大方廣佛華嚴經

Children of the Buddhas! What is the great bodhisattva’s dedication of liberation without attachment or bondage?

Children of the Buddhas! This great bodhisattva gives rise to a mind of reverence toward all roots of goodness, namely:

A mind of reverence for liberation from birth and death. A mind of reverence for gathering all roots of goodness. A mind of reverence for seeking all roots of goodness. A mind of reverence for repentance of transgressions. A mind of reverence for rejoicing in roots of goodness. A mind of reverence for paying homage to all Buddhas. A mind of reverence for respectfully joining the palms. A mind of reverence for bowing before stupas and shrines. A mind of reverence for entreating the Buddha to teach the Dharma. The bodhisattva reveres, gladly accords with, and accepts roots of goodness such as these.

Children of the Buddhas! When the great bodhisattva gives rise to a mind of reverence toward these roots of goodness, his faith and understanding become firm, and he rejoices exceedingly. He himself abides securely and enables others to abide securely. He diligently cultivates without attachment, freely accumulates merit, fulfills his supreme aspirations, increases his power within the realm of the Tathagatas, and attains complete vision and knowledge.

The great bodhisattva dedicates all roots of goodness in the following manner.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he perfects Samantabhadra’s bodily, verbal, and mental karma. With this same mind, he also gives rise to Samantabhadra’s vast practice of diligence; fully acquires Samantabhadra’s dharani gateway of unobstructed sounds, whose mighty sound resounds throughout the ten directions; and fully acquires Samantabhadra’s dharani gateway of beholding all Buddhas, constantly seeing all Buddhas throughout the ten directions.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he perfects the dharani gateway of comprehending all sounds and teaches immeasurable Dharmas in accord with every sound. With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s dharani gateway of abiding throughout all kalpas and cultivates bodhisattva practices throughout the ten directions.

With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery, manifesting within the body of a single sentient being the cultivation of all bodhisattva practices continuously until the end of future kalpas. As he does within the body of one sentient being, so does he within the bodies of all sentient beings.

With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery to enter all bodhimandas universally, appear before all Buddhas everywhere, and cultivate bodhisattva practices.

With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s mastery of the Buddha’s power. In a single manifestation, he passes through ineffably ineffable kalpas without ever reaching an end and enables all sentient beings to awaken and enter. As it is within one gateway, so is it manifested within every gateway, and he appears bodily before all Buddhas everywhere.

With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery, enabling ineffably ineffable sentient beings in every thought to abide in the ten powers of wisdom, without ever becoming weary.

With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery, manifesting all the Buddha’s spiritual powers and masteries within the bodies of all sentient beings and enabling all sentient beings to abide in the practices of Samantabhadra. He also perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery by producing every language within the speech of all sentient beings, enabling all sentient beings to abide on the stage of omniscience. He also perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery by containing the bodies of all sentient beings within the body of each sentient being, causing them all to regard themselves as having perfected the body of a Buddha.

With this mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery, whereby he can adorn all worlds throughout the ten directions with a single flower.

With this mind, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of a spiritual friend, producing a mighty sound heard throughout the Dharma realm in all Buddha lands, and embracing, taming, and guiding all sentient beings.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he perfects Samantabhadra’s power of mastery. Throughout ineffably ineffable kalpas until the end of the future, in every thought he can enter all worlds universally and adorn them at will through the Buddha’s spiritual power. By this he also manifests the attainment of Buddhahood and appearance in the world. By this he also fulfills Samantabhadra’s practice, emitting a single ray of light that illuminates all worlds. With this mind, he also perfects the practices of Samantabhadra, attains immeasurable wisdom and all spiritual powers, and expounds all Dharmas.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he perfects the practices of Samantabhadra and enters the Buddha’s immeasurable, inconceivable spiritual powers and wisdom throughout all kalpas. With this mind, he also perfects the practices of Samantabhadra, cultivating all bodhisattva practices through the Buddha’s spiritual power everywhere in the Dharma realm, wherever the Buddhas dwell, without ever growing weary in body, speech, or mind. With this mind, he also perfects the practices of Samantabhadra: never contradicting the meaning, never impairing the Dharma, possessing inexhaustible eloquence, speaking words that are all pure, teaching, transforming, taming, and guiding all sentient beings, and enabling them all to attain unsurpassed bodhi.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he cultivates the practices of Samantabhadra. Upon realizing and entering a single Dharma gateway, he immediately emits immeasurable light that penetrates all inconceivable Dharma gateways. As it is when he realizes and enters one Dharma gateway, so it is with all Dharma gateways: he comprehends them all without obstruction and will ultimately attain the stage of omniscience.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he abides in bodhisattva practices and exercises mastery over all Dharmas, reaching Samantabhadra’s realm of sovereign adornments. In each realm, he employs omniscience to contemplate, realize, and enter, yet omniscience is never exhausted. With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, from this life until the end of the future, he abides continuously in the practices of Samantabhadra without interruption, attains omniscience, awakens to ineffably ineffable true Dharmas, and ultimately remains free from delusion concerning all Dharmas.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he cultivates the practices of Samantabhadra, attains mastery of skillful means and the illumination of Dharma, and becomes thoroughly versed and unobstructed in all the practices cultivated by bodhisattvas. With this mind, he also cultivates the practices of Samantabhadra and attains the wisdom of skillful means that knows all skillful means, namely: immeasurable skillful means, inconceivable skillful means, bodhisattvas’ skillful means, the skillful means of omniscience, all bodhisattvas’ skillful means of taming and guiding, skillful means for turning immeasurable Dharma wheels, ineffable skillful means, skillful means for expounding all Dharmas, skillful means of the boundless treasury of fearlessness,

and skillful means for fully expounding all Dharmas.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he abides in the practices of Samantabhadra and perfects bodily karma, so that all sentient beings rejoice upon seeing him and do not give rise to disparagement. Thereby they awaken the mind of bodhi, never regress, and attain ultimate purity. With this mind, he also cultivates the practices of Samantabhadra and attains pure wisdom that comprehends all the languages of sentient beings.

Everything he says is complete and adorned, accords universally with sentient beings, and causes them all to rejoice. With this mind, he also abides in the practices of Samantabhadra, establishes supreme resolve, possesses a pure mind, attains vast spiritual powers and vast wisdom, travels universally throughout all vast worlds and vast lands and among vast multitudes of sentient beings, expounds immeasurable and vast Dharmas, and reveals the Tathagata’s treasury of perfect adornments.

With a mind of liberation without attachment or bondage, he completely fulfills Samantabhadra’s practices, vows, and dedications; attains the Buddha’s pure body, pure mind, pure understanding, and pure merit within the realm of the Buddhas; possesses wisdom that illuminates universally; manifests the pure works of a bodhisattva; skillfully enters all the distinctions among words and meanings; and manifests the attainment of perfect enlightenment for all sentient beings.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, diligently cultivating the wholesome roots, practices, and vows of Samantabhadra, they attain the keen and beneficial faculty of wholesome roots, the well-regulated faculty, the faculty of mastery over all dharmas, the inexhaustible faculty, the faculty that diligently cultivates all wholesome roots, the faculty of the impartial realm of all Buddhas, the faculty of great vigor whereby all bodhisattvas receive predictions of non-retrogression, the faculty of the vajra realm that clearly knows all Buddha-Dharmas, the faculty of the vajra-flame wisdom-light of all Buddhas, the faculty that freely discerns all faculties, the faculty that establishes immeasurable sentient beings in omniscience, the vast and boundless faculty,

the faculty that brings all things to fulfillment, and the pure and unobstructed faculty.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating the practices of Samantabhadra, they attain all the spiritual powers of bodhisattvas. These are: the spiritual power of immeasurable, vast might; the spiritual power of immeasurable sovereign wisdom; the spiritual power of appearing throughout Buddha-lands without moving the body; the spiritual power of uninterrupted, sovereign freedom from obstruction; the spiritual power of universally gathering all Buddha-lands into a single place; the spiritual power whereby one body pervades and fills all Buddha-lands; the spiritual power of unobstructed, playful liberation; the spiritual power of sovereign, effortless action within a single thought; the spiritual power of abiding without inherent nature or dependence;

and the spiritual power of successively placing ineffable worlds within a single pore, traveling throughout the bodhimandas of all Buddhas in the Dharma Realm, teaching sentient beings, and enabling them all to enter the gateway of wisdom.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, entering the gateway of Samantabhadra and giving rise to bodhisattva practices, they use sovereign wisdom to enter immeasurable Buddha-lands universally within a single thought. One body contains immeasurable Buddha-lands. They attain the wisdom capable of adorning and purifying immeasurable Buddha-realms, constantly behold boundless Buddha-lands with wisdom, and never again give rise to the mind of the Two Vehicles.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating Samantabhadra’s skillful practices and entering the realm of wisdom, they are born into the family of the Buddhas, abide in the bodhisattva path, and fully possess ineffably ineffable, immeasurable, supreme, and inconceivable states of mind. They carry out immeasurable vows without ever ceasing and clearly know the entire Dharma Realm throughout the three periods of time.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, accomplishing Samantabhadra’s pure Dharma gateway, they contain within a single pore all the ineffably ineffable worlds throughout empty space and the Dharma Realm, enabling everyone to see them clearly. As it is within one pore, so too is it within each and every pore.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, accomplishing Samantabhadra’s skillful means of profound resolve, within a single thought they reveal the thoughts occurring throughout ineffably ineffable kalpas in the mind of one sentient being; likewise, they reveal the thoughts occurring throughout that many kalpas in the minds of all sentient beings.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, entering Samantabhadra’s stage of skillful dedication of merit, within one body they can contain ineffably ineffable bodies extending throughout the Dharma Realm, yet the realm of sentient beings undergoes no diminution. Even within all bodies throughout the Dharma Realm, each contains them in the same way.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, accomplishing Samantabhadra’s skillful means of great vows, they abandon all inverted perceptions, inverted thoughts, and inverted views and universally enter the realms of all Buddhas. They constantly behold the pure Dharma bodies of all Buddhas, coextensive with the realm of empty space, adorned with excellent marks and endowed with sovereign spiritual powers. They constantly employ wondrous sounds to reveal, expound, and teach without obstruction or interruption, enabling those who hear to receive and uphold the teaching in accordance with the Dharma, while clearly knowing that nothing whatsoever can be apprehended in the body of the Tathagata.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating the practices of Samantabhadra and abiding on the bodhisattva stages, within a single thought they enter all worlds. These include upright worlds, inverted worlds, and ineffably ineffable vast worlds spread like a net throughout all ten directions. Through skillful discernment, they discern Indra’s net throughout the entire Dharma Realm. They bring many worlds into one world, bring ineffably ineffable immeasurable worlds into one world, bring the immeasurable worlds established throughout the entire Dharma Realm into one world, and bring the immeasurable worlds established throughout the entire realm of empty space into one world. Yet they do not destroy their established characteristics and enable all of them to be clearly seen.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating the practices and vows of Samantabhadra, they receive the Buddhas’ anointment upon the crown. Within a single thought, they enter the stage of skillful means in which the wisdom of abiding in all practices is accomplished and perfected. They can clearly know every kind of perception and thought, namely: perceptions of sentient beings, perceptions of the Dharma, perceptions of realms, perceptions of directions, perceptions of Buddhas, perceptions of worlds, perceptions of karma, perceptions of practices, perceptions of precepts, perceptions of understanding, perceptions of faculties, perceptions of time, perceptions of upholding, perceptions of afflictions, perceptions of purity, perceptions of maturation,

