Flower Adornment Sutra: The Four Holy Truths
The Great Means Expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra
Chapter Eight
The Four Holy Truths
Translated in the Tang Dynasty by the Tripitaka Master Shramana Shikshananda of Khotan
The Saha world.
At that time, Manjushri Bodhisattva Mahasattva told all the Bodhisattvas: “All of you Disciples of the Buddha, in this Saha world, the Holy Truth of Suffering is perhaps called offenses, perhaps called oppression, perhaps called flux and change, perhaps called grabbing onto conditions, perhaps called conglomeration, perhaps called thorns, perhaps called relying on the root, perhaps called vain and deceptive, perhaps called carbuncles and sores, perhaps called the conducts of stupid people.
Disciples of the Buddha, in this Saha world, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called being bound up, perhaps called decay and ruin, perhaps called the meaning of love and attachment, perhaps called false enlightenment and thoughts, perhaps called tending toward and entering, perhaps called decisive, perhaps called net, perhaps called idle speculation, perhaps called following along, perhaps called the root of inversion.
Disciples of the Buddha, in this Saha world, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called non-contention, perhaps called leaving filth, perhaps called still quiescence, perhaps called markless, perhaps called without demise, perhaps called without a self-nature, perhaps called freedom from impediments, perhaps called extinction, perhaps called true and actual substance, perhaps called abiding in the self-nature.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in this Saha world, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called the One Vehicle, perhaps called inclining toward stillness, perhaps called instructing and guiding, perhaps called ultimately without difference, perhaps called level equality, perhaps called renouncing one’s burden, perhaps called without tendencies, perhaps called according with the sagely intent, perhaps called the conduct of immortals, perhaps called ten treasuries.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in this Saha world, the Four Holy Truths can be described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.
Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Secret Instructions, is perhaps called root of seeking and searching, perhaps called not getting out, perhaps called the root of bonds and fetters, perhaps called doing what should not be done, perhaps called universal strife and contention, perhaps called lacking power to discriminate and analyze, perhaps called that on which activities rely, perhaps called extreme agony, perhaps called agitated movement, perhaps called objects with shape and form.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in that world called Secret Instructions, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called flowing along with birth and death, perhaps called defiled attachment, perhaps called burning, perhaps called flowing and turning, perhaps called the root of decay and ruin, perhaps called continuation of all realms of existence, perhaps called evil practice, perhaps called love and fixation, perhaps called the source of illness, perhaps called share and measure.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Secret Instructions, the Holy Truth of the Extinc -tion of Suffering is perhaps called the foremost meaning, perhaps called escape, perhaps called deserving praise, perhaps called peace and security, perhaps called wholesome tendencies, perhaps called taming and subduing, perhaps called one share, perhaps called free from offense, perhaps called separating from greed, perhaps called decisiveness.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in that world called Secret Instructions, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called valiant general, perhaps called superior conduct, perhaps called transcendence, perhaps called possessing expedients, perhaps called level eyes, perhaps called apart from extremes, perhaps called understanding and enlightenment, perhaps called gathering in, perhaps called most supreme eyes, perhaps called contemplating the directions.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Secret Instructions, the Four Holy Truths are descibed by forty trillions names such as these, which by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.
III. The World Most Victorious
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Most Victorious is perhaps called terrifying, perhaps called share-section, perhaps called loathsome, perhaps called demanding attention, perhaps called change, perhaps called resentment that beckons, perhaps called deception and usurpation, perhaps called difficult to work together, perhaps called false discrimination, perhaps called possessing strength.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in that world called Most Victorious, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called decay and destruction, perhaps called the root of stupidity, perhaps called great resentment, perhaps called sharp blade, perhaps called destroying flavor, perhaps called enmity, perhaps called that which does not belong to you, perhaps called evil guide, perhaps called increasing darkness, perhaps called ruining wholesome benefits.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Most Victorious, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called great meaning, perhaps called benefitting, perhaps called meaning with meaning, perhaps called limitless, perhaps called that which should be seen, perhaps called apart from discrimination, perhaps called most superior taming and subduing, perhaps called forever level and equal, perhaps called able to live together, perhaps called unconditioned.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Most Victorious, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called burning, perhaps called most superior grade, perhaps called decisiveness, perhaps called invincible, perhaps called profound expedients, perhaps called escape, perhaps called not vulgar, perhaps called penetration, perhaps called nature of liberation, perhaps called able to rescue and set free.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Most Victorious, the Four Holy Truths can be described in forty trillion names such as these, which by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
IV. The World Leaving Filth
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Leaving Filth is perhaps called regret and hate, perhaps called waiting, perhaps called revolving, perhaps called city, perhaps called one flavor, perhaps called illegal, perhaps called habitat, perhaps called location of false attachment, perhaps called false and vain views, perhaps called without number.
