Overall Teaching

Śāriputra is taught the importance of Vajrapāṇi and is made to see him for the first time. Vajrapāṇi accompanies and supports all bodhisattvas. Now he is supporting Maitreya Bodhisattva. He also accompanies manifestations of bodhisattvas and buddhas.

Summary

1. Śāriputra approaches the Buddha and asks about Vajrapāṇi’s place among bodhisattvas in the worlds of the ten directions. 

   • The Buddha replies that the merits of Vajrapāṇi are inconceivable: those without faith will fall into perplexity, while those who receive his teaching with pure faith will remain fearless. The Buddha explains that Vajrapāṇi has always accompanied him, though even great disciples like Śāriputra can only perceive him through the Buddha’s power.

2. The assembly responds with reverence and offerings to Vajrapāṇi, recognising the immense benefit gained from his exposition of the Dharma. 

   • Those who hear and accept his teaching with faith will obtain a human body, retain their merits, and advance without retrogression towards anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. Thus, Vajrapāṇi is praised as a supreme protector and expounder of the True Dharma, whose merits are venerated by both Buddhas and bodhisattvas across the worlds