Translated by the Tripiṭaka Master Zhu Fahu of the Western Jin Dynasty by Imperial Command
“At that time, the Bodhisattva went to the territory where Kaliya, the Nāga King, resided. Seeing the Buddha, the Nāga King felt joy in his heart, came out of his palace and move towards the Bodhi tree, and stood to the right of the Buddha. There was also a person named Auspicious Peace, who from afar gazed at the Buddha, holding fine grass. As the Bodhisattva approached the Bodhi tree, the heavens proclaimed a soft and subtle sound of virtue, extolling the Buddha’s serene and imposing, agreeable and joyful supreme virtues, circling the Buddha. The aroma of the grass was overwhelming, the fragrant wind spread everywhere, and its brilliance was captivating, as delicate as heavenly garments. Holding such fine grass, Auspicious Peace came to where the Bodhisattva was, offered the grass to the Bodhisattva, bowed at the Bodhisattva’s feet, and circled right seven times, with a benevolent and unyielding heart, initiated the wondrous path of the ultimate true way. He thought to himself: ‘I should not engage in inappropriate deeds. Everything I see here bears no ill omens.’ Thus, Auspicious Peace timely offered the grass to the Bodhisattva, and initiated the spirit of the ultimate true way. Why so? It was due to his original vows.
“Tranquil Mind, you should know that Auspicious Peace had made such original vows in past lives. Why? Bodhisattva Tranquil Mind! I remember that ninety-one kalpas ago, Vipaśyin Tathāgata, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Awakened One, the Perfect Clarity and Conduct one, the Well Gone, the Knower of the world, the Unsurpassed leader, the Teacher of Heavenly and Human Beings, Buddha, the World-Honored One appeared in the world. At that time, there were a thousand bhikkhus who diligently practiced the holy life. Vipaśyin Buddha predicted for these thousand bhikkhus that they would become Buddhas of the ultimate true way in the auspicious kalpa. At that assembly, there was an elder named Determined Ambition, who upon hearing the Buddha’s prediction for the Bodhisattvas, thought: ‘In the future auspicious kalpa, I should engage in auspicious acts as appropriate. At that time, I will offer fine grass, I will arrange the lion’s throne, majestic and pure, benevolent and serene, and thereby initiate the pursuit of supreme right and perfect enlightenment.’ Tranquil Mind! You should know, the elder Determined Ambition at that time is now Auspicious Peace. Therefore, one should observe that Auspicious Peace’s actions are the realization of his original vows. Because of his timely offering of fine grass, in the future, he will become a Buddha named Precious Pure Lion Tathagata. At that time, the Bodhisattva put fine grass under the Bodhi tree, the tree spirit and ten thousand celestial maidens in the sky, each holding their clothes full of heavenly fragrant flowers, bearing fragrant flowers, mixed incense, and marsh incense, came forward to meet the Bodhisattva, bowed in reverence, and each holding various fragrant flower banners made offerings to the Bodhisattva. They praised with the following words:
‘Free from terror, fear, cowardice, or dread of hardship,
he establishes what is rare to encounter.
Without defilement, evil, cruelty, avarice, envy, or ignorance,
liberated from desire, I prostrate before this great Sage.
Through his teaching, he delivers beings, removing their coarseness and evil conduct.
He is the skillful Great Physician, curing beings’ suffering.
Seeing beings without protector, without refuge in the light,
now the Buddha appears in the world to liberate beings throughout the three realms.
The heavenly multitudes, their hearts filled with joy,
shower down all manner of flowers;
the gods offer garments, coverings, and exquisite treasures.
As the Bodhisattva is about to attain Buddhahood, all the heavens rejoice.
Seated beneath the king of trees, his mind without fear,
he destroys the web of afflictions with the taste of nectar.
Realizing stillness, he attains enlightenment, reaching the supreme Buddha-path.
Just as all past Buddhas awakened, he comprehends the ultimate Dharma.
Having cultivated the essential Dharma for countless kalpas,
he accumulated ascetic practices to liberate beings.
His ancient vows now fulfilled, the time has come;
he gains the supreme enlightenment, unfolding only compassion and mercy.’”
Secret Vajra Guardian said to Bodhisattva Tranquil Mind, “At that time, the Buddha took the grass and went to the Bodhi tree, put the fine grass under the tree, and paid homage to the Bodhi tree, circling it seven times to the right. Just after setting up the seat, instantly eighty-four thousand celestial beings, seeing the Bodhisattva setting up the seat, were overjoyed and immediately established eighty-four thousand lion thrones. These seats were extraordinarily subtle, each distinct and immensely expansive, made of various treasures, with railings of rare jewels, surrounded by magnificent tents adorned with purple gold, with pearls hanging among them, and precious gems like moonlight night pearls intricately placed, exquisite treasures used as bells, hanging within them, their bell tones harmonious and elegant, with an infinite array of musical harmonies, and countless heavenly garments spread over them. The Bodhisattva then transformed himself, and in each of the eighty-four thousand lion thrones, there was a Bodhisattva sit on it. These celestial beings did not see or know each other, and each celestial being thought: ‘The Bodhisattva alone sits on my lion throne, achieving the most perfect enlightenment.’ Therefore, their hearts filled with joy, unwavering, and ultimately, they will all attain the supreme true way.”
Secret Vajra Guardian said to Tranquil Mind, “At that time, the Bodhisattva manifested his formidable divine power, making the demonic hosts aware of his presence. The Demon King, together with countless innumerable ghosts and deities, set out surrounded by many followers, all clad in armor, displaying great supernatural powers, leading powerful ghost soldiers across three hundred and thirty-six thousand miles. These ghost soldiers varied in appearance, origin, each displaying different might and forms, weapons neatly aligned, leaders varied, aspirations different, dietary habits and behaviors also varied, as did their voices and languages, all advancing towards the Bodhisattva.
“At that time, Mara Pāpīyas and his fearsome great retinue, disregarding benevolence and righteousness, committed extreme acts of evil, launching a rebellion, ignoring morality, unbearable to see or hear. Each demon brandishing weapons, shouting loudly, their voices shaking the three realms. If ordinary worldly people, who have not yet freed themselves from desires, heard this sound, their blood would be boiled and bleed from the face and might even die from fear. However, the Bodhisattva was not frightened, nor did he face any obstacles. At that moment, the Bodhisattva emitted a great compassionate heart, and that terrifying sound naturally disappeared, vanishing without a trace. Why? Because the Bodhisattva wished to soothe sentient beings, not to disturb them, without harm and disaster. This is the highest level of the Bodhisattva’s skillful means, though hearing this sound, his hairs did not stand on end, because the Bodhisattva understood the essence of sound is emptiness, originally there is no sound.
“Seeing the demonic hosts approaching, the Bodhisattva’s radiance became even more splendid, displaying the four fearlessnesses with great brilliance, demonstrating his debating wisdom through sixteen types of reasoning, criticizing the demons, and destroying great calamities. The Bodhisattva said to the demons: ‘Pāpīyas, stop! Do not commit such evil acts. Such harmful actions should not be done, harboring malice will only endanger oneself, leading to restless nights. Why? Pāpīyas! Today you intend to destroy the Bodhisattva, but with immense courage and boundless compassion, the Bodhisattva subdues those like you who wish to disrupt him. The Bodhisattva is inherently pure, having eliminated all impurities, weaknesses, obstructive mental states, and foul dust. Today, Pāpīyas, your attempt to destroy the Bodhisattva has instead accomplished him. You try to surpass the brightness of the sun and moon with the light of a firefly, but the Bodhisattva’s wisdom is unfathomably deep, expounding the gentle and profound Dharma taste, the nectar of true enlightenment. You demons attempt to fell a vast, limitless tree, to break it and uproot it, like small insects trying to disturb a lion. You think to compare the water in a cow’s hoofprint to the great ocean, only increasing the harmful and useless enemy mentality. The Demon King’s speech and actions breed only disaster and evil, accompanied by malevolent spirits. Today, the Demon King should abandon these deeds, remove delusion, listen to wise counsel, achieve a mind of equanimity, not be a king of chaos but should instead return to the pure and subtle holy path, attain supreme wisdom, forsake all crooked evils, and make the mind simple. Pāpīyas! Today, your mind should think of ‘passing through the great wilderness, in this last lifetime, not returning again, ending the source of birth and death,’ yet you instead race into the great sea! You should take the great boat, cross the river with no beginning and no end, not be burnt by the all-consuming conflagration. Today, encountering the teachings, you should no longer destroy the great vajra techniques but should turn towards the great path, then attain Buddhahood, and liberate sentient beings in all directions.’”
Secret Vajra Guardian said to Tranquil Mind, “At that time, all the heavens extolled the Buddha’s virtues, so lofty and unparalleled. Māra Pāpīyas, upon hearing these sixteen praises of the Buddha, developed a longing in his heart and came to admire the true Dharma.”
Following that, Secret Vajra Guardian said to Tranquil Mind Bodhisattva, “The Bodhisattva thought, ‘The virtues I have accumulated over countless kalpas, all are due to the practices achieved, amassed from innumerable hundreds of thousands of billions of kalpas, all stemming from the original vows made in past practices. In each life, I exercised self-restraint, compassionately mindful of the sufferings of all beings in the three realms, hence my practice is gentle, fair, and distinct, achieving a pure karmic result. Who could destroy this unique enlightenment?’ At that time, the Bodhisattva extended a golden-purple hand from his robe, gently touched his own body, not abandoning the great compassionate heart, viewing all beings with compassionate eyes, deeply liberating all beings. He then raised his right hand towards the ten directions, personally witnessing the Buddhas of all the worlds, presenting themselves as witnesses, with right mindfulness and right awareness. The three thousand great thousand worlds shook six times, a natural sound arose, this sound spread throughout the Buddha lands in all directions. At that time, Māra Pāpīyas and his demonic hosts heard this sound, began to blame themselves, adhered to the precepts, and were keen to cultivate diligently. Simultaneously, the Great Sage gave fearlessness, pitying all beings, and at that time eight sextillion demons and spirits submitted to the Bodhisattva, naturally falling to the ground, surrendering in their hearts, only seeking protection. The demon’s retinue was scattered and destroyed, naturally bewildered, lost without trace. The Bodhisattva manifested great brightness, pitying these demon’s retinue, enabling them to individually depart from fear and return to the celestial realms. Thus, the Mahāsattva now subdued Māra and his myriad officers, eight hundred nonillion spirits, all of whom initiated the supreme Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi mind, ninety-two hundred tredecillion people made an irreversible resolution due to the Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi mind, and eighty-four thousand celestial beings, due to the virtuous power of past lives, all attained the forbearance of the non-arising Dharma.”
Secret Vajra Guardian said to Tranquil Mind, “Through the Bodhisattva’s deeds of subduing the demons, countless devas and humans were taught and saved, and these heavenly beings pursued Māra Pāpīyas. Different beings saw the Bodhisattva in various forms: some saw the Bodhisattva sitting on a precious pure lotus lion throne, some saw him on the ground, some saw him on a lion throne in the void, some under a Banyan tree, some saw the Bodhisattva managing the tree of day and night in Trāyastriṃśa heaven, some under a tree of treasures, and others saw the Bodhisattva universally sitting under all Bodhi trees that are seven feet tall; some heavenly beings saw the Bodhisattva sitting under the Bodhi tree on a lion throne half a cubit high, some saw the Bodhi tree as seven cubits tall, or ten miles, or twenty miles, or forty miles, even up to eighty-four thousand yojanas high, and some saw the lion throne as forty-two thousand yojanas high. Tranquil Mind! The realms of the Bodhisattva are immeasurable, all these realms are where the Bodhisattva resides at the highest and most supreme great Bodhi site, possessing such limitless virtues and displaying all superior aspects. The Bodhisattva manifests different forms according to the different beings, enlightening them based on their nature, causing them to generate noble and holy intentions, accomplishing the highest true awakening, reaching wisedom of all. The Bodhisattva preaches the Dharma according to the wishes and timing of sentient beings, praising the Dharma on various occasions, all are virtues accumulated from past practices. The Bodhisattva persuades sentient beings, teaching them the principles, and all beings come to praise and make offerings to him. Despite this, the Bodhisattva’s mind holds no attachments, no demonic obstacles, forsakes all unwholesome actions, and comprehends the paths and laws of all Buddhas. In the moment of a thought in an instant, the Bodhisattva’s mind aligns with supreme wisdom, ultimately achieving the Buddhahood, becoming the highest true awakened one.
“The Bodhisattva, having reached the realm of all highest true awakenings, is immediately touched by the right hands of Buddhas Tathāgatas from the ten directions of innumerable worlds, who comfort and ask, ‘Buddha son! Are you not weary? Do you enjoy your practice? Is your enlightenment achieved through natural wisdom? Is your enlightenment achieved through an unobstructed mind? Is your enlightenment achieved through equanimity? Are there no false adornments? Have you donned the armor of great compassion? Do you sustain the seed of the Triple Gem unceasingly? Are you at ease in all dharmas?’ If the faculties of sentient beings are mature, they can understand the realm in which the Bodhisattva operates; if the faculties of sentient beings are disordered, they cannot grasp the Bodhisattva’s direction.
“The Bodhisattva, having just achieved the Tathāgata, contemplates the true joy of Dharma carefully for seven days and nights, watching the Bodhi tree without tiring, his eyes unblinking. At this time, hundreds of billions of heavenly beings come to praise and make offerings, hundreds of billions of jade stands present exquisite food, all these heavenly beings then develop the supreme true path intention, witnessing the dignified rituals of the Tathāgata. After the Tathāgata’s enlightenment, the Four Heavenly Kings each holding a bowl came forth to offer it to the Tathāgata. Likewise, the billions of Four Great Heavenly Kings from the billion Four Great Continents also did the same, each holding a precious bowl, came to the Buddha to make offerings, and the Tathāgata accepted them all. The Buddha manifested divine power, making the Heavenly Kings invisible to each other, each thinking in their heart, ‘The Buddha has accepted my bowl, will accept my food offering.’ Thus, they felt joy in their hearts, were serene, and all developed the supreme true path intention, achieving non-retrogression.
“After the Buddha’s enlightenment, Trapṣa and Bhallika, along with five hundred merchants, were present and the Buddha intended to enlighten them. The merchants’ carriages halted, and their companions were puzzled. Heavenly beings in the void informed them: ‘The Buddha has appeared in the world, and you can go and make offerings.’ Upon hearing this, the merchants were overjoyed and each offered honey, barley flour, and ghee. Eighty-four thousand celestial beings also made offerings, which the Tathāgata accepted. This was because these merchants had made a vow in past lives: ‘When the Tathāgata achieves enlightenment, we will be the first to make offerings.’ To fulfill this vow, they were unaware of each other’s presence, each thinking: ‘Only I am making an offering to the Buddha, no one else has.’ Thus, they felt joy in their hearts, and they all achieved non-retrogression in Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi, and will eventually attain the supreme and true path, become perfectly enlightened, and save sentient beings from peril.”
Dharma Torch 