Chapter Six: The Merits and Benefits of Upholding, Reciting, and Studying the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra

Original Text: At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the Great Bodhisattva Vajramati: "Whether monastic or lay, virtuous men and women who uphold, recite, copy, make offerings to, and widely expound the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra shall obtain immeasurable merits. Vajramati, if there are bodhisattvas who diligently practice vigor for the sake of the Buddha Way, cultivate spiritual powers, and enter all samādhis."

Explanation: This sūtra was primarily requested by Bodhisattva Vajramati, who initiated the inquiry. The World-Honored One expounded this Mahāvaipulya Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra due to this request. Bodhisattva Vajramati is the primary questioner and initiator of this sūtra.

At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the Great Bodhisattva Vajramati, saying that if the fourfold assembly—monastics and laypeople, virtuous men and women—can uphold, recite, copy, make offerings to, and widely expound the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra to sentient beings, the merits they obtain will be immeasurable. Vajramati, if there are bodhisattvas who diligently practice vigor for the sake of cultivating the Buddha Way, they should courageously practice the Dharma of Tathāgatagarbha, cultivate the four dhyānas and eight samāpattis, attain spiritual powers and conduct, and enter all samādhis.

Original Text: "If they wish to plant roots of virtue, make offerings exceeding the sands of the Ganges to the presently abiding buddhas, build over sands of the Ganges in number seven-jeweled pavilions and towers, each ten yojanas high, with length and breadth equal to one yojana each, set with seven-jeweled couches spread with celestial silks, and for each buddha daily erect over sands of the Ganges in number seven-jeweled pavilions and towers to offer in homage to each Tathāgata, as well as to the great bodhisattvas and śrāvaka assemblies. With such deeds, they universally make offerings to all presently abiding buddhas exceeding the sands of the Ganges."

Explanation: If one wishes to plant roots of virtue and widely cultivate fields of merit, one should make offerings exceeding the number of sands in the Ganges to the presently abiding buddhas and build for them seven-jeweled towers and pavilions exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number. The seven-jeweled pavilions and towers are ten yojanas high—one yojana being forty to eighty li, thus the height is equivalent to four hundred to eight hundred li. The length and breadth are each one yojana, that is, forty to eighty li. One should also set seven-jeweled couches for the buddhas, spread with celestial ribbons. One should daily build for each buddha seven-jeweled pavilions and towers exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number, offering them to each Tathāgata, as well as to the great bodhisattvas and śrāvaka assemblies. With such spiritual power, the bodhisattva universally makes offerings to the presently abiding World-Honored Buddhas exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number.

What are spiritual powers? Although cultivating the four dhyānas and eight samāpattis can yield extraordinary spiritual wonders, this is conditional practice, a phenomenon of birth and cessation. True spiritual power is the wondrous merit inherent in Tathāgatagarbha. Tathāgatagarbha itself is profoundly miraculous, capable of penetrating all dharmas, omniscient and omnipotent. Its miraculous function can produce something from nothing, generating wondrous existence from true emptiness. Its penetration connects it to all dharmas, manifesting all dharmas, non-dual with all dharmas. Within its essence, not a single dharma exists, yet it manifests all dharmas. Its substance is smaller than a mustard seed, yet it can manifest the buddha-lands of the ten directions and immeasurable emanations. After bodhisattvas attain the four dhyānas and eight samāpattis, they gain immeasurable hundreds of thousands of samādhis—samādhis of meditative concentration, as well as wisdom samādhis of equal balance in concentration and wisdom. After realizing the mind and seeing the nature, they attain the Vajra Samādhi, Prajñā Samādhi, and True Suchness Samādhi. All samādhis encompass realms of wisdom and meditative concentration.

The bodhisattva makes offerings to presently abiding buddhas exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number, wishing to plant roots of virtue. Roots of virtue refer to the merit, wisdom, provisions, spiritual provisions, virtuous conduct, and the purification of mental tendencies attained through practice, leading to the future transformation of consciousness into wisdom. To plant roots of virtue, the bodhisattva must make offerings to the presently teaching and benefiting buddhas of the ten directions, exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number. How should they make offerings? By building seven-jeweled pavilions and towers exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number to offer to the buddhas. Moreover, since it is not for one buddha but for buddhas exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number, they must build seven-jeweled pavilions and towers exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number.

