The Surangama Sutra

Translated by Wei-Tao and Dwight Goddard

Introduction

Thus have I heard. Upon a memorable occasion, the Lord Buddha while staying at the Jetavana meditation Hall in the city of Sravasti delivered a discourse to twelve hundred Great Disciples who were all great Arhats and free from all intoxicants, that is, there were all perfectly emancipated from sensual attachments and defilement. They were true heirs of their Lord Buddha and worthy to share their Lord's responsibility for the ever-continuing preaching of the Lord's Dharma. They had all transcended phenomenal existence and could manifest their gracious presence by a Buddhist influence wherever they sojourned. They were so highly advanced in their transcendental attainments that they were perfectly qualified to receive the Dharma from their Lord and Master and had so greatly profited from the Lord's teaching that they knew well how, with the Lord Buddha, to themselves turn the mysterious wheel of the true Dharma. They had kept the Precepts with such strict observance and perfect purity as to be qualified as perfect models for this triple world. They could assume innumerable appearance-bodies in response to the earnest prayer of any sentient being to rescue them and to perfect their emancipation. They were also willing to extend their helping hands into the future, so that all sentient beings in the future might become emancipated and free from all their fetters of earthly defilement.

Among the Great Bhikshus [note: Monks] present, acting as leaders, were the wise Sariputra, the Great Maudgalyayana, the Great Kaustila, Purna Metaluniputra, Subhuti, Upanishada, and many others equally well known and highly regarded. In addition there were present many Pratyaka-Buddhas [note: Masters], who had mastered the teachings and perfected the practices, together with innumerable novice disciples. They all came to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also to associate themselves with all the great Bhikshus and their disciples in this great dharma Assembly which had gathered for the "Summer Devotion" where they could make public confession and practice Dhyana together.

Besides the great company of Bhikshus and disciples that had gathered from far and near, there were present Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas [note: Bodhisattvas, incarnations or rebirths of the Buddha, for the purpose of converting mankind--a peculiar doctine of Mahayana Buddhism. Here, unlike the Pali texts of Hinayana Buddhism, saints and gods of all degrees were described as present at Buddha's discourse.] from all the ten quarters of the Universe who had come to pay their highest respect tot the Lord Shakymuni Buddha as though it was an offering to a loving parent. Moreover, they came to entreat the Lord Buddha for msome high teaching that would solve their mental puzzles and help them to get rid of the troublesome doubts which they occasionally experienced thin their meditations.

Then the Lord Buddha ascended the Honorable Throne of Dharma and immediately became absorbed in profound contemplation with such noble solemnity and tranquility that the whole company were spellbound by its profound silence and mystery. At the same time all the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, as numerous as the particles of sand in the river Ganges, with Manjusri the Great Bodhisattva at the head, gathered about the Lord Buddha and merged their deep meditation with the lord Buddhas's perfect Samadhi. Seldom, indeed, had any of them ever before experienced such serenity and quietness as then pervaded this Great Dharma Assembly. Wonderful music like the songs of the Kalavinka and Jiva-jiva birds seem to come from the Lord Buddha's perfect Samadhi and to fill the air with its heavenly music, and floating away to pervade the ten quarters of the Universe.

More anon. Time for church.