Mahayana Sutra of Manifest Consciousness, Volume 1

Translated by the Śramaṇa Divākara from Central India, by Imperial Decree

Thus I have heard:

Once, the World-Honored One was dwelling in the Bamboo Grove of Kalandaka in Rajagriha, together with a great assembly of twelve hundred fifty great bhikshus — all being arhats, with all defilements extinguished, no longer troubled by afflictions, having attained mastery, with their minds well liberated and wisdom well liberated, penetrating clearly the past, future, and present without hindrance; great Nagas who, in accord with the Buddha’s teaching, had completed their work, laid down the heavy burden, realized their own benefit, and cut off the cycle of birth and death and the suffering of existence; with right understanding and wisdom, they clearly knew the inclinations of all beings’ minds. Such was the great assembly of hearers, with the elder Shariputra as their foremost leader. Also present were countless bodhisattva-mahasattvas, all gathered together in the same assembly.

At that time, while many of the monks at the World-Honored One's place were fatigued and sleepy, their appearances weary and unable to maintain composure, the World-Honored One's radiant face then shone forth like a lotus flower blooming. The monks all roused to full awareness, each gathering themselves with solemn dignity, and thought: "Now the Buddha, the World-Honored One, with such a bright and luminous countenance, what Dharma eye will He open to bring great benefit?"

At that time, the noble youth Xianhu—with his handsome bearing, gentle radiance, and perfect features—came before the Buddha, surrounded by sixty thousand merchants. His retinue was vast and noisy, their footsteps thundering like an earthquake. Upon seeing the World-Honored One—serene, secure, a treasury of all virtues, majestic and brilliant like a great golden tree—he placed his faith deeply with a reverent heart, pressed his palms together, and reflected: "Everyone praises the Buddha as all-knowing, seeing all. It is true and not false that he is the Tathagata, the Arhat, the Fully Awakened One." He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, gazed intently, and stood there in stillness.

The Buddha saw Bhadrapala and radiated light that enveloped him. At that moment, Bhadrapala felt no fear. He circumambulated the Buddha three times, prostrated himself at the Buddha’s feet, and said: “I beg you, World-Honored One, in your compassion, teach and guide me. I have only now gained pure faith from you, and my heart yearns for the wonderful Dharma and wishes to ask questions. Yet I have long dwelt in birth and death, drowning in the suffering of afflictions, my thoughts chaotic and scattered. I have done nothing genuinely to cultivate discipline or other practices. Though my heart is full of earnest longing, I still do not know how to transcend this web of confusion and doubt and cross beyond birth and death. World-Honored One, you are all-knowing and see everything. A Buddha appears in the world only rarely, as rarely as one meets a wish-fulfilling jewel that brings joy to beings. You are the great wish-fulfilling jewel; all beings rely on you to attain great peace and happiness. You are the great father and mother, the root of goodness for beings; through you, as father and mother, beings see the right path. I beg you, in your compassion, to illuminate my darkness and remove my doubts.”

The Buddha said to Virtuous Guardian, "If you have any doubts, ask whatever questions you wish, and I will explain them to you clearly."

At that time, the elder Ananda saw the youth Xianhu, whose appearance was radiant and endowed with all marks of excellence. He said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, how extraordinary! This youth Xianhu possesses great merit and virtue, his brilliance is abundant, and he outshines even the majestic presence of kings."

The Buddha said to Ananda, "This elder youth Xianhu, as a result of his virtuous deeds, enjoys celestial blessings even while living in the human world. He experiences peace, happiness, and delight, playing and amusing himself freely, much like the god Indra. In all of Jambudvipa, no one equals him, except for the elder youth Yueshi."

Ananda said to the Buddha: "Virtuous Protector has received such rewards and has deeply planted roots of goodness in past lives. Please, I beg you, may you explain this to us."

The Buddha said to Ananda, "Xianhu (Bhadrapāla) now enjoys abundant rewards, vast resources, and the excellent causes from past lives. Listen carefully.

