THE GREAT PRAJÑĀPĀRAMITĀ SŪTRA
VOLUME 2
Chapter 1: ARISING OF CONDITIONS (2)
At that time, in the farthest world among countless worlds in the northern direction, named Supreme Excellence, there was a Buddha named Victorious Truth Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān, who was dwelling there and expounding the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas.
At that time, there was a Bodhisattva named Victorious Sustenance. Seeing that great radiance, along with the trembling of the great earth and the Buddha’s physical signs, he became curious. He went before Buddha Victorious Truth, bowed his head at the Buddha’s feet, and said:
“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have such auspicious signs appeared?”
Buddha Victorious Truth said to the Great Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance:
“Good son, to the south of this land, after passing through countless worlds, there is a farthest world named Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He is presently dwelling in that realm and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Because of that Buddha’s spiritual power, these auspicious signs have appeared.”
Hearing this, Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance was filled with great joy and said to the Buddha:
“World-Honored One, I now wish to go to that world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Tathāgata and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas, those who have attained thorough understanding of the dhāraṇī gateways, samādhi gateways, and freely functioning supernatural powers, and who, in their final body, will certainly succeed to the Buddha position. I humbly request your compassion and permission!”
Buddha Victorious Truth said to Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance:
“Excellent, excellent! Now is the proper time. Go ahead.”
Having spoken thus, the Buddha took a thousand golden lotus flowers. Each flower had a thousand petals and was adorned with various precious jewels. He gave them to Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance and instructed:
“Take these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha. According to my words, say:
‘The Tathāgata Victorious Truth respectfully inquires after you: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?’
Then offer these lotus flowers to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities.
When you arrive at that world of Endurance, you must maintain correct understanding. When you see that Buddha land and the great assembly there, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because those Bodhisattvas possess majestic virtues beyond comparison. Driven by their great compassionate vows to liberate beings, they were born in that realm due to great causes and conditions.”
Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance received the flowers, obeyed the command, and together with countless hundreds of thousands of Great Bodhisattvas, both ordained and lay, as well as countless hundreds of thousands of young men and young women, bowed at the feet of Buddha Victorious Truth, circumambulated him clockwise, and then took leave.
Each carried countless kinds of incense, flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, garments, precious ornaments, and other offerings, and they set forth on their journey. Having passed through countless Buddha lands in the northern direction, wherever they arrived, they respectfully made offerings to the Buddhas, honored and praised them, leaving none neglected.
When they arrived before Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him one hundred thousand times, and then withdrew to stand to one side.
Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance stepped forward and said:
“World-Honored One, to the north of this land, after passing through countless worlds, there is a farthest world named Supreme Excellence. The Buddha there is named Victorious Truth Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He respectfully inquires after the World-Honored One: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?”
After Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance finished speaking, he presented those golden lotus flowers to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities.
At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha accepted the lotus flowers and then scattered them back toward the countless Buddha worlds in the northern direction. Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, these flowers fell throughout all the Buddha lands in that direction. Within each flower platform, there was an emanation Buddha seated in the lotus posture, expounding Dharma corresponding to the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the Bodhisattvas. If any sentient being heard this wondrous Dharma, they would attain the highest supreme Enlightenment.
At that time, Bodhisattva Victorious Sustenance and those accompanying him saw this event and were filled with immense joy, praising it as unprecedented. Each, according to their roots of virtue and the quantity of offerings they possessed, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterward, they withdrew and sat to one side.
In this way, from that farthest world onward throughout all Buddha lands in the northern direction, every single realm had Tathāgatas presently expounding the wondrous Dharma to great assemblies. At each place where the Buddhas were teaching, there was also a leading Bodhisattva who saw that great radiance, the trembling of the great earth, and the Buddha’s physical signs. They all went before their Buddha and asked:
“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have these auspicious signs appeared?”
At the same time, all those Buddhas replied:
“To the south of this land there is the world of Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the Bodhisattvas. Because of that Buddha’s spiritual power, these auspicious signs have appeared.”
After hearing this, the leading Bodhisattvas rejoiced. Each earnestly requested permission to go to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Those Tathāgatas all praised their request as good and permitted them to go.
The Buddhas each gave a thousand-jeweled golden lotus flower to the leading Bodhisattva and instructed:
“Take this flower to Śākyamuni Buddha and fully convey my words:
‘I respectfully inquire after you: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?’
Then offer this lotus flower to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities.
When you arrive at the world of Endurance, you must maintain correct understanding. When you see that Buddha land and those Bodhisattvas, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because those Bodhisattvas possess incomparable majestic virtues. Driven by their great vows to liberate beings, they were born in that realm due to great causes and conditions.”
Each leading Bodhisattva received the flower, obeyed the command, and together with countless Bodhisattvas, young men, and young women, took leave of the Buddha. Carrying offerings, they set out on their journey. In every Buddha land they passed, they made offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas without exception.
When they reached Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him one hundred thousand times, presented the flowers, and reported everything. Śākyamuni Buddha accepted the flowers and scattered them back toward the northern direction. Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, the flowers fell throughout the Buddha lands in that direction. Within the flower platforms, there were emanation Buddhas expounding the Great Prajñāpāramitā Dharma to the Bodhisattvas, causing those who heard it to certainly attain the highest supreme Enlightenment.
The leading Bodhisattvas and those accompanying them saw this and rejoiced, praising it as unprecedented. Each, according to their roots of virtue and the quantity of offerings they possessed, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterward, they withdrew and sat to one side.
At that time, in the farthest world among countless worlds in the northeast direction, named Adorned with Samādhi, there was a Buddha named Victorious Virtue of Samādhi Image Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān, who was dwelling there and expounding the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the Great Bodhisattvas.
At that time, there was a Bodhisattva named Valiant Beyond Dust. Seeing that radiance shining forth, together with the trembling of the great earth and the Buddha’s physical signs, he became curious. He went before Buddha Victorious Virtue of Samādhi Image, bowed his head at the Buddha’s feet, and said:
“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have such auspicious signs appeared?”
At that time, Buddha Victorious Virtue of Samādhi Image said to the Great Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust:
“Good son, to the southwest of this land, after passing through countless worlds, there is a farthest world named Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He is presently dwelling in that realm and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Because of that Buddha’s spiritual power, these auspicious signs have appeared.”
Hearing the Buddha’s words, Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust was extremely joyful and again said:
“World-Honored One, I now wish to go to that world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Tathāgata and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas, those who have attained thorough understanding of the dhāraṇī gateways, samādhi gateways, freely functioning supernatural powers, and who in their final body will certainly succeed to the Buddha position. I humbly request your compassion and permission!”
Buddha Victorious Virtue of Samādhi Image said:
“Excellent, excellent! Now is the proper time. Go ahead.”
Having spoken thus, the Buddha took a thousand golden lotus flowers. Each flower had a thousand petals and was adorned with various precious jewels. He gave them to Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust and instructed:
“Take these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha. According to my words, say:
‘The Tathāgata Victorious Virtue of Samādhi Image respectfully inquires after you: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?’
Then offer these lotus flowers to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities.
When you arrive at that world, maintain correct understanding. When you see that Buddha land and the great assembly there, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because those Bodhisattvas possess incomparable majestic virtues. Driven by their great vows to liberate beings, they were born there due to great causes and conditions.”
Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust received the flowers, obeyed the command, and together with countless hundreds of thousands of Great Bodhisattvas, ordained and lay, and countless hundreds of thousands of young men and young women, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him clockwise, and took leave.
Each carried countless kinds of incense, flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, garments, precious ornaments, and other offerings, and set out on the journey. In countless Buddha lands in the northeast direction that they passed through, wherever they arrived, they respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised, leaving none neglected.
When they reached Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him one hundred thousand times, and then withdrew to stand to one side.
Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust stepped forward and said:
“World-Honored One, to the northeast of this land, after passing through countless worlds, there is a farthest world named Adorned with Samādhi. The Buddha there is named Victorious Virtue of Samādhi Image Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He respectfully inquires after the World-Honored One: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?”
After speaking, Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust presented the thousand golden lotus flowers to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities.
Śākyamuni Buddha immediately accepted the lotus flowers and scattered them back toward countless Buddha worlds in the northeast direction. Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, the flowers fell throughout all Buddha lands in that direction. Within each flower platform, there were emanation Buddhas seated in the lotus posture expounding Dharma corresponding to the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the Bodhisattvas. If any sentient beings heard this wondrous Dharma, they would attain the highest supreme Enlightenment.
At that time, Bodhisattva Valiant Beyond Dust and those accompanying him saw this and were filled with immense joy, praising it as unprecedented. Each, according to their roots of virtue and the quantity of offerings they possessed, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterward, they withdrew and sat to one side.
