大方廣佛華嚴經

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva gives the topknot together with the scalp to those who come seeking it, as did Bodhisattva King Jeweled Topknot, Bodhisattva Supremely Wondrous Joy, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

When, holding a sharp knife, he removes the entire scalp together with the topknot and respectfully presents it to the supplicant, the great bodhisattva’s mind is neither shaken nor disturbed. He remains solely mindful of the Buddhas of the three times, while his joy and resolve increase. He skillfully understands all dharmas and perceives no suffering; he clearly knows that suffering is originally signless and unborn, that suffering and happiness alternate and do not permanently abide.

He practices the conduct of great relinquishment in the same manner as the bodhisattvas of the three times, and with profound faith and aspiration seeks omniscience without ever turning back, not through instruction imparted by the power of another spiritual friend. He dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings attain the mark of the invisible crown protuberance and a topknot like the pinnacle of a stupa. May all beings attain deep blue hair, vajra hair, and fine, soft hair capable of eliminating all the afflictions of beings. May all beings attain lustrous hair, dense hair, and hair that does not encroach upon or cover the forehead.

May all beings attain hair resembling the character “卍,” curling to the right like a conch shell. May all beings attain hair like the Buddha’s hair and forever abandon every accumulation and fetter of affliction. May all beings attain radiant hair that illuminates the worlds throughout the ten directions.

May all beings attain untangled, beautiful, pure hair like the Buddha’s hair. May all beings attain hair like the crown of the Buddha’s stupa, so that those who behold it feel as though they behold the Buddha’s hair. May all beings attain the Tathagata’s undefiled hair, wholly free from impurity.

These are the great bodhisattva’s dedications of roots of goodness when giving away his topknot together with his scalp, so that beings may attain tranquil minds, fully perfect all dharani gateways, ultimately realize omniscience in all its modes, and possess the Ten Powers.

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva gives his eyes to those who ask for them, as did Bodhisattva Joyful Conduct, Bodhisattva King Moonlight, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

When giving his eyes, the great bodhisattva arouses a mind purified by the giving of eyes, a mind purified by the eye of wisdom, a mind that relies upon the light of the Dharma, a mind that directly contemplates the unsurpassed path of Buddhahood, a Dharma-mind that dedicates merit toward vast wisdom, a mind of impartial giving equal to that of all bodhisattvas throughout the three times, and a mind directed toward the unobstructed eye of wisdom, never betraying pure faith. Toward the supplicant he gives rise to joyful acceptance, in order to perfect all spiritual powers, bring forth the Buddha-eye, increase the bodhi mind, cultivate great loving-kindness and compassion, and bring the six faculties under control.

Disciples of the Buddha! When the great bodhisattva gives his eyes, he feels loving concern for the supplicant and establishes an assembly of giving for that person. He increases the power of the Dharma, abandons worldly attachments that lead to heedlessness, eliminates the defilement of desire, and cultivates the conduct of bodhi. His mind remains peaceful and unmoving as he pleases the supplicant and enables that person to be fully satisfied.

He dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings attain the supreme eye that guides every kind of being. May all beings attain the unobstructed eye that opens the vast treasury of wisdom. May all beings attain the pure and luminous physical eye, penetratingly radiant and impossible to obscure.

May all beings attain the pure divine eye and completely behold the karmic results of all beings. May all beings attain the pure Dharma-eye and be able to enter the realm of the Tathagata in accordance with it. May all beings attain the wisdom-eye and abandon every discrimination and attachment.

May all beings perfect the Buddha-eye and be able to awaken to all dharmas. May all beings accomplish the universal eye, reaching the limits of all realms without obstruction. May all beings accomplish the pure and undeluded eye, clearly understanding that the realm of beings is empty and without inherent existence.

May all beings fully possess the pure, unobstructed eye and completely perfect the Ten Powers of Wisdom. These are the great bodhisattva’s dedications of roots of goodness when giving his eyes, so that all beings may attain the pure eye of omniscience.

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva is able to give his ears and nose to those who ask for them, as did Bodhisattva King of Supreme Conduct, Bodhisattva Unexcelled Freedom from Enmity, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

When giving, the bodhisattva draws near to the supplicant and single-mindedly cultivates the practices of bodhisattvas. He possesses the lineage of Buddhahood and is born into the household of the Tathagata. He recollects the practice of giving cultivated by bodhisattvas and constantly, diligently arouses aspiration for the Buddha’s bodhi, causing the faculties, merit, and wisdom all to become pure. He contemplates the three realms and sees that not even a minute particle within them is enduring. He vows always to behold the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, to follow and remember all the Buddha-Dharma, and to clearly know that the body is false and empty, without cherishing it in the slightest.

When the great bodhisattva gives his ears and nose in this way, his mind remains constantly tranquil, and he disciplines his faculties. He strives to rescue beings from dangerous and terrible adversities, brings forth and increases all wisdom in beings, enters the ocean of great giving, fully comprehends the meaning of all dharmas, completely cultivates every path of practice, acts in accordance with wisdom, attains mastery of the Dharma, and exchanges an impermanent body for an enduring body.

Disciples of the Buddha! When the great bodhisattva gives his ears, he dedicates those roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings attain unobstructed ears that universally hear every sound through which the Dharma is taught. May all beings attain unobstructed ears capable of completely understanding every sound. May all beings attain the Buddha’s ears, comprehending all things without hindrance or obstruction.

May all beings attain pure ears and not give rise to discrimination because of what they hear. May all beings be free from deafness and hardness of hearing, so that ultimately they never hear wrongly or indistinctly. May all beings attain ears that pervade the Dharma realm and fully hear and know the Dharma sounds of the Buddhas.

May all beings attain unobstructed ears, awaken to all unobstructed dharmas, and skillfully understand every treatise so that no one can refute them. May all beings attain vast, pure ears that hear universally. May all beings fully possess the divine ear, extending even to the Buddha’s ear.

These are the great bodhisattva’s dedications of roots of goodness when giving his ears, so that all beings may attain pure ears.

Disciples of the Buddha! When the great bodhisattva gives his nose, he dedicates the merit as follows:

May all beings attain a high and straight nose, a beautiful nose, a nose bearing auspicious marks, a pleasing nose, a pure and wondrous nose, a harmonious nose, a prominent and well-defined nose, a nose that subdues enemies, a fair-to-behold nose, and the Buddha’s nose. May all beings attain a countenance free from expressions of anger, the countenance of all dharmas, an unobstructed countenance, a fair-to-behold countenance, a harmonious countenance, a pure countenance, a countenance free from faults, the Buddha’s perfectly complete countenance, a countenance present everywhere, and an immeasurably beautiful countenance.

These are the great bodhisattva’s dedications of roots of goodness when giving his nose, so that beings may ultimately enter the Buddha-Dharma, embrace the Buddha-Dharma, clearly understand the Buddha-Dharma, uphold and preserve the Buddha-Dharma, constantly behold the Buddha, realize all the Buddha’s Dharma gateways, accomplish an indestructible mind, illuminate the Buddha’s true Dharma, universally adorn and purify all Buddha-lands, and attain the Buddha’s body of great majestic power.

The foregoing are the great bodhisattva’s dedications of roots of goodness when giving his ears and nose.

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva, abiding on the stage of firm self-mastery, is able to give his fangs and teeth to beings, as did Bodhisattva King Flower Teeth, Bodhisattva King of the Six-Tusked Elephant, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas in ages past.

When giving away his teeth, the bodhisattva’s mind is pure and rare, like a blue lotus: a mind of inexhaustible giving; a mind of giving grounded in profound faith; a mind of giving that accomplishes immeasurable practices of relinquishment at every step; a mind of giving that disciplines the faculties; a mind of giving that relinquishes everything; a mind of giving dedicated to omniscience; a mind of giving that brings peace and happiness to sentient beings; great giving; ultimate giving; excellent giving; and supreme giving free from hatred and anger.

The bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all sentient beings obtain white, sharp canine teeth, becoming supreme stupas that receive offerings from humans and devas. May all sentient beings obtain even teeth like the Buddha’s, without gaps or defects. May all sentient beings attain well-disciplined minds and reach the bodhisattvas’ practice of the paramitas.

May all sentient beings have wholesome, pure mouths and lustrous white canine teeth shining brilliantly. May all sentient beings obtain beautifully adorned canine teeth and pure mouths free from unsightly features. May all sentient beings possess a full set of forty teeth, always emitting rare and wondrous fragrances.

May all sentient beings have well-disciplined minds and lustrous, immaculate teeth like white lotuses, radiating immeasurable light that illuminates everywhere. May all sentient beings have sharp and firm canine teeth, eat without greed or attachment, and become unsurpassed fields of merit. May all sentient beings constantly emit light from between their teeth, conferring predictions of buddhahood upon bodhisattvas.

This is how the great bodhisattva, when giving away his canine teeth, dedicates these roots of goodness so that sentient beings may possess omniscience, because they attain pure wisdom regarding all dharmas.

Children of the Buddhas! If someone comes to ask for his tongue, the great bodhisattva, moved by loving-kindness and compassion, speaks gentle and pleasing words to the petitioner, just as Bodhisattva King Handsome Countenance, Bodhisattva Non-Retrogression, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas did in the past.

The great bodhisattva then invites the petitioner to sit upon a lion throne. With a pure, gentle, peaceful, and joyful heart, neither clinging to his body nor clinging to speech, the bodhisattva kneels, opens his mouth, extends his tongue to the petitioner, and says: “This body of mine now belongs entirely to you. Please cut out this tongue and use it as you wish, so that your desire may be completely fulfilled.”

The bodhisattva dedicates the roots of goodness from giving away his tongue as follows:

May all sentient beings obtain an all-pervasive tongue capable of proclaiming every word and every Dharma. May all sentient beings obtain a tongue that covers the entire face, always speak words that are true, and never engage in duplicitous speech. May all sentient beings obtain a tongue that extends throughout all Buddha lands and manifests the Buddhas’ sovereign spiritual powers.

May all sentient beings obtain a soft and slender tongue and always enjoy pure and delicious flavors. May all sentient beings obtain an eloquent tongue capable of severing every net of worldly doubt. May all sentient beings obtain a radiant tongue capable of emitting immeasurable light.

May all sentient beings obtain a resolute tongue and expound all dharmas without end. May all sentient beings obtain a universally disciplined tongue, skillfully reveal all profound and essential teachings, and speak words that inspire others to believe and accept them. May all sentient beings obtain a universally penetrating tongue and skillfully enter every ocean of languages.

May all sentient beings obtain a tongue that skillfully teaches every Dharma gateway and reaches the other shore of linguistic wisdom. This is how the great bodhisattva, when giving away his tongue, dedicates these roots of goodness so that all sentient beings may perfect unobstructed wisdom.

Children of the Buddhas! The great bodhisattva gives his head to those who come asking for it, as did Bodhisattva Supreme Wisdom, the King of Kashi, and other bodhisattvas. The great bodhisattva gives in this way because he wishes to accomplish the supreme foremost wisdom that enters all dharmas; to accomplish great bodhi and rescue sentient beings; to possess fully the foremost head that beholds all dharmas; to obtain the head of pure wisdom and right view; to accomplish an unobstructed head; to obtain the foremost head; to obtain the head of supreme wisdom in the world; to obtain the head of pure wisdom with an invisible crown; to obtain the head of wisdom that manifests universally throughout the ten directions; and to attain the head that is sovereign over all dharmas.

When the great bodhisattva abides in this Dharma and diligently seeks and cultivates it, he has entered the lineage of the Buddhas and is learning the Buddhas’ practice of giving. He gives rise to pure faith in the Buddhas and increases his roots of goodness. He causes petitioners to be fully satisfied and joyful, while his own mind becomes pure and filled with immeasurable joy. His pure faith and understanding illuminate the Buddhadharma. He arouses the aspiration for bodhi, abides in a mind of relinquishment, experiences ease in all his faculties, increases his merit, gives rise to wholesome vows, and always delights in cultivating the vast practice of giving.

The bodhisattva then dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all sentient beings obtain the head of a Tathagata and attain an invisible crown that cannot be obscured anywhere. May they become the foremost leaders in all Buddha lands, with hair curling to the right, glossy, radiant, and pure, and adorned with the character “卍,” a feature exceedingly rare in the world. May they possess the perfect head of a Buddha, accomplish the head of wisdom—the foremost head in all worlds—the complete head, the pure head, and the perfected foremost wisdom seated at the place of awakening. This is how the great bodhisattva, when giving away his head, dedicates these roots of goodness so that sentient beings may attain the supreme Dharma and accomplish unsurpassed wisdom.

Children of the Buddhas! The great bodhisattva gives his hands and feet to sentient beings, as did Bodhisattva Constant Vigor, Bodhisattva King Free from Sorrow, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

Among all classes of beings, throughout many lifetimes, the bodhisattva gives away his hands and feet. Taking faith as his hands, he undertakes practices that benefit others, journeying back and forth, continually and diligently cultivating the true Dharma. He vows to obtain precious hands and uses his hands as gifts, perfecting the bodhisattva path. He always extends both hands, ready to give, and strides forth auspiciously, courageously, and without fear. Through the power of pure faith, he perfects the practice of vigor, eradicates the evil destinies, and accomplishes bodhi.

When the great bodhisattva gives in this way, with an immeasurable, boundless, and expansive mind, he reveals the pure Dharma gateways and the ocean of Buddhas. He accomplishes hands of giving that provide universally for beings everywhere. Sustained by the power of his vows, he follows the path to omniscience and abides in an ultimately stainless mind. His Dharma body and wisdom body are neither interrupted nor destroyed, and no demonic karma can shake him. Relying upon spiritual teachers, he makes his mind steadfast and cultivates the paramita of giving in the same manner as all bodhisattvas.

The great bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all sentient beings fully possess the power of spiritual penetrations and obtain precious hands. Having obtained precious hands, may they all honor one another and regard one another as fields of merit, offering various treasures to one another and also offering those treasures to the Buddhas. May they raise clouds of exquisite treasures throughout all Buddha lands, causing sentient beings to love one another and never harm or afflict one another. May they journey throughout all Buddha lands, abide in fearlessness, and naturally possess perfectly complete spiritual powers.

Furthermore, may all sentient beings obtain precious hands, flower hands, fragrant hands, garment hands, parasol hands, garland hands, powdered-incense hands, ornament hands, immeasurable hands, immeasurable hands, and universally extending hands.

Having obtained these hands, through the power of spiritual penetrations may they constantly and diligently journey to all Buddha lands. With one hand, they can touch all the worlds of the Buddhas. With sovereign hands, they protect and sustain all sentient beings. They obtain hands endowed with wondrous marks that emit immeasurable light. With one hand, they can shelter all sentient beings. They accomplish the hands of a Tathagata: the fingers are webbed, and the nails are the color of red copper.

At that time, the bodhisattva covers all sentient beings with the hand of great vows, vowing that all sentient beings may constantly aspire to seek unsurpassed bodhi and bring forth a vast ocean of all great virtues. When seeing those who come to ask, may they rejoice without weariness; may they enter the ocean of the Buddhadharma and possess roots of goodness equal to those of the Buddhas.

This is how the great bodhisattva dedicates roots of goodness when giving away his hands and feet.

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva cuts open his body and draws blood to give to sentient beings, as did Dharma-Karma Bodhisattva, King of Good Intent Bodhisattva, and immeasurably many other bodhisattvas.

While among the various classes of beings, when giving away the blood from his body, the great bodhisattva brings forth the resolve to accomplish all-knowledge; the resolve to joyfully aspire to great bodhi; the resolve to delight in cultivating the bodhisattva practices; the resolve not to cling to painful sensations; the resolve to delight in seeing those who ask; the resolve not to resent those who come seeking alms; the resolve to advance toward the bodhisattva path; the resolve to uphold the practice of relinquishment of all bodhisattvas; the resolve to broaden and increase the bodhisattva’s wholesome practice of giving; an irreversible resolve; a resolve that never ceases or rests; and a resolve free from attachment to himself.

The bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness in this way:

May all sentient beings accomplish the Dharma-body and the wisdom-body. May all sentient beings obtain a body like vajra, free from weariness. May all sentient beings obtain an indestructible body that no one can injure.

May all sentient beings obtain a body like a magical transformation, manifesting everywhere throughout the worlds without end. May all sentient beings obtain a lovely, pure, wondrous, and steadfast body. May all sentient beings obtain a body of the Dharma realm, equal to that of the Tathagata and without any dependence.

May all sentient beings obtain a body radiant like a wondrous jewel, incomparable to anyone in the world. May all sentient beings obtain a body that is a treasury of wisdom and attain mastery within the cycle of birth and death. May all sentient beings obtain a body like an ocean of jewels, bringing benefit to all who behold it.

May all sentient beings obtain a body like empty space, which the sufferings, afflictions, calamities, and adversities of the world cannot defile or bind.

When giving away the blood from his body, the bodhisattva thus dedicates his roots of goodness with a Mahayana mind, a pure mind, a vast mind, a delighted mind, a joyful mind, a rejoicing mind, a surpassing mind, a peaceful and blissful mind, and an undefiled mind.

Disciples of the Buddha! When the great bodhisattva sees someone come to ask for the flesh and marrow of his body, he immediately rejoices and gently says to that person: “Here are the flesh and marrow of my body; take and use them as you wish,” as did Beneficent Bodhisattva, King Who Gives Everything Bodhisattva, and immeasurably many other bodhisattvas.

Among the various classes of beings, throughout many lifetimes the great bodhisattva gives the marrow and flesh of his own body to those who come asking. His heart rejoices greatly, and his resolve to give grows ever stronger. He cultivates roots of goodness equal to those of all bodhisattvas, leaves behind the dust and defilements of the world, and attains profound aspiration.

Though he gives his body everywhere, his resolve remains inexhaustible. He fully perfects immeasurable and vast roots of goodness, embraces all subtle and wondrous virtues, and tirelessly receives, upholds, and practices them forever in accordance with the bodhisattva’s principles. His heart always delights in the virtue of giving.

He provides for everyone without regret, universally contemplating that all dharmas arise according to conditions and are originally without intrinsic nature. He neither clings to the karmic act of giving nor covets the recompense of giving, but gives impartially to whomever he encounters.

When the great bodhisattva gives in this way, all Buddhas appear before him so that he may dwell securely in all pure dharmas. All worlds appear before him so that he may adorn and purify all Buddha-lands. All sentient beings appear before him so that, with great compassion, he may universally rescue and protect them all.

All paths to Buddhahood appear before him because he delights in contemplating the Tathagata’s ten powers of wisdom. All bodhisattvas of the past, future, and present appear before him so that together they may perfect their roots of goodness. All forms of fearlessness appear before him so that he may become a supreme teacher of the Dharma.

All times of the three periods appear before him so that he may attain the wisdom of equality that universally contemplates everything. All periods of time appear before him because he makes vast vows to cultivate the practices of bodhi throughout all future kalpas. All the tireless practices of bodhisattvas appear before him because he brings forth an immeasurably vast resolve.

When giving away his flesh and marrow, the great bodhisattva dedicates his roots of goodness in this way:

May all sentient beings obtain a vajra body that cannot be obstructed, shattered, or destroyed. May all sentient beings obtain a firm and compact body that never diminishes or becomes deficient. May all sentient beings obtain a mind-made body, adorned and pure like the body of a Buddha.

May all sentient beings obtain a body endowed with the hundred marks of merit and adorned with the thirty-two marks. May all sentient beings obtain a wondrously adorned body endowed with the eighty minor characteristics and the ten powers of wisdom. May all sentient beings obtain the body of a Tathagata, ultimately pure and immeasurable.

May all sentient beings obtain a steadfast body. May all sentient beings obtain a body of a single characteristic, sharing the same bodily characteristics as the Buddhas of the three periods. May all sentient beings obtain an unobstructed body, with the pure Dharma-body pervading the realm of empty space.

May all sentient beings obtain a body that is a treasury of bodhi, encompassing all worlds.

This is how the bodhisattva, in seeking all-knowledge, dedicates roots of goodness when giving away his flesh and marrow, wishing that all sentient beings may obtain the Tathagata’s immeasurable, ultimately pure body.

Disciples of the Buddha! The great bodhisattva gives his heart to those who come asking, as did Never-Wearying Bodhisattva, Unobstructed King Bodhisattva, and immeasurably many other great bodhisattvas.

When the bodhisattva gives his heart to one who asks, he trains in the mind of sovereign giving, cultivates the mind that gives everything, practices the mind of dana-paramita, perfects the mind of dana-paramita, trains in the giving-mind of all bodhisattvas, possesses the inexhaustible mind that relinquishes everything, possesses the mind habituated to giving everything, possesses the mind that practices the bodhisattva’s giving and bears responsibility for all, possesses the mind of right mindfulness in which all Buddhas are present, and possesses the mind that makes offerings to all who come asking without ever ceasing.

To accomplish all-knowledge and the ten powers and to abide on the bodhisattva path, when giving away his heart, the great bodhisattva dedicates his roots of goodness in this way:

May all sentient beings obtain a mind that is a vajra treasury. May all sentient beings obtain a mind of the vajra realm adorned with the mark of the character “卍”; obtain an immovable mind; obtain an intrepid mind; obtain a mind that benefits the world without end; obtain a treasury-mind of great, courageous wisdom; obtain a steadfast Narayana mind; obtain a mind as inexhaustible as the realm of sentient beings; obtain a mind that eradicates the deeds and armies of Mara; obtain a fearless mind, a mind of great awesome virtue, a mind of constant diligence, a greatly courageous mind, an undaunted mind, a mind armored in vajra, and the supreme mind of a bodhisattva; accomplish the radiant mind of a Buddha’s bodhi;

sit beneath the bodhi tree, abide in the Buddhadharma, end all delusion, and perfect the mind of all-knowledge and the mind of the ten powers.

This is how the great bodhisattva dedicates roots of goodness when giving away his heart, wishing that sentient beings may remain undefiled by the world and fully perfect the mind of the Tathagata’s ten powers.

Disciples of the Buddha! If anyone comes to ask for his liver, lungs, intestines, or kidneys, the great bodhisattva gives them all, as did Excellent Giving Bodhisattva, Sovereign King Who Subdues Mara Bodhisattva, and immeasurably many other bodhisattvas.

When giving the aforementioned things, upon seeing people come to ask, the bodhisattva’s heart is joyful, respectful, and loving. Because he seeks the path to bodhi, he gives everything according to the wishes of those who ask, without regret. He contemplates: “This body is not firm or enduring. I should give it to them in order to attain an indestructible body.” The bodhisattva further reflects: “This body of mine will soon decay and become repulsive to all who see it; it will become food for jackals and wolves. This body is impermanent and must ultimately be abandoned.”

When the great bodhisattva contemplates in this way, he knows that the body is exceedingly impermanent and impure. Having awakened to the Dharma, he becomes profoundly joyful and regards those who ask with respect and affection, as he would good spiritual friends. He exchanges the impermanent body for an enduring body and dedicates all these roots of goodness as follows:

“May all beings attain a body that is a treasury of wisdom, pure both within and without. May all beings attain a body that is a treasury of merit, capable of upholding all vows of wisdom. May all beings attain a supremely wondrous body, containing fragrance within and radiating light without.

May all beings attain a body with an unexposed abdomen, upright above and below, with its joints in harmonious proportion. May all beings attain a body of wisdom, nourished and made flourishing by the flavor of the Buddha’s Dharma. May all beings attain an inexhaustible body, cultivating and abiding in the exceedingly profound Dharma-nature.

May all beings attain a pure body of dharani, revealing all dharmas through wondrous eloquence. May all beings attain a pure body, with body and mind both inwardly and outwardly pure. May all beings attain the body of the Buddha’s profound and vast practices of wisdom, with wisdom pervading everywhere and raining down a great rain of Dharma.

May all beings attain a body that abides inwardly in tranquility and, outwardly, becomes for beings a banner of wisdom, emitting great light that illuminates everything.”

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva when giving away his internal organs. He does so wishing that beings may become pure in body and mind and all abide in unobstructed wisdom.

