Chapter on Easy Practice

Composed by Nāgārjuna, the Sage and
Translated by the Later Ch’in Dynasty
*Tripiṭaka Master *Kumārajīva of Kucha

1 ^Question: The prerequisites for a *bodhisattva’s entry into the *stage of nonretrogression have been explained in the *preceding chapter. ^In order to attain the stage of nonretrogression, however, one is required to perform many *difficult practices over a long period of time. ^Even then the bodhisattva may fall into the state of *sravaka or that of *pratyekabuddha. If so, it would be a great loss, ^as I explain in *Aid to Enlightenment:

^Even if one were to fall into hell, one would eventually be able to attain Buddhahood.

But if a bodhisattva falls into the state of these two vehicles, his path to Buddhahood will ultimately be blocked.

With regard to the state of sravaka or pratyekabuddha, the bodhisattva should have great fear.”

^Therefore, if there is a path of *easy practice in the teachings of the Buddhas through which one can quickly attain the stage of nonretrogression, please explain it to us.

2 ^Answer: Those are the words of a weak and inferior person who lacks great aspiration, and not those of a man with a strong and indomitable will. ^The reason is that if you make an aspiration for supreme perfect enlightenment and yet cannot reach the stage of nonretrogression, you should stake your life unstintingly on the Way, and exert yourself urgently day and night as if your head were on fire, ^as I state in Aid to Enlightenment.

^And strive diligently on the Way as if bearing a heavy burden on his shoulders.

In seeking enlightenment, the bodhisattva should always strive diligently on the Way,
And never give rise to an indolent mind.

Though acting only for one’s own benefit, should always strive diligently on the Way.

^How much more so in the case of a bodhisattva who seeks to carry himself and others to the shore of enlightenment!

One should, thus, strive a hundred thousand million times more diligently than a practicer of the two vehicles.

^For the *Mahayana practicers, the Buddha said as follows, “To make an aspiration for the enlightenment of Buddha is harder than lifting the *triple-thousand great thousand worlds”. ^The stage of nonretrogression is extremely difficult to attain and it would take a long time to achieve. ^If you insist on knowing about a path of easy practice to quickly attain the stage of nonretrogression, your request is that of a weak and inferior person, and not that of a great man with a strong will. ^However, if you insist on asking about such a means, I will present it to you.

3 ^In the Buddha’s teaching there are countless gates. ^Just as journeying overland is full of hardship, while sailing on board a boat is pleasant, there are difficult and easy among the paths of this world. ^So it is with the paths of bodhisattvas. Some engage in rigorous practice and endeavor, while others quickly reach the stage of nonretrogression through the easy practice of entrusting as the means for attaining it.

^The Buddha of Auspicious Virtue of the east,
the Buddha of Sandalwood Virtue of the south,

The Buddha of Infinite Brightness of the west,
the Buddha of Ensign Virtue of the north,

^The Buddha of Sorrowless Virtue of the southeast,
the Buddha of Jewel Giver of the southwest,

The Buddha of Flower Virtue of the northwest,
the Buddha of Practice of the *Three Vehicles of the northeast,

^The Buddha of Bright Virtue of the nadir, and
the Buddha of Extensive Virtues of the zenith:

One should, with a *heart of reverence,
Call their names, *holding steadfast to them.

5 ^If bodhisattvas wish to attain the stage of nonretrogression while in their present existence and realize the supreme, perfect enlightenment, they should think on the Buddhas in the ten quarters and call their names. ^It is as expounded in the ‘Chapter on Nonretrogression’ of the *Sutra on the Questions of the Lad Ratnacandra:

^“The Buddha said to Ratnacandra, ‘In the eastern quarter, after passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, ^there is a world called Sorrowless. ^Its ground is flat and made of the *seven kinds of jewels. It is partitioned with purple-gold cords, and adorned with rows of jeweled trees. ^There is no hell nor are there realms of animals, hungry ghosts, or asuras, nor are there any other places of affliction. ^The world is pure and undefiled, having no sand, pebbles, or rubble; nor are there mountains, hills, deep caves, or gorges. Flowers rain constantly from the sky, spreading all over the ground.

^“At the present time there lives a Buddha called Auspicious Virtue, the *Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, One Possessed of Perfect Knowledge and Practice, Well-gone, One Having Good Knowledge of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of People, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, and World-honored One. ^A host of great bodhisattvas surround and worship him. ^His physical features are glorious like a *great blazing mountain of gold, or like a great mass of precious treasures. ^For all the assembly he is extensively expounding the right Dharma.

