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SECTION XXVIII - ATTACHMENT
TO REWARDS OF MERIT
Subhuti, if one Bodhisattva bestows in charity sufficient of the seven
treasures to fill as many worlds as there are sandgrains in the river
Ganges, and another, realizing that all things are egoless, attains
perfection through patient forbearance, the merit of the latter will far
exceed that of the former. Why is
this, Subhuti? It is because all Bodhisattvas are insentient as to the
rewards of merit.
Then Subhuti said to Buddha: What is this saying,
World honored One, that Bodhisattvas are insentient as to rewards of
merit?
[And Buddha answered]: Subhuti, Bodhisattvas who achieve merit should
not be fettered with desire for rewards. Thus it is said that the
rewards of merit are not received.
SECTION XXIX - PERFECT TRANQUILITY
Subhuti, if anyone should say that the Tathagata comes or goes or sits
or reclines, he fails to understand my teaching. Why? Because
TATHAGATA has neither whence nor whither, therefore is He called "Tathagata".
SECTION XXX - THE INTEGRAL PRINCIPLE
Subhuti, if a good man or a good woman ground an infinite number of
galaxies of worlds to dust, would the resulting minute particles be
many?
Subhuti replied: Many indeed, World-honored One! Wherefore? Because if
such were really minute particles Buddha would not have spoken of them
as minute particles. For as to this, Buddha has declared that they are
not really such. "Minute particles" is just the name given to them.
Also, World-honored One, when the Tathagata speaks of galaxies of
worlds, these are not worlds; for if reality could be predicated of a
world it would be a self-existent cosmos and the Tathagata teaches that
there is really no such thing. "Cosmos" is merely a figure of speech.
[Then Buddha said]: Subhuti, words cannot explain the real nature of a
cosmos.
Only common people fettered with desire make use of this arbitrary
method.
SECTION XXXI - CONVENTIONAL TRUTH SHOULD BE CUT OFF
Subhuti, if anyone should say that Buddha declares any conception of
egoity do you consider he would understand my teaching correctly? No,
World-honored One, such a man would not have any sound understanding of
the Tathagata's teaching, because the World-honored One declares that
notions of selfhood, personality, entity and separate individuality, as
really existing, are erroneous - these terms are merely figures of
speech.
[Thereupon Buddha said]: Subhuti, those who aspire to the
Consummation of Incomparable Enlightenment should recognize and
understand all varieties of things in the same way and cut off the
arising of [views which are mere] aspects.
Subhuti, as regards aspects, the Tathagata declares that in reality they
are not such. They are called "aspects".
SECTION XXXII - THE DELUSION OF APPEARANCES
Subhuti, someone might fill innumerable worlds with the seven treasures
and give all away in gifts of alms, but if any good man or any good
woman awakens the thought of Enlightenment and takes even only four
lines from this Discourse, reciting, using, receiving, retaining and
spreading them abroad and explaining them for the benefit of others, it
will be far more meritorious.
Now in what manner may he explain them to others? By detachment from
appearances - abiding in Real Truth. - So I tell you - Thus shall ye
think of all this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream;
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud, A flickering lamp, a phantom,
and a dream. When the Buddha finished this Discourse the venerable
Subhuti, together with the bhikshus, bhikshunis, lay-brothers and
sisters, and the whole realms of Gods, Men and Titans, were filled with
joy by His teaching, and, taking it sincerely to
heart, they went their ways.
Diamond Sutra -
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