Original Text: "In this way, progressively up to exceeding fifty times the sands of the Ganges, they use multitudes of jeweled pavilions and towers to make offerings to presently abiding buddhas exceeding fifty times the sands of the Ganges, as well as to the bodhisattvas, śrāvakas, and great assemblies, continuing for immeasurable hundreds of thousands of kalpas."

Explanation: The bodhisattva daily builds for each presently abiding buddha seven-jeweled pavilions and towers exceeding the sands of the Ganges in number, using them to make offerings to each buddha, each bodhisattva, and the śrāvaka assemblies. With such offerings, the bodhisattva makes offerings to presently abiding buddhas, bodhisattvas, and śrāvaka assemblies exceeding fifty times the sands of the Ganges in number, continuing daily for immeasurable hundreds of thousands of kalpas. Such offerings are truly inconceivable. Continuously giving food and multitudes of jeweled pavilions and towers—is such a bodhisattva not exceptionally diligent? The merit obtained is immeasurable and boundless.

Original Text: "Vajramati, it is not equal to a person who delights in bodhi, who upholds, recites, copies, and makes offerings to the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, even up to one simile. Vajramati, this virtuous man plants various roots of goodness at the places of the buddhas; though his merit is immeasurable, it does not equal one percent, not one thousandth, of the merit attained by such virtuous men and women. It cannot be compared even by calculation or analogy."

Explanation: Vajramati, even such offerings are not equal to a person who delights in the great path of bodhi, who practices the path of bodhi, who upholds, recites, copies, and makes offerings to the Mahāvaipulya Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, or even upholds, recites, copies, and makes offerings to a single simile within the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra. Vajramati, the merit of that virtuous man who daily builds seven-jeweled stupas and makes offerings to the buddhas, though immeasurable, does not equal the merit attained by virtuous men and women who uphold and recite the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra—not even one percent or one thousandth of it. Even if calculated by analogy, it cannot be compared; it is beyond comparison.

Alternatively, the merit of immeasurable material giving does not equal one percent or one thousandth of the merit of reciting and upholding the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, and it is far beyond comparison. It is truly inconceivable; the difference in merit is fundamentally incalculable. This shows how vast the merit and virtue are for sentient beings who study and practice the Dharma of Tathāgatagarbha—it is boundlessly vast!

Original Text: At that time, the World-Honored One spoke verses again, saying:

If a person seeks bodhi, hears and upholds this sūtra, Copies and makes offerings, even to a single verse—

The Tathāgata’s subtle treasury—and generates joy in a moment, Should listen to this true teaching; the merit is without measure.

If a person seeks bodhi, abides in great spiritual power, Wishes to offer to the buddhas of the ten directions, Bodhisattvas and śrāvaka assemblies,

Their number exceeding the Ganges’ sands, Billions of eons inconceivable, For each and every buddha, erects wondrous jeweled towers.

Explanation: At that time, the World-Honored One again summarized with verses:

If a person seeks bodhi, hears and upholds this sūtra, Copies and makes offerings, even to a single verse. If someone wishes to realize bodhi, practice the great path of bodhi, seek the Dharma of Tathāgatagarbha, aspire to realize the mind and see the nature, accomplish the Buddha Way, hear and uphold this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, copy the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, make various offerings to the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, or even uphold, recite, copy, and make offerings to a single verse within the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra.

The Tathāgata’s subtle treasury, generates joy in a moment, Should listen to this true teaching; the merit is without measure. While reciting, upholding, or copying the Tathāgata’s subtle treasury, if they can generate a thought of joyful acceptance and praise in a single moment, saying, "This sūtra is truly excellent," this single utterance of praise will enable them to become a buddha in the future. Such people should all come to hear the true Dharma teaching of the Tathāgata, hear the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra expounded by the Tathāgata. The merit they can obtain is immeasurable and boundless.

