大般若波羅蜜多經

05

Subhuti! The past perfection of generosity is precisely the emptiness of the past perfection of generosity; the future perfection of generosity is precisely the emptiness of the future perfection of generosity; the present perfection of generosity is precisely the emptiness of the present perfection of generosity. The past perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are precisely the emptiness of the past perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita;

the future perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are precisely the emptiness of the future perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita; the present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are precisely the emptiness of the present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita.

Why is this? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, the past perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because the past perfection of generosity is itself empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the past perfection of generosity be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the future perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the future perfection of generosity is itself empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the future perfection of generosity be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the present perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the present perfection of generosity is itself empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the present perfection of generosity be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the past, future, and present perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the past, future, and present perfection of generosity is itself empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the past, future, and present perfection of generosity be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the past perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the past perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the past perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the future perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the future perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the future perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the past, future, and present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the past, future, and present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the past, future, and present perfections of ethical discipline, patient endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita be apprehended within emptiness.

Subhuti! The four past dhyanas are precisely the emptiness of the four past dhyanas; the four future dhyanas are precisely the emptiness of the four future dhyanas; the four present dhyanas are precisely the emptiness of the four present dhyanas. The four past immeasurables and four past formless concentrations are precisely the emptiness of the four past immeasurables and four past formless concentrations; the four future immeasurables and four future formless concentrations are precisely the emptiness of the four future immeasurables and four future formless concentrations; the four present immeasurables and four present formless concentrations are precisely the emptiness of the four present immeasurables and four present formless concentrations.

Why is this? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, the four past dhyanas cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because the four past dhyanas are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four past dhyanas be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four future dhyanas cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four future dhyanas are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four future dhyanas be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four present dhyanas cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four present dhyanas are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four present dhyanas be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four past, future, and present dhyanas cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four past, future, and present dhyanas are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four past, future, and present dhyanas be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four past immeasurables and four past formless concentrations cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four past immeasurables and four past formless concentrations are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four past immeasurables and four past formless concentrations be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four future immeasurables and four future formless concentrations cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four future immeasurables and four future formless concentrations are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four future immeasurables and four future formless concentrations be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four present immeasurables and four present formless concentrations cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four present immeasurables and four present formless concentrations are themselves empty, and the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended; how much less could the four present immeasurables and four present formless concentrations be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions of the past, future, and present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions of the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness.

Subhuti! The four foundations of mindfulness of the past are precisely the emptiness of the four foundations of mindfulness of the past; the four foundations of mindfulness of the future are precisely the emptiness of the four foundations of mindfulness of the future; the four foundations of mindfulness of the present are precisely the emptiness of the four foundations of mindfulness of the present. The four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the past are precisely the emptiness of the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the past;

the four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the future are precisely the emptiness of the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the future; the four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the present are precisely the emptiness of the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the present.

Why? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, the four foundations of mindfulness of the past cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because the four foundations of mindfulness of the past are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four foundations of mindfulness of the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four foundations of mindfulness of the future cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four foundations of mindfulness of the future are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four foundations of mindfulness of the future be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four foundations of mindfulness of the present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four foundations of mindfulness of the present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four foundations of mindfulness of the present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four foundations of mindfulness of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four foundations of mindfulness of the past, future, and present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four foundations of mindfulness of the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the past cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the past are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the future cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the future are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the future be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and Noble Eightfold Path of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the past, future, and present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four right efforts through the Noble Eightfold Path of the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness.

Subhuti! The gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past is precisely the emptiness of the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past; the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the future is precisely the emptiness of the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the future; the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the present is precisely the emptiness of the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the present.

The gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past are precisely the emptiness of the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past; the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the future are precisely the emptiness of the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the future; the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the present are precisely the emptiness of the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the present.

Why? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past is itself empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the future cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the future is itself empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the future be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the present is itself empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past, future, and present is itself empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the future gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the future gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the future gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the present gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the present gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the present gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the past, future, and present gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the past, future, and present gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the past, future, and present gates of liberation—emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness—be apprehended within emptiness.

Subhuti! The five past eyes are precisely the emptiness of the five past eyes; the five future eyes are precisely the emptiness of the five future eyes; the five present eyes are precisely the emptiness of the five present eyes. The six past superknowledges are precisely the emptiness of the six past superknowledges; the six future superknowledges are precisely the emptiness of the six future superknowledges; the six present superknowledges are precisely the emptiness of the six present superknowledges.

Why? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, the five past eyes cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because the five past eyes are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the five past eyes be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the five future eyes cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the five future eyes are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the five future eyes be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the five present eyes cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the five present eyes are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the five present eyes be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the five past, future, and present eyes cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the five past, future, and present eyes are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the five past, future, and present eyes be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the six past superknowledges cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the six past superknowledges are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the six past superknowledges be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the six future superknowledges cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the six future superknowledges are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the six future superknowledges be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the six present superknowledges cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the six present superknowledges are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the six present superknowledges be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the six past, future, and present superknowledges cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the six past, future, and present superknowledges are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the six past, future, and present superknowledges be apprehended within emptiness.

Subhuti! The ten past powers of a Buddha are precisely the emptiness of the ten past powers of a Buddha; the ten future powers of a Buddha are precisely the emptiness of the ten future powers of a Buddha; the ten present powers of a Buddha are precisely the emptiness of the ten present powers of a Buddha. The four fearlessnesses, the four unobstructed understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, knowledge of all things, knowledge of the aspects of the paths, and knowledge of all aspects in the past are precisely the emptiness of the past four fearlessnesses through knowledge of all aspects;

the four fearlessnesses, the four unobstructed understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, knowledge of all things, knowledge of the aspects of the paths, and knowledge of all aspects in the future are precisely the emptiness of the future four fearlessnesses through knowledge of all aspects; the four fearlessnesses, the four unobstructed understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, knowledge of all things, knowledge of the aspects of the paths, and knowledge of all aspects in the present are precisely the emptiness of the present four fearlessnesses through knowledge of all aspects.

Why? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, the ten past powers of a Buddha cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because the ten past powers of a Buddha are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the ten past powers of a Buddha be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the ten future powers of a Buddha cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the ten future powers of a Buddha are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the ten future powers of a Buddha be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the ten present powers of a Buddha cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the ten present powers of a Buddha are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the ten present powers of a Buddha be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the ten past, future, and present powers of a Buddha cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the ten past, future, and present powers of a Buddha are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, how much less could the ten past, future, and present powers of a Buddha be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four fearlessnesses, the four unhindered understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, the wisdom of all-knowledge, the wisdom of the aspects of the path, and the wisdom of all aspects in the past cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the past are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four fearlessnesses, the four unhindered understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, the wisdom of all-knowledge, the wisdom of the aspects of the path, and the wisdom of all aspects in the future cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the future are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the future be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four fearlessnesses, the four unhindered understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, the wisdom of all-knowledge, the wisdom of the aspects of the path, and the wisdom of all aspects in the present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the four fearlessnesses, the four unhindered understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha, the wisdom of all-knowledge, the wisdom of the aspects of the path, and the wisdom of all aspects in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the past, future, and present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the four fearlessnesses through the wisdom of all aspects in the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness.

Subhuti! Ordinary beings of the past are themselves the emptiness of ordinary beings of the past; ordinary beings of the future are themselves the emptiness of ordinary beings of the future; ordinary beings of the present are themselves the emptiness of ordinary beings of the present. The shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past are themselves the emptiness of the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past; the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the future are themselves the emptiness of the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the future;

the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the present are themselves the emptiness of the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the present.

Why? Subhuti! Because within emptiness, ordinary beings of the past cannot be apprehended.

Why? Because ordinary beings of the past are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can ordinary beings of the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, ordinary beings of the future cannot be apprehended. Why? Because ordinary beings of the future are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can ordinary beings of the future be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, ordinary beings of the present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because ordinary beings of the present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can ordinary beings of the present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, ordinary beings of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because ordinary beings of the past, future, and present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can ordinary beings of the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness. For the self, a sentient being, through to the knower and the seer cannot be apprehended!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the future cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the future are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the future be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the present be apprehended within emptiness!

Subhuti! Within emptiness, the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past, future, and present are themselves empty; the nature of emptiness is also empty. Within emptiness, even emptiness itself cannot be apprehended, much less can the shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathagatas of the past, future, and present be apprehended within emptiness. For the self, a sentient being, through to the knower and the seer cannot be apprehended.

Furthermore, Subhuti! Form in the former time cannot be apprehended; form in the later time cannot be apprehended; form in the intermediate time cannot be apprehended; within the equality of the three times, form cannot be apprehended. Why? Subhuti! Because within equality, form of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can form of the past, future, and present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! Feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness in the former time cannot be apprehended; feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness in the later time cannot be apprehended; feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness in the intermediate time cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness also cannot be apprehended. Why? Subhuti! Because within equality, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness of the past, future, and present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The eye ayatana of the past cannot be apprehended; the eye ayatana of the future cannot be apprehended; the eye ayatana of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the eye ayatana also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the eye ayatana of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the eye ayatana of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind ayatanas of the past cannot be apprehended; the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind ayatanas of the future cannot be apprehended; the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind ayatanas of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind ayatanas also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind ayatanas of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind ayatanas of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The form ayatana of the past cannot be apprehended; the form ayatana of the future cannot be apprehended; the form ayatana of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the form ayatana also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the form ayatana of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the form ayatana of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The sound, odor, taste, tangible-object, and dharma ayatanas of the past cannot be apprehended; the sound, odor, taste, tangible-object, and dharma ayatanas of the future cannot be apprehended; the sound, odor, taste, tangible-object, and dharma ayatanas of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the sound, odor, taste, tangible-object, and dharma ayatanas also cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the sound, odor, taste, tangible-object, and dharma ayatanas of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the sound, odor, taste, tangible-object, and dharma ayatanas of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The eye dhatu of the past cannot be apprehended; the eye dhatu of the future cannot be apprehended; the eye dhatu of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the eye dhatu also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the eye dhatu of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the eye dhatu of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The form dhatu, the eye-consciousness dhatu, eye contact, and the feelings arising with eye contact as condition in the past cannot be apprehended; the form dhatu, the eye-consciousness dhatu, eye contact, and the feelings arising with eye contact as condition in the future cannot be apprehended; the form dhatu, the eye-consciousness dhatu, eye contact, and the feelings arising with eye contact as condition in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the form dhatu, the eye-consciousness dhatu, eye contact, and the feelings arising with eye contact as condition also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the form dhatu, the eye-consciousness dhatu, eye contact, and the feelings arising with eye contact as condition in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the form dhatu, the eye-consciousness dhatu, eye contact, and the feelings arising with eye contact as condition in the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The ear dhatu of the past cannot be apprehended; the ear dhatu of the future cannot be apprehended; the ear dhatu of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the ear dhatu also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the ear dhatu of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the ear dhatu of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The sound dhatu, the ear-consciousness dhatu, ear contact, and the feelings arising with ear contact as condition in the past cannot be apprehended; the sound dhatu, the ear-consciousness dhatu, ear contact, and the feelings arising with ear contact as condition in the future cannot be apprehended; the sound dhatu, the ear-consciousness dhatu, ear contact, and the feelings arising with ear contact as condition in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the sound dhatu, the ear-consciousness dhatu, ear contact, and the feelings arising with ear contact as condition also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the sound dhatu, the ear-consciousness dhatu, ear contact, and the feelings arising with ear contact as condition in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the sound dhatu, the ear-consciousness dhatu, ear contact, and the feelings arising with ear contact as condition in the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The nose dhatu of the past cannot be apprehended; the nose dhatu of the future cannot be apprehended; the nose dhatu of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the nose dhatu also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the nose dhatu of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the nose dhatu of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The odor dhatu, the nose-consciousness dhatu, nose contact, and the feelings arising with nose contact as condition in the past cannot be apprehended; the odor dhatu, the nose-consciousness dhatu, nose contact, and the feelings arising with nose contact as condition in the future cannot be apprehended; the odor dhatu, the nose-consciousness dhatu, nose contact, and the feelings arising with nose contact as condition in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the odor dhatu, the nose-consciousness dhatu, nose contact, and the feelings arising with nose contact as condition also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the odor dhatu, the nose-consciousness dhatu, nose contact, and the feelings arising with nose contact as condition in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the odor dhatu, the nose-consciousness dhatu, nose contact, and the feelings arising with nose contact as condition in the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The tongue element of the past cannot be apprehended; the tongue element of the future cannot be apprehended; the tongue element of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the tongue element also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the tongue element of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any tongue element of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The taste element, the tongue-consciousness element, tongue-contact, and the feelings arising with tongue-contact as condition in the past cannot be apprehended; the taste element, the tongue-consciousness element, tongue-contact, and the feelings arising with tongue-contact as condition in the future cannot be apprehended; the taste element, the tongue-consciousness element, tongue-contact, and the feelings arising with tongue-contact as condition in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the taste element, the tongue-consciousness element, tongue-contact, and the feelings arising with tongue-contact as condition also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the taste element, the tongue-consciousness element, tongue-contact, and the feelings arising with tongue-contact as condition in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any taste element, tongue-consciousness element, tongue-contact, or feelings arising with tongue-contact as condition in the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The body element of the past cannot be apprehended; the body element of the future cannot be apprehended; the body element of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the body element also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the body element of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any body element of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The tangible-object element, the body-consciousness element, body-contact, and the feelings arising with body-contact as condition in the past cannot be apprehended; the tangible-object element, the body-consciousness element, body-contact, and the feelings arising with body-contact as condition in the future cannot be apprehended; the tangible-object element, the body-consciousness element, body-contact, and the feelings arising with body-contact as condition in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the tangible-object element, the body-consciousness element, body-contact, and the feelings arising with body-contact as condition also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the tangible-object element, the body-consciousness element, body-contact, and the feelings arising with body-contact as condition in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any tangible-object element, body-consciousness element, body-contact, or feelings arising with body-contact as condition in the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The mind element of the past cannot be apprehended; the mind element of the future cannot be apprehended; the mind element of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the mind element also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the mind element of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any mind element of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The dharma element, the mind-consciousness element, mental contact, and the feelings arising with mental contact as condition in the past cannot be apprehended; the dharma element, the mind-consciousness element, mental contact, and the feelings arising with mental contact as condition in the future cannot be apprehended; the dharma element, the mind-consciousness element, mental contact, and the feelings arising with mental contact as condition in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the dharma element, the mind-consciousness element, mental contact, and the feelings arising with mental contact as condition also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the dharma element, the mind-consciousness element, mental contact, and the feelings arising with mental contact as condition in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any dharma element, mind-consciousness element, mental contact, or feelings arising with mental contact as condition in the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The earth element of the past cannot be apprehended; the earth element of the future cannot be apprehended; the earth element of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the earth element also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the earth element of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any earth element of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness elements of the past cannot be apprehended; the water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness elements of the future cannot be apprehended; the water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness elements of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness elements also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness elements of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any water, fire, wind, space, or consciousness element of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! Ignorance of the past cannot be apprehended; ignorance of the future cannot be apprehended; ignorance of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, ignorance also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, ignorance of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less can any ignorance of the past, future, or present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! Formations, consciousness, name-and-form, the six sense bases, contact, feeling, craving, clinging, becoming, birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and distress in the past cannot be apprehended; formations, consciousness, name-and-form, the six sense bases, contact, feeling, craving, clinging, becoming, birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and distress in the future cannot be apprehended; formations, consciousness, name-and-form, the six sense bases, contact, feeling, craving, clinging, becoming, birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and distress in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, formations through aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and distress also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, past, future, and present formations through aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and distress all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, past, future, and present formations through aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and distress that can be apprehended.

Subhuti! The perfection of giving in the past cannot be apprehended; the perfection of giving in the future cannot be apprehended; the perfection of giving in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the perfection of giving also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the perfection of giving in the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, a perfection of giving in the past, future, or present that can be apprehended!

Subhuti! The perfections of pure moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita in the past cannot be apprehended; the perfections of pure moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita in the future cannot be apprehended; the perfections of pure moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita in the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the perfections of pure moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the perfections of pure moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita in the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, perfections of pure moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and prajnaparamita in the past, future, or present that can be apprehended.

Subhuti! The four dhyanas in the past cannot be apprehended; the four dhyanas in the future cannot be apprehended; the four dhyanas in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the four dhyanas also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the four dhyanas of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, four dhyanas of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended!

Subhuti! The four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions in the past cannot be apprehended; the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions in the future cannot be apprehended; the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions also cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the four immeasurables and the four formless absorptions of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, four immeasurables and four formless absorptions of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended.

Subhuti! The four foundations of mindfulness in the past cannot be apprehended; the four foundations of mindfulness in the future cannot be apprehended; the four foundations of mindfulness in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the four foundations of mindfulness also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the four foundations of mindfulness of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, four foundations of mindfulness of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended!

Subhuti! The four right efforts, four bases of spiritual power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and eightfold noble path in the past cannot be apprehended; the four right efforts through the eightfold noble path in the future cannot be apprehended; the four right efforts through the eightfold noble path in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the four right efforts through the eightfold noble path also cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the four right efforts through the eightfold noble path of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, the four right efforts through the eightfold noble path of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended.

Subhuti! The gateway to liberation through emptiness in the past cannot be apprehended; the gateway to liberation through emptiness in the future cannot be apprehended; the gateway to liberation through emptiness in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the gateway to liberation through emptiness also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past, future, and present cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, a gateway to liberation through emptiness of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended!

Subhuti! The gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness in the past cannot be apprehended; the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness in the future cannot be apprehended; the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness also cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended.

Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, gateways to liberation through signlessness and wishlessness of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended.

Subhuti! The five kinds of eyes in the past cannot be apprehended; the five kinds of eyes in the future cannot be apprehended; the five kinds of eyes in the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the five kinds of eyes also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the five kinds of eyes of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, much less could there be, within equality, five kinds of eyes of the past, future, or present that can be apprehended!

Subhuti! The six superknowledges of the past cannot be apprehended; the six superknowledges of the future cannot be apprehended; the six superknowledges of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the six superknowledges also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the six superknowledges of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the six superknowledges of the past, future, and present be apprehended within equality.

Subhuti! The Buddha’s ten powers of the past cannot be apprehended; the Buddha’s ten powers of the future cannot be apprehended; the Buddha’s ten powers of the present cannot be apprehended. Within the equality of the three times, the Buddha’s ten powers also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti! Because within equality, the Buddha’s ten powers of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the Buddha’s ten powers of the past, future, and present be apprehended within equality!

Subhuti! The four fearlessnesses, the four unobstructed understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, the eighteen distinctive qualities of a Buddha, the knowledge of all things, the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and the knowledge of all aspects of the past cannot be apprehended; the four fearlessnesses through the knowledge of all aspects of the future cannot be apprehended; the four fearlessnesses through the knowledge of all aspects of the present cannot be apprehended.

Within the equality of the three times, the four fearlessnesses through the knowledge of all aspects also cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Subhuti!

Because within equality, the four fearlessnesses through the knowledge of all aspects of the past, future, and present all cannot be apprehended. Why is this? Because within equality, even the nature of equality cannot be apprehended, how much less could the four fearlessnesses through the knowledge of all aspects of the past, future, and present be apprehended within equality.

Fascicle 60

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