Mahaprajnaparamita_v1 – Shurangama Temple

THE MAHAPRAJNAPARAMITA SUTRA

Chinese translation: Tang Dynasty, Tripitaka Master Xuanzang

– o0o –
VOLUME 1

Chapter 1: THE ARISING OF THE TEACHING (1)

Thus have I heard:
Once, the Blessed One was dwelling on Vulture Peak Mountain near the city of Rajagriha, together with a great assembly of Bhikshus numbering one thousand two hundred and fifty. All of them were Arhats – their outflows fully extinguished, afflictions no longer arising, having attained true freedom, their minds completely liberated, their wisdom completely liberated. Like well-tamed horses and like great dragons, they had done what needed to be done, accomplished what needed to be accomplished, laid down their burdens, attained their own benefit, severed all bonds, rightly known to be liberated, having attained mental freedom – utterly and completely supreme. Only Ananda alone had just realized the fruit of Stream-entry, still at the stage requiring further training. The Venerable Mahakasyapa served as the foremost elder.

There was also an assembly of five hundred Bhikshunis, all Arhats, with Mahaprajapati as the foremost. There were also innumerable Upasakas and Upasikas, all of whom had seen the sublime truth. There were also immeasurable, countless Great Bodhisattvas – all had mastered the Dharani gateways and Samadhi gateways, dwelling in the subtle principles of Emptiness, Signlessness, and Wishlessness; having realized the equal patient acceptance regarding all dharmas; accomplishing the four unobstructed understandings; expounding any subject whatsoever with inexhaustible eloquence; wielding five kinds of supernatural powers with free-flowing miraculous function; having attained wisdom that had utterly severed all afflictions, never regressing or losing ground; their conduct and speech majestically dignified, with all who heard them reverently following their example; diligent and courageous, abandoning laziness; relinquishing all possessions, without begrudging body or form; far removed from arrogance, forsaking deceit, without defilement or craving. All of them expound the True Dharma for the benefit of sentient beings, having attained the most profound and ultimate patient acceptance regarding all dharmas – no longer possessing anything to fear, their minds at perfect ease; overcoming all adverse conditions, transcending all karmic obstructions, dispelling all afflictions and enemies; raising the banner of the True Dharma, suppressing all false teachings; immeasurable beyond reckoning by Sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas – for these noble ones had attained freedom with respect to mind, freedom with respect to dharmas, and had removed the obstructions caused by mistaken actions, persistent ignorance, and limited understanding. In choosing their practice of dharmas, their reasoning and exposition left nothing unexpounded; they deeply penetrated the path of practice through dependent origination and arising-and-ceasing, far removed from distorted views and persistent delusion, loosening all bonds; their wisdom penetrating all sublime truths; throughout innumerable kalpas they continuously made vast vows; their countenance joyful, always first offering words of guidance; entirely free from frowning or vexation; their speech gentle and harmonious, supremely skilled in praise; eloquent without stumbling; in the midst of great assemblies manifesting dignified authority, calm and composed; advancing and withdrawing with complete freedom, fearless in all things; throughout hundreds of thousands of billions of kalpas, their eloquence inexhaustible.

With respect to all gateways of practice, they always deeply contemplated all phenomena as illusions, as mirages, as dreams, as the moon reflected in water, as echoes, as flowers in space, as reflections, as mirror-images, as magic tricks, as phantom cities – though all unreal, yet appearing just as if real. These noble ones always abandoned timidity of mind, expounding the Dharma without fear; capable of practicing and realizing immeasurable gateways of cultivation; knowing the thoughts and aspirations of sentient beings, teaching and liberating them through transcendent wisdom.

Regarding all sentient beings, their minds were never attached; attaining the highest level of patient endurance; completely entering the subtle principle of the non-arising of all dharmas; their wisdom penetrating the equal nature of all things; knowing exactly as they truly are the profound characteristics of all dharmas in accordance with the vows of sentient beings; skillfully guiding them to the path of enlightenment; constantly and skillfully expounding the method of practicing dependent origination; shouldering great vows throughout boundless Buddha-lands. With respect to the innumerable Buddhas of the ten directions, they always maintained impartial mindfulness and constantly expressed a profound and intimate connection. Whenever Buddhas appeared in the world, they were ready to serve all of them, and they always beseeched the Buddhas to turn the Wheel of the Dharma and not hasten into Nirvana, in order to transform innumerable sentient beings; always skillfully overcoming and eliminating the bonds of attachment to distorted understanding and the fires of afflictions of all sentient beings – and in just a single instant, they could freely roam through hundreds of thousands of samadhis, giving rise to boundless and supreme merit. These Bodhisattvas were all endowed with such vast and wondrous merit – even if praised throughout immeasurable hundreds of thousands of billions of great kalpas, it could never be exhausted. Their names were:

