Precepts Like Empty Space
Māyā's own vision continues: adorning and purifying the whole Dharma-realm, discerning every buddha's own Dharma-wheel, and beholding the tathāgatas of the three times in due order. Her own precepts are described in a striking phrase — "thus, thus, like empty space" — as she gathers in every sentient being and attains a pure Dharma-body.
Adorning the Dharma-Realm, Precepts Like Empty Space
「皆悉嚴淨一切法界，分別了知諸佛法輪，以明淨智觀一切法海，見一切佛心無厭足。次第觀察三世如來，開一切佛門，見三世佛。次第興世淨佛道，戒如如如空，攝一切眾生而教化之，得淨法身，淨一切佛剎。」
"Entirely adorning and purifying the whole Dharma-realm, discerning and thoroughly understanding every buddha's own Dharma-wheel, with bright, pure wisdom contemplating the whole ocean of every dharma, beholding every buddha, her mind never growing weary. Contemplating, in due order, the tathāgatas of the three times, opening every buddha's own gate, beholding the buddhas of the three times. Arising in the world in due order, purifying the buddha's own path, her precepts thus, thus, like empty space, gathering in every sentient being and teaching and transforming them, attaining the pure Dharma-body, purifying every buddha-land."
"Thus, thus, like empty space" (如如如空) is a doubled formulation this collection uses sparingly, reserved for describing conduct that has become identical with the very nature of reality itself — 如如 (thusness, tathatā) named twice in immediate succession, then compared once more to empty space for good measure. Applied to something as concrete as precepts (戒), this insists that Māyā's own moral conduct is not merely correct behavior but has become indistinguishable from the ultimate nature the precepts themselves point toward.
Part 202 In Progress
Precepts identical with thusness are now described. Part 203 continues this dense passage — every great vow reaching its end, every buddha's own power attained, and the fulfillment, at last, of Māyā's own vow to become a mother.
Continue to Part 203 →