Great Cloud Essence said, “I beseech the Bhagavān to explain the ten Dharma gateways called the secret aspiration to liberation, which is taken up by the mind in order to attain the karmic ground of the field of the afflictions of cyclic existence.”

The Bhagavān replied, “There is the Dharma gateway called obtaining the fruit of the field of the afflictions of cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called king of delighting in the field of the afflictions of cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called fixing the mind on the connection with cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called dhāraṇī of supreme delight in cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called migrating within cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called thoroughly raining down upon cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called king of the uninterrupted wind of the continuity of cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called thief of cyclic existence. There is the Dharma gateway called stainless domain of the root of cyclic existence. And there is the Dharma gateway called bringing illumination to all those who abide for a long time in cyclic existence. These ten are the Dharma gateways called the secret aspiration to liberation, which is taken up by the mind in order to attain the karmic ground of the field of the afflictions of cyclic existence.”

At that time, a nāga king named Poisonless made offerings to the Bhagavān and uttered this verse:

“In order to serve as medicine for all sentient beings, Who accumulate copious afflictions within cyclic existence, The Tathāgata, who is like the actual substance of cyclic existence, Teaches these various dharmas.”