Lectures on the Diamond Sutra

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

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

Segment 22. Dharma Not Attainable / Segment 23. Purify the Heart and practice Virtue Subhūti inquires of the Buddha, “World-Honoured One, Does the Buddha’s attainment of Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi mean that you have not gained anything whatsoever?” ” The Buddha responds, “Indeed, Subhūti, in Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi, I did not not gain or obtain even the slightest thing. This is what is called Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi.”  The Buddha further explained, “Moreover, Subhūti, this Dharma is equal, without … Read more

Segment 21 / Speaking the Unspeakable The Buddha says to Subhūti, “Do not think that the Tathāgata holds the thought, ‘I have taught the Dharma.’ Do not think in this way. Why? Because if someone says, ‘The Tathāgata has taught Dharma,’ they are slandering the Buddha, as they do not comprehend what I have been conveying. Subhūti, for … Read more

Segment 20 / Detachment from Form and Phenomena “Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Buddha be seen with a perfectly endowed physical body?” “No, World-Honored One. The Tathagata should not be seen by a perfectly endowed physical body. Why? Because the so-called perfectly endowed physical body is not really a perfectly endowed physical body; that … Read more

Segment 19 / the Transformation of the Dharma Realm The Buddha inquires of Subhūti: “What do you think, Subhūti? If a person were to fill the three thousand great thousand worlds with the seven treasures and use them for almsgiving, would that good fortune be great?” Subhūti responds, “Yes, World-Honored One, such a person would indeed … Read more

Segment 18 / The Unity of Perception Subhūti! What do you think? Does the Tathāgata possess fleshly eyes? “Yes, World-Honoured One, the Tathāgata possesses fleshly eyes.” Subhūti! What do you think? Does the Tathāgata possess heavenly eyes? “Yes, World-Honoured One, the Tathāgata possesses heavenly eyes.” Subhūti! What do you think? Does the Tathāgata possess wisdom eyes? … Read more

Segment 17. the Ultimate Non-Self At that time, Subhūti asked the Buddha, “World-Honoured One, how should a good man or good woman who has made the aspiration for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (unsurpassed, complete equal and complete awareness) dwell their mind calmly?  How should they subdue their mind?” The Buddha replied, “Good man or good woman, one who has … Read more

Segment 14. the Emptiness of Forms and the Cessation / Segment 15. the Merit of Upholding the Sutra / Segment 16. the Ability to Purify Karmic Obstacles At this point, Subhūti, upon hearing the sutra, profoundly grasped its meaning. He shed tears, sobbed sorrowfully and addressed the Buddha, saying: “How extraordinary, World-Honored One! The Buddha has expounded such profound sutra, which I have … Read more

Segment 13 / The Proper Way to accept and practice the Dharma At that time, Subhūti askes the Buddha, “World-Honoured One, what should this Sutra be named, and how should we properly practice it?”  The Buddha replies, “This Sutra should be named the Vajra PrajnaParamita. It is by this name that you should accept and practice it. Why? Subhūti, what the Prajna Paramita Buddha speaks of, it is actually not Prajna Paramita but is merely called so. Subhūti, do you … Read more