大方廣佛華嚴經

34. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: THE OCEAN OF MARKS OF THE TATHAGATA'S TEN BODIES

(Chinese Canon, First Part of Volume 48)

At that time, the great bodhisattva Samantabhadra addressed the bodhisattvas, saying:

Children of the Buddha! I shall now expound for you the oceans of marks of the Tathagata.

Children of the Buddha! Upon the crown of the Tathagata's head are thirty-two great marks of a noble being, adorned with precious substances. Among them is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Light Universally Illuminating All Directions,” which emits immeasurable nets of great radiance and is adorned with every kind of wondrous jewel. Jeweled hairs spread everywhere, dense and soft, each emitting the radiance of precious mani jewels that universally illuminates all boundless worlds. Within each light appear bodies of Buddhas, complete in their physical marks. This is the first.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of the Light of the Buddha-Eye.” It is adorned with kings of mani jewels and emits golden light resembling the mark of the hair between the eyebrows. The radiance it emits universally illuminates all worlds. This is the second.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Filling the Dharma Realm.” It is adorned with supremely wondrous jeweled wheels and emits the light of the Tathagata's lamp of merit and wisdom, universally illuminating all oceans of worlds throughout all Dharma realms in the ten directions. Within it universally appear all Buddhas and bodhisattvas. This is the third.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Manifesting Universal Illumination.” It is adorned with pure-gold mani jewels. Those wondrous jewels all emit light that illuminates inconceivable Buddha lands. All Buddhas appear within this radiance. This is the fourth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Emitting Precious Radiance.” It is adorned with pure kings of mani jewels, with vaidurya jewels forming the stamens of its flowers. Its light universally illuminates all worlds in the ten directions. Within it, all spiritual transformations universally appear, extolling the wisdom and merit cultivated by the Tathagata in ages past. This is the fifth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Universally Manifesting the Tathagata's Great Sovereignty Throughout the Dharma Realm.” A mani jewel of the precious flames of a bodhisattva's spiritual transformations forms its crown, while wheels of jeweled radiance, endowed with the Tathagata's power to awaken all beings, form its garland. These wheels of light universally illuminate the worlds of the ten directions. Within them are manifested all Tathagatas seated at sites of enlightenment, while clouds of omniscience fill the empty space of immeasurable Dharma realms. This is the sixth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of the Tathagata's Universal Lamp.” It is adorned with the ocean of jewels of great sovereignty, capable of shaking the lands throughout the Dharma realm. It emits pure radiance that universally illuminates the Dharma realm. Within it universally appear the oceans of merit of all bodhisattvas in the ten directions and the oceans of wisdom-banners of all Buddhas of the three periods of time. This is the seventh.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Vast Cloud Universally Illuminating All Buddhas.” It is adorned with Indra jewels, wish-fulfilling king jewels, and kings of mani jewels. It constantly emits the radiance of bodhisattvas' blazing lamps, universally illuminating all worlds in the ten directions. Within it are revealed the oceans of physical marks of all Buddhas, as well as the oceans of great voices and oceans of pure powers of all Buddhas. This is the eighth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Perfect Radiance.” It is adorned with various jeweled flowers made of supremely wondrous kings of vaidurya mani jewels and emits a vast net of light throughout all worlds in the ten directions. All sentient beings see the Tathagata seated before them, praising the merits of the Dharma bodies of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas and enabling them to enter the Tathagata's realm of purity. This is the ninth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Radiance Universally Illuminating the Treasury of All Bodhisattva Practices.” It is adorned with beautiful jeweled flowers. Precious light universally illuminates immeasurable worlds, and jeweled flames pervade all lands. The worlds of the ten directions are penetrated without obstruction. The Buddha's voice resounds, proclaiming and elucidating the ocean of Dharma. This is the tenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Wondrous Universal Illumination.” It is adorned with vaidurya, Indra, vajra, and mani jewels. The precious mani light, brilliant and translucent in appearance, universally illuminates all oceans of worlds and produces a wondrous voice that fills the Dharma realm. All such manifestations arise from the great ocean of the Buddhas' wisdom and merit. This is the eleventh.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Perfect Awakening.” It is adorned with flowers of various jewels. Each jeweled flower emits light, and within each is a Tathagata seated at a site of enlightenment. They fill all boundless worlds, causing every world to become universally pure and forever putting an end to all deluded conceptual discrimination. This is the twelfth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Brilliant Radiance.” It is adorned with heart-king mani jewels from the oceanic treasury of precious flames and emits great radiance. Within that radiance appear immeasurable bodhisattvas and bodhisattva practices, all Tathagatas, their wisdom bodies and Dharma bodies, and oceans of physical marks filling the Dharma realm. This is the thirteenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Adornment and Universal Illumination.” It is adorned with vajra flowers and vaidurya jewels and emits great radiance. Within that radiance is a great jeweled lotus throne, complete with adornments and extending over the Dharma realm, which spontaneously expounds the four practices of bodhisattvas. Its voice penetrates throughout the ocean of Dharma realms. This is the fourteenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Manifesting the Ocean of the Buddha's Samadhis and Practices.” In a single thought, it manifests the Tathagata's immeasurable adornments, universally adorning all the inconceivable oceans of worlds throughout the Dharma realm. This is the fifteenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of the Ocean of Transformations and Universal Illumination.” It is adorned with wondrous jeweled lotuses as lofty as Mount Sumeru. Those precious radiances, born from the Buddha's vows, manifest inexhaustible transformations. This is the sixteenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of the Liberation of All Tathagatas.” It is adorned with wondrous pure jewels and emits great radiance that adorns all the lion thrones of the Buddhas. It manifests all the physical marks of the Buddhas, immeasurable Buddha-Dharmas, and oceans of Buddha lands. This is the seventeenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud of Sovereign Skillful Means and Universal Illumination.” It is adorned with vaidurya flowers, pure-gold lotuses, lamps of kingly mani jewels, and clouds of wondrous Dharma flames. It emits the dense clouds of all the Buddhas' pure radiance and jeweled flames, filling the Dharma realm. Within them universally appear all kinds of beautiful adornments. This is the eighteenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Awakening the Buddha Lineage.” It is adorned with immeasurable precious lights and fully endowed with a thousand wheels, pure both within and without, arising from roots of goodness cultivated in ages past. This radiance universally illuminates the worlds of the ten directions, causing the sun of wisdom to shine forth and proclaiming the ocean of Dharma. This is the nineteenth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Manifesting All Marks of the Tathagata's Sovereignty.” It is adorned with jeweled necklaces and vaidurya jeweled flowers and emits great precious flames that fill the Dharma realm. Within them universally appear immeasurable Buddhas of the three periods of time, as numerous as the motes of dust in all Buddha lands. Like mighty and fearless lion kings, they are all fully endowed with physical forms, marks, and wisdom. This is the twentieth.

Next is a great mark of a noble being called “Cloud Pervasively Illuminating the Entire Dharma Realm.” It is adorned with the Tathagata's pure jeweled marks and emits great radiance that universally illuminates the Dharma realm, revealing all the immeasurable and boundless wondrous treasuries of wisdom of the bodhisattvas. This is the twenty-first.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Marks of Vairocana Tathagata, adorned with supremely wondrous precious flowers and a pure, wondrous moon of vaidurya. All emit immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of rays of mani-jewel light, filling all of space and the Dharma Realm. Within them appear immeasurable Buddha-lands, in each of which a Tathagata sits in the lotus posture. This is the twenty-second.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Light Universally Illuminating All Buddhas, adorned with beautiful precious lamps. It emits pure light that universally illuminates all worlds throughout the ten directions, revealing all Buddhas turning the Dharma wheel. This is the twenty-third.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud Universally Manifesting All Adornments, adorned with precious flames that emit pure light filling the Dharma Realm. In every thought, it constantly manifests ineffably ineffable numbers of all Buddhas and bodhisattvas seated at places of enlightenment. This is the twenty-fourth.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud Producing the Sounds of the Entire Dharma Realm, adorned with seas of mani jewels and the most sublime sandalwood. It emits a vast net of flames filling the Dharma Realm, within which wondrous sounds are universally proclaimed, revealing the entire ocean of karma of all sentient beings. This is the twenty-fifth.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud Universally Illuminating the Wheels of Transformation of All Buddhas, adorned with the Tathagata’s pure eyes. Its light illuminates all worlds throughout the ten directions. Within it universally appear all the adornments of the Buddhas of the three times. It also utters wondrous sounds expounding the vast, inconceivable ocean of Dharma. This is the twenty-sixth.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Light Illuminating the Ocean of Buddhas. Its light universally illuminates all worlds and extends throughout the Dharma Realm without obstruction. In each place, a Tathagata sits in the lotus posture. This is the twenty-seventh.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Precious Lamps. It emits the Buddhas’ vast light, universally illuminating the entire Dharma Realm throughout the ten directions. Within it universally appear all Buddhas and bodhisattvas, together with inconceivable oceans of sentient beings. This is the twenty-eighth.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of the Dharma Realm Without Differentiation. It emits the Buddhas’ light of great wisdom, universally illuminating Buddha-lands throughout the ten directions, the assemblies at all bodhisattvas’ places of enlightenment, and immeasurable oceans of Dharma. Within it universally appear various kinds of spiritual powers. It also utters wondrous sounds that, in accordance with the inclinations of sentient beings’ minds, expound the practices and vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, causing them to dedicate their merit. This is the twenty-ninth.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud Abiding in and Universally Illuminating All Oceans of Worlds. It emits precious light filling all of space and the Dharma Realm. Within it universally appear pure and wondrous places of enlightenment and the adorned bodily marks of Buddhas and bodhisattvas, causing all who behold them to attain non-seeing. This is the thirtieth.

Next there is a mark of a person called the Cloud of Pure Precious Light and Flames of All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It emits immeasurable rays of pure light from wondrous mani jewels of all Buddhas and bodhisattvas, universally illuminating the entire Dharma Realm throughout the ten directions. Within it universally appear oceans of bodhisattvas, all fully endowed with the Tathagata’s spiritual powers, constantly journeying throughout the ten directions to every net of lands extending to the limits of space. This is the thirty-first.

Next there is a great mark of a person called the Cloud Universally Illuminating All Adornments of the Dharma Realm. Situated directly amid all the marks and gradually rising above them, it is adorned with a net of jambunada gold and indra jewels. It emits clouds of pure light filling the Dharma Realm and, in every thought, constantly manifests the assemblies at the places of enlightenment of all Buddhas and bodhisattvas in every world. This is the thirty-second.

The foregoing are the thirty-two great marks of a person adorning the crown of the Tathagata’s head.

O disciples of the Buddha! Between the Tathagata’s eyebrows is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Light Pervading the Dharma Realm. Adorned with mani-jewel flowers, it emits great light endowed with the colors of many jewels, like the sun and moon, penetrating and pure. This light universally illuminates the lands throughout the ten directions, within which the bodies of all Buddhas appear. It also produces wondrous sounds proclaiming the ocean of Dharma. This is the thirty-third.

The Tathagata’s eyes possess a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Sovereign Universal Vision. Adorned with wondrous jewels and pure, radiant light from mani jewels, they universally behold everything without obstruction. This is the thirty-fourth.

The Tathagata’s nose possesses a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Wisdom of All Spiritual Powers. Adorned with pure, wondrous jewels, it is canopied above by rays of jewel-colored light. Within it appear immeasurable transformation Buddhas seated upon precious lotus flowers, traveling to all worlds and expounding the inconceivable ocean of the Buddha-Dharma for all bodhisattvas and all sentient beings. This is the thirty-fifth.

The Tathagata’s tongue possesses a great mark of a person called the Cloud Manifesting the Reflections of Sounds, adorned with wondrous jewels of many colors and perfected through roots of goodness cultivated in many previous lives. That tongue is broad and long, covering all oceans of worlds. Whenever the Tathagata joyfully smiles, he emits rays of light from all mani jewels. This light universally illuminates the Dharma Realm throughout the ten directions and can cause every mind to become cool and refreshed. All Buddhas of the three times appear brilliantly within that light, each uttering vast, wondrous sounds that pervade all lands and abide for immeasurable kalpas. This is the thirty-sixth.

The Tathagata’s tongue also possesses a great mark of a person called the Cloud of the Dharma Realm. It is even and adorned with various jewels, emitting wondrous jewel-light whose colors and forms are all perfect and complete, like the light emitted from between his eyebrows. This light universally illuminates all Buddha-lands, showing them to be merely combinations of minute particles, without intrinsic nature. Within the light also appear immeasurable Buddhas, each uttering wondrous sounds that expound all dharmas. This is the thirty-seventh.

The tip of the Tathagata’s tongue possesses a great mark of a person called the Cloud of Light Illuminating the Dharma Realm, adorned with a sovereign wish-fulfilling jewel. It naturally and constantly emits precious flames the color of pure gold, within which all oceans of Buddhas are reflected. It also utters wondrous sounds filling all boundless worlds. Every wondrous sound contains all sounds, each expounding the Dharma. Those who hear them experience joy and delight in their hearts, and even after immeasurable kalpas of contemplation, they never forget them. This is the thirty-eighth.

The tip of the Tathagata’s tongue also possesses a great mark of a person called the Cloud Illuminating the Wondrous Dharma Realm. Adorned with sovereign mani jewels, it emits wondrous colors, forms, and light that fill immeasurable lands, purifying the entire Dharma Realm. Within it are immeasurable Buddhas and bodhisattvas, all uttering wondrous sounds and using skillful means to reveal and instruct, while all the bodhisattvas present listen to and receive the teaching. This is the thirty-ninth.

The upper palate within the Tathagata’s mouth possesses a great mark of a person called the Cloud Manifesting the Inconceivable Dharma Realm, adorned with indra jewels and vaidurya jewels. It emits clouds of pure light like the flames of fragrant lamps, filling the entire Dharma Realm throughout the ten directions. Manifesting various spiritual powers and skillful means throughout all oceans of worlds, it reveals and expounds the profound and inconceivable Dharma. This is the fortieth.

Within the Tathagata’s mouth, beneath the right canine tooth, is a great mark of a person called the Cloud of the Buddha’s Tooth. It is adorned with a wheel-shaped svastika formed of precious mani jewels and emits great light universally illuminating the Dharma Realm. Within it universally appear the bodies of all Buddhas, circulating throughout the ten directions to awaken all beings. This is the forty-first.

Above the right canine tooth is a mark of a great person named Treasury-Wheel of Jeweled Blazing Sumeru, adorned with treasuries of mani jewels. It emits pure light of vajra fragrant flames. Each ray of light fills the Dharma-realm, displaying all the spiritual powers of the Buddhas, and also revealing all the pure and wondrous sites of enlightenment throughout the worlds of the ten directions. This is the forty-second.

Below the left canine tooth is a mark of a great person named Cloud of Jeweled Lamps Universally Shining, adorned with all wondrous jewels that blossom into flowers of Dharma fragrance. It emits pure light in clouds of lamp-flames, filling all oceans of worlds. Within it appear all the Buddhas seated upon lion thrones in treasuries of lotus blossoms, surrounded by assemblies of bodhisattvas. This is the forty-third.

Above the left canine tooth is a mark of a great person named Cloud Revealing the Tathagatas, adorned with pure light, Jambunada gold, jeweled nets, and jeweled flowers. It emits great wheels of flame that fill the Dharma-realm, within which all the Buddhas universally appear. Through their spiritual powers, while abiding in empty space, they spread abroad the milk of Dharma, lamps of Dharma, and jewels of Dharma, teaching and transforming all assemblies of bodhisattvas. This is the forty-fourth.

The teeth of the Tathagata bear a mark of a great person named Cloud of Universally Manifest Light. Between each tooth are oceans of adorning marks. Whenever the Buddha smiles, they emit light endowed with every jeweled hue; jeweled flames and mani jewels spiral to the right and spread throughout the Dharma-realm, pervading everywhere, proclaiming the Buddha’s voice and expounding the practices of Samantabhadra. This is the forty-fifth.

The lips of the Tathagata bear a mark of a great person named Cloud Reflecting the Light of All Jewels. They emit vast light in the color of Jambunada gold, the color of lotus blossoms, and the colors of all jewels, illuminating the entire Dharma-realm and rendering it wholly pure. This is the forty-sixth.

The neck of the Tathagata bears a mark of a great person named Cloud Universally Illuminating All Worlds, adorned with kings of mani jewels, soft, smooth, and lustrous. It emits the pure light of Vairocana, filling all worlds throughout the ten directions, within which all the Buddhas universally appear. This is the forty-seventh.

The Tathagata’s right shoulder bears a mark of a great person named Vast Cloud of All the Buddha’s Jewels. It emits light in the colors of all jewels, the color of pure gold, and the colors of lotus blossoms, forming a net of jeweled flames that illuminates the Dharma-realm, within which all bodhisattvas universally appear. This is the forty-eighth.

The Tathagata’s right shoulder also bears a mark of a great person named Cloud of Supreme Jewels Universally Shining. Pure in color like Jambunada gold, it emits mani light that fills the Dharma-realm, within which all bodhisattvas appear. This is the forty-ninth.

The Tathagata’s left shoulder bears a mark of a great person named Cloud of Supreme Light Illuminating the Dharma-Realm. With manifold adornments like those upon the crown of the head and between the eyebrows, it emits jeweled light in the color of Jambunada gold and the colors of lotus blossoms, forming a great luminous net that fills the Dharma-realm, within which all spiritual powers are displayed. This is the fiftieth.

The Tathagata’s left shoulder also bears a mark of a great person named Cloud of Light Shining Everywhere. This mark spirals to the right and is adorned with mani jewel-kings the color of Jambunada gold. It emits rays of jeweled light and fragrant flames of jeweled flowers that fill the Dharma-realm, within which all the Buddhas and all pure, adorned lands universally appear. This is the fifty-first.

The Tathagata’s left shoulder also bears a mark of a great person named Wondrous Cloud Universally Shining. This mark spirals to the right and is adorned with subtle intricacy. It emits pure light in clouds of Buddha-lamp flames that fill the Dharma-realm, within which all bodhisattvas appear, all their adornments wondrous and exquisite. This is the fifty-second.

