Part I: Introduction (695i–703ii) [1]

Terms

Heaven of control of others’ emanations — This is Cleary’s translation for the Parinirmitavaśavartin Heaven, which is a realm of Desire Realm devas who have other devas as servants, creating forms pleasing to them. This realm is also the home of māras, devas who gain pleasure out of keeping beings enthralled in the Desire Realm. Just above this realm are the Form Realm devas, such as Brahmas.

Enlightening beings — Bodhisattvas.

Matrix — Garbha. Womb, but also the interior of anything, inside, or embryo: bodhisattvas as buddhas to be could be conceived of as embryo buddhas (tathāgatagarbha).

Diamond — Vajra. Also, thunderbolt. Hence, Diamond Matrix = Vajragarbha.

Summary

1.    Setting

a.     The Buddha is dwelling in the Parnirmitavaśavartin Heaven the second week after awakening. [695i]

                                               i.     He is joined by many bodhisattvas abiding in the knowledge of all bodhisattvas. Their great qualities and achievements are enumerated.

                                             ii.     Their names are given, all ending in -garbha.

                                            iii.     They were led by Vajragarbha (Diamond Matrix)

2.    Vajragarbha’s Samādhi

a.     Vajragarbha enters a samādhi called Light of the Great Vehicle and he sees infinite Buddhas from all directions. [696ii-697i]

                                               i.     They praise his entry into the samādhi

                                             ii.     They declare his entry is supported by all these buddhas and the vow of Vairocana Buddha, as well as his own knowledge and virtue.

                                            iii.     His entry is for the attainment of the highest knowledge and abilities for the benefit and teaching of all beings.

b.     The Buddhas grant Vajragarbha not only physical invincibility, but also the powers for teaching possessed by the buddhas. [697ii]

                                               i.     This is because of his great mastery of the qualities of a bodhisattva.

3.    Declaration of the Ten Stages

a.     The Buddhas rub the head of Vajragarbha, whereupon Vajragarbha arose from samādhi and declared: [697iii-698i]

                                               i.     The vow of bodhisattvas is pure and rescues all buddhas.

                                             ii.     The vow of bodhisattvas enters into the knowledge of buddhas of the three times.

                                            iii.     Through ten stages bodhisattvas enter into that knowledge:

1.     Extreme Joy

2.     Purity

3.     Refulgence

4.     Blazing

5.     Difficult to Conquer

6.     Presence

7.     Far-Going

8.     Immovable

9.     Good Mind

10.  Cloud of Teaching

                                            iv.     All buddhas passed through these ten and they are truly inconceivable.

4.    Request for Teaching

a.     Vajragarbha became silent without elaborating the ten stages, which the other bodhisattvas were anxious to know about, so Vimukticandra Bodhisattva (Moon of Liberation) asked him why he did not define them. [698ii-699i]

                                               i.     Vajragarbha declared that the ten stages are difficult and beyond comprehension, and since it is hard to find anyone who knows or believes in it, he can’t explain it.

b.     Vimukticandra said that since the assembled bodhisattvas were completely pure he should allow the bodhisattvas to directly witness the ten stages. [699ii-iii]

                                               i.     Vajragarbha replied, although they’re pure, there are some who may give rise to doubt and thus he keeps silent out of compassion for them.

c.     Vimukticandra said, in that case, Vajragarbha should explain by the power of the buddhas, they will protect and support him. [699iv-700ii]

                                               i.     All the bodhisattvas request the same with one voice.

5.    The Light of the Power of Bodhisattvas

a.     A radiance of light called the “light of the power of bodhisattvas” emerged from Śākyamuni Buddha’s ūrṇā and illuminating all worlds, forming a great tower of networks of clouds in the sky. [700iii-701ii]

                                               i.     The same occurred from all the other infinite buddhas.

                                             ii.     The entire world system, Śākyamuni Buddha, and Vajragarbha’s sitting place were all clearly illuminated.

b.     From the tower of webs of clouds of light, a voice requested for Vajragarbha to teach the ten stages so that bodhisattvas can enter the path and attain Buddhahood. [701iii]

c.     Vajragarbha then declares the ineffability and inconceivability of the ten stages, since it rests only in one’s mind, but says that he will, by the power of the buddhas, speak a summary: the full version cannot be explained in aeons. [701iv-702i]

6.    The Prerequisites for Entering the Path

a.     In beings with developed roots of goodness: [702ii-703i]

                                               i.     who attended buddhas

                                             ii.     have pure practices

                                            iii.     in the care of good friends

                                            iv.     with pure intentions

                                             v.     great determination

                                            vi.     zeal

                                          vii.     compassion

                                         viii.     aspiring for:

1.     awakening

2.     knowledge

3.     the ten powers

4.     great expertise

5.     impartiality

6.     salvation of beings

7.     purification of compassion

8.     attaining knowledge in ten directions

9.     purification of buddha-lands

10.  awareness of the three times in one instant

11.  expertise of turning the dharma wheel:

b.     In such beings the intention for awakening (bodhicitta) is aroused. [703ii]

                                               i.     Bodhicitta is:

1.     aroused and guided by great compassion

2.     controlled by wisdom and knowledge

3.     sustained by skilful means

4.     stabilized by will and determination

5.     immeasurable as the power of the Buddha

6.     focused on unfragmented knowledge

7.     in accord with spontaneous knowledge

8.     completely receptive to the guidance of wisdom and knowledge of all Buddha teachings

9.     as ultimate as the cosmos, enduring as space: abiding forever

[1] Roman numerals correspond to paragraph numbers. Verses I count as part of the paragraph from which they start (i.e. as part of one paragraph).