大方廣佛華嚴經

30. CHAPTER THIRTY: ASAMKHYEYA

(Chinese Edition, First Section, Fascicle 45)

At that time, Mind King Bodhisattva said to the Buddha: “World-Honored One! The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, expound asamkhya, immeasurable, boundless, unequaled, innumerable, unreckonable, inconceivable, immeasurable, ineffable, and ineffably ineffable.

World-Honored One! What are asamkhya, and so forth, up to ineffably ineffable?”

The Buddha told Mind King Bodhisattva: “Excellent! Excellent! Good man! Wishing the worlds to enter into the meaning of the numerical measures known by the Buddha, you now question the Tathagata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.

Good man, listen attentively! Reflect well upon this, and the Buddha will explain it for you.”

Mind King Bodhisattva reverently accepted the teaching.

The Buddha said: “Good man! One hundred lakshas (1) make one koti. A koti multiplied by a koti makes one ayuta.

An ayuta multiplied by an ayuta makes one nayuta. A nayuta multiplied by a nayuta makes one bimbara. A bimbara multiplied by a bimbara makes one kankara.

A kankara multiplied by a kankara makes one agara. An agara multiplied by an agara makes one Most Excellent. Most Excellent multiplied by Most Excellent makes one mabala.

A mabala multiplied by a mabala makes one abala. An abala multiplied by an abala makes one dabala. A dabala multiplied by a dabala makes one Realm-Division.

Realm-Division multiplied by Realm-Division makes one puma. Puma multiplied by puma makes one nima. Nima multiplied by nima makes one abagam.

Abagam multiplied by abagam makes one meghava. Meghava multiplied by meghava makes one vilaga. Vilaga multiplied by vilaga makes one vigava.

Vigava multiplied by vigava makes one sankrama. Sankrama multiplied by sankrama makes one visala. Visala multiplied by visala makes one vijamba.

Vijamba multiplied by vijamba makes one visanga. Visanga multiplied by visanga makes one visuddha. Visuddha multiplied by visuddha makes one vivaha.

Vivaha multiplied by vivaha makes one vibhakti. Vibhakti multiplied by vibhakti makes one vikhadam. Vikhadam multiplied by vikhadam makes one Equal Measure.

Equal Measure multiplied by Equal Measure makes one Single Holding. Single Holding multiplied by Single Holding makes one Different Path. Different Path multiplied by Different Path makes one Inversion.

Inversion multiplied by Inversion makes one samaya. Samaya multiplied by samaya makes one vidura. Vidura multiplied by vidura makes one hebala.

Hebala multiplied by hebala makes one Subtle Compassion. Subtle Compassion multiplied by Subtle Compassion makes one Pervasive Extent. Pervasive Extent multiplied by Pervasive Extent makes one Lofty Emergence.

Lofty Emergence multiplied by Lofty Emergence makes one Most Sublime. Most Sublime multiplied by Most Sublime makes one nilava. Nilava multiplied by nilava makes one aliva.

Aliva multiplied by aliva makes one Single Movement. Single Movement multiplied by Single Movement makes one haribu. Haribu multiplied by haribu makes one harisam.

Harisam multiplied by harisam makes one heruca. Heruca multiplied by heruca makes one dharabuddha. Dharabuddha multiplied by dharabuddha makes one aruna.

Aruna multiplied by aruna makes one maruta. Maruta multiplied by maruta makes one sammata. Sammata multiplied by sammata makes one irata.

Irata multiplied by irata makes one maruma. Maruma multiplied by maruma makes one Subjugation. Subjugation multiplied by Subjugation makes one Freedom from Pride.

Freedom from Pride multiplied by Freedom from Pride makes one Immovable. Immovable multiplied by Immovable makes one Ultimate Measure. Ultimate Measure multiplied by Ultimate Measure makes one amatra.

Amatra multiplied by amatra makes one buddhamatra. Buddhamatra multiplied by buddhamatra makes one gamatra. Gamatra multiplied by gamatra makes one namatra.

Namatra multiplied by namatra makes one hematra. Hematra multiplied by hematra makes one vimatra. Vimatra multiplied by vimatra makes one pramatra.

