Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a)
Then, the Buddha said to Bodhisattva Kasyapa: "O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva
should, in accordance with this “Mahaparinirvana Sutra”, meditate exclusively on the five kinds
of action. What are the five? They are: 1) holy actions, 2) pure actions, 3) heavenly actions, 4)
childlike actions, 5) actions of illness. O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva should practise
these five actions. Also, there is one action, which is the action of the Tathagata, the so-called
Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra. O Kasyapa! What are the holy actions which a Bodhisattvamahasattva
practises? The Bodhisattva-mahasattva, following a sravaka or the Tathagata, hears
the Great Nirvana Sutra. Having heard it, he gains faith and, on believing, thinks: "The All-
Buddha-World-Honoured One has the unsurpassed Way, the greatly Wonderful Dharma, right
action for the great congregation. Also, there are the Mahayana vaipulya sutras. As I now love
and seek zealously after the Mahayana sutras, I shall sever myself from my wife and children
whom I love, my relatives, the palace where I live, gold, silver and all rare jewelleries, wonderful
necklaces, incense, flowers, dancing and music, servants male and female, men and women, pages
big and small, people, elephants, horses, vehicles, cows, sheep, hens, dogs, hogs and pigs." Also,
he thinks: "One’s living-quarters so bear down upon one that they resemble a prison-house. All
worries arise from this. When one’s home has been abandoned, all is silent and open like the
Void. All good increases as a result of this. In one’s home, one cannot - to the end - practise
pure actions with a pure mind. I shall now shave off my hair, leave home and practise the Way."
Also he thinks: "I shall now definitely leave home and practise the Way of unsurpassed right
and true Enlightenment." When the Bodhisattva desires to renounce the world, Marapapiyas
becomes greatly worried and says: "Now, this Bodhisattva will have a great battle with me."
O good man! How would such a Bodhisattva fight with men? Then, the Bodhisattva goes at
once to a Buddhist vihara and sees the Tathagata and his disciples there, who are all correct in
their deportment and serene in their sense-organs and soft and calm in their minds. So he goes
there and seeks to get ordained. He shaves off his hair and puts on the three kinds of monastic
robe. After having been ordained, he upholds the prohibitional precepts, and he is not lacking
in deportment. His movements are peaceful, and nothing is violated. Even a small sin he fears,
and his mind to be true [his truthful attitude of mind] is strict and unbroken like a diamond.
"O good man! Here is a man who wants to cross the sea on a floating bag. Then there
is a rakshasa [flesh-eating demon] in the sea. He follows the man and begs the bag of him.
Hearing this, the man thinks: "If I give [it him], I will certainly sink and die." He replies: "O
rakshasa! You can kill me, but you cannot have the floating bag." The rakshasa says: "If you
cannot give all of the bag to me, give me half." But still the man will not give [him the bag].
The rakshasa says again: "If you cannot give me half, give me one third." The man does not
say "yes". The rakshasa continues: "If you cannot, give me the bit where your hand rests, I
shall be hard-pressed by hunger and worry. Please give me just a bit." The man further says:
"What you seek to have is, indeed, not much. But I must cross the sea this very day. I don’t
know how far it is. If I give [you] any part, the air will gradually go out. How could I [then]
hope to cross this difficult sea? If the air goes out, I shall sink and die half-way."
"O good man! The same is the case with the Bodhisattva who upholds the precepts.
He is like the man who desires to cross the sea and who is very solicitous of guarding the
floating bag and grudges [giving it away]. When the Bodhisattva thus cares to protect the
precepts, there will always appear in his way the rakshasas of all evil illusions, who will say to
the Bodhisattva: "Believe me, I am not going to cheat you. Just commit the four grave offences
and take care of the other precepts. For this, I will give you peace, and you will awaken in
Nirvana." The Bodhisattva will then say: "I would rather uphold the precepts and gain Avichi
Hell than break them and be born in heaven." The rakshasa of illusion will say: "If you cannot
commit the four grave offences, commit the samghavasesa. For this, I will make you attain
Nirvana easily." The Bodhisattva will not comply. The rakshasa will again say: "If you cannot
160 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
commit the samghavasesa, commit the sthulatyaya. For this, you will have a peaceful Nirvana."
Again, the Bodhisattva will not comply. The rakshasa will again say: "If you cannot commit
the sthulatyaya, break the [rules of the] naihsargika-prayascittika. For this, you will have a
peaceful Nirvana." The Bodhisattva will again refuse to comply. Then the rakshasa will say
again: "If you cannot commit the prayascittika, please commit the duskrta. For this, you will
have a peaceful Nirvana." Then the Bodhisattva will say to himself: "If I commit the duskrta
and do not confess before the assembly [of monks], I may not be able to cross the sea of birth
and death and attain Nirvana." The Bodhisattva-mahasattva is [thus] very strict in avoiding
these very petty offences [prohibited by the precepts], and his mind is like a diamond. The
Bodhisattva-mahasattva respectfully and indifferently [calmly] observes the precept against the
four grave offences and the duskrta.
"If the Bodhisattva upholds the precepts thus, he is known to have observed the five
kinds of shilas [obligations, moral precepts], which are: 1) the precept for the purity of the
Bodhisattva’s basic actions, 2) the precept for the purity of the fore-and-aft relative actions and
others, 3) the precept for awakening to purity and not awakening to things of the evil categories,
4) the precept for protecting [maintaining] right mindfulness and for praying for purity, and 5)
the precept for transferring [merit] to unsurpassed Bodhi.
"O Kasyapa! Now, there are two kinds of precept for the Bodhisattva. One relates to
secular teaching, and the other is for attaining Wonderful Dharma. If a Bodhisattva gains the
precepts for Wonderful Dharma, he does not do evil to the end. The secular precepts can be
gained after the proceedings of the jnapticaturtha [one of the ways of arriving at a decision in
the Buddhist Sangha]. Also, next, O good man! There are two kinds of precept. One [set] is
the precepts against originally grave offences and the other is [those] to stop the ill-speaking and
hatred that obtain in secular life. The precepts against the originally grave offences are those
regarding the four offences. We say "precepts to stop the ill-speaking and hatred that obtain
in secular life." That is: not cheating others during trade by making the weight of the scales
less or making the measure smaller [i.e. not giving as much of the product as one should] or
gaining wealth by taking advantage of another’s circumstances, by binding others with ill-will,
by destroying another’s success, by sleeping with the light on, by having one’s own house and
sowing seeds, and by not sticking to one’s household duties [requirements, necessities] in a shop
[when shopping]. One does not keep an elephant, horse, vehicle, cow, sheep, camel, donkey, hen,
dog, monkey, peacock, parrot, jivamjivaka, kokila, jackal, wolf, cat, racoon, wild boar, pig, or
other bad beast, boy, girl, grown-up man or woman [slaves], male or female servant, boy servant,
gold, silver, beryl, crystal, pearls, lapis lazuli, agate, coral, jade, horse-shoe shell, or other gems;
a bowl of copper alloy, solder, brass; the “kusu” [square mattress on which the emperor sits
to pray or worship] and “toto” [woollen carpet], or woollen clothing that fits in well with the
body [that hugs the body? fits well]. He never stores up cereal and rice, wheat and beans of
any size, millet, Italian millet, rice, hemp, and the utensils for raw or cooked food. He receives
[food] once a day, and never eats twice a day. His meal is what is gained from alms-begging or is
that for the Sangha [food donated to the Sangha]. He always knows just how to slow down his
steps, but never accepts a special invitation [for himself alone]. “He does not eat meat or take
intoxicating drinks”, “nor vegetables of the five kinds of astringent smell” [including garlic, leeks,
onions]. Hence, no unpleasant smell comes about [on the breath]. He is always respected and
given offerings, honoured and praised by gods and humans. He receives only what will satisfy
his appetite and does not stay [waiting for food to be offered] long. The clothes he receives are
just to cover his body. In going and coming, what he has are the three kasayas [robes] and his
begging-bowl. He never parts from these, just as birds do not part from their wings. He never
stores up any produce as of the categories of the root, stem, joint, knot or seed [such as radish
roots and bamboo shoots]. He has no larder for food, no accessories for dressing, never sits or
lies on high or big beds, on a golden bed of ivory, or possesses any kinds of knitted clothing
of varying colours, no mattresses delicate and soft to the touch; he never sits on elephant or
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 161
horse skins, nor does he recline on a bed spread across with delicately made, soft and beautiful
bedclothes, or put a double pillow on the bedstead or keep a red-coloured pillow; nor does he
sleep on a yellow-coloured pillow; nor does he enjoy himself looking at the fights of elephants,
horses, vehicles, soldiers, men, women, cows, sheep, cocks, pheasants, parrots, etc.; nor does he
specially go and look at military camps; nor does he listen to the trumpet shell, drum, horn,
“ch’in”, “sh˜a”, “ch˜ang” [lutes], flute, harp, singing and crying, dance music of females, except on
occasions when offerings are being made to the Buddha. He does not watch such games as the
“chobo” [type of gambling], “go” [chess], “prasaka” [gambling game], nor the fights of lions and
elephants, the “danki” [type of game], “rikuhaku” [kind of gambling], ball-game, throwing of
stones and pots, running, the “hachidogyojo”, nor any kinds of amusement. Throughout his life,
he does not practise the likes of fortune-telling by looking at a person’s hands, feet, face, or eyes;
nor does he use such things as the “soky¨a” [used in fortune-telling], divining sticks, tooth picks,
bowls, or carcasses; nor does he look up at the sky and the constellations, except when checking
drowsiness. He will not become the messenger of a kingly house or say that to this person or
this to that. He does not flatter or live by evil ways. Also, he does not talk about such as kings,
ministers, robbers, fights, meals, land, famines, fear, good harvests, pleasure or ease. O good
man! All such are the precepts for checking the rise of worldly rumours about a Bodhisattvamahasattva.
The Bodhisattva-mahasattva strongly upholds the prohibitional precepts. And
this does not depart from the originally grave offences.
"O good man! When the Bodhisattva-mahasattva observes all these prohibitions, he takes
such vows as these: "I might well place my body into the burning fire of the deepest depths of
hell, but I will not break the prohibitions of all the Buddhas of the past, future and present, and
will not perform impure actions with females, Kshatriyas, Brahmins and upasakas." Also, next,
O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner bind myself with a piece of
heated iron than receive clothing from the faithful, [in a way that] breaks the precepts." Also,
next, O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner swallow a ball of heated
iron than take a meal offered by the faithful, my mouth breaking the precepts." Also, next, O
good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner lie on a greatly heated iron bed
than receive from the hands of the faithful such things as bedstead and bedding, myself breaking
the precepts." Also, next, O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner
have this body of mine thrust through with 300 spears than receive from the hands of the faithful
medicine that causes me to break the precepts." Also, next, O good man! The Bodhisattvamahasattva
vows: "I would sooner throw myself upon a tripod [trident] than receive from the
faithful a shed or house that causes me to break the precepts." Also, he vows: "I would sooner
have my head and legs crushed into motes with an iron hammer than have myself respected and
worshipped by Kshatriyas, Brahmins and upasakas who cause me to break the precepts." Also,
next, O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner have my face cut off or
both my eyes taken out than look upon the beauty of other persons with a defiled mind." Also,
next, O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner have my ears thrust
through from all sides with iron awls than give ear to beautiful sounds with a defiled mind."
Also, next, O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner have my nose cut
off with a sharp sword than enjoy any beautiful fragrances with a defiled mind." Also, next, O
good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner have my tongue torn into shreds
with a sharp sword than greedily taste beautiful dishes with a defiled mind." Also, next, O good
man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva vows: "I would sooner have my body cut into pieces with
a sharp hatchet than greedily covet with a defiled mind whatever is touchable. Why? Because
all this carries those who practise the Way into such realms as those of hell, the animals, and
hungry ghosts." O Kasyapa! This is the Bodhisattva-mahasattva’s guarding of the prohibitions.
"When the Bodhisattva-mahasattva acts in accordance with the prohibitions mentioned
above, he transfers all the merits hereof to all beings. He prays that, through this, they will be
able to accomplish the precepts for purity, those for goodness, those for non-falling, those for
162 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
non-breaking, the Mahayana precepts, the precepts for non-retrogression, those for obedience,
those for the Ultimate, those for the perfection and accomplishment of the paramitas [perfections
of virtue].
"O good man! When the Bodhisattva-mahasattva thus practises the precepts for purity,
he first attains a state from which he never more moves away. Why do we call it being one
who is immovable? When a Bodhisattva lives in this state, he is immovable, non-retrogressive,
and non-dispersive. For example, it is like Mount Sumeru, which not even the sharpest wind
[“vairambhaka”] can move, cause to blow over or move back. The same is the case with the
Bodhisattva-mahasattva when he lives in this “bhumi”. He is not shaken by colour, voice, smell,
or taste; he does not fall into such realms as those of hell, beast or hungry preta; he does
not fall back to the state of sravaka or pratyekabuddha; he is not shaken by different views
and evil winds, and he does not live the wrong life. Also, next, O good man! "Immovable"
also means not being shaken by greed and anger; "not falling" means not falling into the four
grave offences. "Not retrogressing" means that one does not retrogress and come back home
[to worldly life]. "Not being dispersed" means not being shaken or destroyed by those who
act against the Mahayana. Also, next, the Bodhisattva-mahasattva is not beaten by the Mara
of illusion, not shaken by the Mara of the five skandhas. Even though the king Mara is there
under the shade of the Bodhi Tree, he cannot cause the Bodhisattva to retrogress from attaining
unsurpassed Enlightenment. Also, the Bodhisattva does not get beaten by the Mara of death.
O good man! This is how the Bodhisattva practises the holy Way.
"O good man! Why do we say "holy actions"? It is so called because what is done is
what the Buddha and Bodhisattvas do. Why do we call the Buddha and Bodhisattvas "holy
persons"? They are so called because they always meditate on “Dharmata”, on the quietude of
the Void. For this reason, we say that they are holy persons. As they uphold the holy precepts,
they are holy persons. As they have the holy dhyana and Wisdom, they are holy persons. They
possess the seven holy properties, which are: faith, precepts, repentance, rich-hearing, Wisdom,
equanimity, and segregation. That is why they are called holy persons. As they possess the
seven holy awakenings, they are holy persons. For this reason, too, we say "holy persons".
Also, next, O good man! The holy actions of the Bodhisattva-mahasattvas are what they do in
observing the body from head to foot. And these are: hair, nails, teeth, impurities, dirt, skin,
flesh, sinews, bones, spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, intestines and stomach, i.e. stomach
and large intestines, faeces, urine, spittle, tears, fat, membrane, marrow, pus, blood, skull, and
all the veins. When the Bodhisattva thus observes things, who [here] can be the Self, or to whom
can the Self belong? Where does it live and who can belong to the Self? Also, he thinks: "Is
the bone the Self? Or is what is other than bone the Self?" The Bodhisattva then meditates,
and excludes the skin and flesh. What he sees is white bone. He also thinks: "The colour of
bone is various: blue, yellow, white, dove-colour." Thus what the bone displays is not "I". Why
not? Because the Self is not blue, yellow, white or dove-colour. As the Bodhisattva meditates
thus, with full mind, he is away from all desire for what is physical. Also, he thinks: "Such
bone comes about from causal relations [causal constellations, causal concatenations]. The footbone
supports the ankle-bone; the ankle-bone supports the calf-bone; the calf-bone supports the
knee-bone, the knee-bone supports the thigh-bone; the thigh-bone supports the rump-bone; the
rump-bone supports the loin-bone; the loin-bone supports the backbone; the backbone supports
the rib-bones. Also, the backbone supports the bone of the nape; the bone of the nape supports
the chin-bone [jaw]; the chin-bone supports the canine and other teeth. And above that there is
the skull. Also, the bone of the nape supports the shoulder-blade; the shoulder-blade supports
the bone of the upper arm; the bone of the upper arm supports the bone of the lower arm; the
bone of the lower arm supports the wrist-bone; the wrist-bone supports the finger-bone. When
the Bodhisattva-mahasattva thus meditates, all the bones of the body dispart [separate out].
