大般若波羅蜜多経 巻五百六十五 (Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra Vol. 565)

Why is this so? The merits of the profound Prajnaparamita Perfection of Wisdom are inconceivable. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the past, future, and present have all studied this Prajnaparamita, and thus they achieved auspiciousness. I say that one who can study the profound Prajnaparamita is, among all studies, the most supreme, the most honorable, the highest, the most subtle, the most wonderful, the superior, the unsurpassed, the vast, the immeasurable, and the boundless. Why is this? The merits of the profound Prajnaparamita are immeasurable and boundless. For this reason, the merits of the profound Prajnaparamita are immeasurable and boundless. Why is this? The merits of the profound Prajnaparamita are not things that can be measured. It is the victory of these immeasurable merits that the profound Prajnaparamita signifies. The venerable Subhuti said to the Buddha: "For what reason is the nature of the profound Prajnaparamita inexhaustible, and because it is far removed? The profound Prajnaparamita knows that all Buddhas of the three periods have studied the Prajnaparamita, attained the ultimate and complete perfect enlightenment original: Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, and expounded it for all sentient beings. Yet this Prajnaparamita is like empty space; it cannot be exhausted. Those who wish to exhaust the profound Prajnaparamita are like those who wish to exhaust empty space, which has no boundaries. For this reason, Subhuti, the profound Prajnaparamita is called inexhaustible. Because it is inexhaustible, it is called immeasurable." At that time, Subhuti again said to the Buddha: "How is the profound Prajnaparamita said to be inexhaustible?" The Buddha told Subhuti: "The profound Prajnaparamita is like empty space; it cannot be exhausted." The venerable Subhuti again said to the Buddha: "How should a Bodhisattva Mahasattva Great Bodhisattva study the Prajnaparamita?" The Buddha told Subhuti: "All Bodhisattva Mahasattvas should contemplate all form, feeling, perception, formation, and consciousness as all being inexhaustible, and thus generate the Prajnaparamita. They should contemplate ignorance, and even up to old age and death, as all being inexhaustible, and thus generate the Prajnaparamita. In this way, Subhuti, all Bodhisattva Mahasattvas...