Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Prajnaparamita-18K - Chapter 07 - Flawlessly practicing the perfection of wisdom - 307

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The Transcendent Perfection of Wisdom
in Eighteen Thousand Lines - 307
Daśa­sāhasrikā­prajñā­pāramitā

– Chapter 07 - Flawlessly practicing the perfection of wisdom –

Source: https://read.84000.co/translation/toh10.html

More Analysis of Mahayana Sutras : https://www.gilehtblog.com/2022/07/toc-400.html

[Note: The two truths are:
T1: conventionally dependently co-arisen (interdependent) relatively functional ever-changing impermanent appearances / tools / adapted skillful means, merely labeled / imputed / imagined / created by the mind in dependence of its conditioning / karma (in cycle), not completely non-existence;
T2: emptiness of inherent existence, not real existence;
U2T: those two truths, like any other pair of apparent opposites, are inseparable, interdependent, co-defined, co-relative, co-dependent, co-emergent, co-evolving, co-ceasing / co-transcended, in harmony, in 'Union' <==> thus empty of inherent existence.
They are tools to help us to get to the 'inconceivable' by refuting what 'Reality as it is' is not:
all extreme views like: existence / dharma / causality / functionality, non-existence / non-dharma / non-causality / non-functionality, both together, neither; difference / manyness / diversity / duality, identity / oneness / sameness / non-duality, both together, neither; permanence / continuity / eternity, impermanence / discontinuity / annihilation, both together, neither; individuality, collectivity, universality, a combination of those, none of those; subjectivity, relation / action / process, objectivity, a combination of those, none of those; the 1st truth alone / dependent origination [T1], the 2nd truth alone / mere-emptiness [T2], both two truths together as if different and in opposition [2T], neither of the two truths as if identical and one [1T,]; 'this', 'non-this', both together, neither – for whatever 'this' is.
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The three spheres: ex.
i. The subject / actor / goer / perceiver / knower / acquirer / owner,
ii. The relation / action / going / perceiving / knowing / acquiring / having
iii. The object / result / destination / perceived / known / acquired / possessions / karma / 5 aggregates / body & speech & mind.
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Generalisations:
Whenever it is possible the comments of each section are expressed into a more global context. So they always cover more than just what is said in the various translations. The goal is to make the Big Picture more evident.
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Note: All comments within (i.e. …) or [...] are from the commentator (me), not the translators.)


[Back to Résumés of chapters 1-41]

07. ENTRY INTO FLAWLESSNESS – Practicing flawlessly the perfection of wisdom, the six perfections …

(i.e. Résumé: How to flawlessly practice the perfection of wisdom, the six perfections, etc. – Practicing without practicing, free from all grasping / attachment / apprehension / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points / absolutes, free from all extremes & middle, free from any acceptation or rejection of anything (ex. thoughts, ideas, concepts, actions) in absolute terms.
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[A. What should be done?]
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Bodhisattvas should train in the perfection of wisdom,
should train in the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is here & now (everywhere, at any time),
should train in the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T] free from all extremes & middle,
and should act more and more in accord with it —
because not knowing it, and not acting in accord with it, is a mistake and necessarily brings more suffering for self & others.
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For the sake of all beings, Bodhisattvas should complete / perfect / purify all valid concepts / ideas / views / activities / methods / practices / goals / all-dharmas (physical, conceptual, mental; subject, relation / action, object) with the perfection of wisdom, with skillful means, by way of not apprehending / objectifying anything in absolute terms, using those dharmas without any attachment / fixation / absolutes – free from all extremes & middle – without being contaminated / conditioned by them.
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Ex. A Bodhisattva completes / perfects / purifies his five aggregates – his body, speech and mind; subject, actions, objects –
by understanding and then directly realising their true nature & dynamic as it is here & now [U2T].
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Bodhisattvas who want to comprehend any / all dharmas should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
Bodhisattva who want to eliminate greed, hatred, and confusion… should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
Bodhisattva who want to complete the six perfections… should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
Bodhisattva who want to become absorbed in the various mental stabilisations… should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
Bodhisattva who want to fulfill all the intentions of beings should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
Bodhisattva who want to train in the śrāvaka level should concentrate and listen to, take up, bear in mind, read aloud, study, and properly pay attention to this perfection of wisdom.
Bodhisattva who want to train in the pratyekabuddha level, the bodhisattva level, and the buddha level should also concentrate and listen to, take up, bear in mind, read aloud, master, and properly pay attention to this perfection of wisdom [U2T].
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The Brief Exegesis / the single thought that resumes all.
Bodhisattvas should train in the Perfection of Wisdom, combining it to all practices / activities of the body, speech and mind. Everything a Bodhisattva may want comes from practicing the Perfection of Wisdom.
The single, all-encompassing statement / the 'single thought': "Bodhisattva great beings who want to fully awaken to all dharmas in all forms should make an effort at the perfection of wisdom [U2T]."
But one should not grasp at this 'though' either.
"Even that thought [T1] is no thought [T2], because the basic nature of thought is clear light [U2T]",
because the true nature & dynamic of all dharmas is indescribable / inconceivable / unthinkable in absolute terms.
No 'thought' or 'no-thought' can do the job. (see point 'F' below.)
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[B. How should it be done?]
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How should Bodhisattvas train in the perfection of wisdom?
How should they train in the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is here & now (everywhere, at any time)?
How should they train in the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T] free from all extremes & middle?
And how should they act more and more in accord with it? —
Because not knowing it, and not acting in accord with it, is a mistake and necessarily brings more suffering for self & others.
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Practicing the perfection of wisdom is practicing [T1] without practicing [T2] [U2T] the six perfections… for the benefits of all sentient beings [T1], even if everything is empty of inherent existence [T2]; and connecting others with those six paramitas [T1], even if all beings are empty of inherent existence [T2] [U2T].
Always acting [T1] without acting [T2] [U2T], without establishing anything in absolute terms, without any attachment / fixation / absolutes [T2] [U2T]; thus acting more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature of Reality as it is here & now [U2T].
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Training / practicing / engaging [T1] without training / practicing / engaging [T2] [U2T] in the six perfections, without any attachment / fixation / absolutes, using adapted skillful means, while gradually realising the inconceivable the true nature & dynamic of all dharmas involved [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T / U3T] and acting more an more in accord with it.
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Completing / perfecting / purifying [T1] without completing / perfecting / purifying all dharmas [T2] [U2T], without any attachment / fixation / absolutes – free from all extremes & middle – extremes related to dualities like existence vs. non-existence, difference vs. identity, perception vs. non-perception, engagement vs. non-engagement, acting vs. non-acting, accepting vs. rejecting, emptiness vs. non-emptiness, the two truths themselves.
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Always acting [T1] without acting [T2] [U2T], – valid for any type of activity of the body speech and mind –
but without any grasping / attachment / apprehension / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points / absolutes;
without falling into any extreme or middle;
without any duality / di-vision between subject & object & action, cause & causality & effect, right & wrong, movement & rest, samsara & nirvana;
more and more in accord with the Middle Way: not accepting / affirming / seeking / adding / improving / doing in absolute terms, not rejecting / negating / abandoning / eliminating / subtracting / not-doing anything in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively;
thus more and more in accord with the transcendent perfection of wisdom;
more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is;
more and more in accord with the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]
beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma.
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Bodhisattvas should practice the perfection of wisdom using valid tools / adapted skillful means [T1], but without apprehending any dharmas in absolute terms, without any attachment / fixation / absolutes [T2] [U2T] — because all dharmas are empty of inherent existence [T2] <==> because conventionally dependently co-arisen / interdependent [T1], merely labeled / imputed by the mind [U3S]. Because emptiness [T2] does not contradict valid conventional / relative / inter-subjective concepts / truths / views / methods / practices / goals [T1]… On the contrary the two truths are inseparable / interdependent / in harmony; one implies / proves / enables the other (<==>). They are not different / separate / two / dual, not identical / united / one / non-dual, not both together, not neither. That is the meaning of the inconceivable 'Union of the Two Truths [U2T].'
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So, Bodhisattvas thus practicing without practicing the perfection of wisdom
should train in valid conventional / relative / inter-subjective words / concepts / ideas /
truths / views / methods / practices / levels / goals / characteristics / properties /
attributes / marks / signs / names / labels [T1] —
but without any attachment / fixation / absolutes,
without apprehending anything in absolute terms [T2] [U2T].
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"If bodhisattva great beings practicing [T1] the perfection of wisdom do not apprehend in absolute terms [T2]
a perfection of wisdom, that bodhisattva, that word for bodhisattva, or even that bodhicitta, or awakening,
then just that is the advice about the perfection of wisdom of bodhisattvas; just that is the instruction."
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[C. Why should this be done?]
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Because all dharmas – physical / body, conceptual / speech, mental / mind; subject, relation /action, objects; apparent opposites; even the two truths themselves – are empty of inherent existence [T2], not really existent / caused / functional <==> because of being conventionally dependently co-arisen (interdependent / co-dependent) relatively functional ever-changing impermanent appearances / tools / adapted skillful means [T1], merely labeled / imputed by the mind (mere names / mere designations) [U3S], not completely non-existent / non-caused / non-functional / useless / meaningless. And vice versa, one aspect / truth implies / proves / enable the other (<==>) [U2T]. These two aspects / truths – dependent origination and emptiness of inherent existence – are not really separate and in opposition, but more like inseparable, interdependent, co-defined, co-relative, co-dependent, co-emergent, co-evolving, co-ceasing / co-transcended / in harmony <==> thus themselves both empty of inherent existence [U2T-2T]. They are not different / separate / multiple / dual, not identical / united / one / non-dual, not both together, not neither.
Note: Something could be co-dependent with its parts and wholes (when applicable), with its causes & conditions and effects (when applicable), with its conceptual opposite(s) (always), and especially co-dependent with the subject / mind merely labeling / imputing it in dependence of its conditioning / karma (always).
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Because all dharmas are like illusions, reflections, mirages, dreams, magical tricks: 'There, but not there': not really existent / caused / functional, not completely non-existent / non-caused / non-functional, not both together, not neither, and there is no fifth; not 'this', not 'non-this', not both together, not neither, and there is no fifth – for whatever 'this' is. Meaning the true nature & dynamic of all dharma is indescribable / inconceivable for our flawed dualistic conceptual conditioned ordinary mind(s). it has to be directly perceived / realised / experienced without using any dualistic conceptualisation, without using any conditioning / karma.
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Also, since everything is empty of inherent existence [T2] <==> because of being interdependent [T1] [U2T],
then there are no real three stages of becoming / times [U3T] (refuting naïve realism): i. dependent origination / production / beginning / birth / coming / before / past, ii. duration / middle / life / abiding / changing / during / present, iii. cessation / ending / death / going / after / future,
and no complete absence of them either (refuting nihilism / nothingness / mere-emptiness about the three stages / times).
These marks exist conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively [T1], but not in absolute terms [T2] [U2T], not objectively, not independently of the subject / mind.
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Quote: "Because where there is no intrinsic nature there is
no [inherently existing] production, stopping, decrease, increase, defilement, or purification."
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In short, nothing really exists and changes / increases / decreases / being defiled or purified, being 'this' or 'non-this' – in absolute terms [T2],
just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively [T1] [U2T].
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These dharmas cannot be seen [in absolute terms]
These dharmas cannot be settle down on as real [in absolute terms] <==> because they cannot be seen as real phenomena (inherently existing, objectively, independently of the mind) <==> because they are all empty of inherent existence [T2] <==> because they are co-dependent / interdependent [T1], merely labeled / imputed by the mind in dependence of its conditioning / karma (mere names / mere designations) [U3S]. One aspect / truth implies / proves / enable the other (<==>)  [U2T].
These dharmas cannot be apprehended [in absolute terms] – as existing objectively, separately / independently of the subject / mind merely labeling / imputing them in dependence of its conditioning / karma.
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[D. Hardheadedness:] (i.e. A steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.)
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Ex. Hardheadedness is practicing the six paramitas… without skillful means.
It is falling on the śrāvaka level or the pratyekabuddha level (more dualistic, absolutist than the bodhisattva level, or buddha level).
It is having attachment / apprehension / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points / absolutes.
It is falling for one extreme / opposite or another – about any duality / triad / quad / etc.
It is entertaining the opposition / duality between apparent opposites; or thinking everything is 'one' in absolute terms.
It is grasping at one truth / dependent origination / causality / functionality / appearances [T1], or the other truth / emptiness [T2], or the two truths together [2T], or neither [1T].
It is accepting / affirming / seeking / adding / doing something in absolute terms, or rejecting / negating / abandoning / eliminating / not-doing something in absolute terms, or changing / increasing / decreasing / purifying something in absolute terms – assuming this 'something' is inherently good or bad in absolute terms.
It is settling down on, standing upon, and forming the notion that some dharmas are 'impermanent or not', 'empty or not', 'this' or 'non-this' – in absolute terms.
It is settling down on, standing upon, and forming the notion that some dharmas are 'suffering, selfless, unpleasant, calm, empty, signless, and wishless' … or not – in absolute terms.
It is settling down on, standing upon, and forming the notion that some dharmas should be abandoned or not, comprehended or not, actualized or not, cultivated or not, resorted to or not, practiced or not, skillful means or not, pure or not, etc. – in absolute terms.
It is settling down on, standing upon, and forming the notion that some dharmas have to be accepted / affirm / seeked / done while other dharmas have to be rejected / negated / abandoned / eliminated / stopped / not-done, or changed / purified / completed – in absolute terms.
It is acting in absolute terms – valid for any action of the body, speech, mind; any physical, conceptual or mental activities.
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'Hardheadedness' is a love for dharmas (ex. entities / beings, relations / actions / processes, objects / phenomena, sensations / experiences, becoming or non-becoming …). It is forming the notion that some dharmas are inherently existing and have inherently existing marks / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities / signs / names / labels, or not existing / having any in absolute terms – ex. being good or bad in absolute terms, to be accepted or rejected, being permanent or impermanent, happiness or suffering, self or no-self, calm or not-calm, empty or non-empty, having sigh or signless, having a which or wishless, being produced or stopped, being past or present or future, strong or weak, existent or non-existent, different or identical, separate or united, multiple or one, dual or non-dual, caused or not-caused, functional or non-functional, born or unborn, changing or unchanging, ceasing or unceasing, pure or impure, perfect or imperfect, bounded or free, enlightened or not-enlightened, etc.
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About unwholesome actions of the body, speech and mind from a bodhisattva point of view. That undertaking of a physical, verbal, or mental action, in absolute terms, is a basic immorality of a bodhisattva great being; but it is OK if done with awareness of the true nature & dynamic of the three spheres involved. Because a bodhisattva great being's practice of the perfection of wisdom [U2T] should not apprehend an inherently existing body, does not apprehend an inherently existing voice / speech, and does not apprehend an inherently existing thinking mind – just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively.
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[E. Flawlessness:] (i.e. Perfecting the practice of the perfection of wisdom, of the six perfections ….)
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It is when bodhisattvas do not perceive / apprehend any appearances, or emptiness, or relation / opposition / action, as something 'real' / independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing with inherently existing marks / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities / signs / names / labels – in absolute terms [T1], just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively [T1] [U2T].
It is when Bodhisattvas know some dharmas [T1] but do not falsely project anything because of them [T2] [U2T].
Not even the 'single thought', the perfection of wisdom, the six paramitas, the three Jewels, awakening, etc.
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It is when they practice without practicing the perfection of wisdom without any attachment / fixation / absolutes, without free from all extremes & middle – ex. not falling for one truth or another – dependent origination [T1-] or emptiness (any of the 18 emptinesses) [T2] –, not falling for both truths together as if different and in opposition [2T], not falling for neither of the two truths as if identical and one [1T].
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All dharmas are like mere names, mere designations, but still possibly conventionally valid useful tools / adapted skillful means.
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It is when they act / perceive / learn / understand / know / teach [T1] … without acting / perceiving / learning / understanding / knowing / teaching [T2] [U2T],
without any grasping / attachment / apprehension / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points / absolutes;
without falling into any extreme or middle;
without any duality / di-vision between subject & object & action, cause & causality & effect, right & wrong, movement & rest, samsara & nirvana;
more and more in accord with the Middle Way: not accepting / affirming / seeking / adding / improving / doing in absolute terms, not rejecting / negating / abandoning / eliminating / subtracting / not-doing anything in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively;
thus more and more in accord with the transcendent perfection of wisdom;
more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is;
more and more in accord with the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]
beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma.
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[F. The state of no-thought / no-conceptualisation:]
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Thoughts & concepts have the same nature & dynamic as all other dharmas: appearing but empty; empty of inherent existence [T2] <==> but still conventionally dependently co-arisen (interdependent) relatively functional ever-changing impermanent appearances / tools / adapted skillful means [T1], merely labeled / imputed by the mind [U3S]. They are also like illusions / reflections / mirages / dreams / echos / magical tricks: 'There, but not there.' [U2T]. They are also not existent / caused / functional, not completely non-existent / non-caused / non-functional, not both together, not neither, and there is no fifth; not 'this', not 'non-this', not both together, not neither, and there is no fifth – for whatever 'this' is. Meaning their true nature & dynamic is indescribable / inconceivable. They have no real origination, duration / change, cessation, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively. So there is no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing basis to discriminate / differentiate / judge / rank them in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively. So, about them, there is nothing to accept / affirm / seek / add / do in absolute terms, nothing to reject / negate / abandon / eliminate / stop / subtract / not-do in absolute terms, nothing to change / improve / increase / decrease / purify in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively if it helps someone to get closer to the inconceivable liberation Truth [U2T].
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Realising this and acting in accord with it
is the state of no absolute thoughts / no absolute conceptualisation [T2],
just conventional / relative / inter-subjective ones [T1] [U2T].
To reject / stop all thoughts & concepts is impossible; and wishing for it is falling into an extreme position / suffering.
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So, again, the solution is to think / conceptualise [T1] without thinking / conceptualising [T2] [U2T],
without any grasping / attachment / apprehension / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points / absolutes;
without falling into any extreme or middle;
without any duality / di-vision between subject & object & action, cause & causality & effect, right & wrong, movement & rest, samsara & nirvana;
more and more in accord with the Middle Way: not accepting / affirming / seeking / adding / improving / doing in absolute terms, not rejecting / negating / abandoning / eliminating / subtracting / not-doing anything in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively;
thus more and more in accord with the transcendent perfection of wisdom;
more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is;
more and more in accord with the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]
beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma.
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Not perceiving / apprehending thoughts and concepts, or their marks / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities / signs / names / labels in absolute terms – or their complete non-existence.
Using them conventionally [T1], but never in absolute terms [T2] [U2T].)

Venerable Subhūti then said to the Lord,

  • "Lord, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend form 129 (i.e. similar to Chapter 2)
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend eyes
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Similarly, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend ears, nose, tongue, body, and thinking mind
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend a form
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Similarly, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend a sound, a smell, a taste, a feeling, and a dharma
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend eye consciousness
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend up to thinking-mind consciousness
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend eye contact up to who want to comprehend thinking-mind contact
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend the feeling that arises from the condition of eye contact, up to who want to comprehend the feeling that arises from the condition of thinking-mind contact
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend ignorance
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Similarly, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to comprehend volitional factors, consciousness, name and form, the six sense fields, contact, feeling, craving, appropriation, existence, birth, and old age and death
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to eliminate greed, hatred, and confusion
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to eliminate the view of the perishable collection, doubt, and grasping rules and rituals as absolute, as well as attachment to sense objects and malice;
    who want to eliminate attachment to sense objects, attachment to forms, and attachment to formless states; and
    who want to eliminate fetters, proclivities, and obsessions
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Furthermore, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to eliminate the four bonds, four floods, four knots, four appropriations, and four errors 130
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to eliminate the ten unwholesome actions
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to complete the ten wholesome actions
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to complete the perfection of giving
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Similarly, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to complete the perfection of morality, the perfection of patience, the perfection of perseverance, the perfection of concentration, and the perfection of wisdom
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to complete the four concentrations, four immeasurables, four formless absorptions, four applications of mindfulness, four right efforts, four legs of miraculous power, five faculties, five powers, seven limbs of awakening, and the eightfold noble path, as well as the four detailed and thorough knowledges, four fearlessnesses, six clairvoyances, ten tathāgata powers, and eighteen distinct attributes of a buddha
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to become absorbed in the bodhyaṅgavatin meditative stabilization 131
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to become absorbed in the siṃhavikrīḍita meditative stabilization,
    who want to become absorbed in the siṃha­vijṛmbhita meditative stabilization,
    who want to obtain all the dhāraṇī gateways and meditative stabilization gateways,
    who want to become absorbed in the śūraṅgama meditative stabilization, and
    who want to become absorbed in the ratnamudra meditative stabilization, candraprabha meditative stabilization, candra­dhvaja­ketu meditative stabilization, sarva­dharma­mudrāgata meditative stabilization, avalokita 132 meditative stabilization, dharma­dhātu­niyata meditative stabilization, niyata­dhvaja­ketu meditative stabilization, vajropama meditative stabilization, sarva­dharma­praveśa­mukha meditative stabilization, samādhirāja meditative stabilization, rājamudra meditative stabilization, balavyūha meditative stabilization, samudgata meditative stabilization, sarva­dharma­nirukti­niyata­praveśa meditative stabilization, sarva­dharma­jñānādhivāsana­praveśa 133 meditative stabilization, daśa­digvyavalokita meditative stabilization, sarva­dharma­dhāraṇī­mukha­mudra meditative stabilization, sarva­dharmāsaṃpramoṣa meditative stabilization, sarva­dharma­samavasaraṇākāra­mudra 134 meditative stabilization, tri­maṇḍala­pariśuddha meditative stabilization, ākāśāvasthita meditative stabilization, acyutābhijñā meditative stabilization, pātragata meditative stabilization, dhvajāgra­keyūra meditative stabilization, sarva­kleśa­nirdahana meditative stabilization, caturmāra­bala­vikaraṇa 135 meditative stabilization, jñānolka meditative stabilization, daśabalodgata meditative stabilization, and ākāśāsaṃga­vimukti­nirupalepa meditative stabilization
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • Bodhisattva great beings
    who want to obtain all those meditative stabilization gateways and others as well
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Furthermore, Lord, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to fulfill all the intentions of beings
    ____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].
    ____________________________________________

  • "Furthermore, Lord, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to complete all the wholesome roots which, when those wholesome roots are completed, cause them not to fall into terrible forms of life, not to be born in families that are wanting, not to fall to the śrāvaka level or the pratyekabuddha level, and not to fall into a bodhisattva's hardheadedness 136
    _____________________________________________
    should train in the perfection of wisdom [U2T]."
    _____________________________________________


Then venerable Śāriputra asked venerable Subhūti,
"How, Venerable Subhūti, do they fall into a bodhisattva's hardheadedness?"


