases of things, which are: Void versus non-Void, Eternal versus non-Eternal, Bliss versus non-Bliss, the Self versus not-Self, what is possible or not possible for crushing out the proposition of dissimilarity ['vaidharmyadrstanta'], the coming about or seeing of dissimilarity that arises out from the causal relations, and the fruition of dissimilarity that arises out from the non-causal relations or non-causality. This is what we call perfection of Wisdom. Oh, good man! This is how we say that when the Bodhisattva is perfect in these ten things, he can clearly see the formlessness of Nirvana. " Volume XIV Page 13
Pearls of Universe
Pearls of Universe life in hell. The Bodhisattva, at that time, truth to tell, had no sin of such kind (which would lead him to hell). For the sake of beings, he gained life in hell. I, at that time, was in hell, living there for countless ages and exposing the 12 types of sutras extensively for all sinners. The sinners, on hearing this, crushed all their karmic results and escaped from hell, except the icchantikas. This is why we say that the BodhisattvaMahasattva receives the karmic results no later than in this life. " Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38 - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
True Word
"Oh, good man! I recall that once in the past, we were shopkeepers, Devadatta and me. Each of us had about 500 merchants. In search of earnings, we went to great sea in search of rare things. Through evil causal relations, we met along the way with a storm and, ship-wrecked, all our comrades died. At that time, Devadatta and me, because of nonharming (others) and by the causal relations for a long life, were blown across onto land. Then, Devadatta, regretting that he had lost the treasure, was greatly worried and sobbed uncontrollably. I then said: 'Oh Devadatta! Do not cry '! Devadatta said: 'Listen to me carefully, listen carefully! For example, there is a man overwhelmed by poverty. He goes to the graveyard, grabs a corpse and says: 'Oh you! Give me the joy of death. I'll give you now life and poverty. Then the corpse stands up and says to the poor man: 'Oh good man! Take poverty and life for yourself. I am now immersed in the joy of death. I'm not glad to see him alive and poor '. The situation is like this. But I have no the bliss of death at hands, and furthermore, I'm in misery. What else can I do other than sob and cry '? I also appease him: 'Do not be sad. I have now two beads, which are priceless. I will give one to you. I gave it [to him] and said: 'A person who has life gains this gem. If you have no life, how can you expect to have this'? So, I felt tired and slept in the shade of a tree. Volume XIV Page 15
Pearls of Universe Devadatta, with feverish greed, acquired an evil thought. Boring and blinding my eyes, he caught the other bead. In pain, I cried and sobbed. Then, there was a woman who came to me and asked: 'Why are you sobbing and crying'? So, I told her everything that had happened. Upon hearing that, she further asked: 'What is your name'? I said: 'My name is True-Word'. (She said:) 'How can I know that you're truthful '? So, I took an oath: 'If I should now have evil thoughts against Devadatta, let me be a one-eyed; otherwise, let my eyes gain the light. In saying this, my eyes were healed and were as good as before. Oh good man! This is where we say that the Bodhisattva-Mahasattva talks about the reward that comes about in this life. " Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38 - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
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Pearls of Universe Oh good man! If a person cannot see things in this light, we do not call this the practice of the body. " Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38 - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
Pearls of Universe a monkey. It's like a ghost or a flame. It is the root of evil, and it is hard to satisfy the call of the five desires. This is like fire that feeds on fuel, or the great ocean which swallow the waters of all rivers, or like the grasses and plants that grow so luxuriantly in Mandara (Mount). If a person does not meditate on the falsity of birth and death, it will always be tempted, as with a fish that swallows the hook. Always a watchword is given, followed by all the acts. This is like the mother who leads all the small ones. A person becomes greedily attached to the five desires and does not care for Nirvana. This is like the camel that eats honey, forgetting all about the fodder till death slaughter it. Anyone who does not see things thus can be called one non-practicing of the mind. Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38 - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
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Pearls of Universe
Pearls of Universe respects and believes that the Vaipulya Sutra of Great Nirvana and the Thatagata are Eternal and Unchanging, and that beings possess the Buddha Nature. Such a person makes what would be heavily suffered in hell, something that is [only] slight pain in this life. Oh, good man! For this reason, it is not the case that all actions are definite and that all beings definitely have to undergo karmic retribution." Read More at Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 38 - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 6.
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Pearls of Universe
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Pearls of Universe
CONTENTS THE KUSHINAGAR CASTLE HISTORY ......................................... 3 THE KAPILAVASTU CASTLE HISTORY ......................................... 4 THE JETAVANA VIHARA HISTORY............................................. 5 THE UNSURPASSED BOY ....................................................... 7 THE ELEVEN VIRTUES OF THE FULL MOON ................................ 7 RIGHT TIME TO PRACTICE MEDITATION ................................... 8 RIGHT TIME TO PRACTICE WISDOM ........................................ 9 RIGHT TIME TO PRACTICE EQUANIMITY.................................... 9 TEN VIRTUES OF THE BODHISATTVA ....................................... 10
FAITH ....................................................................................................................................... 10 PRECEPTS ................................................................................................................................ 11 FRIENDSHIP WITH GOOD FRIENDS OF THE WAY .............................................................. 11 QUIETUDE ................................................................................................................................ 11 EFFORT .................................................................................................................................... 12 REMEMBRANCE ...................................................................................................................... 12 GENTLENESS ........................................................................................................................... 12 PROTECTION OF DHARMA .................................................................................................... 12 DONATION ............................................................................................................................... 13 WISDOM................................................................................................................................... 13
KARMA DEFINITE AND THE INDEFINITE ................................... 14 THE KARMIC RETRIBUTION OF BODHISATTVA ........................... 14
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TRUE WORD .................................................................... 15 TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE ...................................................... 16 THE BODY AND THE FIRE ..................................................... 17 THE PRACTICE OF THE BODY ................................................ 17 THE PRACTICE OF THE PRECEPTS ........................................... 18 THE PRACTICE OF THE MIND ................................................ 18 THE PRACTICE OF WISDOM ................................................. 19 GETAWAY FROM HELL ........................................................ 20 THE BODHI TREE............................................................... 21
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