The profound mirror is void and clear. It is outside the realm of phenomena. How can any being with a distinct form do away with lifespan, long or short? However, the proposition that there is nothing that is with form and enjoys [a long] life-span stems from various delusions. There is no way that the Sage can be in that category. Only the deluded would count the actual lifespan of the Buddha as a hundred years. Now such a [mental] impediment is driven out. [The Buddha] relies on [the theory of] longevity to dispel it. Thus this chapter is titled “Life-Span.” Life-span is none other than that which prompted the Buddhas [to achieve) spiritual insight in the earlier chapters and is none other than the ultimate effect. Because the ultimate fruit has been shown, is it not true that they abide eternally? Furthermore, they tend to have an affinity for life and distaste for death. What is now said about longevity must invigorate them greatly.