The Great Cloud (1)
Chapter 3
Toh 232
Degé Kangyur, vol. 64 (mdo sde, wa), folios 113.a–214.b
- Surendrabodhi
- Bandé Yeshé Dé
Imprint
Translated by the Mahamegha Translation Team
under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha
First published 2022
Current version v 1.1.23 (2024)
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Table of Contents
Summary
The Great Cloud features a long dialogue between the Buddha Śākyamuni and a bodhisattva named Great Cloud Essence, who are periodically joined by various additional interlocutors from the vast audience of human and divine beings who have assembled to hear the Buddha’s teaching. The topics of their conversation are diverse and wide-ranging, but a central theme is the vast conduct of bodhisattvas, which is illustrated through the enumeration of the various meditative states and liberative techniques that bodhisattvas must master in order to minister to all sentient beings. This is followed by a conversation with the brahmin Kauṇḍinya concerning the Buddha’s cousin Devadatta, who is revealed to be a bodhisattva displaying the highest level of skillful means. Kauṇḍinya then inquires about the possibility of obtaining a relic from the Buddha, and another member of the audience responds with an explanation of how truly rare it is for a buddha relic to appear within the world. Finally, the discourse ends with the Buddha delivering a series of detailed prophecies describing the principal interlocutor’s future attainment of buddhahood, and he further explains the benefits and powers that can be obtained through the practice of this sūtra itself.
Acknowledgements
This translation was produced by Joshua Capitanio for the Mahamegha Translation Team. The translator is grateful to Christopher Jones (University of Cambridge) and Susan Roach for offering several helpful suggestions.
The translation was completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha.
The translation of this text has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of an anonymous donor, who would like to dedicate it in memory of Lin, Zai-He and Lin Lee, Wan-Zhi.
Text Body
The Great Cloud
Chapter 3
Then, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Great Cloud Essence addressed the Bhagavān, saying, “Those outsiders who have turned away from these great Vaipulya teachings have become as though deaf; in order to make them whole with the ear faculties of the Great Vehicle, I beseech the Bhagavān to give an extensive explanation of those previously mentioned thirty-six Dharma gateways of dhāraṇī called directly entering the jewel mine of the infinite gnosis of irreversibility.”
The Bhagavān replied, [F.158.b] “Great Cloud Essence, listen well as I give an extensive explanation of the thirty-six Dharma gateways of dhāraṇī called directly entering the jewel mine of the infinite gnosis of irreversibility.
“Great Cloud Essence, within the inconceivable domain of this Great Cloud discourse, there is the dhāraṇī called precious storehouse of the wheel of the irreversibility of all tathāgatas and bodhisattvas. There is the dhāraṇī called water of the stainless essence of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called brilliant essence of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called intelligence of the water of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called flowing water of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called inexhaustible intellect of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called swift lightning of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called endowed with the lightning of the essence of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called stainless light of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called intellect of the emblem of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called radiant intellect of the king of the essential treasury of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called thunderclap of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called swift glory of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called king of space of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called great medicine king of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called king of the oceanic flow of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called all-pervading spread of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called Mount Kailāśa of the great cloud of irreversibility.
“There is the dhāraṇī called space-like intellect of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called superior king of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called king of the tides of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called joyful call of the swan of the great cloud of irreversibility. [F.159.a] There is the dhāraṇī called seal of the wind of gnosis of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called resolute king of the profound intellect of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called shower of seeds of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called earth garland of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called delightful wind of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called brilliant intellect of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called shaking of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called king of adornment in the essential manner of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called treasury of the essence of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called display of the water of the essence of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called protector of the water of the great cloud of irreversibility that knows no exhaustion. There is the dhāraṇī called moonlight-blossoming kumuda of the water of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called foundation of the essence of the great cloud of irreversibility. There is the dhāraṇī called king of the inconceivable oceanic intellect of the great cloud of irreversibility. These thirty-six are the dhāraṇī gateways called directly entering the jewel mine of the infinite gnosis of irreversibility. Bodhisattvas who possess these will become kings of astrological reckoning.”
At that time, a goddess named Rejoices in the Dhāraṇī of the Precious Garland rose from the great assembly. Poised in midair, at a height equal to that of seven palm trees, she sent down a rain of flowers upon the Bhagavān and uttered these verses to him:
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