方廣大莊嚴經

Chapter 19: ARRIVING AT THE BODHI MANDALA

At that time, the Buddha said to the bhiksus:

“After bathing and cleansing his body, partaking of milk-rice porridge, and recovering his former strength, the bodhisattva resolved to proceed directly to the foot of the Bodhi tree, which grew upon ground endowed with sixteen kinds of merit. Wishing to subdue the hostile maras, the bodhisattva clearly manifested the marks of a Great Man as he walked toward the four directions. His gait was measured and peaceful, while his countenance was luminous, radiant, and beautiful like the colors of a rainbow.

His gait was graceful yet steady, like towering Mount Sumeru. He walked neither hastily nor slowly, neither ponderously nor impetuously; he walked without confusion, free from selfhood and all defilements. His gait was pure; his steps were neither mistaken nor errant, neither deluded nor attached.

He walked like the lion king, like the dragon king, and like Narayana. He walked without touching the ground, yet the imprint of the thousand-spoked Dharma-wheel mark appeared upon the earth. He walked serenely, while the webbing between his fingers and toes shone with a copper-red hue that illuminated the ground.

His walking caused the entire earth to quake. His walking produced a mighty sound like mountains colliding. His walking caused pits, hollows, mounds, and hillocks naturally to become level.

As he walked, light from the soles of his feet shone forth, causing sinful beings to turn toward wholesome paths. Whenever he set down a foot, a lotus arose from the earth to support it. Following the way of the Buddhas of the past, he walked directly toward the Lion Throne.

He walked with a mind like vajra, indestructible. His walking blocked the evil destinies and opened the wholesome paths. His walking brought peace and happiness to all sentient beings.

His walking destroyed the power of Mara. His walking shattered every false doctrine. His walking dispelled the darkness of ignorance.

His walking transcended the realm of birth and death. His walking emitted a radiance that eclipsed Brahma, Sakra, the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the world, and the Heavenly King Isvara. It was the gait of one who clearly knew: ‘Throughout the trichiliocosm, I alone am the most honored and supreme.’ It was the gait of one who clearly knew that he would personally realize the Noble Path and would not attain awakening through the power of another.

It was the gait of one who clearly knew that he would attain omniscience. It was the gait in which mindfulness and wisdom were united. It was the gait of one who wished to eradicate birth, aging, illness, and death.

It was the gait directed toward quiescence, freedom from every defilement, the ending of birth and death, fearlessness, and nirvana.

“At that time, with right mindfulness, the bodhisattva gazed straight ahead toward the Bodhi tree and advanced with such immeasurable dignity. At that very moment, wind and rain came from the heavens, sweeping and sprinkling water so that the entire region from the Nairanjana River to the Bodhi tree became clean and magnificent. Innumerable kinds of superb fragrant flowers were also scattered, covering the ground.

All the trees, great and small, throughout the trichiliocosm lowered their branches and bent their crowns toward the Bodhi tree. Mount Sumeru and all the mountains, great and small, throughout the trichiliocosm likewise lowered their peaks and summits toward the Bodhi tree. The devas of the desire realm each scattered wondrous kinds of fragrant flowers.

All those exquisite flowers formed a floral terrace measuring one krosa in both length and breadth, and a broad highway appeared, stretching endlessly into the distance. Along both sides of that great road stood many kinds of beautifully adorned railings made of the seven treasures, rising from the ground to a height of seven tala trees. Banners, streamers, and jeweled canopies adorned every place.

Seven rows of jeweled tala trees also appeared. Beneath each canopy of foliage were suspended golden cords, from which hung precious bells and chimes, bright pearls, and ornaments of vaidurya. Between the jeweled trees were ponds made of the seven treasures.

Their beds were spread with golden sand, and they were filled with fragrant water and many kinds of precious flowers, including utpala, kumuda, padma, and pundarika blossoms. On all four sides of each pond, flights of steps made of the seven treasures encircled the banks, further enhancing their splendor. Along those stepped pathways, many kinds of birds—including kalavinkas, swans, mandarin ducks, and jivajivakas—continually uttered harmonious and melodious cries.

Eighty-four thousand celestial maidens sprinkled precious water over all the roads, before and behind. Another eighty-four thousand celestial maidens scattered heavenly flowers. Beside every tree stood exquisite jeweled terraces, and upon each terrace were eighty-four thousand celestial maidens, each holding a precious vessel filled with various fragrances of candana and agarwood.

In addition, five thousand celestial maidens played heavenly music, sang, danced, and chanted praises, producing myriad harmonious and gentle sounds.

The Buddha said to the bhiksus:

“As the bodhisattva proceeded toward the Bodhi tree, his body emitted immeasurable rays of light and caused boundless lands everywhere to quake. Innumerable hundreds of thousands of devas in the sky played heavenly music and scattered heavenly flowers and immeasurable quantities of the finest garments from the heavens. Innumerable elephants, horses, buffaloes, and cattle surrounded the bodhisattva, raising myriad cries and roars that blended together and resounded mightily. Innumerable precious birds—including parrots, sarikas, kokilas, kalavinkas, swans, mandarin ducks, peacocks, kingfishers, and jivajivakas—spread their wings and circled around him, uttering gentle sounds. When the bodhisattva arrived at the Bodhi mandala, immeasurable rare and auspicious signs such as these appeared.

The Buddha told the bhiksus:

“At that time, the bodhisattva was about to take his seat upon the seat of enlightenment. That night, the Great Brahma Heavenly King, lord of the trichiliocosm, summoned the hosts of Brahma devas and said:”

—You should know that this bodhisattva-mahasattva has fully donned the armor of diligence; his wisdom is steadfast and his mind knows no weariness. He has perfected all the practices of a bodhisattva, thoroughly comprehended all the Dharma gates of the paramitas, passed through all the bodhisattva bhumis, attained great mastery, and safeguarded the serene and pure state of mind of the bodhisattvas. He thoroughly understands whether the faculties of sentient beings are keen or dull, abides in the secret Dharma of the Tathagatas, transcends every domain of the hostile maras, and clearly knows the source of all wholesome dharmas.

Through his own power he has attained awakening and is watched over by the wondrous spiritual power of the Tathagatas. He will teach the path of liberation to all beings and serve as a Great Caravan Leader for sentient beings. He will defeat and subdue every kind of mara host.

Within the trichiliocosm, only the Buddha is the Most Honored One. He is the Great King of Physicians, compounding the various medicines of the Dharma to help sentient beings put an end to suffering. He is the Great Dharma King, illuminating the ten directions with wisdom and raising the great banner of Dharma.

He is never defiled by the eight worldly dharmas, just as a lotus flower is unstained by mud. He can contain immeasurable treasures of the true Dharma, just as the vast ocean contains all manner of wondrous jewels. He regards enemies and loved ones with equality and abides unmoving like Mount Sumeru.

Free from every impurity, his mind is pure like a mani jewel, and within the trichiliocosm he has attained great mastery. Endowed with such immeasurable merit, this bodhisattva-mahasattva has come to the seat of enlightenment to subdue the hostile maras and attain unsurpassed bodhi; to perfect the ten Powers, the four Fearlessnesses, and the eighteen distinctive qualities of the Buddhas; to turn the wheel of the true Dharma, utter the resounding roar of the Great Lion, and shower down the great rain of Dharma so that sentient beings may perfect their merit and attain the pure Dharma eye; to eliminate every form of sophistry taught by non-Buddhist traditions; and to fulfill his former vows and attain mastery over all dharmas.

Worthy ones, we should resolve to approach this bodhisattva-mahasattva, draw near to him, and make offerings to him.

The Great Brahma Heaven King then recited this verse:

For immeasurable hundreds of thousands of kalpas,

He has perfected loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity,

And mastered wisdom and meditative concentration;

Now he shall realize nirvana.

Those who wish to escape the three evil realms

And remain far from the eight difficulties,

To receive the blessed rewards of the heavenly realms,

And ultimately attain liberation,

Should take offerings of the finest quality

And present them to the bodhisattva.

For six years he practiced austerities;

Now he has come to the seat of enlightenment.

The lords of the trichiliocosm—

Śakra, Brahma, the sun, and the moon—

Together with all the devas,

Gaze upon him with joyful reverence.

Having subdued all the hosts of mara,

He shall become the Perfectly Awakened One.

The thirty-two excellent marks

Supremely adorn him;

His Brahma voice is truly pure,

And his pure mind is free from transgression.

Some may aspire

To be born in the Brahma worlds;

Some may joyfully seek

To realize the fruition of a śrāvaka;

Some may joyfully seek

To attain the fruition of a pratyekabuddha;

And some may joyfully seek

To attain the unsurpassed fruition.

All such people

Should make offerings to the Teacher of the Path.

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—At that time, wishing to make offerings to the bodhisattva, the Brahma Heaven Kings used their wondrous spiritual powers to purify the entire trichiliocosm. They cleared away stones, gravel, broken bricks and tiles, thorns, and brambles, making the ground as level as the palm of a hand, without any mounds, hollows, heights, or depressions. They adorned it magnificently with gold, silver, vaidurya, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, and amber, all of which were precious jewels.

They also caused many kinds of rare, deep-green grasses to appear throughout the trichiliocosm, growing in rightward spirals and as soft and lovely as kālaṅḍaka grass.

They also transformed many vast seas into level ground without harming any aquatic beings, such as fish, soft-shelled turtles, crocodiles, loaches, or turtles.

They further enabled Brahmas, Śakra, and the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the worlds throughout the lands of the ten directions to behold the trichiliocosm purified and adorned in this way, so that they would adorn their own realms and come from afar to make offerings to the bodhisattva.

Furthermore, so that all bodhisattvas from the boundless lands of the ten directions might come to make offerings to the bodhisattva, they made the adornments here surpass those of all heavenly and human realms combined. Every bodhisattva who came from his own land to make offerings to the bodhisattva saw boundless worlds as though they were contained within a single Buddha-land. They all saw the bodhisattva's brilliant radiance shine everywhere, from Mount Sumeru to the Iron Encircling Mountains and even into the dark and shadowy realms, surpassing the light of the sun and moon.

