The Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines

“Through practicing this perfection of wisdom, the blessed lord buddhas of the past also have acquired physical forms that are equal to the unequaled; have acquired feelings equal to the unequaled; have acquired perceptions equal to the unequaled; have acquired formative predispositions equal to the unequaled; and have acquired consciousness equal to the unequaled. Having manifestly awakened to enlightenment that is equal to the unequaled, they have turned the wheel of the Dharma that is equal to the unequaled. Through practicing this perfection of wisdom, the blessed lord buddhas of the future also will acquire physical forms that are equal to the unequaled; will acquire feelings equal to the unequaled; will acquire perceptions equal to the unequaled; will acquire formative predispositions equal to the unequaled; and will acquire consciousness equal to the unequaled. Having manifestly awakened to enlightenment that is equal to the unequaled, they will turn the wheel of the Dharma that is equal to the unequaled. Through practicing this perfection of wisdom, the blessed lord buddhas of the present also are acquiring physical forms that are equal to the unequaled; are acquiring feelings equal to the unequaled; are acquiring perceptions equal to the unequaled; are acquiring formative predispositions equal to the unequaled; and are acquiring consciousness equal to the unequaled. Having manifestly awakened to enlightenment that is equal to the unequaled, they are turning the wheel of the Dharma that is equal to the unequaled.

“Blessed Lord, since this is the case, bodhisattva great beings who want to perfect all attributes should make an effort at the perfection of wisdom. Blessed Lord, bodhisattva great beings who practice this perfection of wisdom are rightly paid homage by the world with its gods, humans, and asuras.”

All those great śrāvakas, and all those bodhisattva great beings, having spoken thus, the Blessed One said to them, “Children of good family, it is so! It is so! It is just as you have said! Those bodhisattva great beings who practice this perfection of wisdom deserve to be paid homage by the world with its gods, humans, and asuras.

“If you ask why, it is because it is thanks to bodhisattva great beings that the world of humans becomes manifest in the world, that the world of gods becomes manifest in the world, that great and lofty royal families become manifest in the world, that great and lofty priestly families become manifest in the world, that great and lofty royal families become manifest in the world, and that wheel-turning emperors become manifest in the world; that the gods of the Cāturmahārājika realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Trayastriṃśa realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Yāma realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Tuṣita realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Nirmāṇarati realm become manifest in the world, and that the gods of the Paranirmitavaśavartin realm become manifest in the world; that the gods of the Brahmakāyika realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Brahmapurohita realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Brahma­pārṣadya realm become manifest in the world, and that the gods of the Mahābrahmā realm become manifest in the world; that the gods of the Ābha realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Parīttābha realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Apramāṇābha realm become manifest in the world, and that the gods of the Ābhāsvara realm become manifest in the world; that the gods of the Śubha gods realm in the world, that the gods of the Parīttaśubha realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Apramāṇaśubha realm become manifest in the world, and that the gods of the Śubhakṛtsna realm become manifest in the world; that the gods of the Vṛha realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Parīttavṛha realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Apramāṇavṛha realm become manifest in the world, and that the gods of the Vṛhatphala realm become manifest in the world; that the gods of the Avṛha realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Atapa realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Sudṛśa realm become manifest in the world, that the gods of the Sudarśana realm become manifest in the world, and that the gods of the Akaniṣṭha realm become manifest in the world; and that those entering the stream become manifest in the world, that once-returners become manifest in the world, that non-returners become manifest in the world, that arhats become manifest in the world, that pratyekabuddhas become manifest in the world, that bodhisattvas become manifest in the world; and that the tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly complete buddhas become manifest in the world. Children of good family, it is thanks to bodhisattva great beings that food, drink, vehicles, clothing, bedding, houses, sustenance, jewels, pearls, beryl,²⁶⁸ conch, quartz, coral, gold, and silver also become manifest in the world. Children of good family, all the necessities for the happiness of beings, be they for the human condition, those which work as materials for the gods, or for the happiness of perfect separation,²⁶⁹ all these, too, become manifest in the world thanks to bodhisattva great beings.

“If you ask why, O noble children, when bodhisattva great beings practice the conduct of a bodhisattva, they dwell in the six perfections. They themselves practice generosity and they also connect others with generosity. They themselves maintain ethical discipline and they also connect others with ethical discipline. They themselves cultivate tolerance and they also connect others with tolerance. They themselves undertake perseverance and they also connect others with perseverance. They themselves develop meditative concentration, and they also connect others in meditative concentration. They themselves cultivate wisdom, and they also connect others with the cultivation of wisdom. It is thanks to bodhisattva great beings that beings practice the six perfections. Through practicing the six perfections, they will attain all mundane and supramundane excellences. So it is, children of good family, that bodhisattva great beings have set out for the benefit and happiness of all beings.”