At the center of the Tathagata’s chest is a mark of a great person shaped like the character “卍,” named Cloud-Ocean of Auspiciousness. Adorned with mani jeweled flowers, it emits clouds of radiant flames in the colors of all jewels, filling the Dharma-realm and rendering it universally pure. It also produces wondrous sounds that expound and penetrate the ocean of Dharma. This is the fifty-third.

To the right of the auspicious mark is a mark of a great person named Cloud Displaying Illuminating Light, adorned with an Indra’s net. It emits a great wheel of light that fills the Dharma-realm, within which immeasurable Buddhas universally appear. This is the fifty-fourth.

To the right of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud Universally Revealing the Tathagatas, adorned with the mani-jeweled light of the bodhisattvas. It emits great light that universally illuminates all worlds throughout the ten directions, rendering them pure. Within it appear the Buddhas of the three times, seated at their sites of enlightenment, universally displaying spiritual powers and extensively proclaiming the ocean of Dharma. This is the fifty-fifth.

To the right of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud of Blossoming Flowers, adorned with mani jeweled flowers. It emits pure light from lamps of jeweled fragrant flames, shaped like lotus blossoms, filling the Dharma-realm. This is the fifty-sixth.

To the right of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud of Delightful Golden Hue, adorned with mani kings and treasuries of sovereign hearts of all jewels. It emits pure light that universally illuminates the Dharma-realm, within which all things appear, like the vast light of the Buddha-eye and a treasury of mani jewels. This is the fifty-seventh.

To the right of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud-Ocean of Buddhas, adorned with garlands of vaidurya jewels and lamps of fragrance. It emits vast flames of pure light from mani jewel-kings and lamps of fragrance, filling empty space throughout all lands in the ten directions. Within it, the assemblies at all sites of enlightenment universally appear. This is the fifty-eighth.

To the left of the auspicious mark is a mark of a great person named Cloud Displaying Light, adorned with countless bodhisattvas seated upon jeweled lotus blossoms. It emits the pure jeweled flames and light of mani kings throughout all oceans of Dharma-realms. Within it appear immeasurable Buddhas, and the wondrous voices of the Buddhas expounding the Dharmas. This is the fifty-ninth.

To the left of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud of Light Universally Revealing the Dharma-Realm, adorned with oceans of mani jewels. It emits great light throughout all lands, within which the assemblies of bodhisattvas universally appear. This is the sixtieth.

To the left of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud of Universal Supremacy, adorned with banners of sunlight, mani kings, and jeweled wheels. It emits great radiant flames that fill the oceans of worlds throughout the Dharma-realm, within which all worlds, all Tathagatas, and all sentient beings are displayed. This is the sixty-first.

To the left of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud of Wondrous Sounds Turning the Dharma-Wheel, adorned with pure lamps of all Dharmas and fragrant stamens. It emits great light that fills the Dharma-realm, within which universally appear all the oceans of marks and oceans of minds possessed by all the Buddhas. This is the sixty-second.

To the left of the auspicious mark is also a mark of a great person named Cloud of Adornment, adorned with all oceans of Buddhas of the three times. It emits pure light that adorns and purifies all Buddha-lands, within which universally appear all Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, together with all practices cultivated by those Buddhas and bodhisattvas. This is the sixty-third.

The Tathagata’s right hand bears a mark of a great person named Ocean-Illuminating Cloud, adorned with many jewels. It constantly emits pure light of moonlike flames, filling empty space throughout all worlds, and produces a great voice praising all bodhisattva practices. This is the sixty-fourth.

On the Tathagata’s right hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud of Radiantly Shining Reflections, adorned with vaidurya, indranila, mani jewels, and flowers. It emits a great radiance that universally illuminates the Lotus Treasury and all the worlds in the mani treasury wherein the bodhisattvas of the ten directions abide. Within it appear immeasurable Buddhas, each seated beneath a bodhi tree in a pure Dharma-body, causing all lands throughout the ten directions to quake. This is the sixty-fifth.

On the Tathagata’s right hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud of Universally Adorning Pure Garlands of Lamp Flames, adorned with Vairocana jewels. It emits a great radiance that forms a net of transformations, within which universally appear assemblies of bodhisattvas, all wearing jeweled crowns and expounding the oceans of practices. This is the sixty-sixth.

On the Tathagata’s right hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud Universally Manifesting All Mani Jewels, adorned with lotus-flame lamps. It emits an ocean-treasury radiance that fills the Dharma realm. Within it universally appear Buddhas seated upon lotus thrones. This is the sixty-seventh.

On the Tathagata’s right hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud of Radiance, adorned with an ocean of mani flames. It emits various pure radiances—jeweled flames, fragrant flames, and banners of flower flames—that fill all worlds. Within it universally appear the bodhimandas of the Buddhas. This is the sixty-eighth.

On the Tathagata’s left hand there is a great-person mark named Cloud of Pure Vaidurya Lamps, adorned with wondrously colored jeweled grounds. It emits the Tathagata’s golden radiance and, thought after thought, constantly manifests all supremely wondrous adornments. This is the sixty-ninth.

On the Tathagata’s left hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud of the Sounds of Wisdom Lamps of All Lands. It is adorned with vajra flowers in an Indra’s net. It emits pure Jambunada-gold radiance that universally illuminates all worlds throughout the ten directions. This is the seventieth.

On the Tathagata’s left hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud of Radiance from Lotuses of Abiding Jewels, adorned with various wondrous jeweled flowers. It emits a great radiance like a lamp upon Mount Sumeru, universally illuminating all worlds throughout the ten directions. This is the seventy-first.

On the Tathagata’s left hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud Universally Illuminating the Dharma Realm, adorned with garlands of wondrous jewels, jeweled wheels, jeweled vases, Indra’s nets, and various wondrous marks. It emits a great radiance that universally illuminates all lands throughout the ten directions. Within it are revealed the entire Dharma realm, all oceans of worlds, and all Tathagatas seated upon lotus thrones. This is the seventy-second.

On the fingers of the Tathagata’s right hand there is also a great-person mark named Cloud Manifesting the Encompassing Oceans of Lands throughout All Kalpas, adorned with moon-in-water flame-treasury mani kings and all kinds of jeweled flowers. It emits a great radiance that fills the Dharma realm. Within it, subtle and wondrous sounds constantly issue forth throughout all lands. This is the seventy-third.

On the fingers of the Tathagata’s left hand there is a great-person mark named Cloud in Which All Jewels Abide. It is adorned with indranila vajra jewels. It emits the radiance of mani kings and multitudes of jewels, filling the Dharma realm. Within it universally appear all Buddhas and bodhisattvas. This is the seventy-fourth.

On the palm of the Tathagata’s right hand there is a great-person mark named Cloud of Brilliant Illumination. It is adorned with a mani-king jeweled wheel with a thousand spokes. It emits jeweled radiance that turns to the right and pervades the Dharma realm. Within it universally appear all Buddhas. The body of each Buddha shines brilliantly, teaching the Dharma, liberating beings, and purifying worlds. This is the seventy-fifth.

On the palm of the Tathagata’s left hand there is a great-person mark named Cloud of the Blazing Wheel That Universally Increases and Transformatively Manifests Bodhimandas throughout the Dharma Realm. It is adorned with a sun-radiance mani-king wheel with a thousand spokes. It emits a great radiance that pervades all oceans of worlds. Within it are revealed all bodhisattvas expounding all the oceans of Samantabhadra’s practices and universally entering all Buddha-lands, each bodhisattva awakening immeasurable sentient beings. This is the seventy-sixth.

At the Tathagata’s concealed organ there is a great-person mark named Cloud Universally Emanating the Buddha’s Voice, adorned with all wondrous jewels. It emits the brilliant radiance of mani lamps and flower flames in every jeweled color, universally illuminating space and the Dharma realm. Within it universally appear all Buddhas traveling back and forth everywhere. This is the seventy-seventh.

On the Tathagata’s right hip there is a great-person mark named Cloud of Jeweled Lamp Garlands Universally Illuminating, adorned with various mani jewels. It emits inconceivable jeweled flame-radiance that spreads throughout the entire Dharma realm of the ten directions. Together with space and the Dharma realm, it forms a single mark, yet it can produce all marks. Within each mark appear the sovereign spiritual transformations of the Buddhas. This is the seventy-eighth.

On the Tathagata’s left hip there is a great-person mark named Cloud of Radiance Revealing All Oceans of Dharma Realms, covering space like a lotus flower. It is adorned with pure, wondrous jewels and emits a net of radiance that universally illuminates the entire Dharma realm throughout the ten directions. Within it universally appear all beautiful marks. This is the seventy-ninth.

On the Tathagata’s right thigh there is a great-person mark named Cloud of Universal Manifestation, adorned with multicolored mani jewels. The thigh and calf above and below are perfectly proportioned. It emits mani-flame radiance of the wondrous Dharma and, in a single thought, can universally reveal the entire ocean of the Jeweled King’s marks displayed while walking. This is the eightieth.

On the Tathagata’s left thigh there is a great-person mark named Cloud Manifesting the Immeasurable Ocean of Marks of All Buddhas, adorned with all oceans of jewels abiding in harmonious accord. As he journeys far and wide, it emits pure radiance that universally illuminates sentient beings, causing them all to aspire to the unsurpassed Buddha-Dharma. This is the eighty-first.

On the Tathagata’s right calf, shaped like that of the eneya deer king, there is a great-person mark named Cloud of All Space and the Dharma Realm. It is adorned with wondrous radiant jewels. This mark is round and straight, enabling him to walk skillfully. It emits pure Jambunada-gold radiance that universally illuminates the worlds of the Buddhas, and it produces a great sound that causes all places to quake. It also reveals all the lands of the Buddhas abiding amid space, adorned with jeweled flames, wherein immeasurable bodhisattvas appear through transformation. This is the eighty-second.

On the Tathagata’s left calf, shaped like that of the eneya deer king, there is a great-person mark named Cloud of the Ocean of Adornments. Its color resembles pure gold, and it enables him to journey universally through all Buddha-lands. It emits the pure radiance of all jewels, which pervades the Dharma realm and performs the work of the Buddhas. This is the eighty-third.

The hairs upon the Tathagata’s jeweled calves possess a great-person mark named Cloud Universally Manifesting Images of the Dharma Realm. These hairs curl to the right. From the tip of each hair issues jeweled radiance that fills the entire Dharma realm throughout all ten directions, revealing all the spiritual powers of the Buddhas. All these pores emit radiance, and all Buddha-lands appear within them. This is the eighty-fourth.

On the soles of the Tathagata’s feet there is a great-person mark named Cloud Wherein the Ocean of All Bodhisattvas Abides. Its color resembles a pure lotus made of Jambunada-gold vajra. It emits jeweled radiance that universally illuminates the oceans of worlds throughout the ten directions. Clouds of jeweled fragrant flames pervade every place.

Whenever he raises a foot to take a step, fragrance spreads throughout the Dharma realm, replete with every jeweled color. This is the eighty-fifth.

On the sole of the Tathagata’s right foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud of Light Universally Illuminating All. Adorned with all kinds of jewels, it emits great light that fills the Dharma realm and reveals all Buddhas and bodhisattvas. This is the eighty-sixth.

On the sole of the Tathagata’s left foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud Universally Manifesting All Buddhas. Adorned with treasury-jewel mani gems, it emits precious light and, in every thought, manifests all the spiritual transformations and oceans of Dharma of the Buddhas. The Buddhas abide in their places of enlightenment continuously throughout future kalpas. This is the eighty-seventh.

Between the toes of the Tathagata’s right foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud of Light Illuminating All Oceans of Dharma Realms. Adorned with a Sumeru-lamp mani king and a wheel of a thousand blazing spokes, it emits great light that pervades the oceans of worlds throughout the Dharma realms of the ten directions. Within it universally appear all the jewel-adorned marks of the Buddhas. This is the eighty-eighth.

Between the toes of the Tathagata’s left foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud Manifesting All Oceans of Buddhas. Adorned with mani-jewel flowers, banners of fragrant flames and lamps, and all kinds of precious wheels, it constantly emits the pure light of an ocean of jewels, filling all space and reaching every world throughout the ten directions. Within it are revealed the svastika marks and the perfect voices of all Buddhas and bodhisattvas, benefiting immeasurable numbers of beings. This is the eighty-ninth.

