Selections from The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment: Chapter 3, Part 2 of 2

Chapter 3: Universal Vision Bodhisattva “‘Virtuous man, when Bodhisattvas and the beings in the era that Buddhism is going to extinguish prove the state that all illusions extinguish, at that time, they will attain the state that everything in ten directions of the universe is pure and everything in the unlimited empty space is the manifestation of Enlightenment. Because the Enlightenment is complete and bright, the mind is pure. Because the mind is pure, the objects that eyes perceive are pure; because the objects that eyes perceive are pure, eyes are pure; because eyes are pure, the consciousness of seeing is pure; because the consciousness of seeing is pure, the objects that ears perceive are pure; because the objects that ears perceive are pure, ears are pure; because ears are pure, the consciousness of hearing is pure; because the consciousness of hearing is pure, all objects perceived by sense-organs are pure. The nose, tongue, body, and mind are also like that.’

‘Virtuous man, because the real Nature is pure, (our own) body is pure; because (our own) body is pure, all bodies are pure; because all bodies are pure, all beings in ten directions of the universe are pure like the complete Enlightenment.’

‘Virtuous man, because one world is pure, all worlds are pure; because all worlds are pure, the whole universe, including the past, present, and the future, is equal, pure, and unmoving.’”

“At that time, Buddha wanted to preach the doctrine again. Therefore, He said by poem, ‘Universal Vision Bodhisattva, you should know, the bodies and minds of all beings are like illusions. The body is made up of Four Elements, and the mind is the manifestation of six objects (that six sense-organs perceive). When Four Elements separate, who can make body and mind get together? If you gradually practice like that, then everything will be pure, be unmoving, and fill the whole universe; there will not be the practicing of “practicing intentionally, stopping thinking, naturally letting anything be, and making everything extinguished,” and there will not be the one who can prove Enlightenment. All Buddhalands are like empty flowers; the past, present, and the future are equal, and ultimately, nothing comes and nothing goes. If the Bodhisattvas who have just generated the mind (of becoming a Buddha) and the beings in the era that Buddhism is going to extinguish wish to become a Buddha, then they should practice like that.’”