Flower Adornment Sutra

Taisho No. 278, T 278.9.395a-788b

The complete title of the Sutra is the Great Means Expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra. Known as the 'King of Kings' of all Buddhist scriptures because of its profundity and great length (eighty-one rolls containing more than 200,000 characters), this Sutra contains the most complete explanation of the Buddha's state and the Bodhisattva's quest for awakening.

"The Flower Adornment Sutra is the sutra of the Dharma-realm and the sutra of empty space. To the exhaustion of the Dharma-realm and empty space there is no place where the Flower Adornment Sutra is not present. Wherever the Flower Adornment Sutra is found, the Buddha is to be found, and also the Dharma and the Sangha of Worthy sages. That is why when the Buddha realized proper enlightenment, he wished to speak the Great Flower Adornment Sutra, to teach and transform the great masters of the Dharma-body. Since this sutra was a sutra of inconceivable wonder, it was then concealed within the dragon's palace for the dragon king to protect. Afterwards Nagarjuna ('dragon-tree') Bodhisattva went to the dragon's palace, memorized it, and brought it back.

"The Flower Adornment Sutra is like an auspicious cloud in empty space, which extends throughout the Three Thousand Great Thousand World-System, raining down the sweet dew of Dharma rain to moisten all living beings. The Flower Adornment Sutra is also like the sun, which everywhere illumines the Three Thousand World-Realm, bringing warmth to every single living being. The Flower Adornment Sutra is also like the great earth, which can produce and grow the myriad existing things. Therefore, it can be said that any period in which the Flower Adornment Sutra exists is a period in which the proper Dharma long remains.

"Consequently, in our daily investigation and lecturing of the Flower Adornment Sutra, the essential is to rely upon the Sutra's principles to cultivate to use the Sutra as a cure for our own personal faults. Those who are greedy, after hearing the Flower Adornment Sutra, should rid themselves of greed. People who have hatred, upon hearing the Sutra, should give up their hatred; and those who are stupid should stop being stupid. The principles discussed in the Sutra are designed to correct our faults and bad habits. It is absolutely not the case that the Sutra was Dharma spoken for Bodhisattvas with no relation to us, or that it was Dharma spoken for Arhats with no relevance for us. Don't think, 'All I, as an ordinary person, can do is listen to the Sutra. I could never aspire to the states of a sage.' To think that way is to throw yourself away, to separate yourself from the sages.

"From the beginning to the end of the Flower Adornment Sutra, every phrase of the Sutra is an unsurpassed Dharma jewel. If we are able actually to apply the principles and cultivate according to the principles of the Sutra, then we are certain to become Buddhas. For that reason the Flower Adornment Sutra can be called the mother of all Buddhas. The Flower Adornment Sutra is the Dharma-body of all Buddhas. The Buddha praised the Vajra Sutra saying:

In any place where the Sutra text is found, there is the Buddha.

Wherever the Flower Adornment Sutra is, there is the Buddha. The Buddha is right there. It is just that your karmic obstacles are so deep and heavy, so although you are face to face, you do not see the Buddha. . . .

"We sramanas (shramanas) should diligently cultivate precepts, samadhi, and wisdom, and put to rest greed, anger, and stupidity. In every move we make, we should return the light and look within. If you cultivate that way, you will make progress. If we listen to the Flower Adornment Sutra, lecture on the Flower Adornment Sutra, and recite the Flower Adornment Sutra, but fail to practice according to the principles of the Flower Adornment Sutra, the Sutra remains the Sutra, you remain you, I remain myself, and others remain themselves, and we cannot unite as one. If we ourselves can become one with the Sutra by acting according to its principles, that is actual union with the Sutra. If you are unable truly to practice in accord with the Sutra, but instead are deficient in kindness and compassion with a dearth of joy and giving, having ignorance and afflictions as your only companions, the you have failed to understand the Sutra and lack the ability too listen to the Sutra.

"Upon hearing one phrase of the Sutra, we should ask ourselves, 'How should I act? Should I run after my faults and bad habits, or should I rely upon the principles of the Sutra and cultivate?' If you can constantly ask yourself that question, you will certainly obtain great benefit. The reason you have not obtained great benefit is simply that you look upon the Sutra as the Sutra, having no connection with yourself. Actually, when the Buddha spoke the Flower Adornment Sutra, it was spoken for all living beings including you, me, and everyone else present. The Buddha is speaking it for us in person from his golden mouth. When we listen to the Sutra, it is the same as having the Buddha take us by the ear and speak the principles right to our faces, telling us to use the Sutra's Dharma doors to cultivate.

"When the Sutra discusses the ten kinds of Dharma-doors or ten samadhis, none of the Dharma-doors or samadhis goes beyond the self-nature of each one of us. Our self-nature, too, exhausts empty space and the Dharma Realm. Therefore, it you can expand and enlarge the measure of your mind, you will unite with the Flower Adornment Sutra, being two and yet not two. If all people can make the states of the Flower Adornment Sutra their own states, and receive the Flower Adornment Sutra's limitless principles and infinite wisdom as their own, how vast and great that will be! As it is said:

Roll it up, it secretly hides away.

Let it go, it fills the whole universe.

That is ineffably wonderful!" (FAS-VP xv-xvii)

Praise for The Flower Ornament Scripture

"As to the Avatamsaka-Sutra, it is really the consummation of Buddhist thought, Buddhist sentiment, and Buddhist experience. To my mind, no religious literature in the world can ever approach the grandeur of conception, the depth of feeling, and the gigantic scale of composition, as attained by the sutra. Here not only deeply speculative minds find satisfaction, but humble spirits and heavily oppressed hearts, too, will have their burdens lightened. Abstract truths are so concretely, so symbolically represented here that one will finally come to a realization of the truth that even in a particle of dust the whole universe is seen reflected -- not this visible universe only, but a vast system of universes, conceivable by the highest minds only." -- D. T. Suzuki

1) Chinese Mandarin: hwa yan jing , ta fang gwang fwo hwa yan jing , 2) Sanskrit: avatamsaka-sutra, mahavaipulyabuddhavatamsaka-sutra, gandhavyuha-sutra, 3) Pali: -----, 4) Alternate Translations: flower ornament, flower garland, flowering-adornment. 5) Tibetan: sangs rgyas phal po che zhe bya ba shin tu rgyas pa chen po'i mdo / mdo phal po che

Tibetan title source: http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Avatamsaka_Sutra_p/g00063.htm

See also: Hwa-yan School, Ching-Lyang (National Master), Tripitaka (1. Sutras, 2. Vinaya, 3. Shastras or Abhidharma, or Tantra), Taisho Catalog Numbering System, Dharma, and names of individual sutras (such as Shurangama Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra [Flower Adornment Sutra], Lotus Sutra [Wonderful Dharma Flower Sutra], Earth Store Sutra, Dharani Sutra, Brahma Net Sutra, Medicine Master Buddha Sutra, Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra, Vajracchedika Prajna Paramita Diamond, Sixth Patriarch Platform Sutra, Sutra in 42 Sections, Sutra on the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching, Vimalakirti Nirdesha Sutra, et al. Schools: In addition to the Hwa-Yen School, please see Tyan-tai School

(Source: Epstein, 2003: pp. 94 - 96)

Buddhist Text Translation Society (http://www.BTTSonline.org) References: The BTTS has published the FAS in four different series: 1) VP and FAS-VP, 2) FAS, 3) EDR, 4) UW. For general comments, see EDR VII 13-14, FAS-VP xv-xvi.

Nalanda Buddhist University / Vipashina Buddha College Course Description:

Course SUT320 Avatamsaka (Flower Adornment) Sutra Study I (Sanskrit: Maha-Vaipulya-Buddha-Avatamsaka-Gandha-Vyuha-Sutra, Tibetan: sDong po bkod pa'i mdo, Chinese: Huayanjing, 華嚴經, Hua-yen ching, Dafangguang fo huayan jing 大方廣佛華嚴經 ) (Tibetan Tripitaka Tangyur Toh. NE 44, Dashabhumika) - Chapter 40 - King of Prayers (Sanskrit: Samantabhadra Charya [Arya Bhadra Charya Pranidhana Raja] Pranidhana, Tibetan: phag pa bzang po spyod pai smon lan gyi rgyal po) - Includes Dedication Prayers - Taisho No. 278, T 278.9.395a-788b - Known as the King of Kings of all Buddhist scriptures because of its profundity and length (700,000+ Chinese characters - translated from Sanskrit ~600 A.D.; 1600 pages in Cleary's English edition), this Sutra contains the most complete explanation of the Buddha's state and the Bodhisattva's quest for Awakening. As with most Mahayana scriptures, it treats Buddha not as merely a man of ancient India, but as a cosmic principle. Differing from the austere and non-theist Theravada scriptures, it is full of gods and goddesses, heavens, jeweled trees and sprit beings. The Avatamsaka became very influential in Tibet, China and Japan, and was responsible for creation of Hua-Yen school.

Required Textbooks for this Course:

Hua, Hsuan, Ven., commentary, Flower Adornment Sutra (Avatamsaka) Verse Preface, Burlingame, California: Buddhist Text Translation Society, BTTSOnline.org. ISBN 0917512359 Dedication Prayers: http://www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=368&Category_ID=88

Retail: $7 ISBN 0917512170
A succinct and eloquent verse commentary by T'ang Dynasty National Master Ch 'ing Liang, the Master of seven emperors. The Preface gives a complete explanation of all the fundamental principles contained in the Avatamsaka Sutra. This is the first English translation of this text. Bilingual edition, English/Chinese. Source: http://www.bttsonline.org/product.aspx?pid=88

The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra, Cleary, Thomas, translator, Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 1993, 1656 pages. ISBN-10: 0877739404 ISBN-13: 978-0877739401 Retail: $80. Amazon: $63 http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/0-87773-940-4.cfm?showZoom=true http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877739404/ref=ase_medicinebuddh-20

Buddhabhadra 佛駄跋陀 was the translator of the Maha Vaipulya Buddha Avatamsaka Sutra or simply the Avatamsaka Sutra, and in Mandarin as the Hua Yen Jing (華嚴經). His was the first full translation from Sanskrit to Chinese (60 fascicles) and was completed by around 420 A.D. (Avatamsaka-suutra; 60 fascicles, Taishou catalog reference T 278.9.395a-788b.); the second translation (80 fascicles Avatamsaka-suutra; Taishou catalog reference T 279.10.1b-444c.) was completed by S`iks.aananda (Shikshanada or Shikhsanada) 實叉難陀 around 699 A.D.; the third was completed by Prajn~aa (Prajna) 般若 (40 fascicles, Gandavyuuha (Gandhavyuha or Gandavyuha); Taishou catalog reference T 293.10.661a-848b) around 798 A.D. Source: Buddhist-Dictionary/data/1400783EF.htm#華嚴經

The Anonymous Buddhist Monk Redactor (Compiler) of this Online Buddhist Encyclopedia Compilation) states about cultivation:

Those who deeply cultivate in Buddhism the wisdom of the Flower Adornment Sutra must take refuge in and rely not only on the Buddha and the Dharma, but also on the Four-Fold Assembly, especially on the Bhikshu and Bhikshuni Sangha. With the Sangha, cultivators of the Way can always practice the Three Non-Outflow Studies (1. Shila, Samadhi, Prajna). A Shramana is one who perfects (paramita) Shila-Samadhi-Prajna. To truly be a great Bhikshu or Bhikshuni, not just an ordinary Shramana, not just an ordinary Dharma Master, but to be a Tripitakacharya (Tripitaka Master) and a Kaliyanamitra (Good and Wise Advisor or Guru) you must not a lay person (Upasaka), but must be was a Buddhist Monk or Nun who has extensively studied and ideally mastered the Tripitaka. Only great mastery of the three baskets qualifies one to be called a Tripitaka Master (Tripitakacharya). Venerable Master Hsuan Hua of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas Dharma Realm Buddhist University and Buddhist Text Translation Society is one the greatest Tripitaka Masters of the last two centuries. His extensive English-language Shastra commentary on the above sutra (and on the Sutras directory below) are invaluable in practicing this Dharma. Please visit www.BTTSonline.org to order your own copy of this amazing commentary by Master Hua.

Thus please see also: Tripitaka (1. Sutras, 2. Vinaya, 3. Shastras or Abhidharma, or Tantra), Taisho Catalog Numbering System, Dharma, and names of individual sutras (such as Shurangama Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra [Flower Adornment Sutra], Lotus Sutra [Wonderful Dharma Flower Sutra], Earth Store Sutra, Dharani Sutra, Brahma Net Sutra, Medicine Master Buddha Sutra, Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra, Vajracchedika Prajna Paramita Diamond, Sixth Patriarch Platform Sutra, Sutra in 42 Sections, Sutra on the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching, Vimalakirti Nirdesha Sutra, et al. Schools: Hwa-Yen School, Tyan-tai School, Geluk [or Gelug: Nagarjuna-Atisha-Tsongkhapa-Dalai-Lama] School of Tibetan Buddhism

(NOTE: Numerous corrections and enhancements have been made under Shastra tradition and "Fair Use" by an Anonymous Buddhist Monk Redactor (Compiler) of this Online Buddhist Encyclopedia Compilation)

Primary Original Source: The Tripitaka Sutra, Shastra and Vinaya teachings
(as found in the scripture storehouse of the Indian Sanskrit-Siddham, Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese traditions of the Nalanda Tradition of ancient Nalanda University) of Shakyamuni Buddha, and his Arya Sagely Bodhisattva Bhikshu Monk and Upasaka disciples.

These Good and Wise Advisors (Kaliyanamitra) Dharma Master teachers include Arya Venerables Nagarjuna, Ashvaghosha, Aryasura, Kumarajiva, Shantideva, Chandrakirti, Chandragomin, Vasubandhu, Asanga, Hui Neng, Atisha, Kamalashila, Dharmarakshita, Tsong Khapa, Thogme Zangpo, Patanjali, Sushruta, Charaka, Vagbhata, Nichiren, Hsu Yun, Hsuan Hua, Shen Kai, Tenzin Gyatso, Kyabje Zopa, Ajahn Chah, Vasant Lad, and other modern day masters. We consider them to be in accord with Master Hsuan Hua’s "Seven Guidelines for Recognizing Genuine Teachers"

Nalanda Online University's teachings are based especially on the Dharma Flower Lotus Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Shurangama Sutra, the Ksitigarbha Sutra, the Bhaisajya Guru Sutra, the Dharani Sutra, the Vajra Sutra, the Prajna Paramita Hridayam Sutra, the Guhyasamaja, the Kalachakra and their commentaries (shastras) by the above Arya Tripitakacharya Dharma Masters.

At Nalanda Online University we practice daily and introduce you to (via downloadable multimedia MP3 audio and WMV video lectures) the teachings and practices of the Five Traditions transmitted by the Buddha Shakyamuni:

1. Teaching School (Mahayana Sutrayana - Paramitayana - Hua Yan and Tian Tai, Yogachara, Nalanda Prasangika Madhyamika, Theravada Sutta)

See also: Tripitaka (1. Sutras, 2. Vinaya, 3. Shastras or Abhidharma, or Tantra), Taisho Catalog Numbering System, Dharma, and names of individual sutras (such as Shurangama Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra [Flower Adornment Sutra], Lotus Sutra [Wonderful Dharma Flower Sutra], Earth Store Sutra, Dharani Sutra, Brahma Net Sutra, Medicine Master Buddha Sutra, Sixth Patriarch Platform Sutra, Sutra in 42 Sections, Sutra on the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching, et al.

2. Moral Regulations School (Vinaya Pratimoksha Shila - Bodhisattva Pranidhana - Vajrayana-Samaya - Yogic Yama)

3. Esoteric School (Vajrayana - Mantrayana - Tantrayana - Dharani - Secret School of the Mahayana)

4. Meditation School (Indian Dhyana Samadhi - Shamatha - Vipassana, Chinese Chan, Japanese Zen,
        Tibetan Mahamudra of Kagyupa, and Tibetan Dzogchen of Nyingmapa)

5. Pure Land Devotional School (Bhakti Puja - Buddha-Bodhisattva Mindfulness and Nama Japa --
         Name Recitation of Buddhas Amitabha-Amitayus, Medicine Buddha - Bhaisajya Guru - Akshobhya,
         and Bodhisattvas: Avalokiteshvara-Guanyin-Chenrezig-Mahakala, Tara, Samantabhadra Universal Worthy,
         Manjushri-Kalarupa Great Wisdom, Maitreya Great Loving-Kindness, Mahasthamaprapta Great Strength,
         Ksitigarbha - Earth Store Great Vows, Vajrapani, Vajrasattva,
         Chandraprabha Moonlight Radiance, Suryaprabha Sunlight Radiance, Medicine King Bodhisattva, Medicine Superior Bodhisattva
         and others Dharma Protecting Dharmapala Lokapala Bodhisattvas, Gods and Goddesses)

