“Subhūti, the perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended in the present, and the perfection of generosity cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness? Subhūti, the perfection of ethical discipline cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the perfection of ethical discipline cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the perfection of ethical discipline cannot be apprehended in the present, and the perfection of ethical discipline cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness? Subhūti, the perfection of tolerance cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the perfection of tolerance cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the perfection of tolerance cannot be apprehended in the present, and the perfection of tolerance cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness? Subhūti, the perfection of perseverance cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the perfection of perseverance cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the perfection of perseverance cannot be apprehended in the present, and the perfection of perseverance cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness? Subhūti, the perfection of meditative concentration cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the perfection of meditative concentration cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the perfection of meditative concentration cannot be apprehended in the present, and the perfection of meditative concentration cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness? Subhūti, the perfection of wisdom cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the perfection of wisdom cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the perfection of wisdom cannot be apprehended in the present, and the perfection of wisdom cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of internal phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of internal phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of internal phenomena cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of internal phenomena cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of external phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of external phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of external phenomena cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of external phenomena cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of external and internal phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of external and internal phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of external and internal phenomena cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of external and internal phenomena cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of emptiness cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of emptiness cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of emptiness cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of emptiness cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of great extent cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of great extent cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of great extent cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of great extent cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of ultimate reality cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of ultimate reality cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of ultimate reality cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of ultimate reality cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of conditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of conditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of unconditioned phenomena cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of the unlimited cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of the unlimited cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of the unlimited cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of the unlimited cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of that which has neither beginning nor end cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of nonexclusion cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of nonexclusion cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of nonexclusion cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of nonexclusion cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of inherent nature cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of inherent nature cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of inherent nature cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of inherent nature cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of all phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of all phenomena cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of all phenomena cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of all phenomena cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of intrinsic defining characteristics cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of that which cannot be apprehended cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of nonentities cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of nonentities cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of nonentities cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of nonentities cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of essential nature cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of essential nature cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of essential nature cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of essential nature cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities cannot be apprehended in the present, and the emptiness of an essential nature of nonentities cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the applications of mindfulness cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the applications of mindfulness cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the applications of mindfulness cannot be apprehended in the present, and the applications of mindfulness cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the correct exertions cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the correct exertions cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the correct exertions cannot be apprehended in the present, and the correct exertions cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the supports for miraculous ability cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the supports for miraculous ability cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the supports for miraculous ability cannot be apprehended in the present, and the supports for miraculous ability cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the faculties cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the faculties cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the faculties cannot be apprehended in the present, and the faculties cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the powers cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the powers cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the powers cannot be apprehended in the present, and the powers cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the branches of enlightenment cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the branches of enlightenment cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the branches of enlightenment cannot be apprehended in the present, and the branches of enlightenment cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the noble eightfold path cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the noble eightfold path cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the noble eightfold path cannot be apprehended in the present, and the noble eightfold path cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the truths of the noble ones cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the truths of the noble ones cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the truths of the noble ones cannot be apprehended in the present, and the truths of the noble ones cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the meditative concentrations cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the meditative concentrations cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the meditative concentrations cannot be apprehended in the present, and the meditative concentrations cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the immeasurable attitudes cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the immeasurable attitudes cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the immeasurable attitudes cannot be apprehended in the present, and the immeasurable attitudes cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the formless absorptions cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the formless absorptions cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the formless absorptions cannot be apprehended in the present, and the formless absorptions cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the eight liberations cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the eight liberations cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the eight liberations cannot be apprehended in the present, and the eight liberations cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the nine serial steps of meditative absorption cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the nine serial steps of meditative absorption cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the nine serial steps of meditative absorption cannot be apprehended in the present, and the nine serial steps of meditative absorption cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past; the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future; the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation cannot be apprehended in the present; and the emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness gateways to liberation cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the extrasensory powers cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the extrasensory powers cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the extrasensory powers cannot be apprehended in the present, and the extrasensory powers cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the meditative stabilities cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the meditative stabilities cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the meditative stabilities cannot be apprehended in the present, and the meditative stabilities cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the dhāraṇī gateways cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the dhāraṇī gateways cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the dhāraṇī gateways cannot be apprehended in the present, and the dhāraṇī gateways cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the ten powers of the tathāgatas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the ten powers of the tathāgatas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the ten powers of the tathāgatas cannot be apprehended in the present, and the ten powers of the tathāgatas cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the four fearlessnesses cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the four fearlessnesses cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the four fearlessnesses cannot be apprehended in the present, and the four fearlessnesses cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the four kinds of exact knowledge cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the four kinds of exact knowledge cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the four kinds of exact knowledge cannot be apprehended in the present, and the four kinds of exact knowledge cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?611
“Subhūti, great loving kindness cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, great loving kindness cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, great loving kindness cannot be apprehended in the present, and great loving kindness cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, great compassion cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, great compassion cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, great compassion cannot be apprehended in the present, and great compassion cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Subhūti, the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas cannot be apprehended in the present, and the eighteen distinct qualities of the buddhas cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because past time cannot be apprehended in sameness, future time cannot be apprehended in sameness, and present time cannot be apprehended in sameness. If even sameness cannot be apprehended in sameness, how could past time ever be apprehended in sameness, how could future time ever be apprehended in sameness, and how could present time ever be apprehended in sameness?
“Moreover, Subhūti, ordinary people cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, ordinary people cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, ordinary people cannot be apprehended in the present, and ordinary people cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because beings cannot be apprehended. Moreover, Subhūti, śrāvakas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, śrāvakas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, śrāvakas cannot be apprehended in the present, and śrāvakas cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because beings cannot be apprehended. Moreover, Subhūti, pratyekabuddhas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, pratyekabuddhas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, pratyekabuddhas cannot be apprehended in the present, and pratyekabuddhas cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because beings cannot be apprehended. Moreover, Subhūti, bodhisattvas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, bodhisattvas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, bodhisattvas cannot be apprehended in the present, and bodhisattvas cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because beings cannot be apprehended.
“Moreover, Subhūti, tathāgatas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the past, tathāgatas cannot be apprehended at the limit of the future, tathāgatas cannot be apprehended in the present, and tathāgatas cannot be apprehended in the sameness of the three times. If you ask why, Subhūti, it is because beings cannot be apprehended.”
Then Venerable Subhūti said to the Blessed One, “Blessed Lord, it is well and good, this Great Vehicle of bodhisattva great beings that the Blessed Lord has taught so well called ‘the sameness of the three times.’ Blessed Lord, bodhisattva great beings of the past, who have trained in this Great Vehicle, have acquired all-aspect omniscience; Blessed Lord, bodhisattva great beings of the future, also, having trained in just this perfection of wisdom, will acquire all-aspect omniscience; and, Blessed Lord, fathomless bodhisattva great beings in the immeasurable, countless world systems of the ten directions, having trained in just this Great Vehicle, are acquiring all-aspect omniscience. Blessed Lord, that is why the Great Vehicle of bodhisattva great beings is this one called ‘the sameness of the three times.’ ”
Venerable Subhūti having spoken thus, the Lord said to him, “That is so, Subhūti, that is so! Having trained in this Great Vehicle, the tathāgatas, arhats, perfectly complete buddhas of the past, future, and present have acquired, will acquire, and are acquiring all-aspect omniscience.”
This completes the eleventh chapter from The Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines.