Chapter 9: Prophecies Conferred on Learners and Adepts

Ananda and Rahula, two of the Buddha's closest attendants, reflect on the prophecies already bestowed upon other disciples and quietly hope that they too will receive confirmation of their future Buddhahood. The Buddha, perceiving their thoughts, addresses Ananda directly and prophesies that he will become a Buddha named Mountain Sea Wisdom Unrestricted Power King Tathagata. Ananda's future Buddha-land will be supremely pure and adorned, and he will lead countless beings to enlightenment. Ananda's prophecy is especially significant because of his role as the foremost keeper of the Buddha's teachings.

Rahula, the Buddha's own son who left the household life to become a monk, receives the prophecy that he will become a Buddha named Stepping on Seven Treasure Flowers Tathagata. The Buddha reveals that in all his future lifetimes, Rahula will always be the eldest son of whichever Buddha appears in the world, and through this continuous practice will ultimately attain the supreme way. The tender relationship between father and son is elevated into an eternal spiritual bond spanning countless lifetimes.

Following these individual prophecies, two thousand voice-hearers -- both those still in training (learners) and those who have completed their training (adepts) -- rise from their seats, join their palms, gaze up at the Buddha, and silently express their aspiration. The Buddha perceives their wish and bestows upon all of them the prophecy that they will in future ages become Buddhas, all bearing the name Jewel Phase. The universal scope of these prophecies demonstrates that no practitioner is excluded from the promise of the One Vehicle, regardless of their current stage of attainment.