Moon Lamp Samadhi Sutra, Volume 1
Translated by Narendrayaśas, Tripitaka Master from India, during the Northern Qi Dynasty
This is what I heard:
At that time, the Bhagavan was dwelling on Vulture Peak in Rājagṛha, accompanied by a great assembly of one hundred thousand bhikṣus. There were also eighty nayutas of bodhisattvas, all in their last rebirth, with the bodhisattva mahāsattva Ajita as their leader. Surrounding the Tathāgata were the Four Heavenly Kings, Śakra, the lord of the Sahā world Mahābrahmā, and other devas of great merit and power; the asura kings of mighty authority; nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, humans, non-humans, and others—all gathered in reverence, gazing upon the Thus Come One.
At that time, among the assembly, there was a bodhisattva named Moonlight Youth. Having made offerings to countless buddhas in the past, he had planted many roots of goodness, could remember his past lives, and was devoted to the Great Vehicle—dwelling in it and embodying great compassion. Rising from his seat, he bared his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, I now wish to ask you a question. I pray you will allow it, so that my doubts may be dispelled.”
The Buddha said: "Young one, as you wish, ask whatever questions you desire, and I shall answer them for you, bringing you joy. I possess all-knowing wisdom and all-seeing insight; I am powerful and fearless regarding all things, and I have attained mastery, in harmony with the unobstructed knowledge and insight of liberation. Young one, the Tathagata knows all, sees all, realizes all, and discerns all; he perceives immeasurable, boundless worlds. Young one, the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, are fully capable of answering any and all questions, bringing satisfaction to the heart."
At that time, the youth asked in verse:
"What practice did all Buddhas undertake, to become a light and refuge for the world? How did they attain inconceivable wisdom? I beseech you, Protector, to explain this to me.
What practice leads to supreme teaching, to being revered by gods and humans like the bull-king among cattle, to gaining immeasurable, highest wisdom? I pray you will clearly distinguish this for me.
I ask with deep faith, with a genuine heart free from deceit; no one else can truly know me—only you, Honored One, perceive me fully.
I possess a vast and excellent joyful mind; Lion of the Śākya clan, you know my nature. My heart is not moved by mere words; I only ask you to teach me the path of support.
What method brings all Buddhas forth, and allows boundless wisdom to grow, so one may reach the far shore in all things? I pray you will clearly proclaim it.
Please teach the practice that nurtures my path, so I may cultivate sharp and clear wisdom, deeply uphold precepts without breaking them, and be free from all fears.
How can one not abandon the precepts? How can wisdom not diminish? How can one dwell peacefully in solitude? How can one increase in wisdom?
How can one enter the sublime Dharma, joyfully guarding precepts without regret? How can one keep the precepts without flaw? How can one understand the nature of conditioned existence?
How can one purify the three actions, and with an undefiled mind proceed toward Buddhahood? How can one purify bodily action? How can one remove the faults of speech and mind? How can one be free from a confused and tainted mind? I pray, World-Honored One, answer each question as I ask."
At that time, the Buddha said to Moonlight Youth, "If a great bodhisattva aligns with one principle, they will swiftly attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, and all such merits will be fully realized. What is this one principle? It is when a great bodhisattva holds a mind of equality toward all beings, a mind of protection, a mind free from obstruction, and a mind free from harm. Aligning with this one principle swiftly leads to unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment and brings about these virtuous benefits."
At that time, the World-Honored One spoke these verses:
If one upholds this single principle, It guides the bodhisattva's true practice. Through the merit of this one principle, Swiftly they attain the supreme path.
In all places, the mind is unobstructed, A courageous bodhisattva's way. Never giving rise to hatred or craving, Thus they gain wondrous merit.
If one cultivates such equanimity, They realize the fruit of equality. When practice and Dharma are both equal, They gain the mark of level feet.
Cultivating equality, free from anger, They remove all veils of affliction. Through this cause, their feet become level, Thus they gain lotus-colored soles.
They alone shine brightly in the ten directions, Their virtuous light pervades Buddha-lands. Having reached the ground of tranquility, They tame countless sentient beings.
"Child! The Bodhisattva Mahasattva, toward all sentient beings, gives rise to a mind of equality, a mind of protection and rescue, a mind free from obstruction, and a mind free from malice. They become the eyes of the world, and attain a Samadhi called 'The Samadhi of the Equal, Non-Discursive Nature of All Dharmas.' From that Samadhi, ten Dharmas are accomplished. What are these ten? First, discipline of body. Second, discipline of speech. Third, discipline of mind. Fourth, purity of action. Fifth, transcending all causes and conditions. Sixth, understanding the aggregates. Seventh, attaining equality of the elements. Eighth, removing the characteristics of the sense-fields. Ninth, severing all craving. Tenth, realizing the unborn nature."
"Furthermore, there are ten qualities: 1. Entering into the nature of all phenomena; 2. Revealing all causes; 3. Not destroying effects; 4. Directly seeing all phenomena; 5. Cultivating and gathering the path; 6. Being born together with the Buddha; 7. Having sharp wisdom; 8. Understanding the desires of all beings; 9. Attaining the wisdom of the Dharma; 10. Entering the unhindered eloquence of wisdom.
There are ten further practices: 1. The wisdom to abide stably at each stage 2. Maintain correct mindfulness without forgetting 3. Skillful understanding of the aggregates 4. Skillful understanding of the elements 5. Skillful understanding of the sense bases 6. Attainment of various spiritual powers 7. Eliminating all afflictions 8. Eradicating habitual tendencies 9. A constantly courageous mind 10. Abiding in contemplation of impurity
There are also ten qualities: 1. Knowing the conditions that lead to wrongdoing. 2. Putting an end to the currents of existence. 3. Severing all fetters and defilements. 4. Having crossed beyond worldly existence. 5. Skillfully recalling past lives. 6. Having no doubt about the law of cause and effect. 7. Contemplating the Dharma. 8. Seeking extensive learning. 9. Gaining sharp wisdom. 10. Attaining the stage of self-mastery.
"Furthermore, there are ten principles: 1. Not relying on moral discipline alone. 2. Not indulging in deluded thoughts or distinctions. 3. Not being restless or impetuous. 4. Dwelling in the state of non-retrogression. 5. Generating wholesome qualities. 6. Turning away from negative qualities. 7. Not engaging with afflictions. 8. Never abandoning learning. 9. Distinguishing the various states of meditation. 10. Attaining the wisdom to understand the desires and inclinations of all beings."
Furthermore, there are ten qualities:
1. The ability to clearly discern where one is reborn. 2. The attainment of complete understanding and the end of all defilements. 3. Skill in understanding the wisdom of language. 4. Letting go of worldly attachments. 5. Developing disenchantment with the three realms of existence. 6. Not indulging in lesser aspirations. 7. Not clinging to any phenomena. 8. Embracing and upholding the true teachings. 9. Protecting and preserving the true teachings. 10. Understanding the skillful means of spiritual discipline.
"There are also ten principles: 1. Bringing all disputes to an end. 2. Being free from discord. 3. Not engaging in arguments or quarrels. 4. Practicing equal patience. 5. Attaining the stage of patience. 6. Disciplining oneself in patience. 7. Skillfully discerning all teachings. 8. Delighting in fully upholding the precepts. 9. Skillfully employing means in questioning and answering. 10. Wisdom in clearly analyzing phrases and meanings.
Furthermore, there are ten methods: 1. The wisdom that arises skillfully from the Dharma. 2. The wisdom that clearly discerns what is meaningful and what is not. 3. The wisdom of the past. 4. The wisdom of the future. 5. The wisdom of the present. 6. The wisdom of seeing the equality of past, present, and future. 7. The wisdom that skillfully understands the three spheres of action. 8. The stability of the mind. 9. The stability of the body. 10. The careful maintenance of dignified conduct.
"There are further ten qualities: 1. Maintaining proper conduct without deterioration 2. Discerning correct conduct 3. Conduct that is dignified and graceful 4. Skillfully explaining the meaning of teachings 5. Possessing worldly wisdom 6. Practicing generosity without stinginess 7. Always extending an open hand to give 8. Giving continuously without interruption 9. Having nothing that cannot be given away 10. Possessing a sense of shame and conscience."