大般若波羅蜜多經

XXXXXIII. CHAPTER: SKILLFUL TRAINING

04

At that time, the Venerable Subhuti again addressed the Buddha: “World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in form; nor do they course in feeling, perception, formations, or consciousness.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the eye ayatana; nor do they course in the ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind ayatana.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the form ayatana; nor do they course in the sound, odor, taste, tangible object, or dharma ayatana.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the eye dhatu; nor do they course in the ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind dhatu.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the form dhatu; nor do they course in the sound, odor, taste, tangible object, or dharma dhatu.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the eye-consciousness dhatu; nor do they course in the ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body-consciousness, or mind-consciousness dhatu.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in eye-contact; nor do they course in ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue-contact, body-contact, or mind-contact.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the feelings arising with eye-contact as condition; nor do they course in the feelings arising with ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue-contact, body-contact, or mind-contact as condition.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the earth dhatu; nor do they course in the water, fire, wind, space, or consciousness dhatu.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in ignorance; nor do they course in formations, consciousness, name-and-form, the six ayatanas, contact, feeling, craving, grasping, becoming, birth, or aging-and-death.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the perfection of generosity; nor do they course in the perfections of pure morality, patience, diligence, meditation, or prajnaparamita.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the emptiness of internal phenomena; nor do they course in the emptiness of external phenomena, the emptiness of internal and external phenomena, the emptiness of emptiness, great emptiness, the emptiness of ultimate meaning, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, ultimate emptiness, boundless emptiness, the emptiness of dispersion, the emptiness of the unchanging, the emptiness of intrinsic nature, the emptiness of individual characteristics, the emptiness of common characteristics, the emptiness of all phenomena, the emptiness of the unobtainable, the emptiness of nonexistence, the emptiness of self-nature, or the emptiness of the self-nature of nonexistence.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in suchness; nor do they course in the dharma realm, the nature of phenomena, the nature free from falsity, the unchanging nature, the nature of equality, the nature transcending birth, the fixed order of Dharma, the abiding of Dharma, the limit of reality, the realm of space, or the inconceivable realm.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the four establishments of mindfulness; nor do they course in the four right efforts, the four bases of spiritual power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven factors of awakening, or the Noble Eightfold Path.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the Noble Truth of suffering; nor do they course in the Noble Truths of the origin, cessation, or path.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the four meditative absorptions; nor do they course in the four immeasurables or the four formless attainments.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the eight liberations; nor do they course in the eight spheres of mastery, the nine successive attainments, or the ten totalities.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the Dharma gateway of liberation through emptiness; nor do they course in the Dharma gateways of liberation through signlessness or wishlessness.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the five kinds of eyes; nor do they course in the six superknowledges.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the Dharma gateways of samadhi; nor do they course in the Dharma gateways of dharani.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the ten powers of a Buddha; nor do they course in the four fearlessnesses, the four unobstructed understandings, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great sympathetic joy, great equanimity, or the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the quality of never forgetting; nor do they course in the nature of constant equanimity.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the fruit of stream-entry; nor do they course in the fruit of once-returning, non-returning, or arhatship.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the attainment of a pratyekabuddha.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas practice in this way, they do not course in the knowledge of all things; nor do they course in the knowledge of the aspects of the paths or the knowledge of all aspects. Why is this? World-Honored One! Because, with regard to these phenomena, the one who courses, that in which one courses, the time of coursing, the place of coursing, and that by reason of which the coursing is accomplished are all unobtainable.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas are able to practice in this way, they cannot be subdued by any devas, humans, asuras, and others in the world; rather, they are able to subdue all devas, humans, asuras, and others in the world.

World-Honored One! If great bodhisattvas are able to practice in this way, they cannot be subdued by any shravaka or pratyekabuddha; rather, they are able to subdue all shravakas and pratyekabuddhas. Why is this? World-Honored One! Those great bodhisattvas have become established in a state in which there is no point at which they can be subdued, namely, the bodhisattvas’ stage of freedom from birth.

World-Honored One! Those great bodhisattvas constantly abide in attention directed toward the knowledge of all-knowing wisdom and cannot be overcome.

World-Honored One! When those great bodhisattvas practice in this way, because they draw near to the knowledge of all-knowing wisdom, they swiftly realize unsurpassed perfect awakening.”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! So it is! So it is! It is exactly as you have said.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa obtained human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all realized unsurpassed perfect awakening. Suppose that a good man or good woman, throughout the whole of their life, respectfully made offerings to, honored, and praised these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Awakened Ones with the finest worldly offerings, and then shared the roots of goodness from making such offerings equally with all sentient beings and dedicated them all to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by reason of these conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very much indeed! Well-Gone One! Very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds this profound prajnaparamita, arranges and sets it forth, analyzes and reveals it so that it may readily be understood, and abides in attention corresponding with this profound prajnaparamita, then, by reason of this, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this realm of Jambudvipa and this realm of Purvavideha obtained human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all realized unsurpassed perfect awakening. Suppose that a good man or good woman, throughout the whole of their life, respectfully made offerings to, honored, and praised these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Awakened Ones with the finest worldly offerings, and then universally shared the roots of goodness from those offerings equally with all sentient beings and dedicated them all to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by reason of these conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds this profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and abides in the mental attention corresponding to this profound prajnaparamita, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti! What do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa, the continent of Purvavideha, and the continent of Aparagodaniya were to obtain human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. If a certain good man or good woman, throughout an entire lifetime, were respectfully to honor and make offerings to these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones with the finest offerings of the world, venerating and praising them, and were also to share equally with all sentient beings the roots of goodness from making such offerings, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and abides in the mental attention corresponding to such profound prajnaparamita, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti! What do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout these four great continents were to obtain human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. If a certain good man or good woman, throughout an entire lifetime, were respectfully to honor and make offerings to these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones with the finest offerings of the world, venerating and praising them, and were also to share equally with all sentient beings the roots of goodness from making such offerings, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and abides in the mental attention corresponding to profound prajnaparamita, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti! What do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this small-thousandfold world were to obtain human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. If a certain good man or good woman, throughout an entire lifetime, were respectfully to honor and make offerings to these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones with the finest offerings of the world, venerating and praising them, and were also to share equally with all sentient beings the roots of goodness from making such offerings, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and abides in the mental attention corresponding to such profound prajnaparamita, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti! What do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this medium-thousandfold world were to obtain human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. If a certain good man or good woman, throughout an entire lifetime, were respectfully to honor and make offerings to these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones with the finest offerings of the world, venerating and praising them, and were also to share equally with all sentient beings the roots of goodness from making such offerings, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and abides in the mental attention corresponding to such profound prajnaparamita, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti! What do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm were to obtain human bodies and, having obtained human bodies, all attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. If a certain good man or good woman, throughout an entire lifetime, were respectfully to honor and make offerings to these Tathagatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones with the finest offerings of the world, venerating and praising them, and were also to share equally with all sentient beings the roots of goodness from making such offerings, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and abides in the mental attention corresponding to such profound prajnaparamita, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti! What do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa, neither earlier nor later but all at once, were to obtain human bodies. If a certain good man or good woman, through skillful means, taught and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome courses of karma, and were also to share equally with all sentient beings the roots of goodness from such teaching and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One! Very great indeed! Sugata! Very great indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti! If a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, presents and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may be readily understood, and firmly abides in the mental attention corresponding to the knowledge of all knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.”

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa and the continent of Purvavideha, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome paths of karma, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in the continents of Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome paths of karma, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this world of four great continents, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome paths of karma, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this small-thousandfold world, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome paths of karma, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this middle-thousandfold world, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome paths of karma, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the ten wholesome paths of karma, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that some good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four immeasurables, the four formless attainments, and the five superknowledges, and then dedicated the roots of goodness arising from such instruction and guidance equally to all sentient beings, together directing them toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, gain much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and arranges it, analyzes and elucidates it so that it may readily be understood, and firmly establishes others in the mental attention associated with omniscience, then, through these causes and conditions, the merit gained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably, boundlessly, and incalculably greater than that of the former person.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa and the continent of Purvavideha, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four immeasurable states, the four formless concentrations, and the five superknowledges; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, setting it forth, arranging it, distinguishing and revealing it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly establishes others in attention associated with the knowledge of all aspects, then through these causes and conditions, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in the continent of Jambudvipa, the continent of Purvavideha, and the continent of Aparagodaniya, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four immeasurable states, the four formless concentrations, and the five superknowledges; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, setting it forth, arranging it, distinguishing and revealing it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly establishes others in attention associated with the knowledge of all aspects, then through these causes and conditions, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this world of four great continents, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four formless concentrations, and the five superknowledges; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, setting it forth, arranging it, distinguishing and revealing it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly establishes others in attention associated with the knowledge of all aspects, then through these causes and conditions, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this small-thousandfold world, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four immeasurable states, the four formless concentrations, and the five superknowledges; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, setting it forth, arranging it, distinguishing and revealing it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly establishes others in attention associated with the knowledge of all aspects, then through these causes and conditions, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this medium-thousandfold world, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four immeasurable states, the four formless concentrations, and the five superknowledges; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, setting it forth, arranging it, distinguishing and revealing it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly establishes others in attention associated with the knowledge of all aspects, then through these causes and conditions, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four meditative absorptions, the four immeasurable states, the four formless concentrations, and the five superknowledges; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, setting it forth, arranging it, distinguishing and revealing it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly establishes others in attention associated with the knowledge of all aspects, then through these causes and conditions, the merit acquired by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this continent of Jambudvipa, neither earlier nor later, were all to obtain human bodies, and that a good man or good woman, through skillful means, instructed and guided them all to abide in the four fruits of the ascetic life; and further caused all those sentient beings equally to possess the wholesome roots arising from such instruction and guidance, and together dedicated them to unsurpassed perfect awakening. Would that good man or good woman, through these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?

Subhuti replied: Very much, World-Honored One! Very much, Sugata!

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa and Purvavideha were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the four fruits of the shravaka path, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the four fruits of the shravaka path, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout this world of four great continents were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the four fruits of the shravaka path, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout this small chiliocosm were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the four fruits of the shravaka path, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout this medium chiliocosm were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the four fruits of the shravaka path, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings throughout this great trichiliocosm were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the four fruits of the shravaka path, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of the great assembly, proclaims such profound prajnaparamita, expounds and elucidates it, analyzes and reveals it so that it may easily be understood, and firmly abides in the mental application associated with all-knowledge, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by that good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be reckoned.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this Jambudvipa were, neither earlier nor later, all to attain human bodies. If a good man or good woman were, through skillful means, to instruct and guide them, causing them all to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings alike the roots of merit produced through such instruction and guidance, dedicating them together toward unsurpassed perfect awakening, would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, acquire much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa and Purvavideha were, neither earlier nor later, all to obtain human bodies, and a certain good man or good woman were skillfully to instruct and guide them all, causing them to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings equally the roots of virtue arising from such instruction and guidance, so that they might together dedicate them to unsurpassed awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, Purvavideha, and Aparagodaniya were, neither earlier nor later, all to obtain human bodies, and a certain good man or good woman were skillfully to instruct and guide them all, causing them to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings equally the roots of virtue arising from such instruction and guidance, so that they might together dedicate them to unsurpassed awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this world of four great continents were, neither earlier nor later, all to obtain human bodies, and a certain good man or good woman were skillfully to instruct and guide them all, causing them to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings equally the roots of virtue arising from such instruction and guidance, so that they might together dedicate them to unsurpassed awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this small chiliocosm were, neither earlier nor later, all to obtain human bodies, and a certain good man or good woman were skillfully to instruct and guide them all, causing them to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings equally the roots of virtue arising from such instruction and guidance, so that they might together dedicate them to unsurpassed awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this medium chiliocosm were, neither earlier nor later, all to obtain human bodies, and a certain good man or good woman were skillfully to instruct and guide them all, causing them to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings equally the roots of virtue arising from such instruction and guidance, so that they might together dedicate them to unsurpassed awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.

“Furthermore, Subhuti, what do you think? Suppose that all kinds of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm were, neither earlier nor later, all to obtain human bodies, and a certain good man or good woman were skillfully to instruct and guide them all, causing them to abide in the fruit of a pratyekabuddha, and were further to bestow upon all those sentient beings equally the roots of virtue arising from such instruction and guidance, so that they might together dedicate them to unsurpassed awakening. Would that good man or good woman, by virtue of these causes and conditions, gain much merit?”

Subhuti replied: “World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!”

The Buddha said: “Subhuti, if a good man or good woman, in the midst of a great assembly, expounds such profound prajnaparamita, analyzes, arranges, distinguishes, and reveals it so that it may be easily understood, and firmly establishes others in attention corresponding to the knowledge of all modes, then, by virtue of these causes and conditions, the merit attained by this good man or good woman is immeasurably and boundlessly greater than that of the former person and cannot be calculated.”

Fascicle 334

END