大方廣佛華嚴經

III. LIBERATION GATES OF THE DIVINE KINGS

King Dhritarashtra of the gandharvas attained the liberation gate of sovereign skillful means that gathers in all sentient beings.

Gandharva King Tree Light attained the liberation gate of universally beholding all meritorious adornments.

Gandharva King Pure Eyes attained the liberation gate of forever ending the sorrow and suffering of all sentient beings and causing them to give rise to joy.

Gandharva King Flower Crown attained the liberation gate of forever ending the erroneous views and delusions of all sentient beings.

Gandharva King Joyful Step Universal Sound attained the liberation gate of universally sheltering and nourishing all sentient beings like clouds providing cool shade.

Gandharva King Delighting in Movement Beautiful Eyes attained the liberation gate of manifesting a vast and beautiful body that brings peace and happiness to all.

Gandharva King Wondrous Sound Lion Banner attained the liberation gate of spreading a great and excellent renown throughout the ten directions.

Gandharva King Universally Emitting Jewel Light attained the liberation gate of manifesting all pure, luminous bodies of great joy.

Gandharva King Vajra Tree Flower Banner attained the liberation gate of universally nourishing all trees and making them luxuriant, bringing joy to those who see them.

Gandharva King Universally Manifest Adornment attained the liberation gate of skillfully entering all realms of the Buddhas and bestowing peace and happiness upon sentient beings.

At that time, Gandharva King Dhritarashtra, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of gandharvas and spoke these verses:

The lands of the ten directions are vast and boundless;
The Buddha’s light of wisdom shines upon them all,
Eliminating every evil and erroneous attachment—
Flower Crown attained this liberation gate.

Throughout measureless kalpas in the distant past,
The Buddha cultivated great loving-kindness and skillful practices,
Bringing peace and joy to every world—
Divine King Universal Sound can awaken and enter herein.

The Buddha’s pure body delights all who behold it
And can engender measureless joy throughout the world.
The causes and fruits of liberation are accomplished in sequence—
Movement Beautiful Eyes skillfully reveals this.

Deluded beings continually revolve in transmigration,
Closely and firmly obstructed by ignorance.
For their sake, the Tathagata teaches the wondrous Dharma—
King Lion Banner is able to proclaim it.

The Tathagata universally manifests wondrously formed bodies,
With measureless distinctions throughout the realms of beings.
With many kinds of skillful means he illuminates the world—
Universal Emission of Jewel Light sees it thus.

Great wisdom possesses measureless gates of skillful means;
The Buddha expounds them for sentient beings,
Causing them to enter the true practice of great bodhi—
King Vajra Banner skillfully contemplates this.

Within a single instant, hundreds of thousands of kalpas
Are manifested by the Buddha’s power without movement.
He universally bestows peace and happiness upon all beings—
This is Universal Manifest Adornment’s liberation gate.

Kumbhanda King Increase attained the liberation gate of eliminating all enmity.

Kumbhanda King Dragon Lord attained the liberation gate of cultivating boundless meritorious practices.

Kumbhanda King Adorned Banner attained the liberation gate of knowing all the inclinations and delights of sentient beings.

Kumbhanda King Beneficial Conduct attained the liberation gate of universally perfecting pure and luminous meritorious practices.

Kumbhanda King Fearsome attained the liberation gate of revealing the secure and fearless path to all sentient beings.

Kumbhanda King Wondrous Adornment attained the liberation gate of eliminating the sea of sensual craving of all sentient beings.

Kumbhanda King Lofty Peak Wisdom attained the liberation gate of universally manifesting radiant clouds that shelter all beings.

Kumbhanda King Valiant Arms attained the liberation gate of universally emitting light that removes obstructions as heavy as mountains.

Kumbhanda King Boundless Pure Flower Eyes attained the liberation gate of revealing the irreversible mind of great compassion.

Kumbhanda King Vast Face attained the liberation gate of manifesting bodies that circulate among the various classes of beings.

At that time, Kumbhanda King Increase, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of kumbhandas and spoke these verses:

The World’s Guiding Teacher perfected the power of patience,
Cultivating it for beings through measureless kalpas.
Forever free from arrogance and delusion,
The Buddha’s body is therefore supremely pure and adorned.

Since ancient times the Buddha has cultivated practice,
Teaching measureless beings throughout the ten directions.
With various skillful means he benefits all creatures—
Dragon Lord attained this liberation gate.

