藥王菩薩本事品第二十三
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva
爾時宿王華菩薩白佛言：「世尊！藥王菩薩云何遊於娑婆世界？世尊！是藥王菩薩有若干百千萬億那由他難行苦行？善哉，世尊！願少解說。」諸天、龍、神、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人非人等，又他國土諸來菩薩，及此聲聞眾，聞皆歡喜。
At that time, Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā Bodhisattva (’Star King Flower’) said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! How does Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva travel in the Sahā world? World-Honored One! Has this Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva performed numerous hundreds of thousands of millions of nayutas of difficult ascetic practices? Excellent, World-Honored One! Please explain a little."
The various devas, nagas, spirits, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans, as well as bodhisattvas who had come from other lands, and the assembly of śrāvakas, all heard this and were delighted.
爾時佛告宿王華菩薩：「乃往過去無量恒河沙劫，有佛號日月淨明德如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊。其佛有八十億大菩薩摩訶薩，七十二恒河沙大聲聞眾，佛壽四萬二千劫，菩薩壽命亦等。彼國無有女人、地獄、餓鬼、畜生、阿修羅等，及以諸難；地平如掌，琉璃所成，寶樹莊嚴，寶帳覆上，垂寶華幡，寶瓶香爐周遍國界，七寶為臺，一樹一臺，其樹去臺盡一箭道。此諸寶樹，皆有菩薩、聲聞而坐其下。諸寶臺上，各有百億諸天作天伎樂，歌歎於佛，以為供養。爾時彼佛為一切眾生憙見菩薩，及眾菩薩、諸聲聞眾，說法華經。
At that time, the Buddha told Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā Bodhisattva, "In the distant past, immeasurable kalpas ago as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River, there was a buddha named Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī (’Sun Moon Pure Bright Virtue’) Tathāgata, Arhat, one of right and universal knowledge, of perfect clarity and conduct, well gone one, knower of worlds, most supreme, hero tamer, teacher of devas and humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. This buddha had eighty billion great bodhisattva mahasattvas, and a great śrāvaka assembly of seventy-two Ganges sands. That buddha's lifespan was forty-two thousand kalpas, and the bodhisattvas' lifespans were the same. In his land there were no women, hell-beings, hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, or any difficulties. The ground was as level as the palm of your hand, made of lapis lazuli, adorned with jeweled trees, covered with jeweled canopies, hung with jeweled flower banners, with jeweled incense burners pervading the entire country. There were pavilions made of the seven treasures, with one pavilion for each tree, and the trees were separated from the pavilions by the distance of a bowshot. Under all these jeweled trees sat bodhisattvas and śrāvakas. On top of each jeweled pavilion were hundreds of billions of devas playing heavenly music, singing in praise of the Buddha as an offering. At that time, for the bodhisattva Sarvasattvapriyadarśana (’Gladly Seen by All Living Beings’) and the assembly of bodhisattvas and śrāvakas, that Buddha expounded the Lotus Sutra."
「是一切眾生憙見菩薩，樂習苦行，於日月淨明德佛法中，精進經行，一心求佛，滿萬二千歲已，得現一切色身三昧。得此三昧已，心大歡喜，即作念言：『我得現一切色身三昧，皆是得聞法華經力，我今當供養日月淨明德佛及法華經。』即時入是三昧，於虛空中，雨曼陀羅華、摩訶曼陀羅華、細末堅黑栴檀，滿虛空中，如雲而下，又雨海此岸栴檀之香——此香六銖，價直娑婆世界——以供養佛。作是供養已，從三昧起，而自念言：『我雖以神力供養於佛，不如以身供養。』即服諸香——栴檀、薰陸、兜樓婆、畢力迦、沈水、膠香，又飲瞻蔔諸華香油，滿千二百歲已，香油塗身，於日月淨明德佛前，以天寶衣而自纏身，灌諸香油，以神通力願而自然身，光明遍照八十億恒河沙世界。其中諸佛同時讚言：『善哉，善哉！善男子！是真精進，是名真法供養如來。若以華、香、瓔珞、燒香、末香、塗香、天繒、幡蓋及海此岸栴檀之香，如是等種種諸物供養，所不能及；假使國城、妻子布施，亦所不及。善男子！是名第一之施，於諸施中最尊最上，以法供養諸如來故。』作是語已而各默然。其身火燃千二百歲，過是已後，其身乃盡。
This Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva delighted in practicing austerities. Within the Dharma teachings of Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha, he diligently practiced walking meditation, single-mindedly seeking Buddhahood. After twelve thousand years, he attained the samadhi of manifesting all form-bodies (sarva-rūpa-saṃdarśana). Having attained this samadhi, he was greatly joyful and thought to himself, ‘I have attained the samadhi of manifesting all form-bodies due to the power of hearing the Lotus Sutra. I should now make offerings to Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha and to the Lotus Sutra.’