Compilation Sources for the Above Material on the Teachings of the Buddha:

Primary Compilation Source: Epstein, Ronald B., Ph.D, compiler, Buddhist Text Translation Society's Buddhism A to Z, Burlingame, California: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 2003. ISBN: 0881393533 Paperback: 284 pages. www.BTTSOnline.org www.Amazon.com
http://www.bttsonline.org/product.aspx?pid=118 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881393533/ref=ase_medicinebuddh-20

Secondary Compilation Source: The Seeker’s Glossary of Buddhism, 2nd ed., San Francisco, California: Sutra Translation Committee of the United States and Canada, 1998: www.budaedu.org.tw

Secondary Compilation Source: Muller, Charles, editor, Digital Dictionary of Buddhism [DDB], Toyo Gakuen University, Japan, 2007: Username is "guest", with no password.
http://buddhism-dict.net/ddb - Based in large part on the Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms with Sanskrit and English Equivalents (by Soothill and Hodous) Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 1997.

Secondary Compilation Source: Ehrhard, Diener, Fischer, et al, The Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, Boston, Massachusetts: Shambhala Publications, 1991. 296 pages. ISBN 978-0-87773-520-5 www.Shambhala.com, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877735204/ref=ase_medicinebuddh-20,
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-0-87773-520-5.cfm

The Dharma is a Priceless Jewel,
thus these research compilations
and audio and video teaching materials are
offered free-of-charge by this anonymous Buddhist Monk
for the Bodhi Resolve benefit of All Sentient Beings in the Universe...

...under a Creative Commons License.

The rights to textual segments ("quoted, paraphrased, or excerpted") of the are owned by the author-publisher indicated in the brackets next to each segment and are make available and commented on (under the "shastra tradition") under Fair Use. For rights regarding the Buddhist "Encyclopaedia - Glossary - Dictionary" compilation as a whole, please know that it is offered under this Creative Commons License.

This Nalanda University site (www.Nalanda-University.com)
is redacted by an anonymous Buddhist monk
for the benefit of all living beings
so they may diligently (virya paramita) cultivate freely to
realize Bodhi enlightenment for the sake of all.

On the Buddha Shakyamuni's Birthday 2007,
this free redaction is offered (received, upheld, read, recited, studied, pondered, explained, and written out),
in accordance with the Lotus Saddharma Pundarika Sutra Chapter 19: "Merit and Virtue of a Dharma Master" as a
selfless offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattva Sangha above to adorn the Pure Lands and
to liberate living beings suffering in samsara below by compassionately helping them to plant good roots in this and their future rebirths.

The merit is dedicated to anuttarasamyaksambodhi.

Increasing Effect Mantra:
Om Sambhara Sambhara (These Bhikshu Bodhisattva Bodhichitta Vows) Bimana Sara (Spread) Maha (Greatly) Java (Rapidly) Hum (recited 7x)

To increase by 100,000 times the merit created:
Tadyatha Om Pancha Griya (five offerings or five faces) Ava Bodhani Svaha (7x)

Om Dhuru Dhuru Jaya (Victory) Mukhe (Face or Mouth) Svaha (7x)

I Now Universally Transfer the Merit and Virtue of to All Beings to realize Anuttara-Samyak-Sam-Bodhi
(“Unsurpassed Proper and Equal Right Enlightenment”)

Sarva Mangalam.
May all be Auspicious.

Arya Bhikshu Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacharyavatara says:
Just as Manjushri works
To fulfill the aims of all limited beings
To the far reaches of space in the ten directions,
May my behavior become just like that.

For as long as space remains,
And for as long as wandering beings remain,
May I too remain for that long,
Dispelling the sufferings of wandering beings.

(Like Ananda says in the Shurangama Sutra introduction to the Shurangama Mantra,
"And even could the nature of shunyata melt away, my vajra-like Supreme Resolve would still remain unmoved.)

Whatever sufferings wandering beings might have,
May all of them ripen on me,
And through the Bodhisattva assembly,
May wandering beings enjoy happiness.

May the teachings,
the sole medicine for the sufferings of wandering beings
And the source of all happiness,
Continue to endure for a very long time,
With material support and shows of respect.

Updated July 17, 2008