perceptions of seeing the Buddha, perceptions of turning the Dharma wheel, perceptions of hearing and understanding the Dharma, perceptions of taming, perceptions of the immeasurable, perceptions of deliverance, perceptions of various stages, perceptions of immeasurable stages, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ clear knowing, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ cultivation, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ samadhis, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ emergence from samadhi, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ formation, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ dissolution, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ arising, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ cessation, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ liberation, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ sovereignty, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ sustaining power, perceptions of bodhisattvas’ realms,

perceptions of the formation and dissolution of kalpas, perceptions of brightness, perceptions of darkness, perceptions of day, perceptions of night, perceptions of half a month, a month, an hour, and the changes of a year, perceptions of going, perceptions of coming, perceptions of standing, perceptions of sitting, perceptions of sleeping, and perceptions of waking.

Within a single thought, they can clearly know all such various perceptions, yet they remain free from all perceptions and make no discriminations. They end all obstructions and remain entirely unattached. Buddha-wisdom fills their minds, and the Buddha-Dharma nurtures their wholesome roots.

They share one body with all Buddhas, are accepted and protected by all Buddhas, become stainless and pure, and cultivate and study all Buddha-Dharmas until they reach the further shore of great awakening.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating the practices of Samantabhadra for the sake of all sentient beings and giving rise to great wisdom, within each mind they know immeasurable minds. They clearly perceive the objects upon which those minds depend, their discriminations, their various dispositions, their activities, their diverse karmic functions, their stored characteristics, their thoughts and reflections, and all their differing categories.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, accomplishing Samantabhadra’s wisdom of great vows, in one place they know ineffably many immeasurable places, and in all places they likewise know them clearly.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating the activities of Samantabhadra’s ground of wisdom, within one karmic action they can know ineffably many immeasurable karmic actions. They clearly see that these karmic actions are all formed through various causes and conditions. Within every karmic action, they likewise know this clearly.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, cultivating Samantabhadra’s knowledge of all dharmas, within one dharma they know ineffably many immeasurable dharmas, and within immeasurable dharmas they know one dharma. These dharmas are all distinct, yet they neither obstruct nor oppose one another, and there is no attachment to them.

With a mind of unattached, unbound liberation, abiding in bodhisattva practices, they completely attain Samantabhadra’s unobstructed faculty of hearing. Amid the many distinctions within a single utterance, they remain unattached. The same is true of all utterances.

With a mind of unattached, unfettered liberation, they cultivate the wisdom of Samantabhadra, initiate the practices of Samantabhadra, and abide in the stage of Samantabhadra. Within each and every dharma, they expound an inexpressible number of immeasurable teachings. These teachings are vast, immeasurable, and diverse; their instruction, guidance, and embracing acceptance accord with inconceivable skillful means.

Throughout immeasurable periods of time, at all times, in accordance with the inclinations, understanding, faculties, and circumstances of sentient beings, they employ the Buddha’s voice to teach them the Dharma. With a wondrous voice, they cause immeasurable sentient beings in immeasurable bodhimandas to rejoice. In the presence of the Buddhas, amid immeasurable bodhisattvas filling the Dharma realm, they establish supreme resolve, give rise to vast knowledge and vision, fully comprehend all practices to their ultimate extent, and abide in the stage of Samantabhadra.

Whatever Dharma is taught, they realize and enter it completely in every thought. In the space of a single instant, they increase immeasurable, inexpressibly inexpressible great wisdom, and they expound the Dharma throughout all future time without end. In all lands, they cultivate vast practices equal to empty space and bring them all to perfect fulfillment.

With a mind of unattached, unfettered liberation, they cultivate the faculties and practices of Samantabhadra and become sovereigns of Great Practice. Within each faculty, they are able to comprehend immeasurable faculties, immeasurable mental inclinations, and wondrous practices arising from inconceivable states.

With a mind of unattached, unfettered liberation, they abide in the great dedication of merit belonging to the practices of Samantabhadra and attain wisdom that thoroughly comprehends the utmost subtlety of form, the utmost subtlety of bodies, the utmost subtlety of lands, the utmost subtlety of worlds, the utmost subtlety of directions, the utmost subtlety of time, the utmost subtlety of numbers, the utmost subtlety of karmic retribution, and the utmost subtlety of purity. All such utmost subtleties are completely understood within a single thought, without fear, confusion, distraction, defilement, or feelings of inferiority. Their minds remain focused on one object, skillfully serene and concentrated, skillfully discerning, and skillfully abiding.

With a mind of unattached, unfettered liberation, they abide in bodhisattva wisdom and cultivate the practices of Samantabhadra without ever growing weary. They are able to know the utmost subtlety of all sentient beings’ destinies, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ deaths, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ births, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ abiding, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ places, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ classes and kinds, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ states, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ practices, the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ attachments, and the utmost subtlety of sentient beings’ conditions of dependence.

They completely understand all such utmost subtleties within the realm of sentient beings in the space of a single thought.

With a mind of unattached, unfettered liberation, they establish profound vows and cultivate the practices of Samantabhadra. They are able to know the utmost subtlety of all bodhisattvas’ cultivation of bodhisattva practices for the sake of all sentient beings from the moment they first give rise to the aspiration for enlightenment; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ dwelling places; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ spiritual powers; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ travels throughout immeasurable Buddha lands; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ light of Dharma; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ pure eyes; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ accomplishment of the supreme mind; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ arrival at the bodhimandas of the Buddhas;

the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning the gateways of dharani; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ fearless eloquence in exposition; the utmost subtlety of the characteristics of bodhisattvas’ immeasurable samadhis; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom that beholds the samadhis of the Buddhas; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning profound samadhi; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning the samadhi of great adornment; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning the samadhi of the Dharma realm; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning the samadhi of sovereign spiritual powers; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning the samadhi that sustains vast practices throughout all future time;

the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom that produces immeasurable and diverse samadhis; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ wisdom concerning the samadhi through which they appear before the Buddhas, diligently cultivate offerings, and never depart from them; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ cultivation of the profound, vast, unobstructed, and unhindered samadhi of all wisdom; and the utmost subtlety of bodhisattvas’ ultimate wisdom concerning the samadhi that removes the obscurations covering the ground of all-wisdom and sustains the practices of the ground of wisdom, the ground of great spiritual powers, and the ground of definitive meaning.

They are able to comprehend all such subtle matters.

With a mind of unattached, unfettered liberation, they cultivate the practices of Samantabhadra and know the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ wisdom of establishment; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattva grounds; the utmost subtlety of bodhisattva practices; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ bringing forth of dedications of merit; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ attainment of the treasury of the Buddhas; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ wisdom of contemplation; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ spiritual powers and strength of vows; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ exposition of samadhi; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ sovereign skillful means; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ seals;

the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ state of being bound to only one more birth; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ birth in Tusita Heaven; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ dwelling in the celestial palace; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ purification and adornment of Buddha lands; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ contemplation of the human realm; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ emission of great light; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ supreme lineage; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ assemblies at the bodhimanda; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ taking birth throughout all worlds; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ manifestation, within a single body, of the deaths of all bodies;

the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ entry into their mothers’ wombs; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ abiding within their mothers’ wombs; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ sovereign manifestation, while within their mothers’ wombs, of assemblies at bodhimandas throughout the Dharma realm; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ manifestation of the Buddhas’ spiritual powers while within their mothers’ wombs; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ manifestation of birth; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ courageous wisdom in taking seven lion-like steps; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ wisdom and skillful means in manifesting residence in royal palaces;

the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ renunciation of the household life and cultivation of taming practices; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ sitting at the bodhimanda beneath the Bodhi tree; the utmost subtlety of the bodhisattvas’ vanquishing of the armies of Mara and attainment of unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s sitting upon the seat of enlightenment and emitting great light that universally illuminates the lands of the ten directions; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s manifestation of immeasurable spiritual transformations; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s lion’s roar of great nirvana; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s unhindered taming of all sentient beings;

the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s inconceivable sovereign power and bodhi-mind, which is like vajra; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s universal protection and mindfulness of all worlds; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s performance of Buddha-work throughout all worlds, without rest, until the end of future kalpas; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s unhindered spiritual power pervading the Dharma realm; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s manifestation of Buddhahood throughout the Dharma realm and the realm of empty space to tame sentient beings; the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s manifestation of immeasurable Buddha-bodies within a single Buddha-body;

and the utmost subtlety of the Tathagata’s sovereign wisdom presiding over the bodhimandas throughout the past, future, and present.

Such subtleties as these the bodhisattva is able to understand completely and bring to pure accomplishment. The bodhisattva can manifest universally throughout all worlds, increase wisdom with every thought, perfect irreversible skillful means, cultivate the bodhisattva practices without ever resting, accomplish the dedication of merit of the stage of Samantabhadra, and fully possess all the virtues of the Tathagata. Never growing weary of or abandoning the bodhisattva practices, the bodhisattva brings forth the realms of immeasurable skillful means.

Everything appearing before the bodhisattva is entirely pure. Wishing to bring universal peace and security to all sentient beings, the bodhisattva cultivates the bodhisattva practices, attains the stage of a bodhisattva endowed with great awe-inspiring virtue, realizes the vows of a bodhisattva, attains the Vajra Banner gateway of dedication, and brings forth the treasury of virtues of the Dharma realm. The bodhisattva is constantly protected and kept in mind by all Buddhas, enters the profound and wondrous Dharma gateways of bodhisattvas, and skillfully expounds all true meanings without ever erring concerning any dharma.

The bodhisattva makes great vows and never abandons sentient beings; in a single thought, the bodhisattva knows every treasury of realms—whether it is the ground of mind or not the ground of mind. Where there is no mind, the bodhisattva manifests the arising of mind; transcending language, the bodhisattva abides in wisdom, practices together with all bodhisattvas, and through the power of mastery manifests the attainment of Buddhahood, never resting throughout all future time.

The numbers of kalpas of the sentient beings in all worlds are established through words, conceptualization, and deluded perceptions; through the power of spiritual faculties and vows, the bodhisattva can manifest them all.

With a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, the bodhisattva cultivates the practice of Samantabhadra and attains extremely subtle wisdom that clearly knows every realm of sentient beings. Namely:

Extremely subtle wisdom that knows the discriminations within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the speech within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the attachments within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the different kinds within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the similar kinds within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the immeasurable destinies within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the inconceivable varieties of discriminations and activities within the realms of sentient beings; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the immeasurable defilements within the realms of sentient beings;

and extremely subtle wisdom that knows the immeasurable purities within the realms of sentient beings.

All such extremely subtle realms within the realms of sentient beings the bodhisattva, in a single thought, is able to know as they truly are through wisdom. Universally gathering in sentient beings, the bodhisattva teaches them the Dharma, reveals gateways of pure Dharma, and enables them to cultivate the vast wisdom of a bodhisattva. The bodhisattva manifests immeasurable transformation bodies, and all who behold them rejoice. With the sunlight of wisdom, the bodhisattva illuminates the minds of bodhisattvas, awakening them to sovereign wisdom.

With a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, the bodhisattva cultivates the practice of Samantabhadra for the sake of all sentient beings throughout all worlds and attains extremely subtle wisdom that knows all worlds extending to the limits of the realm of space and the Dharma realm. Namely:

Extremely subtle wisdom that knows small worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows great worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows defiled worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows pure worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows incomparable worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the various kinds of worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows vast worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows narrow worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that knows worlds adorned without obstruction; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the universal appearance of Buddhas throughout all worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that proclaims the true Dharma throughout all worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that manifests bodies throughout all worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that emits great light illuminating all worlds;

extremely subtle wisdom that manifests the sovereign spiritual powers of the Buddhas throughout all worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that, with a single sound, reveals all sounds throughout all worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that enters all the bodhimandas of all Buddhas throughout all worlds; extremely subtle wisdom that makes all Buddha lands in the Dharma realm into a single Buddha land; extremely subtle wisdom that makes a single Buddha land into all the Buddha lands in the Dharma realm; extremely subtle wisdom that knows all worlds to be like dreams; extremely subtle wisdom that knows all worlds to be like reflected images; and extremely subtle wisdom that knows all worlds to be like illusions.

Having understood in this way all the paths from which the bodhisattva way arises, the bodhisattva realizes and enters the practices, wisdom, spiritual powers, and conduct of Samantabhadra, attains the contemplation of Samantabhadra, and cultivates the bodhisattva practices without ever resting. The bodhisattva attains mastery of all the Buddhas’ spiritual transformations, attains an unobstructed body abiding in wisdom without reliance, and does not grasp or cling to any wholesome dharma.

Whatever arises in the mind is without attainment; whatever is thought of is free from every locus. Regarding the bodhisattva practices, there is the intent to cultivate them purely; regarding omniscience, there is no notion of grasping. The bodhisattva adorns the self with the various gateways of samadhi, and the bodhisattva’s wisdom accords with the entire Dharma realm.

With a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, the bodhisattva enters the gateway of Samantabhadra’s practice and attains extremely subtle wisdom that knows immeasurable Dharma realms; extremely subtle wisdom that expounds all Dharma realms; extremely subtle wisdom that enters the vast Dharma realm; extremely subtle wisdom that discerns the inconceivable Dharma realm; extremely subtle wisdom that discerns all Dharma realms; extremely subtle wisdom that, in a single thought, pervades all Dharma realms; extremely subtle wisdom that universally enters all Dharma realms; extremely subtle wisdom that knows all Dharma realms to be without attainment; extremely subtle wisdom that contemplates all Dharma realms without obstruction;

extremely subtle wisdom that knows all Dharma realms to be unborn; and extremely subtle wisdom that manifests spiritual transformations throughout all Dharma realms.

All such extremely subtle Dharma realms the bodhisattva knows as they truly are through vast wisdom. Attaining mastery of all dharmas, the bodhisattva reveals the practice of Samantabhadra and enables all sentient beings to fulfill it entirely. The bodhisattva does not abandon meaning and does not cling to dharmas, but brings forth impartial and unobstructed wisdom, knows the unobstructed foundation, does not abide in any dharma, and does not destroy the nature of dharmas.

Truly undefiled, like empty space, the bodhisattva accords with the world, gives rise to speech, and expounds the true meaning, revealing the quiescent nature. Regarding every object, the bodhisattva neither relies upon nor abides in it and makes no discriminations. The bodhisattva clearly perceives the vast establishment of the Dharma realm, understands that all worlds and all dharmas are equally nondual, and transcends every attachment.