He immediately entered this samadhi and the sky rained down mandarava flowers, great mandarava flowers, and finely powdered hard black sandalwood, filling the sky like clouds descending. He also rained down incense of ‘this-shore’ sandalwood - six ounces of this incense is worth the entire Sahā World - as an offering to the Buddha.
After making this offering, he arose from samadhi and thought to himself, ‘Although I have used supernatural powers to make offerings to the Buddha, it is not as good as offering my body."
He immediately ingested various incenses - sandalwood, kunduruka, turushka, pippala, aloeswood and resin incense. He also drank perfumed oil of campaka flowers and other flowers for twelve hundred years. He then anointed his body with fragrant oil, and in front of Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha, he wrapped himself in heavenly jeweled robes, poured on various perfumed oils, and by the power of his vow and supernatural abilities, he set his body on fire. The light illuminated eighty billion worlds of Ganges sands.
The Buddhas in those worlds simultaneously praised him, saying, ‘Excellent, excellent! Kulaputra! This is true diligence. This is called the true Dharma offering to the Tathagata. Offerings of flowers, incense, necklaces, burning incense, powdered incense, paste incense, heavenly cloth, banners, canopies, and incense of ‘this-shore’ sandalwood cannot match this. Even giving away one's country, spouse, and children cannot compare. Kulaputra! This is called the foremost giving, the most honored and supreme among all givings, because it is an offering of Dharma to the Tathagatas."
Having spoken these words, they all fell silent. His body burned for twelve hundred years, and after this time had passed, his body was finally consumed.
「一切眾生憙見菩薩作如是法供養已，命終之後，復生日月淨明德佛國中，於淨德王家結加趺坐，忽然化生。即為其父而說偈言：
After Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva had made this Dharma offering, at the end of his life he was reborn in the land of Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha. He suddenly appeared, sitting cross-legged in the house of King Vimaladatta (’Pure Virtue’). He immediately spoke this verse to his father:
大王今當知， 我經行彼處， 即時得一切， 現諸身三昧。
Great King, you should now know, When I practiced in that place, I immediately attained The samadhi of manifesting all bodies.
懃行大精進， 捨所愛之身， 供養於世尊， 為求無上慧。』
Diligently practicing with great vigor, I abandoned my beloved body, Making offerings to the World-Honored One, In order to seek supreme wisdom.
「說是偈已，而白父言：『日月淨明德佛，今故現在。我先供養佛已，得解一切眾生語言陀羅尼，復聞是法華經八百千萬億那由他甄迦羅、頻婆羅、阿閦婆等偈。大王！我今當還供養此佛。』白已，即坐七寶之臺，上昇虛空，高七多羅樹，往到佛所，頭面禮足，合十指爪，以偈讚佛：
After reciting this verse, he said to his father, "Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha is still present in the world. Having previously made offerings to this Buddha, I obtained the dhāraṇī to understand the languages of all living beings, and I also heard eight hundred thousand million nayutas of verses of this Lotus Sutra, including verses on kotis, vivaras, and akṣobhyas. Great King! I should now return to make offerings to this Buddha."
After saying this, he sat on a tower made of the seven treasures, rose into the sky to the height of seven tala trees, went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head to the Buddha's feet, joined his ten fingernails together, and praised the Buddha with this verse:
容顏甚奇妙， 光明照十方， 我適曾供養， 今復還親覲。』
Your countenance is most wondrous, Your light illuminates the ten directions. I have made offerings to you before, And now I come again to pay my respects.
