Lectures on the Diamond Sutra

Heart Sutra of Prajñāpāramitā. In the latter half of the Diamond Sutra, during the dialogue between the Buddha and Subhūti, it is clear that in order to fully comprehend the Buddha’s teachings; one must abide in the state of “true emptiness.” This recalls the well-known essence of prajna wisdom, which is the Heart Sutra of Prajñāpāramitā. In the Heart … Read more

After hearing the Diamond Sutra, a fellow practitioner expresses that upon learning the Buddha’s teaching that “all phenomena are illusory,” they felt that life no longer held any passion or meaning. This response highlights how the practitioners attach to the concept of everything is illusion.  The Buddha expounds the Diamond Sutra is intended for those good men and good women seeking Buddhahood, the teachings aim … Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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