Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
Chapter 14: Injunction to Spread This Sutra
At that time Buddha spoke to Maitreya and said: “O Maitreya I now give over to thee the Sutra leading to supreme enlightenment, which I have gathered during countless millions of Asamkhyeya kalpas of the past. In the generations that follow after the passing of Buddha, ye should all widely proclaim and propagate this scripture through your supernatural powers m this Jambudvipa and never permit it to become extinct. And why? If there be in the later generations, either sons or daughters of a noble family, or deities or serpent-gods, or goblins, or Gandharvas, or Rakshasas, who cherishing the thought of supreme enlightenment, find pleasure in the great law, but fail to hear such scripture as this, great benefits would be lost to them. Such men as these, hearing such scriptures, will surely entertain great faith in them, cherish the rare thought [or enlightenment] , and reverently preach them in detail to all beings so that they will derive benefits therefrom.
“O Maitreya, it should be known that there are two kinds of Bodhisattvas. Who are they? The one is those who are fond of phrase and rhetoric, the other is those who can really and unflinchingly attain to the truth with all its deep meaning. Those who delight in phrase and rhetoric should be known as but novices among Bodhisattvas. Those who can understand [the knowledge of] such a profound scripture as this, stainless and free from attachment, and who are ever fearless, able io enter it, by hearing become pure in mind, hold it, recite it, and practise it according to its teaching, should be regarded as having been long in discipline in the ways of Bodhisattvahood.
“O Maitreya, there are two ways by which novices among Bodhisattvas may fail to attain to the conviction in this profound doctrine. What are they? First, when they hear this scripture which has never been heard before, they may fear and doubt that they may not be able to follow it, and not believing it they may slander it saying : I have never heard the like before; whence comes it? Secondly, although they may hold and explain this profound scripture, yet they are not intimate with it, nor do they honour it, nor do they revere it, but often do they find fault with it. Those who behave either in one way or in the other should be known as novices among Bodhisattvas; they harm themselves and can never conquer their minds in the profound doctrine. “
Again, O Maitreya, there are two ways by which Bodhisattvas though comprehending the profound doctrine yet harm themselves and can never attain to the acquiescence in the eternal law. What are they? To despise novices among Bodhisattvas and not to teach them is the one, and although they comprehend the profound doctrine, yet to explain it according to their own ideas is the other; these are the two ways.”
Maitreya Bodhisattva having heard these words spoke to Buddha and said.- “O Blessed One, I have never heard the like before. It is indeed as Buddha has spoken. I will remove with my utmost effort such false conceptions as these and hold fast on the works of supreme enlightenment, which were accumulated by Tathagata during these countless Asamkhyeya kalpas of the past. If there be in the future a son or daughter of a noble family who shall seek the Mahayana I will enable them to put even in their own hands this scripture, so that they can hold it, recite it, and fully explain it for the sake of others.
O Blessed One, if there be in the future any one who can hold it, recite it, and fully explain it for the sake of others, it should be known that he is established by the supernatural power of Maitreya.”
Buddha said: “Rightly said! Rightly said! O Maitreya, it is indeed as thou sayest. I rejoice in it sharing thy joy.”
Then all the Bodhisattvas stretching forth their folded hands said to Buddha.- “We, after the passing of Tathagata, will widely proclaim and propagate the law of supreme enlightenment in the lands of all the ten quarters, and enable those who preach the law to obtain this scripture.”
Then the four guardian gods spoke to Buddha. ‘ ‘ O Blessed One, if there be any who recite and explain this scripture anywhere, either in the town or village or forest or wilderness, I will go thither together with all of my retinue and kinsfolk, in order to hear the law and to protect him, so that as far as a hundred yojanas of his presence no [evil] may have opportunity to tempt him.”
Ananda said: “Well [O Lord], I have already grasped the essence of this scripture; but, O Blessed One, what should this scripture be called?” Buddha spoke to Ananda: “This scripture should be called ‘That Which is preached by Vimalakirti (Vimalakirti-nirdesa) ’ and also ‘The Doctrine of Inconceivable Emancipation.’ Thou shouldst remember thus.”