English
The light of rays pervades the ten directions, and the beings of this teaching world (Saha world) can see it. All the beings taught by the Tathagata will not turn back from the unexcelled Bodhi. Thus it was said. Next is the "Maitreya Lion's Great Roar," from the Dharma category of the "Ratnakuta Sutra." The Venerable Mahakashyapa reported to the Blessed One: Blessed One, in the last five hundred years of the degenerate age, how many Bodhisattvas with improper conduct will appear? The Blessed One taught: Kashyapa, Those Bodhisattvas who are controlled by evil friends, have weak superior intentions, and are greedy for food and clothing will appear in large numbers. They will diligently engage in the work of offering flowers and so on to the relics of the Tathagata. Kashyapa, I said that offering is for those who do not have wisdom to accumulate roots of virtue. You monks should abide in the practice of peace and gentleness. Brahmins and faithful householders will offer to the relics. Having heard these words, those foolish people will abandon yoga, asceticism, receiving teachings, and recitation, and will focus on offering. Kashyapa, if a Bodhisattva fills this great thousandfold world with sesame oil from the mass of water up to the peak of the Form Realm, and lights a wick as large as Mount Sumeru to offer to the Tathagata, it is still less than the merit gained by a Bodhisattva who is endowed with excellent intention, abides in discipline, hears a four-line verse from a Khenpo or Acharya, recites it, and takes seven steps. Kashyapa, if a Bodhisattva fills this great thousandfold world with flowers, incense, incense powder, and fragrance, and offers them three times during the day and three times during the night for a hundred thousand years for the sake of offering to the Tathagata, it is still less than another Bodhisattva who fears noise, is afraid of the three realms, and desires to benefit sentient beings.