大般若波羅蜜多經
Chinese title:大般若波羅蜜多經
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
02
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings in Jambudvipa, causing them all to abide in the fruit of stream-entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, or the fruit of arhatship. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Śakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others, with pure minds, reverently and faithfully accept the profound prajnaparamita and, seeking unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, copy it and distribute it to others, explaining its profound meaning so that they are freed from doubt, and instructing and admonishing sentient beings: “You should diligently cultivate the true path of the bodhisattva, namely, the profound prajnaparamita. If you diligently cultivate and study this path, you will swiftly realize unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, rescue innumerable kinds of sentient beings, cause them swiftly to realize the true limit, bring all their outflows to an end, and enable them to enter the realm of nirvana without remainder.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that previously described.
Why is this? Kausika, it is because the fruits of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arhatship all arise from this prajnaparamita. Having heard the profound prajnaparamita, those good men, good women, and others receive instruction and admonition, diligently cultivate and study it, and gradually perfect all the teachings of the Buddha, until they attain the knowledge of all knowledge. They teach and guide sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arhatship, or the enlightenment of a pratyekabuddha; to enter the bodhisattva’s stage of the certainty of the unconditioned; and ultimately to attain the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside the teaching and guidance of all sentient beings in Jambudvipa, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings throughout the four great continents, causing them all to abide in the fruit of stream-entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, or the fruit of arhatship. What do you think? This should be explained in detail as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside the teaching and guidance of all sentient beings throughout the four great continents, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world-system, causing them all to abide in the fruit of stream-entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, or the fruit of arhatship. What do you think? This should be explained in detail as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside the teaching and guidance of all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world-system, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings in a medium thousandfold world-system, causing them all to abide in the fruit of stream-entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, or the fruit of arhatship. What do you think? This should be explained in detail as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside the teaching and guidance of all sentient beings in a medium thousandfold world-system, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world-system, causing them all to abide in the fruit of stream-entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, or the fruit of arhatship. What do you think? This should be explained in detail as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside the teaching and guidance of all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world-system, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings in worlds throughout the ten directions, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges…, causing them all to abide in the fruit of stream-entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, or the fruit of arhatship. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Śakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others, with pure minds, reverently and faithfully accept the profound prajnaparamita and, seeking unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, copy it and distribute it to others, explaining its profound meaning so that they are freed from doubt, and instructing and admonishing sentient beings: “You should diligently cultivate the true path of the bodhisattva, namely, the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly and diligently cultivate and study this path, you will swiftly realize unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, rescue innumerable kinds of sentient beings, swiftly realize the true limit, bring afflictions to an end, and enter the realm of nirvana without remainder.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that previously described.
Why is this? Kausika, it is because the fruits of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arhatship all arise from this prajnaparamita. Having heard the profound prajnaparamita, those good men, good women, and others receive instruction and admonition, diligently cultivate and study it, and gradually perfect all the teachings of the Buddha, until they attain the knowledge of all knowledge. They teach and guide sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arhatship, or the enlightenment of a pratyekabuddha; to enter the bodhisattva’s stage of the certainty of the unconditioned; and ultimately to attain the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings in Jambudvipa, causing them all to abide in the enlightenment of a pratyekabuddha. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Śakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others, with pure minds, reverently and faithfully accept the profound prajnaparamita and, seeking unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, copy it and distribute it to others, explaining its profound meaning so that they are freed from doubt, and instructing and admonishing sentient beings: “You should diligently cultivate the true path of the bodhisattva, namely, the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly and diligently cultivate and study this path, you will swiftly realize unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, aid innumerable kinds of sentient beings, cause them swiftly to realize nirvana, bring afflictions to an end, and enable them to enter the realm of nirvana without remainder.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that previously described.
Why is this? Kausika, it is because all the fruits of enlightenment realized by pratyekabuddhas arise from this prajnaparamita. Having heard the profound prajnaparamita, those good men, good women, and others receive instruction and admonition, diligently cultivate and study it, and gradually perfect all the teachings of the Buddha, until they attain the knowledge of all knowledge. They teach and guide sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arhatship, or the enlightenment of a pratyekabuddha; to enter the bodhisattva’s stage of the certainty of the unconditioned; and ultimately to attain the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Furthermore, Kausika, setting aside the teaching and guidance of all sentient beings in Jambudvipa, suppose good men, good women, and others were to teach and guide all sentient beings throughout the four great continents, causing them all to abide in the enlightenment of a pratyekabuddha. What do you think? This should be explained in detail as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of all sentient beings in the four great continents, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, causing them all to abide in pratyekabuddha enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, causing them all to abide in pratyekabuddha enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, causing them all to abide in pratyekabuddha enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, causing them all to abide in pratyekabuddha enlightenment. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One! It would be very great. Sugata! It would be very great.
