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Entering the Dharma Realm Part 1

In the west, beyond seas of worlds as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras was another world called Mani Jeweled Lamp Sumeru Mountain Banner. The Buddha's title was Dharma Realm Wisdom Lamp. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva called Universal Supreme Unsurpassed Awesome Virtue King, who together with Bodhisattvas as numerous as the dustmotes in seas of worlds came to the Buddha's place.

Using their spiritual powers they conjured Sumeru Mountain clouds of all sorts of paste incense and burning incense that were as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds of all sorts of colored fragrant water that were as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds of bright light mani jeweled kings equal to the dustmotes on all of the great earths, as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds of all sorts of bright flaming wheel - like adorned banners as numerous as the dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds of multicolored vajra treasury mani king adornments as numerous as the dustmotes within ineffable Buddha kshetras;

Sumeru Mountain clouds of universally illumining all worlds Jambunada mani jeweled banners as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds manifesting all the Dharma Realm’s mani jewels as numerous as the dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds manifesting all the Buddha's fine marks, mani jewel kings as numerous as the dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds manifesting all the Thus Come One’s former events and causes and conditions, and speaking of the practices of all Bodhisattvas' conducts mani jewel kings as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras; Sumeru Mountain clouds manifesting all Buddhas seated in the Bodhi Way-place, mani jewel kings as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras – and all of these filled up empty space.

After arriving at the Buddha's place, he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the west transformationally created an all-incense king pavilion, with a jeweled net of real pearls that draped it from above. He also transformationally created Lord Shakra's reflection banner jeweled lotus flower treasury lion's throne. With a wonderfully colored mani net that covered his body, and a mind king precious crown adorning his head, together with his retinue he sat in full lotus.

In the north beyond seas of worlds as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was another world called Jeweled Garment Bright Banner. The Buddha's title was Illumining Empty Space and Dharma Realm Great Brightness. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva called Unobstructed Supreme Treasury King, who together with Bodhisattvas as numerous as dustmotes in seas of worlds, came to the Buddha's place.

Using their spiritual powers they conjured all sorts of jeweled garment clouds. That is to say, yellow colored jeweled light garment clouds, perfumed with various fragrances garment clouds, sea banner mani king garment clouds, gold colored blazing mani garment clouds, all jeweled lights flaming garment clouds, all superior wonderful manis in the image of stars and constellations garment clouds, white jade light mani garment clouds, brightness pervasively illumining supreme dazzling mani garment clouds, brightness pervasively illumining awesome strength blazing mani garment clouds, adorned sea mani garment clouds - and these filled up the empty spaces.

After coming to the Buddha's place he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the north transformationally created a mani jeweled sea adorned towering pavilion and a vaidurya jeweled lotus flower treasury lion's throne. With a lion's awesome virtue mani king net covering his own body, and a pure king of jewels as the bright pearl in his cowl, together with his retinue he sat in full lotus.

In the northeastern direction beyond seas of worlds as numerous as the dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was a world called All Delights' Pure Light Net. The Buddha's title was Unobstructed Eye.

Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva called Transformationally Manifesting the Dharma Realm’s Vows Moon King, who together with Bodhisattvas as many as dustmotes in seas of worlds, came to the Buddha's place. Using their spiritual powers they conjured jeweled pavilion clouds, chandana pavilion clouds, vajra pavilion clouds, mani pavilion clouds, gold pavilion clouds, lotus flower pavilion clouds, and covered all the worlds of the ten directions. After arriving at the Buddha's place he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the northeastern direction transformationally created all of the Dharma Realm's doors great mani towering pavilion, and an unequaled fragrance king lotus flower treasury lion's throne. With a mani flower net covering his body and a wonderful jeweled treasury mani king that served as his crown, together with his retinue, he sat in full lotus.

In the southeastern direction beyond seas of worlds as numerous as the dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was a world called Fragrant Cloud Adorned Banner. The Buddha's title was Dragon Self-Mastery King. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva named Dharma Wisdom Light Flame King, who together with Bodhisattvas as many as dust motes in seas of worlds came to the Buddha's place.

Using their spiritual powers they conjured gold colored perfect light clouds, measureless jewel colored perfect light clouds, the Thus Come One’s hair-mark perfect light clouds, varicolored jewel perfect light clouds, a multitude of jeweled tree branches perfect light clouds, the Thus Come One’s summit cowl perfect light clouds, Jambunada gold colored perfect light clouds, sun-colored perfect light clouds – all of which completely filled up empty space. After arriving at the Buddha's place, he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the southeastern direction transformationally created a Vairochana most superior jeweled light towering pavilion and a vajramani lotus flower treasury lion's throne. With a net of multi-jewels light flaming mani king covering his body, and together with his retinue, he sat in full lotus.

In the southwestern direction beyond seas of worlds as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was a world called Sunlight Mani Treasury. The Buddha's title was Universal Illuminating All Dharma Wisdom Moon King. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva named Smashing All Demon Armies Wisdom Banner King, who together with Bodhisattvas as many as dustmotes in seas of worlds, came to the Buddha's place.

From every hairpore he emitted clouds equal to the realm of empty space. That is, flower flame clouds, fragrant flame clouds, jeweled flame clouds, vajra flame clouds, burning incense flame clouds, lightning flame clouds, Vairochana mani jeweled flame clouds, all golden light flame clouds, supreme treasury mani king light flame clouds, light flame clouds equal to Thus Come One’s throughout the three periods of time. Every one of these came forth from his hairpores and completely filled up the realm of empty space. After arriving at the Buddha's place he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the southwestern direction transformationally created the universal manifesting in the Dharma realms of the ten directions brightness net great mani jeweled towering pavilion, and a fragrant lamp flame jeweled lotus flower treasury lion's throne. With a leaving filth treasury mani net covering his body and wearing a crown which emitted the sounds of all living beings' resolve, mani king ornament, together with his retinue, he sat in full lotus.

In the northwestern direction beyond seas of worlds as numerous as the dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was a world called Vairochana Vow Mani King Treasury. The Buddha's title was Universal Brightness Most Supreme Sumeru King. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva named Vow Wisdom Brightness Banner, who together with Bodhisattvas as numerous as dustmotes in seas of worlds, came to the Buddha's place.

From all of his thoughts, all of his fine marks, all of his hairpores, all sections of his body, he emitted clouds in the shape of all Bodhisattvas, clouds in the shape of all the Thus Come One’s assemblies, clouds in the shape of all the Thus Come Ones’ transformation bodies in their present lives, clouds in the shape of all Sound Hearers and Pratyekabuddhas, clouds in the shape of all Thus Come Ones’ Bodhi places, clouds in the shape of all Thus Come Ones’ Spiritual Changes, clouds in the shape of all world hosts, and clouds in the shape of all pure countries. These filled up empty space.

After arriving at the Buddha's place he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the northwestern direction transformationally created a universally illumining the ten directions mani jeweled adornment towering pavilion, and a universally illumining the world jeweled lotus flower treasury lion's throne. With an unsurpassable brightness real pearl net covering his body and wearing a universal brightness mani jeweled crown, together with his retinue, he sat in full lotus.

In the direction below, beyond seas of worlds as numerous as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was a world called All Thus Come Ones’ Perfect Light Universal Illumination. The Buddha's title was Unobstructed Appearance of Empty Spaces Wisdom Banner King. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva named Smashing All Obstacles Courageous Wisdom King, who together with Bodhisattvas in the number of dustmotes in seas of worlds, came to the Buddha's place.

From all his hairpores, he emitted clouds that speak the sounds of the seas of all living beings' languages. He emitted clouds that speak of the sounds of the seas of expedients cultivated by all Bodhisattvas of the three periods of time. He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of the seas of expedients brought forth by the vows of all Bodhisattvas. He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of the seas of expedients from the pure paramitas accomplished by all Bodhisattvas.

He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of all Bodhisattvas' perfected conduct, that pervades throughout all kshetras. He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of all Bodhisattvas accomplishing the function of self-mastery. He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of all Thus Come Ones going to the Way-place, smashing the hordes of demon armies, accomplishing the Equal, Proper Enlightenment and its function of self-mastery.

He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of all Thus Come Ones turning the Dharma Wheel to bring entrance into the sutras, and the seas of titles.

He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of seas of expedients in all the opportune dharmas of teaching, transforming and subduing living beings. He emitted clouds that speak the sounds of the sea of expedients, which in accord with the time, in accord with good roots, and in accord with vow power, can universally cause living beings to certify and attain wisdom.

After he arrived at the Buddha's place he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the lower direction transformationally created a multi-jeweled towering pavilion in the shape of all Thus Come Ones’ palaces, and an all-jeweled lotus flower treasury lion's throne. Donning a universally manifesting in the Way-place mani jeweled crown, and together with his retinue, he sat in full lotus.

In the direction above, beyond seas of worlds as many as dustmotes in ineffable Buddha kshetras, was a world called Buddha Seed Nature Without Exhaustion. The Buddha's title was Universal Wisdom Wheel Bright Light Sound. Within that Buddha's assembly was a Bodhisattva called the Dharma Realm's Different Vows, who with Bodhisattvas as numerous as dustmotes in seas of worlds, started from their Way-place and came to this Saha world to the place of Shakyamuni Buddha.

From all of his fine marks, all of his hairpores, all of his body shares, all of his joints, all of his objects of adornments and all of his garments, there appeared all the Buddhas of the past, such as Vairochana Buddha; all Buddhas of the future, those who have received a prediction and those who have not yet received a prediction; and all present Buddhas in all the countries of the ten directions together with their multitudes of assemblies. And there also manifested the seas of former deeds of the dana paramita practiced in the past, and all the recipients of his giving. And there also manifested the seas of former deeds of the shila paramita practiced in the past.

And there manifested the seas of former deeds of the paramita of vigor practiced in the past, of the kshanti paramita practiced in the past, of cutting off of his limbs, and how his mind did not move.

And there manifested the seas of former deeds of the paramita of vigor practiced in the past, and of his non-retreating courage. And there manifested the seas of former deeds of his search of all the Thus Come Ones’ dhyana paramita in the past, and how he attained accomplishments.

And there manifested the seas of former deeds of his search of all Buddhas’ turning the Dharma Wheel, of the dharmas accomplished, of bringing forth courageous mind, and of his renouncing all things.

And there manifested the seas of former deeds of his delight in seeing all Buddhas in the past, his delight in practicing all the Bodhisattva Paths, his delight in transforming the realms of all living beings. And there manifested the seas of former deeds of his resolve on all Bodhisattvas' great vows and pure adornments.

And there manifested the seas of former deeds of the Bodhisattva’s accomplishment of the paramita of power in the past.

And there manifested the seas of former deeds of the paramita of wisdom cultivated by all Bodhisattvas in the past to perfection. All of the above seas of former deeds completely pervaded and filled up the vast and great Dharma Realm.

After arriving at the Buddha's place he bowed at the Buddha's feet, and thereupon to the direction above transformationally created an all-vajra treasury adorned towering pavilion, and an imperial blue vajra king lotus flower treasury lion's throne. An all-jeweled light mani king net covered his body, and the bright pearl of his cowl was made of mani jewel kings that proclaim the Thus Come One’s titles in the three periods of time, and together with his retinue he sat in full lotus.

All of the above Bodhisattvas and their retinues from the ten directions were born from Universal Worthy Bodhisattva's practices and vows. With the pure wisdom-eye they beheld the Buddhas of the three periods of time. They universally heard all the Buddhas Thus Come Ones turning the Dharma Wheel of the seas of Sutras. They arrived at the other shore of all Bodhisattvas’ self-mastery. In every thought, they manifested great spiritual transformations, and drew near to all Buddhas Thus Come Ones. With one body they filled up all the Thus Come Ones’ assemblies and Way-places. Within a single dustmote they universally manifested all the states of the world, and never missed the right moment to teach and transform all living beings.

Within a single hairpore they emitted the sounds of all Thus Come Ones speaking the Dharma. They knew that all living beings are like an illusion. They knew that all Buddhas are like a reflection. They knew that all the destinies and paths of rebirth are like a dream. They knew that all karmic retributions are like a reflection in the mirror. They knew that all worlds are like changes and transformations. They accomplished the Thus Come One’s Ten Powers and Fearlessness, his courage and mastery.

With a lion's roar they profoundly entered the great sea of Limitless Eloquence. They obtained all of living beings' seas of words and languages - the wisdom of all dharmas. In empty space, their actions were unobstructed. They knew that all dharmas are unobstructed.

With regard to the states of all Bodhisattvas' spiritual penetrations, they have all been purified. With courage and vigor, they smashed and subdued the demon armies. Constantly using wisdom they understood the three periods of time. They knew that all dharmas are like empty space. They were without discord or contention. They also had no grasping or attachment.

Although they diligently cultivated vigor, they knew that All-Wisdom ultimately do not come from anywhere. Although they contemplated all states, they knew that all of existence cannot be got at. With expedient wisdom they entered into all of the Dharma Realm. With level wisdom, they entered into all countries. With the power of self-mastery, they caused all worlds to revolve and mutually enter into one another.

In all places of the world they manifested the receptions of birth. They saw all the different shapes and forms in all worlds. Within a subtle and tiny state, they manifested a vast great kshetra.

In a vast great state they manifested a subtle and tiny kshetra. At the place of one Buddha, within one thought, they obtained the aid of all the Buddhas' awesome spirit. Universally viewing the ten directions without any confused delusion, and within one kshana, they could travel anywhere.

All of these Bodhisattvas filled up the Jeta Grove, aided by the Thus Come One’s awesome spiritual power. At that time the leaders of the great Sound Hearers:

Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Revata, Subhuti, Aniruddha, Nanda, Mahakapphina, Mahakatyayana, Purna, and all the other great Sound Hearers who were at the Jeta Grove, could not perceive the Thus Come One’s spiritual powers; the Thus Come One’s wonderful adornments and characteristics; the Thus Come One’s states; the Thus Come One’s playfulness; the Thus Come One’s spiritual transformations; the Thus Come One’s noble supremacy; the Thus Come One’s wonderful practices; the Thus Come One’s awesome virtue; the Thus Come One’s dwelling and holding; the Thus Come One’s pure kshetras.

Moreover, they could not perceive the inconceivable states of the Bodhisattvas; the Bodhisattvas' great assemblies; the Bodhisattvas' universal entry; the Bodhisattvas' universal arrival; the Bodhisattvas' universal traveling; the Bodhisattvas' spiritual transformations; the Bodhisattvas' playfulness; the Bodhisattvas' retinues; the Bodhisattvas' places; the Bodhisattvas' adorned lion thrones; the Bodhisattvas' palaces; the Bodhisattvas' dwelling places; the samadhi of self ease which the Bodhisattva entered; the Bodhisattvas' contemplation; the Bodhisattvas' sprint; the Bodhisattvas' heroic courage;

the Bodhisattvas' offerings; the Bodhisattvas' receiving of predictions; the Bodhisattvas' maturation; the Bodhisattvas' healthy courage; the purity of the Bodhisattvas' Dharma bodies; the perfection of the Bodhisattvas' wisdom bodies; the manifestation of the Bodhisattvas' vow bodies; the accomplishment of the Bodhisattvas' form bodies; the Bodhisattvas' marks which were all replete with purity; the Bodhisattvas' constant light and vary-colored adornments; the Bodhisattvas' constant emitting of the great net of brightness; the Bodhisattvas' giving rise to clouds of transformations; the Bodhisattvas' bodies that pervade the ten directions; the Bodhisattvas' myriad practices coming to perfection.

All of the above states were not perceived by the great Sound Hearer disciples. Why is this? Because their good roots were not the same. In the past they did not practice the good roots of beholding the Buddha with self-ease. They did not praise or proclaim the merit and virtue of all pure in Buddha kshetras of the ten directions. In the past they did not praise the various spiritual penetration of all Buddhas, World Honored Ones. In the past while in the midst of birth and death, they did not bring forth the mind of anuttarasamyaksambodhi.

In the past they did not cause others to dwell in the mind of Bodhi. In the past they did not cause the Thus Come Ones’ seed nature to continue uninterrupted. In the past they did not gather in all living beings. In the past they did not exhort others to cultivate and practice the Bodhisattva paramitas. In the past, while within the flow of birth and death, they did not exhort living beings to seek the most supreme great wisdom-eye.

In the past they did not cultivate the good roots of producing All-Wisdom. In the past they did not accomplish the good roots of the Thus Come One’s transcending the world. In the past they did not attain the wisdom of spiritual penetrations of purifying and adorning Buddha kshetras. In the past they did not attain the states that were known to the Bodhisattvas' vision.

In the past they did not seek the uncommon good roots of Bodhi, which transcended the world. In the past they did not bring forth the great vows of all Bodhisattvas. In the past they were not born from the aid of the Thus Come Ones.

In the past they did not know that all dharmas are like an illusion that Bodhisattvas are like a dream. And in the past they did not attain the vast delight of the great Bodhisattvas.

All of these were states of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva's wisdom-eye; they had nothing in common with the Two Vehicles. Because of such causes and conditions, all of the great Sound Hearers could not see, could not hear, could not enter, could not attain, could not be mindful of, could not contemplate, could not consider, could not ponder, and could not discriminate. And so although they were situated right within the Jeta Grove, they could not see the great spiritual transformations of the Thus Come One.

Moreover, because all of these Sound Hearers did not possess such good roots; did not possess such a wisdom-eye; did not possess such samadhis; did not possess such liberation; did not possess such spiritual penetrations; did not possess such awesome virtue; did not possess such strength; did not possess such self-mastery; did not possess such places of dwelling; and did not possess such states -- they were therefore in this place, but could not know, could not see, could not enter, could not certify to, could not dwell, could not understand, could not contemplate, could not endure, could not tend toward, could not roam within it.

Moreover, they could not vastly elucidate, explain, proclaim, advocate or manifest, guide or exhort others' progress, causing them to tend toward, causing them to practice and cultivate, causing them to dwell peacefully within, or causing them to certify to and enter.

Why is this? Because all of these great disciples had relied on the Sound Hearer Vehicle to escape.

They had accomplished the Sound Hearers' path; they had perfected the Sound Hearers' conduct; they had peacefully dwelt in the Sound Hearers' fruition; and obtained fixed wisdom.

From the truth of non-existence, constantly dwelling in the reality-limit and ultimate stillness and quietude, they were far removed from great compassion. They forsook living beings and dwelt in their own affairs.

With regard to the others' wisdom, they could not accumulate it, could not cultivate it, could not dwell peacefully within it, could not seek it with their vows, could not accomplish it, could not purify it, could not tend toward and enter it, could not penetrate it, could not know or see it, could not certify to and attain it. Which is why even though they were inside the Jeta Grove, coming face to face with the Thus Come One, they could not behold such vast great spiritual penetrations.

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