大方廣佛華嚴經

23. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: ASCENDING TO THE TUSHITA HEAVEN PALACE

(Complete Chinese Canon, Volume 22)

At that time, through the Buddha’s spiritual power, in all worlds throughout the ten directions, within every Jambudvipa, the Buddha was seen seated beneath the bodhi tree, while bodhisattvas, empowered by the Buddha’s awe-inspiring might, expounded the Dharma. None failed to believe that the Buddha was always present before them.

The Blessed One, again employing spiritual power, did not depart from any of those places—the bodhi tree, the summit of Mount Sumeru, or the palace of the Yama Heaven—yet went to the Hall of Wondrous Jeweled Adornment in the Tushita Heaven.

When the King of the Tushita Heaven saw the Buddha approaching from afar, he immediately prepared the Lion Throne of the Mani Treasury in the center of the hall. This throne was formed from the wondrous jewels of heaven and arose from roots of goodness and meritorious virtues; no one could fully behold all its splendor. A hundred thousand kotis of terraces encircled the throne.

A hundred thousand kotis of golden nets, mani nets, and jeweled nets were spread there, while a hundred thousand kotis of flower canopies, jeweled canopies, garland canopies, and incense canopies covered the throne from above. Garlands hung down, their fragrance pervading everywhere. A hundred thousand kotis of flower parasols, garland parasols, and jeweled parasols were held by devas standing in ranks on all four sides.

A hundred thousand kotis of precious garments were spread over the throne. A hundred thousand kotis of towers and pavilions shone brilliantly in adornment. A hundred thousand kotis of nets of jeweled necklaces hung on all four sides.

There were a hundred thousand kotis of curtains hung with jeweled bells; whenever the bells moved slightly, they produced harmonious and elegant sounds. The windows were made of a hundred thousand kotis of adamantine mani jewels. The main entrance was made of a hundred thousand kotis of pure jewels from wondrous treasuries.

A hundred thousand kotis of clouds of heavenly flowers, heavenly incense, heavenly garments, heavenly jewels, heavenly canopies, heavenly adornments, heavenly jeweled garlands, and heavenly necklaces rained down. A hundred thousand kotis of jeweled trees cast their shade all around. A hundred thousand kotis of heavenly instruments played together, producing wondrous sounds that extinguished afflictions.

They praised offerings, reverent service, and spiritual cultivation; they also praised buddhahood, ultimate truth, and the Buddha’s original practices. They praised the offerings made to the Buddhas of the past, extolled the supreme fearlessness of all Buddhas, extolled the inexhaustible virtues of bodhisattvas, extolled the corresponding practices of bodhisattvas at every stage, extolled the unbroken virtues of the Buddha, extolled the practices by which the Buddha is seen, and extolled the principle corresponding to unobstructedness.

The sounds of this heavenly music resounded throughout all buddha-lands.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas who had first brought forth the aspiration, upon seeing this jeweled throne, caused their aspiration for all-knowledge to increase still further. A hundred thousand kotis of Ground-Cultivating Bodhisattvas became pure and joyful in mind. A hundred thousand kotis of Practice-Cultivating Bodhisattvas attained pure awakening and understanding.

A hundred thousand kotis of Nobly Born Bodhisattvas abided in supreme resolve and delight. A hundred thousand kotis of Bodhisattvas Perfect in Skillful Means initiated the practices of the Great Vehicle. A hundred thousand kotis of Bodhisattvas Dwelling in Right Mind diligently cultivated every bodhisattva path.

A hundred thousand kotis of Non-Retrogressing Bodhisattvas purely cultivated all bodhisattva grounds. A hundred thousand kotis of Youthful Bodhisattvas attained the samadhi of light of all bodhisattvas. A hundred thousand kotis of Dharma Prince Bodhisattvas entered the inconceivable realms of all Buddhas.

A hundred thousand kotis of Consecrated Bodhisattvas were able to manifest the ten powers of measureless Tathagatas. Ten billion bodhisattvas attained pure knowledge and understanding. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas gave rise to eager delight.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas possessed profound and indestructible faith. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas possessed vast power. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas increased their renown.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas expounded the meaning of the Dharma, bringing about decisive wisdom. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas maintained right mindfulness without confusion. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas gave rise to decisive wisdom.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas gained the power of learning and retention, retaining all Buddha-Dharma. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas produced measureless and vast knowledge and understanding. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas securely established the faculty of faith.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the dana paramita and were able to give everything. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the sila paramita and perfectly maintained all moral practices. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the kshanti paramita; their minds did not move rashly, and they could completely accept and patiently endure all Buddha-Dharma.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the virya paramita and were able to practice measureless vigor leading to liberation. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the dhyana paramita and possessed the light of measureless meditative concentrations. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the prajnaparamita, whose light of wisdom could illuminate everywhere.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas fulfilled great vows, all of which were completely pure. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained lamps of wisdom that illuminated the Dharma-gates. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were illuminated by the Dharma-light of the Buddhas of the ten directions.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas proclaimed the Dharma that frees beings from delusion throughout the ten directions. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas entered all lands of all Buddhas. The Dharma-bodies of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas reached every buddha-land.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the Buddha’s voice and could extensively awaken sentient beings. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained the skillful means that produce all-knowledge. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas attained fulfillment of all Dharma-gates.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas perfected Dharma-wisdom like a jeweled banner capable of revealing all Buddha-Dharma. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas could fully manifest the realms of the Tathagata. A hundred thousand kotis of heavenly kings respectfully bowed in homage.

A hundred thousand kotis of dragon kings gazed without weariness. A hundred thousand kotis of yaksha kings joined their palms above their heads. A hundred thousand kotis of gandharva kings gave rise to pure faith.

A hundred thousand kotis of asura kings extinguished their arrogance. A hundred thousand kotis of garuda kings held colored silk streamers in their beaks. A hundred thousand kotis of kinnara kings rejoiced exuberantly.

A hundred thousand kotis of mahoraga kings joyfully gazed upward. A hundred thousand kotis of rulers of worlds bowed their heads in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Trayastrimsha Heaven gazed without blinking.

A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Yama Heaven joyfully offered praise. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Tushita Heaven prostrated themselves in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Heaven of Delight in Transformation respectfully bowed their heads.

A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Heaven of Mastery over Others’ Transformations joined their palms reverently. A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma kings single-mindedly contemplated. A hundred thousand kotis of kings of the Great Sovereign Heaven respectfully made offerings.

A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas raised their voices in praise. A hundred thousand kotis of heavenly maidens single-mindedly made offerings. A hundred thousand kotis of devas of Shared Vows rejoiced exuberantly.

A hundred thousand kotis of devas of Shared Abode sang praises. A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma Body Devas prostrated themselves in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma’s Retinue Devas joined their palms above their heads.

A hundred thousand kotis of Brahma Assembly Devas attended all around. A hundred thousand kotis of Great Brahma Devas praised measureless virtues. A hundred thousand kotis of Light Devas prostrated with all five limbs touching the ground.

A hundred thousand kotis of Lesser Light Devas praised the rarity of a Buddha appearing in the world. A hundred thousand kotis of Measureless Light Devas bowed to the Buddha from afar. A hundred thousand kotis of Light-Sound Devas praised how exceedingly difficult it is to see a Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of Purity Devas came there together with their palaces. A hundred thousand kotis of Lesser Purity Devas bowed their heads in homage with pure minds. A hundred thousand kotis of Measureless Purity Devas vowed to behold the Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of Universal Purity Devas drew near, honored, and made offerings. A hundred thousand kotis of Vast Devas recollected roots of goodness from former lives. A hundred thousand kotis of Lesser Vastness Devas conceived a thought of rarity regarding the Tathagata.

A hundred thousand kotis of Measureless Vastness Devas resolutely honored him and produced wholesome karma. A hundred thousand kotis of Vast Fruit Devas bowed respectfully. A hundred thousand kotis of Free from Affliction Devas, their faculty of faith firm, paid homage.

A hundred thousand kotis of Free from Heat Devas joined their palms and recollected the Buddha without weariness. A hundred thousand kotis of Good Vision Devas bowed their heads in homage. A hundred thousand kotis of Good Manifestation Devas continually remembered to make offerings to the Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of Ultimate Form Devas respectfully paid homage. A hundred thousand kotis of devas were all greatly joyful and raised their voices in praise. A hundred thousand kotis of devas all contemplated skillfully in order to adorn the assembly.

