Wondrous Adornments of the Rulers of the Worlds
The Wondrous Adornments of the Rulers of the Worlds
Translated in the Tang Dynasty by the Tripitaka Master Shramana Shikshananda of Khotan.
At one time, the Buddha was in the country of Magadha. [The Buddha was]…at the Bodhi Field of Aranya-Dharma, upon initially realizing Proper Enlightenment. The Ground was adamantine, firm, and solid, adorned with Sublimely wonderful Precious Wheels, multitudes of Jeweled flowers, and immaculate Mani Gems. An ocean of various colors and forms appeared in boundless manifestations. Banners made of Mani Gems constantly poured forth bright light and wondrous sounds. Jeweled Nets and exquisitely fragrant flowers were garlanded all about. Regal Mani Gems wrought transformations with ease, endlessly raining down Treasures and multitudes of wondrous flowers, which scattered and fell to the earth. Jeweled trees were lined up neatly, their branches and foliage verdant and luxuriant. It was due to the Buddha’s spiritual power (Siddhi) that all such [[adornments manifested within the Bodhimanda.
The Bodhi Tree was tall, extraordinary, and rare. Its roots were made of Vajra, its trunk of Beryl, and its branches and twigs of an assortment of wondrous Jewels. Its Jeweled foliage created a thick arbor, providing shade like a bank of clouds. Multi-colored Jeweled blossoms and their branches sprinkled shadows everywhere. Moreover, fruits made of Mani Gems blazing with dazzling light were interspersed among the blossoms. From all around the Bodhi Tree, bright light poured forth. Within that light fell a rain of Mani Gems and within those Mani Jewels, Bodhisattvas profuse as clouds simultaneously appeared. Moreover, due to the Thus Come One’s (Tathagata) awesome spiritual power (Siddhis), the Bodhi Tree issued constant and wondrous sounds, proclaiming dharmas without end.
In the Palace of the Thus Come One, towers and pavilions that were vast, magnificent, and adorned pervaded the ten directions. Fashioned of Mani Gems, they were multi-hued and enhanced by various intertwining and Jeweled blossoms. From all adornments therein, light poured forth like clouds, forming banners of overlapping reflections in the galleries of the Palace. Innumerable Bodhisattvas and all the assemblies in their Bodhimandas gathered there together, issuing the light of all Buddhas and inconceivable sounds. Regal Mani Gems accentuated lace-like nets. All these states appeared from within the Bodhimanda due to the effortless spiritual power (Siddhi) of the Thus Come One. Images of the dwelling places and abodes of all beings also appeared therein.
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