Great Bodhisattva Wise Leader (Hien Thu),
Great Bodhisattva Jewel Nature (Bao Tanh),
Great Bodhisattva Jewel Treasury (Bao Tang),
Great Bodhisattva Jewel Longevity (Bao Tho),
Great Bodhisattva Great Master (Dai Su),
Great Bodhisattva Benevolent Longevity (Nhan Tho),
Great Bodhisattva Pure Longevity (Tinh Tho),
Great Bodhisattva Divine Longevity (Than Tho),
Great Bodhisattva Supreme Longevity (De Tho),
Great Bodhisattva Vast Wisdom (Quang Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Victorious Wisdom (Thang Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Superior Wisdom (Thuong Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Growing Wisdom (Tang Truong Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Boundless Wisdom (Vo Bien Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Unfailing Vision (Bat Hu Kien),
Great Bodhisattva Unobstructed Wisdom (Vo Chuong Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Wholesome Aspirer (Thien Phat Thu),
Great Bodhisattva Wholesome Vigor (Thien Dung Manh),
Great Bodhisattva Utmost Diligence (Cuc Tinh Tan),
Great Bodhisattva Constant Diligence (Thuong Tinh Tan),
Great Bodhisattva Constant Practice (Thuong Gia Hanh),
Great Bodhisattva Never Abandoning the Yoke (Bat Xa Ach),
Great Bodhisattva Sun Treasury (Nhut Tang),
Great Bodhisattva Moon Treasury (Nguyet Tang),
Great Bodhisattva Incomparable Wisdom (Vo Ty Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Quan Tu Tai),
Great Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta (Dac Dai The),
Great Bodhisattva Manjushri (Dieu Cat Tuong),
Great Bodhisattva Jewel Seal Hand (Bao An Thu),
Great Bodhisattva Destroyer of Mara’s Power (Toi Ma Luc),
Great Bodhisattva Vajra Wisdom (Kim Cang Tue),
Great Bodhisattva Vajragarbha (Kim Cang Tang),
Great Bodhisattva Always Raising Hand (Thuong Cu Thu),
Great Bodhisattva Great Compassionate Heart (Dai Bi Tam),
Great Bodhisattva Great Magnificence (Dai Trang Nghiem),
Great Bodhisattva Magnificence King (Trang Nghiem Vuong),
Great Bodhisattva Mountain Peak (Son Phong),
Great Bodhisattva Jewel Peak (Bao Phong),
Great Bodhisattva Virtue King (Duc Vuong),
Great Bodhisattva Maitreya (Tu Thi)…

In general, there were thus immeasurable hundreds of thousands of countless Great Bodhisattvas, all sons of the Dharma King, capable of succeeding to the position of Buddhahood, serving as the foremost elders.

At that time, the Blessed One, seated upon his lion throne, spread out his own sitting mat, sat in the cross-legged posture with back straight and mindfulness correct, dwelling in present-moment mindfulness, and entered the Wondrous King Samadhi – all other samadhis being subsumed within this one, for it is the source from which all samadhis flow.

Then the Blessed One, with right understanding and right thought, arose gracefully from the Wondrous King Samadhi, and using his pure Heavenly Eye, observed the Buddha-worlds in the ten directions. His entire body at ease, from the wheel-mark with a thousand spokes beneath each foot, he emitted sixty hundred thousand innumerable rays of light; then from his ten toes, the tops of both feet, both heels, four ankles, both shins, both knees, both thighs, his sides, belly, back, navel center, the “virtue” character on his chest, both nipples, both armpits, both shoulders, both elbows, both upper arms, both wrists, both hands, both palms, ten fingers, both eyes, both ears, forty teeth… all the way to the curled hair mark between the eyebrows… in general, from each and every part of the body, he emitted sixty hundred thousand innumerable rays of light. Each of these rays illuminated the entire trichiliocosm,¹ and from there, gradually illuminated all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions. Any sentient beings therein who encountered this light would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

Then all the pores of the Blessed One’s body also opened freely and emitted sixty hundred thousand innumerable rays of light. Each of these rays illuminated the entire trichiliocosm, and from there, gradually illuminated all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions. Any sentient beings therein who encountered this light would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

Then from the body of the Blessed One, light again radiated, illuminating the entire trichiliocosm, and from there, illuminating all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions all at once. Any sentient beings therein who encountered this light would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

Again, from the Blessed One’s mouth, the broad and long tongue mark extended, covering the entire trichiliocosm, as his face radiated a joyful smile. From that broad and long tongue mark, immeasurable hundreds of thousands of innumerable rays of light streamed forth in many colors. Therein appeared precious lotus flowers, each with a thousand petals, all of pure gold, adorned with various jewels, beautifully displayed, most pleasing to behold, their fragrance sweet and pervasive, their texture smooth and light – upon contact, giving rise to a feeling of pure and buoyant joy. In the calyx of each flower, a Transformation Buddha sat cross-legged, proclaiming a wondrous Dharma-sound, each Dharma-sound setting forth teachings in accordance with Prajnaparamita. Any sentient beings who heard it would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment; and from there, these gradually pervaded all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions, expounding beneficial teachings in the same way.

At that time, the Blessed One, without leaving his seat, entered the Lion’s Play Dharma Samadhi and manifested supernatural powers, causing the trichiliocosm to display the six kinds of trembling: shaking, shaking intensely, shaking together intensely; surging, surging intensely, surging together intensely; quaking, quaking intensely, quaking together intensely; striking, striking intensely, striking together intensely; roaring, roaring intensely, roaring together intensely; exploding, exploding intensely, exploding together intensely.
Furthermore, causing this land 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 land became pure, bright, cool, and tranquil, bringing every benefit and joy to all sentient beings.

At that time, within this trichiliocosm, however many hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms, and other wretched, dangerous, and miserable states of existence there were – all sentient beings therein were freed from suffering and calamity. After dying from there, they were all reborn among humans and in the six heavens of the Desire Realm, all remembered their previous lives, their joy beyond description; they all came together to the Buddha’s presence and, with pure minds, paid obeisance at the feet of the Blessed One. From there, this gradually pervaded all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, the six kinds of trembling clearly manifested. At that time, all the evil states of those worlds and all the sentient beings therein were freed from every calamity and suffering. After dying, they were all reborn among humans and in the six heavens of the Desire Realm, all recalled their previous lives, overjoyed and elated. Those beings, each in their own realm, all came to the presence of the Blessed One and reverently paid obeisance at his feet.

At that time, throughout this trichiliocosm and innumerable 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 their reason, the disturbed became calm, the poor became wealthy, those without clothing obtained clothing, the hungry were fed, the thirsty were given drink, the sick were healed, the ugly became beautiful, the disabled became whole, those lacking sense faculties became complete, the confused became awake, and the weary became refreshed and strong.

At that time, sentient beings, with equal and impartial minds, treated one another as parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and relatives; they moved away from a way of life with twisted and deviant speech, and turned toward a way of life with upright and genuine speech; they abandoned the way of life of the ten evil deeds and cultivated the way of life of the ten virtuous deeds; they cut off evil thoughts and cherished wholesome thoughts; they abandoned impure conduct and cultivated pure conduct; they delighted in cleanliness and removed impurity; they preferred stillness and abandoned noise; their body and mind at ease, a feeling of pure and buoyant joy immediately arose – like practitioners dwelling in the third dhyana. Moreover, the highest wisdom suddenly emerged, and thoughts arose: of universal generosity, harmonious self-mastery, calm endurance, vigorous advancement, complete stillness, careful contemplation, complete freedom from dissipation, cultivation of pure conduct, and always maintaining loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity toward all sentient beings, without disturbing one another – was this not truly excellent and beautiful!

At that time, the Blessed One, upon his lion throne, emitted a special radiance of awe-inspiring and majestic virtue. The light spread throughout the trichiliocosm and even to all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions, making the Sumeru Mountains, the Iron Ring Mountains… all the palaces of spirits, dragons, and gods, all the way to the Pure Abode heavens – all as if no longer existent. Just as the full moon of autumn dims all the stars; like the summer sun whose light blurs all other colors; like the four great mountain kings filled with wondrous treasures – when shining upon all other mountains, their majesty and radiance always surpassed them all. The Buddha used his supernatural power to manifest his Buddha-body again, enabling all sentient beings within the trichiliocosm to behold him.

At that time, the innumerable and countless gods in the Pure Abode heavens, throughout the trichiliocosm – from the lowest Desire Realm gods, the Four Great Heavenly Kings, all humans and non-humans – all saw the Tathagata seated upon his lion throne, his majestic radiance brilliant as a great golden mountain. They were exceedingly joyful and praised what had never been seen before. They then brought innumerable kinds of heavenly flowers, coiled incense, anointing incense, burning incense, powdered incense, garments, jeweled garlands, banners, jeweled canopies, musical instruments, various gems, innumerable kinds of heavenly lotus flowers of all colors – blue, red, white, gold, and pink – heavenly gold and silver tree flowers, heavenly fragrant leaves, and innumerable fresh flowers from land and water, and brought them all to the Buddha’s presence, scattering and offering them to the Buddha. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, those garlands of flowers were tossed into the air one after another and formed into flower pavilions, filling the entire trichiliocosm, like heavenly flower canopies hanging down. There were also precious bells and jeweled banners exquisitely embroidered and woven in perfect harmony, most pleasing to behold. At that time, this Buddha-land was adorned with wondrous splendor, resembling the World of Ultimate Bliss (Sukhavati) in the West. The light of the Buddha shone brilliantly upon all beings; throughout the trichiliocosm, the entire sky became a single color of brilliant gold. The same was also true for all the realms within the innumerable Buddha-lands of the ten directions.

At the same time, throughout all the Buddha-lands within this trichiliocosm – in the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, the Eastern Continent of Purvavideha, the Western Continent of Aparagodaniya, the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru – all the people therein, through the supernatural power of the Buddha, each saw the Blessed One sitting directly before them, and each thought that the Tathagata was expounding the Dharma specifically for them. Likewise, the gods in the heavens of the Four Great 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 Assembly Heaven, the Brahma Ministers Heaven, the Brahma Multitude Heaven, the Great Brahma Heaven, the Heaven of Light, the Heaven of Lesser Light, the Heaven of Immeasurable Light, the Heaven of Utmost Radiant Purity, the Heaven of Purity, the Heaven of Lesser Purity, the Heaven of Immeasurable Purity, the Heaven of Pervasive Purity, the Vast Heaven, the Lesser Vast Heaven, the Immeasurably Vast Heaven, the Heaven of Vast Fruit, the Serene Heaven, the Unclouded Heaven, the Heaven of Good Appearance, the Heaven of Good Vision, the Heaven of Ultimate Form… all likewise, by the supernatural power of the Blessed One, each saw the Buddha sitting directly before them and each thought that the Tathagata was expounding the Dharma specifically for them.

At that time, the Blessed One, without leaving his jeweled throne, smiled joyfully, and from his face emitted a great radiance that illuminated all the Buddha-lands throughout the trichiliocosm and all the innumerable Buddha-lands in the ten directions.

At the same time, within all the Buddha-lands throughout this trichiliocosm, all sentient beings, following the light of the Buddha, could all behold throughout the innumerable worlds of the Buddhas in the ten directions – all the Tathagatas, Arhats, and Perfectly Enlightened Ones, surrounded by assemblies of Sravakas and Bodhisattvas – and further saw all the various sentient beings and insentient things.

All sentient beings in the innumerable Buddha-lands of the ten directions likewise, by following the light of the Buddha, saw in this land the Tathagata Sakyamuni, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, surrounded by assemblies of Sravakas and Bodhisattvas, and further saw all the various sentient beings and insentient things. At that time, at the far end of the innumerable worlds in the eastern direction, there was a world called Many Treasures (Da Bao). The Buddha of that land bore the title: Jewel Nature Tathagata (Bao Tanh Nhu Lai), Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – who was dwelling there, expounding the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Among them was a Bodhisattva named Universal Light (Pho Quang), who, having seen that great radiance together with the great earth trembling and the physical marks of the Buddha, became filled with wonder, and straightway approached the Buddha Jewel Nature, reverently bowing at his feet, and inquired:

World-Honored One, what causes and conditions have given rise to these auspicious signs?

Buddha Jewel Nature said to Great Bodhisattva Universal Light:

Good man, to the West of this land, passing through innumerable worlds, there is a world at the far end called Endurance (Kham nhan). The Buddha dwelling there bears the title: Sakyamuni Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – who is dwelling there and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. By the supernatural power of that Buddha, these auspicious signs have appeared.

Bodhisattva Universal Light, having heard this, was overjoyed without measure, and again addressed the Buddha:
World-Honored One, I now wish to travel to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Tathagata Sakyamuni and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas – those who have attained penetrating mastery of the Dharani gateways and Samadhi gateways, with supernatural powers and perfect freedom, and who in their final body will assuredly succeed to the position of Buddhahood. I humbly beseech you to compassionately grant permission!

Buddha Jewel Nature said to Bodhisattva Universal Light:
Excellent! Excellent! Now is the right time! Go, you may depart. The Buddha having spoken, then took one thousand stalks of golden lotus flowers, each flower having a thousand petals adorned with various jewels, and gave them to Bodhisattva Universal Light, with this instruction:

Take these flowers to the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, and as I have instructed you, report to him: “The Tathagata Jewel Nature respectfully inquires whether you are free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always proceed harmoniously, and are sentient beings easy to teach?” Then present these lotus flowers to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering. When you arrive in that land, you must perceive correctly – upon seeing that Buddha-land and the great assembly therein, do not give rise to a sense of contempt, lest you harm yourself. Why is that? Because the Bodhisattvas of that land possess awe-inspiring virtue beyond compare; driven by great vows of compassionate salvation, they were born into that world for great and profound reasons.

Bodhisattva Universal Light received the flowers, accepted the instruction, and together with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of innumerable Great Bodhisattvas – both those who had gone forth and those remaining in household life – and countless hundreds of thousands of young men and women, bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated to the right, and took their leave. Each one carried innumerable kinds of incense, flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, garments, precious ornaments, and various other offerings, and set out on their journey. Through the innumerable Buddha-lands in the eastern direction through which they passed, at each Buddha-land they reverently made offerings, paid respect and praise, and did not omit a single one.

Upon arriving at the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, all reverently bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, and then withdrew to stand to one side. Bodhisattva Universal Light stepped forward and addressed the Buddha:

World-Honored One, to the East of this land, passing through innumerable worlds, there is a world at the far end called Many Treasures (Da Bao). The Buddha of that land bears the title: Jewel Nature Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – and respectfully inquires whether the Blessed One is free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always proceed harmoniously, and are sentient beings easy to teach? Having spoken, the Bodhisattva took the thousand golden lotus flowers and presented them to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering.

At that time, the Buddha Sakyamuni received those lotus flowers and then scattered them back to the innumerable worlds of the Buddhas in the eastern direction. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, these flowers all fell throughout every Buddha-land. In the calyx of each flower, a Transformation Buddha sat cross-legged expounding the Dharma in accordance with Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas. Any sentient beings who heard that Dharma would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

At that time, Bodhisattva Universal Light and those who had come with him, upon witnessing this, were all overjoyed beyond measure, praised it as never seen before, and each, according to the depth of their wholesome roots and the abundance or scarcity of their offerings, reverently made offerings and praised the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas with respect. Then they withdrew and sat to one side.

In this same way, from that far end of the worlds all the way to every Buddha-land in the eastern direction, each and every land had Tathagatas who were presently expounding the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly. At the place of each of those Buddhas, there was also a leading Bodhisattva, who, having seen that great radiance together with the great earth trembling and the physical marks of the Buddha, all came to the presence of the Buddha and said:

World-Honored One, what causes and conditions have given rise to these auspicious signs?

At the same time, all those Buddhas replied:
To the West of this land, there is the world of Endurance. The Buddha of that land bears the title Sakyamuni, and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas. By the supernatural power of that Buddha, these auspicious signs have appeared.

The leading Bodhisattvas, having heard this, were all joyful, and each earnestly requested to go to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Buddha Sakyamuni and the Bodhisattvas. All those Tathagatas praised this as excellent and consented to their going. Each gave to the leading Bodhisattvas golden lotus flowers with a thousand jeweled petals, with this instruction:

Take these flowers to the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni and fully report my words: “Respectfully inquiring whether you are free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always succeed in harmony, and are sentient beings easy to teach?” Then present these lotus flowers to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering. When you arrive in that world of Endurance, you must perceive correctly – upon seeing that Buddha-land and those Bodhisattvas, do not give rise to a sense of contempt, lest you harm yourself. Why is that? Because those Bodhisattvas possess awe-inspiring virtue beyond compare; driven by vows of compassionate salvation, they were born into that land for great and profound reasons.