Venerable Subhūti replied,

"Venerable Śāriputra, bodhisattva great beings practice the six perfections without skillful means.
Having resorted to the meditative stabilization on emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness without skillful means,
they do not fall to the śrāvaka level or the pratyekabuddha level,
but still they do not enter into the secure state of a bodhisattva. 137
This is called 'a bodhisattva's hardheadedness.' " 138

"Why, Venerable Subhūti, is this a bodhisattva's hardheadedness?" asked Śāriputra.

  • Subhūti replied, "Venerable Śāriputra,
    a bodhisattva great being's 'hardheadedness' is just this: a love for dharmas."

"What, Venerable Subhūti, is a love for dharmas?" asked Śāriputra.


Subhūti replied,

  • "Venerable Śāriputra, here bodhisattva great beings practicing the perfection of wisdom settle down on, stand upon,
    and form the notion that form is 'empty.' 139

  • Similarly, they settle down on, stand upon,
    and form the notion that feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness are 'empty.'

That, Venerable Śāriputra, is the love for dharmas called hardheadedness that can come along with being a bodhisattva great being.

  • "Furthermore, Venerable Śāriputra, bodhisattvas bodhisattvas settle down on, stand upon,
    and form the notion that form is 'impermanent,'

  • and they also settle down on, stand upon, and form the notion that to the notion that form is 'suffering, selfless, unpleasant, and calm, empty, signless, and wishless.' 140

Venerable Śāriputra, that love for dharmas that can come along with being a bodhisattva is hardheadedness.

  • "Similarly, they settle down on, stand upon,
    and form the notion that feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness are 'impermanent,'

  • and they also settle down on, stand upon, and form the notion that feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness are 'suffering, selfless, unpleasant, and calm, empty, signless, and wishless.'

Venerable Śāriputra, that love for dharmas that can come along with being a bodhisattva is hardheadedness.


"Bodhisattva great beings practicing the perfection of wisdom might settle down on, stand upon,

  • and form the notion about these dharmas:

  • 'Thus form should be abandoned; with this, form should be abandoned.

  • Thus feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness should be abandoned; with this, they should be abandoned.

  • Thus should suffering be comprehended; with this should suffering be comprehended.

  • Thus should origination be abandoned; with this should origination be abandoned.

  • Thus should cessation be actualized; with this should cessation be actualized.

  • Thus should the path be cultivated; with this should the path be cultivated.

  • This is defilement, this is purification;

  • these dharmas are to be resorted to, these dharmas are not to be resorted to;

  • this should be practiced by a bodhisattva, this should not be practiced;

  • this is a bodhisattva's path, this is not the path;

  • this is a bodhisattva's training, this is not the training;

  • this is a bodhisattva's perfection of giving, and this is the perfection of morality, patience, perseverance, concentration, and wisdom;

  • this is not a bodhisattva's perfection of giving, morality, patience, perseverance, concentration, or wisdom;

  • this is a bodhisattva's skillful means, this is not skillful means;

  • and this is the secure state of a bodhisattva, this is hardheadedness.'

If so, then that love for dharmas that can come along with being a bodhisattva is hardheadedness."


"What, Venerable Subhūti, is a bodhisattva great being's flawlessness?"
asked venerable Śāriputra. 141


Venerable Subhūti replied,

"Venerable Śāriputra, here bodhisattva great beings practicing the perfection of wisdom

  • do not see in inner emptiness (1) outer emptiness (2), and
    do not see in outer emptiness inner emptiness;

  • do not see in inner and outer emptiness (3) the emptiness of emptiness, and
    do not see in the emptiness of emptiness inner and outer emptiness;

  • do not see in the emptiness of emptiness (4) the great emptiness (5), and
    do not see in the great emptiness the emptiness of emptiness;

  • do not see in the great emptiness the emptiness of ultimate reality (6), and
    do not see in the emptiness of ultimate reality the great emptiness;

  • do not see in the emptiness of ultimate reality the emptiness of the compounded, and
    do not see in the emptiness of the compounded the emptiness of ultimate reality;

  • do not see in the emptiness of the compounded (7) the emptiness of the uncompounded (8), and
    do not see in the emptiness of the uncompounded the emptiness of the compounded;

  • do not see in the emptiness of the uncompounded the emptiness of what transcends limits, and
    do not see in the emptiness of what transcends limits the emptiness of the uncompounded;

  • do not see in the emptiness of what transcends limits (9) the emptiness of no beginning and no end (10), and
    do not see in the emptiness of no beginning and no end the emptiness of what transcends limits;

  • do not see in the emptiness of no beginning and no end the emptiness of non-repudiation, and
    do not see in the emptiness of non-repudiation the emptiness of no beginning and no end;

  • do not see in the emptiness of non-repudiation (11) the emptiness of a basic nature (12), and
    do not see in the emptiness of a basic nature the emptiness of non-repudiation;

  • do not see in the emptiness of a basic nature the emptiness of its own mark (13), and
    do not see in the emptiness of its own mark the emptiness of a basic nature;

  • do not see in the emptiness of its own mark the emptiness of all dharmas (14), and
    do not see in the emptiness of all dharmas the emptiness of its own mark; 142

  • do not see in the emptiness of all dharmas the emptiness of a non-existent thing (16), and
    do not see in the emptiness of a non-existent thing the emptiness of all dharmas;

  • do not see in the emptiness of a non-existent thing the emptiness of an intrinsic nature (17), and
    do not see in the emptiness of an intrinsic nature the emptiness of a non-existent thing;

  • do not see in the emptiness of an intrinsic nature the emptiness that is the non-existence of an intrinsic nature, and
    do not see in the emptiness that is the non-existence of an intrinsic nature the emptiness of an intrinsic nature (18).

Venerable Śāriputra, when bodhisattva great beings practice the perfection of wisdom like that they enter into the secure state of a bodhisattva.

(Note: The eighteen emptinesses:
Quote: Furthermore, O Subhūti, the bodhisattva-mahāsattva who wishes to become established (sthātukāma) in:
1. the emptiness of inner dharmas (adhyātmaśūnyatā),

2. the emptiness of outer dharmas (bahirdhāśūnyatā),

3. the emptiness of inner and outer dharmas (adhyātmabahirdhāśūnyatā),

4. the emptiness of emptiness (śūnyatāśūnyatā),

5. great emptiness (mahāśūnayatā),

6. the emptiness of the absolute (paramārthaśūnyatā),

7. the emptiness of the conditioned (saṃskṛtaśūnyatā),

8. the emptiness of the unconditioned (asaṃskṛtaśūnyatā),

9. absolute emptiness (atyantaśūnyatā),

10. the emptiness of beginningless dharmas (anagraśūnyatā),

11. the emptiness of dispersed dharmas (avakāraśūnyatā),

12. the emptiness of essences (prakṛtiśūnyatā),

13. the emptiness of specific characteristics (svalakṣaṇaśūnyatā),

14. the emptiness of all dharmas (sarvadharmaśūnyatā),

15. the emptiness consisting of non-preception (anupalambhaśūnyatā),

16. the emptiness of non-existence (abhāvaśūnyatā),

17. the emptiness of existence (svabhāvaśūnyatā),

18. the emptiness of non-existence and existence (abhāvasvabhāvaśūnyatā),
this bodhisattva-mahāsattva must practice the Perfection of Wisdom.)
https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/book/maha-prajnaparamita-sastra/d/doc82378.html


"Furthermore, venerable Śāriputra, here bodhisattva great beings practicing the perfection of wisdom train so that 143

  • they know form [T1] but do not falsely project anything because of it [T2] [U2T];

  • they know feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness but do not falsely project anything because of them;

  • they know the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and thinking mind but do not falsely project anything because of them;

  • they know a form, a sound, a smell, a taste, a feeling, and a dharma but do not falsely project anything because of them;

  • they know the perfection of giving but do not falsely project anything because of it;

  • they know the perfection of morality, patience, perseverance, concentration, and wisdom but do not falsely project anything because of them;

  • they know the concentrations, immeasurables, and formless absorptions but do not falsely project anything because of them;

  • and similarly they know the five clairvoyances, five eyes, applications of mindfulness, right efforts, legs of miraculous power, faculties, powers, limbs of awakening, path, four fearlessnesses, four detailed and thorough knowledges, and eighteen distinct attributes of a buddha but do not falsely project anything because of them.


"Venerable Śāriputra, bodhisattva great beings practicing the perfection of wisdom train so that

  • they do not falsely project anything even because of the thought of awakening;

  • they do not falsely project anything even because of the thought equal to the unequaled, the prodigious thought. 144

(Copied from chapter 2: "Here, Śāriputra, (i.e. the single, all-encompassing statement – the 'single thought'.) (similar to 4.4)
-
bodhisattva great beings who want to fully awaken to all dharmas in all forms
should make an effort at the perfection of wisdom [U2T]."
-
[Because that thought [T1] is no thought [T2] [U2T]
because the basic nature of thought is clear light [U2T].]
[Thus, it (the perfection of wisdom) should be taken up by way of no causal sign and no absence of causal sign, without taking it up.]
-
(i.e. Pure perception & pure actions: Bodhisattvas should always combined conventional relative virtuous activities (all actions of the body, speech & mind) / perceptions / feelings / concepts / symbols / images / ideas / thoughts / views / methods / practices / goals / tools / adapted skillful means <==> with more and more wisdom / genuine-emptiness [U2T]; thus acting more and more in accord with the inconceivable true & dynamic nature of Reality as it is, with the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
Why?
Because, in Reality as it is, everything is like an inconceivable Union of being empty of inherent existence [T2], not really existent / caused / functional <==> because of being conventionally dependently co-arisen (interdependent) relatively functional ever-changing impermanent appearances / tools / adapted skillful means [T1], merely labeled / imputed by the mind in dependence of its conditioning / karma, not completely non-existent / non-caused / on-functional. And vice versa; one aspect / truth implies / proves / enables the other (<==>) [U2T]. Everything is like illusions, reflections, mirages, dreams, magical tricks: 'There, but not there.'. Not really existent / caused / functional, not completely non-existent / non-caused / non-functional, not both together, not neither, and there is no fifth; not 'this', not 'non-this', not both together, not neither, and there is no fifth – for whatever 'this' is. Meaning that everything is indescribable / inconceivable for our flawed dualistic conceptual conditioned ordinary mind(s); it has to be personally spontaneously non-dualistically non-conceptually non-conditionally perceived / realised / experience in the here & now. Meaning there is no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing basis for any discrimination / differentiation / ranking / judgment / acceptation / rejection in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively if it helps someone to get closer to the inconceivable liberating Truth [U2T]. In that sense everything is primordially equal, pure, perfect, divine, complete, free, enlightened, the inseparable three pure kayas, the true Buddha.))

And why?

  • Because that thought [T1] is no thought [T2] [inconceivable] [U2T]
    because the basic nature of thought is clear light [U2T]." 145, 146

"Venerable Subhūti, what is the clear light that is the basic nature of thought [U2T]?" asked Śāriputra.
(i.e. The Union of the Two Truths about the mind and its fabrications – inconceivable, beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma. Not 'this', not 'non-this', not both together, not neither – for whatever 'this' is. Ex. Not existent, not non-existent, not both together, not neither; not different / separate / multiple / dual, not identical / united / one / non-dual, not both together, not neither; not permanent / continuous / eternal, not impermanent / discontinuous / annihilated, not both together, not neither; not dependent, not independent, not both together, not neither; not empty, not non-empty, not both together, not neither; not dependently co-arisen [T1-only], not empty of inherent existence [T2-only], not both truths together [2T], not neither truths [1T], not equal / pure / perfect / divine / complete / free, not unequal / impure / imperfect / ordinary / incomplete / bounded, not both together, not neither; etc.)


Subhūti replied, "Venerable Śāriputra,

  • a thought that is neither conjoined with greed nor disjoined from greed [U2T],

  • neither conjoined with hatred and confusion nor disjoined from hatred and confusion [U2T], and

  • neither conjoined with obsessions, obscurations, proclivities, fetters, distortions, and śrāvaka and pratyekabuddha thoughts nor disjoined from them‍ [U2T] —

  • (i.e. Engaging without engaging: Bodhisattvas do not associate, in absolute terms, any dharma (ex. the five aggregates) with any marks / signs / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities – like being greed, hatred, confusion or not –. Bodhisattvas engage without engaging with the being greed, hatred, confusion or not of any/all dharmas; because they do not even perceive any inherently existing dharma (ex. five aggregates) or any marks / signs / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities like being greed, hatred, confusion or not <==> because these are all empty of inherent existence <==> because these are all dependently co-arisen / interdependent, merely labeled / imputed by the mind <==> like illusions, reflections, mirages, dreams, magical tricks: 'There, but not there.' [U2T].)

  • that, venerable Śāriputra, is the clear light that is the basic nature of a bodhisattva great being's thought [U2T]."

"Venerable Subhūti, the thought of which you say 'it is no thought,' does it exist?" 147 asked Śāriputra.


"Venerable Śāriputra," Subhūti asked in return,

"can you apprehend existence or non-existence there, in that state of no thought?

(i.e All dharmas are not inherently existent, not completely non-existent, not both together, not neither. Meaning indescribable / inconceivable, beyond all extremes & middle …)
(i.e. Engaging without engaging: Bodhisattvas do not associate, in absolute terms, any dharma (ex. the five aggregates) with any marks / signs / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities – like their existence or non-existence –. Bodhisattvas engage without engaging with the existence or non-existence of any/all dharmas; because they do not even perceive any inherently existing dharma (ex. five aggregates) or any marks / signs / characteristics / properties / attributes / qualities / relations / oppositions / activities like their existence or non-existence <==> because these are all empty of inherent existence <==> because these are all dependently co-arisen / interdependent, merely labeled / imputed by the mind <==> like illusions, reflections, mirages, dreams, magical tricks: 'There, but not there.' [U2T].)


"No, Venerable Subhūti," replied Śāriputra.


Subhūti then asked,

"Venerable Śāriputra, if you cannot apprehend existence or non-existence there, in that state of no thought, is then, Venerable Śāriputra, this argumentative investigation of yours‍ — 'The thought of which you say "it is no thought," does it exist?' ‍— appropriate?"

"Venerable Subhūti," Śāriputra asked in return, "what is the state of no thought?"


"Venerable Śāriputra," replied Subhūti,

  • "the state of no thought is a state without distortion and without conceptualization
    [i.e. It is no thought / conceptualisation in absolute terms [T2], just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively [T1] [U2T]];

  • it is the state in which all dharmas are just so.
    [i.e. It is being fully aware of the inconceivable true nature & dynamic as it is here & now (of the mind and its fabrications, of all dharmas – subject, relation / action, object –, of all apparent opposites, even of the two truths) [U2T], without trying to add something to it, or trying to subtract something to it. It is thinking without thinking, without any attachment / fixation / absolutes, free from all extremes & middle, free from all dualistic conceptual proliferations, free from all defining limitations, free from all conditioning / karma. And free from does not mean to be without or to eliminate thoughts & conceptualisation, but just to be not slaves to them, because of being aware of their true nature & dynamic as it is here & now.]

  • It is called the state of no thought's 'unthinkability.' "
    (i.e. It means not thought can understand this inconceivable true nature of Reality as it is, this Union of the Two Truths [U2T].)

Śāriputra then asked, "Venerable Subhūti,

  • just as thought is without distortion and without conceptualization,
    so too is form without distortion and without conceptualization [in absolute terms],

  • and similarly feeling, perception, volitional factors, and consciousness
    are without distortion and without conceptualization as well [in absolute terms];

  • and just as thought is without distortion and without conceptualization
    so too are the eye constituent, form constituent, and eye consciousness constituent without distortion and without conceptualization, and similarly the ear constituent . . . the nose constituent . . . the tongue constituent . . . the body constituent . . . and the thinking-mind constituent, dharma-constituent, and thinking-mind consciousness constituent
    without distortion and without conceptualization as well ‍—

  • similarly, are the sense fields, dependent originations, perfections, clairvoyances, applications of mindfulness, right efforts, legs of miraculous power, faculties, powers, limbs of awakening, path, fearlessnesses, detailed and thorough knowledges, powers, distinct attributes of a buddha, and unsurpassed, perfect, complete awakening
    without distortion and without conceptualization as well?"


"Exactly so, Venerable Śāriputra!" replied Subhūti.

  • "Just as thought is without distortion and without conceptualization,
    so too are the aggregates, constituents, sense fields, dependent origination, perfections, clairvoyances, dharmas on the side of awakening, powers, fearlessnesses, distinct attributes of a buddha, and unsurpassed, perfect, complete awakening
    without distortion and without conceptualization as well."


"Excellent, excellent, Venerable Subhūti!" said Śāriputra.

"Because you are the Lord's son, close to his bosom, born from his mouth, born from his Dharma, magically produced from his Dharma, his Dharma heir and not heir to material possessions, a direct eyewitness to the dharmas who witnesses with your body ‍— that is, because the Lord has proclaimed you the foremost of śrāvakas who are at the conflict-free stage, this is an exhibition of that fact.

"Venerable Subhūti,

________________________________________________________________
bodhisattva great beings should train in the perfection of wisdom like that,
________________________________________________________________

and because of that bodhisattva great beings must be considered irreversible,

and should be known as not lacking in the perfection of wisdom [U2T].

  • Venerable Subhūti, bodhisattva great beings
    who want to train in the śrāvaka level
    ____________________________________________________________________
    should concentrate and listen to, take up, bear in mind, read aloud,
    study, and properly pay attention to this perfection of wisdom;
    ____________________________________________________________________

  • and bodhisattva great beings
    who want to train in the pratyekabuddha level, the bodhisattva level, and the buddha level
    ____________________________________________________________________
    should also concentrate and listen to, take up, bear in mind, read aloud,
    master, and properly pay attention to this perfection of wisdom.________
    ____________________________________________________________________

And why?

  • ____________________________________________________________________
    Because in this perfection of wisdom is detailed instruction for the three vehicles
    in which bodhisattva great beings should train on the level of śrāvakas
    and pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and buddhas." 148
    ____________________________________________________________________

This was the seventh chapter, "Entry into Flawlessness," of "The Perfection of Wisdom in Eighteen Thousand Lines."




Access to other chapters on the Blog:
(Work in progress. Empty files means they are not done yet.)

  1. Chapter 0 – Introduction to the Sutra

  2. Chapter 1 – Introduction / the Assembly

  3. Chapter 2 – Production of the Thought

  4. Chapter 3 – Designation

  5. Chapter 4 – Equal to the Unequal

  6. Chapter 5 – Tongue

  7. Chapter 6 – Subhūti

  8. Chapter 7 – Entry into flawlessness

  9. Chapter 8 – The Religious Mendicant Śreṇika

  10. Chapter 9 – Causal Signs

  11. Chapter 10 – Illusion-like

  12. Chapter 11 – Embarrassment

  13. Chapter 12 – Elimination of Views

  14. Chapter 13 – The Six Perfections

  15. Chapter 14 – Neither Bound nor Freed

  16. Chapter 15 – Meditative Stabilization

  17. Chapter 16 – Dhāraṇī Gateway

  18. Chapter 17 – Level Purification

  19. Chapter 18 – The Exposition of Going Forth in the Great Vehicle

  20. Chapter 19 – Surpassing

  21. Chapter 20 – Not Two

  22. Chapter 21 – Subhūti

  23. Chapter 22 – Śatakratu

  24. Chapter 23 – Hard to Understand

  25. Chapter 24 – Unlimited

  26. Chapter 25 – Second Śatakratu

  27. Chapter 26 – Getting Old

  28. Chapter 27 – Reliquary

  29. Chapter 28 – Declaration of the Good Qualities of the Thought of Awakening

  30. Chapter 29 – Different Tīrthika Religious Mendicants

  31. Chapter 30 – The Benefits of Taking Up and Adoration

  32. Chapter 31 – Physical Remains

  33. Chapter 32 – The Superiority of Merit

  34. Chapter 33 – Dedication

  35. Chapter 34 – Perfect Praise of the Quality of Accomplishment

  36. Chapter 35 – Hells

  37. Chapter 36 – Teaching The Purity of all Dharmas

  38. Chapter 37 – Nobody

  39. Chapter 38 – Cannot Be Apprehended

  40. Chapter 39 – The Northern Region

  41. Chapter 40 – The Work of Māra

  42. Chapter 41 – Not Complete Because of Māra

  43. Chapter 42 – Revealing the World

  44. Chapter 43 – Inconceivable

  45. Chapter 44 – Made Up

  46. Chapter 45 – A Boat

  47. Chapter 46 – Teaching the Intrinsic Nature of All Dharmas

  48. Chapter 47 – Taming Greed

  49. Chapter 48 – A Presentation of the Bodhisattvas' Training

  50. Chapter 49 – Irreversibility

  51. Chapter 50 – Teaching the Signs of Irreversibility

  52. Chapter 51 – Skillful means

  53. Chapter 52 – Completion of the Means

  54. Chapter 53 – The Prophecy about Gaṅgadevī

  55. Chapter 54 – Teaching the Cultivation of Skillful Means

  56. Chapter 55 – Teaching the Stopping of Thought Construction [in absolute terms]

  57. Chapter 56 – Equal Training

  58. Chapter 57 – Practice

  59. Chapter 58 – Exposition of the Absence of Thought Construction [in absolute terms]

  60. Chapter 59 – Non-attachment

  61. Chapter 60 – Entrusting

  62. Chapter 61 – Inexhaustible

  63. Chapter 62 – Leaping Above Absorption

  64. Chapter 63 – Many Inquiries about the Two Dharmas

  65. Chapter 64 – Perfectly Displayed

  66. Chapter 65 – Worshiping, Serving, and Attending on Spiritual Friends as Skillful Means

  67. Chapter 66 – A Demonstration of Skillful Means

  68. Chapter 67 – Morality

  69. Chapter 68 – Growing and Flourishing

  70. Chapter 69 – An Explanation of Meditation on The Path

  71. Chapter 70 – An Explanation of Serial Action, Training, and Practice

  72. Chapter 71 – The True Nature of Dharmas That Cannot Be Apprehended

  73. Chapter 72 – Teaching the Absence of Marks

  74. Chapter 73 – Exposition of the Major Marks and Minor Signs and the Completion of Letters

  75. Chapter 74 – Exposition of the Sameness of Dharmas

  76. Chapter 75 – Exposition of Non-complication –

  77. Chapter 76 – The Armor for Bringing Beings to Maturity

  78. Chapter 77 – Teaching the Purification of a Buddhafield

  79. Chapter 78 – Teaching the Skillful Means for the Purification of a Buddhafield

  80. Chapter 79 – Teaching the Non Existence of an Intrinsic Nature

  81. Chapter 80 – Teaching that there is No Defilement or Purification

  82. Chapter 81 – Yogic Practice of the Ultimate

  83. Chapter 82 – The Unchanging True Nature of Dharmas

  84. Chapter 83 – Categorization of a Bodhisattva's Training

  85. Chapter 84 – Collection

  86. Chapter 85 – Sadāprarudita

  87. Chapter 86 – Dharmodgata

  88. Chapter 87 – Entrusting

  89. Résumés in bullet points of all chapters.




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