summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
-rw-r--r--.gitattributes4
-rw-r--r--LICENSE.txt11
-rw-r--r--README.md2
-rw-r--r--old/64623-0.txt4689
-rw-r--r--old/64623-0.zipbin73007 -> 0 bytes
-rw-r--r--old/64623-h.zipbin320285 -> 0 bytes
-rw-r--r--old/64623-h/64623-h.htm5911
-rw-r--r--old/64623-h/images/cover.jpgbin240827 -> 0 bytes
-rw-r--r--old/64623-h/images/dropcap1.pngbin700 -> 0 bytes
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 10600 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d7b82bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+*.txt text eol=lf
+*.htm text eol=lf
+*.html text eol=lf
+*.md text eol=lf
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bdc9d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #64623 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64623)
diff --git a/old/64623-0.txt b/old/64623-0.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 4b0ba1c..0000000
--- a/old/64623-0.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4689 +0,0 @@
-The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Diamond Sutra (Chin-Kang-Ching) or
-Prajna-Paramita, by Unknown
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
-most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
-of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
-will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
-using this eBook.
-
-Title: The Diamond Sutra (Chin-Kang-Ching) or Prajna-Paramita
-
-Author: Unknown
-
-Translator: William Gemmell
- Kumarajiva
-
-Release Date: February 25, 2021 [eBook #64623]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-Produced by: Ronald Grenier from page images generously made available by
- the Internet Archive/Cornell University Libraries
-
-*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND SUTRA
-(CHIN-KANG-CHING) OR PRAJNA-PARAMITA ***
-
-
-
-
- THE
- DIAMOND SUTRA
-
- (CHIN-KANG-CHING)
-
- OR
-
- PRAJNA-PARAMITA
-
- TRANSLATED FROM THE CHINESE
- WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES
-
- BY
-
- WILLIAM GEMMELL
-
-
- 金剛經
-
-
- LONDON
- KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., LTD.
- BROADWAY HOUSE, 68–74 CARTER LANE, E.C.
- 1912
-
-
-
-
- THIS VOLUME
- IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO
- MY FRIEND
- WILLIAM NIVEN, Esq.,
- BY
- THE AUTHOR.
-
-
-
-
- PREFACE
-
-
-This English version of _The Diamond Sutra_,[1] translated from the
-Chinese text of Kumarajiva, owes its inception to successive
-conversations with a friend, profoundly interested in the
-interpretation of oriental systems of philosophy. During those
-conversations renderings into English were made of numerous passages
-from the works of Confucius, Mencius, and Lao-Tsz.
-
-Having surveyed briefly those fertile fields of thought, we passed, by
-a natural transition, into the delectable Buddhist realm. Some
-passages from the _Chinese Sutras_, comprising texts and annotations,
-were consecutively examined, and variously considered. Eventually it
-was suggested that _The Diamond Sutra_, perhaps one of the most
-metaphysical of the works ascribed to Buddha, be conveniently rendered
-into the English language.
-
-In order that the rather unfamiliar text might assume due
-intelligibility, parallel passages and numerous annotations were
-subjoined, as the pleasant work of translating proceeded. The idea of
-printing and publishing the text seemed to follow as a natural sequence.
-
-Already there exist in the English language, renderings of _The Diamond
-Sutra_ from the Sanscrit by Max Müller, and from the Chinese by Beal.
-This new version does not seek to enter into rivalry with those
-erudite works; and a possible apology which might readily be offered
-for the publication of this modest volume is, that the scholarly
-productions of Müller and Beal, in their present forms, are perhaps
-slightly inaccessible to the general English reader.
-
-It would appear that the peculiar charm of the Buddhist philosophy,
-and the remarkable purity of the Buddhist faith, are becoming more
-generally appreciated in Europe. Should this imperfect rendering of
-_The Diamond Sutra_, even in the faintest degree, confirm this just
-sense of appreciation, or prove a gentle incentive to further enquiry,
-then its unexpected publication may prove to be not entirely
-unjustified.
-
-In recording our many obligations to those scholars whose works were
-frequently consulted, we also give expression to a hope that nothing
-of importance is omitted which ought to be gratefully acknowledged.
-
-It may also be permissible to express admiration of the piety, and
-appreciation of the friendship, of those learned monks in Central
-China, to whom we are everlastingly indebted for even a slight
-initiation into those inexhaustible truths, which are alike the
-heritage, and the glory, of the disciples of Buddha. Amongst those we
-should like to specify are Chang-Ming, the chief monk (Seng-Kwan) of
-Chen-Chou prefecture, Hu-Nan, and the aged and affectionate Chioh-Hsien.
-
- WM. GEMMELL.
-
- POLLOKSHIELDS, GLASGOW,
- _6th September_ 1912.
-
-
-[1] A learned Chinese commentator thus explained the rather striking
-title: “As the diamond exceeds all other precious gems in brilliance
-and indestructibility; so, also, does the wisdom of _The Diamond Sutra_
-transcend, and shall outlive, all other knowledge known to philosophy.”
-
-
-
-
- INTRODUCTION
-
-
-_The Diamond Sutra_ is one of the most valued and widely read
-philosophical works in Buddhist literature. It is very popular amongst
-ardent Buddhists in China, and excepting the _Lotus of the Good Law_,
-and the _Leng-Yen-Ching_,[1] perhaps no other Sutra ascribed to Buddha
-is regarded by the Chinese with so great esteem.
-
-In Japan, _The Diamond Sutra_ appears to be perused extensively by
-what Max Müller[2] termed the Shin-Gon sect, founded by Ko-Bo, a
-disciple of the renowned pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang, about the year 816 A.D.
-
-_The Diamond Sutra_ was written originally in Sanscrit, and in process
-of time translated into the Tibetan, Chinese, Mongol, and Manchu
-languages. It represents the Mahayana school of Buddhist thought, a
-school founded by Nagarjuna,[3] which flourished primarily at
-Tchakuka, and thereafter influenced appreciably a considerable part of
-the Buddhist Church.
-
-In the year 1836, Csomo Körösi published an account of the Tibetan
-translation, which interesting document may be consulted in Vol. XX.
-of the _Asiatic Researches_. _The Diamond Sutra_ is therein designated
-“The Sutra of Wonderful Effects,” a treatise by means of which
-Sakyamuni Buddha instructs Subhuti, one of his conspicuous disciples,
-in _The Prajna-Paramita_ of transcendent wisdom.[4]
-
-To Kumarajiva,[5] a native of Kashmir, who gained distinction as a
-monk of the later Chin dynasty[6] (A.D. 384–417), is conceded the
-honour of having first translated _The Diamond Sutra_ into the Chinese
-language. Of subsequent Chinese translations, perhaps the most
-noteworthy is the text ascribed to the scholarly _Hiuen-Tsang_, and
-completed about the middle of the seventh century.[7]
-
-A rendering into English of Kumarajiva’s Chinese translation was
-accomplished by the Rev. S. Beal, and published in The _Journal of the
-Royal Asiatic Society_, 1864–65. The text and German translation of
-the Tibetan version were published in 1873 by M. Schmidt, in _The
-Mémoires de l’Académie St Pétersbourg_. The Mongolian translation was
-presented by the Baron de Constadt to the library of the Institut de
-France. The Manchu translation is in the possession of M. de Harlez,
-who, with the aid of the Tibetan, Manchu, and Chinese versions,
-published a French translation of the Sanscrit text of _The Diamond
-Sutra_ in the _Journal Asiatique_, 1892.[8] It has been observed[9]
-that “at first sight it may seem as if this metaphysical treatise
-hardly deserved the world-wide reputation which it has attained.”
-Regarding this descriptive “world-wide reputation,” devout Buddhists
-might suggest in extenuation, that throughout many centuries, the
-“spiritual wisdom” of _The Diamond Sutra_ produced in countless minds
-a “conscious blessedness of perfect peace.” This “spiritual wisdom”
-also appeared to be a “strong incentive to holiness,” and a grateful
-inspiration to those who had entered “the path which leads to
-Nirvana.” In a few renowned monasteries of Central China, our Buddhist
-friends frequently affirmed that, by contemplating the “spiritual
-wisdom” of _The Diamond Sutra_, the mind would inevitably become
-“transfused with the mellow light of imperishable truth.”
-
-In the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_, Max Müller made a critical
-observation regarding certain peculiarities of “‘style’ adopted in
-this treatise by the Buddhist philosophers who wished to convince
-their hearers of the truth of their philosophy.” From the Sanscrit
-text, perhaps it is difficult to realise fully what Asvaghocha[10]
-described as the “persuasiveness of Buddha’s eloquence”;[11] yet we may
-quite appreciate the academic instinct of Kumarajiva, whose work on
-_The Diamond Sutra_ bears evidence of a laudable endeavour to produce
-a classic, which in the Chinese language is almost entirely beyond
-reproach.
-
-In all our aspirations to translate or to interpret Buddhist texts,
-perhaps it might prove advantageous to bear in mind the significant
-words incorporated in the _Light of Asia_:—
-
- “And time hath blurred their script and ancient sense,
- Which once was new and mighty, moving all.”
-
-Max Müller stated[12] that _The Diamond Sutra_ represents a treatise on
-“metaphysical agnosticism,” and he excused its “endless repetition of
-the same process of reasoning” on the assumption, that the
-subject-matter of the _Sutra_ was probably “perfectly familiar to
-children and ignorant persons.”
-
-By referring to our Chinese text, we are led to suppose that _The
-Diamond Sutra_ was “delivered expressly for those who had entered the
-Path which leads to Nirvana,” and for those who are “attaining to the
-ultimate plane of Buddhic thought.” Our Chinese annotators also appear
-to be unanimous in suggesting, that the “spiritual wisdom” of _The
-Diamond Sutra_ is understood only in its rudimentary forms, by those
-of immature or uninitiated mind.
-
-Concerning what has been termed the “agnosticism” of _The Diamond
-Sutra_, Sakyamuni Buddha, when he admissibly delivered the text,
-indicated clearly that there is a sense in which the “highest perfect
-knowledge”[13] may be referred to as “unknown.” Dante appears to have
-had a similar difficulty regarding “knowledge” and “power” wherewith
-to express the higher forms of spiritual experience; and the following
-lines, constituting the opening stanzas of _The Paradiso_, may serve
-to elucidate the Buddhist position, and make it perhaps more
-intelligible to those who are as yet unfamiliar with its peculiar
-modes of thought:—
-
- _“La gloria di colui che tutto move
- Per l’universo penetra, e risplende
- In una parte più, e meno altrove.”_
-
- _“Nel ciel che più della sua luce prende
- Fu’io; e vidi cose che ridire
- Nè sa nè può qual di lassù discende;”_
-
- _“Perchè, appressando sè al suo disire,
- Nostro intelletto[14] si profonda tanto,
- Che retro la memoria non può ire.”_[15]
-
-In order to appreciate fully the philosophy of _The Diamond Sutra_,
-doubtless it is necessary to interpret aright the meaning of the
-Buddhist terminology. In this connection, the Sanscrit Dharma—usually
-rendered into Chinese by “Fah,” and into English by “Law”—appears to
-merit our immediate attention.
-
-Max Müller, with his ample knowledge, stated that Dharma, “in the
-ordinary Buddhist phraseology, may be correctly rendered by Law; and
-thus the whole teaching of Buddha is named _Saddharma_—‘The Good Law.’
-What _The Diamond Sutra_ wishes to teach is that all objects,
-differing one from the other by their Dharmas, are illusive, or as we
-should say, phenomenal and subjective, that they are, in fact, of our
-own making, the products of our own mind.” With those noteworthy
-observations, there is embodied in the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_,
-the following interesting suggestion, that the Greek εῖδος—whatever is
-seen, form, shape, figure—appears to be the equivalent of the Sanscrit
-Dharma.
-
-Spence Hardy, a distinguished writer on Buddhism, made a suggestion of
-perhaps equal importance, with reference to the correct interpretation
-of Dharma. In his well-known volume _Eastern Monachism_, there occurs
-the following relevant passage: “The second of the three great
-treasures is called Dhammo, or in Singhalese Dharmma. This word has
-various meanings, but is here to be understood in the sense of _truth_.”
-
-Rhys Davids in his useful volume _Buddhism_, indicated that “Dharma
-(Pali Dhamma) is not law, but that which underlies and includes the
-law—a word often most difficult to translate, but best rendered here
-by Truth and Righteousness.”[16]
-
-Perhaps it may be opportune to remark, that had Kumarajiva regarded
-“form,” “truth,” or “righteousness,” as expressing adequately the
-Sanscrit Dharma, these familiar terms being obviously at his command,
-might have been utilised at pleasure. Like the cultured Asvaghocha,
-Kumarajiva may have regarded the “nature” of the Law as “co-extensive
-with the illimitable ocean of being”;[17] and within that ample
-compass, perhaps he thought there might synthetically be included
-those beautifully-defined concepts “form,” “truth,” and “righteousness.”
-
-Chinese annotators of _The Diamond Sutra_ seldom criticise adversely
-its classic terminology, or suggest many inapplicable alternative
-renderings. They appear to have surveyed the realm of “spiritual
-wisdom” enunciated by Sakyamuni Buddha, and thereafter to have become
-greatly impressed by the thought that, in its _Essence_, it might
-possibly be inexhaustible. This may in part explain their motive for
-incorporating in the commentary a familiar passage from _Lao-Tsz_,
-“Infinite truth is inexpressible”[18]—which in a measure illustrates
-the appreciable difficulty of stating, in exact terms of philosophy,
-the equivalent of the Buddhic “Law.”
-
-In our intercourse with Buddhist monks, we heard the rather engaging
-suggestion, that the familiar Christian phrase, “the law of the spirit
-of life,” contains a spiritual concept which appears to approximate
-closely to the idea of the “Law” of Buddha. Those monks seemed to
-believe that the “Law”[19] enters quietly and operates imperceptibly
-within every natural and spiritual sphere; and that they have at least
-a semblance of reason for their belief, the following exquisite lines
-clearly indicate:—
-
- _“This is its touch upon the blossomed rose,
- The fashion of its hand shaped lotus-leaves.”_
-
- _“That is its painting on the glorious clouds,
- And these its emeralds on the peacock’s train.”_
-
- _“Out of the dark it wrought the heart of man,
- Out of dull shells the pheasant’s pencilled neck.”_
-
- _“It spreadeth forth for flight the eagle’s wings
- What time she beareth home her prey.”_
-
- _“This is its work upon the things ye see
- The unseen things are more; men’s hearts and minds,
- The thoughts of peoples and their ways and wills,
- Those, too, the great Law binds.”_[20]
-
-As we consider the manifold operations of this “Law which moves to
-righteousness,” perhaps we may gradually appreciate the dignified mind
-of Sakyamuni, when he addressed Subhuti, saying: “What is usually
-referred to as the ‘Law’ of Buddha, is not in reality a ‘Law’
-attributive to Buddha, it is merely termed the ‘Law’ of Buddha.”[21]
-
-The Sanscrit term Samgna,[22] usually rendered into Chinese by “Ming”
-and into English by “Name,” seems to deserve our further attention.
-Like the term Dharma, a clear knowledge of “Samgna” is indispensable
-for a correct understanding of our text.
-
-In one of the opening passages of _The Diamond Sutra_, we find that
-Sakyamuni Buddha, in reply to an enquiry by Subhuti, suggests that by
-means of this “wisdom,” enlightened disciples shall be enabled to
-bring into subjection every inordinate desire.
-
-“_Every species of life, whether hatched in the egg, formed in the
-womb, evolved from spawn, produced by metamorphosis, with or without
-form or intelligence, possessing or devoid of natural instinct—from
-these changeful conditions of being I command you to seek deliverance
-in the transcendental concept of Nirvana. Thus you shall obtain
-deliverance from the idea of an immeasurable, innumerable, and
-illimitable world of sentient life; but, in reality there is no idea
-of a world of sentient life from which to obtain deliverance. And why?
-Because, in the mind of an enlightened disciple, there have ceased to
-exist such arbitrary ideas of phenomena as an entity, a being, a
-living being, or a personality._”
-
-A similar process of reasoning appears to permeate the whole of _The
-Diamond Sutra_, and whether appertaining to a living being,[23] a
-virtue,[24] a condition of mind,[25] a Buddhist kingdom,[26] or a
-personal Buddha,[27] there is implied in each concept a spiritual
-essence, only imperfectly described, if not entirely overlooked, in
-the ordinary use of each particular name. Shakespeare enquired,
-“What’s in a name?” and in a thought inspired by the rose and its
-delicious fragrance, suggested with Buddha, that there is little, or
-nothing, in a name which explains the real nature of an object. Even a
-“particle of dust” seems, to the Buddhist mind, to embody in its
-composition a subtle spiritual element, entirely “inscrutable,” and
-quite “incomprehensible.”
-
-According to the Mahayana School of Buddhist thought, objects and
-their respective names are alike unreal and illusory. Objects and
-names, in the abstract, represent merely the products of untutored and
-unenlightened minds. Nothing is real, in the sense that it is
-permanent. Everything appears to be subject to irrevocable Laws of
-change and decay. As the things which we see are temporal, it is
-essential for our intellectual development, that we focus our thoughts
-upon the things which are Unseen and Eternal. Many minds are
-susceptible of deception by the fleeting phenomena of life; but behind
-these phenomena there is an essential element, entirely spiritual,[28]
-uninfluenced by arbitrary ideas or changeful conditions, which
-“pervades all things,” and is “pure” and “unchanging.”
-
-Perhaps it might prove of interest to quote the following outline of
-Mahayana doctrine[29] prepared by Mr S. Kuroda, which was approved by
-several influential Buddhist communions in Japan, “and published with
-authority at Tokyo in 1893”:—
-
-“All things that are produced by causes and conditions are inevitably
-destined to extinction. There is nothing that has any reality; when
-conditions come things begin to appear, when conditions cease these
-things likewise cease to exist. Like the foam of the water, like the
-lightning flash,[30] and like the floating, swiftly vanishing clouds,
-they are only of momentary duration. As all things have no constant
-nature of their own, so there is no actuality in pure and impure,
-rough and fine, large and small, far and near, knowable and
-unknowable, etc. On this account it is sometimes said that all things
-are nothing. The apparent phenomena around us are, however, produced
-by mental operations within us, and thus distinctions are
-established....”
-
-“All things are included under subject and object. The subject is an
-entity in which mental operations are awakened whenever there are
-objects, while the object consists of all things, visible and
-invisible, knowable and unknowable, etc. The subject is not something
-that occupies some space in the body alone, nor does the object exist
-outside of the subject....”[31]
-
-“The various phenomena which appear as subjects and objects are
-divided into two kinds:—the perceptible and knowable, the
-imperceptible and unknowable.... Now, what are the imperceptible and
-unknowable phenomena?”
-
-“Through the influence of habitual delusions, boundless worlds,
-innumerable varieties of things spring up in the mind. This boundless
-universe and these subtle ideas are not perceptible and knowable;[32]
-only Bodhisattvas[33] believe, understand, and become perfectly
-convinced of these through the contemplation of Vidyamatara[34] (all
-things are nothing but phenomena in mind); hence they are called
-imperceptible and unknowable. What are the perceptible and knowable
-phenomena?”
-
-“Not knowing that these imperceptible and unknowable phenomena are the
-productions of their own minds, men from their habitual delusions
-invest them with an existence outside of mind, as perceptible mental
-phenomena, as things visible, audible, etc. These phenomena are called
-perceptible and knowable.”
-
-“Though there are thus two kinds, perceptible and imperceptible
-phenomena, they occur upon the same things, and are inseparably bound
-together even in the smallest particle. Their difference in appearance
-is caused only by differences, both in mental phenomena and in the
-depth of conviction. Those who know only the perceptible things,
-without knowing the imperceptible, are called the unenlightened by
-Buddha....”
-
-“In contradistinction to the fallacious phenomena, there is the true
-Essence of Mind. Underlying the phenomena of mind, there is an
-unchanging principle which we call essence of mind.... The essence of
-mind is the entity without ideas and without phenomena, and is always
-the same. It pervades all things, and is pure and unchanging.... The
-essence and the phenomena of mind are inseparable; and as the former
-is all-pervading and ever-existing, so the phenomena occur everywhere
-and continually, wherever suitable conditions accompany it. Thus the
-perceptible and imperceptible phenomena are manifestations of the
-essence of mind that, according to the number and nature of
-conditions, develop without restraint. All things in the universe,
-therefore, are mind itself.”
-
-“By this we do not mean that all things combine into a mental unity
-called mind, nor that all things are emanations from it, but that,
-without changing their places or appearance, they are mind itself
-everywhere. Buddha saw this truth and said that the whole universe was
-his own. Hence it is clear that where the essence of mind is found,
-and the necessary conditions accompany it, the phenomena of mind never
-fail to appear.... Though there is a distinction between the essence
-and the phenomena of mind, yet they are nothing but one and the same
-substance, that is, _mind_. So we say that there exists nothing but
-mind. Though both the world of the pure and impure, and the generation
-of all things, are very wide and deep, yet they owe their existence to
-our mind.”
-
-Perhaps we might appropriately indicate that however interesting, or
-even fascinating, may be the nice distinction between _mind_ and
-_essence of mind_, in relation to phenomena, so far as we are aware,
-the distinction may be implied, but is never precisely stated, in the
-text of _The Diamond Sutra_. Nevertheless, we may readily appreciate
-the subtle intellectual movement, which endeavours to distinguish
-clearly between the phenomena of mind, and an unchanging principle
-underlying it, capable of being defined as Essence of Mind. Yet we
-have a notion that our Japanese Buddhist friends intuitively find in
-their beautiful concept, infinitely more of a purely spiritual nature,
-than they attempt to express by the mere metaphysical term. Doubtless
-they have frequently applied to it the incisive logic of Sakyamuni
-Buddha, and found simultaneously, that what is ordinarily referred to
-as “essence of mind,” is not in reality “essence of mind,” it is
-merely termed “essence of mind.”[35]
-
-The term Buddha, as defined in _The Diamond Sutra_, seems to merit a
-brief consideration. In fulfilment of our present purpose, it seems
-almost unnecessary to enter into questions regarding the historical
-Buddha, or to the authenticity of Sutras ascribed to his genius.
-Therefore, without indicating any particular reservation, we meantime
-accept the traditional statements that the Buddha of _The Diamond
-Sutra_ was the son of Suddhodana, the husband of Yasodhara, and the
-father of Rahula. But, incorporated with the text, there is embodied
-in the familiar term Buddha, a lofty spiritual concept, which seems to
-place it in a category where fresh interest is imparted to the
-question of its interpretation.
-
-Concluding the twenty-sixth chapter of _The Diamond Sutra_, wherein
-“the spiritual[36] body is entirely differentiated from external
-phenomena” Sakyamuni, in reply to an enquiry regarding the possibility
-of perceiving “Buddha” by means of his bodily distinctions, delivered
-the following remarkable Gatha[37]:—
-
- _I am not to be perceived by means of any visible form,
- Nor sought after by means of any audible sound;
- Whosoever walks in the way of iniquity,
- Cannot perceive the blessedness of the Lord Buddha._[38]
-
-In the twenty-ninth chapter of _The Diamond Sutra_, wherein is
-expounded “the majesty of the absolute,” Sakyamuni declared that a
-disciple who affirms that “Buddha” comes or goes, obviously has not
-understood the meaning of his instruction. Because, as we learn from
-our text, the idea “Buddha” implies neither coming from anywhere, nor
-going to anywhere. This purely spiritual concept of Buddha seems to
-have seized the imagination, and inspired the writer of the
-_Yuen-Chioh Sutra_,[39] to whom are ascribed the following significant
-lines:—
-
-“_Like drifting clouds, like the waning moon, like ships that sail the
-ocean, like shores that are washed away—these are symbolic of endless
-change. But the blessed Buddha, in his essential, absolute nature, is
-changeless and everlasting._”
-
-Again, in the seventeenth chapter of _The Diamond Sutra_, it is
-declared that in the word “Buddha,” every Law is intelligibly
-comprehended.[40] To Western minds, it might become necessary to resist
-a natural inclination to ascribe to those elements of thought, an
-influence which had its inception in a nation other than the
-Indian.[41] But, lest we should appear to detract from the native glory
-of Sakyamuni Buddha, perhaps it might prove opportune to remark, that
-there is sufficient evidence in the ancient Vedic hymns, Upanishads,
-etc., to indicate clearly the probable starting-points in the
-evolution of his thought. It seems to be to the everlasting honour of
-some early Indian philosophers, that they endeavoured carefully to
-combine in an abstract spiritual unity, all the essential elements
-usually comprehended under the term “Divinity.”[42] This may in a
-manner explain why the devout Buddhist, possessing a natural mental
-tendency—induced by persistent Hindoo influence—is enabled to regard
-“Buddha”[43] in a purely spiritual sense, as the One[44] in whom all
-Laws are comprehended and become perfectly intelligible.
-
-In _The Diamond Sutra_ it may be observed that incidental reference is
-made by Sakyamuni Buddha to the doctrines of Karma and Reincarnation.
-It seems to be an old truth to which expression is given in the
-_Epistle to the Galatians_: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
-also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
-corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
-life everlasting.”[45]
-
-To the Buddhist mind, Karma is indissolubly associated with “the Law
-which moves to Righteousness.” Thus it is accustomed to view the
-traditional Christian idea of “justification by Faith,” rather as a
-devoutly-conceived theory, than as a reasonably-constructed truth.
-
-Occasionally we have heard a gentle affirmation, that the Western mind
-seems unwittingly inclined to confound the doctrine of Karma with a
-concept which is almost suggestive of Fatalism. If Karma contains even
-a germ of thought which corresponds to “blind fatalism,” the idea is
-perhaps quite felicitously expressed in the following sentences,
-culled from a valued letter written by an aged Chinese monk: “Karma is
-a universal Law which gently binds us to the rhythmic cycle of
-evolving life. It operates so quietly and imperceptibly that we
-scarcely are conscious of its presence. The absolute truth of Karma
-greatly attracts our minds, which approve naturally of its consummate
-justice and perfect righteousness.”
-
-Those ideas of “consummate justice” and “perfect righteousness,” seem
-to be faithfully portrayed in the following quotation, gleaned from
-_The Light of Asia_:—
-
- “_What hath been bringeth what shall be, and is,
- Worse—better—last for first and first for last:
- The Angels in the Heavens of Gladness reap
- Fruits of a holy past._”
-
-It would therefore appear that Karma may be regarded generally, as
-comprising the constituent moral elements derived consecutively from
-the thoughts, words, and actions of an interminable life’s cycle.
-Perhaps it is in this connection that Chinese Buddhists frequently
-assume Karma to resemble “a moral fibre, indissolubly entwined in
-sentient life.” It may be believed to recede far into the past, and to
-extend indefinitely into the future.
-
-Although realising the significance of Karma,[46] the devout Buddhist
-mind is not usually disturbed by fearful forebodings. Ostensibly, it
-has evolved to a condition of holiness, wherein “the dross of sin” is
-entirely consumed in the “white flames” of Sakyamuni’s “transcendent
-wisdom” and “boundless love.”
-
-Within the realm of Buddhist philosophy, the doctrine of
-reincarnation is conspicuous by reason of its peculiarly attractive
-charms. On first acquaintance, the European mind may be somewhat
-“startled” to discover, that a satisfactory explanation of the
-interminable evolution of life, is sought for by the earnest Buddhist
-in the theory of reincarnation.
-
-In the text of _The Diamond Sutra_, it may be observed that Sakyamuni
-Buddha, in discoursing to Subhuti, referred incidentally to personal
-reminiscences, one of which belonged to a distant period of five
-hundred incarnations.
-
-According to the text of _The Light of Asia_, the spiritual
-consciousness of Sakyamuni Buddha extended to a period even more
-remote, as may be judged by these remarkable lines:—
-
- “_I now remember, myriad rains ago,
- What time I roamed Himâla’s hanging woods._”
-
-In considering briefly the doctrine of reincarnation, perhaps it might
-readily be conceded to our Buddhist friends, that there were
-exemplified in the Founder of their faith, a wonderful potency of
-intellect, and a marvellous degree of spiritual intuition. Quite
-agreeable, also, may be the suggestion, that this potency of intellect
-might become intensified, and probably “rendered subjective,” by
-“ascetic exercises,” abstract contemplation, and “determined effort.”
-
-Spence Hardy indicated in _Eastern Monachism_ that the Buddhist mind
-conceives of “spiritual powers” arising from the aforementioned
-“potency of intellect” and “spiritual intuition,” which in other
-systems of religion are usually regarded as partaking of the nature of
-“Divinity.” If it be admitted that those potential “powers” are
-probably susceptible of affiliation with the Divine Spirit, then the
-way of approach to an understanding of the Buddhist theory of
-intuition becomes, perhaps, tolerably clear. Concrete knowledge
-acquired by intuition, appears to assure our Buddhist friends of the
-_fact_ of reincarnation. But they invariably refrain from a vain
-attempt to _prove_ the “fact,” by an authorised—and consequently
-stereotyped—process of reasoning.
-
-The unknown Hindoo author of The _Bhagavad-Gita_ revealed in simple
-phraseology the native idea of reincarnation; and suggested, happily,
-an instructive theory concerning the advent of great Teachers and
-Saviours in every age. To Krishna are ascribed the following sayings;—
-
- “_Manifold the renewals of my birth
- Have been.... When Righteousness
- Declines, O Bharata, when Wickedness
- Is strong, I rise, from age to age, and take
- Visible shape, and move a man with men,
- Succouring the good, thrusting the evil back,
- And setting Virtue on her seat again._”
-
-Rhys Davids justly observed that “to the pious Buddhist it is a
-constant source of joy and gratitude that ‘the Buddha,’ not only then,
-but in many former births, when emancipation from all the cares and
-troubles of life was already within his reach, should again and again,
-in mere love for man, have condescended to enter the world, and live
-amidst the sorrows inseparable from finite existence.”[47] Perhaps in a
-more general sense the idea of reincarnation appealed strongly to the
-imagination of Wordsworth, when he was inspired to write these
-familiar, yet exquisite, lines:—
-
- “_Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
- The soul that rises with us, our life’s star,
- Hath had elsewhere its setting
- And cometh from afar._”
-
-Regarding the doctrines of Individuality and non-Individuality, which
-characterise the text of _The Diamond Sutra_, wherein are found to
-occur frequently Chinese equivalents for the ordinary concepts of an
-entity, a being, a living being and a personality, the following
-passage from _The Bhagavad-Gita_, suggestive almost of complete
-harmony with the Buddhist doctrine, may serve to make even a cursory
-consideration of the subject perhaps more illuminating. The passage,
-rendered by Sir Edwin Arnold, is as follows:—
-
- “_There is ‘true’ Knowledge, Learn it thou in this:
- To see one changeless Life in all the Lives,
- And in the Separate, One Inseparable.
- There is imperfect Knowledge: that which sees
- The separate existences apart,
- And, being separated, holds them real._”
-
-As Nirvana is only referred to casually in _The Diamond Sutra_, that
-familiar Buddhist term hardly calls for any present detailed
-explanation. Within a brief compass probably no better explanation may
-be forthcoming than what is already given in this concise exposition
-gathered from _The Light of Asia_:—
-
- “_If any teach Nirvana is to cease,
- Say unto such they lie.
- If any teach Nirvana is to live,
- Say unto such they err; not knowing this,
- Nor what light shines beyond their broken lamps,
- Nor lifeless, timeless bliss._”
-
-In concluding, it might be opportune to observe, that the
-_Werthurtheile_,[48] known amongst modern theologians as characterising
-the teaching of Albrecht Ritschl—sounds, upon intimate acquaintance,
-merely as a faint echo of the logic of Sakyamuni Buddha. Ritschl might
-apply his _Werthurtheile_ to the presumed interpretation of a
-“miracle,” etc. Buddha suggested by his “method,” that what is
-ordinarily referred to as a “miracle,” is not in _reality_ a “miracle,”
-therefore it is merely _defined_ as a “miracle.” So, also, with the
-various dogmas which distinguish every religious creed. By many
-Chinese it is regarded as an evidence of Divinity, that in the mind of
-Sakyamuni Buddha there was conceived this incisive logical method; and
-amongst the learned monks, profound homage is rendered, and much
-wonder expressed, because the Lord Buddha[49] did not hesitate to apply
-its principles to every doctrine synonymous with his own accredited
-“Law.”
-
- [1] “The Sutra of firm establishment in all doctrine, describing
- clearly the secret merit and attainments in the religious life of
- Tathagata.” (Compare Edkins’ _Chinese Buddhism_.)
-
- [2] See the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_.
-
- [3] “A native of Western India who lived as a hermit under an
- Arguna tree, whence he derived his name. Converted by Kapimala,
- he laboured in Southern India as the fourteenth patriarch....
- He is the chief representative, if not originator, of the
- Mahayana school, the greatest philosopher of the Buddhists,
- and as such styled ‘one of the four suns which illuminate the
- world.’ His own peculiar tenets have been perpetuated by a
- distinct metaphysical school called Madhyamika (_Lit_. Juste
- Milieu), the characteristics of which are a sophistic nihilism
- which dissolves every proposition into a thesis and its
- antithesis, and denies both. ‘The soul,’ said Nagarjuna,
- ‘has neither existence nor non-existence, it is neither eternal
- nor non-eternal, neither annihilated by death nor
- non-annihilated.’ The tenets of this school are condensed in
- Nagardjuna’s commentary on the Mahaprajna Paramita S’astra. He
- spent the later part of his life in a monastery at Kosala ...
- (correct date probably A.D. 194). After his death he received
- the title Bodhisattva. He is the author of many S’atras.”
- (Compare Eitel’s _Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_.)
-
- [4] _See_ the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_.
-
- [5] Kumarajiva was referred to as “one of the four suns of
- Buddhism” (Tchatvara Suryas). He laboured in China as a most
- active and judicious translator, and is credited with having
- introduced a new alphabet. One of Kumarajiva’s Chinese
- designations—Tung-Sheo—meant that, although young in years, he
- was ripe in the wisdom and virtues of old age. (Compare Eitel’s
- _Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_.)
-
- [6] Beal stated in his preface to the _Kin-Kong-King_, that “it
- was translated first into the Chinese by Kumara-Jiva (A.D. 405),
- who was brought into China from Thibet.”
-
- [7] Other translations, worthy of recognition, are those
- attributed respectively to Bodhiruki (A.D. 509), Paramartha (A.D.
- 562), Dharmagupa, of the Sui dynasty (A.D. 589–618), and I-Tsing
- (A.D. 703). (Compare the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_.)
-
- [8] This information may be found in Max Müller’s
- _Vagrakkhedika_, and represented, doubtless, at the period when
- it was written, a considerable part of the knowledge available on
- the subject.
-
- [9] By Max Müller.
-
- [10] The Chinese Ma-Ming.
-
- [11] Compare the Chinese text of the Chi-Sin-Pien—_The
- Awakening of Faith_.
-
- [12] In the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_.
-
- [13] “Supreme spiritual wisdom.” In Beal’s _Kin-Kong-King_,
- “The unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart.”
- (Sanscrit, “_Annuttara Samyak Sambodhi Hridaya_.”)
-
- [14] According to the text of _The Diamond Sutra_, the intellect
- of Sakyamuni Buddha sank so profoundly into the past, that he was
- enabled to speak confidently of his experiences in previous
- incarnations. (Compare pp. 56, 57.)
-
- [15] From the text adopted by Mr H. Oelsner, M.A., Ph.D., for
- _The Temple Classics_.
-
- [16] Dr Edkins, in his scholarly work _Chinese Buddhism_, seems
- to have regarded “the Law or body of doctrine” as an accurate
- definition of Dharma.
-
- Dr Eitel, in his _Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_, explained Dharma
- by “Fah”—“Law”; and observed that it is “a general term for
- religious objects, especially for the Buddhistic Canon.”
-
- Mr Vincent A. Smith, in _Asoka, Buddhist Emperor of India_,
- suggested that the Chinese _Hsiao_ (piety), and the Latin Pietas,
- coincide with the Sanscrit term Dharma.
-
- [17] The Chinese phrase is “Fah-sing-chen-ru-hai.”
-
- [18] _See_ the _Tao-Teh-Ching_. Compare, also, the statement
- attributed to Confucius—“Nature and Truth cannot be adequately
- expressed.”
-
- [19] Or Dharma.
-
- [20] Compare _The Light of Asia_. Perhaps this aspect of the “Law”
- of Buddha may be conceived of as harmonising with Shakespeare’s
- idea of a “Divinity.”
-
- [21] It may be interesting to observe that, according to our
- Chinese text, Sakyamuni Buddha evidently disclaimed any desire to
- formulate, or to perpetuate, a stereotyped system of “Law” or
- “doctrine.” Sakyamuni Buddha also made it plain, that the “Law”
- which he enunciated, was presented before the minds of his
- disciples in the simile of a “raft”—a thing to be abandoned when
- the mind “touched the further shore” of everlasting truth. It
- seems to be in this tentative sense that intellectual Buddhists
- regard all ecclesiastical institutions, priesthoods, dogmas,
- ordinances, etc.; and we have met monks who would classify
- belief in the “efficacy” of religious rites or ceremonies, with
- obnoxious forms of “heresy” and “immorality.” (Compare Rhys
- Davids’ _Buddhism_.) With regard to the Buddhist objection
- concerning the “efficacy” of religious “rites,” compare the noble
- sentiments expressed in the following lines, delightfully
- rendered by Sir Edwin Arnold from the _Bhagavad-Gita_ (_The Song
- Celestial_):—
-
- “Serenity of soul, benignity,
- Sway of the silent spirit, constant stress
- To sanctify the nature,—these things make
- Good rite, and true religiousness of mind.”
-
- [22] Max Müller suggests that Samgna and Dharma “correspond in many
- respects to the Vedantic Namarupe”—in Chinese Ming-Seh—name,
- form, or characteristic.
-
- [23] Compare p. 86.
-
- [24] Compare p. 55.
-
- [25] Compare p. 80.
-
- [26] Compare p. 76.
-
- [27] Compare p. 95.
-
- [28] Some modern Japanese Buddhists appear to regard this purely
- spiritual element as “essence of mind.”
-
- [29] From the preface to _The Vagrakkhedika_.
-
- [30] Compare p. 110.
-
- [31] Compare the interesting dialogue entitled _The Enlightenment
- of Ananda_, in which Sakyamuni instructs his distinguished
- disciple in ideas concerning the subjective and objective
- phenomena of mind.
-
- [32] Compare pp. 102, 103.
-
- [33] Bodhisattvas—greatly enlightened disciples.
-
- [34] _Vidya Matra Siddhi_, a philosophical work by Vasubandhu, a
- native of Radjagriha, and disciple of Nagarjuna, founder of the
- Mahayana school. (Compare Eitel’s _Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism_.)
-
- [35] Compare the process of reasoning which permeates the entire
- _Diamond Sutra_. We hope no injustice is done to our Japanese
- friends, by applying to their beautiful concept “essence of
- mind,” this familiar logical method of Sakyamuni Buddha.
-
- [36] Fah-Shen—the Law, or spiritual body. Compare Shen-Shen, the
- term usually employed in the Chinese rendering of the New
- Testament Scriptures to denote the spiritual body.
-
- [37] Gatha—usually a Scripture verse comprising four lines.
-
- [38] Compare the following lines from _The Song Celestial_.—
-
- “I am not known
- To evil-doers, ... nor to those
- Whose mind is cheated by the show of things.”
-
- [39] In Buddhist phraseology, Yuen-Chioh means the study, by means
- of contemplation, of primary spiritual causes.
-
- [40] Compare Beal’s rendering in the Kin-Kong-King, “Tathagata is
- the explanation as it were of all systems of Law.” See also _The
- Book of the Manifesting of the One and Manifold_ in _The Song
- Celestial_, the verse commencing:—
-
- “Thou, of all souls the Soul!
- The comprehending whole!”
-
- In conversation with Chinese monks regarding the meaning of this
- impressive passage, we found that they invariably approved of a
- suggested rendering, that “Buddha is the _One_ in whom all Laws
- become intelligible.”
-
- [41] Compare the observations made by Sir Edwin Arnold in his
- preface to _The Song Celestial_, regarding the date when that
- famous Brahmanic poem was composed; and the gentle indication
- that in its teaching may be found “echoes of the lessons of
- Galilee, and of the Syrian incarnation.”
-
- [42] An instructive exposition of this subject by J. Muir, Esq.,
- entitled _The Progress of the Vedic Religion towards Abstract
- Conceptions of the Deity_, may be consulted in the _Jour.
- R.A.S.,_ 1864–65.
-
- [43] In colloquial Chinese there is a noteworthy saying, that
- “Buddha is simply a condition of mind.” This “condition of mind”
- is beautifully expressed by a “classic” couplet, which, rendered
- into English, means “as pure as the image of the moon in a
- river,” and “as lovely as the bloom of a flower in a mirror”
- (Shui-Li-Chï-Yüeh, Ching-Li-Chï-Wha).
-
- [44] Compare the beautifully expressed sentiment of Akhnaton,
- Pharaoh of Egypt, concerning “the One in whom all Laws are
- intelligibly comprehended.” “There is no poverty for him who hath
- Thee in his heart.” (See _Life and Times of Akhnaton_.)
-
- [45] Rhys Davids, when he expounded the doctrine of Karma in
- _Buddhism_, clearly indicated the Buddhist position, “that
- whatever a man reaps, that he must also have sown.” Chinese
- Buddhists appear to be assured, “that if a man reaps sorrow,
- disappointment, pain, he himself, and no other, must at some time
- have sown folly, error, sin; and if not in this life, then in
- some former birth. Where then, in the latter case, is the
- identity between him who sows and him who reaps? _In that which
- alone remains_ when a man dies, and the constituent parts of the
- sentient being are dissolved; in the result, namely, of his
- action, speech, and thought, in his good or evil _Karma_
- (literally his ‘doing’) which _does not_ die.”
-
- [46] In the concept Karma, Sakyamuni Buddha suggested the
- revealing of a _moral cause_ which explained the otherwise
- insoluble riddle of the evident inequalities, and consequent
- sufferings of life.
-
- [47] Compare _Buddhism_.
-
- [48] “The much-canvassed Ritschlian doctrine of the _Worth_—or
- ‘value-judgments,’ in which the peculiarity of religious
- knowledge is supposed to lie.” For the introduction of the term
- into theology we are indebted to Herrmann, _Die Religion, etc._,
- and Kaftan, _Das Wesen_. _See_ Orr’s, _The Ritschlian Theology and
- The Evangelical Faith_.
-
- [49] It may be observed in this English version of _The Diamond
- Sutra_, that the Chinese term _Fuh_, in deference to our Oriental
- friends, is invariably rendered “Lord Buddha”—a designation
- consonant with _their_ concepts of devotion and piety.
-
-
-
-
- THE DIAMOND SUTRA
-
-[Chapter 1]
-
-
-Thus have I heard[1] concerning our Lord Buddha:—
-
-Upon a memorable occasion, the Lord Buddha[2] sojourned in the kingdom
-of Shravasti,[3] lodging in the grove of Jeta,[4] a park within the
-imperial domain, which Jeta, the heir-apparent, bestowed upon
-Sutana,[5] a benevolent Minister of State, renowned for his charities
-and benefactions.
-
-With the Lord Buddha, there were assembled together twelve hundred and
-fifty mendicant disciples,[6] all of whom had attained to eminent
-degrees of spiritual wisdom.
-
-As it approached the hour for the morning meal, Lord Buddha, Honoured
-of the Worlds,[7] attired himself in a mendicant’s robe,[8] and
-bearing an alms-bowl in his hands, walked towards the great city of
-Shravasti, which he entered to beg for food.[9] Within the city he
-proceeded from door to door,[10] and received such donations as the
-good people severally bestowed.[11] Concluding this religious
-exercise, the Lord Buddha returned to the grove of Jeta, and partook
-of the frugal meal[12] received as alms. Thereafter he divested
-himself of his mendicant’s robe, laid aside the venerated
-alms-bowl,[13] bathed his sacred feet, and accepted the honoured seat
-reserved for him by his disciples.
-
- [1] It is generally supposed that the familiar introductory
- phrase, “Thus have I heard,” was adopted by the writers or
- editors of Buddhist Sutras in order that their scriptures might
- assume the same high degree of authority as the Brahmanas and the
- Mantras, “as forming the ‘S’ruti’ or sacred revelation of the
- followers of the Vedas.” (Compare Max Müller’s _History of
- Sanscrit Literature_ and the valuable note in Beal’s
- _Kin-Kong-King_)
-
- [2] “The term (Buddha) means ‘every intelligent being who has
- thrown off the bondage of sense perception and self, knows the
- utter unreality of all phenomena, and is ready to enter
- Nirvana.’”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [3] Shravasti is variously described as the city (or kingdom) of
- philosophy, of good doctrine, of abundant virtue, and as the
- abode of immortals. It was situated on the north bank of the
- Ganges, about 200 miles above Benares. Much interesting
- information regarding the sacred city Shravasti, is fortunately
- preserved in the instructive records of the distinguished Chinese
- pilgrims, _Fa-Hien_ and _Hiuen-Tsang_.
-
- [4] “Prasenajit, the king of Shravasti, was very favourable to
- the Buddhist religion. It was his minister who bought the garden
- of Jeta from the prince of that name, and erected in it a
- residence for Buddha (_see_ Julien’s _Memoirs sur les Contrées
- Occidentales_). Many of the Sutras attributed to Buddha are said
- to have been delivered here. _Hiuen-Tsang_ observed the remains
- of the monastery formerly standing on the site of the garden of
- Jeta, 2 miles below the city.”—_Chinese Buddhism_. Edkins.
-
- [5] “A person of extraordinary piety and goodness. One of the
- former Djatakas of Sakyamuni when he was a prince, and forfeited
- the throne by liberality in almsgiving.”—_Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [6] The Chinese text is _ta-pi-k’u_—greater disciples. Our Chinese
- editor of _The Diamond Sutra_ suggests that there are different
- grades of discipleship. The “lesser disciples” are those who have
- abandoned every form of vice, and are striving after virtue. The
- “greater disciples” are those to whom virtue has become
- spontaneous, and who have ceased to strive after its attainment.
-
- [7] A title conferred by Chinese Buddhists upon the founder of
- their faith, believing him to be a Teacher and Saviour whose
- merit is acclaimed in worlds beyond our own.
-
- [8] Having taken vows of poverty, a robe is one of the following
- eight articles which Buddhist monks are permitted to possess:
- three garments of different descriptions, a girdle for the loins,
- an alms-bowl, a razor, a needle, and a water-strainer.
-
- [9] Buddha has said, “the wise priest never asks for anything; he
- disdains to beg; it is a proper thing for which he carries the
- alms-bowl; and this is his only mode of solicitation. But when he
- is sick, he is permitted to ask for any medicine that he may
- require, without being guilty of any transgression.”—_Eastern
- Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [10] Concerning the manner of begging an alms: “As a bee,
- injuring not the flower, or its colour, or its scent, flies away,
- taking the nectar, so let a sage go through the
- village.”—_Questions of King Milinda_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- [11] “By many of the Buddhists it is considered to be an act of
- great merit to make a vow never to partake of food without giving
- a portion to the priests.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [12] “The fifth of the twelve sacred observances of the Chinese
- is called in Sanscrit Khaloupas’ Waddhaktinka, and is said to
- enjoin that the food obtained by the mendicant is to be divided
- into three portions: one to be given to any person whom he sees
- to be suffering from hunger, and a second to be carried to some
- quiet place in the forest, and placed upon a stone for the birds
- and beasts. If he does not meet with any one who is in want, he
- is not to eat the whole of the food that he has received, but
- two-thirds only. By this means his body will be lighter and more
- active.... He will be able readily to enter upon the practice of
- all good works. When any one eats too greedily ... nothing is
- more harmful to the development of reason.” (Quotation from
- Remusat’s _Relation des Royaumes Buddhiques_, in Spence Hardy’s
- _Eastern Monachism_.)
-
- [13] “The alms-bowl which Sakyamuni used is considered a sacred
- relic, and to be used by each of the hundred Buddhas of the
- present kalpa. It was first preserved in Vais’ali, whence its
- emigrations began to Gandhara, to Persia, to China, to Ceylon, to
- Madhyades’a, up into the heaven Tuchita, and down to the bottom
- of the ocean, where it is to await (in the palace of Sagara) the
- advent of Meitreya Buddha.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 2]
-
-Upon that occasion, the venerable Subhuti[1] occupied a place in the
-midst of the assembly. Rising from his seat, with cloak arranged in
-such manner that his right shoulder was disclosed, Subhuti knelt upon
-his right knee, then pressing together the palms of his hands, he
-respectfully raised them towards Lord Buddha, saying: “Thou art of
-transcendent wisdom, Honoured of the Worlds! With wonderful
-solicitude, Thou dost preserve in the faith, and instruct in the Law,
-this illustrious assembly of enlightened disciples.[2] Honoured of the
-Worlds! if a good disciple, whether man or woman,[3] seeks to obtain
-supreme spiritual wisdom,[4] what immutable Law shall sustain the mind
-of that disciple, and bring into subjection every inordinate desire?”[5]
-
-The Lord Buddha replied to Subhuti, saying: “Truly a most excellent
-theme! As you affirmed, I preserve in the faith, and instruct in the
-Law, this illustrious assembly of enlightened disciples. Attend
-diligently unto me, and I shall enunciate a Law whereby the mind of a
-good disciple, whether man or woman, seeking to obtain supreme
-spiritual wisdom,[6] shall be adequately sustained, and enabled to
-bring into subjection[7] every inordinate desire.” Subhuti was
-gratified, and signified glad consent. Thereupon, the Lord Buddha,
-with majesty of person,[8] and perfect articulation, proceeded to
-deliver the text of this Scripture,[9] saying:—
-
- [1] “A famous dialectician noted for the subtilty of his
- intellect. He was a native of Shravasti, a contemporary of
- Sakyamuni, and figures as the principal interlocutor in the
- _Prajna-Paramita_.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [2] “_Pu-Sa_ or Bodhisattva, literally he whose essence (Sattva)
- has become intelligence (Bodhi). A being that has only once more
- to pass through human existence before it attains to Buddhaship.
- The third class of Buddhistic saints comprehending all who are
- candidates for Buddhaship as well as those Buddhas who are not yet
- perfected by entrance into Nirvana. They are also styled
- Mahasattvas (_Mo-Ho-Sa_). The state of a Bodhisattva is considered
- as one of the three means of conveyance to Nirvana.”—_Handbook of
- Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [3] “Women began to ask and received permission to take the
- vows. They were called in India Bikshuni.... Ni is the Sanscrit
- feminine termination of Bikshu. These female mendicants were
- subject to the same code of regulations as the males.”—_Chinese
- Buddhism_. Edkins.
-
- [4] “_ho-ru-to-lo-san-mao-san-pu-ti_ (Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi),
- literally unexcelled perfect intelligence. Another more
- painstaking but arbitrary explanation is untarnished and
- unparalleled (Nuttara) correct view (Sam) and complete wisdom
- (Myak) with complete possession of the highest sentiments
- (Sambodhi). This term, one of the sacred phrases of most frequent
- occurrence, signifies the characteristics which every Buddha
- possesses.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- “The unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart.”—_Kin-Kong-King_.
- Beal.
-
- [5] “When a man’s heart is disposed in accordance with his roaming
- senses, it snatches away his spiritual knowledge as the wind does
- a ship on the waves.”—_Bhagavad-Gita_. J. Cockburn Thomson.
-
- [6] Chinese commentators are careful to explain that the title of
- this Sutra, _Po-ro-po-lo-mi_ (_Prajna-Paramita_), means Wisdom, by
- which we are enabled to reach the other shore (Nirvana).
-
- [7] “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
- Christ.”—The Apostle Paul.
-
- [8] Compare the Chinese text of the famous Buddhist tract entitled
- _Awakening of Faith_, written by _Ma-Ming_ (Asvaghocha), “who
- flourished A.D. 50, under the Indo-Scythic king, Gondophares.”
-
- [9] “This work contains the germ of the larger compilation
- _Prajna-Paramita_ in one hundred and twenty volumes. The
- abstractions of Buddhist philosophy, which were afterwards
- ramified to such a formidable extent as these numbers indicate,
- are here found in their primary form, probably as they were taught
- by Sakyamuni himself.”—_Chinese Buddhism_. Edkins.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 3 and 4]
-
- “By this wisdom shall enlightened disciples be enabled to bring into
-subjection every inordinate desire! Every species of life, whether
-hatched in the egg, formed in the womb, evolved from spawn, produced
-by metamorphosis, with or without form or intelligence, possessing or
-devoid of natural instinct—from these changeful[1] conditions of
-being, I command you to seek deliverance,[2] in the transcendental
-concept of Nirvana.[3] Thus, you shall be delivered from an
-immeasurable, innumerable, and illimitable world of sentient life;
-but, in reality, there is no world of sentient life from which to
-seek deliverance. And why? Because, in the minds[4] of enlightened
-disciples there have ceased to exist such arbitrary concepts of
-phenomena as an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality.”[5]
-
-“Moreover, Subhuti, an enlightened disciple ought to act spontaneously
-in the exercise of charity,[6] uninfluenced by sensuous phenomena[7]
-such as sound, odour, taste, touch, or Law.[8] Subhuti, it is
-imperative that an enlightened disciple, in the exercise of charity,
-should act independently of phenomena. And why? Because, acting
-without regard to illusive forms of phenomena, he will realise in the
-exercise of charity, a merit inestimable and immeasurable.”
-
-“Subhuti, what think you? Is it possible to estimate the distance
-comprising the illimitable universe of space?”[9] Subhuti replied,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! It is impossible to estimate the
-distance comprising the illimitable universe of space.” The Lord
-Buddha thereupon discoursed, saying: “It is equally impossible to
-estimate the merit[10] of an enlightened disciple, who discharges the
-exercise of charity, unperturbed by the seductive influences of
-phenomena. Subhuti, the mind of an enlightened disciple ought thus to
-be indoctrinated.”[11]
-
- [1] “The first of six Paramita—charity, morality, endurance,
- energy, contemplation, wisdom—cardinal virtues, or means of
- progressing towards Nirvana. The virtue of religious charity,
- implying all kinds of self-denying acts, almsgiving, sacrifice,
- etc.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [2] “The kind of craving excitement, which follows on sensation,
- and causes the delusion of self and the lust of life—creating
- either delight in the objects that present themselves, or an eager
- desire to supply a felt want—this eager yearning thirst growing
- into sensuality, desire of future life, or love of the present
- world, is the origin of all suffering. Sorrow and suffering will
- be overcome, extinguished, if this ‘thirst’ be quenched, this lust
- of life destroyed. ‘He who overcomes this contemptible thirst,
- sufferings fall off from him like water drops from a lotus
- leaf.’”—_Buddhism_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- [3] _Fah_, the Chinese equivalent of Dharma—Law, appears to be a
- generic term for all religious doctrines incidental to Buddhism.
- The Buddhas are invariably referred to as _Fah-Wang_—Princes of
- the Law. The Sutras are frequently alluded to as _Fah-Pao_—Jewels
- of the Law. The monks are usually designated _Fah-Men_—Disciples
- of the Law. The interminable process of transmigration is depicted
- by _Fah-Luen_—Wheel of the Law. The dissemination of Buddhistic
- tenets is typified by _Chuan-Fah-Luen_—Revolving Wheel of the Law.
- Religious designations consonant with the idea of Law, are held in
- high esteem amongst the Buddhist ecclesiastical orders. Of such
- are _Fah-Ai_—Lover of the Law; _Fah-Lien_—Approved in the Law;
- _Fah-Ming_—Brightness of the Law (compare Eitel’s _Handbook of
- Chinese Buddhism_.
-
- [4] “Subhuti, can the western, or southern, or northern regions of
- space be measured? or the four midway regions of space (_i.e._,
- N.E., S.E., S.W., N.W.), or the upper and lower regions: can
- either of these be accurately measured or defined?”—
- _Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [5] “Of all the modes of acquiring merit, that of almsgiving is
- the principal; it is the chief of the virtues that are requisite
- for the attainment of the Buddhaship; it is the first of the four
- great virtues, _viz_.: almsgiving, affability, promoting the
- prosperity of others, and loving others as ourselves; it is
- superior to the observance of the precepts—the path that all the
- Buddhas have trod—a lineage to which they have all belonged....
- The giving of alms softens the mind, and brings it into
- subjection, by which the ascetic is prepared for the exercise of
- the rites he is afterwards to practise.... The faithful are
- required to give in alms of that which they have honestly earned
- by their own personal exertions.... There must be a willing mind
- respecting that which they offer, from the time that the intention
- of making the offering is formed to the time when it is presented,
- as well as after it has been made.... When the gift, the giver,
- and the receiver are all pure, the reward is proportionately
- great.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [6] “Let his livelihood be kindliness,
- His conduct righteousness,
- Then in the fulness of gladness
- He will make an end of grief.”—_Buddhism_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- [1] Discoursing upon illusory ideas concerning the world of
- sentient life, the Lord Buddha stated that these were already
- eliminated from the minds of his enlightened disciples. The
- reference in the text is to disciples in process of instruction,
- and these the Lord Buddha commanded to relegate to oblivion the
- deceptive idea of the reality of sentient life, to dissolve within
- their minds its nauseous dregs, to put away its horrid stain, and
- cause it to vanish like snow in a glowing furnace.—_Chinese
- Annotation_.
-
- “The very nature of phenomena demonstrates that they must have had
- a beginning, and that they must have an end.”—_Lay Sermons_.
- Huxley.
-
- [2] By adopting the term _Mieh-Tu_, Chinese Buddhists appear well
- prepared to refute a prevalent notion that their concept of
- deliverance is equivalent to annihilation. _Mieh_ usually means
- annihilation, but _Tu_—to cross over in safety, is the antithesis
- of annihilation. After due consideration of the significance of
- the terminology, perhaps it will be generally conceded that
- English renderings of _Mieh-Tu_ as Deliverance or Salvation, are
- not without some degree of justification.
-
- “All these I command and exhort to enter on the state of the
- unsurpassed Nirvana (Pari Nirvana), and for ever to free
- themselves from the conditions of being to which they severally
- belong.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [3] “The dewdrop slips into the shining sea.”—_Light of Asia_.
- Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- “The dewdrop re-becomes the shining sea.”—_Chioh-Hsien_ (a
- Chinese monk).
-
- “The popular exoteric systems agree in defining Nirvana negatively
- as a state of absolute exemption from the circle of transmigration
- as a state of entire freedom from all forms of materiality, from
- all passion and exertion, mentally and emotionally, a state of
- indifference therefore alike to joy and pain. Positively they
- define Nirvana as the highest stage of spiritual liberty and
- bliss, as absolute immortality through absorption of the soul into
- itself. Individuality is preserved, and Buddhas who have entered
- Nirvana occasionally reappear again to intervene on behalf of the
- faithful.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [4] The able commentator _Ti-Ching_ observes that many people,
- like Ananda—a favourite disciple of Buddha—are in error when they
- suppose their minds to be located within their material bodies.
- This interesting aspect of Buddhist psychology is made tolerably
- clear in the familiar narrative known generally as _The
- Enlightenment of Ananda_. Therein the Lord Buddha endeavours to
- prove that as objects within ourselves are invisible, the
- illuminating mind cannot be asserted to inhabit exclusively our
- material bodies. He also indicates that it cannot be affirmed to
- occupy any appointed sphere outside ourselves, it being usually
- understood that we observe only those objects by which we are
- environed. The Lord Buddha also controverts the theory, enunciated
- by Ananda, that the mind is secreted somewhere within the organs
- of sense; which assumption is based upon a notion that the seeing
- eye, and differentiating mind, are mysteriously correlated.
-
- [5] “This belief in self is regarded so distinctly as a heresy
- that two well-known words in Buddhist terminology have been coined
- on purpose to stigmatise it. The first of these is Sakkayaditthi,
- ‘the heresy of individuality,’ the name given to this belief as
- one of the three primary delusions (the others being doubt, and
- belief in the efficacy of rites or ceremonies) which must be
- abandoned at the very first stage of the Buddhist path of
- holiness. The other is Attavada, ‘the doctrine of soul or self,’
- which is the name given to it as a part of the chain of causes
- which lead to the origin of evil. It is there classed—with
- sensuality, heresy (as to eternity and annihilation), and belief
- in the efficacy of rites and ceremonies—as one of the four
- Upadanas, which are the immediate cause of birth, decay, death,
- sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair.”—_Buddhism_. T. W.
- Rhys Davids.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 5]
-
-The Lord Buddha interrogated Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Is it
-possible that by means of his physical body,[1] the Lord Buddha may be
-clearly perceived?” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the
-Worlds! It is impossible that by means of his physical body, the Lord
-Buddha may be clearly perceived. And why? Because, what the Lord
-Buddha referred to as a physical body, is in reality not merely a
-physical body.” Thereupon the Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying:
-“Every form or quality of phenomena is transient and illusive. When
-the mind realises that the phenomena of life are not real phenomena,
-the Lord Buddha may then be clearly perceived.”[2]
-
- [1] “Primitive Buddhism distinguished a material, visible, and
- perishable body (_Seh-Shen_—_lit_., the Body of Form) and an
- immaterial, invisible, immortal body (_Fah-Shen_—_lit_., the Body
- of Law) as the constituents of every personality. This
- dichotomism, taught, as it seems by Sakyamuni himself, was ever
- afterwards retained as regards the nature of ordinary mortals. But
- in later ages, when the combined influence of Sivaism, which
- ascribed to Siva a threefold body (called _Dharmakaya_—essence,
- _Sambhogakaya_—reflex intelligence, and _Nirmanakaya_—practical
- issue of his intelligence), and that of Brahmanism with its
- Trimurti, gave rise to the Buddhist dogma of a Triratna
- (_San-Pao_—the precious Buddha, the precious Law, and the precious
- Priesthood), trichotomism was taught with regard to the nature of
- all Buddhas. Again they ascribed to every Buddha a triple form of
- existence, viewing him: [1] as having entered Nirvana; [2] as
- existing in reflex in the world of form; [3] as existing or having
- existed on earth.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [2] The spiritual Buddha must be realised within the mind,
- otherwise there can be no true perception of the Lord
- Buddha.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 6]
-
-Subhuti enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds!
-In future ages, when this scripture is proclaimed, amongst those
-beings destined to hear, shall any conceive within their minds a
-sincere, unmingled faith?”[1]
-
-The Lord Buddha replied to Subhuti, saying: “Have no such apprehensive
-thought! Even at the remote period of five centuries subsequent to the
-Nirvana of the Lord Buddha,[3] there will be many disciples observing
-the monastic vows,[3] and assiduously devoted to good works.[4] These,
-hearing this scripture proclaimed, will believe in its immutability,
-and similarly conceive within their minds a pure, unmingled faith.
-Besides, it is important to realise that faith[5] thus conceived, is
-not exclusively in virtue of the insular thought of any particular
-Buddha, but because of its affiliation with the concrete[6] thoughts
-of myriad Buddhas, throughout infinite ages. Therefore, amongst the
-beings destined to hear this Scripture proclaimed, many, by momentary
-reflection, will intuitively[7] conceive a pure and holy faith.”
-
-“Subhuti, the Lord Buddha by his prescience,[8] is perfectly cognisant
-of all such potential disciples, and for these also there is reserved
-an immeasurable merit. And why? Because, the minds of these disciples
-will not revert to such arbitrary concepts of phenomena as an entity,
-a being, a living being, a personality, qualities or ideas coincident
-with Law, or existing apart from the idea of Law. And why? Because,
-assuming the permanency and reality of phenomena, the minds of these
-disciples would be involved in such distinctive ideas as an entity, a
-being, a living being, and a personality. Affirming the permanency and
-reality of qualities or ideas coincident with Law, their minds would
-inevitably be involved in resolving these same definitions.
-Postulating the inviolate nature of qualities or ideas which have an
-existence apart from the Law, there yet remain to be explained these
-abstruse distinctions—an entity, a being, a living being, and a
-personality. Therefore, enlightened disciples ought not to affirm the
-permanency or reality of qualities or ideas coincident with Law, nor
-postulate as being of an inviolate nature, qualities or ideas having
-an existence apart from the concept of Law.”
-
-“Thus, we are enabled to appreciate the significance of those words
-which the Lord Buddha invariably repeated to his followers: ‘You
-disciples must realise that the Law which I enunciated, was presented
-before your minds in the simile of a raft.[9] If the Law—having
-fulfilled its function in bearing you to the other shore
-(Nirvana)[10]—with its coincident qualities and ideas must inevitably
-be abandoned,[11] how much more inevitable must be the abandonment of
-qualities or ideas which have an existence apart from the Law?’”
-
- [1] Compare the question addressed by Jesus to His disciples,
- “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?”
-
- [2] “In fulness of the times—it fell
- The Buddha died, the great Tathagata,
- Even as a man ’mongst men, fulfilling all:
- And how a thousand thousand lakhs since then
- Have trod the Path which leads whither he went
- Unto Nirvana, where the Silence lives.”—_The
- Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [3] When a novice seeks admission to a monastic order, an
- ordination service is conducted by a chapter of monks, at which
- the following vows are administered. “I take the vow not to
- destroy life. I take the vow not to steal. I take the vow to
- abstain from impurity. I take the vow not to lie. I take the vow
- to abstain from intoxicating drinks, which hinder progress and
- virtue. I take the vow not to eat at forbidden times. I take the
- vow to abstain from dancing, singing, music, and stage plays. I
- take the vow not to use garlands, scents, unguents, or ornaments.
- I take the vow not to use a high or broad bed. I take the vow not
- to receive gold or silver.” (Compare _Buddhism_. T. W. Rhys Davids.)
-
- [4] “The primary motive for doing good, and worshipping Buddha,
- according to these scriptures (the Buddha scriptures of Nipal), is
- the hope of obtaining absorption into the nature of the god, and
- being freed from transmigrations.”—_China_. Sir John Francis Davis.
-
- [5] “And is thy faith so much to give,
- Is it so hard a thing to see,
- That the Spirit of God, whate’er it be,
- The Law that abides and changes not, ages long,
- The Eternal and Nature-Born—these things be strong?”—_The
- Bacche_. Euripides (translated by Gilbert Murray).
-
- [6] “The elements of faith, like the flowers, appear to have their
- roots in eternity.”—_Chang-Ming_ (a Chinese monk).
-
- [7] “Were it possible for a Yogi and a Rahat from India, a Greek
- philosopher from one of the schools holding the power of
- intuition, an ascetic from the wilds of Syria or the mountains of
- Egypt, a heretic from the school at Alexandria, a monk from one of
- the monasteries of Europe, a schoolman of the Middle Ages, and a
- modern German metaphysician of the school of Schelling to meet
- together, and were it possible for them to forget their sectarian
- subtleties and nice distinctions, they would find that there was a
- vast mass of speculation about the main principles of which they
- were agreed. They would be of one mind relative to the four
- following propositions: [1] That there is an objective potency of
- intellect; [2] That this potency can be rendered subjective by
- concentrated thought, ascetic exercises, or determined effort; [3]
- That this potency can only be acquired by the initiated; [4] That
- the initiated may enlarge this potency to a limitless extent. As
- to the efficient cause of the potency, there would be a difference
- of opinion; some would ascribe it to intuition alone, while others
- would attribute it to an alliance with higher spirits or with God;
- but of its existence there would be no doubt.”—_Eastern
- Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [8] “For now I know, by what within me stirs,
- That I shall teach compassion unto men
- And be a speechless world’s interpreter.”—_The Light of
- Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [9] “(By me) is made a well-constructed raft,—so said Bhagavat—I
- have passed over (to Nibbana), I have reached the further bank,
- having overcome the torrent (of passions); there is no (further)
- use for a raft: therefore if thou like, rain, O
- sky!”—_Sutta-Nipata_. Fausböll.
-
- [10] Compare an idea expressed by the apostle Paul, “wherefore the
- law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” Note, also, the
- similarity of a metaphor employed in Christian anthology, “We
- shall meet on that beautiful ‘shore.’”
-
- [11] “Our little systems have their day,
- They have their day and cease to be;
- They are but broken lights of Thee,
- But thou, O Lord, art more than they.”—Tennyson.
-
- “Reposing on eternal truth ... when thy mind shall have worked
- through the snares of delusion, then wilt thou attain to
- indifference to the doctrines, which are either (already)
- received, or have yet to be received.”—_Bhagavad-Gita_. J.
- Cockburn Thomson.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 7]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Has the
-Lord Buddha really attained to supreme spiritual wisdom? Or has he a
-system of doctrine which can be specifically formulated?”
-
-Subhuti replied, saying: “As I understand the meaning of the Lord
-Buddha’s discourse, he has no system of doctrine which can be
-specifically formulated; nor can the Lord Buddha express, in explicit
-terms, a form of knowledge which can be described as supreme spiritual
-wisdom. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha adumbrated in terms of
-the Law, is transcendental and inexpressible. Being a purely spiritual
-concept, it is neither consonant with Law, nor synonymous with
-anything apart from the Law. Thus[1] is exemplified the manner by
-which wise disciples and holy Buddhas, regarding intuition[2] as the
-Law of their minds, severally attained to different planes of
-spiritual wisdom.”[3]
-
- [1] “So it appears that all the sages and wise men who have lived
- have all adopted this mode of diffusive doctrine [doctrine which
- admits of no particular distinction (_wou-wei)], and hence the
- differences which have occurred.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [2] The Chinese text “_i-wu-wei-fah_,” is explained by a learned
- expositor as _tsz-ran-choih-sing_—the intuitive faculty.
-
- [3] “Because that thing which was known or taught by the Tathagata
- is incomprehensible and inexpressible. It is neither a thing nor
- no-thing. And why? Because the holy persons are of imperfect
- power.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 8]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? If a
-benevolent person bestowed as alms, an abundance of the seven
-treasures[1] sufficient to fill the universe, would there accrue to
-that person a considerable merit?”
-
-Subhuti replied, saying:[2] “A very considerable merit, Honoured of
-the Worlds! And why? Because, what is referred to does not partake of
-the nature of ordinary merit, and in this sense the Lord Buddha made
-mention of a ‘considerable’ merit.”
-
-The Lord Buddha rejoined, saying: “If a disciple adhered with implicit
-faith to a stanza[3] of this Scripture, and diligently explained it to
-others, the intrinsic merit of that disciple would be relatively
-greater. And why? Because, Subhuti, the holy Buddhas, and the Law[4]
-by which they attained to supreme spiritual wisdom, severally owe
-their inception to the truth[5] of this sacred Scripture. Subhuti,
-what is ordinarily termed the Buddhic Law, is not really a Law
-attributive to Buddha.”[6]
-
- [1] Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.
-
- [2] “Very considerable indeed, world-honoured one! But why so?
- This merit being in its very character of the nature of that which
- is no merit at all, so Tathagata speaks of it as being
- ‘much.’”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- “Subhuti said: Yes, O Sugata, that son or daughter of a good
- family would produce a large stock of merit. And why? Because, O
- Bhagavat, what was preached by the Tathagata as the stock of
- merit, is no stock of merit. Therefore, the Tathagata preaches: ‘a
- stock of merit, a stock of merit indeed!’”—_The Vagrakkhedika_.
- Max Müller.
-
- [3] “Gatha—hymns and chants, narratives containing moral
- expositions in metrical language. A Chinese text says, ‘32
- characters form one Gatha,’ which refers to a certain variety of
- Gatha called Aryagiti, a metre consisting of 32
- instants.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [4] “The _Dharmma_ (Law) is perfect, having nothing redundant, and
- nothing wanting. But it requires attention, that the benefits it
- offers may be received. Though the teacher may attain great
- happiness, and enter Nirvana, it does not follow that the disciple
- will necessarily possess the same privileges; he may be like one
- who binds the crown upon the head of another. Therefore each one
- for himself must exercise meditation, and observe the ordinances,
- that he may attain wisdom.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [5] “Faith is in the world the best property for a man; _Dhamma_
- (the Law), well observed, conveys happiness; truth, indeed, is the
- sweetest of things; and the life they call the best which is lived
- with understanding.”—_Sutta-Nipata_. Fausböll.
-
- [6] “What then, Subhuti? All the Buddhas, and all the perfect laws
- of the Buddhas, have sprung from (the principles of) this one
- Sutra; but, Subhuti, that which is spoken of as the Law of Buddha,
- is after all not such a Law (or, is a Law of no
- Buddha).”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- “Because, O Subhuti, the highest perfect knowledge of the holy and
- enlightened Tathagatas is produced from it; the blessed Buddhas
- are produced from it. And why? Because, O Subhuti, when the
- Tathagata preached: ‘The qualities of Buddha, the qualities of
- Buddha indeed!’ They were preached by him as no-qualities of
- Buddha. Therefore they are called the qualities of Buddha.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- An erudite Chinese commentator suggests that the words
- _fei-fuh-fah_ are synonymous with _wu-wei-fah_—intuition, already
- observed in the preceding section. A familiar passage from
- _Lao-Tsz_, “Infinite truth is inexpressible,” is quoted by our
- commentator as serving to illustrate the difficulty of giving
- expression to an idea equivalent to the Law of Buddha.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 9]
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? May a
-Scrotapatti[1] (having entered the stream which bears on to Nirvana)
-thus moralise within himself, ‘I have obtained the fruits[2]
-commensurate with the merit of a Scrotapatti’?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! And why? Because, Scrotapatti is
-simply a descriptive term signifying ‘having entered the stream.’ A
-disciple who avoids the seductive phenomena of form, sound, odour,
-taste, touch, and Law,[3] is named a Scrotapatti.”
-
-The Lord Buddha again enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you?
-May a Sakridagami[4] (who is subject only to one more reincarnation)
-thus muse within himself, ‘I have obtained the fruits consonant with
-the merit of a Sakridagami’?” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured
-of the Worlds! And why? Because, Sakridagami is merely a descriptive
-title denoting ‘only one more reincarnation’;[5] but in reality there
-is no such condition as ‘only one more reincarnation,’ hence
-Sakridagami is merely a descriptive title.”
-
-The Lord Buddha once again enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think
-you? May an Anagami[6] (having entire immunity from reincarnation)
-thus reflect within himself, ‘I have obtained the fruits which accord
-with the merit of an Anagami?’” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured
-of the Worlds! And why? Because, Anagami is merely a designation
-meaning ‘immunity from reincarnation’; but in reality there is no such
-condition as ‘immunity from reincarnation,’ hence Anagami is merely a
-convenient designation.”
-
-The Lord Buddha yet again enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think
-you? May an Arhat[7] (having attained to absolute quiescence of mind)
-thus meditate within himself, ‘I have obtained the condition of an
-Arhat’?” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! And
-why? Because, there is not in reality a condition synonymous with the
-term Arhat. Honoured of the Worlds! if an Arhat thus meditates within
-himself, ‘I have obtained the condition of an Arhat,’ there would be
-obvious recurrence of such arbitrary concepts as an entity, a being, a
-living being, and a personality. Honoured of the Worlds! When the Lord
-Buddha declared that in absolute quiescence[8] of mind, perfect
-observance of the Law,[9] and true spiritual perception, I was
-pre-eminent amongst the disciples, I did not cogitate thus within
-myself, ‘I am an Arhat, freed[10] from desire!’ Had I thus cogitated,
-‘I have obtained the condition of an Arhat,’[11] the ‘Honoured of the
-Worlds’ would not have declared concerning me, ‘Subhuti delights in
-the austerities practised by the Aranyaka’;[12] but, in reality,
-Subhuti was perfectly quiescent and oblivious to phenomena;[13] hence
-the allusion, ‘Subhuti delights in the austerities practised by the
-Aranyaka.’”
-
- [1] “One who has entered (Apatti) the stream (Srota), the latter
- being defined as the stream of holy conduct (which bears on to
- Nirvana).”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- [2] “Men walking in the path, and standing in the fruits thereof,
- those who have attained some fruits thereof but are yet
- learners ... whose hope is directed to the utmost goal.”—_Questions
- of King Milinda_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- “Enter the path! There spring the healing streams
- Quenching all thirst! there bloom th’ immortal flowers
- Carpeting all the way with joy! there throng
- Swiftest and sweetest hours.”—_The Light of Asia_.
- Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [3] Perhaps in the sense that a Scrotapatti clearly perceives and
- understands the tentative nature of the Law, his mind being
- trained to regard it as “a well-constructed raft,” designed to
- bear him safely across the stream of spiritual consciousness upon
- which he has entered. It also appears that the Scrotapatti
- discerns in the _idea_ of the Law, something as unreal and
- ephemeral as the phenomena of form, sound, odour, taste, or touch.
- In seeking “Nirvana’s blest abode,” the Scrotapatti endeavours to
- “rise by daily sojourn with these phantasies—to lovelier verities.”
-
- [4] “The path Sakradagami is so called because he who enters it
- will receive one more birth. He may enter this path in the world
- of men, and afterwards be born in a Dewa-Loka (a heavenly
- mansion—in Chinese _Tien-Kong_); or he may enter it in a
- Dewa-Loka, and afterwards be born in the world of men.”—_Eastern
- Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [5] “Because he is not an individual being (Dharma), who has
- obtained the state of a Sakridagami.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max
- Müller.
-
- [6] “Not returning, or not being reborn in the world of desire.
- The third degree of Buddhistic saintship, the third class of
- Aryas, embracing all those who are no more liable to be reborn as
- men, though they are to be born once more as Devas, when they will
- forthwith become Arhats and enter Nirvana.”—_Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- “Men devoid of passion, and of malice, and of dulness, men in whom
- the great evils (lust, becoming, delusion, and ignorance) are not,
- men who have neither craving thirst, nor grasping
- desires.”—_Questions of King Milinda_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- [7] “Explained by _Fuh-Ko_—the Fruit of Buddha (Buddhaphalam). The
- original meaning of Arhat (deserving, worthy) is overlooked by
- most Chinese commentators, who explained the term as if it were
- written _Ari-Hat_—Destroyer of the Enemy. The following two
- explanations are given, _Shah-Tseh_—Destroying the Enemy, and
- _Puh-Seng_—not to be reborn, _i.e._, except from transmigration.
- There is, however, a third explanation which is based on the
- original meaning of Arhat, namely _Ying-Kong_—deserving worship.
- The Arhat is the perfected Arya (one who has mastered the four
- spiritual truths—_Sz-Ti_—and thereby entered the path to Nirvana
- called Arya-Marga), and the state of Arhat can accordingly be
- attained only by passing through the different degrees of
- saintship. Arhatship implies possession of supernatural powers,
- and is to be succeeded either by Buddhaship or by immediate
- entrance into Nirvana.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- “Those who have entered the stream, and those who, free from
- stains, will only be reborn once more on earth, those who will
- never again return, and Arhats—these are they who dwell in the
- ‘city of Righteousness.’”—_Questions of King Milinda_. T. W. Rhys
- Davids.
-
- In the moral philosophy of Mencius there is inculcated a principle
- of having few desires (_Kwa-Yuh_), and Chinese Buddhists
- frequently institute comparisons between those “few desires” and
- “no desires” of the Arhats.
-
- [8] A Chinese annotator suggests it is almost self-evident that
- “absolute quiescence” is the condition of mind in which knowledge
- is acquired by intuition.
-
- [9] “More is the treasure of the Law than gems;
- Sweeter than comb its sweetness; its delights
- Delightful past compare.”—_The Light of Asia_.
- Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [10] “The man for whom there is nothing upon which he depends, who
- is independent, having understood the _Dhamma_ (Law), for whom
- there is no desire for coming into existence or having
- existence—him I call calm.... He has overcome
- desire.”—_Dhammapada_. Max Müller.
-
- “This devotion should be practised with that determination by
- which thought becomes indifferent (to every worldly object). He
- who has abandoned all desires which spring from imagination, and
- has, by means of his heart, kept back the whole collection of the
- senses from every direction (in which they would go), should
- gradually become passive by his mind’s acquiring firmness, and, by
- having caused his heart to remain within himself, should not place
- his thoughts on anything at all.”—_Bhagavad-Gita_.—J. Cockburn
- Thomson.
-
- [11] “There are some persons who obtain the Rahatship
- instantaneously, while others can only obtain it by a slow
- process; they must give aims, make offerings, study the _Bana_
- (Law), and exercise the necessary discipline.”—_Eastern
- Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [12] “Explained by ‘living in retirement,’ ‘a hermit,’ ‘a
- recluse.’ The term signifies ascetics who live in strict
- seclusion. There are three classes to be distinguished. The first
- is called _Dharma Aranyaka_—‘Hermits of the Law,’ their favourite
- tenet being the doctrine that the principles (_Dharma_)
- constituting human nature are originally calm, still, and passive.
- Their favourite tree is the Bodhi tree (tree of intelligence). The
- second class is called _Matanga Aranyaka_. Its members reside
- constantly in cemeteries, and are prohibited to approach a village
- within hearing distance of the lowing of a cow. They are probably
- called after the Hindoo caste _Matanga_. The third class, or the
- _Danataka Aranyaka_, is formed by hermits living on the sea beach
- or on half-tide rocks.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- “Men whose home is the forest, men who have taken on themselves
- the extra vows, men full of joy, men who are wearing rough
- garments, men rejoicing in solitude.”—_Questions of King Milinda_.
- T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- [13] “The _Sramana_ (Buddhist monk) who sets himself to overcome
- the evils of existence, retires from all intercourse with the
- world, and either practises meditation, simply, or joins with it
- the practice of Kasina (an ascetic exercise to free the mind from
- all agitation), by which he is enabled to attain to _Nimitta_
- (inward illumination), which is represented as being a mental
- illumination that brings with it, in various degrees of
- perfection, the state of mind called _Samadhi_ (absolute
- self-abstraction). This result of profound meditation includes
- undisturbed tranquillity, and equanimity the most entire, and in
- its superior degree it produces unconsciousness.”—_Eastern
- Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- “The world-honoured one would not then have said: ‘Subhuti, what
- is this but the name of the one who delights in the mortification
- of an _Aranyaka_ (forest devotee),’ regarding ‘Subhuti’ as in
- truth not acting at all, but as a mere name, then (in such
- forgetfulness of self) ‘he is one who delights in
- self-mortification.’”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 10]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? When the
-Lord Buddha, in a previous life, was a disciple of Dipankara
-Buddha,[1] was there communicated to him any prescribed Law, or system
-of doctrine, whereby he eventually became a Buddha?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! When the Lord Buddha was a
-disciple of Dipankara Buddha, neither prescribed Law nor system of
-doctrine was communicated to him, whereby he eventually became a
-Buddha.”[2]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? may an
-enlightened disciple thus ponder within himself, ‘I shall create
-numerous Buddhist Kingdoms’?”[3] Subhuti replied, saying: “No!
-Honoured of the Worlds! And why? Because, kingdoms thus created would
-not in reality be Buddhist kingdoms,[4] therefore ‘the creation of
-numerous Buddhist kingdoms’ is merely a figure of speech.”
-
-The Lord Buddha, continuing, addressed Subhuti, saying: “Enlightened
-disciples ought therefore to engender within themselves a pure and
-holy mind; they ought not to depend on the phenomena of form, sound,
-odour, taste, touch, or Law; they ought to sedulously cultivate a mind
-independent of every material aid.”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “Supposing a man with a
-body as pretentious as Sumeru,[5] prince among mountains, would you
-esteem such a body as being great?” Subhuti replied, saying:
-“Exceedingly great, Honoured of the Worlds! And why? Because, the Lord
-Buddha referred not to a physical body,[6] but to mental and spiritual
-concepts of bodies, in which sense a body may be regarded as really
-Great.”
-
- [1] “_Ran-Teng-Fuh_—the Buddha who illuminates brightly,
- _Ting-Kwang-Fuh_—the Buddha of fixed light. The twenty-fourth
- predecessor of Sakyamuni, from whom the latter received the
- assurance of his being destined for Buddhaship.”—_Handbook of
- Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- It is recorded in _The Diamond Sutra_ that the Lord Buddha, in
- previous incarnations, assiduously performed religious vows, and
- deferentially honoured all contemporary Buddhas. An image of a
- former master, Dipankara Buddha, may frequently be observed in
- Chinese Buddhist temples, immediately behind the more conspicuous
- figure of Sakyamuni Buddha. Amongst Chinese Buddhist anniversaries
- may be found the birthday of “the ancient Buddha, _Ran-Teng_”
- (Dipankara), and the period allocated for its observance is the
- 22nd day of the 8th month. (Compare Edkins’ _Chinese Buddhism_.)
-
- [2] “It is maintained by the Buddhists that the founder of their
- faith was entirely _αὐτοδιδακτος_. The wisdom that he manifested
- was the outbeaming of a self-enkindled flame, not an inspiration
- from any exterior source, nor was it the result of any process of
- thought or reason. To whatever object he directed his intellectual
- vision, whether it was near or remote, whether past, present, or
- future, he saw it in a moment, intuitively, and yet in a manner
- the most absolutely perfect.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [3] “Bhagavat said: If Subhuti, a Bodhisattva, should say, ‘I
- shall create numbers of worlds,’ he would say what is untrue. And
- why? Because, O Subhuti, when Tathagata preached numbers of
- worlds, numbers of worlds indeed! they were preached by him as no
- numbers. Therefore they are called numbers of worlds.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Subhuti, what think you? are the various lands and territories of
- the Buddhas completely perfected by the Bodhisatwas who occupy
- them? No! World-honoured one! for this complete perfection of
- which we speak is after all no perfection at all, it is only an
- empty name.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- “The wise man is always thinking: How can I and these beings
- become Buddhas? I will preach this true Law, upon which the
- happiness of all beings depends, for the benefit of the
- world.”—_Saddharma-Pundarika_. H. Kern.
-
- The words _Chuang-Yen_, in a Buddhist sense, usually refer to the
- erection or adornment of temples and pagodas, almsgiving, or other
- work of merit. Used in conjunction with _Fuh-Tu_—Buddhist
- kingdoms, as exemplified by our text, _Chuang-Yen_ appears to
- convey a much wider meaning. Perhaps it refers to a spiritual
- creation and adornment by charity and virtue, of kingdoms owning
- allegiance to the Lord Buddha.
-
- “In twelve years from the commencement of his public teaching,
- Buddha’s doctrines had spread over sixteen Indian
- kingdoms.”—_Chinese Buddhism_. Edkins.
-
- [4] A Buddhist kingdom has no outward manifestation; it is a pure
- and holy condition of mind.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
- Compare the statement attributed to Christ, “The kingdom of heaven
- is _within_ you.”
-
- [5] “Sumeru is probably Elburz, an isolated mountain of the
- Caucasus range, 18,000 feet in height, and surrounded by low
- ground.”—_Chinese Buddhism_. Edkins.
-
- “But when they brought the painted palanquin
- To fetch him home, the bearers of the poles
- Were the four Regents of the Earth, come down
- From Mount Sumeru.”—_The Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [6] “The modification which Buddhism introduced into the idea of
- transmigration was necessitated by the early Buddhist theories of
- the nature of sentient beings; according to which, man consists of
- an assemblage of different properties or qualities ... these are
- Material qualities, Sensations, abstract Ideas, Tendencies of
- mind, and mental Powers.... The first group, Material Qualities,
- are like a mass of foam, that gradually forms, and then vanishes.
- The second group, the Sensations, are like a bubble dancing on the
- face of the water. The third group, the Ideas, are like the
- uncertain mirage that appears in the sunshine. The fourth group,
- the mental and moral Predispositions, are like the plantain stalk,
- without firmness or solidity. And the last group, the Thoughts,
- are like a spectre or magical illusion. The body itself is
- constantly changing, ... man is never the same for two consecutive
- moments.” (Compare Rhys Davids’ _Buddhism_, and Spence Hardy’s
- _Manual_.
-
- “For instance, Subhuti, a man might have a body and a large body,
- so that his size should be as large as the king, of mountains,
- Sumeru. Do you think then, O Subhuti, that his selfhood would be
- large? Subhuti said, Yes! his selfhood would be large. And why?
- Because, when the Tathagata preached ‘selfhood,’ selfhood indeed!
- it was preached by him as no selfhood. Therefore it is called
- selfhood.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 11]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If there were rivers
-Ganges as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, would the aggregate
-grains of sand[1] be of considerable number?” Subhuti replied, saying:
-“Of very considerable number, Honoured of the Worlds! The rivers
-Ganges alone would be innumerable, and much more innumerable would be
-the grains of sand.”
-
-The Lord Buddha thereupon addressed Subhuti, saying: “I have a truth
-to declare unto you! If a good disciple, whether man or woman, were to
-bestow in the exercise of charity, an abundance of the seven
-treasures,[2] sufficient to fill as many boundless universes as there
-would be grains of sand in these innumerable rivers, would the
-cumulative merit of such a disciple be considerable?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “Very considerable, Honoured of the Worlds!”
-
-The Lord Buddha then declared unto Subhuti, “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, were with implicit faith to adhere to a stanza
-of this Scripture, and diligently explain it to others, the consequent
-merit would be relatively greater than the other.”
-
- [1] “Sarvanikchepa, by which you deal
- With all the sands of Gunga, till we come
- To Antah-Kalpas, where the unit is
- The sands of ten crore Gungas.”—_The
- Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [2] Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.
-
- “As much of the seven precious substances as would fill as many
- great chiliocosms as there are sands in all the rivers above
- described.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 12]
-
-The Lord Buddha, continuing, said unto Subhuti: “Wherever this
-Scripture is proclaimed, even though it were but a stanza comprising
-four lines, you should realise that that place would be sanctified by
-the presence of the whole realm of gods, men, and terrestrial
-spirits,[1] who ought unitedly to worship, as if before a sacred
-shrine of Buddha.[2] But what encomium shall express the merit of a
-disciple who rigorously observes, and diligently studies,[3] the text
-of this Scripture? Subhuti, you should realise that such a disciple
-will be endowed[4] with spiritual powers commensurate with initiation
-in the supreme, incomparable, and most wonderful Law.[5] Whatever
-place constitutes a repository for this sacred Scripture, there also
-the Lord Buddha may be found, together with disciples worthy of
-reverence and honour.”
-
- [1] Adopting Max Müller’s rendering. In the Chinese text are
- _Tien_, _Ren_, and _O-Siu-Lo_—heaven, or gods—men, and _Asurus_;
- the latter defined as _fei-tien_—not celestial spirits.
-
- [2] “Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to
- the earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect Buddha,
- revered by gods and men.”
-
- “Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the
- earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect _Dhamma_
- (Law), revered by gods and men.”
-
- “Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the
- earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect _Sangha_
- (community of monks), revered by gods and men.”—_Dhammapada_. Max
- Müller.
-
- [3] “Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana),
- thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not
- die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead
- already.”—_Dhammapada_. Max Müller.
-
- [4] “They, O Subhuti, will be endowed with the highest wonder
- (with what excites the highest wonder). And in that place, O
- Subhuti, there dwells the teacher (Sasa, often the name of
- Buddha), or one after another holding the place of the wise
- preceptor. (This may refer to a succession of teachers banding
- down the tradition one to another.)”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max
- Müller.
-
- “Subhuti, know that this man has acquired knowledge of the most
- excellent and desirable of all Laws; and if the place where this
- Sutra is recited be worthy of all honour as the place of Buddha
- himself, so also is this disciple honourable and worthy of the
- highest respect.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [5] “The praises of the _Bana_ (Law) are a favourite subject with
- the native authors.... The discourses of Buddha are as a divine
- charm to cure the poison of evil desire; a divine medicine to heal
- the disease of anger; a lamp in the midst of the darkness of
- ignorance; a fire, like that which burns at the end of a Kalpa, to
- destroy the evils of repeated existence; a meridian sun to dry up
- the mud of covetousness; a great rain to quench the flame of
- sensuality; a thicket to block up the road that leads to the
- _Narakas_ (place of the wicked); a ship in which to sail to the
- opposite shore of the ocean of existence; a collyrium for taking
- away the eye-film of heresy; a moon to bring out the night-blowing
- lotus of merit; a succession of trees bearing immortal fruit,
- placed here and there, by which the traveller may be enabled to
- cross the desert of existence; ... a straight highway by which to
- pass to the incomparable wisdom; a door of entrance to the eternal
- city of Nirvana; ... a treasury of the best things it is possible to
- obtain; and a power by which may be appeased the sorrow of every
- sentient being.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 13]
-
-Upon that occasion, Subhuti enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! by what name shall this Scripture be known,
-that we may regard it with reverence?” The Lord Buddha replied,
-saying: “Subhuti, this Scripture shall be known as _The Diamond
-Sutra_,[1] ‘The Transcendent Wisdom,’ by means of which we reach ‘The
-Other Shore.’ By this name you shall reverently regard it! And why?
-Subhuti, what the Lord Buddha declared as ‘transcendent wisdom’ by
-means of which we reach ‘the other shore,’ is not essentially
-‘transcendent wisdom’—in its essence it transcends all wisdom.”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying:[2] “What think you? Did the
-Lord Buddha formulate a precise system of Law or doctrine?” Subhuti
-replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! The Lord Buddha did not
-formulate a precise system of Law or doctrine.”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? within the
-myriad worlds which comprise this universe, are the atoms of dust
-numerous?”[3] Subhuti replied, saying: “Very numerous, Honoured of the
-Worlds!”
-
-The Lord Buddha continuing his discourse, said: “Subhuti, the Lord
-Buddha declares that all these ‘atoms of dust’ are not essentially
-‘atoms of dust,’ they are merely termed ‘atoms of dust.’ The Lord
-Buddha also declares that those ‘myriad worlds’ are not really ‘myriad
-worlds,’ they are merely designated ‘myriad worlds.’”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Can the
-Lord Buddha be perceived by means of his thirty-two bodily
-distinctions?”[4] Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the
-Worlds! the Lord Buddha cannot be perceived by means of his thirty-two
-bodily distinctions. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred
-to as his ‘thirty-two bodily distinctions,’ are not in reality ‘bodily
-distinctions,’ they are merely defined as ‘bodily distinctions.’”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, day by day sacrificed lives innumerable as the
-sands of the Ganges;[5] and if another disciple adhered with implicit
-faith to a stanza of this Scripture, and diligently explained it to
-others, the intrinsic merit of such a disciple would be relatively
-greater than the other.”[6]
-
- [1] A Chinese annotator observes, that as the “diamond” excels all
- other precious gems in brilliance and indestructibility, so also
- the “wisdom” of this Sutra transcends and shall outlive all
- other knowledge known to philosophy.
-
- [2] “Then what do you think, O Subhuti, is there anything that was
- preached by the Tathagata? Subhuti said: Not indeed, O Bhagavat,
- there is nothing that was preached by the Tathagata.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- It appears to be one of the distinctive features of primitive
- Buddhism, that its founder made provision for the utmost
- development of the human intellect, within the spheres of religion
- and philosophy. According to the text of _The Diamond Sutra_, the
- Lord Buddha evidently disclaims any suggestion on his part to
- formulate a “precise system of Law or doctrine” corresponding to
- the idea of a _creed_.
-
- [3] “Matter is infinitely divisible.”—_The World as Idea and
- Will_. Schopenhauer.
-
- “After me repeat
- Your numeration....
- By Pundarikas unto Padumas,
- Which last is how you count the utmost grains
- Of Hastagiri ground to finest dust.”—_The Light of Asia_. Sir
- Edwin Arnold.
-
- “If the Buddha was not a materialist, in the sense of believing in
- the eternal existence of material atoms, neither could he in any
- sense be called a ‘spiritualist,’ or believer in the external
- existence of abstract spirit. With him creation did not proceed
- from an omnipotent spirit or mind evolving phenomena out of itself
- by the exercise of will, nor from an eternal self-existing,
- self-evolving germ of any kind. As to the existence in the
- universe of any spiritual substance which was not matter and was
- imperceptible to the senses, it could not be proved.”—_Buddhism_.
- Sir Monier Williams.
-
- “Subhuti, all these countless particles of dust Tathagata declares
- are no real particles; it is but an empty name by which they are
- known. Tathagata declares that all these systems of worlds
- composing the great chiliocosm are no real worlds; they are but
- empty names.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [4] “Characteristic physiological marks by which every Buddha may
- be recognised.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- “Can Tathagata be known by the thirty-two signs (of a hero)?”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “The King saluted, and Queen Maya made
- To lay her babe before such holy feet;
- But when he saw the prince the old man cried
- ‘Ah, Queen not so!’ and thereupon he touched
- Eight times the dust, laid his waste visage there,
- Saying, ‘O Babe! I worship! Thou art He!
- I see the rosy light, the foot-sole marks,
- The soft curled tendrils of the Swastika,
- The sacred primal signs thirty-and-two,
- The eighty lesser tokens. Thou art Buddh,
- And thou wilt preach the Law and save all flesh
- Who learn the Law.’”—_The Light of Asia_.
- Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- “Bright were the divine lineaments of his face, and as the Master
- (of the Law) gazed in awe and holy reverence, he knew not how to
- compare the spectacle; the body of Buddha and his Kashaya robe
- were of a yellowish red colour, and from his knees upward the
- distinguishing marks of his person were exceedingly glorious.”—_The
- Life of Hiuen-Tsang_. Beal.
