佛经 > 楞严经

中英文双语的楞严经

　　中文版楞严经：
　　卷一
　　如是我闻。一时。佛在室罗筏城。祇桓精舍。与大比丘众。千二百五十人俱。皆是无漏大阿罗汉。佛子住持。善超诸有。能于国土。成就威仪。从佛转轮。妙堪遗嘱。严净毗尼。弘范三界。应身无量。度脱众生。拔济未来。越诸尘累。其名曰。大智舍利弗。摩诃目犍连。摩诃拘絺罗。富楼那弥多罗尼子。须菩提。优波尼沙陀等。而为上首。复有无量辟支无学。并其初心。同来佛所。嘱诸比丘。休夏自恣。十方菩萨。咨决心疑。钦奉慈严。将求密义。即时。如来敷座宴安。为诸会中。宣示深奥。法筵清众。得未曾有。迦陵仙音。遍十方界。恒沙菩萨。来聚道场。文殊师利。而为上首。
　　时。波斯匿王。为其父王讳日营斋。请佛宫掖。自迎如来。广设珍馐无上妙味。兼复亲延诸大菩萨。城中复有长者居士。同时饭僧。伫佛来应。佛敕文殊。分领菩萨。及阿罗汉。应诸斋主。惟有阿难。先受别请。远游未还。不遑僧次。既无上座。及阿阇黎。途中独归。其日无供。即时。阿难执持应器。于所游城。次第循乞。心中初求最后檀越。以为斋主。无问净秽。刹利尊姓。及旃陀罗。方行等慈。不择微贱。发意圆成。一切众生。无量功德。阿难已知如来世尊。诃须菩提。及大迦叶。为阿罗汉。心不均平。钦仰如来。开阐无遮。度诸疑谤。经彼城隍。徐步郭门。严整威仪。肃恭斋法。
　　尔时。阿难因乞食次。经历淫室。遭大幻术。摩登伽女。以娑毗迦罗先梵天咒。摄入淫席。淫躬抚摩。将毁戒体。如来知彼淫术所加。斋毕旋归。王及大臣。长者居士。俱来随佛。愿闻法要。于时。世尊顶放百宝无畏光明。光中出生千叶宝莲。有佛化身。结跏趺坐。宣说神咒。敕文殊师利。将咒往护。恶咒消灭。提奨阿难。及摩登伽。归来佛所。阿难见佛。顶礼悲泣。恨无始来。一向多闻。未全道力。殷勤启请。十方如来得成菩提。妙奢摩他。三摩禅那。最初方便。于时。复有恒沙菩萨。及诸十方大阿罗汉。辟支佛等。俱愿乐闻。退坐默然。承受圣旨。
　　佛告阿难。汝我同气。情均天伦。当初发心。于我法中。见何胜相。顿舍世间深重恩爱。
　　阿难白佛。我见如来三十二相。胜妙殊绝。形体映彻。犹如琉璃。常自思惟。此相非是欲爱所生。何以故。欲气粗浊。腥臊交遘。脓血杂乱。不能发生胜净妙明。紫金光聚。是以渴仰。从佛剃落。
　　佛言。善哉。阿难。汝等当知。一切众生。从无始来。生死相续。皆由不知常住真心。性净明体。用诸妄想。此想不真。故有轮转。汝今欲研无上菩提。真发明性。应当直心詶我所问。十方如来。同一道故。出离生死。皆以直心。心言直故。如是乃至终始地位。中间永无诸委曲相。阿难。我今问汝。当汝发心。缘于如来三十二相。将何所见。谁为爱乐。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如是爱乐。用我心目。由目观见如来胜相。心生爱乐。故我发心。愿舍生死。
　　佛告阿难。如汝所说。真所爱乐。因于心目。若不识知心目所在。则不能得降伏尘劳。譬如国王。为贼所侵。发兵讨除。是兵要当知贼所在。使汝流转。心目为咎。吾今问汝。惟心与目。今何所在。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。一切世间。十种异生。同将识心居在身内。纵观如来青莲花眼。亦在佛面。我今观此浮根四尘。只在我面。如是识心。实居身内。
　　佛告阿难。汝今现坐如来讲堂。观祇陀林。今何所在。
　　世尊。此大重阁清净讲堂。在给孤园。今祇陀林。实在堂外。
　　阿难。汝今堂中。先何所见。
　　世尊。我在堂中。先见如来。次观大众。如是外望。方瞩林园。
　　阿难。汝瞩林园。因何有见。
　　世尊。此大讲堂。户牖开豁。故我在堂。得远瞻见。
　　尔时。世尊在大众中。舒金色臂。摩阿难顶。告示阿难。及诸大众。有三摩提。名大佛顶首楞严王。具足万行。十方如来。一门超出妙庄严路。汝今谛听。
　　阿难顶礼。伏受慈旨。
　　佛告阿难。如汝所言。身在讲堂。户牖开豁。远瞩林园。亦有众生。在此堂中。不见如来。见堂外者。
　　阿难答言。世尊。在堂不见如来。能见林泉。无有是处。
　　阿难。汝亦如是。汝之心灵。一切明了。若汝现前所明了心。实在身内。尔时先合了知内身。颇有众生。先见身中。后观外物。纵不能见心肝脾胃。爪生发长。筋转脉摇。诚合明了。如何不知。必不内知。云何知外。是故。应知汝言觉了能知之心。住在身内。无有是处。
　　阿难稽首。而白佛言。我闻如来如是法音。悟知我心。实居身外。所以者何。譬如灯光燃于室中。是灯必能先照室内。从其室门。后及庭际。一切众生。不见身中。独见身外。亦如灯光。居在室外。不能照室。是义必明。将无所惑。同佛了义。得无妄耶。
　　佛告阿难。是诸比丘。适来从我室罗筏城。循乞抟食。归祇陀林。我已宿斋。汝观比丘。一人食时。诸人饱否。
　　阿难答言。否也。世尊。何以故。是诸比丘。虽阿罗汉。躯命不同。云何一人。能令众饱。
　　佛告阿难。若汝觉了。知见之心实在身外。身心相外。自不相干。则心所知。身不能觉。觉在身际。心不能知。我今示汝兜罗绵手。汝眼见时。心分别否。
　　阿难答言。如是。世尊。
　　佛告阿难。若相知者。云何在外。是故。应知汝言觉了能知之心。住在身外。无有是处。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如佛所言。不见内故。不居身内。身心相知不相离故。不在身外。我今思惟。知在一处。
　　佛言。处今何在。
　　阿难言。此了知心。既不知内。而能见外。如我思忖。潜伏根里。犹如有人。取琉璃碗。合其两眼。虽有物合。而不留碍。彼根随见。随即分别。然我觉了能知之心。不见内者。为在根故。分明瞩外无障碍者。潜根内故。
　　佛告阿难。如汝所言。潜根内者。犹如琉璃。彼人当以琉璃笼眼。当见山河。见琉璃否。
　　如是。世尊。是人当以琉璃笼眼。实见琉璃。
　　佛告阿难。汝心若同琉璃合者。当见山河。何不见眼。若见眼者。眼即同境。不得成随。若不能见。云何说言此了知心。潜在根内。如琉璃合。是故。应知汝言觉了能知之心。潜伏根里。如琉璃合。无有是处。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。我今又作如是思惟。是众生身。腑藏在中。窍穴居外。有藏则暗。有窍则明。今我对佛。开眼见明。名为见外。闭眼见暗。名为见内。是义云何。
　　佛告阿难。汝当闭眼见暗之时。此暗境界。为与眼对。为不对眼。若与眼对。暗在眼前。云何成内。若成内者。居暗室中。无日月灯。此室暗中。皆汝焦腑。若不对者。云何成见。若离外见。内对所成。合眼见暗。名为身中。开眼见明。何不见面。若不见面。内对不成。见面若成。此了知心。及与眼根。乃在虚空。何成在内。若在虚空。自非汝体。即应如来今见汝面。亦是汝身。汝眼已知。身合非觉。必汝执言。身眼两觉。应有二知。即汝一身。应成两佛。是故。应知汝言见暗名见内者。无有是处。
　　阿难言。我常闻佛开示四众。由心生故。种种法生。由法生故。种种心生。我今思惟。即思惟体实我心性。随所合处。心则随有。亦非内外中间三处。
　　佛告阿难。汝今说言。由法生故。种种心生。随所合处。心随有者。是心无体。则无所合。若无有体。而能合者。则十九界。因七尘合。是义不然。若有体者。如汝以手自挃其体。汝所知心。为复内出。为从外入。若复内出。还见身中。若从外来。先合见面。
　　阿难言。见是其眼。心知非眼。为见非义。
　　佛言。若眼能见。汝在室中。门能见否。则诸已死。尚有眼存。应皆见物。若见物者。云何名死。阿难。又汝觉了能知之心。若必有体。为复一体。为有多体。今在汝身。为复遍体。为不遍体。若一体者。则汝以手挃一肢时。四肢应觉。若咸觉者。挃应无在。若挃有所。则汝一体。自不能成。若多体者。则成多人。何体为汝。若遍体者。同前所挃。若不遍者。当汝触头。亦触其足。头有所觉。足应无知。今汝不然。是故。应知随所合处。心则随有。无有是处。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。我亦闻佛。与文殊等诸法王子。谈实相时。世尊亦言。心不在内。亦不在外。如我思惟。内无所见。外不相知。内无知故。在内不成。身心相知。在外非义。今相知故。复内无见。当在中间。
　　佛言。汝言中间。中必不迷。非无所在。今汝推中。中何为在。为复在处。为当在身。若在身者。在边非中。在中同内。若在处者。为有所表。为无所表。无表同无。表则无定。何以故。如人以表。表为中时。东看则西。南观成北。表体既混。心应杂乱。
　　阿难言。我所说中。非此二种。如世尊言。眼色为缘。生于眼识。眼有分别。色尘无知。识生其中。则为心在。
　　佛言。汝心若在根尘之中。此之心体。为复兼二。为不兼二。若兼二者。物体杂乱。物非体知。成敌两立。云何为中。兼二不成。非知不知。即无体性。中何为相。是故。应知当在中间。无有是处。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。我昔见佛。与大目连。须菩提。富楼那。舍利弗。四大弟子。共转法轮。常言。觉知分别心性。既不在内。亦不在外。不在中间。俱无所在。一切无著。名之为心。则我无著。名为心否。
　　佛告阿难。汝言觉知分别心性。俱无在者。世间虚空。水陆飞行。诸所物象。名为一切。汝不著者。为在为无。无则同于龟毛兔角。云何不著。有不著者。不可名无。无相则无。非无则相。相有则在。云何无著。是故。应知一切无著。名觉知心。无有是处。
　　尔时。阿难在大众中。即从座起。偏袒右肩。右膝着地。合掌恭敬。而白佛言。我是如来最小之弟。蒙佛慈爱。虽今出家。犹恃骄怜。所以多闻。未得无漏。不能折伏娑毗罗咒。为彼所转。溺于淫舍。当由不知真际所诣。惟愿世尊。大慈哀愍。开示我等奢摩他路。令诸阐提。隳弥戾车。作是语已。五体投地。及诸大众。倾渴翘伫。钦闻示诲。
　　尔时。世尊从其面门。放种种光。其光晃耀。如百千日。普佛世界。六种震动。如是十方微尘国土。一时开现。佛之威神。令诸世界。合成一界。其世界中。所有一切诸大菩萨。皆住本国。合掌承听。
　　佛告阿难。一切众生。从无始来。种种颠倒。业种自然。如恶叉聚。诸修行人。不能得成无上菩提。乃至别成声闻缘觉。及成外道。诸天魔王。及魔眷属。皆由不知二种根本。错乱修习。犹如煮沙。欲成嘉馔。纵经尘劫。终不能得。云何二种。阿难。一者。无始生死根本。则汝今者。与诸众生。用攀缘心。为自性者。二者。无始菩提涅槃。元清净体。则汝今者。识精元明。能生诸缘。缘所遗者。由诸众生。遗此本明。虽终日行。而不自觉。枉入诸趣。阿难。汝今欲知奢摩他路。愿出生死。今复问汝。即时。如来举金色臂。屈五轮指。语阿难言。汝今见否。
　　阿难言。见。
　　佛言。汝何所见。
　　阿难言。我见如来举臂屈指。为光明拳。耀我心目。
　　佛言。汝将谁见。
　　阿难言。我与大众。同将眼见。
　　佛告阿难。汝今答我。如来屈指为光明拳。耀汝心目。汝目可见。以何为心。当我拳耀。
　　阿难言。如来现今征心所在。而我以心推穷寻逐。即能推者。我将为心。
　　佛言。咄。阿难。此非汝心。
　　阿难矍然。避座合掌。起立白佛。此非我心。当名何等。
　　佛告阿难。此是前尘虚妄相想。惑汝真性。由汝无始至于今生。认贼为子。失汝元常。故受轮转。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。我佛宠弟。心爱佛故。令我出家。我心何独供养如来。乃至遍历恒沙国土。承事诸佛。及善知识。发大勇猛。行诸一切难行法事。皆用此心。纵令谤法。永退善根。亦因此心。若此发明不是心者。我乃无心。同诸土木。离此觉知。更无所有。云何如来说此非心。我实惊怖。兼此大众。无不疑惑。惟垂大悲。开示未悟。
　　尔时。世尊开示阿难。及诸大众。欲令心入无生法忍。于狮子座。摩阿难顶。而告之言。如来常说。诸法所生。惟心所现。一切因果。世界微尘。因心成体。阿难。若诸世界。一切所有。其中乃至草叶缕结。诘其根元。咸有体性。纵令虚空。亦有名貌。何况清净妙净明心。性一切心。而自无体。若汝执吝。分别觉观。所了知性。必为心者。此心即应离诸一切。色香味触。诸尘事业。别有全性。如汝今者。承听我法。此则因声而有分别。纵灭一切见闻觉知。内守幽闲。犹为法尘分别影事。我非敕汝。执为非心。但汝于心。微细揣摩。若离前尘有分别性。即真汝心。若分别性。离尘无体。斯则前尘分别影事。尘非常住。若变灭时。此心则同龟毛兔角。则汝法身同于断灭。其谁修证。无生法忍。
　　即时。阿难与诸大众。默然自失。
　　佛告阿难。世间一切诸修学人。现前虽成九次第定。不得漏尽。成阿罗汉。皆由执此生死妄想。误为真实。是故。汝今虽得多闻。不成圣果。
　　阿难闻已。重复悲泪。五体投地。长跪合掌。而白佛言。自我从佛发心出家。恃佛威神。常自思惟。无劳我修。将谓如来惠我三昧。不知身心本不相代。失我本心。虽身出家。心不入道。譬如穷子舍父逃逝。今日乃知虽有多闻。若不修行。与不闻等。如人说食。终不能饱。世尊。我等今者二障所缠。良由不知寂常心性。惟愿如来。哀愍穷露。发妙明心。开我道眼。
　　即时。如来从胸卍字。涌出宝光。其光晃昱。有百千色。十方微尘。普佛世界。一时周遍。遍灌十方。所有宝刹。诸如来顶。旋至阿难。及诸大众。告阿难言。吾今为汝建大法幢。亦令十方一切众生。获妙微密。性净明心。得清净眼。阿难。汝先答我见光明拳。此拳光明因何所有。云何成拳。汝将谁见。
　　阿难言。由佛全体阎浮檀金。赩如宝山。清净所生。故有光明。我实眼观。五轮指端。屈握示人。故有拳相。
　　佛告阿难。如来今日实言告汝。诸有智者。要以譬喻而得开悟。阿难。譬如我拳。若无我手。不成我拳。若无汝眼。不成汝见。以汝眼根。例我拳理。其义均否。
　　阿难言。惟然。世尊。既无我眼。不成我见。以我眼根。例如来拳。事义相类。
　　佛告阿难。汝言相类。是义不然。何以故。如无手人。拳毕竟灭。彼无眼者。非见全无。所以者何。汝试于途。询问盲人。汝何所见。彼诸盲人。必来答汝。我今眼前。惟见黑暗。更无他瞩。以是义观。前尘自暗。见何亏损。
　　阿难言。诸盲眼前。惟睹黑暗。云何成见。
　　佛告阿难。诸盲无眼。惟观黑暗。与有眼人。处于暗室。二黑有别。为无有别。
　　如是。世尊。此暗中人。与彼群盲。二黑校量。曾无有异。
　　阿难。若无眼人。全见前黑。忽得眼光。还于前尘。见种种色。名眼见者。彼暗中人。全见前黑。忽获灯光。亦于前尘。见种种色。应名灯见。若灯见者。灯能有见。自不名灯。又则灯观。何关汝事。是故。当知灯能显色。如是见者。是眼非灯。眼能显色。如是见性。是心非眼。
　　阿难虽复得闻是言。与诸大众。口已默然。心未开悟。犹冀如来慈音宣示。合掌清心。伫佛悲诲。
　　尔时。世尊舒兜罗绵网相光手。开五轮指。诲敕阿难。及诸大众。我初成道。于鹿园中。为阿若多。五比丘等。及汝四众言。一切众生。不成菩提。及阿罗汉。皆由客尘烦恼所误。汝等当时。因何开悟。今成圣果。
　　时。骄陈那。起立白佛。我今长老。于大众中。独得解名。因悟客尘二字成果。世尊。譬如行客投寄旅亭。或宿或食。食宿事毕。俶装前途。不遑安住。若实主人。自无攸往。如是思惟。不住名客。住名主人。以不住者。名为客义。又如新霁。清旸升天。光入隙中。发明空中诸有尘相。尘质摇动。虚空寂然。如是思惟。澄寂名空。摇动名尘。以摇动者。名为尘义。
　　佛言。如是。
　　即时。如来于大众中。屈五轮指。屈已复开。开已又屈。谓阿难言。汝今何见。
　　阿难言。我见如来百宝轮掌。众中开合。
　　佛告阿难。汝见我手。众中开合。为是我手。有开有合。为复汝见。有开有合。
　　阿难言。世尊。宝手众中开合。我见如来手自开合。非我见性自开自合。
　　佛言。谁动谁静。
　　阿难言。佛手不住。而我见性。尚无有静。谁为无住。
　　佛言。如是。
　　如来于是从轮掌中。飞一宝光。在阿难右。即时。阿难回首右盼。又放一光。在阿难左。阿难又则回首左盼。
　　佛告阿难。汝头今日何因摇动。
　　阿难言。我见如来出妙宝光。来我左右。故左右观。头自摇动。
　　阿难。汝盼佛光。左右动头。为汝头动。为复见动。
　　世尊。我头自动。而我见性。尚无有止。谁为摇动。
　　佛言。如是。
　　于是。如来普告大众。若复众生。以摇动者。名之为尘。以不住者。名之为客。汝观阿难头自动摇。见无所动。又汝观我。手自开合。见无舒卷。云何汝今以动为身。以动为境。从始洎终。念念生灭。遗失真性。颠倒行事。性心失真。认物为己。轮回是中。自取流转。
　　卷二
　　尔时。阿难及诸大众。闻佛示诲。身心泰然。念无始来。失却本心。妄认缘尘。分别影事。今日开悟。如失乳儿。忽遇慈母。合掌礼佛。愿闻如来。显出身心。真妄虚实。现前生灭。与不生灭。二发明性。
　　时。波斯匿王。起立白佛。我昔未承诸佛诲敕。见迦旃延。毗罗胝子。咸言。此身死后断灭。名为涅槃。我虽值佛。今犹狐疑。云何发挥。证知此心。不生灭地。令此大众。诸有漏者。咸皆愿闻。
　　佛告大王。汝身现存。今复问汝。汝此肉身。为同金刚常住不朽。为复变坏。
　　世尊。我今此身。终从变灭。
　　佛言。大王。汝未曾灭。云何知灭。
　　世尊。我此无常变坏之身。虽未曾灭。我观现前。念念迁谢。新新不住。如火成灰。渐渐销殒。殒亡不息。决知此身。当从灭尽。
　　佛言。如是。大王。汝今生龄。已从衰老。颜貌何如童子之时。
　　世尊。我昔孩孺。肤腠润泽。年至长成。血气充满。而今颓龄。迫于衰耄。形色枯悴。精神昏昧。发白面皱。逮将不久。如何见比充盛之时。
　　佛言。大王。汝之形容。应不顿朽。
　　王言。世尊。变化密移。我诚不觉。寒暑迁流。渐至于此。何以故。我年二十。虽号年少。颜貌已老初十年时。三十之年又衰二十。于今六十又过于二。观五十时。宛然强壮。世尊。我见密移。虽此殂落。其间流易。且限十年。若复令我微细思惟。其变宁惟一纪二纪。实为年变。岂惟年变。亦兼月化。何直月化。兼又日迁。沉思谛观。刹那刹那。念念之间。不得停住。故知我身。终从变灭。
　　佛言。大王。汝见变化。迁改不停。悟知汝灭。亦于灭时。知汝身中有不灭耶。
　　波斯匿王。合掌白佛。我实不知。
　　佛言。我今示汝不生灭性。大王。汝年几时。见恒河水。
　　王言。我生三岁。慈母携我。谒耆婆天。经过此流。尔时即知是恒河水。
　　佛言。大王。如汝所说。二十之时衰于十岁。乃至六十。日月岁时。念念迁变。则汝三岁见此河时。至年十三。其水云何。
　　王言。如三岁时。宛然无异。乃至于今。年六十二。亦无有异。
　　佛言。汝今自伤发白面皱。其面必定皱于童年。则汝今时。观此恒河。与昔童时。观河之见。有童耄否。
　　王言。否也。世尊。
　　佛言。大王。汝面虽皱。而此见精。性未曾皱。皱者为变。不皱非变。变者受灭。彼不变者。元无生灭。云何于中受汝生死。而犹引彼末伽黎等。都言此身死后全灭。
　　王闻是言。信知身后。舍生趣生。与诸大众。踊跃欢喜。得未曾有。
　　阿难即从座起。礼佛合掌。长跪白佛。世尊。若此见闻。必不生灭。云何世尊。名我等辈。遗失真性。颠倒行事。愿兴慈悲。洗我尘垢。
　　即时。如来垂金色臂。轮手下指。示阿难言。汝今见我母陀罗手。为正为倒。
　　阿难言。世间众生。以此为倒。而我不知谁正谁倒。
　　佛告阿难。若世间人。以此为倒。即世间人。将何为正。
　　阿难言。如来竖臂。兜罗绵手。上指于空。则名为正。
　　佛即竖臂。告阿难言。若此颠倒。首尾相换。诸世间人。一倍瞻视。则知汝身。与诸如来。清净法身。比类发明。如来之身。名正遍知。汝等之身。号性颠倒。随汝谛观。汝身佛身。称颠倒者。名字何处。号为颠倒。
　　于时。阿难与诸大众。瞪瞢瞻佛。目精不瞬。不知身心。颠倒所在。佛兴慈悲。哀愍阿难。及诸大众。发海潮音。遍告同会。诸善男子。我常说言。色心诸缘。及心所使。诸所缘法。惟心所现。汝身汝心。皆是妙明真精妙心中所现物。云何汝等。遗失本妙。圆妙明心。宝明妙性。认悟中迷。晦昧为空。空晦暗中。结暗为色。色杂妄想。想相为身。聚缘内摇。趣外奔逸。昏扰扰相。以为心性。一迷为心。决定惑为色身之内。不知色身。外洎山河虚空大地。咸是妙明真心中物。譬如澄清百千大海。弃之。惟认一浮沤体。目为全潮。穷尽瀛渤。汝等即是迷中倍人。如我垂手。等无差别。如来说为可怜愍者。
　　阿难承佛悲救深诲。垂泣叉手。而白佛言。我虽承佛如是妙音。悟妙明心。元所圆满。常住心地。而我悟佛现说法音。现以缘心。允所瞻仰。徒获此心。未敢认为本元心地。愿佛哀愍。宣示圆音。拔我疑根。归无上道。
　　佛告阿难。汝等尚以缘心听法。此法亦缘。非得法性。如人以手。指月示人。彼人因指。当应看月。若复观指。以为月体。此人岂惟亡失月轮。亦亡其指。何以故。以所标指。为明月故。岂惟亡指。亦复不识明之与暗。何以故。即以指体。为月明性。明暗二性。无所了故。汝亦如是。若以分别我说法音。为汝心者。此心自应离分别音。有分别性。譬如有客。寄宿旅亭。暂止便去。终不常住。而掌亭人。都无所去。名为亭主。此亦如是。若真汝心。则无所去。云何离声。无分别性。斯则岂惟声分别心。分别我容。离诸色相。无分别性。如是乃至分别都无。非色非空。拘舍离等。昧为冥谛。离诸法缘。无分别性。则汝心性。各有所还。云何为主。
　　阿难言。若我心性。各有所还。则如来说。妙明元心。云何无还。惟垂哀愍。为我宣说。
　　佛告阿难。且汝见我。见精明元。此见虽非妙精明心。如第二月。非是月影。汝应谛听。今当示汝无所还地。阿难。此大讲堂。洞开东方。日轮升天。则有明耀。中夜黑月。云雾晦暝。则复昏暗。户牖之隙。则复见通。墙宇之间。则复观壅。分别之处。则复见缘。顽虚之中。遍是空性。郁孛之象。则纡昏尘。澄霁敛氛。又观清净。阿难。汝咸看此诸变化相。吾今各还本所因处。云何本因。阿难。此诸变化。明还日轮。何以故。无日不明。明因属日。是故还日。暗还黑月。通还户牖。壅还墙宇。缘还分别。顽虚还空。郁孛还尘。清明还霁。则诸世间一切所有。不出斯类。汝见八种见精明性。当欲谁还。何以故。若还于明。则不明时。无复见暗。虽明暗等。种种差别。见无差别。诸可还者。自然非汝。不汝还者。非汝而谁。则知汝心。本妙明净。汝自迷闷。丧本受轮。于生死中。常被漂溺。是故。如来名可怜愍。
　　阿难言。我虽识此见性无还。云何得知是我真性。
　　佛告阿难。吾今问汝。今汝未得无漏清净。承佛神力。见于初禅。得无障碍。而阿那律。见阎浮提。如观掌中庵摩罗果。诸菩萨等。见百千界。十方如来。穷尽微尘清净国土。无所不瞩。众生洞视。不过分寸。阿难。且吾与汝。观四天王所住宫殿。中间遍览水陆空行。虽有昏明。种种形像。无非前尘。分别留碍。汝应于此。分别自他。今吾将汝择于见中。谁是我体。谁为物象。阿难。极汝见源。从日月宫。是物非汝。至七金山。周遍谛观。虽种种光。亦物非汝。渐渐更观。云腾鸟飞。风动尘起。树木山川。草芥人畜。咸物非汝。阿难。是诸近远诸有物性。虽复差殊。同汝见精。清净所瞩。则诸物类。自有差别。见性无殊。此精妙明。诚汝见性。若见是物。则汝亦可见吾之见。若同见者。名为见吾。吾不见时。何不见吾不见之处。若见不见。自然非彼不见之相。若不见吾不见之地。自然非物。云何非汝。又则汝今见物之时。汝既见物。物亦见汝。体性纷杂。则汝与我。并诸世间。不成安立。阿难。若汝见时。是汝非我。见性周遍。非汝而谁。云何自疑汝之真性。性汝不真。取我求实。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。若此见性。必我非余。我与如来。观四天王胜藏宝殿。居日月宫。此见周圆。遍娑婆国。退归精舍。只见伽蓝。清心户堂。但瞻檐庑。世尊。此见如是。其体本来周遍一界。今在室中。惟满一室。为复此见缩大为小。为当墙宇夹令断绝。我今不知斯义所在。愿垂弘慈。为我敷演。
　　佛告阿难。一切世间。大小内外。诸所事业。各属前尘。不应说言见有舒缩。譬如方器。中见方空。吾复问汝。此方器中所见方空。为复定方。为不定方。若定方者。别安圆器。空应不圆。若不定者。在方器中。应无方空。汝言不知斯义所在。义性如是。云何为在。阿难。若复欲令入无方圆。但除器方。空体无方。不应说言。更除虚空方相所在。若如汝问。入室之时。缩见令小。仰观日时。汝岂挽见齐于日面。若筑墙宇。能夹见断。穿为小窦。宁无窦迹。是义不然。一切众生。从无始来。迷己为物。失于本心。为物所转。故于是中。观大观小。若能转物。则同如来。身心圆明。不动道场。于一毛端。遍能含受十方国土。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。若此见精。必我妙性。令此妙性。现在我前。见必我真。我今身心。复是何物。而今身心分别有实。彼见无别分辨我身。若实我心。令我今见。见性实我。而身非我。何殊如来先所难言。物能见我。惟垂大慈。开发未悟。
　　佛告阿难。今汝所言。见在汝前。是义非实。若实汝前。汝实见者。则此见精。既有方所。非无指示。且今与汝。坐祇陀林。遍观林渠。及与殿堂。上至日月。前对恒河。汝今于我狮子座前。举手指陈。是种种相。阴者是林。明者是日。碍者是壁。通者是空。如是乃至草树纤毫。大小虽殊。但可有形。无不指着。若必有见。现在汝前。汝应以手确实指陈。何者是见。阿难。当知若空是见。既已成见。何者是空。若物是见。既已是见。何者为物。汝可微细披剥万象。析出精明净妙见元。指陈示我。同彼诸物。分明无惑。
　　阿难言。我今于此重阁讲堂。远洎恒河。上观日月。举手所指。纵目所观。指皆是物。无是见者。世尊。如佛所说。况我有漏初学声闻。乃至菩萨。亦不能于万物象前。剖出精见。离一切物。别有自性。
　　佛言。如是如是。佛复告阿难。如汝所言。无有精见。离一切物。别有自性。则汝所指是物之中。无是见者。今复告汝。汝与如来。坐祇陀林。更观林苑。乃至日月。种种象殊。必无见精。受汝所指。汝又发明此诸物中。何者非见。
　　阿难言。我实遍见此祇陀林。不知是中。何者非见。何以故。若树非见。云何见树。若树即见。复云何树。如是乃至若空非见。云何为空。若空即见。复云何空。我又思惟。是万象中。微细发明。无非见者。
　　佛言。如是如是。
　　于是大众。非无学者。闻佛此言。茫然不知是义终始。一时惶悚。失其所守。如来知其魂虑变慑。心生怜愍。安慰阿难。及诸大众。诸善男子。无上法王。是真实语。如所如说。不诳不妄。非末伽黎。四种不死矫乱论议。汝谛思惟。无忝哀慕。
　　是时。文殊师利法王子。愍诸四众。在大众中。即从座起。顶礼佛足。合掌恭敬。而白佛言。世尊。此诸大众。不悟如来发明二种精见色空。是非是义。世尊。若此前缘。色空等象。若是见者。应有所指。若非见者。应无所瞩。而今不知是义所归。故有惊怖。非是畴昔善根轻鲜。惟愿如来。大慈发明。此诸物象。与此见精。元是何物。于其中间。无是非是。
　　佛告文殊。及诸大众。十方如来。及大菩萨。于其自住三摩地中。见与见缘。并所想相。如虚空花。本无所有。此见及缘。元是菩提妙净明体。云何于中有是非是。文殊。吾今问汝。如汝文殊。更有文殊。是文殊者。为无文殊。
　　如是。世尊。我真文殊。无是文殊。何以故。若有是者。则二文殊。然我今日。非无文殊。于中实无是非二相。
　　佛言。此见妙明。与诸空尘。亦复如是。本是妙明。无上菩提净圆真心。妄为色空。及与闻见。如第二月。谁为是月。又谁非月。文殊。但一月真。中间自无是月非月。是以汝今观见与尘。种种发明。名为妄想。不能于中出是非是。由是精真妙觉明性。故能令汝出指非指。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。诚如法王所说。觉缘遍十方界。湛然常住。性非生灭。与先梵志。娑毗迦罗。所谈冥谛。及投灰等。诸外道种。说有真我。遍满十方。有何差别。世尊亦曾于楞伽山。为大慧等。敷演斯义。彼外道等。常说自然。我说因缘。非彼境界。我今观此觉性自然。非生非灭。远离一切虚妄颠倒。似非因缘。与彼自然。云何开示。不入群邪。获真实心。妙觉明性。
　　佛告阿难。我今如是开示方便。真实告汝。汝犹未悟。惑为自然。阿难。若必自然。自须甄明有自然体。汝且观此妙明见中。以何为自。此见为复以明为自。以暗为自。以空为自。以塞为自。阿难。若明为自。应不见暗。若复以空为自体者。应不见塞。如是乃至诸暗等相。以为自者。则于明时。见性断灭。云何见明。
　　阿难言。必此妙见。性非自然。我今发明是因缘性。心犹未明。咨询如来。是义云何。合因缘性。
　　佛言。汝言因缘。吾复问汝。汝今同见。见性现前。此见为复因明有见。因暗有见。因空有见。因塞有见。阿难。若因明有。应不见暗。如因暗有。应不见明。如是乃至因空因塞。同于明暗。复次。阿难。此见又复缘明有见。缘暗有见。缘空有见。缘塞有见。阿难。若缘空有。应不见塞。若缘塞有。应不见空。如是乃至缘明缘暗。同于空塞。当知如是精觉妙明。非因非缘。亦非自然。非不自然。无非不非。无是非是。离一切相。即一切法。汝今云何于中措心。以诸世间戏论名相。而得分别。如以手掌。撮摩虚空。只益自劳。虚空云何随汝执捉。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。必妙觉性。非因非缘。世尊。云何常与比丘。宣说见性具四种缘。所谓。因空因明。因心因眼。是义云何。
　　佛言。阿难。我说世间诸因缘相。非第一义。阿难。吾复问汝。诸世间人。说我能见。云何名见。云何不见。
　　阿难言。世人因于日月灯光。见种种相。名之为见。若复无此三种光明。则不能见。
　　阿难。若无明时。名不见者。应不见暗。若必见暗。此但无明。云何无见。阿难。若在暗时。不见明故。名为不见。今在明时。不见暗相。还名不见。如是二相。俱名不见。若复二相自相陵夺。非汝见性于中暂无。如是则知二俱名见。云何不见。是故。阿难。汝今当知。见明之时。见非是明。见暗之时。见非是暗。见空之时。见非是空。见塞之时。见非是塞。四义成就。汝复应知。见见之时。见非是见。见犹离见。见不能及。云何复说因缘自然。及和合相。汝等声闻。狭劣无识。不能通达清净实相。吾今诲汝。当善思惟。无得疲怠。妙菩提路。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如佛世尊。为我等辈。宣说因缘。及与自然。诸和合相。与不和合。心犹未开。而今更闻见见非见。重增迷闷。伏愿弘慈。施大慧目。开示我等觉心明净。作是语已。悲泪顶礼。承受圣旨。
　　尔时。世尊怜愍阿难。及诸大众。将欲敷演大陀罗尼。诸三摩提。妙修行路。告阿难言。汝虽强记。但益多闻。于奢摩他。微密观照。心犹未了。汝今谛听。吾今为汝分别开示。亦令将来。诸有漏者。获菩提果。阿难。一切众生。轮回世间。由二颠倒分别见妄。当处发生。当业轮转。云何二见。一者。众生别业妄见。二者。众生同分妄见。云何名为别业妄见。阿难。如世间人。目有赤眚。夜见灯光。别有圆影。五色重叠。于意云何。此夜灯明所现圆光。为是灯色。为当见色。阿难。此若灯色。则非眚人何不同见。而此圆影。惟眚之观。若是见色。见已成色。则彼眚人见圆影者。名为何等。复次。阿难。若此圆影离灯别有。则合傍观屏帐几筵。有圆影出。离见别有。应非眼瞩。云何眚人目见圆影。是故。当知色实在灯。见病为影。影见俱眚。见眚非病。终不应言是灯是见。于是中有非灯非见。如第二月。非体非影。何以故。第二之观。捏所成故。诸有智者。不应说言。此捏根元。是形非形。离见非见。此亦如是。目眚所成。今欲名谁是灯是见。何况分别非灯非见。云何名为同分妄见。阿难。此阎浮提。除大海水。中间平陆。有三千洲。正中大洲。东西括量。大国凡有二千三百。其余小洲在诸海中。其间或有三两百国。或一或二。至于三十四十五十。阿难。若复此中。有一小洲。只有两国。惟一国人。同感恶缘。则彼小洲。当土众生。睹诸一切不祥境界。或见二日。或见两月。其中乃至晕蚀佩玦。彗孛飞流。负耳虹霓。种种恶相。但此国见。彼国众生。本所不见。亦复不闻。阿难。吾今为汝。以此二事。进退合明。阿难。如彼众生。别业妄见。瞩灯光中所现圆影。虽现似境。终彼见者。目眚所成。眚即见劳。非色所造。然见眚者。终无见咎。例汝今日。以目观见山河国土。及诸众生。皆是无始见病所成。见与见缘。似现前境。元我觉明见所缘眚。觉见即眚。本觉明心。觉缘非眚。觉所觉眚。觉非眚中。此实见见。云何复名觉闻知见。是故。汝今见我及汝。并诸世间十类众生。皆即见眚。非见眚者。彼见真精。性非眚者。故不名见。阿难。如彼众生同分妄见。例彼妄见别业一人。一病目人。同彼一国。彼见圆影。眚妄所生。此众同分所现不祥。同见业中。瘴恶所起。俱是无始见妄所生。例阎浮提。三千洲中。兼四大海。娑婆世界。并洎十方。诸有漏国。及诸众生。同是觉明无漏妙心。见闻觉知虚妄病缘。和合妄生。和合妄死。若能远离诸和合缘。及不和合。则复灭除诸生死因。圆满菩提。不生灭性。清净本心。本觉常住。阿难。汝虽先悟本觉妙明。性非因缘。非自然性。而犹未明如是觉元。非和合生。及不和合。阿难。吾今复以前尘问汝。汝今犹以。一切世间。妄想和合。诸因缘性。而自疑惑。证菩提心和合起者。则汝今者妙净见精。为与明和。为与暗和。为与通和。为与塞和。若明和者。且汝观明。当明现前。何处杂见。见相可辨。杂何形像。若非见者。云何见明。若即见者。云何见见。必见圆满。何处和明。若明圆满。不合见和。见必异明。杂则失彼性明名字。杂失明性。和明非义。彼暗与通。及诸群塞。亦复如是。复次。阿难。又汝今者妙净见精。为与明合。为与暗合。为与通合。为与塞合。若明合者。至于暗时。明相已灭。此见即不与诸暗合。云何见暗。若见暗时。不与暗合。与明合者。应非见明。既不见明。云何明合。了明非暗。彼暗与通。及诸群塞。亦复如是。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如我思惟。此妙觉元。与诸缘尘。及心念虑。非和合耶。
　　佛言。汝今又言觉非和合。吾复问汝。此妙见精。非和合者。为非明和。为非暗和。为非通和。为非塞和。若非明和。则见与明。必有边畔。汝且谛观。何处是明。何处是见。在见在明。自何为畔。阿难。若明际中必无见者。则不相及。自不知其明相所在。畔云何成。彼暗与通。及诸群塞。亦复如是。又妙见精。非和合者。为非明合。为非暗合。为非通合。为非塞合。若非明合。则见与明。性相乖角。如耳与明。了不相触。见且不知明相所在。云何甄明合非合理。彼暗与通。及诸群塞。亦复如是。阿难。汝犹未明一切浮尘。诸幻化相。当处出生。随处灭尽。幻妄称相。其性真为妙觉明体。如是乃至五阴六入。从十二处。至十八界。因缘和合。虚妄有生。因缘别离。虚妄名灭。殊不能知。生灭去来。本如来藏。常住妙明。不动周圆。妙真如性。性真常中。求于去来。迷悟死生。了无所得。阿难。云何五阴。本如来藏。妙真如性。阿难。譬如有人。以清净目。观晴明空。惟一精虚。迥无所有。其人无故。不动目睛。瞪以发劳。则于虚空。别见狂花。复有一切狂乱非相。色阴当知。亦复如是。阿难。是诸狂花。非从空来。非从目出。如是。阿难。若空来者。既从空来。还从空入。若有出入。即非虚空。空若非空。自不容其花相起灭。如阿难体。不容阿难。若目出者。既从目出。还从目入。即此花性从目出故。当合有见。若有见者。去既花空。旋合见眼。若无见者。出既翳空。旋当翳眼。又见花时。目应无翳。云何晴空。号清明眼。是故。当知色阴虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。阿难。譬如有人。手足宴安。百骸调适。忽如忘生。性无违顺。其人无故。以二手掌。于空相摩。于二手中。妄生涩滑冷热诸相。受阴当知。亦复如是。阿难。是诸幻触。不从空来。不从掌出。如是。阿难。若空来者。既能触掌。何不触身。不应虚空。选择来触。若从掌出。应非待合。又掌出故。合则掌知。离即触入。臂腕骨髓。应亦觉知入时踪迹。必有觉心。知出知入。自有一物。身中往来。何待合知。要名为触。是故。当知受阴虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。阿难。譬如有人。谈说醋梅。口中水出。思踏悬崖。足心酸涩。想阴当知。亦复如是。阿难。如是醋说。不从梅生。非从口入。如是。阿难。若梅生者。梅合自谈。何待人说。若从口入。自合口闻。何须待耳。若独耳闻。此水何不耳中而出。想踏悬崖。与说相类。是故。当知想阴虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。阿难。譬如暴流。波浪相续。前际后际。不相逾越。行阴当知。亦复如是。阿难。如是流性。不因空生。不因水有。亦非水性。非离空水。如是。阿难。若因空生。则诸十方无尽虚空。成无尽流。世界自然俱受沦溺。若因水有。则此暴流性应非水。有所有相。今应现在。若即水性。则澄清时。应非水体。若离空水。空非有外。水外无流。是故。当知行阴虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。阿难。譬如有人取频伽瓶。塞其两孔。满中擎空。千里远行。用饷他国。识阴当知。亦复如是。阿难。如是虚空。非彼方来。非此方入。如是。阿难。若彼方来。则本瓶中既贮空去。于本瓶地。应少虚空。若此方入。开孔倒瓶。应见空出。是故。当知识阴虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　卷三
　　复次。阿难。云何六入。本如来藏。妙真如性。阿难。即彼目精瞪发劳者。兼目与劳。同是菩提瞪发劳相。因于明暗二种妄尘。发见居中。吸此尘象。名为见性。此见离彼明暗二尘。毕竟无体。如是。阿难。当知是见。非明暗来。非于根出。不于空生。何以故。若从明来。暗即随灭。应非见暗。若从暗来。明即随灭。应无见明。若从根生。必无明暗。如是见精。本无自性。若于空出。前瞩尘象。归当见根。又空自观。何关汝入。是故。当知眼入虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。譬如有人。以两手指急塞其耳。耳根劳故。头中作声。兼耳与劳。同是菩提瞪发劳相。因于动静二种妄尘。发闻居中。吸此尘象。名听闻性。此闻离彼动静二尘。毕竟无体。如是。阿难。当知是闻。非动静来。非于根出。不于空生。何以故。若从静来。动即随灭。应非闻动。若从动来。静即随灭。应无觉静。若从根生。必无动静。如是闻体。本无自性。若于空出。有闻成性。即非虚空。又空自闻。何关汝入。是故。当知耳入虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。譬如有人。急畜其鼻。畜久成劳。则于鼻中。闻有冷触。因触分别。通塞虚实。如是乃至诸香臭气。兼鼻与劳。同是菩提瞪发劳相。因于通塞二种妄尘。发闻居中。吸此尘象。名嗅闻性。此闻离彼通塞二尘。毕竟无体。当知是闻。非通塞来。非于根出。不于空生。何以故。若从通来。塞自随灭。云何知塞。如因塞有。通则无闻。云何发明香臭等触。若从根生。必无通塞。如是闻体。本无自性。若从空出。是闻自当回嗅汝鼻。空自有闻。何关汝入。是故。当知鼻入虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。譬如有人。以舌舐吻。熟舐令劳。其人若病。则有苦味。无病之人。微有甜触。由甜与苦。显此舌根。不动之时。淡性常在。兼舌与劳。同是菩提瞪发劳相。因甜苦淡二种妄尘。发知居中。吸此尘象。名知味性。此知味性。离彼甜苦。及淡二尘。毕竟无体。如是。阿难。当知如是尝苦淡知。非甜苦来。非因淡有。又非根出。不于空生。何以故。若甜苦来。淡即知灭。云何知淡。若从淡出。甜即知亡。复云何知甜苦二相。若从舌生。必无甜淡。及与苦尘。斯知味根。本无自性。若于空出。虚空自味。非汝口知。又空自知。何关汝入。是故。当知舌入虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。譬如有人。以一冷手。触于热手。若冷势多。热者从冷。若热功胜。冷者成热。如是以此合觉之触。显于离知。涉势若成。因于劳触。兼身与劳。同是菩提瞪发劳相。因于离合二种妄尘。发觉居中。吸此尘象。名知觉性。此知觉体。离彼离合违顺二尘。毕竟无体。如是。阿难。当知是觉。非离合来。非违顺有。不于根出。又非空生。何以故。若合时来。离当已灭。云何觉离。违顺二相。亦复如是。若从根出。必无离合违顺四相。则汝身知。元无自性。必于空出。空自知觉。何关汝入。是故。当知身入虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。譬如有人。劳倦则眠。睡熟便寤。览尘斯忆。失忆为妄。是其颠倒生住异灭。吸习中归。不相逾越。称意知根。兼意与劳。同是菩提瞪发劳相。因于生灭二种妄尘。集知居中。吸撮内尘。见闻逆流。流不及地。名觉知性。此觉知性。离彼寤寐生灭二尘。毕竟无体。如是。阿难。当知如是觉知之根。非寤寐来。非生灭有。不于根出。亦非空生。何以故。若从寤来。寐即随灭。将何为寐。必生时有。灭即同无。令谁受灭。若从灭有。生即灭无。孰知生者。若从根出。寤寐二相随身开合。离斯二体。此觉知者。同于空花。毕竟无性。若从空生。自是空知。何关汝入。是故。当知意入虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　复次。阿难。云何十二处。本如来藏。妙真如性。
　　阿难。汝且观此祇陀树林。及诸泉池。于意云何。此等为是色生眼见。眼生色相。阿难。若复眼根。生色相者。见空非色。色性应销。销则显发一切都无。色相既无。谁明空质。空亦如是。若复色尘。生眼见者。观空非色。见即销亡。亡则都无。谁明空色。是故。当知见与色空。俱无处所。即色与见。二处虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。汝更听此祇陀园中。食办击鼓。众集撞钟。钟鼓音声。前后相续。于意云何。此等为是声来耳边。耳往声处。阿难。若复此声。来于耳边。如我乞食室罗筏城。在祇陀林。则无有我。此声必来阿难耳处。目连迦叶。应不俱闻。何况其中一千二百五十沙门。一闻钟声。同来食处。若复汝耳。往彼声边。如我归住祇陀林中。在室罗城。则无有我。汝闻鼓声。其耳已往击鼓之处。钟声齐出。应不俱闻。何况其中象马牛羊。种种音响。若无来往。亦复无闻。是故。当知听与音声。俱无处所。即听与声。二处虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。汝又嗅此炉中栴檀。此香若复燃于一铢。室罗筏城四十里内。同时闻气。于意云何。此香为复生栴檀木。生于汝鼻。为生于空。阿难。若复此香生于汝鼻。称鼻所生。当从鼻出。鼻非栴檀。云何鼻中有栴檀气。称汝闻香。当于鼻入。鼻中出香。说闻非义。若生于空。空性常恒。香应常在。何藉炉中。爇此枯木。若生于木。则此香质。因爇成烟。若鼻得闻。合蒙烟气。其烟腾空。未及遥远。四十里内。云何已闻。是故。当知香鼻与闻。俱无处所。即嗅与香。二处虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。汝常二时。众中持钵。其间或遇酥酪醍醐。名为上味。于意云何。此味为复生于空中。生于舌中。为生食中。阿难。若复此味。生于汝舌。在汝口中。只有一舌。其舌尔时已成酥味。遇黑石蜜。应不推移。若不变移。不名知味。若变移者。舌非多体。云何多味。一舌之知。若生于食。食非有识云何自知。又食自知。即同他食。何预于汝。名味之知。若生于空。汝啖虚空。当作何味。必其虚空。若作咸味。既咸汝舌。亦咸汝面。则此界人。同于海鱼。既常受咸。了不知淡。若不识淡。亦不觉咸。必无所知。云何名味。是故。当知味舌与尝。俱无处所。即尝与味。二俱虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。汝常晨朝以手摩头。于意云何。此摩所知。谁为能触。能为在手。为复在头。若在于手。头则无知。云何成触。若在于头。手则无用。云何名触。若各各有。则汝阿难。应有二身。若头与手一触所生。则手与头。当为一体。若一体者。触则无成。若二体者。触谁为在。在能非所。在所非能。不应虚空。与汝成触。是故。当知觉触与身。俱无处所。即身与触。二俱虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。汝常意中。所缘善恶无记三性。生成法则。此法为复即心所生。为当离心。别有方所。阿难。若即心者。法则非尘。非心所缘。云何成处。若离于心。别有方所。则法自性。为知非知。知则名心。异汝非尘。同他心量。即汝即心。云何汝心。更二于汝。若非知者。此尘既非色声香味。离合冷暖。及虚空相。当于何在。今于色空。都无表示。不应人间。更有空外。心非所缘。处从谁立。是故。当知法则与心。俱无处所。则意与法。二俱虚妄。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　复次。阿难。云何十八界。本如来藏。妙真如性。
　　阿难。如汝所明。眼色为缘。生于眼识。此识为复因眼所生。以眼为界。因色所生。以色为界。阿难。若因眼生。既无色空。无可分别。纵有汝识。欲将何用。汝见又非青黄赤白。无所表示。从何立界。若因色生。空无色时。汝识应灭。云何识知是虚空性。若色变时。汝亦识其色相迁变。汝识不迁。界从何立。从变则变。界相自无。不变则恒。既从色生。应不识知虚空所在。若兼二种。眼色共生。合则中离。离则两合。体性杂乱。云何成界。是故。当知眼色为缘。生眼识界。三处都无。则眼与色。及色界三。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。又汝所明。耳声为缘。生于耳识。此识为复因耳所生。以耳为界。因声所生。以声为界。阿难。若因耳生。动静二相既不现前。根不成知。必无所知。知尚无成。识何形貌。若取耳闻。无动静故。闻无所成。云何耳形。杂色触尘。名为识界。则耳识界。复从谁立。若生于声。识因声有。则不关闻。无闻则亡声相所在。识从声生。许声因闻而有声相。闻应闻识。不闻非界。闻则同声。识已被闻。谁知闻识。若无知者。终如草木。不应声闻杂成中界。界无中位。则内外相。复从何成。是故。当知耳声为缘。生耳识界。三处都无。则耳与声。及声界三。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。又汝所明。鼻香为缘。生于鼻识。此识为复因鼻所生。以鼻为界。因香所生。以香为界。阿难。若因鼻生。则汝心中。以何为鼻。为取肉形双爪之相。为取嗅知动摇之性。若取肉形。肉质乃身。身知即触。名身非鼻。名触即尘。鼻尚无名。云何立界。若取嗅知。又汝心中以何为知。以肉为知。则肉之知。元触非鼻。以空为知。空则自知。肉应非觉。如是则应虚空是汝。汝身非知。今日阿难。应无所在。以香为知。知自属香。何预于汝。若香臭气。必生汝鼻。则彼香臭二种流气。不生伊兰。及栴檀木。二物不来。汝自嗅鼻。为香为臭。臭则非香。香应非臭。若香臭二俱能闻者。则汝一人。应有两鼻。对我问道。有二阿难。谁为汝体。若鼻是一。香臭无二。臭既为香。香复成臭。二性不有。界从谁立。若因香生。识因香有。如眼有见。不能观眼。因香有故。应不知香。知则非生。不知非识。香非知有。香界不成。识不知香。因界则非从香建立。既无中间。不成内外。彼诸闻性。毕竟虚妄。是故。当知鼻香为缘。生鼻识界。三处都无。则鼻与香。及香界三。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。又汝所明。舌味为缘。生于舌识。此识为复因舌所生。以舌为界。因味所生。以味为界。阿难。若因舌生。则诸世间甘蔗乌梅。黄莲石盐。细辛姜桂。都无有味。汝自尝舌。为甜为苦。若舌性苦。谁来尝舌。舌不自尝。孰为知觉。舌性非苦。味自不生。云何立界。若因味生。识自为味。同于舌根。应不自尝。云何识知是味非味。又一切味。非一物生。味既多生。识应多体。识体若一。体必味生。咸淡甘辛。和合俱生。诸变异相。同为一味。应无分别。分别既无。则不名识。云何复名舌味识界。不应虚空。生汝心识。舌味和合。即于是中。元无自性。云何界生。是故。当知舌味为缘。生舌识界。三处都无。则舌与味。及舌界三。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。又汝所明。身触为缘。生于身识。此识为复因身所生。以身为界。因触所生。以触为界。阿难。若因身生。必无合离。二觉观缘。身何所识。若因触生。必无汝身。谁有非身知合离者。阿难。物不触知。身知有触。知身即触。知触即身。即触非身。即身非触。身触二相。元无处所。合身即为身自体性。离身即是虚空等相。内外不成。中云何立。中不复立。内外性空。即汝识生。从谁立界。是故。当知身触为缘。生身识界。三处都无。则身与触。及身界三。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难。又汝所明。意法为缘。生于意识。此识为复因意所生。以意为界。因法所生。以法为界。阿难。若因意生。于汝意中。必有所思。发明汝意。若无前法。意无所生。离缘无形。识将何用。又汝识心。与诸思量。兼了别性。为同为异。同意即意。云何所生。异意不同。应无所识。若无所识。云何意生。若有所识。云何识意。惟同与异。二性无成。界云何立。若因法生。世间诸法。不离五尘。汝观色法。及诸声法。香法味法。及与触法。相状分明。以对五根。非意所摄。汝识决定依于法生。汝今谛观。法法何状。若离色空。动静通塞。合离生灭。越此诸相。终无所得。生则色空诸法等生。灭则色空诸法等灭。所因既无。因生有识。作何形相。相状不有。界云何生。是故。当知意法为缘。生意识界。三处都无。则意与法。及意界三。本非因缘。非自然性。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如来常说和合因缘。一切世间。种种变化。皆因四大和合发明。云何如来。因缘自然。二俱排摈。我今不知。斯义所属。惟垂哀愍。开示众生。中道了义。无戏论法。
　　尔时。世尊告阿难言。汝先厌离声闻缘觉。诸小乘法。发心勤求无上菩提。故我今时。为汝开示第一义谛。如何复将世间戏论。妄想因缘。而自缠绕。汝虽多闻。如说药人。真药现前。不能分别。如来说为真可怜愍。汝今谛听。吾当为汝。分别开示。亦令当来修大乘者。通达实相。
　　阿难默然。承佛圣旨。
　　阿难。如汝所言。四大和合。发明世间种种变化。阿难。若彼大性。体非和合。则不能与诸大杂和。犹如虚空。不和诸色。若和合者。同于变化。始终相成。生灭相续。生死死生。生生死死。如旋火轮。未有休息。阿难。如水成冰。冰还成水。汝观地性。粗为大地。细为微尘。至邻虚尘。析彼极微色边际相。七分所成。更析邻虚。即实空性。阿难。若此邻虚。析成虚空。当知虚空出生色相。汝今问言。由和合故。出生世间诸变化相。汝且观此一邻虚尘。用几虚空。和合而有。不应邻虚。合成邻虚。又邻虚尘。析入空者。用几色相。合成虚空。若色合时。合色非空。若空合时。合空非色。色犹可析。空云何合。汝元不知如来藏中。性色真空。性空真色。清净本然。周遍法界。随众生心。应所知量。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　阿难。火性无我。寄于诸缘。汝观城中未食之家。欲炊爨时。手执阳燧。日前求火。阿难。名和合者。如我与汝。一千二百五十比丘。今为一众。众虽为一。诘其根本。各各有身。皆有所生氏族名字。如舍利弗。婆罗门种。优卢频螺。迦叶波种。乃至阿难。瞿昙种姓。阿难。若此火性。因和合有。彼手执镜于日求火。此火为从镜中而出。为从艾出。为于日来。阿难。若日来者。自能烧汝手中之艾。来处林木。皆应受焚。若镜中出。自能于镜。出燃于艾。镜何不熔。纡汝手执。尚无热相。云何融泮。若生于艾。何藉日镜光明相接。然后火生。汝又谛观。镜因手执。日从天来。艾本地生。火从何方游历于此。日镜相远。非和非合。不应火光无从自有。汝犹不知如来藏中。性火真空。性空真火。清净本然。周遍法界。随众生心。应所知量。阿难。当知。世人一处执镜。一处火生。遍法界执。满世间起。起遍世间。宁有方所。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　阿难。水性不定。流息无恒。如室罗城。迦毗罗仙。斫迦罗仙。及钵头摩诃萨多等。诸大幻师。求太阴精。用和幻药。是诸师等。于白月昼。手执方诸。承月中水。此水为复从珠中出。空中自有。为从月来。阿难。若从月来。尚能远方令珠出水。所经林木。皆应吐流。流则何待方珠所出。不流。明水非从月降。若从珠出。则此珠中。常应流水。何待中宵承白月昼。若从空生。空性无边。水当无际。从人洎天。皆同陷溺。云何复有水陆空行。汝更谛观。月从天陟。珠因手持。承珠水盘。本人敷设。水从何方流注于此。月珠相远。非和非合。不应水精无从自有。汝尚不知如来藏中。性水真空。性空真水。清净本然。周遍法界。随众生心。应所知量。一处执珠。一处水出。遍法界执。满法界生。生满世间。宁有方所。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　阿难。风性无体。动静不常。汝常整衣入于大众。僧伽梨角。动及傍人。则有微风拂彼人面。此风为复出袈裟角。发于虚空。生彼人面。阿难。此风若复出袈裟角。汝乃披风。其衣飞摇。应离汝体。我今说法。会中垂衣。汝看我衣。风何所在。不应衣中有藏风地。若生虚空。汝衣不动。何因无拂。空性常住。风应常生。若无风时。虚空当灭。灭风可见。灭空何状。若有生灭。不名虚空。名为虚空。云何风出。若风自生彼拂之面。从彼面生。当应拂汝。自汝整衣。云何倒拂。汝审谛观。整衣在汝。面属彼人。虚空寂然。不参流动。风自谁方鼓动来此。风空性隔。非和非合。不应风性。无从自有。汝宛不知如来藏中。性风真空。性空真风。清净本然。周遍法界。随众生心。应所知量。阿难。如汝一人。微动服衣。有微风出。遍法界拂。满国土生。周遍世间。宁有方所。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　阿难。空性无形。因色显发。如室罗城。去河遥处。诸刹利种。及婆罗门。毗舍首陀。兼颇罗堕。旃陀罗等。新立安居。凿井求水。出土一尺。于中则有一尺虚空。如是乃至出土一丈。中间还得一丈虚空。空虚浅深。随出多少。此空为当因土所出。因凿所有。无因自生。阿难。若复此空。无因自生。未凿土前。何不无碍。惟见大地。迥无通达。若因土出。则土出时。应见空入。若土先出。无空入者。云何虚空因土而出。若无出入。则应空土。元无异因。无异则同。则土出时。空何不出。若因凿出。则凿出空。应非出土。不因凿出。凿自出土。云何见空。汝更审谛。谛审谛观。凿从人手。随方运转。土因地移。如是虚空。因何所出。凿空虚实。不相为用。非和非合。不应虚空。无从自出。若此虚空。性圆周遍。本不动摇。当知现前地水火风。均名五大。性真圆融。皆如来藏。本无生灭。阿难。汝心昏迷。不悟四大元如来藏。当观虚空。为出为入，为非出入。汝全不知如来藏中。性觉真空。性空真觉。清净本然。周遍法界。随众生心。应所知量。阿难。如一井空。空生一井。十方虚空。亦复如是。圆满十方。宁有方所。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　阿难。见觉无知。因色空有。如汝今者在祇陀林。朝明夕昏。设居中宵。白月则光。黑月便暗。则明暗等。因见分析。此见为复与明暗相。并太虚空。为同一体。为非一体。或同非同。或异非异。阿难。此见若复与明与暗。及与虚空。元一体者。则明与暗。二体相亡。暗时无明。明时非暗。若与暗一。明则见亡。必一于明。暗时当灭。灭则云何见明见暗。若暗明殊。见无生灭。一云何成。若此见精。与暗与明。非一体者。汝离明暗。及与虚空。分析见元。作何形相。离明离暗。及离虚空。是见元同。龟毛兔角。明暗虚空。三事俱异。从何立见。明暗相背。云何或同。离三元无。云何或异。分空分见。本无边畔。云何非同。见暗见明。性非迁改。云何非异。汝更细审。微细审详。审谛审观。明从太阳。暗随黑月。通属虚空。拥归大地。如是见精。因何所出。见觉空顽。非和非合。不应见精。无从自出。若见闻知。性圆周遍。本不动摇。当知无边。不动虚空。并其动摇。地水火风。均名六大。性真圆融。皆如来藏。本无生灭。阿难。汝性沉沦。不悟汝之见闻觉知。本如来藏。汝当观此见闻觉知。为生为灭。为同为异。为非生灭。为非同异。汝曾不知如来藏中。性见觉明。觉精明见。清净本然。周遍法界。随众生心。应所知量。如一见根。见周法界。听嗅尝触。觉触觉知。妙德莹然。遍周法界。圆满十虚。宁有方所。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　阿难。识性无源。因于六种根尘妄出。汝今遍观此会圣众。用目循历。其目周视。但如镜中。无别分析。汝识于中次第标指。此是文殊。此富楼那。此目犍连。此须菩提。此舍利弗。此识了知。为生于见。为生于相。为生虚空。为无所因。突然而出。阿难。若汝识性。生于见中。如无明暗。及与色空。四种必无。元无汝见。见性尚无。从何发识。若汝识性。生于相中。不从见生。既不见明。亦不见暗。明暗不瞩。即无色空。彼相尚无。识从何发。若生于空。非相非见。非见无辨。自不能知。明暗色空。非相灭缘。见闻觉知。无处安立。处此二非。空非同无。有非同物。纵发汝识。欲何分别。若无所因。突然而出。何不日中。别识明月。汝更细详。微细详审。见托汝睛。相椎前境。可状成有。不相成无。如是识缘。因何所出。识动见澄。非和非合。闻听觉知。亦复如是。不应识缘。无从自出。若此识心。本无所从。当知了别见闻觉知。圆满湛然。性非从所。兼彼虚空地水火风。均名七大。性真圆融。皆如来藏。本无生灭。阿难。汝心粗浮。不悟见闻。发明了知。本如来藏。汝应观此六处识心。为同为异。为空为有。为非同异。为非空有。汝元不知。如来藏中。性识明知。觉明真识。妙觉湛然。遍周法界。含吐十虚。宁有方所。循业发现。世间无知。惑为因缘。及自然性。皆是识心。分别计度。但有言说。都无实义。
　　尔时。阿难及诸大众。蒙佛如来微妙开示。身心荡然。得无挂碍。是诸大众。各各自知。心遍十方。见十方空。如观掌中所持叶物。一切世间。诸所有物。皆即菩提妙明元心。心精遍圆。含裹十方。反观父母所生之身。犹彼十方虚空之中。吹一微尘。若存若亡。如湛巨海流一浮沤。起灭无从。了然自知。获本妙心。常住不灭。礼佛合掌。得未曾有。于如来前。说偈赞佛。
　　妙湛总持不动尊首楞严王世希有
　　销我亿劫颠倒想不历僧祇获法身
　　愿今得果成宝王还度如是恒沙众
　　将此深心奉尘刹是则名为报佛恩
　　伏请世尊为证明五浊恶世誓先入
　　如一众生未成佛终不于此取泥洹
　　大雄大力大慈悲希更审除微细惑
　　令我早登无上觉于十方界坐道场
　　舜若多性可销亡烁迦啰心无动转
　　卷四
　　尔时。富楼那弥多罗尼子。在大众中。即从座起。偏袒右肩。右膝着地。合掌恭敬。而白佛言。大威德世尊。善为众生。敷演如来第一义谛。世尊常推说法人中。我为第一。今闻如来微妙法音。犹如聋人。逾百步外。聆于蚊蚋。本所不见。何况得闻。佛虽宣明。令我除惑。今犹未详。斯义究竟无疑惑地。世尊。如阿难辈。虽则开悟。习漏未除。我等会中登无漏者。虽尽诸漏。今闻如来所说法音。尚纡疑悔。世尊。若复世间。一切根尘阴处界等。皆如来藏。清净本然。云何忽生山河大地。诸有为相。次第迁流。终而复始。又如来说。地水火风本性圆融。周遍法界。湛然常住。世尊。若地性遍。云何容水。水性周遍。火则不生。复云何明水火二性。俱遍虚空。不相陵灭。世尊。地性障碍。空性虚通。云何二俱。周遍法界。而我不知是义攸往。惟愿如来。宣流大慈。开我迷云。及诸大众。作是语已。五体投地。钦渴如来。无上慈诲。
　　尔时。世尊告富楼那。及诸会中。漏尽无学。诸阿罗汉。如来今日。普为此会。宣胜义中。真胜义性。令汝会中定性声闻。及诸一切未得二空。回向上乘阿罗汉等。皆获一乘寂灭场地。真阿练若。正修行处。汝今谛听。当为汝说。
　　富楼那等。钦佛法音。默然承听。
　　佛言。富楼那。如汝所言。清净本然。云何忽生山河大地。汝常不闻如来宣说。性觉妙明。本觉明妙。
　　富楼那言。唯然。世尊。我常闻佛宣说斯义。
　　佛言。汝称觉明。为复性明。称名为觉。为觉不明。称为明觉。
　　富楼那言。若此不明名为觉者。则无无明。
　　佛言。若无所明。则无明觉。有所非觉。无所非明。无明又非觉湛明性。性觉必明。妄为明觉。觉非所明。因明立所。所既妄立。生汝妄能。无同异中。炽然成异。异彼所异。因异立同。同异发明。因此复立无同无异。如是扰乱。相待生劳。劳久发尘。自相浑浊。由是引起尘劳烦恼。起为世界。静成虚空。虚空为同。世界为异。彼无同异。真有为法。觉明空昧。相待成摇。故有风轮执持世界。因空生摇。坚明立碍。彼金宝者。明觉立坚。故有金轮保持国土。坚觉宝成。摇明风出。风金相摩。故有火光为变化性。宝明生润。火光上蒸。故有水轮含十方界。火腾水降。交发立坚。湿为巨海。干为洲滩。以是义故。彼大海中。火光常起。彼洲滩中。江河常注。水势劣火。结为高山。是故。山石击则成炎。融则成水。土势劣水。抽为草木。是故。林薮遇烧成土。因绞成水。交妄发生。递相为种。以是因缘。世界相续。复次。富楼那。明妄非他。觉明为咎。所妄既立。明理不逾。以是因缘。听不出声。见不超色。色香味触。六妄成就。由是分开见觉闻知。同业相缠。合离成化。见明色发。明见想成。异见成憎。同想成爱。流爱为种。纳想为胎。交遘发生。吸引同业。故有因缘。生羯啰蓝。遏蒱昙等。胎卵湿化。随其所应。卵唯想生。胎因情有。湿以合感。化以离应。情想合离。更相变易。所有受业。逐其飞沉。以是因缘。众生相续。富楼那。想爱同结。爱不能离。则诸世间父母子孙。相生不断。是等则以欲贪为本。贪爱同滋。贪不能止。则诸世间卵化湿胎。随力强弱。递相吞食。是等则以杀贪为本。以人食羊。羊死为人。人死为羊。如是乃至十生之类。死死生生。互来相啖。恶业俱生。穷未来际。是等则以盗贪为本。汝负我命。我还汝债。以是因缘。经百千劫。常在生死。汝爱我心。我怜汝色。以是因缘。经百千劫。常在缠缚。唯杀盗淫。三为根本。以是因缘。业果相续。富楼那。如是三种颠倒相续。皆是觉明。明了知性。因了发相。从妄见生。山河大地。诸有为相。次第迁流。因此虚妄。终而复始。
　　富楼那言。若此妙觉本妙觉明。与如来心不增不减。无状忽生山河大地。诸有为相。如来今得妙空明觉。山河大地有为习漏。何当复生。
　　佛告富楼那。譬如迷人。于一聚落。惑南为北。此迷为复因迷而有。因悟所出。
　　富楼那言。如是迷人。亦不因迷。又不因悟。何以故。迷本无根。云何因迷。悟非生迷。云何因悟。
　　佛言。彼之迷人。正在迷时。倏有悟人指示令悟。富楼那。于意云何。此人纵迷。于此聚落。更生迷否。
　　否也。世尊。
　　富楼那。十方如来。亦复如是。此迷无本。性毕竟空。昔本无迷。似有迷觉。觉迷迷灭。觉不生迷。亦如翳人。见空中花。翳病若除。花于空灭。忽有愚人。于彼空花所灭空地。待花更生。汝观是人。为愚为慧。
　　富楼那言。空元无花。妄见生灭。见花灭空。已是颠倒。敕令更出。斯实狂痴。云何更名如是狂人。为愚为慧。
　　佛言。如汝所解。云何问言。诸佛如来妙觉明空。何当更出山河大地。又如金矿杂于精金。其金一纯。更不成杂。如木成灰。不重为木。诸佛如来菩提涅槃。亦复如是。富楼那。又汝问言。地水火风。本性圆融。周遍法界。疑水火性不相陵灭。又征虚空。及诸大地。俱遍法界。不合相容。富楼那。譬如虚空。体非群相。而不拒彼诸相发挥。所以者何。富楼那。彼太虚空。日照则明。云屯则暗。风摇则动。霁澄则清。气凝则浊。土积成霾。水澄成映。于意云何。如是殊方诸有为相。为因彼生。为复空有。若彼所生。富楼那。且日照时。既是日明。十方世界。同为日色。云何空中。更见圆日。若是空明。空应自照。云何中宵云雾之时。不生光耀。当知是明。非日非空。不异空日。观相元妄。无可指陈。犹邀空花。结为空果。云何诘其相陵灭义。观性元真。唯妙觉明。妙觉明心。先非水火。云何复问不相容者。真妙觉明。亦复如是。汝以空明。则有空现。地水火风。各各发明。则各各现。若俱发明。则有俱现。云何俱现。富楼那。如一水中。现于日影。两人同观水中之日。东西各行。则各有日。随二人去。一东一西。先无准的。不应难言。此日是一。云何各行。各日既双。云何现一。宛转虚妄。无可凭据。富楼那。汝以色空。相倾相夺于如来藏。而如来藏随为色空。周遍法界。是故。于中风动空澄。日明云暗。众生迷闷。背觉合尘。故发尘劳。有世间相。我以妙明不灭不生。合如来藏。而如来藏唯妙觉明。圆照法界。是故。于中一为无量。无量为一。小中现大。大中现小。不动道场。遍十方界。身含十方无尽虚空。于一毛端。现宝王刹。坐微尘里。转大法轮。灭尘合觉。故发真如妙觉明性。而如来藏本妙圆心。非心非空。非地非水。非风非火。非眼非耳鼻舌身意。非色。非声香味触法。非眼识界。如是乃至非意识界。非明无明。明无明尽。如是乃至非老非死。非老死尽。非苦非集。非灭非道。非智非得。非檀那。非尸罗。非毗黎耶。非羼提。非禅那。非钵剌若。非波罗蜜多。如是乃至非怛闼阿竭。非阿罗诃。三耶三菩。非大涅槃。非常非乐。非我非净。以是俱非世出世故。即如来藏元明心妙。即心即空。即地即水。即风即火。即眼即耳鼻舌身意。即色。即声香味触法。即眼识界。如是乃至即意识界。即明无明。明无明尽。如是乃至即老即死。即老死尽。即苦即集。即灭即道。即智即得。即檀那。即尸罗。即毗黎耶。即羼提。即禅那。即钵剌若。即波罗蜜多。如是乃至即怛闼阿竭。即阿罗诃。三耶三菩。即大涅槃。即常即乐。即我即净。以是即俱世出世故。即如来藏妙明心元。离即离非。是即非即。如何世间三有众生。及出世间声闻缘觉。以所知心。测度如来无上菩提。用世语言。入佛知见。譬如琴瑟箜篌琵琶。虽有妙音。若无妙指。终不能发。汝与众生。亦复如是。宝觉真心各各圆满。如我按指。海印发光。汝暂举心。尘劳先起。由不勤求无上觉道。爱念小乘。得少为足。
　　富楼那言。我与如来宝觉圆明。真妙净心。无二圆满。而我昔遭无始妄想。久在轮回。今得圣乘。犹未究竟。世尊。诸妄一切圆灭。独妙真常。敢问如来。一切众生。何因有妄。自蔽妙明。受此沦溺。
　　佛告富楼那。汝虽除疑。余惑未尽。吾以世间现前诸事。今复问汝。汝岂不闻。室罗城中。演若达多。忽于晨朝。以镜照面。爱镜中头眉目可见。嗔责己头不见面目。以为魑魅。无状狂走。于意云何。此人何因无故狂走。
　　富楼那言。是人心狂。更无他故。
　　佛言。妙觉明圆。本圆明妙。既称为妄。云何有因。若有所因。云何名妄。自诸妄想展转相因。从迷积迷。以历尘劫。虽佛发明。犹不能返。如是迷因。因迷自有。识迷无因。妄无所依。尚无有生。欲何为灭。得菩提者。如寤时人说梦中事。心纵精明。欲何因缘取梦中物。况复无因。本无所有。如彼城中。演若达多。岂有因缘。自怖头走。忽然狂歇。头非外得。纵未歇狂。亦何遗失。富楼那。妄性如是。因何为在。汝但不随分别世间。业果众生。三种相续。三缘断故。三因不生。则汝心中。演若达多。狂性自歇。歇即菩提。胜净明心。本周法界。不从人得。何藉劬劳。肯綮修证。譬如有人。于自衣中。系如意珠。不自觉知。穷露他方。乞食驰走。虽实贫穷。珠不曾失。忽有智者指示其珠。所愿从心。致大饶富。方悟神珠。非从外得。
　　即时。阿难在大众中。顶礼佛足。起立白佛。世尊。现说杀盗淫业。三缘断故。三因不生。心中达多。狂性自歇。歇即菩提。不从人得。斯则因缘。皎然明白。云何如来顿弃因缘。我从因缘。心得开悟。世尊。此义何独我等年少有学声闻。今此会中。大目犍连。及舍利弗。须菩提等。从老梵志。闻佛因缘。发心开悟。得成无漏。今说菩提不从因缘。则王舍城拘舍黎等。所说自然。成第一义。惟垂大悲。开发迷闷。
　　佛告阿难。即如城中。演若达多。狂性因缘。若得灭除。则不狂性。自然而出。因缘自然。理穷于是。阿难。演若达多。头本自然。本自其然。无然非自。何因缘故。怖头狂走。若自然头。因缘故狂。何不自然。因缘故失。本头不失。狂怖妄出。曾无变易。何藉因缘。本狂自然。本有狂怖。未狂之际。狂何所潜。不狂自然。头本无妄。何为狂走。若悟本头。识知狂走。因缘自然。俱为戏论。是故。我言三缘断故。即菩提心。菩提心生。生灭心灭。此但生灭。灭生俱尽。无功用道。若有自然。如是则明。自然心生。生灭心灭。此亦生灭。无生灭者。名为自然。犹如世间诸相杂和。成一体者。名和合性。非和合者。称本然性。本然非然。和合非合。合然俱离。离合俱非。此句方名无戏论法。菩提涅槃。尚在遥远。非汝历劫辛勤修证。虽复忆持。十方如来十二部经。清净妙理。如恒河沙。只益戏论。汝虽谈说因缘自然。决定明了。人间称汝。多闻第一。以此积劫多闻熏习。不能免离摩登伽难。何因待我佛顶神咒。摩登伽心淫火顿歇。得阿那含。于我法中。成精进林。爱河干枯。令汝解脱。是故。阿难。汝虽历劫忆持如来秘密妙严。不如一日修无漏业。远离世间憎爱二苦。如摩登伽。宿为淫女。由神咒力。锁其爱欲。法中今名性比丘尼。与罗睺罗母。耶输陀罗。同悟宿因。知历世因。贪爱为苦。一念熏修无漏善故。或得出缠。或蒙授记。如何自欺。尚留观听。
　　阿难及诸大众。闻佛示诲。疑惑销除。心悟实相。身意轻安。得未曾有。重复悲泪。顶礼佛足。长跪合掌。而白佛言。无上大悲。清净宝王。善开我心。能以如是种种因缘。方便提奖。引诸沉冥。出于苦海。世尊。我今虽承如是法音。知如来藏。妙觉明心。遍十方界。含育如来十方国土。清净宝严妙觉王刹。如来复责多闻无功。不逮修习。我今犹如旅泊之人。忽蒙天王赐以花屋。虽获大宅。要因门入。惟愿如来。不舍大悲。示我在会诸蒙暗者。捐舍小乘。必获如来无余涅槃。本发心路。令有学者。从何摄伏畴昔攀缘。得陀罗尼。入佛知见。作是语已。五体投地。在会一心。伫佛慈旨。
　　尔时。世尊哀愍会中缘觉声闻。于菩提心未自在者。及为当来佛灭度后。末法众生发菩萨心。开无上乘妙修行路。宣示阿难。及诸大众。汝等决定发菩提心。于佛如来妙三摩提。不生疲倦。应当先明发觉初心。二决定义。云何初心二义决定。阿难。第一义者。汝等若欲捐舍声闻。修菩萨乘。入佛知见。应当审观因地发心。与果地觉。为同为异。阿难。若于因地。以生灭心为本修因。而求佛乘。不生不灭。无有是处。以是义故。汝当照明诸器世间。可作之法。皆从变灭。阿难。汝观世间可作之法。谁为不坏。然终不闻烂坏虚空。何以故。空非可作。由是始终无坏灭故。则汝身中。坚相为地。润湿为水。暖触为火。动摇为风。由此四缠。分汝湛圆妙觉明心。为视为听。为觉为察。从始入终。五叠浑浊。云何为浊。阿难。譬如清水。清洁本然。即彼尘土灰沙之伦。本质留碍。二体法尔。性不相循。有世间人。取彼土尘。投于净水。土失留碍。水亡清洁。容貌汩然。明之为浊。汝浊五重。亦复如是。阿难。汝见虚空遍十方界。空见不分。有空无体。有见无觉。相织妄成。是第一重。名为劫浊。汝身现抟四大为体。见闻觉知。壅令留碍。水火风土。旋令觉知。相织妄成。是第二重。名为见浊。又汝心中忆识诵习。性发知见。容现六尘。离尘无相。离觉无性。相织妄成。是第三重。名烦恼浊。又汝朝夕生灭不停。知见每欲留于世间。业运每常迁于国土。相织妄成。是第四重。名众生浊。汝等见闻元无异性。众尘隔越。无状异生。性中相知。用中相背。同异失准。相织妄成。是第五重。名为命浊。阿难。汝今欲令见闻觉知。远契如来常乐我净。应当先择死生根本。依不生灭圆湛性成。以湛旋其虚妄灭生。伏还元觉。得元明觉。无生灭性。为因地心。然后圆成果地修证。如澄浊水。贮于净器。静深不动。沙土自沉。清水现前。名为初伏客尘烦恼。去泥纯水。名为永断根本无明。明相精纯。一切变现。不为烦恼。皆合涅槃清净妙德。第二义者。汝等必欲发菩提心。于菩萨乘。生大勇猛。决定弃捐诸有为相。应当审详烦恼根本。此无始来发业润生。谁作谁受。阿难。汝修菩提。若不审观烦恼根本。则不能知虚妄根尘。何处颠倒。处尚不知。云何降伏。取如来位。阿难。汝观世间解结之人。不见所结。云何知解。不闻虚空被汝堕裂。何以故。空无相形。无结解故。则汝现前眼耳鼻舌。及与身心。六为贼媒。自劫家宝。由此无始众生世界。生缠缚故。于器世间。不能超越。阿难。云何名为众生世界。世为迁流。界为方位。汝今当知东西南北。东南西南。东北西北。上下为界。过去未来。现在为世。位方有十。流数有三。一切众生。织妄相成。身中贸迁。世界相涉。而此界性。设虽十方。定位可明。世间只目东西南北。上下无位。中无定方。四数必明。与世相涉。三四四三。宛转十二。流变三叠。一十百千。总括始终。六根之中。各各功德。有千二百。阿难。汝复于中。克定优劣。如眼观见。后暗前明。前方全明。后方全暗。左右傍观。三分之二。统论所作。功德不全。三分言功。一分无德。当知眼惟八百功德。如耳周听。十方无遗。动若迩遥。诤无边际。当知耳根。圆满一千二百功德。如鼻嗅闻。通出入息。有出有入。而阙中交。验于耳根。三分阙一。当知鼻惟八百功德。如舌宣扬。尽诸世间出世间智。言有方分。理无穷尽。当知舌根。圆满一千二百功德。如身觉触。识于违顺。合时能觉。离中不知。离一合双。验于舌根。三分阙一。当知身惟八百功德。如意默容。十方三世。一切世间出世间法。惟圣与凡。无不包容。尽其涯际。当知意根。圆满一千二百功德。阿难。汝今欲逆生死欲流。返穷流根。至不生灭。当验此等六受用根。谁合谁离。谁深谁浅。谁为圆通。谁不圆满。若能于此悟圆通根。逆彼无始织妄业流。得循圆通。与不圆根。日劫相倍。我今备显六湛圆明。本所功德。数量如是。随汝详择其可入者。吾当发明。令汝增进。十方如来。于十八界。一一修行。皆得圆满无上菩提。于其中间。亦无优劣。但汝下劣。未能于中圆自在慧。故我宣扬。令汝但于一门深入。入一无妄。彼六知根。一时清净。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。云何逆流深入一门。能令六根一时清净。
