Shariputra! Consider this: before a single day has passed, one can know how many moments, how many hours, how many measures of time it contains, and understand how many fractions make up the day. In the same way, Shariputra, before one has fully realized the truth of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, it is already known. Therefore, Shariputra, a bodhisattva-mahasattva should understand that this is the confirmation and assurance I speak of for those on the bodhisattva path—noble sons and daughters who have not yet reached full enlightenment.

Shariputra! Just as when water gathers and sinks into the great earth, it does not cause the sky to become any more or less. In the same way, Shariputra, even if buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River have entered nirvana, the Dharma realm is not seen to increase or decrease; even if countless disciples have attained liberation, the Dharma realm is likewise not seen to increase or decrease. Therefore, Shariputra, a bodhisattva-mahasattva should don such armor: all beings are seen without increase or decrease, the Dharma realm is seen without increase or decrease, and we shall roar the lion's roar like this until we attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment.

Shariputra! It is as if—and there is no such possibility—I were to describe someone going to the dragon king of the ocean and saying: "I wish to split a single hair-tip into a hundred parts and draw out one drop of water from one part of that hair." Then the ocean dragon king would reply to that person: "Sir, even if you split the hair-tip into a hundred parts and draw out one drop from one part, I would not abandon the great ocean." In the same way, Shariputra, even if one were to teach, encourage, and bring great joy to boundless beings, and they were to say, "We are not capable of aspiring to unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment," I would not make the slightest division in the Dharma.

Shariputra, imagine this: In the late spring or summer, when the weather is hot, a person goes to the Ganges River to drink its water, but another person blocks them, preventing them from drinking. Shariputra, what do you think? Is it reasonable for someone to obstruct another from drinking from this great, ownerless body of water?