The Eight Classes of Non-Human Kings, and Every Heaven
Fascicle one's roster rises here out of the terrestrial world entirely. First come the eight great classes of non-human kings recognized throughout Buddhist cosmology — asuras, garuḍas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, yakṣas, nāgas, kumbhāṇḍas, and gandharvas — then the devas of the sun and moon, and every heaven above them in turn: the Thirty-Three, Yāma, Tuṣita, Nirmāṇarati, and Paranirmitavaśavartin of the desire realm, and Great Brahmā, Ābhāsvara, Śubhakṛtsna, Bṛhatphala, and Maheśvara of the form realm. With this the whole of fascicle one, and the entire opening roster of "the wondrous adornment of the lords of the world," is complete.
Asuras, Garuḍas, Kiṃnaras, and Mahoragas
復有無量阿脩羅王，所謂：羅睺阿脩羅王、毘摩質多羅阿脩羅王、巧幻術阿脩羅王、大眷屬阿脩羅王、大力阿脩羅王、遍照阿脩羅王、堅固行妙莊嚴阿脩羅王、廣大因慧阿脩羅王、出現勝德阿脩羅王、妙好音聲阿脩羅王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，悉已精勤摧伏我慢及諸煩惱。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Asura Kings, named as follows: Asura King Rāhu, Asura King Vemacitra, the Asura King Skilled in Illusion, the Asura King of the Great Retinue, the Asura King of Great Strength, the Asura King of Universal Illumination, the Asura King Firm in Conduct with Wondrous Adornment, the Asura King of Vast, Causal Wisdom, the Asura King Manifesting Supreme Virtue, and the Asura King of a Wondrous, Beautiful Voice — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them having already diligently subdued pride and every affliction.
復有不可思議數迦樓羅王，所謂：大速疾力迦樓羅王、無能壞寶髻迦樓羅王、清淨速疾迦樓羅王、心不退轉迦樓羅王、大海處攝持力迦樓羅王、堅固淨光迦樓羅王、巧嚴冠髻迦樓羅王、普捷示現迦樓羅王、普觀海迦樓羅王、普音廣目迦樓羅王……。如是等而為上首，不思議數，悉已成就大方便力，善能救攝一切眾生。
There were, moreover, Garuḍa Kings inconceivable in number, named as follows: the Garuḍa King of Great, Swift Power, the Garuḍa King of the Indestructible Jeweled Topknot, the Garuḍa King Pure and Swift, the Garuḍa King Whose Mind Never Turns Back, the Garuḍa King with Power to Grasp the Depths of the Great Sea, the Garuḍa King of Firm, Pure Light, the Garuḍa King of the Skillfully Adorned Crown-Topknot, the Garuḍa King Universally Swift in Manifesting, the Garuḍa King Universally Beholding the Sea, and the Garuḍa King of Universal Voice and Vast Eye — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, inconceivable in number, every one of them having already accomplished the power of great skillful means, well able to rescue and gather in every living being.
復有無量緊那羅王，所謂：善慧光明天緊那羅王、妙華幢緊那羅王、種種莊嚴緊那羅王、悅意吼聲緊那羅王、寶樹光明緊那羅王、見者欣樂緊那羅王、最勝光莊嚴緊那羅王、微妙華幢緊那羅王、動地力緊那羅王、攝伏惡眾緊那羅王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤精進，觀一切法，心恒快樂，自在遊戲。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Kiṃnara Kings, named as follows: the Kiṃnara King, a Deva of Wholesome Wisdom's Light, the Kiṃnara King of the Wondrous Flower-Banner, the Kiṃnara King Adorned in Every Way, the Kiṃnara King of the Delightful, Roaring Voice, the Kiṃnara King of the Jeweled Tree's Light, the Kiṃnara King Who Brings Joy to All Who See Him, the Kiṃnara King of Supreme Light's Adornment, the Kiṃnara King of the Subtle, Wondrous Flower-Banner, the Kiṃnara King with Power to Shake the Earth, and the Kiṃnara King Subduing Every Evil Host — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently vigorous, contemplating every dharma, their minds forever joyful, sovereign in playful ease.
復有無量摩睺羅伽王，所謂：善慧摩睺羅伽王、清淨威音摩睺羅伽王、勝慧莊嚴髻摩睺羅伽王、妙目主摩睺羅伽王、如燈幢為眾所歸摩睺羅伽王、最勝光明幢摩睺羅伽王、師子臆摩睺羅伽王、眾妙莊嚴音摩睺羅伽王、須彌堅固摩睺羅伽王、可愛樂光明摩睺羅伽王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤修習廣大方便，令諸眾生永割癡網。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Mahoraga Kings, named as follows: the Mahoraga King of Wholesome Wisdom, the Mahoraga King of the Pure, Majestic Voice, the Mahoraga King of Supreme Wisdom's Adorned Topknot, the Mahoraga King, Lord of the Wondrous Eye, the Mahoraga King Like a Lamp-Banner to Whom All Turn for Refuge, the Mahoraga King of the Supreme Light's Banner, the Mahoraga King of the Lion's Breast, the Mahoraga King of Every Wondrous Adornment's Voice, the Mahoraga King Firm as Sumeru, and the Mahoraga King of Light Delightful to Behold — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently cultivating vast skillful means, causing every living being to forever sever the net of delusion.
These four classes, together with the four that follow, make up the aṣṭau parṣadaḥ, the "eight assemblies" recognized across Buddhist cosmology as attending any buddha's teaching alongside humans and devas — a set standardized long before this sūtra, but rarely given this many individually named kings for each class. Asuras are here praised specifically for subduing "pride and every affliction," a pointed detail: asuras are elsewhere in the canon almost defined by pride and rivalry with the devas, so naming this as their accomplishment marks these particular kings as having risen above their own class's besetting fault.
Yakṣas, Nāgas, Kumbhāṇḍas, and Gandharvas
復有無量夜叉王，所謂：毘沙門夜叉王、自在音夜叉王、嚴持器仗夜叉王、大智慧夜叉王、焰眼主夜叉王、金剛眼夜叉王、勇健臂夜叉王、勇敵大軍夜叉王、富資財夜叉王、力壞高山夜叉王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤守護一切眾生。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Yakṣa Kings, named as follows: Yakṣa King Vaiśravaṇa, the Yakṣa King of Sovereign Voice, the Yakṣa King Solemnly Bearing Weapons, the Yakṣa King of Great Wisdom, the Yakṣa King, Lord of the Flame-Eye, the Yakṣa King of the Vajra Eye, the Yakṣa King of the Valiant, Sturdy Arm, the Yakṣa King, Valiant Foe of the Great Army, the Yakṣa King of Abundant Wealth, and the Yakṣa King with Strength to Crush the Lofty Mountain — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently guarding every living being.
復有無量諸大龍王，所謂：毘樓博叉龍王、娑竭羅龍王、雲音妙幢龍王、焰口海光龍王、普高雲幢龍王、德叉迦龍王、無邊步龍王、清淨色龍王、普運大聲龍王、無熱惱龍王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，莫不勤力興雲布雨，令諸眾生熱惱消滅。
There were, moreover, immeasurable great Nāga Kings, named as follows: Nāga King Virūpākṣa, Nāga King Sāgara, the Nāga King of the Cloud-Voice's Wondrous Banner, the Nāga King of the Flame-Mouthed Sea-Light, the Nāga King of the Universally Lofty Cloud-Banner, Nāga King Takṣaka, the Nāga King of Boundless Stride, the Nāga King of Pure Form, the Nāga King Universally Sending Forth a Great Voice, and the Nāga King Free of Burning Affliction — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, not one among them but diligently raised clouds and spread rain, causing the burning affliction of every living being to be dispelled.
復有無量鳩槃荼王，所謂：增長鳩槃荼王、龍主鳩槃荼王、善莊嚴幢鳩槃荼王、普饒益行鳩槃荼王、甚可怖畏鳩槃荼王、美目端嚴鳩槃荼王、高峯慧鳩槃荼王、勇健臂鳩槃荼王、無邊淨華眼鳩槃荼王、廣大天面阿脩羅眼鳩槃荼王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤修學無礙法門，放大光明。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Kumbhāṇḍa Kings, named as follows: Kumbhāṇḍa King Virūḍhaka, the Kumbhāṇḍa King, Lord of Nāgas, the Kumbhāṇḍa King of the Wholesome, Adorned Banner, the Kumbhāṇḍa King of Universally Enriching Conduct, the Utterly Fearsome Kumbhāṇḍa King, the Kumbhāṇḍa King of the Beautiful Eye, Upright and Solemn, the Kumbhāṇḍa King of Lofty-Peak Wisdom, the Kumbhāṇḍa King of the Valiant, Sturdy Arm, the Kumbhāṇḍa King of the Boundless, Pure Flower-Eye, and the Kumbhāṇḍa King of the Vast Heavenly Face with an Asura's Eye — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently studying the gateway to the unobstructed Dharma, sending forth great light.