On the heel of the Tathagata’s right foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud of Sovereign Radiance. Adorned with powdered azure imperial jewels, it constantly emits the Tathagata’s wondrous precious light. This beautiful light fills the Dharma realm, everywhere having one and the same appearance without distinction. Within it are revealed all Buddhas seated at their places of enlightenment, expounding the wondrous Dharma. This is the ninetieth.

On the heel of the Tathagata’s left foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud Revealing Wondrous Sounds That Expound the Ocean of Dharma. Adorned with ocean-of-transformations mani jewels, an ocean of fragrant flames, Sumeru-flower mani jewels, and vaidurya, it emits great light that fills the Dharma realm. Within it universally appear the spiritual powers of the Buddhas. This is the ninety-first.

On the instep of the Tathagata’s right foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud of Light Revealing All Adornments. Fashioned from many kinds of jewels, it is exceedingly magnificent and beautiful. It emits pure light the color of Jambu River gold, illuminating all Dharma realms throughout the ten directions. The appearance of that light is like a great cloud covering all the Buddhas’ places of enlightenment. This is the ninety-second.

On the instep of the Tathagata’s left foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud Manifesting Marks of Many Colors. Adorned with moon-flame treasury Vairocana jewels and indranila jewels, it journeys through the oceans of Dharma realms in every thought and emits the light of mani lamps and fragrant flames, filling the Dharma realm. This is the ninety-third.

Around the Tathagata’s right foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud of the Universal Treasury. Adorned with indranila vajra jewels, it emits precious light that fills all space. Within it are revealed all Buddhas seated at their places of enlightenment upon lion thrones made of kingly mani jewels. This is the ninety-fourth.

Around the Tathagata’s left foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud of Light Universally Illuminating the Dharma Realm. Adorned with mani-jewel flowers, it emits great light that fills the Dharma realm, everywhere equal and of one appearance. Within it are revealed all the sovereign spiritual powers of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, who, with great wondrous voices, expound the inexhaustible Dharma gateways of the Dharma realm. This is the ninety-fifth.

At the tips of the toes of the Tathagata’s right foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud Revealing Adornments. Most delightful and pleasing, it is adorned with pure, genuine Jambu River gold. It emits great light that fills all Dharma realms throughout the ten directions. Within it are revealed the inexhaustible oceans of Dharma and the various virtues, spiritual powers, and transformations of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. This is the ninety-sixth.

At the tips of the toes of the Tathagata’s left foot is a mark of a great being called Cloud Manifesting All the Spiritual Transformations of the Buddhas. Adorned with an inconceivable wheel of blazing mani jewels of Buddha-light, moon-flames, and universal fragrance, it emits pure light of many jewel-like colors that fills all oceans of worlds. Within it are revealed all Buddhas and bodhisattvas expounding all oceans of the Buddha-Dharma. This is the ninety-seventh.

Disciples of the Buddha! Vairocana Tathagata has marks of a great being such as these, as numerous as the dust motes in the ocean of worlds of the Flower Treasury. Every part of the Tathagata’s body is adorned with wondrous, precious, and beautiful marks.

35. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: THE MERITORIOUS LIGHT OF THE TATHAGATA’S SECONDARY MARKS

(Latter Part of the Chinese Collection, Scroll 48)

At that time, the Blessed One said to Treasury Hand Bodhisattva:

Disciple of the Buddha! The Tathagata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, has a secondary mark called King of Perfection. From this secondary mark emanates a great light called Blazing Splendor, attended by seven million asamkhyas of rays of light.

Disciple of the Buddha! When I was a bodhisattva dwelling in the Tushita Heaven palace, I emitted a great light called King of Light Banners, which illuminated worlds as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. When the beings in the hells of those worlds encountered this light, their sufferings immediately ceased, and they attained ten kinds of purity.

Their eyes, ears, noses, tongues, bodies, and minds likewise became pure. They all rejoiced with great delight. After dying in the hells, they were born in the Tushita Heaven.

In that heaven was a drum called Most Delightful. As soon as those newly born devas had taken birth, the drum sounded and told them: “Deva sons! Because you were not heedless, planted roots of goodness in the presence of the Tathagata, and formerly drew near to spiritual benefactors, through the awe-inspiring power of Vairocana Bodhisattva you have escaped the hells and been born here.”

Disciple of the Buddha! On the sole of the Bodhisattva’s foot is a thousand-spoked wheel called King of Universally Illuminating Light. Upon it is a secondary mark called King of Perfection, which constantly emits forty kinds of light.

Among them is a light called Pure Virtue, which can illuminate worlds as numerous as the dust motes in a hundred million nayutas of Buddha lands. In accordance with beings’ karmic conduct, desires, and inclinations, it brings them all to maturity. When beings in the Avici Hell encounter this light, their lives end, and they are born in the Tushita Heaven.

After they have been born as devas, the drum sounds and tells them: “Excellent! Excellent, Deva sons! Vairocana Bodhisattva has entered the Samadhi of Freedom from Defilement.

Deva sons, you should bow in homage.”

When the Deva sons heard the drum sound forth this exhortation, they all thought: “How wondrous and rare! What is the cause of such a sublime sound?”

The celestial drum then told the Deva sons: “The sound I produce is formed through the power of roots of goodness. Deva sons! Although I speak of ‘I,’ I do not cling to an ‘I’ or to what belongs to an ‘I.’ All Buddhas are likewise: they themselves declare that it is real, yet there is attachment to self and what belongs to self.

Deva sons! Just as my sound comes neither from the east nor from any of the ten directions, so too the karmic recompense of attaining Buddhahood does not come from any of the ten directions. Deva sons!

When you formerly dwelt in the hells, neither your bodies nor the hells came from the ten directions. It was only because of your delusion, evil karma, ignorance, and fetters that bodies in hell were born. These have no root or foundation, nor any place from which they came.”

Sons of the devas! Through the awesome power of the bodhisattva Vairocana, light is emitted, yet this light does not come from the ten directions. Likewise, the sound emitted by my celestial drum does not come from the ten directions. It is only through the power of the samadhi of wholesome roots and the awesome power of prajnaparamita that such a pure sound arises and such sovereign spiritual powers are manifested.

