Homage to the Avatamsaka Sutra

The greatest event in history is the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha because at that time, the World Honored One spoke the Great Means Expansive Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra. In Sanskrit, it is known as the Maha-Vaipulya-Buddha-Avatamsaka-Sutra. In Chinese, it is called the Ta Fang Kuang Fo Hua Yen Ching.

National Master Ch’ing Liang says,
Without Rising from Beneath the King of Trees,
He Extends to Seven Places in the Dharma Realm.
Preface

The Buddha used the Sea-Seal Samadhi to speak this Sutra with his Dharma Body in seven places and nine assemblies, in the human realm and in the heavens.

The First Assembly gathered at the site of his enlightenment; the six chapters spoken here are:

1.    The Wondrous Adornments of World Rulers.  
   
2.    The Appearance of the Thus Come One
3.    Universal Worthy’s Samadhi
4.   The Coming into Being of Worlds
5.   The Flower Store Sea of Worlds
6.   Vairochana

1.   The Names of the Thus Come Ones
2.   The Four Holy Truths
3.   Light Enlightenment
4. Bodhisattvas Ask for Clarification
5. Pure Conduct
6. Worthy Leader

The Third Assembly is at the Trayastrimsha Heaven; the six chapters spoken here are:

1. Ascending to the Summit of Mt. Sumeru
2. Praises Atop Mt. Sumeru
3. The Ten Dwellings
4. Brahma Conduct
5. The Merit and Virtue from First Bringing Forth the Mind
6. Understanding Dharmas

The Fourth Assembly is at the Suyama Heaven; the four chapters spoken here are:

1. Ascending to the Suyama Heaven Palace
2. Praises in the Suyama Heaven Palace
3. The Ten Conducts
4. The Ten Inexhaustible Treasuries

The Fifth Assembly is at the Tushita Heaven; the three chapters spoken here are;

1. Ascending to the Tushita Heaven Palace
2. Praises in the Tushita Heaven Palace
3. The Ten Transferences

The Sixth Assembly is at the Bliss from Others’ Transformations Heaven (Paranirmitavashavartin); the one chapter spoken here is:

1. The Ten Grounds

The Seventh Assembly is again at the Universal Light Palace; the eleven chapters spoken here are:

1. The Ten Samadhis
2. The Ten Penetrations
3. The Ten Patiences
4. Asamkhyeyas
5. Life spans
6. Bodhisattvas’ Dwelling Places
7. The Buddhas’ Inconceivable Dharmas
8. The Sea of the Marks of the Thus Come Ones’ Ten Bodies
9. The Light of the Merit and Virtue of the Thus Come Ones’ Minor Characteristics
10. Universal Worthy’s Conduct
11. The Thus Come Ones’ Appearances

The Eighth Assembly is again at the Universal Light Palace; the one chapter spoken is:

1. Leaving the World

The Ninth Assembly is back in this world, at the Jeta Grove; the one chapter spoken here is:

1. Entering the Dharma Realm

(Includes Universal Worthy’s Conduct and Vows Chapter)
National Master Ch’ing Liang says,

Considering that in the Proper Dharma Age
Its Pure Glory Still Remained Concealed,
How Fortunate that in Semblance and in Final Times
This Profound Teaching is Happened Upon!
Moreover, when one meets a Sagely Ruler,
Obtaining it on Magic Mountain,
Exhaustively Reflecting on its Esoteric Doctrine,
How can one but Jump for Joy