A Brief Explanation of the Mahayana Tathagatagarbha Sutra
Chapter Three: The Buddha Manifests Divine Transformations
Original Text: At that time, the World-Honored One, seated in profound samādhi within the Sandalwood Pavilion, manifested divine transformations. There appeared countless thousand-petaled lotuses, each as large as a chariot wheel, replete with color and fragrance yet still in bud. Within every lotus was a manifested Buddha. They ascended into the sky, covering the world like a jeweled canopy. Each lotus emitted immeasurable light. All the lotuses bloomed simultaneously. By the Buddha’s divine power, in the briefest moment, they all withered and transformed. Within each lotus, every manifested Buddha sat in full lotus posture, each emitting countless hundreds of thousands of rays of light.
Explanation: This passage describes how the World-Honored One, seated upright in the Sandalwood Pavilion, entered samādhi and manifested great divine transformations, thereby displaying the power of his samādhi and divine abilities. The term "divine transformations" refers to miraculous changes arising from nothingness. Such transformations are indeed wondrous. Originally, the sky was utterly empty, yet through the Buddha’s divine power, thousand-petaled lotuses appeared. This is truly a divine transformation, all accomplished by the power of the Buddha’s samādhi. The thousand-petaled lotuses manifested by divine power were as large as chariot wheels, countless in number, replete with color and fragrance yet still in bud. These thousand-petaled lotuses, each with a thousand petals and as large as a wheel, were innumerable. Not only were they of various colors, but they also emitted subtle fragrances, their hues and scents perfectly complete, radiant and delightful.
Though there were thousand-petaled lotuses, they had not yet bloomed; they were still in bud. Within each thousand-petaled lotus was a manifested Buddha. Together with the lotus, they ascended into the sky, covering the entire world like a jeweled canopy. Within every lotus was a manifested Buddha; the lotuses ascended into the sky, covering the world like a jeweled canopy. This is the second divine transformation. First were the lotuses in bud; then manifested Buddhas appeared within the lotuses, ascending with them into the sky and pervading the entire world.
The third divine transformation: each lotus emitted immeasurable light, and all the lotuses bloomed simultaneously. After rising into the sky, the lotuses first emitted light. After emitting light, the lotuses bloomed and manifested fully. Then, by the Buddha’s divine power, within the briefest moment, all the bloomed lotuses withered entirely. These lotuses all withered and transformed, which is called "wilting and transformation." Initially in bud, they now all withered away, transformed and altered, losing their colors and fragrance. Yet, within each withered lotus, every manifested Buddha remained seated in full lotus posture. Though the lotus had withered, each manifested Buddha within every lotus continued to emit countless hundreds of thousands of rays of light. Though the lotus had perished, the light remained.
The meaning of this passage is profoundly deep. What does it signify? The thousand-petaled lotuses initially in bud, not yet bloomed, symbolize the sentient beings’ five aggregates (skandhas) physical bodies still in the mother’s womb, not yet born, just like buds waiting to bloom. Each thousand-petaled lotus represents a sentient being, and these beings are immeasurably numerous. "Replete with color and fragrance" signifies that within the womb, the five aggregates are already complete, awaiting birth. "Every lotus contains a manifested Buddha" means that within each lotus sits a manifested Buddha, symbolizing that every sentient being with five aggregates possesses a Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature). The manifested Buddha refers to the Tathāgatagarbha; this is the esoteric meaning.
The lotuses covering the world signify that throughout the ten directions, in the three thousand great thousandfold worlds and all Buddha-lands, the entire world is filled with sentient beings still in the mother’s womb, not yet born. Then, each lotus emits immeasurable light. These lotuses first emit light. What does emitting light signify? This is the manifested Buddha emitting light, indicating that within the five-aggregate body in the womb resides the Tathāgatagarbha. The Tathāgatagarbha first emits light and activates its function. After its function is activated, sentient beings are born. The birth of sentient beings is symbolized by the blooming of the lotus. The lotus blooming metaphorically represents sentient beings emerging from the mother’s womb, but in reality, they are born from the Tathāgatagarbha. After sentient beings are born, the five aggregates—form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—activate their functions, and the lotus blooms.