Sons of the devas! It is like Mount Sumeru, upon whose summit stand the supremely wondrous palaces of the Thirty-Three Heavens, filled with every object of delight; yet those objects of delight do not come from the ten directions. Likewise, the sound of my celestial drum does not come from the ten directions.

Sons of the devas! Suppose worlds as numerous as the dust motes in a hundred million nayutas of Buddha-lands were all ground into dust. For sentient beings as numerous as those dust motes, I teach the Dharma according to their inclinations, causing them to rejoice greatly. Toward them I give rise to neither weariness nor aversion, neither discouragement nor fear, neither arrogance nor heedlessness.

Sons of the devas! The bodhisattva Vairocana, abiding in the samadhi of freedom from defilement, is likewise. From a single secondary mark upon the palm of his right hand, he emits a ray of light that manifests immeasurable sovereign spiritual powers. Not even all shravakas and pratyekabuddhas can know them, much less other sentient beings. Sons of the devas! You should go to make offerings to and draw near that bodhisattva. Do not become attached to the pleasures of the five desires. Attachment to the pleasures of the five desires obstructs wholesome roots.

Sons of the devas! Just as the fire at the end of a kalpa burns Mount Sumeru until it disintegrates without remainder, so too does craving bind the mind, rendering it utterly incapable of giving rise to mindfulness of the Buddha.

Sons of the devas! You should know gratitude and repay kindness. Sentient beings who do not know gratitude or repay kindness often meet untimely deaths and fall into the hells. Sons of the devas! Formerly, while you were in the hells, light shone upon your bodies, enabling you to escape from there and be born here. You must quickly dedicate your merit and increase your wholesome roots.

Sons of the devas! Just as I, this celestial drum, am neither male nor female, yet can manifest immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable phenomena, so too are you, sons of the devas, neither male nor female, yet you can enjoy all manner of supremely wondrous palaces, gardens, and groves.

Just as I, the celestial drum, am neither born nor extinguished, so too are form, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness neither born nor extinguished. If you can understand this, you should know that you have entered the samadhi of the seal of nondependence.

After the sons of the devas heard the foregoing sound of the drum, they all experienced something unprecedented. They immediately transformed into ten thousand masses of flower-clouds, ten thousand masses of incense-clouds, ten thousand masses of music-clouds, ten thousand masses of banner-clouds, ten thousand masses of canopy-clouds, and ten thousand clusters of trees singing praises. Together they went to the palace where the bodhisattva Vairocana resided, reverently joined their palms, and stood to one side, wishing to behold the bodhisattva, but they could not see him.

At that time, one son of the devas said, “The bodhisattva Vairocana has disappeared from this place and descended to be born in the human realm, in the palace of King Shuddhodana. He now dwells in a sandalwood pavilion within the womb of Lady Maya.”

The sons of the devas looked with their divine eyes and saw the bodhisattva’s body in the palace of King Shuddhodana in the human realm, attended and worshiped by devas of the Brahma Heavens and the Desire Realm heavens.

The sons of the devas all thought, “If we do not go to visit and inquire after the bodhisattva, but remain attached to this celestial palace for even a single thought-moment, that would be improper.”

Each son of the devas, together with a retinue of ten nayutas, prepared to descend to Jambudvipa.

A voice then issued from the celestial drum, saying, “Sons of the devas! The great bodhisattva did not die here and take birth there. Through spiritual powers alone, in accordance with what is appropriate for the minds of sentient beings, he enables them to see him.

Just as I now emit sound without seeing through eyes, so too does the great bodhisattva, having entered the samadhi of freedom from defilement, manifest taking birth in various places without seeing through eyes. He is free from discrimination, has eliminated arrogance, and is without attachment. Sons of the devas, you should generate the aspiration for unsurpassed bodhi, purify your minds, maintain wholesome deportment, and repent so as to eliminate all karmic obstructions, afflictive obstructions, retributive obstructions, and obstructions of views.

With bodies, heads, and tongues as numerous as all the sentient beings throughout the Dharma-realm, and with wholesome bodily, verbal, and mental karma as numerous as all the sentient beings throughout the Dharma-realm, repent so as to eliminate all obstructions, offenses, and transgressions.”

When the sons of the devas heard these words, they experienced something unprecedented. Their hearts filled with joy, they asked the celestial drum, “How does a great bodhisattva repent so as to eliminate all evil deeds?”

Through the power of the bodhisattva’s samadhi of wholesome roots, the celestial drum emitted a voice, saying, “Sons of the devas! A bodhisattva knows that all karma does not come from the east or from any of the ten directions, but accumulates entirely within the mind. It arises solely from delusion and has no abiding place. A bodhisattva resolutely sees and understands this without doubt or error.

“Just as I, the celestial drum, speak of karma, retribution, practices, precepts, joy, peace, and the various samadhis, so too do the Buddhas and bodhisattvas speak of self, what belongs to self, sentient beings, greed, anger, delusion, and the various kinds of karma. Yet in truth, there is no self and nothing belonging to self. The karma that is created and the retributions of the six realms cannot be found when sought throughout the ten directions.

“Just as the sound of my celestial drum is neither born nor extinguished, when devas commit evil, they hear no other sound but hear the admonishing sounds of the hells. Likewise, all karma is neither born nor extinguished; according to what is cultivated, its retribution is undergone.

“Just as the sound I, the celestial drum, emit cannot be exhausted throughout immeasurable kalpas, continues without interruption, and has neither coming nor going, so is it likewise. If there were coming and going, there would be annihilationism and eternalism. None of the Buddhas ever teach a Dharma of annihilationism or eternalism, except when employing skillful means to bring sentient beings to maturity.

“Just as the sound emitted by my celestial drum enables sentient beings throughout immeasurable worlds to hear according to their minds, so too do all Buddhas enable sentient beings to behold them according to their minds.

“Suppose there were a crystal mirror named ‘Capable of Illumination.’ This mirror would be pure, clear, and bright, immeasurably and boundlessly vast, equal in size to ten worlds. Within it would appear all images found throughout the lands—mountains, rivers, every species of being, and even hungry ghosts, animals, and hell beings.

“Sons of the devas! What do you think? Could those reflected images be said to enter the mirror and then depart from it?”

They replied, “That cannot be said.”

“Sons of the devas! All karma is likewise. Although it can give rise to various retributions, it has nowhere from which it comes and nowhere to which it goes.

“It is like an illusionist who deceives people’s eyes. You should know that all karma is likewise.

“If one can understand as described above, then one has truly repented, and all evil deeds are purified.”

When this Dharma was taught, sons of the devas from the Tushita Heaven, throughout worlds as numerous as the dust motes in hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Buddha-lands, attained the patient acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas. Immeasurable, inconceivable, countless sons of the devas from the Six Desire Heavens generated the aspiration for unsurpassed bodhi. At that time, all the celestial maidens throughout the Six Desire Heavens relinquished their female bodies and generated the aspiration for unsurpassed bodhi.

At that time, when the heavenly princes heard the teaching on Samantabhadra’s vast dedication of merit, they sought to attain the Ten Grounds, to attain the samadhi adorned with all powers, and, through three kinds of pure karma as numerous as sentient beings, to repent and eliminate all grave obstructions. They immediately beheld lotus flowers made of the seven treasures, as numerous as the dust motes in hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Buddha-lands.

Upon each lotus flower sat a bodhisattva in the full lotus posture, radiating great light. From each of the minor marks of excellence, every bodhisattva emitted rays of great light as numerous as sentient beings. Within that light were Buddhas as numerous as sentient beings, seated in the full lotus posture and teaching the Dharma in accordance with the minds of sentient beings.

Yet even a minute fraction of the power of the Stainless Samadhi had not been manifested.

At that time, with the flowers described above, the heavenly princes further transformed every pore of their bodies into clouds of exquisite flowers as numerous as sentient beings, which they offered to Vairocana Tathagata by scattering them over the place where the Buddha was. All those flowers remained suspended above the Buddha’s body. Clouds of fragrance pervaded worlds as numerous as the dust motes in immeasurable Buddha-lands.

If any sentient being’s body was touched by that fragrance, the being experienced bliss like a bhiksu entering the Fourth Dhyana, and all karmic obstructions were extinguished. If anyone smelled it, that person clearly understood that, among the five sensory objects of form, sound, fragrance, taste, and touch, there are five hundred afflictions internally and five hundred afflictions externally; those with abundant greed have twenty-one thousand afflictions, those with abundant anger have twenty-one thousand afflictions, those with abundant delusion have twelve thousand afflictions, and those in whom these are present in equal measure have twelve thousand afflictions—and that all of them are false and illusory.

Having understood this, that person attained the pure roots of goodness called Sovereign Radiance of the Cloud of Fragrant Banners.

If any sentient being saw that canopy, the being planted roots of goodness equal to those of a pure Golden-Net Wheel-Turning King, as numerous as the sands of one Ganges River.

Buddha’s children! When a bodhisattva abides in the station of such a Wheel-Turning King, the bodhisattva teaches and transforms sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the dust motes in hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Buddha-lands.

Buddha’s children! It is like Moon Wisdom Tathagata in the World of the Bright Mirror: the fourfold assemblies in other worlds constantly manifest bodies and come to hear the Dharma. This Tathagata extensively expounds accounts of his former lives for them, without ever allowing even a single thought-moment to be interrupted. If any sentient being hears the name of Moon Wisdom Buddha, that being will be born in that Buddha’s world.

In the same way, when a bodhisattva securely abides in the station of the pure Golden-Net Wheel-Turning King, anyone who encounters the bodhisattva’s light will certainly attain the Tenth Bodhisattva Ground, because of the power of roots of goodness cultivated in the past.

Buddha’s children! It is like a person who has attained the First Dhyana: although that person’s life has not yet ended, the person already sees the palaces of the Brahma Heaven and experiences the bliss of the Brahma world.

A great bodhisattva who securely abides in the station of the pure Golden-Net Wheel-Turning King emits the pure radiance of the mani jeweled crown. Any sentient beings who encounter this light all attain the Tenth Bodhisattva Ground, accomplish immeasurable light of wisdom, attain the ten kinds of pure eyes, up to and including the ten kinds of pure mental faculties, become fully endowed with immeasurable and extremely profound samadhis, and thus accomplish the pure physical eye.

Buddha’s children! Suppose a person were to grind kotis of nayutas of Buddha-lands into dust motes, reckon each dust mote as one world, and then grind into dust motes a number of Buddha-lands equal to that number of dust motes. Placing all these dust motes upon the palm of the left hand, the person would carry them eastward, pass beyond that many worlds as there were dust motes, and then deposit one dust mote. Continuing onward in this manner until all the dust motes were exhausted, the person would do likewise in each of the other nine directions. Then all such worlds throughout the ten directions, whether touched by a dust mote or not, would be combined into a single Buddha-land.

Treasure Hand! Could such a Buddha-land be conceived or described?

“World-Honored One! Such a Buddha-land would be vast, immeasurable, extraordinary, rare, and inconceivable. If any sentient being, upon hearing this analogy, could give rise to faith and understanding, it should be known that this too would be extraordinary and rare.”

The Buddha said, “So it is! So it is! It is just as you have said. Treasure Hand! If any good man or good woman hears this analogy and gives rise to faith, I bestow upon that person the prediction that he or she will certainly attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect enlightenment and attain the Tathagata’s unsurpassed wisdom.

“Treasure Hand! Suppose again that a person were to take vast Buddha-lands such as those described above, as numerous as the dust motes in a hundred billion Buddha-lands, and grind them into dust motes. Then, following the preceding analogy, the person would deposit those dust motes one by one, eventually combining all those worlds into a single Buddha-land, and would again grind that Buddha-land into dust motes.

Proceeding successively in this manner through eighty iterations, however many dust motes there might be in all those vast Buddha-lands, a bodhisattva’s pure physical eye, attained as a karmic result, could clearly behold them all in a single thought-moment. The bodhisattva would also behold Buddhas as numerous as the dust motes in a hundred billion vast Buddha-lands, just as a clear and luminous crystal mirror reflects worlds as numerous as the dust motes in Buddha-lands throughout the ten directions.

“Treasure Hand! All these attainments are brought about by the meritorious roots of goodness of the Pure Golden-Net Wheel-Turning King Samadhi.”