佛說佛母出生三法藏般若波羅蜜多經

Chapter 3: The Merit of the Jeweled Stupa (Part 2)

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, again addressed the Buddha: It is rare, World-Honored One. The Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva, for the sake of dedication, cultivates and studies the Prajñā-Pāramitā, and does not grasp at the various marks with an exalted mind.

The Buddha said: So it is, so it is. Kauśika, if any good son or good daughter, with respect to this Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā, receives and upholds it, reads and recites it, expounds it themselves or causes others to expound it, and practices it as it has been taught, then this person, through the power of that merit, if entering into battle, will no longer be terrified, but will be courageous, steadfast, and victorious over the opponent; and even when walking, standing, lying down, or sitting, will all be at peace.

Furthermore, Kauśika. If any good son or good daughter receives, upholds, reads, and recites this Prajñā-Pāramitā, then this person, in every place, whether going or stopping, or encountering perils of blades, staves, and the like, will not be harmed in body, and even when about to lose their very life, will feel no fear. Why is this?

Because this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Vast and Great Radiance, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Measureless Radiance, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Unsurpassed Radiance, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Unequaled Radiance, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Radiance Equal to the Unequaled. If a good son or good daughter cultivates and studies such Radiances, they do not think of their own evil, do not think of others' evil, do not think of the evil of themselves and others.

Kauśika, you should know that the person who receives, upholds, reads, and recites this Prajñā-Pāramitā attains such merit in the present world.

Furthermore, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva who studies such Radiances is able to realize Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment and accomplish the Knowledge of the All-Knowing. Having realized Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment, they can then clearly behold all sentient beings together with their various mental activities. To speak of the Knowledge of the All-Knowing is to point to the Dharmas of Radiance. The Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva who studies according to it finds no small dharma that cannot be entered, no small dharma that is not clearly known, no small dharma that cannot be realized. Therefore it is called the Knowledge of the All-Knowing.

Furthermore, Kauśika. With respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā, if there is a person who can transcribe it into a scripture in order to make offerings to it and uphold it; who reads and recites it themselves or has others read and recite it, and even for the sake of others expounds its meaning, then this person will not be caught at an opportune moment by any humans, non-humans, and the like; the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will constantly protect and be mindful of them, excepting only the retribution of past karma.

Kauśika, it is like the place of enlightenment of the Great Bodhi, where the Bodhi tree surrounds it on every side: no human, non-human, and even no animal-born being and the like, can enter therein, nor can they dwell there, nor can they destroy it or do evil. Why is this? Because the Tathāgatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past, future, and present have all realized the fruit of the Buddha's enlightenment in this very place.

Kauśika, the good son or good daughter who receives, upholds, reads, recites, transcribes, and makes offerings to the Prajñā-Pāramitā is likewise just so. Even humans and non-humans cannot seize the opportunity, cannot destroy it or do evil. Why is this? If one makes offerings at the place where this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā is, then in accordance with the locality one should together erect jeweled stupas, honor them, make offerings to them, behold and worship them, and praise them. Kauśika, you should know that this Prajñā-Pāramitā has such merit in the present world.

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, if a good son or good daughter transcribes this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, honors and reveres it, sets out precious flowers, burning incense, anointing incense, powdered incense, and various garlands, and even fine banners and canopies, lights various oil lamps, and makes offerings of all such kinds. And if there is a good son or good daughter who, after the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One has entered Nirvāṇa, gathers the relics, builds a jeweled stupa, honors and reveres it, beholds and worships it, praises it, and makes offerings of incense, flowers, oil lamps, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies, all such kinds of offerings.

As for the merit obtained by that good son or good daughter, compared with the merit of the former person, which is greater?

The Buddha said: Kauśika, now I ask you, and you may answer as you please. What do you think? By studying what Dharma did the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One attain such a body? By studying what Dharma did he realize Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment and accomplish the Knowledge of the All-Knowing?

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, it was because the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One cultivated and studied the Dharma of Prajñā-Pāramitā that he realized Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment and accomplished the Knowledge of the All-Knowing.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, therefore you should know that the Buddha does not attain the fruit of Tathāgatahood by means of this body, but rather becomes the Tathāgata because of accomplishing the Knowledge of the All-Knowing. You should know that the Knowledge of the All-Knowing attained by the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One is born from the Prajñā-Pāramitā. And it is from the skillful means of the Prajñā-Pāramitā that the body of the Tathāgata is born.

Therefore this body is the support of the Knowledge of the All-Knowing. Because it serves as the support for the Knowledge of the All-Knowing, the body of the Buddha is attained, that is, the body of the Dharma is attained, and the body of the Saṅgha is attained. Therefore all sentient beings pay homage and make offerings to the body of the Tathāgata, and even after he has entered Nirvāṇa, they take the relics of the Buddha and build stupas to make offerings.

Kauśika, that good son or good daughter, though they erect stupas and make offerings to the relics of the Tathāgata, are not equal to one who transcribes this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, honors and reveres it, and with incense, flowers, oil lamps, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies makes offerings of all such kinds. This good son or good daughter obtains very much merit. Why is this? Because to make offerings to this Prajñā-Pāramitā is precisely to make offerings to the Knowledge of the All-Knowing. Therefore, any good son or good daughter who wishes to make offerings to the one of the Knowledge of the All-Knowing should, with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā, constantly transcribe it, honor it, receive and uphold it, and perform the various acts of offering.

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, if people of the realm of Jambudvīpa, with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā, cannot transcribe, receive, uphold, read, and recite it, cannot expound it themselves, cannot cause others to expound it; and moreover cannot make reverent offerings of flowers, incense, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies. World-Honored One, such people lose great wholesome benefit, and cannot accomplish vast fruits and rewards.

The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas: Kauśika, what do you think? In Jambudvīpa, how many people have unbreakable faith in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, the people in Jambudvīpa who have unbreakable faith in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha are very few in number.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, so it is, so it is. Few among the people of the realm of Jambudvīpa have firm faith in the Jewel of the Buddha, the Jewel of the Dharma, and the Jewel of the Saṅgha. With respect to the fruit of the Stream-Enterer (Srotāpanna), the fruit of the Once-Returner (Sakṛdāgāmin), the fruit of the Non-Returner (Anāgāmin), the fruit of the Arhat, and the fruit of the Pratyekabuddha, those who realize them are also very few.

With respect to the mind of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment, those who, having already aroused the mind, are able to abide without retrogression; those who, while arousing the mind, are courageous and diligent; those who, not yet having aroused the mind, will be able to arouse it—such people are still fewer. Furthermore, few among the people of the realm of Jambudvīpa are able to abide well in correspondence with this Prajñā-Pāramitā; few are able to practice in accordance with this Dharma of Prajñā-Pāramitā; few, with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā, have a non-retrogressing mind and abide in the stage of the Bodhisattva; few, practicing this Prajñā-Pāramitā, advance toward the realization of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment.

Kauśika, if with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā one can hear it, accept it, read and recite it, expound it themselves or cause others to expound it, practice it in this way, and even honor and revere it, and with incense, flowers, oil lamps, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies, all such kinds, make offerings to it, you should know that this person has aroused the mind of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment, no longer retrogresses, and abides in the stage of the Bodhisattva.

Furthermore, Kauśika. In this Jambudvīpa there are immeasurable, innumerable, boundless sentient beings who arouse the mind of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment and practice the path of the Bodhisattva. What do you think?

Kauśika, you should now know that, although there are such immeasurable, innumerable, boundless sentient beings who arouse the Bodhi-mind and practice the path of the Bodhisattva, among them only one or two abide in the stage of Non-Retrogression. Why is this? In this Jambudvīpa there are sentient beings who give rise to inferior minds and produce inferior conceptions; their wisdom, faith, and understanding are likewise inferior, and so their diligence is also weak and feeble.

They give rise to the conception that Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment is hard to attain, and being unable to aspire to it, they give rise to indolence.

Kauśika, if a good son or good daughter wishes to swiftly realize the fruit of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment and accomplish the supreme bliss, then they should arouse a courageous mind to hear, accept, read, and recite this Prajñā-Pāramitā. Why is this? This good son or good daughter should remember that, with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā, the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, while still cultivating the Bodhisattva practice, also studied in this way; "now I too study this Prajñā-Pāramitā; this Prajñā-Pāramitā is my teacher." Kauśika, whether the Buddha is dwelling in the world or has entered Nirvāṇa, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas should rely upon this Prajñā-Pāramitā.

Furthermore, Kauśika. If there is a good son or good daughter who, after the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One has entered Nirvāṇa, takes the relics of the Buddha and makes innumerable wondrous stupas of the seven jewels, and this person, from then until the end of their life, with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments, performs all such acts of offering, and then further honors them, pays homage to them, and praises them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will this good son or good daughter, by reason of such offerings, obtain much merit and reward?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if there is a good son or good daughter who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves receives, upholds, reads, recites, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world. By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not lost, the True Dharma is not extinguished, and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive, uphold, proclaim, and expound it, thereby causing the Dharma-eye to be neither ruined nor extinguished.

And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, give rise to a mind of reverence, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments perform all such kinds of offerings. Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter obtains very much merit.

Furthermore, Kauśika. Beyond the hundred million jeweled stupas spoken of above, suppose there is a person who takes the relics of the Buddha and builds stupas of the seven jewels throughout the realm of Jambudvīpa, and this person, from then until the end of their life, with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments performs all such acts of offering, and further honors them, pays homage to them, and praises them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will that good son or good daughter, by reason of this, obtain much merit?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if there is any good son or good daughter who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves receives, upholds, reads, recites, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expounds and transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world.

By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not severed, the True Dharma is not extinguished; and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive, uphold, proclaim, and expound it, then the Dharma-eye is neither ruined nor extinguished. And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, give rise to a mind of reverence, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies perform all such acts of offering.

Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter obtains very much merit.

Furthermore, Kauśika. Beyond the stupas of the seven jewels made throughout Jambudvīpa as spoken of above, suppose there is a person who takes the relics of the Buddha and erects stupas of the seven jewels throughout the four Great Continents. This person, from then until the end of their life, with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies performs all such acts of offering, and further honors them, pays homage to them, and praises them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will that good son or good daughter, by reason of this, obtain much merit?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if there is any good son or good daughter who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves receives, upholds, reads, recites, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expounds and transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world.

By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not severed, the True Dharma is not extinguished; and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive, uphold, proclaim, and expound it, then the Dharma-eye is neither ruined nor extinguished. And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, give rise to a mind of reverence, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments perform all such acts of offering.

Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter obtains very much merit.

Furthermore, Kauśika. Beyond the stupas of the seven jewels made throughout the four Great Continents as spoken of above, Kauśika, suppose there is a person who takes the relics of the Buddha and makes stupas of the seven jewels filling an entire Small Chiliocosm, and this person, from then until the end of their life, with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies performs all such acts of offering, and further honors them, pays homage to them, and praises them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will that person, by reason of this, obtain much merit?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if there is a good son or good daughter who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves receives, upholds, reads, recites, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expounds and transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world.

By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not severed, the True Dharma is not extinguished; and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive, uphold, proclaim, and expound it, thereby attaining the Dharma-eye that is neither ruined nor extinguished. And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments perform all such acts of offering.

Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter obtains very much merit.

Furthermore, Kauśika. Beyond the stupas of the seven jewels made throughout the Small Chiliocosm as spoken of above, Kauśika, suppose there is a person who takes the relics of the Buddha and makes stupas of the seven jewels filling an entire Medium Chiliocosm, and this person, from then until the end of their life, with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments makes offerings of all such kinds, and further honors them, pays homage to them, and praises them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will that person, by reason of this, obtain much merit?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if there is any good son or good daughter who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves receives, upholds, reads, recites, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expounds and transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world.

By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not lost, the True Dharma does not perish; and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive and uphold it, thereby attaining the Dharma-eye that is neither ruined nor extinguished. And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, and with incense, flowers, anointing incense, lamps, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments perform all such acts of offering.

Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter obtains very much merit.

Furthermore, Kauśika. Beyond the stupas of the seven jewels made throughout the Medium Chiliocosm as spoken of above, Kauśika, suppose there is a person who takes the relics of the Buddha and makes stupas of the seven jewels throughout the entire Three-Thousandfold Great Chiliocosm, and this person, from then until the end of their life, with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments performs all such acts of offering, and further honors them, pays homage to them, and praises them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will that person, by reason of this, obtain much merit?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if there is a good son or good daughter who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves receives, upholds, reads, recites, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expounds and transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world.

By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not severed, the True Dharma is not extinguished. The Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive and uphold it, thereby attaining the Dharma-eye that is neither ruined nor extinguished. And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments perform all such acts of offering.

Kauśika, you should know that this good son and good daughter obtain very much merit.

Furthermore, Kauśika. Beyond the stupas of the seven jewels made throughout the Three-Thousandfold Great Chiliocosm as spoken of above, Kauśika, suppose all sentient beings in the Three-Thousandfold Great Chiliocosm each and every one take the relics of the Buddha and make stupas of the seven jewels, whether dwelling for a kalpa or not yet a full kalpa, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, precious garments, and even all kinds of music, dance, and song, make vast offerings of such kinds, and further honor them, pay homage to them, and praise them. Kauśika, what do you think? Will those sentient beings, by reason of that, obtain much merit?

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: Very much, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Kauśika, if a good son or good daughter, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, should themselves receive, uphold, read, recite, and remember it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expound and transmit it, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world. By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not severed, the True Dharma is not extinguished.

The Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas each and every one receive and uphold it, thereby attaining the Dharma-eye that is neither ruined nor extinguished; and moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, and jeweled canopies make offerings of all such kinds. Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter obtains very much merit.

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, so it is, so it is. Just as the Buddha has said, if a person honors and makes offerings to this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, you should know that this person is also at this very moment making offerings to the Buddhas of the past, future, and present, and clearly knows the wisdom of the Buddhas; this is also equal to making vast, supreme, and boundless offerings throughout all the worlds.

World-Honored One, beyond the Three-Thousandfold Great Chiliocosms as the Buddha has spoken of above, World-Honored One, suppose there were immeasurable, innumerable Three-Thousandfold Great Chiliocosms, and the sentient beings throughout those worlds, each and every one of them, took the relics of the Buddha and erected stupas of the seven jewels, whether dwelling for a kalpa or not yet a full kalpa, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, precious garments, and even all kinds of music, dance, and song made offerings, and further honored them, paid homage to them, and praised them.

World-Honored One, although the merit of those sentient beings is much, it is not equal to that of a person who, seeking the Great Bodhi, arouses with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā a mind of faith and understanding, themselves reads, recites, receives, upholds, and remembers it, and moreover for the sake of others widely expounds and transmits it, causing all sentient beings to obtain great wholesome benefit, causing the True Dharma to abide long in the world.

By reason of this, the Buddha-eye is not severed, the True Dharma is not extinguished. The Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas, each and every one, receive and uphold it, thereby attaining the Dharma-eye that is neither ruined nor extinguished. And moreover they transcribe this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, place it in a pure location, and with incense, flowers, lamps, anointing incense, flags, banners, jeweled canopies, and precious garments make offerings of all such kinds.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas: So it is, so it is. Kauśika, whoever can honor and make offerings to this scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, you should know that this person obtains merit that is immeasurable, innumerable, boundless, unequaled, and incomparable, and even that merit cannot be conceived. Why is this?

You should know that the All-Knowing Wisdom of the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One is born from the Prajñā-Pāramitā, and from the All-Knowing Wisdom the body of the Tathāgata is in turn born. Kauśika, therefore you should know that if there is a person who takes the relics of the Buddha and erects stupas to make offerings, then compared with the meritorious conduct performed and the merit obtained by that other person who receives, upholds, reads, recites, honors, and makes offerings to the scripture of Prajñā-Pāramitā, in comparing their amounts, one hundredth part does not equal one, one thousandth part does not equal one, one hundred-thousandth part does not equal one, one hundred-millionth part does not equal one, one part in a billion, one part in a trillion,

one part in a hundred trillion, one part in a hundred thousand koṭi-nayuta does not equal one part of that other person; and the part of counting, the part of calculation, and the part of analogy, and even the upaniṣad part, do not equal one part of that other person.

At that time, those who had previously come together with Śakra, Lord of the Devas, to attend the assembly—forty thousand multitudes of deva-sons—all said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas: Now, with respect to this profound Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā, one should receive and uphold it, read and recite it, remember it, contemplate it, and practice it as it has been taught.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas: Kauśika, as the devas have said, with respect to this Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā, you should receive and uphold it, read and recite it, remember it, contemplate it, and practice it as it has been taught. Why is this? Kauśika, if the asuras battle with the deva-sons of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, at that time you should call to mind this Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā, and those asuras will then withdraw and flee away of themselves.

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Vast and Great Radiance, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Measureless Radiance, the Unsurpassed Radiance, the Most Victorious Radiance, the Unequaled Radiance, the Radiance Equal to the Unequaled.

At that time, the Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas: So it is, so it is. Kauśika, this Prajñā-Pāramitā is the Vast and Great Radiance, the Measureless Radiance, the Unsurpassed Radiance, the Most Victorious Radiance, the Unequaled Radiance, the Radiance Equal to the Unequaled. Why is this?

Because the Tathāgatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past, present, and future are all born from this Great Radiance, and because the Buddhas, by studying this Great Radiance, accomplished Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment; and even the Buddhas, World-Honored Ones, throughout immeasurable, innumerable Three-Thousandfold Great Chiliocosms, by studying this Vast and Great Radiance of Prajñā-Pāramitā, accomplished Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment.

Kauśika, you should know that Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment comes from this Prajñā-Pāramitā. The Ten Wholesome Dharmas that are attained appear in the world by means of this Great Radiance; the four states of meditative concentration (dhyāna), the four Immeasurables, the four states of formless concentration, the five Supernatural Powers, the thirty-seven factors of Bodhi—all such dharmas appear in the world by means of this Great Radiance; to speak in brief, even the eighty-four thousand groups of Dharmas are all born from this Vast and Great Radiance of Prajñā-Pāramitā.

The Buddha-wisdom, the Spontaneous Wisdom, and the Inconceivable Wisdom are likewise born from this Great Radiance.

Furthermore, Kauśika. If the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One does not come into the world, then those Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas who appear in the world, by means of the Prajñā-Pāramitā heard previously, give rise to all kinds of skillful means, and out of compassion for the sentient beings of the world bring them benefit. Therefore, the Ten Wholesome Dharmas, the four states of meditative concentration, the four Immeasurables, the four states of formless concentration, the five Supernatural Powers, the thirty-seven factors of Bodhi—such dharmas appear in the world in order to reveal them for sentient beings.

Kauśika, just as when there is no moon, the stars appear and their light shines throughout the world, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva is likewise just so. When the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One does not come into the world, the True Dharma is also not extinguished. Why is this? Whether it be the Dharma-practices, whether it be the Practice of Equanimity, whether it be the Wholesome Practice, each and every one is born from the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas, and turns in accordance with the skillful means of the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas. These skillful means of the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas, you should know, are all born from the Prajñā-Pāramitā.

Furthermore, Kauśika. If there is a good son or good daughter who, with respect to this Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā, can transcribe it, make offerings to it, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, remember it, contemplate it, and practice it as it has been taught, this person, by reason of this, obtains great benefit in this very life.

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, what benefit will this person obtain in this life?

The Buddha said: Kauśika, you should know that this good son or good daughter will not be harmed in their life by any poisons, will not be burned by fire, will not be drowned in water, will not encounter the affliction of blades, swords, or staves, and even will not be harmed in body and life by any other powers; nor will they be condemned by the laws of the king. Even if such perils arise, if they can recite the Prajñā-Pāramitā, they will at once be liberated.

Furthermore, Kauśika. The person who receives, upholds, reads, and recites this Prajñā-Pāramitā, if they go to the place of a king, a prince, or a great minister of the king, then when that king, prince, or great minister sees them, they will all rejoice; and whatever they wish for will all be according to their desire. Why is this? Kauśika, this Prajñā-Pāramitā, with respect to all sentient beings, is the practice of the mind of Great Loving-Kindness, the practice of Great Loving-Kindness; it is the practice of the mind of Great Compassion, the practice of Great Compassion.

Furthermore, Kauśika. The person who receives, upholds, reads, and recites this Prajñā-Pāramitā, in all places, will not be harmed by tigers, wolves, poisonous insects, or fierce beasts; and even humans, non-humans, and the like, who seek to bring them an untimely death, will find no opportunity; excepting only the fixed karma of former lives that must necessarily be undergone.

At that time, there were certain non-Buddhists who had previously gone forth into homelessness according to their own teachings, a full hundred persons in number, who came into the midst of the assembly, wishing to disturb the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, saw from afar these people about to approach the Buddha's assembly. Thereupon Śakra, Lord of the Devas, contemplated their minds and, knowing what they wanted, thought thus: "These non-Buddhists now come to the Buddha's assembly wishing to cause disturbance. I should recite the Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā that I previously received from the Buddha." Having thought thus, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, then recited the Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā.

At that time, the non-Buddhists had already entered into the assembly and saw the World-Honored One from afar. At this point, one by one in turn, they circumambulated the World-Honored One to the right, and then left the Buddha's assembly, withdrawing by the way they had come.

At that time, the Venerable Śāriputra thought: Why is it that these non-Buddhists, having entered the assembly and turned toward the Buddha, the World-Honored One, circumambulated to the right and then withdrew?

At this point, the World-Honored One, knowing what Śāriputra was thinking, said to the Venerable Śāriputra: You should now know that those non-Buddhists all went forth into homelessness according to their own teachings, and now came to the Buddha's assembly wishing to destroy, to oppose, to dispute, and to harm and trouble. Because Śakra, Lord of the Devas, recited the Prajñā-Pāramitā, those non-Buddhists, of themselves giving rise to shame, withdrew. Śāriputra, therefore you should know that the Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā has very great majestic power, and is able to dispel all the evil and wickedness of the non-Buddhists.

At that time, there were also certain evil Māras who secretly thought: Now the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One is gathered together with his fourfold assembly and with the deva-sons of the Desire Realm and the Form Realm. That Buddha, the World-Honored One, bestows the prediction of Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment upon the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas; now we should go to that place. Having thought thus, the multitude of Māras then conjured up four divisions of an army, adorned in all manner of splendor, and came to the place of the Buddha.

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, seeing the four divisions of the army, adorned, well-ordered, and beautiful, coming to the Buddha's assembly, thought: These four divisions of the army are adorned and beautiful; King Bimbisāra could not possess such, the great King Prasenajit could not possess such, the other kings could not possess such, and the sons of the elders could not possess such. This is surely conjured up thus by those evil Māras.

Why is this? Those evil Māras, within the stream of birth and death, turn their backs on the Buddha-Dharma and seek for the Buddha-Dharma to perish soon, and so wish to destroy it. I should now recite the Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā that was received from the Buddha. Having thought thus, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, then recited the Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā. Those multitudes of Māras at once withdrew their conjured army and retreated by the way they had come.

At that time, the multitude of deva-sons of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three then came into the midst of the assembly and conjured up innumerable celestial māndārava flowers and all kinds of precious flowers, scattering them upon the Buddha. The flowers that were scattered all came to rest in mid-air.

When the deva-sons had finished scattering the wondrous flowers, they then said: May this True Dharma of Prajñā-Pāramitā abide long in the world and, for the sentient beings of the realm of Jambudvīpa, bring great benefit. Having made this vow, they again scattered flowers. Having scattered the flowers, they again said: May all sentient beings, with respect to this Dharma-gate of Prajñā-Pāramitā, proclaim it, expound it, and practice it as it has been taught; and may all Māras and celestial Māras, humans, non-humans, who seek to bring about an untimely death, find no opportunity; may sentient beings be complete in wholesome roots.

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, addressed the Buddha: World-Honored One, if there is a person who, with respect to this Prajñā-Pāramitā, can rejoice in it, hear it, and accept it, you should know that this person has already made offerings to the Buddhas of the past—how much more so one who receives, upholds, reads, recites, remembers, and contemplates it, and for others expounds its meaning, studies it in accordance with the Dharma as it has been taught, and practices it in this way, so as to correspond with accomplishment.

Why is this? Because the All-Knowing Wisdom of the Buddhas is all sought from the Dharma of Prajñā-Pāramitā, and is all born from the Prajñā-Pāramitā. World-Honored One, just as a person who wishes to seek precious treasures must enter the great ocean in order to obtain priceless, beautiful jewels, so too is it with the treasure of the All-Knowing Wisdom of the Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One; it should be sought in the midst of the great ocean of Prajñā-Pāramitā.

The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of the Devas: So it is, so it is. If one wishes to seek the treasure of the All-Knowing Wisdom of the Buddhas, the Tathāgatas, Arhats, Perfectly Enlightened Ones, one should seek it within the vast ocean of the Dharma of Prajñā-Pāramitā. One who seeks in this way will all obtain it according to their wish.