Kyapaparivartastra: TheStraofAssembledTreasures

From A Treasury of Mah y na S tra. Garma C. C. Chang, General Editor ThushaveIheard.OncetheBuddhawasdwellingonMountGdhrakanearRjagha,accompanied byeightthousandgreatmonks.AlsointheassemblyweresixteenthousandbodhisattvaMahsattvas fromvariousBuddhalands,allofwhomhadattainedthestageofnonregressionandweredestinedfor supremeenlightenmentintheirnextlives. Thatday,theWorldHonoredOnetoldMahkyapa,Fourthingscauseabodhisattvaswisdomto decreaseorbelost.Whatarethefour? 1. TodisrespecttheDharmaorDharmamasters; 2. towithholdtheprofoundDharmahehasacquiredinsteadofdisclosingitfully; 3. tohinderthosewhorejoiceintheDharmabygivingthemreasonstodespair;and 4. tobearrogantandconceited,andtodisdainothers. Furthermore,Kyapafourthingscauseabodhisattvatogaingreatwisdom.Whatarethefour? 1. AlwaystorespecttheDharmaandrevereDharmamasters; 2. topreachwidelywhateverDharmahehaslearned,withapuremindnotinpursuitof fameorprofit; 3. toknowthatwisdomarisesfrommuchlearning,andtopursuelearningwithsuch constant,urgenteffortasiftosavehisheadfromfire;and 4. torecitethestrashehaslearned,andpracticecheerfullyasinstructed,without becomingentangledinwords. Furthermore,Kyapafourthingscauseabodhisattvatolosehisbodhicitta.Whatarethefour? 1. Todeceivehisteacherandpaynorespecttothestrashehasbeentaught; 2. tocauseunwarranteddoubtorregretinothers; 3. torevileandslanderthosewhoseektheMahyana,thusdefamingthemfarandwide; and 4. tobefawningandcrookedindealingwithpeople. Furthermore,Kyapafourthingsenableabodhisattvatoretainhisbodhicittafromonelifetimeto another,sothatitwillalwaysbenaturallypresentinhimuntilhisattainmentofBuddhahood.Whatare thefour? 1. Nottolieevenwhenhislifeisatstake,muchlessinjest; 2. alwaysdealwithpeoplesincerelyandhonestly,withoutflatteryorcrookedness; 3. tothinkofbodhisattvasasWorldHonoredOnes,andtoextoltheirnamesinallthefour directions;and 4. nottoenjoytheHinaynadoctrines,but[instead]tocauseallwhobelieveinthe Dharmatopursuesupremebodhi. 1

Furthermore,Kyapafourthingscausethewholesomepracticescultivatedbyabodhisattvatostop increasingortocease.Whatarethefour? 1. Toread,recite,andstudythesecularscripturesoutofarrogance; 2. toapproachadonorwithamindlustingformaterialgains; 3. toresentandslanderotherbodhisattvas;and 4. todiscreditandcontradictstraswhichhehasnotheardbefore. Furthermore,Kyapafourthingscausethewholesomepracticescultivatedbyabodhisattvato growinsteadofceasing.Whatarethefour? 1. Thebodhisattvarejectsheterodoxdoctrinesandseekstheorthodoxscripturessuchas thoseonthesixpramits,whichconstitutethebodhisattvacanonandwhendoing so,castsawayarroganceandremainshumbletowardallsentientbeings. 2. HereceivesofferingsinaccordancewiththeDharma,iscontentwithwhatheobtains, doesnotearnalivelihoodinimproperways,andabidesinthefournoblepractices. 3. Hedoesnotexposeotherswrongdoings,whethertheyaretrueornot,anddoesnot lookforpeoplesshortcomings. 4. Whenhefindssome[Buddhist]doctrinesincomprehensible,hethinks,TheBuddha Dharmahasinfinitevarieties,foritispreachedaccordingtotheinclinationsofsentient beings.ItisknowntotheBuddhaonly,nottome.IshoulddefertotheBuddhaasthe certifyingauthorityandnotharbordisobedienceoropposition. Furthermore,Kyapaabodhisattvamustshunfourwrongmentalities.Whatarethefour? 1. ToharbordoubtsabouttheBuddhaDharmaortoregret[havingacceptedit|; 2. toberesentfulandarroganttowardsentientbeings; 3. tobejealousofothersfortheirgainsandgoodliving;and 4. to[wishto]revileotherbodhisattvasanddefamethemfarandwide. Furthermore,Kyapafoursignsindicateabodhisattvasrightmentality.Whatarethefour? 1. Thebodhisattvadoesnothidehistransgressions,butexposesthemtootherssothathis mindisfreefromcoversandbonds. 2. Heneverspeaksfalsewordsevenifheloseshisownbody,life,country,orkingdom. 3. Whenheencountersmisfortunes,beingscolded,beaten,slandered,bound,or otherwiseinjured,heblameshimselfonly;resigninghimselftokarmicretribution,he doesnothateothers. 4. Hemaintainshisfaithfirmly;whenhehearstheBuddhaDharmawhichisprofoundand difficulttobelieve,hispuremindcanacceptandupholditentirely. Furthermore,Kyapafoursignsindicateabodhisattvascorruption.Whatarethefour? 1. Afterreadingascripture,acorruptedbodhisattvaindulgesinplaywords,insteadof practicinginaccordancewiththeDharma. 2. Hedoesnotobey,respect,orgladdenhismasters. 3. Hewastesdevoteesofferingsbyacceptingthemevenwhenhehasbrokenhisformer vows. 4. Heiscontemptuousanddisrespectfultowardvirtuousbodhisattvas. 2

Furthermore,Kyapafoursignsindicateabodhisattvaswillingcompliance.Whatarethefour? 1. Thebodhisattvafaithfullyacceptsastrathefirsttimehehearsit,andpracticesitas taught,relyingonthedoctrineratherthanonthewords. 2. Hefollowshismastersinstructions,knowshisintention,andspeakswithhimopenly; everythinghedoesisinharmonywithvirtueandhismastersintention. 3. Heneverregressesindisciplineordhyna,andacceptsofferingswithamindwell subdued. 4. Whenheseesavirtuousbodhisattva,herespectshim,admireshim,andemulateshis virtuousdeeds. Furthermore,Kyapatherearefourmistakesthatabodhisattvamaymake.Whatarethefour? 1. Tocomplywithanuntrustworthyperson; 2. topreachaprofounddoctrinetoasentientbeingwhoisincapableofacceptingit; 3. topraisetheHinaynaamongthosewhorejoiceintheMahyana;and 4. togiveonlytovirtuouspreceptkeepers,nottowickedpeople. Furthermore,Kyapatherearefourrightpathsforabodhisattva.Whatarethefour? 1. Totreatallsentientbeingsimpartially; 2. toteachallsentientbeingsimpartially[onthebasisofthe]Buddhaaswisdom; 3. topreachtheDharmatoallsentientbeingswithoutdiscrimination;and 4. tocauseallsentientbeingstoabideinrightactionequally. Furthermore,Kyapatherearefourkindsofpeoplewhoarenotgoodfriendsorcompanionsfora bodhisattva.Whatarethefour? 1. rvakas,whodesireonlytobenefitthemselves; 2. Pratyekabuddhas,whoenjoyhavingfewthingstoattendto; 3. theworldlyscholars,whostudyheterodoxscripturesandindulgeinfloweryliterature; and 4. associateswhocanonlyincreasehisworldlyacquisitions,nothisacquisitionofthe Dharma. Furthermore,Kyapatherearefourkindsofpeoplewhoaregoodfriendsandcompanionsfora bodhisattva.Whatarethefour? 1. Thosewhocalluponabodhisattvaforhelparehisgoodfriends,becausetheycausehim towalkupontheBuddhaspath. 2. ThosewhocanexpoundtheDharmaarehisgoodfriends,becausetheyspreadwisdom. 3. Thosewhocanpersuadeotherstorenouncethehouseholdlifearehisgoodfriends, becausetheycanincrease[others]virtues. 4. AlltheBuddhas,theWorldHonoredOnes,arehisgoodfriends,becausetheycauseall BuddhaDharmastogrowandthrive. Furthermore,Kyapatherearefourkindsofpeoplewhomayappeartobebodhisattvasbut actuallyarenot.Whatarethefour? 1. ThosewholustformaterialgainsinsteadofseekingtheDharma; 2. thosewhowishtoacquirefameinsteadofvirtues; 3

3. thosewhoseektheirownhappinessanddonotshowothersentientbeingsthepathto thecessationofsuffering;and 4. thosewhoenjoythecompanyofmanydisciplesanddislikedetachmentandseclusion. Furthermore,Kyapatherearefourkindsoftruebodhisattvas.Whatarethefour? 1. Thosewhonotonlyunderstandandbelieveinemptiness,butalsobelieveinkarmic retribution; 2. thosewhoknowthatalldharmasaredevoidofselfentity,butwhostillhavegreat compassionforsentientbeings; 3. thosewhodeeplycherishnirva,butcontinuetoroaminsamsara;and 4. thosewhopracticegivingforthebenefitofsentientbeings,withoutseekingany reward. Furthermore,Kyapaabodhisattvahasfourgreattreasures.Whatarethefour? 1. EncounteringBuddhas; 2. hearingthesixpramitsandtheelucidationoftheirmeaning; 3. regardingaDharmamasterwithanunobstructedmind;and 4. beinginclinedtotheunremittingpracticeofrenunciation. Furthermore,Kyapafourthingsenableabodhisattvatotranscenddevilishhindrances.Whatare thefour? 1. Nevertobeapartfrombodhicitta; 2. toharbornoillfeelingsagainstsentientbeings; 3. tobeawareofeverykindofknowledgeandview;and 4. nevertodespiseorbelittleanysentientbeing. Furthermore,Kyapafourthingsenableabodhisattvatoaccumulategoodroots.Whatarethe four? 1. Toavoidawrongmentalitywheninsolitude; 2. topracticethefourinducementsamongsentientbeingswithoutexpectinganyreward; 3. topursuetheDharmavigorously,evenatthecostofhislife;and 4. tocultivatenumerousgoodrootswithoutsatiety. Furthermore,Kyapaabodhisattvahasfouradornments[causing]immeasurableblessings.What arethefour? 1. ToteachtheDharmawithapuremind; 2. tohavegreatcompassionforthosewhobreaktheprecepts; 3. toextolbodhicittaamongsentientbeings;and 4. topracticepatiencewheninsultedbythelowlyandinferior. Furthermore,Kyapaa[true]bodhisattvaisnotabodhisattvainnameonly.Onewhocanpractice wholesomedharmasandhasamindofequalityiscalledabodhisattva.Brieflyspeaking,onewho accomplishesthirtytwothingsiscalledabodhisattva.Whatarethethirtytwo? 1. Toaspiretobringsentientbeingspeaceandhappiness; 2. toenableallsentientbeingstoabideinallknowingwisdom; 3. nottoresentotherswisdom; 4

toshatteronesownhaughtinessandarrogance; totakedeeppleasureintheBuddhaspath; toloveandrespectallsentientbeingssincerely; toremainthoroughlykindtofriendsandfoesalikeuptoonesattainmentofnirva; alwaystospeakwithasmileandbethefirsttooffergreetings; nevertostophalfwaythroughinperformingatask; toextendgreatcompassionequallytoallsentientbeings; toseekextensivelearninguntiringlyandinsatiably; tolookforonesownfaults,butnottospeakofothersshortcomings; tobeinspiredbybodhicittaineveryaspectofonesbehavior; topracticegivingwithoutexpectinganythinginreturn; toobservethediscipline,butnotforthepurposeofahigherrebirth; topracticepatiencewithanunimpededmindamongsentientbeings; tostrivewithvigortocultivateallgoodroots; topracticemeditationwithoutaspiringtorebirthintherealmofformlessness; toapplythewisdomofskillfulmeans; topracticethefourinducements[unboundedgenerosity,pleasantspeech,useful livelihood,indifferenttoonesownstateofcomfort]; 21. tobeequallykindtobothgoodandevilsentientbeings; 22. tolistentotheDharmasinglemindedly; 23. toremaindetachedinmind; 24. nottoindulgeinworldlyaffairs; 25. nottoenjoytheHinayna,butalwaystoseegreatbenefitintheMahyana; 26. toavoidbadfriendsandassociatewithgoodones; 27. toaccomplishthefourimmeasurablesandachievetotalcommandofthefive miraculouspowers; 28. alwaystorelyonthetruewisdom; 29. nottoforsakeanysentientbeings,whethertheiractionsarerightorwrong; 30. alwaystodiscoursewithdecisiveness; 31. tovaluethetrueDharma;and 32. todedicateallonesdeedstobodhi. Kyapaifapersonfulfillsthesethirtytwothings,heiscalledabodhisattva. Furthermore,Kyapathevirtuesofabodhisattvaareinnumerableandtheycanonlybeillustrated byparablesandsimiles. Kyapajustasthegreatearth,usedbyallsentientbeings,doesnotdiscriminateorseekrewards, soabodhisattvabenefitsallsentientbeingsfromthetimeheengendersbodhicittauntilthetimehe attainsBuddhahood,butdoesnotdiscriminateorseekrewards. Kyapajustastheelementwatercausesallkindsofgrains,medicinalherbs,andtreestogrow,soa bodhisattva,becausehismindispure,extendshiskindnessandcompassiontoallsentientbeingsand causesallwholesomedharmastogrow. 5

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Kyapajustastheelementfireripensallgrainsandfruits,soabodhisattvaswisdomripensall wholesomedharmas. Kyapajustastheelementaircausestheformationofalltheworlds,soabodhisattvasingenuity causestheformationofalltheBuddhaDharmas. Kyapajustasthebrillianceandsizeofanewmoonincreasefromdaytoday,soallthewholesome dharmasinabodhisattvaspuremindgrowfromdaytoday. Kyapajustasthelightoftherisingsunsimultaneouslyilluminatesallsentientbeings,soa bodhisattvaslightofwisdomsimultaneouslyilluminatesallsentientbeings. Kyapajustasthelion,thekingofbeasts,isfearlesswhereveritgoes,soabodhisattva,being flawlessinkeepingthepreceptsandendowedwithtruewisdom,isfearlesswhereverhedwells. Kyapajustasawelltrained,hugeelephantcanperformgreatfeatswithouttiring,soa bodhisattva,duetohiswellsubduedmind,canyieldgreatbenefitstosentientbeingswithoutfeeling wearyatheart. Kyapajustasthelotusgrowsinmuddywaterbutisnotsoiledbythemud,soabodhisattvalives intheworld,butisunsulliedbyworldlythings. Kyapaafteratreeisfelled,itsstumpwillcontinuetogrowaslongasitsrootremains.Inthesame way,afterabodhisattvahasseveredtheknotsofdefilement,hestilltakesrebirthinthethreerealmsby thepowerofhisingenuity,becauseheretainshisintrinsiclove[forsentientbeings]. Kyapajustasthestreamsflowingfromalldirectionsassumeauniformtastewhentheyjointhe ocean,sothenumerousgoodrootsaccumulatedindifferentwaysbyabodhisattvabecomeuniformin tastewhentheyarededicatedtotheattainmentofsupremeenlightenment. KyapajustasMountSumeru,thekingofmountains,isthedwellingplaceofthegodsofthe HeavenoftheThirtyThreeandtheHeavenoftheFourDevaKings,sothebodhisattvasbodhicittaisthe basisofallknowingwisdom. Kyapajustasthekingofalargecountrycanadministerstateaffairswiththeassistanceofhis ministers,soabodhisattvaswisdomcanaccomplishalltheBuddhasundertakingswiththepowerof ingenuity. Kyapajustasasunnyskywithoutaspeckofcloudisasuresignthattherewillbenorain,soa bodhisattvawhohaslearnedlittlewillshownosignofaDharmarain. Kyapajustasadark,cloudyskywillinevitablyproduceraintofulfilltheneedsofsentientbeings, soabodhisattvaproducesaheavyDharmarainfromthecloudofgreatcompassion,forthebenefitof sentientbeings. Kyapajustastheseventreasuresappearwhereverauniversalmonarchappears,sothethirty sevenwaystoenlightenmentappearintheworldwheneverabodhisattvaappears. Kyapajustasthereisaninfinitequantityofgold,silver,andpreciousgemswhereverawish fulfillingpearlisfound,sothereareinfinitenumbersofrvakasandPratyekabuddhaswherevera bodhisattvaappears. KyapawhenthegodsoftheHeavenoftheThirtyThreeentertheGardenofEquality,allthethings theyusearethesame;similarly,abodhisattva,withhistrulypuremind,teachesallsentientbeings equally. 6

Kyapajustaspoisonscanberenderedharmlessbycharmsandantidotes,sothepoisonof defilementsisrenderedharmlesstoabodhisattvabythepowerofhiswisdom,anddoesnotcausehim tofalltothemiserableplanesofexistence. Kyapajustastheexcrementandgarbagediscardedbythepeoplelivinginbigcitieswillyield benefitswhenplacedinvineyardsandsugarcanefields,sotheresidualdefilementsofabodhisattvawill yieldbenefitsbecausetheyareconducivetoallknowingwisdom. Moreover,KyapaabodhisattvawhowishestolearnthisStraofAssembledTreasuresshould constantlycultivatetherightinsightintoalldharmas.Whatistherightinsight?Itistothinkofall dharmasastheyreallyare.Thetrue,rightinsightmeansnottoseeaself,apersonalidentity,asentient being,oralife.Thisiscalledthemiddleway,thetrue,rightinsight. Furthermore,Kyapatrueinsightmeanstoregardformsasneitherpermanentnorimpermanent; toregardfeelings,conceptions,impulses,andconsciousnessasneitherpermanentnorimpermanent. Thisiscalledthemiddleway,thetrue,rightinsight. Furthermore,Kyapatrueinsightmeanstoregardtheelementearthasneitherpermanentnor impermanent,andtoregardtheelementswater,fire,andairasneitherpermanentnorimpermanent. Thisiscalledthemiddleway,thetrue,rightinsight. Why?Permanenceisoneextreme,impermanenceistheother,and[thetwoinoneof] permanenceimpermanenceisthemiddle,whichisformless,shapeless,incognizable,andunknowable. [Torealize]itiscalledthemiddleway,thetrueinsightintoalldharmas. Egoisoneextreme,egolessnessistheother,and[thetwoinoneof]egoegolessnessisthemiddle, whichisformless,shapeless,incognizable,andunknowable.[Torealize]itiscalledthemiddleway,the trueinsightintoalldharmas. Furthermore,Kyapa[toregard]themindasrealisoneextreme;[toregard]itasunrealisthe other.[Torealize]thatthereisnomindormentalfunctioniscalledthemiddleway,thetrueinsightinto alldharmas. Thesameistrueofthedharmaswhicharewholesomeandunwholesome,mundaneand supramundane,sinfulandnotsinful,afflictiveandnonafflictive,conditionedandunconditioned,defiled andundefiled.Thatwhichisapartfromthetwoextremescannotbefeltorexpressed.[Torealize]itis calledthemiddleway,thetrueinsightintoalldharmas. Furthermore,Kyapaexistenceisoneextreme,nonexistenceistheother,andthatwhichfallson neitherextremeisformless,shapeless,incognizable,andunknowable.[Torealize]itiscalledthemiddle way,thetrueinsightintoalldharmas. Next,KyapathereisadoctrineIhaveexpounded,namely,thetwelvelinksofdependent origination:onignorancedependactions;onactionsdependsconsciousness;onconsciousnessdepend nameandform;onnameandformdependthesixsenses;onthesixsensesdependscontact;oncontact dependsfeeling;onfeelingdependscraving;oncravingdependsgrasping;ongrasping dependsbecoming;onbecomingdependsbirth;onbirthdependoldage,death,worry,sorrow,misery, anddistress.Theselinksofdependentoriginationarenothingbutagreatmassofsuffering.Ifignorance ceases,actionscease;ifactionscease,consciousnessceases;ifconsciousnessceases,nameandform cease;ifnameandformcease,thesixsensescease;ifthesixsensescease,contactceases;ifcontact 7

ceases,feelingceases;iffeelingceases,cravingceases,ifcravingceases,graspingceases;ifgrasping ceases,becomingceases;ifbecomingceases,birthceases;ifbirthceases,thenoldage,death,worry, sorrow,distress,andthewholemassofsufferingaltogethercease. [Concerningthetwelvelinksofdependentorigination,]ignorance,[ornotknowing],andwisdom, [orknowing],areoneandthesame.Tounderstandthisiscalledthemiddleway,thetrueinsightintoall dharmas.Inlikemanner,actionsandnonactions,consciousnessandtheobjectsofconsciousness,the perceptibleandtheimperceptibleaspectsofnameandform,thesixsensesandthesix miraculouspowers,contactandobjectsofcontact,feelinganditscessation,cravinganditscessation, graspinganditscessation,becominganditscessation,birthanditscessation,oldageanddeathand theircessationalltheseareoneandthesame.Tounderstandthisiscalledthemiddleway,thetrue insightintoalldharmas. Next,Kyapatoonewhohasthetrueinsight,thingsareempty,notbecauseonecontemplates themasempty;theyareemptybynature.Thingsaresignless,notbecauseonecontemplatesthemas signless;theyaresignlessinthemselves.Thingsareunsought,notbecauseonecontemplatesthemas unsought;theyareunsoughtinthemselves.Thingsaredevoidoforigination,arising,entity,andself nature;theyareimpossibletograsp,notbecauseonecontemplatesthemassuch;theyaresoin themselves.Thisunderstandingiscalledthetrueinsight. Furthermore,Kyapapersonalidentityisempty,notbecauseonethinksthereisnopersonal identity;itisemptyinitself.Itwasemptyinthepast;itwillbeemptyinthefuture;anditisemptyat present.Therefore,oneshouldrelyonemptiness,notonpersonalidentity. However,ifonethinksthathehasrealizedemptinessandbecomesattachedtoemptiness,thenhe regressesinthepursuitoftheBuddhaDharma.Thus,Kyapaitisbetterforonetotakeaviewofthe selfasmassiveasMountSumeruastotakeaviewofemptinessandbecomearrogant.Why?Becauseall viewscanbeeliminatedbyemptiness,butifonegivesrisetotheviewofemptiness,thereisnowayto doawaywithit. Kyapaifaphysiciangiveshispatientsomemedicinetopurgeanillness,butthemedicinestaysin thebodyinsteadofbeingdischarged,whatdoyouthink?Willthepatientgetbetter? No,WorldHonoredOne.Thepatientsillnesswillbecomeworseifthemedicineisnotdischarged. Inlikemanner,Kyapaallviewscanbeeliminatedbyemptiness,buttheviewofemptinesscannot beeradicated. Supposeapersonisafraidofemptyspaceandwailsingriefandpoundshischest,saying,Iwantto escapefromemptyspace!Whatdoyouthink?Canoneescapefromemptyspace? No,WorldHonoredOne. Similarly,Kyapaifapersonisafraidofthedoctrineofemptiness,Isayheiscrazyandhaslosthis mind.WhydoIsayso?Becauseheisalwaysinemptiness,andyetisafraidofit.Justasapainterpaints apictureofdemonsandthenfaintsatthesightofhisowncreation,soordinarypeoplefabricateforms, sounds,odors,tastes,andtextures,andthenwanderinsamsaraafflictingthemselveswithallkindsof sufferingwithoutknowingit.

