Day 21 covers all of Chapter 16, The Duration of the Life of the Tathāgata.

Last month, I tried to describe the length of time the Buddha has been the Buddha. But the “innumerable, uncountable, inconceivable” period of time is not as important as what we do with the knowledge.

Thereupon the Buddha said to the great multitude including Bodhisattvas and others, “Good men! Understand my sincere and infallible words by faith!”

He said to the great multitude again, “Understand my sincere and infallible words by faith!”

He said to them once again, “Understand my sincere and infallible words by faith!”

This request from Sakyamuni opens Chapter 16, The Duration of the Life of the Tathagatha. It is as much directed back at Chapter 15 and Maitreya’s questions about the Bodhisattvas who “sprang up from under the four quarters of this world” as forward to what will be revealed in Chapter 16.

There is much that must understood by faith.

Next month I’ll discuss the Triple World, the real and the unreal.