“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the small thousandfold world system in individual enlightenment, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the medium millionfold world system, as many as there are, in individual enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, that for this reason those sons or daughters of good families would greatly increase their merit?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because pratyekabuddhas derive their existence from this perfection of wisdom.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the medium millionfold world system in individual enlightenment, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the great billionfold world system, as many as there are, in individual enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, that for this reason those sons or daughters of good families would greatly increase their merit?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because pratyekabuddhas derive their existence from this perfection of wisdom.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the great billionfold world system in individual enlightenment, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the world systems in each of the ten directions, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, as many as there are, in individual enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, that for this reason those sons or daughters of good families would greatly increase their merit?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because pratyekabuddhas derive their existence from this perfection of wisdom.
“Moreover, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have encouraged the beings of Jambudvīpa, as many as there are, toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because bodhisattva great beings first setting their minds on enlightenment originate from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside their having encouraged the beings of Jambudvīpa toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have encouraged the beings of the world system with its four continents, as many as there are, toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because bodhisattva great beings first setting their minds on enlightenment originate from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside their having encouraged the beings of the world system with its four continents toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have encouraged the beings of the small thousandfold world system, as many as there are, toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because bodhisattva great beings first setting their minds on enlightenment originate from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside their having encouraged the beings of the small thousandfold world system toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have encouraged the beings of the medium millionfold world system, as many as there are, toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because bodhisattva great beings first setting their minds on enlightenment originate from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside their having encouraged the beings of the medium millionfold world system toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have encouraged the beings of the great billionfold world system, as many as there are, toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because bodhisattva great beings first setting their minds on enlightenment originate from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside their having encouraged the beings of the great billionfold world system toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have encouraged the beings of the world systems in each of the ten directions, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, as many as there are, toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because bodhisattva great beings first setting their minds on enlightenment originate from her.
“Moreover, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of Jambudvīpa, as many as there are, on the irreversible level, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the irreversible level of bodhisattva great beings originates from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of Jambudvīpa on the irreversible level, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the world system with its four continents, as many as there are, on the irreversible level, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the irreversible level of bodhisattva great beings originates from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the world system with its four continents on the irreversible level, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the small thousandfold world system, as many as there are, on the irreversible level, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the irreversible level of bodhisattva great beings originates from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the small thousandfold world system on the irreversible level, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the medium millionfold world system, as many as there are, on the irreversible level, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the irreversible level of bodhisattva great beings originates from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the medium millionfold world system on the irreversible level, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the great billionfold world system, as many as there are, on the irreversible level, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the irreversible level of bodhisattva great beings originates from her.
“Kauśika, leaving aside having established the beings of the great billionfold world system on the irreversible level, Kauśika, if any sons or daughters of good families were to have established the beings of the world systems in each of the ten directions, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, as many as there are, on the irreversible level, do you think, Kauśika, the merit of those sons or daughters of good families for that reason would have increased greatly?”
“Greatly, Blessed Lord! Greatly, Well-Gone One!” replied Śakra.
“Kauśika,” said the Blessed One, “if those sons or daughters of good families, who describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to others, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom will become even more complete than that. When your cultivation of the perfection of wisdom becomes even more complete than that, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ their merit increases even more greatly than theirs. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the irreversible level of bodhisattva great beings originates from her.
“Moreover, Kauśika, were all the beings of Jambudvīpa, as many as there are, to have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and if any sons or daughters of good families were to describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to them, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ the merit of those sons or daughters of good families would more greatly increase.
“Kauśika, leaving aside all the beings of Jambudvīpa who have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, were all the beings of the world system with its four continents, as many as there are, to have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and if any sons or daughters of good families were to describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to them, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ the merit of those sons or daughters of good families would more greatly increase.
“Kauśika, leaving aside all the beings of the world system with its four continents who have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, were all the beings of the small thousandfold world system, as many as there are, to have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and if any sons or daughters of good families were to describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to them, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ the merit of those sons or daughters of good families would more greatly increase.
“Kauśika, leaving aside all the beings of the small thousandfold world system who have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, were all the beings of the medium millionfold world system, as many as there are, to have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and if any sons or daughters of good families were to describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to them, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ the merit of those sons or daughters of good families would more greatly increase.
“Kauśika, leaving aside all the beings of the medium millionfold world system who have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, were all the beings of the great billionfold world system, as many as there are, to have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and if any sons or daughters of good families were to describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to them, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ the merit of those sons or daughters of good families would more greatly increase.
