The Ten Good Teachers of the Ten Dwellings
IX. Brahman Victorious Heat, Village of Ishana
Dwelling of Dharma Prince
At that time, upon being illuminated by the liberation of the Bodhisattva’s Insurpassable Banner, the Youth Good Wealth dwelt in the inconceivable spiritual power of all Buddhas. He certified to the wisdom of a Bodhisattva’s inconceivable liberations and spiritual penetrations. He obtained the inconceivable samadhi wisdom light of a Bodhisattva. He obtained the samadhi wisdom light of saturating and cultivating at all times. He obtained the samadhi wisdom light of understanding that all states rely and dwell on thought. He obtained the light of wisdom that is supreme in all worlds. In all places he manifested his body. With ultimate wisdom, he proclaimed Dharma which was level, equal, non-dual and without differentiation. With clear and pure wisdom he universally illumined all states. He could endure and receive all dharmas that he heard. He had pure faith and understanding. Towards the self-nature of dharmas, he possessed decisive understanding. His mind never abandoned the wonderful conduct of a Bodhisattva. He sought All-Wisdom and never retreated. He obtained the wisdom light of the Ten Powers. He diligently sought the wonderful Dharma, forever without tiredness or satiation.
With proper cultivation and practice, he entered the Buddhas’ state. He gave rise to limitless adornments of a Bodhisattva. His boundless great vows had all been purified. With a wisdom that is without exhaustion, he knew the nets of boundless worlds. With an uncowardly mind he rescued limitless seas of living beings. He understood the states of the boundless conducts of a Bodhisattva. He perceived the various distinctions of boundless wisdom. He saw the various adornments of boundless worlds. He entered into the subtle states of boundless worlds. He knew the various names and titles of boundless worlds. He knew the various languages and speech of boundless worlds. He knew the various understandings of boundless living beings. He saw the various activities of boundless living beings. He saw the maturation of the conduct of boundless living beings. He saw the different thought of boundless living beings.
He recollected his good knowing advisor and traveled progressively until he arrived at the village of Ishana. He saw that Victorious Heat was cultivating all sorts of ascetic practices in his search for All-Wisdom. He had masses of fire on all four sides like great mountains. In their midst was a mountain of knives—precipitous and of height unending. Climbing to that mountain top, he would cast himself into the fire.
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth bowed at his feet, stood, put his palms together, 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 explain this for me.”
The brahman said, “Good Man, if you can now go up this mountain of knives and throw yourself into the mass of fire, then all your Bodhisattva conduct will be purified.”
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth had this thought, “It is difficult to obtain a human body. It is difficult to be apart from all disasters. It is difficult to attain freedom from difficulties. It is difficult to obtain pure dharmas. It is difficult to meet the Buddha. It is difficult to be replete with all faculties. It is difficult to get to hear the Buddhadharma. It is difficult to get to meet good people. It is difficult to encourage a true good knowing advisor. It is difficult to receive proper teaching that accords with principle. It is difficult to have proper livelihood. It is difficult to get to practice according to the Dharma.
“Is this not a demon or envoy of a demon? Is this not an evil and treacherous accomplice of demons who feigns the appearance of a Bodhisattva and good knowing advisor? Who wishes to create difficulty for my good roots; to create difficulty for my lifespan; to obstruct my cultivation of the path of All-Wisdom; to drag me down so I enter into the evil paths?
Does he wish to obstruct my dharma-doors, and obstruct my Buddhadharmas?”
While he was having this thought, ten thousand Brahma gods spoke to him from empty space. “Good man, do not have this thought! Do not have this thought! This Sagely One has obtained the light of the Vajra Blaze Samadhi. He has brought forth great vigor to save all living beings. His mind is without retreat. He wishes to dry up all the seas of greed and love. He wishes to sever all nets of deviant views. He wishes to consume the fuel of all afflictions. He wishes to shine through the dense forest of all delusions. He wishes to cut off all fear of old age and death. He wishes to break up all the obstructions of the three periods of time. He wishes to emit the light of all dharmas.
“Good man, we Brahma gods are over-attached to deviant views. We claim we are ones possessed of self-mastery; that we are capable of creation; that in the world we are the most supreme. Upon seeing the brahman Victorious Heat subject his body to the five fires, our minds no longer took pleasure in or were attached to our palaces. We could not derive flavor from the dhyana samadhis. So all of us came to where the brahman was.
“At that time, the brahman manifested great ascetic practices with the power of his spiritual penetrations, and spoke Dharma for us. He was able to cause all of us to dispel all those views; to get rid of all arrogance; to dwell in great kindness; to practice great compassion; to bring forth a vast great mind; to produce the aspiration for Bodhi; to constantly see all Buddhas; to forever hear wonderful Dharma; so that in all places our minds were unobstructed.
Moreover, there were ten thousand demons, who from empty space strewed heavenly mani gems upon the brahman. They said to Good Wealth, “Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze overshadowed the objects of adornment in all our palaces, so that they became like a clump of ink. It caused us to no longer give rise to pleasure and attachment in their midst. Whereupon we came to where he was with our retinues. The brahman spoke Dharma for us. He caused us and measureless gods and goddesses, all to attain irreversibility from anuttarasamyaksambodhi.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand kings of the Heaven of Ease and Comfort, who from empty space each strewed heavenly flowers. They said, “Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze overshadowed the objects of adornment in all our palaces, so that they became like a clump of ink. It caused us to no longer give rise to love and attachment in their midst. Whereupon we came to where he was with our retinues. This brahman spoke Dharma for us. He caused us to obtain ease and comfort in our minds; to obtain ease and comfort in the midst of afflictions; to obtain ease and comfort in the midst of undergoing rebirth; to obtain ease and comfort regarding all karmic obstacles; to obtain ease and comfort regarding all samadhis; to obtain ease and comfort regarding articles of adornment; to obtain ease and comfort regarding our lifespans. Up to and including being able to obtain ease and comfort regarding all Buddhadharmas.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand kings of the Heaven of Bliss from Transformations who in empty space played heavenly music respectfully as an offering. They said, “Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze illumined the objects of adornment in our palaces and all the heavenly maidens. It enabled us not to become receptive to pleasures and desire; and not to seek pleasures and desire. Our bodies and minds became gentle and supple. Thereupon we came to where he was with our multitudes. At that time, the brahman spoke Dharma for us. He was able to cause our minds to obtain purity; to cause our minds to obtain pure goodness; to cause our minds to obtain gentle suppleness; to cause our minds to obtain happiness; up to and including to cause us to obtain the purity of the Ten Powers and purity of body to give rise to measureless bodies; up to and including to cause us to obtain the Buddha’s body; the Buddha’s speech; the Buddha’s sound; the Buddha’s mind; and to perfect and accomplish the wisdom of All-Wisdoms.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand Tushita heavenly kings and measureless retinues of gods and goddesses, who in empty space, rained down a multitude of wonderful fragrances and bowed in veneration. They said, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, he caused all of us gods and our retinues to be without delight or attachment toward our palaces. Together, we came to where he was and heard him speak Dharma. He was able to cause us not to be greedy for states; to have few desires and know contentment; to bring forth happiness in our minds; to obtain fulfillment in our hearts; to give rise to good roots; to produce the Bodhi resolve; up to and including to perfect all Buddhadharmas.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand gods of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three with retinues of gods and goddesses surrounding them on all sides, who from empty space, rained down mandaravara flowers respectfully as an offering. They said, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, he caused all of us gods to not give rise to pleasure and attachment toward heavenly music. Together, we came to where he was. At at that time, for our sake the brahman spoke of how dharmas are impermanent and subject to decay. He caused us to renounce and leave all desires and pleasures. He caused us to cut off arrogance and self-indulgence. He caused us to yearn for Unsurpassed Bodhi. Moreover, Good man, at the time we beheld the brahman, there were six types of quaking on the summit of Mount Sumeru. We were terrified, and all brought forth the Bodhi resolve that was firm, solid, and unmoving.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand dragon kings, specifically the dragon king Airavata, the dragon kings Nandaand Upanandaand so forth, who from empty space rained down black chandana. Measureless dragon maidens played heavenly music, and rained down wonderful heavenly flowers and heavenly fragrant water, respectfully as an offering. They said, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze universally illumined all the dragon palaces. It caused the dragon multitudes to be apart from the terror of hot sand and the terror of the golden winged birds; to destroy our hatred and anger; to attain purity and coolness in our bodies; to be without filth and turbidity; to believe and understand on hearing the Dharma; to grow tired of and be repulsed by the destiny of dragons; to repent of and dispel our karmic obstacles with a sincere mind; up to and including to bring forth the intent for anuttarasamyaksambodhi and to dwell in All-Wisdom.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand yaksha kings, who in empty space respectfully used various articles as offerings to the brahman and Good Wealth. They said, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, we and our retinues all brought forth a mind of kindness and sympathy toward living beings. All rakshasas, kumbhandas, and so forth also gave rise to a mind of kindness. Because of this mind of kindness, they did not vex or harm living beings. They came to see us. We, along with them, no longer took pleasure in or were attached to our palaces. Together, we came to where he was. At that time, the brahman spoke Dharma that responded to our potential. All of us obtained peace and joy in body and mind. He also caused measureless yakshas, rakshasas, kumbhandas, and so forth to produce the mind for Unsurpassed Bodhi.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand gandharva kings in empty space who said, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze illuminated our palaces, causing all of us to experience inconceivable and measureless joy. For this reason, we came to where he was. This brahman spoke Dharma for us, and enabled us to attain irreversibility from anuttarasamyaksambodhi.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand asura kings, who emerged from the great sea to dwell in empty space. They knelt on their right knees, put their palms together, and bowing forward, said, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, our asura palaces, the great sea and the great earth all trembled and shook. This caused us to renounce our arrogance and self-indulgence. For this reason, we came to where he was and heard him speak the Dharma. We renounced and separated from flattery and deceit, and peacefully dwelt on the Ground of Patience. We became firm, solid and unmoving, and perfected the Ten Powers.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand garuda kings. Courageous-Might-Upholding King, who acted as their leader, transformed himself into a pure youth of an externalist way. In empty space he sang out these words, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze illumined our palaces. Everything quaked and trembled, and everyone was terrified. For this reason we came to where he was. At that time, the brahman spoke Dharma that responded to our potential. He caused us to cultivate and practice great kindness; to laud great compassion; to cross over the sea of birth and death; to rescue living beings from the mud of desire; to extol the resolve for bodhiBodhi; to give rise to the wisdom of expedients; and, according to their potential to tame and subdue living beings.”
Moreover, there were ten thousand kinnara kings, who from empty space sang out in these words, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, all the tala trees, the nets of jeweled bells, the ribbons of precious silks, the musical trees, the trees of wondrous jewels, and the musical instruments in the palaces we inhabited—spontaneously emitted sounds of the Buddha, sounds of the Dharma, sounds of the irreversible Sangha; and sounds of the vow to seek Unsurpassed Bodhi. These sounds proclaimed how in a certain direction, in a certain country, a certain Bodhisattva brought forth the Bodhi resolve; or how in a certain direction, in a certain country, a certain Bodhisattva cultivated ascetic practices, renouncing that which is difficult to renounce; up to the point of purifying the conduct of All-Wisdom; how in a certain direction, in a certain country, a certain Bodhisattva went to a Way-place; up to and including how in a certain direction, in a certain country, a certain Thus Come One, having finished the work of a Buddha, entered Parinirvana.
“Good man, if a person were to grind the grasses and trees in Jambudvipa into motes of dust, the extent of the number of those dust motes could still be known, but no one can know the extent of the names of Bodhisattvas, the names of Thus Come Ones, the great vows they brought forth, the conducts they cultivated and so forth, which were proclaimed by the jeweled tala trees, up to and including the sounds played by the musical instruments within our palaces.
“Good man, upon hearing these sounds of the Buddha, sounds of the Dharma, and sounds of the Bodhisattva Sangha, we brought forth great joy and came to where he was. Thereupon the brahman spoke Dharma that responded to our potential, and caused us and measureless other living beings to obtain irreversibility from anuttarasamyaksambodhi.”
Moreover, there were measureless gods of the Desire Realm, who in empty space respectfully made offerings of wonderful articles. They sang out these words, "Good man, when this brahman subjected his body to the five fires, the light from that blaze illumined the Avici and all the other hells. All the pains we were undergoing came to a rest. Upon seeing the light from this blaze, our minds brought forth pure faith. Because of this mind of faith, when our lives were terminated, we were reborn in the heavens. Being aware of this debt of kindness, we came to gaze up at him respectfully in admiration, without any satiation. At that time, the brahman spoke Dharma for us, and caused measureless living beings to give rise to the Bodhi resolve."
When the Youth Good Wealth heard such Dharma, his mind became greatly joyous. Toward the brahman, he produced the thought that he was a true and actual good knowing advisor. He bowed in veneration and sang out these words, “Here in this place, I regarded the great sage, the good knowing advisor, with a mind that was not wholesome. I only hope that the Sagely One will accept my repentance for my mistake.”
At that time, the brahman spoke verses for Good Wealth,
“If there are Bodhisattvas who
Accord with the good knowing advisor's teaching,
Then toward all they’ll have no doubt or fear,
But dwell serene, their minds unmoving.
Know that people such as these
Will most certainly reap vast great benefits.
Seated beneath the Bodhi Tree,
They'll accomplish Unsurpassed Enlightenment.”
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth immediately ascended the mountain of knives and threw himself into the masses of fire. Not having even reached its midst, he instantaneously obtained the Bodhisattva’s Samadhi of Good Dwelling. Right upon coming into contact with the blaze, he moreover attained the Bodhisattva's Samadhi of Still Quiet Bliss and Spiritual Penetrations.
Good Wealth said, "Strange indeed, Sagely One! When my body came into contact with this mountain of knives and great masses of fire, I felt peaceful, serene, and joyous!"
At that time, the brahman told Good Wealth, "Good man, I have only attained this liberation of the never-ending wheel of Bodhisattvas. As to how the blaze of great merit and virtue of all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas consumes the view-delusions of living beings, so that none remains; how they absolutely will not retreat; how their minds are without limit or exhaustion; how their minds are without laxness or laziness; how their minds are without cowardice or weakness; how they bring forth a mind that is like a Vajra treasury and Narayana; and also the mind of swiftly cultivating all conducts without delay or tardiness; how with their vows like the wind wheel, they universally uphold the great resolve to be vigorous in all kinds of ways without retreat—how can I possibly know or speak of such conducts of merit and virtue?
“Good man, south of here in a city called Lion's Courageous Invigoration is a maiden by the name of Kind Conduct. Go to where she is and ask her how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct, and how he cultivates the Bodhisattva way.”
At that time, the Youth Good Wealth bowed at his feet, circumambulated him countless times, bade farewell, and left.
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