佛說立世阿毘曇論

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE CITY OF DHṚTARĀṢṬRA

Mount Sumeru, king of mountains, has four peaks: East, West, South, and North. The eastern peak is formed of pure gold, the western peak is formed of white silver, the northern peak is formed of vaiḍūrya (beryl), and the southern peak is formed of crystal. Furthermore, it is composed of all manner of jewels. It also has the seven natures.

These four peaks are broad above and narrow below, like a blooming lotus or hibiscus flower. At its narrowest the circumference is one thousand five hundred yojanas; at its widest the diameter is seven hundred yojanas, and the circumference is two thousand one hundred yojanas. Upon these four peaks there are many kinds of beasts, and also many kinds of birds, lions, tigers, and leopards—all of them entirely born by transformation. They all eat the heavenly flavor of sudhā, and do not harm one another.

There are Vajrapāṇi, within whom all the devas take refuge. There are four Yugaṃdhara mountains: the first to the East, the second to the West, the third to the North, the fourth to the South. The eastern Yugaṃdhara mountain has two peaks; the mountains to the West, North, and South are likewise so.

The two eastern peaks are formed of pure gold, the two western peaks are formed of white silver, the two northern peaks are formed of vaiḍūrya, and the two southern peaks are formed of crystal. They are also formed of all manner of jewels, and they too have the seven natures. Broad above and narrow below, their form is like the hibiscus flower.

At its narrowest the diameter is three hundred fifty yojanas, and the circumference is one thousand fifty yojanas. At its widest the diameter is five hundred yojanas, and the circumference is one thousand fifty yojanas. These eight peaks have many kinds of beasts, and also many kinds of birds, lions, tigers, and leopards, all born by transformation, all eating the heavenly flavor of sudhā, and not harming one another.

There are Vajrapāṇi, within whom the devas dwell and abide. In this way, the peaks of the mountains double in turn until reaching the seventh mountain, Nimindhara, and thus there are five hundred twelve peaks. The peaks of these seven mountains are high and broad, and as they extend outward they successively diminish by half.

In the space between the two peaks of the Yugaṃdhara mountain there is a realm named Dhṛtarāṣṭra, one thousand yojanas in circumference, encircled by a golden wall one yojana high, with a parapet half a yojana. The city gates are two yojanas high, and the gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after ninety-nine gates there is also one small gate, making a full one hundred gates.

These city gates are formed of jewels and adorned with maṇi jewels. Like exquisite, finely embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs, these gates also have four armies guarding them, all as already described above. Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, also as described above, encircled by seven rings of tāla trees, also as described above.

In the spaces between the rows of trees there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways, also as described above. The five kinds of jeweled flowers, also as described above, and the boats of four jewels, also as described above. On the banks of the ponds are five kinds of jeweled trees, also as described above, down to the palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas.

Outside this city there are three rings of jeweled moats, also as described above. Each moat is two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described above. In the ground within the moats the palaces of the courtesans are spread out.

Outside the three rings of moats it is encircled by a forest of the seven jewels, also as described above.

At that time, in the forest outside, all the flowers bloom fresh and lush. When the heavenly maidens play their music, the heavenly sons come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music, and the heavenly maidens come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music. Through this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

The southern corner of the city of Dhṛtarāṣṭra is the dwelling of the Heavenly King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, two hundred fifty yojanas in circumference, encircled by a golden wall one yojana high, with a parapet half a yojana high, city gates two yojanas high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after twenty-four great gates there is also one small gate, making a full twenty-five gates, formed of jewels and adorned with maṇi jewels.

Like exquisite, finely embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs, this gate also has four armies guarding it, all as described above. Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, also as described above. In the spaces between the rows of trees there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways, also as described above.

The five kinds of jeweled flowers, also as described above. And the boats of four jewels, also as described above. On the banks of the ponds are five kinds of jeweled trees, also as described above, down to the palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas.

Outside the city there are three rings of jeweled moats, also as described above. Each moat is two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described above. In the ground within the moats the palaces of the courtesans are spread out. Outside the three rings of moats it is surrounded by a forest of the seven-jeweled trees, also as described above.

When in the forest outside all the flowers bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music, then the heavenly sons come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music, and the heavenly maidens come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music. Through this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

Within the city, on all four sides, the dwelling places and the crossroads and marketplaces are all straight and orderly. These heavenly cities have, in some places, dwellings aligned at the four corners; in some places, multi-storied towers high and pointed; in some places, multi-storied lofty buildings; in some places, observation terraces piercing the clouds; in some places, dwellings fortified on four sides against enemies—according to merit, they are formed of the four jewels, upright and square.

The roads of the heavenly city number fifty-four avenues, with lanes connecting clearly, all like a chessboard, so that East and West can see one another. The streets and marketplaces are filled with precious goods: first, the rice market; second, the clothing market; third, the market of various incenses; fourth, the food-and-drink market; fifth, the flower market; sixth, the handicraft market; seventh, the courtesan market—everywhere there are markets.

Overseeing these markets are the male and female devas coming and going. Trading, bargaining, the dear and the cheap, demanding more or less, weighing and counting—all the customs of the marketplace are complete.

Although they perform such activities, it is for amusement; nothing is taken, nothing is given, and there is no thought of "mine." If a thing is not what one seeks, one may simply take it away. If the karma corresponds, then one takes it as one wishes; if the karma does not correspond, then one says thus: "This thing is precious; it is not what I desire."

The four crossroads are adorned with elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers, and the heavenly sons remain therein, whether to guard, or for amusement, or for adornment.

The roads within the market are all of vaiḍūrya, soft, smooth, and lovely, adorned with jewels. Like the exquisite embroidered tapestry of the Northern land: dragons, beasts, flowers, and grasses, all as described before. Down to the burning of incense, the scattering of flowers, and the hanging of heavenly garments—it is likewise so. Furthermore, in every place are raised banners and pennants.

In the great heavenly city, such sounds are never interrupted: the sound of elephants, the sound of horses, the sound of chariots, the sound of conches, the sound of paṇava drums, the sound of drums, the sound of mṛdaṅga, the sound of flutes, the sound of music. There are also voices saying: "Welcome, welcome! Please eat, please drink—I now make offering."

This great city of Dhṛtarāṣṭra is the dwelling of the heavenly sons. There are also heavenly prefectures, heavenly districts, heavenly counties, and heavenly villages everywhere. Within this great city, the Heavenly King Dhṛtarāṣṭra takes refuge and dwells therein. The king governs from the Yugaṃdhara mountain in the East to the Cakravāḍa (Iron-Ring) mountains. The Gandharva heaven is led by the king.

This meaning was spoken by the Buddha; thus have I heard.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE CITY OF VIRŪḌHAKA

To the South, in the space between the two peaks of the Yugaṃdhara mountain, there is a realm named Virūḍhaka, one thousand yojanas in circumference. A golden wall surrounds it, one yojana high, with a parapet half a yojana high, city gates two yojanas high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after ninety-nine gates there is also one small gate, making a full one hundred gates.

The gates are formed of jewels and adorned with maṇi jewels, like wondrous embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs. This gate also has four armies guarding it, all as described above.

Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, also as described above. It is surrounded by seven rings of tāla-tree forests, also as described above. In the spaces between the trees there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways, also as described above. The five kinds of jeweled flowers, also as described above, and the boats of four jewels, also as described above.

On the banks of the ponds are five kinds of jeweled flowers, also as described above, down to the palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas.

Outside the city there are three rings of jeweled moats, also as described above. Each moat is two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, as described above. In the ground within these moats the palaces of the courtesans are spread out.

Outside the three rings of moats it is enveloped by a forest of the seven-jeweled trees, also as described above. When the flowers in this outer forest all bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music, then the heavenly sons come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music; the heavenly maidens come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music. By this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

The southwestern corner of the city of Virūḍhaka is the dwelling of the Heavenly King Virūḍhaka, two hundred fifty yojanas in circumference, a golden wall surrounding it one yojana high, a parapet half a yojana high, city gates two yojanas high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after twenty-four great gates there is one small gate, making a full twenty-five gates. These gates are formed of jewels, adorned with wondrous maṇi jewels, like exquisite embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs. This gate also has four armies guarding it, all as described above.

Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, also as described above. It is surrounded by a forest of seven-jeweled tāla trees, also as described above. In the spaces between the trees there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways, also as described above. The five kinds of jeweled flowers, also as described above, and the boats of four jewels, also as described above. On the banks of the ponds are five kinds of jeweled trees, also as described above, down to the palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas.

Outside the city are three rings of jeweled moats, as described above. Each moat is two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described above. In the ground within the moats the palaces of the courtesans are spread out.

Outside the three rings of moats it is encircled by a forest of the seven-jeweled trees, also as described above. When in the forest outside all the flowers bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music, then the heavenly sons come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music, and the heavenly maidens come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music; by this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

Within this city, on all four sides, the dwelling places, the crossroads, the streets and marketplaces are all harmonious and straight. These heavenly cities have, in some places, dwellings aligned at the four corners; in some places, lofty multi-storied houses; in some places, multi-storied lofty buildings; in some places, observation terraces piercing the clouds; in some places, dwellings warding off enemies on four sides—according to merit, the four jewels form them, level and straight.

The roads of the heavenly city number fifty-four interconnecting avenues, the lanes clear and distinct, all like the lanes of a chessboard. The four gates connect one to another, so that East and West can see one another. The streets and marketplaces are filled with jeweled goods: first, the rice market; second, the clothing market; third, the market of various incenses; fourth, the food-and-drink market; fifth, the flower market; sixth, the handicraft market; seventh, the courtesan market—everywhere there are markets.

Overseeing the markets are the male and female heavenly sons coming and going. Trading and bargaining, the dear and the cheap, demanding, increasing and decreasing, weighing and measuring—all the customs of the marketplace are complete. Although they perform such activities, it is for amusement; nothing is taken, nothing is offered, and there is no thought of "mine." Free of what is sought, one may simply carry it off.

If the karma corresponds, then one takes it as one wishes; if the karma does not correspond, then one says thus: "This thing is precious; it is not what I need."

The four crossroads are adorned with elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers; and the heavenly sons remain therein, whether to guard, or for amusement, or for adornment. The roads within the market are all of vaiḍūrya, soft, smooth, and lovely, adorned with jewels, like the exquisite embroidered tapestry of the Northern land: dragons, beasts, flowers, and grasses, all as described before, down to the burning of incense, the scattering of flowers, and the hanging of heavenly garments—likewise so. Furthermore, in every place are raised banners and pennants.

In the great heavenly city there are such sounds, ever uninterrupted: the sound of elephants, the sound of horses, the sound of chariots, the sound of conches, the sound of paṇava drums, the sound of drums, the sound of mṛdaṅga, the sound of flutes, the sound of music. There are also voices saying: "Welcome, welcome! Please eat, please drink—I now make offering."

This great city of Virūḍhaka is the dwelling of the heavenly sons. There are also heavenly prefectures, heavenly districts, heavenly counties, and heavenly villages surrounding it all around. Within this great city, the Heavenly King Virūḍhaka takes refuge and dwells therein. The king governs from the Yugaṃdhara mountain in the South to the Cakravāḍa (Iron-Ring) mountains. All the Kumbhāṇḍa spirits are governed by the king.

This meaning was spoken by the Buddha, the World-Honored One; thus have I heard.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE CITY OF VIRŪPĀKṢA

In the space between the two peaks of the Yugaṃdhara mountain to the North there is a realm named Virūpākṣa, one thousand yojanas in circumference. A golden wall surrounds it one yojana high, a parapet half a yojana high, city gates two yojanas high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after ninety-nine gates there is also one small gate, making a full one hundred gates.

These city gates are formed of jewels and adorned with wondrous maṇi jewels, like exquisite embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs. This gate also has four armies guarding it, as described above. Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, surrounded by seven rings of tāla trees. In the forest spaces there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways. The five kinds of jeweled flowers and the boats of four jewels; on the banks of the ponds five kinds of jeweled trees, down to the palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas, all as described above.

Outside that city there are three rings of jeweled moats. Each moat is two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described above. In the ground within the moats there are palaces of the courtesans spread out. Outside the three rings of moats it is surrounded by a forest of seven-jeweled trees, also as described above.

