Notes on the life of Shakyamuni Buddha
written by Vova, a layman and yogi.
-15-
In one of the parks visited by Gautama, there stood a house built without windows and with only a small door. In seclusion, the Buddha contemplated the formless, faultless, limitless, and blessed radiance of mind, attained by beings that have ended animosity and attachment to sense pleasures.
When waves of aspiration to free living beings from suffering moved bodily winds into the area between Gautama’s eyebrows, his experience transitioned from acute awareness to a perception of the siddhas' realm. Perceiving himself endowed with the body of beings from this realm, the Buddha entered their gathering. There he beheld wise beings, submerged in the silent nature of mind. The aroma of goodness exuded from the pores of their skin. Surrounded by their own radiance, awareness of their own wisdom purified their minds.
In their vision the whole world flew by like a sacred river. They appeared satisfied, like elephants that bath themselves on a hot day with filthy water without embarrassment over the water's impurities.
A number of these beings bowed before the Victorious One. One of them, whose body emitted a golden glow, addressed him with a bow:
"Oh, Master of Wisdom! In the previous kalpa[34] I attained this realm thanks to my compassion for people and my detachment from the notions of "self" and "mine." It was predicted that in this realm I would meet a perfect arhat and through his mercy I would attain final awakening. I beseech thee, Blessed One! Banish the ignorance and restlessness of all those who found refuge in my heart!"
The heart of the titan-siddha opened up before the Buddha's eyes. It appeared as samsara itself. In its embrace it held all living and transitioning beings. From empty space the Awakened One withdrew a fragrant lotus flower. Lifting it up high, he released it back into space. The flower disappeared but its aroma kept spreading. The Buddha gave an approving smile to the questioning titan.
The light of completeness illumined his student's face, who uttered a prayer accepting refuge in the Buddha, Sangha, and Dharma. The Buddha gave his new follower the name Manjushri which means the master of wisdom.
Many beings in that realm felt bewilderment and surprise and asked: "What is it that is disrupting our unperturbed and unclouded state? From where does this glorious and genuine feeling of compassion come?”
Some of them joined Manjushri's awakening, others became involved in questioning the essence of things, and some remained perplexed.
[34] an aeon of time