Appreciation of the “The Seven Places and Nine Assemblies Transformation Scene: Avatamsaka Sutra”
《七处九会变相图》——出自十世纪五代时期的敦煌藏经洞，一幅精美绝伦的绢本彩绘。作品尺寸为194 x 179厘米，目前珍藏于法国吉美国立亚洲艺术博物馆。这幅巨作在敦煌艺术中尤为突出，以其众多的人物形象、细腻流畅的线条、绚烂的色彩以及严谨的构图而著称。
画中的佛像神态丰满、庄重威严，而每一会的上方两侧，精心绘制的飞天形象更是令人称奇，她们衣袂飘飘，仿佛随时都会乘风而起，令人赞叹不已。令人惊叹的是，这幅画作历经千年岁月，依然色泽鲜艳，画面完整无损，堪称敦煌绘画中的瑰宝，具有极高的国宝级价值。以下是对这幅描绘《华严经》中“七处九会”场景的绢画进行详细介绍。
The "Seven Places and Nine Assemblies Transformation Scene" – Emerging from the Dunhuang cave manuscripts of the Five Dynasties period in the 10th century, this exquisite silk painting is a masterpiece of art. Measuring 194 x 179 centimeters, it is currently preserved in the Guimet National Museum of Asian Art in France. This monumental work stands out in Dunhuang art, celebrated for its multitude of figures, delicate and fluid lines, vibrant colors, and precise composition.
The depictions of the Buddha in the painting are full-bodied, dignified, and commanding. Above each assembly, the astonishingly crafted figures of flying apsaras are even more remarkable. With their flowing garments, they seem as if they could take flight at any moment, eliciting admiration. Remarkably, despite the passage of a thousand years, the painting remains vivid in color and intact, a true treasure among Dunhuang paintings, holding immense national treasure value. What follows is a detailed introduction to this silk painting, which vividly portrays the "Seven Places and Nine Assemblies" from the "Avatamsaka Sutra."
《大方广佛华严经》，简称《华严经》，乃佛陀释迦牟尼在成就正觉之后，向文殊师利、普贤菩萨等法身菩萨众阐述无尽法界深意之作。此经通过诸位菩萨的示现，展现了佛陀的因地修行与果地德行，犹如百花齐放，庄严而广大，圆满而无所障碍，是一部揭示无上妙旨的重要经典。尽管中土所译的《华严经》多达八十卷，但这仅仅是龙树菩萨从龙宫取出并传入人间的一部分，并非全貌。那么，这部卷帙繁多的神圣经典，佛陀究竟是在哪些地方宣讲的呢？
以《八十华严》为例，全经共分为三十九品，组织为“七处九会”。这七处分别是地面三处和天界四处，具体为：菩提道场（举行了第一会的六品），普光明殿（举办了第二会六品、第七会十一品、第八会一品），忉利天宫（第三会六品）、夜摩天宫（第四会四品）、兜率天宫（第五会三品）、他化天宫（第六会一品）以及重阁讲堂（即逝多林，第九会一品）。换言之，除了普光明殿承办了三次法会，其余各处均仅举办了一会，因此形成了“七处九会，宣讲广大华严”的传统说法。
The "Mahāvaipulya Buddha Avatamsaka Sutra," commonly referred to as the "Avatamsaka Sutra," is a work by the Buddha Shakyamuni that elaborates on the profound meaning of the boundless Dharma realm to Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and other Bodhisattvas. This sutra reveals the Buddha's causal practice and fruit virtue through the manifestations of various Bodhisattvas, resembling a blossoming of a hundred flowers, magnificent and vast, complete and unobstructed. It is an important scripture that discloses the supreme profound meaning. Although the "Avatamsaka Sutra" translated in China comprises eighty volumes, this is only a part of the scripture taken from the Dragon Palace by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva and brought to the human world, not the entire text. So, in this voluminous and sacred scripture, where did the Buddha actually preach?
Taking the "Eighty-volume Avatamsaka" as an example, the entire sutra is divided into thirty-nine chapters and organized into "Seven Places and Nine Assemblies." These seven places are three on the ground and four in the heavenly realms, specifically: the Bodhi Tree (where the first assembly with six chapters took place), the Hall of Universal Light (hosting the second assembly with six chapters, the seventh with eleven chapters, and the eighth with one chapter), the Trayastrimsa Heaven (third assembly with six chapters), the Yama Heaven (fourth assembly with four chapters), the Tusita Heaven (fifth assembly with three chapters), the Parinirvana Heaven (sixth assembly with one chapter), and the Jeta Grove (ninth assembly with one chapter). In other words, except for the Hall of Universal Light, which hosted three assemblies, each of the other places held only one assembly, thus forming the traditional saying of "Seven Places and Nine Assemblies, preaching the vast Avatamsaka."
· 第一会 ·
菩提道场会
在第一会中，佛陀于菩提道场初证圆满正觉，彼处道场被无量的珍宝所庄严，金刚座上的毗卢遮那佛，其身具足无量德行。来自十方世界的如微尘般众多的菩萨，乃至金刚力士、诸多神灵和天众，他们各自拥有无尽的功德，一时之间齐聚于此，纷纷颂扬佛陀。在所有的华藏庄严世界海中，一切世界皆融入佛的境界。第一会的内容涵盖了从〈世主妙严品第一〉至〈毗卢遮那品第六〉。
· The First Assembly ·
The Bodhi Tree Assembly
In the first assembly, the Buddha attained perfect enlightenment for the first time at the Bodhi Tree. The site was adorned with an infinite array of treasures, and on the Vajra Throne, the Vairochana Buddha, embodying immeasurable virtues, sat. Countless Bodhisattvas from all directions, as numerous as dust motes, along with Vajra warriors, various deities, and celestial beings, each possessing endless virtues, gathered here simultaneously, all praising the Buddha. In all the adornments of the Lotus Treasury World Sea, every world merged into the realm of the Buddha. The content of the first assembly spans from the 'First Chapter: Wonderful Adornment of the Lord of the World' to the 'Sixth Chapter: Vairochana.'
· 第二会 ·
普光法堂会
在第二会中，佛陀于普光明殿的莲花宝座上展现神通变化，十方的菩萨纷纷前来参加集会。文殊师利菩萨借助佛陀的威德力量，向在场的菩萨们宣说佛陀的尊号。由于应众生不同的认知和见解，佛陀有无量无数的名称，不同的如来名称为众生开示佛法。第二会的主要内容包括文殊菩萨宣讲的〈如来名号品第七〉至〈贤首品第十二〉。
· The Second Assembly ·
The Hall of Universal Light Assembly
In the second assembly, the Buddha displayed supernatural transformations on the lotus throne in the Hall of Universal Light, with Bodhisattvas from all directions coming to attend the gathering. Manjushri Bodhisattva, relying on the power of the Buddha's virtue, proclaimed the Buddha's noble titles to the assembled Bodhisattvas. Due to the varying perceptions and views of sentient beings, the Buddha has an infinite number of names. Different names of the Tathagata teach the Dharma to beings. The main content of the second assembly includes the teachings from the 'Seventh Chapter: Names of the Tathagata' to the 'Twelfth Chapter: Chapter of the Adept' as expounded by Manjushri Bodhisattva.
· 第三会 ·
忉利天宫会
在第三会中，佛陀并未离开菩提树，而是升至须弥山的帝释天宫。帝释天以庄严的宫殿迎接佛陀，请佛升座，并与诸多天众一同赞颂佛陀。第三会的主要内容包括从〈升须弥山顶品第十三〉至〈明法品第十八〉。
· The Third Assembly ·
The Trayastrimsa Heaven Assembly
In the third assembly, the Buddha did not leave the Bodhi Tree but ascended to the palace of Indra, the king of gods, on Mount Sumeru. Indra welcomed the Buddha with a magnificent palace, inviting Him to take the seat, and together with many celestial beings, praised the Buddha. The main content of the third assembly includes from the 'Thirteenth Chapter: Ascending the Summit of Mount Sumeru' to the 'Eighteenth Chapter: Chapter of the Illumination of the Dharma.'
· 第四会 ·
夜摩天宫会
在此第四会中，佛陀升入夜摩天宫，夜摩天王以庄严的殿座迎接如来，并颂扬佛陀，随后佛陀安坐其上（〈升夜摩天宫品第十九〉）。接着，功德林菩萨向在场的菩萨们讲解了菩萨十无尽藏的每一行相，这些教诲能够使所有修行者成就无尽的大宝藏（〈十无尽藏品第二十二〉）。
· The Fourth Assembly ·
The Yama Heaven Assembly
In this fourth assembly, the Buddha ascended to the Yama Heaven. The king of Yama welcomed the Tathagata with a solemn throne and praised the Buddha, after which the Buddha sat upon it ('Nineteenth Chapter: Ascending the Yama Heaven'). Subsequently, the Bodhisattva of Merit Forest explained to the assembled Bodhisattvas the aspects of the Ten Inexhaustible Treasuries of the Bodhisattvas. These teachings enable all practitioners to attain the inexhaustible great treasure ('Twenty-second Chapter: Chapter of the Ten Inexhaustible Treasures').
· 第五会 ·
兜率天宫会
在第五会中，佛陀再次上升至兜率天，兜率天王以庄严的殿座迎接如来，并赞颂佛陀的功德，之后佛陀便安坐其上（〈升兜率天宫品第二十三〉）。随后，金刚幢菩萨向诸位菩萨详述了十回向的法门，并对每一种修行相进行了分别的阐释（〈十回向品第二十五〉）。
· The Fifth Assembly ·
The Tusita Heaven Assembly
In the fifth assembly, the Buddha ascended once again to the Tusita Heaven. The king of Tusita welcomed the Tathagata with a solemn throne and extolled the virtues of the Buddha, after which the Buddha took His seat ('Twenty-third Chapter: Ascending the Tusita Heaven'). Following this, the Bodhisattva Vajra Banner detailed the Dharma of the Ten Perfections of Dedication to the assembled Bodhisattvas, explaining each practice aspect respectively ('Twenty-fifth Chapter: Chapter of the Ten Perfections of Dedication').
· 第六会 ·
他化自在天宫会
在第六会中，佛陀位于他化自在天的摩尼宝殿，来自各方世界的众多菩萨纷纷聚集于此。此时，借助佛陀的威神之力，金刚藏菩萨进入大智慧光明三昧，受到诸佛的赞誉并得到摩顶加持。他从三昧定境中起，向在场的菩萨们宣说了十地的名称。解脱月等菩萨随后请求他详细解说，佛陀亦放光加持，赋予神力，金刚藏菩萨遂向大众阐述深奥的十地法门之行相（〈十地品第二十六〉）。
· The Sixth Assembly ·
The Parinirvana Heaven Assembly
In the sixth assembly, the Buddha was situated in the Mani Treasure Hall of the Parinirvana Heaven, where numerous Bodhisattvas from all worlds gathered. At this time, with the power of the Buddha's majesty, the Bodhisattva Vajra Store entered the Samadhi of Great Wisdom and Light, receiving praise from the Buddhas and the empowerment of the crown touching. Emerging from this samadhi, he proclaimed the names of the Ten Bhumi to the assembled Bodhisattvas. The Bodhisattvas, including Jina Moon, subsequently requested a detailed explanation, and with the Buddha emitting light and conferring divine power, Vajra Store elaborated on the profound aspects of the Ten Bhumi Dharma ('Twenty-sixth Chapter: Chapter of the Ten Bhumi').
· 第七会 ·
普光法堂会
在第七会中，佛陀位于普光明殿，普眼菩萨向佛陀询问普贤菩萨所修得的三昧妙行，佛陀指导他邀请普贤菩萨亲自宣说。此时，众菩萨渴望见到普贤菩萨，并致以虔诚的顶礼。普贤菩萨于是以神通力显现，向大众广泛讲述了十大三昧的深奥法门（〈十定品第二十七〉）。直至〈如来出现品第三十七〉，佛陀从眉间放出名为如来出现的光明，如来性起妙德菩萨向佛陀请示深奥的法义，佛陀再次放光进入普贤菩萨的口中，普贤菩萨随即详述了佛陀以十无量法显现，以及通过十无量百千阿僧祇的因缘而成就的境界。讲述完毕，诸佛齐声称赞并为与会大众授记，普贤菩萨最后以颂劝勉众人受持此法。
· The Seventh Assembly ·
The Hall of Universal Light Assembly
In the seventh assembly, the Buddha was in the Hall of Universal Light. When the Bodhisattva Universal Eye inquired about the wondrous practices of Samadhi attained by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, the Buddha guided him to invite Samantabhadra Bodhisattva to explain personally. At this moment, the Bodhisattvas eagerly desired to see Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and offered devout prostrations. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva then manifested with supernatural powers and extensively explained the profound Dharma of the Ten Great Samadhis to the assembly ('Twenty-seventh Chapter: Chapter of the Ten Samadhis'). Until the 'Thirty-seventh Chapter: Appearance of the Tathagata,' the Buddha emitted a light named Appearance of the Tathagata from between his eyebrows. The Bodhisattva Wonderful Virtue of Tathagata Nature arose and requested the profound meaning of the Dharma from the Buddha. The Buddha again emitted light into the mouth of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, who then detailed the manifestations of the Buddha through ten immeasurable methods and the realms achieved through ten immeasurable, countless causes and conditions. Upon completion of the discourse, all the Buddhas praised in unison and granted predictions to the assembly, with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva finally encouraging everyone to uphold this Dharma with verses.
· 第八会 ·
普光法堂会
在第八会中，佛陀仍坐于普光明殿，普贤菩萨进入佛华藏庄严三昧。从三昧境界中起，普慧菩萨提出关于菩萨依止、菩萨行持乃至佛陀示现涅槃等二百个问题，普贤菩萨则一一回答，每个问题给出十个答案，依次阐述了二千种法门。诸佛现身赞叹并表喜悦。普贤菩萨随后以偈颂形式再次讲述菩萨的功德及其修行之处（〈离世间品第三十八〉）。
· The Eighth Assembly ·
The Hall of Universal Light Assembly
In the eighth assembly, the Buddha remained seated in the Hall of Universal Light, with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva entering the Samadhi of the Buddha's Adornment of the Lotus Treasury. Emerging from this samadhi, the Bodhisattva Universal Wisdom posed two hundred questions to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva regarding the reliance of Bodhisattvas, their practices, and even the manifestation of the Buddha's Parinirvana. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva answered each question with ten responses, sequentially elaborating on two thousand Dharma doors. The Buddhas appeared to praise and express their joy. Samantabhadva Bodhisattva then recited verses again, describing the virtues of the Bodhisattvas and the places of their practice ('Thirty-eighth Chapter: Chapter of Transcending the World').