^“Since he is well-versed, his words are meaningful from beginning to end, and not intermingled with any teachings other than the Mahayana. His expositions are complete, pure, and real, lacking nothing. What is meant by “lacking nothing”? His expositions are not lacking such notions as the four elements of *earth, water, fire, and wind, or the *three worlds of desire, form, and formlessness, or the *five aggregates of form, perception, conception, volition, and consciousness.

^“O Ratnacandra, sixty *kotis of *kalpas have passed since this Buddha attained enlightenment. In view of the fact that there is no distinction of day and night in his Buddha-land, because of this, his life is here being measured only in terms of the days, months, and years as calculated in this world of *Jambudvīpa. ^The light of this Buddha always illumines the whole world. ^Through a single preaching, he enables immeasurable, unlimited, and uncountable kotis of people to attain *insight into the nonorigination of all existence. In addition, he leads twice as many people to attain the *first, second, and third dharma-insights.

^“O Ratnacandra, through the power of the *original vow of the Buddha, sentient beings in other worlds who accumulated various roots of good under the past Buddhas will attain insight into the nonorigination of all existence when they are touched by the light of this Buddha.

^“O Ratnacandra, if good people, whether men or women, hear the name of this Buddha, and believe and accept it, they will not retrogress from their attainment of the highest, perfect enlightenment’.”*

^The above statement also applies to the nine other Buddhas. ^Now I will explain the names of those Buddhas and their lands. ^The name ‘Auspicious Virtue’ represents the genuine virtue of this Buddha and the sole existence of peace and happiness in his land. These are unlike the good and virtue of devas or dragon-gods that at times bewilder and confuse sentient beings.

^There is in the south, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Joy. The Buddha is called Sandalwood Virtue and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. The name of this Buddha is refreshing like the perfume of sandalwood for it reaches far afield, spreading its fragrance everywhere. It removes the burning fever of the *three poisons of sentient beings, enabling them to obtain the cool of serenity.

^There is in the west, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Goodness. The Buddha is called Infinite Brightness and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. The light from this Buddha’s body and his wisdom emanate far into the infinite distance.

^There is in the north, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Immovable. The Buddha is called Ensign Virtue and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. The merit and virtue of this Buddha are lofty and outstanding like a banner.

^There is in the southeast, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Moonlight. The Buddha is called Sorrowless Virtue and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. The divine virtue of this Buddha eradicates the sorrow and grief of all humans and devas.

^There is in the southwest, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable an uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Assembled Phases. The Buddha is called Jewel Giver and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. This Buddha constantly endows all sentient beings with the undefiled treasures of the *five faculties, the *five powers, the *seven factors for awakening, and the *eightfold path.

^There is in the northwest, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Assembled Tones. The Buddha is called Flower Virtue and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. His physical appearance is like a wonderful flower, and his virtue is unlimited.

^There is in the northeast, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable an uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Peace and Tranquility. The Buddha is called Practice of the Three Vehicles and is expounding the Dharma at this moment, and is always setting forth the practices for sravakas, pratyekabuddas, and bodhisattvas. Someone said that the Buddha is called Practice of the Three Vehicles because he encourages the *upper, middle, and lower grades of practicers to diligently pursue the Way.

^There is in the nadir, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Vastness. The Buddha is called Bright Virtue and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. “Bright” refers to the Buddha’s physical brilliance, his brilliant wisdom, and the radiant light of the jeweled trees of his land. These three kinds of brilliance constantly illuminate this world.

^There is in the zenith, passing through Buddha-lands as innumerable and uncountable as the sands of the Ganges, a Buddha-world named Assembled Moons. The Buddha is called Extensive Virtues and is expounding the Dharma at this moment. He is called “Extensive Virtues” because of the unlimited merit and virtue of his disciples.

^These are the Buddhas of the ten quarters, starting from Auspicious Virtue and ending with Extensive Virtues. If one calls the names of these Buddhas *sigle-heartedly, one will not retrogress from attaining the highest, perfect enlightenment.

Then they will acquire innumerable merits as the Buddha explained to Ratnacandra.

^There is in the east a world named Free of Sorrow, and the Buddha there is called Auspicious Virtue,

Whose physical features are glorious like the *Gold Mountain, and whose name can be heard boundlessly.

^If there are any who hear his name, they will then attain the stage of nonretrogression.

So I worship him by placing my hands together with a wish that all my sorrows and afflictions be eradicated.

^There is in the south a world named Joy, and the Buddha there is called Sandalwood Virtue,

Whose countenance is serene like the full moon, and whose radiance is immeasurable.

^He eliminates the fever and agony of sentient beings caused by the three poisons.

Those who hear his name will attain the stage of nonretrogression, and so I bow my head and worship him.

^There is in the west a world named Good, and the Buddha there is called Immeasurable Brightness,

Whose bodily radiance and wisdom are luminous, shining everywhere without limit.

Thus I bow my head and worship him with a wish that the cycle of birth-and-death be severed forever.

^There is in the north a world named Immovable, and the Buddha there is called Ensign Virtue,

Whose body is possessed of various excellent marks which serve as his adornments.

^He crushes the treacherous hordes of *maras, thus benefiting all humans and devas.

Those who hear his name will attain the stage of nonretrogression, and so I bow my head and worship him.

^There is in the southeast a world named Moonlight, and the Buddha there is called Free of Sorrow.

His light is likened to that of the sun or the moon, and when one encounters it, one’s evil passions are extinguished.

^He always expounds the Dharma to people, removing both their physical and mental sufferings.

All the Buddhas in the ten quarters praise him, and so I bow my head and worship him.

^There is in the southwest a world named Assembled Phases, and the Buddha there is called Jewel Giver.

^In reverence, all devas bow their heads to him, their jeweled crowns touching his feet.

^There is in the northwest a world named Assembled Tones, and the Buddha there is called Flower Virtue.

In his world there are various kinds of jeweled threes which produce exquisite sounds of the Dharma.

^He always adorns sentient beings with the flowers of the seven factors for awakening.

The *white tuft of hair on his brow is like the moon, and so I bow my head and worship him.

^There is in the northeast a world named Peace and Tranquility that is made up of all kinds of treasures.

The Buddha there is called Practice of the Three Vehicles, whose body is decorated with innumerable adornments.

^The light of his wisdom is boundless, completely dispelling the darkness of ignorance.

The sentient beings there have no sorrows or afflictions, and so I bow my head and worship him.

^There is in the zenith a world named Moons, adorned with many kinds of treasures.

^There is in the nadir a Buddha-world named Vastness, and the Buddha there is called Bright Virtue.

His physical appearance is wondrous and surpasses a *mountain of Jambūnada gold.

^With the sunlight of his wisdom, he constantly causes flowers of the roots of good bloom.

His jeweled land is extremely vast, and so I bow my head and worship him from afar.

^“May my life be immeasurable, my light shine limitlessly, and my land be exceedingly pure.

^These Buddhas, now present in the ten quarters, are possessed of the *ten powers,

And so I bow my head and worship these most honored ones among humans and devas.

7 ^Question: I understand that if we hear only the names of these ten Buddhas and *hold steadfast to them in mind, we will not retrogress from attaining the highest, perfect enlightenment. Are there any other Buddhas or bodhisattvas whose names enable us to attain the stage of nonretrogression?

8 ^Answer: If you say the names of the Buddhas such as Amida, as well as those of the great bodhisattvas, while holding them single-heartedly in mind, you will also attain the stage of nonretrogression. There are various Buddhas, including Amida, whom you should reverently worship and whose names you should say.

9 ^I will now state each of their names: ¹the Buddha *Immeasurable Life, ^²the Buddha *World Sovereign King, ³the Buddha Lion Will, ⁴the Buddha Dharma Will, ⁵the Buddha Brahma Insignia, ⁶the Buddha World Insignia, ⁷the Buddha World Wonder, ⁸the Buddha Compassion, ⁹the Buddha World King, ¹⁰the Buddha King of Humans, ^¹¹the Buddha Moon Virtue, ¹²the Buddha Jewel Virtue, ¹³the Buddha Insignia Virtue, ¹⁴the Buddha Great Insignia, ¹⁵the Buddha Pearl Canopy, ¹⁶the Buddha Lion’s Mane, ¹⁷the Buddha Dispeller of Ignorance, ¹⁸the Buddha Wisdom Flower, ¹⁹the Buddha Tamālapattra Sandalwood Fragrance, ²⁰the Buddha Possessor of Great Virtue, ^²¹the Buddha Rain of Seven Jewels, ²²the Buddha Transcendent Hero, ²³the Buddha Free of Anger and Enmity, ²⁴the Buddha Great Adornment, ²⁵the Buddha Formlessness, ²⁶the Buddha Jewel Storehouse, ²⁷the Buddha Virtue Peak, ²⁸the Buddha Tagara Fragrance, ²⁹the Buddha Sandalwood Fragrance, ³⁰the Buddha Lotus Flower Fragrance, ^³¹the Buddha Adorned Way, ³²the Buddha Dragon Canopy, ³³the Buddha Flower Rain, ³⁴the Buddha Scattered Flowers, ³⁵the Buddha Flower Light, ³⁶the Buddha Sound of the Sun, ³⁷the Buddha Outshining the Sun and Moon, ³⁸the Buddha Lapis Lazuli Storehouse, ³⁹the Buddha Brahmā Sound, ⁴⁰the Buddha Pure Brilliance, ^⁴¹the Buddha Gold Storehouse, ⁴²the Buddha Sumeru Peak, ⁴³the Buddha Mountain King, ⁴⁴the Buddha Master of Sound, ⁴⁵the Buddha Pure Eye, ⁴⁶the Buddha moon Brilliance, ⁴⁷the Buddha Resembling Mount Sumeru, ⁴⁸the Buddha Sun and Moon, ⁴⁹the Buddha Having Great Assembly, ⁵⁰the Buddha Flower Born, ^⁵¹the Buddha Expounding with the Voice of Brahmā, ⁵²the Buddha World Lord, ⁵³the Buddha Lion Practice, ⁵⁴the Buddha Lion Roar of the Wondrous Dharma Heart, ⁵⁵the Buddha Coral-Colored Pearl Canopy, ⁵⁶the Buddha Dispeller of the Darkness of Ignorance, ⁵⁷the Buddha Moon on the Water, ⁵⁸the Buddha Wreath of Flower, ⁵⁹the Buddha Awakening of Wisdom, ⁶⁰the Buddha Possessing Various Treasures, ^⁶¹the Buddha Bodhi, ⁶²the Buddha Flower Transcendence, ⁶³the Buddha Brilliance of True Lapis Lazuli, ⁶⁴the Buddha Brilliance Obscuring the Sun, ⁶⁵the Buddha Possessor of Great Virtue, ⁶⁶the Buddha Having True Wisdom, ⁶⁷the Buddha Heroic Valor, ⁶⁸the Buddha Free of Deceit, ⁶⁹the Buddha Removing Evil Roots, ⁷⁰the Buddha Great Fragrance, ^⁷¹the Buddha Reflection of Enlightenment, ⁷²the Buddha Light on the Water, ⁷³the Buddha Wisdom Sporting in the Ocean and Clouds, ⁷⁴the Buddha Virtue Peak Flower, ⁷⁵the Buddha Flower Adornment, ⁷⁶the Buddha Sound of the Sun, ⁷⁷the Buddha Moon Victor, ⁷⁸the Buddha Lapis Lazuli, ⁷⁹the Buddha Brahmā Voice, ⁸⁰the Buddha Radiant Light, ^⁸¹the Buddha Gold Storehouse, ⁸²the Buddha Sumeru Peak, ⁸³the Buddha Mountain Peak, ⁸⁴the Buddha King of Sound, ⁸⁵the Buddha Dragon Subduer, ⁸⁶the Buddha Free of Defilement, ⁸⁷the Buddha Pure Visage, ⁸⁸the Buddha Moon Visage, ⁸⁹the Buddha Sumeru-like, ⁹⁰the Buddha Sandalwood Fragrance, ^⁹¹the Buddha Majestic Power, ⁹²the Buddha *Torch Lighter, ⁹³the Buddha Hard-won Victory, ⁹⁴the Buddha Jewel Virtue, ⁹⁵the Buddha Sound of Joy, ⁹⁶the Buddha Radiant Light, ⁹⁷the Buddha Dragon Subduer, ⁹⁸the Buddha Undefiled Brilliance, ⁹⁹the Buddha Lion, ¹⁰⁰the Buddha King of Kings, ^¹⁰¹the Buddha Powerful Victor, ¹⁰²the Buddha *Flower Tooth, ¹⁰³the Buddha Fearless Brilliance, ¹⁰⁴the Buddha Fragrant Peak, ¹⁰⁵the Buddha *Universal Wisdom, ¹⁰⁶the Buddha Universal Flower, and ¹⁰⁷the Buddha Treasure Insignia.

^These Buddha-tathagatas dwell at present in the worlds of purity in the ten quarters. All of you should say their names and be *mindful of them.

10 ^The *Primal Vow of Amida Buddha is, “If one takes refuge in me, while being mindful of me and saying my name, one immediately enters the *stage of the definitely settled, and will attain the highest, perfect enlightenment”. ^Therefore, one should always be mindful of the Buddha.

^O Amida Buddha, the wisdom of immeasurable light,
Whose body is like *Pure Gold Mountain!

I now worship you in body, speech, and mind.
By placing my hands together and bowing my head.

Strengthening your light according to each object,
And so I bow my head in worship.

One will immediately acquire innumerable virtues,
And so I take refuge in Amida Buddha.

One immediately enters the stage of the definitely settled.
And so I am always mindful of Amida Buddha.

^When one’s life comes to an end in that land,
Even if one were to undergo various sufferings,

One would not fall into the evil realm of hell,
And so I take refuge in and worship Amida Buddha.

^The humans and devas there, all alike in physical features,
Are as magnificent as the summit of Gold Mountain.

That land is the place where all *superior ones take refuge.
And so I bow my head and worship Amida Buddha.

To penetrate freely throughout the ten quarters,
And so I worship Amida Buddha, the most honored one among sages.

^All sentient beings in that land possess *divine feet,
The *power to see into the minds of others,

And the *wisdom to remember all former lives,
And so I take refuge in and worship Amida Buddha.

^When one is born in that land,
One is freed of attachment to self and possessions,

And does not give rise to any discrimination between self and others,
And so I bow my head and worship Amida Buddha.

^Having transcended the prison of the three worlds,
One has *eyes like lotus petals.

There are innumerable such sravakas in that land,
And so I bow my head and worship Amida Buddha.

And effortlessly perform the *ten good acts,
And so I bow my head to Amida Buddha, the king of sages.

^Such beings generating *pure brightness out of these good acts
Are immeasurable and unlimited in number.

Amida is the most exalted one among humans and devas.
And so I take refuge in Amida Buddha.

^Through the power of the Buddha’s Primal Vow,
The bodhisattvas in the ten quarters

Come to Amida’s land to make offerings and listen to the Dharma,
And so I bow my head to Amida Buddha.

^The bodhisattvas of that land all possess
The *auspicious characteristics and marks,

Which spontaneously adorn their bodies,
And so I now take refuge in and worship Amida Buddha.

To every Buddha in the ten quarters,
And so I bow my head and worship Amida Buddha.

^If one doubts the Buddha’s power while planting roots of good,
*The lotus flower in which one is born will not open;

For one whose entrusting heart is pure, however,
The flower opens and then one sees the Buddha.

^The Buddhas of the present in the ten quarters,
Each relating various *ways and means,

Praise the virtue of that Buddha,
And so I now take refuge in and worship Amida Buddha.

Amida’s virtue is extremely deep and vast,
And so I bow to the feet of Amida Buddha.

^His soles have the *mark of the thousand-spoked wheel
And are soft and tinged with *lotus color.

^The light emitted from the white tuft of hair on his brow
Is pure and clear like that of the full moon,

And enhances the light and color of his complexion,
And so I bow my head to the feet of Amida Buddha.

^When he was seeking the way to enlightenment,
He achieved many rare and wonderful accomplishments,

^When the Buddha is preaching the Dharma,
All the roots of karmic evil are eliminated.

His expositions are full of beautiful and beneficial words,
And so I now bow my head and worship Amida Buddha.

^By preaching in such beautiful words,
He cures the disease of people’s attachment to pleasure,

Thus saving them in the past and present,
And so I bow my head and worship Amida Buddha.

^As the most honored one among humans and devas,
All devas bow their heads in worship

With their seven-jeweled crowns touching his feet,
And so I take refuge in Amida Buddha.

^Riding aboard the ship of the eightfold path,
He ferries us across the ocean difficult to cross;

Having crossed it himself, he now carries us across
And so I worship Amida Buddha, the one whose power is unrestricted.

^Even if all the Buddhas were to praise Amida’s virtues
For innumerable kalpas,

They would be unable to do so fully,
And so I take refuge in Amida Buddha, the one of purity.

^With all the good and virtues, whether great or small,
That I acquired in my present and previous lives,

^With the most wondrous merit I have acquired
Through praising Amida’s virtues,

12 ^You should also think on the Buddha *¹Vipaśyin, the Buddha ²Śikhin, the Buddha ³Viśvabhū, the Buddha ⁴Krukucchanda, theBuddha ⁵Kanakamuni, the Buddha ⁶Kāśyapa, the Buddha ⁷Śākyamuni, and the Buddha ⁸Maitreya who will appear in the future. You should contemplate and worship all of them. I will praise the Buddhas in verse.

^Buddha Śikhin, the World-honored One,
Sitting under the bodhi-tree called Puṇḍarīka,

^His physical glory is incomparable,
Like the Purple Gold Mountain ablaze with light.

Seated under the bodhi-tree called Uḍumbara,
Fulfilled the way and attained enlightenment,

^Buddha Kāśyapa, World-honored One,
Whose eyes are like a pair of lotus petals,

Fulfilled the way and attained enlightenment
Under the bodhi-tree called Nigrodha.

^Having no fear in the three worlds,
His tread is like that of the king of elephants.

Defeated the maras, his bitter enemies,
And attained the highest, perfect enlightenment.

Therefore I myself take refuge in him,
The peerless king of the wondrous Dharma.

13 ^There are also the Buddhas: the Buddha ¹Supreme Virtue, the Buddha ²Universal Brilliance, the Buddha ³Conqueror of Enemies, the Buddha ^4-1King Insignia, the Buddha ^4-2Insignia King, the Buddha ⁵King of immeasurable Virtue and Brightness with Unrestricted Power, the Buddha ⁶Unhindered Medicine King, the Buddha ⁷Treasure Pilgrimage, the Buddha ^8-1Jewel Flower, the Buddha ^8-2Settled Abode, and the Buddha ^8-3King of Mountains. You should contemplate, revere, and worship them as well. I will praise these Buddhas in verse.

I now bow my head and worship him,
As well as the treasures of his Dharma and Sangha.

^In the world called Freely Rejoicing,
There is a Buddha named Universal Brilliance.

I now myself take refute in him,
As well as the treasures of his Dharma and Sangha.

^In the world called Universal Wisdom,
There is a Buddha named Conqueror of Enemies.

^In the world called Collection of Goodness and Purity,
There is a Buddha named Royal Banner Insignia.

I now bow my head and worship him,
As well as the treasures of his Dharma and Sangha.

^In the world called Collection of the Undefiled,
There is a Buddha named Brilliance of Immeasurable Virtue,

Whose power is unrestricted throughout the ten quarters,
And so I bow my head to him in worship.

^In the world called Free of Deceit,
There is a Buddha named *Unimpeded Medicine King,

Bowing my head, I worship him,
As well as the treasures of his Dharma and Sangha.

^In the world called Collection of Gold,
There is a Buddha named Treasure of Walking.

Bowing my head, I worship him,
As well as the treasures of his Dharma and Sangha.

^In the world called Beautiful Sound,
There is a Buddha named *Jewel Flower, Settled Abode, and King of Mountains.

Bowing my head, I worship him,
As well as the treasures of his Dharma and Sangha.

^All wish is that these Tathagatas,
Out of their deep benevolence and compassion,

14 ^Next, you should be mindful of, revere, and worship all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future. I will praise them in verse.

^At the time of each of these Buddhas,
All beings made offerings to them wholeheartedly,

And with a heart of reverence praised them.
Therefore I bow my head and worship them.

^Out of benevolence and compassion for all beings,
They constantly turn the *Wheel of the wondrous Dharma.

Their light will shine boundlessly,
And they will adorn themselves with *numerous signs.

^Appearing in the worlds and emancipating sentient beings,
They will enter nirvana.

