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116 It is also stated in the same sutra [chapter on Sacred Practice]:
[The Buddha said:] "Sons of good families, as I have declared, for the sake of King Ajatashatru, I will not enter Nirvana. You may not understand the profound meaning of this. The reason for this is: 'for the sake of' means for all ordinary beings. 'King Ajatashatru' means all those who commit the five gravest offenses. Also, 'for the sake of' means for all beings subject to conditioned states of existence. I do not dwell in the world for the sake of the beings who have attained the unconditioned state. Why? Because one who has attained the unconditioned state is no longer a sentient being. 'Ajatashatru' refers to those possessed of evil passions. Further, 'for the sake of' is for the sentient beings who have not yet seen Buddha-nature. I do not dwell long in the world for those who have seen Buddha-nature. Why? Because one who has seen Buddha-nature is no longer a sentient being. 'Ajatashatru' refers to all those who have not yet awakened aspiration for the highest, perfect Enlightenment.... Again, 'for the sake of' is said of Buddha-nature. 'Ajata' means not produced. 'Shatru' means enemy. Because one does not produce Buddha-nature, one gives rise to the enemy, that is, evil passions. Because one gives rise to the enemy, evil passions, one does not see Buddha-nature. When one does not give rise to evil passions, one sees Buddha-nature. Because one sees Buddha-nature, one can firmly dwell in the great and complete Nirvana. This is what is meant by 'not produced.' Hence, the name 'Ajatashatru.'
"Sons of good families, 'Ajata' means not produced; what is not produced is Nirvana. 'Shatru' refers to worldly matters. 'For the sake of' means not defiled. Because [the Buddha] is not defiled by any of the eight kinds of matters, he does not enter Nirvana for immeasurable, boundless and countless kalpas. For this reason, I say, "For the sake of Ajatashatru, I will not enter Nirvana for countless kotis of kalpas."
"Sons of good families, the Tathagata's mystic words are inconceivable. The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are also inconceivable. Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, too, are inconceivable. The Great Nirvana Sutra is equally inconceivable."
Then the World-Honored One, the Great Compassionate Guide, entered the Samadhi of Moon-light Love for the sake of King Ajatashatru. Having entered the Samadhi, the Buddha emitted a great flood of light. The light which was pure and refreshing reached the King and shone upon his body. Then the scabs were instantly healed....
The King said to Jivaka, "He is the foremost of the [five kinds of] gods. For what reason does he emit this light?"
"Great King, it seems to me that this auspicious sign is for your sake. Because you said that there was no good physician who could cure my body and mind, he first emits this light to heal your body, and then your mind." The King said to Jivaka, "Does the Tathagata, the World-Honored One, care to think of me?"
Jivaka replied, "Suppose a man has seven children. When one of them becomes ill, the parents' hearts lean heavily toward this sick child, though their hearts are not biased. Great King, so it is with the Tathagata. Although he is equally compassionate for all sentient beings, he is especially concerned about those who have karmic evil. The Buddha's compassionate thought is on indolent and unruly persons; he pays little care to diligent persons. Who are diligent persons? They are the bodhisattvas of the first six stages. Great King, various Buddhas, World-Honored Ones, do not perceive sentient beings' family origin, age, wealth, auspicious times, astrological references, craftsmanship, low status in society, or status as man or maidservants. They perceive only those sentient beings who possess the good mind. If they have the good mind, the Buddhas' compassionate thought is on them. Great King, you should realize that this auspicious sign is the light which the Tathagata sends forth as he enters the Samadhi of Moon-light Love."
The King then asked, "What is the Samadhi of Moon-light Love."
Jivaka replied, "Just as the moon-light causes all the blue lotuses to bloom in clear brilliance, the Samadhi of Moon-light Love causes sentient beings to open up the good mind. Hence, it is called 'the Samadhi of Moon-light Love.' Great King, just as the moon-light produces joy in the hearts of travelers, this Samadhi produces joy in the hearts of those who practice the path of Nirvana. Hence, called 'the Samadhi of Moon-light Love'...." It is the king of all good; it is the nectar. It is what all sentient beings love and adore. Hence, it is called 'the Samadhi of Moon-light Love'...."
Then the Buddha said to the whole assembly, "Among the causes and conditions which bring all sentient beings closer to the highest, perfect Enlightenment, nothing is more important than good friends. For, King Ajatashatru, if you did not follow Jivaka's advice, you would certainly die on the 7th day of next month and fall into Avici hell. Hence, with the approach of the day of death, nothing is more important than a good friend."
.
116 It is also stated in the same sutra [chapter on Sacred Practice]:
[The Buddha said:] "Sons of good families, as I have declared, for the sake of King Ajatashatru, I will not enter Nirvana. You may not understand the profound meaning of this. The reason for this is: 'for the sake of' means for all ordinary beings. 'King Ajatashatru' means all those who commit the five gravest offenses. Also, 'for the sake of' means for all beings subject to conditioned states of existence. I do not dwell in the world for the sake of the beings who have attained the unconditioned state. Why? Because one who has attained the unconditioned state is no longer a sentient being. 'Ajatashatru' refers to those possessed of evil passions. Further, 'for the sake of' is for the sentient beings who have not yet seen Buddha-nature. I do not dwell long in the world for those who have seen Buddha-nature. Why? Because one who has seen Buddha-nature is no longer a sentient being. 'Ajatashatru' refers to all those who have not yet awakened aspiration for the highest, perfect Enlightenment.... Again, 'for the sake of' is said of Buddha-nature. 'Ajata' means not produced. 'Shatru' means enemy. Because one does not produce Buddha-nature, one gives rise to the enemy, that is, evil passions. Because one gives rise to the enemy, evil passions, one does not see Buddha-nature. When one does not give rise to evil passions, one sees Buddha-nature. Because one sees Buddha-nature, one can firmly dwell in the great and complete Nirvana. This is what is meant by 'not produced.' Hence, the name 'Ajatashatru.'
"Sons of good families, 'Ajata' means not produced; what is not produced is Nirvana. 'Shatru' refers to worldly matters. 'For the sake of' means not defiled. Because [the Buddha] is not defiled by any of the eight kinds of matters, he does not enter Nirvana for immeasurable, boundless and countless kalpas. For this reason, I say, "For the sake of Ajatashatru, I will not enter Nirvana for countless kotis of kalpas."
"Sons of good families, the Tathagata's mystic words are inconceivable. The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are also inconceivable. Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, too, are inconceivable. The Great Nirvana Sutra is equally inconceivable."
Then the World-Honored One, the Great Compassionate Guide, entered the Samadhi of Moon-light Love for the sake of King Ajatashatru. Having entered the Samadhi, the Buddha emitted a great flood of light. The light which was pure and refreshing reached the King and shone upon his body. Then the scabs were instantly healed....
The King said to Jivaka, "He is the foremost of the [five kinds of] gods. For what reason does he emit this light?"
"Great King, it seems to me that this auspicious sign is for your sake. Because you said that there was no good physician who could cure my body and mind, he first emits this light to heal your body, and then your mind." The King said to Jivaka, "Does the Tathagata, the World-Honored One, care to think of me?"
Jivaka replied, "Suppose a man has seven children. When one of them becomes ill, the parents' hearts lean heavily toward this sick child, though their hearts are not biased. Great King, so it is with the Tathagata. Although he is equally compassionate for all sentient beings, he is especially concerned about those who have karmic evil. The Buddha's compassionate thought is on indolent and unruly persons; he pays little care to diligent persons. Who are diligent persons? They are the bodhisattvas of the first six stages. Great King, various Buddhas, World-Honored Ones, do not perceive sentient beings' family origin, age, wealth, auspicious times, astrological references, craftsmanship, low status in society, or status as man or maidservants. They perceive only those sentient beings who possess the good mind. If they have the good mind, the Buddhas' compassionate thought is on them. Great King, you should realize that this auspicious sign is the light which the Tathagata sends forth as he enters the Samadhi of Moon-light Love."
The King then asked, "What is the Samadhi of Moon-light Love."
Jivaka replied, "Just as the moon-light causes all the blue lotuses to bloom in clear brilliance, the Samadhi of Moon-light Love causes sentient beings to open up the good mind. Hence, it is called 'the Samadhi of Moon-light Love.' Great King, just as the moon-light produces joy in the hearts of travelers, this Samadhi produces joy in the hearts of those who practice the path of Nirvana. Hence, called 'the Samadhi of Moon-light Love'...." It is the king of all good; it is the nectar. It is what all sentient beings love and adore. Hence, it is called 'the Samadhi of Moon-light Love'...."
Then the Buddha said to the whole assembly, "Among the causes and conditions which bring all sentient beings closer to the highest, perfect Enlightenment, nothing is more important than good friends. For, King Ajatashatru, if you did not follow Jivaka's advice, you would certainly die on the 7th day of next month and fall into Avici hell. Hence, with the approach of the day of death, nothing is more important than a good friend."
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