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The Manifestations of the Thus Come One

At that time, the Bodhisattvas and all the world rulers had these thoughts:

“What are the grounds of the Buddhas?”
“What are the states of the Buddhas?
“What are the ways in which the Buddhas bestow aid?
“What are the practices of the Buddhas?
“What are the powers of the Buddhas?
“What are the fearlessnesses of the Buddhas?
“What are the samadhis of the Buddhas?
“What are the spiritual powers of the Buddhas?
“What kinds of self-mastery do the Buddhas have?
“What kinds of indestructibility do the Buddhas have?
“What are the Buddhas’ eyes like?
What are the Buddhas’ ears like?
What are the Buddhas’ noses like? What are the Buddhas’ tongues like?
What are the Buddhas’ bodies like? What are the Buddhas’ minds like?           
“What are the auras around the Buddhas’ bodies like?
What is the light of the Buddhas like? What are the Buddhas’ sounds like?
What is the wisdom of the Buddhas like? We only hope the World Honored One will take pity on us and reveal and explain these for us.

“Moreover, all the Buddhas in oceans of worlds throughout the ten directions, for the sake of the Bodhisattvas, spoke of oceans of worlds, oceans of beings, oceans of arrangements of dharma realms, oceans of Buddhas, oceans of Buddhas’ paramitas, oceans of Buddhas’ liberations, oceans of Buddhas’ transformations, oceans of Buddhas’ proclamations, oceans of Buddhas’ titles, oceans of Buddhas’ life spans.

“[The Buddhas spoke of] oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ vows, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ tendencies, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ aids to the Way, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ vehicles, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ practices, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ transcendence, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ spiritual powers, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ paramitas, oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ grounds, and oceans of all Bodhisattvas’ wisdom. We hope the Buddha, the World Honored One, will explain these for us.”

At that time, by virtue of the Bodhisattvas’ awesome spiritual powers, sounds spontaneously poured forth from within the clouds of offerings and pronounced the following verses.

Through limitless eons the Buddha perfected his cultivation.
At the foot of the bodhi tree he realized Proper Enlightenment.
In order to rescue beings, he manifests bodies everywhere,
Like clouds filling the skies to the ends of time.

He helps beings sever all of their doubts,
Then arouses their great faith and understanding.
He completely vanquishes their boundless woes,
So they experience the peace and happiness of the Buddhas.

Countless Bodhisattvas, equal to dust particles in lands,
Arrive at this gathering and behold the Buddha.
Wishing to respond to the needs in their minds,
The Buddha, in proclaiming wondrous Dharma, severs their doubts.

How should we understand the Buddhas’ grounds?
How should we regard the Thus Come Ones’ states?
Boundless are the ways in which the Buddhas bestow aid.
May the Buddha explain this Dharma so all can attain purity.

What are the aspects of the Buddhas’ practice,
And how can we wisely understand and enter those?
The Buddhas’ powers are pure and vast beyond any bounds.
For the sake of the Bodhisattvas please instruct us.

What are the vast, great samadhis ?
What are the dharmas of fearlessness of their pure practice?
The functions of their spiritual powers cannot be reckoned.
May you accord with beings’ wishes and speak of them.

The Buddhas, Dharma Kings, are like world rulers.
Invincible, they act with total self-mastery.
This, and their other vast and great dharmas,
Please proclaim for our benefaction.

How is it that the Buddha’s eyes have no measure,
And his eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body are that way, too?
And how is it that his mind is measureless as well?
Please show us so that we can know those expedients.

As to the oceans of lands and oceans of beings,
The oceans of all arrangements of dharma realms,
And the oceans of all Buddhas, which are boundless, too—
Please discuss all these for the Buddha’s disciples.

How can one leave forever the seas of all thought and reckoning,
And universally enter the oceans of expedients for liberation,
As well as the oceans of all the dharma doors that there are?
All in this bodhimanda wish that the Buddha would proclaim this.

At that time, the World Honored One, knowing what the Bodhisattvas were thinking, emitted from his mouth, from between his teeth, as many lights as there are dustmotes in a Buddhaland. For example, there was a light from multitudes of precious flowers that shone everywhere; a light that produced various sounds to enhance the Dharma Realm; a light of softly trailing ethereal clouds; a light of Buddhas seated in bodhimandas and displaying spiritual transformations throughout the ten directions; a light in the form of a canopy composed of clouds of scintillating jewels; a light that suffused the Dharma Realm without obstruction.

 [There was] a light that pervasively adorned all Buddhalands; an extraordinary light from the creation of pure, precious banners of vajra; a light that universally graced all bodhimandas where Bodhisattvas assemble; a light that resonated with exquisite tones praising all Buddhas’ epithets. [There were those lights] and others such as those, as numerous as dustmotes in a Buddhaland. Each and every light further had a retinue of lights as numerous as dustmotes in a Buddhaland. Those lights all came in myriads of exquisite, precious hues and shone everywhere throughout the ten directions, each illuminating as many seas of worlds as there are dustmotes in a hundred million Buddhalands. Within that illumination, all the Bodhisattva multitudes in those seas of worlds were able to see this Flower Treasury Adorned Sea of Worlds. By means of the Buddha’s spiritual power, those lights spoke verses before all those assemblies of Bodhisattvas.

Through countless eons, the Buddha did oceans of practices.
Making offerings to oceans of Buddhas in the ten directions.
He transforms and liberates oceans of beings, who become
Wonderfully Enlightened Honored Ones of universal illumination.

Clouds appear magically from his pores.
Their radiance lights up the ten directions.
Those ripe for teaching open to enlightenment.
They strive for bodhi, pure and unhindered.

The Buddha traveled every path and way,
Teaching and nurturing beings, helping them mature.
So boundless are his spiritual powers and self-mastery.
That in one thought he brings them to liberation.

The bodhi tree with its wondrous mani gems
Has a myriad ornaments most sublime.
In its shade, the Buddha realized Proper Enlightenment
And shone with a magnificent, universal resplendence.

His booming roar resounds in the ten directions,
As he everywhere preaches the Dharma of still quiescence.
Catering to beings’ wishes and delights,
He employs sundry expedients to help them understand.

The Buddha has cultivated to perfection, paramitas
As numerous as the dustmotes in a thousand lands.
He has fully achieved all the powers.
All of you should go and make obeisance.

Disciples of the Buddha, numerous as the dustmotes in a land,
Joyfully gather from the ten directions.
Having rained down clouds of offerings,
They are now before the Buddha, eagerly gazing upward.

One sound from the Thus Come One is yet limitless.
He can give discourses as deep as the mighty ocean.
He rains wondrous Dharma everywhere, in response to beings’ minds.
You ought to go see that Doubly Perfect Honored One.

All the vows of the Buddhas of the three periods of time
Are proclaimed beneath the bodhi tree.
In an instant they are all revealed.
You should make haste to the Thus Come One.

Vairochana has wisdom like a great ocean.
None have not seen the light from his mouth.
He now waits for all to assemble, and soon he will speak.
Go now to see and hear what he will say.

At that time, every assembly in all the seas of worlds of the ten directions, awakened by the Buddha’s light, collectively approached the Thus Come One Vairochana, drawing near to make offerings.

For example, east of this sea of worlds called Adornments of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Adornment with Pure and Radiant Lotuses. Within the seed of those worlds, there was a land called Vajra Treasury of Strands of mani. The Buddha there was named Infinite King of Dharma Water Awakening Space. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Lotus Banner Contemplating the Sublime Dharma. He and Bodhisattvas as numerous as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha [Shakyamuni] was. Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of characteristics of bodies of Bodhisattvas, which filled all of space and did not disperse.

They further displayed ten clouds of light raining down myriads of precious lotus blossoms. They further displayed ten clouds of jeweled summits of Sumeru. They further displayed ten clouds of sunlight. They further displayed ten clouds of jeweled flower garlands. They further displayed ten clouds of every kind of music. They displayed revealed ten clouds of trees of powdered incense. They further displayed ten clouds of fragrant ointments and burning incense of every form and color. They further displayed ten clouds of trees of assorted fragrances.

Clouds of offerings such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the east, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from a profusion of luminous lotuses, and then seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

South of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Exquisite Treasury of All Jeweled Moonlight. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Boundless Light Perfect and Adorned. The Buddha there was named King Sumeru of Universal Wisdom and Radiant Virtue. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Wisdom that Universally Illumines the Sea of Dharmas. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was. Each Bodhisattva displayed ten sublime mani clouds of a treasury of light from all adornments, which filled all of space and did not disperse.

They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds that rained down exquisite ornaments and illuminated everywhere. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds with blazing jewels praising the epithets of Buddhas. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds that expounded all Buddhadharmas. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds of multitudes of beautiful trees adorning bodhimandas. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds of jeweled light shining everywhere revealing multitudes of transformation Buddhas. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds universally showing all of the adorned images in bodhimandas.

They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds of mysteriously blazing lamps describing all Buddhas’ states. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds of images in palaces in inconceivably many Buddhalands. They further displayed ten sublime mani clouds universally showing the bodies of the Buddhas of the three periods of time. Sublime mani clouds such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the south, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from a profusion of lotuses of sapphire and jambunada gold, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

West of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Delightful Jewel Light. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Producing Excellent Life-Sustenance. The Buddha there was named Precious Adornment with Merit and Virtue Resembling Fragrant Flames. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Universal Adornment with Moonlight’s Fragrant Flames. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was. Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of pavilions composed of precious fragrant flowers, which filled all of space and did not disperse.

They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions composed of all kinds of magnificent jewels of boundless colors and forms. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions composed of the fragrant flames of jeweled lamps. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions composed of pearls. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions composed of precious flowers. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions adorned with jeweled necklaces. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions showing splendid light from all ornaments in the ten directions. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions adorned with the dust of various precious stones blended together. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions adorned with multitudes of jewels from throughout the ten directions. They further displayed ten clouds of pavilions composed of all kinds of flowers, door chimes, and nets.

Clouds of pavilions such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the west, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from a great profusion of gold leaves, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

North of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Perfect Treasury of Vaidurya Lotus Light. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Adorned with Utpala Flowers. The Buddha there was named King of Sound of the Banner of Universal Wisdom. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Lion-Sprint Light. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was. Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of wondrous trees of all kinds of fragrance and mani, which filled all of space and did not disperse.

They further displayed ten clouds of trees adorned with dense foliage of sublime fragrance. They further displayed ten clouds of trees adorned with trees of boundless colors and forms that magically appeared. They further displayed ten clouds of trees that were everywhere adorned with flowers. They further displayed ten clouds of trees adorned with the perfect light of dazzling jewels. They further displayed ten clouds of trees adorned with Bodhisattva bodies manifesting in the midst of candana incense. They further displayed ten clouds of trees revealing inconceivable adornments in bodhimandas of the past. They further displayed ten clouds of trees made of myriad jeweled garments as bright as the sun. They further displayed ten clouds of trees that universally made all delightful sounds.

Clouds of trees such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the north, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from mani lamps and lotuses, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

Northeast of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Banner of Jambunada Gold and Crystal Hues. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Adorned with Multitudes of Jewels. The Buddha there was named Lamp of Fearlessness Regarding All Dharmas. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Inexhaustible Treasury of Merit and Virtue of the Lamp of Splendid Light. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was. Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of a profusion of precious lotuses of boundless colors and forms, which filled all of space and did not disperse.

They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of the brilliant light of fine mani. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of assorted ornaments and decorations. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of jeweled garlands and blazing lanterns. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones that rain down strands of jewels everywhere. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of a profusion of incense, flowers, and strands of jewels. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of a plethora of fine mani revealing the adornments of the thrones of all Buddhas. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones adorned with doors, windows, steps, beads, and other ornaments. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of the jeweled branches and trunks of mani trees. They further displayed ten clouds of lion thrones made of a blend of jewels and incense and shining as brilliantly as sunlight.

Clouds of lion thrones such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the northeast, each Bodhisattva created a lion's throne from an abundance of precious lotuses and luminous mani banners, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

Southeast of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Adorned with Gold and Universally Illuminated by Vaidurya Light. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Pure Fragrance and Light. The Buddha there was named King of Universal Joy and Profound Faith. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Universally Bright Lamp of Wisdom. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was.

Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of banners made of wish-fulfilling mani gems, which filled all of space and did not disperse. They further displayed ten clouds of banners adorned with sapphires and all kinds of flowers. They further displayed ten clouds of mani banners of all kinds of fragrances. They further displayed ten clouds of banners made of blazing, jeweled lamps. They further displayed ten clouds of splendid mani banners showing the Buddhas' spiritual powers and speaking of Dharma. They further displayed ten clouds of mani banners made of all kinds of garments for adorning the body. They further displayed ten clouds of luminous banners made of clusters of precious flowers. They further displayed ten clouds of banners of tinkling sounds from bells hung in a jeweled net. They further displayed ten clouds of banners made of mani daises and lotus nets. They further displayed ten clouds of banners showing all kinds of inconceivable adornments and images.

Clouds of precious banners such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the southeast, each Bodhisattva created a lion's throne from a profusion of precious lotuses, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

Southwest of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Universally Shining Sunlight. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Lion Sunlight. The Buddha there was named Luminous Sound of Universal Wisdom. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Exquisite Light Universally Blazing Forth from the Cowl. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was. Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of precious canopies made of a plethora of exquisite ornaments, which filled all of space and did not disperse.

They further displayed ten clouds of floral canopies adorned with lights. They further displayed ten clouds of treasuries of pearl canopies of boundless colors. They further displayed ten clouds of splendid mani canopies uttering all Bodhisattvas' sounds of compassion and empathy. They further displayed ten clouds of canopies of garlands made from beautiful, glowing jewels. They further displayed ten clouds of canopies of chimes suspended from nets and embellished with beautiful gems. They further displayed ten clouds of canopies adorned with mani tree branches. They further displayed ten clouds of splendid mani canopies of universally shining sunlight. They further displayed ten clouds of canopies made of fragrant ointments and burning incense. They further displayed ten clouds of canopies made of an abundance of candana. They further displayed ten clouds of canopies adorned with the universal light of the magnificent state of the Buddhas.

Clouds of precious canopies such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the southwest, each Bodhisattva created a lion's throne richly adorned with glowing sapphire, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

Northwest of this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Dazzling Light of Jewels. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Adorned with All Fragrances. The Buddha there was named Luminous Ocean of Limitless Merit and Virtue. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Infinitely Bright, Splendid mani. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was.

Each Bodhisattva displayed ten clouds of perfect light from all jewels, which filled all of space and did not disperse. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light from all glowing jewels. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light from all gorgeous flowers. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light from all transformation Buddhas. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light from the Buddhalands in the ten directions. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light from jeweled trees, with roaring thunder from the realm of Buddhas.

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