Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön | 2001 | 941,039 words
This page describes “how to prevent the interruption of the buddha fields” as written by Nagarjuna in his Maha-prajnaparamita-sastra (lit. “the treatise on the great virtue of wisdom”) in the 2nd century. This book, written in five volumes, represents an encyclopedia on Buddhism as well as a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita.
IV. How to prevent the interruption of the Buddha fields
Question. – What should be done to make the Buddha universes (buddhalokadhātu) not be interrupted (anupacchinna)?
[285a] Answer. – In the midst of beings, the bodhisattva praises the bodhi of he Buddhas so well that beings produce the mind of supreme complete enlightenment (anuttarāyāṃ samyaksaṃbodhau cittamutpādayanti), gradually (anukrameṇa) practice the six perfections (pāramitā) and finally, in the universes, each become buddha.
That they successively become buddha in one and the same field (kṣetra), or that they each become buddha in a different field is what is called “not breaking the Buddha fields” (buddhakṣetrānupaccheda).
Furthermore, some bodhisattvas rapidly accumulate the wisdoms (prajñā), become perfect buddhas and save innumerable beings. On the point of entering into nirvāṇa, they make the prediction (vyākaraṇa) to a bodhisattva, saying: “After my nirvāṇa, you in turn will become buddha.” Transmissions (paraṃparā) such as that thus prevent interruption [of the Buddha fields]. Buddhas who would not give the prediction to a bodhisattva break the Buddha-field. In this way, kings name their crown prince (kumāra) and, by virtue of this transmission), their dynasty is not broken.