Dharma Doors: The Avatamsaka Sutra

‘THE GREAT MEANS EXPANSIVE BUDDHA FLOWER ADORNMENT SUTRA.’

Introduction

A brief outline with annotations to inform people about the existence and accessibility of the AVATAMSAKA SUTRA, the first sutra spoken by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment.

by Soo Hoong Liung, disciple of the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

Homage to the
Avatamsaka Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as Vast as the sea,

Homage to the Avatamsaka Sutra

The greatest event in history is the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha because at that time, the World Honored One spoke the Great Means Expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra. In Sanskrit, it is known as the Maha-Vaipulya-Buddha-Avatamsaka-Sutra. In Chinese, it is called the Ta Fang Kuang Fo Hua Yen Ching.

National Master Ch’ing Liang says,
Without Rising from Beneath the King of Trees,
He Extends to Seven Places in the Dharma Realm.

Preface

The Buddha used the Sea-Seal Samadhi to speak this Sutra with his Dharma Body in seven places and nine assemblies, in the human realm and in the heavens.

The First Assembly gathered at the site of his enlightenment; the six chapters spoken here are:

The Wondrous Adornments of World Rulers.
The Appearance of the Thus Come One
Universal Worthy’s Samadhi
The Coming into Being of Worlds
The Flower Store Sea of Worlds
Vairochana

The Second Assembly is at the Universal Light Palace; the six chapters spoken here are;

The Names of the Thus Come Ones
The Four Holy Truths
Light Enlightenment
Bodhisattvas Ask for Clarification
Pure Conduct
Worthy Leader

The Third Assembly is at the Trayastrimsha Heaven; the six chapters spoken here are:

Ascending to the Summit of Mt. Sumeru
Praises Atop Mt. Sumeru
The Ten Dwellings
Brahma Conduct
The Merit and Virtue from First Bringing Forth the Mind
Understanding Dharmas

The Fourth Assembly is at the Suyama Heaven; the four chapters spoken here are:

Ascending to the Suyama Heaven Palace
Praises in the Suyama Heaven Palace
The Ten Conducts
The Ten Inexhaustible Treasuries

The Fifth Assembly is at the Tushita Heaven; the three chapters spoken here are;

Ascending to the Tushita Heaven Palace
Praises in the Tushita Heaven Palace
The Ten Transferences

The Sixth Assembly is at the Bliss from Others’ Transformations Heaven (Paranirmitavashavartin); the one chapter spoken here is:

The Ten Grounds

The Seventh Assembly is again at the Universal Light Palace; the eleven chapters spoken here are:

The Ten Samadhis
The Ten Penetrations
The Ten Patiences
Asamkhyeyas
Life spans
Bodhisattvas’ Dwelling Places
The Buddhas’ Inconceivable Dharmas
The Sea of the Marks of the Thus Come Ones’ Ten Bodies
The Light of the Merit and Virtue of the Thus Come Ones’ Minor Characteristics
Universal Worthy’s Conduct
The Thus Come Ones’ Appearances

The Eighth Assembly is again at the Universal Light Palace; the one chapter spoken is:

Leaving the World

The Ninth Assembly is back in this world, at the Jeta Grove; the one chapter spoken here is:

Entering the Dharma Realm

(Includes Universal Worthy’s Conduct and Vows Chapter)
National Master Ch’ing Liang says,

Considering that in the Proper Dharma Age
Its Pure Glory Still Remained Concealed,
How Fortunate that in Semblance and in Final Times
This Profound Teaching is Happened Upon!
Moreover, when one meets a Sagely Ruler,
Obtaining it on Magic Mountain,
Exhaustively Reflecting on its Esoteric Doctrine,
How can one but Jump for Joy.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Writer’s Foreword
Introduction
Title of Sutra
Chapter 1 The Wondrous Adornments of World Rulers

Ten Kinds of Assemblies

Earthquakes
Chapter 2 The Appearance of The Thus Come One

Shakyamuni Buddha’s Buddhaland Is Pure

Vimalakirti Sutra
Chapter 3 Universal Worthy's Samadhi
Chapter 4 The Coming Into Being of Worlds

The Hearers Could Not See or Hear

How the World Comes into Being
Chapter 5 The Flower Store Sea Of Worlds

Scientists

Wind Wheels

Five Eyes
Chapter 6 Vairochana