A Brief Explanation of the Mahayana Tathagatagarbha Sutra
Chapter Seven: All Bodhisattvas Who Hear the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra Attain Buddhahood
Original text: At that time, the World-Honored One again addressed the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, saying: “In the past, an immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable, asamkhyeya kalpa ago, and beyond even that number, at that time there was a Buddha named King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, Vidyācaraṇasaṃpanna, Sugata, Lokavid, Anuttara Puruṣadamyasārathi, Śāstā Devamanuṣyāṇām, Buddha, Bhagavān.
Explanation: At that time, the World-Honored One again told the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, saying, “In the past, an immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable asamkhyeya kalpa ago—an asamkhyeya kalpa being an incalculably vast number of kalpas—and beyond even that number of asamkhyeya kalpas, at that time there was a Buddha named King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, Vidyācaraṇasaṃpanna, Sugata, Lokavid, Anuttara Puruṣadamyasārathi, Śāstā Devamanuṣyāṇām, Buddha, Bhagavān.” Every Buddha, upon attaining Buddhahood, possesses these ten epithets.
Original text: Vajragarbha, why was he named King Constantly Emitting Light? When that Buddha was practicing the Bodhisattva path in his former life, he descended into his mother’s womb and constantly emitted light that thoroughly illuminated the ten directions, a thousand Buddha-worlds, and as many lands as particles of dust.
Explanation: Vajragarbha, why was that Buddha named King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata? When that Buddha was practicing the Bodhisattva path, he entered his mother’s womb to receive his final birth. While in the womb, he constantly emitted light that thoroughly illuminated the ten directions, a thousand Buddha-worlds, and lands as numerous as particles of dust. The thousand Buddha-worlds in the ten directions are as numerous as particles of dust; the number of such Buddha-lands is truly incalculable, so there is no need to calculate it. The spiritual power of a Bodhisattva in his final body is beyond description.
When a Bodhisattva in his final body is about to attain Buddhahood, his light can thoroughly illuminate immeasurable, boundless Buddha-lands as numerous as particles of dust; Bodhisattvas below the tenth ground cannot do this. While the Bodhisattva was in his mother’s womb emitting great light, he was able to thoroughly illuminate so many Buddha-lands as numerous as particles of dust. How many beings there are in so many Buddha-lands goes without saying.
Original text: If there were beings who saw this light, they all became joyful, their afflictions were completely extinguished, their physical strength and appearance became perfect, mindfulness and wisdom were accomplished, and they attained unimpeded eloquence.
Explanation: Beings who encountered the light emitted by this Bodhisattva all gave rise to a joyful mind. Whomever the light shone upon became joyful; this is the spiritual power of a Bodhisattva in his final body. After beings gave rise to a joyful mind, meditative concentration arose, and their afflictions were eradicated. It is like when we cultivate and attain the first dhyāna, experiencing the state of joy and bliss born of detachment. Combined with the merit of realizing the mind and severing the view of self, we can eradicate the afflictions of greed and anger; subsequent ignorance and arrogance can also gradually be severed. After afflictions were completely extinguished, their physical strength and appearance became perfect, with excellent features and dignified form.
Mindfulness and wisdom were accomplished: whatever Dharma they learned, they were able to remember it, understand it, and then realize it, attaining wisdom. This is called the accomplishment of mindfulness and wisdom. After learning the Dharma, their minds were constantly mindful of the Dharma they had learned; they could not only understand it but also realize it. Therefore, they gave rise to a resolute faith in the learned Dharma, unwavering forever. After mindfulness and wisdom were accomplished, they attained unimpeded eloquence; their skill in expounding the Dharma and debating was exceedingly excellent, without obstruction. From this, it can be seen that the virtuous function of this Buddha’s light was extremely vast. This is the spiritual power of the Buddha, the spiritual power of the Bodhisattva, and also the spiritual power of the Tathāgatagarbha. Beings who encountered it all benefited.
Original text: If hell-beings, hungry ghosts, animals, Yama, asuras, and others saw the light, they all left the evil destinies and were reborn among gods and humans.
Explanation: If hell-beings, hungry ghosts, animals, Yama, asuras, and others saw the Bodhisattva’s light, they all were able to leave the evil destinies and be reborn among gods and humans. This too is the spiritual power of the Buddha, the spiritual power of the Bodhisattva, and the spiritual power of the Tathāgatagarbha. When the Tathāgatagarbha emits light, beings all leave the three evil destinies of hell. Then, when the Tathāgatagarbha within us functions, can we also leave hell? Are we still in hell? The hellish body is entirely manifested by the Tathāgatagarbha; the whole is identical to true suchness. Thus, there is no hell; everything is the Tathāgatagarbha. Although in appearance it is a body in the three evil destinies, in essence it is made from the material of the Tathāgatagarbha; its true nature is still the Tathāgatagarbha.
Original text: If gods and humans saw the light, they attained non-retrogression on the unsurpassed path, possessed the five supernatural powers. If they were already non-retrogressed, they all attained the patience of the non-arising of dharmas, the fifty meritorious qualities, and the revolving dhāraṇī.
Explanation: If gods and humans saw the light, they attained non-retrogression on the unsurpassed path of Buddhahood, becoming non-retrogressing Bodhisattvas who have realized the mind, possessing the five supernatural powers. Because gods originally possess the five supernatural powers, at this time their five supernatural powers became even more sublime. If they were already non-retrogressing Bodhisattvas, upon seeing the Bodhisattva’s light again, they all attained the patience of the non-arising of dharmas, possessing the wisdom of consciousness-only, becoming Bodhisattvas who have entered the grounds (bhūmis), possessing the fifty meritorious qualities and the revolving dhāraṇī. If Bodhisattvas who have already realized the mind and seen their nature encounter this golden light again, they enter the grounds and become noble ones, entering the Tathāgata’s family.
Original text: Vajragarbha, the lands illuminated by that light all became pure and adorned, like lapis lazuli in the heavens. Golden ropes marked the boundaries of the eight paths. There were various kinds of jeweled trees, with flowers and fruits flourishing, their fragrances sweet and pleasant. When a gentle breeze blew, they emitted subtle sounds, expounding the Three Jewels, the merits of Bodhisattvas, the roots, powers, factors of enlightenment, the path, meditative concentration, and liberation. Beings who heard them all attained Dharma-joy. Their faith and delight became firm, and they forever left the evil destinies.
Explanation: Vajragarbha, those Buddha-lands illuminated by the light all became pure and adorned, like the heavens’ lapis lazuli. These Buddha-lands were like the Land of Ultimate Bliss; on the ground, golden ropes marked the boundaries of the eight paths. All Buddha-lands had various kinds of jeweled trees, with flowers and fruits flourishing, their fragrances sweet and pleasant. When a gentle breeze blew, these jeweled trees and fruit trees emitted subtle sounds, just like the jeweled trees in Amitābha’s Land of Ultimate Bliss emitting subtle sounds, expounding the Three Jewels, the many merits of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, expounding the five roots, the five powers, the seven factors of enlightenment, the eightfold noble path, expounding the merits of meditative concentration and liberation—expounding the same Dharma as the jeweled trees in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Beings who heard them were all filled with Dharma-joy within, delighting in faith in the Buddha-Dharma, their minds firm, forever leaving the evil destinies.
Original text: Vajragarbha, all beings in those ten-direction lands, due to receiving that light, paid homage with palms joined respectfully six times day and night. Vajragarbha, that Bodhisattva, from his stay in the womb, birth, up to his attainment of Buddhahood and parinirvāṇa without residue, constantly emitted light. After his parinirvāṇa, his śarīra stūpa and temple also constantly emitted light. For this reason, gods and humans named him King Constantly Emitting Light.
Explanation: Vajragarbha, all beings in the ten-direction Buddha-lands, having received the illumination of this Bodhisattva’s light, paid homage with palms joined respectfully six times day and night. Vajragarbha, this Bodhisattva, from his stay in his mother’s womb and birth, until he finally accomplished the Buddha Way, and after becoming a Buddha, entered the non-abiding nirvāṇa (apratiṣṭhita nirvāṇa) while demonstrating the eight phases of a Buddha’s life, his body constantly radiated light. The Buddha’s nirvāṇa is called the non-abiding nirvāṇa. This is the final-body Bodhisattva demonstrating Buddhahood; from entering the womb to becoming a Buddha and entering nirvāṇa, the Buddha’s body constantly emitted light. After this Buddha’s parinirvāṇa, his disciples built a śarīra stūpa and temple; that śarīra and the śarīra stūpa and temple also constantly emitted light. For this reason, gods and humans named this Buddha King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata.