Having thus meditated, the Bodhisattva cuts off the three desires: for facial form, for bodily
form, and for minor touches.
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 163
"When the Bodhisattva-mahasattva thus meditates on the blue bones, he sees the earth
look all blue to the east, west, south, north, up and down, and the four corners. The same is the
case with the meditations on the colours of yellow, white, and dove as with the meditation on the
colour blue. When the Bodhisattva-mahasattva thus meditates, from his brow issues forth the
fragrance of the colours of blue, yellow, white, and dove-colour. The Bodhisattva sees in each of
the lights the form of the Buddha. Having seen the Buddha, he asks: "Something such as this
body of mine comes about from a combination of impurities. How could we sit and stand, walk
and stop, bend and look up, see and wink, pant and breathe, grieve and weep, be happy and
laugh? There is none that rules over [the body]. What causes things to be thus?" As he thus
thinks, all the Buddha figures disappear from the lights. Also, he thinks: "Or consciousness
might be my Self. That is why the Buddhas will not speak to me." Again, as he meditates on
consciousness, he sees that things gradually disappear, as in the case of running water. So, this
is not one’s Self. Also, he thinks: "Now, this in-and-out breathing of mine is nothing but of the
nature of the wind. The nature of the wind is nothing but one of the four great elements. Which
of the four great elements can be my Self? The natures of water, fire and wind, too, are not
my Self." Also, he thinks: "With this body of mine, there is nothing that could be called Self.
Only the causal relations of the wind of mind join things together and there are various works
and things. For example, this is as in the case of charms or tricks, or the sound of the harp that
comes out followoing the wind of the mind of the one who plays. Thus is this body impure.
Various causal relations join together and things go thus. For what might we have greed? If
one bears ill-speaking, how could there arise anger? It would seem that the 36 things [i.e. the
36 defilements that a human body possesses] of my body are nothing but what is impure and
defiled. Where can there be one who has to bear ill-speaking? When one is spoken ill of, one
may well think: "Whose voice is it that thus speaks ill of [me]? No one’s voice can be the one
that speaks ill of [me]. If one person does not speak ill, the same applies to many voices. For
this reason, one should not get angry." When other persons come and beat one up, one should
think: "From where comes this beating?" Also, one might think: "When hands, the sword or
staff come into contact with my body, we say that we get beaten. How could we ever get angry
at others? This shows that I myself have invited the sin of my own accord. This comes from
the fact that I have this body of the five skandhas. This is as in the case of a target which an
arrow can hit, and there comes about [such] hitting. The same is the case with this body of
mine. As I have a body, there is [the possibility of] a beating. If I do not bear down [upon it],
my mind will break up. If my mind gets dispersed, I shall lose my right mind. If I lose my right
mind, I may not be able to see what is good and what is not. If I cannot distinguish good and
not-good in a thing, I shall do evil. Evil done will take one to the realms of hell, animals and
hungry ghosts."
"The Bodhisattva-mahasattva, having done this meditation, attains the four remembrances.
As he gains the four remembrances, he now can live in the forbearance soil [“bhumi”].
As the Bodhisattva-mahasattva attains this state, he bears down upon greed, anger and ignorance;
also, he is able to stand the cold, heat, hunger, thirst, mosquitoes, gadflies, fleas, lice,
storms, impure meals [meals made impure by being touched by others’ hands], illness, plague,
ill-speaking, abuse, beatings, and slashings with thorns. He will bear down upon all the pains
and worries of the body. That is why we say that he lives in the forbearance soil."
Bodhisattva Kasyapa said to the Buddha: "O World-Honoured One! When the Bodhisattva
as yet does not dwell in the immovable soil, but upholds purity, could he, if the occasion
arose, break the precepts or not?" "O good man! When the Bodhisattva has not yet attained
the state of the immovable soil, he may well break the precepts when the occasion arises."
Kasyapa said: "So it is, indeed! O World-Honoured One! Who can be such a person?"
The Buddha said to Kasyapa: "The Bodhisattva may have occasion to transgress against the
precepts if he knows that he can indeed make others possess the Mahayana sutras, make them like
them, understand, copy and expound them widely to others, and make them attain unsurpassed
164 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
Enlightenment and not retrogress from it. On such an occasion, he may well transgress the
precepts. At that time, the Bodhisattva will think: "Even though I may fall into Avichi Hell
for a kalpa or less and may have to expiate my sin there, I shall surely make this person attain
unsurpassed Enlightenment and not retrogress therefrom". O Kasyapa! In such circumstances,
the Bodhisattva-mahasattva may transgress against the purity of the precepts."
Then Bodhisattva Manjushri said to the Buddha: "Any Bodhisattva who takes in such
persons, protects them, and makes them aspire to Enlightenment and makes them not retrogress
from it and who, for this purpose, transgresses against the precepts, cannot fall into Avichi Hell."
At that, the Buddha praised Manjushri, saying: "Well said, well said! I recall that in days gone
by I was born in Jambudvipa as a great king named Senyo. He loved the Mahayana sutras
and respected them. He was pure and good, and there was no coarseness in him; no jealousy,
no stinginess could find any room inside him. What issued forth from him was loving words,
words that spoke of good. He always protected the poor and the lonely; with him there was
no end of giving and of making effort. At that time, there was no Buddha, no sravakas and
pratyekabuddhas. I, at that time, loved the Mahayana vaipulya sutras. For 12 years I served
the Brahmins, catering fully to their needs. After that, when giving and peace had been gained,
I said: "O you teachers! You should now aspire to unsurpassed Enlightenment." The Brahmins
said: "O great King! There is no such thing as the nature of Enlightenment; the same is the
case with the Mahayana sutras. O great King! How is it that you wish to make us equal to
the Void"? O good man! I, at that time, greatly respected Mahayana. I heard the Brahmins
slandering the vaipulya. Having heard this, I did away with my life. O good man! I have never
once fallen into hell because of this [i.e. despite this]. O good man! When we accept and protect
the Mahayana sutras, we have innumerable virtues.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! There are also [other] holy actions. These are the Four Noble
Truths, which are: Suffering, the Cause [of Suffering], the Extinction [of Suffering], and the
Way [to the Extinction of that Suffering]. O Kasyapa! Suffering is oppressive circumstance.
The cause of suffering contains the phases of growth and expansion. Extinction is the phase of
quietness and annihilation, the Way is Mahayana. Also, next, O good man! Suffering is what
actually stands before one; the cause is a phase of change; extinction is exclusion; the Way is
what we can well exclude. Also, next, O good man! Suffering has three phases [modes], which
are: 1) suffering-suffering, 2) the suffering of what is made, and 3) the suffering of breaking
away [i.e. disintegration, separation from what one likes]. The cause of suffering relates to the
25 existences. The Way relates to the precepts, meditation, and Wisdom. Also, next, O good
man! Of “asravas” [defilements], there are two kinds, which are: cause and result. “Anasrava”
[non-defilement - the absence of desire, "becoming" and ignorance] is of two kinds, which are:
cause and result. The result of “asrava” is suffering; the cause of “asrava” is “samudaya” [=cause
of suffering, which = “trishna”, craving]. The result of “anasrava” is extinction [of suffering]
and the cause of “anasrava” is the Way.
"Also, next, O good man! There are eight modes of suffering, which are: 1) the suffering
of being born, 2) the suffering of ageing, 3) the suffering of illness, 4) the suffering of death, 5)
the suffering of parting from what one loves, 6) the suffering of encountering what one hates, 7)
the suffering of not being able to obtain what one desires, and 8) the suffering of the burning
urges of the skandhas. The cause of these eight modes of suffering is [called] “samudaya”. Where
these eight sufferings do not exist, that is extinction. The ten powers, the four fearlessnesses,
the three mental states, and Great Compassion are the Way.
"O good man! Birth is emergence, of which there are five kinds: 1) first coming, 2) end
of coming, 3) growing, 4) emerging from the womb, and 5) actual birth with characteristics.