When the flowers in the forest outside all bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music, then the heavenly sons come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music, and the heavenly maidens come out from the great city also to listen to the music; by this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

The southwestern corner of the city is the dwelling of the Heavenly King Virūpākṣa, two hundred fifty yojanas in circumference. A golden wall surrounds it one yojana high, a parapet half a yojana high, city gates two yojanas high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after twenty-four great gates there is also one small gate, making a full twenty-five gates. Such gates are all formed of jewels and adorned with maṇi jewels, like exquisite embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs. This gate also has four armies guarding it.

Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, surrounded by seven rings of jeweled tāla-tree forests. In the spaces between the rows of trees there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways. The five kinds of jeweled flowers and the boats of four jewels. On the banks of the ponds five kinds of jeweled trees, and the jeweled palace-halls—the dwellings of the male and female devas, all as described above.

Outside the city there are three rings of jeweled moats, each moat two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described before. In the ground within the moats there are palace-halls of the courtesans spread out. Outside the three rings of moats it is enveloped by a forest of seven-jeweled trees, all as described above.

In the forest outside, when all the flowers bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music, then the heavenly sons come out from the city to watch and listen, and the heavenly maidens also watch and listen together; by this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

Within the great city, on all four sides, the dwelling places, the streets and marketplaces are all straight. These heavenly cities have, in some places, dwellings aligned at the four corners; in some places, pointed multi-storied houses; in some places, multi-storied lofty buildings; in some places, observation terraces piercing the clouds; in some places, dwellings warding off enemies on four sides—according to merit, they are formed of jewels, level and straight.

The roads of the heavenly city number fifty-four avenues, the lanes connecting clearly, all like the lanes of a chessboard. The four gates connect one to another, so that East and West can see one another. The streets and marketplaces are filled with jeweled goods: first, the rice-and-grain market; second, the clothing market; third, the market of various incenses; fourth, the food-and-drink market; fifth, the flower market; sixth, the handicraft market; seventh, the courtesan market.

Everywhere there are markets; overseeing these markets are the male and female heavenly sons coming and going. Trading and bargaining, the dear and the cheap, demanding, increasing and decreasing, weighing, measuring, and counting—all the customs of the marketplace are complete. Although they perform such activities, it is only for amusement; there is no taking and giving, and no thought of "mine." Whatever the mind wishes to delight in, one may carry along.

If the karma corresponds, then one takes it as one wishes; if the karma does not correspond, then one says thus: "This thing is precious; it is not what I need."

The four crossroads are adorned with elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers, and the upright heavenly sons are within, whether to guard, or for amusement, or for adornment. The roads within the market are all of vaiḍūrya, soft, smooth, and lovely, adorned with jewels, like the exquisite embroidered tapestry of the Northern land—dragons, beasts, flowers, and grasses, all as described before, down to the burning of various incenses, the scattering of various flowers, and the hanging of heavenly garments, also as described before. Furthermore, in every place are raised banners and pennants.

In this heavenly city there are sounds that are ever unceasing, thus: the sound of elephants, the sound of horses, the sound of chariots, the sound of conches, the sound of paṇava drums, the sound of drums, the sound of music. There are also voices saying: "Welcome, welcome! Please eat, please drink—I now make offering."

This great city of Virūpākṣa is the dwelling of the heavenly sons; there are also heavenly prefectures, heavenly districts, heavenly counties, and heavenly villages surrounding it everywhere.

Within the great city is the dwelling of the Heavenly King Virūpākṣa. The king governs from the West of the Yugaṃdhara mountain to the edge of the Cakravāḍa (Iron-Ring) mountains. All the dragons, garuḍas, and birds are governed by the king.

This meaning was spoken by the Buddha, the World-Honored One; thus have I heard.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE CITY OF VAIŚRAVAṆA

In the space between the two northern peaks of the Yugaṃdhara mountain there is a realm named Vaiśravaṇa, one thousand yojanas in circumference. A golden wall surrounds it one yojana high, a parapet half a yojana high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after ninety-nine gates there is also one small gate, making a full one hundred gates. These gates are all formed of jewels and adorned with maṇi jewels. Like exquisite embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs. This gate also has four armies guarding it.

Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, surrounded by seven rings of jeweled tāla trees. In the forest spaces there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways. Flowers of the five kinds of jewels and boats of four jewels. On the banks of the ponds, trees of five kinds of jewels, down to the palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas, all as described above.

