Section XI. The Superiority of Unformulated Truth
Subhuti, if there were as many Ganges rivers as the sand-grains of
the Ganges, would the sand-grains of them all be many?
Subhuti said: Many indeed, World-honored One! Even the Ganges
rivers would be innumerable; how much more so would be their
sand-grains?
Subhuti, I will declare a truth to you. If a good man or good woman
filled three thousand galaxies of worlds with the seven treasures
for each sand-grain in all those Ganges rivers, and gave all away
in gifts of alms, would he gain great merit?
Subhuti answered: Great indeed, World-honored One!
Then Buddha declared: Nevertheless, Subhuti, if a good man or good
woman studies this Discourse only so far as to receive and retain
four lines, and teaches and explains them to others, the consequent
merit would be far greater.
Section XII. Veneration of the True Doctrine
Furthermore, Subhuti, you should know that wheresoever this
Discourse is proclaimed, by even so little as four lines, that
place should be venerated by the whole realms of Gods, Men and
Titans as though it were a Buddha-Shrine. How much more is this so
in the case of one who is able to receive and retain the whole and
read and recite it throughout! Subhuti, you should know that such a
one attains the highest and most wonderful truth. Wheresoever this
sacred Discourse may be found there should you comport yourself as
though in the presence of Buddha and disciples worthy of
honor.
Section XIII. How this Teaching should be Received and
Retained
At that time Subhuti addressed Buddha, saying: World-honored One,
by what name should this Discourse be known, and how should we
receive and retain it?
Buddha answered: Subhuti, this Discourse should be known as "The
Diamond of the Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom" - thus should
you receive and retain it. Subhuti, what is the reason
herein?
According to the Buddha-teaching the Perfection of Transcendental
Wisdom is not really such. "Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom" is
just the name given to it. Subhuti, what do you think? Has the
Tathagata a teaching to enunciate?
Subhuti replied to the Buddha: World-honored One, the Tathagata has
nothing to teach.
Subhuti, what do you think? Would there be many molecules in [the
composition of] three thousand galaxies of worlds?
Subhuti said: Many indeed, World-honored One!
Subhuti, the Tathagata declares that all these molecules are not
really such; they are called "molecules." [Furthermore,] the
Tathagata declares that a world is not really a world; it is called
"a world." Subhuti, what do you think? May the Tathagata be
perceived by the thirty-two physical peculiarities [of an
outstanding sage]?
No, World-honored One, the Tathagata may not be perceived by these
thirty-two marks. Wherefore? Because the Tathagata has explained
that the thirty-two marks are not really such; they are called "the
thirty-two marks."