"What is ageing? This has two aspects: 1) hourly ageing and 2) physical ageing. Again,
there are two kinds: 1) increasing ageing and 2) extinguishing and breaking ageing. Thus do
things stand with ageing.
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 165
"What is illness? By illness is meant the non-conforming [non-harmonisation] of the
poisonous serpents of the four great elements, which is of two kinds: 1) illness of the body and
2) illness of the mind. In illness of the body, there are five kinds of cause, which are: 1) water, 2)
wind, 3) heat, 4) various diseases, and 5) illnesses from external causes. Illnesses from external
causes comprise: 1) unremitting labour, 2) forgetfulness, misdemeanours, and degeneration, 3)
sword, staff, tiles, stones, and 4) devils and phantoms. Illness of the mind is also of four kinds,
which are: 1) unbounded joy [manic state], 2) fear, 3) anxiety, and 4) ignorance. Also, next, O
good man! Of illness of body and mind, there are three kinds. What are the three? These are:
1) karma results, 2) being unable to segregate oneself from what is evil, and 3) change resultant
from the course of time. All such as causal relations, the categorical nature, and differences in
feeling call forth illnesses. Causal relations refer to such illnesses as of wind, etc., the categorical
nature refers to swellings in [as a result of] worry, coughs by dizziness, and soft [loose] bowels
due to mental surprise, differences in feeling refers to headaches, pains in the eys, hands, feet,
etc. Such are illnesses.
"What is death? By death is meant the relinquishing of the carnal body which one has
been given. In relinquishing the body which one has received, there are two kinds, which are:
1) death through the expiration of life [i.e. from one’s life naturally coming to an end] and 2)
death from external causes. In death through expiration of life, there are three kinds, which
are: 1) ending of life, which, however, is not the ending of fortune; 2) ending of wealth, which,
however, is not the ending of life; 3) ending of both fortune and life. There are three kinds of
death from external causes, which are: 1) unnatural suicide, 2) death caused by others, and
3) death from both causes. Also, there are three kinds of death, which are: 1) death from
indolence, 2) death from violating the precepts, and 3) death from severing the life-root. What
is death from indolence? If one slanders the Mahayana-vaipulya-prajnaparamita, this is death
from indolence. What is death from violating the precepts? When one breaches the prohibitions
laid down by the Buddhas of the past, future and present, this is violating the precepts. What is
death from severing the life-root? Forsaking the body of the five skandhas is death from severing
the life-root. That is why we say that death is great suffering.
"What is the suffering of parting from what one loves? What one loves breaks up and
becomes dispersed. There are two kinds of parting from what one loves, which are: 1) breakingup
of the five skandhas of a human and 2) breaking-up of the heavenly world. If we count up
the kinds of five skandhas of the things of heaven and earth, they are innumerable. This is the
suffering of parting from what one loves.
"What is the suffering of encountering what one hates? There are masses of things which
one does not love, which come together. In such massings together of what one does not love,
there are three kinds, which are the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals. Such three are
innumerable, even though we may try to enumerate them. Such is the suffering of encountering
what one hates to encounter.
"What is the suffering of not being able to gain what one desires? There are two kinds
of this suffering of not being able to gain what one desires to have, which are: 1) desiring
something, but not being able to get it, and 2) the result that does not come about, even after
much effort, which is the case of suffering from not being able to get what one desires to have.
"What is the suffering of the burning urge of the five skandhas? The suffering of the
burning urge of the five skandhas refers to the suffering of birth, the suffering of ageing, the
suffering of illness, the suffering of death, the suffering of parting from what one loves, the
suffering of encountering what one hates, and the suffering of not being able to gain what one
wishes to have. That is why we speak of the suffering of the burning urge of the five skandhas.
"O Kasyapa! The root of life has these seven kinds of suffering. This extends from the
suffering of ageing to the suffering of the burning urge of the five skandhas. O Kasyapa! This
does not mean that ageing comes to all. It definitely does not come to the Buddha and the
166 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
gods. With man, it is indefinite: it may exist or it may not. O Kasyapa! Those who exist in
the three worlds have life. Ageing is not always definite. That is why the root rests in life. O
Kasyapa! The men of the world are upside down, which fact beclouds their minds. They cling
to what obtains in life and hate ageing and death. It is otherwise with the Bodhisattva. When
he first looks at birth, he already sees illness.
"O Kasyapa! There was once a woman, who came into the house of another. She bore
herself spendidly. She looked beautiful and her body was adorned with necklaces of various
stones. The master of the house saw her and asked: "What is your name? To whom do you
belong?" The woman answered: "I am Gunamahadevi". The man of the house asked: "What
do you do wherever you go?" The devi answered: "Wherever I go, I give people various things
such as gold, silver, beryl, crystal, pearl, coral, lapis lazuli, agate, elephants, horses, vehicles,
male or female servants, messenger boys." On hearing this, the man of the house felt extremely
pleased: "Now, fortune is on my side. That is why you are in my house." He burnt incense,
strew flowers, made offerings, and worshipped her. Also, outside the gate, he encountered a
woman, ugly and mean, whose clothes were tattered, torn, defiled by fat and were dirty. Her
skin was chapped and she looked pale and white. On seeing her, he asked: "What is your
name? To whom do you belong?" The woman answered: "My name is "Darkness." He asked
further: "Why "Darkness?" The woman answered: "Wherever I go, the wealth of that house
disappears." Hearing this, the man brandished a sharp sword and said: "Go away! If you don’t,
I will kill you." The woman said: "You are a fool and lack wisdom." The man asked: "Why
am I a fool, and why do I lack wisdom?" The woman answered: "The woman in your house is
my elder sister. I always accompany her. If you drive me away, she will leave you." The master
of the house entered the house and asked Gunadevi: "Outside the house there is a woman who
says that she is your sister. Is this true?" Gunadevi said: "She truly is my sister. I am always
accompanied by her, in going and coming; we never part. Wherever I am, I always do good and
she always does evil. I give benefit and she loss. If you love me, love her also. If you respect me,
respect her too." The man at once said: "If there have to be both, good and evil, I won’t have
either. Go on your way, both of you!" Then the two women went to where they had been before.
When they had left for where they had first been, the man of the house was glad and greatly
rejoiced. Then the two women went to a poor man’s hut. On seeing them, the man invited
them in and said: "Henceforth stay in my house." Gunadevi said: "We were driven away. Why
do you invite us to come in?" The poor man said: "You now think of me. I respect your sister
because of you. So, I allow both of you to come in." The situation is like this. O Kasyapa! It
is the same with the Bodhisattva-mahasattva. He does not desire to be born in heaven. Being
born means that there, too, there are ageing, illness and death. So he abandons both; he is not
minded to receive them. Common mortals and the ignorant do not realise the ills of ageing,
illness and death. So they greedily seek birth and death.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! The child of a Brahmin, oppressed by hunger, picks up a mango
fruit which is lying in excrement. A man who knows what is what sees this and reproaches the
child: "You who come from a Brahmin family and whose blood is pure! Why do you pick up
that dirty fruit which was lying in excrement?" The child flushes, after being so reprimanded.
Then he replies: "I do not want to eat this, to tell you the truth. I just wanted to wash it and
throw it away." The wise man says: "What you say does not make any sense. If you wanted
to throw it away, what was the good of picking it up in the first place?" The situation is like
this. O good man! It is the same with the Bodhisattva-mahasattva. There is no receiving and
no abandoning [with him] from the very beginning. This is as in the case of the wise man who
reproaches the Brahmin child. The case of the common mortal who prays for life and hates
death is similar to that of the child who picks up the fruit and later abandons it.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! For example, there is a man who spreads out utensils filled
with food at a crossroads; the colour, fragrance and taste are perfect. And he wishes to sell
them. A man comes from a far-off place and is hungry and wasted. He is taken with the perfect
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 167
colour, fragrance and taste. He points to the food and asks: "What food is this?" The man
selling the food says: "This is the best of food; it has colour and fragrance. If one eats it, one’s
physique and strength will increase. It indeed does away with hunger, and one [who eats it] will
certainly see heaven. But there is a snag. That is, that one has to die!" On hearing this, the
man says to himself: "I may not need any physical strength to see heaven, and also I don’t care
for death." And he says: "If I eat this food, I will die. How can you sell this food here at all?"
