華嚴經 白話全本 · 冊1Avataṃsaka Sūtra · Complete Vernacular · Vol. 1

Opening: Starting from the First Parting of Heaven and Earth

The preface opens with “I have heard,” and the punctuation of the base text encloses in quotation marks the words that were heard —

“I have heard: at the very beginning, when creation was first set in motion, the way of heaven had not yet been distinguished; at the outset, when the tortoise’s back and the dragon’s chart were being tied to the trigram-images, the culture of humankind first became manifest. Even through eighteen thousand years, what human beings alike dwelt within was still only this bounded region; and though seventy-two rulers came to the world one after another, which one of them ever knew the principle that has no bound?”

(“The bounded region” means a region whose limits can be drawn; “the principle that has no bound” means a truth with no edge to it. The preface first sets out the entire span of the ages of the human world and all its rulers precisely in order to say this: however long the time and however many the sovereigns, they are all still within the bounded.)

How Delusion Comes About: The Four Forbearances and the Five Hindrances

For this reason, people lost their way as to the four forbearances, and so turn round and round within the six destinies; household after household is bound up by the five hindrances, and so sinks and drowns beneath the three evil paths.

(As for the items of the “four forbearances,” the various masters of old have not agreed on what they are; here the preface only sets them over against the “five hindrances,” as that from which delusion comes, and adds no explanation of its own. The “five hindrances” are the five obstructions that cover over the nature of the mind and keep good states from arising. The “six destinies” are the six kinds of place in which sentient beings take birth; the “three evil paths” are the three most painful among them — the hells, the hungry ghosts, and the animals. To turn round and round speaks of flowing on without a stop; to sink and drown speaks of falling downward.)

The Buddha Appears in the World: From the Western Heaven to the Eastern Land

Then came the season when the Vulture Peak rose up in the west and the carriage of the white elephant drove eastward — the Dharma King whose wisdom is a sun, who looks out from on high, having passed beyond the body made of the four great elements; the Tamer of Beings in mid-heaven, who stands alone in honor, having gone past the ten grounds. He takes in the whole world encircled by the Iron Ring Mountains; he can shorten a long kalpa and lengthen a short one, coming and going at will through kalpas numerous as the sands of the Gaṅgā.

(“The Dharma King whose wisdom is a sun” and “the Tamer of Beings in mid-heaven” are both epithets of the Buddha: the one likens his knowledge to the sun, the other takes as its sense his ability to tame and guide sentient beings. “The four great elements” means the body made of earth, water, fire, and wind; “the ten grounds” are the ten stages of the bodhisattva’s noble positions — the Buddha has gone past even the ten grounds, and so it is said that he “dwells in honor.” The “Iron Ring” is the mountain wall that encircles a world, and speaks of the vastness of space; “lengthening and shortening kalpas as many as the sands” speaks of freedom with regard to time.)

The Buddha’s Substance and Characteristic: Neither Arising nor Ceasing, Neither Going nor Coming

Spoken of as to his substance, he neither arises nor ceases; spoken of as to his characteristic, he neither goes nor comes.

(One line speaks of substance, one line of characteristic, and the two leaves of the door open together: arising and ceasing are spoken of in terms of being and non-being, going and coming in terms of motion and stillness; on the side of substance there is no arising or ceasing to be found, and on the side of characteristic there is no coming or going that can be pointed to.)

The Buddha’s Practice and Mind: The Thirty-Seven Factors and the Four Measureless States

The four applications of mindfulness and the four right exertions — these thirty-seven factors of the path are what he practices; kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity — these four measureless dharmas set his mind in motion.

(The “thirty-seven factors” is the total number of the factors of the path, and the preface names two classes, the applications of mindfulness and the right exertions, as the first, so as to gather in the rest. The “four measureless states” are just the four minds without limit: kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. The first line speaks of “practice,” the second of “mind”; this too is a matched pair.)

Beyond Reckoning: Both Numbers and Names Run Out

The power of his skillful means is hard to fathom, and the ways in which he answers the capacities of beings, perfectly and without remainder, are many-threaded. He merges with the emptiness of the great void and takes that as his measure — how could numbering ever exhaust it? He can also enter a region as minute as a mustard seed, and that still less can be set out in names and words. The one of whom nothing can be said and for whom no name can be found — it must be, one supposes, none but the Greatly Awakened One.

(“The ways in which he answers capacities perfectly are many-threaded” means this: to whatever capacity, by whatever means, perfectly and without obstruction, in threads beyond measure. At the extreme of largeness numbering runs out, and at the extreme of smallness names and words run out — both ends having run out, there is nothing for it but to say that “nothing can be said of him.”)

The Author’s Own Account: The Prophecy, the Auspicious Responses, and the Tribute from the Four Quarters

In kalpas long past I planted the causes, and so was favored to receive the Buddha’s prophecy. The Buddha having sent down his decree, the verses of the Dayun jing made it manifest first; the jade-adorned imperial seat having received the auspicious sign, the words of the Baoyu jing came after.

(“The Golden Immortal” is an honorific for the Buddha; the “jade screen” is the screen behind the imperial seat, standing for the ruler of men. Here the preface gives its own account of the prophecy it received and the auspicious signs it was granted, verses first and text after, the one before and the other behind. This section is recorded solely on the preface’s own account of itself.)

Add to this that the surplus blessings of accumulated good deeds gathered downward upon this insignificant person of mine, and so there was attained the peace in which the earth is levelled and heaven fulfilled, the rivers run clear and the seas are calm. Extraordinary auspices and rarest of good omens arrived by the day and were written down by the month; the numinous writings on palm leaves too arrived time after time and were abundant year by year. Those who came across the seas and through the deserts had already made complete their offerings of treasure; those who came scaling the heights and sailing the depths had already said all they had to say through relays of interpreters.

(“The earth levelled and heaven fulfilled,” “the rivers running clear and the seas calm,” are images of an age at peace; “arriving by the day and written down by the month” says how many the auspicious responses were — every day some came, every month they were recorded. The last two lines speak of the tribute coming from the four quarters: one route across seas and deserts, the other scaling heights and sailing the deeps.)

What This Sūtra Is: The Secret Treasury of the Buddhas, the Ocean of the Tathāgata’s Nature

This Avataṃsaka Sūtra is precisely the treasury that all the buddhas hold in secret, the ocean formed of the Tathāgata’s nature and virtue. Those who look upon it cannot make out where it is headed; those who dip from it can seldom fathom how far its shores extend.

(“Secret treasury” speaks of its being hidden; “ocean of nature” speaks of its depth and breadth; the one line speaks from the side of the one who looks, the other from the side of the one who draws: the first says that where it is headed cannot be made out, the second that few can fathom how far it extends.)

How High This Sūtra Stands: Neither the Two Vehicles nor the Three Dare Hope for It

Those in the position of learners and those beyond learning cut off in their very aspiration any thought of peering and coveting; the two vehicles of the śrāvakas and the pratyekabuddhas, and the three vehicles as commonly spoken of as well, do not dare to hope to hear and receive this sūtra. The supreme knowledge of all modes — the traces of its adornment are already abundant in this sūtra; Samantabhadra and Mañjuśrī — the causes that are their vows and practices are fulfilled in this sūtra too.

(A “learner” is one still in the positions of training, one “beyond learning” is one whose training has reached its end — this is said with respect to the śrāvaka line. “Peering and coveting” means looking on furtively and giving rise to a wish for it. The first two lines say that this sūtra is beyond the reach of the lesser vehicle; the last two say that in this sūtra both the fruit-virtue and the causal practice are complete: the supreme knowledge of all modes is on the side of the fruit, and the vows and practices of Samantabhadra and Mañjuśrī are on the side of the cause.)

Within a Single Sentence the Boundless Dharma Realm Is Contained

Within a single sentence, the boundlessness of the Dharma realm is contained; within a single hair, numberless buddha-lands are set down and it is not felt to be narrow.

(This is the most important pair of lines in the whole preface: the small does not obstruct the large, and the large does not crowd the small. A single sentence and a single hair are the utterly small; the Dharma realm and the buddha-lands are the utterly large.)

Where the Dharma Was Spoken: The Country of Magadha and the Hall of Universal Light

In the country of Magadha the conditions for this wondrous assembly first arose; in the Dharma hall of Universal Light the principle of quiescence was there spread out.

(One line speaks of the place where he first attained the Way and spoke the Dharma, the other of the place where it was spread out.)

What the Old Translation Lacked: Four Hundred Years, and Only Half a Pearl

Looking back over the deep meaning of this sūtra: it was translated in the time of the Jin dynasty; the time has passed through six dynasties, and the years come to nearly four hundred. Yet of this book that is a whole and complete one, what was obtained at that time was no more than thirty thousand and some words — only half a pearl was opened, and the whole treasure was never seen.

(“The time has passed through six dynasties, the years come to nearly four hundred” speaks of the interval between the Jin translation and the Great Zhou. “Only half a pearl was opened, the whole treasure was never seen” says that the old translation was not mistaken, but that its extent was not complete.)

The Sanskrit Original Came from Khotan

I heard that its Sanskrit original was formerly in the country of Khotan, and so sent envoys to welcome it with due honor, and only recently has it arrived here. Having now seen those wondrous verses numbering a hundred thousand, I have been able to open out those ten myriad of the text proper.

(“The hundred thousand wondrous verses” and “the ten myriad of the text proper” are numbers the preface records for itself; they are set down here as they stand, without being converted.)

The Day the Translation Began: The First Year of Zhengsheng

It was in the first year of Zhengsheng, the year of the cycle being yiwei, in the month whose pitch-pipe is guxian (that is, the third month), on which month the first day was wushen, that on the fourteenth day of that month, the day xinyou, in the Monastery of the Great Universal Emptiness, I myself took part in the setting down and the cutting away, and reverently translated this sūtra.

(“The setting down and the cutting away” means putting brush to paper and deleting what is to be removed; “myself took part in the setting down and the cutting away” is the author’s own statement that she took part in the work in person. As for the place of the translation office and the year and month of the work of translating, what is recorded elsewhere and what the preface records differ from one another in places; that layer is left to the apparatus.)

Two Responses: Sweet Dew and Enriching Rain

Thereupon sweet dew came flowing down in moisture, answering beforehand in a dream on the night of the day gengshen; and an enriching rain fell and soaked the ground, extending afterward to the day renxu. This was the opening of the gate of true reality, and it accorded in return with the moisture that is of a single taste.

(“Answering beforehand in a dream” means the dream first and the response after; “extending afterward” means that it reached further later on. “The moisture that is of a single taste” says that the rain of Dharma makes no distinctions, but moistens all things alike.)

The Day the Translation Was Finished: The Second Year of Shengli

In the second year of Shengli, the year of the cycle being jihai, the tenth month whose first day was renwu, on the eighth day of that month, the day jichou, the work of the fair copying was completed — and this added waves to the ocean of the nature, and opened wider the borders of the Dharma realm.

(“The work of the fair copying was completed” means that the transcription was finished, that is, that the whole book was brought to completion. “Adding waves” and “opening wider the borders” speak of what the new translation added to the text.)

What Teaching This Is: The Sudden Teaching of the Great Vehicle, the True Instrument of the Vaipulya

The sudden teaching of the Great Vehicle covers everywhere to the point of endlessness; the true instrument of the vaipulya reaches far and gathers in all that has consciousness.

(The “instrument” in “true instrument” was originally a trap for catching fish, borrowed here to mean the implement by which the meaning is got; here it means the teaching that is true and can be relied upon. These two lines are the judgment of the character of the teaching that the author of the preface passes on this sūtra herself.)

In the Last Five Hundred Years, Suddenly the Words of the Golden Mouth

Who would have thought that, in the season of the last five hundred years, one would suddenly receive the teaching spoken by the golden mouth; that within the world of Sahā, there would suddenly be opened the secret held in the jeweled casket.

(“The last five hundred years” speaks of a time far removed from the Buddha; “the golden mouth” means what was spoken by the Buddha’s own mouth; “the secret of the jeweled casket” takes a casket of pearls and gems as a figure for the opening of a secret canon.)

What Is Hoped For: To Hang with the Sun and Moon, to Spread through the Ten Directions

What is hoped for is this: to set it forth throughout realms as many as the sands of the Gaṅgā, to proclaim it through regions as many as dust motes; to let it hang on high as long as the two luminaries, and to let it fill the ten directions and be spread abroad forever.

(“Realms as many as the sands” and “regions as many as dust motes” are both ways of saying how far it extends; the “two luminaries” are just the sun and the moon.)

The Joy of Reading the Sūtra

At a single glimpse of these jeweled verses, gladness already overflowed the spirit; going over this profound tenet three times, joy filled body and mind.

(“A single glimpse” and “going over three times” answer each other: at first sight there is already joy, and going over it again the joy is greater.)

Speaking Where There Is Nothing to Say: Why the Preface Was Written

Although it is said that this domain is without speech and without showing, and that the principle accords with the gate of non-duality, nevertheless it is only by relying on words to make words manifest that the meaning of this great thousandfold world can be set forth. Therefore I have presumed to put forward this poor composition, and so have inscribed it as a preface.

(The last section is the author’s explanation of herself: knowing that the principle lies outside of words, why write a preface at all? The answer is in the four graphs rendered “relying on words to make words manifest” — not that words can exhaust the principle, but that without borrowing words there is no way for it to be made manifest. “I have presumed to put forward this poor composition” is a phrase of self-deprecation, and “I have inscribed it as a preface” is the closing of the whole piece.)

The Opening: Thus Have I Heard

This is the Dharma as I myself heard it from the Buddha.

On that occasion the Buddha was in the land of Magadha, at the site of awakening named the Dharma of Araṇya, having just accomplished right awakening.

The Ground and the Tree of the Site of Awakening: A Ground Made of Vajra, a Tree of Unceasing Light

That ground was firm beyond compare, made of vajra; fine jeweled wheels, together with all manner of jeweled flowers and pure maṇi jewels, served as its adornment; colors and shapes as many as the sea appeared without bound or limit; maṇi jewels were bound into banners that constantly gave off light and unceasingly issued lovely sounds; nets bound out of all manner of jewels, together with lovely garlands of fragrant flowers, hung down and spread out round about on all four sides; the maṇi jewel-kings transformed at will, raining down endless treasures and all manner of wondrous flowers that scattered upon the ground; jeweled trees stood row upon row, their branches and leaves glossy and luxuriant. Because of the spiritual power of the Buddha, all the adornments within this place of the Way cast their reflected images therein.

That bodhi tree towered up in splendor, surpassing and rare: vajra was its body, beryl was its trunk; wondrous jewels of many mingled colors were its branches; leaves made of jewels spread wide and open, and the shade they let down was like cloud; flowers made of jewels had many colors, casting their shadows down from the parted branches, and maṇi jewels served as its fruit, holding a glow and giving off flame, ranged among the flowers in alternation. On all sides round that tree light shone forth, and within the light maṇi jewels rained down; inside the maṇi jewels were many bodhisattvas, and those bodhisattvas, as many as a cloud, appeared together all at once. And because of the awesome spiritual power of the Tathāgata, that bodhi tree constantly issued lovely sounds, proclaiming all manner of dharmas, with never a time of exhaustion.

The Palace and the Lion Throne of the Site of Awakening: In a Single Thought-Moment It Contains the Dharma Realm

The palace and towers wherein the Tathāgata was set were vast and broad, adorned and magnificent, filling and pervading the ten directions, gathered together out of maṇi jewels of many colors, with jeweled flowers of every kind as their ornament; the various implements of adornment poured out light like cloud, and from between the palace halls the shadows gathered into banners. Boundless assemblies of bodhisattvas at the place of the Way had all gathered in that spot; those maṇi jewel-kings that can bring forth the light of the buddhas and issue inconceivable sounds served as its net, and every realm belonging to the Tathāgata's sovereign power of spiritual penetration flowed forth out of this net; the dwellings in which all sentient beings live likewise showed their reflected images herein. And because of the sustaining power added by the buddhas, in a single thought-moment the whole Dharma realm was contained within.

That lion throne was high and broad and lovely: maṇi jewels served as its platform, lotus flowers as its netting, pure and wondrous jewels as its wheels, and mingled flowers of many colors were made into its garlands. Halls and pavilions, towers and lofts, steps and terraces, gates and windows — every kind of object was complete and adorned; the branches and fruits of the jeweled trees were ranged in alternation all around. Clouds of light formed of maṇi jewels shone upon one another; the buddhas of the ten directions transformed and brought forth pearls and gems; the wondrous jewels in the topknots of all the bodhisattvas sent forth light that came to shine upon it. And because of the sustaining power added by the awesome majesty of the buddhas, it set forth the vast realm of the Tathāgata, and the lovely sound carried far and free, so that there was no place it did not reach.

The Teacher Beyond Thought: The World-Honored One Sits upon This Throne

At that time the World-Honored One was set upon this throne, having accomplished the utmost right awakening with respect to all dharmas; his wisdom entered deeply into the three times — past, present, and future — and all of them equally; his body filled every world, and his voice universally accorded with the lands of the ten directions. It is as when empty space is able to hold and contain every kind of form completely, yet makes no discrimination among the various objects; and again as when empty space universally reaches every place, and enters equally and everywhere into the various lands.

His body constantly sits throughout every place of the Way; amid the great assembly of bodhisattvas his majestic light blazes and shines, like the orb of the sun rising to light up the whole world. The practices cultivated throughout the three times, and merits manifold as a great sea, have all been purified, and yet he constantly manifests taking birth in the lands of the buddhas. Boundless forms and perfect radiance spread throughout the whole Dharma realm, equal and without difference; he sets forth all dharmas as one spreads out a great cloud.

Every single hair's tip can receive all worlds without obstruction, and each displays immeasurable powers of spiritual penetration, teaching and taming all sentient beings; his body pervades the ten directions with no coming and no going; his wisdom enters deeply into the characteristics of dharmas, and he knows that dharmas are of themselves empty and still. Of all the spiritual transformations of the buddhas of the three times, there is not one that cannot be seen within this light; and all the adornments of every buddha-land throughout inconceivable long kalpas he likewise causes to appear.

The Assembly of Bodhisattvas: As Many as the Dust-Motes of Ten Buddha-Worlds, with Samantabhadra at Their Head

There were bodhisattva-mahāsattvas as many as the dust-motes ground from ten buddha-worlds encircling the Buddha together, and their names were: the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Virtue Supreme Lamp-Light Illumining, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Light Lion Banner, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Jewel-Flame Wondrous Light, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Sound Merit-Sea Banner, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Wisdom-Light Illumining the Tathāgata's Realm, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Jewel-Topknot Flower Banner, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Awakening Mind-Delighting Voice, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universally Pure Inexhaustible Blessing-Light, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Radiant Mark, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Sea-Moon Light Great Brightness, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Cloud-Sound Sea-Light Stainless Treasury, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Wisdom Born of the Jewel-Topknot of Merit, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Light of the Sovereign King of Merit, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Well-Valiant Lotus Topknot, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Wisdom Cloud-and-Sun Banner, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Vigor Vajra Teeth, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Fragrant-Flame Light Banner, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Bright Virtue Deep and Beautiful Voice, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Wisdom Born of Great Blessing-Light…. With bodhisattvas such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from ten buddha-worlds.

These bodhisattvas had in past ages all gathered wholesome roots together with the Tathāgata Vairocana and had cultivated the bodhisattva practice along with him; they were all born out of the Tathāgata's sea of wholesome roots, and every one of the pāramitās, the practices that carry one to the far shore, was already perfected in them; their eyes of wisdom were clear and penetrating, and they beheld the three times equally; with respect to the samādhis, the states in which mind rests on a single object, they were already complete and pure; their eloquence was like a great sea, vast and inexhaustible; they possessed the merits of a buddha, honored and worthy of reverence; they knew the faculties of sentient beings and taught and tamed them as was fitting; they entered the treasury of the Dharma realm, and their wisdom was without difference; they realized the liberation of a buddha, profound and vast; they were able to follow skillful means and enter into any one ground, and, upheld by the sea of all vows, they were constantly together with wisdom to the very end of time to come; they penetrated the rare and vast secret realm of the buddhas, and understood well the dharma in which all buddhas are equal; they had already trodden the Tathāgata's ground of universal radiance, and had entered the gateway to the ocean of measureless samādhis; in every place they manifested their bodies according to circumstance; whatever the affairs practiced by worldly dharmas, they did the same; their power of total retention was vast, gathering in the seas of manifold dharmas; their eloquence was skillful, and they could turn the wheel of non-retrogression; the entire great sea of the merits of all tathāgatas flowed into their bodies; to all the lands wherein the buddhas dwell they went according to their vows; they had already made offerings to all the buddhas throughout boundless kalpas, joyfully and without weariness; wherever any tathāgata attained awakening, they were constantly present therein, drawing near and never letting go; and constantly, by means of the sea of Samantabhadra's vows which they had obtained, they caused the wisdom-body of all sentient beings to be complete. They accomplished measureless merits such as these.

The Assembly of Vajra-Holding Spirits: Constantly Guarding Wherever the Tathāgata Dwells

There were also vajra-holding spirits as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, namely: the vajra-holding spirit Wondrous Form Nārāyaṇa, the vajra-holding spirit Swift Banner of the Sun-Orb, the vajra-holding spirit Sumeru Flower Light, the vajra-holding spirit Pure Cloud Sound, the vajra-holding spirit Lovely in All the Faculties, the vajra-holding spirit Delightful Radiance, the vajra-holding spirit Thunder Sound of the Great Tree, the vajra-holding spirit Radiance of the Lion King, the vajra-holding spirit Dense Flame Supreme Eyes, the vajra-holding spirit Lotus-Light Maṇi Topknot…. With spirits such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world.

They had all, throughout measureless kalpas in the past, constantly given rise to great vows, vowing to draw near to the buddhas and make offerings to them always; following the practice of what they had vowed, they had already attained perfection and reached the far shore; they had amassed boundless pure works of blessing, and with respect to the realms practiced within the samādhis they had already understood clearly; they had gained the power of spiritual penetration, dwelling in accordance with the Tathāgata, and had entered the inconceivable realm of liberation; standing in the great gathered assembly, their majestic light was outstanding, and they manifested their bodies as sentient beings deserved to see them, showing them the way of taming; wherever the transformation-forms of all the buddhas went, they went along with those transformations; and wherever any tathāgata dwelt, they constantly and diligently stood guard.

The Assembly of Bodily-Retinue Spirits: Making Offerings and Rendering Service to All the Buddhas

There were also bodily-retinue spirits as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, namely: the bodily-retinue spirit Flower-Topknot Adornment, the bodily-retinue spirit Light Illumining the Ten Directions, the bodily-retinue spirit Sea-Sound Taming, the bodily-retinue spirit Pure Flower-Adorned Topknot, the bodily-retinue spirit Measureless Deportment, the bodily-retinue spirit Supreme Light Adornment, the bodily-retinue spirit Pure-Light Fragrant Cloud, the bodily-retinue spirit Guarding and Upholding, the bodily-retinue spirit Universally Manifesting and Gathering In, the bodily-retinue spirit Unmoving Radiance…. With spirits such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, and they had all in past ages accomplished great vows, making offerings to and rendering service to all the buddhas.

The Assembly of Foot-Faring Spirits: Drawing Near to the Tathāgata, Following Along and Never Letting Go

There were also foot-faring spirits as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, namely: the foot-faring spirit Jewel-Seal Hand, the foot-faring spirit Lotus Light, the foot-faring spirit Pure Flower Topknot, the foot-faring spirit Gathering In All Good Sights, the foot-faring spirit Wondrous Jewel Star Banner, the foot-faring spirit Delighting to Utter Wondrous Sound, the foot-faring spirit Sandalwood Tree Light, the foot-faring spirit Lotus Radiance, the foot-faring spirit Subtle and Wondrous Radiance, the foot-faring spirit Amassing Wondrous Flowers…. With spirits such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, and they had all, throughout measureless kalpas in the past, drawn near to the Tathāgata, following after him and never letting go.

The Assembly of Spirits of the Place of the Way: Meeting Measureless Buddhas and Raising Up Vast Offerings

There were also spirits of the place of the Way as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, namely: the spirit of the place of the Way Pure Adornment Banner, the spirit of the place of the Way Sumeru Jewel Light, the spirit of the place of the Way Thunder-Sound Banner Mark, the spirit of the place of the Way Flower-Raining Wondrous Eyes, the spirit of the place of the Way Flower-Garland Light Topknot, the spirit of the place of the Way Jewel-Raining Adornment, the spirit of the place of the Way Valiant Fragrant Eyes, the spirit of the place of the Way Vajra Colored Cloud, the spirit of the place of the Way Lotus Radiance, the spirit of the place of the Way Wondrous Light Shining…. With spirits such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, and they had all in past ages met with measureless buddhas, accomplished the power of their vows, and raised up vast offerings.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Cities: Adorning and Purifying the Palace Wherein the Tathāgata Dwells

There were also spirits presiding over cities as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, namely: the city-presiding spirit Jewel-Peak Radiance, the city-presiding spirit Wondrously Adorned Palace, the city-presiding spirit Pure Joy-Jewel, the city-presiding spirit Free of Sorrow and Pure, the city-presiding spirit Flower-Lamp Flame Eyes, the city-presiding spirit Flame-Banner Brightly Appearing, the city-presiding spirit Abundant Blessing Radiance, the city-presiding spirit Pure Radiance, the city-presiding spirit Fragrant-Topknot Adornment, the city-presiding spirit Wondrous Jewel Radiance…. With spirits such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, and they had all, throughout measureless inconceivable kalpas, adorned and purified the palace wherein the Tathāgata dwells.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over the Earth: Ever Vowing to Draw Near to the Buddhas and Cultivate Works of Blessing Together

There were also spirits presiding over the earth as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, namely: the earth-presiding spirit Universal Virtue Pure Flower, the earth-presiding spirit Firm Blessing Adornment, the earth-presiding spirit Wondrous Flower-Adorned Tree, the earth-presiding spirit Universally Scattering Manifold Jewels, the earth-presiding spirit Pure Eyes Observing the Seasons, the earth-presiding spirit Wondrous Form Supreme Eyes, the earth-presiding spirit Fragrant Hair Emitting Light, the earth-presiding spirit Voice that Delights the Mind, the earth-presiding spirit Wondrous Flower Coiled Topknot, the earth-presiding spirit Vajra-Adorned Body…. With spirits such as these as their heads, they were in all as many as the dust-motes ground from one buddha-world, and they had all in past ages given rise to deep and weighty vows, vowing constantly to draw near to the buddhas and tathāgatas and to cultivate works of blessing together with them.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Mountains: Gaining the Pure Eye with Respect to All Dharmas

There were also measureless spirits presiding over mountains, namely: the mountain-presiding spirit Jewel Peak Opening into Flower, the mountain-presiding spirit Flower-Grove Wondrous Topknot, the mountain-presiding spirit High Banner Universally Shining, the mountain-presiding spirit Dust-Free Pure Topknot, the mountain-presiding spirit Light Illumining the Ten Directions, the mountain-presiding spirit Great Strength Radiance, the mountain-presiding spirit Majestic Light Universally Supreme, the mountain-presiding spirit Subtle and Secret Light-Wheel, the mountain-presiding spirit Universal Eyes Seeing Manifestly, the mountain-presiding spirit Vajra Secret Eyes…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they had all gained the pure eye with respect to all dharmas.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Forests: All of Them Possessing Measureless Delightful Radiance

There were also spirits presiding over forests, inconceivable in number, namely: the forest-presiding spirit Spreading Flowers Like Cloud, the forest-presiding spirit Raising the Trunk and Unfolding Light, the forest-presiding spirit Sprouting Buds and Sending Forth Brilliance, the forest-presiding spirit Auspicious Pure Leaves, the forest-presiding spirit Letting Down a Spreading Flame-Treasury, the forest-presiding spirit Pure Radiance, the forest-presiding spirit Agreeable Thunder Sound, the forest-presiding spirit Light and Fragrance Universally Pervading, the forest-presiding spirit Wondrous Light Turning and Shining, the forest-presiding spirit Flower and Fruit, Light and Savor…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was inconceivable, and they all possessed measureless delightful radiance.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Medicines: Their Nature Free of Stain, Blessing All Things with Benevolence

There were also measureless spirits presiding over medicines, namely: the medicine-presiding spirit Auspicious, the medicine-presiding spirit Sandalwood Grove, the medicine-presiding spirit Pure Radiance, the medicine-presiding spirit Renown Universally Heard, the medicine-presiding spirit Radiance from the Pores, the medicine-presiding spirit Universally Healing and Pure, the medicine-presiding spirit Sending Forth a Great Roar, the medicine-presiding spirit Sun-Veiling Light Banner, the medicine-presiding spirit Clearly Seeing the Ten Directions, the medicine-presiding spirit Benefiting the Vital Breath and Brightening the Eyes…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and the nature of them all was far removed from defilement, blessing all things with benevolence.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Crops: Not One of Them but Attained the Accomplishment of Great Joy

There were also measureless spirits presiding over crops, namely: the crop-presiding spirit Soft and Supreme in Savor, the crop-presiding spirit Seasonal Flowers Pure Light, the crop-presiding spirit Form and Strength Valiant and Robust, the crop-presiding spirit Increasing the Vital Essence, the crop-presiding spirit Universally Bringing Forth Roots and Fruits, the crop-presiding spirit Wondrously Adorned Ringed Topknot, the crop-presiding spirit Moistening Pure Flowers, the crop-presiding spirit Accomplishing Wondrous Fragrance, the crop-presiding spirit Loved by Those Who See, the crop-presiding spirit Stainless Pure Light…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and there was not one of them but had attained the accomplishment of great joy.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Rivers: All of Them Diligently Rousing the Intention to Benefit Sentient Beings

There were also measureless spirits presiding over rivers, namely: the river-presiding spirit Universally Sending Forth Swift Currents, the river-presiding spirit Universally Cleansing Springs and Streams, the river-presiding spirit Dust-Free Pure Eyes, the river-presiding spirit Roaring Throughout the Ten Directions, the river-presiding spirit Rescuing and Guarding Sentient Beings, the river-presiding spirit Heat-Free Pure Light, the river-presiding spirit Universally Giving Rise to Joy, the river-presiding spirit Vast Virtue Supreme Banner, the river-presiding spirit Light Illumining the Whole World, the river-presiding spirit Sea-Virtue Radiance…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently roused the intention of the mind to go and benefit sentient beings.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over the Seas: Filling Their Own Bodies with the Great Sea of the Tathāgata's Merits

There were also measureless spirits presiding over the seas, namely: the sea-presiding spirit Bringing Forth Jewel Light, the sea-presiding spirit Forming a Vajra Banner, the sea-presiding spirit Far from Dust and Free of Stain, the sea-presiding spirit Universal Water Palace, the sea-presiding spirit Auspicious Jewel Moon, the sea-presiding spirit Wondrous Flower Nāga Topknot, the sea-presiding spirit Universally Upholding Light and Savor, the sea-presiding spirit Jewel-Flame Flower Light, the sea-presiding spirit Vajra Wondrous Topknot, the sea-presiding spirit Thunder Sound of the Sea Tide…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they had all filled their own bodies with the great sea of the merits of the Tathāgata.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Water: Constantly and Diligently Rescuing and Guarding All Sentient Beings

There were also measureless spirits presiding over water, namely: the water-presiding spirit Universally Raising Cloud Banners, the water-presiding spirit Sea-Tide Cloud Sound, the water-presiding spirit Wondrous Form Wheel Topknot, the water-presiding spirit Skillful Whirling Eddy, the water-presiding spirit Stainless Accumulated Fragrance, the water-presiding spirit Blessing-Bridge Light and Sound, the water-presiding spirit Sovereign in Contentment, the water-presiding spirit Pure Joy Good Sound, the water-presiding spirit Universally Manifesting Majestic Light, the water-presiding spirit Roaring Sound Pervading the Sea…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they constantly and diligently rescued and guarded all sentient beings and gave them benefit.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Fire: Manifesting All Manner of Light and Extinguishing the Burning Distress of Sentient Beings

There were also innumerable spirits presiding over fire, namely: the fire-presiding spirit Universal Light Flame-Treasury, the fire-presiding spirit Universally Gathering Light Banner, the fire-presiding spirit Great Light Universally Shining, the fire-presiding spirit Palace of Manifold Wonders, the fire-presiding spirit Inexhaustible Light Topknot, the fire-presiding spirit Eyes of Manifold Flames, the fire-presiding spirit Palaces of the Ten Directions Like Mount Sumeru, the fire-presiding spirit Sovereign in Majestic Light, the fire-presiding spirit Radiance Breaking the Darkness, the fire-presiding spirit Thunder Sound and Lightning Flash…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was beyond all reckoning, and they were all able to display all manner of light, causing the burning distress of sentient beings to be extinguished.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Wind: Diligently Scattering the Mind of Self-Conceit

There were also measureless spirits presiding over wind, namely: the wind-presiding spirit Unobstructed Radiance, the wind-presiding spirit Universally Manifesting Valiant Deeds, the wind-presiding spirit Buffeting the Cloud Banners, the wind-presiding spirit Pure Light Adornment, the wind-presiding spirit Strength Able to Dry Up the Waters, the wind-presiding spirit Great Voice Roaring Everywhere, the wind-presiding spirit Topknot Hanging from the Treetops, the wind-presiding spirit Unobstructed in All It Does, the wind-presiding spirit Manifold Palaces, the wind-presiding spirit Great Light Universally Shining…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently scattered away the mind of self-conceit.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Space: Their Minds All Free of Stain, Vast and Bright and Clean

There were also measureless spirits presiding over space, namely: the space-presiding spirit Pure Light Universally Shining, the space-presiding spirit Universally Roaming the Deep and Vast, the space-presiding spirit Producing Auspicious Winds, the space-presiding spirit Free of Obstruction and Abiding at Ease, the space-presiding spirit Broad Stride Wondrous Topknot, the space-presiding spirit Unobstructed Light-Flame, the space-presiding spirit Unobstructed Supreme Strength, the space-presiding spirit Stainless Radiance, the space-presiding spirit Deep and Far Wondrous Sound, the space-presiding spirit Light Pervading the Ten Directions…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and the minds of them all were far removed from defilement, vast and bright and clean.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over the Directions: Universally Emitting Light, Constantly Illumining the Ten Directions Without Break

There were also measureless spirits presiding over the directions, namely: the direction-presiding spirit Abiding Everywhere, the direction-presiding spirit Universally Manifesting Radiance, the direction-presiding spirit Light-Faring Adornment, the direction-presiding spirit Faring All Around Without Hindrance, the direction-presiding spirit Forever Cutting Off Delusion, the direction-presiding spirit Universally Roaming the Pure Sky, the direction-presiding spirit Great Cloud Banner Sound, the direction-presiding spirit Topknot and Eyes Without Disorder, the direction-presiding spirit Universally Observing the Deeds of the World, the direction-presiding spirit Roaming and Surveying Everywhere…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they were able by skillful means to emit light universally, constantly illumining the ten directions, continuing on without break.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Night: Diligently Cultivating, Taking the Dharma as Their Delight

There were also measureless spirits presiding over night, namely: the night-presiding spirit Universal Virtue Pure Light, the night-presiding spirit Joyful Eyes Beholding the World, the night-presiding spirit Guarding the Vital Essence of the World, the night-presiding spirit Still Sea Sound, the night-presiding spirit Universally Manifesting Auspiciousness, the night-presiding spirit Universally Bringing Forth Tree Blossoms, the night-presiding spirit Equal Protection and Nurture, the night-presiding spirit Sporting in Delight, the night-presiding spirit All the Faculties Ever Joyful, the night-presiding spirit Bringing Forth Pure Blessings…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently cultivated, taking the Dharma as their delight.

The Assembly of Spirits Presiding over Day: Able to Give Rise to Faith and Understanding in the Wondrous Dharma, Diligently Adorning the Palace

There were also measureless spirits presiding over day, namely: the day-presiding spirit Manifesting Palaces, the day-presiding spirit Arousing the Fragrance of Wisdom, the day-presiding spirit Delighting in Supreme Adornment, the day-presiding spirit Fragrant Flower Wondrous Light, the day-presiding spirit Universally Gathering Wondrous Medicines, the day-presiding spirit Delighting to Make the Eyes Glad, the day-presiding spirit Universally Appearing in All Directions, the day-presiding spirit Great Compassion Radiance, the day-presiding spirit Light of Wholesome Roots Shining, the day-presiding spirit Wondrous Flower Garlands…. With spirits such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they were all able to give rise to faith and understanding in the wondrous Dharma, and constantly together, with diligence, adorned and embellished the palace.

The Assembly of Asura Kings: Diligently Crushing and Subduing Self-Conceit and All the Afflictions

There were also measureless asura kings, namely: the asura king Rāhu, the asura king Vemacitra, the asura king Skilled in Illusion-Craft, the asura king Great Retinue, the asura king Great Strength, the asura king Universally Illumining, the asura king Firm Practice and Wondrous Adornment, the asura king Vast Causal Wisdom, the asura king Manifesting Supreme Virtue, the asura king Lovely and Excellent Voice…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they had all already diligently crushed and subdued self-conceit and all manner of afflictions.

The Assembly of Garuḍa Kings: Accomplishing the Great Power of Skillful Means, Well Able to Rescue and Gather In Sentient Beings

There were also garuḍa kings, inconceivable in number, namely: the garuḍa king Great Swift Strength, the garuḍa king Indestructible Jewel Topknot, the garuḍa king Pure and Swift, the garuḍa king Mind of Non-Retrogression, the garuḍa king Power to Grasp and Uphold in the Great Sea, the garuḍa king Firm Pure Light, the garuḍa king Skillfully Adorned Crown-Topknot, the garuḍa king Universally Nimble in Manifesting, the garuḍa king Universally Beholding the Sea, the garuḍa king Universal Sound Broad Eyes…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was inconceivable, and they had all already accomplished the vast power of skillful means, and were well able to rescue and gather in all sentient beings.

The Assembly of Kiṃnara Kings: Contemplating All Dharmas, Their Minds Constantly Glad

There were also measureless kiṃnara kings, namely: the kiṃnara king Good Wisdom Radiance Heaven, the kiṃnara king Wondrous Flower Banner, the kiṃnara king Manifold Adornment, the kiṃnara king Mind-Delighting Roar, the kiṃnara king Jewel-Tree Radiance, the kiṃnara king Gladdening Those Who See, the kiṃnara king Supreme Light Adornment, the kiṃnara king Subtle and Wondrous Flower Banner, the kiṃnara king Strength that Shakes the Earth, the kiṃnara king Subduing Evil Throngs…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently pressed onward, contemplating all dharmas, their minds constantly glad, sporting in freedom.

The Assembly of Mahoraga Kings: Causing Sentient Beings Forever to Cut Through the Net of Delusion

There were also measureless mahoraga kings, namely: the mahoraga king Good Wisdom, the mahoraga king Pure Majestic Voice, the mahoraga king Supreme Wisdom Adorned Topknot, the mahoraga king Lord of Wondrous Eyes, the mahoraga king Like a Lamp-Banner to Whom the Throng Turns, the mahoraga king Supreme Radiance Banner, the mahoraga king Lion's Breast, the mahoraga king Voice of Manifold Wondrous Adornment, the mahoraga king Firm as Sumeru, the mahoraga king Delightful Radiance…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently cultivated vast skillful means, causing sentient beings forever to cut through the net of delusion.

The Assembly of Yakṣa Kings: Diligently Guarding All Sentient Beings

There were also measureless yakṣa kings, namely: the yakṣa king Vaiśravaṇa, the yakṣa king Sovereign Voice, the yakṣa king Bearing Weapons in Array, the yakṣa king Great Wisdom, the yakṣa king Lord of Flame Eyes, the yakṣa king Vajra Eyes, the yakṣa king Valiant Strong Arms, the yakṣa king Valiant Against Great Armies, the yakṣa king Rich in Goods and Wealth, the yakṣa king Strength that Breaks High Mountains…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently guarded all sentient beings.

The Assembly of Great Dragon Kings: Raising Clouds and Spreading Rain, Extinguishing the Burning Distress of Sentient Beings

There were also measureless great dragon kings, namely: the dragon king Virūpākṣa, the dragon king Sāgara, the dragon king Cloud Sound Wondrous Banner, the dragon king Flame-Mouth Sea Light, the dragon king Universally Lofty Cloud Banner, the dragon king Takṣaka, the dragon king Boundless Stride, the dragon king Pure Form, the dragon king Universally Conveying a Great Voice, the dragon king Free of Burning Distress…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and there was not one of them but diligently exerted itself to raise clouds and spread rain, causing the burning distress of sentient beings to be extinguished.

