大般若波羅蜜多經

65

Furthermore, Kausika, if good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, causing them all to abide at the stage of non-retrogressing bodhisattvas, what do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, through this cause and condition, acquire much merit?

Sakra, Lord of the Devas, replied: “World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”

The Buddha said: “Kausika, suppose good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to use immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its meaning and purport so that they might readily understand it. Suppose they further said: ‘Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly understand it, and contemplate it in accordance with reality.

You should gain right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain the fruit of unsurpassed enlightenment.’ Kausika, those good men and good women and others would acquire merits far surpassing the former. Why?

Kausika, because all great bodhisattvas at the stage of non-retrogression arise from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, if good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all kinds of sentient beings throughout both continents, Jambudvipa and Purvavideha, causing them all to abide at the stage of non-retrogressing bodhisattvas, what do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, through this cause and condition, acquire much merit?”

Sakra, Lord of the Devas, replied: “World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”

The Buddha said: “Kausika, suppose good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to use immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its meaning and purport so that they might readily understand it. Suppose they further said: ‘Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly understand it, and contemplate it in accordance with reality.

You should gain right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain the fruit of unsurpassed enlightenment.’ Kausika, those good men and good women and others would acquire merits far surpassing the former. Why?

Kausika, because all great bodhisattvas at the stage of non-retrogression arise from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings on the continents of Jambudvipa and Purvavideha, if good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all kinds of sentient beings throughout all three continents—Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya—causing them all to abide at the stage of non-retrogressing bodhisattvas, what do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, through this cause and condition, acquire much merit?”

Sakra, Lord of the Devas, replied: “World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”

The Buddha said: “Kausika, suppose good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to use immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its meaning and purport so that they might readily understand it. Suppose they further said: ‘Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly understand it, and contemplate it in accordance with reality.

You should gain right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain the fruit of unsurpassed enlightenment.’ Kausika, those good men and good women and others would acquire merits far surpassing the former. Why?

Kausika, because all great bodhisattvas at the stage of non-retrogression arise from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings on the continents of Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya, if good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all kinds of sentient beings throughout all four continents—Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, Aparagodaniya, and Uttarakuru—causing them all to abide at the stage of non-retrogressing bodhisattvas, what do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, through this cause and condition, acquire much merit?”

Sakra, Lord of the Devas, replied: “World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”

The Buddha said: “Kausika, suppose good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to use immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its meaning and purport so that they might readily understand it. Suppose they further said: ‘Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly understand it, and contemplate it in accordance with reality.

You should gain right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain the fruit of unsurpassed enlightenment.’ Kausika, those good men and good women and others would acquire merits far surpassing the former. Why?

Kausika, because all great bodhisattvas at the stage of non-retrogression arise from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings on the four great continents, if good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all kinds of sentient beings throughout a small thousandfold world-system, causing them all to abide at the stage of non-retrogressing bodhisattvas, what do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, through this cause and condition, acquire much merit?”

Sakra, Lord of the Devas, replied: “World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”

The Buddha said: “Kauśika! If good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, use immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, distinguishing its meanings and purport, and enabling them to understand it easily; and if they further say: ‘Good man! Come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, become thoroughly versed in it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. You should develop right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you develop right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way.

If you are able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way, you will be able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas. If you are able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will immediately realize the fruit of unsurpassed awakening’—then, Kauśika, the merit attained by those good men and good women and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Why is this? Kauśika, it is because all great bodhisattvas on the stage of non-retrogression emerge from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, suppose good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all the various sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, causing them all to abide on the stage of a non-retrogressing bodhisattva. What do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, by reason of this, acquire much merit?”

Śakra, Lord of the Gods, replied: “World-Honored One! Very much indeed! Sugata! Very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Kauśika! If good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, use immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, distinguishing its meanings and purport, and enabling them to understand it easily; and if they further say: ‘Good man! Come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, become thoroughly versed in it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. You should develop right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you develop right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way.

If you are able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way, you will be able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas. If you are able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will immediately realize the fruit of unsurpassed awakening’—then, Kauśika, the merit attained by those good men and good women and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Why is this? Kauśika, it is because all great bodhisattvas on the stage of non-retrogression emerge from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, suppose good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all the various sentient beings in a great trichiliocosm, causing them all to abide on the stage of a non-retrogressing bodhisattva. What do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, by reason of this, acquire much merit?”

Śakra, Lord of the Gods, replied: “World-Honored One! Very much indeed! Sugata! Very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Kauśika! If good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, use immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, distinguishing its meanings and purport, and enabling them to understand it easily; and if they further say: ‘Good man! Come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, become thoroughly versed in it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. You should develop right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you develop right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way.

If you are able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way, you will be able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas. If you are able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will immediately realize the fruit of unsurpassed awakening’—then, Kauśika, the merit attained by those good men and good women and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Why is this? Kauśika, it is because all great bodhisattvas on the stage of non-retrogression emerge from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm, suppose good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all the various sentient beings in innumerable worlds throughout the ten directions, causing them all to abide on the stage of a non-retrogressing bodhisattva. What do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, by reason of this, acquire much merit?”

Śakra, Lord of the Gods, replied: “World-Honored One! Very much indeed! Sugata! Very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Kauśika! If good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, use immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, conveying and revealing it, explaining it clearly, distinguishing its meanings and purport, and enabling them to understand it easily; and if they further say: ‘Good man! Come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, become thoroughly versed in it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. You should develop right faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you develop right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way.

If you are able to cultivate and study prajnaparamita in this way, you will be able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas. If you are able to realize the wisdom that knows all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will immediately realize the fruit of unsurpassed awakening’—then, Kauśika, the merit attained by those good men and good women and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Why is this? Kauśika, it is because all great bodhisattvas on the stage of non-retrogression emerge from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in these innumerable worlds throughout the ten directions, suppose good men and good women and others were to teach and transform all the various sentient beings in all worlds throughout the ten directions, causing them all to abide on the stage of a non-retrogressing bodhisattva. What do you think? Would those good men and good women and others, by reason of this, acquire much merit?”

Śakra, Lord of the Gods, replied: “World-Honored One! Very much indeed! Sugata! Very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Kauśika, if good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, employ immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they may readily understand it; and if they further say: ‘Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle.

According to the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita, you should gain right faith and understanding. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation and study of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation and study of prajnaparamita increase and become perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment’—then, Kauśika, those good men and good women and others acquire merit far exceeding that mentioned before. Why is this?

Kauśika, it is because all great bodhisattvas dwelling on the stage of non-retrogression arise from this prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Kauśika, suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to employ immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for them, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it; and were further to say: ‘Good man, come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. According to the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita, you should gain right faith and understanding. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita.

If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment’—then, Kauśika, those good men and good women and others acquire merit far exceeding that mentioned before.

“Furthermore, Kauśika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout the two continents of Jambudvipa and Pūrvavideha were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to employ immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it; and were further to say: ‘Good man, come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. According to the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita, you should gain right faith and understanding. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita.

If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment’—then, Kauśika, those good men and good women and others acquire merit far exceeding that mentioned before.

“Furthermore, Kauśika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings in the continents of Jambudvipa and Pūrvavideha, suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout the three continents of Jambudvipa, Pūrvavideha, and Aparagodānīya were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to employ immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for them, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it; and were further to say: ‘Good man, come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. According to the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita, you should gain right faith and understanding. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita.

If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment’—then, Kauśika, those good men and good women and others acquire merit far exceeding that mentioned before.

“Furthermore, Kauśika, setting aside all kinds of sentient beings in the continents of Jambudvipa, Pūrvavideha, and Aparagodānīya, suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout the four continents of Jambudvipa, Pūrvavideha, Aparagodānīya, and Uttarakuru were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that good men and good women and others, with regard to this prajnaparamita, were to employ immeasurable Dharma gateways and skillful words and meanings to expound it extensively for others, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it; and were further to say: ‘Good man, come here!

You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and uphold it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with principle. According to the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita, you should gain right faith and understanding. If you gain right faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita.

If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment’—then, Kauśika, those good men and good women and others acquire merit far exceeding that mentioned before.”

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in the four great continents, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in a small chiliocosm were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma gateways and with skillful words and meanings, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were further to say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than that described before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma gateways and with skillful words and meanings, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were further to say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than that described before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma gateways and with skillful words and meanings, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were further to say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than that described before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in innumerable worlds throughout the ten directions were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma gateways and with skillful words and meanings, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were further to say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than that described before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in innumerable worlds throughout the ten directions, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in all worlds throughout the ten directions were to aspire to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma gateways and with skillful words and meanings, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were further to say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than that described before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa had attained irreversibility from unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose that a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma gateways and with skillful words and meanings, elucidating and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and distinguishing its import so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were further to say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma gateway taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to attain knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to attain knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and reaches perfection, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than that described before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in Jambudvipa, suppose that all the various sentient beings throughout both continents, Jambudvipa and Purvavideha, were irreversible from unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma approaches and with skillful words and meanings, presenting and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its significance so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were also to say: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason. You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita.

If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect.

If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in the continents of Jambudvipa and Purvavideha, suppose that all the various sentient beings throughout the three continents of Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya were irreversible from unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma approaches and with skillful words and meanings, presenting and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its significance so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were also to say: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason. You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita.

If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect.

If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in the continents of Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya, suppose that all the various sentient beings throughout the four continents of Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, Aparagodaniya, and Uttarakuru were irreversible from unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma approaches and with skillful words and meanings, presenting and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its significance so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were also to say: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason. You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita.

