“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created unfathomably numerous roots of virtue in order to understand purification. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings knowledge of purification?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there appeared in the world a thus-gone one named Stainless Zenith; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. The thus-gone Stainless Zenith would live to be six hundred million years. His first assembly of hearers numbered six hundred thousand, the second assembly of hearers numbered eight hundred thousand, and the third assembly one million hearers. His assemblies of bodhisattvas were double those.
EN
“At that time there was a prince named Druma, who had created roots of virtue with countless tens of thousands of buddhas and who prayed for a pure buddha realm as well as an inexpressible buddha realm. He aspired, ‘When beings have fallen, descended, and dropped down into the lower states—without protection, without a savior, without any aid—at that time may I become a support for those who lack support, a protector for those who lack protection, and a guide for those who have fallen into the lower states!’
EN
“What do you think, Maudgalyāyana? In case you may think that at that time Prince Druma was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was known as Prince Druma. In that way, when the true Dharma was on the verge of perishing, I dedicated such extensive roots of virtue and such greatness toward protecting and helping sentient beings. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas should, with an attitude of great compassion, dedicate their roots of virtue toward the benefit of beings, and so that suffering beings may come to maturity. They should be unattached to their roots of virtue.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created unfathomably numerous roots of virtue in order to understand the origin as related to knowledge of purification. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings how to understand the origin as related to knowledge of purification?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there appeared in the world a thus-gone one called One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. That Thus-Gone One would live to be ten million years. The thus-gone, worthy, perfect buddha One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds had innumerable assemblies of hearers that numbered many millions of beings, and similar assemblies of bodhisattvas. All of them without exception had been liberated through insight, and meditated on the eight liberations. All the bodhisattvas without exception had dwelled among countless and indescribably many pure buddha realms.
EN
“At that time there was a great brahmin householder, a bodhisattva named One Who Dwells in Devotion to the Non-Abiding Melody. For ten million years he served the thus-gone One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds, always pleasing him and never displeasing him. He cherished his teachings but did not let go of his selfish pursuits. The thus-gone One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds saw that through his service with the mind of awakening, the householder would become a thus-gone one, and yet did not prophesy his unsurpassed and perfect awakening. Why not? Because the householder was so fixated on the mind of awakening.
EN
“What do you think, Maudgalyāyana? In case you may think that at that time the bodhisattva named One Who Dwells in Devotion to the Non-Abiding Melody was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the bodhisattva named One Who Dwells in Devotion to the Non-Abiding Melody. I served the Thus-Gone One genuinely with the mind of awakening, and yet, because I was so fixated on the mind of awakening, the Thus-Gone One never prophesied my unsurpassed and perfect awakening. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas should not be fixated on the mind of awakening.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created unfathomably numerous roots of virtue in order to understand cessation as related to knowledge of purfication. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there was a brahmin named Cloud Proclaimer, who was similar to a sal tree. He was rich, prosperous, and wealthy, had plentiful possessions and valuables, and owned numerous gems, pearls, beryl stones, conches, crystals, and pieces of coral, gold, and silver. He had been educated in the recitation and upholding of scripture, as well as linguistics, Kaiṭabha literature, grammar, divisions, the Fifth, the topics of the past adepts, rhetoric, the Lokāyata system, and the scriptures on sacrifice. He possessed the characteristics of great men and the good qualities of three types of knowledge. He sought the meaning of virtue. He had been authorized in the corresponding scriptures by his teachers and was bound by commitment.
EN
“At that time there had appeared in the world a thus-gone one named Ambrosial King; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. The Thus-Gone One would live to be seven thousand years. He had five assemblies of hearers. The first assembly numbered nine hundred million, and all of them were worthy ones whose defilements were exhausted … and who were liberated by their insight into equality. The second assembly numbered one hundred million, the third assembly consisted of one hundred billion worthy ones, while the fourth and fifth assemblies consisted of countless billions of worthy hearers. He also had three assemblies of bodhisattvas, which were double that number.
EN
“Within that buddha realm there was a bodhisattva named Non-Deficiency of Mind, who had created roots of virtue with countless tens of thousands of buddhas. Once, he had the thought, ‘Alas! Those living in the world are in darkness. They do not see that things that come into being must also cease, nor do they understand that all that ceases is also unborn. They do not see or understand that whatever is born ceases, and therefore in fact is unborn. Who are the ascetics and brahmins in the world now? I must go to them and ask them questions.’
