Flower Adornment Sutra

Commentary: Venerable Master Hsuan Hua (宣化)
Chinese translation: Tang Dynasty by the Tripitaka Master Shramana Shikshananda of Khotan
Vietnamese translation: Bhikshu Thích Minh Định

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Chapter 6 – Vairocana

Vairocana means “radiant light shining everywhere,” pervading every place—in other words, there is nowhere it is absent. All of space and the entire Dharma-realm are pure, radiant light. This is the sixth chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra, concerning the causes and conditions for speaking of Buddha Vairocana.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the great assembly, saying: “Children of the Buddha! In the distant past, after kalpas numbering as many as the dust motes in worlds, and then twice that number, there was a world-ocean named Universal Gate Pure Light.”

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again said to the assembly: “O children of the Buddha! In the distant past, through kalpas as numerous as the dust motes in world systems, multiplied many times over, there was a world-ocean named Universal Hearing Pure Light.”

Commentary: At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra of Great Conduct again said to the great Bodhisattvas, all the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas, the gods, dragons, and the other beings of the eight classes, and all sentient beings in the Flower Garland Dharma Assembly at the Bodhi Site: “Disciples of the Buddha! I will now speak to this great assembly about the causes and conditions of the Buddha Vairocana. Long ago, through kalpas as numerous as the dust motes in a world-ocean—and multiplied by that number—there was a world-ocean named Universal Gate Pure Radiance.”

Within this world-ocean there is a world named Excellent Sound, which rests upon an ocean of nets of maṇi flowers and has as its retinue worlds numbering as many as the dust particles in Mount Sumeru. Its shape is perfectly round, and its ground is endowed with immeasurable adornments. It is surrounded by three hundred layers of multitudes of jeweled trees and encircling mountains. All kinds of jeweled clouds cover its top. It is pure and without stain, its light shining brilliantly. Its cities and palaces are like Mount Sumeru; clothing and food arrive whenever they are thought of. Its kalpa is called Various Adornments.

Commentary: In the world-ocean of Universal-Gate Pure Light, there is another world called Victorious Sound. It rests upon an ocean of nets of mani flowers and has as its retinue worlds as numerous as the dust motes on Mount Sumeru. That world is round in shape. Its ground is adorned with countless kinds of ornaments. Three hundred tiers of jeweled trees and Mount Sumerus encircle it together. All kinds of jeweled clouds also cover it above. That world is extremely pure, without any defilement. Its light shines everywhere. All the cities and villages, and all the palaces, are as high as Mount Sumeru. In that world, clothing and food come according to the thoughts of sentient beings, without their having to work for them. This is brought about by the blessings of sentient beings. The kalpa of that world is called Various Adornments.

O children of the Buddhas! In that World of Victorious Sound there was an ocean of fragrant water named Pure Radiant Light. In that ocean appeared a great lotus Mount Sumeru named Banner of Flower-Flame Universal Adornment, encircled on every side by ten jeweled railings.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once again, “Disciples of the Buddha! You should know that in that world of Victory Sound there is a Sea of Fragrant Waters named Pure Light. In that sea rises a great lotus Sumeru mountain named Banner of Universal Adornment with Flower Flames. Ten jeweled railings surround that great lotus.”

On that wondrous mountain there is a great forest named the Maṇi Flower-Branch Wheel. Innumerable flower pavilions and towers, and innumerable jeweled terraces and towers, are arranged all around. Innumerable wondrous fragrant banners and innumerable jeweled mountain banners are magnificently adorned. Innumerable jeweled puṇḍarīka flowers bloom everywhere. Innumerable nets of fragrant maṇi lotuses hang all around. The music is harmonious and pleasing, and clouds of fragrance shine brilliantly. Their number is immeasurable, beyond reckoning. Surrounding it on all sides are hundreds of millions of nayutas of cities, in which all kinds of beings dwell.

Commentary: On Mount Splendorous Adornment Banner, there is a very large forest called the Mani Flower Garland Forest. In that forest are countless flower pavilions, and countless jeweled terraces and towers are arrayed all around. There are also countless banners of wondrous incense and countless banners of jeweled mountains, all especially splendid and pure. Countless precious pundarika flowers (white lotuses) bloom everywhere, displaying their vivid colors and filling the air with fragrance. Countless nets of fragrant mani lotuses are spread in every direction as adornments. There is also music that is extremely pleasant to the ear. Countless clouds of incense illuminate the sky; each of these is immeasurable and boundless in number, impossible to count. There are also a hundred million kotis of nayutas of cities surrounding the area on every side, and all kinds of living beings dwell in those cities.

O sons of the Buddha! To the east of this forest is a great city named Flaming Radiance, where the king of men resides. It is surrounded on every side by hundreds of thousands of millions of nayutas of cities. It is built entirely of pure, wondrous jewels, and is seven thousand yojanas in both length and breadth. Its outer walls are made of seven kinds of jewels; its towers and battlements are all lofty and magnificent. It has seven tiers of jeweled moats, filled to the brim with fragrant water. Utpalas, padmas, kumudas, and puṇḍarīkas, all made of various jewels, are spread throughout as adornment.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once more, “O disciples of the Buddha! East of the forest of Maṇi Flower-Wheel is a great city named City of Flaming Radiance. That city is the capital where the Wheel-Turning Sage King resides. A hundred myriad koṭis of nayutas of cities surround that great city as its retinue. That great city is made of pure, wondrous jewels. It is seven thousand yojanas long from north to south (a great yojana is 80 li, a middle yojana is 60 li, and a small yojana is 40 li; this is a great yojana). It is also seven thousand yojanas long from east to west. It has ramparts made of the seven precious things (the inner city is called the city, and the outer city is called the rampart). The towers, roofs, and battlements on the city walls are all exquisitely beautiful and adorned. Seven tiers of rivers protect the city, all made of the seven precious things. The rivers are filled with fragrant water. There are also blue, red, yellow, and white lotus flowers, all made of various jewels, blooming everywhere as adornments.”

The precious sāla trees are surrounded by seven rows. The palaces, towers, and pavilions are all adorned with jewels; various wondrous nets are spread above them, and incense is smeared and flowers scattered among them, filling the place with fragrance and radiance. There are a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of gates, all adorned with jewels. Before each gate, forty-nine jeweled śīla banners stand in orderly rows. In addition, hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of gardens surround the place on every side. Within them are various kinds of mixed fragrances; the fragrance of the maṇi trees wafts everywhere, perfuming all around. Flocks of birds sing in harmony, delighting all who hear them.

Commentary: There are jeweled tala trees (the trees are very tall, their fruit is edible, and their long, broad leaves can be used to write scriptures), with seven layers surrounding the city. Inside the city, the palaces and towers are all adorned with various kinds of jewels. Beautiful nets of many kinds also cover everything above. Incense and scattered flowers fill the place, perfuming and illuminating it; it is both fragrant and brilliantly radiant, refreshing the spirit. The beings dwelling in the city have no deluded thoughts and together enjoy the blissful blessings of supreme happiness.

That City of Blazing Radiance had a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of city gates, all made of various precious jewels. Before each gate stood forty-nine śīla banners, auspicious and pure. Each banner followed another, forming orderly rows and lines, perfectly straight. A hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of parks and groves also surrounded the city. In the parks and groves were fragrant blossoms of various kinds and the fragrance of maṇi trees, wafting sweetly and perfuming the entire parks and groves and the city as well. A hundred kinds of birds sang together in melodious, delightful voices, causing all who heard them to feel joy.

All the inhabitants of this great city have attained supernatural powers as the fruit of their karma. They travel through the air and are equal to the gods; whatever they desire in their hearts comes to them as soon as they think of it.

Commentary: In the City of Radiant Splendor, everyone there has perfected the precious virtue of wholesome deeds and fulfilled the power of spiritual mastery. This is because, in the past, they performed wholesome deeds and gained the ability to walk and stand in midair, just like the gods. Wherever they wish to travel, they need only think of it, and they arrive. Whatever they desire in their hearts—clothing, food, or drink—comes to them the instant they think of it. Such are the blessings enjoyed by heavenly beings—marvelous beyond words!

To the south of that city was a Deva city named Tree-Flower Adornment. Next was a great Dragon city named Ultimate; then a Yaksha city named Vajra Victorious Wondrous Banner; then a Gandharva city named Wondrous Palace; then an Asura city named Jewel Wheel; then a Garuda city named Wondrous Jewel Adornment; then a Kinnara city named Playful Delight; then a Mahoraga city named Vajra Banner; then a Brahma King city named Various Wondrous Adornments. There were hundreds of millions of nayutas of such cities.

Commentary: South of the city of Flame Radiance, there is a celestial city, where the devas dwell, called the City of Adorned Blossoms. Next, circling to the right, there is a city of the nāgas, where the nāgas dwell, called the City of Nine Mirrors. Next, there is a city of the yakṣas, where the demon Khinh Tiệp dwells, called the City of the Wondrous Victorious Diamond Banner. Next, there is a city of the Gandharvas, where the Fragrance Spirits dwell, called the City of the Wondrous Palace. Next, there is a city of the asuras, where the non-heavenly beings dwell (because they have heavenly merit but not heavenly virtue, they are called “non-heavenly”), called the City of the Jeweled Wheel. Next, there is a city of the garuḍas, where the golden-winged birds dwell, called the City Adorned with Wondrous Jewels. Next, there is a city of the kinnara, where the doubtful spirits dwell, called the City of Play and Joy. Next, there is a city of the mahoragas, where the great serpents dwell, called the City of the Diamond Banner. These are the cities where the eight classes of devas and nāgas dwell. Next, there is a city of the Brahmā King, where Great Brahmā Śikhin dwells (he has profound faith in the true Dharma; whenever a Buddha appears, he is the first to invite the Buddha to turn the Wheel of Dharma), called the City Adorned with Various Wonders. There are many hundreds of millions of nayutas of such cities.

Each of these cities is surrounded by hundreds of millions of nayutas of towers and pavilions, and each is adorned with immeasurable splendor.

Commentary: In each of those hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas cities, hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas pavilions encircle the city. Each pavilion is adorned with immeasurable and boundless beautiful treasures.

O sons of the Buddhas! Within this great forest of the Jewel-Flower Branch Wheel is a place of enlightenment called Universal Radiance of Jewel Flowers. It is adorned with many great jewels arranged throughout, and wheels of māṇi flowers bloom everywhere. Incense lamps are lit, and clouds of flames in the colors of many jewels spread over it, while nets of light shine everywhere. The various adornments continually emit wondrous jewels; among all the music, elegant melodies are constantly played. The king of māṇi jewels manifests the forms of bodhisattvas, and fragrances of many kinds permeate the ten directions.

Commentary: The Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once more, “Disciples of the Buddha! In that great forest of Mani Flower Wheels, there is a bodhimanda named Precious Flower Universal Radiance, adorned with all kinds of jewels. Mani flower garlands bloom everywhere, beautiful and resplendent. Fragrant oil lamps are lit, with all kinds of jeweled lights and colors. Clouds of five-colored radiance cover the sky above. Nets of light shine throughout the entire bodhimanda. Above, all the beautiful jeweled adornments emit various wondrous jeweled rays and colors. From all the musical instruments, harmonious and pleasing sounds are continually heard. Within wish-fulfilling mani jewels appear the forms of Bodhisattvas. And all kinds of precious flowers fill the ten directions.”

In front of that bodhi assembly was a great ocean called Fragrant Maṇi Vajra. From it emerged a great lotus called Flower-Stamen Flame Wheel. The flower was vast, a hundred billion yojanas across; its stem, leaves, filaments, and receptacle were all made of wondrous jewels. It was surrounded by ten inconceivable hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of lotuses, constantly radiating light and continually producing wondrous sounds that pervaded the ten directions.

Commentary: In front of the Dharma Assembly of Precious Flower Universal Radiance, there is a great ocean called the Ocean of Fragrant Maṇi Vajra. In that ocean grows a great lotus called the Lotus of Flaming Stamen Wheels. This lotus is enormous, with a circumference of one hundred thousand yojanas. Its stalk, leaves, filaments, and receptacle are all made of wondrous jewels. Ten ineffable hundreds of thousands of koṭis of nayutas of lotuses surround this great lotus as its retinue. This great lotus constantly emits a vast radiance, within which wondrous Dharma sounds are continually proclaimed. Its radiance and all these wondrous sounds reach throughout the worlds of the ten directions. All sentient beings illuminated by that radiance and able to hear those wondrous sounds give rise to the bodhi mind and liberate all sentient beings.

O disciples of the Buddha! In that world of Supreme Sound, during the very first kalpa, Tathagatas appeared in the world in a number equal to the dust motes of ten Mount Sumerus. The first Buddha was named All-Virtues Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once more, “O disciples of the Buddha! In that world of Victorious Sound, during the first kalpa, Buddhas appeared in the world in numbers equal to the dust particles of ten Mount Sumerus, to teach and transform sentient beings. The first Buddha to appear was named Buddha All-Merit Mountain Sumeru Victorious Sound.” Some people listen to the Avatamsaka Sutra over and over, yet still don’t understand what formation, abiding, destruction, and emptiness mean. I’ll explain it once again. The lifespan of a world is one great kalpa, divided into four intermediate kalpas: formation, abiding, destruction, and emptiness. The kalpa of formation lasts twenty small kalpas. The kalpa of abiding lasts twenty small kalpas. The kalpa of destruction lasts twenty small kalpas. The kalpa of emptiness lasts twenty small kalpas. In short, one great kalpa contains four intermediate kalpas. Each intermediate kalpa contains twenty small kalpas, which means that one great kalpa contains eighty small kalpas.

Human beings undergo birth, aging, illness, and death, just as all things pass through the four stages of formation, abiding, decay, and emptiness. A year has four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—which likewise correspond to these four stages. Sowing seeds in spring is formation; growing in summer is abiding; harvesting in autumn is decay; and storing things away in winter is emptiness. They all follow the same principle; only the length of time differs.

When studying the Buddha’s teachings, we must not cling to things. We must learn to infer the great from the small, the much from the little, the distant from the near, and the profound from the shallow. We must study by working backward. Hence the saying, “Review the old to learn the new.” If we listen to the sutras without indulging in idle thoughts, we will remember them clearly and not forget them for a long time. But if we listen while our minds wander, it is like hearing without really hearing: the words do not enter our ears or reach our brains. We cannot even remember them clearly, let alone understand them. This is to take what is right and turn it into what is wrong. It is like swallowing food without chewing—one of the greatest taboos in studying the Buddha’s teachings. It becomes a millstone around our necks in cultivation, leaving us unable to make progress.

Sons of the Buddha, you should know that a hundred years before that Buddha was about to appear, all the adornments throughout this Great Forest of Maṇi Flower-Branch Wheels became pure.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once more, “Disciples of the Buddha, you should know! A hundred years before that Buddha, All-Virtues Mountain Sumeru Supreme Sound, appeared in the world, everything in the great forest of Maṇi Flower-Wheel Branches began to be adorned. Everywhere became pure, and all preparations were perfected to welcome that Buddha as he descended to be born in the human realm.”

That is, they emitted inconceivable clouds of jeweled flames, uttered sounds praising the Buddhas’ virtues, and proclaimed innumerable Buddha-sounds; spread nets of light and scattered blessings throughout the ten directions; caused palaces, towers, and pavilions to shine upon one another; and sent forth the radiance of jeweled flowers, which rose and gathered into clouds. They then again produced wondrous sounds, proclaiming the vast wholesome roots cultivated by all sentient beings in their past lives; the names of all the Buddhas of the three times; the path by which the Bodhisattvas bring to completion the vows and practices they cultivate; and the many kinds of words spoken by the Tathāgatas as they turn the wondrous Wheel of the Dharma.

Commentary: How did Mani Flower Wheel prepare to welcome the Buddha in the great forest? There were splendid, wondrous jeweled clouds, beyond all conception. In the sky, voices arose praising the Buddha’s virtues. They also proclaimed the Buddha’s boundless, immeasurable sounds. Great radiance streamed forth, spreading like clouds and covering all ten directions. All the palaces and pavilions shone brilliantly together. Radiant jeweled flowers rose into the sky and gathered into clouds. From within the clouds, wondrous sounds rang out, proclaiming the vast roots of goodness cultivated by all beings in the past. They also proclaimed the names of all Buddhas throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time. They further proclaimed the ultimate path of practicing the Bodhisattvas’ vows and conduct, and spoke of the practices of the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom, Manjushri; the Bodhisattva of Great Conduct, Samantabhadra; the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, Avalokiteshvara; and the Bodhisattva of Great Vows, Ksitigarbha. They also proclaimed, in many different ways, the words by which the Buddhas turn the wondrous Dharma wheel.

Now these majestic signs are appearing, indicating that the Tathagata is about to appear in the world.

Commentary: Manifesting the various majestic signs as mentioned earlier is to make clear that Buddha All Virtues Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud will appear in the world.

In that world, all the kings, seeing this sign, had their roots of goodness ripen; they all wished to see the Buddha and came to the site of enlightenment.

Commentary: In the world of Victorious Sound, all the kings saw these auspicious signs, and their roots of goodness came to maturity. They all wished to go and see the Buddha, draw near to him, venerate him, and make offerings to him, so they went to the Bodhimanda of Jeweled Flower Universal Illumination.

At that time, the Buddha All-Merit Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud suddenly appeared within the great lotus at his site of enlightenment.

Commentary: When was “then”? It was when all the kings came to the Bodhimanda of Jeweled Flower Universal Radiance. The Buddha All Virtues Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud suddenly appeared in the great lotus-flower Bodhimanda, causing the assembly to gaze upon him and pay homage.

Its body universally pervades, equal to the true Dharma realm. All Buddha-fields arise from it, and all places of enlightenment come to it. It has boundless wondrous forms, complete and pure; no world can outshine it. It possesses all precious marks, each one distinct, and all palaces manifest its image. All sentient beings can see with their own eyes boundless emanation Buddhas emerging from its body, their various-colored lights filling the worlds.

Commentary: The Dharma Body of Buddha All Virtues Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud pervades the ten directions, identical with true suchness and the Dharma Realm. In all Buddha-lands, the scene of this Buddha’s appearance is manifested. All the bodhimandas of the Buddhas in the ten directions converge at that bodhimanda. This is a realm in which they mutually illuminate one another. Boundless beautiful forms are completely pure; no pure light in the world can shine more brightly. That bodhimanda is endowed with every kind of jeweled mark, each clearly distinct and without confusion. All the palaces manifest that Buddha’s Dharma Body. All sentient beings see the Buddha’s body. Countless transformation Buddhas also emanate from within the Buddha’s Dharma Body. Various colored lights also fill the world of Victorious Sound.

Just as he manifested his body and sat on a seat in the Great Forest of Jeweled Flower Wheels, on the summit of Mount Sumeru adorned with the Banner of Floral Flames in this Ocean of Fragrant Water of Pure Light, so in his world of Victorious Sound there are sixty-eight thousand kotis of Mount Sumeru peaks, and on all of them he likewise manifested his body and sat.

Commentary: In the Sea of Fragrant Waters stands Mount Sumeru of the Flower-Flame Adornment Banner. On its summit is a great forest of Mani Flower-Branch Wheels. The Buddhas of the ten directions manifest themselves in that forest and sit upright upon lion thrones. In the world of Victorious Sound, there are sixty-eight thousand kotis of Sumeru peaks, and on each peak a Buddha is seated in a place of enlightenment, preaching the Dharma for sentient beings.

Buddha sits in the Dharma assembly alongside Buddha; therefore, “All Buddhas share the same Way.” The realm of the World of Supreme Sound can be demonstrated by television. If you say television is false, images still appear on it. If you say it is real, there is no person there speaking. This is supernatural power manifesting in the human world. The wondrous workings of the Buddha’s supernatural powers, of course, surpass television tens of millions of times—they are wondrous beyond description.

At that time, that Buddha emitted a great light from between his eyebrows. The light was called “The Sound That Gives Rise to All Roots of Goodness,” and was accompanied by rays numbering as many as the dust motes in ten Buddha-lands, filling all the lands in the ten directions.

Commentary: At that time, from between the eyebrows of the Buddha Sumeru Victorious Cloud Mountain of All Merits, a stream of white light called “Sound That Gives Rise to All Roots of Goodness” emanated, accompanied by rays of light as numerous as the dust particles in ten Buddha-lands, filling the lands of the ten directions.

If there are sentient beings who can be tamed, when touched by its light, they immediately awaken. It dispels the heat of delusion, tears apart the nets of all hindrances, shatters the mountains of all obstacles, purifies all defilements and impurities, arouses great faith and understanding, gives rise to supreme wholesome roots, enables them forever to leave behind all dangers and terrors, eliminates all suffering and distress of body and mind, awakens the aspiration to see the Buddha, and leads them toward all-knowing wisdom.

Commentary: If there are sentient beings who are fit to be disciplined, that radiance will shine upon them, and they will immediately awaken on their own, extinguish all delusion and burning afflictions, clear away the five hindrances—sensual desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and doubt—shatter all mountains of obstacles, and purify all defilements of greed, anger, delusion, conceit, and doubt. They will give rise to vast faith and understanding, develop supreme roots of goodness, forever be free from all calamities and fears, and eliminate all suffering of body and mind. They will give rise to the desire to see the Buddha and turn toward All-Knowledge.

At that time, all the lords of the worlds, together with their retinues—countless hundreds of thousands—having been awakened by the Buddha’s radiance, all went to the Buddha and bowed with their heads at his feet.

Commentary: At that time, all the kings and their immeasurable hundreds of thousands of retinues were illuminated by the Buddha’s radiance, awakened, and understood the Buddha-Dharma. Together they came to the Buddha’s abode, prostrated themselves with all five limbs touching the ground, and paid homage at the Buddha’s feet.

O sons of the Buddha! In that great city of Blazing Light, there was a king named Joyful Vision of Good Wisdom, who ruled over a hundred thousand kotis of nayuta cities.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra of Great Conduct once again called out, “Disciples of the Buddha! In that great city of Flaming Brightness, there was a king named Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom. He ruled over a hundred myriad kotis of nayuta cities, and he also had a great many vassal lords, numbering in the hundreds of myriad kotis of nayutas.”

There were 37,000 consorts and palace women, with Auspicious Merit as their chief; 500 princes (another recension says 25,000), with Great Majestic Radiance as their chief. Prince Great Majestic Radiance had 10,000 consorts, with Wonderful Sight as their chief.

Commentary: King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom had a queen and thirty-seven thousand female attendants. Queen Auspicious Fortune was foremost among them. The king had five hundred sons. Crown Prince Great Majestic Light was foremost among them; he had ten thousand consorts, with Lady Wondrous Seeing foremost among them.

At that time, Prince Great Majestic Radiance, having seen the Buddha’s light, immediately realized ten Dharma-gates through the power of the roots of goodness he had cultivated in the past.

Commentary: At that time, Crown Prince Great Majestic Light saw the Buddha’s radiance and, through the power of the wholesome roots he had cultivated in past lives, immediately attained ten kinds of Dharma gateways.

What are the ten? They are: attaining the samādhi of the merit wheel of all Buddhas; attaining the dhāraṇī of the universal gate of all Buddha-dharmas; attaining the Prajñāpāramitā, the vast treasury of skillful means; attaining great loving-kindness, the great adornment for taming all sentient beings; attaining great compassion with the sound of universal clouds; attaining great joy, the supreme mind that gives rise to boundless merit; attaining great equanimity, which truly awakens to all dharmas; attaining great supernatural powers, the vast treasury of equality and skillful means; attaining the great vow that increases the power of faith and understanding; and attaining the eloquence gate that universally enters the light of omniscience.

Commentary: What are the ten Dharma gates one realizes? They are:

Realize the samadhi of the wheel of merit cultivated by all Buddhas of the three times.
Realize the Universal Gate Dharani of all Buddha-Dharma.
Realize the vast skillful means of the Perfection of Wisdom.
- These three dharmas are the realization of the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Realize the great adornment of mind, the great loving-kindness that subdues all sentient beings.
Realize the mind of great compassion with its universal cloud-like voice.
Realize the mind of great joy, which gives rise to unsurpassed, boundless merit.
Realize the great equanimity toward all dharmas, awakening to them as they truly are.
- The four dharmas above explain the Buddha’s four immeasurable minds, enabling sentient beings to give rise to the mind of great bodhi.
Attain the vast, impartial treasury of great spiritual powers and skillful means.
Attain the power of great vows, with faith and understanding increasing.
Attain the Dharma-gate of eloquence that pervades all wisdom and light.

At that time, Crown Prince Great Majestic Light, having attained such illumination of the Dharma, through the Buddha’s power, looked upon the entire great assembly and spoke in verse:

Commentary: At that time, Prince Great Majestic Radiance, having attained the ten kinds of Dharma light, relied on the Buddhas’ great majestic spiritual power to survey the faculties and dispositions of the entire assembly. He then spoke a verse, enabling the assembly to understand more deeply.

The World-Honored One sits at the place of enlightenment
Pure, great radiance
Like a thousand suns rising
Illuminating the entire realm of space.

Commentary: The Blessed One appeared in the world, sat at the place of enlightenment, and taught and transformed sentient beings. That world was entirely pure and emitted great radiance, causing all sentient beings who saw it to awaken, cut off delusion, and realize the Dharma of true suchness. That radiance surpassed all others, like a thousand suns appearing in the sky and illuminating the entire realm of space.

Countless billions of thousands of kalpas
Only then does the Teacher appear
Now the Buddha appears in the world
All behold and pay reverence.

Commentary: After immeasurable thousands of kotis of kalpas have passed, a Buddha appears in the world. Now the Bhagavān has appeared in the world. Prince Great Majestic Light said, “The Buddha and we have a karmic connection, and so the Buddha has come into the world. The Buddha is the one whom all sentient beings look up to.”

You behold the Buddha’s radiance
Manifested Buddhas, inconceivable
In every palace
Serenely abiding in samadhi.

Commentary: The Crown Prince Great Majestic Light continued: “Everyone, observe the Buddha’s radiance carefully. Within that radiance are immeasurable, boundless emanation Buddhas, quietly entering samādhi in all the palaces throughout the ten directions.”

You behold the Buddha’s miraculous powers;
From his pores emerge clouds of flame.
They shine throughout the world;
Their radiance is endless.

Commentary: All of you, observe the realm of the Buddha’s great awe-inspiring spiritual power. In every pore of the Buddha’s body, countless radiant clouds appear. These clouds of light illuminate the world, without limit or end.

You should contemplate the Buddha’s body,
Its net of light supremely pure,
Manifesting forms equal to all,
Pervading throughout the ten directions.

Commentary: Everyone, contemplate the Buddha’s body. The web of light emitted by the Buddha is very pure and majestic. The Buddha manifests transformation bodies identical to all the Buddhas, pervading the ten directions.

Wondrous sound pervades the world
All who hear rejoice
In the languages of all sentient beings
They praise the Buddha’s virtues.

Commentary: The Buddha’s wondrous voice expounding the Dharma pervades the world. All sentient beings who hear this wondrous Dharma give rise to great joy. The Buddha adapts to the languages of sentient beings and uses all kinds of different expressions to praise the merit and virtue of the Buddhas’ spiritual cultivation.

Where the World-Honored One’s light shines
All beings are at peace and happy
All suffering is extinguished
Great joy arises in their hearts

Commentary: The radiance of the World-Honored One shines upon sentient beings, and they all attain peace and happiness. All the afflictions of sentient beings are completely eradicated, and therefore great joy and boundless delight arise in their hearts.

Contemplate the assembly of Bodhisattvas
From the ten directions, they gather here
All emit clouds of maṇi jewels
In his presence, they praise the Buddha

Commentary: Everyone, observe the entire assembly of Bodhisattvas who have come from worlds in the ten directions to gather at this bodhimanda and draw near to the Buddha. Each Bodhisattva emits clouds of precious maṇi jewels as offerings. These jeweled clouds spread over the space above the bodhimanda. From within them, wondrous sounds arise, praising the Buddha’s virtues.

The place of enlightenment emits wondrous sounds
Its tones are exceedingly profound and far-reaching
It can end the suffering of sentient beings
This is the Buddha’s spiritual power

Commentary: Within the Dharma assembly, wondrous sounds also resound. They pervade empty space and the entire Dharma realm. All sentient beings who hear them are freed from suffering and attain joy. This is due to the Buddha’s spiritual power.

All are filled with reverence
Their minds arise in great joy
Together before the World-Honored One
They gaze upon the Dharma King

Commentary: All sentient beings come to pay reverence to the Buddha. Great joy arises in the heart of every sentient being, and their spirits are filled with peace and ease. All sentient beings come to the place of enlightenment to behold the majestic, auspicious marks of the Dharma King.

O sons of the Buddha! When that Crown Prince Great Majestic Light recited this verse, through the Buddha’s spiritual power its sound spread throughout the world of Excellent Sound. Then King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom heard the verse and was greatly delighted. He looked at his retinue and recited these verses:

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out again, “Disciples of the Buddha! When the crown prince Great Majestic Light recited that verse, by the Buddha’s spiritual power his voice resounded throughout the entire world of Victorious Sound. At that time, King Well-Seeing Good Wisdom heard the verse and felt great joy in his heart. He looked over all thirty-seven thousand consorts and maidservants, then at the five hundred princes and their retinues, and also used verses to express his thoughts and feelings.”

You should quickly summon
The assemblies of all the kings
Princes and great ministers
City and town officials, and the like.

Commentary: King Hỉ Kiến Thiện Huệ ordered his sons, saying, “Quickly summon all the royal subjects, all the princes, all the ministers, all the officials, and the administrators of the cities and villages. Gather everyone in the city at once, and prepare to go to the Buddha’s abode.”

Proclaim throughout all the cities:
Quickly beat the great drum,
Gather together all the people,
And go together to see the Buddha.

Commentary: “Let everyone throughout the city know. Quickly beat the drums and summon all the people, so that we may go together to pay homage to the Buddha. This is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years; do not let it slip away.” Therefore, there is a saying: “Difficult to encounter even once in hundreds of thousands of eons.”

At every crossroads
Let the precious bell ring
Wives, children, and relatives all
Go together to behold the Tathāgata

Commentary: Jeweled bells should be rung at every crossroads, so that all the people, bringing their wives, children, and relatives, may go together to the Buddha’s presence to behold and pay homage to him.

All the city walls and ramparts,
Should be made completely pure,
Magnificent banners seen everywhere,
Adorned with maṇi jewels,

Commentary: Whether a city is large or small, every place must be solemn and clean. Everywhere, banners and pennants must be hung, splendid and wondrous, adorned with precious maṇi jewels, to express reverence for the Buddha.

Jeweled canopies and many nets
Music and dance spread like clouds
Arrayed in the sky
Made abundant everywhere

Commentary: All the jeweled curtains, jeweled lattices, and jeweled nets are arranged in beautiful, orderly rows. Every kind of instrumental music resounds throughout the sky. These adornments are all prepared and hung in the air; brilliant lamps hang everywhere, and precious flowers are scattered, filling every place with a solemn, magnificent atmosphere.

All the roads are adorned and pure;
Wondrous garments rain down everywhere;
Now mount your jeweled vehicle;
Together with me, behold the Buddha;

Commentary: All the main roads and narrow lanes must be clean and adorned with dignity; fine garments shall rain down everywhere. You must prepare precious chariots and adorn them splendidly, so that everyone can accompany me (King Joyful Seeing, Good Wisdom) to meet the Buddha.

Each and every one according to their own strength,
Universally rain down adornment implements,
All spread out like clouds,
Filling the expanse of empty space,

Commentary: Whether rich or poor, each person should make offerings to the Buddha to the best of their ability. All manner of adornments were arrayed throughout the sky like clouds, symbolizing sincere offerings to the Buddha.

Fragrant-flame lotus canopies
Crescent-shaped jeweled necklaces
And countless wondrous garments
You should all rain them down.

Commentary: There are splendid, radiant fragrances, jeweled lotus-flower canopies, jeweled chains shaped like half-moons, and countless beautiful jeweled garments. Each of you should arouse the aspiration and make offerings to the Buddha according to your means.

Mount Sumeru’s ocean of fragrant water
Supremely wondrous maṇi wheel
And pure sandalwood
All should rain down and fill the sky.

Commentary: Mount Sumeru and the Fragrant Water Sea both have unsurpassed, wondrous maṇi jeweled wheels. There is also pure sandalwood incense, filling all of space, representing reverence for the Buddha.

With precious flower garlands,
Pure and stainless in their adornment,
And with maṇi lamps,
All made to remain suspended in the air.

Commentary: All the jewels, all the flowers, and all the jeweled necklaces are pure and immaculate adornments, without any impurity. Mani jewels are used as lamps, and all the adornments are hung in space.

All turned toward the Buddha,
Their hearts gave rise to great joy;
Wives, children, and relatives together
Went to see the World-Honored One.

Commentary: Whatever adornments there may be, we should offer them all to the Buddha and give rise to great joy. You should know that this is a rare opportunity. You should lead your wives, children, and relatives together to where the World-Honored One is.

At that time, King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom, together with thirty-seven thousand consorts and maidens, led by Auspicious Fortune; five hundred princes, led by Great Majestic Light; and sixty thousand ministers, led by Wisdom Power, … together with assemblies numbering seventy-seven hundred thousand kotis of nayutas, surrounded him before and behind as he departed from the great city of Flame Radiance. By the king’s power, the entire great assembly traveled through the air, and their various offerings filled the sky. They arrived where the Buddha was, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and sat to one side.

Commentary: At that time, King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom, having spoken this verse, went with thirty-seven thousand consorts and female attendants to the Buddha’s abode, with Lady Auspicious Fortune at their head. He led five hundred princes there as well, with Prince Great Majestic Light at their head. He also led sixty thousand great ministers there, with Minister Power of Wisdom at their head. In all, there were seventy-seven hundred thousand kotis of nayutas in the great assembly, surrounding King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom as they set out from the great city of Flaming Radiance. Through the spiritual power of King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom, the entire assembly rode upon clouds. All kinds of offerings filled the sky. When they arrived at the Buddha’s abode, they bowed to the Buddha, touching the ground with all five limbs. After bowing, they sat to one side and listened reverently as the Buddha expounded the Dharma.

There was also the Heavenly King Good-Transformation Banner of Fragrant-Aroma City, accompanied by a retinue of ten kotis of nayutas; the Dragon King Pure Light of the Great City of Ultimate Completion, accompanied by a retinue of twenty-five kotis; the Yaksha King Fierce Strength of the City of Vajra Victory Banner, accompanied by a retinue of seventy-seven kotis; the Gandharva King Joyful Sight of the Stainless City, accompanied by a retinue of ninety-seven kotis; the Asura King Pure Form and Contemplation of the Wondrous Wheel City, accompanied by a retinue of fifty-eight kotis; and the Garuda King Ten-Power Practice of the Wondrously Adorned City, accompanied by a retinue of ninety-nine thousand. There was also the Kinnara King Vajra Virtue of the City of Playful Joy, accompanied by a retinue of eighteen kotis; and the Mahoraga King Jewel-Renown Banner of the City of Vajra Banner, accompanied by a retinue of three kotis and a hundred thousand nayutas.

Commentary: Again, the kings of nine cities, leading their retinues, came together to where the Buddha was, bowed to the Buddha, gazed upon him, drew near to him, and made offerings to him.

At the city of Marvelous Flower, the Deva King Banner of Skillful Transformation, with ten kotis of nayutas in his retinue.

At the city of Ultimate, the Dragon King Pure Light, with twenty-five kotis in his retinue.

At the city of Vajra Victory Banner, the Yaksha King Fierce and Strong, with seventy-seven kotis in his retinue.

At the city of Stainless, the Gandharva King Joyful to Behold, with ninety-seven kotis in his retinue.

At the city of Marvelous Wheel, the Asura King Pure Form Contemplation, with fifty-eight kotis in his retinue.

At the city of Marvelous Adornment, the Garuda King Traveling in the Ten Directions, with ninety-nine thousand in his retinue.

At the city of Playful Joy, the Kinnara King Vajra Virtue, with eighteen kotis in his retinue.

At the city of Vajra Banner, the Mahoraga King Jeweled Fame Banner, with three kotis and one hundred thousand nayutas in his retinue.

At the city of Pure Marvelous Adornment, the Brahma King Supreme, with eighteen kotis in his retinue—all came together to the Bodhimanda of Jeweled Flower Universally Illuminating and paid homage to the Buddha.

Furthermore, there was the Brahma King Supreme Victory of the city of Pure Wondrous Adornment, accompanied by eighteen kotis of followers. In such hundreds of millions of nayuta great cities were all the kings and their retinues.

Commentary: The cities mentioned above numbered hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas. All the kings and their retinues went to the bodhimanda of the Buddha Sumeru Victorious Cloud of All Merits, bowed their heads and paid homage to the Buddha, then withdrew and sat to one side, respectfully listening to the Buddha expound the Dharma.

They all went together to the abode of the Tathāgata All-Virtuous Sumeru Victorious Cloud, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and then sat to one side.

At that time, that Tathāgata, wishing to tame all sentient beings, expounded in the ocean of assemblies at the bodhimaṇḍa the sūtra *Universal Collection of the Sovereign Dharma of All Buddhas of the Three Times*, with sūtras as numerous as the dust motes in worlds as its retinue. In accordance with the minds of sentient beings, he enabled them all to gain benefit.

Commentary: At that time, Buddha All-Virtues Sumeru-Victorious Cloud, wishing to tame all sentient beings, expounded the unimpeded Sutra Dharma of all Buddhas of the three times in the Dharma assembly, an oceanic great gathering of sentient beings from the ten directions, with sutras as numerous as the dust particles in worlds as its retinue. The Buddha taught the Dharma in accordance with the thoughts and intentions of sentient beings, enabling them all to hear the Dharma and receive its benefits.

At that time, after hearing this Dharma, the Bodhisattva Great Majestic Radiance immediately attained the light of the Dharma ocean, encompassing all merits, that the Buddha Sumeru Victorious Cloud had accumulated in his past lives.

Commentary: At that time, Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light—that is, Prince Great Majestic Light, who was called a Bodhisattva because he had attained ten kinds of wisdom-radiance—heard that wondrous Dharma and immediately attained the radiant ocean of Dharma accumulated through the past cultivation of the Buddha All-Virtuous Sumeru-Victorious Cloud.

Namely: the wisdom-light of attaining the samādhi of equality of all dharma-aggregates; the wisdom-light of abiding in the initial bodhicitta, into which all dharmas enter; the wisdom-light of the pure eye of the universally radiant treasury of the Dharma Realm in the ten directions; the wisdom-light of observing the great ocean of vows concerning all Buddha-Dharmas; the wisdom-light of entering the pure practices of the boundless ocean of merits; the wisdom-light of the treasury of great power and swift speed directed toward non-retrogression; the wisdom-light of the wheel of liberation arising from the immeasurable powers of transformation within the Dharma Realm; the wisdom-light of definitively entering the ocean of perfected and complete immeasurable merits; the wisdom-light of fully knowing the ocean of adornment and accomplishment of the Buddhas’ definitive understanding; the wisdom-light of fully knowing the ocean of supernatural powers by which the boundless Buddhas of the Dharma Realm appear before all sentient beings; and the wisdom-light of fully knowing the powers and dharmas of fearlessness of all Buddhas.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Great Light attained the benefit of the Dharma: ten kinds of wisdom light.

The samadhi of equality in which the light of wisdom clearly understands all dharmas as perfectly interfused and unobstructed.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding all dharmas, and enter and abide in the initial mind of bodhi.

They attain the pure eye of the light of wisdom, clearly understanding that the ten-directional Dharma realms all contain a great treasury of light.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding and contemplating all the Buddhas’ Dharma, and arousing great vows as vast as the ocean.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding the Dharma door that leads into the boundless ocean of merit and the pure practices.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding the course toward the nonretrogression of the mind of bodhi, and the treasury of the power of great, swift diligence.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding that within the Dharma realm are immeasurable powers of transformation, which can free beings from every painful cycle.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding how to enter decisively into the immeasurable ocean of perfect merit.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding the definitive understanding of all dharmas by all the Buddhas, adorned as an ocean.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding that the boundless Buddhas of the Dharma realm manifest an ocean of spiritual powers before all sentient beings.

They attain the light of wisdom, clearly understanding the ten powers and fearlessnesses of all the Buddhas.

At that time, Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, having attained such immeasurable radiance of wisdom, relying on the Buddha’s power, spoke these verses:

Commentary: At that time, Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light attained the immeasurable wisdom and radiance mentioned above. His heart was filled with boundless joy, and, relying on the great majestic spiritual power with which the Buddhas empowered him and bestowed great wisdom upon him, he spoke verses that all accorded with the Buddhas’ intent.

I have heard the Buddha’s wondrous Dharma,
And attain the light of wisdom,
Through this, I behold the World-Honored One,
The deeds he performed in times past.

Commentary: When Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light was a crown prince, he had planted deep and abundant roots of goodness in past lives. Therefore, he possessed great wisdom, was exceptionally intelligent, and had a memory unlike that of ordinary people: whatever passed before his eyes, he never forgot; whatever he heard, he never forgot either. Thus, as soon as he heard Buddha All Virtues Sumeru Victorious Cloud expound the Dharma, he immediately awakened and attained the five eyes and six spiritual powers. He clearly saw all the practices cultivated by the Buddhas in the past. Therefore, he said, “When I heard the Buddha’s wondrous Dharma, I immediately attained the light of wisdom and understood the various practices cultivated by Bodhisattvas. Thus, I saw clearly how the Buddhas of the past practiced the six perfections, how they followed the Bodhisattva path, how they made offerings to the Buddhas, and how they drew near to good spiritual mentors. I saw every single thing very clearly.”

All the places where they are born,
Their names and bodily distinctions,
And the offerings made to the Buddhas—
All these I see.

Commentary: Buddha Cloud of Victory over Mount Sumeru of All Virtues: In lifetime after lifetime throughout the past, wherever you were born, what name you bore, what your physical appearance was, what practices you cultivated, how you aroused the bodhi mind, and how you made offerings to the Buddhas. Whether it was something difficult to endure that you endured, something difficult to practice that you practiced, or any of the many kinds of practices, I have seen it all.

In times past, at the places of all Buddhas,
I served them all;
For immeasurable kalpas, I practiced,
Adorning and purifying all the oceans of worlds.

Commentary: That Buddha, when practicing the Dharma in the past, went to the bodhimandas of all the Buddhas, served all the Buddhas, made offerings to all the Buddhas, and drew near to all the Buddhas. For immeasurable kalpas in the past, he practiced those modes of conduct to adorn and purify the seas of Buddha-lands.

Give away even one’s own body
Vast and boundless
Cultivate and uphold the supreme practices
Adorn and purify all the oceans of Buddha-lands.

Commentary: When that Buddha practiced the great perfection of giving, he gave not only material possessions but also of himself. Whenever it could benefit sentient beings, he would give even his life without hesitation, willingly sacrificing himself to bring happiness to them. In the past, no one knows how many times the Buddha gave up his body. Hence the saying, “For the sake of the Dharma, forget oneself.” This spirit is truly great. All Buddhists should have compassionate thoughts, doing everything for others and not for themselves. That Buddha cultivated a vast Dharma-door of exceedingly difficult practices, without limit or boundary. He once cultivated and perfected the supreme and most excellent practices in order to adorn and purify the ocean of Buddha lands.

When we perform the evening prayer service, we must recite the sentence:

May this merit adorn
the Buddha’s Pure Land;
above, repay the four profound debts of gratitude;
below, save those suffering in the three realms of misery.

If anyone sees or hears,
may they all awaken the bodhi mind.
When they lay down this body of karmic retribution,
may they be born together in the Pure Land.

This is a dedication to solemnly and purely adorning the ocean of Buddha-lands. We are now also cultivating the practice of adorning the ocean of Buddha-lands. Do not think this is merely chanting and of no benefit, or that it is just a performance and therefore need not be done sincerely. We must clearly understand the Dharma-door we are cultivating: it is the adornment of Buddha-lands, repaying our parents’ kindness above and relieving sentient beings’ suffering below. We must be completely sincere and not be careless in the slightest.

Ears, noses, heads, hands, and feet,
And all the palaces,
He gave them up without measure
To adorn and purify all the oceans of worlds.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light said, “In the past, when the Buddha was practicing, he gave away his ears, nose, head, hands and feet, as well as all his palaces. This is the Dharma method of enduring what is difficult to endure and giving up what is difficult to give up. He gave away, in immeasurable quantities, his inner wealth (head, eyes, marrow and brain) and outer wealth (land, country, wife and children). With these merits, he adorned and purified the ocean of the lands of all Buddhas.”

Able in each and every Buddha-land
For millions of inconceivable kalpas
Cultivating the practices of Bodhi
Adorning and purifying all oceans of Buddha-lands.

Commentary: That Buddha cultivated the practices of bodhi in every ocean of worlds throughout inconceivable eons. With this merit, he adorned and purified the oceans of all the Buddhas’ lands.

The power of Samantabhadra’s great vows
Within all Buddha-land oceans,
Practicing immeasurable practices
Adorning and purifying all Buddha-land oceans.

Commentary: That Buddha also cultivated the power of Samantabhadra’s great vows, practicing immeasurable gates of practice throughout all the seas of the Buddha-lands. He cultivated all eighty-four thousand Dharma doors to perfection, using these merits and virtues to adorn and purify the seas of the Buddha-lands.

As a person is illuminated by sunlight
Still sees the orb of the sun
I, by the light of the Buddha’s wisdom
See the path the Buddha has walked.

Commentary: Just as the sun shines upon the great earth, all sentient beings can thereby see the sun’s true form. Now that you have attained the Buddha’s radiant wisdom, you can see the path the Buddha practiced in the past.

I contemplate the ocean of Buddha-fields
Pure, great radiance
In serene stillness, attain Bodhi
Pervading the entire Dharma realm

Commentary: Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light said: “I contemplate the oceans of the lands of all Buddhas: they are all pure and radiate great light, and are also serene, having attained the fruit of bodhi. Throughout all of space and the entire Dharma Realm, the Buddha’s Dharma Body is present.”

I shall be like the World-Honored One,
Vastly purify the oceans of all realms,
Through the Buddha’s majestic spiritual power,
Cultivate the practices of Bodhi.

Commentary: I will practice just as the World-Honored One does, extensively adorning and purifying the ocean of Buddha-lands. Relying on the Buddha’s great majestic spiritual power, I will cultivate the practice of bodhi.

O sons of the Buddha! At that time, Bodhisattva Great Majestic Radiance, having seen, attended upon, and made offerings to the Buddha Sumeru Supreme Cloud, Mountain of All Merits, attained realization in his mind in the presence of the Tathagata.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once more, “Disciples of the Buddha! At that time, Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light encountered the Buddha All Virtues Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud and served and made offerings to him. Therefore, in the presence of that Buddha, he immediately awakened and understood the principles of all the Buddha’s teachings.”

For the sake of all worlds, [he] reveals the ocean of the Tathāgata’s past practices; reveals the skillful means of past Bodhisattva practices; reveals the ocean of the virtues of all Buddhas; reveals the pure wisdom that pervades all Dharma realms; reveals the sovereign powers of becoming a Buddha in all places of enlightenment; reveals the Buddha’s powers, fearlessnesses, and non-discriminating wisdom; universally manifests the Tathāgata’s body; reveals the inconceivable miraculous transformations of the Buddha; adorns immeasurable pure Buddha lands; and reveals all the practices and vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

Commentary: That Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light had awakened and realized the Buddha’s knowledge and vision. So that all beings in the world might also become enlightened, he revealed and explained the following ten dharmas, enabling beings to arouse the bodhi mind and bring Buddha-lands to completion.

Reveal all the various Dharma gates and oceans of vows cultivated by the Buddhas in the past.
Reveal all the various skillful means cultivated by the Bodhisattvas in the past.
Reveal how all the Buddhas cultivated and perfected the ocean of merit.
Reveal how pure wisdom pervades and enters all Dharma realms.
Reveal the sovereign power to attain Buddhahood in every place of awakening.
Reveal the Buddha’s equal, undifferentiated wisdom, ten powers, and four fearlessnesses.
Reveal the Buddha’s bodies—Dharma, reward, and manifestation—appearing everywhere.
Reveal the inconceivable supernatural transformations of the Buddha.
Reveal immeasurable lands adorned and pure.
Reveal all the practices and vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

Cause beings as numerous as the dust particles of Mount Sumeru to give rise to the mind of Bodhi, and beings as numerous as the dust particles in Buddha-lands to accomplish the Tathagata’s pure land.

Commentary: Cause all sentient beings as numerous as the dust motes on Mount Sumeru to give rise to bodhicitta (seeking the Buddha Way above and liberating sentient beings below). There are sentient beings as numerous as the dust motes in Buddha-lands, all bringing the Tathagata’s pure lands to fruition.

At that time, the Buddha Sumeru Victorious Cloud, Mountain of All Merits, spoke these verses to Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, saying:

Commentary: At that time, the Buddha All-Merits-Mountain Sumeru-Victorious-Cloud spoke the following verse to Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, to enlighten and praise him.

Well done, Great Majestic Radiance!
Your treasury of merit is renowned far and wide.
For the sake of sentient beings,
You set out on the path to Bodhi.

Commentary: “Well done, Great Majestic Radiance! In the past, you cultivated vast blessings and merit. Your name spread far and wide, and everyone knew it. For the benefit of sentient beings, you set your mind on the Bodhisattva path. This is the cause and condition through which you planted roots of goodness.”

You attain the radiance of wisdom
The Dharma realm is entirely pervaded
Merit and wisdom are vast and all-encompassing
You will attain the profound ocean of wisdom.

Commentary: Because you cultivated good roots in past lives, in this life, once you meet the Buddha, you will attain the Buddha’s radiant wisdom. Your radiant wisdom will fill all of empty space and pervade the entire Dharma Realm, abundant everywhere. Your merit and wisdom are vast; in the future, you will attain the profound ocean of wisdom, awaken to enlightenment, and become a Buddha.

Practice within a single realm,
Pass through kalpas as numerous as the dust motes of realms,
As you see me now,
You will attain such wisdom.

Commentary: You are in a realm, diligently cultivating and passing through kalpas as numerous as particles of dust. Just as you see me now, it is because you cultivated for a long time in the past; only when the conditions came to fruition were you able to see the Buddha. You will attain such wisdom.

Those of inferior practice
Cannot know this expedient;
Having attained the great power of diligence,
Only then can one purify the ocean of Buddha-lands.

Commentary: If one has not truly realized and practiced, one cannot know this skillful-means Dharma gate. Because you have attained the power of great diligence, you are able to adorn and purify the ocean of Buddha lands.

Within each and every particle of dust,
For immeasurable eons, one practices;
Only then can that person attain
The adornment of all Buddha-lands.

Commentary: Within each and every mote of dust, you cultivated the path to bodhi for immeasurable kalpas, and only then attained that merit and wisdom. You then used that merit to adorn and purify the ocean of the realms of all Buddhas.

For each and every sentient being
You have wandered through an ocean of kalpas in samsara
Your mind never grows weary
You will become the Teacher of the World.

Commentary: You are able to benefit every sentient being by helping them leave suffering and attain happiness. You sacrifice your own happiness to wander through the six realms of samsara. Even after passing through an ocean of kalpas as numerous as dust particles, you feel neither weary nor indolent, because you wish to teach and guide sentient beings. You will become a Buddha, the Teacher of the World.

Offering to each and every Buddha
Until the very end of future time
With a mind never weary or tired
One will attain the supreme Way.

Commentary: During the period of cultivation, one must make offerings to every Buddha and draw near to every Buddha. Throughout all future time, one must aspire to make offerings to the Buddhas, forgetting oneself for the sake of the Dharma and never growing weary. In this way, one will attain the unsurpassed Way.