Thereupon the Blessed One extended his tongue from his mouth, covering this great billionfold world system. Then, manifold lights of many diverse colors issued forth from his tongue, and, having issued forth, they permeated the world systems of the eastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the southern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the western direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the northern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the intermediate northeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the intermediate southeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the intermediate southwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems of the intermediate northwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; permeated the world systems in the direction of the nadir, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity; and permeated the world systems in the direction of the zenith, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great luminosity.

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the eastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the western direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the southern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the northern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the western direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the eastern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the northern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the southern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the intermediate northeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the intermediate southwestern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the intermediate southeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the intermediate northwestern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue faculty from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the intermediate southwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the intermediate northeastern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems of the intermediate northwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the intermediate southeastern direction from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems in the direction of the nadir from here, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the direction of the zenith from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then, when the bodhisattva great beings of those world systems in the direction of the zenith from here, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, saw that diffusion of light, they asked the blessed lord buddhas of their respective buddhafields, “Blessed Lord, whose power is this that causes these world systems to be filled with great light in this manner?”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “O children of good family, in the direction of the nadir from here, there is a world system called Patient Endurance. There, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha named Śākyamuni resides. Extending the tongue from his mouth, he has suffused these world systems, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, with great light in order to reveal the perfection of wisdom to bodhisattva great beings.”

Then those bodhisattva great beings said to those blessed lord buddhas, “Blessed Lord, since that is the case, we too should go to see that blessed lord, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete Buddha Śākyamuni, to pay homage to him and venerate him, and also to see those bodhisattva great beings who have assembled from the ten directions, and to listen to the perfection of wisdom.”

Those blessed lord buddhas replied, “Go then, you children of good family, if you feel it is timely.”

Those bodhisattva great beings then bowed their heads toward the feet of the tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly complete buddhas, and circumambulated them, keeping them to their right, seven times. From the ten directions they brought many parasols, victory banners, and flags of the gods; flowers, garlands, perfumes, unguents, robes, golden flowers, silver flowers, and so on; and approached the place where the blessed one, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete Buddha Śākyamuni, was seated, with much singing and music, drums and cymbals.

Then the gods of the Cāturmahārājika realm, and the gods of the Trayastriṃśa, Yāma, Tuṣita, Nirmāṇarati, Paranirmitavaśavartin, Brahmakāyika, Brahmapurohita, Brahma­pārṣadya, Mahābrahmā, Ābha, Parīttābha, Apramāṇābha, Ābhāsvara, Śubha, Parīttaśubha, Apramāṇaśubha, and Śubhakṛtsna, Vṛha, Parīttavṛha, Apramāṇavṛha and Vṛhatphala realms, as well as the gods of the Śuddhāvāsa Sudṛśa, Sudarśana, Avṛha, Atapa, and Akaniṣṭha realms, also brought many divine flowers, garlands, perfumes, unguents, incense, and powders; divine blue lotuses, lotuses, red lotuses, and white lotuses; and divine mandārava, big mandārava, keśara flowers, and tamāla leaves,²⁷⁰ and approached the place where the blessed one, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete Buddha Śākyamuni, was seated. There those bodhisattva great beings and those gods sprinkled and scattered over the Blessed One, the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete Buddha Śākyamuni those flowers, garlands, perfumes, unguents, incense, powders, robes, parasols, victory banners, and flags of the gods. Those flowers and so on, having ascended into the sky over that great billionfold world system, remained there, a mansion of flowers, square in shape, with four pillars, equidimensional, perfectly proportioned, delightful, and pleasant.

Thereupon, within that assembly, many hundreds of thousands of a hundred million billion living beings rose from their seats, placed the palms of their hands together, bowed toward the place where the Blessed One was seated, and made the following aspirational vow in the presence of the Blessed One: “Blessed Lord, in the future, may we too obtain all aspects of the attributes such as these that the tathāgata, arhat, perfectly complete buddha has obtained. May we too convene a saṅgha of śrāvakas such as this. May we too teach the Dharma in an assembly like this, just as the Tathāgata is demonstrating the Dharma here at the present time.”

Then the Blessed One, aware of the aspirational vow of those children of good families, and aware of their acceptance that phenomena are nonarising, do not cease, do not occasion anything, and do not appear, smiled.

Thereupon, the venerable Ānanda, rising from his seat, with his upper robe over one shoulder, rested his right knee on the ground, and, placing his hands together in the gesture of homage to the Blessed One, bowed toward the Blessed One and asked, “Blessed Lord, since the tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly complete buddhas do not smile without reason and circumstances, what is the reason and what are the circumstances for your smile?”

The Blessed One replied, “Ānanda, a hundred billion trillion living beings in this assembly have attained the acceptance that phenomena are nonarising. In the future, when sixty-eight ten million eons have passed, during the eon called Puṣpākara, they will all become manifest in the world as tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly complete buddhas named abhibodhyaṅga­puṣpa.”

This completes the second chapter, “Śāriputra,” from The Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines.