DESCRIPTION

Chapter Two begins with the Buddha arising from samādhi. It should be noted that the majority of the first chapter is the dialogue between Mañjuśrī and Maitreya, which takes place while the Buddha is in samādhi.

The Buddha begins to explain to Śāriputra the upāya, ‘skillful’ or ‘expedient’ means, of the Tathāgatas, but dramatically stops, for ‘No one but the buddhas can completely know the real (’such-like’) aspects of all dharmas,’ which is to say their characteristics (相), nature (性), substance (體), potential (力), function (作), cause (因), condition (緣), result (果), effect (報), and essential unity (本末究竟等).” These ten aspects of dharmas become an important foundation for later Mahayana Buddhist thought.

The Buddha then recites a poem with analogies for how un-understandable upāya is.

Śāriputra responds with poems asking for clarification on behalf of the assembly, but the Buddha refuses until asked three times. When he agrees to explain, five thousand members of the assembly (monks and nuns) get up and leave.

The Buddha then explains to Śāriputra the teaching of the One Vehicle (ekayāna).

“I teach the Dharma according to beings’ capacities through the power of upāya, using various explanations and illustrations. I do this in order to cause them to attain omniscience of the single buddha vehicle.”

The chapter concludes with a long poem by the Buddha lauding the superior nature of upāya.