Benefits Chapter 31
Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who think, ‘I shall understand the languages of all beings and, knowing their higher or lesser capabilities, I will teach them the Dharma,’ those bodhisattva mahāsattvas should listen to the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena, learn it, understand it, keep it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely known to others.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:
31.2
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
See the countless guides of the past,
Ask those lords of the world about their previous practice,
And those bodhisattvas dwell in supreme roots of merit. {1}
31.3
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Obtain the highest happiness of devas and humans, [F.101.b]
Obtain the supreme offerings of devas and humans,
And obtain the happiness of dhyāna, the supreme, noble happiness.1027 {2}
31.4
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Do not become thrilled on hearing the highest praises,
Do not become saddened by being criticized,
And like a mountain are unmoved by the eight worldly concerns. {3}
31.5
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Speak perfectly1028 pleasantly, with gentle words,
Do not frown, always speak sincerely,
Have a smiling face, and have been instructed by the guides. {4}
31.6
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Are pleasant, good company, have a gentle mind,
Are always restrained1029 and established in self-discipline,
And are very gentle, have pleasing speech,1030 and speak tenderly.1031 {5}
31.7
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Do not quarrel or cause conflict when they speak.
They have freed themselves from all stubbornness1032 and anger
And are always joyful,1033 pleasant, and gentle. {6}
31.8
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Are always wise and are constantly motivated to generosity.
When they see beings in great suffering they give them their food;
They delight in giving to others, and not in their own enjoyment. {7}
31.9
“They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi
Are admired by a hundred thousand devas,
Are always attended by nāgas, asuras, and yakṣas,
And are protected by those who dwell in the forest and its environs.1034 {8}
31.10
“They speak with unimpeded words, like the voice of Brahmā,
Have a voice like the song of a goose, a voice like a kiṃnara’s song,1035
Have the fifty aspects of speech and have a sound that brings joy,1036
And have a resounding voice, a proclaiming voice, a perfect voice.1037 {9}
31.11
“Even if someone knew how to reduce
All the worlds into their smallest particles,
They who possess this supreme, stainless samādhi
Would voice sounds that were even more numerous. {10}
31.12
“They who possess this stainless samādhi
Attain the ten powers, and attain the eight and two bhūmis.
The wise ones attain the inconceivable qualities of a buddha, [F.102.a]
Subjugate all māras, and reach the highest enlightenment.”1038 {i}
31.13
Conclusion of the thirty-first chapter, “Benefits.”
