11 - The Superiority of Unformulated Truth

Subhūti, if there were as many Ganges rivers as the sand grains of the Ganges, would the sand grains of them all be many?

Subhūti said: Many indeed, World-Honored One! Ever the Ganges rivers would be innumerable; how much more so would be their sand grains!

Subhūti, I will declare a truth to you. If a good man or good woman filled three thousand galaxies of worlds with the seven treasures for each sand grain in all those Ganges rivers, and gave all away in gifts of alms, would he gain great merit?

Subhūti answered: Great indeed, World-Honored One!

Then Buddha declared: Nevertheless, Subhūti, if a good man or good woman studies this discourse only so far as to receive and retain four lines, and teaches and explains them to others, the consequent merit would be far greater.