The Diamond Sutra: 4 of 12

‘Subhuti, this is why all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas should thus develop a pure and clean mind which should not abide in form, sound, smell, taste, touch and dharma. They should develop a mind which does not abide in anything.’

‘Subhuti, supposing a man has a body as great as mount Sumeru, what do you think? Would such a body be great?”

Subhuti replied: ‘Very great, World Honored One. Why? Because the Buddha says it is not the real body but is (merely) called a great body.’

‘Subhuti, if there were as many rivers like the Ganges as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, would the total of grains of sand in all these rivers be very great?’

Subhuti replied: ‘Very great, World Honored One! These rivers would be innumerable; how much more so would be their sand-gains.’

‘Subhuti, I now tell you truly. IF a virtuous man or woman filled a number of universes, as great as the number of sand-grains in all these rivers, with the seven treasures, and gave them all away in alms (dana), would his or her merit be great?’

Subhuti replied: ‘Very great, World Honored One!’

The Buddha said to Subhuti: ‘If a virtuous man or woman receives and holds (in mind) even a four-line stanza of this sutra and expounds it to others, his or her merit will surpass that of the almsgiver. Furthermore, Subhuti, wheresoever this sutra or even one of its four-line stanzas, is expounded, you should know that all devas, men and asuras should make their offerings there as if the place was a Buddha stupa or a Buddha temple. How much more so if someone is able to receive, hold (in mind), read and recite the whole sutra! Subhuti, you should know that such a person will achieve the highest and rarest Dharma. Wheresoever this sutra may be found, the Buddha and His respected disciples will be there also.’