復有無量乾闥婆王，所謂：持國乾闥婆王、樹光乾闥婆王、淨目乾闥婆王、華冠乾闥婆王、普音乾闥婆王、樂搖動妙目乾闥婆王、妙音師子幢乾闥婆王、普放寶光明乾闥婆王、金剛樹華幢乾闥婆王、樂普現莊嚴乾闥婆王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆於大法深生信解，歡喜愛重，勤修不倦。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Gandharva Kings, named as follows: Gandharva King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the Gandharva King of the Tree's Light, the Gandharva King of the Pure Eye, the Gandharva King of the Flower Crown, the Gandharva King of the Universal Voice, the Gandharva King Delighting to Stir the Wondrous Eye, the Gandharva King of the Wondrous Voice and the Lion's Banner, the Gandharva King Universally Emitting Jeweled Light, the Gandharva King of the Vajra Tree's Flower-Banner, and the Gandharva King Delighting to Universally Manifest Adornment — kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them having given rise to profound faith and understanding regarding the great Dharma, joyful, cherishing it, and diligently practicing without weariness.
Four of these eight kings — Vaiśravaṇa leading the yakṣas, Virūpākṣa leading the nāgas, Virūḍhaka leading the kumbhāṇḍas, and Dhṛtarāṣṭra leading the gandharvas — are the same four names known throughout East Asian Buddhism as the Four Heavenly Kings (四天王), the guardian deities still sculpted at temple gates today, each paired here with exactly the class of being their iconography traditionally has them commanding. The nāga king named "Free of Burning Affliction" (無熱惱) is Anavatapta, said elsewhere to dwell in a cool lake at the source of the world's four great rivers precisely because he alone, among nāgas, does not suffer the heat that torments his kind — which is why raising clouds and dispelling "burning affliction" is named here as this entire class's shared vow.
The Sun, the Moon, and the Heaven of the Thirty-Three
復有無量月天子，所謂月天子、華王髻光明天子、眾妙淨光明天子、安樂世間心天子、樹王眼光明天子、示現清淨光天子、普遊不動光天子、星宿王自在天子、淨覺月天子、大威德光明天子……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤顯發眾生心寶。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Moon Devaputras, named as follows: the Devaputra Moon itself, the Devaputra of the Flower-King's Topknot Light, the Devaputra of Every Wondrous, Pure Light, the Devaputra Whose Mind Brings Peace and Joy to the World, the Devaputra of the King of Trees' Eye-Light, the Devaputra Manifesting Pure Light, the Devaputra of the Unmoving Light, Universally Roaming, the Devaputra, Sovereign King of the Constellations, the Devaputra of the Pure, Awakened Moon, and the Devaputra of Great, Majestic Virtue's Light — devaputras such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently bringing forth the jewel of the mind in every living being.
復有無量日天子，所謂日天子、光焰眼天子、須彌光可畏敬幢天子、離垢寶莊嚴天子、勇猛不退轉天子、妙華纓光明天子、最勝幢光明天子、寶髻普光明天子、光明眼天子、持勝德天子、普光明天子……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤修習，利益眾生，增其善根。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Sun Devaputras, named as follows: the Devaputra Sun itself, the Devaputra of the Flame-Eye of Light, the Devaputra of Sumeru's Light, an Awe-Inspiring Banner, the Devaputra Free of Defilement with Jeweled Adornment, the Devaputra Valiant and Never Turning Back, the Devaputra of the Wondrous Flower-Wreath's Light, the Devaputra of the Supreme Banner's Light, the Devaputra of the Jeweled Topknot's Universal Light, the Devaputra of the Eye of Light, the Devaputra Upholding Supreme Virtue, and the Devaputra of Universal Light — devaputras such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently practicing, benefiting living beings, and increasing their wholesome roots.
復有無量三十三天王，所謂：釋迦因陀羅天王、普稱滿音天王、慈目寶髻天王、寶光幢名稱天王、發生喜樂髻天王、可愛樂正念天王、須彌勝音天王、成就念天王、可愛樂淨華光天王、智日眼天王、自在光明能覺悟天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤發起一切世間廣大之業。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Kings of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, named as follows: the Deva King Śakra, Lord of the Devas, the Deva King of Universally Renowned, Perfect Voice, the Deva King of the Compassionate Eye and Jeweled Topknot, the Deva King, Renown of the Jeweled Light-Banner, the Deva King of the Topknot Giving Rise to Joy, the Deva King of Delightful Right Mindfulness, the Deva King of Sumeru's Supreme Voice, the Deva King Accomplishing Mindfulness, the Deva King of Delightful, Pure Flower-Light, the Deva King, Eye of the Sun of Wisdom, and the Deva King of Sovereign Light Able to Awaken — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently initiating vast undertakings for the whole world.
Śakra, "Lord of the Devas" (釋迦因陀羅, Śakro devānām indraḥ), is the same figure known elsewhere in this canon simply as Indra — ruler of Trāyastriṃśa, the "Heaven of the Thirty-Three," so called because thirty-three deva kings, Śakra foremost among them, are traditionally said to preside over its thirty-three regions. The sūtra names only eleven here, again as representative heads rather than an exhaustive list. With the sun, moon, and this heaven named, the roster has now cleared the earth-bound classes entirely and begun its ascent through the heavens proper.
The Heavens of the Desire Realm
復有無量須夜摩天王，所謂：善時分天王、可愛樂光明天王、無盡慧功德幢天王、善變化端嚴天王、總持大光明天王、不思議智慧天王、輪臍天王、光焰天王、光照天王、普觀察大名稱天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤修習廣大善根，心常喜足。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Kings of the Yāma Heaven, named as follows: the Deva King of the Wholesome Season, the Deva King of Light Delightful to Behold, the Deva King of Inexhaustible Wisdom's Banner of Merit, the Deva King Skillfully Transforming, Upright and Solemn, the Deva King of Total Retention's Great Light, the Deva King of Inconceivable Wisdom, the Deva King of the Wheel-Navel, the Deva King of the Light-Flame, the Deva King of Illumining Light, and the Deva King Universally Observing, of Great Renown — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently cultivating vast wholesome roots, their minds forever content.
復有不可思議數兜率陀天王，所謂：知足天王、喜樂海髻天王、最勝功德幢天王、寂靜光天王、可愛樂妙目天王、寶峯淨月天王、最勝勇健力天王、金剛妙光明天王、星宿莊嚴幢天王、可愛樂莊嚴天王……。如是等而為上首，不思議數，皆勤念持一切諸佛所有名號。
There were, moreover, Kings of the Tuṣita Heaven inconceivable in number, named as follows: the Deva King of Contentment, the Deva King of the Ocean-Topknot of Joy, the Deva King of the Supreme Banner of Merit, the Deva King of Tranquil Light, the Deva King of the Delightful, Wondrous Eye, the Deva King of the Jeweled Peak's Pure Moon, the Deva King of Supreme, Valiant Strength, the Deva King of the Vajra's Wondrous Light, the Deva King of the Constellation's Adorned Banner, and the Deva King of Delightful Adornment — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, inconceivable in number, every one of them diligently holding in mind the names of every buddha.
復有無量化樂天王，所謂：善變化天王、寂靜音光明天王、變化力光明天王、莊嚴主天王、念光天王、最上雲音天王、眾妙最勝光天王、妙髻光明天王、成就喜慧天王、華光髻天王、普見十方天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤調伏一切眾生，令得解脫。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Kings of the Nirmāṇarati Heaven, named as follows: the Deva King of Skillful Transformation, the Deva King of the Tranquil Voice's Light, the Deva King of Transforming Power's Light, the Deva King, Lord of Adornment, the Deva King of Mindful Light, the Deva King of the Supreme Cloud-Voice, the Deva King of Every Wondrous, Supreme Light, the Deva King of the Wondrous Topknot's Light, the Deva King Accomplishing Joyful Wisdom, the Deva King of the Flower-Light Topknot, and the Deva King Universally Beholding the Ten Directions — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently taming every living being, causing them to attain liberation.
復有無數他化自在天王，所謂：得自在天王、妙目主天王、妙冠幢天王、勇猛慧天王、妙音句天王、妙光幢天王、寂靜境界門天王、妙輪莊嚴幢天王、華蘂慧自在天王、因陀羅力妙莊嚴光明天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆勤修習自在方便廣大法門。
There were, moreover, countless Kings of the Paranirmitavaśavartin Heaven, named as follows: the Deva King Who Attained Sovereignty, the Deva King, Lord of the Wondrous Eye, the Deva King of the Wondrous Crown-Banner, the Deva King of Valiant Wisdom, the Deva King of the Wondrous Voice's Phrase, the Deva King of the Wondrous Light-Banner, the Deva King of the Gateway to the Tranquil Domain, the Deva King of the Wondrous Wheel's Adorned Banner, the Deva King of Sovereign Wisdom, the Flower's Pistil, and the Deva King of Indra's Strength, Wondrously Adorned Light — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them diligently cultivating the vast Dharma-gateway of sovereign skillful means.
These four complete the six heavens of the desire realm (欲界六天) as classical Abhidharma cosmology maps them, counting the Heaven of the Thirty-Three already named as the second: Yāma, Tuṣita, Nirmāṇarati (whose devas simply conjure whatever pleasures they wish), and Paranirmitavaśavartin (whose devas instead enjoy pleasures conjured for them by others) sit progressively higher and progressively more absorbed in self-generated bliss, before desire itself is finally left behind entering the form realm that follows. Tuṣita is where a bodhisattva destined for buddhahood is traditionally said to dwell before final rebirth — the heaven from which Śākyamuni himself is said to have descended, and where Maitreya is said to abide now, awaiting his own turn.
The Heavens of the Form Realm
復有不可數大梵天王，所謂：尸棄天王、慧光天王、善慧光明天王、普雲音天王、觀世言音自在天王、寂靜光明眼天王、光遍十方天王、變化音天王、光明照耀眼天王、悅意海音天王……。如是等而為上首，不可稱數，皆具大慈，憐愍眾生，舒光普照，令其快樂。
There were, moreover, uncountable Great Brahmā Heaven Kings, named as follows: Brahmā King Śikhin, the Brahmā King of Wisdom's Light, the Brahmā King of Wholesome Wisdom's Light, the Brahmā King of the Universal Cloud-Voice, the Brahmā King Sovereign over the World's Speech, Beholding It, the Brahmā King of the Tranquil, Bright Eye, the Brahmā King of Light Pervading the Ten Directions, the Brahmā King of the Transforming Voice, the Brahmā King of the Radiant, Illumining Eye, and the Brahmā King of the Delightful Ocean-Voice — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, beyond reckoning in number, every one of them endowed with great compassion, taking pity on living beings, unfurling light universally, and causing them joy.
復有無量光音天王，所謂：可愛樂光明天王、清淨妙光天王、能自在音天王、最勝念智天王、可愛樂清淨妙音天王、善思惟音天王、普音遍照天王、甚深光音天王、無垢稱光明天王、最勝淨光天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，皆住廣大寂靜喜樂無礙法門。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Ābhāsvara Heaven Kings, named as follows: the Deva King of Light Delightful to Behold, the Deva King of Pure, Wondrous Light, the Deva King Whose Voice Is Sovereign, the Deva King of Supreme, Mindful Wisdom, the Deva King of the Delightful, Pure, Wondrous Voice, the Deva King of the Voice of Wholesome Reflection, the Deva King of the Universal Voice, Illumining Everywhere, the Deva King of the Profound Light-Voice, the Deva King, Renown of Stainless Light, and the Deva King of Supreme, Pure Light — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them abiding in the vast, tranquil Dharma-gateway of unobstructed joy.
復有無量遍淨天王，所謂：清淨名稱天王、最勝見天王、寂靜德天王、須彌音天王、淨念眼天王、可愛樂最勝光照天王、世間自在主天王、光焰自在天王、樂思惟法變化天王、變化幢天王、星宿音妙莊嚴天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，悉已安住廣大法門，於諸世間勤作利益。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Śubhakṛtsna Heaven Kings, named as follows: the Deva King of Pure Renown, the Deva King of Supreme Vision, the Deva King of Tranquil Virtue, the Deva King of Sumeru's Voice, the Deva King of the Pure, Mindful Eye, the Deva King of the Delightful, Supreme Illumining Light, the Deva King, Sovereign Lord of the World, the Deva King of the Sovereign Light-Flame, the Deva King Delighting in Reflecting on the Dharma's Transformation, the Deva King of the Transformation's Banner, and the Deva King of the Constellation's Voice and Wondrous Adornment — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, every one of them having already abided in the vast Dharma-gateway, diligently acting for the benefit of every world.
復有無量廣果天王，所謂：愛樂法光明幢天王、清淨莊嚴海天王、最勝慧光明天王、自在智慧幢天王、樂寂靜天王、普智眼天王、樂旋慧天王、善種慧光明天王、無垢寂靜光天王、廣大清淨光天王……。如是等而為上首，其數無量，莫不皆以寂靜之法而為宮殿安住其中。
There were, moreover, immeasurable Bṛhatphala Heaven Kings, named as follows: the Deva King Delighting in the Dharma's Banner of Light, the Deva King of the Pure, Adorned Ocean, the Deva King of Supreme Wisdom's Light, the Deva King of Sovereign Wisdom's Banner, the Deva King Delighting in Tranquility, the Deva King of the Universal Wisdom-Eye, the Deva King Delighting in Revolving Wisdom, the Deva King of the Wholesome Seed of Wisdom's Light, the Deva King of Stainless, Tranquil Light, and the Deva King of Vast, Pure Light — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, their number immeasurable, not one among them but took the very Dharma of tranquility as their palace, abiding within it.
復有無數大自在天王，所謂：妙焰海天王、自在名稱光天王、清淨功德眼天王、可愛樂大慧天王、不動光自在天王、妙莊嚴眼天王、善思惟光明天王、可愛樂大智天王、普音莊嚴幢天王、極精進名稱光天王……。如是等而為上首，不可稱數，皆勤觀察無相之法，所行平等。
There were, moreover, countless Maheśvara Heaven Kings, named as follows: the Deva King of the Ocean of Wondrous Flame, the Deva King of Sovereign Renown's Light, the Deva King of the Pure, Meritorious Eye, the Deva King of Delightful, Great Wisdom, the Deva King of the Unmoving, Sovereign Light, the Deva King of the Wondrously Adorned Eye, the Deva King of Wholesome Reflection's Light, the Deva King of Delightful, Great Understanding, the Deva King of the Universal Voice's Adorned Banner, and the Deva King of Utmost Diligence's Renowned Light — deva kings such as these, and more, as their foremost, beyond reckoning in number, every one of them diligently contemplating the Dharma of no characteristic, their conduct equal and impartial.
These five close the roster by climbing the form realm itself: Great Brahmā, Ābhāsvara ("Light-Sound," whose devas are said to communicate by light rather than speech), Śubhakṛtsna ("Universal Purity"), and Bṛhatphala ("Vast Fruit") are the summits of the first four dhyāna-heavens, and Maheśvara — traditionally placed at or beyond the very top of the form realm — closes the entire list on a notably different note: not light or joy but a Dharma teaching outright, "the Dharma of no characteristic" (無相之法), and conduct that is "equal and impartial." From the vajra-wielding spirits guarding the awakening site to the sovereign lord of the highest heaven contemplating emptiness itself, thirty-nine classes of beings have now been named in full — a roster meant, in Huayan reading, to establish before any doctrine is taught that the whole of existence, from the humblest nature-spirit to the loftiest deva, already stands assembled around this one awakening.
Fascicle One Complete
This closes fascicle one of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, and with it the whole opening roster of "the wondrous adornment of the lords of the world" (世主妙嚴品): the vajra ground and jeweled bodhi tree of the Buddha's awakening site, his body and wisdom pervading every world without distinction, the bodhisattva assembly led by Samantabhadra, the spirits who attend the Buddha directly, fifteen classes of spirits governing the natural world, the eight great classes of non-human kings, and the devas of every heaven up through the summit of the form realm. Fascicle two continues this same assembly from a different angle: each class of world-lord named here will, in turn, speak a verse in praise of the Buddha — a far longer sequence than this one, and the next installment in this translation.