Sutra of the Wheel of the Dedication of Merit

Or, if the realm of consciousness combines with the other elements—yet if it does not combine with the six sensory realms—then this is the Original Limit Original Limit: The ultimate reality or the "true state" of things, before any distinctions are made. original: "本際", Sanskrit: Bhūtakoṭi, which is neither defiled nor pure. Why is this? Because to be neither defiled nor pure is what constitutes true purity. Such a pure nature is like space: if space itself had defilement, then it would also have to have a state of purity. Why? Because there is no "thing" or phenomenon that can truly combine with space. Why is this? Just as space as well has no small thing that can stain or pollute it—its nature being self-purifying—so too is the Original Limit.

Its nature of Thusness Thusness: Things as they truly are, without the distortion of our thoughts or labels. original: "真如", Sanskrit: Tathātā and purity cannot be stained by the darkness of ignorance or other such phenomena, as its nature is self-purifying. Manjushri, even this nature of ignorance has no small thing that can stain it, for its nature is also self-purifying. This pure nature is unmoving and unchanging; it ultimately returns to the emptiness of "non-self." Therefore, it cannot be made manifest

to the sight. It is neither bound nor liberated; it cannot be praised and cannot be measured. It is neither sovereign nor unsovereign. It has no real, physical action and is ultimately "nothing," returning in the end to the Original Limit. Within the Ultimate Truth Ultimate Truth: The highest perspective in Buddhist philosophy, where all distinctions and dualities disappear. original: "第一義", Sanskrit: Paramārtha, one cannot say there is defilement or lack of defilement, or that this is "foul" and that is "pure."

Manjushri said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, it is so, it is so! It is exactly as the Holy One says. Within the Ultimate Truth, there is truly no such place for defilement or purity."

The Buddha then told Manjushri: "As for this Ultimate Emptiness—at its beginning, its middle, or its end—who could ever 'attain' it? Because there is nothing to be gained, we call it Non-attainment A central concept in Wisdom literature: since everything is empty, there is no 'self' to reach a 'goal'.. Manju-

shri, such a law of Emptiness cannot be said to 'exist' nor 'not exist.' It cannot be attained, cannot be seen, cannot be grasped, and cannot be cast away. It is neither a mistake nor a state of confusion."