If a person seeks bodhi, abides in great spiritual power, Wishes to offer to the buddhas of the ten directions, Bodhisattvas and śrāvaka assemblies. Their number exceeding the Ganges’ sands, Billions of eons inconceivable, For each and every buddha, erects wondrous jeweled towers. If someone wishes to realize unsurpassed bodhi, possesses great spiritual power, and hopes to make offerings to the buddhas of the ten directions, and to the bodhisattvas and śrāvaka assemblies. The number of buddhas, bodhisattvas, and śrāvaka assemblies they wish to make offerings to exceeds the sands of the Ganges. The duration of offerings exceeds one hundred million years. Such offerings are indeed inconceivable. Moreover, they specially build wondrous seven-jeweled pavilions and towers for each and every buddha.

Original Text: Towers ten yojanas high, length and breadth forty li, Within are set seven-jeweled seats, adorned with all wonders,

Spread with celestial silk cushions, each seat uniquely splendid, Offerings exceeding the Ganges’ sands, presented to buddhas and the great assembly.

All are thus dedicated, day and night without rest, Fulfilled for a hundred thousand kalpas; the merit thus attained.

The wise hearing this sūtra, able to uphold one simile, And explain it for others, their merit surpasses that,

Even beyond calculation, analogy cannot compare; The reliance of sentient beings, swiftly accomplishes the supreme way.

Bodhisattvas deeply contemplate the profound Tathāgatagarbha, Knowing all sentient beings possess it, swiftly accomplish the supreme way.

Explanation: Towers ten yojanas high, length and breadth forty li, Within are set seven-jeweled seats, adorned with all wonders. Each seven-jeweled pavilion and tower built is ten yojanas high, with length and breadth of forty li. Forty li is one yojana; ten yojanas high is four hundred li. Within the jeweled towers are spread seven-jeweled thrones and couches, adorned with great solemnity, complete with all wonders.

Spread with celestial silk cushions, each seat uniquely splendid, Offerings exceeding the Ganges’ sands, presented to buddhas and the great assembly. They are spread with celestial silks and cushions. Each throne varies in splendor and wonder; their materials, colors, and jewels are all different, ever-changing and diverse. The quantity of offerings and jewels is immeasurable, exceeding the sands of the Ganges, and all are presented to the buddhas, bodhisattvas, and śrāvaka assemblies.

All are thus dedicated, day and night without rest, Fulfilled for a hundred thousand kalpas; the merit thus attained. Day and night, without rest, they make offerings to the buddhas and bodhisattva assemblies. After fulfilling this for a hundred thousand kalpas, the merit attained similarly exceeds the sands of the Ganges. A single small kalpa equals 16.8 million human years; a medium kalpa multiplies that by twenty; a great kalpa multiplies that by eighty—this is the duration of one kalpa. Making such offerings daily for such an immeasurably long time—how much merit would such a person obtain? It is fundamentally incalculable. This is called "inconceivable."

The wise hearing this sūtra, able to uphold one simile, And explain it for others, their merit surpasses that. Intelligent and wise people who hear this Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, even if they can uphold just one simile and explain it to others, the merit they obtain far surpasses that of making offerings to buddhas, bodhisattvas, and śrāvakas for hundreds of thousands of koṭis of kalpas. Even beyond calculation, analogy cannot compare; The reliance of sentient beings, swiftly accomplishes the supreme way. One simile—such as the simile of honey, the golden image, the mani jewel, etc.—if one can uphold even one simile and explain it to others, this merit already surpasses the merit of offering seven-jeweled pavilions and towers to the buddhas. The extent of this surpassing is beyond calculation by any number. This person becomes the reliance of sentient beings. He can become a bodhisattva, swiftly accomplish the supreme way, perfect buddhahood, and liberate immeasurable sentient beings.

Bodhisattvas deeply contemplate the profound Tathāgatagarbha, Knowing all sentient beings possess it, swiftly accomplish the supreme way. Practicing bodhisattvas, after careful contemplation, know the profound Tathāgatagarbha. Every sentient being possesses it. Once sentient beings realize it themselves, they can swiftly accomplish the supreme buddha way. Because only by knowing Tathāgatagarbha can one realize Tathāgatagarbha, and ultimately rely on Tathāgatagarbha to attain buddhahood. Therefore, studying the Dharma of Tathāgatagarbha and upholding and reciting the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra is supremely and incomparably wondrous.

The final section recounts how the World-Honored One told the bodhisattvas of his own past-life deeds from countless kalpas ago, when he first began cultivating the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, sharing with them his experiences in studying the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra.