In The Question of Maitreya, the bodhisattva Maitreya asks the Buddha what qualities a bodhisattva needs to attain enlightenment quickly. The Buddha outlines several sets of qualities, foremost among them the altruistic intention of perfect bodhicitta. The Buddha then recounts to Ānanda how, in a former life, Maitreya revered a previous Buddha and, wishing to become just like him, at once realized that all phenomena are unproduced. Ānanda asks why Maitreya did not become a buddha sooner, and in answer the Buddha compares Maitreya’s bodhisattva career with his own, listing further sets of qualities that differentiate them and recounting examples of the hardships he himself faced in previous lives. Maitreya, on the other hand, has followed the easy bodhisattva vehicle using its skillful means, such as the seven branch practice and the training in the six perfections; the aspirations he thus made are set out in the famous “Prayer of Maitreya” for which this sūtra is perhaps best known. The Buddha declares that Maitreya will become enlightened when sentient beings have fewer negative emotions, in contrast to the ignorant and turbulent beings he himself vowed to help.
The Translation
Homage to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas!
Thus have I heard at one time. The Blessed One was staying in the Country of the Bhargas, on Mount Śuśumāra in a fearsome forest of wild animals, together with a great saṅgha of about 500 monks, eminent śrāvaka-elders who possessed clairvoyance. These included the omniscient venerable Kauṇḍinya, and the venerables Aśvajit, Vaṣpa, Mahānāman, Bhadrika, Vimala, Pūrṇa, Gavāṃpati, Mṛgaśiras, Uruvilva Kāśyapa, Nadīkāśyapa, Gayākāśyapa, Jaṅghā Kāśyapa, Mahākāśyapa, Amogharāja, Sumati, Śāriputra, the eminent Maudgalyāyana, Parvatarāja, Nanda, Upananda, Ānanda, Rāhula, and so on. [F.105.a]
Maitreya and 10,000 other bodhisattva mahāsattvas endowed with clairvoyance had also assembled there. These included the bodhisattvas Vardhamānamati, Sumati, Sthiramati, Viśālamati, Pratibhānakūṭa, Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta, Kusumaśrī, Mañjuśrī, Abhijñāpuṣpasuparipūrṇa, Anupalambhamanasikāra, Prasādavat, Ratnaketu, Indradeva, Varuṇadeva,8 Mṛdusvara, Kṣetraviśodhana, Merukūṭa, Pratibhānasaṃpad, Indraśrī, Nimiṃdhara, Scourer of the Hell-Dwellers, Abandoner of Unfavorable Rebirths, Ratnakesarin, and others.
The Blessed One, surrounded by this retinue of many hundreds of thousands, surveyed those before him, and taught the Dharma. At that time, the bodhisattva Maitreya was present in that very retinue. He surveyed the great assembly of bodhisattvas, rose from his seat, draped his shawl over one shoulder, set his right knee on the ground, and paid homage with palms joined toward the Blessed One.
He asked the Blessed One, “Would the Blessed One, if he has time, please answer a certain question that I would like to put to the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the completely and perfectly enlightened Buddha?”
The Blessed One then replied to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, “Maitreya, [F.105.b] the Tathāgata always has time to answer such questions. Ask whatever you wish, Maitreya. What I shall say in response to your question will cause you to rejoice.”
So the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya asked the Blessed One, “Blessed One, how many qualities do bodhisattvas need to possess in order to abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha?”
The Blessed One answered the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, “Maitreya, you have served the victorious ones of the past, cultivated the roots of virtue, recalled your past lives, acquired eloquence, and for a long time, lived chastely. Maitreya, you work for the benefit of many people, bring happiness to many people, and are compassionate toward the world. You live to bring welfare, benefit, and well-being to ordinary beings, gods, and men, and to assist the noble sons and daughters, present and future, who belong to the vehicle of the bodhisattvas. It is indeed good that you have thought of asking the Blessed One a question on this subject. Therefore, Maitreya, listen well and carefully, and retain all that I say in your mind.”
The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya assented to the Blessed One, and listened as the Blessed One had instructed.