If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect.

If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in the four great continents, suppose that all the various sentient beings throughout a small chiliocosm were irreversible from unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma approaches and with skillful words and meanings, presenting and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its significance so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were also to say: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason. You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita.

If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect.

If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than before.

Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the various sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, suppose that all the various sentient beings throughout a medium chiliocosm were irreversible from unsurpassed perfect enlightenment; and suppose a good man or good woman, and so forth, were to expound this prajnaparamita extensively to them through immeasurable Dharma approaches and with skillful words and meanings, presenting and revealing it, explaining it clearly, and discerning its significance so that they might readily understand it.

Suppose that person were also to say: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you thoroughly comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason. You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approach taught in this prajnaparamita.

If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize knowledge of all dharmas. If you are able to realize knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect.

If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.” Kausika, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman, and so forth, would be vastly greater than before.

Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in the medium-thousandfold world, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in this trichiliocosm had attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed perfect awakening. Suppose also that good men, good women, and others, using immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, extensively expounded this prajnaparamita to them, elucidated and revealed it, explained it clearly, and distinguished its meanings and purport so that they might easily understand it.

They would further say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you readily comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approaches taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect awakening.” Kauśika, the merit acquired by those good men, good women, and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in this trichiliocosm, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in innumerable worlds throughout the ten directions had attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed perfect awakening. Suppose also that good men, good women, and others, using immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, extensively expounded this prajnaparamita to them, elucidated and revealed it, explained it clearly, and distinguished its meanings and purport so that they might easily understand it.

They would further say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you readily comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approaches taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect awakening.” Kauśika, the merit acquired by those good men, good women, and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in innumerable worlds throughout the ten directions, suppose that all the various kinds of sentient beings in all worlds throughout the ten directions had attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed perfect awakening. Suppose also that good men, good women, and others, using immeasurable Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, extensively expounded this prajnaparamita to them, elucidated and revealed it, explained it clearly, and distinguished its meanings and purport so that they might easily understand it.

They would further say: “Good men! Come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive and retain it, read and recite it until you readily comprehend it, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.

You should gain correct faith and understanding in accordance with the Dharma approaches taught in this prajnaparamita. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study this prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas.

If you are able to realize the knowledge of all dharmas, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will increase and become perfect. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita increases and becomes perfect, you will then realize unsurpassed perfect awakening.” Kauśika, the merit acquired by those good men, good women, and others would be vastly greater than the former.

Furthermore, Kauśika! Suppose that good men, good women, and others taught and transformed all the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, directing them toward unsurpassed perfect awakening. Using immeasurable prajnaparamita Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, they would also extensively expound it to them, elucidate and reveal it, explain it clearly, and distinguish its meanings and purport so that they might easily understand it.

Suppose, moreover, that other good men, good women, and others taught and transformed a single sentient being, enabling that being to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed perfect awakening. Using immeasurable prajnaparamita Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, they would also extensively expound it to that being, elucidate and reveal it, explain it clearly, and distinguish its meanings and purport so that the being might easily understand it.

Kauśika, the merit acquired by the latter good men, good women, and others would be vastly greater than that acquired by the former.

Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, suppose that good men, good women, and others taught and transformed all the various kinds of sentient beings in both continents, Jambudvipa and Pūrvavideha, directing them toward unsurpassed perfect awakening. Using immeasurable prajnaparamita Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, they would also extensively expound it to them, elucidate and reveal it, explain it clearly, and distinguish its meanings and purport so that they might easily understand it.

Suppose, moreover, that other good men, good women, and others taught and transformed a single sentient being, enabling that being to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed perfect awakening. Using immeasurable prajnaparamita Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, they would also extensively expound it to that being, elucidate and reveal it, explain it clearly, and distinguish its meanings and purport so that the being might easily understand it.

Kauśika, the merit acquired by the latter good men, good women, and others would be vastly greater than that acquired by the former.

Furthermore, Kauśika! Setting aside the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa and Pūrvavideha, suppose that good men, good women, and others taught and transformed all the various kinds of sentient beings in the three continents of Jambudvipa, Pūrvavideha, and Aparagodānīya, directing them toward unsurpassed perfect awakening. Using immeasurable prajnaparamita Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, they would also extensively expound it to them, elucidate and reveal it, explain it clearly, and distinguish its meanings and purport so that they might easily understand it.

Suppose, moreover, that other good men, good women, and others taught and transformed a single sentient being, enabling that being to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed perfect awakening. Using immeasurable prajnaparamita Dharma approaches and skillful expressions and meanings, they would also extensively expound it to that being, elucidate and reveal it, explain it clearly, and distinguish its meanings and purport so that the being might easily understand it.

Kauśika, the merit acquired by the latter good men, good women, and others would be vastly greater than that acquired by the former.

Fascicle 167

End