Ananda, this youth Bhadrapāla has sixty thousand merchant patrons with immense wealth and hoards of gold and jewels. They respectfully follow his teachings and serve him devotedly. He has sixty thousand beds and couches, complete with bedding, rugs, silk spreads, pillows, and cushions. These are adorned with multicolored fabrics, shining with splendid beauty. Curtains of fine wool and silk, fire-washed linen, and Chinese cloth are spread all around, inlaid with various treasures, dazzling like a painted tapestry.

He has sixty thousand courtesans dressed in multicolored attire, adorned with gold and jewel ornaments. They are fresh, lovely, and radiant. Their touch is as delicate as heavenly fabric, light or heavy as desired to suit one's feelings. They entertain with dances, smiles, songs, and laughter—graceful, serene, pure, and respectful in serving their master. They harbor no sensual desires for others, bowing their heads in modesty or covering their faces with grace. Their skin is smooth, soft, and supple; limbs, joints, and veins are not visible. Their teeth are white, even, and close-set; their hair is blue-black and curls to the right, as if carved from wax or painted by a master craftsman. Their noble lineage and fame spread far and wide. These women serve him.

There are also sixty thousand women who prepare food. They offer various dishes of rice and cakes, vibrant in color, with aromas and flavors like heavenly delicacies. The drinks have eight virtues, delighting the heart, soothing the body, and satisfying the mind—effortlessly prepared. This blessed food comes as one wishes, cleansing impurities and warding off illness and evil.

The courtyards, pavilions, and towers number sixty thousand, adorned with gems, pearls, and crystal, hung with decorations. Various treasures are inlaid in rows, elegantly arranged. Silk curtains are draped and embellished with bells and chimes, swaying in the wind with harmonious tinkling. The ground gleams like crystal, reflecting images, while scattered flowers bring coolness and joy. Here one can roam, rest, and enjoy with a free heart.

There are also sixty thousand musical instruments: slender drums, harps, flutes, cymbals, and clear songs. Their beautiful tones are resonant and far-reaching, filling the region with harmonious sounds. Joy never ceases, thanks to the blessings of past deeds.

Doves and other birds fly and gather, their varied calls pleasant and soothing to ear and heart. Creepers and flowers wrap around pavilions and towers, blooming with bright splendor. Bells and instruments sound like heavenly palaces. Corridors and halls shine as bright as Mount Sumeru's cave, where divine medicines emit light.

There are sixty thousand cities with high walls and watchtowers, fully equipped. Streets and avenues are laid out, with four-way and three-way intersections. The cities are filled with beauty, crowded with people from all directions. They wear diverse clothes and speak many languages, with myriad customs and appearances. Rare goods are displayed in shops, with hundreds of thousands of merchants. The noise of trade shakes the city. Groves and gardens flourish with big and small trees, creepers, herbs, and flowers bursting into bloom. Clear streams encircle them, shimmering like spread brocade. Elephants, horses, and carriages—hundreds of thousands—come and go, filling the towns and cities."

"Ānanda! In sixty thousand cities, the virtuous elders, wealthy families, and prominent merchants all daily praised the youth Bhadrapāla, spreading his fame and virtue. They reverently joined their palms and bowed in worship. Though King Prasenajit of Kośala enjoyed great fortune and prosperity, his condition seemed like poverty and inferiority compared to Bhadrapāla. The youth Candrapāla was surrounded and served by hundreds of thousands of attendants. He was a source of joy and merriment, the embodiment of all pleasures. Even Śakra, Lord of Devas, could not match a hundred, thousand, or millionth of Candrapāla. And Bhadrapāla—handsome, wealthy, independent, serene, and happy—was also a hundred, thousand, or million times inferior to Candrapāla. All of this was the result of past merits, not anything earned by force."

