Overall Teaching

PW is unthinkable, incomparable, immeasurable, incalculable, and unequalled. So are all skandhas, dharmas, and attainments, just like space. PW is the way through which all other levels and paths of awakening work, like a minister on behalf of a king, and it is summarised as the non-attachment to or settling down in any dharmas or attainments. One hears PW because of one’s deep roots, and relying on and accepting PW one’s progress is much faster.

Summary

1.     Five Attributes of Perfect Wisdom

a.     Subhūti: PW is an enterprise that’s unthinkable, incomparable, immeasurable, incalculable and unequalled.

i.     Buddha: This is because the states of buddhahood, self-existence, and the state of all-knowledge are unthinkable, as they cannot be objects of thought or anything that constitutes thought.

ii.     It’s incomparable because in not being able to reflect on these states, one cannot compare them. [277]

iii.     It’s immeasurable because these states are immeasurable.

iv.     It’s incalculable because these states are incalculable.

v.     It’s unequalled because nothing can equal buddhahood, let alone surpass.

b.     These attributes also apply to the skandhas and dharmas—for in regards these there are none of the dharmas that constitute thought or comparison. [278]

c.     They are just like space, which has these attributes. [279]

d.     All dharmas are thus tathāgata-dharmas.

e.     But also, unthinkableness, incomparability, etc. are also like space, and themselves unthinkable, etc. They also cannot be compared to each other.

2.     Spiritual Rebirth Resulting from this Knowledge

a.     When this was taught 500 monks, 2000 nuns became arhats; 6000 lay male, and 3000 lay female devotees obtained the eye of dharma; 20000 bodhisattvas won patient acceptance of unproduced dharmas.

b.     The Buddha predicted it would be so in this Bhadrakalpa (Good Aeon), as well as that the lay devotees will become arhats. [280]

3.     Nothing to Take Hold Of

a.     Subhūti: This is deep and a great enterprise that has been set up.

b.     Buddha: That is so, for all knowledge is entrusted to it, as well as the other levels of awakening:

i.     A secure king entrusts the management of state to his minister.

ii.     Just so, all levels of Dharma on the path are entrusted to PW, PW works.

iii.     PW is set up so that one will not attach to or settle down in the skandhas or the fruits of the holy life (e.g. four paths).

c.     Subhūti: In what way is it set up so that one won’t attach to or take up all-knowledge? [281]

i.     Buddha: As arhatship is not something you can attach to or settle down in. The same applies with tathāgatahood.

ii.     All-knowledge is the state of non-attachment or settling down.

d.     Subhūti: new bodhisattvas must beware that they don’t tremble in hearing this. But they also will know that they have firm roots as a result of hearing it.

4.     Reaction of the Gods

a.     Gods: PW is deep and hard to see or understand. [282]

i.     Those who believe in it must have good roots.

ii.     One who practices as a faith follower for an aeon is not as great as someone who should find pleasure and patient acceptance in PW and in learning and practicing it, for only one day.

b.     Buddha: You can expect one who hears PW to enter nirvāṇa more quickly than such a person.

c.     The gods then praise PW, pay homage to the Buddha, and take their leave, moving away, disappearing from sight, departing to their worlds.