-
- [5] The Chinese expression _Shen-Ming_—life, invariably refers to
- life in an ordinary material sense, and which may be offered in
- sacrifice. But in Buddhist philosophy there is a spiritual
- _Atman_, which can be disposed of only by knowledge.
-
- [6] “Were any one to fill the bowl of Buddha with the choicest
- food, or to present oil, sugar, honey, medicaments in the greatest
- abundance, or to build thousands of _Wiharas_ (monasteries or
- temples) splendid as those of Anuradhapura (an ancient city in
- Ceylon, the Anurogrammum of Ptolemy), or to present an offering to
- Buddha like that of Anepidu (a rich merchant of Sewet), the
- hearing or reading of one stanza of the _Bana_ (Law) would be more
- meritorious than all.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 14]
-
-Upon that occasion, the venerable Subhuti, hearing the text of this
-scripture proclaimed, and profoundly realising its meaning, was moved
-to tears. Addressing the Lord Buddha, he said: “Thou art of
-transcendent wisdom, Honoured of the Worlds! The Lord Buddha in
-expounding this supreme canon of Scripture, surpassed in perspicuity
-every exposition previously heard by me, since my eyes[1] were
-privileged to perceive this most excellent wisdom. Honoured of the
-Worlds! In years to come, if disciples hearing this scripture
-proclaimed, and having within their minds a pure and holy faith,
-engender true concepts of the ephemeral nature of phenomena—we ought
-to realise that the cumulative merit of such disciples will be
-intrinsic and wonderful. Honoured of the Worlds! The true concept of
-phenomena is, that these are not essentially phenomena, and hence the
-Lord Buddha declared that they are merely termed phenomena.”
-
-“Honoured of the Worlds! having heard this unprecedented Scripture,
-faith, clear understanding, and firm resolve to observe its precepts,
-follow as a natural sequence. If, in future ages, disciples destined
-to hear this Scripture, likewise believe, understand, and observe its
-precepts, their merit will incite the highest wonder and praise.[2]
-And why? Because, the minds of those disciples[3] will have outgrown
-such arbitrary ideas of phenomena as an entity, a being, a living
-being, or a personality. And why? Because, the entity is in reality
-non-entity; and a being, a living being, or a personality, are ideas
-equally nebulous and hypothetical.[4] Wherefore, discarding every
-arbitrary idea of phenomena, the wise and wholly enlightened were
-severally designated Buddha.”[5]
-
-The Lord Buddha, assenting, said unto Subhuti: “If, in future ages,
-disciples destined to hear this Scripture, neither become perturbed by
-its extreme modes of thought,[6] nor alarmed by its lofty
-sentiments,[7] nor apprehensive about realising its high
-ideals[8]—these disciples also, by their intrinsic merit, will incite
-superlative wonder and praise.”
-
-“Subhuti, what the Lord Buddha referred to as the first _Paramita_[9]
-(charity), is not in reality the first _Paramita_, it is merely termed
-the first _Paramita_”
-
-“Subhuti, regarding the third _Paramita_ (endurance), it is not in
-reality a _Paramita_, it is merely termed a _Paramita_. And why?
-Because, in a previous life, when the Prince of Kalinga[10]
-(‘Kaliradja’) severed the flesh from my limbs and body, at that time I
-was oblivious to such arbitrary ideas of phenomena as an entity, a
-being, a living being, or a personality. And why? Because, upon that
-occasion, when my limbs and body were rent asunder, had I not been
-oblivious to such arbitrary ideas as an entity, a being, a living
-being, or a personality, there would have originated within my mind,
-feelings of anger and resentment.”
-
-“Subhuti, five hundred incarnations ago,[11] I recollect that as a
-recluse practising the ordinances of the Kshanti-Paramita,[12] even
-then I had no such arbitrary ideas as an entity, a being, a living
-being, or a personality. Therefore, Subhuti, an enlightened disciple
-ought to discard as being unreal and illusive, every conceivable form
-of phenomena.[13] In aspiring to supreme spiritual wisdom, the mind
-ought to be insensible to every sensuous influence, and independent of
-everything pertaining to sound, odour, taste, touch, or Law. There
-ought to be cultivated a condition of complete independence of mind;
-because, if the mind is depending upon any external aid, it is
-obviously deluded—there is in reality nothing external to depend
-upon.[14] Therefore, the Lord Buddha declared that in the exercise of
-charity, the mind of an enlightened disciple ought not to depend upon
-any form of phenomena. Subhuti, an enlightened disciple desirous to
-confer benefits upon the whole realm of being, ought thus to be
-animated in the exercise of charity.”[15]
-
-The Lord Buddha, in declaring the “unreality of phenomena,” also
-affirmed “that the whole realm of sentient life is ephemeral and
-illusory.”[16]
-
-“Subhuti, the sayings of the Lord Buddha are true, credible, and
-immutable. His utterances are neither extravagant nor chimerical.
-Subhuti, the plane[17] of thought to which the Lord Buddha attained,
-cannot be explained in terms synonymous with reality or non-reality.”
-
-“Subhuti, in the exercise of charity, if the mind of an enlightened
-disciple is not independent of every Law, he is like unto a person
-having entered impenetrable darkness, and to whom every object is
-invisible. But an enlightened disciple, discharging the exercise of
-charity with a mind independent of every Law, is like unto a person
-having the power of vision, in the meridian glory of the sunlight, and
-to whom every object is visible.”
-
-“Subhuti, in future ages, if a good disciple, whether man or woman,
-rigorously studies and observes the text of this Scripture; the Lord
-Buddha, by means of his Buddhic wisdom,[18] entirely knows and
-perceives that for such a disciple there is reserved a cumulative
-merit, immeasurable and illimitable.”
-
- [1] “As one raises what has been overthrown, or reveals what has
- been hidden, or tells the way to him who has gone astray, or holds
- out an oil lamp in the dark that those who have eyes may see the
- objects, even so by the venerable Gotama in manifold ways the
- _Dhamma_ (Law) has been illustrated.”—_Dhammapada_. Max Müller.
-
- [2] “The chief of the priests of that establishment (the Jayendra
- convent) was a man of high moral character. He observed with the
- greatest strictness the religious rules and ordinances. He was
- possessed of the highest intelligence, and acquainted with all the
- points of a true disciple. His talents were eminent; his spiritual
- powers exalted; and his disposition affectionate.”—_The Life of
- Hiuen-Tsang_. Beal.
-
- [3] “They had within themselves the possession of a power by which
- all objective truth could be presented to their intellectual
- vision. They, therefore, partook of what in other systems would be
- regarded as divinity.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy.
-
- [4] “They have been divided into existing and non-existing, real
- and unreal, by those who had wrong notions; other laws also, of
- permanency, of being produced, of birth from something already
- produced, are wrongly assumed.”—_Saddharma-Pundarika_. H. Kern.
-
- [5] “But, O Bhagavat, there will not arise in them any idea of a
- self, of a being, of a living being, of a person, nor does there
- exist for them any idea of no-idea. And why? Because, the idea of
- a self is no-idea, the idea of a being is no-idea, the idea of a
- living being is no-idea, the idea of a person is no-idea. And why?
- Because, the blessed Buddhas are freed from all ideas.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [6] ... “For birth and death
- End hence for me and those who learn my Law.”—_The
- Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [7] “As the Buddhist strove to reach a state of quietism or holy
- meditation in this world, namely the state of the perfect disciple
- or Arhat; so he looked forward to an eternal calm in the world to
- come, Nirvana. Buddha taught that this end could only be attained
- by the practice of virtue.”—_The Indian Empire_. Sir William Hunter.
-
- [8] “The heart of it is love, the end of it
- Is peace and consummation sweet.”—_The
- Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- [9] The first of six _Paramita_—charity, morality, endurance,
- energy, contemplation, wisdom—or means of attaining to Nirvana.
-
- “What the Tathagata preaches as the _Prajna-Paramita_, that was
- preached also by innumerable Blessed Buddhas. Therefore it is
- called the _Prajna-Paramita_,”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [10] “An ancient kingdom S.E. of Kos’ala, a nursery of heretical
- sects, the present Calingapatah, a town in the northern Circars
- (Lat. 18° 15 N., Long. 85° 11 E.).”—_Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- It is recorded that the Lord Buddha, in a previous incarnation,
- was living in a mountainous region, strictly observing the
- monastic vows. The Prince of Kalinga, a cruel and dissolute ruler,
- having organised a hunting expedition, visited the secluded
- region, accompanied by numerous ladies of his harem. Fatigued by
- the excitement of the chase, the prince fell into a deep siesta.
- Meantime, the ladies resolved upon a short excursion along a
- mountain path. Unexpectedly meeting the Lord Buddha, they were
- greatly astonished at his dignified bearing and edifying
- conversation. When the prince awoke from his siesta, he was
- irritated to find that his ladies had disappeared. Instituting an
- immediate search, he became filled with implacable rage upon
- discovering them in the society of a hermit. The incident, as
- narrated in the Chinese text, proved to be a distressing sequel to
- the modest ladies’ innocent adventure. (Compare _Chinese
- Annotations_, etc.)
-
- [11] “Various forms of pre-existence to the number of 500 or 550
- are recorded, in the course of which he (Buddha) marked his way up
- through as many different stages of transmigration from the lowest
- spheres of life to the highest, practising all kinds of
- asceticism, and exhibiting in every form the utmost unselfishness
- and charity.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- “I and thou, O Arjuna! have passed through many transmigrations. I
- know all these.... Even though I am unborn, of changeless essence,
- and the lord also of all which exist, yet, in presiding over
- nature (Prakrita), which is mine, I am born by my own mystic power
- (Maya). For whenever there is a relaxation of duty, ... and an
- increase of impiety, I then reproduce myself for the protection of
- the good.... I am produced in every age.”—_Bhagavad-Gita_. J.
- Cockburn Thomson.
-
- [12] “Explained by patient endurance of insult. The virtue of
- patience, implying constant equanimity under persecution, and
- excluding hatred and revenge.”—_Handbook of Chinese Buddhism_.
- Eitel.
-
- “Because, O Subhuti, I remember the past five hundred births, when
- I was the _Rishi-Kshantivadin_ (preacher of endurance).”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [13] “Let (the Bodhisattva) be concentrated in mind, attentive,
- ever firm as the peak of Mount Sumeru, and in such a state (of
- mind) look upon all laws (and things) as having the nature of
- space (as being void), permanently equal to space, without
- essence, immovable, without substantiality. These, indeed, are the
- Laws, all and for ever.”—_Saddharma-Pundarika_. H. Kern.
-
- [14] “Because what is believed is not believed (not to be depended
- on).”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [15] “Hence Buddha declares that the mind of a Bodhisatwa ought
- not to rely on any formal act of charity. Subhuti, the Bodhisatwa
- ought to distribute his almsgiving for the purpose of benefiting
- the whole mass of sentient creatures, and yet Tathagata declares
- that as all dependencies are after all no real subjects of
- dependence, so also he says that all sentient creatures are not in
- reality what they are called.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [16] Literally, “Every form of phenomena is really _not_ phenomena;
- every form of sentient life is in reality _not_ sentient life.”
-
- [17] The Buddhist term, _Fah_ (Law).
-
- [18] “The omniscience of Buddha is not the knowledge of all
- things, but the power of knowing whatever he wishes to know. In
- opposition to other teachers, who deduce their doctrines from
- certain previously assumed principles, and who may err either in
- the data, or in the deductions from them. Buddha affirms of
- himself that the complete field of truth is before him, that the
- eye of wisdom to perceive it was obtained by him when he became a
- Buddha; and whatever he desires to know he perceives perfectly,
- and at one glance, without any reasoning process.”—(Rev. D. J.
- Gogerly, in the _Ceylon Friend_. Quoted by R. Spence Hardy, in
- _Eastern Monachism_).
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 15]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, in the morning, at noonday, and at eventide,
-sacrificed lives innumerable as the sands of the Ganges, and thus
-without intermission throughout infinite ages; and if another
-disciple, hearing this Scripture proclaimed, steadfastly believed it,
-his felicity would be appreciably greater than the other. But how much
-greater must be the felicity of a disciple who transcribes the sacred
-text, observes its precepts, studies its Laws, and repeats the
-Scripture that others may be edified thereby?”
-
-“Subhuti, the relative importance of this Scripture may thus be
-summarily stated: its truth is infinite; its worth incomparable; and
-its merit interminable.”
-
-“The Lord Buddha delivered this Scripture specifically for those who
-are entered upon the path which leads to Nirvana, and for those who
-are attaining to the ultimate plane of Buddhic thought.[1] If a
-disciple rigorously observes, studies, and widely disseminates the
-knowledge of this Scripture, the Lord Buddha entirely knows and
-perceives that for such an one there will be a cumulative merit,
-immeasurable, incomparable, illimitable, and inconceivable. All such
-disciples will be endowed with transcendent Buddhic wisdom and
-enlightenment.[2] And why? Because, Subhuti, if a disciple takes
-pleasure in a narrow or exclusive form of the Law,[3] he cannot
-receive with gratification[4] the instruction of this Scripture, or
-delight in its study, or fervently explain it to others. Subhuti, in
-whatever place there is a repository for this Scripture, the whole
-realm of spiritual beings ought to adore it; and reverencing it as a
-sacred shrine,[5] ceremoniously surround it, scattering profusely
-sweet-scented flowers, and pure odours of fragrant incense.”[6]
-
- [1] Literally, for the _ta-cheng-che_—those of the great vehicle,
-_i.e._, the Mahayana faith. “They taught (the Mahayana school)
-that there were two methods of salvation, or, so to speak, two
-ways or two vehicles—the great and the little (Maha-Yana and
-Hina-Yana)—and indeed two Bodhis or forms of true knowledge which
-these vehicles had to convey (there was also a middle way). The
-former was for ordinary persons, the latter for beings of larger
-talents and higher spiritual powers.”—_Buddhism_. Sir Monier
-Williams.
-
- “Therefore let one always be thoughtful, and avoid (gross)
- pleasures; having abandoned them, let him cross the stream, after
- baling out the ship, and go to the other shore
- (Nirvana).”—_Dhammapada_. Max Müller.
-
- [2] “All these beings will equally remember the _Bodhi_ (the
- highest Buddhic knowledge), will receive it and understand
- it.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “All men being one with _ho-tan_ (Gautama?) Tathagata, arrive at
- the state of the unsurpassed, just, and enlightened
- (heart).”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- The Chinese phrase “_ho-tan-Ju-Lai_,” may mean to bear upon the
- person evidences of the Lord Buddha. Compare the statement of the
- apostle Paul, “I bear in my body evidences of the Lord Jesus
- Christ.”
-
- [3] Those disciples associated with the _Siao-Fah_ (little Law,
- the Hinayana school of Buddhist thought), are rather ungraciously
- referred to by a Chinese commentator as “rootless stems”; by which
- we are reminded of the Hindoo aphorism, “from the absence of a
- root within the root, all things are rootless.”
-
- [4] When the Lord Buddha delivered the Sutra known as the _Lotus
- of the Good Law_, it is recorded that five thousand followers
- forsook him, owing to what they regarded as a grave difficulty in
- complying with its intensely abstruse doctrines.
-
- [5] “In these two places also Topes (where relics of Buddha are
- deposited and safeguarded) have been built, both adorned with
- layers of all the previous substances (gold, silver, pearls,
- coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal). The kings, ministers, and
- peoples of the kingdoms vie with one another in making offerings
- at them. The trains of those who come to scatter flowers and light
- lamps at them never cease.”—_The Travels of Fa-Hien_. Legge.
-
- This descriptive scene concerning the endless trains of pilgrims
- who lit their lamps at the sacred shrine, may recall to our minds
- the beautifully expressed line in Sophocles’ _Œdipus Coloneus_,
- thus rendered by Professor Jebb, _The torch-lit strand_ of Eleusis.
-
- [6] “Then the king, with his assembled ministers and all the
- priests belonging to the capital (of Kashmir), advanced to the
- preaching hall (_Dharmasala_) and escorted him (the Master of the
- Law) onwards, being altogether something like a thousand men, with
- standards and parasols, with incense and flowers filling the
- roads. When they met (the Master of the Law) they all performed a
- humble salutation, and spread before him countless flowers as
- religious offerings.”—_The Life of Hiuen-Tsang_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 16]
-
-The Lord Buddha, continuing, addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good
-disciple, whether man or woman, devoted to the observance and study of
-this Scripture, is thereby despised, or lightly esteemed,[1] it is
-because that in a previous life there had been committed some grievous
-transgression, followed now by inexorable retribution.[2] But,
-although in this life despised or lightly esteemed, the compensating
-merit thus acquired will cause the transgression of a former life to
-be fully expiated, and the disciple adequately recompensed by the
-attainment of supreme spiritual wisdom.”
-
-“Furthermore, Subhuti, numberless ages ago, I recollect that before
-the advent of Dipankara Buddha, there were myriad Buddhas before whom
-I served and received religious instruction, my conduct being entirely
-blameless and without reproach. But, in the ages to come, if a
-disciple be enabled to rigorously observe and to study the text of
-this Scripture, the merit thus acquired will so far exceed the measure
-of my merit in the service of those myriad Buddhas, that it cannot be
-stated in terms of proportion, nor comprehended by means of any
-‘analogy.’”
-
-“Again, Subhuti, in future ages, if a good disciple, whether man or
-woman, be enabled to rigorously observe and to study consecutively the
-texts of this Scripture, were I to elaborate either the nature or
-extent of this merit, those who heard it might become delirious, or
-entirely doubt its credibility.[3] Subhuti, it is necessary to
-realise, that as the meaning of this Scripture is beyond ordinary
-comprehension, the scope of its fruitful rewards is equally
-incomprehensible.”[4]
-
- [1] “Whoever reviles Buddha or his disciple, be he a wandering
- mendicant, or a householder, let one know him as an
- outcast.”—_Sutta-Nipata_. V. Fausböll.
-
- [2] “Whatever evil deeds these beings have done in a former birth,
- deeds that must lead to suffering, those deeds these beings, owing
- to their being overcome, after they have seen the Law, will
- destroy, and they will obtain the knowledge of Buddha.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “According to the Buddha ... all men must suffer in their own
- persons either in the present life, or in future lives, the
- consequences of their own acts.... The penalty of sin could not be
- transferred to another—it could only be borne by the sinner
- himself, just as the reward of virtue could only be enjoyed by the
- virtuous man himself.”—_Hinduism_. Sir Monier Williams.
-
- [3] Literally, “become as doubtful as a fox.”
-
- [4] “For as the method and entire meaning of this Sutra is not to
- be described or entirely conceived, so the merit and happy
- consequences of accepting it cannot be conceived or
- described.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 17]
-
-Upon that occasion, the venerable Subhuti addressed the Lord Buddha,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! if a good disciple, whether man or
-woman, having desired to attain to supreme spiritual wisdom, what
-immutable Law shall support the mind of that disciple, and bring into
-subjection every inordinate desire?”[1]
-
-The Lord Buddha replied, saying: “A good disciple, whether man or
-woman, ought thus to habituate his mind:[2] ‘I must become oblivious
-to every idea of sentient life; and having become oblivious to every
-idea of sentient life, there is _no one_ to whom the idea of sentient
-life has become oblivious.’[3] And why? Because, Subhuti, if an
-enlightened disciple retains within his mind such arbitrary ideas of
-sentient life as an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality,
-he has not attained to supreme spiritual wisdom. And why? Because,
-Subhuti, there is no Law by means of which a disciple may be defined
-as one having obtained supreme spiritual wisdom.”[4]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? When the
-Lord Buddha was a disciple of Dipankara Buddha, was there bequeathed
-to him any Law whereby he attained to supreme spiritual wisdom?”
-Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! inasmuch as I am
-able to comprehend the meaning of the Lord Buddha’s discourse, when
-the Lord Buddha was a disciple of Dipankara Buddha, there was no Law
-bequeathed to him whereby he attained to supreme spiritual wisdom.”
-
-The Lord Buddha endorsed these words, saying:[5] “Truly there is no
-Law by means of which the Lord Buddha obtained supreme spiritual
-wisdom. Subhuti, if there existed a Law by means of which the Lord
-Buddha obtained supreme spiritual wisdom, Dipankara Buddha would not
-have foretold at my initiation, ‘In future ages[6] thou shalt become
-Sakyamuni Buddha.’ But, in reality, there is no Law by means of which
-supreme spiritual wisdom can be obtained. Therefore, at my initiation,
-Dipankara Buddha foretold concerning me, ‘In future ages, thou shalt
-become Sakyamuni Buddha.’ And why? Because, in the word _Buddha_.[7]
-every Law is summarily and intelligibly comprehended.” “If a disciple
-affirmed that the Lord Buddha attained to supreme spiritual wisdom, it
-is necessary to state that there is no Law whereby this condition of
-mind can be realised. The supreme spiritual wisdom to which the Lord
-Buddha attained, cannot, in its essence, be defined as real or unreal.
-Thus, the Lord Buddha declared that the ordinarily accepted term, ‘the
-Buddhic Law,’ is synonymous with every moral and spiritual Law.
-Subhuti, what are ordinarily declared to be ‘systems of Law,’ are not
-in reality ‘systems of Law,’ they are merely termed ‘systems of Law.’”
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “Can you imagine a man
-having a great physical body?” Subhuti replied, saying: “The Lord
-Buddha, discoursing upon the proportions of a physical body, did not
-maintain for these any _real_ greatness, therefore it is merely termed
-‘a great body.”’
-
-The Lord Buddha, thereupon, addressed Subhuti, saying: “Thus it is
-with an enlightened disciple: if he were to expatiate after this
-manner, ‘I must become oblivious to every idea of sentient life,’[8]
-he could not be described as fully enlightened. And why? Because,
-there is no Law whereby a disciple can be approved as ‘fully
-enlightened.’[9] Therefore, the Lord Buddha declared that within the
-realm of spiritual Law, there is neither an entity, a being, a living
-being, nor a personality.”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If an enlightened disciple
-were to speak in this wise, ‘I shall create numerous Buddhist
-kingdoms,’ he could not be designated ‘fully enlightened.’ And why?
-Because, the Lord Buddha, discoursing upon ‘creating numerous Buddhist
-kingdoms,’ did not affirm the idea of creating numerous ‘material’
-Buddhist kingdoms, hence the ‘creation of numerous Buddhist kingdoms’
-is merely a figure of speech. Subhuti, the Lord Buddha declared that a
-disciple may be regarded as ‘truly enlightened,’ whose mind is
-thoroughly imbued with the Law of non-individuality.”[10]
-
- [1] “Let a man restraining all these remain in devotion.... For
- he, whose senses are under his control, possesses spiritual
- knowledge. Attachments to objects of sense arise in a man who
- meditates upon them; from attachment arises desire; from desire
- passion springs up; from passion comes bewilderment; from
- bewilderment, confusion of the memory; from confusion of the
- memory, destruction of the intellect; from destruction of the
- intellect, he perishes.”—_Bhagavad-Gita_. J. Cockburn Thomson.
-
- [2] “He should thus frame his thought: all things must be
- delivered by me in the perfect world of Nirvana.... And why?
- Because, O Subhuti, there is no such thing as one who has entered
- on the path of the Bodhisattva.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [3] “Such scenes as the following, illustrating the beliefs of the
- time and the locality, would not seldom occur. A wayfarer in the
- country of the Getæ (Jats) (Afghanistan) knocks at the door of a
- Brahman family. A young man within answers: ‘There is No One in
- this house.’ The traveller was too well taught in Buddhism not to
- know the meaning of this philosophical nihilism, and at once
- answered, ‘Who is No One?’ The young man, when he heard this, felt
- that he was understood. A kindred spirit was outside. Hurriedly he
- opened the door, and invited the stranger to enter. The visitor
- was the patriarch of the time (seventeenth), with staff and rice
- bowl, travelling to teach and make new disciples.”—_Chinese
- Buddhism_. Edkins.
-
- [4] Most writers on the Buddhist faith and religion have occasion
- to refer to the series of events which culminated in the Lord
- Buddha obtaining “supreme enlightenment.” The founder of the
- Buddhist faith, dissatisfied with the practice of asceticism, and
- disappointed by his unfaithful disciples, walked meditatively
- towards the river Nairanjara, where Sujata, “the daughter of a
- neighbouring villager,” provided him with his morning meal.
- Seating himself under a sacred Bo-Tree, immediately he became
- engaged in the severest of mental conflicts. The Buddhist authors
- describe their Master as sitting “sublime,” “calm,” and “serene”
- throughout the sustained assault of a “visible” and wicked
- tempter, assisted by legions of evil spirits. So unrelenting was
- the fierce encounter, that the forces of nature shook and were
- convulsed under the dreadful onslaught. As the day advanced, the
- spiritual elements in Buddha’s nature gradually gained the
- ascendency; and when he became “fully enlightened,” there was
- revealed to him an antidote for human woe. The mind of the Lord
- Buddha thereafter assumed an aspect of perfect peace; “and in _the
- power over the human heart of inward culture, and of love to
- others_,” the great Teacher discovered a foundation of Truth,
- where, with assurance of faith, he could securely rest. As Milton
- regarded “Paradise” to be “regained” in the wilderness, and not on
- Calvary; in like manner the Buddhist poets indicate a belief that
- the experience of their Master under the Bo-Tree was the most
- eventful in his history. That is the reason they regard the
- Bo-Tree with a reverence resembling the Christian veneration of
- the Cross. (Compare Davids’ _Buddhism_.)
-
- [5] Buddha said: “Right! Right! Subhuti, there is in truth no
- fixed Law (by which) Tathagata attained this condition. Subhuti,
- if there had been such a Law, then Dipankara Buddha would not have
- said in delivering the prediction concerning me: ‘you in after
- ages must attain to the state of Buddha, and your name shall be
- Sakyamuni,’ so that because there is indeed no fixed Law for
- attaining the condition of ‘the perfect heart,’ on that account it
- was Dipankara Buddha delivered his prediction in such
- words.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [6] “To the pious Buddhist it is a constant source of joy and
- gratitude that ‘the Buddha,’ not only then, but in many former
- births, when emancipation from all the cares and troubles of life
- was already within his reach, should again and again, in mere love
- for man, have condescended to enter the world, and live amidst the
- sorrows inseparable from finite existence.”—_Buddhism_. T. W. Rhys
- Davids.
-
- [7] “And why, O Subhuti, the name of Tathagata? It expresses ‘true
- suchness.’ And why Tathagata, O Subhuti? It expresses that ‘he had
- no origin.’ And why Tathagata, O Subhuti? It expresses ‘the
- destruction of all qualities.’ And why Tathagata, O Subhuti? It
- expresses ‘one who has no origin whatever.’ And why this? Because,
- O Subhuti, ‘no origin is the highest goal.’”—_The Vagrakkhedika_.
- Max Müller.
-
- The familiar word Buddha, seems to convey to devout Buddhist
- minds, a meaning consonant with the ethical idea of Love, as
- understood generally by the followers of Christ. Within it are
- potential spiritual elements, which, according to their judgment,
- perfectly fulfil the Law. The Chinese text, _Ju-Lai-che,
- chi-chu-fah-ru-i_, may bear the following interpretation, _Buddha
- is the One in whom all Laws become intelligible_. With this
- particular definition before us, and bearing in mind the general
- substance of the Mahayana faith, we may perhaps appreciate the
- sense in which the distinguished missionary, Dr Richard of
- Shanghai, ventured to render the Chinese term _Ju-Lai_ (Buddha),
- in a translation of Asvaghocha’s _The Awakening of Faith_, by the
- English synonym God. Few Christians would controvert the statement
- _that God, is the One in whom all Laws become intelligible!_
-
- [8] “And if a Bodhisattva were to say: ‘I shall deliver all
- beings,’ he ought not to be called a Bodhisattva. And why? Is
- there anything, O Subhuti, that is called a Bodhisattva? Subhuti
- said: ‘Not indeed!’ Bhagavat said: ‘Those who were spoken of as
- beings, beings indeed, O Subhuti, they were spoken of as no beings
- by the Tathagata, and, therefore, they are called beings.
- Therefore Tathagata says: “All beings are without self, all beings
- are without life, without manhood, without personality.”’”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Subhuti, so it is with the Bodhisatwa, if he should say: ‘I ought
- to destroy all recollection of the countless kinds of creatures,’
- this Bodhisatwa would not be really one, but only a nominal
- one.... Hence Buddha says that all things ought to be without any
- individual distinction.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [9] “The fountain of knowledge is the pure, bright,
- self-enlightening mind.”—_Twan-Tsi-Sin-Yao_ (_Tang Dynasty_).
- Compare Edkins’ _Chinese Buddhism_.
-
- [10] “A Bodhisattva, O Subhuti, who believes that all things are
- without self, he has faith, he is called a noble-minded
- Bodhisattva by the holy and fully enlightened Tathagata.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- In the _Mo-Wei-Sutra_, the ordinary concepts of an entity, a
- being, a living being, or a personality, are referred to as
- _blots_ or _stains_ upon the mind.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 18]
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the physical eye?” Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the physical
-eye.”
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the divine or spiritual eye?” Subhuti assented,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the
-divine or spiritual eye.”
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the eye of wisdom?” Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the eye of
-wisdom.”
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the eye of truth?”[1] Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the eye of
-truth.”
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the Buddhic eye?” Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the Buddhic
-eye.”[2]
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you?
-Concerning the sands of the Ganges, did the Lord Buddha declare that
-these were grains of sand?” Subhuti assenting, said: “Honoured of the
-Worlds! the Lord Buddha declared that these were grains of sand.”
-
-The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? If there
-were as many rivers Ganges as there are grains of sand in the Ganges,
-and if there were as many Buddhist worlds as the grains of sand in
-those innumerable rivers, would these Buddhist worlds be numerous?”
-Subhuti replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! these Buddhist
-worlds would be very numerous.”
-
-The Lord Buddha, continuing, addressed Subhuti, saying: “Within these
-innumerable worlds, every form of sentient life, with their various
-mental dispositions, are entirely known to the Lord Buddha.[3] And
-why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred to as their ‘various
-mental dispositions,’ are not in reality their ‘various mental
-dispositions,’ these are merely termed their ‘various mental
-dispositions.’ And why? Because, Subhuti, dispositions of mind, or
-modes of thought, whether relating to the past, the present, or the
-future, are alike unreal and illusory.”
-
- [1] The Chinese _Fah-Yen_—literally, Eye of the Law.
-
- “The second of the three great treasures is called _Dhamma_, or in
- Singhalese, _Dharmma_. This word has various meanings, but is here
- to be understood in the sense of Truth. It is not unfrequently
- translated ‘the Law,’ but this interpretation gives an idea
- contrary to the entire genius of Buddhism. The _Dharmma_ is
- therefore emphatically the Truth.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence
- Hardy.
-
- [2] “Supernatural talents, which the founder of Buddhism,
- Sakyamuni, is believed to have acquired in the night before he
- became Buddha, and which every Arhat takes possession of by means
- of the fourth degree of _Dhyana_ (abstract contemplation). Most
- Chinese texts reckon six such talents, while the Singhalese know
- only five. Sometimes, however, only five are mentioned.”—_Handbook
- of Chinese Buddhism_. Eitel.
-
- The physical eye has an ordinary local function. The divine or
- spiritual eye has a universal function. The eye of wisdom is
- affiliated with the Law, and attests its immutability. The eye of
- truth is exegetical and synthetical. The Buddhic eye is the
- instrument of salvation.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
- [3] “Bhagavat said, as many beings as there would be in all those
- worlds, I know the manifold trains of thought of them all. And
- why? Because, what was preached as the trains of thought, the
- trains of thought indeed, O Subhuti, that was preached by
- Tathagata as no train of thoughts, and therefore it is called the
- train of thoughts. And why? Because, O Subhuti, a past thought is
- not perceived, a future thought is not perceived,, and the present
- thought is not perceived.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Gautama himself was very early regarded as omniscient, and
- absolutely sinless. His perfect wisdom is declared by the ancient
- epithet of Samma-Sambuddha, ‘the completely enlightened one,’
- found at the commencement of every Pali text; and at the present
- day in Ceylon, the usual way in which Gautama is styled is
- _Sarwajnan-Wahanse_, ‘the venerable omniscient one.’ From his
- perfect wisdom, according to Buddhist belief, his sinlessness
- would follow as a matter of course.”—_Buddhism_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 19]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? If a
-disciple, having obtained all the treasures of this universe,[1] were
-to bestow these in the exercise of charity, would such a disciple
-consequently enjoy a considerable merit?” Subhuti assenting, said:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! such a disciple would consequently enjoy a
-very considerable merit.”[2]
-
-The Lord Buddha thereupon addressed Subhuti, saying: “If there were
-any real or permanent quality in merit, the Lord Buddha would not have
-spoken of such merit as ‘considerable.’ It is because there is neither
-a tangible nor material quality in merit, that the Lord Buddha
-referred to the merit of that disciple as ‘considerable.’”
-
- [1] The seven treasures—gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian,
- glass, and crystal.
-
- [2] “Because, what was preached as a stock of merit, a stock of
- merit indeed, O Subhuti, that was preached as no stock of merit by
- the Tathagata, and therefore it is called a stock of merit. If, O
- Subhuti, there existed a stock of merit, Tathagata would not have
- preached a stock of merit, a stock of merit indeed!”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- Within the meaning of the Buddhic Law, charity is purely a
- spiritual concept; and merit consequent upon fulfilling the Law of
- charity, must have a purely spiritual realisation. This is the
- sense in which the Lord Buddha referred to merit as
- “considerable.”—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 20]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Can the
-Lord Buddha be perceived by means of his perfect material body?”[1]
-Subhuti replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! it is improbable
-that the Lord Buddha can be perceived by means of his perfect material
-body. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred to as a ‘perfect
-material body,’ is not in reality a ‘perfect material body,’ it is
-merely termed a ‘perfect material body.’”
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Can the
-Lord Buddha be perceived by means of any physical phenomena?”[2]
-Subhuti replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! it is improbable
-that the Lord Buddha can be perceived by means of any physical
-phenomena. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred to as
-‘physical phenomena,’ are not in reality ‘physical phenomena,’ these
-are merely termed ‘physical phenomena.’”
-
- [1] “The first of the Buddha’s bodies is the _Dharma-Kaya_ (body
- of the Law), supposed to be a kind of ethereal essence of a highly
- sublimated nature and co-extensive with space. This essence was
- believed to be eternal, and after the Buddha’s death, was
- represented by the Law or doctrine (_Dharma_) he taught.”
-
- “The second body is the _Sambhoga-Kaya_, ‘body of conscious
- bliss,’ which is of a less ethereal and more material nature than
- the last. Its Brahmanical analogue appears to be the intermediate
- body (belonging to departed spirits) called _Bhoga-Deha_, which is
- of an ethereal character, though composed of sufficiently gross
- (Sthula) material particles to be capable of experiencing
- happiness or misery.”
-
- “The third body is the _Nirmana-Kaya_, ‘body of visible shapes and
- transformations,’ that is to say, those various concrete material
- forms in which every Buddha who exists as an invisible and eternal
- essence, is manifested on the earth or elsewhere for the
- propagation of the true doctrine.”—_Buddhism_. Sir Monier Williams.
-
- [2] “What think you then, O Subhuti, is a Tathagata to be seen
- (known) by the shape of his visible body? Subhuti said, not
- indeed, a Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the shape of his
- visible body. And why? Because, what was preached as the shape of
- the visible body, the shape of the visible body indeed, that was
- preached by Tathagata as no-shape of the visible body, and
- therefore it is called the shape of the visible body.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- Herein is exemplification of the surpassing excellence of
- spiritual phenomena: although outwardly possessed of the
- thirty-two primal signs of a Buddha, there were also the essential
- evidences of those marvellous spiritual perfections which
- constitute the _real_ Buddha.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 21]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “Do not affirm that the
-Lord Buddha thinks thus within himself, ‘I ought to promulgate a
-system of Law or doctrine.’ Have no such irrelevant thought! And why?
-Because, if a disciple affirmed that the Lord Buddha promulgated a
-system of Law or doctrine, he would defame the Lord Buddha, being
-manifestly unable to understand the purport of my instruction.
-Subhuti, regarding the promulgation of a ‘system of Law or doctrine,’
-there is in reality no ‘system of Law or doctrine’ to promulgate, it
-is merely termed a ‘system of Law or doctrine.’”[1]
-
-Upon that occasion, the virtuous and venerable Subhuti enquired of the
-Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! in ages to come, will
-sentient beings destined to hear this Law,[2] engender within their
-minds the essential elements of faith?” The Lord Buddha replied,
-saying: “Subhuti, it cannot be asserted that these are sentient
-beings, or that these are not sentient beings. And why? Because,
-Subhuti, regarding ‘sentient beings,’ the Lord Buddha declared that in
-reality these are not ‘sentient beings,’ they are merely termed
-‘sentient beings.’” [3]
-
- [1] “Bhagavat said: What do you think, O Subhuti, does Tathagata
- think in this wise: the Law has been taught by me? Subhuti said:
- Not indeed, O Bhagavat, does the Tathagata think in this wise: the
- Law has been taught by me. Bhagavat said: If a man should say that
- the Law has been taught by the Tathagata, he would say what is not
- true; he would slander me with untruth which he has learned. And
- why? Because, O Subhuti, it is said the teaching of the Law, the
- teaching of the Law indeed, O Subhuti, there is nothing that can
- be perceived by the name of the teaching of the Law.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- Eminent wisdom possesses the natural beauty of a pellucid stream,
- flowing swiftly between rugged mountain crags; but a mind at rest
- from ‘systems of Law or doctrine,’ is reminiscent of the
- loveliness of a waterfall, frozen into shining icicles, and
- resplendent in the light of the moon.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
- [2] “He is the best of all guides of men, no other being is like
- unto him; he is like a jewel, of imperishable glory, who hears
- this Law with a pure heart.”—_The Buddha-Karita_. E. B. Cowell.
-
- [3] “Bhagavat said: These, O Subhuti, are neither beings nor
- no-beings. And why? Because, O Subhuti, those who were preached as
- beings, beings indeed, they were preached as no-beings by the
- Tathagata, and therefore they are called beings.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- Although these are ordinarily referred to as sentient beings,
- there are spiritual elements in their real natures, which place
- them in a category only imperfectly described by the term
- “sentient beings”; but possessing also evident material qualities,
- it might be an error to assert that these are not “sentient
- beings”; hence the declaration of the Lord Buddha, “they are
- merely termed sentient beings.”—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 22]
-
-Subhuti enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds!
-did the Lord Buddha, in attaining to supreme spiritual wisdom, obtain
-nothing of a real or tangible nature?” The Lord Buddha replied,
-saying: “In attaining to supreme spiritual wisdom, not a vestige of
-Law or doctrine was obtained,[1] and therefore it is termed ‘supreme
-spiritual wisdom.’”
-
- [1]“To affirm the existence of anything real or tangible in the
- nature of the Law, would be tantamount to being firmly bound by
- the Law; but to affirm that ‘not even the vestige of Law or
- doctrine was obtained,’ is the equivalent of being absolutely free
- from the Law.”—_Yen-Ping_ (a Chinese monk).
-
- “Buddha said: ‘True, true, Subhuti! I, as possessed of this heart,
- have come into the condition above described. This term the
- unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart, is but a mere
- name.’”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 23]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “This Law is coherent and
-indivisible,[1] it is neither ‘above’ nor ‘below,’[2] therefore it is
-termed ‘supreme spiritual wisdom.’ It excludes such arbitrary ideas as
-an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality; but includes
-every Law pertaining to the cultivation of goodness.[3] Subhuti, what
-were referred to as ‘Laws pertaining to goodness,’ these the Lord
-Buddha declared are not in reality ‘Laws pertaining to goodness,’ they
-are merely termed ‘Laws pertaining to goodness.’”[4]
-
-[1] The Abbé Dubois in his valuable book, _Hindu Manners, Customs,
-and Ceremonies_, carefully observes that amongst the attributes
-which the Jains ascribe to the Supreme Being, the first is that He
-is “one” and “indivisible”; and this observation of the learned
-Abbé becomes quite illuminating, when we remember the intimate
-relationship which has existed between the Jains and the Law of
-Buddha.
-
- [2] “Within it first arose desire, the primal germ of mind,
- Which nothing with existence links, as sages searching find.
- The cord, transversely stretched, that spanned this universal
- frame,
- Was it beneath? was it above? can any sage proclaim?”
-
- “Progress of the Vedic religion towards abstract conceptions of
- the Deity.” J. Muir (_Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society_).
-
- [3] “Free from self, free from life, free from personality, that
- highest perfect knowledge is always the same, and thus known with
- all good things. And why? Because, what was preached as good
- things, good things, indeed, O Subhuti, they were preached by the
- Tathagata as no-things, and therefore are they called good
- things.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “This condition which is named the unsurpassed, just, and
- enlightened (heart), consists in nothing more than the exclusion
- of all individual distinctions. A man who practices all the rules
- of virtuous conduct will forthwith attain this condition. But,
- Subhuti, when we speak of rules of virtuous conduct, Tathagata
- declares that these rules are after all no real and lasting rules;
- the term is but a mere name,”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [4] The six Paramita—charity, morality, endurance, energy,
- contemplation, wisdom, comprehended under the term “Laws
- pertaining to goodness,” merely constitute an open door by means
- of which disciples are ushered into the presence of
- truth.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 24]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If within this universe of
-universes, the seven treasures[1] were heaped together, forming as
-many great elevations as there are Sumerus, prince of mountains, and
-these treasures bestowed entirely in the exercise of charity; and if a
-disciple were to select a stanza of this Scripture, rigorously observe
-it, and diligently explain it to others, the merit[2] thus obtained
-would so far exceed the former excellence, that it cannot be stated in
-terms of proportion, nor comprehended by any analogy.”[3]
-
- [1] Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.
-
- [2] “And whosoever in days when the good Law is abolished, abandons
- love for his own body and life, and proclaims day and night these
- good words—pre-eminent is his merit from this.”
-
- “He obtains a glorious and endless splendour who teaches even one
- word thereof; he will not miss one consonant nor the meaning who
- gives this Sutra to others.”
-
- “Therefore let those who are endowed with lofty ambitions, always
- hear this Law which causes transcendent merit; let them hear it
- and gladly welcome it and lay it up in their minds and continually
- worship the three jewels (the Buddha, the Law, and the assembly of
- monks) with faith.”—_Buddha-Karita_. E. B. Cowell.
-
- [3] “I declare that his happiness and consequent merit would be
- incomparably greater than that of the other, so much so, that no
- number could express the excess of one over the
- other.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 25]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? You
-disciples, do not affirm that the Lord Buddha reflects thus within
-himself, ‘I bring salvation to every living being.’ Subhuti, entertain
-no such delusive thought! And why? Because, in reality there are no
-living beings to whom the Lord Buddha can bring salvation.[1] If there
-were living beings to whom the Lord Buddha could bring salvation, the
-Lord Buddha would necessarily assume the reality of such arbitrary
-concepts as an entity, a being, a living being, and a personality.
-Subhuti, what the Lord Buddha adverted to as an entity, is not in
-reality an entity; it is only understood to be an entity, and believed
-in as such, by the common, uneducated people. Subhuti, what are
-ordinarily referred to as the ‘common, uneducated people,’ these the
-Lord Buddha declared to be not merely ‘common, uneducated people.’”[2]
-
- [1] As the primordial human mind is void and quiescent, so also is
- the wisdom of this Sutra full and overflowing. Therefore, hearing
- the text of this Sutra expounded, and meditating upon its truth,
- there are formed spontaneously within the minds of those living
- beings, all the essential elements of salvation. As these mature
- and develop into a Law of spiritual liberty, the Lord Buddha
- obviously relinquishes every duty consonant with the idea of a
- delegated Saviour.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
- “What do you think then, O Subhuti, does a Tathagata think in this
- wise: beings have been delivered by me? You should not think so.
- And why? Because, there is no being that has been delivered by the
- Tathagata. And if there were a being, O Subhuti, that had been
- delivered by the Tathagata, then Tathagata would believe in a
- self, a being, a living being, and a person. And what is called a
- belief in self, O Subhuti, that is preached as a no-belief by the
- Tathagata. And this is learned by children and ignorant persons,
- and they who were preached as children and ignorant persons, O
- Subhuti, were preached as no-persons by the Tathagata, and
- therefore they are called children and ignorant persons.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [2] “Difference there is in beings endowed with bodies, but
- amongst men this is not the case, the difference amongst men is
- nominal only.”—_Dhammapada_. Max Müller.
-
- “Worldly profit is fleeting and perishable, religious (holy) profit
- is eternal and inexhaustible; a man though a king is full of
- trouble, a common man who is holy, has everlasting
- rest.”—_Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 26]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “Can the Lord Buddha be
-perceived by means of his thirty-two bodily distinctions?”[1] Subhuti
-replied, saying: “Even so,[2] the Lord Buddha can be perceived by
-means of his thirty-two bodily distinctions.”
-
-The Lord Buddha, continuing, said unto Subhuti: “If by means of his
-thirty-two bodily distinctions it were possible to perceive the Lord
-Buddha, then the Lord Buddha would merely resemble one of the great
-wheel-turning kings.”[3]
-
-Subhuti thereupon addressed the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the
-Worlds! According as I am able to interpret the Lord Buddha’s
-instruction, it is improbable that the Lord Buddha may be perceived by
-means of his thirty-two bodily distinctions.”
-
-Thereafter, the “Honoured of the Worlds” delivered this sublime Gatha:
-
- “I am not to be perceived by means of any visible form,
- Nor sought after by means of any audible sound;
- Whosoever walks in the way of iniquity,
- Cannot perceive the blessedness of the Lord Buddha.”[4]
-
- [1] “This probably refers to the auspicious signs discovered in
- Sakyamuni at his birth, which left it open whether he would become
- a king or a Buddha.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [2] Subhuti failed to apprehend the idea
- as expressed by the Lord Buddha, and
- inadvertently replied, saying: “Even so, Even
- so.”—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
- [3] “The portends troubled, till his dream readers
- Augured a prince of earthly dominance,
- A Chakravartin, such as rise to rule
- Once in a thousand years.”—_The
- Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold.
-
- “A king who rules the world, and causes the wheel of doctrine
- everywhere to revolve. The great Asoka (King of Central India, who
- reigned near Patna, about 150–200 years after the demise of
- Buddha) was a ‘wheel king.’ The word is Chakravarti in Sanscrit,
- from Chakra ‘wheel,’ the symbol of activity, whether of Buddha in
- preaching, or of kings like Asoka in ruling.”—_Chinese Buddhism_.
- Edkins.
-
- “Those of the Bikkhus who carry in their hearts the words of
- excellent knowledge that is immeasurable, who are free from bonds,
- whose fame and power and glory no man can weigh, who (in imitation
- of their master) keep the royal chariot wheel of the kingdom of
- righteousness rolling on, who have reached perfection in
- knowledge.”—_Questions of King Milinda_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
- [4] The following Gatha, translated by Max Müller, and concluding
- the twenty-sixth section of _The Vagrakkhedika_, is not
- incorporated in the Chinese text.
-
- “A Buddha is to be seen (known) from the Law;
- For the Lords (Buddha) have the Law-Body;
- And the nature of the Law cannot be understood,
- Nor can it be made to be understood.”
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 27]
-
-The Lord Buddha said unto Subhuti: “If you think thus within yourself
-‘The Lord Buddha did not, by means of his perfect bodily distinctions,
-obtain supreme spiritual wisdom,’ Subhuti, have no such deceptive
-thought! Or if you think thus within yourself, ‘In obtaining supreme
-spiritual wisdom, the Lord Buddha declared the abrogation of every
-Law,’ Subhuti, have no such delusive thought! And why? Because, those
-disciples who obtain supreme spiritual wisdom, neither affirm the
-abrogation of any Law, nor the destruction of any distinctive quality
-of phenomena.”[1]
-
-
- [1] “What do you think then, O Subhuti, has the highest perfect
- knowledge been known by the Tathagata by the possession of signs?
- You should not think so, O Subhuti. And why? Because, the highest
- perfect knowledge will not be known by the Tathagata through the
- possession of signs. Nor should anybody, O Subhuti, say to you
- that the destruction or annihilation of anything is proclaimed by
- those who have entered on the path of the Bodhisattvas.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Subhuti, if you should think thus, ‘Tathagata, by means of his
- personal distinctions has attained to the unsurpassable
- condition,’ you would be wrong.... But, Subhuti, do not come to
- such an opinion as this, viz., ‘that what is called the
- unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart is nothing more than the
- mere neglect and destruction of all rules and conditions.’ Think
- not so, for why? the exhibition of this perfect and unsurpassed
- heart is not the consequence of having disregarded and destroyed
- all rules, in the active discharge of duty.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- Concerning the phenomena of Law, if these were abrogated and
- entirely discarded, where would the mind receive its guiding
- light, or the human spirit its power of discernment? To attempt a
- process of reasoning apart from such necessary postulates as the
- distinctive qualities of Law and phenomena, would prove to be as
- futile as an effort to cross a river without a raft, and would
- inevitably end in oblivion.—_Chinese Annotation_.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 28]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If an enlightened
-disciple, in the exercise of charity, bestowed as considerable an
-amount of the seven treasures as might fill worlds numerous as the
-sands of the Ganges; and if a disciple, realising that within the
-meaning and purport of the Law, there is no abstract individual
-existence,[1] perfects himself in the virtue of endurance, this latter
-disciple will have a cumulative merit, relatively greater than the
-other. And why? Because, enlightened disciples are entirely unaffected
-by considerations of ‘reward or merit.’”
-
-Subhuti thereupon enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of
-the Worlds! in what respect are enlightened disciples unaffected by
-considerations of ‘reward or merit’?” The Lord Buddha replied, saying:
-“Enlightened disciples do not aspire, in a spirit of covetousness, to
-rewards commensurate with their merit; therefore, I declare that they
-are entirely unaffected by considerations of ‘reward or merit.’”[2]
-
- [1] “And if a Bodhisattva acquired endurance in selfless and
- uncreated things, then he would enjoy a larger stock of merit,
- immeasurable and innumerable.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Nothing in this world is single,
- All things by a law divine
- In one another’s being mingle.”—Shelley.
-
- [2] “Subhuti asked Buddha: World-honoured One! what is this you
- say, that Bodhisatwas cannot be said to appreciate reward?
- ‘Subhuti, the reward which a Bodhisatwa enjoys ought to be
- connected with no covetous desire; this is what I mean by
- non-appreciation of reward.’”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- This passage, concluding the twenty-eighth section of _The Diamond
- Sutra_, not being incorporated in the translation of _The
- Vagrakkhedika_ by Max Müller, may be suggestive of a noteworthy
- interpolation in the Chinese text, or is it a probable lacuna in
- the Sanscrit MSS.?
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 29]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a disciple asserts that
-the Lord Buddha comes or goes, sits or reclines, obviously he has not
-understood the meaning of my discourse. And why? Because, the idea
-‘Buddha’ implies neither coming from anywhere, nor going to anywhere,
-and hence the synonym ‘Buddha!’”[1]
-
- [1] “And why? Because the word Tathagata means one who does not go
- to anywhere, and does not come from anywhere, and therefore he is
- called the Tathagata (truly come), holy and fully
- enlightened.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “That which is Tathagata has no where whence to come, and no where
- whither he can go, and is therefore named
- Tathagata.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- In the heavens above, we cannot discern a place whence he came,
- nor whither he may return. In his holy, immaculate, and
- marvellously endowed body, were manifested plenary spiritual
- powers.—_Hua-Yen-Sutra_.
-
- Like drifting clouds, like the waning moon, like ships that sail
- the ocean, like shores that are washed away—these are symbolic of
- endless change. But the blessed Buddha, in his essential, absolute
- nature, is changeless and everlasting.—_Yuen-Chioh-Sutra_.
-
- “If the pool be of pure water, the shining moon is reflected upon
- its limpid surface; and yet we cannot affirm that the moon really
- came from anywhere, or that it is actually in the pool. If the
- pool be disturbed and the dense mud raised, immediately the bright
- reflection becomes obscured; and yet we dare not affirm that the
- moon has really gone to anywhere, or that it has actually departed
- from the pool. It is entirely a question of the purity or impurity
- of the water, and has no reasonable affinity with theories
- concerning the existence or non-existence of the moon. So, also,
- with the true concept of Buddha; only those whose minds are
- immaculate in their pristine purity, can ever realise his
- transcendent blessedness.”—_Chang-Shui_ (a Chinese monk).
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 30]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, were to take infinite worlds and ‘reduce’ them
-to minute particles of dust; what think you, would the aggregate of
-all those particles of dust be great?” Subhuti replied, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the aggregate of all those particles of dust
-would be exceedingly great. And why? Because, if all those were in
-reality ‘minute particles of dust,’ the Lord Buddha would not have
-declared them to be ‘minute particles of dust.’ And why? Because, the
-Lord Buddha, discoursing upon ‘minute particles of dust,’ declared
-that in reality those are not ‘minute particles of dust,’ they are
-merely termed ‘minute particles of dust.’”[1]
-
-Subhuti continuing, addressed the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of
-the Worlds! what the Lord Buddha discoursed upon as ‘infinite worlds,’
-these are not in reality ‘infinite worlds,’ they are merely termed
-‘infinite worlds.’ And why? Because, if these were in reality
-‘infinite worlds,’ there would of necessity be unity and eternity of
-matter. But the Lord Buddha, discoursing upon the ‘unity and eternity
-of matter,’ declared that there is neither ‘unity’ nor ‘eternity of
-matter,’ therefore it is merely termed ‘unity and eternity of matter.’”
-
-The Lord Buddha thereupon declared unto Subhuti, “Belief in the unity
-or eternity of matter is incomprehensible;[2] and only common,
-worldly-minded people, for purely materialistic reasons, covet this
-hypothesis.”
-
- [1] These minute particles of dust, like the great worlds which
- are composed of them, are deceptive forms of natural phenomena,
- equally unreal and evanescent. The minute particles which we
- observe floating in space, are carried hither and thither by
- atmospheric currents, and eventually pass into regions beyond our
- cognisance. So, also, with the immense worlds revolving in space;
- their ever-recurring phenomena of light and darkness, heat and
- cold, changing seasons, transient scenes of mountain and valley,
- river and plain. These things indicate that all are ephemeral, and
- entirely subject to irrevocable laws of change and decay.—_Chinese
- Annotation_.
-
- “Because, what was preached as a mass of many atoms by the
- Tathagata, that was preached as no-mass of atoms by the Tathagata,
- and therefore it is called ‘a mass of many atoms.’”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “What then, if Buddha speaks of all these particles, then they are
- not really what they are called, it is but a mere name,
- World-Honoured One!”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- [2] “Bhagavat said, and a belief in matter itself, O Subhuti, is
- inestimable and inexpressible; it is neither a thing nor a
- no-thing, and this is known by children and ignorant
- persons.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Annihilation of matter is inconceivable, but annihilation of all
- its forms and qualities is conceivable.” _The World as Idea and
- Will_. Schopenhauer.
-
- If the worlds were real and permanent, they would always retain
- their original forms and primordial natures, and be subject
- neither to the influence of time nor the Law of change.—_Chinese
- Annotation_.
-
- “Subhuti, this characteristic of the one ‘harmonious principle,’
- is a thing which cannot be spoken of in words; it is only the vain
- philosophy of the world, which has grasped the idea of explaining
- this.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
- This noteworthy statement seems to militate against some opinions
- expressed in Europe regarding the Buddhist theory of “matter.”
- According to our Chinese text, it does not appear that Sakyamuni
- Buddha categorically denied the “presence” or “existence” of
- matter in the universe, but endeavoured rather to indicate the
- diversified and evanescent nature of its “forms” and “qualities.”
- Many devout Buddhists regard even the smallest particle of dust as
- containing a mysterious and elusive element—probably what we are
- disposed to term “a spiritual element,” or “principle of life”—and
- these are not unreasonably regarded as being altogether
- inscrutable, and therefore “incomprehensible.”
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 31]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a disciple affirmed
-that the Lord Buddha enunciated a belief[1] that the mind can
-comprehend the idea of an entity, a being, a living being, or a
-personality; what think you, Subhuti, would that disciple be
-interpreting aright the meaning of my discourse?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! that disciple would not be
-interpreting aright the meaning of the Lord Buddha’s discourse. And
-why? Because, Honoured of the Worlds! discoursing upon comprehending
-such ideas as an entity, a being, a living being, and a personality,
-it was declared that these are entirely unreal and illusive, and
-therefore they are merely termed an entity, a being, a living being,
-and a personality.”
-
-The Lord Buddha thereafter addressed Subhuti, saying:[2] “Those who
-aspire to the attainment of supreme spiritual wisdom ought thus to
-know, believe in, and interpret phenomena. They ought to eliminate
-from their minds every tangible evidence of every visible object.
-Subhuti, concerning ‘visible objects,’ the Lord Buddha declared that
-these are not really ‘visible objects’ they are merely termed ‘visible
-objects.’”
-
- [1] “Because, O Subhuti, if a man were to say that belief in self,
- belief in a being, belief in life, belief in personality, had been
- preached by the Tathagata, would he be speaking truly? Subhuti
- said, not indeed, Bhagavat, he would not be speaking truly. And
- why? Because, what was preached by the Tathagata as a belief in
- self, that was preached as no-belief, therefore it is called
- belief in self.”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- In these words are exemplified another profound aspect of Buddhist
- doctrine. Apart from interesting questions concerning the
- existence of an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality,
- another problem seems to arise regarding our ability to entirely
- perceive or “comprehend” those admitted abstract ideas. If we
- interpret aright the Buddhist doctrine, there are variously
- compounded within those abstract ideas, so many elusive spiritual
- elements, that the human mind is incapable of resolving them by
- any process of reasoning. In short—an entity, a being, a living
- being, or a personality, represents to the Buddhist mind, much
- more than it attempts to express in terms of philosophy.
-
- [2] “Thus then, O Subhuti, are all things to be perceived, to be
- looked upon, and to be believed by one who has entered upon the
- path of the Bodhisattvas. And in this wise are they to be
- perceived, to be looked upon, and to be believed, neither in the
- idea of a thing, nor in the idea of a no-thing? And why? Because
- by saying: the idea of a thing, the idea of a thing indeed, it has
- been preached by the Tathagata as the no-idea of a thing.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- “Subhuti, the persons who aspire to the perfectly enlightened
- heart, ought to know accordingly that this is true with respect to
- all things, and thus prevent the exhibition of any characteristics
- on any point whatever. Subhuti, these very characteristics of
- which we speak are after all no characteristics, but a mere
- name.”—_Kin-Kong-King_. Beal.
-
-
-
-
-[Chapter 32]
-
-The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a disciple, having
-immeasurable spheres filled with the seven treasures,[1] bestowed
-these in the exercise of charity; and if a disciple, whether man or
-woman, having aspired to supreme spiritual wisdom, selected from this
-Scripture a stanza comprising four lines, then rigorously observed it,
-studied it, and diligently explained it to others; the cumulative
-merit of such a disciple would be relatively greater than the other.”
-
-“In what attitude of mind should it be diligently explained to
-others?[2] Not assuming the permanency or the reality of earthly
-phenomena, but in the conscious blessedness of a mind at perfect
-rest.[3] And why? Because, the phenomena of life may be likened unto a
-dream, a phantasm, a bubble,[4] a shadow, the glistening dew, or
-lightning flash, and thus they ought to be contemplated.”
-
-When the Lord Buddha concluded his enunciation of this Scripture,[5]
-the venerable Subhuti, the monks,[6] nuns, lay-brethren and sisters,
-all mortals, and the whole realm of spiritual beings, rejoiced
-exceedingly, and consecrated to its practice, they received it and
-departed.
-
- [1] Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.
-
- [2] “The wise man, the preacher, who wishes to expound this Sutra,
- must absolutely renounce falsehood, pride, calumny, and envy....
- He is always sincere, mild, forbearing; ... he must feel affection
- for all beings who are striving for enlightenment ... they are
- greatly perverted in their minds, those beings who do not hear,
- nor perceive ... the mystery of the Tathagata. Nevertheless will I,
- who have attained this supreme, perfect knowledge, powerfully bend
- to it the mind of every one (Burnouf, _par la force de mes
- facultés surnaturelles_), whatever may be the position he
- occupies, and bring about that he accepts, understands, and
- arrives at full ripeness.”—_Saddharma-Pundarika_. H. Kern.
-
- [3] “By contemplation are obtained those conditions through which
- is eventually gained that supreme calm, undecaying, immortal
- state, which is so hard to be reached.”—_Buddha-Karita_. E. B.
- Cowell.
-
- “And in what way can the disciple ‘proclaim them generally?’
- Simply by relying on no conditions or distinctions whatever; thus
- he will act without agitation or excitement. Wherefore the
- conclusion is this—that all things which admit of definition are
- as a dream, a phantom, a bubble, a shadow, as the dew and
- lightning flash. They ought to be regarded thus.”—_Kin-Kong-King_.
- Beal.
-
- “And how should he explain it? As in the sky: stars, darkness, a
- lamp, a phantom, dew, a bubble, a dream, a flash of lightning, and
- a cloud—thus should we look upon the world (all that was
- made).”—_The Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [4] “_Fa-Hien_ stayed at the dragon Vihara till after the summer
- retreat, and then, travelling to the south-east for seven Yojanas,
- he arrived at the city of Kanyakubja, lying along the Ganges....
- At a distance from the city of six or seven _Le_, on the west, on
- the northern bank of the Ganges, is a place where Buddha preached
- the Law to his disciples. It has been handed down that his
- subjects of discourse were such as ‘The bitterness and vanity (of
- life), as impermanent and uncertain,’ and that ‘The body is as a
- “bubble” or foam on the water.’”—_Travels of Fa-Hien_. Legge.
-
- [5] “Thus spake the Bhagavat enraptured; the elder Subhuti, and
- the friars, nuns, the faithful lay men and women, and the
- Bodhisattvas also, and the whole world of gods, men, evil spirits
- and fairies, praised the preaching of the Bhagavat.”—_The
- Vagrakkhedika_. Max Müller.
-
- [6] “The vow of ‘obedience’ was never taken by the Buddhist monks
- and nuns, and in this it may be noticed a fundamental difference
- between them and monastic orders in the West: mental culture, not
- mental death, was the aim set before the Buddhist ascetic by the
- founder of his faith.”—_Buddhism_. T. W. Rhys Davids.
-
-
- “_As when men, travelling, feel a glorious perfume sweet
- Pervading all the country side, and gladdening them, infer at once,
- ‘Surely ’tis giant forest trees are flowering now!’
- So, conscious of this perfume sweet of righteousness
- That now pervades the earth and heavens, they may infer:
- ‘A Buddha, infinitely great, must once have lived!’_”
-
-
-
-
- INDEX
-
-
- Alexandria, 20
-
- Alms-bowl, 3, 5
-
- Almsgiving, 2
-
- Anagami, 31, 32
-
- Ananda, 11, 12
-
- Anepidu, 51
-
- Anniversaries, 37
-
- Anta-Kalpas, 42
-
- Anuradhapura, 51
-
- Anurogrammum, 51
-
- Apatti, 28
-
- Aranyaka, 35, 36, 37
-
- Arhat, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 55, 78
-
- Ari-Hat, 32
-
- Arjuna, 57
-
- Arnold (Sir Edwin), 11, 18, 21, 29, 40, 42, 48, 50, 55, 94
-
- Arya, 31, 32
-
- Aryagiti, 26
-
- Arya-Marga, 32
-
- Ascetic, 21
-
- Asiatic, 89
-
- Asoka, 94, 95
-
- Asurus, 44
-
- Asvaghocha, 9, 74
-
- Atman, 51
-
- Atoms, 48
-
- Attavada, 12
-
- _αὐτοδιδακτος_, 38
-
- _Awakening of Faith_, 9, 74
-
-
- _Bacche (The)_, 20
-
- Bana, 35, 45, 51
-
- Beal, 7, 10, 15, 24, 26, 28, 36, 39, 43, 45, 49, 50, etc.
-
- Benares, 2
-
- Benefactions, 3
-
- _Bhagavad-Gita_, 8, 23, 34, 58, 68
-
- Bhagavat, 23, 26, 38, 47, 54, 80, 85, 87, 103, 105, 110
-
- Bhoga-Deha, 83
-
- Bikkhus, 95
-
- Bikshu, 7
-
- Bikshuni, 7
-
- Bodhi, 6, 35, 62, 63
-
- Bodhisattva, 6, 38, 39, 58, 59, 69, 75, 76, 97, 98, 99, 106, 110
-
- Bo-Tree, 70, 71
-
- Brahman, 69
-
- Brahmanas, 1
-
- Brahmanical, 83
-
- Brahmanism, 17
-
- Buddha, 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 18, etc.
-
- _Buddha-Karita_, 86, 91, 109
-
- Buddhaphalam, 32
-
- Buddhas, 7, 11, 25, 28
-
- Buddhaship, 6, 15, 32
-
- Buddhic, 27
-
- Buddhism, 13, 14, 16, 19, 41, 49, 63, 72, 80, 83, 110
-
- Burnouf, 108
-
-
- Calingapatah, 56
-
- Calvary, 71
-
- Ceylon, 80
-
- _Ceylon Friend_, 61
-
- Chakra, 95
-
- Chakravartin, 94, 95
-
- Chang-Ming, 20
-
- Chang-Shui, 101
-
- Chiliocosms, 43, 49
-
- China, 5, 19
-
- _Chinese Buddhism_, 2, 7, 9, 37, 39, 40, 69
-
- Chioh-Hsien, 11
-
- Christ, 8, 23, 40, 63, 73
-
- Christians, 74
-
- Chuan-Fah-Luen, 14
-
- Chuang-Yen, 39
-
- Circars, 56
-
- Coral, 25, 43, 64, 81, 107
-
- Cornelian, 25, 43, 64, 81, 107
-
- Cowell, E. B., 86, 91, 109
-
- Creed, 47
-
- Cross, 71
-
- Crystal, 25, 43, 64, 81, 107
-
-
- Danataka Aranyaka, 35
-
- Davids, T. W. Rhys, 13, 29, 31, 80, 95, 110
-
- Davis, Sir John Francis, 19
-
- Dewa-Loka, 30
-
- Devas, 31
-
- Dhamma, 27, 34, 44, 52
-
- _Dhammapada_, 34, 44, 52, 63, 93
-
- Dhammo, 78
-
- Dharma, 30, 35, 83
-
- Dharma Aranyaka, 35
-
- Dharma-Kaya, 17, 82
-
- Dharmasala, 65
-
- Dharmma, 27
-
- _Diamond Sutra, The_, 37, 47
-
- Dipankara Buddha, 37, 38, 67, 71, 72, 73
-
- Djatakas, 2
-
- Dubois (the Abbé), 88
-
-
- _Eastern Monachism_, 4, 5, 16, 21, 27, 30, 35, 36, 38, 46, 51, 53,
- 61, 78
-
- Edkins, 2, 7, 9, 39, 40, 69
-
- Egypt, 20
-
- Eitel, 1, 2, 6, 11, 13, 26, 28, 31, 32, 35, 37, 49, 56, 57, 58, 79
-
- Elburz, 40
-
- Eleusis, 65
-
- _Enlightenment of Ananda_, 12
-
- Euripides, 20
-
- Europe, 20, 104
-
-
- Fa-Hien, 2, 65, 109
-
- Fah, 14, 60
-
- Fah-Ai, 14
-
- Fah-Lien, 14
-
- Fah-Luen, 14
-
- Fah-Men, 14
-
- Fah-Ming, 14
-
- Fah-Pao, 14
-
- Fah-Shen, 16
-
- Fah-Wang, 14
-
- Fah-Yen, 78
-
- Fairies, 110
-
- Faith, 3, 27
-
- Fausböll, 23, 27
-
- Fei-Fuh-Fah, 28
-
- _Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King_, 93
-
- Fox, 67
-
- Fuh-Ko, 32
-
- Fuh-Tu, 39
-
-
- Gandhara, 5
-
- Ganges, 2, 42, 51, 61, 79, 98, 109
-
- Gatha, 26, 95
-
- Gautama, 63, 80
-
- German, 20
-
- Getæ, 69
-
- Girdle, 3
-
- Glass, 25, 43, 64, 81, 107
-
- God, 21, 74
-
- Gods, 110
-
- Gogerly, Rev. D. J., 61
-
- Gold, 25, 43, 64, 81, 107
-
- Gondophares, 9
-
- Gotama, 52
-
- Greek, 20
-
- Gunga, 42
-
- Hardy, Spence, 4, 16, 21, 27, 30, 35, 36, 38, 46, 51, 53, 61, 78
-
- Hastagiri, 48
-
- Hero, 50
-
- Hinayana, 64
-
- Hindoo, 64
-
- _Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies_, 88
-
- _Hinduism_, 66
-
- Hiuen-Tsang, 2, 50, 53, 65
-
- Ho-Ru-To-Lo-San-Mao-San-Pu-Ti, 7
-
- Ho-Tan-Ju-Lai, 63
-
- _Hua-Yen-Sutra_, 100
-
- Hunter, Sir William, 55
-
- Huxley, 10
-
-
- Icicles, 86
-
- _Idea and Will, The World as_, 48, 103
-
- Immortality, 44
-
- Immortals, 2
-
- India, 7, 20
-
- _Indian Empire, The_, 55
-
- Indo-Scythic, 9
-
- I-Wu-Wei-Fah, 25
-
-
- Jains, 88
-
- Jayendra, 53
-
- Jesus, 18
-
- Jeta, 2, 4
-
- Jewels, 91
-
-
- Kalinga, 56
-
- Kaliradja, 56
-
- Kalpa, 45
-
- Kanyakubja, 109
-
- Kashaya, 50
-
- Kashmir, 65
-
- Kasina, 36
-
- Kern, H., 39, 58, 108
-
- Khaloupas’ Waddhaktinka, 4
-
- Kin-Kong-King, 7, 10, 15, 24, 26, 28, 36, 39, 45, 49, 59, etc.
-
- Kingdoms, 38, 40, 76
-
- Kos’ala, 56
-
- Kshanti, 58
-
- Kshantivadin, 58
-
- Kwa-Yuh, 33
-
-
- Lao-Tsz, 28
-
- _Lay Sermons_, 10
-
- Le, 109
-
- Legge, 65, 109
-
- _Light of Asia (The)_, 11, 18, 21, 29, 34, 40, 42, 48, 50, 55, 94,
- etc.
-
- _Lotus of the Good Law_, 64
-
- Love, 73
-
-
- Ma-Ming, 9
-
- Madhyades’a, 5
-
- Mahasattvas, 7
-
- Mahayana, 62
-
- Mantras, 1
-
- Matanga, 35
-
- Materialist, 48
-
- Maya, 50, 58
-
- Meitreya (Buddha), 5
-
- _Memoirs sur les Contrées Occidentales_, 2
-
- Mencius, 33
-
- Mendicant, 4
-
- Metamorphosis, 9
-
- Mieh-Tu, 10
-
- Milinda, 4, 29, 31, 33, 36, 95
-
- Milton, 71
-
- Mo-Ho-Sa, 7
-
- _Mo-Wei-Sutra_, 77
-
- Muir (J.), 89
-
- Müller (Max), 1, 25, 26, 30, 34, 39, 42, 44, 47, 52, 54, etc.
-
- Murray (Gilbert), 20
-
- Myak, 7
-
-
- Nairanjara, 70
-
- Narakas, 46
-
- Needle, 3
-
- Nibbana, 23
-
- Nihilism, 69
-
- Nimitta, 36
-
- Nirmanakaya, 17, 83
-
- Nirvana, 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 44, 46, 55,
- 62, 63, 69
-
- Non-individuality, 76
-
- Nuttara, 7
-
-
- _Œdipus Coloneus_, 65
-
- O-siu-lo, 44
-
-
- Padumas, 48
-
- Pali, 80
-
- Paramita, 13, 55, 56, 90
-
- Patna, 94
-
- Path, 18
-
- Paul (The Apostle), 8, 23
-
- Pearls, 25, 43, 64, 81, 108
-
- Persia, 5
-
- Pilgrims, 2
-
- Po-Ro-Po-Lo-Mi, 8
-
- Prajna-Paramita, 9
-
- Prakrita, 57
-
- Prasenajit, 2
-
- Priests, 4
-
- Ptolemy, 51
-
- Puh-Seng, 32
-
- Pundarikas, 48
-
- Pu-sa, 6
-
-
- _Questions of King Milinda_, 4, 29, 31 33, 36, 95
-
-
- Raft, 23
-
- Rahat, 20
-
- Rahatship, 35
-
- Ran-Teng-Fuh, 37
-
- Razor, 3
-
- Regents, 40
-
- Reincarnation, 30, 31
-
- _Relation des Royaumes Buddhiques_, 5
-
- Remusat, 5
-
- Ren, 44
-
- Richard (Dr), 74
-
- Righteousness, 33
-
- Rishi, 58
-
- Robe, 3, 50
-
- _Saddharma-Pundarika_, 39, 54, 58, 108
-
- Sagara, 5
-
- Sakkayaditthi, 12
-
- Sakridagami, 30, 31
-
- Sakyamuni, 2, 5, 9, 37, 72, 73, 78, 94, 104
-
- Salvation, 10, 92, 93
-
- Samadhi, 36
-
- Sambhoga-Kaya, 83
-
- Sambodhi, 7
-
- Samma-Sambuddha, 80
-
- Sangha, 44
-
- San-Pao, 17
-
- Sanscrit, 1, 7, 95, 99
-
- Sarvanikchepa, 42
-
- Sarwajnan-Wahanse, 80
-
- Sasa, 45
-
- Sattva, 6
-
- Saviour, 92
-
- Schelling, 20
-
- Schopenhauer, 48, 103
-
- Scripture, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 43, 45, etc.
-
- Scrotapatti, 28, 29
-
- Seh-Shen, 16
-
- Selfhood, 42
-
- Sewet, 51
-
- Shah-Tseh, 32
-
- Shanghai, 74
-
- Shelley, 98
-
- Shen-Ming, 51
-
- Shore, 23, 47
-
- Shravasti, 2, 4, 6
-
- Siao-Fah, 64
-
- Signs, 50
-
- Silver, 25, 43, 64, 107
-
- Singhalese, 78
-
- Siva, 17
-
- Sivaism, 17
-
- Sophocles, 65
-
- Spawn, 9
-
- Spirits, 44, 110
-
- Spiritualist, 48
-
- Sramana, 36
-
- Srota, 28
-
- S’ruti, 1
-
- Sthula, 83
-
- Subhuti, 6, 8, 13, etc.
-
- Sugata, 26
-
- Sujata, 70
-
- Sumeru, 40, 42, 58
-
- Sutana, 2
-
- Sutra, 1, 8, 27, 45, 47, 68, 77, 91, 92, 108
-
- _Sutta-Nipata_, 23, 27, 66
-
- Swastika, 50
-
- Syria, 20
-
- Sz-ti, 32
-
-
- Ta-Cheng-Che, 62
-
- Talents, 78
-
- Tang (dynasty), 76
-
- Ta-Pi-Ku, 3
-
- Tathagata, 25, 26, 38, 47, 49, 59, 63, 72, etc.
-
- Teacher, 3
-
- Temples, 39
-
- Tennyson, 23
-
- Thomson (J. Cockburn), 8, 23, 34, 58, 68
-
- Ti-Ching, 11
-
- Tien, 44
-
- Tien-Kong, 30
-
- Ting-Kwang-Fuh, 37
-
- Topes, 64
-
- Treasures, 25, 43, 64, 81, 90, 107
-
- Trimurti, 17
-
- Triratna, 17
-
- Truth, 27, 78, 79
-
- Tsz-Ran-Choih-Sing, 25
-
- Tuchita, 5
-
- _Twan-Tsi-Sin-Yao_, 76
-
-
- Upadanas, 13
-
-
- _Vagrakkhedika (The)_, 25, 26, 28, 30, 39, 42, 45, 47, etc.
-
- Vais’ali, 5
-
- Vedas, 1
-
- Vedic, 89
-
- Vice, 3
-
- Vihara, 109
-
- Virtue, 3
-
- Vows, 19
-
-
- Waddhaktinka, 4
-
- Waterfall, 86
-
- Water-strainer, 3
-
- West, 110
-
- Wiharas, 51
-
- Williams (Sir Monier), 49, 63, 66, 83
-
- Wisdom, 3, 7, 8, 47
-
- Wou-Wei, 24
-
- Wu-Wei, Fah, 28
-
-
- Yen-Ping, 88
-
- Yogi, 20
-
- Yojanas, 109
-
- _Yuen-Chioh-Sutra_, 100
-
-
-
-
- TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES.
-
-
-This is an English translation of the Chinese version available
-at: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/umn.319510013625058.
-
-The original printed text scans can be found
-at: https://archive.org/details/cu31924022914588.
-
-Textual notes:
-
- 1. Chapter labels have been added in braces (e.g. [Chapter 1]).
-
- 2. Footnotes have been moved to the end of each chapter.
-
- 3. Text contained within underscores is italicised.
-
- 4. Word spellings have been standardized. Words within direct
- quotations by other authors have been left unchanged.
-
- 5. Some page numbers in the index were corrected.
-
-*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND SUTRA (CHIN-KANG-CHING)
-OR PRAJNA-PARAMITA ***
-
-Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will
-be renamed.
-
-Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright
-law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,
-so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the
-United States without permission and without paying copyright
-royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part
-of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
-concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark,
-and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following
-the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use
-of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for
-copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very
-easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation
-of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project
-Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may
-do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected
-by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark
-license, especially commercial redistribution.
-
-START: FULL LICENSE
-
-THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
-PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
-
-To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
-distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
-(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
-Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full
-Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at
-www.gutenberg.org/license.
-
-Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic works
-
-1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
-and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
-(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
-the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or
-destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your
-possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a
-Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound
-by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the
-person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph
-1.E.8.
-
-1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be
-used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
-agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
-things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
-even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
-paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this
-agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
-
-1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the
-Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection
-of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual
-works in the collection are in the public domain in the United
-States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the
-United States and you are located in the United States, we do not
-claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing,
-displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as
-all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope
-that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting
-free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm
-works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the
-Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily
-comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the
-same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when
-you share it without charge with others.
-
-1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
-what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are
-in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States,
-check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this
-agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing,
-distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any
-other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no
-representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any
-country other than the United States.
-
-1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
-
-1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other
-immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear
-prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work
-on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the
-phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed,
-performed, viewed, copied or distributed:
-
- This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
- most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
- restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
- under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
- eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the
- United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where
- you are located before using this eBook.
-
-1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is
-derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not
-contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the
-copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in
-the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are
-redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project
-Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply
-either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or
-obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm
-trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
-
-1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
-with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
-must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any
-additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms
-will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works
-posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the
-beginning of this work.
-
-1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
-License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
-work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
-
-1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
-electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
-prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
-active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
-Gutenberg-tm License.
-
-1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
-compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including
-any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access
-to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format
-other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official
-version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website
-(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
-to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
-of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain
-Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the
-full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
-
-1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
-performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
-unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
-
-1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
-access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
-provided that:
-
-* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
- the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
- you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed
- to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has
- agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project
- Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid
- within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are
- legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty
- payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project
- Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in
- Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg
- Literary Archive Foundation."
-
-* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
- you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
- does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
- License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
- copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue
- all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm
- works.
-
-* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of
- any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
- electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of
- receipt of the work.
-
-* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
- distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
-
-1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than
-are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing
-from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of
-the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set
-forth in Section 3 below.
-
-1.F.
-
-1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
-effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
-works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project
-Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may
-contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate
-or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
-intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or
-other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or
-cannot be read by your equipment.
-
-1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
-of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
-Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
-Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
-liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
-fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
-LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
-PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
-TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
-LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
-INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
-DAMAGE.
-
-1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
-defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
-receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
-written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
-received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium
-with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you
-with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in
-lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person
-or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second
-opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If
-the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing
-without further opportunities to fix the problem.
-
-1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
-in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO
-OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
-LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
-
-1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
-warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of
-damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement
-violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the
-agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or
-limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or
-unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the
-remaining provisions.
-
-1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
-trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
-providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in
-accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the
-production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses,
-including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of
-the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this
-or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or
-additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any
-Defect you cause.
-
-Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
-
-Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
-electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of
-computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It
-exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations
-from people in all walks of life.
-
-Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
-assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
-goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
-remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
-Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
-and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future
-generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see
-Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at
-www.gutenberg.org
-
-Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation
-
-The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit
-501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
-state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
-Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
-number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by
-U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
-
-The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West,
-Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up
-to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website
-and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
-
-Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
-Literary Archive Foundation
-
-Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without
-widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
-increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
-freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest
-array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
-($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
-status with the IRS.
-
-The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
-charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
-States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
-considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
-with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
-where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND
-DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular
-state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate
-
-While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
-have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
-against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
-approach us with offers to donate.
-
-International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
-any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
-outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
-
-Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation
-methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
-ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To
-donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate
-
-Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
-
-Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project
-Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be
-freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and
-distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of
-volunteer support.
-
-Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
-editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in
-the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not
-necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper
-edition.
-
-Most people start at our website which has the main PG search
-facility: www.gutenberg.org
-
-This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
-including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
-subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/old/64623-0.zip b/old/64623-0.zip
deleted file mode 100644
index dd1013c..0000000
--- a/old/64623-0.zip
+++ /dev/null
Binary files differ
diff --git a/old/64623-h.zip b/old/64623-h.zip
deleted file mode 100644
index 25190d1..0000000
--- a/old/64623-h.zip
+++ /dev/null
Binary files differ
diff --git a/old/64623-h/64623-h.htm b/old/64623-h/64623-h.htm
deleted file mode 100644
index 567fa43..0000000
--- a/old/64623-h/64623-h.htm
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5911 +0,0 @@
-<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd">
-<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
-<head>
-
- <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
- <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
- <title>The Diamond Sutra, By William Gemmell—A Project Gutenberg eBook</title>
- <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" />
- <style type="text/css">
-
-body {
- margin-left: 10%;
- margin-right: 10%;
-}
-
-h1 {
- text-align: center;
- clear: both;
- margin-top: 2.5em;
- margin-bottom: 0em;
- font-size: 200%;
- word-spacing: 0.2em;
- letter-spacing: 0.06em;
- line-height: 1.25em;
-}
-
-h2, h3 {
- text-align: center;
- clear: both;
- margin-top: 2.5em;
- margin-bottom: 1em;
- font-size: 130%;
-}
-
-h4 {
- text-align: center;
- clear: both;
- margin-top: 1.5em;
- margin-bottom: 1em;
-}
-
-h5 {
- clear: both;
- margin-top: 1.5em;
- margin-bottom: 1em;
-}
-
-h2+p {margin-top: 1.5em;}
-
-.transnote h2 {
- margin-top: .5em;
- margin-bottom: 1em;
-}
-
-div.chapter {page-break-before: always;}
-
-p {
- text-indent: 1em;
- margin-top: .51em;
- margin-bottom: .49em;
- text-align: justify;
-}
-
-p.center { text-indent: 0; }
-
-.p1 { margin-top: 1em; }
-.p2 { margin-top: 2em; }
-.p3 { margin-top: 3em; }
-.p4 { margin-top: 4em; }
-
-p.chapter {font-size: 70%; margin-bottom: 1em;}
-
-.small {font-size: 70%;}
-.smaller {font-size: 85%;}
-.larger {font-size: 125%;}
-.xlarge {font-size: 200%;}
-
-.mb1 { margin-bottom: 1em; }
-.mt2 { margin-top: 2em; }
-
-.lh150 { line-height: 1.5em; }
-
-.smcap { font-variant: small-caps; }
-.center {text-align: center;}
-img.drop-cap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0; }
-p.drop-cap:first-letter
- { color: transparent; visibility: hidden; margin-left: -2em; }
-
-.x-ebookmaker img.drop-cap
-{
- display: none;
-}
-
-.x-ebookmaker p.drop-cap:first-letter
-{
- color: inherit;
- visibility: visible;
- margin-left: 0;
-}
-
-hr {
- width: 100%;
- margin-top: 2em;
- margin-bottom: 2em;
- margin-right: auto;
- clear: both;
-}
-
-div.title-page
-{
- text-align: center;
- page-break-before: always;
- page-break-after: always;
-}
-
-/* === lists === */
-ol {
- margin-left: 1.75em;
- padding-left: 1.75em;
-}
-
-ul {
- list-style-type: none;
- margin-left: 1.75em;
- padding-left: 1.75em;
-}
-
-
-/* for basic lists */
-ul.index { list-style-type: none; }
-li.ifrst { margin-top: 1em; }
-li.indx { margin-top: .5em; }
-
-td { vertical-align: top; }
-
-.c005 { text-align: right; padding-right: 1.75em;}
-
-hr.chap {width: 30%; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%;}
-
-/* Images */
-
-div.fig { display:block;
- margin:0 auto;
- text-align:center;
- margin-top: 1em;
- margin-bottom: 1em;}
-
-.center
-{
- text-align: center;
-}
-
-/* === poetry === */
-.poetry-container {
- text-align: center;
- margin: 3% auto;
-}
-
-.poetry {
- display: inline-block;
- text-align: left;
- font-size: 90%;
- padding-left: 1em;
-}
-
-.poetry2 {
- display: inline-block;
- text-align: left;
- font-size: 100%;
- padding-left: 1em;
-}
-
-.poetry3 {
- display: inline-block;
- text-align: left;
- font-size: 100%;
- padding-left: 0em;
-}
-
-.stanza { margin: 2% auto 0% auto; padding-top: .75em;}
-
-.stanza2 { margin: 2% auto 0% auto; padding-top: 0em;}
-
-
-.verse {
- text-indent: -1em;
- padding-left: 1em;
-}
-
-.verser {
- text-align: right;
-}
-
-/* Footnotes */
-.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 85%;}
-.footnote p {text-indent: 0em;}
-.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;
- vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;}
-
-.fnanchor {
- vertical-align: super;
- font-size: .8em;
- text-decoration: none;
-}
-
-.transnote {
- background-color: #EEE;
- border: thin dotted;
- font-family: sans-serif, serif;
- margin-left: 5%;
- margin-right: 5%;
- margin-top: 4em;
- margin-bottom: 2em;
- padding: 1em;
-}
-
- </style>
- </head>
-<body>
-
-<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Diamond Sutra (Chin-Kang-Ching) or Prajna-Paramita, by Unknown</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
-most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
-of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
-at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
-are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the
-country where you are located before using this eBook.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Diamond Sutra (Chin-Kang-Ching) or Prajna-Paramita</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Unknown</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: William Gemmell and Kumarajiva</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 25, 2021 [eBook #64623]</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Ronald Grenier from page images generously made available by the Internet Archive/Cornell University Libraries</div>
-
-<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND SUTRA (CHIN-KANG-CHING) OR PRAJNA-PARAMITA ***</div>
-
-<div class="fig" style="width:75%; max-width: 43.75em;">
-<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="[Illustration]" />
-</div>
-
-<div class="title-page">
-<h1><span class="smaller">THE</span><br />DIAMOND SUTRA</h1>
-
-<p class="center larger">(<i>CHIN-KANG-CHING</i>)</p>
-<p class="center p3 small">OR</p>
-<p class="center p1 larger">PRAJNA-PARAMITA</p>
-
-<p class="center p3 smaller">TRANSLATED FROM THE CHINESE<br />WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES</p>
-
-<p class="center p2 smaller">BY</p>
-
-<p class="center p1 larger">WILLIAM GEMMELL</p>
-
-
-<p class="center p1 xlarge">金剛經</p>
-
-
-
-<p class="center p4">LONDON<br />
-KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER &amp; CO., LTD.<br />
-BROADWAY HOUSE, 68–74 CARTER LANE, E.C.<br />
-1912</p>
-</div>
-
-
-
-<div class="lh150">
-<p class="p4 center">
-THIS VOLUME<br />
-IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO<br />
-MY FRIEND<br />
-<span class="larger">WILLIAM NIVEN,</span> Esq.,<br />
-BY<br />
-THE AUTHOR.</p>
-</div>
-
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2>PREFACE</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p><span class="smcap">This</span> English version of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>,<a id="Pref_FNanchor_1" href="#Pref_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> translated from the
-Chinese text of Kumarajiva, owes its inception to successive
-conversations with a friend, profoundly interested in the
-interpretation of oriental systems of philosophy. During those
-conversations renderings into English were made of numerous passages
-from the works of Confucius, Mencius, and Lao-Tsz.</p>
-
-<p>Having surveyed briefly those fertile fields of thought, we passed, by
-a natural transition, into the delectable Buddhist realm. Some
-passages from the <cite>Chinese Sutras</cite>, comprising texts and annotations,
-were consecutively examined, and variously considered. Eventually it
-was suggested that <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, perhaps one of the most
-metaphysical of the works ascribed to Buddha, be conveniently rendered
-into the English language.</p>
-
-<p>In order that the rather unfamiliar text might assume due
-intelligibility, parallel passages and numerous annotations were
-subjoined, as the pleasant work of translating proceeded. The idea of
-printing and publishing the text seemed to follow as a natural sequence.</p>
-
-<p>Already there exist in the English language, renderings of <cite>The Diamond
-Sutra</cite> from the Sanscrit by Max Müller, and from the Chinese by Beal.
-This new version does not seek to enter into rivalry with those
-erudite works; and a possible apology which might readily be offered
-for the publication of this modest volume is, that the scholarly
-productions of Müller and Beal, in their present forms, are perhaps
-slightly inaccessible to the general English reader.</p>
-
-<p>It would appear that the peculiar charm of the Buddhist philosophy,
-and the remarkable purity of the Buddhist faith, are becoming more
-generally appreciated in Europe. Should this imperfect rendering of
-<cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, even in the faintest degree, confirm this just
-sense of appreciation, or prove a gentle incentive to further enquiry,
-then its unexpected publication may prove to be not entirely
-unjustified.</p>
-
-<p>In recording our many obligations to those scholars whose works were
-frequently consulted, we also give expression to a hope that nothing
-of importance is omitted which ought to be gratefully acknowledged.</p>
-
-<p>It may also be permissible to express admiration of the piety, and
-appreciation of the friendship, of those learned monks in Central
-China, to whom we are everlastingly indebted for even a slight
-initiation into those inexhaustible truths, which are alike the
-heritage, and the glory, of the disciples of Buddha. Amongst those we
-should like to specify are Chang-Ming, the chief monk (Seng-Kwan) of
-Chen-Chou prefecture, Hu-Nan, and the aged and affectionate Chioh-Hsien.</p>
-
-<p class="c005">WM. GEMMELL.</p>
-
-<p><span class="smcap">Pollokshields, Glasgow,</span><br />
-<span class="smaller">&emsp;&emsp;<i>6th September</i> 1912.</span></p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Pref_Fnote_1" href="#Pref_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-A learned Chinese commentator thus explained the rather striking
-title: “As the diamond exceeds all other precious gems in brilliance
-and indestructibility; so, also, does the wisdom of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>
-transcend, and shall outlive, all other knowledge known to philosophy.”</p>
-</div>
-
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p>
-The <cite>Diamond Sutra</cite> is one of the most valued and widely read
-philosophical works in Buddhist literature. It is very popular amongst
-ardent Buddhists in China, and excepting the <cite>Lotus of the Good Law</cite>,
-and the <cite>Leng-Yen-Ching</cite>,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_1" href="#Intro_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> perhaps no other Sutra ascribed to Buddha
-is regarded by the Chinese with so great esteem.</p>
-
-<p>In Japan, <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> appears to be perused extensively by
-what Max Müller<a id="Intro_FNanchor_2" href="#Intro_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> termed the Shin-Gon sect, founded by Ko-Bo, a
-disciple of the renowned pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang, about the year 816 <span class="smcap">a.d.</span></p>
-
-<p><cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> was written originally in Sanscrit, and in process
-of time translated into the Tibetan, Chinese, Mongol, and Manchu
-languages. It represents the Mahayana school of Buddhist thought, a
-school founded by Nagarjuna,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_3" href="#Intro_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> which flourished primarily at
-Tchakuka, and thereafter influenced appreciably a considerable part of
-the Buddhist Church.</p>
-
-<p>In the year 1836, Csomo Körösi published an account of the Tibetan
-translation, which interesting document may be consulted in Vol. XX.
-of the <cite>Asiatic Researches</cite>. <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> is therein designated
-“The Sutra of Wonderful Effects,” a treatise by means of which
-Sakyamuni Buddha instructs Subhuti, one of his conspicuous disciples,
-in <cite>The Prajna-Paramita</cite> of transcendent wisdom.<a id="Intro_FNanchor_4" href="#Intro_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></p>
-
-<p>To Kumarajiva,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_5" href="#Intro_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> a native of Kashmir, who gained distinction as a
-monk of the later Chin dynasty<a id="Intro_FNanchor_6" href="#Intro_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 384–417), is conceded the
-honour of having first translated <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> into the Chinese
-language. Of subsequent Chinese translations, perhaps the most
-noteworthy is the text ascribed to the scholarly <i>Hiuen-Tsang</i>, and
-completed about the middle of the seventh century.<a id="Intro_FNanchor_7" href="#Intro_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a></p>
-
-<p>A rendering into English of Kumarajiva’s Chinese translation was
-accomplished by the Rev. S. Beal, and published in The <cite>Journal of the
-Royal Asiatic Society</cite>, 1864–65. The text and German translation of
-the Tibetan version were published in 1873 by M. Schmidt, in <cite>The
-Mémoires de l’Académie St Pétersbourg</cite>. The Mongolian translation was
-presented by the Baron de Constadt to the library of the Institut de
-France. The Manchu translation is in the possession of M. de Harlez,
-who, with the aid of the Tibetan, Manchu, and Chinese versions,
-published a French translation of the Sanscrit text of <cite>The Diamond
-Sutra</cite> in the <cite>Journal Asiatique</cite>, 1892.<a id="Intro_FNanchor_8" href="#Intro_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> It has been observed<a id="Intro_FNanchor_9" href="#Intro_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a>
-that “at first sight it may seem as if this metaphysical treatise
-hardly deserved the world-wide reputation which it has attained.”
-Regarding this descriptive “world-wide reputation,” devout Buddhists
-might suggest in extenuation, that throughout many centuries, the
-“spiritual wisdom” of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> produced in countless minds
-a “conscious blessedness of perfect peace.” This “spiritual wisdom”
-also appeared to be a “strong incentive to holiness,” and a grateful
-inspiration to those who had entered “the path which leads to
-Nirvana.” In a few renowned monasteries of Central China, our Buddhist
-friends frequently affirmed that, by contemplating the “spiritual
-wisdom” of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, the mind would inevitably become
-“transfused with the mellow light of imperishable truth.”</p>
-
-<p>In the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>, Max Müller made a critical
-observation regarding certain peculiarities of “‘style’ adopted in
-this treatise by the Buddhist philosophers who wished to convince
-their hearers of the truth of their philosophy.” From the Sanscrit
-text, perhaps it is difficult to realise fully what Asvaghocha<a id="Intro_FNanchor_10" href="#Intro_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a>
-described as the “persuasiveness of Buddha’s eloquence”;<a id="Intro_FNanchor_11" href="#Intro_Fnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> yet we may
-quite appreciate the academic instinct of Kumarajiva, whose work on
-<cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> bears evidence of a laudable endeavour to produce
-a classic, which in the Chinese language is almost entirely beyond
-reproach.</p>
-
-<p>In all our aspirations to translate or to interpret Buddhist texts,
-perhaps it might prove advantageous to bear in mind the significant
-words incorporated in the <cite>Light of Asia</cite>:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry">
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>And time hath blurred their script and ancient sense,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Which once was new and mighty, moving all.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Max Müller stated<a id="Intro_FNanchor_12" href="#Intro_Fnote_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> that <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> represents a treatise on
-“metaphysical agnosticism,” and he excused its “endless repetition of
-the same process of reasoning” on the assumption, that the
-subject-matter of the <i>Sutra</i> was probably “perfectly familiar to
-children and ignorant persons.”</p>
-
-<p>By referring to our Chinese text, we are led to suppose that <cite>The
-Diamond Sutra</cite> was “delivered expressly for those who had entered the
-Path which leads to Nirvana,” and for those who are “attaining to the
-ultimate plane of Buddhic thought.” Our Chinese annotators also appear
-to be unanimous in suggesting, that the “spiritual wisdom” of <cite>The
-Diamond Sutra</cite> is understood only in its rudimentary forms, by those
-of immature or uninitiated mind.</p>
-
-<p>Concerning what has been termed the “agnosticism” of <cite>The Diamond
-Sutra</cite>, Sakyamuni Buddha, when he admissibly delivered the text,
-indicated clearly that there is a sense in which the “highest perfect
-knowledge”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_13" href="#Intro_Fnote_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> may be referred to as “unknown.” Dante appears to have
-had a similar difficulty regarding “knowledge” and “power” wherewith
-to express the higher forms of spiritual experience; and the following
-lines, constituting the opening stanzas of <cite>The Paradiso</cite>, may serve
-to elucidate the Buddhist position, and make it perhaps more
-intelligible to those who are as yet unfamiliar with its peculiar
-modes of thought:—</p>
-
-
-<div class="poetry-container" xml:lang="it">
-<div class="poetry">
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>La gloria di colui che tutto move</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Per l’universo penetra, e risplende</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>In una parte più, e meno altrove.</i></div>
-</div>
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>Nel ciel che più della sua luce prende</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Fu’io; e vidi cose che ridire</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Nè sa nè può qual di lassù discende;</i></div>
-</div>
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>Perchè, appressando sè al suo disire,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Nostro intelletto<a id="Intro_FNanchor_14" href="#Intro_Fnote_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> si profonda tanto,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Che retro la memoria non può ire.</i>”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_15" href="#Intro_Fnote_15" class="fnanchor">15</a></div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-
-<p>In order to appreciate fully the philosophy of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>,
-doubtless it is necessary to interpret aright the meaning of the
-Buddhist terminology. In this connection, the Sanscrit Dharma—usually
-rendered into Chinese by “Fah,” and into English by “Law”—appears to
-merit our immediate attention.</p>
-
-<p>Max Müller, with his ample knowledge, stated that Dharma, “in the
-ordinary Buddhist phraseology, may be correctly rendered by Law; and
-thus the whole teaching of Buddha is named <i>Saddharma</i>—‘The Good Law.’