"Ananda! The youth Xianhu also possessed a precious chariot of wish-fulfilling jewels, adorned with heavenly treasures that shone with brilliant, radiant light. It was crafted from celestial gold, vajra, and luminous jade that absorbed the sun's rays, and was inlaid with various precious gems, as beautiful as watching the stars. It moved as swiftly as the wind, as fast as a garuda in flight. Riding this jeweled chariot, he could travel to jewel-islands and other places instantaneously just by thinking of them, then return without fatigue, having enjoyed himself."

At that time, Ananda bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and said: "By what virtuous roots did the noble youth Bhadrapāla plant, and by what meritorious actions did he cultivate, that he enjoys such vast wealth, experiences such great happiness, possesses such magnificent palaces, and rides such extraordinary jeweled chariots?"

The Buddha told Ananda, "The boy Shoudatta has attained this great and joyful reward because of the virtuous deeds he cultivated in the presence of previous Buddhas. In the distant past, there was a Buddha named Joyful Light, the Tathagata, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Departed, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Guide, the Tamer of Humans, the Teacher of Gods and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One. At that time, Shoudatta became a monk under that Buddha, named Dharma Hairknot. Though his conduct was often flawed, he was skilled in explaining the Sutras, Abhidharma, and Vinaya—the three profound collections of teachings—which he thoroughly understood. He constantly taught living beings, giving Dharma teachings without pause. His voice was beautiful and deep, his explanations were upright, lofty, clear, and discerning. Listeners rejoiced, and by practicing what he taught, countless beings escaped from the lower realms of suffering."

"Ananda! The monk Dhammaketu, through the merit of teaching the Dharma, enjoyed the rewards of being a human or celestial being for ninety eons. He also saw a pure, observant monk who was thin and frail, and constantly gave him food, sandals, and other necessities with sincere and wholehearted generosity. Therefore, he now obtains this great reward of wealth and happiness—a magnificent palace and a wondrous jeweled chariot. Moreover, he encountered the Tathagata Kashyapa, who instructed him, saying: 'In the future, at the time of the Buddha Shakyamuni, you shall receive a prediction of your enlightenment.' Therefore, now meeting me, I am expounding the Dharma to guide him to maturity."

Ananda said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! Though the honorable elder Sudhana possesses such vast wealth, abundant treasures, and great power, he remains humble, gentle, and without arrogance. This is truly remarkable."

The Buddha said to Ananda, "True wisdom does not become proud or arrogant over wealth or sensual pleasures. The virtuous guardian has long cultivated wholesome conduct, nourished by the Dharma's goodness, and constantly enjoys the fruits of merit."

After the Buddha and the Venerable Ananda had both praised him, Bhadra respectfully joined his palms, bowed down and touched his head to the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! Out of your compassion and care for all beings, I wish to ask a question. Please, in your kindness, allow me to do so."

The Buddha said to Xianhu, "I will listen to you first. If you have any doubts, you may ask them now, and I will explain them to you clearly."

Xianhu said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! Although sentient beings know that consciousness exists, it is like a jewel hidden in a chest—neither visible nor known. World-Honored One! We do not know what form this consciousness takes. Why is it called 'consciousness'? When a sentient being dies, their hands and feet twitch uncontrollably, their eye color changes without their permission, their faculties cease to function, and the elements scatter in disorder. Consciousness moves from the body—where does it go? What is its own nature? What color and form does it have? How does it leave this body to take on another? How does it abandon the physical form here, yet pull the senses along to receive future rewards, taking on different kinds of bodies? World-Honored One! Once a sentient being's body ceases and perishes, how do the senses arise again? How is it that the good deeds accumulated in this life are enjoyed in the next life? The merits done by this body—does the next life's body feed on them? How does consciousness nourish the body? How does consciousness enter and transform along with the body?"

The Buddha said, "Excellent, excellent, Worthily Protected! Well done! An excellent question! Listen carefully, listen carefully, and reflect well upon it. I will teach you."