Chapter 6 - Tathāgata-saṃvāda

Tathāgatasaṃvādaḥ Saṣṭhaṃ Prakaraṇam
(Chapter Six named Tathāgatasaṃvādaḥ)

From within that assembly Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Ratnapāṇi arose from his seat, uncovered one shoulder, and placed his right knee on the ground and looked at the face of the Bhagavat, joined his palms respectfully and said to the Bhagavat: ‘For what cause did this sign appear? Bhagavat replied, ‘Noble son, Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara is coming from the realm of Sukhāvatī. I manifest this kind of sign when he is coming.

Then Bodhisattva Ratnapāṇi asked Bhagavat, ‘Bhagavat, what are these omens of? Bhagavat replied, when Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara comes, a profusion of wish-granting trees appears, a profusion of mango trees appears, star jasmine flowers and magnolia trees appear, ponds covered with flowers appear, and precious trees appear. There is a rain of various flowers, a rain of precious stones jewels, pearls, diamonds, beryl, conch, crystal, and coral and there is a rain of divine cloth. In the vicinity of the monastery the seven jewels appear, their names are -the precious elephant, the precious jewel, the precious horse, the precious wife, the precious householder, and the precious counselor. Thus, seven jewels appeared there. The ground appears to be made of gold. When Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara comes from the realm of Sukhāvati, the entire world shakes six times.

Then Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Ratnapāṇi asked Bhagavat, ‘Bhagavat, whose are these omens of? Bhagavat replied ‘Noble son, Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara is coming, so these holy omens appear. As the earth shook and it rained beautiful lotuses. Then Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara arrived to Bhagavat, he was holding lotus flowers, each with a thousand petals and a golden stem.

He bowed down his head to the bhagavat’s feet and offered the lotuses to him. He said, ‘Tathāgata Amitābha sends these flowers to you. The Tathāgata asks if you are in health, if you are at ease, and if all is well. Then Bhagavat took the lotuses and placed it on the left side. He then spoke of the qualities of Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara. How did you, Avalokiteśvara, accomplish your task among the Pretas, the beings in the Avīci hell, the beings in Kālasūtra and Raurava, the beings in Hāhava, Tāpana, the great hell Pretāyana, the great hell Agnighaṭa, the great hell śālmali, the great hell śītodaka, and others? Avalokiteśvara replied, ‘The beings in those great hells are my task. I will completely ripen those beings, and then I will bring them to the highest complete enlightenment.’ Then Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, having given this answer, bowed his head to the Bhagavat’s feet, departed alone, and disappeared into the sky as a blazing mass of fire.

End of the Chapter Six named Tathāgatasaṃvādaḥ.