All Buddhas of the three times,
Will together fulfill your vow,
In all Buddha assemblies,
May your body abide there,

Commentary: If you cultivate in this way, all the Buddhas of the ten directions and three times will give rise to compassion and pity, and together fulfill your wishes. In all the Buddhas’ Dharma assemblies, you will be close to the Buddhas and dwell in their places of enlightenment.

All the Tathāgatas
Have vows without bounds;
Those of great wisdom and understanding
Can know this expedient means.

Commentary: All the Buddhas make boundless vows. Only those with great wisdom can understand this principle and know this expedient Dharma-door.

Great Light makes offerings to me
Therefore, I obtain great mighty power
Causing sentient beings as numerous as dust motes
to mature and turn toward Bodhi

Commentary: The Buddha All-Virtue Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud said: “Great Majestic Light, in the past you continually made offerings to me, and thus attained great spiritual power, enabling beings as numerous as dust motes to mature and turn toward the path of bodhi.”

All who practice Samantabhadra’s deeds
Bodhisattvas of great renown
Adorn the ocean of Buddha-lands
Permeate throughout the Dharma Realm

Commentary: All sentient beings who cultivate the practices and vows of Samantabhadra attain the sacred title of Bodhisattva, and their names are renowned throughout the magnificent, pure ocean of the lands of all Buddhas. The radiance of this wisdom illuminates the entire Dharma realm in the ten directions.

O sons of the Buddha, you should know that in that Kalpa of Great Adornment there are as many minor kalpas as there are sands in the Ganges, and the human lifespan is two minor kalpas.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra called out once again, “Disciples of the Buddha! You should all know that during the Great Adornment Kalpa, there were as many minor kalpas as grains of sand in the Ganges. The human lifespan lasted for two minor kalpas.”

O sons of the Buddha! That Buddha, All-Merits Sumeru Victorious Cloud, had a lifespan of fifty kotis of years.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Universal Worthy called out once again, “Disciples of the Buddha! Do you know how long the lifespan of the Buddha All-Merit Mountain Sumeru Supreme Cloud is? That Buddha’s lifespan is five billion kalpas.”

After that Buddha had passed into nirvana, another Buddha appeared in the world, named King Adornment of the Good Eye of the Perfections. He too attained perfect enlightenment in that Great Forest of the Jeweled Flower Wheel.

Commentary: After the Buddha Mount Sumeru Cloud of Victory of All Virtues entered Nirvana, another Buddha appeared in the world, named the Buddha King of Adornment with the Good Eyes of the Perfections. He too attained perfect enlightenment and taught sentient beings at the Bodhimanda of Precious Flower Universal Illumination, in that same great forest of the Mani Flower Wheel.

At that time, the Youth Great Majestic Radiance saw that the Tathagata had attained perfect, complete enlightenment and manifested miraculous powers.

Commentary: At that time, the youth Great Majestic Light (a Bodhisattva is a Dharma Prince, hence the term “youth”), seeing that the Buddha King Adorned with Pāramitā’s Good Eyes had attained unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, manifested great and mighty spiritual powers. He immediately attained the ten Dharma-benefiting samādhis.

Then one attains the Buddha-recollection samādhi, called the Gate of the Boundless Ocean Treasury; one attains dhāraṇī, called the Deep Pool of Great Wisdom-Power and Dharma; one attains great loving-kindness, called Universally Following Sentient Beings to Tame, Liberate, and Deliver Them; one attains great compassion, called the Cloud of Blessings Pervading All Realms; one attains great joy, called the Treasury of the Mighty Power of the Ocean of All Buddhas’ Merits; one attains great equanimity, called the Equality and Purity of the Dharma-Nature and Empty Space; one attains the Perfection of Wisdom, called the Pure Body of the Dharma Realm, Intrinsically Free from Defilement; one attains supernatural powers, called Unobstructed Light Manifesting Universally in Accord; one attains eloquence, called Skillfully Entering the Deep Pool Free from Defilement; andt one attains the Light of Wisdom, called the Pure Treasury of All Buddha-Dharmas.

Commentary: What are the ten benefits of the Samādhi Dharma? Immediately,

They attained the Buddha-recitation samadhi (the Buddha-recitation samadhi is king among all samadhis), called the Gateway to the Treasury of the Boundless Ocean.
They attained the dharani samadhi, called the Profound Source of the Dharma of Great Wisdom and Power.
They attained the great loving-kindness samadhi, called Pervasively Following Sentient Beings to Tame and Liberate Them.
They attained the great compassion samadhi, called the Cloud That Covers All Realms.
They attained the great joy samadhi, called the Treasury of the Majestic Power of the Ocean of Merits of All Buddhas.
They attained the great equanimity samadhi, called the Equal Purity of the Dharma-Nature and Empty Space.
They attained the prajnaparamita samadhi, called the Pure Dharma-Realm Body of Self-Nature, Free of Defilements.
They attained the supernatural powers samadhi, called Unimpeded Light, Pervasively Manifesting.
They attained the eloquence samadhi, called the Profound Source of Skillful Entry into the Stainless.
They attained the wisdom-light samadhi, called the Pure Treasury of All Buddha-Dharmas.

In this way, they all attain thorough understanding of the ten thousand Dharma gates.

Commentary: Like the samadhi just mentioned, there are altogether ten thousand Dharma gates, all of which the Youth Great Majestic Radiance understood without obstruction.

At that time, the Youth Great Majestic Light, relying on the Buddha’s power, spoke these verses to his retinue:

Commentary: At that time, the Youth Great Majestic Radiance, relying on the great awe-inspiring spiritual power of all the Buddhas, spoke of that realm in verse for the sake of all his retinue.

Amid inconceivable kalpas
A guiding, enlightened teacher of the world is exceedingly difficult to encounter;
The sentient beings of this land have many wholesome benefits,
And now they behold the Second Buddha.

Commentary: In incalculable eons, even after a long passage of time, it is not easy to encounter a Buddha. It is especially difficult to encounter the World-Honored One, a wise teacher and good spiritual friend; this is rare even in hundreds of thousands of myriad eons. Because the sentient beings in the World of Universal Sound have deep and abundant roots of goodness, they have encountered the second Buddha to appear in the world. We should all give rise to joy.

The Buddha’s body universally radiates great light;
Form and features are boundless, supremely pure;
Like clouds, filling all realms;
Everywhere, the Buddha’s virtues are praised.

Commentary: The youth Great Majestic Light said, “I have already seen the first Buddha, and I have also seen the second Buddha. How fortunate! The Buddha King Adorned with the Good Eyes of Paramitas radiates great light in all directions from his body and form, illuminating the worlds of the ten directions. His thirty-two major marks and eighty minor characteristics are especially pure and majestic. That pure light is like clouds filling all the Buddha-lands. Within the clouds of light are emanation Buddhas, who in turn expound the wondrous Dharma and praise the virtues of the Buddhas.”

Wherever the light shines, all rejoice;
The suffering of sentient beings is entirely dispelled;
Each is led to respectfully give rise to a compassionate heart;
This is the Tathāgata’s sovereign function;

Commentary: The Buddha’s body emits great light, and all sentient beings reached by its radiance give rise to great joy. All suffering and calamities are completely extinguished for every sentient being illuminated by the Buddha’s light. Each gives rise to a mind of reverence, a mind of compassion, and a mind of bodhi, diligently cultivates the unsurpassed path, and reaches the other shore. This is through the blessing of the Buddha’s light, the wondrous, unhindered functioning of the Tathagata.

Bringing forth inconceivable clouds of transformation,
Sending forth nets of light in countless colors,
The lands of the ten directions are all filled,
This is manifested by the Buddha’s spiritual powers

Commentary: In the Buddha’s radiance, inconceivable clouds of transformation arise. From within the clouds, immeasurable rays of light in many colors stream forth and weave together into nets. These nets of light fill the Buddha realms in the ten directions. This is the realm of the Buddha’s miraculous spiritual powers and wondrous functions made manifest.

Each and every pore manifests clouds of light.
Pervading all space, [it] emits a Great Sound.
Whatever is dark and obscure, nothing is left unilluminated.
All the sufferings of hell are made to cease.

Commentary: In every pore on the Buddha’s body, all kinds of luminous clouds appear. These clouds fill all of space and resound with a great sound. All dark places are illuminated by the luminous clouds. Whether in the hells, among hungry ghosts, or among animals—in all three evil paths—the beings are illuminated by that light, and all suffering and calamities are completely eradicated.

The Tathāgata’s wondrous sound pervades the ten directions
All sounds of speech are fully encompassed and expounded
In accordance with the past wholesome power of all beings
This is the Great Teacher’s miraculous activity

Commentary: Within the Great Luminous Cloud, the Tathagata’s wondrous voice resounds, filling the Dharma realms in the ten directions. Every word and expression is fully manifested within a single Buddha-voice. Therefore, there is a saying: “The Buddha expounds the Dharma with a single sound;
sentient beings of every kind understand it clearly.” It depends on the good roots all sentient beings cultivated in previous lives whether they can encounter the Buddha’s radiance and wondrous voice. This is the wondrous efficacy of the Buddha’s miraculous powers and transformations.

Infinite and boundless ocean of great assemblies
The Buddhas all appear therein
Universally turning the inexhaustible wondrous Dharma wheel
Taming all sentient beings

Commentary: There are countless, boundless oceans of great assemblies, like the ocean itself. In every world, the Buddha appears before every sentient being, everywhere turning the endless, wondrous Wheel of the Dharma to teach sentient beings and tame them all. This is to use expedient means and teach according to people’s capacities. The Buddha observes the capacities of sentient beings and decides which Dharma door should be used to teach them, then uses that Dharma door to teach them. Because sentient beings have different dispositions, the teachings given also differ. For example, sentient beings have different tastes, so the five flavors—bitter, spicy, sour, salty, and sweet—are used to tame them. Whatever flavor sentient beings delight in is given to them, so that their wishes and aspirations may be fulfilled; this is what it means to tame them. Those who are greedy will cease to be greedy; those who are angry will no longer be angry; and those who are deluded will no longer be deluded. Since their desires have been satisfied, they no longer seek anything. Hence the saying:

“When a person has no desires, their character is naturally lofty.” That is: A person who no longer desires anything will have noble character.

The Buddha’s spiritual powers are boundless;
They appear in all worlds.
Thus is the Well-Gone One’s unobstructed wisdom;
For the benefit of beings, he attains perfect enlightenment.

Commentary: The Buddha’s supernatural powers have no bounds. In all the Buddha realms throughout the ten directions, the wisdom of the Sugata (Buddha) is constantly manifest, unobstructed. Why does the Buddha wish to attain Buddhahood? The purpose is to deliver all sentient beings from the three realms so that they may be reborn together in the Pure Land of the Realm of Eternal Quiescent Light.

You should give rise to a joyful mind,
Rejoicing, delighting, and deeply revering the Buddha.
I shall go there together with you;
If we see the Tathāgata, all suffering will cease.

Commentary: The youth Great Majestic Light said, “Everyone, you should give rise to a joyful and delighted mind and go to behold and honor the Buddha. You and I will go together to meet the Buddha, King Adornment with Good Eyes of Paramita. When you meet the Buddha, be utterly reverent and bow down before him. All karmic obstructions of any sentient being who encounters a Buddha are completely eradicated, and all suffering and anguish are entirely extinguished.”

Generate the mind and dedicate it toward Bodhi
With compassion for all sentient beings
All abide in Samantabhadra’s vast vows
And will attain freedom like the Dharma King.

Commentary: We should use the merit of encountering the Buddha to arouse the aspiration and dedicate it to the path of bodhi, keep all sentient beings in our thoughts, and look upon them with compassionate eyes. Everyone should aspire to learn the great practices and great vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. We will attain freedom like the Dharma King (the Buddha).

O sons of the Buddha! When the Youth Great Majestic Radiance spoke this verse, through the Buddha’s spiritual power his voice reached everywhere without obstruction, and all worlds were able to hear it. Immeasurable sentient beings aroused the mind of Bodhi.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again called out to the Buddha’s disciples: “When the youth Great Awesome Light spoke that verse, by the great spiritual power of the Buddhas, the sound of the verse he spoke was unobstructed and reached the worlds of the ten directions. All sentient beings who heard that Dharma sound gave rise to the aspiration for enlightenment.”

At that time, Prince Great Majestic Radiance, together with his parents, all his retinue, and immeasurable hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of living beings, surrounded before and behind, with jeweled canopies like clouds covering the sky, went together to the presence of the Tathagata King Adorned with the Excellent Eyes of Pāramitā.

Commentary: At that time, Prince Great Majestic Light (the Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light), together with his parents, all his brothers and sisters, his entire retinue, and countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of beings, surrounded him in front and behind. Jeweled banners, streamers, and canopies, like auspicious clouds, covered all of space. They all went together to the bodhi site of the Buddha King Adorned with the Good Eyes of Perfection, prostrated before the Buddha, and reverently listened as he expounded the Dharma.

The Buddha preached the Sutra on the Pure and Adorned Nature of the Dharma Realm, with sutras equal in number to the dust motes in the ocean of worlds serving as its retinue.

Commentary: Buddha Pāramitā Good Eye Adornment King preached to Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light the Sutra of the Pure Adornment of the Essential Nature of the Dharma Realm, which is also called the Great Expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra (the Dharma Realm is “Great Expansive,” the essential nature is “Buddha,” purity is “Flower,” and adornment is “Adornment”). That sutra has as its retinue sutras as numerous as the dust particles in Buddha-lands.

Those in the great assembly, having heard this Sutra, attained pure wisdom called “Entering All Pure Skillful Means”; attained the stage called “Radiant Light Free from Defilement”; attained the Wheel of the Perfections called “Manifesting the Adornments That Delight All Worlds”; attained the Wheel of Expansive Practice called “Universally Entering All Buddha-Lands and Seeing Boundless Pure Radiance”; attained the Wheel of Practice Directed Toward the Goal called “Banner of Radiant Clouds of Undefiled Merit”; attained the Wheel of Realization Through Entry called “Vast Radiance of the Ocean of All Dharmas”; attained the practice of advancing toward deeper development, called “Adornment of Great Wisdom”; attained the Ocean of Consecration Wisdom called “Excellent Vision of Cultivation Without Effort”; attained Manifest Great Radiance called “The Radiance and Reflections of the Signs of the Ocean of the Tathāgata’s Virtues, Shining Everywhere”; and attained the Pure Wisdom Born of the Power of Vows, called “Treasury of Faith and Understanding of Immeasurable Vow-Power.”

Commentary: After Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light led all beings in hearing the Buddha King Adornment of Good Eyes of Paramita expound the Avatamsaka Sutra, they attained the ten benefits of the Dharma and opened great wisdom.

1). Attained pure wisdom called “Entering All Gates of Pure Expedient Means.”

2). Attains the state of the tenth ground, called Stainless Radiance.

3). Attain the pāramitā wheel (translated as “reaching the other shore”: crossing the river of afflictions from this shore of birth and death to reach the far shore of Nirvana). This wheel is called “manifesting all desirable pleasures that adorn the world.” 4). Attained the Dharma benefit of increasing the wheel of practice, called “Entering All Realms and Seeing All Pure Light.” 5). Attain the wheel of conduct that leads toward bodhi, named the Undefiled Merit and Virtue Cloud Radiant Banner.

6). Attains the wheel of realization corresponding to the name “Great Light of the Ocean of All Dharmas.” 7). Having attained the practice of deepening and advancing, he is named Great Wisdom Adornment.

8). Attain the consecration of the ocean of wisdom, called “Effortlessness” (the realm of practicing without practicing and realizing without realizing), and cultivate the supremely wondrous view.

9). He attains the clearly manifest great light called “The Tathāgata’s Ocean of Merits, Marks, and Radiance, Pervasively Illuminating.”

10). Attain the vow-power born of pure wisdom, called the Treasury of Faith and Understanding of Immeasurable Vow-Power.

At that time, that Buddha spoke these verses to Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, saying:

Commentary: At that time, the Buddha Paramita Good-Eye Adornment King bestowed a prediction upon Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light and praised him in verse.

Well done, O ocean of merit and wisdom! You have aroused the aspiration and set out toward Great Bodhi. You will attain inconceivable Buddhahood and become a refuge for all sentient beings.

Commentary: Excellent, excellent! Your merit of Great Majestic Light is also complete, and your wisdom is like the ocean. Because in past lives you set your mind on the great bodhi, before long you will attain the inconceivable realm of a Buddha. After you become a Buddha, you will everywhere serve as a refuge for sentient beings, who will rely on you in their cultivation.

You have already emerged from the ocean of great wisdom,
You can fully understand all phenomena,
You should employ wondrous, inconceivable skillful means,
To enter the boundless realm of the Buddha’s practices,

Commentary: You have given rise to great wisdom vast as the ocean. You have penetrated the treasury of the sutras and clearly understood the true nature of all dharmas. You will employ inconceivable skillful means to enter the boundless realm of the Buddha’s practice.

Having seen the clouds of virtue of all the Buddhas,
Having entered the ground of inexhaustible wisdom,
The ocean of skillful means of all the perfections,
The One of Great Renown shall attain fulfillment.

Commentary: You have drawn near to the Buddhas and made offerings to them; you have seen the clouds of the Buddhas’ merit and entered the stage of boundless, inexhaustible wisdom. You, the greatly renowned one, will perfect all the pāramitās and the ocean of skillful means.

Having attained the dharani gate of skillful means,
And the gate of inexhaustible eloquence,
I cultivate all kinds of practices and vows;
I shall attain incomparable great wisdom.

Commentary: He has attained the dhāraṇī gate of skillful means and the gate of inexhaustible, unhindered eloquence. He has perfected his cultivation of all the Buddha’s various practices and vows, and will attain unsurpassed, complete enlightenment and great wisdom.

You have already brought forth the ocean of all vows,
You have already entered the ocean of samādhi,
You will be endowed with all kinds of great spiritual powers,
The inconceivable Dharma of all Buddhas,

Commentary: He has generated all oceans of vows. He has deeply entered all oceans of samadhi. He will attain all kinds of great supernatural powers. He has realized inconceivable Dharma gates.

The ultimate Dharma realm is inconceivable
The vast, profound mind has been purified
Universally behold all the Buddhas of the ten directions
Free from defilement, adorning the ocean of realms

Commentary: He can reach throughout the entire Dharma realm and has an inconceivable realm. He has a vast bodhi mind and profound wisdom, and has been purified. He sees all the Buddhas throughout the ten directions, is free from deep-seated defilements, and adorns the pure ocean of Buddha lands.

You have entered my Bodhi practice;
In former times, the ocean of skillful means in my original deeds
As I cultivated and practiced, I purified and upheld;
Such wondrous practices, you have all realized

Commentary: You have entered and cultivated within my ocean of bodhisattva practices. In the past, I cultivated all kinds of oceans of skillful means. The Dharma practices you cultivate and those I cultivate are equally purified. You have understood all such wondrous, inconceivable practices.

I, in each of the countless worlds,
Make all kinds of offerings to the ocean of Buddhas,
As the fruit attained through that practice,
Such adornments, you all behold.

Commentary: Buddha King of Paramita Good-Eye Adornment said, “In the immeasurable oceans of worlds, in every land, I used all kinds of adornments and objects to make offerings to all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three times. I drew near to each Buddha, adorned them, attended them, and made offerings to them. At that time, the Dharma gate I practiced was like the one through which the Buddhas of the past attained fruition. You have already seen all those adornments and realms.”

The vast ocean of kalpas has no end;
In all realms, cultivate pure conduct;
Firm vows are inconceivable;
You shall attain this spiritual power of the Tathāgata.

Commentary: The ocean of kalpas is vast and boundless, without shore or end. In all realms, one cultivates pure practices. Anyone with steadfast vows and an inconceivable realm will attain various supernatural powers like those of the Tathagata.

Make offerings to all Buddhas, leaving nothing undone;
Buddha-lands are adorned and entirely pure;
Throughout every kalpa, cultivate wondrous practices;
You will become a Buddha of great merit;

Commentary: In past lives, he made offerings to all the Buddhas; there was not a single Buddha to whom he did not make offerings. Therefore, his future realm will certainly be very magnificent and completely pure. Throughout all the kalpas, he practiced various wondrous deeds. When his merit is complete, he will become a Buddha.

O sons of the Buddha! After the Tathāgata King Adornment of the Good Eye of Perfection entered nirvana, King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom also soon passed away, and Prince Great Majestic Light assumed the position of Wheel-Turning King.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra once again called out, “Disciples of the Buddha, you should know that after the Buddha Paramita Good Eye Adornment King entered Nirvana, King Joyful Seeing Good Wisdom (after two Buddhas had appeared) also passed away.” At that time, Prince Đại Oai Quang succeeded to the throne as a Wheel-Turning Sage King (a Wheel-Turning Sage King possesses seven treasures: the precious golden wheel, the precious white elephant, the precious horse, the precious divine jewel, the precious woman, the precious treasury, and the precious commander-in-chief).

In that great forest of the Maṇi Flower Wheel, the third Tathāgata appeared in the world, named Most Victorious Ocean of Merit.

Commentary: At that time, in the great forest of Mani Flower Wheel, a third Buddha appeared, named Supreme Victory Ocean of Merit Buddha (the first was All Virtue Mountain Sumeru Victorious Cloud Buddha; the second was Paramita Good-Eyed Adornment King Buddha; the third was Supreme Victory Ocean of Merit Buddha). The Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light witnessed the appearance of these three Buddhas. He went to where they were, drew near to them, made offerings to them, and served as a Dharma protector for all three Buddhas.

At that time, the Wheel-Turning Sage King Great Majestic Radiance, seeing the signs of the Tathagata’s attainment of Buddhahood, together with his retinue, the fourfold army, and all the people of the cities and villages, carrying the seven treasures, went to where the Buddha was and offered him a great pavilion adorned with every kind of fragrant maṇi jewel.

Commentary: At that time, the Wheel-Turning Sage King Great Majestic Light (a wheel-turning king is one who turns the wheel treasure and subdues the four directions) saw the signs of the Buddha Supreme Victory Ocean of Merit becoming a Buddha. He then led all his retinue and the four divisions of the army in the city, together with all the people in the countryside. Everyone carried the seven treasures, and together they went to the Buddha’s abode. They offered the great pavilion, adorned entirely with fragrant mani jewels, to the Buddha, bowed to him, and then sat to one side, reverently listening as the Buddha expounded the wondrous Dharma.

At that time, that Tathāgata, in that forest, preached the Sūtra on the Bodhisattva’s Practice of Universal Eye of Light, accompanied by a retinue of sūtras as numerous as the dust motes in the worlds.

Commentary: At that time, the Buddha Supreme Victory Ocean of Merit was in the Maṇi Flower Wheel Forest, expounding the sutra “The Bodhisattva’s Universal Eye, Radiant Light Practices.” There were sutras as numerous as the dust motes in worlds serving as retinues to that sutra.

At that time, the Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, having heard this Dharma, attained a samādhi called Great Merit and Virtue, Universal Radiance. By attaining this samādhi, he was able to fully know the oceans of merit and non-merit of all Bodhisattvas and all sentient beings throughout the past, present, and future.

Commentary: At that time, Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, having heard the Sutra on the Bodhisattva’s Universal Eye Radiant Practice, immediately attained a samādhi called Universal Radiance of Great Merit and Virtue.

Having attained that samādhi, he completely understood all the oceans of merit cultivated by all Bodhisattvas, and all the karmic consequences of the actions performed by sentient beings in past, present, and future lives. Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light fully understood those causes and conditions and those various realms.

At that time, that Buddha spoke a verse to the Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, saying:

Commentary: At that time, the Buddha Most Victorious Ocean of Merit expounded the Dharma to Bodhisattva Great Majestic Light, enabling him to develop great wisdom, and spoke the following ten verses.

Excellent, O Great Majestic Light of Merit and Virtue!
You have now come to my place.
With compassion for the ocean of all sentient beings,
You have aroused the great vow-mind of supreme bodhi.

Commentary: The Buddha, Supreme Ocean of Merit and Virtue, said: “Excellent! Great Majestic Light, your merit and virtue are vast and deep like the ocean. Now you have come to my place and, out of compassion for all sentient beings, have aroused the supreme great vow of bodhi.”

For all suffering sentient beings, you
Arouse a heart of great compassion to liberate them,
You shall become a refuge for the deluded multitude;
This is called the Bodhisattva’s practice of skillful means.

Commentary: Because all sentient beings undergo suffering and calamity, he gives rise to great compassion, wishing to liberate them. He will become a refuge for the multitudes of deluded sentient beings. This is called the Bodhisattva’s practice-gate of skillful means.

If a Bodhisattva is steadfast,
And cultivates all excellent practices without weariness,
He will attain that wondrous wisdom,
The most excellent, supreme, unobstructed understanding.

Commentary: If a Bodhisattva develops firm bodhicitta and makes vows, diligently cultivates all excellent practices without weariness or slackening, they will attain the most excellent, unsurpassed, unobstructed wisdom. Such wondrous wisdom is certainly attained through practicing the Bodhisattva Dharma-gates; there is not the slightest doubt.

The light of merit and virtue, the banner of merit and virtue;
The abode of merit and virtue, the ocean of merit and virtue;
The vows possessed by Bodhisattva Samantabhadra
These, Great Radiance, you are able to enter.

Commentary: Those who cultivate merit and virtue must have radiance. Radiance is like a banner of merit and virtue. Wherever people with merit and virtue are, the place is adorned and pure. Those with merit and virtue cultivate all the great practices and vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. This is the stage that Great Majestic Light attained.

You are able, through this vast and great vow
To enter the inconceivable ocean of all Buddhas
The ocean of the Buddhas’ blessings has no bounds
Through your wondrous understanding, you can see them all.

Commentary: You often use this vast ocean of vows to enter deeply into the inconceivable realms of the Buddhas. All the oceans of merit of the Buddhas are boundless, yet through your wisdom of wondrous understanding, you can see all those realms.

You, within the lands of the ten directions,
Certainly see immeasurable, boundless Buddhas;
Those Buddhas, in times past, cultivated oceans of practices;
Thus, all of these you behold;

Commentary: He dwells in the realms of the Buddhas in the ten directions and sees immeasurable, boundless Buddhas. Those Buddhas once cultivated all the oceans of practices. All those gates of practice appear clearly before his eyes, enabling him to see them.

If one abides in this ocean of skillful means
One will surely enter the ground of wisdom.
This is to learn in accordance with all the Buddhas,
And one will certainly attain omniscience.

Commentary: If one abides in this ocean of skillful means, one will certainly be able to enter the ground of all-wisdom. This means following and learning all the practices of the Buddhas. In this way, one will surely attain All-Knowledge—that is, attain Buddhahood.

You, within all oceans of worlds,
Have practiced various deeds for oceans of kalpas as numerous as dust motes.
All the oceans of deeds of all Tathagatas
You have learned them all and will become a Buddha.

Commentary: He has dwelt in all the oceans of worlds in the ten directions and, through kalpas as numerous as particles of dust, has cultivated every Dharma-gate. He has completed the cultivation of all the practices followed by all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three times. Throughout immeasurable kalpas, he has perfected the Bodhisattva path, and therefore his merit and wisdom are both complete. He will become a Buddha and teach and transform sentient beings, enabling them to escape the three realms and attain ultimate liberation.

As you have seen in the ten directions,
All the realms throughout the seas are supremely adorned and pure,
Your realm is likewise adorned and pure,
This is what one who makes boundless vows should attain.

Commentary: Just as you now see everything throughout the worlds in the ten directions, so when you become a Buddha, your land will likewise be adorned and pure. Because in the past you made vast vows for bodhi, you will attain such an adorned and pure karmic reward.

This ocean of assemblies at this bodhimandala
Hearing your vows, they rejoice
All enter Samantabhadra’s vast Great Vehicle
Arouse the aspiration, dedicate [the merit] and proceed toward Bodhi.

Commentary: At present, in the Dharma Assembly at the Great Forest of the Ma Ni Flower Branch Wheel, beings from the worlds of the ten directions have gathered to attend the assembly. They are as numerous as the ocean, hence they are called the ocean-like assembly. After hearing you make your great bodhi vow, they all became joyful and delighted, and each attained the vast Mahayana principles of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. They also resolved to turn from the lesser toward the greater, from self toward others, from cause toward fruition, and from phenomena toward principle, and to set their course toward the path of Bodhi.

Within each of the boundless lands,
All enter into practice, traversing an ocean of kalpas;
By the power of their vows, they can bring to perfection
All the practices of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra,

Commentary: In the infinite, boundless oceans of Buddha-lands, for every sentient being, you cultivate the path, passing through an ocean of kalpas as numerous as grains of dust. You use every kind of vow-power to fulfill all the vows and practices made by Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

O sons of the Buddha! In that Great Forest of Maṇi Flower Wheels, another Buddha appeared, named Universal Fame Lotus-Eye Banner.

Commentary: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again called out, “Disciples of the Buddha! In that great forest of Mani Flower-Branch Wheels, another Buddha appeared in the world, named the Buddha Universal Renown Lotus-Eye Banner. This was the fourth Buddha.”

At that time, Great Awe-Inspiring Light died there and was born in the Celestial City of the Tranquil Jewel Palace atop Mount Sumeru as a Great Heavenly King named Banner of Stainless Merit. Together with the hosts of gods, he went to the Buddha’s presence, raining down clouds of jeweled flowers as an offering.

Commentary: At that time, the wheel-turning sage king Great Majestic Radiance passed away and was reborn in the Heaven of the Upper Tranquil Jewel Palace on Mount Sumeru, where he became a heavenly king named Banner of Stainless Merit and Virtue. He led all the heavenly beings together to the presence of the Buddha Universal Hearing Lotus-Eye Banner. Each heavenly being showered precious flowers like a mass of clouds, making offerings to the Buddha with this splendid adornment. They bowed at the Buddha’s feet, then sat to one side to listen as the Buddha expounded the Dharma.

At that time, that Tathagata preached the Sutra of Vast Expedient Means, Universal Gate, and All-Embracing Illumination, with as many sutras as there are dust motes in a world-ocean as its retinue.

Commentary: At that time, the Buddha named Universal Hearing Lotus-Eye Banner expounded the Sutra of Vast Skillful Means, Universal Gateway, and All-Illuminating for Deva King Stainless Merit Banner and the assembly of devas. Sutras as numerous as the dust motes in world-oceans formed the retinue of that sutra.

At that time, the assembly of Heavenly Kings, having heard this sutra, attained the samadhi called the Treasury of Joy of the Universal Gate. By the power of this samadhi, they were able to enter the ocean of the true nature of all dharmas. Having received this benefit, they left the place of enlightenment and returned to their original abode.

Commentary: At that time, the Heavenly King Stainless Merit Banner and the heavenly assembly, having heard the Sutra of Vast and Great Skillful Means, Universal Gate, and Pervasive Illumination, all attained a samadhi called the Treasury of Universal Gate Joy. Through the power of that samadhi, they came to understand the ocean of the true nature of all dharmas. Having received the benefit of the Dharma, they rejoiced together, left the place of enlightenment, and returned to their former abode.

END OF CHAPTER 6