..續本文上一頁;thâ of four lines only, it should be preached or explained, would be like a Kaitya (holy shrine) for the whole world of gods, men, and spirits; what should we say then of those who learn the whole of this treatise of the Law to the end, who repeat it, understand it, and fully explain it to others

　　 They, O Subhûti, will be endowed with the highest wonder[1]. And in that place, O Subhûti, there dwells the teacher[2], or one after another holding the place of the wise preceptor[3].” (12)

　　XIII.

　　 After these words, the venerable Subhûti spoke thus to Bhagavat: ”O Bhagavat, how is this treatise of the Law called, and how can I learn it

　　” After this, Bhagavat spoke thus to the venerable Subhûti: ”This treatise of the Law, O Subhûti, is called the Pragñâ-pâramitâ (Transcendent wisdom), and you should learn it by that name. And why

　　 Because, O Subhûti, what was preached by the Tathâgata as the Pragñâ-pâramitâ, that was preached by the

　　[1. With what excites the highest wonder.

　　2. Sastâ, often the name of Budha, Pâli sattha.

　　3. This may refer to a succession of teachers handing down the tradition one to the other.]

　　{p. 125}

　　Tathâgata as no-Pâramitâ. Therefore it is called the Pragñâ-pâramitâ.

　　 ”Then, what do you think, O Subhûti, is there anything (dharma) that was preached by the Tathâgata

　　” Subhûti said: ”Not indeed, O Bhagvat, there is not anything that was preached by the Tathâgata.”

　　 Bhagavat said. ”What do you think then, O Subhûti,--the dust of the earth which is found in this sphere of a million millions of worlds, is that much

　　” Subhûti said: ”Yes, O Bhagavat, yes, O Sugata, that dust of the earth would be much. And why

　　 Because, O Bhagavat, what was preached by the Tathâgata as the dust of the earth, that was preached by the Tathâgata as no-dust. Therefore it is called the dust of the earth. And what was preached by the Tathâgata as the sphere of worlds, that was preached by the Tathâgata as no-sphere. Therefore it is called the sphere of worlds.”

　　 Bhagavat said: ”What do you think, O Subhûti, is a holy and fully enlightened Tathâgata to be seen (known) by the thirty-two signs of a hero

　　” Subhûti said: ”No indeed, O Bhagavat; a holy and fully enlightened Tathâgata is not to be seen (known) by the thirty-two signs of a hero. And why

　　 Because what was preached by the Tathâgata as the thirty-two signs of a hero, that was preached by the Tathâgata as no-signs. Therefore they are called the thirty-two signs of a hero.”

　　 Bhagavat said: ”If, O Subhûti, a woman or man should day by day sacrifice his life (selfhood[1]) as

　　[1. Âtmabhâva seems to refer here to the living body, not to the spiritual Âtman, which, according to Buddha, can be got rid of by knowledge only. Buddha himself sacrificed his life again and again, and a willingness to die would probably be accepted for the deed.]

　　{p. 126}

　　many times as there are grains of sand in the river Gangâ, and if he should thus sacrifice his life for as many kalpas as there are grains of sand in the river Gangâ, and if another man, after taking from this treatise of the Law one Gâthâ of four lines only, should fully teach others and explain it, he indeed would on the strength of this produce a larger stock of merit, immeasurable and innumerable.” (13)

　　XIV.

　　 At that time, the venerable Subhûti was moved by the power of the Law, shed tears, and having wiped his tears, he thus spoke to Bhagavat: ”It is wonderful, O Bhagavat, it is exceedingly wonderful, O Sugata, how fully t…

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