The food-seller says: "He who is wise does not buy it at all. Only the ignorant do not know
this. They give me a lot and greedily eat this food." So might he say. The same is the case with
the Bodhisattva-mahasattva. He does not wish to be born in heaven. He does not wish to have
[a powerful] physique and strength, and to see all the devas. Why not? Because he knows that
they are not removed from all worries there. Common mortals and the ignorant greedily devour
wherever there is life to be lived, since they do not see ageing, sickness and death.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! For example, there is a poisonous tree, the root of which will
certainly kill a man. So, too, the branches, trunk, knots, bark, leaves, flowers and fruit. O
good man! Also, wherever the 25 existences obtain, it is the case with the five skandhas. Death
always follows them.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is like the defilement of excrement, which gives off a horrible
smell, no matter how small the amount is. O good man! The same with life. Whether one gains
a life of 8,000 years or as little as 10 years, suffering accompanies it all the same.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! As an example: a precipice is fully overgrown by grass. And on
the edge of the precipice, there is a lot of amrta [ambrosia]. If one eats it, one will live for 1,000
years. This will do away with disease for good, and all will proceed in peace. Common mortals
and the ignorant greedily covet the taste and forget about the great pit that awaits them down
below. They advance forwards, but unfortunately lose their footing, fall into the pit and die.
But the wise know how things stand; they do not come near. Instead, they keep away. O good
man! The same with he Bodhisattva-mahasattva. He does not care for the wonderful dishes of
heaven. How could he care for those of man? Common mortals swallow an iron ball in hell.
How could he desire to receive the all-wonderful dishes of the world of humans or of heaven? O
Kasyapa! You will certainly be able to know from this and all other innumerable parables that
this life is really nothing but a thing of great suffering. O Kasyapa! This is how a Bodhisattva
sees the suffering of life, abiding in what is said in the Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra.
"O Kasyapa! How does the Bodhisattva, abiding in this Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra,
see the suffering of ageing? Age truly does call forth coughs and dizziness. It diminishes courage
[spirit], memory, positive steps forward, manhood, joy, pride, high-brow [height], peace, and
unmolestedness [freedom]. Age indeed brings with it back swellings, forgetfulness and lassitude,
and is looked down upon by others. O Kasyapa! A pond is full of lotuses, with their flowers wide
open and with freshness filling all around. All is lovely. But if hail comes, all will be destroyed.
It is like that. O good man! Ageing is thus. It destroys manhood and beauty. Also, next, O
Kasyapa! A king has a wise minister who is well up in military tactics. An enemy king rises
against him. The king sends this minister to go and conquer the enemy king. This king is taken
prisoner, and the minister returns home and sees the king. The case is thus. The same with
ageing. It takes prisoners of one’s manhood and brilliancy [alertness of mind] and hands them
over to the king of death. Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is as in the case of a rich man who owns
such various tresures as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, agate, red pearl and carnelian. But
when robbers come and steal them, nothing more remains behind. O good man! It is the same
with manhood and brilliancy. The thief, old age, always comes and plunders [everything]. Also,
next, O Kasyapa! For example, a poor man greedily covets beautiful dishes and soft clothes.
He seeks to possesss such, but cannot. O good man! The case is the same with ageing too.
A greedy mind covets wealth and the satisfaction of the five [sense] desires, but it cannot [find
satisfaction]. Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is like the tortoise on dry land that always thinks of
water. O good man! The same is the case with human beings. Dried up with emaciation and
168 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
age, the mind always thinks back to the pleasures of the five desires which one enjoyed in the
prime of one’s life. Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is as in the case of the autumn moon which,
though looked up to by all the lotus flowers, is looked down upon when it wanes in its yellow. O
good man! The same is the case with the prime of life and youthful colours. Though loved by
all, all look down upon [one] when old age comes. Also, next, O Kasyapa! The same is the case
with sugar cane. When it is pressed, what remains behind has no taste. The same regarding
the prime of life and youthful colours. When old-age presses down on one, nothing remains of
the three tastes, which are: 1) the taste of renunciation, 2) the taste of recitation, and 3) the
taste of dhyana [meditation]. Also, next, O Kasyapa! This is as in the case of a night of the full
moon, when there is an abundance of light, but in the daytime there is not. O good man! The
same with human beings. In the prime of life, one looks splendidly austere; one’s form and face
are rare and grand, but as one grows old, one becomes weaker and one’s godliness of form dries
up. Also, next, O Kasyapa! As an example: there is a king who governs the land with just law
and reigns over his subjects. He is upright and honest; nothing about him is devious. He has
compassion and loves to give. Then, the enemy comes and overruns the land. The king flees
and goes to another country. The people of the other country see this and have pity and say:
"O great King! In days gone by, you reigned over a kingdom, basing yourself on right law and
doing no crooked thing to anyone. How is it that you had to leave your country and come to
this one?" It is like this. O good man! The same with human beings. When age comes and one
once gets broken down [by it], one can only praise what obtained when one was in the prime
of one’s life. Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is, for example, like the wick of a lamp, which depends
solely on grease and oil. When the grease and oil have gone, the power of the lamp does not
endure long. The same with human beings. One depends on the oil of manhood. When the
oil of manhood is spent, how long can the wick of weak old age give out light? Also, next, O
Kasyapa! For example, a dried-up river cannot benefit humans, non-humans, flying birds or
running beasts. The same with human beings. Dried up by old age, man cannot be of use for
any [kind of] work. Also, next, O Kasyapa! For example, it is as with a tree hanging over the
edge of a precipice. If a storm comes, it is sure to come toppling down. O good man! The same
with the human being. If the storm of old age comes to the precipice of old age, nothing can
check the force. Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is as with a broken shaft, by which no heavy burden
can be borne. O good man! The same with old age. No good thing can be of any benefit to
one. Also, next, it is as with a child who is slighted. O good man! Age, too, does thus. All
people always make light of, and neglect, one [when one is old]. O Kasyapa! Know from this and
all other innumerable and boundless parables that old age is truly great suffering. O Kasyapa!
That is why the Bodhisattva studies the Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra and meditates on the
suffering of old age.
"O Kasyapa! How does a Bodhisattva-mahasattva study the Mahayana Great Nirvana
Sutra and meditate on the suffering of illness? So-called illness destroys all peace and joy. For
example, it is as with the hail and rain that destroy the young buds of cereal. Also, it is as in the
case of a person against whom someone has a grudge: that person’s mind is always apprehensive
and fearful. O good man! The same with all beings. They always fear the suffering of illness
and are apprehensive. Also, next, O Kasyapa! There is a man who looks glorious and austere.
The king’s consort, due to sensual desire, means to have him. Letters arrive, and pressed by
her, he has intercourse [with her]. The king catches him, cuts away one of each eye, ear, hand
and leg. The appearance of this person changes. People dislike and slight him. O good man!
The same applies to the human being. A person may have a good set of ears and eyes. But
caught and pressed by illness, people will slight him. Also, next, O Kasyapa! For example, the
plantain, bamboo, reed, and mule have to die when they have offspring. O good man! The same
with human beings. From illness, they have to die. Also, next, O Kasyapa! The main body of
soldiers and ministers of a chakravartin always go in front and lead the way, and the chakravartin
follows. Likewise, the kings of fish, ants, whelks, cows, and head merchants go before and the
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 169
others all follow and never part [from them]. Also, next, O good man! The same with the
chakravartin of death. He always follows his subjects, illnesses, and never parts [from them].
The same with the kings of fish, ants, whelks, cows, and merchants. Always they are followed
by the subjects of death. O Kasyapa! The causal relations of illness are worry, apprehension,
suffering, and uneasiness in body and mind. One may be attacked by someone bearing ill-will,
the floating bag may get rent, or the bridge may be dug away, so that the foundations of life
will be endangered. Or the prime of life and bright complexion, vitality, peace, repentance may
be destroyed or may disappear, or the body and mind may get burnt out. One can indeed see
from this parable and from innumerable, boundless other parables how great the pain of illness
is. All this is to show how the Bodhisattva-mahasattva studies this Mahayana Great Nirvana
Sutra and meditates on the suffering of illness. "
"O Kasyapa! How does the Bodhisattva study the Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra and
meditate on the suffering of death? We say "death", because it thoroughly burns out and annuls
things. O Kasyapa! It is as when a fire burns out everything, except that it cannot exclude
the second dhyana. O good man! The same is the case with the fire of death. It burns out
everything, excepting the Bodhisattva who abides in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana. Because
the strength [of the Bodhisattva] reaches this stage. Also, next, O Kasyapa! If a flood comes,
all sinks under the water, excepting the third dhyana, which it cannot make away with. O good
man! The same is the case with the water of death, which submerges everything, except for the
Bodhisattva who abides in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana.
"Also, next, O Kasyapa! A storm blows up, scatters and destroys everything, excepting
the fourth dhyana, which its power cannot reach. O good man! The same is the case with
the wind of death. It destroys all that one has, except for the Bodhisattva who abides in the
Mahayana Mahaparinirvana." Bodhisattva Kasyapa said to the Buddha: "O World-Honoured
One! Why is it that the wind cannot blow away, the flood cannot wash away, and the fire cannot
burn out the fourth dhyana?" The Buddha said: "O good man! This comes from the fact that
in the fourth dhyana there does not remain a speck of sin, in or out of it. The first dhyana
has sin and illness in it. Within, it has enlightened meditation, but outside, there is fire. The
second dhyana has sin and illness in it. Within, there is joy; but outside, it has the sufferings of
the flood. The third dhyana has sin and illness in it. Within, it has asthma and, outside, the
sufferings from the wind. O good man! The fourth dhyana has, within and without, no sin or
illness at all. Because of this, no calamity can reach it. O good man! The same is the situation
with the Bodhisattva-mahasattva. He peacefully abides in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana, and
all sins and illness come to an end. Because of this, the king of death cannot reach him. Also,
next, O good man! For example, the garuda indeed devours all nagas, fish, and all treasures
such as gold and silver, except for the diamond. The same with the garuda of death. It indeed
devours and does away with all beings, except for the Bodhisattva-mahasattva who abides in
the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana, whom it cannot make away with. Also, next, for example, all
grass and trees are swept down to the great sea if the volume of water increases in size and if the
ravaging increases, except for the bitter willow and the willow, since these are soft and pliant.
O good man! The same is the case with all beings. All follow and get into the sea of death,
excepting the Bodhisattva who abides in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana and whom it cannot
do away with. Also, next, O Kasyapa! Narayana beats all wrestlers, except the great wind.
Why? Because of unhiunderedness. O good man! The same is the case with the Narayana
of death. He indeed conquers all beings, except the Bodhisattva who abides in the Mahayana
Mahaparinirvana. Why? Because of unhinderedness. Also, next, O Kasyapa! There is a person
who deceives and feigns friendliness, though entertaining enmity. He always follows others, just
as a shadow does its object, and looks for a chance to kill them. But the person to whom enmity
is borne is wary and stubborn, so that no opportunity for being killed is provided. O good man!
The same is the case with the enemy of death. It always looks for a chance to kill beings,
excepting the Bodhisattva-mahasattva who abides in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana. Why?
170 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
Because this Bodhisattva is not indolent. Also, next, O Kasyapa! For example, suddenly a great
storm arises, carrying storm and rain of adamantine force, by which all medicinal trees, all trees,
forests, sand, tiles, stones, gold, silver and beryl get crushed, except for the true treasure of the
diamond. O good man! The same is the case with the adamantine rain of death. It wholly
destroys beings, except for the Bodhisattva of adamantine mind who abides in the Mahayana
Mahaparinirvana. Also, next, O Kasyapa! It is like the garuda that devours all nagas, excepting
those who take refuge in the Three Treasures. O good man! The same is the case with the
garuda of death that truly devours all innumerable beings, except the Bodhisattva who dwells
in the three dhyanas. What are the three dhyanas? These are those of the Void, of formlessness,
and desirelessness. Also, next, O Kasyapa! If one is bitten by a Mara-viper, no good charm
or medicine of any superior quality can have any power to heal [one], except for the charm of
agasti, which indeed cures [one]. It is the same with a person caught by the poison of death. No
medical treatment is of any help, except for the case of the Bodhisattva charm of the Mahayana
Mahaparinirvana. Also, next, there is a man who has aroused the anger of a king. But should
he present treasures to the king with gentle words, he might well gain the king’s pardon. The
case is like this. O good man! The case of the king of death is not like that. One may offer
money or wealth in a gently spoken manner, but no release will ensue.
"O good man! Now, death is a precipice where there is no guaranty of life. The way
to it is far. One may walk day and night, and there is no end of walking. The path of gloom
hangs on [oppresses] one and there is no light. There is no gate through which one may enter,
and there is a place that exists. No place of pain exists, but there is no means of cure. There
is nothing that bars the way. Once in, there is no getting out. There is nothing to break, but
what meets one’s eyes is nothing but what is sorrowful and poisonous. It has no bad colour, but
people are afraid. It sits close to one. But one cannot know or feel where it is. O Kasyapa! You
may know from this and from innumerable and boundless other parables that life and death are
great suffering to a person. O Kasyapa! This is how a Bodhisattva practises the Way by [means
of] the Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra and how he meditates on death."
"O Kasyapa! How does a Bodhisattva abide in the teaching of the Mahayana Great
Nirvana Sutra and meditate on the suffering of parting from what one loves? The suffering of
parting from what one loves is the root suffering of all sufferings, about which it is said:
"From craving one gains apprehension;
From craving one gains fear.
If the greedy mind is done away with,
Why does one need to feel apprehension or fear any more?"
Through the causal relations of craving comes about the suffering of apprehension. From
the suffering of apprehension, beings become weak and old. The suffering of parting from what
one loves accompanies one to the end of one’s life. O good man! As a result of parting, various
minor sufferings arise. I shall clearly explain this for your good.
"O good man! In ages past, humans had an immeasurably long life. At that time, there
was a king called "Good-Abiding". This king, at that time, was a child. As a prince, he attended
to the business of the state. Then he became king. At that time, a human being’s life lasted
84,000 years. Then, on top of his head a pimple appeared. It looked like a cotton “tula” or
soft “karpasa” [cotton]. This grew bigger by the day. But he did not worry one whit about it.
After ten months, this boil broke open and a child was born. His form was well proportioned
and nothing was as wonderful as this. His colour and form were clear, and the child was the
foremost amongst humans. His father, the king, was glad and named him "Head-Born". Then
King Good-Abiding handed over the government of the state to this Head-Born, and abandoning
the royal palace, his wife, children and relatives, he entered the forest and studied the Way and
lived for 84,000 years. Then Head-Born, fifteen days after his birth, was given the rite of abhiseka
[annointing] on a high building. And to the east was the treasure wheel of gold [one of the seven
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 171
treasures which a chakravartin is said to possess]. The wheel had 1,000 spokes and was perfect
in its hub. It was not one made by an artisan, but one that had come about naturally. The great
king, Head-Born, thought: "In ages past, I heard what was said by a rishi who was accomplished
in divine powers. If a Kshatriya king gets bathed [baptised], receives the rite of purification on
top of a high building; if the number of spokes of the golden wheel is not one too few, and if
the hub is correctly set, and if it is not one made by an artisan, but one arisen naturally, one
may know that this indicates a king who will become a chakravartin." He also said to himself:
"I shall now try [it out]. I shall hold the wheel in my left hand, and my right hand will hold the
incense burner, and I shall place my right knee on the ground and take my vows: [If this wheel
is genuine and not false, I pray that things will be as in the olden days regarding what accrues
to a chakravartin]." When he vowed thus, this treasure wheel of gold flew up and went in all
the ten directions, and came back to the left hand of Head-Born. Then he rejoiced unendingly.
Also, he said: "I shall now surely become a chakravartin."
"Then, not long after, there came to him a treasure-elephant, which looked grand and
grave like a white lotus, and whose seven limbs stood firmly upon the ground. Seeing this,
Head-Born thought to himself: "In days gone by, I heard a rishi who possessed the five powers
say that if a chakravartin receives the abhikseka rite on a high building on the fifteenth day
after his birth, and if there is an elephant whose seven libs stand [firmly] upon the ground, this
indicates - one should know - a sacred king." Also, he thought: "I shall now try [it out]." He
held the incense burner in his left hand, placed his right knee on the ground and vowed: "If this
treasure-elephant is not false, let all proceed as in the olden days." When this vow had been
taken, this white treasure-elephant travelled from morning till evening in the eight directions,
and gaining the boundary line of the great sea, came back and sat as it was meant to sit. Then
King Head-Born was greatly and inexpressibly pleased. Also, he said: "I am definitely now a
chakravartin."
"Then, not long afterwards, a treasure horse came, whose colour was bright blue and who
had a golden-coloured hairy tail. Head-Born, on seeing it, thought to himself: "In days gone
by, I heard a rishi who had the five powers say that when a chakravartin, fifteen days after [his
birth], sits on a high building and receives the rite of abhiseka, and if a treasure horse comes
whose colour is bright blue and whose hairy tail is of the colour of gold, we should know that
this is a sacred king." Also, he thought to himself: "I shall now test it out." He took up the
incense burner, placed his right knee on the ground and vowed: "If this horse is genuine and not
false, let all happen as is proper regarding a chakravartin." After he had thus uttered his prayer,
the blue horse travelled from morning to evening in the eight directions and having gained the
boundary line of the great sea, came back and remained where it was supposed to remain. Then
Head-Born was greatly pleased and rejoiced inexpressibly. Also, he said: "Now I am definitely
a chakravartin."
"Then, not long afterwards, there appeared a treasure woman whose form was all perfect
and most beautiful. She was not tall, not short; not white, nor black. From all the pores of her
skin wafted the fragrance of sandalwood; she smelled sweet and clear [fresh], and looked like a
blue lotus. Her eyes could see as far as a yojana. The same with her ears’ hearing ability and her
nose’s smelling power. Her tongue was so big that, when it stretched out, it thoroughly covered
her face. Her form and colour were delicate as leaves of copper. Her mind and consciousness
were transparent, and she had great wisdom. Always gentle were the words which she spoke to
all beings. When this woman’s hand touched the king’s robes, it could see through the course
of illness [whether illness was present] and what the king was thinking. Then Head-Born again
thought: "If this woman can read the king’s mind, this is a treasure-woman?"
"Then, not long after, there appeared a mani [jewel, gem] which was of pure blue beryl. It
resembled the hub of a wheel, and in the gloom its radiance extended for one yojana in distance.
If it happened to rain cats and dogs, the power of that mani was so great that it could well have
served as a parasol and covered a space one yojana in extent, and not a drop of the heavy rain
172 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
would have passed through. Then Head-Born thought to himself: "If the chakravartin obtains
this mani, this is the sign of a sacred emperor."
"Then, not long afterwards, there spontaneously appeared a treasure minister, whose
wealth was so great that it could not be counted. His storehouse was full and was lacking in
nothing. The power of his eyes, which was the fruit of his personal virtue, was able to penetrate
all the wealth hidden under the earth. Whatever the king desired to have, the minister could
answer his need. Head-Born again resolved to test things out. He sailed forth on a boat in
the sea and said to the treasure-minister: "I now desire to have something rare." The minister
stirred up the surface of the water with both his hands. The ten tips of his fingers [then] held all
[sorts of] treasure. Presenting these to the king, he said: "Please use these as you will and throw
away what is left over." Head-Born was delighted and rejoiced inexpressibly. And he thought
to himself: "I now surely am a chakravartin."
"And not long after that, there spontaneously appeared an army general. He was brave
and strong and pre-eminent in tactics, knowing well the four armies [the four military forces
of 1) elephants, 2) horses, 3) chariots, and 4) infantry]. Should there be anyone who could
stand battle, this was shown to the holy king; one not worthy of it was made to draw back and
not to come about [come near, attack]; any not yet conquered was conquered; anyone already
conquered was well protected. Then Head-Born thought to himself: "If this general possesses
the treasure of military prowess, I must certainly be a chakravartin."
"Then the chakravartin, Head-Born, spoke to his ministers: "You should know that this
Jambudvipa is peaceful and prosperous. I now have the seven treasures and 1,000 sons. What
more should I do?" All the ministers answered: "Yes, indeed, O great King! Purvavideha [i.e.
one of the four lands of the Sumeru cosmos, the one which is situated to the east] is not yet at
peace. You should now go [there]." Then the king flew through the air to Purvavideha with all
his retinue of seven treasures. The people of that land were glad and became his subjects.
"And he said to his ministers: "Jambudvipa and Purvavideha are at peace, prosperous
and vigorous. All has been subjugated. The seven treasures are perfect and the thousand
children are full [complete]. What more do I need to do?" All the ministers answered: "Yes,
indeed, O great King! Aparagodaniya [i.e. a land to the west of Mount Sumeru] is not yet under
your banner." Then the sacred king flew through the air to Aparagodaniya with all his seven
treasures. When he reached there, the people of that land all came under his banner.
"And he said to his ministers: "My Jambudvipa, Purvavideha and Aparagodaniya are
at peace. The people are rich and vigorous. All have been subjugated. The seven treasures are
all perfect and the thousand children are full. What more do I need do?" All the ministers said:
"Yes, indeed, O great King! Uttarakuru [i.e. a land to the north of Mount Sumeru] is not yet
under your banner." Then the sacred king flew through the air to Uttarakuru, taking all his
seven treasures with him. When the king reached there, the people of that land rejoiced and
came under his banner.
"And he said to his ministers: "My four lands are now at peace. The people are vigorous.
All have come under my banner; the seven treasures have been obtained, and the thousand
children are full. What more do I need to do?" All the ministers said: "Yes, indeed, O sacred
King! The people of Trayastrimsa Heaven enjoy long life. They are at peace. The form of those
devas is splendid and incomparable. The palace where they live and their benches, chairs and
bedsteads are of jewels. They sit on these and enjoy celestial happiness. They have not yet
come to pay homage. You should now go and bring them under your banner." Then the king
flew through the air, taking all the retinue of his seven treasures with him, and went up to the
top of Trayastrimsa Heaven. There he saw a tree, the colour of which was blue and green. The
sacred king, having seen it, asked his minister: "What is this thing of this colour?" The minister
made answer: "This is a tree called “paricitra”. All the devas of Trayastrimsa Heven, in the
three months of summer, always amuse themselves under this tree." Also, he saw a thing white
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 173
like a cloud. Again he asked his minister: "What is this, of this colour?" "This is called the
"Hall of Good Dharma". All the devas of Trayastrimsa Heaven always gather here and discuss
what obtains in the worlds of humans and gods." Then Shakrodevanamindra, the chief of the
gods, saw that King Head-Born was outside the hall. He went out and welcomed him. Having
met him, he took the king’s hand and entered the Hall of Good Dharma and shared his seat.
Then, the two looked the same in form and countenance, with no difference. Only by winks
[small gestures] could one tell them apart. Then the sacred king thought to himself: "Would
it not be right for me now to abdicate the throne and come and become King of this heaven?"
O good man! At that time, Shakra was holding the Mahayana sutras in his hand, reciting and
expounding them to others. Only he was now so proficient in their depths of meaning. But
because of this reciting, upholding, expounding and promulgating of the sutras to others, there
is great virtue. O good man! This Head-Born entertained ill-will towards Shakra. Because of
this depravity, he had to return to this Jambudvipa and part from the humans and devas he
had loved, and had a greatly troubled mind. That Shakra at the time was Buddha Kasyapa,
and the chakravartin was I. O good man! Know that the suffering of parting from what one
loves is great suffering. O good man! The Bodhisattva-mahasattva remembers [is mindful of]
all such cases of suffering due to parting from what one loves. How could it be otherwise when
the Bodhisattva, abiding in the teaching of the Mahayana Great Nirvana Sutra, meditates on
the real suffering of parting from what one loves?
"O good man! How does a Bodhisattva practise the Way of the Mahayana Great Nirvana
Sutra and meditate on the suffering of encountering what one hates to see? O good man! This
Bodhisattva-mahasattva sees that this suffering of encountering what one hates exists in the
realms of hell, animals, hungry pretas, humans and heaven. It is like a person who is bound up
in prison feeling great sorrow as he sees his fetters, chains and handcuffs. The same with the
Bodhisattva-mahasattva. He sees all living beings of the five realms as being the objects of great
suffering concomitant with encountering what is hateful. Also, next, O good man! It is like a
person who, fearing the fetters, chains and handcuffs of someone who has feelings of enmity
towards him, abandons his parents, wife, children, relatives, rare jewels and his own profession
and flees to distant places. O good man! It is the same with the Bodhisattva-mahasattva. He
fears birth and death, fully practises the six paramitas and enters Nirvana. O Kasyapa! This is
how a Bodhisattva practises the Way of the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana and meditates on the
suffering of encoutering what one hates.
"O good man! How does a Bodhisattva practise the teaching of the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana
and meditate on the suffering of not gaining what one desires to have? "Seeking to
have" is to have all that exists. There are two kinds of seeking to possess. One is seeking to
have what is good to have, and the other is seeking to have what is not good. There is suffering
if what is good is not gained, and suffering if what is not good is not removed. Stated simply,
this is the suffering of the burning urge of the five skandhas. O Kasyapa! This is the truth of
Suffering."
Then Bodhisattva-mahasattva Kasyapa said to the Buddha: "O World-Honoured One!
The suffering of the burning urge of the five skandhas does not mean this. Why not? In days
past, the Buddha said to Kolita [one of the five bhiksus]: "If “rupa” [form, matter] is suffering,
do not seek “rupa”; if “rupa” is something to be sought, it is not suffering." The Buddha said
to all bhiksus that there are three feelings [“vedana”], which are: 1) the feeling of suffering, 2)
the feeling of bliss, and 3) the feeling of non-suffering and non-bliss. The Buddha said to all
the bhiksus before that if one practises Wonderful Dharma, one will encounter bliss. Also, the
Buddha said that in good realms one gains six blisses of touch. The eye sees beautiful things.
This is bliss. The same with the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind which feels pleasure. The
Buddha said in a gatha:
"To accord with the precepts is bliss.
One’s body does not suffer from sorrow.
174 The Mahayana Mapaharinirvana Sutra
Sleep gives one peace.
Awake, the mind is glad.
When one receives clothing and food,
Recites, walks about, and lives alone
In mountains and forests,
This is the greatest bliss.
To beings, day and night,
One is compassionate, and this
Gives one unending bliss.
Because this does not cause suffering to others.
It is bliss to seek little and be satisfied;
It is bliss to hear much [of the Dharma]
And to disseminate it; arhathood
With no clinging in one’s mind
Is also the experience of bliss.
The Bodhisattva-mahasattva finally
Reaches the yonder shore.
Whatever is done gains one an end.
This is the greatest of bliss."
"O World-Honoured One! The meaning of bliss as stated in all the sutras is thus. How
might what the Buddha says now be in accordance with this?" The Buddha said to Kasyapa:
"Well said, well said, O good man! You do well to ask the Tathagata this question. O good
man! All beings, even when in the deepest depths of suffering, willingly entertain the thought
of bliss. Because of this, there is no difference [there] from the thought of suffering about which
I now speak."
Bodhisattva Kasyapa said to the Buddha: "You say that one gains bliss even amidst the
deepest depths of suffering. If so, this must mean that the lowest point in birth, the lowest point
in old age, the lowest point in illness, the lowest point in death, the lowest point in the suffering
of parting from what one loves, the lowest point in the suffering of not being able to gain what
one desires, the lowest point in the suffering of encountering what one hates, and the lowest
point in the suffering of the burning urge of the five skandhas may be said to possess bliss. O
World-Honoured One! The lowest grade of birth is none but the three unfortunate realms; the
middle grade of birth means human life, and the highest of births is that of heaven. If there is
a man who asks, "Is it true that one gains the thought [experience] of suffering in the lowest
state of bliss, the thought of non-bliss and non-suffering in the middle state of bliss, and in the
highest state of bliss the thought of bliss?", how should we answer this? O World-Honoured
One! We might well say that one gains the thought of bliss when in the lowest state of suffering.
But we see that one who has to receive 1,000 punishments does not yet, at the first stage of the
lowest suffering, gain the thought of bliss. But if not, how can we say that we gain the thought
of bliss in the lowest stage of suffering?" The Buddha said to Kasyapa: "It is thus, it is thus!
It is just as you say. Because of this, there can be no occasion on which there comes about the
thought of bliss. Why not? If a man who is to have 1,000 punishments is able to escape those
punishments after receiving just one of the least of them, that person will, at that instant, gain
the thought of bliss. Hence, we should know that the thought of bliss arises in circumstances in
which there is no ground for it."
Kasyapa said: "O World-Honoured One! That person does not gain the thought of bliss
in the lowest [state of suffering]. It is from emancipation that he gains the thought of bliss."
Chapter Nineteen: On Holy Actions (a) 175
"O Kasyapa! Because of this, in times gone by, I spoke about the bliss of the five skandhas to
Kolita. It was true, not false."
"O Kasyapa! There are three feelings: 1) the feeling of bliss, 2) the feeling of suffering,
and 3) the feeling of non-suffering and non-bliss. The three sufferings are: 1) suffering-suffering
[bodily pain], 2) suffering of what is made [suffering arising out of phenomena changing], and
3) suffering of disintegration [mental pain caused by destruction]. O good man! The feeling of
suffering is based on these three sufferings, which are those of suffering-suffering, the suffering
of what is made, and the suffering of disintegration. The other two feelings are the suffering
of what is made and the suffering of disintegration. O good man! Because of this, there is in
birth and death really the feeling of bliss. The Bodhisattva-mahasattva says that all is suffering,
because the intrinsic nature and the outer expressions of suffering and bliss do not part. Truth
to tell, there is no bliss in birth and death. It is only in order to accord with the ways of the
world that all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas say that there is bliss."
Bodhisattva Kasyapa said to the Buddha: "O World-Honoured One! All Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas speak [thus] in order to acord with the ways of the world. Is this not false? The
Buddha said:
"One who does good harvests bliss;
One who upholds the precepts and abides in peace
Does not harvest suffering.
All others are likewise.
This is the greatest of bliss."
"Are the feelings of bliss which the sutras speak of all false or are they not? If false,
how are we to explain the fact that the All-Buddha-World-Honoured One, already long ago,
innumerable hundred thousand million billion nayuta asamkhyas of kalpas in the past, practised
theWay of Enlightenment and did away with false speech, and that he now says this? Why?" The
Buddha said: "O good man! The gatha cited above referring to the feeling of bliss constitutes
the root concept of Enlightenment. Also, it well nurtures unsurpassed Enlightenment over a
long course. That is why the phases of bliss are spoken about in the sutras. O good man! For
example, what supports life forms all the causes of bliss. So, we say bliss. These are such as
female beauty, abandoning one’s self to intoxicating drinks, beautiful dishes and sweets, drinking
water when thirsty, and having fire when cold; clothing, necklaces, elephants, horses, vehicles,
servants, pages, gold, silver, beryl, coral, pearls, storehouses, and rice. All such things that
pertain to the world form the cause of bliss. This is bliss. O good man! [But] even such things
can call forth suffering, too. From a female, a man’s suffering comes about. Apprehension,
sorrow, weeping, loss of life, intoxicating drinks, sweets, and storehouses do also call forth
suffering. Because of this, all is suffering; there can be no phase of bliss. O good man! The
Bodhisattva-mahasattva takes it that the eight sufferings possess no suffering. O good man!
All sravakas and pratyekabuddhas do not know the cause of bliss. To such persons, he [the
Tathagata] says that the lowest of suffering also contains a phase of bliss. Only the Bodhisattva,
abiding in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana, is able to know the causes of suffering and bliss."