Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on the Contemplation
Of the Two Bodhisattvas, King of Healing and
Supreme Healer
Taisho No. 1161
From the Chinese Version by the Central Asia
Tripitaka Master Kalayasas T. XX. 1161.Introduction: Highlighting the Two Bodhisattvas
Thus have I heard. Once the Buddha dwelt at the monastic abode of the Blue Lotus Pond in the Monkey Grove of the state of Vaisali. Together with him was an assembly of 1,250 eminent monks, including the Venerable Mahakasyapa, the Venerable Saiputra, the Venerable Mahamaudgalyayana, the Venerable Mahakatyayana, and other learned disciples. Also there were 10,000 Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, including the Bodhisattva Wonderful Arm, the Bodhisattva Skilful Voice, the Bodhisattva Tranquil Voice, the Bodhisattva Jewel Virtue, the Bodhisattva Wise Virtue, the Bodhisattva Gentle Glory (Manjusri), the Bodhisattva Loving Kindness (Maitreya), and other supreme leaders like them. Further, 10 million Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas came from the ten directions, including the Bodhisattva Sage Leader, the Bodhisattva Talented Leader, the Bodhisattva Observer of the Cries of the World (Avalokiteshvara), and Bodhisattva Gainer of Great Strength (Mahasthamaprapta), the Bodhisattva King of Healing, the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer, the Bodhisattva Universally Worthy (Samantabhadra), the Bodhisattva Sage Protector, the Bodhisattva Brahmadeva, the Bodhisattva Pure Banner, and others. Further, five hundred Licchavis of Vaisali, including the elder Lunar Canopy, his son Jewel Heap, and others all gathered there.
At that time the Lord entered into the samadhi (profound concentration, meditative trance) of Universal Light. All the pores of his body emitted multi-hued rays, illuminating the Monkey Grove with the colours of the seven precious substances. The light rising above the grove became a jeweled canopy, and various phenomena, rare to the realms of the Ten Directions, appeared within the canopy.
Then Jewel Heap, the elder's son, rose from his seat, faced Ananda's place, and addressed him: "O Virtuous One, today the Lord has entered into samadhi, and his entire body has blazed with light. Surely he will speak on the sublime doctrine. I sincerely wish, O Virtuous One, to know when he shall do so."
Ananda replied, "Son of the elder, the Buddha has entered into samadhi, and I dare not ask him."
When he said these words, the Buddha's eyes radiated light which illuminated the foreheads of the two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer. Above their foreheads, all the limitless Buddhas of the Ten Directions dazzlingly manifested like a diamond mountain, and all these Lords also emitted light from their eyes which universally illuminated the foreheads of all the Bodhisattvas [in the assembly]. Above the foreheads of the Bodhisattvas, all the Bodhisattva-mahasattvas of the realms of the Ten Directions who had attained the surangama samadhi brilliantly appeared, resembling a lapis lazuli mountain.
At the manifestation of this form, a jeweled lotus blossom arose in the Monkey Pond. It was the colour of a white gem, but this colour was a white so rare that there is nothing to which it can be compared.
Various manifested Buddhas were seated on the lotus blossom, their bodies subtle and sublime. They, too, entered into samadhi. Each radiated light from his eyes which illuminated the foreheads of the two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer, and further illuminated the foreheads of all the Bodhisattvas.
At that time, the Lord withdrew from samadhi. With a subtle smile of radiant harmony, the Buddha exhaled through his mouth five-coloured rays, which completely illumined his full-moon-like face. Then, there were manifold changing manifestations of light from the features of the Buddha's face, which appeared a million times more glorious than his ordinary appearance.
The Names of the Two Bodhisattvas and Their Sacred Formula
The elder's son, Jewel Heap, observed the awesome features of the Buddha and said in praise, "This is rare indeed." Then he rose from his seat, adjusted his clothing, and – baring his right arm [as a mark of respect] – he circumambulated the Buddha seven times. He knelt, clasped his palms together, and reverently gazed upwards at the Honoured One. With unwavering gaze, he addressed the Buddha and said: "O Lord, today you have emitted a great radiance which has shined upon all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions. They now have all gathered together like a cloud. I seek a few answers in the ocean of the Buddha-Dharma, and I sincerely wish, O Lord, that you will explain them for my sake."
The Buddha told Jewel Heap, "You may question me freely."
Then Jewel Heap addressed the Buddha and said: "O Lord, today you have emitted rays from both eyes, and these rays rest upon the foreheads of the two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer, like a diamond mountain. All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions dazzlingly manifest as this mountain of light. The radiance of the awesome virtue of these two Bodhisattvas is like the brilliant manifestion of the permutations of the cintamani gem.
"Their excellence exceeds that of the other Bodhisattvas a millionfold. After your parinirvana, when the genuine Teachings have perished, if there are any beings who hear the names of these two Bodhisattvas, they will obtain whatever blessings they seek. If a good son or daughter [of the Buddhist family] seeks to cut off the fetters of negative karma, how should he contemplate the radiant bodies of King of Healing and Supreme Healer?"
The Buddha told Jewel Heap: "Listen carefully, and with excellent thoughts be mindful of what I say. I will analyze and explain it for you."
When he spoke these words, the sons of the 500 elders rose simultaneously and made obeisances to the Buddha. Each offered blue lotus blossoms to the Buddha, wishfing for the joy [of the teachings] and desiring to hear [his words].
At that time the entire great assembly including the Bodhisattvas praised Jewel Heap in unison, chanting: "Excellent, excellent, Jewel Heap. On behalf of those blinded beings of the future age, you are able to ask about the method of abhiseka by the sublime medicine of the sweet dew bestowed by the Tathagata."
Having spoken these words, they all becam silent. The Buddha told Jewel Heap: "Beings in the future may hear the names of the two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer by achieving five prerequisites. What are the five? (1) One's mind should unceasingly radiate loving kindness. One should perfect the Buddha's moral precepts, never breaking the principles of majestic conduct. (2) One should see to the filial care of one's parents, and should practice the ten wholesome precepts of life in the world. (3) One's body and mind should be peaceful and quiescent, with thoughts bound to that which is free of disorder. (4) One should listen to the vaipulya sutras (the "expanded," Mahayana texts) without harboring suspicions or doubts, neither drowning [in emotions] nor backsliding [in spiritual progress]. (5) One should believe in the eternity of the Buddha, and the mind should unceasingly flow like a running stream towards the ultimate truth."