Each leader received the flowers, accepted the instruction, and together with innumerable countless Bodhisattvas, young men and women, took leave of the Buddha, carried their offerings, and set out on their journey. Through every Buddha-land they passed, at each place they reverently made offerings to the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, missing not a single one.

Upon arriving at the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, all reverently bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, presented the flowers, and reported all matters. The Buddha Sakyamuni received the flowers and scattered them back in the eastern direction. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, the flowers fell throughout every Buddha-land. In the calyx of each flower, Transformation Buddhas expounded the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas, so that those who heard it would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

The leading Bodhisattva and those who had come with him, upon seeing this, were all joyful and praised it as never seen before; each, according to the depth of their wholesome roots and the abundance or scarcity of their offerings, reverently made offerings and praised the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas with respect. Then they withdrew and sat to one side.

At that time, at the far end of the innumerable worlds in the southern direction, there was a world called Free from All Sorrow (Ly nhat thiet uu). The Buddha of that land bore the title: Sorrowless Virtue Tathagata (Vo Uu Duc Nhu Lai), Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – who was dwelling there, expounding the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Among them was a Bodhisattva named Free from Sorrow (Ly Uu), who, having seen that great radiance together with the great earth trembling and the physical marks of the Buddha, became filled with wonder, and straightway approached the Buddha, bowed at his feet, and said:

World-Honored One, what causes and conditions have given rise to these auspicious signs?

The Buddha Sorrowless Virtue said to Great Bodhisattva Free from Sorrow:

Good man, to the North of this land, passing through innumerable worlds, there is a world at the far end called Endurance. The Buddha dwelling there bears the title: Sakyamuni Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – who is dwelling there and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. By the supernatural power of that Buddha, these auspicious signs have appeared.

Bodhisattva Free from Sorrow, having heard this, was overjoyed beyond measure, and again addressed the Buddha:

World-Honored One, I now wish to travel to that world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Tathagata Sakyamuni and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas – those who have attained penetrating mastery of the Dharani gateways and Samadhi gateways, with supernatural powers and perfect freedom, and who in their final body will succeed to the position of Buddhahood. I humbly beseech you to compassionately grant permission!

Buddha Sorrowless Virtue said to Bodhisat a Free from Sorrow:
Excellent! Excellent! Now is the right time! Go, proceed as you wish.

The Buddha having spoken, then took one thousand stalks of golden lotus flowers, each having a thousand petals adorned with various jewels, and gave them to Bodhisattva Free from Sorrow, with this instruction:

-Take these flowers to the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, and as I have instructed you, report: “The Tathagata Sorrowless Virtue respectfully inquires whether you are free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always succeed in creating harmony, and are sentient beings easy to teach?” Then present these lotus flowers to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering. When you arrive in that land, you must perceive correctly – upon seeing that Buddha-land and the great assembly therein, do not give rise to a sense of contempt, lest you harm yourself. Why is that? Because those Bodhisattvas possess awe-inspiring virtue beyond compare; driven by vows of compassionate salvation, they were born into that world for great and profound reasons.

Bodhisattva Free from Sorrow received the flowers, accepted the instruction, and together with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of innumerable Great Bodhisattvas – both those who had gone forth and those remaining in household life – and countless hundreds of thousands of young men and women, bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated to the right, and took their leave. Each one carried innumerable kinds of incense, flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, precious garments, ornaments, and various other offerings, and set out on their journey. Through the innumerable Buddha-lands in the southern direction through which they passed, at each Buddha-land they reverently made offerings, paid respect and praise, and did not omit a single one.

Upon arriving at the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, all bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, and then withdrew to stand to one side. Bodhisattva Free from Sorrow stepped forward and addressed the Buddha:

World-Honored One, to the South of this land, passing through innumerable worlds, there is a world at the far end called Free from All Sorrow. The Buddha of that land bears the title: Sorrowless Virtue Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – and respectfully inquires whether the Blessed One is free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always succeed in all harmony, and are sentient beings easy to teach? Having spoken, the Bodhisattva took the thousand golden lotus flowers and presented them to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering.

At that time, the Buddha Sakyamuni received those lotus flowers and then scattered them back to the innumerable worlds of the Buddhas in the southern direction. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, these flowers all fell throughout every Buddha-land. In the calyx of each flower, Transformation Buddhas sat cross-legged expounding the Dharma in accordance with the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas; any sentient beings who heard that Dharma would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

At that time, Bodhisattva Free from Sorrow and those who had come with him, upon seeing this, were all overjoyed without measure, praised it as never seen before, and each, according to the depth of their wholesome roots and the abundance or scarcity of their offerings, reverently made offerings and praised the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas with respect. Then they withdrew and sat to one side.

In this same way, from that far end of the worlds all the way to every Buddha-land in the southern direction, each and every land had Tathagatas who were presently expounding the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly. At the place of each of those Buddhas, there was also a leading Bodhisattva, who, having seen that great radiance together with the great earth trembling and the physical marks of the Buddha, all came to the presence of the Buddha and said:

World-Honored One, what causes and conditions have given rise to these auspicious signs?

At that time, all those Buddhas replied:
To the North of this land, there is the world of Endurance. The Buddha of that land bears the title Sakyamuni, and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas. By the supernatural power of that Buddha, these auspicious signs have appeared.

The leading Bodhisattvas, having heard this, were all joyful, and each earnestly requested to go to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Buddha Sakyamuni and the Bodhisattvas. All those Tathagatas praised this as excellent and consented to their going. They each gave golden lotus flowers with a thousand jeweled petals to the leading Bodhisattvas, with this instruction:

-Take these flowers to the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni and fully report my words: “Respectfully inquiring whether you are free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world succeed in all harmony, and are sentient beings easy to teach?” Then present these lotus flowers to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering. When you arrive in that world of Endurance, you must perceive correctly – upon seeing that Buddha-land and those Bodhisattvas, do not give rise to a sense of contempt, lest you harm yourself. Why is that? Because those Bodhisattvas possess awe-inspiring virtue beyond compare; driven by great vows of compassionate salvation, they were born into that land for great and profound reasons.

Each leading Bodhisattva received the flowers, accepted the instruction, and together with innumerable countless Bodhisattvas, young men and women, took leave of the Buddha, carried their offerings, and set out on their journey. Through every Buddha-land they passed, at each place they reverently made offerings to the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, missing not a single one.

Upon arriving at the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, all reverently bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, then presented the flowers and reported all matters. The Buddha Sakyamuni received the flowers and scattered them back in the southern direction. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, the flowers fell throughout every Buddha-land in that direction. In the calyx of each flower, Transformation Buddhas expounded the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas, so that those who heard it would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

At that time, at the far end of the innumerable worlds in the western direction, there was a world called Near Stillness and Tranquility (Can tich tinh). The Buddha of that land bore the title: Jewel Flame Tathagata (Bao Diem Nhu Lai), Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – who was dwelling there, expounding the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. At that time there was a Bodhisattva named Conduct Wisdom (Hanh Tue), who, having seen that great radiance together with the great earth trembling and the physical marks of the Buddha, became filled with wonder, and straightway approached the Buddha Jewel Flame, bowed at his feet, and said:

World-Honored One, what causes and conditions have given rise to these auspicious signs?

Buddha Jewel Flame said to Great Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom:

Good man, to the East of this land, passing through innumerable worlds, there is a world at the far end called Endurance. The Buddha dwelling there bears the title: Sakyamuni Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – who is dwelling there and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. By the supernatural power of that Buddha, these auspicious signs have appeared.

Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom, having heard this, was overjoyed beyond measure, and again addressed the Buddha Jewel Flame:

World-Honored One, I now wish to travel to that world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Tathagata Sakyamuni and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas – those who have attained penetrating mastery of the Dharani gateways and Samadhi gateways, with supernatural powers and perfect freedom, and who in their final body will assuredly succeed to the position of Buddhahood. I humbly beseech you to compassionately grant permission!

Buddha Jewel Flame said to Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom:

Excellent! Excellent! Now is the right time! Go, you may depart. The Buddha having spoken, then took one thousand stalks of golden lotus flowers, each having a thousand petals adorned with various jewels, and gave them to Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom, with this instruction:

-Take these flowers to the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, and as I have instructed you, report: “The Tathagata Jewel Flame respectfully inquires whether you are free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always succeed in all harmony, and are sentient beings easy to teach?” Then carry these lotus flowers and present them to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering. When you arrive in that world of Endurance, you must perceive correctly – upon seeing that Buddha-land and the great assembly therein, do not give rise to a sense of contempt, lest you harm yourself. Why is that? Because those Bodhisattvas possess awe-inspiring virtue beyond compare; driven by vows of compassionate salvation, they were born into that land for great and profound reasons.

At that time, Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom received the flowers, accepted the instruction, and together with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of innumerable Great Bodhisattvas – both those who had gone forth and those remaining in household life – and countless hundreds of thousands of young men and women, bowed at the feet of the Buddha Jewel Flame, circumambulated to the right, and took their leave. Each one carried innumerable kinds of incense, flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, precious garments, ornaments, and various other offerings, and set out on their journey. Through the innumerable Buddha-lands in the western direction through which they passed, at each Buddha-land they reverently made offerings, paid respect and praise, and did not omit a single one.

Upon arriving at the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, all reverently bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, and then withdrew to stand to one side. Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom stepped forward and addressed the Buddha:

World-Honored One, to the West of this land, passing through innumerable worlds, there is a world at the far end called Near Stillness and Tranquility. The Buddha of that land bears the title: Jewel Flame Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Enlightened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One – and respectfully inquires whether the Blessed One is free of illness and affliction, whether your going and standing are light and easy, whether your energy and vitality are well-regulated, and whether you are at peace? Does the work of the world always succeed in all harmony, and are sentient beings easy to teach?

Having finished his report, Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom then took the thousand golden lotus flowers and presented them to the Blessed One as a Buddha-offering.

At that time, the Buddha Sakyamuni received those lotus flowers and then scattered them back to the innumerable worlds of the Buddhas in the western direction. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, these flowers all fell throughout every Buddha-land therein. In the calyx of each flower, Transformation Buddhas sat cross-legged expounding the Dharma in accordance with the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas; any sentient beings who heard that Dharma would attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

At that time, Bodhisattva Conduct Wisdom and those who had come with him, upon witnessing this, were all overjoyed without measure, praised it as never seen before, and each, according to the depth of their wholesome roots and the abundance or scarcity of their offerings, reverently made offerings and praised the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas with respect. Then they withdrew and sat to one side.

In this same way, from that far end of the worlds all the way to every Buddha-land in the western direction, each land had Tathagatas who were presently expounding the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly. At the place of each of those Buddhas, there was also a leading Bodhisattva, who, having seen that great radiance together with the great earth trembling and the physical marks of the Buddha, all came to the presence of the Buddha and said:

World-Honored One, what causes and conditions have given rise to these auspicious signs?

At the same time, all those Buddhas of those worlds each replied:

To the East, there is the world of Endurance. The Buddha of that land bears the title Sakyamuni, and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas. By the supernatural power of that Buddha, these auspicious signs have appeared.

The leading Bodhisattvas, having heard this, were all joyful, and each earnestly requested to go to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. All those Tathagatas praised this as excellent and consented to their going. They each gave golden lotus flowers with a thousand jeweled petals to the leading Bodhisattvas, with this instruction:

Bodhisattvas, do not give rise to a sense of contempt, lest you harm yourself. Why is that? Because those Bodhisattvas possess awe-inspiring virtue beyond compare; driven by great vows of compassionate salvation, they were born into that land for great and profound reasons.

Each leading Bodhisattva received the flowers, accepted the instruction, and together with innumerable countless Bodhisattvas, young men and women, took leave of the Buddha, carried their offerings, and set out on their journey. Through every Buddha-land they passed, at each place they made offerings to the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, missing not a single one.

Upon arriving at the presence of the Buddha Sakyamuni, all reverently bowed at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, presented the flowers, and reported all matters. The Buddha Sakyamuni received the flowers and scattered them back in the western direction. By the supernatural power of the Buddha, the flowers fell throughout every Buddha-land in that world. In the calyx of each flower, Transformation Buddhas expounded the Dharma of the Great Prajnaparamita for the Bodhisattvas, so that those who heard it would without exception attain the supreme fruit of Enlightenment.

– o0o –

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).