The Assembly of Kumbhāṇḍa Kings: Diligently Studying the Unobstructed Dharma-Gate and Emitting Great Radiance

There were also measureless kumbhāṇḍa kings, namely: the kumbhāṇḍa king Growth, the kumbhāṇḍa king Lord of Nāgas, the kumbhāṇḍa king Well-Adorned Banner, the kumbhāṇḍa king Universally Beneficial Conduct, the kumbhāṇḍa king Exceedingly Fearsome, the kumbhāṇḍa king Beautiful Eyes and Upright Dignity, the kumbhāṇḍa king Wisdom of the High Peak, the kumbhāṇḍa king Valiant Strong Arms, the kumbhāṇḍa king Boundless Pure Flower Eyes, the kumbhāṇḍa king Vast Heavenly Face with Asura Eyes…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently studied and cultivated the dharma-gate of no obstruction, and emitted great radiance.

The Assembly of Gandharva Kings: Giving Rise to Deep Faith and Understanding in the Great Dharma, Cultivating Diligently and Untiringly

There were also measureless gandharva kings, namely: the gandharva king Upholder of the Realm, the gandharva king Tree Light, the gandharva king Pure Eyes, the gandharva king Flower Crown, the gandharva king Universal Sound, the gandharva king Delighting to Move Wondrous Eyes, the gandharva king Wondrous Sound Lion Banner, the gandharva king Universally Emitting Jewel Radiance, the gandharva king Vajra Tree-Flower Banner, the gandharva king Delighting to Manifest Adornment Everywhere…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all gave rise to deep faith and understanding in the great Dharma, rejoicing in it and holding it dear, cultivating diligently and without weariness.

The Assembly of Divine Sons of the Moon: Diligently Disclosing the Jewel in the Minds of Sentient Beings

There were also measureless divine sons of the moon, namely the divine son of the Moon, the divine son Flower-King Topknot Radiance, the divine son Manifold Wondrous Pure Radiance, the divine son Mind that Brings Ease to the World, the divine son Radiance of the Eyes of the Tree King, the divine son Manifesting Pure Light, the divine son Universally Roaming Unmoving Light, the divine son Sovereign King of the Constellations, the divine son Pure Awakening Moon, the divine son Great Majestic Virtue Radiance…. With divine sons such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently disclosed and brought to light the jewel within the minds of sentient beings.

The Assembly of Divine Sons of the Sun: Benefiting Sentient Beings and Increasing Their Wholesome Roots

There were also measureless divine sons of the sun, namely the divine son of the Sun, the divine son Flame-Light Eyes, the divine son Sumeru Light Awe-Inspiring Banner, the divine son Stainless Jewel Adornment, the divine son Valiant and Non-Retrogressing, the divine son Wondrous Flower-Garland Radiance, the divine son Supreme Banner Radiance, the divine son Jewel Topknot Universal Radiance, the divine son Radiant Eyes, the divine son Upholding Supreme Virtue, the divine son Universal Radiance…. With divine sons such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently cultivated, benefiting sentient beings and increasing their wholesome roots.

The Assembly of Kings of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three: Diligently Setting in Motion the Vast Undertakings of the World

There were also measureless kings of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, namely: the heaven king Śakra Indra, the heaven king Universal Renown Full Voice, the heaven king Kindly Eyes Jewel Topknot, the heaven king Jewel-Light Banner Renown, the heaven king Topknot Giving Rise to Joy and Delight, the heaven king Delightful Right Mindfulness, the heaven king Sumeru Supreme Voice, the heaven king Accomplished Mindfulness, the heaven king Delightful Pure Flower Light, the heaven king Wisdom-Sun Eyes, the heaven king Sovereign Radiance Able to Awaken…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently set in motion the vast undertakings of every world.

The Assembly of Kings of the Suyāma Heaven: Cultivating Vast Wholesome Roots, Their Minds Constantly Glad and Content

There were also measureless kings of the Suyāma Heaven, namely: the heaven king Good Divisions of Time, the heaven king Delightful Radiance, the heaven king Inexhaustible Wisdom Merit Banner, the heaven king Well-Transforming and Upright in Dignity, the heaven king Total Retention Great Radiance, the heaven king Inconceivable Wisdom, the heaven king Wheel Teeth, the heaven king Light-Flame, the heaven king Light Illumining, the heaven king Universally Observing Great Renown…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently cultivated vast wholesome roots, their minds constantly glad and content.

The Assembly of Kings of the Tuṣita Heaven: Diligently Recollecting and Upholding the Names of the Buddhas

There were also kings of the Tuṣita Heaven, inconceivable in number, namely: the heaven king Contentment, the heaven king Sea of Joy and Delight Topknot, the heaven king Supreme Merit Banner, the heaven king Still Light, the heaven king Delightful Wondrous Eyes, the heaven king Jewel Peak Pure Moon, the heaven king Supreme Valiant Strength, the heaven king Vajra Wondrous Radiance, the heaven king Constellation Adornment Banner, the heaven king Delightful Adornment…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was inconceivable, and they all diligently recollected and upheld every name possessed by all the buddhas.

The Assembly of Kings of the Heaven of Delight in Emanations: Taming All Sentient Beings and Causing Them to Attain Liberation

There were also measureless kings of the Heaven of Delight in Emanations, namely: the heaven king Well-Transforming, the heaven king Still Sound Radiance, the heaven king Radiance of Transforming Power, the heaven king Lord of Adornment, the heaven king Mindfulness Light, the heaven king Supreme Cloud Sound, the heaven king Manifold Wondrous Supreme Light, the heaven king Wondrous Topknot Radiance, the heaven king Accomplished Joyful Wisdom, the heaven king Flower-Light Topknot, the heaven king Universally Seeing the Ten Directions…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently tamed all sentient beings, causing them to attain liberation.

The Assembly of Kings of the Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Others' Emanations: Cultivating the Vast Dharma-Gate of Sovereign Skillful Means

There were also innumerable kings of the Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Others' Emanations, namely: the heaven king Attained Sovereignty, the heaven king Lord of Wondrous Eyes, the heaven king Wondrous Crown Banner, the heaven king Valiant Wisdom, the heaven king Wondrous Melodic Phrases, the heaven king Wondrous Light Banner, the heaven king Gate of the Still Realm, the heaven king Wondrous Wheel Adornment Banner, the heaven king Sovereign in the Wisdom of Flower-Stamens, the heaven king Indra-Strength Wondrous Adornment Radiance…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all diligently cultivated the vast dharma-gate of sovereign skillful means.

The Assembly of Kings of the Great Brahmā Heaven: Complete in Great Loving-Kindness, Taking Pity on Sentient Beings

There were also kings of the Great Brahmā Heaven beyond all reckoning, namely: the heaven king Śikhin, the heaven king Wisdom Light, the heaven king Good Wisdom Radiance, the heaven king Universal Cloud Sound, the heaven king Sovereign in Beholding the Speech and Sound of the World, the heaven king Still Radiant Eyes, the heaven king Light Pervading the Ten Directions, the heaven king Transforming Voice, the heaven king Eyes of Shining Radiance, the heaven king Mind-Delighting Sea Sound…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was beyond all reckoning, and they were all complete in great loving-kindness, taking pity on sentient beings, unfolding their light to shine universally, and causing sentient beings to attain gladness.

The Assembly of Kings of the Heaven of Radiant Sound: Abiding in the Unobstructed Dharma-Gate of Vast Stillness and Joyful Ease

There were also measureless kings of the Heaven of Radiant Sound, namely: the heaven king Delightful Radiance, the heaven king Pure Wondrous Light, the heaven king Voice of Attained Sovereignty, the heaven king Supreme Mindful Wisdom, the heaven king Delightful Pure Wondrous Voice, the heaven king Voice of Good Reflection, the heaven king Universal Sound Shining Everywhere, the heaven king Profound Radiant Sound, the heaven king Stainless Renown Radiance, the heaven king Supreme Pure Light…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they all abided within the dharma-gate that is vast and still, glad and at ease, and without obstruction.

The Assembly of Kings of the Universally Pure Heaven: Abiding in the Vast Dharma-Gate, Diligently Working Benefit in the Worlds

There were also measureless kings of the Universally Pure Heaven, namely: the heaven king Pure Renown, the heaven king Supreme Seeing, the heaven king Still Virtue, the heaven king Sumeru Voice, the heaven king Pure Mindful Eyes, the heaven king Delightful Supreme Light Shining, the heaven king Sovereign Lord of the World, the heaven king Sovereign Light-Flame, the heaven king Delighting to Reflect on Dharma and to Transform, the heaven king Transformation Banner, the heaven king Constellation Voice Wondrous Adornment…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and they had all already come to abide in the vast dharma-gate, and within the various worlds diligently raised up benefit.

The Assembly of Kings of the Heaven of Vast Fruit: Taking the Dharma of Stillness as Their Palace and Abiding Therein

There were also measureless kings of the Heaven of Vast Fruit, namely: the heaven king Banner of Radiance in Delight for the Dharma, the heaven king Pure Adornment Sea, the heaven king Supreme Wisdom Radiance, the heaven king Sovereign Wisdom Banner, the heaven king Delighting in Stillness, the heaven king Universal Wisdom Eyes, the heaven king Delighting in Turning Wisdom, the heaven king Radiance of Well-Sown Wisdom, the heaven king Stainless Still Light, the heaven king Vast Pure Light…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was measureless, and there was not one of them but took the dharma of stillness as its palace and abided therein.

The Assembly of Kings of the Great Sovereign Heaven: Contemplating the Dharma of No Marks, Equal in All They Do

There were also innumerable kings of the Great Sovereign Heaven, namely: the heaven king Wondrous Flame Sea, the heaven king Sovereign Renown Light, the heaven king Pure Merit Eyes, the heaven king Delightful Great Wisdom, the heaven king Sovereign Unmoving Light, the heaven king Wondrously Adorned Eyes, the heaven king Radiance of Good Reflection, the heaven king Delightful Great Knowledge, the heaven king Universal Sound Adornment Banner, the heaven king Utmost Vigor Renown Light…. With kings such as these as their heads, their number was beyond all reckoning, and they all diligently contemplated the dharma of no marks, and were equal in all they did.

Summary: The Ocean of the Assembly Gathers Like Clouds, and Each Obtains a Single Gate

At that time the great assembly gathered in the Tathāgata’s place of practice was like an ocean, and it had already gathered wholly together like clouds; boundless and without limit were its kinds and classes, ringing him about and filling every place; their shapes, their colors, their companies, and their followings were each and all different; and following the direction from which each had come, they drew near to the World-Honored One and with a single mind gazed up at him.

These assembled multitudes had already left behind all afflictions, all defilements upon the mind, and the residual habits besides; they had smashed the mountain built of heavy obstructions, and they saw the Buddha with nothing obstructing them. That they were so was in every case because the Tathāgata Vairocana, in ages past, throughout kalpas as long as an ocean cultivating the practice of a bodhisattva, had gathered them in of old by the four means of gathering (giving, kind speech, beneficial conduct, and working alongside — the four ways of drawing sentient beings in); because, at the time when they were planting roots of goodness in the presence of one buddha after another, he had already skillfully upheld every kind of skillful means, teaching and transforming them, bringing them to ripeness, and settling them upon the path of omniscience; because they had sown measureless goodness and won abundant great merit, and had all entered into the ocean of vows that is skillful means; because the practice they cultivated was complete and pure; because, as to the path of going forth, they were already able to go forth skillfully; because they constantly saw the Buddha, plainly and with clear discernment; and because, by the power of a surpassing faith and understanding, they had entered the great ocean of the Tathāgata’s merit, obtained the gate of liberation of the buddhas, and disported themselves with supernormal powers within it. What they obtained is as follows —

Assembly One, the Heaven of Sovereignty: Ten God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Wondrous Flame Ocean Speaks the Verses

The great sovereign god-king Wondrous Flame Ocean obtained the gate of liberation of the power of the still and quiet skillful means of the Dharma realm and the realm of space; the god-king Sovereign Renown Light obtained the gate of liberation of universally contemplating all dharmas and being wholly sovereign over them; the god-king Pure Merit Eye obtained the gate of liberation of knowing that all dharmas neither arise nor cease, neither come nor go, and are the practice that requires no effort (that which is accomplished of itself without deliberate contriving); the god-king Delightful Great Wisdom obtained the gate of liberation of the ocean of wisdom that directly beholds the true character of all dharmas; the god-king Unmoving Light Sovereign obtained the gate of liberation of the concentration of great skillful means that bestows boundless ease and joy upon sentient beings; the god-king Wondrous Adornment Eye obtained the gate of liberation of causing sentient beings to contemplate the still and quiet dharma and to extinguish every kind of delusion, darkness, and fear; the god-king Good Contemplation Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of skillfully entering boundless realms while giving rise to no act of thinking belonging to any state of existence; the god-king Delightful Great Knowledge obtained the gate of liberation of universally going to the ten directions to speak the Dharma while remaining unmoved and without anything to rest upon; the god-king Universal Sound Adornment Banner obtained the gate of liberation of entering the Buddha’s still and quiet realm and universally manifesting radiance; the god-king Renown Light Good Diligence obtained the gate of liberation of abiding in the place of his own awakening while taking boundless and vast realms as his object.

At that time the god-king Wondrous Flame Ocean, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the gods of Sovereignty and spoke these verses:

“The Buddha’s body is universally present in every great assembly, filling the Dharma realm without exhaustion; he is quiescent, without own-nature, and cannot be grasped, and yet to save the world he has appeared.

“The Tathāgata is the king among dharmas, appearing in the world, and he can light the wondrous lamp of Dharma that illumines the world; his realm is boundless and also without exhaustion — this is what the god-king Sovereign Renown Light has realized.

“The Buddha is inconceivable and apart from discrimination; he has fathomed that the characteristics of the ten directions are of themselves nothing at all, and for the world he opens wide the pure path — such a realm the god-king Pure Merit Eye is able to behold.

“The Tathāgata’s wisdom has no boundary, and no world at all can take its measure; forever he extinguishes the deluded and darkened minds of sentient beings — the god-king Delightful Great Wisdom enters into this and abides in it deeply.

“The Tathāgata’s merit is inconceivable; the afflictions of those sentient beings who see him are extinguished, and universally he causes the world to obtain ease and joy — the god-king Unmoving Light Sovereign is able to see it.

“Sentient beings are long deluded and covered over by delusion and darkness, and the Tathāgata proclaims for them the still and quiet dharma; this is the lamp of wisdom that illumines the world — the god-king Wondrous Adornment Eye is able to know this skillful means.

“The Tathāgata’s pure and wondrous form-body appears universally in the ten directions beyond all comparison, and this body has no own-nature and no place to rest — it is precisely this that the god-king Good Contemplation Radiance observes.

“The Tathāgata’s voice has no bound or barrier, and there is none fit to be transformed who does not hear it, and yet the Buddha is silent and constantly unmoved — this is the liberation of the god-king Delightful Great Knowledge.

“The still and quiet, liberated lord of gods and men is present in every one of the ten directions, and his radiance shines and fills the world — this unobstructed dharma is what the god-king Universal Sound Adornment Banner sees.

“Through boundless great oceans of kalpas the Buddha, for the sake of sentient beings, sought awakening, and with every kind of supernormal power he teaches and transforms all — this is the dharma into which the god-king Renown Light has awakened.”

Assembly Two, the Heaven of Lesser Extent and the Rest: Ten God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Delightful Dharma Radiance Banner Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Delightful Dharma Radiance Banner obtained the gate of liberation of universally observing the faculties of all sentient beings and speaking the Dharma for them so as to cut off their doubts; the god-king Pure Adornment Ocean obtained the gate of liberation of causing one to see the Buddha as soon as one calls him to mind; the god-king Supreme Wisdom Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of the adorned body wherein the nature of dharmas is equal and rests upon nothing; the god-king Sovereign Wisdom Banner obtained the gate of liberation of knowing that all the dharmas of the world establish within a single thought an inconceivable ocean of adornment; the god-king Delighting in Stillness obtained the gate of liberation of manifesting inconceivable buddha-lands within a single pore without any obstruction; the god-king Universal Knowledge Eye obtained the gate of liberation of entering the universal gate and observing the Dharma realm; the god-king Delighting in Revolving Wisdom obtained the gate of liberation of appearing in every sort of way for all sentient beings and being constantly present before them through boundless kalpas; the god-king Good Seed Wisdom Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of contemplating all the realms of the world and entering into the inconceivable dharma; the god-king Stainless Still Light obtained the gate of liberation of revealing to all sentient beings the dharma that is the essential road out; the god-king Vast Pure Light obtained the gate of liberation of observing all sentient beings who ought to be transformed and causing them to enter the Buddha’s Dharma.

At that time the god-king Delightful Dharma Radiance Banner, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the Heaven of Lesser Extent, the Heaven of Measureless Extent, and the Heaven of Extensive Fruit, and spoke these verses:

“The realm of the buddhas is inconceivable, and no sentient being at all can take its measure, and yet universally he causes faith and understanding to arise in their minds, and their vast delight is without exhaustion.

“If there are sentient beings fit to receive the Dharma, the Buddha with his majestic and spiritual power guides them, causing them constantly to see the Buddha present before their eyes — this is how the god-king Pure Adornment Ocean sees it.

“The nature of all dharmas rests upon nothing, and the Buddha’s appearing in the world is likewise so; universally he is within every state of existence while having no place to rest — this meaning the god-king Supreme Wisdom Radiance is able to observe.

“Following upon what the minds of sentient beings desire, the Buddha by the power of supernormal penetration can manifest it all, each and every one distinct and inconceivable — this is the ocean of liberation of the god-king Sovereign Wisdom Banner.

“All the lands there have been in the past are wholly manifested within a single pore; this is the great supernormal power of the buddhas — the god-king Delighting in Stillness is able to proclaim it.

“All the gates of Dharma are inexhaustible as an ocean and meet together within the place of practice of a single dharma; such a nature of dharmas is what the Buddha proclaims — the god-king Universal Knowledge Eye is able to understand this skillful means.

“In all the lands there are in the ten directions the Buddha is present within them and speaks the Dharma, and the Buddha’s body neither goes nor comes — this is the realm of the god-king Delighting in Revolving Wisdom.

“The Buddha contemplates the dharmas of the world as though they were light and shadow, and he enters deeply into that most profound and hidden place, and says that the nature of dharmas is constantly of itself quiescent — the god-king Good Seed Wisdom Radiance is able to see this.

“The Buddha skillfully knows every kind of realm, and following the faculties of sentient beings he sends down the rain of Dharma, opening for them the gate of the essential way out that is hard to conceive — this god-king Stainless Still Light is able to awaken to it.

“The World-Honored One constantly with great compassion appears in order to benefit sentient beings, and equally sends down the rain of Dharma, filling each of their vessels — the god-king Vast Pure Light is able to expound it.”

Assembly Three, the Heaven of Lesser Purity and the Rest: Eleven God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Pure Wisdom Renown Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Pure Wisdom Renown obtained the gate of liberation of the skillful means of fathoming the path of liberation of all sentient beings; the god-king Supreme Seeing obtained the gate of liberation of universally manifesting, like light and shadow, in accordance with what all the hosts of gods delight in; the god-king Still Virtue obtained the gate of liberation of the great skillful means of universally adorning and purifying all the realms of the buddhas; the god-king Sumeru Sound obtained the gate of liberation of following sentient beings who forever revolve within the ocean of birth and death; the god-king Pure Mindfulness Eye obtained the gate of liberation of calling to mind the Tathāgata’s practice of taming and training sentient beings; the god-king Delightful Universal Illumination obtained the gate of liberation of that which streams forth from the ocean of the dhāraṇī of the universal gate (the total holding of all things without forgetting them); the god-king Sovereign Lord of the World obtained the gate of liberation of being able to cause sentient beings to meet with a buddha and to give rise to the treasury of faith; the god-king Radiant Flame Sovereign obtained the gate of liberation of being able to cause all sentient beings, upon hearing the Dharma, to believe and accept it, to rejoice, and to go forth; the god-king Delighting in Contemplating the Transformations of Dharma obtained the gate of liberation of entering the taming and training practice of all bodhisattvas, which like space is boundless and inexhaustible; the god-king Transformation Banner obtained the gate of liberation of contemplating the measureless afflictions of sentient beings and universally raising up compassion and wisdom; the god-king Constellation Sound Wondrous Adornment obtained the gate of liberation of sending forth light and manifesting the Buddha’s gathering and transforming by the three wheels (the three functions of teaching: body, speech, and mind).

At that time the god-king Pure Wisdom Renown, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the Heaven of Lesser Purity, the Heaven of Measureless Purity, and the Heaven of Universal Purity, and spoke these verses:

“He who knows the nature of dharmas and has no obstruction appears universally in measureless lands of the ten directions, and proclaims that the Buddha’s realm is inconceivable, causing the great assembly alike to come home to the ocean of liberation.

“The Tathāgata dwells in the world with nothing to rest upon, as light and shadow appear in a multitude of lands, and the nature of dharmas ultimately has no arising — this is the gate that the god-king Supreme Seeing has entered.

“Throughout measureless oceans of kalpas he cultivates skillful means, universally purifying the lands of the ten directions, while the Dharma realm, just as it is, is constantly unmoved — this is what the god-king Still Virtue has awakened to.

“Sentient beings are covered and obstructed by delusion, and blind and darkened they constantly dwell in birth and death, and the Tathāgata with the pure path reveals it to them — this is the liberation of the god-king Sumeru Sound.

“The unsurpassed path that the buddhas walk no sentient being at all can take the measure of, and so the Buddha with every kind of gate of skillful means reveals it — the god-king Pure Mindfulness Eye contemplates it truly and is able to know it entirely.

“The Tathāgata constantly with the gate of total holding, like the dust-motes of the oceans of lands in number, instructs sentient beings and reaches them all — the god-king Universal Illumination is able to enter into this.

“The Tathāgata’s appearing in the world is exceedingly hard to encounter — through measureless oceans of kalpas one meets it once — and yet he can cause sentient beings to give rise to faith and understanding — this is what the god-king Sovereign Lord of the World has obtained.

“The Buddha says that the nature of dharmas is wholly without own-nature, profound and vast and inconceivable, and universally he causes sentient beings to give rise to pure faith — the god-king Radiant Flame Sovereign is able to know it skillfully.

“The merit of the tathāgatas of the three times is complete, and their teaching and transforming of the realm of sentient beings is inconceivable; contemplating this, gladness arises — such a realm the god-king Delighting in Contemplating the Transformations of Dharma is able to set forth.

“Sentient beings are sunk within the ocean of afflictions, and delusion and the turbidity of views are exceedingly fearful; the great master pities them and causes them forever to go forth — this is the realm the god-king Transformation Banner contemplates.

“The Tathāgata constantly sends forth great radiance, and within each single light there are measureless buddhas, and each of them manifests the work of teaching and transforming sentient beings — this is the gate that the god-king Constellation Sound Wondrous Adornment has entered.”

Assembly Four, the Heaven of Lesser Light and the Rest: Ten God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Delightful Radiance Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Delightful Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of constantly receiving the joy of stillness while yet being able to descend and appear and extinguish the sufferings of the world; the god-king Pure Wondrous Light obtained the gate of liberation of the ocean that corresponds to the mind of great compassion and becomes the treasury of joy and delight for all sentient beings; the god-king Sovereign Sound obtained the gate of liberation of universally manifesting within a single thought the power of the merit of all sentient beings throughout boundless kalpas; the god-king Supreme Mindfulness Knowledge obtained the gate of liberation of universally causing all the worlds that form, abide, and decay to be wholly as pure as space; the god-king Delightful Pure Wondrous Sound obtained the gate of liberation of loving, delighting in, believing, and accepting the dharma of all the noble ones; the god-king Good Contemplation Sound obtained the gate of liberation of being able to abide through kalpas expounding the meaning of all the grounds together with their skillful means; the god-king Proclaiming Adornment Sound obtained the gate of liberation of the skillful means of the great offering made when all bodhisattvas pass away from the palace of the Tuṣita heaven and descend to be born; the god-king Profound Light Sound obtained the gate of liberation of contemplating the ocean of inexhaustible supernormal powers and wisdom; the god-king Vast Renown obtained the gate of liberation of the power of skillful means whereby the ocean of the merit of all buddhas is fulfilled and he appears in the world; the god-king Supreme Pure Light obtained the gate of liberation of the treasury of deep faith and delight brought forth by the power of the Tathāgata’s vows of old.

At that time the god-king Delightful Radiance, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the Heaven of Lesser Light, the Heaven of Measureless Light, and the Heaven of Utmost Light, and spoke these verses:

“I call to mind what the Tathāgata practiced of old, serving and making offerings to boundless buddhas, and, as the pure karma formed by that original faith, by the Buddha’s majestic power today I see it all.

“The Buddha’s body is without characteristics and apart from every defilement, and constantly it abides in the ground of compassionate pity, and the griefs and troubles of the world it causes all to be removed — this is the liberation of the god-king Pure Wondrous Light.

“The Buddha’s Dharma is vast and has no shore, and all the oceans of lands appear within it, and as they form and as they decay each is different — this is the power of liberation of the god-king Sovereign Sound.

“The Buddha’s power of supernormal penetration is beyond compare; universally he manifests the vast lands of the ten directions, and causes them all to be adorned and pure and constantly present — this is the skillful means of the liberation of the god-king Supreme Mindfulness Knowledge.

“All the tathāgatas, like the dust-motes of the oceans of lands in number, he reverently serves them all, hearing the Dharma and leaving defilement behind without wasting the effort — this is the working of the Dharma-gate of the god-king Delightful Pure Wondrous Sound.

“Through measureless great oceans of kalpas the Buddha proclaims the skillful means of the grounds beyond compare, and what he says is boundless and without exhaustion — the god-king Good Contemplation Sound knows this meaning.

“The Tathāgata’s spiritual transformations have measureless gates, and in a single thought they appear in every place; the descending of the spirit and the accomplishing of the path are the great skillful means — this is the liberation of the god-king Proclaiming Adornment Sound.

“Sustained by his majestic power one is able to expound, and moreover to manifest the deeds of the supernormal powers of the buddhas, and following the faculties and the wishes of sentient beings to cause them all to be pure — this is the gate of liberation of the god-king Profound Light Sound.

“The Tathāgata’s wisdom has no boundary; within the world he has no equal and is attached to nothing, and his kindly mind responds to things and is universally present — the god-king Vast Renown has awakened to just this path.

“The Buddha of old cultivated the practice of awakening, making offerings to all the buddhas of the ten directions, and in the presence of each single buddha raised up the mind of vowing — the god-king Supreme Pure Light heard it and gave rise to great joy.”

Assembly Five, the Brahmā Heaven: Ten Brahmā-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the Great Brahmā-King Śikhin Speaks the Verses

Next, the Brahmā-king Śikhin obtained the gate of liberation of universally abiding within the places of practice of the ten directions and speaking the Dharma, his conduct pure and stained by nothing; the Brahmā-king Wisdom Light obtained the gate of liberation of causing all sentient beings to enter the samādhi of meditative concentration and to abide therein; the Brahmā-king Good Contemplation Wisdom Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of universally entering all inconceivable dharmas; the Brahmā-king Universal Cloud Sound obtained the gate of liberation of entering the ocean of all the voices of the buddhas; the Brahmā-king Sovereign in Contemplating the Words and Sounds of the World obtained the gate of liberation of being able to call to mind the skillful means by which bodhisattvas teach and transform all sentient beings; the Brahmā-king Still Radiance Eye obtained the gate of liberation of manifesting the characteristics of the recompense of deeds in all the worlds, each and every one distinct; the Brahmā-king Universal Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of appearing before and taming and training all the classes and kinds of sentient beings according to their differences; the Brahmā-king Transformation Sound obtained the gate of liberation of the realm of abiding in the pure characteristic of all dharmas and in the practice of quiescence; the Brahmā-king Shining Eye obtained the gate of liberation of being attached to nothing among all the states of existence, having no boundary, resting upon nothing, and yet constantly and diligently appearing; the Brahmā-king Delightful Ocean Sound obtained the gate of liberation of constantly contemplating and considering the inexhaustible dharma.

At that time the great Brahmā-king Śikhin, sustained by the Buddha’s spiritual power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the Heaven of the Brahmā-Body, the Heaven of Brahmā’s Ministers, the Heaven of Brahmā’s Retinue, and the Heaven of Great Brahmā, and spoke these verses:

“The Buddha’s body is pure and constantly of itself quiescent, and its radiance shines throughout the world; without characteristic, without activity, without image — it is like a cloud in the sky, and just so is he to be seen.

“The Buddha’s body being thus is the realm of meditative concentration, and no sentient being at all can take its measure, and yet for them he reveals the gate of skillful means that is hard to conceive — this is what the Brahmā-king Wisdom Light has awakened to.

“The oceans of the gates of Dharma, like the dust-motes of the buddha-lands in number, a single utterance expounds to the end and nothing is left over, and expounding thus through oceans of kalpas it is still not exhausted — this is the liberation of the Brahmā-king Good Contemplation Wisdom Radiance.

“The perfect voice of the buddhas is equal to the world, and sentient beings each according to their kind obtain understanding, and yet the Buddha makes no discrimination as to sound — thus has the Brahmā-king Universal Cloud Sound awakened.

“All the tathāgatas of the three times, and the skillful practices by which they proceed toward awakening, are all made manifest within the Buddha’s body — this is the liberation of the Brahmā-king Sovereign in Contemplating the Words and Sounds of the World.

“The deeds of all sentient beings are each different, and following upon their causes they feel every kind of difference; the world being so, the Buddha can manifest it all — the Brahmā-king Still Radiance Eye is able to awaken to this.

“Measureless gates of Dharma are all sovereign, taming and training sentient beings throughout the ten directions, and yet within them he gives rise to no discrimination — this is the realm of the Brahmā-king Universal Radiance.

“The Buddha’s body, like space, cannot be exhausted; without characteristic, without obstruction, it reaches throughout the ten directions, and all its responsive appearings are as transformations — the Brahmā-king Transformation Sound has awakened to just this path.

“The Tathāgata’s bodily characteristics have no boundary, and his wisdom and his voice are likewise so; he dwells in the world manifesting form while attached to nothing — this is the gate that the Brahmā-king Shining Eye has entered.

“The Dharma King is settled in the wondrous palace of Dharma, and the radiance of the dharma-body shines upon all without exception, and the nature of dharmas is beyond compare and without any characteristics — this is the liberation of the Brahmā-king Delightful Ocean Sound.”

Assembly Six, the Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Others’ Emanations: Ten God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Sovereign Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Sovereign obtained the gate of liberation of the sovereign treasury that brings measureless sentient beings to ripeness in his very presence; the god-king Good Eye Lord obtained the gate of liberation of observing what all sentient beings delight in and causing them to enter the delight of the realm of the noble ones; the god-king Wondrous Jewel Banner Crown obtained the gate of liberation of causing sentient beings to take up practice in accordance with their every kind of desire, delight, and resolved understanding; the god-king Valiant Wisdom obtained the gate of liberation of universally upholding the meaning of what is spoken for all sentient beings; the god-king Wondrous Sound Phrase obtained the gate of liberation of calling to mind the Tathāgata’s vast and great mind of kindness and thereby advancing in his own practice; the god-king Wondrous Light Banner obtained the gate of liberation of manifesting the gate of great compassion and smashing down every banner of arrogance; the god-king Still Realm obtained the gate of liberation of taming and training the minds of anger and harm in all the world; the god-king Wondrous Wheel Adornment Banner obtained the gate of liberation whereby the boundless buddhas of the ten directions all come at the calling of mind; the god-king Flower Light Wisdom obtained the gate of liberation of universally manifesting the accomplishing of perfect awakening in accordance with the thoughts of sentient beings; the god-king Indra Wondrous Light obtained the gate of liberation of universally entering the dharma of great majestic power and sovereignty in all the world.

At that time the god-king Sovereign, sustained by the Buddha’s majesty and spiritual power, contemplated throughout all the hosts of the gods of Sovereignty and spoke these verses:

“The Buddha’s body pervades all and is equal to the Dharma realm, universally responding and appearing before sentient beings, and with every kind of gate of instruction he constantly teaches and leads them, sovereign over dharmas and able to awaken sentient beings.

“Of all the joys there are in the world, the quiescent joy of the noble ones is the most excellent, abiding within the vast nature of dharmas — the god-king Good Eye Lord has beheld this.

“The Tathāgata appears throughout the ten directions, universally responding to the minds of the multitude and speaking the Dharma, and every thought of doubt is entirely cut off — this is the gate of liberation of the god-king Wondrous Jewel Banner Crown.

“The buddhas throughout the world send forth a wondrous sound, and the Dharma spoken through measureless kalpas can be spoken to the end in a single utterance — this is the liberation of the god-king Valiant Wisdom.

“All the vast minds of kindness there are in the world do not come up to a single hair’s portion of the Tathāgata’s, for the Buddha’s mind of kindness is like space and cannot be exhausted — this is what the god-king Wondrous Sound Phrase has obtained.

“The arrogance of all sentient beings is like a high mountain, and by the ten powers it is smashed and destroyed without remainder; this is the working of the Tathāgata’s great compassion — it is the path that the god-king Wondrous Light Banner walks.

“The radiance of wisdom is pure and fills the world, and if there are those who see it they cast off delusion and darkness, and it causes them to leave the evil destinies far behind — the god-king Still Realm has awakened to this dharma.

“The radiance of the pores can expound the names of buddhas equal in number to sentient beings, and following upon what they delight in they all get to hear them — this is the liberation of the god-king Wondrous Wheel Adornment Banner.

“The Tathāgata’s sovereignty cannot be measured; the Dharma realm and space are wholly filled by it, and all the assembled multitude are able to understand and see it — this gate of liberation is what the god-king Flower Light Wisdom has entered.

“Throughout measureless and boundless great oceans of kalpas he universally appears in the ten directions and speaks the Dharma, and yet the Buddha has never been seen to come or go — this is what the god-king Indra Wondrous Light has awakened to.”

Assembly Seven, the Heaven of Delight in Emanations: Eleven God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Good Transformation Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Good Transformation obtained the gate of liberation of revealing the power of transformation of all deeds; the god-king Still Sound Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of casting off every clinging to conditions; the god-king Power of Transformation Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of universally extinguishing the deluded and darkened minds of all sentient beings and causing their wisdom to be complete; the god-king Adornment Lord obtained the gate of liberation of manifesting boundless sounds that gladden the mind; the god-king Mindfulness Light obtained the gate of liberation of knowing the characteristics of the inexhaustible merit of all buddhas; the god-king Supreme Cloud Sound obtained the gate of liberation of universally knowing the sequence of the forming and decaying of all past kalpas; the god-king Excellent Light obtained the gate of liberation of awakening the knowing of all sentient beings; the god-king Wondrous Topknot obtained the gate of liberation of stretching forth radiance that swiftly fills the realm of space in the ten directions; the god-king Joyful Wisdom obtained the gate of liberation of the power of vigor wherein nothing that is done can be destroyed by anyone; the god-king Flower Light Topknot obtained the gate of liberation of knowing the recompense that all sentient beings undergo on account of their deeds; the god-king Universally Seeing the Ten Directions obtained the gate of liberation of manifesting the inconceivable differences of the shapes and kinds of sentient beings.

At that time the god-king Good Transformation, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the gods of Delight in Emanations and spoke these verses:

“The essential nature of the world’s deeds is inconceivable, and the Buddha reveals it all for the deluded throng, skillfully proclaiming the true principle of causes and conditions, together with the differing deeds of all sentient beings.

“Contemplate the Buddha in every way and he is nothing at all; seek him throughout the ten directions and he cannot be found; the dharma-body is manifested and has no substance — this is what the god-king Still Sound Radiance sees.

“Within oceans of kalpas the Buddha cultivated his practices in order to extinguish the deluded and darkened confusion of the world, and therefore he is pure and most illuminating — this is what the god-king Power of Transformation Radiance has awakened to in his mind.

“Of all the wondrous sounds there are in the world, there is none that can match the Tathāgata’s voice, and the Buddha with a single sound reaches throughout the ten directions — this is the liberation that the god-king Adornment Lord has entered.

“Of all the many powers of merit there are in the world, none is equal to a single characteristic of the Tathāgata, and the Tathāgata’s merit is like space — this is what the god-king Mindfulness Light has beheld.

“All the measureless kalpas of the three times, and the several appearances of their forming and their failing, the Buddha can manifest them all within a single pore — it is precisely this that the god-king Supreme Cloud Sound knows.

“The space of the ten directions can still be known in its measure, but the measure of the Buddha’s pores cannot be found; such non-obstruction is inconceivable — the god-king Wondrous Topknot has been able to awaken to it.

“Through measureless kalpas of old the Buddha fully cultivated the vast perfections (the practices that go to the further shore), diligently practicing with vigor and without weariness or sloth — the god-king Joyful Wisdom is able to know this Dharma-gate.

“The nature of deeds and their causes and conditions is inconceivable, and the Buddha expounds it all for the world, and the nature of dharmas is originally pure and without any defilements — this is the place of entry of the god-king Flower Light Topknot.

“You should contemplate a single pore of the Buddha: all sentient beings are wholly within it, and they neither come nor go — this is what the god-king Universally Seeing the Ten Directions knows.”

Assembly Eight, the Heaven of Contentment: Ten God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Contentment Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Contentment obtained the gate of liberation of all buddhas arising in the world and fulfilling the wheel of the teaching; the god-king Joy Ocean Topknot obtained the gate of liberation of the body of pure radiance that exhausts the realm of space; the god-king Supreme Merit Banner obtained the gate of liberation of the ocean of pure vows that extinguishes the sufferings of the world; the god-king Still Light obtained the gate of liberation of universally manifesting his body and speaking the Dharma; the god-king Good Eye obtained the gate of liberation of universally purifying the whole realm of sentient beings; the god-king Jewel Peak Moon obtained the gate of liberation of the inexhaustible treasury that universally teaches and transforms the world and is constantly present; the god-king Valiant Strength obtained the gate of liberation of revealing the realm of the perfect awakening of all buddhas; the god-king Vajra Wondrous Light obtained the gate of liberation of making firm the mind of awakening in all sentient beings so that it cannot be broken; the god-king Constellation Banner obtained the gate of liberation of the skillful means of drawing near and observing whenever any buddha arises, and of taming and training sentient beings; the god-king Wondrous Adornment obtained the gate of liberation of knowing within a single thought the minds of all sentient beings and appearing in response to their capacities.

At that time the god-king Contentment, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the gods of Contentment and spoke these verses:

“The Tathāgata is vast and reaches throughout the Dharma realm, and toward all sentient beings he is wholly equal, and universally responding to the feelings of the multitude he makes clear the wondrous gate, causing them to enter the pure dharma that is hard to conceive.

“The Buddha’s body universally appears in the ten directions, unattached, unobstructed, and not to be grasped, and every kind of form and image the world is able to see — this is what the god-king Joy Ocean Topknot has entered.

“The Tathāgata of old cultivated his practices, and his pure great vows were deep as the ocean, and all the Buddha’s dharmas he caused to be fulfilled — the god-king Supreme Merit Banner is able to know this skillful means.

“The Tathāgata’s dharma-body is inconceivable, and like a shadow dividing its form it is equal to the Dharma realm, making clear all dharmas in every place — this is the gate of liberation of the god-king Still Light.

“Sentient beings are bound and covered over by deeds and by delusion, arrogant and heedless, their thoughts running loose, and the Tathāgata proclaims for them the still and quiet dharma — the god-king Good Eye illumines and knows it, and his mind gives rise to gladness.

“The true guide of all the world appears in order to rescue and protect, in order to be a refuge, and universally he points sentient beings toward the place of ease and joy — the god-king Jewel Peak Moon is able to enter deeply into this.

“The realm of the buddhas is inconceivable, and it can pervade every Dharma realm; entering all dharmas he reaches the further shore — the god-king Valiant Strength sees this and gives rise to joy.

“If there are sentient beings fit to be transformed, hearing of the Buddha’s merit they turn toward awakening, and he causes them to abide in the ocean of merit constantly and of itself pure — the god-king Vajra Wondrous Light is able to observe this.

“In the presence of all the buddhas of the ten directions, like the dust-motes of the oceans of lands in number, he goes and gathers there in every one, reverently making offerings and hearing the Dharma — this is what the god-king Constellation Banner sees.

“The ocean of the minds of sentient beings is inconceivable — without abiding, without motion, without any place to rest — and the Buddha within a single thought sees them all plainly — the god-king Wondrous Adornment has skillfully fathomed this.”

Assembly Nine, the Heaven of Time-Divisions: Ten God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Time-Division Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Time-Division obtained the gate of liberation of arousing the roots of goodness of all sentient beings and causing them forever to leave grief and vexation; the god-king Wondrous Light obtained the gate of liberation of universally entering all realms; the god-king Inexhaustible Wisdom Merit Banner obtained the gate of liberation of the wheel of great compassion that extinguishes every calamity; the god-king Good Transformation Upright Dignity obtained the gate of liberation of knowing the minds of all sentient beings of the three times; the god-king Dhāraṇī Great Radiance obtained the gate of liberation wherein the radiance of the gate of dhāraṇī holds all dharmas in mind without forgetting them; the god-king Inconceivable Wisdom obtained the gate of liberation of the inconceivable skillful means of skillfully entering the own-nature of all deeds; the god-king Wheel-Hub obtained the gate of liberation of the skillful means of turning the wheel of Dharma and bringing sentient beings to ripeness; the god-king Radiant Flame obtained the gate of liberation of universally observing sentient beings with a vast eye and going to tame and train them; the god-king Light Illumination obtained the gate of liberation of surpassing all obstructions of deeds and not following what Māra does; the god-king Universal Observation Great Renown obtained the gate of liberation of skillfully leading on and instructing all the hosts of gods, causing them to take up the practice and their minds to become pure.

