大方廣佛華嚴經

5. CHAPTER FIVE: THE FLOWER-TREASURY WORLD

(Chinese Text from Fascicle 8 through the End of Fascicle 10)

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! This ocean of Flower-Treasury worlds was purified and adorned by Vairocana Tathagata, who, long ago while cultivating the bodhisattva practices, passed through kalpas as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds. In each kalpa he drew near to Buddhas as numerous as dust motes, and in the presence of each Buddha he cultivated great pure vows as numerous as dust motes.

“Disciples of the Buddha! This adorned Flower-Treasury world is sustained by wind wheels as numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru. The lowest wind wheel, called Abiding in Equality, can sustain the wind wheel above it and is adorned with countless blazing, radiant flames of jewels. The next wind wheel above, called Producing All Kinds of Jeweled Adornments, can sustain the radiant royal mani-banner above it.

“The next wind wheel above, called Jeweled Majestic Virtue, can sustain the countless jeweled bells above it. The next wind wheel above, called Blazing Equality, can sustain the royal mani jewel above it, which shines like the sun. The next wind wheel above, called Universally Adorned with All Kinds, can sustain the brilliant garlands above it.

The next wind wheel above, called Universal Purity, can sustain the radiant jeweled-flower lion throne above it. The next wind wheel above, called Sound Pervading the Ten Directions, can sustain the banners of countless sovereign pearls above it. The next wind wheel above, called Light of All Jewels, can sustain the jeweled trees of countless royal mani jewels above it.

The next wind wheel above, called Swift Universal Support, can sustain the Sumeru clouds of all fragrant mani jewels above it. The next wind wheel above, called All Kinds of Traveling Palaces, can sustain the clouds of fragrant terraces in all jeweled colors above it. Disciples of the Buddha!

In this way they continue successively until there are wind wheels as numerous as the dust motes of Mount Sumeru. The uppermost, called Treasury of Supreme Majestic Light, can sustain the fragrant ocean Universal Light Adorned with Mani. In this fragrant ocean is a great lotus called Banner of Fragrant Stamens of All Kinds of Light.

The ocean of Flower-Treasury worlds abides within that banner. Its four sides are level, pure, and firm; a vajra-wheel mountain surrounds it, and the forests and lands throughout the ocean are divided into distinct regions.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s awesome spiritual might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

His vast compassion extended throughout all things;
He relinquished bodies countless as motes of dust.
Through the power of cultivation for many kalpas past,
This world is now free from defilement.

Wondrous treasury-flowers of mani are scattered everywhere;
Through the power of great vows they abide in space.
Oceans of every kind, firm and adorned,
Spread clouds of light throughout the ten directions.

From every jewel light is emitted;
That light shines universally upon sentient beings.
It reaches all lands throughout the ten directions,
Freeing beings from suffering and leading them to bodhi.

Within the jewels are Buddhas as numerous as sentient beings;
From the Buddhas’ pores appear transformation bodies:
Brahma kings, Shakra, wheel-turning kings,
All sentient beings, and all Buddhas.

Their transformational light pervades the Dharma Realm;
Within that light are proclaimed the names of the Buddhas.
By various skillful means they appear and bring beings under discipline,
Responding universally to every mind, leaving none behind.

Within every dust mote in the Flower-Treasury world,
The Dharma Realm is seen in each and every mote.
Jeweled light reveals Buddhas gathered like clouds;
Thus all Buddhas dwell there in sovereign freedom.

The vast power of vows pervades the Dharma Realm,
Liberating sentient beings throughout all kalpas.
The wisdom of Samantabhadra’s practices and vows is fully perfected;
From this arise all these adornments.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! In this adorned ocean of Flower-Treasury worlds, the great enclosing mountain rests upon a royal sun-pearl lotus. Sandalwood mani forms its body, a sovereign jewel of majestic virtue forms its summit, wondrously fragrant mani forms its wheel, and a treasury of flames and vajras is joined together to form it. All fragrant waters flow within it. Forests are made of jewels, exquisite flowers blossom in profusion, fragrant grasses carpet the ground, and radiant pearls are interspersed as adornments. Fragrant flowers fill every place, and nets of mani jewels spread over all. Such wondrous adornments are as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds.

