The Inconceivable Tathāgata
Chapter 24
Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, [F.76.b] “Young man, aspiring bodhisattva mahāsattvas think, ‘How can I make manifest the four discernments? What are these four? They are the discernment of meaning, the discernment of phenomena, the discernment of definitions, and the discernment of eloquence. I shall manifest these four!’ On having this thought, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas should obtain this samādhi, understand it, preserve it, recite it to others, promote it, proclaim it, chant it, meditate on it with unadulterated meditation, and make it widely known to others.
24.2 “Young man, what is the discernment of phenomena?
“Young man, however many words there can be for forms, the tathāgata has that many appellations for them.824 It is the same for sensation, identification, mentation; and, young man, for consciousnesses. Young man, in that way there are infinite, endless, inconceivably numerous825 words for forms, and the tathāgata, too has inconceivably numerous appellations for them. It is the same for sensation, identification, mentation, and, young man, for consciousnesses: there are infinite, endless, inconceivably numerous words for them, and the tathāgata, too has inconceivably numerous appellations for them.826
24.3 “Young man, there are countless faults in those composite phenomena; there are also countless benefits in nirvāṇa, and the tathāgata, too, has that many countless appellations. Young man, as numerous as are the names for nirvāṇa, the tathāgata has that many appellations. [F.77.a] Thus, young man, there are countless names of nirvāṇa, and the tathāgata, too, has that many appellations.
24.4 “Young man, the tathāgata has spoken of four kinds of appellations that are inconceivably numerous because it is not easy to state that there is an end to them. What are these four? They are the inconceivably numerous appellations in regard to the composite, the inconceivably numerous appellations for sounds, the inconceivably numerous appellations for kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous appellations for purification. Young man, those are the tathāgata’s four kinds of inconceivably numerous appellations. Young man, those four, the tathāgata’s inconceivably numerous appellations, are taught to be inconceivably numerous as it is not easy to state that there is an end to them. To understand what those four are, they should be taught in detail.
24.5 “Young man, there are the four ways of the bodhisattvas. What are the four ways? They are the inconceivably numerous ways of the composite, the inconceivably numerous ways of teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous ways of the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous ways of purification. Those are the four.
24.6 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of reasoning.827 What are the four kinds of reasoning? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of reasoning concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.7 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of doorways. What are the four kinds of doorways? They are the inconceivably numerous doorways concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous doorways concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous doorways concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous doorways concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.8 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of elucidation. What are the four kinds of elucidation? [F.77.b] They are the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous elucidations concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.9 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of speaking. What are the four kinds of speaking? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of speaking concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.10 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words. What are the four kinds of words? They are the inconceivably numerous words concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.11 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of recitation. What are the four kinds of recitation? They are the inconceivably numerous recitations concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous recitations concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous recitations concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous recitations concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.12 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of pertinent speech. What are the four kinds of pertinent speech? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent speech concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent speech concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent speech concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of pertinent speech concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.13 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of comprehension of the devas. What are the four kinds of comprehension of the devas? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of the devas concerning purification. [F.78.a] Those are the four.
24.14 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of comprehension of humans. What are the four kinds of comprehension of humans? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of humans concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of humans concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of humans concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of humans concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.15 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of comprehension of names. What are the four kinds of comprehension of names? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of names concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of names concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of names concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of comprehension of names concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.16 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of engagement. What are the four kinds of engagement? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of engagement concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.17 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of ascension.828 What are the four kinds of ascension? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of ascension concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.18 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of vajra words. What are the four kinds of vajra words? They are the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous vajra words concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.19 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of mantra words. [F.78.b] What are the four kinds of mantra words? They are the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous mantra words concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.20 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of attainment. What are the four kinds of attainment? They are the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous attainments concerning purification. Those are the four.829
24.21 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of sūtra words. What are the four kinds of sūtra words? They are the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous sūtra words concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.22 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of designations.830 What are the four kinds of designations? They are the inconceivably numerous designations concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous designations concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous designations concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous designations concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.23 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning illumination.831 What are the four kinds of words concerning illumination? They are the inconceivably numerous words concerning illumination in regard to the composite, the inconceivably numerous words concerning illumination in regard to teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words concerning illumination in regard to the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words concerning illumination in regard to purification. Those are the four.
24.24 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning clarification.832 What are the four kinds of words concerning clarification? They are the inconceivably numerous words concerning clarification in regard to the composite, the inconceivably numerous words concerning clarification in regard to teaching the composite, [F.79.a] the inconceivably numerous words concerning clarification in regard to the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of clarification in regard to purification. Those are the four.
24.25 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning conduct. What are the four kinds of words concerning conduct? They are the inconceivably numerous words of conduct concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of conduct concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of conduct concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of conduct concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.26 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words concerning behavior.833 What are the four kinds of words concerning behavior? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of words concerning behavior in regard to purification. Those are the four.
24.27 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of inconceivability. What are the four kinds of words of inconceivability? They are the inconceivably numerous words of inconceivability834 concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of inconceivability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of inconceivability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of inconceivability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.28 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of limitlessness.835 What are the four kinds of words of limitlessness? They are the inconceivably numerous words of limitlessness concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of limitlessness concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of limitlessness concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of limitlessness concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.29 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of nonmovement.836 What are the four kinds of words of nonmovement? They are the inconceivably numerous words of nonmovement concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of nonmovement concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of nonmovement concerning the kleśas, [F.79.b] and the inconceivably numerous words of nonmovement concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.30 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of boundlessness. What are the four kinds of words of boundlessness? They are the inconceivably numerous words of boundlessness concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of boundlessness concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of boundlessness concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of boundlessness concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.31 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of incomparability.837 What are the four kinds of words of incomparability? They are the inconceivably numerous words of incomparability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of incomparability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of incomparability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of incomparability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.32 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of innumerability. What are the four kinds of words of innumerability? They are the inconceivably numerous words of innumerability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of innumerability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of innumerability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of innumerability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.33 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of unquantifiability. What are the four kinds of words of unquantifiability? They are the inconceivably numerous words of unquantifiability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of unquantifiability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of unquantifiability concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of unquantifiability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.34 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of immeasurability. What are the four kinds of words of immeasurability? They are the inconceivably numerous words of immeasurability concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of immeasurability concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of immeasurability concerning the kleśas, [F.80.a] and the inconceivably numerous words of immeasurability concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.35 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of words of wisdom. What are the four kinds of words of wisdom? They are the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous words of wisdom concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.36 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of accumulation of wisdom. What are the four kinds of accumulation of wisdom? They are the inconceivably numerous accumulations of wisdom concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous accumulations of wisdom concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous accumulations of wisdom concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous accumulations of wisdom concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.37 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of families of wisdom.838 What are the four kinds of families of wisdom? They are the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous families of wisdom concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.38 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of accumulation of eloquence. What are the four kinds of accumulation of eloquence? They are the inconceivably numerous accumulations of eloquence concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous accumulations of eloquence concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous accumulations of eloquence concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous accumulations of eloquence concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.39 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of sūtras. What are the four kinds of sūtras? They are the inconceivably numerous sūtras concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous sūtras concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous sūtras concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous sūtras concerning purification. Those are the four. [F.80.b]
24.40 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of accumulations of sūtras. What are the four kinds of accumulations of sūtras? They are the inconceivably numerous accumulations of sūtras concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous accumulations of sūtras concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous accumulations of sūtras concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous accumulations of sūtras concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.41 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of great learning. What are the four kinds of great learning? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of great learning concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.42 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of wealth. What are the four kinds of wealth? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of wealth concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.43 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of training. What are the four kinds of training? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of training concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.44 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of fields of conduct. What are the four kinds of fields of conduct? They are the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous fields of conduct concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.45 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of action. What are the four kinds of action? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning the composite, [F.81.a] the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of action concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.46 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of eloquence. What are the four kinds of eloquence? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of eloquence concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.47 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of meditation on the path. What are the four kinds of meditation on the path? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of meditation on the path concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of meditation on the path concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of meditation on the path concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of meditation on the path concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.48 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of the kleśas. What are the four kinds of knowledge of the kleśas? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the kleśas concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the kleśas concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the kleśas concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the kleśas concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.49 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of the result. What are the four kinds of knowledge of the result? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the result concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the result concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the result concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the result concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.50 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of ignorance. What are the four kinds of knowledge of ignorance? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of ignorance concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of ignorance concerning teaching the composite, [F.81.b] the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of ignorance concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of ignorance concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.51 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of suffering. What are the four kinds of knowledge of suffering? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of suffering concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of suffering concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of suffering concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of suffering concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.52 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of unhappiness. What are the four kinds of knowledge of unhappiness? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of unhappiness concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.53 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of poverty. What are the four kinds of knowledge of poverty? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of poverty concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of poverty concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of poverty concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of poverty concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.54 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of birth. What are the four kinds of knowledge of birth? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of birth concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of birth concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of birth concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of birth concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.55 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of inner knowledge. What are the four kinds of inner knowledge? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner knowledge concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner knowledge concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner knowledge concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of inner knowledge concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.56 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of external knowledge. What are the four kinds of external knowledge? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of external knowledge concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of external knowledge concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of external knowledge concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of external knowledge concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.57 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of modesty. What are the four kinds of knowledge of modesty? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of modesty concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of modesty concerning teaching the composite, [F.82.a] the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of modesty concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of modesty concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.58 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of truth. What are the four kinds of knowledge of truth? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of truth concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of truth concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of truth concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of truth concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.59 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of existence. What are the four kinds of knowledge of existence? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existence concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existence concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existence concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existence concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.60 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of existents. What are the four kinds of knowledge of existents? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existents concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existents concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existents concerning the kleśas, [F.82.b] and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of existents concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.61 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of the individual. What are the four kinds of knowledge of the individual? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of the individual concerning purification. Those are the four.
24.62 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of knowledge of apprehensions. What are the four kinds of knowledge of apprehensions? They are the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning teaching the composite, the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning the kleśas, and the inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions concerning purification. Those are the four.
“Young man, those are the four inconceivably numerous kinds of knowledge of apprehensions that are taught to be inconceivably numerous. It is not easy to state an end to them.
24.63 “Young man, the bodhisattvas have four kinds of retention. What are the four kinds of retention? The first retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all infinite composites. The second retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all infinite sounds. The third retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all infinite kleśas. The fourth retention is of what is known concerning the teaching of all infinite purifications. Those are the four retentions. The four retentions are those.
24.64 “So it is in these ways that there is the discernment of phenomena through knowing phenomena.
“The discernment of meaning is the meaning in the knowledge of phenomena. [F.83.a]
“The discernment of definitions is delight839 in the knowledge of phenomena.
24.65 “Young man, the discernment of eloquence is teaching terminology, explaining, expounding,840 clarifying,841 disseminating,842 analyzing, differentiating, proclaiming,843 having unimpeded speech, having unalloyed844 speech, not being mute,845 not stammering,846 and speaking without loss of confidence in relation to the knowledge of phenomena.”
Thereupon the Bhagavān spoke these verses:
24.66
“As numerous as are the knowledges of the Buddha,
There are that many designations for forms.
As numerous as are the designations for forms,
There are that many appellations of forms.847 {1}
24.67
“As numerous as are the appellations of forms,
There are that many names for conduct.
As numerous as are the names for conduct,
There are that many names of buddhas. {2}
24.68
“As numerous as are the names of buddhas,
There are that many names of beings.
I know848 whatever number of names
Even one single being has. {3}
24.69
“The names for conduct, names of buddhas,
And names of beings are equal
To the infinity of names and appellations
That I have previously taught. {4}
24.70
“As numerous as are the faults in the composite,
There are that many qualities849 in nirvāṇa.
I have taught as many analogies
As there are qualities of the buddhas. {5}
24.71
“As numerous as are the motivations
That I have taught beings to have,
There are that many light rays
From a single hair of a Lord of the World. {6}
24.72
“As numerous as are the names
And aspirations of all beings,
A lord of humans has even more
Qualities of the aspects of his speech. {7}
24.73
“The names of all beings that have been taught
To be those of one being
Are the names of one being
That have been taught to be those of all beings. {8}
24.74
“The Buddha has taught
This engagement with discernment.850
Infinite names have been taught
For the sake of the bodhisattvas. {9}
24.75
“Those who wish to teach in some way
The endless millions of sūtras [F.83.b]
Should recite this sūtra
And teach it with full confidence. {10}
24.76
“They should teach in the middle of an assembly
Millions of sūtras without impediment.
They should teach the Dharma in the way
That space is without any limit. {11}
24.77
“In that way the bodhisattvas,
The pure beings, the protectors,
Having taken up this sūtra
Will become endowed with wisdom. {12}
24.78
“Through the way this path is taught
By those who have faith,
That is how wisdom grows,
Like a tree on a snow mountain.” {13}
24.79
Conclusion of the twenty-fourth chapter, “The Inconceivable Tathāgata.” [B8]