· 第九会 ·
逝多园林会
在第九会中，佛陀位于逝多园林，与文殊师利、普贤菩萨等五百大菩萨、大声闻以及无量世主一同聚会。佛陀以大悲心进入师子频申三昧，其光明遍照庄严，十方世界中的无量菩萨纷纷来会，各自展现神变以供养佛陀。而诸大声闻却未能知见这一切。十大菩萨以颂赞佛陀。普贤菩萨讲述了师子频申三昧的十种法句。佛陀又显现出种种神变、法门和三昧之相，文殊菩萨以颂称赞，诸菩萨皆获得了无数大悲法门，致力于利益十方一切众生。
文殊菩萨与大众向佛陀告别后向南行进，尊者舍利弗和六千比丘在佛陀的神力加持下，也发心随行。他们抵达福城东部的庄严幢娑罗林中的大塔庙处说法，善财童子等二千人前来顶礼听法，并发起菩提心。善财童子一心追求菩萨道，以颂问教，文殊师利指引他去求访善知识。善财童子于是南行参访了德云比丘至弥勒菩萨等五十三位善知识，听闻了无数广大甘露法门，最终在普贤菩萨的指引下，依次获得普贤菩萨的诸行愿海，最终证入法界。普贤菩萨最后以颂称扬佛陀的功德海相（〈入法界品第三十九〉）。
在《华严经七处九会变相图》的最下方，大海中有一朵巨大的莲花，花中藏有无数房屋，象征着“莲花藏世界”。《华严经》第八卷中介绍了莲花藏世界：“此香水海中有一大莲花，名为种种光明蘂香幢。华藏庄严世界海位于其中，四方面貌平整，清净而坚固，被金刚轮山环绕，地海与众多树木各有特色。”华藏庄严世界海上方（类似于海边的位置）是由无数彩云构成的宇宙，这正是善财参拜普贤时所见到的大千世界。
· The Ninth Assembly ·
The Jeta Grove Assembly
In the ninth assembly, the Buddha was at the Jeta Grove, gathering with Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and five hundred great Bodhisattvas, great Sravakas, and countless lords of the world. The Buddha, with great compassion, entered the Samadhi of the Lion's Roar, and His light illuminated the entire assembly splendidly. Countless Bodhisattvas from all directions came to the gathering, each displaying supernatural transformations to offer homage to the Buddha. However, the great Sravakas were unable to see any of this. Ten great Bodhisattvas praised the Buddha with verses. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva explained the ten Dharma phrases of the Lion's Roar Samadhi. The Buddha then manifested various supernatural transformations, Dharma doors, and samadhi appearances, and Manjushri praised Him with verses. All the Bodhisattvas obtained countless great compassion Dharma doors, dedicated to benefiting all beings in the ten directions.
After bidding farewell to the Buddha, Manjushri and the assembly moved south. Under the Buddha's divine power, Shravaka Shariputra and six thousand monks also resolved to follow. They arrived at a grand stupa in the splendid Sala forest to the east of Fortunate City, where they taught the Dharma. Good Fortune Child（Sudhana）and two thousand others came to bow and listen to the Dharma, and they all awakened the Bodhi mind. Good Fortune Child, with a single-minded pursuit of the Bodhisattva path, asked for teachings with verses, and Manjushri guided him to seek good knowledge. Good Fortune Child then traveled south to visit fifty-three good knowledge figures, from Virtue Cloud Bhikshu to Maitreya Bodhisattva, hearing countless vast nectar Dharma doors. Finally, under the guidance of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, he successively obtained the ocean of Samantabhadra's actions and vows and ultimately entered the Dharma realm. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva concluded by praising the vast sea of the Buddha's virtues with verses ('Thirty-ninth Chapter: Entering the Dharma Realm').
At the bottom of the "Avatamsaka Sutra: The Seven Places and Nine Assemblies Transformation Scene," there is a giant lotus in the sea, containing countless houses, symbolizing the "Lotus Treasury World." The eighth volume of the "Avatamsaka Sutra" describes the Lotus Treasury World: "In this sea of fragrant water, there is a great lotus named Various Bright Ray Fragrance Canopy. The World Sea of the Lotus Treasury is located within it, with flat, pure, and solid terrain on all sides, surrounded by the Vajra Wheel Mountain, and the land, sea, and numerous trees each have their own characteristics." Above the World Sea of the Lotus Treasury (similar to the seaside) is a universe composed of countless colorful clouds, which is precisely the great thousand-worlds that Good Fortune Child saw when he paid homage to Samantabhadra.