A hundred thousand kotis of Bodhisattva Devas protected the Buddha’s throne and adorned it without cease. A hundred thousand kotis of Flower-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered flowers of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Incense-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered incense of every kind.

A hundred thousand kotis of Garland-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered garlands of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Garment-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered garments of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Parasol-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered parasols of every kind.

A hundred thousand kotis of Banner-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered banners of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Pennant-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered pennants of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of Jewel-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered jewels of every kind.

A hundred thousand kotis of Adornment-Hand Bodhisattvas scattered adornments of every kind. A hundred thousand kotis of heavenly princes came beneath the jeweled throne. A hundred thousand kotis of heavenly princes, with pure and faithful minds, came there together with their palaces.

A hundred thousand kotis of Nobly Born Heavenly Princes guarded the jeweled throne with their bodies. A hundred thousand kotis of Consecrated Heavenly Princes guarded the jeweled throne with their entire bodies. A hundred thousand kotis of Contemplative Bodhisattvas contemplated reverently.

A hundred thousand kotis of Nobly Born Bodhisattvas brought forth pure minds. The six faculties of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were joyful and serene. The profound minds of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were pure.

The faithful understanding of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas was pure. The three modes of action of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas were pure. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas had mastery over their births.

The Dharma-light of a hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas shone brightly. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas accomplished all stages. A hundred thousand kotis of bodhisattvas skillfully taught and transformed all sentient beings.

A hundred thousand kotis of roots of goodness arose. A hundred thousand kotis of Buddhas gave their protection. A hundred thousand kotis of stores of merit were perfected.

A hundred thousand kotis of great vows were purified. A hundred thousand kotis of wholesome practices arose. A hundred thousand kotis of supreme aspirations brought purity.

A hundred thousand kotis of wholesome dharmas brought firmness. A hundred thousand kotis of spiritual powers were manifested. A hundred thousand kotis of virtues brought accomplishment.

A hundred thousand kotis of Dharma praises were offered in extolment.

Just as in this world the King of the Tushita Heaven prepared a jeweled throne for the Tathagata, so too, in all worlds, the kings of the Tushita heavens prepared jeweled thrones for the Tathagata. Their adornments, ceremonial forms, faithful delight, purity of mind, joy, gladness, reverence, sense of rarity, exhilaration, and ardent longing were all the same.

Having prepared the jeweled throne, the King of the Tushita Heaven, filled with reverence, went together with a hundred thousand kotis of countless Tushita heavenly princes to welcome the Tathagata.

With pure minds, the heavenly king and all the devas poured forth countless multicolored clouds of flowers, multicolored clouds of incense, multicolored clouds of garlands, clouds of jeweled parasols, clouds of heavenly garments, clouds of wondrous jewels, and clouds of adornments.

As the devas poured forth these countless kinds of beautiful, multicolored jeweled clouds from their bodies, a hundred thousand kotis of countless Tushita heavenly princes and the assembly of heavenly princes present there joyfully paid homage. Countless heavenly maidens, delighted and reverent, gazed upon the Tathagata. Inexpressibly many bodhisattvas, abiding in space, vigorously and single-mindedly made offerings to the Buddha surpassing those of the devas, and respectfully bowed their heads in homage. Countless musical instruments played together at once.

Then, through the Buddha’s spiritual power, through roots of goodness from former times, and through the power of inconceivable mastery, all the heavenly princes and heavenly maidens in the Tushita palace saw the Buddha directly before them. They all thought: “The appearance of the Tathagata in the world is difficult to encounter; today we behold the Unsurpassed, Perfectly Enlightened One.”

Together with the assembly, they welcomed the Tathagata. All used heavenly garments to hold flowers of every heavenly kind and heavenly incense, which they scattered as offerings to the Buddha.

A hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of countless Tushita heavenly princes abiding in space all gave rise before the Buddha to minds intent upon the realm of wisdom. They burned many kinds of heavenly incense, whose smoke formed beautiful, fragrant clouds adorning space. Before the Buddha they also gave rise to joyful minds and rained down clouds of heavenly flowers that adorned space.

Before the Buddha they also gave rise to reverent minds and rained down clouds of heavenly parasols that adorned space. They further gave rise to minds of offering to the Buddha and scattered clouds of heavenly garlands that adorned space. They further gave rise to minds of faithful understanding and spread countless golden nets throughout space, where jeweled bells continually sounded harmoniously and gently.