The Buddha told Jewel Heap: "If there are any living beings who are complete in these five qualities, in incarnation after incarnation they will always hear the names of these two Bodhisattvas, and they will also hear the names of the various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions. When they hear the vaipulya sutras, they will harbour neither doubt nor suspicion. Due to the awesome spiritual force transmitted through hearing the names of these two Bodhisattvas, in incarnation after incarnation for 500 asamkhyeya aeons, they will never sink to a woesome path of existence."
When the Buddha said these words, the Bodhisattva King of Healing, receiving [through inspiration] the Buddha's awesome spiritual force, uttered a dharani, saying:
A-mu-chia mo-ho-chia, tso-li mo-ho-tso-li t'o-ch'ih mo-ho-t'o-ch'ih ch'ang-ch'iu-li mo-ho-ch'ang-ch'iu-li wu-mo-chih mo-ho-wu-mo-chih t'o-ch'ih-t'o-ch'ih mo-ho'-t'o-ch'ih t'ou-ti-t'ou-ti mo-ho-t'ou-ti a-t'ou-a-t'ou mo-ho-a-t'ou shu-che-chia mo-ho-shu-che-chia t'o-she-mei mo-ho-t'o-she-mei to-t'ou-to-t'ou mo-ho-to-t'ou chia-liu-ni-chia t'o-she-lo-so-ha a-chu-ch'iu-a-chu-ch'iu mo-teng-ch'I po-teng che-ti'I che-shu-chia-t'I fo-t'o che-li chia-liu-ni-chia so-ha.
After the Bodhisattva-mahasattva King of Healing uttered this dharani, he addressed the Buddha and said: "O Lord, the 80 million Buddhas of the past have disseminated sacred formulae like this one. Now the present Buddha – Shakyamuni – and the 1,000 Buddhas to come in this [present] aeon known as Bhadra (Auspicious) also will utter this dharani. After the Buddha's parinirvana, if there are any monks or nuns, laymen or laywomen who recite it and who hold to it, they shall be purified of all their veils of karma, veils of karmic retributions, and defilements. Such a person will speedily obtain their removal and extinction, and in the present life he will cultivate various samadhis. In the midst of his thoughts, he will see the Buddha's form. To the end of his life, he will neither forget nor lose the aspiration to attain Perfect Enlightenment. Such a person will never encounter in the present life yaksas [who sometimes cause disease through demonic possessions], and feverish pretas [ghosts with enormous stomachs and throats the size of a needle, thus having an insatiable appetite], rakshasas [a type of demon], kumbhandas [demons shaped like gourds, who devour the vitality of men], krtyas [corpse-raising demons], pisacas [a sort of goblin], and all other evil spirits who feed on man's vitality and are able to harm him. When the life of such a person reaches its end, the Buddhas of the Ten Directions all will come to welcome him. In accordance with his choice, he will be reborn into a pure land of another region."
At that time the Lord praised the Bodhisattva King of Healing, saying, "Excellent, excellent, good son. I am profoundly happy that you have uttered this dharani, which has also been uttered by all the Buddhas of the past, present and future."
Then the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer also came before the Buddha and uttered a dharani, saying:
Nan-na-mou chent-t'un-ching liu-ching-ch'iu-liu-ching ch'iu chia-liu-ni-chia li-mou-li-mou-chia-liu-ni-chia pi-t'i-pi-t'I chia-liu-ni-chia a-pi-t'I-t'o-a-pien-t'o-a-pien-t'o chia-liu-ni-chia shan-che-lo so-ha.
After the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer uttered this dharani, he addressed the Buddha: "O Lord, I now have uttered before you this consecrating dharani that subdues the sea of afflictions. This dharani is what has been disseminated by the Buddhas of the past, present and future. If there are any monks, nuns, laymen, or laywomen who listen to this dharani, recite it, and hold to it, they will gain the ten meritorious blessings. What are these ten?
1. Due to the awesome spiritual force of this dharani, they can obtain purification from disease, [even those stemming from] the retribution for killing a living being.
2. The bad reputation gained by breaking the precepts can be completely eliminated.
3. A human or non-human being cannot take advantage of them.
4. Everything that is recited, read, or reflected upon will be retained without forgetting, just as Ananda is able to do.
5. They will be revered by Indra, Brahma, the Lokapalas, and all the devas.
6. They will be profoundly respected by kings and great ministers.
7. The masters of the ninety-five types of heretical doctrines will be unable to oppress them.
8. Their minds will roam in dhyana and samadhi from this unhappy world to a joyous one.
9. They will be held in the protective thoughts of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions.
10. When they reach the end of theirspan of life, they will purify and eliminate their karmic obstructions. The Buddhas of the Ten Directions will emit golden-hued rays, and Buddhas will all come to receive and welcome them, speaking to them about the sublime teachings. In accordance with their choice, they will be reborn in [one of the] pure Buddha lands."
After the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer uttered this dharani, he clasped his palms together, reverently prostrated himself with his head at the Buddha's feet, and withdrew to one side.
The Lord then praised the Bodhisattva Supreme Header, saying, "Excellent, excellent, my good son. I am pleased that you have uttered this dharani, which also has been uttered by the past, present and future Buddhas of the Ten Directions. I am truly delighted with you."
When the two Bodhisattvas had uttered these formulae, each took off a necklace of precious gems, offering them in worship to the Buddha. The necklace which the Bodhisattva King of Healing offered rested on the Buddha's left shoulder like Mt. Sumeru, while the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer's necklace took a similar form on the Buddha's right shoulder. Upon the crest of the two mountains there was a palace of the Brahma King and there were hundreds of thousands of millions of Brahmadeva kings reverently clasping their palms together in attendance.
Within the palace there was a jeweled lotus blossom, which entirely covered the 3000 myriads of worlds like the mani gem. Those beings atop the palace walls suddenly descended in unison, appearing like [the opening of] a thousand petals of a golden flower. Going within the palace walls, Buddhas from the Ten Directions were seated on golden blossoms. Thename of the Buddha from the East was Radiant Lamp of Mt. Sumeru. The name of the Buddha of the Southeast was Glorious Adornment of the Precious Treasury. The Buddha of the Sourth was Chien-tang Mani Light. The Buddha of the Southwest was the Sovereign King of the Golden Sea. The Buddha of the West was the King of the Radiance of Great Compassion. The Buddha of the Northwest was named Rare Lotus of the Abundant Alms-Bowl. The Buddha of the North was the King Gloriously Adorned with a Lotus Blossom Beard. The Buddha of the Northeast was named Sovereign King of Adamantine Strength. The Buddha of the Zenith was named the King as Rare as the Moon, and the Buddha of the Nadir was named King of the Rays of Sun and Moon.
From their separate mouths, these Buddhas of the Ten Directions spoke as one: "Praiseworthy indeed are the words of the Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer. The formulae which you have uttered have been disseminated by all the Buddhas of the Ten Directions and Three Ages. When we ourselves were about to enter onto the Bodhisattva Path [in the distant past], we heard these dharanis, and from the depths of our hearts we responded with joy. Due to the causes of this joyous response and our wholesome roots, we obtained release from the faults incurred in 596 million aeons of dwelling in samsara, and now we have obtained perfections as Buddhas. In hearing the names of the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, you have obtained elimination of the faults of a million aeons of dwelling in samsara. How much more so [will you gain] if you accept and uphold, read and recite these names, and worship them, offering puja."
Prophecy of the Future Achievements of the Two Bodhisattvas
When the Buddhas of the Ten Directions had spoken thus, they entered into meditative trance, became silent, and were seated. Then, Sakyamuni Buddha told the great assembly: "You now have seen the two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer worship me by offering jeweled necklaces and clasping their palms together before me, have you not?"
At this time Maitreya, as leader of the great assembly, addressed the Buddha and said, "O Lord, it is indeed so. I have seen it."
The Buddha told Maitreya: "Invincible One, this Bodhisattva King of Healing has long cultivated the pure path, and when he has fulfilled his various vows, he will – in a future age which can be ascertained – become a Buddha named Pure Eye Tathagata, Arhat, Omniscient One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well Gone, Knower of the World, Supreme Master, Tamer of Passions, Teacher of Devas and Men, Buddha, Lord. His realm will be named Radiance of Constant Peace and Joy, and his aeon shall be known as Fully Victorious.
"When that Buddha emerges in the world, his land will be adamantine, its white gem-like hue extending to its diamond borders. White jewel flowers will spontaneously rain forth from the sky, completely covering his realm for fifty yojanas around.
"The beings of his land will be immune from disease, both physical and mental. The heavens will bestow upon them sweet dew [amrta, the Divine nectar]. However, they will not consider it food; instead they will purely ingest the taste of the unsurpassed Mahayana Teachings.
"That Buddha's lifespan will be 500 billio asamkhyeya aeons. His genuine teachings will abide in the world for four million asamkhyeya aeons, while the replica doctrine will abide in the world for a billion asamkhyeya aeons. All who are born in his realm shall dwell within the dharani gates, and whatever they reflect on and concentrate will not be forgotten."
After the Bodhisattva King of Healing received this prophecy, he arose from his seat, leapt bodily into space, and performed eighteen transformations. Flowers from above were scattered upon the Buddha, and these scattered flowers became arranged in the sky like a grove of golden-blossomed trees.
The Lord then tol Maitreya: "This Bodhisattva Supreme Healer will become a Buddha next after King of Healing. He will be called Pure Matrix Tathagata, Arhat, Omniscient One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well Gone, Knower of the World, Supreme Master, Tamer of Passions, Teacher of Devas and Men, Buddha, Lord. When Pure Matrix Tathagata appears in the world, this white-jeweled land will take on a golden hue, and golden flowers and golden rays will completely fill the realm. All the beings in his land will be completely endowed with forbearance of the unoriginated natures.
"The lifespan of Pure Matrix Tathagata will be sixty-two small aeons, his genuine teachings will abide in the world for 120 small aeons, and the replica teachigns will abide for 560 aeons."
When the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer heard and received this prophecy, he entered into samadhi and transformed his body into a flower. Like a grove of yellow-blossomed campaka trees resplendent with the seven gems, he transformed himself intoa cloud of flowers. By means of this cloud of flowers, he paid worship to the Buddha.
From this cloud of flowers golden rays were emitted, and from the midst of these golden rays there emerged a lapis lazuli cloud. From the midst of this lapis lazuli cloud a hymn was chanted:
O Omniscient Lord,
Pure Lion of the Sakyas,
There is none like you in all the Ten Directions.
The radiance of your wisdom illumines all.
Out of the all-encompassing sympathy for sentient beings
You emerged in the world.
Bowing head and face, I worship you now,
You, whose great compassion depends not
On whether creatures accept, do not accept,
Or are unsure of your Teachings.
When the recitation of this verse was concluded, the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer returned to his original seat.
Contemplatio of King of Healing
Then, the Buddha told the great assembly: "After my parinirvana, if there are any beings who [wish to] fix their thoughts on the sole contemplation of the Bodhisattva King of Healing, they should practice the following five meditations:
1. The meditation of stabilizing thought by counting breaths.
2. The meditation of pacifying and settling the mind.
3. The meditation of the non-exhalation of breath.
4. The meditation of reflection on Absolute Form.
5. The meditation of serene abode in samadhi.
The Buddha told Maitreya: "If any good son or daughter cultivates these five meditations, that person will, in an instant, have a vision of the Bodhisattva King of Healing. This Bodisattva is twelve yojanas tall, though in response to [the limited perception of] sentient beings he may appear to be either a hundred eighty or eight feet in height. His body is purplish gold in hue, and the thirty-two primary marks and eighty secondary marks are excellent in every detail, exactly like those of the Buddha. There are fourteen mani gems within the tuft of hair on his forehead [the urna], each gem having fourteen facets. Within each of these facets, there are fourteen flowers which adorn his heavenly crown. The Buddhas of the Ten Directions and the various Bodhisattvas are within this heavenly crown, all reflected manifestations, like inlaid jewels. From the mark of the tuft of hair between his eyebrows, there streams out a ray of light the colour of white glass, enwrapping his body seven times like a scarf of white jewels.
"A radiant light flows out from the pores of his body. [These beams of light], like fully 84,000 mani gems, each one turning to the right like a wheel, appear like a wall made of the seven gems or an abundant mass of pala flowers. Upon each flower there is a manifestation Buddha, each having the correct (standard) body sixteen feet tall, just like Sakyamuni. Each Tathagata has five hundred Bodhisattvas as attendants.
"The two arms of this Bodhisattva King of Healing [glitter] like the hues of a hundred jewels, and the seven precious gems rain forth from the tips of the ten fingers of his hands. If there are any beings who contemplate this Bodhisattva's ten fingertips, then the 404 diseases will spontaneously disappear [in them], and none of the bodily afflictions will arise.
"Diamonds rain down from his two feet, each gem becoming a cloud terrace. On each of these cloud terraces there is a manifestation Bodhisattva with countless devas in attendance. At this time the manifestation Bodhisattvas will expound upon the Four Noble Truths, suffering and emptiness, impermanence and egolessness. They also will speak on the profound Bodhisattva practices.
"When this meditation is complete, it is called the 'Initial Contemplation on the Meritorious Form and Appearance of the Bodhisattva King of Healing.'
"The second contemplation consists of the gradual expansion of the mind for the attainment of a vision of the complete form of the Bodhisattva King of Healing. At this time the mind of the Bodhisattva King of Healing is like the cintamani gem, which sends forth ten million rays of light from its pure blossoming. These rays of light encircle his body a hundred times and appear like ten million jeweled mountains. Each of these mountains has ten million jeweled caves, and in each cave there are a million manifestation Buddhas. The marks on their bodies are excellent, and they are all gloriously adorned. From their separate mouths, these manifestation Buddhas will speak as one in praise of the causes and conditions of the fundamental deeds of the Bodhisattva King of Healing. When this form manifests in the midst of one's reflections, the Buddhas of the Ten Directions are seen, who will speak to various wayfarers in accordance with what is suitable [for their development].
'Then each pore of the Bodhisattva King of Healing will emit rays like ten millio mani gems which illuminate all wayfarers. When the wayfarers see this, they will gain purification of their six sense organs [eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind]. When they search them out, they will see all the realms in the Ten Directions and the fifty million billions of Buddhas and the various Bodhisattvas, who will speak to the wayfarers of the sublime medicine, the sweet dew which removes faults. Having swallowed this medicine, the wayfarers will gain [entrance] to the gate of the fifty billion revolving dharanis. This accomplishment is attained through the force of the Bodhisattva King of Healing's fundamental vows. It is due to the conditioned thoughts [of sentient beings] that the Bodhisattva King of Healing gloriously adorns himself.
"The Buddhas of the Ten Directions and the Bodhisattvas will then go before the wayfarers and speak to them about the profound six perfections. Then the wayfarers, due to seeing all the Buddhas, will gain [entrance to] the gate of the samadhi sea of the trillion contemplating Buddhas."
The Buddha told Maitreya: "After my parinirvana, if there is a deva or a naga, a monk or a nun, a layman or a laywoman – if any of them desire to envision the Bodhisattva King of Healing or desire to reflect upon the Bodhisattva King of Healing, that person should cultivate two types of pure conduct. First is the development of the aspiration to attain Enlightenment. [Also], the principles of the majestic conduct of the complete Bodhisattva vows should never be broken. Due to this attainment of the perfection of the Bodhisattva precepts, all the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions will accompany this person. When they assemble before him all at once, the Bodhisattva King of Healing shall be their leader. Then, for the sake of the wayfarer, the Bodhisattva King of Healing will expound on the gate of the trillion revolving dharanis. Due to hearing these dharanis, the wayfarer shall be exempted from the faults accrued in ninety millio aeons of samsara. In response to this, he will then obtain the forebearance of the unoriginated natures.
"Now, secondly, those of the common people bound by their afflictions and passions, who seek to see the Bodhisattva King of Healing after my parinirvana, should cultivate four things:
1. They should cultivate thoughts of compassion, neither killing nor offending by committing the ten negatives. Constantly holding [the principles of] the Great Vehicle in their thoughts, they should never let stray from their minds, and they should fervently cultivate striving zeal, as if to save themselves from fires burning upon their heads.
2. They should provide their guru and parents with the four requisites for life [food, clothing, shelter, medicine], and with lamps fueled by butter, oil, or the oil of the jasmine blossom. Further, they should provide illumination for their guru and parents by means of fires of bamboo and wood. Further, they should provide light by means of lamps fueled by butter, oil and jasmine blossom oil to worship the Three Jewels of the Buddha, the Teaching, and the Order, as well as all who expound the Dharma.
3. They should engage in profound cultivateion of dhyana and samadhi, taking delight in isolation [for the sake of meditation]. They should constantly joyously dwell below trees in cemeteries. Dwelling in solitude and tranquility, they should strive to cultivate the twelve profound dhutas.
4. They should reject the concepts of body, life and riches and should not give rise to any fondness [or attachments, desires].
"Practicing this teaching, in the midst of their thoughts, they shall have a vision of the Bodhisattva King of Healing, and he will speak to them on the Teachings. Or, they may see the Bodhisattva King of Healing in a dream, and he will confer his medicine of the Teachings. After such a person awakes and returns to his usual consciousness, he will be able to remember the manifold affairs of countless hundreds and thousands of past lives, and his mind will be joyous and gladdened.
"He should enter into stupas, contemplate the images there, and prostrate in worship. Before those images, he will obtain a vision of the Buddha in the samadhi sea, and he shall see the boundless assembly of Bodhisattvas. He will sincerely envision the Bodhisattva King of Healing, who will speak to him on the Teachings."
The Buddha told Ananda: "After my parinirvana, if there are any in the four-fold assembly who are able to contemplate the Bodhisattva King of Healing in this way, orwho are able to uphold the name of the Bodhisattva King of Healing, it will eliminate the faults of an aeon or even eighty thousand aeons of dwelling in samsara. If there are any who are able to call this Bodhisattva King of Healing by his name and whole-heartedly worship him, these persons shall not meet with woeful opposition, and, in the end, they will not have untimely deaths.
"After my parinirvana, if there are any beings who are able to contemplate in this manner, it shall be known as the 'correct contemplation'. If they contemplate in different ways, such contemplations are to be known as 'incorrect contemplation'."
Contemplation of Supreme Healer
The Buddha told Maitreya: "After my parinirvana, if there are any among the fourfold assembly who ask how to contemplate the pure body of the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer, those persons should cultivate seven things. What are these seven?
1. They should take constant delight in holding the [Bodhisattva] precepts. In this way, to the end of their lives, they will grow close to neither the sravakas and pratyekabuddhas.
2. They should constantly cultivate the excellent methods for dwelling within the world and the excellent methods for escaping the world.
3. Their hearts, like the earth, should not give rise to arrogance and pride. They should develop universal compassion towards all beings.
4. Their hearts should be passionless, incorruptible as diamonds.
5. They should abide in the undifferentiated truth, and never forsake majestic conduct.
6. They should cultivate discernment, and they should diligently cultivate the calming of the mind.
7. They should not be alarmed when they attain the mind of the great liberating perfection of insight."
The Buddha told Maitreya: "Those good sons or daughters who are complete in these things will speedily obtain a vision of the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer. This Bodhisattva Supreme Healer is sixteen yojanas tall. He is purple-gold in hue, and his body emits a radiance like the golden colour of the jambu and sandalwood trees. Within this circle of light [his radiant aura], there are 16 millions of manifestation Buddhas, all having a standard height of eight feet, seated in the posture of meditation upon jeweled lotus blossoms. Each manifestation Buddha has sixteen Bodhisattvas in attendance, who each grasp a white blossom.
"This light about his body whirls to the right. Within the radiance that permeates his body are the realms of the Ten Directions, with all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and pure lands manifested there. The usnisa upon the crown of his head has a mani-gem, like the sakrabhilagna. The four sides of the usnisa glow with golden rays, and in each ray there are four precious blossoms with all the colours of a hundred jewels. On each blossom, there is a manifestation Buddha and there are Bodhisattvas. Some appear, while others are concealed: their number cannot be known.
"This Bodhisattva Supreme Healer has all the thirty-two primary and eighty secondary marks [of the great man], excellent in every detail. In each of these primary marks there is a five-coloured ray, and in each of the secondary marks there are a hundred thousand rays. The mark of the curl of hairs between the eyebrows [the urna] is golden-hued, like that of the jambu and sandalwood trees.
"He wears a necklace consisting of a hundred thousand white pearls, and each of these pearls emits white gem-like rays. He is gloriously adorned with golden hairs like crystal pennants, which hold genuine images and precious things, rare and marvellous in the world. Glorious adornments all manifest in their midst.
"If there are any in the four-fold assembly who hear the name of this Bodhisattva Supreme Healer, and call out the name of the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer, and contemplate the form of this Bodhisattva Supreme Healer, then this Bodhisattva Supreme Healer shall emit a shining light from his body to gather up and receive that person. The radiance of this Bodhisattva may become an image of Isvaradeva, of Brahmadeva, Maradeva, or of Sakra. It may become images of the Four Deva Kings, or a human being or non-human. It may become an image of a serpent, an emperor, a great minister, an elder, a learned layman, a monk, a brahman, a sage, a grandfather or grandmother, a father or mother, or even a brother, sister, beloved wife and children, or relative. It may become an image of an adept physician or an excellent friend.
"At this point, the wayfarer will see in his dreams the various images previously described which accordingly appear to utter to him the dharanis spoken by King of Healing and Supreme Healer. He will then obtain – as has been previously discussed – the elimination of the faults of an aeon. After he awakens, he will still remember these experiences and hold to them, and to the end of his days, he will never forget or lose them. Binding his thoughts in samadhi, in this settled state, he will obtain a vision of the pure and sublime form of the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer. [In his vision] the Bodhisattva then will speak to the wayfarer in praise of the names of the Fifty-three Buddhas of the Past. The way in which he recits the names of the Buddhas of the Past is as follows:
1. Universal Light
2. Universal Brilliance
3. Universal Tranquility
4. Incense of Tamala Leaves and Sandalwood
5. Sandalwood Light
6. Mani Banner
7. Joyous Treasury of the Heap of Mani Jewels
8. Supreme in the Great Striving, Whom All the World Takes Joy in Seeing
9. Shining Lamp of the Mani Banner
10. Torch of Wisdom Who Illumines the Ten Directions
11. Radiance of the Virtue as Vast as the Sea
12. Universally Radiated Golden Light of Adamantine Firm Strength
13. Great Strength in Striving and Courage
14. Light of Great Compassion
15. King of Merciful Force
16. Treasury of Mercy
17. Gloriously Adorned Excellence of the Sandalwood Cave
18. Worthy and Excellent Leader
19. Excellent Mind
20. King Who is Adorned by Vast Glory
21. Light of the Golden Flower
22. Sovereign King of the Precious Canopy Which Illumines Space
23. Light of the Precious Flower of the Void
24. King Who is Gloriously Adorned with Lapis Lazuli
25. Light of the Universally Manifested Form
26. Light of Unshakable Insight
27. King Who Causes All Demons to Submit
28. Radiance of Adept Talent
29. Victorious Insight and Wisdom
30. Sagely Light of Loving Kindness
31. Light Which Makes the World Serene
32. King of the Sublime and Honored Insight, and Excellent Quiescent Lunar Sound
33. Honored King of the Supreme Insight of the Nagas
34. Light of the Sun and Moon
35. Light of the Gems of the Sun and Moon
36. King of the Victorious Banner of Wisdom
37. King of the Sovereign Force of the Lion's Roar
38. Victory of the Sublime Sound
39. Banner of Eternal Light
40. Lamp that Observes the World
41. Awesome Lamp of Wisdom King
42. Victory of the Dharma King
43. Light of Mt. Sumeru
44. Light of the Jasmine Blossom
45. King as Extraordinary as the Udumbara Blossom
46. King Who Has the Force of Great Wisdom
47. Light of Imperturbable Joy
48. King of Limitless Sound
49. Adept Light
50. Light of the Golden Sea
51. Sovereign and Universal King of the Wisdom of Mountains and Seas
52. Great Universal Light
53. Buddha Who is King of the Eternal Completion of All Things
"When the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer recites the names of the Fifty-threee Buddhas of the Past, he will become silent and remain in his place. Then, the wayfarer will obtain a vision in samadhi of the Seven Lord Buddhas of the Past.
"Vipasyin Buddha will praise him, saying: 'Excellent, excellent, good son! The Fifty-three Buddhas whom you have mentioned dwelt on the earth in the far-distant past. They brought all beings to maturity and achieved parinirvana. If there are any good sons or daughts, indeed, if there are any beings at all who hear the names of the Fifty-three Buddhas, these beings will not fall onto a woesome path of existence for ten trillion asamkhyeyas of aeons.
" 'Further, if there is a person who is able to revere and worship the Fifty-three Buddhas with perfect sincerity, he will be able to eliminate the four grave offenses, the five rebellious acts, slander, disobedience, and so on: all these faults will become completely purified due to the fundamental vows made by the Buddhas [when they first stepped out upon the Bodhisattva path]. Thus, in recalling the Buddhas, he will obtain the elimination of these various faults as has been described above.'
