Did the Tathagata Attain the Dharma from Dipankara Buddha?

The Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra states: The Buddha asked Subhūti, "What do you think? When the Tathāgata was with the Buddha Dīpaṃkara long ago, did he attain anything in the Dharma?" "No, World-Honored One. When the Tathāgata was with Buddha Dīpaṃkara, he truly attained nothing in the Dharma."

The Buddha said to Subhūti: "What do you think of this? Did the Tathāgata, when he was with the Buddha Dīpaṃkara in the past, attain anything in the Buddha Dharma?" Subhūti replied: "The Tathāgata attained nothing in the Dharma, World-Honored One. When the Tathāgata was with Buddha Dīpaṃkara, he truly attained nothing in the Dharma."

Our teacher Śākyamuni Buddha attained the eighth ground of the bodhisattva path under the ancient Buddha Dīpaṃkara and received the prediction of Buddhahood. Clearly, he attained the Dharma of the eighth-ground bodhisattva and undoubtedly received the prediction—both appear as attainments. Why then is it said that nothing was attained? Because while these events exist in the phenomenal realm, they are ultimately unreal in the absolute truth. The phenomenal realm is empty, a manifestation of the Vajra Prajñā mind—appearing to exist yet ultimately unreal. The Tathāgata’s mind is also empty, devoid of any dharma, without any attachment or notion that he truly attained the Dharma or received the prediction. If the Tathāgata regarded this as real, his mind would cling to the Dharma, failing to realize its empty and illusory nature. Then he would not be an eighth-ground bodhisattva and would be unworthy of the prediction. Precisely because the Tathāgata possessed the realization of an eighth-ground bodhisattva—with a mind empty, non-active, and free from objects—did the ancient Buddha Dīpaṃkara grant him the prediction of Buddhahood.

Ordinary people cannot comprehend this no matter how they ponder: How could the Tathāgata, having attained such profound Dharma, claim to have attained nothing? How could he regard the monumental event of receiving the prediction of Buddhahood with utter indifference, without the slightest attachment or thought? What manner of mind is this? Any ordinary person encountering this would surely be elated and excited, rushing to spread the news. But this is precisely the acquisitive mentality of ordinary beings who have not realized the true nature of reality. Such individuals will never attain the Dharma, let alone receive a prediction. The Buddha’s mind is transparent, his vision clear; he does not bestow predictions casually.