“Kauśika, leaving aside all the beings of the great billionfold world system who have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, were all the beings of the world systems in each of the ten directions, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, as many as there are, to have set out for unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and if any sons or daughters of good families were to describe and teach this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explain and interpret, analyze and elucidate, and completely disclose it to them, exhorting them, saying, ‘Come here, child of a good family. You should take up, master, uphold, recite, and focus your attention correctly on the profound perfection of wisdom. You should earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained. Child of a good family, when you earnestly apply yourself to the perfection of wisdom just as it has been explained, at that time, child of a good family, you will train in the perfection of wisdom. Child of a good family, when you train in the perfection of wisdom, at that time you will attain the attributes of omniscience. When you attain the attributes of omniscience, at that time you will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment,’ the merit of those sons or daughters of good families would more greatly increase.
“Moreover, Kauśika, let all the beings of Jambudvīpa, as many as there are, become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. Some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explains and interprets, analyzes and elucidates, and completely discloses it to those bodhisattva great beings. From among them, some bodhisattva great being says, ‘I will swiftly786 fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.’ If any son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter to that one, the merit of that son or daughter of good family would more greatly increase.
“Moreover, Kauśika, leaving aside the beings of Jambudvīpa who have become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, let all the beings of the world system with its four continents, as many as there are, become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. Some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explains and interprets, analyzes and elucidates, and completely discloses it to those bodhisattva great beings. From among them, some bodhisattva great being says, ‘I will swiftly fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.’ If any son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter to that one, the merit of that son or daughter of good family would more greatly increase.
“Moreover, Kauśika, leaving aside the beings of the world system with its four continents who have become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, let all the beings of the small thousandfold world system, as many as there are, become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. Some son or daughter of a good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explains and interprets, analyzes and elucidates, and completely discloses it to those bodhisattva great beings. From among them, some bodhisattva great being says, ‘I will swiftly fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.’ If any son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter to that one, the merit of that son or daughter of a good family would more greatly increase.
“Moreover, Kauśika, leaving aside the beings of the small thousandfold world system who have become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, let all the beings of the medium millionfold world system, as many as there are, become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. Some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explains and interprets, analyzes and elucidates, and completely discloses it to those bodhisattva great beings. From among them, some bodhisattva great being says, ‘I will swiftly fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.’ If some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter to that one, the merit of that son or daughter of good family would more greatly increase.
“Moreover, Kauśika, leaving aside the beings of the medium millionfold world system who have become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, let all the beings of the great billionfold world system, as many as there are, become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. Some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explains and interprets, analyzes and elucidates, and completely discloses it to those bodhisattva great beings. From among them, some bodhisattva great being says, ‘I will swiftly fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.’ If some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter to that one, the merit of that son or daughter of good family would more greatly increase.
“Moreover, Kauśika, leaving aside the beings of the great billionfold world system who have become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, let all the beings of the world systems in each of the ten directions, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, as many as there are, become irreversible from unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. Some son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter, and explains and interprets, analyzes and elucidates, and completely discloses it to those bodhisattva great beings. From among them, some bodhisattva great being says, ‘I will swiftly fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.’ If any son or daughter of good family describes and teaches this perfection of wisdom in detail according to the meaning and the letter to that one, the merit of that son or daughter of good family would more greatly increase.
“If you ask why, it is because those irreversible bodhisattva great beings are certain––they are fixed on perfect enlightenment and will not become irreversible from unsurpassed, complete enlightenment. There is no need from now on to still give additional instructions to them. These [later ones] want to emerge from saṃsāra and are pained by great compassion.”787
Śakra then said to the Blessed One, “Blessed Lord, the more that bodhisattva great beings approach unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, the more that those bodhisattva great beings should be advised and instructed in the perfection of generosity, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the perfection of ethical discipline, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the perfection of tolerance, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the perfection of perseverance, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the perfection of meditative concentration, and the more that they should be advised and instructed in the perfection of wisdom.
“The more that bodhisattva great beings approach unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of internal phenomena, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of external phenomena, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of emptiness, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of great extent, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of ultimate reality, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of the unlimited, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of nonexclusion, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of inherent nature, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of all phenomena, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of nonentities, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of essential nature, and the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; the more that bodhisattva great beings should be advised and instructed in the applications of mindfulness, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the correct exertions, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the supports for miraculous ability, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the faculties, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the powers, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the branches of enlightenment, and the more that they should be advised and instructed in the noble eightfold path; and the more that they should be advised and instructed in the truths of the noble ones, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the meditative concentrations, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the immeasurable attitudes, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the formless absorptions, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the eight liberations, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the extrasensory powers, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the meditative stabilities, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the dhāraṇī gateways, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the powers of the tathāgatas, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the fearlessnesses, the more that they should be advised and instructed in the kinds of exact knowledge, the more that they should be advised and instructed in great loving kindness, the more that they should be advised and instructed in great compassion, and the more that they should be advised and instructed in the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas.
“They should also be assisted with the basic necessities: robes, alms, bedding, and medications used to treat ill health.788 The merit of sons or daughters of good families who assist those bodhisattva great beings, attracting them with the Dharma and attracting them with material things, increases more greatly, but of those earlier sons or daughters of good families it does not. If you ask why, Blessed Lord, it is because this happens because of that. Those bodhisattva great beings are advised and instructed in the perfection of generosity, are advised and instructed in the perfection of ethical discipline, are advised and instructed in the perfection of tolerance, are advised and instructed in the perfection of perseverance, are advised and instructed in the perfection of meditative concentration, and are advised and instructed in the perfection of wisdom; they are advised and instructed in the emptiness of internal phenomena, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of external phenomena, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of emptiness, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of great extent, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of ultimate reality, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of the unlimited, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of nonexclusion, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of inherent nature, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of all phenomena, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of nonentities, are advised and instructed in the emptiness of essential nature, and are advised and instructed in the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; they are advised and instructed in the applications of mindfulness, are advised and instructed in the correct exertions, are advised and instructed in the supports for miraculous ability, are advised and instructed in the faculties, are advised and instructed in the powers, are advised and instructed in the branches of enlightenment, and are advised and instructed in the noble eightfold path; and they are advised and instructed in the truths of the noble ones, are advised and instructed in the meditative concentrations, are advised and instructed in the immeasurable attitudes, are advised and instructed in the formless absorptions, are advised and instructed in the eight liberations, are advised and instructed in the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, are advised and instructed in the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, are advised and instructed in the extrasensory powers, are advised and instructed in the meditative stabilities, are advised and instructed in the dhāraṇī gateways, are advised and instructed in the ten powers of the tathāgatas, are advised and instructed in the four fearlessnesses, are advised and instructed in the four kinds of exact knowledge, are advised and instructed in great loving kindness, are advised and instructed in great compassion, and are advised and instructed in the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas.”
Then the venerable Subhūti said to Śakra, mighty lord of the gods, “Excellent, excellent, Kauśika, that you thus generate resolve in bodhisattva great beings, that you benefit bodhisattva great beings, and that you protect them. Kauśika, you should act in that manner. Those noble śrāvakas who wish to benefit beings should also generate in the bodhisattva great beings a resolve toward unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. They should benefit and protect bodhisattvas by benefiting them with the Dharma and material things. If you ask why, Kauśika, it is because the source789 of the saṅgha of the śrāvakas of the Blessed One is the bodhisattva great beings.
“If bodhisattva great beings were not to set their minds on unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, then bodhisattva great beings would not train in those six perfections––the perfection of generosity, the perfection of ethical discipline, the perfection of tolerance, the perfection of perseverance, the perfection of meditative concentration, and the perfection of wisdom. They would not train in the emptiness of internal phenomena, the emptiness of external phenomena, the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, the emptiness of emptiness, the emptiness of great extent, the emptiness of ultimate reality, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, the emptiness of the unlimited, the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, the emptiness of nonexclusion, the emptiness of inherent nature, the emptiness of all phenomena, the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, the emptiness of nonentities, the emptiness of essential nature, or the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; or the applications of mindfulness, the correct exertions, the supports for miraculous ability, the faculties, the powers, the branches of enlightenment, or the noble eightfold path; or the truths of the noble ones, the meditative concentrations, the immeasurable attitudes, the formless absorptions, the eight liberations, the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, the extrasensory powers, the meditative stabilities, the dhāraṇī gateways, the powers of the tathāgatas, the fearlessnesses, the kinds of exact knowledge, or the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas. They would not fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.
“Were they not to fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, pratyekabuddhas and śrāvakas would also not exist. But, Kauśika, bodhisattva great beings do indeed train in those six perfections––the perfection of generosity, the perfection of ethical discipline, the perfection of tolerance, the perfection of perseverance, the perfection of meditative concentration, and the perfection of wisdom. They do indeed train in the emptiness of internal phenomena, the emptiness of external phenomena, the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, the emptiness of emptiness, the emptiness of great extent, the emptiness of ultimate reality, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, the emptiness of the unlimited, the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, the emptiness of nonexclusion, the emptiness of inherent nature, the emptiness of all phenomena, the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, the emptiness of nonentities, the emptiness of essential nature, and the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; in the applications of mindfulness, the correct exertions, the supports for miraculous ability, the faculties, the powers, the branches of enlightenment, and the noble eightfold path; and in the truths of the noble ones, the meditative concentrations, the immeasurable attitudes, the formless absorptions, the eight liberations, the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, the extrasensory powers, the meditative stabilities, the dhāraṇī gateways, the powers of the tathāgatas, the fearlessnesses, the kinds of exact knowledge, and the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas.