..續本文上一頁colors, be liked by whoever sees them, be sharp, understanding and responsive, peaceful and stable, seldom get sick, and be without non-humans that would rob their essential air."

　　Then World Honored One told Ánanda, "As I declared and praised all the merits of that World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, since this belonged to the sphere of very profound activities of the Buddhas and was difficult to comprehend, did you believe it or not

　　" Ánanda replied, "Great Virtuous One, World Honored One, to sutras spoken by the Tathágata I had no doubt arising. Why was it so

　　 The physical, verbal and mental activities of all Tathágatas are without impurities.

　　World Honored One, sun and moon could be made to fall down, Mount Sumeru could be toppled or moved, and yet what the Buddhas said would not vary. World Honored One, some sentient beings lacked the root of faith, upon hearing about the sphere of very profound activities of the Buddhas, they would think thus: how could all those merits and superior benefits be obtained by simply repeating the epithets of one Buddha, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light

　　Due to this disbelief, in reaction there arose slander. They would lose great advantage and happiness in the extensive night of ignorance, fall into various bad realms, and transmigrate endlessly." Buddha told Ánanda, "These sentient beings, if they heard the epithets of the World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, and wholeheartedly maintained repetition thereof without any doubt arising, then it could not be the case that they would fall into the bad realms.

　　Ánanda, this belonged to very profound activities of Buddhas and was difficult to believe or comprehend. Now you could receive it; you should know that it was all due to the awesome power of the Tathágata.

　　Ánanda, all Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas that had not attained Bhumis, cannot believe and comprehend it as truth, except Bodhisattvas that are on the verge of attaining Buddhahood. Ánanda, a human body is difficult to attain. It is also difficult to attain faith, respect and reverence with regard to the Triple Gems. It is even more difficult than these to hear the epithets of World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light.

　　Ánanda, if the immeasurable Bodhisattva activities, immeasurable skillful means and immeasurable extensive great vows of that Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light were to be expounded extensively by me for one kalpa or even over one kalpa, soon the kalpa would be over and yet that Buddha”s activities, vows and skillful means could not be exhausted."

　　Then among the assembly there was a great Bodhisattva by the name of "Salvation." He rose up from his seat, exposed his right shoulder as a gesture of respect, his right knee to the ground, bowed his body, folded his palms, and said to the Buddha, "Great Virtuous One, World Honored One, during the period of the spreading of semblance of the Dharma some sentient beings would be tormented by all sorts of diseases.

　　Due to chronic illness they would be weak and thin, and could not eat or drink. Their throats and lips would be dry, and they would see darkness everywhere. Signs of impending death would be present, with parents, relatives, friends and acquaintances surrounding them and crying bitter tears.

　　Even while their bodies would still lie at the same place, they would see agents of Yama leading their consciousness to the presence of Judicial King Yama and know that each sentient being had an accompanying god since birth that would record whatever that sentient being had done, be it sinful or meritorious.

　　The records would all be presented to …

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