With a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, the bodhisattva cultivates the practice of Samantabhadra and gives rise to extremely subtle wisdom that knows all kalpas. Namely:

Extremely subtle wisdom that makes ineffable kalpas into a single thought; extremely subtle wisdom that makes a single thought into ineffable kalpas; extremely subtle wisdom that places innumerable kalpas within a single kalpa; extremely subtle wisdom that places a single kalpa within innumerable kalpas; extremely subtle wisdom that places long kalpas within short kalpas; extremely subtle wisdom that places short kalpas within long kalpas; extremely subtle wisdom that enters kalpas in which Buddhas appear and kalpas in which no Buddha appears; extremely subtle wisdom that knows the number of all kalpas; extremely subtle wisdom that knows all kalpas and non-kalpas; and extremely subtle wisdom that, in a single thought, perceives all kalpas throughout the past, future, and present.

All such extremely subtle kalpas the bodhisattva, in a single thought, clearly knows as they truly are through the wisdom of a Buddha. The bodhisattva attains the minds that perfect the king of bodhisattva practices: the mind that enters the practice of Samantabhadra; the mind that transcends every path of discrimination and conceptual proliferation; the mind that makes great vows without weariness or rest; the mind that universally beholds immeasurable Buddhas filling immeasurable worlds; the mind capable of hearing and retaining the wholesome roots of the Buddhas and the practices of bodhisattvas; the mind that, upon hearing of the vast practices that comfort all sentient beings, never forgets them;

the mind capable of manifesting the appearance of Buddhas in the world throughout all kalpas; the mind that, in every world throughout all future kalpas, practices the conduct of immovability without ever resting; and the mind that, throughout all worlds, fills the bodhisattva’s body with the bodily karma of the Tathagata.

With a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, they cultivate the practices of Samantabhadra, attain non-retrogression, and acquire exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all dharmas. Namely:

The exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows the profound depths of dharmas; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows the vastness of dharmas; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows the various kinds of dharmas; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows the adornments of dharmas; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows the immeasurability of dharmas; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all dharmas entering into one dharma; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows one dharma entering into all dharmas; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all dharmas entering into what is not a dharma; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that establishes all dharmas where no dharma exists, without their obstructing one another;

and the exceedingly subtle wisdom that enters all skillful means of the Buddha-Dharma without omitting any vehicle.

The same is true of these subtle forms of wisdom concerning all dharmas established through every manner of expression in all worlds. They know them all without obstruction and in accordance with reality, entering the mind of the boundless Dharma-realm. In each and every Dharma-realm, they abide firmly with a profound mind and accomplish unobstructed practices.

With faculties pervaded by omniscience, they enter the wisdom of the Buddhas; through right mindfulness and skillful means, they accomplish the vast merit of all Buddhas; they pervade the Dharma-realm and universally enter the bodies of all Tathagatas; they manifest the various bodily actions of bodhisattvas; conforming to the languages of all worlds, they expound the true Dharma; through the empowering spiritual might of all Buddhas, they attain the wisdom of mental action; they bring forth immeasurable skillful means and the prajna wisdom that discriminates all dharmas.

With a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, they cultivate the practices of Samantabhadra and bring forth all exceedingly subtle wisdom. Namely:

The exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all lands; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all sentient beings; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows the karmic results of all dharmas; the subtle wisdom that knows the minds of all sentient beings; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows every occasion for teaching the Dharma; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all Dharma-realms; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all regions of space throughout all periods of time; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows every mode of language; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all worldly practices; the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all world-transcending practices;

and even the exceedingly subtle wisdom that knows all paths of the Tathagatas, all paths of bodhisattvas, and all paths of sentient beings.

Cultivating the practices of Samantabhadra and abiding in the path of Samantabhadra, they know both words and meanings in accordance with reality. They bring forth wisdom like a reflection, like a dream, like an illusion, like an echo, like a conjuration, and like empty space. They bring forth the wisdom of quiescence, the wisdom of all Dharma-realms, wisdom that rests on nothing, and the wisdom of all Buddha-Dharmas.

Disciples of the Buddha! When a great bodhisattva dedicates merit with a mind liberated from attachment and bondage, they do not discriminate between the world and worldly dharmas; between bodhi and a bodhisattva; between bodhisattva practices and the path of liberation; between the Buddha and all Buddha-Dharmas; between sentient beings who have been tamed and those who have not been tamed; between roots of goodness and the dedication of merit; between self and others; between the gift and the recipient; between bodhisattva practice and complete, perfect enlightenment; or between dharmas and wisdom.

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness in the following manner:

The mind is liberated from attachment and bondage; the body is liberated from attachment and bondage; speech is liberated from attachment and bondage; karma is liberated from attachment and bondage; karmic retribution is liberated from attachment and bondage; the world is liberated from attachment and bondage; Buddha-lands are liberated from attachment and bondage; sentient beings are liberated from attachment and bondage; dharmas are liberated from attachment and bondage; and wisdom is liberated from attachment and bondage.

When the great bodhisattva dedicates merit in this manner, they do so just as the Buddhas of the three periods did while cultivating bodhisattva practices: they learn the dedications of the Buddhas of the past, accomplish the dedications of the Buddhas of the future, and abide in the dedications of the Buddhas of the present; they dwell securely in the path of dedication of the Buddhas of the past, never abandon the path of dedication of the Buddhas of the future, and accord with the path of dedication of the Buddhas of the present; they diligently cultivate the teachings of the Buddhas of the future and clearly understand the teachings of the Buddhas of the present;

they fully possess the equality of the Buddhas of the past, accomplish the equality of the Buddhas of the future, and abide in the equality of the Buddhas of the present; they journey through the realms of the Buddhas of the past, abide in the realms of the Buddhas of the future, and are identical with the realms of the Buddhas of the present; they attain the roots of goodness of the Buddhas of the three periods, fully possess the lineage of the Buddhas of the three periods, abide in the meritorious practices of the Buddhas of the three periods, and accord with the realms of the Buddhas of the three periods.

