Day 27 concludes Chapter 23, The Previous Life of Medicine-King Bodhisattva.
Having last month learned that this sūtra is a good medicine for the diseases of the people, we conclude today’s portion of Chapter 23, The Previous Life of Medicine-King Bodhisattva.
“Star-King-Flower! Strew blue lotus flower and a bowlful of powdered incense to the person who keep this sūtra when you see him! After strewing these things [to him], you should think, ‘Before long he will collect grass [for his seat], sit at the place of enlightenment, and defeat the army of Mara. He will blow the conch-shell horn of the Dharma, beat the drum of the great Dharma, and save all living beings from the ocean of old age, disease and death.’
“In this way, those who seek the enlightenment of the Buddha should respect the keeper of this sūtra whenever they see him.”
When the Buddha expounded this chapter of the Previous Life of Medicine-King Bodhisattva, eighty-four thousand Bodhisattvas obtained the dharanis by which they could understand the words of all living beings. Many-Treasures Tathāgata in the stupa of treasures praised Star-King-Flower Bodhisattva, saying:
“Excellent, excellent, Star-King-Flower! You obtained inconceivable merits. You asked this question to Śākyamuni Buddha, and benefited innumerable living beings.”