..续本文上一页whole assembly was perplexed, and so addressed the Buddha, saying, "bhagavan. why are there conjured Buddha images in all of the innumerable flowers

　　 And for what reason did they ascend into the heavens and cover the world

　　 And why did the Buddha images each issue forth countless hundreds of thousands of rays

　　" Everyone in the assembly looked on and then joined his hands together in respect. At that point, Bodhisattva Vajramati spoke in gatha, saying:

　　"Never ever have I witnessed

　　A miraculous display like today”s.

　　To see hundreds of thousands and millions of buddhas

　　Seated in the padmagarbha (lotus-calyx),

　　Each emitting countless rays,

　　Filling all the kshetras,

　　Scattering the dirt of false teachers,

　　Adorning all the worlds!

　　The lotuses suddenly wilted;

　　There was not one which was not disgusting.

　　Now tell us,

　　Why did you display this conjured vision

　　We see buddhas more numerous than

　　The sands of the Ganga,

　　And incalculable transfigured forms.

　　Never before have I seen

　　The like of what I am witnessing now.

　　I wish you would give us a clear explanation."

　　At that time the bhagavan spoke to Vajramati and the other bodhisttvas, saying, "kulaputras. there is a Vaipulya Sutra named ”Tathagata-garbha”. It was because I wanted to expound it to you that I showed you these signs. You should all listen attentively and ponder it well." All said, "Excellent. We very much wish to hear it."

　　The Buddha said, "kulaputras, there is a comparison that can be drawn between the countless flowers conjured up by the Buddha that suddenly withered and the innumerable conjured buddha images with their many adornments, seated in the lotus position within the flowers, who cast forth light so exceedingly rare that there was no one in the assembly who did not show reverence. In a similar fashion, kulaputras, when I regard all beings with my buddha cakshur (eye), I see that hidden within the kleshas (barbs) of raga (greed), lobha (confusion), dvesha (hatred) and moha (obscuration) there is seated augustly and unmovingly the Tathagata jnana , the Tathagata-vision and the Tathagata kaya. kulaputras, all beings, though they find themselves with all sorts of kleshas, have a tathagata-garbha that is eternally unsullied, and that is replete with virtues no different from my own. Moreover, kulaputras, it is just like a person with supernatural vision who can see the bodies of tathagatas seated in the lotus position inside the flowers, even though the petals are not yet unfurled; whereas after the wilted petals have been removed, those tathagatas are manifested for all to see. In similar fashion, the Buddha can really see the beings (sattva) tathagata-garbha. And because he wants to disclose the tathagata-garbha to them, he expounds the sutras and the Dharma, in order to destroy kleshas and reveal the buddha-dhatu (buddha-element, buddha-nature). kulaputras, such is the dharma of all Buddhas. Whether or not buddhas appear in the world, the tathagata-garbha of all beings are eternal and unchanging. It is just that they are covered by kleshas of sentient beings. When the Tathagata appears in the world, he expounds the Dharma far and wide to remove their ignorance and tribulation and to purify their universal wisdom. kulaputras, if there is a bodhisattva who has faith in this teaching and who practices it with ekagra-citta (single-pointed citta), he will attain vimukti and correct universal enlightenment and for the sake of the world he will perform Buddha deeds far and wide."

　　At that point, the Bhagavan expressed himself in gatha, saying:

　　"It is like the wilted flowers;

　　Before their petals have opened,

　　One with supernatural vision can see

　　The unstained Tathagata-kaya.

　　After the wilted flowers are removed,

　　One sees, without obstacle, the Teache…

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