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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
56
BHAIŞAJYA-GURU-SUTRA
The following para again agrees with the Chinese text:
“Those of the monks and nuns, male or female lay-devotees, who observe the 8 silas or follows the code of discipline for three months or one year will be reborn in the Sukhāvati world of the west. Should they hear the name of Bhaisajyaguru, eight Bodhisattvas' will appear at the time of their death and conduct them to the world of gods. They may be reborn also as sovereigns of the four dvipas, or as rich house-holders, and if they are females, they will lose their femininity and become males."
After this, commences the account of the merits acquired by one who makes others hear the name of Bhaisajyaguru, or preaches and propagates this Sūtra.
This is followed by an account of the method of worshipping the Tathāgata through an image (tasya tathāgatasya pūjā kartukāmenaśca tena tathāgatasya pratimām kārāpayitavyam).
“The worshipper is to observe the eight silas, avoid impure food, choose a clean spot, burn incense, decorate the place with various kinds of cloths, Aags and festoons. Then he is to bathe, and with a pure mind try to be friendly to all beings. After this he is to circumambulate the image with music, and read out the present Sūtra, remembering all the while the vows of the Tathāgata.
Such worship brings the worshipper wealth, sons etc. and on the other hand rids him of all worldly evils.
Those, who will hear the name of the Tathāgata as well as take the three Saranas, observe the five Siksāpadas and the Bodhisattvasamvaras (rules of discipline for Bodhisattvas), or become monks observing the 250 Siksāpadas, or become nuns observing 500 Siksāpadas, will always be protected by the Tathāgata from evil
destiny.
I
See ante, p. 53.
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