..續本文上一頁the state of Samadhi, he will transcend all hindrances and become strengthened in faith, a faith that will be immovable.")

　　The Lord Buddha resumed his words to Subhuti, saying: "What think you, Subhuti, are the atoms of dust in the myriad worlds which comprise the universe, are they very numerous

　　"

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　　Subhuti replied: "Very numerous, indeed, Blessed One."

　　The Lord Buddha continued: "Subhuti, these atoms of dust, many as they are, are not in reality ”atoms of dust,” they are merely termed so. Moreover, these ”myriad worlds” are not really worlds, they are merely termed so because of ignorance.

　　"Subhuti, if a good disciple were to take these infinite worlds and reduce them to exceedingly minute particles of dust and blow them away into space, would the so-called ”infinite worlds” cease to exist

　　"

　　Subhuti replied: "The Blessed One has already taught us that ”myriad worlds” is only a name; how can that which is only a name, cease to exist

　　"

　　Then the Lord Buddha continued: "True, Subhuti, but if it were otherwise, and the infinite worlds were a reality, then it would be asserting the unity and eternality of matter, which every one knows is dream-like, changing and transitory. Unity and eternality of matter, indeed! There is neither matter, nor unity, nor eternality--they are merely names. Belief in the unity and eternality of matter is incomprehensible; only common and worldly minded people, for purely materialistic reasons, cling to that hypothesis. Subhuti, enlightened disciples must thoroughly understand that emptiness and egolessness are characteristic of” all Truth. The Dhyana Paramita can be successfully practised only from that viewpoint."

　　Then the Lord Buddha continued: "If a disciple should affirm that the Tathagata had enunciated a doctrine that the mind could comprehend the idea of an entity, a being, a living being, a personality, or ally

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　　other discrimination, would that disciple be interpreting aright the meaning of this Scripture

　　"

　　Subhuti replied: "Blessed One, that disciple would not be interpreting aright the meaning of the Lord Buddha”s discourse. And why

　　 Because, Blessed One, when you discoursed on belief in the reality of an entity, a being, a living being, a personality, it was plainly declared that there were no such things; that they were entirely unreal and illusive; that they were merely words."

　　The Lord Buddha continued: "Subhuti, the disciples who aspire to supreme spiritual wisdom ought thus to know, to believe in, and to interpret all phenomena. They ought to eliminate from their minds every seeming evidence of concrete objects; they ought to eliminate from their minds even the notions of such things; and become oblivious to every idea connected with them. And why

　　 Because, so long as he cherishes ideas of and concerning an entity, a being, a living being, a personality, his mind is kept in confusion. He must even become oblivious to the idea that there is any one to whom the idea of sentient life can become oblivious. If he were to think within his mind, ”I must become oblivious to every idea of sentient life,” he could not be described as being wholly enlightened. And why

　　 Because, within the bounds of reality there is no such thing, no entity, no being, no living being, no personality, nothing whatever that can be discriminated, and therefore, there can be no reality to ideas concerning them, for all these things are merely manifestations of the mind itself."

　　Subhuti enquired, saying: "Blessed One, in the

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　　ages to come, will sentient beings destined to hear this Dharma, awaken within their minds these essential elements of faith

　　"

　　The Lord Buddha replied, smiling: "Subhuti, it cannot be asserted that there are or will be any such things as sentient beings, nor can it be …

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