-What <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> wishes to teach is that all objects,
-differing one from the other by their Dharmas, are illusive, or as we
-should say, phenomenal and subjective, that they are, in fact, of our
-own making, the products of our own mind.” With those noteworthy
-observations, there is embodied in the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>,
-the following interesting suggestion, that the Greek <span xml:lang="el">εῖδος</span>—whatever is
-seen, form, shape, figure—appears to be the equivalent of the Sanscrit
-Dharma.</p>
-
-<p>Spence Hardy, a distinguished writer on Buddhism, made a suggestion of
-perhaps equal importance, with reference to the correct interpretation
-of Dharma. In his well-known volume <cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>, there occurs
-the following relevant passage: “The second of the three great
-treasures is called Dhammo, or in Singhalese Dharmma. This word has
-various meanings, but is here to be understood in the sense of <em>truth</em>.”</p>
-
-<p>Rhys Davids in his useful volume <cite>Buddhism</cite>, indicated that “Dharma
-(Pali Dhamma) is not law, but that which underlies and includes the
-law—a word often most difficult to translate, but best rendered here
-by Truth and Righteousness.”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_16" href="#Intro_Fnote_16" class="fnanchor">16</a></p>
-
-<p>Perhaps it may be opportune to remark, that had Kumarajiva regarded
-“form,” “truth,” or “righteousness,” as expressing adequately the
-Sanscrit Dharma, these familiar terms being obviously at his command,
-might have been utilised at pleasure. Like the cultured Asvaghocha,
-Kumarajiva may have regarded the “nature” of the Law as “co-extensive
-with the illimitable ocean of being”;<a id="Intro_FNanchor_17" href="#Intro_Fnote_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> and within that ample
-compass, perhaps he thought there might synthetically be included
-those beautifully-defined concepts “form,” “truth,” and “righteousness.”</p>
-
-<p>Chinese annotators of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> seldom criticise adversely
-its classic terminology, or suggest many inapplicable alternative
-renderings. They appear to have surveyed the realm of “spiritual
-wisdom” enunciated by Sakyamuni Buddha, and thereafter to have become
-greatly impressed by the thought that, in its <em>Essence</em>, it might
-possibly be inexhaustible. This may in part explain their motive for
-incorporating in the commentary a familiar passage from <cite>Lao-Tsz</cite>,
-“Infinite truth is inexpressible”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_18" href="#Intro_Fnote_18" class="fnanchor">18</a>—which in a measure illustrates
-the appreciable difficulty of stating, in exact terms of philosophy,
-the equivalent of the Buddhic “Law.”</p>
-
-<p>In our intercourse with Buddhist monks, we heard the rather engaging
-suggestion, that the familiar Christian phrase, “the law of the spirit
-of life,” contains a spiritual concept which appears to approximate
-closely to the idea of the “Law” of Buddha. Those monks seemed to
-believe that the “Law”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_19" href="#Intro_Fnote_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> enters quietly and operates imperceptibly
-within every natural and spiritual sphere; and that they have at least
-a semblance of reason for their belief, the following exquisite lines
-clearly indicate:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry">
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>This is its touch upon the blossomed rose,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>The fashion of its hand shaped lotus-leaves.</i></div>
-</div>
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>That is its painting on the glorious clouds,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>And these its emeralds on the peacock’s train.</i></div>
-</div>
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>Out of the dark it wrought the heart of man,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Out of dull shells the pheasant’s pencilled neck.</i></div>
-</div>
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>It spreadeth forth for flight the eagle’s wings</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>What time she beareth home her prey.</i></div>
-</div>
-<div class="stanza">
-<div class="verse">“<i>This is its work upon the things ye see</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>The unseen things are more; men’s hearts and minds,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>The thoughts of peoples and their ways and wills,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Those, too, the great Law binds.”</i><a id="Intro_FNanchor_20" href="#Intro_Fnote_20" class="fnanchor">20</a></div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>As we consider the manifold operations of this “Law which moves to
-righteousness,” perhaps we may gradually appreciate the dignified mind
-of Sakyamuni, when he addressed Subhuti, saying: “What is usually
-referred to as the ‘Law’ of Buddha, is not in reality a ‘Law’
-attributive to Buddha, it is merely termed the ‘Law’ of Buddha.”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_21" href="#Intro_Fnote_21" class="fnanchor">21</a></p>
-
-<p>The Sanscrit term Samgna,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_22" href="#Intro_Fnote_22" class="fnanchor">22</a> usually rendered into Chinese by “Ming”
-and into English by “Name,” seems to deserve our further attention.
-Like the term Dharma, a clear knowledge of “Samgna” is indispensable
-for a correct understanding of our text.</p>
-
-<p>In one of the opening passages of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, we find that
-Sakyamuni Buddha, in reply to an enquiry by Subhuti, suggests that by
-means of this “wisdom,” enlightened disciples shall be enabled to
-bring into subjection every inordinate desire.</p>
-
-<p>“<i>Every species of life, whether hatched in the egg, formed in the
-womb, evolved from spawn, produced by metamorphosis, with or without
-form or intelligence, possessing or devoid of natural instinct—from
-these changeful conditions of being I command you to seek deliverance
-in the transcendental concept of Nirvana. Thus you shall obtain
-deliverance from the idea of an immeasurable, innumerable, and
-illimitable world of sentient life; but, in reality there is no idea
-of a world of sentient life from which to obtain deliverance. And why?
-Because, in the mind of an enlightened disciple, there have ceased to
-exist such arbitrary ideas of phenomena as an entity, a being, a
-living being, or a personality.</i>”</p>
-
-<p>A similar process of reasoning appears to permeate the whole of <cite>The
-Diamond Sutra</cite>, and whether appertaining to a living being,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_23" href="#Intro_Fnote_23" class="fnanchor">23</a> a
-virtue,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_24" href="#Intro_Fnote_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> a condition of mind,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_25" href="#Intro_Fnote_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> a Buddhist kingdom,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_26" href="#Intro_Fnote_26" class="fnanchor">26</a> or a
-personal Buddha,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_27" href="#Intro_Fnote_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> there is implied in each concept a spiritual
-essence, only imperfectly described, if not entirely overlooked, in
-the ordinary use of each particular name. Shakespeare enquired,
-“What’s in a name?” and in a thought inspired by the rose and its
-delicious fragrance, suggested with Buddha, that there is little, or
-nothing, in a name which explains the real nature of an object. Even a
-“particle of dust” seems, to the Buddhist mind, to embody in its
-composition a subtle spiritual element, entirely “inscrutable,” and
-quite “incomprehensible.”</p>
-
-<p>According to the Mahayana School of Buddhist thought, objects and
-their respective names are alike unreal and illusory. Objects and
-names, in the abstract, represent merely the products of untutored and
-unenlightened minds. Nothing is real, in the sense that it is
-permanent. Everything appears to be subject to irrevocable Laws of
-change and decay. As the things which we see are temporal, it is
-essential for our intellectual development, that we focus our thoughts
-upon the things which are Unseen and Eternal. Many minds are
-susceptible of deception by the fleeting phenomena of life; but behind
-these phenomena there is an essential element, entirely spiritual,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_28" href="#Intro_Fnote_28" class="fnanchor">28</a>
-uninfluenced by arbitrary ideas or changeful conditions, which
-“pervades all things,” and is “pure” and “unchanging.”</p>
-
-<p>Perhaps it might prove of interest to quote the following outline of
-Mahayana doctrine<a id="Intro_FNanchor_29" href="#Intro_Fnote_29" class="fnanchor">29</a> prepared by Mr S. Kuroda, which was approved by
-several influential Buddhist communions in Japan, “and published with
-authority at Tokyo in 1893”:—</p>
-
-<p>“All things that are produced by causes and conditions are inevitably
-destined to extinction. There is nothing that has any reality; when
-conditions come things begin to appear, when conditions cease these
-things likewise cease to exist. Like the foam of the water, like the
-lightning flash,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_30" href="#Intro_Fnote_30" class="fnanchor">30</a> and like the floating, swiftly vanishing clouds,
-they are only of momentary duration. As all things have no constant
-nature of their own, so there is no actuality in pure and impure,
-rough and fine, large and small, far and near, knowable and
-unknowable, etc. On this account it is sometimes said that all things
-are nothing. The apparent phenomena around us are, however, produced
-by mental operations within us, and thus distinctions are
-established....”</p>
-
-<p>“All things are included under subject and object. The subject is an
-entity in which mental operations are awakened whenever there are
-objects, while the object consists of all things, visible and
-invisible, knowable and unknowable, etc. The subject is not something
-that occupies some space in the body alone, nor does the object exist
-outside of the subject....”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_31" href="#Intro_Fnote_31" class="fnanchor">31</a></p>
-
-<p>“The various phenomena which appear as subjects and objects are
-divided into two kinds:—the perceptible and knowable, the
-imperceptible and unknowable.... Now, what are the imperceptible and
-unknowable phenomena?”</p>
-
-<p>“Through the influence of habitual delusions, boundless worlds,
-innumerable varieties of things spring up in the mind. This boundless
-universe and these subtle ideas are not perceptible and knowable;<a id="Intro_FNanchor_32" href="#Intro_Fnote_32" class="fnanchor">32</a>
-only Bodhisattvas<a id="Intro_FNanchor_33" href="#Intro_Fnote_33" class="fnanchor">33</a> believe, understand, and become perfectly
-convinced of these through the contemplation of Vidyamatara<a id="Intro_FNanchor_34" href="#Intro_Fnote_34" class="fnanchor">34</a> (all
-things are nothing but phenomena in mind); hence they are called
-imperceptible and unknowable. What are the perceptible and knowable
-phenomena?”</p>
-
-<p>“Not knowing that these imperceptible and unknowable phenomena are the
-productions of their own minds, men from their habitual delusions
-invest them with an existence outside of mind, as perceptible mental
-phenomena, as things visible, audible, etc. These phenomena are called
-perceptible and knowable.”</p>
-
-<p>“Though there are thus two kinds, perceptible and imperceptible
-phenomena, they occur upon the same things, and are inseparably bound
-together even in the smallest particle. Their difference in appearance
-is caused only by differences, both in mental phenomena and in the
-depth of conviction. Those who know only the perceptible things,
-without knowing the imperceptible, are called the unenlightened by
-Buddha....”</p>
-
-<p>“In contradistinction to the fallacious phenomena, there is the true
-Essence of Mind. Underlying the phenomena of mind, there is an
-unchanging principle which we call essence of mind.... The essence of
-mind is the entity without ideas and without phenomena, and is always
-the same. It pervades all things, and is pure and unchanging.... The
-essence and the phenomena of mind are inseparable; and as the former
-is all-pervading and ever-existing, so the phenomena occur everywhere
-and continually, wherever suitable conditions accompany it. Thus the
-perceptible and imperceptible phenomena are manifestations of the
-essence of mind that, according to the number and nature of
-conditions, develop without restraint. All things in the universe,
-therefore, are mind itself.”</p>
-
-<p>“By this we do not mean that all things combine into a mental unity
-called mind, nor that all things are emanations from it, but that,
-without changing their places or appearance, they are mind itself
-everywhere. Buddha saw this truth and said that the whole universe was
-his own. Hence it is clear that where the essence of mind is found,
-and the necessary conditions accompany it, the phenomena of mind never
-fail to appear.... Though there is a distinction between the essence
-and the phenomena of mind, yet they are nothing but one and the same
-substance, that is, <em>mind</em>. So we say that there exists nothing but
-mind. Though both the world of the pure and impure, and the generation
-of all things, are very wide and deep, yet they owe their existence to
-our mind.”</p>
-
-<p>Perhaps we might appropriately indicate that however interesting, or
-even fascinating, may be the nice distinction between <em>mind</em> and
-<em>essence of mind</em>, in relation to phenomena, so far as we are aware,
-the distinction may be implied, but is never precisely stated, in the
-text of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>. Nevertheless, we may readily appreciate
-the subtle intellectual movement, which endeavours to distinguish
-clearly between the phenomena of mind, and an unchanging principle
-underlying it, capable of being defined as Essence of Mind. Yet we
-have a notion that our Japanese Buddhist friends intuitively find in
-their beautiful concept, infinitely more of a purely spiritual nature,
-than they attempt to express by the mere metaphysical term. Doubtless
-they have frequently applied to it the incisive logic of Sakyamuni
-Buddha, and found simultaneously, that what is ordinarily referred to
-as “essence of mind,” is not in reality “essence of mind,” it is
-merely termed “essence of mind.”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_35" href="#Intro_Fnote_35" class="fnanchor">35</a></p>
-
-<p>The term Buddha, as defined in <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, seems to merit a
-brief consideration. In fulfilment of our present purpose, it seems
-almost unnecessary to enter into questions regarding the historical
-Buddha, or to the authenticity of Sutras ascribed to his genius.
-Therefore, without indicating any particular reservation, we meantime
-accept the traditional statements that the Buddha of <cite>The Diamond
-Sutra</cite> was the son of Suddhodana, the husband of Yasodhara, and the
-father of Rahula. But, incorporated with the text, there is embodied
-in the familiar term Buddha, a lofty spiritual concept, which seems to
-place it in a category where fresh interest is imparted to the
-question of its interpretation.</p>
-
-<p>Concluding the <a href="#Ch_26">twenty-sixth chapter</a> of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, wherein
-“the spiritual<a id="Intro_FNanchor_36" href="#Intro_Fnote_36" class="fnanchor">36</a> body is entirely differentiated from external
-phenomena” Sakyamuni, in reply to an enquiry regarding the possibility
-of perceiving “Buddha” by means of his bodily distinctions, delivered
-the following remarkable Gatha<a id="Intro_FNanchor_37" href="#Intro_Fnote_37" class="fnanchor">37</a>:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse"><i>I am not to be perceived by means of any visible form,</i></div>
-<div class="verse"><i>Nor sought after by means of any audible sound;</i></div>
-<div class="verse"><i>Whosoever walks in the way of iniquity,</i></div>
-<div class="verse"><i>Cannot perceive the blessedness of the Lord Buddha.</i><a id="Intro_FNanchor_38" href="#Intro_Fnote_38" class="fnanchor">38</a></div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>In the <a href="#Ch_29">twenty-ninth chapter</a> of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, wherein is
-expounded “the majesty of the absolute,” Sakyamuni declared that a
-disciple who affirms that “Buddha” comes or goes, obviously has not
-understood the meaning of his instruction. Because, as we learn from
-our text, the idea “Buddha” implies neither coming from anywhere, nor
-going to anywhere. This purely spiritual concept of Buddha seems to
-have seized the imagination, and inspired the writer of the
-<cite>Yuen-Chioh Sutra</cite>,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_39" href="#Intro_Fnote_39" class="fnanchor">39</a> to whom are ascribed the following significant
-lines:—</p>
-
-<p>“<i>Like drifting clouds, like the waning moon, like ships that sail the
-ocean, like shores that are washed away—these are symbolic of endless
-change. But the blessed Buddha, in his essential, absolute nature, is
-changeless and everlasting.</i>”</p>
-
-<p>Again, in the <a href="#Ch_17">seventeenth chapter</a> of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, it is
-declared that in the word “Buddha,” every Law is intelligibly
-comprehended.<a id="Intro_FNanchor_40" href="#Intro_Fnote_40" class="fnanchor">40</a> To Western minds, it might become necessary to resist
-a natural inclination to ascribe to those elements of thought, an
-influence which had its inception in a nation other than the
-Indian.<a id="Intro_FNanchor_41" href="#Intro_Fnote_41" class="fnanchor">41</a> But, lest we should appear to detract from the native glory
-of Sakyamuni Buddha, perhaps it might prove opportune to remark, that
-there is sufficient evidence in the ancient Vedic hymns, Upanishads,
-etc., to indicate clearly the probable starting-points in the
-evolution of his thought. It seems to be to the everlasting honour of
-some early Indian philosophers, that they endeavoured carefully to
-combine in an abstract spiritual unity, all the essential elements
-usually comprehended under the term “Divinity.”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_42" href="#Intro_Fnote_42" class="fnanchor">42</a> This may in a
-manner explain why the devout Buddhist, possessing a natural mental
-tendency—induced by persistent Hindoo influence—is enabled to regard
-“Buddha”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_43" href="#Intro_Fnote_43" class="fnanchor">43</a> in a purely spiritual sense, as the One<a id="Intro_FNanchor_44" href="#Intro_Fnote_44" class="fnanchor">44</a> in whom all
-Laws are comprehended and become perfectly intelligible.</p>
-
-<p>In <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> it may be observed that incidental reference is
-made by Sakyamuni Buddha to the doctrines of Karma and Reincarnation.
-It seems to be an old truth to which expression is given in the
-<cite>Epistle to the Galatians</cite>: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
-also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
-corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
-life everlasting.”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_45" href="#Intro_Fnote_45" class="fnanchor">45</a></p>
-
-<p>To the Buddhist mind, Karma is indissolubly associated with “the Law
-which moves to Righteousness.” Thus it is accustomed to view the
-traditional Christian idea of “justification by Faith,” rather as a
-devoutly-conceived theory, than as a reasonably-constructed truth.</p>
-
-<p>Occasionally we have heard a gentle affirmation, that the Western mind
-seems unwittingly inclined to confound the doctrine of Karma with a
-concept which is almost suggestive of Fatalism. If Karma contains even
-a germ of thought which corresponds to “blind fatalism,” the idea is
-perhaps quite felicitously expressed in the following sentences,
-culled from a valued letter written by an aged Chinese monk: “Karma is
-a universal Law which gently binds us to the rhythmic cycle of
-evolving life. It operates so quietly and imperceptibly that we
-scarcely are conscious of its presence. The absolute truth of Karma
-greatly attracts our minds, which approve naturally of its consummate
-justice and perfect righteousness.”</p>
-
-<p>Those ideas of “consummate justice” and “perfect righteousness,” seem
-to be faithfully portrayed in the following quotation, gleaned from
-<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>What hath been bringeth what shall be, and is,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Worse—better—last for first and first for last:</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>The Angels in the Heavens of Gladness reap</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Fruits of a holy past.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>It would therefore appear that Karma may be regarded generally, as
-comprising the constituent moral elements derived consecutively from
-the thoughts, words, and actions of an interminable life’s cycle.
-Perhaps it is in this connection that Chinese Buddhists frequently
-assume Karma to resemble “a moral fibre, indissolubly entwined in
-sentient life.” It may be believed to recede far into the past, and to
-extend indefinitely into the future.</p>
-
-<p>Although realising the significance of Karma,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_46" href="#Intro_Fnote_46" class="fnanchor">46</a> the devout Buddhist
-mind is not usually disturbed by fearful forebodings. Ostensibly, it
-has evolved to a condition of holiness, wherein “the dross of sin” is
-entirely consumed in the “white flames” of Sakyamuni’s “transcendent
-wisdom” and “boundless love.”</p>
-
-<p>Within the realm of Buddhist philosophy, the doctrine of
-reincarnation is conspicuous by reason of its peculiarly attractive
-charms. On first acquaintance, the European mind may be somewhat
-“startled” to discover, that a satisfactory explanation of the
-interminable evolution of life, is sought for by the earnest Buddhist
-in the theory of reincarnation.</p>
-
-<p>In the text of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, it may be observed that Sakyamuni
-Buddha, in discoursing to Subhuti, referred incidentally to personal
-reminiscences, one of which belonged to a distant period of five
-hundred incarnations.</p>
-
-<p>According to the text of <cite>The Light of Asia</cite>, the spiritual
-consciousness of Sakyamuni Buddha extended to a period even more
-remote, as may be judged by these remarkable lines:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>I now remember, myriad rains ago,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>What time I roamed Himâla’s hanging woods.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>In considering briefly the doctrine of reincarnation, perhaps it might
-readily be conceded to our Buddhist friends, that there were
-exemplified in the Founder of their faith, a wonderful potency of
-intellect, and a marvellous degree of spiritual intuition. Quite
-agreeable, also, may be the suggestion, that this potency of intellect
-might become intensified, and probably “rendered subjective,” by
-“ascetic exercises,” abstract contemplation, and “determined effort.”</p>
-
-<p>Spence Hardy indicated in <cite>Eastern Monachism</cite> that the Buddhist mind
-conceives of “spiritual powers” arising from the aforementioned
-“potency of intellect” and “spiritual intuition,” which in other
-systems of religion are usually regarded as partaking of the nature of
-“Divinity.” If it be admitted that those potential “powers” are
-probably susceptible of affiliation with the Divine Spirit, then the
-way of approach to an understanding of the Buddhist theory of
-intuition becomes, perhaps, tolerably clear. Concrete knowledge
-acquired by intuition, appears to assure our Buddhist friends of the
-<em>fact</em> of reincarnation. But they invariably refrain from a vain
-attempt to <em>prove</em> the “fact,” by an authorised—and consequently
-stereotyped—process of reasoning.</p>
-
-<p>The unknown Hindoo author of The <cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite> revealed in simple
-phraseology the native idea of reincarnation; and suggested, happily,
-an instructive theory concerning the advent of great Teachers and
-Saviours in every age. To Krishna are ascribed the following sayings;—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>Manifold the renewals of my birth</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Have been.... When Righteousness</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Declines, O Bharata, when Wickedness</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Is strong, I rise, from age to age, and take</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Visible shape, and move a man with men,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Succouring the good, thrusting the evil back,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>And setting Virtue on her seat again.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Rhys Davids justly observed that “to the pious Buddhist it is a
-constant source of joy and gratitude that ‘the Buddha,’ not only then,
-but in many former births, when emancipation from all the cares and
-troubles of life was already within his reach, should again and again,
-in mere love for man, have condescended to enter the world, and live
-amidst the sorrows inseparable from finite existence.”<a id="Intro_FNanchor_47" href="#Intro_Fnote_47" class="fnanchor">47</a> Perhaps in a
-more general sense the idea of reincarnation appealed strongly to the
-imagination of Wordsworth, when he was inspired to write these
-familiar, yet exquisite, lines:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>The soul that rises with us, our life’s star,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Hath had elsewhere its setting</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>And cometh from afar.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>Regarding the doctrines of Individuality and non-Individuality, which
-characterise the text of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, wherein are found to
-occur frequently Chinese equivalents for the ordinary concepts of an
-entity, a being, a living being and a personality, the following
-passage from <cite>The Bhagavad-Gita</cite>, suggestive almost of complete
-harmony with the Buddhist doctrine, may serve to make even a cursory
-consideration of the subject perhaps more illuminating. The passage,
-rendered by Sir Edwin Arnold, is as follows:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>There is ‘true’ Knowledge, Learn it thou in this:</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>To see one changeless Life in all the Lives,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>And in the Separate, One Inseparable.</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>There is imperfect Knowledge: that which sees</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>The separate existences apart,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>And, being separated, holds them real.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>As Nirvana is only referred to casually in <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, that
-familiar Buddhist term hardly calls for any present detailed
-explanation. Within a brief compass probably no better explanation may
-be forthcoming than what is already given in this concise exposition
-gathered from <cite>The Light of Asia</cite>:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>If any teach Nirvana is to cease,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Say unto such they lie.</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>If any teach Nirvana is to live,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Say unto such they err; not knowing this,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Nor what light shines beyond their broken lamps,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Nor lifeless, timeless bliss.</i>”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class="mb1">In concluding, it might be opportune to observe, that the
-<i>Werthurtheile</i>,<a id="Intro_FNanchor_48" href="#Intro_Fnote_48" class="fnanchor">48</a> known amongst modern theologians as characterising
-the teaching of Albrecht Ritschl—sounds, upon intimate acquaintance,
-merely as a faint echo of the logic of Sakyamuni Buddha. Ritschl might
-apply his <i>Werthurtheile</i> to the presumed interpretation of a
-“miracle,” etc. Buddha suggested by his “method,” that what is
-ordinarily referred to as a “miracle,” is not in <em>reality</em> a “miracle,”
-therefore it is merely <em>defined</em> as a “miracle.” So, also, with the
-various dogmas which distinguish every religious creed. By many
-Chinese it is regarded as an evidence of Divinity, that in the mind of
-Sakyamuni Buddha there was conceived this incisive logical method; and
-amongst the learned monks, profound homage is rendered, and much
-wonder expressed, because the Lord Buddha<a id="Intro_FNanchor_49" href="#Intro_Fnote_49" class="fnanchor">49</a> did not hesitate to apply
-its principles to every doctrine synonymous with his own accredited
-“Law.”</p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_1" href="#Intro_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“The Sutra of firm establishment in all doctrine, describing
-clearly the secret merit and attainments in the religious life of
-Tathagata.” (Compare Edkins’ <cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_2" href="#Intro_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-See the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_3" href="#Intro_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“A native of Western India who lived as a hermit under an
- Arguna tree, whence he derived his name. Converted by Kapimala,
- he laboured in Southern India as the fourteenth patriarch....
- He is the chief representative, if not originator, of the
- Mahayana school, the greatest philosopher of the Buddhists,
- and as such styled ‘one of the four suns which illuminate the
- world.’ His own peculiar tenets have been perpetuated by a
- distinct metaphysical school called Madhyamika (<em>Lit</em>. Juste
- Milieu), the characteristics of which are a sophistic nihilism
- which dissolves every proposition into a thesis and its
- antithesis, and denies both. ‘The soul,’ said Nagarjuna,
- ‘has neither existence nor non-existence, it is neither eternal
- nor non-eternal, neither annihilated by death nor
- non-annihilated.’ The tenets of this school are condensed in
- Nagardjuna’s commentary on the Mahaprajna Paramita S’astra. He
- spent the later part of his life in a monastery at Kosala ...
- (correct date probably <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 194). After his death he received
- the title Bodhisattva. He is the author of many S’atras.”
- (Compare Eitel’s <cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_4" href="#Intro_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-<em>See</em> the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_5" href="#Intro_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-Kumarajiva was referred to as “one of the four suns of
- Buddhism” (Tchatvara Suryas). He laboured in China as a most
- active and judicious translator, and is credited with having
- introduced a new alphabet. One of Kumarajiva’s Chinese
- designations—Tung-Sheo—meant that, although young in years, he
- was ripe in the wisdom and virtues of old age. (Compare Eitel’s
- <cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_6" href="#Intro_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-Beal stated in his preface to the <cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>, that “it
- was translated first into the Chinese by Kumara-Jiva (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 405),
- who was brought into China from Thibet.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_7" href="#Intro_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-Other translations, worthy of recognition, are those
- attributed respectively to Bodhiruki (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 509), Paramartha (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span>
- 562), Dharmagupa, of the Sui dynasty (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 589–618), and I-Tsing
- (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 703). (Compare the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_8" href="#Intro_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-This information may be found in Max Müller’s
- <cite>Vagrakkhedika</cite>, and represented, doubtless, at the period when
- it was written, a considerable part of the knowledge available on
- the subject.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_9" href="#Intro_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-By Max Müller.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_10" href="#Intro_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-The Chinese Ma-Ming.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_11" href="#Intro_FNanchor_11" class="label">11</a>
-Compare the Chinese text of the Chi-Sin-Pien—<cite>The Awakening of Faith</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_12" href="#Intro_FNanchor_12" class="label">12</a>
-In the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_13" href="#Intro_FNanchor_13" class="label">13</a>
-“Supreme spiritual wisdom.” In Beal’s <cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>,
- “The unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart.”
- (Sanscrit, “<i>Annuttara Samyak Sambodhi Hridaya</i>.”)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_14" href="#Intro_FNanchor_14" class="label">14</a>
-According to the text of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, the intellect
- of Sakyamuni Buddha sank so profoundly into the past, that he was
- enabled to speak confidently of his experiences in previous
- incarnations. (Compare pp. <a href="#Ch_14_p5">56, 57</a>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_15" href="#Intro_FNanchor_15" class="label">15</a>
-From the text adopted by Mr H. Oelsner, M.A., Ph.D., for
- <cite>The Temple Classics</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_16" href="#Intro_FNanchor_16" class="label">16</a>
-Dr Edkins, in his scholarly work <cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>, seems
- to have regarded “the Law or body of doctrine” as an accurate
- definition of Dharma.</p>
-
-
-<p> Dr Eitel, in his <cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>, explained Dharma
- by “Fah”—“Law”; and observed that it is “a general term for
- religious objects, especially for the Buddhistic Canon.”</p>
-
-
-<p> Mr Vincent A. Smith, in <cite>Asoka, Buddhist Emperor of India</cite>,
- suggested that the Chinese <i>Hsiao</i> (piety), and the Latin <span xml:lang="la">Pietas</span>,
- coincide with the Sanscrit term Dharma.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_17" href="#Intro_FNanchor_17" class="label">17</a>
-The Chinese phrase is “Fah-sing-chen-ru-hai.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_18" href="#Intro_FNanchor_18" class="label">18</a>
-<i>See</i> the <cite>Tao-Teh-Ching</cite>. Compare, also, the statement
- attributed to Confucius—“Nature and Truth cannot be adequately
- expressed.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_19" href="#Intro_FNanchor_19" class="label">19</a>
-Or Dharma.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_20" href="#Intro_FNanchor_20" class="label">20</a>
-Compare <cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Perhaps this aspect of the “Law”
- of Buddha may be conceived of as harmonising with Shakespeare’s
- idea of a “Divinity.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_21" href="#Intro_FNanchor_21" class="label">21</a>
-It may be interesting to observe that, according to our
- Chinese text, Sakyamuni Buddha evidently disclaimed any desire to
- formulate, or to perpetuate, a stereotyped system of “Law” or
- “doctrine.” Sakyamuni Buddha also made it plain, that the “Law”
- which he enunciated, was presented before the minds of his
- disciples in the simile of a “raft”—a thing to be abandoned when
- the mind “touched the further shore” of everlasting truth. It
- seems to be in this tentative sense that intellectual Buddhists
- regard all ecclesiastical institutions, priesthoods, dogmas,
- ordinances, etc.; and we have met monks who would classify
- belief in the “efficacy” of religious rites or ceremonies, with
- obnoxious forms of “heresy” and “immorality.” (Compare Rhys
- Davids’ <cite>Buddhism</cite>.) With regard to the Buddhist objection
- concerning the “efficacy” of religious “rites,” compare the noble
- sentiments expressed in the following lines, delightfully
- rendered by Sir Edwin Arnold from the <cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite> (<cite>The Song
- Celestial</cite>):—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry2">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Serenity of soul, benignity,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Sway of the silent spirit, constant stress</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;To sanctify the nature,—these things make</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Good rite, and true religiousness of mind.”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_22" href="#Intro_FNanchor_22" class="label">22</a>
-Max Müller suggests that Samgna and Dharma “correspond in many
- respects to the Vedantic Namarupe”—in Chinese Ming-Seh—name,
- form, or characteristic.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_23" href="#Intro_FNanchor_23" class="label">23</a>
-Compare p. <a href="#Ch_21_p2">86</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_24" href="#Intro_FNanchor_24" class="label">24</a>
-Compare p. <a href="#Ch_14_p4">55</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_25" href="#Intro_FNanchor_25" class="label">25</a>
-Compare p. <a href="#Ch_18_p8">80</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_26" href="#Intro_FNanchor_26" class="label">26</a>
-Compare p. <a href="#Ch_17_p7">76</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_27" href="#Intro_FNanchor_27" class="label">27</a>
-Compare p. <a href="#Ch_26_p3">95</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_28" href="#Intro_FNanchor_28" class="label">28</a>
-Some modern Japanese Buddhists appear to regard this purely
- spiritual element as “essence of mind.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_29" href="#Intro_FNanchor_29" class="label">29</a>
-From the preface to <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_30" href="#Intro_FNanchor_30" class="label">30</a>
-Compare p. <a href="#Ch_32_p2">110</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_31" href="#Intro_FNanchor_31" class="label">31</a>
-Compare the interesting dialogue entitled <cite>The Enlightenment
- of Ananda</cite>, in which Sakyamuni instructs his distinguished
- disciple in ideas concerning the subjective and objective
- phenomena of mind.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_32" href="#Intro_FNanchor_32" class="label">32</a>
-Compare pp. <a href="#Ch_30_p2">102, 103</a>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_33" href="#Intro_FNanchor_33" class="label">33</a>
-Bodhisattvas—greatly enlightened disciples.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_34" href="#Intro_FNanchor_34" class="label">34</a>
-<cite>Vidya Matra Siddhi</cite>, a philosophical work by Vasubandhu, a
- native of Radjagriha, and disciple of Nagarjuna, founder of the
- Mahayana school. (Compare Eitel’s <cite>Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_35" href="#Intro_FNanchor_35" class="label">35</a>
-Compare the process of reasoning which permeates the entire
- <cite>Diamond Sutra</cite>. We hope no injustice is done to our Japanese
- friends, by applying to their beautiful concept “essence of
- mind,” this familiar logical method of Sakyamuni Buddha.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_36" href="#Intro_FNanchor_36" class="label">36</a>
-Fah-Shen—the Law, or spiritual body. Compare Shen-Shen, the
- term usually employed in the Chinese rendering of the New
- Testament Scriptures to denote the spiritual body.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_37" href="#Intro_FNanchor_37" class="label">37</a>
-Gatha—usually a Scripture verse comprising four lines.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_38" href="#Intro_FNanchor_38" class="label">38</a>
-Compare the following lines from <cite>The Song Celestial</cite>.—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“I am not known</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;To evil-doers, ... nor to those</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Whose mind is cheated by the show of things.”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_39" href="#Intro_FNanchor_39" class="label">39</a>
-In Buddhist phraseology, Yuen-Chioh means the study, by means
- of contemplation, of primary spiritual causes.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_40" href="#Intro_FNanchor_40" class="label">40</a>
-Compare Beal’s rendering in the Kin-Kong-King, “Tathagata is
- the explanation as it were of all systems of Law.” See also <cite>The
- Book of the Manifesting of the One and Manifold</cite> in <cite>The Song
- Celestial</cite>, the verse commencing:—</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Thou, of all souls the Soul!</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The comprehending whole!”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p> In conversation with Chinese monks regarding the meaning of this
- impressive passage, we found that they invariably approved of a
- suggested rendering, that “Buddha is the <em>One</em> in whom all Laws
- become intelligible.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_41" href="#Intro_FNanchor_41" class="label">41</a>
-Compare the observations made by Sir Edwin Arnold in his
- preface to <cite>The Song Celestial</cite>, regarding the date when that
- famous Brahmanic poem was composed; and the gentle indication
- that in its teaching may be found “echoes of the lessons of
- Galilee, and of the Syrian incarnation.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_42" href="#Intro_FNanchor_42" class="label">42</a>
-An instructive exposition of this subject by J. Muir, Esq.,
- entitled <cite>The Progress of the Vedic Religion towards Abstract
- Conceptions of the Deity</cite>, may be consulted in the <cite>Jour.
- R.A.S.,</cite> 1864–65.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_43" href="#Intro_FNanchor_43" class="label">43</a>
-In colloquial Chinese there is a noteworthy saying, that
- “Buddha is simply a condition of mind.” This “condition of mind”
- is beautifully expressed by a “classic” couplet, which, rendered
- into English, means “as pure as the image of the moon in a
- river,” and “as lovely as the bloom of a flower in a mirror”
- (Shui-Li-Chï-Yüeh, Ching-Li-Chï-Wha).</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_44" href="#Intro_FNanchor_44" class="label">44</a>
-Compare the beautifully expressed sentiment of Akhnaton,
- Pharaoh of Egypt, concerning “the One in whom all Laws are
- intelligibly comprehended.” “There is no poverty for him who hath
- Thee in his heart.” (See <cite>Life and Times of Akhnaton</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_45" href="#Intro_FNanchor_45" class="label">45</a>
-Rhys Davids, when he expounded the doctrine of Karma in
- <cite>Buddhism</cite>, clearly indicated the Buddhist position, “that
- whatever a man reaps, that he must also have sown.” Chinese
- Buddhists appear to be assured, “that if a man reaps sorrow,
- disappointment, pain, he himself, and no other, must at some time
- have sown folly, error, sin; and if not in this life, then in
- some former birth. Where then, in the latter case, is the
- identity between him who sows and him who reaps? <em>In that which
- alone remains</em> when a man dies, and the constituent parts of the
- sentient being are dissolved; in the result, namely, of his
- action, speech, and thought, in his good or evil <em>Karma</em>
- (literally his ‘doing’) which <em>does not</em> die.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_46" href="#Intro_FNanchor_46" class="label">46</a>
-In the concept Karma, Sakyamuni Buddha suggested the
- revealing of a <em>moral cause</em> which explained the otherwise
- insoluble riddle of the evident inequalities, and consequent
- sufferings of life.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_47" href="#Intro_FNanchor_47" class="label">47</a>
-Compare <cite>Buddhism</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_48" href="#Intro_FNanchor_48" class="label">48</a>
-“The much-canvassed Ritschlian doctrine of the <em>Worth</em>—or
- ‘value-judgments,’ in which the peculiarity of religious
- knowledge is supposed to lie.” For the introduction of the term
- into theology we are indebted to Herrmann, <cite>Die Religion, etc.</cite>,
- and Kaftan, <cite>Das Wesen</cite>. <i>See</i> Orr’s, <cite>The Ritschlian Theology and
- The Evangelical Faith</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Intro_Fnote_49" href="#Intro_FNanchor_49" class="label">49</a>
-It may be observed in this English version of <cite>The Diamond
- Sutra</cite>, that the Chinese term <i>Fuh</i>, in deference to our Oriental
- friends, is invariably rendered “Lord Buddha”—a designation
- consonant with <em>their</em> concepts of devotion and piety.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2>THE DIAMOND SUTRA</h2>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<p id="Ch_1" class="chapter">[Chapter 1]</p>
-
-<div>
- <img class="drop-cap" src="images/dropcap1.png" width="25" height="41" alt="" />
-</div>
-
-<p class="drop-cap">Thus
-have I heard<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch1_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> concerning our Lord Buddha:—</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_1_p1">Upon a memorable occasion, the Lord Buddha<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch1_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> sojourned in the kingdom
-of Shravasti,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch1_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> lodging in the grove of Jeta,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch1_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> a park within the
-imperial domain, which Jeta, the heir-apparent, bestowed upon
-Sutana,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch1_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> a benevolent Minister of State, renowned for his charities
-and benefactions.</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_1_p2">With the Lord Buddha, there were assembled together twelve hundred and
-fifty mendicant disciples,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch1_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> all of whom had attained to eminent
-degrees of spiritual wisdom.</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_1_p4" class="mb1">As it approached the hour for the morning meal, Lord Buddha, Honoured
-of the Worlds,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch1_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> attired himself in a mendicant’s robe,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch1_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> and
-bearing an alms-bowl in his hands, walked towards the great city of
-Shravasti, which he entered to beg for food.<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch1_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> Within the city he
-proceeded from door to door,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_10" href="#Ch1_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> and received such donations as the
-good people severally bestowed.<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_11" href="#Ch1_Fnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> Concluding this religious
-exercise, the Lord Buddha returned to the grove of Jeta, and partook
-of the frugal meal<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_12" href="#Ch1_Fnote_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> received as alms. Thereafter he divested
-himself of his mendicant’s robe, laid aside the venerated
-alms-bowl,<a id="Ch1_FNanchor_13" href="#Ch1_Fnote_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> bathed his sacred feet, and accepted the honoured seat
-reserved for him by his disciples.</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_1" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-It is generally supposed that the familiar introductory
- phrase, “Thus have I heard,” was adopted by the writers or
- editors of Buddhist Sutras in order that their scriptures might
- assume the same high degree of authority as the Brahmanas and the
- Mantras, “as forming the ‘S’ruti’ or sacred revelation of the
- followers of the Vedas.” (Compare Max Müller’s <cite>History of
- Sanscrit Literature</cite> and the valuable note in Beal’s
- <cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_2" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“The term (Buddha) means ‘every intelligent being who has
- thrown off the bondage of sense perception and self, knows the
- utter unreality of all phenomena, and is ready to enter
- Nirvana.’”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_3" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-Shravasti is variously described as the city (or kingdom) of
- philosophy, of good doctrine, of abundant virtue, and as the
- abode of immortals. It was situated on the north bank of the
- Ganges, about 200 miles above Benares. Much interesting
- information regarding the sacred city Shravasti, is fortunately
- preserved in the instructive records of the distinguished Chinese
- pilgrims, <i>Fa-Hien</i> and <i>Hiuen-Tsang</i>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_4" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“Prasenajit, the king of Shravasti, was very favourable to
- the Buddhist religion. It was his minister who bought the garden
- of Jeta from the prince of that name, and erected in it a
- residence for Buddha (<em>see</em> Julien’s <cite>Memoirs sur les Contrées
- Occidentales</cite>). Many of the Sutras attributed to Buddha are said
- to have been delivered here. <i>Hiuen-Tsang</i> observed the remains
- of the monastery formerly standing on the site of the garden of
- Jeta, 2 miles below the city.” — <cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_5" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“A person of extraordinary piety and goodness. One of the
- former Djatakas of Sakyamuni when he was a prince, and forfeited
- the throne by liberality in almsgiving.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_6" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-The Chinese text is <i>ta-pi-k’u</i>—greater disciples. Our Chinese
- editor of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> suggests that there are different
- grades of discipleship. The “lesser disciples” are those who have
- abandoned every form of vice, and are striving after virtue. The
- “greater disciples” are those to whom virtue has become
- spontaneous, and who have ceased to strive after its attainment.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_7" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-A title conferred by Chinese Buddhists upon the founder of
- their faith, believing him to be a Teacher and Saviour whose
- merit is acclaimed in worlds beyond our own.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_8" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-Having taken vows of poverty, a robe is one of the following
- eight articles which Buddhist monks are permitted to possess:
- three garments of different descriptions, a girdle for the loins,
- an alms-bowl, a razor, a needle, and a water-strainer.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_9" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-Buddha has said, “the wise priest never asks for anything; he
- disdains to beg; it is a proper thing for which he carries the
- alms-bowl; and this is his only mode of solicitation. But when he
- is sick, he is permitted to ask for any medicine that he may
- require, without being guilty of any transgression.”—<cite>Eastern
- Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_10" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-Concerning the manner of begging an alms: “As a bee,
- injuring not the flower, or its colour, or its scent, flies away,
- taking the nectar, so let a sage go through the
- village.”—<cite>Questions of King Milinda</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_11" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_11" class="label">11</a>
-“By many of the Buddhists it is considered to be an act of
- great merit to make a vow never to partake of food without giving
- a portion to the priests.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_12" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_12" class="label">12</a>
-“The fifth of the twelve sacred observances of the Chinese
- is called in Sanscrit Khaloupas’ Waddhaktinka, and is said to
- enjoin that the food obtained by the mendicant is to be divided
- into three portions: one to be given to any person whom he sees
- to be suffering from hunger, and a second to be carried to some
- quiet place in the forest, and placed upon a stone for the birds
- and beasts. If he does not meet with any one who is in want, he
- is not to eat the whole of the food that he has received, but
- two-thirds only. By this means his body will be lighter and more
- active.... He will be able readily to enter upon the practice of
- all good works. When any one eats too greedily ... nothing is
- more harmful to the development of reason.” (Quotation from
- Remusat’s <cite>Relation des Royaumes Buddhiques</cite>, in Spence Hardy’s
- <cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch1_Fnote_13" href="#Ch1_FNanchor_13" class="label">13</a>
-“The alms-bowl which Sakyamuni used is considered a sacred
- relic, and to be used by each of the hundred Buddhas of the
- present kalpa. It was first preserved in Vais’ali, whence its
- emigrations began to Gandhara, to Persia, to China, to Ceylon, to
- Madhyades’a, up into the heaven Tuchita, and down to the bottom
- of the ocean, where it is to await (in the palace of Sagara) the
- advent of Meitreya Buddha.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_2" class="chapter">[Chapter 2]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_2_p1">Upon that occasion, the venerable Subhuti<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch2_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> occupied a place in the
-midst of the assembly. Rising from his seat, with cloak arranged in
-such manner that his right shoulder was disclosed, Subhuti knelt upon
-his right knee, then pressing together the palms of his hands, he
-respectfully raised them towards Lord Buddha, saying: “Thou art of
-transcendent wisdom, Honoured of the Worlds! With wonderful
-solicitude, Thou dost preserve in the faith, and instruct in the Law,
-this illustrious assembly of enlightened disciples.<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch2_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> Honoured of the
-Worlds! if a good disciple, whether man or woman,<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch2_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> seeks to obtain
-supreme spiritual wisdom,<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch2_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> what immutable Law shall sustain the mind
-of that disciple, and bring into subjection every inordinate desire?”<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch2_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_2_p2" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha replied to Subhuti, saying: “Truly a most excellent
-theme! As you affirmed, I preserve in the faith, and instruct in the
-Law, this illustrious assembly of enlightened disciples. Attend
-diligently unto me, and I shall enunciate a Law whereby the mind of a
-good disciple, whether man or woman, seeking to obtain supreme
-spiritual wisdom,<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch2_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> shall be adequately sustained, and enabled to
-bring into subjection<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch2_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> every inordinate desire.” Subhuti was
-gratified, and signified glad consent. Thereupon, the Lord Buddha,
-with majesty of person,<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch2_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> and perfect articulation, proceeded to
-deliver the text of this Scripture,<a id="Ch2_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch2_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> saying:—</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_1" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“A famous dialectician noted for the subtilty of his
- intellect. He was a native of Shravasti, a contemporary of
- Sakyamuni, and figures as the principal interlocutor in the
- <cite>Prajna-Paramita</cite>.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_2" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“<i>Pu-Sa</i> or Bodhisattva, literally he whose essence (Sattva)
- has become intelligence (Bodhi). A being that has only once more
- to pass through human existence before it attains to Buddhaship.
- The third class of Buddhistic saints comprehending all who are
- candidates for Buddhaship as well as those Buddhas who are not yet
- perfected by entrance into Nirvana. They are also styled
- Mahasattvas (<i>Mo-Ho-Sa</i>). The state of a Bodhisattva is considered
- as one of the three means of conveyance to Nirvana.”—<cite>Handbook of
- Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_3" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Women began to ask and received permission to take the
- vows. They were called in India Bikshuni.... Ni is the Sanscrit
- feminine termination of Bikshu. These female mendicants were
- subject to the same code of regulations as the males.”—<cite>Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_4" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“<i>ho-ru-to-lo-san-mao-san-pu-ti</i> (Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi),
- literally unexcelled perfect intelligence. Another more
- painstaking but arbitrary explanation is untarnished and
- unparalleled (Nuttara) correct view (Sam) and complete wisdom
- (Myak) with complete possession of the highest sentiments
- (Sambodhi). This term, one of the sacred phrases of most frequent
- occurrence, signifies the characteristics which every Buddha
- possesses.” —<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“The unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>.