Whose merit causes the lotus to bloom? The lotus emits immeasurable light—that is the light emitted by the manifested Buddha. The manifested Buddha represents the Tathāgatagarbha. Each sentient being has one Tathāgatagarbha. The Tathāgatagarbha emits light, and only then are sentient beings born; sentient beings are born, and the five aggregates activate their functions. The lotus blooming signifies that the Tathāgatagarbha manifests the five-aggregate body, enabling the five aggregates to be born and function; thus, the lotus blooms. Then, Śākyamuni Buddha, using his divine power, caused all these lotuses to wither. What does the withering of the lotuses signify? Sentient beings enter the womb; after entering the womb, they emerge; after emerging and activating their functions, they gradually age and die. The withering of the lotus represents sentient beings aging and dying. This illustrates that within the birth, abiding, change, and extinction of sentient beings, there is the divine power of the Buddha; it is all the work of the Tathāgatagarbha’s divine power.
Though sentient beings age and die, and these thousand-petaled lotuses wither, all the manifested Buddhas within the flowers remain seated in full lotus posture. This covertly indicates that the Tathāgatagarbha within the sentient beings’ five aggregates, even when the five-aggregate body perishes, does not perish itself. Moreover, each emits countless hundreds of thousands of rays of light. This means that although sentient beings’ five aggregates undergo birth, abiding, change, and extinction, their Tathāgatagarbha is neither born nor extinguished. It constantly emits light. "Constantly emitting light" means the Tathāgatagarbha perpetually activates its meritorious functions; it has never ceased. Regardless of how the sentient world undergoes birth, abiding, change, and extinction, the manifested Buddha, the Tathāgatagarbha, forever emits light, forever activating its functions, not ceasing for even an instant. Its light perpetually illuminates the world. It constantly emits its inherent light, illuminating all phenomena. Light can represent the nature of the Tathāgatagarbha, also called Buddha-nature. The Buddha-nature constantly emits light, enabling sentient beings’ five aggregates to activate their functions, continuously undergoing birth, abiding, change, and extinction.
Countless manifested Buddhas each emit countless hundreds of thousands of rays of light. One lotus has one manifested Buddha, signifying that countless sentient beings have countless Tathāgatagarbhas. Each sentient being has one Tathāgatagarbha sustaining the existence of the five-aggregate body; sentient beings do not share a single Tathāgatagarbha. The withering of the lotus also signifies that sentient beings possess the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion. Though sentient beings have these afflictions, the Tathāgatagarbha within their five-aggregate bodies remains eternally pure, constantly emitting light, forever performing its unique meritorious and wondrous functions. The meaning of this small section covertly explains the unborn and unceasing nature of the Tathāgatagarbha. It constantly emits light and constantly activates its functions, enabling sentient beings’ five aggregates to undergo birth, abiding, change, and extinction—dwelling in the womb, emerging from the womb, up to aging and death. Throughout the entire process, sentient beings’ Tathāgatagarbha has never ceased; it constantly emits light, illuminating all phenomena in the world.
Original Text: At that time, this world was supremely adorned and extraordinary. The entire assembly was filled with joy and exultation, marveling at this unprecedented sight. All harbored doubts, wondering, "What is the cause for these countless exquisite flowers to suddenly decay, wither, turn black, become foul, and grow utterly repulsive?" At that time, the World-Honored One, knowing the doubts in the minds of the Bodhisattvas and the great assembly, addressed Vajragarbha: "Virtuous man, regarding the Buddha Dharma, if you have any doubts, ask freely whatever you wish."
Explanation: After the Buddha manifested the divine transformations—first manifesting thousand-petaled lotuses in bud, then the lotuses ascending into the sky, then the manifested Buddhas (Tathāgatagarbha) emitting light, then the lotuses blooming (sentient beings being born), then the blooming lotuses withering (the sentient beings’ five aggregates aging, dying, and perishing), yet the Tathāgatagarbha within the flowers still emitting immeasurable light—after manifesting these various divine transformations, the Sahā world at that time became supremely adorned and extraordinary. Witnessing these transformations, the great assembly was filled with joy and exultation. They marveled, having never before seen such divine transformations or such divine power. Now the Sahā world had become so magnificently adorned and extraordinary, all due to Śākyamuni Buddha’s divine power, causing sentient beings to rejoice in their hearts and develop faith in the Buddha Dharma.
At this moment, doubts arose in everyone's mind: Why did the countless thousand-petaled lotuses manifested by Śākyamuni Buddha, so extraordinarily beautiful and exquisite, instantly decay? "Decay" means gradually vanishing; "transformation" means changing, becoming different from before, signifying that sentient beings’ five aggregates are constantly undergoing birth, abiding, change, and extinction, changing instantaneously. Any phenomenon that arises must also cease. The World-Honored One was demonstrating this truth. Furthermore, he was revealing the cause behind birth and extinction, the master behind it all. The World-Honored One demonstrated these two aspects for sentient beings. One is the mundane aspect—the aspect of sentient beings’ five aggregates undergoing birth, abiding, change, and extinction. The other is the supramundane aspect—the true reality, the eternally abiding, imperishable aspect, which is the functioning aspect of the Tathāgatagarbha. This illustrates that regardless of how the mundane phenomena undergo birth, abiding, change, and extinction, the essence (Tathāgatagarbha) is eternally unborn and unceasing, perpetually abiding in the world, constantly emitting light. It also shows that the Tathāgatagarbha perpetually activates meritorious functions and never ceases.
Sentient beings developed doubts: Why manifest these phenomena? Below, the Buddha begins to explain. The originally colorful, dazzling, and fragrant thousand-petaled lotuses, replete with color and fragrance, had now turned black, foul, and withered. The lotus petals withered; their color and scent changed. This is impermanence. Seeing the withered lotuses turn black and emit a foul odor that caused aversion, the great assembly was perplexed. Why did such extraordinarily beautiful and exquisite lotuses transform into this state? The World-Honored One intentionally manifested this image to cause doubts to arise in the minds of the assembly. After doubts arose, someone would inquire, and the World-Honored One would then begin expounding the great Dharma of the Tathāgatagarbha.
The World-Honored One knew that the Bodhisattvas were about to develop doubts. In truth, these Bodhisattvas were all at the Eighth Ground or above, some even at the stage of Equal Enlightenment or Wonderful Enlightenment; they certainly would not harbor doubts. This manifestation of doubt was for the sake of sentient beings. To resolve this doubt, the Buddha would expound a sūtra. Doubt was the cause; inquiry was the condition; teaching the Dharma was the result. Thus, the *Mahāvaipulya Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra* came into being. In reality, the great Bodhisattvas had long ago, kalpas in the past, already resolved this doubt. They had already eliminated most of their ignorance and afflictions like dust and sand. This was done to create the cause and condition for the World-Honored One’s teaching, to cooperate with the World-Honored One’s Dharma exposition by requesting the Dharma on behalf of sentient beings. Therefore, the World-Honored One told them that if they had doubts, they could ask. Thus, the World-Honored One and the great Bodhisattvas together harmoniously expounded this *Mahāvaipulya Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra*, thereby enabling immeasurable sentient beings to develop faith in the Mahāyāna Dharma and enter its practice.
Original Text: At that time, the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, knowing that the great assembly all harbored doubts, addressed the Buddha: "World-Honored One, what is the cause that within countless lotuses, all contain manifested Buddhas? Why did they ascend into the sky, covering the world? Why, in the briefest moment, did they all wither and transform? Why do all the manifested Buddhas each emit countless hundreds of thousands of rays of light? The entire assembly witnesses this and, with palms joined, pays reverence."
