Subhúti, what think you? Is it possible to behold Buddha through the outward distinctions of his perfectly fashioned body? No, world-honoured one! Tathágata is not to be seen through the medium of any such distinctions as these. And why? Tathágata declares that all such distinctions are after all no real distinctions; this term perfectly-fashioned-body, is nothing more than a mere name.
Subhúti, what think you? is it possible to behold Tathágata in any of the various changes which his body may be made to undergo (i.e. his spiritual transformations)?
No, world-honoured one! Juloi must not thus be sought for. What then—Tathágata declares that all these various changes and appearances are after all unreal—by whatever terms they are known they are but mere names.
Cap. XXI.—On the impossibility of expressing this system in words, that which can be so expressed is not agreeable to this body of doctrine.
Subhúti, be mindful not to speak after this manner, “Tathágata has this intention in his heart, viz., ‘I ought to have a definitely declared system of doctrine,’” never think thus. For why, if a man say that Tathágata has a definitely spoken system of doctrine, that man does but malign Buddha, for the law which I give cannot be explained in words. Subhúti, as to a definitely declared system of law, that which can be thus declared is no law, it is but an empty name.
At this time the aged sage Subhúti addressed Buddha thus: World-honoured one! will the mass of sentient beings who in future years may listen to this law, will they hereby have begotten in them a believing heart? Buddha said: Subhúti, that mass of sentient beings, of which you speak, in one sense is real, and in another is unreal. But what then, Subhúti? the mass of sentient beings, born of sentient beings, Tathágata declares are no such beings at all; the term “sentient beings” is but a name.
Cap. XXII.—It is wrong also to say that this system or condition of being can be attained to.
Subhúti addressed Buddha thus: World-honoured one! Buddha having arrived at the condition of the unsurpassed and perfect heart, is he in the condition which has previously been described as “not to be attained?”
Buddha said: True, True, Subhúti! I, as possessed of this heart, have come into the condition above described. This term the unsurpassed, just, and enlightened heart, is but a mere name.
Cap. XXIII.—The heart purified leads to virtuous practice.