The Flower Ornament Scripture

by Thomas Cleary

  Forever leaving the confusion of worldly pride—

  Therefore his body is most majestically pure.

  In the past the Buddha cultivated oceans of practices,

  Edifying innumerable beings in all quarters,

  Benefiting the living by all sorts of means:

  This liberation door Dragon King has found.

  The Buddha saves sentient beings with great knowledge,

  Clearly understanding all of their minds

  And taming them with various powers:

  Adornment Banner, seeing this, gives rise to joy.

  Spiritual powers appear responsively, like reflections of a light;

  The wheel of teaching in reality is like space,

  Being thus in the world for incalculable eons:

  This is realized by the Beneficent King.

  Sentient beings are blinded by ignorance, always confused;

  The light of Buddha illumines the path of safety

  To rescue them and cause suffering to be removed:

  Fearsome contemplates this teaching well.

  Floating and sinking in the ocean of desire, full of all pains;

  The all-illumining light of wisdom annihilates this all,

  And having removed pain, then expounds the truth:

  This is the realization of Splendid Arrays.

  The Buddha body responds to all—none do not see it.

  With various techniques it teaches the living,

  Sound like thunder, showering the rain of truth:

  This teaching High Intellect enters.

  The pure light is not shone in vain—

  Any who meet it, it will cause to dissolve heavy barriers;

  It expounds Buddha’s virtues without any bounds:

  Grave Arms can clarify this profound principle.

  To give peace and comfort to all sentient beings,

  He practiced great compassion for innumerable ages,

  Removing all pains by various means:

  This is the vision of Pure Flower.

  Spiritual powers independent and inconceivable,

  That body appears throughout the ten directions,

  Yet nowhere does it come or go:

  This is what Enormous Face understands.

  Furthermore, the naga king Virupaksha found the door of liberation extinguishing all the burning pains of the state of nagas. Shakra found the door of liberation of instantaneously transforming his own naga form and manifesting the forms of countless beings. The naga king Cloud Sound Banner found the door of liberation speaking the boundless ocean of Buddha-names with a pure clear voice in all realms of being. The naga king Flaming Mouth found the door of liberation showing the differences in arrangements of boundless buddha worlds. The naga king Cloud Banner found the door of liberation showing all sentient beings the ocean of great joy and virtue. The naga king Takshaka found the door of liberation destroying all fears with the pure voice of salvation. The naga king Boundless Steps found the door of liberation showing the form bodies of all Buddhas and the succession of their eons. The naga king Pure Form found the door of liberation producing the ocean of great delight and joy of all sentient beings. The naga king Great Sound Traveling Everywhere found the door of liberation manifesting the pleasing, unobstructed sound that is equal to all. The naga king No Heat or Torment found the door of liberation annihilating all the sufferings of the world with the cloud of great compassion that covers all.

  At that time, naga king Virupaksha, imbued with the power of the Buddha, looked over all the hosts of nagas, and said in verse,

  See how the Buddha’s teaching is always thus:

  It helps and benefits all sentient beings;

  It can, by the power of great compassion and pity,

  Rescue those who have fallen into fearful ways.

  The various differences of all sentient beings

  The Buddha shows all on the tip of a hair,

  Filling the world with spiritual demonstrations:

  Shakra sees the Buddha this way.

  The Buddha, by means of unlimited spiritual power,

  Tells of his names and epithets, as many as all beings—

  He makes them all hear whichever they like:

  Thus can Cloud Sound understand.

  The beings of infinite, boundless lands

  The Buddha can make enter a single pore

  While sitting at rest among those hosts.

  This is the vision of Flaming Mouth.

  The irascible minds of all sentient beings,

  Their bondage and ignorance, are deep as the sea;

  The Buddha compassionately removes it all:

  Flame naga, observing this, can see it clearly.

  The virtuous powers of all sentient beings

  Appear clearly in the Buddha’s pores—

  Having shown this, he returns all to the ocean of blessings:

  This is the vision of High Cloud Banner.

  The pores of the Buddha’s body radiate the light of wisdom;

  That light intones a sublime sound everywhere—

  All who hear it are free from worry and fear:

  Takshaka realizes this way.

  The lands, adornments, and succession of ages

  Of all the Buddhas of all times

  Appear as they are in the Buddha’s body:

  Broad Steps sees this spiritual power.

  I observed the Buddha’s practice in the past,

  Making offerings to the ocean of all Buddhas,

  Increasing his joy with all of them:

  This is the entry of naga Swift.

  The Buddha, by means of expedient sound adapted to type,

  Expounds truth for the masses, making them rejoice.

  That sound is pure and sublime, enjoyed by all who hear:

  Going Everywhere, hearing this, joyfully awakens.

  Sentient beings are oppressed in all states of existence,

  Whirled about by habitual delusion, with no one to rescue them;

  The Buddha liberates them with great compassion:

  No Heat or Torment realizes this.

