The Flower Ornament Scripture

by Thomas Cleary

  A hundred trillion unusually beautiful decorations made of jewels, a hundred trillion jewels in the exquisite forms of celestial beings, a hundred trillion subtle perfumes from the ten directions, a hundred trillion black sandalwood incenses, a hundred trillion fragrances from inconceivable realms, a hundred trillion most excellent scents, and a hundred trillion extremely pleasing incenses all emitted fragrant airs, perfuming the ten directions. A hundred trillion special incenses were scattered in all ten directions; a hundred trillion scents of pure light perfumed sentient beings; a hundred trillion incenses of boundless various colors perfumed all the buddha-lands, never fading away; a hundred trillion perfumes, a hundred trillion scents, a hundred trillion burning incenses perfumed everything. A hundred trillion aloe perfumes from lotus blossom banks producing great sound, a hundred trillion wafting fragrances with the power to transform the minds of sentient beings, and a hundred trillion perfumes with the power to enlighten pervaded everywhere, causing all the senses of those who noticed them to become dispassionate and tranquil. There were also a hundred trillion various arrays of peerless perfumes, kings among fragrances.

  There rained a hundred trillion clouds of celestial flowers, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial perfumes, a hundred trillion clouds of heavenly incense powders, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial blue lotuses, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial red lotuses, a hundred trillion clouds of heavenly white lotuses, a hundred trillion clouds of heavenly mandarava flowers, a hundred trillion clouds of all kinds of celestial flowers, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial garments, a hundred trillion clouds of jewels, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial canopies, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial banners, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial crowns, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial ornaments, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial garlands, a hundred trillion clouds of necklaces of heavenly jewels, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial sandalwood incense, and a hundred trillion clouds of celestial aloe incense.

  There were set up a hundred trillion jewel banners, there were hung a hundred trillion jewel pennants, there were draped a hundred trillion jewel streamers, there were lit a hundred trillion incense braziers, there were spread a hundred trillion jewel garlands, there were held a hundred trillion jewel fans, there were taken up a hundred trillion gold whisks, there were draped a hundred trillion nets of jewel chimes producing exquisite sounds when stirred by the breeze. A hundred trillion jewel balustrades surrounded the throne, a hundred trillion jewel palm trees were arrayed in rows. A hundred trillion windows framed with gorgeous gems made magnificent adornments. A hundred trillion jewel trees provided shade all around. A hundred trillion jewel turrets adorned north to south and east to west. A hundred trillion jeweled doorways were draped with garlands. A hundred trillion golden chimes produced sublime music. A hundred trillion ornaments in the form of auspicious symbols were draped in splendid arrays. There were a hundred trillion jewel talismans able to get rid of all evils, a hundred trillion gold treasuries woven of golden thread, a hundred trillion jewel umbrellas with handles of precious elements held in rows, and a hundred trillion nets of all kinds of precious ornaments arrayed at intervals.

  A hundred trillion luminous jewels radiated various kinds of light; a hundred trillion light beams illumined everywhere. There were a hundred trillion sun-treasury orbs and a hundred trillion moon-treasury orbs, all made of collections of jewels of infinite colors. A hundred trillion fragrant flames shone with crystal clear light. A hundred trillion banks of lotuses burst into glorious bloom. A hundred trillion nets of jewels, a hundred trillion nets of flowers, and a hundred trillion nets of incenses covered above.

  A hundred trillion jewel robes, a hundred trillion sapphire robes, a hundred trillion celestial yellow robes, a hundred trillion celestial red robes, a hundred trillion celestial robes of unusual colors, a hundred trillion extraordinary celestial robes of various precious substances, a hundred trillion various perfumed robes, a hundred trillion robes made of all precious substances, and a hundred trillion pure white robes, were all carefully spread, delightful to all observers.

  A hundred trillion banners of celestial chimes and a hundred trillion banners of golden mesh produced subtle tones. There were a hundred trillion banners of heavenly embroideries, containing all colors. A hundred trillion fragrant banners were draped with webs of perfume. A hundred trillion flower banners showered all kinds of flowers. A hundred trillion banners of raiment trailed exquisite robes. There were a hundred trillion celestial jewel banners, studded with all sorts of gems, a hundred trillion celestial ornament banners, decorated with all manner of embellishments, a hundred trillion celestial garland banners, garlands of various kinds of flowers arrayed on four sides, a hundred trillion celestial canopy banners, with jewel bells harmoniously ringing, pleasing all hearers.

  There were a hundred trillion celestial conches producing wonderful sounds, a hundred trillion celestial bass drums producing great booms, a hundred trillion celestial pipes producing subtle sounds, a hundred trillion celestial drums producing loud beautiful sounds, a hundred trillion orchestras playing all at once, a hundred trillion independent celestial musicians producing sublime sounds filling all buddha-lands, a hundred trillion celestial magical music sounding like echoes, responding to all things, a hundred trillion celestial drums producing wonderful sounds when struck, a hundred trillion kinds of miraculous celestial music which produced spontaneous harmony, and a hundred trillion various celestial assemblies producing wonderful music extinguishing all afflictions.

  A hundred trillion pleasing sounds sang praises of giving offerings; a hundred trillion far-reaching sounds sang praises of service; a hundred trillion extremely deep sounds sang praises of practical application; a hundred trillion sounds of myriad subtleties sang praises of the fruits of the Buddhas’ deeds; a hundred trillion delicate sounds sang praises of principles in accord with reality; a hundred trillion unimpeded sounds of truth sang praises of Buddha’s past practices; a hundred trillion pure sounds sang praises of past offerings to the Buddhas; a hundred trillion sounds of teachings sang praises of the supreme fearlessness of the Buddhas; a hundred trillion infinite sounds sang praises of the infinity of enlightening beings’ virtues; a hundred trillion sounds of the stages of enlightening beings sang praises of revealing the practices appropriate to all the stages of enlightening; a hundred trillion uninterrupted sounds sang praises of the endlessness of the Buddha’s virtues; a hundred trillion conformative sounds sang praises of practices by which Buddha is seen; a hundred trillion sounds of extremely profound teaching sang praises of principles corresponding to unhindered knowledge of all things. A hundred trillion great sounds filled all buddhalands; a hundred trillion sounds of unimpeded purity caused all to rejoice in accord with their inclinations; a hundred trillion sounds of nondwelling in the triple world caused all hearers to enter deeply into the nature of reality; a hundred trillion sounds of joy caused the minds of all hearers to be unobstructed, with deep faith and respect; a hundred trillion sounds of the realm of buddhahood revealed the meanings of all things; a hundred trillion sounds of concentration formulae expounded the distinctions of all doctrines, definitively comprehending the esoteric treasury of the Enlightened Ones; a hundred trillion sounds of all truths, gentle and pleasant, harmonized all the music.

  There were a hundred trillion newly inspired enlightening beings who, as soon as they saw this throne, doubly increased their determination for omniscience; a hundred trillion enlightening beings preparing the ground, their minds pure and joyful; a hundred trillion practicing enlightening beings, their understanding pure and clear; a hundred trillion nobly born enlightening beings, abiding in supreme zeal; a hundred trillion enlightening beings equipped with skill in means, activating the great vehicle; a hundred trillion enlightening beings in the abode of right mindfulness, diligently cultivating the path of all enlightening beings; a hundred trillion nonregressing enlightening beings, purifying all stages of enlightenment; a hundred
trillion enlightening beings of youthful nature, attaining the light of concentration of all enlightening beings; a hundred trillion prince of teaching enlightening beings, entering the inconceivable sphere of all Buddhas; a hundred trillion coronated enlightening beings, able to manifest the ten powers of infinite enlightened ones; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with mastery of spiritual powers; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with pure understanding; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with determined minds; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with profound, unbreakable faith; a hundred trillion enlightening beings expounding the meanings of the teachings, causing knowledge to be sure; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with undisturbed correct recollection; a hundred trillion enlightening beings of certain knowledge; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with the power to retain what they hear, holding all the Buddha teachings; a hundred trillion enlightening beings producing infinitely vast great awareness and understanding; a hundred trillion enlightening beings abiding in the faculty of faith; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent self-control and fully kept all the moral precepts; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent generosity and were able to give everything; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent forbearance whose minds did not wander and who were able to accept all the Buddha teachings; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent vigor and were capable of carrying out infinite efforts for emancipation; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent meditation and were imbued with the shining light of infinite meditations; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent wisdom, the light of their wisdom able to illumine everywhere; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had perfected great vows, all pure; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained the lamp of knowledge, clearly illumining the teachings; a hundred trillion enlightening beings illuminated by the light of truth of the Buddhas of the ten directions; a hundred trillion enlightening beings expounding the way to get rid of folly throughout the ten directions; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who entered the fields of all Buddhas; a hundred trillion enlightening beings whose body of reality reached all buddha-lands; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained the voice of Buddhas and were capable of enlightening many; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained the means of producing all knowledge; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had accomplished all aspects of the teaching; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained true knowledge, like jewel banners, able to make plain all Buddha teachings; and a hundred trillion enlightening beings able to fully reveal the realm of enlightenment.

  A hundred trillion celestial kings of the various heavens prostrated themselves reverently; a hundred trillion naga kings gazed fixedly; a hundred trillion yaksha kings joined their palms above their heads; a hundred trillion gandharva kings developed pure minds of faith; a hundred trillion titan kings cut off their pride; a hundred trillion garuda kings held streamers in their mouths; a hundred trillion kinnara kings danced joyfully; a hundred trillion mahoraga kings gazed with delight; a hundred trillion world leaders bowed with respect; a hundred trillion kings of the heavens of thirty-three celestial realms gazed unblinking; a hundred trillion kings of the Suyama heavens joyfully sang praises; a hundred trillion kings of Tushita heavens prostrated their bodies; a hundred trillion kings of the heavens of enjoyment of emanations bowed their heads to the ground in respect; a hundred trillion kings of the heavens of command of others’ emanations joined their palms reverently; a hundred trillion kings of the Brahma heavens watched single-mindedly; a hundred trillion celestial kings of great power reverently made offerings; a hundred trillion enlightening beings sang eulogies aloud; a hundred trillion goddesses single-mindedly made offerings; a hundred trillion deities with the same aspirations danced with joy; a hundred trillion deities who had lived in the same place in antiquity sang hymns of praise with beautiful voices; a hundred trillion Brahma-body deities prostrated themselves in respect; a hundred trillion Brahma-assistant deities joined their palms at their crowns; a hundred trillion Brahma-group deities circled around as guardian attendants; a hundred trillion great Brahma deities sang eulogies of infinite virtues; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of light threw themselves on the ground; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of little light sang eulogies of the difficulty of meeting with an age when a Buddha is in the world; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of infinite light bowed to the Buddha from afar; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of light-sound sang of the rarity of getting to see a Buddha; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of purity came here along with their mansions; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of minor purity bowed their heads with pure hearts; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of infinite purity descended, wishing to see the Buddha; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of universal purity approached with reverence and respect and made offerings; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of vastness reflected on past roots of goodness; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of minor vastness contemplated the rarity of the enlightened; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of infinite vastness, with sure respect, initiated all good actions; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of vast results bowed reverently; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of no troubles bowed respectfully, their faith firm and enduring; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of no heat joined their palms and remembranced the Buddha tirelessly; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of good sight bowed their heads to the ground; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of good manifestation meditated constantly on honoring and serving the Buddhas; a hundred trillion deities of the heaven of the ultimate of form bowed reverently.

  A hundred trillion deities of various heavens sang praises with great joy; a hundred trillion deities each carefully considered and made adornments; a hundred trillion enlightening deities guarded the Buddha’s throne, ceaselessly embellishing it; a hundred trillion flower-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of flowers; a hundred trillion incense-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of fragrances; a hundred trillion garland-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of garlands; a hundred trillion elightening beings bearing powdered incense showered all kinds of powdered incenses; a hundred trillion perfume-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of perfumes; a hundred trillion raiment-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of raiment; a hundred trillion parasol-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of parasols; a hundred trillion banner-bearing deities showered all kinds of banners; a hundred trillion pennant-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of pennants; a hundred trillion gem-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of jewels; a hundred trillion ornament-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of ornaments.

  A hundred trillion godlings came forth from their celestial palaces to the site of the throne; a hundred trillion godlings with pure faithful minds came with their palaces; a hundred trillion nobly born godlings supported the throne with their bodies; a hundred trillion consecrated godlings held the throne with their whole bodies.

  A hundred trillion meditating enlightening beings contemplated respectfully; a hundred trillion nobly born enlightening beings gave rise to purity of mind; a hundred trillion enlightening beings became joyful and blissful in all senses; a hundred trillion enlightening beings’ profound minds of faith were purified; a hundred trillion enlightening beings’ faith and resolve were purified; a hundred trillion enlightening beings’ actions were purified; a hundred trillion enlightening beings were enabled to take on birth freely; a hundred trillion enlightening beings glowed with the light of truth; a hundred trillion enlightening beings consummated the stages of enlightenment; a hundred trillion enlightening beings became well able to teach and influence all sentient beings.

  Born of a hundred trillion roots of goodness,
protected by a hundred trillion Buddhas, perfected by a hundred trillion virtues, purified by a hundred trillion sublime aspirations, beautified by a hundred trillion great vows, produced by a hundred trillion good actions, stabilized by a hundred trillion virtuous qualities, made manifest by a hundred trillion spiritual powers, developed by a hundred trillion meritorious achievements, eulogized for a hundred trillion praiseworthy qualities—as in the world the king of the Tushita heaven reverently set up a throne like this for the Enlightened One, so did the kings of the Tushita heavens in all worlds likewise set up such thrones, with such adornments, with such ceremonies, with such faith, with such purity of mind, with such delight, with such joy, with such respect, with such appreciation of rarity, with such dancing, with such yearning—all were the same.

  Then the king of the Tushita heaven, having set up the throne for the Enlightened One, respectfully greeted the Buddha together with countless godlings of the Tushita heaven; with pure hearts they showered clouds of flowers of innumerable colors, clouds of incenses of inconceivable colors, clouds of garlands of various colors, vast clouds of pure sandalwood, clouds of innumerable various parasols, clouds of fine celestial raiment, clouds of boundless beautiful jewels, clouds of celestial ornaments, clouds of innumerable incenses of all kinds, and clouds of all kinds of sandalwood and aloe. When the godlings each produced these clouds from their bodies, a hundred trillion incalculable numbers of godlings of the Tushita heaven, as well as the other godlings in the assembly, were overjoyed and bowed reverently. Countless goddesses danced with joyful anticipation, gazing at the Enlightened One. In the Tushita palace a host of unspeakably many enlightening beings hovered in the air, and with diligence and single-mindedness produced offerings surpassing all the heavens and presented them to the Buddha, bowing respectfully, while countless forms of music played all at once.