ང་་འན་་ལ་པོ ་མདོ།

The King of Samādhis Sūtra

Samādhirājasūtra
 འཕགས་པ་ས་ཐམས་ཅད་་རང་བན་མཉམ་པ་ད་མ་པར་ོས་པ་ང་་འན་་ལ་པོ་ས་་བ་ག་པ་ན་པོ ་མདོ།

’phags pa chos thams cad kyi rang bzhin mnyam pa nyid rnam par spros pa ting nge ’dzin gyi
rgyal po zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo

The Mahāyāna Sūtra “The King of Samādhis, the Revealed Equality of the Nature of All
Phenomena”

Āryasarvadharmasvabhāvasamatāvipañcitasamādhirājanāmamahāyānasūtra
 Toh 127
Degé Kangyur, vol. 55 (mdo sde, da), folios 1.b–170.b.

Translated by Peter Alan Roberts

under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha

v 1.23 2018
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co. CONTENTS

ti. Title
co. Contents
s. Summary
ac. Acknowledgements
i. Introduction
tr. The Translation
1. The Introduction
2. Śālendrarāja
3. Praise of the Buddha’s Qualities
4. Samādhi
5. Ghosadatta
̣
6. Cultivating the Samādhi
7. The Attainment of Patience
8. Buddha Abhāvasamudgata
9. The Patience of the Profound Dharma
10. The Entry into the City
11. Becoming a Keeper of the Sūtra
12. The Training According to the Samādhi
13. The Teaching of the Samādhi
14. The Buddha’s Smile
15. The Elucidation of the Buddha’s Smile
16. The Past
17. The Entranceway to the Samādhi that is Taught by Many Buddhas
18. The Entrustment of the Samādhi
19. The Teaching of the Inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha
 20. Indraketudhvajarāja
21. The Past
22. The Teaching on the Body
23. The Teaching on the Tathāgata’s Body
24. The Inconceivable Tathāgata
25. Engaging in Discernment
26. Rejoicing
27. The Benefits of Generosity
28. The Teaching on Correct Conduct
29. Ten Benefits
30. Tejagun ̣arāja
31. Benefits
32. The Teaching on the Nature of All Phenomena
33. The Benefits of Possessing the Sūtra
34. Ksemadatta
̣
35. Jñānāvatī
36. Supuspacandra
̣
37. Teaching the Aggregate of Correct Conduct
38. Yaśah ̣prabha
39. Restraint of the Body, Speech, and Mind
40. [Untitled]

c. Colophon
ab. Abbreviations
n. Notes
b. Bibliography
g. Glossary
s. SUMMARY

s.1 This sūtra, much quoted in later Buddhist writings for its profound statements especially
on the nature of emptiness, relates a long teaching given by the Buddha mainly in
response to questions put by a young layman, Candraprabha. The samādhi that is the
subject of the sūtra, in spite of its name, primarily consists of various aspects of conduct,
motivation, and the understanding of emptiness; it is also a way of referring to the sūtra
itself. The teaching given in the sūtra is the instruction to be dedicated to the possession
and promulgation of the samādhi, and to the necessary conduct of a bodhisattva, which is
exemplified by a number of accounts from the Buddha’s previous lives. Most of the
teaching takes place on Vulture Peak Mountain, with an interlude recounting the
Buddha’s invitation and visit to Candraprabha’s home in Rājagrha,
̣ where he continues to
teach Candraprabha before returning to Vulture Peak Mountain. In one subsequent
chapter the Buddha responds to a request by Ānanda, and the text concludes with a
commitment by Ānanda to maintain this teaching in the future.

ac. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ac.1 Translated from the Tibetan, with reference to Sanskrit editions, by Peter Alan Roberts.
The Chinese consultant was Ling-Lung Chen. Edited by Emily Bower and Ben Gleason.
This translation has been completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000:
Translating the Words of the Buddha.
The generous donation of an anonymous donor, which helped make the work on this
translation possible, is most gratefully acknowledged.
i. INTRODUCTION

i.1 The Samādhirājasūtra, or King of Samādhis Sūtra, is one of the earlier Mahāyāna sūtras
to appear in India. It contains teachings on emptiness, bodhisattva conduct, and
mendicancy, as well as tales of previous lifetimes and prophecies for the future. Its
teaching on emptiness is much quoted by such Mādhyamaka masters as Candrakīrti and
Śāntideva, as well as in later Buddhist literature.
i.2 The samādhi of the title does not simply refer to meditation, but is used to designate
both the sūtra itself and an entire range of Buddhist practices for conduct, meditation,
motivation, and realization. The sūtra enumerates over three hundred of the samādhi’s
qualities. One of the samādhi’s main descriptive epithets is given in the long form of the
title itself as “the revealed1 equality of the nature of all phenomena.” However, far from
being a systematic textbook on the features of any one practice or doctrine, the sūtra has a
complex, convoluted structure and includes long narrative passages. These not only relate
the Buddha’s interactions with Candraprabha, the main interlocutor, but also tell lengthy
stories in mixed prose and verse from the Buddha’s past lives—in his own words—
exemplifying the points he teaches. Interspersed in these narratives, often in the form of
verse teachings given by past tathāgatas, are some of the profound statements on the
nature of phenomena, and on the essential points of the path, for which the sūtra is justly
celebrated.

History of the Sūtra

i.3 As is the case for most sūtras, it is impossible to be sure when this work first appeared in
writing; indeed, the sūtra is very likely a compilation of earlier shorter works. None of the
complete extant Sanskrit manuscripts can be dated to earlier than the sixth century.
There is, however, a reference to it in the Sūtrasamuccaya, a work attributed to
Nāgārjuna (second or third century) although the attribution is not universally accepted.
There is even a claim that The King of Samādhis Sūtra was translated into Chinese in 148
CE, but this, too, is disputed. The mention of a Samādhirāja in Asaṅga’s fourth century
Mahāyānasaṃgraha may be a reference to the sūtra.
i.4 At least two shorter independent works that may have existed earlier appear to have
been incorporated into the King of Samādhis Sūtra. One is a text entitled Mahāprajñā-
samādhisūtra (The Sūtra of the Samādhi of Great Wisdom) or Mañjuśrībodhisattva-
cāryā (The Bodhisattva Conduct of Mañjuśrī). It is a teaching on the six perfections that
must have existed as early as the fifth century, as it was translated into Chinese by Shih
Sien-kung (420–479). It corresponds to chapters 27–29 of the King of Samādhis Sūtra in
the Tibetan version, except that the Mahāprajñāsamādhisūtra has Mañjuśrī as the
recipient of the teaching instead of Candraprabha (both bodhisattvas have the title
Kumārabhūta).
i.5 The other is chapter 36 of the Tibetan version of the King of Samādhis Sūtra, which
also appears to have originally been an independent text; its interlocutor is Ānanda,
whose name in this case was not changed to that of Candraprabha.
i.6 Candraprabha, the principal interlocutor in the sūtra, appears in a number of other
sūtras, but particularly in the Raśmisamantamuktanirdeśasūtra, Toh 55 in the Heap of
Jewels (Ratnakūta)
̣ section of the Kangyur, in which, as in the King of Samādhis Sūtra,
he is depicted as inviting the Buddha to his home and making elaborate preparations for
the visit. Most of the qualities of the samādhi described in the King of Samādhis Sūtra
also appear within the list of the qualities of a samādhi in The Sūtra of the Samādhi of the
Miraculous Ascertainment of Peace. 2
i.7 The entire sūtra was translated into Chinese by Narendrayaśas in 557. Narendrayaśas
(517–589) was a much-traveled Indian monk from Orissa who arrived in China in 556.
This Chinese version is widely known under an alternative title, Candrapradīpasamādhi-
sūtra (The Sūtra of the Samādhi of the Lamp of the Moon, Taishō 639); this title is
closely related to the alternative title used in some Indian commentaries (see below).
Narendrayaśas’s translation is divided into ten chapters, in contrast to the forty of the
Tibetan. There are fragments of three Sanskrit manuscripts from central Asia, dated to
the fifth or sixth centuries, that correspond to this version, but no complete manuscript
has survived.
i.8 The ninth century Tibetan translation of the sūtra in the Kangyur was made from a
Sanskrit version no longer extant, but longer than the one translated into Chinese. The
Tibetan was translated during the reign of King Ralpachen (815–838) by Śīlendrabodhi
and Chönyi Tsultrim (who used the Sanskrit version of his name, Dharmatāśīla).
i.9 The earliest complete Indian manuscript to have survived is the one discovered in 1938
in the ruins of a library near Gilgit. It is dated, from the calligraphy of its Gupta script, to
the sixth century. It has some additional verses that do not appear in the Chinese version,
but is significantly shorter than the Tibetan translation, with fewer verses and prose
passages. Much closer to the Tibetan is a group of twelve later Sanskrit manuscripts
found in Nepal, including the one referred to here as the Hodgson manuscript; another
group of Nepalese manuscripts contain additional material usually not found in the
Tibetan, and includes the one referred to here as the Shastri manuscript.3
i.10 In the Sanskrit versions, much of the sūtra is composed of verse in a highly distinctive
Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit (BHS). The prose is in what appears to be classical Sanskrit in
terms of spelling and case endings, but the vocabulary includes words that are only found
in BHS, or words that exist in classical Sanskrit but have a different meaning in BHS.
i.11 The number of chapters, as well as where the chapter breaks occur, varies in these
different versions and manuscripts. The Chinese text is divided into only ten chapters.
The Tibetan version is often referred to as having thirty-eight chapters, but a closer look
reveals that there are two additional untitled final chapters. The Tibetan, unlike the
Sanskrit versions, does not make a final chapter from the conclusion, and does not divide
its chapter 39 on the restraint of the body, speech, and mind into three chapters, but it
does make a short chapter 22 from what, in the Sanskrit, constitutes the end of chapter
21.
i.12 The sūtra is quoted in a number of Indian treatises as well as many Tibetan works.
Indian authors such as Candrakīrti and Śāntideva referred to it by the title Candra-
pradīpasūtra (zla ba sgron ma’i mdo); other authors used the title Samādhirāja. The
earliest known quotations from the sūtra were made by Candrakīrti in the seventh
century; he quoted from it twenty times in his Prasannapadā (Clear Words), and also in
his Madhyamakāvatāra (Entering the Middle Way). He also quoted verses that appear
only in the longer version of the sūtra, and not in the manuscript that was translated into
Tibetan in the early ninth century. It would therefore seem that variants of the sūtra
already coexisted in India in the seventh century.
i.13 Candrakīrti is followed by Śāntideva in the late seventh to early eighth century, who
quotes it twenty times in his Śiks ̣asamuccaya (Compendium of Training).
i.14 The sūtra, particularly its verses on emptiness, is quoted by other prominent Indian
authors such as Prajñākaramati in his Bodhisattvacaryāvatārapañjikā (Commentary on
Difficult Points in “Entering the Conduct of the Bodhisattvas”), which is a commentary
on Śāntideva’s Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra (Entering the Conduct of the Bodhisattvas) and
Kamalaśīla’s Bhāvanākrama (Stages of Meditation).
i.15 A passage from chapter 3 in which the Buddha summarizes for Candraprabha the
qualities of a tathāgata (3.3) seems to have been the source for the short Kangyur sūtra
Remembering the Buddha (Buddhānusmrti,
̣ sangs rgyas rjes su dran pa, Toh 279),
which reproduces verbatim the Tibetan translation of the passage and is therefore
unlikely to be a parallel translation from an independent Sanskrit original (although that
is not impossible). This widely known and much recited text is part of a set of three such
works (Toh 279–281), one for each of the Three Jewels, and often reproduced as a single
work with the title Remembering the Three Jewels. However, the passages on the
Dharma and Saṅgha are not drawn from the King of Samādhis.
i.16 The King of Samādhis is also quoted in many treatises on tantras, and its recitation is
prescribed in man ̣d ̣ala ritual texts. For example, the Man ̣d ̣ala Rite of Cakrasamvara says
that four sūtras should be recited, one in each of the four main directions around the
 man ̣d ̣ala. The sūtras are the Prajñāparāmitā (Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand
Verses); Gan ̣d ̣havyūha (Array of Trees), which is the last chapter of the Avataṃsaka;
Laṅkāvātara (Entry into Laṅka); and Samādhirāja (King of Samādhis).4
i.17 These four sūtras are among the nine principal works that came to be considered the
most important in Nepalese Buddhism; they are frequently recited, and offerings are
made to them. The other five sūtras in this group are the Saddharmapun ̣d ̣arīka (The
White Lotus of the Good Dharma), Lalitavistara (The Play in Full), Tathāgataguhyaka
(The Secret of the Tathāgatas), Suvarn ̣aprabha (The Golden Light), and Daśabhūmika
(The Ten Bhūmis).
i.18 In China, the King of Samādhis—unlike the White Lotus of the Good Dharma—never
gained any great prominence, and no commentary was translated.
i.19 In Tibet, although its existence was well known through its use as a source of
quotations, the sūtra itself was not particularly studied, nor were its admonitions to
dedicate oneself to its recitation and follow a life of extreme mendicancy followed.
Nevertheless, more than two hundred years after it had been translated into Tibetan, the
King of Samādhis Sūtra did gain a certain importance within the circle of students who
followed Atiśa Dipaṃkaraśrījñāna (980–1054) and became the founders of the Kadampa
tradition, which emphasized the bodhisattva path of the Mahāyāna sūtras. Atiśa’s
translator and guide Nagtsho Lotsawa translated a commentary on the King of Samādhis
Sūtra by the Indian master Mañjuśrīkīrti entitled Kīrtimālā (The Garland of Fame).
Mañjuśrīkīrti may be the same person as the student of Candrakīrti with that name,
although that would seem unlikely given the definite influence of the Yogacāra tradition
in his work.5 Moreover, Nagtsho’s Tibetan translation of the commentary incorporates
the earlier Tibetan translation of the sūtra itself—another indication that Mañjuśrīkīrti’s
original commentary was written for the same version of the sūtra in Sanskrit that had
been translated into Tibetan, and not the longer version that Candrakīrti quoted from.
i.20 Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition, which was based on the Kadampa
tradition, quotes from the sūtra thirteen times in his Lamrim Chenmo (Great Graduated
Path), and his student Khedrup Jé also relied upon it as a major source of quotations. The
sūtra is also much quoted in the best known commentarial works of the great scholars of
all traditions, including several of the early Sakya masters, Longchenpa, Minling Terchen,
and Drikung Chökyi Trakpa, as well as those of later authors like Jamgön Kongtrul,
Mipham, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, and Jigme Tenpai Nyima.
i.21 Some of the quotations from the sūtra in the Tibetan commentarial literature are
ascribed to it erroneously, such as the one-line quotation on buddha nature (an idea
barely even mentioned in the sūtra), in the first few lines of Gampopa’s text on the
graduated path, An Adornment for the Precious Path to Liberation. Similarly, an eight-
line prophecy concerning the Karmapa incarnations is frequently ascribed to the sūtra
even though it is not to be found in any extant version, even as a paraphrase.6 Among the
other reasons why the sūtra is revered in the Kagyu tradition, the monastic lineage of
which was founded by Gampopa, is perhaps that Gampopa’s Kadampa teacher Potowa is
 said to have identified him as the rebirth of Candraprabha, the interlocutor of the King of
Samādhis. Gampopa used the name Da-ö Shönnu (zla ’od gzhon nu, the Tibetan for
Candraprabha Kumāra) in his colophons, and later teachers sometimes referred to him by
that name. Since Gampopa himself is nevertheless not known to have been a promulgator
of the sūtra, in order to conform to the prophecy it has been claimed that it represents a
sūtra version of Gampopa’s Mahāmudrā teaching—but not explicitly so, and indeed the
reader will not find any such doctrinal elements that set its viewpoint particularly apart
from that of the Perfection of Wisdom sūtras.

The Contents

i.22 The sūtra portrays a form of Buddhism that emphasized mendicancy, living at the foot of
trees in forests, and so on, in opposition to less austere Buddhist ways of life. It considers
nirvān ̣a impossible to attain for householders, and likens nirvān ̣a to a flame being
extinguished, bringing any activity to an end. In it, the Buddha emphasizes again and
again the vast number of eons during which he and other tathāgatas practiced before
attaining enlightenment.
i.23 It contains prophecies describing the very time when the sūtra itself is being
disseminated in India, saying it will be rejected and denounced by other monks. As well
as its strong promotion of mendicancy, insisting that a bhiksụ should remain in the forest
and have no possessions, it condemns the corruption of bhiksus
̣ who accumulate
possessions and visit laypeople’s homes to teach them there. Its strict adherence to the
forest lifestyle, and its condemnation of bhiksus
̣ who do not follow it, would not have
found wide favor in some of the Buddhist establishments of that time. The sūtra also
addresses the known problem of that time of destitute people who joined the ranks of
Buddhist monks in order to receive material support for themselves, without having any
genuine dedication to or understanding of the teaching.
i.24 This is one example of how the sūtra shows evidence of the conditions prevailing at the
time and place it was promulgated. Another—one of its less appealing aspects for our
present age, but one that is typical of many early Mahāyāna sūtras—is its attitude toward
women: the bodhisattva is always male, as is explicit in the Sanskrit (although in this
translation frequent use has been made of the plural to render bodhisattvas’ male gender
less obvious). Women often appear as property that is given away, and the noble kings
have harems as well as slaves, though the Tibetan did not have the term to translate
antapurah ̣ (harem) and used the more palatable “retinue of queens.” However, women
are still seen as capable of being devotees of the path of the sūtra, and in particular there
is the tale of Princess Jñānāvatī, who cuts off the flesh from her thigh so as to heal her
sick bhiksụ teacher. But in every such case this means that the woman will gain a male
rebirth so that she may be able to continue on the path to enlightenment.
i.25 The sūtra also mentions the sacrificial offering of burning a hand (which is, however,
then miraculously reconstituted). This passage, along with similar accounts in other
sūtras, has inspired the Tibetan tradition of burning a finger as an offering.
i.26 The sūtra has several references linking it with South India. It contains references to
South Indian music, and the nominative -u ending is a characteristic of South India. More
significantly, in the post-Gilgit additional verses there is a special emphasis given to Rishi
Ananta, who was highly revered in the south.
i.27 There are several doctrinal indicators to the period in which it appeared. This being an
early Mahāyāna sūtra, there is no mention in the King of Samādhis of the saṃbhogakāya
or nirmān ̣akāya, but only dharmakāya and rūpakāya; the doctrine of three kāyas came to
prominence later. Nor is there any real mention of the tathāgatagarbha, or buddha
nature, another notion developed in later works.
i.28 Although there is mention in both the Gilgit and Chinese versions of Buddha Amitābha
and his realm Sukhāvatī, Amitābha’s accompanying bodhisattvas Avalokiteśvara and
Mahāstāmaprapta are noticeable by their absence, indicating that the sūtra dates back to
a time before their rise to prominence, and possibly to a time even before the appearance
of the longer Sukhāvatīsūtra. However, as might be expected, both bodhisattvas do
appear in the additional verses of the later Sanskrit versions, and therefore the Tibetan,
too. As a pair, however, they still have equal status, as they frequently do in Mahāyāna
sūtras before the rise of Avalokiteśvara to preeminence by the fourth or fifth century.
i.29 Some of the later additional verses, too, include references to the ten bodhisattva
bhūmis that are unlikely to have been in the earliest version, as the Perfection of Wisdom
tradition, as well as the early Yogacāra of Asaṅga, mention only seven bhūmis.
i.30 A particular feature that the sūtra shares with quite a large number of other Mahāyāna
sūtras, such as the White Lotus of the Good Dharma Sūtra, is that it promotes itself as
the core focus of a bodhisattva’s practice, stating that the bodhisattva should recite it,
promulgate it, and so on.

The Translation

i.31 Given the significant differences between the versions of this sūtra in Sanskrit, Chinese,
and Tibetan, an English translation could never represent all versions equally, and
necessarily involves a selective approach based on stated principles. In this translation of
the King of Samādhis, we have chosen to stay as close as possible to the Tibetan of the
Kangyur, which has more content than both the Chinese translation and the Gilgit
manuscript. However, we have compared the Tibetan closely to the Chinese and Gilgit
versions, along with the two longer Nepalese Sanskrit manuscripts identified in this
translation as Shastri and Hodgson (see above). Discrepancies between the versions are
recorded in the notes.
i.32 Where there are significant discrepancies, the Tibetan has been favored in the
translation wherever possible, as it probably represents a particular Sanskrit version that
has not survived. In some instances, however, adhering to the Tibetan would have caused
problems regarding the meaning of the text, and here the Sanskrit reading has been
preferred. Consulting the other versions has also been indispensable in clearing up
ambiguities, variations in the Tibetan between the different Kangyurs, and the occasional
error in the Tibetan, the results of scribal corruption or adopting the wrong meaning of a
word, such as the classical Sanskrit meaning instead of the BHS meaning. Also of great
help has been clarification from the Chinese translation that Ling-Lung Chen has been
able to provide. In one case, the Chinese preserves an uncorrupted version of a passage in
which “nature” was later replaced by “past,” resulting in a peculiar set of verses with a
peculiar meaning.
i.33 A particular difficulty was the list of qualities of the samādhi given in chapter 1. They
are defined in order in chapter 40, and also in Mañjuśrīkīrti’s commentary on the sūtra,
which itself was useful in ascertaining the intended meaning of these words. However,
there are discrepancies between these three versions in Tibetan, as well as with the
qualities as listed in the Sanskrit versions of the sūtra.
i.34 Much invaluable work has already been done on this sūtra by present-day Western
scholars. Konstanty (also Constantin) Régamey planned an erudite translation of the
entire sūtra based on Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Chinese, which was interrupted by the effects
of World War II in Poland. However, we are fortunate that copies of his translation of
chapters 8, 19, and 22 survived the destruction of his work.
i.35 Nalinaksha Dutt published an edition of the Gilgit manuscripts with comparison to two
later Nepalese manuscripts in the 1940s and ’50s. Luis Gómez and Jonathan Silk
published a translation of the first four chapters in 1989. John Rockwell translated
chapters 4, 5, 7, and 9 in 1980. Christoph Cüppers translated the ninth chapter in 1990,
and Mark Tatz translated the eleventh chapter in 1972. Finally, Andrew Skilton’s research
into the various versions of the Samādhirāja Sūtra, in several publications from 1999
onwards, has been very illuminating and has been particularly useful for this
introduction.

Outline

i.36 Chapter 1: The Introduction

The Buddha Śākyamuni is on Vulture Peak Mountain outside Rājagrha
̣ with a great
gathering of bhiksus
̣ and bodhisattvas. Candraprabha asks him for instruction. The
Buddha states that evenness of mind is the one quality that will bring enlightenment
and the attainment of the samādhi called the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena, which is described as having an array of qualities that covers all the
various aspects of the path. On hearing this, a multitude of beings attain various stages
of realization; the earth shakes, and a radiance illuminates the universe.
i.37 Chapter 2: Śālendrarāja
The Buddha tells Candraprabha in both prose and verse how in a past life he was a
cakravartin named Bhīsmottara
̣ who for quintillions of eons honored successive
buddhas on Vulture Peak Mountain and received the teaching of this sūtra from all of
them. The last of those buddhas was Śālendrarāja. The Buddha says that serving the
buddhas in this way is necessary for the attainment of buddhahood. He says that those
who uphold this sūtra in the future will be reborn in Sukhāvatī.

i.38 Chapter 3: Praise of the Buddha’s Qualities

The Buddha tells Candraprabha about the qualities of a tathāgata, and explains that
they can be attained through this sūtra. Then, in verse, he describes his acts of
generosity in past lives and his search for this sūtra. He describes the benefits of the
sūtra and condemns those in the future who teach but do not practice. Candraprabha
vows to uphold this teaching in the future.

i.39 Chapter 4: Samādhi

Candraprabha asks what is meant by samādhi. The Buddha explains that it means the
attainment of realization, the elimination of the kleśas, correct conduct, renunciation,
and other such qualities. Then the Buddha describes in verse the nature and result of
practicing this samādhi.

i.40 Chapter 5: Ghosadatta

̣
The Buddha tells Candraprabha that the practitioner should abandon all worldly ties
and his home. He then describes how in the past there was a buddha named
Ghosadatta.
̣ A king named Mahābala and his subjects make extensive offerings to him.
However, the king realizes that his subjects have made the offerings with the hope for
material benefits in future lives. Buddha Ghosadatta
̣ recites verses on how it is
necessary to abandon one’s home and all material possessions. King Mahābala
becomes a bhiksu,
̣ and in subsequent lifetimes serves two hundred million buddhas
and hears the teaching of this sūtra from them all. He eventually becomes a buddha
named Jñānaśūra. Mahābala’s subjects, who also became bhiksus,
̣ all become buddhas
named Drḍ ̣haśūra.

i.41 Chapter 6: Cultivating the Samādhi

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that many offerings should be made to the Buddha but
without the concept of a giver or recipient and that the merit that ensues should be
dedicated to attaining enlightenment. Then, knowing that there is no birth, death, or
anyone who is a bodhisattva, they will be impervious to the attacks or persuasions of
the māras.

i.42 Chapter 7: The Attainment of Patience

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that a bodhisattva needs to attain three kinds of
patience. The first patience is to maintain the Dharma by not arguing, and so on; to
know that everything is an illusion; to know the sūtras; to have no doubt; to have no
 anger toward tīrthikas; to speak truthfully; never to abandon the path to buddhahood;
and to master worldly skills. The second patience is having undisturbed śamatha and
vipaśyanā, being in meditation during all activity, attaining the five higher cognitions,
having miraculous powers, and remembering every word that is taught. With the third
patience the bodhisattva can see all other worlds, has a golden body, teaches millions of
beings, receives the prophecy of his buddhahood, and being aware of emptiness he
remains unaffected by praise or blame, loss or gain.

i.43 Chapter 8: Buddha Abhāvasamudgata

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that the bodhisattva has to attain the wisdom of the
nonexistence of phenomena so that he will have no desire. He adds that in the past
there was a buddha named Abhāvasamudgata, who at birth levitated and declared the
nonexistence of all phenomena, following which all the sounds in the world made the
same declaration. Later, a prince named Mahākarun ̣ācintin became one of his bhiksus,
̣
received the teaching of this sūtra, and thereby after twenty eons became a buddha
named Suvicinitārtha.

i.44 Chapter 9: The Patience of the Profound Dharma

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that all the buddhas have attained buddhahood as a
result of practicing the teaching of this sūtra. He says that the patience of the Dharma
is attained through realizing that everything is like a dream or an illusion, so that there
is no desire, anger, or ignorance. He teaches that one should avoid association with
fools, and with those who have become bhiksus
̣ as a source of livelihood. He teaches
that one should not only give the teachings but also practice and realize them.

i.45 Chapter 10: The Entry into the City

Candraprabha praises the teaching and aspires to it. The Buddha places his hand on
Candraprabha’s head and Candraprabha instantly realizes quintillions of samādhis.
Candraprabha praises the Buddha and invites him to come for his midday meal at his
home. The Buddha assents by remaining silent. Candraprabha then has the road to his
home cleaned and divinely adorned. Throughout the night, he prepares a sumptuous
meal. He then adorns the city and his own home. Accompanied by bodhisattvas and
citizens he goes to Vulture Peak Mountain to invite the Buddha to his home. The
Buddha proceeds there accompanied by a multitude of deities. The ground shakes as he
takes his first step into the city. Everyone in the world becomes happy and deities make
vast offerings.

i.46 Chapter 11: Becoming a Keeper of the Sūtra

The Buddha and his saṅgha are served food at Candraprabha’s home. When the
Buddha has finished eating, Candraprabha praises him, aspires to become a buddha,
and requests teaching that will enable him to accomplish that. The Buddha states that
only one quality is necessary, which is the knowledge of the insubstantial nature of
phenomena. He also describes the vast merit and good results that come from knowing
 even one verse of this sūtra. Candraprabha aspires to be a keeper of this sūtra in the
future. The Buddha prophesies to many millions of beings who are present that they
will attain buddhahood after more than four million eons have passed.

i.47 Chapter 12: The Training According to the Samādhi

The Buddha teaches Candraprabha that the mind has no nature of its own, and that the
nature of the mind is the nature of the buddhas. The bodhisattva who knows that
teaching is free from all bondage and masters all the skills of words and teaching.

i.48 Chapter 13: The Teaching of the Samādhi

The Buddha teaches that a bodhisattva should be skilled in teaching this samādhi,
which is nonconceptual. The bodhisattva should be free of illusion and have great
compassion.

i.49 Chapter 14: The Buddha’s Smile

Candraprabha, inspired by the teaching, recites verses praising how the Buddha has
practiced, how true and supreme his words are, and how many different kinds of beings
have gathered to listen to him. The Buddha smiles and Maitreya asks him the reason
why.

i.50 Chapter 15: The Elucidation of the Buddha’s Smile

The Buddha explains to Maitreya that Candraprabha has in previous lives seen ten
thousand million buddhas in this very city of Rājagrha,
̣ and has received this same
teaching on samādhi. He will also teach this samādhi in the future. He will see many
buddhas and will eventually become a buddha named Vimalaprabha. Candraprabha on
hearing this levitates with joy and praises the Buddha and rejoices in his good fortune.

i.51 Chapter 16: The Past

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that the samādhi of this sūtra frees beings from all
illness and lower rebirths. The Buddha adds in verse that in a past life he was a prince
named Mati who had an incurable illness. A bhiksụ named Brahmadatta, who was a
previous life of Buddha Dīpaṃkara, taught him the samādhi and he was cured. Then
the Buddha prophesies that in the future there will be bhiksus
̣ with worldly desires and
conduct, and when they die they will be reborn in the lower existences.

i.52 Chapter 17: The Entranceway to the Samādhi that is Taught by Many
Buddhas
The bodhisattva Maitreya tells the Buddha he is going to Vulture Peak Mountain in
order to prepare offerings to the Buddha. When he arrives there he transforms it into a
flat, divinely adorned ground with a throne in its center. Then he returns to
Candraprabha’s home and describes what he has created. The Buddha returns to the
mountain and sits on the throne. Candraprabha and millions of others also come to the
mountain and Candraprabha requests a teaching. The Buddha describes four qualities
necessary for attaining the samādhi of this sūtra: the first is calmness and self-
restraint, the second is correct conduct, the third is fear of the three realms, and the
 fourth is devotion to the Dharma and benefiting others. Then in verse the Buddha
describes a succession of buddhas within two eons of the distant past. He states that
whoever hears their names will quickly attain this samādhi. Then he recounts that they
were followed by a buddha named Narendraghosa.
̣ At that time the Buddha was a king
named Śirībala, who with five hundred sons received this samādhi teaching from
Narendraghosa.
̣ He and his sons all became bhiksus.
̣ Śirībala was then reborn as the
son of King Drḍ ̣habala. The prince, remembering millions of previous lives, asks if the
Buddha Narendraghosạ is still alive, and describes and praises his teaching of this
samādhi. King Drḍ ̣habala brings his son, along with millions of other people, to that
buddha, hears the teaching, and becomes a bhiksu.
̣ Sixty eons later King Drḍ ̣habala
becomes Buddha Padmottara, and all his subjects who became bhiksus
̣ all eventually
become buddhas who all have the same name: Anantajñānanottara. The five hundred
sons became the five hundred students of Śākyamuni who would in future times teach
this sūtra. King Drḍ ̣habala and his queen also became the Buddha’s parents:
Śuddhodana and Māyādevī.

i.53 Chapter 18: The Entrustment of the Samādhi

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that a bodhisattva who possesses this samādhi has four
qualities: unsurpassable merit, being invincible to adversaries, unlimited wisdom, and
an unending eloquence. Candraprabha asks the Buddha who will listen to this samādhi
in the future. The Buddha says that only bhiksus
̣ with pure mendicancy will have faith
in it. Those who reject it will have incalculable bad karma. Candraprabha vows to
promulgate the sūtra in a future life and endure the abuse of those with no faith in it.
Eight hundred others also vow to uphold the sūtra and eight hundred million deities
vow to protect them. The Buddha gives his blessing, the world shakes, and the Buddha
prophesies the buddhahood of the millions of beings who have listened to the sūtra.

i.54 Chapter 19: The Teaching of the Inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha
The Buddha teaches Candraprabha that it is through this samādhi that the
inconceivable Dharma is attained. Candraprabha, listening to the teaching, attains that
samādhi. A thousand million worlds shake as a result. A multitude of devas rejoice that
they have also heard this teaching. The gandharva Pañcaśikha with five hundred other
gandharvas fly down to Vulture Peak Mountain and play music as an offering. The
Buddha causes the teaching of the inconceivable Dharma to come from the sound of
their music. The teaching describes the unreality of existence and the benefits of
nonattachment and equanimity.

i.55 Chapter 20: Indraketudhvajarāja

In this short chapter the Buddha instructs Candraprabha on gaining great compassion
and depending on a spiritual guide. There are also eleven verses on the teaching of
emptiness by a buddha in the past named Indraketudhvajarāja.

i.56 Chapter 21: The Past

 In the prose introduction, the Buddha instructs Candraprabha on accumulating merit
and avoiding the influence of bad companions. The verses describe how in the distant
past, a king came across two renunciants in the forest and was inspired by them.
However, bhiksus
̣ who disliked their ascetic lifestyle and views urged the king to kill or
banish them. A goddess who looked after the king’s benefit countered their influence.
They succeeded in influencing the king’s brother and he led an army to the forest. The
deities of the forest massacred them and all involved in the plot were reborn in hell.
The Buddha explains that the two monks were Buddha Dīpaṃkara and himself, the
king was Maitreya, and Candraprabha was the goddess.

i.57 Chapter 22: The Teaching on the Body

In this very brief chapter, the Buddha instructs Candraprabha not to have attachment
to body or life. Those who avoid such attachment will attain buddhahood. Those who
do have these attachments will commit bad actions and go to hell after death.

i.58 Chapter 23: The Teaching on the Tathāgata’s Body

The Buddha teaches Candraprabha that a buddha should not be identified as his
rūpakāya or form body, but as the dharmakāya, the “Dharma body,” which is
indescribable and unquantifiable. Even though someone sees the physical presence of a
buddha, that is a manifestation of the dharmakāya, and it is the dharmakāya that is the
Buddha’s true body, which cannot be perceived as having any features or actions.

i.59 Chapter 24: The Inconceivable Tathāgata

The Buddha teaches Candraprabha that through this sūtra a bodhisattva can gain four
kinds of discernment: discernment of phenomena, of meaning, of definitions, and of
confident speech. He then gives a long explanation of the discernment of phenomena,
in which successive qualities are explained in relation to four aspects: the composite
teaching, the composite, the kleśas, and purification. For each of these there is an
inconceivable number of each quality. The second, third, and fourth discernments are
explained in single brief sentences. The concluding verses state that the Buddha has
innumerable qualities, and exhort the teaching of this sūtra.

i.60 Chapter 25: Engaging in Discernment

The Buddha teaches Candraprabha in greater depth on the discernment of phenomena,
emphasizing that there is no difference between the nature of phenomena and
enlightenment, and specifying that there is no difference between the nature of the
skandhas and enlightenment. Then in verse he teaches the emptiness of phenomena
and nirvān ̣a, and that his true body is not his “form body,” the rūpakāya, but his
dharmakāya, and therefore the only one who has truly seen a buddha is one who has
seen the dharmakāya, who has seen emptiness. There follows a condemnation of
bhiksus
̣ of the future who will be concerned with gain and honors, and will teach and
become involved with laypeople, and are destined for the hells. However, there should
be no anger toward them; they should be treated with respect. There is also advice on
 humility and circumspection in giving teachings, as to who should be taught and what
kind of teaching should be given. There is also an exhortation to make offerings, but
also that the merit gained from this sūtra is far more vast than the most extensive
offerings.

i.61 Chapter 26: Rejoicing

The Buddha teaches Candraprabha that a bodhisattva must be skillful in methods,
which he defines as rejoicing in the merit of beings. Then in verse he describes rejoicing
in various kinds of good actions and the benefits of mendicancy, and concludes by
saying that being careful is the root of all of these.

i.62 Chapter 27: The Benefits of Generosity

In this brief chapter, the Buddha teaches Candraprabha that a careful bodhisattva
practices the six perfections. Then he teaches the ten benefits that come from
practicing the first of these: generosity.

i.63 Chapter 28: The Benefits of Correct Conduct

In this very brief chapter, the Buddha teaches ten benefits that come from practicing
the second of the six perfections: correct conduct.

i.64 Chapter 29: Ten Benefits

The Buddha teaches the benefits that come from the remaining four perfections:
patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. They are followed by the benefits of
becoming very learned in the Dharma, giving the Dharma to others, maintaining the
knowledge of emptiness, maintaining detachment in meditation, remaining in solitude,
and following a mendicant lifestyle and begging for alms. The Buddha concludes by
stating that such a bodhisattva will obtain, through the supernatural higher cognitions,
the treasure of the buddhas because he will be able to see them all. And he will attain
the treasure of the Dharma because he can hear the buddhas teaching. He will attain
the treasure of wisdom because he remembers the teaching and knows how to give it to
others. Finally, he will attain the treasure of knowing the past, present, and future of
beings.

i.65 Chapter 30: Tejagun ̣arāja

The Buddha tells Candraprabha that he should be dedicated to this sūtra and live alone
in the forest. In the verse he tells how, in the distant past, there was a buddha named
Tejagun ̣arāja and at that time Buddha Śākyamuni was a world ruler named Drdhadatta.
̣
When he heard the teaching of the King of Samādhis Sūtra, he and the entire
population of the world became bhiksus
̣ and bhiksun
̣ ̣īs who were supported by the
devas. The Buddha describes the nature of degenerate Dharma teachers in future
times, who do not practice mendicancy. He prescribes making images of the Buddha,
making offerings to him, and aspiring to the teaching of this sūtra. The Buddha then
describes the various great qualities that those who possess this sūtra will have.
i.66 Chapter 31: Benefits
In this brief chapter, the Buddha teaches that the one who wishes to teach all beings in
their various languages should be dedicated to this sūtra. In eleven verses, he describes
various benefits, and particularly the qualities of speech, that will be gained.

i.67 Chapter 32: The Teaching on the Nature of All Phenomena

The Buddha teaches that a bodhisattva who wishes to know the nature of phenomena
should be dedicated to this sūtra. He describes in verse the compassion, patience,
ability to remember and teach, generosity, and diligence that is the nature of the
bodhisattva who realizes the nature of phenomena, which is peace and emptiness. He
states that this is the path he followed, and encourages all to follow his example. He
states that those who reject the path to enlightenment spend eons in the hells, but
those who teach and protect this sūtra in future times will quickly attain
enlightenment.

i.68 Chapter 33: The Benefits of Possessing the Sūtra

The Buddha teaches that dedication to this sūtra will bring the higher cognitions of all
phenomena. This is then explained through almost three hundred verses in the Tibetan
version. He teaches that the higher cognitions are gained by having no attachment,
either to samādhi or worldly things, and by having no pride. The higher cognitions are
the realization that there is no substance to anything, even the Buddha’s words. This
realization of emptiness brings buddhahood, which does not exist on the level of words.
Buddhahood has no form; it is the dharmakāya. It transcends every kind of conceptual
identification. Those without this understanding believe they have made spiritual
progress but still have desire, particularly for women.
i.69 Those who have the realization manifest pure realms. While communicating with
words, they transcend thought and concepts, have miraculous powers, and do not age.
Ordinary humans who delight in this sūtra will proceed to enlightenment and will meet
Buddha Maitreya. Maintaining this sūtra in the degenerate age is the greatest offering
to the buddhas. Women who have faith in a single verse from it will never be reborn as
women. The bodhisattvas who realize this samādhi will have inconceivable qualities
and attain buddhahood at Bodhgaya.
i.70 Other bodhisattvas will come to hear them teaching and those bodhisattvas will
adorn the world, transforming it into a pure realm. Lotuses and birds throughout
countless realms will emit the words of the Dharma. The bodhisattva who practices this
sūtra has immaculate conduct and at death will go to Sukhāvatī, and in the degenerate
age will be the protector of the Dharma.

i.71 Chapter 34: Ksemadatta

̣
The Buddha teaches that the bodhisattva who wishes to attain this sūtra’s samādhi and
enlightenment should make extensive offerings to a living buddha or to a stūpa
containing his relics, and relates a story as an example. The story is about a king named
Śrīghosạ who made extensive offerings to millions of stūpas containing the relics of
 Buddha Ghosadatta—presumably
̣ the same buddha who appears in chapter 5. One
night he offers millions of lamps to the stūpas. On seeing this, a young bodhisattva
named Ksemadatta
̣ makes a lamp out of his hand by wrapping it in cloth and dousing it
in sesame oil. The light from this lamp eclipses all the other light offerings, and the
hand is burned away. The king and his queens leap from their high palace roof to go
and see this, but are not hurt thanks to intervention by deities. The king approaches
Ksemadatta,
̣ admires him, and expresses sorrow for the loss of his hand. Ksemadatta
̣
recites a verse on emptiness, and because of the truth of his words, his hand grows back
and there are other miracles. The Buddha then states that he was Ksemadatta
̣ and that
Maitreya was King Śrīghosa.
̣

i.72 Chapter 35: Jñānāvatī

The Buddha instructs Candraprabha on four kinds of dedication of merit from acts of
generosity. He then states that a bodhisattva should give even his own flesh to heal a
teacher of the Dharma from illness. He then tells the story of how, eons ago, Princess
Jñānāvatī followed the instructions given to her in a dream, which were to use her own
flesh and blood to treat her sick Dharma teacher. He was miraculously cured, and she
was miraculously unharmed, despite having cut off her own flesh. The Buddha states
that he was that princess in a previous lifetime, her father the king was Maitreya, and
the Dharma teacher became Buddha Dīpaṃkara.

i.73 Chapter 36: Supuspacandra

̣
In this chapter, one of the longest in the sūtra, there is no mention of Candraprabha.
Instead, Ānanda requests teaching from the Buddha, and the Buddha states that a
bodhisattva must have equanimity and not cease in his progress to enlightenment, no
matter what suffering he endures. The Buddha gives the example of Supuspacandra.
̣ In
an eon long ago, Buddha Ratnapadmacandraviśuddhābhyudgatarāja attained
enlightenment, liberated countless beings, and passed into nirvān ̣a all in one day.
During the last five hundred years of his teaching, all bodhisattvas had been exiled to
Samantabhadra Forest. Supuspacandra
̣ was with them as their teacher, but saw that
the time had come to teach other beings, even if it cost him his life. In the story, he
leaves alone and eventually reaches the capital, where, in the course of a week, he
establishes countless beings on the path to enlightenment, including King Śūradatta’s
harem of eighty thousand queens, and all his thousand sons. On the seventh day, when
the king is in a large procession heading to a park, he witnesses the devotion of the
populace, and his own family, to a bhiksụ who is standing by the road. Consumed with
jealousy, he orders his executioner to slay the bhiksu.
̣ The executioner cuts him up into
eight pieces. When the king is returning to his capital after a week he sees that the body
parts have not decayed. Also the townspeople and the bodhisattvas of the forest have
come and discovered the death. Filled with remorse, the king arranges a cremation and
the building of a stūpa for the relics, and for thousands of years makes offerings,
confesses his crime, and keeps perfect discipline. Nevertheless, he is reborn in hell and
 for millions of eons experiences various mutilations and sufferings as a result of his
action. The Buddha then states that King Śūradatta was one of his own previous lives,
and Supuspacandra
̣ subsequently became Buddha Padmottara.

i.74 Chapter 37: Teaching the Aggregate of Correct Conduct

The Buddha says to Candraprabha that a bodhisattva should also have correct conduct,
and then recites verses, stating that possessing and reciting this sūtra, even one verse of
it, has greater merit than eons of generosity, and that it contains an incalculable
number of teachings. Then the qualities are described of the bhiksụ bodhisattva who
has this sūtra, concluding by saying that many eons would not suffice to describe them
all.

i.75 Chapter 38: Yaśah ̣prabha

The Buddha says to Candraprabha that a bodhisattva should dedicate himself to ending
the kleśas, gaining merit, and generating roots of goodness out of an aspiration for
buddhahood. Then in verse he tells the story of how, many eons ago, there was a
buddha named Gan ̣eśvara. The king Varapuspasa
̣ listened to his teachings on
emptiness and with his five hundred sons became ordained. In a later time, after
Gan ̣eśvara’s nirvān ̣a, there was a prince named Pun ̣yamatin who was a student of a
bhiksụ named Yaśah ̣prabha, who had a great following. Other bhiksus,
̣ who were
jealous of him, tried to kill him. But because of the power of the truth of his teachings,
their weapons changed to flowers. The Buddha explains that at that time, he was
Yaśah ̣prabha, Maitreya was Pun ̣yamatin, and King Varapuspasa
̣ later became Buddha
Padmottara. The Buddha subsequently extols the virtues of patience. Then Śākyamuni
gives teachings on how to practice the path to buddhahood.

i.76 Chapter 39: Restraint of the Body, Speech, and Mind

The Buddha teaches to Candraprabha all the various qualities, manners, and results of
restraining the body. He tells the story of how, many eons ago, at the time of Buddha
Jñānaprabhāsa, there lived King Viveśacintin, who received from him this teaching on
physical restraint, given in verse form. The king became a bhiksu,
̣ and the Buddha
states that the king was one of his own previous lives. The Buddha then gives a
description of the restraint of the speech and the mind—its conduct, wisdom, and
results.

i.77 Chapter 40: [Untitled]

The Buddha gives definitions for all the qualities of the samādhi that were given in
chapter 1. There are some variances, particularly of omission, but the qualities are said
by the Buddha to number three hundred.
i.78 Then miraculous events mark the conclusion of the sūtra, and Ānanda asks for its
name and promises to preserve it. The whole world including the devas in the form
realm rejoice.
tr. THE TRANSLATION

The Mahāyāna Sūtra

The King of Samādhis, the Revealed Equality of

the Nature of All Phenomena
1. Chapter 1

The Introduction
1.1 [F.1.b] [B1] I pay homage to all the buddhas and bodhisattvas.7

1.2 Thus have I heard at one time: The Bhagavān was residing at Vulture Peak Mountain in
Rājagrha
̣ together with a great bhiksụ saṅgha of a full hundred thousand bhiksus,
̣ and
together with eighty quintillion8 bodhisattvas,9 all of whom had one rebirth remaining,
were renowned for their higher cognitions,10 and had gathered there from the worlds in
the ten directions; they had complete mastery11 of the dhāran ̣īs12 and sūtras; they satisfied
all beings with the gift of the Dharma; they were skilled in speaking of the wisdom of the
higher cognitions; they had attained the highest perfection of all the highest perfections;
[F.2.a] they were skilled in the knowledge of remaining in all bodhisattva samādhis and
samāpattis; they had been praised, extolled, and lauded by all the buddhas;13 they were
skilled in miraculously going to all buddha realms; they were skilled in the knowledge of
terrifying all māras;14 they were skilled in the correct knowledge of the nature of all
phenomena; they were skilled in the knowledge of the higher and lower capabilities of all
beings; they were skilled in the knowledge of accomplishing the activity of offering to all
the buddhas; they were unstained by any of the worldly concerns; they had perfectly
adorned bodies, speech, and minds;15 they wore the armor of great love and great
compassion; they had great undiminishing diligence throughout countless eons; they
roared the great lion’s roar; they could not be defeated by any opponent;16 they were
sealed with nonregression; and they had received the consecration of the Dharma from all
buddhas.17 They were the bodhisattva mahāsattvas Meru, Sumeru, Mahāmeru,18 Meru-
śikharadhara,19 Merupradīparāja, Merukūta,
̣ Merudhvaja, Merurāja,20 Meruśikhara-
̣ rāja,21 Merusvara, Megharāja, Dundubhisvara, Ratnapān ̣i,22 Ratnākara,
saṁghatṭana
Ratnaketu, Ratnaśikhara, Ratnasaṁbhava, Ratnaprabhāsa, Ratnayasṭ i,̣ Ratnamudrā-
hasta, Ratnavyūha, Ratnajāli, Ratnaprabha, Ratnadvīpa, [F.2.b] Ratiṁkara,
Dharmavyūha, Vyūharāja, Laksan
̣ ̣asamalaṁkrta,
̣ Svaravyūha, Svaraviśuddhiprabha,
Ratnakūta,
̣ Ratnacūd ̣a,23 Daśaśataraśmihutārci,24 Jyotirasa, Candrabhānu, Saha-
cittotpādadharmacakrapravartin, and Śubhakanakaviśuddhiprabha, the bodhisatta
mahāsattva Satatamabhayaṁdad,25 and all the bodhisattva mahāsattvas of the Good Eon,
 such as the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ajita,26 and the sixty with incomparable minds,27
such as Mañjuśrī, and the sixteen good beings,28 such as Bhadrapāla,29 and the Four
Mahārājas and the other Cāturmahārājakāyika devas, and so on30 up until Brahmā and
the other Brahmakāyika devas. In addition there were also devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣
gandharvas, asuras, garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, who were
all illustrious31 and renowned as being very powerful.32
1.3 They honored him,33 worshiped him,34 revered him,35 made offerings to him,36 praised
him,37 and venerated him.38 The fourfold assembly and the worlds39 of devas also paid
homage to him,40 made offerings to him, honored him, worshiped him, revered him,
praised him, and venerated him.
1.4 Then the Bhagavān, encircled by an assembly of many hundred thousands, looked
directly in front and taught the Dharma. He taught perfectly the spiritual conduct that is
good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, that has a good meaning,
that has good words, and is unalloyed, complete, pure, and wholesome.
1.5 At that time, within that gathered assembly there was a youth41 named Candraprabha,
who had honored the jinas in the past, had planted roots of merit, could remember his
previous lives, had the confidence of speech, had correctly followed the Mahāyāna, and
who was dedicated to great compassion.
1.6 The youth Candraprabha rose from his seat, removed his robe from one shoulder,
[F.3.a] and, kneeling on his right knee, with palms placed together bowed toward the
Bhagavān and made this request: “If the Bhagavān will give me an opportunity to seek
answers to them, I have a few questions for the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the
perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
The Bhagavān addressed the youth Candraprabha, saying, “Young man, ask whatever
question you wish of the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha, and I
shall gratify you with answers to each and every question you have asked.
1.7 “Young man, I am omniscient.42 I am all-seeing. I have attained preeminence because
of my strengths and fearlessness concerning all Dharmas. I possess the unobscured
wisdom of liberation.
“Young man, there is nothing in the endless, infinite worlds43 that the Tathāgata does
not know, has not seen, has not heard, has not understood, has not directly perceived,
and about which he has not become completely enlightened.
1.8 “Young man, may you always have the opportunity to ask questions of the Tathāgata,
and I will gratify you with answers for each of the questions you ask.”
The Bhagavān having given him this opportunity, the young man Candraprabha44
recited these verses to the Bhagavān:

1.9 “Lord of the World, Buddha,

Illuminator, bringer of benefit,
Elucidate what kind of practice
Will bring the attainment of inconceivable wisdom. {1}
1.10 “Lord of humans, speaker of the truth, preeminent among humans,
To whom humans and devas make offerings, how should one practice
In order to attain the unfathomable,45 supreme, highest yāna?
Lord who has supreme speech, answer this question. {2}

1.11 “I ask my question with a pure motivation.

There is no guile to be seen within me.46
I have no witness47 to that
Other than you, sublime being. {3} [F.3.b]

1.12 “My prayer and my aspiration are vast.

Śākya lion, you know my conduct.
I will not be one who prizes words.
Lord of humans, quickly teach me the practice. {4}

1.13 “Which of the Dharmas included

In the vehicle of enlightenment are to be cherished?48
Elucidate for me, great hero,
The summit of all Dharmas. {5}

1.14 “Teach to me, Lord, a beneficial Dharma,

Through the practice of which a person will have sharp wisdom,
Will become free of terrible fears, will be fearless,
Will never abandon the aggregate of correct conduct, {6}

1.15 “Will be without arrogance, desire, anger,49 and ignorance,

And will practice a conduct in which all faults have ceased.50 {6b}

1.16 “How does one not abandon correct conduct?

How does one not depart from dhyāna?
How does one stay in a solitary place?
How does wisdom increase?51 {7}

1.17 “How does one find joy in maintaining correct conduct

Within the vast teaching of the one with ten strengths?
How can the aggregate of correct conduct be flawless?
How does one examine the nature of the composite? {8}

1.18 “How can the wise be pure

In body and in speech,
And with an unafflicted mind
Seek the Buddha’s wisdom? {9}

1.19 “How can they have pure actions of the body?

How can they avoid faults in speech?
 How can they have an unafflicted mind?
Best of men, give your answer to my questions.” {10}

1.20 The Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas
will attain all those qualities and quickly attain the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood if they have one quality.52 What is that one quality? Young man, it is
the bodhisattva mahāsattvas’ evenness of mind toward all beings. They wish to benefit
them, have no anger, and have no partiality. Young man, if bodhisattva mahāsattvas have
that one quality [F.4.a] they will attain all those qualities and quickly attain the highest,
complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.”
The Bhagavān then recited these verses to the youth Candraprabha:

1.21 “Having obtained one quality,

Those bodhisattvas, whoever they are,
Will attain these qualities
And quickly attain enlightenment. {11}

1.22 “Anger toward anyone does not arise in the mind

Of the bodhisattva who has a mind without anger.
Those who are not hardhearted or wicked
Will attain exactly what has been described. {12}

1.23 “As they remain in evenness of mind,

There will be an evenness of ripening results:
The soles of their feet will be even
And their range of conduct will be even. {13}

1.24 “They meditate with even minds that are without unevenness.
Without the fault of hardheartedness and devoid of craving
They have even soles and palms.53
They are supremely bright and are seen as pure. {14}

1.25 “The bodhisattvas illuminate the ten directions,

Spreading splendor and light through a buddha realm.54
When they attain the level of peace,
They establish many beings in buddha wisdom. {15}

1.26 “Young man, in that way the bodhisattva mahāsattva who has evenness of mind toward
all beings, wishes to benefit them, and has no anger or partiality will attain the samādhi
known as the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena.
“Young man, what is the samādhi called the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena?
1.27 “It is restraint of the body.55 It is restraint of the speech. It is restraint of the mind. It is
purity of action. It is the transcendence of the mind’s perceptions.56 It is knowledge of the
skandhas. It is the equality of the dhātus. It is the elimination of the āyatanas.
“It is the renunciation of craving. It is having the direct perception of birthlessness. It is
engagement in activity.57 It is the illumination of causes.58 It is the non-dissipation of the
results of karma. It is insight into phenomena. It is the meditation of the path. It is
meeting the tathāgatas.
1.28 “It is sharp wisdom. It is penetrating into beings.59 It is knowledge of phenomena.60
[F.4.b] It is the knowledge of engaging in discernment. It is the knowledge of the different
kinds of letters and words. It is the transcendence of matter. It is the understanding of
sounds. It is the attainment of joy. It is experiencing the joy of the Dharma. It is
sincerity.61 It is tolerance.62 It is to be without deception.63
“It is to be without frowns. It is to be pleasant.64 It is to have correct conduct.65 It is to
be friendly.66 It is to be gentle.67 It is having a smiling face.68 It is being courteous.69 It is
to be welcoming.70
1.29 “It is to be without laziness.71 It is having veneration72 for the guru.73 It is respect74 for
the guru. It is being content with occurrences. It is never being satisfied with the good
actions one has done. It is having a pure livelihood. It is not forsaking the solitary life.
“It is the knowledge of successive levels. It is always maintaining mindfulness. It is
being wise concerning the skandhas. It is being wise concerning the dhātus. It is being
wise concerning the āyatanas. It is making one’s higher cognitions manifest to others.
1.30 “It is the elimination of kleśas. It is ceasing engagement with propensities.75 It is having
specific attainments.76 It is the natural result of meditation.77
“It is skillfulness in eliminating transgressions.78 It is the prevention of the arising of
bad actions. It is the elimination of attachment.79
1.31 “It is transcending the existences. It is the memory of previous rebirths. It is being free
from doubt concerning the ripening of karma.
“It is the contemplation of phenomena. It is seeking to hear the Dharma. It is having
sharp knowledge. It is craving for wisdom. It is the realization of wisdom.
1.32 “It is the level of a noble being.80 It is having a mind like a mountain. It is being
unshakable. It is being immovable. It is the knowledge of the nature of the level of
irreversibility.
“It is having the natural result of good qualities.81 It is the abhorrence of bad qualities.
It is being free of behavior caused by the kleśas. It is never abandoning the training.
1.33 “It is being established in samādhi. It is the knowledge of the thoughts of beings. It is
the knowledge of the various rebirths of beings. It is knowledge of the infinite.82 It is the
knowledge of the intended meaning of words.83
“It is the rejection of living in a home. It is finding no joy in the three realms. It is
having a motivation that is not discouraged. It is having no attachment to phenomena.
1.34 “It is having possession of the sacred Dharma. It is protecting the Dharma. It is
conviction in the ripening of karma. It is skill in the vinaya. [F.5.a]
 “It is the pacification of disputes. It is the absence of discord and the absence of
quarrels. It is having reached the level of patience. It is maintaining patience.
1.35 “It is the equality of the different kinds of beings.84 It is skill in examining
phenomena.85 It is skill in gaining certainty concerning phenomena.
“It is the knowledge of distinguishing between the words for phenomena.86 It is skill in
the presentation of the words for phenomena. It is the knowledge of the skill of
presenting the distinction between words that have meaning and those that do not have
meaning.87
1.36 “It is knowledge of the past. It is knowledge of the future. It is knowledge of the
present.88 It is the knowledge of the equality of the three times. It is the knowledge of the
purity of the three aspects of actions.
“It is the knowledge of the body’s condition. It is the knowledge of the mind’s
condition. It is guarding conduct. It is having unshakable89 conduct. It is uncontrived
conduct.90 It is engaging in conduct that is attractive.91
1.37 “It is the knowledge of skill in what is beneficial and what is not beneficial.92 It is
rational speech.93 It is knowledge of the world.
“It is unrestrained generosity. It is being openhanded.94 It is having a nongrasping
mind.
1.38 “It is having a sense of modesty and self-respect. It is an abhorrence of negative
aspirations. It is not forsaking the qualities of purification. It is maintaining correct
conduct. It is joyful conduct.
“It is standing up to welcome gurus and presenting them with a seat. It is the
elimination of pride. It is controlling the mind. It is the knowledge of generating
enthusiasm.
1.39 “It is the knowledge of discernment. It is the realization of wisdom. It is being without
ignorance. It is knowledge of the processes of the mind. It is the knowledge that realizes
the nature of the mind.95
“It is the knowledge of accomplishment and definite accomplishment.96 It is the
knowledge of all language. It is the knowledge of presenting definitions.97 It is the
knowledge of attaining certainty in meaning.
1.40 “It is abandoning that which is harmful. It is attending upon excellent beings.98 It is
being together with excellent beings. It is avoiding bad beings.
“It is the accomplishment of dhyāna.99 It is not savoring100 dhyāna.
1.41 “It is the utilization101 of the higher cognitions. It is the knowledge that comprehends
the nature of assigned names and designations. It is overcoming designations. It is
disillusionment with saṃsāra.102
“It is the absence of yearning for respect.103 It is indifference to lack of respect.104 It is
not being motivated by material gain. It is not being disheartened when there is no gain.
It is the absence of interest in honor. It is the absence of anger at dishonor. [F.5.b] It is
the absence of attachment to praise. It is the absence of displeasure in response to
 criticism. It is the absence of attachment to happiness. It is the absence of aversion to
suffering. It is not being acquisitive of composite things. It is having no attachment to
renown. It is accepting the lack of renown.105
1.42 “It is not associating with householders and mendicants.106 It is avoiding that which is
outside the scope of correct conduct. It is acting within the scope of correct conduct. It is a
perfection of correct conduct. It is rejecting incorrect conduct.107 It is not dishonoring
your family.108
“It is preserving the teaching. It is speaking little. It is speaking softly.109 It is speaking
slowly.110 It is skillfulness in answers. It is defeating opposition. It is arriving at the right
time. It is not relying on ordinary people.
1.43 “It is not having contempt for those in suffering. It is giving them charity. It is not
rebuking111 the poor. It is having compassion for those with wrong conduct. It is having
that which will bring benefit to others.112 It is having a compassionate mind. It is
benefiting others through the Dharma. It is giving away material things. It is the absence
of hoarding.
“It is praising correct conduct. It is condemning incorrect conduct. It is unwaveringly113
attending upon those who have correct conduct. It is giving up all possessions. It is
welcoming others114 with a higher motivation. It is doing exactly what one has said one
will do. It is perpetual application. It is experiencing joy through veneration.
1.44 “It is the knowledge of using examples. It is being skilled in terms of past lifetimes. It is
putting roots of merit first. It is skill in methods.
“It is the negation of attributes. It is rejecting identification. It is knowledge of the
characteristics of things.115
1.45 “It is the accomplishment of the sūtras. It is skill in the vinaya.116 It is certainty in the
truth. It is the direct experience of liberation. It is the single teaching. It is not
abandoning correct knowing and seeing.117 It is speech free of doubt.118
“It is remaining in emptiness.119 It is remaining in the absence of attributes.120 It is
understanding121 the nature of the absence of aspiration.122 It is the attainment of
fearlessness.
1.46 “It is illumination by wisdom.123 It is excellent124 correct conduct. It is entering into
samāpatti. It is the attainment of wisdom.125
“It is delighting in solitude. It is knowledge of oneself.126 [F.6.a] It is contentment with
having no high reputation.127
1.47 “It is the absence of pollution in the mind. It is rejecting incorrect views.128 It is the
attainment of mental retention.
“It is the entrance into knowledge.129 It is the knowledge of the basis, the ground, the
foundation, and the practice.130
1.48 It is the cause,131 the method,132 the way,133 the creation,134 the doorway,135 the path,136
the practice,137 the guidance,138 the explication,139 and the conduct of the instruction.140
 “It is appropriate patience.141 It is the level of patience.142 It is being free of
impatience.143 It is the level of knowledge. It is the elimination of ignorance. It is being
established in knowledge.
1.49 “It is the level of spiritual practice.144 It is the scope of practice of the bodhisattvas.
“It is attending upon wise beings. It is rejecting those who are not wise beings. It is the
knowledge that analyzes and realizes the nature of all phenomena.145
1.50 “It is the level of buddhahood taught by the tathāgatas.146 The wise rejoice in it. The
foolish reject it. It is difficult for the śrāvakas to know. The pratyekabuddhas do not know
it. It is not the level of the tīrthikas. The bodhisattvas possess it. It is realized by those
who have the ten strengths. The devas make offerings to it. Brahmā praises147 it. The
Śakras148 value it above all else.149 The nāgas pay homage to it. The yaksas
̣ rejoice in it.
The kiṃnaras praise it in song. The mahoragas laud it. The bodhisattvas meditate on it.
The wise comprehend it.
“It is the highest wealth. It is immaterial generosity. It is a medicine for the sick. It is a
treasure of wisdom. It is unceasing eloquence.
1.51 “It is the way of the sūtras.150 It is the domain151 of heroes.152 It is the comprehension
of the entire three realms. It is a raft153 for crossing to the other shore. It is like a boat for
those in the middle of a river.
“It is fame for those who wish for renown. The buddhas praise it. [F.6.b] The tathāgatas
laud it. Those who have the ten strengths praise it.
1.52 “It is the quality of the bodhisattvas. It is the equanimity of those with compassion. It is
the love that brings anger154 to an end.
“It is the delight of those with peaceful minds.155 It provides relief for those who follow
the Mahāyāna.
1.53 “It is the diligent practice of those with a lion’s roar. It is the path of the wisdom of the
buddhas.156
“It is the seal upon all phenomena. It is the accomplishment of omniscient wisdom.157
1.54 “It is the pleasure grove of bodhisattvas. It is that which terrifies the māras.
“It is the knowledge of those who have reached happiness. It is the benefit of those who
accomplish benefit.
1.55 “It is the refuge for those among enemies. It is the subjugation of adversaries by those
who have the Dharma.
“It is the expression of truth for those who have fearlessness. It is the correct search for
the strengths. It is the omen for the eighteen unique qualities of a buddha. It is the
adornment of the Dharma body.158 It is the natural result of bodhisattva conduct.159 It is
the adornment of the bodhisattvas.160 It is the delight of those who desire liberation. It is
the joy of the eldest sons.161
1.56 “It is the completion of buddha wisdom. It is not the level of śrāvakas or
pratyekabuddhas.
“It is the purity of the mind. It is the purity of the body. It is the completion of the
doorways to liberation.
1.57 “It is the wisdom of buddhahood’s freedom from the kleśas.162 It is the nonarising of
desire.163 It is devoid of anger.
“It is not the level of ignorance. It is the arising of wisdom. It is the birth of knowledge.
It is the elimination of ignorance.
1.58 “It is the contentment of those dedicated to liberation. It is the satisfaction of those
dedicated to samādhi. It is eyes for those who wish for the view. It is higher knowledge for
those who wish to perform miracles. It is miraculous power for those who wish for
accomplishment. It is retentive memory for those dedicated to listening to the Dharma.164
“It is unceasing mindfulness. It is the blessing of the buddhas. [F.7.a] It is the skillful
method of the guides.
1.59 “It is subtle and difficult to know for those without dedication.165 Those who are not
liberated cannot know it.166 It is beyond words and difficult to know through speech.
“It is known by wise beings. It is the knowledge of gentle beings.167 Those with few
desires realize it. Those who have unceasing diligence possess it. Those who are mindful
maintain it.
1.60 “It is the cessation of suffering. It is the birthlessness of all phenomena. It is the single
teaching on all existing beings and lifetimes.
1.61 “Young man, this is the samādhi called the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena.”
1.62 When the Bhagavān gave this teaching of the samādhi, the revealed equality of the
nature of all phenomena, in the past, eighty times a hundred thousand million168 devas
and humans, who had previously generated the necessary karma, attained the patience of
the birthlessness of phenomena, ninety-six times a hundred thousand million attained
the corresponding patience, ninety-three times a hundred thousand million obtained the
transmission of the teaching of that patience, and the entirety of the hundred thousand169
bhiksus
̣ attained liberation of mind through the defilements not arising. Sixty times a
hundred thousand devas and human beings became free of desire, without stains, and
̣ ̣īs170 attained
gained the pure Dharma sight of the Dharmas. Eighty thousand bhiksun
liberation of mind through the nonarising of defilements. Five hundred upāsakas attained
the result of nonreturners. Six thousand upāsikās attained the result of once-returners.
This universe of a thousand million worlds shook in six ways: it trembled, it trembled
strongly, and it trembled intensely; it quivered, it quivered strongly, and it quivered
intensely; it shook, it shook strongly, and it shook intensely; it shuddered, it shuddered
strongly, and it shuddered intensely; it quaked, it quaked strongly, and it quaked
intensely. The east sank and the west rose, [F.7.b] the west sank and the east rose, the
north sank and the south rose, the south sank and the north rose, the perimeter sank and
the center rose, and the center sank and the perimeter rose. An immeasurable radiance
shone in the universe so that whatever darkness there was between the worlds was
illuminated by it. The beings who were born there could see each other and they cried,
“Ah! Other beings have been born here too!” This occurred even as far down as the great
Avīci hell.
1.63 Conclusion of the first chapter: “The Introduction.”
2. Chapter 2

Śālendrarāja
2.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, I remember that in the
past, when I was practicing the conduct of a bodhisattva, I became a cakravartin. I desired
this samādhi and I desired to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood. For many hundred thousand quintillions171 of eons on this Vulture
Peak Mountain I served, venerated, revered, honored, worshiped, and made offerings to
many countless, innumerable tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly enlightened buddhas with the
presentation of many hundred thousand quintillions of every kind of jewel, and various
kinds of beautiful flowers, incense, perfume, garlands, ointments, powders, parasols,
banners, flags, music, musical instruments, flags of victory, and precious monasteries.172
2.2 “Young man, I heard from those tathāgatas extensively the samādhi, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena. I obtained it, asked questions about it, preserved
it, recited it to others, promoted it, meditated on it with an unadulterated meditation,
promulgated it, and made it widely known to others.
2.3 “Young man, the last of all those tathāgatas was the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Śālendrarāja. [F.8.a] Young man, that Tathāgata Śālendrarāja had a
saṅgha of a thousand trillion173 śrāvakas and bodhisattvas. Their lifespans were seven
million, six hundred thousand174 years. I served and made offerings to the Tathāgata, the
arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Śālendrarāja for a hundred and eighty thousand
million175 years and I built ten million monasteries made of sandalwood and precious
materials. The Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Śālendrarāja’s
lifespan was seven hundred and sixty thousand million176 years. I entered homelessness
in the presence of the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha
Śālendrarāja and for a hundred and forty thousand million177 years I listened to the
samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena. I obtained it, asked
questions about it, preserved it, recited it to others, promoted it, meditated on it with an
unadulterated meditation, promulgated it, and made it widely known to others.”178
2.4 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, if in that way you
wish for this samādhi and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood, then you too should dedicate yourself to making offerings to,
 serving, and being an attendant to all tathāgatas as I have done.
2.5 “Young man, why is that? The natural result of making offerings to, serving, and being
an attendant to all tathāgatas is that it will not be difficult for the bodhisattva
mahāsattvas to attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, let
alone this samādhi, as their natural result.
2.6 “Young man, in that way you should never weary of making offerings to, serving, and
being an attendant to all tathāgatas.” [F.8.b]
2.7 Then the Bhagavān taught extensively, as a praise in chanted verses, this chapter on the
past lives of the youth Candraprabha:

2.8 “I remember 179 six hundred million of those who have the ten strengths,180
Dwelling on Vulture Peak Mountain in the past
Who taught me, when I was practicing bodhisattva conduct,181
This supreme peace of samādhi. {1}

2.9 “The last of all of them

Was the Lord of the World, the illuminator
Named Śālendrarāja,
And I asked him questions. {2}

2.10 “I had become of royal caste.

I was the principal king, the sovereign.
I had five hundred sons,
No less indeed than that. {3}

2.11 “For that buddha I built

Ten million monasteries
Made of special sandalwood,
And some of precious materials. {4}

2.12 “I was a king named Bhīsmottara,

̣
Beloved and adored by many beings.
For a hundred and eighty thousand million years
I made excellent offerings to that buddha. {5}

2.13 “The lifespan of the guide Śālendrarāja,

That jina, irreproachable,
Supreme among humans,182
Was seven hundred and sixty thousand million years. {6}

2.14 “The saṅgha of that supreme man

Was comprised of eight trillion śrāvakas
Who had the three knowledges, the six higher cognitions, and controlled senses,
Whose defilements had ceased, and who were in their last body. {7}
2.15 “At that time I always183 longed for this samādhi
In order to benefit the people of the world and the devas,
And so I made many kinds of offerings
To that184 jina, that supreme human.185 {8}

2.16 “I, with my sons and wives,186 entered homelessness

In the presence of Jina Śālendrarāja
And I asked questions about this samādhi for
A hundred and forty thousand million years. {9}

2.17 “I acquired from that sugata

The single chapter of this samādhi,
Which has eight thousand trillion verses
And moreover another hundred septillion.187 {10}

2.18 “Because I longed for this sublime samādhi

There was nothing that I had not previously offered:
Heads, hands, legs,188 wives and likewise sons,
An abundance of riches, and similarly food to eat. {11}

2.19 “I remember ten thousand million buddhas [F.9.a]

And more, to the number of sand grains in the Ganges,
Residing on Vulture Peak Mountain
And teaching this supreme samādhi, this peace. {12}

2.20 “All of them had the name Śākyarṣ abha.

̣
All of their sons were named Rāhula.
All their attendants were named Ānanda.
All were mendicants from places named Kapilavastu.189 {13}

2.21 “Their principal two students190 were Kolita and Śāriputra,

The names of all the saviors were the same,
The names of their worlds were the same,
And they all appeared in a time of degeneration. {14}

2.22 “While I practiced this bodhisattva conduct,

I honored all those lords of men.
While I longed for this samādhi,
There was nothing I did not offer to the jinas. {15}

2.23 “This samādhi is attained through practicing.

Its practice has been taught in many forms.
This samādhi is not difficult to attain
For those who are established in all good qualities. {16}
2.24 “This samādhi is not difficult to attain
For those who do not grasp pleasures, who have no cravings,191
Who have no attachment to family, and are without envy,
Who are continually kind, and are without anger. {17}

2.25 “This samādhi is not difficult to attain

For those who do not desire honor or gain,
Whose subsistence is pure, who have nothing,
Whose conduct is pure, and who are without fear. {18}

2.26 “This samādhi is not difficult to attain

For those who are diligent, without lassitude,
And who are inclined to solitude, established in purification,
And continually remain in the patience of selflessness. {19}

2.27 “This samādhi is not difficult to attain

For those who are not agitated, who have a well-tamed mind,
Who remain within the conduct of mendicants and bodhisattvas,192
And who are predisposed toward generosity and are without miserliness. {20}

2.28 “The primary and secondary signs, the eighteen buddha qualities,
The strengths, and the fearlessnesses that have been described by the Guide
Will not be difficult to attain for one
Who maintains this samādhi of peace. {21}

2.29 “If all the beings that a buddha can see

Were simultaneously to attain buddhahood,
And the length of each of their lives
Were to be countless tens of thousands of millions of eons, {22}

2.30 “And if each of them were to have heads [F.9.b]

As numerous as the grains of sand in the ocean,
And if within each head there were tongues
As numerous as the number of heads, {23}

2.31 “And if all their voices were to describe the benefit

Of possessing one verse from this samādhi,
They would not be able to describe even a fraction of it,
Let alone describe the benefit of studying it, or of possessing it. {24}

2.32 “Whoever has accomplished the practice and developed qualities

Will be adored by devas, asuras, and yaksas.
̣
The ones who maintain the samādhi of peace, difficult to attain,
Will have kings as their attendants. {25}
2.33 “The ones who maintain the samādhi of peace that is difficult to attain
Will be in the care of the jinas.
They will always be attended by devas and nāgas
And opponents will not be able to withstand their brilliance. {26}

2.34 “The ones who maintain the samādhi of peace

Will have infinite eloquence.193
They will teach countless194 thousands of sūtras
Without the slightest interval. {27}

2.35 “Those in the future time of great terrors

Who hear this samādhi and keep it
Will see the guide, Buddha Amitābha,
And also the realm of Sukhāvatī. {28}

2.36 “I have revealed these benefits

And I, the self-arisen Teacher, request
That you uphold this pure samādhi
In the time after I have passed into nirvān ̣a. {29}

2.37 “The buddhas who have passed into nirvān ̣a,

Those who will come in the future and those who have appeared now,195
All those jinas realize unstained, noncomposite enlightenment
Through the practice of this samādhi.” {30}

2.38 Conclusion of the second chapter, “Śālendrarāja.”

3. Chapter 3

Praise of the Buddha’s Qualities

3.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, therefore, if
bodhisattva mahāsattvas wish to teach the buddha qualities as described by the
Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha, without any loss of meaning or
words, and for all their words to come forth as those of the Buddha, then those
bodhisattva mahāsattvas, young man, [F.10.a] should, for the sake of all beings, obtain196
this samādhi, understand197 it, preserve it,198 recite it to others,199 promote it,200
proclaim it,201 chant it,202 meditate on it with unadulterated203 meditation, promulgate
it,204 and make it widely known to others.205
3.2 “Young man, what are the buddha qualities of a tathāgata?
“Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas, whether in solitude, at the foot of a tree, in the
open air, or in an empty building, should learn well the following.
3.3 “The Bhagavān is thus: a tathāgata, an arhat, a fully enlightened buddha, one with
perfect wisdom and conduct,206 a sugata, one who knows the world’s beings, an
unsurpassable guide who tames beings, a teacher of devas and humans, a buddha, a
bhagavān.
3.4 “The Tathāgata is the natural result of merit. He is the inevitable result of roots of
merit. He is adorned by patience. He is the manifestation207 of a treasure of merit. He is
beautified by the excellent primary signs of a great being. He has the blossomed208
flowers of the secondary signs of a great being. He is exemplary in his conduct. His
appearance is never disagreeable. He brings joy to those motivated by faith. He is
invincible in his wisdom. He has the invulnerability of the strengths. He is the teacher of
all beings. He is the father of all bodhisattvas. He is the king of all noble individuals. He is
the caravan leader for those beginning on their journey. He is immeasurable in his
wisdom. He is inconceivable209 in his eloquence. He is pure in his voice. He is delightful
in his speech. He is lovely in his physical form. He is unequaled in body. He is unstained
by the desire realm. He is unsullied by the form realm. He is unadulterated by the
formless realm. He is free from suffering.210 He is liberated from the skandhas. He is
separated from the dhātus. He has restrained211 the āyatanas. He has cut through the
knots.212 He is free from torment.213 [F.10.b] He is released from craving.214 He has
 crossed over the great river. He is complete in his wisdom. He is established in the
wisdom of the buddha bhagavāns of the past, future, and present. He does not remain in
nirvān ̣a. He resides at the summit of existence. He is on the level of seeing all beings.
Young man, those are the buddha qualities of a tathāgata. 215
3.5 “If bodhisattva mahāsattvas who possess these buddha qualities and their praise,216
and who have continuous confidence of speech based upon this samādhi, teach correctly
the buddha qualities and praises of the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened
Buddha, there will be no loss of meaning or words and all their words will come forth as
those of the Buddha.”
3.6 Then at that time the Bhagavān, in order to make the meaning clear, gave a detailed
teaching by chanting the following extensive verses to the youth Candraprabha.217

3.7 “It would not be easy to recite all the praises of the jinas
Even if one were to speak for many thousands of eons;
And the jinas attained their qualities
Through seeking this supreme samādhi of peace. {1}

3.8 “In the past, when I sought this supreme samādhi of peace
With a mind that was indefatigable,
I gave away a maiden adorned in jewelry,
Who was perfectly beautiful and desirable. {2}

3.9 “In the past, when I sought this supreme samādhi of peace
With a mind that was indefatigable,
I gave away male and female servants, riches and grain,
And also jewels, pearls, gold, and silver. {3}

3.10 “When I sought this supreme samādhi of peace

In the past, I gave to the guides
Various kinds of precious jewels, strings of pearls,
Beautiful clothes, and necklaces of conch and gold. {4}

3.11 “In countless, endless millions218 of eons

I developed the highest supreme aspiration, [F.11.a]
And gave the best of perfumes and summer flowers
To the caityas of the jinas. {5}

3.12 “Through my giving the gift of the Dharma219

I developed a pleasing following;
But the thought did not arise in my mind
Of gaining renown through giving the gift of the Dharma. {6}

3.13 “I never felt any reluctance to give away

The loveliest things that gave me pleasure.
 I gave the gift of Dharma numerous times,220
And always my thoughts were of attaining buddha wisdom.221 {7}

3.14 “In the past, to attain the qualities of this training,

I remained always in excellent, quiet forests.
I had immense compassion throughout that time
And always my thoughts were of attaining buddha wisdom. {8}

3.15 “I had a distinct conduct222 that was gentle and sweet,

A smiling face, the memory of what I had heard, and affectionate speech.
My very sweet words were beloved by many
And all beings never had enough of looking at me. {9}

3.16 “I did not have any stinginess223 for even a moment.

Throughout myriad existences I had no envy.224
I was always completely satisfied by alms.
I offered225 everything and left no remainder. {10}

3.17 “Those who remember just one four-line verse from this
Become very learned and remember all they have heard.
Through it the highest, perfect faith226 arose in me
And I always honored it. {11}

3.18 “I longed for the supreme peace of this samādhi

And made many offerings to the guides.
I gave to them an endless variety of gifts
And this maintained my correct conduct for a long time.227 {12}

3.19 “From remembering one verse from this samādhi

The merit will be vastly greater
Than from endlessly offering numerous, various worlds
That are all filled with precious jewels. {13}

3.20 “If those wishing for merit

Were to offer to the jinas228
Whatever flowers and incense exist
For numerous, countless, endless eons, {14}

3.21 “And if those wishing for merit

Were to offer to the jinas
Every kind of music, light, food, and clothing
For numerous, countless, endless eons, {15}

3.22 “A person who develops the aspiration to enlightenment, [F.11.b]

Wishing to become a self-arisen jina, a lord of Dharma,
 Will have merit that will be vastly greater
Through remembering one verse of this meditation.229 {16}

3.23 “The merit from possessing this samādhi is most vast.

One would not be able to conclude reciting
The description of its benefits even in as many eons
As there are grains of sand in the Ganges.230 {17}

3.24 “Therefore, having listened to

The excellent benefits of the buddhas,
You should quickly be one who has the transmission231
Of this samādhi praised by the Buddha. {18}

3.25 “In my past lives I have honored

Seven hundred and thirty million buddhas.
All of those buddhas
Promulgated this sūtra. {19}

3.26 “The name of this sūtra

Is Entering Great Compassion. 232
Buddha qualities will not be hard to attain
For the learned one who trains in it. {20}

3.27 “When the World’s Guide is in nirvān ̣a,

In that future time there will be
Many undisciplined bhiksus
̣
Who have no interest in becoming learned. {21}

3.28 “They will utter praises of correct conduct

But will have no interest in correct conduct.
They will utter praises of samādhi
But will have no interest in samādhi. {22}

3.29 “They will utter praises of wisdom

But will have no interest in wisdom.
They will utter praises of liberation
But will have no interest in liberation. {23}

3.30 “It is like when someone

Speaks of the qualities of sandalwood,
Saying, ‘Sandalwood is like this,
It makes a pleasing incense.’233 {24}

3.31 “Then another person asks

That man this question:
 ‘Do you have some of the sandalwood
That you have been praising?’234 {25}

3.32 “The man answers him,

‘I speak the praises of that incense
And in that way make my living,
But I have never seen that incense.’235 {26}

3.33 “In such a way, in future times

There will be those who have no correct conduct,236
Yet they who do not engage in it
Will make their living by praising it. {27}

3.34 “In that way, in future times

There will be those who have no samādhi,237
Yet they who do not engage in it
Will make their living by praising it. {28}

3.35 “In that way, in future times

There will be those who have no wisdom,238
Yet they who do not engage in it
Will make their living by praising it.239 {29} [F.12.a]

3.36 “In that way, in future times

There will be those who have no liberation,240
Yet they who do not engage in it
Will make their living by praising it. {30}

3.37 “When a certain poor person,

Despised by the populace,
Later finds a treasure
And becomes rich, he is respected by the people. {31}

3.38 “In that same way, not having attained the samādhi,
A bodhisattva is not esteemed
By gods241 or humans, kumbhān ̣d ̣as or rāksasas,
̣
Just like the poor person who has no wealth.242 {32}

3.39 “Yet when the wise one attains the level

Of the unfathomable243 Dharma treasure,244
Gods and humans will be attracted to him,
And he will give those beings the supreme wealth. {33}

3.40 “Therefore, having heard the Jina’s description

Of the perfect attainment of those benefits,
 Forsake all happiness gained through reputation
And hold the transmission of this supreme peace of samādhi. {34}

3.41 “The buddhas in all directions who have passed away,

And those of the future, and those who are present,
All attain unequaled, inconceivable enlightenment
Through having trained in this samādhi.” {35}

3.42 The youth Candraprabha was overjoyed,

And in the presence of the Buddha he said these words:
“When the best of beings has passed into nirvān ̣a,
I will uphold this sūtra in that very difficult time.245 {36}

3.43 “I will give up my body and my life

And whatever happiness246 there is in the world;
In that time of great terrors
I will hold this samādhi of supreme peace. {37}

3.44 “I will have compassion for many beings.

I will see beings suffering without a protector.
I will be endowed with love for them
And will uphold this supreme peace, this samādhi.” {38}

3.45 At that time, no less than five hundred people

Became holders of the samādhi.
The youth was their leader247
In this vast holding of the supreme sūtra. {39}

3.46 Conclusion of the third chapter, “Praise of the Buddha’s Qualities.” 248 [B2]
4. Chapter 4

Samādhi
4.1 Then the youth Candraprabha [F.12.b] rose from his seat, removed his robe from one
shoulder, and, kneeling on his right knee with palms placed together, he bowed toward
the Bhagavān and made this request: “If the Bhagavān will give me an opportunity to seek
answers to them, I have a few questions for the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the
perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
4.2 The Bhagavān addressed the youth Candraprabha, saying, “Young man, the Tathāgata
will always give you that opportunity. Ask whatever question you wish of the Tathāgata,
the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
4.3 As the Bhagavān had given him the opportunity, the young man Candraprabha asked
the Bhagavān,249 “The Bhagavān says, ‘samādhi, samādhi.’ What kind of Dharma does
this word designate?”
The Bhagavān replied to Candraprabha, “Young man, when I say ‘samādhi, samādhi,’ it
means the profound realization of the mind.
4.4 “[1] It is the absence of arising.250 [2] It is the absence of continuation.251 [3] It is the
knowledge of continuation.252 [4] It is putting down253 the burden.254 [5] It is the wisdom
of the tathāgatas. [6] It is having the preeminence of a buddha. [7] It is the healing of
desire, the pacifying of anger,255 and the elimination of ignorance. 256
“[8] It is engaging in what should be engaged in. [9] It is rejecting that which should
not be engaged in. [10] It is the aspiration to good qualities.257 [11] It is the wish to be free
from saṃsāra.
4.5 “[12] It is practicing with a higher motivation. [13] It is remaining awake.258 [14] It is
not abandoning renunciation.259 [15] It is maintaining good qualities.
“[16] It is not relying on rebirth.260 [17] It is not accumulating karma. [18] It is not
paying attention to the internal āyatanas.261 [19] It is not engaging with the external
āyatanas.
4.6 “[20] It is not praising oneself. [21] It is not criticizing others. [22] It is having no
attachment to family. [23] It is not placing one’s trust in ordinary people. 262
“[24] It is the natural result of correct conduct. [F.13.a] [25] It is that which is difficult
to approach. [26] It is great majesty.263 [27] It is self-knowledge.
4.7 “[28] It is the absence of inconstancy. [29] It is maintaining perfect behavior. [30] It is
the absence of malice. [31] It is the absence of aggression. [32] It is not harming others.
[33] It is taking care of companions. 264 [34] It is guarding secret mantras.
“[35] It is being nonviolent.265 [36] It is not being harmful to those with correct
conduct. [37] It is speaking gently.
4.8 “[38] It is not remaining anywhere in the three realms. [39] It is the patience that
accords with the emptiness of all phenomena.266 [40] It is the aspiration to omniscient
wisdom.267
“That, young man, is what is meant by ‘samādhi.’ Young man, practicing those qualities
and not practicing their opposite is what is meant by ‘samādhi.’ ”
4.9 Then the Bhagavān taught the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena, and at that time gave a detailed teaching by chanting the following extensive
verses to the youth Candraprabha.268

4.10 “I have opened the door to the elixir.

I have explained what the nature of phenomena is.
I have taught what births are.
I have explained nirvān ̣a and its benefits. {1}

4.11 “Always avoid sinful companions,

Be in the company of good companions,
Dwell in the forest, avoiding crowds,
And always meditate with a loving mind. {2}

4.12 “Always protect pure conduct,

Gain the prosperity of renunciation,
Be familiar with generosity and wisdom,
And this samādhi will not be difficult to attain. {3}

4.13 “This is not the level of the numerous śrāvakas.

When you have attained269 this level of peace,
You will have the direct perception of the Sugata’s Dharma
And you will attain the inconceivable buddha qualities. {4}

4.14 “When you see wise people who are worthy vessels,
Bring them to the aspiration for enlightenment,
Establish them in the highest knowledge,
And then this king of samādhis will not be difficult to attain. {5}

4.15 “This samādhi is not difficult to attain

For those who understand the natural results
That come270 to those who become envious of wealth271
And to those who seek and enjoy it.272 {6} [F.13.b]
4.16 “The meditation of this king of samādhis, emptiness,
Is at the summit of pure conduct.
The continuous meditation on the nature of phenomena
Is unknown to the foolish who practice incorrectly. {7}

4.17 “Those who long for this samādhi of peace

Will never have fear arise in their mind.273
Those who are on this level of peace
Will always see the supreme men.274 {8}

4.18 “Whoever brings to mind the image of the Tathāgata’s body,

Their senses will be at peace and their mind at peace.
Their minds, free of error, will always be at rest.
What they have heard and what they know will be like an ocean. {9}

4.19 “Remaining in this samādhi,

Wherever the bodhisattvas tread
They will see ten thousand million buddhas
And even more, as numerous as the Ganges sands. {10}

4.20 “Anyone aiming to take the measure

Of the Buddha’s Dharma will go insane.
One cannot measure that which is immeasurable;
The qualities of the guides in their entirety are inconceivable. {11}

4.21 “There is no being in the ten directions

Who can equal the Lord of the World, let alone be greater.
You should long for and attain the wisdom of the buddhas,
Who possess all the qualities of omniscience. {12}

4.22 “The Lord of the World is completely beautiful,

With a body that is the color of gold.
Bodhisattvas will rest in meditation
When their mind is focused upon that image. {13}

4.23 “The wise who understand the composite and noncomposite275

Have ceased conceptualizing attributes.276
They remain in that meditation of the absence of attributes
And know the emptiness of all phenomena. {14}

4.24 “Those who remain in the dharmakāya

Know that all things are nothing.
Those who have ceased conceptualizing things277
Do not see the Lord of Jinas as a rūpakāya. {15}
4.25 “I proclaim to you and make it known to you
That to the extent that a person contemplates this,
To that extent their mind will be fixed upon it,
Through that contemplation that dwells upon it. {16}

4.26 “Those who remember in that way the appearance

And immeasurable wisdom of the Lord of Sages, [F.14.a]
They will have their mind completely focused upon him
Through constant meditation on that recollection. {17}

4.27 “When walking, sitting, or standing,

They desire the wisdom of the best of beings,
And pray for enlightenment, wishing to become
A jina who is unsurpassable in this world. {18}

4.28 “They will know the buddhas and see the buddhas;
They will realize the nature of the buddhas.
Remaining in this samādhi,
They will pay homage to the buddhas who have great might.278 {19}

4.29 “With serene body, speech, and mind,

They constantly recite praises to the buddhas.
In that way, through the mind’s continuum of meditation,
Day and night they see the Lord of the World. {20}

4.30 “When the time comes that they are sick and unwell
And experience the suffering of dying,
They will not lose their recollection of the Buddha,
And it will not be stolen away by the experience of suffering.279 {21}

4.31 “Having analyzed with wisdom in that way,

They know all present, past, and future phenomena280 to be empty.
They remain in that nature of phenomena
And perform bodhisattva conduct without being disheartened. {22}

4.32 “Therefore, having heard these benefits,

You should long for unequaled enlightenment.
It is difficult to see the sublime Sugata,
So do not have cause for regret in the future. {23}

4.33 “I have taught this excellent Dharma

But if you do not practice it well
You will be like a sick man holding a bag281 of medicine—
That alone will not cure his illness.282 {24}
4.34 “Therefore, the wise and the realized
Are always aspiring to this samādhi.
And if they practice correct conduct, learning, and generosity
It will not be difficult for them to attain this samādhi.” {25}

4.35 Conclusion of the fourth chapter, “Samādhi.”283

5. Chapter 5

Ghosadatta
̣
5.1 Then the Bhagavān again addressed the youth Candraprabha, saying, “Therefore, young
man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the
highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should think that they are like
someone whose hair and clothes are on fire, and they should cast off father, mother,
[F.14.b] son, daughter, family, kinsmen, relatives, kindred, wife, and so on, as if they were
fire, throw away all the pleasures of a kingdom as if they were a lump of phlegm, turn
toward solitude, and depart from home.
5.2 “Why is that? Young man, attaining the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect
buddhahood will not be difficult for a bodhisattva mahāsattva who turns toward solitude
and departs from home, let alone one who has this samādhi.
5.3 “Therefore, young man, you should always train in having this thought: ‘I shall cast off
friends, children, family, kinsmen, relatives, kindred, wife, and so on, as if they were fire,
throw away all the pleasures of a kingdom as if they were a lump of phlegm, turn toward
solitude, and depart from home.’
5.4 “Therefore, young man, you should understand this through the following teaching,
too:284
“Young man, in the past, countless, vast, immeasurable, inconceivable, innumerable,
asaṃkhyeya eons ago,285 at that time and in those days,286 there appeared in the world
the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ who
was perfect in wisdom and conduct, a sugata, a knower of the world, an unsurpassable
guide who tamed beings, a teacher of devas and humans, a buddha, and a bhagavān.
5.5 “Young man, at that time and in those days, in the first assembly of the Bhagavān, the
tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta’s
̣ śrāvakas, there were
eight hundred million who were arhats. In the second assembly there were seven hundred
million arhats. In the third assembly of śrāvakas there were six hundred million arhats.
[F.15.a] There were also countless bodhisattva mahāsattvas who possessed the Dharma.
5.6 “Young man, at that time and in those days, during the time of the Bhagavān, the
tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ the lifespan was forty
thousand years. This Jambudvīpa continent had wealth, increase, happiness, excellent
 harvests, joy, and was filled with a great multitude of human beings.
5.7 “In this Jambudvīpa there were two kings named Drḍ ̣habala and Mahābala. One ruled
the half of Jambudvīpa that had wealth, increase, happiness, excellent harvests, joy, and
was filled with a great multitude of human beings. The other ruled the other half.
5.8 “Young man, at that time, the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta
̣ appeared in the kingdom of King Mahābala.
5.9 “Young man, for a hundred thousand years King Mahābala provided the Bhagavān, the
tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ the saṅgha of
bodhisattvas, and the saṅgha of bhiksus
̣ with faultless, proper clothing, alms, medicine if
they were ill, and monastic utensils for their use.
5.10 “Young man, at that time, the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ the saṅgha of bodhisattvas, and the saṅgha of bhiksus
̣
received greatly renowned gifts and honors.
5.11 “Brahmins and householders who had faith also bestowed great gifts and honors on the
Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ the
saṅgha of bodhisattvas, and the saṅgha of bhiksus.
̣
5.12 “Those brahmins and householders did this by following the example of King
Mahābala, [F.15.b] dedicating themselves to bestowing great gifts and honors by making
offerings of worldly material goods to the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ the saṅgha of bodhisattvas, and the saṅgha of bhiksus.
̣
5.13 “Young man, the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha
Ghosadatta
̣ thought, ‘Alas! These beings who have adopted correct conduct and the
posadha
̣ vows have come before the Tathāgata, have honored the Tathāgata, practice
celibacy, have entered the homeless life, and have become fully ordained bhiksus—they
̣
will go into decline. They are concerned about the happiness of their future lives.
5.14 “ ‘Why is that? It is because in their future lives their happiness will be from these
offerings of worldly material things. The realms of the higher existences are the goal of
these beings. They are concerned with this life. They are concerned with their 287 next life.
They do not accumulate288 roots of merit for the final ultimate goal.’289
5.15 “Young man, what are the roots of merit for the ultimate goal? They are pure conduct
and celibacy going toward the ultimate goal and reaching the ultimate goal.
5.16 “Bhagavān Ghosadatta
̣ thought, ‘I must teach those beings the Dharma so that they will
make the unsurpassable offering of the Dharma and the practice of the Dharma as their
offering to the Tathāgata.’290
5.17 “Then, young man, at that time the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ with the intention of creating revulsion toward
saṃsāra,291 recited these verses to King Mahābala, the brahmins, and the laypeople:

5.18 “ ‘The service of someone making a gift to another

Is not a cause for holding each other in high esteem.
The wise ones who are free of negative propensities,
The buddhas, they do not praise that service. {1}
5.19 “ ‘Those who teach the Dharma for the benefit of beings,
They are those who accomplish great service.
Then there will form an unbreakable bond of friendship,
Which not even ten million māras will be able to break. {2} [F.16.a]

5.20 “ ‘The service of those who keep to worldly material things

Will all be for the benefit of the present life.
The immaterial service of the Dharma
Leads to the greatest benefit for humans. {3}

5.21 “ ‘Those who have a nonmaterialistic motivation

And teach the nonmaterial Dharma,
Those individuals who gain nonmaterial joy,
They will quickly attain buddhahood. {4}

5.22 “ ‘Those who are addicted to their desires,

Who crave for children and wives,
Who are addicted to their revolting homes,
Will not attain unsurpassable, highest enlightenment. {5}

5.23 “ ‘Supreme enlightenment will not be difficult to attain

For those who avoid desire as if it were a pit of fire,
Who abandon craving for children and wives,
And, frightened and terrified, leave their homes. {6}

5.24 “ ‘There have been no buddhas in the past,

Nor will there be any in the future or now in the present,
Who attain the highest, most supreme enlightenment
While living inside their homes. {7}

5.25 “ ‘Casting away a kingdom like a lump of phlegm,

Longing for solitude and living in the forests,
Eliminating the kleśas and defeating the māras,
They will realize stainless, noncomposite enlightenment. {8}

5.26 “ ‘People who, with a disenchanted mind,

Leave their homes, they are superior
To those who serve, for many millions of eons,
Heroic buddhas as numerous as the Ganges sands. {9}

5.27 “ ‘People who leave their homes and practice the Dharma,
Without serving the supreme humans, the jinas,
With food, drink, and Dharma robes,
With flowers, incense, and ointments— {10}
5.28 “ ‘Those who, longing for enlightenment,
Disillusioned with the composite, and for the benefit of beings,
Take seven steps in the direction of the forests—
They will have the superior merit.’ {11}

5.29 “Young man, King Mahābala heard what the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the
perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta
̣ said about leaving one’s home. Having heard
this, he thought, ‘I have understood the Bhagavān’s teaching to mean that he does not
praise the perfection of generosity, [F.16.b] but gives the highest, ultimate praise to the
perfection of conduct.292 The Bhagavān has praised perfect purity, perfect celibacy, and
perfect nirvān ̣a.’
5.30 “He thought, ‘It is not easy to practice the unsurpassable Dharma and attain its goal
while living in a home. I would decline in my practice of the unsurpassable Dharma. I
shall cut off my hair and beard, wear the orange robes, and leave home for homelessness.’
5.31 “Then, young man, King Mahābala, accompanied by eighty thousand293 brahmins and
laypeople, came before the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened
Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ bowed down to his feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān three times,
and sat to one side.
5.32 “Young man, the the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened
Buddha, knowing the higher motivation of King Mahābala, taught this samādhi, the
revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena.
5.33 “Young man, on hearing this, King Mahābala was pleased, delighted, joyful, inspired,
and happy. He shaved off his hair and beard, put on the orange robes, and with faith left
home for homelessness. Having entered homelessness he learned this samādhi, and
having learned it he understood it. He dedicated himself to the practice of keeping it,
reading it, and meditating on it. Through that root of merit, he did not fall into the lower
existences for a hundred million eons. He served two hundred million buddhas and heard
this samādhi from all those tathāgatas. He learned this samādhi, and having learned it he
understood it. [F.17.a] He dedicated himself to the practice of keeping it, reading it, and
meditating on it.
5.34 “Subsequently, through those roots of merit, after a hundred million eons had passed,
and then another hundred thousand eons, he attained the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. He became the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat,
the perfectly enlightened Buddha named Jñānaśūra.294 He benefited countless beings,
and afterward he passed away into perfect nirvān ̣a.
5.35 “Young man, the eighty thousand people who with King Mahābala came into the
presence of the Bhagavān, the Tathāgata Ghosadatta
̣ all heard this samādhi also and were
delighted, rejoicing, and joyful. Happy and joyful, they cut off their hair and beards, wore
the orange robes, and with genuine faith they left home for homelessness. Having entered
homelessness they learned this samādhi, and having learned it they understood it. They
dedicated themselves to the practice of keeping it, reading it, and meditating on it.
Through that root of merit, they did not fall into the lower existences for a hundred
 million eons. During all those eons, they served ten million buddhas and heard this
samādhi from all those tathāgatas. They maintained this samādhi and comprehended it.
They dedicated themselves to the practice of keeping it, reading it, and meditating on it.
5.36 “Through their previous roots of merit, after two hundred million eons had passed and
a further hundred thousand eons, they attained the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood. They all became bhagavāns, tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly
enlightened buddhas named Drḍ ̣haśūra. They benefited countless beings, and afterward
they passed away into perfect nirvān ̣a. [F.17.b]
5.37 “Therefore, young man, because of this teaching, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas cherish
in this way this samādhi. They know that it is comprised of the unsurpassable wisdom of
omniscience.”
5.38 Then, at that time, the Bhagavān gave a detailed teaching by chanting the following
extensive verses to the youth Candraprabha.

5.39 “I remember, countless eons ago

In the past, a supreme human, a great sage
Who benefited beings appeared in the world,
And he was known by the name Ghosadatta.
̣ {12}

5.40 “The first assembly of his students

Numbered eight hundred million.295
The second was seven hundred million.
The third was six hundred million arhats. {13}

5.41 “All had eliminated defilements and were without kleśas.

All had attained the perfection of miraculous powers.
The lifespan was forty thousand years
And the realm was perfectly pure and beautiful. {14}

5.42 “The bodhisattvas of that protector

Were consecrated to immeasurably benefit others.
They were well established through their powers and levels.
They were near to buddhahood beneath the sacred tree.296 {15}

5.43 “In this Jambudvīpa there were kings

Named Drḍ ̣habala and Mahābala.
One king ruled half the world,
The other was king over the other half. {16}

5.44 “The Buddha, to whom humans and devas made offerings,

Had appeared within the domain of King Mahābala.
The king gained faith in the Sugata
And attended him for a thousand years. {17}
5.45 “Many other beings, following his example,
Also honored the Tathāgata
With worldly goods and not through the Dharma.297
They gave many things to the śrāvakas also. {18}

5.46 “The highest of beings had this thought:

‘I shall teach the Dharma to these who desire the Dharma
So that they will all give up desire
And enter into homelessness in my teaching.’ {19}

5.47 “The highest of humans taught in verses

The practice of following the Dharma of the sugatas, [F.18.a]
The endless suffering and harm of living in a home,
And that practicing the Dharma is offering to the Dharma. {20}

5.48 “When the king, the sovereign, had heard those verses,
That ruler of men contemplated entering solitude.
He thought that all who dwell at home
Are unable to make the supreme offering to the Dharma. {21}

5.49 “He cast away the kingdom like a lump of phlegm

And together with eighty thousand persons
He came into the presence of the Jina,
Bowed to his feet, and sat before him. {22}

5.50 “The Jina, knowing what they intended,

Taught this samādhi of peace that is difficult to see.
Happy, inspired, and joyful, they were satisfied.
Pleased and delighted, they entered homelessness. {23}

5.51 “Homeless, they possessed this samādhi.

They kept it, read it, and understood it.
For two hundred million eons
They did not fall into the lower existences. {24}

5.52 “Because of those roots of merit,298

They all saw ten thousand million buddhas
And in the teaching of those jinas
They entered homelessness and meditated on this samādhi. {25}

5.53 “In later times they became buddhas

With infinite diligence, all named Drḍ ̣haśūra.
They benefited many millions of beings
And after, like an extinguished flame, attained nirvān ̣a. {26}
5.54 “The one who previously had been King Mahābala
Appeared in the world as Buddha Jñānaśūra.
He brought many billions of beings
To enlightenment, and then attained nirvān ̣a. {27}

5.55 “Therefore you who, in later times, hear and possess

This sūtra that has been taught by the buddhas:
If you possess this treasure of the Dharma
You will quickly become a supreme human.” {28}

5.56 Conclusion of the fifth chapter, “Ghos ̣adatta.”

6. Chapter 6

Cultivating the Samādhi

6.1 The Bhagavān now said to the youth Candraprabha,299 “Therefore, young man,
bodhisattva mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the
highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should cultivate this samādhi.
6.2 “Young man, what is the cultivation of this samādhi? [F.18.b] Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas with a compassionate mind are dedicated to making offerings to the
tathāgatas, whether living or passed into nirvān ̣a, of Dharma robes, alms, seat and
bedding, medicines for when ill, and of monastic utensils, and of flowers, incense,
perfume, garlands, ointments, aromatic powders, clothing, parasols, banners, and flags,
and of music and musical instruments. They dedicate that root of merit to the attainment
of samādhi. They do not make offerings to a tathāgata with the hope for anything at all—
not with the hope for anything they desire, nor with the hope for any enjoyment, nor with
the hope for a higher existence, nor with the hope for followers—but do so with the
Dharma in mind. They do not even, with that wish, perceive the Tathāgata as the
dharmakāya, let alone perceiving him as the rūpakāya.
6.3 “Young man, it is in that way that an offering is made to the tathāgatas. It is done
without seeing the tathāgatas, without focusing on the self, and without any desire for the
ripening of karma. Young man, if an offering made to a tathāgata is purified of those three
aspects of the action, this samādhi will be attained and the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood will be quickly reached.”
6.4 At this point the Bhagavān gave a detailed teaching on the cultivation of the samādhi by
chanting the following extensive verses to the youth Candraprabha.

6.5 “Through offering incense to infinite wisdom

Beings will have an infinite aroma.
In ten million eons they will not go to the lower realms,
And no bad smells will come from them. {1}

6.6 “For ten million eons they will practice bodhisattva conduct
And make offerings to ten thousand million buddhas.
The aroma of wisdom will arise so that they
 Will become buddhas with the aroma of supreme conduct. {2}

6.7 “If any beings know that the incense they offer,
Those to whom they offer it,
And the minds that offer incense [F.19.a] do not exist,
The ‘concordant patience’ they have is of lesser kind. {3}

6.8 “But if a person maintains a patience that is great,300

Even were they cut up, for ten million eons,
Into tiny pieces as numerous as the Ganges sands,
Their mind will never regress. {4}

6.9 “Why is this termed ‘patience’?

And why is it called ‘concordant’?
For what reason is it said to be ‘nonregressive’?
And why are they called ‘bodhisattvas’? {5}

6.10 “Their patience being for the selfless nature of phenomena,

Those who perceive selflessness have no kleśas.
They know that all phenomena are like space.
That, therefore, is what is termed ‘patience.’ {6}

6.11 “They train in accord with all the jinas.

Those wise ones do not practice non-Dharma.
They do not doubt the Buddha’s Dharma.
That is the patience that is ‘concordant.’ {7}

6.12 “Even if all the māras in the world transformed

Into buddhas and said to such practitioners,
‘Enlightenment is too difficult! So become a śrāvaka!’
They would not believe those words and would not regress. {8}

6.13 “If they know of the incorrect view of beings

They say, ‘This is not the path to deathlessness!’301
So that they reject the wrong path and are brought to the true path.302
That is the reason why they are called bodhisattvas.303 {9}

6.14 “They remain upon the path of concordant patience

And are awake through the knowledge of selflessness.
Even in a dream they do not believe
In humans, persons, souls, or beings. {10}

6.15 “Even if as many millions of māras as there are Ganges sands

Came before them in the forms of buddhas,
And said to them that there is a soul within the body,
 They would reply that it was not so and say, ‘You are not buddhas.’304 {11}

6.16 “Through wisdom I know that the skandhas are empty.

Because I know that, I am unaccompanied by kleśas.
In my conduct I use mere words
But within this world remain within nirvān ̣a, {12}

6.17 “Just as when a man has a son born to him

And gives him a name, saying, ‘This is his name!’
But that name cannot be found anywhere.
And that name did not come from anywhere. {13}

6.18 “In that way the name ‘bodhisattva’ is given, [F.19.b]

But if one seeks for this ‘bodhisattva’
That name will not be found anywhere.
One who knows that is a bodhisattva. {14}

6.19 “The bodhisattvas do not believe in the existence of a self

Any more than that a fire can burn in the middle of the ocean.
Since they have developed the aspiration for enlightenment
They have not had the view that there is a soul within.305 {15}

6.20 “There is no birth and there is no death

For beings, humans,306 the descendants of Manu.
Phenomena have an empty nature, like illusions;
The tīrthikas are unable to know that. {16}

6.21 “Also those who crave for food,

Who desire and cling to alms bowls and robes,
Who are arrogant and are haughty,
They cannot understand the Buddha’s enlightenment. {17}

6.22 “The lazy who are overcome by sleepiness and dullness,

Who have stubborn minds,307 and are shameless,
Who have no faith in the Buddha,
They are unable to understand308 sublime enlightenment. {18}

6.23 “The ordinary beings with incorrect behavior,

Those who do not have faith in the Dharma,
Who have no respect toward celibates,
They are unable to understand enlightenment. {19}

6.24 “Those with correct behavior, who have modesty and self-respect,
Who delight in the Dharma and the buddhas,
Who show great respect to the practitioners of celibacy,
 They will attain the supreme, highest enlightenment. {20}

6.25 “Those whose conduct is performed with mindfulness,

Who sit upon their cushion with joy and delight,
With dhyāna as food and samādhi for drink,
They will attain the supreme, highest enlightenment. {21}

6.26 “Those who understand selflessness all day long,

Who are mindful of emptiness as they walk,
Who bear the beautiful aromatic flowers of the aspects of enlightenment,
Those dedicated ones will attain supreme enlightenment. {22}

6.27 “They who are skilled in bodhisattva conduct

Are not on the level of other beings,
Of śrāvakas, or of pratyekabuddhas.
Who would not aspire to that realization? {23}

6.28 “If I were to have a lifespan that continued

For as many millions of eons as there are sands in the Ganges,
I would not even be able to finish reciting the praises
Of as little of the Buddha’s wisdom as a tiny pore. {24}

6.29 “Therefore, having heard the benefits [F.20.a]

That have been taught by the unsurpassable Jina,
You should quickly become instructed in this samādhi.
And then the attainment of supreme enlightenment will not be difficult.” {25}

6.30 Conclusion of the sixth chapter, “Cultivation of the Samādhi.”

7. Chapter 7

The Attainment of Patience

7.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should become skilled in the wisdoms of the three
kinds of patience. They should know the first patience. They should know the second
patience. They should know the third patience. They should become skilled in the
differences between the three kinds of patience and skilled in the differences between the
wisdoms of the three kinds of patience.
7.2 “Why is that? Young man, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas become skilled in the
differences between the three kinds of patience and become skilled in the differences
between the wisdoms of the three kinds of patience, then at that time, young man,
bodhisattva mahāsattvas will quickly attain this samādhi, and will quickly attain the
highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.
7.3 “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who wish to attain the highest,
complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood should learn this Dharma teaching on
gaining the three kinds of patience. When they have learned it they should teach it widely
to others. That will be of benefit to many beings, it will bring happiness to many beings, it
will be a kindness to the world, it will bring fulfillment to a multitude of beings, and bring
benefit and happiness to humans and devas.”309
7.4 Then the Bhagavān taught this Dharma discourse on gaining the three kinds of
patience by chanting the following verses to the youth Candraprabha.

7.5 “Those who do not argue

Or speak unbeneficial words
But always bring benefit and maintain the Dharma,
Such people are explained as having the first patience. {1} [F.20.b]

7.6 “Knowing that all phenomena are like illusions,

Not having a conceptual field of experience,
And not falling from the level of increasing wisdom
Are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {2}
7.7 “Being skilled in all the paths of the sūtras,
Being wise and attracted to the Buddha’s words,
And having the infinite awareness of the sugatas’ wisdom
Are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {3}

7.8 “Whatever Dharma taught by the Buddha they hear,

They have no doubt about the Buddha’s teachings
But aspire to the Dharma of all the jinas.
These are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {4}

7.9 “They know the particular sūtra with the definitive meaning,
Such as the Sugata’s teaching on emptiness.
They know that all the Dharmas that teach
Of beings, individuals, and persons are provisional truth. {5}

7.10 “In this world there are many tīrthikas,

But they feel no anger toward them.
They are firmly established in compassion for them.
These are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {6}

7.11 “The retentions310 become apparent to them

And they have no doubts concerning their appearance.
What they speak is in accord with the truth.
These are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {7}

7.12 “The four elements of air and water,

Fire and earth may change into something else,
But they will never turn away from the enlightenment of buddhahood.
These are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {8}

7.13 “Whatever skills there are in the world,

The bodhisattvas learn them all,
And no one sees anyone higher than them.
These are distinctive qualities of the first patience. {9}

7.14 “They are unwavering through the power of śamatha,

And through vipaśyanā they are like a mountain.
Even all beings together would be unable to disturb them.
These are distinctive qualities of the second patience. {10}

7.15 “In meditation they stand and talk;

Remaining in meditation they walk.
In meditation they master the perfections.
These are distinctive qualities of the second patience. {11}
7.16 “In meditation they attain the five higher knowledges.
Teaching the Dharma they go to a hundred realms.
They do not lose their miraculous powers. [F.21.a]
These are distinctive qualities of the second patience. {12}

7.17 “They remain in that kind of samādhi of peace.

They attain certainty of the mind,
And in their meditation there is no ‘being.’
These are distinctive qualities of the second patience. {13}

7.18 “With buddha wisdom they teach the Dharma

To all of the beings who are in the world,
And they are able to remember all that they have taught.
These are distinctive qualities of the second patience. {14}

7.19 “They see the lords of the worlds in all directions:

East, south, west, and north,
Above, below, and in the intermediate directions.
These are distinctive qualities of the third patience. {15}

7.20 “They have a body that is the color of gold

And emanate countless manifestations,
Teaching the Dharma to many millions of beings.
These are distinctive qualities of the third patience. {16}

7.21 “Each such bodhisattva appears throughout

This buddha realm of Jambudvīpa
And is renowned also among the devas and asuras.
These are distinctive qualities of the third patience. {17}

7.22 “The bodhisattvas train in accordance

With the field of activity of the buddhas
And the conduct of the sugatas.
These are distinctive qualities of the third patience. {18}

7.23 “If the beings that are in this world

Were to recite the praises of the bodhisattvas
And they were to take great joy in that
Then they would not be trained in the Buddha’s wisdom. {19}

7.24 “If all the beings that are in this world

Were to speak badly to the bodhisattvas,
And if they were to become angry toward them,
Then they would still not be trained in the Buddha’s wisdom. {20}
7.25 “If they gain wealth it does not make them happy;
If they do not gain wealth it does not make them unhappy.
Their minds always remain like a mountain.
These are distinctive qualities of the third patience. {21}

7.26 “These three patiences are taught to be the patience regarding what is spoken,
The patience that is beneficial for contemplation and meditation,
And the patience, from listening to the Dharma, regarding birthlessness.
These trainings are the path to enlightenment.311 {22}

7.27 “When the bodhisattvas attain

These three unsurpassable patiences,
They see the supreme humans, the sugatas,312
And they give them the prophecy of their stainless enlightenment. {23} [F.21.b]

7.28 “When they have received that prophecy

The earth shakes in six ways,
The realm is illuminated by light,
And millions of devas send down a rain of flowers. {24}

7.29 “When they have received that prophecy

Countless quintillions of beings
Develop the aspiration to enlightenment,
Thinking, ‘We also shall become jinas, worthy of offerings.’313 {25}

7.30 “When the bodhisattvas attain

These three unsurpassable patiences
They are not born, they do not die,
They do not pass away, and are not reborn. {26}

7.31 “When the bodhisattvas attain

These three unsurpassable patiences
They do not see beings born or dying,
But see all phenomena as remaining in the true nature. {27}

7.32 “In this way they know that they are untrue,
That phenomena are like illusions, that they are naturally empty.
Emptiness is not born and does not die.314
All these phenomena are by nature empty. {28}

7.33 “Whenever someone shows them respect,

Attending to them, honoring them, and making offerings,
They take no pleasure in it,
For they know that phenomena have an empty nature. {29}
7.34 “Toward beings who revile, threaten, or beat them,
They feel no anger, nor pride.
They only feel constant love for them,
Wishing for those beings to be liberated. {30}

7.35 “Even when beaten and cut with sticks and stones,
Those wise ones will feel no anger,
Remaining in the patience of selflessness,
And not having unyielding anger or pride. {31}

7.36 “In this way they know the lack of reality,

That phenomena are like illusions, with an empty nature.
They remain in that knowledge of phenomena
And are venerated by this world and its devas. {32}

7.37 “Even toward beings holding weapons

Who cut into pieces their body and limbs,
They would have no anger,
And their love and compassion would not diminish. {33}

7.38 “Toward such beings, while they are cutting up their body and limbs,
This is what arises in their mind:
‘Until I can bring these beings to enlightenment
I will not pass into the peace of nirvān ̣a.’ {34} [F.22.a]

7.39 “The bodhisattvas of great renown

Continuously meditate throughout millions of eons
With that kind of unsurpassable power of patience,
Resting in the equanimity of the patience of selflessness. {35}

7.40 “For even more eons, as many as Ganges sand grains,

They do not accomplish benefit through the knowledge of a buddha.
They do not reach enlightenment,
Let alone the wisdom of the tathāgatas. {36}

7.41 “Even if one were to speak for countless hundreds of eons,

It would be difficult to conclude the praises,
The endless descriptions, of the greatly renowned ones
Who are established in the patience of selflessness. {37}

7.42 “Therefore, the one who desires supreme, unsurpassable enlightenment,

The accumulated wisdom of buddhahood,
Should meditate on the patience praised by the jinas,
And then supreme enlightenment will not be difficult to attain.” {38}
7.43 Conclusion of seventh chapter, “The Attainment of Patience.”
8. Chapter 8

Buddha Abhāvasamudgata
8.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should become skilled in the wisdom of the
nonexistent nature of all phenomena.
8.2 “Young man, what is being skilled in the wisdom of the nonexistent nature of all
phenomena? Bodhisattva mahāsattvas know that all phenomena have no existence, have
no essence, have no attributes, have no characteristics, have no origin, have no cessation,
have no words, are empty, are primordial peace, and are pure by nature.
8.3 “Young man, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas [F.22.b] know that all phenomena have no
existence, have no essence, have no attributes, have no characteristics, have no birth,
have no cessation, have no words, are empty, are primordial peace, and are pure by
nature, then at that time, young man, those bodhisattva mahāsattvas have become skilled
in the wisdom of the nonexistent nature of all phenomena.
8.4 “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have become skilled in the wisdom of the
nonexistent nature of all phenomena do not have desire for any form, sound, smell, taste,
or touch. They do not become angry. They are never ignorant.
8.5 “Why is that? It is because they do not see phenomena; there is no object to perceive.
They do not see the phenomena of desire, the desire, or the desirer; that which angers, the
anger, or one who is angry; nor that of which one is ignorant, the ignorance, or the one
who is ignorant, and therefore there is no such object to perceive.
8.6 “Because there is nothing to be seen and there is no object to perceive, they have no
attachment to anything in the three realms and they will quickly attain this samādhi, and
quickly attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.
“On this topic, it has been said:

8.7 “All phenomena have no existence;

They are all devoid of attributes and without characteristics,
Without birth and without cessation.
That is how you should315 perfectly understand phenomena.
8.8 “Everything is without existence, without words,
Empty, peaceful, and primordially stainless.
The one who knows phenomena,
Young man, that one is called a buddha.

8.9 “Therefore, the revealed nature of equality

Is that all phenomena in essence have no nature.
Whoever desires the mother of the sugatas
Will attain this mother of the jinas.