  Furthermore, the yaksha king Vaishravana found the door of liberation saving evil beings by means of boundless skill in means. The yaksha king Independent Sound found the door of liberation examining all sentient beings, saving them with appropriate techniques. The yaksha king Solemn Weapon Bearer found the door of liberation of ability to give sustenance to all emaciated evil sentient beings. The yaksha king Great Wisdom found the door of liberation extolling the ocean of virtues of all sages. The yaksha king Lord of Flaming Eyes found the door of liberation observing all sentient beings and engendering great compassion and knowledge. The yaksha king Adamantine Eye found the door of liberation aiding and comforting all sentient beings by various appropriate means. The yaksha king Arm of Courage and Strength found the door of liberation entering into the meanings of all teachings. The yaksha king Bravely Resisting General found the door of liberation guarding all sentient beings, causing them to abide in the Way, with none living in vain. The yaksha king Rich in Material Goods found the door of liberation increasing all beings’ stores of blessings and virtues and causing them to always feel blissful. The yaksha king Power to Smash High Mountains found the door of liberation producing the light of wisdom and power of the Buddhas whenever called to mind.

  At that time the great yaksha king Learned, imbued with the power of the Buddha, looked over all the assembly of yakshas and said in verse,

  The evils of sentient beings are extremely fearsome—

  They do not see the Buddha for hundreds, thousands of eons.

  Drifting through life and death, they suffer myriad pains—

  To rescue them, the Buddhas appear in the world.

  The Buddha saves and protects all worlds,

  Appearing before all sentient beings

  To put a stop to the pains of transmigration in fearsome realms:

  Independent Sound enters this gate of teaching.

/>   Sentient beings’ evil deeds create multiple barriers;

  The Buddha demonstrates sublime principles to break through them,

  While lighting up the world with a bright lamp:

  This truth Weapon Bearer can see.

  The Buddha cultivated practices over oceans of eons past,

  Praising all the Buddhas in the ten directions—

  Therefore he has a lofty, far-reaching fame:

  This is what is understood by Wisdom.

  His wisdom is like space, unbounded;

  His reality-body is immense, inconceivable—

  Therefore he appears in all ten directions:

  Flaming Eyes can observe this.

  Intoning the wondrous sound in all realms of being,

  He expounds the truth to benefit the living;

  Wherever his voice reaches, all pains vanish:

  Delving into this technique is Adamant Eye.

  All profound, vast meanings

  The Buddha can expound in one phrase;

  Thus the principles of the teaching are equal to the worlds:

  This is the realization of Courageous Wisdom.

  All sentient beings are on false paths—

  Buddha shows them the right path, inconceivable,

  Causing all worlds to be vessels of truth:

  This Brave General can understand.

  All virtuous activities in the world

  Come from the Buddha’s light;

  The ocean of Buddha’s wisdom is immeasurable:

  Such is the liberation of Materially Rich.

  Recall the countless eons of the past

  When the Buddha cultivated the ten powers,

  Able to fulfill all the powers:

  This is comprehended by High Banner.

  Furthermore, the mahoraga king Beneficent Wisdom found the door of liberation of using all spiritual powers and techniques to cause sentient beings to amass virtues. The mahoraga king Pure Dignified Sound found the door of liberation causing all sentient beings to get rid of afflictions and attain the joy of coolness. The mahoraga king Adornment of Supreme Wisdom found the door of liberation causing all sentient beings, having good or bad thoughts and consciousness, to enter into the pure truth. The mahoraga king Lord of Sublime Eyes found the door of liberation comprehending the equality of all virtuous powers without any attachments. The mahoraga king Lamp Banner found the door of liberation edifying all sentient beings and causing them to leave the dark, fearsome states. The mahoraga king Supreme Light Banner found the door of liberation knowing the virtues of all the Buddhas and giving rise to joy. The mahoraga king Lion Guts found the door of liberation of the courage and strength to be the savior and guardian of all beings. The mahoraga king Sound Adorned by Myriad Subtleties found the door of liberation causing all sentient beings to give rise to boundless joy and pleasure whenever brought to mind. The mahoraga king Polar Mountain Guts found the door of liberation of certain unshakability in the face of all objects, finally reaching the other shore. The mahoraga king Pleasing Light found the door of liberation of showing the path of equality to all unequal beings.

  At that time the mahoraga king Dignified Light of Beneficent Wisdom, imbued with the power of the Buddha, surveyed the assembly of all the mahoragas and said in verse,

  Observe the purity of the essence of the Buddha;

  Manifesting everywhere a majestic light to benefit all kinds,

  Showing the Path of Elixir, making them clear and cool,

  All miseries vanishing, having no basis.

  All sentient beings dwell in the sea of existence

  Binding themselves with evil deeds and delusions—

  He shows them the way of serenity he practices:

  Pure Dignified Sound can well understand this.

  The Buddha’s knowledge is peerless, inconceivable;

  He knows the minds of all beings, in every respect,

  And clarifies for them the pure truth:

  This Adorned Topknot can comprehend.

  Innumerable Buddhas appear in the world,

  Being fields of blessings for all sentient beings—

  Their ocean of blessings is vast and immeasurably deep:

  Sublime Eyes can see all of this.

