大方廣佛華嚴經

23. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: ASCENT TO THE TUSHITA HEAVEN PALACE

(Chinese Canon, Complete Volume 22)

At that time, through the Buddha’s spiritual power, in all worlds throughout the ten directions, within every Jambudvipa, the Buddha was seen seated beneath the bodhi tree, while bodhisattvas, empowered by the Buddha’s awesome might, expounded the Dharma. None failed to regard the Buddha as constantly present before them.

The World-Honored One, again employing spiritual power, without leaving the bodhi tree, the summit of Mount Sumeru, or the palace of the Yama Heaven, proceeded to the Tushita Heaven and entered the Hall of Wondrous Jeweled Adornments.

Seeing the Buddha approaching from afar, the King of the Tushita Heaven immediately prepared a Lion Throne of Mani Treasuries in the center of the hall. That throne was formed from the wondrous celestial jewels and arose from roots of goodness and meritorious virtue; no one could completely behold all its splendor. A hundred thousand kotis of tiers encircled the throne.

A hundred thousand kotis of golden nets, mani nets, and jeweled nets, as well as a hundred thousand kotis of flower canopies, jeweled canopies, garland canopies, and incense canopies, were spread above it. Garlands hung down, and their fragrance pervaded everywhere. A hundred thousand kotis of flower parasols, garland parasols, and jeweled parasols were held by devas arrayed on all four sides.

A hundred thousand kotis of jeweled garments were spread over the throne. A hundred thousand kotis of towers and pavilions shone brilliantly in adornment. A hundred thousand kotis of nets of jeweled necklaces hung on all four sides.

There were a hundred thousand kotis of curtains hung with jeweled bells, which, stirred ever so slightly, gave forth harmonious and elegant sounds. Its windows were fashioned from a hundred thousand kotis of jewels and adamantine mani gems. Its main gates were fashioned from a hundred thousand kotis of pure, wondrous treasury-jewels.

A hundred thousand kotis of clouds of celestial flowers, celestial incense, celestial garments, celestial jewels, celestial canopies, celestial ornaments, celestial jeweled garlands, and celestial necklaces rained down. A hundred thousand kotis of jeweled trees cast their shade all around. A hundred thousand kotis of celestial instruments played together, producing wondrous sounds that extinguished all afflictions.

They praised offerings, reverence, and spiritual practice; they also praised buddhahood, ultimate truth, and the Buddha’s original practices. They praised offerings made to the Buddhas of the past, extolled the Buddhas’ supreme fearlessness, extolled the bodhisattvas’ inexhaustible virtues, extolled the corresponding practices of all bodhisattva stages, extolled the Buddha’s uninterrupted virtues, extolled the practice of beholding the Buddha, and extolled the principle corresponding to unobstructedness.

The sounds of this celestial music resounded throughout all buddha-fields.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas who had first brought forth the resolve, upon seeing this jeweled throne, further increased their aspiration for all-knowledge. A hundred thousand kotis of Ground-Tending Bodhisattvas became pure in mind and joyful. A hundred thousand kotis of Practice-Cultivating Bodhisattvas attained pure awakening and understanding.

A hundred thousand kotis of Nobly Born Bodhisattvas abided in supreme aspiration and delight. A hundred thousand kotis of Bodhisattvas Perfect in Skillful Means brought forth the practices of the Great Vehicle. A hundred thousand kotis of Bodhisattvas Abiding in Right Mind diligently cultivated all paths of bodhisattvas.

A hundred thousand kotis of Non-Retrogressing Bodhisattvas purely cultivated all bodhisattva grounds. A hundred thousand kotis of Youthful Bodhisattvas attained the luminous samadhis of all bodhisattvas. A hundred thousand kotis of Dharma Prince Bodhisattvas entered the inconceivable realms of the Buddhas.

A hundred thousand kotis of Consecrated Bodhisattvas were able to manifest the ten powers of measureless Tathagatas. Ten billion bodhisattvas attained pure knowledge and understanding. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas gave rise to eager delight.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas possessed profound and indestructible faith. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas possessed vast power. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas increased their renown.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas expounded the meanings of the Dharma, enabling wisdom to become decisive. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas possessed right mindfulness without confusion. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas gave rise to decisive wisdom.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the power of hearing and retention and retained all Buddha-Dharma. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas produced measureless, vast knowledge and understanding. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas securely abided in the faculty of faith.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the dana paramita and could give everything. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the sila paramita and perfectly upheld all precepts and practices. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the kshanti paramita; their minds remained unwavering, and they could ultimately accept and patiently endure all Buddha-Dharma.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the virya paramita and could practice measureless vigor leading to liberation. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the dhyana paramita and possessed measureless lights of meditative concentration. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the prajnaparamita, whose light of wisdom could illuminate everywhere.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas accomplished great vows, all of which were completely pure. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained lamps of wisdom that illuminated the Dharma gates. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were illuminated by the Dharma-light of the Buddhas throughout the ten directions.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas proclaimed the Dharma that frees beings from delusion throughout the ten directions. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas universally entered all lands of the Buddhas. The Dharma bodies of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas reached all buddha-lands.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the Buddha’s voice and could extensively awaken sentient beings. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the skillful means that produce all-knowledge. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained accomplishment in all Dharma gates.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas perfected Dharma-wisdom like a jeweled banner, capable of revealing all Buddha-Dharma. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas could fully manifest the realms of the Tathagatas. A hundred thousand kotis of heavenly kings reverently bowed in homage.

A hundred thousand kotis of dragon kings gazed without weariness. A hundred thousand kotis of yaksha kings placed their joined palms above their heads. A hundred thousand kotis of gandharva kings gave rise to pure faith.

A hundred thousand kotis of asura kings relinquished their arrogance. A hundred thousand kotis of garuda kings held colored silken streamers in their beaks. A hundred thousand kotis of kinnara kings rejoiced exuberantly.

A hundred thousand kotis of mahoraga kings joyfully gazed upward. A hundred thousand kotis of lords of the world bowed their heads in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Trayastrimsha Heaven gazed without blinking.

A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Yama Heaven joyfully offered praise. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Tushita Heaven prostrated themselves in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Heaven of Delight in Transformations reverently bowed.

A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Heaven of Mastery over Others’ Transformations reverently joined their palms. A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma kings single-mindedly contemplated. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Great Sovereign Heaven reverently made offerings.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas raised their voices in praise. A hundred thousand kotis of celestial maidens single-mindedly made offerings. A hundred thousand kotis of devas of Shared Vows rejoiced exuberantly.

A hundred thousand kotis of devas of Shared Abode offered praise. A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma-Body Devas prostrated themselves in reverence. A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma-Attendant Devas placed their joined palms above their heads.

A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma-Host Devas attended all around. A hundred thousand kotis of Great Brahma Devas praised measureless virtues. A hundred thousand kotis of Light Devas prostrated with all five limbs touching the ground.

A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Lesser Light praised how difficult it is to encounter a Buddha appearing in the world. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Measureless Light bowed to the Buddha from afar. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Light-Sound praised how exceedingly difficult it is to see the Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of Purity Devas arrived together with their palaces. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Lesser Purity bowed their heads in homage with pure minds. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Measureless Purity vowed to behold the Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Universal Purity drew near, honored, and made offerings. A hundred thousand kotis of Vast Devas recollected their roots of goodness from past lives. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Lesser Vastness conceived a sense of rarity regarding the Tathagata.

A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Measureless Vastness resolutely honored him and generated wholesome karma. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Vast Fruition bowed reverently. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas Free from Affliction bowed in homage with firm faculties of faith.

A hundred thousand kotis of Devas Free from Heat joined their palms and recollected the Buddha without weariness. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Excellent Vision bowed in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of Excellent Manifestation constantly remembered to make offerings to the Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of Devas of the Ultimate Form Realm bowed in reverence. A hundred thousand kotis of devas all rejoiced greatly and raised their voices in praise. A hundred thousand kotis of devas all skillfully contemplated how to create adornments.

A hundred thousand kotis of Bodhisattva Devas protected the Buddha’s throne and adorned it without cease. A hundred thousand kotis of Flower-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered flowers of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Incense-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered incense of every kind.

A hundred thousand kotis of Garland-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered garlands of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Garment-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered garments of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Parasol-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered parasols of every kind.