Original text: Vajragarbha, when King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, first attained Buddhahood, in his Dharma there was a Bodhisattva named Boundless Light, with twenty koṭis of Bodhisattvas as his retinue. The Mahāsattva Bodhisattva Boundless Light, in the presence of that Buddha, inquired about the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. The Buddha expounded it for him, sitting in one session for fifty great kalpas.
Explanation: Vajragarbha, when King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha first attained Buddhahood, within this Buddha’s teaching, there was a Bodhisattva disciple named Bodhisattva Boundless Light, with twenty koṭis of Bodhisattvas as his retinue. The Mahāsattva Bodhisattva Boundless Light, while listening to the Dharma beside King Constantly Emitting Light, inquired about this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. Then King Constantly Emitting Light expounded this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra for Bodhisattva Boundless Light. When the Buddha expounded it, he sat down cross-legged and began to speak, speaking for a total of fifty great kalpas. While we explain this Buddhist sūtra in a few hours, that King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata spoke for a full fifty great kalpas; once seated, he did not stop.
Original text: To protect and bear in mind all Bodhisattvas, his voice universally announced to as many hundred thousand Buddha-lands as particles of dust in ten Buddha-worlds. For the sake of the Bodhisattvas, using countless causes and conditions and hundreds of thousands of similes, he expounded the Tathāgatagarbha Mahāyāna Sūtra. The Bodhisattvas and others, hearing this sūtra, received, upheld, read, recited, practiced as taught, and cultivated accordingly. Except for four Bodhisattvas, all had already become Buddhas.
Explanation: King Constantly Emitting Light Buddha, to protect and bear in mind the assembly of Bodhisattvas, used the sound of his Dharma teaching to universally announce to the Bodhisattvas in Buddha-lands as numerous as particles of dust in ten Buddha-worlds, numbering hundreds of thousands. The Buddha-lands embraced by King Constantly Emitting Light Buddha were simply too many, yet his voice could reach all these Buddha-lands. This shows the Buddha’s spiritual power was extremely vast. King Constantly Emitting Light Buddha, to protect and bear in mind the assembly of Bodhisattvas, used countless causes and conditions, hundreds of thousands of similes, to expound this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. In this sūtra, there are only eight similes, but for that Bodhisattva, there were hundreds of thousands of similes; he used hundreds of thousands of similes and various causes and conditions to expound this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. He sat for fifty great kalpas in that one session, and the Bodhisattvas listening to the Dharma also sat for that long without moving. After the Bodhisattvas and others heard this sūtra, they were all able to practice as the sūtra taught, were able to receive and uphold it, all realized the Tathāgatagarbha, and moreover extensively expounded the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra for beings.
Except for four Bodhisattvas, the other Bodhisattvas had all become Buddhas. At that time, those listening to the Dharma were Bodhisattva Boundless Light plus twenty koṭis of Bodhisattvas; except for four Bodhisattvas who did not become Buddhas, all the others became Buddhas. Why did these four Bodhisattvas not become Buddhas? They have pure great vows to fulfill. Like Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, who is the teacher of seven Buddhas—he should have become a Buddha long ago—but he does not take the Buddha position. After Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva’s great vows are all fulfilled, when he becomes a Buddha, countless Buddha-lands will be within his Buddha-land, embraced by him. Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva’s vow power is extremely vast.
Original text: Vajragarbha, do not think otherwise. That Bodhisattva Boundless Light—who else could it be? It is none other than myself. Those four Bodhisattvas who have not become Buddhas are Mañjuśrī, Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta, and you, Vajragarbha. Vajragarbha, the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra can greatly benefit beings. If there are those who hear it, they will all accomplish the Buddha Way.
Explanation: Vajragarbha, do not have other thoughts. That Bodhisattva Boundless Light is none other than myself; my former life was Bodhisattva Boundless Light. Bodhisattva Boundless Light requested King Constantly Emitting Light Buddha to expound this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, which liberated twenty koṭis of Bodhisattvas; finally, they all became Buddhas. Only four Bodhisattvas did not become Buddhas; those four Bodhisattvas who did not become Buddhas are Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva, and you, Vajragarbha Bodhisattva.
You four Bodhisattvas still have pure great vows and do not wish to attain the Buddha fruit prematurely; you still wish to fulfill your own pure great vows, liberating immeasurable, boundless beings, and only then are you willing to become Buddhas. Vajragarbha, the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra can greatly benefit beings; twenty koṭis of Bodhisattvas heard this sūtra and have already become Buddhas. If others hear it again, they will likewise realize the Tathāgatagarbha; after realization, they will gradually become Buddhas in the future; all beings can become Buddhas.
Original text: At that time, the World-Honored One again spoke verses, saying:
Past innumerable kalpas A Buddha named King of Light Constantly emitted great light Universally illuminating measureless lands
Bodhisattva Boundless Light When the Buddha first attained the Way Raised and inquired about this sūtra The Buddha then expounded it for him
Those who encountered the Most Victorious And heard this sūtra Have all already become Buddhas Excepting only four Bodhisattvas
Mañjuśrī and Avalokiteśvara Mahāsthāmaprāpta and Vajragarbha These four Bodhisattvas and others All once heard this Dharma
Explanation: Finally, the World-Honored One summarized with verses, saying:
Past innumerable kalpas. A Buddha named King of Light. Constantly emitted great light. Universally illuminating measureless lands.
Bodhisattva Boundless Light. When the Buddha first attained the Way. Raised and inquired about this sūtra. The Buddha then expounded it for him. Innumerable kalpas ago in the past, there was a Buddha called King of Light, who constantly emitted great light, universally illuminating immeasurably many Buddha-lands. Among this Buddha’s disciples was one named Bodhisattva Boundless Light. When King Constantly Emitting Light Buddha had just attained the Way, he requested the Buddha to expound this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. King Constantly Emitting Light Buddha then expounded this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra for him. For fifty great kalpas, he extensively liberated immeasurable beings.
Those who encountered the Most Victorious. And heard this sūtra. Have all already become Buddhas. Excepting only four Bodhisattvas.
Mañjuśrī and Avalokiteśvara. Mahāsthāmaprāpta and Vajragarbha. These four Bodhisattvas and others. All once heard this Dharma. If anyone could encounter the Most Victorious One, the Honored One of the Three Realms, encountering this Three Realms Honored One expounding the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, and simultaneously heard this sūtra, then they have now all become Buddhas. Only Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva, and Vajragarbha Bodhisattva did not become Buddhas. These four Bodhisattvas also heard this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra.
Original text: Vajragarbha was for him The foremost son of supernatural powers At that time named Boundless Light Had already heard this sūtra
When I originally sought the Way At the place of Buddha Lion Banner I also once received this sūtra Practicing as heard and expounded
Because of this good root I swiftly attained the Buddha Way Therefore all Bodhisattvas Should uphold and expound this sūtra
Having heard, practice as taught Attaining Buddhahood like me now If one upholds this sūtra Should revere it as the World-Honored One
If one obtains this sūtra This is called the master of the Buddha-Dharma Then he is the protector of the world Praised by all Buddhas
If there is one who upholds this sūtra This person is named Dharma King He is the eye of the world Should be praised like the World-Honored One
Explanation: Vajragarbha was for him. The foremost son of supernatural powers. At that time named Boundless Light. Had already heard this sūtra. The Bodhisattva Vajragarbha was the foremost son of King Constantly Emitting Light Tathāgata in possessing great supernatural powers. At that time, there was one named Bodhisattva Boundless Light, who had also heard this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. Bodhisattva Boundless Light is myself, Śākyamuni Buddha.
When I originally sought the Way. At the place of Buddha Lion Banner. I also once received this sūtra. Practicing as heard and expounded. When I first sought the unsurpassed Buddha Way, when I first aroused the bodhicitta, wishing to become a Buddha, it was at the place of Buddha Lion Banner (Siṃhanada), when I first encountered Buddha Lion Banner. At that time, I also received, upheld, heard, and read this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, and was able to practice accordingly as taught in the sūtra, practicing truthfully.