"Sikhin Buddha, Visvabhu Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, and Kasyapa Buddha all will praise the names of the Fifty-three Buddhas. Further, they will praise those good sons and daughters who are able to hear the names, and who are able to revere and worship them, thus eliminating the obstructions created by faults, as has been explained above."
At this point, Sakyamuni Buddha told the great assembly: "Once, when I lived in an aeon in the unfathomable past, in the period of the degeneration and extinction of the teachings of the Buddha Sublime Light, I left my home to study the Way. I heard the names of these Fifty-three Buddhas, and after hearing them, I clasped my palms together and joy arose in my heart. Afterwards, I taught others and enabled them to hear and uphold [the names]. When other persons heard, they in turn taught still more, amounting in the end to 3,000 persons. These 3,000 persons from their separate mouths spoke as one in praise of all the Buddhas' names and whole-heartedly revered and worshipped them. Because of the force of the merits gained through revering and worshipping the Buddhas, they obtained release from the faults of countless millions of aeons of dwelling in samsara. The initial 1,000 persons began with Buddha Flower Ray as head, down to the Buddha Visvabhu. In the aeon 'Glorious Adornment', they obtained perfection as the 1,000 Buddhas of the Past. The middle 1,000 Buddhas began with Krakucchanda Buddha as head, down to Rucika Tathagata. In the Bhadra kalpa, the 'Auspicious' aeon, one by one, in order, they will attain enlightenment. Of the final 1,000 Buddhas, Solar Ray Tathagata will be the head down to Merudhvaja. They will become Buddhas in the 'Stellar' aeon."
The Buddha told Jewel Heap: "All the present Buddhas in the Ten Directions, those Tathagatas of excellent virtues, each have also achieved Buddhahood in the Ten Directions because they heard the name of the Fifty- three Buddhas.
"If there are any sentient beings who desire to obtain release from the faults of the four grave prohibitions, if they desire to obtain confession and repentance of the five rebellious acts and the ten negative things, if they desire release from the extremely grave fault of baseless slander of the teachings, they should zealously recite the formulae of the two Bodhisattvas, King of Healing and Supreme Healer, which were previously described. Also, they should reverently worship the Buddhas of the Ten Directions mentioned previously. Further, they should reverently worship the Seven Buddhas of the Past, they should reverently wosrship the Fifty-three Buddhas, the Thousand Buddhas of the Bhadra kalpa, and the Thirty-five Buddhas. Finally, they should universally worship all the countless Buddhas of the Ten Directions. Six times during the day and night, with heart and mind clear and keen like a flowing river, they should practice the teachings of confession and repentance. Afterwards, they should fix their thoughts on the pure forms of the two Bodhisattvas, King of Healing and Supreme Healer.
"Now, you should know that one who concentrates on these two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer has already in limitless past aeons sown wholesome seeds in the places of various Buddhas. Due to the glorious adornment of the force of these fundamental wholesome seeds, such a person can, in a moment's flash, obtain a vision of the countless Buddhas of the East. At this time, all the Buddhas of the East will enter together into the samadhi of 'The Universal Manifestation of Form.' The Buddhas of the South, North, the Four Intermediate Directions, the Zenith and the Nadir also will all similarly enter together into the samadhi of 'The Universal Manifestation of Form.' They all will manifest their forms before the wayfarer in order to speak to him about the extremely profound six perfections.
"When the wayfarer has seen all the Buddhas at this time, joy will well up in his heart. Before all the Buddhas, he will then attain to the samadhi sea of the profound contemplation on the Buddha, and he will view countless Buddhas. Unanimously all these Lords will confer a prophecy on the wayfarer, saying these words: 'Because you now have recalled these two Bodhisattvas, in a future age you will become a Buddha.'
"When the wayfarer hears this prophecy, his body and mind will be glad and joyous, and he will then attain to a samadhi known as 'Beyond Adornment.'
"Due to the force of this samadhi, his spiritual progress will be increased twofold. When he sees the innumerable Buddhas of the Ten Directions universally, some of them – for the sake of the wayfarer – will speak on the perfection of giving. Some will speak to this wayfarer on the perfection of morality, some will speak to him on the perfection of forebearance, some will speak to him on the perfection of striving, some will speak to the wayfarer on the perfection of insight, some will speak to the wayfarer on the perfection of meditation, some will speak to the wayfarer on the perfection of expedient means, some will speak to the wayfarer on the perfection of vows, some will speak to the wayfarer on the perfection of strength [of purpose], some will speak to the wayfarer on the perfection of wisdom. Some will speak to the wayfarer on: compassion, loving kindness, sympathetic joy, and equanimity; the four stations of mindfulness; the four right efforts; the four steps towards supranormal powers; the five spiritual faculties; their five powers; the seven limbs of enlightenment; the eightfold noble path; the noble truth of suffering; the noble truth of the origination [of suffering]; the noble truth of the extinction [of suffering]; the noble truth of the path; the six points of reverent harmony [in a monastery or convent]; the six thoughts on which to dwell; and in this way they will analyze and describe the gates to the boundless Law.
"Next, due to the force of this samadhi known as 'Beyond Adornment,' they will analyze and explain for the wayfarer the profound teaching of twelvefold dependent origination.
"Due to the awesome spiritual force of the two Bodhisattvas, King of Healing and Supreme Healer, he then will have a vision of the limitless Buddhas of the East, and the various Bodhisattvas. Their forms are purple-gold in hue and their features are excellent beyond compare. He will also see all the Buddhas of the South, West, North, and East, the Four Intermediate Directions, the Zenith, and the Nadir, and the form and features of each of these Buddhas will be excellent. Broadly described, it is similar to the samadhi sea attained by contemplation on the Buddha.
"A wayfarer who calls out the names of these two Bodhisattvas King of Healer and Supreme Healer, who recollects the names of these two Bodhisattvas, who holds to the names of these two Bodhisattvas, who contemplates the forms of these two Bodhisattvas, or who recites the spiritual formulae uttered by these two Bodhisattvas will cast away his attachment to form and in a future age he will attain the purification of the six sense organs. Persevering, he will attain birth into the great Bodhisattva family. His face and appearance will be extremely majestic like Sovereign Sakra, with none of the features of one who is able to commit negative acts. Having great physical strength, he will be like [the hero of Divine power] Narayana, to whose awe all beings submit. Wherever he is reborn, he will constantly meet various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and hear the profound teachings. Having heard the teachings, he will exclaim with delight and will attain the gate to the limitless sublime samadhis and dharanis."
