English
English version: Even if there were Pratyekabuddhas (solitary enlightened beings) and others, who built as many monasteries as dust motes in the ten directions, each made of Jāmbūnada gold (a precious gold), with pillars of mani jewels, stairs and railings, pavilions and windows, all adorned with various treasures, offering great jeweled canopies, and perfumed with exquisite sandalwood; and daily offered heavenly delicacies and celestial garments with utmost respect for as many kalpas as there are sands in the Ganges, it would not equal the merit of someone who hears the name of Buddha, the name of the World Honored One, the name of Tathagata, or the name of All-Knowing One, whose merit would be immeasurably greater. Moreover, if one were to create a painted or sculpted image of the Tathagata, the merit of those who see it would be immeasurably greater. Furthermore, if one were to make offerings with lamp oil, incense, flowers, music, and various other means, the merit would be immeasurably greater. How much more so if one were to uphold even one precept in the Buddha's teachings for even a single day, the merit would be immeasurably greater. Manjushri (a Bodhisattva)! If there were good men and good women who, for as many kalpas as there are sands in the Ganges, daily offered heavenly delicacies and celestial garments to as many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Shravakas (Buddha's disciples) as there are dust motes in the ten directions. And after the Buddhas had passed away, they each built as many stupas as there are dust motes in the ten directions, each stupa covering the entire four continents (the world according to ancient Indian cosmology), with marvelous shapes, adorned with various treasures; banners, canopies, music, and various offerings, surpassing the previous ones, although all these merits are complete, if they cannot believe and understand this Dharma gate, it would not equal the merit of someone who can believe and understand this Dharma gate of entering the inconceivable realm of the Tathagata's wisdom and virtue, even if they only give a handful of food to an animal, their merit would be immeasurably greater. Manjushri! If there is a Bodhisattva who believes and understands this sutra, and makes offerings to the Buddhas as described in the sutra, and other Bodhisattvas hear this and rejoice, generating pure faith, rising from their seats, joining their palms in reverence, and making offerings according to their ability, their merit would be immeasurably greater, and this person will soon attain the wisdom of the Buddha. When this sutra was being spoken, those Bhikkhus (monks) and Bodhisattvas, as well as all the beings in the world, including gods, humans, and Asuras (a type of demigod), rejoiced, believed, and accepted it, and practiced it with reverence. The Great and Vast Sutra on Entering the Tathagata's Wisdom and Virtue --------------------------------------------------------------------------------