The Buddha uses great wisdom to rescue sentient beings,
Clearly seeing and knowing their minds.
With sovereign skillful means he guides them well—
King Adorned Banner beholds this and rejoices.

Spiritual transformations appear like reflections and echoes;
The Dharma wheel, like empty space, is eternally true.
He dwells in the world for countless kalpas—
King Beneficial Conduct has realized this.

Sentient beings are blind, their minds perpetually dark;
The Buddha’s light reveals the secure path.
He protects all creatures and removes their suffering—
King Fearsome has contemplated and seen this.

Drowning in the sea of desire, beings undergo every suffering;
The light of wisdom shines everywhere and destroys them all.
When suffering is removed, he teaches the wondrous Dharma—
King Wondrous Adornment has awakened to this.

The Buddha’s body responds universally and is seen by all;
Through many gates of skillful means he liberates sentient beings.
His voice, like thunder, showers down the rain of Dharma—
King Lofty Peak Wisdom has realized and entered this.

Wishing to bring peace and happiness to sentient beings,
The Buddha cultivated great compassion through measureless kalpas.
With skillful means he removes every affliction—
Boundless Pure Flower has clearly seen this.

His sovereign spiritual powers are inconceivable;
The Buddha’s body appears throughout the lands of the ten directions,
Yet remains unmoving, neither coming nor going—
King Vast Face has clearly understood this.

Dragon King Virupaksha attained the liberation gate of eliminating all the sufferings and afflictions of the dragon kind.

Dragon King Sagara attained the liberation gate of transforming his dragon form in a single thought and manifesting measureless bodies of sentient beings.

Dragon King Cloud Sound Banner attained the liberation gate of using a pure voice among all classes of beings to proclaim the boundless names of the Buddhas.

Dragon King Flaming Mouth attained the liberation gate of universally manifesting the diverse establishments of boundless worlds.

Dragon King Flaming Eyes attained the liberation gate of the Tathagata’s loving-kindness eliminating the anger and delusion of all sentient beings.

Dragon King Cloud Banner attained the liberation gate of revealing great merit, joy, and happiness to all sentient beings.

Dragon King Takshaka attained the liberation gate of using a pure voice to rescue and protect beings and eliminate every fear.

Dragon King Boundless Steps attained the liberation gate of revealing all the Buddha’s physical bodies and the successive abiding kalpas.

Dragon King Pure Form Swift attained the liberation gate of engendering great delight and joy in all sentient beings.

Dragon King Universal Conduct Great Sound attained the liberation gate of revealing all unobstructed, impartial, and pleasing sounds.

Dragon King Free from Affliction attained the liberation gate of covering all with clouds of great compassion and ending the suffering of every world.

At that time, Dragon King Virupaksha, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of dragons and spoke these verses:

Contemplate the Tathagata’s true and eternal Dharma,
Which benefits all sentient beings.
With great loving-kindness he always has compassion,
Rescuing those who drown in fear and suffering.

All sentient beings differ from one another,
Yet one pore of the Buddha can manifest them all.
His spiritual transformations pervade the world—
Dragon King Sagara has contemplated and seen this.

The Buddha employs limitless spiritual powers
And widely proclaims his names among sentient beings.
Each hears according to what the heart delights in—
Dragon King Cloud Sound has awakened to this.

All sentient beings harbor anger;
Bound by ignorance, they sink in the sea of suffering.
The Tathagata compassionately eliminates it all—
Dragon King Flaming Eyes has contemplated and seen this.

The pores of the Buddha’s body emit the light of wisdom;
Everywhere that wisdom-light proclaims the wondrous Dharma.
Sentient beings who hear it are freed from fear and anxiety—
Dragon King Takshaka has awakened to this.

All Tathagatas of the three periods,
Their adorned lands and successive kalpas,
Are all manifested in this way upon the Buddha’s body—
Dragon King Boundless Steps sees and knows this.

In his practices long ago, the Tathagata
Made offerings to all the measureless Buddhas.
Having made offerings, his joy continually increased—
Dragon King Swift has realized and entered this.

The Buddha’s voice accords with every kind of being,
Teaching them Dharma so that they attain joy.
The Buddha’s refined voice delights every heart—
Dragon King Great Sound has awakened to this.

Sentient beings are oppressed throughout the realms,
Drowned by karma and delusion, with no one to save them.
Through great compassion the Buddha enables their escape—
Dragon King Free from Affliction has realized this.

Yaksha King Vaishravana attained the liberation gate of using boundless skillful means to rescue evil beings from suffering.

Yaksha King Sovereign Sound attained the liberation gate of universally contemplating sentient beings and rescuing and protecting them through skillful means.

Yaksha King Adorned Holder of Weapons attained the liberation gate of being able to benefit even the most evil sentient beings.

Yaksha King Great Wisdom attained the liberation gate of extolling the merit of all sages. Yaksha King Flaming-Eyed Lord attained the liberation gate of universally contemplating all sentient beings with great compassionate wisdom.

Yaksha King Vajra Eyes attained the liberation gate of benefiting and bringing peace and happiness to all sentient beings through various skillful means.

Yaksha King Valiant Arms attained the liberation gate of universally entering the principles of all dharmas.

Yaksha King Valiant Enemy of Great Armies attained the liberation gate of protecting all sentient beings and causing them all to abide on the right path.

Yaksha King Abundant Wealth attained the liberation gate of increasing the merit of all sentient beings so that they continually experience delight.

Yaksha King Power to Destroy Lofty Mountains attained the liberation gate of producing the light of the Buddha’s wisdom-power in accord with recollection.

At that time, Great Yaksha King Vaishravana, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of yakshas and spoke these verses:

The evil deeds of sentient beings are exceedingly grave;
For hundreds of thousands of kalpas they do not see the Buddha.
Drowning in birth and death, they undergo much suffering;
To rescue sentient beings, the Buddha appears in the world.

The Tathagata rescues and protects all worlds,
Appearing before every sentient being.
He ends the suffering of transmigration and every fear—
King Sovereign Sound has awakened and entered herein.

Sentient beings create evil karma and have many obstructions;
The Buddha teaches the wondrous principle so they may understand,
Like a bright lamp illuminating the world—
Yaksha King Adorned Holder has seen this.

Throughout many kalpas in the past, the Buddha cultivated practice,
Praising all Buddhas throughout the ten directions.
Therefore his great renown reaches high and far—
King Great Wisdom clearly knows this.

His wisdom, like empty space, is measureless and boundless;
His vast Dharma body is inconceivable.
Therefore he manifests bodies throughout the ten directions—
King Flaming-Eyed Lord has contemplated and seen this.

Among all classes of beings he proclaims wondrous sounds,
Teaching Dharma to benefit measureless multitudes.
Wherever the Buddha’s voice reaches, suffering is removed—
King Vajra Eyes attained this skillful means.

Measureless sentient beings cling to erroneous paths;
The Buddha teaches the inconceivable right path,
Causing all throughout the world to become vessels of Dharma—
King Valiant Enemy of Armies clearly knows this.

Whatever meritorious karma exists in the world
All arises through illumination by the Buddha’s light.
The Buddha’s vast wisdom is difficult to fathom—
Yaksha King Abundant Wealth attained this liberation.

He recollects the innumerable kalpas of the past,
When the Buddha long cultivated the ten powers,
And could cause every wisdom-power to become perfect—
Power to Destroy Lofty Mountains clearly knows this.

Mahoraga King Good Wisdom attained the liberation gate of using every spiritual power and skillful means to cause sentient beings to accumulate merit.

King Pure Awesome Sound attained the liberation gate of causing all sentient beings to eliminate afflictions and attain coolness and joy.

King Victorious Wisdom Adorned Topknot attained the liberation gate of causing all wholesome and unwholesome thoughts of sentient beings to enter the pure Dharma.

King Lord of Wondrous Eyes attained the liberation gate of thoroughly understanding all signs of merit, sovereign, impartial, and unattached.

King Lamp Banner attained the liberation gate of revealing the way out of darkness and fear to all sentient beings.

King Banner of Supreme Light attained the liberation gate of clearly knowing all the Buddha’s merits and giving rise to joy.

King Lion’s Breast attained the liberation gate of becoming a lord who rescues and protects sentient beings through valiant strength.

King Sound of Manifold Wondrous Adornments attained the liberation gate of causing sentient beings to give rise to boundless joy according to their thoughts.

King Sumeru’s Breast attained the liberation gate of remaining resolute and unmoving amid all objective conditions and fully reaching the other shore.

King Delightful Light attained the liberation gate of impartially revealing the impartial path to all sentient beings.

At that time, Mahoraga King Good Wisdom, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of mahoragas and spoke these verses:

Behold the purity of the Tathagata’s nature,
Universally manifesting awesome light to benefit all beings.
He opens the path of amrita and brings them coolness;
Their sufferings are forever ended without remainder.

All sentient beings dwell in the sea of suffering,
Bound by their own evil karma and delusions.
He teaches them the Dharma of tranquil cessation—
King Pure Awesome Sound understands this well.

Measureless Buddhas appear in the world
To serve universally as fields of merit for sentient beings.
Their vast ocean of merit is exceedingly difficult to measure—
Lord of Wondrous Eyes sees it all.

Sentient beings perpetually dwell in a sea of fear;
The Buddha appears before them everywhere to rescue and protect them.
He pervades the Dharma realm and empty space—
King Lamp Banner has seen this.

In distant kalpas long ago, the Buddha
Cultivated a vast ocean of joy, profound and endless.
Therefore all who see him delight in him—
King Sound of Adornments has realized and entered this.

He clearly knows the Dharma realm to be formless
And has perfected the ocean of paramitas.
His great light universally saves sentient beings—
King Sumeru’s Breast has awakened to this.

Behold the Tathagata’s sovereign power,
Manifested equally throughout the ten directions,
Shining upon sentient beings and awakening them—
King Delightful Light has realized this well.

Kinnara King Good Wisdom Heavenly Light attained the liberation gate of universally engendering all joyful practices.

Kinnara King Wondrous Flower Banner attained the liberation gate of engendering unsurpassed Dharma joy and bringing peace and happiness to all.

King Manifold Adornments attained the liberation gate of complete merit and vast, pure faith and understanding.

King Delightful Roaring Sound attained the liberation gate of continually uttering every delightful sound so that those who hear are freed from sorrow and fear.

King Jewel Tree Light attained the liberation gate of establishing all sentient beings through great compassion so that they awaken to the objects of cognition.

King Universally Delightful to Behold attained the liberation gate of revealing all wondrously formed bodies.

King Adornment of Supreme Light attained the liberation gate of clearly knowing all supremely adorned fruits born from afflicted karma.

King Subtle Wondrous Flower Banner attained the liberation gate of skillfully contemplating all worldly karma and the resulting retributions it produces.

King Power to Move the Earth attained the liberation gate of continually initiating every activity that benefits sentient beings.

King Awesome and Valiant Lord attained the liberation gate of skillfully knowing and subduing the thoughts of all kinnaras.

At that time, King Good Wisdom Light, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of kinnaras and spoke these verses:

All peace and happiness in the world
Arise entirely because the Buddha appears.
The Guiding Teacher benefits all sentient beings,
Universally serving as their refuge and protector.

He produces every kind of joy,
Which the whole world receives without end.
He can ensure that none who see him do so in vain—
King Wondrous Flower Banner has awakened to this.

The Tathagata’s great voice continually proclaims everywhere,
Revealing the true Dharma that frees beings from sorrow.
Sentient beings who hear it all delight and rejoice—
Delightful Roaring Sound can faithfully accept it.

I contemplate the Tathagata’s sovereign power,
All arising from his diligent cultivation of the path in the past.
With great compassion he rescues beings and makes them pure—
Jewel Tree Light can awaken and enter herein.

The Tathagata is difficult to see or hear;
Only after kotis of kalpas do sentient beings encounter him.
He is adorned with the fullness of marks and characteristics—
King Universally Delightful to Behold has seen this.

The vast ocean of karma is inconceivable;
All the suffering and happiness of beings arise from it.
He can reveal all such matters—
Subtle Wondrous Flower Banner has contemplated and seen this.

The spiritual powers of the Buddhas never cease;
They constantly cause the great earth of the ten directions to quake,
Yet no sentient being is aware of it—
King Power to Move the Earth always sees this clearly.

Garuda King Great Swift Power attained the liberation gate of universally contemplating the realm of sentient beings with unobstructed and unattached vision.

King Indestructible Jewel Topknot attained the liberation gate of universally abiding throughout the Dharma realm and teaching sentient beings.

King Pure Swiftness attained the liberation gate of universally perfecting the power of the paramita of vigor.

King Adornment of the Irreversible Mind attained the liberation gate of entering the Tathagata’s realm through valiant power.

King Power Sustaining the Great Ocean Abode attained the liberation gate of entering the vast ocean of the Buddha’s wisdom and practices.

King Firm Dharma Pure Light attained the liberation gate of perfecting boundless wisdom concerning the differences among sentient beings.

King Wondrously Adorned Crown attained the liberation gate of adorning the citadel of the Buddhadharma.

King Universally Swift Manifestation attained the liberation gate of perfecting impartial and indestructible power.

King Universal Ocean Contemplation attained the liberation gate of clearly knowing all bodies of sentient beings and manifesting forms for their sake.

King Dragon Sound Great-Eyed Star attained the liberation gate of wisdom and practice that universally enter the birth and death of all sentient beings.

At that time, King Great Swift Power, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, contemplated the entire assembly of garudas and spoke these verses:

The Buddha’s vast eye is without boundary;
It sees all lands throughout the ten directions
And the incalculable sentient beings within them,
Manifesting great spiritual powers to subdue them all.

The Buddha’s spiritual power is unobstructed;
He sits beneath bodhi trees throughout the ten directions.
His teaching, like clouds, fills everywhere—
Jewel Topknot listens attentively with faithful accord.

Long ago, the Buddha cultivated all practices with mastery,
Universally purifying the vast paramitas,
And made offerings to all the Tathagatas—
Pure Swiftness deeply believes and understands this.

Within each pore, the Tathagata
In a single thought universally manifests boundless practices.
The Tathagata’s realm is exceedingly difficult to conceive—
Irreversible Adornment sees it all clearly.

The Tathagata’s measureless light of wisdom
Can sever sentient beings’ nets of doubt and delusion,
Rescuing and protecting all worlds—
Firm Dharma Pure Light can receive and retain this.

The vast citadel of Dharma can never be exhausted;
Its various Dharma gates are measureless in number.
Appearing in the world, the Buddha reveals them widely—
Wondrously Adorned Crown has understood this.

All Buddhas share a single Dharma body;
True suchness is impartial and without discrimination.
Through this power, the Buddha constantly abides—
Universal Swift Manifestation fully expounds this.

The Buddha gathers in sentient beings in every land;
His light universally illuminates the worlds.
He manifests various skillful means to subdue them—
King Universal Ocean Contemplation has awakened to this.

The Buddha beholds all lands
As established in dependence upon the ocean of karma.
Within them he universally showers the rain of Dharma—
King Dragon Sound Star attained this liberation.

Asura King Rahu attained the liberation gate of appearing as the supreme and honored lord amid the great assembly.

King Vemachitra attained the liberation gate of revealing measureless kalpas.

King Skillful Illusions attained the liberation gate of eliminating the suffering of all sentient beings and making them pure.

King Great Retinue attained the liberation gate of cultivating all ascetic practices as self-adornment.

King Bali attained the liberation gate of causing the boundless realms of the ten directions to quake.

King Universal Illumination attained the liberation gate of establishing all sentient beings through various skillful means.

King Wondrous Adornment of Steadfast Practice attained the liberation gate of universally gathering roots of goodness, purifying all attachments, and remaining indestructible.

King Vast Benevolent Wisdom attained the liberation gate of the unerring power of great compassion.

King Manifesting Supreme Virtue attained the liberation gate of universally causing beings to see the Buddha, reverently serve and make offerings to him, and attain mastery of roots of goodness.

King Good Sound attained the liberation gate of resolute and impartial meritorious practice that universally enters all classes of beings.

At that time, King Rahu, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of asuras and spoke these verses:

Among all the vast assemblies of the ten directions,
The Buddha is the most extraordinary of all.
His light shines everywhere, like empty space;
He universally appears before all sentient beings.

The lands of hundreds of thousands of myriads of kalpas
Are all clearly manifested within a single instant.
He emits light to liberate beings equally everywhere—
Vemachitra joyfully praises him.

No one equals the realm of the Tathagata;
Its various Dharma gates constantly bring benefit.
Whatever sufferings sentient beings have are all removed—
King Skillful Illusions has seen this.

Throughout measureless kalpas he freely practiced austerities
To benefit and purify sentient beings.
Through this the Buddha’s wisdom was perfectly fulfilled—
King Great Retinue has clearly seen this.

His great spiritual powers are unobstructed and unequaled;
He universally moves all lands throughout the ten directions
Without causing sentient beings to become frightened—
Great Power has clearly understood this.

The Buddha appears in the world to rescue sentient beings,
Revealing to all the path of omniscience,
Causing them to abandon suffering and attain peace and joy—
Universal Illumination widely elucidates this meaning.

Every ocean of merit in the world
Is produced and purified through the Buddha’s power.
The Buddha can reveal the path of liberation—
Steadfast Adornment has realized and entered herein.

The Buddha’s body of great compassion is unequaled;
It travels everywhere unobstructed and is seen by all,
Appearing in the world like reflections—
Benevolent Wisdom can proclaim the Buddha’s merit.