Disciples of the Buddha, in the world leaving filth, the holy truth of the accumulation of suffering is perhaps called thing which has no actuality, perhaps called only words, perhaps called not pure and pristine, perhaps called ground of production, perhaps called obsession and grasping, perhaps called vulgar and low, perhaps called increase and growth, perhaps called heavy load, perhaps called able to produce, perhaps called coarse and rough.
Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Leaving Filth, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called without equal, perhaps called universal casting out, perhaps called leaving filth, perhaps called most sublime faculties, perhaps called renowned assembly, perhaps called no waiting, perhaps called destroying delusion, perhaps called uppermost, perhaps called ultimate, perhaps called smashing the egg. ”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Leaving Filth, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called solid thing, perhaps called share of expedients, perhaps called basis of liberation, perhaps called original nature which is solid, perhaps called that which defies slander, perhaps called most pure, perhaps called the limit of all existence, perhaps called secure entrustment, perhaps called deeds that reach the ultimate, perhaps called pure discrimination.
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Leaving Filth, the Four Holy Truths are described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
V. The World Abundance
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Abundance is perhaps called place of love and defilement, perhaps called root of treachery and harm, perhaps called share in the sea of existence, perhaps called brought about through accumulation, perhaps called root of differentiation, perhaps called increase and growth, perhaps called production and extinction, perhaps called obstructions, perhaps called the basis of knives and blades, perhaps called brought about through multiplicity.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Abundance, the Holy Truth of Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called disgusting, perhaps called name, perhaps called endless, perhaps called share and numbers, perhaps called not deserving fondness, perhaps called attack and devouring, perhaps called vile thing, perhaps called craving and obsession, perhaps called utensil, perhaps called movement.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Abundance, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called severing the perpetuation, perhaps called revealing and disclosing, perhaps called no words, perhaps called nothing to be cultivated, perhaps called nothing to be seen, perhaps called nothing to be done, perhaps called still quiescence, perhaps called completely burned, perhaps called relinquishing a heavy load, perhaps called already cast out the bad.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Abundance, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering, is perhaps called still and quiet practice, perhaps called conduct of escape, perhaps called diligent cultivation and certification, perhaps called peaceful and secure journey, perhaps called limitless lifespan, perhaps called skilled at understanding and knowing, perhaps called ultimate path, perhaps called hard to cultivate and practice, perhaps called arriving at the other shore, perhaps called unrivalled.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world Abundance, the Four Holy Truths can be described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
VI. The World Gathering In
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Gathering In, is perhaps called able to rob and pillage, perhaps called unwholesome friend, perhaps called much terror, perhaps called all kinds of playful theories, perhaps called the nature of hell, perhaps called non-factual meaning, perhaps called the burden of greed and desire, perhaps called deep and heavy root, perhaps called flowing and turning with the mind, perhaps called fundamentally empty.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Gathering In, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called greed and fixation, perhaps called accomplished through evil, perhaps called mistakes and transgressions, perhaps called speedy, perhaps called able to attach and grasp, perhaps called thought, perhaps called the fruit of existence, perhaps called cannot be described, perhaps called cannot be grasped, perhaps called flowing and turning. ”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Gathering In, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called non-retreating, perhaps called apart from language and speech, perhaps called no shape, perhaps called can be delighted in, perhaps called solid and firm, perhaps called superior and wonderful, perhaps called apart from stupidity, perhaps called complete extinction, perhaps called far removed from evil, perhaps called getting out.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Gathering In, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called apart from words, perhaps called no contention, perhaps called teaching and guiding, perhaps called wholesome transference, perhaps called great skillful means, perhaps called different expedients, perhaps called like empty space, perhaps called still and quiet conduct, perhaps called victorious wisdom, perhaps called able to understand meaning.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Gathering In, the Four Holy Truths are described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them to all be tamed and subdued.”
VII. The World Benefitting
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Benefitting is perhaps called heavy burden, perhaps called not solid, perhaps called thief-like, perhaps called old age and death, perhaps called product of love, perhaps called flowing and turning, perhaps called weariness, perhaps called vile appearance, perhaps called growth, perhaps called sharp blade. ”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Benefitting, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called degeneration, perhaps called turbidity, perhaps called retreat, perhaps called lacking strength, perhaps called loss, perhaps called opposition, perhaps called disharmony, perhaps called that which is done, perhaps called grasping, perhaps called intent and desire. ”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Benefitting, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called escape from jail, perhaps called true and actual, perhaps called averting disasters, perhaps called shielding and protecting, perhaps called apart from evil, perhaps called compliance, perhaps called fundamental source, perhaps called renouncing causes, perhaps called non-activity, perhaps called no continuation.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Benefitting, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called arriving at the state of nothingness, perhaps called the seal of all, perhaps called treasure of samadhi, perhaps called attaining bright light, perhaps called Dharma of irreversibility, perhaps called able to bring an end to existence, perhaps called broad and vast road, perhaps called able to tame and subdue, perhaps called peace, perhaps called root of no revolving.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Benefitting, the Four Holy Truths are described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them to all be tamed and subdued.”
VIII. The World Unique and Rare
“The Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world, in the world called Unique and Rare is perhaps called indulging in precarious desires, perhaps called place of bonds and fetters, perhaps called deviant practices, perhaps called corresponding reception, perhaps called lacking remorse and shame, perhaps called root of greed and desire, perhaps called like the Ganges river, perhaps called constant depravity, perhaps called nature of a huge flame, perhaps called much worry and vexation.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Unique and Rare, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called expansive field, perhaps called able to tend towards, perhaps called far removed from wisdom, perhaps called impeding, perhaps called horror and apprehension, perhaps called indulgence and laxness, perhaps called possessive grasping, perhaps called place of attachment, perhaps called lord of the house, perhaps called tied up. ”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Unique and Rare, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called filling up, perhaps called not dying, perhaps called without a self, perhaps called devoid of self-nature, perhaps called the end of discrimination, perhaps called peaceful and happy dwelling, perhaps called without measure, perhaps called cutting off the flow, perhaps called the place where activities come to an end, perhaps called non-dual.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Unique and Rare, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called great light, perhaps called sea of proclamations, perhaps called selective about meanings, perhaps called dharma of harmony, perhaps called apart from grasping and attachment, perhaps called severing the flow, perhaps called vast and broad road, perhaps called level and impartial cause, perhaps called pure expedient, perhaps called sublime insight.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Unique and Rare, the Holy Truths are described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
IX. The World Happiness
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world in the world called Happiness is perhaps called turning and flowing, perhaps called giving birth, perhaps called losing advantage, perhaps called defiled attachment, perhaps called cumbersome load, perhaps called discrimination, perhaps called inner danger, perhaps called assemblage, perhaps called evil house, perhaps called nature of misery and vexation.”
