“In them you cannot apprehend ignorance, nor can you apprehend the real nature of ignorance; if you cannot apprehend even ignorance, however could you apprehend the real nature of ignorance? In them you cannot apprehend formative predispositions, nor can you apprehend the real nature of formative predispositions; if you cannot apprehend even formative predispositions, however could you apprehend the real nature of formative predispositions? In them you cannot apprehend consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of consciousness? In them you cannot apprehend name and form, nor can you apprehend the real nature of name and form; if you cannot apprehend even name and form, however could you apprehend the real nature of name and form? In them you cannot apprehend the six sense fields, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the six sense fields; if you cannot apprehend even the six sense fields, however could you apprehend the real nature of the six sense fields? In them you cannot apprehend sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of sensory contact? In them you cannot apprehend sensation, nor can you apprehend the real nature of sensation; if you cannot apprehend even sensation, however could you apprehend the real nature of sensation? In them you cannot apprehend craving, nor can you apprehend the real nature of craving; if you cannot apprehend even craving, however could you apprehend the real nature of craving? In them you cannot apprehend grasping, nor can you apprehend the real nature of grasping; if you cannot apprehend even grasping, however could you apprehend the real nature of grasping? In them you cannot apprehend the rebirth process, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the rebirth process; if you cannot apprehend even the rebirth process, however could you apprehend the real nature of the rebirth process? In them you cannot apprehend birth, nor can you apprehend the real nature of birth; if you cannot apprehend even birth, however could you apprehend the real nature of birth? In them you cannot apprehend aging and death, nor can you apprehend the real nature of aging and death; if you cannot apprehend even aging and death, however could you apprehend the real nature of aging and death?
“In them you cannot apprehend the perfection of generosity, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of generosity; if you cannot apprehend even the perfection of generosity, however could you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of generosity? In them you cannot apprehend the perfection of ethical discipline, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of ethical discipline; if you cannot apprehend even the perfection of ethical discipline, however could you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of ethical discipline? In them you cannot apprehend the perfection of tolerance, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of tolerance; if you cannot apprehend even the perfection of tolerance, however could you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of tolerance? In them you cannot apprehend the perfection of perseverance, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of perseverance; if you cannot apprehend even the perfection of perseverance, however could you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of perseverance? In them you cannot apprehend the perfection of meditative concentration, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of meditative concentration; if you cannot apprehend even the perfection of meditative concentration, however could you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of meditative concentration? In them you cannot apprehend the perfection of wisdom, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of wisdom; if you cannot apprehend even the perfection of wisdom, however could you apprehend the real nature of the perfection of wisdom?
“In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of internal phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of internal phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of internal phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of internal phenomena? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of external phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of external phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of external phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of external phenomena? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of external and internal phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of external and internal phenomena? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of emptiness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of emptiness; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of emptiness, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of emptiness? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of great extent, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of great extent; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of great extent, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of great extent? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of ultimate reality, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of ultimate reality; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of ultimate reality, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of ultimate reality? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of conditioned phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of conditioned phenomena? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of the unlimited, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of the unlimited; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of the unlimited, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of the unlimited? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of nonexclusion, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of nonexclusion; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of nonexclusion, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of nonexclusion? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of inherent nature, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of inherent nature; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of inherent nature, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of inherent nature? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of all phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of all phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of all phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of all phenomena? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of nonentities, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of nonentities; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of nonentities, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of nonentities? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of essential nature, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of essential nature; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of essential nature, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of essential nature? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities?
“In them you cannot apprehend the applications of mindfulness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the applications of mindfulness; if you cannot apprehend even the applications of mindfulness, however could you apprehend the real nature of the applications of mindfulness? In them you cannot apprehend the correct exertions, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the correct exertions; if you cannot apprehend even the correct exertions, however could you apprehend the real nature of the correct exertions? In them you cannot apprehend the supports for miraculous ability, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the supports for miraculous ability; if you cannot apprehend even the supports for miraculous ability, however could you apprehend the real nature of the supports for miraculous ability? In them you cannot apprehend the faculties, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the faculties; if you cannot apprehend even the faculties, however could you apprehend the real nature of the faculties? In them you cannot apprehend the powers, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the powers; if you cannot apprehend even the powers, however could you apprehend the real nature of the powers? In them you cannot apprehend the branches of enlightenment, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the branches of enlightenment; if you cannot apprehend even the branches of enlightenment, however could you apprehend the real nature of the branches of enlightenment? In them you cannot apprehend the noble eightfold path, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the noble eightfold path; if you cannot apprehend even the noble eightfold path, however could you apprehend the real nature of the noble eightfold path?
