The Flower Ornament Scripture

 

A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra

Thomas Cleary

BOOK TWENTY-THREE

 

23. Ascent to the Palace of the Tushita Heaven

 

 

THEN, BY THE SPIRITUAL POWER of the  Buddha,  in  each  continent Jambu of every world in the ten directions was seen the Buddha  sitting under a tree, at each of which were enlightening beings imbued with spiritual power from the Buddha  expounding  the  teaching,  each  think­ ing themselves to be always face to face with the Buddha.

At that time the Buddha, again by spiritual power, went to the palace adorned by all exquisite jewels in the Tushita heaven of satisfaction and happiness , yet   without   leaving   the   foot of the enlightenment tree and the palace of the Suyama  heaven on the peak of Mt.  Sumeru.  The celestial king  of the Tushita heaven, seeing from afar the Buddha's advent, set up a jewel mine lion seat in the palace; that lion throne was made of a collection of celestial jewels obtained from roots of goodness cultivated in the past, made manifest by the spiritual powers of all Buddhas,  born of countless hundreds   of thousands   of millions   of bil­ lions of roots of goodness,  created by  the pure teachings of all enlight­ ened ones, adorned by the power of infinite virtue. Resulting from pure actions, it was indestructible, endlessly delightful to all beholders . Its transcendental qualities were not influenced by the world. Though all sentient beings come to gaze on it, none could exhaustively fathom its glories. There were a hundred trillion tiers all around it, with a hundred trillion gold webs, a hundred trillion flower curtains, a hundred trillion jewel  curtains,  a hundred trillion garland curtains, and   a hundred   tril­ lion incense curtains   hung above it.   Garlands of flowers hung   down, their  scent perfuming everywhere.   A   hundred trillion canopies   of flowers, a hundred  trillion canopies of garlands,   and a hundred trillion canopies of jewels were held by various celestial beings arrayed in rows on all four sides . A hundred trillion precious robes were spread on it.  A hundred  trillion balconies  radiantly adorned it, with a hundred trillion nets of pearls and a hundred  trillion nets of jewels  covering  above, while a hundred trillion nets of necklaces hung down on all four sides. A hundred trillion nets ofornaments, a hundred trillion nets of canopies ,

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498  The Flower Omament Scripture

 

a hundred trillion nets of robes , and a hundred trillion nets of jewel tapestries were hung above. A hundred trillion nets of jewel lotuses in fu ll bloom with glorious light,  a  hundred  trillion nets  of incense  with exq uisite frag rance delighting everyone, a hundred trillion curtains of jewel chimes moving gently producing harmonious elegant sounds, a hundred trillion curtains  of precious sandalwood,  its  fragrance  per fuming the air. a hundred trillion curtains of precious tlowers  in  full  bloom,  a hundred trillion curtains of raiment of various subtle hues, rare in the world, a hundred trillion curtains sh owing enlightening beings, a  hun­ dred trillion multicolored curtains , a hundred trillion gold curtain s, a hundred trillion lapis lazuli curtains, and a hundred tril lion curtains  of various jewels, were all hung above.

A  hundred  tril lion  curtains  of  all jewels,  adorned  by  huge  wish­ ful filling  gems,  and  a  hundred  trillion  tl owers  of exquisite jewels  sur­ rounded in glorious arrays . A hundred trillion reflecting  hangings,  of superb beauty,  were pl aced at in terval s. A hundred  trillion garlands of

jewels and a hundred trillion garlands  of fragran ces  hung down  on all four sides . A hundred  trillion  celestial  frag rant resins per fumed everywhere. A hundred trillion ornaments of celestial decorations, a hundred trillion ornaments of jewel flowers, a hundred trillion ornaments of jewels

from the finest mines , a hundred trillion ornaments  of wish-ful filling jewels,  and  a  hundred trillion  orna ments  of wish-ful filling pearls from the ocean , adorned the body of the throne. A  hundred trillion embroi­ dered tapes tries of exquisite jewels  trailed  down  like  strea mers . A hundred trillion  cosmic nets  of  diamonds,  a  hundred  trillion  wish­ ful filling jewels, and a hundred trillion beauti ful  gold treasure troves were  placed  at  intervals  as  embellish ments.

A hundred trillion luminous jewels and a hundred trillion sapphires blazing with light and a hundred trillion indestructible  celestial  gems formed  the windows: a hundred trillion jewels of pure qual ities , giving forth sublime colors , and a hundred trillion jewels from pure beauti ful mines  formed  the doorways . A  hundred  trillion crescent jewels,  finest in the world, a hundred trillion mind-king  wish-ful filling jewels,  a hundred trillion rose gold jewels, a hundred trillion jewels from pure troves, and a hundred trillion jewels symbolic of sovereignty, all radiat­ ing ligh t,  covered  the  top.  A hundred trillion jewels set  in  pure silver and a hundred trillion jewels emblematic of the polar mountain adorned its lotus blossom bank.

A hundred  trillion  pearl   ornaments ,   a   hundred   trillion  lapis  lazuli o rnamen ts,  a hundred trillion  ruby orna ments,  a hundred trillion wish­ ful filling jewel ornaments , a  hundred trillion  ornaments ofjewel lights, a hundred trillion ornaments of jewels of various mines , a hundred trillion red pearls, extremely pleasing to the sight, a hundred trillion ornaments of jewels from treasuries of boundless colors and forms, a hundred trillion ornaments of incomparabl e jewels of extreme purity,

 

.A scent to th e Palace of the Tushita Hear,en      499

 

and a hundred trillion ornaments ofjewels of superlative brilliance were hung all around as adornments .

A hundred trillion unusually beauti ful decorations made ofjewcls, a hundred trillion jewels in the exquisite fo rms of celestial beings,  a hundred trillion subtle perfumes from the  ten  directions,  a  hun dred trillion black sandalwood incenses, a hundred trillion fragrances from inconceivable realms, a hundred trillion most excellent scents , and  a hundred trillion extremely pleasing incenses all emitted fragrant airs, perfuming the ten directions. A hundred trillion special incenses were scattered in all ten directions; a hundred trillion scents of pure light perfumed sen tient beings;  a hundred  trillion incenses  of boundless  va ri­ ous colors  per fumed  all  the  buddha-lands,  never  fading  away; a  hun­ dred trillion per fumes, a hundred trillion  scents,  a  hundred  trillion burning  incenses  perfumed   everything.  A  hundred  trillion  aloe  per­ fu mes from lotus blossom banks producing  great  sound,  a  hundred trillion wa fting fragrances with the power to trans form  the  minds  of sentient beings, and a hundred trillion perfumes with the power  to enlighten pervaded everywhere, causing all the senses  of  those  who noticed  them  to   become  dispassionate  and  tranquil . There  were   also a hundred  trillion   various   arrays   of peerless   perfumes,   kin gs   among fra grances.

There rained a hundred trillion clouds of celes tial flowers , a hundred trillion  clouds  of celestial perfumes,  a hundred trillion  clouds  of heav­ enly incense powders,  a  hundred trillion clouds of celestial blue lotuses, a hundred trillion clouds of celes tial red lotuses, a hundred trillion clouds of heavenly white lotuses, a hundred trillion clouds of heavenly mandarava flowers , a hundred trillion clouds of all kinds of celestial flowers , a hundred trillion clouds of celestial garments, a hundred trillion clouds of jewels , a hundred trillion clouds of celestial canopies, a  hundred trillion clouds of celestial banners , a hundred trillion clouds of celestial crowns, a hundred trillion clouds of celestial ornaments, a hundred trillion  clouds  of celestial  garlands,  a  hundred  trillion  clouds of neck­ la ces of heavenly jewels,  a hundred  trillion  clouds  of celestial  sandal­ wood incense, and a hundred trillion clouds of celestial aloe incense.

There were set up a hundred trillion jewel banners , there were hung a hundred trillion jewel pennants , there  were  draped a  hundred trillion jewel strea mers,  there were lit a hundred trillion incense braziers, there were spread a hundred trillion jewel garlands , there  were  held  a  hun­ dred trillion jewel fans , there were taken up a  hundred trillion gold whisks, there were draped a hundred trillion nets of jewel chimes producing  exquis ite  sounds  when  stirred  by  the  breeze . A   hundred trill ion jewel  balustrades  su rrounded  the th rone,  a   hundred  trillion jewel  palm  trees  were arrayed in  rows.  A  hundred trillion windows

fram ed with gorgeous gems made magnificent adornments . A  hundred

trillion jewel trees provided shade all  around. A hundred trillion jewel tu rrets   adorned   north  to   south   and   cast to   west.   A   hun dred   trillion

 

500  Tlzc Flol/Jer Ornament Scripture

 

jeweled doorways were draped with garlan ds . A hundred trillion golden chimes produced  sublime  music.  A  hundred trillion ornaments  in  the fo rm  of auspicious symbols were  draped in  splendid arrays.  There  were a hundred trillion jewel talismans able to get rid of all evils,  a hundred trillion gold treasuries woven of golden thread, a hundred trillion jewel umbrellas with  handles  of precious clements held in  rows,  and a  hun­ dred trillion nets of all kinds of precious ornaments arrayed at intervals .

A hundred trillion luminous jewels radiated various kinds of light; a hundred trillion light beams ill umined everywhere.  There were  a  hun­ dred trillion sun-treasury orbs and a  hundred trillion moon-treasury orbs, all made of collections of jewels of infinite  colors. A  hundred trillion fragrant flames shone with crystal clear light. A hundred trillion banks of lotuses burst into glorious bloom. A hundred trillion nets of jewels, a hundred trillion nets of flowers, and a hundred trillion nets of incenses covered above.

A hundred trillion jewel robes , a hundred trillion sapphire robes , a hundred trillion celestial yellow robes , a  hundred trillion celestial red robes , a hundred  trillion celestial robes of unusual  colors , a hundred trillion extraordinary celestial robes of various precious substances , a hundred trillion various perfumed robes, a hundred trillion robes made of all  precious substances , and a hundred trillion pure white robes, were all carefully spread, delight ful to all observers.

A hundred trillion banners of celestial chimes and a hundred trillion banners of golden mesh produced subtle tones . There were  a  hundred trillion ban ners  of heavenly  embroideries,  containing  all  colors . A  hun­ dred trillion fragrant banners were draped  with  webs  of per fume . A hundred trillion flower  banners  showered all  kinds  of flowers . A  hun­ dred trillion banners of raiment trailed exquisite robes . There were a hundred trillion  celestial jewel banners , studded with all sorts of gems, a hundred trillion celestial ornament banners, decorated with all manner of embellishments , a hundred  trillion celestial  garland banners,  garlands of various kinds of fl owers arrayed on four sides, a hundred trillion celestial canopy banners , with jewel bells harmoniously ringing, pleas­ ing all hea rers .

There were a hundred trillion celestial conches producing  wonderful sounds, a hundred  trillion celestial bass drums  producing great  booms, a hundred trillion celestial pipes producing subtle sounds, a hundred trillion celestial dru ms  producing  loud  beauti ful  sounds , a  hundred trillion orchestras playing all at once, a hundred trillion independent celestial musicians producing sublime sounds filling all buddha-lands, a hundred trillion celestial magical music sounding like echoes,  respond­ ing to all things, a hundred trillion celestial drums producing wonderful sounds when struck,  a  hundred trillion kinds  of miraculous celestial music which produced spontaneous harmony, and a hundred  trillion various  celestial  assemblies  producing  wonderful  music  extinguishing all a fflictio ns.

 

Asce1zt to the  Pa lace of the Tush ita Heaven    50 1

 

A hundred trillion pleasing sounds sang praises of giving o tTerings; a hundred trillion fa r-reaching sounds sang praises of service; a hundred trillion  extremely  deep sounds  sang praises  of practical  ap plication;  a

hundred trillion sounds of myriad subtleties sang praises of the fruits of the Buddhas ' deeds ; a hundred trillion delicate sounds sang praises of principles in  accord with reality;  a hundred trillion  unim peded  sounds of  truth  sang  praises  of Buddha's  past  practices ; a hundred  trillion pure sounds sang praises of past o fTerings to the Huddhas;  a hundred trillion sounds of teachings sang praises of the supreme fearlessness of the Buddhas; a hundred trillion infinite sounds sang praises of the infinity of enlightening beings' virtues ; a hundred trillion sounds of the stages of enlightening beings sang praises of reveal ing the practices appropriate to all the stages of enlightening; a hundred trillion uninter­ rupted sounds sang praises of the endlessness of the Buddha's virtues; a hundred trillion con formative sounds sang praises of practices by which Buddha is seen; a hundred trillion sounds of extremely pro found teach­ ing sang praises of principles corres ponding to unhindered knowledge

of all things. A  hundred trillion great sounds filled all buddhalands; a

hundred trillion sounds of unimpeded purity caused all  to  rejoice  in accord with their inclinations;  a  hundred trillion sounds of nondwelling in the triple world caused all hearers to enter deeply into the nature of reality; a hundred trillion sounds of joy caused the minds of all hearers to be unobstructed, with deep faith  and  respect;  a  hundred  trillion sounds  of the  realm of buddhahood revealed the  meanings of all things; a hundred trillion sounds of concentration formulae expounded the distinctions of all doctrines, definitively comprehending the esoteric treasury of the Enlightened  Ones;  a  hundred  trillion  sounds  of  all truths, gentle and pleasant, harmonized all the music.

There were a hundred trillion newly inspired enlightening beings who, as soon as they saw this throne, doubly increased their determina­ tion for omniscience; a hundred trillion enlightening beings preparing the ground, their minds pure and joy ful; a hundred trillion practicing enlightening beings, their understanding pure and clear; a hundred trillion nobly born enlightening beings, abiding in supreme zeal; a hundred trillion enlightening beings equipped with skill in means, activating the great vehicle; a hundred trillion enlightening beings in the abode of right mind fulness, diligently cultivating the path of all enlight­ ening beings; a hundred trillion nonregressing enlightening beings, puri fying all stages of enlighten ment; a hundred trillion enlightening beings of youth ful nature, attaining the light of concentration of all enlightening beings; a hundred trillion prince of teaching enlightening beings, entering the inconceivable sphere of all Buddhas; a hundred trillion coronated enlightening beings,  able to mani fest the ten powers of infinite enlightened ones; a hun dred trillion enlightening beings with mastery of spiritual powers ; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with pure understanding; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with deter-

 

502  The Flower Omament Scripture

 

mined  minds;  a  hun dred  trillion  enlightening  beings  with  pro found, un breaka ble faith; a hundred  trillion  enlightening  beings  expounding the meanings of the teachings, causing knowledge to be sure; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with undisturbed correct recollection; a hundred trillion enligh tening beings of certain knowledge; a hundred trillion enlightening beings with the power  to  retain  what  they  hear, holding all the Buddha teachings; a hundred trillion enlightening beings producing infinitely vast great awareness and understanding; a hundred trillion enl ightening beings abiding in the fa culty of faith;  a  hundred trillion enlightening beings who had  attained  transcendent  sel f-control and fully kept all the moral precepts; a hundred  trillion  enlightening beings who had attained transcendent generosity and were able to give everything; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent forbearance whose  minds  did  not  wander  and  who  were able to accept all the Buddha teachings; a hundred trillion  en lightening beings who had attained transcendent vigor and were  capable  of carry­ ing out infinite e fforts for emancipation; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained transcendent  meditation  and  were  imbued with the shining light of in finite meditations; a hundred trillion enlight­ ening beings who had attained transcendent wisdom, the light of their wisdom able to illumine everywhere; a hundred trillion enli ghtening beings who had perfected great vows, all pure; a hundred trillion enlightening beings who had attained the lamp of knowledge, clearly illumining the teach ings; a hundred trillion enlightening beings illumi­ nated by the light of truth of the Buddhas of the ten directions; a hundred trillion enlightening beings expounding  the  way  to  get  rid  of folly throughout the ten directions;  a  hundred  trillion  enlightening beings who entered the fields of all Buddhas; a hundred trillion enlight­ ening beings whose body of reality reached all buddha-lands; a hundred trillion en lightening beings who had attained the voice of Buddhas and were capable of enlightening many; a hundred  trillion  enlightening beings who had attained  the  means  of producing  all  knowledge;  a hun dred trillion enlightening beings who  had  accomplished all  aspects of the tea ching; a hundred trillion  enlightening beings  who  had  attained true knowledge, like jewel banners , able to make plain  all Buddha teachings; and a hundred  trillion  enligh tening beings  able  to fully reveal the realm of enlightenment.

A  hundred trillion celestial kings of the various heavens prostrated

themselves reveren tly; a hundred trillion  ruga kings gazed fixedly;  a hundred trillion yaksha kings joined their pal ms above their heads; a hundred trillion gandharva kings developed pure minds of faith;  a hundred trillion titan kings cut o ff their pride; a hundred trillion garuda kings held strea mers in their mouths; a hundred  trillion kinnara  kings danced joy full y;  a  hundred  trillion  mahoraga  kings  gazed  with  delight; a  hundred trillion world leaders bowed with respect; a hundred trillion kings  of the heavens  of thirty-th ree cel estial  real ms gazed unblinking;  a

 

Ascent  to  the  Palace  (�l the  Tush ita  Hcavc11      503

hundred trillion kings of the Suyama heavens joy fully sang praises; a hundred trillion kings of Tushita hea vens prostrated their bodies; a hundred trillion kings of the heavens  of  enjoyment  of  emanations bowed their heads to the ground in res pect; a hundred trillion kings of the heavens of command of others ' emanations joined their palms reverently; a hundred trillion kings of the Brahma heavens watched singlc-mindedl y; a hundred trillion celestial kings of great power reverently made o fferings ; a hundred trillion enlightening beings sang eulogies aloud; a  hundred trillion goddesses singlc-mindcdly made o fferin gs; a hundred trillion deities with the  same  aspirations  danced with joy; a hundred trillion deities who had lived in the same place in antiquity sang hymns of praise with beautiful voices; a hundred trillion Brahma-body deities prostrated themselves in respect; a hundred tril­ lion Brah ma-assistant deities joined  their pal ms at their crowns;  a hun­ dred trillion Brahma-group deities circled around as guardian attendants ; a hundred trillion great Brahma deities sang eulogies of infinite virtues ; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of light threw themselves on the ground; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of little light sang eulogies  of  the  difficulty  of  meetin g  with  an  age  when  a  Buddha  is  in the world ; a hundred trillion deities  of  the  heavens  of infinite  light bowed   to   the   Buddha   from   a far;   a   hundred   trillion   deities   of  the heavens of light-sound sang of the rarity of getting to sec a Buddha; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of purity  came  here  along with their mansions; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of minor purity bowed their heads with pure hearts ; a hundred trillion deities  of  the heavens of in finite purity descended, wishing to see the  Buddha;  a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of universal purity approached with reverence and respect  and  made o fferin gs;  a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of vastness reflected on past roots of goodness; a hun­ dred trillion deities of the heavens of minor vastness contemplated the rarity of the enlightened; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of infinite vastness, with sure res pect, initiated all good  actions; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of vast results bowed reverently; a hun­ dred trillion deities of the heavens of no troubles  bowed  respectfully, their faith firm and enduring; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens of no heat joined their palms and remcmbranced the Buddha tirelessly; a hundred trillion deities of the heavens  of good sight bowed their heads to the ground; a hun dred trillion deities of the heavens of good mani fes­ tation meditated constantly on honoring and serving the Buddhas; a hundred trillion deities of the heaven of the ultimate of form bowed revcren tl y.

A hundred trillion deities of various heavens sang praises with  great joy; a hundred trillion deities each care fully considered and made adornments; a hundred trillion enlightening deities guarded the Buddha's throne, ceaselessly embellishing it; a hundred trillion flower-bearing en­ lightening beings showered all kinds of flowers; a hundred trillion

 

 

incense-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of fragrances ; a hundred   trillion garland-bearing enlightening beings  showered   all   kinds of garlands;  a hundred trillion elightening beings bearing powdered incense showered all kinds of powdered incenses; a hundred trillion perfume-bearing enlightening beings showered all kinds of perfumes; a hundred   trillion  raiment-bearing enlightening beings   showered   all kinds of raiment; a hundred trillion parasol-bearing enlightening beings  show­ ered all kinds of parasols;  a hundred trillion banner-bearing deities showered all kinds of banners; a hundred trillion pennant-bearing en­ lightening beings showered all kinds of pennants� a hundred trillion gem-bearing  enlightening beings   showered all kinds of jewels;  a hun­ dred    trillion    ornament-bearing   enlightening   beings   showered   all   kinds of ornaments.

A hundred trillion godlings came forth from their celestial palaces  to the site of the throne; a hundred trillion godlings   with   pure   faithful minds came with their palaces; a hundred trillion nobly born godlings supported the throne with their bodies; a hundred trillion consecrated godlings held the throne with their whole bodies.

A hundred trillion meditating enlightening beings contemplated respectfully;   a   hundred trillion nobly born enlightening beings   gave rise to purity  of mind;  a hundred trillion enlightening beings became joyful and blissful in all  senses;  a hundred trillion enlightening beings'  pro­ found minds  of faith were purified; a hundred trillion enlightening beings' faith and resolve were purified; a hundred trillion enlightening beings' actions were purified; a hundred trillion enlightening beings were enabled to take on birth freely; a hundred trillion enlightening beings glowed with the light of truth; a hundred trillion enlightening beings consummated  the stages of enlightenment;  a hundred trillion enlighten­ ing beings became well able to teach and influence all sentient beings.

Born of a hundred trillion roots of goodness, protected by a hundred trillion Buddhas, perfected by a hundred trillion virtues,  purified by a hundred trillion sublime  aspirations,  beautified by a hundred trillion great vows, produced by a hundred trillion good actions, stabilized by a hundred trillion virtuous qualities, made manifest by a hundred trillion spiritual powers, developed by a hundred trillion meritorious  achieve­ ments, eulogized for a hundred trillion praiseworthy qualities-as in the world the king of the Tushita heaven reverently set up a throne like   this for the Enlightened One, so did the kings of the Tushita heavens in all worlds likewise set up such thrones, with such adornments, with such ceremonies, with such faith, with such   purity   of mind,   with   such delight, with such joy,   with such respect, with such appreciation   of rarity,  with  such dancing,  with  such  yearning-all were the  same.

Then the king   of the Tushita heaven,   having  set up   the throne  for the Enlightened One, respectfully greeted the Buddha  together with countless godlings of the Tushita heaven; with pure hearts they showered clouds of flowers of innumerable colors, clouds of incenses of inconceiv-

 

Ascer1 t to the Palace of the Tush ita Heaven     505

 

able colors, clouds of garlands of various colors, vast clouds of pure sandalwood, clouds of innumerable various parasols, clouds of fine celestial raiment, clouds of boundless beautiful jewels, clouds of celestial ornaments, clouds of innumerable incenses of all kinds,  and clouds of all kinds of sandalwood and aloe. When the godlings each produced these clouds from their bodies, a hundred tril lion incalculable numbers of godlings of the Tushita heaven, as well as the other godlings in the assembly, were overjoyed and bowed reverently. Countless goddesses danced with joy ful anticipation, gazing at the Enlightened One. In the Tushita palace a host of unspeakably many enlightening beings hovered in the air, and with diligence and single-mindedness produced o fferings surpassing all the heavens and presented them to the Buddha, bowing respectfully, while countless forms of music played all at once.

At this point, because of the great spiritual power of the Buddha, because of the effluence of past roots of goodness, and because of his inconceivable mystic powers, all the gods and goddesses in the Tushita palace saw the Buddha from afar as though he were right before them. They all had the same thoughts:  "The appearance of an Enlightened One in the world is rarely encountered-now we arc getting to see an omniscient one, who has unimpeded true awareness  of all  things. " Thus thinking, thus observing, together with the other groups they all welcomed the Buddha, each heaping celestial robes with all kinds of flowers, fragrances, jewels, ornaments, heavenly sandalwood and aloe incense, celestial jewel incenses, flowers of all heavenly fragrances, and mandarava  flowers  from  all  the  heavens,  and  spread  them  as  otierings to the Buddha.

Hundreds of trillions of infinities of Tushita deities hovered in the air; all considering the Buddha the realm of wisdom and knowledge, they burnt all kinds of incenses, producing aromatic clouds, adorning the sky. Also, thinking of the Buddha with joy, they showered clouds of celestial flowers, adorning the sky. Also, thinking of the Buddha with respect, they showered clouds of celestial canopies, adorning the sky. Also, desirous of making o fferings to the Buddha, they scattered clouds of all kinds of celestial garlands, adorning the sky. Also, engendering resolute faith in the Buddha,  they cast countless  nets of gold  through the sky, with chimes of all kinds of jewels continuously producing beautiful tones. Also, considering the Buddha the supreme field of blessings, they adorned the sky with countless drapes and showered clouds of all kinds ofjewelry endlessly.  Also,  conceiving profound faith in the Buddha, they adorned the sky with countless celestial mansions, playing all manner of celestial music, producing subtle,  melodious tones. Also, considering how rare it is to meet a Buddha,  they adorned the sky with clouds of celestial raiment of all kinds of colors, showering various incomparably beautiful robes. Also, their hearts leaping with boundless joy at the Buddha, they adorned  the sky  with countless celestial jewel crowns, raining countless celestial crowns forming great

 

 

clouds. Also, conceiving great joy in regarding the Buddha, they adorned the sky with countless jewels of various colors, ceaselessly raining clouds of all kinds ofjewelry.

Hundreds of trillions of infinities of celestial beings, all conceiving pure faith in the Buddha,  scattered countless heavenly flowers of vari­ ous colors and burned various celestial incenses  as offerings to the Buddha. Also, thinking of the Buddha as a magnificent miraculous appearance, they brought celestial sandalwood incenses of innumerable various colors and reverently scattered them before the Buddha.  Also, their hearts  leaping  with joy  in regarding the Buddha,  they followed the Buddha holding countless precious celestial robes of various colors and spread them on the roads as offerings to the Buddha.  Also,  regard­ ing the Buddha with purity of mind, they greeted the Buddha carrying countless banners of celestial jewels of various colors. Also, conceiving supreme joy at the thought of the Buddha, they brought  countless celestial adornments of various colors to present to the Buddha. Also, engendering unbreakable faith in the Buddha, they brought countless garlands of celestial jewels to present to the Buddha.  Also, incompara­ bly joyful at the thought of the Buddha,   they   brought   countless   pen­ nants of celestial jewels of various colors to o ffer to the Buddha. A hundred trillion infinities of celestial beings, with tamed, tranquil minds free from indulgence, brought countless celestial musical instruments of various forms producing sublime tones to present to the Buddha.

A hundred trillion infinities of enlightening beings already living in the palace of the Tushita heaven, with o fferings surpassing those of all the gods, produced by the teaching transcending the worlds of desire, form, and formlessness, produced by infinitely broad knowledge, devel­ oped by steadfast pure faith, produced by action free from a fflictions, produced by the all-pervading unobstructed mind, produced by the pro­ found principle of adaptable methodology, produced by inconceivable roots of goodness, perfected by countless displays of skill in means, revealed by the will to make o fferings to the Buddha, stamped by the teaching of noncreation, made gifts of these o fferings to the Buddha. They presented to the Buddha canopies of all precious substances born in the transcendent ways, drapes of all kinds of flowers born of pure understanding of the realm  of all  Buddhas,  all kinds of garments born of acceptance of the nonorigination of things, all kinds of nets of chimes born of the unimpeded mind entering into the state of indestructibility, all kinds of solid  fragrance born  of the mind  understanding all  things arc like apparitions,  beautiful thrones of myriad precious substances of all Buddhas,  born  of the mind omnipresent  at the thrones of Buddhas in all realms of enlightenment, banners of all jewels, born of the mind tirelessly make offerings to the Buddhas, palaces of all jewels, dwelt in by the Buddhas, born of the joy ful mind that understands that all things arc llke dreams, clouds of lotus blossoms of all jewels, born of roots of goodness without  attachment and uncreated roots of goodness, clouds of

 

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all solid incenses, clouds of boundless flowers of all colors, clouds of exquisite raiment of all various colors, clouds of infinite pure sandal­ wood incenses , clouds of precious canopies with all kinds of embellish­ ments, clouds of all burning incenses, clouds of all kinds of beautiful garlands, clouds of all kinds of pure decorations, all filling the cosmos, going beyond all the heavens.

Those enlightening beings each produced from their bodies unspeak­ able hundreds of trillions of infinities of enlightening beings, filling the space of the cosmos, their minds all equal to the Buddhas of all times; by means of development  from the delusion-free teaching and strengthen­ ing by the power of infinite enlightened ones, they revealed to sentient beings the path of peace; equipped with unspeakably many meaningful expressions, they entered into the seeds of all concentration formulae containing infinite teachings, and produced inexhaustible treasuries of intellectual powers; their minds without fear, they conceived great joy, and with unspeakable infinities  of points  of truthful praise they tire­ lessly eulogized the Enlightened One.

Then all the celestial beings and all the enlightening beings saw the Buddha, the perfectly enlightened one, the inconceivable hero of

humanity, his bodies infinite, uncountable, manifesting inconceivably many different varieties of mystical transfigurations, causing the minds of countless sentient beings to be full of joy, pervading all universes throughout space, adorned with the embellishments of buddhahood, causing all sentient beings to abide in roots of goodness, displaying infinite spiritual powers of the Buddhas, beyond all manners of speaking, admired and respected by all great enlightening beings , causing them all to rtjoice in accord with what they need to be taught, abiding in the immense body of the Buddhas, all virtues and roots of goodness purified, most excellent in appearance, not to be outshone by anyone.

The sphere of the Buddha's knowledge was inexhaustible, born of incomparable concentration. His body was boundless, omnipresent in the bodies of all sentient beings . He caused great joy to infinite beings. He caused the lineage of omniscient ones to continue unbroken.  Dwelling in the ultimate abode of the Buddhas, born in the family of the Buddhas of past, present, and future, he caused the faith of countless sentient beings to be purified, and caused the knowledge and wisdom of all enlightening beings to be perfected. All his senses were joy ful. The clouds of his teaching covered all universes in space,  teaching  and taming without omission, ful filling all sentient beings according to their mentalities, causing them to abide in nondiscriminatory knowledge. He was beyond all sentient beings.

t laving attained omniscience, he radiated a great light. Causing his roots of goodness of past ages to be clearly mani fest, he inspired great determination in everyone and caused all sentient beings to abide in the indestructible knowledge of universal good. Abiding everywhere in all lands of sentient beings,  born of the nonregressing true teaching, he

 

dwelt in the totally impartial realm of reality. Clearly understanding what was appropriate to the minds of sentient beings, he mani fested unspeakably many dit1crent buddha-bodies, beyond the power of worldly speech to extol,  able to cause all to always think of the Buddha, filling the cosmos, liberating vast numbers of living beings . According to the aid they required,  he bestowed the teaching on them,  causing them to be pacified and their faith to be pure, manifesting inconceivable physical form s.

Hcgarding all living beings impartially, his mind had no attachments. He dwelt in the abode of nonobstruction  and  had  attained the ten powers of buddhahood without impediment. His  mind  was always quiet and stable, never distracted or disturbed. Abiding in omniscience, he was able to express all kinds of truths. Able to enter completel y into the boundless ocean of knowledge, he produced infinite treasuries of virtue and wisdom. With the sun of enlighten ment he constantly illu­ mined the enti re cosmos.

In accord with the power of his original vows,  he was always manifest, never disappearing, always dwelling in the realm of reality, abiding in the abode of Buddhas, without change.  He had no attach­ ment to self or to possessions . He dwelt in the transmundane state and was not a ffected by mundane things . In all worlds he set up the banner of knowledge and wisdom, his knowledge vast and great, transcending the  world,  with  no  attachments.   He  rescued  sentient  beings  from  the mire, placing them on the highest ground of wisdom. All his blessings and virtues benefited sentient beings yet were never exhausted.

He was fully aware of the knowledge and wisdom of all enlightening beings, their faith and direction certain, sure to attain enlightenment. By great compassion he manifested infinite adornments of the buddha­ body.  With a wondrous voice he expounded infinite teachings, satisfy­ ing sentient beings according to their mentalities.  In the past, future, and present, his mind was always pure. He caused all sentient beings to be unattached to objects . He constantly forecast the enlightenment of all the enlightening beings, causing them to enter the family of Buddhas to be born in the house of Buddhas, and attain the coronation of Buddhas.

He always traveled throughout the ten  directions,  never resting, never craving for or clinging to anything. Able to live in all buddha­ lands in the cosmos, he knew the minds of all sentient beings. All his virtues were unworldly and pure. He did not dwell in birth and death, yet  appea red  throughout  the  world,  like  a  reflection.  He  illumined  the whole cosmos by the moon of knowledge and realized that everything

is ungraspablc. By his wisdom he was constantly aware that all worlds arc like illusions, like reflections, like dreams, like magic tricks, that all have mind as their inherent nature. Abiding in this way, he manifested

buddha-bodies in accord with the dissimilarities of the actions and consequen ces of sentient beings, the distinctions in their mental inclinations, and the individual differences in their fa culties .

 

Ascent to the Palace of the Tush ita Hca l'CII      509

 

The Enlightened One was always relating to countless sentient beings, explaining to them that everything in the world derives from conditional, interdependent origination. He knew that the signs of all things arc signlcss, this being their sole characteristic, the basis of wisdom. He wanted to cause all sentient beings to detach from all signs, forms, and characteristics . He showed clearly all natures and characteristics of the world, thus traversing the world; to reveal to them unexcelled enlightenment, desiring to rescue all sentient beings, he appeared in the world and showed the way of the enlightened.  He caused  them  to perceive the features of the body of the enlightened one,  to concentrate on them and meditate on them, to diligently cultivate and develop themselves to annihilate mundane afflictions, cultivate enlightening prac­ tice with unwavering minds, and attain ful fillment of all aspects of the Great Vchicle, attaining the rewards of the Buddhas.

He was able to observe the roots of goodness of sentient beings, and did not allow the results of their pure deeds to die out.  His knowledge was clear and complete entering into all  times,  forever detached  from all mundane discrimination. He radiated networks of light beams, fully illuminating all worlds in the ten directions.

Those who saw him never tired of beholding the sublime refinements of his physical form. By means of great virtue,  knowledge,  wisdom, and spiritual power,  he produced all kinds of enlightening practices. The spheres  of his senses were free and complete,  round and full. He did Buddha-work, and when he finished doing it he disappeared.

He was able to show the path of all knowledge of past, present, and future. For the enlightening beings he showered a rain of innumerable concentration formulae, causing them to develop great rapture, to take them up, hold them, and practice them, and perfect the virtues of all Buddhas,  in their full glory, with boundless wonderful forms, to adorn their beings .

He saw everything in all worlds, and was forever rid of all obstruction. He had attained the pure true meaning of all verities. He had attained mastery of virtuous qualities, and was a great king of truth, like the sun illumining everywhere. Being a field of blessings for the world, he had great dignity, influence, and virtue.

He manifested emanation bodies in all worlds, radiating the light of wisdom, causing all to be enlightened. Wanting to cause all sentient beings to know the boundless virtues possessed by the Buddha,  he took the turban of nonobstruction, tied it on his head,  and assumed the rank of Budhahood.  Adapting to the world,  he guided by means of expedi­ ent methods, com forting beings with the hand of wisdom. As a great physician, he skill fully cured all sickness, able to go to all the countless lands in all worlds, without rest.

His clear, pure eye of wisdom was free from all obstructions, able to clearly sec all . Evil-doing sentient beings he tamed in various ways, causing them to enter the Path, skillfully seizing appropriate opportuni-

 

510  The Flower Omamcnt Scripture

tics to civilize and teach them, never ceasing. If sentient beings devel­ oped cquanimous, impartial minds, he would then show them the consequences of impartial deeds. In accord with their inclinations and in accord with their actions and results thereof, he manifested various spiritual powers of the buddha-body  for them , to expound  the truth and enlighten them, that they may attain the knowledge and wisdom of the teaching, and that their minds be joyful and their senses ecstatic, that they sec innumerable Buddhas, develop profound faith, and pro­ duce roots of goodness, never regressing.

