The Flower Ornament Scripture
Page 22
Southeast of this Flower Bank ocean of worlds is an ocean of worlds called Gold Embellished Lapis Lazuli Light Shining Everywhere. Among its world systems is a land called Pure Fragrant Light. The Buddha there was named King of Profound Faith and Universal Joy. Among the Buddha’s vast congregation was a great enlightening being called Universal Light of the Lamp of Wisdom, who came to the Buddha along with a group of enlightening beings as numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds, each producing ten kinds of clouds of drapes of all kinds of wish-fulfilling jewels, which filled all of space without dispersing. They also caused to appear ten kinds of clouds of drapes adorned with all flowers of sapphires, ten kinds of clouds of drapes of all fragrant jewels, ten kinds of clouds of drapes of lamps with jewel flames, ten kinds of clouds of drapes of regal jewels displaying the Buddhas’ spiritual powers expounding the teachings, ten kinds of clouds of drapes of gems in the forms of all clothing adornments, ten kinds of clouds of drapes of lights of masses of all jewels, ten kinds of clouds of drapes of sounds of chimes on jewel nets, ten kinds of clouds of drapes on jewel pedestals with lotus nets, and ten kinds of clouds of drapes displaying the forms of all inconceivable adornments. Clouds of drapes of jewels such as these, as many as atoms in an ocean of worlds, all filled space without dispersing. Having caused these clouds to appear, the enlightening beings bowed to the Buddha and presented them as offerings. Then, to the southeast, each magically produced a lion seat of banks of jewel lotuses and sat crosslegged thereon.
Southwest of this Flower Bank ocean of worlds is an ocean of worlds called Sunlight Shining Everywhere; among its world systems is a land called Lion Sunlight. The Buddha there was called Sound of Light of Universal Knowledge. Among that Buddha’s vast congregation was a great enlightening being named Topknot of Flames of Radiant Flower Lights, who came to the Buddha with a group of enlightening beings, as many as there are atoms in an ocean of worlds, each manifesting ten kinds of clouds of parasols of beautiful ornamental jewels, filling space without dispersing. They also produced ten kinds of clouds of parasols of flowers of arrays of light beams, ten kinds of clouds of parasols of treasures of pearls of boundless colors, ten kinds of clouds of parasols of diamonds emanating the sounds of compassion of all enlightening beings, ten kinds of clouds of parasols of blazing garlands of jewels, ten kinds of clouds of parasols draped with nets of chimes embellished with precious stones, ten kinds of clouds of parasols decorated with branches of jewel trees, ten kinds of clouds of parasols of diamonds like the sun shining everywhere, ten kinds of clouds of parasols of all kinds of perfume and incense, ten kinds of clouds of parasols of stores of sandalwood, and ten kinds of clouds of parasols of arrays of universal lights of the vast sphere of buddhahood. Such clouds of parasols of precious substances, numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds, all filled space without dispersing. Having caused these clouds to appear, the enlightening beings bowed to the Buddha and presented them as offerings. Then, to the southwest, they each magically produced a lion seat of banks of adornments of flames of sapphire light and sat crosslegged thereon.
Northwest of this Flower Bank ocean of worlds is an ocean of worlds called Precious Light Radiance. Among its world systems is a land called Array of Myriad Fragrances. The Buddha there was called Light of the Ocean of Infinite Virtues. Among that Buddha’s congregation was a great enlightening being called Jewel King of Inexhaustible Light, who, together with as many enlightening beings as there are atoms in an ocean of worlds, came to the Buddha, each producing ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of radiance of all jewels, filling space without dispersing. They also produced ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of all beautiful flowers, ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of all phantom buddhas, ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of the buddha-lands of the ten directions, ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of the jewel trees and thunderous sound of the realm of the Buddhas, ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of all regal gems, ten kinds of clouds of light spheres instantaneously displaying the forms of infinite beings, ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of the voice of the Buddha’s great vow, and ten kinds of clouds of light spheres of diamonds emanating sounds edifying all sentient beings. Such clouds of light spheres, numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds, all filled space without dispersing. Having produced these clouds, the enlightening beings bowed to the Buddha and presented them as offerings. Then, to the northwest, they each produced a lion seat of treasuries of awesome qualities of infinite light and sat crosslegged thereon.
Below this Flower Bank ocean of worlds there is an ocean of worlds called Treasury of Exquisite Qualities of Lotus Blossom Fragrance. Among its world systems is a land called Radiance of Light of a Jewel Lion. The Buddha there was named Light of the Cosmos. In the vast congregation of that Buddha was a great enlightening being named Wisdom Flaming with the Light of the Universe, who, together with as many enlightening beings as there are atoms in an ocean of worlds, came to the Buddha, each producing ten kinds of clouds of light beams of mines of all jewels, filling space without dispersing. They also produced ten kinds of clouds of light beams of all fragrances, ten kinds of clouds of light beams producing the sounds of all Buddhas explaining the truth, ten kinds of clouds of light beams revealing the arrays of all buddha-lands, ten kinds of clouds of light beams of palaces of all beautiful flowers, ten kinds of clouds of light beams displaying the work of the Buddhas of all ages teaching sentient beings, ten kinds of clouds of light beams of flower buds of all inexhaustible treasures, and ten kinds of clouds of light beams of all kinds of decorated thrones. Clouds of light beams such as these, numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds, filled all space without dispersing. Having caused these clouds to appear, the enlightening beings bowed to the Buddha and presented them as offerings. Then each created, in the nadir, a lion seat of lotuses with lamps with jewel flames, and sat crosslegged thereon.
Above this Flower Bank ocean of worlds is an ocean of worlds called Radiant Arrays of Precious Stones. Among the world systems there is a land called Formless Subtle Light. The Buddha there was called Unimpeded Light of Virtue. Among that Buddha’s vast congregation was a great enlightening being called Vigorous Intellect with Unhindered Power, who, along with as many enlightening beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds, came to the Buddha, each producing ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of jewels of boundless physical forms, filling space without dispersing. They also produced ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of webs of precious stones, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of the ornaments of all the vast buddha-lands, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of all exquisite fragrances, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of all adornments, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of the mystical displays of the Buddhas, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of all beautiful tree-flowers, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of all diamonds, ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of jewels bespeaking the practices of infinite enlightening beings, and ten kinds of clouds of light-flames of lamps of all pearls. Clouds of light flames like these, as numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds, all filled space without dispersing. Having caused these clouds to appear, the enlightening beings bowed to the Buddha and presented them as offerings. Then, at the zenith, they each produced a lion seat of lotus banks of light intoning the voices of the Buddhas and sat crosslegged thereon.
In this way, in as many oceans of worlds as there are atoms in ten billion buddha-fields, there were as many great enlightening beings, each surrounded by a group of enlightening beings as numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds, who came to the gathering. These enlightening beings each produced clouds of offerings of various adornments, as numerous as atomic particles in an ocean of worlds, which all filled space without dispersing. And having produced these clouds, they bowed to the Buddha and presented them as offerings; then, in the direction from which they had come, all magically produced lion seats with various precious adornments and sat crosslegged on them.
After having thus seated themselves, those enlightening beings each produced, from the
hair pores of their bodies, light rays of the various colors of all jewels, as many as atoms in ten oceans of worlds; in each light ray there appeared as many enlightening beings as there are atoms in ten oceans of worlds, all sitting on lion seats of banks of lotuses. These enlightening beings all could enter into every atom of the oceans of structures in all universes. In each individual atom were vast fields, as many as atoms in ten buddha-worlds; in each field were all the past, present, and future Buddhas. These enlightening beings were all able to go to all these Buddhas, associate with them, and provide them with offerings, and in each and every thought-instant, by means of mastery of dream-power, demonstrated teachings enlightening as many sentient beings as there are atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching showing how celestial beings die and are born, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by explaining the teaching of the acts and practices of enlightening beings, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching of the Buddha’s virtues and mystical displays which stir all lands, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching of beautifying and purifying all buddha-lands, revealing the ocean of all great vows, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching of the Buddha’s voice which contains the languages of all sentient beings, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching which can shower the rain of all Buddha teachings, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching of light illuminating everywhere in the ten directions, pervading the cosmos and showing mystical demonstrations, they enlightened as many beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching of all Buddhas’ power of liberation manifesting the body of Buddha everywhere, filling the cosmos, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds; in every instant, by the teaching of the universally good enlightening being setting up the ocean of all sites of enlightenment with all assemblies of beings, they enlightened as many sentient beings as atoms in an ocean of worlds.
In this way, throughout all universes, adapting to the mentalities of sentient beings, they caused them all to awaken. In every instant they each caused as many sentient beings as atoms in a polar mountain who had fallen into miserable states to be forever relieved of their sufferings; each caused that many sentient beings stuck in wrong concentrations to enter right concentration; each caused that many sentient beings to be born in celestial spheres according to their inclinations; each caused that many sentient beings to rest secure in the states of Buddhas’ disciples or self-enlightened ones; each caused that many sentient beings to serve good teachers and act virtuously; each caused that many sentient beings to set their minds on supreme enlightenment; each caused that many sentient beings to head for the enlightening being’s stage of nonregression; each caused that many sentient beings to attain the eye of pure wisdom and see all things impartially, as does the Buddha; each caused that many sentient beings to abide securely in the powers and the oceans of vows, and to purify the buddha-lands by means of inexhaustible knowledge; each caused that many sentient beings to dwell in the vast ocean of Vairocana’s vows and be born in the family of the Buddhas.
