The Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines

“Subhūti, as an illustration, you should know that this is like when a ship is wrecked at sea. If the people on board do not catch and hold on to a piece of wood, a log, a wooden plank, a leather bag, or a human corpse, they will die, Subhūti, without reaching the other shore of the ocean. Subhūti, when a ship is wrecked at sea, the people on board who do catch and hold on to a piece of wood, a log, a plank, a leather bag, or a human corpse will not die at sea. They will safely reach the other shore of the ocean, uninjured and unharmed. They will reach dry land, uninjured and unharmed.

“In the same way, Subhūti, because those sons or daughters of good families in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas, who have a small measure of faith, a small measure of serene confidence, and a small measure of resolute belief, who do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support this profound perfection of wisdom; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the perfection of meditative concentration; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the perfection of perseverance; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the perfection of tolerance; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the perfection of ethical discipline; and do not write out, do not receive instructions in, and do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the perfection of generosity; who do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of internal phenomena; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of external phenomena; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of external and internal phenomena; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of emptiness; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of great extent; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of ultimate reality; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of conditioned phenomena; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of the unlimited; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of nonexclusion; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of inherent nature; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of all phenomena; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of nonentities; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of essential nature; and do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, and do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; who do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the applications of mindfulness; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the correct exertions; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the supports for miraculous ability; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the faculties; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the powers; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the branches of enlightenment; and do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the noble eightfold path; who do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the truths of the noble ones; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the meditative concentrations; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the immeasurable attitudes; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the formless absorptions; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the eight liberations; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the nine serial steps of meditative absorption; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the extrasensory powers; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the meditative stabilities; and do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the dhāraṇī gateways; who do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the ten powers of the tathāgatas; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the four fearlessnesses; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the four kinds of exact knowledge; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support great loving kindness; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support great compassion; and do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and who do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support omniscience; do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support the knowledge of the aspects of the path; and do not write out, do not receive instructions in, do not chant out loud by heart, do not focus their attention correctly on, and do not support all-aspect omniscience, will, in the interim, lapse from enlightenment and actualize the level of the śrāvakas or the level of the pratyekabuddhas without attaining all-aspect omniscience.

“Subhūti, as for those persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas who have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment; who have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm; and who do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, they do write out, receive instructions in, chant out loud by heart, focus their attention correctly on, and support this profound perfection of wisdom. So it is that those sons or daughters of good families have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment; have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm; and do not give up but persevere unrelentingly for it. For that reason, because they have been assisted by the perfection of wisdom, have been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have been assisted by the correct exertions, have been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have been assisted by the faculties, have been assisted by the powers, have been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have been assisted by the formless absorptions, have been assisted by the eight liberations, have been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have been assisted by great loving kindness, have been assisted by great compassion, and have been assisted by the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have been assisted by omniscience, have been assisted the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, they will, in the interim, without difficulty, transcend the level of the śrāvakas and transcend the level of the pratyekabuddhas, and, having brought beings to maturity and refined a buddhafield, fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.

“Subhūti, as an illustration, you should know that this is like when a man or woman thinks of scooping up⁹²⁰ water in an unbaked clay jar that has not been fired‍—that jar does not last long. It swiftly breaks apart and disintegrates. If you ask why, it is because the jar is unbaked. In the end it just turns into mud.

“In the same way, Subhūti, even if those sons or daughters of good families in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment; have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm; and are those who do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, still, one should know that if they have not been assisted by the perfection of wisdom, have not been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have not been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have not been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have not been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have not been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have not been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have not been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have not been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have not been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have not been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have not been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have not been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have not been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have not been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have not been assisted by the correct exertions, have not been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have not been assisted by the faculties, have not been assisted by the powers, have not been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have not been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have not been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have not been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have not been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have not been assisted by the formless absorptions, have not been assisted by the eight liberations, have not been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have not been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have not been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have not been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have not been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have not been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have not been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have not been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have not been assisted by great loving kindness, have not been assisted by great compassion, and have not been assisted by the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have not been assisted by omniscience, have not been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have not been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, those sons or daughters of good families in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas will, in the interim, face difficulties.

“Subhūti, if you ask what are the difficulties those sons or daughters of good families in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas will face, they are these: the level of the śrāvakas and the level of the pratyekabuddhas.

“Subhūti, as an illustration, you should know that this is like when a man or woman scoops up water from a river, lake, pool, or well with a clay jar that has been well baked‍—the one carrying this jar of water, Subhūti, arrives home easily. In the same way, Subhūti, if those bodhisattva great beings who have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and who have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm, do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, and if they also have been assisted by this profound perfection of wisdom, have been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have been assisted by the correct exertions, have been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have been assisted by the faculties, have been assisted by the powers, have been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have been assisted by the formless absorptions, have been assisted by the eight liberations, have been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have been assisted by great loving kindness, have been assisted by great compassion, and have been assisted by the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have been assisted by omniscience, have been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, then, Subhūti, those bodhisattva great beings will not, in the interim, face difficulties‍—the level of the śrāvakas and the level of the pratyekabuddhas. Uninjured and unharmed, they will fully awaken to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.

