Why Does Subhūti Not Have the Thought "I Am an Arhat Free from Desires"?

The original text of the Diamond Sutra: "World-Honored One, the Buddha states that I have attained the samadhi of non-contention, being foremost among men, the foremost arhat free from desires. Yet I do not entertain the thought: 'I am an arhat free from desires.' World-Honored One, if I were to entertain the thought, 'I have attained the fruition of arhatship,' then the World-Honored One would not say that Subhuti is one who delights in the practice of aranya. Because Subhuti truly practices nothing, he is called Subhuti, the one who delights in the practice of aranya."

Literal translation is as follows: To demonstrate that an arhat has no thought of being an arhat, Subhuti said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, the Buddha states that I have realized the samadhi of non-contention, being foremost among men, the foremost arhat free from desires. Yet I do not entertain such a thought that I am an arhat free from desires. World-Honored One, if I were to entertain such a thought, believing that I have attained the fruition of arhatship, then you, World-Honored One, would not say that Subhuti is one who delights in the practice of serene and tranquil conduct. Because Subhuti's mind is empty and without action, it is said that Subhuti is one who delights in the practice of tranquil conduct."

Subhuti is also known as Kongsheng (Empty-Born), as he constantly perceives the emptiness and quiescence of the world. Having attained the samadhi of non-contention, he never contends with worldly people, agreeing with whatever people say—east, south, west, or north—because whatever worldly people say is empty, making it unnecessary to argue over superiority, inferiority, length, or shortness. Subhuti has no desires or thoughts toward the world; his mind is empty, without characteristics, without aspirations, and without action. He is the foremost arhat free from desires among men. Yet Subhuti never entertains the thought "I am an arhat free from desires," nor does he proclaim himself to others. He does not cling to the notion of self, nor to the notion of being an arhat; otherwise, he would be an ordinary being clinging to characteristics, and the World-Honored One would not say that Subhuti is one who delights in the practice of tranquil conduct. Because Subhuti's mind is constantly empty and quiescent, free from desires and pursuits, the World-Honored One praises him as one who delights in the practice of tranquil conduct.

In contrast, ordinary beings, regardless of whether they have any genuine attainment, enjoy boasting and promoting themselves everywhere, arguing over trivial matters, seeking attention, craving admiration and worship, and striving to stand out. In short, they delight in promoting themselves to make the world aware of them, thereby satisfying their sense of self. This is the characteristic of ordinary beings. Ordinary beings become incapable without the notion of self; they constantly dwell within the four marks of self, which serve as their lifelong spiritual sustenance, indispensable to them. Once that self is suppressed, it is like a fish out of water. In summary, whether one possesses the Way or not is revealed through actions; one's bodily, verbal, and mental conduct most clearly demonstrates their level of spiritual insight and wisdom.