“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand the powers. I did this by wondering how I could understand sentient beings’ faculties in the form of both powers and non-powers.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past, beyond unfathomable timespans of cyclic existence, there was a religious king known as Lion Intelligence. He was a just ruler, who sustained the entire world of four continents. The king was faithful and learned in all treatises. He delighted in being a patron and was learned in all expressions of benefaction. The king would invite all the world’s mendicants and brahmins to partake of the most delicious feasts and he would clothe them all in garments of Kāsika silk. An expert in all the treatises, he observed the thoughts of sentient beings, and he was in pursuit of knowledge of the faculty of insight, both as a power and a non-power. To obtain knowledge of the power and non-power of the faculty of insight, he made offerings to those in possession of special cognition. Thus, for this purpose, the king practiced generosity continuously throughout day and night for eighty thousand years while also making inquiries among mendicants and brahmins. In this way he investigated cognition—both as a power and a non-power—together with knowledgeable teachers.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time King Lion Intelligence was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the king Lion Intelligence. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, when bodhisattva great beings wish to understand the power and non-power of the faculties, they should worship those who are knowledgeable and so pursue knowledge of the powers and non-powers.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand the powers and non-powers. I did this by wondering how I could fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood and thus gain knowledge of the powers of sentient beings.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past, beyond unfathomable timespans of cyclic existence, there was a brahmin known as God of Faculties, who was like a great sal tree. He was wealthy and in possession of abundant enjoyments. He gathered the learned around him and had respect for knowledge. He gathered those mendicants and brahmins who sincerely practiced recitation. He would encourage all of them to pursue knowledge of discernment, knowledge of diverse mental powers, and knowledge of different stages of diligence. Concerned that no knowledge should go to waste, he sought to encourage the diligent. In this way he guided many thousands of beings toward diverse and abundant knowledge.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time the brahmin God of Faculties, who was like a great sal tree, was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the brahmin God of Faculties, who was like a great sal tree, and in this way I guided innumerably many thousands of beings toward diverse knowledge. At the time I was full of knowledge and comprehended the knowledge of the powers and non-powers. Now, having awoken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, I also remain fully aware of the powers and non-powers of sentient beings. Even when no one like me is present, the lion’s roar will be expressed within my retinue. Thus, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must endeavor in knowledge of the powers and non-powers of others. They must also venerate all those who recite the treatises.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand cessation as related to knowledge of the powers. I did this by wondering how to comprehend the stages in which the powers of all sentient beings arise.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past, beyond unfathomable timespans of cyclic existence, there was a king known as Agnidatta, who was an expert in all the languages of beings, and who understood their meanings. Whichever word he heard, he would comprehend its meaning, as well as why it was spoken in the given context, and what it could and could not imply. Thus, with respect to all knowledge, he would know what is a power and a non-power. He would be aware of when actions cease subsequent to the functioning of knowledge, or when they cease without the functioning of knowledge. He would know how they cease with a slight action, or with no action. He would know how a person becomes a vessel of knowledge, or how a person becomes capable of pacifying the afflictions. Thus, having attained such understanding, he became a master of universal knowledge in the world.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time King Agnidatta was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was King Agnidatta, who had knowledge of all the languages of beings and who knew all the subject matters of the treatises. Through such roots of virtue I comprehended all language and mastered all treatises, thus awakening to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood. Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must therefore become experts in all the treatises and master all of their subject matter.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand the path that leads to cessation as related to knowledge of the powers. I did this by wondering how I could comprehend the knowledge of the path that leads to cessation as related to knowledge of the powers and non-powers of sentient beings.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past there was a sage known as Suprabha, a master of disciplined conduct and austerities who was endowed with excellent qualities and knowledge. He observed innumerable forms of discipline, such as keeping his hair in a topknot of five braids. Diligently practicing in his forest hermitage, he had exhausted the afflictions associated with cold and heat and he sustained himself on burned offerings without any consideration for the body. As such, he observed these and infinitely many other aspects of an austere lifestyle.
