..續本文上一頁t the time, 8.4 billion gods came to the Buddha, joined their palms together, paid homage to the Buddha and asked: "How virtuous, Bhagavan! We wish that such Dharma-Store can stay in Jambudvipa."

　　At that time, 1.8 trillion Nirgranthas(Jains) also came to the Buddha and said: " Sramana Gautama, we are superior to you!"

　　The Buddha said to the Nirgranthas: "Tathagatas are always superior indeed, you people believe in inverted theories, how could you be superior

　　 Because of that, now you should listen carefully. In order to benefit all of you, I have some words for you:

　　"Mundane persons have neither wisdom nor joyance,

　　How could they be superior

　　They do not know the correct Way,

　　How could they be superior

　　I discern the destinies of living beings,

　　with the extremely deep Buddha-eye."

　　Those Nirgranthas then became angry with the Bhagavan. At that time, having seen that with his heavenly eyes, Sakra-devanam-Indra(the God of the 33 heavens) took up a Vajra-pestle, rubbed his weapon and aimed it at the Nirgranthas. The 1.8 trillion Nirgranthas then panicked and cried sadly. Subsequently, the Tathagata disappeared from their sight. Not seeing the Tathagata, the Nirgranthas wept sorrowfully and said:

　　"Neither parents nor brothers can save us,

　　it is like we see only wilderness and big marsh,

　　and cannot find the footpath.

　　In such a place, there is no water or shade of a tree,

　　and also no other person.

　　Without companion, we are suffering alone.

　　We suffer so much, because we cannot see the Tathagata."

　　Then the Nirgranthas arose from their seat, knelt with the right knee and cried out loudly:

　　"Tathagata, compassionate one,

　　please save us,

　　we are now willing to rely on the Buddha."

　　The Bhagavan then smiled, and said to Sarvashura Bodhisattva-Mahasattva: "Virtuous man, you should go to the Exterior-path(*) practitioners Nirgranthas” dwelling to preach Dharmas for them."

　　(* Exterior-path:

　　The true way to the Correct-Awakening is called Inner-path, oppositely, all other ways that cannot reach this goal are called Exterior-paths.

　　Generally, "Exterior-path" is interpreted by many people as "non-Buddhist"/"other religious "/"heretic".)

　　Sarvashura Bodhisattva-Mahasattva then replied to the Buddha: "Bhagavan, for example, all other mountains can not surpass the Sumeru Mountain King, likewise, Bhagavan, in front of the Tathagata, I dare not to preach Dharma."

　　At that time the Bhagavan told Sarvashura Bodhisattva-Mahasattva: "Virtuous man, do not say so. The Tathagata has many expedient means. Sarvashura, you should go to look through all the worlds of the ten directions, where are the Tathagatas

　　 In which place do they set up their Tathagata-thrones

　　 Sarvashura, I will be in the Nirgranthas” dwelling and preach Dharmas for them."

　　Sarvashura Bodhisattva then asked the Buddha: "Bhagavan, by whose holy power shall I go

　　 Should I go by my own holy power, or by the Buddha”s holy power

　　"

　　The Buddha told Sarvashura: "You should go by your own holy power, and return by the Buddha”s holy power."

　　Then Sarvashura Bodhisattva-Mahasattva arose from his seat, uncovered his right shoulder, bowed to the Buddha and thereupon disappeared. The Bhagavan then preach Dharmas for the Nirgranthas:

　　"Being alive is suffering, being alive is agonizing. There are lots of fears in the lifetime. Having been born, one will suffer from illness, aging, and death, will suffer from imprisonments, robberies, water disasters, fire disasters, wind disasters, whirlpools disasters, toxins, and will suffer from the misfortunes that are caused by his own karmas."

　　Then those Exterior-path practitioners were frightened, they said to the Buddha: "Bhagavan, from now on, we can no longer endure being alive."

　　After the Bhagavan had preached that Dharma, those 1.8 trillion Exteri…

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