The Profound Meaning of Vijñapti-mātratā in the Diamond Sutra (47)

Why is this so? If sentient beings grasp at attributes in their minds, they cling to the notions of self, person, sentient being, and life span. If they grasp at dharma attributes, they cling to the notions of self, person, sentient being, and life span. If they grasp at non-dharma attributes, they cling to the notions of self, person, sentient being, and life span. Therefore, one should not grasp at dharmas, nor should one grasp at non-dharmas.

Explanation: The World-Honored One said: Why is this so? Because such sentient beings, if their minds grasp at attributes and cling to them, are clinging to the four notions. Clinging to the four notions inevitably leads to clinging to dharma attributes. Since the notion of self is not eradicated, one perceives all dharmas as real from one’s own standpoint and perspective—the coming, going, resting, and moving of the five aggregates; daily activities like dressing and eating; as well as perceptions, views, and feelings—all are regarded as real. Simultaneously, clinging to the other three notions arises.

Dharma attributes belong to the conditioned phenomena of the Triple Realm, which exist based on sentient beings’ cognition. Only with the notion of self can one cognize the dharma attributes of the Triple Realm. Therefore, if one clings to dharma attributes, one clings to the four notions of self, person, sentient being, and life span. If one grasps at non-dharma attributes, believing all dharmas to be empty and denying the true reality mind—the eighth consciousness—one negates the source from which self, person, and sentient beings arise, as well as the substantial entity on which life span depends. Then, self, person, and sentient beings would not be manifestations of the eighth consciousness but would exist naturally, without cause, and thus not be illusory. All functions of the conscious mind would be real, not supplied by the eighth consciousness. This is clinging to the four notions and characterizes sentient beings bound by karmic obstacles of birth and death. Therefore, when sentient beings study the Mahayana Dharma, they should not grasp at any dharma attribute, nor should they grasp at the nihilistic attribute of non-dharma.