經律異相 1.77

1.77

Maheśvara heaven (in Liang language: 'Great Sovereign'), also named Pure Abode. Passing beyond the five Pure Abodes there are eight places, all of which are empty and silent. This is the dwelling place of the Mahāsattvas of the ten abodes. Bodhisattvas of the Dharma Cloud stage often become the king of this heaven. In form, he has eight arms and three eyes, and rides a great white bull. When a great cloud pours down rain upon the great trichiliocosm, no sentient being can know the count [of drops]; only this heavenly king alone is able to know it (the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'If a person makes offerings to Maheśvara, know that this person has made offerings to all the devas.' The Loutan jing says: 'Above the Ābhāsvara heaven there is no king.' From the second fascicle of the Da zhidu lun).