EN
“Endowed with many special qualities, the sage did not bring harm on beings and he had tremendous restraint with respect to taking what has not been given. He had no inclination whatsoever to associate with another’s wife, and he had given up drinking alcohol. With a mind free from confusion, he never separated from his austere practices. He protected the minds of others, refrained from harsh words, followed the rules, and recollected the sages of the past. He possessed these and infinitely many other special qualities.
EN
“Among his special cognitive abilities were miraculous skills, as well as the divine ear; knowledge of the minds of others; knowledge of past abodes; knowledge of the death, transference, and rebirth of sentient beings; knowledge of the arts and sciences; knowledge of administration; knowledge of Dharma; knowledge of time; knowledge of duration; knowledge of self; knowledge of means; and innumerably many other types of special cognition.
EN
“The sage thought to himself, ‘I have accomplished such an abundance of knowledge, yet I lack the understanding that brings all consciousness to cessation. Where in this world might I find a mendicant or brahmin who is trained in that?’ Thus, in pursuit of that knowledge, he became a wandering beggar. Whenever he came across extremists he would not take any offerings from any of them, outcastes included, once they had understood who he was. Thus his way of maintaining a beggar’s livelihood without taking any alms became well known throughout the world’s ten directions.
EN
“At that time there was in the southern snowy mountains a sage known as Sarvavit, who had attained the five superknowledges. Throughout day and night he remained in his retreat, dwelling in the absorption known as thinking of the entire world. From within that absorption he was able to know what went on in the minds of all beings, what they were saying, and what they were engaged in physically. He also knew of their austerities, their disciplined conduct, their qualities, their knowledge, and their consciousness.
EN
“Thus, as the sage Sarvavit perceived the beggar Suprabha by means of his divine eye, he was aware of the latter’s thoughts and wishes. Feeling compassion, he recognized, ‘The beggar Suprabha suffers due to his ignorance, lacking the understanding of the means for knowing the powers and non-powers.’ Thus, as quickly as a man can stretch or bend his arm, the sage Sarvavit, compelled by compassion, descended from the snow mountain and appeared intentionally before the beggar Suprabha. The latter saw Sarvavit coming from afar and, ignoring his own powers, he bowed his head to Sarvavit’s feet and arranged a seat for him. Taking hold of Sarvavit with both hands, he led the teacher to his seat. With great yearning for knowledge, Suprabha then presented his questions to the sage Sarvavit in the following verses:
EN
“ ‘Among the learned you have no fear And thus you express your knowledge. I have doubts as to where and how I was born. Whatever virtue is done
EN
“ ‘Will be of benefit to sentient beings. Knowledge of the activities of all beings, And of the powers and non-powers, And of your supreme cognition—
EN
“ ‘Once heard of, it becomes unceasing. Such knowledge that turns consciousness into great wisdom I request from you. The wise have taught me
EN
“ ‘With the power of knowledge, A knowledge that is fearless And of loving heart. Thus they have instructed me correctly
EN
“ ‘And without any miserliness in giving the gift of Dharma. Thus I gather knowledge While pleasing the knowledgeable and gathering gifts. I yearn for abundant knowledge
EN
“ ‘And bring together gifts. Searching for the wisdom of knowledge I shall attain true wisdom.
EN
“ ‘With the mind of the wise The learned shall gain insight. With the knowledge of the path to cessation Absorption will quickly spring forth.’
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time the beggar Suprabha was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the beggar Suprabha. Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time the conveyor of knowledge, the sage Sarvavit, was anyone else, do not think so. In those days the thus-gone Dīpaṃkara was the conveyor of knowledge, the sage Sarvavit. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattva great beings who wish to understand the knowledge of the path that leads to cessation as related to knowledge of the powers and non-powers must receive vows, yearn for the light of wisdom, and relinquish mundane possessions.”
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand the powers. I did this by wondering how I could understand sentient beings’ faculties in the form of both powers and non-powers.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past, beyond unfathomable timespans of cyclic existence, there was a religious king known as Lion Intelligence. He was a just ruler, who sustained the entire world of four continents. The king was faithful and learned in all treatises. He delighted in being a patron and was learned in all expressions of benefaction. The king would invite all the world’s mendicants and brahmins to partake of the most delicious feasts and he would clothe them all in garments of Kāsika silk. An expert in all the treatises, he observed the thoughts of sentient beings, and he was in pursuit of knowledge of the faculty of insight, both as a power and a non-power. To obtain knowledge of the power and non-power of the faculty of insight, he made offerings to those in possession of special cognition. Thus, for this purpose, the king practiced generosity continuously throughout day and night for eighty thousand years while also making inquiries among mendicants and brahmins. In this way he investigated cognition—both as a power and a non-power—together with knowledgeable teachers.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time King Lion Intelligence was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the king Lion Intelligence. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, when bodhisattva great beings wish to understand the power and non-power of the faculties, they should worship those who are knowledgeable and so pursue knowledge of the powers and non-powers.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand the powers and non-powers. I did this by wondering how I could fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood and thus gain knowledge of the powers of sentient beings.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past, beyond unfathomable timespans of cyclic existence, there was a brahmin known as God of Faculties, who was like a great sal tree. He was wealthy and in possession of abundant enjoyments. He gathered the learned around him and had respect for knowledge. He gathered those mendicants and brahmins who sincerely practiced recitation. He would encourage all of them to pursue knowledge of discernment, knowledge of diverse mental powers, and knowledge of different stages of diligence. Concerned that no knowledge should go to waste, he sought to encourage the diligent. In this way he guided many thousands of beings toward diverse and abundant knowledge.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time the brahmin God of Faculties, who was like a great sal tree, was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the brahmin God of Faculties, who was like a great sal tree, and in this way I guided innumerably many thousands of beings toward diverse knowledge. At the time I was full of knowledge and comprehended the knowledge of the powers and non-powers. Now, having awoken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, I also remain fully aware of the powers and non-powers of sentient beings. Even when no one like me is present, the lion’s roar will be expressed within my retinue. Thus, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must endeavor in knowledge of the powers and non-powers of others. They must also venerate all those who recite the treatises.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand cessation as related to knowledge of the powers. I did this by wondering how to comprehend the stages in which the powers of all sentient beings arise.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past, beyond unfathomable timespans of cyclic existence, there was a king known as Agnidatta, who was an expert in all the languages of beings, and who understood their meanings. Whichever word he heard, he would comprehend its meaning, as well as why it was spoken in the given context, and what it could and could not imply. Thus, with respect to all knowledge, he would know what is a power and a non-power. He would be aware of when actions cease subsequent to the functioning of knowledge, or when they cease without the functioning of knowledge. He would know how they cease with a slight action, or with no action. He would know how a person becomes a vessel of knowledge, or how a person becomes capable of pacifying the afflictions. Thus, having attained such understanding, he became a master of universal knowledge in the world.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time King Agnidatta was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was King Agnidatta, who had knowledge of all the languages of beings and who knew all the subject matters of the treatises. Through such roots of virtue I comprehended all language and mastered all treatises, thus awakening to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood. Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must therefore become experts in all the treatises and master all of their subject matter.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created boundless roots of virtue in order to understand the path that leads to cessation as related to knowledge of the powers. I did this by wondering how I could comprehend the knowledge of the path that leads to cessation as related to knowledge of the powers and non-powers of sentient beings.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in the distant past there was a sage known as Suprabha, a master of disciplined conduct and austerities who was endowed with excellent qualities and knowledge. He observed innumerable forms of discipline, such as keeping his hair in a topknot of five braids. Diligently practicing in his forest hermitage, he had exhausted the afflictions associated with cold and heat and he sustained himself on burned offerings without any consideration for the body. As such, he observed these and infinitely many other aspects of an austere lifestyle.
EN
“Endowed with many special qualities, the sage did not bring harm on beings and he had tremendous restraint with respect to taking what has not been given. He had no inclination whatsoever to associate with another’s wife, and he had given up drinking alcohol. With a mind free from confusion, he never separated from his austere practices. He protected the minds of others, refrained from harsh words, followed the rules, and recollected the sages of the past. He possessed these and infinitely many other special qualities.
EN
“Among his special cognitive abilities were miraculous skills, as well as the divine ear; knowledge of the minds of others; knowledge of past abodes; knowledge of the death, transference, and rebirth of sentient beings; knowledge of the arts and sciences; knowledge of administration; knowledge of Dharma; knowledge of time; knowledge of duration; knowledge of self; knowledge of means; and innumerably many other types of special cognition.
EN
“The sage thought to himself, ‘I have accomplished such an abundance of knowledge, yet I lack the understanding that brings all consciousness to cessation. Where in this world might I find a mendicant or brahmin who is trained in that?’ Thus, in pursuit of that knowledge, he became a wandering beggar. Whenever he came across extremists he would not take any offerings from any of them, outcastes included, once they had understood who he was. Thus his way of maintaining a beggar’s livelihood without taking any alms became well known throughout the world’s ten directions.
EN
“At that time there was in the southern snowy mountains a sage known as Sarvavit, who had attained the five superknowledges. Throughout day and night he remained in his retreat, dwelling in the absorption known as thinking of the entire world. From within that absorption he was able to know what went on in the minds of all beings, what they were saying, and what they were engaged in physically. He also knew of their austerities, their disciplined conduct, their qualities, their knowledge, and their consciousness.
EN
“Thus, as the sage Sarvavit perceived the beggar Suprabha by means of his divine eye, he was aware of the latter’s thoughts and wishes. Feeling compassion, he recognized, ‘The beggar Suprabha suffers due to his ignorance, lacking the understanding of the means for knowing the powers and non-powers.’ Thus, as quickly as a man can stretch or bend his arm, the sage Sarvavit, compelled by compassion, descended from the snow mountain and appeared intentionally before the beggar Suprabha. The latter saw Sarvavit coming from afar and, ignoring his own powers, he bowed his head to Sarvavit’s feet and arranged a seat for him. Taking hold of Sarvavit with both hands, he led the teacher to his seat. With great yearning for knowledge, Suprabha then presented his questions to the sage Sarvavit in the following verses:
EN
“ ‘Among the learned you have no fear And thus you express your knowledge. I have doubts as to where and how I was born. Whatever virtue is done
EN
“ ‘Will be of benefit to sentient beings. Knowledge of the activities of all beings, And of the powers and non-powers, And of your supreme cognition—
EN
“ ‘Once heard of, it becomes unceasing. Such knowledge that turns consciousness into great wisdom I request from you. The wise have taught me
EN
“ ‘With the power of knowledge, A knowledge that is fearless And of loving heart. Thus they have instructed me correctly
EN
“ ‘And without any miserliness in giving the gift of Dharma. Thus I gather knowledge While pleasing the knowledgeable and gathering gifts. I yearn for abundant knowledge
EN
“ ‘And bring together gifts. Searching for the wisdom of knowledge I shall attain true wisdom.
EN
“ ‘With the mind of the wise The learned shall gain insight. With the knowledge of the path to cessation Absorption will quickly spring forth.’
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time the beggar Suprabha was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the beggar Suprabha. Maudgalyāyana, in case you may think that at that time the conveyor of knowledge, the sage Sarvavit, was anyone else, do not think so. In those days the thus-gone Dīpaṃkara was the conveyor of knowledge, the sage Sarvavit. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattva great beings who wish to understand the knowledge of the path that leads to cessation as related to knowledge of the powers and non-powers must receive vows, yearn for the light of wisdom, and relinquish mundane possessions.”
Sutraya