「爾時，一切眾生憙見菩薩說是偈已，而白佛言：『世尊！世尊猶故在世。』爾時日月淨明德佛，告一切眾生憙見菩薩：『善男子！我涅槃時到、滅盡時至，汝可安施床座，我於今夜當般涅槃。』又勅一切眾生憙見菩薩：『善男子！我以佛法囑累於汝及諸菩薩大弟子，并阿耨多羅三藐三菩提法，亦以三千大千七寶世界諸寶樹、寶臺及給侍諸天，悉付於汝。我滅度後，所有舍利亦付囑汝，當令流布，廣設供養，應起若干千塔。』如是日月淨明德佛勅一切眾生憙見菩薩已，於夜後分入於涅槃。
At that time, after Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva had recited this verse, he said to the Buddha, ‘World-Honored One! The World-Honored One is still in this world.’
Then Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha said to Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva, ‘Kulaputra! The time for my parinirvāṇa has arrived, the time of extinction has come. You should prepare a seat, for I will enter parinirvāṇa tonight.’ He further instructed Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva, ‘Kulaputra! I entrust to you the Buddha Dharma and all the great bodhisattva disciples, as well as the Dharma of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. I also entrust to you the jeweled trees, jeweled towers, and attending devas of the three thousand great thousand worlds adorned with the seven treasures. After my extinction, I also entrust my relics to you. You should distribute them widely, make extensive offerings, and erect several thousand stupas." After Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha had given these instructions to Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva, he entered parinirvāṇa during the last watch of the night.
「爾時，一切眾生憙見菩薩見佛滅度，悲感、懊惱，戀慕於佛，即以海此岸栴檀為[卄/積]，供養佛身，而以燒之。火滅已後，收取舍利，作八萬四千寶瓶，以起八萬四千塔，高三世界，表剎莊嚴，垂諸幡蓋，懸眾寶鈴。
At that time, when Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva saw the Buddha's extinction, he was grief-stricken, distressed, and longed for the Buddha. He immediately gathered sandalwood from the shore of the sea, piled it up, and burned the Buddha's body with offerings. After the fire had gone out, he collected the relics and made eighty-four thousand jeweled urns. He used these to build eighty-four thousand stupas, as high as the triple realm, adorned with banner-poles, hung with various pennants and canopies, and festooned with many jeweled bells.
「爾時一切眾生憙見菩薩復自念言：『我雖作是供養，心猶未足，我今當更供養舍利。』便語諸菩薩大弟子及天、龍、夜叉等一切大眾：『汝等當一心念，我今供養日月淨明德佛舍利。』作是語已，即於八萬四千塔前，燃百福莊嚴臂七萬二千歲而以供養，令無數求聲聞眾、無量阿僧祇人，發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心，皆使得住現一切色身三昧。
At that time, Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva thought to himself again, "Although I have made these offerings, my heart is still not satisfied. I should now make further offerings to the relics."
He then spoke to all the great disciples, bodhisattvas, devas, nagas, yakṣas, and the great assembly, ‘You should all focus your minds. I will now make offerings to the relics of Candravimalasūryaprabhāsaśrī Buddha.’
Having said this, before the eighty-four thousand stupas, he burned his arms adorned with a hundred blessings for seventy-two thousand years as an offering. This caused countless seekers of the śrāvaka path and immeasurable asaṃkhyeyas of people to generate anuttara-samyak-sambodhi citta, and enabled them all to dwell in the samadhi of manifesting all form-bodies.
「爾時，諸菩薩、天、人、阿修羅等，見其無臂，憂惱悲哀而作是言：『此一切眾生憙見菩薩，是我等師，教化我者，而今燒臂，身不具足。』于時一切眾生憙見菩薩，於大眾中立此誓言：『我捨兩臂，必當得佛金色之身，若實不虛，令我兩臂還復如故。』作是誓已，自然還復，由斯菩薩福德智慧淳厚所致。當爾之時，三千大千世界六種震動，天雨寶華，一切人、天得未曾有。」
At that time, the bodhisattvas, devas, humans, asuras and others, seeing that he had no arms, were distressed and lamented, saying, "This Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva is our teacher who instructs us, yet now he has burned his arms and his body is not whole."
Then Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva made this vow in the midst of the great assembly, "I have relinquished my two arms, and I will certainly attain the golden body of a buddha. If this is true and not false, let my two arms be restored as before."
After making this vow, his arms were spontaneously restored, due to this bodhisattva's profound merit, virtue, and wisdom. At that time, the three thousand great thousand worlds shook in six ways, heaven rained down precious flowers, and all humans and devas experienced what they had never before experienced.
佛告宿王華菩薩：「於汝意云何？一切眾生憙見菩薩，豈異人乎？今藥王菩薩是也。其所捨身布施，如是無量百千萬億那由他數。
The Buddha said to Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā Bodhisattva, “What do you think? Was Sarvasattvapriyadarśana Bodhisattva someone else? He was none other than the present Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva. The bodies he relinquished as offerings were innumerable hundreds of thousands of millions of nayutas."
「宿王華！若有發心欲得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提者，能燃手指，乃至足一指，供養佛塔，勝以國城、妻子，及三千大千國土山林河池、諸珍寶物、而供養者，若復有人，以七寶滿三千大千世界，供養於佛，及大菩薩、辟支佛、阿羅漢，是人所得功德，不如受持此法華經，乃至一四句偈，其福最多。
"Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! If one who generates anuttara-samyak-sambodhi citta can burn even a single finger as an offering to a Buddha stupa, it surpasses offering one's country, spouse, children, and all the treasures of mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes in the three thousand great thousand worlds. Even if someone were to fill three thousand great thousand worlds with the seven treasures and offer it to the Buddha, great bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and arhats, the merit gained would not compare to that of upholding this Lotus Sutra, even if only four lines of verse. The latter's merit is supreme.
「宿王華！譬如一切川流江河，諸水之中海為第一；此法華經亦復如是，於諸如來所說經中，最為深大。又如土山、黑山、小鐵圍山、大鐵圍山及十寶山，眾山之中，須彌山為第一；此法華經亦復如是，於諸經中最為其上。又如眾星之中，月天子最為第一；此法華經亦復如是，於千萬億種諸經法中最為照明。又如日天子能除諸闇；此經亦復如是，能破一切不善之闇。又如諸小王中，轉輪聖王最為第一；此經亦復如是，於眾經中最為其尊。又如帝釋、於三十三天中王，此經亦復如是，諸經中王。又如大梵天王，一切眾生之父；此經亦復如是，一切賢聖，學、無學，及發菩薩心者之父。又如一切凡夫人中，須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含、阿羅漢、辟支佛為第一；此經亦復如是，一切如來所說、若菩薩所說、若聲聞所說，諸經法中，最為第一。有能受持是經典者，亦復如是，於一切眾生中、亦為第一。一切聲聞、辟支佛中，菩薩為第一；此經亦復如是，於一切諸經法中、最為第一。如佛為諸法王；此經亦復如是，諸經中王。
“Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! Just as the ocean is foremost among all streams and rivers, this Lotus Sutra is likewise the most profound and great among all sutras spoken by the Tathagatas. Just as Mount Sumeru is foremost among all mountains - whether earthen, black, small iron-ring, great iron-ring, or the ten jeweled mountains - this Lotus Sutra is similarly supreme among all sutras. Just as the moon is foremost among all luminaries, this Lotus Sutra is likewise the most illuminating among thousands of millions of kinds of dharma teachings. Just as the sun can dispel all darkness, this sutra can similarly destroy all the darkness of unwholesomeness.
Just as a wheel-turning sage king is foremost among all minor kings, this sutra is similarly most honored among all sutras. Just as Indra is king among the thirty-three heavens, this sutra is likewise king among all sutras. Just as the Great Brahma King is father to all living beings, this sutra is similarly the father of all sages and saints, whether in training or beyond training, and of those who have given rise to the bodhisattva's aspiration.