In this way, from that farthest world onward throughout all Buddha lands in the northeast direction, every realm had Tathāgatas presently expounding the wondrous Dharma to great assemblies. At the places where the Buddhas taught, there was also a leading Bodhisattva who saw the great radiance shining forth, together with the trembling of the great earth and the Buddha’s physical signs, and they all went before their Buddha and asked:
“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have such auspicious signs appeared?”
At the same time, those Buddhas replied:
“To the southwest of this land there is the world of Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the Bodhisattvas. Because of that Buddha’s spiritual power, these auspicious signs have appeared.”
After hearing this, the leading Bodhisattvas rejoiced. Each requested to go to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Those Tathāgatas praised them as good and permitted them to go.
They then gave the leading Bodhisattvas thousand-jeweled golden lotus flowers and instructed:
“Take these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha and fully convey my words:
‘I respectfully inquire after you: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?’
Then offer these lotus flowers to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities. When you arrive at the world of Endurance, maintain correct understanding. When you see that Buddha land and those Bodhisattvas, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because those Bodhisattvas possess incomparable majestic virtues. Driven by their great vows to liberate beings, they were born there due to great causes and conditions.”
Each leading Bodhisattva received the flowers, obeyed the command, and together with countless Bodhisattvas, young men, and young women, took leave of the Buddha. Carrying offerings, they set out. In every Buddha land they passed, they made offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas without leaving out a single realm.
When they arrived before Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated him one hundred thousand times, presented the flowers, and reported everything. After accepting the flowers, Śākyamuni Buddha scattered them back toward the northeast. Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, the flowers fell throughout the Buddha lands in that direction. Within the flower platforms, there were emanation Buddhas expounding the Great Prajñāpāramitā Dharma to the Bodhisattvas, causing those who heard it to certainly attain the highest supreme Enlightenment.
The leading Bodhisattvas and those accompanying them saw this event and rejoiced, praising it as unprecedented. Each, according to their roots of virtue and the quantity of offerings they possessed, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterward, they withdrew and sat to one side.
At that time, in the farthest world among countless worlds in the southeast direction, named Wonderfully Adorned with Enlightenment, extremely pleasing and delightful, there was a Buddha named Lotus Victorious Virtue Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān, who was dwelling there and teaching the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the Great Bodhisattvas.
At that time, there was a Bodhisattva named Lotus Hand. Seeing that great radiance, together with the trembling of the great earth and the Buddha’s physical signs, he became curious. He went before Buddha Lotus Victorious Virtue, bowed his head at the Buddha’s feet, and said:
“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have such auspicious signs appeared?”
Buddha Lotus Victorious Virtue said to the Great Bodhisattva Lotus Hand:
“Good son, to the northwest of this land, after passing through countless worlds, there is a farthest world named Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He is dwelling there and is about to expound the Dharma of the Great Prajñāpāramitā to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Because of that Buddha’s spiritual power, these auspicious signs have appeared.”
Hearing this, Bodhisattva Lotus Hand was filled with great joy and again said:
“World-Honored One, I now wish to go to that world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Tathāgata and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas, those who have attained thorough understanding of the dhāraṇī gateways, samādhi gateways, freely functioning supernatural powers, and who in their final body will succeed to the Buddha position. I humbly request your compassion and permission!”
Buddha Lotus Victorious Virtue said:
“Excellent, excellent! Now is the proper time. Go ahead.”
Having spoken thus, the Buddha took a thousand golden lotus flowers, each with a thousand petals and adorned with precious jewels, gave them to Bodhisattva Lotus Hand, and instructed:
“Take these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha. According to my words, say:
‘The Tathāgata Lotus Victorious Virtue respectfully inquires after you: Are your illnesses few? Are your afflictions few? Are your movements light and easy? Are your vital energies harmonious? Are you peaceful and joyful? Do worldly affairs always proceed favorably, and are sentient beings easy to guide?’
Then offer these lotus flowers to the World-Honored One to accomplish Buddha activities.
When you arrive at the world of Endurance, maintain correct understanding. When you see that Buddha land and the great assembly there, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because those Bodhisattvas possess incomparable majestic virtues. Driven by their great vows to liberate beings, they were born there due to great causes and conditions.”
Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, having received the flowers and obeyed the command, then together with countless hundreds of thousands of innumerable Great Bodhisattvas, monastics and householders, as well as countless hundreds of thousands of boys and girls, bowed their heads at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated to the right, and then took their leave. Each carried with them immeasurable varieties of fragrant flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, garments, precious ornaments, and other offerings, and they set out on their journey. Having passed through countless Buddha realms in the southeast direction, whenever they arrived at a Buddha realm, they respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised [the Buddhas], never neglecting any.
