Mahaprajnaparamita_v1

THE MAHAPRAJNAPARAMITA SUTRA

Chinese translation: Tang Dynasty, Tripitaka Master Xuanzang

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VOLUME 1

Chapter 1: The Causes and Conditions of the Assembly (1)

Thus have I heard: Once, the Buddha was at Vulture Peak Mountain, in the city of Rājagṛha, together with a great assembly of 1,250 Bhikṣus. All of them were Arhats, with all outflows exhausted, afflictions no longer arising, having attained true freedom, with minds completely liberated and wisdom completely liberated, like well-trained horses, like great dragons. They had accomplished what needed to be accomplished, completed what needed to be completed, laid down all burdens, attained their own benefit, severed all bonds, rightly understood liberation, attained mastery of mind, and reached the ultimate end. Only Ānanda had attained the fruit of Stream-entry and was still at the stage requiring further training. The Venerable Mahā Kāśyapa was the chief among them.

There was also an assembly of five hundred Bhikṣuṇīs, all of whom were Arhats; Mahā Prajāpati was their leader. There were also immeasurable numbers of Upāsakas and Upāsikās, all of whom had seen the noble truth. There were also countless, innumerable great assemblies of Mahā Bodhisattvas, all of whom had attained the Dhāraṇī methods, the Samādhi methods, dwelled in the wondrous principles of Emptiness, Signlessness, and Wishlessness, attained equal patience toward all phenomena, accomplished the four unobstructed kinds of understanding, and in expounding any matter could debate without limit. With the five kinds of supernatural powers, they possessed wondrous and unrestricted applications; they had attained wisdom, completely eliminated afflictions, and would never regress. Their words, conduct, and dignified manner caused all who heard them to respectfully follow. They were diligent and courageous, abandoning laziness, giving away all wealth without regret, not cherishing even their physical bodies, distancing themselves from arrogance, abandoning deception, remaining undefiled and without seeking.

All of them expounded the right Dharma for the sake of sentient beings, attained the profound and ultimate patience toward phenomena, had no remaining fear, possessed relaxed minds, transcended adverse conditions, escaped karmic obstacles, dispelled all afflictions and hostile forces, raised the banner of the true Dharma, defeated false doctrines. Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas could not measure them, because they had attained freedom with respect to mind and freedom with respect to phenomena, and had removed the obstacles caused by wrongful actions, persistent ignorance, and limited understanding. Selecting methods of cultivation and presenting reasoning, there was nothing they did not understand completely; they entered deeply into the path of dependent arising and cessation in practice, departed from distorted understanding and enduring delusion, removed all bonds, and their wisdom penetrated the noble truths.

Throughout countless kalpas they always made vast vows. Their appearances were joyful; they first always offered guidance and instruction, completely free from frowning and irritation. Their speech was gentle and harmonious, skillful in praise, with unobstructed eloquence. Among great assemblies they displayed majestic virtue, calmness, and dignity, advancing and retreating freely without fear. For hundreds of thousands of billions of kalpas, their skillful explanations were inexhaustible.

Regarding the methods of cultivation, they always deeply contemplated all phenomena as illusions, as mirages, as dreams, as the moon reflected in water, as echoes, as flowers appearing in the sky, as images, as reflections of light, as magical displays, as illusory cities—although all are unreal, they appear as though real. These beings always abandoned weak and inferior minds, taught Dharma without fear, were able to practice and enter immeasurable methods of cultivation, understood the thoughts and aspirations of sentient beings, and used supreme wisdom to teach and liberate them.

Toward all sentient beings, their minds were completely unattached. They reached the highest degree of endurance; they completely entered the profound principle of the unborn nature of phenomena. Their wisdom realized the equality of the nature of all things. They knew truly and exactly the profound characteristics of phenomena according to the wishes of sentient beings. They skillfully guided them toward the path of enlightenment, constantly taught the skillful methods of dependent arising cultivation, and accepted great vows throughout limitless Buddha-fields.

Toward innumerable Buddhas in the ten directions, these beings maintained equal right mindfulness and constantly manifested deep connection. Whenever Buddhas appeared in the world, they were always ready to serve all of them. They also constantly requested the Buddhas to turn the wheel of the true Dharma and not hastily enter Nirvāṇa, so that immeasurable sentient beings could be transformed and liberated.

They always skillfully overcame and eliminated the bonds caused by clinging to distorted understanding and the fires of affliction among all sentient beings. In a moment, they could travel through hundreds of thousands of states of concentration and bring forth boundless supreme merits.

