The Manifestations of the Thus Come One

Chapter Two

IV. Auspicious portents herald the Dharma
A. Light indicates the Dharma Host

Sutra:

At that time, wishing to enable all the Bodhisattvas and others in the assembly to attain the Thus Come One’s boundless realm and spiritual powers, the World Honored One emitted light from between his brows. This light was called Light of All Bodhisattvas’ Wisdom Universally Illuminating the Treasury of the Ten Directions. In the form of a cloud of jewel-hued lamps, it shone upon all Buddhalands throughout the ten directions. The light revealed all the lands and beings within its illumination, and caused the network of all worlds to quake. It further manifested countless Buddhas in every mote of dust.  

In accordance with the differing natures and desires of beings, the light showered everywhere clouds of wheels of wondrous Dharma spoken by all Buddhas of the three periods of time, and displayed the Thus Come One’s ocean of paramitas. Then it rained down limitless, transcendent clouds that eternally liberated beings from birth and death. It further rained down clouds of the great vows of all Buddhas, which revealed the assemblies in Universal Worthy Bodhisattva’s bodhimandas in the worlds of the ten directions.  

Commentary:

At that time, wishing to enable all the Bodhisattvas and others in the great assembly to attain the Thus Come One’s boundless realm and spiritual powers, the World Honored One, the Buddha, emitted light from between his brows. This light was called Light of All Bodhisattvas’ Wisdom Universally Illuminating the Treasury of the Ten Directions. In the form of a cloud of jewel-hued lamps, it shone upon all Buddhalands throughout the ten directions.  

The light clearly revealed all the Buddhalands and beings within its illumination, and caused the network of all worlds to quake. The great number of worlds made it seems like a net. It further manifested countless Buddhas in every mote of dust.  

In accordance with the differing natures and desires of beings, the Buddha contemplates their differing inclinations. The light showered like rain everywhere clouds of wheels of wondrous Dharma spoken by all Buddhas of the three periods of time.And these clouds clearly displayed the Thus Come One’s ocean of paramitas, or dharmas for reaching the other shore. Then it rained down limitless, transcendent clouds, clouds for leaving suffering and attaining happiness that eternally liberated beings from birth and death. It further rained down clouds of the great vows of all Buddhas, which revealed the assemblies in Universal Worthy Bodhisattva’s bodhimandas in the worlds of the ten directions.  

IV.B. The appearance of a lotus represents the principle

Sutra:

Having done these deeds, the light circled to the right around the Buddha and went in under his feet. Suddenly, an immense lotus appeared before the Buddha. Surpassing all other lotuses, the flower had ten kinds of adornments.  

Commentary:

Having done these deeds, the light circled to the right around the Buddha and went in under his feet. The Buddha emitted light from between his brows, which illuminated Buddhalands in countless seas of worlds, revealing all the beings, Bodhisattvas, and clouds of jewels therein. From within the clouds of jewels, Dharma was spoken to teach all beings, and the assemblies in Universal Worthy’s bodhimandas were displayed. After all of these inconceivable things had happened, the light circled the Buddha to the right and re-entered the Buddha’s body from under his feet.

Suddenly, an immense lotus appeared before the Buddha. Surpassing all other lotuses, the precious lotus flower had ten kinds of sublime adornments. Ordinary lotuses could not match the radiance and adornment of this giant lotus.

Sutra:

That is to say, it had a stem of assorted jewels, a seedpod of supreme mani gems, petals made of all the jewels of the Dharma Realm, pistils of fragrant mani, and a base ornamented with jambunada gold. Beautiful nets shaded it from above, and its hues were luminous and pure.  

In the space of a thought, it manifested the boundless spiritual transformations of all Buddhas. It could produce every type of sound. Its supreme mani gems reflected the Buddha’s body. Its sounds proclaimed the practices and vows cultivated by all Bodhisattvas.

Commentary:

As mentioned above, the lotus had ten kinds of adornments. That is to say, it had a stem of assorted jewels from all worlds, a seedpod of supreme mani gems, petals made of all the jewels of the Dharma Realm, pistils of fragrant mani, and a base adorned with jambunada gold, the most precious kind of gold. Beautiful nets shaded it from above, and its hues were luminous and pure. The light and color of the lotus and the nets above it were extremely pure, undefiled by a single speck of dust. 

In the briefest instant, the space of a single thought, it manifested the boundless spiritual transformations of all Buddhas. It could produce every type of sound. Its supreme mani jewels reflected the Buddha’s body. Its sounds proclaimed the various practices and vows cultivated by allBodhisattvas, all the various dharma doors they practiced and the various vows they made.

IV.C. The appearance of a multitude represents the teaching

Sutra:

Instantly, when this flower had sprung up, there appeared in the Thus Come One’s white hair-mark curl a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Supreme Sound of All Dharmas, along with a multitude of Bodhisattvas as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. They all came forth and circled to the right around the Thus Come One an infinite number of times, then bowed at the Buddha’s feet.  

Commentary:

Instantly, in the space of a thought, when this lotus flower had sprung up, there appeared in the Thus Come One’s white hair-mark curl between his eyebrows, a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Supreme Sound of All Dharmas, along with a multitude of Bodhisattvas as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. They all came forth and circled to the right around the Thus Come One an infinite number of times. We always circumambulate to the right around the Buddha. For example, the person who offers incense should walk clockwise around the bowing cushions. We usually circumambulate only three times around the Buddha, but it is fine to circumambulate any number of times. Then they bowed at the Buddha’s feet. They bowed in the most respectful manner, prostrating themselves and holding their hands out as if to hold the Buddha’s feet.

Sutra:

The Bodhisattva Supreme Sound seated himself upon the base of the lotus, and the multitude of Bodhisattvas seated themselves on the lotus pistils, arranging themselves in order.  

The Bodhisattva Supreme Sound of All Dharmas, having understood the profound Dharma Realm, felt tremendous joy. He entered the practice of the Buddhas. Nothing could impede his wisdom. He entered the unfathomable sea of the Buddha’s Dharma body, and visited the Thus Come Ones in all lands. Every pore of his body displayed spiritual powers. In every thought he contemplated all dharma realms. The Buddhas in the ten directions bestowed their powers upon him, enabling him to abide in all samadhis. To the ends of time, he can always see the Buddhas’ boundless Dharma Realm body with its ocean of merit and virtue, as well as all their samadhis, liberations, spiritual powers, and transformations.  

Commentary:

After all the Bodhisattvas had bowed to the Buddha, the Bodhisattva Supreme Sound seated himself upon the base of the lotus, and the multitude of Bodhisattvas seated themselves on the pistils of the lotus, arranging themselves in order. They sat down in a very orderly manner. 

The Bodhisattva Supreme Sound of All Dharmas, having understood the Dharma of the profound Dharma Realm, felt tremendous joy. He was elated. He entered the practice of the Buddhas. Nothing could impede his wisdom. He could do what the Buddhas did, and cultivate the dharma doors they practiced. His wisdom was such that he had not the slightest doubt about the Buddhadharma. His mastery of the Buddhadharma was thorough and unobstructed. He entered the unfathomable, inconceivable sea of the Buddha’s Dharma body, and visited the bodhimandas of all

Thus Come Ones in all lands. Every pore of his body displayed different kinds of spiritual powers. In every thought, past thought, present thought, and future thought, he contemplated all dharma realms and all the Buddhas in the ten directions. The Buddhas in the ten directions bestowed their powers upon him, so that he had the same Ten Powers that the Buddhas have, enabling him and all Buddhas to abide in all samadhis. To the ends of time, he can always see the Buddhas’ boundless Dharma Realm body with its ocean of merit and virtue, as well as all their samadhis, liberations, spiritual powers, and transformations. He had all the same samadhis, liberations, and transformations of spiritual powers as the Buddhas. 

V. Acclamation of the Buddhas’ virtues
A. Supreme Sound Bodhisattva (from the Buddha’s brow) speaks in praise

Sutra:

In the assembly’s midst, he received the Buddha’s awesome spiritual power, contemplated the ten directions and spoke verses.  

The Buddha’s body fills the Dharma Realm;
Universally it appears before all beings.
Responding to conditions, it reaches everywhere,
Yet constantly remains at this bodhi seat.  

In each of the Thus Come One’s pores
Sit Buddhas as numerous as the dustmotes in all lands.
Surrounded by assemblies of Bodhisattvas,
They proclaim the supreme practices of Universal Worthy.  

As the Thus Come One sits on the seat of enlightenment,
In a single pore appear numerous seas of lands.
So, too, is it in each and every pore,
Extending throughout the entire Dharma Realm.  

In every land the Buddha sits serenely.
His presence pervades each and every country.
Bodhisattvas from the ten directions gather like clouds.
None fail to come to the bodhimanda. 

Commentary:

From within the assembly of Bodhisattvas, by relying onthe Buddha’s awesome spiritual power, he contemplated the beings throughout the ten directions of the Dharma Realm and spoke verses.  

The Buddha’s body fills the Dharma realm. The Buddha’s Dharma body is nowhere and yet everywhere, so it is said to fill the Dharma Realm. Universally it appears before all beings. Every being is face-to-face with the Buddha. Responding to conditions, it reaches everywhere. The Buddha responds to all beings with whom he has affinities, being sensitive to their causes and conditions. His responses penetrate everywhere, and he answers every prayer. Yet he constantly remains at this bodhi seat beneath the bodhi tree. 

In each of the Thus Come One’s pores / Sit Buddhas as numerous as the dustmotes in all lands. In every one of the Buddha’s pores, innumerable Buddhas are seated in their bodhimandas. Surrounded by assemblies of Bodhisattvas, / They proclaim the supreme practices of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva. 

As the Thus Come One sits on the seat of enlightenment beneath the bodhi tree, in a single pore appear numerous and limitless seas of lands. / So, too, is it in each and every pore, / Extending throughout the entire Dharma Realm. This situation appears not just in one pore, but in every pore.  

In every land the Buddha sits serenely. / His presence pervades each and every country. In every Buddhaland, there is a Buddha sitting at ease in his bodhimanda under the bodhi tree, speaking the Dharma. Bodhisattvas from the ten directions gather like clouds / None fail to come to the bodhimanda. No Bodhisattva fails to make it to the Buddha’s bodhimanda. 

Sutra:

Numerous as the dustmotes in all lands,
The oceans of Bodhisattvas with their merit and radiance
Universally appear in the assemblies of Thus Come Ones,
Filling up the entire Dharma Realm.  

Commentary:

Numerous as the dustmotes in all lands. With so many lands, there are also many Bodhisattvas and Buddhas—as many as motes of dust. The oceans of Bodhisattvas with their merit and radiance. All of these Bodhisattvas have great merit and virtue and great wisdom, so they shine with great radiance. They universally appear in the assemblies of Thus Come Ones, in bodhimandas under bodhi trees in all the lands throughout the ten directions, filling up the entire Dharma Realm. Throughout space and the Dharma Realm, there is no place not filled with the meritorious virtue and the light of these Bodhisattvas.

Sutra:

In lands as numerous as the Dharma Realm’s dustmotes,
He appears in every assembly.
Such division bodies are enabled by states of wisdom
Achieved through the practices of Universal Worthy.  

In the assemblies of all Buddhas,
The Bodhisattva Sublime Knowledge sits upright.
Each one listens to the Dharma with happiness.
They cultivate for immeasurable eons in every place.  

Having entered the vast vows of Universal Worthy,
Each one gives rise to all Buddhadharmas.
In the Vairochana’s Dharma Ocean,
They cultivate and certify to the Thus Come One’s position.  

Those enlightened by Universal Worthy Bodhisattva
Receive the joyful praise of all Thus Come Ones.
Gaining the Buddhas’ great spiritual powers,
They roam everywhere throughout the Dharma Realm.  

All lands, numerous as dustmotes,
Are filled with constantly appearing clouds of bodies.
Shining brilliant rays for the sake of all beings,
Every cloud sprinkles the Dharma rain, fulfilling their wishes.  

Commentary:

In lands as numerous as the Dharma Realm’s dustmotes, / He appears in every assembly. The dustmotes in one world are already uncountable, but there are even more dustmotes in the entire Dharma realm. Imagine that each dustmote represents a Buddhaland, each of those Buddhalands has an infinite number of dustmotes, and each of those dustmotes contains assemblies of beings in which appear Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.  

Such boundless numbers of division bodies of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are enabled by states of wisdom involving spiritual powers and transformations, achieved through the practices of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva. 

In the sea-like assemblies of all Buddhas, / The Bodhisattva Sublime Knowledge, together with other Bodhisattvas, sits upright. / Each one listens to the Dharma with happiness. Upon hearing the Dharma spoken within the light, they rejoice jubilantly. They cultivate for immeasurable eons in every place. In life after life, in all places and at all times, they cultivate for boundlessly many eons.  

Having entered the vast vows of Universal Worthy, / Each one gives rise to all Buddhadharmas. The Bodhisattva Sublime Knowledge has attained to Universal Worthy Bodhisattva’s sea of great, vast vows. In Vairochana Buddha’s Dharma Ocean of vows, / They cultivate and certify to the Thus Come One’s position, the position of Buddhahood. 

Those Bodhisattvas enlightened byUniversal Worthy Bodhisattva, through his cultivation of the kings of vows, receive the joyful praise of all Thus Come Ones. All the Buddhas of the ten directions in the three periods of time joyfully praise those Bodhisattvas. 

Gaining the Buddhas’ great spiritual powers, / They roam everywhere throughout the Dharma Realm. The Bodhisattva Supreme Sound, having obtained the Buddha’s great spiritual powers, teaches beings and helps the Buddha propagate the Dharma throughout the Dharma Realm. There is no place he fails to go. 

All lands, numerous as dustmotes, / Are filled with constantly appearing clouds of bodies. Supreme Sound Bodhisattva constantly manifests clouds of bodies that fill worlds as numerous as dustmotes. Shining brilliant rays for the sake of all beings, / Every cloud sprinkles the Dharma rain, fulfilling their wishes. He goes to all the Buddhalands in order to teach beings and emit brilliant light. Then he sends down just the right amount of Dharma rain in accord with the needs of each being. The rain is neither too much nor too little.

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