Abiding in Contentment

Few desires means few concerns. (p. 1084)

Based on "Detachment from the World" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

The Insight of Practical Knowledge of Interdependent Origination

Leaders edify followers without tiring, in harmony with the situation.

All acts are like reflected images. (p. 1041)

Based on "Detachment from the World" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

Enlightenment

Enlightenment reflects all mental patterns
And hence is called true awareness. (p. 1011)

Excerpted from "Manifestation of Buddha" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

Fractal Simile

It is as though there is a great scripture
Equal in extent to a universe
Existing inside one atom,
And in all atoms as well. (p. 1005)

Excerpted from "Manifestation of Buddha" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

On Similes

Out of desire to enlighten all conscious beings
Similes are told where there is no comparison. (p. 983)

Excerpted from "Manifestation of Buddha" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

The Network of Conceptions

All situations are manifestations
Of the network of conceptions;
By the means of the net of illusion
One can understand all of them simultaneously. (p. 969)

Based on "The Practice of Universal Good" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

How Enlightening Beings See the World

In a single atom
They see all worlds;

As in one atom,
So in all atoms;

In every single atom
Are all things of all places and times;

Mind is in the world,
World is in the mind --
About this they do not wrongly create
Discriminations of duality and nonduality. (pp. 959-964)

Excerpted from "The Practice of Universal Good" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary