At that time, Universal Worthy Bodhisattva further addressed the great assembly saying, “Disciples of the Buddha, going back to the remote past, passing through kalpas as many as fine motes of dust in world systems, and further doubling that number, there was a sea of world systems called ‘Light of Purity of The Universal Door.’ Within that sea of world systems, was a world named ‘Supreme Sound,’ which was supported by a sea of nets of mani flowers. It had worlds as many as fine motes of dust in Mount Sumeru as its retinue.”
“It took the shape of a perfect circle. Its earth was composed throughout of limitless adornments. A myriad jeweled trees—three hundred rows deep—together with a ring of mountains, entirely encircled it. Jeweled clouds hovered over it. It was pure, without defilement, and illuminated by light. Its cities, towns, and palaces were likened to Mount Sumeru. Clothing, food, and drink arrived according to one’s thoughts. Its kalpa was named ‘Variously Adorned.’”
“Disciples of the Buddha, within that world Supreme Sound, was a sea of fragrant waters, called ‘Pure Light,’ and from within that sea, an immense Mount Sumeru shaped liked a lotus flower arose, called ‘Banner of Universal Adornments of Blazing Flowers,’ encompassed by ten jeweled railings.”
“On top of that mountain was a great forest called ‘Wheels of Blossoming Mani Branches.’ Innumerable floral pavilions and jeweled parapets entwined it in order. There were numberless banners, wonderfully fragrant, and jeweled mountain banners, most sublime and magnificent. There were numberless jeweled pundarika flowers blooming profusely. Numberless nets of fragrant mani lotus flowers surrounded it and trailed down. There was the sound of harmonious music and there were boundless fragrant clouds shimmering with brilliant light. Millions of kotis of nayutas of cities completely surrounded it, and the living beings inhabiting them were of many different kinds.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, east of that forest was a great metropolis, called ‘Blazing Light.’ It was governed by a human king. Millions of kotis of nayutas of cities completely surrounded it. The inner city, which extended seven thousand yojanas, vertically and seven thousand yojanas horizontally, was composed of pure and wonderful jewels. Its outer walls were composed of the seven precious stones. Its towers and parapets, for repelling enemies, were all lofty and beautiful. The city moat, inlaid with the seven jewels, was filled to its brim with fragrant waters.”
“Utpala flowers, padma flowers, kumuda flowers, and pundarika flowers, wrought from a multitude of gems, were spread out everywhere as ornaments, and seven rings of precious tala trees encompassed it. The palaces and towers were adorned with many jewels; a variety of wonderful nets were draped over them. Rubbing incense and fragrant, lustrous flowers were scattered throughout.”
“There were millions of kotis of nayutas of entrance ways entirely embellished with jewels. In front of each one of those gates hung forty-nine precious shila banners in orderly array.”
“Moreover, there were millions of kotis of parks and groves encircling it all around, within which were various kinds of blended incense mani trees whose fragrance were pervasive, a multitude of birds sang in harmony, delighting those who heard them.”
“Of those people who dwelled in that great city, none had not accomplished the karmic reward of the complete spirit. They ascended space in their coming and going, and their activities were identical to those of the gods. Whatever they wished for appeared in response to their thoughts.”
“To the south of that metropolis was a deva city, called ‘Tree Adorned With Flowers. To the right of that city was a big city of dragons, called ‘Ultimate.’ And next to that was a city of yakshas, called ‘Banner of Supremely Wonderful Vajra.’ Next in succession was a city of gandharvas, called ‘Marvelous Palace,’ and next to that was a city of asuras, called ‘Jeweled Wheel.’”
“Next in order was a city of garudas, called ‘Wonderful Jeweled Adornments,’ and next to that was a city of kinnaras called ‘Rambling in Playful Sport.’ Next was a city of mahoragas, called ‘Vajra Curtain’, and next to that was a city of Brahma heaven kings, called ‘Various Wonderful Adornments.’ And there were others such as those, millions of kotis of nayutas in all. Each one of those cities had millions of kotis of nayutas of pavilions completely encircling it, all limitlessly adorned.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, within the forest Wheels of Blossoming Mani Branches, there was a Way-place called ‘Jeweled Flowers Universally Luminating.’ It was bedecked with an array of magnificent jewels and a profusion of wreaths of mani flowers in full bloom. The fragrant oils used to burn in its lamps glowed with a complete spectrum of jeweled colors, forming resplendent, blazing clouds and nets of universally illuminating light. From its full array of ornaments there continually welled forth exquisite gems. The strains of its music were consistently elegant and refined. From regal mani jewels emerged images of Bodhisattvas. An assortment of wondrous flowers were scattered everywhere throughout the ten directions.”
“In front of that Way-place was a great sea, called ‘Fragrant Mani Vajra.’ From it emerged a huge lotus flower called ‘Flaming Wheels of Flower Buds.’ Its blossom was vast and magnificent, hundreds of kotis of yojanas in size. Its stem, leaves, filaments and calyx were all of wondrous jewels. Ten clusters of ineffable, hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of lotus flowers encircled it. It perpetually emitted light and wondrous sounds which universally pervaded the ten directions.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, during the very first kalpa of that world called Supreme Sound, Thus Come Ones as many as the fine motes of dust in ten Mount Sumerus appeared in the world. The first of those Buddhas was called ‘Sumeru Supreme Cloud of a Mountain of Merit and Virtue.’”
“Disciples of the Buddha, you should know that one hundred years before that Buddha was about to appear in the world, the forest Wheels of Blossoming Mani Branches was everywhere adorned and purified.”
“That is to say, inconceivable flaming jeweled clouds came forth which emitted sounds praising the Buddhas’ merit and virtue and proclaiming their numberless tongues. And the clouds emitted light, forming nets which extended over the ten directions. The palaces and pavilions mutually illuminated one another. Bright lights from jeweled flowers ascended and gathered together to form clouds, which further emitted more wondrous sounds proclaiming the vast and great good roots cultivated by all living beings in days gone by, proclaiming the names of all the Buddhas of the three periods of time, proclaiming the conduct and vows which all Bodhisattvas practice as they cultivate the ultimate Way, and proclaiming the various words spoken by the Thus Come One as they turn the wonderful Dharma wheel.”
“In that way, there manifested all such marks of adornment, auguring the Buddha’s imminent appearance in the world.”
“When the kings of that world saw those omens, their good roots became mature. All of them, wishing to see the Buddha, came to the Way-place.”
“At that time, the Buddha Sumeru Supreme Cloud of a Mountain of Merit and Virtue suddenly emerged from within his Way-place inside the great jeweled lotus and appeared.”
“His universally-pervasive body merged with the true Dharma realm as he manifested taking birth in all the Buddhalands. All the other way places appeared within his Way-place. His boundless, wondrous form was impeccably pure, and nothing in the world could obscure its brilliance. It was replete with a multitude of precious marks. Each one of them distinct and clear. His image appeared in every palace so that all living beings were able to see him before their own eyes. From his body emanated limitless transformation Buddhas and varicolored lights which completely filled the world.”
“Just as the Buddha manifested a body and sat upon a throne within the great forest called Wheels of Blossoming Mani Branches, on the summit of Mount Sumeru Banner of Universal Adornments of Blazing Flowers, in the sea of fragrant waters of Pure Light, so, too, the Buddha appeared in a body and sat upon a throne on each one of the sixty-eight thousand kotis of Sumeru mountain peaks of the world Supreme Sound.”
“Then that Buddha emitted a great light from between his eyebrows. The light was called, ‘The Sound of Initiating All Good Roots,’ and it had rays of lights as many as fine motes of dust in ten Buddhalands as its retinue which completely filled all the lands of the ten directions.”
“The light reached all places where there were living beings ready for being tempered, and upon being touched by the light, they themselves were immediately enlightened. All their delusions and heated afflictions were put to rest. The nets of coverings were rent, the mountains of obstacles were smashed, and the turbid impurities were purged. They gave rise to great belief and understanding. They grew victorious good roots. They came to be eternally apart from all difficulties, fears, and worries. All the suffering and anguish of their bodies and minds were eradicated, and they gave rise to the wish to see the Buddha and the inclination toward all-wisdom.”
“At that time, the world rulers and their retinues of limitless hundreds of thousands were bathed in the Buddha’s light, causing them all to become enlightened. Then they all went to where the Buddha was and made obeisance at his feet.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in that great metropolis Blazing Light lived the king ‘Happy Views Wholesome Wisdom’ who governed hundreds of myriads of kotis of nayutas of cities.”
“The queens and concubines of his palace altogether numbered thirty-seven thousand; ‘Blessed Auspiciousness’ was their leader. And he had five hundred princes; ‘Great Awesome Light’ was their leader. The Prince Great Awesome Light had ten thousand royal princesses, and ‘Wonderful Views’ was their leader.”
“At that time, upon seeing the Buddha’s light, the prince Great Awesome Light, relying on the strength of his good roots from past cultivation, immediately certified to ten kinds of Dharma-doors.”
“What were the ten? Specifically, he certified to and attained the samadhi of all Buddhas’ wheel of merit and virtue; he certified to and attained the universal door Dharani of all Buddha-dharmas; he certified to and attained the prajna-paramita of the vast, great store of expedients; he certified to and attained the great adornment of using generous kindness to subdue all living beings; he certified to and attained the universal cloud of sounds of great compassion; he certified to and attained the sublime joy of producing a most exalted mind of boundless merit and virtue; he certified to and attained the vast renunciation of enlightening to all Dharmas as they truly are; he certified to and attained the mighty spiritual penetration of the vast, great impartial store of expedients; he certified to and attained the mighty vows of increasing strength of faith and understanding; he certified to and attained the door of eloquence of universally entering into the light of all-wisdom.”
“At that time, after having attained such lights of Dharmas, the Prince Great Awesome Light, relying on the Buddha’s awesome strength, universally regarded the great assembly and spoke verses, saying:
In this Way-place is seated the World Honored One
His splendorous, pure light
Like a thousand suns dawning
Illumines the realm of space universally.
Limitless kotis of millennia have passed,
And now a guiding master appears.
The Buddha now has come into the world.
Let us all gaze upon him in reverence.
You should contemplate the Buddha’s light:
Transformation Buddhas—inconceivable
Within their palaces abiding,
Quiescent, in proper samadhi.
Contemplate the Buddha’s spiritual penetrations:
From every pore he emits glowing clouds,
Whose radiance reaches all world realms with inexhaustible light.
Contemplate the Buddha’s body:
His net of light is ultimately pure.
He manifests forms equal to all,
Which pervade the ten directions.
His wondrous sound pervades all worlds,
And those who hear it are all delighted.
According with living beings, in their tongues
He praises the Buddha’s merit and virtue.
Illumined by the light of the World Honored One,
All living beings are blissfully at peace.
Their sufferings all cease to exist,
And their hearts bring forth great joy.
Regard the myriad Bodhisattvas
Assembled here from the ten directions:
They all emit clouds of mani,
Which manifest praising the Buddha.
From inside the Way-place amazing sounds come.
Most profound and far-reaching
And able to end all the sufferings of beings.
Thus is the Buddha’s spiritual might.
All are reverent, all respectful,
While in their hearts comes forth great joy.
Assembled before the World Honored One,
They all gaze up at the Dharma King.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, when that Prince Great Awesome Light spoke those verses, relying upon the Buddha’s spiritual power, his voice universally pervaded the world Supreme Sound.”
“At that time, the King Happy Views Wholesome Wisdom, having heard those verses, was filled with great joy. He gazed upon all in his retinue and spoke verses, saying:
Quickly, now, summon and call together
The heads of state, such as Kings and Princes,
The great ministers and local officials
Of all the cities and rural towns.
Spread the news to the public in all those townships;
Beat on the great drum at once and assemble.
Each and everyone gather together,
And form a procession to go see the Buddha.
At all the places where roads intersect
Ring out the jeweled bell, its sound reaching
Wives and children and retinues all,
So they gather to see the Thus Come One.
The major cities and outlying districts
Should all be made clean and tidy.
Everywhere set up most wondrous banners
Ornamented with mani gems.
Spread out jeweled curtains, bountiful nets,
And musical instruments; arrange them like clouds
In empty space—a magnificent display.
Let every place be filled with them.
Cleanse and bedeck every highway and road;
Everywhere rain down exquisite garments;
Polish and drive your jeweled coaches:
Let us form a procession and go see the Buddha.
Each in accord with his means, everyone,
Everywhere rain down adorning objects;
Arrange them all; display them like clouds,
And densely fill empty space with them.
Incense for burning and lotus-bud canopies,
Crescentric necklaces made of jewels.
And countlessly many wonderful garments:
All such things you should shower down.
Sweet, fragrant waters from Mount Sumeru’s sea,
And supremely splendid wheels of mani,
As well as pure incense made of chandana:
Shower them down and fill up empty space.
A myriad finely-wrought flower necklaces,
Pellucid adornments without any blemish,
And also lamps embellished with mani:
All those should be made to float in empty space.
We should hold them up to present to the Buddha
As in our hearts we bring forth great happiness.
Wives and sons and retinues all, let us
Go and behold the World Honored One.”
“At that time, the King Happy Views Wholesome Wisdom and his thirty-seven thousand royal wives and ladies-in-waiting, with Blessed Auspiciousness as their leader; his five hundred prices, with Great Awesome Light as their leader, his sixty thousand great ministers, with Wisdom Strength as their leader, and so forth—a multitude of seventy-seven hundred thousand kotis of nayutas—circumambulated from front to back as they streamed out of that great metropolis Blazing Light. And by the power of the king, that great multitude ascended into empty space. All of them, replete with offerings which entirely filled empty space, went to where the Buddha was. They made obeisance at the Buddha’s feet. Then they withdrew to one side and sat down.”
“Moreover, from the city called ‘Wonderful Flower’ came the Heavenly King Banner of Wholesome Transformations, together with his retinue of ten kotis of nayutas.”
“From the great city called ‘Ultimate’ came the Dragon King Clear Light, together with his retinue of twenty-five kotis.”
“From the city ‘Supreme Vajra Curtain’ came the Yaksha King Courageous and Vigorous, accompanied by his retinue of seventy-seven kotis.”
“From the city ‘Immaculate’ came the Gandharva King Joyous Vision, accompanied by his retinue of ninety-seven kotis.”
“From the city ‘Wonderful Wheel’ came the Asura King Pure Thoughts, accompanied by his retinue of fifty-eight kotis.”
“Moreover, from the city ‘Wonderful Adornments’ came the Garuda King Ten Powers and Practices, together with his retinue of ninety-nine thousand.”
“From the city ‘Playful Joy and Delight’ came the Kinnara King Vajra Virtue, together with his retinue of eighteen kotis.”
“From the city ‘Vajra Curtain’ came the Mahoraga King Jeweled Appellation Banner, along with his retinue of three kotis of hundreds of thousands of nayutas.”
“And from the city ‘Wonderfully Pure Adornments’ came the Brahma King Most Victorious, together with his retinue of eighteen kotis.”
“And so it went regarding all the kings and their retinues throughout hundreds of myriads of kotis of nayutas of cities. They all amassed together and proceeded to the place of the Thus Come One Sumeru Supreme Cloud of a Mountain of Merit and Virtue. They reverently bowed at the Buddha’s feet, then they withdrew to one side and sat down.”
“Then that Thus Come One, wishing to temper the multitude of living beings. In that oceanic assembly in his Way-place, spoke the Sutra of Universally Gathering in the Dharmas of Self-mastery of All the Buddhas of the Three Periods of Time, with Sutras as many as fine motes of dust in a world system as its retinue. According with the hearts of living beings, he caused them all to obtain benefit.”
“As soon as Great Awesome Light Bodhisattva heard this Dharma, he at once obtained the light from the sea of Dharmas accumulated by Sumeru Supreme Cloud of a Mountain of Merit and Virtue Buddha throughout past lives.”
“He obtained: the light of wisdom from the samadhi of the multitude of Dharmas as being level and equal; the light of wisdom from all the Dharmas of dwelling in the initial resolve for Bodhi; the light of wisdom from the pure eye of universal light treasury, which pervades the ten directions of the Dharma Realm; the light of wisdom from contemplating the sea of all Buddhas’ Dharmas and vast vows; the light of wisdom from entering the boundless sea of the merit and virtue of pure practices; the light of wisdom from the storehouse of the great strength and agility to remain propelled toward non-retreat; the light of wisdom from having limitless powers of change and transformation to escape the wheel within the Dharma Realm; the light of wisdom from decisively entering the sea of the perfection of limitless merit and virtue; the light of wisdom from fully fathoming the sea of decisive discernments and splendid accomplishments; the light of wisdom from completely comprehending the sea of the Buddhas’ spiritual penetrations which enable them to appear before all living beings boundlessly throughout the Dharma Realm; the light of wisdom from thoroughly understanding the Dharmas of all Buddhas’ powers and fearlessnesses.”
“At that time, Great Awesome Light Bodhisattva obtained limitless lights of wisdom such as those, and relying on the Buddha’s awesome strength, he spoke verses saying:
Hearing the Buddha’s wonderful Dharma
I have obtained lights of wisdom,
Thereby seeing the World Honored Ones’
Endeavors from ancient times past.
Every place where they took birth,
Their various names and characteristics,
To their making of offerings to all Buddhas
Such things I witnessed entirely.
How from time now ancient, in those Buddhas’ dwellings,
They served and attended them, each and all,
Cultivated and practiced through limitless kalpas,
To adorn and make pure all kshetra seas.
How they renounced their own physical bodies
Extensively, and without exhaustion,
While cultivating most supreme conduct,
To adorn and make pure all kshetra seas.
Ears, noses, heads, hands, and feet,
As well as all their palaces
They gave up without exhaustion,
To adorn and make pure all kshetra seas.
In each and every world they were able
Throughout inconceivable, millions of eons
To practice and cultivate Bodhi conduct,
And adorn and make pure all kshetra seas.
By the strength of Universal Worthy’s vows,
Amid the ocean of all Buddhas,
They cultivated limitless conduct,
To adorn and make pure all kshetra seas.
Just as it is by the sun’s brilliant light
One is able to see the solar disc,
So too I, by the light of the Buddha’s wisdom,
See the Way practiced by all the Buddhas.
I regard the oceans of all Buddhalands
Pure and brilliant, vast in scope.
In still quiescence I’m certified to Bodhi,
And completely pervade the entire Dharma Realm.”
“I should emulate the World Honored One and vastly make pure the seas of all worlds. By the power of the Buddha’s awesome spirit, I should cultivate the Bodhi conduct.”
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