Justasamagicianproducesanillusorybeingandthenisdevouredbyit,soamonkwhofollowsthe pathengenderstheviewthatalldharmasareempty,still,andinsubstantial;andthenhe,theviewer,is alsovoided[bythisview]. Kyapajustasfireproducedbyrubbingtwopiecesofwoodtogetherwillburnupwood,so, Kyapathesacredwisdombornoftrueinsightwillburnuptrueinsight. Whenalampislit,thedarknesscompletelyvanishes.Thedarknessgoesnowhere,justasitcomes fromnowhereitdoesnotgotoorcomefromtheeast,thesouth,thewest,thenorth,thefour intermediatedirections,thezenith,orthenadir.Furthermore,thelamplightdoesnotthink.Ican dispeldarkness,thoughitisbecauseofthelightthatthedarknessvanished.Bothlightanddarkness areempty,inert,andimpossibletograsp.Similarly,Kyapaoncetruewisdomarises,ignoranceends. Bothwisdomandignoranceareempty,inert,andimpossibletograsp. Kyapasupposearoomhasbeentotallydarkforathousandyearsandthenalampislittherein.Do yousupposethedarknesswillthinktoitself,Ihavelivedhereforalongtimeanddonotwanttogo? No,WorldHonoredOne.Whenthelampislit,thedarknesswillbepowerless.Evenifitshould refusetogo,itwouldsurelybedispelled. Inthesameway,Kyapawithonetrueinsight,allthedefilementsandkarmasaccumulated throughhundredsofthousandsofmillionsofkalpascanbeeradicated.Thelamplightstandsforthe sacredwisdom;thedarknessstandsforthedefilementsandkarmas. Toillustrate,Kyapaitisabsolutelyimpossibleforaseedtogrowinmidair.Likewise,itis impossibleforabodhisattvatodeveloptheBuddhaDharmaifheclingstohisrealization[ofemptiness]. Kyapajustasaseedsproutswhensowninafertilefield,so,KyapatheBuddhaDharmagrowswhen abodhisattvadwellsamongdefilementsandinvolveshimselfinworldlythings. Kyapajustasalotusflowercannotgrowinhigh,dryland,sotheBuddhaDharmacannotgrowina bodhisattvawhostaysin[therealmof]theunconditioned.Kyapajustasalotusflowergrowsinalow, wet,muddyland,sotheBuddhaDharmagrowsonlywhenabodhisattvastaysinthemireof samsaraamongthoseinthegroupconvincedbyheterodoxteachings. Kyapathequantityofabodhisattvasconditionedgoodrootsislikethequantityofcream sufficienttofillthefourgreatoceans,whilethequantityofarvakasgoodrootsislikeatinydroplet fromthatoceansuspendedfromahundredthpartofahair. Kyapaarvakasconditionedwisdomislikethespaceinsideatinymustardseed.Kyapaa bodhisattvasconditionedwisdomisliketheimmeasurable,boundlessspacethroughouttheten directions,anditspowerisinfinite. Kyapasupposethewifeofakatriyarulerbearsthechildofapoor,lowlyman.Whatdoyou think?Willthechildbeaprince? No,WorldHonoredOne. Inthesameway,Kyapaalthoughmyrvakadisciples[andthebodhisattvas]bothrealizethe Dharmanatureandarebornofit,rvakasarenotcalledthetruesonsoftheTathgata. Kyapaifakatriyarulerhasachildwithhismaidservantoflowcaste,thechildmaybecalleda prince.Similarly,thoughanovicebodhisattvaisnotfullyequippedwithmeritsorwisdom,wandersin

samsara,andcanonlybenefitsentientbeingswithinthelimitsofhis[meager]power,heisstillcalleda truesonoftheTathgata. Kyapaifauniversalmonarchhasathousandsons,butnotoneofthembearsthecharacteristicsof auniversalmonarch,themonarchwillnotconsideranyofthemasheirtothethrone.Similarly,ifa Tathgataissurroundedbyhundredsofthousandsofmillionsofrvakas,butnobodhisattvas,hewill notconsideranyofthemashistrueson. Kyapasupposethewifeofauniversalmonarchispregnantforsevendayswithasonwhois alreadyendowedwithallthecharacteristicsofauniversalmonarch.Thissonwillberespectedbygods morethanother,grownsons[wholackthosecharacteristics].Why?Becausethisembryoprincewill somedayinheritthethroneandperpetuatethelineageoftheuniversalmonarch.Similarly,Kyapa thoughanovicebodhisattvadoesnotyetfullypossessthequalitiesofabodhisattva,hewill,asinthe caseoftheembryoprince,bemoredeeplyhonoredbygodsandspiritsthangreatArhatswhohave achievedtheeightfoldliberation.Why?Becausesuchabodhisattvaisheirtothesupremethrone[of theTathgata]andwillperpetuatetheBuddhalineage. Kyapajustasonebeadoflapislazuliisworthmorethanordinarycrystalbeadspiledashighas MountSumeru,soabodhisattva,evenwhenhefirstbringsforthbodhicitta,surpassesallrvakasand Pratyekabuddhascombined. Kyapawhenaprinceisnewlyborn,allthechieftainsandministerscometopaytheirrespectsto him.Similarly,whenabodhisattvafirstbringsforthbodhicitta,allgodsandhumansshouldpayhomage tohim. KyapajustastheherbsgrowingintheHimalayasbelongtonooneandwillcureanypersonofhis illnesswithoutdiscrimination,sothemedicineofwisdomacquiredbyabodhisattvacandeliverall sentientbeingsequally,withoutdiscrimination. Kyapajustaspeopleadoreanewmoonmorethanafullmoon,sothosewhobelievemywords adoreabodhisattvamorethantheyadoreaTathgata.Why?BecauseTathgatasarebornof bodhisattvas. Kyapaafoolmayworshipstarsinsteadofthemoon,butawisemanwillneverpayhomageto rvakasinsteadofbodhisattvas. Kyapanomatterhowskillfulagodorhumanmaybeinmakingartificialgems,hecannotturnan ordinarybeadintoapreciousbeadoflapislazuli.Similarly,foralltheiraccomplishmentsindiscipline andmeditation,thosewhoseekrvakahoodcanneversitatthebodhisitetorealizesupremebodhi. Kyapawhenabeadoflapislazuliisformed,myriadsofgemswillappearwithit.Similarly,whena bodhisattvaistaughtanddevelops,hewillyieldmyriadsofrvakasandPratyekabuddhas. ThentheWorldHonoredOnetoldMahkyapafurther,Abodhisattvashouldalwaystrytobenefit sentientbeings.Heshouldcorrectlycultivateallmeritoriousdeedsandgoodrootsanddedicatethemto allsentientbeingsequally.Heshouldadministertosentientbeingseverywhereinthetendirectionsthe medicinesofwisdomhehasacquired,andthuscurethemthoroughly. Whatarethegenuinemedicinesofwisdom?Contemplationon[bodily]impuritiescureslust. Contemplationonkindnesscuresangerandhatred.Contemplationondependentoriginationcures ignorance. 10

Contemplationontheemptinessofphenomenacuresalldeludedviews.Contemplationon signlessnesscuresmemories,discriminations,andwanderingthoughts.Contemplationonwishlessness curesthedesiretoescapefromthethreerealms. Contemplationonthefourrightviewscuresthefourwrongviews;contemplationonthe impermanenceofallconditioneddharmascuresthewrongviewofregardingtheimpermanentas permanent;contemplationonthesufferingscausedbyconditioneddharmascuresthewrongviewof regardingsufferingaspleasure;contemplationontheabsenceofselfentityindharmascuresthewrong viewofregardingthatwhichhasnoselfashavingaself;andcontemplationonthetranquilityofnirva curesthewrongviewofregardingtheimpureaspure. Thefourmindfulnessescureclingingtobody,feelings,mindanddharmas.Onewhopracticesthe Dharmaandcontemplatesthebodyasitreallyiswillnotbetrappedbytheviewofarealself.Onewho contemplatesfeelingsastheyreallyarewillnotbetrappedbytheviewofarealself.Onewho contemplatesthemindasitreallyiswillnotbetrappedbytheviewofarealself.Onewho contemplatesdharmasastheyreallyarewillnotbetrappedbytheviewofarealself.Thesefour mindfulnesses,therefore,causeonetoabhorthebody,feelings,mind,anddharmas,andtherebyopen thedoortonirva. Bythefourrighteffortsonecanputanendtopresentunwholesomedharmas,preventnew unwholesomedharmasfromarising,bringnewwholesomedharmasintoexistence,andathesame timecultivatethevirtuesandgoodroots...Whensuchabodhisattvahasacquiredthemedicineof wisdom,hewillproceedinalltendirectionstocuresentientbeingsthoroughly[oftheirafflictions]. Whatisabodhisattvasmedicineofsupramundanewisdom?Itistoknowthatalldharmasarise fromcombinationsofcausesandconditions.Itistobelievethatalldharmasaredevoidofselfentity, personalidentity,being,orlife;thatthereisnoknower,seer,doer,orreceiver.Itistobelieveinand penetratethistruth[that]thereisnoIormine. AbodhisattvashouldnotbeafraidoforterrifiedbythisDharmaofemptiness,inwhichnothingis apprehensible.Heshouldfurtherexerthimselftoprobethecharacteristicsofthemind. Abodhisattvaprobesthemindthinking:Whatisthemind?Isitdesire?Isithatred?Isitignorance? Doesitbelongtothepast,thepresent,orthefuture?Ifitbelongstothepast,thepastisgone.Ifit belongstothefuture,thefuturehasnotyetcome.Ifitbelongstothepresent,thepresentneverstands still.Themindisnotinsideoroutside[thebody],norinbetween.Itisformless,shapeless,incognizable, andunknowable;itreliesonnothingandhasnolocation.Suchamindwasnotisnot,andwillnotbe seenbyanyoftheBuddhasofthetendirectionsandthethreephasesoftime.Ifitisnotseenbyanyof thepast,presentorfutureBuddhas,howcanitexist?Itisduetowrongthinkingthatthemindarises, andalongwithitallthedifferentdharmas.Themindisillusory,butthroughthought,fantasy,and discrimination,itgivesrisetoallkindsofkarmasandconsequentlycausesonetoreceivevariousbodily forms[askarmicresults]. FurtherMahkyapa,themindislikethewindblowing,whichnoonecancatch.Itislikeaflowing water,continuallyarisingandceasing.Itisliketheflameofalamp,causedbyvariousfactors.Itislike lightening,foritperishesfrommomenttomoment.Itisliketheair,foritispollutedbythedustof

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externalobjects.Itislikeamonkey,foritclingstothesixdesiresoneafteranother.Itislikeapainter, foritisabletocreatenumerouskarmiccausesandconditions. Themindisnotfixed,foritrunsaftervariousdefilements.Itislikeamightyruler,foralldharmas aregovernedbyit.Itactsalone,withoutcompanion,fortwomindscannotexistsimultaneously.Itisa bitterenemy,foritcausesallsufferings.Itcanruinallgoodroots,justasamadelephantmaytrample mudhutsunderitsfeet.Itbehaveslike[afish]swallowingahook,consideringsufferingtobepleasure. ItislikeadreamgivingrisetotheideaofanIwherethereisnoI.Itislikeafly,consideringimpurities tobepure. Themindislikearogue,foritcantortureoneineveryway.Itislikeademon,alwayslookingfor opportunitiestoattack.Itconstantlyswingsbetweenhighandlow,foritisspoiledbygreedandanger. Itislikeabandit,foritcanroboneofallgoodroots.Itlustsforforms,justasamothplungesintofire.It yearnsforsounds,justasaveteransoldieryearnstoheardrumbeatssignalingvictory.Itisalways greedyforfragrances,justasahogenjoyswallowinginfilth.Italwayspursuesflavors,justasayoung girlindulgesindelicacies.Italwayscravespleasures,justasaflyclingstooil. ThusKyapa[abodhisattva]probesthecharacteristicsofthemindbutfindsthemindtobe inapprehensible.Itisinapprehensible,ithasnothingtodowiththepast,present,orfuture.Ifithas nothingtodowiththepast,present,orfutureittranscendsthethreephasesoftime.Itiftranscendsthe threephasesoftime,itisneitherexistentnornonexistent.Ifitisneitherexistentnornonexistentitis birthless.Ifitisbirthless,ithasnoselfnature.Ifithasnoselfnature,itdoesnotarise.Ifitdoesnot arise,itdoesnotcease.Ifitdoesnotcease,itpartswithnothing.Ifitpartswithnothing,thenitneither comesandgoes,andneithergainsnorlosesanything,thenitperformsnoactions.Ifitperformsno actions,thenitisunconditioned. Sinceitisunconditioned,itistherootfromwhichallsaintsdevelop.Intheunconditioned,thereis nokeepingorbreakingofprecepts.Ifthereisnokeepingorbreakingofprecepts,thenthereisnoaction orinaction.Ifthereisnoactionorinaction,thenthereisnomindormentalfunction.Ifthereisnomind ormentalfunction,thereisnokarmaorkarmicresult.Ifthereisnokarmaorkarmicresult,thenthereis nojoyorsuffering.Whatisfreeofjoyandsufferingistheholynature;init,thereisnokarmaorcreator ofkarma;nobodilykarma,noverbalkarma,andnomentalkarma;noranysuchdistinctionsashigh, middle,orlow. Theholynatureisequalthroughout,foritislikeemptyspace.Itisbeyonddistinction,forall dharmasareofonetaste.Itisdetachment,foritisdetachedfromallphenomenaofbodyandmind.Itis apartfromalldharmas,foritaccordswithnirva.Itispurity,foritisfreefromaldefilements.Ithasno I,foritisdevoidoftheIandmine.Ithasnohighorlowforitisbornofequality. Theholynatureistherealtruth,foritistheultimatetruth.Itneverends,foritultimatelydoesnot comeintobeing.Italwaysabides,foralldharmasforeverremainthesame.Itisbliss,fornirvaisthe highest[bliss].Itispure,foritisapartfromallphenomena.IthasnoI,fortheIisinapprehensible. Theholynatureistruepurity,foritisultimatelypurefromthebeginning. Furthermore,Mahkyapa,allofyoushouldcontemplateinwardly.Donotletyourmindgallop outside.

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Now,Mahkyapa,somemonksinthefuturewillbehavelikeadogchasingclodsofearth.What doesthismean?Ifapersonthrowsclodsofearthatadog,thedogwillchasetheclodsinsteadofthe person.Inthesameway,Kyapaaramaaorbrhminmayfearthebondageofpleasantforms, sounds,scents,tastes,andtextures,andlivecompletelyaloneinsecludedplaces,forawayfromthe bustlingmultitude;but,whilehisbodyisseparatedfromtheobjectsofthefivesensuousdesires,his mindhasnotrenouncedthem.Suchapersonwillattimesthinkaboutpleasantforms,sounds,scents, tastes,andtextures,andyearntoenjoythatinsteadofcontemplatinginwardly.Hedoesnotknowhow todetachhimselffromforms,sounds,scents,tastes,andtextures.Becausehedoesnotknowthis,when heentersacity,town,orvillageandmingleswiththecrowd,hewillstillbeattachedtothepleasant forms,sounds,scents,tastes,andtextures.Becausehehasobservedthemundanerulesofconductina secludedplace,hecanbereborninheavenafterdeath.However,hewillbethenboundagainbythe fivesensuouspleasuresinheaven;andwhenhislifeendsthere,hewillstillbeunabletoescapefalling tothefourmiserableplanesofexistence,namely,thoseofhelldwellers,hungryghosts,animals,and asuras.Suchamonkmaybelikenedtoadogchasingclodsofearth. Furthermore,Kyapahowcanamonknotbelikeadogchasingclodsofearth?Supposeamonk doesnotreturnascoldingforascolding,nordoesheretaliateforbeatings,injuries,hatred,orslander; instead,heonlyreflectsinwardly,seekingtosubduehisownmind,andthinks,Whoisthescolder?Who isthescolded?Whoisthebeater,theinjurer,thehater,ortheslanderer?Suchamonkisnotlikeadog chasingclodsofearth. Kyapajustasagoodhorsetrainercanimmediatelytamearampageousunrulyhorse,soonewho practicestheDharmacaninstantlyarresthismindwheneveritwanders,notallowingittogoastray. Kyapajustasathrottlingdiseasecancutshortoneslifeimmediately,so,Kyapaamongviews, theviewofanIcancutshortthelifeofwisdominstantly. Justasapersonseekstoreleasehimselffromwhateverbondsrestricthim,soKyapaoneshould seektoreleasehimselffromwhateverhismindisattachedto. Furthermore,Kyapaonewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemayhavetwoimpuritiesoftheminds. Whatarethetwo?First,toreadheterodoxscriptures,suchasthoseofthematerialist;second,tocollect finerobesandbowls. Furthermore,Kyapaonewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemaysufferfromtwostrongfetters.What arethetwo?First,thefetterofwrongviews;second,thefetterofmaterialgains. Furthermore,onewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemaymeettwoobstacles.Whatarethetwo?First, tobeintimatewithlaypeople;second,toresentvirtuouspersons. Furthermore,onewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemayhavetwoblemishes.Whatarethetwo?First, totoleratedefilements[inhimself);second,tobeattachedtodonors. Furthermore,onewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemaybeafflictedbytwohailstormsthatwillruin hisgoodroots.Whatarethetwo?First,torebelagainstandtocorruptthetrueDharma;second,to acceptofferingsfromdevoteesafterhavingbrokentheprecepts. Furthermore,onewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemaysufferfromtwoabscesses.Whatarethe two?First,tofindfaultwithothers;second,tohidehisownfaults.

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Furthermore,onewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemaybeafflictedwithtwofevers.Whatarethe two?First,tobedefiledinmindwhilewearingamonasticrobe;second,toacceptofferingsfrom virtuouspeoplewhokeeptheprecepts,[whileviolatingthepreceptshimself]. Furthermore,onewhohasleftthehouseholdlifemaysufferfromtwoillnesses.Whatarethetwo? First,tobearrogantandrefusetobehumble;second,toruinothersaspirationsfortheMahyana. Moreover,Mahkyapa,therearefourkindsoframaas.Whatarethefour? 1. ramaasinappearanceandattire[only]; 2. ramaaswhoaredeceptivelydignifiedinconduct; 3. ramaaswholustforfame;and 4. ramaaswhoreallypracticetheDharma. Whatisaramaainappearanceandattire[only]?Supposearamaaisfullydressedinamonastic robe,hascleanlyshavenhairandbeard,andanalmsbowlinhand,yetheperformsimpureactionsof body,speech,andmind.Insteadofproperlyguardinghimselffromevil,heismiserly,jealous,idle,and lazy;heviolatesthepreceptsandengagesinvilepursuits.Sucharamaaisoneinappearanceand attire[only]. Whatisaramaawhoisdeceptivelydignifiedinconduct?Supposearamaadisplaysfulldignity inwalking,standing,sitting,andlyingdown.Heiscomposedandserene;doesnottakedelicacies; followsthefournoblepractices;avoidsthebustlingcrowd,evenagroupofmonks;andspeakssoftly. However,hedoesallthisdeceitfully,notforthesakeoftruepurity.Or,hethinksthereissomethingto beattainedinemptiness,andisafraidofthedoctrineofnonattainment,justasoneisafraidofan abyss;;heregardsasenemiesorbanditsthosemonkswhopreachthatalldharmasareultimately empty.Sucharamaaisonewhoisdeceptivelydignifiedinconduct. Whatisaramaawholustsforfame?Supposearamaaobservesthepreceptsonlybecausehe wantstobeknownandtoachievecertaingoalsinhispresentlife.Hereadsandrecitesthestrasonhis ownbecausehewantspeopletoknowthatheislearned;andhelivesaloneinasecludedspotbecause hewantspeopletoknowthatheisareclusewhohasfewdesires,iscontent,andpracticesdetachment. Inshort,hedoeseverythingforthesolepurposeoffame,notoutofrenunciation,nortoachievetrue tranquility,nortorealizethetruth,nortoattainthefruitofaramaaorbrhmin,nortoachieve nirva.Sucharamaaisonewholustsforfame. Finally,KyapawhatisaramaawhoreallypracticestheDharma?Supposearamaadoesnot evencraveforphysicalexistence,muchlessformaterialgains.Whenhehearsthatalldharmasare empty,signless,andunsought,heunderstandsthisdoctrinethoroughly,conformstoit,andpracticesit astaught.Hedoesnotcultivatepureconductinordertoachievenirva,muchlessto[berebornin] thethreerealms.Hedoesnotcherishtheideaofemptiness,ortheideathatthereisnoI,letalonethe ideaofanI,abeing,orapersonalidentity. Hepartswithrelianceinseekingreleasefromalldefilements;seeingthatalldharmasareoriginally undefiledandultimatelypure,hereliesonhimselfinsteadofothers.RealizingthetrueDharmabody,he doesnotevenseetheBuddha,muchless[hisphysical]form.Throughrealizingemptiness,hehas becomedetached,anddoesnotevenperceivetheDharma;muchlessdoeshecraveforthesoundsand words[describingit].Realizingtheunconditioned,hedoesnotevenseetheSagha,muchlessthe 14

existenceofaharmoniousassembly.Hedoesnoteradicateanythingorcultivateanything;hedoesnot abideinsamsaraorattachhimselftonirva.Knowingthatalldharmasarefromthebeginning ultimatelyquiescent,heperceivesnobondageandseeksnoliberation.Sucharamaaisonewhoreally practicestheDharma. Thus,KyapayoushouldimitatetheramaawhoreallypracticestheDharma.Donotberuinedby names,Kyapasupposeapoor,lowlymanassumedthenameofarich,nobleperson.Doyouthinkthe namewouldfithim? No,WorldHonoredOne. Inthesameway,Kyapaifoneiscalledaramaaorbrhminbutdoesnotperformthereal meritoriousdeedsofaramaaorbrhmin,hewillberuinedbythename. Forexample,apersonsweptawaybyafloodmaydieofthirstandfatigue.Similarly,Kyapaifa ramaareadsmanystrasbutcannotquenchhisthirstofdesire,hatred,andignorance,hewillbe sweptawaybytheDharmaflood,dieofthethirstofdefilements,andfalltothemiserableplanesof existence. Forexample,aphysicianwhoalwayscarriesamedicinepouchmaybeunabletocurehisown illness.Thesameistrueofalearnedpersonafflictedwiththeillnessofdefilements;althoughhehas muchlearning,hecannotbenefithimselfunlessheputsanendtohisdefilements. Apersonwhotakesakingsexpensivemedicinemaybeunabletoadjusthimselftoitandbehurtby it.Thesameistrueofalearnedpersonafflictedwiththeillnessofdefilements:althoughhehas obtainedthegoodmedicineoftheDharma,hewillhurthisownrootofwisdomifhedoesnotcultivate virtues. Kyapajustasawishfulfillingpearlthathasjustfallenintofilthcannotbeworn,soalearned personwhocovetsmaterialgainscannotbenefithumansorgods. Justasacorpsemayweargoldornaments,soalearnedmonkwhobreaksthepreceptsmay [improperly]wearmonasticrobesandacceptofferingsfrompeople. Ifanelderssontrimshisnails,bathes,rubshimselfwithredsandalwoodincense,putsagarland aroundhisneck,andwearsnew,whiteclothing,thenhisappearancebefitshissocialstatus.Similarly, Kyapaalearnedmonkwhoobservesthepreceptsisworthytowearamonasticrobeandaccept offeringsfrompeople. Next,Mahkyapa,therearefourkindsofmonkswhobreakthepreceptsbutappeartokeepthe preceptswell.Whatarethefour? Somemonksobservethepreceptscompletely.Theyarealwaysafraidofcommittingany transgression,whethermajororminor,andobeyalltherulesofdisciplinetheyhavelearned.Theyare pureinaction,word,andthought,andadoptapure,rightmeansoflivelihood.However,theyuphold thedoctrinewhichclaimsthatthereisarealself.Thesepeopleconstitutethefirstkindofmonk whobreaksthepreceptsbutappearstokeepthepreceptswell. Furthermore,Kyapasomemonksrecitethecodeofdisciplineandpracticeitsteachings.However, theycontinuetoholdtheviewofarealbody.Theyconstitutethesecondkindofmonkwhobreaksthe preceptsbutappearstokeepthepreceptswell.

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Furthermore,Kyapasomemonksobservethepreceptscompletely.However,inpracticing kindnesstheybecomeattachedtosentientbeings,andwhentheyhearthatnodharmaeverarises,they areterrified.Theyconstitutethethirdkindofmonkwhobreaksthepreceptsbutseemstokeepthe preceptswell. Finally,Kyapasomemonkspracticealltwelveausterities[1)livinginasecludedforest;2)beggingfor

food;3)takingturnsatbeggingforfood;4)eatingonlyonemealaday;5)eatingonlyasmallamountoffood;6) takingnofood,andnodrinksmadewithfruitorhoney,aftermidday;7)wearinggarmentsofcastoffrags;8) havingonlythreegarments;9)dwellingamonggraves;10)stayingunderatree;11)sittingonbareground;and12) neverlyingdown],butseesomethingattainableindoingso.Theyconstitutethefourthkindofmonkwho

breaksthepreceptsbutseemstokeepthepreceptswell. Next,KyapaonewhoobservesthepreceptswellseesnoIormine;nodoingornondoing,no deedordoer,noactionorinaction,nonameorform,nosignsornonsigns,nocessationorcontinuation, noclingingorabandoning,nothingtograspandnothingtogiveup,nosentientbeingandnoterm sentientbeing,nomindandnotermmind,noworldornonworld,andnorelianceornonreliance. Suchapersondoesnotpridehimselfonkeepingtheprecepts,nordoeshelookdownupontheway othersobservetheprecepts,nordoeshethinkordiscriminateabouttheprecepts.Heiscalledonewho observesthedisciplineofallsaints;heisfreefromdefilementsandbondage,notcaughtinthethree realms,andbeyondalldoctrinesofreliance. Thereupon,toclarifythispoint,theWorldHonoredOnespokeinverse: Onewhoobservesthepreceptspurely Isfreefromanyblemish; Heisfreefromeverything. Inkeepingtheprecepts, Heisnotarrogant, Andreliesuponnothing. Inkeepingtheprecepts, Heisnotdeluded, Andisfreefromallbonds. Inkeepingtheprecepts, Heisuntainted, Anddoesnothingamiss. Inkeepingtheprecepts, Hismindispliantandgentle, Andhealwaysdwellsinultimatequiescence. Suchapersonisfarapart Fromallthoughtsanddiscriminations; Heisliberatedfromeverystirring 16

Ofthemind. Thisisthepureobservance OftheBuddhasprecepts. Ifoneisnotattachedtohis[present]life, Norcravesforany[future]birth, Butperformsonlyrightactions, Andabidessecurelyinthenoblepath Heisonewhopurely,andintruth, ObservestheBuddhasprecepts. Onewhokeepstheprecepts Isnotdefiledbytheworld, Nordoesherely Onanythingmundane. Onceheattainsthelightofwisdom, Alldarknessvanishesandnothingremains; Withoutanotionofselforothers, Heknowsandseesallphenomena. Heisonewhopurely,andintruth, ObservestheBuddhasprecepts. Thereisnothisorothershore, Noranythinginbetween. Benotattached[tothem],nor Totheabsenceofthethree. Tobefreefrombondage,defilements,anddeceit Iscalledthetrue,pureobservance OftheBuddhasprecepts. Ifoneisnotattachedtonameorform AndhasnonotionofIormine, Heissaidtosecurelyabide Inthetrue,pureobservance Oftheprecepts. Althoughonemayobserveallprecepts, Hisarroganceshouldnotincrease, Norshouldheregard 17

Thedisciplineassupreme. Heshouldtranscendit, Andseektheholypath. Todothisisasign Ofthetrue,pureobservance Oftheprecepts. Donotregardthedisciplineassupreme, Norovervaluesamdhi. Ifonecantranscendbothdisciplineandsamdhi, Butcultivatewisdom, Hewillrealizeemptiness,stillandvoid, Whichistheverynatureshared Byallsaintsandsages. Todothisisthetrue,pure Observanceoftheprecepts, ExtolledbyallBuddhas. Releasethemindfromtheviewofaself, EliminatetheIandmine, Believeinandunderstand Theteachingofquiescenceandemptiness, WhichallBuddhaspractice; Hewhosoobservestheholydiscipline Isindeedpeerless. Onedependsondisciplinetoachievesamdhi, Andonsamdhitocultivateinsight. Relyingontheinsightthuscultivated, Oneachievesthepurewisdom: Hewhoachievesthepurewisdom Isabletokeepthepureprecepts. Whenthiswasspoken,fivehundredmonksbecamedetachedfromalldharmasandachievedmental liberation;thirtytwothousandpersonsleftmundanefilthbehindandattainedtheclearDharmaeye. However,fivehundredmonksdidnotunderstandorbelieveintheprofoundDharmatheyhadheard, andtheyrosefromtheirseatsandwalkedaway. Seeingthis,MahkyapasaidtotheBuddha,WorldHonoredOne,thesefivehundredmonkshave allattaineddhyna;however,becausetheycannotunderstandorhavefaithintheprofoundDharma theyhaverisenandgoneaway. 18

TheBuddhasaidtoKyapaThesemonksallhavearrogance;therefore,whentheyhearofthepure, flawlessdiscipline,theycannotunderstanditorhavefaithinit.Themeaningoftheversesspokenby theBuddhaisprofound.Why?BecausetheenlightenmentofBuddhasisprofound.Ifapersonhasnot plantedgoodrootsabundantly,orassociateswithevilfriends,hewilllackthepoweroffaithand understanding,anditwillbedifficultforhimtoacceptandbelievein[thisdoctrine). Furthermore,Mahkyapa,atthetimeofKyapaBuddha,thesefivehundredmonkswere disciplesofheterodoxmasters.OncetheyvisitedKyapaBuddhainordertofindfaultwithhim; however,aftertheyheardthatBuddhaexpoundtheDharma,theyacquiredalittlefaithandthought, ThisBuddhaisunusual;howwonderfullyhespeaks!Becauseofthisvirtuousthought,theywerebornin theHeavenoftheThirtyThreeafterdeath.Whentheirlivesendedthere,theywereborninthisworld, andheretheyrenouncedthehouseholdlifefortheDharma. Thesemonksarestronglyattachedtovariousviews;therefore,theycannotbelievein,conformto, orthoroughlyunderstandtheprofoundDharmatheyhearexpounded.Althoughtheydonotthoroughly understandtheprofoundDharma,theywillobtaingreatbenefitmerelybecausetheyhaveheardit. Theywillnotbereborninthemiserableplanesofexistence,butwillrealizenirvainthisverylife. ThentheBuddhatoldSubhuti,Gobringthosemonksback. Subhutisaid,WorldHonoredOne,thesepeopledonotevenbelievetheBuddha;muchlesswillthey believeSubhuti. ThereupontheBuddhamagicallyproducedtwomonkstofollowthefivehundredmonks.Whenthe [real]monkssawthetwomagicallyproducedones,theyaskedthem,Whereareyougoing? Themagicallyproducedmonksanswered,Wearegoingtosomesecludedspottoenjoythepractice ofmeditation.Why?BecausewecannotunderstandorbelieveinwhattheBuddhasaid. Theothermonkssaid,Elders,wecannotunderstandorbelieveinwhattheBuddhasaid,either.We, too,aregoingtoasecludedspottopracticemeditation. Thenthemagicallyproducedmonkssaidtotheothers,Weshouldgiveuparrogance,defiance,and contention,andtrytounderstandandbelieveinwhattheBuddhataught.Why?Becausetohaveno arroganceorcontentionisthelawoframaas.Nirvameanscessation.Whatceases?Inthebody,is thereanI,apersonalidentity,adoer,areceiver,oralifetocease? Theothermonkssaid,Inthebody,thereisnoInopersonalidentity,nodoer,noreceiver,andno lifethatceases.Itisthecessationofdesire,hatred,andignorancethatiscallednirva. Themagicallyproducedmonksasked,Dothedesire,hatred,andignoranceyoumentionedhave definiteformstobetotallyextinguished? Theothermonksanswered,Desire,hatred,andignoranceareneitherinsidenoroutsidethebody, noranywhereinbetween.Whenonedoesnotstirhismind,theydonotarise. Themagicallyproducedmonkssaid,Inthatease,youshouldnotstiryourminds.Ifyoudonotstir yourmindsormakedistinctionsaboutdharmas,thenyouwillbeneitherdefiledbynordetachedfrom anything.Tobeneitherdefiledbynordetachedfromanythingiscalledultimatequiescence.Discipline doesnotcomeorgoorperish;meditation,wisdom,liberation,andtheknowledgeandawareness derivedfromliberationalsodonotcomeorgoorperish.Itisinlightofthisdoctrinethatwespeakof nirva.Thistruthisempty[initself],detachedfromallthings,andcannotbegrasped.Youshould 19

