One Essence One Law One Aim

And the Tathagata addressed the venerable Kassapa, to dispel the

uncertainty and doubt of his mind, and he said:



"All things are made of one essence, yet things are different

according to the forms which they assume under different

impressions. As they form themselves so they act, and as they act

so they are.



"It is, Ka sapa, as if a potter made different vessels out of the

same clay. Some of these pots are to contain sugar, others rice,

others curds and milk; others still are vessels of impurity.

There is no diversity in the clay used; the diversity of the pots

is only due to the moulding hands of the potter who shapes them

for the various uses that circumstances may require.



"And as all things originate from one essence, so they are

developing according to one law and they are destined to one aim

which is Nirvana.



"Nirvana comes to thee, Kassapa, when thou understandest

thoroughly, and when thou livest according to thy understanding,

that all things are of one essence and that there is but one law.

Hence, there is but one Nirvana as there is but one truth, not

two or three.



"And the Tathagata is the same unto all beings, differing in his

attitude only in so far as all beings are different.



"The Tathagata recreates the whole world like a cloud shedding

its waters without distinction. He has the same sentiments for

the high as for the low, for the wise as for the ignorant, for

the noble-minded as for the immoral.



"The great cloud full of rain comes up in this wide universe

covering all countries and oceans to pour down its rain

everywhere, over all grasses, shrubs, herbs, trees of various

species, families of plants of different names growing on the

earth, on the hills, on the mountains, or in the valleys.



"Then, Kassapa, the grasses, shrubs, herbs, and wild trees suck

the water emitted from that great cloud which is all of one

essence and has been abundantly poured down; and they will,

according to their nature, acquire a proportionate development,

shooting up and producing blossoms and their fruits in season.



"Rooted in one and the same soil, all those families of plants

and germs are quickened by water of the same essence.



"The Tathagata, however, O Kassapa, knows the law whose essence

is salvation, and whose end is the peace of Nirvana. He is the

same to all, and yet knowing the requirements of every single

being, he does not reveal himself to all alike. He does not

impart to them at once the fulness of omniscience, but pays

attention to the disposition of various beings."