The Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom

AFTER TELLING HIS DISCIPLES that bodies are no bodies and dharmas are no dharmas, the Buddha is concerned that those who don’t understand the differences among the five eyes might now choose to ignore the cultivation of a body of merit and the cultivation and dissemination of this teaching.

For beings who lack the bodhisattva’s aspiration cannot hear, grasp, memorize, recite, or master this dharma teaching.

This technique is used repeatedly throughout this sutra to demonstrate through logic what the word “emptiness” often fails to convey by itself.

Hui-neng says, “Although the three bodies [nirmana, sanbhoga, and dharma bodies] are complete, and all their attributes are perfect, they are not complete unless the concepts of individuals and dharmas are forgotten. Thus follows a chapter on transcending form and transcending appearances.”

But because nothing exists as an independent, permanent entity, there are no obstructions on the path to enlightenment. Foolish people, though, refuse to walk this path. They see nothing but obstructions. Buddhas see offerings and turn these offerings into dharmas.

Once again, the Buddha reminds us that this teaching does not come from buddhas, rather buddhas come from this teaching.

“And why not? Subhuti, a bodhisattva who creates the perception of a being cannot be called a ‘bodhisattva.’ And why not? Subhuti, no one can be called a bodhisattva who creates the perception of a self or who creates the perception of a being, a life, or a soul.”

Furthermore, Subhuti, in the dharma realized or taught by the Tathagata, there is nothing true and nothing false. Thus, the Tathagata says ‘all dharmas are buddha dharmas.’ And how so? ‘All dharmas,’ Subhuti, are said by the Tathagata to be no dharmas. Thus are all dharmas called ‘buddha dharmas.’

And in Chapter Eight, the Buddha says, “From this [teaching] is born the unexcelled, perfect enlightenment of tathagatas, arhans, and fully-enlightened ones. And from this are born buddhas and bhagavans. And how so? Buddha dharmas, Subhuti, ‘buddha dharmas’ are spoken of by the Tathagata as no buddha dharmas. Thus are they called ‘buddha dharmas.’”