Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s Verses’ Three Perspectives
普贤菩萨偈颂之三观
Introduction: In Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s Practices And Vows’ Chapter’s [62] Verses《普贤菩萨行愿品偈颂》, he speaks of himself from various perspectives.
In the Buddhist perspective, the closest equivalent to the multiverse idea is that since there are countless worlds, there are naturally some (or even many) karmically similar world systems with similar yet also different settings, (that can be visited with supernormal powers), even with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas having the same names. This is not always due to them manifesting in multiple worlds, but with distinct enlightened ones having similar spiritual and physical attributes, similar causes and conditions of arising, thus named similarly.
As there is but one universal state of perfection of all virtues, as represented by Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, in this sense, there is only one timeless archetypal Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, as a perfect Bodhisattva, who is therefore essentially an ancient Buddha (古佛) too.
As there are many striving to reach this one state, in this sense, there are many other ‘Universal Virtue Bodhisattvas’ too, as practitioner Bodhisattvas, who eventually become equal to the ‘one’ Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, thus becoming ‘one’ with the Bodhisattva.
Sometimes, Universal Virtue Bodhisattva in the verses inspires from the perspective of a model practitioner Bodhisattva seeking to become Universal Virtue Bodhisattva perfectly, and other times as an already model perfect Bodhisattva. Either way, when reciter/s identify in aspiration, they become model aspirants, which further closes the gap between their vows and practices, and in turn the gap between their practices and perfection. Below are some instances of such verses.
Verse 1:
In all the ten directions’ worlds within,
of the three periods’ all humans’ lions,
I, with pure body, speech and mind,
to all everywhere prostrate completely, without remainder.
所有十方世界中，三世一切人师子，
我以清净身语意，一切遍礼尽无余。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, from here onwards, speaks of having Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s practices and vows, pervading all space and time.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse. [i] and [ii] can be reconciled as perfect Bodhisattvas can remanifest as ongoing practitioners out of perfect compassion, wisdom and skilful means, to continually inspire other practitioners and aspirants to do likewise.
Verse 2:
With Universal Virtue’s practices and vows’ majestic supernormal powers,
universally appearing before all Thus Come Ones,
with one body again appearing as lands’ dust motes of bodies,
with each and every one, everywhere prostrating to lands’ dust motes of Buddhas.
普贤行愿威神力，普现一切如来前，
一身复现刹尘身，一一遍礼刹尘佛。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of using Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s supernormal powers to practise, as immeasurable manifestations (of Universal Virtue Bodhisattva – within ‘macro’ worlds with Buddhas, which are ‘micro’ worlds [in one dust mote], with dust motes’ number of Buddhas).
Perspectives: This can be from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner riding upon another perfect Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s powers to amplify personal practice, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, using personal powers directly, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 24]
May all who benefit me, good-knowing friends,
for me clearly expressing Universal Virtue’s practices,
constantly vow to be with me in the same assemblies,
with me constantly giving rise to the joyful mind.
所有益我善知识，为我显示普贤行，
常愿与我同集会，于我常生欢喜心。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of wishing all who express Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s practices and vows to be with him.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner seeking spiritual inspiration from those with similar practices, as [ii] an ongoing practitioner seeking to spiritually inspire others with similar practices, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 26]
Vowing to uphold all Buddhas’ subtle and wonderful Dharma,
with light manifesting all Bodhi practices,
completing the pure Universal Virtue’s path,
exhausting future kalpas with constant cultivation.
愿持诸佛微妙法，光显一切菩提行，
究竟清净普贤道，尽未来劫常修习。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of competing Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s path inexhaustibly.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, remanifesting walking and completing of Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s path to inspire others to do likewise, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 42]
As all Thus Come Ones have an eldest son,
with his name called Universal Virtue Honoured One,
I now dedicate all good roots,
vowing that all my wisdom and practices will all be the same as his.
一切如来有长子，彼名号曰普贤尊，
我今回向诸善根，愿诸智行悉同彼。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of emulating the most senior disciples of all Buddhas, who are all named Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, as they all have the same practices and vows as Universal Virtue Bodhisattva.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner striving to be a perfect Bodhisattva, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, remanifesting dedicating and vowing to inspire others to do likewise, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 43]
May my body, speech and mind be constantly pure,
with all practices and lands likewise thus,
with this such wisdom named Universal Virtue,
may I and he all be the same and equal.
愿身口意恒清净，诸行刹土亦复然，
如是智慧号普贤，愿我与彼皆同等。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of becoming the same as Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, as an equal.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, remanifesting realising of Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s practices and wisdom to inspire others to do likewise, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 48]
May I, when approaching, almost at life’s end,
completely eliminate all obstacles,
face and see that Amitābha Buddha,
immediately attain rebirth in his Land Of Peace And Bliss.
愿我临欲命终时，尽除一切诸障碍，
面见彼佛阿弥陀，即得往生安乐刹。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of attaining rebirth in the Land Of Peace And Bliss.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, remanifesting reaching of the Pure Land to inspire others to do likewise, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 49]
I, since reborn in that land already,
will manifest presently accomplishment of these great vows,
all perfectly and completely, without remainder,
bringing benefits and joy to all sentient beings’ realms.
我既往生彼国已，现前成就此大愿，
一切圆满尽无余，利乐一切众生界。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of perfecting Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s practices and vows in the Pure Land.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, remanifesting accomplishing of his vows to inspire others to do likewise, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
[Verse 51]
Having received that Thus Come One’s conferred prediction already,
manifesting bodies of innumerable hundreds of koṭis,
with wisdom’s power vast and great, everywhere in the ten directions,
universally benefitting all sentient beings’ realms.
蒙彼如来授记已，化身无数百俱胝，
智力广大遍十方，普利一切众生界。
Summary: Universal Virtue Bodhisattva speaks of manifesting innumerable bodies to benefit all beings after receiving Amitābha Buddha’s prediction of Buddhahood.
Perspectives: This is from perspectives of the Bodhisattva as [i] an ongoing practitioner, as [ii] a perfect Bodhisattva, as he has already practised for much time, remanifesting receiving of Buddhahood’s prediction, to still guide beings after to reach the Pure Land, to inspire others to do likewise, and as [iii] the reciter/s who identify with the verse.
相关经典
Related Sūtra:
《普贤菩萨行愿品》
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s Practices And Vows’ Chapter
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