Flower Adornment (Avatamsaka) Sutra Chapter 13 & Chapter14 -

The Flower Adornment Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra) is known as the 'King of Kings' of all Buddhist sutras because of its profundity and great length. This sutra contains the most complete explanation of the Buddha's state of realization and the Bodhisattva's quest for awakening. It is said: Unless you read the Avatamsaka Sutra, you will not know of the Buddha's true blessings and honor. The Avatamsaka Sutra is the Buddha's greatest store of treasures. In forty chapters the sutra conveys a vast range of Buddhist teachings. It presents, in detailed description, the stages of Awakening that a Bodhisattva or 'Awakened Being must progress through on the path towards Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. The sutra depicts the events that immediately unfolded upon the Buddha's Awakening under the Bodhi tree. It describes a cosmos that has infinite realms within realms, boundless and interpenetrating. In Chapter 13, the World Honored One ascends to Mount Sumeru and goes to the Trayastrimsha Heaven, also known as the Heaven of the Thirty-three, to speak Dharma. Lord Shakra sees the Buddha approaching and immediately adorns his palace. He welcomes the Buddha and entreats the World Honored One to stay. In Chapter 14, Praises atop Mount Sumeru, innumerable Bodhisattvas from other Buddhalands join the Assembly. The same manifestation occurs on the peak of Mount Sumeru as in other worlds. The World Honored One emits light from his toes. Dharma Wisdom Bodhisattva arrives. Relying on the Buddha s awesome might, he speaks verses. Other Bodhisattvas, receive the Buddha s empowerment and speak verses.