The Perfection of Generosity Sūtra

“How do bodhisattvas exert themselves in the practice of generosity by offering flowers? Noble son, bodhisattvas do so by reflecting in this way: ‘Offering flowers and flower garlands represents the attainment of the precious flowers of retention, eloquence, and the branches of awakening. Therefore, I will definitely practice generosity by offering flowers and flower garlands!’ When practicing generosity by offering flowers and flower garlands, bodhisattvas make the following aspiration: ‘In accordance with the aspirations expressed by the buddhas, through this offering of flowers and flower garlands may I adorn the body of all beings with the precious flowers of retention, eloquence, and the branches of awakening!’ Regarding this, there are also some concluding verses:

“Through this offering of flowers and flower garlands,
May all beings be adorned,
Swiftly and in all manners,
With the flowers of the branches of awakening!”

The King of Samādhis Sūtra

When the Guide entered the supreme city,
At that time there was no dirt or refuse.
Throughout the entire city there arose
The lovely aroma of the most fragrant incense….

All of the million millions of devas
Who had come to see the Lord of men
Let fall a rain of flowers on the Sugata.
They scattered flowers while in the middle of the sky.

The flowers scattered by humans for the Jina
Formed a parasol of flowers in the sky.
The flowers scattered by the devas
Were strewn on the ground as divine flowers….

When they saw the body of Buddha, the supreme being,
All beings were overjoyed and delighted;
They did not even think of the divine flowers,
Which did not seem at all wonderful….

His body was beautified by excellent primary signs,
Like the firmament filled with stars.
The Buddha shone upon the king’s road
Like the full moon in the sky.

Just as an excellent, pure, precious jewel
That is free of all impurities shines
So that a pure light goes in all directions,
In that way the Jina illuminated the entire world….

When the Sugata spoke to teach
With compassion for the people in the streets,
The Jina manifested emanations
That taught to them the excellent Dharma of the Buddha….

Some who were upon the roofs
Developed the sublime, supreme aspiration to enlightenment
And they scattered divine flowers on the handsome,
Beautifully adorned body of the one with the ten strengths.

Some developed the supreme, highest aspiration
And scattered garlands of magnolias,
Kachnar flowers, the scents of summer,
And wreaths of silken ribbons.

Some stood, holding excellent flowers,
Their bodies perfectly beautified by their raiment.
They held various flowers and wreaths of silk
That they cast in the direction of the Jina with great power.

Some scattered red lotuses, night lotuses,
Blue lotuses, and excellent golden flowers.
Some scattered precious flowers,
And some scattered sandalwood powder.

When the Guide entered the supreme city
The wonders that appeared were uncountable,
Unequaled, impossible to describe,
And they brought many millions of beings to buddha wisdom.

The Avalokinī Sūtra

Whoever picks flowers with a joyful mind
And faithfully showers them on a protector of the world
Will be meritorious in the human world,
Where, residing in his kingdom, he will venerate the supreme victors.

The Exposition of Karma Sūtra

“There are ten blessings of offering a flower at a tathāgata’s stūpa. What are the ten? One will become like a flower in the world; one’s sense of smell will never deteriorate; one’s body will never smell bad; one’s body will exude fragrance; the fine fragrance of moral discipline will pervade the cardinal and intermediate directions; worldly deities will gather and surround one; one will obtain all attractive qualities; one will have great prosperity; one will be reborn in heaven; and one will quickly attain complete nirvāṇa. These are the ten blessings of offering a flower at a tathāgata’s stūpa.”

Teaching the Practice of a Bodhisattva Sūtra

“I offer this lotus to the Buddha
Seeking nothing in return‍—
I seek supreme awakening
To eliminate all goals.

“Since in unborn awakening
There is nothing to gain or lose
And nothing to accept or reject,
I offer this flower.

“The conception of value
That childish beings construct is pointless.
I make this offering to the supreme human being
So that I may eliminate all conceptual thought.

“I do not offer this flower
So that a result will ripen for me.
I offer this lotus blossom
To eliminate all existent things.”

Translations by 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha