The Flower Ornament Scripture

by Thomas Cleary

  Collections of jewels and pearls, beloved relatives,

  Sovereignty, endless kinds of cities and fine abodes,

  Spouses and children, agreeable companions—

  All they relinquish without attachment for the sake of truth.

  Head, hands, feet, eyes, flesh, tongue, teeth, ears,

  Heart, blood, bones, marrow,

  They gladly give away, not considering it hard,

  Only considering it hard to get to hear the truth.

  If someone should tell them

  He would give a jewel of the Buddha’s teaching

  To anyone who would jump into a blazing fire,

  They would jump in without anxiety.

  For a single phrase of the Teaching they would leap

  From the heavens into a galaxy of fire:

  How hard is this supreme enlightenment of buddhas to attain,

  That is gained by such human suffering?

  They would endure the unremitting pains of hell

  For as long as it takes to attain the knowledge of the seers,

  To say nothing of the mass of pain of the human world—

  They will accept pain for the sake of the supreme Teaching.

  And having heard the Teaching, they think about it reasonably

  And accomplish the four meditations, immeasurable minds,

  Formless trances, and five supreme mystic knowledges,

  But, having mastered them, are not born under their sway.

  Here the bearers of virtue pay honor to myriad buddhas

  And with doubt-free minds listen to the Teaching;

  In this stage they become free from error, purified,

  Like gold freed from dross, undiminished.

  Here the virtuous ones undertake celestial lordship,

  Powerful, free from lust,

  Making manifold groups of people virtuous and dispassionate,

  Intent on seeking the qualities of buddhahood.

  Here enlightening beings undertake vigorous effort;

  Having attained a full hundred thousand concentrations,

  They see buddhas’ bodies’ various eminent characteristics,

  And infinitely more qualities, by superlative will.

  “This has been an explanation of the third stage of enlightening beings, who seek benefit for all people.”

  Thus having heard of this far-reaching practice, this lofty, eminent stage, the enlightening beings were delighted and showered the Buddha with flowers. When this teaching was spoken, the oceans and earth trembled; beautiful devoted goddesses reveled in the Teaching in song, while the gods, overjoyed, showered heavenly jewels on the Buddha and said, “A victor who speaks beneficially has arisen, having reached the ultimate weal and virtue. We have now heard of the superlative way, the supreme conduct of enlightening beings, the stage of the wise, which is hard to get to hear of even in a hundred eons. Speak further, O sage, for the benefit of heaven and earth, of the excellent practice of enlightening beings. This crowd of celestials wants to hear the definitive, exhaustive truth.”

  Moon of Liberation said to Diamond Matrix, “Heroic speaker, tell the enlightening beings of the exalted state of those who enter the fourth stage.”

  Diamond Matrix said, “Whoever has thoroughly purified vision in the third stage enters the fourth stage. One attains this stage by ten entries into the light of the Teaching: by entry into the light through contemplation of the realms of beings; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realms of the world; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realms of phenomena and principles; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of space; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of consciousness; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of desire; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of form; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of formlessness; by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of high-minded devotion; and by entry into the light through contemplation of the realm of inclinations of the magnanimous mind.

  “Here, in this fourth stage, called Blazing, simultaneous with the attainment of this stage the enlightening beings are born in the family of buddhas, so as to attain the qualities proper to it by means of ten things that develop and mature knowledge: by nonregressing will; by ultimate unbreakable faith in the three treasures; by contemplation of the origination and extinction of conditioned things; by contemplation of the nonorigination of inherent nature; by contemplation of the formation and disintegration of worlds; by contemplation of coming into existence due to actions; by contemplation of the mundane whirl and nirvana; by contemplation of actions of beings and lands; by contemplation of past and future; and by contemplation of nonbeing and nonanmhilation. Having embodied these ten things that mature knowledge, enlightening beings are born in the family of buddhas by attainment of the principles that are proper to it.

  “Furthermore, the enlightening beings in this Blazing stage carry on examination of the inner body vigorously, with precise awareness and mindfulness, getting rid of worldly desire and dejection. They carry on examination of the external body vigorously, with precise awareness and mindfulness, getting rid of worldly desire and dejection. They do the same to internal sensation, external sensation, and internal and external sensation, to the internal mind, the external mind, and the internal and external mind. They carry on examination of internal phenomena, precisely aware and mindful, getting rid of worldly desire and dejection. They carry on examination of external phenomena, precisely aware and mindful, getting rid of worldly desire and dejection. They carry on examination of internal and external phenomena, precisely aware and mindful, getting rid of worldly desire and dejection.

  “The enlightening beings will and strive for the nonarising of bad and unwholesome states that have not yet arisen; they initiate vigorous effort, commanding the mind and directing it properly. They will and strive for the destruction of bad and unwholesome states that have arisen, initiating vigorous effort, commanding the mind and directing it properly. They will and strive for the arising of good states that have not yet arisen, initiating vigorous effort, commanding the mind and directing it properly. They will and strive for the stabilization, prevention of loss, augmentation, increased production and cultivation, and complete fulfillment of good states that have already arisen, initiating vigorous effort, commanding the mind and directing it properly.

  “They develop the basis of mystical power of will combined with concentration and exertion, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the basis of mystical power of energy combined with concentration and exertion, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the basis of mystical power of attention combined with concentration and exertion, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the basis of mystical power of contemplation combined with concentration and exertion, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment.

  “They develop the faculty of faith, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the faculty of energy, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the faculty of recollection, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the faculty of concentration, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the faculty of wisdom, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment.

  “They develop the power of faith, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the power of energy, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the power of recollection, based on detachment, based
on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the power of concentration, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the power of wisdom, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment.

  “They develop the branch of enlightenment of mindfulness, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the branch of enlightenment of investigation of things, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the branch of enlightenment of energy, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the branch of enlightenment of joy, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the branch of enlightenment of tranquillity, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the branch of enlightenment of concentration, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop the limb of enlightenment of equanimity, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment.

  “They develop right thought, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right seeing, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right speech, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right action, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right livelihood, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right effort, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right mindfulness, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment. They develop right concentration, based on detachment, based on dispassion, based on extinction, given to relinquishment.

  “Furthermore, all this is due to concern for all beings, due to the support of carrying out past vows, due to being led by great compassion, due to realization of great kindness, due to being principally focused on omniscience, due to being engaged in the full accomplishment of the powers, expertise, unique qualities, marks, embellishments, and voice of all enlightened ones, due to being in quest of the final supreme truth, due to following what is learned of the liberation of the profound teaching of buddhas, and due to reflection on the great power of skill in liberative means.

  “Moreover, the enlightening beings in the stage of Blazing are freed from all points of attachment—to what is considered wealth, what is considered one’s own possessions, what is guarded and kept, what is thought of, what is ruminated on, what is conceived of, appearing and disappearing, aroused by attachment to the ideas of a real body, self, being, life, growth, person, personality, mental and physical clusters, elements, and sense mediums. Whatever acts should not be done, are disapproved by perfect buddhas, and provoke affliction, the enlightening beings get rid of; whatever acts should be done, are approved by perfect buddhas, and are appropriate for provisions for the Path of enlightenment, these the enlightening beings take on.

  “As the enlightening beings increasingly develop the elements of the Path accomplished by skill in means and wisdom for the attainment of the Path, their minds accordingly become gentle, mild, workable, and altruistic, unafflicted, seeking the final ultimate excellence, seeking higher knowledge, liberating all beings, obeying and respecting their teachers, practicing the teachings as they have learned. They also become grateful and appreciative of what has been done for them, and they become extremely courageous, easy to live with, honest, gentle, uncomplicated, undeluded, free from conceit, easy to talk to, skillfull in grasping the speaker’s meaning. Thus the enlightening beings attain patience, self-control, and tranquillity.

  “Thus patient, controlled, and calm, they contemplate the elements of the Path to purify the higher stages with unremitting vigor, unafflicted vigor, unregressing vigor, immense vigor, endless vigor, blazing vigor, unequaled vigor, invincible vigor, vigor in developing all beings to maturity, vigor in discerning what is instructive and what is not. And their mentality becomes more and more purified, their prevailing will doesn’t die out, and their element of zeal blazes; great roots of goodness are produced, and they accomplish destruction of worldly defilements. All their doubts and uncertainties are cut off, and they accomplish presence of mind free from doubt. They also attain joy and serenity. They come into the presence of the power of the enlightened and attain immeasurable will.

  “To the enlightening beings in this stage of Blazing, many buddhas become visible, by great vision and willpower: many hundreds of buddhas, many thousands of buddhas, many hundreds of thousands of buddhas, many millions of buddhas, many hundreds of millions of buddhas, many billions of buddhas, many trillions of buddhas become visible to the enlightening beings by great vision and willpower. Having seen those enlightened ones, they honor and make offerings to them with great zeal, providing useful items such as clothing, food and drink, bedding, seat cushions, and medicines; they also provide comforts for enlightening beings and pay honor to the religious community. These roots of goodness they dedicate to unexcelled complete perfect enlightenment.

  “Also they attend those buddhas and respectfully listen to their teachings, taking them up, remembering them, and putting them into practice to the best of their ability. In many cases the enlightening beings go forth from home into the tutelage of those buddhas. Their will, purpose, devotion, and equanimity are further purified. In this stage of blazing the enlightening beings abide in purity of will, purpose, devotion, and equanimity for many eons, many hundreds and thousands and millions and billions and trillions of eons, and their roots of goodness become radiant with extreme clarity. Just as gold fashioned by a skilled goldsmith into ornaments cannot be outshone by gold that has not been worked, in the same way the roots of goodness of enlightening beings in the stage of Blazing cannot be outshone by the roots of goodness in the lower stages. And just as the light produced from a jewel, light emanating from a sphere of completely pure radiance, cannot be outshone by other pure lights produced from jewels, and the light cannot be destroyed by any wind, water, or rain, in the same way the enlightening beings in this stage of Blazing cannot be outshone by enlightening beings in the lower stages, and their cannot be destroyed by the actions of any demonds or afflictions.

  “Of the four means of salvation, cooperation is predominant in these enlightening beings, and among the ten transcendent ways, energy is predominant—nonetheless they do practice the others as they can.

  “This is a summary of the fourth stage of enlightening beings, the stage called Blazing. Most of the enlightening beings in this stage are celestial sovereigns of the heaven of timely portion, powerful, able to remove beings’ view of a really existent body and establish them in right insight. Whatever actions the enlightening beings in the stage undertake, whether by giving, by kind speech, by beneficial action, or by cooperation, it is never apart from thoughts of Buddtha, the Teaching, the Community, enlightening beings, the practices of enlightening beings, the ways of transcendence, the powers, expertise, and unique qualities of buddhas, up to omniscience consummate in all respects. Why? To become the best of beings, unexcelled leaders and guides, and ultimately omniscient refuges.

  “Those who seek to be thus undertake the appropriate effort, by which they instantly attain a billion concentrations, see a billion buddhas and recognize their power, shake a billion worlds, go to a billion lands, illumine a billion worlds, mature a billion beings, abide for a billion eons, penetrate a billion eons past and future, contemplate a billion teachings, and manifest a billion bodies, each surrounded by a billion enlightening beings. Then enlightening beings with the power of vows, by the excellence of their vows, perform countless transformations of the
body, aura, mystic powers, sphere of operation, voice, conduct, adornment, power, resolution, and performances.”

  Then Diamond Matrix spoke these verse describing the meaning of this stage:

  Those who have accomplished the third stage, Refulgence,

  Contemplating the deeds of beings, the world, and phenomena,

  With purity of resolution and will, they enter

  The realm of space, the realm of mind, and the triple realm.

  As soon as those of great power attain the stage of Blazing,

  They are born in the family of the Teacher, never to regress,

  Inseparable from the Buddha, the Teaching, and the Community,

  Viewing the inertness of the continuum of birth and death.

  Reflecting on the coming into existence of action that causes the world to develop,

  On cyclic existence, nirvana, lands, and beings,

  As well as phenomena, past and future, nonextinction and nonorigination,

  They grow in the family of the Teacher, acting in accord.

  Having realized these principles, kind and compassionate,

  They contemplate the phenomena of their bodies and minds;

  They contemplate the inner, outer, and both,

  Reflecting on the four points of mindfulness, free from attachment.

  From the destruction of evil, having developed good qualities,

  They actualize the four right efforts:

  They develop the four bases of mystic powers, the powers and faculties,

  The light of the jewels of the limbs of enlightenment, and thus the supreme Path.

  They develop these for the benefit of beings, focusing their minds on this,

  Their vow supporting them, with compassion foremost,

  Seeking omniscient knowledge, the field of buddhas,

  Thinking of supreme power and the highest path.

  Steadfast in seeking also the unshakable state of wisdom

  And the supreme buddha-voice of the Teacher,

  The jewel of the profound path and the abode of liberation,