  All sentient beings suffer grief and fear—

  Buddhas appear everywhere to rescue them,

  Extending everywhere through the space of the cosmos:

  This is the sphere of Lamp Banner.

  The virtues in a single pore of the Buddha

  Cannot be assessed by all beings combined—

  They are boundless, infinite, the same as space:

  Thus does Vast Light Banner perceive.

  The Buddha comprehends all things,

  Is aware of the nature of all things,

  Unshakable as the Polar Mountain:

  Entering this approach to the truth is Lion Gut.

  The Buddha in vast eons past

  Amassed an ocean of joy, endlessly deep;

  Therefore all who see him are glad:

  This truth Adorned Sound has entered.

  Realizing the real cosmos has no formal characteristics,

  The ocean of transcendent ways completely fulfilled,

  His great light saves all sentient beings:

  Mountain Gut knows this technique.

  Observe the independent power of the Buddha

  Appearing equally in the ten directions

  Illuminating and awakening all sentient beings:

  This Subtle Light can well enter into.

  Furthermore, the kinnara king Heaven of Light of Refined Intellect found the door of liberation universally producing all joyous actions. The kinnara king Exquisite Flower Banner found the door of liberation able to produce the unexcelled joy of truth and cause all beings to experience comfort and happiness. The kinnara king Various Adornments found the door of liberation of the vast store of pure faith replete with all virtues. The kinnara king Pleasing Sound found the door of liberation always producing all pleasing sounds, causing those who hear to be free from distress and fear. The kinnara king Jewel Tree Light found the door of liberation of compassionately establishing all sentient beings in enlightened understanding of mental objects. The kinnara king Delight to the Beholder found the door of liberation manifesting all bodies of exquisite form. The kinnara king Supreme Light Array found the door of liberation knowing the works by which are produced all the most excellent adornments. The kinnara king Subtle Flower Banner found the door of liberation observing the results produced by the activities of all worlds. The kinnara king Earth-Shaking Power found the door of liberation always doing all things to benefit living beings. The kinnara king Fierce Lord found the door of liberation thoroughly knowing the minds of all kinnaras and skillfully controlling them.

  At that time the kinnara king Heaven of Light of Refined Intellect, imbued with the power of the Buddha, looked over all the masses of kinnaras and said in verse,

  All the pleasant things in the world

  Arise from seeing the Buddha.

  The Guide benefits all living beings,

  Being the savior and refuge of all.

  He produces all joys and delights

  Which beings receive without end;

  He causes all who see not to waste:

  This is the enlightenment of Flower Banner.

  The ocean of Buddha’s virtue is inexhaustible;

  No bounds or limits to it can be found.

  Its light shines in all ten directions:

  This is the liberation of Adornment King.

  The Buddha’s great sound is always spoken,

  Showing the real true way out of distress;

  All beings who hear it are happy and glad:

  Pleasing Sound is capable of believing this way.

  I see the Buddha’s sovereign powers

  All stem from practices cultivated in the past;

  With great compassion he saves beings and makes them pure:

  This Jewel T
ree King can understand.

  It is difficult to get a chance to see a Buddha;

  Beings may encounter one in a million eons,

  Adorned with the marks of greatness all complete:

  This is the view of Beholder’s Delight.

  Observe the great knowledge and wisdom of Buddha,

  Responding to the desires of all sentient beings,

  Expounding to all the path of omniscience:

  Supreme Adornments can comprehend this.

  The ocean of deeds is inconceivably vast—

  Beings’ suffering and happiness all come from it;

  All this the Buddha can show:

  This is what Flower Banner knows.

  The Buddha’s mystic powers are uninterrupted—

  In all directions the earth constantly quakes,

  Though no sentient beings are aware of it:

  This Immense Power ever clearly sees.

  Manifesting spiritual powers while among the masses,

  He radiates light to make them wake up,

  Revealing the realm of all the enlightened:

  This Fierce Lord capably observes.

  Furthermore, the garuda king Power of Great Swiftness had found the door of liberation of the nonattached, unobstructed eye observing everything in the worlds of sentient beings. The garuda king Unbreakable Jewel Topknot found the door of liberation abiding in the realm of reality and teaching sentient beings. The garuda king Pure Speed found the door of liberation of the power of energy to perfect all means of transcendence. The garuda king Nonregressing Mind found the door of liberation of bold power entering the realm of enlightenment. The garuda king Steady Pure Light found the door of liberation fully developing knowledge of the boundless differences in sentient beings. The garuda king Beautifully Adorned Crown Topknot found the door of liberation adorning the citadel of the Buddha teaching. The garuda king Immediate Manifestation Everywhere found the door of liberation perfecting the power of unbreakable equanimity. The garuda king Ocean Surveyor found the door of liberation knowing the physical forms of all sentient beings and manifesting forms for them. The garuda king Dragon Sound Great Eye Energy found the door of liberation of the knowledge entering into the acts of all sentient beings in death and life.

  At that time the garuda king Power of Great Swiftness, receiving the power of the Buddha, looked over all the garudas and said in verse,

  The Buddha-eye is vast and boundless,

  Seeing all the lands in the ten directions.