Purification of the Buddha-Field

Purification of the Buddha-Field

In profound homage to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Aryasravakas, and Pratyekabuddhas spanning past, present, and future epochs.

It is recounted:

Once, within the thriving city of Vaisali, amid the enchanting garden of Amrapali, the Lord Buddha graced a vast assembly. Eight thousand Bhikkhus, embodiments of saintliness, stood reverently. Purged of impurities and afflictions, they had attained self-mastery, their minds liberated through perfect knowledge. Majestic as royal elephants, they had fulfilled their tasks, shed burdens, attained goals, and shattered the shackles of existence. Their serene and dignified selves adorned with mastery over every form of mind control.

Accompanying them were thirty-two thousand Bodhisattvas, revered spiritual heroes, echoing universal acclaim. Guided by profound super-knowledge and bathed in the Buddha’s grace, they stood as guardians of the city of Dharma. Their teachings, resonating like a lion’s mighty roar, reverberated in all directions.

As spiritual benefactors to all beings without solicitation, they upheld the Three Jewels, triumphing over adversaries and critics alike.

Their wisdom, intelligence, realization, meditation, incantation, and eloquence were perfected. Intuitively tolerant of the ultimate incomprehensibility of all things, they turned the unerring wheel of Dharma. Imprinted with the insignia of signlessness, they were experts in understanding the spiritual faculties of all beings. Fearlessly, they spoke like lions, thundering the magnificent teaching.

Their fame soared, matching Mount Sumeru’s summit. Unwavering resolve, akin to diamond hardness, demonstrated unshakeable faith in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. They showered ambrosia, released by the jewel of Dharma’s light, benefiting all who saw, heard, or approached them. Even if praised for countless eons, their flood of virtues remained inexhaustible.

These Bodhisattvas bore names like Samadarsana, Asamadarsana, Samadhivikurvitaraja, Harmesvara, Dharmaketu, Prabhaketu, Prabhavyuha, Ratnavyuha, Mahavyuha, Pratibhanakuta, Ratnakuta, and others, totaling thirty-two thousand.

Moreover, ten thousand Brahmas, led by Brahma Sikhin, journeyed from the Ashoka universe to venerate and serve the Buddha, accompanied by twelve thousand Sakras from various four-sector universes. Numerous other powerful deities, guardians, devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, and the fourfold community of Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, laymen, and laywomen gathered around.

Amidst this multitude, the Lord Buddha, surrounded and revered, occupied a majestic lion-throne, prepared to impart his teachings. Like Mount Sumeru dominating the oceans, the Buddha radiated brilliance upon his throne.

Then, the Licchavi Bodhisattva Ratnakara, accompanied by five hundred Licchavi youths bearing precious parasols, approached from Vaisali. Each paid homage, circumambulated seven times, laid down their parasols as offerings, and withdrew to the side.

Miraculously, the parasols transformed into a vast canopy covering the entire billion-world galaxy. The assembly beheld the reflection of the galaxy’s content within, witnessing the splendors of suns, moons, deities, mountains, oceans, and more. The voices of Buddhas from ten directions resounded under this great canopy.

In awe, the assembly bowed to the Tathágata, gazing with rapt attention. Ratnakara, kneeling, praised the Buddha with verses:

“Pure are your eyes, like petals of a blue lotus, Thoughts discover supreme transcendence’s lotus. Ocean of virtues immeasurable, the accumulation, Affirming the path of peace, obeisance to you!”

And so on, Ratnakara extolled the Buddha’s virtues.

Encouraged by Ratnakara, the Buddha expounded on the bodhisattvas’ purification of the Buddha-field. The Buddha-field, he elucidated, is a reflection of the Bodhisattva’s mind—pure and virtuous. The Buddha then illustrated this concept through miraculous transformations, leading to the enlightenment of many beings.

However, Shariputra questioned the apparent impurity of the Buddha-field, prompting the Buddha to clarify that such perceptions stem from the impurity of the observer’s mind. Brahma Sikhin supported this, emphasizing the importance of impartiality and pure positive thoughts.

In a profound display of the Buddha-field’s purity, eighty-four thousand beings embraced the spirit of unexcelled perfect enlightenment. The narrative concluded with the restoration of the Buddha-field’s usual appearance, leaving the assembly enlightened and transformed.

Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/11/16/purification-of-the-buddha-field/