Perfect Enlightenment Sutra

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Samantabhadra, understand
that the infinite misleading unawareness
of all sentient beings
is based upon the Tathāgata’s
attainment of Complete Enlightenment.
Like a phantom appearing in empty space,
its appearance depends upon the open space.
When the phantom disappears,
the empty space returns to its original unmoving state.
Delusion is dependent
upon enlightenment for its arising.
With the extinction of illusion,
enlightenment is entirely perfect,
for the enlightened mind is ever steadfast.
All bodhisattvas and sentient beings
in the decline of the Dharma Age
must forever leave delusions far, far away
until they are all finally extinguished.
It is like creating a fire with wood,
when the wood is burned away,
the fire is also extinguished.
Enlightenment contains no gradual steps;
which also applies to expedient means.