“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created numerous different roots of virtue in order to understand the world. Thus, I made sure to practice the perfections of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and insight.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, long ago, before unfathomable, incalculable, inconceivable, immeasurable, and inexpressible cycles of existence, long before even the distant past, there was a bold, intelligent, and trustworthy captain by the name of Kāruṇika. The captain was knowledgeable about the cardinal directions as well as the intermediate directions, and he was skilled in distinguishing the meaningful from the meaningless. He was an expert about the planets and the sun, the moments and time periods, and the ways to distinguish between the useful and the useless.
EN
“Having received vows and obtained the various marks of virtue and auspiciousness, the captain went to sea together with a group of five hundred merchants. On the way, the captain who was acting as guide for the five hundred merchants spoke to them about the world: ‘To the east of this world there are innumerable other worlds, some of which are being formed, some of which are ceasing, some of which are disintegrating, and some of which are emerging. Still others remain in a state of post-disintegration, and others remain after being formed. Friends, such worlds are innumerable. Likewise, in all these worlds throughout the ten directions, there are beings of superior type and beings of inferior type. Some of them are rich, some poor. Some of them are servants, some lords. Thus you should understand the world in numerous ways, both in terms of general knowledge and specific knowledge. Friends, you must therefore strive to gain knowledge of both the world and that which is beyond it.’
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, what do you think? In case you may think that at that time Kāruṇika, the captain, was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the captain Kāruṇika. Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must thus apply themselves to knowing the world and that which is beyond it.
EN
“You may wonder, Maudgalyāyana, how one is to train in knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world. Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas who wish to awaken to unexcelled and perfect buddhahood must rely on a spiritual teacher and not let their diligence weaken.
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past, there was a bodhisattva by the name of Noble Light. He was abiding in unexcelled and perfect awakening, had given rise to roots of virtue before innumerable buddhas, and was endowed with abundant virtues. When asleep, in his dreams the bodhisattva would have actual conversations with thus-gone ones. Thus, while nobody else could see it, he would accompany the thus-gone ones and ask them questions. At that time there was in the world a thus-gone one known as Unhindered Teacher. Once when in the company of that thus-gone one the bodhisattva Noble Light asked him, ‘Blessed One, how may one gain knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world? What are the beneficial causes of knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world?’
EN
“ ‘Noble son,’ replied the Blessed One, ‘you are asking the Thus-Gone One this question because you wish to benefit many beings and bring them happiness. That is excellent, excellent indeed. Therefore, listen very well, noble son, and take to heart what I am about to say.’
EN
“ ‘Excellent, Blessed One,’ replied the bodhisattva Noble Light, and as he the listened keenly, the Blessed One explained, ‘Noble son, bodhisattvas who wish to awaken to unexcelled and perfect buddhahood must, for the sake of the attainment of knowledge, diligently pursue the comprehension of all the treatises, ardently apply themselves to the conduct of the world, and take possession of the marks of virtue. Thus, while engaged in their activities the bodhisattvas must study all philosophical systems of former generations. They must also study the conventions of people, cities, and countries. Wherever they go, they must learn the relevant conventions, and so do their best to gain expert knowledge about the world, and expert knowledge about everything.’
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, what do you think? In case you may think that at that time the bodhisattva Noble Light was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the bodhisattva Noble Light. Thus, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must train to gain knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created a boundless number of different roots of virtue in order to understand cessation as related to the world. Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past, there was a person called Sustaining through Form and Adhering to the Nature of All People. That person possessed an excellent body of captivating beauty, fine complexion, and perfect developments. Whoever would accompany that person would obtain unfathomable roots of virtue.”
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created numerous different roots of virtue in order to understand the world. Thus, I made sure to practice the perfections of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and insight.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, long ago, before unfathomable, incalculable, inconceivable, immeasurable, and inexpressible cycles of existence, long before even the distant past, there was a bold, intelligent, and trustworthy captain by the name of Kāruṇika. The captain was knowledgeable about the cardinal directions as well as the intermediate directions, and he was skilled in distinguishing the meaningful from the meaningless. He was an expert about the planets and the sun, the moments and time periods, and the ways to distinguish between the useful and the useless.
EN
“Having received vows and obtained the various marks of virtue and auspiciousness, the captain went to sea together with a group of five hundred merchants. On the way, the captain who was acting as guide for the five hundred merchants spoke to them about the world: ‘To the east of this world there are innumerable other worlds, some of which are being formed, some of which are ceasing, some of which are disintegrating, and some of which are emerging. Still others remain in a state of post-disintegration, and others remain after being formed. Friends, such worlds are innumerable. Likewise, in all these worlds throughout the ten directions, there are beings of superior type and beings of inferior type. Some of them are rich, some poor. Some of them are servants, some lords. Thus you should understand the world in numerous ways, both in terms of general knowledge and specific knowledge. Friends, you must therefore strive to gain knowledge of both the world and that which is beyond it.’
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, what do you think? In case you may think that at that time Kāruṇika, the captain, was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the captain Kāruṇika. Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must thus apply themselves to knowing the world and that which is beyond it.
EN
“You may wonder, Maudgalyāyana, how one is to train in knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world. Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas who wish to awaken to unexcelled and perfect buddhahood must rely on a spiritual teacher and not let their diligence weaken.
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past, there was a bodhisattva by the name of Noble Light. He was abiding in unexcelled and perfect awakening, had given rise to roots of virtue before innumerable buddhas, and was endowed with abundant virtues. When asleep, in his dreams the bodhisattva would have actual conversations with thus-gone ones. Thus, while nobody else could see it, he would accompany the thus-gone ones and ask them questions. At that time there was in the world a thus-gone one known as Unhindered Teacher. Once when in the company of that thus-gone one the bodhisattva Noble Light asked him, ‘Blessed One, how may one gain knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world? What are the beneficial causes of knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world?’
EN
“ ‘Noble son,’ replied the Blessed One, ‘you are asking the Thus-Gone One this question because you wish to benefit many beings and bring them happiness. That is excellent, excellent indeed. Therefore, listen very well, noble son, and take to heart what I am about to say.’
EN
“ ‘Excellent, Blessed One,’ replied the bodhisattva Noble Light, and as he the listened keenly, the Blessed One explained, ‘Noble son, bodhisattvas who wish to awaken to unexcelled and perfect buddhahood must, for the sake of the attainment of knowledge, diligently pursue the comprehension of all the treatises, ardently apply themselves to the conduct of the world, and take possession of the marks of virtue. Thus, while engaged in their activities the bodhisattvas must study all philosophical systems of former generations. They must also study the conventions of people, cities, and countries. Wherever they go, they must learn the relevant conventions, and so do their best to gain expert knowledge about the world, and expert knowledge about everything.’
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, what do you think? In case you may think that at that time the bodhisattva Noble Light was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the bodhisattva Noble Light. Thus, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas must train to gain knowledge of the origin as related to knowledge of the world.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created a boundless number of different roots of virtue in order to understand cessation as related to the world. Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past, there was a person called Sustaining through Form and Adhering to the Nature of All People. That person possessed an excellent body of captivating beauty, fine complexion, and perfect developments. Whoever would accompany that person would obtain unfathomable roots of virtue.”
Sutraya