Where Bodhisattvas Dwell
Chapter thirty-two turns from measureless numbers and cosmic time to a different kind of specificity: real directions, real mountains, and the bodhisattvas who have always lived there. Nine places in this part alone — the eight directions and the sea — each with a resident bodhisattva and a named company of followers, ending with Mañjuśrī at Mount Clear and Cool.
Nine Mountains, Nine Companies
Chapter thirty-two, 諸菩薩住處品, opens with the Mind King naming, one by one, the mountain or place in each direction where bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times, who resides there now, and how large a company surrounds them.
爾時，心王菩薩摩訶薩於眾會中告諸菩薩言：「佛子！東方有處，名：仙人山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名：金剛勝，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾三百人俱，常在其中而演說法。南方有處，名：勝峯山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名曰：法慧，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾五百人俱，常在其中而演說法。西方有處，名：金剛焰山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名：精進無畏行，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾三百人俱，常在其中而演說法。北方有處，名：香積山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名曰：香象，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾三千人俱，常在其中而演說法。東北方有處，名：清涼山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名：文殊師利，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾一萬人俱，常在其中而演說法。海中有處，名：金剛山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名曰：法起，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾千二百人俱，常在其中而演說法。東南方有處，名：支提山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名曰：天冠，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾一千人俱，常在其中而演說法。西南方有處，名：光明山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名曰：賢勝，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾三千人俱，常在其中而演說法。西北方有處，名：香風山，從昔已來，諸菩薩眾於中止住；現有菩薩，名曰：香光，與其眷屬、諸菩薩眾五千人俱，常在其中而演說法。
At that time, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Mind King addressed the assembled bodhisattvas, saying: "Sons of the Buddha! In the east there is a place called Sage Mountain, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Vajra Supreme, who together with his retinue of three hundred bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the south there is a place called Supreme Peak Mountain, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Dharma Wisdom, who together with his retinue of five hundred bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the west there is a place called Vajra Flame Mountain, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Diligent and Fearless Practice, who together with his retinue of three hundred bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the north there is a place called Mount of Accumulated Fragrance, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Fragrant Elephant, who together with his retinue of three thousand bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the northeast there is a place called Mount Clear and Cool, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Mañjuśrī, who together with his retinue of ten thousand bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. Within the sea there is a place called Vajra Mountain, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Dharma Arising, who together with his retinue of twelve hundred bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the southeast there is a place called Mount Caitya, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Heavenly Crown, who together with his retinue of one thousand bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the southwest there is a place called Mount of Light, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Worthy and Supreme, who together with his retinue of three thousand bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma. In the northwest there is a place called Mount Fragrant Wind, where multitudes of bodhisattvas have dwelled since ancient times; there is now a bodhisattva named Fragrant Light, who together with his retinue of five thousand bodhisattvas constantly abides there, expounding the dharma."
東北方有處，名：清涼山……現有菩薩，名：文殊師利 — in the northeast there is a place called Mount Clear and Cool … there is now a bodhisattva named Mañjuśrī. This single line is the scriptural basis for one of the most consequential geographic claims in East Asian Buddhism: Mount Clear and Cool, 清涼山, came to be identified with Mount Wutai in Shanxi, and this passage is why Wutai Shan has been treated as Mañjuśrī's earthly abode ever since — a pilgrimage site whose entire premise rests on nine lines in a chapter otherwise devoted to lists.
Part 578 Complete
This continues chapter thirty-two, 諸菩薩住處品, in fascicle forty-five. Part 579 completes the chapter with thirteen more named dwelling-places, including one in 震旦國 — China itself — and with it, fascicle forty-five in full.