15 ^Next, you should be mindful of all the great bodhisattvas. ^¹The Bodhisattva Good Will, ²the Bodhisattva Good Eye, ³the Bodhisattva Listening to the Moon, ⁴the Bodhisattva King Śivi, ⁵the Bodhisattva All-victorious, ⁶the Bodhisattva Knowing the Great Earth, ⁷the Bodhisattva Great Medicine, ⁸the Bodhisattva Dovecote, ⁹the Bodhisattva Araṇemin, ¹⁰the Bodhisattva Peak-born King, ^¹¹the Bodhisattva Joyful Sight, ¹²the Bodhisattva Uttara, ¹³the Bodhisattva Sarvadāna, ¹⁴the Bodhisattva Long-lived King, ¹⁵the Bodhisattva Kṣāntivādin, ¹⁶the Bodhisattva Vailāma, ¹⁷the Bodhisattva Śyāma, ¹⁸the Bodhisattva Moon Canopy, ¹⁹the Bodhisattva Brilliant Leader, ²⁰the Bodhisattva Dharma Leader, ^²¹the Bodhisattva Accomplishing Benefit, ²²the Bodhisattva Maitreya. ^In addition, ²³the Bodhisattva Diamond Storehouse, ²⁴the Bodhisattva Diamond Leader, ²⁵the Bodhisattva Immaculate Storehouse, ²⁶the Bodhisattva Immaculate Renown, ²⁷the Bodhisattva Free of Doubt, ²⁸the Bodhisattva Immaculate Virtue, ²⁹the Bodhisattva Net of Brilliance, ³⁰the Bodhisattva Immeasurable Brilliance, ^³¹the Bodhisattva Great Brilliance, ³²the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will, ³³the Bodhisattva King of Will, ³⁴the Bodhisattva Boundless Will, ³⁵the Bodhisattva Sound of the Sun, ³⁶the Bodhisattva Sound of the Moon, ³⁷the Bodhisattva Sound of Beauty, ³⁸the Bodhisattva Sound of Beautiful Voice, ³⁹the Bodhisattva Sound of Great Voice, ⁴⁰the Bodhisattva Steadfast Effort, ^⁴¹the Bodhisattva Constant Steadfastness, ⁴²the Bodhisattva Steady Rising, ⁴³the Bodhisattva King of Adornment, ⁴⁴the Bodhisattva Constant Sorrow, ⁴⁵the Bodhisattva Never-disparaging, ⁴⁶the Bodhisattva Dharma Superior, ⁴⁷the Bodhisattva Dharma Will, ⁴⁸the Bodhisattva Dharma Joy, ⁴⁹the Bodhisattva Dharma Leader, ⁵⁰the Bodhisattva Dharma Storage, ^⁵¹the Bodhisattva Aspiring Diligence, ⁵²the Bodhisattva Wisdom, ⁵³the Bodhisattva Pure Majestic Virtue, ⁵⁴the Bodhisattva Nārāyaṇa, ⁵⁵the Bodhisattva Good Thinking, ⁵⁶the Bodhisattva Dharma Thinking, ⁵⁷the Bodhisattva Bhadrapāla, ⁵⁸the Bodhisattva Dharma Augmenting, ⁵⁹the Bodhisattva Noble Virtue, ⁶⁰the Bodhisattva Lion’s Gait, ^⁶¹the Bodhisattva Root of Joy, ⁶²the Bodhisattva Supreme Jewel Moon, ⁶³the Bodhisattva Unerring Virtue, ⁶⁴the Bodhisattva Dragon Virtue, ⁶⁵the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, ⁶⁶the Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound, ⁶⁷the Bodhisattva Cloud Sound, ⁶⁸the Bodhisattva Victorious Will, ⁶⁹the Bodhisattva Shining Brilliance, ⁷⁰the Bodhisattva Heroic Assembly, ^⁷¹the Bodhisattva Victorious Assembly, ⁷²the Bodhisattva Majestic Demeanor, ⁷³the Bodhisattva Lion’s Will, ⁷⁴the Bodhisattva Superior Intention, ⁷⁵the Bodhisattva Excellent Intention, ⁷⁶the Bodhisattva Augmented Intention, ⁷⁷the Bodhisattva Jewel Brilliance, ⁷⁸the Bodhisattva Wisdom Peak, ⁷⁹the Bodhisattva Preaching Peak, ⁸⁰the Bodhisattva Possessor of Virtue, ^⁸¹the Bodhisattva Freely World-observing King, ⁸²the Bodhisattva Freely Dharani-exercising, ⁸³the Bodhisattva Great Freely Reigning King, ⁸⁴the Bodhisattva Sorrowless Virtue, ⁸⁵the Bodhisattva Unerring View, ⁸⁶the Bodhisattva Freed of Evil Courses, ⁸⁷the Bodhisattva All Heroic Bravery, ⁸⁸the Bodhisattva Dispelling Darkness, ⁸⁹the Bodhisattva Jewel of Virtue, ⁹⁰the Bodhisattva Flower of Majestic Virtue, ^⁹¹the Bodhisattva Golden Garland Brilliant Virtue, ⁹²the Bodhisattva Eliminating the Veil of Hindrances, ⁹³the Bodhisattva Mind Without Hindrances, ⁹⁴the Bodhisattva Purifying All Practices, ⁹⁵the Bodhisattva Equal View, ⁹⁶the Bodhisattva Unequal View, ⁹⁷the Bodhisattva Sporting in Samadhi, ⁹⁸the Bodhisattva Freely Exercising Dharma, ⁹⁹the Bodhisattva Dharma Insignia, ¹⁰⁰the Bodhisattva Brilliant Adornment, ^¹⁰¹the Bodhisattva Great Adornment, ¹⁰²the Bodhisattva Jewel Peak, ¹⁰³the Bodhisattva Jewel Mudrā, ¹⁰⁴the Bodhisattva Constantly Raised Hand, ¹⁰⁵the Bodhisattva Constantly Lowered Hand, ¹⁰⁶the Bodhisattva Constant Austerity, ¹⁰⁷the Bodhisattva Constant Joy, ¹⁰⁸the Bodhisattva King of Joy, ¹⁰⁹the Bodhisattva Attaining the Voice of Eloquence, ¹¹⁰the Bodhisattva Thunder in the Sky, ^¹¹¹the Bodhisattva Holding the Jewel Torch, ¹¹²the Bodhisattva Heroic Charity, ¹¹³the Bodhisattva Indra’s Net, ¹¹⁴the Bodhisattva Steed of Light, ¹¹⁵the Bodhisattva Emptiness Free of Hindrance, ¹¹⁶the Bodhisattva Jewel Brilliance, ¹¹⁷the Bodhisattva King of Devas, ¹¹⁸the Bodhisattva Defeater of Maras, ¹¹⁹the Bodhisattva Lightening Virtue, ¹²⁰the Bodhisattva Freely Acting, ^¹²¹the Bodhisattva Peak Insignia, ¹²²the Bodhisattva Gone Beyond, ¹²³the Bodhisattva Lion’s Roar, ¹²⁴the Bodhisattva Cloud Shade, ¹²⁵the Bodhisattva Victorious, ¹²⁶the Bodhisattva King of Mountain-insignia Banner, ¹²⁷the Bodhisattva Fragrant Elephant, ¹²⁸the Bodhisattva Great Fragrant Elephant, ¹²⁹the Bodhisattva White Fragrant Elephant, ¹³⁰the Bodhisattva Constant Effort, ^¹³¹the Bodhisattva Never Resting, ¹³²the Bodhisattva Well-born, ¹³³the Bodhisattva Flower Adornment, ¹³⁴the Bodhisattva *Observing the Sound of the World, ¹³⁵the Bodhisattva *Possessed of Great Power, ¹³⁶the Bodhisattva Water King, ¹³⁷the Bodhisattva Mountain King, ¹³⁸the Bodhisattva Indra’s Net, ¹³⁹the Bodhisattva Jewel Giver, ¹⁴⁰the Bodhisattva Defeater of Maras, ^¹⁴¹the Bodhisattva Adorning the Land, ¹⁴²the Bodhisattva Tuft of Golden Hair, and ¹⁴³the Bodhisattva Turf of Pearly Hair. ^There are such great Bodhisattvas as mentioned above. You should be mindful of all of them, revere and worship them, thus seeking to enter the stage of nonretrogression.

