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CHAPTER 1.
for the diffusion of the Maháy ána, for encouraging Bodhisattvar and promoting the majesty of those who betake to the Yanas, for the suppression of all evil passions, as well as in mercy to the. true religion, and to the family of the three precious ones,87 in order to perpetuate its memory, and for better exposition of Buddhism,-yea, in great compassion towards men and gods, benignly vouchsafed their request. The Dovapatras, Mahesvara and others (as named above), elated by the reception they met. with, their hearts overflowed with joy, love and goodness, saluted his feet with their heads, and thrice ciremnambulating his person, disappeared, strewing around powdered sandal, aloe wood, and mandara flowers,
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At the close of that night Bhagavan proceeded towards a bambeogove, and, arriving there, at the request of the Bodhisattvas and Srávakas, seated himself among them, and conversed with the Bhikshakas, The Bodhisattvas and venerable S'rávakas, then saluting Bhagavan with closed hands, thus addressed him; "Lord, for the good and gratification of the many, in mercy to mankind, for the well-being of worldly actions, and for the prosperity and satisfaction of inen and gods, relate thou unto us that excellent treatise on religion known as the Lalita-Vistura." Bhagaván, in merry to gods, men and demons, and the alltruthful Bodhisattvas and noble S'rávakus, silently vouchsafed the request of his audience
Regarding this it may be said:
"This night, O Bhikshukas, when I was comfortably seated, free from female company, with my mind intent and unagitated, and absorbed in auspicious recreation, there came unto me Mabes'vara, Chandana, Isa," Nanda, Prasantuchitta," Mahita Sananda, Santa," and a myriad of other such Devaputras,-sages bright with immaculate splendour, illuminating the grove o Jataa by their beauty Approaching, they saluted my feet, cir ambulated my person, and seated themselves around me folding their hands by way of supplication, they the verentially Beeched me: O Sage, relate unto us that
