Characteristics of the Mark of Self Among the Four Marks in the Diamond Sutra

In the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, the World-Honored One described the subtle notion of self: For example, there is a person whose entire body is harmoniously comfortable, whose limbs are completely relaxed, whose body and mind are tranquil and extremely serene, who suddenly forgets the existence of the body and is unaware of the body’s location. At this moment, if the body is lightly pricked with a needle, pain is immediately felt, and one unconsciously senses "I am in pain," thus the mental notion of self arises. Sentient beings unconsciously regard the body as the self, awareness as the self, and the five aggregates as the self. This is a very subtle notion of self, which is universally present among sentient beings.

The notion of self spoken of in the Diamond Sutra encompasses both subtle and coarse forms, with coarse and heavy notions of self being predominant. Sentient beings universally possess coarse and extremely coarse notions of self. The notion of self manifested in ordinary beings who have not severed self-view is present everywhere and at all times, particularly obvious, yet they remain unaware and unenlightened, regardless of whether they study Buddhism or not. Among those who study and practice Buddhism, self-view and the notion of self are also very severe. To highlight themselves, they readily consider themselves extraordinary, superior to others, and always, intentionally or unintentionally, misconstrue that they have attained the fruits of enlightenment or realized the mind. Without any evidence, they proclaim this everywhere, hoping to gain others’ reverence and special regard, feeling they have finally surpassed others and can hold their heads high. Thus, they become extremely proud, arrogant, and self-important, looking down on everyone, with unwholesome conduct. These are all manifestations of possessing the notion of self, which also include the notion of person and the notion of sentient beings. Wherever there is the notion of person, the notion of sentient beings, or the notion of a life span, there must be the notion of self; where there is the notion of self, the latter three notions must follow. These four notions are inseparable.

The notion of self is often closely linked with the notion of person, hence the comparisons and contrasts between individuals, giving rise to jealousy, competition, disputes, conflicts, and even various wars. Wars between nations arise when the individual notions of self and person aggregate into collective notions of self and person. Competitions and disputes among various groups are likewise: the small self becomes a large self, the notion of self grows larger, and its influence becomes greater. It may appear as if individuals have no self, but in reality, it is all the notion of self.

The notion of self is even more prevalent in the secular world. Ordinary people generally take symbols such as power, fame, profit, identity, status, honor, social class, wealth, etc., as their notion of self. They are deeply mired in these, clinging to them without relinquishment. For the sake of false prestige, to make others look up to them, they are willing to pay any price, extremely concerned about others' gazes and evaluations. Moreover, they do their utmost to display their advantages and uniqueness to others, seeking admiration to satisfy their vanity. Such examples are too numerous to mention; they are everywhere, so none will be cited here. Within this, the notion of person is involved; otherwise, they would not care about others' gazes and evaluations. Because of the notion of self, for the sake of that so-called self, they indulge endlessly in greed, hatred, and delusion, fully enjoying the pleasures of the five desires. Their six sense faculties never rest for a moment; even while asleep, they are preoccupied with wealth, sex, fame, and food. Ordinary beings are thus without a trace of lofty aspiration, clinging to low-level desires, seeking money and enjoyment—nothing more.

In summary, because ordinary beings possess the notion of self, all their physical, verbal, and mental actions revolve around it, fully displaying the notion of self. Without the notion of self, there would not be so much greed, life would be much simpler, there would be far less contrivance, and many matters would naturally cease. Without the mind, there are no affairs; without desire, there is no seeking. Physical, verbal, and mental actions become very low-key, unwilling to seek the limelight, display the self, or be self-centered. Whether or not a person harbors the notion of self in their heart will unconsciously manifest in their speech and actions; it cannot be concealed or faked, because deep-seated habits cannot be restrained.