8.10 “Therefore, young man, that is what you should understand through this Dharma
teaching.316
8.11 “Young man, in the past, countless, vast, immeasurable, inconceivable, unfathomable,
asaṃkhyeya eons ago, at that time, in that time, there appeared in the world the
Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Abhāvasamudgata,
who was perfect in wisdom and conduct, a sugata, [F.23.a] a knower of the world, an
unsurpassable guide who tamed beings, a teacher of devas and humans, a buddha, and a
bhagavān.
8.12 “Young man, what do you think? Why was that tathāgata named Abhāvasamudgata?317
“Young man, as soon as he was born he rose in the air up to the height of seven palm
trees, took seven steps, and said these words: ‘All phenomena have arisen from
nonexistence. From nonexistence have all phenomena arisen.’
8.13 “Young man, the sound of those words was heard in all the worlds in the trichiliocosm.
It resounded and was heard by everyone from the devas on the earth up to those in
Brahmā’s paradise. ‘Oh, as soon as this tathāgata was born, he rose in the air up to the
height of seven palm trees, took seven steps and said the word nonexistence. Therefore he
will be Abhāvasamudgata (Arisen from Nonexistence).’ Thus it was that the name
Abhāvasamudgata arose, and that he was given the name Abhāvasamudgata.
8.14 “When that bhagavān attained enlightenment, the words ‘arisen from nonexistence’
sounded from the leaves of all the trees, from all the grass,318 bushes, and forests,319 and
from the summits of all the mountains.
“Every sound in that world was heard as the words ‘arisen from nonexistence.’
8.15 “Young man, at the time, attending the teachings of the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the
arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Abhāvasamudgata, there was a young prince by
the name of Mahākarun ̣ācintin, who had an excellent body and was handsome and good-
looking.
8.16 “Young man, the prince went to the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Abhāvasamudgata and bowed his head to the Bhagavān’s feet. He
circumambulated the Bhagavān three times and then sat down. [F.23.b] Then the
Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Abhāvasamudgata,
knowing the higher motivation of Prince Mahākarun ̣ācintin, taught him this samādhi.
When he had heard this he had complete faith in it. With complete faith he shaved off his
 hair and beard, put on the orange robes, and with such faith left home for homelessness.
Having entered homelessness he learned this samādhi. He learned it, kept it, read it,
understood it, and dedicated himself to the practice of meditation on it. Through that root
of merit, he did not fall into the lower existences for two hundred million eons. He served
two hundred million buddhas, and he heard this samādhi from all those tathāgatas.
Having heard it, he learned it and understood it. He kept it, read it, propagated it, and
repeatedly meditated on it with unadulterated meditation, remaining dedicated to that
practice of meditation.
8.17 “Through those roots of merit, after twenty eons had passed he appeared in the world
as the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha
Suvicinitārtha. He ripened countless beings and benefited countless beings, and
afterward, like an extinguished flame, he passed away into perfect nirvān ̣a.
8.18 “Therefore, young man, this samādhi of that Dharma teaching should be cherished by
bodhisattva mahāsattvas. It should be known to cause the unsurpassable perfect wisdom
of buddhahood.”
8.19 Then at that time the Bhagavān gave a detailed teaching on the preceding chapter by
chanting the following extensive verses to the youth Candraprabha:

8.20 “I remember that countless eons ago

In the past, there appeared a supreme human,
One who benefited the world, a great rishi,
And his name was Abhāvasamudgata. {1}

8.21 “As soon as he was born he rose into the air [F.24.a]
And taught the nonexistence of all phenomena.
He was at that time given a corresponding name
And his words were heard throughout the trichiliocosm. {2}

8.22 “All the devas, they all called out,

‘He will be a jina named Abhāva!
As soon as he was born he took seven steps
And the Jina taught the nonexistence of phenomena.’ {3}

8.23 “When the sage became a buddha, a Dharma king,

Who taught the nature of all phenomena,
From plants, trees, bushes, mountains,320 and rocks
There came the words ‘phenomena have no existence.’ {4}

8.24 “All the sounds there were in the world

Became the words ‘all are nonexistent.’
In that way there sounded
The words of the Guide of the World. {5}

8.25 “At that time there was a prince

 Whose name had always been Karun ̣āvicintin.
He had an excellent form and was handsome.
He came into the presence of that jina. {6}

8.26 “He bowed to the feet of the sage, that great being,
And respectfully circumambulated him.
In order to hear the stainless, unsurpassable Dharma
He sat there with a devout mind. {7}

8.27 “The heroic321 Jina, knowing his aspiration,

Gave the teaching of this samādhi.
Having listened to this stainless samādhi
He quickly entered homelessness in the supreme Jina’s teaching. {8}

8.28 “Having entered homelessness he possessed,

Read, and understood this samādhi.
For a full two hundred million eons
He did not descend to an unfortunate existence. {9}

8.29 “Through the good karma that he had made

He pleased two hundred million buddhas,
And in the presence of those jinas
He cultivated this samādhi. {10}

8.30 “He afterward became a buddha in the world

Who was always known as Sucintitārtha.
He benefited many millions of beings
And afterward attained nirvān ̣a,322 like an extinguished flame.323 {11}

8.31 Conclusion of the eighth chapter, “Buddha Abhāvasamudgata.”324 [B3]

9. Chapter 9

The Patience of the Profound Dharma

9.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, [F.24.b] “Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect
buddhahood and liberate all beings from the ocean of existence should hear this king of
samādhis, in which the equality of the nature of all phenomena is revealed, which is
praised by all the buddhas and is the mother of the tathāgatas. They should obtain it,
preserve it, understand it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it, meditate on
it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely known to others.
9.2 “Why is that? Young man, this king of samādhis, the revealed equality of the nature of
all phenomena, has given birth to all the tathāgatas, the arhats, the perfectly enlightened
buddhas; all tathāgatas, śrāvakas, and pratyekabuddhas have come from it.
9.3 “Therefore, young man, you also should obtain this king of samādhis, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena, which is praised by all the buddhas and is the
mother of the tathāgatas.325 It has been said:

9.4 “Therefore, those who wish for enlightenment and buddhahood,

And to liberate beings from the ocean of existence,
Should obtain this sūtra praised by the buddhas,
And then sublime enlightenment will not be difficult to attain.”326

9.5 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish327 to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect
buddhahood should become skilled328 in the patience of profound Dharma.329
9.6 “Young man, how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas become skilled in the patience of
profound Dharma?
“Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas should know that all phenomena are like
illusions. [F.25.a] They should know that all phenomena are like dreams, like mirages,
like echoes, like optical illusions, like the moon on water, like hallucinations,330 like
reflections, and like space.
9.7 “Young man, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas know that all phenomena are like
illusions,331 they are skilled in the patience of profound Dharma. Those who have the
patience of profound Dharma have no desire for any phenomenon that causes desire,
have no anger toward any phenomenon that causes anger, and have no ignorance
regarding any phenomenon that causes ignorance. Why is that? It is because they do not
see that phenomenon; they do not perceive that phenomenon. They do not see the
phenomena and they do not perceive the phenomena of that which is desired, the desire,
or the desirer; that which angers, the anger, or one who is angry; nor that of which one is
ignorant, the ignorance, or the one who is ignorant. Because they do not see and do not
perceive those phenomena they have no desire, they have no anger, they have no
ignorance, their minds do not regress, and they rest in meditation. They are without
conceptual elaboration. They have crossed over to the other side. They have reached dry
land. They have reached safety. They have attained freedom from fear.332 They have
correct conduct. They have knowledge. They have wisdom. They have merit. They have
miraculous powers. They have memory.333 They have intelligence. They have
realization.334 They have a sense of modesty. They have stability. They have bodhisattva
conduct. They have the austerity of the disciplines of mendicancy. They are
unblemished.335 [F.25.b] They have nothing. They are arhats. Their defilements have
ceased. They have no kleśas. They have power. Their minds are liberated. Their wisdom is
liberated. They are thoroughbred stallions.336 They are great elephants.337 They have
done what had to be done. They have accomplished what had to be accomplished. They
have put down their burden. They have reached their goals. They have ended engagement
with existence. They have liberated their minds through true knowledge. They are
mendicants who have attained all the perfect, highest, complete powers of the mind. They
are brahmins.338 They are snātakas.339 They are masters of the Vedas.340 They know the
Vedas.341 They are śrotriyas.342 They are children of the buddhas. They are children of the
Śākya.343 They have crushed the thorns.344 They have not left the law behind.345 They
have left the trench barrier behind.346 They have crossed over the trench barrier.347 They
have extracted the splinters.348 They have no illness.349 They are bhiksus.
̣ They are free
from all bondage. They have been born as humans. They are good humans. They are
supreme humans. They are great humans. They are human lions.350 They are human
elephants.351 They are human stallions.352 They are human carthorses.353 They are
human heroes.354 They are human strongmen.355 They are human flowers.356 They are
human lotuses.357 They are human white lotuses.358 They are human tamers.359 They are
human moons.360 They are extraordinary humans. They are stainless humans.”361
9.8 Then the Bhagavān, in order to give this Dharma teaching on entering the patience of
profound Dharma, recited these verses:

9.9 “At one time a world appears,

And later the entire world becomes space.
As it was before, so it is afterward.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {1}
9.10 “All that there is in this world
Later dissolves into the mass of water below.
As it is below, so it is above.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {2} [F.26.a]

9.11 “Just as in a completely cloudless sky

In an instant a mass of clouds appears—
From where did they first originate?
Know that all phenomena are like that. {3}

9.12 “If you think of a tathāgata who has passed into nirvān ̣a,
His image will appear in your mind.
As he was before, so he is afterward.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {4}

9.13 “When a person sees a mass of foam

That is carried along in a river
And examines it, they see that it has no essence.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {5}

9.14 “When large drops of rain fall,

There appear separate bubbles of water.
They vanish as they appear; the bubbles have no existence.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {6}

9.15 “When a letter is sent to another town

With news of the good or bad that has been done,
A voice does not accompany the letter.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {7}

9.16 “When a man is intoxicated from alcohol,

He perceives the ground to be spinning,
But the earth is not moving or shaking.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {8}

9.17 “A woman sees her beautified face

On the surface of a mirror or a bowl of oil.
The fool feels passion for it
And runs in search for the desired. {9}

9.18 “The face was not transferred there.

The face will never be found in the reflection,
And yet fools have desire for it.
Know that all phenomena are like that.362 {10}
9.19 “Just like optical illusions and fata morganas,
Just like dreams and just like illusions,
When their attributes are meditated on, their nature is empty.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {11}

9.20 “When the moon is in a clear sky,

Its reflection appears on the sea,
But the moon has not moved onto the water.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {12}

9.21 “A man who is inside a canyon363

Sees no one but hears the echoes
Of singing, speaking, and laughter.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {13} [F.26.b]

9.22 “Echoes are produced

By songs, music, and weeping,
But the song that is heard does not exist.
Know that all phenomena are like that.364 {14}

9.23 “Although pleasures are enjoyed in a dream,

When the person awakes they are not be seen.
The fool, though, becomes attached to those pleasures.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {15}

9.24 “A magician causes forms to appear,

Creating horses, elephants, chariots, and so on.
But though they appear they do not exist at all.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {16}

9.25 “In a young woman’s dream

She gives birth to a son and then sees him die.
She is happy when he’s born and sad when he dies.
Know that all phenomena are like that.365 {18}

9.26 “In the night the reflection of the moon

Appears on clear, undisturbed water,
But it is empty of a moon and there is nothing to grasp.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {19}

9.27 “A thirsty person traveling

At noon during the summer
Sees a lake that is a mirage.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {20}
9.28 “The water that is a mirage cannot be found.
Foolish beings want to drink it,
But water that is not real cannot be drunk.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {21}

9.29 “When a person in search of its essence

Pulls apart the trunk of a green banana plant,
They find no essence either inside or outside.
Know that all phenomena are like that. {22}

9.30 “The eyes, the ears, and the nose are unreliable.
The tongue, the body, and the mind are unreliable.
If the senses could be relied upon,
What need would there be for the path of the noble ones? {23}

9.31 “These senses are unreliable.

Their nature is material and neutral.
Therefore those who wish for the path to nirvān ̣a
Must follow the path of the noble ones. {24}

9.32 “If one examines the body back into the past,
There is no body and no conception of a body.
When there is no body and no conception of a body
This is called the lineage of the noncomposite.366 {25}

9.33 “There are no phenomena in the phenomena of nirvān ̣a,

For if it is nonexistent there could never be an existence. [F.27.a]
Those who conceptualize teach existence and nonexistence,
But practicing in that way will not bring an end to suffering. {26}

9.34 “ ‘Existing,’ ‘not existing,’ and both are extremes.

‘Pure’ and ‘impure’ are also extremes.
Therefore, rejecting both extremes,
The wise do not even remain in the middle. {27}

9.35 “ ‘Existing’ and ‘not existing’ are in conflict.

‘Pure’ and ‘impure’ are also in conflict.
When there is conflict, suffering cannot be ended.
When there is no conflict, suffering ceases.367 {28}

9.36 “When fools speak about remaining in mindfulness368

They become proud, saying, ‘I have witnessed it in my body.’369
But those who have witnessed it in their body have no pride;
They are those who are freed from all such pride.370 {29}
9.37 “When speaking of the four dhyānas,
The foolish claim they can experience dhyāna.
But those who know and realize that dhyāna
Is without kleśas or pride reject such arrogance. {30}

9.38 “When speaking of the four truths,

The foolish say that they see the truth.
But there is no pride when the truth is seen.
The Jina taught the truth that is without pride. {31}

9.39 “Do not be proud of maintaining correct conduct.

Do not become proud through listening to the Dharma.
When those with little wisdom become proud,
That is the root of increasing suffering. {32}

9.40 “The world’s guide, the omniscient one,

Taught that pride is the root of suffering.
To be puffed up with pride makes suffering grow;
To have no pride brings suffering to an end. {33}

9.41 “However much Dharma you have learned,

If you feel proud of your learning and let your proper conduct lapse,
Your misconduct will take you to the lower realms
And all that great learning will not protect you. {34}

9.42 “If you feel proud of being renowned for correct conduct
And do not dedicate yourself to listening to many teachings,
When the results of your correct conduct have been used up
You will afterward experience suffering.371 {35}

9.43 “If you meditate on a worldly samādhi

And do not eliminate the conception of a self,
Then the kleśas will arise once more,
As happened in the samādhi practice of Udraka.372 {36} [F.27.b]

9.44 “If one examines the Dharma of selflessness,

And if after examining, one meditates,
That will be the cause resulting in the attainment of nirvān ̣a.
It is impossible for peace to come from any other cause. {37}

9.45 “If a man is being attacked by bandits

And, wishing to save his life, he tries to run away
But his legs will not move and he cannot run,
He will be captured and killed373 by the bandits. {38}
9.46 “In the same way, a stupid person without correct conduct
May try to escape from composite phenomena.
But without correct conduct he is not able to flee,
And will be killed by old age, illness, and death. {39}

9.47 “Just as many thousands of savages374

Do you harm in various ways,
The kleśas will in many ways,
Like savages, destroy that which is good. {40}

9.48 “Those who have understood the skandhas to be without a self,

Even if insulted or beaten, will not be dismayed.
They will not fall under the power of the kleśa demons.
Those who know emptiness will never become agitated. {41}

9.49 “Many people teach the emptiness of the skandhas

But have not understood that selflessness;
When those who have not understood are contradicted by others,
They will be overpowered by anger and speak harsh words. {42}

9.50 “There was a man375 who was ill and suffering physically.
For many years he could not attain freedom from his illness.
For a long time he was tormented by his illness,
And in order to be cured he went in search of a physician. {43}

9.51 “Searching and searching, again and again,

He found a skilled and wise physician
Who had compassion for him
And said, ‘Take this medicine.’ {44}

9.52 “He gave him much excellent medicine,

But the sick man didn’t take the healing medicine.
That was not the fault of the physician or the medicine;
It was the fault of the sick person. {45}

9.53 “In the same way, those who have entered homelessness in this teaching,
Who know of the strengths, the dhyānas, and the powers
But do not dedicate themselves to meditation,
Are not endeavouring in what is correct, so how could they attain nirvān ̣a? {46}

9.54 “All phenomena are always empty by nature.

The heirs of the jinas have eliminated all things.
The entirety of existence has always been empty.
The emptiness of the tīrthikas is limited. {47}
9.55 “The wise do not argue with fools,
They politely avoid them; [F.28.a]
Thinking, ‘They come to me with malicious intent,’
They do not engage with the Dharma of fools. {48}

9.56 “Knowing the nature and dispositions of fools,

The wise do not associate with fools.
Whenever they associate well with them
Those fools eventually turn into enemies. {49}

9.57 “The wise do not depend upon the foolish.

The wise and the foolish have different natures.
The nature of the foolish is naturally contrary,
So the wise do not have ordinary people as friends. {50}

9.58 “They may speak with words about the Dharma

But do not believe it, showing their anger and aggression.
Such is the Dharma of fools, and knowing this to be so
The wise do not rely on it. {51}

9.59 “The foolish are in accord with other fools

Like impurity with other impurities.
The wise are in accord with other wise people
Like butter376 is with ghee. {52}

9.60 “They do not examine the faults of saṃsāra;

They pay no attention to the ripening of karma;
They have no faith in the words of the buddhas:
Those fools will be sliced and cut into pieces. {53}

9.61 “They have obtained a human life that is difficult to obtain,

But they have not become skilled in any craft.
They have become poor without any wealth.
In order to have a livelihood they become mendicants. {54}

9.62 “Having become mendicants in this teaching of the Buddha,

They become attached to their robes and alms bowls.
They fall under the influence of bad companions,
And they do not practice the teaching of the Sugata. {55}

9.63 “They are not observant of their own conduct.

Such fools do not perceive the states of their minds.
Day and night they do not follow the discipline,
And they do not abhor the path of bad actions. {56}
9.64 “They do not restrain their body and mind.
There is nothing that they will not say.
They are always looking for faults in others,
And criticize any mistake they make. {57}

9.65 “Such fools have attachment to food.

They know no limit to their eating.
They obtain their food through the Buddha’s merit,
But these fools do not keep that in mind. {58}

9.66 “When they find food that is delicious and pleasing,

They consume377 it without engaging in the discipline.
For them that food becomes poison, [F.28.b]
Like an unclean lotus stem378 for an elephant calf.379 {59}

9.67 “The wise, the sagacious, the realized

Also eat food that is pure and pleasing,
But they have no attachment to it.
They eat without clinging, maintaining the discipline. {60}

9.68 “The wise, sagacious, and realized

Say ‘welcome’ when the foolish come,
Bringing them closer with pleasant words,
And maintaining compassion for them; {61}

9.69 “They are kind and helpful to them.

But the foolish are happy when harm comes to the wise.
Because of such faults, the wise avoid the foolish
And live alone like deer in the forest. {62}

9.70 “The wise, knowing these kinds of defects,

Do not associate with fools.
They think, ‘If I depend on those who have no wisdom,
There will be no higher rebirth, let alone the attainment of enlightenment.’ {63}

9.71 “The wise reach enlightenment by putting into practice

The samādhi of dwelling in love,
Of dwelling in compassion, of acting with joy,
And with constant equanimity toward all existences. {64}

9.72 “They attain the enlightenment that is peace, free of misery.

They perceive beings afflicted by illness and aging.380
They have compassion toward them,
And give them the teachings of ultimate truth. {65}
9.73 “Who can know the true nature of the jinas
And the truth of the sugatas, which is beyond description?381
It is they who hear this kind of Dharma
And attain the immaterial patience of the noble ones.” {66}

9.74 Conclusion of the ninth chapter, “The Patience of the Profound Dharma.”
10. Chapter 10

The Entry into the City

10.1 The Bhagavān then said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, you should
be someone who makes practice essential, and always trains in that way. Why is that?
Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who make practice essential will not even find it
difficult to attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, not to
mention attaining this samādhi.”
10.2 Then the youth Candraprabha rose from his seat, removed his robe from one shoulder,
and, kneeling on his right knee, [F.29.a] with palms placed together, bowed toward the
Bhagavān and exclaimed, “Bhagavān, that teaching and instruction that the bhagavāns
have taught well, presented well, and explained well to the bodhisattva mahāsattvas, the
entire bodhisattva training that they have explained well and presented well is marvelous.
10.3 “Bhagavān, this is the scope of activity of the tathāgatas, not of the śrāvakas or
pratyekabuddhas, let alone the tīrthikas.
10.4 “Bhagavān, I, too, will make practice essential, and without care for life or body I shall
train as the tathāgatas have. Why is that? Bhagavān, I wish to train as the tathāgatas have.
Bhagavān, I wish to attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.
Bhagavān, I wish to eliminate the evil māras. Bhagavān, I wish to free all beings from all
fear and all suffering.382 I pray that the Bhagavān will place his right hand upon my
head.”
He said to the Bhagavān:

10.5 “You have an excellent body, like a clear sky.

You are the son of wisdom, who has no body or attributes.
You are a deep ocean of qualities, and have compassion.
You who are without equal, place your hand upon my head.”383 {i}

10.6 The Bhagavān placed upon Candraprabha’s head his right hand, which was adorned with
many characteristics that were the result of many roots of merit, and which was of the
color of divine gold.
10.7 As soon as the Bhagavān placed his right hand upon Candraprabha’s head, in that very
instant, more indescribable than indescribably many hundred thousand quintillions of
samādhi entranceways that arise from the perfection of wisdom were revealed to
Candraprabha, such as the heroic,384 the treasury of space,385 the vajra-like,386 the
speed of the mind,387 the revealing of all forms,388 [F.29.b] the ultimate absence of
obscurations, the revealing of all tathāgatas,389 the consecration of all emptiness,390
and so on. Many entranceways to dhāran ̣īs and liberations391 were revealed. He attained
the knowledge of the joy and happiness that is described by the noble ones, of the
countless vast number of beings in the deva realms, and the scope of experience of the
buddhas and bodhisattvas.
It was said:

10.8 The Bhagavān placed upon the head of the youth Candraprabha
The hand that for many millions of eons had given away jewels,
Which was beautified by being webbed, and had markings of a vase and hook,
A knot of eternity, a wheel, a victory banner, a flag, and fishes. {ii}

10.9 Then Candraprabha, full of joy and happiness and the knowledge of the countless, vast
number of beings in the deva realms, and the scope of experience of the buddhas and
bodhisattvas, rose from his seat, removed his robe from one shoulder, and, kneeling on
his right knee, with palms placed together, he bowed toward the Bhagavān and recited
these appropriate verses of praise:

10.- “I pay homage to you, the unsurpassable provider of freedom from fear.
10 I pay homage to you, a loving friend of beings who benefits others.
I pay homage to you, who possess the power of truth and the ten strengths.
I pay homage to you, who are the equal of the unequaled tathāgatas. {iii}

10.11 “I pay homage to you, the Lord who has the highest compassion.
I pay homage to you, the hero who has subjugated the four enemies.392
I pay homage to you, who know the benefits of sublime diligence.
I pay homage to you, the Lord393 who has the supreme dharmakāya. {iv}

10.12 “I will always go for refuge to you, Lord,

The Jina who is a sun shining in the center of the vast sky of wisdom,
Dispelling darkness with the light of love and compassion,
And who is the teacher of the extremely profound Dharma of the ultimate truth.” {v}
[F.30.a]

10.13 When the youth Candraprabha had recited these appropriate verses of praise to the
Bhagavān, he said to him, “Bhagavān, so that you may show me your compassion I pray
that you, with your saṅgha of bodhisattvas and saṅgha of bhiksus,
̣ will assent to eat your
meal tomorrow at my home.
10.14 “I pray to the Lord of men and your sons
That you eat a pure meal at my home.
Lord of sages, in order to show me your compassion,
Chief of devas, give your assent.” {vi}

10.15 The Bhagavān, because of his compassion, by remaining silent assented to eat a meal
together with his saṅgha of bodhisattvas and saṅgha of bhiksus
̣ at the home of the youth
Candraprabha.
10.16 The youth Candraprabha, knowing that the Bhagavān had assented by his silence, rose
from his seat, removed his robe from one shoulder, bowed his head to the Bhagavān’s
feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān three times, and departed from the Bhagavān’s
presence.
10.17 The youth Candraprabha then went down from Vulture Peak Mountain, and at that
time he perfectly adorned the entire road in between Vulture Peak Mountain and the
great city of Rājagrha.
̣
10.18 As an offering to the Bhagavān he cleared a great, wide roadway so that it was free of
grass, tree stumps, thorns, stones, pebbles, and gravel, and spread pure sand over it, so
that it was as soft and pleasant to the touch as down, and made a pleasant sound. He
covered it with flowers from all seasons, such as divine blue lotuses, red lotuses, night
lotuses, white lotuses, water lilies, kachnar flowers, sambac jasmines, magnolias,
bignonias, star jasmines, sesame flowers, ironwood flowers, and aśoka flowers. Parasols,
banners, flags, flags of victory, precious arches,394 and canopies were set up along the
road. [F.30.b] There were precious censers from which flowed the smoke of black
agarwood.395 Arranged in different places were dancers and performers skilled in
performing divine songs, dance, and music. Beautifully adorned men, women, boys, and
girls were arranged holding pan ̣ava drums,396 one-stringed lutes,397 lutes, flutes, mrdaṅga
̣
drums,398 mukunda drums,399 and muraja drums.400 On both sides of the road tall palm
trees were adorned with various divine jewels and a jingling network of bells made from
Jambu River gold.401 There were many hundred thousand quintillions of pillars made of
precious materials, and different kinds of trees of various heights and thicknesses made
from the seven jewels, and on which were arranged the leaves, flowers, and fruits of all
seasons.

10.19 The road was excellently adorned in various ways.

Canopies, parasols, and flags were erected.
The sound of music was perfectly played,
And similarly there was the beautiful sound of songs. {vii}

10.- That perfect road was excellently adorned

20 By many women performing dances,
Many millions of various excellent cloths,
And beautiful, excellent garlands of flowers. {viii}
10.21 “The Buddha, the moon of sages, the compassionate one
Is coming to this pure excellent city.”
On hearing that, young Candraprabha with great faith
Perfectly adorned a great, vast road. {ix}

10.- He spread out pure, divine sand

22 And scattered perfect, beautiful flowers.
He also set up precious pillars
And made the road as beautiful as a divine city. {x}

10.- Young Candraprabha, with immense joy,

23 Perfectly adorned the road in various ways.
Devas, asuras, and nāgas, upon seeing it
Were astonished and cried out, “Ha ha ha!” {xi}

10.- To the left and right of the road there were placed
24 Tall, excellent, round palm trees made of Jambu River gold,
Decorated and beautified by a network
Of numerous jingling, precious bells. {xii}

10.- Similarly arranged were million of precious trees [F.31.a]

25 Adorned by blossomed flowers of all seasons,
Which were beautiful adornments for that vast road,
Like a blissful park in the deva realms. {xiii}

10.- Pillars that were made from precious materials,

26 With beautiful strings of beads that shone like light—
An indescribable sight, huge and vast—
Were set up and arranged on the left and right of the road. {xiv}

10.- The Buddha, the Lord of the three worlds,

27 Traveled on that road to the capital city.
That great road was adorned in that way
So that it was beautiful in every way. {xv}

10.- On the right and left, precious censers were hung.

28 They were filled with black agarwood.
From all the censers there formed a cloud of smoke,
With divine, pleasant aromas of various kinds. {xvi}

10.- The youth Candraprabha, for the sake of the Jina,

29 Arranged vast, incalculable ornaments of divine materials,
From the entrance to the water well of the city
Up to the king of mountains, Grdhrakūt
̣ a.
̣ {xvii}
10.- Young Candraprabha adorned the road with many different precious arrangements.402
30 Then young Candraprabha descended from Vulture Peak and went to the great city of
Rājagrha,
̣ to his tall, vast, great, divine home. He reached there and he entered his home.
He spent that night preparing a great amount of excellent, delicious403 food and drink,
and creating food that had a hundred flavors. Then he sprinkled well the ground in the
great city of Rājagrha
̣ and swept it clean, scattered flower petals, perfumed it with
incense, put up canopies, hung ribbons and wreaths of silk, and set up parasols, banners,
and flags.
10.31 In that way he made the main road of Rājagrha
̣ up to the town free of stones, pebbles,
and gravel, scattered it with various flowers, and sprinkled it with sandalwood powder.
He adorned the windows, porticoes, doors,404 roofs,405 lattices,406 and the crescent
moons,407 and perfumed them with sandalwood. In that way he adorned the city of
Rājagrha
̣ with countless displays [F.31.b] and adorned his own house, too, with a variety
of many adornments. He hung it with many precious strings of beads. He adorned it with
the raiment of the Tusita
̣ deities and also beautified the grounds. He had many kinds of
garlands and wreaths put up as adornments. He arranged a hundred thousand precious
seats. In order to make offerings to the Bhagavān he placed in their center a lion throne of
divine materials that surpassed the work of devas and humans. In the four directions he
hung censers made of various precious materials, from which flowed the smoke of black
agarwood. In that way the youth Candraprabha arranged his excellent home so that for
the enjoyment of the Bhagavān there was the sound of divine songs, performances, and
music; pure parasols and banners were erected; an audience of a hundred thousand
devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣ gandharvas, asuras, garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, humans, and
nonhumans thronged it; and it was filled with many various kinds of precious flowers.

10.- Candraprabha perfectly, extensively adorned

32 His vast and excellent home.
In the center he placed a lion throne of divine materials
Where the lamp of the world would sit. {xviii}

10.- He perfectly set out countless millions

33 Of extremely precious, beautiful seats
Where the saṅgha of the lamp of the world,
The Lord of jinas, would sit. {xix}

10.- Censers made of all kinds of precious materials,

34 Completely filled with agarwood,
Were hung in all directions,
And from them a beautiful aroma spread. {xx}

10.- Candraprabha, in order to attain the ten strengths,

35 Spread throughout the entire excellent grounds of the house
Various kinds of beautiful, precious flowers—
 A multitude of excellent, aromatic flowers. {xxi}

10.- The sound of dancers, singers, and of music

36 Filled the entire excellent house with sound.
He erected also parasols and banners [F.32.a]
So that the house was intensely beautiful, like that of a deity. {xxii}

10.- The vast excellent home of the youth Candraprabha

37 Was adorned by a multitude of young people.
It was filled with many nāgas, yaksas,
̣ and asuras,
And was gazed upon by many hundreds of devas.408 {xxiii}

10.- The young man Candraprabha, having adorned the great city of Rājagrha
̣ and having
38 perfectly beautified his own home, after the night was over, in the early morning,
departed, accompanied by the music of hundreds of various kinds of instruments, with
many millions of parasols, banners, and flags held high, and with an encircling vanguard
of a great assembly of eight million quintillion bodhisattvas, their cupped hands filled
with divine coral tree flowers. Among them were bodhisattvas with one life remaining,
such as Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta, Gandhahasti, Ratnaketu, Dundubhisvara,409
Durabhisambhava, Mañjuśrī Kumārabhūta, Vīrasena, Subāhu, Ratnakusuma,
Amoghadarśin, Maitreya, and others, accompanied by many adorned horses and
elephants without riders that were being led along, with an assembly of countless people
of the country, his own cupped hands filled with divine coral tree flowers; and they were
accompanied by the enchanting, beautiful, harmonious sound of the laughter of the
deities as they cried, “Oh, the bodhisattva’s great power! The bodhisattva’s great miracles!
The bodhisattva’s great manifestations! The bodhisattva’s—a la la!”
10.- He came out through the hot springs gateway410 of the great city of Rājagrha
̣ and went
39 toward Vulture Peak Mountain, and to the Bhagavān.
10.- When he arrived, he bowed his head to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the
40 Bhagavān three times,411 sprinkled the divine coral tree flowers that filled his cupped
hands over the Bhagavān, and went to sit down to one side.
10.41 Maitreya and the other [F.32.b] bodhisattva mahāsattvas bowed their heads to the
Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated the Bhagavān three times, sprinkled the divine coral
tree flowers that filled their cupped hands over the Bhagavān, and also sat down to one
side.
10.- Then the youth, who had sat to one side, rose from his seat, removed his robe from one
42 shoulder, and, kneeling on his right knee, with palms placed together bowed toward the
Bhagavān and said, “It is midday, Bhagavān, the time to eat. If the Bhagavān considers
the time has come, then together with the saṅgha of bodhisattvas, the saṅgha of bhiksus,
̣
and the devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣ gandharvas, asuras, rishis, garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras, mahoragas,
kumbhān ̣d ̣as, pretas, pūtanas, humans, and nonhumans who have great power, who are
 widely renowned for their great power and have great influence, come to the great city of
Rājagrha,
̣ as the time has come to eat the midday meal in my garden. Sugata, it is
midday.412

10.- “I have adorned well the entire, excellent city,

43 And similarly, Lord, my garden.
I have prepared and laid out divine food with a hundred flavors.
As it is midday, I pray to the Sugata to arise. {xxiv}

10.- “Supreme Rishi, you who hold the qualities of the ten strengths in your hands,
44 Encircled by the assembly of your sons, come to the city.
I pray that you, the illuminating sun who dispels darkness, will arise.
Bhagavān, the time has come for the midday meal in my garden. {xxv}

10.- “I pray that you come, with your sons, to my garden.

45 You will benefit an assembly of many beings.
Just as Dīpaṃkara granted a prophecy to you,
Grant me likewise a direct prophecy in this world. {xxvi}

10.- “When I have heard that prophecy in this world,

46 I will also develop a vast and perfect aspiration,
And all these beings will become buddhas. [F.33.a]
There are no unworthy beings present here. {xxvii}

10.- “Arise, arise, Lord who has the ten strengths.

47 Benefit me and come to my garden.
Just as you come to my garden,
In that way I will go to the supreme tree of enlightenment. {xxviii}

10.- “When I have gone to the foot of the supreme tree of enlightenment,
48 I will remain there unshakable and unwavering.
I will defeat with love the māras and their claws,
And just as you attained it, I, too, will attain enlightenment.” {xxix}

10.- Then the Bhagavān, who had known what the youth Candraprabha would request,
49 addressed these lines of verse to him:

10.- “Arise Candraprabha, son of the jinas!

50 Arise, you who are joyful in generosity, you supreme being!
Arise, you who have compassion and firm conduct!
Let us go to the meal!413 Let us proceed414 to your home.” {xxx}

10.51 After speaking these lines,415 the Bhagavān arose from his seat. He put on his lower robe,
picked up his Dharma robe and alms bowl, and with the great saṅgha of a hundred
thousand bhiksus,
̣ and accompanied by a multitude of bodhisattva mahāsattvas, he
 proceeded. Many hundreds of thousands of devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣ gandharvas, asuras,
rishis, garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, kumbhān ̣d ̣as, pretas, pūtanas,416 humans, and
nonhumans made offerings to him and praised him. Through his great buddha powers,
his great buddha miracles, his great buddha manifestations, and his buddha conduct he
radiated many quintillions417 of light rays. He emanated flocks of melodious, soft, and
beautiful birds of many different shapes and colors, such as geese, cranes, ruddy
shelducks, swans, partridges, peacocks, rollers,418 parrots,419 mynas, cuckoos,
420
avadavats, and snipe, so that like devas in the sky, each with its own song, they emitted
the sound of music.421 [F.33.b]
10.- The yaksạ lords Surūpa, Indraketu, Vikata,
̣ Bakula, Pāñcika, Śākyavardhana, and many
52 quintillions of yaksạ lords holding pestles422 with both hands, offered many quintillions
of huge, vast censers made of various divine precious materials, with handles of beryl,
sapphire, crystal, and white coral, filled with uragasāra sandalwood, gośīrsạ sandalwood,
vetiver, yellow sandalwood, Malaya sandalwood, red sandalwood, agarwood, and so on,
and from which smoke flowed.
10.- There were the superior kings of great power, renowned as having great power, from
53 their own regions, accompanied by many divisions of perfectly adorned horses and
elephants being led without their riders, chariots, and infantry,423 in lines marching in
front, holding in their hands many streamers and precious garlands. The horses and
elephants, even though they were being led along without riders, were proceeding
magnificently and emitting beautiful cries.
10.- The Bhagavān was accompanied on his right-hand side by Brahmā, who was making
54 offerings to him and attending upon him, and on his left-hand side by Śakra, lord of the
devas, and by countless devas with great power, who were renowned for their great
power, who were mighty and illustrious, and whose bodies were adorned by excellent
divine crowns, ornamented anklets, earrings, bracelets, flowers on their ears, bejeweled
necklaces, and flower garlands. Their forms were made visible and they were holding
coral tree flowers, asters, orchids, hibiscus, amaranths, magnolias, karnikara flowers,
aśoka flowers,424 bignonias, kachnar flowers, blue lotuses, medlar flowers,425 sambac
jasmine, star jasmine, ironwood flowers, red lotuses, night lotuses, white lotuses, water
lilies, precious garlands, precious agarwood, and precious fruit. They were playing
hundreds of thousands of different kinds of musical instruments, waving millions of
pieces of cloth, crying out, “Ha! Ha! Ha!” and sending down a great rain of flowers. In
order to make offerings to the Bhagavān they filled the entire sky without leaving any
space [F.34.a] and sent down a great rain of flowers, incense, garlands, perfumes,
powders, and jewels.
10.- The Bhagavān entered at midday the great city of Rājagrha
̣ through the hot springs
55 gateway. The nature of this is described in these verses:426

10.- The Tathāgata Buddha, knowing it was time,

56 That hero adorned with all qualities,
Who illuminates countless realms,
 The Bhagavān, the lion of men, set forth. {xxxi}

10.57 Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta,427 and Amoghadarśin;428

Gandhahasti, Ratnakusuma,429 and Ratnabāhu;430
And Ratnaketu, Durabhisambhava,431 Vīrasena,432
And others followed in the Jina’s footsteps.433 {xxxii}

10.- On his right was Ajita, who is named Maitraka,434

58 Who has the wealth of infinite qualities,
Who will become the following buddha
And has completed the accumulation of merit and wisdom. {xxxiii}

10.- He is one who has cultivated435 love, rejoicing, and equanimity.

59 He is a great being of the Dharma who has developed compassion.
He understands the infinite qualities, the qualities of the Lord of sages.436 {xxxiv}

10.- He followed behind437 the compassionate Sugata

60 And was followed by those438 who will be
Those with great realization in the Good Eon:
The thousand buddhas less four, {xxxv}

10.61 Who were preceded by Maitraka.

And also he who in the past, in this city of Rājagrha,
̣
While born in divine bodies that were like beautiful moonlight,
Made infinite offerings to jinas throughout eons, {xxxvi}

10.- That hero Candraprabha was also present at the front.

62 To the left of the one with supreme compassion
Was Mañjuśrī,439 along with many thousands of millions440
Of heroes who have sublime qualities of miraculous powers,441 {xxxvii}

10.- Who traveled to endless hundreds of realms.

63 Following him were those in the śrāvaka saṅgha:
Śārisuta,442 Maudgalyāyana,443 Kāla,
Kāśyapa, Subhūti, Nanda, and Kapphin ̣a; {xxxviii}

10.- Bhadrikarāja,444 and similarly Kaun ̣d ̣inya;

64 Ānanda, and similarly Sthavira Rāhula;
And Svāgata, Kañcika,445 Pūrn ̣a, Udāyin,
446
Revata, Kausṭ hila,
̣ Upāli, and Aniruddha. {xxxix}

10.- A full nine thousand447 of those with matted hair [F.34.b]

65 Followed behind the śrāvaka saṅgha.
They were all mighty ascetics who knew the Vedas and the rituals,448
And had mastered curses, renunciation, and beneficial incantations.449 {xl}
10.- Self-controlled rishis with peaceful minds,
66 With disciplined minds, bowing with palms together,
Followed behind the Buddha, the lamp of the world,
The lion of men, endowed with compassion, {xli}

10.- The liberator of thousands of beings, as he proceeded.

67 Like the completely pure lord of the host of stars,
The full moon of the last month of autumn,450
The Teacher who is without equal was encircled {xlii}

10.- By many hundred thousands of Brahmās.

68 As he stepped on the threshold of the city’s gateway,
The earth and its thick forests shook.
The devas, asuras,451 and mahoragas {xliii}

10.- Scattered excellent flowers and supreme incense.452 {xliv}

69

10.- The moment the Bhagavān placed his right foot, adorned by a precious wheel from the
70 accumulation of countless roots of merit, upon the threshold of the gate, this universe of a
thousand million worlds shook in six ways. It trembled, trembled strongly, and trembled
intensely; it quivered, quivered strongly, and quivered intensely; it shook, shook strongly,
and shook intensely; it shuddered, shuddered strongly, and shuddered intensely; it
quaked, quaked strongly, and quaked intensely; the east sank and the west rose, the west
sank and the east rose, the north sank and the south rose, the south sank and the north
rose, the perimeter sank and the center rose, and the center sank and the perimeter rose.
A great radiance shone in the world, and countless, numberless other amazing,
wonderful, miraculous manifestations appeared.453 [B4]
The nature of this is described in these verses:

10.71 When the Guide came to that supreme city

And placed his supreme foot upon the gateway’s threshold,
That magnificence caused this earth to shake,
And the beings in this supreme city were overjoyed. {1}

10.- When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold
72 The people who were hungry and thirsty [F.35.a]
At that time became free of the need to eat or drink.
They became free of hunger and thirst. {2}

10.- When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold
73 All those people who were blind,
Deaf, and had no protector and little merit
Were all able to see and hear. {3}
10.- When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold
74 All the pretas in the realm of Yama,
Suffering greatly and eating snot and spit,
Were touched by light and became happy. {4}

10.75 When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold
The supreme trees—the sal and the karnikara—
At the summit of crags and on mountaintops,
They all bowed toward the Buddha. {5}

10.- When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold
76 The entire ground shook in six ways
Throughout the villages and towns as far as the ocean,
Without causing harm to anyone. {6}

10.77 Devas, humans, kumbhān ̣d ̣as, and rāksasas—

̣
Wherever beings lived, there was happiness and joy.
They developed faith in supreme, sublime enlightenment
And held a parasol for the guide of the world. {7}

10.- When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold,
78 Thousands of musical instruments sounded without being played;
Hearing the beautiful sound of music,
All beings were filled with joy. {8}

10.- Hundreds of thousands of trees bowed down,

79 And all flowers blossomed at that time.
Hundreds of thousands of devas in the sky
Made nonhuman offerings to the Jina. {9}

10.- When the Jina placed his foot on the gateway’s threshold,
80 Hundreds454 of bulls455 lowed with joy.
The kings of horses and elephants456 raised their bodies;
The lions, the kings of animals, roared. {10}

10.81 The kings, the rulers, however many there were,

Came from the cardinal and intermediate directions.
When they saw the glorious majesty of the Jina,
With minds filled with joy they bowed to him. {11}

10.- Some praised the Lord of the World;

82 Some scattered a rain of flowers on the Jina;
Some placed their ten fingers together in homage,
And they cried, “Oh, the Jina, compassionate one!” {12}
10.- Some scattered excellent strings of pearls [F.35.b]
83 And various ornaments that give rise to joy,
And some scattered clothing and jewels.
They developed the supreme, unequaled aspiration to enlightenment. {13}

10.- Some scattered excellent meshes of gold;

84 Some also scattered mukhaphullaka adornments.
Some scattered excellent ornaments of gold,
And some, likewise, scattered anklets.457 {14}

10.- Some scattered excellent bracelets,458

85 Some scattered armlets inset with jewels,
And some aspired to enlightenment, scattering excellent
Pieces of cloth,459 saying, “May we become buddhas!” {15}

10.- When the Lord of the World stood in the gateway,

86 Some people scattered golden necklaces.
Some with minds filled with faith scattered excellent crest jewels;460
Some scattered networks of jewels. {16}

10.- Those beings who were in extreme suffering,

87 Tormented by many kinds of miseries,
All attained happiness through the majesty
Of the Guide, the supreme human. {17}

10.- Cuckoos, mynas, and peacocks,

88 And similarly cranes and other water birds461—
All the flocks of birds were in the sky
Emitting their beautiful, perfect songs. {18}

10.- Desire, anger, and ignorance

89 Ceased in whoever heard
The sweet, beautiful songs
Of those flocks of joyous birds. {19}

10.- The millions of beings who heard that joyful sound

90 All attained the patience that is concordant with the Dharma.
The Sugata gave them all this prophecy:
“You will in the future become buddhas.” {20}

10.91 At that time the kleśas did not arise,

And everyone was respectful to the Dharma king.462 {21}

10.- At that time, when they saw the form of the Guide’s body,463
92 They developed the aspiration for the supreme wisdom of buddhahood.
 They wondered, “When will we attain this kind of wisdom?”
And the Jina, knowing that, gave them their prophecies. {22}

10.- From each pore of the Sugata

93 There shone hundreds of thousands of light rays
And more, as many as there are sand grains in the Ganges—
It would not be possible to perceive all their attributes. {23}

10.- At that time, the sunlight did not shine.

94 Nor was there light from jewels, fire, or the devas. [F.36.a]
There was no other light at that time
When there was the splendor of the Buddha entering the city. {24}

10.- When with that great assembly the Sugata proceeded on the path,
95 Wherever the feet of the one with the ten strengths trod
There appeared from the ground a hundred thousand lotuses
That were pure and had ten thousand million petals. {25}

10.- When the Guide entered the supreme city,

96 At that time there was no dirt or refuse.
Throughout the entire city there arose
The lovely aroma of the most fragrant incense. {26}

10.- The entire city and its streets were purified.

97 They had no stones or gravel and were sprinkled with perfume
And bestrewn with the petals of various kinds of flowers.
That is the kind of merit the one with ten strengths had. {27}

10.- When a hundred thousand yaksas

̣ with ferocious minds
98 Saw the Buddha, the Lord of men who was like gold,
They felt an immense love for the Guide
And took refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha. {28}

10.- All of the million millions464 of devas

99 Who had come to see the Lord of men465
Let fall a rain of flowers on the Sugata.
They scattered flowers while in the middle of the sky. {29}

10.- The flowers scattered by humans for the Jina

100 Formed a parasol of flowers in the sky.
The flowers scattered by the devas
Were strewn on the ground as divine flowers. {30}

10.- The devas, humans, kumbhān ̣d ̣as, and rāksasas

̣
101 Never tired of gazing upon him.
 When they saw the Lord466 with the ten strengths,
They were overjoyed and felt the highest delight. {31}

10.- When they saw the body of the supreme being,

102 All beings were overjoyed and delighted;
They did not even think of the divine flowers,
Which did not seem at all wonderful.467 {32}

10.- Brahmā upon the right of the one with ten strengths,
103 Śakra, the king of the devas, on his left,
And the many millions of deities in the middle of the sky
Showed great veneration to the supreme being. {33}

10.- Devas and asuras encircled the Jina,

104 Who eclipsed all the majesty of devas and humans.
With the soles of his feet making patterns on the ground,
The invited Bhagavān entered into the city. {34}

10.- His body was beautified by excellent primary signs,

105 Like the firmament filled with stars. [F.36.b]
The Buddha shone upon the king’s road468
Like the full moon in the sky. {35}

10.- Just as an excellent, pure, precious jewel

106 That is free of all impurities shines
So that a pure light goes in all directions,469
In that way the Jina illuminated the entire world. {36}

10.- Devas and asuras encircled the Jina.

107 The supreme human who entered Rājagrha
̣
With the soles of his feet leaving patterns on the ground,
The Buddha, came to the home of the youth Candraprabha. {37}

10.- The supreme city was perfectly adorned,

108 Millions of banners had been erected,
The entire ground was anointed with the best perfumes,
And beautiful summer flowers were scattered. {38}

10.- When the Sugata spoke to teach

109 With compassion for the people in the streets,
The Jina manifested emanations
That taught to them the excellent Dharma of the Buddha. {39}

10.- [The Jina manifested emanations;

110 Bodies that were like gold were manifested.
 The Buddha, the Jina, through his emanations,
Remained in emptiness, peace, the enlightenment of buddhahood.]470 {40}

10.- When the hundreds of thousands of beings heard that,

111 They prayed for the supreme wisdom of the Buddha,
Wondering, “When will I attain this kind of wisdom?”
Knowing their thoughts, the Jina prophesied to them. 471{41}

10.- There were those who aspired to attain

112 That inconceivable supreme attainment.
They had invited the Jina, the Lord of men,
And there was no limit to the offerings they made. 472 {42}

10.- There were those who developed an excellent aspiration,

113 Thinking, “I will tomorrow invite the compassionate one,
He who wishes to benefit beings,
Whom it is difficult to see in saṃsāra.”473 {43}

10.- Some who were upon the roofs

114 Developed the sublime, supreme aspiration to enlightenment
And they scattered divine flowers on the handsome,
Beautifully adorned body of the one with the ten strengths. {44}

10.- Some developed the supreme, highest aspiration

115 And scattered garlands of magnolias,
Kachnar flowers, the scents of summer,
And wreaths of silken ribbons. {45}

10.- Some stood, holding excellent flowers,

116 Their bodies perfectly beautified by their raiment.
They held various flowers and wreaths of silk
That they cast in the direction of the Jina with great power.474 {46}

10.- Some scattered red lotuses, night lotuses,

117 Blue lotuses, and excellent golden flowers. [F.37.a]
Some scattered precious flowers,475
And some scattered sandalwood powder. {47}

10.- When the Guide entered the supreme city

118 The wonders that appeared were uncountable,
Unequaled, impossible to describe,
And they brought many millions of beings to buddha wisdom. {48}

10.- Those in Avrha,

̣ Atapa, who had seen the truth,
119 The devas of Sudrśa
̣ and Sudarśana,
 And those in Akanisṭ ha,
̣ who are free of desire—
They all came to see the Lord of humans. {49}

10.- Similarly, countless Parīttaśubha476 devas,

120 Apramān ̣aśubha477 devas, filled with joy,
And countless millions of Śubhakrtsna
̣ devas
Came to see the Guide, the great Rishi. {50}

10.- Countless Apramān ̣ābha devas,

121 And similarly the Parīttābha devas,
And countless millions of Ābhāsvara devas
Came to see the Lord of the World.478 {51}

10.- Many hundreds of thousands of Brahmā’s entourage,479

122 And similarly the faithful Brahmapurohita devas
And many hundreds of Brahmakāyika devas,
All came so as to see the Guide. {52}

10.- Also the Paranirmitavaśavartin480 devas,

123 And the pure beings who dwell in Nirmān ̣aratin,
And the joyful devas of Tusita
̣ and Yāma
All came to pay homage to the Buddha. {53}

10.- Śakra, king of the devas, and the Trāyastriṃśa481 devas 482
124 Came with hundreds of millions of apsarases
And they sent down a rain of flowers,
Having come to see the Buddha, the Lord of sages. {54}

10.- Also the world guardians of the four directions

125 Vaiśravan ̣a, Dhrtarās
̣ ̣ the nāga king,483
ṭ ra
Virūd ̣haka, and Virūpāksa,
̣ their minds filled with joy,
All came in order to praise the Lord of men. {55}

10.- Ailavila, the powerful king of the yaksas,

̣
126 With a delighted mind and encircled by a hundred yaksas,
̣
Was in the middle of the sky and joyfully
They sent down a rain of numerous various flowers. {56}

10.- Also the Sadāmatta484 and Mālādhāra devas,

127 Holding various kinds of incense and flowers,
With their retinues, all joyful, [F.37.b]
Made offerings there to the supreme individual. {57}

10.- Also numerous Karotapān

̣ ̣i yaksas
̣
128 And adorned yaksạ maidens
 Made offerings to the Buddha
With hundreds of compositions of
The beautiful, melodious music of the yaksas.
̣ {58}

10.- Druma, the king of the kiṃnaras,

129 With thousands of kiṃnara maidens skilled
In sweet and melodious songs and music,
Arrived from Gandhamādana to make offerings to the supreme Jina. {59}

10.- Śambara, Bala, Vemacitra, and Rāhu,

130 Together with an entourage of thousands of asura maidens,
And together with crowds of other powerful asuras,
Came and sent down a rain of jewels. {60}

10.- From countless trillions of rāksasas

̣
131 A thousand million rāksasas
̣ honored him.
They respectfully scattered a multitude of various
Flower petals upon the supreme individual. 485 {61}

10.- The nāga king Girivalgu,

132 With a great entourage came before the Tathāgata,
Holding great numbers of perfect, precious flowers,
And bowed down at the Sugata’s feet.486 {i}

10.- The nāga lords Padma and Mahāpadma,

133 And also Vāsuki, Ananta, and Phanaka,487
Came before the great leader
And respectfully bowed to the Sugata. {ii}

10.- The nāga king Man ̣i, filled with joy,

134 Came before the feet of the great leader
Holding fragrant, perfect nāga flowers
And sat before the Sugata at no great distance. {iii}

10.- Also the nāga king Anavatapta,

135 With perfectly trained nāga maidens
Playing a hundred thousand musical instruments and drums,
Came and made offerings there to the Lord of the World. {62}

10.- The five hundred sons of Anavatapta,

136 Encircled by their kindred and filled with joy,
Seeking the highest, vast wisdom,
Came to make offerings to the self-arisen one. {63}

Similarly, the nāga king Apalāla,

10.- Palms together, bowed to the supreme individual
137 Holding beautiful, excellent nāga pearls.
He remained in the sky, making offerings to the king of sages. {64}

10.- Similarly, the nāga king Mucilinda,

138 With great happiness and filled with joy,
Holding various jewels and pearls, [F.38.a]
Came and scattered them for the Guide. {65}

10.- Similarly, the nāga king Kālika

139 Came before the Tathāgata.
Joyful and holding perfect, beautiful strings of jewels,
He made offerings to the supreme individual.488 {66}

10.- He489 felt great veneration as he thought

140 Of the qualities of the Tathāgata.
Encircled by his many nāga kindred,
He recited many praises of the Guide. {67}

10.- Similarly, the nāga kings Nanda and Upananda—

141 Similarly, also, Taksaka
̣ and Krṣ ṇ ̣agautama—
Came there gazing upon the Jina
And bowed down to the Sugata’s feet. {68}

10.- The nāga king Elapatra

142 Came weeping, encircled by a hundred nāgas.
He remembered the supreme sage Jina Kāśyapa
And saw what an unfavorable rebirth he himself had obtained. {69}

10.- “Alas! I had doubts in the past.

143 In the past I cut down an elapatra490 bush,491
And therefore I obtained this unfavorable rebirth.
It is not easy to know the Dharma of the Jina. {70}

10.- “I forsake this rebirth into a nāgī’s womb,

144 And this birth in an extremely detestable body.
I will realize the Dharma, the state of peace,
That the best of men realized in the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a.” {71}

10.- Sāgara, the nāga cakravartin king,

145 Accompanied by an entourage of thirty million nāgas,
And the majestic Varun ̣a, holding necklaces of jewels,
Came in order to make offerings to the Bhagavān.492 {72}

The yaksạ of Rājagrha

̣ who caught
10.- While he was in the sky
146 The rock thrown at the Buddha
Was respectfully present before the Sugata. {73}

10.- The entire domain of the king of Alakavatī493

147 Became empty, with no yaksạ remaining there.
They had all promised each other
To come and see the Lord of the World. {74}

10.- In the same way, Kharakarn ̣a and Sūciromā,

148 The terrifying yaksas
̣ of the forests,
And the yaksạ Gardabhaka, who lives in the snow mountains,
Had come into the presence of the self-arisen Jina.494 {75}

10.- Indraketu, Vikata,

̣ and Surūpa,
149 Bakula, Pañcika, and Śākyavardhana,495
And a thousand other yaksạ lords [F.38.b]
Came holding censers of incense.496 {76}

10.- Many with ugly, misshapen bodies,

150 Many kinds of bodies, destitute of adornment,
In their hundreds of thousands
Came into his presence, holding yaksạ flowers. {77}

10.- Gautama, Rishi Brhaspati,

̣ and Jahnu,
151 Kauśika, Kāśyapa, and Markandeya,
Viśvamitra, Parāśara, and Gargā,
They all came to pay homage to the Buddha. {i}

10.- And similarly, there were the joyous and enraptured Nārada,
152 And the rishis Vyāsa, Kutsa, and Aṅgiras,
And Manu, Bhrgu,
̣ Vātsyāyana, and Vaśisṭ ha,
̣
Who came to pay homage to the Buddha. {ii}

10.- Jaimini, Vāmana,497 and Vaiśampāyana,

153 Jamadagni and supreme rishi Vālmīki,
Durvāsa, and also Cyavana
Came to the supreme city to see the Guide. {iii}

10.- When they saw the Rishi, the rishis were overjoyed
154 And they bowed down to the feet of the king of sages.
They paid homage to the lamp of the world and praised him,
Standing before the Hero with palms placed together. {iv}

The entire multitude of rishis in the world

10.- Came in order to see the Lord of men.
155 When they saw him they made vast offerings
And stood before him with palms placed together. {v}

10.- The garūd ̣as that live at the ocean’s shore

156 Came, having transformed into the appearance of brahmins.
Holding various beautiful kinds of crowns
And positioned in the sky, they paid homage to the Sugata. {78}

10.- All of the devas that dwell in Jambudvīpa,

157 Whether in hundreds of towns or in its forests,
And all the goddesses of the towns
Came and made offerings to the Lord. {79}

10.- The countless devas of the forests

158 And all the mountain devas came,
And also the countless devas of rivers498
Arrived to make offerings to the Guide. {80}

10.- The hundreds of devas of desert wildernesses,

159 All the devas of mountain peaks,
The devas of lakes, springs, and ponds,
And the devas of the ocean came into the Buddha’s presence. {81}

10.- Assemblies of devas, asuras, and nāgas,

160 Yaksas,
̣ kiṃnaras, mahoragas, and garūd ̣as, [F.39.a]
And similarly, a multitude of pretas and pūtanas
Showed their respect to the supreme being. {82}

10.- They made offerings to the supreme Jina

161 When the Guide entered the supreme city.
The kings of the devas, asuras, nāgas, and yaksas
̣
Could not get their fill of looking at him. {83}

10.- In previous existences the Lord of the World

162 Had made perfect offerings to the jinas of the past.
This was the ripened result of that merit.
The beings could not stop looking at the Lord of humans. {84}

10.- When the Jina shone light through the buddha realm,
163 Meru, and similarly Sumeru and Cakravāla
The Himagiri and Gandhamādana
Could not obscure the Jina’s light. {85}

All of the oceans in this buddha realm

10.- At that time all became land,
164 And the entirety of this buddha realm
Became equally scattered with flowers. {86}

10.- Countless hundreds of thousands of light rays

165 Came from the soles of the King of Dharma’s feet.
All the beings in the hells were cooled
And, freed from suffering, experienced happiness. {87}

10.- The one with the ten strengths taught the Dharma
166 So that the sight of devas and humans was purified.
Countless hundreds of thousands of beings
All gained certainty in the Buddha’s wisdom. {88}

10.- The numerous miracles manifested by the Sugata

167 Could not easily be described in ten million eons.
When the Guide entered the supreme city
All beings rejoiced at the Jina, the Sugata.499 {89}

10.- These qualities of the Sugata are immeasurable.

168 They are the supreme human’s perfection of qualities.
They have transcended all unique qualities.
Bow your heads to the realm of the Buddha’s merit! {90}

10.- Conclusion of the tenth chapter, “The Entry into the City.”
169
11. Chapter 11

Becoming a Keeper of the Sūtra

11.1 The Bhagavān came to the street on which was the home of the youth Candraprabha, and
soon arrived at the home of the youth Candraprabha. Once he had arrived, he sat on the
seat prepared for him. The saṅgha of bodhisattvas and the saṅgha of bhiksus
̣ also sat on
the appropriate seats that had been arranged for each of them.
11.2 Then the youth Candraprabha, knowing that the Bhagavān, the saṅgha of bodhisattvas,
and the saṅgha of bhiksus
̣ were seated, [F.39.b] himself presented and served a series of
great offerings: numerous excellent foods, with hundreds of flavors to savor as they
chewed, licked, sucked, and drank.
11.3 When he saw that the Bhagavān had concluded his meal, which was signaled by his
setting down his alms bowl,500 he offered for the Bhagavān’s body two lengths of cloth501
of the value of a trillion silver coins,502 and also to each of the bodhisattvas, and he
offered three dharma robes to each one in the saṅgha of bhiksus.
̣
11.4 Then the youth Candraprabha rose from his seat, removed his robe from one shoulder
and, casting toward the Bhagavān a divine coral tree flower, he made offerings and
uttered praises. Then, his palms placed together, he bowed toward the Bhagavān and
praised him with these appropriate verses:503

11.5 “You are unborn and unceasing;

Without a body, inconceivable,
You have the perfect body and primary signs.
I pay homage to you who are an ocean of qualities. {i}

11.6 “You are a hero who has been born from wisdom.
You possess the power of methods and strengths.
You are a buddha who is the same as space.
I pay homage to you who have perfected patience. {ii}

11.7 “Your conduct is to remain in constant mindfulness.

The Tathāgata’s bed is joy and happiness.
Your drink is samādhi and your food is supreme dhyāna.
 I pay homage to you who reside in the solitude of emptiness. {iii}

11.8 “Oh! Inconceivable Buddha,

The Guide for the whole world!
When the beings of this world make offerings to you
They advance toward supreme nirvān ̣a.” {iv}

11.9 Thus did he praise the one unequaled Lord, and then the youth said, with a joyous mind,
“Unequaled Buddha, who has an inconceivable body, you have consumed the meal.
Through this may I also become a buddha like you, the god of gods!” [F.40.a]
11.10 In that way, therefore, the youth Candraprabha provided divine food with a hundred
flavors to the Bhagavān. He offered divine coral tree flowers to the Bhagavān, and praised
him with appropriate verses.
11.11 Now, placing his palms together in homage toward the Bhagavān, in his mind he
addressed him with these verses:

11.12 “Whatever the wise bodhisattvas do,

They always follow the nature of the Dharma.
I pray to the Guide to teach what actions are performed
When those with wisdom engage in actions. {1}

11.13 “In what way, Guide, are past lives remembered?

In what way is rebirth in a womb avoided?
In what way does the community not become divided?
In what way does one gain endless eloquence? {2}

11.14 “You know the activities of all beings.

You have the knowledge of all phenomena.
You are the invincible, supreme human.
I have asked my questions; give me your elucidation. {3}

11.15 “You know that nonexistence is the nature of phenomena;

You put into words that which cannot be described.
Just as a lion overpowers all jackals,504
That is how the Buddha overpowers the tīrthikas. {4}

11.16 “You know the conduct of all beings.

You have the wisdom of all phenomena.
You have wisdom without attachment, and activity that is pure.
Lord of the Dharma, elucidate those for me. {5}

11.17 “You know the past and also the future.

You also know what is happening in the present.
You have unimpeded knowledge of the three times.
 Therefore I have asked you my questions, lion of the Śākyas. {6}

11.18 “You, Dharma king, know the true nature

That is the nature of the jinas of the three times.
You are skilled in the nature of phenomena, self-arisen one.
Therefore, ocean of wisdom, I have asked you my questions. {7}

11.19 “You do not have any quality of error.

Therefore you have a mind of complete elimination—
You have eliminated the fetters and the rigidity of ignorance.
Lord of humans, teach me the conduct of a bodhisattva. {8}

11.20 “You, Jina, know the characteristics of phenomena.

Teach me the characteristics of phenomena. [F.40.b]
When I have understood those characteristics of phenomena
I shall practice the conduct of enlightenment that has those characteristics. {9}

11.21 “The conduct of beings is infinitely different.

How do they engage in practicing their conduct?
Teach to me how conduct is engaged in
So that from your words, I may know the conduct of beings. {10}

11.22 “Different characteristics are characteristic of the nature of phenomena.

Their essence505 is empty and their nature506 is pure.
I pray that you teach me the way of phenomena
That a bodhisattva directly perceives. {11}

11.23 “In this there is the perfect knowledge of all phenomena.

There is skill in all the words of the teaching.
There is no doubt; all doubt and uncertainty have been cut through.
Teach me the enlightenment of buddhahood.” {12}

11.24 The Bhagavān, knowing the thoughts that were in the mind of the youth Candraprabha,
said to him, “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas will attain all these qualities, and they
will quickly attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, if they
possess just one quality. What is that one quality? Young man, it is when the bodhisattva
mahāsattvas know the nature of all phenomena.
11.25 “Young man, how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas know the nature of all phenomena?
Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas know that all phenomena are nameless; they have
no names. They know that all phenomena have no vocalization, they have no expression
in speech, they have no letters, they have no birth, they have no cessation, they have no
characteristics of cause, they have no characteristics of conditions,507 they are devoid of
 characteristics, they have the one characteristic of having no characteristics, they are
devoid of attributes, they cannot be conceived of, they have no thought, and they have no
mentality.”
Then the Bhagavān taught this in the following verses:

11.26 “The single teaching on phenomena

Is that phenomena have no characteristics.
That is the teaching of supreme wisdom
From having true, correct knowledge. {13} [F.41.a]

11.27 “The bodhisattvas who know

That teaching on phenomena
Will not cease from elucidation508
Even though they teach ten million sūtras. {14}

11.28 “Through the blessing of the Guide

The ultimate truth is known.
When the ultimate is known
There is nothing to be taught. {15}

11.29 “Through one thing, everything is known.

Through one thing, everything is seen.
However much they teach
They will not become proud. {16}

11.30 “With their minds they have ascertained

The selflessness of all phenomena,
And as they are trained in teaching using terms,
They speak with words that are correct. {17}

11.31 “Whatever sound they hear,

They know its past.509
Knowing the past510 of that sound
They are not captivated511 by that sound. {18}

11.32 “Just like the past512 of a sound,

So are the characteristics of phenomena.
Knowing phenomena to be like that
They will not be reborn in a womb. {19}

11.33 “They know that all phenomena are unborn

And that they have no origin.
Knowing this teaching on birth513
They always remember their previous lives. {20}
11.34 “When they remember those lives
They perform their actions.
For those who perform those actions
Their community of followers remains united. {21}

11.35 “The bodhisattvas who know

The emptiness of phenomena
Will never be without that knowledge.
It is the summit of nothingness. {22}

11.36 “When the foolish think about

The summit of nothingness
They continue in saṃsāra
For millions of eons. {23}

11.37 “If they are able to understand it

Just as the Guide knows it,
Then they will have no suffering
And they will not go to the lower realms. {24}

11.38 “All ordinary individuals

Are ignorant of this nature.
They reject this kind of Dharma
That brings the cessation of suffering.514 {25}

11.39 “Phenomena are perceived when

No phenomena can be found.
Recognize that perception
When that perception occurs. {26}

11.40 “The foolish conceptualize

Through consciousness and perception.
The wise do not become ignorant
In conceiving of phenomena. {27} [F.41.b]

11.41 “The unpolluted phenomena of emptiness

Are within the field of experience of the bodhisattvas.515
This level of those who are wise
Is not within the field of experience of the foolish. {28}

11.42 “This level of the bodhisattvas

Is that of bodhisattva practice.
It is the adornment of the Buddha’s Dharma.
It is the peace and emptiness that has been taught. {29}
11.43 “When the bodhisattvas
Eliminate their propensities
They remain in the family of the buddhas
And are not captured by form. {30}

11.44 “All phenomena are without location;

They have no location that can be known.
For the one who knows this about their location,
Enlightenment is not difficult to attain. {31}

11.45 “Generosity, conduct, learning, and patience,

And relying upon a good friend:516
Those who know these activities
Will quickly attain enlightenment. {32}

11.46 “Devas, nāgas, yaksas,

̣ and asuras,
Mahoragas and gandharvas, will always honor them.
All the kings of the garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras,
517
And rāksasas
̣ will make offerings to them. {33}

11.47 “Millions of buddhas will recite their praises

Continuously for many millions of eons.
It is not possible to reach the end
Of such praise for one who teaches this Dharma. {34}

11.48 “The bodhisattvas who know emptiness

Benefit many millions of beings.
They kindly teach the Dharma to assemblies518
And those who hear it are delighted and respectful.{35}

11.49 “They gain vast knowledge

So that they see the supreme humans.
They see the beautiful display of their realms
And the lords of the worlds teach them the Dharma.519 {36}

11.50 “Know that all phenomena are like illusions;

Know that just as space is naturally empty,
Phenomena are also naturally like that.
In that way there will be no attachment in any kind of activity. {37}

11.51 “With unimpeded wisdom, benefiting others,

Performing supreme bodhisattva conduct in the world,
With wisdom examining all phenomena,
They send emanations to other realms. {38}
11.52 “Those emanations accomplish buddha activities.
They go naturally, just as is their nature.
The beings who remain in the aspiration to enlightenment [F.42.a]
Will attain whatever goals they wish for. {39}

11.53 “Those who are steadfastly within the buddha family

Will always honor the buddhas.
Their bodies will shine brightly,
Adorned by the thirty-two excellent signs. {40}

11.54 “They will attain the conduct that is within the supreme samādhi
And an endless multitude of other benefits.
They will always have great, unshakable strength
And a majesty that outshines that of kings. {41}

11.55 “The wise who practice the Buddha’s Dharma

Will have an excellent appearance and great beauty.
Their merit and majesty and splendor will increase.
Their majesty will outshine even that of the devas. {42}

11.56 “Those who steadfastly remain in the aspiration to enlightenment

Will always be friends to all beings.
There will never be any darkness
In their teaching of the enlightenment of buddhahood. {43}

11.57 “The nature of phenomena is like that of space,

Inexpressible, beyond speech and words.
Those who know that supreme nature
Will have an unceasing confidence in teaching. {44}

11.58 “Even though they teach a hundred thousand sūtras,

They know the finest details of the past.
The wise will always have unimpeded speech,
Knowing the subtlety of the nature of phenomena. {45}

11.59 “They will be skilled520 in hundreds of ways.

They will have mastered the many kinds of words and definitions.
They have certainty in the ripening521 of actions and results.
They become distinctively preeminent in that way. {46}

11.60 “They will possess unimpaired power.

They are great wise ones, the heirs of those with the ten strengths.
Knowing the subtle nature of phenomena,
They will always have a completely pure memory.522 {47}
11.61 “Because they know the subtle nature of phenomena,
They will never hear an unpleasant sound.
They always hear pleasant and melodious sounds
And their words are always pleasant. {48}

11.62 “Because they know the very subtle nature of phenomena,

They have memory, understanding, wisdom, and realization.
Similarly, their minds are clear and unpolluted
And they teach many hundreds of sūtras. {49}

11.63 “They are learned in the categories of letters and words.

They know many different kinds of sounds,
And they are skilled in meanings and letters. [F.42.b]
They have these qualities through knowing the nature of phenomena. {50}

11.64 “Because they know the subtle nature of phenomena

They are always attractive and charming
To devas, humans, nāgas,523 and rāksasas,
̣
Asuras, mahoragas, and kiṃnaras. {51}

11.65 “Because they know the subtle nature of phenomena

They never perceive as frightening
The extremely terrible and flesh-devouring
Crowds of spirits, pretas, and rāksasas.
̣ {52}

11.66 “Those who hear the vast524 teaching of the wise

Experience vast joy and their hairs stand on end.
They develop a vast attraction to the buddhas,
And gain a vast, inconceivable benefit.525 {53}

11.67 “Even by speaking for many thousands of eons

It is not possible to describe the power of the merit
That comes from memorizing this Dharma treasure of the sugatas.
It is immeasurable, infinite, and unquantifiable. {54}

11.68 “The jinas to whom offerings have been made in the past,
The countless buddhas of the future,
And the buddhas who are present in the ten directions,
Are so by having memorized this supreme samādhi of peace. {55}

11.69 “If a person who wishes for merit,

With immeasurable affection for them
Serves compassionate ones with the ten strengths
For countless endless millions of eons, {56}
11.70 “And if a second person who wishes for merit
Memorizes, during future times,
One verse from this way of the ultimate truth,
Then the previous person’s merit will not even be a fraction of that. {57}

11.71 “This will be the supreme offering to the buddhas.

During the future dreadful times
Hearing one of these four-line verses
And memorizing it will be an offering to all the buddhas. {58}

11.72 “They will always obtain the best provisions.

They will always eat the best alms of the land.526
As the best senior heirs of the one with ten strengths,
They will for a long time make offerings to many jinas. {59}

11.73 “They will also see myself here on Vulture Peak Mountain.
And I, in buddha wisdom, will thus prophesy to them.
Also, after my passing away, there will be Maitreya,527
Who at that time will also prophesy to them. {60}

11.74 “Similarly, Buddha Amitāyus also

Has taught many other kinds of benefits:
‘All will enter my Sukhāvatī,
And go to Abhirati and see Buddha Aksobhya.’528 {61} [F.43.a]
̣

11.75 “For countless hundreds of thousands of eons

They will never have the fear of downfalls.
In this supreme practice of bodhisattva conduct
They will always experience happiness. {62}

11.76 “In that way it has been taught that this,

Which is preeminent, has the most excellent merit.
May I learn every single word,
And in future times be a keeper of this sūtra.”529 {63}

11.77 Conclusion of the eleventh chapter, “Becoming a Keeper of the Sūtra.”

12. Chapter 12

The Training According to the Samādhi

12.1 “Young man, those are the qualities and benefits that bodhisattvas who know the nature
of all phenomena will have. They will describe the true, excellent qualities of the
tathāgatas. They will not falsely say that which is untrue about the tathāgatas. Why is
that? It is because they know perfectly that nature, which is the nature through which a
tathāgata comes to be.530 They know the infinite qualities of a buddha. Why is that?
Young man, the qualities of a buddha are infinite, inconceivable, beyond thought. They
cannot be conceived or measured. Why is that? The mind, young man, is taught to be
without a nature of its own,531 to be without form.532 Young man, that nature of the mind
is also the nature of the qualities of a buddha. That nature of the qualities of a buddha is
also the nature of the tathāgatas, and that is the nature of all phenomena.
12.2 “Young man, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who know correctly that teaching on the
nature of all the qualities are, young man, called bodhisattva mahāsattvas with profound
comprehension. They are skilled in emancipation. They know perfectly emancipation
from the three realms. They have perfect knowledge, do not teach that which is
erroneous, and do not say that which is anything other than true. [F.43.b] Their conduct
is in line with what they teach. They have no attachment to the three realms. They have
transcended the three realms. They have transcended the level of desire, the level of form,
the level of formlessness, the level of the kleśas, the level of names, and the level of
language. They are skilled in the way of letters and words. They know freedom from
letters.533 They have mastered the inexpressible Dharma. They know letters. They are
skilled in letters. They are skilled in the knowledge of the categories of letters and words.
They are skilled in the knowledge of the detailed categories of letters and words. They are
skilled in the knowledge of the categories of all the words534 of the Dharma. They are
skilled in the knowledge of the detailed categories of all the words535 of the Dharma. They
are skilled in the knowledge536 of the presentation of all the Dharma. They are endowed
with the certainty of understanding, so that all the evil māras and all the devas in their
entourages cannot overcome them.”
12.3 At that time, when this Dharma teaching was given, ninety-eight times a hundred
thousand million devas and human beings who had created the karma in previous
lifetimes,537 had accumulated538 a trillion retentions,539 were unobscured, and had
insight into the Dharma, all attained patience.540 The Bhagavān prophesied to them all
that after four million, eight hundred thousand countless eons they would attain the
highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. He prophesied to each of them
their separate names, their identical lifespans, and the individual buddha realms where
they would attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.
It was said:

12.4 “The wise bodhisattvas who seek to attain

The highest, supreme enlightenment,
Who are skilled in meaning and the Dharma,
Practice the nature of phenomena. {1}

12.5 “They say nothing that is untrue

About the unique qualities of the buddhas.
The heroes, free of all doubt,
Know the nature of the jinas. {2}

12.6 “They know that all phenomena have but a single meaning,
And that is solely emptiness.
They do not have different meanings.
They become adept in that single meaning. {3}

12.7 “The wise know that they are without thought,

Are devoid of thought, and that there is no object. [F.44.a]
They have eliminated without remainder
Every conception of cessation and noncessation. {4}

12.8 “They do not see the one with ten strengths as form,
But see the lion of men as the dharmakāya.
Neither do they conceive of attributes
Because they have eliminated all error. {5}

12.9 “The qualities are inconceivable, beyond thought.

They have the nature of complete peace.
With this knowledge they thus see
The buddhas as the supreme among humans. {6}

12.10 “Just as they know their own conceptions to be,

Thus they direct their understanding of everything.
All phenomena have that nature,
Which is as completely pure as space.541 {7}
12.11 “Nothing arises to their conceptual mind.
They know emancipation542 from all phenomena.
They are liberated from the three realms
And they have no aspiration for them.543 {8}

12.12 “They are those who see correctly and do not say
Anything to the contrary or any untrue words.
All the words that they speak
Come forth through the power of the jinas. {9}

12.13 “They transcend the level of desire,

And the levels of kleśas, form, and formlessness.
Their minds have no attachment to phenomena.
They practice with joy, benefiting beings. {10}

12.14 “They have transcended the level of words;

Their knowledge of language is obtained from its nature.
For however long they speak
They know those words have no basis. {11}

12.15 “There is no activity of conceptualization;

Incorrect views have completely ceased.
Their understanding is completely assured.
It has a stability like that of space. {12}

12.16 “Even though quintillions of māras

Come to disturb their mind,
They overcome all the māras
And do not fall under their power. {13}

12.17 “They have rejected the net of the māras.

They have pure, untroubled conduct.
They aspire to the bliss of dhyāna
And know the world to be empty. {14}

12.18 “Even though it is said the world is an aggregate,

They know it to be empty,
And that all phenomena are like space,
Without birth and without cessation. {15}

12.19 “They have forsaken the self, but not the conduct544
Or listening to the teaching of the one with ten strengths.545 [F.44.b]
They have attained perfect conduct
And will be reborn wherever they pray to be. {16}
12.- “They go to the buddha realms.
20 They see many millions of buddhas.
They have no desire for the deva realms
And they do not pray to be there. {17}

12.21 “While they are practicing the Dharma,

Their diligence does not waver for an instant.
They are highly praised by
The buddhas in the ten directions. {18}

12.- “Therefore, young man, when you have received

22 This Dharma teaching of the samādhi,
Rejecting the profits of the intellect,
Teach this Dharma to the people. {19}

12.- “One who wishes for the numerous qualities

23 Possessed by the self-arisen buddha
Should train in this goodness
And become a buddha with the ten strengths.” {20}

12.- Conclusion of the twelfth chapter, “The Training According to the Samādhi.”
24
13. Chapter 13

The Teaching of the Samādhi

13.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should be skilled in teaching this samādhi.
13.2 “Young man, what is the teaching of this samādhi? It is the true nature of all
phenomena; it is equality; it is the absence of inequality; it is devoid of notions; it is
devoid of concepts; it is devoid of creation; it is devoid of arising; it is devoid of
production; it is devoid of cessation; it is the termination of notions, concepts, and
assumptions; it is devoid of an object for the mind; it is devoid of a focus of the mind;546 it
is the termination of designations; it is the termination of concepts from analysis; it is the
termination of desire, anger, and ignorance; it is without a limited or limitless focus of the
mind; it is the termination of any focus of the mind; it is the knowledge of the nature of
the skandhas, dhātus, and āyatanas; it is the state of accomplishing the field of activity
that is the performance of the conduct of mindfulness, understanding, comprehension,
conscience, and stability; it is the level of freedom from corruptions;547 it is the level of
peace; it is the termination of all conceptual elaboration; it is the training of all
bodhisattvas; it is the field of activity of all tathāgatas; [F.45.a] and it is the perfection of
all good qualities.
13.3 “Young man, that is what the teaching of samādhi is said to be. Bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who are established in this teaching of samādhi become inseparable from
samādhi—their minds become free of delusion, they become endowed with great
compassion, and they accomplish the benefit of countless beings.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

13.4 “The level of unequaled samādhi548

Is peaceful, subtle, and difficult to see.
All conceptions have been eliminated.
Therefore it is called ‘samādhi.’ {1}

13.5 “There are no notions, there are no concepts,

There is nothing to be grasped, there is nothing to be shown,
 And there is no object for the mind.
Therefore it is called ‘samādhi.’ {2}

13.6 “When in a state of meditation

There is no pride concerning any phenomenon.
That very absence of pride—
That is what is called ‘samādhi.’ {3}

13.7 “There does not exist549 even an atom of phenomena.

That which is called ‘an atom’ does not exist.
There are no phenomena as objects for the mind.
Therefore it is called ‘samādhi.’ {4}

13.8 “ ‘The mind has no object’

Is also itself a concept.
When there are no concepts of phenomena,
Then that is known as ‘samādhi.’ {5}

13.9 “A word indicates a meaning.

That word is not a thing.
A word is like an echo,
Like the space of the sky. {6}

13.10 “These phenomena are not present;

There is no presence to be perceived.
The nonpresence is through the word ‘presence.’
Its nature is that there is nothing to be found. {7}

13.11 “One says ‘going’ and ‘passing away,’

But that ‘going’ does not exist.
Through the word ‘going’ there is the absence of going.
That is given the name samādhi. {8}

13.12 “Saying ‘I am not meditating’ is called pride.550

‘I am meditating’ is a second kind of pride.551
Practicing for enlightenment without pride,552
And attaining553 the absence of pride is the highest enlightenment.554 {9}

13.13 “This unequaled equality is the level of peace;555

It is śamatha and vipaśyanā,556 devoid of attributes.
Relying upon this peace, the level of buddhahood,
Is engaging in the meditation557 of samādhi. {10}

13.14 “It is not possible through words to enter

Into the understanding of the meaning. [F.45.b]
 When all sounds and words are abandoned
There will be meditation without pride. {11}

13.15 “When there is the fire of the eon’s end in this world
That fire does not burn the supreme mountain in its center,
Just like space that has never been burned in the past,
Even though the fire burns for many hundreds of eons.558 {12}

13.16 “The bodhisattvas who remain engaged

In this samādhi as it has been taught,
And know that phenomena are the same as space,
Will also not be burned by fire.559 {13}

13.17 “If the buddha realm were burning

And in this samādhi they prayed
For the burning to completely cease,
Though the earth was destroyed it would be unchanged. {14}

13.18 “They will have infinite miraculous powers.

They will travel through the air unimpeded.
The bodhisattvas will have these qualities
By remaining in samādhi just as they have been taught. {15}

13.19 “Though one is born and though one dies,

There is no birth and there is no death.
For the one who understands that
This samādhi will not be difficult to attain. {16}

13.- “The Lord of the World has taught

20 That there is no death and there is no birth.
Just as the Lord of the World knew that,
You should also know it through this samādhi. {17}

13.21 “Unstained by the world,

They have no attachment to worldly phenomena.
With a body free of impediment
They go to the buddha realms. {18}

13.- “They constantly see in those realms

22 The perfect buddhas, the guides of the world.
They listen there to the Dharma
That is taught in the realms of the buddhas.560 {19}

13.- “They will never be in ignorance.

23 They will teach the essence of phenomena.
 They always knows the way of phenomena,
Which is comprised561 of the essence of phenomena. {20}

13.- “Even though they teach for ten million eons,

24 Their confidence in speech will not decline.
They emanate many other bodhisattvas
Who have wisdom. {21}

13.25 “The emanated bodhisattvas

Travel from realm to realm.
They are seated, cross-legged,
Upon lotuses that have a thousand petals. {22}

13.- “They teach the enlightenment of buddhahood,

26 Wonderful dhāran ̣īs and sūtras, [F.46.a]
And ten million other sūtras,
While meditating peacefully in samādhi. {23}

13.27 “They establish in irreversibility

Countless multitudes of beings,
And teach the enlightenment of buddhahood
Without their confidence in speech ever declining. {24}

13.- “They go to a pinnacled hall

28 That is adorned with jewels
And scatter aromatic
Flowers upon the guides. {25}

13.- “They also sprinkle scented

29 Powders upon the guides.
They all make vast offerings
In order to attain enlightenment. {26}

13.- “Those countless qualities

30 Are the refuge of the bodhisattvas.
When they are free of kleśas
They attain those miraculous powers. {27}

13.31 “Because the kleśas are not created

They are clear, pure, and bright.
The field of activity of the bodhisattvas
Is noncomposite and inviolate. {28}

13.- “They have perfect peace, complete peace;

32 They have no kleśas, and they have no misery.562
 They have no conceptualization, are free of conceptualization,
And have transcended conceptualization. {29}

13.- “This characteristic of phenomena

33 Is beyond the scope of words.563
It is difficult564 to know through language565
And therefore it is called samādhi. {30}

13.- “It is unending; it is complete peace;

34 It is effortless, and it cannot be shown.
The field of activity of all the buddhas
Is the completely pure summit of the truth. {31}

13.35 “The training of all the buddhas

Is in the nature of all phenomena.
The perfect buddhas, having trained in it,
Have reached the perfection of qualities.566 {32}

13.- “Without any concepts of the past,

36 Of this side and the further side,
In that way all those buddhas
Have reached the perfection567 of qualities. {33}

13.37 “Knowing the nature of phenomena

As having no coming or going,
They have reached the perfection
That is nonconceptual and effortless.” {34}

13.- Conclusion of the thirteenth chapter, “The Teaching of the Samādhi.” [B5]
38
14. Chapter 14

The Buddha’s Smile

14.1 Then the youth Candraprabha rose from his seat, removed his robe from one shoulder,
and, kneeling on his right knee, [F.46.b] with palms placed together he bowed toward the
Bhagavān and said to him,568 “Bhagavān, it is marvelous that the the Bhagavān, the
tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha has taught the equality that is the
nature of all phenomena, which is the samādhi that all bodhisattvas train in.
14.2 “Bhagavān, it was thus, in this training, that the Bhagavān trained for a long time, and
accomplished the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. Bhagavān,
that gives me confidence to speak.569 Sugata, it gives me confidence to speak.”
14.3 The Bhagavān said, “Young man, if you think the time has come, be confident to
speak.”
Since the Bhagavān had granted the youth Candraprabha this opportunity,
Candraprabha spoke the following verses of praise directly to the Bhagavān.

14.4 “You saw beings tormented by suffering,570

Constantly overpowered by desire and anger,
And developed the aspiration to attain enlightenment:
‘May I become a buddha who liberates beings!’ {1}

14.5 “Hero,571 for many millions of eons, constantly,

You practiced generosity, self-restraint and self-control,
Patience, correct conduct, and similarly diligence,
And your acts of generosity were vast and infinite. {2}

14.6 “Without ever any sadness in your mind

You gave away your legs, arms, and even your life,
And similarly, without attachment you gave away
Gold, silver, sons, wives, and your kingdom. {3}

14.7 “Your conduct was stainless and pure.

You made a gift of yourself without ruining your conduct.
 You controlled well your body, speech, and mind.
Sugata who has a self-restrained mind, I pay homage to you. {4}

14.8 “Delighting in patience, residing on the path of patience,

Even though your body was cut into pieces you were not angered;572
Through your meditation on love, milk flowed from you.
Marvelous Sugata, I pay homage to you. {5}

14.9 “You possess the strength of the ten strengths.

With wisdom free of attachment you know all phenomena. [F.47.a]
With compassion, Lord of Dharma, you benefit the world.
Through your kindness you wish to benefit beings. {6}

14.10 “You know emptiness and that there are no such beings,
And likewise you see that the world’s beings have lost that path.
You have realized that the nature of phenomena is selfless
And that though you bring beings to liberation, there is no such liberation. {7}

14.11 “With discrimination you reject all carelessness.

You have conquered the infinite, powerful māras.
Enlightened at buddhahood, you have vast, infinite wisdom.
You teach the supreme Dharma of completely pure peace. {8}

14.12 “The sky with its moon and the stars may fall,
The earth with its mountains and towns may be destroyed,
The element of space may change into something else,
But you will never speak an untrue word. {9}

14.13 “You have seen the suffering of beings

Who take joy in the perception of objects.
You teach the profound peace, emptiness,
In which there is no perception of objects. {10}

14.14 “Great hero, you trained

For countless millions of eons
In the training of nonperception,
And so you are free of error. {11}

14.15 “Just as you have trained in the Dharma,

In that way you teach the Dharma.
Yours is not the level of foolish beings,
And neither is it the level of all the tīrthikas. {12}

14.16 “Those who have the conception of a self,

They are unwise beings who are in error.
 You know that phenomena have no self,
And so you are free of any error. {13}

14.17 “You speak the truth, great hero;

You are established in the true Dharma.
Lord, you remain within truth, within veracity,
And you speak words that are true. {14}

14.18 “Your conduct has been true,

Just as you have prayed for.
You have the consequence of that true conduct
And you speak words that are true. {15}

14.19 “You have perfected true conduct.

You have trained in the summit of truth.
You have truly practiced with a true motivation.
I pay homage to you who has true wisdom. {16}

14.- “There is no equal to your wisdom.

20 Your words of wisdom illuminate.
You have attained unique wisdom.
I pay homage to you who speaks words of wisdom. {17}

14.21 “You have meditated on kindness

And become a friend to all beings. [F.47.b]
You are as unshakable as Sumeru.
You are completely stable and unwavering. {18}

14.- “Teacher, your following is vast.

22 You have attracted these followers.
Sugata who has profound wisdom,
Make your voice resound within this assembly. {19}

14.- “The voice of the Buddha is a lion’s roar.

23 You walk with the gait of a lion.
You defeat all the tīrthikas
Like a lion defeats jackals. {20}

14.- “Hero who subdues the unsubdued,

24 The unsubdued are subdued by you.
They become friends who are reliable,
Inseparable, and pleasant to be with. {21}

14.- “You see the beings who are suffering

25 Because they maintain the view of a self.573
 You teach the Dharma of no-self
In which there is neither like nor dislike. {22}

14.- “The foolish who are untrained

26 Take up the wrong paths.
You show them the path
That the guides have followed. {23}

14.27 “Whoever holds to the concept of a self,

They will remain in suffering.
They do not know selflessness,
Within which there is no suffering. {24}

14.- “You teach the Dharma with words that are without error.
28 Lord of the World, you make no error.
You are one who speaks words that are never incorrect.
I pay homage to you, who bring freedom from suffering. {25}

14.- “In the sky there are many quintillions

29 Of devas, nāgas, and yaksas.
̣
They all feel joy in the Guide
When they hear the meaningful words of the Bhagavān. {26}

14.- “Your words are mild, gentle, and pleasing,

30 Timely, melodious, appropriate, and beloved.
You have the countless qualities of speech
That benefit and bring liberation to many beings. {27}

14.31 “Countless hundreds of thousands of musical instruments

Are all played melodiously and simultaneously,
But the Sugata with one word eclipses them all
With his unique, divine, beloved voice.574 {28}

14.- “Avadavats575 and flocks of birds576 with beautiful songs,

32 With their beautiful songs that are pleasing to everyone—
All of the songs of these many flocks of birds577
Cannot equal a fraction of the Buddha’s speech. {29} [F.48.a]

14.- “Deva maidens with beautiful voices

33 And with melodious music and songs,
̣ 578 drums, bherī drums,579 and conches,
And the sound of lutes, pataha
Cannot equal a fraction of the Buddha’s speech.580 {i}

14.- “The songs of cuckoos, parrots, and mynas,

34 Of cranes, peacocks, and kiṃnaras—
 All these beautiful, melodious sounds
Cannot equal a fraction of the Buddha’s speech.581 {30}

14.35 “Delightful, melodious, beautiful, enjoyable,

Exquisite, peaceful voices singing praises—
All such voices singing simultaneously
Are not as delightful as the Tathāgata’s perfect speech. {31}

14.- “The light from all luminous beings,

36 From devas,582 humans, kings, and asuras,583
And from all beings in the three existences,
Are eclipsed by one light ray from the Sugata. {32}

14.37 “The Sugata’s body is like a blossomed flower

With the various adornments of all the special signs.
A pure and clear accomplishment of hundreds of merits,
The body of the Jina shines on the entire world. {33}

14.- “The sound of conches and of pan ̣avas,584

38 And the sound of bherī drums585 and kimpalas586—
All those beautiful and delightful sounds
Cannot equal a hundredth of the Buddha’s voice. {34}

14.- “The sounds of quintillions of musical instruments,

39 Clear and beautiful voices like those of the devas,587
And the delightful voices of male and female devas588
Cannot equal a hundredth of the Buddha’s voice.589 {35}

14.- “Flocks of a multitude of birds—cranes, peacocks,

40 Shelducks, cuckoos, geese, and snipe—
May simultaneously sing their songs, but they
Cannot equal a hundredth of the Buddha’s voice.590 {36}

14.41 “The voices of nāgas, yaksas,

̣ asuras, mahoragas,
Devendra,591 Brahmā, and the lords of the devas—
All the lovely and beautiful voices in the three existences
Cannot equal a hundredth of the Buddha’s voice. {37}

14.- “The light of Brahmā and lords of the devas, [117]

42 The light of the sun and precious jewels,
The many different kinds of light—
All those lights are eclipsed by the brilliance of the Jina’s light.592 {38}

14.- “Your body, speech, and mind are perfectly pure.

43 The purity of your wisdom is unstained by the three existences. [F.48.b]
 Lord of men, you have the wealth of qualities, precious qualities.
Self-arisen one, through all your qualities, you are without equal.” {39}

14.- In that way the youth spoke those words with great joy,
44 Praising the one with ten strengths, the speaker of truth.
He said, “By offering to the measureless,593 unquantifiable Buddha
May I also become a buddha like Śākyamuni!” {40}

14.- Knowing his perfect conduct, the Sugata,

45 The Lord of humans, the one with wisdom free of attachment, smiled.
Maitreya, the senior son of the one with ten strengths, asked him,
“For what reason did the Guide smile? {41}

14.- “The earth has shaken in six ways.

46 The devas and nāgas in the sky are filled with joy.
They are gazing at the Buddha with great delight and happiness.
I pray to the unconquerable Sugata that you elucidate this to them. {42}

14.47 “You have a supreme being’s wisdom,

Which is not the level of the Bhagavān’s śrāvakas.
You who has pure wisdom beyond examples, wise one,
Tell594 us the entire reason, Jina, why you smiled.595 {43}

14.- “You are the Śākya lion, possessor of the ten strengths, the Guide,
48 The chief of humans, the one who has reached the perfection of wisdom.596
You have eliminated intractable desire, anger, and ignorance.
To you who shine with intense light, I ask this question: {44}

14.- “Seeking the supreme, highest enlightenment,

49 You, the Guide, practiced for millions of eons
As numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges.
For what reason did you show a smile? {45}

14.- “Seeking the supreme, highest enlightenment,

50 You, the Teacher, gave away your arms and legs.
You gave away sons, wives, companions, and relations.
Sage, for what reason did you show a smile? {46}

14.51 “You gave away horses, elephants, and chariots,597

Slaves, jewels, silver, and pearls.598
When you practiced the sublime conduct
There were no jewels or wealth that you did not give away. {47}

14.- “You have the supreme wisdom in the three existences.

52 You know the conduct of all beings. [F.49.a]
 You are skilled in knowing their natures, minds, and aspirations.
For what reason did you smile? {48}

14.53 “Who made the offering to you, best of men?

For whom has vast merit been created?
Who has gained that excellent conduct?
Sage, for what reason did you smile? {49}

14.- “The earth has shaken in six ways.

54 Millions of lotuses have appeared on the ground.599
They shine and have millions of excellent petals.
They are the color of gold, beautiful and delightful. {50}

14.55 “Present here are the heart sons of the Jina

Who show the greatest bodhisattva miracles.
Many600 dharmabhān ̣akas have gathered here.
Guide, I ask my question for their sake. {51}

14.- “The sound of bherī drums,601 conches, and gongs,602

56 Of quintillions of instruments has resounded.
That music was heard coming from the sky,
But compared to that the Sugata’s speech is inconceivable. {52}

14.57 “Many flocks of birds have gathered,

Cranes,603 geese, avadavats,604 and cuckoos.
They have sung their perfect, beautiful songs,
But they do not equal a fraction of the Buddha’s speech. {53}

14.- “Who in the past with generosity, self-restraint, and self-control

58 Has served well for many millions of eons?
Who has made offerings to you, supreme among men?
For what reason did you smile? {54}

14.- “Who in the past, having shown you the greatest veneration,
59 Asked you, supreme among men, the question,
‘How can I attain the enlightenment of buddhahood?’
For what reason did you smile? {55}

14.- “Those with the ten strengths in the past,

60 The sugatas of the present and the future,
And you, supreme among men, know all.
Therefore for the benefit of beings I ask this question. {56}

14.61 “You know the thoughts in the minds of beings

And all beings’ infinite ways of conduct;
 You know the aspirations that humans have.
Therefore I ask this question to you, supreme among men. {57}

14.- “Those who are practicing the supreme conduct,

62 Who are adept in causes, reasons, and discipline,
They ask, ‘How does one attain the Buddha’s wisdom?’
Therefore, supreme human, I ask this question. {58}

14.- “There are those who meditate on the field of experience of those with the ten strengths:
63 The subtle Dharma that is difficult to perceive, [F.49.b]
And emptiness and peace that is unequaled and inconceivable.
For their sake, Guide, I ask you this question. {59}

14.- “Those who meditate on love and compassion

64 For all the countless beings in the world,
Without their having the concept of beings—
Supreme human, for their sake I ask this question. {60}

14.- “Those who have inconceivable, unequaled wisdom,

65 They are never known to have any grasping.
They have reached the perfection of the mind’s field of activity.
Lord, it is for their sake that I ask this question. {61}

14.- “You have reached the perfection of conduct and wisdom’s qualities.
66 You have unequaled knowledge of the three times.
You will never make an error.
For what reason did you smile? {62}

14.67 “Śāriputra, Aniruddha, and Kolita,

And the other śrāvakas of the Sugata,
Do not have that wisdom.
It is the unsurpassable field of activity of the buddhas. {63}

14.- “You have reached the perfection of power over all phenomena.
68 You have ascended through the practice of the training.
Guide, you have developed compassion.
You who know the ultimate truth, release your voice! {64}

14.- “You have had, in the past for many millions of eons,
69 The goal of being the ultimate refuge and protector,
And have inquired, supreme human, with just that intention;
Guide, tell us the result of that today. {65}

14.- “Yaksas,
̣ rāksasas,
̣ kumbhān ̣d ̣as, and guhyakas
70 Are gazing upon the supreme among humans.
 They are all respectful, their palms together in homage,
In order to listen to the elucidation from the great being. {66}

14.71 “Many bodhisattvas with miraculous powers

Have come from millions of buddha realms.
These senior sons, born form the minds of the sugatas,
Are all respectfully present, their palms together in homage. {67}

14.72 “Gandhahasti with millions of bodhisattvas

Has come into your presence from the east,
From the famous world of Aksobhya’s
̣ realm
For this question, Lion of the Śākyas, supreme human. {68}

14.73 “Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta

Have come before you with millions of bodhisattvas
From the supreme realm of Sukhāvatī [F.50.a]
For this question, Lion of the Śākyas, supreme human. {69}

14.74 “In the past for many millions of eons

They have served countless sugatas
As numerous as the sand grains in all the oceans,
Seeking this supreme sublime wisdom. {70}

14.75 “Mañjughosạ is present, his palms together in homage.

He has been praised and extolled by all the buddhas.
He has reached the perfection of all good qualities
And is renowned throughout the worlds in all directions. {71}

14.76 “They have practiced in millions of buddha realms.

It is very rare to see such beings.
They have the qualities of sons of the buddhas and excellent training,
And are all present, with their palms together respectfully in homage. {72}

14.77 “There is no one here other than worthy recipients.

That is what these wise ones605 are like,
The holders of the Dharma treasures of all teachers.
Guide, release your gentle speech.606 {73}

14.- “The jinas, the guides, the supreme humans

78 Have never been seen to smile without a reason.
Grant us your supreme speech, which is like the beat of a drum.
What is the reason that we saw you smile? {74}

14.79 “The supreme beings resound like thunder,607

Geese, cuckoos, peacocks, and swans,608
 And they emit the melodious music of the devas.
Liberator of beings, elucidate with your words. {75}

14.- “You develop kindness, you increase joy,

80 You teach wisdom, you eliminate ignorance,
You realize the meaning, you expand wisdom,
And you have purified for quintillions of eons. {76}

14.81 “You have realized the nature of things with certainty,

You have taught the meaning in words that end suffering.
You have routed the teachings of all tīrthikas.
You meditate on emptiness, the absence of being, and the absence of a soul. {77}

14.- “You are adorned by thousands of merits.

82 You have practiced with hundreds of thousands of buddhas,
Are praised by hundreds of thousands of devas,
And hundreds of thousands of Brahmās pay homage to you. {78}

14.- “Yaksas,
̣ rāksasas,
̣ and kumbhān ̣d ̣as have faith in you. [F.50.b]
83 You have liberated nāgas, mahoragas, and garūd ̣as.
You are constantly without any attachment.
Speak the words609 that are the result of good actions. {79}

14.- “All the jinas that have passed into nirvān ̣a,
84 Those who will live in the future, and those now present,
You know them all without impediment.
Guide, you are sublime because of all your qualities. {80}

14.- “This earth that supports beings, with its mountains

85 And oceans, has been shaken in six ways.
The devas have thrown down flowers from the sky.
There has arisen the beautiful aroma of the incense of the devas. {81}

14.- “Desire, anger, and darkness of the mind have been completely eliminated.
86 Conduct has become completely pure and the mind has become completely pure.
There is delight in complete peace, emptiness, and the absence of attributes.
There is the sound of the lion’s roar, the sound of the compassionate ones. {82}

14.- “You have the confidence of speech, and great renown.

87 You have perfected wisdom, the wisdom of the jinas.
Compassionate one, there is no one like you in this world.
Tell us, for what reason did you smile? {83}

14.- “The songs of peacocks, cuckoos, and avadavats,

88 And likewise the beautiful song of the partridge,610
 All those pleasant sounds simultaneously
Do not equal a fraction of the Sugata’s speech. {84}

14.- “Bherī drums, mrdaṅgas,

̣ and similarly pan ̣avas;
89 Conches, flutes, and similarly lutes:
The simultaneous sound of a thousand instruments
Does not equal a fraction of the Sugata’s speech. {85}

14.- “The divine, sublime sound of thousands of instruments

90 And the beautiful songs of deva maidens,
The excellent songs that bring delightful sounds to the mind,
Do not equal a fraction of the Sugata’s speech. {86}

14.91 “With one sound you benefit the world

As it resounds to those with different aspirations,
Each person thinking, ‘The Jina is speaking to me.’
For what reason did you smile? {87}

14.- “The music of the devas and the music of the nāgas,
92 And also the melodious music of the kiṃnaras,
Are never able to pacify the kleśas.
The Buddha’s speech always dispels the kleśas. {88}

14.- “You create joy but not joy in desire.

93 You create love and not a mind of anger.
You create wisdom and not a mind of stupidity. [F.51.a]
The Buddha’s speech eliminates all stains. {89}

14.- “The sound of your voice does not go beyond your followers.
94 It cuts through everyone’s hundreds of doubts.
It is never too quiet nor too loud.
The Sage’s voice teaches everyone equally and easily. {90}

14.- “This earth with its mountains and forests may perish,
95 And so may the waters of the ocean.
The moon and the sun may fall to the earth,
But the Jina’s speech will never change. {91}

14.- “Your voice has all the qualities of pure speech.

96 Your beautiful voice is a gentle lion’s roar.
Compassionate one, you have the voice of Brahmā.
For what reason did you smile? {92}

14.97 “You know the minds and conduct

Of all the beings in the world,
 Those in the past, the future, and the present.
Tell us the reason why you smiled. {93}

14.- “All of the jinas, the compassionate ones,

98 They who have reached the perfection of power and wisdom,
The jinas whose faces are like stainless moons,
Have never smiled without a reason. {94}

14.- “If for millions of eons one were to describe your unequaled qualities,
99 Which are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges,
One would not be able to describe them fully.
Teach us the reason why you smiled.”611 {95}

14.- Conclusion of the fourteenth chapter, “The Buddha’s Smile.”

100
15. Chapter 15

The Elucidation of the Buddha’s Smile

15.1 At that time the Bhagavān spoke these appropriate verses to Bodhisattva Maitreya:

15.2 “This youth, Candraprabha,

Has praised the Buddha with unequaled joy.
He described the unique superior qualities of the buddhas.
All the time he is reciting their praises.612 {1}

15.3 “In this very city of Rājagrha

̣ in the past
He has seen ten thousand million buddhas.
In the presence of all those jinas
He asked about this supreme samādhi of peace. {2}

15.4 “He has always been my son,

Practicing this supreme bodhisattva conduct.
He has always had the confidence of speech,
And always he has been practicing celibacy. {3} [F.51.b]

15.5 “In the very fearful future times

You, Ajita, will be my witness.613
Always remaining in a state of celibacy,
He will make this samādhi widespread. {4}

15.6 “Those who seek entry into this sublime samādhi,

Through that path will attain enlightenment.
He will be adopted by many millions of buddhas
And he will make supreme offerings to those guides. {5}

15.7 “I prophesy that, remaining in wisdom,

Candraprabha’s conduct will be exceptional.
In the future times there will be no obstacle
To his celibacy or to his life. {6}
15.8 “He will know millions of buddhas as clearly
As five myrobalan plums in the palm of the hand.
And he will make offerings in the future to even more,
As numerous as sand grains in the Ganges. {7}

15.9 “Eight hundred million devas and nāgas,

And seven hundred billion yaksas,
̣
In future times will be zealous
And make offerings to the supreme among humans. {8}

15.10 “He will make offerings to the supreme human

And will practice this unsurpassable wisdom.
In a future time he will become a Lord of the World,
A jina by the name of Vimalaprabha.”614 {9}

15.11 The young man was overjoyed

On hearing this prophecy about himself.
Candraprabha floated up to the height of seven palm trees
And remaining in the sky he made this declaration: {10}

15.12 “O Jina, you who teach the supreme Dharma,

You have the power of a lord of liberating wisdom.
You remain in the certainty of supreme wisdom
And cannot be defeated by adversaries. {11}

15.13 “You have abandoned attachment and reached liberation.

You have no attachment to existence, which is devoid of things.
You have no conceptualization whatsoever.
You have the wisdom of nonattachment toward the three existences. {12}

15.14 “You are unstained by any conceptualization.

You are free of all conceptualized views.
You have meditated perfectly on the path that has no location.
You cannot be defeated or hindered615 by anyone. {13}

15.15 “You have no residence in the three realms.

You are free from the floods616 and the knots.617
You have cut through the bondage of the creepers of craving.618 [F.52.a]
You are free of existence and are devoid of existence. {14}

15.16 “You know the nonexistence that is the nature of phenomena.

You make understood in words that which cannot be described.
Just as the lion destroys the jackal,
You defeat the unwise tīrthikas. {15}
15.17 “I have obtained today the highest treasure,
The treasure of the Dharma taught by the Sugata.
I am freed from falling into any of the lower existences.
I will never have doubts that you are my guide. {16}

15.18 “He placed upon my head his hand,

Which was shining, beautiful, the color of gold.
He gave me the consecration to be a supreme leader of humans,
With the world and its devas as witnesses.” {17}

15.19 Conclusion of the fifteenth chapter, “The Elucidation of the Buddha’s Smile.”
16. Chapter 16

The Past
16.1 The Bhagavān then said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas thus wish to liberate all beings from all the suffering of existence. They wish
to establish beings in the noble, unsurpassable bliss and joy of samādhi. Therefore they
should hear this king of samādhis, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena,
obtain it, understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it,
meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely known to
others.
16.2 “Why is that? Young man, this king of samādhis, the revealed equality of the nature of
all phenomena, causes one to transcend all lower existence and be freed from all illness.
16.3 “Young man, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas hear this king of samādhis, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena, obtain it, and meditate on it, then, young man,
[F.52.b] those bodhisattva mahāsattvas liberate all beings from all the sufferings of
existence. They will establish them in the noble, unsurpassable bliss and joy of samādhi,
this samādhi will be quickly attained, and the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect
buddhahood will be quickly attained.”619
16.4 Thereupon the Bhagavān, in order to teach this meaning to Candraprabha, repeated
what he had previously said by explaining it in the following verses.

16.5 “I remember that, as I was practicing in the past,

In the teaching of Sugata Siṃhadhvaja
There was a wise bhiksu,
̣ a dharmabhān ̣aka
Whose name was Brahmadatta. {1}

16.6 “At that time I was Prince Mati.

I was tormented by the pain of an illness.
The dharmabhān ̣aka Brahmadatta
Became my teacher at that time. {2}

16.7 “More than five hundred physicians

Diligently sought to cure that illness,
 But they were unable to cure me of my disease.
Everyone in my family was in suffering. {3}

16.8 “The bhiksụ heard about my illness,

And he came to me and asked about it.
Brahmadatta felt great pity for me,
And he taught me this supreme samādhi. {4}

16.9 “When I had heard this sublime samādhi

I experienced a noble, nonworldly joy.
I understood the essential nature of phenomena
And at that time I was healed of my disease. {5}

16.10 “That wise dharmabhān ̣aka bhiksụ was Dīpaṃkara

While he was practicing bodhisattva conduct,
And I was Prince Mati, who was freed from illness
Through the wisdom of the samādhi. {6}

16.11 “Therefore, young man, in the future

Remember past declines like that.
Tolerate the bad things the foolish will say
And keep and recite620 this samādhi. {7}

16.12 “In future time, there will be many bhiksus

̣
Who will be covetous,621 malicious, and without restraint.622
They will enjoy bad actions and be attached to alms bowls and robes,
And they will reject completely this samādhi. {8} [F.53.a]

16.13 “They will be unstable, distracted by their senses, and envious,

Attached to families623 and desiring gain.
They will always be engaged in familiarity with them
And they will reject completely624 this samādhi. {9}

16.14 “They will strike with their hands and feet.

They will always engage in fun and play.
They will embrace each other and hold hands,
And will do other kinds of laypeople’s activities.625 {10}

16.15 “They will have the signs of inappropriate activity.

They will always desire the daughters of others.626
They will be excited and captivated by bodies,
And roam through the villages, towns, and regions. {11}

16.16 “They will always be engaged in eating and drinking,

And similarly in dance, song, and music.
 They will always be dedicated to buying and selling.
Attached to drinking, they will cast aside their shame. {12}

16.17 “They will carry letters, engaging in inappropriate activity,

And likewise discard correct conduct and the pure path.627
They will break the rules through dwelling with families,
And having broken them continue engaging in incorrect conduct. {13}628

16.18 “They will be fraudulent with weights and measures,

Always engaging in actions that the buddhas have rejected.
Through doing those actions that are sinful and defiled,
They will have bad karma and will go to the lower realms. {14}

16.19 “They will enter homelessness, forsaking home,

Conches, gold and jewels, and great wealth;
But having entered homelessness within the Buddha’s teaching,
They will continually engage in bad actions. {15}

16.- “They will see wealth and grain as essential.

20 They will be attached to dairy cows,629 cattle, and carriages.
These people who do not follow the training,
Why will they have shaved their heads? {16}

16.21 “In the past I practiced bodhisattva conduct,

Which was extremely difficult, for thousands of eons.
I did so seeking this samādhi of peace,
But they will laugh when they hear of it. {17}

16.- “For a long time they will lie and will not be celibate.
22 Always enjoying what is harmful, they will descend to the lower realms.
They will hold up the banner of celibacy,
But will have bad conduct and what they teach will not be the Dharma. {18}

16.- “They will be divided against each other.

23 They will yearn for that which is acquired inappropriately.
They will say unpleasant things to each other,
And when they die they will go to the level of the lower existences. {19} [F.53.b]

16.- “It will be hard to find among a hundred, a thousand,630

24 One who has the power of patience.
Therefore there will be many who are deeply involved in quarreling.
They will explain elaborately, having rejected patience. {20}

16.- “They will say the words, ‘I am a bodhisattva,’

25 And those words will spread in every direction.
 They will become conceited631 through their arrogant, false words,632
But how can there be enlightenment for someone whose conduct has gone astray? {21}

16.- “I have never heard of, nor have I seen,

26 Someone whose motivation is not pure
And who has no patience for these phenomena,
Attaining enlightenment after discarding the Dharma. {22}

16.27 “It is through fear and anxiety they will have abandoned their homes
And held firmly to the homeless life.
But having acute desires they will proceed toward destruction,
Forsaking the way of the supreme humans. {23}633

16.- “They will have inferior wisdom and be devoid of good qualities,
28 And they will always be criticizing the supreme yāna.
They will always be talking about the hundreds of faults
Of that in which they have taken refuge. {24}634

16.- “Many will have entered homelessness because they had no livelihood.
29 They will have no wish at all for the enlightenment of buddhahood.
Those foolish ones will maintain the view of a self
And become afraid when they hear of emptiness. {25}

16.- “They will quarrel with each other635

30 And develop intractable evil malice.
They will say unpleasant things to each other
And find great joy in having done bad things. {26}

16.31 “Those who have correct conduct will have good qualities.
They will always remain loving and be skilled in patience.
They will be perfectly gentle, kind, and controlled—
Yet they will be the ones despised at that time. {27}

16.- “Those who have wicked minds,

32 Who are dreadful, and accomplish terrible, very low actions,
Those whose conduct is not that of the Dharma and who enjoy fighting:
They will have offerings made to them at that time. {28}

16.- “I declare this, I know this.

33 Young man, if you have faith in me,
Remember this teaching by the Sugata
And never depend on those others. {29}

16.- “They will have strong desire and strong anger.

34 They will have strong ignorance and be conceited and arrogant.
 They will have unrestrained bodies and unrestrained speech
And unrestrained minds, and will descend to the lower existences. {30} [F.54.a]

16. “I have recited the praises of those qualities

35 But the bhiksus
̣ will not practice these qualities.
Enlightenment is not attained by mere words.
For one who is dedicated to practice, enlightenment will not be difficult to attain.” {31}

16.- Conclusion of the sixteenth chapter, “The Past.”

36
17. Chapter 17

The Entranceway to the Samādhi that is Taught by Many

Buddhas
17.1 When the Bhagavān had finished speaking, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, who
was seated there, in his mind recited this verse to the Bhagavān.636

17.2 “I am going, Tathāgata,637 to the king of mountains,

Grdhrakūt
̣ a,
̣ which is always the residence of the buddhas.
When I have gone there, lamp of the world,638
I will make inconceivable offerings to you.” {i}

17.3 The Bhagavān knew the thoughts that were in the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya’s
mind, and from his own mind sent this verse to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya:

17.4 “Go, Ajita, you who have conquered the māras,639

To the king of mountains where jinas reside.
There you will quickly accomplish
A great unsurpassable benefit for beings.” {ii}

17.5 So the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, having received in his mind that verse from the
Bhagavān, paid homage to the Bhagavān in his mind and, again in his mind,
circumambulated him three times. He then left the assembly and went to Grdhrakūt
̣ a,
̣ the
king of mountains, which has been the residence of countless buddhas, as numerous as
the grains of sand in the ocean, and where there is a great caitya.
17.6 The moment he arrived there, for the enjoyment of the Bhagavān, he magically
transformed the king of mountains to become level and vast, without any tree stumps,
thorns, stones, pebbles, or gravel, and with a surrounding wall made of the seven jewels.
The ground was comprised of countless shining sapphire jewels and was adorned by
divine adornments and jewels, all of them beyond compare, and beautified by an array of
innumerable, different kinds of jewels. All the area was decorated by the clothing of
Tusita
̣ devas, [F.54.b] pervaded by the aroma of incense from a variety of censers,
 adorned by garlands and wreaths, scattered with various flowers; it resounded with the
sound of divine music, was filled with erect and fluttering banners and flags, and over it
canopies were suspended.
17.7 In the center of this area a divine lion throne made from the seven jewels was
emanated. It was draped in cloth that was not woven, and covered with divine clothing
from Tusita
̣ that was as soft and pleasant to the touch as down. A central awning hung
above, and there were two red cushions placed upon it. It was a yojana wide and a yojana
high.
17.8 Its beautiful footstool, made of Jambu River gold, transcended that of humans and
devas. It was covered with a net of strings of pearls, and it was draped in divine, precious
cottons.
17.9 Strung upon the lion throne were strings of divine, precious bells from which came
clear, beautiful, gentle sounds. In all directions there were great shining jewels. And there
was emanated a precious, vast parasol, with a handle made of a great, precious jewel of
stainless beryl.
17.10 The bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya now emanated an inconceivable, adorning array
of various jewels on Grdhrakūt
̣ a,
̣ the king of mountains, and in its entire environs. Then,
in an instant, he returned to the home of the youth Candraprabha.
17.11 Once he was back there, in his mind he paid homage to the Bhagavān, and in his mind
circumambulated him three times. He then sat on his seat.
It was said:

17.12 He manifested the mountain as a divine, vast place

With excellent, beautiful jewel flagstones—
Inconceivable, divine, formed from the mind—
And he placed in the center a precious lion throne. {iii}

17.13 Jinaputra Ajita also manifested

A divine, splendid parasol that emitted delightful sounds
With great shining jewels all around,
And a handle of pure, beautiful beryl. {iv}

17.14 Maitreya, the hero, having emanated

A variety of jewels on the mountain,
And a precious seat that was a krośa in size, [F.55.a]
In one instant returned to the house.640 {v}

17.15 Then the Bhagavān taught the Dharma to the great assembly that was like an ocean. He
inspired them, he filled them with joy, and he guided them. Then he rose from his seat
and departed. And with the miraculous power of a buddha he emerged through
Rājagrha’s
̣ gate of the hot springs and proceeded toward Grdhrakūt
̣ a,
̣ the king of
mountains. When he arrived he went to the site created by Maitreya, and having arrived
there he sat upon the great lion throne that Maitreya had manifested.641
17.16 He was encircled by the assembly of bhiksus,
̣ and the saṅgha of bodhisattvas gazed
upon him from the front. The devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣ gandharvas, asuras, rishis, garūd ̣as,
kiṃnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans paid homage to him. Within the ocean-
like assembly, he taught the Dharma.
17.17 Then the youth Candraprabha arrived together with a hundred thousand quintillion
beings, and many millions of bodhisattva mahāsattvas who had come from other worlds.
They were holding flowers, incense, and garlands; playing musical instruments and
percussion; holding parasols, banners, and divine flags; and holding great garlands as
offerings.
17.18 In order to make this offering to the Bhagavān they left the great city of Rājagrha
̣
through the gateway of peace,642 and went to Grdhrakūt
̣ a,
̣ to the Bhagavān. They bowed
down their heads to the Bhagavān’s feet, circumambulated him three times, made a great
offering to him of flowers, incense, perfume, garlands, ointments, powders, clothes, food,
parasols, banners, and flags, playing music and percussion, and then they sat down in one
place. In order to ask about the Dharma they sat in that place with veneration and with
respect while the youth Candraprabha, kneeling on his right knee, [F.55.b] with palms
placed together, bowed toward the Bhagavān643 and said to him, “If the Bhagavān will
give me an opportunity to seek answers to them, I have a few questions for the Bhagavān,
the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
17.19 The Bhagavān addressed the youth Candraprabha, saying, “Young man, the Bhagavān
will always give you the opportunity. Ask whatever question you wish to the Tathāgata,
the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
17.- The Bhagavān having given him this opportunity, the young man Candraprabha asked,
20 “Bhagavān, it is through possessing what qualities that bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain
the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena?”
The Bhagavān replied to Candraprabha, “Young man, if bodhisattva mahāsattvas
possess four qualities, they will attain the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of
all phenomena.
17.21 “What are those four qualities? Young man, one is that bodhisattva mahāsattvas are
calm, and pleasant company. They have self-restraint, and have attained a level of self-
restraint such that when others abuse them or insult them, they will be patient with the
abuse and the insults that are spoken, for it is their nature to have endurance; they have
the view of karma, have overcome pride, and their desire is for the Dharma. Young man,
if bodhisattva mahāsattvas have this first quality, they will attain this samādhi.644
17.22 “Another, young man, is that bodhisattva mahāsattvas have correct conduct. They have
pure conduct, conduct that is not impaired, conduct that is free of faults, conduct that is
unshakable, conduct that is unstained, conduct that has not declined, conduct that is
unattached, [F.56.a] conduct that is inviolate, conduct that is beyond conceptualization,
conduct that is praised by the āryas, and conduct that is praised by the wise. Young man,
if bodhisattva mahāsattvas have these two qualities, they will attain this samādhi.645
17.23 “Another, young man, is that bodhisattva mahāsattvas are frightened of the three
realms. They are terrified of them, saddened by them,646 do not value them, take no
delight in them,647 and have no attachment or clinging to them.648 Because they are
distressed by the three realms they are dedicated to the thought, ‘I shall deliver other
beings from their suffering, to somewhere other than the three realms!’ and they thus
proceed to the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. Young man,
bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have these three qualities will attain this samādhi.649
17.24 “Moreover, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas have faith.650 They insatiably seek the
Dharma. They listen to many teachings. They have confidence. They long for the Dharma.
They are devoted to the Dharma. They are not devoted to obtaining material gain or
honors. They are not devoted to attaining success through knowledge. They think first of
what will benefit others, and they teach and explain extensively to others the Dharma that
they have received. They have no desire for material gain through their reputation. They
think, ‘If these beings can hear this Dharma then they will proceed irreversibly to the
highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.’651 Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who have these four qualities will attain this samādhi.
17.25 “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have these four qualities will attain the
samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena, and they will quickly
attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.
17.26 “Young man, the samādhi has been taught through this Dharma discourse by many
buddhas, has been commended by many buddhas, [F.56.b] has been explained by many
buddhas, and has been praised652 by many buddhas.
17.27 “Young man, I have entered homelessness in the presence of many buddha bhagavāns.
I heard extensively from them this samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena. I obtained it, asked questions about it, preserved it, recited it to others,
promoted it, meditated on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgated it,653 and made
it widely known to others.”654
17.- Thereupon the Bhagavān taught extensively in verse what he had previously said about
28 the samādhi doorway taught by many buddhas.

17.29 “I remember countless, innumerable eons ago

There was a jina named Svarāṅgaghosa.
̣
Tathāgata Svarāṅgaghosạ
Had a lifespan of six thousand years. {1}

17.- “After him there was a buddha,

30 A supreme man named Jñāneśvara.
Jñāneśvara, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of twelve thousand years. {2}

17.31 “After Jñāneśvara there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Tejeśvara.
Tejeśvara, highest of humans,
 Had a lifespan of sixty-seven thousand years. {3}

17.32 “After Tejeśvara there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Matīśvara.
Matīśvara, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of ten million years. {4}

17.33 “After Matīśvara there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Brahmeśvara.
Brahmeśvara, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of fourteen thousand years.655 {5}

17.34 “After Brahmeśvara there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Agnīśvara.656
Agnīśvara, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of seventy-six thousand years. {6}

17.35 “After Agnīśvara there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Brahmānana.
Brahmānana, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of seven days. {7}

17.36 “After Brahmānana there was a buddha, [F.57.a]

A jina who was named Gan ̣eśvara.
Gan ̣eśvara, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of a full ten million years.657 {8}

17.37 “After Gan ̣eśvara there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Ghoseśvara.
̣
Ghoseśvara,
̣ highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of ninety million years. {9}

17.- “After Ghoseśvara

̣ there was a buddha,
38 A jina who was named Ghosānana.
̣
Ghosānana,
̣ highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of a hundred million years. {10}

17.39 “After Ghosānana

̣ there was a buddha,
A jina who was named Candrānana.
Candrānana, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of one day.658 {11}

17.- “After Candrānana there was a buddha,

40 A jina who was named Sūryānana.
Sūryānana, highest of humans,
 Had a lifespan of eighteen thousand years. {12}

17.41 “After Sūryānana there was a buddha,

Another jina who was named Brahmānana.
Brahmānana, highest of humans, [DP.138]
Had a lifespan of twenty thousand years.659 {13}

17.42 “After Brahmānana there was a buddha,

A jina who was named Brahmaśrava.
Brahmaśrava, highest of humans,
Had a lifespan of eighteen thousand years. {14}

17.43 “In one eon these buddhas appeared

Among two hundred guides of the world.
Listen as I shall proclaim the names
Of these invincible tathāgatas:660 {15}

17.44 “Anantaghosạ and Vighusṭ aghos

̣ a,
̣
Vighusṭ atejas
̣ and Vighusṭ aśabda,
̣
Svarāvighusṭ ạ and Svarārcita,
Svarāṅgaśūra and Svarāṅgaśabda, {16}

17.45 “Jñānābala and Jñānaviśesaga,

̣
Jñānābhibhū and Jñānasamudgata,
Jñānārcimat and Jñānābhyudgata,
Vighusṭ ajñāna
̣ and likewise Jñānaśūra, {17}

17.46 “Brahmābala, Brahmavasu, Subrahma,

Brahmādeva661 and similarly Brahmaghosa,
̣
Brahmeśvara, Brahmanarendranetra, [F.57.b]
Brahmasvarāṅga, Brahmadatta,662 {18}

17.47 “Tejobala, Tejavati, Sutejas,

Tejeśvara and Tejasamudrata,
Tejovibhu and Tejaviniścita,
Tejasvarendra and Suvighusṭ atejas,
̣ {19}

17.- “Bhīsmabala,
̣ Bhīsmamati,
̣ Subhīsma,
̣
48 Bhīsmānana
̣ and Bhīsmasamudgata,
̣
Bhīsmārci,
̣ Bhīsmottara,
̣ and Bhīsmaghos
̣ a—
̣
These jinas were guides of the world. {20}

17.49 “Gambhīraghosạ and Śiridhāran ̣a,

Viśuddhaghoseśvara,
̣ ̣ 663
Śuddhaghosa,
Anantaghosa,
̣ Suvimuktaghosa,
̣
 Mārabala664 and Māravitrāsana, {21}

17.50 “Sunetra, Śuddhānana, Netraśuddha,

Viśuddhanetra and Anantanetra,
Samantanetra and Vighusṭ anetra,
̣
Netrābhibhu, Netrānindita, {22}

17.51 “Dāntottara, Dānta, Sudāntacitta,

Sudānta, Śāntendriya, Śāntamānasa,
Śāntottara, Śāntaśirin, Praśānta,
Śāntīyapāraṃgata and Śāntiśūra, {23}

17.52 “Sthitottara, Śānta, Sudāntacitta,

Sudānta, Śāntendriya, Śāntamānasa,
Śāntottara, Śāntaśriyajvalanta,
Śānta, Praśānteśvara, Śāntiśūra,665 {24}

17.53 “Gan ̣endra, Gan ̣amukhya, and Gan ̣eśvara,

Gan ̣ābhibhu, Gan ̣ivara, Śuddhajñānin,
Mahāgan ̣endra and Gan ̣endraśūra,
And also Gan ̣ivarapramocaka, {25}

17.54 “Dharmadhvaja and similarly Dharmaketu,

Dharmottara, Dharmasvabhāvodgata,
Dharmabala and Sudharmaśūra,
And Svabhāvadharmottaraniścita. {26}

17.55 “Also there were eight hundred million with the same name
Of Svabhāvadharmottaraniścita.
These are the guides that appeared in two eons.
I made offerings to them for the sake of enlightenment. {27}

17.56 “Whoever hears the name of those jinas,

Svabhāvadharmottaraniścita,
And having heard it remembers that renowned name, [F.58.a]
They will quickly attain this samādhi.” {28} [B6]

17.57 Then the Bhagavān, through many verses, taught extensively to the youth Candraprabha
the samādhi entranceway accomplished by many buddhas in the past.666

17.58 “After inconceivable, countless eons

Following these buddhas,
There was a buddha named Narendraghosa,
̣
To whom humans and devas made offerings. {29}
17.59 “Tathāgata Narendraghosạ
Lived for seventy-six thousand years,
And three billion śrāvakas
Gathered for his first assembly. {30}

17.- “At that time he had a shining saṅgha

60 Of those who had the six higher cognitions, the three knowledges,
Subdued senses, great powers, great miracles,
The cessation of outflows, and who were in their last bodies. {31}

17.61 “There was a saṅgha of bodhisattvas

Who numbered eight thousand quintillion.
They had profound understanding, fearlessness,667
Great powers, and great miracles. {32}

17.62 “They had attained the higher cognitions, eloquence,

And they had realized emptiness in everything.
They miraculously went to millions of realms
And to even more, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. {33}

17.63 “They came into the presence of that jina

And addressed questions to that supreme human.
They were accomplished in the sūtras and skilled in definitions.
They were shining and moved upon the earth. {34}

17.64 “They performed bodhisattva conduct for the benefit of beings.

They were powerful sons of the Sugata.
They performed no bad actions through desire,
And toward them even the devas developed aspirations. {35}

17.65 “They had no longings and were detached from the realms of existence.
They were in meditation, the field of experience of remaining in dhyāna.
They had certainty in the true meaning, and were fearless.
They maintained celibacy and were free of defilement. {36}

17.66 “They had the confident eloquence of unceasing speech.

They were skilled in the meaning of the words and the teaching of definitions.
They were the sons of the Buddha who taught everywhere,
And they perfectly possessed good karma. {37}

17.67 “They maintained superior conduct throughout an infinity of eons; [F.58.b]

They were always praised and extolled by the guides.
They taught the words and meaning of liberation.
They had perfectly pure conduct free of kleśas. {38}
17.- “They were as unstained as a lotus by water.
68 They were liberated from the three realms, and were vigilant.
They were unstained by the eight worldly concerns.
They had pure bodies and pure actions. {39}

17.69 “They had contentment, great power, and few desires.

They were free of grasping and are established in buddha qualities.
They were a refuge and friend for all classes of beings.
They considered practice, not words, as the essence. {40}

17.70 “Wherever they dwelt, there they taught others.

They were adopted by all the buddhas.
They were trustworthy holders of the treasure of the jinas.
They were terrified of the entire three realms.668 {41}

17.71 “Their minds were at peace, they always had the conduct of protectors,
And they were blessed by the guides of the world.
They taught ten thousand million sūtras,
And the buddhas praised their teachings. {42}

17.72 “They had forsaken all worldly words.669

They aspired to emptiness and taught the ultimate.
They were like an ocean of good qualities; there was no end to their being praised.
Their learning was vast; they were wise and endowed with knowledge. {43}

17.73 “If a young man were to recite their praises

Continuously for many millions of eons
He would have only uttered a small amount,
Like a drop of water from an ocean. {44}

17.74 “At that time Narendraghosạ

Taught this samādhi of peace, which is difficult to see.
This universe of a thousand million worlds
Was filled with devas and nāgas. {45}

17.75 “When he taught this samādhi of peace

The ground shook in six ways.
Devas and humans as numerous as the Ganges sands
Became irreversible within the buddha’s wisdom. {46}

17.76 “There was a human king, a sovereign

Named Śirībala, who was very powerful.
He had five hundred sons
Who were handsome and attractive to the sight. {47}
17.77 “The king had a harem
Of eighty thousand million women.
The king had daughters [F.59.a]
Who numbered a full four hundred billion. {48}

17.78 “He took the eight posadha

̣ vows
On the full moon day of the Kārtika month,
And with the eighty thousand million others
He came before the Lord of the World. {49}

17.79 “The king bowed down to the feet of the supreme human
And sat down before the Jina.
The supreme human knew the king’s aspiration
And he taught this samādhi. {50}

17.- “When the king had heard this samādhi

80 He abandoned his kingdom as if it were spittle.
He renounced his beloved family and kinsmen
And entered homelessness in that jina’s teaching. {51}

17.81 “His five hundred sons entered homelessness,

And also his harem and his daughters,
And also his other relatives,
Numbering seventy-five quintillion. {52}

17.- “Having entered homelessness along with his children and wives,
82 He kept to the station of acquiring alms food670
And steadfastly wandered in this way for eight years.
While remaining671 in wandering his life came to an end. {53}

17.- “His life having ended, that preeminent king,672

83 Being always perfectly focused on a samādhi mind,
Was reborn into a king’s family,
Appearing miraculously, unstained by a womb. {54}

17.- “Drḍ ̣habala was his father’s name.

84 And his mother’s name was Mahāmatī.
As soon as he was born, the prince asked,
‘Is the Lord of the World present? {55}

17.85 “ ‘The Lord of the World, who knows my mind,

Taught to me the samādhi of peace. [143]
It has no causal factors, is free of causal factors,
And is the one teaching for beings in existence. {56}
17.- “ ‘It is the seal of the nature of all phenomena.
86 It is the transmission of a quintillion sūtras.
It is the unsurpassable wealth of the bodhisattvas.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {57}

17.87 “ ‘It is the purity of the body, the purity of speech,

The purity of the mind, and the purity of view.
It transcends all objects of the mind.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {58}

17.- “ ‘The result of this Dharma teaching is imperishable.

88 It is the meditation of the supreme eightfold path.
It is the sharp wisdom of the congregation of the tathāgatas. [F.59.b]
It is entering truth and constant knowledge of the Dharma.673 {59}

17.- “ ‘It is understanding the skandhas, the equality of the dhātus,

89 And the complete elimination of the āyatanas.
It is the direct perception of birthlessness.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {60}

17.- “ ‘It is discernment, the wisdom that enters peace.674

90 It is the knowledge of the different categories of all letters.
It is transcending focusing upon the material.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {61}

17.91 “ ‘It is the comprehension of all sounds, and the attainment of joy.
It is the enjoyment of praising the sugatas.
It is the kindness and honesty that is the way of the āryas.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {62}

17.92 “ ‘It is being pleasant and never frowning.

It is being friendly and gentle with a smiling face.
It is being first to speak on seeing beings.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {63}

17.93 “ ‘It is being without laziness and respecting the gurus.

It is being reverential, paying homage, and being pleasant to see.
It is being content with whatever arises, and virtuous.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {64}

17.94 “ ‘It is having a pure livelihood and dwelling in solitary places.675

It is maintaining the disciplines of mendicancy with no loss of mindfulness.
It is being adept in the āyatanas and in the dhātus.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {65}
17.95 “ ‘It is skill in the āyatanas, and the knowledge of the higher cognitions;
It is the elimination of the kleśas, and the level of self-subjugation.
It is the termination676 of all the multitudes of mantras.677
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {66}

17.96 “ ‘It transcends all the states of being in existence.

It is remembering previous lives and having no doubt in the Dharma.
It is aspiring to the Dharma and seeking to hear it.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi?678 {67}

17.97 “ ‘It is a special attainment, being always engaged in meditation.

It is the knowledge of downfalls and remaining in emancipation.679
It is the elimination of propensities through remaining in that emancipation.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi?680 {68}

17.- “ ‘It is the attainment of the perfection of sharp wisdom.

98 It is being as unwavering and unshakable as a mountain.
It is the dhāran ̣ī entranceway that has the characteristic of irreversibility.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {69}

17.99 “ ‘It is always longing for good qualities. [F.60.a]

It is always681 avoiding bad qualities.
It is never going to the side of the kleśas.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {70}

17.- “ ‘The one who is wise in mastering682 all training,

100 The one who has mastered remaining in samādhi,
The one who inspires beings through knowing their thoughts
Teaches the Dharma for the supreme enlightenment of buddhahood. {71}

17.- “ ‘It is unique knowledge, the knowledge of births.

101 It is infinite knowledge, completely perfect knowledge.
It is the knowledge of the transition between all existences.
Does the Jina teach this samādhi? {72}

17.- “ ‘Abandoning home, aspiring to mendicancy,

102 Finding no joy in the three realms, having no grasping,
And rejoicing in controlling the mind:
The supreme human teaches that Dharma. {73}

17.- “ ‘Having no attachment for phenomena,

103 Always grasping the supreme Dharma,
And having a stable aspiration for the ripening of karma:
The supreme human teaches that Dharma. {74}
17.- “ ‘Skill in the vinaya, knowledge of the ripening of karma,
104 The pacification of conflict and quarrels,
Freedom from discord, the level that is free of quarrels:
The supreme human teaches that Dharma. {75}

17.- “ ‘Having complete patience, never having anger,

105 Always having skill and certainty in the Dharma,
Distinguishing between words and having the insight of wisdom:
Having developed compassion, he teaches that Dharma. {76}

17.- “ ‘He has taught the knowledge of the past, knowledge of the future,
106 The equality of the three times in the teaching of the sugatas,
And the cessation of the three aspects of an action:
That is what the Jina, the Lord of the Dharma, teaches. {77}

17.- “ ‘The mind’s perfect stability and one-pointedness,

107 The body’s perfect stability as on the level of the āryas,
And at all times guarding the conduct of a mendicant:
That is the Dharma that the sage, the preeminent human, teaches. {78}

17.- “ ‘A pleasing sense of modesty and self-respect,

108 Speaking appropriate words, knowledge of the world,
The origination of phenomena, and the nature of beings:
He teaches that Dharma of the supreme, perfect enlightenment. {79}

17.- “ ‘Benefiting and having a sense of modesty,

109 Abhorring the wickedness of the mind, [F.60.b]
Never abandoning the mendicant’s discipline, and begging for alms:
That is the Dharma that the supreme human teaches. {80}

17.- “ ‘Always maintaining a sense of modesty and self-respect,

110 Speaking reverently to the guru and rising to greet him,
Having overcome pride from the beginning:
That is what the Jina, the Lord of the Dharma, teaches. {81}

17.- “ ‘That which arises from the mind is the goodness of the mind;
111 There is wisdom’s discrimination, and thus realization,
And the region of ignorance is always avoided:
He teaches that Dharma of supreme, perfect enlightenment. {82}

17.- “ ‘There is understanding of the mind, the knowledge of words,

112 Being established in definitions, with certainty of meanings,
And all that is meaningless683 is always avoided:
That is what the Jina, the Lord of the Dharma, teaches. {83}
17.- “ ‘Always associating with good persons
113 And always avoiding bad persons,
And always being attracted to and delighting in the Jina:
That is the supreme Dharma that the Jina teaches. {84}

17.- “ ‘The description of designations and appellations,684

114 The continual avoidance of the suffering of saṃsāra,
And indifference to whether there is gain or no gain:
That is the supreme Dharma that the Jina teaches. {85}

17.- “ ‘There is no amazement if honors are gained,

115 There is equanimity when there are no honors,
And there is never pride when there are praises:
This is nature of the teaching that benefits the world. {86}

17.- “ ‘All abuse and disgrace is endured,

116 There is no association with any householder,
And there is no mingling with homeless mendicants:685
That is what the Jina, the Lord of the Dharma, teaches. {87}

17.- “ ‘Remaining in the Buddha’s scope of conduct,

117 Rejecting all that is not that conduct,
And having perfect conduct and a well-controlled mind:
That is the way of the Dharma that the Sugata teaches. {88}

17.- “ ‘Always rejecting the dharma of the foolish,

118 Rejecting all that disgraces the family of the Buddha,
Always protecting the teaching of the Buddha:
That is what the Jina, the Lord of the Dharma, teaches. {89}

17.- “ ‘Speaking little, pleasantly, and articulately,

119 Speaking good and gentle words to others,
Subjugating adversaries through the Dharma:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {90}

17.- “ ‘Arriving at the right time, and not the wrong time, [F.61.a]
120 Never depending on any ordinary being,
Not being saddened on encountering suffering:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {91}

17.- “ ‘When seeing the poor, bringing them wealth;

121 When seeing those with bad conduct, feeling compassion;
Always teaching those things that are beneficial:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {92}
17.- “ ‘Benefiting beings through the Dharma,
122 Always giving away worldly material things,
Never accumulating, never amassing:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {93}

17.- “ ‘Praising correct conduct and condemning bad conduct,

123 Being free of dishonesty and relying on those with correct conduct,
Giving away one’s possessions and not relying on wealth:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {94}

17.- “ ‘Providing for the guru with a higher motivation,

124 Doing all that he has told one to do,
Never ceasing from serving the dharmabhān ̣aka:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {95}

17.- “ ‘Always being respectful and delighted,

125 Remaining continually in a peaceful view,
Always being sure of one’s past conduct:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {96}

17.- “ ‘Always following those with correct conduct,

126 With skillful methods shunning686 concepts,
Repelling identification and the characteristics of things:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {97}

17.- “ ‘Being skilled in the words produced within the sūtras,

127 Having certainty in the words that teach the truth,
The manifestation of the wisdom of liberation:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {98}

17.- “ ‘Speaking words that are never contradictory,

128 Skillful in the certainty of what is taught,687
And using words that will not be doubted:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching.688 {i}

17.- “ ‘Always relying on the Dharma of emptiness,

129 Maintaining fearlessly the power of correct conduct,
And applying equality through remaining in samādhi:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {99}

17.- “ ‘Not wishing to attain intellectual knowledge,

130 Keeping the mind free from hypocrisy,
And rejecting the creation of any view:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {100} [F.61.b]
17.- “ ‘Supreme confidence in speech and sublime retention,
131 The limitless radiance of wisdom,
And correct eloquence with the power of mantra:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {101}

17.- “ ‘Meditation on the path through this doorway of correct conduct,689

132 Excellent practice, instruction, and conduct,690
And teaching that follows practicing the teaching:691
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {102}

17.- “ ‘The appropriate patience that is praised by the buddhas,

133 The maintenance of patience that avoids bad actions,
And eliminating ignorance by being established in knowledge:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {103}

17.- “ ‘The level of yoga692 that is based upon wisdom,

134 The mastery of yoga through entering enlightenment,
The continual reliance on good beings:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {104}

17.- “ ‘It is the constant avoidance of unrestrained practitioners,693

135 It is the level of buddhahood taught by tathāgatas,
And it is rejoiced in by all who are wise:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {105}

17.- “ ‘It is rejected by the foolish and ignorant.

136 It is not the level694 of the numerous śrāvakas,695
And it is always obtained by the bodhisattvas:
That is the nature of the Jina’s teaching. {106}

17.- “ ‘It is realized696 by the tathāgatas.

137 It is offered to and honored by the devas.
It is rejoiced in by a hundred billion Brahmās.
Is the Jina teaching this samādhi? {107}

17.- “ ‘Thousands of nāgas always pay homage to it,

138 And so do garūd ̣as, yaksas,
̣ and kiṃnaras.
It is the supreme enlightenment taught by the Jina.
Is the Jina teaching this samādhi? {108}

17.- “ ‘It is always obtained by those who are wise.

139 It is the perfect attainment of the best, supreme wealth.
It is the supreme nonmaterial medicine of wisdom.
Is the Jina teaching this samādhi? {109}
17.- “ ‘It is wisdom’s treasure of unceasing eloquence.
140 Ten million sūtras are contained within it.
It is accurate knowledge, the complete knowledge of the three realms.
Is the Jina teaching this samādhi? {110}

17.- “ ‘It is a boat that crosses to the other shore,

141 It is a ship that crosses a great river, [F.62.a]
And it increases fame and garlands of praises
For those to whom this samādhi of peace is taught. {111}

17.- “ ‘Those who teach this samādhi of peace

142 Are praised by all the tathāgatas,
Extolled by the chiefs among humans,
And unceasingly commended by bodhisattvas. {112}

17.- “ ‘It is the teaching of love to end bad actions.

143 It is the level of compassion’s equanimity.
It is the comfort of the greatly famed ones697
For the ones to whom this samādhi is taught. {113}

17.- “ ‘It is the practice of the teaching of the lion’s roar.

144 It originates from the supreme wisdom of buddhahood.
It is the seal of the nature of all phenomena.
This is the samādhi taught by the guides. {114}

17.- “ ‘It brings the attainment of omniscient wisdom,

145 It is the conduct of those established in enlightenment,
And it also terrifies the army of the māras.
This is the samādhi of peace taught by the Jina. {115}

17.- “ ‘This knowledge698 is the protection that is based in the Dharma.

146 It is the supreme protection in the midst of enemies.
It is the subjugation of adversaries through the Dharma:
This is the samādhi of peace taught by the Jina.699 {116}

17.- “ ‘This is the teaching of the level of eloquence.

147 It is the strengths, the liberations, and likewise the powers,
And it is the eighteen unique qualities of a buddha:
That is the practice of this samādhi, this peace. {117}

17.- “ ‘It is seeking the ten strengths,

148 It is the omen of the coming of buddha wisdom,
It is the buddhadharma taught by the supreme being,
And it is the teaching that compassionately benefits the world. {118}
17.- “ ‘It is possessed by the sons of the buddhas.
149 It is the path taught for those who seek enlightenment.
It is rejoiced in by the offspring of the sugatas
When they hear this samādhi of peace that is difficult to see. {119}

17.- “ ‘It is the complete wisdom of buddhahood.

150 It is what the wise bodhisattva seeks.
One with a pure mind, clear and unblemished,700
Practices the peace of this samādhi. {120}

17.- “ ‘One who has a pure body like that of the jinas,
151 Who has the knowledge of liberation, the vision of liberation,
And who is never afflicted by the bondage of desire,
Practices this excellent samādhi. {121} [F.62.b]

17.- “ ‘One who is not on the level of anger and is free of ignorance,
152 In whom wisdom has arisen701 and who seeks liberation,702
In whom knowledge has developed and ignorance is destroyed,
Practices the peace of this samādhi. {122}

17.- “ ‘This samādhi of peace is taught to the meditator

153 For whom liberation is central, and is fulfilled by this teaching.
The one with the sight of the faultless buddhas
Practices the peace of this samādhi. {123}

17.- “ ‘The clairvoyance that reveals many realms,

154 The miraculous powers that reveal infinite buddhas,
And dhāran ̣ī is also not difficult to attain
For the one who practices this samādhi. {124}

17.- “ ‘The senses are pacified in this state of enlightenment.

155 There is the revelation of infinite blessings,
And subtle, vast, and pure wisdom
For the one who practices this samādhi. {125}

17.- “ ‘For the one who has not heard this samādhi of peace,
156 Practice without self-restraint will bring no realization,
And as all the words will have been subverted,
No understanding will be possible from speech. {126}

17.- “ ‘This is known by wise bodhisattvas

157 Just as taught by the Lord of Dharma.
There is faultless realization of peace
For the one who practices this samādhi. {127}
17.- “ ‘For the one who practices this samādhi
158 With diligent application, having possession of it,
Constantly serving it, and perfectly keeping it,
There will be cessation of suffering and the end of rebirth. {128}

17.- “ ‘It has been taught that all phenomena are birthless,
159 As are all the existences of beings.
Is the Jina teaching this samādhi
Of the greatly famous, supremely wise buddhas?’ {129}

17.- “A full eighty-eight trillion beings

160 Heard these verses recited by the prince,
Attained the patience that corresponded to those words,
And were established in irreversible progress toward buddha wisdom. {130}

17.- “Drḍ ̣habala said to the prince,

161 ‘The Lord of the World is still present.
I have a question for you, my son:
Where did you hear of this samādhi?’ {131}

17.- “The prince said to the king, ‘Listen! [F.63.a]

162 During one eon I have seen
A quintillion buddhas, honored them all,
And asked them for this samādhi of peace. {132}

17.- “ ‘And for another ninety-four703 eons,

163 And for a thousand quintillion eons,
I remember all my births wherever they were,
And I was never born from a womb. {133}

17.- “ ‘Then I meditated upon this samādhi.

164 I listened correctly to the teaching of those jinas.
Having heard it I had longing for what had been described.
Free from uncertainty I embraced enlightenment. {134}

17.- “ ‘I questioned whatever bhiksus

̣
165 Had understood this samādhi.
I venerated them respectfully
As if they were benefactors of the world. {135}

17.- “ ‘When I received even one verse from them

166 I practiced that teaching properly
And considered them to be teachers,
Venerating them with the respect shown to buddhas. {136}
17.- “ ‘Whenever someone questioned me
167 About my understanding of this samādhi,
Even in dreams I had no doubts
That I would become a jina, a guide of the world. {137}

17.- “ ‘I respectfully attended

168 To senior, middle, and junior bhiksus.
̣
With that respect my renown increased,
As did my merit, fame, and qualities.704 {138}

17.- “ ‘I had no desire for conflict or quarrels.

169 At that time, I had few desires.
Those who do bad actions are reborn in certain existences.
Those who do good actions are reborn in other existences. {139}

17.- “ ‘One hears unpleasant words from those

170 Who, without restraint, act inappropriately.
At that time I became the lord of my own actions.
The karma that is created is never lost. {140}

17.- “ ‘I did not at that time become absorbed in anger.

171 I maintained the power of patience, which is praised by the buddhas.
The guides have always praised patience;
Attaining enlightenment is not difficult for those who practice patience. {141}

17.- “ ‘I continually had correct conduct

172 And established others in correct conduct.
I always spoke the praises of correct conduct, [F.63.b]
And what I spoke at that time was praiseworthy. {142}

17.- “ ‘I was always speaking the praises of solitude.

173 I always maintained correct conduct.
I established others in the posadha
̣ vows
And I introduced them to enlightenment. {143}

17.- “ ‘I established them in celibacy,

174 I introduced them to the meaning of the Dharma,
And I awoke them to the path to enlightenment,
For which they had endless devotion.705 {144}

17.- “ ‘I remember an eon in the past

175 ̣ 706
When there was the jina Svarāṅgaghosa.
I took a vow in his presence
To have the power of patience at all times. {145}
17.- “ ‘I remained faithful to that vow
176 For eight hundred and forty million years.
Although Māra reviled and abused me,
My mind remained unshakable. {146}

17.- “ ‘Māra put me to the test,

177 And discovered my love and patience to be enduring.
And with faith707 he bowed down to my feet,
And I established five hundred beings on the path to supreme enlightenment. {147}

17.- “ ‘At all times I was free of avarice

178 And always praised generosity.
I became wealthy, possessing many riches
And was a benefactor in times of famine. {148}

17.- “ ‘I pay homage to any monks

179 Who possess this samādhi,
Who recite it and teach it.
They all become supreme men. {149}

17.- “ ‘Because of that unsurpassable karma

180 I saw many buddhas, many lords of the world.
I entered into homelessness in the teachings of those jinas
And I always became a wise dharmabhān ̣aka. {150}

17.- “ ‘I was always engaged in the discipline of a mendicant.

181 I always remained in the solitude of forests.
I never gave the appearance of spirituality in order to obtain food.
I was content with whatever I obtained. {151}

17.- “ ‘At all times I was free of envy.

182 I had no attachment to a family.
Attachment to family causes envy.
Without envy I remained in the pleasant forests. {152}

17.- “ ‘At all times I had loving-kindness. [F.64.a]

183 When I was abused I did not become angry.
As I was always kind, the garland of fame
Of my compassion spread in the four directions. {153}

17.- “ ‘I was always content, with few desires.

184 I was dedicated to mendicancy in solitary places.
I never abandoned begging for alms.
I remained unwaveringly committed to mendicancy. {154}
17.- “ ‘I always had faith and belief.
185 I always had great belief in the Buddha’s teaching.
I obtained many benefits from having belief.
I became attractive with faultless faculties. {155}

17.- “ ‘I practiced whatever I taught.

186 I always valued practice above all else.
As I valued practice above all else,
Devas and nāgas believed in me and honored me. {156}

17.- “ ‘There are also numerous other qualities,

187 Other than these that I have described.
They should always be trained in by the wise ones
Who wish for the enlightenment of buddhahood. {157}

17.- “ ‘I remember the greatest number of hardships

188 That I practiced through numerous eons,708
So numerous709 I am unable to describe them.710
I will now go711 into the presence of the Sugata.’ {158}

17.- “That wise bodhisattva with sharp wisdom

189 At that moment attained the five higher cognitions.
Through miraculous power he came before the Jina,
Accompanied by eight hundred million beings. {159}

17.- “Drḍ ̣habala was extremely pleased,

190 And, accompanied by one billion six hundred million beings,
He came into the presence of the Buddha,
Bowed down to his feet, and sat before him. {160}

17.- “Knowing the aspiration of that king,

191 The Lord of humans taught this samādhi.
When the king had heard that samādhi
He renounced his kingdom and entered homelessness. {161}

17.- “Homeless, he meditated on this samādhi,

192 And he recited it and taught it.
After sixty eons had passed
He became a jina named Padmottara. {162}

17.- “The one billion six hundred million beings

193 Who had come with the king into the presence of the Jina
Also heard this samādhi, [F.64.b]
And with the highest joy they entered homelessness. {163}
17.- “Homeless, they possessed this samādhi,
194 And recited it and taught it.
After six trillion eons had passed
They all reached supreme enlightenment in the same eon. {164}

17.- “They all had the name Anantajñānanottara.

195 They were buddhas to whom devas and humans made offerings.
Each of those supreme humans liberated as many beings
As there are grains of sand in the Ganges. {165}

17.- “I was King Śirībala.712

196 The practitioners of this supreme bodhisattva conduct,
Those who were my five hundred sons,
Are these guardians of the Dharma. {166}

17.- “The one who was my mother

197 Was Māyādevī713 in this time.
My four hundred billion daughters
All entered nirvān ̣a. 714 {166b}

17.- “The king who was named Drḍ ̣habala,

198 The powerful cakravartin with many treasures,
Became King Śuddhodana715 in this age,
And has been my father in various lifetimes.716 {166c}

17.- “Thus have I for ten billion eons

199 Exercised diligence that is free of laziness.
The pure yearning for this samādhi
Brings the accomplishment of supreme enlightenment. {167}

17.- “Therefore, young man, those bodhisattvas

200 Who wish to meditate717 on this samādhi
Should exercise diligence, regardless of risks to their lives,
And always follow, young man, my example.” {168}

17.- Conclusion of the seventeenth chapter, “The Entranceway to the Samādhi that is Taught
201 by Many Buddhas.” 718
18. Chapter 18

The Entrustment of the Samādhi

18.1 The Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, in that way know that there
are four beneficial qualities possessed by bodhisattva mahāsattvas who obtain this
samādhi, understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it,
and make it widely known to others.
18.2 “What are those four beneficial qualities? They will be unsurpassable in merit, they will
be undefeatable by opponents, they will have unlimited wisdom, and they will have
unending confidence of speech.
18.3 Young man, you should know719 that bodhisattva mahāsattvas [F.65.a] who obtain this
samādhi, study it, keep it, read it out loud, disseminate it, teach it, chant it, and make it
widely known to others will possess these four beneficial qualities.”
The Bhagavān then recited these verses:

18.4 “Throughout time they will be

Unsurpassable in merit
Through attaining this samādhi of peace.
That is the range of activity of all the buddhas. {1}

18.5 “Throughout time these heroes

Will be protected by merit,
Practicing supreme, pure,
Unique bodhisattva conduct. {2}

18.6 “There will be no adversary

Whatsoever who can harm them.
They will, throughout time,
Be in the care of the buddhas. {3}

18.7 “Throughout time their wisdom

Will be immeasurable.
Their confidence will be eternal
 Through their possessing this state of peace. {4}

18.8 “They will have an eternally unsurpassable accumulation of merit.

They will have most excellent bodhisattva conduct.
They will not be attacked by adversaries,
Having come into possession of this samādhi of supreme peace. {5}

18.9 “They will have vast and sharp wisdom

And thus will have eternal confidence and pure sight.
Those wise ones will always have
The power of memory and the power of retention. {6}

18.10 “The meaningful words that they teach

Will be most beautiful to the minds of the wise.
Many beings with wisdom will know
This supreme peaceful samādhi that is taught. {7}

18.11 “They will obtain perfect, excellent Dharma robes,

Bedding, invitations, and hard and soft food.
The ones who possess this supreme samādhi of peace
Will be very youthful and handsome. {8}

18.12 “They will see many buddhas, lords of worlds,

And make unequaled offerings to those guides.
In seeking this supreme samādhi of peace
They will encounter no impediment. {9}

18.13 “They will be in the presence of the lords of worlds

And made happy by hundreds of beautiful verses. [F.65.b]
Having gained this supreme samādhi of peace
They will never experience decline. {10}

18.14 “A Lord of the World will be present before them

With the beautiful primary and secondary signs of the body.
Having gained this supreme samādhi of peace
There will be no decline in their wisdom. {11}

18.15 “They will never be disheartened.

They will always be wealthy and never poor.
Having gained this supreme samādhi of peace
There will be no attachment in their mind. {12}

18.16 “They will never have an unfavorable existence.

They will be world rulers, cakravartin kings.
Having gained this supreme samādhi of peace
 Their kingdoms will always be happy. {13}

18.17 “They will have vast wisdom free of uncertainty

Through unceasing teachings for hundreds of eons.
Having heard this samādhi, this level of peace,
Constant, they will follow whatever has been taught. {14}

18.18 “Though one were to describe the benefits of the ten strengths
Throughout countless, endless millions of eons,
One would not have spoken of even a fraction of them.
It would be like taking a drop of water from the ocean.” {15}

18.19 At that time the young man, with great joy,

Stood up and paid homage with his palms together.
Joyfully standing before the one with the ten strengths
He uttered these inspired words: {16}

18.- “Inconceivable great hero,

20 Lord of the World, illuminator,
These benefits have been taught to me
By you, the Lord of humans. {17}

18.21 “Compassionate one who wishes to bring benefit,

Great hero, pray tell me,
Who, in the future,
Will listen to this samādhi?” {18}

18.- The one with a voice like the avadavat’s song,

22 The Teacher who had taught this to him,
The Bhagavān, who had unimpeded wisdom,
Answered him with these words: {19}

18.- “Listen, young man, and I will explain

23 That which is the highest practice.
Those who follow the Dharma
Will be the ones who listens to this sūtra. {20}

18.- “They will make offerings to the lords of humans;

24 They will seek the wisdom of buddhahood.
Developing a loving mind,
They will listen to this sūtra. {21} [F.66.a]

18.- “Those who have the qualities of mendicancy720

25 And the qualities of austerity,721
And who maintain this practice,
 Will be ones who listen to this sūtra. {22}

18.- “They will not listen to this sūtra

26 When it is in the hands of those whose acts are evil,
Nor of those who have lost their correct conduct
Regarding the teaching of the lords of worlds. {23}

18.- “They will hear it when in the hands

27 Of the celibates, the heroes,
Those who have a mind free of craving
And who have been consecrated by the buddhas. {24}

18.- “In future times they will hear

28 This sūtra when it is in the hands
Of those who have served the buddhas,
The lords of the world, in the past. {25}

18.- “Those who in previous lifetimes

29 Have been tīrthikas
Will experience no joy
When they hear this sūtra. {26}

18.- “Those who have entered homelessness

30 In my teaching in order to have a livelihood
Will be under the power of gain and honor,
And they will criticize each other. {27}

18.31 “Many bhiksus

̣ with unrestrained senses,
Who covet the wives of others,
Who wish for gain and have poor conduct,
Will have no faith in this sūtra. {28}

18.- “Those who do not intend to attain

32 Merit for buddhahood or to attain dhyāna,
And who maintain the conception of a self,
Will have no faith in this sūtra. {29}

18.- “In future times there will be those

33 Who are intent on the result of worldly dhyānas.
They will eat the alms food of arhats
And criticize the enlightenment of buddhahood. {30}

18.- “One who rejects this sūtra

34 Will have greater bad karma
Than someone who destroys
 All the caityas in this Jambudvīpa. {31}

18.- “One who rejects this sūtra

35 Will have greater bad karma
Than someone who kills as many arhats
As there are grains of sand in the Ganges. {32}

18.- “Who among you has the fortitude

36 To teach this sūtra
In the dreadful future time
When the Dharma is ruined?”722 {33}

18.- The young man stood up, weeping,

37 And at that time spoke to the Jina.
This heart-born son of the Buddha
Roared thus this lion’s roar: {34} [F.66.b]

18.- “In the dreadful time in future

38 When the Buddha has passed away,
Without concern for my life or body
I will spread this sūtra widely. {35}

18.- “I will endure

39 The false talk of fools
And, Guide, I will undergo
Their abuse and threats. {36}

18.- “I shall cleanse myself of whatever bad actions

40 I have done in the past
And any maliciousness
Toward other bodhisattvas.” {37}

18.41 The Buddha, who was the color of gold,

Placed his hand upon Candraprabha’s head.
The Tathāgata, who had a gentle voice,
The Teacher, then said to him, {38}

18.- “I give you my blessing.

42 Young man, in the future
There will be no obstacle to your celibacy
Nor will there be to your life.” {39}

18.- Eight hundred dharmabhān ̣akas

43 Who were present stood up and said,
“In future times we also
 Will be holders of this sūtra.” {40}

18.- Eight hundred million

44 Devas, nāgas, and yaksas
̣ stood up,
And another six trillion,
And said to the guide of the world, {41}

18.- “Guide, in future times

45 We will protect
These bhiksus
̣ who
Stood up today.” {42}

18.- When this sūtra was taught,

46 Through the blessing of the Teacher,
Buddha realms shook, in numbers
Equal to the Ganges sands. {43}

18.- The Lord of the World sent

47 To all those shaken buddha realms
Emanations of the Buddha
Who taught the Dharma there. {44}

18.- In each of those realms

48 Countless millions of beings
Were established in the wisdom of buddhahood
When they had heard that Dharma. {45}

18.- In those buddha realms

49 Nine hundred million devas723
Developed the aspiration to enlightenment
And scattered flowers on the Buddha. {46}

18.- The Lord of men prophesied that

50 After eight hundred million eons
They would all, within the same eon,
Become guides of the world.724 {47}

18.51 Bhiksus
̣ and bhiksun
̣ ̣īs,
Upāsakas and upāsikās— [F.67.a]
Seven hundred and sixty million beings—
All heard this sūtra. {48}

18.- The Lord of humans725 prophesied

52 That they would see as many guides of the world
As there are grains of sand in the Ganges
 While practicing bodhisattva conduct. {49}

18.- “They will make offerings to them all,

53 Seeking the wisdom of enlightenment,
And here and there they will hear
This unsurpassable sūtra. {50}

18.- “They will make unsurpassable offerings

54 To Buddha Maitreya.
They will possess the highest Dharma
And they will go to Sukhāvatī. {52}726

18.- “There they will make offerings

55 To the stainless buddha,
The Tathāgata Amitāyus,
For the sake of supreme enlightenment. {53}

18.- “Having heard this unsurpassable sūtra

56 They will not go in future
To the lower existences
For seventy-three727 countless eons. {54}

18.57 “Those who in future times

Listen to this unsurpassable sūtra,
And keep it and read it,728
Will all be honoring729 me. {55}

18.- “I make this declaration730

58 To all those who are standing before me.
I bestow this enlightenment gained731 with difficulty.” {56}

18.- Conclusion of the eighteenth chapter, “The Entrustment of the Samādhi.”

59
19. Chapter 19

The Teaching of the Inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha

19.1 The Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, in that way bodhisattva
mahāsattvas, having heard the inconceivable and measureless benefits of the qualities
that come from the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena,
through wishing not to be fearful, wishing not to be terrified, and not to be gripped by
terror, will become learned in the teaching of the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha.
Aspire to the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha. Be wise in asking questions about the
inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha. Be wise in seeking the inconceivable Dharma of the
Buddha. Do not be fearful, do not be terrified, and do not be gripped by terror on hearing
the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha.” [F.67.b]
19.2 The youth Candraprabha placed his palms together, bowed toward the Bhagavān, and
asked him, “Bhagavān, in this way how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas aspire to the
inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha, become wise in asking questions about the
inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha, become wise in seeking the inconceivable Dharma
of the Buddha, and not be fearful, not be terrified, and not be gripped by terror on
hearing the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha?”
19.3 The Bhagavān replied to the youth Candraprabha, “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who listen
to and hear this samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena, and
obtain it, understand it, keep it, read it out loud, disseminate it, meditate on it with
unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely known to others, those
bodhisattva mahāsattvas will become wise in the teaching of the inconceivable Dharma of
the Buddha. They will aspire to the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha, they will
become wise in asking questions about the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha, and will
not be fearful, will not be terrified, and will not be gripped by terror on hearing the
inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha.”732
19.4 “After the youth Candraprabha had been taught by the Bhagavān these words on
accomplishing the benefits of the qualities that come from the samādhi, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena, he again heard from the Bhagavān countless,
innumerable verses733 describing the benefits of the qualities that come from the
 samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena; and it was at that time
that the youth Candraprabha attained this king of samādhis, the revealed equality of the
nature of all phenomena.734
19.5 Innumerable, countless bodhisattva mahāsattvas attained the great, higher cognitions.
[F.68.a] Countless beings also developed the motivation that is directed toward great
compassion.
19.6 This universe of a thousand million worlds shook in six ways. It trembled, trembled
strongly, and trembled intensely; it quivered, quivered strongly, and quivered intensely; it
shook, shook strongly, and shook intensely; it shuddered, shuddered strongly, and
shuddered intensely; it quaked, quaked strongly, and quaked intensely; the east sank and
the west rose, the west sank and the east rose, the north sank and the south rose, the
south sank and the north rose, the perimeter sank and the center rose, and the center
sank and the perimeter rose. An immeasurable radiance shone in the universe. There fell
a great rain of divine incense. Devas and their sons gathered in order to listen to the
Dharma. High in the sky they heard the innumerable verses on the benefits of the
qualities that come from the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena. All the devas and their sons felt pleased, delighted, thrilled, joyous, happy,
and glad, and they emitted cries of joy735 and laughter. They let fall a great rain of divine
flowers of various kinds. They played many thousands of trillions of divine musical
instruments. And they proclaimed the following words together as one voice:
19.7 “Aho!736 We have obtained something that is excellent to obtain. We have heard the
innumerable verses on the benefits of the qualities from the Bhagavān. Bhagavān, just as
the bodhisattva mahāsattva, the youth Candraprabha, attained this samādhi, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena, we also, Bhagavān, will all together at the same
time attain this samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena.” [F.68.b]
19.8 At the time when the Bhagavān was teaching the Dharma on Vulture Peak Mountain to
the assembly that was like an ocean, the gandharva737 Pañcaśikha, in order to honor and
serve him, descended from the sky accompanied by the sound of five hundred musical
instruments, and remained before the Bhagavān.
19.9 The gandharva Pañcaśikha thought, “Just as I738 render service and honor in
Sudharma before the devas of Trāyastriṃśa and Śakra, the lord of the devas, by singing
them songs, in that same way I shall sing in order to make an offering to the god of gods,
the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
19.10 Then the gandharva Pañcaśikha stood up before the Bhagavān holding a lute, the body
of which was made of beryl. He was accompanied by the music739 of five hundred other
gandharvas740 holding musical instruments.
19.11 The Bhagavān thought, “I shall perform a miracle so that the youth Candraprabha will
attain skill in the realization of the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha, so that he will
not waver from the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena, and
so that I may manifest the gandharva Pañcaśikha’s skill in singing and playing the lute.”
19.12 Then the Bhagavān performed that miracle, and through the power of the Buddha the
five hundred instruments were played excellently. From that excellent playing there came
the sound of the inconceivable meaning, which was united741 with the true nature. And
these verses of the realization of the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha were sung:742

19.13 “Within the breadth of one hair there are as many buddhas
As the number of grains of sand in the Ganges.
And those jinas have as many buddha realms, too,
Each one separate and with distinct characteristics. {1}

19.14 “Within the breadth of one hair there are the five kinds of beings:
The beings in hell, those who are animals, [F.69.a]
Those in the realm of Yama, the devas, and humans,
Without overlapping or being squeezed.743 {2}

19.15 “Within that space there are the lakes and oceans,
All rivers, and similarly ponds and springs,
Without overlapping or being squeezed.
In that way the Buddha’s Dharma is inconceivable. {3}

19.16 “Within that space there are numerous mountains:

Cakravāla, Meru, and Sumeru,
Mucilinda and Mahāmucilinda,
Vindhya, Grdhrakūt
̣ a,
̣ and Himavat. {4}

19.17 “Within that space there are the terrible hells,

The horrible Tāpana and Pratāpana.
Those who have fallen into those hells
Experience the sensation of suffering. {5}

19.18 “Within that space there are divine palaces,

Twelve744 yojanas in size and beautiful.745
Within them there are many thousands of devas746
Who experience bliss in divine pleasures. {6}

19.19 “Within that space there are the births of buddhas.

There is illumination from the teaching of those who know the world.
Those747 who have not trained in pure conduct
And who have no wisdom will not see them. {7}

19.- “Within that space they hear the words,

20 ‘The Dharma has ceased, the Guide has passed away.’
Within that space there are some who hear,
‘The Guide lives and he teaches the Dharma.’ {8}
19.21 “Within that space there are some who perceive
That they live for countless years.
Within that space there are those whose time is ending.
They hear the words, ‘You have not long to live.’ {9}

19.- “Within that space there are some who have the perception,
22 Believing what their mind perceives,
Of seeing and making offerings to sugatas748 and pleasing the buddhas.
Yet there is no arising and no making of offerings. {10}

19.- “A man dreams he is in a house

23 Experiencing the bliss of sensory pleasures.
When he awakes he does not see those pleasures.749
He knows that it was a dream. {11}

19.- “In that way, what is seen, heard, thought, or known,750

24 All of this is unreal, like a dream.
The one who has attained the samādhi
Will know this nature of phenomena. {12}

19.- “For people such as this there is no pleasure or displeasure.

25 They are always perfectly happy in the world. [F.69.b]
Those who delight in vast forests
Become perfectly happy mendicants. {13}

19.- “Those who have no thought of ‘mine,’

26 Those who have abandoned all attachments,
Wander in the world like rhinoceroses
And roam like the wind through the air. {14}

19.27 “Meditation on the path, the development of wisdom,

The emptiness and selflessness of all phenomena:
He who meditates on these Dharmas
Will have unending confidence. {15}

19.- “The people in the world whose minds have no attachment,

28 They are perfectly happy in this world.
Their minds are always like the wind,
Knowing no attachment to pleasure or displeasure. {16}

19.- “It is suffering to be with that which is unpleasant;

29 It is suffering to be separated from that which is pleasant.
Finally abandoning both of these,
Those happy people delight in the Dharma. {17}
19.- “The one who has attachment on hearing this Dharma,
30 And animosity on hearing that which is not Dharma,
Goes astray through conceit and pride,
And overpowered by pride, experiences suffering. {18}

19.31 “Those who remain in equanimity

Are always free of arrogance and depression.
When faced with the pleasant and the unpleasant
They always have a liberated mind. {19}

19.- “Those who maintain perfectly pure correct conduct,

32 Who remain always in inconceivable dhyāna
And delight in the peace of the forests,
Will never know the arising of doubts. {20}

19.- “Those who engage in that which is unreal,

33 The fools who are always enjoying sensory pleasures
Like vultures attracted to a corpse,
They always fall under the power of Namuci.”751 {21}

19.- When these verses had been created through the sound of the lutes,752 the youth
34 Candraprabha attained skill in the realization of the inconceivable Dharma of the
Buddha; the gandharva Pañcaśikha attained the patience that was in accord with that
sound; countless beings, both devas and humans, developed the aspiration to the highest,
complete enlightenment; [F.70.a] and countless beings were benefitted.

19. Conclusion of the nineteenth chapter, “The Teaching of the Inconceivable Dharma of the
35 Buddha.”
20. Chapter 20

Indraketudhvajarāja
20.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, in that way bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this Dharma teaching of entering great compassion and wish to
attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood quickly should rely
upon all roots of merit, training, qualities, and completely pure conduct.
20.2 “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have few involvements, avoid bad companions, rely on
kalyān ̣amitras, have an inquiring nature, unrelentingly seek the Dharma, have the
Dharma as their goal, desire the Dharma, delight in the Dharma, obtain the Dharma, and
practice the Dharma in accord with the Dharma will, young man, develop great
compassion for beings and will develop the aspiration for the highest, complete
enlightenment.
20.3 “Moreover, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who wish for this Dharma teaching of
entering great compassion and wish to attain the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood quickly should be diligent, without regard for life or body, and
should continuously seek kalyān ̣amitras who teach this Dharma teaching of entering great
compassion, and unwaveringly serve them, rely upon them, and honor them.
20.4 “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who with a higher motivation seek
kalyān ̣amitras should hear from them the Dharma teaching of entering great compassion,
and should obtain it, understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it,
chant it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, [F.70.b] promulgate it, and make
it widely known to others. They should, with joy and veneration, perceive as the Teacher
the person from whom they hear this Dharma teaching on entering great compassion.
20.5 “Young man, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas search for kalyān ̣amitras, and respect
them and serve them without weariness, at that time, young man, those bodhisattva
mahāsattvas easily attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood
and they obtain this Dharma teaching on easily entering great compassion.
20.6 “Young man, in that way bodhisattva mahāsattvas should constantly seek for
kalyān ̣amitras as if their head or clothing were on fire, and unwaveringly attend upon
them, serve them, and venerate them.
20.7 “Why is that? Young man, for bodhisattva mahāsattvas the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, not even to speak of this Dharma teaching on
entering great compassion, depends upon kalyān ̣amitras.
20.8 “Therefore, young man, you should always practice by thinking, ‘I will not weary of
seeking kalyān ̣amitras, venerating them, and serving them.’ ”
20.9 Thereupon the Bhagavān, in order to make clear this Dharma teaching on entering
great compassion, gave the youth Candraprabha the teaching that had been given in the
past in detail in the form of the following verses:753

20.- “Many incalculable, innumerable,

10 Inconceivable millions of eons in the past,
There was the highest of humans,
The Guide named Indraketudhvajarāja. {1}

20.11 “He taught this samādhi of peace

In which there is no human, soul, or person:
‘All phenomena are like the moon on water,
Illusions, bubbles, mirages, and lightning. {2}

20.- “ ‘There is no human, no descendant of Manu, to be found [F.71.a]

12 Who goes to the next world when his time has come to an end.
However, the karma that has been created will not disappear,
But will give corresponding black or white results. {3}

20.- “ ‘This is the excellent doorway of the way of logic,

13 The subtle, difficult-to-see realm of experience of the jinas.
The Bhagavān knows the enlightenment of buddhahood
In which there are there no words or letters to be found. {4}

20.- “ ‘Vast retention and the accumulation of wisdom

14 Come from a hundred thousand trillion sūtras.
The Bhagavān teaches the samādhi
That is the field of experience of a hundred thousand trillion buddhas. {5}

20.- “ ‘This frees the sick from their illness.

15 It is the wealth accomplished by bodhisattvas.
It is praised and extolled by all buddhas;
A hundred thousand trillion devas make offerings to it. {6}

20.- “ ‘It is condemned by all foolish beings,754

16 And the tīrthikas always reject it.
It is the supreme wealth of conduct that is praised by the buddhas.
It is as undefiled as lightning in the sky. {7}
20.- “ ‘Those who make offerings to millions of jinas
17 Are wise in the practice of generosity and correct conduct,
Have forsaken their previous bad companions,
And have an unsurpassable inheritance of wealth.’755 {8}

20.- “There was present a bhiksu,

̣ a dharmabhān ̣aka,
18 A celibate who was the heart son of the Sugata.
When he had heard this benevolent Dharma,
He developed the aspiration to be a guide of the world.756 {9}

20.- “The Guide, Indraketudhvajarāja,

19 Said to the dharmabhān ̣aka,
‘Bhiksu,
̣ develop the supreme, difficult-to-attain
Motivation for the highest enlightenment. {10}

20.- “ ‘Maintain the conduct that is like a precious jewel,

20 Always depend on favorable friends,
Never depend on friends whose actions are evil
And before long you will attain buddha wisdom.’ {11}

20.- “The one who developed the aspiration to enlightenment

21 In the presence of Indraketudhvajarāja
Became a supreme dharmabhān ̣aka,
A celibate who was the heart son of the Sugata.”757 {12}

20.- Conclusion of the twentieth chapter, “Indraketudhvajarāja.” [F.71.b] [B7]

22
21. Chapter 21

The Past
21.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas should entertain no misgivings about all the teachings on the root of merits,
the training, and the qualities.758 They should have few involvements, avoid bad
companions, rely on kalyān ̣amitras, have an inquiring nature, unrelentingly seek the
Dharma, have the Dharma as their goal, desire the Dharma, delight in the Dharma,
obtain the Dharma, and practice the Dharma in accord with the Dharma. They should
perceive every buddha and bodhisattva as the teacher. They should with joy and
veneration perceive as the teacher the person from whom they hear this Dharma
teaching.
21.2 “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who adopt and follow this Dharma teaching of
entertaining no misgivings about all the teachings on the root of merits, the training, and
the qualities will quickly display unending confidence of speech. They will accomplish759
the inconceivable Dharma of the Buddha. They will realize the profound Dharma of the
Buddha. They will be like a light that dispels the darkness of perplexity, uncertainty, and
doubt of the people of the world and the devas.”
21.3 Then at that time, in order to relate this Dharma teaching of entertaining no misgivings
about all the teachings on the root of merits, the training, and the qualities, he spoke to
the youth Candraprabha these verses that told of the past.760

21.4 “In the past, in this world named Jambudvīpa,761

There were two excellent sons762 who were not heedless.
They entered homelessness in the teaching of a sugata,
And dwelt like rhinoceroses in a grove of trees. {1}

21.5 “They had miraculous powers and had attained the four dhyānas,
They were very learned and skilled in composing poetry and texts, [F.72.a]
They had mastered levitating up into the air,
And they could travel freely through the sky. {2}

21.6 “They were engaged in conversation

 In that cool grove of trees
That was filled with a variety of beautiful flowers
And attended by flocks of varieties of birds. {3}

21.7 “A king who was pursuing a deer

Heard their voices and entered that grove.
The monarch saw the two dharmabhān ̣akas
And with the greatest joy he approached them. {4}

21.8 “They addressed each other agreeably

And the king sat down before them.
The king’s multitudinous army
Of sixty quintillion soldiers approached. {5}

21.9 “Then both of those dharmabhān ̣akas

Said to the king, ‘Listen, Ksatriya!763
̣
It is very difficult to reach supreme buddhahood.
Monarch, always be careful! {6}

21.10 “ ‘Life is always passing and never stays.

It passes as quickly as a mountain stream.
From the torment of illness, misery, and aging
You have no other refuge than good actions.764 {7}

21.11 “ ‘Supreme king,765 be a protector of the Dharma.

Guard the teaching of the one with ten strengths
In this utterly terrible time of degeneration.
Remain on the side of Dharma, supreme king!’ {8}

21.12 “Thus the wise ones at that time

Gave much advice to that sovereign,
Following which the monarch, with the other six quintillions,766
Developed the aspiration to enlightenment. {9}

21.13 “When the supreme king had heard the Dharma,

He was joyful, very happy, and enraptured
With those who had spoken it so gently and pleasantly,
And bowed down to their feet before departing. {10}

21.14 “Under that king there were many other bhiksus

̣
Who desired gain and who entered homes.
When he saw how dissimilar was their conduct
The king did not show them respect. {11}

21.15 “The teacher of the teaching had passed away

 And this was the time of the latter years.
There were very few worthy recipients in Jambudvīpa,
And there were present many who were without self-control. {12}

21.16 “The many bhiksus,

̣ who were desirous and greedy,
Yearned for acquisitions, held the view of objective reality, [F.72.b]
And had fallen away from the Sugata’s teaching,
At that time repeatedly urged the king to action. {13}

21.17 “ ‘You must kill those two dharmabhān ̣akas.

They are tīrthikas who are teaching nihilism.
Among those who have adopted that practice for a long time
There are none who have attained nirvān ̣a. {14}

21.18 “ ‘They deny karma, they deny ripening;

Those imposters teach that there are no skandhas.
Your Majesty, banish them from the land
And then the Dharma will remain for a long time.’ {15}

21.19 “When he had listened to what they had to say,

The elephant-like king became distrustful.
‘I shall kill these two dharmabhān ̣akas.
I must not leave them alone, for that would be harmful.’767 {16}

21.- “The king was attended by a goddess768

20 Who had practiced with him in a previous lifetime.
She was wise and had benefited him for a long time,
And at this time she said to the sovereign king, {17}

769
21.21 “ ‘Ksatriya,
̣ do not think in this way
Because of what bad associates have said.
Do not kill770 those two wise dharmabhān ̣akas
Because of what bad associates have said. {18}

21.- “ ‘Lord of men, do you not remember even a little

22 Of what they said to you in the forest grove?
In this perfectly terrible time of degeneration,
Remain on the side of Dharma, elephant-like king!’ 771 {19}

21.- “The king, inspired by those true words,

23 Did not abandon the teachings of the jinas.772
But the king had a cruel brother
Who was persuaded by those around him.773 {19b–20a}774

“They told him, ‘The king, your brother, is wicked;

21.- He has no joy in being alive.775
24 Those two bhiksus
̣ possess dreadful spells.
With those spells they can fly through the sky.776 {20}

21.25 “ ‘Having heard this we have come to you,

To tell you all that has occurred.
Quickly kill those dreadful magicians,
Or afterward you will be filled with regret.’ {21}

21.- “Then the king’s brother777 put on his armor,

26 Under the influence of those bad associates.
The king’s brother, encircled by his entire army,
Came to the forest where the two bhiksus
̣ dwelt. {22}

21.27 “The nāgas and yaksas

̣ that lived in that forest
Knew the intention of the king’s dreadful, cruel brother [F.73.a]
And hurled upon them a rain of bricks and stones
That killed the king’s brother and his army. {23}

21.- “See how the life of the king’s cruel brother came to an end
28 Because he listened to what bad associates said.
Those who were angry at the dharmabhān ̣akas
Took rebirth sixty times in the Avīci hell. {24}

21.- “Those numerous bhiksus

̣ who believed in reality
29 And drove the ksatriya
̣ king to action
Experienced the sufferings of hell
For countless billons of rebirths. {25}

21.- “The goddess who influenced the king

30 And protected the dharmabhān ̣akas
Saw buddhas as numerous as sand grains in ten million Ganges,
Made offerings to them, and engaged in practice. {26}

21.31 “The multitudinous six quintillion men,

Who with the king had heard the Dharma
And developed the aspiration to enlightenment,
Became buddhas in numerous different realms. {27}

21.- “Their lifespans were many millions of eons.

32 They had inconceivable, unequaled wisdom.
They all taught this excellent samādhi,
And then those supreme humans passed into nirvān ̣a. {28}

“Having heard this unsurpassable teaching

21.- On the accumulation of correct conduct, purity, qualities, and wisdom,
33 You must practice intently, without distraction,
And quickly attain the wisdom of buddhahood.778 {29}

21.- “Look upon us us, you tathāgatas in the ten directions,

34 Who have peaceful minds and compassionate, loving eyes.
You are the refuge and protection for all beings.
Send down your rain of Dharma upon the world.779 {30}

21.35 “Do not think that those two young men,

Those perfect sons,780 were anyone else:
Dīpaṃkara was at that time one of them,
And I was the second dharmabhān ̣aka. {30a}

21.- “At that time Maitreya was the king781

36 Who listened favorably to the Dharma.
And you, young man, at that time,
Were the wise goddess who wished to help. {30b}

21.37 “At that time, Devadatta

Was the king’s brother,
Influenced by the acquisitive bhiksus
̣ [F.73.b]
Who said, ‘Kill those two dharmabhān ̣akas.’ ” {30c}

21.- Conclusion of the twenty-first chapter, “The Past.”

38
22. Chapter 22

The Teaching on the Body

22.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should have no attachment to their life or body.
Why is that? Because, young man, beings accomplish bad actions due to attachment to
their lives and bodies.782
22.2 “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have no attachment to their life and body
will not even find it difficult to attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect
buddhahood, not to mention this samādhi. Therefore, young man, have no attachment to
your life and body. That is how you should practice.”
It was said concerning this:

22.3 “Foolish beings always unceasingly

Have strong attachment to the putrid body.
Grasping at life, and for the sake of happiness,
The unwise always commit bad actions. {i}

22.4 Those who do not know attachment

To body and life, which have no essence,
Will defeat the armies of Māra
And realize enlightenment at the foot of the Bodhi tree. {ii}

22.5 Those who have attachment to these two things—

The body that is empty and selfless,
And life, which is like a dream or a fleeting dewdrop—
Those people will go to hell when they die. {iii}

22.6 Conclusion of the twenty-second chapter, “The Teaching on the Body.”783

23. Chapter 23

The Teaching on the Tathāgata’s Body

23.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should not know the Tathāgata to be the
rūpakāya.784 Why is that? It is because the Buddha Bhagavān manifests because of the
dharmakāya and does not manifest because of the rūpakāya. [F.74.a]
23.2 “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas whose wish is to aspire to the body of the
tathāgata, who wish to know the body of the tathāgata, should obtain this samādhi,
understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it, meditate on
it with dedication to the practice of meditation, and make it widely known to others.
23.3 “Young man, the body of the tathāgata785 is taught to be one meaning,786 with the
understanding that it arises from a hundred merits. It arises from the Dharma.787 It is
without attributes. It is devoid of all attributes. It is profound.788 It is immeasurable. It is
an immeasurable phenomenon.789 It has the nature of the absence of attributes.790 It is
free of all attributes.791 It is unwavering.792 It has no location. It completely has the
nature of space. It is invisible. It transcends the scope of the eye’s vision. That should be
known as the dharmakāya.793
23.4 “It is inconceivable. It is beyond the level of thought. It is unaffected by bliss or
suffering. It transcends all conceptual elaboration.794 It has no location,795 because it
transcends the scope of the words of those who aspire to the wisdom of buddhahood. It is
the quintessence796 because it transcends desire. It is indivisible because it transcends
anger.797 It is stable because it transcends the scope of ignorance. It is taught through the
teaching of emptiness. It is unborn because it transcends birth.798 It is ‘permanent’ in
terms of words, and terminology is empty.799 It is undifferentiated because it is
nirvān ̣a.800 It is ‘nirvān ̣a’801 because of a word. It is ‘peace’ because of speaking.802 There
is equality in terms of conventional appellations.803 There are appellations in terms of
ultimate truth. There is ultimate truth through correct speech.804
23.5 “It is calmness, the absence of anguish.805 It is groundless,806 and cannot be
comprehended.807 There is no end to its description.808
23.6 “Young man, it arises from training in the great, higher cognitions, and it is known as
the tathāgatakāya.”
Thereupon, the Bhagavān spoke these verses: [F.74.b]

23.7 “Someone who wishes to know

This body of the Lord of the World809
Should meditate on this samādhi,
And then they will know the Buddha’s body.810 {1}

23.8 “A buddha’s body is born from merit.811

It812 is pure and it is brilliant.
It is the same as space;
There is no difference between them. {2}

23.9 “The characteristics of a buddha

Are the same as those of enlightenment.
The characteristics of the body
Are the same as those characteristics. {3}

23.- “The body has enlightenment’s characteristics

10 And a buddha realm has the same.
The strengths, liberations, and dhyānas
Are all also a single characteristic. {4}

23.11 “That is the nature of the emergence

Of the buddhas, of the lords of worlds.
There is no being who with physical eyes
Is able to see their bodies. {5}

23.- “There are many who declare,

12 ‘I have seen the guide of the world.
He is the color of gold and his body
Illuminates the entire world.’ {6}

23.- “This body that is seen,

13 Beautified by characteristics,
Is a manifestation through the power
Of the blessing of the buddhas. {7}

23.- “The Buddha’s body is displayed

14 As having a height and a width,
But that body cannot be measured,
And therefore it is inconceivable. {8}

23.15 “If the Buddha’s body could be measured

 And found to be of a certain size,
Then the Teacher would be the same
As a deva or a human. {9}

23.- “That characteristic is the ripening

16 Of a mind in meditation.
There will be pure, radiant names-and-form
That have that characteristic. {10}

23.17 “There is no being whatsoever

Who has meditated on this samādhi of peace
It is in that way that the Lord of the World
Has practiced for millions of eons. {11}

23.- “I have developed this samādhi

18 Through a multitude of good qualities.
Because of the vastness of that samādhi
My body cannot be seen. {12}

23.- “As is someone’s mind,

19 So are their names-and-form;
The mind that has no nature of its own
Has names-and-form with that characteristic. {13}

23.- “Those who have a gross perception

20 Of names-and-form,
Their inharmonious perception [F.75.a]
Gives rise to a mind that is gross. {14}

23.- “Those who have a subtle perception

21 Within their names-and-form
Will have a mind that is radiant
And without attachment to names-and-form. {15}

23.- “I remember that in my previous lives

22 During seven countless eons,
The three bad perceptions813
Never arose in me at any time. {16}

23.- “My mind has been undefiled

23 For countless millions of eons.
I bring benefit to beings
And my body is not visible. {17}

“The one whose mind

23.- Is liberated from existents
24 Will never again be
Connected with existents. {18}

23.- “My consciousness is liberated

25 Completely from all things.
I know the nature of the mind,
So that henceforth wisdom will arise. {19}

23.- “My emanations proceed

26 To thousands of millions of realms.
There they benefit beings
Though there is no body to be found. {20}

23.- “Without characteristics, without attributes,

27 It is the same as space.
My body is indescribable.
It is taught to be difficult to understand. {21}

23.- “The dharmakāya, the great hero,

28 Is a body born from the Dharma.
The Jina cannot be made known
By means of the rūpakāya. {22}

23.- “Māra will find no opportunity

29 To cause harm to the one
Who has felt joy on hearing
These words that have been taught. {23}

23.- “Those who have heard the profound Dharma

30 And have not been frightened by it,
Will not even for the sake of their life
Forsake the enlightenment of buddhahood. {24}

23.- “They will know the truth that is taught

31 In thousands of millions of sūtras.
They will be a light for the world
Wherever it is that they will go.814 {25}

23.- “Young man, the body of the Tathāgata is not easily known through attributes or actions.
32 It is blue, or is colored blue, or is like blue, or shines with blue light; or it is yellow, or is
colored yellow, or is like yellow, or shines with yellow light; or it is red, or is colored red,
or is like red, [F.75.b] or shines with red light; or it is white, or is colored white, or is like
white, or shines with white light; or it is madder, or is colored madder, or is like madder,
 or shines with madder light; or it is crystal, or is crystal-colored, or is like crystal, or
shines with crystal light; or it is fire, or is fire-colored, or is like fire, or shines with fire
light; or it is distilled ghee, or is ghee-colored, or is like ghee, or shines with ghee-colored
light; or it is gold, or is gold-colored, or is like gold, or shines with golden light; or it is
beryl, or is beryl-colored, or is like beryl, or shines with beryl light; or it is lightning, or is
lightning-colored, or is like lightning, or shines with lightning’s light; or it is Brahmā, or is
Brahmā-colored, or is like Brahmā, or shines with Brahmā’s light; or it is a deva, or is
deva-colored, or is like a deva, or shines with a deva’s light. It is not easy to know it.
23.- “Young man, in that way the body of the tathāgata is pure. It cannot be conceived of
33 through attributes, and so it is taught to be inconceivable. It cannot be conceived of815
through any attribute, and so it is taught to be inconceivable. It cannot be conceived of
through external appearances. It is immeasurable. The beings and devas of this world
cannot easily grasp its extent even through the perfect rūpakāya.”816
The Bhagavān then spoke these verses:

23.- “All the particles in the world

34 And all that can be conceived of as dust,
And all the water that is in springs,
Lakes, ponds, and the ocean— {26}

23.- “One may ask how many particles there are,

35 But one can never find the end.
Even if, with the tip of a hair, one could measure out
How much water there is in an ocean,817 {26–27}

23.- “Even that could not be taught

36 As an analogy for the Lord of the World.
There are countless drops of water [F.76.a]
And it is the same for atoms, {27}

23.- “But I see that even a single sentient being

37 Has far more numerous
Aspirations and motivations
That are developed at numerous times.818 {28}

23.- “Yet even the aspirations of all beings

38 Are not adequate as an analogy
For those qualities of the body
That I have indicated. {29}

23.- “One cannot819 through820 attributes and actions

39 Know the appearance of these kinds
Of qualities821 of a buddha,
And that is my distinctive characteristic. {30}
23.- “The buddhas are devoid of attributes.
40 They are the manifestation of the dharmakāya.
They are profound and immeasurable,
And therefore the buddhas are inconceivable. {31}

23.- “The inconceivable buddha body

41 Of a buddha is also inconceivable.
Those bodies are inconceivable.
They are the manifestation of the dharmakāya. {32}

23.- “The mind is incapable of conceiving

42 The bodies of the buddhas.
One cannot, therefore, obtain
The measure of such a body. {33}

23.- “Those immeasurable qualities

43 I have practiced for ten million eons.
Therefore have I accomplished
A body that is inconceivable and radiant, too. {34}

23.- “There is no being that can grasp it

44 Or that can obtain its measure.
In that way the body of a buddha
Is inconceivable and immeasurable. {35}

23.- “Because the qualities are immeasurable

45 There is no measure that can be conceived for them.822
Because the qualities are not conceived
The buddha also is inconceivable. {36}

23.- “The measured is taught to be a conception;

46 The measureless is nonconceptual.
That which is not conceived is without conception;
Therefore the buddha is inconceivable. {37}

23.- “Just as space is limitless

47 And no one is able to measure it,
Likewise a buddha’s body
Is just the same as space. {38}

23.- “Those who thus know the body

48 Of the buddhas are the progeny of the jinas.
They will also become buddhas,
Inconceivable lords of worlds.” {39}
23.- Conclusion of the twenty-third chapter, “The Teaching on the Tathāgata’s Body.”823
49
24. Chapter 24

The Inconceivable Tathāgata

24.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, [F.76.b] “Young man, aspiring
bodhisattva mahāsattvas think, ‘How can I make manifest the four discernments? What
are these four? They are the discernment of meaning, the discernment of phenomena, the
discernment of definitions, and the discernment of eloquence. I shall manifest these four!’
On having this thought, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas should obtain this samādhi,
understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it, meditate on
it with unadulterated meditation, and make it widely known to others.
24.2 “Young man, what is the discernment of phenomena?
“Young man, however many words there can be for forms, the tathāgata has that many
appellations for them.824 It is the same for sensation, identification, mentation; and,
young man, for consciousnesses. Young man, in that way there are infinite, endless,
inconceivably numerous825 words for forms, and the tathāgata, too has inconceivably
numerous appellations for them. It is the same for sensation, identification, mentation,
and, young man, for consciousnesses: there are infinite, endless, inconceivably numerous
words for them, and the tathāgata, too has inconceivably numerous appellations for
them.826
24.3 “Young man, there are countless faults in those composite phenomena; there are also
countless benefits in nirvān ̣a, and the tathāgata, too, has that many countless
appellations. Young man, as numerous as are the names for nirvān ̣a, the tathāgata has
that many appellations. [F.77.a] Thus, young man, there are countless names of nirvān ̣a,
and the tathāgata, too, has that many appellations.
24.4 “Young man, the tathāgata has spoken of four kinds of appellations that are
inconceivably numerous because it is not easy to state that there is an end to them. What
are these four? They are the inconceivably numerous appellations in regard to the
composite, the inconceivably numerous appellations for sounds, the inconceivably
numerous appellations for kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous appellations for
purification. Young man, those are the tathāgata’s four kinds of inconceivably numerous
 appellations. Young man, those four, the tathāgata’s inconceivably numerous
appellations, are taught to be inconceivably numerous as it is not easy to state that there
is an end to them. To understand what those four are, they should be taught in detail.
24.5 “Young man, there are the four ways of the bodhisattvas. What are the four ways? They
are the inconceivably numerous ways of the composite, the inconceivably numerous ways
of teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous ways of the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous ways of purification. Those are the four.
24.6 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of reasoning.827 What are the four kinds
of reasoning? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning teaching the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.7 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of doorways. What are the four kinds of
reasoning? They are the inconceivably numerous doorways concerning the composite, the
inconceivably numerous doorways concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous doorways concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous doorways
concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.8 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of elucidation. What are the four kinds
of elucidation? [F.77.b] They are the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning teaching the composite,
the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous elucidations concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.9 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of speaking. What are the four kinds of
speaking? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning teaching the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words. What are the four kinds of
10 words? They are the inconceivably numerous words concerning the composite, the
inconceivably numerous words concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words
concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.11 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of recitation. What are the four kinds of
recitation? They are the inconceivably numerous recitations concerning the composite,
the inconceivably numerous recitations concerning teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous recitations concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous recitations concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of pertinent speech. What are the four
12 kinds of pertinent speech? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent
speech concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent speech
 concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent
speech concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent speech
concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of comprehension of the devas. What are
13 the four kinds of comprehension of the devas? They are the inconceivably numerous
kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning the composite, the inconceivably
numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning the kleśas, and
the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning
purification. [F.78.a] Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of comprehension of humans. What are
14 the four kinds of comprehension of humans? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds
of comprehension of humans concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of comprehension of humans concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous kinds of comprehension of humans concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of humans concerning purification.
Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of comprehension of names. What are
15 the four kinds of comprehension of names? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
comprehension of names concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
comprehension of names concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of comprehension of names concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of comprehension of names concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of engagement. What are the four kinds
16 of engagement? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning
the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning teaching the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning the kleśas, and
the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning purification. Those are the
four.
24.17 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of ascension.828 What are the four kinds
of ascension? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning teaching the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of vajra words. What are the four kinds
18 of vajra words? They are the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning teaching the composite,
the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous vajra words concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of mantra words. [F.78.b] What are the
19 four kinds of mantra words? They are the inconceivably numerous mantra words
concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning
teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning the kleśas,
and the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning purification. Those are the
four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of attainment. What are the four kinds
20 of attainment? They are the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning teaching the composite,
the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous attainments concerning purification. Those are the four.829
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of sūtra words. What are the four kinds
21 of sūtra words? They are the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning teaching the composite,
the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous sūtra words concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of designations.830 What are the four
22 kinds of designations? They are the inconceivably numerous designations concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous designations concerning teaching the composite,
the inconceivably numerous designations concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous designations concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning illumination.831
23 What are the four kinds of words concerning illumination? They are the inconceivably
numerous words concerning illumination in regard to the composite, the inconceivably
numerous words concerning illumination in regard to teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous words concerning illumination in regard to the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous words concerning illumination in regard to purification. Those
are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning clarification.832
24 What are the four kinds of words concerning clarification? They are the inconceivably
numerous words concerning clarification in regard to the composite, the inconceivably
numerous words concerning clarification in regard to teaching the composite, [F.79.a] the
inconceivably numerous words concerning clarification in regard to the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous words of clarification in regard to purification. Those are the
four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning conduct. What are
25 the four kinds of words concerning conduct? They are the inconceivably numerous words
of conduct concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of conduct
concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of conduct
concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of conduct concerning
purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning behavior.833 What
26 are the four kinds of words concerning behavior? They are the inconceivably numerous
kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to the composite, the inconceivably
numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to the kleśas, and
the inconceivably numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to purification.
Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of inconceivability. What are
27 the four kinds of words of inconceivability? They are the inconceivably numerous words
of inconceivability834 concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
inconceivability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
inconceivability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of
inconceivability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of limitlessness.835 What are
28 the four kinds of words of limitlessness? They are the inconceivably numerous words of
limitlessness concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
limitlessness concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
limitlessness concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of
limitlessness concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of nonmovement.836 What are
29 the four kinds of words of nonmovement? They are the inconceivably numerous words of
nonmovement concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
nonmovement concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
nonmovement concerning the kleśas, [F.79.b] and the inconceivably numerous words of
nonmovement concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of boundlessness. What are the
30 four kinds of words of boundlessness? They are the inconceivably numerous words of
boundlessness concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
boundlessness concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
boundlessness concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of
boundlessness concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of incomparability.837 What are
31 the four kinds of words of incomparability? They are the inconceivably numerous words
of incomparability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
incomparability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
incomparability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of
incomparability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of innumerability. What are the
32 four kinds of words of innumerability? They are the inconceivably numerous words of
innumerability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
 innumerability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
innumerability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of
innumerability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of unquantifiability. What are
33 the four kinds of words of unquantifiability? They are the inconceivably numerous words
of unquantifiability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
unquantifiability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words
of unquantifiability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of
unquantifiability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of immeasurability. What are
34 the four kinds of words of immeasurability? They are the inconceivably numerous words
of immeasurability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of
immeasurability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words
of immeasurability concerning the kleśas, [F.80.a] and the inconceivably numerous
words of immeasurability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of wisdom. What are the four
35 kinds of words of wisdom? They are the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom
concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning
teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning the
kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning purification. Those
are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of accumulation of wisdom. What are
36 the four kinds of accumulation of wisdom? They are the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of wisdom concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of wisdom concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous accumulations of wisdom concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous accumulations of wisdom concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of families of wisdom.838 What are the
37 four kinds of families of wisdom? They are the inconceivably numerous families of
wisdom concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom
concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom
concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom concerning
purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of accumulation of eloquence. What are
38 the four kinds of accumulation of eloquence? They are the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of eloquence concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of eloquence concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous accumulations of eloquence concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous accumulations of eloquence concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of sūtras. What are the four kinds of
39 sūtras? They are the inconceivably numerous sūtras concerning the composite, the
inconceivably numerous sūtras concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous sūtras concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous sūtras
concerning purification. Those are the four. [F.80.b]
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of accumulations of sūtras. What are the
40 four kinds of accumulations of sūtras? They are the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of sūtras concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of sūtras concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of sūtras concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
accumulations of sūtras concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of great learning. What are the four
41 kinds of great learning? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning
concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning
teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning
the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning
purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of wealth. What are the four kinds of
42 wealth? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning the composite,
the inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous kinds of wealth concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of training. What are the four kinds of
43 training? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning teaching the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of fields of conduct. What are the four
44 kinds of fields of conduct? They are the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct
concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning
teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning the
kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning purification. Those
are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of action. What are the four kinds of
45 action? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning the composite,
[F.81.a] the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning teaching the composite,
the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous kinds of action concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of eloquence. What are the four kinds of
46 eloquence? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning the
composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning teaching the
 composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of meditation on the path. What are the
47 four kinds of meditation on the path? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
meditation on the path concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
meditation on the path concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of meditation on the path concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of meditation on the path concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of the kleśas. What are the
48 four kinds of knowledge of the kleśas? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of the kleśas concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of the kleśas concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of the kleśas concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of the kleśas concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of the result. What are the
49 four kinds of knowledge of the result? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of the result concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of the result concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of the result concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of the result concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of ignorance. What are the
50 four kinds of knowledge of ignorance? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of ignorance concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of ignorance concerning teaching the composite, [F.81.b] the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of ignorance concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of ignorance concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of suffering. What are the
51 four kinds of knowledge of suffering? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of suffering concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of suffering concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of suffering concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of suffering concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of unhappiness. What are
52 the four kinds of knowledge of unhappiness? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds
of knowledge of unhappiness concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning the kleśas, and the
inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning purification.
Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of poverty. What are the
53 four kinds of knowledge of poverty? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of poverty concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of poverty concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of poverty concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of poverty concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of birth. What are the four
54 kinds of knowledge of birth? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of
birth concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of birth
concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of
birth concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of birth
concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of inner knowledge. What are the four
55 kinds of inner knowledge? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner
knowledge concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner
knowledge concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
inner knowledge concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner
knowledge concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of external knowledge. What are the four
56 kinds of external knowledge? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of external
knowledge concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of external
knowledge concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
external knowledge concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of
external knowledge concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of modesty. What are the
57 four kinds of knowledge of modesty? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of modesty concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of modesty concerning teaching the composite, [F.82.a] the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of modesty concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of modesty concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of truth. What are the four
58 kinds of knowledge of truth? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of
truth concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of truth
concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of
truth concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of truth
concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of existence. What are the
59 four kinds of knowledge of existence? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of existence concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
 knowledge of existence concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of existence concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of existence concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of existents. What are the
60 four kinds of knowledge of existents? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of existents concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of
knowledge of existents concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of existents concerning the kleśas, [F.82.b] and the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of existents concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of the individual. What are
61 the four kinds of knowledge of the individual? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds
of knowledge of the individual concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning the kleśas, and
the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning purification.
Those are the four.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of apprehensions. What
62 are the four kinds of knowledge of apprehensions? They are the inconceivably numerous
kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning the composite, the inconceivably
numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning teaching the composite, the
inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning the kleśas, and
the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning
purification. Those are the four.
“Young man, those are the four inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of
apprehensions that are taught to be inconceivably numerous. It is not easy to state an end
to them.
24.- “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of retention. What are the four kinds of
63 retention? The first retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all infinite
composites. The second retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all
infinite sounds. The third retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all
infinite kleśas. The fourth retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all
infinite purifications. Those are the four retentions. The four retentions are those.
24.- “So it is in these ways that there is the discernment of phenomena through knowing
64 phenomena.
“The discernment of meaning is the meaning in the knowledge of phenomena. [F.83.a]
“The discernment of definitions is delight839 in the knowledge of phenomena.
24.- “Young man, the discernment of eloquence is teaching terminology, explaining,
65 expounding,840 clarifying,841 disseminating,842 analyzing, differentiating, proclaiming,843
having unimpeded speech, having unalloyed844 speech, not being mute,845 not
stammering,846 and speaking without loss of confidence in relation to the knowledge of
phenomena.”
 Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

24.- “As numerous as are the knowledges of the Buddha,

66 There are that many designations for forms.
As numerous as are the designations for forms,
There are that many appellations of forms.847 {1}

24.- “As numerous as are the appellations of forms,

67 There are that many names for conduct.
As numerous as are the names for conduct,
The are that many names of buddhas. {2}

24.- “As numerous as are the names of buddhas,

68 There are that many names of beings.
I know848 whatever number of names
Even one single being has. {3}

24.- “The names for conduct, names of buddhas,

69 And names of beings are equal
To the infinity of names and appellations
That I have previously taught. {4}

24.- “As numerous as are the faults in the composite,

70 There are that many qualities849 in nirvān ̣a.
I have taught as many analogies
As there are qualities of the buddhas. {5}

24.71 “As numerous as are the motivations

That I have taught beings to have,
There are that many light rays
From a single hair of a Lord of the World. {6}

24.- “As numerous as are the names

72 And aspirations of all beings,
A lord of humans has even more
Qualities of the aspects of his speech. {7}

24.- “The names of all beings that have been taught

73 To be those of one being
Are the names of one being
That have been taught to be those of all beings. {8}

24.- “The Buddha has taught

74 This engagement with discernment.850
Infinite names have been taught
 For the sake of the bodhisattvas. {9}

24.- “Those who wish to teach in some way

75 The endless millions of sūtras [F.83.b]
Should recite this sūtra
And teach it with full confidence. {10}

24.- “They should teach in the middle of an assembly

76 Millions of sūtras without impediment.
They should teach the Dharma in the way
That space is without any limit. {11}

24.- “In that way the bodhisattvas,

77 The pure beings, the protectors,
Having taken up this sūtra
Will become endowed with wisdom. {12}

24.- “Through the way this path is taught

78 By those who have faith,
That is how wisdom grows,
Like a tree on a snow mountain.” {13}

24.- Conclusion of the twenty-fourth chapter, “The Inconceivable Tathāgata.” [B8]

79
25. Chapter 25

Engaging in Discernment
25.1 “Young man, how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas who practice that discernment of
phenomena, who view phenomena as phenomena, attain the highest, complete
enlightenment?
“Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who practice that discernment of phenomena,
who view phenomena as phenomena, do not perceive enlightenment as other than form.
They do not approach enlightenment as other than form. They do not seek enlightenment
as other than form. They do not attain enlightenment as other than form. They do not
inspire beings to an enlightenment that is other than form. They do not see a tathāgata as
other than form. They see a tathāgata in this way: ‘The Tathāgata is the fearlessness
nature of form.’ They do not see the tathāgata as other than form, as other than the nature
of form. They do not see the nature of form as other than the tathāgata. The nature of that
which is called form and that of the tathāgata are nondual. The bodhisattva mahāsattvas
who see in that way are engaging in the discernment of phenomena.
25.2 “In that same way they do not perceive enlightenment as other than sensation, [F.84.a]
other than identification, other than mentation, nor other than consciousness. They do
not approach enlightenment as being other than consciousness. They do not seek
enlightenment as other than consciousness. They do not attain enlightenment as other
than consciousness. They do not inspire beings to an enlightenment that is other than
consciousness. They do not see a tathāgata as other than consciousness. They see a
tathāgata in this way: ‘The Tathāgata is the fearlessness that is the nature of
consciousness.’ They do not see the tathāgata as other than consciousness, as other than
the nature of consciousness. They do not see the nature of consciousness as other than
the tathāgata. The nature of that which is called consciousness and that of the tathāgata
are nondual. The bodhisattva mahāsattvas who see in that way are engaging in the
discernment of phenomena.”851
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

25.3 “Enlightenment is taught through form;

Form is taught through enlightenment.
 Through these dissimilar words
The highest of Dharma is taught. {1}

25.4 “The highest form is taught through words;

Its nature is profound.
Form and enlightenment are the same:
There is no difference that can be found. {2}

25.5 “Nirvān ̣a is profound

And it is taught through words,852
Yet nirvān ̣a is not to be found
And words are not to be found. {3}

25.6 “Both words and nirvān ̣a,

Neither of them are to be found.
Thus nirvān ̣a has been taught
In terms of empty phenomena. {4}

25.7 “Nirvān ̣a is not to be found

In saying ‘passed into nirvān ̣a.’
There is no development of phenomena.
It is afterward just as it was before. {5}

25.8 “All phenomena are by nature

Exactly the same as nirvān ̣a. [F.84.b]
That is known by those dedicated to renunciation,
By those engaged in the Buddha’s teachings. {6}

25.9 “Some say, ‘I have seen the Guide,

For I saw the Buddha’s body.’
But it is not possible for anyone
To see me because of my rūpakāya. {7}

25.- “The known nature of form,

10 That is the characteristic of form.
When the nature of form is known,
Then my body is revealed.853 {8}

25.11 “In that way I know the characteristics

Of phenomena, of the five skandhas.
Knowing that nature of phenomena,
I remain in the dharmakāya. {9}

25.12 “I teach the Dharma to beings

Without departing from the dharmakāya.854
 But the qualities of the buddhas
Cannot be expressed in words. {10}

25.13 “Those who do not know this way

Listen to the Buddha’s words
And then merely say with words,
‘I have seen the Guide of humans.’ {11}

25.- “Whoever casts off all conceptual identification

14 Brings to an end the identification of existence.
Whoever has a conceptual identification of words
Will never be able to see the Teacher. {12}

25.15 “Whoever knows emptiness

As the characteristic of form
Will not say that emptiness
Is other than the nature of form.
Whoever knows form,
Knows emptiness.855 {13}

25.- “Whoever knows emptiness

16 As the characteristic of form
Will overcome and defeat
Tens of millions of māras.856 {14}

25.17 “Whoever knows form,

Knows emptiness.
Whoever knows emptiness,
Knows nirvān ̣a.857 {15}

25.- “Those who do not know this way,

18 Those who conceptualize, are lost.858
They conceive of the unreal as being real
And the real as being unreal.859 {16}

25.- “They are deceived by acquisitions through reputation860

19 And wander far861 from my teaching.
They maintain the conception of a result
And lose all their wealth of mendicancy. {17}

25.- “Those who are lazy and lacking in diligence,

20 Who do not maintain the aspect of conduct,
They will stand up and state, [F.85.a]
‘That is not the teaching of the Buddha!’ {18}
25.21 “Some of them will declare,
‘We are enlightened!’
But they will be uncontrolled, untrained,
And disrespectful to each other. {19}

25.- “They will delight in words

22 And have no stability in the Dharma.
They will have that kind of aspiration,
Desiring what is gained through reputation. {20}

25.- “They will be motivated to have a following.

23 They will delight in acquisition.
They will be overpowered by arrogance and carelessness.
Their goal will be gain and honors. {21}

25.- “Based upon gains and honors

24 They will desire the intellect’s accomplishments.
They will build temples and stūpas.
Their interest will be in the women of families. {22}

25.- “They will depend upon their perception.

25 They will dwell in craving and desire.
They will be within the realm of Māra
And they will do the work of laypeople. {23}

25.- “Their desire will be like the flames of a fire.

26 They will give teachings to laypeople.
They will enter into their homes
And they will corrupt those families. {24}

25.- “The laypeople will come to think of them

27 As their teachers.
They will take up residence with them
And they will corrupt their sons and daughters. {25}

25.- “They will treat with kindness

28 Those who give them food and drink,
And they will think of those people’s wives
And daughters as their own wives.862 {26}

25.- “Laymen will not be as attracted

29 To their own wives
As the mendicants will be
Attracted to the wives of others. {27}
25.- “There are the trainings863 that I have taught
30 To the laymen who wear white clothing.864
At that time, those bhiksus
̣
Will not even have those trainings. {28}

25.31 “They will make offerings to me

With bherī drums,865 conches, and mrdaṅga
̣ drums.866
The offerings that are superior
Will not be included in their practices. {29}

25.- “When they who have very poor conduct

32 See those who are maintaining correct conduct
They will say, one to another,
‘They are the same as us.’ {30}

25.- “When those with bad conduct and wicked behavior

33 Hear correct conduct being praised,
They will stand up and state,
‘That is not the Buddha’s teaching.’ {31} [F.85.b]

25.- “They will be devoid of shame.

34 They will have lost the wealth of the mendicant.
They will debate with words that are false
And reject the enlightenment of buddhahood.867 {32}

25.- “They who have wicked minds

35 Will reject the Buddha’s teaching.
They will cast aside the Dharma
And they will dwell in the Avīci hell. {33}

25.- “Those who have that kind of conduct

36 Will neither hear me nor see me.
Those who follow the Dharma of fools
Will not attain868 the wisdom of buddhahood.869 {34}

25.- “They will be hypocrites

37 Who will deceive by saying,
‘I know everything about that.
That wisdom is within me.’ {35}

25.- “If I were to teach them for an eon

38 Their confusion would still be vast.
They do no more than make
Promises to be bodhisattvas.870 {36}
25.- “They will be young men
39 Whose bad behavior is incessant.
You should not in the future
Be associated871 with them. {37}

25.- “Should you speak with them or converse,

40 Treat them with respect;
Honor them without being disheartened,
In order to attain the highest enlightenment. {38}

25.- “You should ask their age,

41 And if they are your senior
Show them respect
And bow your head to their feet. {39}

25.- “Do not look at their errors,

42 But see the essence of enlightenment.
Do not feel anger toward them
But always have a loving mind. {40}

25.- “If you see an error of theirs

43 Do not mention that fault.
Whatever karma they create
The corresponding result will come to them. {41}

25.- “Have a smiling face that is like the moon

44 For both the seniors and the novices.
You should always speak sincerely,
Gently, and without pride. {42}

25.- “You should help them in adopting

45 Dharma robes and receiving alms.
You should keep in your mind the thought,
‘They are all going to become buddhas.’872 {43}

25.- “If they request from you

46 The gift of the Dharma,
First you should say to them,
‘I do not have much learning.’873 {44}

25.- “You should speak in this way: [F.86.a]

47 ‘Brother, wise scholar,
How can I say anything
In front of such a great being?’ {45}
25.- “Do not speak too hastily.
48 Examine the one who would be the recipient.
If you know that he is a worthy recipient
Teach him even if he has not requested it. {46}

25.- “If you see that there are many present

49 Among your followers who have bad conduct
You should not teach them austerity,
But instead you should praise generosity.874 {47}

25.- “If they have few desires

50 And maintain pure conduct,
Have a loving mind
And speak to them of austerity. {48}

25.51 “If there are many with correct conduct

Who have restrained bad desires,
When that aspect has been attained
Then you should praise correct conduct. {49}

25.- “First you should know your students,

52 And if they are known to be pure
Then teach to them every one
Of the virtuous qualities that there are. {50}

25.- “Always praise and teach

53 Generosity, conduct, patience,
Diligence, meditation, and learning,
Contentment, few desires, and austerity.875 {51}

25.- “Living in solitary places, practicing meditation,876

54 And abandoning living among many people
Should be praised by you
As the doorway to the power of retention.877 {52}

25.- “They should have perfect conduct

55 By staying in solitary places.
They should have perfect generosity
Through remaining in seclusion. {53}

25.- “Maintaining the aspect of conduct,

56 They should become very learned.
Those who seek for this samādhi
Should make offerings to the Buddha’s relics. {54}
25.- “Those who seek this peaceful samādhi
57 Should make offerings to the Buddha
With parasols, banners, and flags,
And with incense, garlands, and ointments. {55}

25.- “Without being indolent or disheartened,

58 They should offer to the Buddha’s relics
Delightful music,
United with song. {56}

25.- “For the highest enlightenment878

59 They should offer to the Lord
As much incense, garlands, parasols,
Clothing, and powders as there are. {57}

25.- “For the sake of this peaceful samādhi, [F.86.b]

60 All the immeasurable, inconceivable
Offerings that there can be
They should make to all the buddhas.879 {58}

25.- “Those who seek unimpeded wisdom,

61 Who are without attachment,
Give the highest wisdom of buddhahood,
Equally shared for all beings. {59}

25.- “I, too, having become unattached,

62 And seeking this peaceful samādhi,
Made inconceivable offerings
To the buddhas of the past. {60}

25.- “It is difficult to attain the appearance of the buddhas.

63 It is difficult to attain birth as a human.
It is difficult to attain faith in the teachings,
And to become a mendicant. {61}

25.- “One whose mind is dedicated to enlightenment

64 Is one who pleases the Buddha.880
Do not deviate from that commitment,
But remain within that practice. {62}

25.- “One who maintains this sūtra

65 During the time of destruction
Should quickly gain eloquence
And continue its teaching. {63}
25.- “For someone who has wished to hear it,
66 There is an inconceivable accumulation of merit
In possessing just one verse,
Let alone obtaining the entire sūtra. {64}

25.- “For even if as many beings as there are in a kalpa

67 Were diligently to make offerings
To all the beings who have attained enlightenment,
And do so continuously with veneration, {65}

25.- “All the merit from the latter

68 Will come not even to a sixteenth part
Of the merit from possessing
Just one verse of this samādhi. {66}

25.- “One who hears this samādhi

69 Will be free of uncertainty.
I know these inconceivable benefits
Through my wisdom of buddhahood.” {67}

25.- Conclusion of the twenty-fifth chapter, “Engaging in Discernment.”

70
26. Chapter 26

Rejoicing
26.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should be skillful in methods. [F.87.a] 881
26.2 “Young man, in what way should bodhisattva mahāsattvas be skillful in methods? For
that, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas focus their minds upon all beings. Those
bodhisattva mahāsattvas rejoice in whatever roots of merit and accumulations of merit all
beings have. Three times every day and three times every night they rejoice in whatever
roots of merit and accumulations of merit all beings have, and the roots of merit and
accumulation of merit that come from their taking omniscience as the focus of their
aspiration they donate to all beings.
26.3 “Young man, because those bodhisattva mahāsattva possess the accumulation of merit
that comes from being skillful in methods, they will quickly attain this samādhi, and they
will quickly attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.”
26.4 Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

“Three times a day and three times a night

I develop the aspiration to enlightenment
And rejoice in the entirety of the merit accumulated
By all these beings who are my family. {1}

26.5 “I rejoice in those who have pure conduct,

Who will do nothing bad even to save their lives.
I rejoice in whatever merit is possessed
By bodhisattvas with perfect aspiration. {2}

26.6 “I rejoice in those who have faith in the Buddha,

Faith in the Dharma, and also the Saṅgha.
I rejoice in those who make offerings to the Sugata
Because of their desire for enlightenment.882 {3}
26.7 “I rejoice in those who develop the aspiration
For the highest, supreme, unsurpassable enlightenment,
Doing so with great understanding, for the sake of beings,
And so that the lineage of enlightenment will remain.883 {i}

26.8 “I rejoice in the bodhisattvas overwhelmed by compassion

Who give away their wealth, grain, and jewels,
Their queens, sons, and daughters,
Their vast kingdoms, and even their own flesh.884 {ii}

26.9 “I rejoice in those who give away their own bodies

With joyful minds for the sake of beings,
Having trained in the training of skillful methods [F.87.b]
And subdued their bodies through meditation on wisdom.885 {iii}

26.- “I rejoice in those who live in the forest,

10 Always alone and solitary like a rhinoceros,
Always with pure livelihood and few activities,
Without acting hypocritically for the sake of reputation. {6}

26.11 “I rejoice in those who have no entanglements,

Who have no envy or yearning for a home,
Who are always terrified of the three realms
And act without attachment to the world. {7}

26.- “I rejoice in those who are without complication

12 And are saddened by every rebirth into existence.
This samādhi will not be difficult to attain
For those who do not dispute but have peaceful minds. {8}

26.- “I rejoice in those who see the harmfulness of crowds,

13 Who avoid every kind of disagreement,
Who live in solitude, dwelling at the foot of trees,
And who are heirs of the sugatas focused upon liberation. {9}

26.- “I rejoice in those who live in solitude,

14 Neither praising themselves nor criticizing others.
I rejoice in those who are not careless
But careful in the Buddha’s teaching. {10}

26.- “That carefulness is the very root

15 Of all the qualities of the aspects of enlightenment.
This samādhi is not difficult to attain
For any heirs of the Buddha who are always careful. {11}
26.- “The teaching of the Sugata is a treasure that has been found.
16 Attaining homelessness is a second treasure.
The attainment of faith is a third treasure.
This samādhi is a fourth treasure. {12}

26.17 “On learning of emptiness, of the field of activity of the buddhas,

If it is not rejected, that is a treasure that has been found.
Endless eloquence is a treasure that has been found,
And any dhāran ̣ī is a supreme treasure. {13}

26.- “That carefulness is the very root

18 Of all the virtuous qualities that have been proclaimed,
And of correct conduct, learning, giving, and patience.
The Sugata has taught that it is a treasure that has been found. {14}

26.- “For those who are careful in the Buddha’s teaching,

19 For those who have perfect aspirations, [F.88.a]
This samādhi will not be difficult to obtain.
They are established in the Buddha’s teaching.” {15}

26.- Conclusion of the twenty-sixth chapter, “Rejoicing.”

20
27. Chapter 27

The Benefits of Generosity

27.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, as it has been said, ‘Be
careful,’ you, young man, should consequently train in that way. Why is that? Because,
young man, for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who are careful, the highest, complete
enlightenment is not difficult to attain, let alone this samādhi.
27.2 “Young man, in what way should bodhisattva mahāsattvas be careful? For that, young
man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas should have perfectly pure conduct. Young man, in what
way should bodhisattva mahāsattvas have perfectly pure conduct? For that, young man,
bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have perfectly pure conduct, never separating from an all-
knowing mind, should practice the six perfections. Listen, for I shall teach you their
benefits.
27.3 “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who aspire to
generosity. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] the kleśa of avarice is overcome; [2]
their minds are constantly devoted to generosity; [3] from the ordinary wealth of the
populace they obtain what is essential; [4] they are reborn into a wealthy family, and as
soon as they are born they have a mind that aspires to generosity;886 [5] they are beloved
by the fourfold assembly; [6] they enter the assembly without fear or lack of confidence;
[7] verses that praise their greatness spread to the cardinal and intermediate directions;
[8] they have soft and youthful arms and legs; [9] they stand on feet with level soles;887
888
and [10] they are never apart from kalyān ̣amitras until they are seated at the
Bodhiman ̣d ̣a. [F.88.b]
27.4 “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who aspire to
generosity.”
It was said:

27.5 “Avarice is overcome.

Their generosity increases.
They are those who obtain the essentials
And are reborn into a wealthy family. {1}

27.6 “As soon as they are born

 There is generosity in their minds.
They are beloved by beings,
Both the laity and mendicants. {2}

27.7 “They enter the assembly

Fearlessly and confidently.
Their renown spreads
Through the villages and towns. {3}

27.8 “They have soft arms and legs

That they gain without difficulty.
They obtain kalyān ̣amitras,
Both buddhas and śrāvakas. {4}

27.9 “They never have an avaricious mind;

Their minds always delight in generosity.
They are beloved by millions of beings.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice. {5}

27.- “They are reborn into a family with great wealth.

10 At birth they have minds that delight in generosity.
They obtain the essentials and choose the time of passing away.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice. {6}

27.11 “Fearlessly they enter an assembly.

Their renown spreads in all directions.
They always have soft arms and legs.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice. {7}

27.12 “It is not difficult for them to obtain kalyān ̣amitras.

They also see buddhas and śrāvakas.
Seeing them, they make offerings to them with faith.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice.” {8}

27.13 Conclusion of the twenty-seventh chapter, “The Benefits of Generosity.”

28. Chapter 28

The Teaching on Correct Conduct

28.1 “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas from perfectly pure,
correct conduct. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] they devote889 themselves to
wisdom and perfect it; [2] they follow the example of the buddhas; [3] they do not
criticize the wise; [4] they do not waver from their vows; [5] they maintain their practice;
[6] they turn away890 from saṃsāra; [7] they are led to attain nirvān ̣a;891 [8] they live
without faults arising; [F.89.a] [9] they attain samādhi; and [10] they will never be
poor.892
28.2 “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have
perfectly pure, correct conduct.”
It was said concerning this:

28.3 “They bring wisdom to perfection,

Follow the example of the buddhas,
Do not criticize those who are wise,
And they are always without fear. {1}

28.4 “They do not waver from their vows,

They maintain their practice,
They are led to attain nirvān ̣a,
And they turn away from saṃsāra. {2}

28.5 “They live without faults arising,

They quickly attain samādhi,
They will not be poor,
And they maintain correct conduct. {3}

28.6 “Their wisdom will be perfected,

And they follow the example of the buddhas.
They never make criticisms of the wise,
And thus their conduct is completely pure. {4}
28.7 “The wise ones never waver from their vows.
The heroic ones893 maintain their practice.
Seeing the many faults of saṃsāra
They go toward nirvān ̣a. {5}

28.8 “There are no faults894 that arise in their minds;

Thus, they maintain the strength of correct conduct,
And quickly attain an immaculate895 samādhi.
Those are the benefits of pure, correct conduct.” {6}

28.9 Conclusion of the twenty-eighth chapter, “The Teaching on Correct Conduct.”

29. Chapter 29

Ten Benefits
29.1 “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas from maintaining
patience and being kind. [F.89.b] What are these ten? They are: [1] they are not burned
by fire; [2] they are not slain by weapons; [3] they are not affected by poison; [4] they do
not drown in water; [5] the devas protect them; [6] they attain a body adorned by the
primary signs of a great being; [7] all the doorways to their rebirth in lower existences are
closed; [8] it is not difficult for them to be reborn in the paradise of Brahmā; [9] they are
happy day and night; and [10] their physical sensations of comfort and pleasure are never
lost.
29.2 “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas from
maintaining patience and being kind.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.3 “They are not burned by fire,

They are not killed by weapons,
They are not affected by poison,
They do not drown in water, {1}

29.4 “They are protected by devas,

They have the thirty-two primary signs,
And the lower existences are closed to them.
Those are the benefits of patience. {2}

29.5 “The state of Brahmā and the state of Śakra

Are not difficult for them to attain.
They always dwell in happiness
And have inconceivable pleasure. {3}

29.6 “They are not slain by fire or weapons;

They are not killed by poison or drowning.
They are protected by devas, nāgas, and yaksas.
̣
 Those are the benefits of maintaining kindness. {4}

29.7 “Their bodies will have the thirty-two primary signs.

They will not fall into the lower existences,
And at death they will be reborn in the realm of Brahmā.
Those are the benefits of maintaining patience. {5}

29.8 “They have happiness day and night.

Their bodies will have pleasurable sensations.
They will have the power of patience and bliss.
Those wise ones will always have a tranquil mind. {6}

29.9 “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas from taking up diligence.
What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] it is difficult to approach their level;896 [2] they
attain the state of being cared for by the buddhas; [3] they will be cared for by the devas;
[4] they maintain the Dharma they have received; [5] they obtain the Dharma they have
not previously received; [6] they attain the lineage of samādhis;897 [7] they have few
illnesses; [8] they digest their food well; [9] they are like lotuses; and [10] they are not
like pestles.898
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas from taking up
10 diligence.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.11 “It is difficult to approach their level.899

They are without idleness.900
The devas protect them.
They quickly901 see the buddhas. {7}

29.- “Their prayers are fulfilled,902

12 They attain the lineage of samādhis,
And they do not become ill.903 [F.90.a]
Those are the benefits of diligence.904 {8–9}905

29.- “They digest pleasurably, without harm,

13 That which they eat and drink. {10}
They gradually develop
Like a blue lotus in the middle of water.906

29.- “In that way the bodhisattvas

14 Develop through good qualities. {11}
The days and the nights
Pass fruitfully for them.907

“The Tathāgata who has engaged in diligence,

29.- Gaining accomplishments for numerous eons,
15 Has taught to the bodhisattvas
These benefits of possessing diligence. {12}

29.- “Those who engage in diligence

16 Are in the care of the jinas.
The devas, too, make aspirations for them.
They will soon attain the Buddha’s enlightenment. {13}

29.17 “What they have learned will never diminish,

And they give many other Dharma teachings.
Their confidence of speech increases immensely.
Those are the benefits of engaging in diligence. {14}

29.- “They will quickly attain the lineage of samādhis.

18 They will never become ill.
Whatever food they eat
They will comfortably digest completely. {15}

29.- “Day and night the good qualities

19 Of their powerful diligence increase.
Through the power of this diligence,
Before long they will attain enlightenment. {16}

29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas from being devoted to
20 meditation. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] they maintain their bodhisattva
conduct; [2] they engage in the field of that conduct;908 [3] they live free from anguish;
[4] their sensory faculties are protected;909 [5] they experience pleasure;910 [6] they are
separated from desire; [7] they have insatiability for meditation; [8] they are free from
the domain of Māra; [9] they are established in the domain of the Buddha; and [10] they
ripen the state of liberation.
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas from being
21 devoted to meditation.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “They are never without bodhisattva conduct,

22 As they are established in bodhisattva conduct.
The yogins practice the field of that conduct,
And reject that which is not the field of that conduct. {17}

29.- “They live without anguish.

23 Their senses hidden and bound,
They experience pleasure. [F.90.b]
Their field of conduct is practicing meditation. {18}
29.- “They are without desire, or the craving of desire.
24 They abide in the bliss of meditation.
They are free from the domain of Māra
And dwell in the Buddha’s domain. {19}

29.- “This is the particular quality of the yogins:

25 That they delight in being alone in the forest.
They bring liberation to fruition.
Those are the ten aspects. {20}

29.- “The bodhisattvas remain in bodhisattva conduct

26 And they reject everything that is not that conduct.
They reject that which is not the field of that conduct and remain in that which is.
Those are the benefits of endeavoring in samādhi. {21}

29.- “They never experience anguish.

27 They reach the state of higher bliss.
Both their body and mind become blissful.
These are the benefits of endeavoring in meditation.911 {22}

29.- “They live secretly in solitary places.

28 They never have any distractions.
Thus their bodies are in isolation
And they attain happiness free of desires. {23}

29.- “They are unstained by desires and have no kleśas.

29 Thus they are free from the domain of Māra
And are established in the domain of the tathāgatas.
They bring their liberation to fruition. {24}

29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas from engaging in
30 wisdom. What are these ten? They are: [1] they give away all their possessions without
becoming proud that they are pure; [2] they have immaculate, correct conduct without
forming an attachment to that conduct; [3] they maintain the power of patience without
maintaining the conceptualization that there are beings; [4] they take up diligence in
isolation from body and mind;912 [5] in meditating they meditate with a non-abiding
meditation; [6] they are invincible to the māras; [7] they are unshakable to all
adversaries;913 [8] they attain illumination regarding all engagement with the
composite;914 [9] they engage in vast great compassion for all beings, and have no
aspiration for the level of the śrāvakas or pratyekabuddhas;915 [F.91.a] and [10] they enter
into the dhyānas, samādhis, and samāpattis of the buddhas.916
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas from engaging
31 in wisdom.”
On this topic, it was said:
29.- “The heroic ones give away all their possessions
32 But do not become proud that they are pure.
They keep their correct conduct immaculate
But they form no attachment to that. {25}

29.- “The wise ones meditate on patience

33 But have expelled the conceptualization of beings.
They are those who engage in diligence
But in isolation from body and mind. {26}

29.- “They are those who cultivate meditation,

34 But without abiding and independent;
They are invincible to the māras.
Those are the qualities of those who have wisdom. {27}

29.- “They are unshakable

35 To every adversary
And have obtained the illumination of saṃsāra.
Those are the qualities of wisdom. {28}

29.- “They have attained great compassion

36 Toward all beings.
They never have an aspiration
For the wisdom of the śrāvaka or pratyekabuddha. {29}

29.- “They are not proud of being pure through giving away all their possessions.
37 They have immaculate correct conduct but have no attachment to conduct.
They meditate on patience but have no conceptualization of beings.
Those are the benefits of being devoted to wisdom. {30}

29.- “They engage in diligence but in isolation.917

38 They meditate without being bound, without fixation.
They are wise918 and are invincible to Māra.919
Those are the benefits of being devoted to wisdom. {31}

29.- “They are unshakable to adversaries.920

39 They have discovered the shallowness921 of the composite,
And they have vast compassion for beings.
Those are the benefits of being devoted to wisdom. {32}

29.- “They never give rise to an aspiration to be

40 A pratyekabuddha or śrāvaka,
And thus they are established in the qualities of a buddha.
Those are the benefits of being devoted to wisdom.922 {33}
29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas from becoming very
41 learned. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] they do not create kleśas;923 [2] they do
not develop malice;924 [F.91.b] [3] they expose doubts; [4] they make views accurate; [5]
they shun the wrong paths; [6] they are established on the true path; [7] they have
reached the doorway to deathlessness; [8] they are close to enlightenment; [9] they are a
light for beings; and [10] they have no fear of the lower existences.
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas from becoming
42 very learned.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “These are taught to be the ten benefits

43 From becoming very learned
Just as they are known
By the Tathāgata, the Buddha. {34}

29.- “They know the two aspects

44 Of the kleśas and of purification.
They reject the kleśas
And follow925 the path of purification. {35}

29.- “The wise ones reject doubts

45 And develop accurate views.
They shun the wrong path
And follow the correct path. {36}

29.- “They are at the door to deathlessness

46 And they are close to enlightenment.
They are a light for beings
And they are not afraid of the lower existences. {37}

29.- “They know the numerous properties of having the kleśas,

47 And in the same way they know the aspect of purification.
They completely reject the kleśas
And train in the supreme quality of purification. {38}

29.- “They expose the doubts of all beings.

48 They have a view that is always accurate.
They shun the wrong path
And are always upon the true path of peace. {39}

29.- “They are always beside the doorway to deathlessness;

49 They are always close to stainless enlightenment.
They have become a light to all the multitudes of beings
And they have no fear of the lower existences. {40}
29.- “Young man, for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who are intent on giving the Dharma, there are
50 ten benefits that come from giving the Dharma. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1]
they reject that which should not be done; [2] they engage in that which should be done;
[3] they follow the Dharma of a worthy person; [4] they purify buddha realms; [5] they
reach the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a; [6] they give away material things; [7] they overcome the kleśas;
[F.92.a] [8] they gives their portion926 to all beings; [9] they meditate on love toward
those on whom their minds are focused; and [10] they attain happiness in this life.
29.- “Young man, for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who are intent on giving the Dharma, those
51 are the ten benefits that come from giving the Dharma.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “Those who give the supreme gift,

52 The gift of the Dharma, are not misers.
The Lord of the World has taught
That they will have ten benefits. {41}

29.- “They reject all that should not be done;

53 The wise ones engage in what should be done.
They obtain the Dharma of a worthy person
And maintain a motivation of generosity. {42}

29.- “They purify a buddha realm.927

54 Their realm is inconceivable.928
They are always on the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a,929
Which is the result of giving the Dharma. {43}

29.- “They give away all material things.

55 They follow the king of the Dharma.
For those who have overcome the kleśas,
Enlightenment is not hard to attain. {44}

29.- “With a loving mind they give

56 Their portion to all beings.
They are those who have no envy,
And they have a happiness higher than that of humans. {45}

29.- “They are learned people who reject what should not be done.
57 They are wise people who are always doing what should be done.
They always follow the Dharma of great beings.
They are learned people who always give the gift of the Dharma. {46}

29.- “Their realm is one that is always pure.

58 They increase those qualities that are aspects of enlightenment.
They are always close to the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a.
 Those are the benefits of giving the Dharma. {47}

29.- “They have no kleśas, and give material things away.

59 They know the characteristics of things.
They are liberated from all attachment.
They never have any impediments. {48}

29.- “They have a wise one’s mind.

60 They wish for all beings to be happy.
They have loving minds free of envy,
And in this life their happiness is not little. {49}

29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who dwell in emptiness.
61 What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] they dwell in the dwelling of the Buddha;930
[F.92.b] [2] their meditation is nondwelling;931 [3] they are not intent on rebirth;932 [4]
they have no clinging to conduct;933 [5] they do not criticize superior beings; [6] they live
in an appropriate manner; [7] they do not conceptualize the objects of perception;934 [8]
they remain detached;935 [9] they do not disparage the buddhas;936 and [10] they possess
the Dharma.937
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who dwell in
62 emptiness.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “The yogins dwell in that which is

63 The dwelling of the lords of men
And the field of activity of all the buddhas,
Without the conception of a life. {50}

29.- “Without dependence on any existence

64 They never give up the superior dhyāna.
Having seen the nature of phenomena
They have no intention of being reborn. {51}

29.- “Those who have no clinging to conduct

65 Will not be dependent on conduct.938
They do not criticize in any way
Another superior being939 who is without defilement.940 {52}

29.- “They live in an appropriate manner

66 And are not known to quarrel.
The yogins do not conceptualize things
But live always detached. {53}

“They do not disparage the Buddha

29.- Even for the sake of their life.
67 While remaining in the emptiness of phenomena
They are fearlessly visible in their body. {54}

29.- “They teach the Dharma with veneration

68 For the inconceivable enlightenment of buddhahood
Of all the lords of the worlds,
And they have no doubt in the Dharma of the Buddha. {55}

29.- “The dwelling place of the supreme individuals,

69 The level not that of the many kinds of tīrthika,
There where there is no being, soul, or person:
That is where the bodhisattvas dwell.941 {56}

29.- “They have no dwelling whatsoever.

70 They remain in the bliss of nondwelling dhyāna.942
They see that phenomena have no self, no being,
And they do not give rise to the concept of creation. {57}

29.71 “They understand the nature of phenomena.

They have no dependence even on conduct.
They do not conceive of themselves as pure because of conduct,
And always have faith in the buddhas.943 {58}

29.- “They meditate on the empty nature of all phenomena

72 And they are never in any way inappropriate. [F.93.a]
They possess the pure Dharma of the tathāgatas
And do not disparage the guides. {59}

29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who remain intently in
73 meditative seclusion. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] their minds are unpolluted;
[2] they remain careful; [3] they keep the Buddha in mind; [4] they have faith in
bodhisattva conduct;944 [5] they have no uncertainty concerning wisdom;945 [6] they
have gratitude toward the buddhas;946 [7] they do not abandon947 the Dharma; [8] they
maintain vows perfectly; [9] they have attained the level of self-discipline; and [10] they
have the direct perception of the four discernments.
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who remain
74 intently in meditative seclusion.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “Their minds are unpolluted.

75 They have rejected all carelessness.
They maintain carefulness.
Their field of activity is meditative seclusion. {60}
29.- “They have faith in the buddhas, having heard
76 Of the conduct of the Lord of the World.
The yogins have no doubt concerning wisdom,
The inconceivable wisdom of the buddhas. {61}

29.- “They have gratitude toward the buddhas,

77 And have no doubt concerning the Dharma of the buddhas.
They maintain their vows perfectly,
And have attained the level of self-discipline. {62}

29.- “They have attained discernment.

78 They delight in being alone in the forest.
They have forsaken gain and honors,
And their field of activity is meditative seclusion. {63}

29.- “Their minds are unpolluted.

79 They have forsaken all carelessness.
They are great beings who are always careful.
Those are the benefits of being dedicated to samādhi. {64}

29.- “They keep in mind the buddhas, the supreme humans,

80 And they have faith in their supreme conduct.
They do not doubt the wisdom of the tathāgatas.
Those are the benefits of being dedicated to samādhi. {65}

29.- “They always have gratitude toward the buddhas.

81 They do not forsake the Dharma even for the sake of their life.
At all times they keep their vows perfectly.
Those are the benefits of being dedicated to samādhi. {66}

29.- “They have attained the level of self-discipline. [F.93.b]

82 They quickly attain the direct perception of discernment.
They speak with the unceasing confidence of speech.
They teach millions and billions of sūtras. {67}

29.- “They quickly attain the enlightenment of buddhahood.

83 They protect the teaching of the Guide.
They defeat all who are adversaries.
They extensively propagate the enlightenment of buddhahood. {68}

29.- “When those bodhisattvas pass away,

84 They go to the realm of Sukhāvatī.
They hear the highest Dharma from Amitāyus
And attain the acceptance of the nonorigination of phenomena. {69} [B9]
29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who are dedicated to
85 solitude. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] they have few activities; [2] they have
gone far from busy crowds; [3] they have no quarrels; [4] they have no harm; [5] they do
not increase defilements;948 [6] they do not create any cause for disputes; [7] they have
perfectly peaceful conduct; [8] they maintain perfect self-restraint; [9] their minds are
prepared for liberation; and [10] they quickly manifest liberation.
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who are dedicated
86 to solitude.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “They always have few activities.

87 They have gone far from busy crowds.
They have no quarrels.
They live alone in the forest. {70}

29.- “Without an intention to cause harm

88 They do not increase their defilements.
They have no cause for disputes.
Those are the qualities of living in a forest. {71}

29.- “They are peaceful in their conduct.

89 They restrain their body, speech, and mind.
They are prepared for liberation;
They will quickly reach liberation. {72}

29.- “They are yogins who always have few activities.

90 They have shunned the many faults of busy gatherings.
The yogins949 do not ever quarrel.
Those are the qualities of living in a solitary place. {73}

29.- “When they have become saddened by the composite,

91 They never harbor any longing for the world,
And they do not increase their defilements.
The ones who live in a forest gain these benefits. {74}

29.- “There never arises in them a cause for disputes. [F.94.a]

92 They live in solitude, delighting in peace.
Their body, speech, and mind are restrained.
The ones who live in solitude will have many qualities. {75}

29.- “They are prepared for liberation.

93 They will quickly attain the peace of liberation.
They dwell in the forest and are close to liberation.
Those who dwell in solitude will have all these qualities. {76}
29.- “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who live by receiving
94 alms in the austerity of the disciplines of mendicancy. What are the ten benefits? They
are: [1] they have no desire for a reputation; [2] they have no desire for fame; [3] they
have no desire for honors or gains; [4] they remain within the four noble families;950 [5]
they have no hypocrisy or boasting; [6] they do not praise themselves; [7] they do not
criticize others; [8] they engage with households without aversion or attachment;951 [9]
they give the Dharma without expectation of a reward;952 and [10] the Dharma they teach
while remaining in the austerity of the disciplines of mendicancy will be remembered.
29.- “Young man, those are the ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who live by
95 receiving alms in the austerity of the disciplines of mendicancy.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “They have no desire for a reputation.

96 They do not wish for fame.
Those who remain in the disciplines of mendicancy
Are indifferent to gain and loss. {77}

29.- “They do not abandon the noble family.

97 They have no hypocrisy or boastfulness.
They do not praise themselves
And they do not criticize others. {78}

29.- “They have no attachment or aversion,

98 And teach the Dharma with no thought of reward.
The words they speak will be remembered.
Recipients of alms will have those qualities.953 {79}

29.- “They do not seek reputation, fame, or gain.

99 They remain within the four noble families.
The wise ones are neither hypocritical nor boastful.
Those are the qualities of dedication to mendicancy. {80}

29.- “They do not praise themselves or criticize others.

100 They are not upset when spoken to harshly.
They are not delighted when they hear themselves praised. [F.94.b]
Recipients of alms will have that contentment.954 {81}

29.- “They give the gift of the Dharma without thought of reward.
101 They do not search for fame or gain.
The words they speak will be remembered.
Those are the benefits that come from dedication to mendicancy. {82}
29.- “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who dwell in solitude while maintaining those
102 qualities of the Dharma will obtain the treasure of the buddhas, they will obtain the
treasure of the Dharma, they will obtain the treasure of wisdom, and they will obtain the
treasure of knowing the past, the future, and the present.
29.- “Young man, how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of the buddhas?
103 Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who practice alone, who dwell in solitude, will
attain the five higher cognitions. What are the five higher cognitions? They are divine
sight, divine hearing, the knowledge of others’ minds, remembering past lives, and
possessing miraculous powers. Young man, those are the five higher cognitions that are
obtained. Through divine vision, which transcends human vision, the countless,
innumerable buddha bhagavāns in the eastern direction are seen. In the same way the
countless, innumerable buddha bhagavāns in the southern, western, and northern
directions are seen. They constantly have this vision of the buddhas. Young man, in that
way the bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of the buddhas.
29.- “Young man, how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of the Dharma? The
104 bodhisattva mahāsattvas hear with their divine hearing the Dharma that is taught by
those buddha bhagavāns in the ten directions. They are constantly hearing the Dharma.
Young man, in that way the bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of the Dharma.
29.- “Young man, how do the bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of wisdom?
105 Young man, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have that wisdom obtain the entire
Dharma. They do not forget anything that they have obtained, and teach the Dharma to
beings, [F.95.a] knowing what will be beneficial for any one person. Young man, in that
way bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of wisdom.
29.- “Young man, how do bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of knowing the past,
106 the future, and the present? Through the higher cognitions they gain the knowledge of the
minds and conduct of all beings in the past, the future, and the present. Young man, in
that way bodhisattva mahāsattvas obtain the treasure of knowing the past, the future, and
the present.
29.- “Young man, in brief, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who maintain the qualities of the
107 Dharma in that way will obtain the entire Dharma of the buddhas. This level is not
reached by śrāvakas or pratyekabuddhas, let alone any adversary of the Dharma.”
On this topic, it was said:

29.- “The wise ones who remain in solitude

108 Will quickly attain the treasure of the buddhas,
The treasure of the Dharma, the treasure of wisdom,
The treasure of the past, and the five higher cognitions.”955 {83}

29.- Conclusion of the twenty-ninth chapter, “Ten Benefits.”

109
30. Chapter 30

Tejagunarāja
̣
30.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, you should
train in this way, thinking, ‘I will abandon even the pleasures of the kingship of a divine
cakravartin and enter homelessness.’
30.2 “Young man, having entered homelessness you should maintain the disciplines of
mendicancy, live in solitude, and develop perfect mildness and patience.
30.3 “Young man, you should apply yourself diligently, as if your hair and clothes were on
fire, and listen to the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena,
learn it, understand it, keep it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it,
meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely known to
others.
30.4 “Young man, you should always, like a rhinoceros, dwell without a companion in the
forest.”956 [F.95.b]
30.5 Thereupon the Bhagavān, in order to explain this topic,957 gave a detailed teaching on
this episode from the past by chanting the following verses to the youth Candraprabha:

30.6 “I remember many hundreds of eons ago

There was a guide of limitless renown.
Multitudes of humans, devas, and nāgas made offerings to him.
He was a jina named Tejagun ̣arāja. {1}

30.7 “During that time there formed a community

Of a hundred and sixty million bhiksus
̣ with higher cognitions,
Who had completely attained the power of the discernments,
Who practiced the austerity of the disciplines of mendicancy, and who had peaceful
minds. {2}

30.8 “At that time there were in this Jambudvīpa

One billion seven hundred and sixty million towns,
And each of them was five yojanas wide,
And was particularly supreme, made of the seven precious materials. {3}
30.9 “At that time, all of those perfect towns
Were adorned by many hundreds of parks,
And all those parks were adorned
With fresh flowers and fruit, like massed clouds. {4}

30.- “Those perfect parks were adorned

10 With various beautiful trees with edible fruits—
Covered with jackfruits, mangos, rose apples, and breadfruit,
And with hundreds of karnikara, magnolia, and pun ̣n ̣aga trees. {5}

30.11 “At that time, flocks of birds in banyan trees would sing—
Hundreds of cuckoos, avadavats, and peacocks,
And flocks of many other birds were heard:
The songs of parrots,958 partridges, and snipes. {6}

30.- “There was the supreme sound of the songs of bees and partridges
12 That equaled that of Dhrtarās
̣ ̣ 959 the king of geese.
ṭ ra,
They had bright, multicolored bodies, brilliant with great hues,
And sang delightful, beautiful, charming songs. {7}

30.- “At that time, there were gatherings of these birds,

13 There were the songs of avadavats, peacocks, and parrots,960
Cuckoos, mynas, and a variety of other birds—
Various kinds of songs from many birds. {8}

30.- “They dwelt in those hundreds of parks

14 Where there were the blossoms of karnikara,
Gardenia, aśoka, and kachnar trees,
As well as red lotuses, blue lotuses, night lotuses, and white lotuses. {9}

30.- “They were beautified by lotus flower ponds

15 That were adorned by a hundred thousand lotuses.
There were beautiful, exquisite lotus ponds [F.96.a]
Adorned by the fragrance of the most delightful scents. {10}

30.- “At that time, the king in this Jambudvīpa

16 Was the lord of men whose name was Drdhadatta.
̣
He had five hundred sons
Who were handsome and beautiful to see. {11}

30.- “At that time the kingdom was peaceful and happy,
17 Free of calamities, and filled with joy and peace.
Jambudvīpa was adorned by many flowers.
It was identical to a paradise, with no difference. {12}
30.- “At that time there was a jina, one with the ten strengths,
18 Without bad actions, who taught this supreme samādhi:
‘The beings within existence are like dreams.
There is no one who is born and no one who dies. {13}

30.- “ ‘There is no being to be found, and no soul,961 or person.962

19 These phenomena are like dreams963 or a plantain tree;964
Like illusions, the same as lightning in the sky;
Like the moon on water, the same as a mirage.965 {14}

30.- “ ‘There is no person who dies in this world,

20 Who departs and goes to another world.
But the karma that has been created is not destroyed.
It will ripen as good and bad results within saṃsāra. {15}

30.- “ ‘It is neither eternal nor is it annihilated.

21 There is no accumulation or presence of karma,
Yet if it has been created there is no way to avoid encountering it,
While that which is created by others will not be experienced. {16}

30.- “ ‘There is no passing away or returning.

22 There is no existence of all things, yet neither are they nonexistent.
There is no pure engagement with the locus of a view.
There is no conduct of beings and no engagement with peace. {17}

30.- “ ‘The conduct of the sugatas, the qualities of the jinas,

23 Are birthlessness, peace, and the absence of attributes.
The supreme leaders, the buddhas, have these strengths and retentions,
And the strength of the ten strengths. {18}

30.- “ ‘The supreme good qualities, the accumulation of qualities,

24 Are the supreme qualities, wisdom, retentions, strengths,
The supreme manifestation of miraculous powers,
And the attainment of the five966 supreme higher cognitions. {19}

30.- “ ‘There is no essence here to be known whatsoever.

25 There is no coming, no going; that is the subtle967 mode of phenomena.968
The essence of phenomena has no movement whatsoever,
Thus the mode of phenomena is the mode of no movement. {20}

30.- “ ‘The natural mode is not in the accumulation of words.

26 This mode, this nature, does not dwell anywhere. [F.96.b]
The natural mode is without dwelling, is nondependent.
It is the level of peace, the stainless domain of the jinas. {21}
30.- “ ‘It is the mode of peace, complete peace, total peace.
27 That mode does not dwell anywhere.
It always accompanies the nature of things.
It is subtle,969 difficult to see, and an unfluctuating state. {22}

30.- “ ‘It does not fluctuate but continues to be itself.

28 It is a continuing nature that neither stays nor comes.
This continuing nature cannot be described.
It is the empty, unfluctuating continuity of phenomena. {23}

30.- “ ‘It is taught in words but it is not the mode of words.

29 The mode of the nature of words is the mode of phenomena.
The aggregation of words has no location anywhere,
And that mode of its nature is the mode of phenomena. {24}

30.- “ ‘The words that describe the mode are not the mode of being.
30 The nature of phenomena is a mode of subtle970 meaning.
Though words are spoken, that is not the mode of being;
Words cannot be found and neither can the mode of being. {25}

30.- “ ‘There is no endlessness, nor an end, nor a mode in between.

31 There is no existence nor nonexistence, nor a partial mode.
The knowledge of that mode of nature
Is the same in the teachings of all the supreme jinas. {26}

30.- “ ‘The stainless, pure, ultimate state—

32 Peace, complete peace, without stain, free of stain—
There are no concepts or pride in the state of peace
That is taught by the Jina, the one with perfect compassion. {27}

30.- “ ‘In this there is no usage of letters.

33 It is a vast mode, a vast mode of meaning.
The buddhas honor it; the jinas praise it.
The appearance of the Dharma is a subtle mode. {28}

30.- “ ‘The unequaled sugatas remain in that

34 Stainless, vast treasure of the Dharma.
They teach the stainless, precious Dharma,
The ultimate truth of emptiness, the subtle971 mode of meaning.’ 972 {29}

30.- “When King Drdhadatta

̣ heard
35 That the supreme human was teaching this samādhi,
He then973 came into the presence of the compassionate Jina
Accompanied by eighty quintillion others. {30}
30.- “The sovereign over men felt veneration for the Jina
36 Who was endowed with the strengths, and bowed down to his feet.
While he stayed in front of the one with the ten strengths,
Filled with joy, he placed his ten fingers together in homage. {31}

30.- “The Jina, who was perfect, with control over his senses,
37 Perceived the king’s pure conduct. [F.97.a]
The supreme human knew his aspiration
And taught him this supreme samādhi. {32}

30.- “When the king had heard this ultimate truth

38 He experienced a vast, superior joy.
He gave up all of the four continents.
He abandoned pleasures and left his home. {33}

30.- “When the king gave up the world and entered homelessness
39 For the sake of enlightenment and to become a jina,
All the people in this Jambudvīpa974
Gave up all sensory pleasures and entered homelessness too. {34}

30.- “At that time there was a vast assembly with the ten strengths.
40 There were many diligent bhiksus
̣ and bhiksun
̣ ̣īs.
At that time, herbs grew without ploughing,
And devas came to serve and attend to them. {35}

30.- “The three orange Dharma robes manifested,

41 Perfectly cut and sewn, without parallel,
Unsullied, stainless, adorned, beautifully golden,
Arising from the Buddha’s qualities and the power of merit. {36}

30.- “See, young man, look how that supreme king

42 Gave up the entire world and entered homelessness.975
In the age of destruction there will be many beings
Who will have few possessions but will not leave their homes.976 {37}

30.- “There will be many in chains and suffering punishments,

43 Who are abused, threatened, and have unwished-for suffering.
There will be many who will have to endure harm from royal families,977
Who will have very few possessions and no food in their homes. {38}

30.- “They will have very short lives and no wealth.

44 They will be very careless and have no power of merit.
They will be stupid, and unskilled in any craft.
They will be in poverty with nothing in their homes. {39}
30.- “They will be impure and desire the wives of others.
45 They will be envious and extremely rash.
They will be degenerate and behave badly—
Yet they will say, ‘I am going to be a buddha.’978 {40}

30.- “They will make deceptive promises and be brazen, saying,

46 ‘I am wealthy and I will give the wealth of the Dharma to the world.’979
They will cause harm, be hypocritical and dishonest—
Yet they will say, ‘I am going to be a buddha.’ {41}

30.- “They will delight in killing, binding, and attacking others;

47 They will have bad conduct, and be cruel and aggressive.
They will have no gratitude, be divisive and violent— [F.97.b]
Yet will say, ‘I am a noble practitioner of bodhisattva conduct.’ {42}

30.- “They will become angry with anyone

48 Who they hear teaching bodhisattva conduct.
When they hear something that is stupid980 and mistaken
They will repeat those blameworthy words a hundred times.981 {43}

30.- “Young man, having heard these words of mine,

49 Do not follow982 those others.
If you wish to reach the highest enlightenment
They are not to be trusted, even in a dream. {44}

30.- “One could recount for hundreds of eons the many qualities
50 Ascribed to the austere disciplines of mendicancy,
But without possessing those qualities
One will not attain the peace of the highest enlightenment. {45}

30.- “Always be good and gentle.

51 Always have pure conduct and a serene mind.
Continually maintain pure conduct,
And before long you will attain the supreme samādhi. {46}

30.- “Do not be proud and do not be harsh.

52 Always have a mind that is serene.
Eliminate all pride, arrogance, and hiding of your faults,
And attain this supreme samādhi. {47}

30.- “Always remember the Jina’s qualities.

53 The color of perfect gold, shining brightly,
Like the sky at night filled with stars:
The Sage’s body is filled with signs. {48}
30.- “The descendant of Manu who remembers the moon of the Sage
54 While walking, sitting, standing, or lying down
Will always have the Teacher present before him,
And he will have vast happiness.983 {i}

30.- “Holding many powders and ointments,

55 And excellent parasols, banners, canopies, and flags,
Always make offerings to the Sugata
And this supreme samādhi will soon be attained. {49}

30.- “Holding many musical instruments

56 And excellent, exquisite984 incense, garlands, and flowers,
Make offerings always to the Jina’s stūpas
And this supreme samādhi will soon be attained. {50}

30.- “With many kinds of excellent songs and dance,

57 With amusements and performances made with a pure mind,
With excellent lights and incense,
Always make excellent offerings to the unequaled one.985 {i}

30.- “With hundreds of pan ̣ava drums and loud mrdaṅga

̣ drums,
58 With pataha
̣ drums, lutes,986 the excellent sound of flutes, [F.98.a]
With the qualities of music of various kinds of melodious sounds,
Make an offering to the Guide with a pure mind. {51}

30.- “Create beautiful images of the Buddha,

59 Perfectly made of precious materials,987
That are attractive and extremely beautiful,
And this supreme samādhi will soon be attained. {52}

30.- “Make excellent images that are fashioned

60 From gold or silver, and also sandalwood,
That are attractive and extremely beautiful,
And this supreme samādhi will soon be attained.988 {i}

30.- “Make images that are fashioned of clay,

61 Or stone, or wood, or painted,
That are attractive and extremely beautiful,
And this supreme samādhi will soon be attained.989 {ii}

30.- “Always remain in the solitude of forests,

62 Forsaking the joys of villages and towns.
Be without a companion, like a rhinoceros,
And this supreme samādhi will soon be attained. {53}
30.- “I am the Lord of the Dharma; you are my son.
63 Train in this samādhi practice of mine.
I was at that time Drdhadatta,
̣ the world-renowned
Ruler over the descendants of Manu.990 {54}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

64 I made offerings to countless buddhas in the past.
I always maintained pure conduct
And I honored those with the ten strengths.991 {55}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

65 In the past I gave up my sons and wives.
I gave away my supreme, excellent head, legs,
Arms, and eyes without ever being disheartened. {56}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

66 I gave away wealth and grain,
Hundreds of male and female slaves, and many jewels,
And satisfied numerous beggars. {57}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

67 In the past I gave away great quantities
Of pearls, crystals, gold, conches, ammonite stones,992 beryls,
Perfectly pure jewels, and a mass993 of coral, {58}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

68 I gave away vast amounts of excellent jewelry
Of various kinds, such as perfect strings of pearls,
Lion jewelry,994 and nets of jewels. {59} [F.98.b]

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

69 In the past I gave away many millions
Of fine, excellent clothes that were perfectly clean,
Made of the finest silk and cloth and beautified by gold threads. {60}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

70 I gave away various kinds of elephants, horses, chariots,
And my own beloved sons and women,
Without ever experiencing any unhappiness. {61}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

71 Whenever I saw people who were very poor,
Who were in distress and suffering because of their need,
I freed them from their poverty. {62}
30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,
72 I have in the past given to beggars
Trillions of995 horses, elephants, and chariots
Draped in nets of precious jewel adornments. {63}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

73 I have in the past joyfully and with compassion
Given away many trillions
Of excellently decorated parks. {64}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

74 I have in the past given away beautifully adorned
Villages, towns, regions, and market towns,
And having given them felt continuous joy. {65}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

75 I have in the past given to those who requested them
Heaps of jewels as large as Sumeru
And a similar amount of clothes and adornments. {66}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

76 I have made those who are very poor rich,
I have protected those who were in great distress,
And I have made happy many who were enduring suffering. {67}

30.- “When I was a sovereign over this world

77 And saw the suffering of the population,
I felt compassion and wished them to be happy,
And gave my kingdom to them. {68}

30.- “Young man, the marvelous things that I have done,

78 And the hardships I have undergone for many hundreds of eons,
I would not be able to complete recounting them
Even in a quintillion eons. {69}

30.- “Seeking this peace, this supreme samādhi,

79 I underwent astonishing hardships.
The people without faith in the Sugata’s conduct
Will have minds that become crazed and polluted. {70}

30.- “Young man, I declare this to you: [F.99.a]

80 Have faith in me; my words are not untrue.
The Sugata does not speak words that are false.
The compassionate Jina always speaks the truth. {71}
30.- “These many different kinds of practices
81 I will have carried out for many996 eons.997
However I attain this supreme samādhi
I will then free millions of beings from suffering.998 {72}

30.- “In the moment that I have attained

82 This samādhi, the path of great wisdom,
Having attained this supreme samādhi
I will see numerous millions of buddhas. {73}

30.- “I will have attained infinite miraculous powers,

83 And my emanations will go to hundreds of realms,
And there I will ask the compassionate ones
Many quintillions of questions. {74}

30.- “The sugatas will give me answers

84 For my quintillions of questions,
And having obtained them I will remember them all
And I will not forget even a single word. {75}

30.- “Having listened to the answers to those

85 Quintillions of correct questions,
I will teach the stainless state of peace
And establish many beings on the path of wisdom. {76}

30.- “I will remain in this samādhi

86 And train in it for many hundreds of eons,
And will first bring many quintillions of beings
On to the highest stainless path. {77}

30.- “Those who have not seen the previous sugatas

87 Who have taught this stainless way
Will not be able to have faith
In the supreme samādhi of emptiness, the ultimate truth. {78}

30.- “The people who have faith, are wise, and know the practice,
88 Are always joyful when they hear
The way that is correct and profound,
And do not become frightened or terrified. {79}

30.- “They hold the supreme enlightenment.

89 They have been reborn as my sons.
They are like fig-tree flowers,
And I practice for hundreds of eons for their sake. {80}
30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi
90 Have no fear of falling into unfortunate existences,
Are always free of the eight disadvantageous states,
And will see numerous millions of buddhas. {81}

30.- “They who have this supreme samādhi in their hands, [F.99.b]
91 I prophesy, will have unending understanding,
And like the kind Jina999 who has infinite fame,1000
They will accomplish many benefits for beings. {82}

30.- “They who possess this samādhi

92 Will have understanding and memory,
High wisdom, will retain what they have heard,
And will possess vast confidence of speech. {83}

30.- “They who possess this samādhi

93 Will receive the offerings of devas,
Will be continually revered by humans,1001
And will be constantly protected by the hosts of spirits.1002 {84}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

94 Do not die in fire or water,
Are not harmed by poison or weapons,
And cannot be reached by enemies. {85}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

95 Will always dwell in forest bowers,
Where they will be constantly attended by devas,
And where many yaksas
̣ will be their servants. {86}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

96 Will have wisdom that is as vast as the ocean,
Will describe without impediment the qualities of the Sage,
And make known correctly the qualities of the Buddha. {87}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

97 Will have endless, boundless learning
That is beyond measure, like space,
And will hold the torch of wisdom that dispels darkness. {88}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

98 Will always be gentle, will speak appropriate words,
Will be beloved in the midst of their followers,
And their speech will be like the lion’s roar. {89}
30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi
99 Will be like healing physicians,
The support, protector, and refuge of many,
And will bring illumination to the worlds. {90}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

100 Will not take pleasure in sexual intercourse.1003
They will enjoy śamatha and reach the bliss of dhyāna.
With a peaceful voice1004 they will speak of peace. {91}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

101 Will not take pleasure in conceptualization,
Will be free of the entire multitude of concepts,
And those wise ones will constantly be in meditation. [F.100.a] {92}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

102 Will attain extraordinary vision
And will see the infinite jinas.
They will be leaders with infinite sight. {93}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

103 Will have the sweet and melodious voice of a crane,1005
The sound of the avadavat and a drumbeat,1006
And a singing sound and gentle voice. {94}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

104 Will have a voice that is like resounding thunder.
Their gentle speech will be like the song of a goose
And their voice will have the fifty aspects of speech.1007 {95}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

105 Will speak with an inconceivable voice
That has the pleasant sound of the various aspects of speech
For numerous quintillions of eons. {96}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

106 Will not have attachment to food,
Will not delight in alms bowls or dharma robes,
But with few desires they will be content and abstinent. {97}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

107 Do not praise themselves
And never criticize others.
They always delight in dhyāna and have a subtle mind. {98}
30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi
108 Always examine themselves,
Do not look for mistakes in others,
And the entire world does not impede them. {99}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

109 Have pure conduct and untroubled minds,
Are never deceitful or dishonest,
Are always gentle, and always delight in liberation. {100}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

110 Are always motivated to generosity,
Take no delight in avarice,
And always have correct conduct. {101}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

111 Are handsome, good looking, and attractive.
Their bodies shine like the purest gold
And have the thirty-two primary signs of a great being. {102}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

112 Always have an attractive appearance,
Are observed and beloved by many people, [F.100.b]
And those people never have enough of gazing upon them. {103}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

113 Always delight, gladden, and enchant
Devas, nāgas, and likewise the yaksas,
̣
Who enter towns1008 and praise them.1009 {104}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

114 Always have Brahmā, Śakra, and many powerful deities
Acting as their attendants,
But there is no pride in their mind. {105}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

115 Have no fear of the lower existences.
They have no fear of the disadvantageous existences or bad rebirths.
They are completely free of all fear of bad rebirths. {106}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

116 Have no doubts or uncertainties
On hearing in detail the supreme Dharma of the Buddha,
And they follow that profound wisdom. {107}
30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi,
117 Whatever subtle Dharma teachings they hear
They attain perfect mastery of them all,
And gain their power and detailed reasoning. {108}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

118 Constantly think, ‘I will always act in accordance
With what the Jina’s words have taught,’
And attain unique, supreme retention. {109}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

119 Will, when the time of their death comes,
Have before them the compassionate Amitābha
̣ 1010 {110}
And his host of bhiksus.

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

120 Are those who have attained the retentions,
Have perfect mastery over the treasure of the Dharma,
And possess the unceasing words of eloquence. {111}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi,

121 With peaceful conduct and peaceful1011 minds
Will be an illumination for beings
Wherever those holders of the Dharma go.1012 {112}

30.- “They attain the ten bhūmis:1013 Perfect Joy,

122 Stainless, Shining, Brilliance, Difficult to Master,
Manifest, Gone Far, Unwavering,
Perfect Understanding, and Clouds of Dharma.1014 {i}

30.- “Those heroes attain the ten powers:1015

123 Life,1016 karma,1017 materials,1018 and devotion,1019
And the strengths of aspiration,1020 miracles,1021 and birth,1022 [F.101.a]
Dharma,1023 mind,1024 and likewise great wisdom.1025 {ii}

30.- “They who possess this supreme samādhi

124 Are skilled in the various aspects of the supreme Dharma treasure,
Have attained the perfect power of the dharmakāya,
And cut through the doubts of all beings.1026 {113}

30.- “If all beings were compassionate bhagavāns,

125 And were sugatas until existence comes to an end,
And if someone were to make offerings to them for many hundreds of eons
Or for more eons than there are sand grains in the Ganges, {114}
30.- “And if in this latter time of destruction
126 Someone were to hear this samādhi
And say only the words ‘I rejoice in this!’
The previous merit would not be a fraction of this accumulation. {115}

30.- “Young man, whoever has this practice of peace,

127 This supreme samādhi, the ultimate truth of emptiness,
Propagates it and creates copies of it,
That one is a dharmabhān ̣aka with wisdom.” {116}

30.- Conclusion of the thirtieth chapter, “Tejagun ̣arāja.”

128
31. Chapter 31

Benefits
31.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who think, ‘I shall understand the languages of all beings and, knowing their
higher or lesser capabilities, I will teach them the Dharma,’ those bodhisattva
mahāsattvas should listen to the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena, learn it, understand it, keep it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it,
chant it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely
known to others.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

31.2 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

See the countless guides of the past,
Ask those lords of the world about their previous practice,
And those bodhisattvas dwell in supreme roots of merit. {1}

31.3 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Obtain the highest happiness of devas and humans, [F.101.b]
Obtain the supreme offerings of devas and humans,
And obtain the happiness of dhyāna, the supreme, noble happiness.1027 {2}

31.4 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Do not become thrilled on hearing the highest praises,
Do not become saddened by being criticized,
And like a mountain are unmoved by the eight worldly concerns. {3}

31.5 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Speak perfectly1028 pleasantly, with gentle words,
Do not frown, always speak sincerely,
Have a smiling face, and have been instructed by the guides. {4}

31.6 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Are pleasant, good company, have a gentle mind,
 Are always restrained1029 and established in self-discipline,
And are very gentle, have pleasing speech,1030 and speak tenderly.1031 {5}

31.7 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Do not quarrel or cause conflict when they speak.
They have freed themselves from all stubbornness1032 and anger
And are always joyful,1033 pleasant, and gentle. {6}

31.8 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Are always wise and are constantly motivated to generosity.
When they see beings in great suffering they give them their food;
They delight in giving to others, and not in their own enjoyment. {7}

31.9 “They who, desiring liberation, possess this stainless samādhi

Are admired by a hundred thousand devas,
Are always attended by nāgas, asuras, and yaksas,
̣
And are protected by those who dwell in the forest and its environs.1034 {8}

31.10 “They speak with unimpeded words, like the voice of Brahmā,
Have a voice like the song of a goose, a voice like a kiṃnara’s song,1035
Have the fifty aspects of speech and have a sound that brings joy,1036
And have a resounding voice, a proclaiming voice, a perfect voice.1037 {9}

31.11 “Even if someone knew how to reduce

All the worlds into their smallest particles,
They who possess this supreme, stainless samādhi
Would voice sounds that were even more numerous. {10}

31.12 “They who possess this stainless samādhi

Attain the ten powers, and attain the eight and two bhūmis.
The wise ones attain the inconceivable qualities of a buddha, [F.102.a]
Subjugate all māras, and reach the highest enlightenment.”1038 {i}

31.13 Conclusion of the thirty-first chapter, “Benefits.”

32. Chapter 32

The Teaching on the Nature of All Phenomena

32.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wonder, ‘How can I know the nature of all phenomena?’ should listen to
this samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena, learn it, understand
it, keep it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it, meditate on it with
unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely known to others.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

32.2 “In the ones who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
No desire arises, no anger arises,
Nor in those great leaders does ignorance ever arise.
They have eliminated all kleśas without remainder. {1}

32.3 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
Are heart children of the Sugata who do not abandon the training.
They are heroes who never fall under the power of women.
Everywhere they rejoice in the teaching of the sugatas. {2}

32.4 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
Are wise, sagacious, and know the way of wisdom.1039
They see infinite, endless buddhas
And know infinite dhāran ̣īs1040 and wisdom.1041 {3}

32.5 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
Will before long become a lord of humans.
They know the skills of healing and bestow happiness,1042
And they are able to remove all the pain of suffering.1043 {4}

32.6 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
Know that sentient beings are suffering.
They always beat the drum of the elixir.
They will before long become a guide.1044 {5}
32.7 “They are the supreme physicians, skilled in healing.
They know the origin of all illnesses and how to be freed from them. [F.102.b]
They have wisdom and train correctly.
Having trained they liberate many lost beings. {6}

32.8 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
Are wise heroes who are skilled in the nature of emptiness.
They have no attachment to the world and always their food is alms,
And they bring many beings to supreme enlightenment.1045 {7}

32.9 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena1046
Are moons1047 among people, superior through the power of patience.
They are not angry even if struck with stones and sticks,
And they are not disturbed even if their limbs are severed. {8}

32.- “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
10 Have the strength of being established in the strength of patience.1048
Not seeing a thing that is tolerated, they are perfectly at peace.1049
They are wise heroes who do not become proud of the strength of their patience.1050 {9}

32.11 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena,
Never have in mind the idea ‘I am cutting through things’;
For them all things are nonexistent, always empty,
And they have eliminated every single conceptual identification. {10}

32.- “Such are they who teach the supreme nature of phenomena.
12 They will before long reach the highest enlightenment.
They comprehend the scope of the nature of phenomena.
They give a gift that is infinite and endless. {11}

32.- “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
13 Teach infinite millions of sūtras
That are more numerous than sand grains in the Ganges,
And there is no interruption in their eloquence. {12}

32.- “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
14 Have wisdom as high as Sumeru,
Constantly for a hundred trillion eons,
And their teaching of the Dharma knows no end. {13}

32.15 “They who know the peace that is the nature of phenomena
Have a vast, abundant, inconceivable eloquence.
They constantly seek supreme enlightenment
And teach infinite millions of sūtras. {14}
32.- “They who know that these phenomena have no substance
16 Perfectly hear and remember the entirety
Of the Dharma that the lords of humans have taught [F.103.a]
And do not doubt even a single word. {15}

32.17 “They who know that phenomena are always empty

Are at all times uniquely superior in their generosity.
They are patrons who give happiness to those who suffer.
When they see beings suffer they satisfy them with jewels. {16}

32.- “They who know that phenomena are always empty

18 Will always become the kings of Jambudhvaja.
At all times they have love for all the living
And always bring infinite happiness to beings. {17}

32.- “They who know that phenomena are always empty

19 Are heroes who give away their sons, daughters, and slaves.
Those great leaders’ minds never waver,
As they give away their hands, their feet, their head, and their kingdom. {18}

32.- “They who know that phenomena are always empty

20 Have no anger in their mind, even in a dream,
Even though their limbs are cut from their body;
For them it is an offering to the guides, the lords of humans. {19}

32.- “They who know that phenomena are always empty

21 Make offerings to all the guides of the past,
Make offerings to the lords of humans in the future,
And venerate all the guides in the present. {20}

32.- “They who hear and retain this sūtra in the degenerate times
22 Are wise individuals who possess the treasure of the sugatas.
They are established in the supreme retentions,1051
And before long will become guides of the worlds. {21}

32.- “They who do not forget but teach this sūtra

23 Are wise individuals who will never become blind.
Throughout many eons they will not lose a limb,
And will always avoid the eight disadvantageous states. {22}

32.- “They will never be reborn in the lower existences.

24 They will always have a beautiful body with the primary signs of a great being.
They will always cultivate the five higher cognitions,
And those heroes will always be in the presence of the sugatas. {23}
32.- “Endowed with wisdom they will manifest many emanations
25 That will go to millions of realms to guide beings.
Of all those who see this multitude of buddha emanations, [F.103.b]
That many beings will be brought to supreme enlightenment. {24}

32.- They who hear and retain this sūtra in the degenerate times
26 Will be endowed with memory, understanding, wisdom, and constancy.
They will become powerful through the strength of their diligence.
They will have great brilliance and they will reach the culmination of the Dharma. {25}

32.- They who hold this samādhi of peace in the degenerate time
27 Are heroes established in the brahmavihāras.
They quickly attain the eight and two bhūmis,
And swiftly subjugate the māras.1052 {i}

32.- Those who always meditate on this sūtra of peace

28 Will attain power and possess the highest strengths.
They will always be ones who are intent on benefiting beings,
And will realize the highest enlightenment at the foot of the Bodhi tree.1053 {ii}

32.- “Those who meditate that these phenomena are empty

29 Constantly radiate ten billion light rays
And eclipse even the discs of the suns.
Those heroes will, before long, become guides of the worlds. {26}

32.- “In the past I practiced this field of peace

30 For many quintillions of eons.
My diligence upon this path was unceasing
And Dīpaṃkara prophesied I would become a jina. {27}

32.- “You also should follow my practice of this sūtra,

31 This teaching that leads to the profound ultimate truth.
There are many tīrthikas who are lost in error concerning this.
They revile enlightenment and fall into the terrible lower realms. {28}

32.- “During many quintillions of eons

32 They will experience unendurable sufferings of heat.
And even after many millions of eons have passed
They will still not die for that reason. {29}

32.- “Those who in the terrible latter times

33 Protect this sūtra of the Sugata, this state of peace,
Will attain the highest enlightenment without difficulty.
They are the prophesied holders of the Dharma in the future.” {30}
32.- Conclusion of the thirty-second chapter, “The Teaching on the Nature of All
34 Phenomena.”1054 [B10] [F.104.a]
33. Chapter 33

The Benefits of Possessing the Sūtra

33.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish to train in purifying1055 the great higher cognition of all
phenomena should listen to the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena, learn it, understand it, keep it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it,
chant it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and make it widely
known to others.1056
33.2 “Young man, what is the purification of the great higher cognition of all phenomena? It
is having no grasping toward all phenomena, it is having no clinging to the aggregate of
correct conduct,1057 it is having no pride in the aggregate of samādhi, it the absence of
movement in the aggregate of wisdom, it is having the discerning insight1058 of the
aggregate of liberation, and it is seeing correctly as it is the aggregate of the insight of the
wisdom of liberation.1059
33.3 “The bodhisattva mahāsattva who has those higher cognitions manifests all the
manifestations of samādhi and teaches the Dharma to beings.
“This, young man, is what is called ‘the purification of the great higher cognition of all
phenomena.’ ”
33.4 Then at that time the Bhagavān gave a detailed Dharma teaching on purifying the great
higher cognition of all phenomena by chanting the following extensive verses to the youth
Candraprabha:

33.5 “The purification of the great higher cognitions

Is an incontrovertible teaching.
Someone who practices in contradiction to it
Will not become free of attachment. {1}

33.6 “That higher cognition, that wisdom,

Is the inconceivable wisdom of buddhahood.
Someone who remains in attachment
Will never know that wisdom. {2}
33.7 “The numerous inconceivable Dharmas
Are taught by using words.
Someone who is attached to words
Will not know the meaning of the teaching. {3} [F.104.b]

33.8 “How can someone teach the meaning

Who does not know the meaning behind the words?
Someone who has not learned what the true nature is
Teaches that which is not the Dharma as the Dharma. {4}

33.9 “The one meaning of the differing words

Of the sūtras that have been taught by me
Within thousands of worlds
Is something that cannot be stated. {5}

33.- “Through contemplating a single word

10 All of them will be meditated on—
All of the many kinds of Dharma that have been taught
By however many buddhas there have been. {6}

33.11 “For people who have mastered the meaning

That all phenomena are selfless,1060
When they have learned this word
The Dharmas of the Buddha will not be hard to attain.1061 {7}

33.- “All phenomena are the Buddha’s Dharma.1062

12 They who have learned the nature of phenomena,
They know the nature of phenomena
And do not contradict the nature of phenomena. {8}

33.- “All words are the Buddha’s words,

13 As all words have no substance.
Although one seeks them in the ten directions
The words of the Buddha will not be found. {9}

33.- “These words are the Buddha’s words.

14 Though one seeks them in the ten directions,
These unsurpassable words are not to be found.
They have never been found and never will be found.1063 {10}

33.15 “The Buddha’s words are unsurpassable.

There is nothing higher than the Buddha’s words.
There is not an atom of them that is to be found,
And that is why they are called unsurpassable. {11}
33.- “An atom, a phenomenon, is not produced.
16 Although explanations use the term ‘atom,’
Something the size of an atom cannot be found;
It is a term used in teaching on the worldly level. {12}

33.17 “The unfindability of phenomena is found,

But that finding also cannot be found.
Thus they who know phenomena
Realize the highest enlightenment, {13}

33.- “And having realized the highest enlightenment

18 They will turn the wheel of the Dharma.
Through turning the wheel of the Dharma
They teach the Buddha’s Dharma. {14}

33.- “The bodhisattvas who realize

19 The highest wisdom of buddhahood,
Because of that are called buddhas,
As they have realized buddhahood’s wisdom. {15}

33.- “The absence of existents, the absence of aspiration,

20 The absence of attributes, and emptiness—
It is these doorways to liberation
That the Buddha taught as doorways. {16}

33.- “The eyes, the ears, and the nose,

21 The tongue, the body, and likewise the mind,
The buddhas have explained
That they are by nature empty. {17}

33.- “They who know in that way

22 The nature of phenomena, [F.105.a]
Knowing the characteristics of phenomena,
They will not be in disagreement with it. {18}

33.- “This is the realm of experience of the heroes,

23 Of the bodhisattvas, the protectors.
They know the emptiness of phenomena
And they never have any doubt. {19}

33.- “Those who know the nature of phenomena,

24 Those ones are called a buddha.
They guide countless, innumerable
Beings to enlightenment. {20}
33.- “That which is accomplished by the word buddha
25 Is also accomplished by the words correct conduct.
The words buddha and correct conduct
Have the same characteristic. {21}

33.- “However many1064 words are spoken

26 Whether superior, middling, or lesser,
They are all taught in the one word meditation,
And in the one word buddha. {22}

33.- “The Buddha’s Dharma1065 is stated

27 To have no location and no direction.
It has no birth and no cessation.
Neither is it single nor multiple. {23}

33.- “It is not new and it is not old.

28 There is nothing to be proud of.
It is not blue and it is not yellow;
Neither is it white, nor red. {24}

33.- “That which is taught through verses

29 Is inexpressible and ungraspable.
This miraculous activity of the Sage
Is beyond the level of verses. {25}

33.- {26}1066
30

33.- “The buddha who has passed into nirvān ̣a

31 Is seen in the form of a buddha.
The one who imagines that he is present
Will also see the buddha’s miracles. {27}

33.- “When someone has reached nirvān ̣a

32 There is no being that is to be found.
That is how the Dharma is taught
And many beings are liberated. {28}

33.- “Just as the sun and moon

33 Appear in a bronze bowl
Without their own form going there,
Such is the nature of phenomena. {29}

33.- “Those who know the nature

34 Of phenomena to be like reflections,1067
 They do not see the Buddha’s body
As being a body of form.1068 {30}

33.- “This phenomenon has no body;1069

35 There is no body in it at all.
A phenomenon has no body,
And that is the body of the Buddha. {31}

33.- “Those who see the dharmakāya, [F.105.b]

36 They are the ones who see the Guide.
The dharmakāyas1070 are the buddhas.
That is seeing the buddhas. {32}

33.- “That which is specified through dependence

37 Is specified to not be specific.
Those who wish to be renunciants
Should understand this approach. {33}

33.- {34}1071
38

33.- “Whoever thinks, ‘I have attained,’

39 Is for that reason said to be without attainment.
The one who is said to be a renunciant
Is the one who thinks, ‘I have not attained renuncation.’ {35}

33.- “Those who have not learned this profundity,

40 How can they teach the Dharma?
They cannot describe it
Through using profound words. {36}

33.- “The five skandhas are insubstantial.

41 Being nonexistent they arise.
For the one to whom the skandhas arise,
There is nothing that arises. {37}

33.- “Those characteristics of the skandhas

42 Are the characteristics of all phenomena.
Those characteristics are taught
But there are no characteristics that exist. {38}

33.- “The characteristic of phenomena

43 Is the same as that of space and sky,
As seen in the past, the future,
And as in the present. {39}
33.- “Space is taught to be ungraspable;
44 There is nothing there to be grasped.
That is the nature of phenomena:
It is ungraspable like space. {40}

33.- “That is how phenomena are taught,

45 That there is nothing to be seen.
For the one who does not see phenomena,
For him phenomena are beyond conception. {41}

33.- “These phenomena have no nature;

46 They have no nature to be found.
For those dedicated to buddhahood’s enlightenment
This is the domain of the yogin. {42}

33.- “The ones who know phenomena in that way

47 Will not have attachment to phenomena.
Not being attached to phenomena,
They understand the conceptualization of phenomena. {43}

33.- “The bodhisattvas, the protectors,

48 Have annihilated all phenomena.
Having annihilated the conceptualization of phenomena
They do not become proud in the Buddha’s Dharma. {44}

33.- “Having no pride in that preeminence,

49 They examine and teach that preeminence.
The ones who know that preeminence
Will have no pride throughout ten million eons. {45}

33.- “The foolish examine that preeminence

50 And subsequently continue in saṃsāra.
It has no location that can be found
Even though one searches throughout the ten directions. {46}

33.51 “The bodhisattva,1072 knowing emptiness,

Has no attachment to saṃsāra.1073 [F.106.a]
They1074 practice to attain enlightenment
But their practice cannot be found. {47}

33.- “Their passage cannot be found,

52 Like that of a bird through the sky.
The bodhisattvas realize
That nature of enlightenment. {48}
33.- “Just as a well-trained conjurer
53 Is able to display illusions,
Although there are many kinds of forms
There is no form that can be grasped. {49}

33.- “There is no pride in acquisition or nonacquisition,

54 As there is no acquisition in acquisition.
That wisdom is like an illusion,
And that illusion has no location. {50}

33.- “Thus the understanding of fools

55 Is a conceptualization of empty phenomena.
Engaging in conceptualization,
They are doomed to the six existences. {51}

33.- “Beings undergo rebirth and aging;

56 There is no end to their being reborn.
There is no end to the suffering
Of skandhas that are born and die. {52}

33.- “The suffering of birth and saṃsāra

57 Is the conceptualization of foolish understanding.
This does not cease throughout eons;
Beings continue in saṃsāra for millions of eons. {53}

33.- “They continue in the performance of activities,

58 Whether that of engagement or disengagement.
They delight in the actions they perform,
But those activities will not liberate them. {54}

33.- “They are carried along on a river of actions,

59 And their actions will have no end.
They will die over and over,
Always dwelling in the realm of the māras. {55}

33.- “Overpowered by the māras, with poor understanding,

60 They act through being afflicted by the kleśas.
They experience births and deaths
That take place in various worlds. {56}

33.- “Those various beings who are blind fools,

61 They proceed toward death.
They are killed and destroyed,
And their existences are terrible. {57}
33.- “Those with foolish understanding
62 Kill each other with weapons.
By continuing with that kind of activity
Their sufferings only increase. {58}

33.- “Those with foolish understanding think,

63 ‘My sons’ and ‘my wealth.’
They conceive of that which has no existence
And thereby continue to extend saṃsāra. {59}

33.- “They who extend saṃsāra,

64 Those individuals continue in saṃsāra.
They each go their individual ways
And therefore they are called individual beings. {60}

33.- “They reject the Buddha’s teaching [F.106.b]

65 And teach numerous other doctrines.
They are under the power of Māra
And they will not attain liberation. {61}

33.- “These fools, because of their desires,

66 Have intercourse with putrid women.
They will be reborn as putrid beings,
Falling into the lower realms as a result. {62}

33.- “The buddhas praise neither desire,

67 Nor having intercourse with women.
That is a terrifying noose,
The dreadful noose of women. {63}

33.- “Those who are wise avoid it

68 Like a vicious poisonous snake.
They do not put their trust in women.
That is not the path to enlightenment. {64}

33.- “They meditate on the path to enlightenment

69 That has been taught1075 by all the buddhas.
Having meditated on that path
They become unsurpassable buddhas. {65}

33.- “Those who have become unsurpassable

70 Become shrines in the world.
With unsurpassable wisdom
They become unsurpassable buddhas. {66}
33.71 “They follow the posadha
̣ vows
And follow the path of correct conduct.
They lead toward enlightenment
Countless millions of beings. {67}

33.- “They accomplish the benefit of

72 Innumerable, countless beings.
They are heroes with great wisdom
Who beat the drum of deathlessness. {68}

33.- “They make the realm of Māra shudder;

73 They make the māras shake.
They lead to enlightenment
Countless millions of māras. {69}

33.- “They overcome their opponents.

74 They defeat the tīrthikas.
They shake the entire earth
With its mountains and oceans. {70}

33.- “The great leaders1076 through many transformations

75 Manifest miraculous manifestations of the body.
The great wise ones display
Inconceivable miracles. {71}

33.- “They shake millions of realms

76 As numerous as the Ganges sands.
They defeat the māras
And are greatly famed buddhas.1077 {72}

33.- “They manifest trees1078

77 Adorned with jewels,
Aromatic and beautiful,
Bearing flowers and fruits. {73}

33.- “Those heroes emanate

78 Delightful1079 mansions,1080 [F.107.a]
Palaces and pinnacled halls,
And beautiful lotus ponds1081 {74}

33.- “Filled with water that has the eight qualities,

79 That is clear, cool, and unstained.
Those who drink that water
Cease yearning for the three existences. {75}
33.- “They become irreversible,
80 Those who drink that supreme water.
Through supreme wisdom
They become supreme buddhas. {76}

33.- “Know that they enter

81 The supreme way of peace.
Those who do not know that way,
Those focused on perceptions,1082 will perish. {77}

33.- “The beings who follow that way,

82 And those who depend upon them,
Will fall into the great terror
Of unendurable Avīci. {78}

33.- “The terrible sufferings there

83 Are beyond description,
But I and the bodhisattvas,
The protectors, know them. {79}

33.- “They doubt the Dharma,

84 Which is profound and difficult to see.
It is not on the level of fools,
Those who remain focused on perceptions. {80}

33.- “The manifestations of displays,

85 Of appearances of many forms,
They are all of them seen in
The supreme buddha realms. {81}

33.- “All the appearances of manifested forms

86 That are in every buddha realm
Are all revealed here by bodhisattvas
With great miraculous powers. {82}

33.- “Those great heroes with great strength

87 Wear the armor of the great Dharma.
They strike with the blows
Of the great vajra of the meaning of emptiness. {83}

33.- “Many thousands of millions of light rays

88 As numerous as the sands in the Ganges
Are radiated from their bodies
And they illuminate the world. {84}
33.- “They find no pleasure in women
89 And have no desire for them.
Those conceptions have been destroyed
Naturally with their conceptions of women. {85}

33.- “Wherever those heroes are present,

90 Those buddha realms are not empty.
How could the māras and evil ones
Create an obstacle for them? {86}

33.- “Those who remain in fabricated views

91 Displease a multitude of buddhas.
Those who are based upon maliciousness
Maintain their desires and attachments. {87}

33.- “All of those who maintain those views [F.107.b]

92 Should be known to be māras.
But those māras and evil ones
Cannot cause them an obstacle.1083 {i}

33.- “When all conceptualization has ceased

93 They do not relapse into conceptualization.
That is how one should know wisdom to be,
The inconceivable wisdom of buddhahood. {88}

33.- “They see the past, the future,

94 And also the present.
Phenomena are revealed in that way,
But there is nothing to be revealed. {89}

33.- “They do not know through knowledge.

95 They are not despondent because of no knowledge.
When knowledge and no knowledge have been examined
That is what is said to be ‘the knowledge of buddhahood.’1084 {90}

33.- “The bodhisattvas know

96 Communication, words, and terms,
And they accomplish immeasurable,
Inconceivable benefits for beings. {91}

33.- “In order for a concept to be known,

97 It is taught through grasping.
The non-grasping of a concept
Is taught for the sake of detachment. {92}
33.- “That which is detachment is taught
98 To be detachment from conceptions.1085
As the nature of conceptions is known,1086
There will be no1087 conceptions.1088 {93}

33.- “When someone has the conception

99 ‘I must eliminate this conception,’
They cause conceptions to increase,
And they will not be free from conceptions. {94}

33.- “For whom has this conception arisen?

100 Who has made this conception arise?
Who perceives this conception?
Who ends this conception? {95}

33.- “When a conception arises for anyone,

101 Even a buddha could not find any such phenomenon.
Contemplate the meaning of this
And there will be no conception. {96}

33.- “When does a conception arise?

102 For whom does the conception appear?
How does liberation arise
In the process of the mind? {97}

33.- “When liberation is experienced,

103 All thoughts become nonthought.
When thoughts become nonthought,
At that time there is nonthought. {98}

33.- “When one is on the level of thoughts,

104 Having thus contemplated,
All thoughts are eliminated
And there is nonthought. {99}

33.- “This is the ripening of good qualities, [F.108.a]

105 Which is seen without mentation,
And the thoughts of all beings
Are known in a single instant. {100}

33.- “As beings are, so are their thoughts;

106 As are their thoughts, so are the jinas.
The inconceivable Buddha
Has taught these thoughts. {101}
33.- “When will thoughts cease for those
107 Who think of being alone in solitude?
When they do not think that thought
Then all thoughts will cease to be. {102}

33.- “When it comes to the time of death

108 And their thoughts are continuing,
Their consciousness will follow the thoughts
And they will not be free from thought. {103}

33.- “If a man retains the concept of a woman,

109 His desire will continue to arise.
If this concept has ceased
He will not be stained by desire. {104}

33.- “This thought is a great thought;

110 It is the unsurpassable thought of the Dharma.
Through this thought of the Dharma
There will be a continuity of correct thoughts. {105}

33.- “Through incorrect thought

111 There will be numerous, countless thoughts,
And though one thinks for a very long time
There will still be no cessation to thinking. {106}

33.- “When someone has the thought of a name,

112 In that cessation there is no wisdom.1089
There is no cessation in the knowledge of a word—1090
That is the nature of cessation. {107}

33.- “Through words, speech, and communication

113 Phenomena are taught using the term cessation.
Between phenomena there is no distinction,
And through knowing that there is cessation; {108}

33.- “Even if it is explained for ten million eons

114 That they are unproduced and unceasing,
Without attributes and without characteristics,
They are taught to be without attributes. {109}

33.- “When all existents have ceased to exist

115 And they remain in nonexistence,
Existence is not taught to be other than nonexistence,
And nonexistence is not taught to be other than existence. {110}
33.- “The teaching of nonexistence
116 Is given through the word nonexistence,
But not even all the buddhas
Can see nonexistence. {111}

33.- “That which exists is taught

117 As this nonexistence of all that exists.
Knowing existents in this way,
They are taught to be nonexistent. {112}

33.- “There is no one whomsoever

118 Who can connect with this nonexistence.
The connection with this nonexistence
Results in a teaching that is one of conventions.1091 {113}

33.- “The ones who have in their mind the thought [F.108.b]
119 ‘I shall become a buddha in this world,’
Will not be afflicted by craving for existence,
And those wise ones will attain enlightenment. {114}

33.- “The bodhisattvas in meditation

120 Do not long for any phenomenon.
When nothing is apprehended,1092
That is called enlightenment. {115}

33.- “There are many who say,

121 ‘I am in a state of enlightenment,’
But not knowing this approach
They are far from buddhahood’s enlightenment. {116}

33.- “The Dharma that is taught through words

122 Is entirely composite and empty.
The nature of these words
Is profound, subtle, and difficult to see. {117}

33.- “It is through great higher cognition

123 That the teaching of this sūtra is given.
It is taught by all the buddhas
For the sake of the bodhisattvas. {118}

33.- “Remedies defeat

124 However many kleśas they have.
Remaining in higher cognition,
They cultivate miraculous powers. {119}
33.- “They maintain the knowledge of contemplation
125 And then that knowledge also ceases.
There is an insatiable acquisition
Of inconceivable, immeasurable wisdom. {120}

33.- “Their samādhi and miraculous actions

126 Are devoid of mentation.
Such is the ripening of these heroes
Who are always in a state of meditation. {121}

33.- “With these ripened miraculous powers

127 They go to millions of realms
And they see those who are the illumination of the worlds,
Who are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. {122}

33.- “Their births and their deaths

128 Are the processes of their minds.
They have attained power over their minds
And their bodies are bright. {123}

33.- “The Buddha’s śrāvakas who maintain

129 The miraculous powers they have cultivated
Do not even approach a sixteenth fraction
Of the miraculous activities free of mentation. {124}

33.- “All the devas are unable

130 To know their thoughts.
Only the lords of the worlds,
And those who are equal to them, can do so. {125}

33.- “They do not become bald

131 And their hair does not become white.
They do not have evident aging
And thus have no suffering or death. {126}

33.- “They do not have doubt or mistrust

132 And they have no uncertainty. [F.109.a]
Day and night they seek for
Thousands of millions of sūtras. {127}

33.- “All their propensities

133 For the kleśas are eliminated.
They always have an equal mind
Toward all beings. {128}
33.- “They teach quintillions of samādhis
134 Throughout the ten directions.
Without respite they answer
Thousand of millions of questions. {129}

33.- “The concept of male, the concept of female,

135 And all other concepts have ceased.
They remain in the recognition of nonexistence
And they teach that which is certain and true. {130}

33.- “With completely pure wisdom

136 They teach the Dharma correctly.
They are dedicated to proclaiming the Dharma,
And are in the domain of samādhi and wisdom. {131}

33.- “Though they practice dhyāna,

137 They do not remain in existence.
Their words are not meaningless;
Their teaching of the Dharma is fruitful. {132}

33.- “Those who delight in this sūtra

138 Will easily become human,
Avoid all disadvantageous existences,
And repay the kindness of all the buddhas. {133}

33.- “Those who possess one verse

139 Of this precious sūtra
Will abandon saṃsāra
For countless eons. {134}

33.- “Those who delight in this sūtra

140 Are seen by all the buddhas.
They will serve the buddhas
And quickly attain enlightenment. {135}

33.- “Those who delight in this sūtra,

141 They will have no doubt or uncertainty
Concerning the entire Dharma,
And they are near to nirvān ̣a. {136}

33.- “They will see a great hero,

142 A tathāgata on Grdhrakūt
̣ a.
̣
All the buddhas will give them prophecies
And they will appear to be compassionate jinas. {137}
33.- “Those who follow this sūtra
143 In this time of destruction
Will see Buddha Maitreya
And attain excellent patience. {138}

33.- “They will remain at the summit of existence,

144 The inconceivable summit of existence,
And at that inconceivable summit
They will know no doubt. {139}

33.- “They will not have any doubt at all,

145 Not even an atom of doubt.
As they have eliminated every atom of doubt,1093
Enlightenment will not be difficult to attain. {140} [F.109.b]

33.- “In the terrifying age of destruction

146 They will undergo hardship,
Train in this precious sūtra,
And have an unceasing eloquence.1094 {141}

33.- “They will promulgate this sūtra

147 And will guard the treasure of the buddhas.
This is an offering to all the buddhas,
An inconceivable offering of the Dharma. {142}

33.- “Those who maintain this sūtra

148 During the cruel age of destruction
Will without difficulty attain wisdom,
The inconceivable wisdom of buddhahood. {143}

33.- “Those who received this sūtra

149 From the buddhas of the past
Will come into possession of it
And promulgate it in the age of destruction. {144}

33.- “Their voices will proclaim

150 The conduct of the Śākya lion
In the presence of lords of the world
In millions of buddha realms. {145}

33.- “And in the presence of the buddhas1095

151 They will always roar the lion’s roar
With an endless confidence of speech,
Teaching the enlightenment of buddhahood. {146}
33.- “Those who have been prophesied by the Buddha
152 Will be born into the Iksvāku
̣ family.
They will protect this enlightenment
During the terrifying age of destruction. {147}

33.- “Their bodies will be perfect,

153 Adorned by the primary signs of a great being.
They will send emanations
To make homage to millions of buddhas. {148}

33.- “There will be the manifestation

154 Of golden, illusory flowers,
And flowers made of beryl,
Of crystal, and of silver, {149}

33.- “And every kind of jewel

155 Appearing from their hands,
Which they will scatter toward the buddhas
In seeking the path to enlightenment. {150}

33.- “Various kinds of offerings,

156 And perfectly created music,
As numerous as the Ganges sands,
Will be emitted from the pores of their bodies. {151}

33.- “The countless millions of beings

157 Who hear that music
Will progress irreversibly toward
Buddhahood’s highest wisdom. {152}

33.- “Those millions of buddhas

158 Recite countless praises
And their sound is heard
Within countless realms. {153}

33.- “For those who hear that sound

159 All their conceptualization ceases. [F.110.a]
When their conceptualization has ceased
They will see endless1096 buddhas. {154}

33.- “With that kind of wisdom

160 They will practice bodhisattva conduct.
They will benefit all beings
And become jinas who benefit others. {155}
33.- “Those who possess this samādhi
161 Are wise ones who will obtain
These benefits and qualities,
And also countless others. {156}

33.- “Even a female who hears

162 This sūtra and retains a single verse
Will change from having a female existence
And will become a dharmabhān ̣aka. {157}

33.- “She will never again afterward

163 Have a female existence,
And will always be handsome
And adorned by the primary signs of a great being. {158}

33.- “They will all come to possess

164 These supreme qualities
Described in this supreme sūtra,
And they will quickly attain enlightenment. {159}

33.- “Having obtained this sūtra,

165 Which is the domain of all the buddhas,1097
Throughout all their lifetimes
They will always be without fear. {160}

33.- “Teaching this samādhi, this peace

166 Is the creation of bodhisattvas.
Whoever wishes to attain enlightenment
Should give the teaching of this sūtra. {161}

33.- “They will be close to the lords of sages

167 And will be close to buddhahood’s enlightenment.
They will before long attain
This level of peace and meditation. {162}

33.- “The bodhisattvas, the heroes,

168 Always remain in this enlightenment.
They see millions of buddhas
As numerous as the Ganges sands. {163}

33.- “They will become cakravartin kings who rule the world,
169 See stainless buddhas who have minds of perfect peace,
Praise those lords of the worlds with hundreds of verses,
And obtain the peace of this stainless samādhi. {164}
33.- “They will make unequaled offerings to those guides1098
170 Who have perfect, great fame and are supreme among humans and devas,
And they will cast aside the kingdom like spittle,
And pure, perfectly pure, will practice celibacy. {165}

33.- “They will enter homelessness in the Sage’s teaching

171 And obtain the peace of this stainless samādhi. [F.110.b]
They will have friendly speech with gentle words,
And become empowered and wise in teaching1099 a million sūtras. {166}

33.- “Having attained this samādhi they will teach it to many beings:
172 Empty and without attributes, the perfect attainment of peace,
The perfect and unimpeded practice of the Dharma of complete peace,
The empty nature that is constant, stainless peacefulness. {167}

33.- “They have profound realization, continuous endless realization,

173 A vast realization, a realization that is incalculably beneficial.
Having attained profound peace, this samādhi,
They will become an illumination for all worlds. {168}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

174 They will be continually pure in celibacy,
Unsullied, always free of the kleśas,
And lead millions of other beings to be the same. {169}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

175 They will have exceedingly sharp wisdom, supreme wisdom,
They will gain an ocean of learning and always have infinite understanding,
Virtuous speech, excellent understanding, and knowledge of the instructions. {170}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

176 They will gain skill in works and skill in the arts,
Skill in healing and likewise skill in herbs.
In everything they will be constant and perfect. {171}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

177 They will be perfect and completely skilled
In poetry, treatises, comedy, music, song, and dance,
Always becoming masters of these in this world. {172}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

178 Such people will be those who always have a retinue.
They will not cause division, but will always keep harmonious unity
And practice the supreme, highest, peaceful bodhisattva conduct. {173}
33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,
179 Those wise people will never have
Sorrow, pain, or mental anguish,
And will at all times be free of illness. {174}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

180 In this human world they will not have any illness,
No physical pain, nor likewise mental pain,
No toothache, and similarly no headache. {175} [F.111.a]

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

181 They will never have any illness occur,
None of the various sicknesses of the mortal world,
Whether physical illness or likewise mental illness. {176}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

182 They will never have the many different kinds of afflictions,
Whether they are the various kinds of mental afflictions
Or the various kinds of physical illnesses. {177}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

183 Just as space, the air, is undefiled,
Has a pure nature, and is vast1100 and bright,
In the same way their minds will be completely pure. {178}

33.- “Having attained this peace, this stainless samādhi,

184 Just as moonlight, and likewise sunlight, too,
Are pure, ungraspable, and radiant,
In the same way their minds will be bright. {179}

33.- “Just as it is not easy, using pigments,

185 To paint various forms in the air,
In the same way it is not easy to create pictures in the mind1101
Of those who remain in this stainless samādhi of peace. {180}

33.- “Just as the wind blows in the four1102 directions,

186 Going in every direction without impediment,
Their continuum of mind is like the wind,
Moving unimpeded, without attachment,1103 throughout the world. {181}

33.- “One may be able to catch the wind with a net,

187 One may be able to bind the wind with a noose,
But it is not so easy to know the mind of someone
Who has meditated on this stainless samādhi of peace. {182}
33.- “One may be able to catch a reflection on water,
188 And obtain from it a bowl of sesame oil,
But it is not so easy to know the mind of someone
Who has meditated on this stainless samādhi of peace. {183}

33.- “Someone may be able to catch in their hands

189 The lightning that flashes from the thundering clouds,
But it is not so easy to know the extent of the mind of someone
Who has meditated on this stainless samādhi of peace.1104 {184} [F.111.b]

33.- “One may be able to know the languages of all beings,

190 The beings in the buddha realms in the ten directions,
But it is not so easy to know the heights of the mind
Of bodhisattvas who have attained this samādhi. {185}

33.- “When they have attained this stainless samādhi of peace

191 They will have no kleśas and be undefiled.
Those who have attained this samādhi of peace
Will never again have attachment1105 to the three existences.1106 {186}

33.- “Having attained this stainless samādhi of peace,

192 They have no longing for objects of desire, no longing for forms;1107
They have no longing for women and have an unconfused mind.
They are peaceful, completely peaceful, and undefiled. {187}

33.- “Having attained this stainless samādhi of peace,

193 They have no longing for sons, no longing for daughters;
They have no longing for a wife, and no longing for attendants.
Their conduct is peaceful and they are undefiled. {188}

33.- “They have no longing for gold and no longing for wealth.
194 They have no longing for higher rebirth and no attachment to money and jewels.
They have a completely pure mind and are free of thought.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {189}

33.- “They do not practice celibacy for a higher rebirth.1108

195 The wise are not generous out of yearning for a higher rebirth;
Bodhisattvas are generous because they desire enlightenment.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {190}

33.- “Those who accomplish this stainless samādhi

196 Do not practice asceticism in order to have a kingdom,
Nor in order to become sovereign over the three existences.
They benefit many beings because they long for enlightenment. {191}
33.- “They have no longing for songs and no longing for dance,
197 They have no longing for incense1109 and no longing for drink,
And they have no longing for food and no longing for clothes.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {i}1110

33.- “They have no longing for eyes and no longing for ears,
198 They have no longing for a nose and no longing for a tongue,
And they have no longing for a body and no longing for a mind.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {ii}

33.- “They have no longing for home and no longing for the forest, [F.112.a]
199 They have no longing for a monastery and no longing for a village,
And they have no longing for a region and no longing for a town.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {iii}

33.- “They have no longing for generosity and no longing for conduct,
200 They have no longing for patience and no longing for diligence,
And they have no longing for meditation and no longing for wisdom.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {iv}

33.- “They have no longing for being and no longing for life,
201 They have no longing for the Buddha and no longing for the Dharma,
And they have no longing for the Saṅgha and no longing for enlightenment.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {v}

33.- “They have no longing for existence and no longing for nonexistence,
202 They have no longing for the middle way and no longing for the extremes,
And they have no longing for everything and no longing for nothing.
That is the uniqueness of this attainment of samādhi. {vi}

33.- “When they have attained this stainless samādhi of peace,

203 Desire can never cause them harm.
Those who yearn for women have confused minds
And they know that this is the nature of desire. {192}

33.- “When they have attained this stainless samādhi of peace,

204 Anger can never cause them harm.
The wise ones destroy malice;
Through love they completely overcome anger.1111 {193}

33.- “Ignorance can never cause them harm;

205 Wisdom eliminates ignorance and stupidity.
They attain measureless wisdom free of darkness.
These qualities from attaining samādhi are measureless. {194}
33.- “Desire is always overcome by repulsiveness.1112
206 Anger is constantly defeated by love.
Wisdom cuts through ignorance, the net of the kleśas.
Those who have attained samādhi are majestic to the whole world. {195}

33.- “Sleep can never cause them harm.

207 They eliminate the various subsidiary kleśas.
They are undefiled and liberated.
These qualities from attaining samādhi are measureless. {196}

33.- “Desire can never cause harm

208 To the bodhisattvas who possess this samādhi. [F.112.b]
They delight always in generosity:
They gives away their possessions and give happiness. {197}

33.- “The bodhisattvas who possess this samādhi

209 Possess power that is beyond compare.
At all times they are in the possession of strength.
There is no one who is their equal in the world. {198}

33.- “They become cakravartins in this world.

210 They come to Jambudvīpa as the sovereign of humans
And many beings make offerings to them,
And in particular they attain the unique wisdom free of darkness. {199}

33.- “Such bodhisattvas become the leaders in a special, jewellike family.1113

211 They have great wealth and are lords over many people.1114
They have horses, elephants, and perfect chariots to ride upon.
They have abundant gold and precious jewels.1115 {200}

33.- “Those who have faith in the supreme wisdom of the Buddha,
212 They are called the jewellike families in Jambudvīpa.
They are born there into special, jewellike families
And they benefit a multitude of their kin. {201}

33.- “They carefully engender faith in those

213 Who are of families in Jambudvīpa who have no faith.
They bring a multitude of beings to aspire to enlightenment,
And they become self-arisen buddhas, supreme jinas. {202}

33.- “They attain unequaled, highest enlightenment

214 And turn the unequaled Dharma wheel in buddha realms.1116
Those who then know that Dharma wheel
Will all remain in the birthlessness of phenomena. {203}
33.- “The bodhisattvas will perform many activities.
215 Beings will constantly make offerings to them.
They will constantly accomplish unequaled benefit.
They will remove the darkness from the eyes of beings. {204}

33.- {205}1117
216

33.- “The bodhisattvas, joyous, with loving minds

217 And unstained, will become buddhas.
Wherever those bodhisattvas are present
They will create an immeasurable benefit for beings. {206}

33.- “They will protect correct conduct and have matchless celibacy.
218 They will meditate on samādhi for many endless eons. [F.113.a]
They will constantly have certainty in dhyāna and liberation.
Those bodhisattvas will be the sons of the buddhas. {207}

33.- “They always practice the bases of miraculous powers,

219 And they go to various infinite realms.
They listen to the Dharma taught by the sugatas
And, having the power of retention, they remember everything. {208}

33.- “Those bodhisattvas who have the power of retention

220 Teach endless, countless sūtras.
Those bodhisattvas who have the power of retention
Accomplish countless benefits for beings. {209}

33.- “They know the deaths and rebirths

221 And the coming and going of beings,
What kind of actions they do,
And the ripening of their karma. {210}

33.- “In that transference of karma

222 There are not even atoms to be found.
Those greatly famous bodhisattvas
Know, too, that this is so. {211}

33.- “Emptiness is the supreme

223 Dwelling of the great beings.
They establish countless millions
Of beings in the great yāna. {212}

33.- “When they are teaching

224 They have no concept of beings.
 The bodhisattvas teach
Without engaging in phenomena. {213}

33.- “When they teach the Dharma

225 There is no apprehending of an object.
They reside in emptiness,
Established in enduring wisdom. {214}

33.- “When someone has been taught this samādhi,

226 In which all the teachers reside,
No conceptions arise in him,
He naturally has no conceptions about women. {215}

33.- “When conceptions of women have ceased,

227 He sits at the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a.
Once he has sat at the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a
The conceptions of Māra cease. {216}

33.- “The wise one does not see

228 Māra 1118 and Māra’s army,1119
And neither does he see
The three daughters of Māra. {217}

33.- “Once he is seated upon the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a,

229 All his conceptions are eliminated.
Once all his conceptions are eliminated
This entire world is shaken. {218}

33.- “So, too, are all the worlds in the ten directions [F.113.b]
230 With their Sumerus and their oceans,
And this is known
By all the beings in the ten directions.1120 {219}

33.- “This shaking of the world

231 Is the miracle of the bodhisattva;
It is shaken six times
When he attains supreme enlightenment. {220}

33.- “All the composite phenomena there are,

232 And all the noncomposite phenomena—
All phenomena are understood
That are taught by the word phenomena.1121 {221}

33.- “There is nothing there to be understood,

233 And that lion’s roar arises.
 Knowing this process of arising,
He becomes an illuminating buddha. {222}

33.- “Phenomena appear dependently.

234 Phenomena are produced dependently.
The wise ones know the entirety
Of the dependence of phenomena. {223}

33.- “They know the development of all phenomena.

235 They have complete understanding through emptiness.
They have wisdom concerning states of existence.
They have complete understanding of all phenomena. {224}

33.- On seeking for these states of existence,

236 The bodhisattva does not find them.
That is the same as the inconceivable knowledge
Of all the buddhas concerning states of existence. {225}

33.- “The one who has that complete knowledge

237 Knows all states of existence.1122
Knowing the characteristic of the true Dharma,
He brings to an end all illusions.1123 {226}

33.- “Knowing the characteristic of the true Dharma,

238 He gazes upon all the realms.
Having gazed upon all the realms,
He seats himself at the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a.1124 {i}

33.- “Having sat at the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a,

239 There is the sound of the lion’s roar,
Which thus resounds throughout
Countless, innumerable millions of realms. {227}

33.- “All those greatly renowned buddha heroes

240 Also cause those realms to shake.
The leader of beings guides beings
In the way that they are to be guided. {228}

33.- “Having reached the highest enlightenment,

241 He rises from the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a.
He guides the countless, innumerable beings
Who are to be guided. {229}

33.- “Then the Buddha emanates

242 Infinite buddha emanations.
 These buddha emanations1125 go
To thousands of millions of realms.1126 {230}

33.- “They lead countless millions

243 Of beings to the highest enlightenment. [F.114.a]
He teaches the supreme Dharma
For the benefit of all beings. {231}

33.- “That kind of great wisdom

244 Is the inconceivable wisdom of a buddha.
Therefore develop the aspiration,
The supreme aspiration to enlightenment.1127 {232}

33.- “Develop veneration for those with the highest qualities:

245 The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha,
And the heroes, the bodhisattvas,
Who seek for the highest enlightenment. {233}

33.- “Without becoming disheartened,

246 Venerate them unflaggingly,
And become before long
An illuminating buddha. {234}

33.- “Those bodhisattvas who come here

247 From thousands of realms
See the lamp of the world
Teaching the supreme Dharma. {235}

33.- “Those great heroes throw down

248 Great jewels for the Guide,
And in order to attain enlightenment
They cast down coral tree flowers. {236}

33.- “They adorn this realm,

249 The highest buddha realm.
All of the ten directions1128
Are covered with networks of jewels. {237}

33.- “They string up flags

250 And erect millions of banners,
And they adorn this realm
With endless adornments. {238}

33.- “They create countless, beautiful

251 Pinnacled halls with balconies,1129
 Upper chambers,1130 and towers1131
Adorned with every jewel. {239}

33.- “They create palaces with crescents,

252 Round windows and aviaries,
Incense, banners, and vases,1132
And adorned with many jewels. {240}

33.- “The aroma1133 of incense

253 Spreads through this buddha realm.1134
That delightful incense
Pervades a billion1135 realms. {241}

33.- “When it has spread through them

254 A rain of incense falls.
Those who smell that incense
Become buddhas, guides. {242}

33.- “They cast away the pain1136 of desire.

255 They do not have anger and craving.1137
The net of ignorance1138 is destroyed
And all darkness comes to an end. {243}

33.- “There they attain the miraculous powers,

256 And the strengths, powers, and aspects of enlightenment. [F.114.b]
They attain the dhyānas and the liberations
And become worthy of offerings. {244}

33.- “Fifty million1139 beautiful

257 Seats are arranged,
Draped with millions1140 of cloths
And nets of jewels.1141 {245}

33.- “The bodhisattvas, the famous heroes,

258 Are gathered there upon those seats.1142
They shine with the primary signs
And also with the secondary signs. {246}

33.- “This entire buddha realm

259 Is adorned by trees made of jewels.
There are emanated ponds that are filled
With water that has the eight qualities. {247}

33.- “Those on the banks of those pools

260 Who drink from their waters
 Are freed from all craving
And become worthy of veneration by the world. {248}

33.- “In other realms, too,

261 Bodhisattvas gather.
They praise the Buddha,
The lion of the Śākyas, the protector. {249}

33.- “Those who hear that praise

262 Become guides of the worlds.
Here I have described
This sūtra’s inconceivable benefits. {250}

33.- “Countless millions of lotuses

263 Are emanated, which have
Petals made of gold,
And pericarps of uragasāra.1143 {251}

33.- “They have stems1144 of beryl,

264 They have leaves1145 of crystal,
They have stamens of emerald,1146
And have beautifully appeared. {252}

33.- “They have an inconceivable aroma

265 That they continuously emit.
The inconceivable aroma of the lotuses
Fills millions of realms.1147 {i}

33.- “Those who smell that aroma

266 That they delightfully emanate
Will have delight in their minds
And all their illnesses will cease. {253}

33.- “Desire, anger, and ignorance

267 Will cease without trace.
When those three faults have ceased in them
They will be buddhas who bestow happiness. {254}

33.- “From them are emitted sounds,

268 Countless numbers of the word buddha.
And from them also the words
dharma and saṅgha emanate everywhere, {255}

33.- “And also the words emptiness,

269 Absence of attributes, and absence of aspiration.
 The progress of the numerous millions of beings
Who hear them becomes irreversible. {256} [F.115.a]

33.- “These words that are emanated

270 Also reach millions of realms.
They establish countless millions
Of beings in this buddha wisdom. {257}

33.- “The birds that are peacocks,1148

271 Avadavats, and partridges
Also sing out a word,
The unsurpassable word buddha. {258}

33.- “The birds that are snipes,

272 Mynas, cranes, and cuckoos
Also sing out a word,
The inconceivable1149 word dharma.1150 {i}

33.- “The birds that are parrots, geese,

273 Ducks, shelducks, and swans
Also sing out a word,
The unsurpassable word saṅgha. {ii}

33.- “All the birds that there are

274 In the deva or the human worlds
Are continuously singing
Praises of the Three Jewels. {iii}

33.- “Trees made of jewels

275 Are manifested in this realm.
Those delightful jewel trees
Are uniquely beautiful. {259}

33.- “On all those trees are hung

276 Every kind of ornament.
They have manifested in this realm
Through the power of the Buddha.1151 {260}

33.- “This display does not exist

277 Anywhere in any realm.
This unique, superior sight
Is not to be seen in this realm.1152 {261}

33.- “This is what has been taught

278 By the Śākya lion, the protector.
 The greatly famed bodhisattvas
Have no doubt in that wisdom. {262}

33.- “They comprehend that highest point.

279 Their way is inconceivable.
Their wisdom increases
Like an ocean into which rivers flow. {263}

33.- “They have no final end.

280 It is like drinking an ocean.
This is the inconceivable way
Of the bodhisattvas that has been taught. {264}

33.- “The greatly famed bodhisattvas,

281 The heroes, are at the highest point.
They give forth aspects of speech
That are as numerous as the Ganges sands. {265}

33.- “There is such inconceivable speech

282 But the bodhisattvas have no pride.1153
They have eliminated pride
And are near to enlightenment, {266}

33.- “They will not ruin their correct conduct

283 Even for the sake of their life.
The bodhisattvas are resolute [F.115.b]
And behave immaculately. {267}

33.- “They do not become ruined

284 By any concept of desire.
They have eliminated all conceptions
And they have countless samādhis. {268}

33.- “They practice them while in meditation

285 Yet have no attachment to those samādhis.
They have no clinging, they are attentive,
And they have no attachment to the world. {269}

33.- “When they leave this world

286 They go to Sukhāvatī.
When they have arrived there
They see Buddha Amitābha. {270}

33.- “Those bodhisattva heroes

287 Are adorned by the primary signs.
 They have reached the domain of the five higher cognitions,
Great wisdom,1154 and the retentions. {271}

33.- “They go to millions of realms

288 And bow down to the feet of the buddhas.
Shining, they travel
To countless buddha realms. {272}

33.- “They have eliminated all faults

289 And are purified of all kleśas.
With the kleśas completely eradicated
They are one lifetime from becoming a jina. {273}

33.- “They will not go to the lower realms.

290 From that realm of humans
All rebirth into the lower realms
Has been eradicated in that realm. {274}

33.- “Do not doubt what has been revealed

291 Concerning that protector,
The Lord of the World, Amitābha,
And you will go to Sukhāvatī.1155 {275}

33.- “A woman who has faith on hearing

292 The praise of this precious sūtra1156
Will soon become a superior wise man
Who miraculously goes to billions of realms. {276}

33.- “Many offerings of innumerable kinds,

293 Offered continuously to supreme beings
Within the appearance of a quintillion realms,
Cannot equal a fraction of a loving mind. {277}

33.- “Those who always practice correct conduct and samādhi,

294 And also countless dhyānas and liberations,
Who always practice emptiness devoid of attributes—
They will soon become a sugata in the world. {278}

33.- “The bodhisattvas who maintain the aggregate of correct conduct

295 Make the greatest, most special offering to me.
Those who maintain the aspiration to enlightenment in the time of degeneration
Are continuously making an offering to all the buddhas.1157 {279} [F.116.a]

33.- “The bodhisattvas in the dreadful time of degeneration

296 Who protect this supreme Dharma1158 taught by the sugatas,
 Are my offspring and protectors of the Dharma in the later times.1159
They have been entrusted by ten billion buddhas.” {280}

33.- Conclusion of the thirty-third chapter, “The Benefits of Possessing the Sūtra.” [B11]
297
34. Chapter 34

Ksemadatta
̣
34.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha,1160 “Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should abide in the absence of attributes and be
dedicated to making vast offerings to a present tathāgata or to the stūpa of a tathāgata
who has passed into nirvān ̣a.
34.2 “Young man, those bodhisattva mahāsattvas should develop an aspiration focused
upon all beings as they wish for this samādhi. And, wishing to attain quickly the highest,
complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, they should abide in the absence of
attributes, without aspiration for the ripening of karma, and use even their own body and
life to perform vast actions of making offerings to a present tathāgata or to the stūpa of a
tathāgata who has passed into nirvān ̣a.
34.3 “With their mind and attention focused on compassion; with a loud, clear voice,
elevated and pleasant; and with especially noble vocabulary and a continuity of words
they should teach extensively to others, propagate, and explain the samādhi, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena. Why is that? Because, young man, this king of
samādhis, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena, is the basis and root of
the entire Dharma.
34.4 “Young man, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have great compassion [F.116.b] and
diligently rely on methods are dedicated to making vast offerings to a present tathāgata or
to the stūpa of a tathāgata who has passed into nirvān ̣a, they should teach extensively to
others this king of samādhis, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena.
34.5 “At that time, young man, those bodhisattva mahāsattvas should abide in the doorways
to liberation that are emptiness, the absence of attributes, and the absence of aspiration,
and should not apprehend any phenomenon whatsoever. The bodhisattva mahāsattvas
who abide in the practice of the samādhi that is free of apprehending will abide in all
aspirations. Young man, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who abide in all aspirations will
fulfill all the aspirations of all beings, will quickly attain this samādhi, and will quickly
attain the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood.1161
34.6 “Young man, you should understand this through the following teaching.
34.7 “Young man, in the past, uncountable, vast, immeasurable, inconceivable, innumerable
countless eons ago,1162 at that time and in those days, there appeared in the world the the
Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta,
̣ who
was perfect in wisdom and conduct, a sugata, a knower of the world, an unsurpassable
guide who tamed beings, a teacher of devas and humans, a buddha, and a bhagavān.
34.8 “Young man, the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ghosadatta
̣
established countless, innumerable beings in the cessation of defilements, in arhatship,
and having established them in that state, he passed into nirvān ̣a. He also established
countless, innumerable beings in irreversible progress toward the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood and then passed into nirvān ̣a. [F.117.a]
34.9 “Young man, at that time and in those days,1163 in Jambudvīpa there was a king named
Śrīghosa.
̣ In order to make offerings to the Tathāgata who had passed into nirvān ̣a he
built eighty-four quintillion stūpas that contained the relics of the Tathāgata and he
presented eighty-four quintillion lights to each of those stūpas. In the same way he
offered eighty-four quintillion musical instruments, percussion instruments, flowers,
incense offerings, perfumes, garlands, ointments, powders, robes, parasols, banners, and
flags to each of those stūpas.
34.- “Young man, in that way King Śrīghosạ made offerings to the stūpas that contained the
10 relics of the Tathāgata. Then he gathered eighty quintillion bodhisattvas and dedicated
himself to making offerings of all the most pleasing necessities to those bodhisattvas.
34.11 “Every one of all those bodhisattva mahāsattvas was a dharmabhān ̣aka. They had
uninterrupted eloquence, the attainment of samādhi, and the attainment of unimpeded
retention. They were teachers of the pure Dharma, and had attained the perfection of the
supreme powers of a bodhisattva.
34.- “Young man, at that time, within that assembly there was a bodhisattva mahāsattva1164
12 named Ksemadatta.
̣ He was a young boy with black hair, in the first stage of youth. He
had become a youth who did not indulge in desires, but was a young celibate, who had
been keeping the vow for a year.
34.- “Young man, at that time, King Śrīghosạ made a request to that great assembly of
13 bodhisattvas. He made a request to those bodhisattva mahāsattvas that he might,
combining the six perfections, accomplish the great retention of the bodhisattva pitaka,
̣
skill in methods, and unimpeded power and guidance. [F.117.b] That evening he lit a
quintillion lights before the stūpas that contained the relics of the Tathāgata. He also
swept clean the circumambulation walkway, moistened and washed it, scattered flowers
upon it, and arranged various seats. King Śrīghosạ then came there accompanied by his
harem and the people of the villages, towns, and regions. Holding musical instruments,
percussion instruments, cymbals, flowers, incense, perfumes, garlands, ointments,
powders, robes, parasols, banners, and flags, they made offerings to the stūpa, which
contained the relics of the Tathāgata. Afterwards, in order to hear the Dharma,
accompanied by his harem of queens, he ascended to the roof of the palace. Gatherings of
devas and humans also assembled in order to hear the Dharma.
34.- “The bodhisattva Ksemadatta
̣ saw them and the lights from the numerous quintillions
14 of offered lamps that shone as one pervading radiance. Knowing that many devas and
humans had assembled in order to hear the Dharma, he thought, ‘I have entered the
Mahāyāna, and because I now long for this samādhi I shall make an offering to the
Tathāgata. It will be such an offering to the Tathāgata that it will amaze the worlds of
devas, humans, and asuras, and bring them joy, delight, pleasure, and happiness, and
they will obtain the light of the Dharma. I shall make an offering that will surpass all the
offerings made to the Tathāgata by King Śrīghosạ and amaze King Śrīghosa,
̣ his harem of
queens, and his attendants, and bring them joy, delight, pleasure, and happiness.’
[F.118.a]
34.15 “The bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta
̣ was joyful and happy, and knowing that the
great assembly of people had gathered to hear the Dharma, that evening he sat in front of
the Tathāgata’s stūpa, bound his right hand in cotton, and immersed it in sesame oil.
Having immersed it in sesame oil he set it alight.
34.- “At this point the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta
̣ developed the supreme
16 intention. He developed the supreme intention for the highest, complete enlightenment
and, seeking complete enlightenment, although his right hand was burning brightly, his
mind and the expression of his face remained unchanged.
34.17 “Young man, as the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta’s
̣ right hand burned brightly,
and was transformed into a single flame, at that time this great earth shook. The light
from his burning right hand made that of the many quintillions of offering lamps seem
dark, and its great illumination spread in all directions, its radiance illuminating and
pervading every direction.
34.- “He became joyful and happy, and with a gentle and pleasing voice, a uniquely superior
18 vocabulary, and a continuity of words and letters, he taught1165 the samādhi, the revealed
equality of the nature of all phenomena so that the entire assembly understood it in
detail.
34.- “The one thousand two hundred Trāyastriṃśa devas assembled there to listen to the
19 Dharma were made joyous and happy and made various divine offerings. The apsarases
engaged in singing divine songs.1166
34.- “King Śrīghosa,
̣ who was keeping the eight posadha
̣ vows, was in the middle of his
20 harem of queens, with his court before him, seated on the roof of his palace. He saw that
the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta’s
̣ hand was burning and outshining all other
lights, [F.118.b] creating a brightness that transcended the lights of devas and the lights of
humans.
34.- “He thought, ‘This bodhisattva mahāsattva has attained great higher cognition,’ and felt
21 intense joy, faith, veneration, and reverence for the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta.
̣
Supported by his great accumulation of merit and roots of merit he leapt from the roof of
the palace, together with his harem of eighty queens. He leapt because of his joy on
having seen the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta.
̣
34.- “Because of the roots of merit that were produced by his veneration, he and his retinue
22 were caught by devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣ gandharvas, asuras, garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras, and
mahoragas. After they had been caught by devas, nāgas, yaksas,
̣ gandharvas, asuras,
garūd ̣as, kiṃnaras, and mahoragas, King Śrīghosạ and his retinue, even though they had
jumped from a building that was a hundred thousand cubits high, were physically
unharmed, mentally unharmed, and were not unnerved.
34.- “King Śrīghosạ extended both his hands, and together with the great assembly of
23 people saw the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta’s
̣ hand on fire and burning brightly.
All of them cried out loudly and wailed. Then the king, together with the great assembly
of people, weeping and shedding tears, came before the bodhisattva mahāsattva
Ksemadatta.
̣
34.- “Young man, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta
̣ saw King Śrīghosa,
̣ and having
24 seen him asked, ‘Great king, why are you and this great assembly of people here before
me crying out loudly, wailing, sorrowful, and weeping?’ [F.119.a]
“King Śrīghosạ spoke these verses to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ksemadatta:
̣

34.- “ ‘These beings have cried out1167

25 Because they have seen that Ksemadatta,
̣
The one with great wisdom, the learned one,
The dharmabhān ̣aka, has lost a limb. {1}

34.- “ ‘Seeing that this body

26 That emits this brilliant light
Has had a hand destroyed,
I also feel great suffering. {2}

34.- “ ‘The light from your burning hand

27 Has shone into the ten directions.
The divine light you have emitted
Has obscured the light of these lamps. {3}

34.- “ ‘This earth has been shaken

28 And you are not disheartened.
There arose in me the thought,
“That is no ordinary wise man.” {4}

34.- “ ‘I leapt a hundred thousand cubits

29 From the roof of my palace,
Together with my harem of queens,
But my body was not harmed. {5}

34.- “ ‘How excellent your wonderful wisdom!

30 How excellent your unsurpassable mind!
How excellent your dedicated diligence!
 How excellent your great aspiration! {6}

34.- “ ‘Your hand1168 is burning

31 But you are not disturbed.
You are happy and joyous
And again teach the Dharma. {7}

34.- “ ‘Worthy friend, you are as beautiful

32 As the moon that is full,
Or the sun high in the sky,
Or Sumeru, the king of mountains. {8}

34.- “ ‘Wise one, may I also

33 Fulfill such a prayer!
Rejecting my care for the body
I will accomplish benefit for beings. {9}

34.- “ ‘I delight in joy for the Dharma;

34 My happiness in that is inconceivable.
That you have lost a limb
Causes me the highest suffering.’ {10}

34.- “Ksemadatta,
̣ through devas and nāgas,
35 Made offerings to the king
And he spoke these verses
With infinite confidence: {11}

34.- “ ‘Someone who has no hand

36 Is not the one who lacks a limb;
Someone who has no correct conduct
Is the one who is lacking a limb. {12}

34.- “ ‘This putrid1169 body of mine

37 I have offered to the tathāgatas,
The inconceivable recipients of offerings,
The ones to whom offerings should be made by all the world. {13} [F.119.b].

34.- “ ‘Seeking the wisdom of buddhahood

38 I offer to the lords of the worlds
Infinite billion-world universes
Entirely filled with jewels. {14}

34.- “ ‘There are these material offerings

39 But there are other inconceivable offerings.
Those who know that phenomena are empty
 Give away their bodies and their lives. {15}

34.- “ ‘I shall speak words of truth.

40 Great king, listen to me!
All the people gathered here,
Understand the meaning of these verses! {16}

34.- “ ‘If it is true that I will become a buddha,

41 One who is revered by the world,
May that truth cause this earth
To shake in six ways!’ {17}

34.- “He spoke those words

42 And the earth shook.
Millions of devas were overjoyed,
Amazed, and astonished. {18}

34.- “The joyous devas and humans

43 Developed the aspiration for enlightenment.
Immeasurable, incalculable numbers
Were established in the supreme yāna. {19}

34.- “The benefit accomplished

44 By the bhiksụ Ksemadatta
̣
Is the unending and inconceivable engagement
With the wisdom of the buddhas. {20}

34.- “ ‘If it is true that this phenomenon

45 That is called “hand” does not exist,
Then may that truth cause my hand
To be instantly restored as it was before! {21}

34.- “ ‘If it is true that this phenomenon

46 Called “Ksemadatta”
̣ does not exist,
Though one seeks for it in the ten directions,
It will be not be found, because it is empty. {22}

34.- “ ‘Whatever sound arises,

47 Know it to be empty.
Sound is like an echo:
Know phenomena to be like that. {23}

34.- “ ‘When there is fearlessness,

48 Emptiness is fully comprehended.
Through those words of truth
 May the entire world not be burned! {24}

34.- “ ‘May all the beings in the three existences,

49 The devas and the humans,
All rest in a state of meditation
Because of the brilliance of omniscience. {25}

34.- “ ‘All the misfortunes

50 That devas and humans have,
May they all come to cessation
Through the brilliance of irreversibility!’ {26}

34.51 “After Ksemadatta

̣ spoke those verses
His hand grew back, [F.120.a]
And Ksemadatta’s
̣ body became
Adorned by the primary signs. {27}

34.- “Ten thousand million devas

52 Who were residing in the sky
Threw down at that moment
Coral tree flowers upon the bhiksu.
̣ {28}

34.- “Those divine flowers

53 Filled up this world.
A quintillion apsarases
Engaged in performing songs. {29}

34.- “When Ksemadatta

̣
54 Emitted these words,
Ten thousand million buddhas
Witnessed this miracle. {30}

34.- “In each of their realms

55 They made his great fame known
To their bhiksus
̣ and bhiksun
̣ ̣īs,
Upāsakas and upāsikās:1170 {31}

34.- “ ‘This bhiksụ Ksemadatta

̣
56 Is wise and has great might.
He burned his hand in order to gain
The wisdom of buddhahood.’ {32}

34.- “Thousands of realms,

57 As numerous as the Ganges sands,
Were illuminated by that lamp,
 Which was like the fire at an eon’s end. {33}

34.- “All the realms became filled

58 With flowers and sandalwood1171 powder,
Up to kneeheight
From the ground.1172 {34}

34.- “Jewels and flowers of every kind

59 Filled the buddha realm.
Nāgas brought down a rain of pearls
As an offering to Ksemadatta.
̣ {35}

34.- “This realm became adorned

60 By a display of every kind of jewel.
Jewels and pearls were spread out
As an offering to Ksemadatta.
̣ {36}

34.- “Devas, nāgas, and yaksas,

̣
61 kiṃnaras 1173 and mahoragas,
As numerous as the Ganges sands,
Were established in the highest enlightenment.” {37}

34.- The Śākya lion, the Buddha,

62 Was on Vulture Peak Mountain.
In front of his assembly of bhiksus
̣
The Jina roared this lion’s roar: {38}

34.- “It is I who was Ksemadatta

̣
63 And Ajita was Śrīghosa.
̣
For ten thousand million eons
I practiced the bodhisattva conduct. {39}

34.- “Countless women,

64 The moment they saw
Bhiksụ Ksemadatta,
̣
Ceased being women.1174 {40}

34.- “The Lord of humans prophesied

65 That they would not return
But that they all would become
Self-arisen guides of the world.1175 {41} [F.120.b]

34.- “The wise who have heard this sūtra,

66 The teaching on the disciplines of mendicancy, 1176
Should have no cherishing for the body
 And should study well this Dharma.” {42}

34.- Conclusion of the thirty-fourth chapter, “Ks ̣emadatta.”1177

67
35. Chapter 35

Jñānāvatī
35.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should plant roots of merit and apply themselves
to practicing generosity through the Dharma or generosity through material things.
35.2 “Those bodhisattva mahāsattvas should dedicate that generosity through four prayers
of dedication.
35.3 “What are the four dedication prayers? The first dedication prayer is: ‘I plant1178 the
roots of merit of this generosity so that I may attain skills in methods, those skills in
methods by which the buddha bhagavāns attained the highest, complete enlightenment of
buddhahood.’
35.4 “The second dedication prayer is: ‘I plant the roots of merit of this generosity so that I
may listen to those skills in methods from kalyān ̣amitras, remember them, understand
them, possess them, and recite them, and so that I will always be in the company of those
kalyān ̣amitras who will attain the highest, complete enlightenment of buddhahood.’
35.5 “The third dedication prayer is: ‘I plant the roots of merit of this generosity so that all
may obtain the requisites that sustain life in the world, and so that these requisites may
come together for me.’1179
35.6 “The fourth dedication prayer is: ‘I plant the roots of merit of this generosity so that I
may attain an existence in which I take care of beings, taking care of them in two ways:
taking care of them through the Dharma and taking care of them through material
things.’
35.7 “Young man, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas dedicate those roots of merit through those
four prayers of dedication. [F.121.a]
35.8 “Moreover, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who yearn for this samādhi, and wish
to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, whether
they are homeless renunciants or householders, should sincerely1180 serve, provide for,1181
and attend upon a bodhisattva mahāsattva who has correct conduct, good qualities, and
wisdom.1182 If that bodhisattva mahāsattva bhiksụ who possesses this samādhi were to
become ill, afflicted by a powerful illness, then they should eagerly cure him of the illness
 with their own flesh and blood. Young man, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who with the
perfect higher motivation yearn for this samādhi and wish to attain quickly the highest,
complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood should fearlessly and confidently1183 give
even their own flesh and blood so that the dharmabhān ̣aka bhiksụ will be healed from his
illness.
“Young man, this is how that teaching is to be understood.
35.9 “Young man, in a past countless eon—numerous, incalculable, countless eons ago—at
that time and in those days, there was a tathāgata, an arhat, a perfectly enlightened
buddha perfect in wisdom and conduct, a sugata, a knower of the world, an unsurpassable
guide who tamed beings, a teacher of devas and humans, the Bhagavān Buddha Acintya-
pran ̣idhānaviśesạ samudgatarāja who had appeared in the world.
35.- “Young man, before the end of the day on which he attained the highest, complete
10 enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, he manifested incalculable, innumerable buddha
emanations and guided countless beings, establishing them in the arhathood in which all
outflows have ceased, [F.121.b] and he established countless beings in irreversible
progress toward the highest, complete enlightenment. And then, before that day had
ended, he passed into nirvān ̣a.
35.11 “The Dharma of that Bhagavān who had passed into nirvān ̣a remained for a hundred
thousand quintillion years.
35.12 “Young man, in the last five hundred years before the Dharma of Bhagavān Acintya-
pran ̣idhānaviśesạ samudgatarāja finally came to an end, there were many bhiksus
̣ who
held the view of objective existence. They had no yearning, no aspiration for a sūtra like
this and opposed it and attacked it. They harmed and even killed the bhiksus
̣ who
possessed this sūtra. They had attachment to gain and honor and therefore they killed
thousands of bhiksus
̣ who possessed a sūtra like this.
35.13 “Young man, at that time and in those days, King Jñānabala ruled over Jambudvīpa.
He possessed the Dharma and had appeared because of his perfect prayers in previous
lifetimes.
35.14 “Young man, at that time and in those days, in this Jambudvīpa there was a bhiksụ
named Bhūtamati who possessed this sūtra. That dharmabhān ̣aka went to the king’s
palace and became a kalyān ̣amitra who was altruistic, was compassionate, and wished to
benefit others. The king never tired of gazing upon him and always longed to see him. He
came to him for teaching and for discussions on the Dharma. He honored him, asked him
questions, obtained answers, and was able to understand what was spoken.
35.15 “That dharmabhān ̣aka bhiksụ was wise in the behavior,1184 conduct, aspirations,
natures, and propensities of beings. He knew the extent of the powers, strengths, and
diligence of beings. He was wise in natures and propensities.1185 He was wise in implying
the truth. He was also wise in giving answers without implied meaning. He had profound
eloquence and was wise in the ways of guiding all beings. He spoke sincerely.1186 His face
was free of frowns. [F.122.a] He remained in a state of greatness of mind. He was
dedicated to great compassion. He could not be defeated by any opponent.
35. “Young man, at that time and in those days, King Jñānabala’s daughter was sixteen
16 years old and she was beautiful, attractive, and charming. She had a lovely complexion,
and was magnificent. Her name was Jñānāvatī. The bhiksụ Bhūtamati was her ācārya. He
taught her the virtuous qualities, extolled them, delighted in them, and made her develop
them.
35.17 “Young man, at that time and in those days, the dharmabhān ̣aka bhiksụ developed
widespread, black erysipelas on both his thighs, which did not respond to treatment and
had no known cure, so that the physicians gave up trying to heal him. King Jñānabala
with his harem, sons, daughters, and attendants, on learning that the bhiksụ was ill, wept
and shed tears.
35.- “Eighty thousand women, the inhabitants of the cities and towns, the people of the
18 kingdom, the people of the market towns and the regions, the astrologers, ministers, and
prime ministers, and the doorkeepers and attendants, hearing that the bhiksụ was ill,
wept and shed tears and cried, ‘May this bhiksụ not die!’
35. “Young man, at that time and in those days, the goddess of King Jñānabala’s family
19 since ancient times, who was always by his side, instructed the king in a dream, saying,
‘Great king, if fresh, unspoiled human blood1187 is applied to this bhiksu’s
̣ erysipelas, and
if fresh, untarnished human flesh is prepared with various flavors and given to him to eat,
then this bhiksụ will be cured of his illness.’
35.- When that night had passed and King Jñānabala awoke from his sleep he entered his
20 harem and he described the dream to his harem, saying, ‘This is the kind of dream that I
have had.’ [F.122.b]
35.21 “Young man, none of the women in the harem, the king’s wives, had the fortitude to
provide that remedy for the bhiksu.
̣
35.- “Princess Jñānāvatī also dreamed that kind of dream. When she awoke, she went into
22 the harem and described the dream to her circle of mothers, but none of the women had
the fortitude to provide that remedy for the bhiksu.
̣
35.- “Then Princess Jñānāvatī became happy, delighted, thrilled, joyful, pleased, and glad,
23 and made this resolution: ‘In that case I shall cut from myself the remedy, and as
instructed will give him the fresh blood and fresh flesh. I am the youngest and least
within the royal household, and my body, speech, and mind are untarnished. I seek
untarnished wisdom, and therefore I shall offer my flesh and blood to the untarnished
dharmabhān ̣aka, so that I may heal this bhiksụ of his illness!’
35.- “Then Princess Jñānāvatī returned to her own dwelling and, taking up a sharp knife
24 and with her mind focused on the Dharma, she cut flesh from her own thigh. She
prepared it, adding various excellent flavors. Bringing the blood, too, she went to her
ācārya1188 and, seated before King Jñānabala, she applied the blood onto the black
erysipelas and nourished the bhiksụ with the well-prepared meal.
35.- “Then the bhiksu,
̣ not knowing, unaware, and unsuspecting, ate that food. As soon as
25 he had eaten it, the bhiksu’s
̣ illness completely vanished and he was entirely cured of his
illness. Freed from pain and happy, he taught the Dharma so that twelve hundred beings
 from among the harem and the assembled people from the land, towns, and countryside
developed the aspiration to highest, complete enlightenment.
“King Jñānabala then recited these verses to his daughter: [F.123.a]

35.- “ ‘Daughter, from where did you obtain this blood?

26 And from where did you obtain this human flesh?
Daughter, by your preparing this food
The dharmabhān ̣aka has become healthy. {1}

35.- “ ‘Was it from someone slain or who had died that you obtained
27 This flesh prepared with various flavors?
Daughter, where did you obtain this blood
That has freed him from this evil sickness?’ {2}

35.- “The daughter listened to her father’s words

28 And Jñānāvatī then addressed him.
With no despondency, she spoke these words:
‘Listen, father, to what I have to say. {3}

35.- “ ‘I too, father, had the dream

29 That was sent by the goddess.
Lord of the World, listen to me,
And understand its true meaning. {4}

35.- “ ‘That goddess said to me

30 That whoever gives to the bhiksụ
The flesh and blood of a human
Will cure him of his evil illness. {5}

35.31 “ ‘I arose from my bed

And I entered the harem.
I then related my dream
To my superiors, my mothers. {6}

35.- “ ‘I asked the servants who among them

32 Would be able to do this,
To make perfectly delicious
Human blood and flesh? {7}

35.- “ ‘If that food is given to him

33 And if the blood is applied,
The bhiksụ will be freed
From this black erysipelas. {8}

“ ‘If we do not use this method,

35.- If we do not apply this remedy,
34 This bhiksụ will soon die
Because of this illness that he has. {9}

35.- “ ‘What being in the three existences

35 Would not give their flesh and blood?1189
What wise ones on seeing this
Would hold fast to their body? {10}

35.- “ ‘Though I told the harem of this,

36 Not even one woman said she would give.
The bhiksụ is beloved and he is beloved by me,
So I gave him my flesh and blood for the sake of enlightenment. {11}

35.- “ ‘Those who seek enlightenment, peace, and freedom from misery
37 Have no devotion to their body or dependence on it;
Of themselves they cherish not even an atom,
And are not saddened to give themselves away. {12}

35.- “ ‘When the harem heard those words, [F.123.b]

38 They were all perplexed.
None of them had the fortitude
To take on such an act. {13}

35.- “ ‘Then I developed the intention

39 That I would provide the food for the bhiksu,
̣
Cutting off pieces of my own flesh
And using for lotion my own blood. {14}

35.- “ ‘I cut into my own thighs

40 And obtained the flesh and blood.
I myself cooked the pieces of flesh
And added various flavorings. {15}

35.41 “ ‘In the presence of my father

I gave to the sick bhiksụ
The meal of human flesh
And the lotion of blood. {16}

35.- “ ‘Lord of men, listen to my words!

42 Sovereign, there not being any human flesh,
I cut the flesh from my own thighs,
And having cooked it gave it to the dharmabhān ̣aka. {17}

“ ‘It was for the sake of the highest enlightenment

35.- That I accomplished this great purpose with my body.
43 The bhiksụ is cured and returned to health
And I have created immeasurable merit.’ {18}

35.- “The king inquired of his daughter,

44 ‘How did you cut the flesh from your body?
Daughter, when you engaged in creating this remedy,
Did you not suffer from physical pain?’ {19}

35.- “The wise and fearless princess replied to him,

45 ‘King, lord of the earth, listen!
Having listened, understand correctly
The inconceivable ripening of karma. {20}

35.- “ ‘Father, through having done bad actions,

46 Beings fall into dreadful hell.
They lose their flesh, and again have flesh.
See the inconceivable result of actions! {21}

35.- “ ‘Through bad karma they have no flesh or blood,

47 And in an instant they again have flesh and blood.
Therefore, needless to say that, because of good karma,
Through aspiration flesh and blood will be created. {22}

35.- “ ‘I had no pain when I cut my flesh.

48 When the blood flowed I did not become dizzy.
Even if I were to cut off all of my flesh,
The body of the Dharma would have no wound or cut. {23}

35.- “ ‘Feeling perfect joy in the Dharma,

49 I cut the flesh to be given from my thighs.
I had no suffering because of the wounds, [F.124.a]
And my body became as it was before. {24}

35.- “ ‘Father, just like a fig-tree flower is only seen

50 A few times in many millions of eons,
This dharmabhān ̣aka is just like that,
Seen rarely in this Jambudvīpa. {25}

35.51 “ ‘Just as humans never tire of gazing

Upon shining Jambu River gold,
Devas and humans never tire of gazing
In that way upon this dharmabhān ̣aka. {26}

“ ‘Just as a thirsty man is freed from thirst

35.- When he drinks clear water,
52 In the same way wise dharmabhān ̣akas
Free beings of thirst with the nectar of Dharma. {27}

35.- “ ‘This my flesh and blood that I bestowed

53 Upon the bhiksụ who was afflicted by illness
Eliminated the dharmabhān ̣aka’s erysipelas,
And I thus respectfully rendered homage to the Buddha. {28}

35.- “ ‘I gave of my own flesh

54 To the learned one with correct conduct,
Who is a holder of this supreme samādhi.
May I obtain from him this Dharma! {29}

35.- “ ‘Just as the fragrant aroma of the incense

55 Of yellow sandalwood and red sandalwood1190
Spreads throughout the ten directions,
So, too, does the aroma of the dharmabhān ̣aka. {30}

35.- “ ‘Just as Meru is seen from every direction,

56 And seeing its beauty brings joy
And it illuminates, shining in all directions,
In that way the dharmabhān ̣aka is like Meru. {31}

35.- “ ‘Just as when a wise man rebuilds

57 A stūpa that has fallen into ruin,
His having faith in that stūpa
Is the cause for it to be rebuilt, {32}

35.- “ ‘Likewise, this stūpa of the Dharma was ill

58 And I cured it by applying blood.
With veneration for the Dharma, with my own flesh
I have lit the lamp for Jambudvīpa. {33}

35.- “ ‘If this bhiksụ had passed away,

59 The words of this samādhi would have been
Forever silenced for the beings in this world.
By healing him, this samādhi will be obtained. {34}

35.- “ ‘This bhiksụ is a protector of the whole world,

60 And gives sight to the blind world.
With the king of medicines he even heals
Desire, anger, and ignorance. {35} [F.124.b]

“ ‘He always has a mind that is vast,

35. The extent of his conduct is immeasurable,
61 He is learned in words and their definite meaning,
And he cannot be defeated by opponents. {36}

35.- “ ‘I have no fear that I will fall into lower realms,

62 And I will not again become a woman
Throughout thousands of millions of eons,
As I have performed a supreme service for the dharmabhān ̣aka.’ ” {37}

35.- At this point, the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man,
63 when the princess had heard this Dharma of the bodhisattva, which is marvelous,
wonderful, and very difficult to practice, in order to serve the sick dharmabhān ̣aka for
whom there was no medicine, she used her own flesh and blood to heal him. Even the gift
of just one finger will be a service to the stūpa of the Dharma for beings.”
35.- Thereupon the Bhagavān gave a detailed teaching on that account of the past by
64 chanting the following extensive verses to the youth Candraprabha:1191

35.- “The one who makes an offering of a single toe

65 Gains excellent merit that is millions of times greater
Than that from offering to the guides
Jewels filling buddha realms as numerous as the Ganges sands. {38}

35.- “After that girl had passed away

66 She saw ten thousand million buddhas.
She entered homelessness in all their teachings
And obtained the supreme peace of this samādhi. {39}

35.- “When all those supreme humans

67 Had passed into nirvān ̣a
As bodhisattvas,1192 unafflicted,
She always maintained homelessness. {40}

35.- “She practiced celibacy within the teachings

68 Of the tathāgata Dīpaprabha.1193
Never again reverting to being a woman,
She became a dharmabhān ̣aka bhiksu.
̣ {41}

35.- “Maitreya was Jñānabala, the ruler of men,

69 Who always maintained the supreme Dharma.
Dīpaṃkara was that dharmabhān ̣aka,
And I was then that princess. {42}

35.- “Aksobhya,
̣ when he was practicing bodhisattva conduct,
70 Was at that time the ancient goddess of the family,
 Who was the attendant of sovereign Jñānabala
And revealed the dream to the king.1194 {i} [F.125.a]

35.71 “Because of my longing for this samādhi,

Avoiding all wickedness
I served that dharmabhān ̣aka
With my flesh and my blood. {43}

35.- “Those who wept when they saw the bhiksụ

72 Afflicted by the agony of his illness
Became irreversible in their progress in all their lifetimes
And were never reborn into the lower existences. {44}

35.- “They never had illness of the eyes,

73 No illness of the head, no illness of the ears,
No illness of the nose, no illness of the tongue,
And never any illness of the teeth. {45}

35.- “Those who attended the sick monk

74 Became always very attractive,
Their bodies shining with splendor and majesty,
Adorned by the vivid thirty-two signs of hundreds of merits. {46}

35.- “They have entered homelessness in my teaching

75 And in future times when the supreme enlightenment is vanishing
They will obtain the treasure of the tathāgatas,
And see ten thousand million buddhas. {47}

35.- “Having obtained this supreme enlightenment,

76 They will always keep it and venerate it.
And having accomplished great benefit for beings,
They will see the supreme human, Aksobhya.
̣ {48}

35.- “When they have heard this unsurpassable conduct

77 They will attain the superior, unworldly joy.
When they hear of my past conduct
They will make vast offerings to the buddhas. {49}

35.- “When wise bhiksus

̣ with correct conduct are seen
78 They should always be served with sincerity.
Forsaking harshness and anger,1195
Always serve the bhiksụ dharmabhān ̣akas. {50}

35.- “Forsaking aggression and wrath,

79 Make offerings to my sons, the protectors of the Dharma.
 Do not be blind for many millions of eons
And fall into the lower existences and experience suffering. {51}

35.- “Those who are malicious toward each other

80 Will not be protected by correct conduct, or by learning.
They will not be protected by dhyāna or by solitude,
Nor by generosity or offering to buddhas.” {52}

35.- Conclusion of the thirty-fifth chapter, “Jñānāvatī.”

81
36. Chapter 36

Supuspacandra
̣
36.1 Then at that time Brother Ānanda rose from his seat, [F.125.b] removed his robe from
one shoulder, and, kneeling on his right knee, with palms placed together he bowed
toward the Bhagavān and made this request: “If the Bhagavān will give me an opportunity
to seek answers to them, I have a few questions for the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat,
the perfectly enlightened Buddha.”
36.2 The Bhagavān addressed Brother Ānanda, saying, “That is why, Ānanda, I am seated
upon this seat. Ask whatever question you wish to the Tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha, and I shall gratify you with answers to each and every question you
have asked.”
36.3 Brother Ānanda then said to the Bhagavān: “Bhagavān, I have been given the
opportunity. Sugata, I have been given the opportunity to receive answers to my
questions.”
36.4 So Brother Ānanda, having received the Bhagavān’s permission, sat upon a seat before
the Bhagavān and asked him, “Bhagavān, what is the cause and what are the factors
whereby when bodhisattva mahāsattvas are practicing infinite bodhisattva conduct, they
do not regress from enlightenment even if their hands are cut off, their feet are cut off,
their ears are cut off, their noses are cut off, their eyes are gouged out, their heads are cut
off, their bodies are cut up, and their limbs are cut off, or they experience various other
kinds of suffering? What is the cause and what are the factors for that?”
The Bhagavān replied to Brother Ānanda, “Ānanda, in order to truly accomplish the
highest, complete enlightenment, I experienced every kind of suffering. You know and
remember this, so what made you decide to ask the Tathāgata this question? [F.126.a]
36.5 “Ānanda, as an analogy, if there were a person who was on fire from his feet to the
crown of his head, burning so that he was a single flame, and someone else were to come
up to him and say, ‘Oh, you sir, while you are still burning, should encounter, be provided
with, delight in, enjoy, and indulge in the five sensory pleasures!’ what would he think?
Would that person, while he was still burning, encounter, be provided with, delight in,
enjoy, and indulge in the five sensory pleasures?”
“No, Bhagavān, he would not,” replied Ānanda.
36.6 The Bhagavān continued, “Ānanda, consider whether that person, while still burning,
could encounter, be provided with, delight in, enjoy, and indulge in the five sensory
pleasures. The tathāgata, while practicing bodhisattva conduct in the past, was not happy
or joyful on seeing beings suffering and in poverty in the three lower existences.
36.7 “Ānanda, when bodhisattva mahāsattvas of the past were practicing bodhisattva
conduct, they had perfect correct conduct, faultless correct conduct, pure correct conduct,
unalloyed correct conduct, immaculate correct conduct, unwavering correct conduct,
unshakable correct conduct, imperturbable correct conduct, resolute correct conduct,
sincere correct conduct, trustworthy correct conduct, honest correct conduct, correct
conduct that was faithful to the vows they had taken, and correct conduct that benefits
beings. That is the kind of correct conduct they had.
36.8 “Ānanda, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas of the past who were practicing infinite
bodhisattva conduct did not regress if their hands were cut off, did not regress if their feet
were cut off, [F.126.b] did not regress if their ears were cut off, did not regress if their
noses were cut off, did not regress if their eyes were gouged out or their heads were cut
off, and did not regress if their body or limbs were severed. Even if they experienced
various kinds of suffering, they quickly attained the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood. [B12]
36.9 “Ānanda, you should understand this through the following teaching:
“Ānanda, in the past, countless, vast, immeasurable, inconceivable, innumerable
countless eons ago, at that time and in those days, there appeared in the world the the
Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ratnapadma-
candraviśuddhābhyudgatarāja, who was perfect in wisdom and conduct, a sugata, a
knower of the world, an unsurpassable guide who tamed beings, a teacher of devas and
humans, a buddha, and a bhagavān.
36.- “At that time and in those days, the lifespan of the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat,
10 the perfectly enlightened Buddha Ratnapadmacandraviśuddhābhyudgatarāja was ninety-
nine quintillion eons. Each day, every day, he established ninety-nine hundred thousand
quintillion beings irreversibly in the Dharma. Having established them in the Dharma, he
passed into nirvān ̣a. He established countless, innumerable beings in the state of
arhathood without outflows, and having done so passed into nirvān ̣a. He established
countless, innumerable beings in irreversible progress toward the highest, complete
enlightenment and then he passed into nirvān ̣a.1196
36.11 “Ānanda, at that time, after the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly
enlightened Buddha Ratnapadmacandraviśuddhābhyudgatarāja [F.127.a] had passed into
nirvān ̣a, during the last five hundred years when the supreme Dharma was vanishing, at
the time when the supreme Dharma was being destroyed, there was, Ānanda, a king
named Śūradatta. King Śūradatta had eighty-four thousand women in his harem. He had
a thousand sons, and five hundred daughters.
36.- “At that time and in those days, King Śūradatta had a capital city named Ratnāvatī,
12 which was vast and immense, and had four gateways. It was adorned and beautified by
balconies,1197 porticoes,1198 entranceway arches,1199 windows,1200 upper pavilions,1201
towers,1202 and gardens. It was beautiful, and appeared like the abode of a deity. It was
the residence of countless, innumerable beings.1203
36.- “Ānanda, at that time and in those days, many people detested sūtras like this. Many
13 people rejected them. Many people were hostile to them. Many people dismissed them. It
was a time of great terrors. It was a time of great calamites, of excessive rains, and of
droughts. It was a time of many snakes. It was a time of disasters caused by lightning. It
was a time of famines. It was a time of false views. It was a time of wrong views. It was a
time of seeking out the mantras of the tīrthikas. It was the time when the enlightenment
of buddhahood was vanishing.
36.- “Seven thousand bodhisattvas were expelled from the villages, the towns, the market
14 towns, the regions, the capital, and the kingdom. They, along with the dharmabhān ̣aka
Supuspacandra,
̣ resorted to the forest called Samantabhadra and dwelt there.
Supuspacandra
̣ taught those bhiksus
̣ there the Dharma teaching of retention.
36. “Ānanda, in that forest a variety of flowers, blossoms, vines, and fruits were always
15 displayed, and the forest was filled with a variety of trees that were like wish-fulfilling
trees. [F.127.b] The ground was covered with the adornment of many different forms and
colors of seeds and seedlings; beautified by a variety of rocks and stones, and stainless
water;1204 and adorned by beautiful, vast, high, golden mountains. Siddhas,
vidyādharas,1205 gandharvas, yaksas,
̣ 1206 kiṃpurusas,
̣ 1207 sages, and kiṃnaras dwelt there.
It was inhabited by flocks of birds1208 of various colors and shapes. Many buddhas had
dwelt there. It was like a delightful garden. It was completely good. It was in that excellent
forest called Samantabhadra, perfect for practice,1209 that those bodhisattvas dedicated to
practice dwelt.
36.- “Ānanda, the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra
̣ went to stay alone in a secluded place.
16 With his pure divine sight, which transcended that of humans, he saw that many trillions
of bodhisattvas who had developed roots of goodness in various buddha realms had been
reborn in this world. If they were able to hear this Dharma teaching of retention they
would proceed irreversibly to the highest, complete enlightenment. However, if they did
not hear this Dharma teaching of retention they would regress from the highest, complete
enlightenment.
36.17 “Then the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra
̣ mindfully and knowingly arose from that
samādhi and went to the great assembly of bodhisattvas. When he had reached it, he
announced to that great assembly of bodhisattvas, ‘Noble sons, I am going to the villages,
the towns, the market towns, the kingdom, the regions, and the capital, where I will teach
the Dharma to beings.’
36.- “The great assembly of bodhisattvas said to the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra,
̣ ‘We
18 do not wish you to go from this forest to the villages, the towns, the market towns, the
kingdom, the regions, and the capital. [F.128.a] Why? Because the time has come when
 there are many bhiksus
̣ and bhiksun
̣ ̣īs, upāsakas and upāsikās who are extremely arrogant
and have rejected the good Dharma. Brother, it will not be good if they kill you.
36.- “ ‘Brother, you are very handsome, attractive, and good looking, in the flush of youth, a
19 young adult, with a complexion that is like excellent polished gold. On your forehead
there is the adornment of an ūrn ̣ā hair that is like a conch, the moon, or a jasmine flower.
Your hair and usṇ ̣īsạ are blue-black, and the locks of your hair curl. Therefore the
princes,1210 the king’s ministers,1211 and such others will be envious, hostile, and
aggressive, and if they kill you that would not be good.’1212
36.- “Then the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra
̣ said to the great assembly of bodhisattvas,
20 ‘If I protect myself I cannot protect the teaching of the past, future, and present buddha
bhagavāns.’ Thereupon he recited these verses:

36.- “ ‘I cannot protect this teaching

21 While maintaining the concept of a self.
In these dreadful latter times there is the great presentation
Of the Sugata’s teaching of enlightenment. {1}

36.- “ ‘The one who completely abandons the concept of self

22 And the doctrine of an individual that these beings follow,
The one who abandons form, sound, smell,
Taste, and touch, is one who protects the teaching. {2}

36.- “ ‘Compared to someone who, with a pure mind,

23 Has honored for millions of eons, as numerous as the Ganges sands,
Quintillions of buddhas with food, drink,
Parasols, flags, and rows of lights, {3}

36.- “ ‘Another who practices a single teaching day and night

24 When the good Dharma is being destroyed,
When the Sugata’s teaching is coming to an end,
Will have merits that are far greater than the first {4}

36.- “ ‘Someone who cultivates indifference

25 While the good Dharma of the leader of beings is being destroyed
Is not showing respect for the Jina
And is not honoring the guides. {5}

36.- “ ‘You should remain happy

26 And preserve your own welfare. [F.128.b]
Always be kind and take care
Of those who are to be guided.
Sincerely maintain
Unalloyed, pure, pristine, stainless conduct.
Those who keep their conduct stainless
 Are praised by the buddhas.1213 {6}

36.- “ ‘Those who have honored

27 The buddhas in the past
Are protectors who lead all beings
To enlightenment.
Those who keep the stainless conduct
That has been praised by the past buddhas
Become those who save many beings
From the hells and from bad karma. {7}

36.- “ ‘Give the precious gift of the supreme Dharma

28 And always maintain patience.
Remain in solitude, be skilled in samādhi,
Meditate, and be gentle.
Never engage in quarrels
And maintain supreme, peaceful conduct.
I am going to the capital,
To the city, in order to protect beings.’ {8}

36.- “When that sage, the supreme, sublime being

29 Who had great realization, was leaving,
Some held him by his feet,
Weeping with compassion and shedding tears.
‘Wise one with great realization, do not leave!
Look at how beautiful are this charming forest’s trees,
With their sweet and fragrant aromas.1214
Protect yourself, and do not leave. {9}

36.- “ ‘The guides of the past, who had the ten strengths,
30 Who had pacified senses, and kindness,
Went to forests, cliffs, and mountain summits
And there reached the highest enlightenment.
They practiced the highest conduct, enlightenment’s cause.
They possessed supreme merit and wisdom.
Follow their example and remain in the forest.
You, who have perfect discipline, do not leave. {10}

36.- “ ‘Your beautiful body is adorned by the signs.

