The various teachings I expound are of the same content, of the same taste. Those who emancipate themselves [from the bonds of existence,] from illusions, and from birth and death, will finally obtain the knowledge of the equality and differences of all things. But those who hear or keep my teachings or read or recite the sutras in which my teachings are expounded, or act according to my teachings, do not know the merits that they will be able to obtain by these practices.

The Dharma being of “a single mark,” li has no different “flavors” (rasa). Even though living beings are all identically soaked in the marsh of the Tao, they do not realize that this is so.

Why is that? It is because only I know their capacities, appearances, entities and natures. Only I know what teachings they have in memory, what teachings they have in mind, what teachings they practice, how they memorize the teachings, how they think of the teachings, how they practice the teachings, for what purpose they memorize the teachings, for what purpose they think of the teachings, for what purpose they practice the teachings, and for what purpose they keep what teachings.

What living beings “think back on” is not the same: it may be morality (śīla), or it may be almsgiving (dāna). Hence, it is said, “what things they think back on.” “[What things] they think ahead to” and “[what things] they cultivate” also are like this.

For the sake of attaining to the minds of the three vehicles, one is mindful of almsgiving. For the sake of attaining to the minds of men and gods, one is mindful of almsgiving. “[How they] think ahead” and “[how they] practice” also are like this.

In hopes of gaining the fruits of the three vehicles, one is mindful of almsgiving. Expecting the retribution of men and gods, one is mindful of almsgiving.

This sums up the three [statements] covered so far. By resort to what means “by means of what good deed as cause.” What dharma they gain means “what retribution they receive as effect.” Cause and effect all lead to the Buddha, but living beings do not realize it. All hold on to what they think is different; only the Buddha is aware that they all belong to the same [One].