“In them you cannot apprehend the truths of the noble ones, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the truths of the noble ones; if you cannot apprehend even the truths of the noble ones, however could you apprehend the real nature of the truths of the noble ones? In them you cannot apprehend the meditative concentrations, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the meditative concentrations; if you cannot apprehend even the meditative concentrations, however could you apprehend the real nature of the meditative concentrations? In them you cannot apprehend the immeasurable attitudes, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the immeasurable attitudes; if you cannot apprehend even the immeasurable attitudes, however could you apprehend the real nature of the immeasurable attitudes? In them you cannot apprehend the formless absorptions, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the formless absorptions; if you cannot apprehend even the formless absorptions, however could you apprehend the real nature of the formless absorptions? In them you cannot apprehend the liberations, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the liberations; if you cannot apprehend even the liberations, however could you apprehend the real nature of the liberations? In them you cannot apprehend the serial steps of meditative absorption, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the serial steps of meditative absorption; if you cannot apprehend even the serial steps of meditative absorption, however could you apprehend the real nature of the serial steps of meditative absorption? In them you cannot apprehend the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation; if you cannot apprehend even the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, however could you apprehend the real nature of the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation? In them you cannot apprehend the extrasensory powers, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the extrasensory powers; if you cannot apprehend even the extrasensory powers, however could you apprehend the real nature of the extrasensory powers? In them you cannot apprehend the meditative stabilities, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the meditative stabilities; if you cannot apprehend even the meditative stabilities, however could you apprehend the real nature of the meditative stabilities? In them you cannot apprehend the dhāraṇī gateways, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the dhāraṇī gateways; if you cannot apprehend even the dhāraṇī gateways, however could you apprehend the real nature of the dhāraṇī gateways?
“In them you cannot apprehend the powers of the tathāgatas, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the powers of the tathāgatas; if you cannot apprehend even the powers of the tathāgatas, however could you apprehend the real nature of the powers of the tathāgatas? In them you cannot apprehend the fearlessnesses, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the fearlessnesses; if you cannot apprehend even the fearlessnesses, however could you apprehend the real nature of the fearlessnesses? In them you cannot apprehend the kinds of exact knowledge, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the kinds of exact knowledge; if you cannot apprehend even the kinds of exact knowledge, however could you apprehend the real nature of the kinds of exact knowledge? In them you cannot apprehend great loving kindness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of great loving kindness; if you cannot apprehend even great loving kindness, however could you apprehend the real nature of great loving kindness? In them you cannot apprehend great compassion, nor can you apprehend the real nature of great compassion; if you cannot apprehend even great compassion, however could you apprehend the real nature of great compassion? In them you cannot apprehend the distinct qualities of the buddhas, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the distinct qualities of the buddhas; if you cannot apprehend even the distinct qualities of the buddhas, however could you apprehend the real nature of the distinct qualities of the buddhas?
“In them you cannot apprehend the fruit of having entered the stream, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the fruit of having entered the stream; if you cannot apprehend even the fruit of having entered the stream, however could you apprehend the real nature of the fruit of having entered the stream? In them you cannot apprehend the fruit of once-returner, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the fruit of once-returner; if you cannot apprehend even the fruit of once-returner, however could you apprehend the real nature of the fruit of once-returner? In them you cannot apprehend the fruit of non-returner, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the fruit of non-returner; if you cannot apprehend even the fruit of non-returner, however could you apprehend the real nature of the fruit of non-returner? In them you cannot apprehend arhatship, nor can you apprehend the real nature of arhatship; if you cannot apprehend even arhatship, however could you apprehend the real nature of arhatship? In them you cannot apprehend individual enlightenment, nor can you apprehend the real nature of individual enlightenment; if you cannot apprehend even individual enlightenment, however could you apprehend the real nature of individual enlightenment? In them you cannot apprehend the knowledge of the aspects of the path, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the knowledge of the aspects of the path; if you cannot apprehend even the knowledge of the aspects of the path, however could you apprehend the real nature of the knowledge of the aspects of the path? In them you cannot apprehend all-aspect omniscience, nor can you apprehend the real nature of all-aspect omniscience; if you cannot apprehend even all-aspect omniscience, however could you apprehend the real nature of all-aspect omniscience?”
“It is so, Śāradvatīputra, it is so!” said the Blessed One. “This real nature is profound. In it you cannot apprehend physical forms, nor can you apprehend the real nature of physical forms; if you cannot apprehend even physical forms, however could you apprehend the real nature of physical forms? In it you cannot apprehend feelings, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings; if you cannot apprehend even feelings, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings? In it you cannot apprehend perceptions, nor can you apprehend the real nature of perceptions; if you cannot apprehend even perceptions, however could you apprehend the real nature of perceptions? In it you cannot apprehend formative predispositions, nor can you apprehend the real nature of formative predispositions; if you cannot apprehend even formative predispositions, however could you apprehend the real nature of formative predispositions? In it you cannot apprehend consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of consciousness?
“In it you cannot apprehend the eyes, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the eyes; if you cannot apprehend even the eyes, however could you apprehend the real nature of the eyes? In it you cannot apprehend the ears, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the ears; if you cannot apprehend even the ears, however could you apprehend the real nature of the ears? In it you cannot apprehend the nose, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the nose; if you cannot apprehend even the nose, however could you apprehend the real nature of the nose? In it you cannot apprehend the tongue, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the tongue; if you cannot apprehend even the tongue, however could you apprehend the real nature of the tongue? In it you cannot apprehend the body, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the body; if you cannot apprehend even the body, however could you apprehend the real nature of the body? In it you cannot apprehend the mental faculty, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the mental faculty; if you cannot apprehend even the mental faculty, however could you apprehend the real nature of the mental faculty?
“In it you cannot apprehend sights, nor can you apprehend the real nature of sights; if you cannot apprehend even sights, however could you apprehend the real nature of sights? In it you cannot apprehend sounds, nor can you apprehend the real nature of sounds; if you cannot apprehend even sounds, however could you apprehend the real nature of sounds? In it you cannot apprehend odors, nor can you apprehend the real nature of odors; if you cannot apprehend even odors, however could you apprehend the real nature of odors? In it you cannot apprehend tastes, nor can you apprehend the real nature of tastes; if you cannot apprehend even tastes, however could you apprehend the real nature of tastes? In it you cannot apprehend tangibles, nor can you apprehend the real nature of tangibles; if you cannot apprehend even tangibles, however could you apprehend the real nature of tangibles? In it you cannot apprehend mental phenomena, nor can you apprehend the real nature of mental phenomena; if you cannot apprehend even mental phenomena, however could you apprehend the real nature of mental phenomena?
“In it you cannot apprehend visual consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of visual consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even visual consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of visual consciousness? In it you cannot apprehend auditory consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of auditory consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even auditory consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of auditory consciousness? In it you cannot apprehend olfactory consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of olfactory consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even olfactory consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of olfactory consciousness? In it you cannot apprehend gustatory consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of gustatory consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even gustatory consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of gustatory consciousness? In it you cannot apprehend tactile consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of tactile consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even tactile consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of tactile consciousness? In it you cannot apprehend mental consciousness, nor can you apprehend the real nature of mental consciousness; if you cannot apprehend even mental consciousness, however could you apprehend the real nature of mental consciousness?
“In it you cannot apprehend visually compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of visually compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even visually compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of visually compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend aurally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of aurally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even aurally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of aurally compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend nasally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of nasally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even nasally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of nasally compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend lingually compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of lingually compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even lingually compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of lingually compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend corporeally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of corporeally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even corporeally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of corporeally compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend mentally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of mentally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even mentally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of mentally compounded sensory contact?
“In it you cannot apprehend feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact? In it you cannot apprehend feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact, nor can you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact; if you cannot apprehend even feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact, however could you apprehend the real nature of feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact?
“In it you cannot apprehend the earth element, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the earth element; if you cannot apprehend even the earth element, however could you apprehend the real nature of the earth element? In it you cannot apprehend the water element, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the water element; if you cannot apprehend even the water element, however could you apprehend the real nature of the water element? In it you cannot apprehend the fire element, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the fire element; if you cannot apprehend even the fire element, however could you apprehend the real nature of the fire element? In it you cannot apprehend the wind element, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the wind element; if you cannot apprehend even the wind element, however could you apprehend the real nature of the wind element? In it you cannot apprehend the space element, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the space element; if you cannot apprehend even the space element, however could you apprehend the real nature of the space element? In it you cannot apprehend the consciousness element, nor can you apprehend the real nature of the consciousness element; if you cannot apprehend even the consciousness element, however could you apprehend the real nature of the consciousness element?