31 Your hair is blue-black in color,
You shine with the color of gold
And you illuminate this earth.
An ūrn ̣ā hair is between your eyebrows, [F.129.a]
 As beautiful and bright as a conch.
The king and his followers1215 will thus
Become envious and destroy your body.’ {11}

36.- “Then the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra

̣ recited the following verses to that great
32 assembly of bodhisattvas:

36.- “ ‘The sugatas who lived in the past

33 Were omniscient and without outflows.
They all benefited the world
And reached supreme enlightenment within the three existences.
They practiced the highest conduct, enlightenment’s cause.
They possessed supreme merit and wisdom.
Follow their example, bodhisattvas,
In order to protect millions of beings.’ {12}

36.- “They all circumambulated the wise sage

34 And they bowed down to his feet.
Overwhelmed with compassion, they cried out,
Distressed, unhappy, wailing, and collapsing.
Some lost consciousness and fainted,
Falling to the ground like sal trees that had been cut down.
But the sage, determined to benefit beings
Through his accumulation of merit, did not turn back. {13}

36.- “The sage took up his robes and bowl

35 And was prepared, like the maned lion.
He remained in the nature of the Dharma
And was unaffected by good or bad qualities.
If in this world I remain in this forest,
Beings will fall into lower realms, which would not be good.
Therefore in order to protect beings
I am going to the city and the supreme palace.’ {14}

36.- “So the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra

̣ went to the villages, the towns, the market towns,
36 the kingdom, the regions, and the capital, where he taught the Dharma to beings. In the
morning as he was going there, he established nine hundred and ninety million beings in
irreversible progress toward the highest enlightenment, and that was before he had
reached the capital city of Ratnāvatī. Once he had reached the capital city of Ratnāvatī,
and was at the side of the capital city of Ratnāvatī, he sat at the feet of a wavy-leaf fig tree
and a sal tree. [F.129.b]
36.- “When that night had passed he went into the capital city of Ratnāvatī. After entering
37 inside he established three hundred and sixty million1216 beings irreversibly in the
Dharma. However, he had not had his meal and therefore, fasting that day, he emerged
from the capital city of Ratnāvatī and went to the stūpa that contained the fingernail of
the Bhagavān; there he stood all day and night.
36.- “When that night was over, on the second morning, he went back into the capital city of
38 Ratnāvatī. After entering inside he established two hundred and thirty million beings
irreversibly in the Dharma. However, he had not had his meal and therefore, fasting for a
second day, he emerged from the capital city of Ratnāvatī and went to the stūpa that
contained the fingernail of the Bhagavān; there he stood all day and night.
36.- “When that night was over, on the third morning, he went back into the capital city of
39 Ratnāvatī. After entering inside he established nine hundred and ninety million beings
irreversibly in the Dharma. However, he had not had his meal and therefore, fasting for a
third day, he emerged from the capital city of Ratnāvatī and went to the stūpa that
contained the fingernail of the Bhagavān; there he stood all day and night.
36.- “When that night was over, on the fourth morning, he went back into the capital city of
40 Ratnāvatī. After entering inside he established nine million, nine hundred thousand
beings in irreversible progress toward the highest enlightenment. However, he had not
had his meal and therefore, fasting for a fourth day, he emerged from the capital city of
Ratnāvatī and went to the stūpa that contained the fingernail of the Bhagavān; there he
stood all day and night.
36.- “When that night was over, on the fifth morning, he went back into the capital city of
41 Ratnāvatī and entered the harem. After entering inside he established eighty thousand
women in irreversible progress toward the highest enlightenment. He also established
countless, innumerable townspeople in irreversible progress toward the highest
enlightenment. [F.130.a] However, he had not had his meal and therefore, fasting for a
fifth day, he emerged from the capital city of Ratnāvatī and went to the stūpa that
contained the fingernail of the Bhagavān; there he stood all day and night.
36.- “When that night was over, on the sixth morning, he went back into the capital city of
42 Ratnāvatī. He established the thousand sons of the king in irreversible progress toward
the highest enlightenment. However, he had not had his meal and therefore, fasting for a
sixth day, he emerged from the capital city of Ratnāvatī and went to the stūpa that
contained the fingernail of the Bhagavān; there he stood all day and night.
36.- “When that night was over, on the seventh morning, he went back into the capital city
43 of Ratnāvatī. After entering inside he saw King Śūradatta riding toward the park in a
chariot of made of gold with side panels of silver, shafts of uragasāra sandalwood, wheels
of beryl, and adorned by a parasol, banners, and flags. The chariot’s shafts were bound
with silk and tied with cotton ribbons. Eight hundred maidens were pulling the chariot
with precious cords. They were beautiful, pretty, and attractive, with perfect, lovely
complexions. They brought delight and satisfaction to the foolish but not to the wise.
36.- “Eighty-four thousand ksatriyas,
̣ who were like great sal trees, followed in the rear.1217
44 Eighty-four thousand brahmins, who were also like great sal trees, followed in their rear.
Eighty-four thousand prominent citizens, they, too, like great sal trees, followed in their
rear.
36.- “The king’s five hundred daughters were being carried in precious palanquins in front,
45 and when they saw the bhiksụ they were instantly established in irreversible progress
toward the highest enlightenment. [F.130.b] When the retinue of sixty-eight hundred
thousand queens, too, saw the bhiksu,
̣ they also were instantly established in irreversible
progress toward the highest enlightenment.
36.- “That whole great gathering of people took off their jewels and rings, took off their
46 shoes, removed their robes from one shoulder, and, kneeling on their right knees, with
palms placed together bowed toward the bhiksu.
̣
36.- “Then the princesses, too, inspired by their previous roots of goodness, alighted from
47 their palanquins, took off their jewels and rings, took off their shoes, removed their robes
from one shoulder, and, kneeling on their right knees, with palms placed together recited
these verses to the bhiksu:
̣

36.- “ ‘The arrival of this bhiksụ

48 Has been like the sun,
Illuminating everywhere
And inspiring the people. {15}

36.- “ ‘The faults1218 of desire have gone,

49 Ignorance also has been cleared away,
And the faults1219 of anger and envy
Have also instantly departed. {16}

36.- “ ‘The sons of King Śūradatta,

50 His retinue, and so on—
None of these followers
Are looking at the king. {17}

36. “ ‘The beauty of this bhiksụ

51 Being honored by the princes
Is like the full moon
Encircled by the stars. {18}

36.- “ ‘The beauty of this bhiksụ

52 Is like a painting in gold
Created by an expert artist,
And like a blossoming king of the sal trees. {19}

36.- “ ‘The beauty of this bhiksu’s

̣ arrival
53 Is like powerful Śakra, the lord of devas,
 The lord with a thousand eyes, the destroyer of strongholds,
And lord of the thirty-three devas on the summit of Sumeru. {20}

36.- “ ‘The beauty of this bhiksu’s

̣ arrival
54 Is like Brahmā residing in Brahmā’s world,
Like the deva lord Sunirmita,
And like deva Suyāma in the desire realm. {21}

36.- “ ‘The beauty of this bhiksu’s

̣ arrival
55 Is like the sun shining in the sky,
Dispelling darkness with a thousand light rays,
Illuminating completely every direction. {22} [F.131.a]

36.- “ ‘He is beautiful with the physical signs

56 Of endless eons of vast generosity,
The constant maintenance of unsullied conduct,
And unequaled patience within in all worlds. {23}

36.- “ ‘This bhiksụ has appeared in the world

57 Having developed the diligence praised by the noble beings,
Having confidently practiced the four dhyānas,
And having developed wisdom and destroyed the net of the kleśas. {24}

36.- “ ‘The unequaled teaching of the buddhas, which is dedicated to beings,

58 That supreme Dharma has been taught by the heroes of the past.
The same will occur in future times and in the present.
They are the sons who obtain the power of a Dharma king.1220 {25}

36.- “ ‘Bhiksu,
̣ may you never be impermanent!
59 May your body in this way shine throughout the world
With your great majesty and beautiful voice.
Even the majesty of the king does not shine so brightly. {26}

36.- “ ‘Just as you have realized the Dharma

60 And practiced the Buddha’s instructions in the world,
May we abandon the condition of womanhood
And all become bhiksus
̣ like you.’ {27}

36.- “They placed their fingers together in homage,

61 Recited these verses, and cast toward him
Clothing, gold chains, strings of jewels,1221
And their necklaces and earrings. {28}

36.- “ ‘Just as the cakravartin kings,

62 Who had great power, surveyed the entire earth,
 Traveled through the four continents,
And perceived all as being their children,
Likewise he does not have stronger affection
For the ksatriyas,
̣ head merchants, and brahmins,
Or heads of households, local governors, and relations,
But instead has love for everyone equally.1222 {29}

36.- “ ‘It is the same for this kind bhiksu,

̣
63 Who is trained and has the power of retention,
And who elucidates the aspects of enlightenment,
The strengths, the powers, and the eightfold path. [F.131.b]
He is majestic and illuminating
Like the moon at night,
Shining in the midst of the stars,
Or the disc of the rising sun. {30}

36.- “ ‘He pays homage to all the kind buddhas

64 Who have the ten strengths and pacified senses.
If someone were to recite their praises
They could not finish even in a hundred eons.
One could not conclude describing their qualities
Even after many thousands of millions of eons.
One could not even conclude the praises
Of just one body hair of the most excellent in the world. {31}

36.- “ ‘The omniscient buddhas have turned the Dharma wheel

65 And taught the unequaled level of wisdom;
They have taught the detailed, stainless Dharma
That is not to be found anywhere else.
The renunciants, brahmins, devas, and nāgas,
The asuras, māras, Brahmakāyika devas, and so on,
Are not able to describe the ocean of qualities
That the omniscient buddhas have. {32}

36.- “ ‘We praise the unequaled Jina, the king of healing,

66 And this bhiksụ who is his heart son.’
The young daughters of the king joyfully
Recited those verses and at that time
They cast gold and gold dust
And spread out clothing
And top-knot jewels and necklaces
Worth a hundred million.1223
They presented these to the bhiksụ
 And were joyfully established on the path to enlightenment.1224 {33}

36.- “Then King Śūradatta thought, ‘Alas! My harem has gone astray, and so has the populace.
67 These people have cast off their jewels and rings, taken off their shoes, bared one
shoulder, knelt on their right knee, and with palms placed together they have paid
homage to that bhiksu.’
̣
36.- “King Śūradatta was not as handsome and not as attractive as that good-looking
68 bhiksu.
̣ Fearing for his royal status he became furious. [F.132.a] When he saw the
perfection of the bhiksu’s
̣ body, he became extremely enraged. As the bhiksụ had been
walking upon the king’s road, some dust had blown into one of his eyes. The king thought,
‘This bhiksụ is looking at my queens with lust in his mind and he is winking at them!
Now, who will slay this bhiksu?’
̣
36.- “King Śūradatta summoned his thousand sons who were following behind, and
69 commanded them, ‘Princes, you must slay this bhiksu!’
̣
But the princes refused to obey King Śūradatta and he thought, ‘Because of this bhiksụ
even my own sons refuse to obey me! I will be left alone and friendless, so who will slay
this bhiksu?’
̣
36.- “King Śūradatta had an executioner named Nandika, who was cruel, merciless, and
70 ferocious, and he was not far from King Śūradatta upon the king’s road. When King
Śūradatta saw him, he rejoiced and was happy, joyful, hopeful, and comforted, thinking,
‘Nandika will slay this bhiksu.’
̣
36.71 “Then the executioner Nandika approached King Śūradatta. King Śūradatta inquired of
Nandika, ‘If you wish to greatly please me, are you able to slay this bhiksu?’
̣
“Nandika answered, ‘Your Majesty, I am very able! I will fulfill your command and I
will slay this bhiksu.’
̣
36.- “The king said, ‘Therefore, Nandika, know the time has come. Take a sharp sword and
72 cut off the bhiksu’s
̣ hands and feet, and cut off his ears and nose, and, because he has
looked upon my harem with desire, gouge out his eyes!’
“So Nandika the executioner thereupon took a sharp sword and severed the bhiksu’s
̣
hands and feet, cut off his ears and nose, and gouged out both his eyes. [F.132.b]
36.- “From the places where the bhiksu’s
̣ head, ears, feet, hands, and eyes had been cut,
73 many quintillions of light rays shone forth, and many streams of milk, that circled the ten
̣ body. Śrīvatsas, svastikas, wheels,1225 and
directions and then returned into the bhiksu’s
so on, also emerged from and reentered1226 his severed body, and the thirty-two signs of a
great being became visible.1227
36.- “After the king had proceeded on from the crowd of people, that crowd of people
74 came1228 and saw that the bhiksụ had been cut and chopped up on the road.1229 They
were distressed, unhappy, and shocked. Weeping, crying out, and wailing, they went back
into the capital city of Ratnāvatī.1230
36.- “King Śūradatta spent seven days in the park, but he was not happy, did not take part
75 in amusements, and did not go for walks. After seven days had passed he left the park and
went into the capital city of Ratnāvatī. He saw the bhiksu’s
̣ body, which had been left on
 the king’s road, and although seven days had passed since he had died, the color of his
body was unchanged.
36.- “He thought, ‘The color of this bhiksu’s
̣ body has not changed, which means that
76 without any doubt this bhiksụ was irreversibly progressing to the highest, complete
buddhahood. I have accumulated the bad karma that will cause me to be reborn in a great
hell. I will soon fall into a great hell.’
36.- “In the sky above him eighty thousand1231 devas proclaimed in one voice, ‘It is as you
77 have said, great king. This bhiksụ was irreversibly progressing to the highest, complete
enlightenment.’
36.- “When King Śūradatta heard the words of the devas in the sky, he became frightened,
78 paralyzed with fear, with the hairs on his body standing on end, and was filled with
remorse. In suffering, distressed, and filled with remorse, he wailed1232 and recited these
verses:

36.- “ ‘Forsaking the kingdom and the royal capital,

79 Jewels, gems, pearls, gold, and wealth,
I myself took up a weapon and myself killed. [F.133.a]
Foolishly I have created bad karma. {34}

36.- “ ‘The bhiksụ Supuspacandra

̣ was here,
80 Armored in the thirty-two characteristics.
Shining, he entered the royal capital
Like the full moon, the king of the stars. {35}

36.- “ ‘Agitated by the evil of sensory pleasures,

81 I set forth in the pleasurable company of my wives,
Riding in chariots accompanied by a retinue of ksatriyas,
̣
When this fragrant, beautiful-eyed bhiksụ arrived. {36}

36.- “ ‘When my company of wives saw him they were overjoyed.

82 With adoration they cast off their gold necklaces.
They all placed their ten fingers together in homage
And praised that monk by singing verses. {37}

36.- “ ‘They were riding in chariots, accompanied by ksatriyas,

̣
83 But they stopped singing to their king1233
When this powerful, supreme son of the sugata,
This fragrant, beautiful-eyed bhiksụ arrived. {38}

36.- “ ‘When this bhiksụ came into the capital

84 My mind became extremely wicked.
Ignorant, I was furious and jealous
On seeing the joy of that great gathering of my wives. {39}
36.- “ ‘He illuminated completely the four directions
85 Like the beautiful moon freed from an eclipse.
My assembly of wives was overjoyed and cried out
When they saw the bhiksụ come into the capital.1234 {39}

36.- “ ‘At that moment I spoke with wrathful words,

86 Saying to my thousand sons,
“Chop to pieces that bhiksụ
Who is my dreadful, worst enemy.” {40}

36.- “ ‘All the princes, whose conduct was gentle,

87 Wished to benefit themselves and bowed down1235 to the bhiksu.
̣ 1236
They bowed down and said, “Majesty, that command should not be obeyed,”
And I became at that time overcome by sadness. {41}

36.- “ ‘When I saw this bhiksụ who had perfect conduct,

88 And who had kindness like that of a father,
With an evil1237 intention I had the opportunity to kill him,1238
And in the future I will burn in the Avīci hell. {42}

36.- “ ‘Nandika, who was upon the king’s road,

89 With extremely cruel actions makes people suffer; [F.133.b]
He was someone who would carry out my command,
And he cut up the bhiksụ like cutting up a garland of flowers. {43}

36.- “ ‘In the pleasant, supreme forest Samantabhadra,

90 Filled with birds and the aroma of flowers,
The vast community of bhiksus
̣
Are like only sons who have lost their mothers. {44}

36.- ̣ who dwelt in that forest!1239

“ ‘Arise, bhiksu,
91 You came to the king’s capital
To accomplish vast benefit for beings.
Weeping, they long for the greatly compassionate bhiksu.
̣ {45}

36.- “ ‘I have had the road swept and covered with cloth.
92 Banners of flowers have been arranged on the right
And other beautiful images on the left.
Arise, bhiksu,
̣ and teach the supreme Dharma! {46}

36.- “ ‘You have been long absent from the king’s capital.
93 Weeping, they long for the greatly compassionate bhiksu.
̣
May there be no obstacle to our life
In this time of the destruction of the supreme Jina’s teaching. {47}
36.- “ ‘Just as some beings who have great power—
94 Ever renowned throughout the ten directions
And outshining all in these three existences—
Leap down from a great height on to the earth, {48}

36.- “ ‘In the same way, this bhiksụ has fallen to the earth
95 With a body beautified by the supreme signs.
With an evil intention, I have reduced to pieces
Supuspacandra,
̣ who was faultless and blameless.1240 {49}

36.- “ ‘All the bhiksus

̣ will be stricken by suffering,
96 Will be dismayed and similarly grief-stricken
As soon as they see this dharmabhān ̣aka,
Supuspacandra,
̣ slain and fallen to the ground.1241 {50}

36.- “ ‘Supuspacandra,
̣ who was like the king of mountains,
97 Adorned by the thirty-two signs,
Has in an instant been broken into pieces
Like a flower garland held by a woman.1242 {51}

36.- “ ‘I have created the worst bad karma.

98 I shall helplessly go to Avīci, to Yama’s realm.
Having reduced the bhiksụ to pieces,
I am at the furthest distance from buddhahood. {52}

36.- “ ‘My sons will not save me, nor my family,

99 Nor my ministers, nor the slaves at my feet.
They will not save me from going to hell
For I have myself created the worst bad karma. {53} [F.134.a]

36.- “ ‘I go for refuge to the buddhas of the past, of the future,

100 And those now present in the ten directions,
Those leaders who have the ten strengths,
Have no kleśas, and have bodies as invincible as vajras!’ {54}

36.- “The devas there wailed pitifully

101 When they saw the bhiksụ in pieces.
They went to inform the saṅgha
That Supuspacandra
̣ had been killed in the capital. {55}

36.- “ ‘The wise and learned dharmabhān ̣aka,

102 Powerful and renowned in all directions,
The bodhisattva who was established in retention,
That Supuspacandra,
̣ has been slain in the capital. {56}
36.- “ ‘He who for countless eons practiced generosity,
103 Maintained faultless, unwavering conduct,
And had unequaled patience within all worlds,
That Supuspacandra
̣ has been killed in the capital. {57}

36.- “ ‘He who for countless eons was always diligent,

104 Confidently meditated on the four dhyānas,
And had the wisdom that eliminated the kleśas,
That Supuspacandra
̣ has been killed in the capital. {58}

36.- “ ‘He who gave up all attachment to his body,

105 Who had no regard for his own life,
And departed from Samantabhadra Forest,
That Supuspacandra
̣ has been killed in the capital.’ {59}

36.- “Having heard the pitiful wailing of the devas,

106 All the bhiksus
̣ experienced great suffering.
They all went to the city in order to see
1243
The slain innocent Supuspacandra.
̣ {i}

36.- “Those compassionate ones came to the capital

107 And when they saw the bhiksụ cut into pieces
They all wailed terribly in distress
And they fainted and fell to the ground. {60}

36.- “The saṅgha of bhiksus

̣ asked the king,
108 ‘Why did you commit this offence against a bhiksụ
Who maintained correct conduct without a fault,
And could remember countless previous lives? {61}

36.- “ ‘He had attained the power of wisdom and retention,

109 He knew that everything composite was empty,
He taught the absence of attributes to beings,
And had abandoned all concepts of aspiration. {62}

36.- “ ‘He had pleasant and delightful speech, [F.134.b]

110 He had pacified senses and was amiable,1244
He had complete knowledge of others’ previous lives,
And he had transcended the world.
He was the portrait of a supreme leader
With the wisdom of self-arisen buddhahood;
He saw with pure and unobscured eyes
And had extremely great love and compassion.1245 {63}
36.- “ ‘Killing through evil desires and causing suffering
111 Destroys rebirth in the upper realms.
People who are dedicated to their desires
Become deaf and devoid of wisdom.
People who are dedicated to their desires
Become blind and murder their fathers and mothers.
People who are dedicated to their desires slay those with correct conduct,
And therefore people should forsake desires. {64}

36.- “ ‘The kings who are dedicated to their desires,

112 Those rulers of the world throw away their prosperity
And go to the dreadful, terrible hells
That cause suffering and endless fear.
This kind of bad karma is always created
By the slaying of a wise bhiksu.
̣
Therefore one who wishes for the peace of enlightenment
Should abandon every kind of bad action. {65}

36.- “ ‘A jina, without dismay, gives away the best forms,

113 Sounds, tastes,1246 smells, tangibles, and phenomena.
He knows the body is like an illusion and chaff,
As are the ears, eyes, nose, and tongue. {66}

36.- “ ‘He trains in unequaled generosity,

114 correct conduct, patience, and diligence.
He is dedicated to dhyāna, attains perfect wisdom,
And accomplishes the benefit of beings.
The entire world with its devas and humans
Together look with love upon a jina.
Thereby, with eyes that have been freed from blindness,
They become enlightened, attaining the peace of buddhahood.1247 {67}

36.- “ ‘The jinas joyfully give away horses,

115 Elephants, litters, palanquins,
Couches, bulls, and carriages,
Wagons, villages, and regions.
They give away towns and kingdoms,
Gold, silver, crystal, and coral.
They give away wives,1248 sons, daughters,
And their own heads, and are established in enlightenment. {68}

36.- “ ‘They joyfully make unequaled

116 Offerings of flowers and incense,
 Holding parasols, banners, divine flags, [F.135.a]
And musical instruments of various kinds.
They know existence to be empty
And do not rejoice in rebirth in existence.
They have the ten strengths, are adorned by the signs,
And they illuminate all ten directions. {69}

36.- “ ‘The bodhisattvas established in retention

117 Have no attachment to the phenomena of the three realms.
They have no attachment to the realm of desire,
To the form realm, or to the formless realm. {70}

36.- “ ‘The bodhisattvas established in retention

118 Have no concept of a self, no concept of being,
No concept of a soul, and no concept of an individual,
And always practice unsullied celibacy. {71}

36.- “ ‘The bodhisattvas established in retention

119 Have no concept of things and no concept of nothing,
No concept of happiness and no concept of unhappiness,
And no concept of number and no concept of numberless.1249 {72}

36.- “ ‘They have no concept of existence and no concept of nonexistence,1250

120 No concept of woman and no concept of man,
No concept of villages and no concept of towns,
And no concept of regions and no concept of market towns.1251 {73}

36.- “ ‘The bodhisattvas established in retention

121 Have no concept of desire and no concept of no desire,
No concept of stupidity and no concept of no stupidity,
And no concept of ignorance and no concept of no ignorance.1252 {74}

36.- “ ‘The bodhisattvas established in retention

122 Have no concept of pride and no concept of no pride,
No concept of ignorance and no concept of no ignorance,
And no concept of view and no concept of no view.1253 {i}

36.- “ ‘The bodhisattvas established in retention

123 Have no attachment to the powers and the strengths,
No attachment to the dhyānas and the aspects of enlightenment,
And have abandoned all the evils in the three realms. {75}

36.- “ ‘They have no desire or passion, no anger or rage;

124 They have no ignorance or dullness, and are always honest.
 When they see the buddhas with their ten strengths, they honor them.
And they do not gain knowledge for the sake of rebirth in the higher realms. {76}

36.- “ ‘When they hear the unique Dharma from another,

125 They never have any doubt in it.
They know if there is deficiency or not in others’ minds, [F.135.b]
Like looking into a clear, pure bowl of sesame oil. {77}

36.- “ ‘If attachment develops,

126 That friendliness is a great kleśa.
If anger develops then that aggression
Brings evil, enmity, and fear.
Completely rejecting both of those,
The wise ones are established in enlightenment.
They become here the great leaders of humans,
Endowed with the ten strengths, appearing in the world.1254 {78}

36.- “ ‘They abandon the internal and the external

127 And remain in the nature of phenomena.
They have correct conduct that is pure,
Without defect, unsullied, and faultless.
Their conduct is never sullied
And it is never corrupted.
The wise ones avoid attachment and anger1255
And attain the peace of enlightenment.’ {79}

36.- “After King Śūradatta had heard from the saṅgha what vast, extensive, and special
128 qualities the dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra
̣ had, he was in suffering and unhappy, and
therupon he recited these lines of verse to that great assembly of bodhisattvas:1256

36.- “ ‘The dense forest of Samantabhadra,

129 Filled with great trees and beautified by fruit,
Adorned by beautiful flowers that appear in all seasons
And where various birds sing their songs, {i}

36.- “ ‘And adorned by tall, stately, golden mountains

130 And by the tuneful song of kiṃnaras,
By skillfully created, pleasant music,
And the constant dancing of adept maidens— {ii}

36.- “ ‘That forest is like a deva’s park,

131 With trees that have beautiful, shining forms,
With a carpet of various kinds of flowers,
And with rivers adorned by blue and red lotuses. {iii}
36.- “ ‘Sages constantly live in harmony
132 Within such a delightful forest.
He departed from it wishing to benefit beings
And came to my city, which is a mass of sin. {iv}

36.- “ ‘That dharmabhān ̣aka with excellent qualities,

133 Supuspacandra,
̣ came here to this city.
When he came I committed the evil action of having him slain,
And because of his death I am going to fall down into hell. {v} [F.136.a]

36.- “ ‘May the bodhisattvas who have the power of compassion,

134 The heroes who act in this world to benefit beings,
Give their protection to me, who have done such evil things:
I go to those bodhisattvas for refuge. {vi}

36.- “ ‘Secondly, those who are pratyekabuddhas,1257

135 And also śrāvakas with miraculous powers,
Whose outflows have ceased and are in their last body,
Save me from the suffering of being reborn in the Avīci hell!’ ” {vii}

36.- Then at that time the Bhagavān said to Ānanda, “In that way, Ānanda, the bodhisattva
136 mahāsattva has no attachment to life or body. Why is that? Because, Ānanda, beings who
have attachment to life and body create bad karma.
On this topic it was said:

36.- “Beings who have attachment

137 To this body, which is constantly rotting,
And to this life, unstable and powerless,
Which is like a dream or an illusion, {viii}

36.- “They fall under the power of ignorance

138 And create extremely dreadful karma.
Devoid of wisdom, following Māra,1258
They are reborn in the terrible hells. {ix}

36.- “Those humans who are indifferent

139 To their body, which is like a lump of foam,
And their life, which is like a water bubble,
Will become supreme beings.” {x}

36.- Then the Bhagavān said to Brother Ānanda, “Ānanda, in that way bodhisattva
140 mahāsattvas who wish for this samādhi, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood, should train in this samādhi, and should have no
regard for their body or life. They should be as diligently dedicated as they would if their
 hair or clothes were on fire, and have great compassion for all beings. For example, they
should give up living happily in solitude, solitary places, and forests, and enter the
villages, the towns, the market towns, the regions, the kingdom, the capital, and district
capitals,1259 and there teach the Dharma to beings so that beings can attain irreversible
progress toward the enlightenment of the śrāvaka, irreversible progress toward the
enlightenment of the pratyekabuddha, or irreversible progress toward the highest,
complete enlightenment.”1260 [F.136.b]
36.- Thereupon the Bhagavān gave a detailed teaching on this episode from the past by
141 chanting the following verses to Brother Ānanda:1261

36.- “At that past time, when I was practicing bodhisattva conduct,
142 I was King Śūradatta.
I left my capital city Ratnāvatī
On the way to a place that was a park. {80}

36.- “While riding in the chariot I saw a bhiksụ

143 Who was perfectly handsome and attractive,
Wearing the armor of the thirty-two signs,
And he illuminated all directions. {81}

36.- “He was renowned as Supuspacandra,

̣
144 And was compassionate, beneficial, and kind.
He was beautiful with his splendor and majesty,
And through his love for beings he had come to town. {82}

36.- “I could not be his equal in appearance,

145 And a malevolent envy arose within me.
I was attached to desires and clung to my kingdom,
And thought he would deprive me of my kingdom. {83}

36.- “I had sons that numbered a full thousand,

146 Who were following behind me riding in chariots,
And who wore various kinds of diadems and jewelry,
As if the devas who were lords of Trāyastriṃśa had come. {84}

36.- “I also had there five hundred daughters,

147 Who were very beautiful and wore bejeweled shoes,
Beautified by ribbons, diadems, and jewelry,
Who pulled my chariot with cords of gold.1262 {85}

36.- “I had my eighty thousand wives,

148 Who were all alluring and very beautiful.
From within their chariots they saw the bhiksu,
̣
Whose body had the shining splendor of Mount Meru. {86}
36.- “When they saw him they conceived of him as like a father,
149 And they developed the aspiration to attain supreme enlightenment.
Then they adopted the practice of celibacy
And they cast off their delightful jewelry. {87}

36.- “At that time there arose within me envy

150 And intractable, pitiless malice and anger.
Proud of my power, I said to my sons,
‘Slay that bhiksụ who is before me!’ {88}

36.- “The princes, on hearing my words,

151 Became distressed and unhappy. [F.137.a]
They said, ‘Father, do not speak such words!
We will not slay such a bhiksu!
̣ {89}

36.- “ ‘Even if our bodies and limbs were to be cut up

152 For as many eons as there are sand grains in the Ganges,
Nevertheless we would never slay this bhiksu,
̣
As we have developed the aspiration for enlightenment.’1263 {90}

36.- “When the king had heard the words of his sons
153 He furiously ordered his serving executioner,
‘Quickly bring to me this bhiksụ slain,
Who is standing in front of my harem!’ {91}

36.- “Then the executioner named Nandika,

154 Cruel and malevolent, followed him.
He took a sword oiled with sesame oil,
And with it he cut the bhiksụ into eight pieces. {92}

36.- “When he cut into the body and limbs,

155 Instead of blood a thousand light rays were emitted,
And where it was cut open, inside the body
Were symbols, such as śrīvatsas and wheels.1264 {i}

36.- “Having committed such a dreadful act,

156 The king instantly departed for the park.
1265
Thinking of the bhiksụ Puspacandra,
̣
He could not join in amusements or be happy. {93}

36.- “He very quickly and in a hasty manner

157 Departed from the park to return to his palace.
His chariot on the way came to the place
Where the bhiksụ lay in eight pieces. {94}
36.- “There he heard the sound of the wailing
158 Of many millions of devas in the sky.
They cried, ‘King, you have created so much bad karma
That when you die you will go to the miseries of the Avīci hell!’ {95}

36.- “When the king had heard those words

159 He became distressed, sorrowful, and afraid.
He thought, ‘I have created so much bad karma
Through my having Puspacandra
̣ killed! {96}

36.- “ ‘He was the son of the buddhas, of the leaders of men,
160 Of the tathāgatas who have infinite wisdom.
He controlled his senses, was caring, had a peaceful mind,
But because of my desires I had him slain. {97}

36.- “ ‘He possessed the Dharma of the tathāgatas.

161 In the age of destruction he was a treasure of the Dharma.
He was a lamp of wisdom for the entire world,
But because of my desires I had him slain. {98}

36.- “ ‘He was a king of physicians for this entire world

162 And he was always healing beings. [F.137.b]
He gave them the shining elixir of amrita,
But because of my desires I had him slain.1266 {i}

36.- “ ‘He explained to beings the Dharma

163 That is profound, peaceful, and difficult to see.
He was a teacher of the supreme essence of enlightenment,
But because of my desires I had him slain. {99}

36.- “ ‘He possessed the Dharma treasure of the guides,

164 And he was a lamp for a world in darkness.
He possessed the retention of the king of sūtras,
But because of my desires I had him slain. {100}

36.- “ ‘He was free of the kleśas and possessed pure wisdom,
165 And he constantly rested in a state of peace, perfect peace.
I had him killed today because of my desires,
Which was extremely evil, and I will go to hell. {101}

36.- “ ‘The buddhas of the past and of the future,

166 And the jinas, the supreme men, of the present,
Who are endlessly praised and have an ocean of qualities,
With my hands together in homage I go to them for refuge.’ {102} [B13]
36.- “When King Śūradatta saw that the body of the slain dharmabhān ̣aka Supuspacandra
̣ that
167 lay on the ground had not altered in color he was distressed, sorrowful, and remorseful.
He became crazed and wailed loudly.
36.- “He recited these mournful verses that praised the qualities of the dharmabhān ̣aka
1267
168 Supuspacandra:
̣

36.- “ ‘The noble saṅgha in Samantabhadra Forest

169 Requested you in many different ways
Not to go to Ratnāvatī, the capital city,
Because there would be a danger to your life. {i}

36.- “ ‘You did not listen to that saṅgha of bhiksus.

̣
170 Why, venerable one, did you come to the town?
Whatever the reason might be that you came,
You should accomplish it, O lamp for the world! {ii}

36.- “ ‘The ground is adorned by a variety of divine plants.

171 There is a dense multitude of shining, beautiful trees.
It is protected by supreme siddhas and vidyādharas,1268
It is frequented by devas, and the lords of birds sing there.1269 {iii}

36.- “ ‘You departed from the perfect, delightful

172 Samantabhadra Forest, where the buddhas always dwell. [F.138.a]
Gentle one, explain to me today
The reason why you came here. {iv}

36.- “ ‘When I have heard your words, I will fulfill your command.
173 Son of the Buddha, arise and give me your instruction.
Alas, what shall I do, god of gods,
I am helpless and go to you for refuge! {v}

36.- “ ‘Alone like a lion, the king of animals,

174 You left your pride,1270 a supreme saṅgha of bhiksus,
̣
And with compassion for endless beings,
With no regard for your own life, you came here. {vi}

36.- “ ‘I was overcome with desire and envy

175 And had this hero cut into pieces.
Now your entire saṅgha of bhiksus
̣
Has come to the capital in order to see you. {vii}

36.- “ ‘That which I, terrified, request of you,

176 It is a request that is worthy to be fulfilled.1271
Puspacandra,
̣ I pray you free me from fear
 And that you rise like the moon when it is full. {viii}

36.- “ ‘Dharmabhān ̣aka who is liberated from anger,

177 Lord of beings, bestow this favor on me.
Today, bestow this one favor on me:
I pray that you arise, shining like the sun. {ix}

36.- “ ‘I have committed an evil, sinful act.

178 I have slain the supreme dharmabhān ̣aka.
When I die I will be reborn in a terrible hell,
And I have no one who can save me from that. {103}

36.- “ ‘Shame upon this sinful mind that creates calamity!

179 Shame upon this kingship of pride and arrogance!
I will have to go alone, leaving all behind,
Without taking any possessions1272 with me.1273 {104}

36.- “ ‘You have the pure Dharma, and have defeated desire and anger.
180 You speak pleasant words, are self-controlled, and compassionate.
You do no wrong, and are the sole friend of beings.
Supreme Puspacandra,
̣ why did I slay you? {105}

36.- “ ‘Ah!1274 You who are wealthy in discipline, patience, and austerity!
181 Ah! You who possess the qualities of a handsome form and kindness!
Ah! You who are honest, glorious, and trustworthy—
Where have you gone, leaving us behind? {106}

36.- “ ‘Noble one, when your body and limbs were cut,
182 Milk flowed out and thousands of light rays shone forth.
The entire world was astonished.
My wondrous1275 guide, I pray that you arise!1276 {i} [F.138.b]

36.- “ ‘Ah! Puspacandra,

̣ you are self-controlled and compassionate!
183 Ah! Come here, you mountain of love and compassion!
Ah! You are a supreme teacher of the profound Dharma—
Divine one, I pray that you be compassionate to me and arise. {ii}

36.- “ ‘Ah! Come here, you who have the face of a full moon!
184 Ah! Come here, you who are upon the ten bhūmis!
Ah! You are a hero who has power over the ten bhūmis—
You, who have power over life, where you have gone? {iii}

36.- “ ‘Ah! Come here and speak to me!

185 Ah! You who are so diligent and compassionate, where have you gone?
Ah! You have meditated for a long time on patience—
 You who have great love, arise and speak to me! {iv}

36.- “ ‘Ah! God of gods, you who are worthy of offerings,

186 Dharmabhān ̣aka, why do you continue to remain silent?
Arise, wise one, come into my home
And teach the Dharma to the city’s women. {v}

36.- “ ‘Divine one, it is not possible to cut up your body.

187 ̣ 1277 and rāksasas
Even the devas, asuras, yaksas, ̣
Are unable to destroy this body of yours.
Wise one, do not perform this illusion today. {vi}

36.- “ ‘Divine one why do you continue with this illusion?

188 This is not a beautiful bodhisattva illusion.
Abandon all illusions and arise,
And teach the Dharma in the city of Ratnāvatī. {vii}

36.- “ ‘Ah! Come here, noble Puspacandra!

̣
189 Ah! Come here, you who are without desire for the three realms!
Ah! Come here, guide who is like a father and mother—
And close the door through which I will go to hell. {viii}

36.- “ ‘You are the refuge for those beings reborn in the lower realms,
190 And for beings who are falling into the great Avīci hell.
Come here, Protector Supuspacandra,
̣
And open the door through which I can go to the higher realms! {ix}

36.- “ ‘Lord, for seven days you did not eat.

191 Arise and eat a meal in my home.
Having eaten a meal, then in Ratnāvatī
Establish many beings in the Dharma. {x}

36.- “ ‘Ah! My father who is wise in the supreme Dharma!

192 Ah! You who have no enmity toward any being!
Ah! Come here before me and teach me the Dharma!
Ah! Come here and quickly fulfill my prayers! {xi}

36.- “ ‘Ah! The saṅgha of bhiksus

̣ do not have their lord! [F.139.a]
193 Ah! They are blinded, distressed,1278 and in sorrow!
Ah! Arise quickly, you who are the most precious being—
And having arisen bring relief to this saṅgha of bhiksus.
̣ {xii}

36.- “ ‘Ah! Come here, you who are a light for the three realms!
194 Ah! Come and enter the Samantabhadra Forest!
Enter the supreme forest, Samantabhadra,
 ̣ 1279 {xiii}
And teach so as to benefit the bhiksus.

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh!1280 You possess the Dharma and have marvelous qualities.
195 You are as rare as a flower on the sacred fig tree.
Oh! Oh! Look upon the saṅgha of bhiksus
̣
With your stainless eyes of wisdom and compassion.
Oh! Oh! Teach to the bhiksus
̣
The retention1281 that is beyond words.
Oh! Oh! Puspacandra,
̣ arise here today
Like the rising moon.1282 {xiv}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! Son of the jinas, who has compassion for me,
196 Unsurpassable teacher, bring me relief.
Oh! Oh! You who when struck by swords and sticks
Have the power of great patience and kindness.
Oh! Oh! Compassionate Supuspacandra,
̣
Generous guide, I pray that you arise.
Oh! Oh! Arise and teach to me
The retention that is difficult to see. {xv}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! You are the supreme lamp of wisdom

197 That illuminates the entire world.
Oh! Oh! You are dedicated to the benefit of beings;
You are the guide with the strength of compassion.1283
Oh! Oh! Arise, Puspacandra,
̣ the hero1284
Who accomplishes the benefit of beings.
Oh! Oh! Arise and bring trillions
Of beings to the city of peace. {xvi}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! You who have the wealth of correct conduct,
198 You have understanding, the wealth of training, and are wise.
Oh! Oh! You remain in the discipline of correct conduct
And rejoice in the seedlings of the trees of Dharma.
Oh! Oh! You wear the orange dyed dharma robes,
And are always satisfied by renunciation.
Oh! Oh! Arise, glorious Puspacandra,
̣
Who has perfect discipline, generosity, and austerity. {xvii}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! Tamed one who tames untamed beings,

199 Who always has the state of being tamed. [F.139.b]
Oh! Oh! Tamed one who follows those who are tamed,
Who is peaceful, and who has pacified senses.
Oh! Oh! You continually with the sound of the Dharma
 Awaken beings who are asleep, deeply asleep.
Oh! Oh! You awaken millions of beings
And establish them in the highest yāna. {xviii}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! With the planks of generosity

200 You have made a ship and tied it with the ropes of diligence.
Oh! Oh! You rescue the beings who
By craving1285 have fallen into the great ocean.
̣ 1286 with the ten strengths,
Oh! Oh! Arise, Supuspa,
You who are the wise pilot of the ship.
Oh! Oh! Sail that stable ship
And come and rescue me too. {xix}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! You are the supreme doctor, practiced in discipline;
201 You are the unsurpassable doctor, learned in healing.
Oh! Oh! You have attained the perfection of liberation through wisdom
And you bestow the medicine that is the good Dharma.
Oh! Oh! When you see beings who are sick,
Afflicted with all kinds of illnesses,
Oh! oh! arise quickly and give them
The medicine of the Dharma.1287 {xx}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! King of the medicine of wisdom, unequaled,

202 You have reached the perfection of superior wisdom.
Oh! Oh! You completely cure all illnesses.
With compassion you accomplish the benefit of beings.
Oh! Oh! Everyone in the realm of sick beings
Is afflicted by the illness of desire.
Oh! Oh! You make all those beings
Happy, healthy, and reach nirvān ̣a. {xxi}

36.- “ ‘Oh! Oh! Wise one, who has a vast training in wisdom,
203 Beat loudly the drum of the Dharma!
Oh! Oh! With your ocean of wisdom cut though
All the world’s creepers of doubt.
Oh! Oh! You who are excellently learned,
Stainless, a holder of the Dharma, a supreme human,
Oh! oh! be seated in the midst of your assembly
And, wise one, recite thousands of millions of stainless sūtras. {xxii}

36.- “ ‘Ah! Puspacandra,

̣ you are adorned by the supreme primary signs.
204 Ah! Your body has all the eighty excellent secondary signs complete.1288
Ah! Come here, honest one, who has crossed the ocean of existence.
 Ah! Arise, you who have escaped from the prison of existence. [F.140.a]
Ah! You have sacred, supreme wisdom and knowledge.
Ah! Puspacandra,
̣ you have great compassion.
Ah! Have love and compassion and arise!
1289
Ah! Puspacandra,
̣ I pray to you. {xxiii}

36.- “ ‘Ah! Puspacandra,

̣ give your instruction!1290
205 Ah! Do not forsake your saṅgha of bhiksus!
̣
Ah! Come here and lead your saṅgha!
Ah! Arise and go to that forest!
Ah! Puspacandra,
̣ you enjoy the four1291 dhyānas.
Ah! You have love equally for friends and enemies.
Ah! Arise, you who maintain unequaled retention.
Ah! Come here, arise, you who are a tree of pure wisdom. {xxiv}

36.- “ ‘Ah! You are as unshakable as Meru.

206 Ah! You for whom buddhas and beings are equal1292—
Ah! Puspacandra,
̣ who has perfect discipline—
Ah! Arise and attain buddhahood at the foot of the Bodhi tree.1293
Ah! You have divine hearing and possess the supreme Dharma.
Ah! You have divine vision, and are wise and adept in wisdom.
Ah! Arise, compassionate one, and look at me!
Ah! Endlessly famous one, listen to my words! {xxv}

36.- “ ‘Ah! You help and benefit the entire world.

207 Ah! Puspacandra,
̣ you delight in great generosity.
Ah! Arise and quickly1294 fulfill my prayer.
Ah! Do not remain here in pieces.
When the men and the women of this city
Saw you lying dead,1295
Their hearts were withered by sorrow.
Look upon them with your compassionate eyes! {xxvi}

36.- “ ‘Arise, Supuspa,

̣ so that you may fulfill
208 The reason for cultivating the strength
Of love, wisdom, and method,
And your vast rejoicing in compassion and equanimity.
Devas, nāgas, and asuras with great miraculous powers,
Yaksas,
̣ rāksasas,
̣ humans, and kiṃnaras
Bring flowers and incense in their cupped hands;
They have all come to delight in seeing you. {xxvii}

“ ‘Today I have understood the words of the Sage:

36.- The desires of beings are harmful1296 murderers.1297
209 This fever1298 of the mind is the cause of the lower realms.1299
Therefore I shall forsake acting out of desire. {107}

36.- “ ‘I have committed the sin of slaying the bhiksu,

̣
210 Which was extremely wicked and will destroy my happiness.
I am going to go to the terrible Avīci hell [F.140.b]
And I have no protector who can save me from that.
I shall forsake the kingdom and practice celibacy.
I shall make excellent offerings
With incense, flowers, and perfumes,
And I shall build a beautiful stūpa.1300 {108}1301

36.- “ ‘I give a command to all my sons,

211 Daughters, wives, prominent citizens,
Ministers, head merchants,
Heads of guilds, and many ksatriyas:
̣
Quickly make a bier with a casket
Of agarwood, sandalwood, cherry wood,
And whatever is splendid, aromatic, and beautiful,
̣ 1302 {109}
For the cremation of this bhiksu.’

36.- “Having heard the king, all the townspeople

212 Brought the very best incense,
Fashioned a bier, and placed
The bhiksụ inside the casket.
With agarwood, sandalwood, and magnolia,1303
Valerian, fenugreek, and begonia,
With flowers and perfumed garlands,
And with sesame oil he was cremated. {110}

36.- “The bhiksus

̣ collected
213 A dron ̣a of his burned bones.1304
The king created for them a stūpa
And said, ‘I wish to make an offering to it.’
Holding flowers, garlands, and perfumes,
The king had others hold parasols, flags, and banners,
And play the music of a thousand
Quintillion musical instruments. {111}

36.- “The king came to the stūpa of the bhiksụ

214 During each of the three periods1305 of every day,1306
And confessed absolutely whatever bad actions, however small,
 He may have committed in this life or throughout the three times.1307
For nine hundred and fifty billion years
He repented all his misdeeds,1308
And from then on perfectly maintained correct conduct
That was unimpaired, pure, unsullied, and stainless. {112}

36.- “For nine hundred and fifty billion years1309

215 He kept the posadha
̣ vows.
Then when my body1310 was destroyed
I fell into the terrible Avīci Hell.
I had committed cruel actions out of desire
And therefore I experienced many sufferings.
I had displeased nine hundred
And fifty billion buddhas. {113} [F.141.a]

36.- “For nine hundred and fifty billion years

216 I was blind throughout that time.
For sixty-two quintillion eons
In the past my eyes were destroyed.
For many thousand quintillions
Of eons, my eyes were gouged out.
For countless millions of eons,
My head, ears, feet, and hands were cut off. {114}

36.- “For another quintillion eons

217 I was born into human lives
In which I experienced suffering,
Tormented for a long time by saṃsāra’s suffering.
For a long time in saṃsāra I experienced
The suffering created by my bad actions.
Therefore those who wish for the peace of enlightenment
Should commit no bad actions within the three realms. {115}

36.- “Although the supreme king confessed his past action,1311

218 He was not freed from the evil that he had done.
Because he had created such terrible karma,
When he passed away he fell to the terrible Avīci hell. {116}

36.- “While I was practicing bodhisattva conduct,

219 For many endless eons my hands, feet, ears, and nose
Were cut off and my eyes were forcefully gouged out
While I was being hit with sticks and weapons. {117}

“For the sake of enlightenment I gave away my body, head, and hands,
36.- My sons, my wives, my eyes, and my flesh.
220 I joyfully gave away my feet and my hands,
But even that did not exhaust my previous bad karma. {118}

36.- “Ānanda,1312 that is how I practiced for endless eons.

221 I saw countless buddhas endowed with glory.
Those are the sufferings I experienced in the past
While practicing this supreme bodhisattva conduct.1313 {121}

36.- “The bodhisattva who maintains retention

222 Remains loving, always unwavering and unshakable,
Makes offerings to the buddhas, the purified gods of gods,
And will never go to the lower realms. {122}

36.- “The one who wishes to become a buddha, a lord of the Dharma
223 Who is adorned by the thirty-two signs,
Should maintain unsullied, uninterrupted correct conduct,
And be established in the retention of the Dharma that has been taught. {123}

36.- “I was at that time King Śūradatta.

224 My sons were subsequently protectors of the Dharma.
Padmottara was Supuspacandra,
̣
And Vasunandi1314 was Śāntirāja1315 with the ten strengths. {119} [F.141.b]

36.- “The Tathāgata was the principal human,

225 A hero for the three worlds, the sole friend of beings.
He accomplished a vast benefit for beings.
He passed into nirvān ̣a and was a guide like a lamp.1316 {i}

36.- “The host of women and the multitude of ksatriyas,

̣
226 The leading citizens, the generals, and the ministers,
The heads of guilds, head merchants, and regional commanders
All gained the ten strengths and freedom from the kleśas.”1317 {120}

36.- Conclusion of the thirty-sixth chapter, “Supus ̣pacandra.”

227
37. Chapter 37

Teaching the Aggregate of Correct Conduct

37.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect
buddhahood should hear the samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all
phenomena, should obtain it, study it, keep it, recite it, disseminate it, transmit it, chant
it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, and in other ways make it widely known.
They should also maintain the aggregate of correct conduct.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān recited the following verses:

37.2 “Bodhisattvas who maintain the aggregate of correct conduct,

Who practice the conduct wishing for benefit,
Will quickly go to the Abhirati buddha realm,
Attain patience, and become kings of the Dharma. {1}

37.3 “Therefore, be agreeable without malice,

And always be pleasant to everyone.
Having seen countless glorious buddhas
You will reach enlightenment and become a lord of Dharma. {2}

37.4 “Therefore, having heard this supreme benefit,

And having seen bhiksus
̣ who have excellent correct conduct,
A wise person would always depend upon them
And quickly become one who has attained the samādhi. {3}

37.5 “If there were an incalculable, immeasurable treasure

Filled with the seven precious jewels, [F.142.a]
And if there were realms as numerous as the sands of the Ganges
That were filled with those precious jewels, {4}

37.6 “And if there were a bodhisattva who aspired to generosity,

Who made a gift of these every single day,
And made this gift continuously
 For as many eons as there are sands of the Ganges, {5}

37.7 “That entire gift would not produce a fraction

Of the accumulation of merit that is obtained
By the bodhisattva who, having heard this samādhi,
Becomes a holder of this supreme treasure of the sugatas. {6}

37.8 “This supreme, incomparable accumulation of merit

Is the source of the immeasurable treasure of wisdom.
A person who has the appropriate faith
Should possess this supreme, stainless samādhi. {7}

37.9 “Bodhisattvas will have great riches

Through possessing this stainless peace of samādhi.
They will be a great ocean of the wealth of hearing the Dharma.
The merit of this is beyond any measure. {8}

37.- “Bodhisattvas are said to be those who have become developed1318

10 Through the supreme, inconceivable Dharma.1319
The ones who teach this samādhi
Never doubt enlightenment. {9}

37.11 “The ones who have become a teacher for the world, a guide,
A buddha, self-arisen, having great compassion,
Have attained a supreme accumulation of merit,
Which is inconceivable and beyond any measure. {10}

37.12 “In this billion-world universe there is not to be found

Any being superior1320 to them,
Or who is their equal in the accumulation of merit
And unrivaled, inconceivable wisdom. {11}

37.13 “There is no one who can equal their wisdom

Other than one who has heard this samādhi,
Possesses it, recites it, and understands it,
And seeks the unequaled enlightenment of buddhahood.1321 {12}

37.14 “Young man, if the amount of merit that is obtained

By those who possess and recite this samādhi
Were to become a phenomenon that has form,
It would be too great to be contained within these many worlds. {13}

37.15 “Therefore, young man, the bodhisattvas

Who wish to make an offering to all the buddhas,
The tathāgatas of the past and present, [F.142.b]
 Should possess and recite this samādhi. {14}

37.16 “This is the enlightenment of the tathāgatas.

Young man, have faith in my words.
The tathāgata does not speak untrue words;
He does not tell lies, like beings do. {15}

37.17 “Throughout countless hundreds of eons in the past

I purified myself of believing in a self
And practiced the supreme bodhisattva conduct
Because I was seeking this samādhi. {16}

37.- “Therefore listen to this treasure of the Dharma

18 From which trillions of sūtras arise.
This is a vast, inconceivable aggregation of merit
Through which buddha wisdom will quickly be attained. {17}

37.19 “That which is taught by the wise, fearless ones

Is the supreme sūtra among all sūtras
And the source of inconceivable virtues.
It is a Dharma for which no end can be found. {18}

37.- “It may be possible to break apart and cut to pieces

20 A billion-world universe and count its atoms,
But it is not possible to count the innumerable
Hundreds of sūtras that they constantly teach. {19}

37.21 “It may be possible to count the inhalations and exhalations

Of all the beings that are in this buddha realm,
But it is not possible to know the limit of the sūtras
Taught by those who are established in this samādhi. {20}

37.- “It may be possible to count the beings

22 In as many buddha realms as there are Ganges sands,
And the thoughts that arise in those beings’ minds,
But the sūtras constantly taught by such people cannot be counted. {21}

37.- “One may be able to count, over millions of eons,

23 All the grains of sand in the great ocean,
And of sand in the rivers, ponds, and pits,
But one cannot know the extent of the sūtras they expound. {22}

37.- “One may be able to count out, with the tip of the hundredth part of a hair,
24 The masses of water ever present
In many millions of buddha realms,
 But one cannot count the different aspects of their speech. {23}

37.- “One may be able to count after many millions of eons

25 All the beings who have appeared in the past
Who have cherished their own bodies,
But one cannot know the extent of the sūtras they have accomplished. {24}

37.- “It may be possible to count all the sounds made by all creatures,
26 By all beings who are living in the ten directions,
But one cannot count the number of sūtras
That are uninterruptedly taught by them. {25} [F.143.a]

37.- “They know how to teach the entire Dharma.

27 They are skilled in etymologies, teaching, and the meaning of words.
They have trained in the way of definitive knowledge,
Have vast understanding, and constantly have joyful wisdom. {26}

37.- “They have analytic comprehension, cognize vast meaning,

28 And they always know the conceivable and inconceivable.
They know all the languages spoken on the earth
And with those words teach without attachment to them. {27}

37.- “The dharmabhān ̣akas teach unobstructedly.

29 They teach all beings without attachment.
They are skilled in the words of answering questions,
And thus they know the ultimate truth. {28}

37.- “Without attachment they teach

30 Countless millions of teachings from within one sūtra.
Without attachment they are skilled in teaching and the meaning of words;
Without attachment they teach in the middle of the assembly. {29}

37.31 “The ones who are established in this samādhi

Have become unshakable bodhisattvas.
They have attained unique strength in the Dharma
So that they can benefit many millions of beings. {30}

37.- “Just as Sumeru, unshakable and immovable,

32 Cannot be shaken by the winds,
In that way the dharmabhān ̣aka bhiksus
̣
Cannot be shaken by any opponent. {31}

37.- “It may be possible for the winds to shake

33 Those mountains declared to be unshakable
In the worlds of this billion-world universe,
 But the bhiksus
̣ dwelling in emptiness cannot be shaken. {32}

37.- “The ones who are constantly engaged with emptiness

34 Are those who certainly dwell with the buddhas.
They know with certainty the emptiness of phenomena
And cannot be swayed by any opponent. {33}

37.- “They cannot be shaken by any opponent,

35 And they cannot be overcome by any opponent.
They teach this peace, this samādhi,
And are invincible and irreproachable. {34}

37.- “Having taught this peace, this samādhi,

36 They have the realization of emptiness
And they have no doubt in any of the Dharma,
And continuously remain in endless wisdom. {35}

37.- “Attaining the strengths and the aspects of enlightenment

37 Is not difficult for those who have obtained and recited this samādhi.
It is not difficult to attain the inconceivable
Discernments, miracles, and higher cognitions. {36} [F.143.b]

37.- “Within created existences, with infinite wisdom

38 It is not difficult for them to see the jinas.
The ones who possess this samādhi will see
Countless quintillions of buddhas. {37}

37.- “They will hear this peace, this samādhi,

39 Directly from all of those jinas.
They will reach the perfection of the discernments and powers,
And will possess the supreme wisdom of the buddhas. {38}

37.- “If all the worlds in the billion-world universe

40 Were to be filled with precious jewels,
With the wealth of divine, supreme precious jewels
From the depths to the summit of existence, {39}

37.41 “And if all of the various, infinite realms

Were covered with gold from the Jambu River
From the depths to the summit of existence,
And all of it were given as an offering to the jinas, {40}

37.- “And if all of the various beings there are

42 Made this offering to them for endless eons,
Making this gift, giving constantly to the buddhas
 And creating this accumulation of generosity for the sake of enlightenment, {41}

37.- “And if there were a bhiksụ who rejoiced in emptiness

43 And with hands together paid homage to those with the ten strengths,
Then the former accumulation of generosity would not even be a fraction
Of that of the bodhisattva who rejoiced in emptiness. {42}

37.- “The supreme being has given the example

44 Of a person with merit who has that attainment,
Develops vast faith, and performs acts of generosity
In seeking the unequaled enlightenment of buddhahood. {43}

37.- “All that generosity cannot be even a hundredth

45 Of the accumulation of merit that is acquired
By someone who with a pleased mind obtains
One four-line verse of this supreme excellent samādhi. {44}

37.- “Bodhisattvas who, wishing to benefit, practice generosity,

46 But who have not heard this peace, this stainless samādhi,
Will not quickly attain the wisdom of buddhahood;
But having heard it they will quickly attain the wisdom of buddhahood. {45}

37.- “Bodhisattvas who rejoice in this lineage

47 Of those who, having attained this level of supreme peace,1322
Have heard1323 the stainless samādhi, will gain understanding
And will quickly attain the wisdom of buddhahood.1324 {46}

37.- “They have obtained such a treasure as infinite realms

48 That are as numerous as the Ganges sands, [F.144.a]
Filled with precious jewels
Both human and divine. {47}

37.- “Bodhisattvas who obtain this samādhi

49 And who always insatiably study it
Have gained a wealth, a treasure of precious jewels.
That is a treasure difficult to acquire. {48}

37.- “Someone with knowledge will never rejoice

50 In gaining a kingdom that has vast wealth,
But bodhisattvas are overjoyed and thrilled
To have obtained this stainless samādhi.1325 {49}

37.51 “They become constant holders of

The Dharma of all the omniscient buddhas
And thus they hold the supreme way of the Dharma
 During the final age of degeneration.
They are holders of the treasure of the Dharma and great realization;
They are holders of the treasure of omniscience.
They bring happiness to quintillions
Of beings through the words of the Dharma.1326 {50}

37.- “They are people who have gained the wealth of correct conduct,
52 Who have understanding and the wealth of the trainings.
They maintain the discipline of correct conduct
And they rejoice in seedlings of the tree of the Dharma.
They are holders of the precious orange Dharma robes
And they are constantly happy in homelessness.
They are unequaled in benefiting beings
And they are established in omniscience. {51}

37.- “They are tamed and are tamers of untamed beings.1327

53 They are constantly in the state of being tamed.
They are tamed and follow those who are perfectly tamed.1328
They have pacified senses—perfectly pacified.
They constantly awaken with the sound of the Dharma
Those beings who are asleep, who are fast asleep,
And having awakened those beings they establish them
In the supremely good jewel of the Dharma. {52}

37.- “They become lords of generosity

54 Who are constantly giving freely.
They are wise and do not associate with the envious,
And they always rejoice in great generosity.
When they see poor and suffering beings
They content them with possessions.
They are constantly focused on omniscience
In order to bring benefit and happiness to beings. {53}

37.- “They constantly train in wisdom

55 And beat loudly the drum of the Dharma.
They cut through the creepers of doubt in all beings
And are constantly engaged in wisdom.
They are stainless, well-learned holders of the Dharma.
They are wise and have understanding.
They sit upon a seat within the assembly [F.144.b]
And they teach millions of sūtras. {54}

“They are greatly learned and hold what they have learned;
37.- They are holders of the Dharma of the buddhas.
56 They are holders of the treasure that is the Dharma
And they rejoice in the treasury of the Sage.
They have become possessors of immense wisdom
And they are constantly giving rise to vast joy.
They teach the peace of the supreme Dharma,
Which is subtle, liberating,1329 and difficult to see. {55}

37.- “They know what is Dharma and what is not.

57 They are gentle, wise, and remain within the Dharma.
They are unequaled teachers of the kingdom of the Dharma
And constantly practice the supreme, unequaled Dharma.
They are devoted to the excellent Dharma
And maintain veneration of the guru.
They dwell in the supreme city of the Dharma.
They who are wise raise up the banner of the Dharma. {56}

37.- “When they see beings who are proud,

58 Arrogant,1330 and constantly heedless,
Who are on a destructive, wrong path,
Who are following the path of saṃsāra,
They have vast love and compassion for them
While remaining in joy and equanimity.
They teach them the supreme eightfold path
Of peace that is difficult to see. {57}

37.- “They build the strong ship of the Dharma

59 To save and carry the many beings
Who have fallen into the great ocean
And into the rivers of saṃsāra.
Armored in the strengths, powers, and aspects of enlightenment,
They set out upon the ship of the Dharma,
And they always easily and without fear
Bring beings to the far shore.1331 {58}

37.- “They practice the discipline of the supreme medicine.

60 They are physicians who possess the supreme medicine.
They have perfectly attained liberation through knowledge and wisdom,
And they dispense the medicine of the good Dharma.
When they see sick beings
Afflicted by many illnesses,
They give them the medicine of the Dharma
And they heal them through the Dharma. {59}
37.61 “They are lords of the world, sovereigns of speech,
And they defeat their adversaries in debate.
They shine with the light of omniscience.
They have understanding and are on the level of the highest wisdom.
They are heroes with the strength of wisdom that defeats other strengths. [F.145.a]
They are praised by those who have wisdom.
With their wisdom they bring happiness to many
Trillions of beings, establishing them in the Dharma. {60}

37.- “They are the masters, the leaders of merchant caravans,1332

62 Who are dedicated to protecting beings from misfortune.1333
When they see beings bewildered on a path of jewels
Who are constantly caught in the trap of Māra,
They explain to them the supreme path
Of constant peace, happiness, and emancipation.
Through that path of wisdom
The wise ones guide many billions of beings. {61}

37.- “They are a sanctuary, they are a shelter,

63 They are a refuge; they are eyes and a lamp.
They give freedom from fear to those who are afraid.
They constantly bring relief to those who are fearful.
When they know of beings in great suffering,
Of beings who have been completely blind from birth,1334
With the precious teachings on correct training
They shine the light of the Dharma. {62}

37.- “They are the best artisans in the world,

64 Who benefit beings with their craft.
They always make beings happy
Through being well trained in their craft.
They have attained perfection in the supreme training
And are completely skilled, with wondrous attainment in the world.
They who are established in enlightenment
Have realization and give sight to the world. {63}

37.- “They never cease longing to listen

65 To the supreme, unequaled Dharma of the buddhas.
They have perfected conduct, patience, and samādhi,
And have heard the profound Dharma.
They never cease wishing to teach
The precious Dharma of peace.
They send down a rain of methods for liberation,
 Satisfying beings with the rain of the Dharma. {64}

37.- “However many beings, wise ones,

66 Come to them for the sake of the Dharma,
Thinking, ‘We will listen to the true, honest path
Of the supreme jewel of the excellent Dharma,’
The realized ones cut through their doubts
And bring them happiness through the Dharma.
They have perfect conduct, patience, and samādhi,
And they know the aspirations of beings. {65}

37.- “They have wisdom, the perfection of the highest wisdom,

67 And they are wise concerning the aspirations of beings.
They know the motivations and conduct of other beings [F.145.b]
And they know what should be said to them.
Through their speaking words of wisdom
Millions of beings attain the sight of the supreme Dharma.
They have attained the perfection of the highest wisdom
And they give the teachings of the path. {66}

37.- “Even billions of māras cannot know

68 The minds of those wise ones,
Just as no one can know the path
That a bird has flown through the air.
They are peaceful, tamed, tranquil, have the power of wisdom,
And are established in superior wisdom.
They are heroes, leaders who have destroyed Māra
And realized the peace of enlightenment. {67}

37.- “They have attained perfect miraculous powers

69 And are always traveling to hundreds of realms.
They see many quintillions of buddhas,
As numerous as the sands of the Ganges.
Their sight is free of impediment
And they see many forms in the ten directions.
They are guides for all the beings
Who are present throughout the ten directions. {68}

37.- “If one were to describe the entirety of their benefits,

70 Even if one spoke with eloquence
For many billions of eons,
One could not finish praising their past conduct.
Any human who possesses
 This unequaled, stainless samādhi
Has the inexhaustible wealth of the buddhas
And an extremely vast ocean of wisdom.”1335 {69}

37.71 Conclusion of the thirty-seventh chapter, “Teaching the Aspect of Correct Conduct.”
38. Chapter 38

Yaśahprabha
̣
38.1 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who wish for these and countless other wonderful1336 and marvelous
bodhisattva qualities, and wish to attain quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of
perfect buddhahood, should hear this revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena
samādhi and obtain it, understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim
it, chant it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it,1337 and make it
widely known to others. [F.146.a]
38.2 “They should meditate on the strength of patience, rely on patience, and promulgate
patience. They should be dedicated to the Dharma, long for the Dharma, possess the
Dharma, engage in the Dharma in a way that accords with the Dharma, and apply
themselves to making offerings to the buddhas.
38.3 “They should apply themselves to three points. What are the three points? They are
ending the kleśas, mastering merit,1338 and generating the roots of goodness out of
longing for the wisdom of the buddhas and not out of desire for reaching worldly
happiness. Apply yourself to those three points.”1339
38.4 Thereupon the Bhagavān, to explain what this meant, related an account of the past by
chanting the following extensive verses to the youth Candraprabha:1340

38.5 “Young man, listen to me as I tell you

How I practiced for thousands of eons.
Seeking this sublime, excellent samādhi,
I made offerings to hundreds of thousands of buddhas. {1}

38.6 “In that way, after countless eons had passed,

As numerous as the grains of sand in a hundred worlds,
When such a number had passed by
There appeared a jina named Gan ̣eśvara. {2}

38.7 “There were no fewer than six hundred billion

In the saṅgha of that jina.
 All were without ouflows, their kleśas had come to an end,
They had dhyāna, and were established in the eight liberations. {3}

38.8 “At that time the entire surface of this earth

Was pleasant and had good harvests, and no disorder.
All the people were joyful and happy,
And the happiness of humanity was widespread. {4}

38.9 “Everyone possessed the strength of merit.

They were attractive and beloved.
All were rich and possessed much wealth,
And physically they experienced divine pleasures. {5}

38.- “They were gentle, with good discipline and few kleśas.
10 They enjoyed1341 the strength of patience and had good features.
They were like devas within the paradises.
They possessed the qualities of correct conduct and understanding. {6}

38.11 “At that time there was a sovereign, [F.146.b]

A king named Varapuspasa.
̣
He had no fewer than five hundred sons,
All endowed with mindfulness and realization. {7}

38.- “That king and his sons offered to the Jina,

12 To that compassionate one,
Six hundred thousand parks,
All beautified by flowers and fruits,1342 {8}

38.- “And a hundred thousand various parks

13 With thousands of walkways, seats, and beds,
And with a trillion Dharma robes
Spread on the ground where they walked and sat. {9}

38.- “Thus the king with great faith

14 Presented to that Sugata
In many thousands of ways
Whatever renunciants would enjoy. {10}

38.- “That king, who followed the path

15 Of the ten good actions,
Came to see the Guide, accompanied by
A hundred thousand trillion beings. {11}

38.- “Holding flowers, perfumes, and incense,

16 Parasols, banners, and musical instruments,
 He made offerings to that Jina,
And with his hands in homage sat before him. {12}

38.- “The thousands of bhiksus

̣ were pleased,
17 As were the devas, humans, asuras, and yaksas,
̣ wondering,
‘The Jina to whom these offerings were made, will he give a prophecy?
Will this lord of humans teach the Dharma?’ {13}

38.- “The self-arisen one knew their thoughts

18 And knew the king’s supreme motivation,
That his aspiration was to the further shore,
And therefore taught him the samādhi of peace. {14}

38.- “When the Sugata’s voice came forth

19 The earth and its forests shook.
A rain of flowers fell from the sky
And hundreds of lotuses appeared out of the ground. {15}

38.- “The Teacher had trained in the words and their meaning,
20 And the Guide, knowing the king’s thoughts, gave a prophecy.
That lord of men taught the samādhi of peace.
Listen to these words and their meaning. {16}

38.- “ ‘All existences are nonexistent: they are concepts,

21 They are insubstantial, they are like mirages and illusions.
They are like lightning and clouds, unstable and empty.1343
All are without a self, without a being, without a soul.1344 {17}

38.- “ ‘Primordially empty, phenomena do not come. [F.147.a]

22 They have not come, they are not present, and they have no location.
They are always without essence; they have the nature of an illusion.
They are all pure—completely pure like space. {18}

38.- “ ‘They are neither blue, nor yellow, nor white.

23 Those are just names, vacuous, with a nature that is just sound.
They are devoid of mind; their nature is not mind.
They are momentary and are devoid of sound. {19}

38.- “ ‘Words do not go anywhere if spoken.

24 Words are not diminished if not spoken.
Words do not go in any direction.
Words do not come from anywhere.1345 {20}

38.- “ ‘Words do not perish, cease, or end,

25 Whether they are spoken or unspoken.
 Words are said to be always unceasing.
Those who know that will be unceasing. {21}

38.- “ ‘In the past, hundreds of thousands of buddhas

26 Have taught the Dharma hundreds of thousands of times.
But the Dharma does not cease; words do not cease,
And as there is no arising, there is no cessation. {22}

38.- “ ‘Those who know the unceasing Dharma

27 Will always know the unceasing Dharma.
Having taught a hundred thousand sūtras,
They know that the Dharma is devoid of words.1346 {23}

38.- “ ‘The Dharma that the jinas have taught

28 Is unceasing and therefore is not seen.
The Dharma is primordially without a self, without a being.
Although1347 it is taught, it does not cease. {24}

38.- “ ‘The wise teach using all words,

29 But their minds are not captivated by the words.
All words are like echoes on a mountain,
So therefore never have attachment to words. {25}

38.- “ ‘The Dharma is taught through illusory words

30 And all those words cease in that instant.
That which is the characteristic of those words
Is the characteristic that all phenomena have. {26}

38.- “ ‘All phenomena have no characteristics, are devoid of characteristics;

31 They all have no characteristics, and are pure of characteristics.
They are always empty, and they are as pure as space.
In brief, they cannot be enumerated. {27}

38.- “ ‘They are devoid of “composite” or “noncomposite,”

32 And the sages have no concepts concerning them;
They have arrived at the noncomposite in all the existences of beings
And are always devoid of contrived views. {28}

38.- “ ‘The one whose mind is at rest in that nature

33 Is always without desire, anger, and ignorance.
The one who knows phenomena in that way [F.147.b]
Becomes strong with the strength of samādhi. {29}

38.- “ ‘Just as echoes are created through conditions

34 In caves, mountains, and canyons,
 All that is composite is known to be the same:
The entire world is like an illusion, a mirage. {30}

38.- “ ‘This samādhi of peace is taught by one

35 Who has the strength of wisdom, the qualities of the Dharma,
Who with the strength of knowledge has the higher cognitions of the sages,
And who has skill in methods of speech and knows the definitions of words. {31}

38.- “ ‘The appellations that are spoken are merely appellations;

36 Within saṃsāra there is no end to be found.
That which was in the past is devoid of characteristics,
And one should be certain that the future is the same. {32}

38.- “ ‘Through engaging in creating karma

37 There will be the best and the worst.
Knowing that all things are always empty,
Empty by nature, and that all things are without a self, {33}

38.- “ ‘The Jina thus teaches the relative Dharma:

38 Regard the composite and noncomposite in that way.
There truly is no self and no human.
That is the characteristic of all beings. {34}

38.- “ ‘Good and bad karma are indestructible.

39 Whatever I have created I will have to experience;
The result of one’s actions cannot be transferred to others.
Nothing is experienced without a cause.1348 {35}

38.- “ ‘All existences are illusory and powerless,

40 As insubstantial and insignificant as foam.
They are always empty, like illusions and mirages.1349
They are taught through words, but are devoid of them. {36}

38.- “ ‘Understand in that way without having pride.

41 Have correct conduct but without attachment,
With the power of patience have no conceptualization,
And, practicing in that way, rest in equanimity.’ {37}

38.- “The king understood the Dharma

42 That was taught by the Jina.
When the king had heard this Dharma from the Jina,
Together with his entourage he took up the training. {38}

38.- “The king, having heard this samādhi,

43 Joyous and happy, said these words:
 ‘This samādhi you have taught is excellent
And I bow down to your feet.’ {39}

38.- “Eighty thousand beings who were there [F.148.a]

44 Had heard this excellent nature of phenomena,
This teaching on the ultimate truth,
And attained the acceptance of birthlessness. {40}

38.- “A person has no origination or cessation,

45 And likewise these phenomena have always been empty.
When that is known there is no loss,
And the king attained the acceptance of birthlessness. {41}

38.- “The king1350 renounced his kingdom

46 And entered homelessness in that Jina’s teaching.
And all five hundred princes, no less,
Followed him into the homeless state. {42}

38.- “When the king and his princes had entered homelessness,
47 Many thousands of other beings also at that time
Entered homelessness in the presence of the Sugata,
Seeking to receive the Dharma of that Jina. {43}

38.- “For a full two thousand years

48 The Jina taught the Dharma.
And the king, his sons, and the people
Practiced the Dharma for those two thousand years. {44}

38.- “And then at a later time

49 The Jina passed into nirvān ̣a.
The Jina’s śrāvakas also passed away
And his Dharma became diminished. {45}

38.- “At that time there was a prince,1351

50 Pun ̣yamatin, who had faith and trust.
There was a bhiksụ connected with his family
Who taught to him this samādhi of peace. {46}

38.- “The bhiksụ was gentle and mild,

51 Honored by a hundred thousand beings,
Was followed by a billion devas,
And was praised when he came to the city. {47}

38.- “He had recollection and realization.

52 He was disciplined, compassionate, and he delighted in correct conduct.
 His lovely voice was not harsh but gentle,
And he had attained the power of knowledge of the sensory constituents. {48}

38.- “That bhiksụ was named Yaśah ̣prabha.

53 He received a billion Dharma robes.
Unable to endure the strength of his merit
A thousand monks became jealous of him. {49}

38.- “He had the strength of merit and the strength of body,
54 The strength of wisdom and the strength of miracles,
The strength of correct conduct, the strength of samādhi,
And the strength of the Dharma, and therefore was a superior bhiksu.
̣ {50}

38.- “He delighted and was beloved by people.

55 Bhiksus,
̣ upāsakas, and bhiksun
̣ ̣īs,
Those beings who had faith in the Jina’s teaching, [F.148.b]
Made offerings to him and honored him. {51}

38.- “The one who was the king’s son was there,
56 Pun ̣yamatin, who had constant faith and trust.
When he knew that many bhiksus
̣ had wickedness in mind,
He became a protector for his teacher. {52}

38.- “Five hundred thousand people,

57 Armored and holding swords and clubs,
Constantly surrounded the bhiksụ
Who taught the conduct that is endlessly correct. {53}

38.- “He taught to his followers the Dharma

58 That phenomena are empty, with no self and no soul.
Those who were fixated on objects and were attached to a self
Did not approve of the bhiksu’s
̣ teaching. {54}

38.- “Those bhiksus

̣ rose up and took up weapons,
59 As they did not approve of emptiness and peace.
They said, ‘What this bhiksụ is teaching is not the Dharma,
It will be meritorious if we kill him.’ {55}

38.- “The bhiksụ was not afraid when he saw their weapons.
60 He was aware of the emptiness of phenomena,
That there was no being or man there to be killed,
That these phenomena were as insubstantial as plaster. {56}

38.- “The bhiksụ placed his hands together upon his head
61 And spoke these words of homage to the jinas:
 ‘Through the truth of the emptiness of phenomena
May these weapons become coral tree flowers!’ {57}

38.- “He possessed the conduct and discipline of the Sage

62 And as soon as he spoke those words and no others,
The earth and its forests shook
And the weapons became coral tree flowers. {58}

38.- “At that time, the bhiksus

̣ who believed in objective reality
63 And who were holding weapons became ill-shaped in body.
They could not approach any nearer
And became frightened and greatly amazed. {59}

38.- “Those who had faith and trust in the Lord of sages,
64 Those who delighted in emptiness and peace,
They cried out ‘A la la!’1352 a thousand times,
And presented the bhiksụ with hundreds of lengths of cloth. {60}

38.- “The bhiksụ had love for them

65 And said to all the people before him,
‘I will practice bodhisattva conduct
For the sake of those beings who are angry with me.’ {61}

38.- “Then for no fewer than eighty years

66 He taught emptiness, the treasure of the jinas.
And the son of the king protected him from
From the thousands of bhiksus
̣ who were his adversaries. {62}

38.- “During that time he was despised,

67 And his bhiksus
̣ became few in number.
Evil things were heard said about him, [F.149.a]
But the power of his patience never declined.1353 {63}

38.- “Then at another time he accomplished

68 A great benefit for hundreds of beings.
He recollected countless Dharma teachings1354
And at that time Pun ̣yamatin felt great joy.1355 {64}

38.- “He1356 respectfully honored the bhiksụ

69 And then Pun ̣yamatin said to him,
‘No one at all should do anything
That is displeasing to my teacher.’ {65}

38.- “He1357 replied, ‘Young prince, listen to me.

70 It is through the power of patience that buddhas appear.
 When someone speaks unpleasantly to me,
Toward him I feel a great love.’ {66}

38.- “I was that bhiksụ Yaśah ̣prabha,

71 Who meditated on patience in previous lives
Throughout a hundred thousand eons.”
Those were the words Bhagavān Śākyamuni spoke. {67}

38.- “The prince Pun ̣yamatin, who was

72 The protector of Bhiksụ Yaśah ̣prabha,
Has been my companion in thousands of lifetimes,
And I prophesy that he will be Buddha Maitreya.1358 {68}

38.- “The one who made offerings to the teacher Gan ̣eśvara,
73 The one who had built a perfect monastery,
The one who was previously known as Varapuspasa1359
̣
Became the Lord of humans Padmottara.1360 {69}

38.- “In that way, for many endless eons

74 I held the Dharma of the jinas.
In the past, I accomplished the power of patience.
Young man, having heard this, follow my example. {70}

38.- “After I have passed into nirvān ̣a, in future times

75 When the Dharma is being destroyed
Bhiksus
̣ will follow the thoughts of tīrthikas
And will forsake my Dharma of peace. {71}

38.- “They will be arrogant, conceited, wicked, and reckless.

76 They will associate with sinners and be greedy for food.
They will be attached to their robes and alms bowls, greedy for cloth,
And be devoted to acquisition and forsake the Dharma. {72}

38.- “They will be aggressive, fierce, and ungrateful.

77 They will come from vile families, poor families,
Enter homelessness within my teaching
And will reject the Dharma of peace. {73}

38.- “They will have Māra’s thoughts and will be beings in darkness.
78 They will be under the power of desire and have strong attachment. [F.149.b]
They will be under the power of ignorance and be ignorant fools,
And they will not delight in the Dharma of emptiness and peace. {74}

38.- “The bhiksus,

̣ bhiksun
̣ ̣īs, and laypeople,
79 With wicked minds, will be avaricious and stupid.
 They will always become overpowered in that way,
And in the later times they will reject enlightenment. {75}

38.- “Listen, young man, to these my words.

80 A bhiksụ should always dwell in solitude.
Those who long for peace and emptiness
Should possess this Dharma of the jinas. {76}

38.- “The one who possesses this samādhi

81 Has practiced homelessness in my teaching,
Is ordained as a bhiksụ and practices posadha,
̣
And eats free of craving, without attachment to food. {77}

38.- “Forsaking all concern for life and body,

82 Meditate on emptiness, upon perfect peace.
Meditating with dedication, complete dedication.
Like a deer, live always in the forests. {78}

38.- “Always make offerings to the jinas1361

83 With parasols, banners,1362 and with dwellings.1363
Make offerings to stūpas of the sugatas
And quickly attain this samādhi. {79}

38.- “Develop the aspiration for the state of enlightenment.

84 Beautify the stūpas of the sugatas,
Adorning them with gold and covering them with silver,
And have beautiful images from precious materials made. {80}

38.- “Make a commitment to attain enlightenment

85 And make all the good offerings that there are in the world,
Of all that is pleasing to devas and humans,
And honor the buddhas with desirable offerings. {81}

38.- “See as the true nature, too, all the lords of humans;
86 For within the worlds in all ten directions,
The jinas who are present and those who have passed away
Have come to be buddhas through the true nature. {82}

38.- “Have the aspiration to be generous to all.

87 Have pure conduct and a stable mind.
Delight in patience and always delight in kindness,
And know that all phenomena are empty. {83}

38.- “Develop diligence confidently and fearlessly.

88 Delight in dhyāna and delight in solitude.
 Develop wisdom, completely pure wisdom,
And quickly become compassionate. {84} [F.150.a]

38.- “Always pacify desire through contemplating ugliness,

89 Overcome anger with the power of patience,
Overcome ignorance with the power of wisdom,
And attain the enlightenment praised by the jinas. {85}

38.- “The body has no essence; it is like foam.

90 It creates suffering, and is putrid and foul smelling.
Know all aggregates to be insubstantial
And quickly attain the highest wisdom. {86}

38.- “Never hold views that give rise to bad actions:

91 That there is a self, an individual, and a soul.
Know that all phenomena are empty
And quickly reach the highest enlightenment. {87}

38.- “Never have yearning for possessions.

92 Do not be distressed if you do not obtain alms,
Be unmoved by praise or blame,
And be as unshakable as Mount Meru. {88}

38.- “With veneration seek the Dharma;

93 Having heard it then become that.
Maintain the conduct of the jinas
And quickly go to the realm of Sukhāvatī. {89}

38.- “Be even-minded toward all beings.

94 Do not have likes or dislikes in your mind.
Do not long for gain and fame,
And quickly become a buddha, a lord of sages. {90}

38.- “Always describe the qualities of the buddhas

95 Correctly through their definitions,
So that the beings who hear about the qualities will have faith
And you cause them to aspire to the qualities of a buddha. {91}

38.- “Always venerate your teacher,

96 Your parents, and similarly all beings.
Do not fall under the power of pride,
And attain the thirty-two signs of a great being. {92}

38.- “Avoid all crowds without exception,

97 And always delight in solitude.
 Always be pleasant, disciplined, and peaceful.
Be beneficial for yourself and beneficial to other beings. {93}

38.- “Cultivate kindness and compassion,

98 And always aspire to rejoicing and equanimity.
Always follow the teaching of the jinas
And quickly become one who benefits the world. {94}

38.- “Never gain wicked friends;

99 Have friends who are noble.1364 [F.150.b]
Those who long for emptiness and peace
Are established in the path to supreme enlightenment. {95}

38.- “Do not train on the level of the śrāvakas,

100 And do not delight in their practice.
Do not turn your mind away from the buddha qualities
And quickly become a buddha, a lord of jinas. {96}

38.- “Always speak pure, true words.

101 Do not speak harshly or tell lies.
Always speak gently and pleasantly
And obtain the speech of the world’s teacher. {97}

38.- “Do not be concerned with your life and body.

102 Do not criticize others and praise yourself.
Accomplish your own good qualities
And have equanimity toward the conduct of others. {98}

38.- “Always delight in the liberations and emptiness.

103 Do not make prayers for rebirth in the realms of beings.
Abandon all concepts without exception
And always abide in a state without concepts. {99}

38.- “Reject the extremes at all times.

104 Do not follow nihilism or eternalism.
Always know that everything is dependent,
And in that way become such a teacher. {100}

38.- “Reject delighting in the pleasures of desires,

105 Reject the stains of rigid anger,
Reject all the darkness of ignorance,
And become a lion among men, delighting in peace. {101}

38.- “Always see that the permanent is impermanent.

106 Be liberated from the happiness and suffering of all existences.
 See that self and purity are nonself and impure.
Meditate and become a lord of men. {102}

38.- “The jinas, the lamps for the world,

107 Taught whatever Dharma would be beneficial.
They defeated the armies of the māras
And attained the supreme, highest enlightenment. {103}

38.- “I have taught the good qualities that there are

108 And described hundreds of faults.
Reject the faults and practice the qualities.
Then, young man, in this life you will become a buddha.” {104}

38.- Conclusion of the thirty-eighth chapter, “Yaśah ̣prabha.”1365 [B14]

109
39. Chapter 39

Restraint of the Body, Speech, and Mind

39.1 Then the Bhagavān [F.151.a] said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, you
should train by thinking, ‘I shall have self-control through physical restraint.’
39.2 “Young man, what is meant by physical restraint? That which is called ‘physical
restraint’ is the physical restraint through which bodhisattva mahāsattvas are free of
attachment to all phenomena.
39.3 “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the thirty-two primary signs of a great being.
39.4 “That which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through which
bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the eighty secondary signs of a great being.
39.5 “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the ten strengths, the four fearlessnesses, and the
eighteen distinct qualities of a buddha.
39.6 “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the three doorways to liberation. What are these
three? They are emptiness, the absence of attributes, and the absence of aspiration. They
attain those three doorways to liberation.
39.7 “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the four great brahmavihāras. What are the four
great brahmavihāras? They are great love, great compassion, great joy, and great
equanimity. They attain those four great brahmavihāras.
39.8 “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the four discernments. What are the four
discernments? They are the discernment of meaning, the discernment of phenomena, the
discernment of definitions, and the discernment of eloquence. [F.151.b] They attain those
four discernments.
39.9 “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment. What
are the thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment? They are the four kinds of mindfulness, the
 four correct exertions, the four bases for miraculous powers, the five powers, the five
strengths, the seven aspects of enlightenment, and the noble eightfold path. They attain
those thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment.
39.- “Young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint through
10 which bodhisattva mahāsattvas attain the state of great compassion, attain the state of
great equanimity, and attain easeful examination and analysis of phenomena.
39.11 “Moreover, young man, that which is called ‘physical restraint’ is the physical restraint
through which bodhisattva mahāsattvas desist from killing, taking what is not given, not
maintaining celibacy, lying, slandering, harsh speech, idle talk, avarice, malice, and
wrong views; desist from fraud in weights, fraud in measures, and fraud in wealth;1366
desist from capturing,1367 binding, restraining,1368 beating,1369 threatening,1370
severing,1371 impaling, and terrorizing; desist from desire and greed; desist from wild
hand movements, wild leg movements, and unrestrained movements of the legs and
arms; and desist from wicked habits of body, speech, or mind so that, like palm trees that
have had their tops cut off, they will not arise again in the future.
39.- “Therefore, young man, understand this teaching in the following way. [F.152.a] Young
12 man, in the past, innumerable, vast, immeasurable, inconceivable, unfathomable
countless eons ago, at that time and in those days, there appeared in the world the the
Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha Jñānaprabhāsa,
who was perfect in wisdom and conduct, a sugata, a knower of the world, an
unsurpassable guide who tamed beings, a teacher of devas and humans, a buddha, and a
bhagavān.
39.- “At that time and in those days, the lifespan of the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat,
13 the perfectly enlightened Buddha Jñānaprabhāsa was six hundred million years. He had a
śrāvaka saṅgha of six hundred million arhats. There were countless bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who held the supreme Dharma.
39.- “Young man, at that time and in those days, there was a king named Viveśacintin. King
14 Viveśacintin came with eight hundred million people into the presence of the Tathāgata.
When he arrived he bowed his head down to the feet of the Tathāgata, circumambulated
the Bhagavān three times, and sat down in one place. Once King Viveśacintin had sat
down in one place, he honored the Tathāgata.
39. “Then the Bhagavān, the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened Buddha
15 Jñānaprabhāsa, knowing the superior aspiration of King Viveśacintin and his followers,
taught them from this Dharma teaching by chanting the following verses on entering
through the doorway of the samādhi of physical restraint:

39.- “ ‘Just as space and the sky are pure,

16 Ultimately pure, and with a clear nature,
The restraint of the body, too, is pure,
And cannot be taught in verse. {1}

39.17 “ ‘This physical restraint is devoid and empty,

 And those are also the two characteristics of the body.
Just like space it is without characteristics.
That is taught to be the characteristic of the body’s restraint. {2} [F.152.b]

39.- “ ‘Those who know that characteristic of the body’s restraint

18 Will never be ones without restraint.
How can those without activity have a field of conduct?
Those who are immaculate have no birth. {3}

39.- “ ‘One cannot have this restraint while pursuing desires

19 Through yearning for forms and enjoyments.
Not knowing the wickedness of existence,
One cannot know this restraint of the body. {4}

39.- “ ‘There will never be birth

20 For those who have immaculate restraint.
They have qualities like those of the arhats,
Which cannot easily be known by tīrthikas. {5}

39.- “ ‘Those who are terrified of the three realms

21 Will not develop desire for sensual gratification.
They who do not wish for the pleasures of a king
Will know this kind of restraint of the body. {6}

39.- “ ‘The restraint of the body is said to have this meaning.

22 It is a meaning that cannot be taught through words.
The one who knows this way of the Dharma
Is firmly established in this restraint. {7}

39.- “ ‘I teach the meaning to those who are engaged with the meaning,
23 To those wise ones intent upon the way of the meaning.
Those engaged in the meaning shun that which is not the meaning
And are always firmly established in that restraint. {8}

39.- “ ‘How can one know the meaning

24 That is spoken of in the teaching of the jinas?
Those who know the nature of that way of meaning
Are said to be established in the restraint of the body. {9}

39.- “ ‘Those who know insubstantiality, emptiness,

25 The absence of a self, and the absence of attributes
Will never be without that restraint,
And in that way they will train in correct certainty. {10}

“ ‘They know that existents are nonexistent

39.- And do not give rise to attachment to existents.
26 They will never give rise to attachment to any existent
And will reach the samādhi of the absence of attributes. {11}

39.- “ ‘Those who know that phenomena have no self,

27 Have an empty nature and the characteristic of clarity,
Will never be without that restraint,
And thus will have definite correct understanding.1372 {12}

39.- “ ‘Those who know the five skandhas to be empty

28 Know their empty nature that is devoid of a self.
They will never be without that restraint
In any physical activity that they perform. {13}

39.- “ ‘Those who focus on attributes, who are without restraint,

29 Who are constantly fixed in the conception of a self— [F.153.a]
Those beings who are attached to forms
Are overcome by unrestrained desires. {14}

39.- “ ‘Those who are trained in the true, highest point,

30 The gentle ones who have realized emptiness,
Are never overcome by the arising of desires
That cause the unrestrained to go to the lower realms. {15}

39.- “ ‘Just as all the ants together cannot shake

31 And cannot move great Mount Sumeru,
Even divine forms cannot unsettle
A wise one who is correctly trained. {16}

39.- “ ‘Someone may be able to paint a picture on space,

32 Someone may be able to grasp space in his hand,
But desire, anger, or millions of māras
Will not be able to unsettle such a wise one. {17}

39.- “ ‘Someone may be able to catch an echo,

33 A stone may be able to float on the water,
But no one can see the thoughts of someone
Who is trained in this restraint of the body. {18}

39.- “ ‘Someone may be able to catch all the sounds

34 In the entire world and put them in a box,
But they cannot know whether someone who maintains
The restraint of the body is or is not maintaining it. {19}

“ ‘Someone may be able to catch the light from the disc of the sun,
39.- Or the thunder and lightning that burst from the clouds,
35 But they cannot know the nature of the body
Of someone who has trained in the restraint of the body. {20}

39.- “ ‘Someone may be able to catch in a trap or a net

36 The circle of wind that moves through the four directions,
But they cannot come to know the body
Of someone who is established in the restraint of the body. {21}

39.- “ ‘This is not the domain of activity of beings.

37 It is the domain of a wise one who has a controlled mind.
It is the domain of activity of someone with restraint of the body
Who, like space, is unstained by worldly qualities. {22}

39.- “ ‘Someone may be able to see the tracks of all the creatures
38 That move through the sky in all four directions,
But they would not be able to know the extent
Of the fields of activity of such a person’s mind or body. {23}

39.- “ ‘Those who are established in this restraint of the body

39 Do not have any of the various kinds of kleśas.
They have eliminated even the minor kleśas,1373
And thus are trained in the restraint of the body. {24}

39.- “ ‘They cannot be harmed by weapons or by fire, [F.153.b]

40 And in that way their bodies are ungraspable.
They remain in the peace, perfect peace, of samādhi,
And in that way they are trained in the restraint of the body. {25}

39.- “ ‘Thus established, they have no fear, they have no terror,

41 Their minds are undisturbed, and they feel no envy.
They who are thus trained in the restraint of the body
Have become liberated from all misfortune. {26}

39.- “ ‘They are not afraid of poison or weapons;

42 They are not afraid in the middle of fire or water.
They who are thus trained in the restraint of the body
Have become liberated from all misfortune. {27}

39.- “ ‘They are without fear among thieves,

43 Swindlers, criminals, and poisonous snakes.
In this way they have no conception of a self
And, liberated from that concept, they have no fear. {28}

“ ‘Those who are freed from fear do not become frightened.

39.- As there is no fear, there is no instability.
44 How can those who are unshakable feel fear?
Even millions of māras cannot disturb them. {29}

39.- “ ‘The one who benefits bodhisattvas

45 Explains and teaches the practice of restraint.
Even millions of māras cannot disturb
The one who has trained in this restraint of the body. {30}

39.- “ ‘Unimpeded knowledge of the entire Dharma,

46 The complete eighty secondary signs,
And the thirty-two primary signs of a pure mind
Are not difficult to obtain for one established in restraint. {31}

39.- “ ‘Whoever wishes to realize the qualities of a buddha,

47 Which are inconceivable and beyond measure,
Should train in this kind of restraint of the body
And become a shrine for the entire world. {32}

39.- “ ‘Whoever wishes for these qualities of a great sage,

48 For the ten inconceivable strengths of a buddha,
Should train in this restraint of the body.
The strengths are not difficult to attain for one thus trained. {33}

39.- “ ‘The eighteen distinct qualities of a buddha,

49 In which the jinas are established,
Are not difficult to attain for someone
Who has trained in this restraint of the body. {34}

39.- “ ‘The seven limbs of enlightenment of the great sages,

50 And their discernments and bases of miraculous powers,
Are not difficult to attain for someone
Who has trained in this restraint of the body. {35} [F.154.a]

39. “ ‘The four brahmavihāras and the dhyānas,

51 The doorways to liberation that have been taught,
And easeful examination and analysis
Are not difficult to attain for one established in restraint. {36}

39.- “ ‘One who is established in this supreme restraint

52 Dwells in compassion and also in equanimity,
And likewise practices the conduct of supreme love,
And has the motivation to benefit all beings.1374 {37}

“ ‘Maintaining mindfulness and correct exertion,

39.- The five strengths and five powers of the great sages,
53 And the eight branches of the supreme path of the noble ones
Are not difficult to attain for one trained in restraint of the body. {38}

39.- “ ‘Also, the other sublime qualities of a buddha,

54 Which are inconceivable and beyond measure,
Are all not difficult to attain for someone
Who has trained in this restraint of the body.’ {39}

39.- “When he had listened to this restraint of the body,

55 The eminent king1375 gained exceptional accomplishment.1376
He felt the highest joy and unequaled happiness
And entered homelessness in that Jina’s teaching. {40}

39.- “For a hundred million years he entered homelessness

56 And practiced a pure and perfect celibacy.
He also meditated on the four brahmavihāras
In order to benefit the world and its devas. {41}

39.- “Having meditated well on the brahmavihāras,

57 He saw eight hundred million buddhas,
And even more, as numerous as the Ganges sands,
And he practiced this supreme celibacy. {42}

39.- “He entered homelessness in all of their teachings

58 And practiced a pure and perfect celibacy.
He became an excellent bhiksụ dharmabhān ̣aka
Who was very learned and had eloquent speech. {43}

39.- “Knowing well this restraint of the body,

59 He had unimpaired conduct, faultless conduct,
Pure conduct, and unalloyed conduct,
And maintained noble conduct that was immaculate. {44}

39.- “If you think, young man, that Viśesacintin,

̣
60 The eminent king of that time, was someone else,
Do not see him as being anyone else:
That was me while I was practicing bodhisattva conduct. {45} [F.154.b]

39.- “Therefore, young man, follow my teaching,

61 And maintain this restraint of the body.
Teach it, too, to millions of other beings,
And before long you will become the same as me.” {46}
39.- Then the Bhagavān said to Candraprabha, “Young man, you should train by thinking, ‘I
62 will practice completely pure physical conduct in that way.’ Why is that? Because, young
man, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical conduct have no
fear of the hells, of rebirth as an animal, of the realm of Yama, or of any other lower
existences. They have no fear of water, and no fear of fire, of poison, of weapons, of lions,
of tigers, of bears,1377 of elephants, of bulls, or of humans and nonhumans.
39.- “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical conduct can
63 place the great billion-world universe on the palm of their hand and throw it up to the
height of one palm tree, two palm trees, three palm trees, four palm trees, five palm trees,
six palm trees, seven palm trees, or as high as they wish to throw it.
39.- “Moreover, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical
64 conduct attain the perfection of supreme miraculous powers. They have ripened the bases
of miraculous powers, possess pure merit, and have detachment. They can go anywhere,
have attained this samādhi, have completely perfected immaculate merit, and have
unimpeded vision of all worlds, and therefore have gained miraculous powers. What is
this attainment of miraculous powers? Through miraculous powers there is the perfection
of the accomplishment of aspirations1378 and success.1379
39.- “What kind of attainment of miraculous powers are these miraculous powers that are
65 spoken of? [F.155.a] Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who possess miraculous powers experience
a range of different kinds of miracles: they transform from one to many, from many to
one, and from visible to invisible; they pass without impediment through house walls,
through city walls, and through mountains; they travel through the air just like a bird;
they dive into the ground and emerge from it, just as they would in water; they stand on
water just like they would on the ground; they give off smoke and flames, just like a great
blaze of fire; their bodies emit many thousands of trillions of great torrents of water, just
like a great cloud that can extinguish the great fire of a thousand-billion world universe
being on fire;1380 they grasp in their hands and polish the moon and the sun, which are so
miraculous, powerful, and majestic; and just as they wish, their bodies have power over
beings, as far up as those in Brahmā’s realm.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān recited these verses:1381

39.- “They dive into the earth and reemerge,

66 They walk unimpeded on water,
They travel through the air like a bird,
And they miraculously emit smoke and flames.1382 {47}

39.- “Just as the wind is unimpeded by space,

67 And a multitude of clouds move through it,
In that way the yogins fly through the air,
Unimpeded like the wind and the clouds. {48}

39.- “The skilled bodhisattvas, on seeing

68 Realms burning in a blazing inferno,
 Emit water from their bodies,
Extinguishing the fire of millions of realms. {i}1383

39.- “The skilled bodhisattvas, while seated,

69 Grasp the sun and moon in their hands.
Seated, they know the realm of Brahmā
And teach the Dharma to millions of Brahmās.1384 {49} [F.155.b]

39.- “When they wish to teach the Dharma,

70 The entire billion-world universe hears them.
As they wish, they teach the Dharma
In millions of realms to millions of beings.” {50}

39.71 Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, you should
train by thinking, ‘I will practice completely pure physical conduct in that way.’ Why is
that? Because, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical
conduct have a divine sense of hearing so that they can hear from afar the voices of devas,
humans, beings in the hells, those reborn as animals, and those in the realm of Yama.
39.- “Moreover, young man, you should train by thinking, ‘I will practice completely pure
72 physical conduct in that way.’ Why is that? Because, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas
who have completely pure physical conduct, while they are seated, with their divine sense
of smell can smell from afar all the divine pleasant aromas of the Dharma that there are in
all the worlds in the billion-world universe.”1385
39.- Then again the Bhagavān said to Candraprabha, “Young man, you should train by
73 thinking, ‘I will practice completely pure physical conduct in that way.’ Why is that?
Because, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical
conduct know accurately the motivation, conduct, and thoughts of other beings and
individuals. They accurately know a mind that has desire to be a mind that has desire.
They accurately know a mind that is without desire to be a mind that is without desire.
39.- “It is the same as that for having anger and being without anger, having ignorance and
74 being without ignorance, having craving and being without craving, [F.156.a] having
grasping and being without grasping, having concentration and distraction, having error
and no error, having greatness and no greatness, having clarity and no clarity, being valid
and being invalid, being surpassable and unsurpassable, being in meditation and not
being in meditation, and being liberated and not being liberated, and they accurately
know a mind that has kleśas to be a mind that has kleśas, and they accurately know a
mind that has no kleśas to be a mind that has no kleśas.
39.- “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical conduct
75 remember previous lives in many ways: they remember one previous life, or two, or three,
or four, or five, or ten, or twenty, or thirty, or forty, or fifty, or remember a hundred
previous lifetimes. They remember a thousand lives, a hundred thousand lives, and so on,
up to many quintillions of previous lives.
39.- “They remember an eon of dissolution and an eon of origination, and so on up to many
76 eons of dissolution and eons of origination.
39.- “They remember one eon, and they remember a hundred eons, a thousand eons, a
77 hundred thousand eons, and so on, up to remembering many quintillions of eons.
39.- “They remember as many as ten million past lives, saying, ‘I was born as such and such
78 a being, this was my name, this was my family, this was my caste, this was my color, this
was the food that I ate, this was my livelihood, this is how long a lifespan was, this is how
long I lived, and this was the happiness and suffering I experienced. Then when I died I
was reborn as such and such; then when I died again I was reborn here.’
“They remember correctly the many different aspects of their previous lives, such as
what appearance they had, the place where they lived, and the cause for that rebirth.
[F.156.b]
39.- “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical conduct
79 have divine vision, which surpasses human vision, so that they know accurately,
according to the karma of beings, their deaths and their rebirths, whether they have good
color or bad color, whether they are fortunate or unfortunate, whether it is a good rebirth
or a bad rebirth, and whether they are going to the higher realms or the lower realms.
39.- “They say, ‘These beings conducted themselves badly with their bodies, conducted
80 themselves badly with their speech, and conducted themselves badly in their minds. They
maligned the noble ones, had wrong views, and truly held those wrong views. Because of
those causes, after they died they fell to the lower realms and were reborn in the hells.
These beings conducted themselves well with their bodies, conducted themselves well
with their speech, and conducted themselves well in their minds. They did not malign the
noble ones, had correct views, and truly held those correct views. Because of those causes,
after they died they went to the higher realms and were reborn in the paradises.’
39.- “In that way they have the pure divine vision that transcends that of humans, so that
81 they know correctly, according to the karma of beings, their deaths and their rebirths,
whether they have good color or bad color, whether they are fortunate or unfortunate,
whether it is a good rebirth or a bad rebirth, and whether they go to the higher realms or
the lower realms.
39.- “Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure physical conduct in
82 one instant of wisdom accurately know, hear, see, and understand everything that is to be
known, to be heard, to be seen, to be realized, and to be manifested.”1386
Thereupon the Bhagavān recited these verses:

39.- “The levels of higher cognitions

83 Of the protector bodhisattvas are taught. [F.157.a]
The ones who remain in samādhi
Are known as bodhisattvas. {51}

39.- “Their hearing is purified to become

84 Inconceivable divine hearing.
 They hear the Dharma that is
Taught by all the buddhas. {52}

39.- “The skilled bodhisattvas, while sitting,

85 With a divine sense of smell
Smell all the divine Dharma aromas
In the great billion-world universe.1387 {i}

39.- “They know the minds of all beings:

86 Whether they have or do not have desire,
Whether they have or do not have anger,
Whether they have or do not have ignorance. {53}

39.- “They know where they lived in the past,

87 Those places where they previously lived
Throughout billions of eons;
They know them without any impediment. {54}

39.- “Their sight, too, is purified;

88 They have insurpassable, divine sight.
They see perfectly the deaths
Of beings and their rebirths. {55}

39.- “Within a single instant

89 They know all lifetimes.
They know correctly every single
Phenomenon that can be known.”1388 {56}

39.- Then the Bhagavān said to Candraprabha, “Young man, you should train by thinking, ‘I
90 will engage in completely pure conduct of speech in that way.’
39.- “Young man, what is the restraint of speech? Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who
91 have completely pure conduct of speech attain the inconceivable, unimpeded buddha’s
speech, which has sixty aspects. Young man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech have the attainment of
92 noble words. Young man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the thirty-two
93 primary signs of a great being. Young man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the eighty secondary
94 signs of a great being. Young man, that is the restraint of speech. [F.157.b]
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the ten strengths of a
95 tathāgata, the four fearlessnesses, and the eighteen distinct qualities of a buddha. Young
man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the three doorways to
96 liberation. What are these three? They are emptiness, the absence of attributes, and the
absence of aspiration. They attain those three doorways to liberation. Young man, that is
the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the four great
97 brahmavihāras. What are the four great brahmavihāras? They are great love, great
compassion, great joy, and great equanimity. They attain those four great brahmavihāras.
Young man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the four
98 discernments. What are the four discernments? They are the discernment of meaning, the
discernment of phenomena, the discernment of definitions, and the discernment of
eloquence. They attain those four discernments. Young man, that is the restraint of
speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the thirty-seven
99 aspects of enlightenment. What are the thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment? They are
the four kinds of mindfulness, the four correct exertions, the four bases for miraculous
powers, the five powers, the five strengths, the seven aspects of enlightenment, and the
noble eightfold path. They attain those thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment. Young
man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech attain the state of great
100 compassion, [F.158.a] attain the state of great equanimity, attain easeful examination,
and the quality of being devoid of examination. Young man, that is the restraint of speech.
39.- “Moreover, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech
101 desist from killing, taking what is not given, not maintaining celibacy, lying, slandering,
harsh speech, and idle talk. Those bodhisattva mahāsattvas desist from speaking untrue
words to their parents and their teachers; from maligning the Buddha, Dharma, and
Saṅgha; and from any other words that are harmful words. They know those words to be
like echoes. They perceive them to be like apparitions, mirages, hallucinations, and
illusions, and in that way they do not objectify words, conceptualize them, become proud
of them, view them, or become attached to them. Young man, that is the restraint of
speech.”
39.- Then the Bhagavān said to Candraprabha, “Young man, you should train by thinking, ‘I
102 will engage in completely pure conduct of speech in that way.’ Young man, bodhisattva
mahāsattvas who have the restraint of speech have no fear of any lower realm and obtain
the entire Dharma of the buddhas. They attain all the miraculous powers and higher
cognitions of the buddhas. Young man, that is the restraint of speech.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān recited these verses:1389

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

103 Is the restraint of speech through which
The bodhisattvas will attain the unimpeded knowledge
The entirety of the Dharma.1390 {57}
39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech
104 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain the unimpeded, inconceivable buddha speech
That has sixty aspects.1391 {i} [F.158.b]

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

105 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain the thirty-two primary signs,
The ten strengths, and the distinct qualites of a buddha. {58}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

106 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain all the qualities of buddhahood
That have previously been taught by me. {59}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

107 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain the brahmavihāras, the discernments,
And marvelous, inconceivable qualities. {60}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

108 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain the mindfulnesses, the correct exertions,
The strengths, the powers, and the bases for miraculous powers. {61}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

109 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain great equanimity, the fearlessnesses,
And the state of great compassion. {62}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

110 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Attain pure, easeful examination
And the peace of being devoid of examination. {63}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

111 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Do not lie, speak words of slander,
Indulge in idle talk, or speak harsh words. {64}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

112 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Will never say that they forsake the Dharma
Or forsake the Buddha or the Saṅgha. {65}
39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech
113 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Do not speak words that are unture
In front of their parents or teachers. {66}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

114 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Desist from all other words
That are harmful, without exception. {67}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

115 Is the restraint of speech through which the wise
Fearlessly use words that are like echoes
And that are analogous to dreams. {68}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

116 Is the bodhisattva’s use of words
As being without self, without a soul, unmoving, [F.159.a]
Arising through conditions, and as deceptive as a dream. {69}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

117 Is the bodhisattva’s use of words,
With cessation always being like a dream,
And nirvān ̣a also being like a dream. {70}

39.- “That which is called the restraint of speech

118 Is when there are no words at all to be found.
It is not conceptualizing them or being proud of them,
And not being dependent on them or attached to them.” {71}

39.- Then the Bhagavān said to Candraprabha, “Therefore, young man, you should train by
119 thinking, ‘I shall be endowed with the restraint of the mind.’
39.- “Young man, what is the restraint of the mind?1392 Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have
120 the restraint of the mind are without fear of the Dharma of the buddhas,1393 and have
attained the unshakable, liberated mind. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind obtain the samādhi that
121 is like a vajra. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind obtain the light rays that
122 are called as bright as flames. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the perfect voice of
123 a buddha, which has sixty aspects. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind have the attainment of
124 noble words. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the thirty-two
125 primary signs of a great being. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the eighty
126 secondary signs of a great being. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind. [F.159.b]
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the ten strengths of
127 a tathāgata, the four fearlessnesses, and the eighteen distinct qualities of a buddha. Young
man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the three doorways
128 to liberation. What are the three doorways to liberation? They are emptiness, the absence
of attributes, and the absence of aspiration. They attain those three doorways to
liberation. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the four great
129 brahmavihāras. What are the four great brahmavihāras? They are great love, great
compassion, great joy, and great equanimity. They attain those four great brahmavihāras.
Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the four
130 discernments. What are the four discernments? They are the discernment of meaning, the
discernment of phenomena, the discernment of definitions, and the discernment of
eloquence. They attain those four discernments. Young man, that is the restraint of the
mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the thirty-seven
131 aspects of enlightenment. What are the thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment? They are
the four kinds of mindfulness, the four correct exertions, the four bases for miraculous
powers, the five powers, the five strengths, the seven aspects of enlightenment, and the
noble eightfold path. They attain those thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment. Young
man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain the state of great
132 compassion, attain the state of great equanimity, and attain easeful examination [F.160.a]
and the quality of being devoid of examination. Young man, that is the restraint of the
mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind attain engagement in
133 conduct with the wish to benefit others. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “Bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have the restraint of the mind do not associate with
134 wrong views in order to desist from wrong views; they do not associate with avarice in
order to desist from avarice; they do not associate with malice in order to desist from
malice; they do not associate with laziness in order to desist from laziness; they do not
wish to deceive their parents or their teachers; and they do not develop desire, anger, or
ignorance and do not associate with them. They do not abandon the aspiration to
enlightenment, they do not destabilize their superior aspiration, and also the bodhisattvas
desist from all other harmful thoughts in their mind, and do not associate with them.
Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.
39.- “They perceive the mind as being like a dream, being like a mirage, being like an
135 apparition, and being like a hallucination, something that does not come from anywhere
and does not go anywhere. They perceive happiness as being like a dream, perceive it as
being impermanent like a dream, perceive it as being devoid of self like a dream, perceive
it as being devoid of a soul like a dream, and they do not objectify it, conceptualize it,
become proud of it, view it, or become attached to it. Young man, that is the restraint of
the mind.”
39.- Then the Bhagavān said to Candraprabha, “Young man, you should train by thinking, ‘I
136 will practice completely pure conduct of the mind in that way.’ Why is that? [F.160.b]
Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have completely pure conduct of the mind
avoid all unfavorable conditions and obtain the countless Dharma teachings of the
buddhas. They obtain from all the buddhas the higher cognitions of the buddhas and the
unshakable, liberated mind. Young man, that is the restraint of the mind.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān recited these verses:

39.- “All of you listen with an unwavering mind,

137 For I will teach the restraint of the mind.
If you wish to attain buddhahood quickly,
Listen to me and then practice this. {72}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

138 Attain the vast, unshakable, supreme peace,
The wonderful, inconceivable Dharma of the jinas,
That is what is called the pure restraint of the mind. {73}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

139 Attain the liberated, eternally unshakable mind,
And likewise the supreme samādhi that is like a vajra,
That is what is called the most splendid restraint of the mind. {74}

39.- “That which wise ones practice and through which

140 They accomplish light rays of great benefit,
And attain the voice with sixty aspects,
That is what is called the purest restraint of the mind. {75}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

141 Quickly attain the thirty-two primary signs
And attain the ten strengths and every quality of buddhahood,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {76}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

142 Attain the discernments and the fearlessnesses,
And wonderful, inconceivable, supreme qualities,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {77}
39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones
143 Attain the mindfulnesses, the bases of miraculous powers,
The correct efforts, and the five powers and strengths,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {78}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

144 Attain all of the four brahmavihāras, and likewise
Emptiness, the absence of attributes, and the absence of aspiration,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind.1394 {i}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones [F.161.a]
145 Attain the state of compassion, great equanimity,
And the practice of correct conduct, great love, and peace,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {ii}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

146 Quickly attain the seven limbs of enlightenment
And similarly the eight aspects of the supreme path,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {79}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

147 Attain the supreme state of equanimity
And the stainless, supreme state of compassion,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {80}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

148 Attain easeful examination, a mind of pure peace,
And detachment through a wealth of qualities,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {81}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

149 Do not associate with evil people and those with wrong views,1395
And do not develop a mind of malice, or a mind of avarice,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {82}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

150 Do not act with pretense for even an instant,
And do not act with deception toward the guru,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {83}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

151 Do not develop desire or anger in their mind,
And similarly never give rise to ignorance,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {84}
39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones
152 In their mind do not forsake enlightenment,
And whose superior motivation is never shaken,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {85}

39.- “That restraint of the mind through which wise ones

153 Do not keep with any of the other numerous faults
Of the mind that there may be,
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {86}

39.- “They understand the mind as being like an illusion,

154 Like a dream, and similarly like a mirage,
Always having the characteristic of a hallucination:
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {87}

39.- “They understand happiness to be like a dream,

155 And similarly, impermanent, empty, and transient.
Wise ones understand the mind in that way:
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {88}

39.- “They understand the mind to be without a soul, without being, [F.161.b]
156 And arising from conditions like a whirled torch’s circle of fire,
Not coming from anywhere nor going anywhere:
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {89}

39.- “They never objectify the mind at all,

157 And are without conceptualization or pride;
They do not fixate upon it or become attached to it:
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind. {90}

39.- “They understand the ultimate truth to be like a dream,

158 And nirvān ̣a to be the same as a dream;
Wise ones understand the mind in that way:
That is what is called the supreme restraint of the mind.” {91}

39.- Conclusion of the thirty-ninth chapter, “Restraint of the Body, Speech, and Mind.”1396
159 [B15]
40. Chapter 40

[Untitled]
40.1 “Young man, what is purity of action? Seeing the three existences as being like a dream
and becoming free of desire. Young man, that is purity of action.
40.2 “Young man, what is the transcendence of the mind’s fixation on perceptions? It is
knowing that the skandhas, dhātus, and āyatanas are like illusions, and renouncing them.
That is the transcendence of the mind’s fixation on perceptions.
40.3 “What is the knowledge of the skandhas? It is perceiving the skandhas to be like
mirages.
40.4 “What is the equality of the dhātus? It is renouncing the dhātus as being like
apparitions.
40.5 “What is the elimination of the āyatanas? It is renouncing the āyatanas as being like
hallucinations.
40.6 “What is the renunciation of craving?1397 It is not fixating on any phenomena. That is
the renunciation of craving.
40.7 “What is the direct realization of birthlessness? It is not having the perception of any
phenomena.
“What is engagement in activity? It is not giving up because of suffering arising from
diligence.
40.8 “What is the illumination of causes? It is perceiving that the skandhas are like echoes.
“What is the non-dissipation of the results of karma? It is knowing that the results of
karma do not dissipate like a dream.
40.9 “What is insight into phenomena? It is not seeing phenomena.
“What is the meditation of the path? [F.162.a] It is meditation on the nonperception of
all phenomena.
40.- “What is meeting the tathāgatas? It is practicing the training of all the buddhas.
10
“What is sharp wisdom? It is the patience of the birthlessness of phenomena.
40.11 “What is penetrating into beings?1398 It is knowing the higher and the lower faculties.
“What is knowledge of phenomena? It is the nonperception of phenomena.
40.- “What is the knowledge of engaging in discernment? It is engaging in the true nature of
12 phenomena.
“What is the knowledge of the different kinds of letters and words? It is the knowledge
of engaging with the three mantras,1399 and knowing what is the form and what is not the
form of words.
40.- “What is the transcendence of matter? It is the understanding of immateriality.
13
“What is the understanding of sounds? It is knowing them to be like echoes. Young
man, that is the understanding of sounds.
40.- “What is the attainment of joy? It is the nonperception of all phenomena, the ending of
14 the suffering that arises from saṃsāra, and putting down one’s burden.
“What is experiencing the joy of the Dharma? It is never abandoning teaching,
pleasing, and seeing the excellence of one’s yāna.1400
40.- “What is abiding? It is the realization of the truths of the noble ones.1401
15
“What is sincerity? It is uncontrived conduct.
40.- “What is no longer having frowns? It is being without anger.
16
“What is being pleasant?1402 It is being good company.
40.- “What is being gentle?1403 It is being beneficial to others.1404
17
“What is being courteous? It is being welcoming and standing up quickly.1405
40.- “What is having veneration1406 for the guru? It is being fearful1407 of the guru and
18 perceiving the guru as the kalyān ̣amitra.
“What is respect for the guru? It is honoring and serving the guru.
40.- “What is being content with occurences? [F.162.b] It is having no attachment to
19 anything that occurs.
“What is never being satisfied with the good actions one has done? It is pursuing every
kind of good action and seeking for any good action.
40.- “What is having a pure livelihood? It is being satisfied with anything, using no
20 trickery,1408 no flattery, not being covetous, and not having the desire to acquire.
“What is not forsaking the solitary life? It is not abandoning dedication to good actions
and delighting in residing in a remote place; delighting in dense forests, inaccessible
mountain sites, and the interior of caves;1409 experiencing the joy of the Dharma; not
mixing laypeople and renunciants; not having attachment to gain, honors, or praise;
rejecting craving; and experiencing the joy of dhyāna. That is not forsaking the solitary
life.
40.- “What is the knowledge of successive levels? It is the knowledge of the distinctive result
21 of the śrāvaka, knowledge of the distinctive level of the pratyekabuddha, and knowledge
of the distinctive level of the bodhisattva.
 “What is always maintaining mindfulness? It is being attentive to impermanence,
suffering, emptiness, and the absence of self.
40.- “What is being wise concerning the skandhas, wise concerning the dhātus, and wise
22 concerning the āyatanas? It is having the knowledge of the categories of the skandhas,
dhātus, and āyatanas, but having no perception of them.
“What is making one’s higher cognitions manifest to others? It is attaining the four
bases of miraculous powers and manifesting miracles.
40.- “What is the elimination of kleśas? It is the elimination of desire, anger, and ignorance.
23
“What is ceasing engagement with propensities? It is reviling previous foolish conduct
and not wishing for the level of the śrāvakas or pratyekabuddhas.
40.- “What is having specific attainments? It is accomplishing a buddha’s strengths,
24 [F.163.a] fearlessnesses, and discernments.1410
“What is the natural result of meditation? It is the elimination of attachment and
aversion.1411
40.- “What is skillfulness in eliminating transgressions? It is the restraint of the pratimoksạ
25 and the vinaya.
“What is the prevention of the arising of bad actions? It is confessing bad actions and
the virtue of restraining from them in the future.
40.- “What is the elimination of attachment? It is destroying all the creepers of craving for
26 the three existences, developing the good qualities that have not yet been developed,1412
and not losing the good qualities that have been developed.
“What is transcending the existences? It is not focusing the mind upon or engaging the
mind with the three realms.
40.- “What is the memory of previous rebirths? It is the knowledge of previous lifetimes.
27
“What is being free of doubt concerning the ripening of karma? It is rejecting
eternalism and nihilism.
40.- “What is the contemplation of phenomena? It is correct contemplation.
28
“What is seeking to hear the Dharma? It is possessing and meditating upon the pitaka
̣
of the śrāvakas, the pitaka
̣ of the pratyekabuddhas, and the pitaka
̣ of the bodhisattvas.
40.- “What is having sharp knowledge? It is knowing the nonorigination of phenomena to
29 be like a dream.
“What is craving for wisdom? It is seeking wisdom.
40.- “What is the realization of wisdom? It is the attainment of the highest, complete
30 enlightenment.
“What is the level of a noble being? It is the state of bodhisattva training.
40.- “What is having a mind like a mountain? It is not abandoning the aspiration to
31 enlightenment.
“What is being unshakable? It is not being led astray by the kleśas.
40.- “What is being immovable? It is the mind not being engaged with any attribute.
32
“What is irreversibility?1413 It is the unimpaired six perfections, and the continuous
vision of the buddhas who reside in other worlds. [F.163.b]
40.- “What is the natural result of good qualities?1414 It is being near to the highest,
33 complete enlightenment.
“What is the abhorrence of bad qualities? It is restraint and not performing bad actions
in the first place.
40.- “What is being free of behavior caused by the kleśas? It is being free of that which is
34 caused by ignorance, craving for existence, and anger.
“What is never abandoning the training? It is conviction in the ripening of karma, and
having veneration for the buddhas.
40.- “What is being established in samādhi? It is a one-pointed mind that is skilled in the
35 nonproduction and nonperishing of the phenomena of the mind and mental events.1415
40.- “What is the knowledge of the thoughts of beings? It is the wisdom that knows the
36 superior and inferior faculties of beings.
“What is the knowledge of the various rebirths of beings? It is the knowledge of the
different states of the five kinds of existence.
40.- “What is knowledge of the infinite? It is the effortless knowledge of mundane and
37 supramundane skills.
“What is the knowledge of the intended meaning of words? It is the knowledge of the
intended meaning of the Tathāgata’s words.
40.- “What is the rejection of living in a home? It is leaving home for physical and mental
38 solitude.
“What is finding no joy in the three realms? It is seeing the realms for what they truly
are.
40.- “What is having a motivation that is not discouraged? It is not giving up the motivation
39 and not giving up meditation.
“What is having no attachment to phenomena? It is the renunciation of all that one has
affection for.
40.- “What is having possession of the sacred Dharma? It is preserving the Buddha’s
40 enlightenment, and possessing sūtras such as this.
“What is protecting the Dharma? It is subjugating, in a way that is in accord with the
Dharma, those who malign the Buddha’s Dharma.
40.- “What is conviction in the ripening of karma? [F.164.a] It is forsaking bad actions
41 through a sense of shame, and dedicating oneself to seeking good qualities.
“What is skill in the vinaya? It is the knowledge of what are natural transgressions and
what are not natural transgressions, and the knowledge of what are proscribed
transgressions and what are not proscribed transgressions.
40.- “What is the pacification of disputes? It is the avoidance of gatherings.
42
 “What is the absence of discord and the absence of quarrels? It is the absence of desire
for worldly conversation.
40.- “What is having reached the level of patience? It is enduring harm to the body and
43 mind.
“What is maintaining patience? It is maintaining equanimity and not losing one’s
patience when others speak badly, saying unpleasant words.1416
40.- “What is skill in examining phenomena? It is distinguishing the skandhas, dhātus, and
44 āyatanas, distinguishing the aspects of kleśas and purification, and not objectifying them.
“What is skill in gaining certainty concerning phenomena? It is the inexpressibility of
all phenomena.
40.- “What is the knowledge of distinguishing between the words for phenomena?1417 It is
45 the accomplishment of the differentiation of all phenomena.
“What is skill in the presentation of the words for phenomena?1418 It is teaching
phenomena exactly as they are.
40.- “What is the knowledge of the skill of presenting the distinction between words that
46 have meaning and words that do not have meaning?1419 It is that the nature of
phenomena cannot be taken away from or added to.
“What is knowledge of the past? It is the knowledge of causes.
40.- “What is knowledge of the future? It is the knowledge of contributing factors.
47
“What is the knowledge of the equality of the three times? It is the true nature of the
way of things, which is that there is no differentiation to be made between all
phenomena.1420
40.- “What is the knowledge of the purity of the three aspects of actions? It is not
48 objectifying and having no mental engagement with phenomena of the past, future, or
present.
“What is the knowledge of the body’s condition? It is mindfulness of the body. [F.164.b]
40.- “What is the knowledge of the mind’s condition? It is not objectifying the mind.
49
“What is guarding1421 conduct? It is conduct that is unsullied.
40.- “What is having unshakable conduct? It is conduct without error.1422
50
“What is uncontrived conduct?1423 It is being free of the desire for bad actions.
40.- “What is having attractive conduct?1424 It is the mind being focused upon engagement
51 with the Dharma, speaking rationally, being aware of time, and teaching the Dharma
correctly.
“What is knowledge of the world? It is the knowledge of going and coming.
40.- “What is unrestrained generosity? It is not holding on to things and being without
52 miserliness.
“What is being openhanded?1425 It is having a virtuous nature.
“What is having a mind without fixation? It is having unsullied faith.
40.-
53
“What is having a sense of self-respect? It is not being talkative.1426
40.- “What is having a sense of modesty? It is that which is not evident to others.1427
54
“What is an abhorrence of negative aspirations? It is understanding what are the
qualities of foolishness, and not associating with them.
40.- “What is not forsaking the qualities of purification? It is being stable in commitments.
55
“What is maintaining correct conduct? It is developing disciplined conduct.
40.- “What is joyful conduct? It is the contemplation of virtuous qualities.
56
“What is standing up to welcome gurus and presenting them with a seat? It is
overcoming pride and not being lazy.
40.- “What is the elimination of pride? It is not objectifying or depending upon a self.
57
“What is controlling the mind? It is the knowledge of how not to lose good qualities.
40.- “What is the knowledge of generating enthusiasm? It is the knowledge of how not to
58 lose the results of diligence.
“What is the knowledge of discernment? It is the wisdom that understands the truth
exactly as it is.
40.- “What is the realization of wisdom? It is the realization of both mundane and
59 supramundane qualities.
“What is being without ignorance? It is not imposing embellishments on phenomena as
they truly are.
40.- “What is the knowledge of the processes of the mind? [F.165.a] It is the knowledge of
60 the absence of creation and destruction.
“What is the knowledge of accomplishment and definite accomplishment?1428 It is
sharp wisdom.
40.- “What is the knowledge of all language? It is correctly teaching the Dharma.
61
“What is the knowledge of presentation?1429 It is the knowledge of correct engagement.
40.- “What is the knowledge of attaining certainty in meaning? It is cutting through the
62 skandha of mental activities.
“What is abandoning that which is harmful? It is transcending existence and causing
others to transcend existence.
40.- “What is relying upon excellent beings? It is not being apart from a buddha.
63
“What is being together with excellent beings? It is attending upon buddhas,
bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and śrāvakas.
40.- “What is avoiding bad beings? It is avoiding those who are fixated on perceptions and
64 those who are lazy.
“What is delighting1430 in dhyāna?1431 It is avoiding the thorns of desire, not forsaking
dhyāna, and not abandoning joy.
40.- “What is not clinging to dhyāna? It is wishing to transcend the three existences,
65 wishing to ripen beings, and wishing for the light of higher wisdom.
“What is the utilization of the higher cognitions? It is teaching to others, through the
five higher cognitions, the Dharma teachings of the Buddha that are difficult to
understand.
40.- “What is the knowledge of assigned names? It is the understanding that names are
66 without reality.
“What is the use of designations? It is worldly usage.
40.- “What is employing designations? It is the knowledge of speaking.
67
“What is disillusionment with saṃsāra? It is reflecting upon the harm of saṃsāra.
40.- “What is not being motivated by material gain? It is having few desires.
68
“What is having no interest in gain or honors? It is being free of regret and free of the
wish to commit sinful actions. [F.165.b]
40.- “What is not being upset by criticism? It is the knowledge that comprehends the
69 skandhas and the dhātus.
“What is not being fixated upon praise? It is not making known one’s good actions, and
it is knowing gain and honor to be obstacles.
40.- “What is indifference to respect? It is understanding the ripening of karma.
70
“What is not being upset by lack of respect? It is not forsaking the practice.
40.- “What is being undisturbed by disrespect? It is being aware of worldly qualities.
71
“What is being indifferent to praise? It is seeking good actions and abandoning worldly
life.
40.- “What is not being disheartened when there is no gain? It is being aware of the qualities
72 that oneself has given rise to.
“What is not associating with householders? It is avoiding any kind of worldly
enjoyment.1432
40.- “What is not associating with renunciants?1433 It is avoiding that which is inappropriate
73 and seeking that which is appropriate.1434
“What is avoiding that which is outside the scope of correct conduct? It is abandoning
the five obscurations.
40.- “What is acting within the scope of correct conduct? It is meditation on the four
74 mindfulnesses.
“What is the perfection of conduct? It is its perfect preservation.
40.- “What is rejecting incorrect conduct? It is preserving your good qualities.
75
“What is not dishonoring your family? It is avoiding profiting from wisdom.
40.- “What is preserving the teaching? It is the determined seeking of the Dharma and
76 practicing the Dharma in accord with the Dharma.
“What is speaking little? It is the attainment of śamatha.
40.- “What is speaking softly? It is the attainment of vipaśyanā.1435
77
“What is skillfulness in answers? It is the knowledge of replies and rejoinders.
40.- “What is defeating opposition? It is the correct presentation and teaching of the
78 Dharma and defeating those who believe in objective reality.1436
“What is arriving at the right time? It is knowledge of the time. [F.166.a]
40.- “What is not relying on ordinary people?1437 It is seeing the qualities of the foolish to be
79 faults.
“What is not having contempt for those in suffering?1438 It is having impartiality
toward all beings.
40.- “What is giving wealth to those who are in suffering?1439 It is giving them worldly
80 goods.
“What is not rebuking the poor? It is having kindness toward others.
40.- “What is having compassion for those whose conduct is incorrect? It is saving others
81 from transgression and establishing them in correct conduct.
“What is having that which will bring benefit to others? It is benefiting others.
40.- “What is having a compassionate mind? It is consideration of the future suffering of
82 beings.
“What is benefiting others through the Dharma? It is bringing others correctly into the
Dharma.
40.- “What is giving away material wealth? It is giving away whatever has been accumulated
83 and benefiting others through material things.
“What is not hoarding? It is renouncing material wealth and seeing it as harmful to the
maintenance of correct conduct.
40.- “What is praising correct conduct? It is the knowledge of the result1440 of correct
84 conduct.
“What is condemning incorrect conduct? It is the understanding of the faults of
incorrect conduct.
40.- “What is unwaveringly attending upon those who have correct conduct? It is the
85 knowledge that perceives those who have correct conduct to be difficult to find.
“What is giving up all possessions? It is having a virtuous motivation.
40.- “What is welcoming others1441 with a higher motivation? It is wishing to benefit others.
86
“What is doing exactly what one has said one will do? It is having a completely virtuous
motivation.
40.- “What is perpetual application? It is seeking for and inquiring about any virtue.
87
“What is having veneration1442 and experiencing joy? It is knowledge through
realization and knowledge through scripture.
40.- “What is the knowledge of using examples? It is having the knowledge of similarities
88 and the knowledge of teaching.
“What is being skilled concerning past lifetimes? It is remembering lifetimes [F.166.b]
and having received many teachings.
40.- “What is putting roots of merit first? It is having a strong longing for enlightenment
89 and also inspring that in others.
“What is skill in methods? It is being skilled in confession, rejoicing, supplication, and
the dedication of the roots of goodness.
40.- “What is the negation of attributes? It is realizing that all phenomena are like a dream,
90 and the extinction of things.
“What is turning away from conceptualization? It is the rejection of error.
40.- “What is the knowledge of the characteristics of things?1443 It is the knowledge of
91 things having no characteristics.
“What is skill in the accomplishment of the sūtras? It is teaching through describing
accurately the understanding of, and the examples for, good and bad qualities.
40.- “What is certainty in the truth? It is the cessation of consciousness, and the nonarising
92 of names-and-form.
“What is the direct experience of liberation? It is not wavering from the samādhi that is
like a vajra.
40.- “What is the single teaching? It is not being reborn in the inferior state of a tīrthika.
93
“What is the attainment of fearlessness? It is understanding the Buddha’s Dharma and
developing the strength of dhyāna.1444
40.- “What is the basis1445 of correct conduct? It is the restraint of the body and the
94 pratimoksạ vows.
“What is entering into samāpatti? It is being free of desire for the three existences.
40.- “What is the attainment of wisdom? It is the knowledge of power and having no
95 objectification.
“What is delighting in solitude? It is avoiding the faults from being with others and not
forsaking good qualities.
40.- “What is contentment with having no high reputation? It is being pleased with
96 whatever there is.
“What is the absence of pollution in the mind? It is the suppression of the obscurations.
40.- “What is rejecting incorrect views? It is rejecting the view of objective reality.
97
“What is the attainment of mental retention? [F.167.a] It is teaching correctly and
without impediment the Dharma just as it has been seen.
40.- “What is the entrance into knowledge?1446 It is the entrance into the true nature.
98
“What is the basis? It is the basis of correct conduct.
40.- “What is the ground? It is the ground of the mind.
99
“What is the foundation? It is the foundation of faith.
40.- “What is the practice? It is the practice of the path.
100
“What is the knowledge1447 of the cause? It is the knowledge that ignorance is the cause
of saṃsāra.
40.- “What is the method? It is knowledge1448 as the method of liberation.
101
“What is the way? It is the way of the rejection of craving.
40.- “What is the doorway? It is abandoning faults.
102
“What is the path? It is the knowledge of impermanence, suffering, emptiness, and
selflessness.
40.- “What is the level?1449 It is the tenfold level1450 of the absence of aspiration.
103
“What is being free from rebirth?1451 It is putting an end to rebirth.
40.- “What is the level of knowledge? It is being free of stupidity.
104
“What is the elimination of ignorance? It is the elimination of stupidity.
40.- “What is the basis of wisdom? It is without a basis.
105
“What is the level of spiritual practice? It is meditation on the qualities of the thirty-
seven aspects of enlightenment.
40.- “What is the scope of practice of the bodhisattvas? It is comprised of the six
106 perfections.
“What is attending upon wise beings? It is attending upon buddhas.
40.- “What is rejecting those who are not wise beings? It is rejecting tīrthikas who have the
107 view of objective reality.
“What is the teaching of the tathāgatas? It is liberation through knowledge of the true
nature, having gained the strengths of buddhahood.
40.- “What is the level of buddhahood? It is the attainment of all good qualities.
108
“What is meant by the wise rejoicing in it? It means the buddha bhagavāns, and the
śrāvakas of the past, future, and present, rejoicing.
40.- “What is meant by the foolish rejecting it? It means that it is difficult for all who are
109 foolish to understand. [F.167.b]
 “What is meant by it being difficult for the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas to know? It
means that the Buddha’s Dharma is inconceivable.
40.- “What is meant by it not being the level of the tīrthikas? It means that their level is the
110 false pride of a practitioner.
“What is meant by the bodhisattvas1452 possessing it? It means that it is difficult to
obtain and is a great medicine.1453
40.- “What is meant by its being realized by those who have the ten strengths? It means that
111 it is an arduous practice.
“Why should the devas make offerings to it? They should do so in order to attain every
happiness.
40.- “Why should Brahmā praise1454 it? Because it is a practice that brings the attainment of
112 all liberations.
“Why should the nāgas pay homage to it? Because it destroys all habitual tendencies.
40.- “Why should the yaksas
̣ rejoice in it? Because it closes the pathways to all the lower
113 realms.
“Why should the kiṃnaras praise it in song? Because it brings the attainment of all the
happiness of liberation.
40.- “Why should the mahoragas laud it? Because it destroys saṃsāra.
114
“Why should the bodhisattvas meditate on it? Because it brings the attainment of
omniscient wisdom.
40.- “Why should the wise comprehend it? Because it brings the attainment of
115 irreversibility.
“Why is it the highest wealth? Because it brings the attainment of an excellent rebirth
as a deva or human and it brings the attainment of liberation.
40.- “Why is it immaterial generosity? Because it destroys all the kleśas.
116
“Why is it a medicine for the sick? Because it brings desire, anger, and ignorance to an
end.
40.- “Why is it a treasure of wisdom? Because it is meditation.
117
“Why is it unceasing eloquence? Because it is truly correct knowledge and vision.
40.- “Why is it freedom from misery? Because it is the realization that harm and suffering
118 are meaningless [F.168.a] and that suffering has no self.
“Why is it the comprehension of the entire three realms? Because it is the realization
that they are like dreams and illusions.
40.- “Why is it a raft1455 for crossing to the other shore? Because it is the meditation on
119 impermanence, suffering, and emptiness by those who have the higher motivation of
desiring to attain nirvān ̣a.
“Why is it like a boat for those in the middle of a river? Because it brings the attainment
of nirvān ̣a.
40.- “Why is it fame for those who wish for renown? Because it brings the attainment of vast
120 qualities.
“Why do the buddhas praise it? Because it is the benefactor that provides a medicine
with infinite good qualities.
40.- “Why do the tathāgatas laud it? Because it is the benefactor that provides all qualities
121 and happiness and liberation.
“Why do those who have the ten strengths praise it? Because it is the benefactor that
provides the precious Dharma that is difficult to find.
40.- “Why is it the quality1456 of the bodhisattvas? Because it is the acquisition of training in
122 the Dharma.
“Why is it the equanimity of those with compassion? Because it is the activity that
accomplishes a buddha’s deeds.
40.- “Why is it the love that brings evil to an end? Because it provides the remedy.
123
“Why does it provide relief for those who follow the Mahāyāna? Because it fulfills all
the wishes for the Buddha’s Dharma.
40.- “Why is it the diligent practice of those with a lion’s roar? Because it brings the
124 attainment of the best Dharma, the superior Dharma.
“Why is it the path of the wisdom of the buddhas? Because it brings the attainment of
all good qualities.
40.- “Why is it the seal upon all phenomena? Because it brings the realization of this side
125 from the other side.
“Why is it the accomplishment of omniscient wisdom?1457 Because it eliminates all bad
qualities, accomplishes all good qualities, [F.168.b] and brings liberation to all beings.1458
40.- “Why is it the pleasure garden of bodhisattvas? Because their every happiness, joy, and
126 pleasure bring happiness to all beings.
“Why does it terrify the māras? Because it accomplishes all the strengths and because it
brings all the kleśas to an end.
40.- “Why is it the knowledge of those who have reached happiness? Because it is the
127 cessation of all distress.1459
“Why is it the benefit from those who accomplish benefit? Because it brings the
accomplishment of all good fortune.
40.- “Why is it the refuge for those among enemies? Because it brings defeat to all those
128 who believe in objective reality and have wrong views.
“Why is it the subjugation of adversaries by those who have the Dharma? Because it
brings the defeat of the tīrthikas by those who have the Dharma.
40.- “Why is it the expression of truth for those who have fearlessness?1460 Because it brings
129 the tranquility1461 of having analyzed well and analyzed precisely1462 all phenomena.
“Why is it the correct search for the strengths? Because it is a practice that is not
incorrect.
40.- “Why is it the omen for the eighteen unique qualities of a buddha? Because it brings the
130 attainment of all good qualities.
“Why is it an adornment? Because it brings the attainment of the thirty-two primary
signs of a great being.
40.- “Why is it the delight of those who desire liberation? Because it is good in the
131 beginning, the middle, and the end.
“Why is it the joy of the eldest sons? Because it brings the attainment of experiencing
their father’s wealth, the Buddha’s wealth.
40.- “Why is it the completion of buddha wisdom? Because it brings the maintenance of all
132 good qualities and the attainment of the cultivation of all good qualities and nothing else.
“Why is it not the level of śrāvakas or pratyekabuddhas? Because it brings the
accomplishment of the vast, inconceivable qualities of buddhahood.
40.- “Why is it the purity of the mind? Because there is the elimination of all stains.
133 [F.169.a]
“Why is it the purity of the body? Because it brings the cessation of all illness.
40.- “Why is it the completion of the doorways to liberation? Because it brings the
134 accomplishment of contemplating impermanence, suffering, emptiness, and selflessness.
“Why is it devoid of the kleśa of desire?1463 Because it brings the accomplishment of the
deathless state.
40.- “Why is it devoid of anger? Because it brings the accomplishment of great love.
135
“Why is it not the level of ignorance? Because it brings the accomplishment of seeing
phenomena as they truly are.
40.- “Why is it the arising of wisdom? Because it brings the development of knowing all that
136 is necessary, both mundane and supramundane.
“Why is it the birth of knowledge? Because it brings the accomplishment of all
appropriate mental engagement.
40.- “Why is it the elimination of ignorance? Because it brings freedom from all
137 inappropriate mental engagement.
“Why is it the contentment of those dedicated to liberation? Because it brings the
accomplishment of noble greatness.
40.- “Why is it the satisfaction of those dedicated to samādhi? Because it brings the
138 accomplishment of all bliss, joyful bliss, and a one-pointed mind.
“Why is it eyes for those who wish for the view? Because it brings the accomplishment
of seeing for oneself.
40.- “Why is it higher knowledge for those who wish to perform miracles? Because it brings
139 freedom from obscuration and the desired true nature of phenomena.
“Why is it miraculous power for those who wish for accomplishment? Because it brings
the accomplishment of the unobscured, inconceivable knowledge of all phenomena.
40.- “Why is it retentive memory for those dedicated to listening to the Dharma? Because it
140 brings the equality of all phenomena and nirvān ̣a.
 “Why is it unceasing mindfulness? Because it is the natural peace of focusing upon
nirvān ̣a.
40.- “Why is it the blessing of the buddhas? Because it brings infinite accomplishment.
141 [F.169.b]
“Why is it the skillful method of the guides? Because it conveys all to happiness and
goodness.
40.- “Why is it subtle? Because it brings the peace of focusing on nirvān ̣a.
142
“Why is it difficult to know? Because it is difficult to discern.
40.- “Why is it difficult to know for those without dedication? Because they have not
143 previously obtained it.
“Why is it beyond words and difficult to know through speech? Because of the
inconceivability of all phenomena.
40.- “Why is it known by the wise? Because it is a great, precious meaning.
144
“Why is it the knowledge of pleasant beings? Because they know all forms of reverence.
40.- “Why is it realized by those with few desires? Because they give rise to reverence.1464
145
“Why is it possessed by those who have undertaken it? Because they do not abandon
their undertaking.
40.- “Why is it kept by those who are mindful? Because they do not allow it to perish.
146
“Why is it the cessation of suffering? Because it brings the elimination of desire, anger,
and ignorance.
40.- “Why is it the birthlessness of all phenomena? Because it brings the cessation of all
147 consciousness.
“Why is it the single teaching? Because all classes of existence, all death and
transference, and all rebirths are like dreams, which means that all phenomena are
without origination.
40.- “You should know these three hundred points. Young man, they are the samādhi, the
148 revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena.”1465
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

40.- “The Buddha’s Dharma is vast.

149 The teaching of its practice is vast.
When the Dharma is taught in a vast way
The qualities attained will be vast. {1}

40.- “The characteristics of the Dharma

150 Are just as vast as space.
It contains vast jewels and light rays1466
And therefore it is called vast. {2} [F.170.a]
40.- “The ways beings act are vast,
151 The teachings for them are vast,
The meaning of the scripture is vast,1467
And therefore it is called vast.” {3}

40.- When the Bhagavān taught this Dharma teaching of the samādhi, the revealed equality of
152 the nature of all phenomena, countless beings developed the aspiration for complete
enlightenment. Countless beings attained irreversibility from the highest, complete
enlightenment. Countless beings developed the aspiration for their own enlightenment.
Countless beings developed the aspiration for attaining the result of becoming an arhat.
40.- This universe of a thousand million worlds shook in six ways. It trembled, trembled
153 strongly, and trembled intensely; it quivered, quivered strongly, and quivered intensely; it
shook, shook strongly, and shook intensely; it shuddered, shuddered strongly, and
shuddered intensely; it quaked, quaked strongly, and quaked intensely; the east sank and
the west rose, the west sank and the east rose, the north sank and the south rose, the
south sank and the north rose, the perimeter sank and the center rose, and the center
sank and the perimeter rose. In all the world there shone an immeasurable radiance,
there fell a great rain of divine incense, the devas threw down a great rain of flowers,
hundreds of thousands of divine musical instruments were played up in the sky, the sky
above was covered with divine food, and these words were spoken:
40.- “The beings who hear this Dharma teaching on entering great compassion will easily
154 reach attainment, and those beings will serve and honor many buddhas. [F.170.b]
40.- “Those who hear this samādhi, the revealed equality of the nature of all phenomena,
155 and, having heard it, write it out, possess it, keep it, recite it to others, promote it,
meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, promulgate it, and teach it extensively to
others will become the subject of offerings from all beings.”
40.- Then the Bhagavān said to Brother Ānanda, “Ānanda, you must hold this Dharma
156 teaching, recite it, promulgate it, and teach it extensively to others.”
40.- Then Brother Ānanda asked the Bhagavān, “What is the name of this teaching? In what
157 way shall I keep it?”
The Bhagavān said, “Ānanda, you should keep this sūtra as having the name Entering
Great Compassion. You should also keep this sūtra as having the name The Samādhi, the
Revealed Equality of the Nature of All Phenomena.”
40.- Ānanda said, “Bhagavān, I shall keep this Dharma teaching.”
158
40.- The Bhagavān, having spoken those words, the youth Candraprabha, Brother Ānanda,
159 the fourfold assembly of bhiksus,
̣ bhiksun
̣ ̣īs, upāsakas, and upāsikās, the devas of
Śuddhāvāsa, and the world with its devas, humans, asuras, and gandharvas rejoiced and
praised the words of the Bhagavān.1468

40.- The Samādhi, the Revealed Equality of the Nature of All Phenomena, is concluded.
160
c. COLOPHON

c.1 The Indian preceptor Śrīlendrabodhi, and the chief editor Lotsawa Bande Dharmatāśīla,
translated and revised this work. It was later modified and finalized in terms of the new
translation.
ab. ABBREVIATIONS

BHS Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit.

Chinese Sixth century Chinese translation by Narendrayaśas (see introduction, i.-

7).

Commentary Mañjuśrīkīrti (see bibliography).

Gilgit Sixth to seventh century Sanskrit manuscript (see introduction i.9 and
bibliography under Dutt).

Hodgson Later Nepalese Sanskrit manuscript (see introduction i.9 and

bibliography under Dutt).

Matsunami Matsunami’s Sanskrit edition (see bibliography).

Shastri Later Nepalese Sanskrit manuscript (see introduction i.9 and

bibliography under Dutt).

Vaidya Vaidya’s Sanskrit edition (see bibliography).

n. NOTES

1 According to the BHS vipañcita. The Tibetan translates as rnam par spros pa.

2 Toh 129, see bibliography.

3 Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801–1894) was a linguist, ethnologist, naturalist, and

diplomat who lived in Nepal from 1824 to 1844, becoming British Resident; among his
many other activities, he studied and collected Sanskrit Buddhist texts. Haraprasad
Shastri (1853–1931) was an Indian Sanskrit scholar and historian who visited Nepal
several times, also collecting and publishing manuscripts. Both scholars were associated
with the Asiatic Society in Kolkata. The Sanskrit edition of the sūtra published by Dutt (as
one of a series centered on the Gilgit manuscripts; see bibliography) is not only based on
the Gilgit manuscript, but also represents the Hodgson and Shastri manuscripts, which
Dutt refers to, respectively, as manuscripts A and B.

4 Vibhuticandra; dpal bde mchog gi dkyil ’khor kyi cho ga; Śrī-samvara-man ̣d ̣ala-vidhi.
Toh 1511, Degé Tengyur, Vol. 22, (rgyud, zha), 322b. 308b–334a.

5 The Yogacāra tradition of Asaṅga and his followers has philosophical viewpoints quite
distinct from those of the Mādhyamika tradition, of which Candrakīrti was perhaps the
most uncompromising proponent.

6 The Tibetan of the quote is: nga ’das lo ni nyis stong na / gdong dmar yul du bstan pa
’byung / spyan ras gzigs kyi gdul byar ’gyur / de yi bstan pa’i snyigs ma la / byang
chub sems dpa’ seng ge’i sgra / karma pa zhes ba ba ’byung / ting ’dzin dbang thob ’gro
ba ’dul / mthong thos dran regs bde la bkod (Rinchen Palzang, p. 650).

7 This line of homage, as is customary for Kangyur texts, was added by the Tibetan
translators, and therefore does not appear in the Sanskrit or Chinese. The Gilgit Sanskrit
manuscript has 12 initial verses, Hodgson 14 verses, and Shastri 43 verses, none of which
are in the Tibetan.

8 This number depends on whether niyuta is taken to mean “one million,” as in Classical
Sanskrit, or “a hundred thousand million,” as is found in BHS. The Tibetan has chosen
the latter meaning, translating it as khrag khrig. Therefore the resulting number in
Tibetan is “ten million [times] a hundred thousand million times eighty,” i.e., eighty
 million million million (eighty quintillion in the American or short scale system) (bye ba
khrag khrig phrag brgyad bcu, apparently translating kotiniyutena
̣ aśityā). The
translation of the commentary by Mañjuśrīkīrti, however, has khrag khrig phrag brgyad
bcu: “a hundred thousand million times eighty,” which would be eight million million,
i.e., eight trillion. The Vaidya Sanskrit edition has niyutaśatasahasrena aśītyā which
would be literally “a hundred thousand million [times] a hundred [times] a thousand
times eighty,” which comes to eight hundred thousand million million, i.e., eight hundred
thousand trillion. However if niyuta is taken as only one million, this would be eight
million million, i.e., eight trillion, which would agree with the resulting number in
Mañjuśrīkīrti’s commentary. The Dutt edition of the Gilgit manuscript has aśityā ca
bodhisattva-niyutaih ̣ and accordingly the translation of Gómez et al. is “eighty million,”
where niyuta has presumably been given the value of one million. The Chinese simply
transliterates as na-yo-ta. The Chinese tradition gives numerous, widely differing
explanations of what this number means.

9 In the Chinese the description of the bodhisattvas and the list of names do not appear.
The Chinese continues at this point with Ajita.

10 According to the BHS abhijñābhijñātair. The Tibetan, translating both abhijña and
abhijñāta as mngon par shes pa, has mngon par shes pas mngon par shes pa. However,
the translation of the commentary has a preferable translation of the second abhijñāta:
rab tu grags pa.

11 According to the BHS gatiṃgata. The Tibetan translates as rtogs par khong du chud pa.

12 According to the commentary these are not only the dhāran ̣ī in recited form, but comprise
the four kinds of retention (dhāran ̣ī): the recited dhāran ̣ī sentences and phrases
themselves, the retention of the memory of the words of all teachings given, the retention
of the memory of the meaning of these teachings, and the retention of the realization
gained through meditation on that meaning.

13 According to the Tibetan, though the Sanskrit compound could also be interpreted to
mean “who had praised, extolled, and lauded all the buddhas.”

14 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. The Sanskrit could also be interpreted, as
in Gómez et al., as “knowing all the terrors [that come from] the māras.”

15 According to the commentary, this means “adorned by the ten good actions: three of
body, four of speech, and three of mind,” or, among the primary and secondary signs of a
great being: “the voice of Brahmā, and the mind’s realization of the nature of beings so
that they may be guided.”

16 According to most Kangyurs, the commentary, and the Sanskrit. The Degé has kyi instead
of kyis.

17 According to the commentary, this means the bodhisattvas are on the tenth bhūmi, as
taught in the Sūtra of the Ten Bhūmis. The ten-bhūmi system does not appear in the
Gilgit version or the Chinese but does in the later Sanskrit versions and the Tibetan.
18 According to the Sanskrit. Absent from the Tibetan.

19 According to the Tibetan lhun po’i rtse mo ’dzin and Matsunami. Vaidya:
Meruśikhariṁdhara. Dutt: Meruśikharindhara.

20 According to the Tibetan lhun po’i rgyal po and Matsunami. Dutt: Merugāja. Does not
appear in Hodgson.

21 According to the Tibetan and Matsunami. Dutt: Meruśikhare saṁghattanarājena.

̣̣
Hodgson: Meruśikhare saṃghad ̣anagajena. Shastri: Meruśikhare saṃghatanagajena.
̣

22 According to the Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan.

23 According to the Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan.

24 According to the Tibetan (nyi ma me’i ’od ’phro can) and the Hodgson. The Tibetan takes
daśaśataraśmi, “a hundred thousand rays,” as an epithet of the sun and translates it
simply as nyi ma (“sun”). Gilgit and Shastri: Daśaśataraśmikrtārci
̣ with huta (“fire,”
equivalent to the Tibetan me) replaced by krta
̣ (“made,” “created”).

25 According to the Tibetan and Hodgson. Vaidya: Satatamabhayaṁdadāna. Dutt has both
versions.

26 Another name for Maitreya, the bodhisattva who will be the fifth buddha of the Good
Eon.

27 According to the Sanskrit anupamacitta. The Tibetan has dpe med sems dpa’, whereas
one would expect dpe med sems pa. The Sūtra of the Samādhi of the Seal of the Wisdom
of the Tathāgatas (see bibliography) refers to this group as sems dpa’ dpe med pa,
naming two of them: Pramodyarāja (mchog tu dga’ ba’i rgyal po) and Mañjuśrī (Degé
Kangyur, vol. 55, F.248.a). The Sūtra of Possessing the Roots of Goodness (see
bibliography) refers to byang chub sems dpa’ dpe med pa sems pa (“bodhisattvas with
incomparable minds”), with Bhadrapāla being the one that is named (Degé Kangyur, vol.
48, F.48.a). Bhadrapāla is also listed as one of a group of five hundred bodhisattvas in
that sūtra (F.22.b).

28 This is referencing a group of beings that is listed in the White Lotus of the Good Dharma
Sūtra (Degé Kangyur, vol. 67, 2b). In that sūtra Bhadrapāla is also listed as one of a group
of fifty bodhisattvas (F.142.b).

29 A bodhisattva who appears prominently in certain sūtras, such as The Samādhi of the
Presence of the Buddhas, and perhaps also the merchant of that name who is the
principal interlocutor in the Sūtra of the Questions of Bhadrapāla the Merchant (see
bibliography).

30 This refers to the standard list of god realms beginning with the lowest, that of the Four
Mahārājas.

31 According to the Sanskrit udārodārair, which repeats udāra. The Tibetan translates as
“vast and illustrious.”
32 According to the Sanskrit, which uses repetition to state that each one of them has that
quality, maheśākhyamaheśākhyair. The Tibetan translates as “very powerful and
renowned to be very powerful.”

33 Tibetan: bkur stir bya ba. Sanskrit: satkrta.

̣

34 Tibetan: bla mar bya ba. Sanskrit: gurukrta.

̣

35 Tibetan: ri mor bya ba. Sanskrit: mānita.

36 Tibetan: mchod par bya ba. Sanskrit: pūjita.

37 Tibetan: rjed par bya ba. Sanskrit: arcita.

38 Tibetan: gsol ba. Sanskrit: apacāyita.

39 According to the Sanskrit repetition of lokasya lokasya.

40 Tibetan: phyag bya ba. Sanskrit: vandanīya.

41 This epithet “youth” or “young man” has been translated by others as part of his name,
resulting in “Candraprabhakumāra.” However, in the Sanskrit it is not compounded as it
would be in a name, but is clearly in adjectival apposition. Kumāra can also have the
meaning of “prince” and is so translated in the translation of the Gilgit manuscript.
However, there is no indication that he is a prince, and therefore it more likely has its
usual meaning of “a youth.”

42 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit at this point has in addition, “I am a perfectly
enlightened buddha,” which does not appear in the Chinese or the Tibetan.

43 According to the Tibetan, Chinese, and later Sanskrit manuscripts. The Gilgit has an
additional part in the sentence: “there is nothing among all phenomena in the endless,
infinite worlds….”

44 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit here has a number of adjectives
describing his state of joy.

45 According to the Tibetan gzhal med. The BHS has atuliyu (“unequaled”).

46 ̣ ṁ mama na vidyate.
According to the Sanskrit śāthya

47 According to the Sanskrit sāks ̣ī and the Tibetan dpang in the Lithang and the Lhasa
Kangyurs; other Kangyurs have dbang (“power”).

48 According to the Tibetan gces spras bgyid. The BHS has bahuṃkāra (“beneficial”).

49 According to the Tibetan zhe sdang and Matsunami. The Dutt and Vaidya have dos ̣a,
which is the BHS equivalent of the Classical Sanskrit dves ̣a (“anger”), while the Classical
Sanskrit dos ̣a means “fault.”

50 Only this half-verse appears in the Hodgson and the Tibetan. In the Chinese, no part of
this verse is present. The Shastri manuscript has a second half to this verse: “Will be
without arrogance, desire, anger, and ignorance, / And will practice conduct in which all
faults have ceased / So that his body becomes like space, / And all phenomena are
 destroyed.” The Matsunami version of this last line has prakrti-prabhāsa
̣ instead of
pramrtiprahāra
̣ : “And all phenomena will have a radiant nature.”

51 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has: “How is there increase through
wisdoms?”

52 Different words are translated as quality and qualities here: the one quality is the
Sanskrit dharma (Tibetan chos), which has a wide range of other meanings, while for
qualities the word is the more specific gun ̣a (Tibetan yon tan).

53 According to the Tibetan and the commentary, which must have translated from
caran ̣apān ̣atalāh ̣ (“feet and hands”) instead of caran ̣avaratalāh ̣ (“soles of the perfect
feet”) as in the Sanskrit. The Chinese has only “soles.”

54 The singular is according to the Sanskrit. In the commentary it is in the plural.

55 From this point on in the Chinese translation, the qualities are grouped into 21 sets with
10 qualities in each set.

56 The explanation of these first three qualities (counting the three kinds of restraint as one)
will form chapter 39, and all of the others are explained in chapter 40.

57 According to the commentary and the definitions in chapter 40. The commentary states
that this is engagement in actions in order to benefit beings.

58 According to the Tibetan gsal ba, the commentary’s bstan pa, and the Chinese 顯示諸因
(xian shi zhu yin). The Sanskrit dīpanā could mean “burning up.”

59 According to the commentary and chapter 40, where the Sanskrit is sattvānupraveśa and
the Tibetan translates accordingly. Here the Sanskrit is satyānupraveśa (“penetrating the
truth”) in all available editions, and is translated accordingly in the Tibetan, although it
does not match the definition given in the commentary or in chapter 40.

60 According to the commentary, dharma here means “knowing the nature of phenomena”
rather than “the Dharma teachings.”

61 The Tibetan drang ba, literally “straight,” can also mean “honest.” The Sanskrit ārjavatā
could also mean straightforwardness and honesty, as well as sincerity. In chapter 40
[F.162.a] it is defined as “uncontrived.” The commentary defines it as both “sincerity” and
“directness,” as in a direct route to buddhahood, unlike the paths of the śrāvakas and
pratyekabuddhas

62 According to the Tibetan mnyen pa and the Sanskrit mārdavatā. It is missing from the
definitions of the terms in chapter 40 and also from the commentary. It is followed in the
Sanskrit by rjakatā,
̣ “It is being honest,” which is absent from the Tibetan and the
commentary.

63 According to the Tibetan gya gyu med pa and the Sanskrit akutilatā. It is missing from
the definitions of the terms in chapter 40 and also from the commentary. Apparently
Matsunami has yet another item, translated by Gómez et al. as “lack of deviousness.”
64 According to the Tibetan des pa, the commentary, and the Sanskrit suratatā. The list in
chapter 40 [F.162.a.6] has dge ba instead of des pa, although the definition matches that
in the commentary for des pa. This may be the remainder of the following ngang tshul
dge ba, which is absent from the chapter 40 definitions and the commentary.

65 According to the Tibetan ngang tshul dge ba and the Sanskrit suśīlatā. This is absent
from the chapter 40 definitions and the commentary.

66 According to the Tibetan ’byams par ’dzin pa and the Sanskrit sākhilyam. This is absent
from the chapter 40 definitions and the commentary.

67 According to the Tibetan ’jam pa and the Sanskrit mādhuryam, which can also mean
“sweet.” In the chapter 40 definitions it is translated as mnyen pa, which in the first
chapter had just been used to translate mārdavat. This was translated as “tolerant,”
although it can also according to context mean “lenient,” “pliable,” “kind,” “soft,” “weak,”
or “gentle.”

68 According to the Tibetan, Sanskrit, and commentary. Absent from the list in chapter 40
[F.162.a.6].

69 According to the BHS pūrvābhilāpitā (literally, “speaking first”), translated into Tibetan
as “speaking honestly” (gsong por smra ba).

70 According to the Degé Tibetan tshur shog legs par ’ong so and the Sanskrit ehīti
svāgatavāditā. In both the commentary and chapter 40 [F.162.a.6-7] this item appears
within the definition of “courteous.” The Degé appears to divide this into two: legs par
’ong so / tshur shog ces smra ba.

71 From the Tibetan le lo med pa and the Sanskrit anālasya. Absent from the list in chapter
40 [F.162.a.7] and in the commentary, it is included within the definition of “serving the
guru.”

72 Tibetan: gus pa. Sanskrit: gaurava. The commentary’s explanation is to be fearful in the
guru’s presence while seeing him as your teacher and being his follower at all times.

73 The Chinese divides this into two qualities (respecting and making offerings) and has
“venerable elders” instead of guru.

74 Tibetan: sri zhu che ba. Sanskrit: guruśuśrūs ̣ā. The Tibetan means “respect or reverence,”
while the Sanskrit is “wish to listen” or “obedience.” The definition in chapter 40
[F.162.a.7] is to honor and serve the guru. The commentary defines it as the wish to listen
to the guru, be near him, and look at him.

75 There are spelling mistakes in the online version of the Vaidya Sanskrit: saṃghi-
samuddhāta should be saṃdhisamudghāta.

76 According to the Tibetan khyad par du ’gro ba, and its definition in chapter 40
[F.162.b.7-8] and in the commentary, which say that this refers to the strengths,
fearlessness, distinct qualities, and knowledge of the buddhas; the Sanskrit has jñāna-
viśes ̣agāmitā (“being brought to superior or special knowledge”).
77 Bhāvanābhinis ̣yandah ̣ could be translated literally as “irrigation” or “outflow of
meditation.” The Tibetan rgyu mthun pa has also been translated literally as “having a
concordant cause.”

78 According to the Sanskrit āpatti, which in this chapter was translated as nyes pa (“bad
action,” “fault”). In chapter 40, when it is being defined, it is translated as ltung ba.

79 According to the BHS Sanskrit (anunaya) and the Tibetan (rjes su chags pa) of chapter
40, and the first part of its definition. There appears to be a scribal error in this chapter in
all the extant Sanskrit manuscripts of anuśaya for anunaya, and the Tibetan translates
accordingly as bag la nyal (“latent tendency”). It is possible the scribal error is the other
way around.

80 Sanskrit: ājāneya. Tibetan: cang shes. Ājāneya was incorrectly defined as meaning “all-
knowing” and was translated therefore into Tibetan as cang shes (“all-knowing”). The
term ājāneya was primarily used for thoroughbred horses, but was also applied to people
in a laudatory sense. According to chapter 40 [F.163.a.6] and the commentary, here it
refers to a bodhisattva.

81 According to the Tibetan and the Sanskrit. In chapter 40 [F.163.b.1] and the commentary
it is translated as “a perfection of good qualities.”

82 According to the definition in chapter 40 [F.163.b.4] and the commentary, where mtha’
yas pa’i ye shes is obviously translated from anantajñāna; in chapter 1 the term is
samatajñāna (“knowledge of equality”), but the definition indicates that to be a scribal
corruption. The word samatā appears just over a dozen items later.

83 Pratisaṃdhi is translated into Tibetan in chapter 1 as tshig gi mtshams sbyor (“the

connection of words”), while the commentary to chapter 1 translates this as tshig gi
dgongs pa (possibly from abhisaṃdhi). The definition in chapter 40 of tshig gi mtshams
sbyar ba [F.163.b.4-5] is ldem po ngag (saṃdhābhās ̣ya) (“words in which the intended
meaning is not obvious”).

84 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. It is absent from the list in chapter 40 and the
commentary.

85 The Gilgit manuscript has here an extra term pravrajyācittam, “the aspiration to
mendicancy,” which does not appear in the Hodgson, Shastri, commentary, or Tibetan.

86 According to the Tibetan, commentary, and Sanskrit. In the translation of chapter 40,
“the words of” is omitted.

87 Absent from chapter 1, but in the list in chapter 40 [F.164.a.5], the commentary, and the
Sanskrit. Therefore it is added here for consistency, as it is evidently an unintended
omission.

88 Absent from the list of definitions in chapter 40, and from the translation of the
commentary to chapter 1.
89 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has īryāpathavikopanam instead of īryā-
pathāvikopanam, so that the negation is omitted.

90 The Tibetan translates avikalpa here and in the commentary as mi ’chos pa’i, but as rnam
par mi rtog pa (“not conceptually fabricated”), a particular BHS meaning of the word, in
chapter 40, [F.164.b] when it is being defined. The Sanskrit has īryāpathavikalpanam
instead of īryāpathāvikalpanam here, so that the negation is omitted, but the negation is
present in chapter 40 in the Sanskrit. The commentary encompasses both meanings by
saying that this means being free of negative thoughts and therefore the conduct is
uncontrived, unfabricated.

91 Here the Tibetan translates īryāpatha-prāsādikatā as spyod pa mdzes pa (“beautiful

conduct”). The Chinese translates prāsādikatā as two different qualities: 端 (duan)
(“proper,” “upright,” “dignified”), and 雅 (ya) (“elegant,” “graceful”). However, in chapter
40 [F.164.b] the Tibetan translates prāsādikatā in the more usual way as dang ba
(“clear,” “serene,” “attractive”), but the Sanskrit has indriyapatha, presumably a
corruption of īryāpatha, and therefore the Tibetan has dbang (“faculties”) instead of
spyod pa (“conduct”). In that chapter the term is defined as the mind “being focused
upon engagement with the Dharma, speaking rationally, knowing the right time, and
teaching the Dharma correctly.” In this translation, for consistency, it will be translated
here and in chapter 40 as spyod lam dang ba, in accord with the Sanskrit. The
commentary to chapter 1, however, has dbang mdzas pa (“beautiful faculties”). The
commentary states that this means seeing the equality of all phenomena, and therefore
seeing what is correct and incorrect, and teaching others according to their aspirations.
However, both the commentary and the definition in chapter 40 have subsumed the
following two qualities as given in the sūtra’s first chapter.

92 In chapter 40, this forms part of the definition of attractive conduct.

93 In chapter 40, this forms part of the definition of attractive conduct.

94 Literally, “the hands are always extended.” The commentary says “ready to give material
possessions or the Dharma.”

95 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent from the definitions in chapter 40
[F.165.a.1] and in the commentary.

96 According to the Tibetan sgrub pa dang nges par sgrub pa. Sanskrit: āhāranirhāra. Cf.
Edgerton (112), where āharan ̣atā means “winning, getting, attainment.” The
Mahāvyutpatti has ’phrogs pa (“take”), zas (“food”), and when with prefixes as brjod
(“say”) and gsol (“request”), and also ʼsnyod cing stobs pa, which means “to feed
someone.” Also there is āharana, “to take” or “to hold.” The Tibetan translators have not
been consistent, as in the definitions of the terms in chapter 40 where the Tibetan is zas
sgrub pa (“attainment of food”), [F.165.a.1] with āhāra here translated as “food.” The
definition is “sharp wisdom,” which does not appear to be food related. The commentary
also defines it as “perfecting good qualities and eliminating negative ones, and that sharp
 wisdom develops from that.” Gómez et al. (n. 18, p. 85) describe this compound as a
problematic term and give a conjectural translation as “bringing together and taking
away” (p. 57).

97 According to the Tibetan nges pa’i tshig rnam par gzhag pa shes pa and the Sanskrit
niruktivyavasthānajñānam. Chapter 40 and the commentary omit “definitions” and
define rnam par gzhag pa shes pa and vyavasthānajñānam, which the commentary
describes as “skill in presenting the teachings to various kinds of individuals.”

98 This is absent from the list in chapter 1, but present in the list in chapter 40, in the
commentary, the Sanskrit, and the Chinese.

99 In chapter 40 this is called “delight in dhyāna.”

100 In chapter 40 this is called “no clinging” (Tibetan: ma chags pa; BHS: anadhyavasāna).

101 According to the Sanskrit kurvan ̣a. Translated into Tibetan as cho ’phrul.

102 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit of chapter 40, its definition there, and the
commentary. Here in chapter 1 the Sanskrit has saṃskāra, translated into Tibetan as ’du
byed, “composite activity.”

103 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent from chapter 40 and the commentary.

104 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. It is later in the list in chapter 40 and the
commentary.

105 This paragraph differs in its order and contents from chapter 40 and the commentary,
with an extra term, “no interest in gain and honors,” and without the two items of
happiness and suffering.

106 This is presented in two separate points in chapter 40.

107 At this point the Matsunami Sanskrit apparently has another item in the list, translated
by Gómez et al. as “gentleness.”

108 According to chapter 40 [F.168.b.5], this is “not gaining profit from wisdom,” and in the
commentary it is “not dishonoring the family of the tathāgata, by keeping one’s
commitment.”

109 The Tibetan smra ba nyung zhing mnyen pa literally means “speaking little and softly,”
which could be taken as one quality. The BHS (malpabhās ̣an ̣atā / mitabhās ̣an ̣atā) and
Chapter 40 have these two qualities clearly separated. In chapter 40 mnyen pa translates
mārdavatā, which more explicitly means “softly.”

110 According to the Tibetan; apparently does not appear in the Sanskrit, chapter 40, or the
commentary.

111 According to the Tibetan and the BHS meaning of avasādanatā.

112 According to the commentary this is “the path of the Dharma.”

113 According to the Tibetan (mi g.yo ba) and the Gilgit Sanskrit (akampya) of chapter 1, and
the Sanskrit and Tibetan of chapter 40. For chapter 1 the Vaidya has aśāthya
̣ and the
Hodgson and Shastri have sasādhya.

114 According to the Tibetan gnyer pa. Sanskrit nimantran ̣atā (Shastri: nimantrahatā): “to
invite”; chapter 40 [F.166.a.6], and the commentary: mgron du gnyer ba (take care of as
one’s guests). Does not appear in the Matsunami.

115 In accordance with the commentary and chapter 40. In chapter 1, “characteristics” is
absent.

116 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

117 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

118 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

119 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

120 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

121 From the Sanskrit upalaks ̣anatā. The Tibetan has rtogs, which can mean “realize” or
“understand.”

122 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

123 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

124 In chapter 1 the Sanskrit has śīladrdhatā

̣ (“stability of conduct”) and the Tibetan has
tshul khrims dam pa (“excellent conduct”). In chapter 40 the Sanskrit has
śīlādhis ̣thānatā
̣ and the Tibetan has tshul khrims kyi gnas (“the basis of conduct”).

125 According to the Sanskrit prajñāpratilambhah ̣ in chapter 40 [F.166.b.6] and in the

commentary. Although it is absent in chapter 1, it is included here, as it has evidently
been inadvertently omitted.

126 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Nevertheless, this does not appear in the list of
qualities as given in chapter 40 [F.166.b]. According to Gómez et al. (n.20, p.85) this
ātmajñatā and the preceding item, ekāramatā, form the single compound
ekālambātajñatā (“knowledge of relying on solitude”) in Matsunami’s edition, even
though they are separate items in all his three sources, and in the Gilgit. However,
ekārāmatjñānatā is a possible original form of the compound.

127 According to the Tibetan and Matsunami. The Sanskrit separates “contentment” and
“little known” into separate items: alpajñatā / santus ̣ti. Although the phrase alpajñatā
can mean “ignorance” in Sanskrit, here the BHS meaning is being assumed (Edgerton
68).

128 According to the BHS meaning of drṣ ̣rikr

̣ ta
̣ (Tibetan: lta bar gyur pa in chapter 1; lta bar
byas pa in chapter 40 [F.166.b.7]; and lta bas byas pa in the commentary). Edgerton
(269) translates them as “heresy.”
129 According to the Tibetan, the Sanskrit here and in chapter 40, and the commentary.

130 According to the Sanskrit and chapter 1 in the Tibetan, which could be read as dividing
these into separate terms, with “knowledge” applying to the last. According to the
commentary and chapter 40 [F.167.a.1-2], sthāna is translated as gnas, and is defined as
the basis or root for a time of opportunity to practice good actions. The second part of the
compound according to the commentary and chapter 40 is āsthāna (“basis” or “ground”)
and not asthāna (Tibetan: gnas min) as translated in chapter 1. In chapter 40 the
Sanskrit is avasthāna, translated as gzhi (“basis,” “foundation,” “ground”) and in the
commentary as gnas skabs (“state,” “level,” “situation”), and this is defined as “the mind
as the basis for all phenomena.” Third, in chapter 1, prasthāna was translated as ’jug pa
(“entry,” “engagement”). The commentary translates this as rab tu gnas, and in chapter
40 the Sanskrit is pratisthāna, translated as rten. The commentary defines this as “faith
as the foundation for all buddha qualities.” The commentary agrees with the translation
in chapter 1 of pratipatti as sgrub pa (“accomplishment,” or “practice”), while chapter 40
translates it as nan tan (“application”). The commentary defines it as “perfecting that
which is to be accomplished through familiarization with the path.” Neither the
commentary nor chapter 40 have the concluding part of the compound: jñāna (Tibetan:
shes pa, “knowledge”). The Tibetan translation of chapter 1 seems to be at fault in
comparison to chapter 40 and the commentary, and therefore for consistency it has not
been followed. gnas dang gnas min would the the standard way of saying “the
appropriate and the inappropriate.”

131 According to the Sanskrit hetu, chapter 40 (rgyu), and the commentary. In chapter 1,
hetu is translated as gtan tshigs (“reason”).

132 According to the Sanskrit yukti. Tibetan: rigs pa.

133 Sanskrit: naya. Tibetan: tshul.

134 Sanskrit: kāran ̣a. Tibetan: rgyu. Absent in chapter 40 and the commentary.

135 Sanskrit: dvāra. Tibetan: sgo. Defined in chapter 40 [F.167.a.3] as “giving up bad
actions,” and defined by the commentary as “skill in methods of eliminating faults, which
is the doorway into the city of liberation.”

136 Sanskrit: mārga. Tibetan: lam. In chapter 40 this is part of the definition of “practice.”

137 The Tibetan here in chapter 1 appears to translate pratipatti as two separate terms: nan
tan dang sgrub pa, which does not occur in chapter 40 or in the commentary. The
Sanskrit follows pratipatti with saṃdeśa (“teaching”), which is absent from the Tibetan,
the commentary, and chapter 40.

138 From the Tibetan phrin. Does not appear in the Sanskrit, chapter 40, or the commentary.

139 Sanskrit: avavāda. Tibetan: gdams pa. The Sanskrit is in chapter 40, but the Tibetan is
absent.
140 According to the Tibetan of most Kangyurs: bstan pa la spyod pa. The Sanskrit divides
this into two: anuśasanī caryā (“the instruction and the conduct”). The Degé has bsten
pa (“reliance”), which is a scribal error.

141 Absent from chapter 40 and the commentary. In chapter 6 [F.19.a.3] it is defined as
patience that is in accord with the Buddha’s teaching, in which there is no doubt about
the Buddha’s teaching and no negative conduct is engaged in.

142 According to the Sanskrit and chapter 1 Tibetan. In chapter 40 and the commentary there
is only “the level.”

143 According to the Sanskrit aks ̣āntivigama and the Tibetan mi bzod pa dang bral ba.
However, in chapter 40 and the commentary this is jātivigama (skye ba dang bral ba),
“freedom from rebirth.”

144 Yogācārabhūmi. Here, “yoga” according to chapter 40 is “meditation on the thirty-seven

aspects of enlightenment.” It does not refer here to “the Yogācāra tradition of Asaṅga.”

145 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Absent from chapter 40 and the commentary.

146 This is divided into two points in chapter 40.

147 According to the Sanskrit vandanīyā. Tibetan: phyag bya ba (“pays homage,” “bows
down to”).

148 This is in the plural, because although Brahmā is the presiding deity over a thousand
million worlds, each of those worlds has a Śakra or Indra upon its central mountain.

149 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Absent from chapter 40 and the commentary.

150 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Absent from chapter 40 [F.167.b.7] and the
commentary, which instead have, “It is freedom from misery.”

151 According to the Sanskrit vis ̣aya. Tibetan: g.yul, “battle,” which may be a scribal
corruption of yul, perhaps because they are homophones and the copying was done by
dictation.

152 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Absent from chapter 40 and the commentary.

153 According to the Sanskrit kola. The Tibetan gzings can mean “a boat,” but also “a ferry,”
which in Tibet was sometimes a raft.

154 According to the commentary and chapter 40, which has “anger” (zhe sdang), while this
chapter has “evil” or “wickedness” (nyes pa), mistakenly translating dos ̣a according to its
meaning in Classical Sanskrit, while the BHS dos ̣a is the equivalent of the Classical
Sanskrit dves ̣a (“anger”).

155 In the Sanskrit this appears earlier in the list, after “medicine for the sick.” Absent from
chapter 40 and the commentary.

156 In the Vaidya Sanskrit there follows at this point, “It is the liberation of all beings,” which
is absent in the Tibetan, the commentary, and the Matsunami edition. The Dutt edition,
 online page 225, is not available.

157 According to the Tibetan in chapter 1: sgrub pa. The Sanskrit āhārikā was translated by
Gómez et al. according to an alternate meaning, “that which brings.” Chapter 40 has
asaṃhartya, and therefore in that chapter and in the commentary it is accordingly
translated as mi ’phrogs (“cannot be taken away”). The Sanskrit and Tibetan of chapter 1
better fit the definition of this term as given in chapter 40, but the commentary specifies
that it cannot be undermined by māras or tīrthikas.

158 Sanskrit: dharmakāya. Tibetan: chos kyi sku. Here, according to the commentary and
chapter 40 [F.168.b.4], this does not refer to the immaterial state of buddhahood, but to
the thirty-two physical signs that adorn the evident body of a buddha. However, this
definition explaining what is meant by “adornment” may possibly refer instead to the next
item but one, “the adornment of the bodhisattvas,” since both in chapter 40 and the
commentary only one instance of “adornment” is mentioned.

159 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Absent from chapter 40 and the commentary. The
text has only “conduct,” and “bodhisattva” is implied.

160 Sanskrit: buddhaputra, Tibetan: sangs rgyas kyi sras. Literally, “sons of the buddhas.”

161 Literally, “eldest sons.” Sanskrit: jyes ̣thaputra;

̣ Tibetan: sras thu bo. A designation for the
principal bodhisattvas.

162 In chapter 40 this is combined with the next quality, while omitting “the wisdom of
buddhahood.”

163 In the commentary and chapter 40 this and the preceding quality appear to have been
combined into one, perhaps due a scribal ommission.

164 According to the Tibetan thos pa, and the Sanskrit śruta. The commentary has thob pa
(“attainment”) in error for thos pa.

165 This is separated into three points in chapter 40.

166 According to the Tibetan and the Vaidya Sanskrit. Absent from chapter 40 and the
commentary, but apparently partially present, conjoined with the preceding term, in the
Matsunami.

167 Sanskrit: sūratā. Tibetan: des pa. It can also mean “pleasant,” “heroic,” “noble.”

168 Depending on the value of nayuta, which means “a million” in classical Sanskrit and can
mean “a hundred thousand million” in BHS. It is the latter meaning that has been taken
here, translated as khrag khrig. Thus, “eighty hundred thousand,” which is “eight million
million,” which is “eight trillion.”

169 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has just “a thousand,” though “a hundred
thousand” is mentioned at the beginning of the sūtra.

170 According to the Tibetan dge slong ma. The Sanskrit repeats bhiks ̣u.

171 Literally, “ten million times a hundred thousand times a hundred thousand million.”
172 According to the Sanskrit vihāra. Tibetan: gtsug lag khang. These are equivalents in the
Mahāvyutpatti, but gtsug lag khang can also mean “temple” in Tibetan.

173 Literally, “a hundred thousand [times a] hundred thousand million.”

174 Literally, “seventy-six hundred thousand.”

175 Literally, “eighteen thousand ten-millions.”

176 Literally, “seventy-six thousand ten-millions.”

177 Literally, “fourteen thousand ten-millions.”

178 According to the Tibetan and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts. The prose up to this
point does not appear in the Chinese or the Gilgit manuscript.

179 The Sanskrit is in the third person in this first line of the verse, and the Tibetan is non-
specific, but the first person is used here to avoid an appearance of contradiction.

180 I.e. buddhas. In the Chinese, “who have the ten strengths” does not appear, but it is in the
Tibetan and all Sanskrit versions.

181 In all appearances in the translation that read “bodhisattva conduct,” “bodhisattva” is
only implied in the original, but added in the translation for clarity.

182 Literally, “biped” in the Sanskrit, Chinese, and Tibetan.

183 According to the Sanskrit sadā. Does not appear in the Tibetan or Chinese.

184 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has the plural “those jinas,” which does not fit the
narrative here. The Chinese does not specify singular or plural.

185 Literally, “biped.” The Chinese has “who save(s) beings from lower realms.”

186 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan btsun mo is honorific for “wife,” but
could also mean “queen.”

187 Sanskrit: bimbara (variants: viṃbara, viṃvara, vivara). Tibetan: dkrigs. In the Sanskrit
the value of the number varies between “a hundredth of a kaṅkara” or “a hundred
kaṅkara.” According to Edgerton (p. 400), bimbara in the Tibetan tradition is
synonymous with kaṅkara. In the Tibetan tradition of numbers, dkrigs is “a hundred
thousand trillion.” In this verse, the number is “a thousand million dkrigs,” yielding “a
hundred million million million million,” a hundred followed by 24 zeros, i.e., a hundred
septillion. The Chinese has a number that is most likely four billion.

188 According to the Tibetan lag rkang and the Chinese. “Legs” does not appear in the
available Sanskrit. Unavailable in the Gilgit manuscript.

189 The Buddha’s hometown. In the Sanskrit and Chinese there is only the shorter form,
Kapila.

190 According to the Sanskrit yuga. According to the Mahāvyutpatti, the Tibetan equivalent
would be zung (pair). The Tibetan here seems corrupt. The Degé has ’phrul (“miracle”).
Kangyurs such as Lithang, Peking, and Narthang have phrugs. However, this is clearly
 intended to be a reference to the Buddha’s two principal students. The Chinese has a
transliteration that resembles śis ̣ya.

191 According to the Sanskrit alolupa, the Chinese, and the Yonglé and Peking Kangyurs,
brkam. The Degé has bskam (“withered”).

192 According to the Sanskrit īryāya caryāya, īryā (lifestyle of a mendicant) and caryā,
which regularly implies that the conduct is that of a bodhisattva. Tibetan: spyod dang
spyod lam, which could be translated as “just conduct and behavior.” The Chinese
combines them both into one: 安住威儀諸行等 (an zhu wei yi zhu xing deng), which
usually refers to the conduct of the ordained saṅgha, but can refer to bodhisattva conduct
as well.

193 According to the Sanskrit pratibhāna and the Chinese. The Tibetan spobs pa is
“confidence,” though it implies confidence in teaching.

194 According to the Sanskrit ananta and the Chinese. Absent from the Tibetan.

195 According to the Tibetan, Hodgson, and Shastri. The Gilgit and Chinese have “the
buddhas in the ten directions / who have appeared in the past.”

196 From the Sanskrit udgrahītavya. Tibetan: gzung.

197 From the BHS paryavāptavya. Tibetan: kun chub pa.

198 From the Sanskrit dhārayitavya. Tibetan: bcang.

199 From the Sanskrit vācayitavya. Tibetan: klog.

200 From the Sanskrit pravartayitavya. Tibetan: rab tu gdon pa.

201 From the Sanskrit uddes ̣tavya.

̣ Tibetan: lung mnod par bya.

202 From the Sanskrit svādhyātavya. Tibetan: kha ton du bya.

203 From the Sanskrit aran ̣a, which also means “passionless, sinless, without impurity.” This
is regularly translated into Tibetan as nyon mongs, which is also used to translate kleśa.
Gómez et al. have interpreted it as “being in solitude,” presumably from an edition with
aran ̣ya (“solitude”).

204 From the Sanskrit bahulīkartavya. Tibetan: mang du bya.

205 From the Sanskrit parebhyaśca vistarena saṃprakāśayitavya. Tibetan: gshan dag la
yang rgya cher rab tu bstan par bya. This entire list is simplified in the Chinese to three
elements: “should recite, uphold / retain, and explain it to others widely.”

206 Sanskrit: vidyācaran ̣asaṃpannah ̣; Tibetan: rig pa dang zhabs su ldan pa. A common
description of buddhas. According to the commentary, it refers to the eightfold path, with
“wisdom” being the right view and “conduct” the other seven aspects of the path.

207 From the Sanskrit āgama. Tibetan: gzhi (“basis”), but the commentary defines it as “a
direct perception by those who are worthy.”
208 According to the Tibetan. “Blossomed” does not appear in the Sanskrit. The Chinese is
similar to the Tibetan interpretation, but uses the verb “attain” 得諸相花 (de zhu xiang
hua).

209 According to the Tibetan bsam gyis mi khyab. The Sanskrit has ananta (“infinite,”
“endless”) and the Chinese has “infinite.” Apparently absent from the Mitsunami.

210 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. Absent from the Tibetan.

211 From one of the meanings of the Sanskrit saṃvrta. Tibetan: bsdams pa.

212 According to the Tibetan. BHS Sanskrit: grantha (“fetters”); the Chinese corresponds to
the Sanskrit. The commentary defines this as “the bondage of the māras.”

213 Sanskrit literally, “burning” (paridāha).

214 According to the Sanskrit trṣ ̣n ̣a and the Yonglé and Peking sred pa. The Degé has srid pa
(“becoming”) in error for sred pa. Sred pa is also confirmed by the commentary. The
Chinese seems to have combined this with the preceding quality into one 盡諸渴愛 (jin
zhu ke ai): literally, “the exhaustion of all thirsts (渴, ke, derived from “burning”) and
cravings (愛, ai),” which can be understood as “strong cravings.”

215 This long passage, starting from “The Bhāgavan is thus…” (3.3) forms the text of the sūtra
Remembering the Buddha (Toh 279, Buddhanusmrti).
̣ Although composed of groups of
epithets, many of which are found elsewhere (particularly in the Vinaya texts), the
passage as a whole is only found in the Kangyur in these two places, and the King of
Samādhis is therefore presumably the source of the shorter text. See also i.15.

216 According to the Tibetan bsngags pa. The Sanskrit varn ̣a has a number of meanings,
including “color” and “caste.” In this instance it could mean “qualities,” “nature,”
“splendor,” and so on, which could have been a more appropriate translation.

217 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit and Chinese are much briefer: “Then at that time,
the Bhagavān recited these verses.”

218 Literally, “ten millions.” Sanskrit: koti.̣ Tibetan: bye ba. The highest number in Classical
Sanskrit. Does not appear in the Chinese.

219 The Chinese adds 無量 (wu liang), “numerous, countless times.”

220 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “I showed great kindness at all times.”

221 The order of verses 7 and 8 is reversed in the Sanskrit. Verse 7 is not present in the
Chinese.

222 According to the Sanskrit śīla. Tibetan: ngang tshul.

223 According to the Tibetan translation of matsarī, which accords with the Mahāvyutpatti
and the Chinese, whereas in Sanskrit dictionaries it is said to mean “envy.”

224 According to the Sanskrit īrs ̣ya, the Mahāvyutpatti definition, and the Chinese. The
Tibetan repeats ser sna (“stinginess”).
225 According to the Sanskrit nimantran ̣a. The Tibetan and Chinese translate it by the more
usual meaning “invite.”

226 According to the Tibetan dad pa. Sanskrit: prema (affection).

227 The order of the first and second half of this four-line verse is reversed in the Sanskrit and
Chinese.

228 Chinese: “those with the ten strengths” 諸十力 (zhu shi li).

229 According to the Sanskrit where samāhita is in the accusative. The Tibetan translates it as
instrumental, “through meditation,” probably through an error of pas for pa’i, which was
used in an earlier verse: “verses of meditation.” Chinese: “one verse of this samādhi.”

230 At this point in the Gilgit, Sanskrit, and Chinese (but not in the Tibetan, Hodgson, or
Shastri), there is a prose section where the Buddha tells Candraprabha that a bodhisattva
should preserve and promulgate this teaching.

231 According to the Tibetan, which here has the unusual spelling mnod pa. For the Sanskrit
here, uddiśatha, the Mahāvyutpatti has both “give” (phog pa) and “receive” (nod pa), as
in “receive instruction.” Uddiśatha is a BHS word that usually means “propose” or
“calculate.” The Classical Sanskrit uddiśatha can mean “show, explain.” The Chinese
word used here is 說 (shuo), which literally means “tell,” but can also mean “teach,
explain.”

232 This alternative title for the sūtra was used in a few instances by Indian authors quoting
it, e.g. Śāntaraksita
̣ and Kamalaśīla (see Gómez et al., 1989, p. 16).

233 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “sandalwood is the best of all kinds of
incense.”

234 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has vana (“wood”) in error for varn ̣a (“praise”).

235 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: 實不聞香 (shi bu wen xiang), “never
smelled that incense.”

236 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: “There will be bhiksus
̣ with inappropriate
conduct,” 不應式比丘 (bu ying shi bi qiu).

237 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: “There will be bhiksus...”
̣

238 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: “There will be bhiksus...”
̣

239 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: “…by teaching it.”

240 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: “There will be bhiksus...”
̣

241 The Sanskrit is maruta, which can mean specifically the deities of storms and winds, but
is also used generally for “deities,” and therefore like deva was translated into the Tibetan
as lha. Chinese: “gods and dragons.”

242 Verses 31 and 32 are combined into one in the Chinese.

243 According to the Tibetan. BHS: atuliyu (“unequaled”).

244 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: 若得三昧微妙地，智者便得廣智藏 (ruo
de san mei wei miao di, zhi zhe bian de gang zhi zang), “If he attains the level of subtle
samādhi, the wise will gain the vast treasure of wisdom (or the treasure of vast wisdom).”

245 Verse 33 in the Chinese.

246 According to the BHS saukhya. The Tibetan has skyed (“born”) in error for skyid
(“happiness”). Chinese: “all kinds of happiness.”

247 According to the Sanskrit pūrvamgama (“going first”), which is usually translated as
’dren pa (“leader”). The Chinese also has 上首 (shang shou, “leader”).

248 According to the commentary, the title of this chapter is “Mindfulness of the Buddha’s
Qualities.”

249 According to Tibetan, Hodgson, and Shastri. In the Gilgit manuscript, the opening of this
chapter is just one sentence: “Then the youth Candraprabha asked the Bhagavān.” This
opening does not appear in the Chinese.

250 Sanskrit: upapatti. Tibetan: skyes pa. Chinese: 無所起 (wu suo qi) This term is also used
for “physical,” but here the commentary defines it as “the non-arising of thoughts in
samādhi.”

251 Sanskrit apratisaṃdhi. Tibetan: mtshams sbyor ba med pa. This is the negation of
pratisaṃdhi, a term that is used for the transition between lives, i.e., conception in the
womb, but here the commentary defines it as being “the continued process of thinking.”

252 Sanskrit pratisaṃdhijñāna. According to the commentary this means that it is not a state
of cessation but a continuous clear knowledge. Translation according to the Tibetan,
Gilgit, Hodgson, and Shastri. However, the Matsunami edition apparently has
“knowledge of non-continuation.” The Chinese agrees with the Matsunami edition: 無和
合智 (wu he he zhi).

253 The commentary has khung in error for khur.

254 According to the commentary, the burden comprises the skandhas, the kleśas, vows, and
diligence.

255 According to the Tibetan, Matsunami, and Chinese. The BHS Sanskrit dos ̣a is the
equivalent of the Classical Sanskrit dves ̣a (“anger”), while in Classical Sanskrit dos ̣a
means “fault” or “wickedness.”

256 These are listed as three, 7-9, in Chinese.

257 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Vaidya Sanskrit has akuśala (“wickedness”) in
error for kuśala (“goodness”).

258 According to the commentary, this means “abstaining from sleeping in the first and last of
the three periods of the night, in order to engage in virtuous activities.”

259 Sanskrit: prahān ̣a. Tibetan spong ba. Gómez et al. (p. 87) discuss its alternative meaning
of “exertion.” Its definition seems to not be present in the commentary. The Chinese has
 “not abandoning samādhi,” 不捨禪定 (bu she chan ding).

260 According to the Sanskrit upapattis ̣u, most Kangyurs skye ba, and the Chinese. The Degé
has skye bo (“beings”), which occurs later in this list as the translation of prthagjanes
̣ ̣u.
The commentary defines it as “not creating the causes of continuing in saṃsāra.”

261 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Vaidya Sanskrit adds karman ̣ām, “the
activities of the internal āyatanas.”

262 [23] is not present in the Chinese.

263 According to Tibetan gzi chen po and Matsunami. The Vaidya has BHS mahaujaskatā,
which can mean both “great might” and “great majesty” or “great brilliance.” The Chinese
has “great merit” 大福德 (da fu de).

264 The Chinese has 善知識 (shan zhi shi) from the Sanskrit kalyān ̣a-mitra.

265 According to the Sanskrit. In the Tibetan, this has been conjoined with “not harming
those with good conduct.” The Chinese has combined [30], [31], and [35] into one, 無怒恚
心 (wu nu hui xin), and added “abandoning crude and malicious speech” 捨麁惡言 (she cu
er yan) and “helping and protecting others” 救護於彼 (jiu hu yu bi).

266 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. The Vaidya Sanskrit divides this into two:
“the emptiness of phenomena” and “analogous patience.”

267 The Chinese has combined [39] and [40] into one quality: 於一切智而得順忍 (yu yi qie
zhi er de shun ren).

268 The Gilgit and Chinese have simply, “Then, the Bhagavān taught these extensive verses.”

269 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has thos (“hear”), apparently in error
for thob (“attain”).

270 As elsewhere in the sūtra, āhārī is translated into Tibetan as “taking food.” This does not
make much sense here, and so it is translated here in one of its other Sanskrit meanings.
The Chinese also translates as 食 (shi), which is “food” as a noun and “eating (and
drinking)” as a verb, but interprets the entire verse as a vipaśyanā practice: “If jealousy
arises in your mind because of food, you should meditate on the impurity of food. If you
strive for accomplishment with boundless effort and meditate deeply on this, you will
attain samādhi.” 若為食起嫉妬心, 當觀食已無有淨, 用功無量乃得成, 若深觀此能得定 (ruo
wei shi qi ji du xin, dang guan shi yi wu you jing, yong gong wu liang nai de cheng, ruo
shen guan ci neng de ding).

271 According to the BHS arthi. Absent from the Tibetan, but added here for clarity.

272 This verse is described by Gómez et al. as being problematic in Sanskrit. The Tibetan and
Chinese translations differ from each other.

273 According to the Tibetan and Dutt. The Hodgson, Shastri, and Matsunami have the
unusual na yubuddhi instead of bhayubuddhi. The Chinese has a slightly different
translation of this line.
274 I.e., the buddhas.

275 The commentary explains that this means “knowing the equality of the composite and
noncomposite.”

276 Chinese: 此緣佛相是有作, 能除一切有相想 (ci yuan fo xiang shi you zuo, neng chu yi qie
you xiang xiang) “such an attribute of the Buddha is created, it can eliminate the
conceptualization of attributes.”

277 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “having ceased conceptualizing ‘nothing.’
”

278 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit mahānubhava has many meanings, such as “great
experience” or “great authority.” Gómez et al. translate it as “overpowering inspiration.”
Chinese: “buddhas of the ten directions.”

279 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit does not have “suffering.”

280 According to the Tibetan ’ongs dang mi ’ongs, literally, “come (i.e. ‘is present’) and not
come,” and the Sanskrit anāgatā āgatā. This was translated in Gómez et al. (p. 78) as
“past and future,” though “past” is usually gata (which also means “gone”), but “past” is
implied and therefore added to the translation. The Chinese has simply “all phenomena.”

281 According to most Kangyurs rkyal pa and the Sanskrit vastra. The Degé has the scribal
corruption rgyal ba. Chinese: “excellent medicines,” 良妙藥 (liang miao yao).

282 According to the Tibetan, Vaidya, Sanskrit, and Chinese. The Matsunami edition appears
to be quite different from the translation by Gómez et al.

283 According to the Tibetan. The title of this chapter in the Sanskrit is Buddhānusmrtị
(“Remembering the Buddha,” or “Mindfulness of the Buddha”). This is the end of fascicle
1 in the Chinese.

284 This entire opening does not appear in the Gilgit or Chinese. There is simply, “Then the
Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha.”

285 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan appears to translate as “more
innumerable than innumerable.”

286 The Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese use two synonymous phrases.

287 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan in the Degé has the negative: “they are not
concerned with their next life.” Chinese: “They are merely concerned with this life and
their next life.”

288 Chinese: “They do not emphasize the accumulation …”

289 There is a paragraph in the Gilgit Sanskrit and the Chinese that does not appear in the
later Sanskrit or the Tibetan: “What, young man, is the concern for the present life? It is
the intention to have the five sensory pleasures. What, young man, is the concern for the
next life? It is attaining rebirth in higher existences.”
290 The Chinese has a different interpretation here: 我今說如是法, 令眾生於其檀行不為究竟
勝供養, 但以無上行而供養我 (wo jin shuo ru shi fa, ling zhong sheng yu qi tan xing bu
wei jiu jing sheng gong yang, dan yi wu shang xing er gong yang wo) “I will now teach
this Dharma so that beings will not perceive their acts of generosity as the ultimate
supreme offering; instead, they will make their unsurpassable conduct / practice as their
offering to me.”

291 According to the Tibetan skyo bar bya ba (literally, “to make sad”) and the BHS
saṃvejana (“to shudder at”). Chinese: 覺悟 (jue wu), literally, “waking them up,” and also
“making them realize, or enlightening them.”

292 According to the Tibetan, the commentary, and the Hodgson Sanskrit. The commentary
states that the Buddha has praised entering the homeless life. In the Gilgit and Shastri
Sanskrit: “He does not praise the perfection of generosity, he does not praise the
perfection of conduct. He praises the ultimate conclusion.” Chinese: 如來非說檀波羅蜜以
為究竟清淨，究竟吉祥，究竟梵行，究竟窮盡，究竟最後，究竟涅槃 (ru lai fei shuo tan
po luo mi yi wei jiu jing qing jing, jiu jing ji xiang, jiu jing fan xing, jiu jing qiong jin, jiu
jing zui hou, jiu jing nie pan) The Chinese interprets this as, “He does not consider the
generosity paramita as ultimate purity,” and so on. The Chinese sentence includes more
items.

293 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. Sanskrit: “800,000.”

294 This name does not appear in the Sanskrit, but śūra as the original of dpa’ ba, rather than
vīra, is based on the name that his followers attain.

295 According to the bye phrag of the Urga Kangyur. The Degé has bye brag, which does not
match the prose passage. The Chinese has eight “yi” 八億, which can be “800,000” or “80
million.”

296 This verse does not appear in the Chinese, but is present in the Sanskrit, including the
Gilgit.

297 According to the Tibetan, Hodgson, and Chinese. The Gilgit and Shastri Sanskrit have “as
an offering to the Dharma.”

298 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “Through all that good karma.”

299 Not in the Gilgit or Chinese.

300 Chinese: 若人增上修此忍 (ruo ren zeng shang xiu ci ren), “If a person practices this
patience with great force.”

301 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan translation here reads, “This
is the path to deathlessness.” Chinese: 非此能證甘露道 (fei cie neng zheng gan lu dao),
which can mean, “abandoning this (incorrect view) is the path to deathlessness.”

302 Chinese: 勸捨惡道住善趣 (quan she er dao zhu shan qu), “Therefore they advise beings to
abandon the wrong / nonvirtuous path and dwell in the correct / virtuous path.”
303 There is a play on words in the Sanskrit in relation to why the word bodhisattva is used,
which is not evident in Tibetan or English. In the first line, the words “knows” (Tibetan:
rtogs) and “beings” (sems can), which are the first two words of the verse, are in Sanskrit:
bodheti sattvān.

304 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese for clarity. The Tibetan has “There is no soul
within the body / And you have not attained buddhahood.” The commentary has “If as
many millions of māras as there are sands in the Ganges came before them in the forms
of buddhas, and said, ‘There are beings and souls,’ and so on, they would, with an
unwavering mind, answer them in this way: ‘Through the power of the realization of
selflessness by valid knowledge, I have realized correctly that there are no beings, souls,
and so on. And you are not buddhas!’ ”

305 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan omits “within.” Chinese: 悉斷惡見煩惱盡 (xi duan
er jian fan nao jin), “They have terminated all wrong views and exhausted all
defilements.”

306 According to the Sanskrit nara, the commentary skye ba, and the Chinese 眾生及壽命
(zhong sheng ji shou ming). The Tibetan has ming (“name”) in error for mi (“human,”
“man”).

307 According to the Sanskrit stabdha. The Tibetan translates as “proud” (nga rgyal). The
Chinese has 姦偽 (jian wei, “crafty”), 兇暴 (xiong bao, “cruel, violent”), and 不攝斂 (bu
she nian, “unrestrained, undisciplined”).

308 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit (BHS) has prasādu (to be attracted
to, or to have faith in).

309 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese, for the sake of clarity. The Tibetan appears to have
blended together the last two groups to create “brings fulfilment” (don, artha), “benefit”
(phan pa, hita), “and happiness to a multitude of beings, to humans, and devas.”

310 These are the four retentions (dhāran ̣ī) explained in this sūtra (see 24.63) to be retention
of all that is taught about the infinite composite phenomena, retention of what is said in
infinite sounds, retention of everything that is taught about the infinite kleśas, and
retention of everything that is taught about the infinite benefits of the qualities of
purification.

311 The corresponding Chinese verse is a summary of the three kinds of patience.

312 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “the best of humans, the sugatas, see him.”
The Chinese has, “When the sugatas see such bodhisattvas,” 善逝見彼菩薩時 (shan shi
jian bi pu sa shi).

313 BHS: āryacetikā (revered noble ones). The Tibetan mchod rten could be misunderstood
to mean “stūpa.” The Chinese devotes the last three lines to various auspicious signs
instead.
314 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan seems to be the result of a corruption
so that jāyati (birth) was changed to perhaps jānāti (“know,” “perceive”): “The
emptinesses do not see / are not seen and have no death.”

315 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit vijānatha is the present-tense, second-person-
plural form, but presumably this is the Sanskritization of a second-person-plural middle-
Indic optative, such as the Pali second-person-plural optative ending yetha.

316 The first part of the chapter until this point is missing in the Gilgit and the Chinese.

317 The name means “arising from nonexistence,” 無所有起 (wu suo you qi) in the Chinese.

318 According to the Sanskrit trṇ ̣a and the Yonglé and Peking rtswa. The Degé has rtsa ba
(“roots”).

319 The Sanskrit adds aus ̣adha (“herbs”) before “forests.” Chinese: “trees, forests, and
medicinal herbs.”

320 According to the Tibetan ri. Sanskrit: aus ̣adha (“herbs”).

321 According to the Tibetan dpa’ bo. The Sanskrit dhīra can mean “constant and resolute
and calm” as well as “brave and courageous.”

322 The past passive participle nirvrta

̣ means “extinguished,” so the line reads literally, “he
was extinguished like a flame.” Nirvāna literally means “extinguishment.”

323 These concluding eleven verses do not appear in the Chinese. Instead there is this
concluding sentence: “Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, ‘Young man,
you should reflect that this samādhi has such great power. It can cause a bodhisattva to
attain perfect buddhahood.’ ”

324 The Sanskrit has an additional concluding verse exhorting those who wish to attain
buddhahood to possess this sūtra.

325 This opening of the chapter until this point is absent in the Gilgit and the Chinese.

326 In Gilgit, this verse was the last verse of the preceding chapter. This verse and the
preceding prose that begin this chapter do not appear in the Chinese.

327 Sanskrit: “who wish for this samādhi.” Absent from the Tibetan. “Who wish to attain
quickly the highest, complete enlightenment of perfect buddhahood” does not appear in
the Chinese.

328 Chinese: “should rest in.”

329 According to the Sanskrit, including Gilgit. The Chinese is briefer: “Young man,
bodhisattva mahāsattvas should rest in the patience of profound Dharma.” The entire
passage in Chinese is: “Young man, you should know that this samādhi has such great
power; it will enable bodhisattva mahāsattvas to attain the highest, complete
enlightenment of perfect buddhahood. Young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas should rest
in the patience of profound Dharma.”
330 According to the commentary: “They arise from oneself and not from illusions created by
another.” In this sentence, the Chinese includes another analogy: “like a wild horse” 如野
馬 (ru ye ma).

331 The Chinese repeats all the analogies here.

332 According to the Tibetan mi ’jigs pa thob pa, the Gilgit abhayaprāpta, and the Chinese 無
畏 (wu wei). The Dutt has arūpaprāpta (attainment of formlessness), apparently from
the Hodgson and Shastri, which is repeated in the Vaidya edition.

333 According to the commentary, this means “the memory of previous lives.”

334 According to the Tibetan rtogs pa can and the BHS meaning of gatiman. The Chinese has
translated it literally as 去者 (qu zhe), “those who have gone to.”

335 According to the BHS ananganah ̣ and the Chinese. The Tibetan translates as nyon mongs
med pa, which it also uses as the translation for nis ̣kleśa (being without kleśas) just a
little further on in this list.

336 Sanskrit: ājāneya. Tibetan: cang shes. Ājāneya was incorrectly defined as meaning “all-
knowing” and was translated therefore into Tibetan as cang shes (“all-knowing”). The
term ājāneya was primarily used for thoroughbred horses, but was also applied to people
in a laudatory sense. The commentary at a later point states this this means both “tamed”
and “fearless.” Chinese translates as “those who are tamed” 調伏者 (tiao fu zhe).

337 This term probably has its origins in the Middle Indic mahānāga, from which came the
BHS Sanskrit mahānagna, meaning “a great champion,” “a man of distinction and
nobility.” The BHS nagna can mean both “champion” and “naked” while in Classical
Sanskrit it only means “naked.” Nāga can mean “elephant” and can also refer to the cobra
deity that is called “nāga” in this translation. Therefore the Chinese translated this as
“great dragon” 大龍 (da long).

338 In this passage the prestigious titles of those in the traditional brahmanical tradition are
used as titles of those who have mastered the Buddhist path. The commentary states, “the
bodhisattvas are brahmins because they do no bad actions.”

339 For snātaka, see glossary; Chinese: “one who has bathed” 沐浴者 (mu yu zhe). However,
the commentary states here that bodhisattvas are snātaka because they have been
washed clean of all the stains of the kleśas and remain in the water of patience.

340 The Sanskrit of the threefold description here (of which this is the first) is pāragah ̣
vedakah ̣ śrotriyah ̣. The commentary states that bodhisattvas are masters (pāraga, pha
rol du song ba) of the Vedas, as they have reached their ultimate conclusion (rig byed kyi
mthar thug pa’i pha rol du song bas so, F.43.b.4).

341 The commentary states that bodhisattvas are vedaka (rig par byed), as they know the
nature of whatever is taught.

342 For śrotriya, see glossary. However, the commentary states here that bodhisattvas are
śrotriya because they have renounced everything.
343 The commentary states that “Śākya” refers to Buddha Śākyamuni, who was born in the
Śākya clan.

344 The commentary states that this means there are no more “thorns of māras, kleśas, and
so on,” that appear.

345 According to the Tibetan and Chinese; does not appear in the Vaidya Sanskrit or the
commentary.

346 This is an analogy to the defensive trench around a fortification, which the commentary
states is a boundary created by anger, and so on.

347 The commentary states this is a boundary created by the kleśas.

348 The commentary states this refers to the habitual tendency for the kleśas.

349 The commentary states this means the vicious disease of the kleśas.

350 The commentary states this means that they utter the lion’s roar that proclaims
selflessness.

351 The commentary states this means that their minds are at rest in meditation at all times.

352 The commentary states this means that they are both trained and fearless in the battle
with the kleśas.

353 The commentary states this means that they are able to pull the heavy burden of
benefiting all beings.

354 The commentary states this means that they are victorious over the māras.

355 The commentary states this means that they can single-handedly overcome the strength
of the māras.

356 The commentary states this means that their qualities are a delight to beings.

357 The commentary states this means that they are unstained by the mud of saṃsāra.

358 The commentary states this means that thay are filled with “white,” i.e. good, qualities.

359 The commentary states this means that they knows how to tame the most malicious
beings.

360 The commentary states this means that they bring delight and light that is like amrita to
beings.

361 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan and Chinese omit “human.”

362 Verses 9 and 10 are condensed into one verse in the Chinese.

363 According to the Sanskrit śailavanāntare and the commentary gcong rong du. The
Tibetan translates this as nags ri’i khrod (“a mountain forest”). The Chinese translates it
as “mountain valley” 山谷 (shan gu).

364 Verses 13 and 14 are condensed into one verse in the Chinese.
365 The numbering follows the Sanskrit. Verse 17 is absent in the Tibetan, but it is
commented on in the commentary. It repeats much of the content of verse 16: “When the
mother’s son dies / In a dream she loudly laments. / But no son died for that mother. /
Know that all phenomena are like that.” Absent in the Chinese as well.

366 Tibetan: de ni ’dus ma byas kyi rigs zhes bya. Sanskrit: asaṃskrtaṃ
̣ gotramidaṃ
pravucyati. The language of the Tibetan and the commentary, and the notion of a
noncomposite lineage (gotra) is here reminiscent of tathāgatagarbha theory.

367 This verse is not present in the Chinese.

368 The Chinese has “four methods of mindfulness.”

369 The Sanskrit uses the term kāyasaks ̣in, “one who has the body as a witness,” which is
explained in, for example, the Pali Kāyasakkhisutta as someone whose body has
experienced the qualities, such as bliss and samādhi, of the four dhyānas. That is, they
have directly experienced it for themselves.

370 BHS: prthu

̣ sarva manyanā, “all worldly pride.”

371 The order of verses 7–35 is heavily rearranged in the Chinese.

372 The commentary states that Udraka was also known as Digambhara, which is also the
name of a Jain school. However, the name Udraka (Rudraka in some texts) is best known
in Buddhism as one of the first teachers of the Buddha. The Buddha stated that after
death he was born in the formless realm but would eventually be reborn as an animal.
The story for Udraka given in the commentary is that his motivation to meditate was to
attain miraculous powers. He succeeded and was famous for being able to fly. But when
he was told that his path was not genuine, he fell from the sky and went to the hells.

373 According to the Sanskirt hanyate. The Tibetan translates as bcom (“vanquished”). The
Chinese has “he will be killed ….”

374 According to the Tibetan mi rgod. The Sanskrit caura is “bandit” or “thief.” The Chinese
omits “thousands” and describes the bandits or thieves as “strong and carrying spears.” In
Tibetan mi rgod can also mean “an ape” and could be used for “bandits.”

375 The singular form is according to the Sanskrit.

376 According to the Tibetan mar. The Sanskrit arpiman ̣d ̣a actually means the scum formed
when heating melted butter in order to create ghee. The Chinese has “like two clarified
butters in accord” 猶二醍醐合 (you er ti hu he).

377 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has “eat and drink.” The Chinese does not contain
either verb and inteprets generally as, “Without proper understanding of the way.” 不應於
其法 (bu ying yu qi fa).

378 According to the Sanskrit bisā and the commentary pad ma’i rtsa ba. The Tibetan here
has simply rtsa ba. Here the Chinese translates the Sanskrit bisā as 泥藕 (ni ou), “mud
 and lotus roots,” rather than simply as “lotus roots,” denoting that lotus roots grow in the
mud and are covered in mud when the elephants rip them up from the mud.

379 According to the Sanskrit hastipota. The Mahāvyutpatti has glang for “elephant,” though
in later translations this was used exclusively for “oxen.” The Chinese has “elephant.”

380 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit has “birth and illness.”

381 According to the Sanskrit. In Tibetan “beyond description” is an adjective only for the
true nature of the jinas. In Chinese, it works both as a noun and an adjective.

382 The prose and verse from this point down to “Young Candraprabha adorned the road with
many different precious arrangements” 10.30 do not appear in the Chinese, apart from
the one prose sentence in which Candraprabha requests the Buddha to come to his home.
There is somewhat more in the Gilgit manuscript than in the Chinese.

383 The Roman numerals indicate verses that are not contained in the Gilgit manuscript and
therefore are not in the Vaidya edition, but are given in footnotes in the Dutt edition of
the Gilgit manuscript.

384 The commentary states that this means that anything the samādhi is focused upon will be
overcome.

385 The commentary states that this means that whatever is desired will appear from space.

386 The commentary states that this means that it is invulnerable to all distractions.

387 The commentary states that this means that one can go miraculously anywhere at the
speed of thought.

388 The commentary states that this means that all forms can be perceived.

389 The commentary states that this means that one can directly perceive the tathāgatas in
infinite realms.

390 The commentary states that this means the consecration of the perfection of wisdom,
which has the direct perception of the essence of all emptiness.

391 The usual traditional list is of eight liberations, but as in the Gan ̣d ̣avyūhasūtra, this term
can be used for any method that brings liberation.

392 According to the commentary, these four enemies are the four māras: the māra of the
kleśas, the māra of death, the divine māra (of distracting pleasures), and the māra of the
aggregates (of the mind and body).

393 Literally deva, and translated into Tibetan as lha, but this was a term of respect used for
kings, as the equivalent of “Your Majesty,” and so on. It is not meant to be taken literally
as “a deity.”

394 According to the Sanskrit toran ̣a. Translated into Tibetan as rta babs.

395 Synonymous with agallochum and aloeswood. A dark resin in the heartwood of certain
tropical trees.
396 According to the Sanskrit. Basically the same as damaru. Translated into Tibetan as
mkhar rnga.

397 The text gives both the Sanskrit tun ̣ava and the Tibetan translation pi wang rgyud gcig
pa.

398 A kettle drum played horizontally, wider in the middle with the skin at both ends, played
by the hands. One drumhead is smaller than the other. It is a South Indian drum, and
maintains the rhythm in Karnataka music.

399 Tibetan rnga mu kun da. Also called rnga zlum (“round drum”). From its representation
in a sculpture of a mukunda drummer, it appears to be a much smaller version of the
mrḍ ̣aṅga drum, held in the middle with one hand with one end beaten by the other hand.

400 Tibetan rdza rnga chen po (“large kettle drum”). It is a kettle drum played horizontally.
̣ ṅga, one half of the body of the drum is wider than the other. The
Unlike the mrda
Sanskrit for the list of instruments is in Dutt (116). There the spelling is muruja.

401 Considered the purest form of gold, found in the rivers, and believed to have come from a
legendary site beyond the Himalayas.

402 The Chinese account of this event resumes here, after a few introductory sentences. The
Gilgit also omits all the preceding passage, apart from the description of Candraprabha
taking leave of the Buddha and returning home.

403 From the Sanskrit svādanīya (“tasty,” “flavorful”). The Tibetan translates as a noun:
myang ba.

404 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit niryūha can also mean “a pinnacle” or “turret.”

405 According to the Tibetan ba gam, which is an ornamental roof. The Sanskrit pañjara
principally means “a cage,” and therefore could be “railings.”

406 Tibetan: skar khung dra ba ris (“window-net pattern”). Sanskrit jāla (“net”), though
jālaka does mean “lattice-window.”

407 Sanskrit: ardhacandra. Tibetan: zla ba kham pa. This appears to have been a prominent
part of a building’s design.

408 None of the verses with Roman numerals appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

409 According to the Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan, perhaps as a result of a scribal omission
in the Sanskrit manuscript, or an omission in translation, as the next name is
Durabhisambhava.

410 The commentary states that this is on the south side of the city. Rājagrha
̣ is well known
for its natural hot springs. This passage does not appear in the Chinese from
“accompanied by many adorned horses” up to this point.

411 From this point until Candraprabha speaks does not appear in the Chinese.
412 The following seven verses and two lines of prose do not appear in the Chinese or the
Gilgit manuscript.

413 According to most Kangyurs: zan. Degé: bran.

414 According to the Narthang, Cone, and Degé: ’dong. Pedurma: ’dod.

415 “After speaking these lines” does not appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

416 “kumbhān ̣d ̣as, pretas, pūtanas” does not appear in the Gilgit.

417 Literally “ten million [times] a hundred thousand million [times] a hundred thousand,
which adds up to “a hundred thousand quintillion.” The Chinese has 百千萬億那由他 (bai
qian wan yi na yu ta), “one thousand million” (yi’ nayuta).

418 Also known in the past as “Indian blue jay.”

419 According to the Gilgit Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan, presumably accidentally.

420 Also called “red avadavats,” “strawberry finches,” and “kalavingka sparrows.” Dictionaries
have erroneously identified them as cuckoos; kalaviṅgka birds outside India have evolved
into a mythical half-human bird. The avadavat is a significant bird in the Ganges plain
and is renowned for its beautiful song.

421 The birds do not appear in Gilgit manuscript. The following prose and verses do not
appear in the Chinese.

422 From the Sanskrit mus ̣ala. Yonglé, Lithang, Peking Narthang, Cone, and Lhasa: rdung
’dzin. Degé: gtun ’dzin. Musala here refers to a large pestle, about three feet long, which is
also used as a weapon, like a mace, by a deity such as a yaksạ who hurls it at an enemy.

423 These are the four traditional divisions of the army: cavalry, elephants, chariots, and
infantry. These are also the basis for the game of chess, which originated in India.

424 These do not appear in the Gilgit manuscript.

425 The Gilgit manuscript fragment has tilaka[ba]kula with what appears to be an omission
of the syllable ba (sesame flowers, medlar flowers).

426 This prose section does not appear in the Gilgit, but is present in the Shastri and Hodgson
(Dutt p. 121).

427 In the BHS verse their names are given as Avalokitu and Sthāmu.

428 In the BHS verse this name is shortened to Amogha.

429 In the verse this is given in the short form, “Ratna.” The commentary states that this is
another name for Ratnapān ̣i, a bodhisattva who appears in Mahāyāna sūtras.

430 The BHS verse uses this synonym for Subāhu.

431 In the BHS verse his name is given as Durabhisambhavu.

432 In the BHS verse the name is shortened to Vīra.

433 According to the BHS jinapādānubaddha. The Tibetan could be interpreted as just
meaning “attendants.”

434 Synonym for Maitreya. In the BHS verse the form is Matraku.

435 The Tibetan erroneously translates the kāya in bhāvitakāya as lus (body).

436 Here the Tibetan has three lines of verse, where the Sanskrit has four. The BHS verse is:
“He is one who has cultivated love, rejoicing, and equanimity, / He is a great being who
has developed compassion, / And through the qualities of the teaching of the Dharma /
He has infinite understanding of the qualities of the Lord of jinas.” The Tibetan
translation therefore has the last line of each verse being the first line of the following
verse, as compared to the Sanskrit. In addition, the last three lines of the final śloka in
Sanskrit are not present in the Tibetan.

437 According to the BHS. The Tibetan, zhabs ’bring byed, could be interpreted as “attended
to.”

438 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “those humans.”

439 In the verse, for the sake of the meter, the name is given as Mañjuśirī.

440 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan appears to mean “many thousands of millions of
Mañjuśrīs.”

441 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “Who have accomplished bodies with the qualities of
superior powers.” The Tibetan may have been translating śura instead of śarira.

442 The Sanskrit here uses the synonym Śārisuta for Śāriputra.

443 The Sanskrit here is “Maudgal,” which is the name shortened for the verse.

444 BHS: Bhradrikurāja. Usually referred to simply as “Bhadrika.”

445 In the BHS verse the name is given as Kauñciku. This may be Katyayāna (also known as
Kaccāyana or Kaccāna), the only one of the Buddha’s ten principal students not to appear
in this list.

446 In the BHS verse the name is given as Kosṭ hilu.

̣

447 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has stong du, which appears to be a scribal error
for stong dgu.

448 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit also has vrata (“vows of discipline”), which would
have been translated into Tibetan as brtul zhugs.

449 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “And had mastered the recitation of curses and
beneficial incantations.”

450 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: Kārttika, the twelfth month of the Indian year, named
after the Pleiades constellation, as the full moon appears near that constellation. In the
Western calendar it is in October / November. In India, this is the time after the monsoon
has ended and the sky is at its clearest.
451 The Sanskrit uses the synonym dānava instead of asura.

452 The Tibetan concludes here. The Sanskrit has the final line of that verse being the first of
a four-line verse: “Scattered excellent flowers and supreme incense, / And an abundant
variety of sandalwoods. / They circumambulated the Instructor, / And bowed down to the
enlightened one.”

453 The Chinese account of this event resumes again. This paragraph is brief in the Gilgit and
Chinese.

454 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: rṣ ̣abha-gan ̣a, “herds of bulls.” Chinese: “a hundred
thousand.”

455 Chinese: “kings of bulls.”

456 According to the Sanskrit dvirada and the Chinese. The Tibetan translates both “bull”
and “elephant” with glang.

457 The BHS has parihāraka, equivalent to the Sanskrit parihataka,

̣ which can mean
“anklet” or “bracelet.” “Anklet” is chosen here, as the others follow. The Tibetan translates
this and the following ornament identically as gdu bu.

458 From the Sanskrit kataka.

̣

459 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: ambarakusumān (“cloth and flowers”).

460 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: man ̣isūtra (“strings of jewels”).

461 According to the Tibetan mtsho bya (“lake birds”). The Sanskrit has haṃsa-krauñca
(“ducks / geese and cranes”).

462 The last half of this verse in the Sanskrit does not appear in the Tibetan. The entire verse
does not appear in the Chinese. In the Gilgit and Shastri the second half is: “They were
free from the net of fear, evil, and ignorance / And wished to bow down before the
Sugata.” Hodgson has “stains” (mala) instead of “fear” (bhaya).

463 The Chinese has “the body of the Buddha with the ten strengths.”

464 Literally, a hundred-thousand ten-million.

465 Chinese: “The celestial palaces became empty, as devas had come to see the Buddha.”

466 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: lokanātha (“Lord of the World”). Chinese: “the
Buddha, the Lord with the ten strengths.”

467 This verse is absent in the Chinese.

468 The main road connecting towns.

469 Literally “principal and intermediate directions.” Chinese: “ten directions.”

470 This verse is in the Gilgit, Shastri, and Hodgson, but does not appear in the Tibetan or the
Chinese.

471 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

472 This verse does not appear in the Chinese, but there is an alternative verse that relates
how joy arose in those who saw the Buddha and that they wondered when they, too, could
make supreme offerings.

473 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit does not have “in saṃsāra.” Chinese: “difficult to
encounter for a long time,” 久遠難值遇 (jiu yuan nan zhi yu).

474 According to the Sanskrit mahānubhāva and most Kangyurs. The Degé has thub chen
(“great muni / sage”). The Chinese has 大比丘眾 (da bi qiu zhong), from the Sanskrit
bhiks ̣u-saṃgha.

475 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “precious jewels.” (BHS man ̣iratana =
Sanskrit man ̣iratna.)

476 The Sanskrit has Śubhamarutāh ̣. Maruta is a synonym for deva, and Śubha is a shorter
form for the name of the Parīttaśubha paradise.

477 The Sanskrit has the synonym “Aparimitaśubha.”

478 The Chinese has an additional verse about other devas coming to see the Lord of the
World.

479 This refers to the Mahābrahma paradise, where Brahmā resides, and is the highest of the
three deva realms that are the realms of the first dhyāna in the form realm.

480 Both the Sanskrit and Tibetan give here the shortened form of the name of this realm:
Paranirmita; gzhan ’phrul. Chinese: 他化天 (ta hua tian), a shortened form too.

481 The Sanskrit gives a shortened form tridaśa (thirty) instead of the usual Trāyastriṃśa
(“thirty-three”). The Tibetan and Chinese, however, translate as thirty-three.

482 This first line is conjoined into Verse 53 in the Chinese; the rest is omitted.

483 It is Virūpāksạ that is traditionally said to be the lord over the nāgas. Nevertheless, this
may reflect an earlier variant tradition. Not mentioned in the Chinese.

484 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit omits this and instead has “Also
countless Māladhāra devas.”

485 This verse is in the Gilgit manuscript but not present in the Chinese.

486 This verse and the following two do not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.
They are present in the Shastri and Hodgson. The Tibetan corresponds with the Hodgson
version of the verses.

487 According to the Tibetan gdengs ka can and the Mahāvyutpatti. Gilgit: Bhogaka.

488 This verse is not present in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

489 According to the Sanskrit, which is in the singular. The Chinese assumes the plural,
referring to all the previous nāga kings.

490 Vachellia farnesiana. The common English name is “needle bush,” because of its
numerous thorns. The Sanskrit name is kept in both the English and Chinese translation
 because it is the origin of the nāga’s name.

491 According to the Sanskrit, which has the adjective “little,” and also the account in the
Vinaya, which states that as a monk in the time of Buddha Kāśyapa he cut down the
thorny bush at the entrance of his cave because it always snagged his robes. Cutting down
bushes or even grass is contrary to the bhiksụ rules. Therefore he was reborn as a nāga
with a tree growing out of his head. This caused him pain whenever the wind blew. In
Chinese the word 小 (xiao), as an adjective, means “little,” as in the Sanskrit. As a verb it
means “belittle” or “make something small.” The main verb used is 壞 (huai), i.e., “to
destroy or damage,” rather than “to cut down.” These two verbs together, 壞小 (huai
xiao), could be interpreted as “cutting the bush to make it small,” or “cutting the bush in
contempt.”

492 This verse is considerably different in the Chinese.

493 In terms of early Mahāyāna cosmology, “the king of Alakavatī” is Kubera, king of the
yaksas.
̣ In the tantric tradition, Alakavatī is the realm of Vajrapān ̣i.

494 This is the first of eight verses that in the Chinese are reduced to three verses listing
names.

495 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan here translates the names, earlier translated as
lngas rtsen and shā kya ’phel, as dus ’phel lnga po, which appears to indicate a
corruption in the Sanskrit text that was used for the translation, resulting in kālavrddho
̣
(“time increase”), which would match dus ’phel (“time increase”).

496 This verse and the following verses are absent in the Chinese.

497 This name seems to appear twice, once in transliteration and once in translation in
another line: mi’u thung (dwarf).

498 According to the Sanskrit nadi and the Chinese 河 (he). The Tibetan ’bab chu could have
been interpreted to mean “waterfall.”

499 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “rejoiced at the Jina’s entry.” The line order follows
the Sanskrit. The last two lines are not present in the Chinese.

500 Chinese: “When the Buddha and others had concluded their meals, put down their alms
bowls, and washed their hands…”

501 The Tibetan ras bcos bu (literally, “processed cotton”) is said in Tibetan-English
dictionaries to mean “calico.” The Sanskrit has “divine dusya
̣ cloths.” Dus ̣ya in Sanskrit
can mean “cotton” and “calico.” Calico was traditionally made in Karnataka, but was
always the cheapest cloth, and therefore it is unlikely that it would have that meaning
here. Dūs ̣ya is probably a Sanskritization of a Middle Indic word such as the Pali dussa,
which means “woven cloth.” In ancient India, cloth was usually made of cotton, but as the
cloth referred to here is extremely expensive it may literally mean “divine cotton,” or
alternatively, “silk,” which at that time in ancient India could only be imported from
China and was very expensive.
502 Only the number is given. In the Sanskrit the number is ninety-nine trillion. In the
Chinese it is ten thousand. It is assumed that the reader will know this refers to silver
coins, the raupya (the origin of the present day rupee), which was also tied to the value of
silver until the end of the nineteenth century.

503 The following verses are not in the Gilgit, Sanskrit, or Chinese, but are in the Shastri and
Hodgson manuscripts.

504 According to the Sanskrit kros ̣taka.

̣ The Tibetan translates this as wa (“fox”), and the
Chinese also translates it as “fox,” as the jackal is not native to China. However, the
analogy is clearly concerning the rivalry between lions and jackals, the latter generally
eating what the lions leave. The Chinese has “lion’s roar” rather than “lion.”

505 The Sanskrit uses the same word as in the first line, svabhāva, translated in the first line
as rang bzhin. In this second line svabhāva is translated into Tibetan as ngo bo nyid
instead of rang bzhin (“nature”), and prakrtị (which can also mean “character” as well as
“nature”) is translated as rang bzhin.

506 The Tibetan translates prakrtị as rang bzhin, which in the first line had been used to
translate svabhāva.

507 In the Sanskrit but absent in the Tibetan is vipākalaks ̣an ̣ānārambhan ̣alaks ̣an ̣ān.

508 This is repeating with different words what is said in verse 27 of chapter 2. Here
prabhās ̣a is equivalent to pratibhān ̣a (“confident eloquence”) in that verse. The Tibetan
has here byang chub (“enlightenment”), possibly from a corruption of bhoti (“will be”) to
bodhi (“enlightenment”) in the manuscript it was translated from. The Chinese version is
slightly different: 若說如是法, 菩薩了知者, 彼得無愛辯, 說億修多羅 (ruo shuo ru shi fa, pu
sa liao zhi zhe, bi de wu ai bian, shuo yi xiu duo luo). The equivalent of pratibhān ̣a is
used.

509 The Tibetan sngon pa’i mtha’ from the Sanskrit pūrvāntaṃ means “the past.” The
commentary explains this as knowing that phenomena have no past or future. However,
this may be the result of an early corruption in the text, perhaps of prakrtatvaṃ
̣ or
similar, as the Chinese translates it more cogently as “they know the nature of the sound,”
and so on.

510 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. The Chinese has “nature.”

511 The Sanskrit has hriyate (“ashamed”). The Tibetan ’phrogs appears to have translated
from something like hāryate (“taken away”). Chinese: 染 (ran), (“polluted / afflicted”).

512 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. The Chinese has “nature.”

513 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan omits “on birth.”

514 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan appears to have translated from a manuscript in
which duh ̣khaṃ had been corrupted to dharmaṃ, with the resulting meaning “cessation
of phenomena.”
515 Literally, buddhaputra (“sons of the buddhas”).

516 Sanskrit: mitrabhadra. This is synonymous with kalyān ̣amitra.

517 According to the Tibetan srin po. Sanskrit: niśācarā, a synonym for rāks ̣asa.

518 According to the Tibetan and the Chinese 柔何處眾演說法 (rou he chu zhong yan shuo
fa). Vaidya Sanskrit: paryāyasūtrato, “teaches the Dharma according to the way of the
sūtra.”

519 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan appears to say, “they teach the
buddhas.”

520 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “always skilled.”

521 According to the Tibetan and Dutt’s Gilgit vipāka (ripening). The Shastri and Gilgit have
vibhakti (“different categories”) and the Hodgson has the corruption virakti instead of
vipāka. Chinese: 為人顯示因果理 (wei ren xian shi yin guo), “they reveal to others the
principle / law of cause and results.”

522 According to the Tibetan and Dutt’s Gilgit. The Vaidya Sanskrit has sbhrtị (“no meaning”)
instead of smrtị (“memory”). The Chinese does not have “pure.”

523 Unusually here nāga has been translated not just as klu but as klu ’brug, adding the
syllable for “dragon.” Chinese: “dragon.”

524 All four lines of this verse begin with vipula (“vast”), though this is not reflected in the
Tibetan translation. There the word is translated differently in each line, but here an
attempt has been made to keep the repetition in English.

525 Chinese: 廣大 (guang da), “vast,” appears in the first and third line only.

526 According to the Sanskrit rās ̣tra,

̣ translated into Tibetan as grong, which could mean
“village,” “town,” or “city.” Chinese: “of the world” 世間.

527 The name is in a BHS form: Maitraka.

528 According to the Sanskrit. The order of the lines in the Tibetan translation is rather
awkward, and it appears that the second and third lines have changed place. Rearranged
they would be: “Similarly Buddha Amitāyus also / Has taught many kinds of benefits: /
‘All who wish (’dod) for my Sukhāvatī / Will go to Abhirati and see Buddha Aksobhya.’
̣
The Chinese does not include the name “Abhirati.”

529 This last verse appears to be spoken by Candraprabha in the Sanskrit and Tibetan. In the
Chinese, however, these are the words of the Buddha: “Now I have explained such
innumerable benefits and merits / qualities. Those who wish to attain merits / qualities
similar to mine should uphold this sūtra during the time of degeneration.”

530 From the Sanskrit prabhāvyate. The Tibetan appears to have translated from a
manuscript with something like pravbhidyate or prabhedyate (“divide,” “categorize”).
531 According to the Sanskrit, the commentary, and the Chinese. The Tibetan translates as
“the nature of the mind is without form,” presumably translating from svabhāvam
arūpyam as a corruption of nih ̣svabhāvam arūpyam.

532 The Chinese adds “and cannot be seen.”

533 According to the BHS and the Chinese. The Tibetan has either translated from a
corruption in a manuscript from aks ̣ara-vibhāvita-jñāna to aks ̣aya-vibhāvita-jñāna
(“letters” being changed into “indestructible, unending”) or chosen aks ̣ara’s alternative
meaning, “imperishable.” The BHS meaning of vibhāva can be “to be free of.” However,
vibhāva can be translated into Tibetan as “meditation” as well as “non-existing,” and so
on. Therefore the Tibetan has, “They meditate on unending wisdom,” which does not
appear to fit the context.

534 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan and Chinese omit “the words.”

535 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan and Chinese omit “the words.”

536 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan omits “the knowledge.”

537 According to the Sanskrit karmakrtāyāh

̣ ̣. The Tibetan yongs su sbyang ba could be
translated as “completely purified.” The Chinese omits “who created the karma (or
completely purified) in previous lifetimes.”

538 According to the Tibetan ’khyil ba and the Sanskrit avartāyāh ̣, though it could also be
translated as “repetition of dharān ̣īs.”

539 The commentary states that here “retention” (dhāran ̣ī) is equivalent to wisdom. The
reference to retentions does not appear in the Chinese.

540 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has the list of qualities as all being attainments.
The commentary has “unobscured patience.” The Chinese 得修無障法忍 (de xiu wu zhang
fa ren) can be interpreted as “became capable of practicing unobscured patience.”

541 This verse is very different in the Chinese.

542 According to the Sanskrit. Tibetan has only “They know all phenomena.”

543 This verse is very different in the Chinese.

544 According to the Tibetan, presumably translating from śīlaṃ, though the Sanskrit has
śiks ̣āṃ (“learning,” “study”).

545 Chinese: “They would rather forsake their own life than violate the teaching of the
tathāgatas.”

546 The Sanskrit manasikāra and the Tibetan yid la byed pa can mean, according to context,
“fixed attention,” “concentration,” “focused reflection,” etc. The commentary states that
the samādhi being devoid of such factors is in relation to mind and thoughts, subject and
object, action and object, and so on. The negative of the term (amanasikāra, yid la mi
byed pa) was later adapted into the mahāmudrā tradition.
547 The BHS term ran ̣ā is synonymous with kleśa, and both are translated into Tibetan as
nyon mongs.

548 In the Chinese, this line uses an unusual expression in conjunction with equality: 平等非
嶮地 (ping deng fei xian di). 平等 (ping deng) is “equality,” 非 (fei) “not,” 嶮地 (xian) is
the same as 險 and means “steep, lofty, precipitous,” and 地 (di) is “land, level, bhūmi.”
The term samādhi does not appear.

549 According to the Sanskrit: na… asti. The commentary and various Kangyurs, including
the Degé, have yod med. The Pedurma has yong med.

550 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “grasping.”

551 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “grasping.”

552 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “without attachment.”

553 According to the Sanskrit sprśi.

̣ Tibetan: dran pa, translated from a corruption of sprśi
̣ to
smrti (“mindfulness” without pride).

554 According to the Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Chinese: “is the noble path.”

555 According to the Sanskrit śantibhūmi. The Tibetan has “level of buddhahood,” perhaps
translating from buddhabhūmi.

556 According to the Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Chinese: “meditation and wisdom.”

557 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan has “peace” instead of
“meditation.”

558 Some of the lines of this verse have been exchanged with lines from the subsequent verse
for a clearer reading.

559 In the Chinese, the order of this and the preceding verse is reversed.

560 According to the Sanskrit and the Kangyurs that have the genitive gi. The Degé has the
instrumental gis.

561 From the Sanskrit dharmadhātumaya, and as in the Chinese. The Tibetan may be
translated from a manuscript that read dharmadhātunaya: “the way of the essence of
phenomena.”

562 According to the Tibetan mya ngan. The BHS has aṅgana (“blemish,” “impurity,” “evil”).
The Chinese 惱 agrees with the BHS.

563 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. The Chinese has “It cannot be understood through
words. This is because phenomena do not have characteristics.” This is also a legitimate
translation if it is assumed that in sarvadharmān ̣a laks ̣an ̣am the latter word is actually
alaks ̣an ̣am.

564 According to the Sanskrit and most Kangyurs. The Degé has dga’ (“joy”).

565 The Chinese appears to mean, “through language only knowledge is gained.”
566 The Degé has erroneously repeated the first two lines of the last verse at the beginning of
this penultimate verse, making it into six lines.

567 There is a play of words here on saṃpāra (“the further side”) and the BHS pārami
(“perfection”). The Chinese translates as “the other side” and translates the verse as “a
command to the listener.”

568 Chinese: “Then the youth Candraprabha said these words to the Bhagavān.”

569 According to the Tibetan spobs. The Sanskrit pratibhāti could also mean “elucidates this
for me.”

570 Chinese: “tormented by sickness, old age, and death.”

571 According to the Tibetan dpa’ bo, which appears to have translated from a manuscript
that had vīra instead of the Sanskrit vīrye, “with diligence.” Chinese: 善哉, the most
common translation of Sanskrit sādhu, (“holy man,” “saint”).

572 According to the Sanskrit krudhyase. The Tibetan translates as ’khrugs, which primarily
has the meaning of “disturbed.” According to the Mahāvyuttpati this would be a
translation of ks ̣ubhyase, meaning “disturbed.” Therefore this may be a translation from a
scribal corruption in the Sanskrit.

573 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has “maintain various views.”

574 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan appears to make this line the voice of devas that
are accompanying the music.

575 According to the Sanskrit kalaviṅka, translated into Tibetan here as “cuckoo,” even
though earlier they were listed separately where kalaviṅka was simply transliterated. The
Chinese transliterates as 迦陵頻伽. The avadavat was unknown in Tibet while the cuckoo
was very familiar. However, the avadavat is a bird known in North India for its beautiful
song.

576 The Sanskrit is literally “twice born,” referring to first the egg being laid and then the
hatching.

577 According to the Tibetan, the Gilgit manuscript, and the Chinese. The later Sanskrit
manuscripts from Nepal (the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts) have here the line about
musical instruments—conches, drums, and so on—that will occur in the next verse in this
version. There are two verses in the Tibetan and Gilgit version compared to one in the
later Sanskrit manuscripts and the Chinese.

578 The Tibetan here translates pataha

̣ as rdza rnga, which is usually the translation for the
mrḍ ̣aṅga drum.

579 The Tibetan translation here (rnga bo che) does not make a very strong distinction
between the bherī and the earlier muraja drum (rdza rnga chen po). The Chinese has
simply “drums” and does not differentiate the two kinds, but also has “three-stringed
lutes, lutes, and flutes.”
580 This verse is in the Gilgit manuscript and the Tibetan. It does not appear in the later
Sanskrit versions. In the Chinese this is a continuation of the previous verse without the
line about the deva maidens.

581 In the Chinese, this verse is preceded by a verse describing how the songs and music
played by the king of the kiṃnaras cannot compare to the Buddha’s speech. This verse is
not found in the Tibetan or Sanskrit.

582 In the Sanskrit the synonym sura is used.

583 In the Sanskrit the synonym dānu is used. In the Chinese both deva and dānu were
translated by the same term.

584 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan translates it as mkhar rnga (“gong”).

585 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has just rnga (“drums”).

586 Unidentified Indian musical instrument. It appears in two lists of instruments in the
Lalitavistarasūtra (see The Play in Full 15.39
(http://read.84000.co/translation/UT22084-046-001.html#UT22084-046-001-973)
and 15.67 (http://read.84000.co/translation/UT22084-046-001.html#UT22084-046-
001-1001)) with a stringed instrument preceding and following it, but some recent
Tibetan-English dictionaries have “cymbals.”

587 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit appears to be still describing the music:
“delightful, beautiful, and divine.”

588 Literally, marutas and apsarases.

589 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

590 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

591 Literally, “Lord of the Gods,” another name for Indra / Śakra.

592 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “by the Buddha’s light rays.” The Chinese has
“one light ray emitted by the Buddha.”

593 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “unequaled.”

594 According to the Tibetan and close to the version in Dutt’s “manuscript A” (the Shastri
manuscript). Chinese: “requests the Buddha to be compassionate.”

595 The Chinese has an extra verse here, requesting a prophecy, which does not appear in the
Tibetan or the Sanskrit.

596 The Chinese has different epithets.

597 From the first half of the Sanskrit compound ratha-pattiya; the meaning of the second
half is obscure, as is the Tibetan translation: rta rkang thang. The commentary glosses it
as shing rta mchog (“perfect chariots”).

598 According to the Tibetan. “Pearls” does not appear in the Sanskrit, but instead, “male and
female slaves” (dāsadāsi). The Chinese has “male and female slaves, jewels, pearls, gold,
 cows, and sheep.”

599 The commentary states that these lotuses appear as seats for the bodhisattvas.

600 Chinese: “innumerable.”

601 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has rnga (“drums”) and the Chinese also just has
“drums.”

602 According to the Tibetan mkhar rnga. Sanskrit: tunava (“flutes”). Chinese: 鐃, similar to
“cymbals.”

603 From the Sanskrit krauñca. Tibetan: khrung khrung. According to the Mahāvyutpatti,
the Tibetan for krauñca is krung krung. See Julia Leslie, A Bird Bereaved: The identity
and significance of Vālmīki’s krauñca, for the identification of this bird. Present Sanskrit
dictionaries state it is a curlew. However, it is specifically the Sarus crane, which in
Sanskrit is also called the sārasa krauñca, which can also be confusing because sārasa,
as in this sūtra, is the word for “swan.”

604 Chinese: 拘翅 (jue chi), 頻迦 (pin jia), 鵞鶴 (er he). The first two are from the
pronunciation of the Sanskrit, and the third is a Chinese name, referring to one kind of
crane.

605 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “tender ones.” Chinese: “tamed and gentle ones.”

606 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan could have been interpreted as “speak to
̣ except for the adverbial particle su. Chinese: 和潤語, “harmonious and
Mañjughosa,”
gentle speech.”

607 Literally in Sanskrit, “sound of the clouds.” Chinese: “thunder” 雷霆.

608 Although translated earlier in the text as bzhad (in accord with the Mahāvyutpatti), the
Tibetan here simply transliterated sārasa (sa ra sa).

609 According to the Tibetan. Vaidya Sanskrit: “You are sublime because of the results of
good actions.”

610 From the Sanskrit jīvaṃjīva (Tibetan: shang shang te’u). According to the Mahesh
Sharma (141), jīvjīva is a pheasant, and jīvaṃjīva (as in Monier-Williams) is the chukar
partridge (Alectoris chukar, also known as the Greek partridge). In later times, in China
and Tibet this became a legendary half-human bird, or a two-headed bird. The Chinese
transliterates: 命命鳥.

611 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

612 The Chinese has 47 consecutive verses: the first 16 verses are in chapter 15 of the Tibetan-
Sanskrit version and the remaining 31 verses are in chapter 16.

613 According to the Sanskrit, and the Degé, Lithang, Narthang, and Lhasa Kangyurs: dpang.
The Pedurma has dbang (“power”).

614 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

615 According to the Sanskrit aviruddha, and the Chinese 不為他壞不違他.

616 Sanskrit: ogha. A term also found in the Pali tradition, it refers to ignorance, desire, and
so on. Translated in the Chinese as its implied meaning.

617 Sanskrit: grantha. A term also found in the Pali tradition (gantha), it refers to the knots
that bind one to existence. Chinese: “knots.”

618 According to the Sanskrit trṣ ̣n ̣a. The Tibetan has srid pa (“existence”) in error for sred pa.

619 The prose section that begins this chapter does not appear in the Chinese.

620 According to the Sanskrit, the Tibetan klag, and the Chinese. Degé: lhogs.

621 According to the commentary (’dod pa can) and the Sanskrit lubdha, which can also
mean “confused,” hence the Tibetan translation brkam (“scattered”).

622 Chinese: 放逸 (“careless”), 毀禁 (“do not follow precepts”), and 多慳吝 (“covetous”).

623 According to the commentary, the Sanskrit, and the Chinese. The Tibetan has “attached
to towns.”

624 Chinese: “slander.”

625 A euphemism for sexual activity. The Chinese is less specific in its descriptions.

626 According to the Sanskrit parakumārī and the Tibetan gzhan gyi bu mo (“the girls of
others”). Chinese: 童女 “girls” or “virgins.”

627 Sanskrit: “path of the mendicant.”

628 In the Chinese this verse is preceded by “one describing deviations from the path of the
mendicant.”

629 According to dhenu in the Sanskrit and gzho in the Mahāvyutpatti. The Tibetan
Kangyurs have gzhon and bzhon in error for gzho or bzho.

630 According to the Tibetan. In the Sanskrit and Chinese it could mean “among a hundred
thousand.”

631 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has, “They become intoxicated.”

632 Chinese: 若得虛名自欣慶 (ruo de xu ming zi xin qing), “if they gain false reputation and
become overjoyed.”

633 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

634 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

635 According to the Tibetan, Chinese, and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts. The Dutt
and Vaidya have vihāru, “play with each other.”

636 This entire opening section about Maitreya and his miraculous activities does not appear
in the Gilgit manuscript and therefore not in the Vaidya either. The Tibetan follows the
version in the Hodgson manuscript.
637 According to the Sanskrit, where tathāgata is clearly in the vocative and the verb “to go”
is in the first-person singular.

638 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “Lamp of the three worlds.”

639 There is a play on words here as “conquered the māras” is jitamārā, and Maitreya’s
alternative name is “Ajita.”

640 The first part of this chapter up to this point does not appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

641 This sentence does not appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

642 “Through the gateway of peace” does not appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

643 “Kneeling on his right knee, with palms placed together, bowed toward the Bhagavān”
does not appear in Gilgit or the Chinese.

644 The Chinese gives the full name of the samādhi.

645 The Chinese gives the full name of the samādhi.

646 The Sanskrit has an additional quality at this point: “wish to leave them.”

647 The Sanskrit has an additional quality at this point: “have no endurance for them.”

648 Chinese: 深怖三界起驚畏心 (shen bu san jie qi jing wei xin), “they are deeply terrified of
the three realms and develop a fearful mind”; 厭離三界起不染心 (yan li san jie qi bu ran
xin), “they are determined to leave the three realms and develop the aspiration to be free
from defilements”; 不著三界起逼惱心 (bu zhuo san jie qi bi nao xin), “they are not
attached to the three realms and develop the aspiration to overcome suffering.”

649 The Chinese omits part of these two sentences, apparently in error, resulting in: “If they
accomplish this, they will attain this samādhi” and gives the full name of the samādhi.

650 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “are widely learned.”

651 According to the Tibetan. In the Sanskrit and Chinese this is phrased as a question.

652 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “proved,” “tried.” The Chinese has “trained
in.”

653 According to the Sanskrit (Hodgson and Shastri manuscripts). Absent in the Tibetan.

654 According to the Tibetan and all Sanskrit. This paragraph does not appear in the Chinese.

655 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. The Chinese has one yi 一憶 (yi yi), which can
mean 100,000, one million, or ten million in various Buddhist scriptures.

656 According to the Sanskrit and most Kangyurs. The Degé has mi in error for me.

657 According to the Tibetan bye ba. The Sanskrit has s ̣ad ̣vars ̣akotyah
̣ ̣: “sixty times ten
million,” i.e., six hundred million.

658 According to the Tibetan nyin zhag. The Sanskrit has rātrimdivā (“day and night”).

659 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “thirty thousand years.”
660 The Chinese lists twelve buddhas in twelve verses up to this point.

661 According to the Tibetan. The Nepalese manuscripts appear to divide this into two names,
and the Gilgit certainly does: brahmā ca devas tathā.

662 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: Svarabrahmadatta.

663 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has Brahmaghosạ (tshangs pa’i dbyangs).

664 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit appears to be two names.

665 Much of this verse repeats the names from the preceding verse, and there may have been
a corruption. It is possible that they were meant to be variations of the same compounds
but with a group beginning with Dānta, followed by a group beginning with Śānta. This
would give: “Dāntottara, Dānta, Sudāntacitta, / Sudānta, Dāntendriya, Dāntamānasa, /
Dāntottara, Dāntaśirin, Pradānta, / Dāntīyapāraṃgata and Dāntaśūra, [23] Śantottara,
Śānta, Suśāntacitta, / Suśānta, Śāntendriya, Śāntamānasa, / Śāntottara, Śāntaśriya-
jvalanta, / Śāntapraśānteśvara, Śāntiśūra. [24]”

666 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan here translates parivarta as le’u (“chapter”) and
omits nirhāra. This paragraph is absent in the Chinese.

667 According to the Sanskrit viśārada. Tibetan: “very great fame” (grags pa shin tu che).
Absent from the Chinese.

668 The last line of this verse is in the next verse in the Chinese version.

669 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. Sanskrit: “forsaken the world in all their words.”

670 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has, literally, “He renounced the earth for
accomplishing food,” which differs from all Sanskrit versions. In the Tibetan rendering,
nirhāra is translated as sgrub pa (“accomplish”), though its other meanings are “to
extract, remove, take, acquire, accumulate, or store,” which seems more appropriate here
for food; and sthapetva (“established in”) as bor ba (“renounce”). The Chinese has
“remained in peace and practiced great diligence.”

671 According to the BHS vasthitu. The Tibetan apparently translates as “being upright,
standing” (’greng).

672 Literally, “elephant-king.”

673 The order of this and the previous verse is reversed in the Chinese.

674 According to the Sanskrit śānti. The Tibetan has bzhi (“four”) in error for zhi (“peace”).

675 The Chinese has an additional line: 於諸白法常無厭 (yu zhu bai fa chang wu yan), “never
tired of engaging in virtuous actions [white dharmas].”

676 The Tibetan ’chad could mean “to teach” or “to explain,” as well as “to cut through,
destroy.” The latter meaning is supported by the Sanskrit uccheda and the Chinese 斷
(duan).

677 Chinese: “termination of the speech (or views) of ordinary people.”

678 The Chinese has an additional verse at this point concerning not violating precepts and
not having attachment to families.

679 According to the BHS nih ̣srti.

̣ The Tibetan translates as ’byung ba.

680 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

681 According to the Sanskrit sadā. The Tibetan and Chinese use synonyms for the first and
second line: the Tibetan has rtag tu and khor mo; Chinese: 常 (chang) and 恆 (heng). The
third line also uses sadā but with a negative in Tibetan. The Chinese is a simple negative
without the meaning “never.”

682 According to the BHS gatiṃgata.

683 According to the Sanskrit anartha, translated into Tibetan as gnod pa (“harm”),
interpreting it to mean “non-beneficial.” The Chinese also translates as “non-beneficial.”
Its other meaning has been translated here, as it appears to be more appropriate to the
context.

684 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan lists three separate elements.

685 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit appears to have no negative: “there is
mingling with…”

686 The online Vaidya has vajane in error for varjane.

687 Darśī is translated into Tibetan as “seen.” The Chinese translation focuses on how the
certainty is arrived at: 心境相稱詞決定 (xin jing xiang chen ci jue ding).

688 This verse is absent in the Gilgit and Hodgson, but present in the Tibetan and Shastri.

689 According to the Sanskrit śīla. The Tibetan has only tshul instead of tshul khrims.

690 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. The Chinese lists all four qualities as doorways
that are entered.

691 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan makes the second and third lines into a single
sentence.

692 The Chinese here translates yoga as “method.”

693 Sanskrit: ayuktayogin. Translated into Tibetan as mi rigs brtson pa.

694 The online Vaidya has abhūbhi in error for abhūmi.

695 In Chinese the order of the first two lines is reversed, and it begins, “the level of
buddhahood is vast but not the level of the two [other] yānas.”

696 According to the Sanskrit anubuddha and the Chinese. The Tibetan translates as rjes su
’brang (“followed”) instead of the expected khong du chud pa, or the like.

697 According to the Tibetan grags pa chen po, which appears to have translated
mahāyaśānām, although all Sanskrit versions have mahāśayānām (“those with great
aspiration”). The Chinese translates as “those of the Mahāyāna.”
698 The Tibetan adds “mantra” to make it vidyāmantra. The Chinese uses the unusual term
作明術 (zuo ming shu), literally meaning “techniques of clarifying,” which can be
understood as “knowledge.”

699 The Chinese has an additional verse before this one. It refers to emptiness and cessation.

700 According to BHS niraṅga. Chinese: “free of kleśas.”

701 Chinese: “can quickly attain wisdom.”

702 According to the Sanskrit. Tibetan: “seeks bliss.”

703 According to all Sanskrit versions and the Chinese. The Tibetan has “ninety-nine,” which
appears to be an early scribal corruption in the Tibetan transmission.

704 In the Chinese this verse is preceded by an additional verse not found in the Sanskrit or
Tibetan.

705 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has “In which there are no extremes or desire,”
where anantasaṅga was taken as being negated and saṅga as having a negative meaning.
The Chinese has “So that they can see many buddhas after their lives have ended.”

706 At the beginning of this chapter he is the first in the list of past buddhas related by
Śākyamuni, though the Tibetan and Chinese translations of the name differ from previous
translations of the name.

707 According to the Sanskrit prasannacitta. The Tibetan only translates citta (“mind”).

708 Chinese: “in the past” instead of “numerous eons.”

709 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “numerous acts of generosity.”

710 Chinese: “If I were to describe them it would take a long time.”

711 Chinese: “go with you.”

712 The Sanskrit has, in contrast to the earlier spelling, Śīrībala.

713 Buddha Śākyamuni’s mother.

714 This verse is not in the Gilgit or Chinese, but is in the Tibetan and the Shastri and
Hodgson manuscripts, and is mentioned in the commentary.

715 Buddha Śākyamuni’s father.

716 This verse is not in the Gilgit or Chinese, but is in the Tibetan and the Shastri and
Hodgson manuscripts, and is referred to in the commentary.

717 According to the Tibetan, and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts.

718 Chinese: End of fascicle 4.

719 According to the Tibetan.

720 Chinese: “mendicancy and perfect conduct.”

721 According to the Sanskrit. Tibetan: “Those who have qualities of conduct and who have
few requisites.” Chinese: “Numerous qualities of meditation and peace.”

722 According to the Tibetan, Chinese, and the Dutt edition of the Sanskrit: literally,
“destroyed.” The Vaidya edition has loke, “in the world,” in error for lope, “destroyed,
ruined.”

723 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan repeats “beings.”

724 This verse does not appear in the Chinese, though a variation of it appears four verses
later.

725 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “Buddha.” Chinese: “Lord of Munis.”

726 A verse in the Sanskrit and Chinese, which is a variation of a preceding verse, is absent in
the Tibetan: “After eight hundred million eons / They will all, within the same eon, /
Become guides of the world, / Compassionate and wishing to benefit.” The earlier version
is absent in the Chinese.

727 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “seventy.”

728 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “and are moved to tears and weep.”

729 From the Sanskrit satkrta.

̣ Tibetan: mchod pa. Chinese: “offering.”

730 According to the BHS ārocayāmi.

731 According to the Sanskrit sparśita (“reached”). The Tibetan has thob corrupted to thos
(“heard”).

732 The passage from this point on until “the gandharva Pañcaśikha” (19.9) is present in the
Tibetan, Shastri, and Hodgson; it is briefly referenced in the commentary, but it is absent
in the Gilgit.

733 According to the Sanskrit padāni. The Tibetan tshig could mean “words.”

734 These preceding three paragraphs are absent in the Chinese.

735 The Sanskrit has them making the sounds ha ha and kilikilā. The Tibetan translates as “a
la la.”

736 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan translates as “a la la.”

737 Literally, “son of a gandharva.”

738 According to the Sanskrit ahaṃ. The Tibetan has bdag cag (“we”).

739 The Sanskrit pañcamātra, “fivefold” music, was not translated into Tibetan. It
presumably refers, as in the White Lotus of Compassion Sūtra, to the five tempos
(Sanskrit: pañcāṅgika; Tibetan: yan lag lnga dang ldan pa), referring to the number of
strokes per beat. This is a characteristic of South Indian music, particularly that of
Karnataka.

740 According to the Sanskrit. Tibetan: “five hundred holders of musical instruments.”
741 According to the Sanskrit saṃyukta. Tibetan: dang ldan pa (“possessing”).

742 This paragraph does not appear in the Chinese.

743 According to the BHS upīd ̣a for utpīd ̣a, and the Chinese 逼窄. Tibetan: gnod par byed pa
(“causing harm”).

744 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “sixteen.”

745 According to the Sanskrit raman ̣īyāh ̣. The Tibetan dbyangs dga’ ba may be a scribal
corruption. Absent in the Chinese.

746 Literally, maruta, here used as a synonym for deva. Both the Tibetan and Chinese
translate deva and maruta by the same term.

747 The Sanskrit here changes to the singular. The plural has been kept for consistency.

748 The Sanskrit has “tathāgatas.”

749 According to the Sanskrit kāmān and the Chinese. The Tibetan has a scribal corruption of
’dod to gdod.

750 According to the BHS mata jñātaṃ. The Tibetan has rig dang bye brag phyed (“known
and discriminated”). Chinese: 憶念, literally, “remembered”; can mean “have known.”

751 According to the Sanskrit. Translated into Tibetan as bdud (“Māra”), which here has the
same meaning. Chinese: 魔, a simple term that refers to both Māra and Namuci.

752 In accordance with the Tibetan and the Hodgson and Shastri manuscripts. “The sound of
the lute” is absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

753 The prose introduction for this chapter is more concise in the Chinese.

754 According to the BHS. Tibetan: “It is taught to all foolish (childlike) beings.”

755 According to the Sanskrit paitrkadhana.

̣ The Tibetan translates as “the wealth of the
other shore” or “transcendent wealth,” pha rol nor, presumably from a corruption in a
Sanskrit manuscript.

756 According to the BHS and the commentary, where this is singular. The Kangyur version
translates it as plural in this and the next verse. The commentary adds that Buddha
Śākyamuni is stating that this is his previous life.

757 This verse is in the Tibetan, and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts, but not in the
Gilgit manuscript.

758 According to the Tibetan, in which the verb here is gdon mi za bar bya’o. The Sanskrit of
the Hodgson and Shastri manuscripts has “…should depend upon the duties and qualities
of the training that is the root of all merit” (śiks ̣āgun ̣adharmaniśrita). They also have at
this point “…should have pure conduct through depending on roots of merit…” and so on.
The Gilgit manuscript chapter is composed only of the verses.

759 According to the BHS nirhāra. The Tibetan translates as mos pa (“aspire”), which does
not appear to fit the context.
760 The prose introduction to this chapter is absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

761 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. The Sanskrit has jambusāhvaye (“called Jambu”).

762 According to the commentary they were sons of merchants. Chinese: 二不放逸長者子 (er
bu fang yi zhang zhe zi) “two sons of elders.”

763 Ks ̣atriya is absent in the Chinese.

764 According to the Sanskrit and the Yonglé Kangyur. The other editions have lam in error
for las.

765 Tibetan rgyal po’i glang po, translating the Sanskrit rājakuñjara (literally, “king-
elephant”), which has the meaning “preeminent king.” It is classified in Sanskrit as a
metaphor, i.e., “a king who is an elephant,” meaning “an elephant among kings,” in
contrast to the simile “a king who is like an elephant.” The Chinese translates this epithet
either as simply “king” or “great king.”

766 The Sanskrit and Tibetan omit the number “ten million” so that it becomes six trillion,
but this is evidently a brief way of referring to the entire sixty quintillion in the army, as
later that number is said to have all developed the aspiration to enlightenment. Chinese:
six yi, which can mean “sixty thousand,” “six million,” or “sixty million.”

767 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

768 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “protector.”

769 According to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. Chinese: “great king.”

770 According to the Sanskrit ghātaya and the Chinese. Tibetan: spong (“abandon”).

771 Chinese: “The king should remain with friends who act according to the Dharma.”

772 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. Chinese: “This deva speaks the truth to the king;
please do not abandon the Buddhadharma.”

773 The commentary states that this refers to the bhiksus.

̣ The Chinese translates as “was
stationed at the border to safeguard the nation.”

774 The Dutt and therefore the Vaidya divide the verses into fewer numbers with six lines
each.

775 The Chinese adds: “and would not let you live.”

776 In the Chinese this verse is preceded by an additional verse. The Gilgit manuscript
repeats the earlier verse that begins, “You must kill those two dharmabhān ̣akas.”

777 According to the commentary, “the king” in this and the succeeding three verses is not the
king himself but “the king’s brother.” This is further established by the supplementary
verses that were not present in the Gilgit manuscript. The Chinese translates as “the
king’s brother.” The Sanskrit and Tibetan have just “king” or “elephant king,” which is
confusing.
778 In the Chinese the last line states that one should avoid bad friends. The following verses
are absent in the Chinese.

779 This is the final verse in the Gilgit manuscript. The Hodgson and Shastri manuscripts and
the Tibetan have three additional verses.

780 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “Those dharmabhān ̣akas.”

781 According to the Tibetan rgyal po. This verse is absent in the Gilgit. The Hodgson and
Shastri have maitreyurāhu. The Tibetan may have been translating from a manuscript
that read maitreyurāju.

782 The Chinese adds: “Therefore, bodhisattvas should know about the dharmakāya and the
rūpakāya.” The rest of this chapter does not appear in the Chinese.

783 In the Sanskrit manuscripts and in the commentary, chapter 22 continues and includes
the chapter numbered 23 in the Tibetan.

784 This paragraph does not appear in the Chinese.

785 The Chinese adds “born from immeasurable merit.”

786 According to the Tibetan, Chinese, and Hodgson manuscript, budhyā ekarthani. The
Gilgit and Shastri have budhyānekarthani (“many meanings” instead of “one meaning”).

787 Chinese: “this is because all phenomena arise from causes.”

788 Chinese: “It is devoid of all features because it is profound.”

789 Chinese: “It is immeasurable because it has no limits.”

790 Chinese: “It is without attributes because it has no nature of its own.”

791 Chinese: “It is without attributes because it is devoid of attributes.”

792 Chinese: “It is unwavering because it abides in tranquility.” This is followed by a few
additional descriptions: “It is nondual because it has only one aspect. It is unchanging
because it is free from conceptualization. It is indescribable because it transcends words /
languages.” After these, there are a few extra and missing verses here and there,
compared to the Tibetan and Sanskrit. For example, an extra verse is: “Phenomena have
no base because they transcend all views.”

793 This sentence does not appear in the Chinese.

794 The Gilgit manuscript follows this with “It cannot be shown,” which is absent in the later
manuscripts and the Tibetan.

795 Sanskrit: aniketa. The Tibetan translates as gnas med pa. Earlier in the list apratis ̣thita
̣
(“no location”) was translated as mi gnas pa. Not present in the Chinese.

796 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan here interprets this as “has
the quintessence that transcends the scope of words …”
797 According to the Tibetan and the BHS: dos ̣apatha in Classical Sanskrit would mean “the
path of wickedness.” The Chinese puts “transcendence of desire, anger, and ignorance
and their respective causes” together in one phrase, and follows it with “because all
phenomena are empty in essence.”

798 Chinese: “It is unborn because it has ended all births.” At this point the Gilgit manuscript
also has “It is undefiled as it transcends the ripening [of karma]. It is permanent…” This
is all absent in the later manuscripts and the Tibetan. See also the following note.

799 According to the Gilgit Sanskrit nityo vyāhāren ̣a vyavahāraś ca śūnyah ̣. The words
vyavahāraś ca śūnyah ̣ are omitted from the later Sanskrit manuscripts, whereas the
commentary was evidently based on a text that omitted only ca śūnya, but retained nityo
vyāhāren ̣a (“ ‘permanent’ in terms of words”). The Tibetan appears to be based on a
manuscript that also omitted nityo so that the resulting vyāharen ̣a vyavahāra was
translated as meaning “through language there is terminology.” The commentary,
because of the absence of ca śūnya, explains “terminology” as referring to nirvān ̣a. The
corresponding Chinese phrase seems to be 以無常但言説故（yi wu chang dan yan shuo
gu), which could be understood as “It is impermanent because it is [permanent] only in
terms of words or speech.”

800 According to the commentary no differentiation is taken as a cause for nirvān ̣a, which is
just a term used in the world, and there is no difference between the nirvāna of buddhas,
pratyekabuddhas, and śrāvakas.

801 Literally, nirvrta,

̣ the past passive participle “extinguished.” According to the
commentary this means that it is indescribable through words.

802 According to the commentary: “The words that are like an echo pacify the concepts of the
subject that is talked about, and therefore there is peace.”

803 According to the commentary: “Designations are merely concepts, and therefore mere
designations can act as terminology for anything.”

804 According to the commentary the correct speech uses synonyms, such as “truth,” “true
nature,” and “the ultimate,” which are used to teach the ultimate truth.

805 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan in the Kangyur translates as
“there is calmness because of the absence of anguish” because they are corollaries. The
same words could mean “There is coolness, the absence of fever.” The commentary states:
“anguish or fever means the kleśas.” The Chinese has 以清涼離惱熱故 (yi qing liang li
nao re gu), in which 清涼 (qing liang) literally means “coolness” but can be understood as
“calmness.” 惱熱 (nao re) literally means “the fever of agitated mind,” but can also mean
“anguish” and “kleśas.”

806 From the Sanskrit animitta, translated into Tibetan as gnas med pa, here meaning
“baseless,” or “groundless,” even though gnas med pa had just been used to translate
aniketa.
807 The Sanskrit has anindita, and the commentary has smad du med pa (“cannot be
denigrated” or “irreproachable”).

808 The commentary states that this is because its qualities are endless. The Tibetan
translates “description” literally as “teaching its color,” which is not quite appropriate in
this context. In the Chinese this is followed by: “There is no end to the description of its
merit.”

809 Chinese: “If someone wishes to see the Lord of the World and know his body.”

810 The commentary states that this is because the nature of the samādhi and the Buddha’s
body are the same.

811 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has added “hundred,” presumably for metrical
reasons.

812 Chinese: “His body.”

813 According to the commentary, these three bad perceptions are those arising from
aversion, attachment, and ignorance.

814 According to the commentary, but not the Sanskrit manuscripts, chapter 22 ends here.

815 According to the Sanskrit acintya and most Kangyurs. The Degé has bstan (resulting in
“unteachable,” or “unshowable”) instead of bsam.

816 This paragraph is more concise in the Chinese.

817 The Dutt divides up the verses unevenly.

818 According to the Sanskrit naikakāle prajānitum. The Tibetan may have been translated
from a corrupt manuscript and has du ma dag ni shes mi sla (“the numerous that are not
easy to know.”) Chinese: “I can look at all beings, whose number is greater than that of
these particles, and know their aspirations and motivations all at the same time.” 我觀一
切生, 多於彼塵數, 發心及起信, 於一時悉知 (wo guan yi qie zhong sheng, duo yu bi chen
shu, fa xin ji qi xin, yu yi shi xi zhi).

819 According to the Tibetan, Chinese, Gilgit, and Shastri manuscripts (naiva). The Hodgson
has only caiva, without any negation.

820 According to the Sanskrit niittakarmanā, which is in the instrumental, but the Tibetan
has dang (“and”) instead of kyis (“through”).

821 Sanskrit: varn ̣a. Translated into Tibetan as kha mdog (“color”).

822 According to the Tibetan, presumably translating from tatrākalpitam. There appears to
be no negation in the Sanskrit tatra kalpitam.

823 End of the fascicle 5 and beginning of fascicle 6 in the Song, Yuan, Min, Gong, and Sheng
editions, but in the Taisho edition fascicle 5 continues. 卷第五終【宋】【元】【明】
【宮】【聖】本.
824 According to the Sanskrit varn ̣avyāhāra and the Mahāvyutpatti’s translation of varn ̣a
and vyāhāra as brjod pa. The Tibetan in both the sūtra and the commentary is bsngags
brjod pa (“expression of praise”), which does not fit the context here, and may be a scribal
corruption of ngag brjod pa.

825 The text has just “inconceivable,” which is used numerous times in this chapter, but with
the meaning of an inconceivable number, rather than one of the inconceivability of the
words expressed.

826 This first part of the chapter up to this point does not appear in the Chinese.

827 From this point on, the Gilgit lists the names of the sets of four with the nature of the four
merely implied because of the repetition. The Tibetan, Hodgson, and Shastri have the
same variation in the list, and the contents of each set of four are given in full.

828 From the Sanskrit udbhāva. The Tibetan translates this freely as sgrol ba (“liberation”).
The Chinese translates as 度 (du), which means “reach the other shore.” This is the same
word that translates paramitas.

829 This is followed in the Sanskrit by a list of vyavāhāra (“practices”), absent in the Tibetan
and Chinese.

830 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. Not present in the Sanskrit.

831 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. Not present in the Sanskrit.

832 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. Not present in the Sanskrit.

833 According to the Tibetan spyad pa. Not present in the Sanskrit manuscripts or the
commentary.

834 Here both “countless” and “inconceivable” are translating the same word: acintya; bsam
gyis mi khyab pa. However, the first appears from context to mean “an inconceivable
number.”

835 According to the commentary these words prove that there is no center and no edge, no
past and no future.

836 According to the Tibetan rgyu ba med pa and the commentary. The commentary explains
that this means that there is no coming or going by anyone. The Hodgson and Shastri
have pracārapadāni (“conduct”) at this point.

837 Tibetan: gzhal du med pa, which in the Mahāvyutpatti corresponds with atulya. Gilgit:
[a]tulyapatha. The Chinese translates from atulya (不可稱, bu ke cheng). Hodgson and
Shastri: aparyantapāda (“unlimited words”). The commentary states that the words
describe qualities that are unequaled or incomparable because there are no phenomena
like them.

838 According to the commentary, this means that these words are the cause for the listening,
contemplation, and meditation that give rise to wisdom.
839 According to the BHS chanda. The commentary states that this means “teaching
definitions through various languages so as to bring delight to beings.”

840 According to the Sanskrit and BHS prajñapana.

841 According to the Sanskrit prakāśana.

842 According to the Sanskrit prasthānapa.

843 According to the BHS uttānīkaran ̣a. The Tibetan has gsal bar byed pa (“make clear”).

844 According to the BHS anela. The commentary has tshig mi ’dres pa (“unmixed”).
Tibetan: tshig mi ’dor (“casting out”).

845 According to the Tibetan. Absent in the Sanskrit and commentary.

846 According to the Tibetan. Absent in the Sanskrit and commentary.

847 The Chinese has an additional verse that precedes this one.

848 According to the BHS jānamī and the Chinese 我知 (wo zhi). The Tibetan has bshad pa
(“teach”), which may be a scribal corruption of shes through copying from dictation.

849 According to the Sanskrit gun ̣āh ̣ and the Chinese 功德 (gong de). The Tibetan has
bsngags (“praise”).

850 Sanskrit: “highest of engagements with discernment.”

851 From “They do not seek enlightenment as other than consciousness” to this point does
not appear in the Chinese.

852 According to the Tibetan, presumably translating from a text that read śabdena
saṃprakāśitam, and the commentary. The Sanskrit has śabdenāsaṃprakāśitam (“is not
taught through words”).

853 Dutt’s edition accidentally numbers this verse as 9, so that all subsequent verses are
misnumbered.

854 According to the Sanskrit nih ̣srta

̣ and the Chinese. The Tibetan has mi brten par
(“without being based on”), perhaps from a text that had śrita instead of srta.
̣

855 These apparently extra lines in this verse appear in both the Sanskrit and the Tibetan.

856 According to the Tibetan. All the Sanskrit manuscripts have “Cannot be defeated / By
many ten millions of māras.” The Chinese has “will not be disturbed by millions of
māras.”

857 In the Chinese the order of this and the preceding verse is reversed.

858 According to one meaning of the Sanskrit pranas ̣ta,

̣ and the Chinese. Translated into
Tibetan in this verse as brlag (destroyed) and in the next verse as shin tu ’khyams
(“wandering far”).

859 According to the Sanskrit bhave cābhāvasaṃjinah ̣, the Chinese, and the commentary,
which explains that this means “not believing in the existence of nirvān ̣a and the ultimate
 nature.” The Tibetan basically repeats the first line.

860 According to the Tibetan interpretation of the Sanskrit compound jñātralabha. However,
these terms appear uncompounded in other texts, meaning “acquisition and reputation.”
The Chinese has “close relations (families) 親 (qin) (presumably from a manuscript that
had jñatri), wealth / possessions 財 (cai), and profits 利 (li).”

861 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit pranas ̣tạ literally means “destroyed” or “lost.” The
Chinese has “lost” (有失, you shi).

862 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit, including the Gilgit, has “will think of their sons
and daughters as being their wives.”

863 The Chinese specifies the five lay precepts.

864 According to the Sanskrit avadata. The Degé has skya bo (“white”). The Yonglé, Peking,
Narthang, and Lhasa Kangyurs have skye bo.

865 A conical or bowl kettle drum, also called a nagada. The upper surface is beaten with
sticks. Often played in pairs, one larger than the other.

866 A kettle drum played with the hands. Held horizontally, it is wider in the middle with the
skin at both ends. One drumhead is smaller than the other. It is a South Indian drum; it
maintains the rhythm in Karnataka music.

867 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “They will perceive the enlightenment of buddhahood
/ Through being incited by false words.”

868 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “Will prattle on about the wisdom of buddhahood.”

869 The Chinese of this verse is different: “I have never heard of or seen those with that kind
of conduct, who are ignorant and dwell in bad ways, attaining the wisdom of
buddhahood.”

870 The Chinese of this verse is different: “If I were to talk for an eon / About the various
faults of those / Who claim to be bodhisattvas, / I could mention only a fraction. 我若一劫
中, 說彼諸過失, 自謂菩薩者, 但能說小分 (ruo wo yi jie zhong, shuo bi zhu guo shi, zi wei
pu sa zhe, dan neng shuo xiao fen).

871 According to the Sanskrit saṃstava, the Lithang, Narthang, and Cone Kangyurs, and the
Chinese. The Degé has ston (“teach”) instead of sten.

872 Literally, “guides.” Chinese: “buddhas.”

873 According to the Sanskrit vaipulya and the Chinese 我學習不廣 (wo xue xi bu guang).
The Tibetan mtshungs med appears to have translated from a corruption to atulya
(“unequaled”). The Hodgson manuscript has a corruption to pun ̣ya (“merit”).

874 Chinese: “the merit of correct conduct.”

875 The Chinese has an additional verse following this one.

876 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “the bliss of meditation.”
877 According to the Tibetan, Chinese, Shastri (vidhāran ̣īmukham), and Hodgson (dhāran ̣īye
mukham). The Gilgit manuscript, however, has evaṃ hi dhārayet sukham (“and thus you
should possess happiness”).

878 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “the wisdom of enlightenment.”

879 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

880 Literally, “the Teacher.” Chinese: 汝今得值佛, 發於菩提心 (ru jin de zhi fo, fa yu pu ti
xin), “Now that you have met the Buddha, you should arouse bodhicitta.”

881 Beginning of fascicle 6 of the Taisho ed., and fascicle 7 of the Song, Yuan, Ming, Gong,
and Sheng eds.

882 There are two verses in the Gilgit manuscript, numbered 4 and 5, that are also present in
the Chinese, but do not appear in the later Sanskrit manuscripts, are not mentioned in the
commentary, and are absent in the Tibetan: “I rejoice in those who do not believe in a
self, / Who do not believe in existence or believe in a soul. / I rejoice in those who do not
have bad views, / Who have seen emptiness and developed contentment. / I rejoice in
those who follow the Sugata’s teaching, / Who attain the state of a mendicant, / And who
have few desires, dwell content in the forest, / And have peaceful conduct and the practice
of meditation.”

883 This verse does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese, and does not appear
to be mentioned in the commentary.

884 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. This verse does not appear in the Gilgit
manuscript or the Chinese.

885 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. This verse does not appear in the Gilgit
manuscript or the Chinese.

886 Divided into two points in the Chinese.

887 Points 8 and 9 are combined into one point in the Chinese.

888 The Chinese adds “that is, the disciples of the buddhas, the bodhisattvas, and śrāvakas.”

889 From the BHS anuparivārayati and according to the definition in the commentary. The
Tibetan translates with the alternative meaning of “encircling” or “surrounding.” The
Gilgit version has pariśodhayati (“purifies”). The Chinese translates this sentence as
“They will perfect wisdom of all kinds.” 滿足一切智 (man zu yi qie zhi).

890 According to the Sanskrit, the commentary, and most Kangyurs, except for the Degé
which has ’byor pa in error for ’byol ba. Chinese: “They abandon all concern about life
and death.” 棄捨生死 (qi she sheng si).

891 Tibetan: thob par byed pa (“cause to obtain”). Sanskrit: arpayati (see Mahāvyutpatti
7428). Chinese: “They long for the joy of nirvān ̣a,” 慕樂涅槃 (mu le nie pan).

892 Chinese: “They will not lack faith or wealth,” 不乏信財 (bu fa xin cai).
893 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan repeats “the wise ones.”

894 Chinese: “obstructions” or “obstacles,” 無障礙 (wu zhang ai).

895 According to the Sanskrit niraṅga. Translated into Tibetan as nyon mongs med pa.

896 Literally, “they are difficult to approach.” The commentary explains that this means they
have such a complete attainment of qualities that they cannot easily be surpassed.
Chinese: “Others cannot surpass their attainments.”

897 The Chinese adds the point: “their confidence of speech increases,” 增長辯才 (zeng zhang
bian cai).

898 According to the Sanskrit musala and the Mahāvyupatti. The Chinese combines 9 and 10
as the tenth point. The verses that follow do not expand on the last analogy, but the
commentary’s explanation (F.85.a.7) of these two last benefits is: “Their positive qualities
progressively increase without being contaminated by the mud of saṃsāra’s defects,
without gradually being worn down like the metal of a pestle, and without giving rise to
suffering.”

899 Chinese: “their attainments are difficult to surpass.” See note note 896.

900 Gilgit and Chinese: “without anguish or kleśas,” 其心無惱熱 (qi xin wu nao re).

901 Chinese: “always,” 常 (chang).

902 Does not appear in the Chinese.

903 At this point the Chinese has an additional two lines concerning discernment and
wisdom.

904 This line does not appear in the Chinese.

905 The first half of this verse is absent in the later Sanskrit and the Tibetan. The Gilgit has:
“He maintains what he has learned / And is presented with what he has not learned.” The
order of qualities in this and the succeeding verse differs in the Tibetan from all three
Sanskrit manuscripts.

906 In the Chinese this four-line verse is in a shorter form as the first half of a verse.

907 At this point, Dutt has a second half-verse that is said to be reconstructed from the
Tibetan and absent in the Sanskrit (although these lines are not present in the Degé, their
absence is not noted in the Pedurma, and they are not present in the Stok Palace): “When
it comes time to die, / It is similarly fruitful for them.” The commentary does not gloss
any of these verses. Here, the Chinese has: “In this way, after hearing the Dharma / They
develop the Dharma they have heard. / They remember it constantly, / Day and night,
without intermission.”

908 The commentary states that this refers to “the levels, the six perfections, and so forth.”
The Chinese has “engage in the field of loving kindness,” 行慈境界.
909 According to the commentary, this means that in a state of meditation the senses are
disengaged from their objects. The Chinese has “protected,” 守護 (shou hu).

910 Chinese: “bliss without food.” “Without food” is a synonym for the meditative state.

911 The Tibetan here has bsam gtan (as in the prose opening on this topic), while the
Sanskrit has samādhi both here and in the last line of the preceding verse.

912 According to the commentary, this means that there is no conceptualized fixation upon
the diligent activity of body, speech, or mind.

913 Chinese: “Their minds cannot be swayed by other views,” 於他言論其心不動 (yu ta yan
lun qi xin bu dong).

914 The commentary explains that involvement with the composite is like darkness and the
bodhisattvas’ wisdom is like a light that eliminates that darkness. The Chinese here has:
能達生死海底 (neng da sheng si hai), literally, “they have reached the bottom of the ocean
of life and death,” which means, “they know the depth of the ocean of saṃsāra” or “they
transcend saṃsāra.”

915 These two qualities are the ninth and tenth benefits in the Chinese.

916 This does not appear in the Chinese.

917 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. Here the Sanskrit has vimukta (“liberation”)
instead of the earlier vivikta (“isolation”).

918 “Wise” does not appear in the Chinese.

919 According to the Sanskrit, here māra is in the singular, while earlier it was in the plural.
Neither is indicated in the Tibetan or Chinese.

920 Chinese: “They are unswayed by other views.”

921 According to the Sanskrit gādha. The Tibetan has gting, “depth.” The Chinese uses the
expression, “have reached the bottom of (the ocean of) life and death (compare note
914),” to mean “knowing the depth of samsara, or the composite.” Gādha translated into
Chinese can mean “shallowness” or “depth.”

922 Chinese: “faith and wisdom.”

923 Chinese: “They know the kleśas.”

924 Chinese: “They know purification.”

925 According to the Sanskrit pratis ̣thate (“to be upon”) and the Yonglé and Peking Kangyur
sten (“to rely upon”). The Degé has ston (“teach”).

926 The commentary explains that this means that they dedicate the merit they have to the
beings who do not have that merit. The Chinese translates as “portion of merit.”

927 According to the Sanskrit singular form. The Chinese has “realms.”
928 According to the later Sanskrit manuscripts and the Tibetan. The Gilgit has “the highest.”
Chinese: “as the Buddha has taught.”

929 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit bodhiman ̣d ̣aṃ samārūd ̣ha means, “He has taken
his seat upon the Bodhiman ̣d ̣a.”

930 According to the commentary, the dwelling of the Buddha is emptiness.

931 According to the Tibetan mi gnas pa. The BHS aniśrita and the Chinese could be
translated as “nondependent.”

932 The Chinese adds “of any kind.”

933 According to the Sanskrit parmārṣ ̣ati and the Chinese 於戒不取 (yu jie bu qu). Translated
into Tibetan as mchog tu ’dzin pa (literally, “holding as supreme”). According to the
commentary this means there is freedom from the concepts of a self who maintains
conduct, a conduct that is being maintained, and a goal that is to be achieved through that
conduct. Śīlavrataparāmarśa (tshul khrims dang brtul zhugs mchog tu ’dzin pa),
“clinging to conduct and observance,” is one of the four kinds of attachment (upādana,
len pa) as well as one of the ten fetters (saṃyojana, kun tu sbyor ba).

934 Commentary: “they see the empty nature of all things.” Chinese: “they are without
conflict.”

935 According to the commentary: “they remain in the meditation of emptiness, which is
detached, separate, or isolated from all kleśas.” Chinese: “detached from all bad matters.”

936 According to the commentary, disparaging the Buddha means claiming that the Buddha’s
true teaching was the existence of individuals, and so on, instead of the emptiness of all
phenomena.

937 Chinese: “all white, pure Dharma.”

938 Chinese: “have immaculate conduct,” 成就無漏戒 (cheng jiu wu lou jie), from
anāsravaśīla.

939 According to the Sanskrit and the prose section. The Tibetan adds “path” here, making it
the superior, or noble, path rather than a superior being.

940 The Chinese has a different version of the second half of the verse: “They will not be born
in lower realms, 不生惡道中 (bu sheng yu er dao zhong) / And will always remain within
noble families 常安住聖種 (chang an zhu sheng zhong).”

941 Chinese: “There is no fixation on the bliss of dhyāna,” 不依禪定樂 (bu yi chan ding le).

942 Sanskrit: aniśrita (“nondependent”). Chinese: “teachings on emptiness.”

943 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has āryas (the superior, noble ones). The Chinese
has “buddhas and āryas” (佛勝人, fo sheng ren).

944 According to the Sanskrit and Tibetan. The commentary, however, has chos (“Dharma”)
instead of the similarly sounding spyod (“conduct”). However, the definition of it as both
 “realization” and “scriptural transmission” indicates that it was “Dharma” in the Sanskrit
commentary.

945 According to the commentary: “they do not have any doubt as to whether the Buddha’s
wisdom exists, or their ability to attain it.” Chinese: “wisdom of the Buddha.”

946 According to the commentary this means engaging in looking at the Buddha, paying
homage to him, making offerings to him, and so on, as a result of knowing the qualities
that come from hearing, contemplating, and meditating on the Dharma. The Chinese has
only “they have gratitude.”

947 Chinese: “disparage,” 謗 (bang).

948 According to the commentary these are the kleśas and karma that arise from ignorance,
aversion, and attachment.

949 The Tibetan has the plural here, while the Sanskrit is in the singular, as in other lines of
this passage. For this translation, as in many other similar passages, the plural has been
preferred because it avoids the use of gender-specific pronouns.

950 According to the commentary, this means the four noble truths. The Chinese does not
have “four.”

951 According to the commentary, this is referring to “households from which they receive
food on their alms rounds, maintaining equanimity or impartiality toward them all.”
Chinese: “they are devoid of attachment and aversion.”

952 According to the Sanskrit nirāmis ̣a and the commentary. The Tibetan translates vaguely
as zang zing (“material goods”). Āmis ̣a can mean gifts in general and also specifically
food. The Chinese integrates this into the previous point. Chinese: “They teach the
Dharma without expectation of food.”

953 Chinese: “These are the qualities of austere mendicancy.”

954 Chinese: “These are the qualities of austere mendicancy.”

955 This verse is absent in the Chinese.

956 The beginning of this chapter, up to this point, is absent in the Chinese.

957 “In order to explain this topic” does not appear in the Chinese.

958 According to the Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan.

959 This is a reference to the Haṃsajātaka, the story of the Buddha’s previous life as a goose
king named Dhrtarās
̣ ṭ ra
̣ who taught the Dharma to a king and queen.

960 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit vihaga is usually a generic word for “birds.”

961 According to the commentary this is referring to the Samkhya view of a purus ̣a
(“individual”) and his or her jīva (“soul”), which keeps them bound to prakrtị (“nature”).
Chinese: “lifespan,” 壽 (shou).
962 According to the Sanskrit nara, Chinese 人 (ren), and Yonglé, Peking, Lithang, Narthang,
and Cone Kangyurs mi. Degé: ming (“name”).

963 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has phena (“foam”), and this is matched by the
Tibetan of the commentary (dbu ba). The Tibetan may therefore have been translated
according to a variant Sanskrit manuscript not represented today.

964 Instead of “dreams / foam or a plantain tree,” the Chinese has “like a wild horse.”

965 At this point in the Shastri manuscript there is a verse that begins, “The three realms are
like a dream…” which is absent in the Gilgit, Chinese, Tibetan, and the Hodgson
manuscript, and yet is quoted by Candrakīrti in the seventh century.

966 Chinese: “six.”

967 According to the BHS nipun ̣a. The Tibetan translates incorrectly according to its classical
Sanskrit meaning mkhas pa (wise, or skillful). Absent in the Chinese.

968 In this and the following verses, there is much word-play in both Sanskrit and Tibetan
between the closely related (see glossary) terms for “movement” or “going” (Sanskrit gati,
Tibetan ’gro), and “mode” (Sanskrit gatī, Tibetan ’gros).

969 According to the BHS nipuna and the Chinese 微細 (wei xi). The Tibetan translates
incorrectly according to its classical Sanskrit meaning mkhas pa (“wise,” “skillful”).

970 Chinese: “true.”

971 According to the Sanskrit nipurn ̣ārtha. The Tibetan has zhi ba’i don (“peaceful
meaning”). The Sanskrit nipurn ̣ārtha is sometimes translated into Chinese as “true,” and
sometimes as “subtle.” Here it is translated as “mode of true meaning,” 真義道 (zhen yi
dao).

972 The Chinese has a different order for this and the preceding three verses.

973 According to the Gilgit manuscript tada, and the commentary; does not appear in the
Shastri. The Hodgson has sadā, and the Tibetan has translated from sadā as rtag
(“always”), which does not seem to fit the context.

974 Here the synonym “Jambudhvaja” (Jambu Banner) is used. The Chinese has
“Jambudvīpa,” 閻浮提 (yan fu ti).

975 In the Chinese there are an additional two lines to make the second half of a verse, about
pursuing the bliss of bodhicitta.

976 In the Chinese there are an additional two lines to make the second half of a verse, about
suffering and lack of faith.

977 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has the obscure bla ma yi chad pa,
presumably meaning “punishment from on high.”

978 Replaced by a different verse in the Chinese.

979 Chinese: “they guard their own fortune but rob others of their wealth.”
980 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has translated as mkhas pa (“wise”).

981 Chinese: “When they see a Dharma teacher make a small mistake, / They would
exaggerate it and add hundreds or thousands more to it.” 若見法師少過失，增長加說百千
種 (ruo jian fa shi shao guo shi, zeng zhang jia shuo bai qian zhong).

982 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “do not praise.” Chinese: “do not get close to,” 勿親近
(wu qin jin).

983 According to the Sanskrit nirvrtti. The Tibetan translates as mnya nga las ’das pa
(nirvān ̣a). This verse does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.

984 According to the Sanskrit rucira. The Tibetan perhaps translated from a text that had
cūrna (“powders”) translated as “incense.”

985 This verse does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.

986 According to the Sanskrit vipañcī. Apparently replaced in Tibetan by the word sna tshogs
(“various”).

987 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has “wiped clean.” The Chinese has “skillfully
made and adorned with precious materials,” 眾寶善巧而雕飾 (zhong bao shan qiao er
diao shi).

988 This verse is absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

989 This verse is absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

990 Absent in the Chinese.

991 In the Chinese, this verse is followed by an additional verse about offerings.

992 Sanskrit: śila. These are ammonite shell fossils, of great significance and value in India.

993 From the Sanskrit ghana. The Tibetan appears to have translated from a manuscript that
had dhāna (“grain”).

994 Sanskrit sīhanukāh ̣, Tibetan seng ge can rin chen. The meaning is obscure.

995 No number in the Chinese.

996 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “hundreds.”

997 Chinese: “There were hundreds and thousands (or many hundred thousands) of other
kinds of hardship, which I endured to the point that my body was totally exhausted.”

998 Chinese: “How did I attain this samādhi? By freeing others from hundreds and thousands
of kinds of suffering.”

999 According to the Sanskrit, in which, in all manuscripts, there is the adjective maitraka.
The commentary glosses this as meaning Maitreya after he has attained buddhahood. The
Tibetan rgyal ba byams pa grags pa mtha’ yas could be translated as “infinitely famous
Jina Maitreya,” and possibly, “the Jina with infinitely famous kindness.”

1000 “Infinite fame” does not appear in the Chinese.

1001 According to the Tibetan, presumably translating from manuja and the Chinese 人. The
Sanskrit has maruta, which is a synonym for “the devas.”

1002 According to the Tibetan ’byung po and the Gilgit manuscript bhūta. The Shastri and
Hodgson manuscripts have deva. The Chinese has a combination of two words: “spirits”
and “worldly gods,” 鬼神.

1003 Chinese: “Do not have a mind of love and desire.”

1004 According to the Sanskrit gira and the Yonglé and Peking Kangyurs dbyangs. Other
Kangyurs have the incorrect dbyings. Chinese: “delightful voice.”

1005 According to the Sanskrit krauñca. The Tibetan translation is khrung khrung, which
usually means “the crane.” Sanskrit dictionaries normally identify this as “the curlew.”
The Mahāvyutpatti has krung krung for krauñca.

1006 The Chinese does not have “crane,” but has “peacocks, avadavats, and various musical
instruments.”

1007 This refers to the sixteen vowels and thirty-four consonants in Sanskrit. The Chinese
describes the voice as the melodious sounds of geese, bells, and drums blended with the
sound of a hundred musical instruments.

1008 According to the Tibetan grong. The Sanskrit has kula (“families”).

1009 Chinese: “every family who has come to pay their respects all praise them,” 往詣家家皆讚
歎.

1010 This verse is followed in the Chinese by an additional verse about rebirth in Sukhāvatī.

1011 According to the Tibetan, presumably from supraśāntamana. The Sanskrit has
suviśuddhamana (“a pure mind”).

1012 The Sanskrit is in the singular, the Tibetan in the plural. This verse does not appear in the
Chinese.

1013 These are taught in the Sūtra of the Ten Bhūmis (see bibliography).

1014 This verse is not in any of the Sanskrit sources, nor in the Chinese, but is glossed in the
commentary.

1015 These are taught in,the Tathāgatotpattisambhavanirdeśa (“The Teaching on the

Emergence of the Tathāgata”), chapter 43 in the Avataṃsaka Sūtra.

1016 According to the commentary, power over life means that the bodhisattva can remain
alive for countless eons.

1017 According to the commentary, power over karma means that the bodhisattva can control
the time when it ripens.

1018 According to the commentary, power over materials means that the bodhisattva can
adorn many worlds.
1019 According to the commentary, power over aspiration means that the bodhisattva can see
all worlds filled with buddhas.

1020 According to the commentary, power over prayer means that the bodhisattva can choose
the time and world of his buddhahood.

1021 According to the commentary, power over miracles means that the bodhisattva can
manifest every kind of miracle.

1022 According to the commentary, power over birth means that the bodhisattva can manifest
taking birth in every world.

1023 According to the commentary, power over Dharma means that the bodhisattva can teach
every kind of Dharma.

1024 According to the commentary, power over mind means that the bodhisattva is able to
remain in countless samādhis.

1025 According to the commentary, power over wisdom means that the bodhisattva can
without fear teach the understanding of all the strengths of the Buddha. This verse is not
in any of the Sanskrit sources, or in the Chinese, but is glossed in the commentary.

1026 This verse is absent in the Chinese.

1027 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “He obtains the highest happiness, the happiness of
dhyāna, the noble happiness.” Chinese: “nirvān ̣a.”

1028 According to the Sanskrit akhila (“complete,” “without a gap”) and the Yonglé and Peking
Kangyurs dag (“pure,” “correct”). Other Kangyurs have dge (“virtuous”).

1029 Chinese: “restrain the sense faculties.”

1030 According to the Tibetan and the Shastri manuscript priyabhan ̣i. Other Sanskrit
manuscripts: priyavān ̣i.

1031 The Sanskrit and Chinese add “and truthfully.”

1032 Chinese: “pride.”

1033 Chinese: “patient,” and also “they remain honest, avoid sharp language, and are lovable.”

1034 This verse is expanded into two in the Chinese.

1035 “Like a kiṃnara’s song” does not appear in the Chinese.

1036 Chinese: “Their voice is like five hundred kinds of pleasant sounds,” 亦如五百美妙音 (yi
ru wu bai mei miao yin).

1037 Chinese: “Their fame spreads into numerous worlds,” 名聞遍彰諸世間 (min wen pian
zhang zhu shi jian).

1038 This verse is in the Tibetan, and referred to in the commentary. It is in the Shastri and
Hodgson manuscripts, but does not appear in the Gilgit or Chinese.

1039 Chinese: “they have wisdom and miraculous power,” 智慧及神足 (zhi hui ji shen zu).
1040 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan in all Kangyurs has gzugs in
error for gzungs.

1041 Chinese: “they know dhāran ̣īs and have reached the other shore” (or “the way to reach the
other shore”), 總持到彼岸 (zong chi dao bi an).

1042 Chinese: “They know how to cure kleśas.”

1043 Chinese: “they are skilled in removing poisonous arrows.”

1044 The Sanskrit adds: “and a jina.” This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1045 This verse does not appear in the Chinese, which has another verse about the quality of
non-attachment and being worthy of offering.

1046 Chinese: “the skandhas are empty in nature.”

1047 Chinese: “lions.”

1048 Chinese: “The strength of their patience is as vast as Mt. Meru.”

1049 The Degé and other Kangyurs of the tshal pa group have the verb of this sentence as mi
gtong (“not letting go”), which would not make much sense. The Stok Palace Kangyur has
mi mthong (“not seeing”), closer to the sense of the Sanskrit and the commentary.

1050 In the Chinese this verse is followed by an additional verse concerning knowing the three
times and the three realms.

1051 These are, according to the commentary, the four retentions (dhāran ̣īs), which might
mean either of the two sets of four (see glossary). The commentary has gzugs (“forms,” or
“bodies”) in error for gzungs.

1052 The Sanskrit has “ten million māras.” This verse is present in the Tibetan, and the Shastri
and Hodgson manuscripts, but absent in the Gilgit and Chinese.

1053 This verse is present in the Tibetan, and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts, but
absent in the Gilgit and Chinese.

1054 Conclusion of fascicle 6 in the Chinese.

1055 According to the Tibetan byi dor bya ba yongs su sbyang ba. The Sanskrit parikarma-
dhāraya could be translated as “maintaining or gaining the preparation for.”

1056 This paragraph is in a simpler form in the Gilgit and Chinese.

1057 See also note 933.

1058 According to the main classical meaning of vivekadarśana and its description and
translation, or gloss, in the commentary as de bzhin nyid mthong ba. The Tibetan
translates according to its alternate meaning of “separation,” dben pa.

1059 The five “aggregates” mentioned here are the “five undefiled aggregates” (Tibetan zag
med kyi phung po lnga, known in Sanskrit according to Mahāvyutpatti 103 as the “five
aggregates of those equal to the unequaled ones,” asamasamapañcaskandhah ̣). See
 glossary under “aggregate of correct conduct.” The Gilgit manuscript adds here “insight
into the empty nature of all phenomena,” which is absent in the later Sanskrit
manuscripts and the Tibetan.

1060 According to the Tibetan of the commentary, the Sanskrit, and the Chinese. The Tibetan
of the sūtra has “emptiness.”

1061 According to the Sanskrit na durlabhāh ̣ and the Chinese. The Tibetan has dkon ma yin
(“are not rare”), perhaps in a scribal error of dkon for dka’.

1062 There is a play on words here that is lost in translation, as phenomena and the Buddha’s
teaching are both called “dharma.” The commentary explains that this is because the
nature of phenomena (dharmatā) is such that no phenomenon ever transcends its nature
of emptiness.

1063 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1064 According the commentary and the Sanskrit yāvanta. The Tibetan ’jig rten (“worldly”) in
the sūtra may be a translation of a corruption in a Sanskrit manuscript. Chinese:
“various.”

1065 According to the commentary, the Sanskrit, and the Chinese. The sūtra’s Tibetan has
sangs rgyas sgra (“the word buddha”), perhaps translating from buddhaśabda in error
for buddhadharma. Also, throughout this passage, Dharma is in the plural, meaning “the
numerous Dharma teachings,” though rendered here into English as singular.

1066 The Gilgit manuscript has a verse 26 (anāsravā hi te dharmā […] nena ucyanti hi / strtā
̣
aparyāpannā daśadiśe es ̣ā buddhan deśanā) that does not appear in the Hodgson,
Shastri or Tibetan, but is present in the Chinese.

1067 According to the Sanskrit pratibhāsa, the commentary, and the Chinese. The Tibetan
here has mig yor (“mirages” or “optical illusions,” as defined by the tshig mdzod chen
mo), another meaning of pratibhāsa, and the Mahāvyupatti gives mig yor as the
equivalent, while gzugs brnyan (“reflection”) is given as the equivalent of pratibimba.
Pratibhāsa and pratibimba both appear in the same list of types of illusory appearances,
where pratibhāsa evidently does not mean “reflection.” The etymology of mig yor makes
it unlikely that the Tibetan translator intended it to mean “reflection.”

1068 I.e., rūpakāya (“form body”).

1069 Here the word for “body” in Sanskrit is vigraha and not kaya. The Tibetan translates as
lus gzugs (“body-form”). Chinese: “shapes and forms / images,” 形像 (xing xiang). The
Sanskrit vigraha is variably translated as “images,” “shapes,” “body,” and so on.

1070 The plural forms of dharmakāya and buddha are in accordance with the Sanskrit. The
Tibetan and Chinese could be either singular or plural.

1071 The Gilgit manuscript has a verse 34 (aprāpti [prāpti] nirdis ̣tạ̄ sattvānāṃ jñātva āśayam
/ yo sandhābhās ̣yottarate na so kena vihanyate) that does not appear in the Hodgson,
Shastri, or Tibetan. It is present in the Chinese.
1072 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has the synonym rgyal ba’i sras
(jinaputra).

1073 The Chinese has simply “no attachment.”

1074 Intentional change from singular to plural.

1075 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “practiced by all the buddhas.”

1076 According to the Tibetan. Not present in the Sanskrit or Chinese.

1077 According to the Tibetan and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts. According to the
Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese it would be “And they attain the highest
enlightenment.”

̣ ̣a and the Chinese “marvelous trees,” 復化作妙樹 (fu hu zuo

1078 According to the Sanskrit vrks
miao shu). The Tibetan has zhing (“realm”), which appears to be a scribal corruption of
shing (“tree”), though a translation from a manuscript corruption to ks ̣etra is possible.

1079 According to the Sanskrit sahars ̣ika, which is an obscure term, but presumably adjectival
from sahars ̣a (“delight”). The Tibetan translates as pu shu bcas, (“having hars ̣a” which
would still seem to mean “having delight”) with pu shu meaning “the water gutter”
usually, but can mean “balcony” or “upper level.” The Chinese has no adjective.

1080 Sanskrit vimāna. This term, while it can generally mean “a palace” may refer, as it seems
to here, to a particular architectural style. Vimāna is a South Indian term (South Indian
terminology appearing to be distinctively present in a number of sūtras), with the
northern equivalent being śikhara. It means “a tapering tower with progressively smaller
stories of pavilions.”

1081 According to the Sanskrit pus ̣karin ̣ī. The Tibetan translates simply as “ponds.” The
Chinese has literally, “flower ponds,” implying, as does the Sanskrit, “lotuses.”

1082 According to the Tibetan and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts (upalambhika). The
Gilgit and Chinese have tīrthikas.

1083 This verse is in the Tibetan and the later Sanskrit manuscripts, but not in the Gilgit.
However, it is present in the Chinese.

1084 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1085 According to the Sanskrit. Tibetan: “That which is a concept is taught.”

1086 According to the Gilgit, Chinese, and the Shastri manuscript. The Hodgson manuscript
has “The nature of conceptions is wisdom” (with jñāna in error for jñāta); the Tibetan
translates accordingly.

1087 According to the Tibetan, the Hodgson manuscript, the Vaidya edition, and the Chinese.
The Gilgit and Shastri manuscript do not have the negative na but have ca (“and”)
instead.
1088 Chinese: 不寂者是想 (bu ji zhe shi xiang), “Conceptions are detachment”; 寂滅者是智 (ji
mie zhe shi zhi), “Detachment is wisdom.” 若知想自性 (ruo zhi xiang zi xing), “If one
knows the nature of conception,” 便離於諸想 (bian li yu zhu xiang), “Then he is free from
conceptions.”

1089 Chinese: 名心盡法者 (ming xin jin fa zhe), “[though] the name and thought of cessation
exist,” 盡中本無智 (jin zhong ben wu zhi), “there is no wisdom in [that] cessation.”

1090 According to the Tibetan sgra shes pa. The Sanskrit and Chinese have “knowledge of a
level” (bhūmi; 地).

1091 According to the Tibetan and the Hodgson manuscript, which has saṃvrtị (“conventional”
or “relative”). According to the Gilgit and Shastri, it is nirvrtị (extinction).

1092 According to the Tibetan dmigs pa med, and the Shastri manuscript nirālambhā. The
Gilgit and Hodgson have nirābhogā, which in BHS means “without desire.” Chinese:
“naturally free of defilements.”

1093 This line is missing in the Degé. The Chinese has “having faith in the teaching of the
Buddha,” 於佛語決定 (yu fo yu jue ding).

1094 This verse is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese that is absent in all Sanskrit
versions and the Tibetan.

1095 According to the Tibetan and the later Sanskrit manuscripts. The Gilgit has, “They roar
the lion’s roar, / The inconceivable roar of the buddhas.”

1096 According to the Tibetan mtha’ yas. The Sanskrit analpa and the Chinese 無量 (wu liang)
mean “a great number,” or “a multitude.”

1097 According to the Tibetan and the Shastri manuscript. The Gilgit, Hodgson, and Chinese
have “domain of the bodhisattvas.”

1098 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit (atuliyanāyakānāṃ) could mean “offerings to the
unequaled guides.” Chinese: “buddhas” 佛 (fo).

1099 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. “Teaching” does not appear in the Sanskrit.

1100 According to the Tibetan and the commentary’s explanation. The Sanskrit and Chinese
have “stainless” (vimala; 無垢, wu gou ). The Tibetan has rgya che (“vast”) perhaps
translating from a corruption in a Sanskrit manuscript from vimala to vipulya.

1101 According to the commentary, this means that one cannot color with thoughts the mind
that is in the nondual state of the samādhi.

1102 Chinese: “ten.”

1103 According to the Tibetan ma chags. Sanskrit: anopalipta (“undefiled”); Chinese:

“undefiled by the world.”

1104 This verse does not appear in the Chinese,

1105 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “will never dwell in…”

1106 The Chinese has a different version of the second half of this verse: “No beings in the
three existences are comparable to them. / Only buddhas of the three existences are their
equals.”

1107 According to the commentary this is referring, of the three realms, to the desire realm and
the form realm, with the formless realm implied. Chinese: “rebirth in the gods’ realm,” 生
天 (sheng tian).

1108 According to the Sanskrit svarga. The Tibetan has rgyal srid (“kingdom”), which from
the context may be a translation of a corruption to rājya.

1109 According to the Tibetan spos. Sanskrit: saṃga (“meeting”).

1110 The following six verses are not present in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.

1111 According to the Tibetan and the Chinese.

1112 Referring to the contemplation of that which is unpleasant. Chinese: “the unpleasantness
of one’s own body.”

1113 Chinese: “born in the most excellent, wealthy, and prominent family,” 最勝賢善豪貴家
(zui sheng xian shan hao gui jia).

1114 According to the Sanskrit bahujana. Tibetan: g.yogs bran (“servants and slaves”).
Chinese: “live in abundance with great wealth and extensive retinues,” 資生眷屬悉豐備 (zi
sheng juan shu xi feng man).

1115 The Tibetan adds “and cowries.” Cowrie shells were used as currency in ancient India.
Chinese: “abundant silver, gold, and all kinds of treasures / precious jewels,” 豐饒金銀具
眾寶 (feng rao jin yin ju zhong bao).”

1116 According to the Tibetan. Hodgson manuscript: “And turn the Dharma wheel in
thousands of buddha realms.” The Sanskrit could be interpreted as “unequaled buddha
realms.” “Buddha realms” does not appear in the Chinese.

1117 Verse 205 is not present in the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “Unending, numerous hundreds of
thousands of millions of beings / Who there hear of the roots of merit, / will also attain
the highest aspiration to enlightenment / when the Jina, the great being, teaches the
bodhisattva.” Chinese: “…teaches one bodhisattva.”

1118 The singular is in accordance with the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has the plural. The Chinese
indicates neither.

1119 The Chinese does not mention Māra’s army, but has “subdues māras” (in the plural).

1120 According to the Sanskrit sattvā vijānanti and the Chinese. The Tibetan has presumably
read it as sattvā-avijānanti, which includes the negative, and translates it “all beings do
not know this.”

1121 There is a play on words here, as the Sanskrit for “phenomena” is “dharma” and the
teaching given by a Buddha is also “Dharma;” also, the word “understood” here is
budhyate.
1122 According to the BHS gatiṃgata, and the Chinese. Gatiṃgata is not translated
consistently into Tibetan. Previously it was translated as rtogs pa khong du chud, and
here its two elements are split up into ’gro ba and shes pa (“knowing states of existence”).
There is here as elsewhere a play on words in using both gati (“state of existence”) and
gatiṃgata (“complete understanding”).

1123 According to the Sanskrit sarvasya māyā. Hodgson: sarvepy māyā. The Tibetan appears
to have been translated from a text that read as sarvasyāpāyā, translating as ngan song
thams cad (“all lower realms”), which does not appear to fit the context. The Chinese has
“lower realms” instead of “illusions” and reverses the order of the lines: “He is free from
lower realms / And knows the characteristics of all dharma / phenomena,” 遠離於惡道，
能知諸法相 (yuan li yu e dao, neng zhi zhu fa xiang).

1124 According to the Tibetan, and the Hodgson and Shastri manuscripts. This verse does not
appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.

1125 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit and Chinese have “These teachers of the Dharma.”

1126 Chinese: “Go to various worlds to benefit beings.”

1127 This verse is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese.

1128 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has “main and intermediate
directions.”

1129 According to the Sanskrit, taking prāsāda as the first part of a bahuvrīhi compound. The
Tibetan translates as khang pa (“house”), which appears to be the meaning of prāsāda in
verse 74 (the Tibetan khang pa is translated as “mansions”). The Chinese translation
conforms with ideas of Chinese architecture.

1130 According to the Sanskrit harmya, which is usually translated into Tibetan as bsil khang
(“cool room”) as it is designed to benefit from both shade and breeze. Here the Tibetan
translates it as pu shu, which in verse 74 was used to translate sahars ̣ika.

1131 According to the Sanskrit. Translated here as stegs bu, which can mean “a turret,”
although according to the Mahāvyupatti it should be ba gam, which has a range of
meanings from “dome” to “tower.”

1132 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan here has “and incense in censers,” which appears
to be a corruption brought in from the first line of the next verse. The Chinese has 香瓶
(xiang pin) “and so on,” which could be interpreted as “incense and vases” or “vases of
fragrances.”

1133 According to the Gilgit gandhena. The Hodgson is corrupted and the Shastri has dhūpena
in agreement with the Tibetan bdugs pa, repeating “incense.”

1134 According to the Tibetan, Hodgson, and Shastri. Gilgit: “spreads to the summit of the
sky.” The Chinese translation is roughly “spread out [to] the beautiful platform of clouds,”
and therefore corresponds more to the Gilgit version.
1135 Literally, “a thousand ten-million,” which would be “ten billion.” The translation here
follows the spirit of a poetic description of a great number rather than a mathematically
precise enumeration of realms. Chinese: 千世界, literally, “one thousand worlds.”

1136 Could also be translated as “thorn,” as in the Chinese.

1137 According to the Tibetan and BHS dos ̣aśalya (“the pain of faults / wickedness”). The BHS
dos ̣a is the equivalent of the Classical Sanskrit dves ̣a (“anger”), while dos ̣a in Classical
Sanskrit means “fault” or “wickedness.” The Tibetan appears to have been translating
from trṣ ̣na or perhaps chanda instead of śalya. The Chinese has “the kleśa of anger.”

1138 According to the Sanskrit mohajālaṃ and the Chinese. The Tibetan appears to have
translated from a manuscript that had mahājālam (“great net”).

1139 The number of seats in Chinese is 億 (yi), which can mean a wide range of numbers, but
many scholars simply interpret the term as an expression of “numerous.”

1140 The specific number of ten million cannot be intended here, because there would not be
enough cloths for the seats!

1141 There is considerable variation between the Gilgit (which does not have in this verse the
words “beautiful seats,” but only their descriptions), the Shastri, and the Hodgson
(though they both agree in also having parasols as an adornment, which is absent in the
Tibetan). The Tibetan is closest to the Hodgson, though the Tibetan translation has
literally, “cloths adorned by the lattices of jewels,” and omits the parasols.

1142 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan does not have the word “seats,” which appears
instead in the previous verse.

1143 The Sanskrit has “pure uragasāra.”

1144 According to the Sanskrit dan ̣d ̣a. The Tibetan translates as yan lag (“branches”).

1145 The Sanskrit pañjara usually means “an enclosing cage.” The Tibetan has khog pa, which
means “interior.” However, the leaves are the part of the lotus that is usually described in
this way, and pañjara may be an early corruption in the text, perhaps of palāśa.

1146 Sanskrit: girigarbha, (“mountain essence”). Tibetan: dpal gyi snying po can (“glorious
essence”). The Hodgson has sirigarbha, which is a corruption. The Tibetan appears to
have translated from śrīgarbha. This appears to be a synonym for aśmagarbha (“stone-
essence”), which is an emerald. The commentary repeats ’dab ma, though this can mean
“leaves” as well as “petals.” Compare with the Ten Bhūmi Sūtra in which a lotus has a
beryl stem, a pericarp of sandalwood, emerald stamens, and leaves of gold. The Chinese
has “stems and leaves of crystal, and stamens of gold.”

1147 Absent in the Gilgit, Shastri, Hodgson, and Tibetan. The Chinese has a combination of
this and the following verse.

1148 According to the Tibetan and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts. The Gilgit has
śakunta (“jays”).
1149 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “unsurpassable,” as in the preceding and
following verses.

1150 Three verses here (this one and the following two) are absent in the Gilgit manuscript and
the Chinese, but present in the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts, and the Tibetan.

1151 This verse is followed in the Chinese by an additional verse summarizing the marvelous
decorations and sights.

1152 This verse is followed in the Chinese by an additional verse stating that these decorations
are blessings from the Buddha to benefit beings.

1153 Chinese: “grasping.”

1154 According to the Tibetan and the Hodgson manuscript.

1155 This verse is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese that reiterates that there
should be no doubt and that strong faith will surely lead to rebirth in Sukhāvatī.

1156 According to the Tibetan, Hodgson, and Shastri. The Gilgit has “this supreme realm.”

1157 This verse is expanded into two verses in the Chinese.

1158 Chinese: “pure conduct.”

1159 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “practitioners who are Dharma protectors.” In
the Chinese, “in later times” is absent and this verse is followed by six additional verses.

1160 In the Gilgit manuscript, the prose is absent from this point until “Young man, in the
past…” (34.7).

1161 In the Chinese the prose up to this point is absent.

1162 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan appears to translate as “more
innumerable than innumerable.”

1163 The Chinese has three synonymous phrases.

1164 The Chinese refers to him in this chapter as “bhiksu.”

̣

1165 Chinese: “he composed melodious verses on…”

1166 According to the Sanskrit saṃgīti. The Tibetan rol mo usually means “music.” In the
Chinese, “The apsarases engaged in singing divine songs” is absent.

1167 According to the Sanskrit; absent in the Tibetan.

1168 The Sanskrit here is specifically in the dual form hastau, meaning both hands, although
the preceding prose specifies his right hand only. The Tibetan and Chinese have no
specific plural form and so could be read as singular. This appears to be an instance of
inconsistency revealing the different authorship of verses and prose. For consistency in
English the singular of “hand” is used here.

1169 According to the Sanskrit pūti, the Chinese, and the commentary rul pa. In the Tibetan
version of the sūtra there is a scribal corruption of rul pa (“rotten”) to rus pa (“bones”).
1170 The Chinese has some variation in the preceding two verses and they are followed by an
additional verse.

1171 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan and Chinese omit “sandalwood.” The Chinese has
“incense.”

1172 In the Chinese this verse is followed by an additional verse.

1173 Sanskrit: kiṃnaras, apsarases, and mahoragas.

1174 Chinese: “All became men.”

1175 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan associates “all” with “worlds.” The Chinese does
not indicate singular or plural.

1176 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has saṃlekhagun ̣a (“the qualities / disciplines of
austerity”).

1177 In the Chinese, at this point fascicle 7 comes to an end in the Taisho edition, and fascicle
8 in the Song, Yuan, Ming, Gong, and Sheng editions.

1178 From the Sanskrit avaropayāmi. The Tibetan is bskyed (“generate,” “create”).

1179 The Chinese version of this sentence differs.

1180 From the Sanskrit aśāthyena

̣ (literally “without craftiness”) and the Chinese. The Tibetan
translation g.yo ba med pa could otherwise be understood as meaning “unwaveringly.”

1181 According to the Sanskrit sevitavyā bhjitavyāh ̣.

1182 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary, which mentions correct conduct. The
Tibetan omits the qualifying characteristics, which obscures the meaning. “Good qualities
and wisdom” does not appear in the Chinese.

1183 According to the Sanskrit visaradena. Translated into Tibetan as g.yo ba med pa.

1184 According to the BHS (īrya), the commentary (spyod lam), and the Chinese 威儀. In the
Tibetan of the sūtra it is translated as g.yo ba (“movement,” “wandering”), which is one
meaning of īrya but does not fit the context well.

1185 The Sanskrit and Chinese have here the additional sentence, “He was wise in certainty in
meaning,” which is absent in the Tibetan version of the sūtra and the commentary.

1186 Tibetan: gsong por smra. The BHS has pūrvabhilāpī (“respectfully”). In Sanskrit this is
followed by, “He had a smiling face,” which is absent in the Tibetan but incorporated to
make a single sentence in the Chinese.

1187 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan here has “blood and flesh,”
which does not appear to fit the context. Chinese: “fresh blood of a young virgin.”

1188 According to the Sanskrit ācārya and the Tibetan of the commentary slob dpon. The
Tibetan has ’phags pa (“noble one”), which appears to be translated from a corruption of
cācāryam (“and the ācārya”) to cāryam (“and the ārya”). Chinese: “She went to the king
who then called the sick bhiksụ into the palace. He was seated in front of the king…”
1189 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan omits the negative, and gang could be
misunderstood as a personal pronoun rather than the interrogative.

1190 According to the Tibetan, which specifies “red sandalwood” for candana, and translates
kālānusārī literally as ’dus brang (“following time”). The Chinese has simply
“sandalwood.”

1191 This prose section does not appear in the Gilgit, Sanskrit, or Chinese, but is present in the
Tibetan, and in the Hodgson and Shastri.

1192 The BHS sugatāna putrakāh ̣ appears to be specifically male as “sons of the sugatas,”
although putra can be taken in the more general sense of “child.” The Tibetan translates
as byang chub sems mo, specifically meaning a female bodhisattva, which accords with
the use of the female personal pronoun, but although the female pronoun is used she is
also described as having become irreversibly male.

1193 Translated into Tibetan in the sūtra and commentary as mar me mdzad, and therefore
this may have been from a text that had dīpaṃkara instead of dīpaprabha, although that
would be in contradiction with the standard account of Buddha Śākyamuni’s previous life
as a student of Dīpaṃkara.

1194 This verse is in the Tibetan, the commentary, and the Shastri and Hodgson manuscripts,
but absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

1195 According to the Tibetan and the BHS dos ̣a, which is the equivalent of the Classical
Sanskrit dves ̣a (“anger”), while the Classical Sanskrit dos ̣a means “fault” or “wickedness.”
Chinese: “anger and pride,” though dos ̣a has been translated variably as “faults, pride,
and anger.”

1196 These last three sentences are absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

1197 The Sanskrit has the obscure vitardda, while the Mahāvyutpatti gives vitardi and vedika
as the corollary of the Tibetan stegs bu. A vedika is a raised platform, usually with a
railing, around a building or stūpa.

1198 The Sanskrit niryūha, which the Mahāvyutpatti defines as sgo khang or ba gam
according to context, is translated here as sgo khang.

1199 Sanskrit: toran ̣a. Tibetan: rta babs. The name of the outer gateways for entering a
courtyard, it was also an ornamental form above the doorways of a building.

1200 Sanskrit: gavaks ̣a. Tibetan: skar khung. Literally, “ox-eye.” This does not refer to the
modern glass windows, but rather apertures, usually round, for the breeze or wind to pass
through.

1201 Sanskrit: harmya. Tibetan: pu shu. The Tibetan has various meanings, such as “rainwater
spouts,” but here probably means “the pavilion or upper room in a palace, open to cool
breezes.”
1202 Sanskrit: kūtāgāra.
̣ Tibetan: khang pa brtsegs pa. Here this means, not a building that
has a tower, but the tower itself. Here the Tibetan has khang pa, “twice,” without an
equivalent in Sanskrit, therefore probably a scribal error. Otherwise, according to the
Mahāvyutpatti, khang pa could be a translation of kutikā,
̣ which could mean “a
belvedere.”

1203 The description of the king and his palace does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the
Chinese.

1204 According to the commentary. The sūtra translation omits “water.”

1205 According to the Sanskrit siddha-vidyādhara… and the commentary (grub pa dang rig
pa ’dzin pa dang). The Tibetan of the sūtra has grub pa’i rig sngags ’chang.

1206 According to the Sanskrit. Omitted in the Tibetan.

1207 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan omits translating kiṃ, or has lost the word in ci in
skyes bu’am ci (literally, “person or what?”) in a scribal omission, leaving only skyes
bu’am (“person and”).

1208 According to the Sankrit. The Tibetan omits “It was inhabited by flocks of birds.” The
commentary mentions them.

1209 The entire description of the forest does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the
Chinese.

1210 According to the Sanskrit rājaputrāh ̣. Literally, “king-sons.” The Tibetan translates as
just “king,” omitting “sons.” The translation of the commentary also has just “king.”

1211 According to the Tibetan. Not present in the Sanskrit or the commentary.

1212 This paragraph is absent in the Chinese.

1213 Verses 6 to 14 in the Sanskrit have longer lines than the others, and each four-line verse
in Sanskrit was therefore translated into eight lines of Tibetan. This English translation
maintains the Tibetan verse structure, although the numbering (as elsewhere) is from the
Sanskrit.

1214 According to the Sanskrit gandha and the Chinese. However, the Tibetan has sgra
(“sound”) instead, which does not fit the context.

1215 According to the Sanskrit. Chinese: “ministers,” 大臣 (da chen).

1216 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan numbering in the sūtra
translation appears to be in disarray. Chinese: “36 yi,” 三十六億 (xan shi liu yi), which
can be 360,000, or 36 million, or 360 million.

1217 According to the Sanskrit prṣ ̣thah

̣ ̣ samanubaddhāni, and the Chinese.

1218 According to the Sanskrit dos ̣a and the Chinese. The Tibetan translation has dves ̣a
(“anger”), which seems to be an obvious error for this sentence.

1219 See the preceding note. The Chinese switches to “bondage,” 結縛 (jie fu).
1220 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit could be translated as: “The unequaled buddha
heroes, dedicated to beings, / The heroes of the past, disseminated the supreme Dharma.
/ They will also appear in that way in future times. / Thereby, the son has gained the
power of a king of the Dharma.”

1221 Gilgit: “strings of pearls.” Chinese: “jewels strung as long necklaces.” Includes the word 珠
(zhu), which can mean “pearls” or “pearl-shaped jewels.”

1222 Verses 29 to 33 in the Sanskrit have longer lines than the others, and each four-line verse
in Sanskrit was therefore translated into eight lines of Tibetan. This English translation
maintains the Tibetan verse structure, although the numbering (as elsewhere) is from the
Sanskrit.

1223 The original assumes that the reader will know this refers to silver coins, the raupya—the
origin of the present day rupee, which was itself tied to the value of silver until the end of
the nineteenth century.

1224 This verse has an extra line in the Sanskrit (two extra lines in the Tibetan format) and
here both the Hodgson and Shastri have an additional verse of offerings that is not
present in the Tibetan, Gilgit manuscript, or the Chinese.

1225 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “vajras.”

1226 The Tibetan has nang las byung ba (“emerged from”) and the Sanskrit has antargata
(“entered”), though in both cases the other verb is implied.

1227 This paragraph does not appear in the Chinese.

1228 According to the Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan.

1229 This paragraph does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript.

1230 The Chinese does not mention what the crowd saw.

1231 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit and Chinese: “eighty-four thousand.”

1232 According to the Tibetan. Not present in the Sanskrit or Chinese.

1233 The first two lines are divided into four in the Tibetan. This line does not appear in the
Chinese.

1234 This verse does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript, but is present in the Chinese.

1235 According to the Tibetan, “Made joyous by the bhiksụ …”

1236 Chinese: “They all loved and sympathized with the bhiksu.”
̣

1237 From the Sanskrit sudus ̣ta.

̣ The Vaidya online edition has sudrṣ ̣ta.
̣

1238 Chinese: “At that time, driven by anger, I ordered someone to kill him.” 我時瞋心遣令殺
(wo shi chen xin qian ling sha).

1239 The commentary explains that as the bhiksu’s

̣ body parts are not decomposing, the king
believes him to still be alive and able to return to his former condition.
1240 According to the Sanskrit ados ̣adus ̣ta,
̣ and in accordance with the commentary. The
Tibetan has zhe sdang gtum med pa (“neither anger nor wrath”), translating in
accordance with the BHS meaning of the phrase, which does not seem to fit the context
here. There is a different verse here in the Chinese.

1241 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1242 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1243 This verse is in the Tibetan, the commentary and the Hodgson manuscript. It is absent in
the Gilgit, Chinese, and Shastri.

1244 According to the Sanskrit sūrata and the Chinese 善調柔 (shan tiao rou); the Tibetan has
nges in error for des.

1245 The Tibetan divides the Sanskrit four-line verses into eight-line verses from verses 63 to
65.

1246 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese; “tastes” has been omitted in Tibetan.

1247 The Tibetan and Chinese again divide the Sanskrit four-line verses into eight-line verses
from verses 67 to 69.

1248 According to the commentary and the Sanskrit. The Kangyur has gnas (“places”),
probably being translated from a scribal corruption of bhārya.

1249 This fourth line is according to the Tibetan, Chinese, Hodgson, and Shastri.

1250 This is according to the Gilgit manuscript. The addition of the line, “The bodhisattvas
established in retention,” in the later versions creates an unequal number of lines in the
verses. The extra line is in the Chinese, while retaining a four-line format.

1251 According to the Gilgit manuscript. Following later versions, this line would be in the next
verse, where it clearly does not belong. Does not appear in the Chinese.

1252 The Chinese makes this a verse on the “three poisons” by speaking of anger in the third
line instead of stupidity: 非非貪想非貪想 (fei fei tan xiang), 非非瞋想非瞋想 (fei fei chen
xiang fei chen xiang), 非非癡想非癡想 (fei fei chi xiang fei chi xiang). In Chinese
Buddhist literature, the word 癡 (chi) can mean either “stupidity” (as in 愚痴, yu chi) or
“ignorance” (無明, wu ming, literally “not clear,” “not knowing”) or both. However, when
refering to the “three poisons” 三毒 (san du), the word 癡 (chi) is used.

1253 This verse does not appear in the Gilgit or Chinese.

1254 The Tibetan and Chinese divide the Sanskrit four-line verses 78 and 79 into eight-line
verses. This verse marks the end of fascicle 8 of the Taisho editon and fascicle 9 of the
Song, Yuan, Ming, Gong, and Sheng editions.

1255 The verse literally says, “avoid both of those,” referring back to the verse on attachment
and anger.
1256 This paragraph and the following ten verses, along with the prose paragraph they include,
do not appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

1257 The Sanskrit is literally, pratyekajina.

1258 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has mrtyu

̣ (“death”) instead of māra. Probably a
scribal corruption in the Sanskrit, or perhaps a free translation, since Mrtyu
̣ can also
mean Yama, the lord of death, and by extension Māra.

1259 According to the BHS karvataka,

̣ which is equivalent to the Sanskrit karvata.
̣ They are
defined as being the central administrative town for two to four hundred villages. It is
also said to mean “a mountain village,” though that is not the meaning here. However, the
Tibetan translation ri khrod means just “mountains,” which does not fit the context.

1260 This paragraph does not appear in the Gilgit or the Chinese.

1261 This sentence is simpler in the Gilgit and Chinese. Fascicle 9 in the Taisho edition, and
fascicle 10 in the Song, Yuan, Ming, Gong and Sheng editions, begin here.

1262 This does not quite match the description of the princesses in palanquins, and simply
“maidens” pulling the chariot, as given in the prose, perhaps indicative of different origins
for these passages. Chinese: “Their chariots are completely covered in nets of gold,” 金網
彌覆於車上 (jin wang mi fu yu che / ju shang).

1263 This verse is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese in which the sons elaborate on
their reasons for refusal.

1264 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “glorious svastikas and wheels.” This verse not
in the Gilgit manuscript, but is present in the Chinese.

1265 From this point on in the verses, Supuspacandra

̣ is frequently referred to as Puspacandra,
̣
and once as Supuspa,
̣ presumably because of the verse meter. The Tibetan translates all
as if they were Supuspacandra
̣ (me tog zla mdzes, “beautiful flower moon”), although,
literally, Puspacandra
̣ would be me tog zla ba (“flower moon”) and Supuspa
̣ would be me
tog mdzes pa (“beautiful flower”). The Chinese consistently translates the name as 善花月
(shan hua yue), the equivalent of Supuspacandra,
̣ except for three instances of
Puspacandra
̣ 花月 (hua yue, flower moon). Rather than “beautiful,” it uses the word 善
(shan, “excellent,” “virtuous”) which in the Chinese perception is more befitting and
dignified for a dharmabhān ̣aka.

1266 This verse is not in the Gilgit manuscript, but is in the Chinese.

1267 This paragraph of prose and the subsequent nine verses are not in the Gilgit manuscript
or the Chinese.

1268 According to the Sanskrit siddha-vidyādhara, and to the commentary (grub pa dang rig
pa ’dzin pa dang). The sūtra translation has grub pa’i rig sngags ’chang.

1269 “Lord of birds” (Sanskrit, khagādhipa; Tibetan, bya rgyal) is usually a synonym for
garud ̣a.
1270 A group of lions is called a “pride.”

1271 The Degé here has bde in error for de, as in the Yonglé and Peking Kangyurs.

1272 According to one of the meanings of the Sanskrit sāra, and the commentary. The Tibetan
translation of the sūtra has snying po (“essence”).

1273 This sentence does not appear in the Chinese.

1274 Sanskrit: hā. Translated into Tibetan in the commentary as ha ha, and in the sūtra as kye
ma.

1275 According to the Tibetan, which presumably translated from a manuscript with āścarya.
The Shastri and Hodgson have ācārya (“master,” “spiritual teacher”).

1276 This and the twenty-six verses that follow are not in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.

1277 The Sanskrit has also kiṃnaras .

1278 According to the Sanskrit vihvala. The Tibetan translation has mi dran (“without
memory”).

1279 According to the Tibetan and the commentary. Sanskrit: “In a pure body come and teach
beings.”

1280 According to the Sanskrit bho bho. The Tibetan translates as kye ma and kye kye. The
commentary explains that this is an exclamation to keep someone’s attention.

1281 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The sūtra in Tibetan has a scribal
corruption of gzungs to gzugs.

1282 The four-line verses from 14 to 27 in the Sanskrit are each made into eight-line verses in
the Tibetan.

1283 The Degé has bcu (“ten”) in error for dang, which is in most Kangyurs. The Tibetan
appears to have translated from a manuscript with bala (“strength”), while present
manuscripts have vara (“supreme”).

1284 According to the Tibetan, which may have translated from a text that had vīrāya
(“heroism”), or vīrayā (“heroically”), or less likely vīrya (“heroism”), or vira (“hero”).
The Sanskrit has virajā (“stainless one”).

1285 According to the Sanskrit trṣ ̣n ̣āya and the Yonglé and Peking sred pas. Other Kangyurs
have srid pas (“by existence”).

1286 According to the Sanskrit. Another variation of the shorter form of Supuspacandra.
̣

1287 These lines are actually from verse xxi, but in the Tibetan and in this translation have
been moved forward to make the passage more readable in these languages.

1288 In the Tibetan, this line is erroneously repeated in a slightly different translation. That
repetition has been avoided here.

1289 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has instead sattvān nātha (“lord of humans”).
1290 According to the Sanskrit. This line is absent in the Tibetan.

1291 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. “Four” is omitted in the translation of the
sūtra.

1292 According to the commentary’s sangs rgyas dang sangs rgyas ma yin pa’i sems can
(“buddhas and beings who are not buddhas”). The sūtra translation has the obscure sangs
rgyas sangs rgyas sems can (“buddhas, buddhas, beings”). The Sanskrit has
buddhaputra-sattva (“bodhisattvas and beings”).

1293 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The Tibetan translation of the sūtra has
just “tree.”

1294 According to the Tibetan; “quickly” is absent in the Sanskrit.

1295 According to the Sanskrit patitaṃ mrttikaṃ

̣ . The Tibetan has shing bzhin ’gyel (“fallen
like a tree”), presumably from a corruption in a Sanskrit manuscript of mrttikaṃ
̣ (“dead”)
to vrks
̣ ̣aṃ (“tree”).

1296 According to the Tibetan gnod byed. The Sanskrit has anitya (“transient,”
“impermanent”).

1297 Chinese: “The world is destroyed by desires.”

1298 According to the Tibetan, which unusually here is in accord with the Gilgit jvara (“fever”)
while the Shastri and Hodgson have jala (“net”).

1299 Chinese: “This fever and anxiety of the body and mind.”

1300 This is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese.

1301 The four-line verses from 108 to 115 in Sanskrit are each rendered as eight-line verses in
the Tibetan and Chinese.

1302 This is followed by two additional verses in the Chinese.

1303 The Gilgit has padmaka (“cherry wood”).

1304 These two lines translated according to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has de yi rus pa sgrom
ni byas par gyur / dge slong dag gis de yang der bsregs te, interpreting dron ̣a according
to one of its other Sanskrit meanings of “bucket,” as sgrom (“box”) and seeming to mean
that the bhiksus
̣ then burned the relics, which is surely not the intended meaning; the
verb here in the Sanskrit, māpita, meant “measure” or “amount,” as in the Pali equivalent
don ̣amāpaka. One dron ̣a is said to be roughly equivalent to 5 liters or 9.5 kilograms, and
therefore this is a substantial amount of relics.

1305 Morning, noon, and evening.

1306 Chinese: “made offerings three times a day.” This is followed by two additional lines
describing the offerings in the Chinese.

1307 Past, present, and future. Chinese: “To correct all the wrongdoings resulting from
stupidity, he confessed in front of the stūpa.”
1308 The Chinese adds “tirelessly.”

1309 This line does not appear in the Chinese.

1310 The text suddenly switches to first-person narrator, the reason for this—that the Buddha
was King Śūradatta in one of his previous lives—having been explained in verse 80 (36.-
142) and to be repeated some verses later in verse 119 (36.224).

1311 The text reverts briefly to the third-person narration at this point.

1312 The Gilgit and Chinese have “young man!” (kumāra; 童子, tong zi) instead of “Ānanda.”

1313 As throughout this translation, the bracketed verse numbers are those of the Sanskrit
text; here, the order of the verses in the Tibetan differs and verses 119-120 appear below.
In the Chinese, this verse is followed by an additional verse.

1314 An alternative name for Nandika.

1315 According to the Sanskrit, the Tibetan of the commentary zhi ba’i rgyal po, and the
Chinese 寂王佛 (ji wang fo). The Tibetan translation of the sūtra has zhi ba’i rgyal ba,
which appears to have been a scribal corruption. A buddha of this name is briefly
mentioned elsewhere in the Kangyur.

1316 This verse does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or the Chinese.

1317 This is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese.

1318 According to the sūtra translation, Chinese, Shastri, and Gilgit susamvrta.
̣ The
commentary translates as bsdams (“restrained”), which is in accordance with the Dutt
saṃbrhita.
̣

1319 The Chinese has: “the bodhisattva is learned in the Dharma, which is like a vast ocean,
and has limitless merit.”

1320 According to the Sanskrit and the commentary. The sūtra translation has “below them.”
The Chinese has “comparable.”

1321 The division of the lines into verses in this passage differs in the Chinese. The last line of
this verse is the first of a Chinese verse that has three additional lines not present in the
Sanskrit or the Tibetan.

1322 The Degé has zhing (“realm”) in error for zhi (“peace”).

1323 Translated according to the Sanskrit śrutasya and the Tibetan thos in the Narthang,
Coné, Peking, Lithand and Yonglé Kangurs. The Degé, Lhasa, and Stok Palace Kangyurs
have stong (“thousand” or “empty”).

1324 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1325 In the Chinese this verse is followed by a short prose passage.

1326 From this point to the end of the chapter, each four-line Sanskrit verse is rendered in
Tibetan as an eight-line verse.
1327 According to the Tibetan, presumably translating from a Sanskrit text that read adānta
instead of the extant Sanskrit text’s sudānta, according to which this line would be
translated as “They are tamed, perfectly tamed, and tamers of beings.”

1328 According to the Tibetan and the Hodgson. The Gilgit and the Shastri have, “pacified and
follow the perfectly pacified.”

1329 According to the Sanskrit nairyān ̣ika. The Tibetan has simply ’byung bar ’gyur ba
(“arising”).

1330 According to the Tibetan. The Sanskrit has “wild and intoxicated.”

1331 This verse is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese.

1332 The Chinese has, “They are supreme ones, leaders of the three realms.”

1333 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. The Tibetan has gsal (“clarity”).

1334 According to the Sanskrit jātyandha and the Chinese 生盲無所睹 (sheng mang wu suo
du). The Tibetan has just “blind.”

1335 The Chinese has a different verse.

1336 According to the Tibetan. Sanskrit: “immeasurable.”

1337 According to the Sanskrit bahulīkartavya. The Tibetan mang du bya, a regular element
in this list elsewhere, is missing here.

1338 According to the Sanskrit pun ̣yabalādhipataye and the Tibetan of the commentary bsod
nams kyi dbang du gyur pa. The Tibetan translation of the sūtra has bsod nams kyi
zhing du gyur pa (“becoming a field of merit”), which from the context appears to be an
error.

1339 The prose up to this point does not appear in the Chinese.

1340 The Chinese version of this sentence is more detailed.

1341 According to the Sanskrit abhirata and the Tibetan dga’ zhing of the Narthang, Coné,
Peking, and related Kangyurs. The Degé, Lhasa, and Stok Palace have dpa’ zhing
(“heroic”), which may be a scribal corruption of dga’ zhing. but could also mean “were
heroic” [with the strength of patience].

1342 In the Chinese the last line of this verse is the first line of a verse with three additional
lines. The division into verses of this entire passage differs in the Chinese.

1343 The Chinese uses the analogies of a wild horse and foam.

1344 The commentary explains this verse at great length (18 pages in the Degé Tengyur, from
F.239.a.1 to F.248.a.3).

1345 This verse is translated according to the Tibetan and accords with the Chinese.

1346 The order of this and the preceding verse is reversed in the Chinese.

1347 Chinese: “because.”

1348 The order of this and the preceding verse is reversed in the Chinese.

1349 Chinese: “moon on water.”

1350 The Chinese uses the name 善花 (shan hua), which translates Supuspa,
̣ the name of the
bhiksụ in chapter 36, which appears to be a scribal error for 善化 (shan hua,
Varapuspasa).
̣ The first character is the same, while the second characters sound very
similar; one is “flower” 花 (hua, the first tone), the other one is “tamable” 化 (hua, the
fourth tone): “transformation, transformable, teachable, tamed, tamable.” However, both
Varapuspasa
̣ and Supuspa
̣ have been prophesied to become Maitreya.

1351 Chinese: “At that time King Supuspa

̣ (in error for Varapuspasa)
̣ had a son named …”

1352 In the Sanskrit, this interjection translated into Tibetan as a la la is actually hūṃ. Hūṃ,
though presently associated with seed-syllables and mantras in tantric practice, in this
context is clearly an expression of rejoicing. The Chinese has literally, “uttered loud voices
and wept aloud.”

1353 The order of this and the preceding verse is reversed in Chinese.

1354 The Gilgit has “unblemished correct conduct” instead of “countless Dharma teachings.”
The Chinese agrees with the Gilgit, but adds “thought” or “motivation.”

1355 The Gilgit has “said these words to him” instead of “felt great joy.” Chinese: “even when
he went to visit Pun ̣yamatin.”

1356 Chinese: “The king…”

1357 Chinese: “The king…”

1358 The Sanskrit actually has an alternative version of his name: Maitraka. The Chinese has
an alternative name as well, 慈尊 (ci zun), but the Chinese translation does not make a
distinction between Maitreya and Maitraka.

̣ 善花 (shan hua).
1359 The Chinese has Supuspa,

1360 According to the BHS padumotturu, and the commentary’s pad ma’i mchog. The Tibetan
translation of the sūtra has rkang gnyis gtso bo (“Chief of the two-legged”), perhaps
translating from a corruption that included padma (“lotus”) becoming pada (“legs”).

1361 Chinese: “at the places of the jinas.”

1362 The Chinese adds: “flowers and incense.”

1363 The Sanskrit is vihāra, but here with its meaning of huts, forest abodes for renunciants.
This is absent in the Chinese.

1364 According to the Sanskrit udāra and the Chinese. The Tibetan translates this as rgya che
(“vast”) according to one of its other meanings.

1365 Conclusion of fascicle 9, in the Taisho edition.

1366 According to the commentary, which gives gold as an example. The Sanskrit kāṃsya,
which the Tibetan translates as nor (“wealth”), means brass or bell metal, so that the
 phrase kāṃsya-kūtạ could literally mean “brass-fraud.” Edgerton (p. 175) defines the BHS
equivalent kāṃsa-kūtạ as meaning someone who substitutes brass for gold.

1367 According to the commentary. The Sanskrit kars ̣an ̣a (which could be translated as
“dragging”) the Tibetan translates as gzung or omits.

1368 From the Sanskrit rhodana. The Tibetan omits or translates as gzung (“grasp”).

1369 From the Sanskrit tad ̣an ̣a. The Tibetan translates as gtse (“harm”).

1370 According to the Tibetan bsdigs pa.

1371 The commentary specifies this means “cutting off hands, feet, ears, nose, and so on.”

1372 According to the Tibetan and Chinese.

1373 According to the Sanskrit upakleśa and the commentary’s nye ba’i nyon mongs. In the
Chinese, instead of the usual translation for the Sanskrit upakleśa as 隨煩惱 (sui fan
nao), the Chinese puts another word, “gathering after kleśa,” 煩惱聚 (fan nao ju), which
can mean all aspects of kleśa, and will include both major and minor aspects: 遠離一切煩
惱聚 (yuan li yi qie fa nao ju).

1374 This verse does not appear in the Chinese.

1375 Literally, “elephant king.” The Chinese simply has “the king.”

1376 Chinese: “The king gained supreme benefits”是王獲得最勝利.

1377 According to the Sanskrit rks

̣ ̣a and the Chinese. The Tibetan translates as dred.

1378 According to the Sansrit prārthana. The Tibetan lists “accomplishment” and “aspiration”
as separate qualities.

1379 According to the Sanskrit. Saṃrddhi

̣ was translated into Tibetan as ’byor pa according to
alternate meanings such as “wealth.”

1380 According to the Sanskrit of the Hodgson and Shastri. It is absent in the Gilgit and the
Chinese.

1381 There is an additional first verse in the Chinese.

1382 This is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese, and another two lines about water
flowing from the body.

1383 This and the other verses with Roman numerals do not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or
the Chinese.

1384 This is followed by an additional verse in the Chinese.

1385 This paragraph does not appear in the Chinese.

1386 In the Chinese, in place of this paragraph there is a long prose passage on knowing all
views in one instant.

1387 This verse is in the Hodgson manuscript and the Tibetan. It does not appear in the
Chinese, or the Gilgit or Shastri manuscripts.
1388 The Chinese has a variation of this verse.

1389 According to the Sanskrit. Absent in the Tibetan.

1390 In the Tibetan this four-line verse is reduced to three lines.

1391 This verse does not appear in the Gilgit manuscript or in the Chinese.

1392 According to the Sanskrit and the Chinese. Absent in the Tibetan.

1393 Chinese: “have attained all the Dharma of the buddhas,” 得一切佛法 (de yi qie fo fa), and
adds “have attained all higher cognitions," 得一切神通 (de yi qie shen tong).

1394 The verses with Roman numerals are absent in the Gilgit manuscript and the Chinese.

1395 According to the Stok Palace reading log pa’i lta ba ngan dang mi grogs shing. The Degé
has log pa’i lta ba phan dang mi grogs shing.

1396 According to the Sanskrit kaya-vāṅmanah ̣-saṃvara-parivartah ̣. The title does not
appear in the Tibetan translation. The commentary divides this chapter into three
chapters.

1397 According to the Sanskrit trṣ ̣n ̣a and the Chinese. The Tibetan has srid, which is a scribal
error for sred.

1398 According to chapter 1, where the Sanskrit is satyānupraveśa, and the Chinese. In this
chapter, the Sanskrit in all versions is sattvānupraveśa (“entering beings”) and is
translated accordingly into Tibetan. This therefore appears to be a very early scribal error
in the Sanskrit.

1399 The commentary explains this to mean the birthlessness of all letters, such as a.
Otherwise, the identity of the three mantras is a mystery. Chinese: 三種語言 (san zhong
yu yan), literally, “three kinds of languages,” which may mean “teachings” or “theories,”
and may be a translation of the Sanskrit vāc or vākya.

1400 Does not appear in the Chinese, which has instead “the quality of being generous to
beggars.”

1401 This is absent in the list of chapter 1, and in the commentary to that chapter. The
commentary does not discuss the list in chapter 40, but this is also absent in the Sanskrit
for that chapter. It is present in the Chinese as “the four noble truths.”

1402 According to the Tibetan des pa, the commentary, and the Sanskrit suratatā. Here there
is dge ba instead of des pa, presumably the remainder of “correct conduct” listed in
chapter 1 but missing here. The definition given here matches the commentary given for
des pa in chapter 1. Chinese: “the face is always pleasant.”

1403 According to the Tibetan ’jam pa in chapter 1, and the Sanskrit mādhurya, which can also
mean “sweet.” Here in chapter 40 there is mnyen pa, presumably from “tolerance”
(mārdavatā), which was in the list of chapter 1 but is missing in this chapter. Chinese: 美
妙言; the adjective 美妙 accords with mādhurya but adds 言 (yan, “speech / speak”) so
that it means “gentle speech.”
1404 Chinese: “It is saying beneficial things to others.”

1405 In chapter 1, being welcoming is also in the list, and “standing up quickly” one would
expect to be its definition. It may be that there was an early loss of the definition of
“courteous.” Chinese: 先言善來速起迎接 (xian yan shan lai su qi ying jie), literally,
“saying words of greeting first, and standing up quickly to welcome visitors.”

1406 Tibetan: gus pa. Sanskrit: gaurava. The commentary’s explanation is to be fearful in the
guru’s presence while seeing him as your teacher and being his follower at all times.

1407 Chinese: “respectful and fearful.”

1408 According to the BHS akūhan ̣atā and the Chinese 無諂曲 (wu chan chu).

1409 According to the Sanskrit. Instead of “interior” the Tibetan has sman shong (“valley of
herbs”). The Chinese has just “caves” 巖穴 (yan xue).

1410 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. “Strengths” and “fearlessnesses” are absent in the
Sanskrit.

1411 According to the Tibetan and the Chinese 斷除憎愛. The BHS anunayapratighaprahān ̣a
means “the elimination of the obstacle of attachment.”

1412 According to the Tibetan and the Chinese 發起未生之善 (fa qi wei sheng zhi shan).
Sanskrit: “Not developing the bad qualities that have not been developed.”

1413 According to the Tibetan. In chapter 1 this was listed as “the knowledge of the nature of
the level of irreversibility.” In this chapter it is simply “irreversibility,” while the Sanskrit
for this chapter is “the characteristic of irreversibility” (avaivartyalaks ̣an ̣am). Chinese:
不退相 (bu tui xiang), which accords with the Sanskrit. In chapter 1, this is translated as
住不退相 (zhu bu tui xiang), “remaining in the state of irreversibility.”

1414 According to the Tibetan and the Sanskrit of chapter 1. Here in chapter 40, and also in the
commentary on chapter 1, it is translated as dge ba’i chos phun sum tshogs pa (“a
perfection of good qualities”) from the Sanskrit kuśaladharmābhisaṃpat (which could be
translated as “the attainment of good qualities”). Chinese: 出生善法 (chu sheng shan fa).

1415 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan appears to have translated from a manuscript that
had utpāda (“production”) in error for anutpāda (“nonproduction”), translating
therefore as “the production and indestructibility of the phenomena of the mind and
mental events.” The Tibetan translation in the commentary’s first chapter of this
definition omits both negations, and therefore has “skilled in the realization of the
essence of the arising and cessation of the phenomena of the mind and mental events.”
Chinese: 知心及數善巧方便而得一心 (zhi xin ji shu shan qiao fang bian er de yi xin), “a
one-pointed mind that is skilled in knowing the mind and mental events.” It does not
mention production or nonproduction.

1416 Absent in the list of definitions here, and in the commentary, is chapter 1’s “the equality
of the different kinds of beings.” The Chinese uses three descriptions here: 捨棄 (she qi),
 “disregard”; 忍辱 (ren ru), “tolerate the insult”; and 無減 (wu jian), “without decreasing.”
The third can refer to patience, thus “without losing patience.”

1417 According to the Tibetan of chapter 1, the commentary, and the Sanskrit. In the Tibetan
translation of chapter 40, the word “words” is omitted. Chinese: 句義 (ju yi), “verses and
meanings,” “meaning of verses.”

1418 The commentary gives as an example “the sixteen emptinesses.” Chinese: 法句 (fa ju),
“Dharma verses.”

1419 Chinese: 知義非義差別智 (zhi yi fei yi cha bie zhi), which can also be interpreted as “the
knowledge to distinguish between correct and incorrect meanings.”

1420 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. Absent in the Sanskrit in this chapter, though
present in the list in chapter 1.

1421 According to the Tibetan, the Chinese, and the Sanskrit raks ̣an ̣am (“guarding”) in chapter
1, the Tibetan in chapter 40, and the commentary on chapter 1. The Sanskrit for chapter
40 has laks ̣an ̣am (“characteristic”), which would give the meaning “characteristic of
conduct.”

1422 According to the Sanskrit asaṃbhrantatā and its Mahāvyutpatti definition as ma nor ba.
The Tibetan editions have spyos and spyoms. The Chinese has 覆藏善事 (fu cang shan
shi), literally, “concealing virtuous acts,” which may refer to training in the conduct of a
bodhisattva: “revealing one’s own nonvirtuous acts, concealing virtuous acts.”

1423 The Tibetan translates avikalpa in chapter 1 and in the commentary as mi ’chos pa, but
here in chapter 40 it is translated as rnam par mi rtog pa (“not conceptually fabricated”),
which is a particular BHS meaning of avikalpa. The Chinese 不分別威儀 (bu fen bie wei
yi) accords with the BHS. The commentary’s definition does, however, encompass both
meanings by saying that this means being free of negative thoughts and therefore the
conduct is uncontrived, unfabricated.

1424 According to chapter 1, where the Sanskrit īryāpatha-prāsādikatā was translated as

spyod pa mdzes pa (“beautiful conduct”). In chapter 1 the Chinese translated
prāsādikatā as two qualities: 端 (duan), “proper, upright, dignified,” and 雅 (ya),
“elegant, graceful.” However, here in chapter 40 [F.164.b] the Tibetan translates
prāsādikatā in the more usual way as dang ba (“clear,” “serene,” “attractive”), but the
Sanskrit has indryapatha, presumably a corruption of īryāpatha, and therefore the
Tibetan has dbang (“faculties”) instead of spyod pa (“conduct,” “beautiful faculties”), and
therefore appears to have been translating from indryapatha.

1425 Literally, “the hands are always extended.” The commentary says, “ready to give material
possessions or the Dharma.” Chinese: 常舒施手 (chang shu shi shou), “always extending
hands of generosity.”

1426 Chinese: 恥諸暴惡 (chi zhu bao er), “embarrassed by [one’s own] nonvirtuous actions,
which are exposed.”
1427 According to the Sanskrit anabhimukhatā. The Tibetan does not have the negative and
has simply mngon du gyur pa. The commentary to chapter 1 appears to follow the
absence of the negative. The Chinese adds 羞諸愚害 “ashamed of the stupidity and harms
committed by oneself.”

1428 According to the Tibetan in chapter 1, sgrub pa dang nges par sgrub pa, and the Sanskrit
āhāranirhāra. Cf. Edgerton (112) where āharan ̣atā means “winning, getting,
attainment.” Here in chapter 40, the Tibetan is zas sgrub pa (“attainment of food”) with
āhāra here translated as “food.” The definition is “sharp wisdom,” which does not appear
to be food related. The commentary also defines it as “perfecting good qualities and
eliminating negative ones, and that sharp wisdom develops from that.” Gómez et al. (n.
18, p. 85) describe this compound as a problematic term and give a conjectural
translation as “bringing together and taking away” (p. 57). Chinese: 部分別巧便智 (bu fen
bien qiao bian zhi) from the Sanskrit āhāranirhāra-kauśalya-jñāna. This consists of two
elements: the first is 部分別智, “knowledge based on analysis of various categories of
Buddha’s teachings”, and the second element, 巧便智, is “knowledge based on skillful
means.”

1429 In chapter 1 the Tibetan is nges pa’i tshig rnam par gzhag pa shes pa and the Sanskrit is
niruktivyavasthānajñānam. The commentary makes “definitions” (nges pa’i tshig) part
of the definition of rnam par gzhag pa shes pa and the Tibetan and Sanskrit in chapter
40 has rnam par gzhag pa shes pa and vyavasthānajñānam only. Chinese: 知處所智 (zhi
chu suo zhi), in accord with the Sanskrit. Literally, “the wisdom of knowing,” 處所 (chu
suo). The term 處所 (chu suo) literally means “place” or “how to place, set forth,
establish.”

1430 According to the Sanskrit abhirati. The Tibetan has mi ’dor ba (“not abandon”). In
chapter 1 the word used was nispādana, translated into Tibetan as sgrub and into English
as “accomplishment.”

1431 Chinese: 修禪發通 (xiu chan fa tong), which can be understood as “miraculous powers or
higher cognitions that arise from meditation practice.”

1432 According to the BHS āmis ̣a. Translated into Tibetan as zang zing. Chinese: 不悕資生 (bu
xi zi sheng), literally, “not expecting to receive things for daily needs.”

1433 Chinese: “inappropriate mendicants.”

1434 According to the commentary, this means that pointless conversations with other
mendicants will prevent the development of one’s own meditation. Chinese: “associating
with those who are appropriate and avoiding those who are inappropriate.”

1435 Absent from the Chinese.

1436 According to the Sanskrit upālambhā and the Chinese 取著 (qu zhuo). Translated into
Tibetan as klan ka, “objectors.”

1437 Chinese: 凡愚 (fan yu), “ordinary foolish people.”

1438 Chinese: 貧賤 (pin jian), “who are impoverished and in low social ranks.”

1439 Chinese: 貧苦 (pin ku), “impoverished and suffering.”

1440 According to the Sanskrit, Chinese, and the commentary. “The result” is absent from the
Tibetan, apparently by error.

1441 Sanskrit nimantran ̣atā (Shastri: nimantrahatā): “to invite.” Tibetan and commentary:
mgron du gnyer ba (“take care of as one’s guests”). Chinese: 勸請 (quan qing), “urging”
or “encouraging.”

1442 According to chapter 1 and the commentary. “Having veneration” is absent in chapter 40.

1443 “Knowledge” is according to chapter 1. It is absent in the Sanskrit for chapter 40. The
Tibetan has, “What is the rejection of the characteristics of things?” Chinese: “skill in
discerning the characteristics of things.”

1444 According to the Hodgson manuscript. The Tibetan lacks “of dhyāna.” The Sanskrit has
solely “the knowledge of the teachings.” The Chinese has solely 知佛法力 (zhi fo fa li),
“understanding the strength of the Buddha’s Dharma.”

1445 In chapter 1 the Sanskrit has śīladrdhatā

̣ (“stability of conduct”) and the Tibetan has
tshul khrims dam pa (“excellent conduct”). In chapter 40 the Sanskrit is śīlādhis ̣thānatā
̣
and the Tibetan has tshul khrims kyi gnas (“the state of conduct”). Chinese: 安住於戒 (an
zhu yu jie), “remaining in correct conduct.”

1446 According to the Tibetan of chapter 1, the Sanskrit in both chapter 1 and chapter 40, and
the commentary. The Tibetan here has “the light of wisdom.” Chinese: 得智照明 (de zhi
zhao ming), “attainment of the illumination of wisdom.”

1447 “Knowledge” has been added in the English translation for clarity, but is only implied in
the Sanskrit, Chinese, and Tibetan.

1448 According to the Sanskrit vidyā. The Tibetan has rigs in error for rig.

1449 In chapter 1 this is “the level of patience.”

1450 “Level” is clearly singular in the Sanskrit bhūmih ̣. The commentary identifies this with the
ten bhūmis (“levels”) of the bodhisattva. Chinese: “ten levels.”

1451 In chapter 1 this is “being free from impatience.”

1452 Chinese: “tathāgatas.”

1453 According to the Sanskrit bhais ̣ajya and the Chinese 醫王 (yi wang); translated into
Tibetan as rtsi.

1454 According to the Sanskrit vandanīyā. Tibetan: phyag bya ba. Chinese: 禮拜 (li bai),
“pays homage,” “bows down to.”

1455 According to the Sanskrit kola. The Tibetan gzings can mean “a boat,” but also “a ferry,”
which in Tibet was sometimes a raft. Chinese: 舟筏 (zhou fa), “boat” or “raft.”
1456 In chapter 1 “quality” is singular, and in this chapter it is plural. This difference is not
discernible in the Tibetan.

1457 According to the Tibetan in chapter 1, which has sgrub pa (“accomplishment”). The
Sanskrit āhārikā was translated by Gómez et al. according to an alternate meaning, “that
which brings.” Chapter 40 has asaṃhartya, which in that chapter and in the commentary
is translated as mi ’phrogs (“cannot be taken away”). The Sanskrit and the Tibetan of
chapter 1 better fit the definition of this term as given in chapter 40, which includes the
word āharan ̣a. However, the commentary differs in its definition, specifying that it
cannot be undermined by māras or tīrthikas. Chinese: 獲得一切智智, “attainment of the
wisdom that accomplishes all wisdom”; the word “wisdom,” 智, appears twice
consecutively in chapter 40. In chapter 1, it is 引導一切智, where the word “wisdom”
appears only once, “[the wisdom] that brings all wisdom.”

1458 According to the Sanskrit and Chinese. “Beings” is absent in the Tibetan.

1459 According to the Sanskrit upadrava. The Tibetan translates as gtse ba (“violence”) and
the commentary as gnod pa (“harm”). The Chinese 苦難 (ku nan), “sufferings and
hardships,” accords with the Sanskrit upadrava.

1460 Chinese: “Why have they obtained fearlessness?”

1461 According to the Sanskrit ks ̣ema. The Tibetan translates as bzod pa.

1462 According to the Tibetan yongs su brtag pa dang phyir brtag pa. The commentary has
btran par byas (“made stable”) and the Sanskrit ākotị and pratyākotị is obscure as it
appears to mean “to beat,” but presumably “examine” is meant. Chinese: “because they
have examined 觀察 (guan cha) and reexamined 溫習 (wen xi) all phenomena
thoroughly,” or alternatively, “because of the familiarity of having examined all
phenomena thoroughly.”

1463 This appears to be a combination, perhaps with some scribal omission, of two qualities
listed in chapter 1.

1464 According to the Sanskrit. The Tibetan has the negative: “they don’t give rise to
reverence.” Chinese: 謂知多欲過故 (wei zhi duo yu guo gu), “because they know the faults
of having many desires.”

1465 In the Dutt this is the conclusion of a penultimate chapter at this point.

1466 According to the Tibetan. “Light rays” is absent in the Sanskrit and Chinese.

1467 According to the Tibetan and Chinese. “The meaning” is absent in the Sanskrit.

1468 The title of this final chapter, which would normally appear here at the conclusion of the
chapter, is not given in the Sanskrit or Tibetan.
b. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tibetan Editions of the Samādhirājasūtra

chos thams cad kyi rang bzhin mnyam pa nyid rnam spros pa ting nge ’dzin gyi rgyal
po’i mdo (Sarvadharmasvabhāvasamatāvipañcitasamādhirājasūtra). Toh 127, Degé
Kangyur vol. 55 (mdo sde, da), folios 1.a–175.b.

———. bka’ ’gyur (dpe bsdur ma) [Comparative Edition of the Kangyur], krung go’i bod
rig pa zhib ’jug ste gnas kyi bka’ bstan dpe sdur khang (The Tibetan Tripitaka Collation
Bureau of the China Tibetology Research Center). 108 volumes. Beijing: krung go’i bod
rig pa dpe skrun khang (China Tibetology Publishing House), 2006–2009, vol. 55, pp.
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———. Lhasa Kangyur (lha sa bka’ ’gyur) vol. 55 (mdo sde, ta), folios 1.b–269.b.

———. Narthang Kangyur (snar thang bka’ ’gyur) vol. 55 (mdo sde, ta), folios 1.b–273.b.

———. Shelkar Drima Kangyur (shel mkhar bris ma bka’ ’gyur) vol. 54 (mdo sde, ja),
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———. Stok Palace Kangyur (stog pho brang bris ma bka’ ’gyur) vol. 58 (mdo sde, ja),
folios 145.a–405.a.

———. Urga Kangyur vol. 55 (mdo sde, da), 1.b–170.a.

Sanskrit Editions of the Samādhirājasūtra

Dutt, Nalinaksha. Gilgit Manuscripts Vol. II, part I. Calcutta: J. C. Sarkhel, 1941. [This
Sanskrit edition in three volumes is based on the Gilgit manuscript but also includes
and represents the two Nepalese manuscripts of Hodgson and Shastri, see Introduction
i.4 and n.3]

———. Gilgit Manuscripts Vol. II, part II. Calcutta: J. C. Sarkhel, 1953.

———. Gilgit Manuscripts Vol. II, part III. Calcutta: J. C. Sarkhel, 1954.

Matsunami, Seiren (ed.). “Bonbun Gattō Zanma kyō.”.in TDKK [Memoirs of Taisho
University, Department of Buddhism and Literature] vol. 60 (1975), pp. 188–244.
———. “Bonbun Gattō Zanma kyō.” in TDKK [Memoirs of Taisho University, Department
of Buddhism and Literature] vol. 61 (1975), 761–796.

Vaidya, P. L., ed. Samādhirājsūtra. Darbhanga, India: The Mithila Institute of Post-
Graduate Studies and Research in Sanskrit Learning, 1961.

Other canonical references

Kangyur
da ltar gyi sangs rgyas mngon sum du bzhugs pa’i ting nge ’dzin gyi mdo
(Pratyutpanna-buddha-samukhāsthita-samādhi-sūtra) [The Sūtra, The Samādhi of
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dam pa’i chos pad ma dkar po’i mdo (Saddharmapun ̣d ̣arīka-sūtra) [The Sūtra of the
White Lotus of the Good Dharma]. Toh 113, Degé Kangyur vol. 67 (mdo sde, ja), folios
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de bzhin gshegs pa’i ye shes kyi phyag rgya’i ting nge ’dzin gyi mdo (Tathāgata-jñāna-
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dge ba’i rtsa ba yongs su ’dzin pa’i mdo (Kuśala-mūla-saparigraha-sūtra) [The Sūtra of
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de bzhin gshegs pa thams cad kyi sku gsung thugs kyi gsang chen gsang ba ’dus pa zhe
bya ba brtag pa’i rgyal po chen po (Sarva-tathāgata-kāyavākcitta-rahasyo
guhyasamāja-nāma-mahā-kalparāja) [The Great King Entitled the Union of the
Great Secrets: the Secret of the Body, Speech, and Mind of all the Tathāgatas]. Also
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gser ’od dam pa mdo sde’i dbang po’i rgyal po’i mdo (Suvarn ̣a-prabhāsottama-
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rab tu zhi ba rnam par nges pa’i cho ’phrul gyi ting nge ’dzin gyi mdo (Praśanta-
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shes rab pha rol tu phyin pa brgyad stong pa (As ̣ta-sāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā-sūtra)

̣
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’od zer kun du bkye pa’i bstan pa’i mdo (Raśmisamantamuktanirdeśasūtra) [The Sūtra
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(dkon brtsegs, kha), folios 195.a–255.b.

tshong dpon bzang skyong gyis zhus pa’i mdo (Bhadrapāla-śres ̣thi-paripr
̣ ccha-sūtra)
̣
[The Sūtra of the Questions of Bhadrapāla the Merchant]. Toh 83
(http://read.84000.co/translation/UT22084-044-003.html), Degé Kangyur vol. 44
(dkon brtsegs, cha), folios 71.a–94.b.

yang dag par spyod pa’i tshul nam mkha’i mdog gis ’dul ba’i bzod pa’i mdo
(Saṃyagacārya-vrtta-gagana-varn
̣ ̣a-vinaya-ks ̣ānti-sūtra) [The Sūtra on Patience
with the Discipline Through Practicing in a Way that is Like The Colour of the Sky].
Toh 263, Degé Kangyur vol. 67 (mdo sde ’a), folios 90.a–209.b.

Tengyur
Candrakīrti. dbu ma la ’jug pa (Madhyamakāvatāra) [Entering the Middle Way]. Toh
3861, Degé Tengyur vol. 204 (dbu ma ’a), folios 201.b–219.a.

———. dbu ma rtsa ba’i ’grel pa tshig gsal ba (Mūlamadhyamakavrtti

̣ prasannapadā)
[Clear Words: A Commentary on the Root Middle Way]. Toh 3860, Degé Tengyur vol.
204 (dbu ma, ’a), folios 1.a–200.a.

Dārika. ’khor lo sdom pa’i dkyil ’khor gyi cho ga de kho na nyid la ’jug pa (Cakra-
saṁvaraman ̣d ̣alavidhitattvāvatāra) [Entering the Truth: A Man ̣d ̣ala Rite of
Cakrasamvara]. Toh 1430, Degé Tengyur vol. 20 (rgyud ’grel, wa), folios 203.b–219.b.
Kamalaśīla. sgom pa’i rim pa (Bhāvanākrama) [Stages of Meditation]. Toh 3915, 3916,
and 3917, Degé Tengyur vol. 110 (dbu ma, ki), folios 22.a–41.b, 41.a–55.b, and 55.b–
68.b.

Mañjuśrīkīrti. ’phags pa chos thams cad kyi rang bzhin mnyam pa nyid rnam spros pa
ting nge ’dzin gyi rgyal po zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo’i ’grel pa grags pa’i
phreng ba zhes bya ba (Ārya-sarva-dharma-svabhāva-samatā-vipañcita-samādhi-
rāja-nāma-mahāyāna-sūtra-tika-kīrti-mālā-nāma)
̣ [The Garland of Fame: A
Commentary on The Mahāyāna Sūtra Entitled The King of Samādhis: The Revealed
Equality of the Nature of All Phenomena]. Toh 4010, Degé Tengyur vol. 219 (mdo ’grel,
nyi), folios 1.b–163.b.

———. Idem, in bstan ’gyur (dpe bsdur ma) [Comparative Edition of the Tengyur], krung
go’i bod rig pa zhib ’jug ste gnas kyi bka’ bstan dpe sdur khang (The Tibetan Tripitaka
Collation Bureau of the China Tibetology Research Center). 120 volumes. Beijing:
krung go’i bod rig pa dpe skrun khang (China Tibetology Publishing House), 1994–
2008, vol. 67 (mdo ’grel, nyi), 752–1181.

Prajñākaramati. Byang chub kyi spyod pa la ’jug pa’i dka’ ’grel (Bodhisattva-
caryāvatārapañjikā) [Commentary on Difficult Points in Entering the Conduct of the
Bodhisattvas]. Toh 3872, Degé Tengyur vol. 105 (dbu ma, la), folios 41.b–288.a.

Śāntideva. Byang chub sems dpa’i spyod pa la ’jug pa (Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra)

[Entering the Conduct of the Bodhisattvas]. Toh 3871, Degé Tengyur vol. 207 (dbu ma,
la), folios 1.a–40.a.

———. bslab pa kun las btus pa (Śiks ̣asamuccaya) [Compendium of Training]. Toh
3939, Degé Tengyur vol. 111 (dbu ma, khi), folios 3.a–194.b.

Non-canonical Tibetan Sources

Gampopa (sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen). dam chos yid bzhin nor bu thar pa rin po
che’i rgyan. Kathmandu: Gam-po-pa Library, 2003.

Pekar Sangpo (pad dkar bzang po). bstan pa spyi’i rgyas byed las mdo sde spyi’i rnam
bzhag bka’ bsdu ba bzhi pa zhes bya ba’i bstan bcos. Beijing: mi rigs dpe skrun khang,
2006.

Rinchen Palzang (rin chen dpal bzang). mtshur phu dgon gyi dkar chag kun gsal me
long. Beijing: mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1995.

Tsongkhapa (tsong kha pa). lam rim chen mo. In rje tsong kha pa chen po’i gsung ’bum
vol. 8, Zi ling: mtsho sngon mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1999.

Western Publications
Bailey, D. R. Shackleton. The Śatapañcāśatka of Mātrceta.
̣ Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 1951.
Cüppers, Cristoph. The IXth Chapter of the Samādhirājasūtra: A Text-Critical
Contribution to the Study of Mahāyāna Sūtras. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1990.

Dragomir, Dimiti. “Two Female Bodhisattvas in Flesh and Blood,” in Aspects of the
Female in Indian Culture. Marburg: Indica et Tibetica, 2004, pp. 3–30.

Gómez, Luis O. and Silk, Jonathan A. Studies in the Literature of the Great Vehicle:
Three Mahāyāna Buddhist Texts. Ann Arbor: Collegiate Institute for the Study of
Buddhist Literature and Center for South and Southeast Asian Studies, The University
of Michigan, 1989.

Leslie, Julia. “A Bird Bereaved: The Identity and Significance of Valmiki’s Krauñcha,” in
Journal of Indian Philosophy 26.5 (1998): 455–87.

Régamey, Konstanty. Philosophy in the Samādhirājasūtra. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass,

1990.

Rockwell, John Jr. Samādhi and Patient Acceptance: Four Chapters of the Samādhirāja-
sūtra, Translated from the Sanskrit and Tibetan. M.A. thesis, Naropa Institute,
Boulder, Colorado, 1980.

Skilton, Andrew. “Dating the Samādhirāja Sūtra,” In Journal of Indian Philosophy 27:
635–52. Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1999.

Tatz, Mark. “Revelation in Mādhyamika Buddhism: Chapter Eleven of the Śamādhirāja-

sūtra (On Mastering the Sūtra).” Translated from the Tibetan with commentary.
University of Washington, 1972.

Thrangu Rinpoche. King of Samadhi: Commentaries on the Samadhi Raja Sutra and the
Song of Lodrö Thaye. Hong Kong, Boudhnath & Århus: Rangjung Yeshe Publications,
1994.
g. GLOSSARY

g.1 Ābhāsvara
—
Ābhāsvara
The highest of the three paradises that are the second dhyāna paradises in the form realm.

g.2 Abhāva
dngos po med pa las byung · dngos po med pa las byung ba

དས་པོ་ད་པ་ལས་ང་། · དས་པོ་ད་པ་ལས་ང་བ།

Abhāva · Abhāvasamudgata
A buddha countless eons in the past.

g.3 Abhirati
mngon par dga’ ba

མན་པར་དགའ་བ།

Abhirati
The realm of Buddha Aksobhya,
̣ beyond countless buddha realms in the eastern direction.

g.4 Absence of aspiration

smon pa med pa
ོན་པ་ད་པ།

apranihita
̣
The absence of any conceptual goal that one is focused upon achieving, knowing that all composite phenomena
create suffering. One of the three doorways to liberation.

g.5 Absence of attributes

mtshan ma ma mchis pa · mtshan ma med pa
མཚན་མ་མ་མས་པ། · མཚན་མ་ད་པ།

animitta
The absence of the conceptual identification of perceptions. Knowing that the true nature has no attributes, such as
color, shape, etc. One of the three doorways to liberation.

g.6 Ācārya
slob dpon

ོབ་དཔོན།

ācārya
 A spiritual teacher, meaning one who knows the conduct or practice (carya) to be performed. It can also be a title
for a scholar, though that is not the context in this sūtra.

g.7 Acintyapran ̣idhānaviśesạ samudgatarāja

smon lam bsam gyis mi khyab pa khyad par du ’phags pa’i rgyal po
ོན་ལམ་བསམ་ས་་བ་པ་ད་པར་་འཕགས་པ་ལ་པོ།

Acintyapranidhāna
̣ viśesạ samudgatarāja
A buddha countless eons in the past.

g.8 Aggregate of correct conduct

tshul khrims kyi phung po

ལ་མས་་ང་པོ།

—
One of the five undefiled aggregates (zag med kyi phung po lnga), the others being the aggregates of concentration
(samādhi), discriminative awareness (prajñā), liberation (vimukti), and insight of the primordial wisdom of
liberation (vimuktijñānadarśana).

g.9 Agnīśvara
me yi dbang phyug

་་དབང་ག

Agnīśvara

g.10 Ailavila
Ir bir

ར་ར།

Ailavila
Synonymous with Kubera, who, in this sūtra, is distinct from Vaiśravan ̣a. The name Ailavila is derived from his
mother, and means “the son of Ilavilā.”

g.11 Ajita
mi pham pa

་ཕམ་པ།

Ajita
The other name of Maitreya (or Maitraka), the bodhisattva who will be the fifth buddha of the Good Eon.

g.12 Akanisṭ ha
̣
’og min
འོག་ན།

Akanisṭ ha
̣
The highest of the seventeen paradises in the form realm. Within the form realm it is the highest of the eight
paradises of the fourth dhyāna. Within the fourth dhyāna it is the highest of the five Śuddhāvāsika (pure abode)
paradises.

g.13 Aksobhya
̣
mi ’khrugs pa
་འགས་པ།

Aksobhya
̣
The buddha in the eastern realm, Abhirati. Aksobhya,
̣ who in the higher tantras is the head of one the five buddha
families, the vajra family in the east, was well-known early in the Mahāyāna tradition.
g.14 Alakavatī
lcang lo can

ང་ལོ་ཅན།

Alakavatī
The world of yaksas
̣ ruled over by Kubera.

g.15 Amaranth
ku ra ba ka
་ར་བ་ཀ

kurabaka

g.16 Amitābha
’od dpag mad

འོད་དཔག་མད།

Amitābha
The buddha of the western realm of Sukhāvatī. In the sūtras more commonly known as Amitāyus.

g.17 Amitāyus
tshe dpag med
་དཔག་ད།

Amitāyus
The buddha in the realm of Sukhāvatī. Later and presently, he is better known by his alternative name, Amitābha.
Not to be confused with the buddha of long life, Aparimitāyus, whose name has been incorrectly back-translated
into Sanskrit as Amitāyus also.

g.18 Amoghadarśin
mthong na don yod
མཐོང་ན་དོན་ཡོད།

Amoghadarśin · Amogha
A bodhisattva who appears in Mahāyāna sūtras.

g.19 An Adornment for the Precious Path to Liberation

dam chos yid bzhin nor bu thar pa rin po che’i rgyan

དམ་ས་ད་བན་ནོར་་ཐར་པ་ན་པོ་་ན།

—
A celebrated text on the graduated path by Gampopa, also known as the Dakpo Thargyen (dwags po thar rgyan).

g.20 Ānanda
kun dga’ bo

ན་དགའ་བོ།

Ānanda
Buddha Śākyamuni’s cousin, who was his attendant for the last twenty years of his life. He was the subject of
criticism and opposition from the monastic community after the Buddha’s passing, but eventually succeeded to the
position of the patriarch of Buddhism in India after the passing of the first patriarch, Mahākaśyapa.

g.21 Ananta
mtha’ yas
མཐའ་ཡས།
 Ananta
One of the principal nāga kings. Also known as Śesạ or Anataśesa.
̣ Considered the source of Patañjali grammar in
Buddhism. In Vaiśnavism he is the serpent that Visṇ ̣u rests upon in between the creations of worlds.

g.22 Anantaghosạ
mtha’ yas dbyangs

མཐའ་ཡས་དངས།

Anantaghosạ
The name of two separate buddhas from whom Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja in previous lifetimes.

g.23 Anantanetra
mtha’ yas spyan

མཐའ་ཡས་ན།

Anantanetra

g.24 Anantajñānanottara
ye shes bla ma mtha’ yas pa

་ས་་མ་མཐའ་ཡས་པ།

Anantajñānanottara

g.25 Anavatapta
ma dros pa
མ་ོས་པ།

Anavatapta
The nāga king who is said to dwell in Lake Mansarovar near Kailash.

g.26 Aṅgiras
ang gi ra

ཨང་་ར།

Aṅgiras · Aṅgirasā · Aṅgirasa

The rishi who is said to have composed most of the fourth Veda, the Atharvaveda.

g.27 Aniruddha
ma ’gags pa

མ་འགགས་པ།

Aniruddha
The Buddha’s cousin, and one of his ten principal pupils. Renowned for his clairvoyance.

g.28 Apalāla
sog med
སོག་ད།

Apalāla
Nāga king who became a pupil of the Buddha.

g.29 Apramān ̣ābha

’tshad med ’od
འཚད་ད་འོད།

Apramānābha
̣
 The second of the three paradises that are the second dhyāna paradises in the form realm.

g.30 Apramān ̣aśubha

dge chung
ད་ང་།

Apramānaśubha
̣ · Aparimitaśubha
The second of the three paradises that are the third dhyāna paradises in the form realm.

g.31 Apsaras
lha mo

་མོ།

apsaras
In this sūtra, “apsaras” (or “apsarases” in plural) is synonymous with devī, the female equivalent of deva. In Indian
culture, it is also the name for goddesses of the clouds and water, and the wives of the gandharvas.

g.32 Arhat
dgra bcom pa
ད་བམ་པ།

arhat
Used both as an epithet of the Buddha and to mean the final accomplishment of early Buddhism, or the Hīnayāna.

g.33 Asaṃkhyeya
grangs med pa
ངས་ད་པ།

asamḳ hyeya
This eon is literally called “incalculable” but nevertheless has a calculated span of time and therefore, to avoid
confusion, its Sanskrit name is used here. The number of years in an asaṃkhyeya eon differs in various sūtras.
Twenty “intermediate eons” are said to be one asaṃkhyeya eon, and four asaṃkhyeya eons are one great eon
(mahākalpa). In that case those four asaṃkhyeya eons represent the eons of the creation, presence, destruction,
and absence of a world. Therefore buddhas are often described as appearing in a second asaṃkhyeya eon.

g.34 Asaṅga
thogs med

ཐོགས་ད།

Asaṅga
Indian master of the fourth century CE, and a major founder of the Yogācāra school of Buddhism.

g.35 Aśoka
mya ngan ’tshang
་ངན་འཚང་།

aśoka
Saraca asoca. The aromatic blossoms of this plant are clustered together as orange, yellow, and red bunches of
petals.

g.36 Aspects of enlightenment

byang chub kyi phyogs
ང་བ་་ོགས།

bodhipaksạ · bodhipaksạ dharma

 The qualities necessary as a method to attain the enlightenment of a śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, or buddha. There
are thirty-seven of these: (1–4) the four kinds of mindfulness: mindfulness of body, sensations, mind, and
phenomena; (5–8) the four correct exertions: the intention to not do bad actions that are not done, to give up bad
actions that are being done, to do good actions that have not been done, and increase the good actions that are
being done; (9–12) the foundations for miraculous powers: intention, diligence, mind, and analysis; (13–17) five
powers: faith, diligence, mindfulness, samādhi, and wisdom; (18–22) five strengths: an even stronger form of faith,
diligence, mindfulness, samādhi, and wisdom; (23–29) seven limbs of enlightenment: correct mindfulness, correct
wisdom of the analysis of phenomena, correct diligence, correct joy, correct serenity, correct samādhi, and correct
equanimity; and (30–37) the eightfold noble path: right view, examination, speech, action, livelihood, effort,
mindfulness, and samādhi.

g.37 Aspiration to enlightenment

byang chub kyi sems
ང་བ་་མས།

bodhicitta
This term has developed further meanings such as the ultimate bodhicitta of realizing emptiness, but in this sūtra it
is used with its basic meaning.

g.38 Aster
mdog mdzes

མདོག་མས།

roca

g.39 Asura
lha ma yin
་མ་ན།

asura
The asuras, sometimes called the demi-gods or titans, are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for
supremacy. They are powerful beings who live around Mount Sumeru, and are usually classified as belonging to the
higher realms.

g.40 Atapa
mi gdung

་གང་།

Atapa
The fourth highest of the seventeen paradises in the form realm, and therefore the fourth of the five Śuddhāvāsika
(pure abode) paradises.

g.41 Atiśa
jo bo rje

་བོ་།

Atiśa
The Bengali Buddhist master (980–1054) who came to Tibet, and whose pupils founded the Kadampa tradition.

g.42 Austerity
yo byad bsnyungs pa
ཡོ་ད་བངས་པ།

samḷ ekha
The Tibetan means literally “the lessening of requisites.”
g.43 Avadavat
ka la ping ka · khu byug
ཀ་ལ་ང་ཀ · ་ག

kalaviṅka
Several species of finch belonging to the genus Amandava, part of the Estrildid finch family (Estrildidae). They are
renowned as songbirds, and in Tibetan texts the Sanskrit kalaviṅka was sometimes simply transliterated ka la ping
ka, sometimes translated as khu byug, “cuckoo."

g.44 Avalokiteśvara
spyan ras gzigs dbang phyug

ན་རས་གགས་དབང་ག

Avalokiteśvara · Avalokita
First appeared as a bodhisattva beside Amitābha in the Sukhāvatī Sūtra. The name has been variously interpreted.
In “The lord of Avalokita,” Avalokita has been interpreted as “seeing,” although, as a past passive participle, it is
literally “lord of what has been seen.” One of the principal sūtras in the Mahāsamghika tradition was the Avalokita
Sūtra, which has not been translated into Tibetan, in which the word is a synonym for enlightenment, as it is “that
which has been seen” by the buddhas. In the early tantras, he is one of the lords of the three families, as the
embodiment of the compassion of the buddhas. The Potalaka Mountain in southern India became important in
Southern Indian Buddhism as his residence in this world, but Potalaka does not yet feature in the Kāranḍ avyūha
̣
Sūtra (http://read.84000.co/translation/UT22084-051-004.html) (Toh 116), which emphasized the preeminence
of Avalokiteśvara above all buddhas and bodhisattvas and introduced the mantra oṃ manipadme
̣ hūm.̣

g.45 Avīci
mnar med

མནར་ད།

Avīci
The lowest hell; the eighth of the eight hot hells.

g.46 Avrha
̣
mi che

་།

Avrha
̣ · Abrha
̣
The fifth highest of the seventeen paradises in the form realm, and therefore the fifth of the five Śuddhāvāsika
(pure abode) paradises.

g.47 Āyatana
skye mched
་མད།

āyatana
Sometimes translated “sense-fields” or “bases of cognition,” the term usually refers to the six sense faculties and
their corresponding objects, i.e. the first twelve of the eighteen dhātu. Along with skandha and dhātu, one of the
three major categories in the taxonomy of phenomena in the sūtra literature.

g.48 Bakula
ba ku la
བ་་ལ།

Bakula · Vakula
A yaksạ lord.

Bala
g.49 stobs ldan

ོབས་ན།

Bala
A leader of the asuras.

g.50 Bande
ban de
བན་།

(vanda)
A term of respect for Buddhist monks: bande in Tibet and Nepal, bhante in the Pali tradition. A middle-Indic word,
it is said to be derived from vande, the BHS vocative form of the Sanskrit vanda, meaning praiseworthy or
venerable, although bhante is said to be a contraction of the vocative bhadante, derived from a respectful
salutation.

g.51 Bases of miraculous powers

rdzu ’phrul gyi rkang pa
་འལ་་ང་པ།

rddhipāda
̣
Four qualities of the samādhi that have the activity of eliminating negative factors: aspiration, diligence,
contemplation, and analysis.

g.52 Belief in the existence of a self

’jig tshogs la lta ba

འག་ཚོགས་ལ་་བ།

satkāyadrṣ tị
The Tibetan is literally “the view of the destructible accumulation,” and the Sanskrit is “the view of the existing
body.” They mean the view that identifies the existence of a self in relation to the skandhas.

g.53 Bhadrapāla
bzang skyong
བཟང་ང་།

Bhadrapāla

g.54 Bhadrikarāja
bzang ldan rgyal po

བཟང་ན་ལ་པོ།

Bhadrikarāja · Bhadrika
Supreme among the upper-class monks. He became an arhat in the first rainy season. One of the first group of
Śākya princes to become a monk. He is said to have been a king in many successive previous lifetimes, which is why
the title of “king” is added after his name in the sūtra. He is not to be confused with the Bhadrika who was one of
the Buddha’s first five pupils.

g.55 Bherī drum

rnga chen · rnga bo che
་ན། · ་བོ་།

bherī · bheri
A conical or bowl-shaped kettledrum, with an upper surface that is beaten with sticks.

g.56 Bhiksụ
 dge slong
ད་ོང་།

bhiksụ
Fully ordained Buddhist monk.

g.57 Bhiksun
̣ ̣ī
dge slong ma
ད་ོང་མ།

bhiksun
̣ ị̄
Fully ordained Buddhist nun.

g.58 Bhīsmabala
̣
’jigs btsan stobs

འགས་བཙན་ོབས།

Bhīsmabala
̣

g.59 Bhīsmaghos
̣ ạ
’jigs pa’i dbyangs
འགས་པ་དངས།

Bhīsmaghos
̣ ạ

g.60 Bhīsmamati
̣
’jigs btsan blo gros
འགས་བཙན་ོ་ས།

Bhīsmamati
̣

g.61 Bhīsmānana
̣
’jigs zhal

འགས་ཞལ།

Bhīsmānana
̣

g.62 Bhīsmārci
̣
’jigs btsan ’od ’phro
འགས་བཙན་འོད་འོ།

Bhīsmārci
̣

g.63 Bhīsmasamudgata
̣
’jigs btsan ’phags

འགས་བཙན་འཕགས།

Bhīsmasamudgata
̣

g.64 Bhīsmottara
̣
’jigs pa’i bla ma · ’jigs mchog

འགས་པ་་མ། · འགས་མག

Bhīsmottara
̣
The name of both a previous life of Buddha Śākyamuni as a king (translated as ’jigs pa’i bla ma) and the name of
one of the buddhas (translated as ’jigs mchog) that Śākyamuni received the samādhi teaching from in a previous
life.
g.65 Bhrgu
̣
ngan spong

ངན་ོང་།

Bhrgu
̣
One of the seven great rishis of ancient India. The founder of Indian astrology.

g.66 Bhūmi
sa
ས།

bhūmi
Literally “grounds” in which qualities grow, and also it means “levels.” Bhūmi refers specifically to levels of
enlightenment, especially the ten levels of the enlightened bodhisattvas.

g.67 Bhūtamati
yang dag blo gros
ཡང་དག་ོ་ས།

Bhūtamati

g.68 Bignonia
skya snar · pa ta la

་ར། · པ་ཏ་ལ།

pātalā
̣
Bignonia suaveolens. The Indian species of bigonia. They have trumpet-shaped flowers and the small trees are
common throughout India.

g.69 Blue lotus

ud pa la · ud pal
ད་པ་ལ། · ད་པལ།

utpala

g.70 Bodhi tree

byang chub kyi shing

ང་བ་་ང་།

Bodhivrks
̣ ạ
The tree beneath which every buddha in this world will manifest the attainment of buddhahood.

g.71 Bodhiman ̣d ̣a
byang chub snying po
ང་བ་ང་པོ།

Bodhimanḍ ạ
"The essence of enlightenment.” The spot in Bodhgaya where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

g.72 Bodhisattva
byang chub sems dpa’
ང་བ་མས་དཔའ།

bodhisattva · buddhaputra
 A person who is dedicated not merely to attaining liberation through attaining the state of an arhat, but to
becoming a buddha. A name created from the Sanskritization of the middle-Indic bodhisatto, the Sanskrit
equivalent of which was bodhisakta, “one who is fixed on enlightenment.”

g.73 Brahmā
tshangs pa
ཚངས་པ།

Brahmā
The personification of the universal force of Brahman, the deity in the form realm, who was, during the Buddha’s
time, considered in India to be the supreme deity and creator of the universe.

g.74 Brahmābala
tshangs pa’i stobs
ཚངས་པ་ོབས།

Brahmābala

g.75 Brahmadatta
tshangs pa byin

ཚངས་པ་ན།

Brahmadatta · Svarabrahmadatta
A monk who was a previous incarnation of Buddha Dīpaṃkara.

g.76 Brahmādeva
tshangs pa’i lha
ཚངས་པ་།

Brahmādeva

g.77 Brahmaghosạ
tshangs pa’i dbyangs

ཚངས་པ་དངས།

Brahmaghosạ

g.78 Brahmakāyika
tshangs ris
ཚངས་ས།

Brahmakāyika
The lowest of the three paradises that are the paradises of the first dhyāna in the form realm. The class of devas
who live in the paradise of Brahmā.

g.79 Brahmānana
tshangs pa’i zhal

ཚངས་པ་ཞལ།

Brahmānana

g.80 Brahmapurohita
tshangs pa’i mdun ’don
ཚངས་པ་མན་འདོན།

Brahmapurohita
 The second of the three paradises that are the paradises of the first dhyāna in the form realm.

g.81 Brahmaśrava
tshangs pa’i snyan
ཚངས་པ་ན།

Brahmaśrava

g.82 Brahmasvarāṅga
tshangs pa’i sgra dbyangs

ཚངས་པ་་དངས།

Brahmasvarāṅga

g.83 Brahmavasu
tshangs nor

ཚངས་ནོར།

Brahmavasu

g.84 Brahmavihāra
tshangs pa’i gnas
ཚངས་པ་གནས།

brahmavihāra
The four qualities that are said to result in rebirth in the paradise of Brahmā, and were a practice already prevalent
before Śākyamuni’s teaching, are limitless love, compassion, rejoicing, and equanimity.

g.85 Brahmanarendranetra
tshanga pa’i mi dbang spyan

ཚང་པ་་དབང་ན།

Brahmanarendranetra

g.86 Brahmeśvara
tshangs pa’i dbang phyug
ཚངས་པ་དབང་ག

Brahmeśvara
Name of two past buddhas from whom Śākyamuni received the samādhi teachings.

g.87 Breadfruit
pa na
པ་ན།

panasa

g.88 Brhaspati
̣
phur bu
ར་།

Brhaspati
̣
Both the deity of the planet Jupiter and the guru of the devas.

g.89 Brilliance
’od ’phro · ’od ’phro ba
 འོད་འོ། · འོད་འོ་བ།

arcismatī
̣
The fourth bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.90 Brother
tshe dang ldan pa
་དང་ན་པ།

ayuśman
A respectful form of address between monks and also lay companions of equal standing. Literally: one who has a
[long] life.

g.91 Buddha qualities

sangs rgyas kyi chos

སངས་ས་་ས།

buddhadharmāh ̣
These qualities unique to a buddha are eighteen in number: the ten strengths; the four fearlessness; mindfulness of
body, speech, and mind; and compassion.

g.92 Caitya
mchod rten
མད་ན།

caitya · cetiya
Sometimes synonymous with stūpa, but can refer to a temple that may or may not contain a stūpa, or any place or
thing that is worthy of veneration. The Tibetan translation is identical for stūpa and caitya.

g.93 Cakravāla
’khor yug
འར་ག

Cakravāla · Cakravādạ
“Circular mass.” There are at least three interpretations of what this name refers to. In the Ksitigarbha
̣ Sutra it is a
mountain that contains the hells, in which case it is equivalent to the Vad ̣aba submarine mountain of fire, also said
to be the entrance to the hells. More commonly it is the name of the outer ring of mountains at the edge of the flat
disc that is the world, with Sumeru in the center. This is also equated with Vad ̣aba, the heat of which evaporates the
ocean so that it does not overflow. Jambudvīpa, the world of humans is in this sea to Sumeru’s south. However, it is
also used to mean the entire disc, including Sumeru and the paradises above it.

g.94 Cakravartin
’khor los sgyur ba

འར་ལོས་ར་བ།

cakravartin
A king with a magical wheel—wherever it rolls becomes his kingdom, so that he may rule over one to four
continents.

g.95 Candrabhānu
zla ba’i ’od zer
་བ་འོད་ར།

Candrabhānu

g.96 Candrakīrti
 zla ba grags pa
་བ་གས་པ།

Candrakīrti
A prominent seventh-century master of the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) tradition.

g.97 Candrānana
zla ba’i zhal
་བ་ཞལ།

Candrānana

g.98 Candraprabha
zla ’od
་འོད།

Candraprabha
The young man of Rājagrha who is the principal interlocutor for the Samādhirājasūtra. He is frequently addressed
as “youth” or “young man,” (Skt. kumāra; Tib. gzhon nu); see “the youth Candraprabha.”

g.99 Cāturmahārājakāyika
rgyal po chen po bzhi’i ris
ལ་པོ་ན་པོ་བ་ས།

Cāturmahārājakāyika

g.10 Cherry wood

0 shug pa
ག་པ།

padmaka
Also known as Wild Himalayan Cherry, Sour Cherry, and Costus Speciosus.

g.101 Clouds of Dharma

chos sprin · chos kyi sprin
ས་ན། · ས་་ན།

Dharmameghā
The tenth bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.10 Conceptualization
2 mtshan ma

མཚན་མ།

nimitta
Literally “signs,” or attributes.

g.10 Conceptualization
3 spros pa

ོས་པ།

prapañca
An etymologically obscure term, which can mean elaboration, diffusion, or expansion, but is basically describing
the mind’s conceptualization, and is always connected to the words for notions and ideas, and mental fabrications.

Coral tree
g.10 man dA ra ba

མན་་ར་བ།
4
māndārava

g.10 Correct exertion

5 yang dag par spong ba
ཡང་དག་པར་ོང་བ།

samyakprahānạ
There are four kinds: the intention to not do bad actions that have not been done, to give up bad actions that are
being done, to do good actions that have not been done, and to increase the good actions that are being done.
Exertion is in accordance with the meaning in Buddhist Sanskrit. The Tibetan is translated as “abandonment” as in
classical Sanskrit, which does not fit the context.

g.10 Cyavana
6 spen pa

ན་པ།

Cyavana
A rishi of ancient India, the son of Rishi Bhrgu,
̣ known for having become a youth again after he had reached an old
age.

g.107 Dānta
dul

ལ།

Dānta

g.10 Dāntottara
8 dul mchog

ལ་མག

Dāntottara

g.10 Daśaśataraśmihutārci
9 nyi ma me’i ’od ’phro can
་མ་་འོད་འོ་ཅན།

Daśaśataraśmihutārci

g.110 Deva
lha

།

deva
A being in the paradises from the base of Mount Meru upward. Also can refer to a deity in the human world.

g.111 Devadatta
lhas byin · lha sbyin · lha byin
ས་ན། · ་ན། · ་ན།

Devadatta
A cousin of Buddha Śākyamuni who broke with him and established his own community. His tradition was still
continuing during the first millennium C.E. He is portrayed as engendering evil schemes against the Buddha and
even succeeding in wounding him. He is usually identified with wicked beings in accounts of previous lifetimes.
g.112 Devendra
lha dbang
་དབང་།

Devendra
Another name for Śakra, aka Indra.

g.113 Dharmabala
chos kyi stobs ldan
ས་་ོབས་ན།

Dharmabala

g.114 Dharmabhān ̣aka

chos smra ba
ས་་བ།

dharmabhānaka
̣
Speaker or reciter of scriptures. In early Buddhism a section of the sangha would be bhānakas,
̣ who, particularly
before the teachings were written down and were only transmitted orally, were the key factor in the preservation of
the teachings. Various groups of dharmabhān ̣akas specialized in memorizing and reciting a certain set of sūtras or
vinaya.

g.115 Dharmadhvaja
chos kyi rgyal mtshan
ས་་ལ་མཚན།

Dharmadhvaja

g.116 Dharmakāya
chos kyi sku
ས་་།

dharmakāya
In distinction to the rūpakāya, or “form body” of a buddha, this is the eternal, imperceivable realization of a
buddha. In origin it was a term for the presence of the Dharma, and has come to be synonymous with the true
nature.

g.117 Dharmaketu
chos kyi tog

ས་་ཏོག

Dharmaketu

g.118 Dharmatāśīla
chos nyid tshul khrims
ས་ད་ལ་མས།

Dharmatāśīla
The 9th century Tibetan translator of this text.

g.119 Dharmavyūha
chos bkod pa
ས་བད་པ།

Dharmavyūha
g.12 Dharmasvabhāvodgata
0 chos kyi rang bzhin ’phags

ས་་རང་བན་འཕགས།

Dharmasvabhāvodgata

g.121 Dharmottara
chos kyi bla ma
ས་་་མ།

Dharmottara

g.122 Dhātu
khams

ཁམས།

dhātu
Often translated “element,” commonly in the context of the eighteen elements of sensory experience (the six sense
faculties, their six respective objects, and the six sensory consciousnesses), although the term has a wide range of
other meanings. Along with skandha and āyatana, one of the three major categories in the taxonomy of phenomena
in the sūtra literature.

g.123 Dhrtarās
̣ ṭ ra
̣
yul ’khor srung · ngang skya
ལ་འར་ང་། · ངང་།

Dhrtarās
̣ ṭ ra
̣
One of the four mahārājas, he is the guardian deity for the east and traditionally lord of the gandharvas, though in
this sūtra he appears to be king of the nāgas. It is also the name of a goose king that was one of the Buddha’s
previous lives, and in that instance it is translated into Tibetan as ngang skya.

g.124 Dhyāna
bsam gtan

བསམ་གཏན།

dhyāna
Sometimes translated as “absorption” or “meditative absorption,” this is one of several similar but specific terms
for particualr states of mind to be cultivated. Dhyāna is the term often used in the context of eight successive stages,
four of form and four formless.

g.125 Difficult to Master

shin tu sbyang dka’ · rgyal bar dka’ ba
ན་་ང་དཀའ། · ལ་བར་དཀའ་བ།

sudurjayā
The fifth bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.126 Dīpaṃkara
mar me mdzad
མར་་མཛད།

Dīpamk
̣ ara
A previous buddha who gave Śākyamuni the prophecy of his buddhahood.

g.127 Dīpaprabha
mar me mdzad
 མར་་མཛད།

Dīpaprabha
A previous buddha in the distant past.

g.12 Discernment
8 so so yang dag par rig pa
སོ་སོ་ཡང་དག་པར་ག་པ།

pratisamv
̣ ida
There are four: the discernments of meaning, phenomena, definitions, and eloquence.

g.129 Disciplines of mendicancy

sbyangs pa’i yon tan · sbyangs dag · sbyangs tshul

ངས་པ་ཡོན་ཏན། · ངས་དག · ངས་ལ།

dhūtagunạ · dhūta
Ascetic practices that are optional for monks and nuns or undertaken only for a defined time period. They are
traditionally listed as being twelve in number: (1) wearing rags (pāmṣ́ ukūlika, phyag dar khrod pa), (2) (in the
form of only) three religious robes (traicīvarika, chos gos gsum), (3) (coarse in texture as) garments of felt
(nāma[n]tika, ’phyings pa pa), (4) eating by alms (painḍ apātika,
̣ bsod snyoms pa), (5) having a single mat to sit on
(aikāsanika, stan gcig pa), (6) not eating after noon (khalu paścād bhaktika, zas phyis mi len pa), (7) living alone
in the forest (āranyaka,
̣ dgon pa pa), (8) living at the base of a tree (vrks
̣ amūlika,
̣ shing drungs pa), (9) living in
the open (ābhyavakāśika, bla gab med pa), (10) frequenting cemeteries (śmāśānika, dur khrod pa), (11) sleeping
sitting up (naisadika,
̣ cog bu pa), and (12) accepting whatever seating position is offered (yāthāsamṣ tarika, gzhi ji
bzhin pa); this last of the twelve is sometimes interpreted as not omitting any house on the almsround, i.e.
regardless of any reception expected. Mahāvyutpatti, 1127-39.

g.13 Distinct qualities of a buddha

0 sangs rgyas gyi chos ma ’dres pa
སངས་ས་་ས་མ་འས་པ།

āvenika
̣ buddhadharma
There are eighteen such special qualities unique to a buddha. They are as follows: he never makes a mistake; he is
never boisterous; he never forgets; his concentration never falters; he has no notion of distinctness; his equanimity
is not due to lack of consideration; his motivation never falters; his endeavor never fails; his mindfulness never
falters; he never abandons his concentration; his wisdom never decreases; his liberation never fails; all his physical
actions are preceded and followed by wisdom; all his verbal actions are preceded and followed by wisdom; all his
mental actions are preceded and followed by wisdom; his knowledge and vision perceive the past without any
attachment or hindrance; his knowledge and vision perceive the future without any attachment or hindrance; and
his knowledge and vision perceive the present without any attachment or hindrance.

g.131 Doorways to liberation

rnam par thar pa’i sgo
མ་པར་ཐར་པ་།

vimoksamukha
̣
Emptiness, absence of attributes, and absence of aspiration.

g.132 Drḍ ̣habala

stobs brtan
ོབས་བན།

Drḍ habala
̣
A king in the time of Buddha Ghosadatta.
̣ Also the father of the rebirth of King Śirībala in the time of Buddha
Narendraghosa.
̣
g.133 Drdhadatta
̣
brtan pas byin
བན་པས་ན།

Drdhadatta
̣
A king in the distant past.

g.134 Drḍ ̣haśūra

dpa’ brtan

དཔའ་བན།

Drḍ haśūra
̣
The name of all the buddhas who had been followers of King Mahābala in a previous lifetime.

g.135 Dron ̣a
sgrom

མ།

dronạ
A measure of capacity or volume, and sometimes of weight, roughly equivalent to 5 liters or 9.5 kilograms. It can
also be used to denote a vessel or container of that capacity, hence the Tibetan translation here sgrom, “box” or
“chest,” which is a little misleading in the passage in this text.

g.136 Druma
ljon pa
ན་པ།

Druma
King of the kiṃnaras.

g.137 Dundubhisvara
rnga dbyangs

་དངས།

Dundubhisvara
A bodhisattva who only appears in Mahāyāna sūtras. It is also a name for various buddhas, including an alternative
name for Buddha Amoghasiddhi. Incorrectly translated as mngon par ’byung dka’

g.13 Durabhisambhava
8 mngon par ’byung dka’ · ’byung dka’

མན་པར་འང་དཀའ། · འང་དཀའ།

Durabhisambhava
Name of a bodhisattva only mentioned in one other sūtra.

g.139 Durvāsa
dkar bar gnas
དཀར་བར་གནས།

Durvāsa
Ancient Indian sage, known primarily for tales of his short temper and the curses he inflicted, hence the meaning of
his name: “difficult to live with.”

g.14 Eight disadvantageous states

0 mi khom brgyad
 ་མ་བད།

asṭ āks
̣ aṇ ạ
Being reborn in hell, or as a preta, an animal, or a long-lived deity (of the formless realms), or being a human in a
time without a Buddha’s teaching, in a land without the teaching, with a defective mind, or without faith.

g.141 Elapatra
e la’i ’dab ma
་ལ་འདབ་མ།

Elapatra
A nāga king who in the lifetime of the previous buddha had cut down a tree and had therefore been reborn as a
nāga. Residing in Taxila, he is said to have miraculously extended himself to where the Buddha was present. This
tale is found represented in ancient sculpture.

g.142 Eloquence
spobs pa

ོབས་པ།

pratibhāna
The Tibetan word literally means “confidence” or “courage” but it refers to confident speech, to being perfectly
eloquent.

g.143 Emptiness
stong pa nyid
ོང་པ་ད།

śūnyatā
In the Mahāyāna this is the term for how phenomena are devoid of any nature of their own. One of the three
doorways to liberation along with the absence of aspiration and the absence of attributes.

g.144 Erysipelas
’brum bu me dbal
འམ་་་དབལ།

visarpa
A bacterial infection of the skin, also called Ignis Sacer and St. Anthony’s Fire. The Tibetan means “fireflames.” Its
worst form as described in the sūtra is “necrotizing fasciitis,” when the skin and flesh beneath blacken and die; it
can lead quickly to death.

g.145 Essence of phenomena

chos kyi dbyings

ས་་དངས།

dharmadhātu
Defined in the commentary as the ultimate nature of phenomena, or the supreme among phenomena. Also defined
as the essence of the Dharma. Literally “the element of phenomena, or the Dharma.” This term is also used to mean
“the realm of phenomena,” meaning all phenomena.

g.146 Fata morgana

dri za’i grong khyer
་ཟ་ང་ར།

gandharvapura
A particular kind of mirage in which buildings, mountains, and so on can appear in the sky above the horizon. In
India, called the “city of gandharvas,” as it was believed to be a glimpse of the residences of these divine beings.
g.147 Fearlessness
mi ’jigs pa
་འགས་པ།

vaiśaradya
This refers to the four confidences or fearlessnesses of the Buddha: confidence in having attained realization,
confidence in having fully eliminated all defilements, confidence in teaching the Dharma, and confidence in
teaching the path of aspiration to liberation.

g.14 Fenugreek
8 spri ka

་ཀ

sprkka
̣ · sprka
̣ · sprksya
̣

g.149 Fig-tree flowers

u dum bA ra’i me tog
་མ་་ར་་ཏོག

udumbarakusuma
A simile for rarity, as fig trees do not have discernible blossoms. In Tibet the udumbara (Ficus glomerata), being
unknown, became portrayed as a gigantic lotuslike flower. The Chinese adds the adjective “rare” and, like the
Tibetan, simply transliterates udumbara.

g.15 Five strengths

0 stobs lnga

ོབས་།

pañcabala
The five strengths are a stronger form of the five powers: faith, mindfulness, diligence, samādhi, and wisdom.

g.151 Fourfold assembly

’khor bzhi

འར་བ།

catuhpars
̣ ad
̣
Male and female lay followers, and male and female monastic followers.

g.152 Gambhīraghosạ
sgra dbyangs zab mo
་དངས་ཟབ་མོ།

Gambhīraghosạ

g.153 Gampopa
sgam po pa

མ་པོ་པ།

—
Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen, 1079–1153). A disciple of Milarepa, and the founder of
the monastic Kagyu tradition; also known as Dakpopa (dwags po pa) or Dakpo Lharjé (dwags po lha rje).

g.154 Gan ̣ābhibhu

tshogs rnams zil gnon
ཚོགས་མས་ལ་གནོན།
 Ganābhibhu
̣

g.155 Gan ̣amukhya

tshog gtso
ཚོག་གཙོ།

Ganamukhya
̣

g.156 Gandhahasti
spos kyi glang po che
ོས་་ང་པོ་།

Gandhahasti
A principal bodhisattva in the Mahāyāna sūtras. He is described in this sūtra as coming from Aksobhya’s
̣ realm.

g.157 Gandhamādana
spos ngad can · spos ngad ldang · spos nad ldan
ོས་ངད་ཅན། · ོས་ངད་ང་། · ོས་ནད་ན།

Gandhamādana
A legendary mountain north of the Himalayas, with Lake Anavatapta, the source of the worlds great rivers, at its
base. It is said to be south of Mount Kailash, though both have been identified with Mount Tise in west Tibet.

g.158 Gandharva
dri za

་ཟ།

gandharva
A race of deities who are particularly known to be musicians.

g.159 Gan ̣endra

tshogs dbang

ཚོགས་དབང་།

Ganendra
̣

g.16 Gan ̣endraśūra

0 tshogs dbang dpa’ bo

ཚོགས་དབང་དཔའ་བོ།

Ganendraśūra
̣

g.161 Gan ̣eśvara

tshogs kyi dbang phyug
ཚོགས་་དབང་ག

Ganeśvara
̣
A name that appears twice in the list of buddhas from whom Śākyamuni in previous lifetimes received the
Samādhirāja, and who is described in particular in chapter 38.

g.162 Gan ̣ivara

tshogs bzang
ཚོགས་བཟང་།

Ganivara
̣
g.163 Gan ̣ivarapramocaka
tshogs bzang rab tu rnam par ’byed
ཚོགས་བཟང་རབ་་མ་པར་འད།

Ganivara
̣ pramocaka

g.164 Gardabhaka
bong bu

བོང་།

Gardabhaka
A powerful yaksạ of the Himalayas.

g.165 Gardenia
bar sha ka

བར་ཤ་ཀ

vārsika
̣ · vārasika
̣

g.166 Gargā
gar gA

གར་།

Gargā
A famous Puranic rishi of India, who features particularly in the Vaishnavite literature.

g.167 Garud ̣a
khyung

ང་།

garudạ
A supernatural being that is a gigantic bird with humanoid features.

g.16 Gautama
8 gau ta ma
་ཏ་མ།

Gautama
One of the seven great rishis of ancient India. Author of some of the vedas. His Dharmasūtra specified
renunciation as yellow robes, shaved head, and being called a bhiksu.
̣ Buddha Śākyamuni was his descendant.

g.169 Ghosadatta
̣
dbyangs byin
དངས་ན།

Ghosadatta
̣
A buddha in the distant past.

g.170 Ghosānana
̣
dbyangs kyi zhal

དངས་་ཞལ།

Ghosānana
̣

g.171 Ghoseśvara
̣
dbyangs kyi dbang phyug
 དངས་་དབང་ག

Ghoseśvara
̣

g.172 Girivalgu
ri bo legs pa
་བོ་གས་པ།

Girivalgu · Girika
A nāga king who was a devotee of the Buddha. King Bimbisara once banished him and another nāga because they
did not honor him. A drought occurred, and on the Buddha’s advice, he asked the nāgas for their forgiveness.

g.173 Gone Far

ring du song · ring du song ba

ང་་སོང་། · ང་་སོང་བ།

dūramg
̣ amā
The seventh bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.174 Good beings

skyes bu dam pa

ས་་དམ་པ།

satpurusạ

g.175 Good Eon

skal pa bzang po

ལ་པ་བཟང་པོ།

Bhadrakalpa · Bhadraka
Our present eon in which over a thousand buddhas will appear. The meaning is “good” because of the number of
buddhas that will appear. In the sūtra, it is usually called bhadraka.

g.176 Gośīrsạ
go Sir Sa · ba glang gi spos · ba glang mgo

་Sར་Sཨ། · བ་ང་་ོས། · བ་ང་མ

gośīrsạ · gauśīrsạ
A type of sandalwood that is reddish in color and has medicinal properties. It is said to have the finest fragrance of
all sandalwood. In the Mahāvyutpatti it is translated as sa mchog, which means “supreme earth.” Later
translations translate gośirsạ literally as “ox-head,” which is said to refer to the shape or name of the mountain
where it grows. Appears to be red sandalwood, though that appears separately in the list of incenses.

g.177 Guhyaka
gsang ba po
གསང་བ་པོ།

guhyaka
A class of devas that, like the yaksas,
̣ are ruled over by Kubera, but are also said to be his most trusted helpers.

g.178 Hibiscus
s+thA la ka

་ལ་ཀ

sthālaka
g.179 Higher cognition
mngon par shes pa

མན་པར་ས་པ།

abhijñā
The higher cognitions are listed as either five or six. The first five are: clairvoyance (divine sight), divine hearing,
knowing how to manifest miracles, remembering previous lives, knowing what is in the minds of others. A sixth,
knowing that all defects have been eliminated, is often added. The first five are attained through dhyāna, and are
sometimes described as worldly, as they can be attained to some extent by non-Buddhist yogis; while the sixth is
supramundane and attained only by realization—by bodhisattvas, or according to some accounts only by buddhas.

g.18 Himagiri
0 kha ba can gyi ri
ཁ་བ་ཅན་་།

Himagiri
Synonymous with Himavat. This “mountain” is actually the entire Himalayan range.

g.181 Himavat
gangs kyi ri

གངས་་།

Himavat
Synonymous with Himagiri. This “mountain” is actually the entire Himalayan range.

g.18 Identification
2 ’du shes

འ་ས།

samj̣ ña
The mental process of identifying various perceived phenomena. One of the five skandhas.

g.18 Iksvāku
̣
3 bu ram shing
་རམ་ང་།

Iksvāku
̣
This is a family lineage that many royal families claimed adherence to. It is the name of an early royal dynasty in
India, which is said to be a solar dynasty. Though there are many versions of how the dynasty received its name,
they all relate it to the sugar cane (iksu).
̣ In Buddhism he was said to have been miraculously born from the rishi
Gautama’s semen and blood when it was heated by the sun, and subsequently hid among sugar cane. Buddha
Śākyamuni was also considered to be in this family line.

g.18 Indraketu
4 dbang po’i tog

དབང་པོ ་ཏོག

Indraketu
A yaksạ lord.

g.185 Indraketudhvajarāja
dbang tog rgyal mtshan rgyal po

དབང་ཏོག་ལ་མཚན་ལ་པོ།

Indraketudhvajarāja
A buddha in the distant past, who is not mentioned in any other sūtra.
g.18 Ironwood flowers
6 ke sa ra
་ས་ར།

keśara · keśarā
Mesua ferrea, specifically “Ceylon ironwood,” also called Indian rose chestnut, Cobra’s saffron, and nāgakesara.
The flowers are large and fragrant, with four white petals and a yellow center.

g.187 Jahnu
rgyal byed

ལ་ད།

Jahnu
A rishi of ancient India, who was said to have swallowed the Ganges when it first appeared, and then on being
supplicated allowed it to come out of his ear.

g.18 Jaimini
8 ’dza’ man

འཛའ་མན།

Jaimini · Jāmani · Jāmanị

A rishi who was a pupil of Vyāsa, the first master of the Sāmaveda and the source of the Mīmāṃsā tradition.

g.18 Jamadagni
9 ’dza’ mag ni
འཛའ་མག་།

Jamadagni · Jāmadagni
One of the seven great rishis of ancient India. Also known as the father of Paraśurāma, the sixth incarnation of
Visṇ ̣u.

g.19 Jambu River

0 ’dzam bu
འཛམ་།

Jambu
Legendary river carrying the remains of the golden fruit of a legendary jambu (rose apple) tree.

g.191 Jambudhvaja
’dzam bu rgyal mtshan

འཛམ་་ལ་མཚན།

Jambudhvaja
An alternative name for Jambudvīpa (rose-apple continent), which means “rose-apple banner."

g.192 Jambudvīpa
’dzam bu gling
འཛམ་་ང་།

Jambudvīpa
The name of the southern continent in Buddhist cosmology, which can mean the known world of humans or more
specifically the Indian subcontinent. A gigantic, miraculous rose-apple (jambu) tree at the source of the great
Indian rivers is said to give the continent its name.

g.193 Jasmine
 mal li ka · mA li ka
མལ་་ཀ · ་་ཀ

mālika · māllika

g.194 Jina
rgyal ba
ལ་བ།

jina
The most common epithet of the buddhas, and also common among the Jains, hence their name. It means “the
victorious one.”

g.195 Jinaputra
rgyal ba’i sras
ལ་བ་ས།

jinaputra
“Son of the Jina,” a synonym for bodhisattva.

g.196 Jñānabala
ye shes kyi stobs

་ས་་ོབས།

Jñānabala
A cakravartin king countless eons in the past.

g.197 Jñānābala
ye shes stobs
་ས་ོབས།

Jñānābala
A buddha countless eons in the past.

g.19 Jñānābhibhū
8 zil gyis ma non ye shes
ལ་ས་མ་ནོན་་ས།

Jñānābhibhū

g.199 Jñānābhyudgata
ye shes mngon par ’phags

་ས་མན་པར་འཕགས།

Jñānābhyudgata

g.20 Jñānaprabhāsa
0 ye shes snang ba

་ས་ང་བ།

Jñānaprabhāsa
A buddha countless eons in the past.

g.20 Jñānārcimat
1 ye shes ’od ’phro

་ས་འོད་འོ།
 Jñānārcimat

g.20 Jñānasamudgata
2 ye shes yang dag ’phags · yang dag ’phags

་ས་ཡང་དག་འཕགས། · ཡང་དག་འཕགས།

Jñānasamudgata

g.20 Jñānaśūra
3 ye shes dpa’ ba
་ས་དཔའ་བ།

Jñānaśūra
A past buddha who eons previously had been King Mahābala. Also the name of one of the two hundred buddhas
Śākyamuni had received the samādhi teaching from in previous lifetimes.

g.20 Jñānāvatī
4 ye shes ldan

་ས་ན།

Jñānāvatī
A princess countless eons ago.

g.20 Jñānaviśesaga
̣
5 ye shes bye brag ’gro
་ས་་ག་འ།

Jñānaviśesaga
̣

g.20 Jñāneśvara
6 ye shes dbang phyug

་ས་དབང་ག

Jñāneśvara

g.20 Jyotirasa
7 skar ma la dga’ ba
ར་མ་ལ་དགའ་བ།

Jyotirasa

g.20 Kachnar
8 a ti muk ta ka · a ti mug ta ka
ཨ་་ཀ་ཏ་ཀ · ཨ་་ག་ཏ་ཀ

atimuktaka
Phanera variegata. One of the most beautiful and aromatic of Indian trees, also known as orchid tree, mountain
ebony, and camel’s foot tree.

g.20 Kāla
9 nag po
ནག་པོ།

Kāla
Kāla was the son of Anāthapin ̣d ̣ada (Pali: Anāthapindika), the merchant who donated to the Buddha the land for
the Jetavana Monastery.
g.21 Kālika
0 dus can
ས་ཅན།

Kālika
A nāga king who became a pupil of the Buddha. Gandhara scultpures represent his conversion.

g.211 Kalyān ̣amitra

dge ba’i bshes gnyen

ད་བ་བས་གན།

kalyānamitra
̣
A title for a teacher of the spiritual path, often translated “spiritual friend."

g.212 Kamalaśīla
ka ma la shI la
ཀ་མ་ལ་་ལ།

Kamalaśīla
Indian Buddhist master (713–763) who came to Tibet in the late 8th century. Said to have been assassinated after a
debate with the representatives of Chinese Buddhism. A later legend has him return to India and come back in
another body in the eleventh century as the master Padampa Sangye.

g.213 Kañcika
kon tsi
ན་།

Kañciku (Gilgit ms.)

Appears to mean “a person from Kañci.” Unidentified. Possibly a description of Pūrna, who is next in the list of the
Buddha’s disciples. Alternatively this may be Kaccāna, also known as Kaccāyana, but principally as Katyayāna, one
of the Buddha’s ten principal pupils.

g.214 Kapilavastu
ser skya’i grong

ར་་ང་།

Kapila
The Buddha’s home town.

g.215 Kapphin ̣a
ka phi na
ཀ་་ན།

Kapphinạ · Kaphina
A principal teacher of the monastic saṅgha during the Buddha’s lifetime. Described as pale skinned and with a
prominent nose.

g.216 Karmapa
karma pa
ཀ་ པ།

—
Successive incarnations as the heads of the Karma Kagyu tradition, beginning with Dusum Khyenpa (dus gsum
mkhyen pa, 1110–1193).

Karnikara
g.217 kar ni · dong ka · dkar ni

ཀར་། · དོང་ཀ · དཀར་།

karnikāra
̣ · mucilinda
Pterospermum acerifolium. Other names include bayur, muchakunda, muchalinda, and dinner-plate tree.

g.21 Karotapān
̣ ̣i
8 lag na gzhong thogs
ལག་ན་གཞོང་ཐོགས།

Karotapān
̣ ị
One of the three classes of yaksas
̣ at the base of Sumeru, below the paradises of the mahārājas, as part of the lowest
class of paradises in the desire realm. Their name means “those who have basins in their hands.” They are said to
be at the very base of Sumeru, and worry that the rising ocean is going to flood them. Because they are continually
bailing out water with the basins, they are unable to follow the path to enlightenment.

g.219 Kārttika
ston zla tha chung · ston zla tha chungs · ston zla tha chungs smin drug
ོན་་ཐ་ང་། · ོན་་ཐ་ངས། · ོན་་ཐ་ངས་ན་ག

Kārttika
The lunar month in autum which falls in October-November, which in general Indian tradition was considered the
most powerful time to perform good actions.

g.22 Karun ̣āvicintin

0 rtag tu snying rje sems

ག་་ང་་མས།

Karunāvicintin
̣
The name of King Mahākarun ̣ācintin as given in verse.

g.221 Kāśyapa
’od srung

འོད་ང་།

Kāśyapa · Mahākarunạ̄ cintin

One of the Buddha’s principal pupils, who became the Buddha’s successor on his passing. Also the name of the
preceding Buddha, the third in this eon, with Śākyamuni as the fourth. Also one of the seven great rishis of ancient
India at the origin of Vedic culture. He is portrayed in this sūtra as coming to make offerings to the Buddha along
with the other great rishis.

g.22 Kaun ̣d ̣inya

2 kauN Di nya
ཎ་་ཉ།

Kaunḍ inya
̣
The court priest in the Buddha’s father’s kingdom, he predicted the Buddha’s enlightenment, and was the first of
the Buddha’s pupils to become an arhat.

g.22 Kauśika
3 kau shi ka

་་ཀ

Kauśika · Kauśikya · Kośika

A rishi, usually said to be identical with Viśvamati, but his son and descendants also carried this name.
g.22 Kausṭ hila
̣
4 gsus chen
གས་ན།

Kausṭ hila
̣ · Kosṭ hilu
̣
Foremost among the Buddha’s pupils in analytic reasoning.

g.22 Kharakarn ̣a
5 bong rna

བོང་།

Kharakarnạ

g.22 Khedrup Jé
6 mkhas grub rje
མཁས་བ་།

—
One of the principal pupils of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug tradition. Also retrospectively know as the first
Panchen Lama (b. 1385−d. 1438).

g.22 Kiṃnara
7 mi’am ci

འམ་།

kimn
̣ ara
A race of celestial musicians who are half humanoid and half horse.

g.22 Kiṃpurusạ
8 skyes bu ’am ci · skyes bu ’am

ས་་འམ་། · ས་་འམ།

kimp
̣ urusạ
A race of beings said to live in the Himalayas who have bodies of lions and human heads.

g.22 Kleśa
9 nyon mongs
ན་མོངས།

kleśa
Literally “pain,” “torment,” or “affliction.” In Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit it means literally “impurity” or “depravity.”
In its technical use in Buddhism it means any negative quality in the mind that causes continued existence in
saṃsāra. The basic three kleśas are ignorance, attachment, and aversion.

g.23 Kolita
0 ’dza’ man
འཛའ་མན།

Kolita
Another name of Maudgalyāyana, one of the Buddha’s two principal pupils. Kolita was his father’s name and the
name of his home village. His mother’s name was Modgali, hence his other name, meaning “the son of Modgali.”

g.231 Krośa
rgyang grags

ང་གས།
 krosạ · krosạ · kos
A quarter of a yojana, a distance that could be between one and over two miles. The milestones or kos-stones along
the Indian trunk road were just over two miles apart. The Tibetan means “earshot.”

g.23 Krṣ ṇ ̣agautama

2 gau tam nag po
་ཏམ་ནག་པོ།

Krṣ ṇ agautama
̣
A nāga king.

g.23 Ksatriya
̣
3 rgyal rigs
ལ་གས།

ksatriya
̣
The royal, noble, or warrior caste in the four-caste system of India.

g.23 Ksemadatta
̣
4 bde bas byin

བ་བས་ན།

Ksemadatta
̣
A bodhisattva in the distant past.

g.23 Kumbhān ̣d ̣a
5 grul bum

ལ་མ།

kumbhānḍ ạ · kubhānḍ ạ
Dwarf spirits said to have either large stomachs or huge, amphora-sized testicles.

g.23 Kutsa
6 ku tsa
་ཙ།

Kutsa

g.23 Laksan
̣ ̣asamalaṁkrta
̣
7 mtshan gyis kun tu brgyan pa

མཚན་ས་ན་་བན་པ།

̣ ạ samalaṁkrta
Laksan ̣

g.23 Liberations
8 rnam par thar ba
མ་པར་ཐར་བ།

vimoksạ
This can include any method for liberation. The most commonly listed are the eight liberations: (1) form viewing
form: the view of dependent origination and emptiness; (2) the formless viewing form: having seen internal
emptiness, seeing the emptiness of external forms; (3) the view of the pleasant: seeing pleasant appearances as
empty and contemplating the unpleasant; (4) seeing the emptiness of the formless meditation of infinite space; (5)
seeing the emptiness of the formless meditation of infinite consciousness; (6) seeing the emptiness of the formless
meditation of nothingness; (7) seeing the emptiness of the formless meditation of neither perception nor
nonperception; and (8) seeing the emptiness of the state of cessation.
g.23 Limbs of enlightenment
9 byang chub kyi yan lag
ང་བ་་ཡན་ལག

bodhyaṅga
There are seven limbs of enlightenment: correct mindfulness, correct wisdom of the analysis of phenomena, correct
diligence, correct joy, correct serenity, correct samādhi, and correct equanimity.

g.24 Lotsawa
0 lo tsA ba
ལོ་་བ།

locāva
Honorific term for a Tibetan translator.

g.241 Lotus
pad ma

པད་མ།

padma

g.24 Loud, clear voice

2 skad gsang
ད་གསང་།

g.24 Magnolia
3 tsam pa ka
ཙམ་པ་ཀ

campaka
Magnolia campaca.

g.24 Mahābala
4 stobs chen
ོབས་ན།

Mahābala
A king in the time of Buddha Ghosadatta.
̣

g.24 Mahāgan ̣endra

5 tshogs kyi dbang chen

ཚོགས་་དབང་ན།

Mahāganendra
̣

g.24 Mahāmatī
6 blo gros che
ོ་ས་།

Mahāmatī

g.24 Mahāmeru
7 lhun po chen po
 ན་པོ་ན་པོ།

Mahāmeru

g.24 Mahāmucilinda
8 btang bzung chen po
བཏང་བང་ན་པོ།

Mahāmucilinda
An unidentified mountain mentioned in a number of sūtras, not apparently connected to the well known nāga of
that name (who is also known as Mucilinda), but perhaps to the sacred mucilinda tree, known in English mainly as
the bayur tree.

g.24 Mahāpadma
9 pad ma che

པད་མ་།

Mahāpadma
A nāga king.

g.25 Mahārāja
0 rgyal po chen po
ལ་པོ་ན་པོ།

mahārāja
Four deities on the base of Mount Meru, each one the guardian of his direction: Vaiśravan ̣a in the north,
Dhrtarās
̣ ṭ ra
̣ in the east, Virūpāksạ in the west, and Virūd ̣haka in the south.

g.251 Mahākarun ̣ācintin

snying rje chen po sems
ང་་ན་པོ་མས།

Mahākarunạ̄ cintin
A prince who was a pupil of Buddha Abhāvasamudgata countless eons ago.

g.25 Mahāsthāmaprāpta
2 mthu chen thob · gnas chen thob

མ་ན་ཐོབ། · གནས་ན་ཐོབ།

Mahāsthāmaprāpta · Mahāsthānaprāpta · Mahāsthāma

One of the two principal bodhisattvas in Sukhāvatī, and prominent in Chinese Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism, he
is identified with Vajrapān ̣ī, though they are separate bodhisattvas in the sūtras.

g.25 Mahoraga
3 lto ’phye chen po

ོ་འ་ན་པོ།

mahoraga
A serpent deity that inhabits specific localities.

g.25 Maitraka
4 byams pa
མས་པ།

Maitraka · Maitreya
A synonym for Maitreya.
g.25 Maitreya
5 byams pa

མས་པ།

Maitreya · Ajita · Maitraka

The bodhisattva who became Śākyamuni’s regent and is prophesied to be the next buddha, the fifth buddha in the
Good Eon. In early Buddhism he appears as the human disciple sent to pay his respects by his teacher, and the
Buddha gives him the gift a of a robe and prophesies that he will be the next buddha, and that his companion Ajita
will be the next cakravartin. As a bodhisattva, he has both these names. In the White Lotus of Compassion Sūtra,
Buddha Ratnagarbha prophesies that Vimalavaiśayana, the fourth of the thousand young Vedapāthaka
̣ pupils of
Samudraren ̣u, will be Buddha Maitreya.

g.25 Mālādhāra
6 phreng ’dzin · phreng thogs
ང་འན། · ང་ཐོགས།

Mālādhāra
One of the three classes of yaksas
̣ at the base of Meru, below the paradises of the mahārājas, as part of the lowest
class of paradises in the desire realm. Their name means “with māla beads in their hands,” and they are said to be
constantly counting and therefore unable to follow the path to enlightenment.

g.25 Malaya
7 ma la ya

མ་ལ་ཡ།

Malaya
The range of mountains in West India, also called the Western ghats, known for its sandalwood forests.

g.25 Man ̣i
8 nor bu
ནོར་།

Manị
A nāga king.

g.25 Manifest
9 mngon gyur · mngon sum pa
མན་ར། · མན་མ་པ།

abhimukhī
The sixth bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.26 Mañjughosạ
0 ’jam dbyangs

འཇམ་དངས།

Mañjughosạ
An alternative name for Mañjuśrī, meaning, “gentle or beautiful voice.”

g.261 Mañjuśrī
’jam dpal

འཇམ་དཔལ།

Mañjuśrī
The bodhisattva who is considered the embodiment of wisdom. Also known as Mañjuśrī Kumārabhūta,
Mañjughosạ or Pañcaśikha.
g.26 Mañjuśrī Kumārabhūta
2 ’jam dpal gzhon nur gyur pa
འཇམ་དཔལ་གཞོན་ར་ར་པ།

Mañjuśrī Kumārabhūta
The bodhisattva who is considered the embodiment of wisdom, with the additional honorofic title for a young man.

g.26 Mañjuśrīkīrti
3 ’jam dpal grags pa

འཇམ་དཔལ་གས་པ།

Mañjuśrīkīrti

g.26 Manu
4 shed · shed can
ད། · ད་ཅན།

Manu
In the Indian tradition, Manu, similar to Noah in the Biblical tradition, was the survivor of a flood that covered the
world, and so is the ancestor of all humans. On divine advice, he built a boat in which he saved his family and all
the plants, seeds, and animals necessary to reintroduce to the world after the flood had diminished.

g.26 Māra
5 bdud

བད།

Māra
Said to be the principal deity in Paranirmitavaśavartin, the highest paradise in the desire realm. He is also
portrayed as attempting to prevent the Buddha’s enlightenment, as in early soteriological religions, the principal
deity in saṃsāra, such as Indra, would attempt to prevent anyone’s realization that would lead to such a liberation.
The name Māra is also used as a generic name for the deities in his realm, and also as an impersonal term for the
factors that keep beings in saṃsāra.

g.26 Mārabala
6 bdud kyi stobs
བད་་ོབས།

Mārabala

g.26 Māras
7 bdud

བད།

mārāh ̣
The deities ruled over by Māra who attempted to prevent the Buddha’s enlightenment, and who do not wish any
being to escape from saṃsāra. Also, they are symbolic of the defects within a person that prevent enlightenment.
These four personifications are: Devaputra-māra (lha’i bu’i bdud), the Divine Māra, which is the distraction of
pleasures; Mrtyumāra
̣ ('chi bdag gi bdud), the Māra of Death; Skandhamāra (phung po’i bdud), the Māra of the
Aggregates, which is the body; and Kleśamāra (nyon mongs pa’i bdud), the Māra of the Afflictions.

g.26 Māravitrāsana
8 bdud rnams skrag byed
བད་མས་ག་ད།

Māravitrāsana
g.26 Markandeya
9 mAr kaN Da

ར་ཀཎ་ཌ།

Mārkanda
̣
A famous Puranic rishi of India, who features particularly in the Shaivite literature.

g.27 Mati
0 blo gros
ོ་ས།

Mati
A prince who was a former life of Śākyamuni.

g.271 Matīśvara
blo gros dbang phyug
ོ་ས་དབང་ག

Matīśvara

g.27 Maudgalyāyana
2 maudgal gyi bu

དགལ་་།

Maudgalyāyana
One of the two principal pupils of the Buddha, renowned for miraculous powers. He was assassinated during the
Buddha’s lifetime.

g.27 Māyādevī
3 lha mo sgyu ’phrul
་མོ་་འལ།

Māyādevī
Buddha Śākyamuni’s mother.

g.27 Medlar
4 ba ku la
བ་་ལ།

bakula

g.27 Megharāja
5 sprin gyi rgyal po
ན་་ལ་པོ།

Megharāja

g.27 Mentation
6 ’du byed

འ་ད།

samṣ kāra
The meaning of this term varies according to context; as one of the skandhas it means the entire array of negative,
positive, and neutral mental activities.

g.277 Meru
 lhun po
ན་པོ།

Meru
Early Mahāyāna sūtras identify this as separate from Sumeru, the mountain at the center of the world. This refers
to a legendary mountain in such epics as the Mahābhārata, which while sacred is not situated at the world’s center.

g.27 Merudhvaja
8 lhun po’i rgyal mtshan
ན་པོ ་ལ་མཚན།

Merudhvaja

g.27 Merukūtạ
9 lhun po brtsegs pa

ན་པོ་བགས་པ།

Merukūtạ

g.28 Merurāja
0 lhun po’i rgyal po · lhun po’i glan chen

ན་པོ ་ལ་པོ། · ན་པོ ་ན་ན།

Merurāja · Merugāja
(The rendering Merugāja is according to Dutt.)

g.28 Merusvara
1 lhun po’i dbyangs

ན་པོ ་དངས།

Merusvara

g.28 Merupradīparāja
2 lhun po mar me’i rgyal po
ན་པོ་མར་་ལ་པོ།

Merupradīparāja

g.28 Meruśikharadhara
3 lhun po’i rtse mo ’dzin
ན་པོ ་་མོ་འན།

Meruśikharadhara

g.28 Meruśikharasaṁghatṭana
̣ rāja
4 lhun po’i rtse mo kun g.yo bar byed pa’i rgyal po

ན་པོ ་་མོ་ན་གཡོ་བར་ད་པ་ལ་པོ།

Meruśikharasaṁghattana
̣ ̣ rāja

g.28 Mindfulness
5 dran pa nye ba gzhag pa
ན་པ་་བ་གཞག་པ།

smrtyupasthāna
̣
There are four kinds of mindfulness: those of body, sensations, mind, and phenomena.
g.28 Mode
6 ’gros

འས།

gatī
Literally, “gait” or “way of moving,” but also more metaphorically “demeanour,” “stance;” and abstractly “manner,”
“type,” “mode.”

g.28 Mrdaṅga
̣ drum
7 rdza rnga

་།

̣ ṅga
mrda
A kettledrum played horizontally, wider in the middle, with the skin at both ends played by the hands. One
drumhead is smaller than the other. It is a South Indian drum, and maintains the rhythm in Karnataka music.

g.28 Mucilinda
8 btang bzung
བཏང་བང་།

Mucilinda
An unidentified mountain mentioned in a number of sūtras, not apparently connected to the well-known nāga of
that name, but perhaps to the sacred mucilinda tree, known in English mainly as the bayur tree.

g.28 Mucilinda
9 btang bzang
བཏང་བཟང་།

Mucilinda
Nāga king, particularly known for sheltering the Buddha from a storm in Bodhgaya.

g.29 Mukhaphullaka
0 spen tog rgyan · me tog rgyan

ན་ཏོག་ན། · ་ཏོག་ན།

mukhaphullaka · mukhapuspaka
̣
A specific kind of ancient Indian ornament, probably meaning “flower on the front” or “face with a flower.” It was
made by metallurgists, presumably from gold. The Tibetan has a definition which involves a woman’s face. It is
probably a central feature of a necklace, in which there is a face and a flower—possibly a face within a flower as is
seen on ancient stūpa railings such as those in Bodhgaya.

g.291 Mukunda drum

rnga zlum
་མ།

mukunda
This appears to be a small version of the mrdaṅga
̣ drum.

g.29 Muraja drum

2 rdza rnga chen po
་་ན་པོ།

muraja
A kettledrum with ends played horizontally. Unlike the mrdaṅga,
̣ one half of the drum is wider than the other.
Another description says that the heads of the drum are smaller than those of the mrdaṅga.
̣
g.29 Nāga
3 klu
།

nāga
In India, this was the cobra deity, which in Tibet was equated with water spirits and in China with dragons, neither
country having cobras.

g.29 Nāgārjuna
4 klu sgrub
་བ།

Nāgārjuna
Second- or third-century Indian master whose writings formed the basis for the Madhyamaka tradition. In
following centuries there were other masters and authors of the same name, and in Tibet all their works became
attributed to one person.

g.29 Nāgī
5 klu mo

་མོ།

nāgī
Female nāga.

g.29 Nagtsho Lotsawa

6 nag tsho lo tsA ba

ནག་ཚོ་ལོ་་བ།

—
1011–1064. His personal name was Tsultrim Gyalwa (tshul khrims rgyal ba). A translator who brought Atiśa to
Tibet and wrote an important record of his travels to India.

g.29 Names-and-form
7 ming dang gzugs
ང་དང་གགས།

nāmarūpa
Literally “name and form” means the mental and physical consituents of a being. It is a synonym for the five
skandhas, with the four aggregates of the mind being called “names.” In the context of the twelve phases of
dependent origination the term is also used specifically to refer to the embryonic phase of an individual’s existence
where the mental aggregates are undeveloped and have only a nominal presence, and therefore are called “names.”

g.29 Namuci
8 bdud

བད།

Namuci
Originally the name of Indra’s principal enemy among the asuras. In early Buddhism he appears as a drought-
causing demon and eventually his name becomes that of Māra, the principal opponent of the Buddhadharma.

g.29 Nanda
9 dga’ bo

དགའ་བོ།

Nanda
 The Buddha’s half-brother, who became one of his principal pupils. Also the name for the nāga king usually
associated with Upananda.

g.30 Nandika
0 dga’ byed
དགའ་ད།

Nandika · Vasunandi

g.30 Nārada
1 mi sbyin

་ན།

Nārada
A famous South Indian rishi who also appears in the Ramayana and is credited with writing the first judicial text.

g.30 Narendraghosạ
2 mi dbang dbyangs
་དབང་དངས།

Narendraghosạ

g.30 Netrābhibhu
3 spyan gyis zil gyis gnon

ན་ས་ལ་ས་གནོན།

Netrābhibhu

g.30 Netrānindita
4 ma smad spyan
མ་ད་ན།

Netrānindita

g.30 Netraśuddha
5 spyan dag
ན་དག

Netraśuddha

g.30 Night lotus

6 ku mu da

་་ད།

kumuda
Nymphaea pubescens. This night-blossoming water lily, which can be red, pink, or white, is not actually a lotus,
since it does not have the lotus’s distinctive pericarp. Nevertheless it is commonly called the “night lotus.” It is also
known as hairy water lily, because of the hairs on the stem and the underside of the leaves.

g.30 Nirmān ̣aratin

7 ’phrul dga’
འལ་དགའ།

Nirmānaratin
̣
The fifth (counting from the lowest) of the six paradises in the desire realm.
g.30 Nirvān ̣a
8 mya ngan las ’das pa

་ངན་ལས་འདས་པ།

nirvānạ
Sanskrit: “extinguishment,” for the causes for saṃsāra are “extinguished”; Tibetan: “the transcendence of
suffering.”

g.30 Noble one

9 ’phags pa
འཕགས་པ།

ārya
The Sanskrit ārya generally has the common meaning of a noble person, one of a higher class or caste. In Dharma
terms it means one who has gained the realization of the path and is superior for that reason.

g.31 Obscuration
0 sgrib pa
བ་པ།

nivaranạ
In this sūtra it is stated that there are five obscurations. This must be referring to the list in the early Mahāyāna
sūtra The Patience Trained by the Color of Space Sūtra: (1) desire’s craving; (2) malice; (3) dullness and
sleepiness; (4) laziness and agitation; and (5) doubt.

g.311 Orchid
ko bi dA ra

་་་ར།

kovidāra

g.312 Outflows
zag pa
ཟག་པ།

āśrava
A term of Jain origin. It refers to uncontrolled thoughts, being distracted by objects, and hence its meaning of
“leaks.”

g.313 Padma
pad ma

པད་མ།

Padma
A nāga king.

g.314 Padmottara
pad ma bla ma
པད་མ་་མ།

Padmottara
A buddha that appears in other sūtras as a contemporary of Śākyamuni in another universe. In this sūtra, King
Drḍ ̣habala, the bhiksụ Supuspacandra,
̣ and King Varapuspasa
̣ are said to be his previous lives.

g.315 Pan ̣ava

mkhar rnga
 མཁར་།

panava
̣ · pānava
̣
Listed among Indian instruments as an hourglass drum, played in the hand, and the ancestor of the present day
hud ̣ukka, somewhat larger than the d ̣amaru. See Saṅgītaśiromani:
̣ A Medieval Handbook of Indian Music, edited
by Emmie Te Nijenhuis, p. 549. However, Dutt describes it as a drum made of bell metal, which matches the
Tibetan translation as “bronze drum,” but he may have been influenced by the Tibetan translation of chapter 30. In
an earlier chapter panava
̣ is simply transcribed into Tibetan. An example of a bell metal drum would be the
cen ̣n ̣ala, a small flat gong of bell metal that is hit with a stick and used to keep time in South Indian music. Other
instruments mentioned are of the South Indian tradition.

g.316 Pañcaśikha
gtsug phu lnga pa

གག་་་པ།

Pañcaśikha
A gandharva who was very prominent in early Buddhism and is featured on early stupa reliefs playing a lute and
singing. He would come to Buddha Śākyamuni, who was not portrayed as omniscient, to inform him of what was
occuring in the paradises. He also accompanies Indra on a visit to the Buddha and plays music to bring the Buddha
out of his meditation. He performs the same role in the Mahāyāna sūtra The White Lotus of Compassion. He was
portrayed as living on a five-peaked mountain, and appears to be the basis for Mañjuśrī, first known as Mañjughosạ
(Beautiful Voice) with Pañcaśikha still being one of Mañjuśrī’s alternate names. In this sūtra he is clearly distinct
from Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī.

g.317 Pāñcika
lngas rtsen
ས་ན།

Pañcika
Traditionally the head of the yaksạ army serving Vaiśravan ̣a, and the consort of Hariti.

g.31 Parāśara
8 par sha

པར་ཤ།

Parāśara
One of the vedic sages who revealed some of the Vedas, and is believed to have written the first puran ̣a.

g.319 Paranirmitavaśavartin
gzhan ’phrul dbang byed
གཞན་འལ་དབང་ད།

Paranirmitavaśavartin
The highest paradise in the desire realm.

g.32 Parīttābha
0 ’od chung
འོད་ང་།

Parīttābha
The second of the three paradises that are the third dhyāna paradises in the form realm.

g.321 Parīttaśubha
dge ba

ད་བ།
 Parīttaśubha · Śubha
The lowest of the three paradises that are the third dhyāna paradises in the form realm.

g.32 Partridge
2 shang shang te’u

ཤང་ཤང་།

jīvamj̣ īva
Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar, also known as the Greek partridge). In later times in China and Tibet this
became a legendary half-human bird, or a two-headed bird.

g.32 Pataha
̣ drum
3 —
pataha
̣
A barrel drum that can be hung by a strap from the body and played sitting or standing by beating the upper
surface, or both surfaces, with two curved drumsticks. There is also an identification of this term with a disc-shaped
drum with the skin on one side only, similar to a tambourine, and also a drum like the mrdaṅga
̣ with a thick middle
and one end smaller than the other.

g.32 Perfect in wisdom and conduct

4 rig pa dang zhabs su ldan pa

ག་པ་དང་ཞབས་་ན་པ།

vidyācaranasam
̣ p̣ anna
A common description of buddhas. According to some explanations, “wisdom” refers to awakening, and “conduct”
to the three trainings (bslab pa gsum) by means of which a buddha attains that awakening; according to others,
“wisdom” refers to right view, and “conduct” to the other seven elements of the eightfold path.

g.32 Perfect Joy

5 rab tu dga’ ba

རབ་་དགའ་བ།

pramuditā
The first bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.32 Perfect Understanding

6 legs pa’i blo · legs pa’i blo gros
གས་པ་ོ། · གས་པ་ོ་ས།

sādhumatī
The ninth bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.32 Phanaka
7 gdengs ka can
གངས་ཀ་ཅན།

Phanaka · Bhogaka
A leading nāga.

g.32 Pinnacled hall

8 khang pa brtsegs pa

ཁང་པ་བགས་པ།

kūtāgāra
̣
 Distinctive Indian assembly hall or temple with one ground-floor room and a high ornamental roof, sometimes a
barrel shape with apses but more usually a tapering roof, tower, or spire, containing at least one additional upper
room within the structure. Kūtāgāra
̣ literally means “upper chamber” and is short for kūtāgāraśala,
̣ “hall with an
upper chamber or chambers.” The Mahābodhi Temple in Bodhgaya is an example of a kūtāgāra.
̣

g.32 Pitaka
̣
9 sde snod

་ོད།

pitaka
̣
A collection of canonical texts according to subject, the pitakas
̣ are usually Vinaya, Sūtra, and Abhidharma. It can
also refer, as in this sūtra, to the collection of the Mahāyana teachings, which is known as the bodhisattva-pitaka.
̣
The word originates from the term “baskets,” originally used to contain these collections.

g.33 Posadha
̣
0 gso sbyong
གསོ་ོང་།

posadha
̣ · uposadha
̣
The fortnightly ceremony during which ordained monks and nuns gather to recite the Prātimoksạ vows and confess
faults and breaches. The term is also sometimes used in reference to the taking of eight vows by a layperson for just
one day, a full-moon or new-moon day.

g.331 Prajñākaramati
shes rab ’byung gnas blo gros

ས་རབ་འང་གནས་ོ་ས།

Prajñākaramati
(950−1030) One of the main masters in Vikramaśila monastery.

g.33 Praśānta
2 rab tu zhi

རབ་་།

Praśānta

g.33 Praśānteśvara
3 rab zhi dbang phug

རབ་་དབང་ག

Praśānteśvara

g.33 Pratāpana
4 rab tu tsha ba
རབ་་ཚ་བ།

Pratāpana · Mahātāpana
The very hot hell; the seventh of the eight hot hells.

g.33 Pratimoksạ
5 so sor thar pa
སོ་སོར་ཐར་པ།

pratimoksạ
The rules of conduct that lead to liberation.
g.33 Pratyekabuddha
6 rang rgyal · rang sangs rgyas
རང་ལ། · རང་སངས་ས།

pratyekabuddha · pratyayajina · pratyekajina

“Solitary buddha.” Someone who has attained liberation entirely through their own contemplation, hence their
alternate epithet, pratyayajina, which means one who has become a jina, or buddha, through dependence [on
external factors that were contemplated upon]. This is the result of progress in previous lives but, unlike a buddha,
they do not have the necessary accumulated merit nor the motivation to teach others.

g.33 Preta
7 yi dags

་དགས།

preta
Literally “the departed” and analagous to the ancestral spirits of the Vedic tradition, the pitrs,̣ who starve without
the offerings of descendants. They live in the realm of Yama, the Lord of Death, analogous to the underworld of
Pluto in Greek mythology. In Buddhism they are said to suffer intensely, particularly from hunger and thirst.

g.33 Primary signs

8 mtshan
མཚན།

laksan
̣ ạ
The thirty-two primary physical characteristics of a “great being,” a mahāpurusa,
̣ which every buddha possesses.

g.33 Pun ̣n ̣aga

9 pu na
་ན།

punṇ aga
̣

g.34 Pun ̣yamatin

0 bsod nams blo gros
བསོད་ནམས་ོ་ས།

Punyamatin
̣
A prince in the distant past.

g.341 Pūrn ̣a
gang po
གང་པོ།

Pūrnạ
A pupil of the Buddha who was preeminent in teaching.

g.34 Puspacandra
̣
2 me tog zla mdzes

་ཏོག་་མས།

Puspacandra
̣ · Supuspacandra
̣ · Supuspa
̣

g.34 Pūtana
3 srul po
ལ་པོ།
 pūtana
A spirit that is said to cause physical illnesses.

g.34 Rāhu
4 sgra gcan
་གཅན།

Rāhu
A powerful asura, said to cause eclipses.

g.34 Rāhula
5 dgra gcan
ད་གཅན།

Rāhula
The name of Śākyamuni’s son. Also the name of the sons of all the buddhas that Śākyamuni had received the
Samādhirāja from in previous lifetimes.

g.34 Rājagrha
̣
6 rgyal po’i khab

ལ་པོ ་ཁབ།

Rājagrha
̣
The capital of Magadhā during the Buddha’s lifetime.

g.34 Rāksasa
̣
7 srin po
ན་པོ།

rāksasa
̣
A race of ugly, evil-natured supernatural beings with a yearning for human flesh.

g.34 Ralpachen
8 ral pa can
རལ་པ་ཅན།

—
A king of Tibet who reigned from 815 to 838.

g.34 Ratiṁkara
9 dga’ bar byed pa

དགའ་བར་ད་པ།

Ratiṁkara

g.35 Ratnabāhu
0 lag bzang
ལག་བཟང་།

Ratnabāhu · Subāhu
Synonym for Subāhu, translated as if it was Subāhu into Tibetan.

g.351 Ratnacūd ̣a
—
Ratnacūdạ
g.35 Ratnadvīpa
2 rin po che’i gling
ན་པོ་་ང་།

Ratnadvīpa

g.35 Ratnajāli
3 rin po che’i dra ba

ན་པོ་་་བ།

Ratnajāli

g.35 Ratnākara
4 rin po che’i ’byung gnas

ན་པོ་་འང་གནས།

Ratnākara

g.35 Ratnaketu
5 rin po che’i tog
ན་པོ་་ཏོག

Ratnaketu

g.35 Ratnakusuma
6 rin chen me tog

ན་ན་་ཏོག

Ratnakusuma
According to the commentary, an alternative name for Ratnapān ̣i

g.35 Ratnakūtạ
7 rin po che brtsegs pa
ན་པོ་་བགས་པ།

Ratnakūtạ

g.35 Ratnapān ̣i
8 —
Ratnapānị
Absent in Tibetan (phyag na rin po che).

g.35 Ratnaprabha
9 rin po che’i ’od

ན་པོ་་འོད།

Ratnaprabha

g.36 Ratnaprabhāsa
0 rin po che snang ba

ན་པོ་་ང་བ།

Ratnaprabhāsa

g.361 Ratnasaṁbhava
rin po che ’byung ba
 ན་པོ་་འང་བ།

Ratnasaṁbhava

g.36 Ratnaśikhara
2 rin po che’i rtse mo
ན་པོ་་་མོ།

Ratnaśikhara

g.36 Ratnāvatī
3 rin chen ldan pa
ན་ན་ན་པ།

Ratnāvatī
A palace in a past eon.

g.36 Ratnavyūha
4 rin po che’i bkod pa
ན་པོ་་བད་པ།

Ratnavyūha

g.36 Ratnayasṭ ị
5 rin po che’i mkhar ba
ན་པོ་་མཁར་བ།

Ratnayasṭ ị

g.36 Ratnamudrāhasta
6 lag na phyag rgya rin po che

ལག་ན་ག་་ན་པོ་།

Ratnamudrāhasta

g.36 Ratnapadmacandraviśuddhābhyudgatarāja
7 rin po che’i pad ma’i zla ba rnam par dag pa mngon par ’phags pa’i rgyal po
ན་པོ་་པད་མ་་བ་མ་པར་དག་པ་མན་པར་འཕགས་པ་ལ་པོ།

Ratnapadmacandraviśuddhābhyudgatarāja
A buddha countless eons in the past.

g.36 Retention
8 gzungs

གངས།

dhāranị̄
The ability to remember all Dharma teachings that are heard. In other contexts, a dhāran ̣i is a powerful recitation
that is a precursor of mantras and is usually in the form of intelligible sentences or phrases that preserve or retain
the essence of a teaching. There are two sets of “four retentions” in relation to this text. (A) As explained in the
sūtra itself in chapter 24 24.63: the retention, respectively, of teachings on composites, on sounds, on kleśas, and
on purifications. (B) As explained in the commentary to the opening of the sūtra (1.2, see note 12 ): the recited
dhāran ̣ī sentences and phrases themselves, the retention of the memory of the words of all teachings given, the
retention of the memory of the meaning of these teachings, and the retention of the realization gained through
meditation on that meaning.

Revata
g.36 nam gru

9 ནམ་།

Revata · Khadiravanīya
The youngest brother of Śāriputra.

g.37 Rishi
0 drang srong
ང་ོང་།

rṣ ị
Sage. An ancient Indian spiritual title especially for divinely inspired individuals credited with creating the
foundations for all Indian culture.

g.371 Rose apple

’dzam bu
འཛམ་།

jambu

g.37 Rūpakāya
2 gzugs kyi sku
གགས་་།

rūpakāya
“Form body.” The visible form of a buddha that is perceived by other beings, in contrast to his “Dharma body,” the
dharmakāya, which is his enlightenment.

g.37 Sacred fig tree

3 a shwad
ཨ་ད།

aśvattha

g.37 Sadāmatta
4 rtag tu myos
ག་་ོས།

Sadāmatta
One of the three classes of yaksas
̣ at the base of Meru, below the paradises of the mahārājas, as part of the lowest
class of paradises in the desire realm. Their name means “constantly intoxicated or insane” and because of their
condition they are unable to follow the path to enlightenment.

g.37 Sāgara
5 rgya mtsho
་མཚོ།

Sāgara
The principal nāga king; in this sūtra another name for Varuna.
̣

g.37 Sage
6 thub pa

བ་པ།

muni
 A title that, like buddha, is given to someone who has attained the realization of a truth through his own
contemplation and not by divine revelation.

g.377 Sahacittotpādadharmacakrapravartin
sems bskyed ma thag tu chos kyi ’khor lo skor ba
མས་བད་མ་ཐག་་ས་་འར་ལོ་ར་བ།

Sahacittotpādadharmacakrapravartin

g.37 Śakra
8 brgya byin

བ་ན།

Śakra · Indra
More commonly known in the West as Indra, the deity that is called “lord of the devas” dwells on the summit of
Mount Sumeru and wields the thunderbolt. The Tibetan translation is based on an etymology that śakra is an
abbreviation of śata-kratu, one who has performed a hundred sacrifices. The highest vedic sacrifice was the horse
sacrifice, and there is a tradition that he became the lord of the gods through performing them. Each world with a
central Sumeru has a Śakra; therefore this sutra mentions them in the plural.

g.37 Śākyamuni
9 shA kya thub pa
་་བ་པ།

Śākyamuni
The name of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama; he was a muni (sage) from the Śākya clan.

g.38 Śākyarṣ abha

̣
0 shA kya mkhyu mchog

་་མ་མག

Śākyarṣ abha
̣
Literally, “the Bull of the Śākyas.” This is similar to Śākyamuni, “the Sage of the Śākyas,” the Śākyas being the
Buddha’s clan.

g.38 Śākyavardhana
1 shA kya ’phel

་་འལ།

Śākyavardhana · Śākyapravrddha
̣
A yaksạ that was the protective deity for the Śākya clan, which was the Buddha’s clan. The Śākyas had a temple
devoted to him and he is represented in sculpture as being present at his birth.

g.38 Sal
2 sA la
་ལ།

śāla

g.38 Śālendrarāja
3 sA la’i dbang po’i rgyal po

་ལ་དབང་པོ ་ལ་པོ།

Śālendrarāja
The buddha from whom Śakyamuni received the Samādhirāja in a previous life.
g.38 Samantabhadra
4 kun tu bzang po

ན་་བཟང་པོ།

Samantabhadra
A forest in a past eon.

g.38 Samantanetra
5 kun nas spyan
ན་ནས་ན།

Samantanetra

g.38 Samāpatti
6 snyoms par gzhog pa · snyom ’jug

མས་པར་གཞོག་པ། · མ་འག

samāpatti
One of the synonyms for the meditative state. The Tibetan translation interpreted it as sama-āpatti, which brings
in the idea of “equal,” or “level,” whereas it may very well be like “samādhi,” sam-āpatti, with the similar meaning
of concentration. Unlike samādhi, however, it also occurs with the meaning of “completion,” “attainment,” and
“diligent practice.”

g.38 Śamatha
7 zhi gnas
་གནས།

śamatha
Meditation of peaceful stability.

g.38 Śambara
8 bde mchog
བ་མག

Śambara
A leader of the asuras.

g.38 Saṅgha
9 dge ’dun

ད་འན།

saṅgha
The community of followers of the Buddha’s teachings, particularly the monastics.

g.39 Śānta
0 zhi ba
་བ།

Śānta
In the list of buddhas Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja from this name appears twice, perhaps in error.

g.391 Śāntamānasa
zhi ba’i yid
་བ་ད།

Śāntamānasa
 In the list of buddhas Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja from this name appears twice, perhaps in error.

g.39 Śāntaśirin
2 zhi dpal
་དཔལ།

Śāntaśirin

g.39 Śāntaśriyajvalanta
3 zhi ba’i dpal ’bar ba

་བ་དཔལ་འབར་བ།

Śāntaśriyajvalanta

g.39 Śāntendriya
4 zhi ba’i dbang po · zhi dbang
་བ་དབང་པོ། · ་དབང་།

Śāntendriya
In the list of buddhas Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja from this name appears twice, perhaps in error.
Translated the first time in Tibetan as zhi ba’i dbang po and the second time as zhi dbang.

g.39 Śāntideva
5 zhi ba’i lha

་བ་།

Śāntideva
Eighth-century Indian master within the Madhyamaka tradition.

g.39 Śāntirāja
6 zhi ba’i rgyal po · zhi ba’i rgyal ba

་བ་ལ་པོ། · ་བ་ལ་བ།

Śāntirāja

g.39 Śāntiśūra
7 zhi ba dpa’ · zhi bar dpa’

་བ་དཔའ། · ་བར་དཔའ།

Śāntiśūra
In the list of buddhas Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja from this name appears twice, perhaps in error.
Translated the first time in Tibetan as zhi ba dpa’ and the second time as zhi bar dpa’.

g.39 Śāntīyapāraṃgata
8 zhi ba’i pha rol phyin

་བ་ཕ་རོལ་ན།

Śāntīyapāramg
̣ ata

g.39 Śāntottara
9 zhi ba’i bla ma
་བ་་མ།

Śāntottara
In the list of buddhas from whom Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja, this name appears twice, perhaps in error.
g.40 Śāriputra
0 sha ri’i bu

ཤ་་།

Śāriputra
"The son of Śāri.” The Buddha’s principal pupil, who passed away before the Buddha.

g.40 Śārisuta
1 sha ri’i bu

ཤ་་།

Śārisuta
Synonym for Śāriputra.

g.40 Satatamabhayaṁdad
2 rtag tu mi ’jigs sbyin
ག་་་འགས་ན།

Satatamabhayaṁdad

g.40 Secondary signs

3 dpe byed

ད་ད།

anuvyañjana
The eighty secondary physical characteristics of a “great being,” a mahāpurusa,
̣ which every buddha possesses.
They include such details as the redness of the fingernails and the blackness of the hair.

g.40 Sensations
4 tshor ba
ཚོར་བ།

vedanā
The second of the five skandhas: nonconceptual pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral sensations as a result of sensory
experiences.

g.40 Sesame flowers

5 ti la ka
་ལ་ཀ

tilaka
Sesamum indicum.

g.40 Seven jewels

6 rin po che sna bdun

ན་པོ་་་བན།

saptaratna
When associated with the seven heavenly bodies, and therefore the seven days of the week, they are: ruby for the
sun, moonstone or pearl for the moon, coral for Mars, emerald for Mercury, yellow sapphire for Jupiter, diamond
for Venus, and blue sapphire for Saturn. There are variant lists not associated with the heavenly bodies but
retaining the number seven, which include gold, silver, and so on.

g.40 Shining
7 od byed pa
 ད་ད་པ།

prabhākarī
The third bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.40 Siddha
8 grub pa

བ་པ།

siddha
Someone who has attained supernatural powers.

g.40 Siṃhadhvaja
9 seng ge rgyal mtshan

ང་་ལ་མཚན།

Simh
̣ adhvaja
A buddha in the distant past when Śākyamuni was Prince Mati.

g.41 Śirībala
0 dpal gyi stobs
དཔལ་་ོབས།

Śirībala · Śīrībala
A king in the distant past.

g.411 Śiridhāran ̣a
dpal ’dzin pa
དཔལ་འན་པ།

Śiridhāranạ

g.412 Skandha
phung po
ང་པོ།

skandha
The constituents that make up a being’s existence: forms, sensations, identifications, mental activities, and
consciousnesses. Often translated “aggregate,” commonly in the context of the five aggregates. Along with dhātu
and āyatana, one of the three major categories in the taxonomy of phenomena in the sūtra literature.

g.413 Snātaka
khrus byed pa
ས་ད་པ།

snātaka
A brahmin priest who has completed his apprenticeship, and undergone a ritual ablution to mark his graduation.

g.414 Śrāvaka
nyan thos

ཉན་ཐོས།

śrāvaka
The word, based on the verb “to hear,” means disciple, and is used in that general way, as well as for those who
were followers of the non-Mahāyāna tradition of Buddhism, in contrast to the bodhisattvas.
g.415 Śrīghosạ
dpal dbyangs
དཔལ་དངས།

Śrīghosạ
A king in the distant past.

g.416 Śrīlendrabodhi
shI len dra bo dhi

་ན་་བོ་།

Śrīlendrabodhi

g.417 Śrīvatsa
dpal gyi be’u
དཔལ་་།

śrīvatsa
Literally “the favorite of the glorious one,” or (as translated into Tibetan) “the calf of the glorious one.” This is an
auspicious mark that in Indian Buddhsim was said to be formed from a curl of hair on the breast and was depicted
in a shape that resembles the fleur-de-lis. In Tibet it is usually represented as an eternal knot. It is also one of the
principal attributes of Visṇ ̣u.

g.41 Śrotriya
8 gtsang sbra can

གཙང་་ཅན།

śrotriya
Traditionally “one who is learned in the Vedas.” The Tibetan means “one who keeps pure and clean.”

g.419 Stainless
dri med · dri ma dang bral ba
་ད། · ་མ་དང་ལ་བ།

vimāla
The second bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.42 Star jasmine

0 kun da
ན་ད།

kunda
Trachelospermum jasminoides. It has its name because of its starlike white blossoms. In India it is used in speech
as an example of whiteness, i.e., “as white as star jasmine.” Also called downy jasmine, Chinese jasmine, Chinese
ivy, and trader’s compass.

g.421 Sthavira
gnas brtan

གནས་བན།

sthavira
Literally “one who is stable” and usually translated as “elder,” a senior teacher in the early Buddhist communities.
Also became the name of the Buddhist tradition within which the Theravada developed.

Sthitottara
bla mar gnas
g.42 ་མར་གནས།

2 Sthitottara

g.42 Subāhu
3 lag bzang

ལག་བཟང་།

Subāhu · Ratnabāhu
A principal bodhisattva in the Mahāyāna sūtras.

g.42 Śubhakrtsna
̣
4 dge rgyas

ད་ས།

Śubhakrtsna
̣
The highest of the three paradises that are the third dhyāna paradises in the form realm.

g.42 Śubhakanakaviśuddhiprabha
5 gser bzang po rnam par dag pa’i ’od · lag bzangs
གར་བཟང་པོ་མ་པར་དག་པ་འོད། · ལག་བཟངས།

Śubhakanakaviśuddhiprabha

g.42 Subhīsma
̣
6 shin tu ’jigs btsan

ན་་འགས་བཙན།

Subhīsma
̣

g.42 Subhūti
7 rab ’byor

རབ་འོར།

Subhūti
A foremost pupil of the Buddha, known for his wisdom.

g.42 Subrahma
8 tshangs pa’i mchog

ཚངས་པ་མག

Subrahma

g.42 Sucintitārtha
9 don legs bsams
དོན་གས་བསམས།

Sucintitārtha
The shortened form of Suvicinitārtha within verse.

g.43 Sūciromā
0 khab spu

ཁབ་།

Sūciromā
A yaksạ usually paired with Kharakarn ̣a.
g.431 Sudānta
dul rab · shin tu dul
ལ་རབ། · ན་་ལ།

Sudānta
In the list of buddhas from whom Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja, this name appears twice, perhaps in error.
Translated the first time in Tibetan as dul rab, and the second time as shin tu dul.

g.43 Sudāntacitta
2 shin tu dul ba’i sems · dul bar sems

ན་་ལ་བ་མས། · ལ་བར་མས།

Sudāntacitta
In the list of buddhas from whom Śākyamuni received the Samādhirāja this name appears twice, perhaps in error.
Translated the first time in Tibetan as shin tu dul ba’i sems, and the second time as dul bar sems.

g.43 Sudarśana
3 shin tu mthong

ན་་མཐོང་།

Sudarśana
The second highest of the seventeen paradises in the form realm, and therefore the second highest of the five
Śuddhāvāsika (pure abode) paradises.

g.43 Śuddhaghosạ
4 tshangs pa’i dbyangs
ཚངས་པ་དངས།

Śuddhaghosạ

g.43 Śuddhajñānin
5 ye shes gtsang

་ས་གཙང་།

Śuddhajñānin

g.43 Śuddhānana
6 zhal gtsang

ཞལ་གཙང་།

Śuddhānana

g.43 Śuddhāvāsa
7 gtsang ris · gnas gtsang ma
གཙང་ས། · གནས་གཙང་མ།

Śuddhāvāsa
The five highest of the paradises that consitute the realm of form, which is above the paradises of the realm of
desire in which our world is situated.

g.43 Śuddhodana
8 zas gtsang

ཟས་གཙང་།

Śuddhodana
Buddha Śākyamuni’s father.
g.43 Sudharma
9 chos bzang

ས་བཟང་།

Sudharma
The assembly hall in the center of Sudarśana, the city in the Trāyastriṃśa (“Thirty-three”) paradise, which has a
central throne for Indra/Śakra and thirty-two thrones arranged to its right and left for the other thirty-two devas
that make up the epnoymous thirty-three devas of Indra’s paradise. Indra’s own palace is to the north of this
assembly hall.

g.44 Sudharmaśūra
0 chos bzang dpa’ bo
ས་བཟང་དཔའ་བོ།

Sudharmaśūra

g.441 Sudrśa
̣
gya nom snang

་ནོམ་ང་།

Sudrśa
̣
The third highest of the seventeen paradises in the form realm, and therefore the third of the five Śuddhāvāsika
(pure abode) paradises.

g.44 Sukhāvatī
2 bde ba can
བ་བ་ཅན།

Sukhāvatī
The realm of Buddha Amitāyus, more commonly known as Amitābha, as first described in the Sukhāvatīvyuha
Sūtra.

g.44 Sumeru
3 rab lhun · ri rab
རབ་ན། · ་རབ།

Sumeru
The mountain at the center of the disc of the world with the four continents around it.

g.44 Sunetra
4 spyan bzang

ན་བཟང་།

Sunetra

g.44 Sunirmita
5 rab ’phrul · rab ’phrul dga’
རབ་འལ། · རབ་འལ་དགའ།

Sunirmita
The principal deity in the Nirmān ̣arata paradise, the second highest paradise in the desire realm.

g.44 Supuspa
̣
6 me tog zla mdzes

་ཏོག་་མས།
 Supuspa
̣ · Supuspacandra
̣ · Puspacandra
̣

g.44 Supuspacandra
̣
7 me tog zla mdzes

་ཏོག་་མས།

Supuspacandra
̣ · Puspacandra
̣ · Supuspa
̣

g.44 Śūradatta
8 dpa’ bas byin

དཔའ་བས་ན།

Śūradatta
A king in the distant past.

g.44 Surūpa
9 gzugs bzang

གགས་བཟང་།

Surūpa
A yaksạ lord.

g.45 Sūryānana
0 nyi ma’i zhal
་མ་ཞལ།

Sūryānana

g.451 Sutejas
gzi brjid mchog

ག་བད་མག

Sutejas

g.45 Sūtra
2 mdo
མདོ།

sūtra
Primarily within Buddhism it refers to the Buddha’s nontantric teachings in general. Literally it means “thread.” It
is also used in other contexts for pithy statements, rules, and aphorisms, on which are strung a commentary and
terms of the subdivisions of a sūtra into twelve aspects of the Dharma; in that case, sūtra then means only the prose
part of a sūtra.

g.45 Suvicinitārtha
3 don legs par bsams pa

དོན་གས་པར་བསམས་པ།

Suvicinitārtha
A buddha in the distant past who had previously been Prince Mahākarun ̣ācintī, a pupil of Buddha Abhāva-
samudgata. In verse he is referred to as Sucintitārtha.

g.45 Suvighusṭ atejas

̣
4 shin tu rnam grags gzi
ན་་མ་གས་ག།
 Suvighusṭ atejas
̣

g.45 Suvimuktaghosạ
5 shin tu rnam grol dbyangs
ན་་མ་ལ་དངས།

Suvimuktaghosạ

g.45 Suyāma
6 rab mtshe ma

རབ་མ་མ།

Suyāma
The principal deity in the paradise called Yāma.

g.45 Svabhāvadharmottaraniścita
7 rang bzhin chos kyi bla ma nges pa ’byung
རང་བན་ས་་་མ་ས་པ་འང་།

Svabhāvadharmottaraniścita

g.45 Svāgata
8 legs ’ongs

གས་འོངས།

Svāgata · Sogatu
Svāgata was a pupil of the Buddha, originally a destitute beggar, who, in particular, accidentally drank alcohol
offered by villagers after he had tamed a nāga to end a drought. This resulted in the Buddha’s adding abstention
from alcohol as part of the monastic rules.

g.45 Svarāṅgaghosạ
9 dbyangs kyi yan lag · sgra yi yan lag dbyangs
དངས་་ཡན་ལག · ་་ཡན་ལག་དངས།

Svarāṅgaghosạ
A buddha in the distant past.

g.46 Svarāṅgaśabda
0 dbyangs dag
དངས་དག

Svarāṅgaśabda

g.461 Svarāṅgaśūra
dbyangs kyi yan lag dpa’
དངས་་ཡན་ལག་དཔའ།

Svarāṅgaśūra

g.46 Svarārcita
2 sgra dbyangs mchod pa

་དངས་མད་པ།

Svarārcita

Svarāvighusṭ ạ
g.46 sgra skad rnam grags

་ད་མ་གས།
3
Svarāvighusṭ ạ

g.46 Svaravyūha
4 dbyangs bkod pa
དངས་བད་པ།

Svaravyūha

g.46 Svaraviśuddhiprabha
5 dbyangs rnam par dag pa’i ’od
དངས་མ་པར་དག་པ་འོད།

Svaraviśuddhiprabha

g.46 Svastika
6 bkra shis

བ་ས།

svastika · swastika
In later Tibetan translations, it is translated as g.yung-drung. In the early translations, it is bra shis and in the
Mahāvyutpatti dictionary it is bkra shis ldan, while g.yung-drung translates nandyāvarta. It is an auspicious sign
in Indian culture, and it is one of the auspicious marks on the chest of the Buddha, as well as the śrīvatsa.

g.46 Taksaka
̣
7 ’jog po
འག་པོ།

Taksaka
̣
A nāga king who is well known from his role in the Indian epic, the Mahābhārata. He dwells in the northwestern
city of Taxila (Taksaśilā),
̣ in present-day Pakistan.

g.46 Tāpana
8 tsha · tsha ba
ཚ། · ཚ་བ།

Tāpana · Samṭ apana · Tapana

The hell called “hot.” Traditionally the sixth of the eight hot hells.

g.46 Tathāgata
9 de bzhin gshegs pa

་བན་གགས་པ།

tathāgata
One of the Buddha’s titles. “Gata,” though literally meaning “gone,” is a past passive participle used to describe a
state or condition of existence. As buddhahood is indescribable it means “one who is thus.”

g.47 Tathāgatakāya
0 de bzhin gshegs pa’i sku

་བན་གགས་པ་།

tathāgatakāya
“The body of the tathāgata,” which in this sūtra is a synonym for the dharmakāya.
g.471 Tejagun ̣arāja
gzi brjid tshogs kyi rgyal po · gzi brjid tshogs rgyal
ག་བད་ཚོགས་་ལ་པོ། · ག་བད་ཚོགས་ལ།

Tejagunarāja
̣
A buddha in the distant past.

g.47 Tejasamudrata
2 gzi brjid mngon par ’phags

ག་བད་མན་པར་འཕགས།

Tejasamudrata

g.47 Tejasvarendra
3 gzi brjid sgra dbyangs
ག་བད་་དངས།

Tejasvarendra

g.47 Tejavati
4 gzi ldan

ག་ན།

Tejavati

g.47 Tejaviniścita
5 gzi brjid shin tu nges

ག་བད་ན་་ས།

Tejaviniścita

g.47 Tejeśvara
6 gzi brjid dbang phyug
ག་བད་དབང་ག

Tejeśvara

g.47 Tejobala
7 gzi brjid stobs

ག་བད་ོབས།

Tejobala

g.47 Tejovibhu
8 gzi brjid khyab

ག་བད་བ།

Tejovibhu

g.47 Ten powers

9 dbang bcu
དབང་བ།

daśavaśitā
Powers attained by bodhisattvas on the path: power over life, karma, materials, devotion, aspiration, miracles,
birth, Dharma, mind, and wisdom. Not to be confused with the ten strengths (bala, stobs) which are qualities of
buddhahood.
g.48 Ten strengths
0 stobs bcu

ོབས་བ།

daśabala
One set among the different qualities of a tathāgata. The ten strengths are (1) the knowledge of what is possible and
not possible; (2) the knowledge of the ripening of karma; (3) the knowledge of the variety of aspirations; (4) the
knowledge of the variety of natures; (5) the knowledge of the different levels of capabilites; (6) the knowledge of the
destinations of all paths; (7) the knowledge of various states of meditation (dhyāna, liberation, samādhi, samāpatti,
and so on); (8) the knowledge of remembering previous lives; (9) the knowledge of deaths and rebirths; and (10)
the knowledge of the cessation of defilements.

g.48 The youth Candraprabha

1 zla ’od gzhon nu
་འོད་གཞོན་།

Candraprabha Kumāra
The young man of Rājagrha who is the principal interlocutor for the Samādhirājasūtra. He is frequently addressed
as “youth” or “young man,” (Skt. kumāra; Tib. gzhon nu).

g.48 Three aspects of the action

2 ’khor gsum

འར་གམ།

trimanḍ ala
̣
These three aspects, literally “circles” or “provinces,” are the doer, the action, and the object of the action. Their
purity is variously described as being free of self-interest or free of conceptualization.

g.48 Three knowledges

3 rig pa gsum

ག་པ་གམ།

traividya
Knowledge through divine sight (lha’i mig gi shes pa), knowledge through remembering past lives (sngon gyi gnas
rjes su dran pa’i rig pa), and the knowledge that defilements have ceased (zag pa zad pa’rig pa).

g.48 Tīrthika
4 mu stegs pa
་གས་པ།

tīrthika
Any non-Buddhist tradition in pre-Muslim India, both those Veda-based and not. The term has its origins among
the Jains.

g.48 Trāyastriṃśa
5 sum cu rtsa gsum pa

མ་་་གམ་པ།

Trāyastrimṣ́ a
The paradise of Indra on the summit of Sumeru, where there are thirty-three leading deities, hence the name
“thirty-three.” The second (counting from the lowest) of the six paradises in the desire realm.

g.48 Trichiliocosm
6 stong gsum gyi stong chen po

ོང་གམ་་ོང་ན་པོ།
 trisāhasramahāsāhasra
A universe comprised of a thousand groups of a thousand groups of a thousand worlds, each being a flat disc with
its own sun and moon and central mountain.

g.48 Tsongkhapa
7 tsong kha pa

ཙོང་ཁ་པ།

—
1357–1419. The founder of the Gelug tradition.

g.48 Tusita
̣
8 dga’ ldan

དགའ་ན།

Tusita
̣ · Samtusita
̣
The fourth (counting from the lowest) of the six paradises in the desire realm. The paradise from which Śākyamuni
descended to be born into his world.

g.48 Udāyin
9 ’char ba po
འཆར་བ་པོ།

Udāyin · Kālodāyin
The son of the court priest in Kapilavastu, the Buddha’s home town. Also called Kālodāyin (black Udāyin) because
of his dark skin. He and his wife Guptā became monk and nun. He became an arhat who was a skilled teacher.
However he also figures prominently in accounts of inappropriate sexual behavior that instigated vinaya rules. He
and Guptā are also said to have conceived a son after their ordination.

g.49 Udraka
0 lhag spyod

ག་ོད།

Udraka

g.491 Unfluctuating
mi g.yo ba
་གཡོ་བ།

acala
Also means unmoving, immovable.

g.49 Unwavering
2 mi g.yo · mi g.yo ba
་གཡོ། · ་གཡོ་བ།

acalā
The eighth bodhisattva bhūmi.

g.49 Upādhyāya
3 mkhan po

མཁན་པོ།

upādhyāya
A personal preceptor and teacher. In Tibet, the translation mkhan po also came to mean a learned scholar, the
equivalent of a pan ̣d ̣ita.
g.49 Upāli
4 nye ’khor · nye bar ’khor

་འར། · ་བར་འར།

Upāli
The Buddha’s pupil who was pre-eminent in knowing the monastic rules and recited them and their origins at the
first council. He had been a low caste barber in Kapilavastu, the Buddha’s home town.

g.49 Upananda
5 nye dga’

་དགའ།

Upananda
One of the main nāga kings, usually associated with the nāga king Nanda.

g.49 Upāsaka
6 dge bsnyen
ད་བན།

upāsaka
male lay practitioner

g.49 Upāsikā
7 dge bsnyen ma
ད་བན་མ།

upāsikā
female lay practitioner

g.49 Uragasāra
8 sbrul gyi snying po

ལ་་ང་པོ།

uragasāra
A variety of sandalwood. The name means “snake essence” because snakes were said to live in the forests of those
trees because they were attracted to their scent.

g.49 Ūrn ̣ā hair

9 mdzod spu
མཛོད་།

ūrnạ̄
A curled hair or ringlet between the eyebrows that is one of the thirty-two major signs of a “great being."

g.50 Usṇ ̣īsạ

0 gtsug tor
གག་ཏོར།

usṇ īs
̣ ạ
One of the thirty-two signs of a great being, in its simplest form it is a pointed shape to the head (like a turban), or
more elaborately a dome-shaped protuberance, or even an invisible protuberance of infinite height.

g.50 Vaiśampāyana
1 be’i sham bA ya

་ཤམ་་ཡ།
 Vaiśampāyana · Vaiśamp
̣ āyani · Vaiśamp
̣ āyan
Ancient rishi, a pupil of Vyāsa and teacher of the Taittirīyasaṃhita.

g.50 Vaiśravan ̣a
2 rnam thos kyi bu
མ་ཐོས་་།

Vaiśravanạ
As one of the four mahārājas, he is the lord of the northern region of the world and the northern continent, though
in early Buddhism he is the lord of the far north of India and beyond. He is also the lord of the yaksas
̣ and a lord of
wealth.

g.50 Valerian
3 rgya spos

་ོས།

satagara

g.50 Vālmīki
4 grog mkhar
ག་མཁར།

Vālmīki · Valmika · Valmīka

Ancient Indian rishi who is renowned as the author of the Rāmāyan ̣a.

g.50 Vāmana
5 bA man

་མན།

Vāmana · Vāmani · Vāmanị

The dwarf incarnation of Visṇ ̣u, who deceived the king of the asuras.

g.50 Varapuspasa
̣
6 me tog mchog

་ཏོག་མག

Varapuspasa
̣
A king in the distant past.

g.50 Varun ̣a
7 chu lha
་།

Varunạ
The principal nāga king; also the god of the sea in the Vedas. In this sūtra Sāgara is an alternative name and not
another nāga.

g.50 Vaśisṭ ha
̣
8 gnas ’jog
གནས་འག

Vaśisṭ ha
̣ · Vasisṭ ha
̣
One of the seven great rishis of ancient India, said to have composed part of the Rigveda.

Vāsuki
g.50 nor yod
ནོར་ཡོད།
9
Vāsuki
Nāga king, well known in Indian mythology as being the serpent coiled around Meru that was used to churn the
ocean at the origin of the world.

g.51 Vasunandi
0 dga’ byed

དགའ་ད།

Vasunandi · Nandika

g.511 Vātsyāyana
bad tsa
བད་ཙ།

Vātsyāyana · Vatsa · Śrīvatsa

A rishi of ancient India, said to be the author of the Nyaysūtrabhāśya and the famous Kāmasūtra.

g.512 Vemacitra
bzang ris
བཟང་ས།

Vemacitra
The king of the asuras.

g.513 Vetiver
mR na la

མཪ་ན་ལ།

mrnala
̣

g.514 Vidyādhara
rig sngags ’chang · rig ’dzin
ག་གས་འཆང་། · ག་འན།

vidyādhara
A race of superhuman beings with magical powers who lived high in mountains, such as the Malaya range of
southwest India. Also used for humans who have gained powers through their mantras.

g.515 Vighusṭ aghos

̣ ạ
rnam par grags pa’i dbyangs

མ་པར་གས་པ་དངས།

Vighusṭ aghos
̣ ạ

g.516 Vighusṭ ajñāna

̣
ye shes rnam grags
་ས་མ་གས།

Vighusṭ ajñāna
̣

g.517 Vighusṭ anetra

̣
rnam par grags pa’i spyan

མ་པར་གས་པ་ན།
 Vighusṭ anetra
̣

g.518 Vighusṭ aśabda

̣
rnam grags sgra

མ་གས་།

Vighusṭ aśabda
̣

g.519 Vighusṭ atejas

̣
rnam par grags pa’i gzi brjid
མ་པར་གས་པ་ག་བད།

Vighusṭ atejas
̣

g.52 Vikatạ
0 rad rod can

རད་རོད་ཅན།

Vikatạ
A yaksạ lord.

g.521 Vimalaprabha
dri med ’od
་ད་འོད།

Vimalaprabha
A future buddha, who was Candraprabha in the time of Śākyamuni.

g.52 Vinaya
2 ’dul ba
འལ་བ།

vinaya
The section of the Buddha’s teachings that focuses on conduct.

g.52 Vindhya
3 ’bigs byed

འགས་ད།

Vindhya
A mountain range, actually a series of mountain ranges, which extends across central India.

g.52 Vipaśyanā
4 lhag mthong

ག་མཐོང་།

vipaśyanā
Insight meditation.

g.52 Vīrasena
5 dpa’ bo’i sde
དཔའ་བོ ་།

Vīrasena · Vīra
A bodhisattva who only appears in passing in the Samādhirāja, and in no other sūtra.
g.52 Virūd ̣haka
6 ’phags skyes po
འཕགས་ས་པོ།

Virūdhaka
̣ · Virudhaka
̣
One of the four mahārājas. He is the guardian of the southern direction and the lord of the kumbhān ̣d ̣as.

g.52 Virūpāksạ
7 mig mi bzang
ག་་བཟང་།

Virūpāksạ · Virupāksạ
One of the four mahārājas. He is the guardian of the western direction and traditionally the lord of the nāgas,
though in this sūtra that appears to be Dhrtarās
̣ ṭ ra.
̣

g.52 Viśuddhanetra
8 rnam par dag pa’i spyan

མ་པར་དག་པ་ན།

Viśuddhanetra

g.52 Viśuddhaghoseśvara
̣
9 rnam dag sgra yi dbang phyug
མ་དག་་་དབང་ག

Viśuddhaghoseśvara
̣

g.53 Viśvamitra
0 thams cad bshes
ཐམས་ཅད་བས།

Viśvamitra
One of the early great rishis of India, who revealed part of the Vedas.

g.531 Viveśacintin
khyad par sems
ད་པར་མས།

Viveśacintin
A king in the distant past.

g.53 Vulture Peak

2 rgod kyi phung po

ད་་ང་པོ།

Grdhrakūt
̣ ạ
A mountain by Rajghir in Bihar, which is the setting for many sutras.

g.53 Vyāsa
3 rgyas pa

ས་པ།

Vyāsa
The rishi who is said to have divided the Vedas into four and to have compiled the epic, the Mahābhārata.

Vyūharāja
g.53 bkod pa’i rgyal po
བད་པ་ལ་པོ།
4
Vyūharāja

g.53 Water lily

5 dri mchog
་མག

saugandhika
Nymphaea stellata; Nymphaea nouchali. Day-blossoming water lilies that may be blue, white, or red.

g.53 Water that has the eight qualities

6 yan lag brgyad ldan gyi chu
ཡན་ལག་བད་ན་་།

asṭ ạ̄ ṅgajala
Water that has the eight qualities of being sweet, cool, pleasant, light, clear, pure, not harmful to the throat, and
beneficial for the stomach.

g.53 Wavy-leaf fig tree

7 blag sha

ག་ཤ།

plaksạ
Ficus infectoria. Full English name: White fruited wavy-leaf fig tree.

g.53 White coral

8 spug

ག

musalagalva · musāragalva · musāgalva · musaragalva

White coral is fossilized coral. It appears in one version of the list of seven jewels or treasures. Tibetan tradition
describes it as being formed from ice over a long period of time. It is coral that has undergone millions of years of
underwater pressure. It can also refer to tridacna (Tridacnidae) shell, which is also presently referred to by the
name musaragalva. Attempts to identify musalagalva have included sapphire, cat’s eye, red coral, conch, and
amber.

g.53 White lotus

9 pad ma dkar po
པད་མ་དཀར་པོ།

punḍ arika
̣

g.54 Worldly concerns

0 ’jig rten pa’i chos
འག་ན་པ་ས།

lokadharma
These are often listed as eight in number, as in the commentary: gain and no gain, happiness and suffering, praise
and criticism, fame and lack of fame.

g.541 Yaksạ
snod byin
ོད་ན།
 yaksạ
A class of supernatural beings, often represented as the attendants of the god of wealth, but the term is also applied
to spirits. Although they are generally portrayed as benevolent, the Tibetan translation means “harm giver,” as they
are also capable of causing harm.

g.54 Yāma
2 ’thab bral
འཐབ་ལ།

Yāma
Third (counting from the lowest) of the six paradises in the desire realm.

g.54 Yāna
3 theg pa

ག་པ།

yāna
A “way of going,” which primarily means a path or a way. It can also mean a conveyance or carriage, which
definition within commentarial literature is represented in the Tibetan “carrier,” and therefore also translated into
English as “vehicle.”

g.54 Yaśah ̣prabha

4 snyan pa’i ’od
ན་པ་འོད།

Yaśahprabha
̣

g.54 Yogin
5 rnal ’byor pa

ལ་འོར་པ།

yogin
“The one who is united,” a succesful practitioner who has attained realization. The Tibetan means “one who is
united with the genuine nature.”

g.54 Yojana
6 dpag tshad
དཔག་ཚད།

yojana
The longest unit of distance in classical India. The lack of a uniform standard for the smaller units means that there
is no precise equivalent, especially as its theoretical length tended to increase over time. Therefore it can mean
between four and ten miles.