All sentient beings,  in accord with their involvement and entrapment by actions, sleep forever in birth-and-death; the Enlightened One, appearing in the world, can awaken them all, com fort their minds, and cause them to be without anxiety or fear. Any who see him he causes to realize independent knowledge of truth. With knowledge and skill in means he comprehends  the objective world.  His embellishing marks and adornments cannot be overshadowed.  His  mountain  of wisdom and talons of teaching arc all purified.

Sometimes he manifests as an enlightening being, sometimes  he appears  ::1s  a  Buddha,  causing all sentient beings  to  arrive at the realm  of sorrowlessness. Adorned by countless virtues, developed by practical action, he appears in the world.  The adornment and purity of all Bud­ dhas arc accomplished by the works of omniscience.

Always keeping his original vow, he docs not abandon  the world, being a steadfast benefactor of sentient beings. His supreme pure light makes itself visible to all sentient beings. By means of spiritual power, the Buddha always follows the sentient beings of the six realms  of mundane existence, boundless and countless , never abandoning them . If there arc any who have planted similar roots of goodness  in the past, he causes them all to be puri fied , yet \Vithout giving up his original vow with regard to all sentient beings of the six paths of mundane existence. He deceives no one, appropriately dealing with them in virtuous ways, causing them to practice pure acts and break up de­ monic conflicts.

From the realm of nonobstruction he produces great power. Nothing blocks his supreme treasury of light. He manifests reflections in  the realm of pure minds, which all worlds sec. He bestows many various teachings on sentient beings . Buddha is a boundless treasury of light; his powers, knowledge, and wisdom arc all fully complete.  He con­ stantly illumines all sentient beings with great light, causing them all to be ful filled in accordance with their aspirations . Beyond all enmity, he is the highest field of blessings, relied upon by all sentient beings; if any give anything, he causes them to be pure, and to receive boundless blessings from doing a little bit of good.  He causes all to be able to enter the stage of inexhaustible knowledge. He is the pure-minded master, planting roots of goodness for all sentient beings . He is the most excellent fertile field producing blessings and merit for sentient beings.

 

Ascent to the Pa lace L�{ the Tushita Heaven   51 1

 

His knowledge and wisdom is exceedingly deep; with skill in means he can rescue all from the pains of the woeful states of greed, anger, and Ignorance.

Thus believing, thus observing, thus entering the depths ofknowledge, thus sporting in the ocean of virtues, thus arriving at spacelike wisdom, thus cognizing sentient beings'  field of blessings,  thus  contemplating with presence of mind, thus observing the deeds, marks and embellish­ ments of Buddha, thus observing the Buddha  appearing throughout the world, thus observing the Buddha's mystical power, the great congrega­ tion at that time saw each pore of the Buddha's  body emit a hundred trillion infinities of light  beams,  each beam of light  having  countless hues, countless purities, countless radiances, causing countless beings to watch, countless beings to rejoice, countless beings to be happy,  count­ less beings to grow in faith, countless beings' aspiration to be pure, countless beings' senses to be pure and cool,  and causing countless beings to develop respect and honor.

Then the great assembly all saw the Buddha's body emit a hundred trillion infinities of inconceivable great lights, each light with inconceiv­ ably many hues and inconceivable  many beams illumining  inconceiv­ ably many realms of phenomena, by the Buddha's spiritual  power producing great subtle sound conveying infinites of eulogies in words transcending all worlds, perfected by transmundane virtues . He also manifes ted hundreds of trillions  of quadrillions  of inconceivable  num­ bers of subtle  adornments,  which could never be fully described even in a hundred trillion quadrillion inconceivable number of cons, all of them produced by the inexhaustible spiritual power of the Buddha. He also manifested unspeakably many enlightened ones arising in the world and leading sentient beings into the door of wisdom to understand the most profound truth. He also manifested the docetic metamorphoses of the enlightened ones throughout the space of the cosmos, causing all worldly beings to be impartial and purified. All of this sprung from the unhin­ dered omniscience in which the Buddha dwelt. It was also born of the inconceivable superlative virtues which the Buddha cultivated. He also manifested a hundred trillion quadrillion inconceivable numbers ofbeau­ tiful jewel light flames,   originating  from the good roots of his ancient great vows.  He did so because he had presented   otTerings   to   and served countless enlightened ones,  because he had cultivated pure prac­ tices without slacking, because his omniscient mind, without impediment, produced  roots of virtue, in order to reveal the universality  of the powers of the enlightened,  to cut off the doubts  of all sentient beings, to cause all of them to be able to sec the enlightened one, to cause infinite sentient beings to abide in virtue, to show the enlightened one's spiritual powers cannot be outshone,  to cause all sentient beings to be able to enter into the ocean of the ultimate, to cause the enlightening beings of all buddha-lands to assemble, and because he wanted to reveal the inconceivable teachings of the Buddha.

 

512  The Flower Omammt Scripture

 

Then the Enlightened One, his great compassion covering all, showed the adornments of omniscience, wanting to cause the sentient beings in innumerable worlds who had no faith to have faith , to cause those with faith to develop,  to cause the developed to become pure,   to cause the pure to become mature, to cause the mature to conquer their minds and contemplate the profound truth, be filled with the boundless light of knowledge and wisdom, develop an immeasurably broad mind, an omniscient  mind,  never regressing,   not   going   against   the   essential nature of things , not fearing ultimate reality,   to realize genuine truth, fulfill all transcendent practices, purify all transmundane virtues, like Universally  Good,   attain   the   freedom   of buddhahood,  leave the realm of demons and enter the realm of Buddhas,  comprehend the profound teaching and attain inconceivable knowledge,   never regressing from the vows of universal salvation, to always see the Buddhas,  never abandon­ ing them,  to perfect experiential knowledge,   realize infinite truths,  be filled with the boundless  power of the treasury of virtue, develop a joyous  mind,  enter the realm where there is no doubt,  divorce evil and be pure, sec things unperturbed due to omniscience, gain entry to the congregations  of all enlightening beings,  and always be born in   the family of the enlightened ones of past, present, and future.

These adornments  manifested by the Buddha  were all made by roots of goodness  accumulated in the past,  for the purpose  of harmonizing and civilizing   all sentient beings,  to reveal the great powerful virtue of the enlightened, to light up the treasury of unobstructed knowledge and wisdom, to show  the extreme radiance of the boundless  supreme  vir­ tues of the enlightened, to show  the inconceivable great spiritual  dis­ plays of the enlightened, to manifest the buddha-body in all realms of being by means of spiritual powers,  to show the boundlessness  of the mystic   powers   and magical   transfigurations of the enlightened,   to ful fill all his original aspirations, to show that the dauntless knowledge and wisdom  of the enlightened can go everywhere, to become  the king of truth free in all ways,  to produce all avenues of knowledge,  to manifest the purity  of the body  of the enlightened, and also to   reveal   the supreme  splendor of his body,  to manifest the realization of the equal state of the Buddhas of all times, to reveal the pure treasury of roots of goodness, to manifest the most sublime form, to which nothing in the world   may be likened,   to   show   the characteristics of full command  of the ten powers,  to cause beholders never to tire, to be the sun of the world, illumining past,  present, and future. All the virtuous qualities of the sovereign king of truth were manifested by roots of goodness of the past; even if all enlightening beings were to eulogize and tell of them throughout all time, they never would be exhaustively told .

Then the king of the Tushita heaven,   having  prepared all the offer­ ings for the Buddha,  together with countless deities of the Tushita heaven, joined his palms in a gesture of respect toward the Buddha and said, "Welcome, World Honored One; welcome, Felicitous One;

 

Ascent to the Pa lace of the Tush ita Hca i'Cil      513

 

welcome,  Enlightened  One,  Worthy, Truly   Awakened   One!  Please look upon us  with compassion and sojourn in this place. "

Then the World Honored One, adorning   himself with   the   adorn­ ments of Buddhahood, replete with magnificent virtues,  in order to gladden all beings,  in order that all enlightening beings develop pro­ found understanding,  so that all the celestial beings of the Tushita heaven increase in determination, so that the king of the Tushita heaven never tires of generosity and service, so that countless beings focus their attention on the Buddha and become inspired to seek enlightenment,  so that countless types of beings see the endlessness of the Buddha's roots of goodness, blessings, and virtues,  so that they always  be able to arouse pure faith , so that, seeing a Buddha, they serve without seeking anything, so that all of their aspirations be pure, so that they diligently amass   roots of goodness  without flagging,  and so that they would vow to seck omniscience, the Uuddha accepted the invitation of the celestial king and entered the palace adorned by all jewels . Just as in this world, the same thing transpired in all worlds in the ten directions.

At that point the hall adorned by all jewels naturally had wonderfully fine decorations, surpassing all the heavens,  and atop the decorations were  nets of all jewels  covering all over,   showering clouds of all the tlnest gems all over,  showering clouds of all kinds of ornaments, clouds of all kinds of precious raiment, clouds of all kinds of sandalwood incenses, clouds of all kinds of solid fragrances , clouds of canopies  adorned by all jewels, and clouds of bunches of inconceivably many flowers, producing everywhere inconceivable music  praising  the  Enlightened One's knowledge of all means of liberation, all in accord with the sublime truth.  All  these  offerings  were beyond  those  of the  celestial  beings.

Then in the Tushita palace rich music and singing continued ceaselessly. By the spiritual  power of the Buddha,  the mind of the king of Tushita was made imperturbable; his past roots of goodness  all reached com­ plete fulfillment, his good qualities became more firm and stable, he increased in pure faith, he aroused  great vigor,  conceived great joy, purified profound aspiration,  made the determination for enlightenment, and placed his unwavering  attention on the teaching,  keeping it firmly in mind. Then the king of the  Tushita heaven, empowered  by the Buddha,  recalled the roots of goodness he had planted with past Bud­ dhas and said in verse,

 

 

There once was a Buddha, Unobstructed Moon, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this hall of adornment, Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Broad Knowledge, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

 

514  The Flower Ornament Scripture

 

He once entered this golden hall, Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Universal Eye, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this hall of adornment, Therefore this place is most auspicious .

 

There once was a Buddha called Coral, Most auspicious among the auspicious; He once entered this jewel mine hall, Therefore this place  is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha, Lion of Philosophy, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this mountain king hall, Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Sunlight, Most  auspicious  among the auspicious; He  once entered this  hall  of flowers.

Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Boundless Light, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this tree-adorned hall , Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Banner of Truth, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this jewel palace hall, Therefore this place is most auspcious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Lamp of Knowledge, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this fragrant mountain hall, Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

There once was a Buddha called Light of Virtue, Most auspicious among the auspicious;

He once entered this crystal hall, Therefore this place is most auspicious.

 

 

As in this world the king of the Tushita heaven, by the power of the Buddha, eulogized Buddhas  of the past, so also did the kings of the Tushita heavens in all worlds praise the virtues of Buddhas.

 

Asce11 t to tlz e Palace of the Tush ita Heaven   515

 

Then the World Honored One sat crosslegged on the jewel treasury lion throne in the hall adorned by all jewels.  His body of reality was pure, his inconceivable action was free. He was in the same realm as all Buddhas  of all  times,  abiding in omniscience, entering into the same one essence with all the Buddhas . His enlightened eye was perfectly clear, and he saw all things without hindrance.  He had great mystic powers, coursing everywhere throughout the cosmos  unceasingly.  He had great occult  powers,   able to go anywhere there   might be   beings who could be taught. His body was adorned with the unobstructed embellishments of all Buddhas . He was well aware of appropriate timing in expounding teachings to people.

Unspeakably many enlightening beings came from various lands  in other regions and assembled;  the congregation was pure, their reality­ body nondual;  they rested on nothing,  and were freely able to perform the actions of Buddhas.

When the Buddha had sat on this throne, in the hall there spontane­ ously appeared countless adornments surpassing all the offerin gs of the celcstials. That is, flower garlands, robes, perfumes , incense, jeweled parasols, banners, pennants, music, and singing. Each of these was uncountable. With great reverence and respect these were offered to the Buddha. The same thing took place in all the Tushita heavens in the ten directions.