These Bodhisattvas all possessed such vast and wondrous virtues. Even if they were praised throughout immeasurable hundreds of thousands of billions of great kalpas, their virtues could never be exhausted. Their names were:

  • Maha-Bodhisattva Wise Leader ,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Treasure Nature,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Treasure Storage
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Treasure Longevity
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Great Mentor,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Benevolent Longevity,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Pure Longevity,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Divine Longevity,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Supreme Longevity,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Vast Wisdom,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Victorious Wisdom,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Superior Wisdom,
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Growing Wisdom
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Boundless Wisdom
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Unfailing Vision
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Unobstructed Wisdom
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Wholesome Aspirer
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Wholesome Vigor
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Utmost Diligence
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Constant Diligence
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Constant Practice
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Never Abandoning the Yoke
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Sun Treasury
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Moon Treasury
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Incomparable Wisdom
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Manjushri
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Treasure Seal Hand
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Destroyer of Mara’s Power
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Vajra Wisdom
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Vajragarbha
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Always Raising Hand 
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Great Compassionate Heart
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Great Magnificence
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Magnificence King
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Mountain Peak
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Treasure Peak
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Virtue King
  • Maha-Bodhisattva Maitreya …

In general, there were immeasurable hundreds of thousands of countless great Bodhisattvas such as these. All were sons of the Dharma King, capable of succeeding to the Buddha’s position, and served as leaders among the assembly.

At that time, the World-Honored One sat upon the lion throne, spread out his seat, sat in the lotus posture, straightened his body, maintained right mindfulness, abided in present awareness, and entered the wondrous King of Concentrations. All other concentrations were gathered within this concentration, because it is the source from which all concentrations arise.

Then the World-Honored One, knowing correctly and thinking correctly, slowly arose from the wondrous King of Concentrations. Using the pure divine eye, he observed the Buddha worlds in the ten directions. His entire body was relaxed. From the thousand-spoked wheel marks beneath the soles of his feet, he emitted sixty hundred thousand countless rays of light. Then from his ten toes, the tops of both feet, both heels, four ankles, both shins, both knees, both thighs, sides, abdomen, back, navel, auspicious mark on the chest, both breasts, both armpits, both shoulders, both elbows, both arms, both wrists, both hands, palms, ten fingers, both eyes, both ears, forty teeth… and even the white hair curl between his eyebrows—in general, every part of his body emitted sixty hundred thousand countless rays of light.

Each ray illuminated the entire trichiliocosm. From there, they successively illuminated countless Buddha-fields throughout the ten directions. Any sentient being who encountered these rays would certainly attain the unsurpassed supreme Enlightenment.

Then all the pores of the World-Honored One’s body became open and unobstructed and emitted sixty hundred thousand countless rays of light. Each ray illuminated the entire three-thousandfold great thousand world system, and from there successively illuminated countless Buddha-fields throughout the ten directions. Any sentient being who encountered these rays would certainly attain unsurpassed supreme Enlightenment.

Then again, from the body of the World-Honored One arose rays of light illuminating the entire three-thousandfold great thousand world system, and from there once again illuminated countless Buddha-fields throughout the ten directions. Any sentient being who encountered these rays would certainly attain unsurpassed supreme Enlightenment.

Again, from the mouth of the World-Honored One appeared the mark of a broad and long tongue, covering the entire three-thousandfold great thousand world system. His expression was joyful and he smiled.

From that broad and long tongue arose immeasurable hundreds of thousands of countless rays of light of many colors. Within them appeared precious lotus flowers with a thousand petals, all golden in color, adorned with jewels, beautifully displayed and pleasing to behold. Their fragrance was rich and pervasive throughout, their texture smooth, soft, and delicate; touching them gave rise to sublime joy.

Within the centers of these flowers, Transformation Buddhas sat in the lotus posture and proclaimed wondrous Dharma sounds. Each Dharma sound expounded teachings corresponding to the Prajñāpāramitā. If any sentient beings heard them, they would certainly attain unsurpassed supreme Enlightenment. Then these manifestations spread throughout countless Buddha-fields in the ten directions, proclaiming beneficial teachings in the same manner.

At that time, the World-Honored One, without leaving his seat, entered the meditative absorption known as the Lion’s Play Dharma Samadhi, manifested supernatural powers, and caused this trichiliocosm to display all six kinds of transformations: moving, greatly moving, and extremely greatly moving; surging, greatly surging, and extremely greatly surging; shaking, greatly shaking, and extremely greatly shaking; touching, greatly touching, and extremely greatly touching; roaring, greatly roaring, and extremely greatly roaring; exploding, greatly exploding, and extremely greatly exploding.

