Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Diamond Sutra> List of Contents

Diamond Sutra

Master Yang Ning expounds on the Diamond Sutra, sharing her profound realization of the wisdom that cuts through all illusions and reveals the Tathagata’s realm of True Emptiness. PrefaceIntroductionSegment 1 The Causes and Conditions for the Dharma AssemblySegment 2 The Request for ClaritySegment 3 The True Doctrine of the MahāyānaSegment 4 The Wondrous Practice of … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on  <the Diamond Sutra> – Review

Let us now briefly review the teachings imparted in the Diamond Sutra. The Buddha’s discourse in this sutra is prompted by a question from his esteemed disciple, Subhūti: “For those who have just resolved to attain Buddhahood, how should they abide in the Buddha’s path of perceptions? How can they subdue the afflictions and delusions … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on  <the Diamond Sutra> – Segment 32. The Transformation Bodies Are Not Real

Segment 32 / The Transformation Bodies Are Not Real Subhūti, if someone were to offer alms with seven treasures in quantities sufficient to fill all the worlds in uncountable aeons, whereas another good man or good woman who, having generated the Bodhi mind, upholds even a verse of only four-lines of this sutra, accept, practice, read, … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Diamond Sutra>  – Segment 31. Non-Arising of perception

Segment 31 / Non-Arising of Perception The Buddha asks, “Subhūti, if someone says, The Buddha speaks of the perception of self, person, sentient beings, and life-span, Subhūti, do you think that person has understood the meaning of my words?” Subhuti replies, “Not so, World-Honored One! That person has not understood the meaning of what the Tathāgata has … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Diamond Sutra>  – Segment 30. The clarification of Unified whole

Segment 30 / The Clarification of Unified Whole The Buddha says to Subhūti, “Subhūti, If a virtuous man or woman were to divide the three thousand great thousand worlds into tiny dust particles, what do you think? Would the number of these tiny dust particles be considerable vast or not?”  Subhūti replies, “Extremely vast, World-Honoured One. Why is this? Because if these tiny dust particles possess inherent existence, the Buddha would … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on  <the Diamond Sutra> – Segment 29. The Dignity and Tranquility of the Buddha 

Segment 29 / The Dignity and Tranquility of the Buddha The Buddha say to Subhūti, “If someone asserts, ‘The Tathāgata comes, goes, sits, or lies down,’ such a person does not grasp the true meaning of my teachings. Why is this? The Tathāgata does not come from anywhere nor go anywhere; this is why He is called … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on  <the Diamond Sutra> – Segment 27. The Non-Cessation and Non-Annihilation / Segment. 28 The Non-Impact and Non-Greedy

Segment 27. The Non-Cessation and Non-Annihilation / Segment. 28 The Non-Impact and Non-Greedy The Buddha addresses Subhūti, saying, “If you believe that the Tathāgata attains Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi without the marks of completeness, you are mistaken. Subhūt,do not entertain such a thought that the Tathagata attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi not with the complete marks. If you hold this view, then when someone … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Diamond Sutra>  – Segment 26. The Dharma-Body is non-Form

Segment 26 / The Dharma-Body is non-Form Subhūti, what do you think? Can the Tathāgata be seen through the thirty-two marks? Subhūti replies, “Yes indeed, yes indeed, the Tathāgata can be seen through the thirty-two marks.” The Buddha says, “Subhūti, if the Tathāgata could be seen through the thirty-two marks, then a Wheel-Turning Holy King would … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on  <the Diamond Sutra> – Segment 25. Transformation Without Transformation

Segment 25 / Transformation Without Transformation The Buddha says to Subhūti, “What do you think? You should not say the Tathagata has this thought, I should liberate sentient beings. Do not think in this way, Subhūti. Why is this? In reality, there are no sentient beings for the Tathāgata to liberate. If there were sentient beings … Read more

Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Diamond Sutra> – Segment 24. The Boundless fortune and Wisdom

Segment 24 / The Boundless Fortune and Wisdom The Buddha said to Subhūti: “Subhūti,if in three thousand great thousand worlds, all the Mount King of Sumeru are  gathered togethered, and someone were to use them for almsgiving, if someone elss accepts, practices, and explains even a four-line verse from this Prajna Paramita Sutra. The merits gained from … Read more