A hundred thousand kotis of Standard-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered standards of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Banner-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered banners of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Jewel-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered jewels of every kind.

A hundred thousand kotis of Adornment-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered ornaments of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of devas’ sons came beneath the jeweled throne. A hundred thousand kotis of devas’ sons, with pure and faithful minds, arrived together with their palaces.

A hundred thousand kotis of Nobly Born Devas’ Sons guarded the jeweled throne with their bodies. A hundred thousand kotis of Consecrated Devas’ Sons guarded the jeweled throne with their entire bodies. A hundred thousand kotis of Contemplative Bodhisattvas contemplated reverently.

A hundred thousand kotis of Nobly Born Bodhisattvas brought forth pure minds. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas experienced joy and delight in their six faculties. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were pure in their innermost minds.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were pure in faith and understanding. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were pure in their three modes of action. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained mastery over birth.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas shone with Dharma-light. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas accomplished the various stages. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas skillfully taught and transformed all sentient beings.

A hundred thousand kotis of roots of goodness arose. A hundred thousand kotis of Buddhas gave their protection. A hundred thousand kotis of blessings and virtues were perfected.

A hundred thousand kotis of great vows became immaculate. A hundred thousand kotis of wholesome practices arose. A hundred thousand kotis of supreme minds brought about purification.

A hundred thousand kotis of wholesome Dharmas brought about firmness. A hundred thousand kotis of spiritual powers were manifested. A hundred thousand kotis of virtues brought about accomplishment.

A hundred thousand kotis of Dharmas of praise offered exaltation.

Just as, in this world, the King of the Tushita Heaven arranged a jeweled throne for the Tathagata, so too, in all worlds, the kings of the Tushita Heaven arranged jeweled thrones for the Tathagata. All possessed the same adornments, the same ceremonial forms, the same faith and delight, the same purity of mind, the same joy, the same gladness, the same reverence, the same sense of rarity, the same exuberance, and the same thirsting admiration.

Having arranged the jeweled throne, the King of the Tushita Heaven, filled with reverence and accompanied by ten trillion countless Tushita devas’ sons, welcomed the Tathagata.

With pure minds, the heavenly king and all the devas rained down countless clouds in the colors of flowers, incense, garlands, jeweled parasols, celestial garments, wondrous jewels, and ornaments.

As the devas sent forth from their bodies these countless beautiful clouds in the colors of precious jewels, countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of Tushita devas’ sons, together with the assembly of devas present there, rejoiced greatly and bowed in reverence. Countless celestial maidens joyfully admired and gazed upon the Tathagata. Ineffably many bodhisattvas, dwelling in space, vigorously and single-mindedly made offerings to the Buddha surpassing those of the devas and reverently bowed in homage. Countless musical instruments played together at once.

Then, through the Buddha’s spiritual power, through their former roots of goodness, and through the power of inconceivable mastery, all the devas’ sons and celestial maidens in the palace of the Tushita Heaven saw the Buddha present before them. They each thought: “It is difficult to encounter the Tathagata appearing in the world. Now I behold the Unsurpassed, Perfectly Awakened One.”

Together with the great assembly, they welcomed the Tathagata. They all used celestial garments to hold flowers and incense of every celestial kind, which they scattered as offerings to the Buddha.

Countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Tushita devas’ sons, dwelling in space, all brought forth minds within the realm of wisdom toward the Buddha. They burned many kinds of celestial incense, whose smoke formed beautiful, fragrant clouds adorning space. Toward the Buddha they also brought forth joyful minds and rained clouds of celestial flowers that adorned space.

Toward the Buddha they also brought forth reverent minds and rained clouds of celestial parasols that adorned space. They further brought forth minds of offering to the Buddha and scattered clouds of celestial garlands that adorned space. They further brought forth minds of faithful understanding and spread countless golden nets throughout space, with jeweled bells that continually produced gentle and harmonious sounds.

They further brought forth minds regarding him as the supreme field of merit, adorned space with countless jeweled curtains, and ceaselessly rained clouds of jeweled necklaces. They further gave rise to profound faith, adorned space with countless celestial palaces, and caused all celestial instruments to produce wondrous sounds. They further gave rise toward the Buddha to the supreme thought that he is difficult to encounter, adorned space with countless clouds of multicolored celestial garments, and rained down incomparable numbers of wondrous garments.

They further gave rise to measureless, exuberant joy, adorned space with countless celestial jeweled crowns, and rained measureless celestial crowns that formed clouds. They further brought forth joyful minds, adorned space with countless multicolored jewels, and ceaselessly rained clouds of jeweled necklaces.

Countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of devas’ sons all gave rise to pure faith toward the Buddha. They scattered countless multicolored celestial flowers and burned countless kinds of celestial incense as offerings to the Tathagata. They further brought forth minds of great adornment and transformation, holding countless kinds of multicolored celestial powdered incense, which they reverently scattered as offerings to the Buddha.

They further brought forth joyful minds and held countless multicolored parasols beside the Tathagata. They further brought forth surpassing minds, holding countless multicolored jeweled garments and spreading them upon the road as offerings to the Tathagata. They further brought forth pure minds and held countless multicolored jeweled standards to welcome the Tathagata.

They further brought forth minds of surpassing joy and held countless jeweled ornaments as offerings to the Tathagata. They further gave rise to indestructible faith and held countless jeweled garlands as offerings to the Tathagata. They further gave rise to incomparable joy and held countless jeweled banners as offerings to the Tathagata.

Countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of devas’ sons, with disciplined, tranquil, and heedful minds, offered the Tathagata countless celestial instruments producing wondrous sounds.

Ineffably many bodhisattvas before the Tushita Heaven had been born from supramundane Dharma, from practices free of afflictions, from unobstructed minds, from the extremely profound Dharma of skillful means, from vast wisdom, from pure and steadfast faith, from inconceivable roots of goodness, from countless skillful transformations, from minds that made offerings to the Buddha, and from the Dharma gate of non-action.

These bodhisattvas presented the Buddha with offerings surpassing those of the devas: jeweled parasols born from the paramitas; flower canopies born from pure knowledge and understanding; jeweled garments born from patience regarding the non-arising of dharmas; nets of jeweled bells born from unobstructed minds; precious incense born from minds that understood dharmas to be like illusions; jeweled thrones born from minds pervading the Buddha-realms and the seats of the Tathagatas; jeweled standards born from minds that made offerings to the Buddha without indolence; jeweled halls born from joyful minds that understood dharmas to be like dreams; clouds of jeweled lotus flowers born from unattached, unborn faculties of goodness;

together with clouds of incense, flowers, jeweled garments, and ornaments surpassing those of the devas, all respectfully presented as offerings to the Buddha.

Each body of these bodhisattvas manifested ineffably many hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of bodhisattvas, filling the Dharma-realm and the realm of space. Their minds were identical to those of the Buddhas of the three periods, for they arose from the Dharma free of inversion. Measureless Tathagatas bestowed their protection. They revealed the path of peace and security to sentient beings, perfectly possessed ineffably many names, words, and phrases, universally entered measureless Dharmas through all dharani gates, and produced an inexhaustible treasury of eloquence. Fearless and greatly joyful, they employed ineffably many measureless and inexhaustible praises in accord with reality to extol the Buddha without weariness.

At that time, all the devas and all the bodhisattvas saw that the body of the Tathagata, the Unsurpassed, Perfectly Awakened One, was measureless and incalculable. He manifested inconceivable spiritual transformations, causing countless sentient beings to rejoice greatly. With the adornments of a Buddha he adorned the entire Dharma-realm and the realm of space, causing sentient beings to abide in roots of goodness.

He manifested the measureless spiritual powers of a Buddha and transcended all paths of speech and language. All great bodhisattvas revered him, and he caused all who were ready to be liberated to rejoice and abide in the vast body of the Buddhas. His virtues and roots of goodness were completely purified; his physical marks were foremost; and the realm of his wisdom was inexhaustible.

Born from incomparable samadhis, the boundless body of the Buddha abided universally within the bodies of all sentient beings, causing measureless beings to rejoice and ensuring that the lineage of the Buddhas would never be severed. He abided in the ultimate dwelling place of the Buddha and was born into the family of the Buddhas of the three periods. He caused countless sentient beings to attain pure faith and understanding and caused all bodhisattvas to perfect their wisdom and experience delight in their faculties.

Clouds of Dharma covered the Dharma-realm and the realm of space, teaching and subduing all without omission. In accordance with the minds of sentient beings, he caused them all to become fulfilled, to abide in non-discriminating wisdom, and to attain all-knowledge. He emitted great radiance, causing all roots of goodness from former lives to become manifest, and universally caused all beings to bring forth vast resolve.

He caused all sentient beings to abide in the wisdom of Samantabhadra. He dwelt throughout all lands, was born from the true Dharma of non-retrogression, abided in the equality of the Dharma-realm, and clearly understood the capacities and inclinations of sentient beings’ minds. He manifested ineffable upon ineffable distinct bodies of Tathagatas and enabled all assemblies constantly to recollect the Buddha.

Filling the Dharma-realm, he extensively liberated multitudes of beings. According to the benefits sought by those who had first brought forth the resolve, he taught them the Dharma and caused them to become disciplined and attain pure faith and understanding. He manifested inconceivable physical bodies, regarded sentient beings equally without attachment, abided on the unobstructed stage, and attained the Buddha’s ten powers.

His mind was always tranquil and concentrated, never distracted. He abided in all-knowledge and could skillfully expound the true meanings of words and phrases. He could fully enter the profound ocean of wisdom and produce measureless treasuries of wisdom, virtue, and merit.

He constantly illuminated the Dharma-realm with the sun of wisdom and, in accordance with the power of his original vows, continually appeared without ever disappearing. He constantly abided in the Dharma-realm and in the unchanging dwelling place of the Buddha. Never clinging to self or possessions of self, he abided in supramundane Dharma, undefiled by worldly dharmas.

In all worlds he raised the banner of wisdom. That wisdom was vast, unattached, undefiled, and transcendent over the world. He rescued sentient beings, bringing them out of the mire and establishing them in the place of measureless wisdom.

Whatever merit he possessed, he used to benefit sentient beings, yet it remained inexhaustible. He fully knew the wisdom of all bodhisattvas and had resolute faith that they would certainly attain perfect awakening. Through great loving-kindness and compassion, he manifested measureless, fully adorned Buddha-bodies.

With a wondrous voice he proclaimed measureless Dharmas and fulfilled sentient beings according to their intentions. Throughout the three periods his mind was always pure. He caused sentient beings not to crave or cling to sensory realms.

He continually bestowed predictions upon the bodhisattvas, causing them all to enter the Buddha-lineage, be born into the Buddha’s family, and receive the Buddha’s consecration. He constantly traveled throughout the ten directions without ceasing, yet remained unattached to anything. He could journey universally to the buddha-lands throughout the Dharma-realms.

He knew the minds of all sentient beings and, without abiding in samsara, appeared like a reflection throughout the world. With wisdom he universally illuminated the Dharma-realm and completely understood that nothing whatsoever could be attained. With wisdom he constantly knew all worlds to be like illusions, dreams, shadows, and transformations, all abiding in this manner with mind as their essential nature.

In accordance with the differing karmic retributions, distinct inclinations, and varying faculties of sentient beings, he manifested Buddha-bodies. The Tathagata constantly took countless sentient beings as the objects of his attention and taught them that worlds all arise through conditions. He knew that the characteristics of all dharmas are entirely without characteristics and are solely the one characteristic, the source of wisdom.

Wishing to free sentient beings from attachment to characteristics, he manifested all worldly natures and characteristics, journeyed through the world, and revealed unsurpassed bodhi to them. Wishing to rescue and protect all sentient beings, he appeared in the world and revealed the Buddha’s path, enabling them to behold the marks of the Tathagata, remember them, cultivate diligently, and eliminate the marks of worldly afflictions.

They cultivated the practices of bodhi with undistracted minds, perfected every gate of the Great Vehicle, and accomplished the benefits bestowed by the Buddhas. He could observe the roots of goodness of sentient beings without destroying the purity of karmic retribution. His luminous wisdom universally entered the three periods, forever free from all worldly discrimination.

He emitted light that universally illuminated the ten directions and completely filled all worlds. His beautiful physical body could be beheld without weariness. Through the great merit, wisdom, and spiritual powers of the bodhisattvas, he manifested the realms of their faculties and practices, freely and perfectly performed buddha-works, and, once these were complete, disappeared.

He skillfully revealed the path of all-knowledge throughout the three periods. Upon all bodhisattvas he universally rained measureless dharanis, causing them to arouse vast aspirations, receive and uphold the teachings, cultivate them, and accomplish all the virtues of the Buddhas. Boundless wondrous features adorned his body, which all worlds could behold, entirely free from every obstruction.

He had attained purity regarding the true meaning of all dharmas. He had attained mastery over Dharmas of virtue. As the Great Dharma King, he shone universally like the sun.

Endowed with great awesome virtue, he was a field of merit for the world. He manifested transformation bodies throughout all worlds. He emitted the light of wisdom, causing all beings to awaken, wishing them to know that the Buddha fully possesses boundless virtues.

Through unobstructed wisdom he received the throne. In accord with the world, he skillfully revealed and guided. With the arm of wisdom he comforted sentient beings.

As the Great King of Physicians, he skillfully cured the illnesses of sentient beings. He could travel universally through measureless lands without ever resting. His pure wisdom-eye, free from every blinding obstruction, could see everything clearly.

He disciplined in various ways sentient beings who committed evil karma and caused them to enter the path, skillfully discerning the proper time without ever ceasing. If sentient beings brought forth impartial minds, he manifested impartial karmic retributions for them. According to their inclinations and karmic fruits, he manifested Buddha-bodies and various spiritual transformations, teaching them the Dharma so that they awakened, attained Dharma-wisdom, rejoiced greatly, experienced exuberance in their faculties, beheld measureless Buddhas, gave rise to profound faith, and produced roots of goodness from which they would never retrogress.

All sentient beings, bound by karma, sleep perpetually in samsara. When the Tathagata appears in the world, he can awaken them and comfort their minds so that they are free from fear. Those who behold the Buddha are all enabled to realize and enter the meaning of independent wisdom. With skillful wisdom they thoroughly understand all realms. Their magnificent adornments cannot be outshone, and their Dharma-wisdom has been completely purified.

He may manifest the body of a Buddha or the body of a bodhisattva, leading sentient beings to the place free from suffering and calamity. Adorned with countless virtues, his accomplished practices appear in the world.

All the pure adornments of the Buddhas are accomplished through the practices of the wisdom of all reality. Always preserving his original vows, he never abandons the world and serves as the steadfast spiritual friend of all sentient beings. His immaculate light is pure and foremost, enabling all sentient beings to behold him.

The sentient beings of the six destinies are measureless and boundless, and the Buddha, through spiritual power, constantly follows them without departing. If any planted roots of goodness together with the Buddha in former times, he causes them all to become pure. Never abandoning his original vows toward beings of the six destinies and never deceiving them, he gathers them in through wholesome Dharmas and skillful means, causing them to cultivate pure practices and crush every contention of Mara.

From the unobstructed limit arises vast power, the supreme and unobstructed treasury of the sun. Images appear within the realm of pure mind, visible to all worlds, and many Dharma gates are universally bestowed upon sentient beings.

The Buddha is a treasury of boundless light, fully perfect in every power of wisdom. He constantly illuminates sentient beings with great radiance, fulfilling them according to their vows. Free from all adversaries, he is the unsurpassed field of merit and the common refuge of all sentient beings. He purifies all who make offerings to him. Those who cultivate even a little wholesome practice receive measureless blessings, and he enables them all to enter the stage of inexhaustible wisdom. He is the master of the pure roots of goodness of all sentient beings. He is the supreme fertile field that produces merit for all sentient beings. The Buddha’s wisdom is exceedingly profound, and his skillful means can rescue all from the sufferings of the evil destinies.

Thus they believed and understood; thus they contemplated; thus they entered the ocean of wisdom; thus they journeyed through the ocean of virtue; thus they universally reached vast wisdom; thus they knew the fields of merit of sentient beings; thus, with right mindfulness present, they contemplated; thus they contemplated the Buddha’s karmic marks and excellent characteristics; thus they contemplated the Buddha appearing throughout the world; and thus they contemplated the Buddha’s mastery of spiritual powers.

At that time, the entire assembly saw that from every pore of the Tathagata’s body streamed countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of rays of light. Each ray possessed countless colors, countless forms of purity, and countless kinds of brilliance. They caused countless assemblies to gaze, countless assemblies to rejoice, countless assemblies to experience bliss, countless assemblies to deepen their profound faith, countless assemblies to purify their aspirations, countless assemblies to experience coolness in their faculties, and countless assemblies to become reverent and respectful.

At that time, the entire assembly saw the Buddha’s body emit hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of inconceivable great rays of light. Each ray possessed inconceivable colors and inconceivable brilliance, illuminating inconceivably boundless Dharma-realms.

Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, a great and wondrous sound resounded. It proclaimed hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of inconceivable praises, surpassing all worldly speech. This was accomplished through supramundane roots of goodness.

He further manifested hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of inconceivable wondrous adornments that could not be fully praised even in hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of inconceivable kalpas. These appeared through the Tathagata’s inexhaustible mastery.

He further manifested ineffably many Buddhas and Tathagatas appearing in the world, causing sentient beings to enter the gate of wisdom and understand the extremely profound meaning.

He further manifested throughout the Dharma-realm and the realm of space all the transformations of ineffably many Tathagatas, causing all worlds to become equally pure. These were all born from the Tathagata’s unobstructed wisdom and also from his cultivation of inconceivable supreme virtues.

He further manifested hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of inconceivable flames of wondrous jeweled light. These arose from the roots of goodness and great vows of former times: because he had made offerings to measureless Tathagatas; because he had cultivated pure and heedful practices; because roots of goodness were born from his unobstructed mind of great compassion; to reveal the universal power of the Buddha; to dispel the doubts of all sentient beings; to enable all to behold the Tathagata; to cause measureless sentient beings to abide in roots of goodness; to reveal the Tathagata’s mastery of spiritual powers; to enable sentient beings universally to enter the ultimate ocean; to cause the great assemblies of bodhisattvas in all buddha-lands to gather together;

and to reveal the inconceivable Buddha-Dharma.

At that time, through his universally pervasive great compassion, the Tathagata revealed all the adornments of all-knowledge. He wished that, among the beings in ineffably many countless worlds, those without faith would gain faith; those with faith would increase it; those whose faith had increased would become pure; those who were pure would mature; and those who had matured would become disciplined. He wished them to contemplate the extremely profound Dharma, possess measureless wisdom, give rise to measureless vast minds and non-retrogressing minds of loving-kindness and compassion, neither oppose the Dharma-nature nor fear the ultimate reality, realize the true principle, perfect all paramitas, and practice supramundane roots of goodness, all as pure as those of Samantabhadra.

He wished them to attain the Buddha’s mastery, leave the realms of Mara and enter the realm of the Buddha, clearly understand the profound Dharma, attain inconceivable wisdom, never retreat from their vows of the Great Vehicle, constantly behold the Buddhas without ever leaving them, accomplish realizational wisdom and realize measureless Dharmas, possess boundless treasuries of merit, bring forth joyful minds and enter the stage free from doubt, become pure and leave evil behind, rely upon all-knowledge and behold the immovable Dharma, enter the assemblies of bodhisattvas, and always be born into the Tathagata’s family.

The World-Honored One manifested such adornments, all accomplished through roots of goodness accumulated in the past: to discipline sentient beings; to reveal the Tathagata’s great awesome virtue; to illuminate the treasury of unobstructed wisdom; to manifest the boundless, supreme, and exceedingly mighty virtues of the Tathagata; to reveal the Tathagata’s inconceivable great spiritual transformations; to manifest Buddha-bodies among all classes of beings through spiritual power; to reveal the Tathagata’s boundless transformations of spiritual powers; because his original vows had all been completely fulfilled; to reveal the Tathagata’s valiant wisdom that can reach everywhere; because, having mastery over all dharmas, he had become the Dharma King; to produce all gates of wisdom;

to manifest the pure body of the Tathagata; to manifest the supremely wondrous body of the Buddha; to reveal his realization of the impartial Dharma of the Buddhas of the three periods; to reveal the treasury of pure roots of goodness; to display the wondrous physical body that transcends the world; to reveal the marks fully endowed with the ten powers, which none weary of beholding; and, as the sun of the world, to illuminate the three periods completely.

The Dharma King, sovereign over all virtues, manifested them all from roots of goodness planted in former times. Even if all bodhisattvas praised and proclaimed them throughout all kalpas, they could never exhaust them.

At that time, the King of the Tushita Heaven, together with countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Tushita devas’ sons, joined his palms toward the Buddha and said: “Excellent, O World-Honored One, Well-Gone One, Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Awakened One! May the Greatly Compassionate One pity us and dwell within this palace.”

The World-Honored One wished all sentient beings to rejoice, all bodhisattvas to awaken to the profound Dharma, all Tushita devas’ sons to increase their aspirations, and the heavenly king to make offerings without weariness. He wished sentient beings, through recollecting the Buddha, to bring forth the resolve, plant roots of goodness and merit, behold the Buddha, and constantly give rise to pure faith. He wished them to behold the Buddha and make offerings without seeking anything, to purify all their aspirations, diligently cultivate roots of goodness without indolence or rest, and make great vows in quest of all-knowledge. He therefore accepted the heavenly king’s invitation and entered the Hall of Jeweled Adornments.

It was likewise in all worlds throughout the ten directions.

As soon as the Tathagata sat upon the jeweled throne, the Hall of Jeweled Adornments naturally became adorned beyond all adornments of the devas. Countless jeweled nets spread throughout the four sides, and measureless clouds of wondrous jewels rained everywhere: clouds of ornaments, clouds of jeweled garments, clouds of sandalwood incense, clouds of enduring incense, clouds of jeweled parasols, and clouds of jeweled flowers. Inconceivable music resounded everywhere, praising the Tathagata’s wisdom of all modes. All these musical sounds accorded with the wondrous Dharma.

Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, the mind of the King of the Tushita Heaven remained unmoved and undisturbed. His roots of goodness from former times were all perfected; his measureless wholesome Dharmas became ever firmer; his pure faith increased; he aroused great vigor and gave rise to great joy; his aspirations became pure; he brought forth the resolve for bodhi; his recollection of the Dharma never ceased; and his comprehensive retention never failed.

Empowered by the Buddha’s awesome might, the King of the Tushita Heaven then recollected the roots of goodness he had planted in the presence of past Buddhas and spoke these verses:

In former times was a Buddha named Unobstructed Moon,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Hall of Adornments;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In former times was a Buddha named Lion of Discourse,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this King of Mountains Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In former times was a Buddha named Boundless Light,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Tree-Adorned Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In former times was a Tathagata named Dharma Banner,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Jeweled Palace Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In former times was a Tathagata named Lamp of Wisdom,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Fragrant Mountain Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In all worlds throughout the ten directions, the kings of the Tushita Heaven likewise, through the Buddha’s spiritual power, spoke verses praising the Buddhas of the past.

At that time, the World-Honored One sat in full lotus posture upon the Lion Throne of Mani Jeweled Treasuries within the Hall of Jeweled Adornments. His Dharma body was pure, its wondrous functioning sovereign and free. He shared one realm with the Buddhas of the three periods, abided in all-knowledge, and entered the same single nature as all Buddhas. His luminous Buddha-eye saw all dharmas without obstruction. Possessing great awesome power, he journeyed throughout the Dharma-realm without ever resting. Fully endowed with great spiritual powers, he went wherever sentient beings capable of being transformed were found. He adorned himself with all the unobstructed adornments of all Buddhas and skillfully knew the appropriate time to teach sentient beings the Dharma.

Ineffably many assemblies of bodhisattvas came from lands in other directions and gathered together.

The assembly was pure, their Dharma bodies nondual. Without any reliance, they could freely bring forth the bodily practices of a Buddha. When the assembly had taken their seats, measureless and countless wondrous objects, surpassing the offerings of the devas, naturally appeared within the Hall of Jeweled Adornments: garlands, garments, scented ointments, powdered incense, jeweled parasols, standards, banners, music, songs, and praises, all beyond enumeration. With vast minds, they reverently offered them to the Buddha.

It was likewise in all the palaces of the Tushita Heaven throughout the ten directions.