The second abode, called the abode of preparing the ground, requires certain attitudes towards others: altruism and compassion, desire to give happiness and security, pity and concern, the desire to protect, identification, and the willingness to learn from everyone. (p. 1549)
Excerpted from "Commentary on Book 39 by Li Tongxuan: Translator's Introduction" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
by Thomas ClearyThe first abode, called the abode of inspiration or initial determination, is a preliminary stage in which the aspirant sets his or her mind on the comprehensive knowledge that characterizes fully awakened buddhas. (p. 1549)
Excerpted from "Commentary on Book 39 by Li Tongxuan: Translator's Introduction" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyExcerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
- Sufficiency of knowledge
- Diligently seeking good associates
- Intense vigor
- Removing obstructing delusions
- Purity of correct practice
- Respecting correct teaching
- Observation of the inherent emptiness of phenomena
- Destroying false views
- Practicing the right path
- Acquisition of true knowledge (p. 1536)
by Thomas Cleary[I]n Huayan [sic] philosophy [...], a person or thing may be seen as multiple when considered in terms of relationships, being in a sense a different person or thing in terms of each different relationship. (p. 1531)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyThe principle of all things reflecting or "containing" one another is also symbolized by the so-called "Net of Indra," which is an imaginary net of jewels that reflect each other with the reflections of each jewel containing reflections of all the jewels, ad infinitum. (p. 1530)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary[T]he interdependence of phenomena means that ultimately one depends on all and all depend on one, whether immediately or remotely; therefore, the existence of all is considered an intrinsic part of the existence of one, and vice versa. (p. 1530)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyThe realm of phenomena refers to all things and events. The realm of noumenon refers to the essence of things in themselves. [...] The realm of mutual noninterference of noumenon and phenomena means that since phenomena are products of causes and are interdependent and have no absolute individual existence, therefore they are all empty or void of intrinsic nature. (p. 1530)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyIn Huayan [sic] Buddhism, the school whose philosophy is based on The Flower Ornament Scripture, the cosmos, or realm of reality, is a central idea, one which may be used to clarify certain features of the scripture. The cosmos, as the term is used here, includes the entirety of conventional (mundane) and absolute (transcendental) reality. The term from which the notion of cosmos or reality realm derives (Sanskrit: dharmadhatu) can be used to refer to phenomena, individually or collectively, to universes as defined by certain laws or states, to realms of existence and principles defined by the teachings of Buddhism, and also to the realm of nirvana. The Chinese philosophers of the Huayan school distinguished four general reality-realms in which everything, the cosmos, is included: the realm of phenomena, the realm of noumenon, the realm of noninterference or integration of noumenon and phenomena, and the realm of mutual noninterference among phenomena. (pp. 1529-1530)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyMention of the doctrine of "only mind" may be called for to clarify statements in the scripture to the effect that all things are creations of mind. This does not mean creation in the sense of creating something out of nothing. This doctrine means that practically speaking the world only "exists" as such because of our awareness, and that what we take to be the world in itself is our experience and inference based thereon. The conceptual order which is taken to be characteristic of objective reality is, according to this doctrine, a projection of the mind, a description that filters and shapes experience in accord with mental habits developed throughout the history of the species, the civilization, and the individual. Techniques of visualization, meditation, concentration, and trance are used in part to detach the mind from fixation on a given conceptual and perceptual order through cultivation of other ways of perceiving and conceiving, and through experience of other spheres, which are equally real to the senses. By mastering attention and realizing the relativity of world and mind through actual experience as well as reasoning, one may then gain freedom while in the midst of the world, having [...] mastered mind rather than being mastered by it. (p. 1529)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyKnowledge of past and future may be usefully understood as profound understanding of causes and effects, insight into psychological, social, and other developmental processes over a span of time; this type of knowledge is said to include, however, capacities of recollection and reception that generally remain undeveloped to ordinary people. [I]ntuitive knowledge and direct perception can be awakened and can do what discursive knowledge cannot do[.] (pp. 1527-1528)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary
- Charity or giving
- Kind speech
- Beneficial action
- Cooperation
The hallmark of the enlightening being is to be in the world yet at the same time beyond the world. These are means by which the enlightening beings integrate with society in order to carry out their work. (p. 1526)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary
Treasury of Virtue
- Giving or generosity
- Morality, self-control, or discipline
- Forbearance, patience, or tolerance
- Energy or effort
- Meditation or concentration
Treasury of Knowledge
- Wisdom or transcendental knowledge
Sphere of More Advanced Enlightenment
- Means, which includes skill in application and liberation of other people
- Vows, involving the determination to seek enlightenment and help others realize their own enlightenment
- Power, that is, powers of mental cultivation and ascertainment
- Knowledge, including metaphysical knowledge and practical knowledge of the sciences of developing and maturing people
The ways of transcendence may be presented as a progression, but they can only be completed and perfected in conjunction with each other; this is an important aspect of the Flower Garland doctrine of interdependence. (pp. 1525-1526)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Clearyvehicle -- a method of liberation, a course of understanding and application by which emancipation from mundane bondage may be realized. (p. 1524)Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
by Thomas Clearyinterrelatedness -- the ultimate unity of being. (p. 1523)Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
by Thomas ClearyEvery phase of psychological or social development, every shift in interest, attention, or mood, every physiological change, even every passing thought are all examples of "birth-and-death." Emancipation from birth and death, a prime objective of enlightening endeavor, refers to not being submerged in or dominated by such changes; a traditional metaphor for this is that of the mirror, which is not itself affected by the flux of images it reflects. (p. 1522)
Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyIn sum, the virtues of the determination for enlightenment are equal to all the qualities and virtues of leadership. (p. 1478)
Based on "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyWith inconceivably many bodies of endless formsExcerpted from "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
In all states of existence,
They teach according to mentality,
Their forms reflections of all beings. (p. 1383)
by Thomas Cleary[Teach] with wisdom consisting of learning, wisdom consisting of thinking, and wisdom consisting of practice. (p. 1341)
Excerpted from "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyAll things are to be completely known by the nature of things as being of one characteristic at all times, while yet manifest in an endless variety as all things. (p. 1333)
Excerpted from "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyFrom every pore you radiate nets of light,Excerpted from "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra
As many as minds of beings;
On a beautiful lotus in each ray of light
Stands an emanation of you, extinguishing pain in the world. (p. 1314)
by Thomas ClearyThere were endless streams of jewel blossoms raining from clouds of various jewel flowers in a magnificent array surpassing the pleasure garden of Indra, chief of gods. There were well-spaced towers with various incomparably fragrant incenses always burning, more magnificent than Indra's hall of justice, covered above with nets of various jewels surpassing those of the heavens, hung with garlands of pearl flowers spread all over with nets of shining gold arrayed with jewel bells. Trees of various musical instruments, jewel palm trees with nets of bells, played sweet music as they were stirred by the breeze, and the singing of goddesses was also heard. The park was splendidly adorned by rain from clouds of radiant celestial cloths, of infinite colors like the ocean, lovely to see. [...] It was adorned with arrays of all kinds of jewels, everywhere graced with arrays of beautifully formed parasols, always radiating pleasing light [...] shining with world-illuminating light. It was as vast as a space that holds innumerable worlds. (p. 1266)
Excerpted from "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyThe king said, "I purify and fulfill the enlightening beings' practice, which is characterized by great benevolence. [...] Based on this enlightening practice of great benevolence, I command kingship justly, I treat the world justly, I pass through the world justly, I lead the people justly, I being justice to people and turn them to the sphere of right, I give them right guidance, I saturate them with justice, I direct them to attainment of what is right, I get them to contemplate the nature of things. [...] I inspire them to omniscience. [...] Thus do I govern righteously based on this enlightening practice of great benevolence.
"Furthermore, no one goes away from me intimidated, threatened, or frightened." (pp. 1248-1249)
Excerpted from "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyWith mastery of proper timing, proceeding according to the time, by modification of adapted forms and appearances, modifications of tone, language, deportment, situation, carrying out the practices of enlightening beings, which are like the cosmic network of all worlds, illumine the spheres of all practical arts, are lamps shedding light on the knowledge of all beings, are arrays of mystical displays of all realities, radiate the light of all truths, purify the establishment of vehicles of liberation of all places, and light up the spheres of all truths, they were seen to have come to all villages, towns, cities, districts, and nations for the purpose of leading others to perfection. (p. 1169)
Based on "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas ClearyUnderstanding the Net of Gems as continuity of the ground of all situations, an unalloyed, incorruptible matrix of compassion; knowing that the visions of all leaders are like reflections and aware that all utterances are like echoes; and being themselves clouds of teaching with inexhaustible power of eloquence, in each successive mental moment, leaders emanate vast clouds of webs of light. (pp. 1164-1166)
Based on "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary[T]hey had attained the knowledge that all realms of beings are like illusions; they had realized that all leaders are like reflections; they knew that all existence, states of being, and births are like dreams; they had pure knowledge that all developments of actions are like images in a mirror. (p. 1145)
Based on "Entry into the Realm of Reality" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary