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「持髻菩薩常圍繞」：這菩薩的名字叫持髻菩薩，常圍繞這個法座。
「佛在其中最光耀」：在菩薩之中，佛是最光明顯要的。「種種變化滿十方」：又有種種的變化雲，充滿十方法界。「演說如來廣大願」：在這個雲裏邊有一種聲音，就演說佛在過去所發的種種的大願。「一切影像於中現」：所有的佛在過去生中所發的願這個影像，都在這個雲裏頭現出來。「如是座上佛安坐」：像這樣子，這個佛在這種種的這種雲裏邊又有佛在上邊坐著說法。
爾時。雷音普震菩薩摩詞薩。承佛神力。普觀一切道場眾海。即說頌言。
世尊往集喜提行。供養十方無量佛。
善逝威力所加持。如來座中無不睹。
香燄摩尼如意王。填飾妙華獅子座。
種種莊嚴皆影現。一切眾會悉明矚。
佛座普現莊嚴相。念念色類各差別。
隨諸眾生解不同。各見佛坐於其上。
實枝垂布蓮華網。華開踴現諸菩薩。
各出微妙悅意聲。稱讚如來坐於座。
在這個時候，「雷音普震菩薩摩訶薩」，他「承佛神力，普觀一切道場眾海」：他普遍觀察所有在道場的，來參加這個法會的大眾。「即說頌言」：他即刻也用偈頌，再來把佛的功德說一說。他說「世尊往集菩提
行」：佛在過去無量劫以前，他所修行的，所集聚的這種功德，成就這個菩提行，成就覺道的這個行門。他怎麼樣子修行呢？
「共養十方無量佛」：佛在沒成佛之
前，他供養十方三世一切無量無量的那麼多佛，哪兒有佛他就去供養，所以供養十方無量佛。
「善逝威力所加持」：善逝也是佛的一個別名。威力，這可以說是過去佛加持
，也可以說是現在佛的威力，所加持現在的道場。那麼這種大威德神力，所加持；就是你本來沒有神通，那麼現在有了，本來沒有這種智慧，現在有這種智慧了。那麼這都是諸佛菩薩來加持你，令你得到這種的智慧光明。
「如來座中無不睹」：佛在法座上坐著，這一切的菩薩沒有看不見的。「香燄摩尼如意王」：這個香燄摩尼如意寶珠的王，「填飾妙華獅子座」：在佛的獅子座上。把這個寶妙蓮花鑲到獅子座上。「種種莊嚴皆影現」：佛的種種莊嚴一不是一種莊嚴，是無量多的在最一皆影現，都在光影裡頭現出來了。就好像看電影，一幕一幕的，都在那個銀幕上現出來一樣的。「一切眾會希明矚」：所有一切在這個海會的大眾，都能看得見。矚，就是看得見。
「佛座普現莊嚴相」：位在這個座上，普現他莊嚴的法相。「念念色類各差別」：在每一念念之間，又現出無量的光，又有無量的色，又表出無量的相，所以每一念的顏色都不同。「隨諸眾生解不同」：
那麼佛的這種境界，隨眾生的根性而現。眾生各有各人的見解不同，「各見佛坐於其上」：雖然每一個眾生巧所見的不同，所明白的道理不同，所得到的智慧不同，可是每一個眾生都看見這個佛坐在他的上邊，面對著他。
這就好像太陽光在虛空裏頭，每一個人看見這個太陽光，都照著自己，佛也就是這樣子。在虛空裏頭，太陽照見每一個
人；佛也在每一個人的上邊，面對著每一個眾生。
「寶枝垂布蓮華網」：有寶樹的寶枝，向下垂布著；蓮華網，猶如蓮華的網一樣。「華開踴現諸菩薩」：在蓮華網裡邊蓮華都開了，在這蓮花上邊，又踴現出來無量多的諸菩薩。「各出微妙悅意聲」：這每一位菩薩都好像作音樂似的，各各都出現了悅耳微妙的聲音。「稱讚如來坐於座」：那麼這種微妙的聲音都是作什麼呢？都是稱讚佛，讚歎法，讚歎僧的；這個如來在法座上邊，為眾生說法。
佛功德量如虛空。一切莊嚴從此生。
一一地中嚴飾事。一切眾生不能了。
金剛為地無能壞。廣博清淨極夷坦。
摩尼為網垂布空。菩提樹下皆周遍。
真地無邊色相殊。真金為末布其中。
普散名華及眾寶。悉以光瑩如來座。
「佛功德量如虛空」：佛的功德，是沒有一個數目的；沒有數目可以代表佛的功德，那麼勉強就用虛空來代表，所以說佛的功德的數量，就好像虛空那麼多，是無窮無盡，無量無邊的。你說虛空有多少？說不出來數目。「一切莊嚴從此生」：佛所有的一切相好莊嚴一三十二相、八十種好一都是從無量劫以前，他所作的沒有量那麼多的功德所莊嚴而成就的，都是從這功德所生出來的。
「一一地中嚴飾事」：他從初地菩薩，到二地、三地、四地、五地、乃至十地、等覺菩薩、這個法身菩薩的地位。嚴飾事，他所作的功德，所莊嚴的法身這些事情。「一切眾生不能了」：所有眾生不能知道的。因為它沒有數量，沒有邊際，所以眾生的知見是不能明白的。
「金剛為地無能壞」：金剛做地無能壞 ，沒有任何東西能破壞這個金剛的。「廣博
清淨極夷坦」：又廣博，又廣大，又清淨；夷坦就是平坦，這種地是很平坦的。「摩尼為網垂布空」：在虛空裏又有摩尼寶來做網絡，垂布於空中。「菩提樹下皆周遍」：在
佛坐到菩提樹下的同時，他也周遍這個法界「其地無邊色相殊」：佛說法的這個地也無邊，這個色相也特別。
「真金為末布其上」：什麼不同呢？是一種真金的末，灑到這個地上。「普散名華及眾寶」：在這地上又灑上名華，最名貴的華，最值錢的寶貝。「悉以光瑩如來座」：為什麼作這樣子呢？這都是來莊嚴佛的法座的。
我以前遇著一個人，他有病；有病就到極樂世界去，他見著極樂世界，但沒有正式到極樂世界裡邊去......那個極樂世界的邊上
也都是金沙為地，就是現在說這個金末子，在那個地的上邊舖著。所以他就更對念佛的這個法門，特別生一種信心。那麼以後他病好了，就修念佛法門，最後他往生到極樂世界，自己知道什麼時候往生。所以這種境界
，是不可思議的。
地神歡喜而踴躍。剎那示現無有盡。
普興一切莊嚴雲。恆在佛前瞻仰住。
「地神歡喜而踴躍」：每一個地方都有地神。這地神就歡喜見著佛，歡喜得踴躍起來，踴躍就是跳躍。「剎那示現無有盡」
剎那，是很短的時間；在很短的時間，佛的示現無有盡，沒有窮盡這個光明。「普興一
切莊嚴雲」：又普遍興起一切莊最祥瑞之雲。「恆在佛前瞻仰住」：那麼這個地神呢，他常常在佛前瞻仰於佛。
待續 |
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Bodhisattvas with topknots constantly gather round.
Bodhisattvas by the name of "Holding Topknots" always
surround the Dharma throne. The Buddha is the most
illustrious among them. Among the Bodhisattvas, the
Buddha is the most dazzling and eminent.
Various clouds of transformations fill the ten
directions of the Dharma Realm. Sounds are heard
within the clouds, proclaiming the Thus Come One's
vast vows, the various great resolutions pronounced
by the Buddha in times past. All reflections
manifest within this state. Images of the
situations in which the Buddha made those past vows appear
within the clouds. The Buddha sits serenely upon
such a throne. Within the clouds is the Buddha,
speaking the Dharma from his throne.
Sutra:
At that time, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Thunder Sound
Quaking Everywhere received the Buddha's awesome might,
contemplated the sea of all the multitudes in the Way-place,
and spoke the following verses.
The World Honored One, while accumulating Bodhi
practices, Made offerings to countless Buddhas in the ten
directions. Aided by the awesome power of the Well Gone One,
None fail to see the Thus Come One on his throne.
Fragrant, brilliant mani, the wish-fulfilling
king, Is inlaid on the lion throne of wondrous flowers.
Various decorations appear in its reflections. The entire
assembly can view all this with clarity.
The Buddha on his throne assumes an adorned
appearance. The forms he manifests vary from thought to
thought. Living beings, according to their different
understandings, Each perceives the Buddha seated upon his
throne.
Jeweled branches hang down like a net of lotuses.
When the flowers bloom, Bodhisattvas emerge. Each speaks
with a splendid, charming sound, Praising the Thus Come One
seated upon the throne.
Commentary:
At that time, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva named
Thunder Sound Quaking Everywhere received the Buddha's
awesome spiritual might,
contemplated the sea of all the multitudes who had
come to the Dharma assembly in the Way-place, and
spoke the following verses to re-elaborate upon the
Buddha's merit and virtue.
The World Honored One, while accumulating
merit by undertaking Bodhi practices during
measureless eons, made offerings to countless
Buddhas in the ten directions. Before the Buddha
realized Buddhahood, he made offerings to infinitely and
measurelessly many Buddhas in the ten directions and the
three periods of time. Wherever there was a Buddha, he would
go and perform offerings. Aided by the awesome power
of the Well Gone One. "Well Gone One" is one of the
Buddha's titles. This line could be explained as referring
to former Buddhas aiding the present Buddha, or to the
present Buddha aiding the present Way-place. Through aid,
one who originally lacks spiritual powers comes to possess
them. Aiding allows one without wisdom to attain wisdom. The
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can aid you to attain such wisdom
and radiance. None fail to see the Thus Come One on
his throne. As the Buddha sits upon his throne,
none of the Bodhisattvas fail to see him.
Fragrant, brilliant mani, the wish-fulfilling
king, / Is inlaid on the Buddha's
lion throne of wondrous lotus
flowers. / Various decorations of
all kinds, not just a single kind, appear in its
reflections. All types of adornments appear in the
light, like frame after frame appearing on a movie screen.
The entire assembly can view all this with clarity.
Everyone in the great assembly can see this state.
The Buddha on his throne assumes an adorned
appearance. The Buddha universally takes on his
adorned Dharma appearance. The forms he manifests
vary from thought to thought. In every instant of
thought, he manifests measureless radiance and infinite
shapes and forms. The colors and forms differ from one
instant to the next. The Buddha manifests states according
to living beings' dispositions. Each living being has his or
her own view and understanding. Living beings,
according to their different understandings, / Each
perceives the Buddha seated upon his throne.
Despite their differences in terms of outlook,
understanding, and wisdom, each living being perceives the
Buddha seated right in front of him or her. This is like how
the sun is in the sky, and yet everyone perceives the sun as
shining upon him or herself. Like the sun in the sky, the
Buddha is perceived as appearing above and in front of every
living being.
Nets of lotuses trail down from jeweled branches.
The jeweled branches themselves hang down from the jeweled
trees like nets of lotuses. When the lotus
flowers in the net bloom,
infinitely many Bodhisattvas emerge from
them. Each Bodhisattva speaks with
a splendid, charming sound, as if making music,
praising the Thus Come One seated upon the throne.
Their sublime sounds praise the Buddhas, the Dharma, and the
Sangha, in particular extolling the Thus Come One, who sits
on his Dharma throne and speaks Dharma for living beings.
Sutra:
The capacity of the Buddha's meritorious virtue is like
space. It is from this that all his adornments come into
being. His deeds of adornment within each and every ground
Are beyond the understanding of all living beings.
Vajra forms an indestructible ground, Spacious,
pure, and extremely flat. Nets of mani drift and flutter in
the air. From beneath the Bodhi tree, he pervades
everywhere.
The ground is boundless and sublime in
appearance. It is covered with dust of pure gold And spread
with fine flowers and multitudes of gems, All brightening
the Thus Come One's throne.
Commentary:
The capacity of the Buddha's meritorious virtue is
like space. If we tried to quantify the Buddha's
merit and virtue, we wouldn't be able to come up with a
numerical amount. No number can represent the Buddha's merit
and virtue. Thus, we are forced to use empty space to
represent it, and say that the Buddha's merit and virtue is
as great as all of space- infinite, inexhaustible,
measureless, and boundless. How great would you say space
is? You can't put a number on it.
It is from this that all his adornments come into
being. All of the Buddha's thirty-two hallmarks and
eighty subtle characteristics come from the measureless
merit and virtue he created limitless eons in the past.
These adorning marks were born from his merit and virtue.
His deeds of adornment within each and every ground.
All the merit and virtue he created and the
adornments of the Dharma body he attained as he traveled
through the positions of the Bodhisattvas of the Dharma
body- from the First Ground through the Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, and all the way to the Tenth Ground, and then
Equal Enlightenment- are beyond the understanding of
all living beings.
No living being can fathom the Buddha's merit and virtue,
because it is boundless and immeasurable. It is beyond their
understanding.
Vajra forms an indestructible ground.
Nothing can harm ground made of vajra, which is
spacious, pure, and extremely flat and level.
Nets of mani gems drift and flutter in the air.
/ From beneath the Bodhi tree, he pervades
everywhere. While sitting under the Bodhi tree, the
Buddha is simultaneously present everywhere in the Dharma
Realm.
The ground where the Buddha speaks
Dharma is boundless and sublime in appearance.
This place has an exceptional appearance. What
makes it special? It is covered with dust of pure
gold / And spread with fine flowers and multitudes of gems.
The ground is sprinkled with precious flowers and
costly gems, all brightening and adorning
the Thus Come One's Dharma throne.
I once met a sick person who went to the Land of Ultimate
Bliss when he was ill. He only reached the outer border of
the Land of Ultimate Bliss, but even there, the ground was
paved with golden sand, just like the line of verse here,
"covered with dust of pure gold." As a result, that sick
individual became an ardent believer in the practice of
reciting the Buddha's name. After he recovered, he
cultivated that practice and was born in the Land of
Ultimate Bliss at the end of his life. He knew beforehand
when he would go. His was an inconceivable state.
Sutra:
The earth spirits leap up in joy and happiness.
Endless revelations occur in a moment's time.
All kinds of adorned clouds arise everywhere.
They constantly stay before the Buddha and fix their gaze
upon him.
Commentary:
The earth spirits leap up in joy and happiness. Each place
has its local earth spirit. Earth spirits also like to see
the Buddha, and in their happiness they leap and frolic
about. Endless revelations occur in a moment's time. In a
brief instant's time, the Buddha displays infinite
manifestations of light and causes all kinds of adorned,
auspicious clouds to arise everywhere. / They constantly
stay before the Buddha and fix their gaze upon him. The
earth spirits are always in front of the Buddha and gazing
at him.
~ To be continued
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