Explanation: At this time, the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, knowing that the great assembly all harbored doubts, came forth to ask the World-Honored One on behalf of the assembly: "World-Honored One, what is the cause that within so many lotuses, all contain manifested Buddhas, and the lotuses ascended into the sky covering the entire world? Why did the lotuses wither and transform entirely in the briefest moment? Why does every manifested Buddha within each flower still emit countless rays of light? The entire assembly present witnesses this and pays reverence to the World-Honored One with palms joined?"
The manifested Buddhas represent the Tathāgatagarbha; the lotuses represent sentient beings’ five-aggregate bodies. Of course, these lotuses cannot ascend into the sky by themselves; it is the divine power of the manifested Buddhas within the lotuses that causes them to ascend. This illustrates that only when the Tathāgatagarbha activates its function can the five-aggregate body activate its functions and undergo changes. Why did the lotuses wither, transform, shrink, and vanish in the briefest moment? This question explains that sentient beings’ five-aggregate bodies are fleeting, vanishing in an instant. Sentient beings’ lives, lifetime after lifetime, undergo birth, abiding, change, and extinction extremely rapidly. Although each sentient being feels that a hundred, eighty, several hundred, or even a thousand years is quite long, in the eyes of great Bodhisattvas, it is merely the snap of a finger—the birth and extinction of the five-aggregate body, born and perished, actually happens very quickly, equivalent to only a few minutes or hours in the heavenly realms. Similarly, the entire lifespan of a being in the animal realm, from a human perspective, might be just a few hours or minutes. In the briefest moment, birth and extinction, birth and extinction—it happens this fast. Life is so impermanent, yet sentient beings remain unaware.
These lotuses ascended into the sky and then withered, yet the manifested Buddhas still radiated great light. This represents that the Tathāgatagarbha is eternally imperishable; it does not undergo birth and extinction along with the five aggregates. Each sentient being’s five aggregates have one Tathāgatagarbha. One thousand-petaled lotus has one manifested Buddha—this is a metaphor, indicating that each sentient being has one Tathāgatagarbha, each activating its own functions. Though these functions are similar, they are responsible only for their corresponding five-aggregate world; other five-aggregate worlds have their own corresponding Tathāgatagarbhas activating meritorious functions. All manifested Buddhas each emit countless hundreds of thousands of rays of light. "Hundreds of thousands of rays of light" signifies that the Tathāgatagarbha possesses innate wisdom-light. It emits light and activates functions, creating all phenomena of the five-aggregate world, giving birth to all phenomena and sustaining all phenomena. "The entire assembly witnesses this and pays reverence with palms joined"—the great assembly in the Dharma gathering joined their palms in reverence, venerating the World-Honored One for such divine transformations. The manifested thousand-petaled lotuses were so extraordinarily beautiful, yet they withered and transformed in a moment. What is the meaning of this marvelous divine transformation? The Bodhisattva Vajragarbha came forth to ask on behalf of the assembly, thereby giving rise to the *Mahāvaipulya Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra*.
Original Text: At that time, the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha spoke in verse:
Never before have I witnessed, divine transformations like today's.
I see billions of Buddhas, seated upon those lotus wombs.
Each emits countless lights, covering all Buddha-lands.
Stainless Guides, adorning all worlds.
Lotuses suddenly wilt and change, none fail to feel revulsion.
Now, for what reason, is this divine display manifested?
I've seen Buddhas countless as Ganges' sands, and immeasurable divine transformations,
Yet never witnessed anything like today's. I beseech you to explain this distinctly.
Explanation: The Bodhisattva Vajragarbha spoke in verse:
Never before have I witnessed, divine transformations like today's. I have never seen before a divine transformation like today's: in a short time, countless thousand-petaled lotuses in bud, then rising into the sky, each lotus containing a manifested Buddha seated within, the manifested Buddhas emitting light, the lotuses blooming, then immediately withering, yet the manifested Buddhas still radiating great light. This illustrates that no matter how the five-aggregate world undergoes birth, abiding, change, and extinction, the Tathāgatagarbha still constantly emits light, perpetually activates meritorious functions, neither born nor extinguished.
I see billions of Buddhas, seated upon those lotus wombs. I see billions of Buddhas seated within their respective lotus wombs. Why are there so many Buddhas? Because there are billions of sentient beings; each sentient being has one Tathāgatagarbha. One lotus has one Buddha; there are billions of lotuses, hence billions of Buddhas. Actually, not just billions—sentient beings are immeasurably numerous, so there are immeasurably numerous Tathāgatagarbhas, each residing within its own lotus, activating its due meritorious functions, emitting light, shaking the earth, illuminating all phenomena.
Each emits countless lights. Covering all Buddha-lands. Stainless Guides, adorning all worlds. Every manifested Buddha within each lotus emits countless lights, signifying that the meritorious functions activated by the manifested Buddhas are immeasurable and boundless, never ceasing. These lights cover all Buddha-lands, indicating that the Tathāgatagarbha pervades all places, all times, all realms, and all phenomena, pervading its own entire five-aggregate world. "Stainless Guides" refers to Buddhas like Śākyamuni, whose minds are utterly pure and free from defilement, using various Buddha Dharmas and wondrous teachings to guide sentient beings, adorning all Buddha-lands.
Lotuses suddenly wilt and change, none fail to feel revulsion. Śākyamuni Buddha, using his divine power, manifested billions of lotuses, which then withered away, causing the great assembly to develop aversion. They did not know the reason why such divine power was manifested. "Stainless" means the Buddhas’ seventh consciousness (manas) has completely severed all ignorance and defilements, becoming perfectly pure, thoroughly transforming consciousness into wisdom. Within the Tathāgatagarbha, there are no longer seeds of birth and death, no seeds of ignorance, no seeds of afflictions like greed, hatred, and delusion, nor their habitual tendencies. It has become the Stainless Consciousness (Amalavijñāna), thereby adorning the Buddha-lands.
Meanwhile, sentient beings’ Tathāgatagarbha also uses its unique way to adorn their own five-aggregate world, enabling the five-aggregate world to undergo birth, abiding, change, and extinction, guiding sentient beings’ five aggregates to survive in the world. Sentient beings themselves adorn and embellish their own five-aggregate world, but in reality, it is also adorned and manifested by the Tathāgatagarbha. Every sentence here has its reference, carrying profound meaning. Suddenly, these lotuses withered and transformed, becoming black and foul, causing aversion. All sentient beings felt disgusted and rejected them, no longer liking them. This shows that sentient beings all cling to life and fear death; they like fragrance, beauty, and radiance but dislike foulness, decay, and wilting.
The lotuses were first in bud, then bloomed, then withered, transformed, and perished. This process represents the birth, abiding, change, and extinction of sentient beings’ five aggregates—from dwelling in the womb, being born, to withering and perishing. Sentient beings like the lotuses in bud and bloom; they like the lotuses’ extraordinary beauty but dislike their withering. Every sentient being dislikes the disappearance and perishing of the five-aggregate world, dislikes change. Yet the five-aggregate world inevitably undergoes change. Why? One reason is the force of sentient beings’ karma; another is that the five-aggregate world lacks inherent nature.
Now, for what reason, is this divine display manifested? The Bodhisattva Vajragarbha asked the World-Honored One: For what reason did you manifest such a divine transformation? Why do you possess such divine power to manifest such miraculous phenomena?
I've seen Buddhas countless as Ganges' sands, and immeasurable divine transformations, Yet never witnessed anything like today's. I beseech you to explain this distinctly. I have seen Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River, and I have witnessed the immeasurable divine transformations manifested by those Buddhas, yet I have never seen anything like today’s divine transformations. I beseech the World-Honored One to distinctly explain the cause and condition of these divine transformations.