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s awesome might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Firm mani is used as its treasury,
And Jambunada gold adorns it.
It emits light that shines throughout the ten directions;
Within and without, all is translucent and pure.

Fragrant waters of countless colors flow between them,
Sprinkling jeweled flowers and sandalwood.
Lotuses bloom in profusion everywhere;
Fragrant grasses carpet the ground with exquisite perfume.

Countless jeweled trees adorn all places;
Their flowers bloom and stamens unfold in radiant colors.
Beautiful garments are found among them,
While clouds of light ever fill the four directions.

Within those adornments, bodies of Buddhas appear,
Their forms and marks boundless and immeasurable.
They travel everywhere throughout the ten directions,
Transforming and liberating immeasurable sentient beings.

All the adornments resound with wondrous voices,
Proclaiming the Tathagata’s original vows.
Pure oceans of lands pervade the ten directions,
Filled everywhere by the Buddha’s spiritual power.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! Within the great enclosing mountain of this ocean of worlds, all the great earth is composed of vajra. It is firm, adorned, and indestructible; level and pure, with mani as its wheel and various jewels as its treasury. Jeweled mani stones are interspersed throughout it, precious powders are scattered upon it, and lotuses cover the ground, with fragrant treasury-mani jewels set among the flowers. Adornments fill it everywhere like clouds. All the adornments of all the lands of the Buddhas of the three periods of time are assembled to beautify it. Nets of wondrous mani jewels, arrayed like Indra’s net, reveal within them every realm of the Tathagata.

“Disciples of the Buddha! The great earth of this ocean of worlds possesses such adornments as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Heavenly lights, necklaces, and strands of precious gems
Are spread across the earth as beautiful adornments.
Sandalwood and mani are scattered everywhere,
All emitting beautiful, pure light.

Dense clouds spread throughout the ten directions,
With vast and inexhaustible light.
They reach every land throughout the ten directions,
Proclaiming the Tathagata’s ambrosial Dharma.

Within the mani pearls universally appear
The Buddhas’ great vows throughout boundless kalpas.
All the practices cultivated by the Tathagatas of old
Are fully revealed within these precious pearls.

Wondrous jewels adorn the Flower-Treasury world;
Bodhisattvas journey throughout the ten directions,
Proclaiming the great beings’ vast vows—
Such is the spiritual power of the bodhimanda.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! Within the great earth of this ocean of worlds are fragrant oceans as numerous as the dust motes in ten ineffable numbers of Buddha lands. All wondrous jewels adorn their ocean floors.

Wondrously fragrant mani jewels adorn their shores. Royal Vairocana mani jewels form nets above them. The oceans are filled with fragrant waters of every translucent color.

Many kinds of jeweled flowers spiral across the surface. Fine sandalwood powder settles beneath the waters. They proclaim the speech and sounds of the Buddhas and emit jeweled light.

Boundless bodhisattvas hold various canopies and manifest spiritual powers. All the adornments of all worlds appear within them. Steps made of ten precious substances are arrayed everywhere.

Railings of ten jewels surround them. Jewels as numerous as the dust motes of a four-continent world adorn them. White lotuses bloom profusely in the waters.

There are ineffable hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of banners made of ten jewels; banners made of ten jewels as numerous as the sands of the Ganges; banners of garments, bells, and jeweled nets as numerous as the sands of the Ganges; jeweled towers and pavilions with boundless beautiful forms and colors, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges; hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of lotus cities made of ten jewels; and forests of jeweled trees as numerous as the dust motes of a four-continent world.

Jeweled flame-mani forms nets above them. There are sandalwood fragrances as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, while radiant mani jewels resound with the speech of the Buddhas. Ineffable hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of walls made of jewels surround and adorn them everywhere.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Jeweled banners and radiant pearls shine constantly;
Beautiful garments hang down as adornments.
Wish-fulfilling nets of bells proclaim the Dharma,
Leading all who hear toward the Buddha’s wisdom.

