Subhúti replied: No, world-honoured one! And why? this word Sakṛid-ágámí signifies “one more return to life,” and there is in truth no going or returning. This term, then, is but a mere name, and no more.
Subhúti, what do you think? is the Anágámí able to reflect thus with himself: “I shall now obtain the reward of having entered the third path of an Anágámí?”
No, certainly not! Subhúti said; for why? world-honoured one! this term Anágámí is but a word signifying “no further return,” and there is not in truth such a thing as “not returning.” This word, therefore, of Anágámí, is but a mere name, and nothing more.
Subhúti! what think you? can an Arhat reflect thus with himself: “I shall now obtain the condition of a Rahat?”
Subhúti said: No, world-honoured one! And why? Because there being no longer any active principle which can affect the Rahat, this name of Rahat is now only an empty word. World-honoured one! if a Rahat were to indulge this thought, “I shall now obtain the position of a Rahat;” then he would immediately subject himself to one of the four distinctive characters of individuality (and be no longer a Rahat). World-honoured one! when Buddha declared that I should attain the power of Samádhi,[9] which is opposed to all bitterness, and is accounted the most excellent attainment, and corresponds to the most exalted position of a Rahat, world-honoured one, I did not then reflect that I should obtain this eminent condition. World-honoured one! if I had so reflected “that now I shall attain the position of a Rahat,” the world-honoured one would not then have said, “Subhúti, what is this but the name of the one who delights in the mortification of an Araṅyaka (forest devotee),” regarding “Subhúti” as in truth not acting at all, but as a mere name, then (in such forgetfulness of self) “he is one who delights in self-mortification.”
Cap. X.—Complete perfection lies in the heart purified and enlightened.
Buddha addressed Subhúti thus: How think you, when Tathágata in old times was present at his nomination by Dípankara Buddha; had he then, by means of any active exertion, attained ought towards this distinction? No! world-honoured one! when Tathágata lived in the time of Dípankara Buddha, and was present at the transaction referred to, he had attained nothing by any mere ritual observance. Subhúti, what think you? are the various lands and territories of the Buddhas completely perfected by the Bodhisatwas who occupy them? No! world-honoured one! for this complete perfection of which we speak is after all no perfection at all, it is only an empty name.
So, Subhúti, all the Bodhisatwas and great Bodhisatwas ought to strive after the possession of a heart perfectly pure and spotless, and not after any material or sensible adornment; or a heart depending on such adornment; whether it be of sound, or odour, or taste, or touch, or thought, they ought to have no such dependence as this, and being without reliance, to make their dependence on the fact of their being so. Subhúti! suppose for instance there was a man whose body was as large as the Royal Summeru. What do you suppose—would such a body be a large one or not?
Subhúti replied: Very great indeed, world-honoured one! But what then? Buddha is speaking of that body which is the opposite to the material body, that, indeed, may well be named Great.
Cap. XI.—The inestimable excellence of complete inaction (or complete indifference in action).