There were also sixteen divine princes charged with guarding the seat of enlightenment. All of them had attained the patient acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas and reached avaivartika, the state of non-retrogression. These divine princes were named Chuyển Tấn, Vô Thắng, Thí Dữ, Ái Kính, Dũng Lực, Thiện Trụ, Trì Địa, Tác Quang, Vô Cấu, Pháp Tự Tại, Pháp Tràng, Sở Hành Cát Tường, Vô Chướng Ngại, Đại Trang Nghiêm, Thanh Tịnh Giới Hương, and Liên Hoa Quang Minh.

Each manifested emanations throughout the four directions, extending eighty yojanas in every direction, and everywhere arranged a full array of adornments. On all four sides of the land were seven rows of jeweled pathways, and along every jeweled pathway stood many precious tala trees. The canopy of each jeweled tree was festooned with golden cords from which precious chimes were suspended, and above them were spread precious netted canopies.

Lotus flowers fashioned from Jambunada gold covered the ground, each adorned with the seven precious substances, while countless kinds of supremely wondrous heavenly incense were burned. Every kind of great and precious tree found in the human and heavenly realms throughout the worlds of the ten directions appeared there in full. All the rivers, lands, exquisite fragrances, and flowers throughout the worlds of the ten directions also appeared there in their entirety.

Moreover, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions each clearly manifested within their respective domains immeasurable, vast stores of merit and wisdom to adorn the seat of enlightenment.

In this way, every kind of adornment appeared within the seat of enlightenment.

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—When the sixteen divine princes charged with guarding the seat of enlightenment beheld these wondrous spiritual powers and such magnificent, auspicious manifestations, they were filled with boundless joy. When the eight classes of beings—devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, and mahoragas—saw the seat of enlightenment adorned in this way, they praised it as unprecedented. Each thought of his own palace and felt that it was lowly and insignificant, like a mound or burial heap; therefore, they all extolled without end the merit by which that place had been established.

There were also four tree deities who protected the bodhi tree. The first was named Tỳ-lưu-bạt-cù, the second Tô-ma-na, the third Ô-thù-bát-đế, and the fourth Đế-thù. Each used spiritual power to cause the bodhi tree to become lofty and immense, with a broad, magnificent, and beautiful canopy rising higher than eighty tala trees.

Its roots, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits were all luxuriant and flourishing, and its trunk rose straight and majestic. Everyone who beheld it rejoiced and considered it superior even to Śakra's Garden of Delight and to all pārijāta and kovidāra trees. The place where the bodhisattva sat became the site of enlightenment, the center of the trichiliocosm.

The ground beneath his seat was composed entirely of vajra, exceedingly firm and incapable of being destroyed by anything.

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—When the bodhisattva conceived the intention to proceed to the Bodhi tree, a great ray of light issued from his body and illuminated immeasurable, boundless worlds. All beings in the hell realms were freed from suffering; all beings in the realm of hungry ghosts were fully satisfied; all beings in the animal realm gave rise to loving-kindness toward one another; beings whose faculties were impaired had them restored to completeness; beings afflicted by illness recovered and became healthy; beings habitually beset by fear gained peace and happiness; beings confined in prisons were set free; impoverished beings obtained an abundance of precious wealth; beings troubled by afflictions were liberated; beings suffering from hunger and thirst received ample food and drink;

pregnant beings remained safe and well; and beings who were emaciated and feeble recovered their strength.

During that time, not a single being was oppressed or disturbed by greed, hatred, or delusion. In the realms of devas and humans, no one died, nor did any conception occur. At that time, all beings gave rise to loving-kindness and compassion, cared for one another, benefited one another, and regarded one another as parents, brothers, sisters, and members of a single family.

Thereupon, wishing to restate this meaning, the Blessed One spoke these verses:

The torments and sufferings of hell

All ceased entirely.

Animals, ever harming one another,

All gave rise to loving-kindness.

They escaped all eight adversities;

The three evil realms were also dispelled.

The radiant light shone everywhere,

And all shared wondrous joy.

Eyes, ears, nose, and tongue—

Whatever faculties had been impaired—

Were all restored to completeness.

Those bound by afflictions

At once attained great happiness.

The deranged regained right mindfulness;

The poor and lowly gained wealth and honor.

The sufferings of illness were alleviated;

Those imprisoned were set free.

None quarreled or grew angry;

All gave rise to loving-kindness toward one another,

As parents cherish their children.

The bodhisattva’s net of radiance

Illuminated all ten directions,

Shining through realms numerous as Ganges sands

And pervading boundless regions.

The Iron Encircling Mountains, the Great Iron Encircling Mountains,

And all the many lofty ranges

Seemed to vanish completely,

And all became a single Buddha-realm,

Fashioned from precious substances

And adorned with wondrous beauty.

Wherever the radiance shone,

Everything appeared distinctly.

A realm adorned in such a manner

Was offered to the bodhisattva.

The guardian spirits of the Bodhi site,

Together with sixteen sons of devas,

Adorned an area eighty yojanas wide,

Making it resplendent throughout.

The bodhisattva, endowed with majestic power,

Manifested throughout eighty yojanas

And also revealed boundless realms,

Each one pure and adorned.

The eight classes of devas, nagas, and other beings,

Seeing such magnificence,

Thought of their own realms

And found them exceedingly small.

All gave rise to a sense of wonder

And praised his many virtues:

“Excellent! Through inconceivable merit

He has brought forth such a glorious fruition,

Surpassing body, speech, and mind.

A realm adorned in this manner

Has been wholly accomplished

Through the wondrous power of his great vows.

In accordance with the karma of beings,

Everything is abundantly provided.

The original spirits guarding the precious tree

Devoted all their strength to further adorning it,

Surpassing even the Garden of Joy

And Shakra’s Forest of Wondrous Beauty.

Adorned by all the spirits,

The realm became still more beautiful.

All devas and humans

Praised it without end.”

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—When the bodhisattva emitted that brilliant, pure radiance, it illuminated the worlds everywhere, eliminated all the afflictions of beings, and caused everyone touched by it to become joyful and delighted. When that light reached the palace of the naga king Kali, the naga king encountered the bodhisattva’s radiance and immediately recited these verses to the assembly of naga kings:

The Buddhas of the past all clearly manifested

A golden orb of wisdom’s light.

Seeing this stainless radiance distinctly,

I know with certainty that a Buddha has appeared.

This pure radiance surpasses sun and moon,

And every kind of light within the mundane world;

It surpasses even the asuras, Brahma, and Shakra,

Its luminous power penetrating everywhere.

Because for many kalpas I created evil karma,

My palace and dwelling have always been dark;

Burning sands continually scorch my body,

And I know that I must undergo many sufferings.

Suddenly encountering this radiance, shining like the sun,

My body and mind are cooled, and I rejoice greatly.

I recall how in the past you cultivated myriad practices;

Now you have come to sit securely at the Bodhi site.

Together with all my retinue,

With garments, incense, flowers, and music,

And with every kind of adornment,

I shall make offerings to the Most Honored One in the World.

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—At that time, the naga king and his retinue, filled with joy, looked throughout the four directions. Suddenly they beheld the bodhisattva’s Brahma-like form towering like Mount Sumeru, while the Brahma kings, Shakra, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the eight classes of nagas, spirits, and other beings surrounded him in joy and delight. Seeing this, the naga king bowed his head at the bodhisattva’s feet and paid him reverent homage. He offered the bodhisattva countless kinds of incense, flowers, garments, and jewels, and had many wondrous instruments played. Joining his palms respectfully, he recited these verses of praise:

Your pure face is like the full moon,

O Guide of the world.

I have encountered Buddhas before;

Their auspicious marks were all like these.

Now the bodhisattva will vanquish Mara

And attain the fruit of awakening.

Throughout innumerable kalpas,

You fully cultivated generosity,

Moral discipline and patience,

Diligence, meditation, and wisdom,

Loving-kindness, compassion, and skillful means,

Joy, equanimity, vows, and spiritual powers.

Through all these virtues,

You shall attain Buddhahood.

All the trees of the forests

Bow before the Bodhi tree.

Hundreds of thousands of precious vessels

Completely fill the surrounding sky.

Myriad birds sing in harmony,

Beating their wings as they circle in flight.

Your body shines with golden radiance,

Illuminating realms throughout the ten directions.

Suffering ceases in the evil realms,

And the world attains peace and happiness.

Now, within the three realms,

You are the Guide of the world.

The Brahma kings and Shakra,

And the devas of the desire and form realms,

Have all abandoned their pleasures

And come together to make offerings.

The bodhisattva in this world

Shall become the Great King of Physicians.

Wherever your feet tread,

Lotuses spring forth from the earth.

The bodhisattva in this world

Is truly Worthy of Offerings.

When the Guide sits at the seat of awakening,

Countless kotis

Of all the hosts of Mara

Shall submit of their own accord.

The sun and moon shall be dimmed;

Sumeru shall seem submerged.

Unless you attain awakening,

You are resolved never to move.

May I and all my kindred

Be freed from these bodies,

Adorn ourselves with virtue,

And come to the Bodhi seat.

As soon as the naga king finished reciting these verses, a naga consort named Golden Light, together with innumerable naga maidens, reverently circumambulated the bodhisattva. In their hands they held precious parasols and canopies, garments, jeweled necklaces, and many kinds of beautiful flowers from the realms of devas and humans. They also carried precious vessels filled with fragrant incense and performed music together, while reciting these verses in praise of the bodhisattva:

You can end greed, hatred, and delusion,

And every transgression of the world.

You have crossed beyond the ocean of birth and death;

Therefore I now bow before you.

You are indeed the Great King of Physicians,

Skillfully curing the sickness of afflictions.

Those beings not yet brought into harmony

Shall all be tamed.

Beings throughout the world

Have long been veiled by afflictions;

The bodhisattva uses wisdom’s light

To illuminate and dispel them.

The world had nowhere to take refuge;

Now it has obtained a place of refuge.

Throughout the sky on every side,

Garments and food are scattered in abundance.

The devas and naga spirits

All give rise to joyful hearts.

O eloquent Guide,

May you swiftly sit at the seat of awakening,

Subdue the hostile forces of Mara,

And attain the unsurpassed path,

Just as the Tathagatas

Have realized the Dharma of awakening.

For immeasurable kalpas you have cultivated

For the benefit of all beings.

May you swiftly sit at the seat of awakening

And realize unsurpassed awakened wisdom.

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—At that time, the bodhisattva reflected: “Upon what kind of seat did the Buddhas of the distant past sit when they attained unsurpassed bodhi?” As soon as this thought arose, he knew that all the Buddhas of the past had sat upon seats of clean grass and thereby attained perfect awakening. At that moment, a son of the devas from the Pure Abodes knew the bodhisattva’s thought and came forward to say:

—Just so. All Buddhas of the past who attained the fruit of Awakening sat upon a seat of clean grass.

At that time, the bodhisattva thought to himself: “Who can provide me with such clean grass?”

Immediately, Shakra, Lord of the Devas, transformed himself into a grass-cutter and stood not far to the bodhisattva’s right, holding in his hands a large bundle of fresh grass, dark green like a peacock’s tail feathers, soft and beautiful like Kashika cloth, gently swaying toward the right and spreading fragrance everywhere. Seeing the man holding that precious grass, the bodhisattva leisurely approached him and asked:

—What is your name?

The man replied:

—My name is Auspicious.

The bodhisattva then thought: “I now wish to bring well-being to my own body and mind, and I also wish to bring well-being to everyone. At this moment, a man named Auspicious stands before me. I shall therefore certainly attain unsurpassed bodhi.”

The bodhisattva wished the man holding the grass to give him that clean grass, and so he spoke in a wondrous Brahma voice: a voice of truth, a gentle and upright voice, a clear and lofty voice, a harmonious and affectionate voice, a lucid and fluent voice, a voice leading toward the wholesome path, an unconstrained voice, a melodious voice, a voice that caused no harm, a tender voice, an amiable voice, a distinct voice, a pleasing voice, an agreeable voice, a voice like that of the kalavinka bird, a voice like that of the jivajivaka bird, a voice like rolling thunder, a voice like the waves of the sea, a voice like mountains trembling, a voice like the praises of the devas, a voice like that of Brahma, a voice like a lion’s roar, a voice like the cry of a dragon king,

a voice like the trumpeting of an elephant king, a voice neither hurried nor sluggish, a voice of liberation, a voice free from attachment, a voice concordant with meaning and principle, a timely voice, a voice that revealed in full eighty trillion Dharma gates of cultivation, a voice accordant with all the Dharmas of the Buddhas.

With these many wondrous voices, the bodhisattva said to the transformed man:

—Virtuous man, could you give me that clean grass?

He then recited this verse:

Auspicious, at this moment,

Quickly give me the clean grass.

Seated upon that grass,

I shall subdue all the armies of Mara.

If I realize the Dharma of quiescence,

I shall attain the true and right path.

Because I have sought Awakening,

For measureless kalpas I have cultivated

Giving, morality, diligence, and patience,

The powers of meditation and wisdom,

Aspiration and liberation,

Merit and spiritual powers.

All these practices have converged;

Now their fruit shall be perfected.

If you give me this clean grass,

You shall gain measureless merit.

By obtaining that clean grass,

I shall become the Great Teacher.

Auspicious heard these words,

And his heart was filled with joy.

Holding the pure and wondrous grass,

He came before the bodhisattva.

With a heart of utmost delight,

He addressed the bodhisattva:

“If by using this grass as an offering

You will attain great bodhi,

Please first bestow bodhi upon me,

And only then accept the clean grass.”

The bodhisattva replied to Auspicious:

“It is not merely by offering this grass

That one immediately attains great bodhi.

One must cultivate measureless virtues

Before receiving a Buddha’s prediction.

Auspicious, you should know

That bodhi cannot falsely be conferred.

If bodhi could be falsely bestowed,

I would give it all away

To every sentient being.

Auspicious, you should know

That after I attain bodhi,

I shall proclaim it throughout the world,

And in my presence you

Shall receive the ambrosial Dharma.”

The bodhisattva accepted the clean grass

And proceeded to the site of Awakening.

As he set forth,

The great earth mightily trembled.

The devas and dragon spirits

All gave rise to joyful hearts.

Respectfully joining their palms, they said:

“At this very moment, the bodhisattva

Will subdue the armies of Mara,

Attain the ambrosial Dharma,

And realize the unsurpassed fruit.”

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—As the bodhisattva approached the site of Awakening, measureless bodhisattvas and devas helped adorn the surroundings of the bodhi trees with supreme beauty. At that time there were as many as eighty-four thousand bodhi trees, and all awaited the bodhisattva’s seating himself beneath a bodhi tree to attain unsurpassed, complete and perfect Awakening. Some of those bodhi trees rose to a height of one hundred thousand yojanas and were formed entirely of flowers; some rose to a height of two hundred million yojanas and were formed entirely of fragrances; some rose to a height of one hundred thousand yojanas and were formed entirely of sandalwood; some rose to a height of five hundred million yojanas and were formed entirely of silk;

some rose to a height of one billion yojanas and were formed entirely of various jewels; and some rose to a height of ten billion yojanas and were formed entirely of the seven precious substances.

Thus there were eighty-four thousand bodhi trees. Beneath each tree, according to its kind and color, a lion throne was spread out. Some lion thrones were adorned with flowers; some were adorned with fragrances; some were adorned with sandalwood; some were adorned with precious gems; and some were adorned with various precious objects.

The Buddha told the bhikshus:

—At that time, the bodhisattva manifested the act of spreading grass over the place. His majestic power was complete like that of a lion king; his diligence was firm; he was unstained by the slightest fault; he was entirely sovereign and possessed perfect wisdom. He was honored as the Awakened One, the subduer of all maras and destroyer of non-Buddhist doctrines. Endowed with countless merits such as these, he was about to attain the fruit of bodhi. The bodhisattva then sat cross-legged upon the seat of clean grass, facing east, his body erect and his mindfulness right, and made this great vow:

If I do not now attain

Unsurpassed great bodhi,

Then though this body be shattered,

I shall never leave this seat.

As soon as the bodhisattva ascended the seat of Awakening, he attained the samadhi called the Great Adornment of the Vaipulya Display of Spiritual Powers. Having attained this samadhi, the bodhisattva manifested his body upon every lion throne, and each manifested body was fully adorned with the excellent marks.

All the bodhisattvas, devas, and humans believed that the bodhisattva was seated solely upon the throne before them. Furthermore, through the wondrous power of his meditative concentration, all beings in the realms of hell beings, hungry ghosts, animals, King Yama, devas, and humans were enabled to see the bodhisattva abiding upon the seat of Awakening.

Chapter 20: THE ADORNMENT OF THE SITE OF AWAKENING a

The Buddha said to the bhikshus:

—At that time, as the bodhisattva sat at the site of Awakening, the devas of the six heavens of the Desire Realm, concerned about the difficulties and obstructions that might arise, appeared from the east and respectfully stood in attendance. From the south, west, and north, from the four intermediate directions, and from above and below, measureless devas also appeared and respectfully stood in attendance. The bodhisattva then emitted a great ray of light called Awakening the Wisdom of Bodhisattvas, which brilliantly illuminated the whole realm of space and all Buddha lands throughout the ten directions.

At that time, in the eastern quarter there was a land called Stainless, where a Buddha named Stainless Radiance dwelt. There, a great bodhisattva named Adornment of Play encountered that ray of light. Together with a great multitude of bodhisattvas, he circumambulated it many times and then went to the site of Awakening, where they stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that time, through the wondrous power of his spiritual abilities, the bodhisattva transformed all the Buddha lands throughout space in the ten directions into a single pure lapis lazuli place of practice encompassing all Buddha lands. Every being in the five destinies throughout all Buddha lands clearly saw the bodhisattva and wondered:

—Who is this, endowed with such wondrous spiritual powers and such an august and majestic form?

At the same time, before every sentient being, the bodhisattva manifested a transformation bodhisattva who recited this verse:

Able to end all defilements

Habitual tendencies of greed, anger, and delusion

His body shines throughout the ten directions

Its radiance enveloping all things

Merit, wisdom, and samadhi

Ever increase through many kalpas

All forms of adornment

Are the supreme power of the Muni.

At that time, in a world to the south, there was a land named Jeweled Adornment. The Buddha there was named Radiance, and a great bodhisattva there was named Manifest Jeweled Canopy. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested a great jeweled canopy that covered the entire bodhi site. The Brahma kings, Shakra Devendra, and the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the world asked one another:

“By virtue of what meritorious reward has such an adorned jeweled canopy appeared?”

From within the jeweled canopy came this wondrous verse:

Throughout thousands of kotis of kalpas

He made offerings to the Buddhas of the three times

With a mind of loving-kindness, practicing generosity and relinquishment

Thus attaining these marks of adornment

And perfecting the strength of Narayana

The fruit invoked by the guiding teacher

Benefits all living beings

As he sits at the place of bodhi.

At that time, in a world to the west, there was a land named Champa. The Buddha there was named King of Blossoming Flowers, Wisdom, and Spiritual Powers, and a great bodhisattva there was named Jeweled Net. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested a supremely marvelous jeweled net that covered the sky above the bodhi site. The eight classes of devas, nagas, and other spirits from the ten directions all asked one another:

“Through what causes and conditions has such a jeweled net appeared?”

From within that jeweled net came this wondrous verse:

Ever cultivating precious causes

And relying upon precious things

Revered by all throughout the three realms

His renown resounds through the ten directions

Aspiring to realize great bodhi

He abides in the pure Dharma

Through the power of diligence he attains Buddhahood

And thus manifests this precious object.