Just as stream-enterers, once-returners, non-returners, arhats, and pratyekabuddhas are foremost among all ordinary beings, this sutra is similarly foremost among all the dharma teachings spoken by Tathagatas, bodhisattvas, or śrāvakas. Those who can uphold this sutra are likewise foremost among all living beings. Just as bodhisattvas are foremost among all śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, this sutra is similarly foremost among all dharma teachings. Just as the Buddha is the king of all dharmas, this sutra is likewise the king among all sutras."
「宿王華！此經能救一切眾生者，此經能令一切眾生離諸苦惱，此經能大饒益一切眾生，充滿其願。如清涼池！能滿一切諸渴乏者，如寒者得火，如裸者得衣，如商人得主，如子得母，如渡得船，如病得醫，如暗得燈，如貧得寶，如民得王，如賈客得海，如炬除暗；此法華經亦復如是，能令眾生離一切苦、一切病痛，能解一切生死之縛。若人得聞此法華經，若自書、若使人書，所得功德，以佛智慧籌量多少，不得其邊。若書是經卷，華、香、瓔珞、燒香、末香、塗香，幡蓋、衣服，種種之燈——酥燈、油燈、諸香油燈、瞻蔔油燈、須曼那油燈、波羅羅油燈、婆利師迦油燈、那婆摩利油燈——供養，所得功德，亦復無量。
"Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! This sutra can save all sentient beings. This sutra can cause all sentient beings to be free from all suffering and distress. This sutra can greatly benefit all sentient beings and fulfill their wishes. It is like a cool pond that can satisfy all who are thirsty, like fire for those who are cold, like clothes for those who are naked, like a chief for merchants, like a mother for children, like a boat for those crossing water, like medicine for the sick, like a lamp for those in darkness, like treasure for the poor, like a king for the people, like the sea for traders, like a torch dispelling darkness. This Lotus Sutra is also like this - it can cause sentient beings to be free from all suffering and all illnesses, and can untie all the bonds of birth and death.
If a person hears this Lotus Sutra, whether they write it themselves or have others write it, the merit they obtain is immeasurable even by the Buddha's wisdom. If one writes out this sutra and makes offerings with flowers, incense, necklaces, burning incense, powdered incense, perfumed ointments, banners, canopies, clothing, and various lamps - butter lamps, oil lamps, fragrant oil lamps, campaka oil lamps, sumana oil lamps, pātala oil lamps, vārṣika oil lamps, and navamallikā oil lamps - the merit obtained is also immeasurable."
「宿王華！若有人聞是藥王菩薩本事品者，亦得無量無邊功德。若有女人聞是藥王菩薩本事品，能受持者，盡是女身，後不復受。若如來滅後後五百歲中，若有女人聞是經典，如說修行。於此命終，即往安樂世界，阿彌陀佛、大菩薩眾，圍繞住處，生蓮華中，寶座之上，不復為貪欲所惱，亦復不為瞋恚愚癡所惱，亦復不為憍慢嫉妬諸垢所惱，得菩薩神通、無生法忍。得是忍已，眼根清淨，以是清淨眼根，見七百萬二千億那由他恒河沙等諸佛如來。是時諸佛遙共讚言：『善哉，善哉！善男子！汝能於釋迦牟尼佛法中，受持讀誦思惟是經，為他人說，所得福德無量無邊，火不能燒，水不能漂，汝之功德，千佛共說不能令盡。汝今已能破諸魔賊，壞生死軍，諸餘怨敵皆悉摧滅。善男子！百千諸佛，以神通力共守護汝，於一切世間天、人之中無如汝者，唯除如來，其諸聲聞、辟支佛、乃至菩薩，智慧禪定無有與汝等者。』宿王華！此菩薩成就如是功德智慧之力。若有人聞是藥王菩薩本事品，能隨喜讚善者，是人現世口中常出青蓮華香，身毛孔中常出牛頭栴檀之香，所得功德，如上所說。是故，宿王華！以此藥王菩薩本事品囑累於汝。我滅度後後五百歲中，廣宣流布於閻浮提，無令斷絕，惡魔、魔民、諸天、龍、夜叉、鳩槃茶等，得其便也。
"Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! If anyone hears this chapter on the Former Lives of Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva, they will also obtain immeasurable, boundless merit. If a woman hears this chapter and is able to accept and uphold it, she will not take on a female body again after this life. If, five hundred years after the Tathagata's extinction, there is a woman who hears this sutra and practices according to its teachings, at the end of her life she will immediately go to the World of Peace and Bliss, to the dwelling place of Amitābha Buddha surrounded by great bodhisattvas, and be born atop a lotus flower on a jeweled seat. No longer will she be troubled by desire, anger, ignorance, pride, jealousy, or other defilements. She will attain the supernatural powers of a bodhisattva and the patient tolerance of the non-arising of dharmas. After attaining this acceptance, her eye faculty will be purified, and with this purified eye faculty, she will see seven hundred trillion nayutas of Ganges sands of Buddhas Tathagatas.
At that time, all these Buddhas will praise her from afar, saying, 'Excellent, excellent! Kulaputra! In the Dharma of Śākyamuni Buddha, you have been able to accept, uphold, read, recite, and ponder this sutra, and expound it for others. The merit you have gained is immeasurable and boundless. Fire cannot burn it and water cannot wash it away. Your merit is such that a thousand buddhas speaking together could not exhaust it. You have now been able to destroy the thieves of Māra, ruin the army of birth and death, and demolish all remaining enemies. Kulaputra! Hundreds of thousands of Buddhas will protect you with their supernatural powers. Among all the devas and humans in the world, there is none like you, except for the Tathagata. The wisdom and meditation of all the śrāvakas pratyekabuddhas, and even bodhisattvas cannot equal yours.'
Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! Such is the power of merit and wisdom that this bodhisattva has achieved. If anyone hears this chapter on the Former Lives of Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva and is able to rejoice in it and praise its goodness, in this present life the mouth of this person will constantly emit the fragrance of blue lotus flowers, and the pores of his body will constantly emit the fragrance of ox-head sandalwood. The merit gained will be as described above.
Therefore, Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā, I entrust to you this chapter on the Former Lives of Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva. After my extinction, in the last five hundred-year period, you must spread it widely throughout Jambudvipa and never allow it to be cut off. Do not let evil Māras, Māra's people, devas, nāgas, yakṣas, kumbhandas and others seize the advantage.
「宿王華！汝當以神通之力守護是經。所以者何？此經則為閻浮提人，病之良藥。若人有病，得聞是經，病即消滅，不老不死。宿王華！汝若見有受持是經者，應以青蓮花盛滿末香，供散其上。散已，作是念言：『此人不久必當取草坐於道場，破諸魔軍，當吹法螺、擊大法鼓，度脫一切眾生老病死海。』是故求佛道者、見有受持是經典人，應當如是生恭敬心。」
Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! You should use your supernatural powers to guard this sutra. Why? Because this sutra is good medicine for the people of Jambudvipa. If a person is ill and gets to hear this sutra, his illness will be wiped out immediately and he will neither age nor die.
Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! If you see someone who accepts and upholds this sutra, you should scatter blue lotus flowers filled with powdered incense over them. After scattering them, you should think to yourself, 'Before long, this person will surely spread grass to sit on at the place of enlightenment. They will destroy the army of Māra, blow the conch of the Dharma, beat the great drum of the Dharma, and ferry all living beings across the sea of old age, sickness and death.' Therefore, when those who seek the Buddha way see a person who accepts and upholds this sutra, they should approach them with this kind of respect and reverence."
說是藥王菩薩本事品時，八萬四千菩薩得解一切眾生語言陀羅尼。多寶如來於寶塔中讚宿王華菩薩言：「善哉，善哉！宿王華！汝成就不可思議功德，乃能問釋迦牟尼佛如此之事，利益無量一切眾生。」
When this chapter on the Former Lives of Bhaiṣajyarāja Bodhisattva was preached, eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas gained the dhāraṇī of understanding the speech of all living beings. Prabhūtaratna Tathagata in the treasure tower stupa praised Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā Bodhisattva, saying, "Excellent, excellent! Nakṣatrarājasaṅkusumitābhiñā! You have accomplished inconceivable merit, for you have been able to question Śākyamuni Buddha about this matter and bring benefit to immeasurable living beings."