Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 21.djvu/324

 never before explained. And the Tathdgata bestows on all disciples the noble crown jewel, that most exalted crown jewel which brings omniscience to all. For this, Manual, is the supreme preaching of the Tathlgatas; this is the last Dharmaparyiya of the Tathgatas; this is the most profound discourse on the law, a Dharmaparyiya meeting opposition in all the world. In the same manner, Maurri, as that king of righteousness and ruler of armies took off the crown jewel which he had kept so long a time and gave it (at last) to the soldiers, so, Maaisrl, the Tathigata now reveals this long-kept mystery of the law exceeding all others, (the mystery) which must be known by the Tathgatas.

And in order to elucidate this matter more in detail, the Lord on that occasion uttered the following stanzas:

45. Always displaying the strength of charity, always filled with compassion for all creatures, expounding this law, the Sugatas have approved this exalted Sfttra.

46. The laymen, as well as the mendicant friars, and the Bodhisattvas who shall live at the end of time, must all show the strength of charity, lest those who hear the law reject it.

47. But I, when I shall have reached enlighten- ment and be established in Tath&gataship, will initiate (others), and after having initiated disciples preach everywhere this superior enlightenment.

48. It is (a case) like that of a king, ruler of armies, who gives to his soldiers various things, gold, elephants, horses, cars, foot soldiers; he also Tato upaneshyi upayayitvâ satfur&vayishye imam agrabodhim.