They further gave rise to the thought that the Buddha was the supreme field of merit, adorning space with countless jeweled curtains and ceaselessly raining down clouds of jeweled necklaces. They further produced profound faith and adorned space with countless heavenly palaces, while all heavenly instruments produced wondrous sounds. They further produced toward the Buddha the supreme thought that he was difficult to encounter, adorning space with countless clouds of multicolored heavenly garments and raining down incomparable wondrous robes.

They further produced measureless minds of joyful exhilaration, adorning space with countless heavenly jeweled crowns and raining down measureless crowns that gathered into clouds. They further gave rise to joyful minds, adorning space with countless multicolored jewels and ceaselessly raining down clouds of necklaces.

A hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of countless heavenly princes all produced pure and faithful minds toward the Buddha. They scattered countless multicolored heavenly flowers and burned countless kinds of heavenly incense as offerings to the Tathagata. They further gave rise to minds of great adornment and magically held countless kinds of multicolored heavenly powdered incense, reverently scattering them as offerings to the Buddha.

They further gave rise to joyful minds and held countless multicolored parasols as they accompanied the Tathagata. They further gave rise to surpassing minds and held countless multicolored jeweled garments, spreading them upon the road as offerings to the Tathagata. They further gave rise to pure minds and held countless multicolored jeweled banners to welcome the Tathagata.

They further gave rise to minds of supreme joy and held countless jeweled adornments as offerings to the Tathagata. They further produced minds of indestructible faith and held countless jeweled garlands as offerings to the Tathagata. They further produced minds of incomparable joy and held countless jeweled pennants as offerings to the Tathagata.

A hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of countless heavenly princes, with disciplined, tranquil, and heedful minds, offered the Tathagata countless heavenly instruments producing wondrous sounds.

Inexpressibly many bodhisattvas before the Tushita Heaven were born from world-transcending Dharma, from practices free of afflictions, from unobstructed minds, from the profound Dharma of skillful means, from vast wisdom, from pure and firm faith, from inconceivable roots of goodness, from countless skillful transformations, from minds that made offerings to the Buddha, and from the Dharma-gate of non-action.

These bodhisattvas presented the Buddha with offerings surpassing those of the devas: jeweled parasols born from the paramitas; flower canopies born from pure knowledge and understanding; jeweled garments born from patience concerning the non-arising of dharmas; nets of jeweled bells born from unobstructed minds; precious incense born from minds that understood dharmas to be like illusions; jeweled thrones born from minds pervading the Buddha’s realm and the Tathagata’s throne; jeweled banners born from minds that made offerings to the Buddha without indolence; jeweled halls born from joyful minds that understood dharmas to be like dreams; and clouds of jeweled lotus flowers born from unattached and unborn faculties of goodness.

They also presented clouds of incense, clouds of flowers, clouds of jeweled garments, and clouds of adornments surpassing those of the devas as offerings to the Buddha.

From each body of these bodhisattvas appeared inexpressibly many hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of bodhisattvas, filling the Dharma Realm and the realm of space. The minds of these bodhisattvas were identical with those of the Buddhas of the three times, for they arose from the undeluded Dharma and were supported by measureless Tathagatas. They revealed the path of peace and security to sentient beings, possessed inexpressibly many names, phrases, and expressions, universally entered measureless dharmas through every dharani-gate, and produced an inexhaustible treasury of eloquence. Fearless and filled with great joy, they used inexpressibly measureless and inexhaustible praises conforming to reality to extol the Buddha without weariness.

At that time, all the devas and all the bodhisattvas saw the Tathagata, the Unsurpassed, Perfectly Enlightened One, whose body was measureless and beyond reckoning. He manifested inconceivable spiritual transformations, causing countless sentient beings to rejoice greatly. With the Buddha’s adornments he adorned the entire Dharma Realm and realm of space, caused sentient beings to abide in roots of goodness, and manifested the measureless spiritual powers of the Buddha.

Transcending every path of language, he was revered by all great bodhisattvas. According to what each being could receive for liberation, he caused them all to rejoice and abide within the vast bodies of all Buddhas. His meritorious roots of goodness were completely pure; his physical marks were supreme; and the realm of his wisdom was inexhaustible.

Born from incomparable samadhis, the Buddha’s body was boundless and abided universally within the bodies of all sentient beings. He caused measureless beings to rejoice, ensured that the lineage of the Buddhas would never be severed, abided in the ultimate dwelling of the Buddha, and was born into the family of the Buddhas of the three times. He caused countless sentient beings to attain pure faithful understanding and brought the wisdom of all bodhisattvas to fulfillment.

Their faculties and bodies became joyful; clouds of Dharma covered the Dharma Realm and the realm of space, teaching and subduing all without omission. In accordance with the minds of sentient beings, he caused them all to attain fulfillment, established them in non-discriminating wisdom, and enabled them to attain all-knowledge. He emitted great light, revealed all roots of goodness from former lives, caused all beings everywhere to bring forth vast aspirations, and established all sentient beings in the wisdom of Samantabhadra.

He abided throughout all lands, was born from non-retrogression in the true Dharma, abided in the equality of the Dharma Realm, and understood the capacities and inclinations of sentient beings’ minds. He manifested inexpressibly and yet again inexpressibly many distinct bodies of the Tathagata, enabling all assemblies constantly to practice mindfulness of the Buddha. Filling the Dharma Realm, he broadly liberated the multitudes.

According to the benefits desired by those who had first brought forth the aspiration, he taught them the Dharma, causing them to become disciplined and attain pure faithful understanding. He manifested inconceivable physical bodies, regarded sentient beings equally without attachment, abided on the unobstructed stage, and attained the Buddha’s ten powers. His mind remained constantly tranquil and concentrated, never scattered or confused.

He abided in all-knowledge, skillfully explained the true meanings of words and phrases, fully entered the profound ocean of wisdom, and produced a treasury of measureless wisdom and virtue. He constantly illuminated the Dharma Realm with the sun of wisdom. Through the power of his original vows, he continually manifested without disappearing.

He perpetually abided in the Dharma Realm and in the unchanging dwelling of the Buddha. He never grasped at self or possessions of self. Abiding in world-transcending Dharma, he was undefiled by worldly dharmas.

In every world he raised the banner of wisdom; that wisdom was vast, unattached, and transcended the world. He rescued sentient beings from the mire and established them in the place of measureless wisdom. Whatever merit he possessed was used to benefit sentient beings, yet it remained inexhaustible.

He clearly knew the wisdom of all bodhisattvas and had resolute faith that they would attain perfect enlightenment. Through great loving-kindness and compassion, he manifested measureless, fully adorned Buddha-bodies. With a wondrous voice he proclaimed measureless teachings, fulfilling all beings according to their intentions.

Throughout the three times his mind remained pure, and he caused sentient beings not to crave or cling to objects. He constantly bestowed predictions upon the bodhisattvas, causing them all to enter the Buddha lineage, be born into the Buddha’s family, and receive the Buddha’s consecration. He continually traveled throughout the ten directions without cease, yet remained unattached to anything.

He could journey universally to all buddha-lands throughout the Dharma Realms and knew the minds of all sentient beings. Without abiding in samsara, he appeared throughout the world like a reflection. With wisdom he universally illuminated the Dharma Realm and thoroughly understood that nothing whatsoever could be attained.

He constantly knew through wisdom that all worlds were like illusions, dreams, shadows, and magical transformations; all abided with mind as their essential nature. According to sentient beings’ differing karmic retributions, varied preferences, and distinct faculties, he manifested Buddha-bodies. The Tathagata constantly took countless sentient beings as the objects of his attention and taught them that worlds all arise through conditions.

He knew that the characteristics of all dharmas were entirely without characteristics and were only the single characteristic, the source of wisdom. Wishing sentient beings to abandon attachment to characteristics, he manifested every worldly nature and characteristic, journeyed through the world, and revealed unsurpassed bodhi to them. Wishing to rescue and protect all sentient beings, he appeared in the world and revealed the Buddha’s path, enabling them to behold the bodily marks of the Tathagata, remember them, and cultivate diligently.

He caused them to eliminate the marks of worldly afflictions, cultivate the practice of bodhi with unwavering minds, and attain perfection in every gate of the Great Vehicle. They accomplished the beneficial works of all Buddhas and could contemplate sentient beings’ roots of goodness without destroying the purity of karmic retribution. Their bright wisdom universally entered the three times, forever free from every worldly discrimination.

