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228
SADDIIARMA-PUNDARIKA.
XI.
horizon and the gods. It consisted of seven precious substances, viz. gold, silver, lapis lazuli, Musåragalva, emerald, red coral, and Karketana-stone! This Stūpa of precious substances once formed, the gods of paradise strewed and covered it with Mandarava and great Mandâra flowers. And from that Stupa of precious substances there issued this voice: Excellent, excellent, Lord Sâkyamuni! thou hast well expounded this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law. So it is, Lord; so it is, Sugata.
At the sight of that great Stupa of precious substances, that meteoric phenomenon in the sky, the four classes of hearers were filled with gladness, delight, satisfaction and joy. Instantly they rose from their seats, stretched out their joined hands, and remained standing in that position. Then the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Mahâpratibhâna, perceiving the world, including gods, men, and demons, filled with curiosity, said to the Lord: O Lord, what is the cause, what is the reason of so magnificent a Stupa of precious substances appearing in the world? Who is it, O Lord, who causes that sound to go out from the magnificent Stapa of precious substances ? Thus asked, the Lord spake to Mahâpratibhana, the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva, as follows: In this great Stupa of precious substances, Mahâpratibhana, the proper body 3 of the Tathagata is contained condensed; his is the Stapa; it is he who causes this sound to go out.
1 The raising of a seven-jewelled Stâpa is also narrated in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Mahâsânghika school, according to Beal in the Indian Antiquary, vol. xi, p. 47. The particulars of the description in that narrative bear little resemblance to those found in our text.
. There fell smaller and bigger drops of rain. . Âimabhava, also the very nature, the essential being.
Digitized by Google
| SR No. | 007677 |
| Book Title | Saddharma Pundarika |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | H Kern |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1884 |
| Total Pages | 2546 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 46 MB |