Pramatra multiplied by pramatra makes one shivamatra. Shivamatra multiplied by shivamatra makes one ela. Ela multiplied by ela makes one shela.

Shela multiplied by shela makes one tela. Tela multiplied by tela makes one kela. Kela multiplied by kela makes one suybula.

Suybula multiplied by suybula makes one nila. Nila multiplied by nila makes one kila. Kila multiplied by kila makes one sila.

Sila multiplied by sila makes one vila. Vila multiplied by vila makes one mela. Mela multiplied by mela makes one salatu.

Salatu multiplied by salatu makes one merudha. Merudha multiplied by merudha makes one kherudha. Kherudha multiplied by kherudha makes one madhura.

Madhura multiplied by madhura makes one samura. Samura multiplied by samura makes one ayasa. Ayasa multiplied by ayasa makes one kamala.

Kamala multiplied by kamala makes one maghava. Maghava multiplied by maghava makes one atara. Atara multiplied by atara makes one heruya.

Heruya multiplied by heruya makes one sheluba. Sheluba multiplied by sheluba makes one kalpa. Kalpa multiplied by kalpa makes one hababa.

Hababa multiplied by hababa makes one vibala. Vibala multiplied by vibala makes one nabala. Nabala multiplied by nabala makes one malala.

Malala multiplied by malala makes one sabala. Sabala multiplied by sabala makes one melaru. Melaru multiplied by melaru makes one jamara.

Jamara multiplied by jamara makes one dhamara. Dhamara multiplied by dhamara makes one pramada. Pramada multiplied by pramada makes one vigama.

Vigama multiplied by vigama makes one upavarta. Upavarta multiplied by upavarta makes one Exposition. Exposition multiplied by Exposition makes one Inexhaustible.

Inexhaustible multiplied by Inexhaustible makes one Arising. Arising multiplied by Arising makes one Selfless. Selfless multiplied by Selfless makes one abandha.

Abandha multiplied by abandha makes one Blue Lotus. Blue Lotus multiplied by Blue Lotus makes one padma. Padma multiplied by padma makes one samkhya.

Samkhya multiplied by samkhya makes one Tendency. Tendency multiplied by Tendency makes one Arrival. Arrival multiplied by Arrival makes one asamkhya.

Asamkhya multiplied by asamkhya makes one asamkhya transformation. Asamkhya transformation multiplied by asamkhya transformation makes one Immeasurable. Immeasurable multiplied by Immeasurable makes one immeasurable transformation.

Immeasurable transformation multiplied by immeasurable transformation makes one Boundless. Boundless multiplied by Boundless makes one boundless transformation. Boundless transformation multiplied by boundless transformation makes one Unequaled.

Unequaled multiplied by Unequaled makes one unequaled transformation. Unequaled transformation multiplied by unequaled transformation makes one Innumerable. Innumerable multiplied by Innumerable makes one innumerable transformation.

Innumerable transformation multiplied by innumerable transformation makes one Unreckonable. Unreckonable multiplied by Unreckonable makes one unreckonable transformation. Unreckonable transformation multiplied by unreckonable transformation makes one Inconceivable.

Inconceivable multiplied by Inconceivable makes one inconceivable transformation. Inconceivable transformation multiplied by inconceivable transformation makes one Immeasurable. Immeasurable multiplied by Immeasurable makes one immeasurable transformation.

Immeasurable transformation multiplied by immeasurable transformation makes one Ineffable. Ineffable multiplied by Ineffable makes one ineffable transformation. Ineffable transformation multiplied by ineffable transformation makes one ineffably ineffable.

And ineffably ineffable multiplied by ineffably ineffable makes one ineffably ineffable transformation.”

For Mind King Bodhisattva, the World-Honored One then spoke these verses:

The Buddha lands described above,
In a single thought, are ground into ineffably many particles;
In every thought they are ground in the same way,
Continuously throughout ineffably many kalpas.

Using these particles to count the kalpas,
Each particle represents a hundred thousand ineffables;
Throughout those kalpas one praises a single Samantabhadra,
Yet cannot exhaust the measure of his merit.

Within the lights are ineffably many wondrous forms;
Within the forms are ineffably many pure lights;
Within each and every pure light
Again appear many kinds of wondrous radiance.

Within the lights appear ineffably many Buddhas;
The Dharma spoken by the Buddhas is ineffable;
Within that Dharma are ineffably many wondrous verses,
And those who hear and understand the verses are ineffable.

In every thought, there are ineffably many understandings;
The ultimate truth is clearly understood in ineffably many ways;
All future Buddhas are manifested,
Forever expounding the Dharma without end.

Or, upon the tip of a single hair,
They constantly abide for ineffably many kalpas;
As with one hair tip, so too with all the others—
The kalpas of their abiding are all likewise.

Their journey to ineffably many lands,
Their contemplation of ineffably many sentient beings,
Their purification of ineffably many sentient beings,
And their subjugation of ineffably many sentient beings are ineffable.

Dharmas of different kinds are beyond expression;
Minds of different kinds are beyond expression;
Faculties of different kinds are beyond expression;
Languages of different kinds are beyond expression.

The times and kalpas therein are ineffable;
The distinctions known therein are ineffable;
Bodhisattvas can distinguish and explain them all,
But even skilled calculators cannot discern them.

The number of kalpas during their entry is ineffable;
The number of kalpas during their reception is ineffable;
While they abide arranged in ranks,
None of all those kalpas can be described.

Liberation from birth and death is ineffable;
Ascending beyond into the right position is ineffable;
Profound samadhis are ineffable;
Complete penetration of everything is ineffable.

Seeing ineffably many bodhisattvas,
The Dharma gives rise to ineffably great wisdom;
They request the teaching of ineffably much right Dharma
And widely proclaim the Buddha’s teaching in ineffably many ways.

Purity of faith is ineffable;
Supreme awakening and understanding are ineffable;
Their exalted aspirations and vows are ineffable;
Their reverence for the Buddhas is ineffable.

Accomplishment of the various kinds of patience is ineffable;
Patience regarding the non-arising of dharmas is ineffable;
The fullness of quiescence is ineffable;
Abiding on the ground of quiescence is ineffable.

Cultivation of immeasurable practices is ineffable;
The making of vast vows is ineffable;
Their exceedingly profound realms are ineffable;
Their pure Dharma-gates are ineffable.

Their spiritual powers are ineffable;
Their skillful means are ineffable;
Entry into the knowledge of empty quiescence is ineffable;
Its continuity from thought to thought is ineffable.

Immeasurable gates of practice are ineffable;
Their constant abiding from thought to thought is ineffable;
The oceans of Buddha lands are ineffable;
Yet they can travel to them all in ineffably many ways.

Knowing their faculties and dispositions is ineffable;
Knowing their understandings and desires is ineffable;
Defilement and purity are ineffable;
Contemplating and subduing them are ineffable.

Displaying miraculous transformations is ineffable;
Emitting great radiance is ineffable;
The various forms and marks are ineffable;
Causing sentient beings to become pure is ineffable.

Each and every pore is ineffable;
The nets of light they emit are ineffable;
The forms revealed in the nets of light are ineffable;
Their illumination of Buddha lands everywhere is ineffable.

Accomplishment of the jewel of knowledge is ineffable;
Profound entry into the Dharma-realm is ineffable;
The bodhisattvas’ comprehensive knowledge is ineffable;
Their skillful cultivation and study are ineffable.

Those limits are ineffable;
Their ability to abide within them is ineffable;
The wisdom with which they abide is ineffable;
Their abiding throughout all kalpas cannot be expressed.

The three times, like empty space, are ineffable;
Wisdom concerning the three times is ineffable;
Complete comprehension of the three times is ineffable;
Abiding in wisdom is ineffable.

Adorning and purifying Buddha lands is ineffable;
Cultivating the powers is ineffable;
Long-continued cultivation is ineffable;
Awakening and understanding in one thought are ineffable.

The mastery of the Buddhas is ineffable;
Their extensive exposition of right Dharma is ineffable;
Their many kinds of spiritual power are ineffable;
Their manifestations in the worlds are ineffable.

All sentient beings throughout the ten directions
Simultaneously attain perfect enlightenment;
Within a single Buddha are universally manifested
Ineffably many bodies.

At the boundless place of a single minute particle,
Immeasurable lands enter everywhere;
Their distinctions throughout the ten directions are ineffable;
The arrangement of the oceans of lands is ineffable.

They attain ineffably many unobstructed minds
And travel throughout the ten directions in ineffably many ways;
The spiritual powers they manifest are ineffable;
Their deeds without limit are ineffable.

Regarding dharmas, they neither act nor fail to act;
They enter ineffably many realms;
Throughout unreckonably many great kalpas,
They constantly travel the ten directions in ineffably many ways.

31. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: LIFESPANS

(Chinese Edition, Middle Section, Fascicle 45)

At that time, in the midst of the assembly, the great bodhisattva Mind King addressed the bodhisattvas:

“Disciples of the Buddha! One kalpa in this Saha world, the land of Shakyamuni Buddha, is one day and one night in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, the land of Amitabha Buddha.

One kalpa in the Land of Ultimate Bliss is one day and one night in the world Kasaya Banner, the land of Vajra Firm Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Kasaya Banner is one day and one night in the world Wheel of the Sound of Non-Retrogression, the land of Excellent Victorious Radiant Lotus Blossom Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Wheel of the Sound of Non-Retrogression is one day and one night in the world Free from Defilement, the land of Dharma Banner Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Free from Defilement is one day and one night in the world Excellent Lamp, the land of Lion Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Excellent Lamp is one day and one night in the world Wondrous Radiance, the land of Treasury of Radiance Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Wondrous Radiance is one day and one night in the world Difficult to Surpass, the land of Dharma Radiant Lotus Blossom Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Difficult to Surpass is one day and one night in the world Adorned Wisdom, the land of Radiance of All Spiritual Penetrations Buddha.

One kalpa in the world Adorned Wisdom is one day and one night in the world Realm of Radiance, the land of Moon Wisdom Buddha.

Disciples of the Buddha! Proceeding successively in this manner, beyond a million asamkhya worlds, one kalpa in the final world is one day and one night in the world Victorious Lotus, the land of Worthy Victor Buddha. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and the great bodhisattvas who practice together with him completely fill this world Victorious Lotus.”

32. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: THE DWELLING PLACES OF BODHISATTVAS

(Chinese Edition, Final Section, Fascicle 45)

At that time, in the midst of the assembly, the great bodhisattva Mind King addressed the bodhisattvas:

“Disciples of the Buddha! In the east is a place called Mount of the Immortals, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Vajra Victory Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of three hundred bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the south is a place called Mount Victorious Peak, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Dharma Wisdom Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of five hundred bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the west is a place called Mount Vajra Flame, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Practice of Fearless Vigor Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of three hundred bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the north is a place called Mount Fragrant Accumulation, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Fragrant Elephant Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of three thousand bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the northeast is a place called Mount Clear and Cool, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Manjushri Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of ten thousand bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the sea is a place called Vajra Mountain, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Dharma Arising Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of one thousand two hundred bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the southeast is a place called Mount Caitya, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Celestial Crown Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of one thousand bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the southwest is a place called Mount Radiance, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Worthy Victory Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of three thousand bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the northwest is a place called Mount Fragrant Peak, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present. At present, Fragrant Radiance Bodhisattva dwells there with a retinue of five thousand bodhisattvas and expounds the Dharma.

In the great ocean there is also a place called Adorned Grotto, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

South of the country of Vaishali is a place called Well-Abiding Faculty, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the city of Mathura is a place called Grotto of Fulfillment, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the city of Câu Trân Na is a place called Dharma Seat, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the city of Pure Other Shore is a place called Chân Lân Đà Grotto, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of Ma Lan Đà is a place called Established by the Unobstructed Dragon King, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of Kamboja is a place called Source of Loving-Kindness, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of China is a place called Narayana Grotto, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of Kashgar is a place called Ox-Head Mountain, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of Kashmir is a place called Succession, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the city of Increasing Joy is a place called Grotto of the Venerable One, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of An Phù Lê Ma is a place called Treasury of the Radiance of Recollection, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.

In the country of Gandhara is a place called Champala Grotto, where assemblies of bodhisattvas have constantly dwelt from ancient times to the present.”