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others, with pure minds, reverently accept in faith the profound prajnaparamita and, seeking unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, copy it and distribute it to others; explain its profound meaning so that they are freed from doubt; and instruct and admonish sentient beings, saying: “You should diligently cultivate the true path of a bodhisattva, namely, the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly and diligently cultivate and study this path, you will swiftly realize unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, rescue innumerable kinds of sentient beings, enable them to attain nirvana and bring their afflictions to an end, and cause them to enter the realm of nirvana without remainder.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that previously described.
Why is this? Kausika! It is because the enlightenment realized by all pratyekabuddhas arises from this prajnaparamita. Having heard the profound prajnaparamita and received instruction and admonition, those good men, good women, and others diligently cultivate and study it, gradually perfect all the teachings of the Buddha, and ultimately realize the knowledge of all modes. They instruct the various kinds of sentient beings, enabling them to attain the fruits of stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner, and arhat, as well as pratyekabuddha enlightenment; to enter the bodhisattva’s stage of certainty, free from arising; and ultimately to realize the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Furthermore, Kausika! Suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, causing them to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One! It would be very great. Sugata! It would be very great.
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others copy the sutra of the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and then give it to one person who has aroused the aspiration for unsurpassed enlightenment, so that he may uphold and recite it. They further say: “Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you have thoroughly mastered it, and reflect upon it in accordance with reason. You should correctly understand and have faith in this Dharma gateway. If you correctly understand it and have faith in it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you are able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of omniscience. If you are able to realize the Dharma of omniscience, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all modes.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that previously described.
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings in the four great continents, causing them to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of all sentient beings in the four great continents, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, causing them to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of the various kinds of sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, causing them to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of the various kinds of sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, causing them to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? This should be explained extensively as before…
Furthermore, Kausika! Setting aside the instruction of the various kinds of sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, causing them to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One! It would be very great. Sugata! It would be very great.
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and transmit it to one person who has aroused the aspiration for unsurpassed enlightenment, so that he may uphold and recite it. They further say: “Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, uphold and recite it until you have thoroughly mastered it, and reflect upon it in accordance with reason. You should correctly understand and have faith in this Dharma gateway. If you correctly understand it and have faith in it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of omniscience. If you are able to realize the Dharma of omniscience, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to realize the knowledge of all modes.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that previously described.
Furthermore, Kausika! Suppose good men, good women, and others were to instruct all the various kinds of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, causing them all to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. What do you think? Would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One! It would be very great. Sugata! It would be very great.
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– There are good men and good women, and so forth, who copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, venerate, and praise it, and present it to a person who has attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed bodhi, so that person may receive, retain, read, and recite it. They further say: “Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to this profound prajnaparamita, receive, retain, read, and recite it, master it completely, reflect upon it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma-gate. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, you will be able to bring the cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly to perfection. If you swiftly bring the cultivation of prajnaparamita to perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” The merit gained by these good men and good women, and so forth, is greater than that mentioned before.
Furthermore, Kausika, set aside the instruction and transformation of all sentient beings in Jambudvipa. Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, were to instruct and transform all sentient beings throughout the four great continents, enabling them all to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. What do you think? This should be extensively explained as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, set aside the instruction and transformation of all sentient beings throughout the four great continents. Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, were to instruct and transform all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, enabling them all to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. What do you think? This should be extensively explained as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, set aside the instruction and transformation of all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm. Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, were to instruct and transform all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, enabling them all to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. What do you think? This should be extensively explained as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, set aside the instruction and transformation of all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm. Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, were to instruct and transform all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, enabling them all to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. What do you think? This should be extensively explained as before…
Furthermore, Kausika, set aside the instruction and transformation of all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm. Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, were to instruct and transform all sentient beings in worlds throughout the ten directions, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges and so forth, enabling them all to attain non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. What do you think? Through these causes and conditions, would those good men and good women, and so forth, gain much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be exceedingly great! Sugata, it would be exceedingly great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– There are good men and good women, and so forth, who copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, venerate, and praise it, and present it to a person who has attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, so that person may receive, retain, read, and recite it. They say to that person: “Good man, come here! You must listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, receive, retain, read, and recite it, master it completely, reflect upon it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma-gate. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, you will be able to bring the cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly to perfection. If you swiftly bring the cultivation of prajnaparamita to perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” The merit gained by these good men and good women, and so forth, is greater than that mentioned before.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose all sentient beings in Jambudvipa were to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, were to copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, venerate, and praise it, and distribute it universally among those sentient beings so that they might receive, retain, read, and recite it.
They would say to them: “Good men, come here! You must listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, receive, retain, read, and recite it, master it completely, reflect upon it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma-gate. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita.
If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” What do you think?
Through these causes and conditions, would those good men and good women, and so forth, gain much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be exceedingly great! Sugata, it would be exceedingly great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– Suppose good men or good women, and so forth, copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, venerate, and praise it, and present it to a person who has attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, so that person may receive, retain, read, and recite it. They say: “Good men, come here! You must listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, receive, retain, read, and recite it, master it completely, reflect upon it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma-gate. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” The merit gained by these good men and good women, and so forth, is greater than that mentioned before. Why? Because the great bodhisattva will certainly realize unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, bring an end to the suffering of sentient beings, and enable them swiftly to realize the nirvana of the three vehicles.
Furthermore, Kausika! Set aside the case of guiding all sentient beings in Jambudvipa, or all sentient beings in the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, or all sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment.
Suppose there are good men, good women, and others who copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and distribute it to all those sentient beings for them to accept and uphold, read and recite, saying to them: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, accept and uphold it, read and recite it, thoroughly master it, contemplate it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma gateway.
If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection.
If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” What do you think? Through these causes and conditions, would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– Suppose good men, good women, and others copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and transmit it to a single person who has attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, so that this person may accept and uphold, read and recite it, saying: “Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, accept and uphold it, read and recite it, thoroughly master it, contemplate it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma gateway. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will then be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that gained before. Why? Because that great bodhisattva will certainly realize unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, bring an end to the suffering of sentient beings, and enable them swiftly to realize the nirvana of the three vehicles.
Furthermore, Kausika! Suppose all sentient beings in Jambudvipa have attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. There are good men, good women, and others who copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and transmit it to them so that they may accept and uphold, read and recite it, saying to them: “Good men, come here!
You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, accept and uphold it, read and recite it, thoroughly master it, contemplate it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma gateway. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge.
If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” What do you think? Through these causes and conditions, would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– Among the bodhisattvas who have attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, suppose one bodhisattva says: “I now rejoice in swiftly realizing unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, rescuing sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and enabling them to attain ultimate and supreme peace and happiness.” If good men, good women, and others, in order to accomplish this, copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and transmit it to that bodhisattva so that he may accept and uphold, read and recite it, saying to him: “Good man, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, accept and uphold it, read and recite it, thoroughly master it, contemplate it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma gateway. If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will then attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others would surpass that gained before; it would be immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable.
Furthermore, Kausika! Set aside the case in which all sentient beings in Jambudvipa, or all sentient beings in the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, or all sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, have attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment.
Suppose there are good men, good women, and others who copy out the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and transmit it to them so that they may accept and uphold, read and recite it, saying to them: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, accept and uphold it, read and recite it, thoroughly master it, contemplate it in accordance with reason, and rightly believe in and understand this Dharma gateway.
If you rightly believe in and understand it, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection.
If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of all-knowledge.” What do you think? Through these causes and conditions, would those good men, good women, and others gain much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– Among the bodhisattvas, there is one who has attained non-retrogression toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment and says: “I now truly rejoice that I shall swiftly realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, rescue sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and enable them to attain ultimate and supreme peace and happiness.” If good men, good women, and others, in order to accomplish this, transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and then give it to those bodhisattvas to receive, uphold, read, and recite, saying to them: “Good men, come here! You should listen wholeheartedly to the profound prajnaparamita, receive, uphold, read, and recite it, master it completely, reflect upon it in accordance with reason, and gain correct faith and understanding regarding this Dharma gateway. If you gain correct faith and understanding, you will be able to cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound prajnaparamita, you will be able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge. If you are able to realize the Dharma of all-knowledge, your cultivation of prajnaparamita will swiftly reach perfection. If your cultivation of prajnaparamita swiftly reaches perfection, you will be able to attain the wisdom of omniscience.” The merit gained by these good men, good women, and others is even greater than the former merit—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all reckoning.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose all sentient beings in Jambudvipa were to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Suppose good men, good women, and others were to transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and then give it to them to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason. What do you think? Would these good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– If good men, good women, and others transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason; and if they further employ various skillful and wondrous expressions and meanings to explain it extensively, analyze its principles so that the person may readily understand them, and instruct and admonish that person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit gained by these good men, good women, and others is even greater than the former merit—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all reckoning.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that, in addition to the sentient beings in Jambudvipa, all sentient beings in the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, or all sentient beings throughout worlds in the ten directions as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, were to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.
Suppose good men, good women, and others were to transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and then give it to them to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason. What do you think? Would these good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– If good men, good women, and others transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason; and if they further employ various skillful and wondrous expressions and meanings to explain it extensively, analyze its principles so that the person may readily understand them, and instruct and admonish that person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit gained by these good men, good women, and others is even greater than the former merit—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all reckoning.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose all sentient beings in Jambudvipa had attained non-retrogression toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Suppose good men, good women, and others were then to transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and then give it to them to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason. What do you think? Would these good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– If good men, good women, and others transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason; and if they further employ various skillful and wondrous expressions and meanings to explain it extensively, analyze its principles so that the person may readily understand them, and instruct and admonish that person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit gained by these good men, good women, and others is even greater than the former merit—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all reckoning.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that, in addition to the sentient beings in Jambudvipa, all sentient beings in the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, or all sentient beings throughout worlds in the ten directions as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, had attained non-retrogression toward unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.
Suppose good men, good women, and others were to transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and then give it to them to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason. What do you think? Would these good men, good women, and others gain much merit through this cause and condition?
Sakra, Lord of the Devas, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, very much indeed! Sugata, very much indeed!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Devas:
– If good men, good women, and others transcribe the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly to receive, uphold, read, and recite, master completely, and reflect upon in accordance with reason; and if they further employ various skillful and wondrous expressions and meanings to explain it extensively, analyze its principles so that the person may readily understand them, and instruct and admonish that person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit gained by these good men, good women, and others is even greater than the former merit—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all reckoning.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that all sentient beings in Jambudvipa were to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. After arousing the aspiration for unsurpassed enlightenment, they would say in unison: “We now rejoice in swiftly realizing unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, rescuing sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and enabling them to attain ultimate and supreme peace and happiness.” Suppose also that good men and good women, and others, wishing to accomplish this, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and transmit it to them so that they might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely,
and contemplate it in accordance with reason.
What do you think? Would these good men and good women, and others, acquire much merit through these causes and conditions?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great! Sugata, it would be very great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– If good men and good women, and others, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly so that this person might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason; and if they were further to employ innumerable marvelous and skillful approaches to its words and meanings to explain it extensively, distinguish its principles so that this person might easily understand them, and instruct and admonish this person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit acquired by these good men and good women, and others, would greatly exceed the former merit and would be immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that, in addition to the sentient beings in Jambudvipa, all sentient beings throughout the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world, or all sentient beings in a medium thousandfold world, or all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world, or all sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, were to arouse the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete enlightenment.
After arousing the aspiration for unsurpassed enlightenment, they would say in unison: “We now rejoice in swiftly realizing unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, rescuing sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and enabling them to attain ultimate and supreme peace and happiness.” Suppose that good men and good women, and others, wishing to accomplish this, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and transmit it to them so that they might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.
What do you think? Would these good men and good women, and others, acquire much merit through these causes and conditions?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great! Sugata, it would be very great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– If good men and good women, and others, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly so that this person might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason; and if they were further to employ innumerable marvelous and skillful approaches to its words and meanings to explain it extensively, distinguish its principles so that this person might easily understand them, and instruct and admonish this person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit acquired by these good men and good women, and others, would greatly exceed the former merit and would be immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that all sentient beings in Jambudvipa had attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete enlightenment and said in unison: “We now rejoice in swiftly realizing unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, rescuing sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and enabling them to attain ultimate and supreme peace and happiness.” Suppose that good men and good women, and others, wishing to accomplish this, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and transmit it to them so that they might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.
What do you think? Would these good men and good women, and others, acquire much merit through these causes and conditions?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great! Sugata, it would be very great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– If good men and good women, and others, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly so that this person might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason; and if they were further to employ innumerable marvelous and skillful approaches to its words and meanings to explain it extensively, distinguish its principles so that this person might easily understand them, and instruct and admonish this person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit acquired by these good men and good women, and others, would greatly exceed the former merit and would be immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that, in addition to the sentient beings in Jambudvipa, all sentient beings throughout the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world, or all sentient beings in a medium thousandfold world, or all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world, or all sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, had attained non-retrogression from unsurpassed, complete enlightenment and said in unison: “We now rejoice in swiftly realizing unsurpassed, complete enlightenment, rescuing sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and enabling them to attain ultimate and supreme peace and happiness.” Suppose that good men and good women, and others, wishing to accomplish this,
were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and transmit it to them so that they might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason.
What do you think? Would these good men and good women, and others, acquire much merit through these causes and conditions?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great! Sugata, it would be very great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– If good men and good women, and others, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and give it to a single person among that assembly so that this person might accept and retain it, read and recite it, master it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reason; and if they were further to employ innumerable marvelous and skillful approaches to its words and meanings to explain it extensively, distinguish its principles so that this person might easily understand them, and instruct and admonish this person to cultivate and study it diligently, then the merit acquired by these good men and good women, and others, would greatly exceed the former merit and would be immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose that good men and good women, and others, were to copy the profound prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious substances, make offerings to it, honor, revere, and praise it, and disseminate it among all sentient beings in Jambudvipa. Through these causes and conditions, would these good men and good women, and others, acquire much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great! Sugata, it would be very great!
The Buddha then said to Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– If good men and good women, and others, were to distinguish and expound the principles of the profound prajnaparamita for even a single sentient being so that this being might easily understand them, the merit acquired by these good men and good women, and others, would greatly exceed the former merit and would be immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose good men, good women, and others copy out the prajnaparamita, adorn it with various precious treasures, and make offerings to it with reverence, honor, respect, and praise, for the sake of all sentient beings in the four great continents, or all sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, or all sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, or even all sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions. Through these causes and conditions, would those good men, good women, and others acquire much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great. Sugata, it would be very great.
The Buddha then told Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– Suppose there are good men, good women, and others who, for the sake of a single sentient being, analyze and expound the profound meaning and principles of the prajnaparamita so that the being may easily understand them. These good men, good women, and others would acquire vastly greater merit than before—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all calculation.
Furthermore, Kausika, suppose these good men, good women, and others analyze and expound the profound meaning and principles of the prajnaparamita so that they may easily be understood, for the sake of sentient beings in Jambudvipa, or sentient beings in the four great continents, or sentient beings in a small chiliocosm, or sentient beings in a medium chiliocosm, or sentient beings in a great chiliocosm, or sentient beings throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions. Through these causes and conditions, would those good men, good women, and others acquire much merit?
Sakra, Lord of the Gods, said to the Buddha:
– World-Honored One, it would be very great. Sugata, it would be very great.
The Buddha then told Sakra, Lord of the Gods:
– Suppose there are good men, good women, and others who, for the sake of a single sentient being, with a mind free from defilement, analyze and expound the profound meaning and principles of the prajnaparamita so that the being may easily understand them, and who instruct and admonish that being, causing the being to cultivate and train diligently. These good men, good women, and others would acquire vastly greater merit than before—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond all calculation.
At that time, Sakra, Lord of the Gods, immediately said to the Buddha:
– Such a great bodhisattva draws ever nearer to unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment.
The Buddha said:
– So it is! So it is! One should instruct and admonish them by means of the profound meaning and principles of the prajnaparamita, so that they may completely penetrate the true suchness of all dharmas. One should reverently make offerings to them of the finest clothing, food, drink, bedding, medicines, and other precious things, ensuring that they lack nothing. If good men, good women, and others are able to make such gifts of Dharma and material goods, they thereby protect and support that great bodhisattva and make offerings to them. Through these causes and conditions, those good men, good women, and others will obtain great fruits and rewards and immeasurable, boundless, supreme benefit. Why? Because, protected, supported, and sustained by these gifts of Dharma and material goods, that great bodhisattva will swiftly attain the knowledge of omniscience.
Then Subhuti praised Sakra:
– Excellent! Excellent, Kausika! You have indeed skillfully encouraged, protected, supported, and assisted the great bodhisattvas, enabling them swiftly to attain the knowledge of omniscience. Since you are now a noble disciple of the Buddha, you have done what ought to be done. Why? Kausika, because, wishing to bring benefit and happiness to sentient beings, the noble disciples of all Tathagatas use skillful means to encourage, protect, support, and assist the great bodhisattvas, enabling them swiftly to attain the knowledge of omniscience. Why? Because all Tathagatas, sravakas, pratyekabuddhas, and all supreme things in the world appear through the community of great bodhisattvas. Why? Kausika, because if no great bodhisattva were to arouse the mind of enlightenment, there would be no great bodhisattva capable of training in generosity through prajnaparamita. If no great bodhisattva were capable of training in generosity through prajnaparamita, there would be no great bodhisattva who could attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. If no great bodhisattva attained unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, there would be no Tathagatas, sravakas, pratyekabuddhas, or supreme things in the world.
Therefore, one should encourage, protect, support, and assist the great bodhisattvas, enabling them to bring their training in the six paramitas to ultimate perfection, swiftly attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment, turn the wondrous Dharma wheel, and liberate sentient beings.
Scroll 542
THE END
The version you're viewing was faithfully rendered by Inti AI in keeping with the tradition. Switch to the other language tab to read a human translation.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.