When they arrived before Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated Him hundreds of thousands of times, and then withdrew to stand to one side. Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva stepped forward and addressed the Buddha: “World-Honored One, to the southeast of this realm, after passing through innumerable worlds, there is a furthest world called Wondrous Enlightenment Adornment. The Buddha in that realm is named Lotus Supreme Virtue Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Worthy One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. I respectfully inquire whether the World-Honored One has few illnesses and few troubles, whether His movements are light and easy, His strength harmonious, and whether He is peaceful and joyful? Whether worldly affairs always proceed favorably and beings are easy to liberate?”
After Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva finished speaking, he held the thousand golden-colored lotus flowers and offered them to the World-Honored One for the accomplishment of Buddha activities.
Śākyamuni Buddha immediately accepted those lotus flowers and then scattered them back toward the countless Buddha worlds in the southeast direction. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, these flowers were made to fall throughout all the Buddha realms in that direction. Within each flower pedestal there were transformation Buddhas seated in the lotus posture, expounding teachings corresponding to the Great Perfection of Wisdom Pāramitā to the Bodhisattvas; if any sentient beings heard this wondrous Dharma, they would all attain the supreme state of Enlightenment.
At that time, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva and his followers, seeing this event, were greatly delighted and praised it as unprecedented. Each, according to the extent of their roots of virtue and the quantity of their offerings, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Having finished, they withdrew and sat to one side.
In this way, from that furthest world all the way to every Buddha realm in the southeast direction, in each realm there were Tathāgatas currently teaching the wondrous Dharma to the assembly. At the places where those Buddhas were teaching, there was likewise a leading Bodhisattva who saw the great radiance, the trembling of the earth, and the Buddha’s physical appearance. They therefore came before the Buddha and said: “World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have these auspicious signs appeared?”
At the same time, those Buddhas all replied: “To the northwest of this realm there is the world of Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni, and He is about to teach the Great Perfection of Wisdom Pāramitā to the Great Bodhisattvas. Through that Buddha’s miraculous power, such auspicious signs have appeared.”
The leading Bodhisattvas, upon hearing this, were all delighted. Each requested permission to go to the world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Those Tathāgatas praised them and gave their consent. They each gave a thousand-jeweled golden lotus flower to the leading Bodhisattva and instructed:
“Take this flower to Śākyamuni Buddha and convey all my words: ‘I respectfully inquire whether You have few illnesses and few troubles, whether Your movements are light and easy, Your strength harmonious, and whether You are peaceful and joyful? Whether worldly affairs always proceed favorably and beings are easy to liberate?’ Then offer this lotus flower to the World-Honored One for the accomplishment of Buddha activities. When you arrive at that world of Endurance, you must maintain right understanding. Upon seeing that Buddha realm and those Bodhisattvas, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because the majesty and virtue of those Bodhisattvas are difficult to compare; urged by their great vows to liberate beings, they were born in that realm due to great causes and conditions.”
Each leading Bodhisattva accepted the flower, obeyed the command, and together with immeasurable and innumerable Bodhisattvas, boys and girls, took leave of the Buddha. Carrying offerings, they began their journey. In each Buddha realm they passed through, they made offerings to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas there, never neglecting any.
When they arrived before Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, then presented the flowers and reported everything. After Śākyamuni Buddha accepted the flowers, He scattered them back toward the southeast. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, the flowers fell throughout all the Buddha realms in that direction. Within the flower pedestals there were transformation Buddhas expounding the Great Perfection of Wisdom Pāramitā to Bodhisattvas, causing those who heard it to certainly attain the supreme state of Enlightenment.
The leading Bodhisattvas and their companions, 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. Afterward, they withdrew and sat to one side.
At that time, in the furthest world among countless worlds in the southwest direction, called Dust-Free Gathering, there was a Buddha named Sun-Wheel Universal Radiant Supreme Virtue Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Worthy One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He was abiding there, teaching the Great Perfection of Wisdom Pāramitā to the Great Bodhisattvas. At that time, a Bodhisattva named Sun Radiant Light saw that great radiance, the trembling of the earth, and the Buddha’s physical appearance, and became curious. He went before the Buddha, bowed his head at the Buddha’s feet, and said:
“World-Honored One, due to what causes and conditions have these auspicious signs appeared?”
Sun-Wheel Universal Radiant Supreme Virtue Buddha said to the Great Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light:
“Good son, to the northeast of this realm, after passing through innumerable worlds, there is a furthest world called Endurance. The Buddha there is named Śākyamuni Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Worthy One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He is presently abiding there and is about to teach the Great Perfection of Wisdom Pāramitā to the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Through that Buddha’s miraculous power, these auspicious signs have appeared.”
When Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light heard the Buddha’s words, he became immensely joyful and again addressed the Buddha:
“World-Honored One, I now wish to go to that world of Endurance to behold, pay homage to, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Tathāgata and the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas, those who have attained thorough understanding of the Dhāraṇī gateways, Samādhi gateways, unhindered supernatural powers, and who in their final existence will inherit the Buddha position. I humbly request Your compassion and permission!”
Sun-Wheel Universal Radiant Supreme Virtue Buddha said to Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light:
“Excellent, excellent! Now is the right time. Go forth.”
Having said this, the Buddha took a thousand golden lotus stems. The flowers had a thousand petals and were adorned with various jewels. He gave them to Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light and instructed:
“Carry these flowers to Śākyamuni Buddha and, as I have instructed, say: ‘Sun-Wheel Universal Radiant Supreme Virtue Tathāgata respectfully inquires whether You have few illnesses and few troubles, whether Your movements are light and easy, Your strength harmonious, and whether You are peaceful and joyful? Whether worldly affairs always proceed favorably and beings are easy to liberate?’ Then offer these lotus flowers to the World-Honored One for the accomplishment of Buddha activities. When you arrive at that world of Endurance, you must maintain right understanding. Upon seeing that Buddha realm and its great assembly, do not give rise to contempt and thereby harm yourself. Why is this so? Because the majesty and virtue of those Bodhisattvas are difficult to compare; urged by their great vows to liberate beings, they were born in that realm due to great causes and conditions.”
At that time, Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light accepted the flowers and obeyed the command. Together with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of innumerable Great Bodhisattvas, monastics and householders, as well as countless hundreds of thousands of boys and girls, he bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated to the right, and departed. Each carried immeasurable varieties of fragrant flowers, banners, jeweled canopies, garments, precious ornaments, and other offerings, and they set out. Having passed through countless Buddha realms in the southwest direction, whenever they arrived at a Buddha realm, they respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised [the Buddhas], never neglecting any.
When they arrived before Śākyamuni Buddha, all respectfully bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated hundreds of thousands of times, and then withdrew to stand to one side. Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light stepped forward and addressed the Buddha:
“World-Honored One, to the southwest of this realm, after passing through innumerable worlds, there is a furthest world called Dust-Free Gathering. The Buddha there is named Sun-Wheel Universal Radiant Supreme Virtue Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Worthy One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavān. He respectfully inquires whether the World-Honored One has few illnesses and few troubles, whether Your movements are light and easy, Your strength harmonious, and whether You are peaceful and joyful? Whether worldly affairs always proceed favorably and beings are easy to liberate?”
After Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light finished speaking, he held the thousand golden lotus flowers and offered them to the World-Honored One for the accomplishment of Buddha activities.
At this time, Śākyamuni Buddha accepted those lotus flowers and scattered them back toward the countless Buddha worlds in the southwest direction. Through the Buddha’s miraculous power, the flowers fell throughout all the Buddha realms in that direction. Within those flower pedestals there were transformation Buddhas seated in the lotus posture, expounding teachings corresponding to the Great Perfection of Wisdom Pāramitā to Bodhisattvas; if any sentient beings heard this wondrous Dharma, they would attain the supreme state of Enlightenment.
At that time, Bodhisattva Sun Radiant Light and those accompanying him, having seen this event, were extremely joyful and praised it as unprecedented. Each, according to their roots of virtue and the amount of offerings they had, respectfully made offerings, honored, and praised the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Afterward, they withdrew and sat to one side.
At that time, throughout the Buddha realms in this three-thousandfold great world system, all kinds of precious treasures were abundant; countless varieties of exquisite flowers were scattered everywhere upon the ground; jeweled banners, jeweled streamers, and precious canopies were displayed in every place; rows upon rows of flowering trees, fruit trees, fragrant trees, and jeweled trees were interwoven, adorning and enhancing the majesty and solemnity throughout, making it exceedingly delightful. Like the Pure Land realm of the Tathāgata Universal Flower, with its many lotus flowers, the Bodhisattva Wondrous Auspiciousness, the Bodhisattva Well-Abiding Wisdom, together with countless great Bodhisattvas possessing great dignity, virtues, and spiritual powers, all dwelt within that realm.