The Threefold Lotus Sutra

CHAPTER II - Tactfulness

The title of this chapter in Chinese, Fang-pien -'fe (Sanskrit Upaya-kaualya), means an appropriate, expedient, or tactful method.

At that time the World-honored One, rising quietly and clearly from contemplation, addressed Sâriputra: "The wisdom of buddhas is very profound and infinite. Their wisdomschool is difficult to understand and difficult to enter, so that the srâvakas and pratyekabuddhas cannot apprehend it. Wherefore? [Because] the buddhas have been in fellowship with countless hundred thousand myriad kotis of buddhas, perfectly practicing the infinite Law of all buddhas, boldly and zealously advancing and [making] their fame universally known, perfecting the very profound, unprecedented Law and preaching, as opportunity served, its meaning [so] difficult to understand. Sariputra! Ever since I became Buddha, with various reasonings and various parables I have widely discoursed and taught, and by countless tactful methods have led living beings, causing them to leave all attachments. Wherefore? [Because] the Tathâgata is altogether perfect in his tactfulness and paramita of wisdom. Sâriputra! The wisdom of the Tathagata is broad and great, profound and far-reaching; [his minci] is infinite; [his expositions] are unimpeded; [his] powers, [his] fearlessness, [his] meditations, [his] emancipations, [his] contemplations have enabled him to enter into the boundless [realms] and to accomplish all the unprecedented Law. Sâriputra! The Tathâgata is able to discriminate everything, preach the laws skillfully, use gentle words, and cheer the hearts of all. Sâriputra! Essentially speaking, the Buddha has altogether fulfilled the infinite, boundless, unprecedented Law. Enough, Sâriputra, there is no need to say more. Wherefore? [Because] the Law which the Buddha has perfected is the chief unprecedented Law, and difficult to understand. Only a buddha together with a buddha can fathom the Reality of All Existence, that is to say, all existence' [has] such a form, such a nature, such an embodiment, such a potency, such a function, such a primary cause, such a secondary cause, such an effect, such a recompense, and such a complete fundamental whole."