14. The True Son of the Tathagata

"Queen, whatever disciples of mine are possessed of faith and [then] are controlled by faith, they by depending on the light of faith have a knowledge of the precincts of the Dharma, by which they reach certainty in this. Queen, 'knowledge in the precincts of the Dharma' is (a) vision of sensory representation in the range of mind, (b) vision of the maturation of karma, (c) vision of the sleep of the Arhats, (d) vision of the joy and pleasure in the meditation of those who control their mind, (e) vision of the magical power of the nobles which belongs to the Arhats, PratyekaBudhas, and to the Bodhisattvas who have attained power. Queen, in regard to having this skill in the five kinds of vision, those who now and, after my passing, in future times are my disciples possessed of faith and [then] are controlled by faith, they by depending on the light of faith have a knowledge in the precincts of the Dharma, by which they reach certainty in the intrinsic purity and in the defilement of consciousness. Queen, that very certainty of theirs is a cause for installing [persons] in the path of the Great Vehicle. That being the case, because with faith in the Tathagata they do not abandon the profound Doctrine, they are a great benefit to the living beings."

15. The Lion's Roar of Queen Srimala

Then Queen Srimala implored the Lord with these words: "May the Tathagata's power make me eloquent for still further explanations of the faultless meaning!" The Lord replied: "Queen, you shall be eloquent!"

Queen Srimala appealed to the Lord: "Lord, there are three kinds of good son of the family and good daughter of the family who guard themselves to be unblemished and unspoiled regarding the profound Dharma; and these generate much merit and also have entered the path of the Great Vehicle. Who are the three? Lord, (a) any good son of the family or good daughter of the family who has the profound Doctrine through introspection; (b) any good son of the family or good daughter of the family who has the knowledge in the precincts of the Dharma; (c) any good son of the family or good daughter of the family who shrinks from gaining the knowledge of the profound Doctrine by himself, thinking, 'I cannot possibly know it; this meaning can only be known by the Tathagata himself,' and so keeping the Lord in mind, obtains the mental presence of the Lord. Lord, those are the three kinds of good son of the family or good daughter of the family.

"Lord, there are sentient beings, differing from the three kinds of good son of the family or good daughter of the family, who occupy themselves seriously with the profound Dharma, but are attached to mistaken ideas and pose as teachers, talking much. Lord, may I defeat in the manner of a royal decree those persons who have turned their backs on the Illustrious Doctrine and who have the rotten seed of the heretics. May I utterly overcome those rotten seeds by the scope of command among gods, men, and demigods."

When Queen Srimala had appealed with those words, her retinue joined her in bowing to the feet of the Lord. The Lord then said to Queen Srimala, "Excellent, most excellent, timely and opportune is your explanation of the means for properly guarding oneself in the profound Doctrine and your explanation of overcoming the enemies of the Illustrious Doctrine! Queen, the worship of a hundred thousand Budhas is less a marvel than your explanation of the meaning."

Then the radiant Lord illumined the bodies of the entire retinue and ascended skyward to a height of seven tala. By the magical power of levitation he proceeded in the direction of Sravasti. Meanwhile Queen Srimala and her retinue, with hands folded at their heads, were gazing enraptured and unblinking at the Lord. When the Lord passed out of sight, Queen Srimala and her retinue showed utter transport in their faces. One by one and again they praised the merits of the Tathagata. Not losing their attentive mindfulness of the Budha, they returned to the city of Ayodhya.

Back in the palace, Queen Srimala converted King Yasomitra to the Great Vehicle. She converted all the women in the capital seven years or older to the Great Vehicle. King Yasomitra converted all the men in the capital seven years or older to the Great Vehicle. In the same manner the whole state was brought over to the Great Vehicle.

Subir