186. （一八六）求解经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was wandering in the country of Kaurava, in the city of Mathura.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "If one does not know the minds of others through the mind, how can one seek understanding from the Tathāgata, who is the perfectly enlightened one, the inconceivable one?"

At that time, the bhikṣus said to the World-Honored One, "The World-Honored One is the basis of the Dharma, the master of the Dharma. The Dharma depends on the World-Honored One. Please explain it. Having heard it, we will extensively understand its meaning."

The Buddha then said, "Bhikṣus! Listen carefully and contemplate it well. I will explain it in detail for you." At that time, the bhikṣus accepted the teaching and listened.

The World-Honored One said, "Bhikṣus! If one does not know the minds of others, one should seek to understand the Tathāgata in two ways: one, knowing forms with the eye; two, hearing sounds with the ear. If there are defiled eye and ear knowing dharmas, does that venerable one have them or not? When seeking, one will know that the defiled eye and ear knowing dharmas that venerable one does not have. If not, one should seek further. If there are mixed eye and ear knowing dharmas, does that venerable one have them or not? When seeking, one will know that the mixed eye and ear knowing dharmas that venerable one does not have. If not, one should seek further. If there are pure eye and ear knowing dharmas, does that venerable one have them or not? When seeking, one will know that the pure eye and ear knowing dharmas that venerable one has. If so, one should seek further. Does that venerable one practice these dharmas for a long time or temporarily? When seeking, one will know that that venerable one practices these dharmas for a long time, not temporarily. If so, one should seek further. Does that venerable one enter this samādhi for fame and gain, or not for fame and gain? When seeking, one will know that that venerable one does not enter this samādhi for fame and gain.

If someone says, 'That venerable one practices happily, not out of fear, free from desire, not engaging in desire, desire is exhausted,' then one should ask them, 'Virtuous one! What practices, what powers, what wisdom do you have that you can observe and say that that venerable one practices happily, not out of fear, free from desire, not engaging in desire, desire is exhausted?' If they answer, 'Virtuous one! I do not know their mind, nor do I know it through other means. However, that venerable one, whether alone, in a group, or in an assembly, if there is a well-gone one, or one who is guided by a well-gone one, and if one can see that virtuous one through food, I do not know it myself. I have heard it directly from that venerable one, and I have received it face-to-face. I practice happily, not out of fear, free from desire, not engaging in desire, desire is exhausted. Virtuous one! I have these practices, these powers, this wisdom, which allow me to observe and say that that venerable one practices happily, not out of fear, free from desire, not engaging in desire, desire is exhausted.'

In this regard, one should further ask about the Tathāgata's teachings. If there are defiled eye and ear knowing dharmas, there is a place where these dharmas are completely extinguished without remainder. If there are mixed eye and ear knowing dharmas, there is a place where these dharmas are completely extinguished without remainder. If there are pure dharmas, there is a place where these dharmas are completely extinguished without remainder. The Tathāgata will answer accordingly. If there are defiled eye and ear knowing dharmas, there is a place where these dharmas are completely extinguished without remainder. If there are mixed eye and ear knowing dharmas, there is a place where these dharmas are completely extinguished without remainder. If there are defiled eye and ear knowing dharmas, the Tathāgata has completely extinguished, uprooted, and eradicated them, so they will not arise again. If there are mixed eye and ear knowing dharmas, the Tathāgata has completely extinguished, uprooted, and eradicated them, so they will not arise again. If there are pure dharmas, I have such purity, such realm, such śramaṇa, I have accomplished this true Dharma and Vinaya. A faithful disciple goes to see the Tathāgata, attends the Tathāgata, hears the Dharma from the Tathāgata, and the Tathāgata teaches the Dharma, higher and higher, more and more wonderful, well removing the black and white. The Tathāgata teaches the Dharma, higher and higher, more and more wonderful, well removing the black and white, having heard it thus, one knows to cut off one dharma, to attain the ultimate in all dharmas, to have tranquil faith in the World-Honored One, that World-Honored One is truly and completely enlightened.

"One should further ask them, 'Virtuous one! What practices, what powers, what wisdom do you have that you know to cut off one dharma, to attain the ultimate in all dharmas, to have tranquil faith in the World-Honored One, that World-Honored One is truly and completely enlightened?' They may answer, 'Virtuous one! I do not know the World-Honored One's mind, nor do I know it through other means. I have such tranquil faith in the World-Honored One because the World-Honored One has taught the Dharma to me, higher and higher, more and more wonderful, well removing the black and white. Virtuous one! As the World-Honored One has taught the Dharma to me, so I have heard it. The Tathāgata has taught the Dharma to me, higher and higher, more and more wonderful, well removing the black and white. Having heard it thus, I know to cut off one dharma, to attain the ultimate in all dharmas, to have tranquil faith in the World-Honored One, that World-Honored One is truly and completely enlightened. Virtuous one! I have these practices, these powers, this wisdom, which allow me to know to cut off one dharma, to attain the ultimate in all dharmas, to have tranquil faith in the World-Honored One, that World-Honored One is truly and completely enlightened. If one has these practices, these powers, deeply attached to the Tathāgata's faith, having established the faculty of faith, this is called the basis of faith, the view, the unbreakable wisdom, associated with the śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, gods, Māra, Brahmā, and others in the world, none can take it away. Seeking to understand the Tathāgata in this way, knowing the Tathāgata in this way.'"

The Buddha spoke thus. Those bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.

The fifth sūtra on seeking understanding is completed.