Book 18, Clarifying Method. Then the enlightening being, Vigorous Wisdom, said to the enlightening being, Truth Wisdom, O child of Buddha, when great enlightening beings first arouse the mind to seek all knowledge, they fulfill such infinite virtues, are replete with great adornments, climb up into the vehicle of omniscience, enter the correct state of enlightening beings, give up all worldly things and attain the transmundane truths of the Buddhas, are taken into the company of all the Buddhas of past, present, and future, and will certainly reach the ultimate point of unexcelled enlightenment. How should those enlightening beings practice the Buddha teachings so as to cause all the enlightened ones joy, enter the abode of all enlightening beings,

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attain purity of all great actions, fulfill all great vows, obtain the vast treasuries of enlightening beings, always teach according to necessity and potential for edification without ever giving up the transcending practices, cause all sentient beings under their care to attain deliverance and continue the lineage of the three treasures unbroken, that their good roots and adaptive skills not be wasted? O child of Buddha, by what techniques can they cause these things to be fulfilled? Please extend your compassion to explain for us. Everyone in this assembly wants to hear. Furthermore, if great enlightening beings always diligently practice to annihilate all the darkness of ignorance, conquer demons

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and enemies and control heretics, forever wash away all afflictions defiling the mind, they will all be able to perfect all roots of goodness, forever escape the difficulties of all miserable realms of being, purify all spheres of great knowledge, accomplish all the stages of enlightenment and their pure virtues, the transcending practices, monomic mastery, concentration, the six super-knowledges, and the four fearlessnesses, adorning all Buddha lands, their physical refinements as well, their bodily, verbal, and mental actions will all be perfectly complete. They will know well all the powers, fearlessnesses, unique qualities, omniscience, and spheres of action of all the enlightened ones, the

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Buddhas. In order to develop and mature all living beings according to their mentalities, they will take appropriate Buddha lands and expound the truth as necessary in accord with beings' faculties and in accord with the time and situation. They will fulfill various immeasurable great Buddha works as well as innumerable other virtuous things, various practices, paths, and realms and soon be equal to the enlightened ones. They can maintain and protect all the treasuries of truth assembled by the perfectly enlightened ones over their hundreds and thousands of immeasurable eons of cultivating enlightening practices and can expound them unhindered and undisrupted by demons or heretics. They will hold the true teaching forever and in all worlds when they teach, they will be protected

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by celestial beings, Yaksha kings, Gandharva kings, Titan kings, Garuda kings, Kinnara kings, Maharaja kings, human kings, Brahma kings, and enlightened kings of truth. All worlds will respect and support them alike crowning them. They will always be under the care of the Buddhas and will also be loved and respected by all enlightening beings. Attaining the power of roots of goodness, they will increase virtuous ways, expound the treasury of profound teachings of the enlightened, and hold the true teaching wherewith they will adorn themselves. Please expound the process of enlightening beings' practices. Then, the enlightening being Vigorous Wisdom, wanting to reiterate her intention, spoke these verses.

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O Famous One, well do you expound the virtues accomplished by enlightening beings, deeply entering boundless great action, fulfilling pure teacherless knowledge. If enlightening beings at their first inspiration accomplish the practice of virtue and wisdom, enter the rank of freedom from birth, transcending the world, universally attaining the principle of true enlightenment, then how should they, in the Buddha teaching, stably and strongly practice with diligence to progress further, to cause all the enlightened ones to rejoice, to be able to quickly enter the state of the Buddhas, fulfill all the pure vows they carry out and attain the vast treasury of knowledge and wisdom, and also be able to teach the truth to liberate beings without their minds relying on or attached to anything, fulfill

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all the transcendent ways of enlightening beings, rescue and liberate all beings under their care, forever maintain the lineage of Buddhas unbroken, so all they do is sure and not in vain, and they accomplish all tasks and win emancipation. Please explain this pure path in accord with what all the victors practice, to forever destroy the darkness of ignorance, overthrow all demons and heretics, wash away all defilements, to be able to approach the great knowledge and wisdom of the enlightened and forever leave the dangers of the evil ways, to purify the extraordinary spheres of great knowledge, attain the powers of the sublime way next to the supreme honored one, to fulfill all virtues and realize the supreme knowledge of the enlightened, live in innumerable lands and expound the

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truth according to the mentalities of the beings there, and perform the various great deeds of the Buddhas. How can they attain the wonderful paths and expound the treasury of true teachings of the enlightened, always able to accept and hold the Buddha teachings, unsurpassable and incomparable? How can they be fearless like lions, their acts pure as the full moon? How can they cultivate the Buddha's virtues like lotuses to which water does not adhere? Then the enlightening being truth wisdom said to the enlightening being vigorous wisdom, very good child of Buddha, you have asked about the pure practice cultivated by enlightening beings out of compassion for the world, because you wish that many be aided and comforted, that many be benefited. Child of Buddha, you abide by the truth, you activate great vigor,

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increasing without recession, having already attained liberation, you are able to pose this question, the same as an enlightened one. Listen clearly, think well upon this. Now by the spiritual power of Buddha, I will explain a little of it for you. Child of Buddha, once enlightening beings have developed the determination for omniscience, they should leave the darkness of ignorance and diligently guard themselves from indulgence and laxity. If enlightening beings abide by ten things, that is called non-indulgence. One is to keep the behavioral precepts. Second is to abandon folly and purify the will for enlightenment. Third is to like straightforwardness and reject flattery and deception. Fourth is to

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earnestly cultivate virtues without regressing. Fifth is to continually reflect on one's aspiration. Sixth is not to enjoy association with ordinary people, whether they be householders or monks. Seventh is to do good deeds without hoping for worldly rewards. Eighth is to forever leave lesser vehicles and practice the path of enlightening beings. Ninth is to gladly practice what is good, not letting goodness be cut off. Tenth is to always examine one's own power of perseverance. If enlightening beings practice these ten things, this is called abiding in non-indulgence. When enlightening beings persist in non-indulgence, they attain ten kinds of purity. One, acting in accord with what they say. Two, consummation of attention

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and discernment. Three, abiding in deep concentration without torpor or agitation. Four, gladly seeking Buddha teachings without flagging. Five, contemplating the teachings heard according to reason, fully developing skillfully flexible knowledge. Six, entering deep meditation and attaining the psychic powers of Buddhas. Seven, their minds are equanimous without sense of high or low status. Eight, in regard to superior, middling, and inferior types of beings, their minds are unstructured and like the earth, they benefit all equally. Nine, if they see any beings who have even once made the determination for enlightenment, they honor and serve them as teachers. Ten, they always respect, serve, and support their

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preceptors and tutors and all enlightening beings, wise friends, and teachers. These are called the ten kinds of purity of enlightening beings persisting in non-indulgence. Enlightening beings abide in non-indulgence, evoke great vigor, produce correct mindfulness, engender supreme aspiration, and work unceasingly. Their minds are free from dependence on anything. They are able to diligently cultivate the most profound teaching and enter the gate of non-contention. Broadening their minds, they are able to accordingly comprehend boundless Buddha teachings, causing the enlightened ones to all rejoice. There are ten more things by which enlightening beings can cause the Buddhas to rejoice. One, persevering without

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regression. Two, not begrudging their physical life. Three, not seeking profit or support. Four, knowing all things are like space. Five, being skillful at contemplation, entering into all realms of reality. Six, knowing the definitive marks of all things. Seven, always invoking great vows. Eight, developing the light of pure tolerant knowledge. Nine, examining one's own virtues without exaggeration or underestimation. Ten, cultivating pure practices in accord with the way of non-striving. This is called enlightening beings persisting in ten things whereby they are able to bring joy to all the enlightened ones. There are ten

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more things by which they can make all Buddhas joyful. Abiding securely in non-indulgence, abiding securely in acceptance of non-origination, abiding securely in great kindness, abiding securely in great compassion, abiding securely in the fulfillment of the transcendent ways, abiding securely in the enlightening practices, abiding securely in great vows, abiding securely in skillful means, abiding securely in dauntless power, abiding securely in knowledge and wisdom, observing all things have no abode like empty space. If enlightening beings abide in these ten things, they can cause all Buddhas joy. There are ten things which cause enlightening

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beings to quickly enter the stages. One, skillfully fulfilling the twin practices of virtue and knowledge. Two, ability to greatly adorn the path of the transcendent practices. Three, knowledge clearly comprehending, not following others' words. Four, serving good friends, never abandoning them. Five, always practicing perseverance without laziness. Six, skillful ability to abide in the psychic powers of Buddhas. Seven, cultivating roots of goodness without growing wearied. Eight, with a deep mind and incisive knowledge, adorning oneself with the teaching of the great vehicle. Nine, the mind not dwelling on the teachings of each stage. Ten, being of the same essential nature as all Buddhas of all times in virtue

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and liberative means. These ten things cause enlightening beings to quickly enter the stages. Furthermore, when enlightening beings are in the first stage, they should carefully investigate all the principles and knowledge pertaining to it, the causes cultivated there, the effects realized, the spheres, functions, manifestations, distinctions, and attainments pertaining to it. They should carefully examine and realize that all things are one's own mind and have no attachments to anything. With this knowledge, they enter the stages of enlightening beings and can steadfastly continue therein. Those enlightening beings formulate these thoughts. We should quickly enter the stages. Why? If we sojourn in stage after stage, we will develop

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such great virtuous qualities. Being replete with virtue, we will gradually enter the stage of Buddhahood. Once we are in the stage of Buddhahood, we can perform boundless great Buddha works. Therefore, we should always practice diligently and unremittingly without wearying, adorning ourselves with great virtues, and enter the stages of enlightening beings. There are ten things which cause the practices of enlightening beings to be pure. One, giving up all possessions to satisfy the wishes of sentient beings. Two, adhering to pure morality, not transgressing. Three, being inexhaustibly gentle and tolerant. Four, cultivating practices diligently without regressing. Five, being free from confusion and mental disturbance

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through the power of correct mindfulness. Six, analyzing and comprehending the innumerable teachings. Seven, cultivating all practices without attachment. Eight, being mentally imperturbable like a great mountain. Nine, extensively liberating living beings like a bridge. Ten, knowing that all living beings are in essence the same as the Buddhas. These ten things make enlightening beings' practices pure. Once enlightening beings have attained purity in practice, they also attain ten even greater things. One, the Buddhas of other realms always protect them. Two, their roots of goodness increase, going beyond any comparison. Three, they are able to receive the boosting power of the Buddhas. Four, they always find

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good people and are relied on by them. Five, they remain diligent and are never heedless. Six, they know all things are equal and not different. Seven, their minds always abide in unexcelled great compassion. Eight, they observe things as they really are, producing sublime wisdom. Nine, they are able to practice skillful techniques of liberation. Ten, they are able to know the Enlightened One's power of skill in liberative means. These are the ten excellent qualities of enlightening beings. Enlightening beings have ten pure vows. One, they vow to develop living beings to maturity without wearying. Two, they vow to fully practice all virtues and purify all worlds. Three, they vow to serve the Enlightened, always engendering

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honor and respect. Four, they vow to keep and protect the true teaching, not begrudging their lives. Five, they vow to observe with wisdom and enter the lands of the Buddhas. Six, they vow to be of the same essence as all enlightening beings. Seven, they vow to enter the door of realization of thusness and comprehend all things. Eight, they vow that those who see them will develop faith and all be benefited. Nine, they vow to stay in the world forever by spiritual power. Ten, they vow to fulfill the practice of universal good and master the knowledge of all particulars and all ways of liberation. These are the ten pure vows of enlightening beings. Enlightening beings can successfully fulfill their great vows by abiding by ten principles.

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One, never wearying in mind. Two, preparing great adornments. Three, remembering the superlative willpower of enlightening beings. Four, when hearing about the Buddha lands, vowing to be born in them all. Five, keeping their profound determination everlasting. Six, vowing to develop all living beings fully. Seven, staying through all ages without considering it troublesome. Eight, accepting all suffering without aversion. Nine, having no craving for or attachment to any pleasures. Ten, always diligently protecting the unexcelled teaching. When enlightening beings fulfill such vows, they attain ten inexhaustible treasuries, perception of the

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Buddha's perfect memory power, certain understanding of all the teachings, compassionate salvation, various states of concentration, extensive blessings and virtues satisfying the hearts of all beings, profound knowledge to expound all truths, spiritual powers gained as a consequence of practice, subsistence for immeasurable eons, entry into boundless worlds. These are enlightening beings ten inexhaustible treasuries. When enlightening beings have attained these ten treasuries, their virtue is complete, their knowledge is pure. They explain the truth to sentient beings according to their needs and capacities. How do enlightening beings explain the truth to sentient beings according to their needs and capacities? They know what

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beings do. They know their causes and conditions. They know their mental behavior. They know their inclinations. To those with much greed and desire, they expound impurity. To those with much anger and hatred, they expound magnanimity and kindness. To those with much ignorance and delusion, they teach diligent contemplation. To those in whom these poisons of greed, hatred and ignorance are equal, they expound the teaching of the development of the knowledge to overcome them. Those who like birth and death, they teach about the three kinds of suffering. To those who are attached to where they are, they teach the empty nullity of places. To those who are lazy, they talk of great vigor. To those who harbor conceit, they explain the equality of things. To flatterers and deceivers, they

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tell of the simple honesty of the hearts of enlightening beings. To those who like silence and tranquility, they expound the teaching extensively so that they will accomplish it. Thus do enlightening beings teach according to what is necessary and appropriate. When they expound the teaching, their expressions interlink. The meanings are free from contradiction and confusion. They observe the context of the teachings, analyze them wisely, determine right and wrong, accord with the definitive marks of things, impermanence, dispassion and selflessness, and progressively set up boundless practical approaches to cause all sentient beings to cut off all doubt. They know all faculties well, enter into the teachings of the enlightened, experience true reality, know things are equal, cut off all attachment

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to things, eliminate all clinging, and always remember the Buddhas, their minds never leaving them for a moment. They know the substance and essence of sounds are equal and have no attachment to verbalizations. They can skillfully expound examples and allegories without any contradiction to make everyone able to realize the impartial body of wisdom which all the Buddhas manifest everywhere according to need and suitability. When enlightening beings expound the teaching to sentient beings in this way, they practice it themselves, increasing its benefit, not giving up the ways of transcendence, fully setting out the path of the transcendent practices. At this time, enlightening beings give up everything external and internal without

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attachment to satisfy the hearts of sentient beings. Thus they can purify the transcendent practice of giving. They keep ethical precepts without attachment, forever divorcing conceit. Thus they can purify the transcendent practice of morality. They are able to tolerate all evils with minds equanimous toward all beings without disturbance or wavering, just like the earth, able to bear all. Thus they can purify the transcendent practice of forbearance. They undertake all practices without laziness, never regressing in what they do, with indomitable courage and energy, not grasping or rejecting all virtues, but able to fulfill all aspects of knowledge. Thus they can purify the transcendent practice of vigor. They have no attachment

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or greed for any objects of desire, are able to consummate the successive degrees of concentration, always meditate correctly, neither dwelling in or leaving concentration, yet able to dissolve all afflictions, produce innumerable facets of concentration, develop boundless great psychic powers, going back and forth successively from meditation state to meditation state. In one meditation enter boundless meditations, knowing all spheres of meditation, not discordant with the seal of knowledge of all concentrations and trances, able to quickly enter the stage of omniscience. Thus they can purify the transcendent practice of meditation. Hearing the teaching from the Buddhas and accepting and keeping it, associating with

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wise companions, serving them tirelessly, always glad to hear the teaching, never growing weary of it, thinking about what is heard according to the true principle, entering genuine concentration, divorcing all biased views, observing all things well, apprehending the definite mark of the character of reality, comprehending the effortless path of the enlightened, riding on universal wisdom, entering the gate of the knowledge of all knowledge, attaining eternal rest, thus can they purify transcendent wisdom. Manifesting all worldly occupations to teach living beings, never getting tired of it, appearing to them in forms pleasing to them, having no attachments to anything done, sometimes

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manifesting the acts of ordinary people, sometimes manifesting the acts of sages, sometimes manifesting birth and death, sometimes manifesting nirvana, able to keenly observe all doings and manifest all adornments without covetousness, entering all realms of existence to liberate sentient beings, thus can they purify the transcendent practice of skill and means. Thoroughly developing all living beings, thoroughly adorning all worlds, making offerings to all Buddhas, completely arriving at the state of non-obstruction, thoroughly cultivating practice extending throughout the universe, physically remaining throughout all times, knowing the thoughts of all minds, being fully aware that all cyclic transformations return

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to extinction, appearing in all lands, completely realizing the knowledge and wisdom of the enlightened, thus they can purify the transcendent practice of vows. Replete with the power of profound will, being without defilement, replete with the power of profound faith, being invisible, replete with the power of great compassion, never being weary, replete with the power of great kindness, being impartial in action, replete with memory power, being able to skillfully retain all meanings, replete with the power of elucidation, causing all beings to be happy and fulfilled, replete with the power of transcendent practices, adorning the great vehicle, replete with the power of vows, never ceasing, replete

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with the power of spiritual abilities, producing innumerable miracles, replete with the power of strengthening and sustaining, able to induce faith and acceptance, thus can they purify the transcendent practice of power. Knowing those who act on covetousness, knowing those who act on anger, knowing those who act on folly, knowing those who act equally on all of these, knowing those who cultivate learning in a single thought, knowing the actions of boundless sentient beings, knowing the minds of boundless sentient beings, knowing the truth of all things, knowing the powers of all enlightened ones, being aware of all aspects of the cosmos of reality, thus can they purify the transcendent practice of knowledge.

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Child of Buddha, when enlightening beings thus purify the transcendent practices, fulfill the transcendent practices, do not give up the transcendent practices, they abide in the magnificently adorned vehicle of enlightening beings and expound the teaching to all sentient beings who come to their attention, causing them to increase pure conduct and attain liberation. Those who have fallen into evil ways they cause to aspire to enlightenment. Those in difficulty they cause to diligently persevere. To the greedy they teach desirelessness. The wrathful they induce to practice equanimity. To those attached to views they explain interdependent origination. Beings in the realm of desire they teach to divorce unwholesome things like

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craving and hatred. To beings in the realm of form they teach analytic insight. To beings in the formless realm they expound subtle wisdom. To people of the two lesser vehicles they teach the practice of dispassion and tranquility. To those who like the great vehicle they expound the great adornment of the ten powers. As in the past when they first aspired to enlightenment they saw innumerable beings fallen into evil ways. They made the great lions roar and said, I should by means of various teachings appropriate to their needs and potentials rescue and liberate them. Enlightening beings replete with such knowledge and wisdom are able to liberate all sentient beings. Child of Buddha, enlightening beings endowed

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with such knowledge and wisdom cause the lineage of the three treasures never to end. How? Great enlightening beings teach creatures to awaken the will for enlightenment and therefore are able to cause the lineage of Buddhas not to be broken off. They always expound the treasury of the teaching for sentient beings and therefore are able to cause the lineage of the teaching not to be cut off. They maintain the principles of the teaching well without opposition or violation and therefore can cause the lineage of the religious community not to be cut off. Furthermore, they are able to praise all great vows and are therefore able to cause the lineage of Buddhas not to be cut off. They analyze and explain the aspects of causality and are therefore able to cause the lineage of the teaching not to be cut

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off. They always earnestly practice the six principles of harmony and respect and are therefore able to cause the lineage of the religious community not to be cut off. Also, they plant the seeds of Buddhahood in the field of sentient beings and therefore are able to cause the lineage of Buddhas not to be cut off. They protect and keep the teaching unreservedly and therefore are able to cause the lineage of the teaching not to be cut off. They unify and order the great community tirelessly and therefore are able to cause the lineage of the religious community not to be cut off. Also, they serve and uphold the teachings spoken and the precepts established by the Buddhas of past, present, and future and therefore are able to cause the lineage of the Buddha, teaching, and community to

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never be cut off. Thus, enlightening beings succeed to the three treasures, free from error in all they do, all of their actions they dedicate to omniscience, and therefore their physical, verbal, and mental actions are free from flaws. Being free from flaws, all the good deeds they do, all the practices they carry out, edifying beings, teaching them according to their needs, are never in error, even for a moment. All are in consonance with skill and knowledge. All are dedicated to omniscient knowledge, none passing in vain. Cultivating and practicing good ways like this, enlightening beings fulfill ten kinds of adornments moment after moment. Adornment of bodies, they appear as appropriate to beings

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who can be taught. Adornment of speech, they cut off all doubts and cause everyone to be rejoiced. Adornment of mind, they enter all meditations in a single instant. Adornment of Buddha lands, all are pure, free from afflictions. Adornment of auras, they radiate boundless light, illumining sentient beings everywhere. Adornment of community, they unify communities and gladden them all. Adornment of spiritual powers, they can appear freely, adapting to the minds of sentient beings. Adornment of true teaching, they are able to attract all intelligent people. Adornment of the state of nirvana, becoming enlightened in one place, they pervade the whole universe. Adornment of skillful explanation, they teach in accord

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with the place, the time, the faculty, and capacity. Perfecting these adornments, the physical, verbal, and mental actions of enlightening beings moment after moment are never wasted. All they dedicate to entering into omniscience. If any sentient beings see these enlightening beings, know that this also will not be in vain, for they will surely attain unexcelled complete perfect enlightenment. Any who hear their names or make offerings to them, or live with them, or remember them, or leave home to follow them, or listen to them preach, or rejoice in their virtues, or respect them from afar, or even praise their names, will all attain unexcelled complete perfect enlightenment. For example, it is though there were a medicine

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called good to see, which removed all toxins from those who saw it, so it is with enlightening beings who have accomplished this teaching. If sentient beings see them, all the poisons of afflictions will be destroyed and wholesome states will increase. Enlightening beings, abiding by this teaching and earnestly applying it, destroy the darkness of ignorance by means of the light of wisdom. They conquer the armies of demons by the power of compassion. They check heretics by means of great knowledge and the power of virtue. They wipe out all afflictions staining the mind by means of adamantine concentration. They gather roots of goodness by the power of diligence. They avoid the difficulties of evil ways by means

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of the power of virtues of purifying Buddha lands. They purify their spheres of knowledge by the power of non-attachment. By the power of skill and means and knowledge, they produce the transcendent practices of the stages of enlightening, as well as the various concentrations six super knowledges and four fearlessnesses, making them all pure. By the power of all virtues, they fully develop the pure lands of all Buddhas, their boundless distinguishing marks and refinements and complete physical, verbal, and mental adornments. By the power of observation with independent knowledge, they know the powers, fearlessnesses, and unique qualities of all enlightened ones are equal. By the power of vast knowledge, they comprehend the realm

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of omniscience. By the power of their past vows, they manifest Buddha lands according to the needs of those to be taught, turn the wheel of the teaching, and liberate innumerable living beings. Great enlightening beings diligently practice these things, gradually accomplishing all the deeds of enlightening beings till they attain equality with the Buddhas, become great teachers in boundless worlds, maintaining the true teaching protected by all the Buddhas, guarding and upholding the vast treasury of truth. Attaining unhindered intellect, they enter deeply into the facts of the teaching, and in boundless worlds among the great masses, they manifest different physical forms according to type, replete with supremely excellent features. With unhindered powers of elucidation, they skillfully explain the profound teachings

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of the teaching. The spheres of their speech, well-rounded, skillfully reach everyone, therefore are able to cause those who hear to enter the gate of inexhaustible knowledge. Knowing the afflictions current in the minds of beings, they teach them accordingly. Because the sounds of the speech they utter are completely pure, they can, preaching with one sound, cause all to become joyful. They are physically well-formed and have great strength, so among the masses, none can surpass them. Because they know sentient beings' minds well, they are able to appear in any way. Because they explain the truth skillfully, their voice is unhindered. Because they have freedom of mind, they explain the great teaching adaptively,

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and no one can obstruct them. Because they have attained fearlessness, their hearts are free from cowardice. Because they are masters of teaching, none can excel them. Because they are masters of knowledge, none can surpass them. Because they are masters of transcendent wisdom, the teachings they expound are not contradictory. Because they are masters of powers of elucidation, they teach continuously with eloquence. Because they are masters of mental command, they definitively disclose the real character of all things. Because they are masters of elocution, whenever they speak, they can bring forth all sorts of examples and metaphors. Because they are masters of great compassion, they diligently teach sentient

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beings without flagging. Because they are masters of great kindness, they emanate a great web of lights pleasing all hearts. Thus do enlightening beings on the high and wide lion throne expound the great teaching. Aside from the enlightened ones and the great enlightening beings of surpassing will and knowledge, no other beings can excel them. None can see their crowns, none can outshine them, and no one can stump them with difficult questions. Child of Buddha, once enlightening beings have attained such independent power, even if there were a vast sanctuary the size of unspeakably many worlds filled with beings, each of whom had the majesty of a lord of a billion worlds, as soon as any of the enlightening beings showed themselves, they would outshine the whole crowd of such beings. With great

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kindness and compassion, they would give them security where they were afraid and weak. And with profound wisdom, they would examine their inclinations and teach them with fearless eloquence, causing joy to all. Why? Because great enlightening beings have developed the sphere of immeasurable knowledge and wisdom. Because they have developed immeasurable skillful discernment. Because they have developed vast power of right mindfulness. Because they have developed infinitely flexible intellect. Because they have developed the total mental command to ascertain the true character of all things. Because they have developed a boundless determination for enlightenment. Because they have developed unerring powers of elucidation. Because they have developed profound faith and resolve boosted by the Buddhas. Because they have developed

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the power of knowledge to enter the assemblies of all Buddhas. Because they have developed the pure mind that knows the Buddhas of all times are of the same essential nature. Because they have developed the knowledge of enlightened ones of all times, and the great will and knowledge of all enlightening beings, and are able to be teachers of the truth, to open up the treasury of the true teaching of the Buddhas, and to protect and keep it. Then to restate what she meant, the enlightening being truth wisdom, by the spiritual power of the Buddha uttered these verses, mind dwelling on enlightenment, gathering myriad virtues, never self indulgent, planting unshakable wisdom, always mindful of the aspiration for enlightenment. At this all Buddhas rejoice. Mindfulness and will firm, self motivated,

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relying on nothing in the world, and never shrinking in fright, entering the profound truth by the practice of non contention. At this the Buddhas all rejoice. Once the Buddhas rejoice, enlightening beings are firm in effort. They cultivate virtue and wisdom, and all that assists the path. Entering into the pure practices of all the stages, they fulfill the aspirations spoken of by the enlightened. Practicing this, they attain the wondrous truth, and having attained to truth, they pass it on to others. According to mentalities, faculties, and natures, they teach in accord with whatever is fitting. Enlightening beings expound the teaching for others, without giving up their own transcendent practices. Once

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they have accomplished the transcendent ways, they remain forever in the sea of existence, rescuing living beings. They practice diligently day and night, never flagging, causing the seeds of the three treasures not to perish. All the pure practices they carry out, they dedicate to the stage of enlightenment. The virtuous acts performed by enlightening beings are all to develop and complete the living, to have them destroy obscurity and annihilate affliction, subdue the demon armies, and fulfill true awakening. Thus practicing, they attain Buddha knowledge, entering deeply into the treasury of truth of the enlightened. As great teachers, they expound the subtle truth, like sweet elixir refreshing all. Their compassion

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and pity extends to all. They know the mind of every sentient being, and expound to them in accord with their predilections, infinite, boundless, enlightening teachings. Their deportment is calm, as a majestic elephant. Their fearless courage is like that of a lion. Imperturbable as a mountain, their knowledge is like an ocean, and like a great rain removing all heat. When truth wisdom had spoken these verses, the Buddha was delighted, and everyone reverentially put them into practice.

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