EN
“As he had this thought, he heard a voice in the sky: ‘The thus-gone named Ambrosial King has appeared in the world! He is omniscient and all-seeing. There is nothing whatsoever that he has not understood, has not realized, and has not perceived. He fully understands the absence of movement with regard to the phenomena of cessation.’ He then thought, ‘I, Non-Deficiency, will go before the thus-gone Ambrosial King and ask him about these things. The Thus-Gone One will answer correctly and I will keep his answers in mind.’
EN
“The bodhisattva called Non-Deficiency of Mind then went before the thus-gone Ambrosial King along with myriad other beings, including six hundred thousand brahmins, eight hundred forty thousand great householders of the warrior caste, and innumerable tens of thousands of brahmins. The thus-gone Ambrosial King saw the bodhisattva Non-Deficiency of Mind and the masses of other beings approaching in the distance. As he watched them, he used his miraculous powers to fill the entire buddha realm with a golden light. Then, using his miraculous abilities again, he made it so that there was no distinction or difference between gods and humans, that is to say, no one thought, ‘These are gods, while these over here are humans.’ The huge multitude of beings comprising the entourage became utterly quiet, such that there was not even the sound of a single being clearing their throat.
EN
“When the bodhisattva Non-Deficiency of Mind noticed how calm the group had become and heard the silence, he thought, ‘Whatever sound does not arise, does not cease. Whatever has ceased is also unborn.’ He continued to reflect, ‘Thus if a sound does not arise, it does not cease. Since it is non-existent, there is no thing that really ceases. Because there is no real existence, there is also no birth.’ He then wondered, ‘What is the nature of these phenomena that arise?’ before the insight came to him: ‘These arising phenomena of existence have no real nature. They are unborn and unceasing.’ When in that moment he did not apprehend any nature of phenomena, he achieved acceptance that phenomena are unborn. Then, realizing that the bodhisattva called Non-Deficiency of Mind had achieved acceptance that phenomena are unborn, the thus-gone Ambrosial King gave his approval: ‘Wonderful! Noble son, how excellent that you have come to understand phenomena correctly.’
EN
“What do you think, Maudgalyāyana? In case you may think that at that time the bodhisattva named Non-Deficiency of Mind was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the bodhisattva named Non-Deficiency of Mind. Due to those roots of virtue, for seventy-six incalculable eons I did not fall astray or become confused about the Dharma. I never had an unwholesome state of mind, whether born of attachment, born of anger, or born of stupidity. I constantly rested my mind within omniscience. Due to such lucidity of mind, I was able to leave behind my habitual tendencies. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas should discern the cessation of phenomena; thus will habitual tendencies be overcome.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created countless different roots of virtue in order to understand the path leading to cessation as related to purification. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings correctly?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there was a spiritually inclined Dharma king named Immaculate Consecration. He held the seven treasures, and so forth. He investigated and inquired, along with his two ministers and other experts, as to where in the world the secluded hermitages of the ascetics and brahmins were.
EN
“At the same time, in the vicinity of King Immaculate Consecration was a thus-gone one named Vimalanetra; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. He was a Dharma teacher whose instructions were good in the past, good in the middle, good in the end, of excellent meaning, and with excellent words—unmixed, complete, pure, and chaste. King Immaculate Consecration heard that the thus-gone Vimalanetra was teaching the Dharma in his area, and that in the Thus-Gone One’s retinue was a saṅgha of innumerable monks. When he heard this news, he thought, ‘The Thus-Gone One is wise, as he surely possesses extraordinary wisdom. Since someone with a retinue as big as his must be in harmony with the Dharma, no one will be able to repudiate him. I will go before the thus-gone Vimalanetra, and ask him about knowledge of gathering as related to knowledge of purification.’
EN
“With that in mind, he went before the thus-gone Vimalanetra along with eight hundred thousand other beings, one thousand ministers, and eight hundred thousand wives. At that time the Thus-Gone One was teaching the Dharma, while surrounded by countless tens of thousands of beings. The audience was silent and listening attentively with their ears perked, with all sentient beings in mind. Not even the sound of someone clearing their throat arose among anyone in the crowd. Due to having gathered roots of virtue in the past, the king was able to remain in equilibrium up to the fourth concentration while surrounded by his eight hundred thousand women. Merely beholding the Thus-Gone One, he noticed how his senses and demeanor were calm, and thus felt unfathomable appreciation for the Thus-Gone One. He then reflected, ‘With such a large following, it is impossible that someone could repudiate the Thus-Gone One. Why not? Because his following is so large. The Thus-Gone One’s demeanor is so calm. No one else has a demeanor like his. It is extraordinary! Without a doubt the Thus-Gone One possesses extraordinary wisdom.’
EN
“He then approached the Thus-Gone One along with his entourage and retinue of queens. The thus-gone Vimalanetra greeted him from a distance, saying, ‘Your Highness, come nearer; be welcome, Your Highness! Your Highness, you have labored a long time to see the Thus-Gone One. Your Highness, it is not in vain that you have come to see the Thus-Gone One. Your Highness, you will leave with your reward. Receiving the Thus-Gone One’s reply to your question, your purpose will be fulfilled.’
EN
“King Immaculate Consecration and his entourage then bowed their heads at the Thus-Gone One’s feet, before then sitting off to one side. At that point, eight hundred million gods from the Brahmā Realm manifested in the sky above the Thus-Gone One, all of them with their palms together. They were invisible even to the gods of the desire realm, no need to mention humans. However, by the miraculous power of the thus-gone Vimalanetra, the entire retinue of humans, gods of the desire realm, and gods of the Brahmā Realm became visible to King Immaculate Consecration. Witnessing all that, he thought, ‘No one can repudiate the thus-gone Vimalanetra. It is impossible! Not even all these gods of the desire realm that are here with their palms together, or the gods of the Brahmā Realm that are here in midair with their palms together could repudiate him, so forget about someone human.’ He then stood up from his seat, knelt on his right knee, and, bowing toward the Thus-Gone One with his palms together, praised the blessed thus-gone Vimalanetra with these verses:
EN
“ ‘With great wisdom you have gone beyond all phenomena—homage to you! The entire world, including the gods, is here before you with palms joined. Gods, humans, gandharvas, kinnaras, and mahoragas— All are here, gazing upon the Buddha with joined palms.
EN
“ ‘They are here because the Blessed One possesses all-seeing wisdom. That is why the whole world, including the gods, now join their palms in homage. Lord of great wisdom, they pay homage that they may achieve your wisdom. They have gathered here, embraced by the Blessed One’s wisdom.
EN
“ ‘No one has a body or wisdom like yours. All are here to know the supreme human. Now we see what we had heard about, yet what we see is even more magnificent. Beholding the Well-Gone One, our human lives have now borne fruit.
EN
“ ‘Among gods, nāgas, yakṣas, demigods, and rākṣasas There is no one like you—no one like you within three worlds. Whatever incorrect thoughts we may have had about the Guide, They now all disappear, simply by seeing the Guide of the World.
EN
“ ‘Great master of diligence, wisdom, and love, please now explain Which acts of goodness will deliver from all flaws and stains.’
EN
The thus-gone Vimalanetra listened to King Immaculate Consecration’s words of insight for the benefit and happiness of all beings. With his flawless voice and liberated eloquence he then spoke the following verses in reply:
EN
“ ‘Excellent that you ask this to benefit the whole world, excellent! Listen, for I shall explain this to you accurately. Like a blazing fire, wisdom burns away the afflictions. When understood, absorbed, and practiced in this way,
EN
“ ‘There is no attachment to the knowledge that liberates from afflictions. Just as a boat is left behind on the far shore and one proceeds without any thought of it, So the wisdom of the victorious ones burns away the causes of suffering. Yet it does not dwell in that knowledge—such is the path of virtue.
EN
“ ‘When dexterous and fearless bodhisattvas train in this They are constantly in equipoise and their distractions disappear. Whether moving or staying, their minds are absorbed in awakening. At rest or asleep, the wise are endowed with insight.
EN
“ ‘Knowing all phenomena to be, in essence, devoid of essence, The wise do not dwell on any phenomena.’ When he heard the voice of the world’s protector and savior, King Immaculate Consecration took it to heart and praised the teacher:
EN
“ ‘Conquering worldly conduct you illumine the world—homage to you! The guides liberate beings’ suffering through their own liberation. The unsurpassed captains act swiftly with great diligence. The guides deliver multitudes of beings through their own crossing.
EN
“ ‘Crushing the sphere of ignorance, you let the light shine. With boundless light you illumine the buddha realms. Constantly you let your light shine throughout Millions of fields of omniscient buddhas, beyond measure and count.
EN
“ ‘When released by Rāhu, the moon appears stainless in the sky, And like the radiant moon, the buddhas are resplendent. Cutting the shackles of the demigods, the sun appears stainless in space And shines at dawn with hundreds of brilliant rays.
EN
“ ‘Likewise, the noble sun of the buddhas breaks the chains of the māras; Vanquishing the māra hordes, the buddhas illumine the path. Just like the light of a firefly is outshone by the sun, The sun of the victorious ones will outshine the extremists.
EN
“ ‘Thus the shining protector of the world remains the refuge, Vanquishing the sources of darkness and revealing the brightest light. Like the sun that shines for all eyes, the buddha eye shines; Like the sun that emerges from the autumn clouds, it shines its light.’
EN
“Thus, thoroughly delighted by the thus-gone Vimalanetra’s response to his request, King Immaculate Consecration uttered these verses of praise. Due to the ensuing roots of virtue he avoided unfortunate rebirths for ninety-six innumerable eons, and he was never born into the lower classes. His teeth never rotted and his eyes were never yellow, fearful, or deluded. He was always radiant and endowed with mindfulness, knowledge, and miraculous powers. Cared for by the buddhas, he would be born into buddha realms, and there always recognize the buddha present. In this way he trained innumerable trillions of beings in cyclic existence by means of the three vehicles of hearers, solitary buddhas, and unsurpassed buddhas.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may have any doubts or hesitations so as to think that at that time King Immaculate Consecration was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was King Immaculate Consecration. As I engaged in the practice of a bodhisattva, I prayed that the beings of the buddha realms into which I am born will always become aware of the presence of the Buddha. Keeping that wish, I engaged in the practice of a bodhisattva. Since that mindset was free of any ill will, I was able to train, by remaining attached to that, innumerably many tens of thousands of beings. Maudgalyāyana, it is in that way that bodhisattva great beings should complete and perfect their aspirations.”
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created unfathomably numerous roots of virtue in order to understand purification. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings knowledge of purification?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there appeared in the world a thus-gone one named Stainless Zenith; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. The thus-gone Stainless Zenith would live to be six hundred million years. His first assembly of hearers numbered six hundred thousand, the second assembly of hearers numbered eight hundred thousand, and the third assembly one million hearers. His assemblies of bodhisattvas were double those.
EN
“At that time there was a prince named Druma, who had created roots of virtue with countless tens of thousands of buddhas and who prayed for a pure buddha realm as well as an inexpressible buddha realm. He aspired, ‘When beings have fallen, descended, and dropped down into the lower states—without protection, without a savior, without any aid—at that time may I become a support for those who lack support, a protector for those who lack protection, and a guide for those who have fallen into the lower states!’
EN
“What do you think, Maudgalyāyana? In case you may think that at that time Prince Druma was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was known as Prince Druma. In that way, when the true Dharma was on the verge of perishing, I dedicated such extensive roots of virtue and such greatness toward protecting and helping sentient beings. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas should, with an attitude of great compassion, dedicate their roots of virtue toward the benefit of beings, and so that suffering beings may come to maturity. They should be unattached to their roots of virtue.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created unfathomably numerous roots of virtue in order to understand the origin as related to knowledge of purification. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings how to understand the origin as related to knowledge of purification?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there appeared in the world a thus-gone one called One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. That Thus-Gone One would live to be ten million years. The thus-gone, worthy, perfect buddha One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds had innumerable assemblies of hearers that numbered many millions of beings, and similar assemblies of bodhisattvas. All of them without exception had been liberated through insight, and meditated on the eight liberations. All the bodhisattvas without exception had dwelled among countless and indescribably many pure buddha realms.
EN
“At that time there was a great brahmin householder, a bodhisattva named One Who Dwells in Devotion to the Non-Abiding Melody. For ten million years he served the thus-gone One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds, always pleasing him and never displeasing him. He cherished his teachings but did not let go of his selfish pursuits. The thus-gone One Who Satisfies the Kingdom with Rain from Dharma Clouds saw that through his service with the mind of awakening, the householder would become a thus-gone one, and yet did not prophesy his unsurpassed and perfect awakening. Why not? Because the householder was so fixated on the mind of awakening.
EN
“What do you think, Maudgalyāyana? In case you may think that at that time the bodhisattva named One Who Dwells in Devotion to the Non-Abiding Melody was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the bodhisattva named One Who Dwells in Devotion to the Non-Abiding Melody. I served the Thus-Gone One genuinely with the mind of awakening, and yet, because I was so fixated on the mind of awakening, the Thus-Gone One never prophesied my unsurpassed and perfect awakening. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas should not be fixated on the mind of awakening.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created unfathomably numerous roots of virtue in order to understand cessation as related to knowledge of purfication. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there was a brahmin named Cloud Proclaimer, who was similar to a sal tree. He was rich, prosperous, and wealthy, had plentiful possessions and valuables, and owned numerous gems, pearls, beryl stones, conches, crystals, and pieces of coral, gold, and silver. He had been educated in the recitation and upholding of scripture, as well as linguistics, Kaiṭabha literature, grammar, divisions, the Fifth, the topics of the past adepts, rhetoric, the Lokāyata system, and the scriptures on sacrifice. He possessed the characteristics of great men and the good qualities of three types of knowledge. He sought the meaning of virtue. He had been authorized in the corresponding scriptures by his teachers and was bound by commitment.
EN
“At that time there had appeared in the world a thus-gone one named Ambrosial King; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. The Thus-Gone One would live to be seven thousand years. He had five assemblies of hearers. The first assembly numbered nine hundred million, and all of them were worthy ones whose defilements were exhausted … and who were liberated by their insight into equality. The second assembly numbered one hundred million, the third assembly consisted of one hundred billion worthy ones, while the fourth and fifth assemblies consisted of countless billions of worthy hearers. He also had three assemblies of bodhisattvas, which were double that number.
EN
“Within that buddha realm there was a bodhisattva named Non-Deficiency of Mind, who had created roots of virtue with countless tens of thousands of buddhas. Once, he had the thought, ‘Alas! Those living in the world are in darkness. They do not see that things that come into being must also cease, nor do they understand that all that ceases is also unborn. They do not see or understand that whatever is born ceases, and therefore in fact is unborn. Who are the ascetics and brahmins in the world now? I must go to them and ask them questions.’
EN
“As he had this thought, he heard a voice in the sky: ‘The thus-gone named Ambrosial King has appeared in the world! He is omniscient and all-seeing. There is nothing whatsoever that he has not understood, has not realized, and has not perceived. He fully understands the absence of movement with regard to the phenomena of cessation.’ He then thought, ‘I, Non-Deficiency, will go before the thus-gone Ambrosial King and ask him about these things. The Thus-Gone One will answer correctly and I will keep his answers in mind.’
EN
“The bodhisattva called Non-Deficiency of Mind then went before the thus-gone Ambrosial King along with myriad other beings, including six hundred thousand brahmins, eight hundred forty thousand great householders of the warrior caste, and innumerable tens of thousands of brahmins. The thus-gone Ambrosial King saw the bodhisattva Non-Deficiency of Mind and the masses of other beings approaching in the distance. As he watched them, he used his miraculous powers to fill the entire buddha realm with a golden light. Then, using his miraculous abilities again, he made it so that there was no distinction or difference between gods and humans, that is to say, no one thought, ‘These are gods, while these over here are humans.’ The huge multitude of beings comprising the entourage became utterly quiet, such that there was not even the sound of a single being clearing their throat.
EN
“When the bodhisattva Non-Deficiency of Mind noticed how calm the group had become and heard the silence, he thought, ‘Whatever sound does not arise, does not cease. Whatever has ceased is also unborn.’ He continued to reflect, ‘Thus if a sound does not arise, it does not cease. Since it is non-existent, there is no thing that really ceases. Because there is no real existence, there is also no birth.’ He then wondered, ‘What is the nature of these phenomena that arise?’ before the insight came to him: ‘These arising phenomena of existence have no real nature. They are unborn and unceasing.’ When in that moment he did not apprehend any nature of phenomena, he achieved acceptance that phenomena are unborn. Then, realizing that the bodhisattva called Non-Deficiency of Mind had achieved acceptance that phenomena are unborn, the thus-gone Ambrosial King gave his approval: ‘Wonderful! Noble son, how excellent that you have come to understand phenomena correctly.’
EN
“What do you think, Maudgalyāyana? In case you may think that at that time the bodhisattva named Non-Deficiency of Mind was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was the bodhisattva named Non-Deficiency of Mind. Due to those roots of virtue, for seventy-six incalculable eons I did not fall astray or become confused about the Dharma. I never had an unwholesome state of mind, whether born of attachment, born of anger, or born of stupidity. I constantly rested my mind within omniscience. Due to such lucidity of mind, I was able to leave behind my habitual tendencies. Therefore, Maudgalyāyana, bodhisattvas should discern the cessation of phenomena; thus will habitual tendencies be overcome.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, when I was training in the practices of a bodhisattva in the past, I created countless different roots of virtue in order to understand the path leading to cessation as related to purification. I did this by wondering, ‘How can I fully awaken to unsurpassed and perfect buddhahood, and then teach beings correctly?’
EN
“Long ago in the limitless cycle of existence, Maudgalyāyana, long before even the distant past there was a spiritually inclined Dharma king named Immaculate Consecration. He held the seven treasures, and so forth. He investigated and inquired, along with his two ministers and other experts, as to where in the world the secluded hermitages of the ascetics and brahmins were.
EN
“At the same time, in the vicinity of King Immaculate Consecration was a thus-gone one named Vimalanetra; he was learned and venerable, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, a steersman who guided beings, unexcelled, a teacher of gods and humans, a buddha, a blessed one. He was a Dharma teacher whose instructions were good in the past, good in the middle, good in the end, of excellent meaning, and with excellent words—unmixed, complete, pure, and chaste. King Immaculate Consecration heard that the thus-gone Vimalanetra was teaching the Dharma in his area, and that in the Thus-Gone One’s retinue was a saṅgha of innumerable monks. When he heard this news, he thought, ‘The Thus-Gone One is wise, as he surely possesses extraordinary wisdom. Since someone with a retinue as big as his must be in harmony with the Dharma, no one will be able to repudiate him. I will go before the thus-gone Vimalanetra, and ask him about knowledge of gathering as related to knowledge of purification.’
EN
“With that in mind, he went before the thus-gone Vimalanetra along with eight hundred thousand other beings, one thousand ministers, and eight hundred thousand wives. At that time the Thus-Gone One was teaching the Dharma, while surrounded by countless tens of thousands of beings. The audience was silent and listening attentively with their ears perked, with all sentient beings in mind. Not even the sound of someone clearing their throat arose among anyone in the crowd. Due to having gathered roots of virtue in the past, the king was able to remain in equilibrium up to the fourth concentration while surrounded by his eight hundred thousand women. Merely beholding the Thus-Gone One, he noticed how his senses and demeanor were calm, and thus felt unfathomable appreciation for the Thus-Gone One. He then reflected, ‘With such a large following, it is impossible that someone could repudiate the Thus-Gone One. Why not? Because his following is so large. The Thus-Gone One’s demeanor is so calm. No one else has a demeanor like his. It is extraordinary! Without a doubt the Thus-Gone One possesses extraordinary wisdom.’
EN
“He then approached the Thus-Gone One along with his entourage and retinue of queens. The thus-gone Vimalanetra greeted him from a distance, saying, ‘Your Highness, come nearer; be welcome, Your Highness! Your Highness, you have labored a long time to see the Thus-Gone One. Your Highness, it is not in vain that you have come to see the Thus-Gone One. Your Highness, you will leave with your reward. Receiving the Thus-Gone One’s reply to your question, your purpose will be fulfilled.’
EN
“King Immaculate Consecration and his entourage then bowed their heads at the Thus-Gone One’s feet, before then sitting off to one side. At that point, eight hundred million gods from the Brahmā Realm manifested in the sky above the Thus-Gone One, all of them with their palms together. They were invisible even to the gods of the desire realm, no need to mention humans. However, by the miraculous power of the thus-gone Vimalanetra, the entire retinue of humans, gods of the desire realm, and gods of the Brahmā Realm became visible to King Immaculate Consecration. Witnessing all that, he thought, ‘No one can repudiate the thus-gone Vimalanetra. It is impossible! Not even all these gods of the desire realm that are here with their palms together, or the gods of the Brahmā Realm that are here in midair with their palms together could repudiate him, so forget about someone human.’ He then stood up from his seat, knelt on his right knee, and, bowing toward the Thus-Gone One with his palms together, praised the blessed thus-gone Vimalanetra with these verses:
EN
“ ‘With great wisdom you have gone beyond all phenomena—homage to you! The entire world, including the gods, is here before you with palms joined. Gods, humans, gandharvas, kinnaras, and mahoragas— All are here, gazing upon the Buddha with joined palms.
EN
“ ‘They are here because the Blessed One possesses all-seeing wisdom. That is why the whole world, including the gods, now join their palms in homage. Lord of great wisdom, they pay homage that they may achieve your wisdom. They have gathered here, embraced by the Blessed One’s wisdom.
EN
“ ‘No one has a body or wisdom like yours. All are here to know the supreme human. Now we see what we had heard about, yet what we see is even more magnificent. Beholding the Well-Gone One, our human lives have now borne fruit.
EN
“ ‘Among gods, nāgas, yakṣas, demigods, and rākṣasas There is no one like you—no one like you within three worlds. Whatever incorrect thoughts we may have had about the Guide, They now all disappear, simply by seeing the Guide of the World.
EN
“ ‘Great master of diligence, wisdom, and love, please now explain Which acts of goodness will deliver from all flaws and stains.’
EN
The thus-gone Vimalanetra listened to King Immaculate Consecration’s words of insight for the benefit and happiness of all beings. With his flawless voice and liberated eloquence he then spoke the following verses in reply:
EN
“ ‘Excellent that you ask this to benefit the whole world, excellent! Listen, for I shall explain this to you accurately. Like a blazing fire, wisdom burns away the afflictions. When understood, absorbed, and practiced in this way,
EN
“ ‘There is no attachment to the knowledge that liberates from afflictions. Just as a boat is left behind on the far shore and one proceeds without any thought of it, So the wisdom of the victorious ones burns away the causes of suffering. Yet it does not dwell in that knowledge—such is the path of virtue.
EN
“ ‘When dexterous and fearless bodhisattvas train in this They are constantly in equipoise and their distractions disappear. Whether moving or staying, their minds are absorbed in awakening. At rest or asleep, the wise are endowed with insight.
EN
“ ‘Knowing all phenomena to be, in essence, devoid of essence, The wise do not dwell on any phenomena.’ When he heard the voice of the world’s protector and savior, King Immaculate Consecration took it to heart and praised the teacher:
EN
“ ‘Conquering worldly conduct you illumine the world—homage to you! The guides liberate beings’ suffering through their own liberation. The unsurpassed captains act swiftly with great diligence. The guides deliver multitudes of beings through their own crossing.
EN
“ ‘Crushing the sphere of ignorance, you let the light shine. With boundless light you illumine the buddha realms. Constantly you let your light shine throughout Millions of fields of omniscient buddhas, beyond measure and count.
EN
“ ‘When released by Rāhu, the moon appears stainless in the sky, And like the radiant moon, the buddhas are resplendent. Cutting the shackles of the demigods, the sun appears stainless in space And shines at dawn with hundreds of brilliant rays.
EN
“ ‘Likewise, the noble sun of the buddhas breaks the chains of the māras; Vanquishing the māra hordes, the buddhas illumine the path. Just like the light of a firefly is outshone by the sun, The sun of the victorious ones will outshine the extremists.
EN
“ ‘Thus the shining protector of the world remains the refuge, Vanquishing the sources of darkness and revealing the brightest light. Like the sun that shines for all eyes, the buddha eye shines; Like the sun that emerges from the autumn clouds, it shines its light.’
EN
“Thus, thoroughly delighted by the thus-gone Vimalanetra’s response to his request, King Immaculate Consecration uttered these verses of praise. Due to the ensuing roots of virtue he avoided unfortunate rebirths for ninety-six innumerable eons, and he was never born into the lower classes. His teeth never rotted and his eyes were never yellow, fearful, or deluded. He was always radiant and endowed with mindfulness, knowledge, and miraculous powers. Cared for by the buddhas, he would be born into buddha realms, and there always recognize the buddha present. In this way he trained innumerable trillions of beings in cyclic existence by means of the three vehicles of hearers, solitary buddhas, and unsurpassed buddhas.
EN
“Maudgalyāyana, in case you may have any doubts or hesitations so as to think that at that time King Immaculate Consecration was anyone else, do not think so. In those days I was King Immaculate Consecration. As I engaged in the practice of a bodhisattva, I prayed that the beings of the buddha realms into which I am born will always become aware of the presence of the Buddha. Keeping that wish, I engaged in the practice of a bodhisattva. Since that mindset was free of any ill will, I was able to train, by remaining attached to that, innumerably many tens of thousands of beings. Maudgalyāyana, it is in that way that bodhisattva great beings should complete and perfect their aspirations.”
Sutraya