They emitted light illuminating the ten directions and filling all worlds; their beautiful physical bodies could be viewed without weariness. Through great virtue, wisdom, and spiritual powers, he manifested the realms of the faculties and practices of all bodhisattvas, freely and perfectly performed the works of a Buddha, and disappeared when those works were complete. He skillfully revealed the path of all-knowledge throughout the three times.

Upon all bodhisattvas he universally rained measureless dharanis, causing them to initiate vast resolves and vows, uphold and cultivate them, and perfect all virtues of the Buddhas. Boundless wondrous forms adorned his body, which all worlds could see. He was forever free from every obstruction.

He had attained purity concerning the true meaning of all dharmas and mastery over the Dharma of virtue. As the Great Dharma King, he illuminated everywhere like the sun. Endowed with great awe-inspiring virtue, he was a field of merit for the world.

He manifested transformation bodies throughout all worlds and emitted the light of wisdom, causing all beings to awaken. He wished sentient beings to know that the Buddha possessed boundless virtues. With unobstructed wisdom he received the throne.

In accord with the world, he skillfully revealed, guided, and led beings. With the arm of wisdom he comforted sentient beings. As the great King of Physicians, he skillfully cured the illnesses of sentient beings.

He could travel throughout measureless lands without ever resting. His pure wisdom-eye, free from every blinding obstruction, could clearly see all things. He employed many methods to discipline beings who committed evil karma and caused them to enter the path, skillfully seizing the proper time and circumstances without cease.

If sentient beings gave rise to impartial minds, he manifested impartial karmic retribution for them. According to their preferences and karmic results, he manifested Buddha-bodies and various spiritual transformations, expounding the Dharma so that they might awaken, attain Dharma-wisdom, become greatly joyful, and have their faculties filled with delight. Seeing measureless Buddhas, they produced profound faith and roots of goodness and never retreated.

All sentient beings are bound by karma and sleep perpetually in samsara. When the Tathagata appears in the world, he can awaken them and comfort their minds so that they are without fear. All who see the Buddha are caused to realize and enter the meaning of wisdom that relies on nothing. Their skillful wisdom comprehends all realms; their magnificent adornments cannot be eclipsed by anything; and their Dharma-wisdom is completely pure.

He manifests either a Buddha-body or a bodhisattva-body, causing sentient beings to reach a place without suffering or calamity. Adorned with countless virtues, his accomplished practices appear in the world.

The pure adornments of all Buddhas are accomplished through the practice of all-realizing wisdom. He always preserves his original vows and never abandons the world, remaining the steadfast spiritual friend of sentient beings. His stainless light is supremely pure and enables all sentient beings to behold him.

The beings of the six realms are measureless and boundless, yet through spiritual power the Buddha constantly follows them and never departs. Those who planted roots of goodness together with the Buddha in former times are all caused to attain purity. He never abandons his original vows toward beings of the six paths and never deceives them. Through wholesome dharmas and skillful means, he gathers them in and causes them to cultivate pure practices, crushing every conflict of Mara.

From the unobstructed ultimate limit arises vast power, the supreme treasury of the sun without obstruction. Images appear within the realm of pure mind for all worlds to see, and many Dharma-gates are universally bestowed upon sentient beings.

The Buddha is a treasury of boundless light whose powers of wisdom are all perfected. He constantly illuminates sentient beings with great light and fulfills them according to their wishes. Free from every enemy, he is the unsurpassed field of merit and the common refuge of all sentient beings. Whoever makes offerings is purified; those who cultivate even a little wholesome conduct receive measureless blessings and are enabled to enter the stage of inexhaustible wisdom. He is the master of the pure roots of goodness of all sentient beings. He is the supreme fertile field producing merit for all sentient beings. The Buddha’s wisdom is exceedingly profound, and his skillful means can rescue beings from every suffering of the evil paths.

They had faith and understanding in this way, contemplated in this way, entered such an ocean of wisdom, traveled through such an ocean of virtue, universally reached such vast wisdom, knew in this way the field of merit for sentient beings, contemplated in this way with right mindfulness immediately present, contemplated in this way the Buddha’s karmic marks and excellent characteristics, contemplated in this way the Buddha appearing throughout the world, and contemplated in this way the Buddha’s mastery of spiritual powers.

At that time, the entire assembly saw that every pore of the Tathagata’s body poured forth a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of countless rays of light. Each ray possessed countless colors, countless kinds of purity, and countless forms of illumination. They caused countless assemblies to gaze, countless assemblies to rejoice, countless assemblies to experience delight, countless assemblies to deepen their profound faith, countless assemblies to purify their resolves and vows, countless assemblies to have refreshed faculties, and countless assemblies to offer reverence and honor.

At that time, the entire assembly saw the Buddha’s body emit a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of inconceivable great lights. Each light possessed inconceivable colors and inconceivable radiance, illuminating inconceivably boundless Dharma Realms.

Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, a great and wondrous sound resounded. That sound proclaimed a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of inconceivable words of praise, surpassing all worldly speech. It was produced by world-transcending roots of goodness.

He further manifested a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of inconceivably wondrous adornments that could not be fully praised even in a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of inconceivable kalpas. These appeared through the Tathagata’s inexhaustible mastery.

He further manifested inexpressibly many Buddhas and Tathagatas appearing in the world, causing sentient beings to enter the gate of wisdom and understand the profound meaning.

He further manifested all transformations of inexpressibly many Tathagatas throughout the Dharma Realm and the realm of space, causing all worlds to become equally pure. These were all born from the Tathagata’s unobstructed wisdom and also from his cultivation of inconceivable supreme virtue.

He further manifested a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of inconceivably wondrous jeweled flames of light. These arose from the roots of goodness and great vows of former times: because he had made offerings to measureless Tathagatas; because he had cultivated pure, heedful practices; because roots of goodness had arisen from an unobstructed mind of great compassion; to reveal the universally pervasive powers of the Buddha; to end the doubts of all sentient beings; to enable all to behold the Tathagata; to cause measureless sentient beings to abide in roots of goodness; to reveal the Tathagata’s mastery of spiritual powers; to enable sentient beings to enter universally the ultimate ocean; to cause the great assemblies of bodhisattvas in all buddha-lands to gather together;

and to reveal the inconceivable Buddha-Dharma.

At that time, through universally pervasive great compassion, the Tathagata revealed all the adornments of all-knowledge. He wished that among the beings in inexpressibly many countless worlds, those without faith would acquire faith; those with faith would increase it; those whose faith had increased would attain purity; those who had attained purity would become mature; and those who had matured would become disciplined.

He wished them to contemplate the profound Dharma, possess measureless wisdom, produce measureless vast aspirations and non-retrogressing minds of compassion, neither oppose the Dharma-nature nor fear the ultimate reality, realize true principle, possess all paramitas, and practice world-transcending roots of goodness, all pure like those of Samantabhadra. He wished them to attain the Buddha’s mastery, leave the realm of Mara and enter the Buddha’s realm, understand the profound Dharma, and attain inconceivable wisdom.

He wished them never to retreat from their vows of the Great Vehicle, always to behold all Buddhas without ever leaving them, accomplish realization-wisdom and realize measureless dharmas, possess boundless treasuries of merit, bring forth joyful minds, enter the stage free from doubt, become pure and free from evil, rely upon all-knowledge, behold the unmoving Dharma, enter the assembly of bodhisattvas, and always be born into the Tathagata’s family.

The Blessed One manifested such adornments, all accomplished through roots of goodness accumulated in the past: to discipline sentient beings; to reveal the Tathagata’s great awe-inspiring virtue; to illuminate the treasury of unobstructed wisdom; to manifest the Tathagata’s boundless, supreme, and exceedingly mighty virtues; to reveal the Tathagata’s great inconceivable spiritual transformations; to manifest Buddha-bodies among all classes of beings through spiritual power; to manifest the Tathagata’s boundless transformations of spiritual powers; because his original vows had all been perfectly fulfilled; to reveal the Tathagata’s courageous wisdom capable of reaching everywhere; because he had mastery over all dharmas and had become the Dharma King; to produce every gate of wisdom;

to manifest the Tathagata’s pure body; to manifest the exceedingly wondrous Buddha-body; to reveal realization of the Dharma of equality of the Buddhas of the three times; to reveal the treasury of pure roots of goodness; to reveal a wondrous physical body surpassing the world; to reveal marks complete with the ten powers, which those who saw never tired of beholding; and, as the sun of the world, to illuminate the three times.

The Dharma King, master of all virtues, manifested through roots of goodness from former times. Even if all bodhisattvas praised and proclaimed those virtues throughout all kalpas, they could never exhaust them.

At that time, the King of the Tushita Heaven, together with a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of countless Tushita heavenly princes, joined his palms toward the Buddha and said: “Excellent, O Blessed One, Well-Gone One, Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One! May the Great Compassionate One take pity upon us and dwell in this palace.”

The Blessed One wished all sentient beings to attain joy, all bodhisattvas to awaken to the profound Dharma, all Tushita heavenly princes to increase their resolves and vows, and the heavenly king to make offerings without weariness. He wished sentient beings to bring forth the aspiration through recollecting the Buddha, to plant meritorious roots of goodness through seeing the Buddha, constantly to initiate pure faith, to see the Buddha and make offerings without seeking reward, to purify all their resolves and vows, diligently to cultivate roots of goodness without indolence, and to make great vows seeking all-knowledge. He therefore accepted the heavenly king’s invitation and entered the Hall of Jeweled Adornment.

It was likewise in all worlds throughout the ten directions.

As soon as the Tathagata sat upon the jeweled throne, the Hall of Jeweled Adornment naturally became adorned in a manner surpassing all the adornments of the devas. Countless jeweled nets were spread throughout the four quarters. Everywhere there rained measureless clouds of wondrous jewels: clouds of adornments, clouds of jeweled garments, clouds of sandalwood incense, clouds of enduring incense, clouds of jeweled parasols, and clouds of jeweled flowers. Everywhere there resounded inconceivable music praising the Tathagata’s knowledge of all modes. All these musical sounds accorded with the wondrous Dharma.

Through the Buddha’s spiritual power, the mind of the King of the Tushita Heaven remained unmoved and undisturbed. His roots of goodness from former times were all perfected; measureless wholesome dharmas grew ever firmer; his pure faith increased; he initiated great vigor and produced great joy; his resolve and vows became pure; he brought forth the aspiration for bodhi; his mindfulness of the Dharma became unbroken; and his comprehensive retention never failed.

Empowered by the Buddha’s awe-inspiring might, the King of the Tushita Heaven immediately recollected the roots of goodness he had planted in the presence of Buddhas of the past, and spoke these verses:

In ancient times there was a Tathagata named Vast Wisdom,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Golden-Colored Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In ancient times there was a Tathagata named Coral,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Jeweled Treasury Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In ancient times there was a Buddha named Lion of Discourse,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this King of Mountains Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In ancient times there was a Tathagata named Sunlight,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Myriad Flowers Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In ancient times there was a Buddha named Boundless Light,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Tree-Adorned Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In ancient times there was a Tathagata named Dharma Banner,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Jeweled Palace Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In ancient times there was a Tathagata named Lamp of Wisdom,
Foremost among all that is auspicious.
That Buddha once entered this Fragrant Mountain Hall;
Therefore this place is most auspicious.

In all worlds throughout the ten directions, the kings of the Tushita heavens were likewise empowered by the Buddha’s spiritual power and spoke verses praising the Buddhas of the past.

At that time, the Blessed One sat in full lotus posture upon the Lion Throne of the Mani Jeweled Treasury within the Hall of Jeweled Adornment. His Dharma-body was pure and its wondrous functions masterful. He shared one realm with the Buddhas of the three times, abided in all-knowledge, and entered the single nature together with all Buddhas.

His luminous Buddha-eye saw all dharmas without obstruction. Possessing great awe-inspiring power, he traveled throughout the Dharma Realm without ever resting. Fully endowed with great spiritual powers, he went wherever there were sentient beings capable of being taught and transformed.

He adorned himself with all the unobstructed adornments of all Buddhas and skillfully knew the proper times and capacities for expounding the Dharma to sentient beings.

Inexpressibly many assemblies of bodhisattvas came and gathered from lands in other directions.

The assembly was pure, their Dharma-bodies nondual. Relying on nothing, they could freely initiate the bodily practices of the Buddha. When the assembly had been seated, measureless and countless rare and beautiful objects naturally appeared within the Hall of Jeweled Adornment, surpassing the offerings of the devas: garlands, garments, fragrant ointments, powdered incense, jeweled parasols, banners, pennants, music, songs, and praises—all beyond reckoning. With vast minds, they respectfully presented them as offerings to the Buddha.

It was likewise in all the Tushita heavenly palaces throughout the ten directions.