abandoneventhethoughtofnirva.Donotfollowanythoughtornonthought.Donotridyourselves ofathoughtbyanotherthought.Donotcontemplateathoughtbyanotherthought.Ifyourid yourselvesofathoughtbyusingathought,youarestillboundbythought.Youshouldnotdiscriminate anythingconcerningtheDhynaofCessationofFeelingandConception,becausealldharmasare beyonddiscrimination.Ifamonkeliminatesallfeelingsandconceptionandattainsthisdhyna,then hefulfillshimselftotheutmost. Whenthemagicallyproducedmonkshadspokenthus,thefivehundred[real]monksbecame detachedfromalldharmasandliberatedinmind.TheyreturnedtotheBuddha,bowedwiththeirheads athisfeet,andstoodtooneside. Subhutiaskedthemonks,Wheredidyougoandwheredoyoucomefrom? Themonkssaid,TheDharmaexpoundedbytheBuddhacomesfromnowhereandgoesnowhere. Whoisyourteacher? Hewhohasneverbeenbornandwillneverdieisourteacher. WheredoyoulearntheDharma? WelearntheDharmaintheplacewherethefiveaggregates,thetwelveentrances,andtheeighteen elementsdonotexist. WhydoyoulearntheDharma? Notforthesakeofbondageorforthesakeofliberation. Whatdoctrinedoyoupractice? Wedonottrytoattainanythingortoeliminateanything. Whosubduedyou? Wearesubduedby[onewhose]bodyhasnodefinitenatureand[whose]minddoesnotact. Whatactionleadstotheliberationofthemind? Neithertheeradicationofignorancenorthegenerationofwisdom. Whosedisciplesareyou? Wearedisciplesofonewhoattainsnothingandknowsnothing. Youhaveattained[theultimateliberation];whenwillyouenternirva? WhenapersonmagicallyproducedbytheTathgataentersnirva,wewilldoso,too. Haveyouobtainedbenefitforyourselves? Selfbenefitisinapprehensible. Haveyouaccomplishedwhatyousetouttodo? Deedsareinapprehensible. Haveyoucultivatedpureconduct? Wecultivatenothinginthethreerealms,nordowenotcultivateanything;thisisourpure conduct. Haveyouexhaustedyourdefilements? Ultimately,nothingcanbeexhausted. Haveyouvanquishedthedemons? Thedemonsoftheaggregatesareinapprehensible. DoyouservetheTathgata? 20

Notwithbodyormind. Doyouabideinthefieldsofblessings? Wedonotabideinanything. Haveyoucutoffcirclinginsamsara? Thereisneitherpermanencenorseverance. DoyouconformtotheDharma? Weareliberatedfromeveryobstruction. Whatisyourultimatedestination? WhereverapersonmagicallyproducedbytheTathgatagoes,wewillgo. WhileSubhutiwasquestioningthemonks,fivehundredothermonksbecamedetachedfromall dharmasandliberatedinmind;thirtytwothousandpeoplepartedfrommundanedefilementsand attainedtheclearDharmaeye. ThenabodhisattvaintheassemblynamedUniversalLightaskedtheBuddha,WorldHonoredOne, ifabodhisattvawishestolearnthisStraofAssembledTreasures,whatshouldheabideinandhow shouldhelearnit? TheBuddhaanswered,AbodhisattvalearningthisstrashouldknowthatwhatIhavesaidhasno definitenature,andheshouldnotbeattachedtoitorclingtoit.Ifhefollowsthisinstructioninhis practice,hewillbenefitgreatly. UniversalLight,supposeapersontriestocrosstheGangesinapoorlybuiltboat.Withwhatvigor shouldherowtheboat? BodhisattvaUniversalLightreplied,WorldHonoredOne,heshouldrowitwithgreatvigor.Why? Becauseitmaycollapseinmidstream. TheBuddhasaid,UniversalLight,abodhisattvawhowishestocultivatetheBuddhaDharmashould exerthimselftwiceashard.Why?Becausethebodyisimpermanentanduncertain,adecayingform whichcannotlongremainandwilleventuallywearoutandperish;itmaydisintegratebeforeone benefitsfromtheDharma. [Abodhisattvashouldthink,]IwilllearntonavigatetheDharmaboatinthisstream[ofsamsara],so thatImayferrysentientbeingsacrossthefourcurrents.IwillplythisDharmaboatbackandforthin samsaratodeliversentientbeings. TheDharmaboatwhichabodhisattvashoulduseismadeforthepurposeofsavingallsentient beingsequally.Itsstrong,thickplanksaretheimmeasurablemeritsresultingfromthepracticeofpure discipline;itsembellishmentsarethepracticeandthefruitofgiving;itsbeamsarethepurefaithinthe Buddhapath;itsstrongriggingsareallkindsofvirtues;itsnailsarepatience,tenderness, andthoughtfulness.Therawwoodisthevariouswaystoenlightenment,cultivatedwithvigor,taken fromtheforestofthesupreme,wonderfulDharma. Itsbuildersaretheinfinite,inconceivabledhynasandthetranquil,wellsubduedmindresulting fromonesmeritoriousdeeds.Everenduringcompassionandthefourinducements,arethemeansto attractimmensenumbersofsentientbeingsaboardtoferrythemoverthegreatdistance.Thepowerof wisdomguardstheboatfromrobbers.Ingenuityofallkindsandthefourimmeasurablesareitssplendid

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adornments.Thefourrightmindfulnessesformitsgoldenbridge.Thefourrighteffortsandthefour basesofmiraculouspowersaretheswiftwinds[thatpropeltheboat]. Thefiverootsaretheablenavigatorwhosteerstheboatawayfromthedangerouswaters.Thefive powersareitsstrongbuoyancy.Thesevenfactorsofenlightenmentservetodiscoverandvanquish devilishpirates.Bysailing[onthecourseof]theeightfoldnoblepath,theboatwillarriveatits destinationontheothershore,awayfromthelandingsofheterodoxteachings. Concentrationservesasthehelmsman,whileinsightbringsthetruebenefit.Theboatsteersclearof [thereefsof]thetwoextremesandsailssafelybythelawofdependentgeneration.Thefollowerofthe vastMahyanahasinexhaustibleeloquence,andhisnamespreadsfarandwide.Beingabletodeliver sentientbeingsinthetendirections,heproclaims,ComeaboardthisDharmaboat!Itsailsonasafe coursetonirva.Itferriesyoufromtheshoreofallwrongviews,includingthatofarealself,tothe shoreofBuddhahood. Thus,UniversalLight,abodhisattvaMahsattvashouldlearneverythingaboutthisDharmaboat. Forhundredsofthousandsofmillionsofbillionsofincalculablekalpas,heshouldusethisDharmaboat torescuethosesentientbeingswhoaredriftinganddrowninginthevaststreamofsamsara.The BuddhathensaidtoUniversalLight,Moreover,thereareotherDharmainstructionsthatcancausea bodhisattvatoachieveBuddhahoodquickly.Theyare: Besincereineveryendeavorandcultivateanabundanceofvirtue. Keepapure,deeply[compassionate]mindandneverceasetobevigorous. Takedelightinapproachingenlightenmentandcultivateallgoodroots. Alwaysmaintainrightthoughtandenjoywholesomedharmas. LearntheDharmainsatiablyinordertobefilledwithwisdom. Shatteryourconceitandarroganceinordertoincreaseyourknowledge. Ridyourselfofplaywordsinordertoaccomplishmeritoriousdeeds. Takepleasureinsolitudeinordertobedetachedinbodyandmind. Stayawayfromnoisycrowdsinordertoavoidwickedpeople. ProbethedepthoftheDharmainaccordancewiththeultimatetruth. Seekthewisdomthatpenetratesreality. SeektherealtruthtoattaintheindestructibleDharma. Seekthedoctrineofemptinesssothatyourpracticemayberight. Seekdetachmentinordertoattainultimatequiescence. Inthisway,UniversalLight,abodhisattvamayquicklyachieveBuddhahood. Whenthisstrahadbeenspoken,bodhisattvaUniversalLight,Mahkyapa,andallthegods, asuras,andhumanswerejubilant.Withgreatveneration,theybegantopracticethestraastaught.
EnglishtranslationoftheYirimonibaojingbyLokaemac.168189.OneoftheearliestandmostimportantofMahyana Stras,existinginSanskrit,Tibetan,Chineseandfragmentsofotherancientlanguages.

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