At that time, in a world to the north, there was a land named Turning Sun. The Buddha there was named Light That Outshines the Sun and Moon, and a great bodhisattva there was named King of Adornment. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested at the bodhi site a great terrace endowed with the meritorious adornments of boundless Buddha lands throughout the ten directions. All those in the assembly who had come to make offerings to the bodhisattva regarded it as wondrous. All devas and humans asked one another:

“Through what causes and conditions has such a supremely adorned and marvelous terrace appeared?”

From within that marvelous terrace came this wondrous verse:

Throughout boundless kalpas

He amassed the provisions of merit and wisdom

Purifying body, speech, and mind

Possessing moral shame, conscience, and compassion

The Able and Benevolent One, the Most Honored One

Has perfected every virtue

Now seated at the place of bodhi

He has attained such merit.

At that time, in a world to the southeast, there was a land named King of Virtue. The Buddha there was named King of the Radiance of Merit, and a great bodhisattva there was named Meritorious Wisdom. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested immeasurable jeweled towers endowed with meritorious adornments. The assembled hosts of devas, nagas, yakshas, and others saw what they had never seen before. Considering it exceedingly wondrous and extraordinary, they asked one another:

“Through what causes and conditions has such an auspicious sign appeared?”

From within the lofty towers came this verse:

The source from which every virtue arises

The one fully endowed with virtuous conduct

Has now perfected his merit

And devas and nagas all revere him

The one of supreme virtue has reached the bodhi site

The fragrance of his virtue pervades everywhere

Now seated at the place of bodhi

He receives offerings such as these.

At that time, in a world to the southwest, there was a land named Producing Jewels. The Buddha there was named Jeweled Banner, and a great bodhisattva there was named Foremost among the Multitude. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested immeasurable asamkhyas of halos made of precious substances. The devas at the bodhi site saw what they had never seen before. Considering it exceedingly wondrous and extraordinary, they asked one another:

“Through what majestic power have such precious halos appeared?”

From within the radiance came this wondrous verse:

Jeweled palaces

Together with forests, gardens, flowers, and fruits

His head, eyes, marrow, and brain

His hands, feet, and his very body

He gave them all away in generosity

Thus accumulating a pool of merit

Now he directly realizes bodhi

And receives offerings such as these.

At that time, in a world to the northwest, there was a land named Cloud. The Buddha there was named Cloud King, and a great bodhisattva there was named Cloud Thunder. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings. At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested countless clouds of agarwood incense and sandalwood incense, which spread throughout the bodhi site. All the devas in the assembly gave rise to joyful minds and regarded this as wondrous. They asked one another:

“Through what causes and conditions has such an auspicious sign appeared?”

From within the clouds came this wondrous verse:

Clouds of Dharma cover every place

The rain of Dharma waters all beings

Removing the afflictions of sentient beings

And guiding them to nirvana

Spiritual power arises from the root of meditative concentration

And merit further adorns it

He realizes the deathless nectar of liberation

Thus receiving offerings such as these.

At that time, in a world to the northeast, there was a land named Vajra. The Buddha there was named Radiance of the Jeweled Canopy, and a great bodhisattva there was named Vajra Adornment. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings.

At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested immeasurable and boundless great bodhisattvas, all of whose bodies were adorned with the thirty-two supreme marks. Holding flower garlands, they stood amid the assembly of bodhisattvas who had just arrived to make offerings. Those great bodhisattvas all bowed their bodies, lowered their heads in homage, and recited this verse:

Throughout boundless kalpas

With reverence and steadfast faith

Using wondrous voices

We praised the Tathagatas

Now you sit at the place of bodhi

And therefore we bow our heads in homage

May the merit arising from this

Enable us to attain the unsurpassed fruit.

At that time, in a world below, there was a land named Universal Contemplation. The Buddha there was named Universal Vision, and a great bodhisattva there was named Jeweled Treasury. Upon encountering that ray of light, he and a vast multitude of bodhisattvas circumambulated it many times, then proceeded to the bodhi site and stood before the bodhisattva to make offerings.

At that moment, through the wondrous power of spiritual transformation, the bodhisattva manifested before the bodhisattvas who had come to make offerings great, broad, and beautiful golden lotus flowers. From within each lotus flower appeared the upper half of a maiden’s body, fresh and lovely, adorned with precious objects. In their hands they held countless pearls, jewels, and jeweled necklaces, and they bowed their bodies and lowered their heads in homage.

All devas and humans asked one another:

“Through what causes and conditions have so many wondrous maidens appeared?”

At that moment, the maidens recited this verse:

Throughout boundless kalpas

He bowed his head before the Tathagatas

Pratyekabuddhas and shravakas

Parents and honored elders

True and free from error,

Replete with every virtue;

Therefore all reverently bow

To the perfectly pure precepts.

At that time, in a world above, there was a land named Excellent Merit. The Buddha there was called Virtue King, and the great bodhisattva there was called Akashagarbha. Upon encountering that beam of light, he was surrounded by a vast multitude of bodhisattvas, who circumambulated him, and then they proceeded to the bodhi-manda, where they stood before the Bodhisattva to make offerings.

At that time, through the wondrous power of spiritual abilities, the Bodhisattva scattered from the sky throughout all the Buddha lands of the ten directions countless varieties of fresh flowers never before heard of or seen, precious anointing incense, powdered incense, and burning incense, multicolored brocades and silks, garments, banners, pennants, precious parasols, mani jewels, and treasures of gold, silver, vaidurya, mother-of-pearl, and agate; all kinds of elephants, horses, chariots, palanquins, and soldiers; as well as flowers and fruits, boys and girls, and other offerings.

Then Brahma kings, Shakra, the World-Protecting Deities, devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, and all living beings beheld this, gave rise to joy, and felt no fear.

The Blessed One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke these verses:

The One who benefits the entire world,

About to realize unsurpassed bodhi—

Immeasurable bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions,

Like auspicious clouds, assembled together.

The bodhisattvas came to make offerings;

I shall now explain this briefly by analogy.

Boundless bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Like dense clouds resounding with thunder.

All bore strings of precious jewels,

With brilliant gems arrayed in splendor.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their heads crowned with jeweled diadems, their tresses flowing;

They raised aloft wondrous terraces of fragrant flowers

And together proceeded to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Like lions roaring in majestic might;

They expounded the Dharma of emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness

And assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Like mighty bulls raising their deep voices;

They scattered beautiful flowers never seen before

And assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their melodious voices like the king of peacocks;

Their radiant bodies displayed a thousand kinds of marks,

And together they assembled at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their light shining like the clear moon;

With wondrous voices they praised in unison

The immeasurable merits of the Bodhisattva.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their light illuminating everywhere like the sun;

They obscured all the palaces of hostile Mara

And assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their bodily colors beautiful as rainbows;

Their merit and wisdom were both perfected,

And together they came to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Manifesting mani jewels and jeweled nets in their hands;

They scattered mandara flowers and sumana flowers,

Varshika flowers and champaka flowers,

Together with many other kinds of fresh flowers,

And assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Using spiritual power to shake the great earth;

All sentient beings were without fear,

And every one of them rejoiced.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Holding Sumeru, the great king of mountains, in their hands;

As though holding fresh flowers, they felt no weight,

And together they came to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Bearing upon their heads four great oceans of fragrant water;

They sprinkled it everywhere, making all pure and beautiful,

And assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Each holding a supreme jeweled parasol in hand;

They caused all the bodhisattvas to behold them

As they came together to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas abiding in the sky

Manifested as Brahma kings dwelling peacefully in samadhi;

From every pore they expounded the wondrous Dharma,

Proclaiming sympathetic joy, equanimity, loving-kindness, and compassion.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Manifesting the wondrous bodies of Shakra;

Surrounded by all devas and humans,

They came together to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Manifesting the bodily forms of the World-Protecting Deities;

Surrounded by all devas and humans,

They scattered celestial flowers and incense as offerings,

And caused kimnaras and gandharvas

To raise pure voices in praise of the Bodhisattva.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Bringing precious trees with wondrous fragrant blossoms;

Their branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits were splendidly adorned,

And they assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Upon the flower platforms of those trees, bodhisattvas appeared,

Manifesting half their bodies from within the flower mirrors;

Each was complete with the thirty-two marks,

And each presented wondrous flowers as offerings:

Kumuda flowers and padma flowers,

Utpala flowers and pundarika flowers.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Holding perfectly pure lotus flowers in their hands;

Their bodies were as vast as Sumeru,

And they transformed the lotuses into myriad bouquets of fresh flowers,

Scattering them throughout the great trichiliocosm,

As together they proceeded to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Within their eyes clearly revealing the eon of dissolution;

Upon reaching the bodhi-manda, they manifested the eon of formation.

Every part of each one's body

Expounded immeasurable and boundless Buddha-Dharmas.

All sentient beings were able to hear them,

And after hearing, they eliminated every desire;

Thus they came together to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their bodily forms majestic and worthy of reverence;

Adorned magnificently with many precious things,

Their bodies resembled those of kimnaras.

All devas, humans, and asuras

Never wearied of seeing or hearing them.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their bodies as firm as vajra;

The entire great earth shook,

As together they assembled at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their radiant light surpassing the sun and moon;

They dispelled all the afflictions and suffering of sentient beings,

And together they proceeded to the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Their bodies formed entirely of precious treasures,

Pervading boundless Buddha lands;

They scattered myriad kinds of precious incense and flowers,

Causing all sentient beings to rejoice,

And assembled together at the bodhi-manda.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

Fully possessing the four kinds of dharani;

From every pore of their bodies

They expounded countless scriptures.

Endowed with wisdom and great eloquence,

They gradually guided all beings to the shore of awakening.

Immeasurable bodhisattvas came through the sky,

With celestial drums as vast as Sumeru;

They raised a great and wondrous sound

That resounded throughout kotis of millions of Buddha lands,

Proclaiming everywhere throughout the realms of devas and humans:

“The Saha world is about to rain down the Dharma.”