He also caused this realm to appear such that when the East rose, the West sank; when the West rose, the East sank; when the South rose, the North sank; when the North rose, the South sank; when the center rose, the surroundings sank; when the surroundings rose, the center sank. This realm became pure, bright, cool, and peaceful, creating every benefit and happiness for sentient beings.

At that time, throughout this trichiliocosm, wherever there were hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms, and other evil, dangerous, miserable paths, all sentient beings there were freed from suffering and calamities. After dying there, they were all reborn among humans and in the six heavens of the Desire Realm. They all remembered their past lives, experienced indescribable joy, and together came to the Buddha’s presence with pure minds, prostrating at the feet of the World-Honored One. From there, they successively spread throughout countless Buddha realms in the ten directions. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, the six kinds of transformations appeared clearly. At this time, the evil realms of that world and all sentient beings were freed from all suffering and calamities. After dying there, they were all reborn among humans and in the six heavens of the Desire Realm, remembering their past lives and becoming greatly delighted. Those beings, within their own realms, all came before the Buddha and respectfully bowed at His feet.

At that moment, in this trichiliocosm and countless other worlds of sentient beings in the ten directions, the blind regained their sight, the deaf could hear, the mute could speak, the insane regained clarity of mind, the disturbed became peaceful, the poor became wealthy, those without clothing obtained clothing, the hungry received food, the thirsty received drink, the sick became healed, the ugly became beautiful, the disabled became whole, those lacking faculties became complete, the deluded awakened, and the exhausted became healthy and strong.

At that time, sentient beings, with equal minds, treated one another as if they were parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and close relatives. They abandoned ways of living based on false and improper speech, followed ways of living based on honest and righteous speech, abandoned the practice of the ten unwholesome deeds, cultivated the practice of the ten wholesome deeds, ceased evil thoughts, cherished wholesome thoughts, abandoned impure conduct, practiced pure conduct, delighted in cleansing away defilements, favored tranquility and abandoned disturbance. Their bodies and minds became relaxed, giving rise to sublime joy, like a practitioner abiding in the third meditative concentration. Furthermore, supreme wisdom suddenly arose, giving rise to the thought: Would it not be wonderful to practice generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, complete tranquility, careful contemplation, complete abandonment of negligence, cultivation of the holy life, and to maintain loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity toward all sentient beings without causing disturbance among them?

At that time, the World-Honored One, seated upon the lion throne, emitted a special radiance, with majestic virtue shining greatly. The light covered the entire trichiliocosm and reached countless Buddha realms in the ten directions, causing Mount Sumeru, the Cakravāḍa mountains, and all palaces of gods, dragons, devas, and even the Pure Abode heavens, to appear as though they no longer existed. It was like the full autumn moon obscuring the stars; like the summer sun whose radiance makes all colors fade; like the four great king mountains filled with marvelous jewels, whose brilliance surpasses all other mountains. The Buddha, through miraculous power, manifested the Buddha’s body again, enabling all sentient beings in this trichiliocosm to see Him.

At this time, immeasurable and countless devas in the Pure Abode heavens, throughout this trichiliocosm, from the lowest Desire Realm heavens, the Four Great Heavenly Kings, all humans and non-humans, and others all saw the Tathāgata seated upon the lion throne, His majestic radiance shining like a great golden mountain. They became immensely joyful, praised this unprecedented event, and brought countless kinds of heavenly flowers, flower garlands, perfumes, incense paste, incense powder, incense to burn, garments, jeweled necklaces, banners, precious canopies, musical instruments, various jewels, and countless heavenly lotuses of many colors—blue, red, white, yellow, pink—together with heavenly golden and silver flowers, fragrant heavenly leaves, and countless fresh flowers on land and in water. They came before the Buddha and scattered them upon Him. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, those flower garlands rose one after another and formed flower pavilions filling the entire trichiliocosm, like heavenly flower canopies hanging down. Then there appeared precious bells, jeweled banners, and finely embroidered streamers, harmonious and pleasing to behold. At that time, this Buddha realm became magnificently adorned, resembling the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Buddha’s radiance illuminated all beings, and throughout the trichiliocosm, the entire sky became a single brilliant golden color. The countless Buddha realms in the ten directions were likewise transformed.

