Part 3e.2c - The various nirmanakayas

2.c.i) How the created nirmanakayas produce benefit for beings

The three kinds of nirmanakaya,^[1] produce benefit by materially appearing. Because have been emanated by the blessing of the Buddha, and also, because they tame beings and so forth, they are called emanations. Though that is explained, from the time of emanation to tame beings they perform benefits by wisdom, and their space-like buddha activity is perfected: #1096.1

From this compassion rise the various nirmanakayas.
They appear in the form of mindless material things.
There are paintings and reliefs, and various natural forms
There are different writings and different objects of worship,
Lotuses, wish-fulfilling trees, and pleasant parks,
Along with wonderful palaces and pleasure groves.
There are caravansaries, and ships and bridges,
Lamps and jewels, food and clothing, and vehicles.
Such material things appear, doing many benefits.

As for the particulars of how objects emanated by the Buddha benefit beings in the world, there are paintings, reliefs, self-appearing images of body, speech, and mind, writings, deities, stupas, and so forth. Anyone who even sees them is moved with powerful faith and longing, and the seeds of liberation are planted. Following these examples, with this constant support, there is an increase of virtue within the continua of sentient beings, and so buddha emanations accumulate. The Neck pin of Mantra (sngags kyi gong rgyan) says: #1096.6

Now they remain in the time of the dark age,
In the forms of artifacts and letters.
Thinking it is so I have faith in them.

The Mahayanasutralankara says:

Created, born, and great enlightenment.
By the teacher who always teaches enlightenment,
As for these emanation bodies of the Buddha,
They are the great means of liberation.

The created phenomenal appearances of the "created" nirmanakayas have just been explained. As for "born," any being who really benefits other sentient beings is a nirmanakaya of bodily emanation. In a time of famine, it might be a big fish. At the time of sickness, small gentle living creatures and so on. In the island of the Rakshasis the king of horses Balaha and so forth emanated, and performed benefits.^[2]

The supreme emanation displays the twelve deeds of a buddha.^[3] Similarly, there are emanations of lotuses and wish-fulfilling trees, pleasure groves, palaces, and gardens for renunciates. When a merchant is wandering in a desert plain, a city is emanated. On great waters, boats, ships, and bridges are emanated. Those capable in actions of the great secret upaya might emanate a path in a forest for a single night. Also emanating lamps and the like for a wandering merchant, they might show that path.

At a time of famine, by emanating wishing-jewels, a rain of food and so forth may fall. Emanated chariots, elephants, and other mounts may be established only for whatever sentient beings can be benefited. This is taught in the Jewel Heap Sutra and other sutras. In particular, the Sutra of Entering the Sphere of Inconceivable Wisdom (ye shes bsam gyis mi khyab pa’i yul la ‘jug) says:

Mañjushri, if someone will be tamed by seeing the color of the body of the Tathagata
as golden, the golden color appears.

If someone needs pleasure groves, jewels, medicine, vidya mantra, and many other things to be tamed, the forms and colors of those appear. That is extensively taught.

2.c.ii) The spontaneous arising of temporal and ultimate true goodness

Thus appearing:

Having temporarily served as happy and pleasant places,
They finally connect us with the path of peace.
These various emanations produce spontaneous benefits.

By that play of emanations, temporally individual sentient beings' minds are gladdened and made happy by virtues of body and speech. Then by the wealth of ultimate buddhahood, the various nirmanakayas also spontaneously produce that supremely great benefit. The Uttaratantra says:

These appearances are utterly
Non-conceptual and immovable.
Indeed upon that ground
The great benefit is at hand