Disciples of the Buddha! This is the great bodhisattva’s ninth dedication of merit: the dedication with a mind liberated from attachment and bondage.

When a great bodhisattva abides in this stage of dedication, even all the Vajra Encircling Mountains cannot obstruct or destroy them. Among all sentient beings, they attain the foremost physical appearance, unequaled by anyone. They can destroy all demons and all corrupt karma.

They manifest the cultivation of bodhisattva practices throughout all worlds in the ten directions. Wishing to awaken all sentient beings, they skillfully expound the Buddha-Dharma through expedient means and attain great wisdom. Their minds are no longer deluded concerning the Buddha-Dharma.

Wherever they manifest birth, whether traveling or remaining in one place, they always encounter steadfast companions. With pure mindfulness, they are able to receive and uphold the true Dharma proclaimed by the Buddhas of the three periods. They cultivate bodhisattva practices throughout all future kalpas without ever resting, relying on nothing and grasping at nothing.

They increase and completely fulfill the practices and vows of Samantabhadra, attain omniscience with which to perform the work of the Buddhas, and accomplish the bodhisattvas’ sovereign spiritual powers.

At that time, the bodhisattva Vajra Banner, empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual might, contemplated throughout the ten directions and then spoke these verses:

To the Unsurpassed Ones throughout the ten directions,

They never dare give rise to a contemptuous or arrogant mind;

They cultivate in accord with the Buddhas’ virtues,

And also revere and honor them with respect.

All the virtues they have cultivated

Are not for themselves or for others;

Ever with the supreme mind of resolute faith,

They dedicate them to benefit sentient beings.

Never for a moment do they become conceited,

Nor do they give rise to feelings of inferiority;

All the practices of the Tathagatas

The bodhisattvas diligently study and cultivate.

All the roots of goodness they have cultivated

Are entirely for the universal benefit of sentient beings;

Abiding in a profound mind and vast wisdom,

They dedicate them to unsurpassed merit and wisdom.

The immeasurable distinctions within the world,

Its skillful approaches and wondrous phenomena,

Whether coarse or subtle, vast or most profound—

By cultivating them all, they thoroughly understand them.

Whatever bodily forms exist in the world,

They enter among them with an impartial body;

Cultivating there, they attain clear awakening

And accomplish wisdom that never retreats.

The lands of the world are of immeasurable kinds,

Small or large, broad or narrow, each differing from the rest;

Through the gateway of wisdom, the bodhisattva

Clearly sees them all within a single pore.

The mental activities of sentient beings are many and immeasurable,

Yet they can impartially bring them into a single mind;

Through the gateway of wisdom, they awaken them all,

And never retreat from the practices they cultivate.

The faculties, dispositions, and inclinations of sentient beings—

High or low, their classes are all dissimilar;

All are extremely profound and difficult to know,

Yet they clearly know each according to its innate nature.

All the karmic actions of sentient beings,

Low or high, are separately distinguished by category;

The bodhisattva deeply enters the Tathagata’s wisdom

And, through the power of wisdom, clearly sees them all.

Immeasurable billions of inconceivable kalpas

They can impartially bring into a single thought;

Having thus seen throughout the ten directions,

They cultivate all purifying karma.

Past, future, and present—

They clearly know that their characteristics are all distinct,

Yet they do not contradict the principle of equality:

This is the lucid practice of those with great resolve.

The practices of sentient beings in the world are dissimilar,

Whether hidden or manifest, they are of immeasurable kinds;

The bodhisattva knows all their differing characteristics.

And also know that all those characteristics are without characteristics.

All Buddhas throughout the worlds of the ten directions,

The Buddha’s sovereign spiritual powers as they manifest,

Vast, difficult to know, and inconceivable—

Bodhisattvas are all able to discern and know them.

Within the Tusita Palace, throughout all worlds,

He naturally awakens—the Teacher of Gods and Humans;

His vast merit is supremely honored,

And manifestations such as these can all be seen.

At times he manifests descending in spirit into his mother’s womb,

Sovereignly displaying great spiritual powers;

Attaining Buddhahood, teaching the Dharma, and manifesting entry into nirvana,

Throughout all worlds, without ever pausing.

When the Teacher of Gods and Humans is first born,

All those endowed with supreme wisdom honor him;

The devas, Sakra, Brahma Kings, and all the rest

Attend upon him with the utmost reverence.

Immeasurable and boundless throughout the Dharma-realm,

Pervading all ten directions without omission,

Neither before nor after, neither near nor far,

The sovereign power of the Tathagata is manifested.

After the World-Honored Guide is born,

He walks seven steps in every direction;

Wishing to teach the wondrous Dharma to sentient beings,

The Tathagata therefore surveys everywhere.

He sees sentient beings submerged in the sea of desire,

Enshrouded by the darkness of ignorance;

The Sovereign One manifests a smile,

Thinking, “I must rescue suffering sentient beings.”