At the same time, throughout the Buddha realms of this trichiliocosm, in the southern continent Jambudvīpa, the eastern continent Videha, the western continent Godānīya, and the northern continent Kuru, all beings there, through the Buddha’s miraculous power, saw the Buddha seated directly before them. Each thought: “The Tathāgata is teaching the Dharma specifically for me.” Likewise, all devas in the heavens—the Four Great Heavenly Kings, the Heaven of Thirty-Three, Yāma Heaven, Tuṣita Heaven, the Heaven of Enjoying Transformations, the Heaven of Freely Enjoying Others’ Transformations, the Brahmā Assembly Heaven, Brahmā’s Ministers Heaven, Brahmā’s Retinue Heaven, Great Brahmā Heaven, Radiance Heaven, Lesser Radiance Heaven, Infinite Radiance Heaven, Pure Radiance Heaven, Pure Heaven, Lesser Purity Heaven, Infinite Purity Heaven, Universal Purity Heaven, Vast Heaven, Lesser Vast Heaven, Infinite Vast Heaven, Vast Fruit Heaven, Non-Afflicted Heaven, Non-Heating Heaven, Good Appearance Heaven, Good Vision Heaven, and Ultimate Form Heaven—also, through the World-Honored One’s miraculous power, each saw the Buddha seated before them and thought that the Tathāgata was teaching the Dharma solely for them.

At that time, the World-Honored One, without leaving the jeweled seat, smiled joyfully and emitted a great radiance from His face, illuminating the Buddha realms throughout this trichiliocosm and countless Buddha realms in the ten directions.

At the same time, in the Buddha realms of this trichiliocosm, all sentient beings, following the Buddha’s radiance, were able to see throughout countless Buddha worlds in the ten directions all the Tathāgatas, Arhats, Fully Enlightened Ones, surrounded by assemblies of Śrāvakas and Bodhisattvas, and also saw all other sentient and non-sentient beings.

All sentient beings in countless Buddha realms throughout the ten directions also relied upon the Buddha’s radiance and saw in this realm the Tathāgata Śākyamuni, Arhat, Fully Enlightened One, surrounded by assemblies of Śrāvakas and Bodhisattvas, and also saw all different kinds of sentient and non-sentient beings.

At that time, in the furthest world among countless worlds in the eastern direction, named Many Treasures, there was a Buddha named Jewel Nature Tathāgata, Arhat, Fully Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Leader, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One, residing there and teaching the Great Prajñāpāramitā Dharma to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. In that realm, there was a Bodhisattva named Universal Radiance. Seeing that great radiance, along with the earth’s movement and the Buddha’s form and appearance, he became curious and immediately went before the Buddha Jewel Nature, respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and said:

“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions does this auspicious sign appear?”

The Buddha Jewel Nature said to the Great Bodhisattva Universal Radiance:

“Good son, to the west of this realm, after passing through countless worlds, there is a world at the end called Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni Tathāgata, Arhat, Fully Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Leader, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One. He is presently abiding there and is about to teach the Great Prajñāpāramitā Dharma to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Through that Buddha’s miraculous power, such an auspicious sign has appeared.”

When Bodhisattva Universal Radiance heard this, he rejoiced greatly and again said to the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, I now wish to go to the Endurance world to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Tathāgata and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas, those who have attained thorough understanding of dhāraṇī gateways, samādhi gateways, sovereign supernatural powers, and who in their final body are certain to inherit Buddhahood. I respectfully ask for your compassionate permission.”

The Buddha Jewel Nature said to Bodhisattva Universal Radiance:

“Excellent, excellent! Now is the right time. Go forth.”

After saying this, the Buddha took a thousand golden lotus flowers, each having a thousand petals adorned with precious jewels, gave them to Bodhisattva Universal Radiance, and instructed:

“Take these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha and, as I have instructed, say: ‘Jewel Nature Tathāgata respectfully inquires whether You have little illness, little trouble, whether Your movements are light and easy, Your strength harmonious, and whether You are at peace and happy. Are worldly affairs always harmonious? Are sentient beings easy to guide?’ Then offer these lotuses to the World-Honored One for the accomplishment of Buddha activities.

“When you arrive in that realm, you must maintain proper understanding. Do not look down upon that Buddha realm or the great assembly there, lest you harm yourself. Why? Because the Bodhisattvas in that realm possess inconceivable majesty and virtue. They are born there because they are impelled by great compassionate vows to save sentient beings and because of great causes and conditions.”

Bodhisattva Universal Radiance accepted the flowers, followed the instructions, and together with countless hundreds of thousands of Great Bodhisattvas, both monastic and lay, as well as countless hundreds of thousands of boys and girls, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated to the right, and departed. Each carried countless offerings of fragrant flowers, banners, precious canopies, garments, valuable ornaments, and other objects of offering, and set out. As they passed through countless Buddha realms in the eastern direction, in every Buddha realm they arrived at, they respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddhas, leaving none out.

When they reached Śākyamuni Buddha, they all respectfully bowed at His feet, circumambulated Him hundreds of thousands of times, and then withdrew to stand to one side. Bodhisattva Universal Radiance stepped forward and said:

“World-Honored One, in the eastern direction of this realm, after passing through countless worlds, there is a world at the end called Many Treasures. The Buddha there is Jewel Nature Tathāgata, Arhat, Fully Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Leader, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One. He respectfully asks whether the World-Honored One has little illness, little trouble, whether Your movements are light and easy, Your strength harmonious, and whether You are peaceful and happy. Are worldly affairs always harmonious? Are sentient beings easy to guide?”

Having spoken thus, Bodhisattva Universal Radiance held the thousand golden lotus flowers and offered them to the World-Honored One for the accomplishment of Buddha activities.

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha accepted the lotus flowers and scattered them back toward the countless Buddha realms in the eastern direction. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, these flowers fell throughout all the Buddha realms. Within each flower pavilion, there was an emanated Buddha seated in the lotus posture, teaching Dharma corresponding to Prajñāpāramitā to the Bodhisattvas. Any sentient beings who heard that Dharma all attained the supreme enlightenment.

At that time, Bodhisattva Universal Radiance and those who accompanied him, seeing this, rejoiced without measure, praised it as unprecedented, and each according to their roots of virtue and the amount of offerings they possessed, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterwards, they withdrew and sat to one side.

In this way, from that furthest world to all Buddha realms in the eastern direction, each realm had Tathāgatas presently teaching the wondrous Dharma to great assemblies. At each of those Buddhas’ places, there was also a leading Bodhisattva who saw the great radiance, the earth’s movement, and the Buddha’s form and appearance, and came before the Buddha asking:

“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions does this auspicious sign appear?”

At the same time, all those Buddhas answered:

“To the west of this realm is the Endurance world. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni. He is about to explain the Great Prajñāpāramitā Dharma for the Bodhisattvas. Through that Buddha’s miraculous power, this auspicious sign has appeared.”

The leading Bodhisattvas, after hearing this, rejoiced greatly. Each requested to go to the Endurance world to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Those Tathāgatas praised them and permitted them to go. They each gave the Bodhisattvas thousand-jeweled golden lotuses and instructed:

“Take these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha and convey all my words: ‘I respectfully inquire whether You have little illness, little trouble, whether Your movements are light and easy, Your strength harmonious, and whether You are peaceful and happy. Are worldly affairs always harmonious? Are sentient beings easy to guide?’ Then offer these lotuses to the World-Honored One for Buddha activities. When you arrive in that realm, maintain proper understanding. Do not look down upon that Buddha realm and the Bodhisattvas there, lest you harm yourself. Why? Because those Bodhisattvas possess incomparable majesty and virtue. They are born there because they are driven by great compassionate vows to save beings and because of great causes and conditions.”

Each leading Bodhisattva accepted the flowers, followed the instructions, and together with countless Bodhisattvas, boys, and girls, departed from the Buddha, carrying offerings and beginning their journey. In every Buddha realm they passed through, they made offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas without omission.

When they arrived before Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at His feet, circumambulated Him hundreds of thousands of times, offered the flowers, and reported everything. After Śākyamuni Buddha accepted the flowers, He scattered them back toward the eastern direction. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, the flowers fell throughout those Buddha realms. Within the flower pavilions were emanated Buddhas teaching the Great Prajñāpāramitā Dharma to Bodhisattvas, causing those who heard it to certainly attain supreme enlightenment.

The leading Bodhisattvas and those who accompanied them, seeing this event, rejoiced and praised it as unprecedented. Each, according to their roots of virtue and the amount of offerings they possessed, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterwards, they withdrew and sat to one side.

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End Of Volume 1

 

Note: “Trichiliocosm” is translated from “Tam thien dai thien the gioi” (Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World-system), the ancient Indian cosmological conception. That is: Mount Sumeru at the center, surrounded by four great continents and nine mountains and eight seas, constitutes one small world – encompassing the sun, moon, Mount Sumeru, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, the Yama Heaven, the Tushita Heaven, the Heaven of Delight in Transformation, the Heaven of Others’ Transformation, the Brahma Heaven, and so on. This world-system is based on the number one thousand: one thousand small worlds form one medium world-system; one thousand medium world-systems form one large world-system. Because these one thousand large world-systems are formed by three sets of thousands – small, medium, and large – they are called the “Three Thousandfold World-system” (trichiliocosm).