At that time the god-king Time-Division, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the gods of Time-Divisions and spoke these verses:

“Through measureless and far-distant kalpas the Buddha has already dried up the ocean of the world’s grief and vexation, and has opened wide the pure path away from the dust, forever making shine the lamp of wisdom for sentient beings.

“The Tathāgata’s dharma-body is exceedingly vast, and the bounds of the ten directions cannot be sought out, and all his skillful means have no limit — the wisdom of the god-king Wondrous Light is able to enter into this.

“Birth, old age, sickness, death, and the sufferings of grief and sorrow press upon the world and do not rest for a moment, and the great master pities them and vows to remove them all — the god-king Inexhaustible Wisdom Merit Banner is able to understand it.

“The Buddha’s illusion-like knowing has no obstruction; the dharmas of the three times he fathoms entirely, and universally he enters into the workings of the minds of sentient beings — this is the realm of the god-king Good Transformation Upright Dignity.

“The bounds of total holding cannot be sought out, and the ocean of eloquence is likewise without exhaustion, and he is able to turn the pure and wondrous wheel of Dharma — this is the liberation of the god-king Dhāraṇī Great Radiance.

“The nature of deeds is vast and without exhaustion, and with wisdom he understands it and skillfully reveals it, and all his skillful means are inconceivable — such a realm is what the god-king Inconceivable Wisdom has entered.

“He turns the inconceivable wondrous wheel of Dharma and shows forth the cultivation of the path of awakening, forever extinguishing the sufferings of all sentient beings — this is the ground of skillful means of the god-king Wheel-Hub.

“The Tathāgata’s true body is originally not two, and responding to things it takes their shape and fills the world, and sentient beings each and all see him before them — this is the realm of the god-king Radiant Flame.

“If there are sentient beings who once see the Buddha, it will surely cause them to be purified and to have their obstructions of deeds extinguished, and to leave far behind the deeds of Māra forever without remainder — this is the path that the god-king Light Illumination walks.

“The whole assembled multitude is vast as an ocean, and the Buddha within it is the most majestically glorious, and universally he sends down the rain of Dharma to moisten sentient beings — the god-king Universal Observation Great Renown has entered just this gate of liberation.”

Assembly Ten, the Heaven of the Thirty-Three: Eleven God-Kings Each Obtain a Gate, and the God-King Śakra Indra Speaks the Verses

Next, the god-king Śakra Indra obtained the gate of liberation of calling to mind the arising of the buddhas of the three times and even the forming and decaying of their lands, seeing it all plainly, and greatly rejoicing; the god-king Universal Renown Full Sound obtained the gate of liberation of being able to cause the Buddha’s form-body to be the most pure and vast, beyond compare in the world; the god-king Kindly Eye Jewel Topknot obtained the gate of liberation of the cloud of kindness that universally covers and shelters; the god-king Jewel Light Banner Renown obtained the gate of liberation of constantly seeing the Buddha manifesting bodies of every kind of shape and majestic virtue before all the rulers of the worlds; the god-king Arousing Joy Topknot obtained the gate of liberation of knowing from what merit the cities and palaces of all sentient beings are born; the god-king Upright Mindfulness obtained the gate of liberation of revealing the work by which the buddhas bring sentient beings to ripeness; the god-king Lofty Excellent Sound obtained the gate of liberation of knowing the characteristics of the turning and changing of the kalpas of the forming and decaying of all worlds; the god-king Accomplished Mindfulness obtained the gate of liberation of calling to mind the practice by which bodhisattvas to come will tame and train sentient beings; the god-king Pure Flower Light obtained the gate of liberation of knowing the causes of the joys of all the gods; the god-king Wisdom Sun Eye obtained the gate of liberation of revealing to all the sons of the gods the roots of goodness of their birth 『𢔌』 (a graph coined in the base text, in the sense of causing) and being without delusion or confusion; the god-king Sovereign Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of awakening all the hosts of gods and causing them forever to cut off every kind of doubt.

At that time the god-king Śakra Indra, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, universally contemplated all the hosts of the gods of the Thirty-Three and spoke these verses:

“I call to mind all the buddhas of the three times, and all their realms are wholly equal, and as those lands decay and as they form, by the Buddha’s majestic power it is all seen.

“The Buddha’s body is vast and reaches throughout the ten directions, and its wondrous form and character are beyond compare and benefit the living throng, and its radiance shines where it does not fail to reach — this path the god-king Universal Renown Full Sound is able to behold.

“The Tathāgata’s great ocean of kindness that is skillful means, cultivated through kalpas past and utterly pure, transforms and guides sentient beings without any bound — thus has the god-king Kindly Eye Jewel Topknot awakened.

“I call to mind the ocean of the Dharma King’s merit, highest in the world and beyond compare, and thereby there arises a vast and joyous mind — this is the liberation of the god-king Jewel Light Banner Renown.

“The Buddha knows the ocean of the good deeds of sentient beings, and how their every kind of excellent cause brings forth great merit, and he causes them all to be manifested without remainder — this is what the god-king Arousing Joy Topknot sees.

“The buddhas appear throughout the ten directions, universally within all the worlds, and contemplating the minds of sentient beings they show them the taming and training — the god-king Upright Mindfulness has awakened to this path.

“The vast eye of the Tathāgata’s body of knowing sees the dust-motes of the world-systems without exception, and thus it is throughout the ten directions — this is the liberation of the god-king Lofty Excellent Sound.

“The practice of awakening of all the sons of the Buddha the Tathāgata manifests entirely within his pores, and as they are measureless so are they wholly complete — this is what the god-king Accomplished Mindfulness sees plainly.

“All the affairs of ease and joy there are in the world are every one of them born from the Buddha, and the Tathāgata’s merit is excellent and without equal — this place of liberation is what the god-king Pure Flower Light has entered.

“If one can call to mind even a little of the Tathāgata’s merit, or for so much as a single thought hold the mind in concentrated looking-up, the fears of the evil destinies are wholly and forever removed — the god-king Wisdom Sun Eye is able to awaken deeply to this.

“The great supernormal power within the quiescent dharma responds universally to the minds of the multitude and reaches everywhere, and every doubt there is it causes to be cut off — this is what the god-king Sovereign Radiance has obtained.”

Assembly Eleven, the Sun God-Sons: Eleven God-Sons Each Obtain a Gate, and the Sun God-Son Speaks the Verses

Next, the sun god-son obtained the gate of liberation of the pure radiance that universally illumines the sentient beings of the ten directions and through all future kalpas constantly works their benefit; the god-son Radiant Flame Eye obtained the gate of liberation of awakening sentient beings with bodies of every kind matched to their kinds and causing them to enter the ocean of wisdom; the god-son Sumeru Light Joy Banner obtained the gate of liberation of being the lord of all sentient beings and causing them diligently to cultivate boundless pure merit; the god-son Pure Jewel Moon obtained the gate of liberation of cultivating every ascetic practice with a deep mind of joy; the god-son Valiant Non-Retrogressive obtained the gate of liberation of the unobstructed radiance that universally illumines and causes all sentient beings to have their spirits made bright; the god-son Wondrous Flower Garland Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of the pure radiance that universally illumines the bodies of sentient beings and causes them to give rise to an ocean of joyous faith and understanding; the god-son Supreme Banner Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of the radiance that universally illumines all the world and causes them to accomplish every kind of wondrous merit; the god-son Jewel Topknot Universal Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of the ocean of great compassion that manifests the jewels of every kind of form and character in boundless realms; the god-son Radiance Eye obtained the gate of liberation of purifying and healing the eyes of all sentient beings and causing them to see the treasury of the Dharma realm; the god-son Upholding Virtue obtained the gate of liberation of bringing forth a pure and continuous mind and causing it not to be lost or broken; the god-son Universally Coursing Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of universally revolving the sun-palace so that it shines upon all the sentient beings of the ten directions and causes them to accomplish the work they undertake.

At that time the sun god-son, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated throughout all the hosts of the sun god-sons and spoke these verses:

“The Tathāgata’s vast radiance of wisdom illumines throughout the lands of the ten directions, and all sentient beings see the Buddha, and with every kind of skillful means he tames and trains them.

“The Tathāgata’s form and character have no boundary, and following what they delight in he manifests his body to them all, universally opening for the world the ocean of wisdom — thus does the god-son Radiant Flame Eye contemplate the Buddha.

“The Buddha’s body is without equal and beyond compare, and its radiance shines throughout the ten directions, surpassing all and utterly unsurpassed — such a Dharma-gate is what the god-son Sumeru Light Joy Banner has obtained.

“In order to benefit the world he cultivated ascetic practice, coming and going among the states of existence through measureless kalpas, and his radiance is universally pure as space — the god-son Pure Jewel Moon is able to know this skillful means.

“The Buddha sends forth a wondrous sound without obstruction, reaching universally the lands of the ten directions, and with the savor of Dharma he benefits the living throng — the god-son Valiant Non-Retrogressive is able to know this skillful means.

“The net of radiance he sends forth is inconceivable, universally purifying all sentient beings, and causing them all to give rise to a deep faith and understanding — this is the gate that the god-son Wondrous Flower Garland Radiance has entered.

“Of all the kinds of radiance there are in the world, none comes up to the light of a single pore of the Buddha, and the Buddha’s light being thus is inconceivable — this is the liberation of the god-son Supreme Banner Radiance.

“All the buddhas are thus: they all sit beneath the king of awakening-trees, and they cause those not upon the path to abide upon the path — thus does the god-son Jewel Topknot Universal Radiance see it.

“Sentient beings are blind and darkened, deluded and suffering, and the Buddha wishes to cause a pure eye to arise in them, and therefore lights for them the lamp of wisdom — the god-son Radiance Eye contemplates this deeply.

“The World-Honored One is sovereign in the skillful means of liberation, and if there are those who have once seen him and made offerings, he causes them all to practice until they obtain the fruit — this is the power of skillful means of the god-son Upholding Virtue.

“Within a single Dharma-gate there are measureless gates, and through measureless thousands of kalpas he proclaims them thus, and the vast meaning of the Dharma-gates he sets forth — it is precisely this that the god-son Universally Coursing Radiance has fathomed.”

Assembly Twelve, the Moon God-Sons: Ten God-Sons Each Obtain a Gate, and the Moon God-Son Speaks the Verses

Next, the moon god-son obtained the gate of liberation of the pure radiance that universally illumines the Dharma realm and gathers and transforms sentient beings; the god-son Flower-King Topknot Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of observing the whole realm of sentient beings and causing them universally to enter the boundless dharma; the god-son Manifold Wondrous Pure Light obtained the gate of liberation of knowing the every kind of clinging to conditions and revolving within the ocean of the minds of all sentient beings; the god-son Mind that Brings Ease to the World obtained the gate of liberation of bestowing inconceivable joy upon all sentient beings and causing them to leap up in great rejoicing; the god-son Tree-King Eye Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of being like a farming household at its work, sowing the seed and guarding the sprout and the stalk, watching over them in their season so that they come to fruition; the god-son Manifesting Pure Light obtained the gate of liberation of rescuing and protecting all sentient beings with compassion and causing them to see before them the undergoing of suffering and the undergoing of joy; the god-son Universally Roaming Unmoving Light obtained the gate of liberation of being able to uphold the pure moon and universally manifest it in the ten directions; the god-son Sovereign King of Constellations obtained the gate of liberation of revealing that all dharmas are like an illusion, like space, without characteristic, and without own-nature; the god-son Pure Awakening Moon obtained the gate of liberation of universally raising up great work and function for all sentient beings; the god-son Great Majestic Virtue Radiance obtained the gate of liberation of universally cutting off every doubt and confusion.

At that time the moon god-son, sustained by the Buddha’s spiritual power, universally contemplated all the assembled hosts of gods within the moon-palace and spoke these verses:

“The Buddha sends forth radiance throughout the world, illumining the lands of the ten directions, proclaiming the vast Dharma that is inconceivable, forever breaking the darkness of the deluded confusion of sentient beings.

“His realm is boundless and without exhaustion, and through measureless kalpas he constantly guides, and with every kind of sovereignty he teaches and transforms the living throng — thus does the god-son Flower-King Topknot Radiance contemplate the Buddha.

“The ocean of the minds of sentient beings differs from thought to thought, and the Buddha’s wisdom is broad and knows it all, and universally for them he speaks the Dharma so that joy arises — this is the liberation of the god-son Manifold Wondrous Pure Light.

“Sentient beings have not the ease and joy of the noble ones, and lost in the evil destinies they undergo every suffering, and the Tathāgata reveals for them the gate of the nature of dharmas — thus does the god-son Mind that Brings Ease to the World see it.

“The Tathāgata’s great compassion is rare indeed; in order to benefit sentient beings he enters the states of existence, speaking the Dharma and urging them to goodness so that they come to accomplishment — this is what the god-son Tree-King Eye Radiance knows.

“The World-Honored One opens wide the radiance of the Dharma, distinguishing the every kind of nature of the deeds of the world, and what is done of good and of evil is not lost — the god-son Manifesting Pure Light sees this and gives rise to joy.

“The Buddha is that upon which all merit rests, just as the great earth upholds palaces and chambers, and skillfully he points out the path of leaving grief behind and being at peace — the god-son Universally Roaming Unmoving Light is able to know this skillful means.

“The fire of wisdom sends forth great radiance pervading the Dharma realm, and he manifests forms beyond number, equal to sentient beings in number, universally revealing the real to all — the god-son Sovereign King of Constellations has awakened to this path.

“The Buddha is like space and has no own-nature, and in order to benefit sentient beings he appears in the world, and the adornment of his marks and characters is like an image — thus does the god-son Pure Awakening Moon see it.

“The pores of the Buddha’s body universally send forth sound, and the cloud of Dharma covers and shelters the world without remainder, and among those who hear there is none who does not rejoice — thus has the god-son Great Majestic Virtue Radiance awakened and been liberated.”

The Gandharva Host: A Class That Seeks Fragrance and Makes Music, Each Gaining One Gate

(Continuing from before, the compiler of the sūtra goes on to set out the Dharma-gates gained by the various classes of beings present at the assembly. Gandharvas are a class of beings who feed on fragrance and constantly make music for the gods.)

Furthermore, the gandharva king Upholder of the State gained this one gate of liberation: “taking in all sentient beings by sovereign skillful means” (a gate of liberation is a doorway by which one can get out from bondage; one person gains one gate); the gandharva king Tree Light gained this one gate of liberation: “causing all the merit and adornment of the Buddha to be universally seen”; the gandharva king Pure Eye gained this one gate of liberation: “forever cutting off the sorrow and suffering of all sentient beings and giving birth to the treasury of joy”; the gandharva king Flower Crown gained this one gate of liberation: “forever cutting off the wrong views and delusions of all sentient beings”; the gandharva king Joyful Step and Universal Sound gained this one gate of liberation: “spreading wide like a cloud, universally shading and moistening all sentient beings”; the gandharva king Delighting in Swaying, Beautiful Eyes gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting a vast and wondrously fine body, causing all sentient beings to gain ease”; the gandharva king Wondrous Sound Lion Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “universally scattering to the ten directions the jewel of every great renown”; the gandharva king Universally Emitting Jewel Radiance gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting a pure body of the radiance of all great joy”; the gandharva king Vajra Tree-Flower Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “universally nourishing all trees into flourishing, causing those who see them to rejoice”; the gandharva king Universally Manifesting Adornment gained this one gate of liberation: “skillfully entering the realms of all buddhas and giving ease to sentient beings.”

At that time the gandharva king Upholder of the State, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole gandharva host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The realm of the buddhas has measureless gates, and among all sentient beings there is none who can enter it by himself; the Well-Gone One (an epithet of the Buddha: one who has gone skillfully, and having gone does not come back into birth-and-death) is like space, his nature pure, and he opens up a right path for the world universally.

“Within each and every pore of the Tathāgata, the great ocean of merit is wholly filled; all the worlds thereby gain benefit and ease — this is what King Tree Light is able to see.

“The world’s sorrow and suffering, vast as an ocean, the Buddha can dry up without remainder; the Tathāgata’s compassion and pity have all kinds of skillful means — here King Pure Eye is able to understand deeply.

“The seas of lands in the ten directions have no border, and the Buddha with the light of wisdom illumines them all; he universally causes evil views to be washed away — this is the gate King Tree Light entered.

“In measureless kalpas of the past the Buddha cultivated the practice of great kindness by skillful means; all the worlds are thereby consoled — this road King Universal Sound is able to awaken into.

“The Buddha’s body is pure, and everyone delights to see it, and it can give rise to ease in the world without end; the cause and the fruit of liberation are accomplished in due order — King Beautiful Eyes is good at disclosing this.

“Sentient beings are deluded and turn constantly within birth-and-death, and the covering of folly is exceedingly firm and close; the Tathāgata proclaims the vast Dharma for them — King Lion Banner is able to expound it fluently.

“The Tathāgata universally manifests subtle and wondrous form-bodies, with measureless distinctions, matched to the faculties of beings; with all kinds of skillful means he lights up the world — this is just how King Universally Emitting Jewel Radiance sees it.

“The skillful means of great wisdom have measureless gates, and the Buddha discloses and clarifies them for sentient beings universally; entering the true practice of surpassing awakening — this is what King Vajra Banner is good at contemplating.

“Within a single kṣaṇa a hundred thousand kalpas are held, and the Buddha’s power can manifest so without the least stirring; equally he bestows ease upon sentient beings — this is the liberation of King Delighting in Adornment.”

The Kumbhāṇḍa Host: A Class That Guards the South, Whose Ten Gates All Open from “Removing Harm”

(Kumbhāṇḍas are a class of beings led by the Heavenly King of the South.)

Furthermore, the kumbhāṇḍa king Increase gained this one gate of liberation: “the power that extinguishes all enmity and harm”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Dragon Lord gained this one gate of liberation: “cultivating the ocean of boundless gates of practice”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Adornment Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “knowing what all sentient beings delight in within their minds”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Beneficial Practice gained this one gate of liberation: “universally accomplishing the work done by the pure great radiance”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Fearsome gained this one gate of liberation: “disclosing to all sentient beings the path of security and fearlessness”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Wondrous Adornment gained this one gate of liberation: “drying up the ocean of the craving and desire of all sentient beings”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Lofty Peak Wisdom gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting the cloud of radiance of the destinies (the various places to which beings go as they turn in the round of rebirth)”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Valiant Arm gained this one gate of liberation: “emitting radiance universally and extinguishing obstructions piled up like a mountain”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Boundless Pure Flower Eye gained this one gate of liberation: “disclosing the treasury of great compassion that is non-retrogressive”; the kumbhāṇḍa king Vast Face gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting a body that turns within the destinies.”

At that time the kumbhāṇḍa king Increase, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole kumbhāṇḍa host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The guide of the world who has perfected the power of patience practiced for measureless kalpas for the sake of sentient beings; he has forever left behind the arrogance and delusion of the world, and therefore his bodily form is the most adorned and pure.

“In the past the Buddha universally cultivated all kinds of oceans of practice, teaching and transforming the measureless sentient beings of the ten directions; with all kinds of skillful means he benefits sentient beings — this one gate of liberation is what King Dragon Lord gained.

“The Buddha rescues sentient beings with great wisdom, and there is not one thought of theirs that he does not know clearly; with all kinds of sovereign ways he tames them — King Adornment Banner sees this and gives rise to joy.

“The responsive manifestations of his spiritual penetration are like light and shadow, and the reality of the wheel of Dharma is like space; thus does he dwell in the world through kalpas without number — this is what King Beneficial realized.

“Sentient beings are constantly covered and deluded by the film of folly, and the Buddha’s radiance shines forth the path of security; making himself a rescue and protection for them, causing suffering to be extinguished — King Fearsome is able to contemplate his way into this Dharma-gate.

“Drifting and sinking in the ocean of desire they undergo every suffering, and the light of wisdom shines universally and extinguishes it without remainder; and having removed their suffering he further preaches the Dharma to them — this is what King Wondrous Adornment awakened to.

“The Buddha’s body responds and manifests everywhere, so that there is none who does not see it, and with all kinds of skillful means he transforms sentient beings; his voice quakes like thunder and rains down the rain of Dharma — such a Dharma-gate is what King Lofty Wisdom entered.

“Pure radiance is never emitted in vain; if one meets with it, heavy obstructions are certainly caused to melt away; he expounds the Buddha’s merit, which has no border — King Valiant Arm is able to understand this deep principle.

“In order to bring ease to all sentient beings he cultivated great compassion for measureless kalpas; with all kinds of skillful means he removes the sufferings of beings — this is what King Pure Flower saw.

“His spiritual penetration and sovereignty are inconceivable, and his body manifests everywhere, filling the ten directions; and yet in every place there is no coming and no going — this is what King Broad Face understood within his mind.”

The Dragon Host: Eleven Dragon Kings, Eleven Gates

(Dragons are a class of beings led by the Heavenly King of the West. This one host has eleven kings, unlike the other hosts, which have ten.)

Furthermore, the dragon king Virūpākṣa gained this one gate of liberation: “extinguishing all the blazing suffering of the destiny of dragons”; the dragon king Sāgara gained this one gate of liberation: “in a single thought turning away his own dragon form and manifesting the bodies of measureless sentient beings”; the dragon king Cloud-Sound Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “within all the destinies of existence, proclaiming with a pure voice the ocean of the Buddha’s boundless names”; the dragon king Flaming Mouth gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting the differences in the establishing of boundless buddha-worlds”; the dragon king Flame gained this one gate of liberation: “the coverings and entanglements formed of the anger and folly of all sentient beings, which the Tathāgata in his compassion and pity causes to be extinguished”; the dragon king Cloud Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “disclosing to all sentient beings the ocean of merit of great joy and ease”; the dragon king Takṣaka gained this one gate of liberation: “extinguishing all terrors with a pure voice of rescue and protection”; the dragon king Boundless Stride gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting the form-bodies of all buddhas together with the sequence of the kalpas of their dwelling in the world”; the dragon king Pure-Colored and Swift gained this one gate of liberation: “giving birth to the ocean of joy in which all sentient beings greatly delight”; the dragon king Universally Coursing Great Sound gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting a voice that is everywhere equal, pleasing to the mind and unobstructed”; the dragon king Free from Burning Distress gained this one gate of liberation: “extinguishing all the suffering of the world with the cloud of great compassion that covers universally.”

At that time the dragon king Virūpākṣa, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole host of dragons universally, and then spoke verses such as these:

“You should look: the Dharma of the Tathāgata is always thus, giving benefit to all sentient beings without exception; with the power of great kindness, compassion, and pity he is able to pull out those who have fallen and are sinking on the fearful road.

“All the various distinctions among sentient beings are all manifested upon the tip of a single hair; his spiritual penetration and transformations fill the world — this is just how King Sāgara contemplates the Buddha.

“With the limitless power of his spiritual penetration the Buddha extensively proclaims names that answer to sentient beings; according to what they delight in he universally causes them to hear — this is what King Cloud-Sound is able to awaken into.

“Measureless, boundless lands and their assemblies the Buddha can cause to enter into a single pore, and the Tathāgata sits at ease within that assembly — this is what the dragon Flaming Mouth saw.

“The angry minds of all sentient beings, their entanglements, coverings, and folly, are deep as an ocean; the Tathāgata in his compassion and pity extinguishes them all for them — the dragon Flame contemplates this and is able to see it clearly.

“The power of the merit of all sentient beings is entirely displayed within the Buddha’s pores; having displayed it he further causes them to return into the ocean of great merit — this is what King Lofty Cloud Banner contemplated.

“From the pores of the Buddha’s body the light of wisdom shines forth, and that light expounds wondrous sounds in place after place; sentient beings who hear it are freed of sorrow and fear — the dragon Takṣaka awakened into this road.

“All the tathāgatas of the three times, the adornment of their lands and the sequence of their kalpas, are all in this way manifested upon the Buddha’s body — King Broad Stride saw this power of spiritual penetration.

“I contemplate the practice of the Tathāgata in the past: he made offerings to an ocean of all the buddhas; within that, joy and a delighting mind were all increased — this is what the Swift Dragon entered.

“The Buddha with skillful means, following the speech of every kind of being, preaches the Dharma for the assembly and causes them to rejoice; that voice is clear and refined, and everyone delights in it — King Universally Coursing heard this and awakened with a glad mind.

“Sentient beings are pressed and hemmed in within the destinies of existence, drifting and tumbling along by karma and delusion with no one to rescue them; the Buddha with great compassion causes them to be liberated — the Great Dragon Free from Burning Distress is able to awaken into this.”

The Yakṣa Host: A Class That Guards, Whose Ten Gates All Come Down to the Word “Rescue”

(Yakṣas are a class of beings led by the Heavenly King of the North.)

Furthermore, the yakṣa king Vaiśravaṇa gained this one gate of liberation: “rescuing and protecting evildoing sentient beings by boundless skillful means”; the yakṣa king Sovereign Sound gained this one gate of liberation: “contemplating sentient beings universally and rescuing and protecting them by skillful means”; the yakṣa king Bearer of Weapons in Array gained this one gate of liberation: “being able to sustain and nourish all sentient beings who are utterly feeble and utterly evil”; the yakṣa king Great Wisdom gained this one gate of liberation: “extolling the ocean of merit of all noble ones”; the yakṣa king Lord of Flaming Eyes gained this one gate of liberation: “the wisdom of great compassion that contemplates all sentient beings universally”; the yakṣa king Vajra Eye gained this one gate of liberation: “benefiting and bringing ease to all sentient beings by all kinds of skillful means”; the yakṣa king Valiant Arm gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering into the meaning of all dharmas”; the yakṣa king Valiant Foe of Great Armies gained this one gate of liberation: “guarding all sentient beings and causing them to abide in the path, with not one of them passing in vain”; the yakṣa king Rich in Wealth gained this one gate of liberation: “increasing the accumulation of merit of all sentient beings and causing them constantly to receive ease and joy”; the yakṣa king Strength That Shatters High Mountains gained this one gate of liberation: “in accord with mindful recollection, giving birth to the light of wisdom of the Buddha’s powers.”

At that time the great yakṣa king Much-Heard, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole assembly of the yakṣa host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The sins and evils of sentient beings are deep enough to be dreadful, and for a hundred thousand kalpas they do not see a buddha; they drift in birth-and-death and undergo every suffering — it is to rescue these that the Buddha arises in the world.

“The Tathāgata rescues and protects the many worlds, and manifests himself before all sentient beings without exception; he brings to rest their suffering of turning round on the fearful road — such a Dharma-gate is what King Lord of Sound entered.

“The evil deeds of sentient beings become obstruction upon obstruction, and the Buddha discloses the subtle principle and causes them to understand; it is like lighting up the world with a bright lamp — this Dharma is what King Bearer of Weapons is able to contemplate and see.

“In the ocean of kalpas past the Buddha cultivated all practices and praised all the buddhas of the ten directions; that is why he has so lofty and great a renown — this is what King Wisdom understood.

“His wisdom is like space and has no border; his dharma-body is vast and inconceivable; that is why he appears in all ten directions — King Flaming Eyes is able to contemplate this.

“Within every destiny he sends forth wondrous sounds, preaching the Dharma and benefiting the many kinds of sentient beings; wherever that voice reaches, every suffering is extinguished — the one who entered this skillful means is King Vajra Eye.

“Every profound and vast meaning the Tathāgata can expound in a single phrase; such teaching and principle are a match for the world — this is what King Valiant Wisdom awakened to.

“All sentient beings dwell upon wrong paths, and the Buddha discloses the inconceivable right path; he universally causes the beings of the world to become vessels of the Dharma — this is what King Valiant Foe of Armies is able to awaken into.

“All the various works of merit in the world are without exception born from the shining of the Buddha’s light; the ocean of the Buddha’s wisdom is hard to fathom — such is the liberation of King Rich in Wealth.

“Recollecting kalpas past without number, within them the Buddha cultivated the ten powers; he can cause all the powers to be entirely fulfilled — this is what King Lofty Banner understood.”

The Mahoraga Host: A Class in the Form of Great Serpents, Whose Ten Gates Begin from “Coolness”

(Mahoragas are the class among the eight that crawl upon their great bellies.)

Furthermore, the mahoraga king Good Wisdom gained this one gate of liberation: “causing sentient beings to amass merit by every skillful means of spiritual penetration”; the mahoraga king Pure Majestic Sound gained this one gate of liberation: “causing all sentient beings to be rid of affliction and to gain cool and joyful ease”; the mahoraga king Surpassing Wisdom Adorned Topknot gained this one gate of liberation: “universally causing all sentient beings, whether their thoughts are good or not good, to enter the pure Dharma”; the mahoraga king Lord of Wondrous Eyes gained this one gate of liberation: “fully understanding the sovereign and equal characteristic of the merit that clings to nothing at all”; the mahoraga king Lamp Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “disclosing to all sentient beings and causing them to leave the path of darkness and terror”; the mahoraga king Most Surpassing Radiant Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “knowing the merit of all buddhas and giving rise to joy”; the mahoraga king Lion’s Breast gained this one gate of liberation: “being, by the power of valor, the rescuer and protector and lord of all sentient beings”; the mahoraga king Sound of Manifold Wondrous Adornment gained this one gate of liberation: “causing all sentient beings, in accord with their mindful recollection, to give rise to boundless joy and ease”; the mahoraga king Sumeru’s Breast gained this one gate of liberation: “being decidedly unmoved with respect to every object of mind, reaching the far shore and being fulfilled”; the mahoraga king Lovable Radiance gained this one gate of liberation: “disclosing the path of equality to all unequal sentient beings.”

At that time the mahoraga king Good Wisdom and Majestic Light, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole mahoraga host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“You should look: the nature of the Tathāgata is pure, and he universally manifests majestic light and benefits sentient beings; he shows them the path of ambrosia and makes them cool, and every suffering is forever extinguished with nothing left to lean on.

“All sentient beings dwell in the ocean of existence, bound and covered over by their own evil deeds and delusions of every kind; he shows them the tranquil Dharma that they ought to practice — King Majestic Sound Free of Dust is able to understand this well.

“The Buddha’s wisdom is beyond compare and inconceivable; he knows the minds of sentient beings without the least omission; he clarifies the pure Dharma for them — such a matter King Adorned Topknot is able to awaken to within his mind.

“Measureless buddhas appear in the world and universally make themselves a field of merit for sentient beings; the ocean of merit is vast and unfathomably deep — Great King Wondrous Eyes is able to see it all.

“The sorrow, fear, and suffering of all sentient beings the Buddha universally comes before them to rescue and protect; he pervades the Dharma realm and space, leaving nothing unreached — this is the realm in which King Lamp Banner practices.

“The various merits within a single pore of the Buddha the beings of the world could not know even if they measured them together; boundless and inexhaustible, the same as space — such a matter King Vast Radiant Banner saw.

“The Tathāgata fully penetrates all dharmas, and upon that nature of dharmas he shines clearly throughout; like Mount Sumeru he has never tilted or stirred — the one who entered this Dharma-gate is King Lion’s Breast.

“In the vast kalpas of the past the Buddha amassed an ocean of joy, deep and inexhaustible; that is why there is none who sees him and is not gladdened — this Dharma is what King Adorned Sound entered.

“Knowing that the Dharma realm has no form, the ocean of pāramitās (the practices of reaching the far shore) is wholly fulfilled; with great light he universally rescues the many sentient beings — King Mountain’s Breast is able to know this skillful means.

“You should look at the sovereign power of the Tathāgata: he descends and manifests in the ten directions, and there is nothing uneven in it; all sentient beings are illumined and awakened — this gate King Wondrous Radiance is able to enter well.”

The Kiṃnara Host: A Class Whose Work Is Song, Whose Ten Gates Are All upon “Joy and Ease”

(Kiṃnaras are a class of beings whose form is like a human’s but with horns upon the head, and whose work is song.)

Furthermore, the kiṃnara king Good Wisdom Radiance of the Gods gained this one gate of liberation: “universally giving birth to every deed of joy and ease”; the kiṃnara king Wondrous Flower Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “being able to give birth to unsurpassed joy in the Dharma and to cause all sentient beings to receive ease”; the kiṃnara king Manifold Adornment gained this one gate of liberation: “the treasury of vast, pure faith and understanding in which all merit is fulfilled”; the kiṃnara king Roaring Voice That Pleases the Mind gained this one gate of liberation: “constantly sending forth every sound that pleases the mind, causing those who hear to leave sorrow and fear behind”; the kiṃnara king Radiance of the Jewel Tree gained this one gate of liberation: “settling all sentient beings by great compassion and causing them to awaken to what they take as their object”; the kiṃnara king Universally Delighted to Be Seen gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting every subtle and wondrous form-body”; the kiṃnara king Most Surpassing Radiant Adornment gained this one gate of liberation: “knowing the deeds from which every surpassing adorned fruit is born”; the kiṃnara king Subtle Wondrous Flower Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “contemplating well the retribution born of the deeds of all the world”; the kiṃnara king Power That Shakes the Earth gained this one gate of liberation: “constantly setting in motion every affair that benefits sentient beings”; the kiṃnara king Majestic and Fierce Lord gained this one gate of liberation: “knowing well the minds of all kiṃnaras and skillfully taking them in and governing them.”

At that time the kiṃnara king Good Wisdom Radiance of the Gods, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole kiṃnara host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“Every matter of ease and joy in the world comes entirely from seeing the arising of a buddha; the guide benefits the many sentient beings and universally makes himself their rescue, their protection, and their place of refuge.

“Giving birth to every kind of joy and ease, the world gains it all and it is never used up; he can cause those who see him not to pass in vain — this is what King Flower Banner awakened to.

“The ocean of the Buddha’s merit has no end, and one who seeks its border cannot find it; his radiance shines universally throughout the ten directions — this is the liberation of King Adornment.

“The great voice of the Tathāgata constantly expounds fluently, disclosing the true Dharma that is free of sorrow; sentient beings who hear it are all gladdened — such a Dharma King Roaring Voice is able to receive in faith.

“I contemplate the sovereign power of the Tathāgata: it comes entirely from the practice he cultivated in the past; with great compassion he rescues sentient beings and makes them pure — this is what King Jewel Tree is able to awaken into.

“The Tathāgata is hard to see and hard to hear of, and sentient beings must wait a koṭi kalpas to meet him once; the various marks and signs of adornment are all complete in him — this is what King Delighted to Be Seen looked upon.

“You should look at the great wisdom of the Tathāgata: he universally accords with what sentient beings desire in their minds; there is nothing of the path of omniscience he does not proclaim — Most Surpassing King Adornment is able to understand this.

“The ocean of deeds is vast and inconceivable, and the suffering and ease of sentient beings all arise from it; all this he is able to disclose — this is what King Flower Banner understood.

“The spiritual penetration of the buddhas has no pause, and the earth of the ten directions quakes constantly; among all sentient beings there is none who can know it — this is what King Vast Power constantly sees clearly.

“Standing within the great assembly he manifests spiritual penetration, emitting great radiance and causing beings to awaken; he displays the realms of all tathāgatas — this is what King Majestic and Fierce Lord is able to contemplate.”

The Garuḍa Host: A Class That Beats the Ocean with Its Wings, Whose Ten Gates All Lie Between “Seizing” and “Letting Go”

(Garuḍas are the golden-winged birds, one of the eight classes.)

Furthermore, the garuḍa king Power of Great Swiftness gained this one gate of liberation: “universally contemplating the realm of sentient beings with an eye that neither clings nor is obstructed”; the garuḍa king Indestructible Jewel Topknot gained this one gate of liberation: “universally abiding in the Dharma realm and teaching and transforming sentient beings”; the garuḍa king Pure and Swift gained this one gate of liberation: “universally accomplishing the power of vigor of the pāramitās”; the garuḍa king Adorned with a Mind That Does Not Retreat gained this one gate of liberation: “entering the realm of the Tathāgata by the power of valor”; the garuḍa king Power to Hold Fast in the Great Ocean gained this one gate of liberation: “entering the vast ocean of wisdom of the practice of the buddhas”; the garuḍa king Pure Radiance of the Firm Dharma gained this one gate of liberation: “accomplishing the wisdom of the distinctions among boundless sentient beings”; the garuḍa king Wondrously Adorned Crown and Topknot gained this one gate of liberation: “adorning the city of the Buddha’s Dharma”; the garuḍa king Universal and Nimble Manifestation gained this one gate of liberation: “accomplishing the indestructible power of equality”; the garuḍa king Universal Contemplation of the Ocean gained this one gate of liberation: “knowing the bodies of all sentient beings and manifesting a form for them”; the garuḍa king Dragon Sound and Great Eye-Pupil gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering the wisdom of the courses of dying and of taking birth of all sentient beings.”

At that time the garuḍa king Power of Great Swiftness, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole garuḍa host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The Buddha’s eye is vast and without border, and he universally sees the many lands of the ten directions; the sentient beings within them cannot be counted, and he manifests great spiritual penetration and tames them all.

“The power of the Buddha’s spiritual penetration is unobstructed, and he sits everywhere beneath the trees of awakening in the ten directions; he expounds the Dharma like a cloud and fills all things — King Jewel Topknot heard this and his mind did not go against it.

“In the past the Buddha cultivated all kinds of practices and universally purified the vast pāramitās; he made offerings to all the tathāgatas — this is what King Swift understood with deep faith.

“Within each and every pore of the Tathāgata, in a single thought, boundless practices are universally manifested; such an inconceivable realm of a buddha — King Adorned Not Retreating saw it all clearly.

“The Buddha’s practice is vast and inconceivable; among all sentient beings there is none who can fathom it; the ocean of the guide’s merit and wisdom — this is where King Holding Fast practices.

“The measureless light of the Tathāgata’s wisdom can extinguish the net of folly and delusion of sentient beings; he rescues and protects all the worlds without exception — this is what King Firm Dharma upholds and proclaims.

“The city of Dharma is vast and cannot be exhausted, and its gates are of many kinds and beyond number; the Tathāgata stands in the world and greatly opens them out — this King Wondrous Crown and Topknot is able to understand and enter.

“All the buddhas are one dharma-body; suchness is equal and without discrimination; by such power the Buddha abides constantly unmoved — of this King Universal Nimble Manifestation expounds fully.

“In the past, within the destinies of existence, the Buddha took in sentient beings, emitting radiance universally to fill the world; with all kinds of skillful means he manifests and tames them — this surpassing Dharma-gate King Contemplating the Ocean awakened into.

“The Buddha contemplates all the lands, and they all abide in dependence upon an ocean of deeds; within them he universally rains down the rain of Dharma — such is the liberation of King Dragon Sound.”

The Asura Host: A Contentious Class, Whose Ten Gates All Turn “Being Foremost” into “Equality”

(Asuras are a class of beings who have the merit of gods but not the virtue of gods, and whose nature is fond of quarreling and fighting.)

Furthermore, the asura king Rāhu gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting as the foremost and surpassing lord within the great assembly”; the asura king Vemacitrin gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting measureless kalpas”; the asura king Skilled in Illusion’s Arts gained this one gate of liberation: “extinguishing all the suffering of sentient beings and making them pure”; the asura king Great Retinue gained this one gate of liberation: “cultivating every ascetic practice as his own adornment”; the asura king Bali gained this one gate of liberation: “shaking the boundless realms of the ten directions”; the asura king Universal Illumination gained this one gate of liberation: “settling all sentient beings by all kinds of skillful means”; the asura king Firm Practice and Wondrous Adornment gained this one gate of liberation: “universally amassing indestructible roots of goodness and purifying every defiling attachment”; the asura king Vast Wisdom of Causes gained this one gate of liberation: “being, by the power of great compassion, a lord in whom there is no doubt or confusion”; the asura king Manifesting Surpassing Virtue gained this one gate of liberation: “universally causing beings to see the Buddha, to serve and make offerings to him, and to cultivate every root of goodness”; the asura king Good Voice gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering the decidedly equal practice of all the destinies.”

At that time the asura king Rāhu, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole asura host universally and spoke verses such as these:

“Among all the vast assemblies of the ten directions the Buddha is the most singular and surpassing; his radiance shines everywhere, a match for space, and he manifests universally before all sentient beings.

“The buddha-lands of a hundred thousand myriad kalpas are all clearly manifest within a single kṣaṇa; he sends forth radiance and transforms beings without leaving anything unreached — such a matter King Vemacitrin deeply praises and rejoices in.

“The realm of the Tathāgata is beyond compare, and his manifold Dharma-gates constantly give benefit; whatever suffering sentient beings have he causes to be extinguished — King Śambara is able to see this.

“Through measureless kalpas he cultivated ascetic practice, benefiting sentient beings and purifying the world; thereby the wisdom of the Muni (the Silent Sage, an epithet of the Buddha) is universally accomplished — thus does King Great Retinue see the Buddha.

“His unobstructed and unequaled great spiritual penetration shakes all the lands of the ten directions everywhere; and yet it does not cause sentient beings any alarm — of this King Great Strength is able to be clear.

“The Buddha appears in the world to rescue sentient beings, and he discloses the whole path of omniscience; he causes them all to cast off suffering and to gain ease — this meaning is what King Universal Illumination proclaimed and clarified.

“Every ocean of merit in the world the Buddha’s power can give rise to and universally make pure; the Buddha can disclose the place of liberation — King Firm Practice and Adornment entered this gate.

“The Buddha’s body of great compassion is beyond compare, coursing everywhere unobstructed so that all may see it; like a reflected image it appears in the world — King Wisdom of Causes is able to proclaim this merit.

“His rare and unequaled great spiritual penetration manifests bodies in place after place, filling the Dharma realm; each sits beneath a tree of awakening — this meaning King Surpassing Virtue is able to proclaim.

“In the past the Tathāgata cultivated the practice of the three times, and there is no destiny in the round of rebirth he has not passed through; he liberates the suffering of sentient beings without remainder — this is what King Wondrous Voice praised.”

The Host of Day-Spirits: A Class That Presides over the Day, Whose Ten Gates Begin from “Universal Entry”

(The five hosts that follow are spirit hosts and do not belong to the eight classes. The day-spirits are the class that presides over the daytime.)

Furthermore, the day-spirit Manifesting Palaces gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering all the worlds”; the day-spirit Setting in Motion the Fragrance of Wisdom gained this one gate of liberation: “universally contemplating all sentient beings, giving benefit to them all and causing them to rejoice and be fulfilled”; the day-spirit Adorned with the Joy of Surpassing gained this one gate of liberation: “being able to emit the boundless and lovable radiance of the Dharma”; the day-spirit Wondrous Radiance of Flower Fragrance gained this one gate of liberation: “opening up the pure minds of faith and understanding of boundless sentient beings”; the day-spirit Universally Gathering Wondrous Medicine gained this one gate of liberation: “amassing the power of the adorned universal radiance”; the day-spirit Joyful Eyes That Delight in Action gained this one gate of liberation: “universally awakening all sentient beings, whether in suffering or in ease, and causing them all to gain the joy of the Dharma”; the day-spirit Contemplating the Directions and Manifesting Universally gained this one gate of liberation: “the body of the distinctions of the Dharma realm of the ten directions”; the day-spirit Power of Great Compassion gained this one gate of liberation: “rescuing and protecting all sentient beings and causing them ease”; the day-spirit Illumined by the Light of Roots of Goodness gained this one gate of liberation: “universally giving birth to the power of merit of contentment”; the day-spirit Wondrous Flower Garland gained this one gate of liberation: “his renown being universally heard, so that sentient beings who see him gain benefit.”

At that time the day-spirit Manifesting Palaces, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole host of day-spirits universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The Buddha’s wisdom is like space and has no end, and his radiance shines throughout the ten directions; the mental activity of sentient beings he knows entirely, and there is not one place in all the worlds he cannot enter.

“Knowing what the many sentient beings delight in within their minds, he proclaims for them, accordingly, oceans of every kind of Dharma; the phrases and the meanings are vast and each is distinct — the Spirit of Complete Wisdom is able to see it all.

“The Buddha emits radiance and lights up the world, and those who see and hear rejoice and do not pass in vain; he shows them the deep and wide place of quiescence — this the Spirit Adorned with Joy understood within his mind.

“The Buddha rains down the rain of Dharma boundless and measureless, and can cause those who see it to give rise to great joy; the most surpassing roots of goodness are born from this — such a matter the Spirit of Wondrous Radiance awakened to within his mind.

“The power of universally entering the Dharma-gates and awakening sentient beings, cultivated and refined through kalpas past until wholly pure; all of this is done for the sake of taking in sentient beings — this is what the Spirit of Wondrous Medicine understood.

“With all kinds of skillful means he transforms sentient beings, and whether they see or hear they all gain benefit; he causes them all to leap up in great joy — this is just how the Day-Spirit Wondrous Eyes saw it.

“The ten powers respond and manifest, filling the world, and the Dharma realm of the ten directions is left with no remainder; the nature of it is neither non-existent nor existent — this is what the Spirit Contemplating the Directions entered into.

“Sentient beings turn about amid peril and hardship, and the Tathāgata in pity appears in the world; he causes them all to extinguish every suffering — in this gate of liberation the Spirit of Compassionate Power abides.

“Sentient beings are covered over by darkness and sunk in the long night, and the Buddha preaches the Dharma for them and greatly opens their understanding; he causes them all to gain joy and to be rid of every suffering — the Spirit of Great Goodness and Light entered this gate.

“The measure of the Tathāgata’s merit is a match for space, and every kind of merit in the world is born from it; whatever he does, not one thing of it is in vain — such a liberation the Spirit of Flower Garland gained.”

The Host of Night-Spirits: A Class That Presides over the Night, Whose Ten Gates Begin from “Quiescence”

(The night-spirits are the class that presides over the divisions of the night.)

Furthermore, the night-spirit Pure Radiance of Universal Virtue gained this one gate of liberation: “the great valor of the joy of quiescent meditative concentration”; the night-spirit Joyful Eyes Contemplating the World gained this one gate of liberation: “the vast, pure, and lovable characteristic of merit”; the night-spirit Guarding the Vital Essence of the World gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting in the world and taming sentient beings”; the night-spirit Quiescent Ocean Sound gained this one gate of liberation: “amassing a vast mind of joy”; the night-spirit Universally Manifesting Auspiciousness gained this one gate of liberation: “profound and sovereign speech that pleases the mind”; the night-spirit Universally Opening Tree Blossoms gained this one gate of liberation: “the vast treasury of joy in which radiance is fulfilled”; the night-spirit Equal Protection and Nurture gained this one gate of liberation: “awakening sentient beings and causing their roots of goodness to ripen”; the night-spirit Playful Delight gained this one gate of liberation: “the boundless kindness that rescues and protects sentient beings”; the night-spirit Whose Faculties Are Always Joyful gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting the adorned gate of great compassion”; the night-spirit Manifesting Pure Merit gained this one gate of liberation: “universally causing everything all sentient beings delight in to be fulfilled.”

At that time the night-spirit Pure Radiance of Universal Virtue, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole host of night-spirits throughout and spoke verses such as these:

“You should contemplate what the Buddha practices: it is the vast and quiescent characteristic that is like space; the ocean of desire is shoreless and he governs and purifies it all; free of stain, upright and adorned, he shines upon the ten directions.

“All the worlds delight to see him, and only after measureless oceans of kalpas is he met once; his great compassion is mindful of sentient beings, leaving none unreached — this gate of liberation the Spirit Contemplating the World looked upon.

“The guide rescues and protects the many worlds, and sentient beings all see him before them; he can cause all the destinies to be made pure — such a matter the Spirit Guarding the World is able to contemplate.

“In the past the Buddha cultivated and refined an ocean of joy, vast and boundless and beyond fathoming; that is why all who see him are gladdened — this is what the Spirit of Quiescent Sound understood.

“The realm of the Tathāgata cannot be measured; quiescently he is able to expound it throughout the ten directions; he universally causes the minds of sentient beings to be purified — the Night-Spirit Śrī heard this and leapt with delight.

“Among sentient beings without merit the Buddha, adorned with great merit, is exceedingly majestic and shining; he shows them the quiescent Dharma that is free of dust — the Spirit Universally Opening Blossoms awakened into this road.

“Throughout the ten directions he universally manifests great spiritual penetration, and all sentient beings are tamed by it; he causes them to see form and appearance of every kind — this is what the Spirit of Protection and Nurture contemplated.

“In the past the Tathāgata, in thought after thought, wholly purified the ocean of kindness and compassion of skillful means; he rescues and protects the world, leaving nothing unreached — this is the liberation of the Spirit of Merit and Delight.

“Sentient beings in their folly are constantly muddled and turbid, and their minds are stubbornly poisonous and greatly to be feared; the Tathāgata in compassion and pity arises for this — this the Spirit Who Extinguishes Enmity is able to awaken into with joy.

“In the past the Buddha practiced for the sake of sentient beings, and he causes every wish and desire to be fulfilled; thereby the characteristics of merit are fully accomplished — this is what the Spirit Manifesting Merit entered.”

The Host of Direction-Spirits: A Class That Presides over the Quarters, Whose Ten Gates Begin from “Rescue and Protection”

(The direction-spirits are the class that presides over the quarters and the places within them.)

Furthermore, the direction-spirit Abiding Everywhere gained this one gate of liberation: “the power of universal rescue and protection”; the direction-spirit Universally Manifesting Radiance gained this one gate of liberation: “bringing to completion the work of spiritual penetration that transforms all sentient beings”; the direction-spirit Adorned with the Coursing of Light gained this one gate of liberation: “the great radiance that breaks through every obstruction of darkness and gives birth to joy and ease”; the direction-spirit Coursing Everywhere Unobstructed gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting in every place and not laboring in vain”; the direction-spirit Forever Cutting Off Delusion gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting names equal in number to all sentient beings and thereby giving rise to merit”; the direction-spirit Roaming Everywhere in the Pure Sky gained this one gate of liberation: “constantly sending forth wondrous sounds and causing all who hear to rejoice”; the direction-spirit Great Sound of the Cloud Banner gained this one gate of liberation: “raining down great rain universally like a dragon and causing sentient beings to rejoice”; the direction-spirit Topknot and Eyes Without Confusion gained this one gate of liberation: “manifesting the sovereign power in which the deeds of all sentient beings are without distinction”; the direction-spirit Universally Contemplating the World’s Deeds gained this one gate of liberation: “contemplating the various deeds by which one takes birth within the destinies”; the direction-spirit Roaming and Surveying Everywhere gained this one gate of liberation: “bringing everything he does to completion and giving birth to the joy of all sentient beings.”

At that time the direction-spirit Abiding Everywhere, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole host of direction-spirits universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The Tathāgata sovereignly appears in the world and teaches and transforms all the many sentient beings; he universally discloses the Dharma-gates and causes them to awaken and enter, and causes them all to accomplish unsurpassed wisdom in time to come.

“His spiritual penetration is measureless and a match for sentient beings, and according to what they delight in he manifests forms of every kind; those who see him all receive it and come out of suffering — this is the power of liberation of the Spirit of Manifesting Light.

“Within the ocean of sentient beings covered over by the obstruction of darkness the Buddha manifests for them the great radiance of the Dharma-torch; that light shines universally, and there is none who does not see — this is the liberation of the Spirit Adorned with Coursing.

“Complete in every kind of sound within the world, he universally turns the wheel of Dharma so that none fail to understand; sentient beings who hear it have their afflictions extinguished — this is what the Spirit of Coursing Everywhere awakened to.

“All the names there are in the world, the Buddha’s names arise as a match for them; he causes all sentient beings to leave folly and delusion behind — this is where the Spirit of Cutting Off Delusion practices.

“If there are sentient beings who come before the Buddha and get to hear the Tathāgata’s fine and wondrous voice, there is none whose mind does not give rise to great joy — the Spirit Roaming Everywhere in the Sky awakened into this Dharma.

“Within each and every kṣaṇa the Buddha rains down boundless great rain of Dharma; he causes the afflictions of all sentient beings to be exhausted — this is what the Spirit of the Cloud Banner understood.

“Every ocean of deeds in all the worlds the Buddha discloses as equal and without difference; he universally causes sentient beings to be rid of deeds and delusions — this is what the Spirit of the Topknot and Eyes understood.

“The ground of omniscience has no border, and all sentient beings have thoughts of every kind; the Tathāgata sees them all and is entirely clear — this vast gate the Spirit Contemplating the World entered into.

“In the past the Buddha cultivated all practices, and the measureless means of crossing over are wholly fulfilled; with great kindness and pity he benefits sentient beings — this is the liberation of the Spirit Roaming Everywhere.”

The Host of Space-Spirits: A Class That Presides over Space, Ten Gates and Ten Verses in Five Syllables

(The space-spirits are the class that presides over space. The ten verses of this one host are all in five syllables, unlike the seven-syllable verses of the other twelve hosts.)

Furthermore, the space-spirit Pure Radiance Shining Universally gained this one gate of liberation: “universally knowing the minds of all sentient beings within the destinies”; the space-spirit Roaming Everywhere Deep and Wide gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering the Dharma realm”; the space-spirit Giving Birth to the Auspicious Wind gained this one gate of liberation: “fully understanding the bodily forms of boundless realms”; the space-spirit Abiding Free of Obstruction gained this one gate of liberation: “being able to remove the obstruction of deeds and the obstruction of delusion of all sentient beings”; the space-spirit Broad Stride and Wondrous Topknot gained this one gate of liberation: “universally contemplating and pondering the vast ocean of practice”; the space-spirit Unobstructed Blaze of Light gained this one gate of liberation: “universally rescuing and protecting all sentient beings from calamity and hardship with the light of great compassion”; the space-spirit Unobstructed Surpassing Power gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering the power of merit that clings to nothing at all”; the space-spirit Radiance Free of Stain gained this one gate of liberation: “being able to cause the minds of all sentient beings to leave the coverings behind and be pure”; the space-spirit Deep and Far Wondrous Sound gained this one gate of liberation: “universally seeing the light of wisdom of the ten directions”; the space-spirit Light Pervading the Ten Directions gained this one gate of liberation: “universally manifesting in the world without stirring from his own place.”

At that time the space-spirit Pure Radiance Shining Universally, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole host of space-spirits universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The vast eyes of the Tathāgata, pure as space; universally he sees the many sentient beings, and all is entirely clear.

“The great radiance of the Buddha’s body shines throughout the ten directions; in place after place it manifests and abides — the Spirit Roaming Everywhere contemplated his way into this road.

“The Buddha’s body is like space, unborn and taking nothing; without gain and without a nature of its own — this is what the Spirit of the Auspicious Wind saw.

“Through measureless kalpas the Tathāgata extensively proclaims the noble paths; he universally extinguishes the obstructions of sentient beings — the Spirit of Encircling Light awakened into this gate.

“I contemplate the Buddha in the past, the practice of awakening he amassed; all of it was to bring the world to security — this is the realm in which the Spirit of the Wondrous Topknot practices.

“The whole realm of sentient beings turns about in the ocean of birth-and-death; the Buddha emits the light that extinguishes suffering — the Unobstructed Spirit is able to see it.

“The pure treasury of merit can be made a field of merit for the world; according to the occasion he discloses and awakens with wisdom — here the Spirit of Power awakened.

“Sentient beings are covered over by folly and turn about upon perilous roads; the Buddha emits radiance for them — the Spirit Free of Stain is able to realize it directly.

“Wisdom has no border, and it wholly displays all the lands; its radiance lights up the world — thus does the Spirit of Wondrous Sound see the Buddha.

“The Buddha, for the sake of crossing sentient beings over, practices throughout the ten directions; such a mind of great vows — the Spirit of Universal Manifestation is able to contemplate.”

The Host of Wind-Spirits: A Class That Presides over the Wind, Whose Ten Gates Run from “Universal Entry” to “Unobstructedness”

(The wind-spirits are the class that presides over the wind. This is the last host of the present fascicle.)

Furthermore, the wind-spirit Unobstructed Radiance gained this one gate of liberation: “universally entering the Buddha’s Dharma and all the worlds”; the wind-spirit Universally Manifesting Valiant Deeds gained this one gate of liberation: “making vast offerings wherever buddhas appear in measureless lands”; the wind-spirit Cloud Banner Tossed by the Wind gained this one gate of liberation: “universally extinguishing the illnesses of all sentient beings with a fragrant wind”; the wind-spirit Adorned with Pure Radiance gained this one gate of liberation: “universally giving birth to the roots of goodness of all sentient beings and causing the mountain of heavy obstruction to be shattered”; the wind-spirit Power to Dry Up the Waters gained this one gate of liberation: “being able to break the boundless hosts of evil Māras”; the wind-spirit Great Voice Roaring Everywhere gained this one gate of liberation: “forever extinguishing the terrors of all sentient beings”; the wind-spirit Topknot Hanging from the Treetops gained this one gate of liberation: “entering the ocean of eloquence of the true character of all dharmas”; the wind-spirit Coursing Everywhere Unobstructed gained this one gate of liberation: “the treasury of skillful means that tames all sentient beings”; the wind-spirit Palaces of Every Kind gained this one gate of liberation: “entering the gate of quiescent meditative concentration and extinguishing the exceedingly heavy darkness of folly”; the wind-spirit Great Radiance Shining Universally gained this one gate of liberation: “the unobstructed power that accords with the practice of all sentient beings.”

At that time the wind-spirit Unobstructed Radiance, sustained by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the whole host of wind-spirits universally and spoke verses such as these:

“The Dharma of all the buddhas is profound, and by unobstructed skillful means one is universally able to enter it; within all the worlds it constantly appears, and yet it is without form, without shape, and without image.

“You should look at the Tathāgata in the past: in a single thought he made offerings to boundless buddhas; such valiant practice of awakening — this is what the Spirit of Universal Manifestation is able to awaken into.

“The Tathāgata rescues the world inconceivably, and not one of all his skillful means passes in vain; he causes all sentient beings to leave every suffering behind — this is the liberation of the Spirit of the Cloud Banner.

“Sentient beings lack merit and undergo every suffering, and coverings upon coverings and dense obstructions constantly delude and cover them; and yet he causes them all to gain liberation — this is what the Spirit of Pure Radiance understood.

“The vast power of the Tathāgata’s spiritual penetration subdues and destroys all the armies of Māra; all the skillful means of taming there are — the Spirit of Valiant Majestic Power is able to contemplate.

“Within his pores the Buddha sends forth wondrous sounds, and that voice reaches everywhere in the world; it causes every suffering and fear to be brought to rest — this is what the Spirit Roaring Everywhere understood.

“Within all the many seas of lands, through inconceivable kalpas the Buddha constantly expounds; this subtle and wondrous eloquence of the ground of a tathāgata — the Spirit of the Treetop Topknot is able to awaken into.

“Within every gate of skillful means the Buddha enters with wisdom wholly unobstructed; his realm is boundless and beyond compare — this is the liberation of the Spirit Coursing Everywhere.

“The realm of the Tathāgata has no border, and in place after place by skillful means he causes all to see; and yet his body is quiescent and without any characteristics — this is the gate of liberation of the Spirit of Palaces of Every Kind.

“Through oceans of kalpas the Tathāgata cultivated all practices, and every power is entirely accomplished and fulfilled; he is able to accord with the ways of the world and meet sentient beings — this is what the Spirit Shining Universally saw.”

The Presiding Spirits of Fire: Once the Darkness Is Removed, the Suffering Subsides

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of fire Universal Light Flame Treasury realized the gate of liberation of being able to remove utterly all the darkness of every world (a gate of liberation means one gateway by which liberation is realized and entered, and each spirit realizes one of them); the presiding spirit of fire Universally Gathered Light Banner realized the gate of liberation of being able to still the suffering of all sentient beings’ manifold delusions that sweep them adrift without fixity and of their parching distress, the presiding spirit of fire Great Light Pervading Illumination realized the gate of liberation of the treasury of great compassion formed by the unshakable power of merit; the presiding spirit of fire Manifold Wondrous Palaces realized the gate of liberation of beholding how the Tathāgata manifests by the power of spiritual penetration without any bound; the presiding spirit of fire Inexhaustible Light Topknot realized the gate of liberation of light shining upon the boundless realm of space; the presiding spirit of fire Manifold Flame Eyes realized the gate of liberation of the still light adorned by manifold merits; the presiding spirit of fire Palaces of the Ten Directions Like Mount Sumeru realized the gate of liberation of being able to extinguish the blazing, burning suffering of every destiny in all the worlds; the presiding spirit of fire Majestic Light and Sovereign Freedom realized the gate of liberation of opening up, in sovereign freedom, the awakening of all the worlds; the presiding spirit of fire Light Illuminating the Ten Directions realized the gate of liberation of forever demolishing all views of delusion and attachment; the presiding spirit of fire Thunder Sound and Lightning Light realized the gate of liberation of accomplishing the power of every vow and letting out a great roar.

At that time the presiding spirit of fire Universal Light Flame Treasury, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of fire and uttered these verses:

“Look at the Tathāgata’s power of vigor, so vast that through a koṭi kalpas it is beyond conceiving; for the benefit of sentient beings he appeared in the world, and every shrouding darkness he extinguished. Sentient beings, out of delusion, give rise to all manner of wrong views; their afflictions surge like water and burn like fire, and the Guide extinguishes them all by every kind of skillful means — here Universally Gathered Light Banner awakened and entered.

“Merit is inexhaustible as space, and to seek out its limit is not possible; the great compassion of this Buddha has an unshakable power, and Great Light Pervading Illumination, once touched by that light, awakened and entered, and joy arose in his mind. I observe what the Tathāgata does, passing through oceans of kalpas without any bound, and just so he manifests the power of spiritual penetration — what the spirit Manifold Wondrous Palaces understands is precisely this.

“Perfected through a koṭi kalpas and past all measuring, and as for seeking out its limit, no one is able to know it; he expounds the real character of all dharmas and makes beings rejoice — what the spirit Inexhaustible Light Topknot beholds is precisely this. All the vast assemblies of the ten directions are present before him, gazing up at the Buddha, and the still light shines upon the world — this is what the spirit Manifold Flame Eyes is able to fathom.

“The Muni appears in world after world and sits at ease within every palace, raining down everywhere the boundless and vast rain of Dharma — this is the domain of the spirit Palaces of the Ten Directions Like Mount Sumeru. The wisdom of the buddhas is the most profound of all; sovereign over all dharmas, he manifests in the world and is able to set forth in full the principle of what is real — Majestic Light and Sovereign Freedom awakened and entered here, and in his mind there was gladness.

“All manner of wrong views and delusion have become a shrouding darkness, and sentient beings, deluded, turn constantly in birth and death; the Buddha opens and sets forth for them the subtle Dharma-gates — this spirit Light Illuminating the Ten Directions is able to awaken and enter. The gateway of vows is vast and beyond conceiving; by the power that ferries and transforms it has been cultivated and is already pure, and just as the vow-mind of former times, it has all come forth — this is what the spirit Thunder Sound and Lightning Light fathoms.”

The Presiding Spirits of Water: Kindness Is Impartial, and the Dharma Realm Is Without Marks

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of water Universally Rising Cloud Banner realized the gate of liberation of the kindness that benefits all sentient beings impartially; the presiding spirit of water Sea-Tide Cloud Sound realized the gate of liberation of the adornment formed by boundless Dharma-gates; the presiding spirit of water Wondrous Form Wheel Topknot realized the gate of liberation of observing those who ought to be taught and transformed and gathering them all in by skillful means; the presiding spirit of water Skillful Whirlpool realized the gate of liberation of expounding everywhere the profound domain of the buddhas; the presiding spirit of water Stainless Amassed Fragrance realized the gate of liberation of manifesting everywhere the pure great light; the presiding spirit of water Merit Bridge Light Sound realized the gate of liberation of the pure Dharma realm that is without marks and without nature; the presiding spirit of water Contentment and Sovereign Freedom realized the gate of liberation of the inexhaustible ocean of great compassion; the presiding spirit of water Pure Joy Good Sound realized the gate of liberation of being a treasury of great joy within the place of awakening where the great host of bodhisattvas assembles; the presiding spirit of water Universally Manifesting Majestic Light realized the gate of liberation of appearing everywhere by the vast power of merit that is without any obstruction; the presiding spirit of water Roaring Sound Pervading the Sea realized the gate of liberation of observing all sentient beings and arousing means of taming that are like space.

At that time the presiding spirit of water Universally Rising Cloud Banner, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of water and uttered these verses:

“Gates of pure kindness as many as the dust motes of the lands together produce one wondrous mark of the Tathāgata, and every one of the marks is likewise, so that those who see him can never look their fill. When the World-Honored One practiced in former times he went everywhere to the places of all the tathāgatas, cultivating in every way without slackness or fatigue — such skillful means are what Sea-Tide Cloud Sound awakened and entered.

“The Buddha is within all the ten directions, still and unmoving, neither coming nor going, and he teaches beings as is fitting so that all of them may see him — this is what Wondrous Form Wheel Topknot knows. The domain of the Tathāgata is without bound or measure, and no sentient being can fathom it; he expounds with wondrous sound reaching throughout the ten directions — this is where the spirit Skillful Whirlpool ranges.

“The light of the World-Honored One is inexhaustible, filling and pervading the Dharma realm beyond conceiving; he preaches the Dharma, teaches, and ferries sentient beings across — this is what the spirit Stainless Amassed Fragrance beholds. The Tathāgata is pure as space, without mark and without shape, pervading the ten directions, and yet he lets not one of the assembly fail to see him — this is what the spirit Merit Bridge Light Sound observes so well.

“The Buddha in former times cultivated the gateway of great compassion, and that mind was vast and pervasive, equal to sentient beings, and so he appears in the world like a cloud — this gate of liberation is what Contentment and Sovereign Freedom fathoms. In all the lands of the ten directions they see the Tathāgata seated upon his seat, brightly awakening to the great awakening — such a domain is what Pure Joy Good Sound awakened and entered.

“What the Tathāgata does is unobstructed; he goes everywhere to all the lands of the ten directions and in every place manifests great spiritual penetration — Universally Manifesting Majestic Light has been able to awaken and enter. He cultivates boundless practices of skillful means, equal to the realm of sentient beings and filling it all, and the wondrous function of his spiritual penetration has never paused for a moment — Roaring Sound Pervading the Sea is the one who can awaken and enter.”

The Presiding Spirits of the Sea: With an Impartial Mind He Gives, and the Ocean of Afflictions Runs Dry

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of the sea Manifesting Jewel Light realized the gate of liberation of giving to all sentient beings with an impartial mind and adorning his body with an ocean of merit and with the many jewels; the presiding spirit of the sea Indestructible Vajra Banner realized the gate of liberation of guarding the roots of goodness of all sentient beings by skillful means; the presiding spirit of the sea Unmixed with Dust and Defilement realized the gate of liberation of being able to make the ocean of afflictions of all sentient beings run dry; the presiding spirit of the sea Ever Abiding in the Waves realized the gate of liberation of making all sentient beings leave the evil destinies; the presiding spirit of the sea Auspicious Jewel Moon realized the gate of liberation of extinguishing everywhere the darkness of great delusion; the presiding spirit of the sea Wondrous Flower Dragon Topknot realized the gate of liberation of extinguishing the suffering of all the destinies and bestowing peace and happiness; the presiding spirit of the sea Universally Upholding Light and Savor realized the gate of liberation of purifying the manifold wrong views and the nature of delusion in all sentient beings; the presiding spirit of the sea Jewel Flame Flower Light realized the gate of liberation of bringing forth the mind of awakening, that lineage precious as jewels, in all; the presiding spirit of the sea Vajra Wondrous Topknot realized the gate of liberation of the ocean of merit of the unshaken mind; the presiding spirit of the sea Sea-Tide Thunder Sound realized the gate of liberation of entering everywhere the gate of the samādhi of the Dharma realm.

At that time the presiding spirit of the sea Manifesting Jewel Light, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of the sea and uttered these verses:

“Within oceans of great kalpas beyond conceiving he made offerings to all the buddhas, the tathāgatas, and gave his merit everywhere to sentient beings, and so his upright adornment is beyond compare. He manifests within every world and knows the faculties and inclinations of sentient beings without exception, expounding for them everywhere the vast ocean of Dharma — this is what Indestructible Vajra Banner gladly awakened and entered. All the guides of every world let the cloud of Dharma rain down immeasurably and dry up the inexhaustible oceans of suffering — this is the Dharma-gate that Unmixed with Dust and Defilement entered.

“All sentient beings are covered over by afflictions and turn about in the various destinies undergoing manifold suffering; the Buddha reveals to them the domain of the Tathāgata, and the spirit Ever Abiding in the Waves entered this gate. Through oceans of kalpas past measuring the Buddha cultivates all manner of practices without end and forever cuts through the net of delusion and confusion in sentient beings — here Auspicious Jewel Moon was able to awaken and enter with clarity.

“The Buddha sees that sentient beings live constantly in dread, turning about in the great ocean of birth and death, and so he shows them the unsurpassed path of the Tathāgata — Wondrous Flower Dragon Topknot understood this, and joy arose in his mind. The domains of the buddhas are beyond conceiving; the Dharma realm and space are equal and of one mark, and he is able to purify away the net of delusion and confusion in sentient beings — such a meaning is what Universally Upholding Light and Savor is able to declare.

“The Buddha’s eye is pure and beyond conceiving; it sees to the end of every domain, and he shows sentient beings everywhere the manifold wondrous paths — this is what Jewel Flame Flower Light awakened to in his mind. The armies of Māra are vast and numberless, and in a single instant they are all crushed and destroyed, and that mind is without the least tremor and hard to fathom — this is the skillful means of Vajra Wondrous Topknot.

“He expounds the wondrous sound everywhere in the ten directions, and that sound pervades the Dharma realm without exception — this is the domain of the Tathāgata’s samādhi, and it is where the spirit Sea-Tide Thunder Sound ranges.”

The Presiding Spirits of Rivers: Once the Rain of Dharma Pours Down, the Burning Distress Is All Cooled

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of rivers Universally Sending Forth Swift Currents realized the gate of liberation of raining down everywhere the boundless rain of Dharma; the presiding spirit of rivers Universally Cleansing Springs and Streams realized the gate of liberation of appearing everywhere before all sentient beings and making them leave afflictions forever; the presiding spirit of rivers Dust-Free Pure Eyes realized the gate of liberation of washing away everywhere, by the skillful means of great compassion, the manifold dust of delusion in all sentient beings; the presiding spirit of rivers Roaring Throughout the Ten Directions realized the gate of liberation of constantly sending forth the sound that benefits sentient beings; the presiding spirit of rivers Universally Rescuing and Protecting Sentient Beings realized the gate of liberation of constantly giving rise, among all that has consciousness, to the kindness that does no harm; the presiding spirit of rivers Unburning Pure Light realized the gate of liberation of showing everywhere all cooling roots of goodness; the presiding spirit of rivers Universally Producing Joy realized the gate of liberation of cultivating giving to the full and making all sentient beings leave stinginess and attachment forever; the presiding spirit of rivers Vast Virtue Supreme Banner realized the gate of liberation of being a field of merit that gives joy to all; the presiding spirit of rivers Light Illuminating the Whole World realized the gate of liberation of being able to make those among all sentient beings who are defiled become pure and those who are poisoned with anger become joyful; the presiding spirit of rivers Ocean Virtue Light realized the gate of liberation of being able to make all sentient beings enter the ocean of liberation and constantly receive happiness in full.

At that time the presiding spirit of rivers Universally Sending Forth Swift Currents, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of rivers and uttered these verses:

“The Tathāgata in former times, for the sake of sentient beings, cultivated the ocean of Dharma and practiced without bound, just as a great rain quenches the blazing heat, extinguishing everywhere the burning distress of the afflictions in sentient beings. Through measureless kalpas past telling the Buddha purified the world with the light of his vows, letting those whose faculties were ripe awaken to the path — this is what the spirit Universally Cleansing Springs and Streams awakened to in his mind.

“Great compassion and skillful means equal to sentient beings appear before every one of them and constantly guide and draw them on, purifying everywhere the defilement of their afflictions — Dust-Free Pure Eyes saw this and rejoiced deeply. The Buddha expounds the wondrous sound and lets all hear it everywhere; sentient beings delight in it and joy arises in their minds, and it washes away for all of them measureless suffering — this is the liberation of the spirit Roaring Throughout the Ten Directions.

“The Buddha in former times cultivated the practices of awakening and passed through measureless kalpas for the benefit of sentient beings, and so his light shines upon the world everywhere — the spirit Universally Rescuing and Protecting Sentient Beings recalled this, and joy arose in his mind. The Buddha practiced in former times for the sake of sentient beings, ripening them by every kind of skillful means, purifying everywhere the ocean of merit and removing the manifold sufferings — Unburning Pure Light saw this, and in his mind there was gladness.

“The gateway of giving is vast and inexhaustible, and all sentient beings gain the benefit of it, and it can make those who see it free of stinginess and attachment — this is what the spirit Universally Producing Joy awakened to. The Buddha in former times cultivated real skillful means and accomplished a boundless ocean of merit, and he can make all who see him rejoice — this is what the spirit Vast Virtue Supreme Banner awakened to in his mind and delighted in.

“Wherever sentient beings have defilement he purifies it for them, and toward all enmity and harm he alike gives rise to kindness, and so he gains a light that shines and fills all space — the river spirit Light Illuminating the Whole World saw this and rejoiced. The Buddha is a field of merit and an ocean of merit, and he can make all sentient beings leave every evil behind and even accomplish the great awakening — this is the liberation of the spirit Ocean Virtue Light.”

The Presiding Spirits of Crops: Once the Savor of Dharma Is Tasted, the Body of a Buddha Can Be Accomplished

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of crops Soft and Supreme Savor realized the gate of liberation of giving all sentient beings the savor of Dharma and making them accomplish the body of a buddha; the presiding spirit of crops Seasonal Flower Pure Light realized the gate of liberation of being able to make all sentient beings receive vast joy and happiness; the presiding spirit of crops Form, Strength, and Valorous Vigor realized the gate of liberation of purifying the manifold objective realms by all the perfect Dharma-gates; the presiding spirit of crops Increasing Vital Essence realized the gate of liberation of seeing the Buddha’s great compassion and the measureless power of his spiritual transformations; the presiding spirit of crops Universally Producing Roots and Fruits realized the gate of liberation of showing everywhere the Buddha’s field of merit and making what is sown there never be lost or spoiled; the presiding spirit of crops Wondrously Adorned Ringed Topknot realized the gate of liberation of opening out everywhere the flower of pure faith in sentient beings; the presiding spirit of crops Moistening Pure Flower realized the gate of liberation of pitying and succoring sentient beings with great kindness and compassion and making their ocean of merit increase; the presiding spirit of crops Accomplished Wondrous Fragrance realized the gate of liberation of setting forth at large all the dharmas of practice; the presiding spirit of crops Loved by Those Who See realized the gate of liberation of being able to make all sentient beings in the Dharma realm cast off sloth, sorrow, distress, and the manifold evils and become pure everywhere; the presiding spirit of crops Stainless Light realized the gate of liberation of observing the roots of goodness of all sentient beings, preaching the Dharma as is fitting for each, and making the assembly joyful and satisfied.

At that time the presiding spirit of crops Soft and Supreme Savor, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of crops and uttered these verses:

“The Tathāgata has an unsurpassed ocean of merit and manifests everywhere like a bright lamp illuminating the world; all sentient beings gain his rescue and protection, and to all he gives peace and happiness, leaving none out. The merit of the World-Honored One is without bound, and sentient beings who hear of it do not hear in vain, for he makes them all leave suffering and rejoice constantly — this is what Seasonal Flower Pure Light awakened and entered.

“The manifold powers of the Well-Gone One are all perfected, and adorned with merit he manifests in the world, and all sentient beings are tamed — this is what Form, Strength, and Valorous Vigor is able clearly to realize. The Buddha in former times cultivated the ocean of great compassion, and that mind in thought after thought was equal to the world, and so his spiritual penetration is without bound — Increasing Vital Essence is able to behold it.

“The Buddha pervades the world and is constantly present, and not one of his skillful means is ever spent in vain, for he purifies away the manifold delusions and distress of sentient beings — this is the liberation of the spirit Universally Producing Roots and Fruits. The Buddha is the ocean of great wisdom for the world; he sends forth a pure light that pervades all without exception, and vast faith and understanding are all born from it — such a domain is what Wondrously Adorned Ringed Topknot is able clearly to awaken and enter.

“The Tathāgata observes the world and gives rise to kindness, appearing for the benefit of sentient beings, and shows them that most supreme path of tranquil delight — this is the liberation of the spirit Moistening Pure Flower. The pure practices cultivated by the Well-Gone One were all declared beneath the tree of awakening, and such teaching and transforming fills the ten directions — this is what the spirit Accomplished Wondrous Fragrance is able to hear and receive.

“In every kind of world the Buddha makes beings leave sorrow behind and give rise to great joy, and all their faculties and inclinations are purified — here the spirit Loved by Those Who See awakened and entered. The Tathāgata appears in the world and observes everywhere what sentient beings delight in within their minds, ripening them by every kind of skillful means — this is the gate of liberation of the spirit Stainless Light.”

The Presiding Spirits of Herbs: Recollect the Buddha in a Single Thought, and the Sickness Is Extinguished

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of herbs Auspicious realized the gate of liberation of observing everywhere the minds of all sentient beings and diligently gathering them in; the presiding spirit of herbs Sandalwood Grove realized the gate of liberation of gathering in sentient beings by light and making those who see him not see in vain; the presiding spirit of herbs Dust-Free Light realized the gate of liberation of being able to extinguish the afflictions of all sentient beings by pure skillful means; the presiding spirit of herbs Renown Universally Heard realized the gate of liberation of being able to increase the boundless ocean of roots of goodness by his vast renown; the presiding spirit of herbs Light Appearing from the Pores realized the gate of liberation of hastening by the banner of great compassion to every realm where there is the suffering of sickness; the presiding spirit of herbs Breaking Darkness and Purifying realized the gate of liberation of healing all blind and benighted sentient beings and making the eye of their wisdom pure; the presiding spirit of herbs Universally Sending Forth a Roar realized the gate of liberation of being able to send forth the voice of a buddha and declare the differentiated meanings of all dharmas; the presiding spirit of herbs Sun-Veiling Light Banner realized the gate of liberation of being able to act as a good friend to all sentient beings and make those who see him give rise to roots of goodness; the presiding spirit of herbs Clearly Seeing the Ten Directions realized the gate of liberation of the pure treasury of great compassion, able by skillful means to give rise to faith and understanding; the presiding spirit of herbs Universally Sending Forth Majestic Light realized the gate of liberation of making beings recollect the Buddha by skillful means and extinguishing the sickness and suffering of all sentient beings.

At that time the presiding spirit of herbs Auspicious, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of herbs and uttered these verses:

“The wisdom of the Tathāgata is beyond conceiving; he knows utterly the minds of all sentient beings and is able, by every kind of power of skillful means, to extinguish the measureless suffering of those who are deluded. The skillfulness of the Great Hero is hard to fathom, and nothing he does is ever spent in vain, for he surely makes the manifold sufferings of sentient beings be extinguished — the spirit Sandalwood Grove is able to awaken and enter here.

“Look, the dharma of the buddhas is just so: in former times they diligently cultivated for measureless kalpas, and yet toward the manifold existences they have not a trace of attachment — this is the gate that Dust-Free Light entered. A buddha is hard to meet in a hundred thousand kalpas, and if anyone gets to see him or hear his name, he surely makes that one gain benefit and not be spent in vain — this is what the spirit Renown Universally Heard fathoms.

“Within every single pore of the Tathāgata a light is sent forth that extinguishes manifold calamities, and the afflictions of the world are all made to run out — this is the gate that the spirit Light Appearing from the Pores entered. All sentient beings are blinded by delusion, and their confusion, their deeds, and their sufferings have measureless distinctions, and the Buddha removes them all and opens the shining of wisdom — such a domain is what Breaking Darkness and Purifying is able to behold.

“The single voice of the Tathāgata is without limit and can open the ocean of all the Dharma-gates, and the sentient beings who hear it all understand — this is the liberation of Universally Sending Forth a Roar. Look, the wisdom of the Buddha is hard to conceive; he manifests everywhere among the various destinies to ferry sentient beings across and can make those who see him be transformed accordingly — this is what Sun-Veiling Light Banner deeply understood.

“The ocean of the Tathāgata’s great compassion and skillful means appears for the benefit of the world, opening at large the right path and showing it to sentient beings — this is what the spirit Clearly Seeing the Ten Directions is able to fathom. The Tathāgata sends forth everywhere a great light, and there is nowhere in the ten directions it does not illumine, making beings give rise to merit as they recollect the Buddha — this is the gate of liberation of Universally Sending Forth Majestic Light.”

The Presiding Spirits of Forests: The Ocean of Wisdom Holds All Within, and the Sprout of Faith Grows of Itself

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of forests Spreading Flowers Like Clouds realized the gate of liberation of the treasury of the vast and boundless ocean of wisdom; the presiding spirit of forests Rising Trunk Unfurling Light realized the gate of liberation of vast cultivation and universal purification; the presiding spirit of forests Sprouting Buds Sending Out Brilliance realized the gate of liberation of increasing the manifold sprouts of pure faith; the presiding spirit of forests Auspicious Pure Leaves realized the gate of liberation of the mass adorned by all pure merits; the presiding spirit of forests Down-Spreading Flame Treasury realized the gate of liberation of constantly surveying the Dharma realm with the pure wisdom of the universal gate; the presiding spirit of forests Wondrously Adorned Light realized the gate of liberation of knowing everywhere the ocean of the conduct of all sentient beings and spreading out the cloud of Dharma; the presiding spirit of forests Agreeable Thunder Sound realized the gate of liberation of bearing all disagreeable sounds and sending forth a pure voice; the presiding spirit of forests Fragrant Light Universally Pervading realized the gate of liberation of manifesting everywhere in the ten directions the domain of the vast practice cultivated in former times; the presiding spirit of forests Wondrous Light Circling in Brilliance realized the gate of liberation of benefiting the world with all the dharmas of merit; the presiding spirit of forests Flower and Fruit, Light and Savor realized the gate of liberation of being able to make all sentient beings see the Buddha arise, keep him constantly in reverent recollection without forgetting, and adorn the treasury of merit.

At that time the presiding spirit of forests Spreading Flowers Like Clouds, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of forests and uttered these verses:

“The Buddha in former times cultivated the practices of awakening, and merit and wisdom were both brought to fullness, and all the manifold powers were complete in him, and so he sent forth a great light and appeared in the world. The gateway of compassion is measureless and equal to sentient beings, and the Tathāgata cultivated it everywhere in former times, and so he is able to act for the benefit of the world — this is what the spirit Rising Trunk Unfurling Light fathoms.

“If any sentient being but sees the Buddha once, he surely makes that one enter the deep ocean of faith and shows everywhere the path of all the tathāgatas — this is the liberation of the spirit Sprouting Buds Sending Out Brilliance. The manifold merits gathered in a single pore could not be told out fully in oceans of kalpas of proclaiming, and the skillful means of the buddhas are beyond conceiving — Auspicious Pure Leaves is able to understand this deep meaning.

“I recall that the Tathāgata in former times made offerings to measureless buddhas as many as the dust motes of the lands, and in the presence of each buddha his wisdom grew brighter — this is what the spirit Down-Spreading Flame Treasury fathoms. The manifold oceans of the conduct of all sentient beings the World-Honored One knows utterly in a single thought, and such vast and unobstructed wisdom the spirit Wondrously Adorned Light is able to awaken and enter.

“He constantly sends forth the still and subtle sound of the Tathāgata and gives rise everywhere to a great joy beyond compare, and following upon their understanding and inclination he makes them all awaken — this is the dharma where Agreeable Thunder Sound ranges. The Tathāgata manifests great spiritual penetration, pervading all the lands of the ten directions, and lets the practice of the Buddha in former times be seen by all — this is the gate that Fragrant Light Universally Pervading entered.

“Sentient beings are fawning and crooked and do not cultivate virtue; deluded, they sink and turn about within birth and death, and he sets forth for them the manifold paths of wisdom — this is what the spirit Wondrous Light Circling in Brilliance sees. For the sake of those sentient beings who have obstructions from their deeds, the Buddha passes through a koṭi kalpas and manifests but once; for the rest he lets them see him constantly in thought after thought — this is what the spirit Flower and Fruit, Light and Savor observes.”

The Presiding Spirits of Mountains: Entering the Great Concentration of Stillness, Roots of Goodness Grow Even in Dreams

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of mountains Jewel Peak Opening Flowers realized the gate of liberation of entering the light of the great concentration of stillness; the presiding spirit of mountains Flower Grove Wondrous Topknot realized the gate of liberation of gathering and cultivating the roots of goodness of kindness and ripening sentient beings past conceiving in number; the presiding spirit of mountains Lofty Banner Universally Illuminating realized the gate of liberation of observing what all sentient beings delight in within their minds and adorning and purifying their faculties; the presiding spirit of mountains Dust-Free Jewel Topknot realized the gate of liberation of diligent vigor through boundless oceans of kalpas without weariness or sloth; the presiding spirit of mountains Light Illuminating the Ten Directions realized the gate of liberation of awakening sentient beings everywhere by the light of boundless merit; the presiding spirit of mountains Great Power Light realized the gate of liberation of being able to ripen himself and also to make sentient beings cast off deluded conduct; the presiding spirit of mountains Majestic Light Universally Supreme realized the gate of liberation of pulling out all suffering so that nothing at all is left; the presiding spirit of mountains Subtle and Secret Light Wheel realized the gate of liberation of expounding the light of the teaching and revealing the merit of all the tathāgatas; the presiding spirit of mountains Universal Eye Manifestly Seeing realized the gate of liberation of making all sentient beings increase their roots of goodness even within a dream; the presiding spirit of mountains Vajra Firm Eye realized the gate of liberation of bringing forth the boundless ocean of great meaning.

At that time the presiding spirit of mountains Opening Flowers Encircling the Earth, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of mountains and uttered these verses:

“The excellent practices cultivated in former times were without bound, and the spiritual penetration now obtained is likewise without limit; Dharma-gates are opened out as many as the dust motes, and all of them make sentient beings deeply awaken and enter with joy. The manifold wondrous marks adorn his body and reach throughout the world, and the light of his pores is pure through and through, and by great kindness and skillful means he shows all things — Flower Grove Wondrous Topknot awakened and entered this gate.

“The body of the Buddha manifests everywhere without bound, filling all the worlds of the ten directions, and his faculties are adorned and pure so that those who see him rejoice — this dharma is what Lofty Banner Universally Illuminating is able to awaken and enter. Through long kalpas he practiced diligently without slackness or fatigue, unstained by the dharmas of the world as space is unstained, and taught the multitude of the living by every kind of skillful means — the one who awakened and entered this Dharma-gate is named Dust-Free Jewel Topknot.

“Sentient beings, blind and benighted, walk into perilous paths, and the Buddha pities them and unfurls his light to shine upon them, making the world awaken everywhere out of its sleep and dreaming — Light Illuminating the Ten Directions awakened and entered this gate, and joy arose in his mind. In former times he practiced at large within the manifold existences and made offerings to buddhas numberless as the dust motes of the lands, letting sentient beings see it and give rise to great vows — Great Power Light upon this ground is able clearly to awaken and enter.

“Seeing the manifold sentient beings within the suffering of their turning about, all bound and covered constantly by the obstructions of their deeds, he extinguishes them utterly with the light of wisdom — this is the liberation of the spirit Majestic Light Universally Supreme. From every single pore a wondrous sound is sent out that praises the buddhas in accord with the minds of sentient beings, reaching throughout the ten directions and passing through measureless kalpas — this is the gate that Subtle and Secret Light Wheel entered.

“The Buddha pervades the ten directions and is present everywhere, declaring the wondrous Dharma by every kind of skillful means and benefiting at large the manifold oceans of the conduct of sentient beings — this is what the spirit Universal Eye Manifestly Seeing awakened to. The Dharma-gates are like an ocean, without bound or measure, and he declares them with a single voice so that all understand, and through all the kalpas he expounds them without end — the one who entered this skillful means is Vajra Firm Eye.”

The Presiding Spirits of the Earth: One Thought of Kindness and Compassion, and He Gains the Vajra Body

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of the earth Universal Virtue Pure Flower realized the gate of liberation of observing all sentient beings everywhere in thought after thought with a mind of kindness and compassion; the presiding spirit of the earth Firm Merit Adornment realized the gate of liberation of manifesting everywhere the power of merit of all sentient beings; the presiding spirit of the earth Wondrous Flower Adorned Tree realized the gate of liberation of entering everywhere into all dharmas and bringing forth the adornments of all buddha-lands; the presiding spirit of the earth Universally Scattering Many Jewels realized the gate of liberation of cultivating the manifold samādhis and making sentient beings remove the defilement of their obstructions; the presiding spirit of the earth Pure Eyes Observing the Season realized the gate of liberation of making all sentient beings constantly disport themselves in happiness; the presiding spirit of the earth Golden Wondrous Eyes realized the gate of liberation of manifesting every pure body and taming sentient beings; the presiding spirit of the earth Fragrant Hair Emitting Light realized the gate of liberation of knowing the ocean of merit and the great majestic power of all the buddhas; the presiding spirit of the earth Still Sound Delighting the Mind realized the gate of liberation of holding and sustaining everywhere the ocean of the speech and sounds of all sentient beings; the presiding spirit of the earth Wondrous Flower Spiraling Topknot realized the gate of liberation of filling the buddha-lands with the nature that is free of defilement; the presiding spirit of the earth Vajra Universally Upholding realized the gate of liberation of being held and sustained by all the wheels of the Buddha’s Dharma and manifesting everywhere.

At that time the presiding spirit of the earth Universal Virtue Pure Flower, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of the earth and uttered these verses:

“The Tathāgata in former times, in thought after thought, had gateways of great kindness and compassion past telling in number, and just so he practiced without ever stopping, and so he gained a body firm and indestructible. The sentient beings of the three times together with the bodhisattvas, and all the manifold masses of merit there are, all appear within the pores of the Tathāgata — Firm Merit Adornment saw this, and joy arose in his mind.

“The vast and still samādhi is unarisen and unceasing, neither coming nor going, and it adorns and purifies the lands to show them to sentient beings — this is the liberation of the spirit Wondrous Flower Adorned Tree. The Buddha in former times cultivated the manifold practices in order to make sentient beings dissolve away obstruction upon obstruction, and the presiding spirit of the earth Universally Scattering Many Jewels saw this liberation, and joy arose in his mind.

“The domain of the Tathāgata is without bound, and thought after thought he manifests everywhere within the world — the presiding spirit of the earth Pure Eyes Observing the Season saw what the Buddha does, and in his mind there was gladness. The wondrous sound is without limit and beyond conceiving, and it extinguishes the afflictions of sentient beings everywhere — the spirit Golden Wondrous Eyes was able to understand it and saw the boundless excellent merit of the Buddha.

“All forms and shapes are transformed and manifested, and the Dharma realms of the ten directions are entirely filled — Fragrant Hair Emitting Light constantly gets to see the Buddha, and just so teaches and transforms the manifold sentient beings everywhere. The wondrous sound reaches everywhere throughout the ten directions and declares to sentient beings through measureless kalpas — the earth spirit Still Sound Delighting the Mind fathomed this in his mind, and hearing it from the Buddha he gave rise to deep reverence and joy.

“From the Buddha’s pores there wells up a cloud of fragrant flames that reaches throughout the world in accord with the minds of sentient beings, and all who see it are ripened — this is what Wondrous Flower Spiraling Topknot beholds. Firm and hard to break as vajra, unshakable and surpassing Sumeru — just so does the body of the Buddha abide in the world, and Vajra Universally Upholding got to see it, and joy arose in his mind.”

The Presiding Spirits of Cities: Breaking the Mountain of Obstruction, Opening the Mind of Delusion and Darkness

Furthermore, the presiding spirit of cities Jewel Peak Radiance realized the gate of liberation of benefiting sentient beings by skillful means; the presiding spirit of cities Wondrously Adorned Palace realized the gate of liberation of knowing the faculties of sentient beings and teaching and ripening them; the presiding spirit of cities Pure Joy Jewel realized the gate of liberation of constant joy that makes all sentient beings receive the manifold merits; the presiding spirit of cities Free of Sorrow and Pure realized the gate of liberation of the treasury of great compassion that rescues from the manifold dreads; the presiding spirit of cities Flower Lamp Flame Eyes realized the gate of liberation of understanding everywhere the great wisdom; the presiding spirit of cities Flame Banner Brightly Appearing realized the gate of liberation of manifesting everywhere by skillful means; the presiding spirit of cities Abundant Merit Majestic Light realized the gate of liberation of observing all sentient beings everywhere and making them cultivate the vast ocean of merit; the presiding spirit of cities Pure Radiant Body realized the gate of liberation of awakening all sentient beings who are benighted in darkness; the presiding spirit of cities Fragrant Banner Adornment realized the gate of liberation of beholding how the sovereign power of the Tathāgata reaches everywhere throughout the world and tames sentient beings; the presiding spirit of cities Jewel Peak Light Eyes realized the gate of liberation of being able to break the mountain of obstruction of all sentient beings with a great light.

At that time the presiding spirit of cities Jewel Peak Radiance, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the presiding spirits of cities and uttered these verses:

“The Guide is just so, beyond conceiving; his light shines everywhere throughout the ten directions, and sentient beings all see the Buddha present before them, and those he teaches and ripens are numberless. The faculties of the manifold sentient beings each differ, and the Buddha knows them all without exception — the presiding spirit of cities Wondrously Adorned Palace entered this Dharma-gate, and in his mind there was gladness.

“The Tathāgata cultivated through measureless kalpas and upheld the dharma of the buddhas of former times, and his intent was constantly to serve them and rejoice — this city spirit Pure Joy Jewel awakened and entered this gate. The Tathāgata in former times was already able to dispel the manifold dreads of all sentient beings, and moreover he constantly gives rise to kindness and compassion toward them — this is what the spirit Free of Sorrow and Pure awakened to in his mind and rejoiced in.

“The wisdom of the Buddha is vast and without bound, like space it cannot be measured — the city spirit Flower Lamp Flame Eyes awakened and rejoiced here and is able to learn the subtle wisdom of the Tathāgata. The forms of the Tathāgata are equal to sentient beings, and following their love and inclination he lets them all see him — Flame Banner Brightly Appearing was able to awaken and enter within his mind and cultivated this skillful means and rejoiced.

“The Tathāgata in former times cultivated the manifold oceans of merit, pure and vast and without bound — Abundant Merit Majestic Light, upon this gate, observed and understood, and in his mind there was gladness. Sentient beings are deluded amid the manifold existences, like those born blind in the world who never in the end can see, and the Buddha arose in the world for their benefit — the spirit Pure Radiant Body entered this gate.

“The sovereign freedom of the Tathāgata is without bound, and like a cloud it reaches everywhere throughout the world, and he even manifests within dreams and tames beings there — this is what Fragrant Banner Adornment beholds. Sentient beings are deluded and dark as the blind, wrapped and covered by the manifold obstructing veils, and the Buddha’s light shines through and opens them all up — such a domain is precisely what Jewel Peak Light Eyes entered.”

The Spirits of the Place of Awakening: Eleven Spirits, Eleven Verses

Furthermore, the spirit of the place of awakening Pure Adornment Banner realized the gate of liberation of the power of the vow to bring forth the vast adornments with which the Buddha is served; the spirit of the place of awakening Sumeru Jewel Light realized the gate of liberation of appearing before all sentient beings and accomplishing the vast practices of awakening; the spirit of the place of awakening Thunder Sound Banner Mark realized the gate of liberation of following what all sentient beings delight in within their minds and making them see the Buddha preach the Dharma to them in a dream; the spirit of the place of awakening Raining Flowers Wondrous Eyes realized the gate of liberation of being able to rain down all the manifold jeweled adornments that are hard to give away; the spirit of the place of awakening Pure Flame Form realized the gate of liberation of being able to manifest a subtly adorned place of awakening and teach sentient beings at large and ripen them; the spirit of the place of awakening Flower Tassel Hanging Topknot realized the gate of liberation of preaching the Dharma according to their faculties and making them give rise to right recollection; the spirit of the place of awakening Raining Jewels Adornment realized the gate of liberation of being able to rain down everywhere the boundless dharma of joy by eloquence; the spirit of the place of awakening Valorous Fragrant Eyes realized the gate of liberation of praising at large the merit of the buddhas; the spirit of the place of awakening Vajra Coloured Clouds realized the gate of liberation of manifesting boundless trees of forms and adorning the place of awakening; the spirit of the place of awakening Lotus Radiance realized the gate of liberation of being still and unmoving beneath the tree of awakening and yet filling and pervading the ten directions; the spirit of the place of awakening Wondrous Light Shining realized the gate of liberation of revealing the manifold powers of the Tathāgata.

At that time the spirit of the place of awakening Pure Adornment Banner, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the spirits of the place of awakening and uttered these verses:

“I recall the Tathāgata in the time of old and the practices he cultivated through measureless kalpas, making offerings to all the buddhas who arose, and so he obtained a great merit like space itself. The Buddha in former times cultivated inexhaustible giving, as much as the dust motes of measureless lands — Sumeru Jewel Light, this spirit of the seat of awakening, recalled the Well-Gone One, and in his mind there was gladness.

“The forms of the Tathāgata are inexhaustible; transformed, they flow throughout all the lands and even within a dream are constantly manifested — Thunder Sound Banner Mark saw this, and joy arose. In former times he cultivated the practice of relinquishing through measureless kalpas and was able to give away what is hard to give, eyes as many as an ocean, and such relinquishing was for the sake of sentient beings — this is what the spirit Raining Flowers Wondrous Eyes was able to awaken and enter and rejoice in.

“Clouds of jeweled flames of boundless forms are manifested at the seat of awakening and reach throughout the world — Pure Flame Form, this spirit of the place of awakening, saw the sovereign freedom of the Buddha and rejoiced. The oceans of the conduct of sentient beings are without bound, and the Buddha spreads over them everywhere, ordering them and raining down the Dharma, and following their faculties and understanding removes their doubts — Flower Tassel Hanging Topknot awakened and entered this gate, and in his mind there was joy.

“The differentiated meanings of measureless Dharma-gates, the whole ocean of eloquence, he is able to awaken to and enter — Raining Jewels Adornment, this spirit of the place of awakening, is constantly so in thought after thought within his mind. Within all the lands past telling, exhausting the words of the world in praising the Buddha, he thereby obtains the great merit of renown — this is what the spirit Valorous Fragrant Eyes is able to recall.

“Boundless trees of manifold forms are manifested everywhere beneath the king of the trees of awakening — Vajra Coloured Clouds awakened and entered this gate and constantly gazes upon the tree of the path and rejoices. The bounds of the ten directions cannot be found, and so it is with the wisdom of the Buddha seated within the place of awakening — Lotus Radiance, with a pure mind of faith, entered this liberation and gave rise to deep joy.

“Within the place of awakening all things send forth a wondrous sound praising the pure power of the Buddha past measuring and the manifold practices that are the causes of accomplishing awakening — this is what the spirit Wondrous Light Shining is able to hear and receive.”

The Spirits That Go on Foot: Lifting the Foot and Setting It Down, All of It Is the Buddha’s Work

Furthermore, the spirit that goes on foot Jewel Seal Hand realized the gate of liberation of raining down the manifold jewels everywhere and giving rise to vast joy; the spirit that goes on foot Lotus Light realized the gate of liberation of manifesting the body of the Buddha seated upon lotus seats of every light and color and making those who see him rejoice; the spirit that goes on foot Supreme Flower Topknot realized the gate of liberation of establishing within every single thought all the assemblies of the tathāgatas and their places of awakening; the spirit that goes on foot Gathering In All Good Seeing realized the gate of liberation of being able to tame boundless sentient beings in the lifting of a foot and the taking of a step; the spirit that goes on foot Wondrous Jewel Star Banner realized the gate of liberation of transforming and manifesting in thought after thought the manifold nets of lotus flowers and their light, raining down the manifold jewels everywhere and sending forth wondrous sounds; the spirit that goes on foot Delighting to Utter Wondrous Sounds realized the gate of liberation of bringing forth the boundless ocean of joy; the spirit that goes on foot Sandalwood Tree Light realized the gate of liberation of awakening everywhere by a fragrant wind all the assemblies at the place of awakening; the spirit that goes on foot Lotus Radiance realized the gate of liberation of sending forth light from every pore and expounding the subtle and wondrous sound of the Dharma; the spirit that goes on foot Subtle and Wondrous Radiance realized the gate of liberation in which his body sends out everywhere the manifold nets of light and illumines all things; the spirit that goes on foot Amassing Wondrous Flowers realized the gate of liberation of awakening all sentient beings and making them give rise to the ocean of roots of goodness.

At that time the spirit that goes on foot Jewel Seal Hand, sustained by the spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the spirits that go on foot and uttered these verses:

“The Buddha in former times practiced through measureless kalpas, making offerings to all the buddhas, the tathāgatas, and that mind was constantly glad without weariness or aversion, and the gateway of his joy was deep and vast as an ocean. His spiritual penetration in thought after thought is past fathoming; he transforms and manifests the manifold fragrant lotus flowers, and the Buddha sits upon them and roams everywhere — the spirit Lotus Light saw it all.

“The dharma of the buddhas, the tathāgatas, is just so: their vast assemblies reach throughout the ten directions, and they manifest everywhere a spiritual penetration beyond conceiving — the spirit Supreme Flower Topknot saw it all with clarity. In all the places of the lands of the ten directions, when a foot is lifted there or set down, all of it is able to accomplish the manifold living beings — this is what the spirit Gathering In All Good Seeing awakened to in his mind and rejoiced in.

“He manifests his body everywhere in numbers like the numbers of sentient beings, and each of these bodies fills the Dharma realm, and all of them send forth a pure light and rain down the manifold jewels — such a liberation is what Wondrous Jewel Star Banner entered. The domain of the Tathāgata is without bound; he rains down the rain of Dharma everywhere and fills all things, and the assembly sees the Buddha and gives rise to joy — this is what Delighting to Utter Wondrous Sounds saw.

“The sound of the Buddha is equal in measure to space, and every sound is contained within it, and it tames sentient beings everywhere without exception — such a domain is what Sandalwood Tree Light is able to hear and receive. From every pore a transformed sound is sent forth proclaiming the names of the buddhas of the three times, and those who hear that sound give rise to joy — this is how the spirit Lotus Radiance saw it.

“The transformations manifested by the Buddha’s body are beyond conceiving, and the forms of step after step are like an ocean, and following the minds of sentient beings he lets them all see it — this is what Subtle and Wondrous Radiance obtained. He manifests great spiritual penetration everywhere in the ten directions, and all sentient beings are able to awaken — the spirit Amassing Wondrous Flowers, toward this dharma, saw it and great joy arose in his mind.”

The Spirits of the Bodily Host: The Body Is Like Space, and Also Like a Good Field

Furthermore, the spirit of the bodily host Pure Joy Domain realized the gate of liberation of recalling the ocean of the Buddha’s vows of former times; the spirit of the bodily host Light Illuminating the Ten Directions realized the gate of liberation of light shining everywhere upon boundless worlds; the spirit of the bodily host Ocean Sound Taming realized the gate of liberation of awakening all sentient beings everywhere with a great sound and making them rejoice and be tamed; the spirit of the bodily host Pure Flower Adorned Topknot realized the gate of liberation of the body abiding pervasively like space; the spirit of the bodily host Measureless Deportment realized the gate of liberation of showing all sentient beings the domains of the buddhas; the spirit of the bodily host Supreme Light Adornment realized the gate of liberation of making the color and strength of all hungry and destitute sentient beings be satisfied; the spirit of the bodily host Pure Light Fragrant Clouds realized the gate of liberation of removing the defilement of the afflictions of all sentient beings; the spirit of the bodily host Guarding and Sustaining realized the gate of liberation of turning about the deluded work of Māra in all sentient beings; the spirit of the bodily host Universally Manifesting and Transforming realized the gate of liberation of revealing the marks of adornment everywhere within the palaces of all the rulers of the worlds; the spirit of the bodily host Unshakable Radiance realized the gate of liberation of gathering in all sentient beings everywhere and making them all give rise to pure roots of goodness.

At that time the spirit of the bodily host Pure Joy Domain, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the spirits of the bodily host and uttered these verses:

“I recall that kalpas ago, as many as the dust motes of Sumeru, there was a buddha named Wondrous Light who arose in the world, and in the presence of that tathāgata the World-Honored One gave rise to the mind of the path and made offerings to all the buddhas. From the body of the Tathāgata a great light is sent forth, and that light fills the Dharma realm without exception, and the sentient beings it meets are tamed within their minds — this is what the spirit Light Illuminating the Ten Directions saw.

“The voice of the Tathāgata shakes the lands of the ten directions, and every speech and sound is complete in it, and it awakens the multitude of the living everywhere without exception — Ocean Sound Taming heard that sound, and in his mind there was gladness. The body of the Buddha is pure and constantly still, and it manifests every form everywhere and yet is without marks, and just so it abides pervasively within the world — this is what the spirit Pure Flower Adorned Topknot entered.

“The Guide is just so, beyond conceiving; following the minds of sentient beings he lets them all see him, whether sitting, or walking, or at times abiding — this is the gate that Measureless Deportment awakened and entered. A buddha is hard to encounter in a hundred thousand kalpas; arising in the world he is able to act for their benefit in sovereign freedom, making the world leave behind the suffering of poverty — Supreme Light Adornment entered this place.

“Between each and every tooth of the Tathāgata clouds of fragrant lamps and flames are sent forth everywhere that extinguish the delusion of all sentient beings — this is how the spirit Pure Light Fragrant Clouds saw it. Sentient beings take defilement and delusion for their heavy obstruction and follow after the paths of Māra and turn about constantly, and the Tathāgata reveals to them the path of liberation — Guarding and Sustaining is able to awaken and enter.

“I behold the sovereign power of the Tathāgata: his light spreads over the Dharma realm and fills it entirely, and dwelling within the palaces of kings he teaches and transforms sentient beings — this is the domain of the spirit Universally Manifesting and Transforming. Sentient beings are deluded and imagine falsely and undergo the manifold sufferings, and the Buddha within their midst constantly rescues and gathers them in, making them all extinguish delusion and give rise to a mind of joy — this is what the spirit Unshakable Radiance beholds.”

The Vajra-Bearing Spirits: Seeing the Body of Boundless Forms

Furthermore, the vajra-bearing spirit Wondrous Form Nārāyaṇa realized the gate of liberation of seeing how the Tathāgata manifests a body of boundless forms; the vajra-bearing spirit Sun-Wheel Swift Banner realized the gate of liberation in which every single hair of the Buddha’s body reveals manifold clouds of light like a sun-wheel; the vajra-bearing spirit Sumeru Flower Light realized the gate of liberation of the great spiritual transformation of manifesting measureless bodies; the vajra-bearing spirit Pure Cloud Sound realized the gate of liberation of the boundless sound that accords with each kind; the vajra-bearing spirit Wondrous Arm Lord of Gods realized the gate of liberation of manifesting as the ruler of every world and awakening sentient beings; the vajra-bearing spirit Lovely Radiance realized the gate of liberation of setting forth everywhere the gates of the distinctions among all the dharmas of the Buddha and exhausting them all with nothing left out; the vajra-bearing spirit Great Tree Thunder Sound realized the gate of liberation of gathering in all the tree spirits with lovely adornments; the vajra-bearing spirit Lion King Radiance realized the gate of liberation of being fully and clearly aware of the mass of the vast merit and adornment of the Tathāgata; the vajra-bearing spirit Secret Flame Auspicious Eyes realized the gate of liberation of observing everywhere the minds of dangerous and evil sentient beings and manifesting for them a body of awesome dignity; the vajra-bearing spirit Lotus Maṇi Topknot realized the gate of liberation of raining down everywhere all the adornments of the bodhisattvas and the maṇi jeweled topknot.

At that time the vajra-bearing spirit Wondrous Form Nārāyaṇa, sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, surveyed everywhere the whole host of the vajra-bearing spirits and uttered these verses:

“You should observe the King of Dharma; the dharma of the King of Dharma is just so: his forms are without bound, and he manifests everywhere within the world. Of the body of the Buddha, every single hair — the net of its light is beyond conceiving, like a pure sun-wheel it shines everywhere upon the lands of the ten directions.

“The power of the Tathāgata’s spiritual penetration pervades the whole Dharma realm; before every sentient being he manifests a body that is never exhausted. The voice of the Tathāgata preaching the Dharma — there is nowhere in the ten directions it is not heard; following upon the manifold kinds of sentient beings, he satisfies the minds of them all.

“The assembly sees the Muni, the World-Honored One, dwelling within the palaces of the world, and everywhere, for the sake of the manifold living, setting forth the vast Dharma. In the place where the ocean of Dharma whirls and eddies, all the differentiated meanings, by every kind of gate of skillful means, he expounds without ever exhausting them.

“The boundless great skillful means responds and appears everywhere in the lands of the ten directions; those who meet the pure light of the Buddha all see the body of the Tathāgata. Making offerings to the buddhas as many as the dust motes of a koṭi lands, his merit is like space, and all come to gaze upon it.

“The power of his spiritual penetration is impartial; he manifests within all the lands and, sitting at ease within the subtle place of awakening, manifests everywhere before sentient beings. Clouds of flames shine and illumine everywhere, and the manifold lights are complete; there is nothing in the Dharma realm they do not reach, revealing the place where the Buddha ranges.”

Samantabhadra: Entering the Ocean of Skillful Means That Is the Inconceivable Gate of Liberation

(The compilers of the sūtra go on to narrate:)

Furthermore, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Samantabhadra (a practitioner of the great mind) entered the ocean of skillful means that is the inconceivable gate of liberation, and entered the ocean of the Tathāgata's merit. That is to say: there is a gate of liberation named — adorning and purifying all buddha-lands, taming all beings, and causing them to come forth from birth-and-death once and for all. There is a gate of liberation named — going everywhere to where all Tathāgatas are, and cultivating the realm of their complete merit. There is a gate of liberation named — establishing the oceans of great vows upon all the grounds of the bodhisattvas. There is a gate of liberation named — manifesting everywhere measureless bodies as many as the dust motes of the Dharma realm. There is a gate of liberation named — expounding the differing names, inconceivable in number, that pervade all lands. There is a gate of liberation named — manifesting within every single dust mote the realm of the spiritual powers of boundless bodhisattvas. There is a gate of liberation named — manifesting within a single thought the forming, abiding, decaying and emptying of the eons of the three times. There is a gate of liberation named — manifesting the ocean of the differing faculties of all bodhisattvas, so that each enters his own realm. There is a gate of liberation named — being able by the force of spiritual power to transform and manifest bodies of every kind that pervade the boundless Dharma realm. There is a gate of liberation named — displaying the graded gateway of the practices the bodhisattvas cultivate, and so entering the vast skillful means of omniscience.

Samantabhadra Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Samantabhadra, by his own merit and further sustained by the awesome spiritual power of the Tathāgata, having looked everywhere upon the ocean of all the assemblies, spoke these verses:

“The vast fields the Buddha has adorned are equal in number to all the dust motes; pure sons of the Buddha fill them all, and there rains down the subtlest of dharmas, past conceiving. (Verse 1 · the buddha-fields and the sons of the Buddha)

“Just as the Buddha is seen seated here in this assembly, so is it within every dust mote; the Buddha's body neither goes nor comes, and yet all the lands appear plainly before us. (Verse 2 · neither coming nor going, and yet appearing everywhere)

“He displays the practices the bodhisattvas cultivate, displays the measureless means of entering the grounds, and speaks the true principle that is hard to think upon, so causing the sons of the Buddha to enter the Dharma realm. (Verse 3 · displaying the practice, speaking the principle)

“The transformation-buddhas brought forth are as many as the dust motes, everywhere matching what beings wish for in their hearts; the gate of means that enters the deep Dharma realm is expounded, vast and boundless, in its entirety. (Verse 4 · transformation-buddhas matching the capacity)

“The Tathāgata's names are as many as the worlds, filling and pervading the lands of the ten directions; not one of all his means falls empty, and he tames beings so that all of them leave defilement behind. (Verse 5 · the names and the means)

“Within every dust mote the Buddha manifests boundless great spiritual power; in each he sits at the place of awakening and can expound, just as in ages past he walked the practice of awakening. (Verse 6 · expounding the Dharma within the dust)

“All the vast eons of the three times the Buddha manifests in thought after thought; and of those events of forming, abiding, decaying and emptying, there is not one that his inconceivable wisdom does not know. (Verse 7 · the forming and decaying of the three times)

“The assembly of the sons of the Buddha is vast and unlimited, and would together take the measure of the ground of the buddhas; but the buddhas' gates of Dharma have no bound, and to know them all is exceedingly hard. (Verse 8 · the ground of the buddhas is hard to measure)

“The Buddha, like space, makes no discrimination, equal to the true Dharma realm and resting upon nothing; his transformations move everywhere and reach all places, and in each he sits at the place of awakening and accomplishes true awakening. (Verse 9 · like space, resting upon nothing)

“With a subtle voice the Buddha proclaims and expounds at large, and all the grounds are made plain and clear; he manifests everywhere before every single being, and gives to all of them the Tathāgata's impartial Dharma.” (Verse 10 · the subtle voice, the impartial Dharma)

The Ten Universal Bodhisattvas: Each Attains One Gate of Liberation

(The compilers of the sūtra go on to narrate:)

Furthermore, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Pure Virtue Wondrous Light attained the gate of liberation of “going everywhere to the assemblies of bodhisattvas in the ten directions and adorning the places of awakening”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Virtue Supreme Lamplight Illumination attained the gate of liberation of “manifesting within a single thought the inexhaustible gates of accomplishing true awakening, and teaching and ripening the inconceivable realms of beings”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Light Lion Banner attained the gate of liberation of “cultivating the adornment of a bodhisattva's merit, and bringing forth all buddha-lands”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Jewel-Flame Wondrous Light attained the gate of liberation of “contemplating the realm of the Buddha's spiritual powers without confusion”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Sound Merit-Ocean Banner attained the gate of liberation of “manifesting within a single assembly at a single place of awakening the adornments of all buddha-lands”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Wisdom Light Illumining the Tathāgata's Realm attained the gate of liberation of “following after the Tathāgata and contemplating the profound and vast treasury of the Dharma realm”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Awakening Delightful Voice attained the gate of liberation of “drawing near to and serving the treasury of offerings to all buddhas”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Purity Inexhaustible Merit Majestic Light attained the gate of liberation of “bringing forth the vast sustaining power of all spiritual transformations”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Jewel-Topknot Flower Banner attained the gate of liberation of “entering everywhere into the conduct of all worlds, and bringing forth the boundless gates of bodhisattva practice”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Marks Supreme Light attained the gate of liberation of “being able, within the markless Dharma realm, to bring forth the realms of all buddhas”.

Pure Virtue Wondrous Light Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Pure Virtue Wondrous Light, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, having looked everywhere upon the ocean of all the bodhisattvas' gates of liberation, spoke these verses:

“All the lands in the ten directions are, within a single instant, adorned and made pure; with a subtle voice he turns the wheel of Dharma, everywhere in the world and beyond compare. (Verse 1 · adorned and purified in an instant)

“The Tathāgata's realm is without bound, and in a single thought the Dharma realm is wholly filled; within every dust mote a place of awakening is established, and in each he realizes awakening and works spiritual transformations. (Verse 2 · establishing the place of awakening within the dust)

“The World-Honoured One in ages past cultivated practices of every kind, passing through a hundred thousand measureless eons; all buddha-fields are wholly adorned, and he appears in the world unobstructed, like space. (Verse 3 · the cultivation of ages past)

“The Buddha's spiritual power has no limit, filling boundless eons entire; though one pass through measureless eons and contemplate in thought after thought, one would not weary. (Verse 4 · contemplating without weariness)

“You should look upon the realm of the Buddha's spiritual powers — the lands of the ten directions are all adorned and pure; all of it is fully present here, and in thought after thought it differs, in measureless kinds. (Verse 5 · the exhortation to look)

“Contemplate the Buddha through a hundred thousand measureless eons, and you will not obtain the measure of a single hair; the Tathāgata's unobstructed gate of means — this light shines everywhere upon fields past thinking. (Verse 6 · not obtaining the measure)

“The Tathāgata in eons past was in the world and served an ocean of boundless buddhas; therefore all beings, like a hundred rivers racing down, come forward to make offerings to the one the world honours. (Verse 7 · like rivers racing down)

“The Tathāgata appears throughout the ten directions, and within every dust mote are measureless lands; the realms within them are all measureless, and all abide through boundless, inexhaustible eons. (Verse 8 · measureless lands within the dust)

“The Buddha in eons past, for the sake of beings, cultivated the ocean of great compassion; he entered birth-and-death together with beings, and taught the assemblies everywhere and made them pure. (Verse 9 · great compassion entering birth-and-death)

“The Buddha abides in the treasury of the Dharma realm that is suchness, markless and formless and apart from every defilement; what beings behold is bodies of every kind, and all their sufferings are extinguished.” (Verse 10 · suchness manifesting a body)

The Ten Differently Named Bodhisattvas: Each Attains One Gate of Liberation

(The compilers of the sūtra go on to narrate:)

Furthermore, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Ocean-Moonlight Great Brightness attained the gate of liberation of “bringing forth the grounds of the bodhisattvas and the perfections (the practices that reach the far shore), teaching beings, and the means of adorning and purifying all buddha-lands”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Cloud-Sound Ocean-Light Stainless Treasury attained the gate of liberation of “entering everywhere, in thought after thought, into the differing places of the Dharma realm”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Wisdom-Born Jewel Topknot attained the gate of liberation of “manifesting, through inconceivable eons, pure and great merit before all beings”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Sovereign King of Merit Pure Light attained the gate of liberation of “seeing everywhere the adornments of every kind at the moment when all the bodhisattvas of the ten directions first come to the place of awakening”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Well-Valiant Lotus Topknot attained the gate of liberation of “following the ocean of the faculties and understandings of beings, and displaying to them everywhere all the Buddha's teachings”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Wisdom Cloud-Sun Banner attained the gate of liberation of “accomplishing the wisdom of the Tathāgata and abiding forever through measureless eons”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Vigor Vajra attained the gate of liberation of “entering everywhere into the power of all the boundless seals of Dharma”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Fragrant-Flame Light Banner attained the gate of liberation of “displaying how all present buddhas first cultivated the bodhisattva practices and so came to accomplish the mass of wisdom”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Bright Virtue Deep Beautiful Voice attained the gate of liberation of “abiding in all the oceans of great vows of Vairocana Buddha”; the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Merit-Light Wisdom-Born attained the gate of liberation of “displaying the Tathāgata's profound realm that pervades the Dharma realm”.

Ocean-Moonlight Great Brightness Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Ocean-Moonlight Great Brightness, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, having looked everywhere upon the ocean of the adornments of all the bodhisattva assemblies, spoke these verses:

“The perfections together with the grounds are vast, past thinking, and wholly complete; measureless beings are all tamed, and all buddha-lands are adorned and pure. (Verse 1 · the perfections and grounds made complete)

“Just as the Buddha teaches the realms of beings, the lands of the ten directions are wholly filled; in one thought of mind he turns the wheel of Dharma, everywhere matching the feelings of the multitudes without exception. (Verse 2 · turning the wheel in a single thought)

“Through measureless and vast eons the Buddha manifests everywhere before all beings; just as he cultivated at large in ages past, so he shows them the pure ground of his practice. (Verse 3 · manifesting the practice of ages past)

“I have looked throughout the ten directions with nothing left over, and I have seen the buddhas raise up their spiritual powers; all sit at the place of awakening and accomplish true awakening, and the assemblies hear the Dharma and surround them together. (Verse 4 · I have looked throughout the ten directions)

“The vast and radiant dharma-body of the Buddha can by skillful means manifest within the world; everywhere following what beings love and delight in, it rains down the Dharma to match their every faculty. (Verse 5 · the dharma-body matching the capacity)

“The body of suchness, impartial and markless; the pure dharma-body of stainless radiance; the body of wisdom, still and without limit — these manifest everywhere in the ten directions and expound the Dharma. (Verse 6 · the three bodies)

“The powers of the Dharma-King are all pure, his wisdom like space and without bound; he opens all of it for beings, leaving nothing withheld or hidden, and everywhere brings them alike to awaken and enter. (Verse 7 · the powers and the wisdom)

“Just as the Buddha cultivated in ages past, and so came to accomplish omniscience — now he emits a light that pervades the Dharma realm, and within that light it is all made plainly manifest. (Verse 8 · the light displaying the practice of ages past)

“By his original vows the Buddha raises up spiritual powers, and there is nowhere in the ten directions he does not illumine; just as he cultivated his practice in ages past, within the net of light it is all expounded. (Verse 9 · original vows and spiritual powers)

“The realms of the ten directions are without end, incomparable and boundless and each one different; the Buddha with unobstructed force sends forth a great light, and all the lands are made plainly manifest.” (Verse 10 · the realms without end)

The Adorned Throne Brings Forth an Assembly: From the Tathāgata's Lion Throne Are Born Bodhisattvas as Many as the Dust Motes of a Buddha-Field, with Ten as Their Foremost

At that time, from the Tathāgata's lion throne — its many jewels, its wondrous flowers, its wheel-terraces, its stepped base, and its lattices of every sort, from within all such adornments as these — there was born from every single one a number of bodhisattva-mahāsattvas equal to the dust motes of a buddha-field, and their names were: the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Ocean-Wisdom Sovereign King of Spiritual Powers, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Thunder-Sound Universal Quaking, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Many-Jewels Radiant Topknot, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Wisdom-Sun Valiant Insight, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Inconceivable Merit Jewel Wisdom-Seal, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Hundred-Eyed Lotus Topknot, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Golden-Flame Perfect Light, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Sound of the Dharma Realm, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Cloud-Sound Pure Moon, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Well-Valiant Radiant Banner … . These ten were the foremost, and there appeared at the same time a further host of bodhisattvas as many as the dust motes of a buddha-field.

These bodhisattvas each raised up offering-clouds of every kind, that is to say: clouds of all maṇi-jewel flowers, clouds of the wondrous fragrance of all lotuses, clouds of the perfect light of all jewels, clouds of fragrant flame from boundless realms, clouds of radiance from sun-treasury maṇi wheels, clouds of all delightful music, clouds of lamp-light and flame from all jewels of boundless colour and form, clouds of the flowers and fruits on the branches of many-jewelled trees, clouds of maṇi-kings of inexhaustible jewels and pure radiance, clouds of maṇi-kings of every adornment … . Offering-clouds of such kinds as these were as many as the dust motes of a buddha-world. Every one of those bodhisattvas raised up offering-clouds like these, and rained them down upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, continuously and without interruption.

Having raised up these clouds, they circled the World-Honoured One to the right, passing measureless hundreds of thousands of times; and each following his own quarter, at a place not far from the Buddha, conjured up measureless lion thrones of jewelled lotuses of every kind, and each sat upon his own throne with legs crossed.

The practice of these bodhisattvas was pure and vast as the ocean; they had attained the universal gateway of the Dharma that the light of wisdom illumines, and following the buddhas their practice was unobstructed; they could enter the ocean of the Dharma of all eloquence, had attained the inconceivable gate of liberation, and abode upon the Tathāgata's ground of the universal gateway; they had already attained every gate of dhāraṇī (the power that holds all together), could receive and contain the whole ocean of the Dharma, and were well established upon the ground of the wisdom that is impartial towards the three times; they had attained deep faith, had attained vast joy and delight, boundless accumulations of merit, and the utmost excellence of purity; there was no place in space or in the Dharma realm they did not contemplate, and wherever a buddha arose in any land of the worlds of the ten directions, they diligently made offerings to him.

Ocean-Wisdom Sovereign King of Spiritual Powers Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Ocean-Wisdom Sovereign King of Spiritual Powers, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“All that the buddhas have awakened to he already knows, illumining it all like space, unobstructed; his light reaches measureless lands in the ten directions, and dwelling amid the assembly he everywhere adorns and cleanses. (Verse 1 · what they awakened to is already known)

“The Tathāgata's merit cannot be measured, and the Dharma realm of the ten directions is wholly filled; he sits everywhere beneath every king of trees, and the great sovereign ones gather about him like clouds. (Verse 2 · his merit fills all)

“Such is the Buddha's spiritual power that in a single thought he manifests inexhaustible forms; the Tathāgata's realm is without bound, and each, according to his own liberation, is able to behold it. (Verse 3 · seeing according to one's liberation)

“The Tathāgata in ages past passed through oceans of eons, cultivating diligently amid the states of existence; by means of every kind he taught beings, and caused them to receive and practise the Dharma of the buddhas. (Verse 4 · teaching and delivering in ages past)

“Vairocana, complete in adornment and beauty, is seated upon the lion throne of the lotus treasury; the whole assembly is pure, and abiding in stillness they gaze upon him together. (Verse 5 · the Buddha seated on the lotus-treasury throne)

“The maṇi treasuries send out radiance and everywhere give forth boundless clouds of fragrant flame; measureless flower-tassels hang down together, and the Tathāgata is seated upon such a throne as this. (Verse 6 · the light and fragrance of the jewelled throne)

“The auspicious gateways, adorned in every fashion, send out unceasingly clouds of lamplight and jewelled flame; vast and blazing, they illumine everything, and the Sage of Stillness, dwelling above them, is more adorned and beautiful still. (Verse 7 · the auspicious gateways)

“The lovely lattices formed of every kind of maṇi are hung and dressed with wondrous jewelled lotuses; they give forth unceasingly a subtle music that gladdens those who hear, and the Buddha, seated above them, is especially manifest. (Verse 8 · the lovely lattices and the subtle music)

“Jewelled wheels bear up the throne in the shape of a half-moon, with vajra for the terrace and colour like blazing flame; topknotted bodhisattvas surround it at all times, and the Buddha within them shines most brilliantly. (Verse 9 · the wheel-terrace and the vajra)

“Transformations of every kind fill the ten directions, expounding the vast vows of the Tathāgata; every image appears within them, and the Tathāgata is seated upon such a throne as this.” (Verse 10 · the throne manifesting the images)

Thunder-Sound Universal Quaking Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Thunder-Sound Universal Quaking, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“The World-Honoured One in ages past gathered up the practice of awakening and made offerings to measureless buddhas of the ten directions; sustained by the awesome power of the Well-Gone One (the one who has skillfully reached the far shore), there is nothing within the Tathāgata's throne that is not seen. (Verse 1 · the throne manifesting the practice of ages past)

“The fragrant-flame maṇi, king of wish-fulfilling jewels, inlays and adorns the lion throne of wondrous flowers; adornments of every kind cast their images within it, and the whole assembly plainly beholds them. (Verse 2 · the adorning of the throne)

“The Buddha's throne everywhere manifests adorned forms, and in thought after thought their kinds and colours differ; following the differing understandings of beings, each sees the Buddha seated upon it. (Verse 3 · seeing the throne according to one's understanding)

“Jewelled branches hang down in nets of lotuses, and when the flowers open, bodhisattvas leap forth within them; each gives out a subtle and delightful sound, praising the Tathāgata seated upon the throne. (Verse 4 · bodhisattvas coming forth from the flowers)

“The measure of the Buddha's merit is like space, and every adornment is born from it; but the matter of the adornments within each single ground no being is able to comprehend. (Verse 5 · the adornments are born from his merit)

“Vajra forms the ground, which nothing can destroy, broad and pure and utterly level; maṇi forms a net hung out in space, and beneath the tree of awakening it reaches everywhere. (Verse 6 · vajra forms the ground)

“That ground is boundless, its colours and forms distinctive, with true gold ground to powder spread across it; famed flowers and every jewel are scattered everywhere, all of them lending their brilliance to the Tathāgata's throne. (Verse 7 · true gold spread over the ground)

“The earth spirits rejoice and leap for joy, manifesting in an instant without end; they raise up everywhere clouds of every adornment, and abide constantly before the Buddha, gazing upon him. (Verse 8 · the earth spirits' offering)

“The jewelled lamps are vast and utterly blazing, and their fragrant flame streams with light unbroken; from moment to moment it manifests differently, and with this the earth spirits make their offering. (Verse 9 · lamp and flame as offering)

“Within all the fields of the ten directions, every adornment upon their several grounds is now, at this place of awakening, without exception manifest — and it is by the Buddha's awesome spiritual power that it can be so.” (Verse 10 · it is manifest by the Buddha's power)

Many-Jewels Radiant Topknot Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Many-Jewels Radiant Topknot, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“When the World-Honoured One was cultivating his practice in ages past, he saw that the lands of the buddhas were all complete; the grounds so seen are without end, and at this place of awakening they are all made manifest. (Verse 1 · the grounds he saw are without end)

“The World-Honoured One's vast spiritual power spreads out its light and rains maṇi everywhere; treasuries such as these are scattered across the place of awakening, and all around that ground is adorned and splendid. (Verse 2 · raining jewels to adorn the ground)

“By the Tathāgata's merit and spiritual power, wondrous maṇi jewels adorn it everywhere; that ground, together with the tree of awakening, gives out light and sound by turns and expounds the Dharma. (Verse 3 · ground and tree expounding the Dharma)

“Measureless jewelled lamps rain down from the sky, and jewel-kings inlaid among them serve as adornment; all of them give out subtle sounds and expound the voice of Dharma — this is what the earth spirits manifest. (Verse 4 · jewelled lamps giving out the voice)

“The jewelled ground manifests everywhere clouds of wondrous light, and jewelled torches blaze bright as lightning breaking forth; jewelled nets are stretched far and cover it above, and jewelled branches, scattered among them, make it fair. (Verse 5 · the light of the ground like lightning)

“Look, all of you, upon this ground everywhere — it is adorned with wondrous jewels of every kind; it displays the ocean of the manifold deeds of beings, and causes them to comprehend the true nature of things. (Verse 6 · looking at the ground and knowing the deeds)

“Of all the buddhas everywhere in the ten directions, all the complete trees of awakening — there is not one that is not manifest at this place of awakening, expounding the pure Dharma of the Tathāgata. (Verse 7 · the trees of the ten directions manifest)

“Following what beings love and delight in, that ground everywhere gives forth a subtle sound; and just as it should be expounded upon the Buddha's throne, every single gate of Dharma is expounded in full. (Verse 8 · the ground giving out the voice of Dharma)

“That ground gives out unceasingly a light of wondrous fragrance, and within the light a pure sound is everywhere expounded; if there are beings able to receive the Dharma, it causes them all to hear it and their afflictions to be extinguished. (Verse 9 · fragrance and light extinguishing affliction)

“Every single adornment is wholly complete, and though one passed through a koṭi eons one could not exhaust the telling; there is nowhere the Tathāgata's spiritual force does not pervade, and therefore that ground is wholly adorned and pure.” (Verse 10 · adorned and purified by his power)

Great Wisdom-Sun Valiant Insight Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Great Wisdom-Sun Valiant Insight, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“The World-Honoured One, wholly composed and pure, dwells within the hall of Dharma, shining forth brilliantly within the palace; following what beings love and delight in, his body manifests everywhere in the lands of the ten directions. (Verse 1 · dwelling in the hall and manifesting everywhere)

“The Tathāgata's palace is past conceiving, adorned with treasuries of maṇi jewels; every adornment there is brilliant, and the Buddha seated within it is especially manifest. (Verse 2 · the palace past conceiving)

“Maṇi forms the pillars in colours of every kind, and bells of true gold hang like spread clouds; jewelled stairways stand in ranks on all four sides, and the doors, according to their quarters, all stand open. (Verse 3 · pillars, stairways, doors)

“Curtains adorned with wondrous flowers and figured silks, and jewelled trees with their branches, adorn it together; maṇi pendants hang down on all four sides, and the ocean of wisdom sits within it, deep and still. (Verse 4 · curtains and pendants)

“With maṇi for the net and wondrous fragrance for the banner, flame and lamplight are spread like clouds; they cover adornments of every kind, and the one of right knowing who surpasses the world is seated here. (Verse 5 · net, banner, lamplight)

“Throughout the ten directions clouds of transformation appear, and the voice those clouds expound pervades the world; all beings are wholly tamed, and everything thus is manifested from the Buddha's palace. (Verse 6 · clouds of transformation expounding the Dharma)

“With maṇi for the tree, wondrous flowers are put forth, and nothing in all the ten directions can match them; the adornments of the lands of the three times — there is not one whose image is not manifested within. (Verse 7 · the maṇi tree)

“Everywhere there are heaps of maṇi, blazing with flame in measureless kinds; the doors and lattices open by turns according to their quarters, and the beams and eaves are adorned with the utmost splendour. (Verse 8 · the heaps of maṇi)

“The Tathāgata's palace is past conceiving, pure and radiant and complete in every mark; all palaces are manifest within it, and in each single one a Tathāgata is seated. (Verse 9 · palaces manifest within the palace)

“The Tathāgata's palace has no bound, and the self-awakened one dwells within it; of all the assemblies of the ten directions, there is not one that does not turn towards the Buddha and come to gather.” (Verse 10 · the assemblies gathering like clouds)

Inconceivable Merit Jewel Wisdom-Seal Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Inconceivable Merit Jewel Wisdom-Seal, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“The Buddha in ages past cultivated oceans of merit, as many as the dust motes of all the fields; born of spiritual power and the force of vows, the place of awakening is adorned and pure and free of every defilement. (Verse 1 · oceans of merit forming the place)

“The king of wish-fulfilling jewels serves as the root of the tree, and vajra maṇi serves as its trunk; jewelled nets are spread far and cover it above, and wondrous fragrance in rich vapour wreathes it round. (Verse 2 · the root and trunk of the tree)

“The branches are adorned and furnished with every jewel, and with maṇi for the boughs they vie in rising high; the twigs are massed as thick as banked cloud, and beneath them the Buddha sits at the place of awakening. (Verse 3 · the branches like cloud)

“The place of awakening is vast past conceiving, and that tree covers all of it about; dense leaves and thronging flowers shelter and shade one another, and in the flowers there form fruits of maṇi. (Verse 4 · leaves and flowers bearing fruit)

“From among all the branches a wondrous light comes forth, and that light shines throughout the place of awakening; pure and blazing and without end, it is by the force of the Buddha's vows that it can be seen so. (Verse 5 · light coming forth from the branches)

“With treasuries of maṇi jewels serving as its flowers, it scatters images and raises up brilliance like figured cloud; encircling the trunk it spreads its fragrance everywhere, and adorns the place of awakening throughout. (Verse 6 · jewelled flowers like figured cloud)

“Look, all of you, upon the place of awakening of the Well-Gone One — the lotuses and the jewelled nets are pure; wheels of flame appear from within it, and the sound of bells and clappers comes forth amid the clouds. (Verse 7 · the exhortation to look upon the place)

“Within all the lands of the ten directions, all the trees adorned with wondrous colour — there is not one not manifest within the tree of awakening, and beneath it the Buddha is far from every defilement. (Verse 8 · trees manifest within the tree)

“The place of awakening is vast, accomplished by merit, and the branches rain jewels forever without end; from within the jewels bodhisattvas appear, and all go to the ten directions to make offerings and serve the buddhas. (Verse 9 · bodhisattvas coming forth from the jewels)

“The realm of the buddhas is past conceiving, and everywhere it causes that tree to send out the sound of music; just as with the path of awakening he gathered in ages past, the assemblies hear that sound and all of them see it.” (Verse 10 · the music manifesting the path)

Hundred-Eyed Lotus Topknot Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Hundred-Eyed Lotus Topknot, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“All the maṇi send out a wondrous sound, extolling the names of the buddhas of the three times; the measureless deeds of their spiritual powers are all seen manifest at this place of awakening. (Verse 1 · maṇi extolling the buddhas' names)

“The thronging flowers open in rivalry like tassels spread abroad, and clouds of light stream and spread throughout the ten directions; the spirits of the tree of awakening hold them out towards the Buddha, and with single-minded gazing make their offering. (Verse 2 · the tree spirits holding out flowers)

“The flames of maṇi light all form banners, and within the banners a wondrous fragrance blazes forth; that fragrance perfumes the whole great assembly, and therefore that place is wholly adorned and cleansed. (Verse 3 · the flames of light forming banners)

“The lotuses hang out a golden light, and that light expounds clouds of the Buddha's wondrous voice; it shades and covers the fields of the ten directions everywhere and quenches forever the fever of beings' afflictions. (Verse 4 · the light of the flowers quenching the fever)

“By the sovereign power of the king of trees of awakening a light is sent out constantly, utterly pure; the assemblies of the ten directions are without bound, and there is not one whose image is not cast within the place of awakening. (Verse 5 · the king of trees manifesting the assemblies)

“The flame of light from the jewelled branches is like a bright lamp, and that light expounds a voice proclaiming the great vows; just as the Buddha was amid the states of existence in ages past, the practice he then cultivated is expounded in full. (Verse 6 · the light of the branches proclaiming the vows)

“The spirits beneath the tree are as many as the dust motes of the fields, and all of them take this place of awakening as their support; each of them, before the Tathāgata's tree of the path, proclaims the gate of liberation in thought after thought. (Verse 7 · the tree spirits proclaiming the gate)

“The World-Honoured One in ages past cultivated practices of every kind and made offerings to all the Tathāgatas; the practice he then cultivated and the renown he won are all made manifest within the maṇi jewels. (Verse 8 · the jewels manifesting the practice of ages past)

“Everything at the place of awakening gives out a wondrous sound, and that sound is vast and reaches the ten directions; if there are beings able to receive the Dharma, there is not one who is not tamed and made pure. (Verse 9 · the wondrous sound taming beings)

“The Tathāgata in ages past cultivated everywhere all the measureless matters of adornment; and of the trees of awakening throughout the ten directions, each single one has adornments of measureless kinds.” (Verse 10 · the adornments of the trees are measureless)

Golden-Flame Perfect Light Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Golden-Flame Perfect Light, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, and spoke these verses:

“The Buddha in ages past cultivated the practice of awakening, and understood clearly the objects of every kind; what is and what is not the case he knows purely and without doubt — this is the Tathāgata's first power of wisdom. (Verse 1 · the power of what is and is not the case)

“Just as in ages past he impartially contemplated the nature of things, so all the oceans of deeds are wholly clear to him; and in this way, now, within the net of light, he can expound it fully throughout the ten directions. (Verse 2 · the power of deeds)

“In eons past he cultivated great skillful means, guiding and drawing beings according to their faculties; everywhere he made the minds of the assemblies pure, and therefore the Buddha can accomplish the power of knowing the faculties. (Verse 3 · the power of the faculties)

“Just as the understandings of beings are each unlike, so their desires and delights and their several practices each differ; he expounds the Dharma to them according to what each should receive, and by his power of wisdom the Buddha can do this. (Verse 4 · the power of desires and understandings)

“Throughout all the oceans of fields of the ten directions, in all the realms of beings whatsoever, the Buddha's wisdom is impartial as space, and he can manifest it all within a single pore. (Verse 5 · the power of the realms)

“The practices of every place the Buddha wholly knows, and in a single thought the three times are exhausted with nothing left; the fields, the eons, the beings, the seasons of the ten directions — all of these he can reveal and make plainly present. (Verse 6 · the power of the paths leading to all destinations)

“The power of his meditative concentrations and liberations is without bound, and so too his samādhis and his skillful means; the Buddha manifests them for beings and makes them rejoice, and everywhere causes them to wash away the darkness of affliction. (Verse 7 · the power of concentration and liberation)

“The Buddha's wisdom is unobstructed and encompasses the three times, and in an instant it is all manifest within a pore; the Buddha's teaching, the lands, and the beings — all that is manifested comes by the power of his recollection. (Verse 8 · the power of recollecting former abodes)

“The Buddha's eye is vast as space, and sees the Dharma realm everywhere with nothing left over; upon the ground of no obstruction its working is beyond compare, and the measurelessness of that eye only a buddha can expound. (Verse 9 · the power of the divine eye)

“All beings are possessed of every fetter, of all their latent tendencies and habitual forces; and the Tathāgata appears and pervades the world and causes them all to be removed by skillful means.” (Verse 10 · the power of the exhaustion of the outflows)

Universal Sound of the Dharma Realm Speaks in Verse: Eleven Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Universal Sound of the Dharma Realm, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, having looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, spoke these verses:

“The Buddha's awesome spiritual power pervades the ten directions, manifesting vastly and without discrimination; the perfections that are the practice of great awakening, fulfilled by him in ages past, he causes all to see. (Verse 1 · the general statement)

“In ages past he gave rise to great compassion for beings and cultivated the perfection of giving; therefore his body is the most excellent and wondrous, and can cause those who see it to give rise to joy. (Verse 2 · giving)

“In ages past, through boundless oceans of great eons, he cultivated the perfection of pure discipline; and so he obtained a pure body pervading the ten directions, and everywhere quenches the heavy sufferings of the world. (Verse 3 · pure discipline)

“In ages past he cultivated patience and was pure, believing and understanding what is true, without discrimination; therefore his forms and marks are wholly complete, and he sends out light everywhere illumining the ten directions. (Verse 4 · patience)

“In ages past he cultivated diligently through many oceans of eons, and could turn away the heavy hindrances of beings' deeds; and so he can divide his body throughout the ten directions and manifest in each beneath the king of the trees of awakening. (Verse 5 · vigour)

“The Buddha cultivated long through measureless eons, and the great ocean of his meditative concentration is wholly pure; and so he causes those who see him to rejoice deeply, and the defilements of the hindrance of affliction are all removed. (Verse 6 · meditative concentration)

“The Tathāgata in ages past cultivated oceans of practice and was complete in prajñā (the wisdom that reaches the far shore), the perfection of wisdom; therefore he spreads out his light shining clear everywhere, and utterly destroys all the darkness of delusion. (Verse 7 · prajñā)

“By skillful means of every kind he teaches beings and causes all that they cultivate to be accomplished; he goes everywhere throughout all the ten directions, through boundless eons and without rest. (Verse 8 · skillful means)

“The Buddha in ages past cultivated oceans of great eons and purified the perfection of the vows; therefore he appears and pervades the world and rescues beings to the very end of the future. (Verse 9 · vows)

“Through measureless eons the Buddha cultivated at large the perfection of the power of all dharmas; and thereby he can accomplish spontaneous power and manifest everywhere in the lands of the ten directions. (Verse 10 · power)

“The Buddha in ages past cultivated the wisdom of the universal gateway, and the nature of omniscience is like space; therefore he came to accomplish unobstructed power and spreads out his light illumining the fields of the ten directions.” (Verse 11 · wisdom)

Cloud-Sound Pure Moon Speaks in Verse: Eleven Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Cloud-Sound Pure Moon, sustained by the awesome power of the Buddha, having looked everywhere upon the ocean of assemblies at every place of awakening, spoke these verses:

“The realm of his spiritual powers is equal to space, and there is no being in the ten directions who does not see; and just as the ground was accomplished by his practice in ages past, so within the maṇi fruit it is all expounded in full. (Verse 1 · the general statement)

“Pure and diligent cultivation through measureless eons, entering the first ground and utterly joyful; bringing forth the vast wisdom of the Dharma realm, and seeing everywhere the measureless buddhas of the ten directions. (Verse 2 · the Joyful Ground)

“The stainless ground amid all dharmas, keeping pure discipline in a measure equal to the number of beings; already, through many eons, cultivating at large and making offerings to boundless oceans of buddhas. (Verse 3 · the Stainless Ground)

“The ground of brightness where merit is gathered up, the treasury of śamatha (calm abiding) with its firm forbearance; the Dharma-cloud, vast, has all been heard, and within the maṇi fruit it is expounded so. (Verse 4 · the Ground of Brightness)

“The unequalled ground of the blazing ocean of luminous insight, understanding well the objects of knowledge and giving rise to compassion; a body impartial towards all lands, all of it expounded just as the Buddha cultivated it. (Verse 5 · the Ground of Blazing Insight)

“The ground hard to conquer, the gateway impartial towards the universal treasury, where movement and stillness accord with one another without conflict; the realms of the Buddha's teaching are all impartial, and all of it can be expounded just as the Buddha purified it. (Verse 6 · the Ground Hard to Conquer)

“The ground of the ocean of insight where practice is cultivated at large, where every gate of Dharma is wholly known; manifesting lands everywhere like space, and within the tree expounding this voice of Dharma. (Verse 7 · the Ground of Manifestation)

“The body of space that pervades the Dharma realm, the lamp of wisdom that illumines beings everywhere; every skillful means is wholly pure, and the far journey of ages past he causes to be expounded in full. (Verse 8 · the Far-Reaching Ground)

“Adorned by all his vows and practices, measureless oceans of fields are wholly pure; no discrimination whatsoever can move it, and this unequalled ground is wholly proclaimed. (Verse 9 · the Immovable Ground)

“The power of spiritual penetration into measureless realms, the power of the light that enters well the teaching — this is the pure ground of excellent insight, and all that is practised in oceans of eons is set out in full. (Verse 10 · the Ground of Excellent Insight)

“The vast Dharma-cloud, the tenth ground, holding all within it and pervading space; the realms of the buddhas are expounded within a voice, and that voice is the Buddha's awesome spiritual power.” (Verse 11 · the Dharma-Cloud Ground)

Well-Valiant Light Banner Speaks in Verse: Ten Verses

At that time the bodhisattva-mahāsattva Well-Valiant Light Banner, sustained by the awesome spirit of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“Measureless beings dwell within the assembly, of faith and understanding of every kind and pure in mind; all of them can awaken and enter the Tathāgata's wisdom and comprehend every adorned realm. (Verse 1 · the faith and understanding of the assembly)

“Each has raised up pure vows and cultivated the practices, and all have made offerings to measureless buddhas in the past; they are able to see the Tathāgata's true substance, and all his spiritual transformations of every kind. (Verse 2 · vows and practice, seeing the substance)

“Some are able to see the Buddha's dharma-body, incomparable, unobstructed, pervading everywhere; and all the boundless natures of dharmas enter into his body without remainder. (Verse 3 · seeing the dharma-body)

“Some see the Buddha's wondrous form-body, its boundless forms and marks blazing with light; following the differing understandings of beings, it changes and appears in the ten directions in every fashion. (Verse 4 · seeing the form-body)

“Some see his unobstructed body of wisdom, impartial towards the three times and like space; it turns everywhere according to what beings' minds delight in, and causes them to see it in every difference. (Verse 5 · seeing the body of wisdom)

“Some are able to comprehend the Buddha's voice, which pervades the lands of the ten directions; according to what beings ought to understand, he sends out speech and sound for them unobstructed. (Verse 6 · comprehending the Buddha's voice)

“Some see the Tathāgata's lights of every kind, shining in every fashion throughout the world; and some, within the Buddha's radiance, see furthermore the buddhas raising up spiritual powers. (Verse 7 · seeing the light, and seeing buddhas within the light)

“Some are able to see the Buddha's ocean-cloud of light, which comes forth from his pores with forms blazing bright; it manifests the path of his practice in ages past and makes them give rise to deep faith and enter the Buddha's wisdom. (Verse 8 · seeing the light of the pores)

“Some see the Buddha's marks adorned by merit, and see besides where that merit was born from; the oceans of the perfections cultivated in ages past are all clearly seen within the Buddha's marks. (Verse 9 · seeing the marks and knowing the merit)

“The Tathāgata's merit cannot be measured, filling the Dharma realm and without bound; and his spiritual powers and every realm — it is by the Buddha's power that they can be proclaimed.” (Verse 10 · his merit is hard to measure)

The Concluding Extension: The Great Earth Quakes · The Rulers of the Worlds Raise Up Offerings · It Pervades the Dharma Realm

At that time the Flower-Treasury Adorned Ocean of Worlds, by the spiritual power of the Buddha, quaked in its every ground with six kinds and eighteen aspects. That is to say: shaking, shaking throughout, shaking universally throughout; rising, rising throughout, rising universally throughout; surging, surging throughout, surging universally throughout; rumbling, rumbling throughout, rumbling universally throughout; roaring, roaring throughout, roaring universally throughout; striking, striking throughout, striking universally throughout.

Each of these rulers of the worlds (the sovereigns of the world) manifested offering-clouds of inconceivable kinds and rained them down upon the ocean of assemblies at the Tathāgata's place of awakening. That is to say: clouds of adornment of all fragrant flowers, clouds of the wondrous ornaments of all maṇi, clouds of nets of flowers and jewelled flame, clouds of the round light of maṇi jewels of boundless kinds, clouds of treasuries of pearls and jewels of every colour, clouds of the fragrance of all jewelled sandalwood, clouds of all jewelled canopies, clouds of maṇi-kings of pure and wondrous sound, clouds of wheels of sunlight maṇi pendants, clouds of the radiant treasuries of all jewels, clouds of adornments each and every one distinct … . Offering-clouds of such kinds as these were measureless in number and past conceiving. Each of these rulers of the worlds manifested offering-clouds like these and rained them down upon the ocean of assemblies at the Tathāgata's place of awakening, and there was nowhere they did not pervade.

Just as in this one world every ruler of the worlds gave rise to joy in his heart and made offerings in this way, so in that Flower-Treasury Adorned Ocean of Worlds all the rulers of the worlds in all the worlds likewise made their offerings in this way.

In all those worlds there was in each a Tathāgata seated at the place of awakening; and every ruler of the worlds had each his own faith and understanding, each his own object, each his own gate of samādhi and skillful means, each cultivated his own dharmas that aid the path, each had his own accomplishment, each his own joy, each his own entering; each awakened to and understood the gates of Dharma, each entered the realm of the Tathāgata's spiritual powers, each entered the realm of the Tathāgata's powers, each entered the Tathāgata's gate of liberation.

And just as it was within this Flower-Treasury Ocean of Worlds, so was it likewise within all the oceans of worlds throughout the ten directions, to the ends of the Dharma realm and the realm of space.

The Assembly of Seas Requests Together (1): The Twenty Clauses of the Question Held in Mind

At that time the bodhisattvas present, together with all the rulers of the worlds, thought in their minds in this way —

“What is the ground on which the buddhas dwell? What is the realm of the buddhas? What is the sustaining power of the buddhas? What is the path the buddhas walk? What is the power of the buddhas? What is the fearlessness of the buddhas? What is the samādhi of the buddhas (the concentration in which the mind rests on a single object and does not stir)? What are the supernormal penetrations of the buddhas? What is the sovereign freedom of the buddhas? What is the not-being-appropriated of the buddhas (that there is no dharma whatever that can gather in and delimit a buddha)? What is the eye of the buddhas? What is the ear of the buddhas? What is the nose of the buddhas? What is the tongue of the buddhas? What is the body of the buddhas? What is the mind of the buddhas? What is the body-light of the buddhas? What is the radiance of the buddhas? What is the voice of the buddhas? What is the wisdom of the buddhas? Would that the World-Honored One take pity on us and reveal and expound it for us!

The Assembly of Seas Requests Together (2): Citing the Example of the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, They Ask for the Twenty Seas

“Moreover, all the buddhas in all the world-seas of the ten directions have expounded these Dharma-gates for the bodhisattvas — the sea of worlds, the sea of sentient beings, the sea of the arraying and establishing of the Dharma realm (how the Dharma realm is set out and established), the sea of buddhas, the sea of the perfections of a buddha (the practices of going to the far shore that a buddha has fulfilled), the sea of the liberations of a buddha, the sea of the transformations of a buddha, the sea of the expositions of a buddha, the sea of the names of a buddha, the sea of the life-spans of a buddha; and the sea of the vows of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the setting forth of all bodhisattvas (the various gates of arousing the mind and setting out toward), the sea of the aids to the path of all bodhisattvas (the various practices that assist the work of the path), the sea of the vehicles of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the practices of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the going forth of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the supernormal penetrations of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the perfections of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the grounds of all bodhisattvas, the sea of the wisdom of all bodhisattvas. Would that the Buddha, the World-Honored One, also expound for us, in just that way!”

The Verses of the General Request: A Sound Arises of Itself from the Cloud of Articles of Offering

At that time, through the majestic and spiritual power of the bodhisattvas, from within the cloud formed of all the articles of offering a sound arose of itself and spoke these verses —

“Through measureless long kalpas his practice was fulfilled; beneath the tree of awakening he accomplished right awakening, for the deliverance of sentient beings he manifests his body everywhere, filling and pervading like a cloud, to the end of the future never ceasing. Whatever doubts sentient beings have, may they all be cut off; vast faith and understanding, may it all be aroused; the boundless kinds of suffering, may they all be universally removed; all the ease and joy that the buddhas have, may they realize it themselves. The bodhisattvas who have come are numberless, many as the dust motes within the buddha-lands; together they have come to this assembly and alike look up in reverence, would that, according with what their minds ought to receive, you expound the subtle Dharma for them and remove their doubts! What is it to know the ground on which the buddhas dwell? What is it to behold the realm of the Tathāgata? The power with which the Buddha sustains is without bound; would that you reveal this Dharma for us and make us pure! What is the place where the Buddha walks, and with what kind of wisdom can one enter it and understand? The Buddha’s power is pure and vast and boundless; we ask you to reveal it for the bodhisattvas! What are the vast kinds of samādhi? What is the dharma of purifying and cultivating fearlessness? The functioning of the supernormal penetrations cannot be reckoned; would that you speak according to what sentient beings delight in! The buddhas are kings among dharmas, just as a sovereign is in the world; all that they do is sovereignly free, and none can limit it, and all the other vast dharmas as well — for the sake of benefiting sentient beings, all of them should be set forth! Why is the Buddha’s eye without measure? Are the ear, the nose, the tongue, and the body likewise so? And what is it for the mind to be without measure? Would that you reveal for us the skillful means by which all this can be known! Like those seas of lands and seas of sentient beings, like all the seas of the arraying of the Dharma realm, and the sea of the buddhas likewise boundless — would that you expound and set them all forth for the sons of the Buddha! The seas of the perfections, forever beyond thought and speech, the sea of the skillful means of liberation universally entered, all the seas of the Dharma-gates — in this place of awakening, would that you expound them all!”

Light Summons Those with Affinity: The Tathāgata Emits Light from Between the Teeth of His Mouth

At that time the World-Honored One, knowing what the bodhisattvas were thinking in their minds, emitted from between the teeth of his mouth rays of light numerous as the dust motes of the buddha-lands, namely — the radiance that illumines everywhere with manifold jeweled flowers, the radiance that sends forth every kind of sound and adorns the Dharma realm, the radiance of subtle clouds hung down and spread out, the radiance in which the buddhas of the ten directions sit in the place of awakening and display spiritual transformations, the radiance of the canopy of clouds of every jeweled flame, the radiance that fills the Dharma realm without obstruction, the radiance that adorns every buddha-land everywhere, the radiance of the pure vajra jeweled banner set up on high, the radiance that universally adorns the place of awakening where the bodhisattva assemblies gather, the radiance whose subtle sound extols the names of all the buddhas… Rays of light such as these were as numerous as the dust motes of the buddha-lands, and each single ray had, as its retinue, rays of light numerous as the dust motes of the buddha-lands. These rays were all endowed with manifold subtle jewel-colors, and they illumined everywhere, in each of the ten directions, world-seas numerous as the dust motes of a koṭi buddha-lands. The bodhisattvas within those world-seas each and all got to see, within the light, this Flower-Treasury Adorned World-Sea. By the spiritual power of the Buddha, that light spoke these verses before all the bodhisattva assemblies of the other quarters —

The Verses Spoken within the Light: Urging the Multitudes of the Ten Directions to Come Quickly and Pay Reverence

“Through measureless long kalpas he practiced as a sea, made offerings to the buddhas of the ten directions as a sea, taught and delivered all sentient beings as a sea; now he has accomplished subtle right awakening, the World-Honored One who illumines all. From his pores are born clouds of transformation, and radiance illumines the ten directions everywhere, whoever is fit to be transformed is thereby awakened, and they are made to go toward awakening, pure and unobstructed. The Buddha of old came and went among the destinies, teaching and ripening all kinds of sentient beings, his supernormal penetrations sovereignly free without bound or measure, in a single thought he brought them all to liberation. The tree of awakening is formed of subtle maṇi jewels, and every kind of adornment is surpassing and rare, beneath that tree the Buddha accomplished right awakening, emitting great radiance that illumines all with majesty. A great voice roars and fills the ten directions, everywhere proclaiming and expounding the dharma of quiescence, according with what sentient beings delight in, by every kind of skillful means he brings them to understanding. The kinds of perfections he cultivated of old are all fulfilled, in number equal to the dust motes of a thousand buddha-lands, all the powers are already accomplished — you should go forth and together look up and pay reverence. The sons of the Buddha of the ten directions, equal in number to the dust motes of the lands, have all come joyfully together, they have already rained down every kind of cloud as an offering; now before the Buddha they single-mindedly behold and look up. The Tathāgata’s single sound is without measure, able to expound sūtras deep and vast as a sea, raining down subtle Dharma everywhere in accord with the minds of the multitude — that Honored One of Two Feet, you ought to go and see him. All the great vows of the buddhas of the three times will be proclaimed beneath the tree of awakening, in a single instant they all appear before you — you may hasten quickly to where the Tathāgata is. Vairocana Tathāgata, whose great wisdom is a sea, sends forth radiance from his mouth, and there is none who does not see, now he waits for the multitudes to gather and is about to send forth the sound of Dharma — you may go and behold, and hear the Dharma that he speaks.”

The Summoned Rush Like Clouds (the General Clause): The Assemblies of the Ten Directions Receive the Light and Come

At that time all the assemblies of the world-seas of the ten directions, having received the Buddha’s radiance and been awakened by it, each and all came together to where Vairocana Tathāgata was, to draw near and make offerings. Namely —

The East: The Bodhisattva Lotus Banner Who Contemplates the Supreme Dharma Comes to the Gathering

To the east of this Flower-Treasury Adorned World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Pure Light Lotus Adornment. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Maṇi-Necklace Vajra Treasury, and the buddha there is named King of the Boundless Space of the Awakening of the Dharma-Water. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Lotus Banner Who Contemplates the Supreme Dharma, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds formed of the bodily marks of bodhisattvas, filling all of space and not dispersing; again they manifested ten kinds of clouds raining down the radiance of every jeweled lotus, again ten kinds of clouds of jeweled Sumeru peaks, again ten kinds of clouds of the light of sun-orbs, again ten kinds of clouds of jeweled flower necklaces, again ten kinds of clouds of every music, again ten kinds of clouds of powdered-incense trees, again ten kinds of clouds of unguent incense and burning incense in all their colors and forms, again ten kinds of clouds of every fragrant tree… Clouds of offering such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the east, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the treasury of the radiance of manifold flowers, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The South: The Bodhisattva Wisdom That Illumines Everywhere the Sea of Dharma Comes to the Gathering

To the south of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Treasury Adorned with the Radiance of Every Jewel-Moon. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Boundless Light, Perfect Adornment, and the buddha there is named Sumeru King of the Virtue of the Radiance of Universal Wisdom. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Wisdom That Illumines Everywhere the Sea of Dharma, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings that are treasuries of the radiance of every adornment, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings raining down every jeweled ornament and illumining everywhere, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings whose jeweled flames blaze and extol the names of the buddhas, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings that proclaim all the Buddha’s teachings, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings of manifold subtle trees adorning the place of awakening, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings whose jeweled radiance illumines everywhere and displays manifold conjured buddhas, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings that display everywhere the adorned images of every place of awakening, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings of dense-flamed lamps that tell of the realms of the buddhas, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings bearing the images of the inconceivable palaces of the buddha-lands, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-kings that display everywhere the images of the bodies of the buddhas of the three times… Clouds of maṇi-kings such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the south, each conjured a lion-throne of the lotus treasury formed of sapphire and Jambū-river gold, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The West: The Bodhisattva Moonlight and Fragrant Flame, Universal Adornment Comes to the Gathering

To the west of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Lovely Jeweled Radiance. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Bringing Forth Supreme and Subtle Articles That Sustain the Body, and the buddha there is named Jeweled Adornment of the Merit of Fragrant Flame. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Moonlight and Fragrant Flame, Universal Adornment, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of pavilions of every jeweled fragrance and manifold subtle flowers, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions of jewel-kings of boundless colors and forms, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions of jeweled lamps and fragrant flames, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions all of pearl, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions of every jeweled flower, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions adorned with jeweled necklaces, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions that display everywhere the treasury of the radiance of every adornment of the ten directions, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions adorned with manifold jewel-powder inlaid together, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions of every adornment extending throughout the ten directions, again ten kinds of clouds of pavilions with flower gates and nets of bells… Clouds of pavilions such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the west, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the great jewel treasury of true-gold leaf, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The North: The Bodhisattva Radiance of the Lion’s Swift Valor Comes to the Gathering

To the north of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Perfect Treasury of the Radiance of the Beryl Lotus. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Adorned with Utpala Flowers, and the buddha there is named King of the Sound of the Banner of Universal Wisdom. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Radiance of the Lion’s Swift Valor, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of manifold subtle trees of every fragrance and maṇi jewel, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of trees adorned with dense leaves and subtle fragrance, again ten kinds of clouds of adorning trees that conjure forth trees of every boundless color and form, again ten kinds of clouds of trees adorned with every flower spread all about, again ten kinds of clouds of trees adorned with the perfect radiance of every jeweled flame, again ten kinds of clouds of trees adorned with the display of bodhisattva bodies of every sandal fragrance, again ten kinds of clouds of trees adorned with the display of the inconceivable adornments of the places of awakening of former times, again ten kinds of clouds of trees that are treasuries of manifold jeweled garments and are like the radiance of the sun, again ten kinds of clouds of trees that send forth everywhere every delightful sound… Clouds of trees such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the north, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the lotus treasury of maṇi lamps, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Northeast: The Bodhisattva Supreme Lamp of Radiance, Treasury of Inexhaustible Merit Comes to the Gathering

To the northeast of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Banner of the Crystal Color of Jambū-River Gold. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Adorned with Manifold Jewels, and the buddha there is named Lamp of Fearlessness in All Dharmas. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Supreme Lamp of Radiance, Treasury of Inexhaustible Merit, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the jeweled lotus treasury of boundless colors and forms, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the treasury of the radiance of maṇi-kings, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones decked with every adornment and every manner of ornament, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the treasury of manifold jeweled garlands and lamp-flames, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones raining down jeweled necklaces everywhere, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the treasury of every fragrant flower and jeweled necklace, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the treasury of maṇi-kings that display the adornments of every buddha’s seat, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones with doors and windows, steps and terraces, and every necklace and every adornment, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the treasury of the jeweled branches and stems of every maṇi tree, again ten kinds of clouds of lion-thrones of the treasury of the radiance of the sun inlaid with jeweled fragrance… Clouds of lion-thrones such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the northeast, each conjured a lion-throne of the banner of the radiance of jeweled lotus and maṇi, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Southeast: The Bodhisattva Lamp of Wisdom, Universal Brightness Comes to the Gathering

To the southeast of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Golden Adornment, Beryl Radiance Illumining Everywhere. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Pure Fragrant Radiance, and the buddha there is named King of Universal Joy and Deep Faith. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Lamp of Wisdom, Universal Brightness, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of maṇi curtains of every wish-fulfilling king, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of curtains adorned with sapphire and every flower, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi curtains of every fragrance, again ten kinds of clouds of curtains of jeweled flame-lamps, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-king curtains that display the Buddha’s supernormal penetrations and his preaching of the Dharma, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi curtains that display the colors and images of every adorning garment, again ten kinds of clouds of curtains of the radiance of every cluster of jeweled flowers, again ten kinds of clouds of curtains with the sound of jeweled nets and bells, again ten kinds of clouds of curtains with maṇi for their dais and lotuses for their net, again ten kinds of clouds of curtains that display the colors and images of every inconceivable adornment… Clouds of manifold jeweled curtains such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the southeast, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the jeweled lotus treasury, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Southwest: The Bodhisattva Topknot of Universal Flower Flame-Light Comes to the Gathering

To the southwest of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Sunlight Illumining Everywhere. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Lion Sun-Radiance, and the buddha there is named Sound of the Radiance of Universal Wisdom. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Topknot of Universal Flower Flame-Light, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of jeweled canopies of manifold subtle adornments, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of flower canopies adorned with radiance, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies of the pearl treasury of boundless colors, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-king canopies that send forth the sound of the compassion of all bodhisattvas, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies of manifold subtle jeweled flame-garlands, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies decked with subtle jewels and hung with nets and bells, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies adorned with the branches of maṇi trees, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi-king canopies with sunlight illumining everywhere, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies of every unguent incense and burning incense, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies of the sandalwood treasury, again ten kinds of clouds of canopies adorned with the universal radiance of the vast realm of a buddha… Clouds of manifold jeweled canopies such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the southwest, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the treasury adorned with the flaming radiance of sapphire, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Northwest: The Bodhisattva Maṇi-King of Inexhaustible Radiance Comes to the Gathering

To the northwest of this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Jeweled Radiance Shining Forth. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Adorned with Manifold Fragrances, and the buddha there is named Radiance of the Sea of Measureless Merit. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Maṇi-King of Inexhaustible Radiance, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of every jewel, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of every jeweled flame, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of every subtle flower, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of every conjured buddha, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of the buddha-lands of the ten directions, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of jeweled trees with the thunder-sound of the realm of a buddha, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of every beryl jewel and maṇi-king, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance that in a single thought displays the forms of boundless sentient beings, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance that sends forth the sound of the great vows of all tathāgatas, again ten kinds of clouds of the perfect radiance of maṇi-kings that set forth and transform with the sounds of all sentient beings… Clouds of perfect radiance such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, in the northwest, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the treasury of the majestic virtue of inexhaustible radiance, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Nadir: The Bodhisattva Wisdom of the Flaming Radiance of the Dharma Realm Comes to the Gathering

Below this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Treasury of the Subtle Virtue of Lotus Fragrance. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Jeweled Lion-Radiance Shining Forth, and the buddha there is named Radiance of the Dharma Realm. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Wisdom of the Flaming Radiance of the Dharma Realm, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of the radiance of every maṇi treasury, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of the radiance of every fragrance, again ten kinds of clouds of the radiance of every jeweled flame, again ten kinds of clouds of radiance that send forth the sound of every buddha preaching the Dharma, again ten kinds of clouds of radiance that display the adornments of every buddha-land, again ten kinds of clouds of the radiance of every subtle flower pavilion, again ten kinds of clouds of radiance that display how the buddhas of every kalpa teach and transform sentient beings, again ten kinds of clouds of the radiance of every inexhaustible jeweled flower-stamen, again ten kinds of clouds of the radiance of every adorned throne… Clouds of radiance such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, below, each conjured a lion-throne formed of the lotus treasury of jeweled flame-lamps, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Zenith: The Bodhisattva Wisdom of Unobstructed Power and Diligence Comes to the Gathering

Above this Flower-Treasury World-Sea there is next a world-sea named Adorned with the Shining Forth of Maṇi Jewels. Within the world-seed of that world-sea there is a land named Markless Subtle Radiance, and the buddha there is named King of the Radiance of Unobstructed Merit. In the great assembly-sea of that Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Wisdom of Unobstructed Power and Diligence, who came together with bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea to where the Buddha was. Each of them manifested ten kinds of clouds of jeweled flaming radiance of boundless colors and forms, filling all of space and not dispersing; again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of nets of maṇi jewels, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of the adornments of every vast buddha-land, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of every subtle fragrance, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of every adornment, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of the transformations of the buddhas, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of manifold subtle trees and flowers, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of every vajra, again ten kinds of clouds of maṇi flaming radiance that tells of the boundless practices of a bodhisattva, again ten kinds of clouds of the flaming radiance of every pearl lamp… Clouds of flaming radiance such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. Thereupon, above, each conjured a lion-throne of the lotus treasury of the radiance that sends forth the Buddha’s voice, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

The Conclusion of the Gathering: The Virtuous Substance of the Bodhisattvas and the Benefit of Awakening Thought after Thought

Within world-seas such as these, numerous as the dust motes of a thousand million buddha-lands, there were bodhisattva-mahāsattvas numerous as the dust motes of a thousand million buddha-lands, and each one of them had, besides, bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea surrounding him before and behind as they came to the gathering. Each one of these bodhisattvas manifested clouds of offering of every kind of adornment, numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, and they all filled space and did not disperse. Having manifested these clouds, they made obeisance to the Buddha as an offering. According to the quarter from which each had come, each conjured a lion-throne of every kind of jeweled adornment, and upon those thrones they sat cross-legged.

Once they were seated in this way, from within the pores of the bodies of those bodhisattvas, each single pore manifested rays of radiance of every jewel and every color, numerous as the dust motes of ten world-seas; and within each single ray there appeared bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of ten world-seas, all seated upon lion-thrones of the lotus treasury. These bodhisattvas were all able to enter everywhere into each single dust mote in every sea of the arraying of the Dharma realm; and within each single one of those dust motes there were vast buddha-lands numerous as the dust motes of ten buddha-worlds; and within each single one of those buddha-lands there were the buddhas, the world-honored ones, of the three times. These bodhisattvas were all able to go everywhere to draw near and make offerings.

Thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of displaying sovereign freedom within dreams; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of displaying the passing away and the taking of birth of all the gods; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of proclaiming all the practices of a bodhisattva; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of shaking every buddha-land everywhere and praising the merit and the spiritual transformations of the Buddha; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of purifying every buddha-land and revealing every sea of great vows; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of the Buddha’s voice that gathers in everywhere the speech of all sentient beings; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate of being able to rain down clouds of all the Buddha’s teachings; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate in which radiance illumines everywhere the lands of the ten directions and spiritual transformations are displayed throughout the Dharma realm; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate in which the Buddha’s body is displayed everywhere, filling and pervading the Dharma realm, and the power of the liberation of every tathāgata is complete; thought after thought, they awakened sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea by the Dharma-gate in which the bodhisattva Samantabhadra establishes every sea of the places of awakening where assemblies gather. In this way, everywhere throughout the whole Dharma realm, according with the minds of sentient beings, they brought them all to awakening.

Thought after thought, within each single land, they caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru who had fallen into the evil destinies to leave that suffering forever; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru who dwelt in the wrongly settled to enter into the rightly settled; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to be born among the gods according to what they delighted in; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to dwell in the position of the śrāvakas and the pratyekabuddhas; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to serve good friends and to be complete in every meritorious practice; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to arouse the unsurpassed mind of awakening; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to go toward the non-retrogressive ground of a bodhisattva; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to gain the pure eye of wisdom and to see all the dharmas of equality that the Tathāgata sees; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru to dwell in the seas of the powers and the vows and, with inexhaustible wisdom as skillful means, to purify the buddha-lands; caused sentient beings numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru all to dwell in Vairocana’s vast sea of vows and to be born into the family of the Tathāgata.

Verses Spoken with One Voice within the Radiance: Praising the Realm of the Bodhisattvas’ Practice

At that time the bodhisattvas within the radiance sent forth their voices at one and the same time and spoke these verses —

“Within the rays of radiance a subtle sound goes forth, spreading everywhere through all the lands of the ten directions, setting forth the manifold merits of the sons of the Buddha, able to enter the subtle path of awakening. Through sea-like kalpas they practice without weariness, bringing suffering sentient beings to liberation, in their minds there is no inferior thought and no fatigue; the sons of the Buddha skillfully enter such skillful means. Exhausting sea-like kalpas they cultivate skillful means, measureless and boundless, with not one left over, there is no Dharma-gate they do not enter, and yet they constantly proclaim that the nature of those dharmas is originally quiescent. All the great vows of the buddhas of the three times, each one they cultivate and purify, bringing them all to fullness without remainder, and this very work of benefiting sentient beings they take as the pure activity of their own practice. In the assemblies of all the buddhas, everywhere throughout the ten directions, there is none they do not go to, and with the deep sea of their wisdom they enter that quiescent dharma of the Tathāgata. Each single ray of radiance is without bound, and all of them enter lands beyond conceiving, with the pure eye of wisdom they see them all everywhere — this is the realm in which the bodhisattvas practice. A bodhisattva is able to dwell on the tip of a single hair and shake the lands of the ten directions everywhere, and yet not cause sentient beings to give rise to any thought of terror — this is his pure ground of skillful means. Within each single dust mote he manifests measureless bodies, and manifests too the buddha-lands of every adornment, passing away and being born within a single thought he lets all see it — this is one who has gained the adornment of the unobstructed mind. All the kalpas of the three times he is able to display in full within a single instant, knowing this body to be like an illusion, without the mark of substance — this is one who has verified that the nature of dharmas is unobstructed. The surpassing practice of Samantabhadra he is able wholly to enter, and all sentient beings delight to see him, the sons of the Buddha are able to dwell in this Dharma-gate, and within the rays of radiance they send forth a great roar.”

The Auspicious Signs That Betoken the Preaching (1): The Tathāgata Emits Light from Between His Brows

At that time the World-Honored One, in order that the whole great assembly of bodhisattvas might gain the spiritual power of the Tathāgata’s boundless realm, emitted a light from between his brows. This light was named Radiance of the Wisdom of All Bodhisattvas, the Treasury That Illumines Everywhere the Ten Directions. Its form was like a cloud of jewel-colored lamps, and it illumined everywhere every buddha-land of the ten directions, causing the lands within them and the sentient beings within them all to be made manifest. It also shook everywhere the net formed of the many worlds, and within each single dust mote there appeared countless buddhas. According to the differences in the natures and the desires of sentient beings, it rained down everywhere clouds of the subtle Dharma-wheels of all the buddhas of the three times, revealing the sea of the perfections of the Tathāgata; and it rained down measureless clouds of every kind of going forth, causing sentient beings to be delivered forever from birth and death; and it rained down clouds of the great vows of the buddhas, revealing them among the many worlds of the ten directions. Having done these things for the assembly at the place of awakening of the bodhisattva Samantabhadra, that light circled the Buddha to the right and entered in beneath the Buddha’s feet.

The Auspicious Signs That Betoken the Preaching (2): A Great Lotus Suddenly Appears before the Buddha

At that time, before the Buddha, a great lotus suddenly appeared. This flower had ten kinds of adornment, and no other lotus could match it. Namely — manifold jewels inlaid together made its stalk; the king of maṇi jewels made its treasury; the manifold jewels of the Dharma realm everywhere made its petals; the many fragrant maṇi jewels made its stamens; Jambū-river gold decked and illumined its dais; a subtle net covered it above, and its light and color were pure; within a single thought it displayed the spiritual transformations of boundless buddhas; it was able to send forth every sound everywhere; within the king of maṇi jewels the Buddha’s body appeared in reflection; and within its sounds it was able everywhere to proclaim all the practices and vows that bodhisattvas cultivate.

The Auspicious Signs That Betoken the Preaching (3): From the Tuft of White Hair Comes Forth the Bodhisattva Supreme Sound of All Dharmas

After this flower had been brought forth, in a single thought, from within the mark of the tuft of white hair of the Tathāgata there was a bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Supreme Sound of All Dharmas who, together with a multitude of bodhisattvas numerous as the dust motes of a world-sea, came forth at one and the same time, circled the Buddha to the right through measureless rounds, and made obeisance at the Buddha’s feet; and then —

At that time the bodhisattva Supreme Sound sat upon the dais of the lotus, and the multitude of bodhisattvas sat upon its stamens, each one dwelling thereon in due order. That bodhisattva Supreme Sound of All Dharmas had penetrated the profound Dharma realm and given rise to great joy; he had entered the path the Buddha walks, and his wisdom was without hindrance; he had entered the immeasurable sea of the Buddha’s dharma-body and had gone to where the tathāgatas are in every buddha-land; from all the pores of his body he displayed supernormal penetrations, and thought after thought he contemplated the whole Dharma realm everywhere; the buddhas of the ten directions together bestowed their power upon him, causing him to dwell everywhere in every samādhi and, to the end of the future, constantly to see the bodies of the buddhas, whose merit is a boundless sea of the Dharma realm, and even every samādhi, liberation, and spiritual transformation. Thereupon, within the great assembly, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, he contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (1): The Bodhisattva Supreme Sound of All Dharmas Speaks Verses

“The Buddha’s body fills the whole Dharma realm, appearing everywhere before all sentient beings, according with conditions he goes to meet what calls, and there is nowhere he does not pervade, and yet he constantly abides upon this seat of awakening. Within each single pore of the Tathāgata, buddhas as numerous as the dust motes of all the lands are seated, with assemblies of bodhisattvas surrounding them together, setting forth the surpassing practice of Samantabhadra. The Tathāgata abides upon the seat of awakening, and within a single hair he displays many seas of lands, and what is displayed within each single hair is likewise so — in this way he pervades the whole Dharma realm. Within each single land all are established, and every land is pervaded everywhere, the bodhisattvas of the ten directions gather like clouds, and there is none who does not come to the place of awakening. Numerous as the dust motes of all the lands is the sea of bodhisattvas whose merit is radiant, everywhere within the assemblies of the Tathāgata, and even to the Dharma realm they fill and pervade. Lands numerous as the dust motes of the Dharma realm appear within all the multitudes, a wisdom-realm of dividing the body such as this can be established within the practice of Samantabhadra. Within the assemblies of all the buddhas, bodhisattvas of surpassing wisdom sit in ranks, each hearing the Dharma and giving rise to joy, and everywhere they practice through measureless kalpas. They have already entered the vast vows of Samantabhadra, and each brings forth the manifold teachings of a buddha, within the Dharma-sea of Vairocana they practice and at the appointed time attain the ground of the Tathāgata. What Samantabhadra reveals and awakens, all the tathāgatas together praise and rejoice in, they have already gained the great supernormal penetrations of the buddhas and flow throughout the Dharma realm with nowhere unpervaded. Numerous as the dust motes of all the lands, they constantly manifest clouds of bodies that fill them all, everywhere for sentient beings they emit great radiance, and each rains down the rain of Dharma in accord with their minds.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (2): The Bodhisattva King of the Wisdom of the Lotus Radiance Who Contemplates All Supreme Dharmas Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named King of the Wisdom of the Lotus Radiance Who Contemplates All Supreme Dharmas who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“The profound wisdom of the Tathāgata enters everywhere into the Dharma realm, able to turn in accord with the three times, acting as a lamp and guide for the world. The buddhas are one and the same dharma-body, without support and without difference, and in accord with the minds of all sentient beings he causes them to see the form and shape of a buddha’s body. Endowed with omniscience, knowing every dharma throughout, within all the lands there is no place where he does not appear. The Buddha’s body and his radiance, their colors and forms are beyond conceiving, and whatever sentient beings have faith and delight, according to what befits them he causes them all to see. Upon a single buddha-body he conjures forth measureless buddhas, his thunder-voice reaches the many buddha-lands, and the Dharma he sets forth is deep as a great sea. Within each single pore, nets of radiance reach the ten directions, sending forth the Buddha’s subtle voice, taming those who are hard to tame. Within the radiance of the Tathāgata a deep and subtle sound constantly goes forth, praising the sea-like merit of the Buddha and the path that bodhisattvas walk. The Buddha turns the wheel of true Dharma, measureless and without bound, the Dharma he speaks has nothing equal to it, and those of shallow wisdom cannot fathom it. Within all the worlds he manifests his body and accomplishes right awakening, each giving rise to spiritual transformations, and the Dharma realm is wholly filled. In each single body of the Tathāgata the buddhas he displays are equal in number to sentient beings, and in all the dust-mote buddha-lands he displays everywhere the power of supernormal penetration.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (3): The Bodhisattva Radiance of the Wisdom of Dharma-Joy Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Radiance of the Wisdom of Dharma-Joy who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“The Buddha’s body constantly appears, and the Dharma realm is wholly filled, constantly he sends forth a vast voice, shaking the lands of the ten directions everywhere. The Tathāgata manifests his body everywhere, entering into the world throughout, according with the desires and delights of sentient beings, displaying the power of supernormal penetration. The Buddha accords with the minds of sentient beings and appears everywhere before them, and what sentient beings see is in every case the spiritual power of the Buddha. His radiance is without bound, and his preaching of the Dharma too is without measure, the sons of the Buddha, following their own wisdom, are able to enter and able to contemplate. The Buddha’s body has no birth, and yet he is able to display being born, the nature of dharmas is like space, and the buddhas abide within it. Without a place of dwelling and without any going, everywhere one can see the Buddha, his radiance is nowhere unpervaded, and his name is heard afar in every place. Without substance, without a place of dwelling, and with no birth that can be got at, without mark and without shape, all that he displays is like a shadow. The Buddha accords with the minds of sentient beings and raises up for them a great cloud of Dharma, and by every kind of skillful Dharma-gate he displays, awakens, and tames them. Within all the worlds one sees the Buddha seated at the place of awakening, surrounded by the great multitude, illumining the lands of the ten directions. The bodies of all the buddhas all have inexhaustible marks, and though what they display is measureless, their colors and forms are never exhausted.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (4): The Bodhisattva Wisdom of the Universal Brightness of Fragrant Flame-Radiance Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Wisdom of the Universal Brightness of Fragrant Flame-Radiance who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“The bodhisattvas of this assembly have entered the ground of the Buddha beyond conceiving, and each and every one of them is able to see the spiritual power of every buddha. Their wisdom-bodies are able to enter throughout the dust motes of every buddha-land, they see their own bodies within them, and they see the buddhas everywhere. Like a shadow they appear in the many buddha-lands, wherever the tathāgatas are, and within all of those places they display in full the affairs of supernormal penetration. The practices and vows of Samantabhadra, cultivated and purified, are already bright and clean, and so within every buddha-land they are able to see everywhere the Buddha’s spiritual transformations. Their bodies abide in every place, and every place is equal, and when wisdom is able to move in this way, one has entered the realm of the Buddha. Having already verified the wisdom of the Tathāgata, illumining the Dharma realm equally, they enter everywhere into the Buddha’s pores and into the sea of all the buddha-lands. In all the lands of the buddhas they display the power of supernormal penetration, displaying every kind of body and every kind of name. Within the space of a single thought they are able to display everywhere every kind of transformation, accomplishing right awakening at the place of awakening and turning the subtle wheel of Dharma. All the vast buddha-lands, passing through koṭis of kalpas beyond conceiving, within the samādhi of a bodhisattva can all be displayed within a single thought. In all the lands of the buddhas, each single bodhisattva within them enters everywhere into the body of the Buddha, without bound and without end.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (5): The Bodhisattva Radiance of the Wisdom of the Lion’s Swift Valor Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Radiance of the Wisdom of the Lion’s Swift Valor who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions throughout and spoke these verses —

“The Buddha Vairocana is able to turn the wheel of true Dharma, and the many lands of the Dharma realm are all pervaded by it like clouds. All that is within the ten directions, the vast world-seas of every kind, by the Buddha’s power of supernormal penetration and vow, in every place he turns the wheel of Dharma. In all the lands of the buddhas, within the vast assemblies, his names are each different, and according to what befits them he sets forth the subtle Dharma. The great majestic power of the Tathāgata is what the vow of Samantabhadra accomplished, and within all the lands there is nowhere his subtle voice does not reach. The Buddha’s body is equal to the dust motes of the lands, and everywhere he rains down the rain of Dharma, without birth and without difference, appearing throughout all the worlds. Within countless koṭis of kalpas, within all the dust-mote buddha-lands, the manifold deeds practiced in former times he sets forth completely with his subtle voice. The lands of the ten directions, numerous as dust motes, are all pervaded by his nets of radiance, and within the radiance there are buddhas everywhere, teaching and transforming sentient beings. The Buddha’s body is without difference, filling the whole Dharma realm, able to let beings see a form-body, taming them skillfully according to their faculties. In all the buddha-lands of the three times, all the many guides, their manifold names each different, he proclaims for them and causes them all to see. Past, future, and present, all the buddhas, the tathāgatas, and the subtle wheels of Dharma they turn — in this assembly all of it may be heard.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (6): The Bodhisattva Treasury of Merit, Wisdom of the Sea of Dharma Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Treasury of Merit, Wisdom of the Sea of Dharma who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“The sons of the Buddha of this assembly have well cultivated the manifold kinds of wisdom, and such people as these are already able to enter a gate of skillful means such as this. Within each single land they send forth everywhere a vast voice, proclaiming the place where the Buddha walks, heard throughout the buddha-lands of the ten directions. Within each single thought they illumine everywhere all dharmas, dwelling upon the ground of suchness and penetrating the manifold seas of dharmas. Within each single buddha-body, passing through koṭis of kalpas beyond conceiving, they cultivate the practice of the perfections and purify the lands. Within each single dust mote they are able to verify every dharma, and in this way, without obstruction, they move throughout the lands of the ten directions. Within each single buddha-land they go without leaving any out, seeing the Buddha’s power of supernormal penetration and entering the place where the Buddha walks. The vast voice of the buddhas — there is nothing in the Dharma realm that does not hear it, and a bodhisattva is able to know it and skillfully to enter the sea of sounds. Through sea-like kalpas he sends forth a subtle sound, and that sound is equal and without difference, and one whose wisdom pervades the three times has entered that ground of sound. All the sounds that sentient beings have, and the sovereignly free voice of the Buddha — having gained the wisdom of sounds, he is able to know them all. From one ground he gains a further ground, and dwells within the ground of the powers, through koṭis of kalpas he diligently practices, and the Dharma he gains is just so.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (7): The Bodhisattva Lamp of Wisdom, Universal Brightness Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Lamp of Wisdom, Universal Brightness who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“All the tathāgatas are far removed from the manifold marks, and if one can know this dharma, then one sees the guide of the world. Within the samādhi of a bodhisattva the light of wisdom is universally clear, able to know of all the buddhas the sovereignly free nature of their substance. Seeing the true substance of the Buddha, one then awakens to the profound Dharma, contemplating everywhere the Dharma realm and taking a body in accord with one’s original vow. Born from the sea of merit, dwelling upon the ground of wisdom, contemplating all dharmas, one practices the most surpassing path. Within all the buddha-lands, wherever the tathāgatas are, in this way, throughout the Dharma realm, one sees in every case the true substance. In the vast buddha-lands of the ten directions, through koṭis of kalpas of diligent practice, one is able to roam in right and universal knowing and to penetrate the sea of all dharmas. The one solid and dense body may be seen within every dust mote, without birth and without mark, appearing everywhere throughout the many lands. In accord with the minds of all sentient beings, he appears everywhere before them, displaying every kind of thing and taming them, quickly bringing them toward the path of a buddha. Because of the Buddha’s majestic spiritual power, the many bodhisattvas appear, and sustained by the Buddha’s power they see the tathāgatas everywhere. The guide of all sentient beings has measureless majestic spiritual power, awakening the bodhisattvas, and the Dharma realm is wholly pervaded.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (8): The Bodhisattva Topknot of Flower Flame, Wisdom of Universal Brightness Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Topknot of Flower Flame, Wisdom of Universal Brightness who, receiving the majestic power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“Within all the lands he sends forth everywhere a subtle voice, extolling the merit of the Buddha, and the Dharma realm is wholly filled. The Buddha takes the Dharma as his body, pure as space, and the manifold colors and shapes he displays are all to bring beings to enter into this Dharma. If there are those who deeply believe and rejoice and who are moreover gathered in by the Buddha, one should know that people such as these are able to give rise to a mind that comprehends the Buddha’s wisdom. Those who have little wisdom are unable to know this dharma, but those whose eye of wisdom is pure are able to see it here. By the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplating all dharmas, whether entering, dwelling in, or emerging from concentration, what they see is clear and plain. Within all dharmas the Dharma-gates are without bound, accomplishing omniscience, one enters the profound sea of dharmas. Abiding in the buddha-lands, arising in every place, without going and without coming — such is the dharma of the buddhas. In the sea of all sentient beings the Buddha’s body appears like a shadow, and according to the differences in their understanding they see the guide accordingly. Within all the pores each displays supernormal penetration, and one who practices the vow of Samantabhadra, being pure, is able to see it. The Buddha with each single body turns the wheel of Dharma in every place, and the Dharma realm is wholly pervaded, beyond what thought and speech can reach.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (9): The Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Radiance of Majestic Wisdom Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Inexhaustible Radiance of Majestic Wisdom who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“Within each single buddha-land, in every place he sits at the place of awakening, the assembly surrounding him together, and the armies of Māra are all crushed. The Buddha’s body emits radiance that fills the ten directions throughout, displaying itself according to what befits, and its colors and forms are not of one kind. Within each single dust mote radiance is wholly filled, and one sees everywhere the lands of the ten directions, each of them different in kind. The many seas of lands of the ten directions, buddha-lands of every kind and measureless, are all level and pure, formed of sapphire. Some are inverted, some abide on their side, some are like a lotus closing up, some are round, some are square, and there are manifold forms of every kind. The many lands of the Dharma realm he moves through without obstruction, and within all the assemblies he constantly turns the subtle wheel of Dharma. The Buddha’s body is beyond conceiving, and the lands are all within it, and in all those places he guides the world and sets forth the true Dharma. The subtle wheel of Dharma that he turns — the nature of dharmas is without difference, and relying upon the one real principle he sets forth the manifold marks of dharmas. The Buddha with a perfect voice makes clear the real principle, and according to the differences in their understanding he brings forth inexhaustible Dharma-gates. Within all the lands one sees the Buddha seated at the place of awakening, the Buddha’s body appearing like a shadow, and neither arising nor ceasing can be got at.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (10): The Bodhisattva Wisdom of the Universal Brightness of the Dharma Realm Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Wisdom of the Universal Brightness of the Dharma Realm who, receiving the majestic power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“The subtle body of the Tathāgata, its colors and forms are beyond conceiving, those who see it give rise to joy, and reverently they take faith and delight in the Dharma. Every mark of the Buddha’s body all brings forth measureless buddhas, entering everywhere into the worlds of the ten directions, reaching into each single dust mote. The seas of lands of the ten directions and the measureless, boundless buddhas all, thought after thought, each display supernormal penetration. The bodhisattvas of great wisdom enter deeply into the sea of dharmas, and sustained by the Buddha’s power they are able to know this skillful means. If there are those who already dwell in the practices and vows of Samantabhadra, then they see those many lands and the spiritual power of every buddha. If there are those who have faith and understanding, together with the great vows, and are complete in profound wisdom, they penetrate all dharmas. They are able, upon the bodies of the buddhas, to contemplate them one by one, and colors and sounds are no obstruction to them, and they comprehend the manifold realms. They are able, upon the bodies of the buddhas, to dwell in what wisdom practices, swiftly to enter the ground of the Tathāgata and to gather in the Dharma realm everywhere. Numerous as the dust motes of the buddha-lands, lands of every kind such as these they are able to cause, within a single thought, to appear within each single dust mote. All the many lands and the affairs of supernormal penetration all appear within a single buddha-land — such is the power of a bodhisattva.”

Extolling the Buddha’s Virtue (11): The Bodhisattva Unobstructed Wisdom of the Power of Diligence Speaks Verses

At that time within the multitude there was another bodhisattva-mahāsattva named Unobstructed Wisdom of the Power of Diligence who, receiving the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses —

“The Buddha sets forth a single subtle sound, heard throughout the buddha-lands of the ten directions, the manifold sounds are all complete within it, and the rain of Dharma fills and pervades all. The sea of all speech, all the sounds sent forth in accord with each kind, within all the buddha-lands turn the pure wheel of Dharma. In all the many lands one sees everywhere the Buddha’s spiritual transformations, one hears the voice of the Buddha preaching the Dharma, and having heard it, goes toward awakening. The many lands of the Dharma realm, within each single dust mote, the power of the Tathāgata’s liberation manifests a body there everywhere. The dharma-body is like space, without obstruction and without difference, and its colors and shapes are like a reflected image, the manifold marks of every kind appearing. A reflected image has no quarter or place, and like space it is without substantial nature, and one whose wisdom is vast penetrates their equality. The Buddha’s body cannot be grasped, without birth and without any making, in response to beings it appears everywhere before them, equal as space. All the buddhas of the ten directions all enter into a single pore, and each displays supernormal penetration, which the eye of wisdom is able to behold. The Buddha Vairocana, whose power of vow pervades the Dharma realm, within all the lands constantly turns the unsurpassed wheel. Within a single hair he displays spiritual transformations, and all the buddhas alike proclaim it, and though one pass through measureless kalpas, one cannot reach its bound.”

The Conclusion Extended without End: In Every Single Place of Awakening It Is Likewise So

Just as in this place of awakening within these four continents, where by the spiritual power of the Buddha bodhisattva multitudes numerous as the dust motes of a koṭi world-seas came from each of the ten directions to the gathering, so should it be known that within all the world-seas, in the many places of awakening within each set of four continents, it is in every case likewise so.

The Samādhi Part (1): Samantabhadra, Sustained by the Buddha’s Spiritual Power, Enters the Samādhi; This Samādhi Is Named the Tathāgata-Womb Body of Vairocana of All Buddhas

At that time Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva (a mahāsattva is a great bodhisattva), was before the Tathāgata, seated upon the lion throne of the lotus-womb; he received the Buddha’s spiritual power and entered samādhi (the concentration in which the mind rests settled upon a single object and is not scattered).

The name of this samādhi is: the Tathāgata-womb body of Vairocana of all buddhas (Vairocana means light shining everywhere; the Tathāgata-womb body means the substance that gathers in all merits and is their support). It enters universally into the nature of the equality of all buddhas, and it can display every kind of reflected image within the Dharma realm; it is vast and unobstructed, just like space; the Dharma realm is like the whirling of a great ocean, and there is nothing in it that this samādhi does not enter along with; it gives birth to the dharmas of all samādhis, and it can universally contain and take in the Dharma realm of the ten directions; the ocean of the light of the wisdom of the buddhas of the three times is all born out of this samādhi; it can display all the oceans of worlds established in every kind of array throughout the ten directions; it holds within itself the powers and the liberation of all buddhas and the wisdom of all bodhisattvas; it can make every place as small as a dust-mote of a land universally receive the boundless Dharma realm; it accomplishes the ocean of the merits of all buddhas and displays the ocean of the Tathāgata’s every great vow; and all the wheels of Dharma of all buddhas are circulated and guarded by it, so that they are never cut off.

The Samādhi Part (2): The Samantabhadras Within Every Single Dust-Mote Enter This Samādhi Alike

Just as in this world Samantabhadra entered this samādhi before the World-Honored One, so likewise, to the very end of the Dharma realm and to the very end of the realm of space, throughout the ten directions and the three times, in all the lands that are subtle, unobstructed, vast, and luminous — all the lands that the Buddha’s eye sees, that the Buddha’s power reaches, that the Buddha’s body manifests — and in all the dust-motes within those lands: within every single dust-mote there are buddha-lands as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds, and within every single buddha-land there are buddhas as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds, and before every single buddha there are Samantabhadra bodhisattvas as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds — and they too had all entered this samādhi of the Tathāgata-womb body of Vairocana of all buddhas.

The Sustaining Part (1): The Buddhas of the Ten Directions Appear and with One Voice Praise Him, Declaring Why Samantabhadra Gained This Concentration

At that time, before every single Samantabhadra bodhisattva, all the buddhas of the ten directions appeared in bodily form. Those tathāgatas with one voice praised him, saying:

“Excellent! Excellent! Good man! You have been able to enter this samādhi of the Tathāgata-womb body of Vairocana of all buddhas. Son of the Buddha! This is because all the buddhas of the ten directions together sustain you; it is because of the power of the original vow of Vairocana Tathāgata; and it is also because of the power of the practices and vows of all buddhas that you have cultivated. That is to say:

“It is in order that you may be able to turn the wheel of Dharma of all buddhas; in order that the ocean of the wisdom of all tathāgatas may be opened and made manifest; in order that all the oceans of worlds established in every kind of array throughout the ten directions may be universally illumined and seen with not one place left out; in order that all sentient beings may be cleansed and cured of defilement and gain purity; in order that all the vast lands may be universally taken in with the mind attached to nothing; in order that you may enter deeply into the realms of all buddhas without obstruction; in order that the merits of all buddhas may be universally displayed; in order that you may be able to enter into the true character of all dharmas and increase in wisdom; in order that all the gates of Dharma may be observed; in order that the faculties of all sentient beings may be known; and in order that you may be able to uphold the ocean of the words and phrases of the teaching of all buddhas and tathāgatas.”

The Sustaining Part (2): The Buddhas of the Ten Directions and Samantabhadra’s Ten Kinds of Wisdom

At that time all the buddhas of the ten directions straightway gave to Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva, the wisdom of the power that can enter into the very nature of omniscience; gave the wisdom of entering the Dharma realm that has no bound or measure; gave the wisdom of accomplishing the realms of all buddhas; gave the wisdom of knowing how every ocean of worlds is formed and how it decays; gave the wisdom of knowing that the realm of all sentient beings is vast and boundless; gave the wisdom of the various samādhis that abide in the profound liberation of the buddhas and have no differentiation; gave the wisdom of entering into the ocean of the faculties of all bodhisattvas; gave the wisdom of the eloquence of speech that knows the ocean of the languages of all sentient beings and turns the wheel of Dharma; gave the wisdom of the body that enters universally into every ocean of worlds within the Dharma realm; and gave the wisdom of obtaining the voice of every buddha.

Just as in this world, before the Tathāgata, Samantabhadra received such wisdom as this bestowed by the buddhas, so likewise it was for all the oceans of worlds and for all the Samantabhadra bodhisattvas within every single dust-mote of those oceans of worlds. Why is this so? Because to realize that dharma of samādhi is of itself just so.

The Sustaining Part (3): The Buddhas of the Ten Directions Each Stretch Out the Right Hand and Stroke Samantabhadra’s Crown

Then the buddhas of the ten directions each stretched out the right hand and stroked the crown of Samantabhadra bodhisattva. Those hands were all adorned with the marks and signs; a subtle net of light spread out from them, fragrance streamed forth and flames blazed. And from those hands came forth the subtle voices of all buddhas and every kind of unhindered spiritual power; and the oceans of the vows of Samantabhadra of all bodhisattvas past, present, and future, the pure wheels of Dharma of all tathāgatas, and all the reflected images of the buddhas of the three times were displayed within them.

Just as in this world Samantabhadra had his crown stroked by all the buddhas of the ten directions together, so likewise for all the oceans of worlds and for all the Samantabhadra bodhisattvas within every single dust-mote of those oceans of worlds: they too had their crowns stroked by the buddhas of the ten directions.

The Rising-from-Samādhi Part (1): Rising from Gates of the Ocean of Samādhis as Many as the Dust-Motes of All the Oceans of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra bodhisattva straightway rose from this samādhi. And when he rose from this samādhi, he rose from gates of the ocean of samādhis as many as the dust-motes of all the oceans of worlds. That is to say:

He rose from the samādhi gate of the skillful wisdom that knows that in the three times there is no differentiation from thought to thought; from the samādhi gate that knows all the dust-motes of every Dharma realm of the three times; from the samādhi gate that displays all the buddha-lands of the three times; from the samādhi gate that displays the dwelling places of all sentient beings; from the samādhi gate that knows the ocean of the minds of all sentient beings; from the samādhi gate that knows the particular names of each and every sentient being; from the samādhi gate that knows how the places of the Dharma realm throughout the ten directions each differ; from the samādhi gate that knows that within every single dust-mote there are clouds of boundless and vast buddha-bodies; and from the samādhi gate that expounds the great ocean of the import of all dharmas.

The Rising-from-Samādhi Part (2): The Assembly of Bodhisattvas Each Gain Oceanic Clouds of Benefit as Many as the Dust-Motes of an Ocean of Worlds

When Samantabhadra bodhisattva rose from these various samādhi gates, the bodhisattvas seated there each gained oceanic clouds of samādhi as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; oceanic clouds of dhāraṇī as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds (a dhāraṇī is a total holding, which can hold the good so that it is not lost and can block the bad so that it does not arise); oceanic clouds of the skillful means of all dharmas as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; oceanic clouds of the gates of eloquence as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; oceanic clouds of practice as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; oceanic clouds of the light of the wisdom of the treasury of the merits of all tathāgatas that universally illumines the Dharma realm, as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; oceanic clouds of the skillful means in which the wisdom of all the powers of all tathāgatas has no differentiation, as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; oceanic clouds in which within every single pore of every tathāgata a multitude of lands is displayed, as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds; and oceanic clouds in which every single bodhisattva displays such deeds as passing away from the Tuṣita heaven palace, descending to be born among men, attaining buddhahood, turning the wheel of the right Dharma, and entering parinirvāṇa, as many as the dust-motes of an ocean of worlds.

Just as in this world Samantabhadra rose from samādhi and the assembly of bodhisattvas gained such benefit as this, so likewise it was for all the oceans of worlds and for all their dust-motes, and within every single dust-mote it was just so.

The Part of the Testifying Signs: The Worlds Quake Slightly, and Ten Kinds of Great Maṇi-King Clouds Rain Down upon the Assembly Places

At that time all the oceans of worlds in the ten directions, by the awesome spiritual power of the buddhas and by the power of Samantabhadra’s samādhi, all quaked slightly. Every single world was adorned with a multitude of jewels, and gave forth subtle sounds expounding every kind of dharma. And within all the oceans of the assembly places of the tathāgatas there rained down universally ten kinds of great maṇi-king clouds (a maṇi is a jewel, and a maṇi-king is the king among jewels). Which ten? They are these:

Clouds of maṇi-kings of the wondrous golden star banner; clouds of maṇi-kings of blazing light; clouds of maṇi-kings of hanging jeweled wheels; clouds of maṇi-kings in which the forms of bodhisattvas appear within a treasury of many jewels; clouds of maṇi-kings that proclaim the names of buddhas; clouds of maṇi-kings whose light blazes and universally illumines the assembly places of all buddha-lands; clouds of maṇi-kings whose light shines upon the ten directions in every kind of transformation; clouds of maṇi-kings that praise the merits of all bodhisattvas; clouds of maṇi-kings blazing like the light of the sun; and clouds of maṇi-kings of delightful music heard everywhere throughout the ten directions.

The Part of the Pores’ Light Praising His Virtue: The Pores of All the Tathāgatas Give Forth Light, and Within That Light Verses Are Spoken in Praise of Samantabhadra

After ten kinds of great maṇi-king clouds such as these had rained down everywhere, from all the pores of all the tathāgatas light was given forth, and within that light these verses were spoken:

“Samantabhadra dwells universally within all lands, seated upon a jeweled lotus, gazed upon by the multitude; there is no spiritual power that he does not display, and there is no measureless samādhi that he cannot enter.

“Samantabhadra constantly, with every kind of bodily form, circulates throughout the Dharma realm and fills it all; by the power of samādhi, of spiritual penetration, and of skillful means, his perfect voice proclaims far and wide with no obstruction at all.

“Within all lands, in the places where the buddhas are, by every kind of samādhi he displays spiritual power; every single spiritual power is completely all-pervading, and in the lands of the ten directions not one place is left out.

“Just as it is in the places of the tathāgatas in all lands, so it is also within every dust-mote of those lands; the deeds of samādhi and spiritual power that are displayed there are all brought about by the power of the vow of Vairocana Tathāgata.

“Samantabhadra’s bodily form is like space; he dwells in reliance upon suchness and not upon any land; according to what the minds of sentient beings desire and delight in, he displays a universal body and treats all alike.

“Samantabhadra dwells within every kind of great vow, and has gained this measureless power of spiritual penetration; in the lands where the bodies of all buddhas are, he displays his own form and goes there.

“The oceans of all the assemblies have no bound, and the bodies he divides and settles there have no number; the lands that are displayed are all adorned and pure, and within a single kṣaṇa the deeds of many kalpas are seen.

“Samantabhadra dwells within all lands; the spiritual power he displays is surpassing and beyond compare; he shakes the ten directions with not one place unpervaded, and causes all who look upon it to see it.

“The power of the wisdom and merit of all the buddhas, and every kind of great dharma, are perfectly accomplished in him; by the gates of every kind of samādhi and skillful means he displays the practices toward awakening that he himself cultivated in ages past.

“Free and beyond conceiving in this fashion, he is displayed within the lands of the ten directions; and in order to make manifest his universal entry into every kind of samādhi, these merits are praised within the buddhas’ clouds of light.”

The Part of the Assembly’s Verses of Request: The Whole Assembly of Bodhisattvas with One Voice Praises Him in Verse, and at the End Requests That He Turn the Wheel of Dharma

At that time the whole assembly of bodhisattvas turned toward Samantabhadra with palms joined and gazed upon him, and, receiving the Buddha’s spiritual power, with one voice they praised him, saying:

“You are born from the dharma of the buddhas, and you arise also through the power of the Tathāgata’s vow; suchness is level and even, a treasury like space, and you have already adorned and purified this dharma-body.

“Within the assemblies of all the buddha-lands, Samantabhadra dwells universally in those places; you whose ocean of merit and wisdom gives forth light shine equally upon the ten directions with nothing unseen.

“Samantabhadra’s vast ocean of merit goes universally to the ten directions and draws near to the buddhas; in all the lands within every dust-mote he is able to arrive there and appear plainly.

“Son of the Buddha, we of this company constantly see you drawing near and serving in the places of all the tathāgatas, dwelling within the true realm of samādhi, passing through kalpas as many as the dust-motes of all the lands.

“The son of the Buddha is able, with a universal body, to go entirely to all the lands of the ten directions; the oceans of sentient beings he delivers them all, and among the dust-motes of the Dharma realm there is not one he does not enter.

“He enters into every dust-mote of the Dharma realm, and his body is without exhausting and without differentiation; like space, he is completely all-pervading, expounding the vast dharma of the Tathāgata.

“You who give forth the light of all merits are like a great cloud, vast and surpassing in power; within the ocean of sentient beings you go and arrive everywhere, proclaiming the unequaled dharma that the Buddha practices.

“For the sake of delivering sentient beings, throughout measureless oceans of kalpas Samantabhadra has cultivated every surpassing practice; he expounds all dharmas like a great cloud, and that voice is vast, with no place where it is not heard.

“How is it that the lands come to be established? How is it that the buddhas make their appearance? And what of the ocean of all sentient beings? We pray that you will expound the meaning of these truly, according as it is.

“The measureless ocean of the great assembly here all dwell reverently before the World-Honored One; that the pure and subtle wheel of Dharma may be turned, all the buddhas will rejoice in it.”

Contemplating Universally by the Power Received: Samantabhadra First Contemplates the Ten Oceans, and Only Then Speaks

At that time Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva, by the Buddha’s spiritual power, contemplated universally all the oceans of worlds, all the oceans of sentient beings, all the oceans of the buddhas, all the oceans of the Dharma realm, all the oceans of the karma of sentient beings, all the oceans of the faculties and desires of sentient beings (the faculties and the delights of sentient beings), all the oceans of the wheels of Dharma of the buddhas, all the oceans of the three times, all the oceans of the power of the vows of the tathāgatas, all the oceans of the spiritual transformations of the tathāgatas. Having contemplated in this way, he then addressed universally the bodhisattvas within all the oceanic assemblies of the place of enlightenment, saying —

Restating the Question and Praising Summarily: Twenty-Nine Clauses Praising the Inconceivability of the Buddha’s Wisdom

“Sons of the Buddha! The wisdom whereby the buddhas, the world-honored ones, know the forming, the destroying, and the purity of all the oceans of worlds is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby they know the oceans of the karma of all sentient beings is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby they know all the oceans of the establishing of the Dharma realm (how the Dharma realm is established and set in place) is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby they proclaim all the boundless oceans of buddhas is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby they enter deeply into the oceans of the desires, the delights, the resolute understanding, and the faculties of all sentient beings is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby in a single thought they know universally all the three times is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby they reveal all the oceans of the measureless vows of the tathāgatas is inconceivable; the wisdom whereby they display the ocean of the spiritual penetrations and transformations of all the buddhas is inconceivable; the wisdom of turning the wheel of Dharma is inconceivable; the establishing and expounding of the ocean of Dharma is inconceivable.

“The pure buddha-body is inconceivable; the universal illumination of the boundless ocean of forms and marks is inconceivable; that the marks and signs are all pure is inconceivable; that the boundless ocean of wheels of light of forms and marks is complete in purity is inconceivable; the ocean of clouds of light of every kind of form and mark is inconceivable; the surpassing ocean of jeweled flames is inconceivable; the perfecting of the ocean of speech and sound is inconceivable; the displaying of the ocean of the three kinds of sovereign mastery whereby all sentient beings are subdued and brought to maturity is inconceivable; the valorous subduing of the oceans of sentient beings, with not one of them passed over in vain, is inconceivable.

“Abiding in the buddha-ground is inconceivable; entering the realm of the Tathāgata is inconceivable; the upholding and protecting by majestic power is inconceivable; the contemplating of all that the wisdom of a buddha ranges over is inconceivable; that the powers are complete and that none can crush them is inconceivable; that the merit of fearlessness is such that none can surpass it is inconceivable; abiding in the samādhi without differentiation is inconceivable; the spiritual penetrations and transformations are inconceivable; the pure and sovereign wisdom is inconceivable; that none can destroy any of the dharmas of a buddha is inconceivable.

Granting the Exposition and Its Extent: I Shall Expound It in Full by the Buddha’s Spiritual Power

“All the various dharmas such as these I shall, by the Buddha’s spiritual power and by reason of the majestic spiritual power of all the tathāgatas, expound to you in full.

The Benefits the Exposition Accomplishes: He Speaks for the Sake of Ten Things

“For the sake of causing sentient beings to enter the ocean of the Buddha’s wisdom; for the sake of causing all bodhisattvas to gain an abiding within the ocean of the merit of the buddhas; for the sake of causing all the oceans of worlds to be adorned by the sovereign mastery of all the buddhas; for the sake of causing the lineage of the Tathāgata never to be cut off throughout all the oceans of kalpas; for the sake of revealing, within all the oceans of worlds, the true nature of all dharmas; for the sake of expounding in accord with the oceans of the measureless resolute understanding of all sentient beings; for the sake of according with the oceans of the faculties of all sentient beings and causing them by skillful means to give rise to the dharmas of the buddhas; for the sake of according with the oceans of the delights and desires of all sentient beings and crushing all the mountains of obstruction; for the sake of according with the oceans of the mental conduct of all sentient beings and causing them to purify and cultivate the essential road of deliverance; for the sake of causing all bodhisattvas to abide within the ocean of Samantabhadra’s vows.”

Praising the Excellence and Enjoining Attention: Eleven Clauses as the Occasion of the Verses

At this time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, further wishing to cause the measureless oceanic assemblies of the place of enlightenment to give rise to joy, wishing to cause them to increase their love and delight in all dharmas, wishing to cause them to give rise to the ocean of vast and true resolute understanding, wishing to cause them to purify and cultivate the body that is the treasury of the Dharma realm of the universal gate, wishing to cause them to establish the ocean of Samantabhadra’s vows, wishing to cause them to purify and cultivate the eye of wisdom that enters into the sameness of the three times, wishing to cause them to increase that ocean of great insight which illumines universally the treasury of all the worlds, wishing to cause them to give rise to the power of dhāraṇī (total retention) and so uphold all the wheels of Dharma, wishing within all the places of enlightenment to disclose entirely the realm of the Buddha, wishing to throw open all the Dharma-gates of the tathāgatas, wishing to cause them to increase the nature of omniscience, vast and most profound, that is the Dharma realm — thereupon spoke these verses:

“Wisdom most profound, an ocean of merit, appearing universally throughout the measureless lands of the ten directions, according with what sentient beings ought to see, illumining everywhere and turning the wheel of Dharma. The oceans of lands in the ten directions are inconceivable; the Buddha for measureless kalpas has been adorning and purifying them; in order to teach and bring sentient beings to maturity, he arises and appears within all the lands. (Verse · The Buddha’s wisdom appearing universally and the adorning and purifying of the oceans of lands)

“The realm of the Buddha is most profound and hard to fathom; he discloses it universally to sentient beings so that they may enter; but those whose minds delight in the lesser and who cling to the forms of existence cannot penetrate what the Buddha has awakened to. If there be one whose mind of pure faith is firm, who can constantly draw near to good friends, then all the buddhas lend him their power, and only so can he enter the wisdom of the Tathāgata. (Verse · The realm of the Buddha hard to fathom and pure faith able to enter)

“One who is far from every kind of flattery and deceit and whose mind is pure, who constantly delights in kindness and compassion and is by nature joyful, whose aspiration is vast and whose faith is deep — such a one, hearing this Dharma, gives rise to gladness. Abiding in the ground of the vows of Samantabhadra, cultivating the pure path of a bodhisattva, contemplating the Dharma realm as being like space — only so can one know the place where the Buddha ranges. These bodhisattvas have gained a great and good benefit and have seen all the powers of the Buddha’s spiritual penetrations; those who cultivate other paths cannot know it; only those who practice the conduct of Samantabhadra come to comprehend it. (Verse · The one of deep faith gives rise to gladness, and the practitioner of Samantabhadra’s conduct comes to comprehend)

“Sentient beings are vast and without limit; the Tathāgata is mindful and protective of every one of them; he turns the true wheel of Dharma and there is no place it does not reach — this is the power of Vairocana’s realm. (Verse · The Tathāgata’s mindful protection and the power of Vairocana’s realm)

“All the lands enter into my body, and so likewise do the buddhas who abide in them; you should contemplate the pores of my body, for I now display for you the realm of the Buddha. The conduct and vows of Samantabhadra are without limit; I have cultivated them and gained their fulfillment; the realm seen by the universal eye and the vast body — this is where the Buddha ranges, and you should listen attentively. (Verse · The lands entering my body and the realm of the universal eye)

The General Statement of the Ten Things: The Ocean of Worlds Has Ten Things

At that time Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva, addressed the great assembly, saying:

“Sons of the Buddha! The ocean of worlds has ten things, which the buddhas of the past, the present, and the future have already spoken of, are now speaking of, and will speak of. What are the ten? They are: the causes and conditions by which the ocean of worlds is furnished into being (the causes and conditions that must be furnished for its forming), that upon which the ocean of worlds depends and abides (what it abides upon), the shapes of the ocean of worlds, the substance of the ocean of worlds, the adornments of the ocean of worlds, the purity of the ocean of worlds, the arising of buddhas in the ocean of worlds, the kalpa-abiding of the ocean of worlds (the length of time it abides), the differences in the kalpa-transformations of the ocean of worlds, and the gate of the ocean of worlds’ freedom from differentiation. Sons of the Buddha! Stated summarily, the ocean of worlds has these ten things; were they to be stated at length, they would equal the number of atoms in an ocean of worlds — and the buddhas of the past, the present, and the future have already spoken of them, are now speaking of them, and will speak of them.

Thing One, the Causes and Conditions of Being Furnished: By Ten Causes and Conditions the Ocean of Worlds Is Formed

“Sons of the Buddha! Stated summarily, by reason of ten causes and conditions all the oceans of worlds have been formed, are being formed, and will be formed. What are the ten? They are: by reason of the spiritual power of the Tathāgata; by reason of the Dharma being of necessity thus; by reason of the deeds and karma of all sentient beings; by reason of what all bodhisattvas gain in perfecting omniscience; by reason of all sentient beings together with the bodhisattvas amassing roots of goodness in common; by reason of the power of the vow of all bodhisattvas to adorn and purify the lands; by reason of all bodhisattvas perfecting non-retrogressive conduct and vows; by reason of the pure resolute understanding and sovereign mastery of all bodhisattvas; by reason of what flows forth from the roots of goodness of all the tathāgatas together with the sovereign force of all the buddhas at the time of their attaining the path; by reason of the power of the sovereign vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Sons of the Buddha! These are the ten causes and conditions stated summarily; were they to be stated at length, they would be as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“The boundless and numerous oceans of lands of which he has spoken, Vairocana has adorned and purified them all; the realm of the World-Honored One is inconceivable, and such are the powers of his wisdom and his spiritual penetration. Bodhisattvas cultivate the many oceans of vows, according universally with what is desired in the minds of sentient beings; the mental conduct of sentient beings is vast and without limit, and so the lands of the bodhisattvas pervade the ten directions. (Verse · The oceans of lands adorned and purified, and the vows and conduct of bodhisattvas)

“Bodhisattvas turn toward omniscience, diligently cultivating the many kinds of sovereign power; measureless oceans of vows arise universally, and vast lands are all brought to completion. The oceans of practice they cultivate are without limit; their entering into the realm of the Buddha is likewise measureless; in order to purify the lands of the ten directions, they pass through measureless kalpas for each single land. (Verse · Turning toward omniscience and purifying the many lands)

“Sentient beings are stirred and made turbid by the afflictions; their discriminations and delights are not of one kind alone; following their minds they make karma inconceivably — and thus do the oceans of lands come to be established. Sons of the Buddha, the treasury of the adornments of the oceans of lands is formed of stainless luminous jewels; it comes about through the vast mind of resolute understanding, and such are the oceans of lands abiding in the ten directions. (Verse · Karma forming the oceans of lands, and their being formed by resolute understanding)

“Bodhisattvas are able to cultivate the conduct of Samantabhadra, roaming the paths that lie within the atoms of the Dharma realm; within the atoms measureless lands appear, pure and vast, like space itself. Equal to the realm of space they manifest spiritual penetration, going one by one to the places of the buddhas at the seats of enlightenment, upon the lotus thrones displaying many forms, and within each single body containing all the lands. (Verse · The conduct of Samantabhadra pervading the paths within the atoms)

“In a single thought he appears universally throughout the three times, and all the oceans of lands are brought to establishment; the Buddha by skillful means enters into them all — these are what Vairocana has adorned and purified. (Verse · Appearing throughout the three times in a single thought)

Thing Two, That Upon Which They Depend and Abide: What the Ocean of Worlds Abides Upon

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! Each single ocean of worlds has as many supports upon which it depends and abides as there are atoms in an ocean of worlds. They are: some abide depending on all adornments, some abide depending on space, some abide depending on the light of all jewels, some abide depending on the light of all buddhas, some abide depending on the light of the colors of all jewels, some abide depending on the voices of all buddhas, some abide depending on a Vajra-Bearer in the form of a mighty asura born of illusion-like karma, some abide depending on the bodies of all the rulers of the worlds, some abide depending on the bodies of all bodhisattvas, some abide depending on the ocean of all the differentiated adornments born of the power of the vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Sons of the Buddha! The ocean of worlds has supports upon which it depends and abides such as these, as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“Filling the realm of space in the ten directions, all the lands that there are, are all sustained by the spiritual power of the Tathāgata and may be seen present in place after place. There are lands of many kinds, and there is none not formed of stainless jewels; the pure maṇi is the most excellent and marvelous, and blazing it manifests everywhere an ocean of light. (Verse · Sustained by spiritual power and formed of stainless jewels)

“Some are lands of pure light, abiding in dependence on the realm of space; some are within an ocean of maṇi jewels, and there are also those abiding in a treasury of light. The Tathāgata dwells within such oceanic assemblies, expounding the wheel of Dharma with unsurpassed skill; the realms of the buddhas are vast and without limit, and sentient beings who see them give rise to joy in their minds. (Verse · Depending on space and on the ocean of maṇi jewels)

“Some take maṇi for their adornment, their shapes like flowering lamps spread widely abroad, the colors of their fragrant flames and clouds of light ablaze, and above them covering nets of light of marvelous jewels. Some lands are without limit, abiding in the deep and vast ocean of the lotus, broad and pure and set apart from the world — this is because the buddhas have adorned them with subtle and skillful art. (Verse · Adornment with maṇi and the great ocean of the lotus)

“Some oceans of lands turn along with a wheel, abiding by the majestic spirit of the Buddha, the assemblies of bodhisattvas spread throughout them, constantly seeing innumerable and vast jewels. Some abide upon the Vajra-Bearer, and there are again those abiding upon the body of the lord of the gods; Vairocana, the unsurpassed and honored one, constantly turns the wheel of Dharma in these places. (Verse · Turning with the wheel, and abiding on the Vajra-Bearer and on the body of the lord of the gods)

“Some abide evenly depending on jeweled trees, and so likewise within clouds of fragrant flame; some depend upon the many great waters, and there are those abiding upon an ocean of firm vajra. Some depend upon a banner of vajra, and some abide within an ocean of flowers; their vast spiritual penetration reaches everywhere, and Vairocana is able to manifest it all. (Verse · Jeweled trees, fragrant flames, water-wheels, vajra banners, and oceans of flowers)

“Some are long, some are short, of measureless kinds, and the aspects in which they whirl and coil about are likewise not of one kind alone; treasuries of subtle adornment set apart from the world, they can be seen only by those who have purified and cultivated themselves. Various and each different in this way, they all abide depending on the ocean of vows; some lands are constantly within space, and buddhas like clouds fill them all completely. (Verse · Shapes and measures each differing, yet all depending on the ocean of vows)

“Some hang in the air, abiding overturned; some at times exist and at times do not; some lands are utterly pure, abiding within the jeweled crown of a bodhisattva. The great spiritual penetrations of the buddhas of the ten directions may all be seen here; the voices of the buddhas pervade them all — this is what the power of karma transforms. (Verse · Abiding hung and overturned, and abiding within a bodhisattva’s jeweled crown)

“Some lands pervade the Dharma realm, pure and stainless, arising from the mind, like a shadow and like an illusion, vast and without limit, each differing like Indra’s net (the jeweled net of the god Śakra). Some manifest treasuries of adornment of many kinds, established in dependence on space; the realms of the many kinds of karma are inconceivable, and the Buddha’s power reveals them so that all may see. (Verse · Pervading the Dharma realm, arising from the mind, like Indra’s net)

“Within each single atom of each single land, thought after thought the lands of the buddhas are displayed, measureless in number and equal to sentient beings — what Samantabhadra does is constantly thus. For the sake of bringing sentient beings to maturity, he cultivates therein through oceans of kalpas; his vast spiritual transformations arise without exception, and within the Dharma realm they are everywhere complete. (Verse · Thought after thought displaying lands within an atom)

“Within each single atom of the lands of the Dharma realm the great oceans of lands abide; clouds of buddhas cover them all equally and completely, and in every place they are entirely filled. Just as within a single atom the functioning is sovereign, so likewise is it within all atoms; the great spiritual penetration of the buddhas and bodhisattvas — Vairocana is able to manifest it all. (Verse · Lands abiding within atoms and clouds of buddhas covering them)

“All the vast lands of every kind are like shadows, like illusions, and like a mirage as well; in the ten directions one does not see whence they are born, nor is there any coming and any going. Destruction and formation follow round upon each other in turn, never for a moment resting within space — and there is not one of them that is not sustained by pure vows and by vast power of karma. (Verse · Like a shadow and like an illusion, yet sustained by vows and karma)

Thing Three, Shape: The Many Differing Shapes and Forms of the Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! The ocean of worlds has shapes and forms of many kinds and differences. They are: some round, some square, some neither round nor square with measureless differences; some in the shape of a whirlpool of water, some in the shape of a mountain flame, some in the shape of a tree, some in the shape of a flower, some in the shape of a palace, some in the shape of a sentient being, some in the shape of a buddha … . Shapes such as these are as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“The oceans of lands differ in many kinds, in the many kinds of their adornment and the many kinds of their abiding; their differing shapes together make up their beauty and pervade the ten directions, and you should all alike contemplate them. Their shapes are some round and some square, and again three-dimensional and eight-cornered, the shape of a maṇi wheel, of a lotus, and so on — all of these are made to differ by karma. (Verse · Differing shapes together making beauty, and karma making them differ)

“Some are adorned with pure flames, inlaid with true gold and abounding in special beauties, their gates and portals opening one after another with nothing to block them — this comes about because the karma is vast and the mind unmixed. The oceans of lands are treasuries of boundless difference, like clouds spread out within space; wheels of jewels spread over the ground in subtle adornment, and the light of the buddhas shines within them. (Verse · Flaming adornment and gates and portals; clouds spread out and wheels of jewels)

“All the lands are discriminated by mind, and by lights of many kinds are they made to appear; the Buddha within such oceans of lands manifests one by one the power of his spiritual penetration. Some are defiled and some are pure, and the suffering and pleasure undergone in each differ — this comes about because the ocean of karma is inconceivable, and the dharmas of the many kinds of flowing on are constantly thus. (Verse · Discriminated by mind, and the defiled and the pure receiving their recompense)

“Within a single pore are lands beyond fathoming, equal to the number of atoms and abiding in many kinds, and in each single one there is an honored one of universal illumination expounding the marvelous Dharma within the assembly. Within a single atom there are great lands and small lands, of many kinds and differences like the number of atoms, level and high and low, each one unlike another, and the Buddha goes to them all and turns the wheel of Dharma. (Verse · Great and small lands within a pore and within an atom)

“The lands that appear within all atoms are all the power of the original vow and of spiritual penetration; according with what is delighted in within their minds they differ in many kinds, and within space all of them can be made. All the atoms that the lands possess — within each single atom the Buddha enters, and universally for sentient beings he manifests spiritual transformations — such is the Dharma of Vairocana. (Verse · The original vow and spiritual penetration, and the Buddha entering all the atoms)

Thing Four, Substance: The Many Kinds of Substance of the Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that the ocean of worlds has substances of many kinds. They are: some take the adornment of all jewels for their substance, some take the many kinds of adornment of a single jewel for their substance, some take the light of all jewels for their substance, some take light of many kinds of color for their substance, some take the light of all adornments for their substance, some take indestructible vajra for their substance, some take the sustaining by the Buddha’s power for their substance, some take the marks of marvelous jewels for their substance, some take the transformations of the Buddha for their substance, some take a sun-maṇi wheel for their substance, some take exceedingly subtle jewels for their substance, some take the flames of all jewels for their substance, some take fragrances of many kinds for their substance, some take the flowering crowns of all jewels for their substance, some take the reflected images of all jewels for their substance, some take what is displayed by all adornments for their substance, some take the realm universally displayed by a single thought of mind for their substance, some take jewels in the shape of a bodhisattva for their substance, some take the stamens of jeweled flowers for their substance, some take the speech and sound of the Buddha for their substance.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“Some oceans of lands are formed of marvelous jewels, firm and indestructible, abiding upon jeweled lotuses. Some are pure light, and whence they are born cannot be known; adorned by every kind of light, they abide depending on space. (Verse · Formed of marvelous jewels and of pure light)

“Some take pure light for their substance and again abide depending on that light, with clouds of light for their adornment, and bodhisattvas roam together within them. Some oceans of lands are born from the power of vows, abiding like reflected images, and neither the grasping of them nor the telling of them can be had. (Verse · Pure light as substance and birth from the power of vows)

“Some are formed of maṇi jewels, universally emitting the light of the sun-treasury, their ground adorned with wheels of pearls, and bodhisattvas fill them all completely. There are lands formed of jeweled flame, with clouds of flame covering over them, and the light of the many jewels surpassingly subtle — all this is what is gained through karma. (Verse · Maṇi and the sun-treasury, and jeweled flame with clouds of flame covering)

“Some are born from marvelous marks, the many marks adorning their ground, held and worn in common like a jeweled crown — this arises through the transformations of the Buddha. Some are born from an ocean of mind, abiding according to what the mind understands, illusion-like and without location, all of it discrimination. (Verse · Born from marvelous marks and born from an ocean of mind)

“Some take the light of the Buddha or the light of maṇi for their substance, and the buddhas appear within them, manifesting one by one the power of spiritual penetration. Some are oceans of lands transformed and manifested by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, adorned by the power of vows, and all of them are exceedingly marvelous. (Verse · The Buddha’s light and maṇi, and the manifestation by Samantabhadra)

Thing Five, Adornment: The Many Kinds of Adornment of the Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that the ocean of worlds has adornments of many kinds. They are: some take for adornment the surpassingly marvelous clouds that come forth from among all the implements of adornment, some take for adornment the proclaiming of the merit of all bodhisattvas, some take for adornment the proclaiming of the karmic recompense of all sentient beings, some take for adornment the displaying of the ocean of the vows of all bodhisattvas, some take for adornment the setting forth of the reflected images of all the buddhas of the three times, some take for adornment the displaying in the space of a single thought of the realms of spiritual penetration through boundless kalpas, some take for adornment the appearing of the bodies of all buddhas, some take for adornment the appearing of all clouds of jeweled fragrance, some take for adornment the displaying of the shining light of all the precious and marvelous things within all the places of enlightenment, some take for adornment the displaying of all the conduct and vows of Samantabhadra … . Adornments such as these are as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“The vast oceans of lands are without limit, and all of them are formed by pure karma; the many kinds of their adornment and the many kinds of their abiding fill all the ten directions completely. Clouds of jeweled flame of boundless form and mark, vast in adornment and not of one kind alone, constantly appear in the oceans of lands of the ten directions, universally sending forth marvelous sounds and expounding the Dharma. (Verse · Formed by pure karma, and clouds of jeweled flame expounding the Dharma)

“Bodhisattvas have boundless oceans of merit adorned by the many kinds of their great vows; these lands at the same moment send forth marvelous sounds that universally shake the nets of lands of the ten directions. The oceans of the karma of sentient beings are vast and measureless, and the recompense they feel differs in each case; within the adornments in every place, it is the buddhas who are able to expound them. (Verse · The bodhisattvas’ ocean of merit and the karmic recompense of sentient beings)

“All the tathāgatas of the three times by their spiritual penetration appear universally throughout the oceans of lands; within each single thing there are all the buddhas — such adorning and purifying you should contemplate. The kalpas past, future, and present, the lands of all the ten directions, and all the great adornments that are there — each one of them can be seen within the lands. (Verse · The tathāgatas of the three times appearing universally, and the lands and kalpas of the three times)

“Within each single thing are measureless buddhas, equal in number to sentient beings and pervading the world, who for the sake of subduing sentient beings manifest spiritual penetration — and with this the oceans of lands are adorned. All the adornments send forth marvelous clouds, clouds of flowers and clouds of fragrant flame of many kinds, and clouds of maṇi jewels constantly appear, with which the oceans of lands are adorned. (Verse · Measureless buddhas pervading the world, and adornment with marvelous clouds)

“In all the places of the attaining of the path in the ten directions the adornments of many kinds are all complete, and flowing light spreads far abroad like colored clouds, and within these oceans of lands all are made to see it. The sons of the Buddha with the conduct and vows of Samantabhadra cultivate diligently through kalpas equal in number to sentient beings; boundless lands are all adorned, and in every place they are made to appear. (Verse · The adornment of the places of attaining the path, and the conduct and vows of Samantabhadra)

Thing Six, Purity: Oceans of Skillful Means of Purity as Many as the Atoms in an Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that the ocean of worlds has oceans of skillful means of purity as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds. They are: by reason of the bodhisattvas drawing near to all good friends and cultivating roots of goodness in common with them; by reason of increasing the vast clouds of merit until they pervade the Dharma realm; by reason of purifying and cultivating the many kinds of vast resolute understanding; by reason of contemplating the realms of all bodhisattvas and abiding therein; by reason of cultivating all the pāramitās until they are complete; by reason of contemplating all the grounds of the bodhisattvas and entering and abiding therein; by reason of bringing forth all the oceans of pure vows; by reason of cultivating the conduct of all the essential roads of deliverance; by reason of entering into all the oceans of adornment; by reason of perfecting the power of pure skillful means … . Skillful means of purity such as these are as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“The many adornments of all the oceans of lands are born of innumerable skillful means and the power of vows; the oceans of lands constantly shine, arisen from measureless pure power of karma. Long ago they drew near to good friends and cultivated good karma in common until all was pure, and their kindness and compassion, vast, reached to sentient beings — with this are the oceans of lands adorned. (Verse · Skillful means and the power of vows, and the good friends of long ago and of near at hand)

“All the Dharma-gates, the samādhis, and the rest, the grounds of skillful means in dhyāna and liberation, are all purified and cultivated in the presence of the buddhas — and with this are the oceans of lands brought forth. Giving rise to measureless settled resolute understanding, able to understand that the Tathāgata and oneself are equal and not different, having cultivated the skillful means of the ocean of forbearance — thus are they able to adorn and purify boundless lands. (Verse · Samādhi and dhyāna, and settled resolute understanding)

“Cultivating surpassing conduct for the benefit of sentient beings, their merit vast and constantly increasing, like clouds spread out equal to space — all the oceans of lands are brought to completion. The pāramitās, measureless and equal to the atoms of the lands, have all been cultivated to fulfillment, and the pāramitā of vows is without exhaustion — from this are the pure oceans of lands born. (Verse · Merit like clouds, and the many perfections and the perfection of vows)

“Purifying and cultivating the unequalled dharmas of every kind, giving rise to boundless essential conduct of deliverance, and by skillful means of many kinds teaching the multitude of the living — thus are the oceans of lands adorned. Cultivating the grounds of the skillful means of adornment, entering into the oceans of the Dharma-gates of the merit of the buddhas, and universally causing sentient beings to exhaust the root of suffering — vast and pure lands are brought to completion. (Verse · The conduct of deliverance and the ground of the skillful means of adornment)

“The ocean of powers is vast and without compare, universally causing sentient beings to plant roots of goodness, and making offerings to all the tathāgatas — the lands are boundless and all of them pure. (Verse · The ocean of powers offering to the buddhas, and the lands made pure)

Thing Seven, the Arising of Buddhas: The Differences in the Appearing of Buddhas in Each Single Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that each single ocean of worlds has differences in the appearing of buddhas as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds. They are: some manifest a small body, some manifest a great body; some manifest a short life span, some manifest a long life span; some adorn and purify a single buddha-land alone, some adorn and purify measureless buddha-lands; some reveal the wheel of Dharma of the One Vehicle alone, some reveal the inconceivable wheels of Dharma of the many vehicles; some manifest the subduing of a small portion of sentient beings, some display the subduing of boundless sentient beings … . Differences such as these are as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“The many kinds of Dharma-gates of skillful means of the buddhas arise and appear within all the oceans of lands, and all of them accord with what is delighted in within the minds of sentient beings — this is the power of the Tathāgata’s skill in expedients. The dharma-body of the buddhas is inconceivable, without color, without shape, and without reflected image, and yet it is able to display for sentient beings many forms, causing them all to see according to what is delighted in within their minds. (Verse · The power of skill in expedients, and the dharma-body manifesting forms)

“Some manifest for sentient beings a short life span, and some manifest an abiding of measureless kalpas; the dharma-body appears present universally in the ten directions, coming forth in the world according to what is fitting. Some adorn and purify the inconceivable oceans of lands of all the ten directions; some adorn and purify a single land alone, and within that one they make their display with nothing left out. (Verse · The shortness and length of life, and the adorning of one land and of many lands)

“Some accord with what is delighted in within the minds of sentient beings and display the many kinds of vehicle beyond fathoming; some proclaim the Dharma of the One Vehicle alone, and within that one vehicle by skillful means bring forth measureless ones. Some spontaneously accomplish right awakening and cause a small portion of sentient beings to abide upon the path; some are able, within a single thought, to awaken the multitude of the deluded without number. (Verse · The many vehicles and the One Vehicle; the few beings and the awakening in a single thought)

“Some within a pore bring forth clouds of transformation-buddhas, displaying measureless and boundless buddhas, so that all the worlds can see them present and by skillful means of many kinds the multitude of the living is delivered. Some have speech and sound pervading everywhere, expounding the Dharma according to what is delighted in within their minds, and within inconceivable great kalpas they subdue measureless oceans of sentient beings. (Verse · Clouds of transformation within a pore, and the expounding of Dharma by speech and sound)

“Some are lands of measureless adornment, their assemblies pure and seated in dignity, with buddhas spread like clouds within them, filling without exception the oceans of lands of the ten directions. The skillful means of the buddhas are inconceivable, appearing present in accordance with the minds of sentient beings, universally abiding in lands of the many kinds of adornment, and pervading all the lands completely. (Verse · The adorned lands and their assemblies, and skillful means appearing universally)

Thing Eight, Kalpa-Abiding: Kalpa-Abidings as Many as the Atoms in an Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that the ocean of worlds has kalpa-abidings as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds. They are: some abide for asaṃkhyeya kalpas (innumerable kalpas), some abide for measureless kalpas, some abide for boundless kalpas, some abide for unequalled kalpas, some abide for uncountable kalpas, some abide for unnameable kalpas, some abide for unthinkable kalpas, some abide for immeasurable kalpas, some abide for unspeakable kalpas … . Kalpa-abidings such as these are as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“The many kinds of kalpa within the ocean of worlds are adorned by vast skillful means; the lands of the ten directions can all be contemplated, and the differences of their measures are all made plain. I have seen the oceans of worlds of the ten directions, their kalpas measureless and equal to sentient beings, some long, some short, and some without limit — and with the Buddha’s speech and sound I now expound them for you. (Verse · The many kinds of kalpa and the measureless number of kalpas)

“I have seen the oceans of lands of the ten directions, some abiding for kalpas as many as the atoms of a land, some for a single kalpa and some for innumerable kalpas, differing one from another by the many kinds of the power of vows. Some are wholly pure, some wholly defiled, and some again are mixed with both defiled and pure; the ocean of vows sets them up in many differing kinds, abiding within the thinking of the minds of sentient beings. (Verse · The length and shortness of the kalpas of abiding, and the wholly pure and the wholly defiled)

“Cultivating in ages past for kalpas as many as the atoms of a land, they gained the greatly purified oceans of worlds; the realms of the buddhas are complete in adornment, abiding forever through boundless and vast kalpas. There are those named the light of jewels of many kinds, and some named the treasury of the eye of the flame of equal sound, and further Stainless Light and the Worthy Kalpa — these pure kalpas gather in all the rest. (Verse · The cultivation of ages past and the names of the kalpas)

“There are pure kalpas in which a single buddha arises, and there are single kalpas within which measureless buddhas appear; by the power of great vows of inexhaustible skillful means they enter into all the kalpas of many kinds. Some enter measureless kalpas into a single kalpa, and some again a single kalpa into many kalpas; the Dharma-gates of the many kinds of the oceans of kalpas are made plain and manifest in the lands of the ten directions. (Verse · One buddha and many buddhas, and kalpas entering kalpas)

“Some cause the adornments of all the kalpas to be seen present within a single kalpa; some cause all the adornments within a single kalpa to enter universally into all boundless kalpas. Beginning from a single thought and ending in the completing of a kalpa, all of them are born depending on the thinking of the minds of sentient beings; the kalpas of all the oceans of lands are without limit — and by a single skillful means they are all made pure. (Verse · One kalpa gathering many, and kalpas born of the mind’s thinking)

Thing Nine, Kalpa-Transformation: Differences in Kalpa-Transformation as Many as the Atoms in an Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that the ocean of worlds has differences in kalpa-transformation as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds. They are: by reason of the Dharma being of necessity thus, the ocean of worlds has measureless kalpa-transformations of formation and destruction; by reason of defiled sentient beings abiding therein, the ocean of worlds becomes a defiled kalpa-transformation; by reason of sentient beings who cultivate vast merit abiding therein, the ocean of worlds becomes a defiled-and-pure kalpa-transformation; by reason of bodhisattvas of the stage of resolute understanding abiding therein, the ocean of worlds becomes a defiled-and-pure kalpa-transformation; by reason of measureless sentient beings giving rise to the mind of awakening, the ocean of worlds becomes a wholly pure kalpa-transformation; by reason of the bodhisattvas each roaming through the many worlds, the ocean of worlds becomes a boundlessly adorned kalpa-transformation; by reason of the bodhisattvas of all the oceans of worlds of the ten directions gathering like clouds, the ocean of worlds becomes a measurelessly and greatly adorned kalpa-transformation; by reason of the buddhas, the world-honored ones, entering nirvāṇa, the ocean of worlds becomes a kalpa-transformation in which the adornments are extinguished; by reason of the buddhas appearing in the world, all the oceans of worlds become a broadly and vastly adorned and purified kalpa-transformation; by reason of the spiritual penetrations and transformations of the Tathāgata, the ocean of worlds becomes a universally purified kalpa-transformation … . Kalpa-transformations such as these are as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“All the many lands are all born following the power of karma; you should contemplate this, for the aspect of their transformation is just so. The many defiled sentient beings are bound and made fearful by karma and by delusion; their minds cause the oceans of lands to become defiled in every part. (Verse · Born following the power of karma, and defiled sentient beings)

“If there be minds that are pure, cultivating the many kinds of conduct of merit, their minds cause the oceans of lands to hold defilement and purity side by side. The bodhisattvas of the stage of resolute understanding are born within such kalpas, and according to what is within their minds they see either defilement or purity. (Verse · The pure mind and the bodhisattva of resolute understanding)

“Measureless sentient beings all give rise to the mind of awakening; their minds cause the oceans of lands to abide through kalpas constantly pure. Measureless koṭis of bodhisattvas go forth to the ten directions; the adornments are without difference, and yet within the kalpas differences are seen. (Verse · Giving rise to the mind of awakening, and the bodhisattvas going to the ten directions)

“Within each single atom are buddha-lands as many as the atoms; bodhisattvas gather there together like clouds, and the lands are all pure. When the World-Honored One enters nirvāṇa, the adornments of that land are extinguished; sentient beings lack the measure of a vessel for the Dharma, and the world becomes defiled. (Verse · The gathering within the atoms, and the World-Honored One entering nirvāṇa)

“If a buddha arises and appears in the world, all becomes precious and fine; according as their minds are pure, the adornments are all complete. The power of the spiritual penetrations of the buddhas displays what is inconceivable; at this time the oceans of lands become in every part universally pure. (Verse · The buddha arising in the world, and universal purity through spiritual penetration)

Thing Ten, Freedom from Differentiation: Freedoms from Differentiation as Many as the Atoms in an Ocean of Worlds

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Sons of the Buddha! You should know that the ocean of worlds has freedoms from differentiation as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds. They are: within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation among worlds as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in all the majestic power of the appearing of the buddhas; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in all the places of enlightenment pervading the Dharma realm of the ten directions; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in the oceanic assemblies at the places of enlightenment of all the tathāgatas; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in the light of all the buddhas pervading the Dharma realm; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in the names of the transformations of all the buddhas; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in the speech and sound of all the buddhas pervading the ocean of worlds and abiding through boundless kalpas; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in the skillful means of the wheel of Dharma; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in all the oceans of worlds entering universally into a single atom; within each single ocean of worlds, there is no differentiation in the fact that within each single atom the vast realms of all the buddhas, the world-honored ones, of the three times all appear therein. Sons of the Buddha! Such, stated summarily, is the freedom from differentiation of the ocean of worlds; were it to be stated at length, it would be as many as the atoms in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wishing to set forth this meaning once again, and by the Buddha’s majestic power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

“Within a single atom are many oceans of lands, their places each differing and all of them adorned and purified; measureless oceans of lands such as these enter into a single atom, and each one is set apart with no confusion or overstepping. Within each single atom are buddhas beyond fathoming, appearing present universally according to the minds of sentient beings; there is no ocean of lands they do not pervade — such skillful means are without differentiation. (Verse · Many lands within one atom, and the buddhas beyond fathoming within the atoms)

“Within each single atom are kings of trees, adorned in many kinds and all of them hanging down; the lands of the ten directions all appear at the same moment — all such things as these are without differentiation. Within each single atom are great assemblies as many as the atoms, all of them surrounding together the lord among humans; they go beyond all things and pervade the world, and yet they are not crowded or confined, nor do they mingle in confusion. (Verse · The kings of trees within the atoms, and the surrounding of the lord among humans)

“Within each single atom are measureless lights universally illumining the lands of the ten directions, and all of them display the conduct of awakening of the buddhas — all the oceans of lands are without differentiation. Within each single atom are measureless bodies, transformed like clouds and pervading everywhere, guiding the multitudes of the living by the Buddha’s spiritual penetration — and the lands of the ten directions are likewise without distinction. (Verse · Measureless lights and measureless bodies within the atoms)

“Within each single atom the many dharmas are expounded, and that Dharma is pure as the turning of a wheel; the Dharma-gates of the many kinds of sovereign skillful means are all expounded and are without differentiation. A single atom universally sends forth the sound of the buddhas, filling the sentient beings who are fit vessels for the Dharma; it abides pervading the oceans of lands through innumerable kalpas — and this speech and sound too is without difference. (Verse · The expounding of Dharma within the atoms, and one atom sending forth the sound of the buddhas)

“The measureless subtle adornments of the oceans of lands enter without exception into a single atom; the power of the spiritual penetrations of the buddhas such as this all arises from the nature of karma. Within each single atom are the buddhas of the three times, and according to what is delighted in they are all made to be seen; their substance and nature neither come nor go, and by the power of vows they pervade the world. (Verse · The subtle adornments entering one atom, and the buddhas of the three times within the atoms)