　　佛告阿难。汝今已得须陀洹果。已灭三界众生世间见所断惑。然犹未知。根中积生无始虚习。彼习要因修所断得。何况此中生住异灭。分剂头数。今汝且观现前六根。为一为六。阿难。若言一者。耳何不见。目何不闻。头奚不履。足奚无语。若此六根决定成六。如我今会。与汝宣扬微妙法门。汝之六根。谁来领受。
　　阿难言。我用耳闻。
　　佛言。汝耳自闻。何关身口。口来问义。身起钦承。是故。应知非一终六。非六终一。终不汝根元一元六。阿难。当知是根非一非六。由无始来。颠倒沦替。故于圆湛。一六义生。汝须陀洹。虽得六销。犹未亡一。如太虚空。参合群器。由器形异。名之异空。除器观空。说空为一。彼太虚空。云何为汝成同不同。何况更名是一非一。则汝了知六受用根。亦复如是。由明暗等二种相形。于妙圆中。粘湛发见。见精映色。结色成根。根元目为清净四大。因名眼体。如蒲萄朵。浮根四尘。流逸奔色。由动静等二种相击。于妙圆中。粘湛发听。听精映声。卷声成根。根元目为清净四大。因名耳体。如新卷叶。浮根四尘。流逸奔声。由通塞等二种相发。于妙圆中。粘湛发嗅。嗅精映香。纳香成根。根元目为清净四大。因名鼻体。如双垂爪。浮根四尘。流逸奔香。由恬变等二种相参。于妙圆中。粘湛发尝。尝精映味。绞味成根。根元目为清净四大。因名舌体。如初偃月。浮根四尘。流逸奔味。由离合等二种相摩。于妙圆中。粘湛发觉。觉精映触。搏触成根。根元目为清净四大。因名身体。如腰鼓颡。浮根四尘。流逸奔触。由生灭等二种相续。于妙圆中。粘湛发知。知精映法。览法成根。根元目为清净四大。因名意思。如幽室见。浮根四尘。流逸奔法。阿难。如是六根。由彼觉明。有明明觉。失彼精了。粘妄发光。是以汝今离暗离明。无有见体。离动离静。元无听质。无通无塞。嗅性不生。非变非恬。尝无所出。不离不合。觉触本无。无灭无生。了知安寄。汝但不循。动静合离。恬变通塞。生灭暗明。如是十二诸有为相。随拔一根。脱粘内伏。伏归元真。发本明耀。耀性发明。诸余五粘。应拔圆脱。不由前尘所起知见。明不循根。寄根明发。由是六根互相为用。阿难。汝岂不知。今此会中。阿那律陀。无目而见。跋难陀龙。无耳而听。殑伽神女。非鼻闻香。骄梵钵提。异舌知味。舜若多神。无身有触。如来光中。映令暂现。既为风质。其体元无。诸灭尽定。得寂声闻。如此会中。摩诃迦叶。久灭意根。圆明了知。不因心念。阿难。今汝诸根若圆拔已。内莹发光。如是浮尘。及器世间。诸变化相。如汤销冰。应念化成无上知觉。阿难。如彼世人聚见于眼。若令急合。暗相现前。六根黯然。头足相类。彼人以手循体外绕。彼虽不见。头足一辨。知觉是同。缘见因明。暗成无见。不明自发。则诸暗相永不能昏。根尘既销。云何觉明。不成圆妙。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如佛说言。因地觉心。欲求常住。要与果位名目相应。世尊。如果位中。菩提涅槃。真如佛性。庵摩罗识。空如来藏。大圆镜智。是七种名。称谓虽别。清净圆满。体性坚凝。如金刚王。常住不坏。若此见听。离于暗明。动静通塞。毕竟无体。犹如念心。离于前尘。本无所有。云何将此毕竟断灭。以为修因。欲获如来七常住果。世尊。若离明暗。见毕竟空。如无前尘。念自性灭。进退循环。微细推求。本无我心。及我心所。将谁立因。求无上觉。如来先说湛精圆常。违越诚言。终成戏论。云何如来真实语者。惟垂大慈。开我蒙吝。
　　佛告阿难。汝学多闻。未尽诸漏。心中徒知颠倒所因。真倒现前。实未能识。恐汝诚心犹未信伏。吾今试将尘俗诸事。当除汝疑。即时。如来敕罗睺罗。击钟一声。问阿难言。汝今闻否。
　　阿难大众俱言。我闻。
　　钟歇无声。佛又问言。汝今闻否。
　　阿难大众俱言。不闻。
　　时。罗睺罗。又击一声。
　　佛又问言。汝今闻否。
　　阿难大众又言。俱闻。
　　佛问阿难。汝云何闻。云何不闻。
　　阿难大众俱白佛言。钟声若击。则我得闻。击久声销。音响双绝。则名无闻。
　　如来又敕罗睺击钟。问阿难言。尔今声否。
　　阿难言。声。
　　少选声销。佛又问言。尔今声否。
　　阿难大众答言。无声。
　　有顷。罗睺更来撞钟。佛又问言。尔今声否。
　　阿难大众俱言。有声。
　　佛问阿难。汝云何声。云何无声。
　　阿难大众俱白佛言。钟声若击。则名有声。击久声销。音响双绝。则名无声。
　　佛语阿难。及诸大众。汝今云何自语矫乱。
　　大众阿难。俱时问佛。我今云何名为矫乱。
　　佛言。我问汝闻。汝则言闻。又问汝声。汝则言声。惟闻与声。报答无定。如是云何不名矫乱。阿难。声销无响。汝说无闻。若实无闻。闻性已灭。同于枯木。钟声更击。汝云何知。知有知无。自是声尘。或无或有。岂彼闻性为汝有无。闻实云无。谁知无者。是故。阿难。声于闻中。自有生灭。非为汝闻声生声灭。令汝闻性为有为无。汝尚颠倒。惑声为闻。何怪昏迷。以常为断。终不应言。离诸动静。闭塞开通。说闻无性。如重睡。人眠熟床枕。其家有人于彼睡时。捣练舂米。其人梦中。闻舂捣声。别作他物。或为击鼓。或复撞钟。即于梦时。自怪其钟为木石响。于时忽寤。遄知杵音。自告家人。我正梦时。惑此舂音将为鼓响。阿难。是人梦中。岂忆静摇开闭通塞。其形虽寐。闻性不昏。纵汝形销。命光迁谢。此性云何为汝销灭。以诸众生从无始来。循诸色声。逐念流转。曾不开悟性净妙常。不循所常。逐诸生灭。由是生生杂染流转。若弃生灭。守于真常。常光现前。尘根识心应时销落。想相为尘。识情为垢。二俱远离。则汝法眼应时清明。云何不成无上知觉。
　　卷五
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。如来虽说第二义门。今观世间解结之人。若不知其所结之元。我信是人。终不能解。世尊。我及会中。有学声闻。亦复如是。从无始际。与诸无明。俱灭俱生。虽得如是多闻善根。名为出家。犹隔日疟。惟愿大慈。哀愍沦溺。今日身心。云何是结。从何名解。亦令未来苦难众生。得免轮回。不落三有。作是语已。普及大众。五体投地。雨泪翘诚。伫佛如来无上开示。
　　尔时。世尊怜愍阿难。及诸会中诸有学者。亦为未来一切众生。为出世因。作将来眼。以阎浮檀紫光金手。摩阿难顶。即时。十方普佛世界。六种振动。微尘如来住世界者。各有宝光。从其顶出。其光同时于彼世界。来祇陀林。灌如来顶。是诸大众。得未曾有。于是阿难。及诸大众。俱闻十方微尘如来。异口同音。告阿难言。善哉。阿难。汝欲识知俱生无明。使汝轮转生死结根。惟汝六根。更无他物。汝复欲知无上菩提。令汝速登安乐解脱。寂静妙常。亦汝六根。更非他物。
　　阿难虽闻如是法音。心犹未明。稽首白佛。云何令我生死轮回。安乐妙常。同是六根。更非他物。
　　佛告阿难。根尘同源。缚脱无二。识性虚妄。犹如空花。阿难。由尘发知。因根有相。相见无性。同于交芦。是故。汝今知见立知。即无明本。知见无见。斯即涅槃。无漏真净。云何是中更容他物。
　　尔时。世尊欲重宣此义。而说偈言。
　　真性有为空缘生故如幻
　　无为无起灭不实如空花
　　言妄显诸真妄真同二妄
　　犹非真非真云何见所见
　　中间无实性是故若交芦
　　结解同所因圣凡无二路
　　汝观交中性空有二俱非
　　迷晦即无明发明便解脱
　　解结因次第六解一亦亡
　　根选择圆通入流成正觉
　　陀那微细识习气成暴流
　　真非真恐迷我常不开演
　　自心取自心非幻成幻法
　　不取无非幻非幻尚不生
　　幻法云何立是名妙莲花
　　金刚王宝觉如幻三摩提
　　弹指超无学此阿毗达磨
　　十方薄伽梵一路涅槃门
　　于是。阿难及诸大众。闻佛如来无上慈诲。祇夜伽陀。杂糅精莹。妙理清彻。心目开明。叹未曾有。阿难合掌。顶礼白佛。我今闻佛无遮大悲。性净妙常真实法句。心犹未达六解一亡。舒结伦次。惟垂大慈。再愍斯会。及与将来。施以法音。洗涤沉垢。
　　即时。如来于狮子座。整涅槃僧。敛僧伽黎。览七宝机。引手于机。取劫波罗天所奉花巾。于大众前。绾成一结。示阿难言。此名何等。
　　阿难大众俱白佛言。此名为结。
　　于是如来绾叠花巾。又成一结。重问阿难。此名何等。
　　阿难大众又白佛言。此亦名结。
　　如是伦次绾叠花巾。总成六结。一一结成。皆取手中所成之结。持问阿难。此名何等。阿难大众。亦复如是。次第酬佛。此名为结。
　　佛告阿难。我初绾巾。汝名为结。此叠花巾。先实一条。第二第三。云何汝曹复名为结。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。此宝叠花缉绩成巾。虽本一体。如我思惟。如来一绾。得一结名。若百绾成。终名百结。何况此巾只有六结。终不至七。亦不停五。云何如来只许初时。第二第三。不名为结。
　　佛告阿难。此宝花巾。汝知此巾元止一条。我六绾时。名有六结。汝审观察。巾体是同。因结有异。于意云何。初绾结成。名为第一。如是乃至第六结生。吾今欲将第六结名。成第一否。
　　否也。世尊。六结若存。斯第六名。终非第一。纵我历生尽其明辩。如何令是六结乱名。
　　佛言。六结不同。循顾本因。一巾所造。令其杂乱。终不得成。则汝六根。亦复如是。毕竟同中。生毕竟异。佛告阿难。汝必嫌此六结不成。愿乐一成。复云何得。
　　阿难言。此结若存。是非锋起。于中自生此结非彼。彼结非此。如来今日若总解除。结若不生。则无彼此。尚不名一。六云何成。
　　佛言。六解一亡。亦复如是。由汝无始心性狂乱。知见妄发。发妄不息。劳见发尘。如劳目睛。则有狂花。于湛精明。无因乱起。一切世间。山河大地。生死涅槃。皆即狂劳。颠倒花相。
　　阿难言。此劳同结。云何解除。
　　如来以手。将所结巾偏掣其左。问阿难言。如是解否。
　　否也。世尊。旋复以手偏牵右边。又问阿难。如是解否。
　　否也。世尊。
　　佛告阿难。吾今以手左右各牵。竟不能解。汝设方便。云何成解。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。当于结心。解即分散。
　　佛告阿难。如是如是。若欲除结。当于结心。阿难。我说佛法。从因缘生。非取世间和合粗相。如来发明世出世法。知其本因。随所缘出。如是乃至恒沙界外一滴之雨。亦知头数。现前种种。松直棘曲。鹄白鸟玄。皆了元由。是故。阿难。随汝心中选择六根。根结若除。尘相自灭。诸妄销亡。不真何待。阿难。吾今问汝。此劫波罗巾六结现前。同时解萦。得同除否。
　　否也。世尊。是结本以次第绾生。今日当须次第而解。六结同体。结不同时。则结解时。云何同除。
　　佛言。六根解除。亦复如是。此根初解。先得人空。空性圆明。成法解脱。解脱法已。俱空不生。是名菩萨从三摩地。得无生忍。
　　阿难及诸大众。蒙佛开示。慧觉圆通。得无疑惑。一时合掌。顶礼双足。而白佛言。我等今日。身心皎然。快得无碍。虽复悟知一六亡义。然犹未达圆通本根。世尊。我辈飘零。积劫孤露。何心何虑。预佛天伦。如失乳儿。忽遇慈母。若复因此际会道成。所得密言。还同本悟。则与未闻无有差别。惟垂大悲。惠我秘严。成就如来最后开示。作是语已。五体投地。退藏密机。冀佛冥授。
　　尔时。世尊普告众中诸大菩萨。及诸漏尽大阿罗汉。汝等菩萨。及阿罗汉。生我法中。得成无学。吾今问汝。最初发心悟十八界。谁为圆通。从何方便。入三摩地。
　　骄陈那五比丘。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我在鹿苑。及于鸡园。观见如来最初成道。于佛音声。悟明四谛。佛问比丘。我初称解。如来印我。名阿若多。妙音密圆。我于音声。得阿罗汉。佛问圆通。如我所证。音声为上。
　　优波尼沙陀。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我亦观佛最初成道。观不净相。生大厌离。悟诸色性。以从不净。白骨微尘。归于虚空。空色二无。成无学道。如来印我。名尼沙陀。尘色既尽。妙色密圆。我从色相。得阿罗汉。佛问圆通。如我所证。色因为上。
　　香严童子。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我闻如来教我谛观。诸有为相。我时辞佛。宴晦清斋。见诸比丘烧沉水香。香气寂然。来入鼻中。我观此气。非木非空。非烟非火。去无所著。来无所从。由是意销。发明无漏。如来印我。得香严号。尘气倏灭。妙香密圆。我从香严。得阿罗汉。佛问圆通。如我所证。香严为上。
　　药王药上二法王子。并在会中。五百梵天。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我无始劫。为世良医。口中尝此娑婆世界。草木金石。名数凡有十万八千。如是悉知苦醋咸淡。甘辛等味。并诸和合俱生变异。是冷是热。有毒无毒。悉能遍知。承事如来。了知味性。非空非有。非即身心。非离身心。分别味因。从是开悟。蒙佛如来。印我昆季。药王药上二菩萨名。今于会中。为法王子。因味觉明。位登菩萨。佛问圆通。如我所证。味因为上。
　　跋陀婆罗。并其同伴。十六开士。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我等先于威音王佛。闻法出家。于浴僧时。随例入室。忽悟水因。既不洗尘。亦不洗体。中间安然。得无所有。宿习无忘。乃至今时。从佛出家。今得无学。彼佛名我。跋陀婆罗。妙触宣明。成佛子住。佛问圆通。如我所证。触因为上。
　　摩诃迦叶。及紫金光比丘尼等。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我于往劫。于此界中。有佛出世。名日月灯。我得亲近。闻法修学。佛灭度后。供养舍利。燃灯续明。以紫光金涂佛形像。自尔已来。世世生生。身常圆满。紫金光聚。此紫金光比丘尼者。即我眷属。同时发心。我观世间。六尘变坏。惟以空寂。修于灭尽。身心乃能度百千劫。犹如弹指。我以空法。成阿罗汉。世尊说我。头陀为最。妙法开明。销灭诸漏。佛问圆通。如我所证。法因为上。
　　阿那律陀。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我初出家。常乐睡眠。如来诃我为畜生类。我闻佛诃。啼泣自责。七日不眠。失其双目。世尊示我乐见照明。金刚三昧。我不因眼。观见十方。精真洞然。如观掌果。如来印我。成阿罗汉。佛问圆通。如我所证。旋见循元。斯为第一。
　　周利槃特迦。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我阙诵持。无多闻性。最初值佛。闻法出家。忆持如来一句伽陀。于一百日。得前遗后。得后遗前。佛愍我愚。教我安居调出入息。我时观息。微细穷尽。生住异灭。诸行刹那。其心豁然。得大无碍。乃至漏尽。成阿罗汉。住佛座下。印成无学。佛问圆通。如我所证。返息循空。斯为第一。
　　骄梵钵提。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我有口业。于过去劫。轻弄沙门。世世生生。有牛齝病。如来示我一味清净。心地法门。我得灭心。入三摩地。观味之知。非体非物。应念得超世间诸漏。内脱身心。外遗世界。远离三有。如鸟出笼。离垢销尘。法眼清净。成阿罗汉。如来亲印。登无学道。佛问圆通。如我所证。还味旋知。斯为第一。
　　毕陵伽婆蹉。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我初发心从佛入道。数闻如来说诸世间。不可乐事。乞食城中。心思法门。不觉路中毒刺伤足。举身疼痛。我念有知。知此深痛。虽觉觉痛。觉清净心。无痛痛觉。我又思惟。如是一身。宁有双觉。摄念未久。身心忽空。三七日中。诸漏虚尽。成阿罗汉。得亲印记。发明无学。佛问圆通。如我所证。纯觉遗身。斯为第一。
　　须菩提。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我旷劫来。心得无碍。自忆受生如恒河沙。初在母胎。即知空寂。如是乃至十方成空。亦令众生证得空性。蒙如来发性觉真空。空性圆明。得阿罗汉。顿入如来宝明空海。同佛知见。印成无学。解脱性空。我为无上。佛问圆通。如我所证。诸相入非。非所非尽。旋法归无。斯为第一。
　　舍利弗。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我旷劫来。心见清净。如是受生如恒河沙。世出世间种种变化。一见则通。获无障碍。我于路中。逢迦叶波兄弟相逐。宣说因缘。悟心无际。从佛出家。见觉明圆。得大无畏。成阿罗汉。为佛长子。从佛口生。从法化生。佛问圆通。如我所证。心见发光。光极知见。斯为第一。
　　普贤菩萨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我已曾与恒沙如来。为法王子。十方如来。教其弟子。菩萨根者。修普贤行。从我立名。世尊。我用心闻。分别众生所有知见。若于他方恒沙界外。有一众生。心中发明普贤行者。我于尔时。乘六牙象。分身百千。皆至其处。纵彼障深。未合见我。我与其人暗中摩顶。拥护安慰。令其成就。佛问圆通。我说本因。心闻发明。分别自在。斯为第一。
　　孙陀罗难陀。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我初出家。从佛入道。虽具戒律。于三摩提。心常散动。未获无漏。世尊教我。及俱絺罗。观鼻端白。我初谛观。经三七日。见鼻中气出入如烟。身心内明。圆洞世界。遍成虚净。犹如琉璃。烟相渐销。鼻息成白。心开漏尽。诸出入息化为光明。照十方界。得阿罗汉。世尊记我。当得菩提。佛问圆通。我以销息。息久发明。明圆灭漏。斯为第一。
　　富楼那弥多罗尼子。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我旷劫来。辩才无碍。宣说苦空。深达实相。如是乃至恒沙如来。秘密法门。我于众中。微妙开示。得无所畏。世尊知我有大辩才。以音声轮。教我发扬。我于佛前。助佛转轮。因狮子吼。成阿罗汉。世尊印我。说法无上。佛问圆通。我以法音。降伏魔怨。销灭诸漏。斯为第一。
　　优波离。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我亲随佛。逾城出家。亲观如来六年勤苦。亲见如来降伏诸魔。制诸外道。解脱世间贪欲诸漏。承佛教戒。如是乃至三千威仪。八万微细。性业遮业。悉皆清净。身心寂灭。成阿罗汉。我是如来众中纲纪。亲印我心。持戒修身。众推无上。佛问圆通。我以执身。身得自在。次第执心。心得通达。然后身心。一切通利。斯为第一。
　　大目犍连。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我初于路乞食。逢遇优楼频螺。伽耶。那提。三迦叶波。宣说如来因缘深义。我顿发心。得大通达。如来惠我袈裟着身。须发自落。我游十方。得无挂碍。神通发明。推为无上。成阿罗汉。宁惟世尊。十方如来叹我神力。圆明清净。自在无畏。佛问圆通。我以旋湛。心光发宣。如澄浊流。久成清莹。斯为第一。
　　乌刍瑟摩。于如来前。合掌顶礼佛之双足。而白佛言。我常先忆。久远劫前。性多贪欲。有佛出世。名曰空王。说多淫人。成猛火聚。教我遍观百骸四肢。诸冷暖气。神光内凝。化多淫心成智慧火。从是诸佛皆呼召我。名为火头。我以火光三昧力故。成阿罗汉。心发大愿。诸佛成道。我为力士。亲伏魔怨。佛问圆通。我以谛观。身心暖触。无碍流通。诸漏既销。生大宝焰。登无上觉。斯为第一。
　　持地菩萨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我念往昔。普光如来。出现于世。我为比丘。常于一切要路津口。田地险隘。有不如法。妨损车马。我皆平填。或作桥梁。或负沙土。如是勤苦。经无量佛出现于世。或有众生。于阛阓处。要人擎物。我先为擎。至其所诣。放物即行。不取其直。毗舍浮佛。现在世时。世多饥荒。我为负人。无问远近。惟取一钱。或有车牛被于陷溺。我有神力。为其推轮。拔其苦恼。时国大王筵佛设斋。我于尔时。平地待佛。毗舍如来。摩顶谓我。当平心地。则世界地。一切皆平。我即心开。见身微尘。与造世界所有微尘。等无差别。微尘自性。不相触摩。乃至刀兵。亦无所触。我于法性。悟无生忍。成阿罗汉。回心今入菩萨位中。闻诸如来。宣妙莲花佛知见地。我先证明。而为上首。佛问圆通。我以谛观。身界二尘。等无差别。本如来藏。虚妄发尘。尘销智圆。成无上道。斯为第一。
　　月光童子。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我忆往昔。恒河沙劫。有佛出世。名为水天。教诸菩萨修习水精。入三摩地。观于身中。水性无夺。初从涕唾。如是穷尽。津液精血。大小便利。身中漩洑。水性一同。见水身中。与世界外浮幢王刹。诸香水海。等无差别。我于是时。初成此观。但见其水。未得无身。当为比丘。室中安禅。我有弟子。窥窗观室。惟见清水遍在屋中。了无所见。童稚无知。取一瓦砾投于水内。激水作声。顾盼而去。我出定后。顿觉心痛。如舍利弗遭违害鬼。我自思惟。今我已得阿罗汉道。久离病缘。云何今日忽生心痛。将无退失。尔时。童子捷来我前。说如上事。我则告言。汝更见水。可即开门。入此水中。除去瓦砾。童子奉教。后入定时。还复见水。瓦砾宛然。开门除出。我后出定。身质如初。逢无量佛。如是至于山海自在通王如来。方得亡身。与十方界。诸香水海。性合真空。无二无别。今于如来得童真名。预菩萨会。佛问圆通。我以水性。一味流通。得无生忍。圆满菩提。斯为第一。
　　琉璃光法王子。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我忆往昔。经恒沙劫。有佛出世。名无量声。开示菩萨本觉妙明。观此世界。及众生身。皆是妄缘。风力所转。我于尔时。观界安立。观世动时。观身动止。观心动念。诸动无二。等无差别。我时了觉此群动性。来无所从。去无所至。十方微尘颠倒众生。同一虚妄。如是乃至三千大千。一世界内。所有众生。如一器中。贮百蚊蚋。啾啾乱鸣。于分寸中。鼓发狂闹。逢佛未几。得无生忍。尔时心开。乃见东方不动佛国。为法王子。事十方佛。身心发光。洞彻无碍。佛问圆通。我以观察风力无依。悟菩提心。入三摩地。合十方佛传一妙心。斯为第一。
　　虚空藏菩萨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我与如来。定光佛所。得无边身。尔时。手执四大宝珠。照明十方微尘佛刹。化成虚空。又于自心现大圆镜。内放十种微妙宝光。流灌十方。尽虚空际。诸幢王刹。来入镜内。涉入我身。身同虚空。不相妨碍。身能善入微尘国土。广行佛事。得大随顺。此大神力。由我谛观。四大无依。妄想生灭。虚空无二。佛国本同。于同发明。得无生忍。佛问圆通。我以观察虚空无边。入三摩地。妙力圆明。斯为第一。
　　弥勒菩萨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我忆往昔。经微尘劫。有佛出世。名日月灯明。我从彼佛。而得出家。心重世名。好游族姓。尔时。世尊教我修习惟心识定。入三摩地。历劫已来。以此三昧。事恒沙佛。求世名心。歇灭无有。至燃灯佛出现于世。我乃得成。无上妙圆识心三昧。乃至尽空如来国土。净秽有无。皆是我心变化所现。世尊。我了如是惟心识故。识性流出无量如来。今得授记。次补佛处。佛问圆通。我以谛观十方惟识。识心圆明。入圆成实。远离依他。及遍计执。得无生忍。斯为第一。
　　大势至法王子。与其同伦。五十二菩萨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我忆往昔。恒河沙劫。有佛出世。名无量光。十二如来。相继一劫。其最后佛。名超日月光。彼佛教我念佛三昧。譬如有人。一专为忆。一人专忘。如是二人。若逢不逢。或见非见。二人相忆。二忆念深。如是乃至从生至生。同于形影。不相乖异。十方如来。怜念众生。如母忆子。若子逃逝。虽忆何为。子若忆母。如母忆时。母子历生。不相违远。若众生心。忆佛念佛。现前当来。必定见佛。去佛不远。不假方便。自得心开。如染香人。身有香气。此则名曰。香光庄严。我本因地。以念佛心。入无生忍。今于此界。摄念佛人。归于净土。佛问圆通。我无选择。都摄六根。净念相继。得三摩地。斯为第一。
　　卷六
　　尔时。观世音菩萨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。世尊。忆念我昔。无数恒河沙劫。于时有佛。出现于世。名观世音。我于彼佛。发菩提心。彼佛教我从闻思修。入三摩地。初于闻中。入流亡所。所入既寂。动静二相。了然不生。如是渐增。闻所闻尽。尽闻不住。觉所觉空。空觉极圆。空所空灭。生灭既灭。寂灭现前。忽然超越世出世间。十方圆明。获二殊胜。一者。上合十方诸佛本妙觉心。与佛如来同一慈力。二者。下合十方一切六道众生。与诸众生。同一悲仰。世尊。由我供养观音如来。蒙彼如来。授我如幻闻熏闻修。金刚三昧。与佛如来。同慈力故。令我身成三十二应。入诸国土。世尊。若诸菩萨。入三摩地。进修无漏。胜解现圆。我现佛身。而为说法。令其解脱。若诸有学。寂静妙明。胜妙现圆。我于彼前。现独觉身。而为说法。令其解脱。若诸有学。断十二缘。缘断胜性。胜妙现圆。我于彼前。现缘觉身。而为说法。令其解脱。若诸有学。得四谛空。修道入灭。胜性现圆。我于彼前。现声闻身。而为说法。令其解脱。若诸众生。欲心明悟。不犯欲尘。欲身清净。我于彼前。现梵王身。而为说法。令其解脱。若诸众生。欲为天主。统领诸天。我于彼前。现帝释身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。欲身自在。游行十方。我于彼前。现自在天身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。欲身自在。飞行虚空。我于彼前。现大自在天身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱统鬼神。救护国土。我于彼前。现天大将军身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱统世界。保护众生。我于彼前。现四天王身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱生天宫。驱使鬼神。我于彼前。现四天王国太子身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。乐为人主。我于彼前。现人王身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱主族姓。世间推让。我于彼前。现长者身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱谈名言。清净其居。我于彼前。现居士身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱治国土。剖断邦邑。我于彼前。现宰官身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。爱诸数术。摄卫自居。我于彼前。现婆罗门身。而为说法。令其成就。若有男子。好学出家。持诸戒律。我于彼前。现比丘身。而为说法。令其成就。若有女子。好学出家。持诸禁戒。我于彼前。现比丘尼身。而为说法。令其成就。若有男子。乐持五戒。我于彼前。现优婆塞身。而为说法。令其成就。若复女子。五戒自居。我于彼前。现优婆夷身。而为说法。令其成就。若有女人。内政立身。以修家国。我于彼前。现女主身。及国夫人。命妇大家。而为说法。令其成就。若有众生。不坏男根。我于彼前。现童男身。而为说法。令其成就。若有处女。爱乐处身。不求侵暴。我于彼前。现童女身。而为说法。令其成就。若有诸天。乐出天伦。我现天身。而为说法。令其成就。若有诸龙。乐出龙伦。我现龙身。而为说法。令其成就。若有药叉。乐度本伦。我于彼前。现药叉身。而为说法。令其成就。若乾闼婆。乐脱其伦。我于彼前。现乾闼婆身。而为说法。令其成就。若阿修罗。乐脱其伦。我于彼前。现阿修罗身。而为说法。令其成就。若紧陀罗。乐脱其伦。我于彼前。现紧陀罗身。而为说法。令其成就。若摩呼罗伽。乐脱其伦。我于彼前。现摩呼罗伽身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸众生。乐人修人。我现人身。而为说法。令其成就。若诸非人。有形无形。有想无想。乐度其伦。我于彼前。皆现其身。而为说法。令其成就。是名妙净三十二应。入国土身。皆以三昧。闻熏闻修。无作妙力。自在成就。世尊。我复以此闻熏闻修。金刚三昧。无作妙力。与诸十方三世。六道一切众生。同悲仰故。令诸众生。于我身心。获十四种无畏功德。一者。由我不自观音。以观观者。令彼十方苦恼众生。观其音声。即得解脱。二者。知见旋复。令诸众生。设入大火。火不能烧。三者。观听旋复。令诸众生。大水所漂。水不能溺。四者。断灭妄想。心无杀害。令诸众生。入诸鬼国。鬼不能害。五者。熏闻成闻。六根销复。同于声听。能令众生。临当被害。刀段段坏。使其兵戈。犹如割水。亦如吹光。性无摇动。六者。闻熏精明。明遍法界。则诸幽暗。性不能全。能令众生。药叉罗刹。鸠槃茶鬼。及毗舍遮。富单那等。虽近其傍。目不能视。七者。音性圆销。观听返入。离诸尘妄。能令众生。禁系枷锁。所不能着。八者。灭音圆闻。遍生慈力。能令众生。经过险路。贼不能劫。九者。熏闻离尘。色所不劫。能令一切多淫众生。远离贪欲。十者。纯音无尘。根境圆融。无对所对。能令一切忿恨众生。离诸嗔恚。十一者。销尘旋明。法界身心。犹如琉璃。朗彻无碍。能令一切昏钝性障。诸阿颠迦。永离痴暗。十二者。融形复闻。不动道场。涉入世间。不坏世界。能遍十方。供养微尘诸佛如来。各各佛边。为法王子。能令法界无子众生。欲求男者。诞生福德智慧之男。十三者。六根圆通。明照无二。含十方界。立大圆镜。空如来藏。承顺十方微尘如来。秘密法门。受领无失。能令法界无子众生。欲求女者。诞生端正福德柔顺。众人爱敬。有相之女。十四者。此三千大千世界。百亿日月。现住世间诸法王子。有六十二恒河沙数。修法垂范。教化众生。随顺众生。方便智慧。各各不同。由我所得圆通本根。发妙耳门。然后身心微妙含容。遍周法界。能令众生持我名号。与彼共持。六十二恒河沙诸法王子。二人福德。正等无异。世尊。我一名号。与彼众多名号无异。由我修习。得真圆通。是名十四施无畏力。福备众生。世尊。我又获是圆通。修证无上道故。又能善获。四不思议无作妙德。一者。由我初获。妙妙闻心。心精遗闻。见闻觉知。不能分隔。成一圆融。清净宝觉。故我能现众多妙容。能说无边秘密神咒。其中或现一首。三首五首。七首九首。十一首。如是乃至一百八首。千首万首。八万四千烁迦啰首。二臂四臂。六臂八臂。十臂十二臂。十四十六。十八二十。至二十四。如是乃至一百八臂。千臂万臂。八万四千母陀罗臂。二目三目。四目九目。如是乃至一百八目。千目万目。八万四千清净宝目。或慈或威。或定或慧。救护众生。得大自在。二者。由我闻思。脱出六尘。如声度垣。不能为碍。故我妙能现一一形。诵一一咒。其形其咒。能以无畏。施诸众生。是故。十方微尘国土。皆名我为。施无畏者。三者。由我修习。本妙圆通清净本根。所游世界。皆令众生。舍身珍宝。求我哀愍。四者。我得佛心。证于究竟。能以珍宝种种。供养十方如来。傍及法界六道众生。求妻得妻。求子得子。求三昧得三昧。求长寿得长寿。如是乃至求大涅槃得大涅槃。佛问圆通。我从耳门圆照三昧。缘心自在。因入流相。得三摩提。成就菩提。斯为第一。世尊。彼佛如来。叹我善得圆通法门。于大会中。授记我为。观世音号。由我观听十方圆明。故观音名。遍十方界。
　　尔时。世尊于狮子座。从其五体。同放宝光。远灌十方微尘如来。及法王子。诸菩萨顶。彼诸如来。亦于五体。同放宝光。从微尘方。来灌佛顶。并灌会中诸大菩萨。及阿罗汉。林木池沼。皆演法音。交光相罗。如宝丝网。是诸大众。得未曾有。一切普获金刚三昧。即时天雨百宝莲花。青黄赤白。间错纷糅。十方虚空。成七宝色。此娑婆界。大地山河。俱时不现。惟见十方微尘国土。合成一界。梵呗咏歌。自然数奏。于是。如来告文殊师利法王子。汝今观此。二十五无学诸大菩萨。及阿罗汉。各说最初成道方便。皆言修习真实圆通。彼等修行。实无优劣。前后差别。我今欲令阿难开悟。二十五行。谁当其根。兼我灭后。此界众生。入菩萨乘。求无上道。何方便门。得易成就。
　　文殊师利法王子。奉佛慈旨。即从座起。顶礼佛足。承佛威神。说偈对佛。
　　觉海性澄圆圆澄觉元妙
　　元明照生所所立照性亡
　　迷妄有虚空依空立世界
　　想澄成国土知觉乃众生
　　空生大觉中如海一沤发
　　有漏微尘国皆从空所生
　　沤灭空本无况复诸三有
　　归元性无二方便有多门
　　圣性无不通顺逆皆方便
　　初心入三昧迟速不同伦
　　色想结成尘精了不能彻
　　如何不明彻于是获圆通
　　音声杂语言但伊名句味
　　一非含一切云何获圆通
　　香以合中知离则元无有
　　不恒其所觉云何获圆通
　　味性非本然要以味时有
　　其觉不恒一云何获圆通
　　触以所触明无所不明触
　　合离性非定云何获圆通
　　法称为内尘凭尘必有所
　　能所非遍涉云何获圆通
　　见性虽洞然明前不明后
　　四维亏一半云何获圆通
　　鼻息出入通现前无交气
　　支离匪涉入云何获圆通
　　舌非入无端因味生觉了
　　味亡了无有云何获圆通
　　身与所触同各非圆觉观
　　涯量不冥会云何获圆通
　　知根杂乱思湛了终无见
　　想念不可脱云何获圆通
　　识见杂三和诘本称非相
　　自体先无定云何获圆通
　　心闻洞十方生于大因力
　　初心不能入云何获圆通
　　鼻想本权机只令摄心住
　　住成心所住云何获圆通
　　说法弄音文开悟先成者
　　名句非无漏云何获圆通
　　持犯但束身非身无所束
　　元非遍一切云何获圆通
　　神通本宿因何关法分别
　　念缘非离物云何获圆通
　　若以地性观坚碍非通达
　　有为非圣性云何获圆通
　　若以水性观想念非真实
　　如如非觉观云何获圆通
　　若以火性观厌有非真离
　　非初心方便云何获圆通
　　若以风性观动寂非无对
　　对非无上觉云何获圆通
　　若以空性观昏钝先非觉
　　无觉异菩提云何获圆通
　　若以识性观观识非常住
　　存心乃虚妄云何获圆通
　　诸行是无常念性无生灭
　　因果今殊感云何获圆通
　　我今白世尊佛出娑婆界
　　此方真教体清净在音闻
　　欲取三摩提实以闻中入
　　离苦得解脱良哉观世音
　　于恒沙劫中入微尘佛国
　　得大自在力无畏施众生
　　妙音观世音梵音海潮音
　　救世悉安宁出世获常住
　　我今启如来如观音所说
　　譬如人静居十方俱击鼓
　　十处一时闻此则圆真实
　　目非观障外口鼻亦复然
　　身以合方知心念纷无绪
　　隔垣听音响遐迩俱可闻
　　五根所不齐是则通真实
　　音声性动静闻中为有无
　　无声号无闻非实闻无性
　　声无既无灭声有亦非生
　　生灭二圆离是则常真实
　　纵令在梦想不为不思无
　　觉观出思惟身心不能及
　　今此娑婆国声论得宣明
　　众生迷本闻循声故流转
　　阿难纵强记不免落邪思
　　岂非随所沦旋流获无妄
　　阿难汝谛听我承佛威力
　　宣说金刚王如幻不思议
　　佛母真三昧汝闻微尘佛
　　一切秘密门欲漏不先除
　　畜闻成过误将闻持佛佛
　　何不自闻闻闻非自然生
　　因声有名字旋闻与声脱
　　能脱欲谁名一根既返源
　　六根成解脱见闻如幻翳
　　三界若空花闻复翳根除
　　尘销觉圆净净极光通达
　　寂照含虚空却来观世间
　　犹如梦中事摩登伽在梦
　　谁能留汝形如世巧幻师
　　幻作诸男女虽见诸根动
　　要以一机抽息机归寂然
　　诸幻成无性六根亦如是
　　元依一精明分成六和合
　　一处成休复六用皆不成
　　尘垢应念销成圆明净妙
　　余尘尚诸学明极即如来
　　大众及阿难旋汝倒闻机
　　反闻闻自性性成无上道
　　圆通实如是此是微尘佛
　　一路涅槃门过去诸如来
　　斯门已成就现在诸菩萨
　　今各入圆明未来修学人
　　当依如是法我亦从中证
　　非惟观世音诚如佛世尊
　　询我诸方便以救诸末劫
　　求出世间人成就涅槃心
　　观世音为最自余诸方便
　　皆是佛威神即事舍尘劳
　　非是长修学浅深同说法
　　顶礼如来藏无漏不思议
　　愿加被未来于此门无惑
　　方便易成就堪以教阿难
　　及末劫沉沦但以此根修
　　圆通超余者真实心如是
　　于是。阿难及诸大众。身心了然。得大开示。观佛菩提。及大涅槃。犹如有人因事远游。未得归还。明了其家所归道路。普会大众。天龙八部。有学二乘。及诸一切新发心菩萨。其数凡有十恒河沙。皆得本心。远尘离垢。获法眼净。性比丘尼。闻说偈已。成阿罗汉。无量众生。皆发无等等阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心。
　　阿难整衣服。望大众中。合掌顶礼。心迹圆明。悲欣交集。欲益未来诸众生故。稽首白佛。大悲世尊。我今已悟成佛法门。是中修行。得无疑惑。常闻如来说如是言。自未得度。先度人者。菩萨发心。自觉已圆。能觉他者。如来应世。我虽未度。愿度末劫一切众生。世尊。此诸众生。去佛渐远。邪师说法。如恒河沙。欲摄其心。入三摩地。云何令其安立道场。远诸魔事。于菩提心得无退屈。
　　尔时。世尊于大众中。称赞阿难。善哉善哉。如汝所问。安立道场。救护众生末劫沉溺。汝今谛听。当为汝说。
　　阿难大众。惟然奉教。
　　佛告阿难。汝常闻我毗奈耶中。宣说修行三决定义。所谓。摄心为戒。因戒生定。因定发慧。是则名为。三无漏学。阿难。云何摄心。我名为戒。若诸世界六道众生。其心不淫。则不随其生死相续。汝修三昧。本出尘劳。淫心不除。尘不可出。纵有多智。禅定现前。如不断淫。必落魔道。上品魔王。中品魔民。下品魔女。彼等诸魔。亦有徒众。各各自谓成无上道。我灭度后。末法之中。多此魔民。炽盛世间。广行贪淫。为善知识。令诸众生。落爱见坑。失菩提路。汝教世人。修三摩地。先断心淫。是名如来先佛世尊。第一决定清净明诲。是故。阿难。若不断淫。修禅定者。如蒸沙石。欲其成饭。经百千劫。只名热沙。何以故。此非饭本。石沙成故。汝以淫身。求佛妙果。纵得妙悟。皆是淫根。根本成淫。轮转三途。必不能出。如来涅槃。何路修证。必使淫机身心俱断。断性亦无。于佛菩提斯可希冀。如我此说。名为佛说。不如此说。即波旬说。阿难。又诸世界六道众生。其心不杀。则不随其生死相续。汝修三昧。本出尘劳。杀心不除。尘不可出。纵有多智。禅定现前。如不断杀。必落神道。上品之人。为大力鬼。中品即为飞行夜叉。诸鬼帅等。下品尚为地行罗刹。彼诸鬼神。亦有徒众。各各自谓成无上道。我灭度后。末法之中。多此神鬼。炽盛世间。自言食肉得菩提路。阿难。我令比丘食五净肉。此肉皆我神力化生。本无命根。汝婆罗门。地多蒸湿。加以沙石。草菜不生。我以大悲神力所加。因大慈悲。假名为肉。汝得其味。奈何如来灭度之后。食众生肉。名为释子。汝等当知。是食肉人。纵得心开似三摩地。皆大罗刹。报终必沉生死苦海。非佛弟子。如是之人。相杀相吞。相食未已。云何是人得出三界。汝教世人。修三摩地。次断杀生。是名如来先佛世尊。第二决定清净明诲。是故。阿难。若不断杀。修禅定者。譬如有人自塞其耳。高声大叫。求人不闻。此等名为欲隐弥露。清净比丘。及诸菩萨。于歧路行。不踏生草。况以手拔。云何大悲。取诸众生血肉充食。若诸比丘。不服东方丝绵绢帛。及是此土靴覆裘毳。乳酪醍醐。如是比丘。于世真脱。酬还宿债。不游三界。何以故。服其身分。皆为彼缘。如人食其地中百谷。足不离地。必使身心。于诸众生。若身身分。身心二途。不服不食。我说是人。真解脱者。如我此说。名为佛说。不如此说。即波旬说。阿难。又复世界六道众生。其心不偷。则不随其生死相续。汝修三昧。本出尘劳。偷心不除。尘不可出。纵有多智。禅定现前。如不断偷。必落邪道。上品精灵。中品妖魅。下品邪人。诸魅所著。彼等群邪。亦有徒众。各各自谓成无上道。我灭度后。末法之中。多此妖邪。炽盛世间。潜匿奸欺。称善知识。各自谓已得上人法。詃惑无识。恐令失心。所过之处。其家耗散。我教比丘循方乞食。令其舍贪。成菩萨道。诸比丘等。不自熟食。寄于残生。旅泊三界。示一往还。去已无返。云何贼人。假我衣服。裨贩如来。造种种业。皆言佛法。却非出家具戒比丘。为小乘道。由是疑误无量众生。堕无间狱。若我灭后。其有比丘。发心决定修三摩提。能于如来形像之前。身燃一灯。烧一指节。及于身上爇一香炷。我说是人。无始宿债。一时酬毕。长揖世间。永脱诸漏。虽未即明无上觉路。是人于法。已决定心。若不为此舍身微因。纵成无为。必还生人。酬其宿债。如我马麦。正等无异。汝教世人。修三摩地。后断偷盗。是名如来先佛世尊。第三决定清净明诲。是故。阿难。若不断偷。修禅定者。譬如有人。水灌漏卮。欲求其满。纵经尘劫。终无平复。若诸比丘。衣钵之余。分寸不畜。乞食余分。施饿众生。于大集会。合掌礼众。有人捶詈。同于称赞。必使身心二俱捐舍。身肉骨血。与众生共。不将如来不了义说。回为已解。以误初学。佛印是人。得真三昧。如我所说。名为佛说。不如此说。即波旬说。阿难。如是世界六道众生。虽则身心无杀盗淫。三行已圆。若大妄语。即三摩提不得清净。成爱见魔。失如来种。所谓。未得谓得。未证言证。或求世间尊胜第一。谓前人言。我今已得须陀洹果。斯陀含果。阿那含果。阿罗汉道。辟支佛乘。十地。地前诸位菩萨。求彼礼忏。贪其供养。是一颠迦。销灭佛种。如人以刀断多罗木。佛记是人。永殒善根。无复知见。沉三苦海。不成三昧。我灭度后。敕诸菩萨。及阿罗汉。应身生彼末法之中。作种种形。度诸轮转。或作沙门。白衣居士。人王宰官。童男童女。如是乃至淫女寡妇。奸偷屠贩。与其同事。称叹佛乘。令其身心。入三摩地。终不自言。我真菩萨。真阿罗汉。泄佛密因。轻言未学。惟除命终。阴有遗付。云何是人。惑乱众生。成大妄语。汝教世人。修三摩地。后复断除诸大妄语。是名如来先佛世尊。第四决定清净明诲。是故。阿难。若不断其大妄语者。如刻人粪。为栴檀形。欲求香气。无有是处。我教比丘直心道场。于四威仪。一切行中。尚无虚假。云何自称得上人法。譬如穷人。妄号帝王。自取诛灭。况复法王。如何妄窃。因地不直。果招纡曲。求佛菩提。如噬脐人。欲谁成就。若诸比丘。心如直弦。一切真实。入三摩提。永无魔事。我印是人。成就菩萨无上知觉。如我所说。名为佛说。不如此说。即波旬说。
　　卷七
　　阿难。汝问摄心。我今先说。入三摩地。修学妙门。求菩萨道。要先持此四种律仪。皎如冰霜。自不能生一切枝叶。心三口四。生必无因。阿难。如是四事若不失遗。心尚不缘色香味触。一切魔事。云何发生。若有宿习。不能灭除。汝教是人。一心诵我。佛顶光明摩诃萨怛多般怛啰。无上神咒。斯是如来无见顶相。无为心佛。从顶发辉。坐宝莲花。所说心咒。且汝宿世。与摩登伽。历劫因缘。恩爱习气。非是一生。及与一劫。我一宣扬。爱心永脱。成阿罗汉。彼尚淫女。无心修行。神力冥资。速证无学。云何汝等在会声闻。求最上乘。决定成佛。譬如以尘扬于顺风。有何艰险。若有末世欲坐道场。先持比丘清净禁戒。要当选择戒清净者。第一沙门。以为其师。若其不遇真清净僧。汝戒律仪。必不成就。戒成已后。着新净衣。燃香闲居。诵此心佛所说神咒。一百八遍。然后结界。建立道场。求于十方现住国土无上如来。放大悲光。来灌其顶。阿难。如是末世。清净比丘。若比丘尼。白衣檀越。心灭贪淫。持佛净戒。于道场中。发菩萨愿。出入澡浴。六时行道。如是不寐。经三七日。我自现身。至其人前。摩顶安慰。令其开悟。
　　阿难白佛言。世尊。我蒙如来无上悲诲。心已开悟。自知修证。无学道成。末法修行。建立道场。云何结界。合佛世尊清净轨则。
　　佛告阿难。若末世人。愿立道场。先取雪山大力白牛。食其山中肥腻香草。此牛惟饮雪山清水。其粪微细。可取其粪。和合栴檀。以泥其地。若非雪山。其牛臭秽。不堪涂地。别于平原。穿去地皮。五尺已下。取其黄土。和上栴檀。沉水苏合。熏陆郁金。白胶青木。零陵甘松。及鸡舌香。以此十种。细罗为粉。合土成泥。以涂场地。方圆丈六。为八角坛。坛心置一金银铜木所造莲花。花中安钵。钵中先盛八月露水。水中随安所有花叶。取八圆镜。各安其方。围绕花钵。镜外建立十六莲花。十六香炉。间花铺设。庄严香炉。纯烧沉水。无令见火。取白牛乳。置十六器。乳为煎饼。并诸沙糖。油饼乳糜。酥合蜜姜。纯酥纯蜜。及诸果子。饮食葡萄石蜜。种种上妙等食。于莲花外。各各十六。围绕花外。以奉诸佛。及大菩萨。每以食时。若在中夜。取蜜半升。用酥三合。坛前别安一小火炉。以兜楼婆香。煎取香水。沐浴其炭。燃令猛炽。投是酥蜜于炎炉内。烧令烟尽。享佛菩萨。令其四外。遍悬幡花。于坛室中。四壁敷设十方如来。及诸菩萨。所有形像。应于当阳。张卢舍那。释迦。弥勒。阿閦。弥陀。诸大变化观音形像。兼金刚藏。安其左右。帝释。梵王。乌刍瑟摩。并蓝地迦。诸军茶利。与毗俱知。四天王等。频那夜迦。张于门侧。左右安置。又取八镜。覆悬虚空。与坛场中所安之镜。方面相对。使其形影。重重相涉。于初七日中。至诚顶礼十方如来。诸大菩萨。及阿罗汉。恒于六时诵咒绕坛。至心行道。一时常行一百八遍。第二七中。一向专心发菩萨愿。心无间断。我毗奈耶。先有愿教。第三七中。于十二时。一向持佛。般怛罗咒。至第四七日。十方如来。一时出现。镜交光处。承佛摩顶。即于道场。修三摩地。能令如是末世修学。身心明净。犹如琉璃。阿难。若此比丘本受戒师。及同会中十比丘等。其中有一不清净者。如是道场多不成就。从三七后。端坐安居。经一百日。有利根者。不起于座。得须陀洹。纵其身心圣果未成。决定自知成佛不谬。汝问道场。建立如是。
　　阿难顶礼佛足。而白佛言。自我出家。恃佛骄爱。求多闻故。未证无为。遭彼梵天邪术所禁。心虽明了。力不自由。赖遇文殊。令我解脱。虽蒙如来佛顶神咒。冥获其力。尚未亲闻。惟愿大慈。重为宣说。悲救此会诸修行辈。末及当来在轮回者。承佛密音。身意解脱。于时。会中一切大众。普皆作礼。伫闻如来秘密章句。
　　尔时。世尊从肉髻中。涌百宝光。光中涌出。千叶宝莲。有化如来。坐宝花中。顶放十道。百宝光明。一一光明。皆遍示现。十恒河沙。金刚密迹。擎山持杵。遍虚空界。大众仰观。畏爱兼抱。求佛恃怙。一心听佛。无见顶相。放光如来。宣说神咒。
　　第一会 (零零壹..壹叁柒)
　　南无萨怛他．苏伽多耶．阿啰诃帝．三藐三菩陀写。萨怛他．佛陀俱胝瑟尼钐。南无萨婆．勃陀勃地．萨跢鞞弊。南无萨多南．三藐三菩陀．俱知喃。娑舍啰婆迦．僧伽喃。南无卢鸡阿罗汉哆喃。南无苏卢多波那喃。南无娑羯唎陀伽弥喃。南无卢鸡三藐伽哆喃。三藐伽波啰．底波多那喃。南无提婆离瑟赧。南无悉陀耶．毗地耶．陀啰离瑟赧。舍波奴．揭啰诃．娑诃娑啰摩他喃。南无跋啰诃摩尼。南无因陀啰耶。南无婆伽婆帝。嚧陀啰耶。乌摩般帝。娑醯夜耶。南无婆伽婆帝。那啰野拏耶。盘遮摩诃．三慕陀啰。南无悉羯唎多耶。南无婆伽婆帝。摩诃迦啰耶。地唎般剌那伽啰。毗陀啰．波拏迦啰耶。阿地目帝。尸摩舍那泥．婆悉泥。摩怛唎伽拏。南无悉羯唎多耶。南无婆伽婆帝。多他伽跢俱啰耶。南无般头摩．俱啰耶。南无跋阇啰．俱啰耶。南无摩尼俱啰耶。南无伽阇俱啰耶。南无婆伽婆帝。帝唎茶．输啰西那。波啰诃啰拏啰阇耶。跢他伽多耶。南无婆伽婆帝。南无阿弥多婆耶。跢他伽多耶。阿啰诃帝。三藐三菩陀耶。南无婆伽婆帝。阿刍鞞耶。跢他伽多耶。阿啰诃帝。三藐三菩陀耶。南无婆伽婆帝。鞞沙阇耶俱卢吠柱唎耶。般啰婆啰阇耶。跢他伽多耶。南无婆伽婆帝。三补师毖多。萨怜捺啰．剌阇耶。跢他伽多耶。阿啰诃帝。三藐三菩陀耶。南无婆伽婆帝。舍鸡野．母那曳。跢他伽多耶。阿啰诃帝。三藐三菩陀耶。南无婆伽婆帝。剌怛那．鸡都啰阇耶。跢他伽多耶。阿啰诃帝。三藐三菩陀耶。帝瓢．南无萨羯唎多。翳昙婆伽婆多。萨怛他．伽都瑟尼钐。萨怛多．般怛嚂。南无阿婆啰视耽。般啰帝扬歧啰。萨啰婆部多．揭啰诃。尼揭啰诃．羯迦啰诃尼。跋啰毖地耶．叱陀你。阿迦啰密唎柱。般唎怛啰耶．儜揭唎。萨啰婆．盘陀那．目叉尼。萨啰婆．突瑟咤。突悉乏．般那你伐啰尼。赭都啰失帝南。羯啰诃．娑诃萨啰若阇。毗多崩．娑那羯唎。阿瑟咤冰舍帝南。那叉剎怛啰若阇。波啰萨陀那羯唎。阿瑟咤南。摩诃揭啰诃若阇。毗多崩．萨那羯唎。萨婆舍都嚧你婆啰若阇。呼蓝突悉乏．难遮那舍尼。毖沙舍．悉怛啰。阿吉尼．乌陀迦啰若阇。阿般啰视多具啰。摩诃般啰战持。摩诃迭多。摩诃帝阇。摩诃税多阇婆啰。摩诃跋啰盘陀啰婆悉你。阿唎耶多啰。毗唎俱知。誓婆毗阇耶。跋阇啰．摩礼底。毗舍嚧多。勃腾罔迦。跋阇啰．制喝那阿遮。摩啰制婆．般啰质多。跋阇啰擅持。毗舍啰遮。扇多舍．鞞提婆．补视多。苏摩嚧波。摩诃税多。阿唎耶多啰。摩诃婆啰阿般啰。跋阇啰．商揭啰制婆。跋阇啰俱摩唎。俱蓝陀唎。跋阇啰．喝萨多遮。毗地耶．干遮那．摩唎迦。啒苏母．婆羯啰多那。鞞嚧遮那俱唎耶。夜啰菟瑟尼钐。毗折蓝婆．摩尼遮。跋阇啰．迦那迦波啰婆。嚧阇那跋阇啰．顿稚遮。税多遮．迦摩啰。剎奢尸．波啰婆。翳帝夷帝。母陀啰羯拏。娑鞞啰忏。掘梵都。印兔那．么么写。
　　第二会 (零叁捌..壹捌柒)
　　乌昕。唎瑟揭拏。般剌舍悉多。萨怛他．伽都瑟尼钐。虎昕。都卢雍。瞻婆那。虎昕。都卢雍。悉耽婆那。虎昕。都卢雍。波啰瑟地耶．三般叉．拏羯啰。虎昕。都卢雍。萨婆药叉．喝啰剎娑。揭啰诃若阇。毗腾崩．萨那羯啰。虎昕。都卢雍。者都啰．尸底南。揭啰诃．娑诃萨啰南。毗腾崩．萨那啰。虎昕。都卢雍。啰叉。婆伽梵。萨怛他．伽都瑟尼钐。波啰点阇吉唎。摩诃娑诃萨啰。勃树娑诃萨啰．室唎沙。俱知娑诃萨泥帝篱。阿弊提视婆唎多。咤咤罂迦。摩诃跋阇嚧陀啰。帝唎菩婆那。曼茶啰。乌昕。娑悉帝薄婆都。么么。印兔那么么写。
　　第三会 (壹柒玖..贰柒贰)
　　啰阇婆夜。主啰跋夜。阿祇尼婆夜。乌陀迦婆夜。毗沙婆夜。舍萨多啰婆夜。婆啰斫羯啰婆夜。突瑟叉婆夜。阿舍你婆夜。阿迦啰．密唎柱婆夜。陀啰尼部弥剑．波伽波陀婆夜。乌啰迦婆多婆夜。剌阇坛茶婆夜。那伽婆夜。毗条怛婆夜。苏波啰拏婆夜。药叉揭啰诃。啰叉私．揭啰诃。毕唎多．揭啰诃。毗舍遮．揭啰诃。部多揭啰诃。鸠盘茶．揭啰诃。补单那．揭啰诃。迦咤补单那．揭啰诃。悉干度．揭啰诃。阿播悉摩啰．揭啰诃。乌檀摩陀．揭啰诃。车夜揭啰诃。醯唎婆帝．揭啰诃。社多诃唎南。揭婆诃唎南。嚧地啰．诃唎南。忙娑诃唎南。谜陀诃唎南。摩阇诃唎南。阇多诃唎女。视比多诃唎南。毗多诃唎南。婆多诃唎南。阿输遮诃唎女。质多诃唎女。帝钐萨鞞钐。萨婆揭啰诃南。毗陀耶阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。波唎跋啰者迦．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。茶演尼．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。摩诃般输般怛夜。嚧陀啰．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。那啰夜拏．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。怛埵伽嚧茶西．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。摩诃迦啰．摩怛唎伽拏．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。迦波唎迦．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。阇夜羯啰．摩度羯啰。萨婆啰他娑达那．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。赭咄啰．婆耆你．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。毗唎羊．讫唎知。难陀鸡沙啰．伽拏般帝。索醯夜．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。那揭那．舍啰婆拏．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。阿罗汉．讫唎担毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。毗多啰伽．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥跋阇啰波你。具醯夜．具醯夜。迦地般帝．讫唎担。毗陀夜阇．嗔陀夜弥。鸡啰夜弥。啰叉罔。婆伽梵。印兔那．么么写。
　　第四会 (贰柒叁..叁叁贰)
　　婆伽梵。萨怛多．般怛啰。南无粹都帝。阿悉多．那啰剌迦。波啰婆．悉普咤。毗迦萨怛多．钵帝唎。什佛啰．什佛啰。陀啰陀啰。频陀啰．频陀啰．嗔陀嗔陀。虎昕。虎昕。泮咤。泮咤泮咤泮咤泮咤。娑诃。醯醯泮。阿牟迦耶泮。阿波啰．提诃多泮。婆啰波啰陀泮。阿素啰．毗陀啰．波迦泮。萨婆提鞞弊泮。萨婆那伽弊泮。萨婆药叉弊泮。萨婆干闼婆弊泮。萨婆补丹那弊泮。迦咤补丹那弊泮。萨婆突狼枳帝弊泮。萨婆突涩比犁．讫瑟帝弊泮。萨婆什婆利弊泮。萨婆阿播悉么犂弊泮。萨婆舍啰婆拏弊泮。萨婆地帝鸡弊泮。萨婆怛摩陀继弊泮。萨婆毗陀耶．啰誓遮犂弊泮。阇夜羯啰．摩度羯啰。萨婆啰他娑陀鸡弊泮。毗地夜．遮唎弊泮。者都啰．缚耆你弊泮。跋阇啰．俱摩唎。毗陀夜．啰誓弊泮。摩诃波啰丁羊．乂耆唎弊泮。跋阇啰．商羯啰夜。波啰丈耆．啰阇耶泮。摩诃迦啰夜。摩诃末怛唎迦拏。南无娑羯唎多夜泮。毖瑟拏婢曳泮。勃啰诃牟尼曳泮。阿耆尼曳泮。摩诃羯唎曳泮。羯啰檀迟曳泮。蔑怛唎曳泮。唠怛唎曳泮。遮文茶曳泮。羯逻啰怛唎曳泮。迦般唎曳泮。阿地目质多．迦尸摩舍那。婆私你曳泮。演吉质。萨埵婆写。么么印兔那么么写。
　　第五会 (叁叁叁..肆贰柒)
　　突瑟咤质多。阿末怛唎质多。乌阇诃啰。伽婆诃啰。嚧地啰诃啰。婆娑诃啰。摩阇诃啰。阇多诃啰。视毖多诃啰。跋略夜诃啰。干陀诃啰。布史波诃啰。颇啰诃啰。婆写诃啰。般波质多。突瑟咤质多。唠陀啰质多。药叉揭啰诃。啰剎娑．揭啰诃。闭篱多．揭啰诃。毗舍遮．揭啰诃。部多揭啰诃。鸠盘茶．揭啰诃。悉干陀．揭啰诃。乌怛摩陀．揭啰诃。车夜揭啰诃。阿播萨摩啰．揭啰诃。宅袪革．茶耆尼．揭啰诃。唎佛帝．揭啰诃。阇弥迦．揭啰诃。舍俱尼．揭啰诃。姥陀啰难地迦．揭啰诃。阿蓝婆．揭啰诃。干度波尼．揭啰诃。什伐啰．堙迦醯迦。坠帝药迦。怛篱帝药迦。者突托迦。尼提什伐啰．毖钐摩．什伐啰。薄底迦。鼻底迦。室隶瑟密迦。娑你般帝迦。萨婆什伐啰。室嚧吉帝。末陀鞞达嚧制剑。阿绮嚧钳。目佉嚧钳。羯唎突嚧钳。揭啰诃．羯蓝。羯拏输蓝。惮多输蓝。迄唎夜输蓝。末么输蓝。跋唎室婆输蓝。毖栗瑟咤输蓝。乌陀啰输蓝。羯知输蓝。跋悉帝输蓝。邬嚧输蓝。常伽输蓝。喝悉多输蓝。跋陀输蓝。娑房盎伽．般啰丈伽输蓝。部多毖哆茶。茶耆尼．什婆啰。陀突嚧迦．建咄嚧吉知．婆路多毗。萨般嚧诃凌伽。输沙怛啰娑那羯啰。毗沙喻迦。阿耆尼．乌陀迦。末啰鞞啰建跢啰。阿迦啰密唎咄．怛敛部迦。地栗剌咤。毖唎瑟质迦。萨婆那俱啰。肆引伽弊．揭啰唎药叉．怛啰刍。末啰视．吠帝钐．娑鞞钐。悉怛多．钵怛啰。摩诃跋阇嚧瑟尼钐。摩诃般赖丈耆蓝。夜波突陀．舍喻阇那。辫怛篱拏。毗陀耶．盘昙迦嚧弥。帝殊．盘昙迦嚧弥。般啰毘陀．盘昙迦嚧弥。哆侄他。唵。阿那篱。毗舍提。鞞啰跋阇啰陀唎。盘陀盘陀你。跋阇啰．谤尼泮。虎昕都嚧瓮泮。莎婆诃。
　　阿难。是佛顶光聚。悉怛多般怛罗。秘密伽陀。微妙章句。出生十方。一切诸佛。十方如来。因此咒心。得成无上正遍知觉。十方如来。执此咒心。降伏诸魔。制诸外道。十方如来。乘此咒心。坐宝莲花。应微尘国。十方如来。含此咒心。于微尘国。转大法轮。十方如来。持此咒心。能于十方摩顶授记。自果未成。亦于十方蒙佛授记。十方如来。依此咒心。能于十方拔济群苦。所谓。地狱饿鬼畜生。盲聋喑哑。怨憎会苦。爱别离苦。求不得苦。五阴炽盛。大小诸横。同时解脱。贼难兵难。王难狱难。风水火难。饥渴贫穷。应念销散。十方如来。随此咒心。能于十方事善知识。四威仪中。供养如意。恒沙如来会中。推为大法王子。十方如来。行此咒心。能于十方摄受亲因。令诸小乘。闻秘密藏。不生惊怖。十方如来。诵此咒心。成无上觉。坐菩提树。入大涅槃。十方如来。传此咒心。于灭度后。付佛法事。究竟住持。严净戒律。悉得清净。若我说是。佛顶光聚般怛罗咒。从旦至暮。音声相连。字句中间亦不重叠。经恒沙劫。终不能尽。亦说此咒。名如来顶。汝等有学。未尽轮回。发心至诚。趣向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。不持此咒而坐道场。令其身心远诸魔事。无有是处。
　　阿难。若诸世界。随所国土所有众生。随国所生桦皮贝叶。纸素白氎。书写此咒。贮于香囊。是人心昏。未能诵忆。或带身上。或书宅中。当知是人尽其生年。一切诸毒。所不能害。
　　阿难。我今为汝更说此咒。救护世间。得大无畏。成就众生出世间智。若我灭后。末世众生。有能自诵。若教他诵。当知如是诵持众生。火不能烧。水不能溺。大毒小毒。所不能害。如是乃至龙天鬼神。精祇魔魅。所有恶咒。皆不能着。心得正受。一切咒诅。魇蛊毒药。金毒银毒。草木虫蛇。万物毒气。入此人口。成甘露味。一切恶星。并诸鬼神。碜毒心人。于如是人。不能起恶。毗那夜迦。诸恶鬼王。并其眷属。皆领深恩。常加守护。
　　阿难。当知是咒。常有八万四千那由他。恒河沙俱胝。金刚藏王菩萨种族。一一皆有诸金刚众。而为眷属。设有众生。于散乱心。非三摩地。心忆口持。是金刚王。常随从彼诸善男子。何况决定菩提心者。此诸金刚菩萨藏王。精心阴速。发彼神识。是人应时心能记忆。八万四千恒河沙劫。周遍了知。得无疑惑。从第一劫。乃至后身。生生不生。药叉罗刹。及富单那。迦吒富单那。鸠槃茶。毗舍遮等。并诸饿鬼。有形无形。有想无想。如是恶处。是善男子。若读若诵。若书若写。若带若藏。诸色供养。劫劫不生贫穷下贱。不可乐处。此诸众生。纵其自身不作福业。十方如来所有功德。悉与此人。由是得于恒河沙阿僧祇。不可说不可说劫。常与诸佛同生一处。无量功德。如恶叉聚。同处熏修。永无分散。是故。能令破戒之人。戒根清净。未得戒者。令其得戒。未精进者。令得精进。无智慧者。令得智慧。不清净者。速得清净。不持斋戒。自成斋戒。
　　阿难。是善男子。持此咒时。设犯禁戒于未受时。持咒之后。众破戒罪。无问轻重。一时销灭。纵经饮酒。食啖五辛。种种不净。一切诸佛。菩萨金刚。天仙鬼神。不将为过。设着不净破弊衣服。一行一住。悉同清净。纵不作坛。不入道场。亦不行道。诵持此咒。还同入坛行道功德。若造五逆。无间重罪。及诸比丘比丘尼。四弃八弃。诵此咒已。如是重业。犹如猛风吹散沙聚。悉皆灭除。更无毫发。
　　阿难。若有众生。从无量无数劫来。所有一切轻重罪障。从前世来。未及忏悔。若能读诵书写此咒。身上带持。若安住处。庄宅园馆。如是积业。犹汤销雪。不久皆得悟无生忍。
　　复次。阿难。若有女人。未生男女。欲求生者。若能至心。忆念斯咒。或能身上带此。悉怛多钵怛罗者。便生福德智慧男女。求长命者。速得长命。欲求果报速圆满者。速得圆满。身命色力。亦复如是。命终之后。随愿往生十方国土。必定不生边地下贱。何况杂形。
　　阿难。若诸国土。州县聚落。饥荒疫疠。或复刀兵贼难斗诤。兼余一切厄难之地。写此神咒。安城四门。并诸支提。或脱阇上。令其国土所有众生。奉迎斯咒。礼拜恭敬。一心供养。令其人民各各身佩。或各各安所居宅地。一切灾厄。悉皆销灭。
　　阿难。在在处处。国土众生。随有此咒。天龙欢喜。风雨顺时。五谷丰殷。兆庶安乐。亦复能镇一切恶星。随方变怪。灾障不起。人无横夭。杻械枷锁。不着其身。昼夜安眠。常无恶梦。
　　阿难。是娑婆界。有八万四千灾变恶星。二十八大恶星。而为上首。复有八大恶星。以为其主。作种种形。出现世时。能生众生种种灾异。有此咒地。悉皆销灭。十二由旬。成结界地。诸恶灾祥。永不能入。是故。如来宣示此咒。于未来世。保护初学。诸修行者。入三摩提。身心泰然。得大安隐。更无一切诸魔鬼神。及无始来冤横宿殃。旧业陈债。来相恼害。汝及众中诸有学人。及未来世诸修行者。依我坛场。如法持戒。所受戒主。逢清净僧。持此咒心。不生疑悔。是善男子。于此父母所生之身。不得心通。十方如来便为妄语。
　　说是语已。会中无量百千金刚。一时佛前合掌顶礼。而白佛言。如佛所说。我当诚心。保护如是修菩提者。
　　尔时。梵王并天帝释。四天大王。亦于佛前同时顶礼。而白佛言。审有如是修学善人。我当尽心至诚保护。令其一生所作如愿。
　　复有无量药叉大将。诸罗刹王。富单那王。鸠槃茶王。毗舍遮王。频那夜迦。诸大鬼王。及诸鬼帅。亦于佛前合掌顶礼。我亦誓愿护持是人。令菩提心速得圆满。
　　复有无量日月天子。风师雨师。云师雷师。并电伯等。年岁巡官。诸星眷属。亦于会中顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我亦保护是修行人。安立道场。得无所畏。
　　复有无量山神海神。一切土地。水陆空行。万物精祇。并风神王。无色界天。于如来前。同时稽首。而白佛言。我亦保护是修行人。得成菩提。永无魔事。
　　尔时。八万四千那由他。恒河沙俱胝。金刚藏王菩萨。在大会中。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。世尊。如我等辈。所修功业。久成菩提。不取涅槃。常随此咒。救护末世。修三摩提正修行者。世尊。如是修心求正定人。若在道场。及余经行。乃至散心游戏聚落。我等徒众。常当随从侍卫此人。纵令魔王大自在天。求其方便。终不可得。诸小鬼神。去此善人十由旬外。除彼发心乐修禅者。世尊。如是恶魔。若魔眷属。欲来侵扰是善人者。我以宝杵殒碎其首。犹如微尘。恒令此人所作如愿。
　　阿难即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。我辈愚钝。好为多闻。于诸漏心未求出离。蒙佛慈诲。得正熏修。身心快然。获大饶益。世尊。如是修证佛三摩提。未到涅槃。云何名为干慧之地。四十四心。至何渐次。得修行目。诣何方所。名入地中。云何名为等觉菩萨。作是语已。五体投地。大众一心。伫佛慈音。瞪瞢瞻仰。
　　尔时。世尊赞阿难言。善哉善哉。汝等乃能普为大众。及诸末世一切众生。修三摩提求大乘者。从于凡夫。终大涅槃。悬示无上正修行路。汝今谛听。当为汝说。
　　阿难大众。合掌刳心。默然受教。
　　佛言。阿难。当知妙性圆明。离诸名相。本来无有世界众生。因妄有生。因生有灭。生灭名妄。灭妄名真。是称如来无上菩提。及大涅槃。二转依号。阿难。汝今欲修真三摩地。直诣如来大涅槃者。先当识此众生世界。二颠倒因。颠倒不生。斯则如来真三摩地。阿难。云何名为众生颠倒。阿难。由性明心。性明圆故。因明发性。性妄见生。从毕竟无。成究竟有。此有所有。非因所因。住所住相。了无根本。本此无住。建立世界。及诸众生。迷本圆明。是生虚妄。妄性无体。非有所依。将欲复真。欲真已非真真如性。非真求复。宛成非相。非生非住。非心非法。展转发生。生力发明。熏以成业。同业相感。因有感业。相灭相生。由是故有众生颠倒。阿难。云何名为世界颠倒。是有所有。分段妄生。因此界立。非因所因。无住所住。迁流不住。因此世成。三世四方。和合相涉。变化众生。成十二类。是故。世界因动有声。因声有色。因色有香。因香有触。因触有味。因味知法。六乱妄想成业性故。十二区分由此轮转。是故。世间声香味触。穷十二变。为一旋复。乘此轮转颠倒相故。是有世界。卵生胎生。湿生化生。有色无色。有想无想。若非有色。若非无色。若非有想。若非无想。阿难。由因世界虚妄轮回。动颠倒故。和合气成。八万四千飞沉乱想。如是故有卵羯逻蓝。流转国土。鱼鸟龟蛇。其类充塞。由因世界杂染轮回。欲颠倒故。和合滋成。八万四千横竖乱想。如是故有胎遏蒱昙。流转国土。人畜龙仙。其类充塞。由因世界执着轮回。趣颠倒故。和合软成。八万四千翻覆乱想。如是故有湿相蔽尸。流转国土。含蠢蠕动。其类充塞。由因世界变易轮回。假颠倒故。和合触成。八万四千新故乱想。如是故有化相羯南。流转国土。转蜕飞行。其类充塞。由因世界留碍轮回。障颠倒故。和合著成。八万四千精耀乱想。如是故有色相羯南。流转国土。休咎精明。其类充塞。由因世界销散轮回。惑颠倒故。和合暗成。八万四千阴隐乱想。如是故有无色羯南。流转国土。空散销沉。其类充塞。由因世界罔象轮回。影颠倒故。和合忆成。八万四千潜结乱想。如是故有想相羯南。流转国土。神鬼精灵。其类充塞。由因世界愚钝轮回。痴颠倒故。和合顽成。八万四千枯槁乱想。如是故有无想羯南。流转国土。精神化为土木金石。其类充塞。由因世界相待轮回。伪颠倒故。和合染成。八万四千因依乱想。如是故有非有色相。成色羯南。流转国土。诸水母等。以虾为目。其类充塞。由因世界相引轮回。性颠倒故。和合咒成。八万四千呼召乱想。由是故有非无色相。无色羯南。流转国土。咒诅厌生。其类充塞。由因世界合妄轮回。罔颠倒故。和合异成。八万四千回互乱想。如是故有非有想相。成想羯南。流转国土。彼蒱卢等。异质相成。其类充塞。由因世界怨害轮回。杀颠倒故。和合怪成。八万四千食父母想。如是故有非无想相。无想羯南。流转国土。如土枭等。附块为儿。及破镜鸟。以毒树果。抱为其子。子成。父母皆遭其食。其类充塞。是名众生十二种类。
　　卷八
　　阿难。如是众生。一一类中。亦各各具十二颠倒。犹如捏目。乱花发生。颠倒妙圆真净明心。具足如斯虚妄乱想。汝今修证佛三摩提。于是本因。元所乱想。立三渐次。方得除灭。如净器中。除去毒蜜。以诸汤水。并杂灰香。洗涤其器。后贮甘露。云何名为三种渐次。一者。修习。除其助因。二者。真修。刳其正性。三者。增进。违其现业。云何助因。阿难。如是世界。十二类生。不能自全。依四食住。所谓。段食触食。思食识食。是故。佛说一切众生。皆依食住。阿难。一切众生。食甘故生。食毒故死。是诸众生。求三摩提。当断世间五种辛菜。是五种辛。熟食发淫。生啖增恚。如是世界食辛之人。纵能宣说十二部经。十方天仙。嫌其臭秽。咸皆远离。诸饿鬼等。因彼食次。舐其唇吻。常与鬼住。福德日销。长无利益。是食辛人。修三摩地。菩萨天仙。十方善神。不来守护。大力魔王。得其方便。现作佛身。来为说法。非毁禁戒。赞淫怒痴。命终自为魔王眷属。受魔福尽。堕无间狱。阿难。修菩提者。永断五辛。是则名为。第一增进修行渐次。云何正性。阿难。如是众生。入三摩地。要先严持清净戒律。永断淫心。不餐酒肉。以火净食。无啖生气。阿难。是修行人。若不断淫。及与杀生。出三界者。无有是处。常观淫欲。犹如毒蛇。如见怨贼。先持声闻四弃八弃。执身不动。后行菩萨清净律仪。执心不起。禁戒成就。则于世间。永无相生相杀之业。偷劫不行。无相负累。亦于世间不还宿债。是清净人。修三摩地。父母肉身。不须天眼。自然观见十方世界。睹佛闻法。亲奉圣旨。得大神通。游十方界。宿命清净。得无艰险。是则名为。第二增进修行渐次。云何现业。阿难。如是清净持禁戒人。心无贪淫。于外六尘。不多流逸。因不流逸。旋元自归。尘既不缘。根无所偶。反流全一。六用不行。十方国土。皎然清净。譬如琉璃。内悬明月。身心快然。妙圆平等。获大安隐。一切如来密圆净妙。皆现其中。是人即获无生法忍。从是渐修。随所发行。安立圣位。是则名为。第三增进修行渐次。
　　阿难。是善男子。欲爱干枯。根境不偶。现前残质。不复续生。执心虚明。纯是智慧。慧性明圆。莹十方界。干有其慧。名干慧地。欲习初干。未与如来法流水接。即以此心。中中流入。圆妙开敷。从真妙圆。重发真妙。妙信常住。一切妄想灭尽无余。中道纯真。名信心住。真信明了。一切圆通。阴处界三。不能为碍。如是乃至过去未来。无数劫中。舍身受身。一切习气。皆现在前。是善男子。皆能忆念。得无遗忘。名念心住。妙圆纯真。真精发化。无始习气通一精明。惟以精明进趣真净。名精进心。心精现前。纯以智慧。名慧心住。执持智明。周遍寂湛。寂妙常凝。名定心住。定光发明。明性深入。惟进无退。名不退心。心进安然。保持不失。十方如来气分交接。名护法心。觉明保持。能以妙力。回佛慈光。向佛安住。犹如双镜。光明相对。其中妙影。重重相入。名回向心。心光密回。获佛常凝。无上妙净。安住无为。得无遗失。名戒心住。住戒自在。能游十方。所去随愿。名愿心住。
　　阿难。是善男子。以真方便。发此十心。心精发晖。十用涉入。圆成一心。名发心住。心中发明。如净琉璃。内现精金。以前妙心。履以成地。名治地住。心地涉知。俱得明了。游履十方。得无留碍。名修行住。行与佛同。受佛气分。如中阴身自求父母。阴信冥通。入如来种。名生贵住。既游道胎。亲奉觉胤。如胎已成。人相不缺。名方便具足住。容貌如佛。心相亦同。名正心住。身心合成。日益增长。名不退住。十身灵相。一时具足。名童真住。形成出胎。亲为佛子。名法王子住。表以成人。如国大王。以诸国事分委太子。彼刹利王世子长成。陈列灌顶。名灌顶住。
　　阿难。是善男子。成佛子已。具足无量如来妙德。十方随顺。名欢喜行。善能利益一切众生。名饶益行。自觉觉他。得无违拒。名无嗔恨行。种类出生。穷未来际。三世平等。十方通达。名无尽行。一切合同种种法门。得无差误。名离痴乱行。则于同中显现群异。一一异相。各各见同。名善现行。如是乃至十方虚空满足微尘。一一尘中。现十方界。现尘现界。不相留碍。名无著行。种种现前。咸是第一波罗蜜多。名尊重行。如是圆融。能成十方诸佛轨则。名善法行。一一皆是清净无漏。一真无为。性本然故。名真实行。
　　阿难。是善男子。满足神通。成佛事已。纯洁精真。远诸留患。当度众生。灭除度相。回无为心。向涅槃路。名救护一切众生离众生相回向。坏其可坏。远离诸离。名不坏回向。本觉湛然。觉齐佛觉。名等一切佛回向。精真发明。地如佛地。名至一切处回向。世界如来互相涉入。得无挂碍。名无尽功德藏回向。于同佛地。地中各各生清净因。依因发挥。取涅槃道。名随顺平等善根回向。真根既成。十方众生。皆我本性。性圆成就。不失众生。名随顺等观一切众生回向。即一切法。离一切相。惟即与离。二无所著。名如相回向。真得所如。十方无碍。名无缚解脱回向。性德圆成。法界量灭。名法界无量回向。
　　阿难。是善男子。尽是清净四十一心。次成四种妙圆加行。即以佛觉。用为己心。若出未出。犹如钻火。欲燃其木。名为暖地。又以己心。成佛所履。若依非依。如登高山。身入虚空。下有微碍。名为顶地。心佛二同。善得中道。如忍事人。非怀非出。名为忍地。数量销灭。迷觉中道。二无所目。名世第一地。
　　阿难。是善男子。于大菩提。善得通达。觉通如来。尽佛境界。名欢喜地。异性入同。同性亦灭。名离垢地。净极明生。名发光地。明极觉满。名焰慧地。一切同异所不能至。名难胜地。无为真如性净明露。名现前地。尽真如际。名远行地。一真如心。名不动地。发真如用。名善慧地。
　　阿难。是诸菩萨。从此已往。修习毕功。功德圆满。亦目此地。名修习位。慈阴妙云。覆涅槃海。名法云地。如来逆流。如是菩萨。顺行而至。觉际入交。名为等觉。
　　阿难。从干慧心。至等觉已。是觉始获金刚心中。初干慧地。如是重重单复十二。方尽妙觉。成无上道。是种种地。皆以金刚。观察如幻十种深喻。奢摩他中。用诸如来毗婆舍那。清净修证。渐次深入。
　　阿难。如是皆以三增进故。善能成就。五十五位真菩提路。作是观者。名为正观。若他观者。名为邪观。
　　尔时。文殊师利法王子。在大众中。即从座起。顶礼佛足。而白佛言。当何名是经。我及众生。云何奉持。
　　佛告文殊师利。是经名。大佛顶悉怛多般怛啰无上宝印。十方如来清净海眼。亦名。救护亲因。度脱阿难。及此会中性比丘尼。得菩提心。入遍知海。亦名。如来密因修证了义。亦名。大方广妙莲花王。十方佛母陀罗尼咒。亦名。灌顶章句。诸菩萨万行首楞严。汝当奉持。
　　说是语已。即时。阿难及诸大众。得蒙如来开示。密印般怛啰义。兼闻此经了义名目。顿悟禅那。修进圣位。增上妙理。心虑虚凝。断除三界修心。六品微细烦恼。即从座起。顶礼佛足。合掌恭敬。而白佛言。大威德世尊。慈音无遮。善开众生微细沉惑。令我今日。身意快然。得大饶益。世尊。若此妙明真净妙心。本来遍圆。如是乃至大地草木。蠕动含灵。本元真如。即是如来成佛真体。佛体真实。云何复有地狱。饿鬼畜生。修罗人天等道。世尊。此道为复本来自有。为是众生妄习生起。世尊。如宝莲香比丘尼。持菩萨戒。私行淫欲。妄言行淫非杀非偷。无有业报。发是语已。先于女根生大猛火。后于节节猛火烧燃。堕无间狱。琉璃大王。善星比丘。琉璃为诛瞿昙族姓。善星妄说一切法空。生身陷入阿鼻地狱。此诸地狱为有定处。为复自然。彼彼发业。各各私受。惟垂大慈。发开童蒙。令诸一切持戒众生。闻决定义。欢喜顶戴。谨洁无犯。
　　佛告阿难。快哉此问。令诸众生。不入邪见。汝今谛听。当为汝说。阿难。一切众生实本真净。因彼妄见。有妄习生。因此分开内分外分。阿难。内分即是众生分内。因诸爱染。发起妄情。情积不休。能生爱水。是故。众生心忆珍羞。口中水出。心忆前人。或怜或恨。目中泪盈。贪求财宝。心发爱涎。举体光润。心着行淫。男女二根。自然流液。阿难。诸爱虽别。流结是同。润湿不升。自然从坠。此名内分。阿难。外分即是众生分外。因诸渴仰。发明虚想。想积不休。能生胜气。是故。众生心持禁戒。举身轻清。心持咒印。顾眄雄毅。心欲生天。梦想飞举。心存佛国。圣境冥现。事善知识。自轻身命。阿难。诸想虽别。轻举是同。飞动不沉。自然超越。此名外分。
　　阿难。一切世间。生死相续。生从顺习。死从变流。临命终时。未舍暖触。一生善恶俱时顿现。死逆生顺。二习相交。纯想即飞。必生天上。若飞心中。兼福兼慧。及与净愿。自然心开。见十方佛。一切净土。随愿往生。情少想多。轻举非远。即为飞仙。大力鬼王。飞行夜叉。地行罗刹。游于四天。所去无碍。其中若有善愿善心。护持我法。或护禁戒。随持戒人。或护神咒。随持咒者。或护禅定。保绥法忍。是等亲住如来座下。情想均等。不飞不坠。生于人间。想明斯聪。情幽斯钝。情多想少。流入横生。重为毛群。轻为羽族。七情三想。沉下水轮。生于火际。受气猛火。身为饿鬼。常被焚烧。水能害已。无食无饮。经百千劫。九情一想。下洞火轮。身入风火二交过地。轻生有间。重生无间。二种地狱。纯情即沉。入阿鼻狱。若沉心中。有谤大乘。毁佛禁戒。诳妄说法。虚贪信施。滥膺恭敬。五逆十重。更生十方阿鼻地狱。循造恶业。虽则自招。众同分中。兼有元地。阿难。此等皆是。彼诸众生自业所感。造十习因。受六交报。
　　云何十因。阿难。一者。淫习交接。发于相磨。研磨不休。如是故有大猛火光。于中发动。如人以手自相磨触。暖相现前。二习相然。故有铁床铜柱诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目行淫。同名欲火。菩萨见欲。如避火坑。二者。贪习交计。发于相吸。吸揽不止。如是故有积寒坚冰。于中冻冽。如人以口吸缩风气。有冷触生。二习相凌。故有吒吒波波啰啰。青赤白莲。寒冰等事。是故。十方一切如来。色目多求。同名贪水。菩萨见贪。如避瘴海。三者。慢习交凌。发于相恃。驰流不息。如是故有腾逸奔波。积波为水。如人口舌自相绵味。因而水发。二习相鼓。故有血河灰河。热沙毒海。融铜灌吞诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目我慢。名饮痴水。菩萨见慢。如避巨溺。四者。嗔习交冲。发于相忤。忤结不息。心热发火。铸气为金。如是故有刀山铁橛。剑树剑轮。斧钺枪锯。如人衔冤。杀气飞动。二习相击。故有宫割斩斫。剉刺捶击诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目嗔恚。名利刀剑。菩萨见嗔。如避诛戮。五者。诈习交诱。发于相调。引起不住。如是故有绳木绞校。如水浸田。草木生长。二习相延。故有杻械枷锁。鞭杖挝棒诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目奸伪。同名谗贼。菩萨见诈。如畏豺狼。六者。诳习交欺。发于相罔。诬罔不止。飞心造奸。如是故有尘土屎尿。秽污不净。如尘随风。各无所见。二习相加。故有没溺腾掷。飞坠漂沦诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目欺诳。同名劫杀。菩萨见诳。如践蛇虺。七者。怨习交嫌。发于衔恨。如是故有飞石投砺。匣贮车槛。瓮盛囊扑。如阴毒人。怀抱畜恶。二习相吞。故有投掷擒捉。击射抛撮诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目怨家。名违害鬼。菩萨见怨。如饮鸩酒。八者。见习交明。如萨迦耶见。戒禁取。邪悟诸业。发于违拒。出生相返。如是故有王使主吏。证执文藉。如行路人。来往相见。二习相交。故有勘问权诈考讯。推鞫察访。披究照明。善恶童子。手执文簿。辞辩诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目恶见。同名见坑。菩萨见诸虚妄遍执。如入毒壑。九者。枉习交加。发于诬谤。如是故有合山合石。碾硙耕磨。如谗贼人。逼枉良善。二习相排。故有押捺捶按。蹙漉冲度诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目怨谤。同名谗虎。菩萨见枉。如遭霹雳。十者。讼习交喧。发于藏覆。如是故有鉴见照烛。如于日中。不能藏影。二习相陈。故有恶友。业镜火珠。披露宿业。对验诸事。是故。十方一切如来。色目覆藏。同名阴贼。菩萨观覆。如戴高山。覆于巨海。
　　云何六报。阿难。一切众生。六识造业。所招恶报。从六根出。云何恶报从六根出。一者。见报招引恶果。此见业交。则临终时。先见猛火。满十方界。亡者神识。飞坠乘烟。入无间狱。发明二相。一者。明见。则能遍见种种恶物。生无量畏。二者。暗见。寂然不见。生无量恐。如是见火。烧听。能为镬汤洋铜。烧息。能为黑烟紫焰。烧味。能为焦丸铁糜。烧触。能为热灰炉炭。烧心。能生星火迸洒。煽鼓空界。二者。闻报。招引恶果。此闻业交。则临终时。先见波涛。没溺天地。亡者神识。降注乘流。入无间狱。发明二相。一者。开听。听种种闹。精神瞀乱。二者。闭听。寂无所闻。幽魄沉没。如是闻波。注闻。则能为责为诘。注见。则能为雷为吼。为恶毒气。注息。则能为雨为雾。洒诸毒虫。周满身体。注味。则能为脓为血。种种杂秽。注触。则能为畜为鬼。为屎为尿。注意。则能为电为雹。摧碎心魄。三者。嗅报。招引恶果。此嗅业交。则临终时。先见毒气。充塞远近。亡者神识。从地涌出。入无间狱。发明二相。一者。通闻。被诸恶气。熏极心扰。二者。塞闻。气掩不通。闷绝于地。如是嗅气。冲息。则能为质为履。冲见。则能为火为炬。冲听。则能为没为溺。为洋为沸。冲味。则能为馁为爽。冲触。则能为绽为烂。为大肉山。有百千眼。无量咂食。冲思。则能为灰为瘴。为飞砂砺。击碎身体。四者。味报。招引恶果。此味业交。则临终时。先见铁网。猛炎炽烈。周覆世界。亡者神识。下透挂网。倒悬其头。入无间狱。发明二相。一者。吸气。结成寒冰。冻裂身肉。二者。吐气。飞为猛火。焦烂骨髓。如是尝味。历尝。则能为承为忍。历见。则能为燃金石。历听。则能为利兵刃。历息。则能为大铁笼。弥覆国土。历触。则能为弓为箭。为弩为射。历思。则能为飞热铁。从空雨下。五者。触报。招引恶果。此触业交。则临终时。先见大山。四面来合。无复出路。亡者神识。见大铁城。火蛇火狗。虎狼狮子。牛头狱卒。马头罗刹。手执枪槊。驱入城门。向无间狱。发明二相。一者。合触。合山逼体。骨肉血溃。二者。离触。刀剑触身。心肝屠裂。如是合触。历触。则能为道为观。为厅为案。历见。则能为烧为爇。历听。则能为撞为击。为剚为射。历息。则能为括为袋。为拷为缚。历尝。则能为耕为钳。为斩为截。历思。则能为坠为飞。为煎为炙。六者。思报。招引恶果。此思业交。则临终时。先见恶风。吹坏国土。亡者神识。被吹上空。旋落乘风。堕无间狱。发明二相。一者。不觉。迷极则荒。奔走不息。二者。不迷。觉知则苦。无量煎烧。痛深难忍。如是邪思。结思。则能为方为所。结见。则能为鉴为证。结听。则能为大合石。为冰为霜。为土为雾。结息。则能为大火车。火船火槛。结尝。则能为大叫唤。为悔为泣。结触。则能为大为小。为一日中万生万死。为偃为仰。
　　阿难。是名地狱十因六果。皆是众生迷妄所造。若诸众生。恶业圆造。入阿鼻狱。受无量苦。经无量劫。六根各造。及彼所作兼境兼根。是人则入八无间狱。身口意三。作杀盗淫。是人则入十八地狱。三业不兼。中间或为一杀一盗。是人则入三十六地狱。见见一根。单犯一业。是人则入一百八地狱。由是众生。别作别造。于世界中。入同分地。妄想发生。非本来有。
　　复次。阿难。是诸众生。非破律仪。犯菩萨戒。毁佛涅槃。诸余杂业。历劫烧燃。后还罪毕。受诸鬼形。若于本因。贪物为罪。是人罪毕。遇物成形。名为妖鬼。贪色为罪。是人罪毕。遇风成形。名为魃鬼。贪惑为罪。是人罪毕。遇畜成形。名为魅鬼。贪恨为罪。是人罪毕。遇虫成形。名蛊毒鬼。贪忆为罪。是人罪毕。遇衰成形。名为疠鬼。贪骜为罪。是人罪毕。遇气成形。名为饿鬼。贪罔为罪。是人罪毕。遇幽为形。名为魇鬼。贪明为罪。是人罪毕。遇精为形。名魍魉鬼。贪成为罪。是人罪毕。遇明为形。名役使鬼。贪党为罪。是人罪毕。遇人为形。名传送鬼。阿难。是人皆以纯情坠落。业火烧干。上出为鬼。此等皆是。自妄想业之所招引。若悟菩提。则妙圆明。本无所有。
　　复次。阿难。鬼业既尽。则情与想。二俱成空。方于世间。与元负人。怨对相值。身为畜生。酬其宿债。物怪之鬼。物销报尽。生于世间。多为枭类。风魃之鬼。风销报尽。生于世间。多为咎征。一切异类。畜魅之鬼。畜死报尽。生于世间。多为狐类。虫蛊之鬼。虫灭报尽。生于世间。多为毒类。衰疠之鬼。衰穷报尽。生于世间。多为蛔类。受气之鬼。气销报尽。生于世间。多为食类。绵幽之鬼。幽销报尽。生于世间。多为服类。和精之鬼。和销报尽。生于世间。多为应类。明灵之鬼。明灭报尽。生于世间。多为休征。一切诸类。依人之鬼。人亡报尽。生于世间。多于循类。阿难。是等皆以业火干枯。酬其宿债。傍为畜生。此等亦皆。自虚妄业之所招引。若悟菩提。则此妄缘。本无所有。如汝所言宝莲香等。及琉璃王。善星比丘。如是恶业。本自发明。非从天降。亦非地出。亦非人与。自妄所招。还自来受。菩提心中。皆为浮妄虚想凝结。
　　复次。阿难。从是畜生。酬偿先债。若彼酬者。分越所酬。此等众生。还复为人。返征其剩。如彼有力。兼有福德。则于人中。不舍人身。酬还彼力。若无福者。还为畜生。偿彼余直。阿难。当知若用钱物。或役其力。偿足自停。如于中间杀彼身命。或食其肉。如是乃至经微尘劫。相食相诛。犹如转轮。互为高下。无有休息。除奢摩他。及佛出世。不可停寝。汝今应知。彼枭伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合顽类。彼咎征者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合愚类。彼狐伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参于庸类。彼毒伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合很类。彼蛔伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合微类。彼食伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合柔类。彼服伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合劳类。彼应伦者。酬足复形。生人道中。参于文类。彼休征者。酬足复形。生人道中。参合明类。彼诸循伦。酬足复形。生人道中。参于达类。阿难。是等皆以宿债毕酬。复形人道。皆无始来。业计颠倒。相生相杀。不遇如来。不闻正法。于尘劳中。法尔轮转。此辈名为。可怜愍者。
　　阿难。复有从人。不依正觉。修三摩地。别修妄念。存想固形。游于山林。人不及处。有十仙种。阿难。彼诸众生。坚固服饵而不休息。食道圆成。名地行仙。坚固草木而不休息。药道圆成。名飞行仙。坚固金石而不休息。化道圆成。名游行仙。坚固动止而不休息。气精圆成。名空行仙。坚固津液而不休息。润德圆成。名天行仙。坚固精色而不休息。吸粹圆成。名通行仙。坚固咒禁而不休息。术法圆成。名道行仙。坚固思念而不休息。思忆圆成。名照行仙。坚固交遘而不休息。感应圆成。名精行仙。坚固变化而不休息。觉悟圆成。名绝行仙。阿难。是等皆于人中炼心。不循正觉。别得生理。寿千万岁。休止深山。或大海岛。绝于人境。斯亦轮回妄想流转。不修三昧。报尽还来。散入诸趣。阿难。诸世间人。不求常住。未能舍诸妻妾恩爱。于邪淫中。心不流逸。澄莹生明。命终之后。邻于日月。如是一类。名四天王天。于己妻房。淫爱微薄。于净居时。不得全味。命终之后。超日月明。居人间顶。如是一类。名忉利天。逢欲暂交。去无思忆。于人间世。动少静多。命终之后。于虚空中。朗然安住。日月光明。上照不及。是诸人等。自有光明。如是一类。名须焰摩天。一切时静。有应触来。未能违戾。命终之后。上升精微。不接下界诸人天境。乃至劫坏。三灾不及。如是一类。名兜率陀天。我无欲心。应汝行事。于横陈时。味如嚼蜡。命终之后。生越化地。如是一类。名乐变化天。无世间心。同世行事。于行事交。了然超越。命终之后。遍能出超化无化境。如是一类。名他化自在天。阿难。如是六天。形虽出动。心迹尚交。自此已还。名为欲界。
　　卷九
　　阿难。世间一切所修心人。不假禅那。无有智慧。但能执身不行淫欲。若行若坐。想念俱无。爱染不生。无留欲界。是人应念身为梵侣。如是一类。名梵众天。欲习既除。离欲心现。于诸律仪。爱乐随顺。是人应时能行梵德。如是一类。名梵辅天。身心妙圆。威仪不缺。清净禁戒。加以明悟。是人应时能统梵众。为大梵王。如是一类。名大梵天。阿难。此三胜流。一切苦恼所不能逼。虽非正修真三摩地。清净心中。诸漏不动。名为初禅。
　　阿难。其次。梵天统摄梵人。圆满梵行。澄心不动。寂湛生光。如是一类。名少光天。光光相燃。照耀无尽。映十方界。遍成琉璃。如是一类。名无量光天。吸持圆光。成就教体。发化清净。应用无尽。如是一类。名光音天。阿难。此三胜流。一切忧愁所不能逼。虽非正修真三摩地。清净心中。粗漏已伏。名为二禅。
　　阿难。如是天人。圆光成音。披音露妙。发成精行。通寂灭乐。如是一类。名少净天。净空现前。引发无际。身心轻安。成寂灭乐。如是一类。名无量净天。世界身心。一切圆净。净德成就。胜托现前。归寂灭乐。如是一类。名遍净天。阿难。此三胜流。具大随顺。身心安隐。得无量乐。虽非正得真三摩地。安隐心中。欢喜毕具。名为三禅。
　　阿难。次复天人。不逼身心。苦因已尽。乐非常住。久必坏生。苦乐二心。俱时顿舍。粗重相灭。净福性生。如是一类。名福生天。舍心圆融。胜解清净。福无遮中。得妙随顺。穷未来际。如是一类。名福爱天。阿难。从是天中。有二歧路。若于先心。无量净光。福德圆明。修证而住。如是一类。名广果天。若于先心。双厌苦乐。精研舍心。相续不断。圆穷舍道。身心俱灭。心虑灰凝。经五百劫。是人既以生灭为因。不能发明不生灭性。初半劫灭。后半劫生。如是一类。名无想天。阿难。此四胜流。一切世间。诸苦乐境。所不能动。虽非无为真不动地。有所得心。功用纯熟。名为四禅。
　　阿难。此中复有五不还天。于下界中九品习气。俱时灭尽。苦乐双亡。下无卜居。故于舍心众同分中。安立居处。阿难。苦乐两灭。斗心不交。如是一类。名无烦天。机括独行。研交无地。如是一类。名无热天。十方世界。妙见圆澄。更无尘象一切沉垢。如是一类。名善见天。精见现前。陶铸无碍。如是一类。名善现天。究竟群几。穷色性性。入无边际。如是一类。名色究竟天。
　　阿难。此不还天。彼诸四禅四位天王。独有钦闻。不能知见。如今世间旷野深山。圣道场地。皆阿罗汉所住持故。世间粗人。所不能见。阿难。是十八天。独行无交。未尽形累。自此已还。名为色界。
　　复次。阿难。从是有顶色边际中。其间复有二种歧路。若于舍心。发明智慧。慧光圆通。便出尘界。成阿罗汉。入菩萨乘。如是一类。名为回心大阿罗汉。若在舍心。舍厌成就。觉身为碍。销碍入空。如是一类。名为空处。诸碍既销。无碍无灭。其中惟留阿赖耶识。全于末那半分微细。如是一类。名为识处。空色既亡。识心都灭。十方寂然。迥无攸往。如是一类。名无所有处。识性不动。以灭穷研。于无尽中。发宣尽性。如存不存。若尽非尽。如是一类。名为非想非非想处。此等穷空。不尽空理。从不还天圣道穷者。如是一类。名不回心钝阿罗汉。若从无想诸外道天。穷空不归。迷漏无闻。便入轮转。
　　阿难。是诸天上各各天人。则是凡夫业果酬答。答尽入轮。彼之天王。即是菩萨。游三摩提。渐次增进。回向圣伦。所修行路。
　　阿难。是四空天。身心灭尽。定性现前。无业果色。从此逮终。名无色界。此皆不了妙觉明心。积妄发生。妄有三界。中间妄随七趣沉溺。补特伽罗。各从其类。
　　复次。阿难。是三界中。复有四种阿修罗类。若于鬼道。以护法力。成通入空。此阿修罗从卵而生。鬼趣所摄。若于天中。降德贬坠。其所卜居。邻于日月。此阿修罗从胎而出。人趣所摄。有修罗王。执持世界。力洞无畏。能与梵王。及天帝释。四天争权。此阿修罗因变化有。天趣所摄。阿难。别有一分下劣修罗。生大海心。沉水穴口。旦游虚空。暮归水宿。此阿修罗因湿气有。畜生趣摄。
　　阿难。如是地狱。饿鬼畜生。人及神仙。天洎修罗。精研七趣。皆是昏沉诸有为想。妄想受生。妄想随业。于妙圆明无作本心。皆如空花。元无所有。但一虚妄。更无根绪。
　　阿难。此等众生。不识本心。受此轮回。经无量劫。不得真净。皆由随顺杀盗淫故。反此三种。又则出生无杀盗淫。有名鬼伦。无名天趣。有无相倾。起轮回性。若得妙发三摩提者。则妙常寂。有无二无。无二亦灭。尚无不杀不偷不淫。云何更随杀盗淫事。
　　阿难。不断三业。各各有私。因各各私。众私同分。非无定处。自妄发生。生妄无因。无可寻究。汝勖修行。欲得菩提。要除三惑。不尽三惑。纵得神通。皆是世间有为功用。习气不灭。落于魔道。虽欲除妄。倍加虚伪。如来说为。可哀怜者。汝妄自造。非菩提咎。作是说者。名为正说。若他说者。即魔王说。
　　即时。如来将罢法座。于狮子床。揽七宝机。回紫金山。再来仉倚。普告大众。及阿难言。汝等有学。缘觉声闻。今日回心。趣大菩提。无上妙觉。吾今已说真修行法。汝犹未识。修奢摩他。毗婆舍那。微细魔事。魔境现前。汝不能识。洗心非正。落于邪见。或汝阴魔。或复天魔。或着鬼神。或遭魑魅。心中不明。认贼为子。又复于中。得少为足。如第四禅无闻比丘。妄言证圣。天报已毕。衰相现前。谤阿罗汉。身遭后有。堕阿鼻狱。汝应谛听。吾今为汝仔细分别。
　　阿难起立。并其会中同有学者。欢喜顶礼。伏听慈诲。
　　佛告阿难。及诸大众。汝等当知。有漏世界。十二类生。本觉妙明。觉圆心体。与十方佛。无二无别。由汝妄想。迷理为咎。痴爱发生。生发遍迷。故有空性。化迷不息。有世界生。则此十方微尘国土。非无漏者。皆是迷顽妄想安立。当知虚空。生汝心内。犹如片云。点太清里。况诸世界在虚空耶。汝等一人发真归元。此十方空皆悉销殒。云何空中。所有国土而不振裂。汝辈修禅。饰三摩地。十方菩萨。及诸无漏大阿罗汉。心精通淴。当处湛然。一切魔王。及与鬼神。诸凡夫天。见其宫殿无故崩裂。大地振坼。水陆飞腾。无不惊慑。凡夫昏暗。不觉迁讹。彼等咸得五种神通。惟除漏尽。恋此尘劳。如何令汝摧裂其处。是故。神鬼及诸天魔。魍魉妖精。于三昧时。佥来恼汝。然彼诸魔。虽有大怒。彼尘劳内。汝妙觉中。如风吹光。如刀断水。了不相触。汝如沸浪。彼如坚冰。暖气渐邻。不日销殒。徒恃神力。但为其客。成就破乱。由汝心中五阴主人。主人若迷。客得其便。当处禅那。觉悟无惑。则彼魔事无奈汝何。阴销入明。则彼群邪咸受幽气。明能破暗。近自销殒。如何敢留。扰乱禅定。若不明悟。被阴所迷。则汝阿难必为魔子。成就魔人。如摩登伽。殊为眇劣。彼虽咒汝。破佛律仪。八万行中。只毁一戒。心清净故。尚未沦溺。此乃隳汝宝觉全身。如宰臣家。忽逢籍没。宛转零落。无可哀救。
　　阿难。当知汝坐道场。销落诸念。其念若尽。则诸离念一切精明。动静不移。忆忘如一。当住此处。入三摩提。如明目人。处大幽暗。精性妙净。心未发光。此则名为。色阴区宇。若目明朗。十方洞开。无复幽黯。名色阴尽。是人则能超越劫浊。观其所由。坚固妄想。以为其本。
　　阿难。当在此中。精研妙明。四大不织。少选之间。身能出碍。此名精明流溢前境。斯但功用。暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　阿难。复以此心。精研妙明。其身内彻。是人忽然于其身内。拾出蛲蛔。身相宛然。亦无伤毁。此名精明流溢形体。斯但精行暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。内外精研。其时魂魄意志精神。除执受身。余皆涉入。若为宾主。忽于空中。闻说法声。或闻十方同敷密义。此名精魂递相离合。成就善种。暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。澄露皎彻。内光发明。十方遍作阎浮檀色。一切种类。化为如来。于时。忽然见毗卢遮那。踞天光台。千佛围绕。百亿国土。及与莲花。俱时出现。此名心魂灵悟所染。心光研明。照诸世界。暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。精研妙明。观察不停。抑按降伏。制止超越。于时。忽然十方虚空。成七宝色。或百宝色。同时遍满。不相留碍。青黄赤白。各各纯现。此名抑按功力逾分。暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。研究澄彻。精光不乱。忽于夜合。在暗室内。见种种物。不殊白昼。而暗室物。亦不除灭。此名心细。密澄其见。所视洞幽。暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。圆入虚融。四肢忽然同于草木。火烧刀斫。曾无所觉。又则火光不能烧爇。纵割其肉。犹如削木。此名尘并。排四大性。一向入纯。暂得如是。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。成就清净。净心功极。忽见大地。十方山河。皆成佛国。具足七宝。光明遍满。又见恒沙诸佛如来。遍满空界。楼殿华丽。下见地狱。上观天宫。得无障碍。此名欣厌凝想日深。想久化成。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。研究深远。忽于中夜。遥见远方。市井街巷。亲族眷属。或闻其语。此名迫心。逼极飞出。故多隔见。非为圣证。不作圣心。名善境界。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　又以此心。研究精极。见善知识。形体变移。少选无端种种迁改。此名邪心。含受魑魅。或遭天魔入其心腹。无端说法。通达妙义。非为圣证。不作圣心。魔事销歇。若作圣解。即受群邪。
　　阿难。如是十种禅那现境。皆是色阴用心交互。故现斯事。众生顽迷。不自忖量。逢此因缘。迷不自识。谓言登圣。大妄语成。堕无间狱。汝等当依如来灭后。于未法中。宣示斯义。无令天魔得其方便。保持覆护。成无上道。
　　阿难。彼善男子。修三摩提。奢摩他中。色阴尽者。见诸佛心。如明镜中。显现其像。若有所得。而未能用。犹如魇人。手足宛然。见闻不惑。心触客邪。而不能动。此则名为。受阴区宇。若魇咎歇。其心离身。返观其面。去住自由。无复留碍。名受阴尽。是人则能超越见浊。观其所由。虚明妄想以为其本。
　　阿难。彼善男子。当在此中。得大光耀。其心发明。内抑过分。忽于其处。发无穷悲。如是乃至观见蚊虻。犹如赤子。心生怜愍。不觉流泪。此名功用抑摧过越。悟则无咎。非为圣证。觉了不迷。久自销歇。若作圣解。则有悲魔入其心腑。见人则悲。啼泣无限。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　阿难。又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。胜相现前。感激过分。忽于其中。生无限勇。其心猛利。志齐诸佛。谓三僧祇。一念能越。此名功用凌率过越。悟则无咎。非为圣证。觉了不迷。久自销歇。若作圣解。则有狂魔入其心腑。见人则夸。我慢无比。其心乃至。上不见佛。下不见人。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。前无新证。归失故居。智力衰微。入中堕地。迥无所见。心中忽然生大枯渴。于一切时。沉忆不散。将此以为勤精进相。此名修心无慧自失。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有忆魔入其心腑。旦夕撮心。悬在一处。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。慧力过定。失于猛利。以诸胜性。怀于心中。自心已疑是卢舍那。得少为足。此名用心亡失恒审。溺于知见。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有下劣。易知足魔。入其心腑。见人自言。我得无上第一义谛。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。新证未获。故心已亡。历览二际。自生艰险。于心忽然生无尽忧。如坐铁床。如饮毒药。心不欲活。常求于人。令害其命。早取解脱。此名修行失于方便。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有一分常忧愁魔入其心腑。手执刀剑。自割其肉。欣其舍寿。或常忧愁。走入山林。不耐见人。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。处清净中。心安隐后。忽然自有无限喜生。心中欢悦。不能自止。此名轻安无慧自禁。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有一分好喜乐魔入其心腑。见人则笑。于衢路傍。自歌自舞。自谓已得无碍解脱。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。自谓已足。忽有无端大我慢起。如是乃至慢与过慢。及慢过慢。或增上慢。或卑劣慢。一时俱发。心中尚轻十方如来。何况下位声闻缘觉。此名见胜无慧自救。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有一分大我慢魔入其心腑。不礼塔庙。摧毁经像。谓檀越言。此是金铜。或是土木。经是树叶。或是氎花。肉身真常。不自恭敬。却崇土木。实为颠倒。其深信者。从其毁碎。埋弃地中。疑误众生。入无间狱。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。于精明中。圆悟精理。得大随顺。其心忽生无量轻安。己言成圣。得大自在。此名因慧获诸轻清。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有一分好清轻魔入其心腑。自谓满足。更不求进。此等多作无闻比丘。疑谤后生。堕阿鼻狱。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。于明悟中。得虚明性。其中忽然归向永灭。拨无因果。一向入空。空心现前。乃至心生长断灭解。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有空魔入其心腑。乃谤持戒。名为小乘。菩萨悟空。有何持犯。其人常于信心檀越。饮酒啖肉。广行淫秽。因魔力故。摄其前人不生疑谤。鬼心久入。或食屎尿。与酒肉等。一种俱空。破佛律仪。误入人罪。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　又彼定中诸善男子。见色阴销。受阴明白。味其虚明。深入心骨。其心忽有无限爱生。爱极发狂。便为贪欲。此名定境安顺入心。无慧自持。误入诸欲。悟则无咎。非为圣证。若作圣解。则有欲魔入其心腑。一向说欲为菩提道。化诸白衣平等行欲。其行淫者。名持法子。神鬼力故。于末世中。摄其凡愚。其数至百。如是乃至。一百二百。或五六百。多满千万。魔心生厌。离其身体。威德既无。陷于王难。疑误众生入无间狱。失于正受。当从沦坠。
　　阿难。如是十种禅那现境。皆是受阴用心交互。故现斯事。众生顽迷。不自忖量。逢此因缘。迷不自识。谓言登圣。大妄语成。堕无间狱。汝等亦当将如来语。于我灭后。传示末法。遍令众生。开悟斯义。无令天魔得其方便。保持覆护。成无上道。
　　阿难。彼善男子。修三摩提。受阴尽者。虽未漏尽。心离其形。如鸟出笼。已能成就。从是凡身。上历菩萨六十圣位。得意生身。随往无碍。譬如有人。熟寐呓言。是人虽则无别所知。其言已成音韵伦次。令不寐者。咸悟其语。此则名为。想阴区宇。若动念尽。浮想销除。于觉明心。如去尘垢。一伦死生。首尾圆照。名想阴尽。是人则能超烦恼浊。观其所由。融通妄想以为其本。
　　阿难。彼善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱圆明。锐其精思。贪求善巧。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人不觉是其魔着。自言谓得无上涅槃。来彼求巧善男子处。敷座说法。其形斯须。或作比丘。令彼人见。或为帝释。或为妇女。或比丘尼。或寝暗室。身有光明。是人愚迷。惑为菩萨。信其教化。摇荡其心。破佛律仪。潜行贪欲。口中好言。灾祥变异。或言如来某处出世。或言劫火。或说刀兵。恐怖于人。令其家资。无故耗散。此名怪鬼。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。俱陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　阿难。又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱游荡。飞其精思。贪求经历。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人亦不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求游善男子处。敷座说法。自形无变。其听法者。忽自见身坐宝莲花。全体化成紫金光聚。一众听人。各各如是。得未曾有。是人愚迷。惑为菩萨。淫逸其心。破佛律仪。潜行贪欲。口中好言。诸佛应世。某处某人。当是某佛化身来此。某人即是某菩萨等。来化人间。其人见故。心生倾渴。邪见密兴。种智销灭。此名魃鬼。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。俱陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱绵淴。澄其精思。贪求契合。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人实不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求合善男子处。敷座说法。其形及彼听法之人。外无迁变。令其听者未闻法前。心自开悟。念念移易。或得宿命。或有他心。或见地狱。或知人间好恶诸事。或口说偈。或自诵经。各各欢喜。得未曾有。是人愚迷。惑为菩萨。绵爱其心。破佛律仪。潜行贪欲。口中好言。佛有大小。某佛先佛。某佛后佛。其中亦有真佛假佛。男佛女佛。菩萨亦然。其人见故。洗涤本心。易入邪悟。此名魅鬼。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。俱陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱根本。穷览物化性之终始。精爽其心。贪求辨析。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人先不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求元善男子处。敷座说法。身有威神。摧伏求者。令其座下。虽未闻法。自然心伏。是诸人等。将佛涅槃菩提法身。即是现前我肉身上。父父子子。递代相生。即是法身常住不绝。都指现在。即为佛国。无别净居。及金色相。其人信受。忘失先心。身命归依。得未曾有。是等愚迷。惑为菩萨。推究其心。破佛律仪。潜行贪欲。口中好言。眼耳鼻舌。皆为净土。男女二根。即是菩提涅槃真处。彼无知者。信是秽言。此名蛊毒魇胜恶鬼。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。俱陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱悬应。周流精研。贪求冥感。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人元不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求应善男子处。敷座说法。能令听众。暂见其身如百千岁。心生爱染。不能舍离。身为奴仆。四事供养。不觉疲劳。各各令其座下人心。知是先师本善知识。别生法爱。粘如胶漆。得未曾有。是人愚迷。惑为菩萨。亲近其心。破佛律仪。潜行贪欲。口中好言。我于前世。于某生中。先度某人。当时是我妻妾兄弟。今来相度。与汝相随。归某世界。供养某佛。或言别有大光明天。佛于中住。一切如来所休居地。彼无知者。信是虚诳。遗失本心。此名疠鬼。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。俱陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱深入。克己辛勤。乐处阴寂。贪求静谧。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人本不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求阴善男子处。敷座说法。令其听人。各知本业。或于其处。语一人言。汝今未死。已作畜生。敕使一人。于后踏尾。顿令其人起不能得。于是一众倾心钦伏。有人起心。已知其肇。佛律仪外。重加精苦。诽谤比丘。骂詈徒众。讦露人事。不避讥嫌。口中好言。未然祸福。及至其时。毫发无失。此大力鬼。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。多陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱知见。勤苦研寻。贪求宿命。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人殊不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求知善男子处。敷座说法。是人无端于说法处。得大宝珠。其魔或时化为畜生。口衔其珠。及杂珍宝。简策符牍。诸奇异物。先授彼人。后着其体。或诱听人。藏于地下。有明月珠照耀其处。是诸听者。得未曾有。多食药草。不餐嘉膳。或时日餐一麻一麦。其形肥充。魔力持故。诽谤比丘。骂詈徒众。不避讥嫌。口中好言。他方宝藏。十方圣贤潜匿之处。随其后者。往往见有奇异之人。此名山林土地。城隍川岳鬼神。年老成魔。或有宣淫。破佛戒律。与承事者。潜行五欲。或有精进。纯食草木。无定行事。恼乱彼人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。多陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱神通种种变化。研究化元。贪取神力。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人诚不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求通善男子处。敷座说法。是人或复手执火光。手撮其光。分于所听四众头上。是诸听人。顶上火光皆长数尺。亦无热性。曾不焚烧。或上水行。如履平地。或于空中。安坐不动。或入瓶内。或处囊中。越牖透垣。曾无障碍。惟于刀兵不得自在。自言是佛。身着白衣。受比丘礼。诽谤禅律。骂詈徒众。讦露人事。不避讥嫌。口中常说。神通自在。或复令人傍见佛土。鬼力惑人。非有真实。赞叹行淫。不毁粗行。将诸猥媟。以为传法。此名天地大力山精。海精风精。河精土精。一切草树积劫精魅。或复龙魅。或寿终仙。再活为魅。或仙期终。计年应死。其形不化。他怪所附。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。多陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱入灭。妍究化性。贪求深空。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人终不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求空善男子处。敷座说法。于大众内。其形忽空。众无所见。还从虚空。突然而出。存没自在。或现其身。洞如琉璃。或垂手足。作栴檀气。或大小便。如厚石蜜。诽毁戒律。轻贱出家。口中常说。无因无果。一死永灭。无复后身。及诸凡圣。虽得空寂。潜行贪欲。受其欲者。亦得空心。拨无因果。此名日月薄蚀精气。金玉芝草。麟凤龟鹤。经千万年。不死为灵。出生国土。年老成魔。恼乱是人。厌足心生。去彼人体。弟子与师。多陷王难。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　又善男子。受阴虚妙。不遭邪虑。圆定发明。三摩地中。心爱长寿。辛苦研几。贪求永岁。弃分段生。顿希变易细相常住。尔时。天魔候得其便。飞精附人。口说经法。其人竟不觉知魔着。亦言自得无上涅槃。来彼求生善男子处。敷座说法。好言他方往还无滞。或经万里。瞬息再来。皆于彼方。取得其物。或于一处。在一宅中。数步之间。令其从东诣至西壁。是人急行。累年不到。因此心信。疑佛现前。口中常说。十方众生。皆是吾子。我生诸佛。我出世界。我是元佛。出生自然。不因修得。此名住世自在天魔。使其眷属。如遮文茶。及四天王毗舍童子。未发心者。利其虚明。食彼精气。或不因师。其修行人。亲自观见。称执金刚与汝长命。现美女身。盛行贪欲。未逾年岁。肝脑枯竭。口兼独言。听若妖魅。前人未详。多陷王难。未及遇刑。先已干死。恼乱彼人。以至殂殒。汝当先觉。不入轮回。迷惑不知。堕无间狱。
　　阿难。当知是十种魔。于末世时。在我法中。出家修道。或附人体。或自现形。皆言已成正遍知觉。赞叹淫欲。破佛律仪。先恶魔师。与魔弟子。淫淫相传。如是邪精。魅其心腑。近则九生。多逾百世。令真修行。总为魔眷。命终之后。必为魔民。失正遍知。堕无间狱。汝今未须先取寂灭。纵得无学。留愿入彼末法之中。起大慈悲。救度正心深信众生。令不着魔。得正知见。我今度汝。已出生死。汝遵佛语。名报佛恩。
　　阿难。如是十种禅那现境。皆是想阴。用心交互。故现斯事。众生顽迷。不自忖量。逢此因缘。迷不自识。谓言登圣。大妄语成。堕无间狱。汝等必须将如来语。于我灭后。传示末法。遍令众生。开悟斯义。无令天魔得其方便。保持覆护。成无上道。
　　卷十
　　阿难。彼善男子。修三摩提。想阴尽者。是人平常梦想销灭。寤寐恒一。觉明虚静。犹如晴空。无复粗重前尘影事。观诸世间大地河山。如镜鉴明。来无所粘。过无踪迹。虚受照应。了罔陈习。惟一精真。生灭根元。从此披露。见诸十方十二众生。毕殚其类。虽未通其各命由绪。见同生基。犹如野马。熠熠清扰。为浮根尘。究竟枢穴。此则名为。行阴区宇。若此清扰熠熠元性。性入元澄。一澄元习。如波澜灭。化为澄水。名行阴尽。是人则能超众生浊。观其所由。幽隐妄想以为其本。
　　阿难。当知是得正知奢摩他中。诸善男子。凝明正心。十类天魔。不得其便。方得精研。穷生类本。于本类中生元露者。观彼幽清。圆扰动元。于圆元中。起计度者。是人坠入二无因论。一者。是人见本无因。何以故。是人既得生机全破。乘于眼根八百功德。见八万劫所有众生。业流湾环。死此生彼。只见众生轮回其处。八万劫外。冥无所观。便作是解。此等世间十方众生。八万劫来。无因自有。由此计度。亡正遍知。堕落外道。惑菩提性。二者。是人见末无因。何以故。是人于生既见其根。知人生人。悟鸟生鸟。乌从来黑。鹄从来白。人天本竖。畜生本横。白非洗成。黑非染造。从八万劫。无复改移。今尽此形。亦复如是。而我本来不见菩提。云何更有成菩提事。当知今日一切物象。皆本无因。由此计度。亡正遍知。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第一外道。立无因论。
　　阿难。是三摩中。诸善男子。凝明正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于圆常中。起计度者。是人坠入四遍常论。一者。是人穷心境性。二处无因。修习能知。二万劫中。十方众生。所有生灭。咸皆循环。不曾散失。计以为常。二者。是人穷四大元。四性常住。修习能知。四万劫中。十方众生。所有生灭。咸皆体恒。不曾散失。计以为常。三者。是人穷尽六根。末那执受。心意识中。本元由处。性常恒故。修习能知。八万劫中。一切众生。循环不失。本来常住。穷不失性。计以为常。四者。是人既尽想元。生理更无流止运转。生灭想心。今已永灭。理中自然成不生灭。因心所度。计以为常。由此计常。亡正遍知。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第二外道。立圆常论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于自他中。起计度者。是人坠入四颠倒见。一分无常。一分常论。一者。是人观妙明心。遍十方界。湛然以为究竟神我。从是则计我遍十方。凝明不动。一切众生。于我心中自生自死。则我心性。名之为常。彼生灭者。真无常性。二者。是人不观其心。遍观十方恒沙国土。见劫坏处。名为究竟无常种性。劫不坏处。名究竟常。三者。是人别观我心。精细微密。犹如微尘。流转十方。性无移改。能令此身即生即灭。其不坏性。名我性常。一切死生从我流出。名无常性。四者。是人知想阴尽。见行阴流。行阴常流。计为常性。色受想等。今已灭尽。名为无常。由此计度。一分无常一分常故。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第三外道。一分常论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于分位中。生计度者。是人坠入四有边论。一者。是人心计生元。流用不息。计过未者。名为有边。计相续心。名为无边。二者。是人观八万劫。则见众生八万劫前。寂无闻见。无闻见处。名为无边。有众生处。名为有边。三者。是人计我遍知。得无边性。彼一切人现我知中。我曾不知彼之知性。名彼不得无边之心。但有边性。四者。是人穷行阴空。以其所见。心路筹度。一切众生一身之中。计其咸皆半生半灭。明其世界一切所有。一半有边。一半无边。由此计度。有边无边。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第四外道。立有边论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于知见中。生计度者。是人坠入四种颠倒。不死矫乱。遍计虚论。一者。是人观变化元。见迁流处。名之为变。见相续处。名之为恒。见所见处。名之为生。不见见处。名之为灭。相续之因。性不断处。名之为增。正相续中。中所离处。名之为减。各各生处。名之为有。互互亡处。名之为无。以理都观。用心别见。有求法人。来问其义。答言。我今亦生亦灭。亦有亦无。亦增亦减。于一切时。皆乱其语。令彼前人遗失章句。二者。是人谛观其心。互互无处。因无得证。有人来问。惟答一字。但言其无。除无之余。无所言说。三者。是人谛观其心。各各有处。因有得证。有人来问。惟答一字。但言其是。除是之余。无所言说。四者。是人有无俱见。其境枝故。其心亦乱。有人来问。答言。亦有即是亦无。亦无之中。不是亦有。一切矫乱。无容穷诘。由此计度。矫乱虚无。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第五外道。四颠倒性。不死矫乱。遍计虚论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于无尽流。生计度者。是人坠入死后有相。发心颠倒。或自固身。云色是我。或见我圆。含遍国土。云我有色。或彼前缘随我回复。云色属我。或复我依行中相续。云我在色。皆计度言。死后有相。如是循环。有十六相。从此惑计。毕竟烦恼。毕竟菩提。两性并驱。各不相触。由此计度死后有故。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第六外道。立五阴中死后有相。心颠倒论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于先除灭色受想中。生计度者。是人坠入死后无相。发心颠倒。见其色灭。形无所因。观其想灭。心无所系。知其受灭。无后连缀。阴性销散。纵有生理。而无受想。与草木同。此质现前。犹不可得。死后云何更有诸相。因之勘校死后相无。如是循环。有八无相。从此或计涅槃因果。一切皆空。徒有名字。究竟断灭。由此计度。死后无故。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第七外道。立五阴中死后无相。心颠倒论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于行存中。兼受想灭。双计有无。自体相破。是人坠入死后俱非。起颠倒论。色受想中。见有非有。行迁流内。观无不无。如是循环。穷尽阴界。八俱非相。随得一缘。皆言死后有相无相。又计诸行。性迁讹故。心发通悟。有无俱非。虚实失措。由此计度。死后俱非。后际昏瞢。无可道故。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第八外道。立五阴中死后俱非。心颠倒论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于后后无。生计度者。是人坠入七断灭论。或计身灭。或欲尽灭。或苦尽灭。或极乐灭。或极舍灭。如是循环。穷尽七际。现前销灭。灭已无复。由此计度。死后断灭。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第九外道。立五阴中死后断灭。心颠倒论。
　　又三摩中。诸善男子。坚凝正心。魔不得便。穷生类本。观彼幽清。常扰动元。于后后有生计度者。是人坠入五涅槃论。或以欲界为正转依。观见圆明。生爱慕故。或以初禅。性无忧故。或以二禅。心无苦故。或以三禅。极悦随故。或以四禅。苦乐二亡。不受轮回生灭性故。迷有漏天。作无为解。五处安隐。为胜净依。如是循环。五处究竟。由此计度。五现涅槃。堕落外道。惑菩提性。是则名为。第十外道。立五阴中五现涅槃。心颠倒论。
　　阿难。如是十种禅那狂解。皆是行阴用心交互。故现斯悟。众生顽迷。不自忖量。逢此现前。以迷为解。自言登圣。大妄语成。堕无间狱。汝等必须将如来心。于我灭后。传示末法。遍令众生觉了斯义。无令心魔。自起深孽。保持覆护。消息邪见。教其身心。开觉真义。于无上道。不遭枝歧。勿令心祈。得少为足。作大觉王清净标指。
　　阿难。彼善男子。修三摩提。行阴尽者。诸世间性。幽清扰动。同分生机。倏然堕裂。沉细纲纽。补特伽罗。酬业深脉。感应悬绝。于涅槃天。将大明悟。如鸡后鸣。瞻顾东方。已有精色。六根虚静。无复驰逸。内外湛明。入无所入。深达十方十二种类。受命元由。观由执元。诸类不召。于十方界。已获其同。精色不沉。发现幽秘。此则名为。识阴区宇。若于群召。已获同中。销磨六门。合开成就。见闻通邻。互用清净。十方世界。及与身心。如吠琉璃。内外明彻。名识阴尽。是人则能超越命浊。观其所由。罔象虚无。颠倒妄想。以为其本。
　　阿难。当知是善男子。穷诸行空。于识还元。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。能令己身。根隔合开。亦与十方诸类通觉。觉知通淴。能入圆元。若于所归。立真常因。生胜解者。是人则堕因所因执。娑毗迦罗。所归冥谛。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第一立所得心。成所归果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生外道种。
　　阿难。又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于所归览为自体。尽虚空界十二类内。所有众生。皆我身中一类流出。生胜解者。是人则堕能非能执。摩醯首罗。现无边身。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第二立能为心。成能事果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生大慢天。我遍圆种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于所归有所归依。自疑身心从彼流出。十方虚空。咸其生起。即于都起所宣流地。作真常身无生灭解。在生灭中。早计常住。既惑不生。亦迷生灭。安住沉迷。生胜解者。是人则堕常非常执。计自在天。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第三立因依心。成妄计果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生倒圆种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于所知。知遍圆故。因知立解。十方草木。皆称有情。与人无异。草木为人。人死还成十方草树。无择遍知。生胜解者。是人则堕知无知执。婆吒霰尼。执一切觉。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第四计圆知心。成虚谬果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生倒知种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于圆融。根互用中。已得随顺。便于圆化一切发生。求火光明。乐水清净。爱风周流。观尘成就。各各崇事。以此群尘。发作本因。立常住解。是人则堕生无生执。诸迦叶波。并婆罗门。勤心役身。事火崇水。求出生死。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第五计着崇事。迷心从物。立妄求因。求妄冀果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生颠化种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于圆明。计明中虚。非灭群化。以永灭依。为所归依。生胜解者。是人则堕归无归执。无想天中。诸舜若多。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第六圆虚无心。成空亡果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生断灭种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于圆常。固身常住。同于精圆。长不倾逝。生胜解者。是人则堕贪非贪执。诸阿斯陀。求长命者。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第七执着命元。立固妄因。趣长劳果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生妄延种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。观命互通。却留尘劳。恐其销尽。便于此际坐莲花宫。广化七珍。多增宝媛。纵恣其心。生胜解者。是人则堕真无真执。吒枳迦罗。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第八发邪思因。立炽尘果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生天魔种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。于命明中。分别精粗。疏决真伪。因果相酬。惟求感应。背清净道。所谓。见苦断集。证灭修道。居灭已休。更不前进。生胜解者。是人则堕定性声闻。诸无闻僧。增上慢者。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第九圆精应心。成趣寂果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生缠空种。
　　又善男子。穷诸行空。已灭生灭。而于寂灭精妙未圆。若于圆融清净觉明。发研深妙。即立涅槃。而不前进。生胜解者。是人则堕定性辟支。诸缘独伦。不回心者。成其伴侣。迷佛菩提。亡失知见。是名第十圆觉淴心。成湛明果。违远圆通。背涅槃城。生觉圆明。不化圆种。
　　阿难。如是十种禅那。中途成狂。因依迷惑。或未足中。生满足证。皆是识阴用心交互。故生斯位。众生顽迷。不自忖量。逢此现前。各以所爱。先习迷心。而自休息。将为毕竟所归宁地。自言满足无上菩提。大妄语成。外道邪魔。所感业终。堕无间狱。声闻缘觉。不成增进。汝等存心秉如来道。将此法门。于我灭后。传示末世。普令众生。觉了斯义。无令见魔。自作沉孽。保绥哀救。消息邪缘。令其身心。入佛知见。从始成就。不遭歧路。如是法门。先过去世。恒沙劫中。微尘如来。乘此心开。得无上道。识阴若尽。则汝现前诸根互用。从互用中。能入菩萨金刚干慧。圆明精心。于中发化。如净琉璃。内含宝月。如是乃超十信。十住十行。十回向。四加行心。菩萨所行金刚十地。等觉圆明。入于如来妙庄严海。圆满菩提。归无所得。此是过去先佛世尊。奢摩他中。毗婆舍那。觉明分析微细魔事。魔境现前。汝能谙识。心垢洗除。不落邪见。阴魔销灭。天魔摧碎。大力鬼神。褫魄逃逝。魑魅魍魉。无复出生。直至菩提。无诸少乏。下劣增进。于大涅槃。心不迷闷。若诸末世愚钝众生。未识禅那。不知说法。乐修三昧。汝恐同邪。一心劝令。持我佛顶陀罗尼咒。若未能诵。写于禅堂。或带身上。一切诸魔。所不能动。汝当恭钦十方如来。究竟修进。最后垂范。
　　阿难。即从坐起。闻佛示诲。顶礼钦奉。忆持无失。于大众中。重复白佛。如佛所言。五阴相中。五种虚妄。为本想心。我等平常。未蒙如来微细开示。又此五阴。为并销除。为次第尽。如是五重。诣何为界。惟愿如来发宣大慈。为此大众。清明心目。以为末世一切众生。作将来眼。
　　佛告阿难。精真妙明。本觉圆净。非留死生。及诸尘垢。乃至虚空。皆因妄想之所生起。斯元本觉妙明真精。妄以发生诸器世间。如演若多。迷头认影。妄元无因。于妄想中。立因缘性。迷因缘者。称为自然。彼虚空性。犹实幻生。因缘自然。皆是众生妄心计度。阿难。知妄所起。说妄因缘。若妄元无。说妄因缘。元无所有。何况不知。推自然者。是故。如来与汝发明。五阴本因。同是妄想。汝体先因父母想生。汝心非想。则不能来想中传命。如我先言。心想醋味。口中涎生。心想登高。足心酸起。悬崖不有。醋物未来。汝体必非虚妄通伦。口水如何因谈醋出。是故。当知汝现色身。名为坚固第一妄想。即此所说临高想心。能令汝形真受酸涩。由因受生。能动色体。汝今现前顺益违损。二现驱驰。名为虚明第二妄想。由汝念虑。使汝色身。身非念伦。汝身何因。随念所使。种种取像。心生形取。与念相应。寤即想心。寐为诸梦。则汝想念摇动妄情。名为融通第三妄想。化理不住。运运密移。甲长发生。气销容皱。日夜相代。曾无觉悟。阿难。此若非汝。云何体迁。如必是真。汝何无觉。则汝诸行。念念不停。名为幽隐第四妄想。又汝精明。湛不摇处。名恒常者。于身不出见闻觉知。若实精真。不容习妄。何因汝等。曾于昔年睹一奇物。经历年岁。忆忘俱无。于后忽然覆睹前异。记忆宛然。曾不遗失。则此精了湛不摇中。念念受熏。有何筹算。阿难。当知此湛非真。如急流水。望如恬静。流急不见。非是无流。若非想元。宁受想习。非汝六根。互用合开。此之妄想。无时得灭。故汝现在。见闻觉知中串习几。则湛了内罔象虚无。第五颠倒细微精想。
　　阿难。是五受阴。五妄想成。汝今欲知因界浅深。惟色与空。是色边际。惟触及离。是受边际。惟记与忘。是想边际。惟灭与生。是行边际。湛入合湛。归识边际。此五阴元。重叠生起。生因识有。灭从色除。理则顿悟。乘悟并销。事非顿除。因次第尽。我已示汝劫波巾结。何所不明。再此询问。汝应将此妄想根元。心得开通。传示将来末法之中。诸修行者。令识虚妄。深厌自生。知有涅槃。不恋三界。
　　阿难。若复有人。遍满十方所有虚空。盈满七宝。持以奉上微尘诸佛。承事供养。心无虚度。于意云何。是人以此施佛因缘。得福多否。
　　阿难答言。虚空无尽。珍宝无边。昔有众生。施佛七钱。舍身犹获转轮王位。况复现前虚空既穷。佛土充遍。皆施珍宝。穷劫思议。尚不能及。是福云何更有边际。
　　佛告阿难。诸佛如来。语无虚妄。若复有人。身具四重十波罗夷。瞬息即经此方他方。阿鼻地狱。乃至穷尽十方无间。靡不经历。能以一念。将此法门。于末劫中。开示未学。是人罪障。应念销灭。变其所受地狱苦因。成安乐国。得福超越前之施人。百倍千倍。千万亿倍。如是乃至。算数譬喻所不能及。阿难。若有众生。能诵此经。能持此咒。如我广说。穷劫不尽。依我教言。如教行道。直成菩提。无复魔业。
　　佛说此经已。比丘比丘尼。优婆塞优婆夷。一切世间。天人阿修罗。及诸他方菩萨。二乘圣仙童子。并初发心大力鬼神。皆大欢喜。作礼而去。
　　英文版楞严经：
　　Chapter 1
　　Thus I have heard. At one time the Buddha dwelt at the City of Shravasti in the sublime abode of the Jeta Grove with a gathering of great Bhikshus, twelve hundred fifty in all. All were great Arhats without outflows, disciples of the Buddha who dwelt in and maintained the Dharma. They had fully transcended all existence, and were able to perfect the majestic deportment wherever they went. They followed the Buddha in turning the wheel and were wonderfully worthy of the bequest. Stern and pure in the Vinaya, they were great exemplars in the three realms. Their numberless response-bodies took beings across and liberated them, extricating and rescuing those of the future so they could transcend the bonds of all mundane defilements. The names of the leaders were: the Greatly Wise Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakaushtila, Purnamaitreyaniputra, Subhuti, Upanishad, and others.
　　Moreover, numberless Pratyekabuddhas who were beyond learning and those of initial resolve came to where the Buddha was. All the Bhikshus were there as well, having the Pravarana at the close of the summer retreat.
　　And there were also Bodhisattvas from the ten directions, who desired counsel in order to resolve their doubts. All were respectful and obedient to the compassionate and stately one as they prepared to seek the Secret Meaning.
　　Then the Tathagata arranged his seat, sat quietly and peacefully, and for the sake of everyone in the congregation, proclaimed the profound and mysterious. At the banquet of Dharma, what the members of the pure congregation obtained was unprecedented. The Immortal's kalavinka-sound pervaded the worlds of the ten directions and Bodhisattvas as many as the Gange's sands gathered at the Way-place with Manjushri as their leader.
　　On the day of mourning, King Prasenajit, for the sake of his father, the former king, arranged a vegetarian feast and invited the Buddha to the side rooms of the palace. He welcomed the Tathagataa with a vast array of superb delicacies of unsurpassed, wonderful flavors and himself invited the Great Bodhisattvas, as well. Elders and laypeople of the city were also prepared to provide meals for the Sangha at the same time, and they stood waiting for the Buddha to come and receive offerings.
　　The Buddha commanded Manjushri to assign the Bodhisattvas and Arhats to receive offerings from the various vegetarian hosts. Only Ananda, who had travelled far to accept a special invitation earlier, and had not yet returned, was late for the apportioning of the Sangha. No senior Bhikshu or Acharya was with him, and so he was returning alone on the road. On that day Ananda had received no offerings, and so at the appropriate time he took up his almsbowl and, as he travelled through the city, received alms in sequential order. As he set out to receive alms from the first to the last donors, his vegetarian hosts, he thought not to question whether they were pure or impure; whether they were kshatriyas of honorable name or chandalas. While practicing equality and compassion he would not select merely the lowly but was determined to perfect all beings' limitless merit and virtue. Ananda was aware that the Tathagata, the Bhagavan(World Honored One), had admonished Subhuti and Mahakashyapa for being Arhats whose minds were not fair and equal. He revered the Tathagata's instructions on impartiality for saving everyone from doubt and slander.
　　Having crossed the city moat, he walked slowly through the outer gates, his manner stern and proper as he strictly respected the rules for obtaining vegetarian food. At that time, because Ananda was receiving alms in sequential order, he passed by a house of prostitution and was waylaid by a powerful artifice. On the strength of Kapila's mantra, which came from the Brahma Heaven, the daughter of Matangi drew him onto an impure mat. With her licentious body she caressed him until he was on the verge of destroying the precept-substance. The Tathagata, knowing Ananda was being taken advantage of by an impure artifice, finished the meal and immediately returned to the Sublime Abobe.
　　The king, great officials, elders, and laypeople followed along after the Buddha desiring to hear the essentials of the Dharma. Then the Bhagavan from his crown emitted hundreds of rays of jeweled light which dispelled all fear. Within the light appeared a thousand-petalled jeweled lotus, upon which was seated a transformation-body Buddha in full-lotus posture, proclaiming a holy Mantra. Shakyamuni Buddha commanded Manjushri to take the mantra and go provide protection, and, when the evil mantra was dispelled, to support Ananda and Matangi's daughter and encourage them to return to where the Buddha was. Ananda saw the Buddha, bowed, and wept sorrowfully, regretting that from time without beginning he had been preoccupied with erudition and had not yet perfected his strength in the Way. He respectfully and repeatedly requested an explanation of the initial expedients of the wonderful shamatha, samapatti, and dhyana, by means of which the Tathagatas of the ten directions had realized Bodhi.
　　At that time Bodhisattvas as numerous as Ganges' sands, great Arhats, Pratyekabuddhas, and others from the ten directions, were also present. Pleased at the opportunity to listen, they withdrew quietly to their seats to receive the sagely instruction.
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "You and I are of the same family and share the affection of this natural relationship. At the time of your initial resolve, what were the outstanding characteristics which you saw in my Dharma that caused you to suddenly cast aside the deep kindness and love found in the world?"
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "I saw the Tathagata's thirty-two hallmarks, which were so supremely wonderful and incomparable that his entire body had a shimmering translucence just like that of crystal. I often thought that those hallmarks could not have been born of desire and love. Why? The vapors of desire are course and murky. From foul and putrid intercourse comes a turbid mixture of pus and blood which cannot give off such a magnificent, pure, and brilliant concentration of purple-golden light. And so I eagerly gazed upward, followed the Buddha, and let the hair fall from my head."
　　The Buddha said, "Very good, Ananda. You should know that from beginningless time all beings are continually born and continually die, simply because they do not know the everlasting true mind with its pure nature and bright substance. Instead they engage in false thinking. These thoughts are not true, and so they lead to further transmigration. Now you wish to investigate the unsurpassed Bodhi and actually discover your nature. You should answer my questions with a straightforward mind. The Tathagatas of the ten directions escaped birth and death because their minds were straightforward. Since their minds and words were consistently that way, from the beginning, through the intermediate stages to the end, they were never in the least evasive. Ananda, I now ask you: at the time of your initial resolve, which arose in response to Tathagata's thirty-two hallmarks, what was it that saw those characteristics and who delighted in them?" Ananda said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, this is the way I experienced the delight: I used my mind and eyes. Because my eyes saw the Tathagata's outstanding hallmarks, my mind gave rise to delight. That is why I became resolved and wished to extricate myself from birth and death."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "It is as you say, that experience of delight actually occurs because of your mind and eyes. If you do not know where your mind and eyes are, you will not be able to conquer the wearisome mundane defilements. For example, when a country is invaded by thieves and the king sends out his troops to suppress and banish them, the troops must know where the thieves are. It is the fault of your mind and eyes that you undergo transmigration. I now ask you specifically about your mind and eyes: where are they now?"
　　Ananda answered the Buddha, "Bhagavan, All the ten kinds of beings in the world alike maintain that the mind-consciousness dwells within the body; and as I regard the Tathagata's eyes that resemble blue lotuses, they are on the Buddha's face. I now observe that these prominent organs, four kinds of defiling objects, are on my face, and my mind-consciousness actually is within my body."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "You are now sitting in the Tathagata's lecture hall. Where is the Jeta Grove that you are gazing at?" "Bhagavan, this great many-storied pure lecture hall is in the Garden of the Benefactor of the Solitary. At present the Jeta Grove is, in fact, outside the hall."
　　"Ananda, as you are now in the hall, what do you see first?" "Bhagavan, here in the hall I first see the Tathagata, next I see the public, and from there, as I gaze outward, I see the grove and the garden."
　　"Ananda, how are you able to see the grove and the garden." "Bhagavan, since the doors and windows of this great lecture hall have been thrown open wide, I can be in the hall and see into the distance."
　　Then, in the midst of the great assembly, the Bhagavan extended his golden arm, rubbed Ananda's crown, and said to Ananda and the public, "There is a Samadhi called the King of the Foremost Shurangama at the Great Buddha's Crown Replete with the Myriad Practices; it is a path wonderfully adorned and the single door through which the Tathagatas of the ten directions gained transcendence. You should now listen attentively." Ananda bowed down to receive the compassionate instruction humbly.
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "It is as you say. When one is in the lecture hall and the doors and windows are open wide, one can see far into the garden and the grove. Could someone in the hall not see the Tathagata and yet see outside the hall?" Ananda answered: "Bhagavan, to be in the hall and not see the Tathagata, and yet see the grove and fountains is impossible."
　　"Ananda, you are like that too. Your mind is capable of understanding everything thoroughly. Now if your present mind, which thoroughly understands everything, were in your body, then you should first be aware of what is inside your body. Could there be beings who first see the inside of their bodies before observing external phenomena? Even if you cannot see your heart, liver, spleen, and stomach, still, you should be able to clearly perceive the growing of your nails and hair, the twist of your sinews, and the throb of your pulse. Why don't you perceive these things? If you cannot perceive your internal organs, how could you perceive what is external to you? Therefore you should know that declaring that the aware and knowing mind is inside the body is an impossible statement."
　　Ananda bowed his head and said to the Buddha, "Upon hearing the Tathagata proclaim this explanation of Dharma, such a Dharma-sound as the Tathagata has proclaimed, I realize that my mind is actually outside my body. How is that possible? For example, a lamp lit in a room will certainly illumine the inside of the room first, and only then will its light stream through the doorway to reach the recesses of the hall. Beings' not being able to see within their bodies but only see outside them, is analogous to having a lighted lamp placed outside the room, so that it cannot illumine the rroom.This principle is clear and beyond all doubt. It is identical with the Buddha's complete meaning, isn't it?"
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "All these Bhikshus, who just followed me to the city of Shravasti to go on sequential almsrounds to obtain balls of food, have returned to the Jeta Grove. I have already finished eating. Observing the Bhikshus, do you think that by one person eating everyone gets full?" Ananda answered, "No, Bhagavan. Why? Although these bhikshus are Arhats, their physical bodies and lives differ. How could one person's eating enable everyone to be full?" The Buddha told Ananda, "If your mind which is aware, knows, and sees were actually outside your body, your body and mind would be mutually exclusive and would have no relationship to one another. The body would be unaware of what the mind perceives, and the mind would not perceive the awareness within the body. Now as I show you my hand which is soft like tula-cotton, does your mind distinguish it when your eyes see it?"
　　Ananda answered, "Yes, Bhagavan."
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "If the two have a common perception, how can the mind be outside the body? Therefore you should know that declaring that the mind which knows, understands, and is aware is outside the body is an impossible statement." Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, it is as the Buddha has said. Since I cannot see inside my body, my mind does not reside in the body. Since my body and mind have a common awareness, they are not separate and so my mind does not dwell outside my body. As I now consider the matter, I know exactly where my mind is."
　　The Buddha said: "So, where is it now?"
　　Ananda said, "Since the mind which knows and understands does not perceive what is inside but can see outside, upon reflection I believe it is concealed in the organ of vision. This is analogous to a person placing crystal lenses over his eyes; the lenses would cover his eyes but would not obstruct his vision. The organ of vision would thus be able to see, and discriminations could be made accordingly. And so my mind is aware and knows, understands, and is aware does not see within because it resides in the organ: it can gaze outside clearly, without obstruction for the same reason: it is concealed in the organ."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "Assuming that it is concealed in the organ, as you assert in your analogy of the crystals, if a person were to cover his eyes with the crystals and looks at the mountains and rivers, would he see the crystals as well?" "Yes, World Honored One, if that person were to cover his eyes with the crystals, he would in fact see the crystals."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "If your mind is analogous to the eyes covered with crystals, then when you see the mountains and rivers, why don't you see your eyes? If you could see your eyes, your eyes would be part of the external environment, but that is not the case. If you cannot see them, why do you say that the aware and knowing mind is concealed in the organ of vision as eyes are covered by crystals? Therefore you should know that you state the impossible when you say that the mind which knows, understands, and is aware is concealed in the organ of vision in the way that the eyes are covered by crystals."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, I now offer this reconsideration: viscera and bowels lie inside the bodies of living beings, while the apertures are outside. There is darkness within where the bowels are and light at the apertures. Now, as I face the Buddha and open my eyes, I see light: that is seeing outside. When I close my eyes and see darkness, that is seeing within. How does that principle sound?"
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "When you close your eyes and see darkness, does the darkness you experience lie before your eyes or not? If it did lie before your eyes, then the darkness would be in front of your eyes. How could that be said to be 'within'? If it were within, then when you were in a dark room without the light of sun, moon, or lamps, the darkness in the room would constitute your vital organs and viscera. If it were not before you, how could you see it? If you assert that there is an inward seeing that is distinct from seeing outside, then when you close your eyes and see darkness, your would be seeing inside your body. Consequently, when you open your eyes and see light, why can't you see your own face? If you cannot see your face, then there can be no seeing within. If you could see your face, then your mind which is aware and knows and your organ of vision as well would have to be suspended in space. How could they be inside? If they were in space, then they would not be part of your body. Otherwise the Tathagata who now sees your face should be part of your body as well. In that case, when your eyes perceived something, your body would remain unaware of it. If you press the point and insist that the body and eyes each have an awareness, then you should have two perceptions, and your one body should eventually become two Buddhas. Therefore you should know declaring that to see darkness is to see within is an impossible statement."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "I have often heard the Buddha instruct the four assemblies that since the mind arises, every kind of dharma arises and that since dharmas arise, every kind of mind arises. As I now consider it, the substance of that very consideration is truly the nature of my mind. Wherever it joins with things, the mind exists in response. It does not exist in any of the three locations of inside, outside and in between."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "Now you say that because dharmas arise, every kind of mind arises. Wherever it joins with things, the mind exists in response. But it has no substance, the mind cannot come together with anything. If, having no substance, it could yet come together with things, that would constitute a nineteenth realm brought about by a union with the seventh defiling object. But there is no such principle. If it had substance, when you pinch your body with your fingers, would your mind which perceives it come out from the inside, or in from the outside? If it came from the inside, then, once again, it should be able to see within your body. If it came from outside, it should see your face first." Ananda said, "Seeing is done with the eyes; mental perception is not. To call mental perception seeing doesn't make sense."
　　The Buddha said, "Supposing the eyes did the seeing. That would be like being in a room where the doors could see! Also, when a person has died but his eyes are still intact, his eyes should see things. But how could one be dead if one can still see? Furthermore, Ananda, if your aware and knowing mind in fact had substance, then would it be of a single substance or of many substances? Would its substance perceive the body in which it resides or would it not perceive it? Supposing it were of a single substance, then when you pinched one limb with your fingers, the four limbs would be aware if it. If they all were aware if it, the pinch could not be at any one place. If the pinch is located in one place, then the single substance you propose could not exist. Supposing it was composed of many substances: then you would be many people. Which of those substances would be you? Supposing it were composed of a pervasive substance: the case would be the same as before in the instance of pinching. But supposing it were not pervasive; then when you touched your head and touched your foot simultaneously, the foot would not perceive being touched if the head did. But that is not how you are. Therefore you should know that declaring that wherever it comes together with things, the mind exists in response is an impossible statement."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, I also have heard the Buddha discuss reality with Manjushri and other disciples of the Dharma King. Bhagavan also said, 'The mind is neither inside nor outside.' As I now consider it, it cannot be inside since it cannot see within, and it cannot be outside since in that case there would be no shared perception. Since it cannot see inside, it cannot be inside; and since the body and mind do have shared perception, it does not make sense to say it is outside. Therefore, since there is a shared perception and since there is no seeing within, it must be in the middle."
　　The Buddha said, "You say it is in the middle. That middle must not be haphazard or without a fixed location. Where is this middle that you propose? Is it in an external place, or is it in the body? If it were in the body, the surface of the body cannot be counted as being the middle. If it were in the middle of the body, that would be the same as being inside. If it were in an external place, would there be some evidence of it, or not? If there would not be any evidence of it, that amounts to it not existing at all. If there were some evidence of it, then it would have no fixed location. Why not? Suppose that middle were indicated by a marker. When seen from the east, it would be to the west, and when seen from the south, it would be to the north. Just as such a tangible marker would be unclear, so too the location of the mind would be chaotic."
　　Ananda said, "The middle I speak of is neither one of those. As Bhagavan has said, the eyes and forms are the conditions which create the eye-consciousness. The eyes make discriminations; forms have no perception, but a consciousness is created between them: that is where my mind is."
　　The Buddha said, "If your mind were between the eyes and their object, would such a mind's substance combine with the two or not? If it did combine with the two, then objects and the mind-substance would form a chaotic mixture. Since objects have no perception, while the substance has perception, the two would stand in opposition. Where could the middle be? If it did not combine with the two, it would then be neither the perceiver nor the perceived. Since it would lack both substance and nature, what would such a middle be like? Therefore you should know that declaring the mind to be in the middle is an impossible statement."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, when I have seen the Buddha turn the Dharma Wheel in the past with Mahamaudgalyayana, Subhuti, Purna, and Shariputra, four of the great disciples, he often said that the nature of the mind which is aware, perceives, and makes discriminations is located neither within nor outside nor in the middle; it is not located anywhere at all. That very non-attachment to everything is what is called the mind. Therefore, is my non-attachment my mind?"
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "You say that the mind with its aware nature that perceives and makes discriminations is not located anywhere at all. Everything existing in the world consists of space, the waters, and the land, the creatures that fly and walk, and all external objects. Would your non-attachment also exist? If it did not exist, it would be the same as fur on a tortoise or horns on a rabbit. Just what would that non-attachment be? If non-attachment did exist, it couldn't be described as a negation. The absence of attributes indicates negation. Anything not negated has attributes. Anything with attributes exists. How could that define non-attachment? Therefore you should know that to declare that the aware, knowing mind is non-attachment to anything is an impossible statement."
　　Then Ananda rose from his seat in the midst of the great assembly, uncovered his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, respectfully put his palms together, and said to the Buddha: "I am the Tathagata's youngest cousin. I have received the Buddha's compassionate regard and have left the home life, but I have been dependent on his affection, and as a consequence have pursued erudition and am not yet without outflows. I could not overcome the Kapila mantra. I was swayed by it and almost went under in that house of prostitution, all because I did not know how to reach of the realm of reality. I only hope that Bhagavan, out of great kindness and sympathy, will instruct us in the path of shamatha to guide the icchantikas and overthrow the mlecchas." After he had finished speaking, he placed his five limbs on the ground and then, along with the entire great assembly, stood in anticipation, waiting eagerly and respectfully to hear the instructions.
　　Then the Bhagavan radiated from his face various kinds of light, lights as dazzlingly brilliant as hundreds of thousands of suns. The Buddharealms quaked pervasively in six ways and thus lands as many as atoms of universe throughout the ten directions appeared simultaneously. The Buddha's stateliness and sacrosanctity caused all the realms to unite into a single one. In these realms all the great Bodhisattvas, while remaining in their own countries, put their palms together, and listened.
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "From beginningless time onward, all living beings and in all kinds of upsidedown ways, have created seeds of karma which naturally run their course, like the aksha cluster. The reason that cultivators cannot accomplish unsurpassed Bodhi, but instead reach the level of Hearers or of those enlightened to conditions, or become accomplished in externalist ways as heaven-dwellers or as demon kings or as members of the demons' retinues is that they do not know the two fundamental roots and so are mistaken and confused in their cultivation."
　　"They are like one who cooks sand in the hope of creating savory delicacies. They may do so for as many eons as there are atoms of universe, but in the end they will not obtain what they want. What are the two? Ananda, the first is the root of beginningless birth and death, which is the mind that seizes upon conditions and that you and all living beings now make use of, taking it to be your own nature. The second is the primal pure substance of beginningless Bodhi Nirvana. It is the primal bright essence of consciousness that can bring forth all conditions. Due to these conditions, you consider it to be lost. Having lost sight of that original brightness, although beings use it to the end of their days, they are unaware of it, and unintentionally enter the various destinies."
　　"Ananda, now you wish to know about the path of shamatha with the hope of quitting birth and death. I will now question you further."
　　Then the Tathagata raised his golden-colored arm and bent his five webbed fingers as he asked Ananda, "Do you see?" Ananda said, "I see." The Buddha said, "What do you see?" Ananda said, "I see the Tathagata raise his arm and bend his fingers into a fist of light which dazzles my mind and my eyes." The Buddha said, "What do you see it with?" Ananda said, "The members of the great assembly and I each see it with our eyes." The Buddha said to Ananda, "You have answered me by saying that the Tathagata bends his fingers into a fist of light which dazzles your mind and eyes. Your eyes are able to see, but what is the mind that is dazzled by my fist?" Ananda said, "The Tathagata is asking where the mind is located. Now that I use my mind to search for it thoroughly, I propose that precisely that which is able to investigate is my mind."
　　The Buddha exclaimed, "Hey! Ananda, that is not your mind. "Startled, Ananda leapt up from his seat, stood, put his palms together, and said to the Buddha, "If that is not my mind, what is it?" The Buddha said to Ananda, "It is your perception of false appearances based on external objects which causes your true nature to be deluded and has caused you from beginningless time to your present llife to take a thief for yourson, to lose your eternal source, and to undergo transmigration." Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, I am Buddha's favorite cousin. It is because my mind loved the Buddha that I was led to leave the home life. With my mind I not only makes offerings to the Tathagata, but also, in passing through lands as many as the grains of sand in the Ganges River to serve all Buddhas and good, wise advisors, and in marshalling great courage to practice every difficult aspect of the Dharma, I always use my mind. Even if I were to slander the Dharma and eternally sever my good roots, it would also be because of this mind. If this is not my mind, then I have no mind, and I am the same as a clod of earth or a piece of wood, because nothing exists apart from this awareness and knowing. Why does the Tathagata say this is not my mind? I am startled and frightened and not one member of the great assembly is without doubt. I only hope that Bhagavan will regard us with great compassion and instruct those who have not yet awakened." Then the Bhagavan gave instruction to Ananda and the great assembly, wishing to cause their minds to enter the state of patience with the non-existence of beings and dharmas.
　　From the lion's seat he rubbed Ananda's crown and said to him, "The Tathagata has often said that all dharmas that arise are only manifestations of the mind. All causes and effects, the worlds as many as atoms of universe, take on substance because of the heart. Ananda, if we regard all the things in the world, including blades of grass and strands of silk, examining them at their fundamental source, each is seen to have a nature, even empty space has a name and an appearance. And so how could the clear, wonderful, pure bright mind, the essence of all thought, itself be without substance? If you insist that the nature which is aware, observes and knows is the mind, then apart from all forms, smells, tastes, and tangibles—apart from the workings of all the defiling objects—that mind should have its own complete nature. And yet now, as you listen to my Dharma, it is because of sound that you are able to make distinctions.
　　"Even if you could put an end to all seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing, and maintain an inner composure, the shadows of your discrimination of dharmas would remain. I do not insist that you grant that it is not the mind. But examine your mind in minute detail to see whether there is a discriminating nature apart from sense objects. That would truly be your mind. If the discriminating nature you discover has no substance apart from objects, then that would make it just a shadow of discriminations of mental objects. The objects are not eternal, and when they pass out of existence, such a mind would be like f ur on a tortoise or horns on a rabbit. In that case your Dharma-body would come to an end along with it. Then who would be left to cultivate and attain patience with the non-existence of beings and dharmas?" At that point Ananda and everyone in the great assembly was speechless and at a total loss.
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "There are cultivators in the world who, although they realize the nine successive stages of Samadhi, do not achieve the extinction of outflows or become Arhats, all because they are attached to birth and death and false thinking and mistake these for what is truly real. That is why now, although you are highly erudite, you have not realized sagehood."
　　When Ananda heard that, he again wept sorrowfully, placed his five limbs on the ground, knelt on both knees, put his palms together and said to the Buddha. "Since I followed the Buddha and left home, I have relied on the Buddha's stateliness and sacrosanctity. I have often thought, 'There is no reason for me to toil at cultivation' expecting that the Tathagata would bestow Samadhi upon me. I never realized that he could not stand in for me in body or mind. Thus, I lost my original mind and although my body has left the home-life, my mind has not entered the Way. I am like the poor son who renounced his father and roamed around. Therefore, today I realize that although I'm greatly learned, if I do not cultivate, it amounts to having not learned anything; Just as someone who only speaks of food will never get full. Bhagavan, now we all are bound by two obstructions and as a consequence do not perceive the still, eternal nature of the mind. I only hope the Tathagata will empathize with us poor and destitute ones, disclose the wonderful bright mind, and open our Way-eyes."
　　Then from the svastika "myriad" on his chest, the Tathagata poured forth gem-like light. Radiant with hundreds of thousands of colors, this brilliant light simultaneously pervaded throughout the ten directions to Buddha-realms as many as atoms of universe, anointing the crowns of every Tathagata in all these jeweled Buddhalands of the ten directions. Then it swept back to Ananda and all the great assembly. The Buddha said to Ananda, "I will now erect the great Dharma banner for you, to cause all living beings in the ten directions to obtain the wondrous subtle secret, the pure nature, the bright mind, and to attain those pure eyes.
　　"Ananda, you have told me that you saw my fist of bright light. How did it take the form of a fist? How did the fist come to emit light? How was the fist made? By what means could you see it?"
　　Ananda replied, "The body of the Buddha is born of purity and cleanness, and therefore, it assumes the color of Jambu river gold with deep red hues. Hence, it shone as brilliant and dazzling as a precious mountain. It was actually my eyes that saw the Buddha bend his five-wheeled fingers to form a fist which was shown to all of us."
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "Today the Tathagata will tell you the truth: all those with wisdom are able to achieve enlightenment through the use of examples. Ananda, take, for example, my fist: If I didn't have a hand, I couldn't make a fist. If you didn't have eyes, you couldn't see. If you apply the example of my fist to the case of your eyes, is the principle the same?" Ananda said, "Yes, Bhagavan. Since I can't see without my eyes, if one applies the example of the Tathagata's fist to the case of my eyes, the principle is the same."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "You say it is the same, but that is not right. Why? If a person has no hand, his fist is gone forever. But one who is without eyes is not entirely devoid of sight. Why not? Try consulting a blind man on a street: 'What do you see?' Any blind person will certainly answer, 'Now I see only darkness in front of my eyes. Nothing else meets my gaze.' The meaning is apparent: If he sees dark in front of him, how could his sight be considered 'lost'?"
　　Ananda said, "The only thing blind people see in front of their eyes is darkness. How can that be called seeing?" The Buddha said to Ananda, "Is there any difference between the darkness seen by blind people, who do not have the use of their eyes, and the darkness seen by someone who has the use of his eyes when he is in a dark room?"
　　"Stated in that way, Bhagavan, there is no difference between the two kinds of blackness, that seen by a person in a dark room and that seen by the blind."
　　"Ananda, if the person without the use of his eyes who sees only darkness were suddenly to regain his sight and see all kinds of forms, and you say it is his eyes which see, then when a person in a dark room who sees only darkness suddenly sees all kinds of forms because a lamp is lit, you should say it is the lamp which sees. If the lamp did the seeing, it would be endowed with sight. But then we would not call it a lamp anymore. Besides, if the lamp were to do the seeing, what would that have to do with you? Therefore you should know that while the lamp can reveal forms, the eyes, not the lamp, do the seeing. And while the eyes can reveal forms, the seeing-nature comes from the mind, not the eyes."
　　Although Ananda and everyone in the great assembly had heard what was said, their minds had not yet understood, and so they remained silent. Hoping to hear more of the gentle sounds of the Tathagata's teaching, They put their palms together, purified their minds, and stood waiting for the Tathagata's compassionate instruction.
　　Then the Bhagavan extended his bright hand that is as soft as tula cotton, opened his five webbed fingers, and told Ananda and the great assembly, "When I first accomplished the Way I went to the Deer Park, and for the sake of Ajnatakaundinya and all five of the bhikshus, as well as for you of the four-fold assembly, I said, 'It is because beings are impeded by transitory defilements and afflictions that they do not realize Bodhi or become Arhats.' At that time, what caused you who have now realized the various fruitions of sagehood to become enlightened?"
　　Then Ajnatakaundinya arose and said to the Buddha, "Of the elders now present in the great assembly, only I received the name "Understanding" because I was enlightened to the meaning of tranisory defilements and realized the fruition. Bhagavan, the analogy can be made of a traveler who stops as a guest at a roadside inn, perhaps for the night or perhaps for a meal. When he has finished lodging there or when the meal is finished, he packs his baggage and sets out again. He does not remain there at his leisure. The host himself, however, does not leave. Considering it this way, the one who does not remain is called the guest, and the one who does remain is called the host. The transitory guest, then, is the one who does not remain. Again, the analogy can be made to how when the sun rises resplendent on a clear morning, its golden rays stream into a house through a crack to reveal particles of dust in the air. The dust dances in the rays of light, but the empty space is unmoving. Considering it is that way, what is clear and still is called space, and what moves is called dust. The defiling dust, then, is that which moves."
　　The Buddha said, "So it is."
　　Then in the midst of the great assembly the Tathagata bent his five webbed fingers. After bending them, he opened them again. After he opened them, he bent them again, and he asked Ananda, "What do you see now?" Ananda said, "I see the Tathagata's hand opening and closing in the midst of the assembly, revealing his hundred-jeweled wheeled palms." The Buddha said to Ananda, "You see my hand open and close in the assembly. Is it my hand that opens and closes, or is it your seeing that opens and closes?" Ananda said, "Bhagavan's jeweled hand opened and closed in the assembly. I saw the Tathagata's hand itself open and close while my seeing-nature neither opened nor closed." The Buddha said, "What moved and what was still?" Ananda said, "The Buddha's hand did not remain at rest. And since my seeing-nature is beyond even stillness, how could it not be at rest?"
　　The Buddha said, "So it is." Then from his wheeled palm the Tathagata sent a gem-like ray of light flying to Ananda's right. Ananda immediately turned his head and glanced to the right.
　　The Buddha then sent another ray of light to Ananda's left. Ananda again turned his head and glanced to the left. The Buddha said to Ananda, "Why did your head move just now?" Ananda said, "I saw the Tathagata emit a wonderful gem-like light which flashed by my left and right, and so I looked left and right. My head moved by itself. Ananda, when you glanced at the Buddha's light and moved your head left and right, was it your head that moved or your seeing that moved? Bhagavan, my head moved of itself. Since my seeing-nature is beyond even cessation, how could it move?" The Buddha said, "So it is."
　　Then the Tathagata told everyone in the assembly, "Normally beings would say that the defiling dust moves and that the transitory guest does not remain. You have observed that it was Ananda's head moved; yet his seeing did not move. You also have observed my hand open and close; yet your seeing did not stretch or bend. Why do you continue to rely on your physical bodies which move and on the external environment which also moves? From the beginning to the end, this causes your every thought to be subject to production and extinction. You have lost your true nature and conduct yourselves in upside-down ways. Having lost your true nature and mind, you take objects to be yourself, and so you cling to revolving on the wheel of rebirth."
　　Chapter 2
　　When Ananda and the great assembly heard the Buddha's instructions, they became peaceful and composed both in body and mind. They recollected that since time without beginning, they had strayed from their fundamental true mind by mistakenly taking the shadows of the differentiations of conditioned defilements to be real. Now on this day as they awakened, they were each like a lost infant who suddenly finds its beloved mother. They put their palms together to make obeisance to the Buddha. They wished to hear the Tathagata enlighten them to the dual nature of body and mind, of what is false, of what is true, of what is empty and what is existent, and of what is subject to production and extinction and what transcends production and extinction.
　　Then King Prasenajit rose and said to the Buddha, "In the past, when I had not yet received the teachings of the Buddha, I met Katyayana and Vairatiputra, both of whom said that this body ends at death, and that this is Nirvana. Now, although I have met the Buddha, I still wonder about that. How can I go about realizing the mind at the level of no production and no extinction? Now all in this Great Assembly who still have outflows also wish to be instructed on this subject."
　　The Buddha said to the great king, "Let's talk about your body as it is right now. Now I ask you, will your physical body be like vajra, indestructible and living forever? Or will it change and go bad?"
　　"Bhagavan, this body of mine will keep changing until it eventually perishes." The Buddha said, "Great king, you have not yet perished. How do you know you will perish?" "Bhagavan, although my impermanent, changing, and decaying body has not yet become extinct, I observe it now, as every passing thought fades away. Each new one fails to remain, but is gradually extinguished like fire turning wood to ashes. This ceaseless extinguishing convinces me that this body will eventually completely perish."
　　The Buddha said, "So it is. Great king, at your present age you are already old and declining. How does your appearance and complexion compare to when you were a youth?"
　　"Bhagavan, in the past when I was young my skin was moist and shining. When I reached the prime of life, my blood and breath were full. But now in my declining years, as I race into old age, my form is withered and wizened and my spirit dull. My hair is white and my face is wrinkled and not much time remains for me. How could one possibly compare me now with the way I was when in my prime?"
　　The Buddha said, "Great king, your appearance should not decline so suddenly." The king said, "Bhagavan, the change has been a hidden transformation of which I honestly have not been aware. I have come to this gradually through the passing of winters and summers. How did it happen? In my twenties, I was still young, but my features had aged since the time I was ten. My thirties were a further decline from my twenties, and now at 'sixty-two I look back at my fifties as hale and hearty.
　　"Bhagavan, I now contemplate these hidden transformations. Although the changes wrought by this process of dying are evident through the decades, I might consider them further in finer detail: these changes do not occur just in periods of twelve years; there are actually changes year by year. Not only are there annual changes, there are also monthly transformations. Nor does it stop at monthly transformations; there are also differences day by day. Examining them closely, I find that kshana by kshana, thought after thought, they never stop. And so I know my body will keep changing until it has perished."
　　The Buddha told the Great King, "By watching the ceaseless changes of these transformations, you awaken and know of your perishing, but do you also know that at the time of perishing there is something in your body which does not become extinct?"
　　King Prasenajit put his palms together and said to the Buddha, "I really do not know."
　　The Buddha said, "I will now show you the nature which is neither produced and nor extinguished. Great King, how old were you when you saw the waters of the Ganges?"
　　The King said, "When I was three years old my compassionate mother led me to visit the goddess Jiva. We passed a river, and at the time I knew it was the waters of the Ganges."
　　The Buddha said, "Great King, you have said that when you were twenty you had deteriorated from when you were ten. Day by day, month by month, year by year until you reached sixty, in thought after thought there has been change. Yet when you saw the Ganges River at the age of three, how was it different from when you were thirteen?"
　　The King said, "It was no different from when I was three, and even now when I am sixty-two it is still no different."
　　The Buddha said, "Now you are mournful that your hair is white and your face wrinkled. In the same way that your face is definitely more wrinkled then it was in your youth, has the seeing with which you look at the Ganges aged, so that it is old now but was young when you looked at the river as a child in the past?"
　　The King said, "No, Bhagavan."
　　The Buddha said, "Great King, your face is wrinkled, but the essential nature of your seeing will never wrinkle. What wrinkles is subject to change. What does not wrinkle does not change. What changes will perish, but what does not change is fundamentally free of production and extinction. How could it be subject to your birth and death? Furthermore, why bring up what Maskari G oshaliputra and the others say: that after the death of this body there is total annihilation?"
　　The king heard these words, believed them, and realized that when the life of this body is finished, there will be rebirth. He and the entire great assembly were greatly delighted at having obtained what they never had before.
　　Ananda then arose from this seat, made obeisance to the Buddha, put his palms together, knelt on both knees, and said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, if this seeing and hearing are indeed neither produced nor extinguished, why did Bhagavan refer to us people as having lost our true natures and as going about things in an upside-down way? I hope that Bhagavan will give rise to great compassion and wash my dust and defilement away."
　　Then the Tathagata let his golden-colored arm fall so his webbed fingers pointed downward, and demonstrating this to Ananda, said, "You see the position of my hand: is it right-side-up or upside-down?" Ananda said, "Being in the world take it to be upside-down. I myself do not know what is right-side-up and what is upside-down."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "If people of the world take this as upside-down, what do people of the world take to be right-side-up? Ananda said, "They call it right-side-up when the Tathagata raises his arm, with the fingers of his cotton-soft hand pointing up in the air."
　　The Buddha then held up his hand and said: "And so for it to be upside-down would be for it to be just the opposite of this. Or at least that's how people of the world would regard it. In the same way they will differentiate between your body and the Tathagata's pure Dharmabody and will say that the Tathagata's body is one of right and universal knowledge, while your body is upside down. But examine your body and the Buddha's closely for this upside-downness: What exactly does the term 'upside down' refer to?"
　　Thereupon Ananda and the entire great assembly were dazed and stared unblinking at the Buddha. They did not know in what way their bodies and minds were upside down.
　　The Buddha's compassion arose as he empathized with Ananda and all in the great assembly and he spoke to the great assembly in a voice that swept over them like the ocean-tide. "All of you good people, I have often said that all conditions that bring about forms and the mind as well as dharmas pertaining to the mind and all the conditioned dharmas are manifestations of the mind only. Your bodies and your minds all appear within the wonder of the bright, true, essential, magnificent mind. Why do I say that you have lost track of what is fundamentally wonderful, the perfect, wonderful bright mind, and that in the midst of your gem-like bright and wonderful nature, you wallow in confusion while being right within enlightenment.
　　"Mental dimness turns into emptiness. This emptiness, in the dimness, unites with darkness to become form. Form mixes with false thinking and the thoughts take shape and become the body. As causal conditions come together, there are perpetual internal disturbances which tend to gallop outside. Such inner turmoil is often mistaken for the nature of the mind. Once that is mistaken to be the mind, a further delusion determines that it is located in the physical body. You do not know that the physical body as well as the mountains, the rivers, empty space, and the great earth are all within the wonderful bright true mind. Such a delusion is like ignoring hundreds of thousands of clear pure seas and taking notice of only a single bubble, seeing it as the entire ocean, as the whole expanse of the great and small seas.
　　Refuting the false perception to eliminate the fourth aggregate
　　and reveal the non-existence of the seventh consciousness
　　Ananda's wrong view
　　"You people are doubly deluded among the deluded. Such delusion does not differ from that caused by my lowered hand. The Tathagata says you are pathetic."
　　Having received the Buddha's compassionate rescue and profound instruction, Ananda wept, folded his hands, and said to the Buddha, "I have heard these wonderful sounds of the Buddha and have awakened to the primal perfection of the wonderful bright mind as being the eternally dwelling mind-ground. But now in awakening to the Dharma-sounds that the Buddha is speaking, I know that I have been using my conditioned mind to regard and revere them. Having just become aware of that mind, I dare yet claim to recognize that fundamental mind-ground. I pray that the Buddha will be compassionate and with his perfect voice explain to us in order to pull our doubts out by the roots and enable us to return to the unsurpassed Way."
　　Unreality of illusory causes
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "You and others like you still listen to the Dharma with the conditioned mind, and so the Dharma becomes conditioned as well, and you do not obtain the Dharma-nature. This is similar to a person pointing his finger at the moon to show it to someone else. Guided by the finger, the other person should see the moon. If he looks at the finger instead and mistakes it for the moon, he loses not only the moon but the finger also. Why? Because he mistakes the pointing finger for the bright moon. Not only does he lose the finger, but he also fails to recognize light and darkness. Why? He mistakes the solid matter of the finger for the bright nature of the moon, and so he does not understand the two natures of light and darkness. The same is true of you.
　　"If you take what distinguishes the sound of my speaking Dharma to be your mind, then that mind itself, apart from the sound which is distinguished, should have a nature which makes distinctions. Take the example of the guest who lodged overnight at an inn; he stopped temporarily and then went on. He did not dwell there permanently, whereas the innkeeper did not go anywhere, since he was the host of the inn.
　　Falseness of both sense organs and consciousness
　　"The same applies here. If it were truly your mind, it would not go anywhere. And so why in the absence of sound does it have no discriminating nature of its own? This, then, applies not only to the distinguishing of sound, but in distinguishing my appearance, that mind has no distinction-making nature apart from the attributes of form. This is true even when the making of distinctions is totally absent; when there is no form and no emptiness, or in the obscurity which Goshali and others take to be the 'profound truth': that mind still does not have a distinction-making nature in the absence of casual conditions.
　　"How can we say that the nature of that mind of yours plays the part of host since everything perceived by it can be returned to something else?" Ananda said, "If every state of our mind can be returned to something else as its cause, then why does the wonderful bright original mind mentioned by the Buddha return nowhere? We only hope that the Buddha will empathize with us and explain this for us."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "As you now look at me, the essence of your seeing is fundamentally bright. Although that seeing is not the wonderful essential brightness of the mind, it is like a second moon, rather than the moon's reflection. Listen attentively, for I am now going to explain to you the concept of not returning to anything.
　　"Ananda, this great lecture hall is open to the east. When the sun rises in the sky, it is flooded with light. At midnight, during a new moon or when the moon is obscured by clouds or fog, it is dark. Looking out through open doors and windows your vision is unimpeded; facing walls or houses your vision is hindered. In such places where there are forms of distinctive features Your vision is causally conditioned. In a dull void, you can see only emptiness. Your vision will be distorted when the objects of seeing are shrouded in dust and vapor; you will perceive clearly when the air is fresh. Ananda, observe all these transitory characteristics as I now return each to its source. What are their sources? Ananda, among these transitions, the light can be returned to the sun. Why? Without the sun there would be no light; therefore the cause of light belongs with the sun, and so it can be returned to the sun. Darkness can be returned to the new moon.
　　Penetration can be returned to the doors and windows while obstruction can be returned to the walls and eaves. Conditions can be returned to distinctions. Emptiness can be returned to dull emptiness. Darkness and distortion can be returned to mist and haze. Bright purity can be returned to freshness, and nothing that exists in this world goes beyond these categories. To which of the eight states of perception would the essence of your seeing be reducible? Why do I ask that? If it returned to brightness, you would not see darkness when there was no light. Although such states of perception as light, darkness, and the like differ from one another, your seeing remains unchanged.
　　"That which can be returned to other sources clearly is not you; if that which you cannot return to anything else is not you, then what is it? Therefore I know that your mind is fundamentally wonderful, bright, and pure. You yourself are confused and deluded. You abuse what is fundamental, and end up undergoing the cycle of rebirth, bobbing up and down in the sea of birth and death. No wonder the Tathagata says that you are the most pathetic of creatures."
　　Ananda said, "Although I recognize that the seeing-nature cannot be traced back to anything, but how can I come to know that it is my true nature?"
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "Now I have a question for you. At this point you have not yet attained the purity of no outflows. Blessed by the Buddha's holy strength, you are able to see into the first dhyana heavens without any obstruction, just as Aniruddha looks at Jambudvipa with such clarity as he might at an amala fruit in the palm of his hand. Bodhisattvas can see hundreds of thousands of realms. The Tathagatas of the ten directions see everything throughout pure lands as numerous as atoms of universe. By contrast, ordinary beings' sight does not extend beyond a fraction of an inch."
　　"Ananda, as you and I now look at the palace where the four heavenly kings reside, and inspect all that moves in the water, on dry land, and in the air, some are dark and some are bright, varying in shape and appearance, and yet all of these are nothing but the dust before us, taking solid form only through our own distinction-making. Among them you should distinguish which is self and which is other. I ask you now to select from within your seeing which is the substance of the self and which is the appearance of things. Ananda, if you take a good look at everything everywhere within the range of your vision extending from the palaces of the sun and moon to the seven gold mountain ranges, all that you see is phenomena of different features and degrees of light. At closer range you will gradually see clouds floating, birds flying, wind blowing, dust rising, trees, mountains, streams, grasses, seeds, people, and animals, all of which are phenomena, but none of which are you."
　　"Ananda, all phenomena, near and far, have their own nature. Although each is distinctly different, they are seen with the same pure essence of seeing. Thus all the categories of phenomena have their individual distinctions, but the seeing-nature has no differences. That essential wonderful brightness is most certainly your seeing-nature."
　　"If seeing were a phenomenon, then you should also be able to see my seeing. If we both looked at the same phenomenon, you would also be seeing my seeing. Then, when I'm not seeing, why can't you see my not-seeing? If you could see my not-seeing, it clearly would not be the phenomenon that I am not seeing. If you cannot not see my not seeing, then it is clearly not a phenomena. How could it not be you? Besides that, if your seeing of phenomena was like that, then when you saw things, things should also see you. With substance and nature mixed together, you and I and everyone in the world would no longer be distinguishable from each other."
　　"Ananda, when you see, it is you who sees, not me. The seeing-nature pervades everywhere; whose is it if it is not yours? Why do you have doubts about your own true-nature and come to me seeking verification, thinking your nature is not true?"
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, given that this seeing-nature is certainly mine and no one else's, when the Tathagata and I regard the hall of the Four Heavenly Kings with its supreme abundance of jewels or stay at the palace of the sun and moon, this seeing completely pervades the lands of the Saha world. Upon returning to this sublime lecture hall, the seeing only observes the monastic grounds and once inside the pure central hall, it only sees the eaves and corridors. Bhagavan, that is how the seeing is. At first its substance pervaded everywhere throughout the one realm, but now in the midst of this room it fills one room only. Does the seeing shrink from great to small, or do the walls and eaves press in and cut it off? Now I do not know where the meaning of this lies and hope the Buddha will extend his vast compassion and proclaim it for me thoroughly."
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "All the aspects of everything in the world, such as big and small, inside and outside, amount to the dust before you. Do not say the seeing stretches and shrinks. Consider the example of a square container in which a square of emptiness is seen. I ask you further: is the square emptiness that is seen in the square container a fixed square shape, or is it not fixed as a square shape? If it is a fixed square shape, when it is switched to a round container the emptiness would not be round. If it is not a fixed shape, then when it is in the square container it should not be a square-shaped emptiness. You say you do not know where the meaning lies. The nature of the meaning being thus, how can you speak of its location? Ananda, if you wished there to be neither squareness nor roundness, you would only need to remove the container. The essential emptiness has no shape, and so do not say that you would also have to remove the shape from the emptiness. If, as you suggest, your seeing shrinks and becomes small when you enter a room, then when you look up at the sun shouldn't your seeing be pulled out until it reaches the sun's surface? If walls and eaves can press in and cut off your seeing, then why if you were to drill a small hole, wouldn't there be evidence of the seeing reconnecting? And so that idea is not feasible.
　　"From beginningless time until now, all beings have mistaken themselves for phenomena and, having lost sight of their original mind, are influenced by phenomena, and end up having the scope of their observations defined by boundaries large and small. If you can influence phenomena, then you are the same as the Tathagata. With body and mind perfect and bright, you are your own unmoving Way-place. The tip of a single fine hair can completely contain the lands of the ten directions."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, if this seeing-essence is indeed my wonderful nature, my wonderful nature should no be right in front of me. The seeing being truly me, what, then, are my present body and mind? Yet it is my body and mind which make distinctions, whereas the seeing does not make distinctions and does not discern my body. If it were really my mind which caused me to see now, then the seeing-nature would actually be me, and my body would not be me.
　　How would that differ from the question the Tathagata asked about phenomena being able to see me? I only hope the Buddha will extend his great compassion and explain for those who have not yet awakened."
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "What you have just now said—that the seeing is in front of you—is actually not the case. If it were actually in front of you, it would be something you could actually see, and then the seeing-essence would have a location. There would have to be some evidence of it. Now as you sit in the Jeta Grove you look about everywhere at the grove, the pond, the halls, up at the sun and moon, and at the Ganges River before you. Now, before my Lion's Seat, point out these various appearances: what is dark is the groves, what is bright is the sun, what is obstructing is the walls, what is clear is emptiness, and so on including even the grasses and trees, and the most minute objects. Their sizes vary, but since they all have appearances, all can be located. If you insist that your seeing is in front of you, then you should be able to point it out. What is the seeing?
　　"Ananda, if emptiness were the seeing, then since it had already become your seeing, what would have become of emptiness? If phenomena were the seeing, since they had already become the seeing, what would have become of phenomena? You should be able to cut through and peel away the myriad appearances to the finest degree and thereby distinguish and bring forth the essential brightness and pure wonder of the source of seeing, pointing it out and showing it to me from among all these things, so that it is perfectly clear beyond any doubt."
　　Ananda said, "From where I am now in this many-storied lecture hall, reaching to the distant Ganges River and the sun and moon overhead, all that I might raise my hand to point to, all that I indulge my eyes in seeing, all are phenomena; they are not the seeing. Bhagavan, it is as the Buddha has said: not to mention someone like me, a Hearer of the first stage, who still has outflows, even Bodhisattvas cannot break open and reveal, among the myriad appearances which are before them, an essence of seeing which has a special nature of its own apart from all phenomena."
　　The Buddha said, "So it is, so it is."
　　The Buddha further said to Ananda, "It is as you have said. No seeing-essence that would have a nature of its own apart from all phenomena can be found. Therefore, all the phenomena you point to are phenomena, and none of them is the seeing. Now I will tell you something else: as you and the Tathagata sit here in the Jeta Grove and look again at the groves and gardens, up to the sun and moon, and at all the various different appearances, having determined that the seeing-essence is not among anything you might point to. I now advise you to go ahead and discover what, among all these phenomena, is not your seeing."
　　Ananda said, "As I look all over this Jeta Grove, I do not know what in the midst of it is not my seeing. Why is that? If trees were not the seeing, why would I see trees? If trees were the seeing, then how could they also be trees? The same is true of everything up to and including emptiness: if emptiness were not the seeing, why would I see emptiness? If emptiness were the seeing, then how could it also be emptiness? As I consider it again and explore the subtlest aspects of the myriad appearances, none is not my seeing."
　　The Buddha said, "So it is, so it is."
　　Then all in the great assembly who had not reached the stage beyond study were stunned upon hearing these words of the Buddha, and could not make heads or tails of it all. They were agitated and taken aback at the same time, having lost their bearings. The Tathagata, knowing they were anxious and upset, let empathy rise in his heart as he consoled Ananda and everyone in the great assembly. "Good people, what the unsurpassed Dharma King says is true and real. He says it just as it is. He never deceives anyone; he never lies. He is not like Maskari Goshaliputra advocating his four kinds of non-dying, spouting deceptive and confusing theories. Consider this carefully and do not be embarrassed to ask about it."
　　Then Dharma Prince Manjushri, feeling sorry for the fourfold assembly, rose from his seat in the midst of the great assembly, bowed at the Buddha's feet, placed his palms together respectfully, and said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, the great assembly has not awakened to the principle of the Tathagata's two-fold disclosure of the essence of seeing as being both form and emptiness and as being neither of them. World Honored One, if conditioned forms, emptiness, and other phenomena mentioned above were the seeing, there should be an indication of them; and if they were not the seeing, there should be nothing there to be seen. Now we do not know what is meant, and this is why we are alarmed and concerned. Yet our good roots from former lives are not deficient. We only hope the Tathagata will have the great compassion to reveal exactly what all the things are and what the seeing-essence is. Among all of those, what exists and what doesn't?
　　The Buddha told Manjushri and the great assembly, "To the Tathagatas and the great Bodhisattvas of the ten directions, who dwell in this Samadhi, seeing and the conditions of seeing, as well as thoughts regarding seeing, are like flowers in space—fundamentally non-existent. This seeing and its conditions are originally the wonderful pure bright substance of Bodhi. How could one inquire into its existence or non-existence? Manjushri, I now ask you: Could there be another Manjushri besides you? Or would that Manjushri not be you?
　　"No, Bhagavan: I would be the real Manjushri. There couldn't be any other Manjushri. Why not? If there were another one, there would be two Manjushris. But as it is now, I could not be that non-existent Manjushri. Actually, neither of the two concepts 'existent'or 'non-existent' applies."
　　The Buddha said, "That is how the basic substance of wonderful Bodhi is in terms of emptiness and mundane objects. They are basically misnomers for the wonderful brightness of unsurpassed Bodhi, the pure, perfect, true mind. Our misconception turns them into form and emptiness, as well as hearing and seeing. They are like the second moon: does that moon exist or not? Manjushri, there is only one true moon. That leaves no room for questioning its existence or non-existence. Therefore, your current contemplating of the seeing and the mundane objects and the many observations that entails are all false thoughts. You cannot transcend existence and non-existence while caught up in them. Only the true essence, the wonderful enlightened bright nature is beyond pointing out or not pointing out."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, it is truly as the Dharma King has said: the condition of enlightenment pervades the ten directions. It is clear and eternal its nature is neither produced nor extinguished. How does it differ, then, from the Elder Brahmin Kapila's teaching of the mysterious truth or from the teaching of the ash-smeared ascetics or from the other externalist sects that say there is a true self which pervades the ten directions? Also, in the past, Bhagavan gave a lengthy lecture on this topic at Mount Lanka for the sake of Great Wisdom Bodhisattva and others:
　　'Those externalist sects always speak of spontaneity. I speak
　　of causes and conditions which is an entirely different frame of
　　reference.' Now as I contemplate original enlightenment in its
　　natural state, as being neither produced nor extinguished, and as apart from all empty falseness and inversion, it seems to have nothing to do with your causes and conditions or the spontaneity advocated by others. Would you please enlighten us on this point so we can avoid joining those of deviant views, thus enabling us to obtain the true mind, the bright nature of wonderful enlightenment?"
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "Now I have instructed you with such expedients in order to tell you the truth, yet you do not awaken to it but mistake what I describe for spontaneity. Ananda, If it definitely were spontaneous, you should be able to distinguish the substance of the spontaneity. Now you investigate the wonderful bright seeing. What is its spontaneous aspect? Is the bright light its spontaneous aspect? Is darkness its spontaneous aspect? Is emptiness its spontaneous aspect? Are solid objects its spontaneous aspect? Ananda, if its spontaneous aspect consisted of light, you should not see darkness. Or, if its spontaneous aspect were emptiness, you should not see solid objects. Continuing in the same way, if its spontaneous aspect were all dark appearances, then, when confronted with light, the seeing-nature should be cut off and extinguished, so how could you see light?"
　　Ananda said, "The nature of this wonderful seeing definitely does not seem to be spontaneous. And so I propose that it is produced from causes and conditions. But I am not totally clear about this. I now ask the Tathagata whether this idea is consistent with the nature of causes and conditions."
　　The Buddha said, "You say the nature of seeing is causes and conditions. I ask you about that: because you are now seeing, the seeing-nature manifests. Does this seeing exist because of light? Does it exist because of darkness? Does it exist because of emptiness? Does it exist because of solid objects? Ananda, if light is the cause that brings about seeing, you should not see darkness. If darkness is the cause that brings about seeing, you should not see light. The same question applies to emptiness and solid objects. Moreover, Ananda, does the seeing derive from the condition of there being light? Does the seeing derive from the condition of there being darkness? Does the seeing derive from the condition of there being emptiness? Does the seeing derive from the condition of there being solid objects? Ananda, if it existed because there is emptiness, you should not see solid objects. If it exists because of there are solid objects, you should not see emptiness: It would be the same with light or darkness as it would be with emptiness or solid objects.
　　"Thus you should know that the essential, enlightened wonderful brightness is due to neither causes nor conditions nor does it arise spontaneously. Nor is it the negation of spontaneity. It is neither a negation nor the denial of a negation. All dharmas are defined as being devoid of any attributes. Now in the midst of them, how can you use your mind to make distinctions that are based on clever debate and technical jargon? To do that is like grasping at empty space: you only end up tiring yourself out. How could empty space possibly yield to your grasp?"
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "If the nature of the wonderful enlightenment has neither causes nor conditions then why does Bhagavan always tell the bhikshus that the nature of seeing derives from the four conditions of emptiness, brightness, the mind, and the eyes? What does that mean?"
　　The Buddha said, "Ananda, what I have spoken about causes and conditions in the mundane sense does not describe the primary meaning. "
　　Ananda, I ask you again: people in the world say, 'I can see.'
　　What is that 'seeing'? And what is 'not seeing'?"
　　Ananda said, "The light of the sun, the moon, and lamps is the cause that allows people in the world to see all kinds of appearances: that is called seeing. Without these three kinds of light, they would not be able to see."
　　"Ananda, if you say there is no seeing in the absence of light, then you should not see darkness. If in fact you do see darkness, which is just lack of light, how can you say there is no seeing?"
　　"Ananda, if, when it is dark, you call that 'not seeing' because you do not see light, then since it is now light and you do not see the characteristic of darkness, that should also be called 'not seeing.' Thus, both aspects would be called 'not seeing.' Although these two aspects counteract each other, your seeing-nature does not lapse for an instant. Thus you should know that seeing continues in both cases. How, then, can you say there is no seeing?
　　"Therefore, Ananda, you should know that when you see light, the seeing is not the light. When you see darkness, the seeing is not the darkness. When you see emptiness, the seeing is not the emptiness. When you see solid objects, the seeing is not the solid objects. And by extention of these four facts, you should also know that when you see your seeing, the seeing is not that seeing . Since the former seeing is beyond the latter, the latter cannot reach it. Such being the case, how can you describe it as being due to causes and conditions or spontaneity or that it has something to do with mixing and uniting? You narrow-minded Hearers are so inferior and ignorant that you are unable to penetrate through to the purity of ultimate reality. Now I will continue to instruct you. Consider well what is said. Do not become weary or negligent on the wonderful road to Bodhi."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, we have still not understood what the Buddha, the Bhagavan, has explained for me and for others like me about causes and conditions, spontaneity, the attributes of mixing and uniting, and the absence of mixing and uniting. And now to hear further that the seeing that can be seen is not the seeing adds yet another layer of confusion. Humbly, I hope that with your vast compassion you will bestow upon us the great wisdom-eye so as to show us the bright pure enlightened mind." After saying this he wept, made obeisance, and waited to receive the sacred instruction.
　　Then the Bhagavan, out of pity for Ananda and the great assembly, began to explain extensively the wonderful path of cultivation for all Samadhis of the Great Dharani. And said to Ananda, "Although you have a keen memory, it only benefits your extensive learning. But your mind has not yet understood the subtle secret contemplation and illumination of shamatha. Listen attentively now as I explain it for you in detail and cause all those of the future who have outflows to obtain the fruition of Bodhi.
　　"Ananda, all living beings turn in the cycle of rebirth in this world because of two upside-down discriminating false views. Wherever these views arise, they cause one to revolve through the cycle in accord with their corresponding karma. What are the two views? The first consists of the false view based on living beings' individual karma. The second consists of the false view based on living beings' collective karma.
　　"What is meant by false views based on individual karma? Ananda, take for example someone who has cataracts on his eyes so that at night he alone sees around the lamp a circular reflection composed of layers of five colors. What do you think? Are the colors that compose the circle of light that appears around the lamp at night created by the lamp or are they created by the seeing? Ananda, if the colors were created by the lamp, why is it that someone without the disease does not see the same thing, and only the one who is diseased sees the circular reflection?
　　If the colors were created by the seeing,, then the seeing would have already become colored; what, then, should the circular reflection that the diseased person sees to be called? Moreover, Ananda, if the circular reflection were a thing in itself, apart from the lamp, then it should be seen around the folding screen, the curtain, the table, and the mats. On the other hand, if it had nothing to do with the seeing, the eyes should not see it. So why does the man with cataracts see the circular reflections with his eyes? Therefore, you should know that in fact the colors originate from the lamp, and the disease of the seeing brings about the reflection. Both the circular reflection and the faulty seeing are the result of the cataract. But that which sees the diseased film is not sick. Thus you should not say that the cause is the lamp or the seeing or neither the lamp nor the seeing. Consider the example of which is neither substantial nor a reflection. This is because the double image of the moon is merely a result of applying pressure on the eyeball. Hence, a wise person would not try to aruge-spelling? that the second moon either has or doesn't have a form, or that it is apart from the seeing or not apart from the seeing. The same is true in this case: the illusion is created by the diseased eyes. You cannot say it originates from the lamp or from the seeing: even less can it be said not to originate from the lamp or the seeing.
　　"What is meant by the false view of the collective karma? Ananda, in Jambudvipa, besides the waters of the great seas, there is level land that forms some three thousand continents. "East and west, throughout the entire expanse of the great continent, there are twenty-three hundred large countries. In the other smaller continents in the seas there may be two or three hundred countries, or perhaps one or two, or perhaps thirty, forty, or fifty. Ananda, suppose that among them there is one small continent where there are only two countries. The people of just one of the countries collectively experience evil conditions. On that small continent, all the people of that country see all kinds of inauspicious omens. "Perhaps they see two suns, perhaps they see two moons ,perhaps they see the moon with circles of , or a dark haze, or girdle-ornaments around them(white vapor around it, or half around it ); or comets with long rays, or comets with short rays, moving (or "flying")stars, shooting stars, 'ears' on the sun or moon, (evil haze above the sun, or evil haze besides the sun), (morning) rainbows, secondary (evening) rainbows, and various other evil signs. Only the people in that country see them. The beings in the other country never do see or hear anything unusual.
　　"Ananda, I will now summarize and compare these two cases for you, to make both of them clear. Ananda, let us examine the case of the being's false view involving individual karma. He saw the appearance of a circular reflection around the lamp. Although this appearance seemed to be real, in the end, what was seen came about because of the cataracts on his eyes. The cataracts are the result of the weariness of the seeing rather than the products of form. However, what perceives the cataracts is free from all defects. By the same token, you now use your eyes to look at the mountains, the rivers, the countries, and all the living beings: and they are all brought about by the disease of your seeing contracted since time without beginning. Seeing and the conditions of seeing seem to reveal what is before you. Originally our enlightenment is bright. The cataracts influence the seeing and its conditions, so that what is perceived by the seeing is affected by the cataracts. But no cataract affects the perception and the conditions of our fundamentally enlightened bright mind. The perception that perceives the cataracts is a perception not affected by the cataracts. That is the true perception of seeing. Why name it other things like awareness, hearing, knowing, and seeing? T herefore, you now see me and yourself and the world and all the ten kinds of living beings because of a disease in the seeing.
　　What perceives the disease is not diseased. The nature of true essential seeing has no disease. Therefore it is not called seeing.
　　"Ananda, let us compare the false views of those living beings' collective karma with the false views of the individual karma of one person. The individual person with the diseased eyes can be likened to the people of that one country. He sees circular reflections, erroneously brought about by a disease of the seeing. The beings with a collective share see inauspicious things. In the midst of their karma of identical views arise pestilence and evils. Both are produced from a beginningless falsity of seeing. It is the same in the three thousand continents of Jambudvipa, throughout the four great seas in the saha world and on through the ten directions. All countries that have outflows and all living beings are the enlightened bright wonderful mind without outflows. Seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing are an illusory falseness brought about by the disease and its conditions. Mixing and uniting with that brings about a false birth; mixing and uniting with that creates a false death.
　　"If you can leave far behind all conditions which mix and unite as well as those which do not mix and unite, then you can also extinguish and cast out the causes of birth and death, and obtain perfect Bodhi, the nature of which is neither produced nor extinguished. That is the pure clear basic mind, the eternal fundamental enlightenment.
　　"Ananda, although you have already realized that the wonderful bright fundamental enlightenment is not orginated by conditions nor is it originated by spontaneity, you have not yet understood that the source of enlightenment does not originate from mixing and uniting or from a lack of mixing and uniting.
　　"Ananda, now I will once again make use of the mundane objects before you to question you. You now hold that false thoughts mix and unite with the causes and conditions of everything in the world, and you wonder if the Bodhi-Heart one realizes might arise from mixing and uniting. To follow that line of thinking, right now, does the wonderful pure seeing-essence mix with light, does it mix with darkness, does it mix with penetration or does it mix with obstructions? If it mixed with light, then when you looked at light, when light appeared before you, at what point would it mix with your seeing? Given that seeing has certain attributes, what would the altered shape of such a mixture be?
　　If that mixture were not the seeing, how could you see the light? If it were the seeing, how could the seeing see itself? If you insist that seeing is complete, what room would there be for it to mix with the light? And if light were complete in itself, it could not unite and mix with the seeing. If seeing were different from light, then, when mixed together, both its quality and the light would lose their identity. Since the mixture would result in the loss of the light and the quality of seeing, the proposal that the seeing-essence mixes with light doesn't hold. The same principle applies to its mixing with darkness, with penetration, or with all kinds of solid objects.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, as you are right now, once again, does the wonderful pure seeing-essence unite with light, does it unite with darkness, does it unite with penetration, or does it unite with solid objects? If it united with light, then when darkness came and the attributes of light ceased to be, how could you see darkness since the seeing would not be united with darkness? If you could see darkness and yet at the same time there was no union with darkness, but rather a union with light, you should not be able to see light. Since you could not be seeing light, then why is it that when your seeing comes in contact with light, it recognizes light, not darkness? The same would be true of its union with darkness, with penetration, or with any kind of solid object."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, as I consider it, the source of this wonderful enlightenment does not mix or unite with any conditioned mundane objects or with mental speculation. Is that the case?"
　　The Buddha said, "Now you want to say that the enlightened nature neither mixes nor unites. So now I ask you further: as to this wonderful seeing-essence's neither mixing nor uniting, does it not mix with light? Does it not mix with darkness? Does it not mix with penetration? Does it not mix with solid objects? If it does not mix with light, then there should be a boundary between seeing and light. Examine it closely:
　　At what point is there light? At what point is there seeing? Where are the boundaries of the seeing and the light? Ananda, if there were no seeing within the boundaries of light, then there would be no contact between them, and clearly one would not know what the attributes of light were. Then how could its boundaries be defined? As to its not mixing with darkness, with penetration, or with any kind of solid object, the principle would be the same.
　　"Moreover, as to the wonderful seeing essence's neither mixing nor uniting, does it not unite with light? Does it not unite with darkness? Does it not unite with penetration? Does it not unite with solid objects? If it did not unite with light, then the seeing and the light would be at odds with each other by their nature, as are the ear and the light, which do not come in contact. Since the seeing would not know what the attributes of light were, how could it determine clearly whether there is union? As to its not uniting with darkness, with penetration, or with any kind of solid object, the principle would be the same."
　　"Ananda, you have not yet understood that all the defiling objects that appear, all the illusory, ephemeral phenomena, spring up in the very spot where they also come to an end. Their phenomena aspects are illusory and false, but their nature is in truth the bright substance of wonderful enlightenment. Thus it is throughout, up to the five skandhas and the six entrances, to the twelve places and the eighteen realms; the union and mixture of various causes and conditions account for their illusory and false existence, and the separation and dispersion of the causes and conditions result in their illusory and false extinction. Who would have thought that production and extinction, coming and going are fundamentally the eternal wonderful light of the Tathagata, the unmoving, all-pervading perfection, the wonderful nature of True Suchness! If within the true and eternal nature one seeks coming and going, confusion and enlightenment, or birth and death, one will never find them.
　　"Ananda, Why do I say that the five skandhas are basically the wonderful nature of true suchness, the Treasury of the Tathagata? Ananda, suppose a person with clear vision were to gaze at clear bright space. His gaze would perceive only clear emptiness devoid of anything else. Then if that person for no particular reason fixed his gaze, the staring would cause fatigue. Thus in empty space he would see illusory flowers and other illusory and disordered unreal appearances. You should be aware that the form skandha is like that. Ananda, those illusory flowers did not originate from space nor did they come from the eyes. In fact, Ananda, if they came form space, coming from there they should also return to and enter space. But if objects were to enter and leave it, space would not be empty. And if space was not empty, then there would be no room for it to contain the flowers that might appear and disappear, just as Ananda's body cannot contain another Ananda. If the flowers came from the eyes, coming from them, they should also return to the eyes. If the image of flowers originated in the eyes, then they themselves should have vision. If they had vision, when they went out to space, they should be able to turn around and see the person's eyes. If they didn't have vision, then in going out, they would obscure space and in returning they would obscure the eyes. But when the person saw the flowers, his eyes should not have been obscured. But on the contrary, isn't it when we see clear space that our vision is said to be clear? From this you should understand that the form skandha is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person's hands and feet were relaxed and his entire body was in balance. He was unaware of his life-processes to the point that he experienced neither pain nor pleasure. Then for no particular reason that person might rub his hands together creating the illusory sensation of friction and smoothness, cold and warmth, and other sensations. You should be aware that the feeling skandha is like that. Ananda, that imaginary contact did not originate in the surrounding air nor did it originate in the palms. In fact, Ananda, if it had come from the air, since the contact affected the palms, why didn't it affect the rest of the body? Nor should the air select what it comes in contact with. If the sensation came from the palms, there would be no need to rub the palms together to experience it. Besides, if it came from the palms, the palms would experience it when joined, but when they were not joined, the sense of contact should return into the palms. And in that case, the arms, wrists, bones, and marrow should also be aware of its course of entry. If you insist that the mind would be aware of is leaving and entering, then the contact would be a thing in itself that came and went in the body. What need would there be to wait for the palms to be joined to experience it and identify it as contact? From this you should understand that the feeling skandha is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be atttributed to either causes andconditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person's mouth watered at the mention of sour plums, or the soles of his feet tingled when he thought about walking along a precipice. You should be aware that the thinking skandha is like that. Ananda, The mouth's watering caused by the mention of plums does not originate from the plums, nor does it originate in the mouth. In fact, Ananda, if the mouths' watering came from the plums, the plums should speak for themselves, why wait for someone to mention them? If it came from the mouth, the mouth itself should hear, so what need would there be to wait for the ear's perception? If the ear alone heard, then why doesn't it produce the saliva? Thinking about walking along a precipice can be explained in the same way. From this you should understand that the thinking skandha is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a swift rapids had waves that follow upon one another in orderly succession, the ones behind never overtaking the ones in front. You should be aware that the activity skandha is like that. Ananda, that flowing does not arise because of emptiness, nor does it come into being because of water. It is not identical to the water and yet it is not separate from either the emptiness or the water. In fact, Ananda, if the flow arose because of emptiness, then the inexhaustible emptiness throughout the ten directions would become an unending flow, and all the worlds would inevitably be drowned. If the swift rapids existed because of water, then they would have to differ from water, and the location and attributes of their existence should be apparent. If the rapids were identical to water, then when the rapids disappeared and became still and clear, the water should also disappear. Suppose the rapids were separate from both the emptiness and the water. But there isn't anything beyond emptiness, and without water there couldn't be any flow. From this you should understand that the activity skandha is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a man picked up a kalavinka pitcher, up its two holes, lifted up the pitcher filled with emptiness, and walking some thousand miles away, presented it to another country. You should be aware that the consciousness skandha is like that. Ananda, that emptiness did not originate in one place, nor did it go to another. In fact, Ananda, if the emptiness were to come from one place, then, when the stored-up emptiness in the pitcher was carried elsewhere, there should be less emptiness in the place where the pitcher originally was.
　　And if it were to enter the other region, when the holes were unplugged and the pitcher was turned over, one would see emptiness emerge. From this you should understand that the feeling skandha is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　Chapter 3
　　"Furthermore, Ananda, why do I say that the six entrances are basically the wonderful nature of True Suchness, the Treasury of the Tathagata? Ananda, although the eyes' staring causes fatigue, both the eye and the fatigue originate in Bodhi. The attributes of the fatigue come from the staring. Because of the two false defiling attributes of light and dark, a sense of seeing is stimulated which in turn draws in those two defiling attributes. That is called the ability to see. Apart from these two defiling attributes of light and dark, this seeing is ultimately without substance. In fact, Ananda, you should know that seeing does not originate from light or dark, nor from the sense organ, nor from emptiness. Why not? If it originated from light, then it would be extinguished when there was darkness, and you would not see darkness. If it came from darkness, then it would be extinguished when there was light, and you would not see light. If the essence of seeing came from the sense organ, which is obviously devoid of light and dark, then in that case, basically no seeing could take place. If it came from emptiness, then looking ahead it would see the shapes of mundane phenomena; looking back, it should see the eye itself. Moreover, if emptiness itself did the seeing, what would that have to do with your eye? From this you should understand that the eye-entrance is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person suddenly stops up his ears with his fingers. Because the sense organ of hearing become fatigued, he hears a sound in his head. However, both the ear and its fatigue originate in Bodhi. The attribute of fatigue comes from the monotony. Because of the two false defiling attributes of motion and stillness, a sense of hearing is stimulated which in turn draws in those two defiling attributes. That is called the ability to hear. Apart from the two defiling attributes of motion and stillness, this hearing is ultimately without substance. In fact, Ananda, you should know that hearing does not originate from motion and stillness; nor from the sense organ, nor from emptiness. Why not? If it came from stillness, it would be extinguished when there was motion, and you would not hear motion. If it came from motion, then it would be extinguished when there was stillness, and you would not be aware of the stillness. If the capacity to hear came from the sense organ, which is obviously devoid of motion and stillness, then in that case basically the hearing would not have a nature of its own. Suppose it came from emptiness, then emptiness would become hearing and would no longer be empty. Moreover, if emptiness itself did the hearing, what would that have to do with your ear? From this you should understand that the ear-entrance is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person inhaled deeply through his nose. After he inhaled for a long time he became fatigued, and then there is a sensation of coldness in the nose. Because of that sensation, distinctions of penetration and obstruction, of emptiness and actuality, and so forth, including all fragrant and stinking vapors are made. However, both the nose and its fatigue originate in Bodhi. The attribute of fatigue comes from overexertion. Because of the two false defiling attributes of penetration and obstruction, a sense of smelling is stimulated which in turn draws in those two defiling attributes. That is called the ability to smell. Apart from the two defiling attributes of penetration and obstruction, this smelling is ultimately without substance. You should know that smelling does not come from penetration and obstruction, nor from the sense organ, nor from emptiness. Why not? If it came from penetration, the smelling would be extinguished when there was obstruction, and then how could it experience obstruction? If i t existed because of obstruction, then where there was penetration there would be no smelling; in that case, how would the awareness of fragrance, stench, and other such sensations come into being? If the mechanism of hearing came from the sense organ, which is obviously devoid of penetration and obstruction, then in that case basically smelling would not have a nature. If it came from emptiness then smelling itself should be able to turn around and smell your own nose. Moreover, if emptiness itself did the smelling, what would that have to do with your ability to smell? From this you should understand that the nose-entrance is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person licks his lips with his tongue. His excessive licking causes fatigue. If the person is sick, he will taste a bitter flavor; A person who is not sick will taste a subtle sweetness. Sweetness and bitterness demonstrate the tongue's sense of taste. When the organ is inactive, a sense of tastelessness prevails. However, both the tongue and the fatigue originate in Bodhi. The attributes of fatigue come from prolonged licking. Because the two false defiling attributes of sweetness and bitterness and of tastelessness, a sense of hearing is stimulated which in turn draws in those two defiling attributes. That is called the ability to taste. Apart from the two defiling attributes of sweetness and bitterness and apart from tastelessness, the sense of taste is originally without substance. In fact, Ananda, you should know that the perception of sweetness, bitterness, or tastelessness does not originate from sweetness or bitterness, nor from tastelessness, nor from the sense organ, nor from emptiness. Why not? If it came from sweetness or bitterness, it would cease to exist when tastelessness was experienced, so how could it recognize tastelessness? If it arose from tastelessness, it would vanish when the flavor of sweetness was tasted, so how could it perceive the two flavors of sweet and bitter? If it came from the tongue which is obviously devoid of sweetness, bitterness, and tastelessness, then in that case taste would not have a nature. If it came from emptiness, then the sense of taste should be experienced by emptiness instead of by the mouth. Moreover, if emptiness itself did the tasting, what would that have to do with your tongue? From this you should understand that the tongue-entrance is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person were to touch his warm hand with his cold hand. If the cold were greater than the warmth, the warm hand would become cold; if the warm were greater than the cold, the cold hand would become warm. That sensation of warmth and cold is felt through the contact and separation of the two hands. Fatiguing contact results in the mingling of warmth and cold. However, both the body and the fatigue originate in Bodhi. The attribute of fatigue comes from protracted contact. Because of the two false defiling attributes of separation and union, a physical awareness is stimulated which in turn draws in those two defiling attributes. That is called the awareness of physical sensation. Apart from the two sets of defiling attributes of separation and union, and pleasure and pain, the awareness of sensation is originally without a substance. In fact, Ananda, you should know that this sensation does not come from separation and union, nor does it exist because of pleasure and pain, nor does it arise from the sense organ, nor is it produced from emptiness. Why not? If it arose when there was union, it would disappear when there was separation, so how could it sense the separation? The two characteristics of pleasure and pain would be the same way. If it came from the sense organ, which is obviously devoid of the four characteristics of union, separation, pleasure, and pain, then in that case basically no awareness of physical sensation could take place. If it came from emptiness, then the awareness of sensations would be experienced by emptiness itself. What would that have to do with your body? From this you should understand that the body-entrance is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, suppose a person becomes so fatigued that he goes to sleep. Having slept soundly, he awakens and tries to recollect what he experienced while asleep. He recalls some things and forgets others. Thus, his upsidedownness goes through production, dwelling, change, and extinction, which are taken in and processed through the mind's central system habitually, each following the next without ever being overtaken. That is called the ability to know. The mind and its fatigue are both Bodhi. The attributes of fatigue come from persistent thinking. The two defiling attributes of arising and ending stimulate a sense of knowing which in turn grasps these inner sense data, reversing the flow of seeing and hearing. The place beyond the reach of this flow is known as the faculty of intellect. Apart from the two sets of defiling attributes of waking and sleeping and of arising and ceasing, the faculty of intellect is originally without substance. In fact, Ananda, you should know that the faculty of intellect does not come from waking, sleeping, arising or ceasing, nor from the mind organ, nor from emptiness. Why not? If it came from waking, it would disappear during sleep, so how could it experience sleep? If it came from arising, it would cease to exist at the time of ceasing, so how could it experience ceasing? If it came from ceasing it would disappear at the time of arising, so how could it experience arising? If mental awareness came from the faculty of the intellect, it would be no more than the physical opening and closing caused by the waking and sleep states respectively. Apart from these two movements, the faculty of intellect would be as insubstantial as flowers in space, and in that case basically no cognition could exist. If mental awareness came from emptiness, then emptiness itself should become cognition. What would that have to do with the mind entrance. From this you should understand that the mind-entrance is empty and false. Fundamentally its nature cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, why do I say that the twelve places are basically the wonderful nature of True Suchness, the Treasury of the Tathagata? Ananda, look again at the trees in the Jeta Grove and the river and pools. What do you think: do these things come into being because the forms arise and thus the eyes see them, or because the eyes produce the attributes of form? Ananda, if the eyes were to produce the attributes of forms, then when the eyes looked at empty space, the forms should be obliterated. Once they were obliterated, everything that had manifested would disappear. Since the attributes of forms would then be absent, who would be able to recognize emptiness? The same principle applied to emptiness. If, moreover, forms arose and the eyes saw them, then seeing should perish upon looking at space, which has no form. Once seeing perished, everything would disappear and then who would be able to recognize either emptiness or form? From this you should understand that neither seeing, nor form, nor emptiness can be located, and thus the two places of form and seeing are empty and false. Fundamentally their natures cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, listen again to the drum being beaten in the Jeta Garden when the food is ready. The assembly gathers as the bell is struck. The sounds of the bell and the drum follow one another in succession. What do you think: do these things come into existence because the sound arrives in the vicinity of the ear, or because the ear's hearing extends to the source of the sound. Ananda, once again, if the sound arrived in the vicinity of the ear, then that would be like when I go on alms rounds to the city of Shravasti, I am no longer in the Jeta Grove. And so, if the sound definitely arrived in the vicinity of Ananda's ear, then neither Maudgalyayana nor Kashyapa would hear it, much less the twelve hundred and fifty Shramanas who, upon hearing the sound of the bell, come to the dining hall at the same time. Again, if the ear arrived in the vicinity of the sound, that would be like when I return to the Jeta Grove, I am no longer in the city of Shravasti. When you hear the sound of the drum, your hearing would already have gone to the place where the drum was being beaten. Thus, when the bell pealed, you could not hear that sound—even the less those of the elephants, horses, cattle, sheep, and all the other various sounds around you. However, without coming or going, there would be no hearing. From this you should understand that neither hearing nor sound can be located, and thus the two places of hearing and sound are empty and false. Fundamentally their natures cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, you smell the chandana in this censer. When one particle of this incense is lit, it can be smelled simultaneously through forty miles around the city of Shravasti. What do you think? Is this fragrance produced from the chandana wood? Is it produced in your nose, or does it arise within emptiness? Ananda, once again, if the fragrance were produced from your nose, what is said to be produced from the nose should come forth from the nose Your nose is not chandana, so how can your nose have the fragrance of chandana? When you say you smell a fragrance, it should enter your nose. Smelling is not defined as the nose emitting fragrance. If it were produced from within emptiness, since the nature of emptiness is eternal and unchanging, the fragrance should be constantly present. Why should the presence of the fragrance be contingent on the burning of dry wood in the censer? If it were produced from the wood, since the nature of this incense is such that it gives off smoke when it is burned, then when the nose smelled it, the nose should be filled with smoke, which does not happen. The smoke rises into the air, and before it has reached the distance, how can the fragrance already be smelled at a distance of more than ten miles? From this you should understand that neither the fragrance nor the nose's smelling can be located, and thus the two places of smelling and fragrance are empty and false. Fundamentally their natures cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, twice every day you take up your bowl along with the rest of the assembly, and among what you receive may be fine-tasting foods, such as curds, buttermilk, and clarified butter. What do you think? Are these flavors produced from emptiness, do they come forth from the tongue, or does the food produce them? Ananda, once again, if the flavors came from your tongue, since you only have one tongue in your mouth, when that tongue had already tasted the flavor of curds, then it would not change if it encountered some dark rock candy. If it did not change then it could not be said to be aware of tastes. Yet if it did change, since the tongue is not made up of many substances, how could one tongue know so many tastes? If the tastes were produced from the food, since food does not have consciousness, how could it know tastes? Moreover, if the food itself were to recognize them, that would be the same as someone else eating. Then what connection would that have with what is called your recognition of tastes? If the tastes were produced in emptiness, then when you eat emptiness, what flavor does it have? Suppose that emptiness had the flavor of salt. Then since your tongue was salty, your face should also be salty , and likewise everyone in the world would be like fish in the sea. Since you would be constantly influenced by salt, you would never know tastelessness. Yet, if you did not recognize tastelessness, you could not be aware of the saltiness, either. You would not know anything at all. How could that be called taste? From this you should understand that neither the flavors nor the tongue's tasting can be located, and thus the two places of tasting and flavors are empty and false. Fundamentally their natures cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, early every morning you rub your head with your hand. What do you think? When the sensation of rubbing occurs, what does the touching? Does the head or the hand do the touching? If the ability to touch were in the hand, then the head should have no knowledge of it. How could we then say that the head was touched? If it were in the head, then the hand would be useless, and how could it be said to have touched? If each had the ability to touch, then you, Ananda, should have two bodies. If between the head and the hand only one touch took place, then the hand and the head would be of one substance. If they were one substance, then no touch would be possible. If they were two substances, to which would the touch belong? The one that was capable of touch would not be the one that was touched. The one that was touched would not be the one that was capable of touch. Nor should it be that the touch came into being between you and emptiness. From this you should understand that neither the sensation of touch nor the body can be located, and thus the two places of body and touch are empty and false. Fundamentally their natures cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Ananda, your mind is always conditioned by the three qualities of good, bad, and indeterminate, which produce patterns of dharmas. Are these dharmas produced by the mind, or do they have a special place apart from the mind? Ananda, if they were the mind, the dharmas would not be its defiling objects. Since they would not be conditions of the mind, how could you say that they had a location? If they were to have a special place apart form the mind, then would the dharmas themselves be able to know? If they had a sense of knowing, they would be called a mind. Being something other than you and yet not defiling objects, they would be someone else's mind. Being the same as you, they would be your own mind. But, how could your mind exist apart from you? If they had no sense of knowing, and yet these defiling objects were not forms, sounds, smells, or tastes, neither cold nor warmth, nor emptiness. Where would they be located? They are not represented in form or emptiness, nor is it likely that they exist somewhere in the human realm beyond emptiness, for if they did, the mind could not be aware of them. From where, then, would they arise? From this you should understand that neither dharmas nor the mind can be located, and thus the two places of mind and dharmas are empty and false. Fundamentally their natures cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, why do I say that the eighteen realms are basically the wonderful nature of True Suchness, the Treasury of the Tathagata?
　　"Ananda, as you understand it, the eyes and forms create the conditions that produce the eye-consciousness. Is this consciousness produced because of the eyes, such that the eyes are its realm? Or is it produced because of forms, such that forms are its realm? Ananda, if it were produced because of the eyes, then in the absence of emptiness and form it would not be able to make distinctions; and so, even if you had a consciousness, of what use would it be? Moreover, your seeing is neither green, yellow, red, nor white. There is virtually nothing in which it is represented. Therefore, from what would the realm be established? If it were produced because of form, then when no forms were present in emptiness, your consciousness would cease to be. Then, why is it that the consciousness recognizes emptiness? If a form changes, you are also conscious of the form's changing appearance, but your eye-consciousness does not change. Where is the boundary established? If the eye-consciousness did change when form changed, then such a realm would have no attributes. If it did not change, it would be constant, and given that it was produced from form, it should have no conscious knowledge of where emptiness was. If they were combined, then there would be a crack inbetween. If they were separate, then half of your eye-consciousness would possess awareness and half of it would lack awareness. With such chaotic and disordered substances and natures, how could they comprise a realm? From this you should understand that as to the eyes and form being the conditions that produce the realm of eye-consciousness, none of the three places exists. Fundamentally the natures of the eyes, forms, and the form realm, these three, cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, as you understand it, the ear and sound create the conditions that produce the ear-consciousness. Is this consciousness produced because of the ear such that the ear is its realm, or is it produced because of sound, such that sound is its realm? Ananda, if it were produced because of the ear, then since motion and stillness would be lacking, the ear would not be aware of anything. Certainly in the absence of awareness, nothing could be known and so what would characterize the consciousness? You may hold that the ears hear, but without motion and stillness, hearing cannot occur. Besides, how could the combination of the ears, which are but physical forms, and external objects be called the realm of consciousness? Once again, then, how would the realm of ear-consciousness be established? If it were produced from sound, then the consciousness would exist because of sound, and would have no connection with hearing. Without hearing, the attributes of sound would have no location. If the ear-consciousness came from sound, given that sound exists because of hearing, then what you heard would be the ear-consciousness itself. If the ear-consciousness were not heard, then there would be no realm. If it were heard, then it would be the same as sound. If the consciousness were being heard, who would the perceiver and hearer of the consciousness be? If there were no perceiver, then in the end you would be like grass or wood. Nor should the sound and hearing mix together to form a realm in between. Lacking a realm in between them, how could those internal and external phenomena be delineated? From this you should understand that as to the ears and sounds being the conditions that produce the realm of ear-consciousness, none of the three places exists. Fundamentally the natures of the ears, sounds, and the realm of awareness of sounds, these three, cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, as you understand it, the nose and smells create the conditions that produce the nose-consciousness. Is this consciousness produced because of the nose such that the nose is its realm, or is it produced because of smells, such that smells are its realm? Ananda, if it were produced because of the nose, then in your mind, what do you take to be the nose? Do you hold that it takes the form of two fleshy claws, or do you hold it is an inherent ability of the nature which perceives smells as a result of motion? If you hold that the nose is fleshy claws, flesh is an integral part of your body and the body's perception is touch. Then it should be called 'body' instead of 'nose' and its objects would be those of touch. Since it would not even be called a nose, how could a realm be established for it? If you hold that the act of smelling is perceived, then, in your opinion, what is the perceiver? Were the flesh the perceiver, basically what the flesh perceives is objects of touch, which have nothing to do with the nose. Were emptiness the perceiver, then emptiness would perceive by itself and the flesh would have no awareness. If that were the case, then empty space would be you, and since your body would be without perception, Ananda would not exist.
　　"If the smells were the perceiver, perception itself would lie with the smells. What would that have to do with you? If you insist that smells of both fragrance and stench are produced from your nose, then these two wafting smells of fragrance and stench would not arise from the wood of airavana or chandana. Given that the smells would not come from those two things, when you smelled your own nose, would it be fragrant or would it stink? What stinks does not give off fragrance; what is fragrant does not stink. If you could smell both the fragrance and the stench, then you, a single person, would have two noses, and I would now be addressing questions to two Anandas. Which one would be you? If you only have one nose, then fragrance and stench would not have two separate identities. Since stench would be fragrance and fragrance would be stench, thereby lacking two distinctive natures, what would make up the realm? If the nose-consciousness were produced because of smells, it would exist because of smells. Just as the eyes can see but are unable to see themselves, so, too, if the nose-consciousness existed because of smells, it should not be aware of smells. If it had no awareness, it could not be a consciousness. If the consciousness were not aware of smells, then the realm could not be established from smells. If the consciousness was not aware of smells, then the realm could not be established due to smells. Since no realm of consciousness would exist between them, then how could any of the internal or external phenomena exist either? A nature of smelling like that would be ultimately empty and false. From this you should understand that as to the nose and smells being the conditions that produce the realm of nose-consciousness, none of the three places exists. Fundamentally the natures of the nose, smells and the realm of smelling, these three, cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, as you understand it, the tongue and flavors create the conditions that produce the tongue-consciousness. Is this consciousness produced because of the tongue so that the tongue is its realm, or is it produced because of the flavors, so that the flavors are its realm?
　　"Ananda, if it were produced because of the tongue, then all the sugar cane, black plums, huang-lien, salt, xixing, ginger, and cassia in the world would be entirely without flavor. Also, when you tasted your own tongue, would it be sweet or bitter? If your tongue's natural flavor were bitter, then what would taste the tongue? Since the tongue cannot taste itself, who would have the sense of taste? If the natural flavor of the tongue was not bitter, then it could not engender tastes. How, then, could a realm be established?
　　"If the tongue-consciousness were produced because of flavor, the consciousness itself would be a flavor. Then the case would be the same as with the tongue-organ being unable to taste itself. How could the consciousness know whether it had flavor or not? Moreover, the many flavors do not all come from one thing. Since flavors are produced from many things, the consciousness would have many substances. If the consciousness were a single substance and that substance was definitely produced from flavor, then when salt, bland, sweet, and pungent flavors were combined, their various differences would change into a single flavor and there would be no distinctions among them. If there were no distinctions, it could not be called consciousness. So, how could it further be called the realm of tongue, flavor, and consciousness? Nor could empty space produce your conscious awareness. The tongue and flavors could not combine without each losing its basic nature. How, then, could a realm be produced? From this you should understand that as to the tongue and flavors being the conditions that produce the realm of tongue-consciousness, none of the three places exists. Fundamentally the natures of the tongue, flavors, and the realm of the tongue-consciousness, these three, cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, as you understand it, the body and objects of touch create the conditions that produce the body-consciousness. Is this consciousness produced because of the body, such that the body is its realm, or is it produced because of objects of touch, such that objects of touch are its realm?
　　"Ananda, if it were produced because of the body, the body alone cannot generate the awareness of contact or separation. What would the body be conscious of? If it were produced because of objects of touch, then your body shouldnot be necessary. But who can perceive contact with something other than the body? Ananda, things do not perceive objects of touch; the body does. What the body knows is objects of touch, and what is aware of objects of touch is the body. Objects of touch are not the body, and the body is not objects of touch. The two entities of body and objects of touch basically have no location. If it were the body-consciousness that came in contact with the body, then it would be the body's own substance and nature. If the body-consciousness were separate from the body, then it would be like empty space. Since the internal and external aspects can't be established, how can something be set up between them? Since no such middle can be set up, the internal and external aspects are by nature empty. From what, then, would your consciousness be produced? From this you should understand that as to the body and objects of touch being the conditions that produce the realm of body-consciousness, none of the three places exists. Fundamentally the body, objects of touch, and the realm of body-consciousness, these three, cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　"Moreover, Ananda, as you understand it, the mind and dharmas create the conditions that produce the mind-consciousness. Is this consciousness produced because of the mind, such that the mind is its realm, or is it produced because of dharmas, such that dharmas are its realm?
　　"Ananda, if it were produced because of the mind, in your mind there certainly must be thoughts that give expression to your mind. If there were no dharmas before you, the mind would not give rise to anything. Apart from conditions, it would have no shape; thus, of what use would the consciousness be? Moreover, is your mind-consciousness the same as your mind-organ with its thought processes and discriminations, or is it different? If it were the same as the mind, then it would be the mind, how could it be something produced from it? If it were different from the mind, it shouldn't have any consciousness. If it didn't have any consciousness, how could it bee produced from the mind? If it did have consciousness, how could the mind be conscious of itself? Since it is by nature neither the same nor different, how can a realm be established?
　　"If it were produced because of dharmas, none of the mundane dharmas exist apart form the five defiling objects. Consider the dharmas of form, of sound, of smell, of taste, and of touch: each has a clearly distinguishable appearance and is matched with one of the five organs. They are not what the mind takes in. If your consciousness were indeed produced through a reliance on dharmas, then take a look at them now: what does each and every dharma look like? Apart from the attributes of form and emptiness, motion and stillness, penetration and obstruction, unity and separation, and arising and ceasing there is nothing at all. When there is arising, then form, emptiness, and all dharmas arise. When there is ceasing, then form, emptiness, and all dharmas cease to be. Since the objective causes do not exist, then what does the consciousness which those causes produce look like? If there is nothing discernible about the consciousness, how can a realm be established for it? From this you should understand that as to the mind and dharmas being the conditions that produce the realm of mind-consciousness, none of the three places exists. Fundamentally the mind, dharmas, and the realm of the mind-consciousness, these three, cannot be attributed to either causes and conditions or spontaneity.
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, in discussing the dharmas of mixing and uniting and of causes and conditions, the Tathagata has often said that the transformations of all mundane phenomena can be discovered in the mixing and uniting of the four elements. Why does the Tathagata now reject causes and conditions and spontaneity as well? I do not know what your meaning pertains to. Please be so compassionate as to instruct us beings in dharmas that adhere to the complete meaning of the Middle Way and are not philosophical speculations.
　　At that time the Bhagavan said to Ananda, "You have already renounced the Small Vehicle dharmas of the Hearers and Those Enlightened to Conditions and have resolved to diligently seek unsurpassed Bodhi. Because of that, I will now explain the Complete Meaning of the Middle Way to you. Why do you still bind yourself up in mundane philosophical speculations and false thoughts about causes and conditions? Although you are very learned, you are like someone who can discuss medicines but annot recognize a real medicine when it is placed before you. The Tathagata says that you are truly pitiable. Listen attentively now as I explain this point in detail to enable you and those of the future who cultivate the Mahayana(Great vehicle) to penetrate to the ultimate reality."
　　Ananda was silent and awaited the Buddha's sagely instruction.
　　"Ananda, according to what you say, the mixing and uniting of the four elements can be discovered in the myriad transformations of all mundane phenomena. Ananda, if the natures of those elements did not mix and unite, then they could not combine with other elements, just as empty space cannot combine with forms. If the natures of those elements do not mix and unite, they are themselves transformations in a never-ending process of bringing each other into being. The continuation of comings into being and ceasings to be, of births and deaths, of deaths and births is like the unbroken wheel of flame that appears when a torch is spun in a circle.
　　"Ananda, the process is like water becoming ice and ice turning into water again.
　　"Consider the nature of earth: its coarsest aspect is the earth itself; its subtlest aspect is a mote of dust, which at its smallest would be a particle of dust bordering on emptiness. If one divided one of those particles of dust that is barely form to begin with into seven parts and then split one of those parts, emptiness itself would be arrived at. Ananda, if a particle of dust bordering on emptiness can be divided to arrive at emptiness, it should be that emptiness can give rise to form.
　　"Just now you asked if mixing and uniting doesn't bring about all mundane transformations.
　　You should carefully consider how much emptiness mixes and unites with itself to arrive at a single particle of dust bordering upon emptiness. Such a particle could not be composed of other particles of dust bordering upon emptiness. Moreover, since particles of dust bordering upon emptiness can be reduced to emptiness, of how many particles of such form would emptiness be composed? When those particles of form mass together, a mass of form does not make emptiness; when emptiness is massed together, a mass of emptiness does not make form. Besides, although form can be divided, how can emptiness be massed together?
　　"You still have not realized that in the Treasury of the Tathagata, the nature of form is true emptiness and the nature of emptiness is true form. That fundamental purity pervades the Dharma Reealm. Beings' minds absorb itaccording to their capacity to know. Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people of the world are so deluded as to assign its origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　"Ananda, the nature of fire is devoid of identity, being dependent upon various causes and conditions for its existence. Consider a family in the city that has not yet eaten. When they wish to prepare food, they hold up a brass mirror to the sun, seeking fire.
　　"Ananda, speaking of mixing and uniting, you and I and the twelve hundred and fifty Bhikshus unite a form a community. However, a careful analysis of the community reveals that every member composing it has his own body, family name, clan, and name. For instance, Shariputra is a Brahman, Uruvilva is of the Kashyapa clan, and you, Ananda, come from the Gautama family.
　　"Ananda, if fire existed because of mixing and uniting, then when your hand holds up the mirror to the sun to seek fire, does the fire come out of the mirror? Does it come out of the moxa tinder? Or does it come from the sun? Ananda, if the fire came from the sun, then only would it burn the moxa tinder in your hand, but as it came across the groves of trees, it should burn them up as well. Suppose it came from the mirror, since it would come out to the mirror to ignite the moxa tinder, why doesn't the mirror melt? Yet, as your hand that holds the mirror feels no heat; how could the mirror melt? If the fire came from the moxa tinder, then why would fire be generated only when the bright mirror came into contact with the dazzling light? Furthermore, on closer examination, you will find that the mirror is held in your hands, the sun is high in the sky, and moxa is grown from the ground. So where does the fire come from? The sun and the mirror cannot mix and unite, since they are far apart. Nor can it be that the fire arises spontaneously without an origin.
　　"You still have not realized that in the Treasury of the Tathagata the nature of fire is true emptiness, and the nature of emptiness is true fire. That fundamental purity pervades the Dharma Realm. Beings' minds absorb it according to their capacity to know. Ananda, you should know that fire can be generated anyplace where a mirror is held up to the sunlight. If mirrors were held up to the sunlight everywhere in the Dharma Realm, fire would be generated everywhere. Since fire can come forth throughout the whole world, can there be any fixed place to which it is confined? Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people in the world are so deluded as to assign its origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　"Ananda, the nature of water is mutable, its flowing and stopping are erratic. Kapila, Chakra, Padma, Hasta, and other great magicians of Shravasti often hold up instruments to the light of the full moon at midnight to extract from it the essence of water to mix with their drugs. Does the water come out of the crystal ball that is used, or does it exist naturally in space? Or does it come from the moon? Ananda, if the water came from the distant moon, then, water should also flow from all the grasses and trees when the moonlight passes over them on its way to the crystal ball. If it did flow from them, why wait for it to condense on the surface of the crystal ball? Since it does not flow from the trees, then the water clearly cannot descend from the moon. If it came from the crystal ball, then it should flow from the crystal at all times. Why would one have to wait for midnight and the light of the full moon to receive it? If the water came from space, which is by nature boundless, it would flow everywhere until everything between heaven and earth was submerged. How, then, could there still be travel by water, land, and air? Furthermore, upon closer examination you will find that the moon moves through the sky, the crystal ball is held in the hand, and the pan for receiving the eater is put there by someone. So where does the water that flows into the pan come from? The moon and the crystal ball cannot mix and unite, since they are far apart. Nor should the essence of water arise spontaneously without an origin.
　　"You still have not realized that in the Treasury of the Tathagata the nature of water is true emptiness, and the nature of emptiness is true water. That fundamental purity pervades the Dharma Realm. Beings' minds absorb it according to their capacity to know. A crystal ball can be held up at a certain place, and water will come forth. If crystal balls were held up throughout the Dharma Realm, then throughout the Dharma Realm water would come forth. Since water can come forth throughout the entire world, can there be any fixed place to which it is confined? Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people of the world are so deluded as to assign their origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　"Ananda, the nature of wind has no substance, and it is patterns of movement and stillness are erratic. You always adjust your robe as you enter the great assembly. When the corner of your samghati robe brushes the person next to you, the air stirs against that person's face. Does that wind come from the corner of the Kashaya sash, does it arise from emptiness, or is it produced from the face of the person brushed by the air" "Ananda, if that wind came from the corner of the Kashaya, then you would be clad in the wind, and your kashaya should fly off and leave your body. But my robe remains motionless and hangs straight down as I now speak Dharma in the midst of the assembly. Observing my robe closely, where is the wind in it? The wind could not be stored somewhere in the robe.
　　"If the wind arose from emptiness, why wouldn't there be a brushing motion even when your robe did not move? Since the nature of emptiness is constant, the nature of the wind should be too. And so when the wind stopped, emptiness should also cease to be. The lack of wind can be detected, but what would signify the disappearance of emptiness? If emptiness came and went, it wouldn't be emptiness. And since it is empty, how can it generate wind?
　　"If the wind came from the face of the person it brushed, it would blow upon you, too. Then while you were setting your robe in order, how could it blow backwards upon other people?
　　"Upon closer examination, you will find that the robe is set in order by yourself, the face blown by the wind belongs to the person by your side, and the emptiness is tranquil and not involved in movement. So where does the wind come from that blows in this place? The wind and emptiness cannot mix and unite, since they are different from each other. Nor could the wind exist spontaneously without an origin. You still have not realized that in the Treasury of the Tathagata the nature of wind is true emptiness and the nature of emptiness is true wind. That fundamental purity pervades the Dharma Realm. Beings' minds absorb it according to their capacity to know. Ananda, in the same way that you alone shift your robe slightly and the air is stirred, so, too, if a similar movement were made throughout the Dharma Realm, the air would stir everywhere. Since wind can arise throughout the world, how could there be any fixed place to which it is confined? Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people of the world are so deluded as to assign their origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the conscious mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　"Ananda, the nature of emptiness has no shape; it is only apparent because of form. For instance, Shravasti is far from the river, so when the Kshatriyas, Brahmans, Vaishyas, Shudras, Bharadvajas, Chandalas, and so forth build their homes there, they dig wells seeking water. As a square foot of earth is removed, a square foot of emptiness becomes evident. As ten square feet of earth are removed, ten feet of emptiness become evident. The depth of the emptiness corresponds to the amount of earth removed. Does that emptiness come out of the earth? Or does it exist because of the digging? Or does it arise by itself, without a cause?
　　"Ananda, if that emptiness arose by itself without any cause, why wasn't it evident even before the earth was dug? All that could be seen was the vast expanse of solid, impenetrable earth.
　　"If emptiness came about because of the removal of the earth, then, as the earth was removed, the entering of the emptiness should be visible. If no emptiness entered when the earth was first removed, then how could the emptiness come about because of the removal of the earth? If no removal or entering took place, then there would be no difference between the earth and emptiness. Not being different, they would be the same. In that case, wouldn't the emptiness be removed from the well along with the earth in the process of digging?
　　"If emptiness appeared because of the digging, then the digging would bring out emptiness instead of the earth. If emptiness did not emerge because of the digging, then the digging should only remove the earth. Why, then, do we see emptiness appear as the well is dug?
　　"Consider this even more carefully. Look into it deeply, and you will find that the digging comes from the person's hands engaged in that act, and the earth exists because of its removal from the ground. So what causes the emptiness to appear? The digging and the emptiness, one being substantial and the other insubstantial, are not compatible. They do not mix and unite. Nor could emptiness exists spontaneously without an origin. Although the nature of emptiness is completely pervasive and basically unmoving, you should know that emptiness, earth, water, fire, and wind are called the five elements. Their natures are true, perfectly fused, identical with the Treasury of the Tathagata, and neither come into being nor cease to be.
　　"Ananda, your mind is murky and confused, and you do not awaken to the fact that the source of the four elements is none other than the Treasury of the Tathagata . Is the emptiness you see subject to removal or entering or is it not subject to removal or entering? You still do not realize that in the Treasury of the Tathagata the nature of enlightenment is true emptiness, and the nature of emptiness is true enlightenment. That fundamental purity pervades the Dharma Realm. Beings' minds absorb it according to their capacity to know. Ananda, wherever there is an empty well, emptiness fills that well. The same is true of emptiness in the ten directions. Since emptiness fills the ten directions, how could there be any fixed place in which it was found? Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people of the world are so deluded as to assign their origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　"Ananda, the seeing-awareness does not perceive by itself. It depends upon form and emptiness for its existence. You are now in the Jeta Grove where you see the brightness of the morning and the darkness of the evening. Deep in the night you see brightness when the moon arises and darkness are discerned by the seeing. Is the seeing identical in substance with brightness, darkness, or emptiness, or are they not of the same substance? Are they the same and yet different, or are they neither the same nor different?
　　"Ananda, suppose seeing shared a single substance with brightness, darkness, or emptiness. Darkness and brightness cancel each other out. When it is dark, there is no light; when it is light, there is no darkness. If seeing were one with darkness, it would cease to exists in brightness; if it were one with brightness, it would cease to exist in darkness? Since it would cease to exists, how could it perceive both brightness and darkness? If brightness and darkness differ from each other and that seeing has neither existence nor ceasing to exist how can it be of the same substance with brightness and darkness?
　　"If the essence of seeing were not of one substance with brightness and darkness, and you were separate from light, darkness, and emptiness, then what shape and appearance would the source of the seeing have? In the absence of darkness, brightness, and emptiness, the seeing would be the same as fur on a tortoise or horns on a hare. How could there be seeing without the presence of the three attributes of brightness, darkness, and emptiness?
　　"How could the seeing be one with darkness and brightness since they are opposites? Yet, how could it be different from these three attributes, since in their absence there would be no seeing?
　　"How could the seeing not be one with emptiness, since no boundary exists between them? But how could the seeing not differ from emptiness, since the seeing remains unchanged, regardless of whether it is perceiving brightness or darkness?
　　"Examine this in even greater detail, investigate it minutely, consider and contemplate it carefully. The light comes from the sun and darkness from the new moon; penetration belongs to emptiness, and solidity returns to the earth, so where does the essence of seeing arise from? Seeing has awareness while emptiness is inanimate: they do not mix and unite. Nor could the essence of seeing arise spontaneously without an origin.
　　"If the natures of seeing, hearing, and knowing are pervasive and unmoving, you should know that the stable, boundless emptiness, together with the unstable elements such as earth, water, fire, and wind, are together known as the six elements. Their natures are true, perfectly fused, identical with the Treasury of the Tathagata, and fundamentally devoid of coming into being and ceasing to be.
　　"Ananda, your nature is so submerged that you have not realized that your seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing are basically the Treasury of the Tathagata. Contemplate seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing to see whether they are subject to coming into being and ceasing to be; whether they are identical or different; whether they are not subject to coming into being and ceasing to be; and whether they are neither identical nor different.
　　"You still do not realize that in the Treasury of the Tathagata the nature of seeing is enlightened brightness, the essence of enlightenment is bright seeing. That fundamental purity pervades the Dharma Realm. Beings' minds absorb it according to their capacity to know. Just as the eyes capacity to see pervades the Dharma Realm, so, too, do the capacities to hear, smell, taste, make contact, and know. All those capacities are glorious, magnificent qualities. Since they pervade the Dharma Realm and fill all emptiness in the ten directions, how could they be found in any fixed location? Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people of the world are so deluded as to assign its origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the conscious mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　"Ananda, the nature of consciousness has no source, but is a false manifestation based on the six organs and their corresponding objects. Now, take a look at the entire sagely assembly gathered here. The observations made by your eyes are similar to reflections in a mirror, both being devoid of distinction-making. However, your consciousness will systematically identify what is seen: that is Manjushri, that is Purna, there is Maudgalyayana, there is Subhuti, and that one is Shariputra. Does the consciousness which is aware and knows comes from seeing, from forms, from emptiness, or does it arise suddenly without a cause?
　　"Ananda, if your consciousness came from seeing, then in the absence of the four attributes of brightness, darkness, form, and emptiness, you would not be able to see. Since those attributes would not exist where would your consciousness come form?
　　"If your consciousness arose from form rather than form seeing, it would see neither brightness nor darkness. In the absence of brightness and darkness, it would not see form or emptiness, either. Since those attributes would not exist, where would your consciousness come from?
　　"If it came from emptiness, it would be neither an appearance nor the seeing. Without seeing, it could not function, being unable to discern brightness, darkness, forms, or emptiness by itself. Without appearances there would be no external conditions, and thus no location where seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing could be established. Being located at neither of those two places, the consciousness would be empty, as if non-existent. If it did exist, it would not be a phenomenon. Even if you could exercise a consciousness, how would it discern anything.
　　"If it suddenly comes forth without a cause, why can't you discern the moonlight within the sunlight?
　　"Investigate this even more carefully, discriminate it in detail, and look into it. The seeing belongs to your eyes; the appearances are considered to be the environment, what has an appearance exists. What lacks appearances does not. What, then, are the conditions that cause the consciousness to come into being? The consciousness moves and the seeing is still; they do not mix and unite. Smelling, hearing, awareness, and knowing are the same way. Nor could the condition of consciousness exist spontaneously without an origin.
　　"If the consciousness pertaining to the mind did not come from anywhere, the same would be true of the natures of the seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing, which are all complete and tranquil and do not come from anywhere. They together with emptiness, earth, water, fire, and wind are together called the seven elements. Their natures are true, perfectly fused, identical with the Treasury of the Tathagata, and fundamentally devoid of coming into being and ceasing to be.
　　"Ananda, your mind is coarse and shallow, and so you do not perceive that seeing, hearing, and the resulting awareness are Treasury of the Tathagata. Contemplate these six locations of consciousness to see whether they are identical or different; empty or existent; neither identical nor different; or neither empty nor existent. You still do not realize that in the Treasury of the Tathagata the nature of consciousness is bright knowing; enlightened brightness is the true consciousness. Wonderful enlightenment is tranquil and pervades the Dharma Realm. It encompasses the emptiness of the ten directions and issues forth from it. How could it have a location? Whatever manifests does so in compliance with karma. Ignorant of that fact, people of the world are so deluded as to assign its origin to causes and conditions or to spontaneity. These mistakes, which arise from the discriminations and reasoning processes of the conscious mind, are nothing but the play of empty and meaningless words.
　　At that time, Ananda and the great assembly, filled with the subtle, wonderful instruction of the Buddha, the Tathagata, experienced unhindered physical and mental peace. Everyone in the great assembly became aware of how his mind pervaded the ten directions, beholding emptiness in the ten directions as one might look at a leaf or other held in the palm of one's hand. All mundane phenomena became the wonderfully bright primal mind of Bodhi. The essence of the mind became completely pervasive, containing the ten directions. Each person regarded his physical body as being like a particle of dust blown about in the emptiness of the ten directions; sometimes visible, sometimes not, or as being lie a single bubble floating on the clear, vast sea, appearing from nowhere and disappearing into oblivion. Each person comprehended and knew personally the fundamental wonderful mind possessed by all as being eternal and never ceasing to be. They bowed to the Buddha and placed their palms together, having gone through this unprecedented experience. Then, before the Tathagata, Ananda spoke a gatha(verse) in praise of the Buddha:
　　(Shurangama Vows:)
　　"The wonderful and recondite Dharani,
　　the moveless Honored One,
　　the foremost Shurangama King,
　　is unique in the world.
　　It dissolves away my inverted thoughts that
　　gathered through billions of eons,
　　so I needn't endure Asamkhyeya aeons
　　to consummate the Dharma-Body.
　　I wish now to achieve the result
　　and become an honored king,
　　who then returns to save beings
　　as many as Ganges' sands.
　　I give this deepmost heart to all worlds
　　as many as atoms of universe,
　　to repay the kindness given to me by Buddhas.
　　Humbly I ask the Bhagavan to
　　certify my vow to come back to the five turbid evil realms,
　　and as long as even one being has not yet become a Buddha,
　　I will never enter Nirvana.
　　Great hero with great strength, great kindness and compassion,
　　please further search out and dispel my subtlest doubts,
　　cause me to quickly attain the supreme enlightenment,
　　and sit in Way-places in worlds of the ten directions.
　　Were even the nature of sunyata(emptiness) to entirely melt away,
　　This vajra mind will never waver."
　　Chapter 4
　　Then Purnamaitreyaniputra arose from his seat in the midst of the great assembly, uncovered his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, put his palms together respectfully, and said to the Buddha, "The most virtuous and awe-inspiring Bhagavan has for the sake of beings expounded the primary truth of the Tathagata with remarkable eloquence. Bhagavan often singles me out as the foremost among speakers of the Dharma. But now when I hear the Tathagata's wonderful, subtle expressions of the Dharma, I am like a deaf person who at a distance of more than a hundred paces tries to hear a mosquito, which in fact cannot be seen, let alone heard. Although the Buddha's clear expressions have succeeded in dispelling our doubts, we still have not fathomed the ultimate meaning that could enable us to rise above all delusions. Those who are like Ananda, although enlightened, have not yet ended their outflows of their habits. Those of us present in the assembly who have reached the stage of no outflows, despite having ended our outflows, still wonder about the Dharma spoken by the Tathagata today.
　　"Bhagavan, if all the mundane sense organs, sense objects, skandhas, places, and realms are the Treasury of the Tathagata, why, in that fundamental purity, do the mountains, rivers, great earth and all other conditioned phenomena suddenly arise, cyclically change and flow, end, and then begin again?
　　"Moreover, the Tathagata said that the basic natures of earth, water, fire, and wind are perfectly fused, pervade the Dharma Realm, and are tranquil and eternal. World Honored One, if the nature of earth is pervasive, how could it contain water? If the nature of water is pervasive, fire would not arise. Further, how do you explain that the natures of fire and water can each pervade empty space without displacing one another? Bhagavan, the nature of earth is solid; the nature of emptiness is vacuous. How can they both pervade the Dharma Realm? I don't know what this doctrine is aiming at. I only hope the Tathagata will compassionately explain in order to clear the clouds of confusion that engulf all of us in this great assembly."
　　After saying that, he made a full prostration and respectfully and expectantly awaited the Tathagata's unsurpassed compassionate instruction.
　　The Bhagavan then told Purna and all the Arhats in the assembly who had ended their outflows and had reached the level beyond study, "Today the Tathagata will explain in depth the truest most supreme meaning. May those of you in the assembly who are Hearers or Arhats of a fixed nature who have not yet realized the two kinds of emptiness and all who are dedicated to the Superior Vehicle reach the tranquility of the One Vehicle, the true aranya, the proper place of cultivation. Listen attentively and I will explain it for you."
　　Purna and the others listened quietly, respecting the Buddha's expression of Dharma.
　　The Buddha said, "Purna, you have asked why in fundamental purity the mountains, the rivers, and the great earth suddenly arise. Have you not often heard the Tathagata expound upon the wonderful light of the enlightened nature and the bright wonder of fundamental enlightenment?"
　　Purna said, "Yes, Bhagavan, I have often heard the Buddha expound upon that subject."
　　The Buddha said, "You speak of understanding enlightenment; does the nature understand and is that called enlightenment? Or does enlightenment initially lack understanding and so you speak of understanding enlightenment?"
　　Purna said, "If a lack of understanding is called enlightenment, then there would be no understanding at all."
　　The Buddha said, "If there were no understanding at all, then there could be no understanding of enlightenment. If understanding is added, then that is not enlightenment. If understanding is not added, then there's no understanding. But a lack of understanding or ignorance is not the lucid bright nature of enlightenment. The nature of enlightenment certainly includes understanding. It's redundant to speak of understanding enlightenment. Enlightenment is not a kind of understanding. Understanding sets up an objective realm. Once that objective realm is set up, your false subjective state arises.
　　"Where there was neither sameness nor difference, suddenly difference appears. What differs from that difference, becomes sameness. Once sameness and difference mutually arise, and due to them, what is neither the same nor different is created. This turmoil eventually brings about weariness. Prolonged weariness produces defilement. The combination of these in a murky turbidity creates afflictions with respect to wearisome defilements. The world comes about through this arising; the lack of any arising becomes emptiness. Emptiness is sameness; the world, difference. Those that have neither difference nor sameness become conditioned dharmas.
　　"The understanding added to enlightenment creates a light that stands in mutual opposition with the darkness of emptiness. As a result, wind wheels that support the world come into being. The tension between emptiness and that light creates movement. The false, persistent light congeals into a solidity that becomes metal. A lack of enlightenment nurtures that persistence and causes metal wheels to secure all lands. That tenacious unenlightened state creates metal, while the fluctuations of light cause the wind to rise. The friction between wind and metal creates fire, which is mutable in nature. Metal produces moisture, which causes flame to rise from the fire. Thus the wheel of water that encompasses all realms in the ten directions comes about. Fire rises and water falls, and the combination becomes tenacious. What is wet becomes the oceans and seas; what is dry becomes the continents and islands. Because of this, fire often rises up in the oceans, and on the continents the streams and rivers ever flow. When the power of water is less then that of fire, high mountains result. That is why mountain rocks give off sparks when struck, and become liquid when melted. When the power of earth is less then that of water, the outcome is grasses and trees. That is why the vegetation in groves and marshes turns to ashes when burned and oozes water when twisted. The interaction of that false dichotomy in turn creates these elements as seeds and from these causes and conditions comes the continuity of the world.
　　"Moreover, Purna, the false understanding is none other than the mistake of adding understanding to enlightenment. After the falseness of the objective realm is established, the subjective understanding cannot transcend it. Due to that, hearing does not go beyond sound, and seeing does not surpass form. Forms, smells, tastes, objects of touch and the others of the six falsenesses are realized. Because of them there is a division into seeing, sensation, hearing, and knowing. Similar karma binds beings together; union and separation bring about their transformations.
　　"The manifastation of light is caused by false view and ignorance. Competitive views generate hatred; compatible views create love. The flow of love becomes a seed; the potential foetus is taken in and conception occurs. When intercourse takes place, beings with similar karma are drawn in. From these causes and conditions, the kalaka, arbuda, and other foetal stages evolve. The womb-born, egg-born, moisture-born, and transformation-born beings come about in response: the egg-born come from thought, the womb-born are due to emotion, the moisture-born arise from union, and transformations occur through separation. Emotion, thought, union, and separation go through further changes, and the maturation of such karma causes one to rise or sink. From such causes and conditions comes the continuity of beings.
　　"Purna, thought and love become bound together so that people love each other and cannot bear to be apart. As a result, ceaseless successive births of parents, children, and grandchildren occur in this world. And the basis for all that is desire and greed.
　　"Greed and emotional love feed on one another until the greed becomes insatiable. The result of that in this world is the tendency of egg-born, womb-born, moisture-born, and transformation-born beings to devour one another to the extent that their strength permits. The basis for all that is killing and greed.
　　"Suppose a person eats a sheep. The sheep dies and becomes a person; the person dies and becomes a sheep, The same applies in all rebirths among the ten categories. Through death after death and birth after birth, they eat each other. The evil karma one is born with continues to the bounds of the future. The basis for all that is stealing and greed.
　　"'You owe me a life; I must repay my debt to you.' Due to such causes and conditions we pass through hundreds of thousands of eons in sustained cycle of birth and death. 'You love my mind; I adore your good looks.' Due to such causes and conditions we pass through hundreds of thousands of eons in sustained mutual entanglement. Killing, stealing, and lust are the basic roots. From such causes and conditions comes the continuity of karma and retribution.
　　"Purna, these three kinds of upside-down continuity come from adding understanding to enlightenment. That lack of understanding generates an internal awareness which gives rise to external phenomena. Both are born of false views. From this falseness the mountains, the rivers, the great earth, and all conditioned phenomena unfold themselves in a succession that recurs in endless cycles."
　　Purna said, "If this wonderful enlightenment, the wonderful awareness of fundamental enlightenment, which is neither greater than nor less than the mind of the Tathagata, abruptly brings forth the mountains, the rivers, and the great earth, and all conditioned phenomena, then now that the Tathagata has attained the wonderful emptiness of clear enlightenment, will the mountains, the rivers, the great earth, and all conditioned habitual outflows arise ever again?"
　　The Buddha said to Purna, "If a person living in a village were confused about directions, mistaking south for north, would that confusion be the result of confusion or of awareness?"
　　Purna said, "His confusion would be the result of neither. Why not? Confusion is fundamentally baseless, so how could anything arise because of it? And as awareness does not produce confusion, how could confusion arise out of it?"
　　The Buddha said, "If someone who knows the directions points them out to the confused person, then once the person who was confused becomes aware, do you suppose, Purna, that he could lose his sense of direction again in that village?"
　　"No, Bhagavan."
　　"Purna, the Tathagatas of the ten directions are the same way. Confusion is groundless and ultimately empty in nature. In the past, there basically was no confusion. It merely seemed as if there were confusion and enlightenment. When the delusion about confusion and enlightenment is ended, enlightenment will not give rise to confusion. Consider the person who, because of cataracts, saw flowers in space. Once the cataracts were removed, the flowers in space disappeared. Were he to rush to the spot where the flowers disappeared and wait for them to reappear, would you consider that person to be stupid or wise?"
　　Purna said, "Originally there weren't any flowers in space. It was through a seeing disability that they appeared and disappeared. To see the disappearance of the flowers in space is already a distortion. To wait for them to reappear is sheer madness. Why bother to determine further if such a person is stupid or wise?"
　　The Buddha said, "Since you explain it that way, why do you ask if the clear emptiness of wonderful enlightenment can once again give rise to the mountains, the rivers, and the great earth? Consider a piece of ore containing gold and other metals mixed together. Once the pure gold is extracted it will never become ore again. Consider wood that has burnt to ashes; it will never become wood again. The Bodhi and Nirvana of all Buddhas, the Tathagatas, are the same way.
　　"Purna, you also asked whether the natures of water and fire would not destroy each other if the natures of earth, water, fire, and wind were all perfectly fused and pervaded the Dharma Realm, and whether space and the great earth would not be incompatible if both pervaded the Dharma Realm.
　　"Purna, consider space: its substance is not the various phenomena, yet that does not prevent all phenomena from being included within it. How do we know that? Purna, empty space is bright on a sunny day, and dark when the sky is cloudy. It moves when the wind rises, it is fresh when the sky clears. It is turbid and hazy when the weather is foul, it is obscure when a dust storm breaks out. It casts a bright reflection on a pool of clear water. Do you think these conditioned phenomena come into existence at different places? Are they created from these conditions themselves or is their origin in space. If they arise from these conditions, Purna, then on a sunny day, since the sun is bright, all worlds of the ten directions should take on the form of the sun. Then why, on a sunny day do we see the round sun in the sky? If space is bright, space itself should shine. Then why, when there is a covering of clouds and fog, is no light evident? You should know that the brightness is not the sun, nor space nor other than the space or the sun. Contemplate how phenomena are ultimately false and cannot be verified. They are like flowers conjured up in space that cannot bear fruit. Why, then, investigate how such phenomena appear and disappear? Contemplate how the nature is ultimately truth and is solely the wonderful enlightened brightness. That wonderful enlightened bright mind originally was neither water nor fire. Why, then, ask about incompatibility?
　　"The truly wonderful enlightened brightness is the same way. You recognize space, and space appears. Recognizing earth, water, fire, and wind, each will appear. If all are recognized, all will appear. How can they all appear? Purna, consider the sun's reflection as it appears in a single body of water. Two people gaze at it, both at the same time. Then one person walks east and the other walks west. Each person, still looking at the water will see a sun go along with him, one to the east, one to the west, while there seems to be no fixed direction for the movement of the sun's reflection. Don't belabor the question and ask, 'If there is one sun, how can it follow both people? Or if the sun is double, why does only one appear in the sky?' This is just revolving in falseness, because such things cannot be proven.
　　"Purna, you think that form and emptiness overcome and destroy one another in the Treasury of the Tathagata. Thus the Treasury of the Tathagata appears to you as form and emptiness throughout the Dharma Realm. And so, within it the wind moves, emptiness is still, the sun is bright, and the clouds are dark. The reason for this lies in the delusion of beings who have turned their backs on enlightenment and joined with the defiling dust. Thus, the wearisome defilements come into being and mundane phenomena exist.
　　"Based on wonderful understanding that neither ceases to be nor comes into being, I unite with the Treasury of the Tathagata. Thus the Treasury of the Tathagata is the unique and wonderful enlightened brightness which completely illumines the Dharma Realm. That is why, within it, the one is limitless; the limitless is one. In the small appears the great; in the great appears the small. Unmoving in the Bodhimanda, yet pervading the ten directions, my body contains the ten directions and endless emptiness. On the tip of a single hair appear the lands of the Jewelled Kings. Sitting in a mote of dust, I turn the great Dharma wheel, put an end to defiling dust, and unite with enlightenment, so that true suchness, the wonderful enlightened bright nature, comes into being.
　　"The Treasury of the Tathagata is the fundamental, wonderful, perfect mind. It is not the mind, nor emptiness, nor earth, nor water, nor wind, nor fire; it is not the eyes, nor the ears, the nose, the tongue, the body, or the mind. It is not form, nor sounds, smells, tastes, objects of touch, or dharmas. It is not the realm of eye-consciousness, nor any other, up to and including the realm of mind-consciousness. It is not understanding, nor ignorance, nor the ending of understanding or ignorance, nor any other, up to and including old age and death and the ending of old age and death. It is not suffering, nor accumulation, nor extinction, nor the Way. It is neither knowing nor attaining. It is not Dana, nor Shila, nor Virya, nor Kshanti, nor Dhyana, nor Prajna, nor Paramita, nor any other: It is not the Tathagata, nor the Arhats, nor Samyaksambodhi, nor Parinirvana, nor Eternity, nor Bliss, nor True Self, nor Purity.
　　"Therefore, it is neither mundane nor transcendental, since the Treasury of the Tathagata is the wonder of the mind's primal understanding. It is the mind; it is emptiness, it is earth; it is water; it is wind; it is fire; it is the eyes; it is the ears; the nose, the tongue, the body, and the mind. It is form; it is sounds; smells, tastes, objects of touch, and dharmas. It is the realm of eye-consciousness, and so forth, up to and including the realm of mind-consciousness. It is understanding and ignorance and the ending of understanding and ignorance, and so forth up to and including old age and death and the ending of old age and death. It is suffering; it is accumulation; it is extinction; and it is the Way. It is knowing and attaining. It is Dana; it is Shila; it is Virya; it is Kshanti; it is Dhyana; it is Prajna; and it is Paramita, and so forth, up to and including the Tathagata, the Arhats, Samyaksambodhi, Parinirvana, Eternity, Bliss, True Self, and Purity.
　　"It is both mundane and transcendental, since the Treasury of the Tathagata is the wonderful understanding of the primal mind. It is apart from identity and negation. It is identity and negation.
　　"How can beings in the three realms of mundane existence and the Hearers and Those Enlightened to Conditions at the level of transcendental existence make suppositions about the unsurpassed Bodhi of the Tathagata with the minds that they know of, or enter the knowledge and vision of the Buddha through the medium of worldly language? Consider lutes, flutes, and guitars. Although those can make wonderful sounds, but if there are no skilled fingers to play them, their music will never come forth. You and all beings are the same way. The precious, enlightened true mind is perfect in everyone. I apply pressure and the Ocean Impression emits light; you move your mind, and the wearisome defilements spring up. That happens all because you do not diligently seek the unsurpassed enlightened Way, but are fond of the lesser vehicle and are satisfied with little attainment."
　　Purna said, "My mind and the Tathagata's true wonderful pure mind are no different in their perfect precious enlightenment and complete understanding. But I have long been plagued with beginningless false thoughts and have long endured the cycle of rebirth. As of yet my attainment in the sagely vehicle is not ultimate. Bhagavan has completely ended all falseness and attained wonderful eternal truth. I venture to ask the Thus Come One why all beings exist in falseness and conceal their own wonderful understanding, so that they keep drowning in this deluge?"
　　The Buddha said to Purna, "Although you have cast off doubts, you still have not ended residual delusions. I will now question you about a mundane event. Did you hear about Yajnadatta from Shravasti who on impulse one morning held a mirror to his face and fell in love with the head in the mirror? He gazed at the eyes and eyebrows but got angry because he could not see his own face. He decided he must be a mountain or river sprite, lost control, and ran madly about. What do you think? Why did this person set out on a mad cause for no reason?"
　　Purna said, "That person was insane. There's no other reason."
　　The Buddha said, "What reason can you give for saying that the wonderful enlightened bright perfection, the fundamentally perfect bright wonder is false? If there is a reason, then how do you define false? All of your own false thinking becomes in turn the cause for more. From confusion you accumulate confusion through eon after eon; although the Buddha is aware of it, he cannot counteract it. From such confused causes, the cause of confusion perpetuates itself. When one realizes that confusion has no cause, the falseness becomes baseless. Since it never arose, why would you hope for its end? One who obtains Bodhi is like a person who awakens to tell of the events in a dream; since his mind will remain awake and clear, why would he want to hold onto the things in a dream?
　　"This is especially true for things that lack a cause and are basically non-existent, such as Yajnadatta's situation that day in the city. Was there any reason why he became fearful for his head and went running about? If his madness had suddenly ceased, he still wouldn't get his head back from someplace else outside; and so before his madness ceased, how could his head have been lost? Purna, falseness is the same way. How can it exist? You only need not follow discriminations about the three kinds of continuity of the world, beings, and karmic retributions. By cutting off those three conditions, the causes will not arise. Then the madness, like Yajnadatta's, will cease by itself. Once it ceases, Bodhi appears. The supreme, pure, bright mind originally pervades the Dharma Realm. It is not something obtained from anyone else. Why, then, toil at cultivation making yourself bone-tired trying to gain certification? Consider a person who has a wish-fulfilling pearl sewn into his clothing but does not know it. Poverty-stricken and ragged, he roams around begging for food and always on the move. Although he is indeed destitute, the pearl is never lost. Suddenly a wise person points out the pearl: then all his wishes are fulfilled, he obtains great wealth, and he realizes that the pearl did not come from somewhere outside."
　　Then from among the great assembly, Ananda bowed at the Buddha's feet, stood, and said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan has just explained about the karma of killing, stealing and lust: when the three conditions are cut off, the three causes do not arise. Then the madness, like Yajnadatta's, will cease by itself, and once it ceases, Bodhi appears. It is not something obtained from anyone else. Those clearly are causes and conditions; why, then, does the Tathagata abruptly reject causes and conditions? My enlightenments have come about through causes and conditions. Bhagavan, that is not only true of those of us who are young in years, or who are Hearers still in the process of learning. Mahamaudgalyayana, Shariputra, and Subhuti, and others who followed the elder Brahmans, became enlightened and obtained no outflows upon hearing the Buddha expound upon causes and conditions. Now you say that Bodhi does not come from causes and conditions. That would make the spontaneity that Maskari Goshaliputra and others advocated in Rajagriha the primary meaning! I only hope that the Greatly Kind One will dispel my confusion."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "Let us take the case of Yajnadatta in the city: if the causes and conditions of his madness cease, the nature that is not mad will spontaneously come forth. The entire principle of spontaneity and causes and conditions is nothing more than that.
　　"Ananda, Yajnadatta's head was naturally there; it was a natural part of him. There was never a time when it was not. Why, then, did he suddenly fear that he had no head and start running about madly?
　　"If he naturally had a head and went mad due to causes and conditions, would it not be just as natural for him to lose his head due to causes and conditions? Basically his head was never lost. The madness and fear arose from falseness. There was never any change that took place. Why, then, belabor the point about causes and conditions?
　　"Had the madness been his natural state, the madness and fear would be fundamental. Before he went mad, then, where was his madness hidden?
　　"Had the madness not been his natural state, and his head in fact not lost, why did he run about in a state of madness?
　　"If you realize that you have a head and recognize the madness of your pursuit, then both spontaneity and causes and conditions become idle theories. That is why I say that once the three conditions cease to be, the Bodhi-Heart appears. The arising of the Bodhi-Heart and the ending of the mind subject to arising and ceasing itself imply arising and ceasing.
　　"The ending of both arising and ceasing is the effortless Way. If there is spontaneity then clearly the thought of spontaneity must arise and the mind subject to arising and ceasing end: but that is still a case of arising and ceasing. To call the lack of arising and ceasing spontaneity would be like saying that a combination of mundane phenomena that form a single substance are mixed and united in nature, and that everything not mixed and united is spontaneous in nature. Spontaneity is not natural, and mixing and uniting lack unifying qualities. Spontaneity and unity alike must be abandoned, and both their abandonment and their existence cease to be. Achieving that would be no idle theory.
　　"Bodhi and Nirvana are still so far away that you must undoubtedly pass through eons of bitterness and diligence before you cultivate them and are certified. You can memorize the twelve divisions of the Sutras spoken by the Buddhas of the ten directions and their pure, wonderful principles as many as the sands of the Ganges river, but that only aids your idle theorizing. Although you can discuss causes and conditions and spontaneity and understand them perfectly clearly, and people refer to you as the one foremost in learning, still, the eons upon eons you have spent saturating yourself with learning, did not help you avoid the trouble with Matangi's daughter. Why did you have to wait for me to use the holy Mantra of the Buddha's Crown to put out the fire of lust in Matangi's daughter's heart, causing her to attain the position of an Anagamin and join a vigorous group in my Dharma assembly, drying up the river of emotional love in her and setting you free?
　　"Therefore, Ananda, your ability to intellectually master the Tathagata's wonderful secret teachings for eons upon eons is not as good as a single day of non-outflow cultivation that is intent upon quitting the two worldly sufferings of love and hate. In Matangi's daughter, a former prostitute, emotional love and desire were dispelled by the holy power of the Mantra. Now her Dharma name is Bhikshuni Nature. She and Rahula's mother, Yashodhara, both became aware of their past causes and knew that for several eons they had endured the suffering of greed and emotional love. Due to their single-mindedness they became permeated with the cultivation of non-outflow goodness, they were both freed from their bonds and received predictions. Why, then, do you cheat yourself and still remain caught up in looking and listening?"
　　When Ananda and the great assembly heard the Buddha's instruction, their doubts and delusions were dispelled. Their minds awakened to the ultimate reality, they experienced both physical and mental light ease, and unprecedented attainments. Once again Ananda wept, bowed at the Buddha's feet, knelt, placed his palms together, and said to the Buddha, "The Unsurpassed, Great, Compassionate, Pure, and Precious King has instructed me well, so that, by means of these various causes and conditions, expedients and encouragements, all of us who were immersed in the sea of suffering have escaped it. Bhagavan, having heard that explanation of Dharma, I know that the Treasury of the Tathagata, the wonderful, enlightened, bright mind, pervades the ten directions and contains the lands of Tathagatas throughout the ten directions, all the pure and elegantly adorned kshetras of Wonderful Enlightened Kings. The Tathagata also admonished that erudition is of no merit and is not as good as cultivation. So now I am like a wanderer who suddenly encounters a divine king who bestows upon him an elegant house. Even though he has obtained a mansion, he has to enter through a door. I only hope the Tathagata will not withhold his great compassion in instructing those of us in the assembly who are covered by darkness, so that we may renounce the Small Vehicle and attain at last the Tathagata's Nirvana without residue, the fundamental path of resolve. May he enable those who are still learning to know how to subdue the age-old habit of seeking to manipulate conditions to one's advantage, to obtain Dharani, and to enter in to the knowledge and vision of the Buddhas."
　　Having said this, he made a full prostration, and together with the members of the assembly, single-mindedly awaited the Buddha's compassionate instruction.
　　The Bhagavan then sympathized with the Hearers and Those Enlightened to Conditions in the assembly, all those who were not yet at ease with the Bodhi-Heart. His sympathy also extended to helping beings in the future Dharma Ending Age after the Buddha's entry into tranquility to arouse the Bodhi-Heart. He revealed the wonderful path of cultivation of the Unsurpassed Vehicle. He proclaimed to Ananda and to the great assembly, "You have decisively aroused the Bodhi-Heart and so you should not grow weary when it comes to the Wonderful Samadhi of the Buddhas, the Tathagatas. You must first understand two absolutes regarding initial resolve for enlightenment. What are the two absolutes regarding initial resolve for enlightenment?
　　"Ananda, the first absolute is that if you wish to renounce the position of Hearer and cultivate the Bodhisattva Vehicle, and to enter the knowledge and vision of the Buddhas, you must carefully consider whether the resolve on the cause-ground and the enlightenment on the ground of fruition are the same or different. Ananda, it is impossible while on the cause-ground to base one's cultivation on the mind that is subject to arising and ceasing when in quest ofthe Buddha Vehicle, which neither arises nor ceases to be. For this reason, you should realize that all composite dharmas belonging to the material world will decay and disappear. Ananda, contemplate the world: what composite dharmas will not wear out? But I have never heard of empty space wearing out. Has anyone every heard of the disintegration of the void? Why not? Empty space is not a composite and it can never wear out.
　　"While you are in your body, what is solid is of earth, what is moist is of water, what is warm is of fire, and what moves is of wind. Because of these four bonds, your tranquil and perfect, wonderfully enlightened bright mind divides into seeing, hearing, sensation, and cognition. From its beginning to its end you are emersed in the five layers of turbidity.
　　"What is meant by turbidity? Ananda, pure water, for instance, is fundamentally clear and clean, whereas dust, dirt, ashes, silt, and the like, are basically solid substances. Such are the properties of the two; their natures are not compatible. Suppose someone takes some dirt and tosses it into pure water. The dirt looses its solidity and the water is deprived of its transparency. The resulting cloudiness is called turbidity. Your five layers of turbidity are similar to it.
　　"Ananda, you see that space pervades the ten directions. There is no division between space and seeing. And yet space by itself cannot identify its own substance, and seeing alone has nothing to register awareness of. But the two become entangled in falseness. This is the first layer, called the turbidity of time.
　　"Your body appears in full, with the four elements composing its substance, and from this, seeing, hearing, sensation, and cognition become firmly defined. Water, fire, wind, and earth fluctuate between sensation and cognition and become entangled in falseness. This is the second layer, called the turbidity of views.
　　"Further, the functions of memory, discrimination, and verbal comprehension in your mind bring into being knowledge and views. From out of them appear the six defiling objects. Apart from the defiling objects the consciousness would lack attributes. Apart from cognition the objects would have no nature. But they become entangled in a falseness. This is the third layer, called the turbidity of afflictions.
　　"And if day and night there is endless arising and ceasing as your knowledge and views continually wish to remain in the world, while your karmic patterns constantly move you to various places. This entanglement become a falseness, which is the fourth layer, called the turbidity of living beings.
　　"Originally, your seeing and hearing were not of different natures, but a multitude of defiling objects has divided them into crude differences. These natures have mutual awareness, but their functions are in opposition. Sameness and difference arise and they lose their identity. This entanglement becomes a falseness, which is the fifth layer, called the turbidity of a life span.
　　"Ananda, you now want to cause your seeing, hearing, sensation, and cognition to return to and tally with the eternity, bliss, true self, and purity of the Tathagata. You should first decide what the basis of birth and death is by relying on the perfect, tranquil nature which neither arises nor ceases. By means of this tranquility, influence the empty and false arising and ceasing so that it is subdued and returns to the source of enlightenment. The attainment of this source of bright enlightenment which neither arises nor ceases, is the mind of the cause-ground. Then, you can completely realize cultivation of and certification to the ground of fruition. To do that much is like purifying muddy water by placing it in a quite vessel which is kept completely still and unmoving. The sand and silt settle, and the pure water appears. That is called the initial subduing of transitory defiling afflictions.
　　"The complete removal of the mud from the water is called the eternal severance of fundamental ignorance. When clarity is pure to its very essence, then no matter what happens, there is no affliction. Everything is in accord with the pure and wonderful virtues of Nirvana.
　　"The second absolute is that if you definitely wish to bring forth the resolve for Bodhi and to be especially courageous and dedicated in your cultivation of the Bodhisattva Vehicle, you must decisively renounce all conditioned phenomena. You should carefully consider the origin of afflictions: who creates and who endures the beginningless creation of karma and perpetual rebirth? Ananda, if in your cultivation of Bodhi you do not carefully consider the origin of affliction, you cannot realize where the location of the upsidedownness of the empty and false sense-organs and sense-objects is. If you don't even know their location, how can you subdue them and reach the level of the Tathagata?
　　"Ananda, consider someone who wants to untie a knot. If he can't see where the knot is, how can he untie it? But I have never heard of anyone unbinding empty space. Why not? Because emptiness has no form of appearance; and so there are no knots to untie. But now your visible eyes, ears, nose, and tongue, as well as your body and mind are like six thieving matchmakers who plunder the jewels of your own household. And, thus, from beginningless time, because beings and the temporal and spatial world, have been bound up together, beings are unable to transcend the material world.
　　"Ananda, how do we define beings and the temporal and spatial world? 'Temporal' refers to change and flow; 'spatial' refers to location. You should know by now that north, east, south, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, above and below are space. Past, present, and future are periods of time. There are ten directions in space and three periods of time. All beings come into being because of false interaction. Their bodies go through changes and they are caught in the temporal and spatial combinations of this world.
　　"However, although there are ten directions in space, those known in the world as north, south, east, and west are the only ones that can be clearly fixed. Above and below have no position; the intermediates have no definite direction. Determined clearly to be four in number, they are then combined with the three periods of time. Three times four, or, alternately, four times three makes twelve. Increase this to the third place; from the tens through the hundreds to the thousands. The greatest possible efficacy of each of the six organs is one thousand two hundred.
　　"Ananda, you can thereby establish their value. Consider how the eyes see darkness behind and light in front. The front is totally light; the back is totally dark. With your peripheral vision included, you can see two thirds around at most. Therefore, its capacity can be expressed as an efficacy which is not complete. One third of its efficacy is without virtue. Know, then, that the eyes have an efficacy of only eight hundred.
　　"Consider how the ears hear everywhere in the ten directions, without any loss. They hear movements, whether far or near, and stillness without bounds. Know, then, that the organ of hearing is complete with the efficacy of twelve hundred.
　　"Consider how the nose smells odors with each inhalation and exhalation of the breath. It is deficient at the point between the inhalation and exhalation. The organ of smell can be considered to be deficient by one third. Know, then, that the nose has an efficacy of only eight hundred.
　　"Consider how the tongue can proclaim the entirety of worldly and transcendental wisdom. Although language varies according to locality, the principles go beyond boundaries of any kind. Know, then, that the organ of the tongue is complete with an efficacy of twelve hundred.
　　"Consider how the body is aware of touch, registering it as pain or pleasure. When it makes contact, it is aware of the thing touched; when is isolation, it has no tactile knowledge of other things. Isolation has a single and contact has a dual aspect. The organ of the body can be considered as deficient by one third.
　　Know, then, that the body has an efficacy of only eight hundred.
　　"Consider how the mind silently includes all worldly and transcendental dharmas of the ten directions and three periods of time. Regardless of whether it be sagely or ordinary, everything is included in its boundlessness. Know, then, that the organ of the mind is complete with an efficacy of twelve hundred.
　　"Ananda, now you wish to oppose the flow of desire that leads to birth and death. You should turn back the flow of the organs to reach a state of neither arising nor ceasing. You should investigate all of the six functioning organs to see which are uniting, which are isolated, which are deep, which are shallow, which will penetrate perfectly, and which are not perfect. If you can realize which organ penetrates perfectly, you can thereupon reverse the flow of its beginningless involvement in false karma and follow that to perfect penetration. The difference between that and an organ which is not perfect is like the difference between a day and an eon. I have now revealed to you the fundamental efficacy of the tranquil perfect brightness of these six. This is what the numbers are. It is up to you to select which one to enter. I will explain more to aid your progress in that.
　　"The Tathagatas of the ten directions, cultivating by means of one or another of the eighteen realms, attained perfect, unsurpassed Bodhi. For them, any of those eighteen were generally adequate. But you are at an inferior level and are not yet able to perfect comfortable wisdom among them. Therefore, I shall give you an explanation, so that you will be able to enter deeply into the door. Enter one without falseness, and the six sense-organs will be simultaneously pure.
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, how do we oppose the flow, enter deeply into one door, and cause the six organs to simultaneously become pure?"
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "You have already obtained the fruition of a Shrotaapana. You have already put an end to the view-delusions that living beings in the three realms possess, but you do not yet know that your organs have accumulated habits that are without beginning. The severing of these habits must be done through cultivation. Including the numerous subtleties of their arising, dwelling, changing, and ceasing.
　　"You should now contemplate the six organs further: are they one or six? Ananda, if you say they are one, why can't the ears see? Why can't the eyes hear? Why can't the head walk? Why can't the feet talk? If the six organs are definitely six, then as I now explain this subtle, wonderful Dharma-door for you in this assembly, which of your six organs is receiving it?"
　　Ananda said, " I hear it with my ears."
　　The Buddha said, "Your ears hear by themselves? What, then, does that have to do with your body and mouth? And yet you ask about the principles with your mouth, and your body displays veneration. Therefore, you should know that if they are not one, then they are six. And if they are not six, they must be one. But you can't say that your organs are basically one and six.
　　"Ananda, you should know that these organs are neither one nor six. It is from being upside-down and sinking into involvements throughout time without beginning that the theory of one and six has become established. As a Shrotaapanna, you have dissolved the six, but you still have not done away with the one.
　　"That is like filling emptiness into differently shaped vessels and then saying that emptiness is whatever shape the vessel is. And then, upon getting rid of the vessels, looking at emptiness and saying it is all the same. How can emptiness become the same or different at your convenience? Even less can you call it 'One' or 'not one.' You should understand that the six receptive functioning organs are the same way.
　　"Seeing occurs because the two attributes of darkness and light and their like firmly adhere to quietude in what originally was wonderful perfection. The essence of seeing reflects form and combines with forms to become an organ. This organ, which was originally the four pure elements, is called an eye and is shaped like a grape. Of the four defiling objects that the sense organs located in the head pursue, this one races out after form.
　　"Hearing occurs because the two reverberations of movement and stillness and their like firmly adhere to quietude in what originally was wonderful perfection. The essence of hearing reflects sound and resounds with it to become the organ of the ear. The primal composition of the ear-organ is the purely-defined four elements. Those portions we call the ears are shaped like fresh-curled leaves. Of the four defiling objects that the sense organs pursue, this one is loosed upon sound.
　　"Smelling occurs because the two appearances of penetration and obstruction and their like firmly adhere to tranquility in what originally was wonderful perfection. The essence of smelling reflects the scents and takes in scents to become the organ of the nose. The primal composition of the nose-organ is the purely-defined four elements. That portion we call the nose is shaped like a double hanging claw. Of the four defiling objects that the sense organs pursue this one probes out after scents.
　　"Tasting occurs because the two blends of blandness and variety of flavor? and their like firmly adhere to quietude in what originally was wonderful perfection. The essence of tasting reflects flavors and becomes entwined with flavors to become the organ of the tongue. The primal composition of the tongue-organ is in the purely-defined four elements. That portion we call the tongue is shaped like a crescent moon. Of the four defiling objects that the sense organs pursue this one craves flavors.
　　"Sensation occurs because the two frictions of separation and union, and their like, firmly adhere to quietude in what originally was wonderful perfection. The essence of sensation reflects contact and seizes upon contact to become the organ of the body. The primal composition of the body-organ is in the purely-defined four elements. The portion we call the body is shaped like a table. Of the four defiling objects that the sense organs pursue, this one is compelled by contact.
　　"Knowing occurs because the two continuities of production and extinction, and their like, firmly adhere to quietude in what originally was wonderful perfection. The essence of knowing reflects dharmas and grasps them to become the organ of the mind. The primal composition of the mind-organ is in the purely-defined four elements. Of the four defiling objects that the sense organs pursue, this one chases after dharmas.
　　"Ananda, because understanding is added to enlightenment, the six sense-organs lose their essence and adhere to falseness, confining their brilliance. Therefore, apart from darkness and light there is no substance to seeing for you now; apart from movement and stillness, there basically is no disposition of hearing; without penetration and obstruction, the nature of smelling does not arise; in the absence of variety and blandness, tasting does not occur; lacking separation and union, the sensation of contact is fundamentally non-existent; without arising and ceasing, knowing is put to rest.
　　"You only need not follow the twelve conditioned attributes of movement and stillness, union and separation, blandness and variety, penetration and obstruction, production and extinction, and brightness and darkness. Accordingly, extract one organ, free it from adhesion, and subdue it at its inner core. Once subdued, it will return to primal truth and radiate its innate brilliance. When that brilliance shines forth, the remaining five adhesions will be freed to accomplish total liberation. "Do not follow the knowing and seeing influenced by objects before you. True understanding does not follow from the sense-organs. Yet lodged at the organs is the potential to discover mutual functioning of the six organs. Ananda, don't you know that now in this assembly Aniruddha is blind and yet can see; the dragon Upananda is deaf and yet can hear; the spirit of the Ganges River has no nose and yet smells fragrances; Gavampati has an unusual tongue and yet tastes flavor; and the spirit Shunyata has no body and yet is aware of contact? In the light of the Tathagata, this spirit is illumined temporarily as an ethereal essence without substance. In the same way, Mahakashyapa, who is also in this assembly, dwells in the Samadhi of extinction, having obtained the tranquility of a Hearer. He has long since put to rest the mind-organ, and yet he has a perfectly clear knowledge which is not due to the mental process of thinking.
　　"Ananda, if you can completely extract all your organs, you will glow with an inner brilliance. Then the ephemeral defiling objects and all the changing phenomena of the material world will become like ice being melted by hot liquid. In response to your mind, the transformation will bring unsurpassed enlightenment. Ananda, consider a person who has confined seeing to his eyes. If you suddenly have him close his eyes, he will see darkness before him. The six organs will be enveloped in total darkness. From head to toe he will experience that. If the person traces the shape of external things with his hands, then even though he cannot see, he can recognize someone from head and toe. Enlightenment is also like that. If light were the condition requisite for seeing, then darkness would bring the absence of seeing. But to perceive without light would mean that no dark manifestation could obscure the seeing. Once the organs and objects suddenly melt away, how could the enlightened brightness that results be anything but perfect and wonderful?"
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, as the Buddha has said, 'The resolve for enlightenment on the cause-ground which seeks the eternal must be in mutual accord with the ground of fruition. Bhagavan, the ground of fruition is Bodhi; Nirvana: True Suchness; the Buddha Nature; the Amala-Consciousness; the Empty Treasury of the Tathagata; the great Perfect Mirror-Wisdom. But although it is called by these seven names, it is pure and perfect, its substance is enduring, like royal vajra, eternal and indestructible. If the seeing, hearing, and the rest are ultimately devoid of substance apart from light and darkness, movement and stillness, and penetration and obstruction and the rest then they would be like thoughts which, apart from immediate sense-objects, do not exist at all. How could an ultimate annihilationism like that be a cause by which one cultivates in the hope of obtaining the Tathagatas' seven-fold eternal fruition? Bhagavan, if seeing is ultimately empty apart from light and darkness, just as thoughts cease of themselves in the absence of any immediate sense object. Then my comparisons become circular, and no matter how carefully I search, there seems to be no such thing as my mind or what pertains to it. Just what should be used to seek the Unsurpassed Enlightenment? The Tathagata previously referred to a tranquil essence, perfect and eternal. His present contradiction defies belief and is resort to idle theorizing. How can the Tathagata's words be true and actual? I only hope the Buddha will let fall his great compassion and instruct us who do not understand and who are holding on tightly.
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "You study and learn much, but you have not yet put an end to outflows. In your mind you know only the causes of being upside down. But when the true inversion manifests, you really cannot recognize it yet. Lest your sincerity and faith remain insufficient, I will try to make use of an ordinary event to dispel your doubts."
　　Then the Tathagata instructed Rahula to strike the bell once, and he asked Ananda, "Did you hear that?" Ananda and the members of the great assembly all said, "We heard it." The bell ceased to sound, and the Buddha again asked, "Do you hear it now?" Ananda and the members of the great assembly all said, "We do not hear it." Then Rahula struck the bell again. The Buddha again asked, "Do you hear it now?" Ananda and the great assembly again said, "We hear it." The Buddha asked Ananda, "What do you hear, and what do you not hear?" Ananda and the members of the great assembly all said to the Buddha, "When the bell is rung, we hear it. Once the sound of the bell ceases, so that even its echo fades away, we do not hear it."
　　The Tathagata again instructed Rahula to strike the bell, and asked Ananda, "Is there a sound now?" Ananda and the members of the great assembly all said, "There is a sound." After a short time the sound ceased, and the Buddha again asked, "Is there a sound now?' Ananda and the great assembly answered, "There is no sound." After a moment, Rahula again struck the bell, and the Buddha again asked, "Is there a sound now?" Ananda and the great assembly said together, "There is a sound." The Buddha asked Ananda, 'What is meant by 'sound,' and what is meant by 'no sound?" Everyone in the great assembly including Ananda told the Buddha, "When the bell is struck there is a sound. Once the sound ceases and even the echo fades away, there is said to be no sound."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda and the great assembly, "Why are you inconsistent in what you say?" The great assembly and Ananda then asked the Buddha, "In what way have we being inconsistent?" The Buddha said, "When I asked if it was your hearing, you said it was your hearing. Then, when I asked you if it was sound, you said it was sound. I cannot ascertain from your answers if it is hearing or if it is sound. How can you not say that is inconsistent? Ananda, when the sound is gone without an echo, you say there is no hearing. If there were really no hearing, the hearing-nature would cease to be. It would be just like dead wood. If then the bell were sounded again, how would you know? What you know to be there or not to be there is the defiling object of sound which seems to come into being and cease to be. But how could the hearing-nature be there or not be there? And if the hearing really were, as you contend, not there, who would know it was not there?
　　"And so, Ananda, the sounds that you hear are what rise and cease. Your hearing-nature does not come into being and cease to be based on the arising and ceasing of the sounds you hear. You are so upside-down that you mistake sound for hearing. No wonder you are so confused that you take what is eternal to be annihilationism. Ultimately, you cannot say that there is no hearing-nature apart from movement and stillness, from obstruction and penetration and the rest.
　　"Consider a person who falls into a deep sleep while napping on his bed. While he is asleep, someone in his household starts beating clothes or pounding rice. In his dream, the person hears the sound of beating and pounding and takes it for something else, perhaps for the striking of a drum or the ringing of a bell. In his dream he wonders why the bell sounds like stone or wood. Suddenly he awakens and immediately recognizes the sound of pounding. He tells the members of his household, "I was just having a dream in which I mistook the sound of pounding for the sound of a drum. Ananda, how can this person in the dream-state remember stillness and motion, penetrability and obstruction? Although he is physically asleep, his hearing-nature is not unclear.
　　"Even when your physical existence melts away and your life-force changes and dwindles, how could that nature melt away and be gone from you? But because beings, from time without beginning, have pursued forms and sounds and have followed their thoughts as they turn and flow, they still are not enlightened to the wonderful eternal pure nature. They do not accord with what is eternal, but chase after things that are subject to arising and ceasing. That is what causes them to be born again and again, flowing and turning in defilement. But if they reject arising and ceasing and uphold the eternal truth, an enduring light will appear, and with that, the sense-organs, defiling objects, and consciousnesses will disappear. Then you must maintain your distance from the defilements of the manifestations of thinking and the emotional states of consciousness. Then your Dharma-eye will accordingly become pure and bright. And, how can you fail to realize Unsurpassed Enlightenment?"
　　Chapter 5
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, although Tathagata has explained this second absolute, as I now regard someone who wants to untie a knot, if he cannot find its center, he will never get the knot undone. Bhagavan, I and all other Hearers in the great assembly who are not beyond study are the same way. From time without beginning we have been accompanied in birth and death by ignorance. We have obtained these good roots of erudition and are said to have left the home life, yet in fact we act like someone with recurrent malaria. I only hope, Greatly Compassionate One, that you will take pity on us who are sinking and drowning. What are the knots in our body and mind and how do we untie them? Your explanation will also enable future beings who are in suffering and difficulty to avoid the cycle of rebirth and keep them from falling into the three realms of existence."
　　After saying that, he and everyone in the entire great assembly made full prostrations. He wept profusely, and with sincere anticipation awaited the unsurpassed instruction of the Buddha, the Tathagata.
　　Then the Bhagavan took pity on Ananda and those in the assembly with something left to study, as well as on beings of the future who have the potential to transcend the world and to develop insight. He rubbed the crown of Ananda's head with his hand that shone with Jambunada purple-golden light.
　　Instantaneously all the Buddhalands of the ten directions quaked in six ways. Tathagatas as numerous as atoms of universe, each dwelling in his respective world, emitted a precious light from the crowns of his head. At one and the same time their light went from their own countries to the Jeta Grove and anointed the crown of the Tathagata's head. All in the assembly received unprecedented benefits. Then Ananda and everyone in the great assembly heard the Tathagatas as numerous as atoms of universe throughout the ten directions speak to Ananda with different mouths but with a single voice:
　　"Good indeed, Ananda! You wish to recognize your innate ignorance that causes you to turn on the wheel. The origin of the knot of birth and death is simply your six sense-organs and nothing else. You also want to understand unsurpassed Bodhi, so that you can quickly realize bliss, liberation, tranquility, and wonderful permanence. It, too, is your six sense-organs and nothing else."
　　Although Ananda heard those sounds of Dharma, he did not yet understand them. Bowing his head, he said to the Buddha, "How can what causes me to revolve in the cycle of birth and death and what enables me to gain bliss and wonderful eternity be the six sense-organs in both cases and nothing else?'
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "The sense-organs and the objects are the same source. The bonds and their release are not different things. The nature of the consciousness is empty and false, like flowers in space. Ananda, awareness arises because of defiling objects. Phenomena exist because of the sense organs. The phenomena and the perception are both devoid of their own natures. They support each other like intertwining reeds. Therefore, creating knowledge within enlightened perception is fundamental ignorance. To be devoid of perception within enlightened perception is the non-outflow true purity of Nirvana. Why try to put something else in these?"
　　Then the Bhagavan, wishing to restate that meaning, spoke verses, saying:
　　"In the true nature, conditioned things are empty.
　　Conditions that arise are like illusions.
　　Things unconditioned neither arise nor cease.
　　Unreal they are, like flowers in space.
　　To speak of the false is to reveal the true.
　　But both the false and the true are false themselves.
　　Since there is neither truth nor untruth,
　　How could there be perceiver and perceived?
　　Between the two no real nature exists;
　　Thus they are likened to entwining reeds.
　　The knots and their release have a common cause.
　　The sages and ordinary people's path are not two.
　　Regard the nature of the intertwined:
　　They are neither empty nor existent.
　　Dark confusion is simply ignorance;
　　Bringing it to light is liberation.
　　The knots must be untied successively,
　　When the six are released,
　　Even the one ceases to be.
　　Select an organ preferred for perfect penetration;
　　Enter the flow and realize proper enlightenment.
　　Extremely subtle, the Adana consciousness,
　　Makes patterns of habit that flow on in torrents.
　　Fearing you will confuse the truth with what is not,
　　I rarely tell you of all this.
　　With your own mind, you grasp at your own mind;
　　What is not illusory turns into illusion.
　　Do not grasp and nothing will not be illusion.
　　Since even non-illusion does not arise,
　　How can illusory dharmas be established?
　　This is called the Wonderful Lotus Flower,
　　The Regal Vajra Gem of Enlightenment.
　　In this Samapatti that is likened to illusion,
　　Transcend to the level beyond learning.
　　This Abhidharma, incomparable,
　　Is the single pathway through Nirvana's gate,
　　Taken by Bhagavans in all the ten directions."
　　When Ananda and the great assembly heard the unsurpassed, compassionate instruction of the Buddha, the Tathagata, this harmonious and brilliant Geya verse with its clear and penetrating wonderful principles, their hearts and eyes were opened, and they exclaimed that this Dharma was unprecedented.
　　Ananda put his palms together, bowed, and said to the Buddha, "Having heard the Buddha's unrestrained, greatly kind, true and actual expression of Dharma that is pure in nature and wonderfully eternal, I still have not understood the sequence for releasing the knots so that when the six are untied, the one is gone also. I only hope you will be compassionate, and once again empathize with this assembly and those of the future, by offering us explanation of the Dharma to wash and rinse away our deep-rooted defilements.
　　Then, upon the lion's throne, the Tathagata straightened his Nirvana robes, arranged his samghati sash, took hold of the table inlaid with the seven gems, reached out onto the table and picked up an exquisitely beautiful cloth given him by a god from the Suyama Heaven. Then, as the assembly watched, he tied it into a knot and showed it to Ananda, asking, "What is this called?" Ananda and the great assembly answered together, "It is called a knot." Then the Tathagata tied another knot in the beautiful cloth and asked Ananda again, "What is this called?" Ananda and the great assembly once again answered together, "It, too, is called a knot." He continued in this pattern until he had tied six knots in the beautiful cloth. As he made each knot, he held it up to Ananda and asked, "What is this called?" And each time Ananda and the great assembly answered the Buddha in the same way: "It is called a knot."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "When I first tied the cloth, you called it a knot. Since the beautiful cloth is basically a single strip how could you give the same answer for the second and third time?" Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, this beautiful cloth is just one piece, but the way I understand it, when the Tathagata makes one tie, it is called a knot. If he were to make a hundred ties, they would be called a hundred knots. And so now that exactly six knots-not five or seven-have been tied in the cloth, why does the Tathagata only allow me to speak of one knot and not of two or three?"
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "You know that this precious cloth is basically one strip, but when I made six ties in it, you said it had six knots. Carefully consider the substance of the cloth: it remains unchanged except for the knots in it. "What do you think? You identified the first knot I tied as number one. Now I am ready to tie the sixth knot. Will you also call it number one?" "No, Bhagavan. If there are six knots, the sixth knot can never be called the first one. Even if I exhausted all my intelligence and eloquence in life after life, I could reverse the sequence of these six knots.
　　The Buddha said, "So it is. The six knots are not identical. Consider their origin: they are created from the one cloth and were tied in a certain order. It would be impossible to scramble that sequence. Your six sense organs are also like that. From what was identical, decisive differences arise." The Buddha said to Ananda, "Assuming you did not want these six knots and would like there to be just one cloth, how could you achieve that end?"
　　Ananda said, "As long as these knots remain, dispute about what they are and what they are not will arise. Their very existence will lead to such distinctions as this knot not being that knot and that knot not being this one. But if the Tathagata were to untie them all right now, so that none remained, then there would be no 'this' or 'that.' There would not even be anything called 'one,' how much the less 'six.'"
　　The Buddha said, "That is also what happens when the six sense organs are freed: even the one is gone. Because from beginningless time your mind and nature have been insane and disturbed, you have created false knowledge and views. As that falseness continues to arise without respite, perception becomes weary and defilements arise. Just like the whirling flowers that appeared when the eyes grew tired of staring, these too are disturbances that arise without a cause within the tranquil, essential brightness. Everything in the world-the mountains, the rivers, the earth itself, as well as birth, death, and Nirvana-is these flowers that appear because of our being turned upside-down by insanity and weariness."
　　Ananda said, "This weariness is the same as these knots.
　　How do we untie them?"
　　The Tathagata took hold of the knotted cloth, pulled on its left end, and asked Ananda, "Is this the way to untie them?" "No, Bhagavan." Then the Buddha pulled on the right end and again asked Ananda, "Is this the way to untie them?" "No, Bhagavan." The Buddha said to Ananda, "Now I have pulled the cloth left and right and still have not been able to undo the knots. What method do you propose for untying them?" Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, you must untie the knots from their center. Then they will come undone." The Buddha said to Ananda, "So it is, so it is. If you want to undo them, you have to untie them from the center. Ananda, the Buddha Dharma I explain arises from causes and conditions. But that does not imply grasping at the mixing and uniting of coarse, worldly appearances. The Tathagata understands all worldly and world-transcending dharmas and knows their fundamental causes and what conditions bring them into being. This is so to the extent that I know how many drops of rain fall in as many worlds away from here as there are dust motes in the Ganges. The same is true of all the things you can see: Why the pine is straight, why the brambles are twisted, why the goose is white, why the crow is black—I understand all these reasons. Therefore, Ananda, you can select whichever one of the six sense-organs you wish. If the knots of the sense-organs are removed, then the defiling phenomena disappear of themselves and all falseness ceases to be. If what remains is not the truth, then where do you expect to find the truth? Ananda, I now ask you, can the six knots beautiful cloth be untied simultaneously and released all at once?"
　　"No, Bhagavan. As the knots were originally made in sequence, now they must be untied in sequence. The substance of the six knots is the same, but they were not made simultaneously, and so now when they are undone, how could they be untied simultaneously?"
　　The Buddha said, "Releasing the six sense-organs is the same way. When the sense-organ begins to be released, one realize the emptiness of people first. When the nature of that emptiness is fully understood, then one is released from dharmas. Once one is freed from dharmas, neither kind of emptiness will arise. That is called the Patience with Non-Production that Bodhisattvas attain by means of Samadhi."
　　Upon receiving the Buddha's instruction, Ananda and the great assembly gained wisdom and awareness that was perfectly penetrating and free of doubt and delusion. All at the same time, they placed their palms together, and bowed at the Buddha's feet. Ananda then said to the Buddha, "Today our bodies and minds are illumined, and we are happily free from obstruction. We have understood the meaning of the ending of the six and the one. Still, we have not yet progressed to fundamental, perfect penetration. Bhagavan, we who have drifted and floundered our way through eon after eon, homeless and alone, had no idea, we never imagined that we could meet the Buddha in such a close relationship. We are like lost infants who have suddenly found their compassionate mother. If because of this encounter we realize the Way, [it will not have been in vain]. If we treat these secret instructions with our former mode of understanding, it will be the same as if we hadn't even heard them. We only wish the Greatly Compassionate One will bestow upon us the profound secret as the Tathagata's final instruction." After saying this Ananda prostrated himself, withdrew, and silently anticipated the Buddha's hidden transmission.
　　(The expedients to Samadhi:)
　　Then the Bhagavan told all those in the assembly who were great Bodhisattvas and great Arhats with their outflows extinguished, "All of you Bodhisattvas and Arhats who are born from within my Dharma and have attained the stage beyond study, I now ask you: When you first brought forth your resolve and became enlightened to the eighteen realms, which one of these brought perfect penetration? Through which expedient did you enter Samadhi?
　　Kaundinya, with the others of the first five Bhikshus, arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "When I was in the Deer Park and the Pheasant Garden, I observed the Tathagata immediately after his accomplishment of the Way. Upon hearing the Buddha's voice, I understood the Four Truths. The Buddha is questioning us Bhikshus. As I was the first to understand, the Tathagata certified me and named me Ajnata. His wonderful sound was both secret and all-pervasive. It was through sound that I became an Arhat. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, sound is the foremost means."
　　Upanishad arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I also saw the Buddha when he first accomplished the Way. I learned to contemplate the attributes of impurity until I grew to loathe it and came to understand that the nature of all forms is unclean. Bare bones and fine dust all return to emptiness, and so both emptiness and forms are done away with. With this realization, I accomplished the path beyond study. The Tathagata certified me and named me Upanishad. Objects of form came to an end, and wonderful form was both secret and all-pervasive. Thus, it was through the attributes of forms that I became an Arhat. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, forms are the foremost means."
　　The pure youth, Exalted by Fragrance, arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I heard the Tathagata teach me to contemplate attentively all conditioned phenomena. I then left the Buddha and dwelt quietly in a pure abode. I observed that when the Bhikshus lit 'sinking' incense, its fragrant scent quietly entered my nostrils. I contemplated this fragrance: it did not come from the wood; it did not come from emptiness; it did not come from the smoke, and it did not come from the fire. There was no place it came from and no place it went to. Because of that, my discriminating mind was dispelled, and I attained the absence of outflows. The Tathagata certified me and called me Exalted by Fragrance. Defiling scents suddenly vanished, and the wonderful fragrance was both secret and all-pervasive. It was through the adornment of fragrance that I became an Arhat. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, being exalted by fragrances are the foremost means."
　　The two Dharma-Princes, Bhaisajya-Raja(Medicine King) and Bhaisajya-Samudgata
　　(Superior Medicine), and five hundred Brahma gods in the assembly arose from their seats, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, From beginningless eons until now, we have been good doctors for the world. Our mouths have tasted many herbs, wood, metals, and stones of the Saha world, a hundred and eight thousand flavors. We know in detail the bitter, sour, salty, bland, sweet, and pungent flavors, and the like, in all their combinations and inherent changes. We have a thorough knowledge of whether they are cooling or warming, poisonous or non-poisonous. While serving the Tathagata we came to know that the nature of flavors is neither empty nor existent, nor of the body or of the mind, nor apart from body or the mind. We became enlightened by discriminating among flavors. The Tathagata sealed and certified us brothers and named us Bodhisattvas Medicine King and Superior Medicine. Now in the assembly we are Dharma Princes who have ascended to the Bodhisattva level due to having become enlightened by means of flavors. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As we have been certified to it, the cause of flavors is the foremost means."
　　Bhadrapala and sixteen awakened lords who were his companions, arose from their seats, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha: "We first heard the Dharma and left the home life under Majestic-Sound-King Buddha. Once, when it was time for the Sangha to bathe, I followed the custom and entered the bathhouse. Suddenly I awakened to the fact that water does not wash away the dust, nor does it cleanse the body. And in that moment I became peaceful and attained the state of there being nothing at all. To this day, I have never forgotten that experience. Having left home with the Buddha, I have advanced beyond study. The Buddha named me Bhadrapala. Wonderful touch was revealed, and I reached the level of being a disciple of the Buddha. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, touch is the foremost means."
　　Mahakashyapa, Bhikshuni Purple-golden Light and others arose from their seats, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha: "In a past eon in this region, I drew near to the Buddha named Sun, Moon, and Lamp, who was then in the world. I heard the Dharma from him and cultivated and studied with him. After that Buddha entered tranquility, I made offerings to his sharira and lit lamps to continue his light. Bhikshuni Purple-Golden-Light gilded the Buddha's image. From that time on, in life after life, my body has always been perfect and has shone with a purple-golden light. The Bhikshuni Purple-Golden Light, and others make up my retinue, and we all brought forth the resolve for Bodhi at the same time. I contemplated that the world's six sense-objects change and decay; they are but empty stillness. Based on this, I cultivated tranquility. Now my body and mind can pass through hundreds of thousands of eons as though they were a finger-snap. Based on the emptiness of dharmas, I accomplished Arhatship. Bhagavan says that I am foremost in dhuta ascetic practices. Wonderful Dharma brought me awakening and understanding, and I put an end to all outflows. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, dharmas are the foremost means."
　　Aniruddha arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "When I first left home, I was fond of sleeping all the time. The Tathagata scolded me and said I was no better than an animal. When I heard the Buddha's scolding, I wept and upbraided myself. For seven days I did not sleep, and I lost the sight in both my eyes. Bhagavan taught me the Vajra Samadhi of the Delightful Seeing, which Illumines and is Bright. Without using my eyes, I could contemplate the ten directions with true and penetrating clarity, just as if I were looking at a piece of fruit in the palm of my hand. The Tathagata certified me as having attained Arhatship. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, returning the seeing back to its source is the foremost means."
　　Kshudrapanthaka arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha: "I am deficient in the ability to memorize and do not have much innate intelligence. When I first met the Buddha, I heard the Dharma and left the home life. But, when I tried to remember one line of a verse by the Tathagata, I spent a hundred days remembering the first part and forgetting the last, or remembering the last and forgetting the first. The Buddha pitied my dullness and taught me to relax and to regulate my breath. I contemplated my breath thoroughly to the subtle point in which arising, dwelling, decay, and ceasing happen in every moment. My mind suddenly attained vast non-obstruction, until my outflows were ended and I accomplished Arhatship. Beneath the Buddha's seat I was sealed and certified as being beyond study. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, turning the breath back to emptiness is the foremost means."
　　Gavampati arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I created an offense that resulted in mouth karma in a past eon. I slighted a Shramana, and in life after life I've had this cow-cud sickness. The Tathagata taught me the mind-ground Dharma-door of the purity of a single flavor. My thoughts ended, I entered Samadhi, and learned by contemplating flavors-how they have no substance and are not things. As a result my mind transcended all worldly outflows. Internally my body and mind were liberated and externally I abandoned the world. I left the three realms of existence far behind, just like a bird released from its cage. I separated from filth and wiped out defilements, and so my Dharma eye became pure, and I accomplished Arhatship. The Tathagata personally certified me as having ascended to the stage beyond study. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, returning flavor and turning awareness around is the foremost means."
　　Pilindavatsa arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha: "When I first resolved to follow the Buddha and enter the Way, I often heard the Tathagata explain how there is nothing in this world that brings happiness. Once, when I was on alms rounds in the city, I was reflecting on this Dharma-door and did not notice a poisonous thorn on the road until it had pricked my foot. My mind was aware of the strong physical pain, but although my awareness experienced the pain, I was also aware that in my pure heart there was neither pain nor awareness of it. I also thought, 'Is it possible for one body to have two awarenesses?' Having reflected on this for a short while, my body and mind became suddenly empty. After twenty-one days, my outflows disappeared and I accomplished Arhatship. The Buddha personally certified me and confirmed that I had realized the level beyond study. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, purifying the awareness and forgetting the body is the foremost means."
　　Subhuti arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "From distant eons until now, my mind has been unobstructed. I remember as many of my past lives as there are sand grains in the Ganges. From the beginning, in my mother's womb, I knew emptiness and tranquility, to the extent that the ten directions became empty and I caused beings to be certified to the nature of emptiness. Having received the Tathagata's revelation that the enlightened nature is true emptiness and that the nature of emptiness is perfect and bright, I attained Arhatship. I suddenly entered into the Tathagata's sea of magnificent, bright emptiness. My knowledge and views became identical with the Buddhas. I was certified as being beyond study. In the liberation of the nature of emptiness, I am unsurpassed. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, all phenomena enter into nothingness until nothingness and what becomes nothingness both disappear. Turning dharmas back to the void is the foremost means."
　　Shariputra arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "From distant eons until the present, my mind and views have been pure. In this way I have undergone as many births as there are sand grains in the Ganges. At one glance I am able to understand all the various transformations and changes of both what is worldly and what is world-transcending without any obstruction. Once I met the Kashyapa brothers on the road, and walked along with them. They spoke about causes and conditions, and I awakened to the boundlessness of my mind. I followed the Buddha and left the home life. My seeing-awareness became bright and perfect, I obtained great fearlessness and became an Arhat. As one of the Buddha's elder disciples, I am born from the Buddha's mouth, transformationally born from the Dharma. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. As I have been certified to it, for the mind and the seeing to emit light and for the light to radiate throughout both knowing and seeing is the foremost means."
　　Samantabhadra(Universal Worthy) Bodhisattva arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I have been a Dharma Prince with as many Tathagatas as there are sand grains in the Ganges. The Tathagatas of the ten directions tell their disciples who have the roots of a Bodhisattva to cultivate the Universal Worthy conduct, which is named after me. Bhagavan, I use my mind to listen and distinguish the knowledge and views of beings. In other regions as many realms away as there are sand grains in the Ganges, for each being who resolves to practice the conduct of Universal Worthy, I immediately mount my six-tusked elephant and create hundreds of thousands of reduplicated bodies which go to those places. Although their obstacles may be so heavy that they cannot see me, I secretly rub their crowns, protect and comfort them, and help them succeed. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. The basic cause I speak of is listening with the mind, distinguishing at ease, and emitting light. This is the foremost means."
　　Sundarananda arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "When I first left home and followed the Buddha to enter the Way, I received the complete precepts, but my mind was always too scattered for Samadhi, and I could not attain the state of having no outflows. Bhagavan taught Kaushthila and me to contemplate the white spot at the tip of our noses. From the first, I contemplated intently. After three weeks, I saw that when I inhaled and exhaled, the breath in my nostrils looked like smoke. Internally my body and mind became bright, and externally I perfectly understood that the world was like crystal, empty and pure. The smoky appearance gradually disappeared, and the breath in my nostrils became white. My mind opened and my outflows were ended. Every inhalation and exhalation of breath was transformed into light which illumined the ten directions, and I attained Arhatship. Bhagavan predicted that in the future I would obtain Bodhi. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I did it by means of the disappearance of the breath, until eventually the breath emitted light and the light completely extinguished my outflows. That is the foremost means."
　　Purnamaitreyaniputra arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "For vast eons I have possessed unobstructed eloquence. When I discuss suffering and emptiness I penetrate deeply into ultimate reality. In the same way, I feel no fear as I give subtle, wonderful instruction to the assembly concerning the secret Dharma doors of as many Tathagatas as there are sand grains in the Ganges. Bhagavan knew that I had great eloquence, and, using his sound to turn the Dharma wheel, taught me to propagate the Dharma. I joined the Buddha to help him turn the Dharma wheel. I accomplished Arhatship due to his lion's roar. The World Honored One certified me as being foremost in speaking Dharma. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I used the sounds of Dharma to subdue demons and adversaries and to melt away my outflows. That is the foremost means."
　　Upali arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I followed the Buddha in person when he fled the city and left the home life. I observed the Tathagata endure six years of diligent asceticism. I watched the Tathagata subdue all the demons, and adherents of external paths and become liberated from all outflows based on worldly desire and greed. I based myself on the Buddha's teaching of precepts, encompassing the three thousand majestic deportments and the eighty thousand subtle aspects until both my karma of the nature and karma of restraint became pure. My body and mind became tranquil, and I accomplished Arhatship. In the Tathagata's assembly, I record the rules governing discipline. The Buddha himself certified my mind's upholding of the precepts and my genuine cultivation of them. I am considered a leader of the assembly. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I disciplined the body until it attained ease and comfort. Then I disciplined the mind until it attained penetrating clarity. After that, both body and mind experienced keen and thorough absorption. That is the foremost means."
　　Mahamaudgalyayana arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "Once when I was out on the road doing alms rounds, I met the three Kashyapa brothers-Uruvilva, Gaya, and Nadi-who proclaimed for me the Tathagata's profound principle of causes and conditions. I immediately brought forth the resolve and obtained a great understanding. The Tathagata accepted me, I was spontaneously clad in the kashaya and my hair and beard fell out by themselves. I roamed the ten directions, having no impeding obstructions. My spiritual penetrations, which are esteemed as unsurpassed, and I accomplished Arhatship. Not only the Bhagavan, but the Tathagatas of the ten directions praise my spiritual powers as being perfectly clear and pure, masterful, and fearless. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. By means of unrelenting attention to the profound, the light of my mind was revealed, just as water becomes clear when the mud settles. Eventually my mind became pure and lustrous. That is the foremost means."
　　Ucchushma came before the Buddha, put his palms together, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to him, "I can still remember how many eons ago I was filled with excessive greed and desire. The Buddha named King of Emptiness was in the world, and he said that people with too much lustful desire turn into a raging mass of fire. He taught me to contemplate the coolness and warmth found throughout my entire body, then the spiritual light coalesced inside me and transformed my thoughts of excessive lust into the fire of wisdom. After that, all the Buddhas referred to me by the name Fire-Head. Due to the strength of this Fire-light Samadhi, I accomplished Arhatship. I made a great vow that when any Buddha accomplishes the Way, I will be a powerful knight and personally subdue the demons' enmity. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I used attentive contemplation of the effects of heat in my body and mind until it became unobstructed and penetrating and all my outflows were consumed. I produced a blazing brilliance and ascended to enlightenment. That is the foremost means."
　　The Bodhisattva Maintaining the Earth arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I remember when Universal Light Tathagata appeared in the world in the past. I was a Bhikshu who continually worked on making level the major roads, ferry-landings, and the dangerous spots in the ground, where the disrepair might hinder or harm horse carriages. I did everything from buildding bridges to hauling sand. Throughout the appearance of limitless Buddhas in the world I was diligent in this hard labor. If there were people waiting by the walls and gates of the cities who needed someone to carry their goods, I would carry them all the way to their destination, set the things down, and leave without taking any recompense. When the Buddha Vipashyin appeared in the world, there was widespread famine. I would carry people on my back, and no matter how far the distance, I would accept only one small coin. If there was an ox-cart stuck in the mud, I would use my spiritual strength to push the wheels out and resolve the hardship. Once a king asked the Buddha to attend a vegetarian feast. At that time, I served the Buddha by leveling the road for him as he went. Vipashyin Tathagata rubbed my crown and said, 'You should level your mind-ground, then everything else in the world would be level.' Immediately my mind opened up and I saw how the particles of earth composing my own body were no different from all the particles of earth that made up the world. These particles of dust do not conflict with our nature, to the point that not even the blade of a sword could harm it. Within the Dharma-nature I awakened to the patience with the non-production of dharmas and accomplished Arhatship. My mind has returned and I have now entered the ranks of the Bodhisattvas. Hearing that Tathagata proclaim the Wonderful Lotus Flower, the level of the Buddha's knowledge and vision, I have already been certified as having understood and am a leader in the assembly. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. Upon attentive contemplation of the body and the environment, I saw that these two defiling dusts are exactly the same. Fundamentally everything is the Treasury of the Tathagata, but then falseness arises and creates the defiling dust. When the defiling dust is eliminated, wisdom is perfected, and one accomplishes the unsurpassed Way. That is the foremost means."
　　The Pure Youth Moonlight arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I remember that long ago, beyond eons as many as there are sand grains in the Ganges, there was a Buddha in the world named Water-God, who taught all the Bodhisattvas to cultivate the contemplation of water and enter Samadhi. I reflected upon how throughout the body the essence of water is not in discord. I started with mucus, phlegm, saliva, marrow, and blood, and went through to urine and excrement. As it circulated through my body, the nature of water remained the same. I saw that the water in my body was not at all different from that in the world outside, even that in royal lands of floating banners with all their seas of fragrant waters."
　　"At that time, when I first succeeded in the contemplation of water, I could see only water. I still had not gotten beyond my physical body."
　　"I was a Bhikshu then, and once when I was in dhyana repose in my room, a disciple of mine peeked in the window and saw only clear water filling the entire room. He saw nothing else. The lad was young, and not knowing any better, he picked up a tile and tossed it into the water. It hit the water with a 'plunk.' He gazed around and then left. When I came out of concentration, I was suddenly aware of a pain in my heart, and I felt like Shariputra must have felt when he met that cruel ghost. I thought, 'I am already an Arhat and have long since abandoned conditions that bring on illness. Why do I suddenly have this pain in my heart? Am I about to lose the position of non-retreat?' Just then, the young lad came promptly to me and related what had happened. I quickly said to him, 'When you see the water again, open the door, wade into the water, and remove the tile.' The boy was obedient, so when I re-entered Samadhi, he again saw the water and the tile as well, opened the door, and took it out. When I came out of concentration, my body was as it had been before. I encountered limitless Buddhas and cultivated in that way until the coming of the Tathagata, King of Masterful Penetrations of Mountains and Seas. Then I finally had no body. My nature and the seas of fragrant waters throughout the ten directions were identical with True Emptiness, without any duality or difference. Now I am with the Tathagata and am known as a Pure Youth, and I have joined the assembly of Bodhisattvas."
　　"The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. By means of the nature of water, I penetrated through to the flow of a single flavor, obtained patience with the non-production of dharmas, and reached the perfection of Bodhi. That is the foremost means."
　　The Dharma Prince Vaidurya Light arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I can still remember back through eons as many as sand grains in the Ganges to the time of a Buddha named Limitless Sound, who instructed the Bodhisattvas that fundamental enlightenment is wonderful and bright. He taught them to contemplate this world and all the beings' physical bodies as being false conditions propelled by the power of wind. At that time, I contemplated the position of the world, and I regarded the passage of time in the world. I reflected on the motion and stillness of my body. I considered the arising of thoughts in my mind. There was no difference among all these kinds of motion; they were all the same. I then understood that the nature of movement does not come from anywhere, nor does it go anywhere. Every single material particle throughout the ten directions and every deluded being is of the same empty falseness. Eventually the beings in each of the worlds of the three-thousand-great-thousand world system were like so many mosquitoes confined in a vessel, droning monotonously. Caught in those few square inches, their hum built to a maddening crescendo. Not long after I encountered the Buddha, I attained patience with non-existence of beings and dharmas. My mind then opened, and I could see the country of the Buddha Unmoving in the east. I became a Dharma Prince and served the Buddhas of the ten directions. My body and mind emit a light that makes them completely clear and translucent."
　　'The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I contemplated the power of wind as lacking anything to rely on, awakened to the Bodhi-Heart and entered Samadhi, meshing with the single, wonderful heart transmitted by all the Buddhas of the ten directions. That is the foremost means."
　　Akasagarbha(Treasury of Emptiness) Bodhisattva arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "The Tathagata and I attained boundless bodies when with the Buddha Samadhi-Light. At that time I held in my hands four huge precious pearls, which shone on Buddhalands as many as atoms of universe in the ten directions, transforming them into emptiness. In my mind there appeared a great, perfect mirror and from it issued forth ten kinds of subtle, wonderful precious light that poured out into the ten directions to the farthest bounds of emptiness. All the royal lands adorned with banners were reflected in this mirror and passed through my body. This interaction was totally unhindered, because my body was like emptiness. Because my mind had become completely compliant, I could enter with ease as many countries as there are atoms of universe and could do the Buddha's work on a wide scale. I achieved this great spiritual power from contemplating in detail how the four elements lack any reliance; how the arising and ceasing of false thoughts is no different from emptiness; how all the Buddhalands are basically the same. Once I realized this identity, I obtained patience with the non-existence of beings and dharmas. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I used the contemplation of the boundlessness of emptiness to enter Samadhi and attain wonderful power and perfect clarity. That is the foremost means."
　　Maitreya Bodhisattva arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "I remember when, as many eons ago as there are atoms of universe, a Buddha named Light of Sun, Moon and Lamp appeared in the world. Under that Buddha I left the home life; yet I was deeply committed to worldly fame and liked to associate with people of good families. Then the Bhagavan taught me to cultivate Consciousness-only Concentration, and I entered that Samadhi. For many eons I have made use of that Samadhi as I served as many Buddhas as there are sand grains in the Ganges. My seeking for worldly name and fame ceased completely and never recurred. When Burning Lamp Buddha appeared in the world, I finally accomplished the unsurpassed, wonderfully perfect Samadhi of Consciousness. I went on until, to the ends of empty space, all the lands of the Tathagata, whether pure or defiled, existent or non-existent, were transformations appearing from my own mind. Bhagavan, because I understand Consciousness Only, limitless Tathagatas flow forth from this nature of consciousness. Now I have received the prediction that I will be the next to take the Buddha's place. "
　　"The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I intensely contemplated the ten directions as originating only from consciousness. When the consciousness is perfect and bright, one perfects wisdom that perceives ultimate reality. One leaves behind reliance on others and attachment to incessant calculating and attains the patience with the non-existence of beings and dharmas. That is the foremost means."
　　(Maha-stamaprapta Bodhisattva's preachment of remembering Buddha:)
　　The Dharma Prince Maha-stamaprapta(Great Strength), together with fifty-two fellow Bodhisattvas, arose from their seats, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha: "I remember when, as many eons ago as there are sand grains in the Ganges River, a Buddha called Limitless Light appeared in the world. During that same eon, there were twelve successive Tathagatas, the last of whom was called Light Surpassing the Sun and the Moon Buddha. Those Buddhas taught me the Buddha-recitation Samadhi: Suppose there are two people, one of whom always remembers the other, while the other has entirely forgotten about the first one. Even if these two people were to meet or see each other, it would be the same as not meeting or seeing each other. On the other hand, if two people develop intense memories for one another, then in life after life, they will be together like an object and its shadow, and they will never be separated. The Tathagatas of the ten directions are tenderly mindful of living beings just like a mother remembering her son. But if the son runs away, of what use is the mother's concern? However, if the son remembers his mother in the same way that the mother remembers her son, then in life after life mother and son will never be far apart. If living beings remember the Buddha and are mindful of the Buddha, they will certainly see the Buddha now and in the future. Being close to the Buddha, even without the aid of expedients, their hearts will open of themselves. That is like a person who, once perfumed by incense, carries the fragrance on his body. That is called the adornment of fragrance and light. On the causal ground, I used mindfulness of the Buddha to be patient with the non-arising of both beings and dharmas. Now in this world I gather in all those who are mindful of the Buddha, and I bring them back to the Pure Land. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I would select none other than gathering in the six sense faculties through continuous pure mindfulness of the Buddha to obtain Samadhi. That is the foremost means."
　　"If living beings remember the Buddha and are mindful of the Buddha, they will certainly see the Buddha now and in the future. Being close to the Buddha, even without the aid of expedients, they will awaken by themselves. That is like a person who, once perfumed by incense, carries the fragrance on his body. That is called the adornment of fragrance and light. On the causal ground, I used mindfulness of the Buddha to be patient with the non-arising of both beings and dharmas. Now in this world I gather in all those who are mindful of the Buddha, and I bring them back to the Pure Land. The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. I would select none other than gathering in the six sense faculties through continuous pure mindfulness of the Buddha to obtain Samadhi. That is the foremost means."
　　Chapter 6
　　(Avalokitesvara's Dharma-Gate -- Enlightened through the gateway of ear:)
　　Then Avalokitesvara(Contemplator of the World's Sounds) Bodhisattva arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha:
　　"Bhagavan, I remember when, as many eons ago as there are sand grains in the Ganges, there was a Buddha in the world named Contemplator of the World's Sounds. I aroused the Bodhi-Heart while with that Buddha, who taught me to enter Samadhi through a process of hearing and reflecting."
　　"Initially, I entered into the flow of hearing and forgot the place of entry. Since both that place and the entry were quiet, the two attributes of motion and stillness cancelled each other out and did not arise. After that, gradually advancing, the hearing and what was heard both disappeared. Once the hearing was ended, there was nothing to rely on, and both awareness and its objects became empty. When the emptiness of awareness was ultimately perfected, emptiness and what was being emptied then also ceased to be. With arising and ceasing gone, tranquility was revealed."
　　"Suddenly I transcended the worldly and transcendental, and a perfect brightness prevailed throughout the ten directions. I obtained two supreme states. First, I united above with the fundamental wonderfully enlightened mind of all the Buddhas of the ten directions, and gained a strength of compassion equal to that of all Buddhas, Tathagatas. Second, I united below with all beings in the six paths, and gained a kind regard for all living beings."
　　"Bhagavan, because I served and made offerings to the Tathagata Contemplator of Sounds, I received from that Tathagata a transmission of the Vajra Samadhi of All Being like an Illusion as One becomes Permeated with Hearing and Cultivates Hearing. Because I gained a strength of compassion equal to that of all Buddhas, the Tathagatas, I attained thirty-two response-bodies and entered all lands."
　　"Bhagavan, if Bodhisattvas enter Samadhi and progress in their cultivation until they end outflows and display the perfection of superior understanding, I will appear in the body of a Buddha and speak Dharma for them, causing them to attain liberation."
　　"If those who are studying are tranquil and have wonderful clarity and display the perfection of superior magnificence, I will appear before them in the body of a Solitarily Enlightened One and speak Dharma for them, causing them to attain liberation."
　　"If those who are studying have severed the twelve causal conditions, and, having severed those conditions, reveal a supreme nature, and display the perfection of magnificence, I will appear before them in the body of One Enlightened to Conditions and speak Dharma for them, causing them to attain liberation."
　　"If those who are studying have attained the emptiness of the Four Truths, and, through cultivation of the Way, can enter tranquility and display the perfection of the magnificent nature, I will appear before them in the body of a Hearer and speak Dharma for them, causing them to attain liberation."
　　"If beings wish to have clear and awakened minds and so do not indulge mundane desires, wishing to purify their bodies, I will appear before them in the body of a Brahma King and speak Dharma for them, causing them to attain liberation."
　　"If beings wish to be the heavenly rulers and lead heavenly beings, I will appear before them in the body of Shakra and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings wish to attain physical self mastery and to roam throughout the ten directions, I will appear before them in the body of a god from the Heaven of Self-mastery and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings wish to attain physical self-mastery and fly through space, I will appear before them in the body of a god from the Heaven of Great Self-mastery and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings are fond of ruling over ghosts and spirits in order to rescue and protect their nations, I will appear before them in the body of a great heavenly general and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings like to govern the world in order to protect beings, I will appear before them in the body of one of the Four Heavenly Kings and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings enjoy being born in the heavenly palaces and commanding ghosts and spirits, I will appear before them in the body of a prince from the kingdoms of the Four Heavenly Kings and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings would like to be kings of people, I will appear before them in the body of a human king and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings enjoy being heads of clans whom those of the world respect and yield to, I will appear before them in the body of an elder and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings delight in discussing the classics and keeping themselves lofty and pure, I will appear before them in the body of an upasaka and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings enjoy governing the country and handling matters of state, I will appear before them in the body of an official and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If beings like divination and incantations and wish to guard and protect themselves, I will appear before them in the body of a Brahman and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If men who are fond of study and want to leave the home life and uphold the precepts and rules, I will appear before them in the body of a Bhikshu and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If women who are fond of study and would like to leave the home life and hold the pure precepts, I will appear before them in the body of a Bhikshuni and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If men delight in upholding the five precepts, I will appear before them in the body of an upasaka and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish. If women wish to hold the five precepts, I will appear before them in the body of an upasika and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If women want to govern internal affairs of household or country, I will appear before them in the body of a queen, noblewoman, or a tutor of court ladies and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If young men wish to remain pure, I will appear before them in the body of a virgin youth and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If maidens want to remain virgins and do not wish to marry, I will appear before them in the body of a virgin maiden and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If heavenly beings wish to escape their heavenly destiny, I will appear before them in the body of a god and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If dragons want to quit their lot of being dragons, I will appear before them in the body of a dragon and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If yakshas want to get out of their present fate, I will appear before them in the body of a yaksha and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If gandharvas wish to be freed from their destiny, I will appear before them in the body of a gandharva and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If asuras wish to be liberated from their destiny, I will appear before them in the body of an asura and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If kinnaras wish to transcend their fate, I will appear before them in the body of a kinnara and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If mahoragas wish to be freed from their destiny, I will appear before them in the body of a mahoraga and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If human beings like being people and cultivating, I will appear before them in a human body and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"If non-humans, whether with form or without form, whether with thought or without thought, long to be freed from their destiny, I will appear before them in the body like theirs and speak Dharma for them, enabling them to accomplish their wish."
　　"These are called the wonderfully pure thirty-two response-bodies that enter into all lands. They come into being through the effortless wonderful strength and self-mastery of the Samadhi of Becoming Permeated with Hearing and Cultivating Hearing."
　　"Bhagavan, also due to the effortless wonderful strength of this Vajra Samadhi of Becoming Permeated with Hearing and Cultivating Hearing, I have a kind empathy for all beings in the six paths throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time. Based on my physical and mental accomplishments, I can cause beings who encounter bodies of mine to receive the meritorious virtues of fourteen kinds of fearlessness."
　　First: because I do not contemplate sounds themselves, but rather the contemplator, I can enable beings throughout the ten directions who are suffering and in distress to attain liberation by ccontemplating their sounds ofreciting my name.
　　"Second: since I am able to turn my knowledge and views inward, I can keep beings who are caught in a raging fire from being burned."
　　"Third: since I am able to turn my contemplation and listening inward, I can keep beings who are floundering in deep water from being drowned."
　　"Fourth, since my false thinking is cut off and my mind is without thoughts of killing or harming, I can keep beings who enter the territory of ghosts from being harmed."
　　"Fifth: since I am permeated with hearing and have realized what hearing is, so that the six sense-organs have dissolved and returned to become identical with hearing, I can keep beings from being wounded, by causing the knives to break into pieces. I can cause swords to have no more effect than if they were to slice into water, or if one were to blow upon light."
　　"Sixth: since my hearing has become permeating and my essential energy bright, light pervades the Dharma Realm so that absolutely no darkness remains. Then I can keep beings safe from yakshas, rakshasas, kumbhandas, pishachas, and putanas by causing the ghosts to be unable to see them even if they come close to them."
　　"Seventh: since the nature of sound has completely melted away and through contemplation my hearing has returned to itself, leaving involvement with false and defiling sense-objects, I can free beings from the locks of cangues and fetters."
　　"Eighth: when sound is gone and the hearing is perfected, an all-pervasive power of compassion arises, and I keep beings who are travelling a dangerous road from being robbed by robbers."
　　"Ninth: when hearing permeates, a separation from defiling objects occurs so that forms no longer act as thieves. Then I can enable with lust to leave greed and desire far behind."
　　"Tenth: when sound is so pure that there is no defiling object, the sense-organ and the external state are perfectly fused, and nothing is matched to anything else. Then I can enable beings who are full of rage and hate to stop being hateful."
　　"Eleventh: when the defiling objects have gone, a light spirals, and the Dharma Realm and the body and mind are like crystal, transparent and unobstructed. Then I can enableall dark and dull-witted beings whose natures are obstructed—all atyantikas—to forever be free from stupidity and darkness."
　　"Twelfth: when form dissipates and returns to the hearing, then unmoving within the unmoving Bodhimanda I can travel among beings without disturbing anything in their worlds. I can go through the ten directions making offerings to as many Buddhas, Tathagatas, as there are atoms of universe. Beside each Buddha I become a Dharma Prince, and I can enable childless beings throughout the Dharma Realm who wish to have sons to be blessed with meritorious, virtuous, and wise sons."
　　"Thirteenth: with perfect penetration of the six sense-organs, the light and what is illumined are not two. Encompassing the ten directions, a great perfect mirror stands in the Empty Treasury of the Tathagata. I inherit the secret Dharma-doors of as many Tathagatas as there are atoms of universe throughout the ten directions, receiving them without loss. I can enable childless beings throughout the Dharma Realm who seek daughters to be blessed with lovely daughters who are upright, virtuous, and compliant and whom everyone cherishes and respects."
　　"Fourteenth: In this three-thousand-great-thousand world system with its billions of suns and moons, as many Dharma princes as there are grains of sands in sixty-two Ganges Rivers appear in the world, cultivate the Dharma, and act as models in order to teach and transform beings. They comply with beings by means of expedients and wisdom, in different ways for each."
　　"However, because I have obtained the perfect penetration of the sense-organ and have discovered the wonder of the ear-entrance, after which my body and mind subtly and miraculously included all of the Dharma Realm, I can enable beings who uphold my name to obtain as much merit and virtue as would be obtained by a person who upheld the names of all those Dharma princes as many as the grains of sand in sixty-two Ganges Rivers. Bhagavan, the merit of my one name is the same as those many other names, because from my cultivation I have obtained true and perfect penetration. These are called the fourteen powers of bestowing fearlessness; with them I bless living beings."
　　"Moreover, Bhagavan, because I obtained perfect penetration and cultivated the unsurpassed path to certification, I also became endowed with four inconceivable and effortless wonderful virtues."
　　"First: due to my attaining the miraculous wonder of hearing the mind, the essence of mind was liberated from the organ and states of hearing. Therefore, there was no distinction among seeing, hearing, sensation, knowing, and so forth. The enlightenment became a single, perfect fusion, pure and precious enlightenment. For that reason, I am able to manifest many wonderful appearances and can proclaim boundless secret holy mantras. Among those, I may appear with one head, three heads, five heads, seven heads, nine heads, eleven heads, and so forth, including a hundred and eight heads, a thousand heads, ten thousand heads, or eighty-four thousand vajra heads; two arms, four arms, six arms, eight arms, ten arms, twelve arms, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen arms, or twenty arms, twenty-four arms, and so forth until there may be a hundred and eight arms, a thousand arms, ten thousand arms, or eighty-four thousand mudra arms; two eyes, three eyes, four eyes, nine eyes, and so forth including a hundred and eight eyes, a thousand eyes, ten thousand eyes, or eighty-four thousand pure and precious eyes, sometimes compassionate, sometimes awesome, sometimes in Samadhi, sometimes displaying wisdom to rescue and protect living beings so that they may attain great self-mastery."
　　"Second: Due to my hearing and consideration having escaped the six defiling objects, just as a sound passes over a wall, they could no longer be hindered. For that reason I have the wonderful ability to manifest shape after shape and to recite mantra upon mantra. These shapes and these mantras dispel the fears of living beings. Therefore, throughout the ten directions, in lands as many as atoms of universe, I am known as one who bestows fearlessly."
　　"Third: due to my cultivation of fundamental, wonderful, perfect penetration and purification of the sense-organ, anywhere I go in any world I can inspire beings to offer up their lives and valuables to seek my sympathy."
　　"Fourth: Due to my obtaining the Buddhas' mind and being certified as having attained the ultimate end, I can make offerings of rare treasures to the Tathagatas of the ten directions and to beings in the six paths throughout the Dharma Realm. If beings seek a spouse, they can obtain a spouse. If they seek children, they can have children. Seeking Samadhi, they obtain Samadhi; seeking long life, they obtain long life, and so forth to the extent that if they seek the great Nirvana, they obtain great Nirvana."
　　"The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. From the gateway of the ear, I obtained a perfect and illumining Samadhi that allowed me to respond at ease to beings' minds. By entering the flow back to the nature and obtaining Samadhi, I accomplished Bodhi. That is the foremost means."
　　"Bhagavan, that Buddha, the Tathagata, praised me as having obtained well the Dharma-door of perfect penetration. In the great assembly he bestowed a prediction upon me and the name Contemplator of the World's Sounds. Due to my contemplation and listening being perfectly clear throughout the ten directions, the name Contemplator of the World's Sounds pervades all the realms of the ten directions."
　　Then the Bhagavan upon his Lion's Throne emitted simultaneously from his five extremities a radiant light which shone far throughout the ten directions to anoint the crowns of as many Tathagatas and Dharma Prince Bodhisattvas as there are motes of dust. All those Tathagatas also emitted from their five extremities radiant lights which were as numerous as atoms of universe and which came from the various directions to anoint the crown of the Buddha as well as the crowns of all the great Bodhisattvas and Arhats in the assembly. Groves, trees, pools, and ponds all proclaimed the sound of Dharma. The lights blended and criss-crossed like a jeweled silken net. Everyone in the great assembly experienced this unprecedented event and attained the Vajra Samadhi. Then the heavens rained down hundreds of precious lotus flowers of variegated combinations of blue, yellow, red, and white. All the space in the ten directions turned the colors of the seven gems. This Saha world, the great earth itself along with the mountains and rivers disappeared totally, and all that could be seen were lands as numerous as atoms of universe coming together as one realm. Pure praises in song and chant were spontaneously heard everywhere in celebration.
　　Then the Tathagata said to Dharma Prince Manjushri, "You should now contemplate these twenty-five great Bodhisattvvas and Arhats who are beyond study. Each has explained the initial expedient in his accomplishment of the Way. All say they have cultivated to true and actual perfect penetration. Their cultivation is equal without distinctions of superior and inferior or earlier and later. I now wish to cause Ananda to become enlightened, and so I ask which of these twenty-five practices is appropriate to his faculties, and which will be, after my extinction, the easiest expedient door for beings of this realm to enter in order to accomplish the Bodhisattva vehicle and seek the unsurpassed Way."
　　Dharma Prince, Manjushri, receiving the Buddha's compassionate instruction, arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and, basing himself on the Buddha's stateliness and sacrosanctity, spoke verses to the Buddha:
　　"The sea of enlightenment in its nature is perfect and clear.
　　Complete, distinct Bodhi is its miraculous source.
　　But when basic brightness shone so that objects appeared,
　　With objects' existence, the nature's brilliance faded.
　　Confusion about falseness brings about emptiness.
　　Relying on emptiness, worlds coming into being.
　　Thoughts settle, forming countries.
　　Consciousness becomes beings.
　　The emptiness created within great enlightenment,
　　Is like a single bubble in all the sea.
　　Beings subject to outflows and lands like fine dust motes,
　　All emerge out of empty space.
　　Just as the bubble bursts, so too, space never existed.
　　How much the less the three states of being!
　　Returning to the source, the nature is not two.
　　Many are the entrances through expedients;
　　The sagely nature permeates them all.
　　Whether compliant or adverse, all situations are expedient.
　　Those who initially resolve to enter Samadhi,
　　Progress slow or fast according to the method selected.
　　Forms are defiled objects created from thought.
　　They cannot be discerned by the essence of mind.
　　How can something not clearly discernible
　　Be used to gain perfect penetration?
　　In sounds, language is intermingled.
　　But the meaning in a word, a name, a phrase,
　　In such that no single one can included them all.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Awareness of smells comes through contact with them.
　　Apart from them, one does not know that they exist.
　　Since sensation of them is not constant,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Flavors are not to us fundamental by nature.
　　They only exist when there is something to taste.
　　Since this sensation is not perpetual,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Touch becomes clear only when something is touched.
　　Without an object there can be no contact.
　　Since contact and separation fluctuate,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Dharmas are know as internal defiling dust.
　　Reckoned as defiling dust, they are certainly sense objects.
　　Involvement of subject and object cannot be pervasive;
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Although seeing itself is lucid and penetrating,
　　Clearly discerning in front, it cannot discern behind.
　　Ever reaching only half the four directions,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　The nose's breath penetrates in and out.
　　But in the rests between there is no air.
　　These interruptions render it inconsistent.
　　How can that be used perfect penetration?
　　The tongue is not an organ without a function;
　　Flavors form the source of its sensation.
　　When flavors cease, it knows nothing at all.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　It is the same for the body as for objects of touch.
　　Neither can be regarded as a perfect awareness.
　　With defined and limited invisible divisions,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Mental knowledge is a mass of deliberating.
　　What it perceives is never profound insight.
　　Unable to get beyond reflection and thought,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　The seeing-consciousness combines three aspects.
　　Probe its origin: it has no appearance.
　　Since its very substance is variable,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　The essence of hearing penetrates the ten directions,
　　For those who have already developed great causes,
　　Those of initial resolve cannot enter this way.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Reflecting on the nose is a provisional method.
　　It only serves to gather in and settle the mind.
　　Once settled, the mind is simply still.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Those of former accomplishment enlightened by
　　Speaking Dharma through the medium of language,
　　But since words and phrases are not free of outflows,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Refraining from transgressions only controls the body.
　　For one lacking a body, there is nothing to restrain.
　　Since its source is not all-pervasive,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　Spiritual penetrations are based on past causes.
　　What connection have they with distinguishing dharmas?
　　Conditioned thought is not apart from things.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　One may contemplate the nature of earth,
　　But it is firm and solid, not penetrable.
　　Whatever is conditioned is not the sagely nature.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　One may contemplate the nature of water,
　　But such mental reflection is not the true and real.
　　This state of suchness is not an enlightened view.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　One may contemplate the nature of fire,
　　But admitting dislike is not true renunciation.
　　This expedient cannot be one for beginners.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　One may contemplate the nature of wind,
　　But movement and stillness are not non-dual.
　　Duality cannot bring highest enlightenment.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　One may contemplate the nature of emptiness .
　　But its aspect is murky and dull, lacking awareness.
　　Whatever is unaware is different from Bodhi.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　One may contemplate the nature of consciousness;
　　Yet one is regarding a consciousness that is not eternal.
　　Even the thought of it is empty and false.
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　All activities are impermanent;
　　So, too, mindfulness has its origin in arising and ceasing.
　　Since at any given time the factors propelling cause and effect differ,
　　How can that be used to reach perfect penetration?
　　I now inform the Bhagavan,
　　The Buddha appearing in the Saha world:
　　In this land the true substance of teaching
　　Resides in hearing the sounds purely.
　　If one wants to attain Samadhi,
　　Hearing is the best way to enter.
　　Apart from suffering, liberation is found.
　　How excellent is he who contemplates the world's sounds!
　　Throughout eons as numerous as Ganges' sands.
　　He enters Buddhalands as many as fine dust motes.
　　Obtaining great power of self-mastery,
　　He bestows fearlessness on living beings.
　　Wonderful is the sound of Contemplator of the World's Sounds,
　　A pure sound, like the ocean's roar.
　　He saves the world and brings peace to all within it.
　　He has transcended the world, and his attainment is eternal.
　　I now evaluate, Tathagata,
　　What the Contemplator of Sounds has just explained:
　　Consider someone in a quiet place, who,
　　When drums are rolled throughout the ten directions,
　　Can hear at once the sounds from all ten locations.
　　That is actual true perfection.
　　The eyes cannot see through solid forms.
　　The mouth and the nose are much the same.
　　The body registers awareness only through contact.
　　The mind, tangled in thoughts, lacks clear connections.
　　Sounds can be heard even through solid walls.
　　The ears can listen to things both near and far.
　　None of the other five organs can match this.
　　It, then, is penetrating true and real.
　　The nature of sounds is based in motion and stillness.
　　One hears according to whether there is sound.
　　With no sound, there is said to be no hearing.
　　But this does not mean that the hearing-nature is gone.
　　In the absence of sound, the nature is not ended;
　　Nor does it arise in the presence of sound.
　　Entirely beyond arising and ceasing.
　　It is, then, truly eternal.
　　Ever-present, even in dream-thinking,
　　It does not disappear when conditions and thought are gone.
　　Enlightened, this contemplation transcends cognition,
　　Reaching beyond both the body and the mind.
　　Now, in the Saha world, the theory of sounds
　　Has been proclaimed and understood.
　　Yet beings are confused about the source of hearing.
　　They follow sounds and so turn and flow.
　　Ananda's power to remember was exceptional;
　　Yet he fell prey to a deviant plot.
　　Was it not from heeding sounds that he was nearly lost?
　　By turning back the flow, one will be above falseness.
　　Ananda, listen attentively:
　　I rely upon the Buddha's mighty power,
　　In describing to you the Vajra King,
　　A Samadhi inconceivable that is like an illusion.
　　It is the true mother of all Buddhas.
　　You may hear the secret Dharma-doors
　　Of Buddhas as numerous as atoms of universe,
　　But without first renouncing desire and outflows,
　　You may amass learning, and still make mistakes.
　　You exploit learning to uphold the Buddhahood of the Buddhas.
　　Why don't you try to hear your own hearing?
　　Hearing does not arise spontaneously;
　　It gets its name due to sounds.
　　But when hearing returns and is free of sound,
　　What does one call that which is set free?
　　As soon as one sense-organ returns to the source,
　　All the six are liberated.
　　Sight and hearing are like an illusory covering.
　　The triple realm, a vision of flowers in space.
　　When hearing reverts, the covering of the sense-organs is gone.
　　The defiling dust gives way to pure and perfect insight.
　　With ultimate purity, the light is penetrating.
　　A stillness shines and includes within it all of emptiness .
　　Looking at the world from this point of view,
　　Everything that happens is just like a dream.
　　Matangi's daughter, too, is part of the dream.
　　Who was able, then, to physically detain you?
　　Consider a shadow puppeteer at work,
　　Making the dolls seem as real as people.
　　Although one sees them move about freely,
　　They are really governed by a set of strings.
　　Cease operating the controls and they become still.
　　The entire illusion was never really there.
　　The six sense-organs are also thus.
　　At first there was one essential brightness.
　　Which split into a six-fold combination.
　　If but one part ceases and returns,
　　All six functions will stop as well.
　　Responding to a thought, defiling objects vanish,
　　Becoming pure and wonderful perfect brightness .
　　If there is residual defilement, one must still study.
　　When the brightness is ultimate, one becomes a Tathagata.
　　Ananda, and everyone in the great assembly,
　　Turn around your mechanism for hearing.
　　Return the hearing to hear your own nature
　　The nature will become the supreme Way.
　　That is what perfect penetration really means.
　　That is the gateway entered by Buddhas as many as dust motes.
　　That is the one path leading to Nirvana.
　　Tathagatas of the past perfected this method.
　　Bodhisattvas now merge with this total brightness.
　　People of the future who study and practice
　　Will also rely on this Dharma.
　　Through this method I, too, have been certified.
　　Contemplator of the World's Sounds Bodhisattva was not the only one.
　　The Buddha, the Bhagavan,
　　Inquired of me which expedient,
　　Would save those in the final eon
　　Who seek to escape the mundane world,
　　And perfect the mind of Nirvana:
　　The best way is to contemplate the sounds of the world.
　　All the other kinds of expedients
　　Require the stateliness and sacrosanctity of the Buddha.
　　In some cases they bring immediate transcendence,
　　But they are not the customary means of practice,
　　Spoken for those of shallow and deep roots alike.
　　I bow to the Tathagatas and the Tripitaka
　　And to those inconceivable Ones with no outflows,
　　Trusting they will aid those in the future,
　　So that no one will doubt this method.
　　It is an expedient easy to master; an appropriate teaching for Ananda
　　And for those floundering in the final age.
　　They should use the ear organ to cultivate
　　A perfect penetration surpassing all others
　　That is the way to the true mind."
　　Thereupon, Ananda and all in the great assembly experienced a clarity of body and mind upon receiving such profound instruction. They contemplated the Buddha's Bodhi and Parinirvana like someone who, having travelled far on business, knows that he is on the road home, although he has not yet returned completely. Throughout the entire assembly, the gods, dragons, and all the eightfold division, those of the two vehicles who were not yet beyond study, as well as all the Bodhisattvas of initial resolve, as numerous as the sands in ten Ganges Rivers, found their fundamental mind and, far removed from dust and defilement, attained the purity of the Dharma eye. The Bhikshuni Nature attained Arhatship after hearing this verse, and limitless beings aroused the matchless, unequaled heart of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi.
　　(The four clear and decisive instructions on purity:)
　　Ananda straightened his robes and then, in the midst of the assembly, placed his palms together and bowed. His mind was perfectly clear, and he felt a mixture of joy and sorrow. His intent was to benefit beings of the future as he made obeisance and said to the Buddha, "Greatly Compassionate Bhagavan. I have already awakened and attained this Dharma-door for becoming a Buddha, and I can cultivate it without the slightest doubt. I have often heard the Tathagata say, 'Save others first; then save yourself. That is the aspiration of a Bodhisattva. Once your own enlightenment is perfected, then you can enlighten others. That is the way the Tathagatas respond to the world.' Although I am not yet saved, I vow to save all beings of the Dharma-ending Age.
　　"Bhagavan, those beings are from the Buddha's time, and there will be as many deviant teachers propounding their teachings as there are sand grains in the Ganges. I want to enable those beings to collect their thoughts and enter Samadhi. How can I cause them to reside peacefully in a Way-place, far away from exploits of demons, and be irreversible in their resolve for Bodhi?"
　　At that time, the Bhagavan praised Ananda in front of the whole assembly, saying, "Good indeed! How good it is that you have asked how to establish a Way-place and to rescue and protect beings who are sunk in the morass of the final age. Listen well, now, and I will tell you."
　　Ananda and the great assembly agreed to uphold the teaching.
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "You constantly hear me explain in the Vinaya that there are three decisive aspects to cultivation. That is, collecting one's thoughts constitutes the precepts; from the precepts comes Samadhi; and from Samadhi arises wisdom. These are called the Three Non-Outflow Studies. "
　　"Ananda, why do I call collecting one's thoughts the precepts? If beings in the six paths of any mundane world had no sexual desire, they would not have to undergo a continual succession of births and deaths. Your basic purpose in cultivating Samadhi is to transcend the wearisome defilements. But if you do not renounce sexual desire, you will not be able to get out of the dust. Even though people may have some wisdom and the manifestation of Dhyana Samadhi, if they do not exterminate sexual desire, they are certain to enter demonic paths. At best, they will become demon kings; on the average, they will become members of the retinue of demons; at the lowest level, they will become female demons. These demons all have their groups of disciples. Each claims that he has accomplished the Unsurpassed Way. After my Nirvana, in the Dharma-ending Age, these hordes of demons will abound, spreading like wildfire as they openly practice greed and lust, while claiming to be Good Knowing Advisors. They will cause beings to fall into the pit of love and views and lose the way to Bodhi."
　　"When you teach people of the world to cultivate Samadhi, they must first of all cut off the mind of sexual desire. This is the first clear and decisive instruction on purity given by the Tathagatas, the Buddhas of the past, the Bhagavans. Therefore, Ananda, if cultivators of Dhyana Samadhi do not exterminate sexual desire, they are like someone who cooks sand hoping to get rice. After hundreds of thousands of eons, it will still just be hot sand. Why? It wasn't rice to begin with; it was only sand. If you seek the Buddha's wonderful fruition with a body of sexual desire, then even if you attain a wonderful awakening, it is still based on sexual desire. With sexual desire at the source, you will revolve in the three paths and not be able to get out. Which road will you take to cultivate and be certified to the Tathagata's Nirvana? You must exterminate the sexual desire which is intrinsic to both body and mind, then get rid of even the aspect of extermination. At that point you have some hope of attaining the Buddha's Bodhi. What I have said here is the Buddhas' teaching. Any explanation counter to it is the teaching of Papiyan(demon king)."
　　"Further, Ananda, if beings in the six paths of any mundane world had no thoughts of killing, they would not have to a undergo a continual succession of births and deaths. Your basic purpose in cultivating Samadhi is to transcend the wearisome defilements. But if you do not renounce your thoughts of killing, you will not be able to get out of the dust. Even though people may have some wisdom and the manifestation of Dhyana Samadhi, they are certain to enter the path of spirits if they do not cease killing. At best, they will become ghosts of great strength; on the average, they will become flying yakshas, ghost leaders, or the like; at the lowest level, they will become earth-bound rakshasas. These ghosts and spirits all have their followers. Each claims that he has accomplished the Unsurpassed Way. After my Nirvana, in the Dharma-ending Age, these hordes of ghosts and spirits will abound, spreading like wildfire as they argue that eating meat will bring one to the Bodhi Way. Ananda, I permit the Bhikshus to eat five kinds of pure meat. This meat is actually a transformation brought into being by my spiritual powers. It basically has no life-force. You Brahmans live in a climate so hot and humid, and on such sandy and rocky land, that vegetables will not grow; therefore, I have had to assist you with spiritual powers and compassion. Because of this magnanimous kindness and compassion, this so-called meat suits your taste. After my extinction, how can those who eat the flesh of beings be called the disciples of Shakya? You should know that, even if these meat-eaters may enter the heart-open state similar to Samadhi, they are all great Rakshas. When their retribution ends, they are bound to sink into the bitter sea of birth and death. They are not disciples of the Buddha. Such people as these kill and eat one another in a never-ending cycle. How can such people transcend the Triple Realm? "
　　"When you teach people of the world to cultivate Samadhi, they must also cease killing. This is the second clear and decisive instruction on purity given by the Tathagatas, the Buddhas of the Past, the Bhagavans. Therefore, Ananda, if cultivators of Dhyana Samadhi do not stop killing, they are like one who stops up his ears and calls out in a loud voice, thinking that no one hears him.. He tries to cover up the sound, but only makes it greater. Pure Bhikshus and Bodhisattvas who practice purity will not even step on grass in the pathway; even less would they pull it up with their hands. How could anyone with great compassion consume the flesh and blood of beings? Bhikshus who do not wear silk, leather boots, furs, or down, whether imported or found locally, and who do not consume milk, cream, or butter, can truly transcend this world. When they have paid back their past debts, they will not have to re-enter the Triple Realm. Why not? When someone wears anything taken from a living creature, he creates relationships with the creature, just as when people ate the hundred grains, their feet could not leave the earth. Both physically and mentally one must avoid the bodies and the by-products of beings, by neither wearing them nor eating them. I say that such people have true liberation. What I have said here is the Buddhas' teaching. Any explanation counter to it is the teaching of Papiyan(demon king)."
　　"Further, Ananda, if beings in the six paths of any mundane world had no thoughts of stealing, they would not have to undergo a continuous succession of births and deaths. Your basic purpose in cultivating Samadhi is to transcend the wearisome defilements. But if you do not renounce your thoughts of stealing, you will not be able to get out of the dust. Even though people may have some wisdom and the manifestation of Dhyana Samadhi, they are certain to enter a deviant path if they do not cease stealing. At best, they will become spirits; on the average, they will become evil ghosts; at the lowest level, they will become deviant people who are possessed by various sprites. These deviant hordes all have their followers. Each claims that he has accomplished the Unsurpassed Way. After my Nirvana, in the Dharma-ending Age, these evil and deviant entities will abound, spreading like wildfire as they surreptitiously cheat others. Calling themselves good knowing advisors, they will each claim that they have attained the Unsurpassed Dharma. Enticing and deceiving the ignorant, or frightening people out of their wits, they disrupt and lay waste to households wherever they go."
　　"I teach the Bhikshus to beg for their food according to where they are, in order to help them renounce greed and accomplish the Bodhi Way. The Bhikshus do not prepare their own food, so that, at the end of this life of transitory existence in the Triple Realm, they can show themselves to be Once-returners who go and do not return. How could thieves put on my robes and sell the Tathagata, saying that all manner of karma one creates is just the Buddha-Dharma? They slander Bhikshus who have left the home life and taken the complete precepts, saying that they belong to the path of Hinayana(Small Vehicle). In this way, they confuse innumerous beings, causing them to go astray, until they fall into the Unintermittent Hell."
　　"After my Nirvana, I affirm that Bhikshus who have a decisive resolve to cultivate Samadhi, and who before the images of Tathagatas can light an oil lamp in their bodies or burn off a finger, or burn even one incense stick on their bodies, will, in that moment repay their debts from beginningless time past. They can depart from the world and be forever free of outflows. Though they may not have instantly understood the Unsurpassed Enlightenment, they will already have firmly set their minds on the Dharma. If one does not practice any of these token renunciations of the body on the causal level, then even if one realizes the unconditioned, one will still have to come back as a person to repay one's past debts, exactly as I had to undergo the retribution of having to eat the grain meant for horses."
　　"When you teach people of the world to cultivate Samadhi, they must also cease stealing. This is the third clear and decisive instruction on purity given by the Tathagatas, the Buddhas of the past, the Bhagavans. Therefore, Ananda, if cultivators of Dhyana Samadhi do not cease stealing, they are like someone who pours water into a leaking cup hoping to fill it. He may continue for as many eons as there are atoms of universe, but, in the end, the cup still will not be full. If Bhikshus do not store away anything else than their robes and bowls; if they give what is left over from their food-offerings to hungry beings; if they put their palms together and make obeisance to the entire great assembly; if when people scold them they can treat it as praise; if they can sacrifice their very bodies and minds, giving their flesh, bones, and blood to living creatures; and if they do not repeat the non-ultimate teachings of the Tathagata as though they were their own explanations, misleading those who have just begun to study; then Buddhas certify that they will attain true Samadhi. What I have said here is the Buddhas' teaching. Any explanation counter to it is the teaching of Papiyan(demon king)."
　　"Ananda, although beings in the six paths of any mundane world may not kill, steal, or lust either physically or mentally, these three aspects of their conduct thus being perfect, if they tell various major lies, then the Samadhi they attain will not be pure. They will become demons of love and views and will lose the seed of the Tathagata. They claim that they have attained what they have not attained, and that they have been certified when they have not been certified. Perhaps they seek to be foremost in the world, most venerated and superior people. They announce to their audiences that they have attained the fruition of a Shrotaapanna, of a Sakridagamin, of an Anagamin, of Arhatship, of the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle, or the various levels of Bodhisattvahood up to and including the Ten Bhumi(stage)s, in order to cause others to revere and repent in front of them and because they are greedy for offerings. These icchantikas destroy the seeds of Buddhahood just as surely as a tala-tree is destroyed if it is chopped down. The Buddha predicts that such people cut off their good roots forever and lose their knowledge and vision. Immersed in the sea of the Three Sufferings, they cannot attain Samadhi."
　　"I command that after my Nirvana, Bodhisattvas and Arhats appear in response-bodies in the Dharma-ending Age, and take various forms in order to rescue those in the cycle of rebirth. They should either become Shramanas, white-robed laypeople, kings, ministers or officials, virgin youths or maidens, and so forth, even prostitutes, widows, profligates, thieves, butchers, or dealers in contraband, be confreres of these kinds of people, praise the Buddha Vehicle and cause them to enter Samadhi in body and mind. But they should never say of themselves, 'I am truly a Bodhisattva'; or 'I am truly an Arhat,' or let the Buddhas' secret cause leak out by speaking casually to those who have not yet studied, other than at the end of their lives and then only to those who inherit the teaching. Otherwise, aren't such people deluding and confusing beings and indulging in gross false claims?"
　　"When you teach people in the world to cultivate Samadhi, they must also cease all lying. This is the fourth clear and decisive instruction on purity given by the Tathagatas and the Buddhas of the past, the Bhagavans. Therefore, Ananda, one who does not cut off lying is like a person who carves a piece of human excrement to look like chandana, hoping to make it fragrant. He is attempting the impossible. I teach the Bhikshus that the straight mind is the Way-place and that in all aspects of their practice of the Four Majestic Deportments they should avoid falseness. How could they claim to have themselves attained the Dharmas of a superior person? That would be like a poor person falsely calling himself an emperor and thereby bringing about his own execution. Much less should one attempt to usurp the title of the Dharma King. When the cause-ground is not true, the effects will be distorted. One who seeks the Buddha's Bodhi in that way is like a person who tries to bite his own navel. Who could possibly succeed in that?"
　　"If the Bhikshus' minds are as straight as bow-strings, and they are true and real in everything they do, then they can enter Samadhi and never be involved in the deeds of demons. I certify that such people will accomplish the Bodhisattvas' Unsurpassed Knowledge and Enlightenment. What I have said here is the Buddhas' teaching. Any explanation counter to it is the teaching of Papiyan(demon king)."
　　Chapter 7
　　"Ananda, you asked about collecting one's thoughts; I have now begun to explain the wonderful method of cultivation for entrance into Samadhi in order to seek the Bodhisattva Way. First one must be as pure as glistening frost in keeping these four rules of deportment. One must refrain from all superfluous behavior and then the three evils of the mind and the four of the mouth will have no cause to come forth. Ananda, if one does not neglect these four matters, and, further, does not pursue forms, fragrances, tastes, objects of touch, and the like, then how can any demonic deeds arise?
　　"If people cannot put an end to their habits from the past, you should teach them to singlemindedly recite my Light Atop the Buddha's Crown Unsurpassed Holy Mantra: Maha-Sitata-Patra. It is the None-Can-See-The-Top Hallmark atop the crown of the Tathagatas' heads. It is the mantra-heart proclaimed by the Buddhas of the Unconditioned Mind who come forth from the crowns in a blaze of light and sit upon jeweled lotus flowers.
　　"What is more, your past lives with Matangi's daughter have created accumulated eons of causes and conditions. Your habits of fondness and emotional love go back not just one life, nor even just one eon. Yet, as soon as I proclaimed it, she was freed forever from the love in her heart and accomplished Arhatship. Even that prostitute, who had no intention of cultivating, was imperceptibly aided by that spiritual power and was swiftly certified to the position beyond study; then what about you Hearers in the assembly, who seek the most supreme Vehicle and are resolved to realize Buddhahood? For you it should be as easy as tossing dust into a favorable wind. What, then, is the problem?
　　"Those in the final age who wish to sit in a Way-place must first hold the pure precepts of a Bhikshu. To do so, they must find as their teacher a foremost Shramana who is pure in the precepts. If they do not encounter a member of the Sangha who is truly pure, then it is absolutely certain that their deportment in precepts and rules cannot be accomplished. Having kept the precepts well, they should put on fresh, clean clothes, light incense in a place where they are alone, and recite this holy mantra spoken by the Heart-Buddha 108 times. After that, they should secure the boundaries and establish the Way-place.
　　"Then they should beseech the unsurpassed Tathagatas abiding in their lands throughout the ten directions to emit a light of great compassion that anoints the crowns of the cultivators' heads.
　　"Ananda, when any such pure Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, or white-robed donors in the Dharma ending Age who can get rid of greed and lust even at the mental level, hold the Buddhas' pure precepts, and in a Way-place make the vows of a Bodhisattva and can bathe upon entering and exiting each time, continuing that practice of the Way day and night for three weeks without sleep, I will appear before these people in a physical form and rub the crowns of their heads to comfort them and enable them to become enlightened."
　　Ananda said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, enveloped in the Tathagata's unsurpassed, compassionate instruction, my mind has already gained an awakening, and I know how to cultivate and be certified to the Way beyond study. But how do those who cultivate in the final age and want to establish a Way-place, secure the boundaries in accord with the rules of purity of the Buddhas, Bhagavans?"
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "If there are people in the Dharma-ending age who wish to establish a Way-place, they should first find a powerful white cow in the snowy mountains, one which eats the lush and fertile sweet-smelling grasses of the mountains. Since such a cow also drinks only the pure water of the snowy mountains, its dung will be very fine. They can take that cow dung, mix it with chandana, and plaster the ground with it. If not from the snowy mountains, the cow dung will smell bad and cannot be used to smear on the ground. In that case, select a level place, dig down five feet or so, and use that yellow earth. Mix it with chandana incense, 'sinking-in-water' incense, jasmine incense, continuously permeating incense, tulip incense, white paste incense, green wood incense, fragrant mound incense, sweet pine incense, and 'chicken-tongue' incense. Grind these ten ingredients to a fine powder, make a paste, and smear it on the ground of the platform. The area should be sixteen feet wide and octagonal in shape."
　　"In the center of the platform, place a lotus flower made of gold, silver, copper, or wood. In the middle of the flower set a bowl filled with dew collected in the eighth lunar month. Float an abundance of flower petals on the water. Arrange eight circular mirrors at measured intervals around the flower and the bowl. Outside the mirrors place sixteeen lotus flowers and sixteencensers, so that the incense-burners are adorned and arranged between the flowers. Burn only sinking-in-water incense, lighting it with an ember, not an open flame."
　　"Place the milk of a white cow in sixteen vessels, along with cakes made with the same kind of milk, granulated sugar, oil cakes, milk porridge, turushka, honeyed ginger, clarified butter, and filtered honey. These sixteen are set around the outside of the sixteen flowers as an offering to the Buddhas and great Bodhisattvas."
　　"At every mealtime and at midnight, prepare a half-pint of honey and three tenths of a pint of clarified butter. Set up a small incense burner in front of the platform. Decoct the fragrant liquid from the turushka incense and use it to cleanse the coals. Light them so that blaze bursts forth, and toss the clarified butter and honey into the flaming censer. Let it burn until the smoke disappears, and present it to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas."
　　"Drape flags and flower garlands on the four outer walls, and within the room where the platform is located, arrange images of the Tathagatas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions on the four walls."
　　"In the most prominent place, display images of Vairocana Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Akshobhya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and all the magnificent transformations of Avalokitesvara(Contemplator of the World's Sounds) Bodhisattva. To the left and right, place the Vajra-Treasury Bodhisattvas. Beside them display the Lords Shakra and Brahma, Ucchushma, and the Blue Dirgha, as well as Kundalin and Bhrukuti and all four Heavenly Kings, with Vinayaka to the left and right of the door."
　　"Then suspend eight mirrors in the space around the platform so that they are exactly opposite the mirrors on the platform. This will allow the reflections in them to interpenetrate infinitely."
　　"During the first seven days, bow sincerely to the names of the Tathagatas of the ten directions, the great Bodhisattvas, and the names of the Arhats. Throughout the six periods of the day and night, continually recite the mantra while circumambulating the platform. Practice the Way with a sincere mind, reciting the mantra one hundred and eight times in each session."
　　"During the second week, make the vows of a Bodhisattva with unwavering ceaseless intent. In my Vinaya, I have already taught about vows."
　　"During the third week, hold the Buddha's Patra mantra for twelve hours at a time with a single intent; and on the seventh day, the Tathagatas of the ten directions will appear simultaneously. Their light will inter-reflect in the mirrors, illumining the entire area; and they will rub the crowns of the practitioners' heads."
　　"Cultivating Samadhi like this in a Way-place, even in the Dharma-ending age one can study and practice until one's body and mind are as pure and clear as Vaidurya. Ananda, if any one of the Bhikshu's precept-transmitting masters or any one of ten Bhikshus in the same assembly is not pure, the Way-place as described will not be successful."
　　"After three weeks, sit upright and still for a hundred days. Those with sharp roots will not arise from their seats and will become Shrotaapannas. Although their bodies and minds have not yet attained the ultimate fruition of sagehood, they know for certain, beyond question, that they will eventually realize Buddhahood. You have asked how the Way-place is established. That is the way it is done."
　　Ananda bowed at the Buddha's feet and said, "After I left the home life, I relied on the Buddha's affectionate regard. Because I sought erudition, I still have not been certified to the unconditioned. When I encountered that Brahma Heaven Mantra, I was captured by the deviant spell; though my mind was aware, I had no strength to free myself. I had to rely on Manjushri Bodhisattva to liberate me. Although I was blessed by the Tathagata's holy mantra of the Buddha's crown and imperceptibly received its strength, I still have not heard it myself. I only hope that the Greatly Compassionate One will proclaim it again to kindly rescue all the cultivators in this assembly and those of the future in the paths of rebirth, so that they may become liberated in body and mind by relying on the Buddha's secret sounds."
　　(Shurangama Mantra:)
　　At that moment, everyone in the congregation bowed as one and stood waiting to hear the Tathagata's secret phrases. At that time, hundreds of sacrosanct light welled forth from the flesh-mound(usnisa) at the crown of the Bhagavan's head. A thousand-petaled precious lotus then welled forth from amidst those rays. Upon the precious flowers sat a nirmana(miraculously created) Tathagata. From the crown of his head ten beams of light radiated forth, each ray is composed of hundreds of treasure-rays. In each of those glowing rays, there were 10 ganges-river-sands Vajra-Secret-Trace-deities each holding aloft a mountain and wielding a pestle, occuping the whole universe.
　　(* ganges-river-sands: a measure of quantity, means "as many as sands in ganges-river")
　　The great assembly, gazing upward, felt fearful admiration and sought the Buddha's kind protection. Single-mindedly they listened to the holy Mantra that proclaimed by the Tathagata in the gloriously radiant light of the None-Can-See-The-Top Hallmark of the Buddha:
　　(* None-Can-See-The-Top Hallmark -- "usnisa-siraskata" in Sanskrit, the crown of Buddha. because it's too high and sacrosanct, no one can see its top.)
　　(Part I)
　　namo satata sugataya arhate samyak-sambuddhasya (1)
　　satata buddha koti usnisam (2)
　　namo sarva buddha bodhisattve-bhyah (3)
　　namo saptanam samyak-sambuddha koti-nam (4)
　　sa sravaka samgha-nam (5)
　　namo loke arhata-nam (6)
　　namo srota-apanna-nam (7)
　　namo sakrdagami-nam (8)
　　namo loke samyak-gata-nam (9)
　　samyak-prati-panna-nam (10)
　　namo deva-rsi-nam (11)
　　namo siddhya-vidya-dhara-rsi-nam (12)
　　sapa-anu graha-saha-samartha-nam (13)
　　namo brahma-ne (14)
　　namo indra-ya (15)
　　namo Bhagavate rudra-ya uma-pati saheyaya (16)
　　namo Bhagavate narayana-ya panca maha-mudra (17)
　　namas-krtaya (18)
　　namo Bhagavate maha-kala-ya (19)
　　tripura-nagara (20)
　　vidra-pana-karaya (21)
　　adhi-mukti (22)
　　smasana-nivasini (23)
　　matr-gana (24)
　　namas-krtaya (25)
　　namo Bhagavate tathagata kulaya (26)
　　namo padma kulaya (27)
　　namo vajra kulaya (28)
　　namo mani kulaya (29)
　　namo gaja kulaya (30)
　　namo Bhagavate drdha-sura-sena pra-harana-rajaya (31)
　　tathagata-ya (32)
　　namo Bhagavate amitabha-ya (33)
　　tathagata-ya arhate samyak-sambuddha-ya (34)
　　namo Bhagavate aksobhya-ya (35)
　　tathagata-ya arhate samyak-sambuddha-ya (36)
　　namo Bhagavate bhaisajya-guru vaidurya prabha raja-ya (37)
　　tathagata-ya arhate samyak-sambuddha-ya (38)
　　namo Bhagavate sam-puspita salendra raja-ya (39)
　　tathagata-ya arhate samyak-sambuddha-ya (40)
　　namo Bhagavate sakyamuni-ye (41)
　　tathagata-ya arhate samyak-sambuddha-ya (42)
　　namo Bhagavate ratna ketu raja-ya (43)
　　tathagata-ya arhate samyak-sambuddha-ya (44)
　　tebhyo namas-krtva idam Bhagavanas tathagata usnisam (45)
　　sitata-patram (46)
　　namo apa-rajitam prati-yangiram (47)
　　sarva bhuta graha nigrahaka kara-hani (48)
　　para vidya chedanim (49)
　　akala mri-tyu pari traya-na kari (50)
　　sarva bandhana moksani (51)
　　sarva dusza duh-svapna nivarani (52)
　　catura-sitinam graha saha-sranam vidhvam-sana kari (53)
　　asza vimsatinam naksa-tranam pra-sadana kari (54)
　　aszanam maha-graha-nam vi-dhvam-sana kari (55)
　　sarva satru nivaranam (56)
　　ghoram duh-sva-pnam ca nasani (57)
　　visa, sastra, agni, udaka, ranam (58)
　　apara-jita ghora maha-bala canda, maha-dipta maha-teja (59)
　　maha-sveta-jvala maha-bala pandara-vasini arya-tara (60)
　　bhri-kuzi ce va vijaya vajra-maletih (61)
　　vi-sruta padmakah vajra-jihvah ca mala ce va aparajita vajra-dandah (62)
　　visala ca santa, sveteva pujita sauma-rupah, maha-sveta arya-tara (63)
　　maha-bala apara vajra-samkala ce va vajra-kaumari kulam-dhari (64)
　　vajra-hasta ca vidya (65)
　　kan-cana mallikah kusum-bhaka ratna (66)
　　vairocana kuliya-ya artha usnisa (67)
　　vi-jrmbha mani ca vajra-kanaka prabha-locana (68)
　　vajra-tundi ca sveta ca kamala-ksah siasi-prabha (69)
　　ity-iti mudra ganah sarve raksam kurvantu iman mama asya (70)
　　(Part II)
　　Om rsi-gana pra-sastas tathagata usnisa (71)
　　hum trum jambhana (72)
　　hum trum stambhana (73)
　　hum trum para-vidya sam-bhaksana kara (74)
　　hum trum sarva dusza-nam stambhana kara (75)
　　hum trum sarva yaksa raksasa grahanam vi-dhvam-sana kara (76)
　　hum trum catura-siti-nam graha saha-sra-nam vi-dhvam-sana kara (77)
　　hum trum asza-vimsati-nam naksatra-nam pra-sadana kara (78)
　　hum trum asza-nam maha-graha-nam vi-dhvam-sana kara (79)
　　hum trum raksa raksa mam (80)
　　bhagavans tathagata usnisa (81)
　　praty-angire maha-sahasra bhuje sahasra-sirse koti-siata sahasra netre (82)
　　abhede jvalita-zazaka maha-vajrodara tri-bhuvana mandala (83)
　　Om svastir bhavatu mama iman mama-sya (84)
　　(Part III)
　　raja-bhayah cora-bhayah agni-bhayah udaka-bhayah visa-bhayah siastra-bhayah (85)
　　para-cakra-bhayah dur-bhiksa-bhayah asiani-bhayah akala-mrityu-bhayah (86)
　　dharani bhumi kampaka pata-bhayah ulaka-pata-bhayah raja-danda-bhayah (87)
　　naga-bhayah vidyud-bhayah suparna-bhayah (88)
　　yaksa-grahah raksasi-grahah preta-grahah pisaca-grahah bhuta-grahah (89)
　　kumbhanda-grahah putana-grahah kaza-putana-grahah (90)
　　skanda-grahah apa-smara-grahah unmada-grahah chaya-grahah revati-grahah (91)
　　jata-a-harinam garbha-a-harinam rudhira-a-harinam mamsa-a-harinam (92)
　　medha-a-harinam majja-a-harinam jata-a-harinim jivita-a-harinam pita-a-harinam (93)
　　vanta-a-harinam asucya-a-harinim citta-a-harinim (94)
　　te-sam sarve-sam sarva-graha-nam vidyam chedayami kilayami (95)
　　pari-vrajaka kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (96)
　　dakini-kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (97)
　　maha-pasupati rudra-kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (98)
　　narayana-kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (99)
　　tattva-garuda kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (100)
　　maha-kala-matri gana-kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (101)
　　kapalika kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (102)
　　jaya-kara madhu-kara sarva artha sadhaka kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (103)
　　catur-bhagini kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (104)
　　bhri-ngi-rizi nandike-svara gana-pati sahaya kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (105)
　　nagna-sramana kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (106)
　　arhanta kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (107)
　　vita-raga kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (108)
　　vajra-pani guhya guhya-kadhi-pati kritam vidyam chedayami kilayami (109)
　　raksa mam Bhagavan iman mama-sya (110)
　　(Part IV)
　　Bhagavans tathagata usnisa sitata-patra namo-stute (111)
　　asita na-la-rka prabha sphuza vi-kas sitata-patre (112)
　　jvala jvala, dara dara, bhidara bhidara, chida chida (113)
　　hum hum phat phat phat phat phat svaha hehe phat (114)
　　amogha-ya phat apratihata phat (115)
　　vara-prada phat ssura-vidrapaka phat (116)
　　sarva deve-bhyah phat, sarva nage-bhyah phat (117)
　　sarva yakse-bhyah phat, sarva gandharve-bhyah phat (118)
　　sarva asure-bhyah phat, sarva garude-bhyah phat (119)
　　sarva kimnare-bhyah phat, sarva mahorage-bhyah phat (120)
　　sarva raksase-bhyah phat, sarva bhute-bhyah phat (121)
　　sarva pisace-bhyah phat, sarva kumbhande-bhyah phat (122)
　　sarva manusye-bhyah phat, sarva amanusye-bhyah phat (123)
　　sarva putane-bhyah phat, sarva kaza-putane-bhyah phat (124)
　　sarva dur-langhite-bhyah phat, sarva dus-preksite-bhyah phat (125)
　　sarva jvare-bhyah phat, sarva apasmare-bhyah phat (126)
　　sarva sramane-bhyah phat, sarva tiri-thike-bhyah phat (127)
　　sarva utmadake-bhyah phat, sarva vidya raja-carye-bhyah phat (128)
　　jaya kara madhu kara sarva artha sadhake-bhyah phat (129)
　　vidya acarye-bhyah phat, catur-bhagini-bhyah phat (130)
　　vajra kaumari kulam dhari vidya raje-bhyah phat, maha praty-angire-bhyah phat (131)
　　vajra samkara-ya praty-angira rajaya phat (132)
　　maha-kala-ya maha-matri-gana namas-kritaya phat (133)
　　visnavi-ye phat, brahmani-ye phat (134)
　　agni-ye phat, maha-kali-ye phat (135)
　　kala-dandi-ye phat, indra-ye phat, matre-ye phat (136)
　　raudri-ye phat, camundi-ye phat (137)
　　kala-ratri-ye phat, kapali-ye phat (138)
　　adhi-muktaka smasana vasiniye phat (139)
　　ye-ke-citta, sattva-asya mama iman mama-asya (140)
　　(Part V)
　　dusza-citta, papa-citta, raudra-citta, vi-dvesa-citta, amitri-citta (141)
　　ut-pada-yanti kila-yanti mantra-yanti japanti juhanti (142)
　　oja-aharah garbha-aharah rudhira-aharah vasa-aharah (143)
　　majja-aharah jata-aharah jivita-aharah balya-aharah (144)
　　malya-aharah gandha-aharah puspa-aharah phala-aharah sasya-aharah (145)
　　papa-citta, dusza-citta, raudra-citta (146)
　　yaksa-grahah, raksasa-grahah, preta-grahah, pisaca-grahah (147)
　　bhuta-grahah, Kumbhanda-grahah, skanda-grahah, unmada-grahah (148)
　　chaya-grahah, apa-smara-grahah, daka-dakini-grahah, revati-grahah (149)
　　jamika-grahah, sakuni-grahah, raudra-matri-nandika-grahah, alamba-grahah (150)
　　hanu kantha-pani-grahah (151)
　　jvarah eka-hikah dvaiti-yakah traiti-yakah catur-thakah (152)
　　nitya-jvarah visama-jvarah vati-kah paitti-kah slai-smi-kah (153)
　　sam-nipati-kah sarva-jvarah siro-hrathi (154)
　　ardha-ava-badha-kah badha-aroca-kah (155)
　　aksi-rogam mukha-rogam hrid-rogam gala-graham karna-sulam danta-sulam (156)
　　hridaya-sulam marman-sulam parsva-sulam priszha-sulam udara-sulam kazi-sulam (157)
　　vasti-sulam uru-sulam nakha-sulam hasta-sulam (158)
　　pada-sulam sarva-anga-pratyanga-sulam (159)
　　bhuta vetada dakini jvarah dadrukah kanduh kizi bhah-lutah vaisarpah-loha lingah (160)
　　siastra-sana-gara visa-yoga agne udaka mara vaira kantara akala-mrityo (161)
　　tri-yambuka trai-laza vriscika sarpa nakula simha vyaghra riksa taraksa mara (162)
　　jivis te-sam sarve-sam (163)
　　sitata-patra maha vajro-snisam, maha-praty-angiram (164)
　　yavad-dva-dasa yojana abhy-anta-rena sima bandham karomi (165)
　　vidya-bandham karomi, tejo-bandham karomi para-vidya-bandham karomi (166)
　　tadyatha ( 167, Following is the Mantra-Heart: )
　　Om anale visade vira vajra-dhare bandha bandhani vajra-pani phat hum trum phat Svaha (168)
　　"Ananda, it is from this cluster of light atop the crown of the Buddha's head, the secret chant, Sitata-Patra, with its exquisite, wonderful compilation of phrases, that all the Buddhasof the ten directions come forth. Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions use this mantra-heart, they realize Unsurpassed, Proper, and All-pervading Knowledge and Enlightenment "Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions take up this mantra-heart, they subdue all demons and control all adherents of externalist ways."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions avail themselves of this mantra-heart, they sit upon jeweled lotus-flowers and respond throughout countries as numerous as atoms of universe."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions embody this mantra-heart, they turn the great Dharma wheel in worlds as numerous as atoms of universe."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions hold this mantra-heart, they are able to go throughout the ten directions to rub the crowns of beings' heads and bestow predictions upon them. Anyone in the ten directions who has not yet realized the levels of sagely fruition, can receive predictions from these Buddhas."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions are based in this mantra-heart, they can go throughout the ten directions to rescue beings from sufferings experienced in the hells, as hungry ghosts, as animals, or by being blind, deaf, or mute, as well as from the suffering of being together with those one hates, the suffering of being apart from those one loves, the suffering of not obtaining what one seeks, and the suffering of the raging blaze of the five skandhas. They can simultaneously liberate beings from both major and minor accidents. In response to their recitation, dangers involving bandits, armies, the law, or imprisonment; dangers involving wind, fire, and water; and dangers of starvation, thirst, or impoverishment are all eradicated."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions are in accord with this mantra-heart, they can serve good and wise advisors throughout the ten directions. Abiding in the four aspects of majestic deportment , they make absolutely appropriate offerings. In the assemblies of as many Tathagatas as there are sand grains in the Ganges, they are considered to be great Dharma Princes."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions practice this mantra-heart, they can gather in and teach their relatives in the ten directions and keep those of the Small Vehicle from being frightened when they hear this secret treasury."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions recite this mantra-heart, they realize Unsurpassed Enlightenment while sitting beneath the Bodhi trees, and enter Parinirvana."
　　"Because the Tathagatas of the ten directions transmit this mantra-heart, after their Nirvana, those to whom they have bequeathed the Buddhadharma can dwell in and support it to an ultimate degree. Being strict and pure in the precepts and rules, they can attain total purity."
　　"If I were to explain this cluster of light atop the crown of the Buddha's head Patra Mantra from morning till night unceasingly, without ever repeating any syllable or phrase, I could go on for as many eons as there are sand grains in the Ganges and still never finish. I also will tell you that this mantra is called The Crown of the Tathagata. Unless you hold this mantra, all of you with something left to study who have not yet put an end to the cycle of rebirth and yet have brought forth sincere resolve to become Arhats, will find it impossible to sit in a Way-place and be far removed in body and mind from all demonic deeds."
　　"Ananda, let any being of any country in any world copy out this mantra in writing on materials native to his region, such as birch bark, pattra, plain paper, or white cotton cloth, and store it in a pouch containing incense. If that person wears the pouch on his body, or if he keeps a copy of the mantra in his home, then you should know that even if he understands so little that he cannot recite the mantra from memory, he will not be harmed by any poison during his entire life."
　　"Ananda, I will now tell you more about how this mantra can rescue and protect the world, help people obtain great fearlessness, and bring to accomplishment living beings' transcendental wisdom. You should know that, after my extinction, if there are beings in the Dharma-ending Age who can recite the mantra themselves or teach others to recite it, such people who recite and uphold it will not be burned by fire, will not be drowned by water, and will not be harmed by mild or potent poisons."
　　"Other such things will not happen to them either, including not being possessed by any dragon, gods, ghost, spirits, weird entities, demonic ghosts, or evil mantras. These people's minds will attain proper reception, so that any spell; any paralyzing sorcery; any poison made of herbs, gold, silver; any plant, tree, insect, or snake; and any of the myriad kinds of poisonous vapors will turn into sweet dew when encountered or ingested. No evil stars, nor any ghost or spirit that harbors malice in its heart and poisons others can work its evil on these people. Vinayaka as well as all the evil ghost kings and their retinues will be led by deep kindness to always guard and protect them."
　　"Ananda, you should know that eighty-four thousand nayutas of Ganges' sands of kotis of Vajra-Treasury King Bodhisattvas and their descendants, each with Vajra multitudes in their retinues, are ever in attendance, day and night, upon this mantra."
　　"If beings whose minds are scattered and who have no Samadhi remember and recite the mantra, the Vajra Kings will always surround such good people. That is even more true for those who are decisively resolved upon Bodhi. All the Vajra Treasury-King Bodhisattvas will regard them attentively and secretly hasten the opening of their spiritual awareness. When that response occurs, those people will be able to remember the events of as many eons as there are sand grains in eighty-four thousand Ganges Rivers, knowing them all beyond any doubt or delusion. From that eon onward, through every life until the time they take last body, they will not be born where there are yakshas, rakshasas, putanas, kataputanas, kumbhandas, pishachas and so forth; where there is any kinds of hungry ghost, or any being possessing or lacking form, possessing or lacking thought, or in any other such evil place."
　　"If these good men read, recite, copy, or write out the mantra, if they carry it or treasure it, or if they make offerings to it, then through eon after eon they will not be poor or lowly, nor will they be born in unpleasant places. If these beings have never done any deeds that generate blessings, the Tathagatas of the ten directions will bestow their own merit and virtue upon these people. Because of that, throughout asamkhyeyas of ineffable, unspeakable numbers of eons, as many as sand grains in the Ganges, they will always be born in places where there are Buddhas. Their limitless merit and virtue will be three-fold, like the amala fruit-cluster, for they stay in the same place, become permeated with cultivation, and never part from the Buddhas."
　　"Therefore, The mantra can enable those who have broken the precepts to regain the purity of the precept source. It can enable those who have not received the precepts to receive them. It can cause those who are not vigorous to become vigorous. This mantra can enable those who lack wisdom to gain wisdom. It can cause those who are not pure to quickly become pure. It can cause those who are not vegetarians to become vegetarians naturally."
　　"Ananda, if good men who uphold this mantra violate the pure precepts before having received them, their multitude of offenses incurred by such violations, whether major or minor, can simultaneously be eradicated after they uphold the mantra. Even if they drank intoxicants or ate the five kinds of pungent plants and various other impure things in the past, the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajra deities, gods, immortals, ghosts, and spirits will not hold it against them. If they are unclean and wear tattered, old clothes to carry out the practice alone in a place by themselves, they can be equally pure. Even if they do not set up a platform, do not enter a Way-place, and do not practice the Way, but recite and uphold this mantra, their merit and virtue can still be identical with that derived from entering the platform and practicing the Way. If they have committed the five rebellious acts, grave offenses warranting unintermittent retribution, or if they are Bhikshus or Bhikshunis who have violated the four parajikas or the eight parajikas, after they recite this mantra, even such heavy karma can dispense after they recite this mantra, like a sand dune that is scattered in a gale, so that not a particle of it remains."
　　"Ananda, if beings who have never repented and reformed any of the obstructive offenses, either heavy or light, that they have committed throughout infinite countless eons past, up to and including those of this very life, can nevertheless read, recite, copy, or write out this mantra or wear it on their bodies or place it in their homes or in their garden houses, then all that accumulated karma will melt away like snow in hot water. Before long they will obtain awakening to Patience with the Non-existence of Both Beings and Dharmas."
　　"Moreover, Ananda, if women who do not have children and want to conceive can sincerely memorize and recite this mantra, or carry this Sitata-Patra mantra on their bodies, they can give birth to sons or daughters endowed with blessings, virtue, and wisdom."
　　"Those who seek long life will obtain long life. Those who seek to quickly perfect their reward will quickly be able to do so. The same is true for those who seek something regarding their bodies, lives, appearance, or strength. At the end of their lives, they will gain the rebirth they hope for in whichever of the lands of the ten directions they wish. They certainly will not be born in poorly endowed places, or as inferior people; even less will they be reborn in some odd form."
　　"Ananda, if there is famine of plague in a country, province, or village, or if perhaps there are armies, brigands, invasions, war, or any other kind of local threat of danger, then by writing out this holy mantra and placing it on the four city gates, or on a chaitya or on a dhvaja, by instructing all the people of the country to venerate the mantra, make obeisance to it, revere it, and singlemindedly make offerings to it; by instructing all the citizens to wear it on their bodies or to place it in their homes, and then all such disasters and calamities will completely disappear."
　　"Ananda, in each and every country where the people accord with this mantra, the heavenly dragons are delighted, the winds and rains are seasonal, the five kinds of crops are abundant, and the people are peaceful and happy. It can also suppress all evil stars which may appear in any of the directions and transform themselves in uncanny ways. Calamities and obstructions will not arise. People will not die accidentally or unexpectedly, nor will they be bound by fetters, cangues, or locks. Day and night they will be at peace, and no evil dreams will disturb their sleep."
　　"Ananda, this Saha world has eighty-four thousand changeable and potentially devastating evil stars. Twenty-eight great evil stars are the leader, and another eight great evil stars are the rulers. They take various shape, and when they appear in the world they bring disaster and unexpected calamities down upon beings. But wherever this the mantra is kept they will all be eradicated. A boundary will be secured for twelve yojanas around, and not evil calamity or misfortune will ever encroach upon it."
　　"Therefore, the Tathagata proclaims this mantra to be one which will protect all cultivators of the future who have just begun to study, so that they can enter Samadhi, be peaceful in body and mind, and attain great tranquility. Even less will any demon, ghost, or spirit, or any enemy, calamity, or misfortune due from former lives that reach back to beginningless time, or any old karma or past debts come to vex and harm them."
　　"As to you and everyone in the assembly who is still studying, and as to cultivators of the future who rely on my platform and hold the precepts in accord with the Dharma; who received the precepts from pure members of the Sangha; and who hold this mantra-heart without giving rise to doubts: should such good men as these not comprehend their minds in that very body, then the Tathagatas of the ten directions have lied!"
　　When he finished this explanation, measureless hundreds of thousands of Vajra Power-Knights in the assembly came before the Buddha, placed their palms together, bowed, and said to the Buddha, "With sincere minds we will protect those who cultivate Bodhi in this way, according to what the Buddha has said."
　　Then the Brahma King, the God Shakra, and the four great heavenly kings all came before the Buddha, made obeisance together, and said to the Buddha, "If indeed there are good men who cultivate and study in this way, we will do all we can to earnestly protect them and cause everything to be as they would wish throughout their entire lives."
　　Moreover measureless great yaksha generals, rakshasa kings, putana kings, kumbhanda kings, pishacha kings, Vinayaka, the great ghost kings, and all the ghost commanders came before the Buddha, put their palms together, and made obeisance. "We also have vowed to protect these people and cause their resolve for Bodhi to be quickly perfected."
　　Further, measureless numbers of gods of the sun and moon, lords of the rain, lords of the clouds, lords of the thunder, lords of lightning who patrol throughout the year, and all the retinues of stars which were also in the assembly bowed at the Buddha's feet and said to the Buddha, "We also protect all cultivators, so that their Way-places are peaceful and they can attain fearlessness."
　　Moreover, measureless numbers of mountain spirits, sea spirits, and all those of the earth-the myriad creatures and entities of water, land, and the air-as well as the king of wind-spirits and the gods of the Formless Heavens, came before the Tathagata, bowed their heads, and said to the Buddha, " We also will protect these cultivators until they attain Bodhi and will never let any demons have their way with them."
　　Then Vajra Treasury King Bodhisattvas in the great assembly, numbering as many as eighty-four thousand nayutas of kotis' worth of sand grains in the Ganges, arose from their seats, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "Bhagavan, the nature of our deeds in cultivation is such that, although we have long since accomplished Bodhi, we do not grasp at nirvana, but always accompany those who hold this mantra, rescuing and protecting those in the final age who cultivate Samadhi properly. Bhagavan, such people as this, who cultivate their minds and seek proper concentration, whether in the Way-place or walking about, and even such people who with scattered minds roam and amuse themselves in the villages, will be accomplished and protected by us and our retinue of followers. Although the demon kings and the gods of great comfort will seek to get at them, they will never be able to do so. The smaller ghosts will have to stay ten yojanas' distance from these good people, except for those beings who have decided they want to cultivate dhyana.
　　"Bhagavan, if such evil demons or their retinues want to harm or disturb these good people, we will smash their heads to smithereens with our Vajra-pestles. We will always help these people to accomplish that.
　　Then Ananda arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and said to the Buddha, "Now that we who are dull and slow, who are fond of erudition but have not sought to stop the outflows of our minds, have received the Buddha's compassionate instructions and have attained the proper means to become infused with cultivation, we experience joy in body and mind and obtain tremendous benefit. Bhagavan, for one who cultivates in this way and is certified as having attained the Buddha's Samadhi, but who has not yet reached nirvana, what is meant by the Level of Dry Wisdom? What are the Forty-four Minds? What is the sequence in which one cultivates to reach one's goal? What place must one reach to be said to have entered the grounds? And what is meant by a Bodhisattva of Equal Enlightenment?"
　　Having said this, he made a full prostration, and then the great assembly singlemindedly awaited the sound of the Buddha's compassionate voice as they gazed up unblinkingly with respectful admiration.
　　At that time the Bhagavan praised Ananda, saying, "Good indeed, good indeed, that for the sake of the entire great assembly and those beings in the final age who cultivate Samadhi and seek the Mahayana, you ask to have the unsurpassed proper path of cultivation that takes one from the level of an ordinary person to final parinirvana explained and revealed. Listen attentively, and I will speak about it for you."
　　Ananda and everyone in the assembly placed their palms together, cleansed their minds, and silently waited to receive the teaching.
　　The Buddha said, "Ananda, you should know that the wonderful nature is perfect and bright, apart from all names and attributes. Basically there is no world, nor are there any beings. Because of falseness, phenomena come into being. Because phenomena come into being, they also cease to be. Even the terms 'coming into being' and 'ceasing to be' are false. When the false ceases to be, that is known as truth. This is called the Tathagata's Unsurpassed Bodhi and Great Nirvana: These names refer to two kinds of turning around. Ananda, you now wish to cultivate true Samadhi and arrive directly at the Tathagata's Parinirvana. First, you should recognize the two upside-down causes of living beings and the world. The non-arising of upside-downness is the Tathagata's true Samadhi.
　　"Ananda, what is meant by the upside-downness of beings? Ananda, our nature endows the mind with understanding because the nature itself is the perfection of understanding. By adding understanding, another nature comes into being, and from that false nature, views arise. From absolute nothingness comes ultimate existence. All that exists comes about in that way.
　　The cause is not an actual cause. Subjective reliance on objective appearances is basically groundless. Thus, the very
　　basis for the existence of the world and beings is fundamentally unreliable
　　"Confusion about one's basic, perfect understanding results in the arising of falseness. Falseness itself is devoid of substance; it is not something which can be relied upon. One may wish to return to the truth, but that wish for the truth is already a falseness. The real nature of True Suchness is not a truth that one can seek to return to. By doing so one misses the mark. What basically does not arise, what basically does not dwell, what basically is not the mind, and what basically are not dharmas come into being in turn. As they arise more and more strongly, they form the propensity to create karma. Similar karma sets up a mutual stimulus. Because of the karma thus generated, there is mutual production and mutual extinction. That is the reason for the upside-downness of beings.
　　"Ananda, what is the upside-downness of the world? All that exists and pertains to existence falsely arises in sections and shares. The world is based on that, but this cause is not an actual cause. Everything that is dependent has nothing on which it is dependent, and so it shifts and slides ceaselessly. Because of this, the world of the three periods of time and four directions come into being. Their union and interaction bring about changes which result in the twelve categories of beings.
　　"That is why, in this world, movement brings about sounds, sounds bring about forms, forms bring about smells, smells bring about contact, contact brings about tastes, and tastes brings about awareness of dharmas. The random false thinking resulting from those six creates karma, and this continuous revolving becomes the cause of twelve different categeories. And so, in the world, sounds, smells, tastes, contact, and the like, are each transformed throughout the twelve categories to make one complete cycle.
　　"Based on that continuously revolving process involving upside-down phenomena, those born from eggs, those born from wombs, those born from moisture, and those born by transformation; beings with form, those without form, those with thought, and those without thoughtt; beings not totally endowedwith form, those not totally lacking form, those not totally endowed with thought, and those not totally lacking thought come into being in this world.
　　"Ananda, through a continuous process of falseness, the upside-down state of movement occurs in this world. It unites with energy to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts that either fly up or dive down. From that eggs come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, so that their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of defilement, the upside-down state of desire occurs in this world. It unites with stimulation to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts that are either erect or horizontal. From that embroyos in wombs come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as human beings, animals, dragons, and immortals until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of attachment, the upside-down state of inclination occurs in this world. It unites with warmth to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts that are vacillating and inverted. From that organisms in moisture come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as insects and crawling invertebrates, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of change, the upside-down state of borrowing occurs in this world. Based on upside-downness, it unites with contact to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of new and old. From that, organisms that undergo transformations come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as forms of metamorphic flying and crawling creatures, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of restraint, the upside-down state of obstruction occurs in this world. It unites with attachment to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of refinement and brilliance. From that animate entities that possess form come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as auspicious and inauspicious creatures, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of annihilation and dispersion, the upside-down state of delusion occurs in this world. It unites with darkness to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of obscurity and hiding. From that, animate entities that are formless come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as empty, dispersed, annihilated, and submerged beings until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of illusory imaginings, the upside-down state of shadows occurs in this world. It unites with memory to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts that are hidden and bound up. From that, animate entities endowed with thought, come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as spirits, ghosts, and devious beings, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of dullness and slowness, the upside-down state of stupidity occurs in this world. It unites with obstinacy to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts that are dry and attenuated. From that, animate entities lacking thought, come into being and transmigrate throughout the lands as their vitality and spirit change into earth, wood, metal, or stone, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of parasitic interaction, the upside-down state of simulation occurs in this world. It unites with defilement to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of according and relying. From that, animate entities not actually endowed with form, take on embryonic forms and transmigrate throughout the lands until their kinds abound, as jellyfish that use shrimp for eyes and the like.
　　"Through a continuous process of mutual enticement, an upside-down state of the nature occurs in this world. It unites with mantras to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of reckoning and summoning. From that animate entities not actually lacking form become formless beings and transmigrate throughout the lands as the hidden beings of mantras and incantations, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of false unity, the upside-down state of transgression occurs in this world. It unites with unlike formations to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of reciprocal interchange. From that animate entities not actually endowed with thought, become beings endowed with thought and transmigrate throughout the lands in such forms as a wasp that turns a different creature into its own species and the like, until their kinds abound.
　　"Through a continuous process of enmity and harm the upside-down state of killing occurs in this world. It unites with monstrosities to become eighty-four thousand kinds of random thoughts of devouring one's father and mother. From that, animate entities not actually lacking thought become beings that lack thought and transmigrate throughout the lands, until their kinds abound in such forms as the owl which hatches its young from clods of dirt, and the broken-mirror bird, which incubates a poisonous fruit to create its young whereupon the young of each eat the parents and the like, until their kinds abound. These are the twelve categories of beings."
　　Chapter 8
　　"Ananda, each of these categories of beings is replete with all twelve kinds of upside-down states, just as pressing on one's eye produces a variety of flower-like images. With the inversion of wonderful perfection, pure understanding of the true mind becomes glutted with false and random thoughts. Now, as you cultivate towards certification to the Samadhi of Buddha, you will go through three gradual stages in order to get rid of the basic cause of these random thoughts. They work in just the way that hot water mixed with the ashes of incense clease a vessel that has held poisonous honey. Afterwards, such a vessel can be used to store sweet dew.
　　"What are the three gradual stages? The first is to correct one's habits by getting rid of the aiding causes; the second is to truly cultivate to cut out the very essence of karmic offenses; the third is to increase one's vigor to prevent the manifestation of karma.
　　"What are aiding causes? Ananda, the twelve categories of beings in this world are not in complete in themselves, but depend on four kinds of eating; that is, eating by portions, eating by contact, eating by thought, and eating by consciousness. Therefore, the Buddha said that all beings must eat to live.
　　"Ananda, all beings can live if they eat what is fresh, and they will die if they take poison. Beings who seek Samadhi should refrain from eating five pungent plants of this world. If these five are eaten cooked, they increase one's sexual desire; if they are eaten raw, they increase one's anger. Therefore, even if people in this world who eat pungent plants can expound the twelve divisions of the Sutra canon, the gods and immortals of the ten directions will stay far away from them because they smell so bad. However, after they eat these things the hungry ghosts will hover around and kiss their lips. Being always in the presence of ghosts, their blessings and virtue will dissolve as the days go by, and they will experience no lasting benefit. People who eat pungent plants and also cultivate Samadhi will not be protected by the Bodhisattvas, gods, immortals, or good spirits of the ten directions; therefore, the tremendously powerful demon kings, able to do as they please, will appear in the body of a Buddha and speak Dharma for them, denouncing the precepts and praising lust, rage, and delusion. When their lives end, these people will join the retinue of demon kings. When they use up their blessings as demons, they will fall into the unintermittent hell. Ananda, those who cultivate for Bodhi should never eat the five pungent plants. This is the first of the gradual stages of cultivation.
　　"What is the essence of karmic offenses? Ananda, beings who want to enter Samadhi must first firmly uphold the pure precepts. They must exterminate sexual desire forever, not partake of wine or meat, and eat cooked rather than raw foods. Ananda, if cultivators do not cut off sexual desire and killing, it will be impossible for them to transcend the Triple Realm. You should regard sexual desire as a poisonous snake or a resentful bandit. First hold to the Hearers' Four or Eight Parajikas in order to control your physical activity; then cultivate the Bodhisattva's pure regulations in order to control your mental activity. When the precepts are successfully upheld, one will not create karma that leads to mutual rebirth and mutual killing in this world. If one does not steal, one will not be indebted, and one will not have to pay back past debts in this world. If people who are pure in this way cultivate Samadhi, they will naturally be able to contemplate the extent of the worlds of the ten directions with the physical body given them by their parents; without need of the Heavenly Eye, they will perceive the Buddhas speaking Dharma and receive in person the sagely instruction. Obtaining great spiritual penetrations, they will roam through the ten directions, gain clarity regarding past lives, and will not encounter difficulties and dangers. This is the second of the gradual stages of cultivation.
　　"What is the manifestation of karma? Ananda, such people as these, who are pure and who uphold the precepts, do not have thoughts of greed and sexual desire, and so they do not become dissipated in the pursuit of the six external defiling sense-objects. Because they do not pursue them, they turn around to their own source. Without the conditions of the defiling objects, there is nothing for the sense-organs to match themselves with, and so they reverse their flow, become one unit, and are no longer confined to six individual functions. All the lands of the ten directions then become as brilliantly clear and pure as a moon suspended in crystal. Their bodies and minds are blissful as they experience the equality of wonderful perfection, and they attain great peace. The secret perfection and pure wonder of all the Tathagatas appear before them. These people then obtain Patience with the Non-existence of Beings and Dharmas. They thereupon gradually cultivate according to their practices, until they reside securely in the sagely positions. This is the third of the gradual stages of cultivation.
　　"Ananda, these good people's emotional love and desire are withered and dry, the sense-organs and sense objects no longer mesh, and so the residual habits do not continue to arise. Recognizing that the attachments of the mind are false, they use only wisdom. That wisdom shines throughout the ten directions, and this initial wisdom is called the Stage of Dry Wisdom. Although the habits of desire are initially dried up, they still have not merged with Dharma-water that flows from the Tathagatas.
　　"Then, with this mind centered on the middle, they enter the flow where wonderful perfection reveals itself. From the truth of that wonderful perfection there repeatedly arise wonders of truth. They always dwell in the wonder of faith, until all false thinking is completely eliminated and the Middle Way is totally true. This is called the Mind that Resides in Faith.
　　"When true faith is clearly understood, then perfect penetration is total, and the three aspects of skandhas, places, and realms are no longer obstructions. Then all their habits throughout innumerable eons of past and future, during which they abandon bodies and receive bodies, appear to them now in the present moment. These good people can remember everything and forget nothing. This is called the Mind that Resides in Mindfulness.
　　"When the wonderful perfection is completely true, that essential true brings about a transformation. They go beyond the beginningless habits to reach the one essential brightness. Relying solely on this essential brightness, they progress toward true purity. This is called the Mind of Vigor.
　　"The essence of the mind reveals itself as total wisdom; this is called the Mind that Resides in Wisdom.
　　"As the wisdom and brightness are held steadfast, a profound stillness pervades everywhere. The stage at which the majesty of this stillness becomes constant and solid is called the Mind that Resides in Samadhi.
　　"The light of Samadhi emits brightness. When the essence of the brightness enters deeply within, they only advance and never retreat. This is called the Mind that is Irreversible.
　　"When the progress of their minds is secure, and they hold their minds and protect them without loss, they connect with the life-breath of the Tathagatas of the ten directions. This is called the Mind that Protects the Dharma.
　　"Protecting their light of enlightenment, they can use this wonderful force to return to the Buddha's light of compassion and to come back to stand firm with the Buddha. It is like two mirrors that are set facing one another, so that between them the exquisite images inter-reflect and enter into one another layer upon layer. This is called the Mind that Makes Transferences.
　　"With this secret interplay of light, they obtain the Buddha's eternal solidity and unsurpassed wonderful purity. Dwelling in the unconditioned, they know no loss or dissipation.
　　This is called the Mind that Resides in Precepts.
　　"Abiding in the precepts with self-mastery, they can roam throughout the ten directions, going anywhere they wish. This is called the Mind that Resides in Vows.
　　"Ananda, these good people use proper expedients to bring forth those ten minds. The essence of these minds becomes dazzling, and their ten functions interconnect to a point of single-mindedness. That is called the Dwelling of Bringing Forth the Resolve.
　　"The discoveries made by that mind are like pure crystal within which can be seen pure gold. Based on those previous wonderful minds, they step up to this level called the Dwelling of the Ground of Regulation.
　　"When the mind on that ground connects with wisdom, both become bright and comprehensive. Traversing the ten directions then without obstruction is called the Dwelling of Cultivation.
　　"When their conduct is the same as the Buddhas' and they connect with the Buddha's spirit, then, like the body-between-skandhas searching for a father and mother, they penetrate the darkness with a hidden communication and enter the lineage of the Tathagata. That is called the Dwelling of Noble Birth.
　　"Since they ride in the womb of the Way, they are heirs to enlightenment just as a mature fetus has developed all human features. That is called the Dwelling that is Endowed with Skill-in-Means.
　　"Their physical appearances become those of Buddhas and their minds the same as well. That is called Dwelling in the Proper Mind.
　　"United in body and mind, they grow and mature day by day. That is called Dwelling in Irreversibility.
　　"With the efficacious appearance of ten bodies, which are simultaneously perfected, they are Dwelling as a Pure Youth.
　　"Completely developed, they leave the womb and become sons of the Buddha. That is Dwelling as a Dharma Prince. Reaching the fullness of adulthood, they are like a chosen prince to whom a mighty king turns over the affairs of state. Eventually that eldest son of the kshatriya king will be ceremoniously anointed on the crown of the head. That is called Dwelling in Anointing the Crown of the Head.
　　"Ananda, after these good men have become sons of the Buddha, they are replete with the limitlessly many wonderful virtues of the Tathagatas, and they comply and accord with beings throughout the ten directions. That is called the Conduct of Happiness.
　　"Being well able to accommodate all beings is called the Conduct of Benefiting.
　　"Enlightening themselves and enlightening others without putting forth any resistance is called the Conduct Free of Anger.
　　"Then they undergo birth in various forms continuously to the bounds of the future. Practicing that equally throughout the three periods of time and pervading the ten directions is called the Conduct Continued Endlessly.
　　"When everything is equally in accord, one never makes mistakes among the various Dharma doors. That is called 'he Conduct of Freedom from Deluded Confusion.
　　"Then within what is identical, myriad differences appear.
　　Yet within the different appearances, an identity can be perceived.
　　That is called the Conduct of Wholesome Manifestation.
　　"That continues until it includes all particles of dust that fill up empty space throughout the ten directions. In each and every mote of dust there appear the worlds of the ten directions. And yet the appearance of dust motes and the appearance of worlds do not interfere with one another. That is called the Conduct of Non-Attachment.
　　"Everything that appears before one becomes a foremost paramita. That is called the Conduct of Veneration.
　　"With such perfect fusion, one can model oneself after all the Buddhas of the ten directions. That is called the Conduct Based on Wholesome Dharmas.
　　"As each and every one of those becomes pure and without outflows, they merge into a singular truth, unconditioned, that is the essence of the nature. That is called the Conduct of Reality.
　　"Ananda, when these good men replete with spiritual penetrations have done the Buddha's work and are totally pure and absolutely true, they can remain distant from obstacles and calamities. Then they take beings across without being attached to the idea of taking them across. They direct the unconditioned mind toward the path of Nirvana. That is called the Transference of Saving and Protecting Living Beings, while apart from the Appearance of Living Beings.
　　"Destroying what should be destroyed and remaining far removed from what should be left behind is called the Transference of Indestructibility.
　　"Fundamental Enlightenment is profound indeed, an enlightenment on a level with the Buddhas' enlightenment. That is called the Transference of Sameness with All Buddhas.
　　"When absolute truth is discovered, their level is like the level of Buddhas. That is called the Transference of Reaching all Places.
　　"Worlds and Tathagatas include one another without any obstruction. That is called the Transference of a Treasury of Inexhaustible Merit and Virtue.
　　"Since their level is like the Buddhas', each and every cause they create at that level is pure. Based on the dispersing of such causes, they go straight down the path to Nirvana. That is called the Transference of the Good Roots of Following what is Basically Identical.
　　"When true roots are set down, then all beings in the ten directions are my own nature. Not a single being is lost, as this nature is successfully perfected. That is called the Transference of Following the Impartial Contemplation of all Beings.
　　"Being identical with all dharmas yet apart from all phenomena, they are not attached to either the identity or the separation. That is called the Transference of the Appearance of True Suchness.
　　"That which is thus is truly obtained, and there is no obstruction throughout the ten directions. That is called the Transference of Unfettered Liberation.
　　"When the virtue of the nature is perfectly realized, the boundaries of the Dharma Realm are destroyed. That is called the Transference of the Limitlessness of the Dharma Realm.
　　"Ananda, when these good men have completely purified these forty-one minds, they further accomplish Four Kinds of Wonderfully Perfect Aiding Practices.
　　"The enlightenment of a Buddha is just about to become a function of their own minds. It is on the verge of emerging but has not yet emerged, and so it can be compared to the point just before wood ignites when it is drilled to produce fire. That is called the Level of Heat.
　　"They continue on with their own minds to tread where the Buddhas tread, as if relying and yet not. It is as if they were climbing a lofty mountain, to the point where their bodies are in space but there remains a slight obstruction beneath them. That is called the Level of the Summit.
　　"When the mind and the Buddha are two and yet the same, they have well obtained the Middle Way. They are like someone who endures something when it seems impossible to either hold it in or let it go. That is called the Level of Patience.
　　"When numbers and limits are gone, no such designations as the Middle Way or as confusion and enlightenment are made. That is called the Level of Being First in the World.
　　"Ananda, these good men have successfully penetrated through to Great Bodhi. Their enlightenment reaches through to the Tathagatas'. They have fathomed the state of Buddhahood. That is called the Ground of Happiness.
　　"The differences enter into identity; even the notion of identity is gone. That is called the Ground of Leaving Filth.
　　"At the point of ultimate purity, brightness comes forth. That is called the Ground of Emitting Light.
　　"When the brightness becomes ultimate, enlightenment is full.
　　That is called the Ground of Blazing Wisdom.
　　"No identity or difference can be attained. That is called the Ground of Invincibility.'
　　"With unconditioned True Suchness, the nature is spotless, and brightness is revealed. That is called the Ground of Manifestation.
　　"Coming to the farthest limits of True Suchness is called the Ground of Traveling Far.
　　"The single mind of True Suchness is called the Ground of Immovability.
　　"Bringing forth the function of True Suchness is called the Ground of Good Wisdom.
　　"Ananda, all Bodhisattvas beyond this point have completed their cultivation and have perfected their merit and virtue, and so this Ground is called the Level of Cultivation.
　　"Then a wonderful cloud of compassion hovers over the Sea of Nirvana. That is called 'the Ground of the Dharma Cloud.
　　"The Tathagatas counter the flow as the Bodhisattvas thus reach this point through compliance with practice. Their enlightenment is about to meet that of the Buddhas; it is therefore called Equal Enlightenment.
　　"Ananda, the enlightenment which encompasses the Mind of Dry Wisdom through to the culmination of Equal Enlightenment is awakening within the Varja Mind. That constitutes the Level of Initial Dry Wisdom. Thus there are totals of twelve single and grouped levels. At last they reach Wonderful Enlightenment and accomplish the Unsurpassed Way. At all these levels they use vajra contemplation of Ten Profound Analogies for the ways in which things are like an illusion. In Shamatha they use the Tathagatas' Vipashyana to cultivate them purely, to be certified to them, and to gradually enter them more and more deeply. Ananda, because they put to use the three means of advancement throughout all of them, they are well able to accomplish the fifty-five stages of the True Bodhi Path"This manner of contemplation is called proper contemplation.
　　Contemplation other than this is called deviant contemplation."
　　Then Dharma Prince Manjushri arose from his seat, and in the midst of the assembly he bowed at the Buddha's feet and said to the Buddha, "What is the name of this Sutra and how should we and all beings uphold it?"
　　The Buddha told Manjushri, "This Sutra is called the Crown of Great Buddha, Sitata-Patra, the Unsurpassed Precious Seal and Pure, Clear, Ocean-like Eye of the Tathagatas of the Ten Directions."
　　"It is also called The Cause for Saving a Relative, the Rescue of Ananda and the Bhikshuni Nature, and the Attaining of the Bodhi-Heart and Entry into the Sea of Pervasive Knowledge."
　　"It is also called The Tathagatas' Secret Cause of Cultivation that Brings Certification to the Complete Meaning."
　　"It is also called The Great Expansive Means, the Wonderful Lotus Flower King, the Dharani Mantra which is the Mother of all Buddhas of the Ten Directions."
　　"It is also called The Foremost Shurangama, Sections and Phrases for Anointing the Crown of the Head, and All Bodhisattvas' Myriad Practices."
　　"Thus should you respectfully uphold it."
　　(In-depth explanation on causes and retributions:)
　　After that was said, Ananda and all in the great assembly immediately received the Tathagata's instruction in the secret seal, the meaning of Patra, and heard these names for the complete meaning of this Sutra. They were suddenly enlightened to Dhyana, advanced in their cultivation to the sagely position, and increased their understanding of the wonderful principle. Their minds were focused and serene.
　　Ananda cut off and cast aside six sections of subtle afflictions in his cultivation of the mind in the Triple Realm. He arose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, places his palms together respectfully, and said to the Buddha, "The Great, mighty and Virtuous Bhagavan, whose compassionate sound knows no limit, has well instructed beings as to their extremely subtle submersion in delusion and has caused me on this day to become blissful in body and mind and to obtain enormous benefit. Bhagavan, if the wonderful brightness of this truly pure and wonderful mind is basically all-pervading, then everything on the great earth, including the grasses and trees, the wriggling worms and tiny forms of life are originally True Suchness and are themselves the Tathagata- true embodiments of Buddhahood. Since the Buddhas' embodiments are true and real, how can there also be hells, hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, humans, gods, and other paths of rebirth? Bhagavan, do these paths exist naturally of themselves, or are they created by beings' falseness and habits?
　　"Bhagavan, the Bhikshuni Precious Lotus Fragrance, for example, received the Bodhisattva Precepts and then indulged in lustful desire, recklessly saying that sexual acts did not involve killing or stealing and they carried no karmic retribution. But after saying that, her female organs caught fire, and then the raging blaze spread throughout all her joints as she fell into the Unintermittent Hell alive. And there were the Mighty King Crystal and the Bhikshu Good Stars. Crystal exterminated the Gautama clan and Good Stars recklessly said that all dharmas are empty. They both sank into the Unintermittent Hell alive. Are these hells fixed places, or do they arise spontaneously? Is it that each individual undergoes whatever kind of karma he or she creates? I only hope the Buddha will be compassionate and instruct those of us who do not understand this. May he cause all beings who uphold the precepts to receive this definitive instruction with joyful respect upon hearing it and be careful not to transgress it."
　　The Buddha said to Ananda, "What a good question! You want to keep all living beings from adopting deviant views. You should listen attentively now and I will explain this matter for you."
　　"Actually, Ananda, all beings are fundamentally true and pure, but because of their false views they give rise to the falseness of habits, which are divided into an internal aspect and an external aspect."
　　"Ananda, the internal aspect refers to what occurs inside living beings. Because of love and defilement, they produce the falseness of emotions. When these emotions accumulate without cease, they can create the fluids of love. That is why living beings' mouths water when they think about delicious food. When they think about a deceased person, either with fondness or with anger, tears will flow from their eyes. When they are greedy for wealth, a current of lust will course through their hearts and their skin will become lustrous. When their minds dwell on lustful conduct, spontaneous secretions will come from the male or female organ. Ananda, although the kinds of love differ, their flow and formation is the same. With this moisture, one cannot ascend, but will naturally fall. This is called the Internal Aspect."
　　"Ananda, the External Aspect refers to what happens outside living beings. Because of longing and yearning, they give rise to fantasies. When these fantasies persist without cease, they can create an uplifting energy. That is why when living beings uphold the precepts in their minds, their bodies will be buoyant and feel light and clear. When they uphold mantra seals in their minds, they will command a heroic and resolute perspective. When they have the desire in their minds to be born in the heavens, in their dreams they will have thoughts of flying and ascending. When they cherish the Buddhalands in their minds, then the sagely realms will appear in a shimmering vision, and they will serve the good and wise advisors with little thought for their own lives. Ananda, although the thought varies, the lightness and uplifting is the same. With flight and ascension, one will not sink, but will naturally become transcendent. This is called the External Aspect."
　　"Ananda, all beings in the world are caught up in the continuity of birth and death. Birth happens because of their habitual tendencies; death results inflow and change. When they are on the verge of dying, but when the final warmth has not left their bodies, all the good and evil they have done in that life suddenly and simultaneously manifest. They experience the intermingling of two habits: an abhorrence of death and an attraction to life."
　　"Endowed solely with thought, they will fly and can certainly be reborn in the heavens. If fly into the heart, with blessings and wisdom, as well as pure vows, then their hearts will spontaneously open and they will see the Buddhas of the ten directions and all their pure lands and they will be reborn in whichever one they wish."
　　"When they have more thought than emotion, they are not quite as ethereal and so they become flying immortals, great mighty ghost kings, space traveling-yakshas, or earth-traveling rakshasas who roam the Heaven of the Four Kings, going where they please without obstruction. Among them may be some with good vows and good hearts who will protect and uphold my dharma. Perhaps they protect the pure precepts by following and supporting those who hold precepts. Perhaps they protect holy mantras by following and supporting those who hold mantras. Perhaps they protect those who practice Dhyana Samadhi so they can cultivate Dharma-Ksanti(forbearance)s. These beings will be close to the Tathagata beneath his seat."
　　"When their thought and emotion are of equal proportions, they neither fly nor fall, but are born in the human realm, where the brightness of thought leads to intelligence and the darkness of emotion leads to dullness."
　　"When they have more emotion than thought, they enter the animal realm. With heavier emotion, they become fur-bearing beasts; with lighter emotion, they become winged creatures."
　　"When they have seventy percent emotion and thirty percent thought, they fall beneath the wheel of water and are bordering on the wheel of fire, where they experience the full force of the raging blaze. In the bodies of hungry ghosts, they are constantly burned to a crisp. Even water harms them, and they have nothing to eat or drink for hundreds of thousands of eons."
　　"When they have ninety percent emotion and ten percent thought, they fall through the wheel of fire until their bodies enter a region where wind and fire interact. With lighter emotion they are born in the intermittent hell; with heavier emotion they are born in the unintermittent hell. When they are possessed entirely of emotion, they sink into the Avici Hell. If in their minds they slander the Mahayana, defame the Buddha's pure precepts, irrationally speak dharma, are greedy for offerings from the faithful, recklessly accept the respect of others, commit the five rebellious acts and the ten major offenses, then they are further reborn in Avici Hell throughout the ten directions. Although one receives one's due according to the evil karma one has created, a group can undergo an identical lot, and there are definite places where it occurs."
　　"Ananda, it all comes from the karmic responses which living beings themselves invoke. They create ten habitual causes and undergo six interacting retributions. What are the ten causes? Ananda, the first consists the habit of lustful intercourse which gives rise to mutual rubbing. When this rubbing continues without cease, it activates a tremendous raging fire, just as warmth arises between a person's hands when he rubs them together. Because these two habits set each other ablaze, there come into being the Iron Bed, the Copper Pillar, and other such experiences. Therefore the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon the act of lust and name it the 'fire of desire.' Bodhisattvas avoid desire as they would a fiery pit."
　　"The second consists of the habit of greedy scheming, which gives rise to a suction. When this suction continues without cease, it produces intense cold and solid ice where freezing occurs, just as a sensation of cold is experienced when a person draws in a blast of wind through his mouth. Because these two habits clash together, there come into being Cold Hells such as chattering, whimpering and shuddering; blue, red, and white lotuses; and other such experiences. Therefore the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon excessive seeking and name it 'the water of greed'. Bodhisattvas avoid greed as they would a sea of pestilence."
　　"The third consists of habits of arrogance and resulting friction which give rise to mutual intimidation. When it accelerates without cease, it produces torrents and rapids which create restless waves of water, just as water is produced when a person continuously works his tongue in an effort to taste flavors. Because these two habits incite one another, there come into being the river of blood, the river of ashes, the burning sand, the poisonous sea, the molten copper which is forced down one's throat, and other such experiences. Therefore, the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon self-satisfaction and name it 'drinking the water of stupidity.' Bodhisattvas avoid arrogance as they would a huge deluge."
　　"The fourth consists of habits of hatred which give rise to mutual defiance. When this defiance binds one without cease, one's heart becomes so hot that it catches fire, and the molten vapors turn into metal. From it is produced the mountain of knives, the iron cudgel, the tree of swords, the wheels of swords, axes and halberds, and spears and saws. It is like when a person harbors a grudge and the urge to kill surges forth. Because these two habits clash with one another, there come into being castration and hacking, beheading and mutilation, filing and sticking, flogging and beating, and other such experiences. Therefore, the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon hatred and name it 'sharp knives and swords.' Bodhisattvas avoid hatred as they would a massacre."
　　"The fifth consists of habits of deception and misleading involvements which give rise to mutual guile. When such maneuvering continues without cease, it produces ropes for strangling and wood for imprisoning. It is like how grass and trees grow in an irrigated field. Because the two habits perpetuate one another, there come into being handcuffs and fetters, cangues and locks, whips and clubs, sticks and cudgels, and other such experiences. Therefore, the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon deception and name it a 'treacherous crook.' Bodhisattvas fear deception as they would a savage wolf."
　　"The sixth consists of the habit of lying combined with continual fraudulence which give rise to mutual cheating. When false accusations continue without cease, one becomes adept at corruption. From this there come into being such filthy impurities as dirt, excrement and urine. It is like the obscuring of one's vision when the dust is stirred up by the wind. Because these two habits augment one another, there come into being sinking and drowning, tossing and pitching, flying and falling, floating and submerging, and other such experiences. Therefore, the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon lying and name it 'robbery and murder.' Bodhisattvas regard lying as they would treading on a venomous snake."
　　"The seventh consists of the habits of enmity and mutual suspicion, which give rise to grievances. From this there come into being the experiences of being pelted by flying rocks or gravel, being imprisoned in a box, car, or urn; and being bagged and struck. It is like a treacherous person who harbors evil in his mind. Because these two habits swallow one another up, there come into being tossing, pitching, seizing, striking, and banging, and other such experiences. Therefore, the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon animosity and name it a 'perverse and harmful ghost.' Bodhisattvas regard animosity as they would drinking poisonous wine."
　　"The eighth consists of the habit of expressing (wrong) views, such as those of satkayadrishti, prohibitions, grasping, and other deviant insights and the karma involved in these, which result from contradiction and opposition. From these there come into being court officials and deputies holding documents, whom one meets as if they were people coming and going on the road. Because these two habits influence one another, there come into being official inquiries, baited questions, examinations, interrogations, public investigations, exposure, the youths who record good and evil, carrying the record books of the offenders' arguments and rationalizations, and other such experiences. Therefore, the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon evil views and name them the 'pit of views.' Bodhisattvas regard having false and one-sided views as they would standing on the edge of a steep ravine full of poison."
　　"The ninth consists of the habit of injustice that comes from instigating false charges and libeling. From them are produced crushing between mountains, crushing between rocks, stone rollers, stone grinders, plowing, and grinding. It is like a slanderous villain who engages in persecuting good people unjustly. Because these two habits join ranks, there come into being pressing and pushing, bludgeons and compulsion, squeezing and straining, weighing and measuring, and other such experiences. Therefore, there Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon harmful accusations and name them 'a treacherous tiger.' Bodhisattvas regard injustice as they would a bolt of lightning."
　　"The tenth consists of the habits of litigation and the mutual disputations which give rise to covering. From them are produced the mirror that reflects and the lamp that shines, exposing one just as if one were in direct sunlight and had no way to hide one's shadow. Because these two habits bicker back and forth, there come into being evil companions, the mirror of karma, the fiery pearl, exposure of past karma, inquests, and other such experiences. Therefore, all the Tathagatas of the ten directions look upon covering and name it a 'hidden villain.' Bodhisattvas regard covering as they would having to carry a mountain atop their heads while walking upon the sea."
　　"What are the six retributions? Ananda, all living beings create karma with their six consciousnesses. The evil retributions they call down upon themselves come from the six sense organs."
　　"What are the evil retributions that arise from the six sense organs? The first is the retribution of seeing, which brings an evil result. The karma of seeing intermingles, so that at the time of death one first sees a raging conflagration which fills the ten directions. The deceased one's spiritual consciousness takes flight, but then falls. Riding on a wisp of smoke, it enters the unintermittent hell. There, two kinds of phenomena may occur. The first is clear perception, in which one sees all sorts of evil things. This causes one to experience boundless fear. The second is obscure perception, which is a stillness devoid of seeing. This causes one to experience boundless terror. When the fire that comes from seeing burns the sense of hearing, it becomes cauldrons of boiling water and molten copper. When it burns the breath, it becomes black smoke and purple fumes. When it burns the sense of taste, it becomes scorching hot pellets and molten iron gruel. When it burns the sense of touch, it become white-hot embers and glowing coals. When it burns the mind, it becomes sparks of fire that shower everywhere and whip up and inflame the entire realm of space."
　　"The second is the retribution of hearing, which brings an evil result. The karma of hearing intermingles, and thus at the time of death one first sees gigantic waves that drown the whole world. The deceased one's spiritual consciousness falls into the water and rides the current into the unintermittent hell. There, two kinds of phenomena may occur. One is open hearing, in which it hears all sorts of noise and its essential spirit becomes confused. The other is closed hearing, in which there is a stillness devoid of hearing, and its soul sinks into oblivion. When the waves from hearing flow into the hearing, they become scolding and interrogation. When they flow into the seeing, they become thunder and roaring and evil poisonous vapors. When they flow into the breath, they become rain and fog permeated with poisonous organisms that entirely fill up the body. When they flow into the sense of taste, they become pus a nd blood and every kind of filth. When they flow into the sense of touch, they become animals and ghosts, and excrement and urine. When they flow into the mind, they become lightning and hail which ravage the heart and soul."
　　"The third is the retribution of smelling, which brings an evil result. The karma of smelling intermingles, and thus at the time of death one first sees a poisonous vapor that permeates the atmosphere near and far. The deceased one's spiritual consciousness wells up out of the earth and enters the unintermittent hell. There, two kinds of phenomena may occur. One is penetrating smelling, in which one is thoroughly infused with the evil vapors and one's mind becomes distressed. The other is blocked smelling, in which one's breath is cut off and there is no passage, and one lies stifled and suffocating on the ground. When the vapor of smelling invades the breath, it becomes cross-examination and torture. When it invades the seeing, it becomes fire and torches. When it invades the hearing, it becomes sinking and drowning, molten metal and boiling liquids. When it invades the sense of taste, it becomes putrid or rancid foods. When it invades the sense of touch, it becomes the actions of ripping apart and beating to a pulp. It also becomes a huge mountain of flesh which has hundreds and thousands of eyes and which is sucked and fed upon by numberless worms. When it invades the mind, it becomes ashes, pestilent air, and flying sand and gravel which cut the body to ribbons."
　　"The fourth is the retribution of tasting, which brings an evil result. This karma of tasting intermingles, and thus at the time of death one first sees an iron net ablaze with a raging fire that covers over the entire world. The deceased one's spiritual consciousness passes down through this hanging net, and suspended upside down it enters the unintermittent hell. There, two kinds of phenomena may occur. One is a sucking air which congeals into ice so that it freezes the flesh of his body until it bursts open. The other is a spitting blast of air which spews out a raging fire that roasts his bones and marrow to a crisp. When the tasting of flavors passes through the sense of taste, it becomes what must be acknowledged and what must be endured. When it passes through the seeing, it becomes burning metal and stones. When it passes through the hearing, it becomes sharp weapons and knives. When it passes through the sense of smell, it becomes a vast iron cage that encloses the entire land. When it passes through the sense of touch, it becomes bows and arrows, crossbows, and darts. When it passes through the mind, it becomes flying pieces of molten iron that rain down from out of space."
　　"The fifth is the retribution of touching, which brings an evil result. The karma of touching intermingles, and thus at the time of death one first sees huge mountains closing in on one from four sides, leaving no path of escape. The deceased one's spiritual consciousness then sees a vast iron city. Fiery snakes and fiery dogs, wolves, lions, ox-headed jail keepers, and horse-headed rakshasas brandishing spears and lances drive it into the iron city toward the unintermittent hell. There, two kinds of phenomena may occur. One is touch that involves coming together, in which mountains come together to squeeze its body until its flesh, bones, and blood are totally dispersed. The other is touch that involves separation, in which knives and swords attack the body, ripping the heart and liver to shreds. When this touching passes through the sensation of touch, it becomes colliding, striking, stabbing, and piercing. When it passes through the seeing, it becomes burning and scorching. When it passes through the hearing, one hears the sounds on the path to the hells, at the gate to the hells, and in the courts of trial. . When it passes through the sense of smell, it becomes enclosures, bags, interrogation, and binding up. When it passes through the sense of taste, it become plowing, pinching, chopping, and severing. When it passes through the mind, it becomes falling, flying, frying, and broiling."
　　"The sixth is the retribution of thinking, which brings an evil result. The karma of thinking intermingles, and thus at the time of death one first sees a foul wind which devastates the land. The deceased one's spiritual consciousness is blown up into space, and then, spiraling downward, it rides that wind straight into the unintermittent hell. There, two kinds of phenomena may occur. One is extreme confusion, which causes it to be frantic and to race about ceaselessly. The other is not confusion, but rather an acute awareness which causes it to suffer from endless roasting and burning, the extreme pain of which is difficult to bear. When this deviant thought combines with thinking, it becomes locations and places. When it combines with seeing, it becomes inspection and testimonies. When it combines with hearing, it becomes huge crushing rocks, ice and frost, dirt and fog. When it combines with smelling, it becomes a great fiery car, a fiery boat, and a fiery jail. When it combines with tasting, it becomes loud calling, wailing, and regretful weeping. When it combines with touch, it becomes sensations of large and small, where ten thousand births and ten thousands deaths are endured every day, and of lying with one's face to the ground."
　　"Ananda, these are called the ten causes and six retributions of the hells, which are all created by the confusion and falseness of living beings."
　　"If living beings create this evil karma simultaneously, they enter the Avici Hell and endure limitless suffering, passing through limitless kalpas."
　　"If each of the six sense organs creates them and if what is done includes each state and each sense organ, then the person will enter the Eight Unintermittent Hells."
　　"If the three karmas of body, mouth, and mind commit acts of killing, stealing, and lust, the person will enter the Eighteen Hells."
　　"If the three karmas are not all involved, and there is perhaps just one act of killing and one of stealing, then the person must enter the Thirty-six Hells."
　　"If the sense organ of sight alone commits just one karmic offense, then the person must enter the one hundred and eight hells. "
　　"Because of this, living beings who do certain things create certain karma, and so in the world they enter collective hells, which arise from false thinking and which originally are not there at all."
　　"And then, Ananda, after the living beings who have slandered and broken the precepts, violated the Bodhisattva precepts, slandered the Buddha's Nirvana, and created various other kinds of karma, pass through many kalpas of being burned in the inferno, they finally finish paying for their offenses and are reborn as ghosts."
　　"If greed for material objects was the original cause that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters material objects and will become a strange ghost."
　　"If it was indulgence in lust that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters the wind and will become a drought ghost."
　　"If it was indulgence in lying that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters animals and will become a mei ghost."
　　"If it was hatred that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters worms and insects, and will become a gu poison ghost."
　　"If it was the harboring of grudges that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters degeneration and will become a pestilence ghost."
　　"If it was arrogance that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters gases and will become a hungry ghost."
　　"If it was injustice to others that made the person commit offenses, then after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters darkness and will become a paralysis ghost."
　　"If it was attachment to wrong views that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters essential energy and will become a wang liang ghost."
　　"If it was deception that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters brightness and will become a servant ghost."
　　"If it was the practice of forming factions that made the person commit offenses, then, after he has finished paying for his crimes, he will take shape when he encounters people and will become a messenger ghost."
　　"Ananda, such a person's fall is due to his totally emotional level of functioning. When his karmic fire has burned out, he will rise up to be reborn as a ghost. This is occasioned by his own karma of false thinking. If he awakens to Bodhi, then in the wonderful perfect brightness there isn't anything at all."
　　"Moreover, Ananda, when his karma as a ghost is ended and the consequences of his emotion and thought are over, he comes into the world to meet his creditors and settle his accounts with them. He is born as an animal to repay his debts from past lives."
　　"The retribution of the strange ghost of material objects is finished when the object is destroyed and it is reborn in the world, usually as a species of owl."
　　"The retribution of the drought ghost of the wind is finished when the wind subsides, and it is reborn in the world, usually as a species of uncanny creature which gives inauspicious prognostications."
　　"The retribution of the mei ghost of an animal is finished when the animal dies, and it is reborn in the world, usually as a species of fox."
　　"The retribution of the gu ghost in the form of worms and insects is finished when the gu is exhausted, and it is reborn in the world, usually as a species of venomous creature."
　　"The retribution of a pestilence ghost found in degeneration is finished when the degeneration is complete, and it is reborn in the world, usually as a species of tapeworm."
　　"The retribution of the ghost which takes shape in gases is finished when the gases are gone, and it is then reborn in the world, usually as a species of animal used for food."
　　"The retribution of the ghost of darkness is finished when the darkness ends, and it is then reborn in the world, usually as a species of animal used for clothing or service."
　　"The retribution of the ghost which unites with energy is finished when the union dissolves, and it is then reborn in the world, usually as a species of migratory creature."
　　"The retribution of the ghost of brightness and intellect is finished when the brightness disappears, and it is then reborn in the world, usually as a species of efficacious creature."
　　"The retribution of the ghost that relies on a person is finished when the person dies, and it is then reborn in the world, usually as a species of domestic animal."
　　"Ananda, all this is due to the burning out of his karmic fire in payment for his debts from past lives. The rebirth as an animal is also occasioned by his own false and empty karma. If he awakens to Bodhi, then fundamentally none of these false conditions will exist at all. You mentioned Precious Lotus Fragrance, King Crystal, and Bhikshu Good Stars. Evil karma such as theirs was created by them alone. It did not fall down out of the heavens or well up from the earth, nor was it imposed upon them by some person. Their own falseness brought it into being, and so they themselves have to undergo it. In the Bodhi-Heart, it is empty and false—a cohesion of false thoughts."
　　"Moreover, Ananda, if while repaying his past debts by undergoing rebirth as an animal, such a living being pays back more than he owed, he will then be reborn as a human to rectify the excess. If the creditor is a person with strength, blessings, and virtue, then he can pay what he collected in excess without having to lose his human form. But if he lacks blessings, then he will be reborn as an animal to pay the outstanding balance."
　　"Ananda, if the debt involves money, material goods, or manual labor, then once it is paid, the debt is resolved. But if in the process of repayment the lives of other beings were taken or their flesh eaten, then it will start a cycle of mutual devouring and slaughtering that will send the debtors and creditors up and down endlessly for as many eons as there are atoms of universe. There is no way to put a stop to it, except through Shamatha or through a Buddha's coming to the world."
　　"You should know that when owls and their kind have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are born as obstinate people."
　　"When creatures that are inauspicious have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are born as abnormal people."
　　"When foxes have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are born as people who are simpletons."
　　"When creatures of the venomous category have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are born as malicious people."
　　"When tapeworms and their like have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are born as lowly people."
　　"When the edible types of creatures have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are reborn as weak people."
　　"When creatures that are used for clothing or service have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are reborn as people who do hard labor."
　　"When creatures that migrate have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are reborn as literary people."
　　"When efficacious creatures have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are reborn as intelligent people."
　　"When domestic animals have paid back their debts, they regain their original form and are reborn as sophisticated people."
　　"Ananda, these are all beings that have finished paying back former debts and are born again in the human realm. They are involved in a beginningless scheme of karma and delusion and spend their lives killing and being killed by one another. They do not get to meet the Tathagata or hear the Proper Dharma. They just abide in the wearisome dust, passing through a repetitive cycle. Such people can truly be called pitiful."
　　"Furthermore, Ananda, there are people who do not rely on Proper Enlightenment to cultivate Samadhi, but cultivate in some special way that is based on their false thinking. Holding to the idea of perpetuating their physical bodies, they roam in the mountains and forests in places people do not go and become Ten Kinds of Immortals."
　　"Ananda, some living beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong with specially prepared foods. When they have perfected this method of dieting, they are known as earth-traveling immortals."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through the use of grasses and herbs. When they have perfected this method of taking herbs, they are known as flying immortals."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through the use of metal and stone. When they have perfected this method of transformation, they are known as roaming immortals."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through movement and stillness. When they have perfected their energy and essence, they are known as space-traveling immortals."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong by using the flow of saliva. When they have perfected the virtues of this moisture, they are known as heaven-traveling immortals."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong with the essence of sun and moon. When they have perfected the inhalation of this essence, they are known as all-penetrating immortals."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through mantras and precepts. When they have perfected these skills, they are known as immortals of the Way."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through the use of thought processes. When they have perfected thought and memory, they are known as illuminating immortals"
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through internal union. When they have perfected the response, they are known as immortals of essence."
　　"Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through transformations. When they have perfected their awakening, they are known as immortals of the ultimate level."
　　"Ananda, these are all people who smelt their minds but do not cultivate Proper Enlightenment. They obtain some special principle of life and can live for thousands or tens of thousands of years. They retire deep into the mountains or onto islands in the sea and cut themselves off from the human realm. However, they are still part of the turning wheel, because they flow and turn according to their false thinking and do not cultivate Samadhi. When their reward is finished, they must still return and enter the various destinies."
　　"Ananda, there are many people in the world who do not seek what is eternal and who cannot yet renounce the love that exists between themselves and their wives. But they have no interest in sexual misconduct and so their purity develops and their light is revealed. When their life ends, they are born in the Heaven of the Four Kings next to the sun and moon."
　　"Those whose sexual love for their wives is slight, but who have not yet obtained complete purity when dwelling in solitude, transcend the light of sun and moon at the end of their lives, and reside at the summit of the human realm. Such people are born in the Trayastrimsha Heaven."
　　"Those who become temporarily involved when they meet with desire but who do not dwell upon it when it is finished, and who, while in the human realm, are active less and quiet more, abide at the end of their lives in light and emptiness where the illumination of sun and moon does not reach. These beings have their own light, and they are born in the Suyama Heaven."
　　"Those who are quiet all the time, but who are not yet able to resist when stimulated by contact, ascend at the end of their lives to a subtle and ethereal place; they will not be drawn into the lower realms. The destruction of the realms of humans and gods and the three disasters at the end of a kalpa will not reach them, for they are born in the Tushita Heaven."
　　"Those who are devoid of desire, but who will engage in it for the sake of their partner, even though to them the experience is as flavorless as chewing wax, are born at the end of their lives in a transcendental place of transformations. They are born in the Nirmana-rataya(Bliss by Transformation) Heaven."
　　"Those who have no worldly thoughts while doing what worldly people do, who are lucid and beyond such activity while involved in it, are capable at the end of their lives of entirely transcending states where transformations may be present or absent. They are born in the Para-nirmita-vasa-vartin(Comfort from Others' Transformations) Heaven."
　　"Ananda, although the beings in these six heavens have physically transcended desire, traces of it still remain in their minds. The levels of existence so far discussed are known as the Realm of Desire."
　　Chapter 9
　　"Ananda, all those in the world who cultivate their hearts but do not avail themselves of Dhyana and so have no wisdom, can only control their bodies so as to not engage in sexual desire. Whether walking or sitting, or in their thoughts, they are totally devoid of it. Since they do not give rise to defiling love, they do not remain in the realm of desire. These people, in response to their thought, take on the bodies of Brahma beings. Such beings are in the Heaven of the Multitudes of Brahma."
　　"In those whose hearts of desire have already been cast aside, the mind apart from desire manifests. They delight in following the precepts. Practicing Brahma virtue at all times, such beings are in the Heaven of the Ministers of Brahma."
　　"Those whose bodies and minds are wonderfully perfect, and whose majestic deportment is not in the least deficient, are pure in the precepts and have a thorough understanding of them as well. Governing the Brahma multitudes as Great Brahma Lords, such beings are in the Great Brahma Heaven."
　　"Ananda, those who flow to these three superior levels will not be oppressed by any affliction. Although they have not developed proper Samadhi, their minds are pure to the point that all outflows are stilled. This is called the First Dhyana."
　　"Ananda, those beyond the Brahma Heavens govern the Brahma beings, for their Brahma conduct is perfected. With their minds tranquil and unmoving, they emit light in profound stillness. Such beings are in the Heaven of Lesser Light."
　　"Those whose lights illumine each other in an endless dazzling blaze shine throughout the realms of the ten directions so that everything becomes like crystal. Such beings are in the Heaven of Limitless Light."
　　"Those who sustain the light to perfection accomplish the substance of the teaching. Creating and transforming the purity into endless responses and functions, such beings are in the Light-Sound Heaven."
　　"Ananda, those who flow to these three superior levels will not be oppressed by worries or vexations. Although they have not developed proper Samadhi, their minds are pure to the point that they have subdued their coarser outflows. This is called the Second Dhyana."
　　"Ananda, heavenly beings for whom the perfection of light has become sound and who further open out the sound to disclose its wonder arrive at a more vigorous level of practice. Arriving at the bliss of still extinction, such beings are in the Heaven of Lesser Purity."
　　"Those in whom the state of purity is emptied experience the boundlessness of light ease in their bodies and minds, and they accomplish the bliss of still extinction. Such beings are in the Heaven of Limitless Purity."
　　"Those for whom the world, the body, and the mind are all perfectly pure have accomplished the virtue of purity, and they consider this to be a superior abode in which they can return to the bliss of still extinction. Such beings are in the Heaven of Pervasive Purity."
　　"Ananda, those who flow to these three superior levels will be replete with great compliance. Their bodies and minds are at peace, and they obtain limitless bliss. Although they have not obtained genuine Samadhi, the joy within the tranquillity of their minds is total. This is called the Third Dhyana."
　　"Moreover, Ananda, heavenly beings whose bodies and minds are not oppressed put an end to the cause of suffering and realize that bliss is not permanent—that sooner or later it will come to an end. They resolutely renounce both thoughts of suffering and thoughts of bliss. Their coarse afflictions vanish, and pure blessings arise. Such beings are in the Heaven of the Birth of Blessings."
　　"Those whose renunciation of these thoughts is perfected gain a purity of superior understanding. Within these unimpeded blessings they obtain a wonderful compliance that extends to the bounds of the future. Such beings are in the Blessed Love Heaven."
　　"Ananda, from that heaven there are two ways to go. Those who extend the previous thought into limitless pure light, and who perfect their blessings and virtue, cultivate and are certified to one of these dwellings. Such beings are in the Vast Fruit Heaven."
　　"Those who extend the previous thought into a dislike of both suffering and bliss unceasingly intensify their renunciation until they perfect the path of renunciation. Their bodies and minds will become extinct; their thoughts will become like dead ashes. For five hundred eons these beings will perpetuate the cause for production and extinction, being unable to uncover the nature which is neither produced nor extinguished. During the first half of these eons they will undergo extinction; during the second half they will experience production. Such beings are in the Heaven of No Thought."
　　"Ananda, those who flow to these four superior levels will not be affected by any suffering or bliss in any world. Although this is not the unconditioned of the True Ground of Non-Moving, because they still have the thought of obtaining something, their functioning is nonetheless quite advanced. This is called the Fourth Dhyana."
　　"Beyond these, Ananda, are the Five Heavens of No Return. For those who have completely cut off the nine categories of habits in the lower realms, neither suffering nor bliss exist, and there is no regression to the lower levels. All whose minds have achieved this renunciation dwell in these heavens together."
　　"Ananda, those who have put an end to suffering and bliss and who do not get involved in the contention between such thoughts are in the Heaven of No Affliction."
　　"When the mind and states are disengaged, even the thought of investigating that involvement is gone. Such beings are in the Heaven of No Heat."
　　"Those whose vision is wonderfully perfect and clear, view the realms of the ten directions as free of defiling appearances and devoid of all dirt and filth. Such beings are in the Heaven of Good View."
　　"Those whose essence of seeing has manifested are able to transform at will without obstruction. Such beings are in the Heaven of Good Manifestation."
　　"Those who exhaustively fathom the ultimate principle and the nature of form reach the border of emptiness. Such beings are in the Highest Heaven of the Form Realm.
　　"Ananda, those in the Four Dhyanas, and even the rulers of the gods at those four levels, can only pay their respects through having heard of the beings in the Heavens of No Return; they cannot know them or see them, just as ordinary people of the world cannot see the places where the Arhats abide in holy Way-places deep in the wilderness and the mountains."
　　"Ananda, in these eighteen heavens are those who remain solitary and uninvolved but who have not yet gotten rid of their form. These heavens are called the Form Realm."
　　"Furthermore, Ananda, from this summit of the form realm there are also two roads. Those who are intent upon renunciation bring forth wisdom. The light of their wisdom becomes perfect and penetrating, so that they can transcend the defiling realms, accomplish Arhatship, and enter the Bodhisattva Vehicle. They are called Great Arhats who have turned their minds around."
　　"Those who dwell in the thought of renunciation and who succeed in renunciation and rejection, realize that their bodies are an obstacle. If they thereupon obliterate the obstacle and enter into emptiness, they at the Station of Emptiness."
　　"For those who have eradicated all obstacles, there is neither obstruction nor extinction. Then there remains only the alaya consciousness and half of the subtle functions of the manas. These beings are at the Station of Boundless Consciousness."
　　"Those who have already done away with emptiness and form eradicate the conscious mind as well. In the extensive tranquillity of the ten directions there is nowhere at all to go. These beings are at the Station of Nothing Whatsoever."
　　"The nature of consciousness is unmoving, yet within extinction they exhaustively investigate it, attempting to put an end to what is endless. Thus it is as if it existed and yet did not exist, as if it were ended and yet not ended. Such beings are at the Station of Neither Thought nor Non-Thought."
　　"These beings who cultivate the path of sagehood from the heavens of no return by delving exhaustively into emptiness without fathoming the principle of emptiness are known as dull Arhats who do not turn their minds around. Just like those in the Heaven of Non-Thought and other externalist heavens who exhaustively investigate emptiness without knowing to turn around, these beings are ignorant and lost in (the heavens with) outflows. They will accordingly enter the cycle of rebirth again."
　　"Ananda, the beings in all these heavens are ordinary beings receiving the fruits of their karmic rewards. Once their rewards are exhausted, they must once again enter rebirth. The lords of these heavens, however, are all Bodhisattvas who roam in Samadhi. They gradually progress in their practice and make transference to the way cultivated by all sages."
　　"Ananda, these are the Four Heavens of Emptiness, where the bodies and minds of the inhabitants are extinguished. Concentration emerges, and they are free of the karmic retribution of form. This final group is called the Formless Realm."
　　"The beings in all of them have not understood the wonderfully enlightened bright mind. Their accumulation of falseness brings into being false existence in the Triple Realm. Within this they falsely follow along and become submerged in the seven destinies. As pudgalas, they gather together with their own kind."
　　"Furthermore, Ananda, there are four categories of asuras in the Triple Realm."
　　"Those in the path of ghosts who, by means of their strength of protecting the Dharma, can ride their spiritual penetrations to enter into emptiness are asuras born from eggs; they belong to the destiny of ghosts."
　　"Those who have fallen in virtue and have been dismissed from the heavens dwell in places near the sun and moon. They are asuras born from wombs and belong to the destiny of humans."
　　"There are asura kings who uphold the world with a penetrating power and fearlessness. They are able to contend with the Brahma Lord, the God Shakra, and the Four Heavenly Kings. These asuras come into being by transformation and belong to the destiny of gods."
　　"Ananda, there is another, baser category of asuras. They are born in the center of the great seas and live in underwater caves. During the day they roam in emptiness; at night they return to their watery realm. These asuras come into being because of moisture and belong to the destiny of animals."
　　"Ananda, so it is that when the seven destinies of hell-dwellers, hungry ghosts, animals, people, spiritual immortals, gods, and asuras are investigated in detail, they are all found to be murky and embroiled in conditioned existence. Their births come from false thoughts. Their subsequent karma comes from false thoughts. Within the wonderful perfection of the fundamental mind that is without any doing, they are like strange flowers in space, for there is basically nothing to be attached to; they are entirely vain and false, and they have no source or beginning."
　　"Ananda, these living beings, who do not recognize the fundamental mind, all undergo rebirth for limitless kalpas. They do not attain true purity, because they keep getting involved in killing, stealing, and lust, or because they counter them and are born according to their not killing, not stealing, and lack of lust. If these three karmas are present in them, they are born among the troops of ghosts. If they are free of these three karmas, they are born in the destiny of gods. The incessant fluctuation between the presence and absence of these karmas gives rise to the cycle of rebirth."
　　"For those who are able bring forth Samadhi, neither the presence nor the absence of these karmas exists in that eternal stillness; even their non-existence is done away with. Since the lack of killing, stealing, and lust is non-existent, how could there be actual involvement in deeds of killing, stealing and lust?"
　　"Ananda, those who do not cut off the three karmas each have their own private share. Because each has a private share, private shares come to be accumulated, making collective portions. They are not without a fixed source, for they arise from falseness. Since they arise from falseness, they are basically without a cause, and thus they cannot be traced precisely."
　　"You should warn cultivators that they must get rid of these three delusions if they want to cultivate Bodhi. If they do not put an end to these three delusions, then even the spiritual penetrations they may attain are merely a worldly, conditioned function. If they do not extinguish these habits, they will fall into the path of demons. Although they wish to cast out the false, they become doubly deceptive instead. The Tathagata says that such beings are pitiful. You have created this falseness yourself; it is not the fault of Bodhi. An explanation such as this is proper speech. Any other explanation is the speech of demon kings."
　　At that time, the Tathagata was preparing to leave the Dharma-seat. From the lion throne, he extended his hand out and placed it on a small table wrought of the seven precious things. But then, he turned his body, which was the color of purple-golden mountains, and leaned back, saying to everyone in the assembly and to Ananda, "Those of you with More to Learn, those Enlightened by Conditions, and those who are Hearers have now turned your minds to pursue the attainment of supreme Bodhi; the unsurpassed, wonderful enlightenment. I have already taught you the true method of cultivation. You are still not aware of the subtle demonic events that can occur when you cultivate Shamatha-Vipashyana. If you cannot recognize a demonic state when it appears, it is because the cleansing of your mind has not been proper. You will then be engulfed by deviant views. You may be troubled by a demon from your own skandhas or a demon from the heavens. Or you may be possessed by a ghost or spirit, or you may encounter a mountain spirit (li mei). If your mind is not clear, you will mistake a thief for your own son. It is also possible to feel satisfied after a small accomplishment, like the Unlearned Bhikshu who reached the Fourth Dhyana and claimed that he had realized sagehood. When his celestial reward ended and the signs of decay appeared, he slandered Arhatship as being subject to birth and death, and thus he fell into the Avichi Hell. You should pay attention. I will now explain this for you in detail.
　　Ananda stood up and, with the others in the assembly who had More to Learn, bowed joyfully. They quieted themselves in order to listen to the compassionate instructions.
　　(The skandha-demons of fifty classes:)
　　The Buddha told Ananda and the whole assembly, "You should know that the twelve classes of living beings in this world of outflows are endowed with a wonderfully bright, fundamental enlightenment—the enlightened, perfect substance of the mind which is not different from that of the Buddhas of the ten directions. Due to the fault of false thinking and confusion about the truth, infatuation arises and makes your confusion all-pervasive. Consequently, an emptiness arises. Worlds come into being as that confusion is ceaselessly transformed. Therefore, the lands that are not without outflows, as numerous as atoms of universe throughout the ten directions, are all created as a result of confusion, dullness, and false thinking."
　　"You should know that the space created in your heart is like a wisp of cloud that dots the vast sky. How much smaller must all the worlds within that space be! If even one person among you finds the truth and returns to the source, then all the space in the ten directions is obliterated. How could the worlds within that space fail to be destroyed as well?"
　　"When you cultivate Dhyana and attain Samadhi, your mind tallies with the minds of the Bodhisattvas and the great Arhats of the ten directions who are free of outflows, and you abide in a state of profound purity. All the kings of demons, the ghosts and spirits, and the ordinary gods see their palaces collapse for no apparent reason. The earth quakes, and all the creatures in the water, on the land, and in the air, without exception, are frightened. Yet ordinary people who are sunk in dim confusion remain unaware of these changes. All these beings have five kinds of spiritual powers; they still lack the elimination of outflows because they are still attached to worldly passions. How could they allow you to destroy their palaces? That is why the ghosts, spirits, celestial demons, sprites, and goblins come to disturb you when you are in Samadhi."
　　"Although these demons possess tremendous enmity, they are in the grip of their worldly passions, while you are within wonderful enlightenment. They cannot affect you any more than a blowing wind can affect light or a knife can cut through water. You are like boiling water, while the demons are like solid ice which, in the presence of heat, soon melts away. Since they rely exclusively on spiritual powers, they are like mere guests. They can succeed in their destructiveness through your mind, which is the host of the five skandhas. If the host becomes confused, the guests will be able to do as they please. When you are in Dhyana, awakened, aware, and free of delusion, their demonic deeds can do nothing to you. As the skandhas dissolve, you enter the light. All those deviant hordes depend upon dark energy. Since light can destroy darkness, they would be destroyed if they drew near you. How could they dare linger and try to disrupt your Dhyana-Samadhi?"
　　"If you were not clear and aware, but were confused by the skandhas, then you, Ananda, would surely become one of the demons. You would turn into a demonic being. Your encounter with Matangi's daughter was a minor incident. She cast a spell on you to make you break the Buddha's moral precepts. Still, among the eighty thousand modes of conduct, you violated only one precept. Because your mind was pure, all was not lost. That would be an attempt to completely destroy your precious enlightenment. Had it succeeded, you would have become like the family of a senior government official who is suddenly exiled; his family wanders, bereft and alone, with no one to pity or rescue them."
　　"Ananda, you should know that as a cultivator sits in the Bodhimanda, he is doing away with all thoughts. When his thoughts come to an end, there will be nothing on his mind. This state of pure clarity will stay the same whether in movement or stillness, in remembrance or forgetfulness. When he dwells in this place and enters Samadhi, he is like a person with clear vision who finds himself in total darkness. Although his nature is wonderfully pure, his mind is not yet illuminated. This is the region of the form skandha. If his eyes become clear, he will then experience the ten directions as an open expanse, and the darkness will be gone. This is the end of the form skandha. He will then be able to transcend the turbidity of time. Contemplating the cause of the form skandha, one sees that false thoughts of solidity are its source."
　　"Ananda, at this point, as the person intently investigates that wondrous brightness, the four elements will no longer function together, and soon the body will be able to transcend obstructions. This state is called 'the pure brightness merging into the environment'. It is a temporary state in the course of cultivation and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, Ananda, as the person uses his mind to intently investigate that wondrous light, the light will pervade his body. Suddenly he will be able extract intestinal worms from his own body, yet his body will remain intact and unharmed. This state is called 'the pure light surging through one's physical body'. It is a temporary state in the course of intense practice, and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, as the person uses his mind to intently investigate inside and outside, his physical and spiritual souls, intellect, will, essence, and spirit will be able to interact with one another without affecting his body. They will take turns as host and guests. Then he may suddenly hear the sounds of Dharma being spoken in space, or perhaps he will hear esoteric truths being pronounced simultaneously throughout the ten directions. This state is called 'the essence and souls alternately separating and uniting, and the planting of good seeds'. It is a temporary state and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, when the person's mind becomes clear, unveiled, bright, and penetrating, an internal light will shine forth and turn everything in the ten directions into the color of Jambunada gold. All the various species of beings will be transformed into Tathagatas. Suddenly he will see Vairochana Buddha seated upon a platform of celestial light, surrounded by a thousand Buddhas who simultaneously appear upon lotus blossoms in a hundred million lands. This state is called 'the mind and soul being instilled with spiritual awareness'. When he has investigated to the point of clarity, the light of his mind will shine upon all worlds. This is a temporary state and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, as the person uses his mind to intently investigate that wondrous light, he will contemplate without pause, restraining and subduing his mind so that it does not go to extremes. Suddenly the space in the ten directions may take on the colors of the seven precious things or the colors of a hundred precious things, which simultaneously pervade everywhere without hindering one another. The blues, yellows, reds, and whites will each be clearly apparent. This state is called 'trying too hard to subdue the mind'. It is a temporary state and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, as the person uses his mind to investigate with clear discernment until the pure light no longer scatters, he will suddenly be able to see various objects in a dark room at night, just as if it were daytime. Yet the things which were already in the dark room do not disappear. This state is called 'refining the mind and purifying the vision until one is able to see in the dark'. It is a temporary state and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, when his mind completely merges with emptiness, his four limbs will suddenly become like grass or wood, devoid of sensation even when burned by fire or cut with a knife. The burning of fire will not make his limbs hot, and even when his flesh is cut, it will be like wood being whittled. This state is called 'the merging of external states and the blending of the four elements into a uniform substance'. It is a temporary state and does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, when his mind accomplishes such purity that his skill in purifying the mind has reached its ultimate, he will suddenly see the earth, the mountains, and the rivers in the ten directions turn into Buddhalands replete with the seven precious things, their light shining everywhere. He will also see Buddhas, Tathagatas, as many as the sands of the Ganges, filling all of space. He will also see pavilions and palaces that are resplendent and beautiful. He will see the hells below and the celestial palaces above, all without obstruction. This state is called 'the gradual transformation of concentrated thoughts of like and dislike'. It does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, as the person uses his mind to investigate what is profound and far away, he will suddenly be able to see distant places in the middle of the night. He will see city markets and community wells, streets and alleys, and relatives and friends, and he may hear their conversations. This state is called 'having been suppressed to the utmost, the mind flies out and sees much that had been blocked from view'. It does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then this will be a good state. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Further, as the person uses his mind to investigate to the utmost point, he may see a Good and Wise Advisor whose body undergoes changes. Within a brief interval, various transformations will occur which cannot be explained. This state is called 'having an improper mind which is possessed by a mountain sprite or a celestial demon, and without reason speaking Dharma that fathoms wondrous truths'. It does not indicate sagehood. If he does not think he has become a sage, then the demonic activities will subside. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be vulnerable to the demons' influence."
　　"Ananda, all ten of those states may occur in Dhyana as one's mental effort interacts with the form skandha. Dull and confused living beings do not evaluate themselves. Encountering such situations, in their confusion they fail to recognize them and say that they have become Sages, thereby uttering a great lie. They will fall into the Relentless Hells. In the Dharma Ending Age, after the Tathagata's Nirvana, all of you should rely on and proclaim this teaching. Do not let the demons of the heavens have their way. Offer protection so all can realize the unsurpassed Way."
　　"Ananda, when the good person who is cultivating Samadhi and Shamatha has put an end to the form skandha, he can see the mind of all Buddhas as if seeing an image reflected in a bright mirror. He seems to have obtained something, but he cannot use it. In this he resembles a paralyzed person. His hands and feet are intact, his seeing and hearing are not distorted, and yet his mind has come under a deviant influence, so that he is unable to move. This is the region of the feeling skandha. Once the problem of paralysis subsides, his mind can then leave his body and look back upon his face. It can go or stay as it pleases without further hindrance. This is the end of the feeling skandha. This person can then transcend the turbidity of views. Contemplating the cause of the feeling skandha, one sees that false thoughts of illusory clarity are its source."
　　"Ananda, in this situation the good person experiences a brilliant light. A feeling arises in his mind as a result of excessive internal pressure. At this point, he suddenly feels such boundless sadness that he looks upon even mosquitoes and gadflies as newborn children. He is overwhelmed with pity and bursts into tears without knowing it. This is called 'trying too hard to suppress the mind in the course of cultivation'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. If he realizes that and remains unconfused, then after a time it will disappear. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of sadness will enter his mind. Then, as soon as he sees someone, he will feel sad and cry uncontrollably. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, Ananda, in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. At that time he has a sublime vision and is overwhelmed with gratitude. In this situation, he suddenly evinces tremendous courage. His mind is bold and keen. He resolves to equal all Buddhas and says he can transcend three Asamkhyeyas of eons in a single thought. This is called 'being too anxious to excel in cultivation'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. If he realizes that and remains unconfused, then after a time it will disappear. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of insanity will enter his mind. As soon as he sees someone, he will boast about himself. He will become extraordinarily haughty, to the point that he recognizes no Buddha above him and no people below him. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. With no new realization immediately ahead of him, and having lost his former status as well, his power of wisdom weakens, and he enters an impasse in which he sees nothing to anticipate. Suddenly a feeling of tremendous monotony and thirst arises in his mind. At all times he is fixated in memories that do not disperse. He mistakes this for a sign of diligence and vigor. This is called 'cultivating the mind, but losing oneself due to a lack of wisdom'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of memory will enter his mind. Day and night it will hold his mind suspended in one place. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. His wisdom becomes stronger than his Samadhi, and he mistakenly becomes impetuous. Cherishing the supremacy of his nature, he imagines that he is a Nishyanda (Buddha) and rests content with his minor achievement. This is called 'applying the mind, but straying from constant examination and becoming preoccupied with ideas and opinions'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a lowly demon that is easily satisfied will enter his mind. As soon as he sees someone, he will announce, "I have realized the unsurpassed absolute truth. " Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. He has not yet obtained any results, and his prior state of mind has already disappeared. Surveying the two extremes, he feels that he is in great danger. Suddenly he becomes greatly distraught, as if he were seated on the Iron Bed, or as if he has taken poison. He has no wish to go on living, and he is always asking people to take his life so he can be released sooner. This is called, 'cultivating, but losing expedients'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of chronic depression will enter his mind. He may take up knives and swords and cut his own flesh, happily giving up his life. Or else, driven by constant anxiety, he may flee into the wilderness and be unwilling to see people. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. As he dwells in this purity, his mind is tranquil and at ease. Suddenly a feeling of boundless joy wells up in him. There is such bliss in his mind that he cannot contain it. This is called, 'experiencing lightness and ease, but lacking the wisdom to control it'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon that likes happiness will enter his mind. As soon as he sees someone, he will laugh. He will sing and dance in the streets. He will say that he has already attained unobstructed liberation. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. He says he is already satisfied. Suddenly, a feeling of unreasonable, intense self-satisfaction may arise in him. It may include pride, outrageous pride, haughty pride, overweening pride, and pride based on inferiority, all of which occur at once. In his mind, he even looks down on the Tathagatas of the ten directions, how much the more so on the lesser positions of Hearers and Those Enlightened by Conditions. This is called 'viewing oneself as supreme, but lacking the wisdom to save oneself'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of intense arrogance will enter his mind. He will not bow to stupas or in temples. He will destroy Sutras and images. He will say to the Danapatis, "These are gold, bronze, clay, or wood. The Sutras are just leaves or cloth. The flesh body is what is real and eternal, but you don't revere it; instead you venerate clay and wood. That is truly absurd." Those who have deep faith in him will follow him to destroy and bury the images in the ground. He will mislead living beings so that they fall into the Relentless Hells. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. In his refined understanding, he awakens completely to subtle principles. Everything is in accord with his wishes. He may suddenly experience limitless lightness and ease in his mind. He may say that he has become a sage and attained great self-mastery. This is called 'attaining lightness and clarity due to wisdom'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon that likes lightness and clarity will enter his mind. Claiming that he is already satisfied, he will not strive to make further progress. For the most part, such cultivators will become like the Unlearned Bhikshu. He will mislead living beings so that they will fall into the Avichi Hell. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. In that clear awakening, he experiences a false clarity. Within that, suddenly he may veer towards the view of eternal extinction, deny cause and effect, and take everything as empty. The thought of emptiness so predominates that he comes to believe that there is eternal extinction after death. This is called 'the mental state of Samadhi dissolving so that one loses sight of what is right'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of emptiness will enter his mind. He will slander the holding of precepts, calling it a "Small Vehicle Dharma." He will say, "Since Bodhisattvas have awakened to emptiness, what is there to hold or violate?" This person, in the presence of his faithful Danapatis, will often drink wine, eat meat, and engage in wanton lust. The power of the demon will keep his followers from doubting or denouncing him. After the ghost has possessed him for a long time, he may consume excrement and urine, or meat and wine, claiming that all such things are empty. He will break the Buddha's moral precepts and mislead people into committing offenses. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Further, in this state of Samadhi, the good person sees the disintegration of the form skandha and understands the feeling skandha. He savors the state of false clarity, and it deeply enters his mind and bones. Boundless love may suddenly well forth from his mind. When that love becomes extreme, he goes insane with greed and lust. This is called 'when an agreeable state of Samadhi enters one's mind, lacking the wisdom to control oneself and mistakenly engaging in lustful behavior'. If he understands, then there is no error. This experience does not indicate sagehood. But if he considers himself a sage, then a demon of desire will enter his mind. He will become an outspoken advocate of lust, calling it the Way to Bodhi. He will teach his lay followers to indiscriminately engage in acts of lust, calling those who commit acts of lust his Dharma heirs. The power of spirits and ghosts in the Ending Age will enable him to attract a following of ordinary, naive people numbering one hundred, two hundred, five or six hundred, or as many as one thousand or ten thousand. When the demon becomes bored, it will leave the person's body. Once the person's charisma is gone, he will run afoul of the law. He will mislead living beings, so that they fall into the Relentless Hells. Lacking proper Samadhi, he will certainly fall."
　　"Ananda, ten of these states may occur in Dhyana as one's mental effort interacts with the feeling skandha. Dull and confused living beings do not evaluate themselves. Encountering such situations, in their confusion they fail to recognize them and say that they have become Sages, thereby uttering a great lie. They will fall into the Relentless Hells. In the Dharma-ending Age, after my Nirvana, all of you should pass on the Tathagata's teachings, so that all living beings can awaken to their meaning. Do not let the demons of the heavens have their way. Offer protection so that all can realize the unsurpassed Way."
　　"Ananda, when the good person who is cultivating Samadhi has put an end to the feeling skandha, although he has not achieved the elimination of outflows, his mind can leave his body the way a bird escapes from a cage. From within his ordinary body, he already has the potential for ascending through the Bodhisattvas' sixty levels of Sagehood. He attains the 'body produced by intent' and can roam freely without obstruction. Suppose, for instance, someone is talking in his sleep. Although he does not know he is doing it, his words are clear, and his voice and inflection are all in order, so those who are awake can understand what he is saying. This is the region of the thinking skandha. If he puts an end to his stirring thoughts and rids himself of superfluous thinking, it is as if he has purged defilement from the enlightened, understanding mind. Then one is perfectly clear about the births and deaths of all categories of beings from beginning to end. This is the end of the thinking skandha. One can then transcend the turbidity of afflictions. Contemplating the cause of the thinking skandha, one sees that interconnected false thoughts are its source."
　　"Ananda, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone,* this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves its perfect brightness, so he sharpens his concentrated thought as he greedily seeks for cleverness and skill. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks cleverness and skill, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. In an instant, he may appear to be a Bhikshu, enabling that person to see him as such, or he may appear as Shakra, as a woman, or as a Bhikshuni; or his body may emit light as he sleeps in a dark room. The good person is beguiled and fooled into thinking that the other is a Bodhisattva. He believes the other's teachings and his mind is swayed. He breaks the Buddha's moral precepts and covertly indulges his greedy desires. The other person is fond of speaking about calamities, auspicious events, and unusual changes. He may say that a Tathagata has appeared in the world at a certain place. He may speak of catastrophic fires or wars, thus frightening people into squandering their family wealth without reason. This is a strange ghost that in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, Ananda, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves to roam about, so he lets his subtle thoughts fly out as he greedily seeks for adventure. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks to roam, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. His own body does not change its appearance, but those listening to the Dharma suddenly see themselves sitting on jeweled lotuses and their entire bodies transformed into clusters of purple-golden light. Each person in the audience experiences that state and feels he has obtained something unprecedented. The good person is beguiled and fooled into thinking the other is a Bodhisattva. Lust and laxity corrupt his mind. He breaks the Buddha's moral precepts and covertly indulges his greedy desires. The other person is fond of saying that Buddhas are appearing in the world. He claims that in a certain place a certain person is actually a transformation body of a certain Buddha. Or he says that a certain person is such-and-such a Bodhisattva who has come to teach humankind. People who witness this are filled with admiration. Their deviant views multiply, and their Wisdom of Modes is destroyed."
　　This is a drought ghost that in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves spiritual oneness, so he clarifies his concentrated thought as he greedily seeks for union. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is actually possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks union, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. Neither his own body nor the bodies of those listening to the Dharma go through any external transformations. But he makes the minds of the listeners become 'enlightened' before they listen to the Dharma, so they experience changes in every thought. They may have the knowledge of past lives, or the knowledge of others' thoughts. They may see the hells or know all the good and evil events in the human realm. They may speak verses or spontaneously recite Sutras. Each person is elated and feels he has obtained something unprecedented. The good person is beguiled and fooled into thinking the other is a Bodhisattva. His thoughts become entangled in love. He breaks the Buddha's moral precepts and covertly indulges his greedy desires. He is fond of saying that there are greater Buddhas and lesser Buddhas, earlier Buddhas and later Buddhas; that among them are true Buddhas and false Buddhas, male Buddhas and female Buddhas; and that the same is true of Bodhisattvas. When people witness this, their initial resolve is washed away, and they easily get carried away with their wrong understanding. This is a mei-ghost that in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves to know the origins of things, so he exhaustively investigates the nature of physical things and their changes from beginning to end. He intensifies the keenness of his thoughts as he greedily seeks to analyze things. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks to know the source of things, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. His body has an awesome spiritual quality which subdues the seeker. He makes the minds of those gathered beside his seat spontaneously compliant, even before they have heard the Dharma. He says to all those people that the Buddha's Nirvana, Bodhi, and Dharma-body are there before them in the form of his own physical body. He says, "The successive begetting of fathers and sons from generation to generation is itself the Dharma-body, which is permanent and never-ending. What you see right now are those very Buddhalands. There are no other pure dwellings or golden features." Those people believe and accept his words, forgetting their initial resolve. They offer up their lives, feeling they have obtained something unprecedented. They are all beguiled and confused into thinking he is a Bodhisattva. As they pursue his ideas, they break the Buddha's moral precepts and covertly indulge their greedy desires. He is fond of saying that the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue are the Pure Land, and that the male and female organs are the true place of Bodhi and Nirvana. Ignorant people believe these filthy words. This is a poisonous ghost or an evil nightmare ghost that in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves revelations from afar, so he pours all his energy into this intense investigation as he greedily seeks for imperceptible spiritual responses. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, completely unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks revelations, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. He briefly appears to his listeners in a body that looks a hundred or a thousand years old. They experience a defiling love for him and cannot bear to part with him. They personally act as his servants, tirelessly making the Four Kinds of Offerings to him. Each member of the assembly believes that this person is his former teacher, his original Good and Wise Advisor. They give rise to love for his Dharma and stick to him as if glued, feeling they have obtained something unprecedented. The good person is beguiled and fooled into thinking the other is a Bodhisattva. Attracted to the other's thinking, he destroys the Buddha's moral precepts and covertly indulges his greedy desires. He is fond of saying, "In a past life, in a certain incarnation, I rescued a certain person who was then my wife (or my mistress, or my brother). Now I have come to rescue you again. We will stay together and go to another world to make offerings to a certain Buddha." Or he may say, "There is a Heaven of Great Brilliance where a Buddha now dwells. It is the resting place of all Tathagatas." Ignorant people believe his ravings and lose their original resolve. This is a pestilence ghost that in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves deep absorption, so he restrains himself with energetic diligence and likes to dwell in secluded places as he greedily seeks for peace and quite. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks knowledge, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. He causes all of his listeners to think they know their karma from the past. Or he may say to someone there, "You haven't died yet, but you have already become an animal." Then he instructs another person to step on the first person's 'tail', and suddenly the first person cannot stand up. At that point, all in the assembly pour out their hearts in respect and admiration for him. If someone has a thought, the demon detects it immediately. He establishes intense ascetic practices that exceed the Buddha's moral precepts. He slanders Bhikshus, scolds his assembly of disciples, and exposes people's affairs without fear of ridicule or rejection. He is fond of foretelling calamities and auspicious events, and when they come to pass he is not wrong in the slightest. This is a ghost with great powers that in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves more knowledge and understanding, so he diligently toils at examining and probing as he greedily seeks to know past lives. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks seclusion, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. There in the Dharma Assembly, inexplicably, that person may obtain an enormous precious pearl. The demon may sometimes change into an animal that holds the pearl in its mouth, or other jewels, bamboo tablets, tallies, talismans, letters and other unusual things. The demon first gives them to the person, and afterwards possesses him. Or he may fool his audience by burying the valuables underground and then saying that a "moonlight pearl" is illuminating the place. Thereupon the audience feels they have obtained something unique. He may eat only medicinal herbs and not partake of prepared food. Or he may eat only one sesame seed and one grain of wheat a day and still look robust. That is because he is sustained by the power of the demon. He slanders Bhikshus and scolds his assembly of disciples without fear of ridicule or rejection. He is fond of talking about treasure troves in other locations, or of remote and hidden places where Sages and Worthies of the ten directions dwell. Those who follow him often see strange and unusual people. This is a ghost or spirit of the mountain forests, earth, cities, rivers, and mountains that in its old age has become a demon. The person it possesses may advocate promiscuity and violate the Buddha's precepts. He may covertly indulge in the five desires with his followers. Or he may appear to be vigorous, eating only wild plants. His behavior is erratic, and he disturbs and confuses the good person. But when the demon tires, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves spiritual powers and all manner of transformations, so he investigates the source of transformations as he greedily seeks for spiritual powers. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, truly unaware that he is possessed by a demon, also claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks spiritual powers, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. The possessed person may hold fire in his hands and, grasping a portion of it, put a flame on the head of each listener in the Fourfold Assembly. The flames on top of their heads are several feet high, yet they are not hot and no one is burned. Or he may walk on water as if on dry land. Or he may sit motionless in the air. Or he may enter into a bottle or stay in a bag. Or he may pass through window panes and walls without obstruction. Only when attacked by weapons does he feel ill at ease. He declares himself to be a Buddha, and wearing the clothing of a lay person, he receives bows from Bhikshus. He slanders Dhyana meditation and the moral regulations. He scolds his disciples and exposes people's affairs without fear of ridicule or rejection. He often talks about spiritual powers and self-mastery, and he may cause people to see visions of Buddhalands but they are unreal and arise merely from the ghost's power to delude people. He praises the indulgence of lust and does not condemn lewd conduct. He uses indecent means to transmit his Dharma. This is a powerful nature spirit: a mountain sprite, a sea sprite, a wind sprite, a river sprite, an earth sprite, or a grass-and-tree sprite that has evolved over long ages. It may be a dragon-goblin; or a rishi who has been reborn as a goblin; or again a rishi who, having reached the end of his appointed time, should have died, but whose body does not decay and is possessed by another goblin. In its old age it has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves to enter cessation, so he investigates the nature of transformations as he greedily seeks for profound emptiness. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks emptiness, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. In the midst of the great assembly, his physical form suddenly disappears, and no one in the assembly can see him. Then out of nowhere, he abruptly reappears. He can appear and disappear at will, or he can make his body transparent like crystal. From his hands and feet he releases the fragrance of sandalwood, or his excrement and urine may be sweet as thick rock candy. He slanders the precepts and is contemptuous of those who have left the home-life. He often says that there is no cause and no effect, that once we die, we are gone forever, that there is no afterlife, and that there are no ordinary people and no Sages. Although he has obtained a state of empty stillness, he covertly indulges his greedy desires. Those who give in to his lust also adopt his views of emptiness and deny cause and effect. This is an essence that was created during an eclipse of the sun or moon. Having fallen on gold, jade, a rare fungus, a unicorn, a phoenix, a tortoise, or a crane, the essence endowed it with life, so that it did not die for thousands or tens of thousands of years and eventually became a spirit. It was then born into this land and in its old age has become a demon. It disturbs and confuses the good person. But when it tires of doing so, it will leave the other person's body. Then both the disciples and the teacher will get in trouble with the law. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Further, in the unhindered clarity and wonder that ensues after the feeling skandha is gone, this good person is untroubled by any deviant mental state and experiences perfect, bright concentration. Within Samadhi, his mind craves long life, so he toils at investigating its subtleties as he greedily seeks for immortality. He wishes to cast aside the birth and death of the body, and suddenly he hopes to end the birth and death of thoughts as well, so that he can abide forever in a subtle form. At that time a demon from the heavens seizes the opportunity it has been waiting for. Its spirit possesses another person and uses him as a mouthpiece to expound the Sutras and the Dharma. This person, unaware that he is possessed by a demon, claims he has reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When he comes to see that good person who seeks long life, he arranges a seat and speaks the Dharma. He is fond of saying that he can go places and come back without hindrance, perhaps traveling ten thousand miles and returning in the twinkling of an eye. He can also bring things back from wherever he goes. Or he may tell someone to walk from one end of the room to the other, a distance of just a few paces. Then even if the person walked fast for years, he could not reach the wall. Therefore people believe in the possessed person and mistake him for a Buddha. He often says, "All the living beings in the ten directions are my children. I gave birth to all Buddhas. I created the world. I am the original Buddha. I created this world naturally, not due to cultivation. This may be a Chamunda sent from the retinue of the demon in the Heaven of Sovereignty, or a youthful Pishacha from the Heaven of the Four Kings that has not yet brought forth the resolve. It takes advantage of the person's luminous clarity and devours his essence and energy. Or perhaps without having to rely on a teacher, the cultivator personally sees a being that tells him, "I am a Vajra Spirit who has come to give you long life." Or the being transforms itself into a beautiful woman and engages him in frenzied lust, so that within a year his vitality is exhausted. He talks to himself; and to anyone listening he sounds like a goblin. The people around him do not realize what is happening. In most cases such a person will get in trouble with the law. But before he is punished, he will die from depletion. The demon disturbs and confuses the person to the point of death. You should be aware of this in advance and not get caught up in the cycle of transmigration. If you are confused and do not understand, you will fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"Ananda, you should know that in the Dharma-ending Age, these ten kinds of demons may leave the home-life to cultivate the Way within my Dharma. They may possess other people, or they may manifest themselves in various forms. All of them will claim that they have already accomplished Proper and Pervasive Knowledge and Awareness. They praise lust and break the Buddha's moral precepts. The evil demonic teachers and their demonic disciples that I just discussed transmit their teaching through licentious activity. Such deviant spirits take over cultivators' minds, and after as few as nine lives or as many as a hundred generations, they turn true practitioners entirely into followers of demons. When their lives are over, they are bound to end up as one of the demonic hordes. They will lose their proper and pervasive knowledge and fall into the Relentless Hells."
　　"You need not enter Nirvana yet. Although you are completing your attainment to the level beyond study, hold nonetheless to your vows to enter the Dharma-ending Age. Bring forth great compassion to rescue and take across living beings who have proper minds and deep faith. Do not let them become possessed by demons. Help them instead to attain proper knowledge and views. I have already rescued you from birth and death. By venerating the Buddha's words, you will be repaying the Buddha's kindness."
　　"Ananda, all ten of these states may occur in Dhyana as one's mental effort interacts with the thinking skandha. Dull and confused living beings do not evaluate themselves. Encountering such situations, in their confusion they fail to recognize them and say that they have become Sages, thereby uttering a great lie. They will fall into the Relentless Hells. In the Dharma-ending Age, after my Nirvana, all of you should pass on the Tathagata's teachings, so that all living beings can awaken to their meaning. Do not let the demons of the heavens have their way. Offer protection so that all can realize the unsurpassed Way."
　　Chapter 10
　　"Ananda, when the good person who is cultivating Samadhi has put an end to the thinking skandha, he is ordinarily free of dreaming and idle thinking, so he stays the same whether in wakefulness or in sleep. His mind is aware, clear, empty and still, like a cloudless sky, devoid of any coarse sense-impressions. He contemplates everything in the world—all the mountains, the rivers, and the vast land—as reflections in a bright mirror, appearing without attachment and vanishing without any trace; they are simply received and reflected. He does away with all his old habits, and only the essential truth remains. From this point on, as the origin of production and destruction is exposed, he will completely see all the twelve categories of living beings in the ten directions. Although he has not fathomed the source of their individual lives, he will see that they share a common basis of life, which appears as a mirage—shimmering and fluctuating—and is the ultimate, pivotal point of the illusory sense faculties and sense objects. This is the region of the formations skandha.
　　"Once the basic nature of this shimmering fluctuation returns to its original clarity, his habits will cease, like waves subsiding to become clear, calm water. This is the end of the formations skandha. This person will then be able to transcend the turbidity of living beings. Contemplating the cause of the formations skandha, one sees that subtle and hidden false thoughts are its source.
　　"Ananda, you should know that when such a good person has obtained proper knowledge in his practice of Shamatha, his mind is unmoving, clear, and proper, and it cannot be disturbed by the ten kinds of demons from the heavens. He is now able to intently and thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings. As the origin of each category becomes apparent, he can contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and pervasive fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate on that pervasive source, he could fall into error with two theories postulating the absence of cause.
　　"(1) First, perhaps this person sees no cause for the origin of life. Why? Since he has completely destroyed the mechanism of production, he can, by means of the eight hundred merits of the eye organ, see all living beings in the swirling flow of karma during eighty thousand eons, dying in one place and being reborn in another as they undergo transmigration. But he cannot see beyond eighty thousand eons. Therefore, he concludes that for the last eighty thousand eons living beings in the ten directions of this and other worlds have come into being without any cause. Because of this speculation, he will lose proper and pervasive knowledge, fall into externalism, and become confused about the Bodhi nature.
　　"(2) Second, perhaps this person sees no cause for the end of life. And why? Since he perceives the origin of life, he believes that people are always born as people and birds are always born as birds; that crows have always been black and swans have always been white; that humans and gods have always stood upright and animals have always walked on four legs; that whiteness does not come from being washed and blackness does not come from being dyed; and that there have never been nor will there be any changes for eighty thousand eons. He says: "As I now examine to the end of this life, I find the same holds true. In fact, I have never seen Bodhi, so how can there be such a thing as the attainment of Bodhi? You should now realize that there is no cause for the existence of any phenomena." Because of this speculation, he will lose proper and pervasive knowledge, fall into externalism, and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the first externalist teaching, in which one postulates the absence of cause.
　　"Ananda, in his practice of Samadhi, such a good person's mind is unmoving, clear, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate on its pervasive constancy, he could fall into error with four theories of pervasive permanence.
　　"(1) First, as this person thoroughly investigates the mind and its states, he may conclude that both are causeless. Through his cultivation, he knows that in twenty thousand eons, as living beings in the ten directions undergo endless rounds of production and destruction, they are never annihilated. Therefore, he speculates that the mind and its states are permanent.
　　"(2) Second, as this person thoroughly investigates the source of the four elements, he may conclude that they are permanent in nature. Through his cultivation, he knows that in forty thousand eons, as living beings in the ten directions undergo production and destruction, their substances exist permanently and are never annihilated. Therefore, he speculates that this situation is permanent.
　　"(3) Third, as this person thoroughly investigates the sixth sense faculty, the manas, and the consciousness that grasps and receives, he concludes that the origin of mind, intellect, and consciousness is permanent. Through his cultivation, he knows that in eighty thousand eons, as all living beings in the ten directions revolve in transmigration, this origin is never destroyed and exists permanently. Investigating this undestroyed origin, he speculates that it is permanent.
　　"(4) Fourth, since this person has ended the source of thoughts, there is no more reason for them to arise. In the state of flowing, halting, and turning, the thinking mind—which was the cause of production and destruction—has now ceased forever, and so he naturally thinks that this is a state of non-production and non-destruction. As a result of such reasoning, he speculates that this state is permanent.
　　"Because of these speculations of permanence, he will lose proper and pervasive knowledge, fall into externalism, and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the second externalist teaching, in which one postulates the pervasiveness of permanence.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, such a good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate about self and others, he could fall into error with theories of partial impermanence and partial permanence based on four distorted views.
　　"(1) First, as this person contemplates the wonderfully bright mind pervading the ten directions, he concludes that this state of profound stillness is the ultimate spiritual self. Then he speculates, "My spiritual self, which is settled, bright, and unmoving, pervades the ten directions. All living beings are within my mind, and there they are born and die by themselves. Therefore, my mind is permanent, while those who undergo birth and death there are truly impermanent."
　　"(2) Second, instead of contemplating his own mind, this person contemplates in the ten directions worlds as many as the Ganges' sands. He regards as ultimately impermanent those worlds that are in eons of decay, and as ultimately permanent those that are not in eons of decay.
　　"(3) Third, this person closely examines his own mind and finds it to be subtle and mysterious, like fine motes of dust swirling in the ten directions, unchanging in nature. And yet it can cause his body to be produced and then to be destroyed. He regards that indestructible nature as his permanent intrinsic nature, and that which undergoes birth and death and flows forth from him as impermanent.
　　"(4) Fourth, knowing that the skandha of thinking has ended and seeing the flowing of the skandha of formations, this person speculates that the continuous flow of the skandha of formations is permanent, and that the skandhas of form, feeling, and thinking which have already ended are impermanent.
　　"Because of these speculations of impermanence and permanence, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the third externalist teaching, in which one postulates partial permanence.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, such a good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate about the making of certain distinctions, he could fall into error with four theories of finiteness.
　　"(1) First, this person speculates that the origin of life flows and functions ceaselessly. He judges that the past and the future are finite and that the continuity of the mind is infinite.
　　"(2) Second, as this person contemplates an interval of eighty thousand eons, he can see living beings; but earlier than eighty thousand eons is a time of stillness in which he cannot hear or see anything. He regards as infinite that time in which nothing is heard or seen, and as finite that interval in which living beings are seen to exist.
　　"(3) Third, this person speculates that his own pervasive knowledge is infinite and that all other people appear within his awareness. And yet, since he himself has never perceived the nature of their awareness, he says they have not obtained an infinite mind, but have only a finite one.
　　"(4) Fourth, this person thoroughly investigates the formations skandha to the point that it becomes empty. Based on what he sees, in his mind he speculates that each and every living being, in its given body, is half living and half dead. From this he concludes that everything in the world is half finite and half infinite.
　　"Because of these speculations about the finite and the infinite, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the fourth externalist teaching, in which one postulates finiteness.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, such a good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate on what he knows and sees, he could fall into error with four distorted, false theories, which are total speculation based on the sophistry of immortality.
　　" (1) First, this person contemplates the source of transformations. Seeing the movement and flow, he says there is change. Seeing the continuity, he says there is constancy. Where he can perceive something, he says there is production. Where he cannot perceive anything, he says there is destruction. He says that the unbroken continuity of causes is increasing and that the pauses within the continuity are decreasing. He says that the arising of all things is existence and that the perishing of all things is non-existence. The light of reason shows that his application of mind has led to inconsistent views. If someone comes to seek the Dharma, asking about its meaning, he replies, "I am both alive and dead, both existent and non-existent, both increasing and decreasing." He always speaks in a confusing way, causing that person to forget what he was going to say.
　　"(2) Second, this person attentively contemplates his mind and finds that everything is non-existent. He has a realization based on non-existence. When anyone comes to ask him questions, he replies with only one word. He only says "no." Aside from saying "no," he does not speak.
　　"(3) Third, this person attentively contemplates his mind and finds that everything is existent. He has a realization based on existence. When anyone comes to ask him questions, he replies with only one word. He only says "yes." Aside from saying "yes," he does not speak.
　　"(4) Fourth, this person perceives both existence and non-existence. Experiencing this branching, his mind becomes confused. When anyone comes to ask questions, he tells them, "Existence is also non-existence. But within non-existence there is no existence." It is all sophistry and does not stand up under scrutiny.
　　"Because of these speculations, which are empty sophistries, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the fifth externalist teaching, in which one postulates four distorted, false theories that are total speculation based on the sophistry of immortality.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, the good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate on the endless flow, he could fall into error with the confused idea that forms exist after death. He may strongly identify with his body and say that form is himself; or he may see himself as perfectly encompassing all worlds and say that he contains form; or he may perceive all external conditions as contingent upon himself and say that form belongs to him; or he may decide that he relies on the continuity of the formations skandha and say that he is within form. In all of these speculations, he says that form exists after death. Considering back and forth in this way, he comes up with sixteen cases of the existence of forms. Then he may speculate that afflictions are always afflictions, and Bodhi is always Bodhi, and the two exist side by side without contradicting each other.
　　"Because of these speculations about what exists after death, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the sixth externalist teaching, which postulates confused theories of the existence of forms after death in the realm of the five skandhas.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, such a good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper, and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate on the skandhas of form, feeling, and thinking, which have already ended, he could fall into error with the confused idea that form do not exist after death.
　　"Seeing that his form is gone, his physical shape seems to lack a cause. As he contemplates the absence of thought, there is nothing to which his mind can become attached. Knowing that his feelings are gone, he has no further involvements. Those skandhas have vanished. Although there is still some coming into being, there is no feeling or thought, and he concludes that he is like grass or wood. Since those qualities do not exist at present, how can there be any existence of forms after death? Because of his examinations and comparisons, he decides that after death there is no existence. Expanding the idea, he comes up with eight cases of the non-existence of forms. From that, he may speculate that Nirvana and cause and effect are all empty, that they are mere names which ultimately do not exist. Because of those speculations that forms does not exist after death, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the seventh externalist teaching, which postulates confused theories of the nonexistence of forms after death in the realm of the five skandhas.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, the good person's mind is f irm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. In this state where the skandha of formations remains, but the skandhas of feeling and thinking are gone, if he begins to speculate that there is both existence and non-existence, thus contradicting himself, he could fall into error with confused theories that deny both existence and non-existence after death. Regarding form, feeling, and thinking, he sees that existence is not really existence. Within the flow of the formations skandha, he sees that non-existence is not really non-existence. Considering back and forth in this way, he thoroughly investigates the realms of these skandhas and derives an eightfold negation of form. No matter which skandha is mentioned, he says that after death, it neither exists nor does not exist. Further, because he speculates that all formations are changing in nature, an "insight" flashes through his mind, leading him to derive a negation of both existence and non-existence. He cannot determine what is unreal and what is real. Because of these speculations that deny both existence and non-existence after death, the future is murky to him and he cannot say anything about it. Therefore, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the eighth externalist teaching, which postulates confused theories that deny both existence and non-existence after death in the realm of the five skandhas.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, the good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate that there is no existence after death, he could fall into error with seven theories of the cessation of existence. He may speculate that the body will cease to exist; or that when desire has ended, there is cessation of existence; or that after suffering has ended, there is cessation of existence; or that when bliss reaches an ultimate point, there is cessation of existence; or that when renunciation reaches an ultimate point, there is cessation of existence. Considering back and forth in this way, he exhaustively investigates the limits of the seven places and sees that they have already ceased to be and will not exist again. Because of these speculations that existence ceases after death, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the ninth externalist teaching, which postulates confused theories of the cessation of existence after death in the realm of the five skandhas.
　　"Further, in his practice of Samadhi, the good person's mind is firm, unmoving, and proper and can no longer be disturbed by demons. He can thoroughly investigate the origin of all categories of beings and contemplate the source of the subtle, fleeting, and constant fluctuation. But if he begins to speculate on existence after death, he could fall into error with five theories of Nirvana. He may consider the heavens of the Desire Realm a true refuge, because he contemplates their extensive brightness and longs for it; or he may take refuge in the First Dhyana, because there his nature is free from worry; or he may take refuge in the Second Dhyana, because there his mind is free from suffering; or he may take refuge in the Third Dhyana, because he delights in its extreme joy; or he may take refuge in the Fourth Dhyana, reasoning that suffering and bliss are both ended there and that he will no longer undergo transmigration. These heavens are subject to outflows, but in his confusion he thinks that they are unconditioned; and he takes these five states of tranquility to be refuges of supreme purity. Considering back and forth in this way, he decides that these five states are ultimate. Because of these speculations about five kinds of immediate Nirvana, he will fall into externalism and become confused about the Bodhi nature. This is the tenth externalist teaching, which postulates confused theories of five kinds of immediate Nirvana in the realm of the five skandhas.
　　"Ananda, all ten of these crazy explanations may occur in Dhyana as one's mental effort interacts with the formations skandha. That is why these "insights" appear. Dull and confused living beings do not evaluate themselves. Encountering such situations, they mistake their confusion for understanding and say that they have become Sages, thereby uttering a great lie. They will fall into the Relentless Hells. After my Nirvana, all of you should pass on the Tathagata's teachings, transmitting and revealing them to those in the Dharma-ending Age, so that living beings everywhere can awaken to these truths. Do not let demons arise in their minds and cause them to commit grave offenses. Offer protection so that deviant views will be eradicated. Teach them to awaken to true principles in body and mind, so that they do not stray off the Unsurpassed Path. Do not let them aspire to and be content with small attainments. You should become kings of great enlightenment and serve as guides of purity.
　　"Ananda, when that good person, in cultivating Samadhi, has put an end to the formations skandha, the subtle, fleeting fluctuations—the deep, imperceptible, pivotal source and the common foundation from which all life in the world springs—are suddenly obliterated. In the submerged network of retributive karma of the Pudgala, the karmic resonances are interrupted. There is about to be a great illumination in the sky of Nirvana. It is like gazing east at the cock's last crow to see the bright glow of dawn already appearing. The six sense faculties are empty and still; there is no further racing about. Inside and outside there is a profound brightness. He enters without entering. Fathoming the original life-source of the twelve categories of beings throughout the ten directions, he can contemplate that source without being drawn into any of the categories. He has already become identical with the realms of the ten directions. The bright glow does not fade, and what was obscure and hidden is revealed. This is the region of the consciousness skandha.
　　"If he has already become identical with the beckoning masses, he may obliterate the individuality of the six gates and succeed in uniting and opening them. Seeing and hearing become linked so that they function interchangeably and purely. The worlds of the ten directions and his own body and mind are as bright and transparent as vaidurya. This is the end of the consciousness skandha. This person can then transcend the turbidity of life spans. Contemplating the cause of the consciousness skandha, one sees that the negation of existence and the negation of non-existence are both unreal, and that upside-down false thoughts are its source.
　　"Ananda, you should know that the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty, and he must return consciousness to the source. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. He can cause the individual sense faculties of his body to unite and open. He also has a pervasive awareness of all the categories of beings in the ten directions. Since his awareness is pervasive, he can enter the perfect source. But if he regards what he is returning to as the cause of true permanence and interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall into the error of holding to that cause. Kapila the Sankhyan, with his theory of returning to the Truth of the Unmanifest, will become his companion. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the first state, in which he creates a place to which to return, based on the idea that there is something to attain. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds of externalism.
　　"Further, Ananda, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. He may regard that to which he is returning as his own body and see all living beings in the twelve categories throughout space as flowing forth from his body. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall into the error of maintaining that he has an ability which he does not really have. Maheshvara, who manifests his boundless body, will become his companion. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the second state, in which he creates a specific ability based on the idea that he has such an ability. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds for being born in the Heaven of Great Pride where the self is considered all-pervading and perfect.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. If he regards what he is returning to as a refuge, he will suspect that his body and mind come forth from there, and that all things in the ten directions of space arise from there as well. He will explain that that place from which all things issue forth is the truly permanent body, which is not subject to production and destruction. While still within production and destruction, he prematurely reckons that he abides in permanence. Since he is deluded about non-production, he is also confused about production and destruction. He is sunk in confusion. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall into the error of taking what is not permanent to be permanent. He will speculate that the God of Sovereignty (Ishvaradeva) is his companion. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the third state, in which he makes a false speculation based on the idea that there is a refuge. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds of an distorted view of perfection.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. Based on his idea that there is universal awareness, he formulates a theory that all the plants and trees in the ten directions are sentient, not different from human beings. He claims that plants and trees can become people, and that when people die they again become plants and trees in the ten directions. If he considers this idea of unrestricted, universal awareness to be supreme, he will fall into the error of maintaining that what is not aware has awareness. Vasishtha and Sainika, who maintained the idea of comprehensive awareness, will become his companions. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the fourth state, in which he creates an erroneous interpretation based on the idea that there is a universal awareness. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds of a distorted view of awareness.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. If he has attained versatility in the perfect fusion and interchangeable functioning of the sense faculties, he may speculate that all things arise from these perfect transformations. He then seeks the light of fire, delights in the purity of water, loves the wind's circuitous flow, and contemplates the accomplishments of the earth. He reveres and serves them all. He takes these mundane elements to be a fundamental cause and considers them to be everlasting. He will then fall into the error of taking what is not production to be production. Kashyapa and the Brahmans who seek to transcend birth and death by diligently serving fire and worshipping water will become his companions. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the fifth state, in which he confusedly pursues the elements, creating a false cause that leads to false aspirations based on speculations about his attachment to worship. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds of a distorted view of transformation.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. He may speculate that there is an emptiness within the perfect brightness, and based on that he denies the myriad transformations, taking their eternal cessation as his refuge. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall into the error of taking what is not a refuge to be a refuge. Those abiding in Shunyata in the Heaven of [Neither Thought nor] Non-Thought will become his companions. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the sixth state, in which he realizes a state of voidness based on the idea of emptiness within the perfect brightness. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds of annihilationism.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. In the state of perfect permanence, he may bolster his body, hoping to live for a long time in that subtle and perfect condition without dying. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall into the error of being greedy for something unattainable. Asita and those who seek long life will become his companions. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the seventh state, in which he creates the false cause of bolstering and aspires to permanent worldly existence, based on his attachment to the life-source. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds for false thoughts of lengthening life.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. As he contemplates the interconnection of all lives, he wants to hang on to worldly enjoyments and is afraid they will come to an end. Caught up in this thought, he will, by the power of transformation, seat himself in a lotus flower palace, conjure up an abundance of the seven precious things, increase his retinue of beautiful women, and indulge his mind. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall into the error of taking what is not the truth to be the truth. Vignakara will become his companion. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the eighth state, in which he sets up the result of indulging in worldly enjoyments, based on the cause of his deviant thinking. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds for becoming a demon of the heavens.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. In his understanding of life, he distinguishes the subtle and the coarse and determines the true and the false. But he only seeks a response in the mutual repayment of cause and effect, and he turns his back on the Way of Purity. In the practice of seeing suffering, eliminating accumulation, realizing cessation, and cultivating the Way, he dwells in cessation and stops there, making no further progress. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall and become a fixed-nature Hearer. Unlearned Sanghans and those of overweening pride will become his companions. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the ninth state, in which he aspires toward the fruition of cessation, based on perfecting the mind that seeks responses. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds for becoming enmeshed in emptiness.
　　"Further, the good person has thoroughly seen the formations skandha as empty. He has already ended production and destruction, but he has not yet perfected the subtle wonder of ultimate serenity. In that perfectly fused, pure, bright enlightenment, as he investigates the profound wonder, he may take it to be Nirvana and fail to make further progress. If he interprets this as a supreme state, he will fall and become a fixed-nature Pratyeka. Those Enlightened by Conditions and Solitarily Enlightened Ones who do not turn their minds to the Mahayana will become his companions. Confused about the Bodhi of the Buddhas, he will lose his knowledge and understanding.
　　"This is the tenth state, in which he realizes the fruition of profound brightness based on fusing the mind with perfect enlightenment. He strays far from perfect penetration and turns his back on the City of Nirvana, thus sowing the seeds for being unable to surpass his attachment to the brightness of perfect enlightenment.
　　"Ananda, these ten states of Dhyana are due to crazy explanations along the way. Relying on them, the cultivator becomes confused and claims to have attained complete realization before actually having done so. All these states are the result of interactions between the consciousness skandha and his mental efforts. Dull and confused living beings do not evaluate themselves. Encountering such situations, their minds are confused by their individual likings and past habits, so they stop to rest in what they take to be the ultimate refuge. They claim to have fully realized unsurpassed Bodhi, thus uttering a great lie. After their karmic retribution as externalists and deviant demons comes to an end, they will fall into the Relentless Hells. The Hearers and Those Enlightened by Conditions cannot make further progress."
　　"All of you should cherish the resolve to sustain the Way of the Tathagata. After my Nirvana, transmit this Dharma-door to those in the Dharma-ending Age, universally causing living beings to awaken to its meaning. Do not let the demons of views cause them to create their own grave offenses and fall. Protect, comfort, and compassionately rescue them and dispel evil conditions. Enable them to enter the Buddhas' knowledge and understanding with body and mind so that from the beginning to the final accomplishment they never go astray. It is by relying on this Dharma-door that the Tathagatas of the past, as many as atoms of universe in eons as many as the Ganges' sands, have had their hearts open and attained the Unsurpassed Way."
　　"When the consciousness skandha ends, your present sense faculties will function interchangeably. Within that interchangeable functioning, you will be able to enter the Bodhisattvas' Vajra Dry Wisdom. In your perfect, bright, pure mind, there will be a transformation. It will be like pure vaidurya that contains a precious moon, and in that way you will transcend the Ten Faiths, the Ten Dwellings the Ten Practices, the Ten Transferences, the Four Additional Practices, the Vajra-like Ten Grounds of a Bodhisattva's practice, and the perfect brightness of Equal Enlightenment. You will enter the Tathagata's sea of wondrous adornments, perfect the cultivation of Bodhi, and return to the state of non-attainment."
　　"These are subtle demonic states that all Buddhas, Bhagavans, of the past, discerned with their enlightened clarity while in the state of Shamatha-Vipashyana. If you can recognize a demonic state when it appears and wash away the filth in your mind, you will not fall into error with deviant views. The demons of the skandhas will melt away, and the demons of the heavens will be obliterated. The mighty ghosts and spirits will lose their wits and flee. And the li, mei, and wang liang will not dare to show themselves again. You will directly arrive at Bodhi without the slightest weariness, progressing from lower positions to Great Nirvana without becoming confused or discouraged."
　　"If there are living beings in the Dharma-ending Age who delight in cultivating Samadhi, but who are stupid and dull, who fail to recognize the importance of Dhyana, or who have not heard the Dharma spoken, you should be concerned lest they get caught up in deviant ways. You should single-mindedly exhort them to uphold the Dharani Mantra of the Buddha's Summit. If they cannot recite it from memory, they should have it written out and placed it in the Dhyana Meditation Hall or wear on their person. Then none of the demons will be able to disturb them."
　　"You should revere this final paradigm of the ultimate cultivation and progress by the Tathagatas of the ten directions."
　　Ananda then arose from his seat. Having heard the Buddha's instruction, he bowed and respectfully upheld it, remembering every word and forgetting none. Then once more in the great assembly he spoke to the Buddha, "The Buddha has told us that in the manifestation of the five skandhas, there are five kinds of falseness that come from our own thinking minds. We have never before been blessed with such subtle and wonderful instructions as the Tathagata has now given. Further, are these five skandhas obliterated all at the same time, or are they extinguished in sequence? What are the boundaries of these five layers? We only hope the Tathagata, out of great compassion, will explain this in order to purify the eyes and illuminate the minds of those in the great assembly, and in order to serve as eyes for living beings of the future."
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "The essential, true, wonderful brightness and perfect purity of basic enlightenment does not admit birth and death, nor any mundane defilements, nor even empty space itself. All these are brought forth because of false thinking. The source of basic enlightenment, which is wonderfully bright, true, and pure, falsely gives rise to the material world, just as Yajnadatta became confused about his head when he saw his own reflection. The falseness basically has no cause, but in your false thinking, you set up causes and conditions. But those who are confused about the principle of causes and conditions call it spontaneity. Even empty space is an illusory creation. How much the more so are causes and conditions and spontaneity, which are mere speculations made by the false minds of living beings."
　　"Ananda, if you perceive the arising of falseness, you can speak of the causes and conditions of that falseness. But if the falseness has no source, you will have to say that the causes and conditions of that falseness basically have no source. How much the more is this the case for those who fail to understand this and advocate spontaneity. Therefore, the Tathagata has explained to you that the fundamental cause of all five skandhas is false thinking."
　　"Your body's initial cause was a thought on the part of your parents. But if you had not entertained any thought in your own mind, you would not have been born. It is by means of thought that life is perpetuated. As I have said before, when you call to mind the taste of vinegar, your mouth waters. When you think of walking along a precipice, the soles of your feet tingle. Since the precipice doesn't exist and there isn't any vinegar, how could your mouth be watering at the mere mention of vinegar, if it were not the case that your body came from falseness? Therefore, you should know that your present physical body is brought about by the first kind of false thinking, which is characterized by solidity."
　　"As described earlier, merely thinking about a high place can actually cause your body to tingle and ache. Due to that cause, feelings arise and affect your physical body, so that at present you pursue favorable feelings and are repelled by adverse feelings. These two kinds of feelings that compel you are brought about by the second kind of false thinking, which is characterized by illusory clarity."
　　"Once your thoughts arise, they can control your body. Since your body is not the same as your thoughts, and yet, why is it that your body follows your thoughts and engage in every sort of grasping at objects? A thought arises and the body grasps in response to the thought. When you are awake, your mind thinks. When you are asleep, you dream. Thus your thinking is stirred to perceive false situations. This is the third kind of false thinking, which is characterized by interconnectedness."
　　"The metabolic processes never stop; they progress through subtle changes: your nails become long, your hair grows, your energy wanes, and your skin becomes wrinkled. By day and by night the processes continue, and yet you never wake up to them. If these things aren't part of you, Ananda, then why does your body keep changing? And if they are really part of you, then why aren't you aware of them? Your formations skandha continues in thought after thought without cease. It is the fourth kind of false thinking, which is characterized as subtle and hidden."
　　"Finally, if your pure, bright, clear, and unmoving state is permanent, then there should be no seeing, hearing, awareness or knowing in your body. If it is genuinely pure and true, it should not contain habits and falseness. How does it happen, then, that having seen some unusual thing in the past, you eventually forget it over time, until neither memory nor forgetfulness of it remain; but then later, upon suddenly seeing that unusual thing again, you remember it clearly from before without one detail omitted? How can you reckon the permeation which goes on in thought after thought in this pure, clear, and unmoving consciousness? Ananda, you should know that this state of clarity is not real. It is like rapidly flowing water that appears to be still on the surface. Because of its rapid speed, you cannot perceive the flow, but that does not mean it is not flowing. If this were not the source of thinking, then how could one be subject to false habits? If you do not open and unite your six sense faculties so that they function interchangeably, this false thinking will never cease. That's why your seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing are presently strung together by subtle habits, such that within the profound clarity, existence and non-existence are both illusory. This is the fifth kind of upside-down, minutely subtle thinking."
　　"Ananda, these five skandhas of reception develop with five kinds of false thinking. You also wanted to know the depth and scope of each realm. Form and emptiness are the boundaries of form. Contact and separation are the boundaries of feeling. Remembering and forgetting are the boundaries of thinking. Destruction and production are the boundaries of formations. Deep purity entering to unite with deep purity belongs to the boundaries of consciousness."
　　"At their source, these five skandhas arise in layers. Their arising is due to consciousness. Their cessation begins with the elimination of form. You may have a sudden awakening to the principle, at which point they all simultaneously vanish. But in terms of the specifics, they are eliminated not all at once, but in sequence. I have already shown you the knots tied in the Karpasa cloth. What is it that you do not understand, that causes you to ask about it again?"
　　"You should gain a thorough understanding of the origin of this false thinking and then transmit your understanding to cultivators in the future Dharma-ending Age. Let them recognize this falseness and naturally give rise to deep disdain for it. Let them know of Nirvana so that they will not linger in the Triple Realm."
　　"Ananda, suppose someone were to present a quantity of the seven precious things that filled the space in the ten directions to Buddhas as many as atoms of universe, attentively serving and making offerings to them without letting a moment go by in vain. Do you think this person would reap many blessings from making such an offering to the Buddhas?"
　　Ananda answered, "Since space is limitless, the precious things would be boundless. In the past, someone gave the Buddha seven coins and consequently was reborn as a Wheel-turning King in his next life. As to this person who now fills up all of space and all the Buddhalands with an offering of precious things that could not be reckoned through endless eons, how could there be a limit to his blessings?"
　　The Buddha told Ananda, "All Buddhas, Tathagatas, speak words which are not false. There might be another person who had personally committed the Four Major Offenses and the Ten Parajikas so that, in an instant, he would have to pass through the Avichi Hells in this world and other worlds, until he had passed through all the Relentless Hells in the ten directions without exception. And yet, if he could explain this Dharma-door for even just the space of a thought to those in the Dharma-ending Age who have not yet studied it, his obstacles from offenses would be eradicated in response to that thought, and all the hells where he was to undergo suffering would become lands of peace and bliss. The blessings he would obtain would surpass those of the person previously mentioned by hundreds of thousands of millions of billions of times, indeed by so many times that no calculations or analogies could express it. Ananda, if living beings are able to recite this Sutra and uphold this mantra, I could not describe in endless kalpas how great the advantages will be. Rely on the teaching I have spoken. Cultivate in accord with it, and you will directly realize Bodhi without encountering demonic karma."
　　When the Buddha finished speaking this Sutra, the Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Upasakas, Upasikas, and all the gods, humans, and asuras in this world, as well as all the Bodhisattvas, those of the Two Vehicles, Sages, immortals, and pure youths in other directions, and the mighty ghosts and spirits of initial resolve all felt elated, made obeisance, and withdrew.

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