THE GREAT PRAJÑĀPĀRAMITĀ SŪTRA
VOLUME 542
Chapter 5: THE GATE OF MERIT (2)
Furthermore, Kauśika, when teaching and transforming all sentient beings in Jambudvīpa, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in the fruit of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who, with pure minds, respectfully believe in and accept the profound Prajñāpāramitā. Because they seek the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, they transcribe it for others and explain its profound meaning, causing them to have no further doubts. Then they teach and encourage sentient beings: ‘You should diligently cultivate the true path of the Bodhisattva. This is the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you diligently cultivate and study this path, you will quickly attain the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, save countless sentient beings, cause them to quickly realize ultimate reality, end all outflows, and enter the realm of Nirvāṇa without remainder.’ These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters will obtain even greater merit than before. Why? Kauśika, because all the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, and Arhatship arise from this Prajñāpāramitā. Those virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, having heard the profound Prajñāpāramitā, then teach and encourage others, diligently cultivate and study it, gradually perfect all Buddha-dharmas, until they attain the wisdom of omniscience; they teach and transform sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, Arhatship, Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, enter the Bodhisattva’s right nature free from birth, and finally attain the Buddha’s Bodhi.”
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of Jambudvīpa. When teaching and transforming all sentient beings in the four great continents, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail… until…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the four great continents. When teaching and transforming all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, and Arhatship, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the small thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming all sentient beings in a medium thousandfold world, cause them all to abide in the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the medium thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world, cause them all to abide in the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the great thousandfold world. When teaching and transforming all sentient beings throughout countless worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?”
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who, regarding the profound Prajñāpāramitā, with pure minds respectfully believe in and accept it; because they seek the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, they transcribe it for others, explain its profound meaning, causing them to have no doubts, and encourage and teach sentient beings: ‘You should diligently cultivate the true path of the Bodhisattva. This is the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you constantly diligently cultivate and study this path, you will quickly attain the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, save countless sentient beings, cause them to realize ultimate reality, end all outflows, and enter the realm of Nirvāṇa without remainder.’ These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain greater merit than before. Why? Kauśika, because all the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, and Arhatship arise from this Prajñāpāramitā. Those virtuous sons and virtuous daughters hear the profound Prajñāpāramitā, teach and encourage others, diligently cultivate and study it, gradually perfect all Buddha teachings, until they attain the wisdom of omniscience; they teach and transform sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, Arhatship, and Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, enter the Bodhisattva’s right nature free from birth, and finally attain the Buddha’s Bodhi.”
Furthermore, Kauśika, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters teach and transform all sentient beings in Jambudvīpa, causing them all to abide in Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, what do you think? Through such causes and conditions, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who, regarding the profound Prajñāpāramitā, with pure minds respectfully believe in and accept it; because they seek the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, they transcribe it for others, explain its profound meaning, causing them to have no doubts, and then encourage and teach sentient beings: ‘You should diligently cultivate the true path of the Bodhisattva. This is the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you constantly diligently cultivate and study this path, you will quickly attain the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, save countless sentient beings, cause them to quickly realize ultimate reality, end all outflows, and enter the realm of Nirvāṇa without remainder.’ These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain far greater merit than before. Why? Kauśika, because all the Bodhi attained by Pratyekabuddhas arises from this Prajñāpāramitā. Those virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, having heard the profound Prajñāpāramitā, teaching and encouraging others, diligently cultivating and studying it, gradually perfect all Buddha teachings, until they attain the wisdom of omniscience; they teach and transform sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, Arhatship, and Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, enter the Bodhisattva’s right nature free from birth, and finally attain the Buddha’s Bodhi.”
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of Jambudvīpa. When teaching and transforming all sentient beings in the four great continents, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the four great continents. When teaching and transforming all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the small thousandfold world. When teaching and transforming all sentient beings in a medium thousandfold world, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters cause them all to abide in Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the medium thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world, cause them all to abide in Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the great thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming all sentient beings throughout countless worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, cause them all to abide in Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?”
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who, regarding the profound Prajñāpāramitā, with pure minds respectfully believe in and accept it; because they seek the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, they transcribe it for others, explain its profound meaning, causing them to have no doubts, and then encourage and teach sentient beings: ‘You should diligently cultivate the true path of the Bodhisattva. This is the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you constantly diligently cultivate and study this path, you will quickly attain the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, save countless sentient beings, cause them to realize ultimate reality, end all outflows, and enter the realm of Nirvāṇa without remainder.’ These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain much greater merit than before. Why? Kauśika, because all the Bodhi attained by Pratyekabuddhas arises from the Prajñāpāramitā. Those virtuous sons and virtuous daughters hear the profound Prajñāpāramitā, teach and encourage others, diligently cultivate and study it, gradually perfect all Buddha teachings, until they attain the wisdom of omniscience; they teach and transform sentient beings, causing them to attain the fruits of Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, Arhatship, and Pratyekabuddha Bodhi, enter the Bodhisattva’s right nature free from birth, and finally attain the Buddha’s Bodhi.”
Furthermore, Kauśika, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming sentient beings in Jambudvīpa, cause them all to arouse the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, adorn it with precious objects, respectfully honor, make offerings to, revere, and praise it, then transmit it to one person who has aroused the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, so that they may uphold and recite it. Then they say:
‘Virtuous son, come here! You must wholeheartedly listen to, uphold, and recite the profound Prajñāpāramitā until you understand it completely, and contemplate it in accordance with reality. Through this Dharma gate, you should develop correct faith and understanding. If you develop correct faith and understanding, you can cultivate and study the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you can cultivate and study the profound Prajñāpāramitā, then you can attain the Dharma wisdom of omniscience. If you can attain the Dharma wisdom of omniscience, then by cultivating the Prajñāpāramitā you will quickly bring it to perfection. If you quickly perfect your cultivation of the Prajñāpāramitā, then you can attain the wisdom of omniscience.’
These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain far greater merit than before.
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of Jambudvīpa. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of the four great continents, cause them all to arouse the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the four great continents. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of a small thousandfold world, cause them all to arouse the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the small thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of a medium thousandfold world, cause them all to arouse the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the medium thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of a great thousandfold world, cause them all to arouse the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, apart from the sentient beings of the great thousandfold world, if virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming all sentient beings throughout countless worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, cause them all to arouse the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?”
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with various precious objects, respectfully honor, make offerings to, revere, and praise it, transmit it to one person who has aroused the aspiration for the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, and have them uphold and recite it, saying:
‘Virtuous son, come here! Regarding this profound Prajñāpāramitā, you should wholeheartedly listen, uphold, and recite it, making it completely understood, contemplate it in accordance with reality, and through this Dharma gate develop correct faith and understanding. If you develop correct faith and understanding, you can cultivate and study the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound Prajñāpāramitā, you can attain the Dharma wisdom of omniscience. If you can attain the Dharma wisdom of omniscience, then by cultivating the Prajñāpāramitā you will quickly perfect it. If you quickly perfect the Prajñāpāramitā, then you can attain the wisdom of omniscience.’
These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain far greater merit than before.
Kauśika, if there are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of Jambudvīpa, cause them all to attain non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
“There are virtuous sons and virtuous daughters who transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with various precious objects, respectfully honor, make offerings to, revere, and praise it, transmit it to one person who has attained non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, so that they may uphold and recite it. They also say:
‘Virtuous son, come here! Regarding this profound Prajñāpāramitā, you should wholeheartedly listen, uphold, and recite it, make it completely understood, contemplate it in accordance with reality, and through this Dharma gate develop correct faith and understanding. If you develop correct faith and understanding, you can cultivate and study the profound Prajñāpāramitā. If you constantly cultivate and study the profound Prajñāpāramitā, you can attain the Dharma wisdom of omniscience. If you attain the Dharma wisdom of omniscience, then by cultivating the Prajñāpāramitā you will quickly perfect it. If you quickly perfect the Prajñāpāramitā, then you can attain the wisdom of omniscience.’
These virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain much greater merit than before.
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of Jambudvīpa. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of the four great continents, cause them all to attain non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the four great continents. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of a small thousandfold world, cause them all to attain non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” The explanation continues as before.
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the small thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of a medium thousandfold world, cause them all to attain non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the medium thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings of a great thousandfold world, cause them all to attain non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think?” [The explanation continues in detail…]
“Kauśika, set aside the matter of the sentient beings of the great thousandfold world. If virtuous sons and virtuous daughters, when teaching and transforming the sentient beings in countless worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges throughout the ten directions, cause them all to attain non-retrogression regarding the unsurpassed state of Enlightenment, what do you think? Through this cause and condition, do these virtuous sons and virtuous daughters obtain great merit?”
Śakra, Lord of Gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, it is very great! Well-Gone One, it is very great!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, Lord of Gods:
If good men and good women transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with various kinds of jewels, respectfully honor, make offerings, revere, and praise it, and then give it to one person among that assembly so that they uphold it, recite it, understand it completely and thoroughly, contemplate it correctly in accordance with reality, use immeasurable skillful and wondrous methods of words and meanings to explain it extensively, distinguish its principles, cause them to understand clearly, encourage and instruct them, and enable them to diligently practice and study it, then these good men and good women will obtain merits far greater than before, immeasurable, boundless, and impossible to count.
Furthermore, Kauśika, apart from the sentient beings in Jambūdvīpa, if the sentient beings in the four great continents, or the sentient beings in a small thousandfold world-system, or the sentient beings in a middle thousandfold world-system, or the sentient beings in a great thousandfold world-system, or the sentient beings throughout as many worlds as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, all attain non-retrogression with regard to the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, and all together say: “Now we rejoice greatly, because we will quickly attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, save sentient beings from the sufferings of birth and death, and attain supreme ultimate happiness.”
If there are good men and good women who, in order to accomplish this, transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with various kinds of jewels, respectfully honor, make offerings, revere, praise, and widely transmit it for them to uphold, recite, understand completely and thoroughly, and contemplate correctly in accordance with reality, what do you think? Because of this cause, do these good men and good women obtain much merit?
Śakra, lord of the gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, lord of the gods:
If good men and good women transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with various kinds of jewels, respectfully honor, make offerings, revere, and praise it; give it to one person among that assembly so that they uphold it, recite it, understand it completely and thoroughly, contemplate it correctly in accordance with reality, use immeasurable skillful and wondrous methods of words and meanings to explain it extensively, distinguish its principles, cause them to understand clearly, encourage and instruct them, and enable them to diligently practice and study it, then these good men and good women will obtain merits far greater than before, immeasurable, boundless, and impossible to count.
Kauśika, if good men and good women transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with various kinds of jewels, respectfully honor, make offerings, revere, and praise it, and then give it to all sentient beings in Jambūdvīpa, because of this cause, will these good men and good women obtain much merit?
Śakra, lord of the gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, lord of the gods:
There are good men and good women who, for the sake of one sentient being, distinguish and explain the profound meaning, causing them to clearly understand the profound Prajñāpāramitā. These good men and good women will obtain merits far greater than before, immeasurable, boundless, and impossible to count.
Kauśika, if good men and good women transcribe the profound Prajñāpāramitā, adorn it with many kinds of adornments, respectfully honor, make offerings, revere, and praise it, and then give it to all sentient beings in the four great continents, or to all sentient beings in a small thousandfold world-system, or all sentient beings in a middle thousandfold world-system, or all sentient beings in a great thousandfold world-system, or all sentient beings throughout countless worlds like the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, because of this cause, do these good men and good women obtain much merit?
Śakra, lord of the gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, lord of the gods:
There are good men and good women who, for the sake of one sentient being, distinguish and explain the profound meaning, causing them to clearly understand the profound Prajñāpāramitā. These good men and good women will obtain merits far greater than before, immeasurable, boundless, and impossible to count.
Kauśika, if good men and good women, for the sake of the sentient beings of Jambūdvīpa, or the sentient beings of the four great continents, or the sentient beings of a small thousandfold world-system, or the sentient beings of a middle thousandfold world-system, or the sentient beings of a great thousandfold world-system, or the sentient beings throughout countless worlds like the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, distinguish and explain the profound meaning, causing them to clearly understand it, because of this cause, do these good men and good women obtain much merit?
Śakra, lord of the gods, replied:
“World-Honored One, very much! Well-Gone One, very much!”
The Buddha said to Śakra, lord of the gods:
There are good men and good women who, for the sake of one sentient being, with an undefiled mind, distinguish and explain the profound meaning, causing them to clearly understand the profound Prajñāpāramitā, and encourage and instruct them so that they diligently practice and study it. These good men and good women will obtain merits far greater than before, immeasurable, boundless, and impossible to count.
At that time, Śakra, lord of the gods, said to the Buddha:
“The Great Bodhisattvas, as they draw closer and closer to unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, should practice in this way and in such a manner. They should use the profound meaning of the Prajñāpāramitā to encourage and instruct them, explaining it until they completely understand the true nature of all phenomena. They should provide clothing, food, drink, bedding, excellent medicines, and other treasures, respectfully making offerings without allowing anything to be lacking. Good men and good women who are able to protect and support such Great Bodhisattvas through Dharma giving and material giving will, because of this cause, obtain great results and great benefits, immeasurable and boundless. Why is this so? Because the Great Bodhisattva, supported and honored through such Dharma giving and material giving, will quickly attain the wisdom of omniscience.”
At that time, Subhūti praised Śakra:
“Excellent, excellent! Kauśika, you have truly skillfully encouraged, protected, and assisted the Great Bodhisattvas, enabling them to quickly attain the wisdom of omniscience. Now you, as a noble disciple of the Buddha, have done what should be done. Why is this so? Kauśika, because they wish to benefit and bring happiness to sentient beings, the noble disciples of all Tathāgatas all use skillful means to encourage, protect, and assist the Great Bodhisattvas, causing them to quickly attain the wisdom of omniscience. Why is this so? Because all Tathāgatas, Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and the excellent worldly achievements all manifest because of the assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. Why is this so? Kauśika, if there were no Great Bodhisattvas who arouse the mind of enlightenment, then there would be no Great Bodhisattvas who could learn generosity up to Prajñāpāramitā. For if there were no Great Bodhisattvas who learned generosity up to Prajñāpāramitā, then there would be no Great Bodhisattvas who attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. If there were no Great Bodhisattvas who attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, then there would be no Tathāgatas, Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, or excellent worldly achievements. Therefore, one should encourage, protect, and assist the Great Bodhisattvas, causing them to perfect and completely fulfill the six pāramitās, quickly attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, and turn the wondrous Dharma wheel to liberate sentient beings.”