The Buddha told Anada: "If there is any being who merely hears the names of these two Bodhisattvas, he will obtain blessings which are limitless and inexhaustible. How much more would these blessings be if he cultivated the practices which I have described!"
Past life of the two Bodhisattvas
When Ananda had heard the Lord Buddha, he praised the deep wisdom and boundless virtuous practices of these two Bodhisattvas. He rose from his seat, circumambulated the Buddha seven times, knelt, clasped his palms together, and addressed the Buddha: "O Lord, what path and practices were cultivated, and what [seeds of] merit were planted in a past age by those two Bodhisattvas King of Healing and Supreme Healer? Today, resembling pure banners to this assembly, they have been praised by you, and they also have been praised and exalted by the great assembly. Today, you have emitted rays from your two eyes, which appeared like the mani gem upon their foreheads. This sublime and auspicious sign has never been seen before. I sincerely wish, O Lord, that you would explain to me the [karmic] causes and conditions engendered in a [key] past life of the two Bodhisattvas."
Then the Lord replied to Ananda: "Listen carefully, and with excellent thoughts be mindful of what I have to tell you, for I will explain and describe to you the causes and conditions engendered by the past lives of these two Bodhisattvas."
The Buddha told Ananda: "When they dwelt in the past, boundless and limitless asamkhyeya aeons ago, indeed so many times that number that it cannot be reckoned in speech, there was a Buddha whose name was Illuminating Ray of Lapis Lazuli Tathagata, Arhat, Omniscient One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Supreme Master, Tamer of Passions, Teacher of Devas and Men, Buddha, and Lord. His aeon was known as Genuine Tranquility, and his state was called 'Land Where the Banner of Victory is Suspended.'
"All beings born in that Buddha-land had life-spans of eight great aeons, while that Lord Buddha manifested in the world for sixteen great aeons. Afterwards, the Buddha entered into nirvana in the Lotus Blossom Lecture Hall. The genuine Teachings remained in the world for a full eight great aeons following the Buddha's nirvana, and the replica teachings existed in the world for eight great aeons following the disappearance of the genuine teachings.
"In this period of the replica teaching, there were a thousand monks who expressed the aspiration to attain enlightenment and sought [to maintain] the Bodhisattva precepts. These monks, for the sake of all sentient beings, travelled about teaching and transorming them.
"At that time in this assembly, there was a monk of intelligence and insight named Solar Womb. He travelled successively through hamlets, villages, and cities. In places ranging from monks' quarters to halls and pavilions, from abodes of hermitage to halls of debate, he extensively praised the meritorious acts of the past lives of the Bodhisattvas to the various members of the great assembly. He also spoke of the supreme purity, equanimity, and great wisdom of the Tathagata.
"At that time, there was a wealthy donor in the assembly whose name was Star Light. Hearing the description of the equanimity and great wisdom of the Great Vehicle, joy welled up in his heart. He arose from his seat, grasped a haritaki fruit (myrobalan) and various assorted medicinal herbs, and he went towards Solar Womb, saying: 'O Virtuous One, I have heard you, benevolent one, speak of the medicine of sweet dew [the teachings of the Tathagata]. It is as you have said: he who takes this medicine will neither grow old nor die.'
"Having said this, he bowed his head and face and prostrated in worship at the feet of the monk. Then he took the healing herbs which he held and offered them to the monk, saying: 'O Benevolent One, I now offer these healing herbs to you and to the Order of Great Virtue.'
"Then Solar Womb, uttering the dharani spoken on behalf of a donor, accepted the haritaki. The wealthy donor, having heard the Teachings and further having heard the dharani, was overjoyed. He universally worshipped the boundless Buddhas of the Ten Directions, and before Solar Womb, he expressed vast aspirations and vows, saying: 'O Benevolent One, I have heard you speak of the healing medicine of the Buddha's wisdom. As you have said, it is true, not false. Now, grasping an excellent healing herb from the Himalayas, I have offered it to you and to all in the Order. By means of this vow of meritorious virtue, in my future births and rebirths, I will not seek the blessings and rewards of incarnation as a human or deva in the Three-fold World. With utmost sincerity, I will turn towards the perfect and complete enlightenment. Today, I have sincerely expressed the aspiration to attain the Supreme Enlightenment, and in a future age I will surely become a Buddha. This vow is not empty: I will inevitably attain – as you, revered sir, have described – the Buddha wisdom.
" 'When I obtain the pure force of enlightenment, even though I have not yet become a Buddha, if there are any sentient beings who hear my name, they will be cured of the sufferings from the three types of diseases which afflict all sentient beings. The first comprises the 404 diseases afflicting the bodies of all sentient being. By merely calling on my name, they will be completely cured. Secondly, I vow throughout eternity to reject the sufferings caused by false views, stupid doubts, and the woesome path. When I become a Buddha and am born in my Buddha-land, all the sentient beings there will awaken to the liberating universal Mahayana teachings, and further, no variant paths will exist there. Thirdly, in Jampudvipa and in other regions, the three woesome paths are known. Those who hear my name will never again, throughout eternity, be incarnated in one of these three woesome paths. As long as they sink into woesome paths, I will withhold from achieving my ultimate attainment of perfect and complete enlightenment.
" 'If there are any sentient beings who worship, fix their minds upon, and contemplate my form and features, I vow to remove the three fetters from these beings.'
" 'When the body of a Buddha is seen in a vision, it appears to have the penetrating luminosity of pure lapis lazuli. If there are any sentient beings who see the pure body of a Buddha, I vow that these beings will experience the non-differentiating wisdom. They will neither withdraw from nor lose this state of mind for eternity.'
"After expressing these vows, he prostrated himself in worship with his knees, elbows and forehead touching the ground and universally worshipped all the limitless Buddhas of the Ten Directions. Having worshipped the Buddhas, he grasped a blossom made of pearls which he scattered upon Solar Womb, whom he addressed, saying: "O revered sir, it is due to you that I have heard the supremely pure Buddha wisdom. I have heard this in front of you, revered sir. Having heard the Buddha wisdom, I have expressed a deep aspiration to attain enlightenment, and the vows which I have made are not empty: I will surely achieve Buddhahood. Now, I will cause the marvellous pearl blossom which I scattered to become a flowering canopy above you, O revered sir.'
"When he had made this speech, the precious pearls which he scattered became arranged in space like a jeweled lotus blossom, and then they changed into a flowery canopy. This canopy was endowed with a golden radiance and was altogether complete. All in the great assembly who saw this event unanimously praised the great wealthy donor Star Light, saying: 'Excellent, excellent, great wealthy donor. You are able within this great assembly to have made the profound expression of vast aspirations and vows and to manifest this subtle and marvelous auspicious sign. We have observed this auspicious sign today, and we have no doubt that you will inevitably achieve Buddhahood.'
"The wealthy donor Star Light had a younger brother named Shining Lightning. When Shining Lightning saw his elder brother aspire to attain enlightenment, he accordingly was pleased in body and mind. He said to his elder brother: 'In my home at present, there is a large amount of ghee and various excellent medicines. I vow, as you hear me, that I shall donate all these without limiting my charity solely to the Order.'
"His brother replied: 'I have heard you, and you should proceed in accordance with your wish.'
"Then the wealthy donor Shining Lightning said to his elder brother: 'I would also like to follow you further. I wish to express the aspiration to attain the profound perfect and complete enlightenment.'
"His elder brother replied: 'If you wish to express this aspiration, you now should worship the Buddhas of the Ten Directions. It would be proper to express the aspiration for the profound and supreme enlightenment in front of the great reverend, the monk Solar Womb.'
"The younger brother said to his elder: 'I now, [as signified] by [the offering of] this ghee and excellent medicines, by charity to all beings, and further by [the manifestation of] a marvelous flower above the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, turn to these vows of merit, these vows which are no different from the aspirations and vows expressed by my elder brother. If my vows have been sincere and not false, then let the marvelous lotus flowers that I have scattered form a blossoming tree in the sky.'
"Then the great assembly saw the lotus blossoms scattered by the wealthy donor Shining Lightning become arranged in the sky. Each flower looked like a bodhi tree. Although arranged in the sky, they were altogether endowed with blossoms and fruits.
"The members of the great assembly from their separate mouths spoke as one in praise of the wealthy donor Shining Lightning, saying at that point: 'The auspicious response to your vows today is identical to that received by your elder brother. In a future age you inevitably will achieve Buddhahood. Of this we have no doubt.'"
The Buddha told Ananda: "You now should know that when this great wealthy donor [Star Light] gave the haritaki and the excellent healing herbs from the Himalayas to all the monks, after the assembly of monks swallowed these things, they heard the sublime Teachings. Due to the force of the medicines they were rid of two types of diseases. The first type was the ascendency or depression of the four elements [the inharmonious balance of the four elements in the body, thus causing the 404 diseases], while the second was the defilement of anger. Due to these medicines, all in the great congregation then expressed the aspiration to attain perfect and complete enlightenment, and they chanted these words: 'In a future age, we will all achieve Buddhahood.'
"Then, each in the great assembly praised the others, saying: 'Because of this great being's gift of the two types of medicines, we today have expressed the aspiration to attain the Supreme and Sovereign Teachings. We will become kings of 3000 myriads of world-realms. In gratitude, we should give him a name. Due to his actions, we shall name him 'King of Healing'."
The Buddha told Ananda: "You now should know that when this Bodhisattva King of Healing heard the great assembly confer this name, he revered and worshipped them and said the following: 'Monks of the Great Assembly of Great Virtue, you have conferred upon me the name "King of Healing". I now should take refuge in this name and establish its reality. If my giving accords with the Buddha Way and I inevitably attain perfection, I vow that with my two hands I hall rain down all varieties of medicines, cleansing all beings and freeing them from all diseases. If there are any sentient beings who hear my name, worship me, and contemplate my form and features, I will cause these beings to swallow the medicine the profound and sublime dharani of the Unobstructed Teachings. I will cause these beings, in their present incarnations, to be rid of all negativity and to fulfill all their aspirations. When I achieve Buddhahood, I vow that all sentient beings will be complete in the practices of the Great Vehicle.'
"When he had spoken these words, from the midst of space there rained down a canopy made of the seven precious things, which covered King of Healing. From within the radiance of the canopy, this verse was said:
'O great being, by your sublime and excellent vows,
You have given the medicines which aid all beings.
In the future you will become a Buddha,
And your name shall be Pure Eye.
Rescuing great numbers of devas and men,
Your compassionate heart will have no bounds, no limits.
With your eye of wisdom, you shall illumine all things.
Indeed, in the future you will become a Buddha.'
"When King of Healing heard this verse, joy welled up in his whole being and he entered into samadhi. This samadhi was called 'Beyond Adornment.' Due to the force of the samadhi, he saw Buddhas beyond numbering. He gained purification of various karmic fetters and was rid of them, and he obtained release from the faults amassed during 900 billion asamkhyeya aeons of samsara.
"Then, those in the assembly who had named him said: 'Now, this is the Bodhisattva-mahasattva King of Healing.'"
The Buddha told Ananda: "You now should know that when the younger brother gave medicines to all men, he was praised by all in the world because of his act. He gave these medicines not only to all in the Order, but also to all beings. Those who swallowed these medicines gained a superior vitality and marvelously supreme health. They also heard of the healing medicine of the supreme and marvelous Great Vehicle Teachings.
"Due to his actions, all in the world named him 'Supreme Healer'. When this Bodhisattva heard these persons praise him and confer upon him the auspicious name of 'Supreme Healer', he said: 'Due to the expression of my aspirations and vows, today in this world all the members of this great assembly have conferred upon me the name "Supreme Healer". I vow that when I, in a future age, achieve the ten types of pure force, I will give to all beings the medicine of the Supreme Teachings. I vow that all beings who hear my name will rapidly obtain release from the plenteous fires of their afflictions. If there are any sentient beings who worship me, who call out my name, and who contemplate my form and features, I will cause these beings to obtain a dose of the Supreme Medicine, the sweet dew of the supreme and marvelous undying liberation.'
"When the great assembly heard these words, each person took off a necklace of precious stones and together they offered them to the Bodhisattva Supreme Healer. These necklace offerings settled in the sky, appearing like a seven-jeweled pavillion. Within the pavillion there was a light of pure yellow-golden hue, and a sound like the pure voice of Brahma resonated, reciting this verse:
'Excellent, O victorious Great Being
You have illustriously expressed vast aspirations and vows.
And you inevitably shall ferry all sentient beings
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