“The unfettered and unliberated state of physical forms is not physical forms, the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings is not feelings, the unfettered and unliberated state of perceptions is not perceptions, the unfettered and unliberated state of formative predispositions is not formative predispositions, and the unfettered and unliberated state of consciousness is not consciousness; the unfettered and unliberated state of the eyes is not the eyes, the unfettered and unliberated state of the ears is not the ears, the unfettered and unliberated state of the nose is not the nose, the unfettered and unliberated state of the tongue is not the tongue, the unfettered and unliberated state of the body is not the body, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the mental faculty is not the mental faculty; the unfettered and unliberated state of sights is not sights, the unfettered and unliberated state of sounds is not sounds, the unfettered and unliberated state of odors is not odors, the unfettered and unliberated state of tastes is not tastes, the unfettered and unliberated state of tangibles is not tangibles, and the unfettered and unliberated state of mental phenomena is not mental phenomena; the unfettered and unliberated state of visual consciousness is not visual consciousness, the unfettered and unliberated state of auditory consciousness is not auditory consciousness, the unfettered and unliberated state of olfactory consciousness is not olfactory consciousness, the unfettered and unliberated state of gustatory consciousness is not gustatory consciousness, the unfettered and unliberated state of tactile consciousness is not tactile consciousness, and the unfettered and unliberated state of mental consciousness is not mental consciousness; the unfettered and unliberated state of visually compounded sensory contact is not visually compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of aurally compounded sensory contact is not aurally compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of nasally compounded sensory contact is not nasally compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of lingually compounded sensory contact is not lingually compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of corporeally compounded sensory contact is not corporeally compounded sensory contact, and the unfettered and unliberated state of mentally compounded sensory contact is not mentally compounded sensory contact; the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact is not feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact is not feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact is not feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact is not feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact is not feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact, and the unfettered and unliberated state of feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact is not feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact; the unfettered and unliberated state of the earth element is not the earth element, the unfettered and unliberated state of the water element is not the water element, the unfettered and unliberated state of the fire element is not the fire element, the unfettered and unliberated state of the wind element is not the wind element, the unfettered and unliberated state of the space element is not the space element, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the consciousness element is not the consciousness element; the unfettered and unliberated state of ignorance is not ignorance, the unfettered and unliberated state of formative predispositions is not formative predispositions, the unfettered and unliberated state of consciousness is not consciousness, the unfettered and unliberated state of name and form is not name and form, the unfettered and unliberated state of the six sense fields is not the six sense fields, the unfettered and unliberated state of sensory contact is not sensory contact, the unfettered and unliberated state of sensation is not sensation, the unfettered and unliberated state of craving is not craving, the unfettered and unliberated state of grasping is not grasping, the unfettered and unliberated state of the rebirth process is not the rebirth process, the unfettered and unliberated state of birth is not birth, and the unfettered and unliberated state of aging and death is not aging and death; the unfettered and unliberated state of the perfection of generosity is not the perfection of generosity, the unfettered and unliberated state of the perfection of ethical discipline is not the perfection of ethical discipline, the unfettered and unliberated state of the perfection of tolerance is not the perfection of tolerance, the unfettered and unliberated state of the perfection of perseverance is not the perfection of perseverance, the unfettered and unliberated state of the perfection of meditative concentration is not the perfection of meditative concentration, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the perfection of wisdom is not the perfection of wisdom; the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of internal phenomena is not the emptiness of internal phenomena, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of external phenomena is not the emptiness of external phenomena, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of external and internal phenomena is not the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of emptiness is not the emptiness of emptiness, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of great extent is not the emptiness of great extent, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of ultimate reality is not the emptiness of ultimate reality, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of conditioned phenomena is not the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena is not the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of the unlimited is not the emptiness of the unlimited, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end is not the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of nonexclusion is not the emptiness of nonexclusion, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of inherent nature is not the emptiness of inherent nature, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of all phenomena is not the emptiness of all phenomena, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics is not the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended is not the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of nonentities is not the emptiness of nonentities, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of essential nature is not the emptiness of essential nature, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities is not the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; the unfettered and unliberated state of the applications of mindfulness is not the applications of mindfulness, the unfettered and unliberated state of the correct exertions is not the correct exertions, the unfettered and unliberated state of the supports for miraculous ability is not the supports for miraculous ability, the unfettered and unliberated state of the faculties is not the faculties, the unfettered and unliberated state of the powers is not the powers, the unfettered and unliberated state of the branches