Overall Teaching

This chapter teaches that Vajrapāṇi, long a protector of the Dharma, is destined to become the Buddha Vajravikrāmin in the pure land of Samantapariśuddhā, where only the Mahāyāna is taught for the benefit of countless beings. The Buddha’s prediction inspires the assembly to rejoice, make vows, and deepen their own resolve, showing how such prophecies both affirm a bodhisattva’s path and generate vast communal merit.

Summary

1. The Request for a Prediction of Vajrapāṇi's Awakening

   • The assembly of bodhisattvas is curious about Vajrapāṇi's path to anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. They inquire about the buddha-field he will reside in, his name as a buddha, and his follower count. The Bhagavān responds with a subtle smile, a sign which must have a profound reason.

     • Multi-coloured light emanates from Bhagavān's smile, circling limitless worlds before returning.

   • Śāntamati Bodhisattva approaches Buddha with a gāthā, seeking understanding of the subtle smile.

     • Gāthā explores Buddha's wisdom and compassion, likened to illuminating forces. Continuous inquiry on the significance of Buddha's subtle smile indicating deeper insights.

2. The Prediction of Vajrapāṇi's Awakening

   • In this era, Vajrapāṇi held the vajra mallet & protected True Dharma for universal benefit. In the future, he will learn 108 mudrās from Akṣobhya Tathāgata, attain realization, and practice the True Dharma. He will honor countless tathāgatas, cultivating pure conduct, mastering anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi for the benefit of many. He will attain anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi, and be known as Vajravikrāmin Tathāgata. His world: Samantapariśuddhā, a prosperous realm adorned with precious materials, devoid of evil realms.

     • Devas, humans, and bodhisattvas there thrive, able to manifest desires. Pure Dharma of great bodhisattvas taught, no mention of lesser vehicles.

   • Vajravikrāmin’s retinue of 100,000 bodhisattvas will have long lifespan, and extraordinary qualities. His teachings, seen as light, will guide beings to the True Dharma, assisted by supernormal powers. There will be no king, as he will be the sole supreme authority, teaching the non-mistaken Dharma to sharp-facultied beings. Deva or human wishing to offer alms will see the Tathāgata before them, offer pure food, which will be accepted. That land is named the Samantapariśuddhā ("completely pure") World for its extraordinary qualities and pure Dharma.

3. The Rejoicing at the Prediction of Vajrapāṇi's Awakening

   • 20,000 humans inspired to attain anuttara-samyak- saṃbodhi, vowing to be born in the Samantapariśuddhā World. Vajrapāṇi, overjoyed by the prediction, celebrates; he the throws vajra mallet causing cosmic phenomena; assembly receives multicoloured garlands. Vajrapāṇi recites a gāthā: 

     • He praises Buddha as great Dharma King, benefactor of the world, and inexhaustible wisdom holder. Expresses his devotion and aspiration to follow and uphold the Dharma sincerely, saying, only ordination can fully repay his debt to the Buddha. 

   • Post-gāthā, Vajrapāṇi and assembly offer flower garlands to the Buddha; by the Buddha’s power, garlands adorn all beings, filling the cosmos.