- <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_5" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“When a man’s heart is disposed in accordance with his roaming
- senses, it snatches away his spiritual knowledge as the wind does
- a ship on the waves.”—<cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite>. <span class="smcap">J. Cockburn Thomson</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_6" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-Chinese commentators are careful to explain that the title of
- this Sutra, <i>Po-ro-po-lo-mi</i> (<i>Prajna-Paramita</i>), means Wisdom, by
- which we are enabled to reach the other shore (Nirvana).</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_7" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
- Christ.”—The <span class="smcap">Apostle Paul</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_8" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-Compare the Chinese text of the famous Buddhist tract entitled
- <cite>Awakening of Faith</cite>, written by <i>Ma-Ming</i> (Asvaghocha), “who
- flourished <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 50, under the Indo-Scythic king, Gondophares.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch2_Fnote_9" href="#Ch2_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-“This work contains the germ of the larger compilation
- <cite>Prajna-Paramita</cite> in one hundred and twenty volumes. The
- abstractions of Buddhist philosophy, which were afterwards
- ramified to such a formidable extent as these numbers indicate,
- are here found in their primary form, probably as they were taught
- by Sakyamuni himself.”—<cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_3_4" class="chapter">[Chapters 3 and 4]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_3_4_p1"> “By this wisdom shall enlightened disciples be enabled to bring into
-subjection every inordinate desire! Every species of life, whether
-hatched in the egg, formed in the womb, evolved from spawn, produced
-by metamorphosis, with or without form or intelligence, possessing or
-devoid of natural instinct—from these changeful<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> conditions of
-being, I command you to seek deliverance,<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> in the transcendental
-concept of Nirvana.<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Thus, you shall be delivered from an
-immeasurable, innumerable, and illimitable world of sentient life;
-but, in reality, there is no world of sentient life from which to
-seek deliverance. And why? Because, in the minds<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> of enlightened
-disciples there have ceased to exist such arbitrary concepts of
-phenomena as an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality.”<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_3_4_p2">“Moreover, Subhuti, an enlightened disciple ought to act spontaneously
-in the exercise of charity,<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> uninfluenced by sensuous phenomena<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a>
-such as sound, odour, taste, touch, or Law.<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> Subhuti, it is
-imperative that an enlightened disciple, in the exercise of charity,
-should act independently of phenomena. And why? Because, acting
-without regard to illusive forms of phenomena, he will realise in the
-exercise of charity, a merit inestimable and immeasurable.”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">“Subhuti, what think you? Is it possible to estimate the distance
-comprising the illimitable universe of space?”<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> Subhuti replied,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! It is impossible to estimate the
-distance comprising the illimitable universe of space.” The Lord
-Buddha thereupon discoursed, saying: “It is equally impossible to
-estimate the merit<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_10" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> of an enlightened disciple, who discharges the
-exercise of charity, unperturbed by the seductive influences of
-phenomena. Subhuti, the mind of an enlightened disciple ought thus to
-be indoctrinated.”<a id="Ch3_4_FNanchor_11" href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_1" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Discoursing upon illusory ideas concerning the world of
- sentient life, the Lord Buddha stated that these were already
- eliminated from the minds of his enlightened disciples. The
- reference in the text is to disciples in process of instruction,
- and these the Lord Buddha commanded to relegate to oblivion the
- deceptive idea of the reality of sentient life, to dissolve within
- their minds its nauseous dregs, to put away its horrid stain, and
- cause it to vanish like snow in a glowing furnace. —<cite>Chinese
- Annotation</cite>.</p>
-
-<p> “The very nature of phenomena demonstrates that they must have had
- a beginning, and that they must have an end.” —<cite>Lay Sermons</cite>.
- <span class="smcap">Huxley</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_2" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-By adopting the term <i>Mieh-Tu</i>, Chinese Buddhists appear well
- prepared to refute a prevalent notion that their concept of
- deliverance is equivalent to annihilation. <i>Mieh</i> usually means
- annihilation, but <i>Tu</i>—to cross over in safety, is the antithesis
- of annihilation. After due consideration of the significance of
- the terminology, perhaps it will be generally conceded that
- English renderings of <i>Mieh-Tu</i> as Deliverance or Salvation, are
- not without some degree of justification.</p>
-
-<p> “All these I command and exhort to enter on the state of the
- unsurpassed Nirvana (Pari Nirvana), and for ever to free
- themselves from the conditions of being to which they severally
- belong.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_3" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“The dewdrop slips into the shining sea.” —<cite>Light of Asia</cite>.
- Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</p>
-
-<p> “The dewdrop re-becomes the shining sea.” —<i>Chioh-Hsien</i> (a
- Chinese monk).</p>
-
-<p> “The popular exoteric systems agree in defining Nirvana negatively
- as a state of absolute exemption from the circle of
- transmigration as a state of entire freedom from all forms of
- materiality, from all passion and exertion, mentally and
- emotionally, a state of indifference therefore alike to joy and
- pain. Positively they define Nirvana as the highest stage of
- spiritual liberty and bliss, as absolute immortality through
- absorption of the soul into itself. Individuality is preserved,
- and Buddhas who have entered Nirvana occasionally reappear again
- to intervene on behalf of the faithful.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_4" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-The able commentator <i>Ti-Ching</i> observes that many people,
- like Ananda—a favourite disciple of Buddha—are in error when they
- suppose their minds to be located within their material bodies.
- This interesting aspect of Buddhist psychology is made tolerably
- clear in the familiar narrative known generally as <cite>The
- Enlightenment of Ananda</cite>. Therein the Lord Buddha endeavours to
- prove that as objects within ourselves are invisible, the
- illuminating mind cannot be asserted to inhabit exclusively our
- material bodies. He also indicates that it cannot be affirmed to
- occupy any appointed sphere outside ourselves, it being usually
- understood that we observe only those objects by which we are
- environed. The Lord Buddha also controverts the theory, enunciated
- by Ananda, that the mind is secreted somewhere within the organs
- of sense; which assumption is based upon a notion that the seeing
- eye, and differentiating mind, are mysteriously correlated.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_5" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“This belief in self is regarded so distinctly as a heresy
- that two well-known words in Buddhist terminology have been coined
- on purpose to stigmatise it. The first of these is Sakkayaditthi,
- ‘the heresy of individuality,’ the name given to this belief as
- one of the three primary delusions (the others being doubt, and
- belief in the efficacy of rites or ceremonies) which must be
- abandoned at the very first stage of the Buddhist path of
- holiness. The other is Attavada, ‘the doctrine of soul or self,’
- which is the name given to it as a part of the chain of causes
- which lead to the origin of evil. It is there classed—with
- sensuality, heresy (as to eternity and annihilation), and belief
- in the efficacy of rites and ceremonies—as one of the four
- Upadanas, which are the immediate cause of birth, decay, death,
- sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W.
- Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_6" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“The first of six Paramita—charity, morality, endurance,
- energy, contemplation, wisdom—cardinal virtues, or means of
- progressing towards Nirvana. The virtue of religious charity,
- implying all kinds of self-denying acts, almsgiving, sacrifice,
- etc.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_7" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-“The kind of craving excitement, which follows on sensation,
- and causes the delusion of self and the lust of life—creating
- either delight in the objects that present themselves, or an eager
- desire to supply a felt want—this eager yearning thirst growing
- into sensuality, desire of future life, or love of the present
- world, is the origin of all suffering. Sorrow and suffering will
- be overcome, extinguished, if this ‘thirst’ be quenched, this lust
- of life destroyed. ‘He who overcomes this contemptible thirst,
- sufferings fall off from him like water drops from a lotus
- leaf.’”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_8" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-<i>Fah</i>, the Chinese equivalent of Dharma—Law, appears to be a
- generic term for all religious doctrines incidental to Buddhism.
- The Buddhas are invariably referred to as <i>Fah-Wang</i>—Princes of
- the Law. The Sutras are frequently alluded to as <i>Fah-Pao</i>—Jewels
- of the Law. The monks are usually designated <i>Fah-Men</i>—Disciples
- of the Law. The interminable process of transmigration is depicted
- by <i>Fah-Luen</i>—Wheel of the Law. The dissemination of Buddhistic
- tenets is typified by <i>Chuan-Fah-Luen</i>—Revolving Wheel of the Law.
- Religious designations consonant with the idea of Law, are held in
- high esteem amongst the Buddhist ecclesiastical orders. Of such
- are <i>Fah-Ai</i>—Lover of the Law; <i>Fah-Lien</i>—Approved in the Law;
- <i>Fah-Ming</i>—Brightness of the Law (compare Eitel’s <cite>Handbook of
- Chinese Buddhism</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_9" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-“Subhuti, can the western, or southern, or northern regions of
- space be measured? or the four midway regions of space (<i>i.e.</i>,
- N.E., S.E., S.W., N.W.), or the upper and lower regions: can
- either of these be accurately measured or defined?”—
- <cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_10" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-“Of all the modes of acquiring merit, that of almsgiving is
- the principal; it is the chief of the virtues that are requisite
- for the attainment of the Buddhaship; it is the first of the four
- great virtues, <i>viz</i>.: almsgiving, affability, promoting the
- prosperity of others, and loving others as ourselves; it is
- superior to the observance of the precepts—the path that all the
- Buddhas have trod—a lineage to which they have all belonged....
- The giving of alms softens the mind, and brings it into
- subjection, by which the ascetic is prepared for the exercise of
- the rites he is afterwards to practise.... The faithful are
- required to give in alms of that which they have honestly earned
- by their own personal exertions.... There must be a willing mind
- respecting that which they offer, from the time that the intention
- of making the offering is formed to the time when it is presented,
- as well as after it has been made.... When the gift, the giver,
- and the receiver are all pure, the reward is proportionately
- great.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch3_4_Fnote_11" href="#Ch3_4_FNanchor_11" class="label">11</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Let his livelihood be kindliness,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;His conduct righteousness,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Then in the fulness of gladness</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;He will make an end of grief.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_5" class="chapter">[Chapter 5]</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha interrogated Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Is it
-possible that by means of his physical body,<a id="Ch5_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch5_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> the Lord Buddha may be
-clearly perceived?” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the
-Worlds! It is impossible that by means of his physical body, the Lord
-Buddha may be clearly perceived. And why? Because, what the Lord
-Buddha referred to as a physical body, is in reality not merely a
-physical body.” Thereupon the Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying:
-“Every form or quality of phenomena is transient and illusive. When
-the mind realises that the phenomena of life are not real phenomena,
-the Lord Buddha may then be clearly perceived.”<a id="Ch5_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch5_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch5_Fnote_1" href="#Ch5_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“Primitive Buddhism distinguished a material, visible, and
- perishable body (<i>Seh-Shen</i>—<i>lit</i>., the Body of Form) and an
- immaterial, invisible, immortal body (<i>Fah-Shen</i>—<i>lit</i>., the Body
- of Law) as the constituents of every personality. This
- dichotomism, taught, as it seems by Sakyamuni himself, was ever
- afterwards retained as regards the nature of ordinary mortals. But
- in later ages, when the combined influence of Sivaism, which
- ascribed to Siva a threefold body (called <i>Dharmakaya</i>—essence,
- <i>Sambhogakaya</i>—reflex intelligence, and <i>Nirmanakaya</i>—practical
- issue of his intelligence), and that of Brahmanism with its
- Trimurti, gave rise to the Buddhist dogma of a Triratna
- (<i>San-Pao</i>—the precious Buddha, the precious Law, and the precious
- Priesthood), trichotomism was taught with regard to the nature of
- all Buddhas. Again they ascribed to every Buddha a triple form of
- existence, viewing him: (1) as having entered Nirvana; (2) as
- existing in reflex in the world of form; (3) as existing or having
- existed on earth.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch5_Fnote_2" href="#Ch5_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-The spiritual Buddha must be realised within the mind,
- otherwise there can be no true perception of the Lord
- Buddha.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_6" class="chapter">[Chapter 6]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_6_p1">Subhuti enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds!
-In future ages, when this scripture is proclaimed, amongst those
-beings destined to hear, shall any conceive within their minds a
-sincere, unmingled faith?”<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch6_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_6_p2">The Lord Buddha replied to Subhuti, saying: “Have no such apprehensive
-thought! Even at the remote period of five centuries subsequent to the
-Nirvana of the Lord Buddha,<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch6_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> there will be many disciples observing
-the monastic vows,<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch6_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> and assiduously devoted to good works.<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch6_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> These,
-hearing this scripture proclaimed, will believe in its immutability,
-and similarly conceive within their minds a pure, unmingled faith.
-Besides, it is important to realise that faith<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch6_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> thus conceived, is
-not exclusively in virtue of the insular thought of any particular
-Buddha, but because of its affiliation with the concrete<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch6_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> thoughts
-of myriad Buddhas, throughout infinite ages. Therefore, amongst the
-beings destined to hear this Scripture proclaimed, many, by momentary
-reflection, will intuitively<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch6_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> conceive a pure and holy faith.”</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, the Lord Buddha by his prescience,<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch6_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> is perfectly cognisant
-of all such potential disciples, and for these also there is reserved
-an immeasurable merit. And why? Because, the minds of these disciples
-will not revert to such arbitrary concepts of phenomena as an entity,
-a being, a living being, a personality, qualities or ideas coincident
-with Law, or existing apart from the idea of Law. And why? Because,
-assuming the permanency and reality of phenomena, the minds of these
-disciples would be involved in such distinctive ideas as an entity, a
-being, a living being, and a personality. Affirming the permanency and
-reality of qualities or ideas coincident with Law, their minds would
-inevitably be involved in resolving these same definitions.
-Postulating the inviolate nature of qualities or ideas which have an
-existence apart from the Law, there yet remain to be explained these
-abstruse distinctions—an entity, a being, a living being, and a
-personality. Therefore, enlightened disciples ought not to affirm the
-permanency or reality of qualities or ideas coincident with Law, nor
-postulate as being of an inviolate nature, qualities or ideas having
-an existence apart from the concept of Law.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_6_p4" class="mb1">“Thus, we are enabled to appreciate the significance of those words
-which the Lord Buddha invariably repeated to his followers: ‘You
-disciples must realise that the Law which I enunciated, was presented
-before your minds in the simile of a raft.<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch6_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> If the Law—having
-fulfilled its function in bearing you to the other shore
-(Nirvana)<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_10" href="#Ch6_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a>—with its coincident qualities and ideas must inevitably
-be abandoned,<a id="Ch6_FNanchor_11" href="#Ch6_Fnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> how much more inevitable must be the abandonment of
-qualities or ideas which have an existence apart from the Law?’”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_1" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Compare the question addressed by Jesus to His disciples,
- “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_2" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“In fulness of the times—it fell</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The Buddha died, the great Tathagata,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Even as a man ’mongst men, fulfilling all:</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;And how a thousand thousand lakhs since then</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Have trod the Path which leads whither he went</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Unto Nirvana, where the Silence lives.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The
- Light of Asia</cite>. <span class="smcap">Sir Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_3" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-When a novice seeks admission to a monastic order, an
- ordination service is conducted by a chapter of monks, at which
- the following vows are administered. “I take the vow not to
- destroy life. I take the vow not to steal. I take the vow to
- abstain from impurity. I take the vow not to lie. I take the vow
- to abstain from intoxicating drinks, which hinder progress and
- virtue. I take the vow not to eat at forbidden times. I take the
- vow to abstain from dancing, singing, music, and stage plays. I
- take the vow not to use garlands, scents, unguents, or ornaments.
- I take the vow not to use a high or broad bed. I take the vow not
- to receive gold or silver.” (Compare <cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_4" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“The primary motive for doing good, and worshipping Buddha,
- according to these scriptures (the Buddha scriptures of Nipal), is
- the hope of obtaining absorption into the nature of the god, and
- being freed from transmigrations.”—<cite>China</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">John Francis Davis</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_5" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“And is thy faith so much to give,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Is it so hard a thing to see,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;That the Spirit of God, whate’er it be,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The Law that abides and changes not, ages long,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The Eternal and Nature-Born—these things be strong?”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The
- Bacche</cite>. <span class="smcap">Euripides</span> (translated by Gilbert Murray).</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_6" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“The elements of faith, like the flowers, appear to have their
- roots in eternity.”—<i>Chang-Ming</i> (a Chinese monk).</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_7" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-“Were it possible for a Yogi and a Rahat from India, a Greek
- philosopher from one of the schools holding the power of
- intuition, an ascetic from the wilds of Syria or the mountains of
- Egypt, a heretic from the school at Alexandria, a monk from one of
- the monasteries of Europe, a schoolman of the Middle Ages, and a
- modern German metaphysician of the school of Schelling to meet
- together, and were it possible for them to forget their sectarian
- subtleties and nice distinctions, they would find that there was a
- vast mass of speculation about the main principles of which they
- were agreed. They would be of one mind relative to the four
- following propositions: (1) That there is an objective potency of
- intellect; (2) That this potency can be rendered subjective by
- concentrated thought, ascetic exercises, or determined effort; (3)
- That this potency can only be acquired by the initiated; (4) That
- the initiated may enlarge this potency to a limitless extent. As
- to the efficient cause of the potency, there would be a difference
- of opinion; some would ascribe it to intuition alone, while others
- would attribute it to an alliance with higher spirits or with God;
- but of its existence there would be no doubt.”—<cite>Eastern
- Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_8" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“For now I know, by what within me stirs,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;That I shall teach compassion unto men</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;And be a speechless world’s interpreter.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of
- Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_9" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-“(By me) is made a well-constructed raft,—so said Bhagavat—I
- have passed over (to Nibbana), I have reached the further bank,
- having overcome the torrent (of passions); there is no (further)
- use for a raft: therefore if thou like, rain, O
- sky!”—<cite>Sutta-Nipata</cite>. <span class="smcap">Fausböll</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_10" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-Compare an idea expressed by the apostle Paul, “wherefore the
- law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” Note, also, the
- similarity of a metaphor employed in Christian anthology, “We
- shall meet on that beautiful ‘shore.’”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch6_Fnote_11" href="#Ch6_FNanchor_11" class="label">11</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Our little systems have their day,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;&emsp;They have their day and cease to be;</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;&emsp;They are but broken lights of Thee,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;But thou, O Lord, art more than they.”</div>
-<div class="verser">—<span class="smcap">Tennyson</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>“Reposing on eternal truth ... when thy mind shall have worked
- through the snares of delusion, then wilt thou attain to
- indifference to the doctrines, which are either (already)
- received, or have yet to be received.”—<cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite>. <span class="smcap">J.
- Cockburn Thomson</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_7" class="chapter">[Chapter 7]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Has the
-Lord Buddha really attained to supreme spiritual wisdom? Or has he a
-system of doctrine which can be specifically formulated?”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_7_p2" class="mb1">Subhuti replied, saying: “As I understand the meaning of the Lord
-Buddha’s discourse, he has no system of doctrine which can be
-specifically formulated; nor can the Lord Buddha express, in explicit
-terms, a form of knowledge which can be described as supreme spiritual
-wisdom. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha adumbrated in terms of
-the Law, is transcendental and inexpressible. Being a purely spiritual
-concept, it is neither consonant with Law, nor synonymous with
-anything apart from the Law. Thus<a id="Ch7_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch7_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> is exemplified the manner by
-which wise disciples and holy Buddhas, regarding intuition<a id="Ch7_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch7_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> as the
-Law of their minds, severally attained to different planes of
-spiritual wisdom.”<a id="Ch7_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch7_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch7_Fnote_1" href="#Ch7_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“So it appears that all the sages and wise men who have lived
- have all adopted this mode of diffusive doctrine [doctrine which
- admits of no particular distinction (<i>wou-wei</i>)], and hence the
- differences which have occurred.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch7_Fnote_2" href="#Ch7_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-The Chinese text “<i>i-wu-wei-fah</i>,” is explained by a learned
- expositor as <i>tsz-ran-choih-sing</i>—the intuitive faculty.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch7_Fnote_3" href="#Ch7_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Because that thing which was known or taught by the Tathagata
- is incomprehensible and inexpressible. It is neither a thing nor
- no-thing. And why? Because the holy persons are of imperfect
- power.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_8" class="chapter">[Chapter 8]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? If a
-benevolent person bestowed as alms, an abundance of the seven
-treasures<a id="Ch8_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch8_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> sufficient to fill the universe, would there accrue to
-that person a considerable merit?”</p>
-
-<p>Subhuti replied, saying:<a id="Ch8_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch8_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> “A very considerable merit, Honoured of
-the Worlds! And why? Because, what is referred to does not partake of
-the nature of ordinary merit, and in this sense the Lord Buddha made
-mention of a ‘considerable’ merit.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_8_p3" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha rejoined, saying: “If a disciple adhered with implicit
-faith to a stanza<a id="Ch8_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch8_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> of this Scripture, and diligently explained it to
-others, the intrinsic merit of that disciple would be relatively
-greater. And why? Because, Subhuti, the holy Buddhas, and the Law<a id="Ch8_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch8_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a>
-by which they attained to supreme spiritual wisdom, severally owe
-their inception to the truth<a id="Ch8_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch8_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> of this sacred Scripture. Subhuti,
-what is ordinarily termed the Buddhic Law, is not really a Law
-attributive to Buddha.”<a id="Ch8_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch8_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch8_Fnote_1" href="#Ch8_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch8_Fnote_2" href="#Ch8_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Very considerable indeed, world-honoured one! But why so?
- This merit being in its very character of the nature of that which
- is no merit at all, so Tathagata speaks of it as being
- ‘much.’”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
- <p>“Subhuti said: Yes, O Sugata, that son or daughter of a good
- family would produce a large stock of merit. And why? Because, O
- Bhagavat, what was preached by the Tathagata as the stock of
- merit, is no stock of merit. Therefore, the Tathagata preaches: ‘a
- stock of merit, a stock of merit indeed!’”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.
- <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch8_Fnote_3" href="#Ch8_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Gatha—hymns and chants, narratives containing moral
- expositions in metrical language. A Chinese text says, ‘32
- characters form one Gatha,’ which refers to a certain variety of
- Gatha called Aryagiti, a metre consisting of 32
- instants.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch8_Fnote_4" href="#Ch8_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“The <i>Dharmma</i> (Law) is perfect, having nothing redundant, and
- nothing wanting. But it requires attention, that the benefits it
- offers may be received. Though the teacher may attain great
- happiness, and enter Nirvana, it does not follow that the disciple
- will necessarily possess the same privileges; he may be like one
- who binds the crown upon the head of another. Therefore each one
- for himself must exercise meditation, and observe the ordinances,
- that he may attain wisdom.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch8_Fnote_5" href="#Ch8_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“Faith is in the world the best property for a man; <i>Dhamma</i>
- (the Law), well observed, conveys happiness; truth, indeed, is the
- sweetest of things; and the life they call the best which is lived
- with understanding.”—<cite>Sutta-Nipata</cite>. <span class="smcap">Fausböll</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch8_Fnote_6" href="#Ch8_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“What then, Subhuti? All the Buddhas, and all the perfect laws
- of the Buddhas, have sprung from (the principles of) this one
- Sutra; but, Subhuti, that which is spoken of as the Law of Buddha,
- is after all not such a Law (or, is a Law of no
- Buddha).”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
- <p>“Because, O Subhuti, the highest perfect knowledge of the holy and
- enlightened Tathagatas is produced from it; the blessed Buddhas
- are produced from it. And why? Because, O Subhuti, when the
- Tathagata preached: ‘The qualities of Buddha, the qualities of
- Buddha indeed!’ They were preached by him as no-qualities of
- Buddha. Therefore they are called the qualities of Buddha.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
- <p>An erudite Chinese commentator suggests that the words
- <i>fei-fuh-fah</i> are synonymous with <i>wu-wei-fah</i>—intuition, already
- observed in the preceding section. A familiar passage from
- <i>Lao-Tsz</i>, “Infinite truth is inexpressible,” is quoted by our
- commentator as serving to illustrate the difficulty of giving
- expression to an idea equivalent to the Law of Buddha.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_9" class="chapter">[Chapter 9]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_9_p1">The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? May a
-Scrotapatti<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch9_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> (having entered the stream which bears on to Nirvana)
-thus moralise within himself, ‘I have obtained the fruits<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch9_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a>
-commensurate with the merit of a Scrotapatti’?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! And why? Because, Scrotapatti is
-simply a descriptive term signifying ‘having entered the stream.’ A
-disciple who avoids the seductive phenomena of form, sound, odour,
-taste, touch, and Law,<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch9_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> is named a Scrotapatti.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_9_p2">The Lord Buddha again enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you?
-May a Sakridagami<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch9_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> (who is subject only to one more reincarnation)
-thus muse within himself, ‘I have obtained the fruits consonant with
-the merit of a Sakridagami’?” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured
-of the Worlds! And why? Because, Sakridagami is merely a descriptive
-title denoting ‘only one more reincarnation’;<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch9_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> but in reality there
-is no such condition as ‘only one more reincarnation,’ hence
-Sakridagami is merely a descriptive title.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_9_p3">The Lord Buddha once again enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think
-you? May an Anagami<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch9_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> (having entire immunity from reincarnation)
-thus reflect within himself, ‘I have obtained the fruits which accord
-with the merit of an Anagami?’” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured
-of the Worlds! And why? Because, Anagami is merely a designation
-meaning ‘immunity from reincarnation’; but in reality there is no such
-condition as ‘immunity from reincarnation,’ hence Anagami is merely a
-convenient designation.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_9_p4" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha yet again enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think
-you? May an Arhat<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch9_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> (having attained to absolute quiescence of mind)
-thus meditate within himself, ‘I have obtained the condition of an
-Arhat’?” Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! And
-why? Because, there is not in reality a condition synonymous with the
-term Arhat. Honoured of the Worlds! if an Arhat thus meditates within
-himself, ‘I have obtained the condition of an Arhat,’ there would be
-obvious recurrence of such arbitrary concepts as an entity, a being, a
-living being, and a personality. Honoured of the Worlds! When the Lord
-Buddha declared that in absolute quiescence<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch9_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> of mind, perfect
-observance of the Law,<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch9_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> and true spiritual perception, I was
-pre-eminent amongst the disciples, I did not cogitate thus within
-myself, ‘I am an Arhat, freed<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_10" href="#Ch9_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> from desire!’ Had I thus cogitated,
-‘I have obtained the condition of an Arhat,’<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_11" href="#Ch9_Fnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> the ‘Honoured of the
-Worlds’ would not have declared concerning me, ‘Subhuti delights in
-the austerities practised by the Aranyaka’;<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_12" href="#Ch9_Fnote_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> but, in reality,
-Subhuti was perfectly quiescent and oblivious to phenomena;<a id="Ch9_FNanchor_13" href="#Ch9_Fnote_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> hence
-the allusion, ‘Subhuti delights in the austerities practised by the
-Aranyaka.’”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_1" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“One who has entered (Apatti) the stream (Srota), the latter
- being defined as the stream of holy conduct (which bears on to
- Nirvana).”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_2" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Men walking in the path, and standing in the fruits thereof,
- those who have attained some fruits thereof but are yet
- learners ... whose hope is directed to the utmost goal.”—<cite>Questions
- of King Milinda</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Enter the path! There spring the healing streams</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Quenching all thirst! there bloom th’ immortal flowers</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Carpeting all the way with joy! there throng</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Swiftest and sweetest hours.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_3" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-Perhaps in the sense that a Scrotapatti clearly perceives and
- understands the tentative nature of the Law, his mind being
- trained to regard it as “a well-constructed raft,” designed to
- bear him safely across the stream of spiritual consciousness upon
- which he has entered. It also appears that the Scrotapatti
- discerns in the <i>idea</i> of the Law, something as unreal and
- ephemeral as the phenomena of form, sound, odour, taste, or touch.
- In seeking “Nirvana’s blest abode,” the Scrotapatti endeavours to
- “rise by daily sojourn with these phantasies—to lovelier verities.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_4" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“The path Sakradagami is so called because he who enters it
- will receive one more birth. He may enter this path in the world
- of men, and afterwards be born in a Dewa-Loka (a heavenly
- mansion—in Chinese <i>Tien-Kong</i>); or he may enter it in a
- Dewa-Loka, and afterwards be born in the world of men.”—<cite>Eastern
- Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_5" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“Because he is not an individual being (Dharma), who has
- obtained the state of a Sakridagami.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max
- Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_6" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“Not returning, or not being reborn in the world of desire.
- The third degree of Buddhistic saintship, the third class of
- Aryas, embracing all those who are no more liable to be reborn as
- men, though they are to be born once more as Devas, when they will
- forthwith become Arhats and enter Nirvana.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Men devoid of passion, and of malice, and of dulness, men in whom
- the great evils (lust, becoming, delusion, and ignorance) are not,
- men who have neither craving thirst, nor grasping
- desires.”—<cite>Questions of King Milinda</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_7" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-“Explained by <i>Fuh-Ko</i>—the Fruit of Buddha (Buddhaphalam). The
- original meaning of Arhat (deserving, worthy) is overlooked by
- most Chinese commentators, who explained the term as if it were
- written <i>Ari-Hat</i>—Destroyer of the Enemy. The following two
- explanations are given, <i>Shah-Tseh</i>—Destroying the Enemy, and
- <i>Puh-Seng</i>—not to be reborn, <i>i.e.</i>, except from transmigration.
- There is, however, a third explanation which is based on the
- original meaning of Arhat, namely <i>Ying-Kong</i>—deserving worship.
- The Arhat is the perfected Arya (one who has mastered the four
- spiritual truths—<i>Sz-Ti</i>—and thereby entered the path to Nirvana
- called Arya-Marga), and the state of Arhat can accordingly be
- attained only by passing through the different degrees of
- saintship. Arhatship implies possession of supernatural powers,
- and is to be succeeded either by Buddhaship or by immediate
- entrance into Nirvana.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Those who have entered the stream, and those who, free from
- stains, will only be reborn once more on earth, those who will
- never again return, and Arhats—these are they who dwell in the
- ‘city of Righteousness.’”—<cite>Questions of King Milinda</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys
- Davids</span>.</p>
-
-<p>In the moral philosophy of Mencius there is inculcated a principle
- of having few desires (<i>Kwa-Yuh</i>), and Chinese Buddhists
- frequently institute comparisons between those “few desires” and
- “no desires” of the Arhats.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_8" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-A Chinese annotator suggests it is almost self-evident that
- “absolute quiescence” is the condition of mind in which knowledge
- is acquired by intuition.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_9" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“More is the treasure of the Law than gems;</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Sweeter than comb its sweetness; its delights</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Delightful past compare.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_10" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-“The man for whom there is nothing upon which he depends, who
- is independent, having understood the <i>Dhamma</i> (Law), for whom
- there is no desire for coming into existence or having
- existence—him I call calm.... He has overcome
- desire.”—<cite>Dhammapada</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“This devotion should be practised with that determination by
- which thought becomes indifferent (to every worldly object). He
- who has abandoned all desires which spring from imagination, and
- has, by means of his heart, kept back the whole collection of the
- senses from every direction (in which they would go), should
- gradually become passive by his mind’s acquiring firmness, and, by
- having caused his heart to remain within himself, should not place
- his thoughts on anything at all.”—<cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite>.—<span class="smcap">J. Cockburn
- Thomson</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_11" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_11" class="label">11</a>
-“There are some persons who obtain the Rahatship
- instantaneously, while others can only obtain it by a slow
- process; they must give aims, make offerings, study the <i>Bana</i>
- (Law), and exercise the necessary discipline.”—<cite>Eastern
- Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_12" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_12" class="label">12</a>
-“Explained by ‘living in retirement,’ ‘a hermit,’ ‘a
- recluse.’ The term signifies ascetics who live in strict
- seclusion. There are three classes to be distinguished. The first
- is called <i>Dharma Aranyaka</i>—‘Hermits of the Law,’ their favourite
- tenet being the doctrine that the principles (<i>Dharma</i>)
- constituting human nature are originally calm, still, and passive.
- Their favourite tree is the Bodhi tree (tree of intelligence). The
- second class is called <i>Matanga Aranyaka</i>. Its members reside
- constantly in cemeteries, and are prohibited to approach a village
- within hearing distance of the lowing of a cow. They are probably
- called after the Hindoo caste <i>Matanga</i>. The third class, or the
- <i>Danataka Aranyaka</i>, is formed by hermits living on the sea beach
- or on half-tide rocks.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Men whose home is the forest, men who have taken on themselves
- the extra vows, men full of joy, men who are wearing rough
- garments, men rejoicing in solitude.”—<cite>Questions of King Milinda</cite>.
- T. W. Rhys Davids.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch9_Fnote_13" href="#Ch9_FNanchor_13" class="label">13</a>
-“The <i>Sramana</i> (Buddhist monk) who sets himself to overcome
- the evils of existence, retires from all intercourse with the
- world, and either practises meditation, simply, or joins with it
- the practice of Kasina (an ascetic exercise to free the mind from
- all agitation), by which he is enabled to attain to <i>Nimitta</i>
- (inward illumination), which is represented as being a mental
- illumination that brings with it, in various degrees of
- perfection, the state of mind called <i>Samadhi</i> (absolute
- self-abstraction). This result of profound meditation includes
- undisturbed tranquillity, and equanimity the most entire, and in
- its superior degree it produces unconsciousness.”—<cite>Eastern
- Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“The world-honoured one would not then have said: ‘Subhuti, what
- is this but the name of the one who delights in the mortification
- of an <i>Aranyaka</i> (forest devotee),’ regarding ‘Subhuti’ as in
- truth not acting at all, but as a mere name, then (in such
- forgetfulness of self) ‘he is one who delights in
- self-mortification.’”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_10" class="chapter">[Chapter 10]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? When the
-Lord Buddha, in a previous life, was a disciple of Dipankara
-Buddha,<a id="Ch10_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch10_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> was there communicated to him any prescribed Law, or system
-of doctrine, whereby he eventually became a Buddha?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! When the Lord Buddha was a
-disciple of Dipankara Buddha, neither prescribed Law nor system of
-doctrine was communicated to him, whereby he eventually became a
-Buddha.”<a id="Ch10_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch10_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_10_p2">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? may an
-enlightened disciple thus ponder within himself, ‘I shall create
-numerous Buddhist Kingdoms’?”<a id="Ch10_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch10_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Subhuti replied, saying: “No!
-Honoured of the Worlds! And why? Because, kingdoms thus created would
-not in reality be Buddhist kingdoms,<a id="Ch10_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch10_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> therefore ‘the creation of
-numerous Buddhist kingdoms’ is merely a figure of speech.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha, continuing, addressed Subhuti, saying: “Enlightened
-disciples ought therefore to engender within themselves a pure and
-holy mind; they ought not to depend on the phenomena of form, sound,
-odour, taste, touch, or Law; they ought to sedulously cultivate a mind
-independent of every material aid.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_10_p4" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “Supposing a man with a
-body as pretentious as Sumeru,<a id="Ch10_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch10_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> prince among mountains, would you
-esteem such a body as being great?” Subhuti replied, saying:
-“Exceedingly great, Honoured of the Worlds! And why? Because, the Lord
-Buddha referred not to a physical body,<a id="Ch10_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch10_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> but to mental and spiritual
-concepts of bodies, in which sense a body may be regarded as really
-Great.”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch10_Fnote_1" href="#Ch10_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“<i>Ran-Teng-Fuh</i>—the Buddha who illuminates brightly,
- <i>Ting-Kwang-Fuh</i>—the Buddha of fixed light. The twenty-fourth
- predecessor of Sakyamuni, from whom the latter received the
- assurance of his being destined for Buddhaship.”—<cite>Handbook of
- Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>It is recorded in <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite> that the Lord Buddha, in
- previous incarnations, assiduously performed religious vows, and
- deferentially honoured all contemporary Buddhas. An image of a
- former master, Dipankara Buddha, may frequently be observed in
- Chinese Buddhist temples, immediately behind the more conspicuous
- figure of Sakyamuni Buddha. Amongst Chinese Buddhist anniversaries
- may be found the birthday of “the ancient Buddha, <i>Ran-Teng</i>”
- (Dipankara), and the period allocated for its observance is the
- 22nd day of the 8th month. (Compare Edkins’ <cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>.)</p>
-
-<p><a id="Ch10_Fnote_2" href="#Ch10_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“It is maintained by the Buddhists that the founder of their
- faith was entirely <i><span xml:lang="el">αὐτοδιδακτος</span></i>. The wisdom that he manifested
- was the outbeaming of a self-enkindled flame, not an inspiration
- from any exterior source, nor was it the result of any process of
- thought or reason. To whatever object he directed his intellectual
- vision, whether it was near or remote, whether past, present, or
- future, he saw it in a moment, intuitively, and yet in a manner
- the most absolutely perfect.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-
-<p><a id="Ch10_Fnote_3" href="#Ch10_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Bhagavat said: If Subhuti, a Bodhisattva, should say, ‘I
- shall create numbers of worlds,’ he would say what is untrue. And
- why? Because, O Subhuti, when Tathagata preached numbers of
- worlds, numbers of worlds indeed! they were preached by him as no
- numbers. Therefore they are called numbers of worlds.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, what think you? are the various lands and territories of
- the Buddhas completely perfected by the Bodhisatwas who occupy
- them? No! World-honoured one! for this complete perfection of
- which we speak is after all no perfection at all, it is only an
- empty name.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“The wise man is always thinking: How can I and these beings
- become Buddhas? I will preach this true Law, upon which the
- happiness of all beings depends, for the benefit of the
- world.”—<cite>Saddharma-Pundarika</cite>. <span class="smcap">H. Kern</span>.</p>
-
-<p>The words <i>Chuang-Yen</i>, in a Buddhist sense, usually refer to the
- erection or adornment of temples and pagodas, almsgiving, or other
- work of merit. Used in conjunction with <i>Fuh-Tu</i>—Buddhist
- kingdoms, as exemplified by our text, <i>Chuang-Yen</i> appears to
- convey a much wider meaning. Perhaps it refers to a spiritual
- creation and adornment by charity and virtue, of kingdoms owning
- allegiance to the Lord Buddha.</p>
-
-<p>“In twelve years from the commencement of his public teaching,
- Buddha’s doctrines had spread over sixteen Indian
- kingdoms.”—<cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-
-<p><a id="Ch10_Fnote_4" href="#Ch10_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-A Buddhist kingdom has no outward manifestation; it is a pure
- and holy condition of mind.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>Compare the statement attributed to Christ, “The kingdom of heaven
- is <em>within</em> you.”</p>
-
-<p><a id="Ch10_Fnote_5" href="#Ch10_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“Sumeru is probably Elburz, an isolated mountain of the
- Caucasus range, 18,000 feet in height, and surrounded by low
- ground.”—<cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“But when they brought the painted palanquin</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;To fetch him home, the bearers of the poles</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Were the four Regents of the Earth, come down</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;From Mount Sumeru.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p><a id="Ch10_Fnote_6" href="#Ch10_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“The modification which Buddhism introduced into the idea of
- transmigration was necessitated by the early Buddhist theories of
- the nature of sentient beings; according to which, man consists of
- an assemblage of different properties or qualities ... these are
- Material qualities, Sensations, abstract Ideas, Tendencies of
- mind, and mental Powers.... The first group, Material Qualities,
- are like a mass of foam, that gradually forms, and then vanishes.
- The second group, the Sensations, are like a bubble dancing on the
- face of the water. The third group, the Ideas, are like the
- uncertain mirage that appears in the sunshine. The fourth group,
- the mental and moral Predispositions, are like the plantain stalk,
- without firmness or solidity. And the last group, the Thoughts,
- are like a spectre or magical illusion. The body itself is
- constantly changing, ... man is never the same for two consecutive
- moments.” (Compare Rhys Davids’ <cite>Buddhism</cite>, and Spence Hardy’s
- <cite>Manual</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>“For instance, Subhuti, a man might have a body and a large body,
- so that his size should be as large as the king, of mountains,
- Sumeru. Do you think then, O Subhuti, that his selfhood would be
- large? Subhuti said, Yes! his selfhood would be large. And why?
- Because, when the Tathagata preached ‘selfhood,’ selfhood indeed!
- it was preached by him as no selfhood. Therefore it is called
- selfhood.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_11" class="chapter">[Chapter 11]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_11_p1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If there were rivers
-Ganges as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, would the aggregate
-grains of sand<a id="Ch11_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch11_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> be of considerable number?” Subhuti replied, saying:
-“Of very considerable number, Honoured of the Worlds! The rivers
-Ganges alone would be innumerable, and much more innumerable would be
-the grains of sand.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha thereupon addressed Subhuti, saying: “I have a truth
-to declare unto you! If a good disciple, whether man or woman, were to
-bestow in the exercise of charity, an abundance of the seven
-treasures,<a id="Ch11_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch11_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> sufficient to fill as many boundless universes as there
-would be grains of sand in these innumerable rivers, would the
-cumulative merit of such a disciple be considerable?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “Very considerable, Honoured of the Worlds!”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_11_p3" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha then declared unto Subhuti, “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, were with implicit faith to adhere to a stanza
-of this Scripture, and diligently explain it to others, the consequent
-merit would be relatively greater than the other.”</p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch11_Fnote_1" href="#Ch11_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Sarvanikchepa, by which you deal</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;With all the sands of Gunga, till we come</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;To Antah-Kalpas, where the unit is</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The sands of ten crore Gungas.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch11_Fnote_2" href="#Ch11_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.</p>
-
-<p>“As much of the seven precious substances as would fill as many
- great chiliocosms as there are sands in all the rivers above
- described.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_12" class="chapter">[Chapter 12]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_12_p1" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha, continuing, said unto Subhuti: “Wherever this
-Scripture is proclaimed, even though it were but a stanza comprising
-four lines, you should realise that that place would be sanctified by
-the presence of the whole realm of gods, men, and terrestrial
-spirits,<a id="Ch12_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch12_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> who ought unitedly to worship, as if before a sacred
-shrine of Buddha.<a id="Ch12_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch12_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> But what encomium shall express the merit of a
-disciple who rigorously observes, and diligently studies,<a id="Ch12_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch12_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> the text
-of this Scripture? Subhuti, you should realise that such a disciple
-will be endowed<a id="Ch12_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch12_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> with spiritual powers commensurate with initiation
-in the supreme, incomparable, and most wonderful Law.<a id="Ch12_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch12_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> Whatever
-place constitutes a repository for this sacred Scripture, there also
-the Lord Buddha may be found, together with disciples worthy of
-reverence and honour.”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch12_Fnote_1" href="#Ch12_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Adopting Max Müller’s rendering. In the Chinese text are
- <i>Tien</i>, <i>Ren</i>, and <i>O-Siu-Lo</i>—heaven, or gods—men, and <i>Asurus</i>;
- the latter defined as <i>fei-tien</i>—not celestial spirits.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch12_Fnote_2" href="#Ch12_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to
- the earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect Buddha,
- revered by gods and men.”</p>
-
-<p>“Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the
- earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect <i>Dhamma</i>
- (Law), revered by gods and men.”</p>
-
-<p>“Whatever spirits have come together here, either belonging to the
- earth or living in the air, let us worship the perfect <i>Sangha</i>
- (community of monks), revered by gods and men.”—<cite>Dhammapada</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max
- Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch12_Fnote_3" href="#Ch12_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana),
- thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not
- die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead
- already.”—<cite>Dhammapada</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch12_Fnote_4" href="#Ch12_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“They, O Subhuti, will be endowed with the highest wonder
- (with what excites the highest wonder). And in that place, O
- Subhuti, there dwells the teacher (Sasa, often the name of
- Buddha), or one after another holding the place of the wise
- preceptor. (This may refer to a succession of teachers banding
- down the tradition one to another.)”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max
- Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, know that this man has acquired knowledge of the most
- excellent and desirable of all Laws; and if the place where this
- Sutra is recited be worthy of all honour as the place of Buddha
- himself, so also is this disciple honourable and worthy of the
- highest respect.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch12_Fnote_5" href="#Ch12_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“The praises of the <i>Bana</i> (Law) are a favourite subject with
- the native authors.... The discourses of Buddha are as a divine
- charm to cure the poison of evil desire; a divine medicine to heal
- the disease of anger; a lamp in the midst of the darkness of
- ignorance; a fire, like that which burns at the end of a Kalpa, to
- destroy the evils of repeated existence; a meridian sun to dry up
- the mud of covetousness; a great rain to quench the flame of
- sensuality; a thicket to block up the road that leads to the
- <i>Narakas</i> (place of the wicked); a ship in which to sail to the
- opposite shore of the ocean of existence; a collyrium for taking
- away the eye-film of heresy; a moon to bring out the night-blowing
- lotus of merit; a succession of trees bearing immortal fruit,
- placed here and there, by which the traveller may be enabled to
- cross the desert of existence; ... a straight highway by which to
- pass to the incomparable wisdom; a door of entrance to the eternal
- city of Nirvana; ... a treasury of the best things it is possible to
- obtain; and a power by which may be appeased the sorrow of every
- sentient being.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_13" class="chapter">[Chapter 13]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_13_p1">Upon that occasion, Subhuti enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! by what name shall this Scripture be known,
-that we may regard it with reverence?” The Lord Buddha replied,
-saying: “Subhuti, this Scripture shall be known as <i>The Diamond
-Sutra</i>,<a id="Ch13_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch13_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> ‘The Transcendent Wisdom,’ by means of which we reach
-‘The Other Shore.’ By this name you shall reverently regard it! And
-why? Subhuti, what the Lord Buddha declared as ‘transcendent wisdom’
-by means of which we reach ‘the other shore,’ is not essentially
-‘transcendent wisdom’—in its essence it transcends all wisdom.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying:<a id="Ch13_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch13_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> “What think you? Did the
-Lord Buddha formulate a precise system of Law or doctrine?” Subhuti
-replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! The Lord Buddha did not
-formulate a precise system of Law or doctrine.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_13_p3">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? within the
-myriad worlds which comprise this universe, are the atoms of dust
-numerous?”<a id="Ch13_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch13_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Subhuti replied, saying: “Very numerous, Honoured of the
-Worlds!”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha continuing his discourse, said: “Subhuti, the Lord
-Buddha declares that all these ‘atoms of dust’ are not essentially
-‘atoms of dust,’ they are merely termed ‘atoms of dust.’ The Lord
-Buddha also declares that those ‘myriad worlds’ are not really ‘myriad
-worlds,’ they are merely designated ‘myriad worlds.’”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Can the
-Lord Buddha be perceived by means of his thirty-two bodily
-distinctions?”<a id="Ch13_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch13_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the
-Worlds! the Lord Buddha cannot be perceived by means of his thirty-two
-bodily distinctions. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred
-to as his ‘thirty-two bodily distinctions,’ are not in reality ‘bodily
-distinctions,’ they are merely defined as ‘bodily distinctions.’”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_13_p6" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, day by day sacrificed lives innumerable as the
-sands of the Ganges;<a id="Ch13_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch13_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> and if another disciple adhered with implicit
-faith to a stanza of this Scripture, and diligently explained it to
-others, the intrinsic merit of such a disciple would be relatively
-greater than the other.”<a id="Ch13_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch13_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch13_Fnote_1" href="#Ch13_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-A Chinese annotator observes, that as the “diamond” excels all
- other precious gems in brilliance and indestructibility, so also
- the “wisdom” of this Sutra transcends and shall outlive all
- other knowledge known to philosophy.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch13_Fnote_2" href="#Ch13_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Then what do you think, O Subhuti, is there anything that was
- preached by the Tathagata? Subhuti said: Not indeed, O Bhagavat,
- there is nothing that was preached by the Tathagata.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>It appears to be one of the distinctive features of primitive
- Buddhism, that its founder made provision for the utmost
- development of the human intellect, within the spheres of religion
- and philosophy. According to the text of <cite>The Diamond Sutra</cite>, the
- Lord Buddha evidently disclaims any suggestion on his part to
- formulate a “precise system of Law or doctrine” corresponding to
- the idea of a <em>creed</em>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch13_Fnote_3" href="#Ch13_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Matter is infinitely divisible.”—<cite>The World as Idea and
- Will</cite>. <span class="smcap">Schopenhauer</span>.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">&emsp;&emsp;“After me repeat</div>
-<div class="verse">Your numeration....</div>
-<div class="verse">By Pundarikas unto Padumas,</div>
-<div class="verse">Which last is how you count the utmost grains</div>
-<div class="verse">Of Hastagiri ground to finest dust.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>“If the Buddha was not a materialist, in the sense of believing in
- the eternal existence of material atoms, neither could he in any
- sense be called a ‘spiritualist,’ or believer in the external
- existence of abstract spirit. With him creation did not proceed
- from an omnipotent spirit or mind evolving phenomena out of itself
- by the exercise of will, nor from an eternal self-existing,
- self-evolving germ of any kind. As to the existence in the
- universe of any spiritual substance which was not matter and was
- imperceptible to the senses, it could not be proved.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>.
- Sir <span class="smcap">Monier Williams</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, all these countless particles of dust Tathagata declares
- are no real particles; it is but an empty name by which they are
- known. Tathagata declares that all these systems of worlds
- composing the great chiliocosm are no real worlds; they are but
- empty names.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch13_Fnote_4" href="#Ch13_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“Characteristic physiological marks by which every Buddha may
- be recognised.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Can Tathagata be known by the thirty-two signs (of a hero)?”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“The King saluted, and Queen Maya made</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;To lay her babe before such holy feet;</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;But when he saw the prince the old man cried</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;‘Ah, Queen not so!’ and thereupon he touched</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Eight times the dust, laid his waste visage there,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Saying, ‘O Babe! I worship! Thou art He!</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;I see the rosy light, the foot-sole marks,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The soft curled tendrils of the Swastika,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The sacred primal signs thirty-and-two,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The eighty lesser tokens. Thou art Buddh,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;And thou wilt preach the Law and save all flesh</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Who learn the Law.’”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>“Bright were the divine lineaments of his face, and as the Master
- (of the Law) gazed in awe and holy reverence, he knew not how to
- compare the spectacle; the body of Buddha and his Kashaya robe
- were of a yellowish red colour, and from his knees upward the
- distinguishing marks of his person were exceedingly glorious.”—<cite>The
- Life of Hiuen-Tsang</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch13_Fnote_5" href="#Ch13_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-The Chinese expression <i>Shen-Ming</i>—life, invariably refers to
- life in an ordinary material sense, and which may be offered in
- sacrifice. But in Buddhist philosophy there is a spiritual
- <i>Atman</i>, which can be disposed of only by knowledge.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch13_Fnote_6" href="#Ch13_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“Were any one to fill the bowl of Buddha with the choicest
- food, or to present oil, sugar, honey, medicaments in the greatest
- abundance, or to build thousands of <i>Wiharas</i> (monasteries or
- temples) splendid as those of Anuradhapura (an ancient city in
- Ceylon, the Anurogrammum of Ptolemy), or to present an offering to
- Buddha like that of Anepidu (a rich merchant of Sewet), the
- hearing or reading of one stanza of the <i>Bana</i> (Law) would be more
- meritorious than all.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_14" class="chapter">[Chapter 14]</p>
-
-<p>Upon that occasion, the venerable Subhuti, hearing the text of this
-scripture proclaimed, and profoundly realising its meaning, was moved
-to tears. Addressing the Lord Buddha, he said: “Thou art of
-transcendent wisdom, Honoured of the Worlds! The Lord Buddha in
-expounding this supreme canon of Scripture, surpassed in perspicuity
-every exposition previously heard by me, since my eyes<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch14_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> were
-privileged to perceive this most excellent wisdom. Honoured of the
-Worlds! In years to come, if disciples hearing this scripture
-proclaimed, and having within their minds a pure and holy faith,
-engender true concepts of the ephemeral nature of phenomena—we ought
-to realise that the cumulative merit of such disciples will be
-intrinsic and wonderful. Honoured of the Worlds! The true concept of
-phenomena is, that these are not essentially phenomena, and hence the
-Lord Buddha declared that they are merely termed phenomena.”</p>
-
-<p>“Honoured of the Worlds! having heard this unprecedented Scripture,
-faith, clear understanding, and firm resolve to observe its precepts,
-follow as a natural sequence. If, in future ages, disciples destined
-to hear this Scripture, likewise believe, understand, and observe its
-precepts, their merit will incite the highest wonder and praise.<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch14_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a>
-And why? Because, the minds of those disciples<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch14_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> will have outgrown
-such arbitrary ideas of phenomena as an entity, a being, a living
-being, or a personality. And why? Because, the entity is in reality
-non-entity; and a being, a living being, or a personality, are ideas
-equally nebulous and hypothetical.<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch14_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> Wherefore, discarding every
-arbitrary idea of phenomena, the wise and wholly enlightened were
-severally designated Buddha.”<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch14_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a></p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha, assenting, said unto Subhuti: “If, in future ages,
-disciples destined to hear this Scripture, neither become perturbed by
-its extreme modes of thought,<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch14_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> nor alarmed by its lofty
-sentiments,<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch14_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> nor apprehensive about realising its high
-ideals<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch14_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a>—these disciples also, by their intrinsic merit, will incite
-superlative wonder and praise.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_14_p4">“Subhuti, what the Lord Buddha referred to as the first <i>Paramita</i><a id="Ch14_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch14_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a>
-(charity), is not in reality the first <i>Paramita</i>, it is merely termed
-the first <i>Paramita</i>”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_14_p5">“Subhuti, regarding the third <i>Paramita</i> (endurance), it is not in
-reality a <i>Paramita</i>, it is merely termed a <i>Paramita</i>. And why?
-Because, in a previous life, when the Prince of Kalinga<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_10" href="#Ch14_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a>
-(‘Kaliradja’) severed the flesh from my limbs and body, at that time I
-was oblivious to such arbitrary ideas of phenomena as an entity, a
-being, a living being, or a personality. And why? Because, upon that
-occasion, when my limbs and body were rent asunder, had I not been
-oblivious to such arbitrary ideas as an entity, a being, a living
-being, or a personality, there would have originated within my mind,
-feelings of anger and resentment.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_14_p6">“Subhuti, five hundred incarnations ago,<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_11" href="#Ch14_Fnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> I recollect that as a
-recluse practising the ordinances of the Kshanti-Paramita,<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_12" href="#Ch14_Fnote_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> even
-then I had no such arbitrary ideas as an entity, a being, a living
-being, or a personality. Therefore, Subhuti, an enlightened disciple
-ought to discard as being unreal and illusive, every conceivable form
-of phenomena.<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_13" href="#Ch14_Fnote_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> In aspiring to supreme spiritual wisdom, the mind
-ought to be insensible to every sensuous influence, and independent of
-everything pertaining to sound, odour, taste, touch, or Law. There
-ought to be cultivated a condition of complete independence of mind;
-because, if the mind is depending upon any external aid, it is
-obviously deluded—there is in reality nothing external to depend
-upon.<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_14" href="#Ch14_Fnote_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> Therefore, the Lord Buddha declared that in the exercise of
-charity, the mind of an enlightened disciple ought not to depend upon
-any form of phenomena. Subhuti, an enlightened disciple desirous to
-confer benefits upon the whole realm of being, ought thus to be
-animated in the exercise of charity.”<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_15" href="#Ch14_Fnote_15" class="fnanchor">15</a></p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha, in declaring the “unreality of phenomena,” also
-affirmed “that the whole realm of sentient life is ephemeral and
-illusory.”<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_16" href="#Ch14_Fnote_16" class="fnanchor">16</a></p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, the sayings of the Lord Buddha are true, credible, and
-immutable. His utterances are neither extravagant nor chimerical.
-Subhuti, the plane<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_17" href="#Ch14_Fnote_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> of thought to which the Lord Buddha attained,
-cannot be explained in terms synonymous with reality or
-non-reality.”</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, in the exercise of charity, if the mind of an enlightened
-disciple is not independent of every Law, he is like unto a person
-having entered impenetrable darkness, and to whom every object is
-invisible. But an enlightened disciple, discharging the exercise of
-charity with a mind independent of every Law, is like unto a person
-having the power of vision, in the meridian glory of the sunlight, and
-to whom every object is visible.”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">“Subhuti, in future ages, if a good disciple, whether man or woman,
-rigorously studies and observes the text of this Scripture; the Lord
-Buddha, by means of his Buddhic wisdom,<a id="Ch14_FNanchor_18" href="#Ch14_Fnote_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> entirely knows and
-perceives that for such a disciple there is reserved a cumulative
-merit, immeasurable and illimitable.”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_1" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“As one raises what has been overthrown, or reveals what has
- been hidden, or tells the way to him who has gone astray, or holds
- out an oil lamp in the dark that those who have eyes may see the
- objects, even so by the venerable Gotama in manifold ways the
- <i>Dhamma</i> (Law) has been illustrated.”—<cite>Dhammapada</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_2" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“The chief of the priests of that establishment (the Jayendra
- convent) was a man of high moral character. He observed with the
- greatest strictness the religious rules and ordinances. He was
- possessed of the highest intelligence, and acquainted with all the
- points of a true disciple. His talents were eminent; his spiritual
- powers exalted; and his disposition affectionate.”—<cite>The Life of
- Hiuen-Tsang</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_3" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“They had within themselves the possession of a power by which
- all objective truth could be presented to their intellectual
- vision. They, therefore, partook of what in other systems would be
- regarded as divinity.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_4" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“They have been divided into existing and non-existing, real
- and unreal, by those who had wrong notions; other laws also, of
- permanency, of being produced, of birth from something already
- produced, are wrongly assumed.”—<cite>Saddharma-Pundarika</cite>. <span class="smcap"> H. Kern</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_5" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“But, O Bhagavat, there will not arise in them any idea of a
- self, of a being, of a living being, of a person, nor does there
- exist for them any idea of no-idea. And why? Because, the idea of
- a self is no-idea, the idea of a being is no-idea, the idea of a
- living being is no-idea, the idea of a person is no-idea. And why?
- Because, the blessed Buddhas are freed from all ideas.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_6" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a></p>
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">... “For birth and death End hence for me and those who learn</div>
-<div class="verse">End hence for me and those who learn my Law.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_7" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-“As the Buddhist strove to reach a state of quietism or holy
- meditation in this world, namely the state of the perfect disciple
- or Arhat; so he looked forward to an eternal calm in the world to
- come, Nirvana. Buddha taught that this end could only be attained
- by the practice of virtue.”—<cite>The Indian Empire</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">William Hunter</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_8" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-“The heart of it is love, the end of it
- Is peace and consummation sweet.”—<cite>The
- Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_9" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-The first of six <i>Paramita</i>—charity, morality, endurance,
- energy, contemplation, wisdom—or means of attaining to Nirvana.</p>
-
-<p>“What the Tathagata preaches as the <i>Prajna-Paramita</i>, that was
- preached also by innumerable Blessed Buddhas. Therefore it is
- called the <i>Prajna-Paramita</i>,”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_10" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-“An ancient kingdom S.E. of Kos’ala, a nursery of heretical
- sects, the present Calingapatah, a town in the northern Circars
- (Lat. 18° 15 N., Long. 85° 11 E.).”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>It is recorded that the Lord Buddha, in a previous incarnation,
- was living in a mountainous region, strictly observing the
- monastic vows. The Prince of Kalinga, a cruel and dissolute ruler,
- having organised a hunting expedition, visited the secluded
- region, accompanied by numerous ladies of his harem. Fatigued by
- the excitement of the chase, the prince fell into a deep siesta.
- Meantime, the ladies resolved upon a short excursion along a
- mountain path. Unexpectedly meeting the Lord Buddha, they were
- greatly astonished at his dignified bearing and edifying
- conversation. When the prince awoke from his siesta, he was
- irritated to find that his ladies had disappeared. Instituting an
- immediate search, he became filled with implacable rage upon
- discovering them in the society of a hermit. The incident, as
- narrated in the Chinese text, proved to be a distressing sequel to
- the modest ladies’ innocent adventure. (Compare <cite>Chinese
- Annotations</cite>, etc.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_11" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_11" class="label">11</a>
-“Various forms of pre-existence to the number of 500 or 550
- are recorded, in the course of which he (Buddha) marked his way up
- through as many different stages of transmigration from the lowest
- spheres of life to the highest, practising all kinds of
- asceticism, and exhibiting in every form the utmost unselfishness
- and charity.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“I and thou, O Arjuna! have passed through many transmigrations. I
- know all these.... Even though I am unborn, of changeless essence,
- and the lord also of all which exist, yet, in presiding over
- nature (Prakrita), which is mine, I am born by my own mystic power
- (Maya). For whenever there is a relaxation of duty, ... and an
- increase of impiety, I then reproduce myself for the protection of
- the good.... I am produced in every age.”—<cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite>. <span class="smcap">J.
- Cockburn Thomson</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_12" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_12" class="label">12</a>
-“Explained by patient endurance of insult. The virtue of
- patience, implying constant equanimity under persecution, and
- excluding hatred and revenge.”—<cite>Handbook of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Because, O Subhuti, I remember the past five hundred births, when
- I was the <i>Rishi-Kshantivadin</i> (preacher of endurance).”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_13" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_13" class="label">13</a>
-“Let (the Bodhisattva) be concentrated in mind, attentive,
- ever firm as the peak of Mount Sumeru, and in such a state (of
- mind) look upon all laws (and things) as having the nature of
- space (as being void), permanently equal to space, without
- essence, immovable, without substantiality. These, indeed, are the
- Laws, all and for ever.”—<cite>Saddharma-Pundarika</cite>. <span class="smcap"> H. Kern</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_14" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_14" class="label">14</a>
-“Because what is believed is not believed (not to be depended
- on).”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_15" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_15" class="label">15</a>
-“Hence Buddha declares that the mind of a Bodhisatwa ought
- not to rely on any formal act of charity. Subhuti, the Bodhisatwa
- ought to distribute his almsgiving for the purpose of benefiting
- the whole mass of sentient creatures, and yet Tathagata declares
- that as all dependencies are after all no real subjects of
- dependence, so also he says that all sentient creatures are not in
- reality what they are called.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_16" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_16" class="label">16</a>
-Literally, “Every form of phenomena is really <em>not</em> phenomena;
- every form of sentient life is in reality <em>not</em> sentient life.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_17" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_17" class="label">17</a>
-The Buddhist term, <i>Fah</i> (Law).</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch14_Fnote_18" href="#Ch14_FNanchor_18" class="label">18</a>
-“The omniscience of Buddha is not the knowledge of all
- things, but the power of knowing whatever he wishes to know. In
- opposition to other teachers, who deduce their doctrines from
- certain previously assumed principles, and who may err either in
- the data, or in the deductions from them. Buddha affirms of
- himself that the complete field of truth is before him, that the
- eye of wisdom to perceive it was obtained by him when he became a
- Buddha; and whatever he desires to know he perceives perfectly,
- and at one glance, without any reasoning process.”—(Rev. D. J.
- Gogerly, in the <cite>Ceylon Friend</cite>. Quoted by R. Spence Hardy, in
- <cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>).</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_15" class="chapter">[Chapter 15]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_15_p1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, in the morning, at noonday, and at eventide,
-sacrificed lives innumerable as the sands of the Ganges, and thus
-without intermission throughout infinite ages; and if another
-disciple, hearing this Scripture proclaimed, steadfastly believed it,
-his felicity would be appreciably greater than the other. But how much
-greater must be the felicity of a disciple who transcribes the sacred
-text, observes its precepts, studies its Laws, and repeats the
-Scripture that others may be edified thereby?”</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, the relative importance of this Scripture may thus be
-summarily stated: its truth is infinite; its worth incomparable; and
-its merit interminable.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_15_p3" class="mb1">“The Lord Buddha delivered this Scripture specifically for those who
-are entered upon the path which leads to Nirvana, and for those who
-are attaining to the ultimate plane of Buddhic thought.<a id="Ch15_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch15_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> If a
-disciple rigorously observes, studies, and widely disseminates the
-knowledge of this Scripture, the Lord Buddha entirely knows and
-perceives that for such an one there will be a cumulative merit,
-immeasurable, incomparable, illimitable, and inconceivable. All such
-disciples will be endowed with transcendent Buddhic wisdom and
-enlightenment.<a id="Ch15_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch15_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> And why? Because, Subhuti, if a disciple takes
-pleasure in a narrow or exclusive form of the Law,<a id="Ch15_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch15_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> he cannot
-receive with gratification<a id="Ch15_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch15_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> the instruction of this Scripture, or
-delight in its study, or fervently explain it to others. Subhuti, in
-whatever place there is a repository for this Scripture, the whole
-realm of spiritual beings ought to adore it; and reverencing it as a
-sacred shrine,<a id="Ch15_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch15_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> ceremoniously surround it, scattering profusely
-sweet-scented flowers, and pure odours of fragrant incense.”<a id="Ch15_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch15_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch15_Fnote_1" href="#Ch15_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Literally, for the <i>ta-cheng-che</i>—those of the great vehicle,
- <i>i.e.</i>, the Mahayana faith. “They taught (the Mahayana school)
- that there were two methods of salvation, or, so to speak, two
- ways or two vehicles—the great and the little (Maha-Yana and
- Hina-Yana)—and indeed two Bodhis or forms of true knowledge which
- these vehicles had to convey (there was also a middle way). The
- former was for ordinary persons, the latter for beings of larger
- talents and higher spiritual powers.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Monier
- Williams</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Therefore let one always be thoughtful, and avoid (gross)
- pleasures; having abandoned them, let him cross the stream, after
- baling out the ship, and go to the other shore
- (Nirvana).”—<cite>Dhammapada</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch15_Fnote_2" href="#Ch15_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“All these beings will equally remember the <i>Bodhi</i> (the
- highest Buddhic knowledge), will receive it and understand
- it.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“All men being one with <i>ho-tan</i> (Gautama?) Tathagata, arrive at
- the state of the unsurpassed, just, and enlightened
- (heart).”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>The Chinese phrase “<i>ho-tan-Ju-Lai</i>,” may mean to bear upon the
- person evidences of the Lord Buddha. Compare the statement of the
- apostle Paul, “I bear in my body evidences of the Lord Jesus
- Christ.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch15_Fnote_3" href="#Ch15_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-Those disciples associated with the <i>Siao-Fah</i> (little Law,
- the Hinayana school of Buddhist thought), are rather ungraciously
- referred to by a Chinese commentator as “rootless stems”; by which
- we are reminded of the Hindoo aphorism, “from the absence of a
- root within the root, all things are rootless.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch15_Fnote_4" href="#Ch15_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-When the Lord Buddha delivered the Sutra known as the <cite>Lotus
- of the Good Law</cite>, it is recorded that five thousand followers
- forsook him, owing to what they regarded as a grave difficulty in
- complying with its intensely abstruse doctrines.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch15_Fnote_5" href="#Ch15_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“In these two places also Topes (where relics of Buddha are
- deposited and safeguarded) have been built, both adorned with
- layers of all the previous substances (gold, silver, pearls,
- coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal). The kings, ministers, and
- peoples of the kingdoms vie with one another in making offerings
- at them. The trains of those who come to scatter flowers and light
- lamps at them never cease.”—<cite>The Travels of Fa-Hien</cite>. <span class="smcap">Legge</span>.</p>
-
-<p>This descriptive scene concerning the endless trains of pilgrims
- who lit their lamps at the sacred shrine, may recall to our minds
- the beautifully expressed line in Sophocles’ <cite>Œdipus Coloneus</cite>,
- thus rendered by Professor Jebb, <i>The torch-lit strand</i> of Eleusis.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch15_Fnote_6" href="#Ch15_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“Then the king, with his assembled ministers and all the
- priests belonging to the capital (of Kashmir), advanced to the
- preaching hall (<i>Dharmasala</i>) and escorted him (the Master of the
- Law) onwards, being altogether something like a thousand men, with
- standards and parasols, with incense and flowers filling the
- roads. When they met (the Master of the Law) they all performed a
- humble salutation, and spread before him countless flowers as
- religious offerings.”—<cite>The Life of Hiuen-Tsang</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_16" class="chapter">[Chapter 16]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha, continuing, addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good
-disciple, whether man or woman, devoted to the observance and study of
-this Scripture, is thereby despised, or lightly esteemed,<a id="Ch16_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch16_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> it is
-because that in a previous life there had been committed some grievous
-transgression, followed now by inexorable retribution.<a id="Ch16_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch16_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> But,
-although in this life despised or lightly esteemed, the compensating
-merit thus acquired will cause the transgression of a former life to
-be fully expiated, and the disciple adequately recompensed by the
-attainment of supreme spiritual wisdom.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_16_p2">“Furthermore, Subhuti, numberless ages ago, I recollect that before
-the advent of Dipankara Buddha, there were myriad Buddhas before whom
-I served and received religious instruction, my conduct being entirely
-blameless and without reproach. But, in the ages to come, if a
-disciple be enabled to rigorously observe and to study the text of
-this Scripture, the merit thus acquired will so far exceed the measure
-of my merit in the service of those myriad Buddhas, that it cannot be
-stated in terms of proportion, nor comprehended by means of any
-‘analogy.’”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">“Again, Subhuti, in future ages, if a good disciple, whether man or
-woman, be enabled to rigorously observe and to study consecutively the
-texts of this Scripture, were I to elaborate either the nature or
-extent of this merit, those who heard it might become delirious, or
-entirely doubt its credibility.<a id="Ch16_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch16_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Subhuti, it is necessary to
-realise, that as the meaning of this Scripture is beyond ordinary
-comprehension, the scope of its fruitful rewards is equally
-incomprehensible.”<a id="Ch16_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch16_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch16_Fnote_1" href="#Ch16_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“Whoever reviles Buddha or his disciple, be he a wandering
- mendicant, or a householder, let one know him as an
- outcast.”—<cite>Sutta-Nipata</cite>. V. <span class="smcap">Fausböll</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch16_Fnote_2" href="#Ch16_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Whatever evil deeds these beings have done in a former birth,
- deeds that must lead to suffering, those deeds these beings, owing
- to their being overcome, after they have seen the Law, will
- destroy, and they will obtain the knowledge of Buddha.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“According to the Buddha ... all men must suffer in their own
- persons either in the present life, or in future lives, the
- consequences of their own acts.... The penalty of sin could not be
- transferred to another—it could only be borne by the sinner
- himself, just as the reward of virtue could only be enjoyed by the
- virtuous man himself.”—<cite>Hinduism</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Monier Williams</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch16_Fnote_3" href="#Ch16_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-Literally, “become as doubtful as a fox.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch16_Fnote_4" href="#Ch16_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“For as the method and entire meaning of this Sutra is not to
- be described or entirely conceived, so the merit and happy
- consequences of accepting it cannot be conceived or
- described.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_17" class="chapter">[Chapter 17]</p>
-
-<p>Upon that occasion, the venerable Subhuti addressed the Lord Buddha,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! if a good disciple, whether man or
-woman, having desired to attain to supreme spiritual wisdom, what
-immutable Law shall support the mind of that disciple, and bring into
-subjection every inordinate desire?”<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch17_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha replied, saying: “A good disciple, whether man or
-woman, ought thus to habituate his mind:<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch17_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> ‘I must become oblivious
-to every idea of sentient life; and having become oblivious to every
-idea of sentient life, there is <i>no one</i> to whom the idea of
-sentient life has become oblivious.’<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch17_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> And why? Because, Subhuti, if
-an enlightened disciple retains within his mind such arbitrary ideas
-of sentient life as an entity, a being, a living being, or a
-personality, he has not attained to supreme spiritual wisdom. And why?
-Because, Subhuti, there is no Law by means of which a disciple may be
-defined as one having obtained supreme spiritual wisdom.”<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch17_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_17_p3">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? When the
-Lord Buddha was a disciple of Dipankara Buddha, was there bequeathed
-to him any Law whereby he attained to supreme spiritual wisdom?”
-Subhuti replied, saying: “No! Honoured of the Worlds! inasmuch as I am
-able to comprehend the meaning of the Lord Buddha’s discourse, when
-the Lord Buddha was a disciple of Dipankara Buddha, there was no Law
-bequeathed to him whereby he attained to supreme spiritual wisdom.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_17_p4">The Lord Buddha endorsed these words, saying:<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch17_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> “Truly there is no
-Law by means of which the Lord Buddha obtained supreme spiritual
-wisdom. Subhuti, if there existed a Law by means of which the Lord
-Buddha obtained supreme spiritual wisdom, Dipankara Buddha would not
-have foretold at my initiation, ‘In future ages<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch17_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> thou shalt become
-Sakyamuni Buddha.’ But, in reality, there is no Law by means of which
-supreme spiritual wisdom can be obtained. Therefore, at my initiation,
-Dipankara Buddha foretold concerning me, ‘In future ages, thou shalt
-become Sakyamuni Buddha.’ And why? Because, in the word
-<i>Buddha</i>.<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_7" href="#Ch17_Fnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> every Law is summarily and intelligibly
-comprehended.” “If a disciple affirmed that the Lord Buddha attained
-to supreme spiritual wisdom, it is necessary to state that there is no
-Law whereby this condition of mind can be realised. The supreme
-spiritual wisdom to which the Lord Buddha attained, cannot, in its
-essence, be defined as real or unreal. Thus, the Lord Buddha declared
-that the ordinarily accepted term, ‘the Buddhic Law,’ is synonymous
-with every moral and spiritual Law. Subhuti, what are ordinarily
-declared to be ‘systems of Law,’ are not in reality ‘systems of Law,’
-they are merely termed ‘systems of Law.’”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “Can you imagine a man
-having a great physical body?” Subhuti replied, saying: “The Lord
-Buddha, discoursing upon the proportions of a physical body, did not
-maintain for these any <em>real</em> greatness, therefore it is merely termed
-‘a great body.”’</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha, thereupon, addressed Subhuti, saying: “Thus it is
-with an enlightened disciple: if he were to expatiate after this
-manner, ‘I must become oblivious to every idea of sentient life,’<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_8" href="#Ch17_Fnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a>
-he could not be described as fully enlightened. And why? Because,
-there is no Law whereby a disciple can be approved as ‘fully
-enlightened.’<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_9" href="#Ch17_Fnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> Therefore, the Lord Buddha declared that within the
-realm of spiritual Law, there is neither an entity, a being, a living
-being, nor a personality.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_17_p7" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If an enlightened disciple
-were to speak in this wise, ‘I shall create numerous Buddhist
-kingdoms,’ he could not be designated ‘fully enlightened.’ And why?
-Because, the Lord Buddha, discoursing upon ‘creating numerous Buddhist
-kingdoms,’ did not affirm the idea of creating numerous ‘material’
-Buddhist kingdoms, hence the ‘creation of numerous Buddhist kingdoms’
-is merely a figure of speech. Subhuti, the Lord Buddha declared that a
-disciple may be regarded as ‘truly enlightened,’ whose mind is
-thoroughly imbued with the Law of non-individuality.”<a id="Ch17_FNanchor_10" href="#Ch17_Fnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_1" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“Let a man restraining all these remain in devotion.... For
- he, whose senses are under his control, possesses spiritual
- knowledge. Attachments to objects of sense arise in a man who
- meditates upon them; from attachment arises desire; from desire
- passion springs up; from passion comes bewilderment; from
- bewilderment, confusion of the memory; from confusion of the
- memory, destruction of the intellect; from destruction of the
- intellect, he perishes.”—<cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite>. <span class="smcap">J. Cockburn Thomson</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_2" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“He should thus frame his thought: all things must be
- delivered by me in the perfect world of Nirvana.... And why?
- Because, O Subhuti, there is no such thing as one who has entered
- on the path of the Bodhisattva.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_3" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Such scenes as the following, illustrating the beliefs of the
- time and the locality, would not seldom occur. A wayfarer in the
- country of the Getæ (Jats) (Afghanistan) knocks at the door of a
- Brahman family. A young man within answers: ‘There is No One in
- this house.’ The traveller was too well taught in Buddhism not to
- know the meaning of this philosophical nihilism, and at once
- answered, ‘Who is No One?’ The young man, when he heard this, felt
- that he was understood. A kindred spirit was outside. Hurriedly he
- opened the door, and invited the stranger to enter. The visitor
- was the patriarch of the time (seventeenth), with staff and rice
- bowl, travelling to teach and make new disciples.”—<cite>Chinese
- Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_4" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-Most writers on the Buddhist faith and religion have occasion
- to refer to the series of events which culminated in the Lord
- Buddha obtaining “supreme enlightenment.” The founder of the
- Buddhist faith, dissatisfied with the practice of asceticism, and
- disappointed by his unfaithful disciples, walked meditatively
- towards the river Nairanjara, where Sujata, “the daughter of a
- neighbouring villager,” provided him with his morning meal.
- Seating himself under a sacred Bo-Tree, immediately he became
- engaged in the severest of mental conflicts. The Buddhist authors
- describe their Master as sitting “sublime,” “calm,” and “serene”
- throughout the sustained assault of a “visible” and wicked
- tempter, assisted by legions of evil spirits. So unrelenting was
- the fierce encounter, that the forces of nature shook and were
- convulsed under the dreadful onslaught. As the day advanced, the
- spiritual elements in Buddha’s nature gradually gained the
- ascendency; and when he became “fully enlightened,” there was
- revealed to him an antidote for human woe. The mind of the Lord
- Buddha thereafter assumed an aspect of perfect peace; “and in <em>the
- power over the human heart of inward culture, and of love to
- others</em>,” the great Teacher discovered a foundation of Truth,
- where, with assurance of faith, he could securely rest. As Milton
- regarded “Paradise” to be “regained” in the wilderness, and not on
- Calvary; in like manner the Buddhist poets indicate a belief that
- the experience of their Master under the Bo-Tree was the most
- eventful in his history. That is the reason they regard the
- Bo-Tree with a reverence resembling the Christian veneration of
- the Cross. (Compare Davids’ <cite>Buddhism</cite>.)</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_5" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-Buddha said: “Right! Right! Subhuti, there is in truth no
- fixed Law (by which) Tathagata attained this condition. Subhuti,
- if there had been such a Law, then Dipankara Buddha would not have
- said in delivering the prediction concerning me: ‘you in after
- ages must attain to the state of Buddha, and your name shall be
- Sakyamuni,’ so that because there is indeed no fixed Law for
- attaining the condition of ‘the perfect heart,’ on that account it
- was Dipankara Buddha delivered his prediction in such
- words.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_6" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“To the pious Buddhist it is a constant source of joy and
- gratitude that ‘the Buddha,’ not only then, but in many former
- births, when emancipation from all the cares and troubles of life
- was already within his reach, should again and again, in mere love
- for man, have condescended to enter the world, and live amidst the
- sorrows inseparable from finite existence.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys
- Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_7" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_7" class="label">7</a>
-“And why, O Subhuti, the name of Tathagata? It expresses ‘true
- suchness.’ And why Tathagata, O Subhuti? It expresses that ‘he had
- no origin.’ And why Tathagata, O Subhuti? It expresses ‘the
- destruction of all qualities.’ And why Tathagata, O Subhuti? It
- expresses ‘one who has no origin whatever.’ And why this? Because,
- O Subhuti, ‘no origin is the highest goal.’”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>.
- <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>The familiar word Buddha, seems to convey to devout Buddhist
- minds, a meaning consonant with the ethical idea of Love, as
- understood generally by the followers of Christ. Within it are
- potential spiritual elements, which, according to their judgment,
- perfectly fulfil the Law. The Chinese text, <i>Ju-Lai-che,
- chi-chu-fah-ru-i</i>, may bear the following interpretation, <i>Buddha
- is the One in whom all Laws become intelligible</i>. With this
- particular definition before us, and bearing in mind the general
- substance of the Mahayana faith, we may perhaps appreciate the
- sense in which the distinguished missionary, Dr Richard of
- Shanghai, ventured to render the Chinese term <i>Ju-Lai</i> (Buddha),
- in a translation of Asvaghocha’s <cite>The Awakening of Faith</cite>, by the
- English synonym God. Few Christians would controvert the statement
- <i>that God, is the One in whom all Laws become intelligible!</i></p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_8" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_8" class="label">8</a>
-“And if a Bodhisattva were to say: ‘I shall deliver all
- beings,’ he ought not to be called a Bodhisattva. And why? Is
- there anything, O Subhuti, that is called a Bodhisattva? Subhuti
- said: ‘Not indeed!’ Bhagavat said: ‘Those who were spoken of as
- beings, beings indeed, O Subhuti, they were spoken of as no beings
- by the Tathagata, and, therefore, they are called beings.
- Therefore Tathagata says: “All beings are without self, all beings
- are without life, without manhood, without personality.”’”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, so it is with the Bodhisatwa, if he should say: ‘I ought
- to destroy all recollection of the countless kinds of creatures,’
- this Bodhisatwa would not be really one, but only a nominal
- one.... Hence Buddha says that all things ought to be without any
- individual distinction.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_9" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_9" class="label">9</a>
-“The fountain of knowledge is the pure, bright,
- self-enlightening mind.”—<cite>Twan-Tsi-Sin-Yao</cite> (<i>Tang Dynasty</i>).
- Compare Edkins’ <cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch17_Fnote_10" href="#Ch17_FNanchor_10" class="label">10</a>
-“A Bodhisattva, O Subhuti, who believes that all things are
- without self, he has faith, he is called a noble-minded
- Bodhisattva by the holy and fully enlightened Tathagata.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>In the <cite>Mo-Wei-Sutra</cite>, the ordinary concepts of an entity, a
- being, a living being, or a personality, are referred to as
- <em>blots</em> or <em>stains</em> upon the mind.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_18" class="chapter">[Chapter 18]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the physical eye?” Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the physical
-eye.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the divine or spiritual eye?” Subhuti assented,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the
-divine or spiritual eye.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the eye of wisdom?” Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the eye of
-wisdom.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the eye of truth?”<a id="Ch18_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch18_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the eye of
-truth.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Does the
-Lord Buddha possess the Buddhic eye?” Subhuti assented, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the Lord Buddha truly possesses the Buddhic
-eye.”<a id="Ch18_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch18_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_18_p6">The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you?
-Concerning the sands of the Ganges, did the Lord Buddha declare that
-these were grains of sand?” Subhuti assenting, said: “Honoured of the
-Worlds! the Lord Buddha declared that these were grains of sand.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha enquired of Subhuti, saying: “What think you? If there
-were as many rivers Ganges as there are grains of sand in the Ganges,
-and if there were as many Buddhist worlds as the grains of sand in
-those innumerable rivers, would these Buddhist worlds be numerous?”
-Subhuti replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! these Buddhist
-worlds would be very numerous.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_18_p8" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha, continuing, addressed Subhuti, saying: “Within these
-innumerable worlds, every form of sentient life, with their various
-mental dispositions, are entirely known to the Lord Buddha.<a id="Ch18_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch18_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> And
-why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred to as their ‘various
-mental dispositions,’ are not in reality their ‘various mental
-dispositions,’ these are merely termed their ‘various mental
-dispositions.’ And why? Because, Subhuti, dispositions of mind, or
-modes of thought, whether relating to the past, the present, or the
-future, are alike unreal and illusory.”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch18_Fnote_1" href="#Ch18_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-The Chinese <i>Fah-Yen</i>—literally, Eye of the Law.</p>
-
-<p>“The second of the three great treasures is called <i>Dhamma</i>, or in
- Singhalese, <i>Dharmma</i>. This word has various meanings, but is here
- to be understood in the sense of Truth. It is not unfrequently
- translated ‘the Law,’ but this interpretation gives an idea
- contrary to the entire genius of Buddhism. The <i>Dharmma</i> is
- therefore emphatically the Truth.”—<cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Spence
- Hardy</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch18_Fnote_2" href="#Ch18_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Supernatural talents, which the founder of Buddhism,
- Sakyamuni, is believed to have acquired in the night before he
- became Buddha, and which every Arhat takes possession of by means
- of the fourth degree of <i>Dhyana</i> (abstract contemplation). Most
- Chinese texts reckon six such talents, while the Singhalese know
- only five. Sometimes, however, only five are mentioned.”—<cite>Handbook
- of Chinese Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">Eitel</span>.</p>
-
-
-<p>The physical eye has an ordinary local function. The divine or
- spiritual eye has a universal function. The eye of wisdom is
- affiliated with the Law, and attests its immutability. The eye of
- truth is exegetical and synthetical. The Buddhic eye is the
- instrument of salvation.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch18_Fnote_3" href="#Ch18_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Bhagavat said, as many beings as there would be in all those
- worlds, I know the manifold trains of thought of them all. And
- why? Because, what was preached as the trains of thought, the
- trains of thought indeed, O Subhuti, that was preached by
- Tathagata as no train of thoughts, and therefore it is called the
- train of thoughts. And why? Because, O Subhuti, a past thought is
- not perceived, a future thought is not perceived,, and the present
- thought is not perceived.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-
-<p>“Gautama himself was very early regarded as omniscient, and
- absolutely sinless. His perfect wisdom is declared by the ancient
- epithet of Samma-Sambuddha, ‘the completely enlightened one,’
- found at the commencement of every Pali text; and at the present
- day in Ceylon, the usual way in which Gautama is styled is
- <i>Sarwajnan-Wahanse</i>, ‘the venerable omniscient one.’ From his
- perfect wisdom, according to Buddhist belief, his sinlessness
- would follow as a matter of course.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_19" class="chapter">[Chapter 19]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? If a
-disciple, having obtained all the treasures of this universe,<a id="Ch19_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch19_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> were
-to bestow these in the exercise of charity, would such a disciple
-consequently enjoy a considerable merit?” Subhuti assenting, said:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! such a disciple would consequently enjoy a
-very considerable merit.”<a id="Ch19_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch19_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha thereupon addressed Subhuti, saying: “If there were
-any real or permanent quality in merit, the Lord Buddha would not have
-spoken of such merit as ‘considerable.’ It is because there is neither
-a tangible nor material quality in merit, that the Lord Buddha
-referred to the merit of that disciple as ‘considerable.’”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch19_Fnote_1" href="#Ch19_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-The seven treasures—gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian,
- glass, and crystal.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch19_Fnote_2" href="#Ch19_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Because, what was preached as a stock of merit, a stock of
- merit indeed, O Subhuti, that was preached as no stock of merit by
- the Tathagata, and therefore it is called a stock of merit. If, O
- Subhuti, there existed a stock of merit, Tathagata would not have
- preached a stock of merit, a stock of merit indeed!”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>Within the meaning of the Buddhic Law, charity is purely a
- spiritual concept; and merit consequent upon fulfilling the Law of
- charity, must have a purely spiritual realisation. This is the
- sense in which the Lord Buddha referred to merit as
- “considerable.”—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_20" class="chapter">[Chapter 20]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Can the
-Lord Buddha be perceived by means of his perfect material body?”<a id="Ch20_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch20_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a>
-Subhuti replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! it is improbable
-that the Lord Buddha can be perceived by means of his perfect material
-body. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred to as a ‘perfect
-material body,’ is not in reality a ‘perfect material body,’ it is
-merely termed a ‘perfect material body.’”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Can the
-Lord Buddha be perceived by means of any physical phenomena?”<a id="Ch20_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch20_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a>
-Subhuti replied, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! it is improbable
-that the Lord Buddha can be perceived by means of any physical
-phenomena. And why? Because, what the Lord Buddha referred to as
-‘physical phenomena,’ are not in reality ‘physical phenomena,’ these
-are merely termed ‘physical phenomena.’”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch20_Fnote_1" href="#Ch20_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“The first of the Buddha’s bodies is the <i>Dharma-Kaya</i> (body
- of the Law), supposed to be a kind of ethereal essence of a highly
- sublimated nature and co-extensive with space. This essence was
- believed to be eternal, and after the Buddha’s death, was
- represented by the Law or doctrine (<i>Dharma</i>) he taught.”</p>
-
-<p>“The second body is the <i>Sambhoga-Kaya</i>, ‘body of conscious
- bliss,’ which is of a less ethereal and more material nature than
- the last. Its Brahmanical analogue appears to be the intermediate
- body (belonging to departed spirits) called <i>Bhoga-Deha</i>, which is
- of an ethereal character, though composed of sufficiently gross
- (Sthula) material particles to be capable of experiencing
- happiness or misery.”</p>
-
-<p>“The third body is the <i>Nirmana-Kaya</i>, ‘body of visible shapes and
- transformations,’ that is to say, those various concrete material
- forms in which every Buddha who exists as an invisible and eternal
- essence, is manifested on the earth or elsewhere for the
- propagation of the true doctrine.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Monier Williams</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch20_Fnote_2" href="#Ch20_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“What think you then, O Subhuti, is a Tathagata to be seen
- (known) by the shape of his visible body? Subhuti said, not
- indeed, a Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the shape of his
- visible body. And why? Because, what was preached as the shape of
- the visible body, the shape of the visible body indeed, that was
- preached by Tathagata as no-shape of the visible body, and
- therefore it is called the shape of the visible body.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>Herein is exemplification of the surpassing excellence of
- spiritual phenomena: although outwardly possessed of the
- thirty-two primal signs of a Buddha, there were also the essential
- evidences of those marvellous spiritual perfections which
- constitute the <em>real</em> Buddha.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_21" class="chapter">[Chapter 21]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “Do not affirm that the
-Lord Buddha thinks thus within himself, ‘I ought to promulgate a
-system of Law or doctrine.’ Have no such irrelevant thought! And why?
-Because, if a disciple affirmed that the Lord Buddha promulgated a
-system of Law or doctrine, he would defame the Lord Buddha, being
-manifestly unable to understand the purport of my instruction.
-Subhuti, regarding the promulgation of a ‘system of Law or doctrine,’
-there is in reality no ‘system of Law or doctrine’ to promulgate, it
-is merely termed a ‘system of Law or doctrine.’”<a id="Ch21_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch21_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_21_p2" class="mb1">Upon that occasion, the virtuous and venerable Subhuti enquired of the
-Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! in ages to come, will
-sentient beings destined to hear this Law,<a id="Ch21_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch21_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> engender within their
-minds the essential elements of faith?” The Lord Buddha replied,
-saying: “Subhuti, it cannot be asserted that these are sentient
-beings, or that these are not sentient beings. And why? Because,
-Subhuti, regarding ‘sentient beings,’ the Lord Buddha declared that in
-reality these are not ‘sentient beings,’ they are merely termed
-‘sentient beings.’” <a id="Ch21_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch21_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch21_Fnote_1" href="#Ch21_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“Bhagavat said: What do you think, O Subhuti, does Tathagata
- think in this wise: the Law has been taught by me? Subhuti said:
- Not indeed, O Bhagavat, does the Tathagata think in this wise: the
- Law has been taught by me. Bhagavat said: If a man should say that
- the Law has been taught by the Tathagata, he would say what is not
- true; he would slander me with untruth which he has learned. And
- why? Because, O Subhuti, it is said the teaching of the Law, the
- teaching of the Law indeed, O Subhuti, there is nothing that can
- be perceived by the name of the teaching of the Law.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>Eminent wisdom possesses the natural beauty of a pellucid stream,
- flowing swiftly between rugged mountain crags; but a mind at rest
- from ‘systems of Law or doctrine,’ is reminiscent of the
- loveliness of a waterfall, frozen into shining icicles, and
- resplendent in the light of the moon.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch21_Fnote_2" href="#Ch21_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“He is the best of all guides of men, no other being is like
- unto him; he is like a jewel, of imperishable glory, who hears
- this Law with a pure heart.”—<cite>The Buddha-Karita</cite>. <span class="smcap">E. B. Cowell</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch21_Fnote_3" href="#Ch21_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Bhagavat said: These, O Subhuti, are neither beings nor
- no-beings. And why? Because, O Subhuti, those who were preached as
- beings, beings indeed, they were preached as no-beings by the
- Tathagata, and therefore they are called beings.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>Although these are ordinarily referred to as sentient beings,
- there are spiritual elements in their real natures, which place
- them in a category only imperfectly described by the term
- “sentient beings”; but possessing also evident material qualities,
- it might be an error to assert that these are not “sentient
- beings”; hence the declaration of the Lord Buddha, “they are
- merely termed sentient beings.”—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_22" class="chapter">[Chapter 22]</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">Subhuti enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the Worlds!
-did the Lord Buddha, in attaining to supreme spiritual wisdom, obtain
-nothing of a real or tangible nature?” The Lord Buddha replied,
-saying: “In attaining to supreme spiritual wisdom, not a vestige of
-Law or doctrine was obtained,<a id="Ch22_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch22_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> and therefore it is termed ‘supreme
-spiritual wisdom.’”</p>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch22_Fnote_1" href="#Ch22_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“To affirm the existence of anything real or tangible in the
- nature of the Law, would be tantamount to being firmly bound by
- the Law; but to affirm that ‘not even the vestige of Law or
- doctrine was obtained,’ is the equivalent of being absolutely free
- from the Law.”—<i>Yen-Ping</i> (a Chinese monk).</p>
-
-<p>“Buddha said: ‘True, true, Subhuti! I, as possessed of this heart,
- have come into the condition above described. This term the
- unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart, is but a mere
- name.’”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_23" class="chapter">[Chapter 23]</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “This Law is coherent and
-indivisible,<a id="Ch23_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch23_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> it is neither ‘above’ nor ‘below,’<a id="Ch23_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch23_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> therefore it is
-termed ‘supreme spiritual wisdom.’ It excludes such arbitrary ideas as
-an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality; but includes
-every Law pertaining to the cultivation of goodness.<a id="Ch23_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch23_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Subhuti, what
-were referred to as ‘Laws pertaining to goodness,’ these the Lord
-Buddha declared are not in reality ‘Laws pertaining to goodness,’ they
-are merely termed ‘Laws pertaining to goodness.’”<a id="Ch23_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch23_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch23_Fnote_1" href="#Ch23_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-The Abbé Dubois in his valuable book, <cite>Hindu Manners, Customs,
-and Ceremonies</cite>, carefully observes that amongst the attributes
-which the Jains ascribe to the Supreme Being, the first is that He
-is “one” and “indivisible”; and this observation of the learned
-Abbé becomes quite illuminating, when we remember the intimate
-relationship which has existed between the Jains and the Law of
-Buddha.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch23_Fnote_2" href="#Ch23_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Within it first arose desire, the primal germ of mind,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Which nothing with existence links, as sages searching find.</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;The cord, transversely stretched, that spanned this universal frame,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Was it beneath? was it above? can any sage proclaim?”</div>
-<div class="verse">“Progress of the Vedic religion towards abstract conceptions of
- the Deity.” <span class="smcap">J. Muir</span> (<cite>Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society)</cite>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch23_Fnote_3" href="#Ch23_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“Free from self, free from life, free from personality, that
- highest perfect knowledge is always the same, and thus known with
- all good things. And why? Because, what was preached as good
- things, good things, indeed, O Subhuti, they were preached by the
- Tathagata as no-things, and therefore are they called good
- things.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“This condition which is named the unsurpassed, just, and
- enlightened (heart), consists in nothing more than the exclusion
- of all individual distinctions. A man who practices all the rules
- of virtuous conduct will forthwith attain this condition. But,
- Subhuti, when we speak of rules of virtuous conduct, Tathagata
- declares that these rules are after all no real and lasting rules;
- the term is but a mere name,”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch23_Fnote_4" href="#Ch23_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-The six Paramita—charity, morality, endurance, energy,
- contemplation, wisdom, comprehended under the term “Laws
- pertaining to goodness,” merely constitute an open door by means
- of which disciples are ushered into the presence of
- truth.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_24" class="chapter">[Chapter 24]</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If within this universe of
-universes, the seven treasures<a id="Ch24_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch24_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> were heaped together, forming as
-many great elevations as there are Sumerus, prince of mountains, and
-these treasures bestowed entirely in the exercise of charity; and if a
-disciple were to select a stanza of this Scripture, rigorously observe
-it, and diligently explain it to others, the merit<a id="Ch24_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch24_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> thus obtained
-would so far exceed the former excellence, that it cannot be stated in
-terms of proportion, nor comprehended by any analogy.”<a id="Ch24_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch24_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch24_Fnote_1" href="#Ch24_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch24_Fnote_2" href="#Ch24_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“And whosoever in days when the good Law is abolished, abandons
- love for his own body and life, and proclaims day and night these
- good words—pre-eminent is his merit from this.”</p>
-
-<p>“He obtains a glorious and endless splendour who teaches even one
- word thereof; he will not miss one consonant nor the meaning who
- gives this Sutra to others.”</p>
-
-<p>“Therefore let those who are endowed with lofty ambitions, always
- hear this Law which causes transcendent merit; let them hear it
- and gladly welcome it and lay it up in their minds and continually
- worship the three jewels (the Buddha, the Law, and the assembly of
- monks) with faith.”—<cite>Buddha-Karita</cite>. <span class="smcap">E. B. Cowell</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch24_Fnote_3" href="#Ch24_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“I declare that his happiness and consequent merit would be
- incomparably greater than that of the other, so much so, that no
- number could express the excess of one over the
- other.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_25" class="chapter">[Chapter 25]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_25_p1" class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? You
-disciples, do not affirm that the Lord Buddha reflects thus within
-himself, ‘I bring salvation to every living being.’ Subhuti, entertain
-no such delusive thought! And why? Because, in reality there are no
-living beings to whom the Lord Buddha can bring salvation.<a id="Ch25_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch25_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> If there
-were living beings to whom the Lord Buddha could bring salvation, the
-Lord Buddha would necessarily assume the reality of such arbitrary
-concepts as an entity, a being, a living being, and a personality.
-Subhuti, what the Lord Buddha adverted to as an entity, is not in
-reality an entity; it is only understood to be an entity, and believed
-in as such, by the common, uneducated people. Subhuti, what are
-ordinarily referred to as the ‘common, uneducated people,’ these the
-Lord Buddha declared to be not merely ‘common, uneducated
-people.’”<a id="Ch25_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch25_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch25_Fnote_1" href="#Ch25_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-As the primordial human mind is void and quiescent, so also is
- the wisdom of this Sutra full and overflowing. Therefore, hearing
- the text of this Sutra expounded, and meditating upon its truth,
- there are formed spontaneously within the minds of those living
- beings, all the essential elements of salvation. As these mature
- and develop into a Law of spiritual liberty, the Lord Buddha
- obviously relinquishes every duty consonant with the idea of a
- delegated Saviour.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>“What do you think then, O Subhuti, does a Tathagata think in this
- wise: beings have been delivered by me? You should not think so.
- And why? Because, there is no being that has been delivered by the
- Tathagata. And if there were a being, O Subhuti, that had been
- delivered by the Tathagata, then Tathagata would believe in a
- self, a being, a living being, and a person. And what is called a
- belief in self, O Subhuti, that is preached as a no-belief by the
- Tathagata. And this is learned by children and ignorant persons,
- and they who were preached as children and ignorant persons, O
- Subhuti, were preached as no-persons by the Tathagata, and
- therefore they are called children and ignorant persons.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch25_Fnote_2" href="#Ch25_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Difference there is in beings endowed with bodies, but
- amongst men this is not the case, the difference amongst men is
- nominal only.”—<cite>Dhammapada</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Worldly profit is fleeting and perishable, religious (holy) profit
- is eternal and inexhaustible; a man though a king is full of
- trouble, a common man who is holy, has everlasting
- rest.”—<cite>Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_26" class="chapter">[Chapter 26]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “Can the Lord Buddha be
-perceived by means of his thirty-two bodily distinctions?”<a id="Ch26_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch26_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> Subhuti
-replied, saying: “Even so,<a id="Ch26_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch26_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> the Lord Buddha can be perceived by
-means of his thirty-two bodily distinctions.”</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha, continuing, said unto Subhuti: “If by means of his
-thirty-two bodily distinctions it were possible to perceive the Lord
-Buddha, then the Lord Buddha would merely resemble one of the great
-wheel-turning kings.”<a id="Ch26_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch26_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_26_p3">Subhuti thereupon addressed the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of the
-Worlds! According as I am able to interpret the Lord Buddha’s
-instruction, it is improbable that the Lord Buddha may be perceived by
-means of his thirty-two bodily distinctions.”</p>
-
-<p>Thereafter, the “Honoured of the Worlds” delivered this sublime
-Gatha:</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>I am not to be perceived by means of any visible form,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Nor sought after by means of any audible sound;</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Whosoever walks in the way of iniquity,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Cannot perceive the blessedness of the Lord Buddha.</i>”<a id="Ch26_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch26_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch26_Fnote_1" href="#Ch26_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“This probably refers to the auspicious signs discovered in
- Sakyamuni at his birth, which left it open whether he would become
- a king or a Buddha.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch26_Fnote_2" href="#Ch26_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-Subhuti failed to apprehend the idea
- as expressed by the Lord Buddha, and
- inadvertently replied, saying: “Even so, Even
- so.”—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch26_Fnote_3" href="#Ch26_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a></p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“The portends troubled, till his dream readers</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Augured a prince of earthly dominance,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;A Chakravartin, such as rise to rule</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Once in a thousand years.”</div>
-<div class="verse">—<cite>The Light of Asia</cite>. Sir <span class="smcap">Edwin Arnold</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p>“A king who rules the world, and causes the wheel of doctrine
- everywhere to revolve. The great Asoka (King of Central India, who
- reigned near Patna, about 150–200 years after the demise of
- Buddha) was a ‘wheel king.’ The word is Chakravarti in Sanscrit,
- from Chakra ‘wheel,’ the symbol of activity, whether of Buddha in
- preaching, or of kings like Asoka in ruling.”—<cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>.
- <span class="smcap">Edkins</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Those of the Bikkhus who carry in their hearts the words of
- excellent knowledge that is immeasurable, who are free from bonds,
- whose fame and power and glory no man can weigh, who (in imitation
- of their master) keep the royal chariot wheel of the kingdom of
- righteousness rolling on, who have reached perfection in
- knowledge.”—<cite>Questions of King Milinda</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch26_Fnote_4" href="#Ch26_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-The following Gatha, translated by Max Müller, and concluding
- the twenty-sixth section of <cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>, is not
- incorporated in the Chinese text.</p>
-
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“A Buddha is to be seen (known) from the Law;</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;For the Lords (Buddha) have the Law-Body;</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;And the nature of the Law cannot be understood,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;Nor can it be made to be understood.”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_27" class="chapter">[Chapter 27]</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha said unto Subhuti: “If you think thus within yourself
-‘The Lord Buddha did not, by means of his perfect bodily distinctions,
-obtain supreme spiritual wisdom,’ Subhuti, have no such deceptive
-thought! Or if you think thus within yourself, ‘In obtaining supreme
-spiritual wisdom, the Lord Buddha declared the abrogation of every
-Law,’ Subhuti, have no such delusive thought! And why? Because, those
-disciples who obtain supreme spiritual wisdom, neither affirm the
-abrogation of any Law, nor the destruction of any distinctive quality
-of phenomena.”<a id="Ch27_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch27_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch27_Fnote_1" href="#Ch27_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“What do you think then, O Subhuti, has the highest perfect
- knowledge been known by the Tathagata by the possession of signs?
- You should not think so, O Subhuti. And why? Because, the highest
- perfect knowledge will not be known by the Tathagata through the
- possession of signs. Nor should anybody, O Subhuti, say to you
- that the destruction or annihilation of anything is proclaimed by
- those who have entered on the path of the Bodhisattvas.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, if you should think thus, ‘Tathagata, by means of his
- personal distinctions has attained to the unsurpassable
- condition,’ you would be wrong.... But, Subhuti, do not come to
- such an opinion as this, viz., ‘that what is called the
- unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart is nothing more than the
- mere neglect and destruction of all rules and conditions.’ Think
- not so, for why? the exhibition of this perfect and unsurpassed
- heart is not the consequence of having disregarded and destroyed
- all rules, in the active discharge of duty.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>Concerning the phenomena of Law, if these were abrogated and
- entirely discarded, where would the mind receive its guiding
- light, or the human spirit its power of discernment? To attempt a
- process of reasoning apart from such necessary postulates as the
- distinctive qualities of Law and phenomena, would prove to be as
- futile as an effort to cross a river without a raft, and would
- inevitably end in oblivion.—<cite>Chinese Annotation</cite>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_28" class="chapter">[Chapter 28]</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_28_p1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If an enlightened
-disciple, in the exercise of charity, bestowed as considerable an
-amount of the seven treasures as might fill worlds numerous as the
-sands of the Ganges; and if a disciple, realising that within the
-meaning and purport of the Law, there is no abstract individual
-existence,<a id="Ch28_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch28_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> perfects himself in the virtue of endurance, this latter
-disciple will have a cumulative merit, relatively greater than the
-other. And why? Because, enlightened disciples are entirely unaffected
-by considerations of ‘reward or merit.’”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">Subhuti thereupon enquired of the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of
-the Worlds! in what respect are enlightened disciples unaffected by
-considerations of ‘reward or merit’?” The Lord Buddha replied, saying:
-“Enlightened disciples do not aspire, in a spirit of covetousness, to
-rewards commensurate with their merit; therefore, I declare that they
-are entirely unaffected by considerations of ‘reward or merit.’”<a id="Ch28_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch28_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch28_Fnote_1" href="#Ch28_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“And if a Bodhisattva acquired endurance in selfless and
- uncreated things, then he would enjoy a larger stock of merit,
- immeasurable and innumerable.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“Nothing in this world is single,</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;All things by a law divine</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;In one another’s being mingle.—<span class="smcap">Shelley</span>.</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch28_Fnote_2" href="#Ch28_FNanchor_1" class="label">2</a>
-“Subhuti asked Buddha: World-honoured One! what is this you
- say, that Bodhisatwas cannot be said to appreciate reward?
- ‘Subhuti, the reward which a Bodhisatwa enjoys ought to be
- connected with no covetous desire; this is what I mean by
- non-appreciation of reward.’”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>This passage, concluding the twenty-eighth section of <cite>The Diamond
- Sutra</cite>, not being incorporated in the translation of The
- <cite>Vagrakkhedika</cite> by Max Müller, may be suggestive of a noteworthy
- interpolation in the Chinese text, or is it a probable lacuna in
- the Sanscrit MSS.?</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_29" class="chapter">[Chapter 29]</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a disciple asserts that
-the Lord Buddha comes or goes, sits or reclines, obviously he has not
-understood the meaning of my discourse. And why? Because, the idea
-‘Buddha’ implies neither coming from anywhere, nor going to anywhere,
-and hence the synonym ‘Buddha!’”<a id="Ch29_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch29_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch29_Fnote_1" href="#Ch29_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“And why? Because the word Tathagata means one who does not go
- to anywhere, and does not come from anywhere, and therefore he is
- called the Tathagata (truly come), holy and fully
- enlightened.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“That which is Tathagata has no where whence to come, and no where
- whither he can go, and is therefore named
- Tathagata.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>In the heavens above, we cannot discern a place whence he came,
- nor whither he may return. In his holy, immaculate, and
- marvellously endowed body, were manifested plenary spiritual
- powers.—<cite>Hua-Yen-Sutra</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>Like drifting clouds, like the waning moon, like ships that sail
- the ocean, like shores that are washed away—these are symbolic of
- endless change. But the blessed Buddha, in his essential, absolute
- nature, is changeless and everlasting.—<cite>Yuen-Chioh-Sutra</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>“If the pool be of pure water, the shining moon is reflected upon
- its limpid surface; and yet we cannot affirm that the moon really
- came from anywhere, or that it is actually in the pool. If the
- pool be disturbed and the dense mud raised, immediately the bright
- reflection becomes obscured; and yet we dare not affirm that the
- moon has really gone to anywhere, or that it has actually departed
- from the pool. It is entirely a question of the purity or impurity
- of the water, and has no reasonable affinity with theories
- concerning the existence or non-existence of the moon. So, also,
- with the true concept of Buddha; only those whose minds are
- immaculate in their pristine purity, can ever realise his
- transcendent blessedness.”—<i>Chang-Shui</i> (a Chinese monk).</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_30" class="chapter">[Chapter 30]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a good disciple,
-whether man or woman, were to take infinite worlds and ‘reduce’ them
-to minute particles of dust; what think you, would the aggregate of
-all those particles of dust be great?” Subhuti replied, saying:
-“Honoured of the Worlds! the aggregate of all those particles of dust
-would be exceedingly great. And why? Because, if all those were in
-reality ‘minute particles of dust,’ the Lord Buddha would not have
-declared them to be ‘minute particles of dust.’ And why? Because, the
-Lord Buddha, discoursing upon ‘minute particles of dust,’ declared
-that in reality those are not ‘minute particles of dust,’ they are
-merely termed ‘minute particles of dust.’”<a id="Ch30_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch30_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p>
-
-<p id="Ch_30_p2">Subhuti continuing, addressed the Lord Buddha, saying: “Honoured of
-the Worlds! what the Lord Buddha discoursed upon as ‘infinite worlds,’
-these are not in reality ‘infinite worlds,’ they are merely termed
-‘infinite worlds.’ And why? Because, if these were in reality
-‘infinite worlds,’ there would of necessity be unity and eternity of
-matter. But the Lord Buddha, discoursing upon the ‘unity and eternity
-of matter,’ declared that there is neither ‘unity’ nor ‘eternity of
-matter,’ therefore it is merely termed ‘unity and eternity of
-matter.’”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha thereupon declared unto Subhuti, “Belief in the unity
-or eternity of matter is incomprehensible;<a id="Ch30_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch30_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> and only common,
-worldly-minded people, for purely materialistic reasons, covet this
-hypothesis.”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch30_Fnote_1" href="#Ch30_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-These minute particles of dust, like the great worlds which
- are composed of them, are deceptive forms of natural phenomena,
- equally unreal and evanescent. The minute particles which we
- observe floating in space, are carried hither and thither by
- atmospheric currents, and eventually pass into regions beyond our
- cognisance. So, also, with the immense worlds revolving in space;
- their ever-recurring phenomena of light and darkness, heat and
- cold, changing seasons, transient scenes of mountain and valley,
- river and plain. These things indicate that all are ephemeral, and
- entirely subject to irrevocable laws of change and decay.—<cite>Chinese
- Annotation</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>“Because, what was preached as a mass of many atoms by the
- Tathagata, that was preached as no-mass of atoms by the Tathagata,
- and therefore it is called ‘a mass of many atoms.’”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“What then, if Buddha speaks of all these particles, then they are
- not really what they are called, it is but a mere name,
- World-Honoured One!”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch30_Fnote_2" href="#Ch30_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Bhagavat said, and a belief in matter itself, O Subhuti, is
- inestimable and inexpressible; it is neither a thing nor a
- no-thing, and this is known by children and ignorant
- persons.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Annihilation of matter is inconceivable, but annihilation of all
- its forms and qualities is conceivable.” <cite>The World as Idea and
- Will</cite>. <span class="smcap">Schopenhauer</span>.</p>
-
-<p>If the worlds were real and permanent, they would always retain
- their original forms and primordial natures, and be subject
- neither to the influence of time nor the Law of change.—<cite>Chinese
- Annotation</cite>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, this characteristic of the one ‘harmonious principle,’
- is a thing which cannot be spoken of in words; it is only the vain
- philosophy of the world, which has grasped the idea of explaining
- this.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>This noteworthy statement seems to militate against some opinions
- expressed in Europe regarding the Buddhist theory of “matter.”
- According to our Chinese text, it does not appear that Sakyamuni
- Buddha categorically denied the “presence” or “existence” of
- matter in the universe, but endeavoured rather to indicate the
- diversified and evanescent nature of its “forms” and “qualities.”
- Many devout Buddhists regard even the smallest particle of dust as
- containing a mysterious and elusive element—probably what we are
- disposed to term “a spiritual element,” or “principle of life”—and
- these are not unreasonably regarded as being altogether
- inscrutable, and therefore “incomprehensible.”</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_31" class="chapter">[Chapter 31]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a disciple affirmed
-that the Lord Buddha enunciated a belief<a id="Ch31_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch31_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> that the mind can
-comprehend the idea of an entity, a being, a living being, or a
-personality; what think you, Subhuti, would that disciple be
-interpreting aright the meaning of my discourse?” Subhuti replied,
-saying: “Honoured of the Worlds! that disciple would not be
-interpreting aright the meaning of the Lord Buddha’s discourse. And
-why? Because, Honoured of the Worlds! discoursing upon comprehending
-such ideas as an entity, a being, a living being, and a personality,
-it was declared that these are entirely unreal and illusive, and
-therefore they are merely termed an entity, a being, a living being,
-and a personality.”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The Lord Buddha thereafter addressed Subhuti, saying:<a id="Ch31_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch31_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> “Those who
-aspire to the attainment of supreme spiritual wisdom ought thus to
-know, believe in, and interpret phenomena. They ought to eliminate
-from their minds every tangible evidence of every visible object.
-Subhuti, concerning ‘visible objects,’ the Lord Buddha declared that
-these are not really ‘visible objects’ they are merely termed ‘visible
-objects.’”</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch31_Fnote_1" href="#Ch31_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-“Because, O Subhuti, if a man were to say that belief in self,
- belief in a being, belief in life, belief in personality, had been
- preached by the Tathagata, would he be speaking truly? Subhuti
- said, not indeed, Bhagavat, he would not be speaking truly. And
- why? Because, what was preached by the Tathagata as a belief in
- self, that was preached as no-belief, therefore it is called
- belief in self.”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>In these words are exemplified another profound aspect of Buddhist
- doctrine. Apart from interesting questions concerning the
- existence of an entity, a being, a living being, or a personality,
- another problem seems to arise regarding our ability to entirely
- perceive or “comprehend” those admitted abstract ideas. If we
- interpret aright the Buddhist doctrine, there are variously
- compounded within those abstract ideas, so many elusive spiritual
- elements, that the human mind is incapable of resolving them by
- any process of reasoning. In short—an entity, a being, a living
- being, or a personality, represents to the Buddhist mind, much
- more than it attempts to express in terms of philosophy.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch31_Fnote_2" href="#Ch31_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“Thus then, O Subhuti, are all things to be perceived, to be
- looked upon, and to be believed by one who has entered upon the
- path of the Bodhisattvas. And in this wise are they to be
- perceived, to be looked upon, and to be believed, neither in the
- idea of a thing, nor in the idea of a no-thing? And why? Because
- by saying: the idea of a thing, the idea of a thing indeed, it has
- been preached by the Tathagata as the no-idea of a thing.” — <cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“Subhuti, the persons who aspire to the perfectly enlightened
- heart, ought to know accordingly that this is true with respect to
- all things, and thus prevent the exhibition of any characteristics
- on any point whatever. Subhuti, these very characteristics of
- which we speak are after all no characteristics, but a mere
- name.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>. <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-
-<p id="Ch_32" class="chapter">[Chapter 32]</p>
-
-<p>The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “If a disciple, having
-immeasurable spheres filled with the seven treasures,<a id="Ch32_FNanchor_1" href="#Ch32_Fnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> bestowed
-these in the exercise of charity; and if a disciple, whether man or
-woman, having aspired to supreme spiritual wisdom, selected from this
-Scripture a stanza comprising four lines, then rigorously observed it,
-studied it, and diligently explained it to others; the cumulative
-merit of such a disciple would be relatively greater than the
-other.”</p>
-
-<p id="Ch_32_p2">“In what attitude of mind should it be diligently explained to
-others?<a id="Ch32_FNanchor_2" href="#Ch32_Fnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> Not assuming the permanency or the reality of earthly
-phenomena, but in the conscious blessedness of a mind at perfect
-rest.<a id="Ch32_FNanchor_3" href="#Ch32_Fnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> And why? Because, the phenomena of life may be likened unto a
-dream, a phantasm, a bubble,<a id="Ch32_FNanchor_4" href="#Ch32_Fnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> a shadow, the glistening dew, or
-lightning flash, and thus they ought to be contemplated.”</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">When the Lord Buddha concluded his enunciation of this Scripture,<a id="Ch32_FNanchor_5" href="#Ch32_Fnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a>
-the venerable Subhuti, the monks,<a id="Ch32_FNanchor_6" href="#Ch32_Fnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> nuns, lay-brethren and sisters,
-all mortals, and the whole realm of spiritual beings, rejoiced
-exceedingly, and consecrated to its practice, they received it and
-departed.</p>
-
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch32_Fnote_1" href="#Ch32_FNanchor_1" class="label">1</a>
-Gold, silver, pearls, coral, cornelian, glass, and crystal.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch32_Fnote_2" href="#Ch32_FNanchor_2" class="label">2</a>
-“The wise man, the preacher, who wishes to expound this Sutra,
- must absolutely renounce falsehood, pride, calumny, and envy....
- He is always sincere, mild, forbearing; ... he must feel affection
- for all beings who are striving for enlightenment ... they are
- greatly perverted in their minds, those beings who do not hear,
- nor perceive ... the mystery of the Tathagata. Nevertheless will I,
- who have attained this supreme, perfect knowledge, powerfully bend
- to it the mind of every one (Burnouf, <i><span xml:lang="fr">par la force de mes
- facultés surnaturelles</span></i>), whatever may be the position he
- occupies, and bring about that he accepts, understands, and
- arrives at full ripeness.”—<cite>Saddharma-Pundarika</cite>. <span class="smcap">H. Kern</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch32_Fnote_3" href="#Ch32_FNanchor_3" class="label">3</a>
-“By contemplation are obtained those conditions through which
- is eventually gained that supreme calm, undecaying, immortal
- state, which is so hard to be reached.”—<cite>Buddha-Karita</cite>. <span class="smcap">E. B.
- Cowell</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“And in what way can the disciple ‘proclaim them generally?’
- Simply by relying on no conditions or distinctions whatever; thus
- he will act without agitation or excitement. Wherefore the
- conclusion is this—that all things which admit of definition are
- as a dream, a phantom, a bubble, a shadow, as the dew and
- lightning flash. They ought to be regarded thus.”—<cite>Kin-Kong-King</cite>.
- <span class="smcap">Beal</span>.</p>
-
-<p>“And how should he explain it? As in the sky: stars, darkness, a
- lamp, a phantom, dew, a bubble, a dream, a flash of lightning, and
- a cloud—thus should we look upon the world (all that was
- made).”—<cite>The Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch32_Fnote_4" href="#Ch32_FNanchor_4" class="label">4</a>
-“<i>Fa-Hien</i> stayed at the dragon Vihara till after the summer
- retreat, and then, travelling to the south-east for seven Yojanas,
- he arrived at the city of Kanyakubja, lying along the Ganges....
- At a distance from the city of six or seven <i>Le</i>, on the west, on
- the northern bank of the Ganges, is a place where Buddha preached
- the Law to his disciples. It has been handed down that his
- subjects of discourse were such as ‘The bitterness and vanity (of
- life), as impermanent and uncertain,’ and that ‘The body is as a
- “bubble” or foam on the water.’”—<cite>Travels of Fa-Hien</cite>. <span class="smcap">Legge</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch32_Fnote_5" href="#Ch32_FNanchor_5" class="label">5</a>
-“Thus spake the Bhagavat enraptured; the elder Subhuti, and
- the friars, nuns, the faithful lay men and women, and the
- Bodhisattvas also, and the whole world of gods, men, evil spirits
- and fairies, praised the preaching of the Bhagavat.”—<cite>The
- Vagrakkhedika</cite>. <span class="smcap">Max Müller</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class="footnote">
-<p><a id="Ch32_Fnote_6" href="#Ch32_FNanchor_6" class="label">6</a>
-“The vow of ‘obedience’ was never taken by the Buddhist monks
- and nuns, and in this it may be noticed a fundamental difference
- between them and monastic orders in the West: mental culture, not
- mental death, was the aim set before the Buddhist ascetic by the
- founder of his faith.”—<cite>Buddhism</cite>. <span class="smcap">T. W. Rhys Davids</span>.</p>
-</div>
-
-
-<div class="poetry-container">
-<div class="poetry3">
-<div class="stanza2">
-<div class="verse">“<i>As when men, travelling, feel a glorious perfume sweet</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>Pervading all the country side, and gladdening them, infer at once,</i></div>
-<div class="verse">‘<i>Surely ’tis giant forest trees are flowering now!</i>’</div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>So, conscious of this perfume sweet of righteousness</i></div>
-<div class="verse">&nbsp;<i>That now pervades the earth and heavens, they may infer:</i></div>
-<div class="verse">‘<i>A Buddha, infinitely great, must once have lived!</i>’”</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2>INDEX</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class="smaller">
-<ul class="index">
-
-<li class="ifrst">Alexandria, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a>.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Alms-bowl, <a href="#Ch_1_p4">3</a>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Almsgiving, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_5">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Anagami, <a href="#Ch_9_p3">31</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p3">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ananda, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_4">11</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_4">12</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Anepidu, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Anniversaries, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Anta-Kalpas, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">42</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Anuradhapura, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Anurogrammum, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Apatti, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_1">28</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Aranyaka, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p4">37</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Arhat, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p4">32</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">33</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p4">34</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p4">35</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_7">55</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_2">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ari-Hat, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Arjuna, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_11">57</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Arnold (Sir Edwin), <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3">11</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_2">18</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_8">21</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_2">29</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_5">40</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">42</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_8">55</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">94</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Arya, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Aryagiti, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_3">26</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Arya-Marga, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ascetic, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">21</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Asiatic, <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_2">89</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Asoka, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">94</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Asurus, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_1">44</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Asvaghocha, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_8">9</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">74</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Atman, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_5">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Atoms, <a href="#Ch_13_p3">48</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Attavada, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_5">12</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite><span xml:lang="el">αὐτοδιδακτος</span></cite>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_2">38</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Awakening of Faith</cite>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_8">9</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">74</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst"><cite>Bacche (The)</cite>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_5">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bana, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_11">35</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_5">45</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Beal, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_4">7</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_2">10</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_9">15</a>, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_1">24</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">28</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_2">43</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_4">45</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">49</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Benares, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Benefactions, <a href="#Ch_1_p1">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Bhagavad-Gita</cite>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_5">8</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_11">23</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_10">34</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_11">58</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_1">68</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bhagavat, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_9">23</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">38</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_2">47</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_5">54</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a>, <a href="#Ch21_Fnote_1">85</a>, <a href="#Ch21_Fnote_3">87</a>, <a href="#Ch30_Fnote_2">103</a>, <a href="#Ch31_Fnote_1">105</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_5">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bhoga-Deha, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bikkhus, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bikshu, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_3">7</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bikshuni, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_3">7</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bodhi, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">6</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">62</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_2">63</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bodhisattva, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">6</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">38</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_13">58</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_15">59</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_2">69</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_8">75</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_10">76</a>, <a href="#Ch27_Fnote_1">97</a>, <a href="#Ch28_Fnote_1">98</a>, <a href="#Ch28_Fnote_2">99</a>, <a href="#Ch31_Fnote_2">106</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_5">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Bo-Tree, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">70</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">71</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Brahman, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_3">69</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Brahmanas, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Brahmanical, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Brahmanism, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Buddha, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_2">1</a>, <a href="#Ch_1">3</a>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_9">4</a>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a>, <a href="#Ch_2">8</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_1">9</a>, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_2">18</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Buddha-Karita</cite>, <a href="#Ch21_Fnote_2">86</a>, <a href="#Ch24_Fnote_2">91</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_3">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Buddhaphalam, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Buddhas, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">7</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3">11</a>, <a href="#Ch_7_p2">25</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">28</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Buddhaship, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">6</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_10">15</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Buddhic, <a href="#Ch_8_p3">27</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Buddhism, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_5">13</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_7">14</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_11">16</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_3">19</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_6">41</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">49</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">63</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_6">72</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a>, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_6">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Burnouf, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_2">108</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Calingapatah, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_10">56</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Calvary, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">71</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ceylon, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Ceylon Friend</cite>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_18">61</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chakra, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chakravartin, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">94</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chang-Ming, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_6">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chang-Shui, <a href="#Ch29_Fnote_1">101</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chiliocosms, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">43</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">49</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">China, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_4">19</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Chinese Buddhism</cite>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_4">2</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_3">7</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_9">9</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_5">40</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_3">69</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chioh-Hsien, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3">11</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Christ, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_7">8</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_10">23</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_4">40</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_2">63</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">73</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Christians, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">74</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chuan-Fah-Luen, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Chuang-Yen, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Circars, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_10">56</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Coral, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_2">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Cornelian, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_2">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Cowell, E. B., <a href="#Ch21_Fnote_2">86</a>, <a href="#Ch24_Fnote_2">91</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_3">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Creed, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_2">47</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Cross, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">71</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Crystal, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_2">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Danataka Aranyaka, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Davids, T. W. Rhys, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_5">13</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_2">29</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_6">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Davis, Sir John Francis, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_4">19</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dewa-Loka, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_4">30</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Devas, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dhamma, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_5">27</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_10">34</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_2">44</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_1">52</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Dhammapada</cite>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_10">34</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_2">44</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_1">52</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">63</a>, <a href="#Ch25_Fnote_2">93</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dhammo, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dharma, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_5">30</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a>, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dharma Aranyaka, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dharma-Kaya, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a>, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">82</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dharmasala, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_6">65</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dharmma, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_4">27</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Diamond Sutra, The</cite>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_2">47</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dipankara Buddha, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a>, <a href="#Ch_17_p4">38</a>, <a href="#Ch_16_p2">67</a>, <a href="#Ch_17_p3">71</a>, <a href="#Ch_17_p4">72</a>, <a href="#Ch_17_p4">73</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Djatakas, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_5">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Dubois (the Abbé), <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_1">88</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst"><cite>Eastern Monachism</cite>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_9">4</a>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_12">5</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_10">16</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">21</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_4">27</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_4">30</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_11">35</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_2">38</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_5">46</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_3">53</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_18">61</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Edkins, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_4">2</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_3">7</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_9">9</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_5">40</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_3">69</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Egypt, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Eitel, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_2">1</a>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_5">2</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_1">6</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3">11</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_6">13</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_3">26</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_1">28</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">49</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_10">56</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_11">57</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_12">58</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_2">79</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Elburz, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_5">40</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Eleusis, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">65</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Enlightenment of Ananda</cite>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_4">12</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Euripides, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_5">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Europe, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a>, <a href="#Ch30_Fnote_2">104</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Fa-Hien, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">65</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_17">60</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Ai, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Lien, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Luen, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Men, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Ming, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Pao, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Shen, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">16</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Wang, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_8">14</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fah-Yen, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fairies, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_5">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Faith, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_7">3</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_5">27</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fausböll, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_9">23</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_5">27</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fei-Fuh-Fah, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_5">28</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King</cite>, <a href="#Ch25_Fnote_2">93</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fox, <a href="#Ch16_Fnote_3">67</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fuh-Ko, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Fuh-Tu, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="indx">Gandhara, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ganges, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a>, <a href="#Ch_11_p1">42</a>, <a href="#Ch_13_p6">51</a>, <a href="#Ch_15_p1">61</a>, <a href="#Ch_18_p6">79</a>, <a href="#Ch_28_p1">98</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gatha, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_3">26</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_4">95</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gautama, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_2">63</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">German, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Getæ, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_3">69</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Girdle, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_8">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Glass, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">God, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">21</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">74</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gods, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_5">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gogerly, Rev. D. J., <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_18">61</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gold, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gondophares, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_8">9</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gotama, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_1">52</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Greek, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Gunga, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">42</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hardy, Spence, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_11">4</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_10">16</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">21</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_4">27</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_4">30</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_11">35</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_2">38</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_5">46</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_3">53</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_18">61</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hastagiri, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hero, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hinayana, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_3">64</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hindoo, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_3">64</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies</cite>, <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_1">88</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Hinduism</cite>, <a href="#Ch16_Fnote_2">66</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hiuen-Tsang, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_2">53</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_6">65</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ho-Ru-To-Lo-San-Mao-San-Pu-Ti, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_4">7</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ho-Tan-Ju-Lai, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_2">63</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Hua-Yen-Sutra</cite>, <a href="#Ch29_Fnote_1">100</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Hunter, Sir William, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_7">55</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Huxley, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_1">10</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Icicles, <a href="#Ch21_Fnote_1">86</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Idea and Will, The World as</cite>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a>, <a href="#Ch30_Fnote_2">103</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Immortality, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_3">44</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Immortals, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">India, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_3">7</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Indian Empire, The</cite>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_7">55</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Indo-Scythic, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_8">9</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">I-Wu-Wei-Fah, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_2">25</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Jains, <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_1">88</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Jayendra, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_2">53</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Jesus, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_1">18</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Jeta, <a href="#Ch_1_p1">2</a>, <a href="#Ch_1_p4">4</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Jewels, <a href="#Ch24_Fnote_2">91</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Kalinga, <a href="#Ch_14_p5">56</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kaliradja, <a href="#Ch_14_p5">56</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kalpa, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_5">45</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kanyakubja, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kashaya, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kashmir, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_6">65</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kasina, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kern, H., <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_13">58</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_2">108</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Khaloupas’ Waddhaktinka, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_12">4</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kin-Kong-King, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_4">7</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_2">10</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_9">15</a>, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_1">24</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">28</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_4">45</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">49</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_15">59</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kingdoms, <a href="#Ch_10_p2">38</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_4">40</a>, <a href="#Ch_17_p7">76</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kos’ala, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_10">56</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kshanti, <a href="#Ch_14_p6">58</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kshantivadin, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_12">58</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Kwa-Yuh, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">33</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="indx">Lao-Tsz, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">28</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Lay Sermons</cite>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_1">10</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Le, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Legge, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">65</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Light of Asia (The)</cite>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3">11</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_2">18</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_8">21</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_2">29</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_9">34</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_5">40</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">42</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_6">55</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">94</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Lotus of the Good Law</cite>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_4">64</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Love, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">73</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ma-Ming, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_8">9</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Madhyades’a, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mahasattvas, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">7</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mahayana, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">62</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mantras, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Matanga, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">35</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Materialist, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Maya, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_11">58</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Meitreya (Buddha), <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Memoirs sur les Contrées Occidentales</cite>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_4">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mencius, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">33</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mendicant, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_12">4</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Metamorphosis, <a href="#Ch_3_4_p1">9</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mieh-Tu, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_2">10</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Milinda, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_10">4</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_2">29</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">33</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">36</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Milton, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">71</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Mo-Ho-Sa, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">7</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Mo-Wei-Sutra</cite>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_10">77</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Muir (J.), <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_2">89</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Müller (Max), <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a>, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_3">25</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_5">30</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_10">34</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_6">42</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_1">44</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_2">47</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_1">52</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_5">54</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Murray (Gilbert), <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_5">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Myak, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_4">7</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Nairanjara, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">70</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Narakas, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_5">46</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Needle, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_8">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Nibbana, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_9">23</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Nihilism, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_3">69</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Nimitta, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Nirmanakaya, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a>, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Nirvana, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_2">1</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">7</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_6">8</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_2">10</a>, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_3">11</a>, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_2">18</a>, <a href="#Ch_6_p4">23</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_4">27</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_1">28</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_3">30</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_3">44</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_5">46</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_7">55</a>, <a href="#Ch_15_p3">62</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">63</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_2">69</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Non-individuality, <a href="#Ch_17_p7">76</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Nuttara, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_4">7</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst"><cite>Œdipus Coloneus</cite>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">65</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">O-siu-lo, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_1">44</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Padumas, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Pali, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Paramita, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_6">13</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_9">55</a>, <a href="#Ch_14_p4">56</a>, <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_4">90</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Patna, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">94</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Path, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_2">18</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Paul (The Apostle), <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_7">8</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_10">23</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Pearls, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">108</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Persia, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Pilgrims, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Po-Ro-Po-Lo-Mi, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_6">8</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Prajna-Paramita, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_9">9</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Prakrita, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_11">57</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Prasenajit, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_4">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Priests, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_9">4</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ptolemy, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Puh-Seng, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Pundarikas, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Pu-sa, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">6</a></li>
-
-<li class="ifrst"><cite>Questions of King Milinda</cite>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_10">4</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_2">29</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_6">31</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">33</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_12">36</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Raft, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_9">23</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Rahat, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Rahatship, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_11">35</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ran-Teng-Fuh, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Razor, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_8">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Regents, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_5">40</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Reincarnation, <a href="#Ch_9_p2">30</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p3">31</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Relation des Royaumes Buddhiques</cite>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_12">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Remusat, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_12">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ren, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_1">44</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Richard (Dr), <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">74</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Righteousness, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">33</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Rishi, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_12">58</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Robe, <a href="#Ch_1_p4">3</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a></li>
-
-<li class="ifrst"><cite>Saddharma-Pundarika</cite>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_4">54</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_13">58</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_2">108</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sagara, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sakkayaditthi, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_5">12</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sakridagami, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_5">30</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p2">31</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sakyamuni, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_5">2</a>, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_9">9</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_5">72</a>, <a href="#Ch_17_p4">73</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_2">78</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_1">94</a>, <a href="#Ch30_Fnote_2">104</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Salvation, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_2">10</a>, <a href="#Ch25_Fnote_1">92</a>, <a href="#Ch_25_p1">93</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Samadhi, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sambhoga-Kaya, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sambodhi, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_4">7</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Samma-Sambuddha, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sangha, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_2">44</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">San-Pao, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sanscrit, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_3">7</a>, <a href="#Ch26_Fnote_3">95</a>, <a href="#Ch28_Fnote_2">99</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sarvanikchepa, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_1">42</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sarwajnan-Wahanse, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_3">80</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sasa, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_4">45</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sattva, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_2">6</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Saviour, <a href="#Ch25_Fnote_1">92</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Schelling, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Schopenhauer, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a>, <a href="#Ch30_Fnote_2">103</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Scripture, <a href="#Ch_2_p2">9</a>, <a href="#Ch_6_p1">18</a>, <a href="#Ch_6_p2">19</a>, <a href="#Ch_6_p2">20</a>, <a href="#Ch_8_p3">26</a>, <a href="#Ch_11_p3">43</a>, <a href="#Ch_12_p1">45</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Scrotapatti, <a href="#Ch_9_p1">28</a>, <a href="#Ch_9_p1">29</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Seh-Shen, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">16</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Selfhood, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_6">42</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sewet, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Shah-Tseh, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Shanghai, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_7">74</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Shelley, <a href="#Ch28_Fnote_1">98</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Shen-Ming, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_5">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Shore, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_10">23</a>, <a href="#Ch_13_p1">47</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Shravasti, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_3">2</a>, <a href="#Ch_1_p4">4</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_1">6</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Siao-Fah, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_3">64</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Signs, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Silver, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_2">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Singhalese, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Siva, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sivaism, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sophocles, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">65</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Spawn, <a href="#Ch_3_4_p1">9</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Spirits, <a href="#Ch_12_p1">44</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_5">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Spiritualist, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">48</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sramana, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_13">36</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Srota, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_1">28</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">S’ruti, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sthula, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Subhuti, <a href="#Ch_2_p1">6</a>, <a href="#Ch_2_p2">8</a>, <a href="#Ch_3_4_p2">13</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sugata, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sujata, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_4">70</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sumeru, <a href="#Ch_10_p4">40</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_6">42</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_13">58</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sutana, <a href="#Ch_1_p1">2</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sutra, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a>, <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_6">8</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">27</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_4">45</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_1">47</a>, <a href="#Ch16_Fnote_4">68</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_10">77</a>, <a href="#Ch24_Fnote_2">91</a>, <a href="#Ch25_Fnote_1">92</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_2">108</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Sutta-Nipata</cite>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_9">23</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_5">27</a>, <a href="#Ch16_Fnote_1">66</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Swastika, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_4">50</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Syria, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Sz-ti, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_7">32</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Ta-Cheng-Che, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">62</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Talents, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_2">78</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tang (dynasty), <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_9">76</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ta-Pi-K’u, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_6">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tathagata, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_3">25</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">38</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_2">47</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">49</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_15">59</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_2">63</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_5">72</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Teacher, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_7">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Temples, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tennyson, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_11">23</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Thomson (J. Cockburn), <a href="#Ch2_Fnote_5">8</a>, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_11">23</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_10">34</a>, <a href="#Ch14_Fnote_11">58</a>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_1">68</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ti-Ching, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_4">11</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tien, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_1">44</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tien-Kong, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_4">30</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Ting-Kwang-Fuh, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_1">37</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Topes, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Treasures, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_1">25</a>, <a href="#Ch11_Fnote_2">43</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_5">64</a>, <a href="#Ch19_Fnote_1">81</a>, <a href="#Ch24_Fnote_1">90</a>, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_1">107</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Trimurti, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Triratna, <a href="#Ch5_Fnote_1">17</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Truth, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_5">27</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">78</a>, <a href="#Ch18_Fnote_1">79</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tsz-Ran-Choih-Sing, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_2">25</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Tuchita, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Twan-Tsi-Sin-Yao</cite>, <a href="#Ch17_Fnote_9">76</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Upadanas, <a href="#Ch3_4_Fnote_5">13</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst"><cite>Vagrakkhedika (The)</cite>, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_3">25</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_2">26</a>, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">28</a>, <a href="#Ch9_Fnote_5">30</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_3">39</a>, <a href="#Ch10_Fnote_6">42</a>, <a href="#Ch12_Fnote_4">45</a>, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_2">47</a>, etc.</li>
-
-<li class="indx">Vais’ali, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_13">5</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Vedas, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_1">1</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Vedic, <a href="#Ch23_Fnote_2">89</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Vice, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_6">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Vihara, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Virtue, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_6">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Vows, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_3">19</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Waddhaktinka, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_12">4</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Waterfall, <a href="#Ch21_Fnote_1">86</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Water-strainer, <a href="#Ch1_Fnote_8">3</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">West, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_6">110</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Wiharas, <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_6">51</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Williams (Sir Monier), <a href="#Ch13_Fnote_3">49</a>, <a href="#Ch15_Fnote_1">63</a>, <a href="#Ch16_Fnote_2">66</a>, <a href="#Ch20_Fnote_1">83</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Wisdom, <a href="#Ch_1_p2">3</a>, <a href="#Ch_2_p1">7</a>, <a href="#Ch_2_p2">8</a>, <a href="#Ch_13_p1">47</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Wou-Wei, <a href="#Ch7_Fnote_1">24</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Wu-Wei, Fah, <a href="#Ch8_Fnote_6">28</a></li>
-
-
-<li class="ifrst">Yen-Ping, <a href="#Ch22_Fnote_1">88</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Yogi, <a href="#Ch6_Fnote_7">20</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx">Yojanas, <a href="#Ch32_Fnote_4">109</a></li>
-
-<li class="indx"><cite>Yuen-Chioh-Sutra</cite>, <a href="#Ch29_Fnote_1">100</a></li>
-
-</ul>
-
-</div>
-
-
-
-<p class="center smaller mt2">Printed at<br />
-The Edinburgh Press,<br />
-9 &amp; 11 Young Street.</p>
-
-
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<div class="transnote">
-<h2>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES.</h2>
-
-<p class="mb1">This is an English translation of the Chinese version available at:
-https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24098.</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The original printed text scans can be found at:
-https://archive.org/details/cu31924022914588.</p>
-
-<p class="mb1">The cover image was created by the transcriber and is
-placed in the public domain. The English title and author text was
-placed over the original cover image. Library stamps were scrubbed
-from the cover image.</p>
-
-<p>Textual notes:</p>
-
-<ol>
-<li>Chapter labels have been added in braces (e.g. <span class="small">[Chapter 1]</span>).</li>
-<li>Footnotes have been moved to the end of each chapter. As a result,
-page numbers were not preserved for each page. The page numbers contained
-in the index link to a paragraph in the text or to the start of a
-footnote.</li>
-<li>Word spellings have been standardized. Words within direct
-quotations by other authors have been left unchanged.</li>
-<li>Some page numbers in the index were corrected.</li>
-</ol>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND SUTRA (CHIN-KANG-CHING) OR PRAJNA-PARAMITA ***</div>
-<div style='text-align:left'>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Updated editions will replace the previous one&#8212;the old editions will
-be renamed.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright
-law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,
-so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United
-States without permission and without paying copyright
-royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part
-of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG&#8482;
-concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark,
-and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following
-the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use
-of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for
-copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very
-easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation
-of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project
-Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may
-do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected
-by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark
-license, especially commercial redistribution.
-</div>
-
-<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br />
-<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br />
-PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span>
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-To protect the Project Gutenberg&#8482; mission of promoting the free
-distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
-(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase &#8220;Project
-Gutenberg&#8221;), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full
-Project Gutenberg&#8482; License available with this file or online at
-www.gutenberg.org/license.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'>
-Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
-and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
-(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
-the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or
-destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works in your
-possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a
-Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic work and you do not agree to be bound
-by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person
-or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.B. &#8220;Project Gutenberg&#8221; is a registered trademark. It may only be
-used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
-agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
-things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works
-even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
-paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works if you follow the terms of this
-agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (&#8220;the
-Foundation&#8221; or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection
-of Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works. Nearly all the individual
-works in the collection are in the public domain in the United
-States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the
-United States and you are located in the United States, we do not
-claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing,
-displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as
-all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope
-that you will support the Project Gutenberg&#8482; mission of promoting
-free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the
-Project Gutenberg&#8482; name associated with the work. You can easily
-comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the
-same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg&#8482; License when
-you share it without charge with others.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
-what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are
-in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States,
-check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this
-agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing,
-distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any
-other Project Gutenberg&#8482; work. The Foundation makes no
-representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any
-country other than the United States.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other
-immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg&#8482; License must appear
-prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg&#8482; work (any work
-on which the phrase &#8220;Project Gutenberg&#8221; appears, or with which the
-phrase &#8220;Project Gutenberg&#8221; is associated) is accessed, displayed,
-performed, viewed, copied or distributed:
-</div>
-
-<blockquote>
- <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
- This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
- other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
- whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
- of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
- at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
- are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws
- of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
- </div>
-</blockquote>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic work is
-derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not
-contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the
-copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in
-the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are
-redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase &#8220;Project
-Gutenberg&#8221; associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply
-either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or
-obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic work is posted
-with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
-must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any
-additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms
-will be linked to the Project Gutenberg&#8482; License for all works
-posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the
-beginning of this work.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
-work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg&#8482;.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
-electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
-prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
-active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; License.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
-compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including
-any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access
-to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg&#8482; work in a format
-other than &#8220;Plain Vanilla ASCII&#8221; or other format used in the official
-version posted on the official Project Gutenberg&#8482; website
-(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
-to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
-of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original &#8220;Plain
-Vanilla ASCII&#8221; or other form. Any alternate format must include the
-full Project Gutenberg&#8482; License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
-performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg&#8482; works
-unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
-access to or distributing Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works
-provided that:
-</div>
-
-<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'>
- <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'>
- &bull; You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
- the use of Project Gutenberg&#8482; works calculated using the method
- you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed
- to the owner of the Project Gutenberg&#8482; trademark, but he has
- agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project
- Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid
- within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are
- legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty
- payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project
- Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in
- Section 4, &#8220;Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg
- Literary Archive Foundation.&#8221;
- </div>
-
- <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'>
- &bull; You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
- you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
- does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg&#8482;
- License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
- copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue
- all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg&#8482;
- works.
- </div>
-
- <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'>
- &bull; You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of
- any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
- electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of
- receipt of the work.
- </div>
-
- <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'>
- &bull; You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
- distribution of Project Gutenberg&#8482; works.
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; electronic work or group of works on different terms than
-are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing
-from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of
-the Project Gutenberg&#8482; trademark. Contact the Foundation as set
-forth in Section 3 below.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
-effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
-works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may
-contain &#8220;Defects,&#8221; such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate
-or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
-intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or
-other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or
-cannot be read by your equipment.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the &#8220;Right
-of Replacement or Refund&#8221; described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
-Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
-liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
-fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
-LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
-PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
-TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
-LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
-INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
-DAMAGE.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
-defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
-receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
-written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
-received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium
-with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you
-with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in
-lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person
-or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second
-opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If
-the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing
-without further opportunities to fix the problem.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
-in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you &#8216;AS-IS&#8217;, WITH NO
-OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
-LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
-warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of
-damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement
-violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the
-agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or
-limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or
-unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the
-remaining provisions.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
-trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
-providing copies of Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works in
-accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the
-production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses,
-including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of
-the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this
-or any Project Gutenberg&#8482; work, (b) alteration, modification, or
-additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg&#8482; work, and (c) any
-Defect you cause.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'>
-Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg&#8482;
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Project Gutenberg&#8482; is synonymous with the free distribution of
-electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of
-computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It
-exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations
-from people in all walks of life.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
-assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg&#8482;&#8217;s
-goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg&#8482; collection will
-remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
-Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
-and permanent future for Project Gutenberg&#8482; and future
-generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see
-Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'>
-Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit
-501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
-state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
-Revenue Service. The Foundation&#8217;s EIN or federal tax identification
-number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by
-U.S. federal laws and your state&#8217;s laws.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-The Foundation&#8217;s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West,
-Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up
-to date contact information can be found at the Foundation&#8217;s website
-and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'>
-Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Project Gutenberg&#8482; depends upon and cannot survive without widespread
-public support and donations to carry out its mission of
-increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
-freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest
-array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
-($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
-status with the IRS.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
-charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
-States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
-considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
-with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
-where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND
-DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state
-visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
-have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
-against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
-approach us with offers to donate.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
-any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
-outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation
-methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
-ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To
-donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'>
-Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg&#8482; electronic works
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project
-Gutenberg&#8482; concept of a library of electronic works that could be
-freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and
-distributed Project Gutenberg&#8482; eBooks with only a loose network of
-volunteer support.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Project Gutenberg&#8482; eBooks are often created from several printed
-editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in
-the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not
-necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper
-edition.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-Most people start at our website which has the main PG search
-facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>.
-</div>
-
-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
-This website includes information about Project Gutenberg&#8482;,
-including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
-subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-</body>
-</html>
diff --git a/old/64623-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/64623-h/images/cover.jpg
deleted file mode 100644
index 2bc56ad..0000000
--- a/old/64623-h/images/cover.jpg
+++ /dev/null
Binary files differ
diff --git a/old/64623-h/images/dropcap1.png b/old/64623-h/images/dropcap1.png
deleted file mode 100644
index f0608ab..0000000
--- a/old/64623-h/images/dropcap1.png
+++ /dev/null
Binary files differ