The Blessed One said, “Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess one single quality, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What is that single quality? Having the altruistic intention [F.106.a] of excellent bodhicitta. Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess this single quality, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess two qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What two qualities? Thoroughly applying themselves in calm abiding and developing skill in insight. If bodhisattvas possess these two qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess three qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What three qualities? Attaining great compassion and having definitive understanding of the teaching of emptiness, yet without being arrogant. Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these three qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess four qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What four qualities? Observing moral conduct, having no doubt about the whole of the Dharma, delighting in seclusion, and not wavering from the undertaking to which they have committed themselves. [F.106.b] Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these four qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess five qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What five qualities? Dwelling in emptiness, not seeking the delusions of others, investigating the self, delighting in the Dharma, and being committed to helping others. Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these five qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess six qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What six qualities? Being without attachment, aversion, and ignorance; immediately answering questions correctly and properly; being tireless in their ritual observance; and experiencing emptiness. Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these six qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess seven qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What seven qualities? Being learned in mindfulness and [F.107.a] in the Dharma. Being diligent in their undertakings, joyful, mentally supple, and skilled in meditative concentration and analysis through wisdom. Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these seven qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess eight qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What eight qualities? Possessing right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.9 Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these eight qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess nine qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What nine qualities?
“Maitreya, those bodhisattvas distance themselves from desires and from sinful, non-virtuous things. They investigate, examine, and possess the joy and happiness that arise from solitude. Thus, they accomplish the first meditative absorption and maintain it.10
“They are free from thinking or examining, and possess inner serenity. Because their mindstreams are one-pointed, they do not think [F.107.b] or examine. Endowed with the joy and happiness that arise from meditative concentration, they then accomplish the second meditative absorption and maintain it.
“Because they are free from attachment to joy, they maintain equipoise and possess mindfulness and awareness. They experience the physical happiness of which the noble ones say, ‘To possess mindfulness and remain in happiness is equanimity.’11 Free of joy they then accomplish the third meditative absorption and maintain it.
“They renounce happiness after already renouncing suffering. Because both mental happiness and mental displeasure decline, there is neither happiness nor suffering. They then accomplish the fourth meditative absorption and maintain it, with immaculate equipoise and mindfulness.
“They transcend conceptions of form in all aspects, and their conceptions of materiality decline. When they do not fabricate conceptions of any kind, they think, ‘This is the infinity of space,’ and then accomplish the sphere of the infinity of space and maintain it. After they have transcended the sphere of the infinity of space in all aspects, they think, ‘This is the infinity of consciousness,’ and then accomplish the sphere of the infinity of consciousness and maintain it. After they have transcended the sphere of the infinity of consciousness in all aspects, they think, ‘This is nothingness,’ and then accomplish the sphere of nothingness and maintain it. After they have transcended the sphere of nothingness in all aspects, they then accomplish the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception and maintain it. After they have transcended the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception in all aspects, they then accomplish the cessation of perception and feeling and maintain it.12 Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these nine qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.
“Furthermore, Maitreya, if bodhisattvas [F.108.a] possess ten qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha. What ten qualities? Having vajra-like meditative concentration, meditative concentration that is assiduous regarding what is correct and incorrect, meditative concentration of going via methods, illuminating meditative concentration, all-illuminating meditative concentration, manifest meditative concentration, precious moon meditative concentration, moon-lamp meditative concentration, meditative concentration without afflictive emotions, and victory-banner finial meditative concentration. Maitreya, if bodhisattvas possess these ten qualities, they will abandon all evil rebirths and not fall into the clutches of sinful associates, but swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha.”
The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was then satisfied and delighted. Joyful and pleased, he rose from his seat, draped his shawl over one shoulder, set his right knee on the ground, and bowed to the Blessed One with joined palms. He praised the Blessed One with these fitting verses:
“In former times, you practiced generous giving.
Giving away dear sons, food and drink,
And even your head and eyes,
You perfected the total generosity of a buddha.
“For a long time, like a yak its tail,13
You observed unimpaired moral conduct.
Peerless in your conduct,
You wholly perfected the conduct of a buddha.
“You generated the power of patience,
And patiently endured the wrong deeds of ignorant people. [F.108.b]
Possessing all the powers of patience,
You wholly perfected the patience of a buddha.
“You generated the power of diligence,
Then found unsurpassed peace and happiness.
Powerful due to your diligence,
You wholly perfected the diligence of a buddha.
“After burning up all sins,
You, great guide and being, took pleasure in your meditation.
Powerful due to the power of meditation,
You wholly perfected the meditation of a buddha.
“Through wisdom that realizes
That phenomena are by nature empty
And that nothing intrinsically arises,
You reached the other shore and wholly perfected the wisdom of a buddha.
“Wise One, beneath the Bodhi tree
You subdued clawed demons
And attained the supreme goal.
As the Buddha, you vanquished the evil gathering of demons.
“Great being, at Vārāṇasī
You turned the wheel of the Dharma.
You terrified the assembly of evil unbelievers,
And, as the Buddha, vanquished the unbelievers’ gatherings.
“Unsurpassed for your vast wisdom,
Utterly without compare,
You teach the Jewel of the Dharma,
O guide and Buddha, you bring about illumination.
“You are peerless in generosity,
Strength of moral conduct, patience, and diligence.
You have accomplished the perfection of everything.
You excel, O Buddha, with your many qualities.”
After the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya had praised the Blessed One in verse with such fitting words, he stood to one side.
The venerable Ānanda then said to the Blessed One, “Lord, Blessed One, it is wonderful that the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya is so supremely eloquent, and that he teaches the Dharma with such words of certainty, that he teaches the Dharma with such matching words and letters, that he teaches the Dharma with such profound words, that he teaches the Dharma with words that explain it so well, [F.109.a] and that he teaches the Dharma with such memorable words.”
“Exactly, Ānanda,” replied the Blessed One. “It is just as you have said—it is wonderful that the bodhisattva Maitreya is so supremely eloquent, that the bodhisattva Maitreya teaches the Dharma with such words of certainty, and all of what you said, up to his teaching the Dharma with such memorable words. Ānanda, this is not the first time that the bodhisattva Maitreya has praised me with such fitting verses. Why? Formerly, Ānanda, in times gone by, at a time when ten countless ages had passed, there came into the world a tathāgata, arhat, completely and perfectly enlightened buddha, endowed with perfect knowledge and perfect conduct, established in a state of bliss, commanding all worldly knowledge, an unsurpassed guide who converted all beings, a teacher of gods and men, the Buddha Arhat named Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña.14
“At that time, there lived a brahmin boy named Bhadraśuddha, good-looking, handsome, and beautiful to behold, endowed with a supremely good complexion and excellent figure. He was going to a pleasure grove, when between the villages he saw the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the completely and perfectly enlightened Buddha Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña. The Tathāgata was handsome and charismatic, controlled in his faculties and in his mind. He had attained excellence in control and calm abiding, and superiority in control and calm abiding. He guarded his faculties, elephant-like in control of his passions, and was radiant, unsullied, and clear like a lake. His body was adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great being, and with the eighty minor marks, like the blossoming flower of a royal sal tree, and towering like Mount Meru, the king of mountains. His face was as calm as the sphere of the moon, [F.109.b] and radiantly clear and brilliant like the sphere of the sun. His body was proportioned like a nyagrodha tree, blazing with light and great splendor.
“Seeing him, Bhadraśuddha developed an attitude of faith toward the Blessed One. With this attitude of faith, he thought, ‘How marvelous! How wondrously this body of the Tathāgata is adorned in its complexion and splendor. It blazes with glory, the marks of buddhahood, and clear, brilliant radiance.’ The brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha then spoke out loud, ‘How marvelous! May I also, in the future, come to possess such a body, blazing like this in complexion, magnificence, splendor, the marks of buddhahood, and with clear, brilliant radiance!’
“After he had prayed thus, he lay on the ground and thought, ‘If in the future I shall come to possess such a body, blazing like this in complexion, magnificence, splendor, marks of buddhahood, and with clear, brilliant radiance, may the Tathāgata touch me with his foot.’
“Then, Ānanda, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the completely and perfectly enlightened Buddha Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña, learning of the noble intention of the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha, approached him and touched him with his foot. As soon as the Tathāgata Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña had touched the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha with his foot, at that very moment the boy attained acceptance of the fact that all phenomena are unproduced. Ānanda, the Tathāgata Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña looked behind him and addressed the monks, ‘Monks, on no account should you tread on the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha with your feet. Why? Because he is [F.110.a] a bodhisattva mahāsattva who has accepted the fact that all phenomena are unproduced.’
“At that very moment, the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha obtained the knowledge of the divine eye, knowledge of the divine ear, knowledge of the thoughts of others, and knowledge recollecting his past lives, and also accomplished miraculous powers. In the presence of the Tathāgata Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña he spoke the following fitting verses of praise:
“ ‘Though I roamed and searched in all the cardinal and intermediate directions,
There is no lord such as you in all the worlds.
The perfect Buddha is supreme in all realms of existence.
O great self-arisen guide, to you I pay homage.
“ ‘Just as the bright sun in the sky,
In all worldly realms of the cardinal and intermediate directions,
Illuminates all these worlds with its light,
So do your splendid qualities—O Buddha, to you I pay homage.
“ ‘Just as a lion roaring in the deep forests
Subdues the fox and all other ordinary animals,
So you, the noblest and most powerful of men,
Subdue all the great assemblies of unbelievers.
“ ‘The Sugata’s fair ringlet between his eyebrows,
Endlessly splendid like a hoard of silver or snow,
Illuminates all these worlds.
In all the worlds there is nobody who equals you, O Buddha.
“ ‘Best of beings, you possess celestial wheels
Bright and fair, with a thousand spokes and spinning rims,
On your feet: these marks cause the earth, with its mountains and forests, to tremble.
O Sage, you are unrivaled by ordinary beings.
“ ‘Your great knowledge discards afflictive emotions and abandons everything.
Noble One, you discovered the path of deliverance; [F.110.b]
Possessing every wealth, rich in qualities,
You array the wealth of a noble one as you please.
“ ‘You are comparable to the earth, and without equal as a recipient of offerings.
You have obtained mastery of all good qualities, and your moral conduct is pure.
Just as hands cannot grasp or capture space,
So too, in the worlds you possess no attachment or anger.
“ ‘Reaching ultimate acceptance,15 you learnt that all objects and phenomena
Are without essence, fictitious, and impure.
In all those arrogant sentient beings that migrate in saṃsāra,
You found no life force or substance.
“ ‘Adapting to their dispositions and actions, and knowing their thoughts,
You are a wondrous lamp that discerns them.
Since you witnessed beings carried away by the great river,
You formerly produced the power of firm strength of diligence.
“ ‘You possess a mind that rejects rebirth and pacifies afflictive emotions;
Your vast mind brought birth, old age, and death to an end.
Like the sphere of space you are without attachment;
Untainted by worldly qualities, you roam the three worlds.
“ ‘O great being, your wisdom brings illumination,
Dispelling every darkness that has gathered.
You calm the dust of attachment and dispel the darkness
Of the various stains of anger and ignorance—to you I pay homage.’
“Ānanda, this does not yet exhaust the miraculous displays and supernormal powers of the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha.
“Ānanda, if you wonder whether the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha was then, at that time, someone else, or you are of two minds about it, or doubtful, do not see him so. Why? Because the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya himself was then, at that time, the brahmin boy Bhadraśuddha, [F.111.a] who uttered these verses of praise to the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Jyotivikrīḍitābhijña.”
The venerable Ānanda asked, “Blessed One, if this bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya developed acceptance so long ago of the fact that all phenomena are unproduced, why did he not quickly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha?”
The Blessed One replied to the venerable Ānanda, “Ānanda, the bodhisattvas set in place and protect16 two things. What two things? They set in place and protect sentient beings, and they set in place and protect their buddha realms. But of these two, when formerly the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, he set in place, consecrated, and protected his buddha realm.
“Ānanda, when I myself was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, I set in place and protected sentient beings, and I also set in place and protected my buddha realm. Ānanda, I knew through foresight that forty-two eons after the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya entered the path I would first arouse the mind of supreme, perfect enlightenment. Ānanda, with the knowledge that, ninety-four eons after that good eon had passed, I would realize supreme, perfect enlightenment, I applied myself, Ānanda, with burning diligence [F.111.b] and quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha.
“Ānanda, it was by means of ten qualities that I quickly accomplished supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. What ten qualities? I abandoned and let go of all doubts, abandoned and let go of my spouse, abandoned and let go of my child, abandoned and let go of my head, abandoned and let go of my eyes, abandoned and let go of my kingdom, abandoned and let go of my wealth, abandoned and let go of my blood, abandoned and let go of my bones and marrow, and abandoned my limbs. By letting go of everything I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, it was by means of those ten qualities that I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha.
“Ānanda, it was also by means of a further ten qualities that I quickly accomplished supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. What ten qualities? Ānanda, I adhered to the teaching of the qualities of moral conduct, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I possessed the power of patience, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I applied ardent diligence, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I adhered to the qualities of meditation, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. [F.112.a] Ānanda, I adhered to the perfection of wisdom, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I did not abandon any sentient being in any way, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I was skillful in my means, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I treated all sentient beings equally, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I realized the teaching of emptiness, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, I realized the teaching of signlessness and wishlessness, and so I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha. Ānanda, it was by means of those ten qualities that I quickly realized supreme, perfect enlightenment and became a buddha.
“Ānanda, if you were aware of how harsh and severe were the sensations of suffering by which I realized supreme and completely perfect enlightenment, perfect buddhahood, you, Ānanda, would not be so forthright. The reason, Ānanda, is that formerly, in times gone by, there lived a prince named Giver of All Wealth, good-looking, handsome, and beautiful to behold, endowed with a supremely good complexion, excellent figure, and with the great wealth and power of a king. He was going to a pleasure grove when he saw between the villages a man afflicted with suffering and seriously ill. At this sight, he felt compassion, approached the man, and asked, [F.112.b] ‘You, sir, what are you suffering from?’
“The man said, ‘Your Highness, I have contracted an illness.’
“ ‘What will assuage your illness, my good man?’ asked the prince. ‘What shall I give you?’
“ ‘Your Highness,’ replied the man, ‘if I were to drink just enough of the blood from your body to satisfy me, my illness would be assuaged.’
“Then, Ānanda, Prince Giver of All Wealth took a sharp knife, cut himself, and gave the man the blood that drained from the wound to drink. Ānanda, as soon as the man drank it, his illness was cured. Ānanda, even though Prince Giver of All Wealth cut himself and all his blood drained out, he never had a moment’s regret. Ānanda, if you wonder whether Prince Giver of All Wealth was then, at that time, someone else, or you are of two minds about it, or doubtful, do not see him so. Why? Because I myself was then, at that time, Prince Giver of All Wealth. Ānanda, all the water of the four great oceans can be measured, but the blood that I have given to sentient beings as I sought supreme, completely perfect enlightenment cannot.
“Ānanda, formerly, in times gone by, there lived a prince named Puṣpa, good-looking, handsome, and beautiful to behold, endowed with a supremely good complexion, excellent figure, and with the great wealth and power of a king. He was going to the site of a pleasure grove when he saw between the villages a man who had contracted dropsy, afflicted with suffering and seriously ill.
“At this sight, he felt compassion and approached the man, and asked, ‘My good man, what will assuage this illness of yours? What shall I give you?’
“The man replied, [F.113.a] ‘Your Majesty, if I were to get just enough of the marrow from your body to satisfy me, my illness would be assuaged.’
“Prince Puṣpa was satisfied and delighted; he rejoiced, and then pleasure and happiness arose in him. He beat his own body, then gouged out the marrow and smeared it on that man’s body. Ānanda, as soon as he smeared it on him, the man’s illness was cured. Ānanda, even though Prince Puṣpa beat his own body so that the marrow dripped out, he felt no regret in his mind.
“Ānanda, if you wonder whether Prince Puṣpa was then, at that time, someone else, or you are of two minds about it, or doubtful, do not see him so. Why? Because I myself was then, at that time, Prince Puṣpa. Ānanda, all the water of the four great oceans can be measured, but the marrow that I have given to sentient beings as I sought supreme, completely perfect enlightenment cannot.
“Ānanda, formerly in times gone by there lived a king named Candraprabha, good-looking, handsome and beautiful to behold, endowed with a supremely good complexion, excellent figure, and with the great wealth and power of a king. He was going to a pleasure grove, when between the villages he saw a poor, eyeless blind man, a destitute beggar. At this sight, he felt compassion.
“That man then approached King Candraprabha and said, ‘Your Majesty, you are happy. Your Majesty, you are joyful, but I suffer. I am blind; I have no eyes. I am poor and destitute. I am a beggar without refuge.’
“Then, Ānanda, King Candraprabha saw the man again, and after listening to his words again he wept, and still in tears, asked him, ‘My good man, what do you need? [F.113.b] Should I give you food or drink? A riding-mount? Jewelry? Gold, gems, pearls, or various kinds of precious things? Tell me whatever you need.’
“The man replied, ‘I beg you, please give me your eye.’
“So, Ānanda, King Candraprabha plucked out his eye and gave it to the man. But, Ānanda, although King Candraprabha had plucked out his eye and given it to the man, he did not become regretful. Ānanda, if you wonder whether King Candraprabha was then, at that time , someone else, or you are of two minds about it, or doubtful, do not see him so. Why? Because I myself was then, at that time, King Candraprabha. Ānanda, Mount Meru, the king of mountains, can be measured, but the eyes that I have given to sentient beings as I sought supreme, completely perfect enlightenment are too great and cannot.
“Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, because the vehicle is easy, the entry is easy, and the path is easy,17 he perfectly accomplished supreme, perfect enlightenment. Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva he did not let go of his arms, legs, or marrow. He did not renounce and let go of his spouse, or his child, village, town, city, royal palace, or retinue. But, Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, because he fully embraced skillful means, through the easy vehicle, the easy entry, and the easy path [F.114.a] he accomplished supreme, perfect enlightenment.”
Then the venerable Ānanda asked, “Blessed One, what were the skillful means to which the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya adhered, thus accomplishing supreme, perfect enlightenment?”
The Blessed One replied, “Ānanda, when formerly the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, he would drape his shawl over one shoulder, set his right knee on the ground, and put the palms of his hands together three times during the day and three times during the night. Making all the buddhas visible, he would then speak to them in these words:
“ ‘Homage to all the buddhas!
Homage to the bodhisattvas,
Those sages with the divine eye—
And to the śrāvakas, too.
“ ‘Homage to the mind of enlightenment,
Which reverses all negative rebirths,
Shows the path to higher rebirths,
And leads beings to the state without aging or death.
“ ‘Whatever negative actions I have done
Under the influence of mind,
Here in the presence of the buddhas
I confess them.
“ ‘Whatever accumulation of merit
I have produced through the three kinds of action,18
May it be the seed of my omniscience
And inexhaustible enlightenment.
“ ‘Whatever offerings to the buddhas
Arise in all realms throughout the ten directions,
The buddhas know and rejoice in them,
And at that I myself rejoice.
“ ‘I confess all negative actions.
I rejoice in all meritorious acts.
I pay homage to all the buddhas.
May I attain supreme awareness! [F.114.b]
“ ‘I exhort the bodhisattvas
Of all ten directions,
Who abide on the ten bodhisattva levels,
To attain supreme enlightenment.
“ ‘May they become truly enlightened buddhas,
Overcoming negative influences of every kind,
And then, to benefit living beings,
May they turn the wheel of the Dharma.
“ ‘Through the sound of the great Dharma drum,
May they bring the suffering of sentient beings to an end.
For unimaginable millions of eons,
May they teach the Dharma and continue to remain in this world.
“ ‘I beg you, best of all humans,
Look upon those who are trapped in the swamp of desire,
And tightly bound by the cords of craving,
Fettered in every kind of bond.
“ ‘Buddhas, do not belittle
Those whose minds are defiled,
But with loving intent toward all sentient beings,
Save them from the sea of existence.
“ ‘May I train in the footsteps
Of the perfect buddhas—those present now,
Those of the past, and those of the future—
And may I engage in the conduct of the bodhisattvas.
“ ‘May I complete the six perfections
And liberate beings of the six realms.
May I realize the six supernormal powers
And reach supreme enlightenment.
“ ‘Unproduced and non-arising,
Without self-nature or location,
Neither mental cognition, nor substance—
May I realize the teaching of emptiness.
“ ‘Just like the Buddha, the great sage,
May I realize the teaching of non-self:
A sentient being does not exist, nor does a living being,
Nor does an individual, or a person.19
“ ‘May I not dwell on there being anything substantial,
A belief in a self, or what I take to be mine,
But in order to make all sentient beings happy,
May I give everything away without miserliness.
“ ‘Since material objects do not really exist,
May my wealth be spontaneously accomplished.
Since all material objects decay,
May I complete the perfection of generosity.
“ ‘Possessing conduct that is flawless,
Conduct that is perfect,
And conduct that is without arrogance, [F.115.a]
May I complete the perfection of moral conduct.
“ ‘Like the elements of earth, water, fire,
And wind, not dwelling on anything,20
With patience and21 free of anger,
May I complete the perfection of patience.
“ ‘Through assiduous application of diligence,
May I have constant enthusiasm without laziness,
And with strength of body and mind,
May I complete the perfection of diligence.
“ ‘Through magic-like meditative concentration,
Meditative concentration of bravery,
And vajra-like meditative concentration,
May I complete the perfection of meditation.
“ ‘Actualizing the three gates to liberation,
The sameness of the three times,
And the threefold knowledge,22
May I complete the perfection of wisdom.
“ ‘May I be praised by all the buddhas,
And blaze with light and splendor;
Through the diligence of a bodhisattva,
May my intention be fulfilled.
“ ‘Thus engaging in such conduct,
May I, who am known as Maitreya,
Complete the six perfections
And dwell on the ten bodhisattva levels.’
“Ānanda, those are the skillful means through which the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, by adhering to them, through the easy vehicle, the easy entry, and the easy path, perfectly accomplished supreme, perfect, and complete enlightenment. Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, he thought to himself, ‘How I wish that sentient beings, having less desire, anger, and ignorance, might acquire the path of the ten virtuous actions! In the future, may I perfectly accomplish supreme, perfect, and complete enlightenment and become a buddha.’ It was thus that he consecrated his buddha realm.
“Ānanda, such a time and period will come about; then sentient beings will become less desiring, angry, [F.115.b] and ignorant, and keep to the path of the ten virtuous actions. After that, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, due to the power of his prayer, will perfectly accomplish supreme, perfect, and completely enlightened buddhahood.
“Ānanda, when I formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, I made this prayer: ‘When the world is beset with the five degenerations, sentient beings will have great desire, anger, and ignorance. Desire, anger, and ignorance will all increase. Beings will desire and crave irreligious things. They will be overcome by fearsome desire, and adopt false doctrines. They will despise their fathers, their mothers, their cousins, and their siblings, their partners, their relatives, noble beings, abbots, spiritual teachers, themselves, and others. These people will be filthy, wild, and stupid. How wonderful it will be if I can perfectly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment and become a buddha among them!’
“Having lived in such a terrible epoch, Ānanda, I have kindled great compassion. Today, when I enter villages, cities, towns, districts and provinces, and the surroundings of royal palaces with great compassion, as soon as I teach the Dharma I am slandered and reviled, harshly abused, and told not to create a gathering. Ānanda, it is even said that I am a nihilist, or that I am an eternalist. They say that those in my retinue have many desires, and that their desires are great. When I enter into houses, earth is thrown at me. I am given food mixed with poison. They even have [F.116.a] bonfires made for me.23 So it is. Although I am a buddha, I am denigrated as cohabiting with so-called ‘beautiful women’ and the like. Ānanda, I kindled great compassion, and with great compassion, I now teach the Dharma to such sentient beings.”
The venerable Ānanda then said to the Blessed One, “The Blessed One who teaches the Dharma to such sentient beings, converting those not previously converted by the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha, has taken on a great burden, and undergone hardships.”
The Blessed One replied to the venerable Ānanda, “Exactly, Ānanda. It is just as you have said. Ānanda, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha has tamed those not previously tamed, taken on a great burden, and himself endowed with every virtuous quality, undergone hardship by teaching the Dharma to such sentient beings. Why? Because this is how much he was gripped by great compassion.”
The venerable Ānanda then exclaimed, “That the Blessed One should bestow such a Dharma discourse, that I should hear this Dharma discourse, and hear this topic from the Blessed One, the best of men, is hair-raising and amazing! Blessed One, what is the name of this Dharma discourse? How should it be remembered?”
The Blessed One replied, “From now onward, Ānanda, you should remember this Dharma discourse as ‘The Former Prayer that is Truly Noble.’ You should also remember it as ‘The True Arising of the Tathāgata.’ You should also remember it as ‘The Arising of the Intention of Enlightenment.’ You should also remember it as ‘The Question of Maitreya.’ ”
When the Blessed One had spoken, the venerable Ānanda and the bodhisattva Maitreya, together with the five hundred monks [F.116.b] and the entire retinue, as well as the worlds of gods and men, demi-gods and gandharvas, rejoiced and praised the Blessed One’s words.
This concludes The Question of Maitreya, the forty-first of the one hundred thousand sections of the Dharma discourse known as The Noble Great Heap of Jewels.