Seventh Kind of People

"The seventh person aspires to cross the great river of birth and death. But without good (deeds) amassed thus far, it sinks amid the waters. On meeting a Good Teacher of the Way, it gains faith. This gain of faith is what we call ' getting out '. Due to faith, it upholds, recites, copies and expounds the 12 types of sutras, and for the sake of beings, it speaks of them extensively. It takes pleasure in giving and practices Wisdom. Born sharp-minded, it firmly abides in faith and Wisdom, and does not retrogress in mind. As it does not retrogress, it steps forward. Stepping forward, it reaches the other shore. Having conquered the heights of a great mountain, it is now segregated from the fear and is blessed with pure peace. Oh good man! (Being on top of) the great mountain on the other shore can be likened to the Tathagata, peace to the Eternity of the Buddha, and the great and high mountain is Great Nirvana.

Oh, good man! All these people on the banks of the river Ganges have hands and feet, but they are difficult to save. It's the same with all beings, too. The Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha truly exist, and the Tathagata always expounds the essentials of all law [Dharma]. There are the Noble Eightfold Path and Mahaparinirvana. All beings can achieve all this. This (Nirvana) is not what comes out of me, or of those noble paths, or of beings. Know that all these things go back to defilement. Because of this, all beings cannot reach Nirvana. "

Read more on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 39, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 7.

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