Then, to reiterate, Universally Good, receiving spiritual power from the Buddha, looked over the ten directions and said,
The land is level and thoroughly pure,
Garnished with gold and jewels.
Trees in rows shade the land,
With soaring trunks hung with branches and flowers like clouds.
The twigs and stems are adorned with gems,
The glow of their flowers make auras illumining all around;
Their fruits, of crystal, hang like clouds,
Making all in the ten directions visible.
Diamonds are spread over the ground,
Adorning together with jewel pollen from the flowers.
There are also crystal palaces,
Showing the reflected images of all beings.
Diamonds reflecting the images of Buddhas
Are scattered all over the ground;
Their luster pervades the ten directions,
Revealing Buddhas in each and every atom.
Arrays of exquisite jewels are distributed well,
Interspersed with networks of pearl lamps.
Everywhere are crystal orbs
Each showing the Buddhas’ powers.
The arrays of jewels radiate light
In which appear the phantom buddhas,
Each one traveling everywhere
And teaching with the ten powers.
White lotuses of jewels
Fill all the waters,
Their blooms all various,
Each shining endless light.
All adornments of all ages
Appear in the crystal fruits;
Their essential nature, unborn, cannot be grasped:
This is the sovereign power of Buddha.
All the adornments on this ground
Manifest the vast body of Buddha:
It neither comes nor goes,
But causes all to see by the power of Buddha’s ancient vows.
In each atom of this ground
All Buddha-children cultivate the Way;
All see the lands predicted for their futures,
All of them pure according to their wishes.
Then Universally Good went on to declare, “The adornments of the ocean of worlds of the Buddha are inconceivable. Why? Each object in this Flower Bank Array ocean of worlds is adorned by as many pure qualities as there are atoms in an ocean of worlds.”
Then, to reiterate this point, Universally Good, imbued with spiritual power from the Buddha, surveyed the ten directions and said,
Every place in this ocean of lands
Is embellished with myriad jewels,
Their flames leaping into the sky, spreading like clouds,
Their light penetrating, always covering all.
Jewels spew clouds without end
Wherein appear images of all Buddhas;
Their mystic powers and metamorphoses never stop,
And all enlightening beings come and gather.
All the jewels broadcast Buddha’s voice,
The sound exquisite, inconceivable;
What Vairocana did in the past
Is always heard and seen within these jewels.
The universal illuminators with pure auras
All show their forms reflected in the ornaments;
Transforming, distributing their bodies, surrounded by congregations,
They reach throughout all oceans of lands.
Buddha’s independent deeds of spiritual powers
All pervade the lands of the ten directions;
Thereby are the oceans of lands purely adorned:
All of this is seen within the jewels.
The mystic displays in the ten directions
Are all like images in a mirror;
They just come from the spiritual will power
Exercised by the Buddha in the past.
If any can practice the deeds of universal goodness
And enter the enlightening beings’ ocean of supreme knowledge,
They can, in a single atom,
Manifest their bodies everywhere and purify many lands.
For inconceivable billions of eons
Having associated with all the Buddhas,
Everything they practice
Can be shown in a single instant.
The Buddhas’ lands are like space,
Peerless, unborn, without any signs—
To aid living beings, they beautify and purify lands,
Dwelling therein by the power of their original vows.
Then Universally Good went on to say, “What worlds are there herein? I’ll tell you. In these seas of fragrant waters, numerous as atoms in unspeakably many buddha-fields, rest an equal number of world systems. Each world system also contains an equal number of worlds. Those world systems in the ocean of worlds have various resting places, various shapes and forms, various substances and essences, various locations, various entryways, various adornments, various boundaries, various alignments, various similarities, and various powers of maintenance.
“Some of these world systems rest on seas of gigantic lotuses, some rest on seas of jewel flowers of boundless forms, some rest on seas of ornaments of treasures from repositories of all pearls, some rest on seas of perfume, some rest on seas of all flowers, some rest on seas of crystal webs, some rest on seas of swirling light, some rest on seas of enlightening beings’ jewelled crowns, some rest on seas of the bodies of all the various living beings, some rest on diamonds emanating the sounds of the voices of all Buddhas. There are as many of these, if fully expounded, as atoms in an ocean of worlds.
“Some of these world systems are shaped like high mountains, some like rivers, some like whorls, some like whirlpools, some like wheel rims, some like altars, some like forests, some like palaces, some like mountain banners, some like all geometric figures, some like wombs, some like lotus blossoms, some like baskets, some like bodies of sentient beings, some like clouds, some like the distinguishing features of Buddhas, some like spheres of light, some like webs of various pearls, some like all doors, some like various ornaments. Their shapes, if fully told of, number as many as atoms in an ocean of worlds.
“As for the substances of these world systems, some are made of clouds of jewels of all quarters, some of multicolored flames, some of light beams, some of flames of precious scents, some of cotton flowers adorned by all jewels, some of images of enlightening beings, some of auras of Buddhas, some of physical forms of Buddhas, some of the light of one precious element, some of the lights of many precious elements, some of the sounds of the sea of blessings and virtues of all living beings, some of the sounds of the sea of actions of all living beings, some of the pure sounds of the sphere of all Buddhas, some of the sounds of the sea of great vows of all enlightening beings, some of the sounds of the formation and disintegration of the adornments of all lands, some of the sounds of the methods and techniques of all Buddhas, some of the sounds of the voices of boundless Buddhas, some of the voices of goodness of all sentient beings, some of the sounds of the mystical demonstrations of all Buddhas, some of the pure sounds of the ocean of virtue of all Buddhas. If fully told, there as many of these as atoms in an ocean of worlds.”
Then Universally Good, to reiterate what he meant, looked over the ten directions by the power bestowed on him by the Buddha and said in verse,
The stable, marvelous adornments of the systems of worlds,
Vast, pure treasuries of light,
Rest on seas of lotus blossom jewels
Or on perfume seas, and so on.
Shaped like mountains, cities, trees, altars,
The world systems extend in all directions,
Their various adornments and shapes different,
Each set out in arrays.
Pure light is the substance of some;
Some, flower banks, and some, clouds of jewels;
Some world systems are made of flames,
Resting in indestructible mines of jewels.
Clouds of lamps, colored lights of flames, and more:
Various, boundless forms, all pure;
Some are composed of sound,
Of the inconceivable teachings of Buddha.
Some are sound produced by the power of vows,
Some of sounds of miraculous displays,
Some are those of beings’ virtues,
Or the sounds of Buddhas’ qualities.
The individual different aspects of the world systems
Are inconceivable, without end.
The ten directions are filled with them,
Their vast adornments manifesting spiritual powers.
All the immense lands of the ten directions
Enter into this system of worlds;
Though we see all in the ten directions enter,
Really there is no coming and no entry.
One world system enters all,
And all completely enter one;
Their substances and characteristics remain as before, no different:
Incomparable, immeasurable, they all pervade everywhere.
In the atoms of all lands
Are seen Buddhas existing there;
The voices of their oceans of vows are like thunder,
Subduing all sentient beings.
The Buddha’s body pervades all lands,
Which are also filled by countless enlightening beings;
The Buddha’s freedom has no equal,
Edifying all conscious creatures.
Then Universally Good said, “These seas of fragrant waters, numerous as atoms in unspeakably many buddha-fields, are in the Flower Bank Array ocean of worlds, spread out like the net of Indra, king of the gods. The sea of fragrant water in the very center is called Boundless Light of Beautiful Flowers. Its floor is made of diamond banners reflecting the forms of all enlightening beings. It produces huge lotuses called Diamond Adornments of All Scents. There is a system of worlds resting on it called Blazing Light Illuming the Ten Directions; composed of all ornaments, it contains as many worlds as atoms in unspeakably many buddha-fields, arrayed therein. In the nadir is a world called Supreme Light Shining Everywhere, adorned by all kinds of diamonds, bounded by a circle of light, resting on flowers of many jewels, shaped like a crystal, covered with clouds of arrays of flowers of all gems, surrounded by worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, with various structures and various adornments. The Buddha of this world is called Undefiled Lamp of the Eye of Purity.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Beautiful Array of Lotus Flowers of Various Scents, bounded by all kinds of ornaments, resting on a network of jewel lotus blossoms, shaped like a lion throne, covered with nets of pearls of the colors of all jewels, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in two buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Supreme Radiance of Lion Light.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called All-Illuminating Light of Ornaments of All Jewels, bounded by an atmosphere of perfume, resting on garlands of various gems, octagonal in shape, covered by clouds of solar discs of crystals with subtle light, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in three buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Banner of Supreme Knowledge Like Pure Light.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Flowers of Various Lights, bounded by all the finest jewels, resting on a sea of pure banners of multicolored diamonds, shaped like a crystal lotus blossom, covered by clouds of diamond light, orbited by worlds as numerous as atoms in four buddha-fields, all thoroughly pure. The Buddha is called Diamond Light with Infinite Energy Skillfully Producing Manifestations.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Radiating Light of Beautiful Flowers, bounded by nets adorned with bells of all jewels, resting on a sea of networks of jewel spheres adorned with forests of all trees, geometric in shape, with many angles and sides, covered by clouds of diamonds with pure resonance, surrounded by worlds as many as atoms in five buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Ocean of Joyful Power of Fragrant Light.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Pure Subtle Light, bounded by banners decorated with diamonds, resting on a sea of diamond palaces, square in shape, covered by clouds of drapes of crystal orb topknots, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in six buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Banner of Sovereignty with Universal Light.