Wondrous jeweled lotuses form city walls;
Mani jewels of many colors adorn them beautifully.
Pearls spread like clouds through the four directions;
Thus are the fragrant oceans adorned.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! Each fragrant ocean flows in a rightward course. The banks of all these rivers are made of vajra and adorned with mani of pure light.

They constantly manifest beautiful clouds of jeweled light belonging to the Buddhas, together with the voices of sentient beings. In the whirlpools of these rivers appear the forms of all the practices cultivated by the Buddhas. Nets made of mani, hung with bells and jeweled pendants, reveal all the adornments of the oceans of worlds.

Clouds of jeweled mani cover them. Within these clouds universally appear the spiritual powers of Vairocana, the transformation Buddhas of the ten directions, and all Buddhas. They also resound with wondrous voices praising the names of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the three periods of time.

“Within those fragrant waters, all kinds of jeweled flames constantly arise, while clouds of light continue without interruption. If explained in full, each river possesses adornments as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s awesome might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Clear fragrant waters fill the rivers;
Vajra and wondrous jewels form their banks and steps.
Precious powder forms wheels covering the riverbeds;
All their adornments are exquisite jewels.

Jeweled steps stand arrayed in beautiful adornment;
Encircling railings are magnificent.
Pearls form treasuries of exquisite flowers,
And banners and jeweled strands hang down together.

Within royal mani jewels appear bodies of Buddhas;
Their light shines throughout the lands of the ten directions.
These form wheels that beautify the earth,
While fragrant, translucent waters ever fill all.

Mani forms nets and gold forms pendants,
Covering the fragrant rivers and proclaiming the Buddha’s voice.
They fully expound every path to bodhi,
Together with Samantabhadra’s wondrous practices.

The mani-jeweled banks are utterly pure,
Ever resounding with accounts of the Buddhas’ original vows.
All the practices cultivated by the Buddhas of old
Are proclaimed in sounds that all can hear.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! The lands on both banks of these fragrant rivers are adorned with wondrous treasures. Each possesses jeweled adornments as numerous as the dust motes of a four-continent world.

White lotuses are found everywhere. In each place are forests of jeweled trees, as numerous as the dust motes of a four-continent world, arranged in orderly rows. From every tree constantly pour beautiful clouds, within which royal mani jewels shine.

All kinds of fragrant flowers fill the trees. Those jeweled trees also resound with wondrous voices proclaiming the great vows cultivated by the Buddhas throughout many kalpas. They further rain down every kind of royal mani jewel until the earth is completely covered: royal mani jewels called Lotus Wheel; royal mani jewels called Cloud of Fragrant Blazing Light; royal mani jewels called Adorned with All Kinds; royal mani jewels called Manifesting Inconceivable Forms of Adornment; royal mani jewels called Sunlight; royal mani jewels called Cloud of Nets of Light; royal mani jewels called Manifesting the Buddhas’ Spiritual Transformations; and royal mani jewels called Manifesting the Ocean of Sentient Beings’ Karmic Retributions.

Such royal mani jewels are as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds. The lands on both banks of the fragrant rivers are fully endowed with all such adornments.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Branches and leaves are wholly adorned with jewels;
Blooming flowers emit light in all four directions.
Their mani fruits spread like clouds,
Causing them to be constantly seen throughout the ten directions.

Sovereign mani pearls reveal reflections of Buddhas;
They are scattered everywhere across the ground.
Thus they shine throughout the ten directions,
And within every dust mote a Buddha is seen.

Wondrous jewels are skillfully arranged as adornments;
Nets of lamps and pearls intermingle.
In every place are mani wheels,
Each pearl revealing the Buddha’s spiritual powers.

Adorning jewels emit great light;
Within those rays appear transformation Buddhas.
Everywhere, in every place,
They broadly expound by means of the ten powers.

Within every dust mote of this earth,
All disciples of the Buddha who practice the path
See themselves receiving predictions in their own lands,
All purified according to their aspirations.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! The adorned oceans of worlds of the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, are all inconceivable. Why is this? Disciples of the Buddha! Each and every realm within this ocean of Flower-Treasury worlds is adorned with pure merits as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Every place within this ocean of lands
Is ornamented with many kinds of jewels.
They emit light in space and spread like clouds;
Their translucent radiance constantly extends above.

