Great Cloud Essence said, “I beseech the Bhagavān to explain the ten Dharma gateways called discourse on engaging in activities in harmony with the world that accumulate connections for rebirth.”

The Bhagavān replied, “There is the Dharma gateway called entering the king of forever taking rebirth. There is the Dharma gateway called entering tranquility through skillful means. There is the Dharma gateway called correctly applying and upholding the sweet honey of faith. There is the Dharma gateway called entry into the manifest superiority of the lion’s play. There is the Dharma gateway called entering the times of displaying the stages. There is the Dharma gateway called king of skill in entry into stages, the absence of stages, realms, and nonrealms. There is the Dharma gateway called using skillful means to guide those who are rough and difficult to tame. There is the Dharma gateway called entering a body swiftly like an arrow. There is the Dharma gateway called initiating the attainment of all desirable offerings. There is the Dharma gateway called entry into the skillful means of performing the activities of the lower abodes. These ten are the Dharma gateways called discourse on engaging in activities in harmony with the world that accumulate connections for rebirth.”

At that time, a devaputra named Cloud made offerings to the Bhagavān and uttered this verse:

“Ah! Going to the lower abodes Is one of the difficult deeds of the Bhagavān. To serve as medicine for all your children, You abide in a body through skillful means But proceed to attain parinirvāṇa.”