The Flower Ornament Scripture

by Thomas Cleary

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Beautiful Jewel Flames, bounded by jewels like the sun and moon illuming everywhere, resting on a sea of diamonds in the shapes of all celestial beings, shaped like jewel arrays, covered by clouds of banners of all precious robes and networks of banks of crystal lamps, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in twenty buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Shining with Signs of Virtue.

  “This world system, Blazing Light Illumining the Ten Directions, has as many such vast worlds as there are atoms in unspeakably many buddha-fields, each with their individual resting places, shapes, substances and natures, aspects, entrances, adornments, boundaries, arrays, similarities, and powers of maintenance, all revolving around it: that is, there are as many spiral-shaped worlds as atoms in ten buddha-fields, a like number of river-shaped worlds, the same number of whirlpool-shaped worlds, the same number of wheel-rim-shaped worlds, the same number of altar-shaped worlds, the same number of forest-shaped worlds, the same number of tower-shaped worlds, the same number of forest-shaped worlds, the same number of pennant-shaped worlds, the same number of womb-shaped worlds, the same number of geometrically shaped worlds, the same number of lotus-blossom-shaped worlds, the same number of basket-shaped worlds, the same number of worlds shaped like living creatures, the same number of Buddha-shaped worlds, the same number of light aura-shaped worlds, the same number of cloud-shaped worlds, the same number of net-shaped worlds, the same number of door-shaped worlds—there are as many such as atoms in unspeakably many buddha-fields. Each of these worlds has as many enormous worlds as atoms in ten buddha-fields surrounding it, each one also having as many worlds, the same as explained above. All of these worlds are in this Boundless Light of Beautiful Flowers sea of fragrant waters, or in the rivers of fragrant water surrounding it.”

  Then the enlightening being Universally Good also said to the great assembly, “East of this Boundless Light of Beautiful Flowers sea of fragrant water is another sea of fragrant water called Repository of Undefiled Flames. It produces huge lotuses called Beautiful Adornments of Diamonds with All Scents. There is a world system resting on it called Vortex of Lands Shining Everywhere. Its substance is the roaring sound of deeds of enlightening beings. At its bottom is a world called Palace Decoration Banner, square in shape, resting on a sea of ornaments of all precious stones, covered by clouds of webs of lotus light, surrounded by worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is named Brow-Light Illumining Everywhere.

  “Above this, past worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Repository of Flowers of Virtue, spherical in shape, resting on a sea of flower pistils made of all kinds of pearls, covered by clouds of lion thrones with pearl banners, orbited by as many worlds as atoms in two buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Wisdom of the Ocean of All Boundless Truths.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Fragrant Circle of Miracles, shaped like a diamond, resting on a sea of nets of chimes adorned with all kinds of jewels, covered by clouds of auras of all kinds of ornaments, orbited by as many worlds as atoms in three buddha-fields. The Buddha is named Light of Virtuous Characteristics Shining Everywhere.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Light of Sublime Color, shaped like a crystal orb, resting on a perfume sea of jewels of boundless colors, covered by clouds of palaces of radiant pearls, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in four buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is named Ubiquitous Illumination Producing Good Company.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Good Cover, shaped like a lotus blossom, resting on a perfume sea of diamonds, covered by perfume clouds of undefiled light, orbited by as many worlds as atoms in five buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Inexhaustible Wisdom of Delight in Truth.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Wreath of Light of Pure Flowers, triangular in shape, resting on arrays of all unbreakable jewels, covered by light beams from the jeweled crowns of enlightening beings, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in six buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Pure Universal Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Jewel Lotus Blossoms, shaped like a half moon, resting on a sea of arrays of all kinds of lotuses, covered by clouds of flowers of all jewels, orbited by as many worlds as atoms in seven buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Pure Eye of Flowers of Virtue.

  “Above this, past worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Repository of Undefiled Flames, shaped like a row of jewel lamps, resting on a sea of banks of jewellike flames, covered by clouds of various bodies constantly raining perfume, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in eight buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Invincible Power Of Wisdom.

  “Above this, past worlds as many as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sublime Pure Sound, shaped like a fylfot, resting on a sea of jewel raiment, covered with clouds of drapes adorned with all flowers, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in nine buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Enormous Eyes like the Clear Moon in the Sky.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sounds as Numerous as Atoms, shaped like the net of Indra, resting on a sea of waters of all precious elements, covered by clouds of jeweled canopies of all musical sounds, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in ten buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Golden Mountain Lamp.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Jewel Colors, shaped like a fylfot, resting on a sea of gems shaped like the king of the gods, covered by clouds of flowers radiant as the sun, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in eleven buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Radiant Knowledge Illuminating the Cosmos.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Golden Light, shaped like a huge castle, resting on a sea of ornaments made of all jewels, covered by clouds of jewel flowers from scenes of enlightenment, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in twelve buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Banner of Precious Lamps Lighting All.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sphere of Light Illumining Everywhere, shaped like a wreath of flowers, resting on a sea of whirlpools of jewel raiment, covered by clouds of palaces made of diamonds emanating the sound of Buddha’s voice, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in thirteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Lotus Flower Illumining Everywhere.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Jewel Mine Ornaments, shaped like four continents, resting on a mountain of jewel necklaces, covered by clouds of blazing jewels, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in fourteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Blooming Flowers of Inexhaustible Blessings.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Appearing Everywhere like Reflections in a Mirror, shaped like the body of a titan, resting on a sea of diamond lotuses, covered by clouds of light rays from jeweled crowns, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in fifteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Elixir Sound.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sandalwood Moon, octagonal in shape, resting on a sea of indestructible precious sandalwood, covered by clouds of pearl flowers, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in sixteen buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Peerless Knowledge of the Supreme Truth.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Untainted Light, shaped like a whirlpool of fragrant water, resting on a sea of jewel light of boundless colors, covered by clouds of exquisitely aromatic light, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in seventeen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Sound of Light Illumining All Space.

 
“Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Beautiful Flowers, spiral shaped, resting on a sea of all flowers, covered by crystal clouds of all musical sounds, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in eighteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Everywhere Manifesting Supreme Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Supreme Sounds, shaped like a lion throne, resting on a sea of golden lion thrones, covered by clouds of banks of lotuses of all colors, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in nineteen buddha-fields. The Buddha is called Universal Light of Renown for Boundless Virtue.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Supremely High Lamp, shaped like the Buddha’s palm, resting on a sea of banners of perfume of precious raiment, covered by clouds of palaces made of jewels radiant as the sun, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in twenty buddha-fields, uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Lamp Illuminating Space.

  “South of this Repository of Undefiled Flames sea of fragrant waters is another sea of fragrant waters, called Sphere of Inexhaustible Light, with a world system called Array of Banners of Buddhas, composed of the sounds of the ocean of virtues of all Buddhas. At the bottom of this world system is a world called Lovely Flower, shaped like a jewel disc, resting on a sea of diamonds from a mine of diamond trees, covered by clouds of jewel mines projecting reflections of forms of enlightening beings, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, all uniformly pure. The Buddha there is called Joyful Countenance of Lotus Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sublime Sound; the Buddha there is called Wonderfully High Jewel Lamp.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Light of Arrays of Myriad Jewels; the Buddha there is called Banner of Sounds of the Cosmos.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Diamond Treasury of Fragrance; the Buddha there is called Sound of Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Pure Sound; the Buddha there is called Supreme Energy.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Jewel Lotus Blossoms; the Buddha there is called Thunder of Clouds of Castles of Truth.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Peace and Bliss; the Buddha there is called Renowned Lamp of Wisdom.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Undefiled Net; the Buddha there is called Ocean of Virtues with Invincible Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Flowering Grove Banner Illumining Everywhere; the Buddha there is called Light of the Lotus of Great Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Innumerable Adornments; the Buddha there is called Banner of the Real Sphere of the Universal Eye.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Jewels of Radiant Light; the Buddha there is called Great Caravan Leader of Supreme Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Flower King; the Buddha there is called Moonlight Banner.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Undefiled Treasury; the Buddha there is called Pure Awareness.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Jewel Light; the Buddha there is called Lamp of the Space of Omniscience.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Producing Jewel Necklaces; the Buddha there is called Light of the Forms of the Ocean of Virtues of the Ways of Transcendence.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sublime Circles Covering All; the Buddha there is called Subduing All Attached Minds and Causing Joy.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Jewel Flower Banner; the Buddha there is called Great Fame of Extensive Virtues.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Infinite Adornments; the Buddha there is called Ocean of Qualities of Light of Impartial Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Banner of Arrays of Infinite Lights, shaped like a lotus blossom, resting on a sea of webs of all jewels, covered by webs of lotus light crystals, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in twenty buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha there is called Pure Light of the Cosmos.

  “Turning the right of this Sphere of Inexhaustible Light sea of fragrant water, there is a sea of fragrant water called Diamond Flame Light, with a system of worlds called Repository of Arrays of Buddha Halos, composed of voices extolling the names of all Buddhas. At the bottom of this world system is a world called Jewel Flame Lotus, shaped like a curl of hair, the color of crystal, resting on a sea of whirlpools of the colors of all jewels, covered by clouds of palaces of all adornments, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, all uniformly pure. The Buddha there is called Undefiled Jewel Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world caled Repository of Flames of Light; the Buddha there is called Light of Unhindered Independent Wisdom.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Beautiful Array of Jewel Discs; the Buddha there is called Light of All Jewels.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Sandalwood Tree Flower Banner; the Buddha is called Light of Pure Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Exquisite Array of Buddha-Fields; the Buddha is called Great Sound of Joy.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Array of Subtle Lights; the Buddha is called Independent Knowledge of the Cosmos.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Boundless Forms; the Buddha is called Unimpeded Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Flame Cloud Banner; the Buddha is called Nonregressive Teaching.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Pure Circle of Jewel Ornaments; the Buddha is called Pure Flower Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Great Emancipation; the Buddha is called Eye of the Sun of Unhindered Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Beautifully Adorned Diamond Throne; the Buddha is called Great Light of Knowledge of the Cosmos.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Everywhere Adorned by Knowledge and Wisdom; the Buddha there is called King of the Light of the Torch of Knowledge.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Deep Wonderful Sound of a Lotus Pond; the Buddha there is called Omniscience Illumining Everywhere.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Varicolored Light Beams; the Buddha there is called Radiant Flower King Cloud.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Exquisite Jewel Banner; the Buddha there is called Light of Virtue.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Crystal Flower Light; the Buddha there is called Cloud of Universal Sound.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Extremely Deep Ocean; the Buddha there is called Leader of All Beings in the Ten Directions.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called High Mountain Light;
the Buddha there is called Sound of Universal Knowledge of the Cosmos.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Golden Lotus; the Buddha there is called Universal Light of the Repository of Virtue.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Mine of Jewel Ornaments, shaped like a fylfot, resting on a sea of trees of all scents adorned by crystals, covered by clouds of pure light, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in twenty buddha-fields, all uniformly pure. The Buddha is called Web of Light of Great Mystical Displays.

  “Turning to the right of this Diamond Flame Light sea of fragrant water, there is another sea of fragrant water called Sapphire Array, with a world system called Light Illumining the Ten Directions, resting on clouds of scent of lotus blossoms of all beautiful adornments, composed of the voices of boundless Buddhas. At the bottom of this system is a world called Wheel Containing Infinite Colors of All Quarters, shaped like a spiral with an infinite number of turns, resting on a sea of treasuries of jewels of unlimited colors, covered by the net of Indra, surrounded by as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, all uniformly pure. The Buddha there is called Lotus Eyes with All-Illuminating Light.

  “Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Mine of Pure Exquisite Ornaments; the Buddha there is called Great Lion of Unexcelled Wisdom.

  “Above this, past worlds as numerous as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Producing Lotus Thrones; the Buddha is called King of of Light Illumining the Cosmos.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Jewel Banner Sound; the Buddha there is called Universal Repute of Great Virtue.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Diamond Ornament Treasury; the Buddha there is called Lotus Sun Light.

  “Above this, past as many worlds as atoms in a buddha-field, is a world called Indra Flower Moon; the Buddha there is called Banner of Independent Knowledge of Truth.