Easy Practice　We are treating this as the title of the text insted of Commentary on the Ten Stages.

preceding chapter　Refers to Ayuiocchisōbon 阿惟越致相品, or Chapter on the Aspect of Nonretrogression of Commentary on the Ten Bodhisattva Stages.

holding steadfast　Cited in “Chapter of Teaching” of The True Teaching, Practice, and Realization of the Pure Land Way as “Say the Name, holding steadfast to it”. See “say the Name, holding steadfast to it”.

Tathagata, ...　 See Ten epithets of the Buddha (‘Buddha’ and ‘World-honored One’ are counted as one).

earth, water, fire, and wind　All forms of existence consist of the four elements: earth (hardness), water (humidity), fire (heat), and wind (movement).

first, second, and third dharma-insights　See “three dharma-insights”.

perfect enlightenment　This ends the long quotation from the Sutra on the Questions of the Lad Ratnacandra.

upper, middle, and lower grades of practicers　These three respectively refer to bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and sravakas.

treasures of the Dharma　One of the Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

mountain of Jambūnada gold　The mountain of the most precious gold obtained from the Jambū river. A literary reference to Mount Sumeru.

hold steadfast to them in mind　See “say the Name, holding steadfast to it”.

superior ones　Refers to humans, devas, and sages including bodhisattvas.

auspicious characteristics and marks　The thirty-two major physical characteristics and eighty minor marks.

The lotus flower ...　See the passage of the Sutra of the Tathagata of Immeasurable Life quoted in Kyōgyōshinshō: “Although they give rise to trust through hearing the Buddha’s Name and thus are born in that land, they cannot emerge from within the lotus bud. These sentient beings, enclosed within the flower-womb, feel as though they were within a garden or palace”.

ways and means　Literally “cause and condition”. Commonly used in reference to the way by which something comes about; in particular, to the completion of the Primal Vow.

mark of the thousand-spoked wheel　One of the thirty-two major physical characteristics of a great person.

Vipaśyin, ..., Śākyamuni　These seven Buddhas are treated as the Buddhas of the past.

Unimpeded Medicine King　This Buddha, Unimpeded Medicine King (無礙薬王仏) is considered to be one and the same as the Buddha Unhindered Medicine King (薬王無礙仏) listed at the top of section 13, though the Chinese names differ.

Jewel Flower, Settled Abode, and King of Mountains　The three Buddhas in the first paragraph of this section, Jewel Flower, Settled Abode, and King of Mountains are treated here as one Buddha.

numerous signs　Thirty-two major physical characteristics and eighty minor marks of a Buddha.