The Great Lion utters a wondrous voice:

“I am the most honored one in the world.

With the bright, pure lamp of wisdom,

I shall dispel the deluded darkness of all beings.”

When the World-Honored One manifests in the world,

He emits great light throughout immeasurable realms,

Causing all evil destinies to cease

And utterly ending the world’s calamities and suffering.

At times he manifests dwelling in a royal palace;

At times he manifests leaving home to seek and learn the Way.

Wishing to benefit all sentient beings,

He reveals such sovereign skillful means.

When the Buddha first sits at the place of enlightenment,

The entire great earth trembles;

His light penetrates and illumines all ten directions,

And all beings it shines upon are freed from suffering.

He shakes all the palaces of Mara

And awakens the minds of beings throughout the ten directions;

Those who were taught and practiced in the past

Are all enabled to understand the true meaning clearly.

All lands throughout the ten directions

He places within a single pore, leaving none outside.

Within every pore are boundless worlds,

And throughout them all he manifests spiritual powers.

All that the Buddhas have taught,

Their immeasurable skillful means, he fully comprehends;

Even what the Tathagatas have not proclaimed,

He is also able to understand and diligently cultivate.

Throughout the trichiliocosm,

All the armies of Mara rise to wage battle,

Creating immeasurable evil deeds,

Yet unobstructed wisdom can destroy them all.

The Tathagata may dwell in various Buddha-realms,

Or may manifest in the celestial palaces,

Or may appear bodily in the palaces of Brahma;

Bodhisattvas behold him everywhere without obstruction.

The Buddha manifests immeasurable kinds of bodies

And constantly turns the pure and wondrous Dharma-wheel;

Even throughout the number of kalpas of the three times,

Its furthest limit cannot be found.

The jeweled throne, lofty and vast, supremely honored,

Pervades immeasurable lands throughout the ten directions;

Adorned with every kind of excellent mark,

The Buddha seated upon it is inconceivable.

The Buddha’s disciples together surround him,

Pervading everywhere throughout the Dharma-realm;

He reveals immeasurable practices of bodhi,

The path cultivated by those of the unsurpassed rank.

The Buddhas manifest practices according to what is fitting,

Immeasurable, boundless, and coextensive with the Dharma-realm;

The wise, by means of a single skillful method,

Clearly know them all without omission.

Through the sovereign power of their spiritual abilities,

The Buddhas manifest every kind of body:

At times manifesting as beings through immeasurable lifetimes,

At times manifesting as maidens attending together;

At times, within immeasurable worlds,

They manifest leaving home and attaining the Buddha Way,

Until at last entering nirvana,

Dividing their relics and erecting jeweled stupas.

All such boundless practices

The Guide expounds from the place where the Buddha dwells;

All the merits of the World-Honored One,

His vows and practices, are entirely fulfilled.

When dedicating roots of goodness,

They abide in skillful methods such as these.

Thus cultivating the practices of bodhi,

Their resolve remains steadfast to the end, never weary or indolent.

All the spiritual powers of the Tathagata,

Together with his boundless, great merit,

And even the wisdom and practices of the world—

They know them all, exhaustively and completely.

All the inconceivable realms

Manifested by the Buddha in such ways,

They fully comprehend within a single thought,

Yet never relinquish the practices of bodhi.

The subtle practices of all Buddhas,

And all lands and all dharmas,

Bodhisattvas are able to know in accord with them,

And ultimately dedicate them toward the shore of enlightenment.

All kalpas, whether countable or uncountable,

Bodhisattvas clearly know to be a single thought;

Herein they skillfully enter the practices of bodhi,

Ever diligently cultivating without regression.

The immeasurable lands throughout the ten directions,

Whether defiled or pure,

Together with all the Tathagatas,

Bodhisattvas are able to discern and know.

Within every thought they clearly behold

Immeasurable, inconceivable numbers of kalpas;

Nothing throughout the three times remains unseen,

And they fully cultivate the practices of bodhisattvas.

They impartially enter all minds,

Impartially enter all dharmas,

And universally enter space and the Buddha-lands;

All the foregoing practices they clearly know.

They bring forth wisdom that knows sentient beings,

And wisdom that knows all dharmas also arises;

The spiritual powers of bodhisattvas are likewise so,

And all their powers of wisdom are inexhaustible.

Every subtle wisdom and all their distinctions

Bodhisattvas encompass without omission;

They skillfully know both common and differing characteristics,

And thus cultivate great practices.

Within the immeasurable Buddha-lands of the ten directions,

The sentient beings therein are also immeasurable;

Their destinies, births, and kinds differ from one another—

Abiding in the power of wisdom, bodhisattvas clearly know them all.

The past, the future, and the present,

All the Tathagatas in every land—

Whoever knows this and dedicates the merit,

Their own practices and the practices of the Buddhas become equal.

Whoever can cultivate the practice of dedication

Is thereby training in the Way practiced by the Buddhas;

They shall attain all the merits of the Buddhas

And attain all the wisdom of the Buddhas.

Nothing in any world can destroy them;

All their practices are brought to fulfillment.

They constantly recollect all Buddhas

And constantly behold all the World-Honored Ones.

The supreme practices of bodhisattvas cannot be measured,

And the meritorious qualities of the dharmas are likewise so.

Having realized the unsurpassed practices of the Tathagata,

They fully know the sovereign powers of all Buddhas.