The Bodhisattva Great Being Vasumitra will succeed Maitreya and become a Buddha named Lion Tathagata. He descended from Shakyamuni's lineage, born in the Videha kingdom as the son of the great Brahmin Brahmayu, named Uttara. His father instructed him to observe the Buddha. For four months he attended the Buddha, fully witnessing his majestic features, transformations, and dignified bearing. Upon returning, he reported what he had seen. After his father attained the stage of non-returner, he left home to study and changed his name to Vasumitra.

After the Buddha's parinirvana, he traveled to teach in the kingdom of Chuda, at the Pana garden. His supreme talent overshadowed the world, swift and peerless. He compiled this sutra, dividing it into seven sections as one Khandhaka, completing twelve Khandhakas in total. What he compiled includes the latter four sections as one Khandhaka, which explains and interprets the Buddha's verses. Altogether, there are eleven sections and fourteen Khandhakas. Its coverage is profound and vast, flourishing in foreign lands alongside the Abhidharma. It also connects with the Mahayana, upholding the teachings to exhaust defilements, extensively encompassing the ten dharmas, completing all aspects of the hundred practices.

To explore it is like gazing upon the boundless sea—can it not be called vast? To ascend it is like staring at the summitless Kunlun Mountains—can it not be called lofty? The treasure island stretches to the horizon, satiating one with night-shining pearls; the mountain ridges rise before one's eyes, satiating one with heavenly wisdom jade. How magnificent its richness! What surpasses this sutra? In foreign lands, those who ascend the high seat to teach it have not yet fallen to the ground.

After compiling this sutra, he entered samadhi, and in a snap of the fingers, his spirit ascended to the Tushita heaven. Maitreya, Maitreya's disciple Dori, and Sangharaksha went to that celestial palace. These two or three noble ones are all destined to be successive Buddhas. Maitreya's disciple Dori will be the Buddha Blazing Light. Sangharaksha will be the Buddha Gentle Benevolence. These four great beings gathered in one hall, exchanging dialogues on skillful means and wisdom. The sages and saints listened in silent agreement, their ears filled with profound teachings—is this not a joy?

The monk Saṅghabhūti from Jibin brought this scripture to Chang'an in the twentieth year of the Jianyuan era of the Qin dynasty. Zhao Zheng, the governor of Wuwei, a scholar of unwavering dedication, requested that it be translated. Buddhamati translated and transmitted the text, while Saṅghabhūti, Nanda, and Jīva held the original foreign-language manuscript, and Huisong recorded the translation. The work began on the fifth day of the third month and was completed on the thirteenth day of the seventh month. The original text comprised twelve thousand ślokas. I, together with Fahe, collated and refined the translation, with minor stylistic adjustments by the governor of Wuwei. This scripture explains the three vehicles as nine grades, emphasizing virtuous practice and correct contemplation, with sixteen essential points in all. Whenever I reflect on the profound teachings of the sages, I am always moved by their profound meaning. I regret that I came to this profound teaching late, and I fear I may not fully grasp the splendor of its hallowed halls and the richness of its manifold truths.

Translated by Saṅghabhūti and Others, Tripiṭaka Masters from Jibin, during the Fu Qin Dynasty