The Diamond Sutra: 11 of 12

‘Subhuti, what do you think? You should not say the Tathagata has this thought (in His mind): “I should liberate living beings.” Subhuti, you should not think so. Why? Because there are really no living beings whom the Tathagata can liberate. If there were the Tathagata would hold (the concept of) an ego, a personality, a being and a life. Subhuti, (when) the Tathagata speaks of an ego, there is in reality no ego, although common men think so. Subhuti, the Tathagata says common men are not, but are (expendiently) called, common men.’

‘Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Tathagata be recognized by His thirty-two physical characteristics?’

Subhuti replied: ‘Yes,yes, He can!’

The Buddha said: ‘Subhuti, if the Tathagata can be recognized by His thirty-two physical characteristics, a world ruler (cakravarti) would be the Tathagata.’

Subhuti said to the Buddha: ‘World Honored One, as I understand your teaching, the Tathagata cannot be recognized by His thirty-two physical characteristics.’

Thereupon, the World Honored One recite the following gatha:

‘He who sees me by outward appearance
(And) seeks me in sound,
Treads the heterodox path,
(And) cannot perceive the Tathagata.

‘Subhuti, if you have (in your mind) this thought: ‘The Tathagata does not rely on His possession of characteristics to obtain Supreme Enlightenment,” Subhuti, banish that thought. Subhuti, if you think it while developing the Perfect Enlightenment Mind, you will advocate the annihilation of all Dharmas. Do not have such a thought. Why? Because one who develops the Supreme Enlightenment Mind, does not advocate the annihilation (of things).

‘Subhuti, if (on the one hand) a Bodhisattva gave in his practice of dana, all the seven treasures in quantities sufficient to fill worlds as many as sand-grains in the Ganges, and (on the other hand) another man comprehended that all dharmas were egoless and thereby surpass that of the former. Why? Because, Subhuti, all Bodhisattvas not receive reward for their merits?’

Subhuti asked the Buddha: ‘World Honored One, why do Bodhisattvas not receive reward for their merits?’

‘Subhuti, Bodhisattvas should have no longing and no attachment when they practice meritotious virtues; therefore, they do not receive a reward.