42.5 （五）地动

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "There are eight causes and conditions for the great earth to shake. What are the eight? Bhikṣus should know that this Jambudvīpa land is 20,100 yojanas from north to south and 7,000 yojanas from east to west. It is 68,000 yojanas thick, the water is 84,000 yojanas thick, the fire is 84,000 yojanas thick, below the fire is wind 68,000 yojanas thick, and below the wind is a vajra wheel. The relics of past buddhas are all there. Bhikṣus should know that sometimes when the great wind moves, the fire also moves; when the fire moves, the water moves; when the water moves, the earth moves. This is called the first cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

Furthermore, when a bodhisattva descends from Tuṣita Heaven into his mother's womb, at that time the earth also greatly shakes. This is called the second cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

Furthermore, when a bodhisattva descends from his mother's womb, the earth greatly shakes. This is called the third cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

Furthermore, when a bodhisattva leaves home to study the path and attains unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, at that time the earth greatly shakes. This is called the fourth cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

Furthermore, when a Tathāgata enters the realm of nirvāṇa without remainder and attains parinirvāṇa, at that time the earth greatly shakes. This is called the fifth cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

Furthermore, there are bhikṣus with great supernatural powers who have mastery of the mind and can perform countless transformations as they wish. They can divide their bodies into hundreds of thousands and then return to one. They can fly through the air, pass through stone walls, and rise and sink freely. They perceive the earth as if it were not earth, and understand it to be empty and nothing. At that time, the earth greatly shakes. This is called the sixth cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

Furthermore, there are devas with great supernatural powers and immeasurable spiritual virtues. When they pass away from there, they are reborn in that realm. Due to their past meritorious practices, they are fully endowed with all virtues. They abandon their original heavenly forms and become Śakra or the Heavenly King Brahmā. At that time, the earth greatly shakes. This is called the seventh cause and condition for the great earth to shake.

"Furthermore, when the lifespan and merit of sentient beings come to an end, at that time the kings of various countries do not enjoy their own lands and attack each other. Some die of hunger and famine, some die by the sword. At that time, heaven and earth greatly shake. This is called the eighth cause and condition for the great earth to shake. Thus, bhikṣus, there are eight causes and conditions for heaven and earth to greatly shake."

At that time, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha said, and joyfully upheld it.