At that time the enlightening beings simultaneously raised their voices within the lights and spoke in verse, saying,
In the light rays wondrous sounds are produced,
Pervading all lands in the ten directions,
Expounding the virtues of the Buddha’s children,
Able to enter the wondrous path of enlightenment.
Cultivating practices for oceans of eons, never wearied,
Enabling suffering beings to realize liberation,
Spirits never downcast, never worn out:
Buddha children can well enter these techniques.
Cultivating appropriate means for oceans of eons,
Infinite, boundless, leaving out none,
Entering into all the aspects of the teachings,
They constantly teach, yet their essence is silent and tranquil.
The vows of the Buddhas of past, present, and future,
All have they mastered, all consummated;
Then do they thereby benefit all beings
As their own pure practical work.
In the congregations of all the Buddhas,
Going everywhere throughout the ten directions,
All, by the ocean of profound knowledge and wisdom,
Enter the Buddha’s way of ultimate peace.
Each of the light rays, boundless,
Enters inconceivable lands;
The eye of pure knowledge can see it all:
This is enlightening beings’ sphere of action.
Enlightening beings can, resting on a single hairtip,
Stir all lands in the ten directions
Without causing fear in the beings there:
This is their stage of pure skill in means.
Infinite bodies in each individual atom
Furthermore manifest lands variously arrayed;
Instantaneous death and birth, all do they show:
Those who’ve attained the unhindered mind.
All ages in the past, present, and future
They can show in a single instant;
Knowing the body is illusory, without substance or sign
Are those who realize the nature of things unimpeded.
They’re all able to enter the supreme practice of the universally good,
So all sentient beings like to see them,
Buddha children can abide by this teaching,
With a great sound roaring within their lights.
Then the Buddha, wishing to enable all the enlightening beings to realize the spiritual power of the boundless realm of the Enlightened One, emitted a light from between his brows. That light was called Treasury of the Light of Knowledge of All Enlightening Beings Illumining the Ten Directions. Its form was like a cloud of lamps with jewellike light. It shone throughout all buddha-fields in the ten directions, revealing all the lands and beings therein. It also caused all networks of worlds to tremble. In every single atom it revealed innumerable Buddhas showering the teachings of all the Buddhas of all times, in accord with the differences in character and inclination of the various sentient beings. It clearly showed the Buddha’s ocean of transcendent ways, and also rained infinite clouds of various emancipations, causing the sentient beings to forever cross over birth and death. It also showered clouds of the great vows of the Buddhas, and clearly showed, in all worlds in the ten directions, the universally good enlightening beings’ congregations at the sites of enlightenment. Having done all this, the light swirled around the Buddha, circling to the right, then went in under his feet.
Then an immense lotus blossom suddenly appeared before the Buddha. That lotus had ten kinds of adornments, unmatched by any other lotuses. That is to say, its stem was a mixture of various gems; its bud was of diamond; its petals were all the jewels in the universe; its pistils were of fragrant gems; rose gold adorned its base; exquisite nets covered it above; its radiant color was pure; it instantaneously displayed the boundless miracles of the Buddhas; it could produce all kinds of sounds; its diamonds reflected the body of Buddha. In its sounds it could expound all the practical undertakings cultivated by enlightening beings.
When this flower had sprung up, in an instant there was, in the curl of white hair on the Buddha’s brow, a great enlightening being named Supreme Sound of All Truths, together with a group of enlightening beings, as numerous as atoms in an ocean of worlds: they all came forth together and circled the Buddha to the right innumerable times; then, having bowed to the Buddha, Supreme Sound of All Truths sat on the flower dais, while the other enlightening beings sat on the pistils.
This enlightening being Supreme Sound of
All Truths comprehended the profound realm of reality, gave rise to great joy, and entered the sphere of action of the Buddha, his knowledge unobstructed. He entered the unfathomable ocean of the Buddha’s reality-body, and went to where the Buddhas were in all lands. In each hair pore of his body he showed mystical powers. In every moment of thought he contemplated the entire cosmos. The Buddhas of the ten directions all bestowed their power on him, causing him to rest in all meditation states, forever seeing the Buddhas’ body of the ocean of qualities of the boundless cosmos, including all meditations and liberations, mystic powers and miraculous displays. Then, in the midst of the assembly, empowered by the Buddha, he looked over the ten directions and said in verse,
The Buddha’s body fills the cosmos,
Appearing before all beings everywhere—
In all conditions, wherever sensed, reaching everywhere,
Yet always on this seat of enlightenment.
In each of the Buddha’s pores
Sit Buddhas many as atoms in all lands,
Surrounded by masses of enlightening beings
Expounding the supreme practice of the universally good.
Buddha, sitting at rest on the enlightenment seat,
Displays in one hair oceans of fields;
The same is true of every single hair,
Thus pervading the cosmos.
He sits in each and every land,
Pervading the lands one and all;