Children of the Buddhas! The great bodhisattva gives away the bones and joints of his own body, as did Dharma Treasury Bodhisattva, King of Light Bodhisattva, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

When he sees people come to ask for the bones and joints of his body, the great bodhisattva is exceedingly joyful and regards them with respect and affection. His mind is always peaceful, joyful, pure, and courageous; his faith is steadfast, his loving compassion increases, and his mind is unobstructed. He gives according to whatever those who ask require. The bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

“May all beings attain transformation bodies and no longer receive bodies of flesh and blood. May all beings attain indestructible vajra bodies that none can surpass. May all beings attain the Dharma-body in which omniscience is perfected and be born in realms free from bondage and attachment.

May all beings attain bodies endowed with the powers of wisdom, with all faculties complete and unimpaired. May all beings attain bodies endowed with the power of Dharma and freely reach the other shore. May all beings attain firm, indestructible bodies.

May all beings attain bodies that manifest responsively according to every kind of being, teaching, transforming, training, and subduing the myriad kinds of beings. May all beings attain bodies permeated by wisdom, possessing the great strength of Narayana. May all beings attain firm bodies whose continuity is never severed and forever transcend all weariness.

May all beings attain exceedingly strong and steadfast bodies, fully endowed with the great power of diligence. May all beings attain Dharma-bodies that are equal and pervasive throughout the world and abide at the stage of immeasurable, supreme wisdom. May all beings attain bodies of merit and virtue, so that all who behold them gain benefit and leave behind every evil and wrongdoing.

May all beings attain bodies that rely on nothing and become fully endowed with wisdom that is independent and unattached. May all beings attain bodies embraced and accepted by the Buddhas and always receive the Buddhas’ protective aid. May all beings attain bodies that benefit every kind of being and are able to enter among every kind of being.

May all beings attain universally manifest bodies capable of reflecting and revealing all the Buddha-Dharma everywhere. May all beings attain bodies wholly devoted to diligence, single-mindedly recollecting and diligently cultivating the wisdom and practices of the Mahayana. May all beings attain pure bodies, free from arrogance and self-conceit, with wisdom always steadfast and undisturbed.

May all beings attain bodies of steadfast practice and accomplish all the activities of Mahayana wisdom. May all beings attain bodies belonging to the family of the Buddhas and forever transcend all worldly birth and death.”

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva when giving away the bones and joints of his own body. He does so wishing that beings may attain omniscience and remain forever pure.

Children of the Buddhas! When the great bodhisattva sees someone holding a sharp knife and asking for the skin of his body, he is exceedingly joyful and regards that person as one to whom he owes a profound debt of gratitude. The bodhisattva immediately welcomes him, invites him to sit upon a high seat, and then respectfully and lovingly offers his body to the petitioner, satisfying his wish, as did Pure Treasury Bodhisattva, Golden-Flanked Deer King Bodhisattva, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

At that time, the bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

“May all beings attain smooth, soft, and pure skin like that of the Buddha, upon which those who behold it never tire of gazing. May all beings attain indestructible skin like vajra, which no one can damage. May all beings attain skin the color of pure, radiant gold. May all beings attain skin of immeasurable colors, manifesting pure hues in accordance with their aspirations. May all beings attain skin that is pure, wondrous, and foremost, complete with all the Buddha’s marks and characteristics, emitting great light that universally illuminates everything.”

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva when giving away the skin of his own body, wishing that all beings may attain the adornments and purity of all Buddha-realms and be fully endowed with the Tathagata’s great merit and virtue.

Children of the Buddhas! The great bodhisattva gives his fingers and toes to those who ask, as did Steadfast Diligence Bodhisattva, Sovereign King of Jambudvipa Bodhisattva, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

When giving, the bodhisattva’s countenance is gentle and joyful, and his mind is peaceful and free from confusion. He seeks no personal gain and delights not in fame. Abiding in the Mahayana, he gives rise to a vast resolve, relinquishes jealousy, stinginess, and all afflictions, and devotes himself solely to the Tathagata’s unsurpassed wondrous Dharma. The bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

“May all beings attain long and slender fingers and toes, even, rounded, and straight, harmoniously proportioned above and below, with raised, radiant nails the color of red copper, like the fingers and toes of the Buddha, and be fully endowed with the Ten Powers. May all beings attain fingers and toes marked with whorls turning to the right, beautiful like lotus flowers. May all beings attain fingers and toes that are treasuries of light, emitting great radiance that illuminates immeasurable Buddha-realms. May all beings attain fingers and toes that are perfectly arranged, with their webbing entirely fine and skillfully formed.”

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva when giving away his fingers and toes, wishing that all beings may attain purity of mind.

Children of the Buddhas! When the great bodhisattva requests the true Dharma, he gladly offers his nails together with the adjoining flesh to the one who bestows the Dharma, should that person desire them, as did Dharma Sovereign King Bodhisattva, Inexhaustible Bodhisattva, and immeasurable other bodhisattvas.

At that time, the bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings have copper-red nails like those of the Buddha. May all beings have glossy nails, beautifully adorned and foremost in radiance. May all beings have the nails of omniscience, perfect in the marks of a great person, unattached to the world and incomparable.

May all beings have wondrously adorned nails that illuminate all worlds. May all beings have pure, indestructible nails, without defect or deficiency. May all beings have nails endowed with the marks of skillful means, enter all Buddha-Dharmas, and possess vast wisdom that is entirely pure.

May all beings have well-formed nails and fully possess the pure and wondrous karmic fruits of bodhisattvas. May all beings have the nails of the great Guide endowed with omniscience, emitting a treasury of light in immeasurable wondrous colors.

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva who, in seeking the Dharma, gives away his nails together with the flesh, wishing all beings to attain unobstructed omniscience.

Disciples of the Buddha! When a great bodhisattva seeks the Buddha’s treasury of Dharma, he is wholeheartedly reverent and respectful. Even if, after hearing the true Dharma, he must personally leap into a deep pit of fire, he is filled with joy, as were Bodhisattva King Who Seeks the Good Dharma, Bodhisattva Vajra Contemplation, and other great bodhisattvas.

At that time, the bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings abide in the Buddha’s Dharma of omniscience and never regress from unsurpassed bodhi.

May all beings escape every peril and enjoy the peace and happiness of the Buddha.

May all beings attain a fearless mind and be free from every terror.

May all beings always delight in seeking the Dharma and fully possess the adornment of joy.

May all beings leave the evil destinies and extinguish all the raging fires of the three poisons.

May all beings always attain sublime and wondrous happiness like that of the Buddha.

May all beings attain the mind of a bodhisattva and forever escape all the fires of greed, anger, and delusion.

May all beings attain the joy of bodhisattva samadhi, behold all Buddhas everywhere, and be filled with great gladness.

May all beings skillfully expound the true Dharma and never forget or omit the ultimate Dharma. May all beings fully attain the wondrous joy of all spiritual powers and ultimately abide in omniscience in all its modes.

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva when, in seeking the true Dharma, he casts his own body into a pit of fire, wishing all beings to be freed from karmic obstructions and fully endowed with the fire of wisdom.

Disciples of the Buddha! In seeking the true Dharma, a great bodhisattva undergoes immeasurable suffering himself in order to reveal and expound the path of bodhisattva practice, indicate the path to bodhi, reach unsurpassed wisdom, diligently cultivate the Ten Powers, reveal the mind of omniscience, attain unobstructed wisdom, enable beings to attain purity and abide in the bodhisattva realm, diligently cultivate great wisdom, and attain the Buddha’s bodhi, as did Bodhisattva Seeker of the Good Dharma, Bodhisattva King of Courage, and immeasurable other great bodhisattvas.

When enduring suffering for the sake of the Dharma, the bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings forever escape every oppressive torment and attain the ease and joy of sovereign spiritual powers.

May all beings forever escape all suffering and attain every happiness; may they forever end bodily suffering and attain a pure and peaceful body.

May all beings escape the prison of suffering and perfect the practice of wisdom.

May all beings behold the path of peace and security and escape all evil destinies.

May all beings attain the joy of delight in the Dharma and forever end every suffering.

May all beings forever end every suffering, harbor no resentment or harmful intent, and always cherish one another.

May all beings attain the Buddha’s happiness and escape the suffering of birth and death.

May all beings attain incomparable pure peace and happiness that no suffering can impair.

May all beings attain all the Buddha’s supreme and unobstructed happiness.

This is the dedication of roots of goodness made by the great bodhisattva when enduring suffering to seek the true Dharma, wishing to rescue and protect all beings, enable them to escape every peril, and establish them in unobstructed liberation and omniscience in all its modes.

Disciples of the Buddha! When a great bodhisattva occupies the throne and seeks the true Dharma, he may, out of reverence for a single word, sentence, or meaning, give away everything within his realm—cities, towns, people, lands, treasuries, gold, silver, jewels, palaces, retinues, wife, and children—and even relinquish the royal throne itself, in order to benefit all beings and earnestly seek the Buddhas’ pure and unobstructed path of omniscience, as did Bodhisattva Great Might and Virtue, Bodhisattva King of Supreme Virtue, and immeasurable other great bodhisattvas.

Even to seek a single word of the true Dharma, he bows with all five limbs touching the ground, remains rightly mindful of the Buddha-Dharma of the three times, delights in cultivating it, and cares nothing for fame or gain. He relinquishes the worldly throne to seek the sovereign throne of the Dharma King, harbors no attachment to worldly pleasures, and nourishes his mind and nature with the supramundane Dharma. He forever abandons all worldly idle speculation and abides in the Buddha-Dharma that is free from idle speculation.

At that time, the great bodhisattva dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings always delight in giving away all they possess without regret.

May all beings always seek the true Dharma, sparing neither the possessions that sustain their lives nor even their own lives.

May all beings receive benefit from the true Dharma and be able to resolve the doubts of all beings.

May all beings possess a mind that delights in wholesome Dharma and always rejoice in the Buddha’s true Dharma.

May all beings, in seeking the Buddha-Dharma, be able to relinquish their lives and even the royal throne, arouse the great mind, and cultivate unsurpassed bodhi.

May all beings honor the true Dharma, always cherish it deeply, and spare not their own lives.

May all beings protect and uphold the exceedingly difficult-to-encounter Buddha-Dharma and always cultivate it diligently.

May all beings attain the light of the Buddha’s bodhi, perfect the practice of bodhi, and awaken through their own realization rather than through others.

May all beings always be able to contemplate all Buddha-Dharmas, remove the arrow of doubt, and attain peace and security within their minds.

This is how the great bodhisattva, having relinquished the royal throne to seek the true Dharma, dedicates his roots of goodness, wishing all beings to attain perfect knowledge and vision and always abide upon the path of peace and security.

Disciples of the Buddha! When a great bodhisattva becomes a great sovereign king with independent authority, he issues decrees abolishing the karma of killing and prohibits slaughter throughout the entire realm. To all living creatures—those without legs, with two legs, with four legs, or with many legs—he grants freedom from fear.

Without any thought of invasion or seizure, he extensively cultivates all bodhisattva practices, compassionately shelters every kind of being, and neither violates nor afflicts them. He arouses the resolve to bring peace and security to beings, establishes wise contemplation that delights deeply in all Buddhas, always personally abides in the three categories of pure precepts, and enables beings to abide in them as well.

The great bodhisattva establishes all beings in the Five Precepts so that they forever cease the karma of killing. He then dedicates these roots of goodness as follows:

May all beings arouse the bodhisattva mind, be fully endowed with wisdom, and have secure and inexhaustible lifespans.

May all beings live for immeasurable kalpas, make offerings to all Buddhas, practice diligently with reverence, and continually increase their lifespans.

May all beings cultivate the practice that completely transcends aging and death, and may no calamity or poison be able to harm their lives.

May all beings attain perfectly healthy bodies free from illness and affliction, possess mastery over their lifespans, and live for as long as they wish.

May all sentient beings attain inexhaustible lifespans, abide in bodhisattva practices throughout all future kalpas, and teach, transform, tame, and guide all sentient beings.

May all sentient beings attain the gateway of longevity through the growth of the wholesome roots of the ten powers, and with inexhaustible lifespans fulfill their great vows.

May all sentient beings behold all Buddhas, attend upon and make offerings to them, and with inexhaustible lifespans cultivate wholesome roots.

May all sentient beings skillfully study the Buddhadharma in the presence of all Buddhas, attain the joy of the noble Dharma, and enjoy inexhaustible lifespans.

May all sentient beings attain ever-abiding lifespans, advance with courageous diligence, and enter the wisdom of the Buddhas.

This is the dedication of wholesome roots made by great bodhisattvas who abide in the three groups of pure precepts and utterly abandon the karma of killing, wishing all sentient beings to perfect the Buddha’s ten powers of wisdom.

Disciples of the Buddha! When great bodhisattvas see sentient beings who harbor cruelty and injure humans and animals, and who consequently must undergo the suffering of being born with mutilated male bodies, the bodhisattvas arouse loving-kindness and compassion, pity them, and rescue them. They cause all the people of Jambudvipa to abandon the karma of killing and harming, give all their own possessions to them, and then teach them to understand the true Dharma, causing them to rejoice, give rise to loving-kindness, cherish one another, and abandon malicious thoughts.

The bodhisattvas then dedicate these wholesome roots as follows:

May all sentient beings possess complete bodies of true men and accomplish the Buddha’s characteristic of the sheathed male organ.

May all sentient beings possess complete male bodies, arouse courageous resolve, and cultivate all pure practices.

May all sentient beings possess courageous strength, always serve as guides, abide in unobstructed wisdom, and never regress.

May all sentient beings fully possess the bodies of great men, abandon lustful thoughts, and be free from all attachment and defilement.

May all sentient beings accomplish the qualities of good men, increase in wisdom, and be praised by all Buddhas.

May all sentient beings fully possess the strength of great beings and always be able to cultivate the wholesome roots of the ten powers of wisdom.

May all sentient beings never lose their male bodies and always cultivate the unprecedented qualities of merit and wisdom.

May all sentient beings remain undefiled and unfettered amid the five desires, attain liberation of mind, become disenchanted with and leave the three realms, and cultivate bodhisattva practices.

May all sentient beings become true men foremost in wisdom, honored by beings of every kind, who respectfully submit to their teaching and guidance.

May all sentient beings fully possess the wisdom of bodhisattvas and before long become Great Heroes.

This is the dedication of wholesome roots made by great bodhisattvas who put an end to every form of injury to the male body, wishing all sentient beings to possess complete bodies of true men; to be able to safeguard all the virtues of true men; to be born into the family of sages and noble ones; to possess complete wisdom; always diligently to cultivate the supreme practices of true men; to possess the capacities of true men; skillfully to reveal the seven paths of conduct of true men; and fully to possess the wholesome qualities of true men, the right teachings of true men, the courage of true men, the diligence of true men, the wisdom of true men, and the purity of true men.

They wish ultimately to enable all sentient beings likewise to attain these qualities, just like the Tathagata, the Tamer of Men.