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Radiance of Myriad Flowers, bounded by decorations of all kinds of flowers, resting on a sea of flames of the colors of all jewels, shaped like a palace, covered by clouds of robes of the colors of all jewels and railings of pearls, surrounded by worlds as numerous as atoms in seven buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Ocean of Joy with the Light of Virtue, Fame, and Freedom.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Producing the State of Awesome Power, bounded by ornaments of diamonds that produce all sounds, resting on a sea of spheres of lotus thrones of the colors of various jewels, shaped like Indra’s net, covered by clouds of flower webs of boundless colors, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in eight buddha fields. The Buddha is called Renowned Banner of the Ocean of Knowledge.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Producing Wondrous Sounds, bounded by spherical arrays of mind-jewels, resting on a sea of diamonds in cloudlike arrays constantly producing all wonderful sounds, shaped like the body of a celestial king of the Brahma heaven, covered by clouds of lion thrones adorned with countless jewels, surrounded by as many worlds as there are atoms in nine buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Invincible Radiance like Pure Moonlight.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Diamond Banner, bounded by garlands of gems from pearl treasuries of boundless adornments, resting on a crystal sea of jewel lion thrones with all adornments, spherical in shape, covered by mountainous clouds of jewel flowers of all fragrances, as numerous as atoms in ten gigantic mountains, and surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in ten buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Supreme King of the Ocean of All Truths.
“Above this, past worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, there is a world called Constantly Producing Sapphire Light, bounded by arrays of indestructible diamonds, resting on a sea of various different flowers, shaped like the half moon, covered by clouds of drapes of celestial jewels, surrounded by worlds as many as atoms in eleven buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Boundless Virtues.
“Above this, past worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Light Shining, bounded by arrays of radiant lights, resting on a sea of perfume of flower swirls, shaped like a wreath, covered by clouds of various garments, surrounded by worlds as numerous as atoms in twelve buddha-fields. The Buddha is named Transcending the Gods.
“Above this, past worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, we come to this world, called Endurance, bounded by ornaments of diamonds, held by atmospheres of various colors, resting on a network of lotus flowers, shaped like space, covered by space adorned with spherical celestial palaces, surrounded by worlds as numerous as atoms in thirteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is this Vairocana.
“Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Tranquil Undefiled Light, bounded by adornments of all jewels, resting on a sea of various kinds of precious raiment, shaped like a thunderbolt-bearer, covered by clouds of diamonds of boundless colors, surrounded by worlds as numerous as atoms in fourteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Supreme Sound Pervading the Cosmos.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Lamp of Many Beautiful Light Beams, bounded by drapes of all ornaments, resting on a sea of webs of pure flowers, shaped like a fylfot, covered by clouds of seas of cryst
al trees and perfumed waters, surrounded by as many worlds as atomic particles in fifteen buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Universally Illuminating Banner of Invincible Strength.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Pure Light Shining Everywhere, bounded by diamonds from inexhaustible clouds of jewels, resting on a sea of lotus flowers with various fragrant flames, shaped like a tortoise shell, covered by sandalwood clouds of radiant crystal orbs, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in sixteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Eyes with the Qualities of Pure Suns.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Mine of Jewel Ornaments, bounded by diamonds in the forms of all living beings, resting on a sea of diamonds from mines of light, octagonal in shape, covered by webs of flower trees adorned by jewels from all the surrounding mountains, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in seventeen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Light of Unhindered Knowledge Illumining the Ten Directions.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Dustless, bounded by ornaments of all kinds of exquisite forms, resting on a sea of lion thrones of myriad beautiful flowers, shaped like a pearl necklace, covered by clouds of auras of diamonds with all precious fragrances, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in eighteen buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Supreme Banner of Infinite Means.
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Pure Light Illumining Everywhere, bounded by diamonds producing inexhaustible clouds of jewels, resting on a sea of mountains of fragrant flames of infinite colors, shaped like a wreath of jewel flowers, covered by diamond clouds of light of boundless colors, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in nineteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Light Illumining All the Space of the Cosmos.
The Flower Ornament Scripture Page 28