 |
| Excerpt from the Diamond Cutter
Sutra : A Discourse of Shakyamuni Buddha to Subhuti His Disciple (500 BC) |
| Section
IV. From the Diamond Cutter
sutra: Even the most beneficent practices are relative Furthermore, Subhuti, in the practice of charity a bodhisattva (one who takes rebirth solely for the purpose of benefitting others, usually a highly realised being) should be detached. That is to say, she / he should practise charity without regard to appearances; without regard to sound, odour, touch, flavour or any quality. Subhuti, thus should the bodhisattva practise charity without attachment. Wherefore? in such a case his / her merit is incalculable. Subhuti, what do you think? can you measure all the space extending eastward? No, World-honored one, I cannot. Then can you, Subhuti, measure all the space extending southward, westward, northward, or in any other direction, including nadir and zenith? No, world-honored one, I cannot. Well, Subhuti, equally incalculable is the merit of the bodhisattva who practises charity without any attachment to appearances. Subhuti, bodhisattvas should persevere one-pointedly in this instruction. |