Terms

Lore — Conze uses this term to translate “Vidyā.” Vidyā means knowledge and typically refers to the process of (1) investigation, (2) observation, and (3) correct theories.

True Shrine — caityabhūtaḥ. Shrine, or caitya, refers to a site where a stūpa, or reliquary containing the relics of the Buddha, are kept. This is saying that PW is the true relic.

Overall Teaching

One will have a number of benefits from practicing PW. Some practical and others related to things like deities approaching to hear and learn. PW is the root of the other perfections. Honouring it is superior to honouring stūpas because it gives rise to all Buddhas.

Summary

1.     Worldly Advantages of Perfect Wisdom

a.     The Buddha explains to the Gods:

i.     Mara and ghosts will not be able to harm those who practice the PW.

ii.     One won’t die an untimely death. [49]

iii.     Deities who hear the PW practitioner will also be able to practice it.

iv.     One will not be afraid regardless of where one is. [50]

b.     The deities declare that they will protect a practitioner of PW. [50-1]

c.     Śakra asks whether one takes up all six perfections by taking up PW:

d.     The Buddha declares that they will, and there are other advantages: [51]

i.     Also, quarrels will vanish just like a snake repelling herb. [52]

ii.     Since PW appeases evil and does not grow it, and is protected by gods.

iii.     One’s speech will be “acceptable, soft, measured and adequate” and one will not be overpowered by anger because PW tames one. [53]

iv.     One will regain mindfulness in face of ill will. [54]

v.     One will not be injured when one is trained in this “lore.”

vi.     One will attain the knowledge of all-knowing, i.e. full awakening. [55]

vii.     One cannot be harmed where this sūtra is written, worshipped, and practiced except as the fruition of previous karma. Just as one cannot be hurt at the terrace of awakening because there the past Buddhas always teach fearlessness, lack of hostility and fright. [56]

viii.     The spot of earth with this sūtra becomes a true shrine (caitya) for beings’ refuge, rest, and final relief. [57]

2.     The Cult of Perfect Wisdom Compared with the Cult of the Buddhas

a.     Śakra asks if one worships this sūtra or worships Buddha relics, which has the greater merit.

b.     The Buddha asks: in what does the Buddha practice to awaken? [57]

c.     Śakra replies that it was this PW:

i.     Therefore, the Buddha only derives awakening from PW.

ii.     The Physical Buddha is only skilful means of PW.

iii.     The bodies of the triple gem are conditions for realising PW.

1.     They’re worthy of worship only because they’re conditions of PW.

iv.     Therefore, one should worship PW and the greater merit comes from worshipping PW and not the physical relics. [58-9]

d.     Śakra asks how people don’t know this. [59]

i.     The Buddha replies that few have faith in the triple gem, let alone make progress on the path in its various grades. [60]

e.     The Buddha declares that when the Buddha enters nirvāṇa, a bodhisattva should rely on PW. [61]

i.     Merit is greater to practice, preserve, and teach the PW than build many stūpa in the worlds of all their sizes for the Buddhas. Since it is bodhisattvas’ guide. [62-9]

ii.     Śakra declares that worshipping PW is worshipping Buddhas of the three times and greater than stūpa worship. [69-70]

3.     Perfect Wisdom, a Great Spell

a.     Buddhas come from all-knowledge, so worshiping stūpas is nothing compared with practicing PW. [70-71]

b.     The asuras will drop the idea of fighting with the devas if they practice PW. [72]

c.     All aspects of the path come forth from PW and it is how bodhisattvas practice when there are no Buddhas in the world. [74]

d.     Just as the moon illuminates all, likewise all good that appears after the Buddha passes away is from the PW. [75]

e.     Calamities and harm from kings, vipers, or deities will not harm a practitioner of PW except as punishment for past deeds. [76]

f.      When hostile wonderers and Māra approach the Buddha, Śakra recalled PW and repeated it, and they went off. [77-8]

g.     Deities strew Mandarava flowers and praise the Buddha and PW. [79-80]

4.     Perfect Wisdom, and the Other Perfections

a.     The Buddha explains to a curious Ānanda, that he does not mention the other Perfections because PW controls the other 5. Without PW, the other 5 are not perfections. [80]

b.     PW turns over wholesome roots (conditions) to all-knowledge.

c.     PW is like the earth from which the other perfections spring. [81]

5.     Further Advantages from Perfect Wisdom

a.     The Buddha teaches Śakra further good qualities from practicing PW:

i.     Deities will approach and one will have willingness to teach. [83-4]

ii.     One will not fear being plied with hostile questions or censure.

iii.     Will be dear to others, and deal with any questions. [84]

iv.     All beings will come to salute and study the written PW. [85-8]

1.     One will know a god approaches by a sublime odour.

2.     Good habits also attract powerful gods.

3.     Bad habits in the presence of the sūtra are incomplete respect. [89]

v.     One will have good dreams related to the PW. [90-91]

vi.     One will not be overly desirous for food. [92]

vii.     Honour and worship PW at all times. [93]