of enlightenment is not the branches of enlightenment, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the noble eightfold path is not the noble eightfold path; the unfettered and unliberated state of the truths of the noble ones is not the truths of the noble ones, the unfettered and unliberated state of the meditative concentrations is not the meditative concentrations, the unfettered and unliberated state of the immeasurable attitudes is not the immeasurable attitudes, the unfettered and unliberated state of the formless absorptions is not the formless absorptions, the unfettered and unliberated state of the eight liberations is not the eight liberations, the unfettered and unliberated state of the nine serial steps of meditative absorption is not the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, the unfettered and unliberated state of the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation is not the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, the unfettered and unliberated state of the extrasensory powers is not the extrasensory powers, the unfettered and unliberated state of the meditative stabilities is not the meditative stabilities, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the dhāraṇī gateways is not the dhāraṇī gateways; the unfettered and unliberated state of the ten powers of the tathāgatas is not the ten powers of the tathāgatas, the unfettered and unliberated state of the four fearlessnesses is not the fearlessnesses, the unfettered and unliberated state of the four kinds of exact knowledge is not the kinds of exact knowledge, the unfettered and unliberated state of great loving kindness is not great loving kindness, the unfettered and unliberated state of great compassion is not great compassion, and the unfettered and unliberated state of the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas is not the distinct qualities of the buddhas; and the unfettered and unliberated state of the fruit of having entered the stream is not the fruit of having entered the stream, the unfettered and unliberated state of the fruit of once-returner is not the fruit of once-returner, the unfettered and unliberated state of the fruit of non-returner is not the fruit of non-returner, the unfettered and unliberated state of arhatship is not arhatship, the unfettered and unliberated state of individual enlightenment is not individual enlightenment, and the unfettered and unliberated state of unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment is not unsurpassed, perfect, complete enlightenment.
“If you ask why, it is because physical forms are utterly pure, feelings are utterly pure, perceptions are utterly pure, formative predispositions are utterly pure, and consciousness is utterly pure; the eyes are utterly pure, the ears are utterly pure, the nose is utterly pure, the tongue is utterly pure, the body is utterly pure, and the mental faculty is utterly pure; sights are utterly pure, sounds are utterly pure, odors are utterly pure, tastes are utterly pure, tangibles are utterly pure, and mental phenomena are utterly pure; visual consciousness is utterly pure, auditory consciousness is utterly pure, olfactory consciousness is utterly pure, gustatory consciousness is utterly pure, tactile consciousness is utterly pure, and mental consciousness is utterly pure; visually compounded sensory contact is utterly pure, aurally compounded sensory contact is utterly pure, nasally compounded sensory contact is utterly pure, lingually compounded sensory contact is utterly pure, corporeally compounded sensory contact is utterly pure, and mentally compounded sensory contact is utterly pure; feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact are utterly pure, feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact are utterly pure, feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact are utterly pure, feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact are utterly pure, feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact are utterly pure, and feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact are utterly pure; the earth element is utterly pure, the water element is utterly pure, the fire element is utterly pure, the wind element is utterly pure, the space element is utterly pure, and the consciousness element is utterly pure; ignorance is utterly pure, formative predispositions are utterly pure, consciousness is utterly pure, name and form are utterly pure, the six sense fields are utterly pure, sensory contact is utterly pure, sensation is utterly pure, craving is utterly pure, grasping is utterly pure, the rebirth process is utterly pure, birth is utterly pure, and aging and death are utterly pure; the perfection of generosity is utterly pure, the perfection of ethical discipline is utterly pure, the perfection of tolerance is utterly pure, the perfection of perseverance is utterly pure, the perfection of meditative concentration is utterly pure, and the perfection of wisdom is utterly pure; the emptiness of internal phenomena is utterly pure, the emptiness of external phenomena is utterly pure, the emptiness of external and internal phenomena is utterly pure, the emptiness of emptiness is utterly pure, the emptiness of great extent is utterly pure, the emptiness of ultimate reality is utterly pure, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena is utterly pure, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena is utterly pure, the emptiness of the unlimited is utterly pure, the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end is utterly pure, the emptiness of nonexclusion is utterly pure, the emptiness of inherent nature is utterly pure, the emptiness of all phenomena is utterly pure, the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics is utterly pure, the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended is utterly pure, the emptiness of nonentities is utterly pure, the emptiness of essential nature is utterly pure, and the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities is utterly pure; the applications of mindfulness are utterly pure, the correct exertions are utterly pure, the supports for miraculous ability is utterly pure, the faculties are utterly pure, the powers are utterly pure, the branches of enlightenment are utterly pure, and the noble eightfold path is utterly pure; the truths of the noble ones are utterly pure, the meditative concentrations are utterly pure, the immeasurable attitudes are utterly pure, the formless absorptions are utterly pure, the eight liberations are utterly pure, the nine serial steps of meditative absorption are utterly pure, the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation are utterly pure, the extrasensory powers are utterly pure, the meditative stabilities are utterly pure, and the dhāraṇī gateways are utterly pure; the ten powers of the tathāgatas are utterly pure, the four fearlessnesses are utterly pure, the four kinds of exact knowledge are utterly pure, great loving kindness is utterly pure, great compassion is utterly pure, and the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas are utterly pure; and the fruit of having entered the stream is utterly pure, the fruit of once-returner is utterly pure, the fruit of non-returner is utterly pure, arhatship is utterly pure, individual enlightenment is utterly pure, the knowledge of the aspects of the path is utterly pure, and all-aspect omniscience is utterly pure.
“So it is, Subhūti, that when bodhisattva great beings practice the perfection of wisdom, they teach the Dharma to beings, but they do not apprehend beings. Bodhisattva great beings, within not apprehending any phenomena, dwell by way of not dwelling, which is to say, they dwell by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of physical forms,1304 by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of perceptions, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of formative predispositions, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of consciousness; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the eyes, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the ears, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the nose, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the tongue, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the body, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the mental faculty; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of sights, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of sounds, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of odors, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of tastes, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of tangibles, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of mental phenomena; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of visual consciousness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of auditory consciousness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of olfactory consciousness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of gustatory consciousness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of tactile consciousness, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of mental consciousness; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of visually compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of aurally compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of nasally compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of lingually compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of corporeally compounded sensory contact, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of mentally compounded sensory contact; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the earth element, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the water element, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the fire element, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the wind element, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the space element, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the consciousness element; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of ignorance, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of formative predispositions, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of consciousness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of name and form, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the six sense fields, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of sensory contact, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of sensation, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of craving, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of grasping, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the rebirth process, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of birth, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of aging and death; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the perfection of generosity, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the perfection of ethical discipline, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the perfection of tolerance, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the perfection of perseverance, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the perfection of meditative concentration, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the perfection of wisdom; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of internal phenomena, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of external phenomena, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of external and internal phenomena, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of emptiness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of great extent, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of ultimate reality, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the unlimited, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of nonexclusion, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of inherent nature, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of all phenomena, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of nonentities, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of essential nature, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the applications of mindfulness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the correct exertions, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the supports for miraculous ability, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the faculties, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the powers, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the branches of enlightenment, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the noble eightfold path; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the truths of the noble ones, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the meditative concentrations, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the immeasurable attitudes, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the formless absorptions, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the liberations, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the serial steps of meditative absorption, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the extrasensory powers, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the meditative stabilities, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the dhāraṇī gateways; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the ten powers of the tathāgatas, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the four fearlessnesses, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the four kinds of exact knowledge, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of great loving kindness, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of great compassion, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas; by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the fruit of having entered the stream, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the fruit of once-returner, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the fruit of non-returner, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of arhatship, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of individual enlightenment, by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of the knowledge of the aspects of the path, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of all-aspect omniscience; and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of conditioned phenomena, and by way of not dwelling on the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena, because conditioned and unconditioned phenomena have not dwelled anywhere.
“If you ask why, it is because an essential entity in which they might dwell cannot be apprehended. A nonentity does not dwell in a nonentity. An essential entity does not dwell in an essential entity. A dependent entity does not dwell in a dependent entity. If you ask why, it is because they all cannot be apprehended, and that which is not apprehended does not dwell anywhere at all. So it is that when bodhisattva great beings practice the perfection of wisdom, they thoroughly distinguish1305 all those phenomena through all their emptinesses.
“Subhūti, bodhisattva great beings who practice the perfection of wisdom in that manner do not incur what would be a fault of all the noble ones—of the lord buddhas, the bodhisattva great beings, the pratyekabuddhas, and the śrāvakas. If you ask why, it is because those lord buddhas, those bodhisattva great beings, those pratyekabuddhas, and those śrāvakas, too, all subsequently realize this reality of phenomena, and having subsequently realized this reality of phenomena, teach the Dharma to beings, and do not go beyond the reality of phenomena as it pertains to phenomena. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because the realm of phenomena is not something that can be gone beyond. The real nature and the very limit of reality are not something that can be gone beyond.1306 If you ask why, it is because they are without any essential nature that can be gone beyond.”
The venerable Subhūti then asked the Blessed One, “Blessed Lord, if in that manner the realm of phenomena cannot be gone beyond, and the real nature and the very limit of reality also cannot be gone beyond, well then, are physical forms one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are feelings one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are perceptions one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are formative predispositions one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Are the eyes one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the ears one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the nose one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the tongue one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the body one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the mental faculty one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Are sights one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are sounds one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are odors one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are tastes one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are tangibles one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are mental phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is visual consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is auditory consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is olfactory consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is gustatory consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is tactile consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is mental consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is visually compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is aurally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is nasally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is lingually compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is corporeally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is mentally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Are feelings conditioned by visually compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are feelings conditioned by aurally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are feelings conditioned by nasally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are feelings conditioned by lingually compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are feelings conditioned by corporeally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are feelings conditioned by mentally compounded sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is the earth element one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the water element one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the fire element one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the wind element one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the space element one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the consciousness element one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is ignorance one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are formative predispositions one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is consciousness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are name and form one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the six sense fields one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is sensory contact one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is sensation one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is craving one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is grasping one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the rebirth process one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is birth one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are aging and death one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is the perfection of generosity one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the perfection of ethical discipline one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the perfection of tolerance one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the perfection of perseverance one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the perfection of meditative concentration one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the perfection of wisdom one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is the emptiness of internal phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of external phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of external and internal phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of emptiness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of great extent one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of ultimate reality one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of conditioned phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of the unlimited one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of nonexclusion one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of inherent nature one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of all phenomena one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of nonentities one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of essential nature one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Are the applications of mindfulness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the correct exertions one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the supports for miraculous ability one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the faculties one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the powers one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the branches of enlightenment one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the noble eightfold path one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Are the truths of the noble ones one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the meditative concentrations one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the immeasurable attitudes one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the formless absorptions one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the eight liberations one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the nine serial steps of meditative absorption one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the extrasensory powers one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the meditative stabilities one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the dhāraṇī gateways one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Are the ten powers of the tathāgatas one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the four fearlessnesses one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the four kinds of exact knowledge one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is great loving kindness one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is great compassion one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Are the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?
“Is the fruit of having entered the stream one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the fruit of once-returner one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the fruit of non-returner one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is arhatship one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is individual enlightenment one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is the knowledge of the aspects of the path one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another? Is all-aspect omniscience one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another?”
“No, they are not, Subhūti,” replied the Blessed One, “Physical forms are not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. Feelings are not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. Perceptions are not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. Formative predispositions are not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. Consciousness is not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another.
“Subhūti, the eyes are not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. The ears are not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. The nose is not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. The tongue is not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. The body is not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another. The mental faculty is not one thing, the realm of phenomena another, the real nature another, and the very limit of reality another.