Because of this good root. I swiftly attained the Buddha Way. Therefore all Bodhisattvas. Should uphold and expound this sūtra. Because of the power of the good roots, merits, and causes and conditions of receiving, hearing, and reading this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, I swiftly accomplished the Buddha Way. Therefore, all Bodhisattvas should receive, uphold, and expound this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra.
Having heard, practice as taught. Attaining Buddhahood like me now. If one upholds this sūtra. Should revere it as the World-Honored One. After Bodhisattvas have heard this sūtra, practice according to what the Buddha requires in the sūtra, cultivating according to principle and Dharma; you will then be able to become Buddhas like I am now. If you wish to receive and uphold this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, you should revere this sūtra, revering it like the Buddha. Why? Because this sūtra can give birth to immeasurable Buddhas.
If one obtains this sūtra. This is called the master of the Buddha-Dharma. Then he is the protector of the world. Praised by all Buddhas. If one can realize this sūtra, meaning realize the Tathāgatagarbha, then this person is the master of the Buddha-Dharma. He will then be able to expound the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra at will, able to liberate all beings, enabling beings to accomplish the Buddha Way in the future. Then this person will be protected by all people in the world; all Buddhas of the ten directions will come to praise him, protect him; this person will also be a Buddha in the future.
If there is one who upholds this sūtra. This person is named Dharma King. He is the eye of the world. Should be praised like the World-Honored One. If there is one who can truly receive and uphold this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, this person is the Dharma King. Here, “upholds” does not refer to ordinary upholding; it refers to having realized the Tathāgatagarbha and being able to completely accord with, take refuge in the Tathāgatagarbha, becoming nearly identical to the Tathāgatagarbha mind, perfectly taking refuge in the Tathāgatagarbha, in accord with the Tathāgatagarbha. This person’s mind has already completely eliminated ignorance, thoroughly transformed consciousness into wisdom; then he is the Dharma King. Thoroughly transferring reliance to the Tathāgatagarbha is called “upholding”; it is truly upholding the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. Truly, completely transferring reliance makes one the Dharma King.
This person is the eye of the world, the eye for beings in the threefold world; he is able to teach all beings in the threefold world to leave the suffering sea of birth and death and ultimately become Buddhas. Therefore, he should be praised like the World-Honored One; submit to him, and in the future you will become the Most Honored One of the Three Realms.
Original text: At that time, the World-Honored One, having expounded this sūtra, Vajragarbha, and the assembly of Bodhisattvas, the fourfold assembly of disciples, gods, humans, gandharvas, asuras, and others, hearing what the Buddha had said, rejoiced and respectfully carried it out.
Explanation: At this time, after the World-Honored One had expounded this sūtra, Vajragarbha and the assembly of Bodhisattvas, the fourfold assembly of disciples (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen), gods, humans, gandharvas, asuras, and others, having heard the World-Honored One’s exposition of this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, all greatly rejoiced and were all able to practice and realize it according to principle and Dharma. This is called rejoicing and respectfully carrying it out.
The entire sūtra is now roughly finished. This sūtra guides beings to deeply believe that each and every being possesses the pure treasury of the Tathāgata within their own bodies, eternally abiding and indestructible, constantly emitting light. As long as beings eradicate the darkness of ignorance, they can manifest the Tathāgata’s wisdom and virtuous marks. Then, realizing this Tathāgatagarbha, and further cultivating based on it, progressively advancing through the grounds, they will ultimately perfectly accomplish the Buddha Way. This sūtra can inspire faith in beings, enabling them to deeply believe without doubt that within their five aggregates bodies lies the Tathāgata’s wisdom and virtuous marks. Thus, the cultivation of the faith-stage Bodhisattva is perfected. This brief explanation of the sūtra concludes here. May all sentient beings who have the affinity to hear or encounter the *Mahāvaipulya Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra* deeply believe that within their five aggregates bodies lies the Tathāgatagarbha, be willing to realize the Tathāgatagarbha under the guidance of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and further make the great vow to practice the Bodhisattva path based on it life after life, until they accomplish the Buddha Bodhi Way in the future.