Outside this city there are three rings of jeweled moats, each moat two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, shaped like the mouth of a jar, broad below and narrow above, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described above. In the ground within the moats there are the palaces of the courtesans spread out. Outside the three rings of moats it is surrounded by a forest of seven-jeweled trees, all as described above.

At that time, in the forest outside, all the flowers bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music; then the heavenly sons come out from the great city to watch and listen to the music, and the heavenly maidens come out from the great city also to watch and listen to the music; by this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

The southwestern corner of the city is the dwelling of the Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa, two hundred fifty yojanas in circumference. A golden wall surrounds it ten yojanas high, a parapet half a yojana high, city gates two yojanas high, and gate towers one and a half yojanas high. Every ten yojanas there is a gate; after twenty-four great gates there is also one small gate, making a full twenty-five gates. Such gates are all formed of jewels, like exquisite embroidered tapestry carved with all manner of designs. This gate also has four armies guarding it.

Outside there are seven rings of jeweled walls, surrounded by seven rings of jeweled tāla-tree forests. In the spaces between the trees there are jeweled ponds set a hundred bows apart, adorned in all manner of ways. Flowers of the five kinds of jewels and boats of four jewels. On the banks of the ponds there are trees of five kinds of jewels, and palace-halls of four jewels—the dwellings of the male and female devas, all as described above.

Outside the city there are three rings of jeweled moats, each moat two yojanas wide and one and a half yojanas deep, brimming full with heavenly water, all as described above. In the ground within the moats, the palaces of the courtesans are spread out. Outside the three rings of moats it is encircled by a forest of seven-jeweled trees, all as described above.

In the forest outside, all the flowers bloom fresh and bright, and the heavenly maidens play their music; then the heavenly sons come out from the great city, together with the heavenly maidens, all to watch and listen; by this causal condition they enjoy their pleasures.

Within the great city, on all four sides of the dwelling places, there are places aligned on four sides, or pointed multi-storied houses, or multi-storied lofty buildings, or observation terraces piercing the clouds, or dwellings warding off enemies on four sides—according to merit, they are formed of jewels, all level and straight.

The roads within the city number fifty-four interconnecting avenues, the lanes clear and distinct, all like a chessboard. The four gates connect one to another, so that East and West can see one another. The streets and marketplaces are filled with jeweled goods: first, the rice-and-grain market; second, the clothing market; third, the market of various incenses; fourth, the food-and-drink market; fifth, the flower market; sixth, the handicraft market; seventh, the courtesan market—everywhere there are markets.

Overseeing the markets are the male and female devas coming and going. Trading and bargaining, the rich and the poor all provided for, measuring together, classifying and counting—all the customs of the marketplace are complete. Although they perform such activities, it is only for amusement; there is no taking or giving, and no thought of "mine." Whatever one wishes to have, one may carry along.

If the karma corresponds, then one takes it as one wishes; if the karma does not correspond, then one says thus: "This thing is precious; it is not what I need."

The four crossroads are adorned with elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers. The roads within the market are all of vaiḍūrya, soft, smooth, and lovely, adorned with jewels, and the heavenly sons remain therein, whether to guard, or for amusement, or for adornment. Like the exquisite embroidered tapestry of the Northern land: dragons, beasts, flowers, and grasses, all as described above. The burning of incense, the scattering of flowers, and the hanging of heavenly garments, also as described above. Furthermore, in every place are raised banners and pennants.

In this heavenly city there are such sounds, never ceasing: the sound of elephants, the sound of horses, the sound of chariots, the sound of conches, the sound of paṇava drums, the sound of gongs, the sound of drums, the sound of mṛdaṅga, the sound of flutes, the sound of music. There are also voices saying: "Welcome, welcome! Please eat, please drink—I now make offering."

This great city of Vaiśravaṇa is the dwelling of the heavenly sons; there are also heavenly prefectures, heavenly districts, heavenly counties, and heavenly villages surrounding it everywhere.

Within the great city is the dwelling of the Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa; the king governs from the North of the Yugaṃdhara mountain to the edge of the Cakravāḍa (Iron-Ring) mountains. All the Yakṣa spirits are governed by the king. This city of Vaiśravaṇa has exceedingly much khādanīya and bhojanīya food and drink, and therefore it is also called Alakā-maṇḍā.

This meaning was spoken by the Buddha, the World-Honored One; thus have I heard.