Avatamsaka Sutra - Chapter 40
The Chapter on Entering the Inconceivable State of Liberation
of the Conduct and Vows of Universal Worthy
Translated on Imperial command by the T’ang Dynasty Tripitaka Dharma Master Prajna of Kubha.
At that time, Universal Worthy Bodhisattva Mahasattva, having praised the Thus Come One’s merit and virtue, told all the Bodhisattvas and Good Wealth, “Good Men, if all the Buddhas of the ten directions spoke continuously of the Thus Come One’s merit and virtue for kalpas as many as fine motes of dust in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddhalands, those virtues could not fully be described. Those wishing to perfect the doors of this merit and virtue should cultivate ten vast and great conduct and vows.”
What are the ten? The first is to worship and respect all Buddhas; the second is to praise the Thus Come Ones; the third is to extensively cultivate making offerings; the fourth is to repent of karmic obstacles and reform; the fifth is to follow along with and rejoice in merit and virtue; the sixth is to request the turning of the Dharma Wheel; the seventh is to request that the Buddhas remain in the world; the eighth is to always study with the Buddhas; the ninth is to constantly accord with living beings; the tenth is to universally transfer all merit and virtue.
Good Wealth asked, “Great Sage! What does it mean to worship and respect all Buddhas, up to and including to universally transfer all merit and virtue?”
The First Vow: To Worship and Respect All Buddhas
Universal Worthy Bodhisattva told Good Wealth, “Good Man, to worship and respect all Buddhas is explained like this: All Buddhas, World Honored Ones, are as numerous as fine motes of dust in all Buddhalands in the ten directions and the three periods of time, to the exhaustion of the Dharma Realm and empty space. Because of the power of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva’s conduct and vows, I have a mind of deep faith and understanding of them as if they were before my eyes.
“With my body, mouth, and mind karma completely pure, I constantly worship and respect them.
“In each and every place where there are Buddhas, I manifest bodies as numerous as fine motes of dust in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddhalands.
“Each and every body everywhere worships and respects Buddhas as many as the fine motes of dust in ineffably ineffable numbers of Buddhalands.
“When the realm of empty space is exhausted, my worship and respect will be exhausted. But because the realm of empty space is inexhaustible, my worship and respect will never end. In the same way, when the realms of living beings, the karma of living beings, and the afflictions of living beings are exhausted, my worship and respect will be exhausted. But the realms of living beings, the karma of living beings, and the afflictions of living beings are inexhaustible. Therefore, my worship and respect are inexhaustible. They continue in thought after thought without cease. My body, mouth, and mind never tire of doing these deeds.
