In the past and present, thus there has been deliverance for all.  Tathagata, when in the world; and now his relics—­after his Nirvana; those who worship and revere these, gain equal merit; so also those who raise themselves by wisdom, and reverence the virtues of the Tathagata, cherishing religion, fostering a spirit of almsgiving, they gain great merit also.  The noble and superlative law of Buddha ought to receive the adoration of the world.  Gone to that undying place, those who believe his law shall follow him there; therefore let all the Devas and men, without exception, worship and adore the one great loving and compassionate, who mastered thoroughly the highest truth, in order to deliver all that lives.  Who that hears of him, but yearns with love!  The pains of birth, old age, disease and death, the endless sorrows of the world, the countless miseries of “hereafter,” dreaded by all the Devas, he has removed all these accumulated sorrows; say, who would not revere him? to escape the joys of after life, this is the world’s chief joy!  To add the pain of other births, this is the world’s worst sorrow!  Buddha, escaped from pain of birth, shall have no joy of the “hereafter”!

And having shown the way to all the world, who would not reverence and adore him?  To sing the praises of the lordly monk, and declare his acts from first to last, without self-seeking or self-honor, without desire for personal renown, but following what the scriptures say, to benefit the world, has been my aim.