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The Manifestations of the Thus Come One

They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light from vaidurya gems and splendid mani. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light manifesting boundless beings in a single thought. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light that proclaim the great vows of all Thus Come Ones. They further displayed ten clouds of perfect light that utter sounds to teach all beings. Clouds of perfect light such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him.

Then, in the northwest, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from the infinite light of abundant, awesome virtue, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture. Below this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Lotus Fragrance Treasury of Wonderful Virtues. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Dazzling Light of a Jeweled Lion. The Buddha there was named Light of the Dharma Realm. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Flaming Wisdom of the Light of the Dharma Realm. He and as many Bodhisattvas as there are dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was.

Each Bodhisattva displayed ten brilliant clouds produced from a profusion of mani, which filled all of space and did not disperse. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds full of all kinds of incense. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds of the effulgence of all jewels. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds that issued sounds of all Buddhas speaking the Dharma. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds manifesting the adornments of all Buddhalands. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds produced from towers of splendid blossoms. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds showing the Buddhas teaching beings throughout all eons. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds containing infinitely many jeweled flower buds. They further displayed ten brilliant clouds of lavishly ornamented thrones.

Brilliant clouds such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the lower direction, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from blazing, jeweled lamps and abundant lotuses, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

Above this sea of worlds of the Flower Treasury, there was another sea of worlds called Adorned with Dazzling mani Jewels. Within the seed of those worlds there was a land called Wondrous Radiance Beyond Appearances. The Buddha there was named Radiant King of Unobstructed Merit and Virtue. Within the great sea-like assembly of that Thus Come One was a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Unimpeded Strength of Vigorous Wisdom. He and as many Bodhisattvas as dustmotes in a sea of worlds all came to where the Buddha was.

Each Bodhisattva displayed ten effulgent clouds made from jewels of boundless colors and forms, which filled all of space and did not disperse. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from a net of mani jewels. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from the adornments in all the magnificent Buddhalands. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from all sublime fragrances. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from all adornments.

They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from the transformations of all Buddhas. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from the flowers of myriad beautiful trees. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from all kinds of vajra. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from mani jewels that expounded boundless Bodhisattva practices. They further displayed ten effulgent clouds made from lamps of pearl.

Effulgent clouds such as those, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, the Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him. Then, in the upper direction, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne from a profusion of lotuses, which issued the sounds and light of the Buddhas, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture.

In this way, in seas of worlds as numerous as the dustmotes in a billion Buddhalands, there were Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas as numerous as the dustmotes in a billion Buddhalands, each surrounded by a gathering of Bodhisattvas as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. Each of those Bodhisattvas displayed clouds of offerings of all kinds of adornments, as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds, which completely filled the air and did not disperse. Having displayed those clouds, they bowed to the Buddha and offered them to him.

Then, in the direction from which he had come, each Bodhisattva created a lion’s throne adorned with all kinds of jewels, and seated himself upon that throne in full lotus posture. Having seated themselves, all of the Bodhisattvas, from each and every pore on their bodies, displayed lights of various colors from all jewels, as numerous as the dustmotes in ten seas of worlds. Within each light appeared Bodhisattvas as numerous as the dustmotes in ten seas of worlds, all seated upon lion thrones made from a profusion of lotuses.

All of those Bodhisattvas were able to pervasively enter into all the dustmotes in the oceans of arrangements of dharma realms. Each dustmote contained vast lands as numerous as the dustmotes in ten Buddha worlds. In each land there dwelt the Buddhas, World Honored Ones, of the three periods of time. Those Bodhisattvas were all able to draw near to these Buddhas and make offerings to them. In every thought, by using the method of manifesting freely in dreams, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using the method of manifesting the death and birth of all gods, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds.

In every thought, by using the method of expounding the practices of Bodhisattvas, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using the method of universally quaking all lands in order to praise the meritorious virtues and spiritual transformations of the Buddhas, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using the method of adorning and purifying all Buddhas’ lands and displaying the sea of all great vows, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using the method of universally gathering the words spoken by beings and the sounds made by all Buddhas, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds.

In every thought, by using the method of raining down clouds of all Buddhadharmas, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using the method of shining light everywhere across the lands of the ten directions, pervading the Dharma Realm and displaying spiritual transformations, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using the method of manifesting bodies of Buddhas everywhere throughout the Dharma Realm using the Thus Come Ones’ power of liberation, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds. In every thought, by using Universal Worthy Bodhisattva’s method of establishing the oceans of all assemblies and bodhimandas, they enlightened beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a sea of worlds.

Practicing thus throughout all dharma realms, they accorded with the minds of all beings and led them all to enlightenment. In every thought and in every land, they each enabled beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru who had fallen into evil paths to forever leave their sufferings; they each enabled as beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru who were abiding in improper samadhis to enter proper samadhis.

They each enabled beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to be born in the heavens according to their wishes. They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to dwell in the positions of Hearers and Pratyekabuddhas. They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to serve good teachers and to amass blessings. They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to make the resolve for supreme bodhi. They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to advance toward the Bodhisattvas’ position of nonretreat.

They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to attain the eye of pure knowledge and to perceive the equality of all dharmas as perceived by the Thus Come Ones. They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to abide in the ocean of all powers and vows and, with expedients of infinite wisdom, to purify all Buddhalands. They each led beings as numerous as the dustmotes in a Mount Sumeru to reside in the Vairochana’s ocean of vast vows and to be born in the family of the Thus Come One.

Then all the Bodhisattvas, from amidst the light, simultaneously spoke the following verse.

From amidst the lights came wondrous sounds,
Reaching all lands throughout the ten directions.
These sounds proclaimed all merit and virtue,
So the Buddha’s disciples could enter the wondrous bodhi path.

Cultivating for oceans of eons without fatigue,
They led suffering beings to liberation.
With minds neither inferior nor wearied,
The Buddha’s disciples skillfully entered such expedients.

They cultivated expedients for oceans of eons—
Measureless and boundless—never slacking off.
There was no dharma door they failed to enter.
Constantly, they expounded the nature of quiescence.

All the vows of Buddhas of the three periods of time
They cultivated and practiced to perfection,
Thereby benefiting all beings
And creating pure karma for themselves.

They traveled throughout the ten directions,
Attending the assemblies of all Buddhas.
With deeply profound, ocean-like wisdom,
They entered the Thus Come One’s Dharma of quiescence.

With no bounds whatsoever, each and every light
Enters inconceivable numbers of lands.
The eye of pure knowledge perceives it all.
This is the realm of the Bodhisattvas’ practice.

The Bodhisattva can dwell on the tip of a hair
And make the lands of the ten directions quake,
Without frightening any of the beings there.
They have that level of pure expedients.

With limitless bodies in every mote of dust,
They display countless exquisite lands.
They can die or take birth in a single thought, seen by all.
They have realized unimpeded wisdom and adornments.

In a single instant, they manifest
All eons of the three periods of time,
To help all beings realize how ephemeral the body is,
As proven by the nonobstruction of the Dharma nature.

All may enter Universal Worthy’s excellent practices,
Which cause all beings to delight in beholding him.
Disciples of the Buddha can dwell in this dharma door.
A great roar issues forth from the lights.

At that time, wishing to enable all the Bodhisattvas and others in the assembly to attain the Thus Come One’s boundless realm and power of 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. 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.

That is to say, it had a stem of assorted jewels, a seedpod of splendid 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 splendid mani gems reflected the Buddha’s body. Its sounds proclaimed the practices and vows cultivated by all Bodhisattvas. Instantly, when this flower had sprung up, there appeared in the Thus Come One’s white hair-mark curl a Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Sublime 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.

The Bodhisattva Sublime 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 Sublime 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.

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 excellent 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.

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.

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.

Then in the assembly’s midst, another Bodhisattva Mahasattva named King of Lotus Light Wisdom Contemplating All Excellent Dharmas received the Buddha’s awesome spiritual power, contemplated the ten directions, and spoke a verse.

The Thus Come One’s profound wisdom
Pervasively enters the Dharma Realm.
Turning the wheel in the three periods of time,
He serves as a bright guide for the world.

All Buddhas, sharing a common Dharma body,
Are independent, yet undifferentiated.
According with the mentalities of beings,
They lead them to see the Buddhas’ forms.

Possessed of All-Wisdom, Buddhas
Universally understand all dharmas.
Throughout all lands,
There is nowhere they fail to manifest.

A Buddha’s body and its radiant aura
Are inconceivable in color and form.
Beings with faith and joy
Are able to see as they should.

The body of one Buddha
Can transform into limitless Buddhas.
His thundering voice fills all lands,
Proclaiming Dharma as deep as the sea.

Light shines forth from each and every pore
Forming a radiant net across the ten directions.
It broadcasts the Buddhas’ wonderful sounds,
Taming those who are difficult to tame.

The Thus Come One’s radiance
Pours forth constant sounds of deep wonder,
Extolling the Buddhas’ ocean of merit and virtue
And the practices of Bodhisattvas.

The Buddha turns the wheel of Proper Dharma,
Which surpasses all measures and bounds.
Without equal, the Dharma that he speaks
Cannot be fathomed by those of shallow wisdom.

In each and every world,
A Buddha appears and realizes proper enlightenment.
Each performs spiritual transformations,
Completely filling the Dharma Realm.

Each body of the Thus Come One
manifests further Buddhas equal to the number of beings.
In lands as numerous as dustmotes,
Buddhas universally display their spiritual powers.

Then in the assembly’s midst, another Bodhisattva Mahasattva named Luminous Wisdom of Rejoicing in Dharma received the Buddhas’ awesome spiritual power, contemplated the ten directions, and spoke a verse.

The Buddha’s body frequently appears,
Filling the entire Dharma Realm.
With a great voice, he constantly proclaims,
Causing the lands of the ten directions to tremble.

The Thus Come One manifests everywhere,
Making his presence felt in all worlds.
In accordance with beings’ joys and desires,
He displays the strength of spiritual powers.

Based upon the thoughts of beings,
The Buddha appears before them all.
Beings see what they see
By virtue of the Buddha’s spiritual power.

Boundless is his light,
Measureless the Dharma he speaks.
Following his wisdom, disciples of the Buddha
May enter and contemplate.

The Buddha’s body is beyond birth,
Yet he manifests being born.
Akin to space, the Dharma nature
Is where all Buddhas dwell.

Neither staying nor departing,
The Buddha is seen in all places.
His illumination reaches everywhere,
And his name is heard afar.

Lacking substance and location,
Not coming into being,
Devoid of shape or form,
All manifestations are but shadows.

The Buddha, in accordance with beings’ minds,
Creates great Dharma clouds for them.
With sundry expedient methods,
He instructs, enlightens, and tames them.

In the midst of every world,
A Buddha is seen sitting in a bodhimanda.
Surrounded by a great assembly,
He illumines the lands of the ten directions.

The bodies of all Buddhas
Possess infinite hallmarks.
Limitless are their manifestations,
Yet their own physical form never perishes.

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