Chapter 2: Śāriputra

At that time, when the Blessed One thus understood that the world‍—with its gods, demons, and Brahmā deities, with its virtuous ascetics and brahmin priests, and with its many gods, humans, and asuras‍—had assembled, and that those many bodhisattva great beings who were mainly crown princes had assembled, he said to the venerable Śāradvatīputra, “Here, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to fully awaken to all phenomena in all their aspects should persevere in the perfection of wisdom.”

The venerable Śāradvatīputra then asked the Blessed One, “Blessed Lord, how should bodhisattva great beings who want to fully awaken to all phenomena in all their aspects persevere in the perfection of wisdom?”

The venerable Śāradvatīputra having thus inquired, the Blessed One said to him, “Śāradvatīputra, here bodhisattva great beings should stay in the perfection of wisdom without there being any place to stay. That is, they should perfect the perfection of generosity without there being any giving up, since¹¹¹ no gift, giver, or recipient is apprehended. They should perfect the perfection of ethical discipline, since there are no downfalls or nondownfalls to be committed. They should perfect the perfection of tolerance, since there is no disturbance. They should perfect the perfection of perseverance, since there is no weakening of physical or mental effort. They should perfect the perfection of meditative concentration, since disturbance and false imagination do not exist.¹¹² They should perfect the perfection of wisdom, since no phenomena are apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the four applications of mindfulness, since the applications of mindfulness are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the four correct exertions, since the correct exertions are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the four supports for miraculous ability, since the supports for miraculous ability are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the five faculties, since the faculties are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the five powers, since the powers are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the seven branches of enlightenment, since the branches of enlightenment are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the noble eightfold path, since the path is not apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the emptiness meditative stability, since emptiness is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the signlessness meditative stability, since signlessness is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the wishlessness meditative stability, since wishlessness is not apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the four meditative concentrations, since a meditative concentration is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the four immeasurable attitudes, since an immeasurable attitude is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the four formless absorptions, since formlessness is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the eight liberations, since a liberation is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the nine serial steps of meditative absorption, since a serial step is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the five extrasensory powers, since an extrasensory power is not apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the perception of the unpleasantness of food, since unpleasantness is not apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of suffering, since suffering is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of the origin, since the origin is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of the cessation, since the cessation is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of the path, since the path is not apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of the extinction of contaminants, since extinction is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge that contaminants will not arise again, since not arising is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of phenomena, since phenomena are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of nonduality, since nonduality is not apprehended.¹¹⁵ Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of the conventional, since the conventional is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the knowledge of mastery, since mastery is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate knowledge of sounds as they are, since sounds as they are are not apprehended.¹¹⁶

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the meditative stability with an initial mental application and with a sustained mental application,¹¹⁷ since an initial mental application and a sustained mental application are not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the meditative stability without an initial mental application but with just a sustained mental application, since being without an initial mental application but with a sustained mental application is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should cultivate the meditative stability without an initial mental application and without a sustained mental application, since being without an initial mental application and without a sustained mental application is not apprehended.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the faculty of coming to fully understand what has not been fully understood,¹¹⁸ since the faculty of coming to fully understand is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the faculty of understanding all, since understanding all is not apprehended. Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings, abiding in the perfection of wisdom, should perfect the faculty of knowing that one has fully understood, since the faculty of knowing that one has fully understood is not apprehended.¹¹⁹

“Bodhisattva great beings who want to fully awaken to the transcendental knowledge of omniscience with all the finest aspects¹²⁰ should persevere in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to perfect knowledge of the aspects of the path should persevere in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to perfect knowledge of all the dharmas should persevere in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to perfect knowledge of the aspects of all beings’ minds, their conduct, and their knowledge¹²¹ should persevere in the perfection of wisdom.

“Bodhisattva great beings who want to abandon all the afflicted mental states and their connecting propensities ¹²² should persevere in the perfection of wisdom.

“Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to enter a bodhisattva’s maturity should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Bodhisattva great beings who want to know the level of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to transcend the level of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to remain at the level at which progress is irreversible should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to dwell in the six¹²³ extrasensory powers should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to know all beings’ wavering minds and conduct¹²⁴ should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass the transcendental knowledge of all śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the many dhāraṇī gateways and the gateways of meditative stability should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, all those virtuous roots of all the sons and daughters of good families who are in the Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha Vehicles giving gifts should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, all those virtuous roots of all the sons and daughters of good families in the Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha Vehicles guarding ethical discipline should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, all those virtuous roots of all the sons and daughters of good families who are in the Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha Vehicles cultivating tolerance should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, all those virtuous roots of all the sons and daughters of good families who are in the Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha Vehicles applying perseverance should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, all those virtuous roots of all the sons and daughters of good families who are in the Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha Vehicles becoming absorbed in meditative concentration should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, all those virtuous roots of all the sons and daughters of good families who are in the Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha Vehicles cultivating the perfection of wisdom should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, the ethical discipline, meditative stability, wisdom, liberation, and knowledge and seeing of liberation of all śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Bodhisattva great beings who want to surpass, by a single setting of the mind on enlightenment, together with rejoicing in them, the meditative concentrations, liberations, meditative stabilities, and meditative absorptions of all śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Bodhisattva great beings who have offered even a small gift for the benefit of all beings, thinking, ‘How, through dedication by skillful means to all-aspect omniscience, will it become immeasurable, incalculable, and inestimable?’ should train in the perfection of wisdom.¹²⁵ Bodhisattva great beings who have maintained even a little ethical discipline for the benefit of all beings, thinking, ‘How, through dedication by skillful means to all-aspect omniscience, will it become immeasurable, countless, and inestimable?’ should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who have cultivated even a little tolerance for the benefit of all beings, thinking, ‘How, through dedication by skillful means to all-aspect omniscience, will it become immeasurable, countless, and inestimable?’ should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who have applied even a little perseverance for the benefit of all beings, thinking, ‘How, through dedication by skillful means to all-aspect omniscience, will it become immeasurable, countless, and inestimable?’ should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who have become absorbed even in a little meditative concentration for the benefit of all beings, thinking, ‘How, through dedication by skillful means to all-aspect omniscience, will it become immeasurable, countless, and inestimable?’ should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who have cultivated even a little wisdom for the benefit of all beings, thinking, ‘How, through dedication by skillful means to all-aspect omniscience, will it become immeasurable, countless, and inestimable?’ should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, when bodhisattva great beings have set their minds on it, thinking, ‘How will I behold the body of the buddhas in all my lives? How will I be encouraged by the buddhas? How will I be kept in mind by the buddhas? How will I please the buddhas? How will I be mentored by the buddhas?’ they should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to acquire the body of the buddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the thirty-two major marks of a great person should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the eighty minor signs should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want throughout all their lives to recall their succession of former lives should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the state where the mind of enlightenment is not given up should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the state where the conduct of the bodhisattvas is not spoiled should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to forsake all evil friends and all evil associates should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to serve and respect all the buddhas and bodhisattvas who are virtuous spiritual mentors should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to defeat Māra and all the gods belonging to the māra class should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to purify all obscurations should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the state where one is unobscured with respect to all phenomena should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to establish the lineage of the bodhisattvas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to establish the lineage of the buddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to maintain the lineage of the Three Precious Jewels without interruption should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to attain the level of a crown prince should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want never to be separated from all the buddhas and bodhisattvas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to go beyond the level of the bodhisattvas should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to swiftly complete the level of the tathāgatas should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who would like to be richly endowed with those virtuous roots and aspects with which they might serve, respect, honor, and worship the blessed lord buddhas should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to delight all beings should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to fulfill the aspirations of all beings should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, when bodhisattva great beings think that they should satisfy all beings with all necessities and enjoyments such as food, drink, clothing, ornaments, flowers, incense, perfume,¹²⁷ garlands, unguents, powders,¹²⁸ bedding, seats, dwellings, treatments for ill health, the requisites, riches, grains, finery, jewels, gems, beryl, conch shells, quartz, corals, pure gold, silver, orchards, and kingdoms and so on, they too should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to establish all beings, as many as there are in the world systems of all the directions, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, in the path of the ten virtuous actions, and who want to establish them in the four meditative concentrations, the four immeasurable attitudes, the five extrasensory powers, going for refuge to the Three Jewels, and devotion to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha‍—they should train in the perfection of wisdom.¹²⁹

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to bring into the Great Vehicle all beings in worlds as vast as the realm of phenomena and as far-reaching as the element of space,¹³⁰ who want to establish them in the perfection of generosity, who want to establish them in the perfection of ethical discipline, who want to establish them in the perfection of tolerance, who want to establish them in the perfection of perseverance, who want to establish them in the perfection of meditative concentration, and who want to establish them in the perfection of wisdom, should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to render even a single virtuous setting of the mind on enlightenment inexhaustible up until when they are on the seat of enlightenment ¹³¹ should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the eastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the southern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the western direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the northern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the intermediate northeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the intermediate southeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the intermediate southwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems of the intermediate northwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems in the direction of the nadir, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who are eager for all the blessed lord buddhas, as many as there are in the world systems in the direction of the zenith, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, to praise their qualities should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought,¹³² want to journey to all those buddhafields of the eastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the southern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the western direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the northern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the intermediate northeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the intermediate southeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the intermediate southwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields of the intermediate northwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields in the direction of the nadir, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who, with a single thought, want to journey to all those buddhafields in the direction of the zenith, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the eastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the southern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the western direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the northern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the intermediate northeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the intermediate southeastern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the intermediate southwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields of the intermediate northwestern direction, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields in the direction of the nadir, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want, by giving voice to a single sound, to make themselves heard in all those buddhafields in the direction of the zenith, numerous as the grains of sand of the river Gaṅgā, should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to remain so that the arising of buddhas continues without interruption should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to protect the lineage of a bodhisattva should train in the perfection of wisdom. Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to remain so that the lineage of a buddha continues without interruption should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the referential, the predominant, the immediately preceding, and the causal conditions should train in the perfection of wisdom.

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the aspect and defining characteristic should train in the perfection of wisdom.¹³³

“Moreover, Śāradvatīputra, bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the real nature of all phenomena should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the unmistaken real nature should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the one and only real nature should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the unchanging real nature should train in the perfection of wisdom. Bodhisattva great beings who want to comprehend the genuine, definitive real nature should train in the perfection of wisdom.¹³⁴

The Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines

Chapter 2: Śāriputra

Translator’s introduction & reference material

Edition & attribution

Make yourself comfortable

The Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines

Chapter 2: Śāriputra

Translator’s introduction & reference material

Edition & attribution

Make yourself comfortable

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