‘What do you think then, O Subhuti, is the Tathagata to be seen (known) by the possession of signs?’ Subhuti said: ‘Not indeed, O Bhagavat. So far as I know the meaning of the preaching of the Bhagavat, the Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the possession of signs.’ Bhagavat said: ‘Good, good, Subhuti, so it is, Subhuti; so it is, as you say; a Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the possession of signs. And why? Because, O Subhuti, if the Tathagata were to be seen (known) by the possession of signs, a wheel-turning king also would be a Tathagata; therefore a Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the possession of signs.’
The venerable Subhuti spoke thus to the Bhagavat: ‘As I understand the meaning of the preaching of the Bhagavat, a Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the possession of signs.’ Then the Bhagavat at that moment preached these two Gāthas:
The venerable Subhuti spoke thus to the Bhagavat: ‘As I understand the meaning of the preaching of the Bhagavat, a Tathagata is not to be seen (known) by the possession of signs.’ Then the Bhagavat at that moment preached these two Gāthas:
They who saw me by form, and they who heard
me by sound,
They engaged in false endeavours, will not see me.
A Buddha is to be seen (known) from the Law; for
the Lords (Buddhas) have the Law-body;
And the nature of the Law cannot be understood,
nor can it be made to be understood. (26)
me by sound,
They engaged in false endeavours, will not see me.
A Buddha is to be seen (known) from the Law; for
the Lords (Buddhas) have the Law-body;
And the nature of the Law cannot be understood,
nor can it be made to be understood. (26)