The Tathagata’s sovereign spiritual powers
Pervade all lands throughout the ten directions.
Within the adornments of this realm,
They are clearly revealed in every precious pearl.

All the transformations throughout the ten directions
Are entirely like reflections in a mirror.
They arise solely from the Tathagata’s former cultivation,
Fashioned by spiritual powers and the power of vows.

If disciples of the Buddha cultivate Samantabhadra’s practices
And enter the ocean of the bodhisattvas’ supreme wisdom,
They can, within every dust mote,
Universally manifest their bodies and purify lands.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! I shall now explain which worlds abide herein.

“Disciples of the Buddha! Within these fragrant oceans as numerous as the dust motes in ten ineffable numbers of Buddha lands abide world-seeds as numerous as the dust motes in ten ineffable numbers of Buddha lands. Each world-seed, in turn, contains worlds as numerous as the dust motes in ten ineffable numbers of Buddha lands.

“Disciples of the Buddha! Within the ocean of worlds, those world-seeds each have their own basis of support, their own shape, their own essential nature, their own location, their own extent, their own adornments, their own boundaries, their own arrangement, their own freedom from differentiation, and their own sustaining power.

“Disciples of the Buddha! Some of these world-seeds abide supported by a great ocean of lotuses; some abide supported by an ocean of jeweled flowers of boundless colors; some abide supported by an ocean of jeweled necklaces containing treasuries of all pearls; some abide supported by an ocean of fragrant water; some abide supported by an ocean of all flowers; some abide supported by an ocean of mani-jeweled nets; some abide supported by an ocean of encircling flowing light; some abide supported by an ocean of bodhisattva crowns adorned with jewels; some abide supported by an ocean of the bodies of all kinds of sentient beings; and some abide supported by an ocean of royal mani jewels resounding with the voices of all Buddhas.

There are modes of abiding such as these, as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds.

“Disciples of the Buddha! All those world-seeds have different shapes: some are shaped like Mount Sumeru, some like rivers, some like revolving forms, some like whirlpools, some like wheel axles, some like ritual altars, some like forests, some like towers and pavilions, some like mountain banners, some like angular squares, some like lotuses, some like womb-treasuries, some like kharata, some like the bodies of sentient beings, some like clouds, some like the excellent marks of a Buddha, some like perfect halos, some like nets of pearls, some like door lintels, and some like ornamental objects. There are shapes such as these, as numerous as the dust motes in an ocean of worlds.

“Disciples of the Buddha! Some of those world-seeds have clouds of mani from the ten directions as their substance; some have light as their substance; some have fragrant jeweled flames as their substance; some have adornments of all jewels as their substance; some have images of bodhisattvas as their substance; some have the light of the Buddhas as their substance; some have the forms and marks of the Buddhas as their substance; some have a single jeweled light as their substance; some have many jeweled lights as their substance; some have the sounds of the oceans of karma of all sentient beings as their substance; some have the sounds of the pure realms of all Buddhas as their substance; some have the sounds of the oceans of great vows of all bodhisattvas as their substance;

some have the sounds of all Buddhas’ skillful means as their substance; some have the sounds of the adornments, formation, and destruction of all lands as their substance; some have the sounds of boundless Buddhas as their substance; some have the sounds of the Buddhas’ transformations as their substance; some have the wholesome sounds of all sentient beings as their substance; and some have the pure sounds of the oceans of merit of all Buddhas as their substance.

There are essential natures such as these, as numerous as the dust motes of worlds.”

At that time, wishing to restate this meaning, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual might, contemplated the ten directions and spoke these verses:

Shaped like Sumeru, vessels, cities, trees, and ritual altars,
All the seeds of lands pervade the ten directions.
Their kinds of adornment and shapes are not the same;
Each is separately arrayed and abides.

Some resound through the power of vows,
Taking sounds of spiritual transformations as their nature.
The vast meritorious karma of sentient beings
And the meritorious sounds of Buddhas are likewise their substance.

At that time, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra again addressed the assembly: “Disciples of the Buddha! These fragrant oceans, as numerous as the dust motes in ten ineffable numbers of Buddha lands, are arrayed within the ocean of Flower-Treasury worlds like Indra’s jeweled net.

“Disciples of the Buddha! The fragrant ocean at the center is called Boundless Light of Wondrous Flowers. Its floor is a royal mani-banner that manifests the forms of all bodhisattvas.

From it arises a great lotus called Adorned with Mani of Every Fragrance. Upon it is a world-seed called Blazing Jeweled Light Universally Illuminating the Ten Directions, which takes all ornamental objects as its substance. Within it are worlds as numerous as the dust motes in an ineffable number of Buddha lands.

At the very bottom is a world called Supreme Light Universally Shining, bounded by a radiant wheel adorned with vajra and abiding upon a jeweled mani flower. Its shape resembles a mani jewel. Clouds adorned with jeweled flowers spread above it.

Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land surround it. Its Buddha is named Starry-Eyed Lamp Free from Defilement.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Wondrously Adorned with Lotuses of Every Fragrance. It is bounded by every kind of adornment, abides upon a net of jeweled lotuses, and is shaped like a lion throne. Clouds of pearls in jeweled colors cover it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in two Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Lion-Light Supreme Illumination.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Jeweled Adornment Universally Shining with Light. It is bounded by a wheel of fragrant wind, abides upon a necklace of jeweled flowers, and is eight-sided. Clouds of mani sun wheels spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in three Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Pure-Light Wisdom Supreme Banner.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Adorned with Flowers of Every Kind of Light. It is bounded by sovereign jewels, abides upon an ocean of vajra-shila banners, and is shaped like a mani lotus. Clouds of vajra mani jewels spread around and cover it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in four Buddha lands surround it, all completely pure. Its Buddha is named Vajra-Light Immeasurable Power of Diligence Well Appearing.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Universally Emitting the Light of Wondrous Flowers. It is bounded by nets adorned with jeweled bells, abides upon an ocean of jeweled wheel-nets adorned with groves of trees, and is generally square with many sides and angles. Clouds of royal mani jewels resounding with Brahma sounds spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in five Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Ocean of the Joyful Power of Fragrant Light.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Pure Wondrous Light. It is bounded by adornments of sovereign jeweled banners, abides upon an ocean of vajra palaces, and is square. Clouds of canopies arrayed with mani wheels spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in six Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Banner of Sovereign Universal Light.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Adorned with Blazing Multitudes of Flowers. It is bounded by floral adornments, abides upon an ocean of flames in jeweled colors, and is shaped like a tower. Clouds of railings made of wish-fulfilling pearls in jeweled colors spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in seven Buddha lands surround it, all completely pure. Its Buddha is named Sovereign Light of Joyful Merit and Renown.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Ground Producing Majestic Power. It is bounded by royal mani jewels producing every sound, abides upon an ocean of empty-space thrones made of lotuses in jeweled colors, and is shaped like Indra’s net. Clouds of flower-nets of boundless colors spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in eight Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Banner of the Ocean of Wisdom of Vast Renown.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Producing Wondrous Sounds. It is bounded by adornments of mind-sovereign mani, abides upon an ocean of clouds adorned with sovereign mani jewels that constantly produce wondrous sounds, and is shaped like the body of Brahma. Clouds of lion thrones adorned with immeasurable jewels spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in nine Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Pure-Vow Light and Marks, Unconquerable by Any.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Vajra Banner. It is bounded by jeweled necklaces of pearl treasuries with boundless adornments, abides upon an ocean of mani adorned with jeweled lion thrones, and is round. Clouds of mani flowers and fragrance, as numerous as the dust motes of ten Mount Sumerus, spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands surround it, all completely pure. Its Buddha is named Supreme King of the Ocean of All Dharmas.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Constantly Manifesting Sapphire Jeweled Light. It is bounded by vajra adornments, abides upon an ocean of various rare and extraordinary flowers, and is crescent-shaped. Clouds of celestial jeweled canopies spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in eleven Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Dharma of Immeasurable Merit.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Radiant Illumination. It is bounded by adornments of universal light, abides upon an ocean of fragrant water entwined with flowers, and is shaped like a floral wreath. Clouds of various garments spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in twelve Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Surpassing Shakra and Brahma.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Saha. It is bounded by vajra adornments, abides upon a lotus net sustained by wind wheels, and is shaped like empty space. Clouds adorned with celestial palaces spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in thirteen Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is Vairocana Tathagata himself.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Tranquil Light Free from Dust. It is bounded by jeweled adornments, abides upon an ocean of various jeweled garments, and is shaped like a vajra-holder. Vajra clouds of boundless colors spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in fourteen Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Supreme Voice Pervading the Dharma Realm.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Lamps of Multitudes of Wondrous Lights. It is bounded by adorned canopies, abides upon an ocean of pure flower-nets, and is shaped like the svastika. Clouds of mani trees and fragrant oceans spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in fifteen Buddha lands surround it, all completely pure. Its Buddha is named Banner of Universally Shining Power That Cannot Be Overcome.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Pure Light Pervading All. It is bounded by sovereign mani jewels producing inexhaustible jeweled clouds, abides upon an ocean of lotuses blazing with various fragrances, and is shaped like a tortoise shell. Clouds of mani wheels and sandalwood spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in sixteen Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Pure Sun Eye of Merit.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Treasury of Jeweled Adornments. It is bounded by sovereign mani jewels shaped like sentient beings, abides upon an ocean of royal mani jewels that are treasuries of light, and is eight-sided. Nets of jeweled, adorned flowering trees upon enclosing mountains spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in seventeen Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Unobstructed Wisdom-Light Pervading the Ten Directions.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Free from Dust. It is bounded by wondrously adorned marks, abides upon an ocean of lion thrones made of multitudes of wondrous flowers, and is shaped like a jeweled necklace. Clouds of sovereign mani jewels with circular halos spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in eighteen Buddha lands surround it, all completely pure. Its Buddha is named Supreme Banner of Immeasurable Skillful Means.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Pure Light Universally Shining. It is bounded by sovereign mani jewels producing inexhaustible jeweled clouds, abides upon an ocean of Mount Sumerus blazing with fragrances of immeasurable colors, and is shaped like a jeweled flower unfolding in a spiral. Clouds of sapphire sovereign mani jewels with light of boundless colors spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in nineteen Buddha lands surround it. Its Buddha is named Light of Empty Space Universally Illuminating the Dharma Realm.

“Above it, after passing worlds as numerous as the dust motes in one Buddha land, is a world called Wondrous Jeweled Flame. It is bounded by jewels radiant like the universal light of the sun and moon, abides upon an ocean of royal mani jewels of celestial forms, and is shaped like a jeweled ornament. Clouds of jeweled garment-banners and nets of mani lamp-treasuries spread above it. Worlds as numerous as the dust motes in twenty Buddha lands surround it, all completely pure. Its Buddha is named Light of the Marks of Merit.

“Disciples of the Buddha! This world-seed called Blazing Jeweled Light Universally Illuminating the Ten Directions contains such vast worlds as numerous as the dust motes in an ineffable number of Buddha lands.

“Each has its own basis of support, its own shape, its own essential nature, its own orientation, its own extent, its own adornments, its own boundaries, its own array, its own freedom from differentiation, and its own sustaining power. Encircling it are precisely:

“Worlds with revolving shapes, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like rivers, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like whirlpools, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands.

Worlds shaped like wheel axles, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like ritual altars, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like forests, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands.

Worlds shaped like multistoried buildings, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like shila banners, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds with universally square shapes, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands.

Worlds shaped like womb-treasuries, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like kharata, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like various kinds of sentient beings, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands.

Worlds shaped like the marks of a Buddha, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like circular halos, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like clouds, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands.

Worlds shaped like nets, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Worlds shaped like door lintels, as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands.

“There are worlds such as these, as numerous as the dust motes in an ineffable number of Buddha lands. Each of these worlds is surrounded by vast worlds as numerous as the dust motes in ten Buddha lands. Each world described below, in turn, has worlds as numerous as dust motes as its retinue.

“All the worlds explained above are situated within the ocean of fragrant water called Boundless Wondrous Flowers and within the fragrant rivers that surround that ocean.”