The Diamond Sutra: 1 of 12

Thus have I heard. Once upon a time, the Buddha sojourned in the Jetavana park near Sravasti with an assembly of twelve hundred and fifty bhiksus.

One day, at mealtime, the World Honored One put on His robe, took His bowl, and entered the great town of Sravasti to beg for His food. After He had begged from door to door, He returned to His place. When He had taken His meal, He put away His robe and bowl, washed His feet, arranged His seat and sat down.

At the time, the elder Subhuti who was in the assembly, rose from his seat, uncovered his right shoulder, knelt upon his right knee, respectfully joined the palms of his hands and said to the Buddha: ‘It is very rare, O World Honored One! How well the Tathagata protects and thinks of all Bodhisattvas; How well He instructs all the Bodhisattvas.

“O World Honored One, when virtuous men or women develop the supreme-enlightenment mind, how should their minds abide and how should they be subdued?’

The Buddha said: “Execellent, excellent, Subhuti! As you say, the Tathagata protects, cherishes and instructs Bodhisattvas so well.

Now list attentively and I will tell you how the minds of virtuous men and women, who develop the supreme enlightenment mind, should thus abide and be subdued.”

(Subhuti replied:) ‘Oh yes World Honored One, I shall be glad to hear (your instruction).’

The Buddha said: ‘Subhuti, all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas should subdue their minds as follows: All living beings born from eggs, wombs, humidity or by transformation, with or without form, either thoughtful or thoughtless, and neither thoughtful nor thoughtless are all led by me to the final Nirvana for the extinction of reincarnation. Although immeasurable, uncountable and unlimitable numbers of living beings are thus led to (the final Nirvana for) the extinction of reincarnation, it is true that not a living being is led there. Why so, Subhuti? (Because) if a Bodhisattva (still) clings to the false notion (laksana) of an ego, a personality, a being and a life, he is not (a true) Bodhisattva.’

‘Furthermore, Subhuti, a Bodhisattva’s mind should not abide anywhere when giving alms, that is to say, he should give without a mind abiding in form, or he should give without a mind abiding in sound, or in smell, or in taste, or in touch or in things. Subhuti, thus a Bodhisattva should give alms without a mind abiding in false nations of form laksana.’

“Why? (Because) if a Bodhisattva’s mind does not abide in forms (laksanas) when practicing charity (dana), his merit will be inconceivable and immeasurable. Subhuti, what do you think? Can you think of and measure the extent of space in the East?

‘I cannot, World Honored One!’
‘Subhuti, can you think of measure (all) the extent of space in the South, West and North, as well as in the intermediate directions, including Zenith and Nadir?’

‘I cannot, World Honored One!’

‘Subhuti, (when) a Bodhisattva practices charity without a mind abiding in forms, his merit is equally inconceivable and immeasurable.’

‘Subhuti, a Bodhisattva’s mind should THUS abide as taught.’

‘Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Tathagata be seen by means of His bodily form?’

‘No, World Honored One, the Tathagata cannot be seen by means of His bodily form. Why? Because when the Tathagata speaks of bodily form, it is not (real) form.’

The Buddha said to Subhuti: ‘ Everything with form is unreal; if all forms are seen as unreal, the Tathagata will be perceived.’