The Tathagata formerly cultivated meritorious practices,
Passing universally through every class of being,
Freeing all sentient beings from suffering without remainder—
Good Sound praises the Buddha’s merit.

IV. LIBERATION GATES OF THE PRESIDING DEITIES

Presiding Deity of Dwelling Places Manifesting Palaces attained the liberation gate of universally entering all worlds. Deity Dharma-Arising Wisdom Fragrance attained the liberation gate of universally contemplating all sentient beings and causing them to be fully benefited and delighted. Deity Delighting in Supreme Adornment attained the liberation gate of emitting boundless, delightful Dharma light.

Deity Flower Fragrance Wondrous Light attained the liberation gate of opening and developing the pure faith and understanding of all sentient beings. Deity Universally Gathering Wondrous Medicines attained the liberation gate of accumulating adornments of vast, universal meritorious power and light. Deity Delighting in Creating Joyful Eyes attained the liberation gate of universally awakening all sentient beings and causing those in suffering or happiness alike to attain the bliss of Dharma.

Deity Contemplating the Directions Universal Manifestation attained the liberation gate of differentiated bodies throughout the Dharma realm of the ten directions. Deity Great Compassion Awesome Power attained the liberation gate of rescuing and protecting all sentient beings and bringing them peace and happiness. Deity Light of Roots of Goodness attained the liberation gate of universally engendering complete joy through the power of merit.

Deity Wondrous Flower Necklace attained the liberation gate of renown spreading everywhere and of all sentient beings who see the Buddha receiving benefit.

At that time, Deity Manifesting Palaces, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of presiding deities of dwelling places and spoke these verses:

The Buddha’s wisdom, like empty space, is inexhaustible;
Its light shines throughout the ten directions.
He thoroughly knows the mental activities of sentient beings
And reaches every place in the world.

Knowing the inclinations of sentient beings’ minds,
He teaches measureless Dharmas according to their capacities.
The vast phrases and meanings are each distinct—
Dharma-Arising Wisdom Fragrance sees this clearly.

The Buddha emits light that illuminates the world;
Those who see or hear rejoice and do not encounter him in vain.
He reveals the vast profundity of tranquil cessation—
Delighting in Supreme Adornment has awakened to this.

The Buddha showers boundless rain of Dharma
And can cause all who see him to rejoice.
The most excellent roots of goodness arise from this—
Flower Fragrance Wondrous Light clearly knows it.

Universally entering Dharma gates through the power of awakening,
He cultivated them for many kalpas until all were pure—
Universally Gathering Wondrous Medicines can penetrate this.

With many gates of skillful means he transforms all beings;
Whether seeing or hearing, all receive benefit.
He causes them all to exult with utmost joy—
Delighting in Creating Joyful Eyes sees it thus.

The ten powers responsively appear throughout the world,
Leaving nothing in the Dharma realm of the ten directions untouched.
Their essential nature is neither existent nor nonexistent—
Contemplating the Directions Universal Manifestation can realize and enter this.

Sentient beings revolve amid dangers and hardships;
The Tathagata appears in the world out of compassion.
He eliminates every suffering and affliction—
This is Great Compassion Awesome Power’s liberation gate.

Sentient beings drown in the long night;
The Buddha teaches Dharma so that they understand,
Causing them all to attain joy and remove sorrow and suffering—
Light of Roots of Goodness awakens and enters this gate.

The Tathagata’s merit equals empty space;
From it the world’s blessings arise and flourish.
The Buddha’s deeds are never in vain—
Wondrous Flower Necklace attained this liberation.

Night-Presiding Deity Universal Virtue Pure Light attained the liberation gate of the great valiant bliss of tranquil meditative concentration. Deity Joyful Faculties Contemplating the World attained the liberation gate of the vast, pure, delightful marks of merit. Deity Protecting the World’s Vital Energy attained the liberation gate of appearing throughout the world to subdue sentient beings.

Deity Tranquil Ocean Sound attained the liberation gate of accumulating vast joy. Deity Universally Manifesting Auspiciousness attained the liberation gate of vast mastery of delightful speech and sounds. Deity Universally Producing Tree Flowers attained the liberation gate of a vast treasury of light replete with joy.

Deity Impartial Protection and Nurturing attained the liberation gate of awakening sentient beings and bringing their roots of goodness to maturity. Deity Roaming in Delight attained the liberation gate of rescuing and protecting sentient beings with boundless loving-kindness. Deity Constant Joy of All Faculties attained the liberation gate of universally manifesting adornments through great compassion.

Deity Manifesting Pure Blessings attained the liberation gate of universally fulfilling the inclinations of all sentient beings.

At that time, Deity Universal Virtue Pure Light, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of night-presiding deities and spoke these verses:

You should contemplate the Buddha’s meritorious practices:
Vast and tranquil, bearing the character of empty space,
They purify the boundless sea of desire
And illuminate the ten directions with majestic purity.

All throughout the world delight in seeing him,
Yet encounter him only once in measureless kotis of kalpas.
His great compassion extends universally to all beings—
Joyful Faculties Contemplating the World has seen this.

The Guiding Teacher rescues and protects all worlds;
Sentient beings see the Buddha appear before them.
He causes all classes of beings to become pure—
Protecting the World’s Vital Energy clearly knows this.

The Tathagata’s realm cannot be measured;
He proclaims throughout the ten directions while ever tranquil,
Causing the minds of sentient beings everywhere to become pure—
Universally Manifesting Auspiciousness hears with delight.

Amid the assembly of sentient beings devoid of blessings,
The Buddha, adorned with great blessings, shines brightly.
He reveals the Dharma of tranquil cessation, free from defilement and dust—
Universally Producing Tree Flowers has awakened to this.

He universally manifests great spiritual powers in the ten directions
And subdues all sentient beings,
Causing them to behold various forms and characteristics—
Impartial Protection and Nurturing has contemplated this.

In every thought throughout the distant past,
The Tathagata’s loving-kindness, compassion, and skillful means were pure.
His rescue and protection of sentient beings extended everywhere—
This is Roaming in Delight’s liberation gate.

Sentient beings are ignorant and perpetually confused;
Their minds are hardened and cruel, exceedingly fearsome.
The Tathagata appears in the world out of compassion—
Constant Joy of All Faculties has awakened to this.

In the past the Buddha cultivated practice for sentient beings,
Fulfilling all their aspirations.
Therefore his virtuous characteristics were perfected—
Manifesting Pure Blessings has realized and entered this.

Direction-Presiding Deity Pervading All Places attained the liberation gate of the power to rescue and protect universally. Deity Universally Manifesting Light attained the liberation gate of perfecting the power of spiritual abilities to universally transform all sentient beings. Deity Light-Practice Adornment attained the liberation gate of great light that destroys all obstructions and engenders joy.

Deity Circulating Everywhere Unobstructed attained the liberation gate of appearing everywhere without fruitless effort. Deity Forever Ending Delusion attained the liberation gate of revealing names that produce merits equal in number to all sentient beings. Deity Roaming Everywhere in Pure Space attained the liberation gate of continually producing wondrous sounds that cause all who hear them to rejoice.

Deity Cloud Banner Great Sound attained the liberation gate of universally showering rain like a dragon and causing sentient beings to rejoice. Deity Topknot Eyes Unconfused attained the liberation gate of sovereign, undifferentiated power that reveals the karmic practices of all sentient beings. Deity Universal Worldly Karma attained the liberation gate of contemplating the various karmic practices born within all destinies.

Deity Roaming Everywhere attained the liberation gate of bringing all deeds to completion and engendering joy in all sentient beings.

At that time, Deity Pervading All Places, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of direction-presiding deities and spoke these verses:

His measureless spiritual powers extend throughout the realm of beings;
He manifests forms according to their inclinations.
All who see him are freed from suffering and sorrow—
This is Universally Manifesting Light’s liberation gate.

Within sentient beings’ dark sea of delusion,
The Buddha manifests an exceedingly brilliant Dharma torch.
Its radiance shines everywhere and is seen by all—
Light-Practice Adornment attained mastery herein.

Replete with all the sounds of the world,
He universally turns the Dharma wheel so everyone understands.
Sentient beings who hear the Dharma eliminate their afflictions—
Circulating Everywhere Unobstructed has awakened to this.

All names and designations in the world
Equal in number the august names of the Buddha.
They cause all sentient beings to leave delusion—
Forever Ending Delusion contemplates and knows this.

In each and every instant, the Buddha
Universally showers boundless, great rain of Dharma,
Causing all sentient beings to eliminate afflictions—
Cloud Banner Great Sound clearly knows this.

All the oceans of karma throughout the world
Were revealed by the Buddha in the past as equal and undifferentiated.
He universally causes sentient beings to eliminate karma and delusion—
Topknot Eyes Unconfused has penetrated this.

The ground of omniscience is originally boundless;
All the thoughts in the minds of sentient beings
The Tathagata illuminates and sees with perfect clarity—
Universal Contemplation of Worldly Karma enters this vast gate.

For many kalpas in the past, the Buddha cultivated meritorious practices
And perfected measureless gates of paramitas.
With great compassion he benefits sentient beings—
Roaming Everywhere attained this liberation.

Space-Presiding Deity Pure Light Universal Illumination attained the liberation gate of universally knowing the minds of all sentient beings in every class of existence. Deity Universal Roaming Profound Vastness attained the liberation gate of universally entering the Dharma realm. Deity Producing Auspicious Wind attained the liberation gate of thoroughly comprehending the boundless realms of bodily characteristics.

Deity Free from Obstructions Peaceful Abiding attained the liberation gate of eliminating the karmic, delusive obstructions of all sentient beings. Deity Vast Steps Wondrous Topknot attained the liberation gate of universally contemplating and pondering the vast ocean of meritorious practices. Deity Unobstructed Blazing Light attained the liberation gate of universally rescuing and protecting all sentient beings from calamities with the light of great compassion.

Deity Unobstructed Supreme Power attained the liberation gate of universally entering all powers of merit without attachment. Deity Stainless Light attained the liberation gate of enabling the minds of all sentient beings to leave covering obstructions and become pure. Deity Profound and Far-Reaching Wondrous Sound attained the liberation gate of the light of wisdom that sees throughout the ten directions.

Deity Light Pervading the Ten Directions attained the liberation gate of remaining unmoved from the original place while appearing throughout the world.

At that time, Deity Pure Light Universal Illumination, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of space-presiding deities and spoke these verses:

Wind-Presiding Deity Unobstructed Light attained the liberation gate of universally entering the Buddhadharma and all worlds. Deity Universally Manifest Valiant Deeds attained the liberation gate of making vast offerings to the Buddhas appearing throughout measureless lands. Deity Cloud-Banner Buffeting Wind attained the liberation gate of universally eliminating the illnesses of all sentient beings with fragrant wind.

Deity Pure Light Adornment attained the liberation gate of universally engendering roots of goodness in all sentient beings and causing them to eliminate mountains of heavy obstructions. Deity Power Able to Exhaust Waters attained the liberation gate of being able to destroy boundless hosts of evil maras. Deity Great Sound Universal Roar attained the liberation gate of forever ending the fears of all sentient beings.

Deity Tree Branches Hanging Topknot attained the liberation gate of an ocean of eloquence that enters the true character of all dharmas.

Deity Universal Conduct Unobstructed attained the liberation gate of temporarily employing skillful means to subdue all sentient beings. Deity Manifold Palaces attained the liberation gate of entering tranquil meditative concentration and eliminating extremely heavy ignorance. Deity Great Light Universal Illumination attained the liberation gate of acting unobstructedly in accord with all sentient beings.

At that time, Deity Unobstructed Light, relying upon the Buddha’s awesome power, universally contemplated the entire assembly of wind-presiding deities and spoke these verses:

All Buddhadharmas are exceedingly profound and vast;
Unobstructed skillful means can enter them universally.
The Buddha constantly appears throughout the world,
Without marks, form, or image.

Behold the Buddha in the distant past:
In a single thought he made offerings to measureless Buddhas.
Such was his valiant practice of bodhi—
Universally Manifest Valiant Deeds has awakened to this.

The Tathagata’s rescue of the world is inconceivable;
None of his skillful means is ever in vain.
He causes all sentient beings to leave suffering and sorrow—
This is Cloud-Banner Buffeting Wind’s liberation gate.

Sentient beings without blessings undergo pain and suffering;
Heavy obstructions and dense coverings continually conceal them.
He causes them all to attain complete liberation—
Tranquil Light Adornment clearly knows this.

The Tathagata’s vast spiritual powers
Subdue and eliminate every kind of mara obstruction.
Whatever skillful means are needed, he uses to gather them in and remove them—
Power Able to Exhaust Waters has contemplated and seen this.

Wisdom enters all the Tathagata’s gates of skillful means
And remains unobstructed within them.
His boundless realm has no equal—
Universal Conduct Unobstructed attained this liberation.

The Tathagata’s realm is without boundary;
Everywhere he causes beings to see it through skillful means,
Yet his body is tranquil, without marks or form—
Manifold Palaces has realized and entered this.

Throughout many kalpas the Tathagata cultivated meritorious practices
And perfected every power of wisdom.
In accord with worldly dharmas, he responds to sentient beings—
Great Light Universal Illumination has seen this.