“Subhūti, as an illustration, you should know that this is like when an oceangoing ship loaded with merchandise sets out to sea without caulking and without the leaks patched‍—this ship will break up. The ship will go one way and the cargo another, so that the merchant, unskilled in means, incurs great misfortune and suffers the loss of great prosperity. In the same way, Subhūti, even if those bodhisattva great beings have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment; have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm; and are those who do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, still, one should know that if they have not been assisted by the perfection of wisdom, have not been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have not been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have not been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have not been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have not been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have not been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have not been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have not been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have not been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have not been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have not been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have not been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have not been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have not been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have not been assisted by the correct exertions, have not been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have not been assisted by the faculties, have not been assisted by the powers, have not been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have not been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have not been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have not been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have not been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have not been assisted by the formless absorptions, have not been assisted by the eight liberations, have not been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have not been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have not been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have not been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have not been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have not been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have not been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have not been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have not been assisted by great loving kindness, have not been assisted by great compassion, and have not been assisted by the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have not been assisted by omniscience, have not been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have not been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, then, Subhūti, those bodhisattva great beings will face interim difficulties, which is to say, they will be deprived of the great advantage that is the wealth of omniscience, and suffer the loss of great prosperity. Subhūti, if you ask what are the interim difficulties that those bodhisattva great beings will face, they are these: the level of the śrāvakas and the level of the pratyekabuddhas.

“Subhūti, as an illustration, you should know that this is like when some naturally skilled person launches an oceangoing ship, properly caulked and properly fastened, and loads it with merchandise‍—this oceangoing ship will not break up in the interim, Subhūti, and will reach its destination. In the same way, Subhūti, if those bodhisattva great beings who have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and who have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm, do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, and if they also have been assisted by this profound perfection of wisdom, have been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have been assisted by the correct exertions, have been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have been assisted by the faculties, have been assisted by the powers, have been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have been assisted by the formless absorptions, have been assisted by the eight liberations, have been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have been assisted by great loving kindness, have been assisted by great compassion, and have been assisted by the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have been assisted by omniscience, have been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, then, Subhūti, those bodhisattva great beings will not, in the interim, face difficulties when it comes to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.

“Subhūti, this is because, if bodhisattva great beings who have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment, and who have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, enthusiasm, do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, and also are assisted by the perfection of wisdom, are assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, are assisted by the perfection of perseverance, are assisted by the perfection of tolerance, are assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and are assisted by the perfection of generosity; are assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, are assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, are assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, are assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, are assisted by the emptiness of great extent, are assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, are assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, are assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, are assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, are assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, are assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, are assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, are assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, are assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, are assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, are assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, are assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and are assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; are assisted by the applications of mindfulness, are assisted by the correct exertions, are assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, are assisted by the faculties, are assisted by the powers, are assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and are assisted by the noble eightfold path; are assisted by the truths of the noble ones, are assisted by the meditative concentrations, are assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, are assisted by the formless absorptions, are assisted by the eight liberations, are assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, are assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, are assisted by the extrasensory powers, are assisted by the meditative stabilities, and are assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; are assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, are assisted by the four fearlessnesses, are assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, are assisted by great loving kindness, are assisted by great compassion, and are assisted by the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas; and are assisted by omniscience, are assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and are assisted by all-aspect omniscience, then, Subhūti, those bodhisattva great beings will not fall to the level of the śrāvakas or the level of the pratyekabuddhas.

“Subhūti, as an illustration, if an old, exhausted, and decrepit individual who has reached the age of one hundred and twenty were struck by an illness, due to a wind, bile, or phlegm disorder, or to a combination of these, do you think that this individual would be able to will himself⁹²¹ to get up alone from his bed?”

“No, Blessed Lord,” replied Subhūti. “And even if he were able of get up from the bed, he would not be able to go even one krośa or two krośa.⁹²² Worn out by old age and sickness, even if he were able to get out of bed, he would not be able to walk.”

The Blessed One said, “In the same way, Subhūti, even if those bodhisattva great beings have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment; have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm; and are those who do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, still, one should know that if they have not been assisted by the perfection of wisdom, have not been assisted by skill in means, have not been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have not been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have not been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have not been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have not been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have not been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have not been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have not been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have not been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have not been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have not been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have not been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have not been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have not been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have not been assisted by the correct exertions, have not been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have not been assisted by the faculties, have not been assisted by the powers, have not been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have not been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have not been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have not been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have not been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have not been assisted by the formless absorptions, have not been assisted by the eight liberations, have not been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have not been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have not been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have not been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have not been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have not been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have not been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have not been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have not been assisted by great loving kindness, have not been assisted by great compassion, and have not been assisted by the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have not been assisted by omniscience, have not been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have not been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, then, Subhūti, those bodhisattva great beings will in the interim fall to the level of the śrāvakas or the level of the pratyekabuddhas.

“If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because they have not been assisted by the perfection of wisdom, have not been assisted by skill in means, have not been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have not been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have not been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have not been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have not been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have not been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have not been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have not been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have not been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have not been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have not been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have not been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have not been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have not been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have not been assisted by the correct exertions, have not been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have not been assisted by the faculties, have not been assisted by the powers, have not been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have not been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have not been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have not been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have not been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have not been assisted by the formless absorptions, have not been assisted by the eight liberations, have not been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have not been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have not been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have not been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have not been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have not been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have not been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have not been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have not been assisted by great loving kindness, have not been assisted by great compassion, and have not been assisted by the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have not been assisted by omniscience, have not been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have not been assisted by all-aspect omniscience.

“Subhūti, as an illustration, it is like when that same old, exhausted, and decrepit individual who has reached the age of one hundred and twenty and has been struck by an illness, due to a wind, bile, or phlegm disorder, or to a combination of these, wishes to get up from bed, and two strong individuals then hold and support him on his left and right sides, and urge him on, saying, ‘Sir, go wherever you want for whatever reason. With the two of us holding you, until you reach your destination there will be no danger of stumbling.’⁹²³ In the same way, Subhūti, if any bodhisattva great beings have faith in fully awakening to unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment; have tolerance, resolute belief, higher aspiration, serene confidence, and enthusiasm; and are those who do not give up but persevere unrelentingly, and have been assisted by this perfection of wisdom, have been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, have been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, and have been assisted by the perfection of generosity; have been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have been assisted by the correct exertions, have been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have been assisted by the faculties, have been assisted by the powers, have been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have been assisted by the formless absorptions, have been assisted by the eight liberations, have been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have been assisted by great loving kindness, have been assisted by great compassion, and have been assisted by the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have been assisted by omniscience, have been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, then, Subhūti, those bodhisattva great beings will not, in the interim, face difficulties, and those bodhisattva great beings can reach their destination, which is unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment. If you ask why, it is because they are not separated from the perfection of wisdom, and they are not separated from skillful means.”

Subhūti then asked, “Blessed Lord, how is it that persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas who are not separated from the perfection of wisdom or from skillful means do not fall to the level of the śrāvakas or the level of the pratyekabuddhas?”

“Subhūti,” replied the Blessed One, “it is excellent that you think to question the Tathāgata about this matter for the sake of persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas. Excellent! Here, Subhūti, from the beginning, when persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas⁹²⁴ are generous with gifts, they are generous with gifts with a mind that descends into ‘me’ and ‘mine.’ When they maintain ethical discipline, cultivate tolerance, undertake perseverance, become absorbed in meditative concentration, and cultivate wisdom, they do so with a mind that descends into ‘me’ and ‘mine.’

“When they are generous with gifts, they think, ‘I am giving gifts, I am giving gifts to them, I am the giver. I am maintaining ethical discipline, this is the ethical discipline being maintained, I am ethically disciplined. I am cultivating tolerance, this is the tolerance being cultivated, I am tolerant. I am undertaking perseverance, this is the perseverance I undertake, I am the one who perseveres. I am absorbed in meditative concentration, these are the meditative concentrations in which I am absorbed, I am a meditator. I am cultivating wisdom, this is the wisdom being cultivated, I am wise.’ Thus, they give rise to the conceit that it is a gift, they give rise to the conceit that it is on account of the giving, and they give rise to the conceit that they are the givers. They give rise to the conceit that it is ethical discipline, they give rise to the conceit that it is on account of the ethical discipline, and they give rise to the conceit that they are ethical. They give rise to the conceit that it is tolerance, they give rise to conceit that it is on account of tolerance, and they give rise to the conceit that they are tolerant. They give rise to the conceit that it is perseverance, they give rise to the conceit it is on account of perseverance, and they give rise to the conceit that they are persevering. They give rise to the conceit that that they are meditative concentrations, they give rise to the conceit it is on account of the meditative concentrations, and they give rise to the conceit that they are meditators. They give rise to the conceit that it is wisdom, they give rise to the conceit that it is on account of wisdom, and they give rise to the conceit that they are wise.

“If you ask why, it is because those concepts are not in the perfection of generosity, because the perfection of generosity is far removed.⁹²⁵ Those concepts are not in the perfection of ethical discipline, because the perfection of ethical discipline is far removed. Those concepts are not in the perfection of tolerance, because the perfection of tolerance is far removed. Those concepts are not in the perfection of perseverance, because the perfection of perseverance is far removed. Those concepts are not in the perfection of meditative concentration, because perfection of meditative concentration is far removed. And those concepts are not in the perfection of wisdom, because the perfection of wisdom is far removed. And yet, those persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas do not know what is far removed, and do not know what is beyond,⁹²⁶ so, because they have not been assisted by the perfection of generosity, have not been assisted by the perfection of ethical discipline, have not been assisted by the perfection of tolerance, have not been assisted by the perfection of perseverance, have not been assisted by the perfection of meditative concentration, and have not been assisted by the perfection of wisdom; have not been assisted by the emptiness of internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of emptiness, have not been assisted by the emptiness of great extent, have not been assisted by the emptiness of ultimate reality, have not been assisted by the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of the unlimited, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonexclusion, have not been assisted by the emptiness of inherent nature, have not been assisted by the emptiness of all phenomena, have not been assisted by the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, have not been assisted by the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, have not been assisted by the emptiness of nonentities, have not been assisted by the emptiness of essential nature, and have not been assisted by the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; have not been assisted by the applications of mindfulness, have not been assisted by the correct exertions, have not been assisted by the supports for miraculous ability, have not been assisted by the faculties, have not been assisted by the powers, have not been assisted by the branches of enlightenment, and have not been assisted by the noble eightfold path; have not been assisted by the truths of the noble ones, have not been assisted by the meditative concentrations, have not been assisted by the immeasurable attitudes, have not been assisted by the formless absorptions, have not been assisted by the eight liberations, have not been assisted by the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, have not been assisted by the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, have not been assisted by the extrasensory powers, have not been assisted by the meditative stabilities, and have not been assisted by the dhāraṇī gateways; have not been assisted by the ten powers of the tathāgatas, have not been assisted by the four fearlessnesses, have not been assisted by the four kinds of exact knowledge, have not been assisted by great loving kindness, have not been assisted by great compassion, and have not been assisted by the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and have not been assisted by omniscience, have not been assisted by the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and have not been assisted by all-aspect omniscience, they fall to the level of the śrāvakas or the level of the pratyekabuddhas, and are not emancipated in all-aspect omniscience.

“Subhūti, if you ask how persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas are lacking in skillful means, here, Subhūti, from the beginning, persons in the vehicle of the bodhisattvas are generous with gifts without skillful means, maintain ethical discipline without skillful means, cultivate tolerance without skillful means, undertake perseverance without skillful means, become absorbed in meditative concentration without skillful means, and cultivate wisdom without skillful means. They think, ‘I am giving gifts, these are the gifts I am giving, I am giving gifts to them. I am maintaining ethical discipline; this is the ethical discipline I am maintaining. I am cultivating tolerance; this is the tolerance I am cultivating. I am undertaking perseverance; this is the perseverance I am undertaking. I am absorbed in meditative concentration; these are the meditative concentrations in which I am absorbed. I am cultivating wisdom; this is the wisdom I am cultivating.’ Thus, they give rise to the conceit that it is a gift, they give rise to the conceit that it is on account of the giving, and they give rise to the conceit ‘I am the giver.’ They give rise to the conceit that it is ethical discipline, they give rise to the conceit that it is on account of the ethical discipline, and they give rise to the conceit ‘I am ethical.’ They give rise to the conceit that it is tolerance, they give rise to conceit that it is on account of tolerance, and they give rise to the conceit ‘I am tolerant.’ They give rise to the conceit that it is perseverance, they give rise to the conceit it is on account of perseverance, and they give rise to the conceit ‘I am persevering.’ They give rise to the conceit that they are meditative concentrations, they give rise to the conceit it is on account of the meditative concentrations, and they give rise to the conceit ‘I am a meditator.’ They give rise to the conceit that it is wisdom, they give rise to the conceit that it is on account of wisdom, and they give rise to the conceit ‘I am wise.’

“If you ask why, it is because those conceptualizations are not in the perfection of generosity as they conceptualize them. If you ask why, it is because the perfection of generosity is not a perfection.⁹²⁷ Those conceptualizations are not in the perfection of ethical discipline as they conceptualize them. If you ask why, it is because the perfection of ethical discipline is not a perfection. Those conceptualizations are not in the perfection of tolerance as they conceptualize them. If you ask why, it is because the perfection of tolerance is not a perfection. Those conceptualizations are not in the perfection of perseverance as they conceptualize them. If you ask why, it is because the perfection of perseverance is not a perfection. Those conceptualizations are not in the perfection of meditative concentration as they conceptualize them. If you ask why, it is because the perfection of meditative concentration is not a perfection. Those conceptualizations are not in the perfection of wisdom as they conceptualize them. If you ask why, it is because the perfection of wisdom is not a perfection.