The Ten Good Teachers of the Ten Dwellings
VII. Upasika Asha, the Place of Sea Tide, the Garden Universal Adornment
Dwelling of non-retreat
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth, replying on the strength of the good knowing advisor, and depending on the teachings of the good knowing advisor, was mindful of the words of the good knowing advisor. He brought forth deep admiration and delight for his good knowing advisor. And he has this thought, “Because of the good advisor, I have been led to see the Buddha. Because of the good advisor, I have been led to hear the Dharma. The good advisor is my guide, for he shows to me and guides me in all Buddhadharmas. The good advisor acts as my eyes. For he enables me to see the Buddhas as being like empty space. The good advisor acts as my bridge, for he enables me to enter the lotus pools of all Buddhas, Thus Come Ones.”
He traveled gradually to the south, until he arrived at the place Sea Tide. He beheld the Garden Universal Adornment. Walls made of multitudes of jewels entirely surrounded it. Trees of all jewels adorned it in symmetric rows. Trees of all jeweled blossoms rained down multitudes of wondrous flowers which spread over the ground. Trees of all jeweled incenses, their fragrance permeating the atmosphere, universally perfumed the ten directions. Trees of all jeweled garlands rained down huge jeweled garlands which were suspended from all places. Trees of all mani gem kings rained down great mani gems, that spread out everywhere. Trees of all jeweled garments rained down jeweled garments of various colors; and according to what was needed, spread out everywhere. Trees of all music gave off sounds when the wind blew. These sounds were fine and wonderful, and excelled the music of the heavens. Trees of all implements of adornment each rained down precious, rare and wondrous objects, which spread out everywhere as decorations.
Its ground was clean and pure, without high or low places. In its midst were contained a million halls, which were fashioned from great mani jewels fitted together. A million pavilions were covered over with jambunada gold. A million palaces were adorned with inlaid Vairochana mani gems. Ten thousand bathing pools, fashioned from multitudes of jewels were surrounded on all sides by railings of the seven jewels. Stairways of the seven jewels fanned out to all four sides. Water of eight meritorious virtues was translucent and filled the pools to the brim. The fragrance of its water was like heavenly chandana.
The bottoms of the pools were spread with golden sand, interspersed throughout with precious water-clearing pearls. In the midst of it geese, ducks, peacocks, kukkuta birds frolicked and played, and sang forth harmonious and elegant sounds. Jeweled tala trees extended all around, arranged in rows. Moreover, there were jeweled nets from which golden bells were hung. Swayed y the soft breezes, they constantly emitted wonderful sounds. A huge jeweled canopy was hoisted, surrounded by jeweled trees on all sides. Countless mani gem banners were erected, their light universally illumining for a distance of a hundred thousand yojanas.
Moreover, in the midst of it were a million ponds, in which silt of black chandana had filtered down and settled on the bottom. Lotuses made of all wonderful jewels blossomed and spread over the water’s surface. The colored lights of great mani flowers radiated brightness. Moreover, in that garden was a grand palace called Banner of Adornment, the ground of which was paved with wondrous gems of the Sea Treasury. Vaidurya gems formed its pillars. Jambunada gold covered it over. Brightness Treasury manis served as adornments. The flaming light from countless kings of gems was dazzling and balzing. Multi-storied towers and interlacing pavilions were festooned with ornaments. Aruna, king of incense, and Enlightenment, king of incense—both emitted wondrous fragrances which permeated everything. Moreover, spread out everywhere within this palace were limitless jeweled lotus flower thrones. Specifically, Illumining the Ten Directions Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Vairochana Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Illuminating the World Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Wonderful Treasury Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Lion Treasury Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Immaculate Treasury Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Universal Door Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Brightness Adornment Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones, Securely-Dwelling-in-the-Great-Sea Treasury’s Purity Mani King Jewel Lotus Thrones, and Vajra Lion Mani Jewel Lotus Thrones.
Moreover, in the garden were million varieties of curtains. Specifically, curtains of garments, curtains of garlands, curtains of incense, curtains of flowers, curtains of branches, curtains of manis, curtains of true gold, curtains of objects of adornment, curtains of music, curtains of spiritual transformations of elephant kings, curtains of spiritual transformations of horse kings, curtains of mani gems worn by Lord Shakra—such as these and others numbered in the millions. There were millions of great jeweled nets that spread out over it. Specifically, nets of jeweled bells, nets of jeweled canopies, nets of jeweled bodies, nets of the sea treasury’s true pearls, nets of violet vaidurya mani gems, nets of lion manis, nets of moonlight manis, nets of multitudes of fragrances in various shapes and images, nets of jeweled crowns, and nets of precious necklaces – such as these and others numbered in the millions.
It was illuminated by a million great lights, specifically, Light of Flaming Brightness Mani Gems, Light of Sun Treasury Mani Gems, Light of Moon Banner Mani Gems, Light of Fragrant Flaming Mani Gems, Light of Supreme Treasury Mani Gems, Light of Lotus Treasury Mani Gems, Light of Flaming Banner Mani Gems, Light of Great Lamp Mani Gems, Light of Universally Illumining the Ten Directions Mani Gems, and Light of Fragrant Brightness Mani Gems—such as these and others numbered in the millions.
There constantly rained down millions of objects of adornment, and millions of black chandana incenses which emitted wondrous sounds. Millions of pundarika flowers that excelled those of the heavens welled forth and were strewn about. Millions of necklaces that excelled those of the heavens acted as adornments. Millions of wonderful jeweled garland ribbons that excelled those of the heavens were suspended everywhere. There were millions of multi-colored wonderful garments that excelled those of the heavens, and millions of assorted-colored mani jewels whose light universally illumined. A million gods joyously gazed upward and made obeisance. A million heavenly maidens leapt down from empty space. A million Bodhisattvas drew near with veneration, constantly delighting in hearing the Dharma.
At that time, the Upasika Asha was seated on a throne of true gold. She wore a crown made of a net of sea-treasury pearls, and from her arms hung jeweled bracelets of true gold that surpassed those of all the heavens. Her violet-blue hair streamed down, and a net of great manis adorned her head. Lion-mouth mani jewels served as her earrings. As-you-will mani gem kings made up her necklaces. A net of all jewels covered her body. Hundreds of thousands of millions of nayutas of living beings bowed to her in reverence.
From the east, limitless beings came to where she was. Specifically, from the Brahma Heavens, the Heaven of Brahma Multitudes, the Great Brahma Heaven, the Heaven of Ministers of Brahma, the Heaven of Self-mastery, and so forth, including all humans and non-humans. From the south, west, and north, the four intermediate directions, above and below, it was also like this.
Those who beheld this upasika had all their illnesses eradicated. They left the filth of afflictions. They extricated the thorn of views. They smashed the mountains of obstructions. They entered the state of unobstructed purity. They increased and brightened all of their good roots. They developed and nurtured all of their faculties. They entered the door of All-Wisdom. They entered the door of all dharanis, the door of all samadhis, the door of all great vows, the door of all wonderful conduct, and the door of all merit and virtue. All of these appeared before them. Their minds were extensive and great. They were replete with spiritual penetrations. Their bodies became unobstructed, and traveled to all places.
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth entered the Garden Universal Adornment, and contemplated it thoroughly. He beheld the Upasika Asha seated on her wonderful throne. Going to where she was, he made obeisance at her feet. He circumambulated her countless times and said, “Sagely One, I have already brought forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi. But I still do not know how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct, and how he cultivates the Bodhisattva path. I heard that the Sagely One is skilled at guiding and teaching. I wish you would speak them for me.”
Asha replied, “Good man, I have attained only a single door of liberation of a Bodhisattva. If there are those who see, hear, or mindfully recollect me, or dwell with me, or make offerings to me, none of their efforts will be in vain.
“Good man, if there are living beings who have not planted good roots, who have not been gathered in by good friends, who are not protected or remembered by all the Buddhas, such people will never be able to see me. Good man, if there are living beings who get to see me, they will obtain irreversibility from anuttarasamyaksambodhi.
“Good man, all the Buddhas of the east constantly come to this place, and, seated on jeweled thrones, speak Dharma for me. All the Buddhas from the south, west, north, the four intermediate directions, above and below, also came to this place, and seated on jeweled thrones, speak Dharma for me.
“Good man, I am never apart from seeing the Buddhas and hearing the Dharma, and I dwell together with all Bodhisattvas. Good man, this great assembly of mine numbers eighty-four thousands of millions of nayutas, all who in this garden practice together with me have attained irreversibility from anuttarasamyaksambodhi. All the rest of the living beings who live in this garden have also universally entered the position of irreversibility.”
Good Wealth then said, “Sagely One, have you brought forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi for a very long time?”
She answered, “Good man, I remember in the past how at the place of Burning-Lamp Buddha, I cultivated brahma conduct, respectfully made offerings, heard the Dharma, receiving and upholding it. Prior to that, at the place of Leaving Filth Buddha, I left the home life and studied the Way, receiving and maintaining the Proper Dharma. Prior to that, I was at the place of Wonderful Banner Buddha. Prior to that, I was at the place of Victorious Sumeru Buddha.
Prior to that, I was at the place of Lotus Flower Virtuous Treasury Buddha. Prior to that, I was at the place of Vairochana Buddha. Prior to that, I was at the place of Universal Eye Buddha. Prior to that, I was at the place of Pure Long Life Buddha. Prior to that, I was at the place of Vajra Navel Buddha. Prior to that, I was at the place of God Varuna Buddha.
“Good man, I remember, from the past throughout measureless kalpas in measureless lifetimes, being successively at the places of Buddhas to the number of sand grains in thirty six Ganges Rivers. I served, respected and revered them, and made offerings to them. I heard the Dharma, received, and upheld it, and purely cultivated brahma practices. But what is known by the wisdom of all those past Buddhas is not something that I can fathom.
“Good man, the initial resolve of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it pervades all Dharma realms. The door of great compassion of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it universally enters all worlds. The door of great vows of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it ultimately pervades the ten directions’ Dharma realms. The door of great kindness of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it universally shelters all living beings. The conduct and cultivation of a Bodhisattva are without measure, as they are practiced in all kshetras throughout all kalpas. The power of samadhi of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it brings about non-retreat from the Bodhisattva path. The power of uniting and upholding of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it can uphold all worlds. The power of the wisdom-light of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it can universally certify to entry to the three periods of time. The power of spiritual penetrations of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it can universally manifest the nets of all kshetras. The power of eloquence of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as its one sound can be understood by all. The pure body of a Bodhisattva is without measure, as it pervades all Buddha kshetras.”
The Youth Good Wealth said, "Sagely One, you should have obtained anuttarasamyaksambodhi long ago!"
She answered, "Good man, it is not for the sake of teaching, transforming and subduing one single living being that a Bodhisattva brings forth the Bodhiresolve. Nor is it for the sake of teaching, transforming, and subduing a hundred living beings that a Bodhisattva brings forth the Bodhiresolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of teaching, transforming, and subduing an ineffably ineffable number squared of living beings that a Bodhisattva brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“It is not for the sake of teaching and transforming living beings within one world that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of teaching and transforming living beings in an ineffably ineffable number squared of worlds that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is not for the sake of teaching and transforming living beings in worlds as many as dust motes within Jambudvipa that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is not for the sake of teaching and transforming living beings in worlds as many as dust motes within a trichiliocosm, he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of teaching and transforming living beings in worlds many as dust motes in an ineffably ineffable number squared of trichiliocosms that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“It is not for the sake of making offerings to one Tathagata he brings forth the Bodhi resolve And so forth up to it is not for the sake of making offerings to an ineffably ineffable number squared of Tathagatas that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is not for the sake of making offerings to Tathagatas who appear in succession within one world that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of making offerings to Tathagatas who appear in succession within an ineffably ineffable number squared of worlds that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is not for the sake of making offerings to Tathagatas who appear in succession within worlds as many as dust motes in one trichiliocosm that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of making offerings to Tathagatas who appear in succession in worlds as many as dust motes in an ineffably ineffable number squared of Buddha kshetras, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“It is not for the sake of adorning and purifying one world system that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of adorning and purifying an ineffably ineffable number squared of worlds that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is not for the sake of adorning and purifying worlds as many as dust motes within one trichiliocosm that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of adorning and purifying worlds as many as dust motes within an ineffably ineffable number squared of trichiliocosms that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“It is not for the sake of making dwell and maintaining the Dharma heritage of one Tathagata, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to it is not for the sake of making dwell and maintaining the Dharma heritage of an ineffably ineffable number squared of Tathagatas , that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is not for the sake of making dwell and maintaining the Dharma heritage of Tathagatas in worlds as many as dust motes within one Jambudvipa that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. And so forth up to t is not for the sake of making dwell and maintaining the Dharma heritage of Tathagatas in worlds as many as dust motes within an ineffably ineffable number squared of Buddha kshetras that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“To speak of it in general terms, it is not for the sake of fulfilling the vows of one Buddha; not for the sake of dwelling in one Buddha country; not for the sake of entering one Buddha's assembly; not for the sake of upholding the Dharma-eye of one Buddha; not for the sake of turning the Dharma Wheel of one Buddha; not for the sake of knowing the successive order of all kalpas within one world; not for the sake of knowing the sea of the mind of one living being; not for the sake of knowing the sea of faculties of one living being; not for the sake of knowing the sea of karma of one living being; not for the sake of knowing he sea of conduct of one living being; not for the sake of knowing the sea of afflictions of one living being; not for the sake of knowing the sea of afflicted habits of one living being; and so forth up to it is not for the sake of knowing the sea of afflicted habits of living beings as many as dust motes in an ineffably ineffable number squared of Buddha kshetras, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“It is because he wishes to teach, transform, tame, and subdue absolutely all living beings without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to serve and make offerings to absolutely all Buddhas without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to adorn and purify all Buddha lands without exception that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to protect and uphold the proper teaching of absolutely all Buddhas without exception that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“It is because he wishes to perfect the vows of absolutely all Tathagatas without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to travel to absolutely all Buddha lands without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to enter the assemblies of absolutely all Buddhas without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to know the successive order of all kalpas within absolutely all worlds without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to know the seas of minds of absolutely all living beings without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to know the seas of faculties of absolutely all living beings without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to know the seas of karma of absolutely all living beings without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to know the seas of conduct of absolutely all living beings without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to destroy the seas of afflictions of absolutely all living beings without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve. It is because he wishes to pull them out of the seas of absolutely all afflictions and bad habits without exception, that he brings forth the Bodhi resolve.
“Good man, to speak of the essential points, with the above millions of asamkhyeyas of expedient practices, a Bodhisattva brings forth the Bodhi resolve. Good man, a Bodhisattva practices universal entry into all dharmas, for he certifies to attainment of them all. He universally enters all kshetras, for he adorns and purifies them all. Therefore, Good man, not until all the worlds are adorned and purified, will my vows be exhausted. Not until I have exhaustively pulled out the afflictions and bad habits of all living beings, will my vows be fulfilled.”
Good Wealth asked, "Sagely One, what is the name of this liberation?"
She answered, "Good man, this liberation is called Banner of Security Apart from Worry."
"Good man, I only know this single door of liberation. As to all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, their minds are like the sea, in that they can completely contain and receive all Buddhadharmas. They are like Mount Sumeru, in that they possess solid will and intent, which cannot be moved. They are like the medicine Good View, in that they can eradicate the severe illness of afflictions of living beings.
“They are like the bright, pure sun, in that they can break through the dark obstructions of living beings' ignorance. They are like the great earth, in that they can act as a place of reliance for all living beings. They are like a good breeze, in that they can benefit all living beings. They are like a bright lamp, in that they can produce the light of wisdom for living beings. They are like a great cloud, in that they can rain down the Dharma of still extinction for living beings. They are like the pure moon, in that they can emit the light of blessings and virtue for living beings. They are like Lord Shakra, in that they can protect and guard all living beings. How could I possibly know or speak of such conduct of merit and virtue?
“Good man, to the south of this place, Sea Tide, there is a country called Nalayur. Within it is a Rishi called Bhishmottaranirghosha. Go to where he is and ask him how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct, and how he cultivates the Bodhisattva path.”
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth bowed at her feet, and circumambulated her countless times. He gazed up at her with longing admiration, and sorrowfully wept.
He reflected in this way, “To obtain Bodhi is difficult. To draw near a good knowing advisor is difficult. To encounter a good knowing advisor is difficult. To obtain the faculties of a Bodhisattva is difficult. To purify the faculties of a Bodhisattva is difficult. To encounter good advisors who cultivate conduct similar to one's own is difficult. To contemplate according to principle is difficult. To cultivate relying on the teaching is difficult. To happen upon expedient devices that give rise to a mind of goodness is difficult. To happen upon the Dharma light that increases All-Wisdom is difficult. After entertaining these reflections, the Youth Good Wealth bade farewell and took his leave.
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