Since the word "Bhikshu" includes these three meanings, it is not translated but is left in the Sanskrit. A Bhikshuni is a woman who has left home and the same three meanings apply. An Upasaka is a layman and an Upasika is a laywoman. The Sanskrit word Upasaka means "a man who is close in work," as a layman works closely with the Triple Jewel. Upasika means "a woman who is close in work," working closely with the Triple Jewel. These are the four assemblies of disciples. Seeing the great jeweled stupa standing in mid-air. Our stupas are on the ground. Why was this stupa in the air? What was it standing on? What was its foundation? How could it do this? Well, what about the space that satellites rest on when they orbit around and around? If people can invent these, how much the more so could they happen in the Buddhadharma.

The Buddhadharma is a lot more subtle and wonderful than the dharmas of people. The Jeweled Stupa is sort of like a space station. There's nothing strange about the Jeweled Stupa being in space, then. This represents that the Buddha dwells nowhere and has no attachments. How can one stand still in empty space? They can, without attachments anywhere. And hearing the voice from within it. They heard the wonderful, mighty voice coming from the Stupa.

All gained Dharma joy. They were so happy, they forgot all about their troubles. And marveled at this unprecedented occurrence. No wonder you asked how the Stupa could stand in empty space. Even the four-fold assembly who saw it thought that it was strange. "Gee! How weird! How can a jeweled stupa stand there in empty space?"

They rose from their seats, reverently placed their palms together and withdrew to one side. Because their minds were filled with awe and wonder, their bodies expressed reverence by withdrawing to one side. They stood up and withdrew because they didn't understand it, and wanted Shakyamuni Buddha to answer their questions about it.

Sutra:
Just then a Bodhisattva Mahasattva by the name of Great Delight in Speaking, knowing the doubts in the minds of all the gods, humans, asuras, and others from all the worlds, spoke the Buddha saying, "World Honored One, by means of what causes and conditions has this jeweled stupa welled up out of the earth and produced this loud sound?"

Just then a Bodhisattva Mahasattva... "Bodhi" means enlightenment. "Sattva" is a sentient being. A Bodhisattva enlightens all sentient beings. A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being among sentient beings, an enlightened one. A Mahasattva is a Great Bodhisattva. Not only is this Bodhisattva an enlightened one among living beings, he can benefit self and others. Bodhisattvas think only to benefit others and they pay no attention to whether or not they themselves receive any benefits. They teach, transform, and rescue all living beings, causing all living beings to leave suffering and attain bliss. So they are called Great Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas resolve to give up their very lives for living beings. So Shakyamuni Buddha in past lives when practicing the Bodhisattva Path gave up his life over one thousand times to teach living beings. If living beings failed to respond to his teaching, he would even give up his life if necessary to save them. The Bodhisattva Path is not all that easy to practice. You all remember the story about Shariputra who tried to practice the Bodhisattva Path, don't you? He heard the Buddha praising the Bodhisattva Path as the highest path and so he thought he would try it out. He was the most intelligent of all the Buddha's disciples and he had the best memory. However, it proved to be too much for him. When you practice the Bodhisattva Path, take care not to be like Shariputra!

By the name of Great Delight in Speaking. What was the name of this Bodhisattva? It was Great Delight in Speaking. He was most delighted when speaking Buddhadharma. If he came to attend our Ch'an Meditation Session, he might not have been too welcome, because he liked to talk too much. We don't talk a lot here. But, he could come here if he wanted to. We could work it out.

Knowing the doubts in the minds of all the gods, humans, asuras, and others from all the worlds, spoke to the Buddha saying, "World honored one, by means of what causes and conditions has this jeweled stupa welled up out of the earth and produced this loud sound?" It went straight up into the air and a wonderful sound came forth from it. Why? Please, teacher, be compassionate and tell us. We all have doubts about this matter.