Sutra on the One-Direction-Born Bodhisattva Spoken by the Buddha
This is what I heard:
At one time, the Bhagavan was in the Great Forest Monastery, the Pavilion of Many Stories, in the city of Vaiśālī. He was accompanied by a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty bhikṣus, all of whom were arhats. Their minds were free and at ease, no longer troubled by afflictions. They had severed all bonds of existence, possessed the six supernatural powers without obstruction, and had attained complete liberation of mind and wisdom. Like elephant kings among humans, they were revered by devas, humans, and the eight kinds of beings. They were all great arhats.
Also present were countless bodhisattva mahāsattvas. They possessed the bodhisattvas' immeasurable vows and practices, abiding firmly in the virtues of all buddhas. Their wisdom was vast as the ocean, their merit and adornments majestic as mountain kings. Their bodies and minds were free, able to manifest in any form according to the needs of beings. Upholding the Tathāgata's skillful and profound teachings, they encircled the World-Honored One, reverently bowing and offering various gifts. Gazing upon his sacred countenance, they praised him with wondrous voices, solely aspiring for the supreme nectar of the Tathāgata's Dharma. Such bodhisattva mahāsattvas had all gathered like clouds.
At that time, the World-Honored One, like a lion king, gazed upon the great assembly and understood their minds. With upright posture and focused intention, he contemplated deeply and thought thus: "I have long since abandoned the activities of life and death; in truth, there is no phenomenon of birth and death that can cause me to pass away. Yet my work is complete, and remaining here serves no further benefit. In three months, I shall enter Nirvana. Such a sublime Dharma I should now expound, not keep it hidden so that the multitude may not hear it."
Having thought thus, he addressed the elder Mahāmaudgalyāyana: "Follow my words. Summon all the bhikkhus from the various worlds to gather in this assembly."