The third and last threshold is called lao kuan, the "prison pass, " so-called because one emerges from this into final liberation from the wheel of samsara ─ the temporal realms of past, present, and future. This liberation is called Nirvana. At this stage, the bodhisattva's capacity to help sentient beings is vast and unhindered.

Only this Silence is the ultimate teaching.
Only this Illumination, the universal response.


Silence is the ultimate teaching. After a billion words are uttered, they are still not the Dharma. No description of enlightenment can approach the direct experience. Silence is itself the teaching that transcends words. Illumination is perfect wisdom. Only with perfect wisdom can you respond to all sentient beings.

The response is without effort.
The teaching, not heard with the ears.


Illumination is without effort because there is no serenity through striving. The effortless response is the way of the bodhisattva. While others see in him great compassion, he sees himself as ordinary.

Throughout the universe all things
Emit light and speak the Dharma.