It is a pleasure to present selections from “The Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayus” translated into English by J. Takakusu in the book, “Buddhist Mahayana Texts.” Today, we will be focusing on the contemplation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma.
10. Contemplation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
“When you have seen Buddha Amitâyus distinctly, you should then further meditate upon Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Whose height is eight hundred thousands of niyutas (hundreds of billions) of yoganas; the color of His body is purple-gold, His head has a turban (ushnîshasiraskatâ), at the back of which there is a halo; (the circumference of) His face is a hundred thousand yoganas.
In that halo, there are five hundred Buddhas miraculously transformed, just like those of Sâkyamuni Buddha; each transformed Buddha is attended by five hundred transformed Bodhisattvas who are also attended by numberless Gods. Within the circle of Light emanating from His whole body, appear illuminated the various forms and marks of all beings that live in the five paths of existence. On the top of His head is a Heavenly crown of gems like those that are fastened (on Indra’s head), in which crown there is a transformed Buddha standing, twenty-five yoganas high.
The face of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is like Gâmbûnada gold in color. The soft hair between the eyebrows has all the colors of the seven jewels, from which eighty-four [thousand] kinds of Rays flow out. Each Ray has innumerable transformed Buddhas, each of Whom is attended by numberless transformed Bodhisattvas; freely changing Their manifestations. They fill up the worlds of the ten quarters; (the appearance) can be compared with the color of the red lotus-flower. (He wears) a garland consisting of eight [billion] Rays, in which is seen fully reflected a state of perfect Beauty. The palm of His hand has a mixed color of [fifty billion] lotus-flowers. His hands have ten (tips of) fingers, each tip has eighty-four thousand pictures, which are like signet-marks, each picture has eighty-four thousand colors, each color has eighty-four thousand Rays which are soft and mild and shine. When He lifts up His feet, the soles of His feet are seen to be marked with a wheel of a thousand spokes (one of the thirty-two signs) which miraculously transform themselves into five hundred million pillars of Rays. When He puts His feet down to the ground, the flowers of diamonds and jewels are scattered about, and all things are simply covered by them. All the other signs of His body and the minor marks of excellence are perfect, and not at all different from those of Buddha, except the signs of having the turban on His head and the top of His head invisible, which two signs of Him are inferior to those of the World-Honored One. Such is the perception of the real form and body of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and it is the Tenth Meditation.
Buddha, especially addressing Ânanda, said: “Whosoever wishes to meditate on Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara must do so in the way I have explained. Those who practice this meditation will not suffer any calamity; they will utterly remove the obstacle that is raised by karma, and will expiate the sins which would involve them in births and deaths for numberless kalpas. Even the hearing of the name of this Bodhisattva will enable one to obtain immeasurable happiness. How much more, then, will the diligent contemplation of Him!” Whosoever will meditate on Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara should first meditate on the turban of His head, and then on His Heavenly crown. All the other signs should also be meditated on according to their order, and they should be clear and distinct just as one sees the palms of one’s hands.”
11. Contemplation of Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma
“Next, you should meditate on Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma, whose bodily signs, height, and size are equal to those of Avalokitesvara; the circumference (surface) of His halo is one hundred and twenty-five yoganas, and it shines as far as two hundred and fifty yoganas. The Rays of His whole body shine over the countries of the ten quarters, They are purple-gold in color, and can be seen by all beings that are in favorable circumstances. If one but sees the Ray that issues from a single root of the hair of this Bodhisattva, he will at the same time see the pure and excellent Rays of all the innumerable Buddhas of the ten quarters.”
