The Ten Good Teachers of the Ten Conducts
XIV. The Layman Clear Knowledge, The City Great Production
The Conduct of Unbendingness
At that time, the youth Good Wealth attained the liberation Light of the Treasury of Inexhaustible Adornment with Blessings and Virtue.
He contemplated that void of blessings and virtue.
He tended toward that collection of blessings and virtue.
He ascended that mountain of blessings and virtue.
He gathered in that treasury of blessings and virtue.
He entered that well-spring of blessings and virtue.
He coursed in that pool of blessings and virtue.
He purified that wheel of blessings and virtue.
He beheld that treasury of blessings and virtue.
He entered that door of blessings and virtue.
He walked that path of blessings and virtue.
He cultivated that seed of blessings and virtue.
He traveled progressively until he arrived at the city Great Production. He universally sought the layman Clear Knowledge. Toward the good knowing advisor, his mind produced unquenchable admiration. Relying on the good knowing advisor, he saturated his mind with practice. Toward the good knowing advisor, his resolution and intent were firm and solid. He facilitated the means to seek audience with the good knowing advisor with a non-retreating mind. He vowed to get to serve the good knowing advisor, with a mind free of laxness and weariness. He knew that by relying on a good knowing advisor, one can complete the multitude of good deeds. He knew that by relying on a good knowing advisor, one can give rise to the multitude of blessings. He knew that by relying on a good knowing advisor, one can increase the multitude of conducts. He knew that by relying on a good knowing advisor, one need not be taught by others, but on one’s own can serve all wholesome friends.
As he was reflecting in this way, he extended his good roots. He purified his deep intent. He expanded his root-nature. He augmented the basis of his virtue. He increased his great vows. He broadened his great compassion. He drew near to All Wisdom and became replete with the path of Universal Worthy. He illuminated all the Proper Dharma of all Buddhas. He increased and grew in the light of the Thus Come Ones’ Ten Powers.
At that time, Good Wealth saw that layman inside the city. At the junction of the four thoroughfares of that town, on top of a seven-jeweled platform, was installed a throne adorned with countless gems. That throne was wondrously fine. Pure mani made up its body. Vajra imperial blue gems made up its legs. Jeweled tassels intertwined about it. Five hundred gems ornamented it . Heavenly precious garments were strewn over it. Heavenly banners and streamers were erected around it. A great jeweled net was suspended above it. A great jeweled curtain was draped over it. Covering it protectively was a canopy of jambunada gold, the vaidurya-studded poles of which were upheld by bearers. Plumes from regal swans, pure and adorned, served as fans. A multitude of wondrous incenses perfumed the air, while there rained down multitudes of heavenly flowers. To his left and right, five hundred kinds of musical sounds played constantly. Their sounds were melodious and wonderful, and excelled the music of the heavens. All the living beings who heard it were delighted.
A retinue of ten thousand circumambulated him. Their physical features were upright and adorned, pleasing to all who saw them. Objects of heavenly adornment served as their ornaments. Among gods and humans, they were most supreme. All of them had accomplished the resolution and intent of a Bodhisattva. They shared with the layman the same good roots from the past. They stood in attendance, gazed up at him, and carried out his instructions.
At that time, Good Wealth bowed at his feet, circumambulated him measureless times, stood, with his palms together, and said, "Sagely One, for the sake of benefiting all beings; for the sake of causing all beings to leave suffering and difficulty; for the sake of causing all beings to attain ultimate joy and peace; for the sake of causing all beings to escape from the sea of birth and death; for the sake of causing all beings to dwell on the jeweled continent of dharmas; for the sake of causing all beings to dry up the river of love; for the sake of causing all beings to give rise to great kindness and compassion; for the sake of causing all beings to renounce and leave desire and love; for the sake of causing all beings to thirstily aspire to the Buddha’s wisdom; for the sake of causing all beings to get out of the wilderness of birth and death; for the sake of causing all beings to delight in all Buddha’s merit and virtue; for the sake of causing all beings to get out of the city of the Three Realms; for the sake of causing all beings to enter the city of All Wisdom. For reasons such as these, I have brought forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi. And yet I still do not know how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct; how he cultivates the Bodhisattva path; and how he acts as a place of reliance and repose for all beings."
The layman told him, "Good indeed, good indeed, good man, that you have been able to bring forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi! Good man, a person who brings forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi is difficult to come by. If a person can bring forth the resolve, then he can seek the Bodhisattva conduct.
“In meeting a good knowing advisor, he will be forever without weariness or satiation. In drawing close to a good knowing advisor, he will be eternally without fatigue. In making offerings to a good knowing advisor, he will be forever without tiredness or laxness. In serving a good knowing advisor, he will not become aggrieved. In seeking a good knowing advisor, he will never retreat. In cherishing and being mindful of a good knowing advisor, he will never forsake him. In attending a good knowing advisor, he will take no momentary respite. In gazing up at a good knowing advisor, he will never pause for rest. In practicing the good knowing advisor’s teachings, he will never be lax or slothful. In carrying out the good knowing advisor’s intentions, he will never make mistakes.
“Good man, do you see the people in this assembly?”
Good Wealth answered, "Yes! I see them."
The layman said, "Good man, I have already caused them to bring forth the resolve for anuttarasamyaksambodhi, and to be born in the Thus Come Ones’ households to increase and grow in pristine dharmas; to securely abide in all the limitless paramitas; to study the Buddhas' Ten Powers; to be apart from the clan of the world and to dwell in the clan of the Thus Come Ones; to renounce the wheel of birth and death and to turn the wheel of Proper Dharma; to destroy the three evil destinies and to dwell in the destiny of Proper Dharma; and, like all Bodhisattvas, to be able to rescue and protect all living beings.
“Good man, I have attained the liberation door of The Treasury of Producing Blessings and Virtue According to One's Intent. If anyone needs anything, I can completely fulfill their wishes. Specifically, clothes and necklaces; elephants, horses, carts and carriages; flowers, incense, banners and canopies; drink, food, potions and medicines; buildings, dwellings, houses and residences; beds, sitting mats, lamps and torches; slaves, maid servants, cattle and sheep; and all types of attendants—all these necessities of life, everything they need – I can completely provide for them, up to and including speaking true, actual and wonderful Dharma for them.
“Good man, wait for a short moment, you will see for yourself.” Right as he was saying this, limitless beings from various directions, various worlds, various countries, various cities and counties, each of different shapes and species, of varying delights and desires, their number boundless, all arrived and gathered there together, because of the power of vows made by the Bodhisattva in the past. Each of them according to his individual wishes, made requests and asked for favors.
At that time, knowing that the multitudes had all gathered together, the layman became absorbed in thought for a brief instant. He gazed up into empty space, and then the very things they needed all descended from empty space. Everyone in that multitude was completely satisfied.
Then he spoke various Dharmas for them. Specifically, for those who were fulfilled and made content from the fine food they had obtained, he spoke of the various ways to amass blessings and virtue; ways to separate from poverty; ways to know all dharmas; ways to accomplish joy in Dharma and food from the bliss of dhyana; ways to cultivate and become replete with the hallmarks and characteristics; ways to increase, grow and accomplish the ability to be firm and undaunted; ways to be skilled at understanding unsurpassed food; ways to accomplish the power of great awesome virtue to subdue demonic enmity.
For those who were fulfilled and made content from the fine drink they had obtained, he spoke Dharma, thus causing them to renounce and separate from love and attachment within birth and death, and to take in the flavor of Buddhadharmas.
For those who obtained the various supreme flavors, he spoke Dharmaand caused them to attain the marks of all Buddhas’, Thus Come Ones’ superior flavor.
For those who were fulfilled and made content by obtaining carts and carriages, he proclaimed various Dharma doors and caused them all to ride in the Mahayana.
For those who were fulfilled and made content from obtaining clothes, he spoke Dharma and caused them to obtain the garment of pure shame and remorse. Up to and including the Thus Come One’s pure and wonderful form. There was absolutely nothing lacking. Thereafter he spoke Dharma responding to their needs. After hearing the Dharma, they returned to where they originally came from.
Then, after having manifested a Bodhisattva’s state of inconceivable liberation for the youth Good Wealth, the layman told him, "Good man, I only know this liberation door of The Treasury of Producing Blessings and Virtue According to One's Intent. But as to how all Bodhisattva Mahasattvas, accomplish jeweled hands; how they pervasively shade all the ten directions’ countries; how with the power of self-mastery they universally rain down all provisions of life; specifically, raining down vari-colored jewels; vari-colored necklaces; vari-colored precious crowns; vari-colored garments; vari-colored music; vari-colored flowers; vari-colored incense; ari-colored powdered incense; vari-colored burning incense; vari-colored jeweled canopies; vari-colored banners and streamers; so they fill up the dwelling places of all beings and the assemblies and Way places of all Thus Come Ones; and how they either use these objects to bring all beings to maturation, or to make offerings to all Buddhas—how could I possibly know or speak of the sovereign spiritual power of their merit and virtue?
“Good man, south of here is a great city called Lion Palace, where there is an elder named Crest Jewel of Dharma. Go to him and ask him how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct, and cultivates the Bodhisattva Way.”
At that time, the youth Good Wealth was delighted and leapt for joy. He paid honor and respect to him, and made obeisance as a disciple should. And he had the following thought:
Because of the protection and care the layman has for me, I am caused to see the path of All Wisdom; to not cut off the view of cherishing and being mindful of the good knowing advisor; to not impair the mind that reveres the good knowing advisor; to always accord with the good knowing advisor’s teaching; to decisively and deeply believe in the words of the good knowing advisor; and to always bring forth a deep resolve to serve the good knowing advisor.
He then bowed at his feet, circumambulated him limitless times, gazed up at him with earnest admiration, bade farewell and left.
Chapter 39, Section VII
XV. The Elder Crest Jewel of Dharma, The City Lion Palace
The Conduct of Freedom from Deluded Confusion
At that time, upon hearing of this liberation at the place of the layman Clear Knowledge, the youth Good Wealth swam in that sea of blessings and virtue.
He tilled that field of blessings and virtue.
He gazed up at that mountain of blessings and virtue.
He tended toward that ferry of blessings and virtue.
He opened that treasury of blessings and virtue.
He contemplated that Dharma of blessings and virtue.
He purified that wheel of blessings and virtue.
He savored that collection of blessings and virtue.
He produced that power of blessings and virtue.
He increased that strength of blessings and virtue.
He traveled progressively, toward Lion City, and sought everywhere for the elder Crest Jewel of Dharma. He saw the elder in the heart of that town, and promptly went to where he was. He bowed at his feet, circumambulated him countless times, stood with his palms together, and said, "Sagely One, I have already brought forth the resolve for anuttarasamyak-sambodhi. Yet I still do not know how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct and how he cultivates the Bodhisattva way. Good indeed! Sagely One, I wish you would speak for me the path of all Bodhisattvas. Riding on this path, I will tend toward All Wisdom."
At that time the elder, holding Good Wealth by the hand, took him to where he lived, and showed him his house. He said, "Good man, take a look at my house."
At that time Good Wealth saw that his house was pure and bright. It was made of true gold. The walls were of white silver. Crystal made up the hall. Violet vaidurya gems served as pavilions and chambers. Wondrous gems of mother-of-pearl made up the columns. Hundreds of thousands of kinds of gems were spread all over as adornment. Red pearl manis formed the lion's throne. Manis made up the curtains. True pearls fashioned a net and covered it from above. A pool of carnelian gems brimmed with fragrant waters.
Limitless jeweled trees were everywhere arranged in rows. His residence was vast and expansive. It had ten stories and eight doors.
After Good Wealth entered it, he contemplated it in successive order.
He saw on the lowest story, the giving of a myriad drinks and food.
He saw on the second story, the giving of all jeweled garments.
He saw on the third story, the giving of all jeweled objects of adornment.
He saw on the fourth story, the giving of all hand maidens and a myriad of superior, wondrous and rare treasures. He saw on the fifth story, Bodhisattvas up to and including those of the Fifth Ground, who gathered together like clouds. They proclaimed all Dharmas and benefited the world. They accomplished all dharani doors, all samadhi seals, all samadhi conducts, and the light of wisdom.
He saw on the sixth story, all the Bodhisattvas who had already realized most profound wisdom. They had understood and penetrated the nature of all dharmas. They had accomplished the Door of Non-Obstruction of Vast, Great Uniting and Holding Samadhi. Their practices were unobstructed. They did not dwell in dualistic dharmas. In ineffable, wonderfully adorned Way places, they congregated and assembled.
They discriminately manifested the doors of prajna paramita.
Specifically, the prajna paramita door of The Treasury of Still Quiescence;
the prajna paramita door of Skilled Discrimination of All Living Beings' Wisdom;
the prajna paramita door of Not Being Moved or Turned;
the prajna paramita door of The Light of Being Apart From Desire;
the prajna paramita door of The Treasury of Invincibility;
the prajna paramita door of The Wheel that Illumines Living Beings;
the prajna paramita door of The Treasury of Seas;
the prajna paramita door of Universal Eye Renouncing and Attaining;
the prajna paramita door of Entering the Treasury of Inexhaustibility;
the prajna paramita door of The Sea of All Expedients;
the prajna paramita door of Entering the Seas of All Worlds;
the prajna paramita door of Unobstructed Eloquence;
the prajna paramita door of According with Living Beings;
the prajna paramita door of Unobstructed Light;
the prajna paramita door of Constantly Contemplating Past Conditions and Billowing Forth Dharma Clouds. They proclaimed millions of asamkhyeyas of prajnaparamita doors such as these.
He saw on the seventh level, all the Bodhisattvas who had attained patience of all being like an echo. With expedient wisdom they discriminately contemplated and attained the means of escape. They could completely hear and uphold the Proper Dharma of all Buddhas.
He saw on the eighth level, limitless Bodhisattvas who gathered together. All of them had attained spiritual penetrations and were without retreating or falling. With a single sound they could pervade the kshetras of the ten directions. Their bodies universally manifested in all Way places. Exhausting the Dharma Realm, there was nowhere they did not pervade. They universally entered the Buddhas' states. They universally beheld the Buddhas' bodies. They universally acted as leaders in all Buddhas' assemblies, and proclaimed the Dharma.
He saw on the ninth level, those Bodhisattva multitudes who were bound by one life, who had gathered there together.
He saw that the tenth level was filled with all Thus Come Ones. From their bringing forth their initial resolve; their cultivating the Bodhisattva conduct; their transcending birth and death; their fulfilling great vows; their power of spiritual penetrations; their purifying of Buddhalands; their assemblies and Way places; their turning the wheel of Proper Dharma; their taming and subduing living beings—all this was made clearly visible to him.
At that time, after seeing these events, Good Wealth asked, "Sagely One, what are the conditions that brought about these pure assemblies? What good roots were planted to reap results such as these?"
The elder told him, "Good man, I remember in the past, going back kalpas to the number of dust motes in Buddha kshetras, there was a world called Perfect Adornment. The Buddha's title was King of Universal Adornment of the Dharmarealm with Boundless Light, Thus Come One, One Worthy of Offerings, One of Proper and Equal Enlightenment, Perfect in the Ten Titles."
When that Buddha entered the city, I played music and lit one piece of incense as an offering to him. The merit and virtue from this I transferred to three places. Specifically: to be forever apart from all poverty, destitution, difficulty, and suffering; to forever see all Buddhas and good knowing advisors; and to forever hear the Proper Dharma. Because of this I reaped this reward.
"Good man, I only know this liberation door of A Bodhisattva’s Treasury of Jewels of Limitless Blessings and Virtue. As to how all Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas obtain the treasury of jewels of inconceivable merit and virtue; how they enter the undifferentiated sea of the Thus Come Ones' bodies; how they receive undifferentiated, unsurpassed clouds of Dharma; how they cultivate undifferentiated aids to the Way of merit and virtue; how they give rise to the undifferentiated net of Universal Worthy's conduct; how they enter the undifferentiated states of samadhi; how they have the same undifferentiated good roots of a Bodhisattva ; how they abide in the undifferentiated dwelling of a Thus Come One; how they certify to undifferentiated sameness of the three periods of time; how they dwell in the state of universal eye; and how they dwell in all kalpas without weariness or satiation—how could I possibly know or speak of their conducts of merit and virtue?
"Good man, south of here is a kingdom called Reed Root. In that country is a city called Door of Universality. Within it is an elder known as Universal Eye. Go to him and ask him how a Bodhisattva studies the Bodhisattva conduct and cultivates the Bodhisattva Way.”
At that time, the youth Good Wealth bowed at his feet, circumambulated him countless times, and gazed up at him with longing admiration. Then he bade farewell and left.