“Disciples of the Buddha , in the world called Happiness, the Holy Truth of the accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called ground, perhaps called expedient, perhaps called untimely, perhaps called non-actual dharma, perhaps called without a bottom, perhaps called possessing and grasping, perhaps called separating from precepts, perhaps called dharma of afflictions, perhaps called narrow and vulgar views, perhaps called collection of filth.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Happiness, the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called destroying the place of reliance, perhaps called not being lax, perhaps called true and actual, perhaps called level and equal, perhaps called good and pure, perhaps called without illness, perhaps called not crooked, perhaps called without marks, perhaps called sovereignty, perhaps called without production.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Happiness, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called entering a sublime state, perhaps called cutting of accumulation, perhaps called transcending the average, perhaps called vast and great nature, perhaps called the end of discrimination, perhaps called the path of spiritual penetrations, perhaps called multiple skill-in-means, perhaps called the conduct of proper mindfulness, perhaps called the road of constant stillness, perhaps called the liberation of gathering in.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Happiness, the Four Holy Truths are described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
X. The World Lock and Key
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world in the world called Lock and Key, is perhaps called characterized by ruin and desolation, perhaps called like a vessel, perhaps called brought about by the self, perhaps called body of many destinies, perhaps called multiple revolutions, perhaps called door to the myriad evils, perhaps called bitter by nature, perhaps called should be renounced, perhaps called flavorless, perhaps called coming and going.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Lock and Key, the Holy Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called activity, perhaps called poisonous wrath, perhaps called conjoining, perhaps called branch of reception, perhaps called egotism, perhaps called mixed poison, perhaps called false name, perhaps called opposing, perhaps called heated afflictions, perhaps called paranoia.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Lock and Key, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called without accumulation, perhaps called that which cannot be obtained, perhaps called wondrous remedy, perhaps called indestructible, perhaps called no attachment, perhaps called measureless, perhaps called vast and great, perhaps called share of enlightenment, perhaps called apart from corruption, perhaps called without obstacles.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Lock and Key, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called peaceful conduct, perhaps called leaving desire, perhaps called ultimate reality, perhaps called the entrance to meaning, perhaps called ultimate nature, perhaps called pure manifestation, perhaps called gathering in one’s thoughts, perhaps called tending toward liberation, perhaps called rescue, perhaps called victorious conduct.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Lock and Key, the Four Holy Truths can be described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
XI. The World of Rousing Sounds
“Disciples of the Buddha, the Holy Truth of Suffering as explained in this Saha world. in the world Rousing Sounds is perhaps called concealing blemishes, perhaps called worldly, perhaps called that which is relied upon, perhaps called arrogance, perhaps called nature of defiled attachment, perhaps called propelling current, perhaps called cannot be delighted in, perhaps called hiding and covering, perhaps called speedy disintegration, perhaps called hard to subdue.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Rousing Sounds, the truth of the Accumulation of Suffering is perhaps called that which needs to be regulated and controlled, perhaps called heart’s tendencies, perhaps called able to fetter, perhaps called arising from thoughts, perhaps called regression, perhaps called conjoining, perhaps called differentiation, perhaps called gateway, perhaps called floating and tossing about, perhaps called hiding and concealing.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Rousing Sounds, the Holy Truth of the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called without a place of reliance, perhaps called that which cannot be grasped, perhaps called heading back, perhaps called apart from argument, perhaps called small, perhaps called big, perhaps called good purity, perhaps called endless, perhaps called vast and expansive, perhaps called invaluable.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Rousing Sounds, the Holy Truth of the Way Leading to the Extinction of Suffering is perhaps called contemplation, perhaps called able to smash the enemy, perhaps called seal of knowledge, perhaps called able to enter into the nature, perhaps called immune to attack, perhaps called limitless meanings, perhaps called able to enter wisdom, perhaps called merging with the Way, perhaps called forever unmoving, perhaps called unique and sublime doctrine.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, in the world called Rousing Sounds, the Four Holy Truths can be described in forty trillion names such as these, which, by according with living beings’ thoughts, can cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
Conclusion
“Disciples of the Buddha, in this Saha world, the Four Holy Truths are explained in forty trillion names. To the east, are hundreds of thousands of millions, countless, measureless, boundless, unequalled, uncountable, inestimable, inconceivable, ineffable worlds that exhaust the Dharma Realm and the realm of emptiness. In each of those worlds where the Four Holy Truths are explained, there are also forty trillion names. By according with living beings’ thoughts these names cause them all to be tamed and subdued. As it is in the east, so too, it is in the south, west, and north, the four intermediate directions, and above and below.”
“Disciples of the Buddha, just as in this Saha world system, there are worlds in the ten directions as described above, so too, there are worlds in the ten directions in each of those other world systems. In each and every one of those worlds the Holy Truth of Suffering is described in forty trillion names. The Holy Truth of Accumulation, the Holy Truth of Extinction, and the Holy Truth of the Way are also each described in forty trillion names. And according to what living beings like in their minds, they cause them all to be tamed and subdued.”
