The Profound Meaning of Consciousness-Only in the Diamond Sutra (62)

The Adornment of the Pure Land Chapter Ten

Original Text: The Buddha asked Subhuti, "What do you think? When the Tathagata was with Dipankara Buddha, did he attain any Dharma?" "No, World-Honored One. When the Tathagata was with Dipankara Buddha, he truly attained no Dharma whatsoever." "Subhuti, what do you think? Does a Bodhisattva adorn a Buddha-land?" "No, World-Honored One. And why? Because adorning a Buddha-land is not true adornment; it is merely called 'adornment'."

"Therefore, Subhuti, all Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas should thus give rise to a pure mind. They should not give rise to a mind based on form, nor should they give rise to a mind based on sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharmas. They should give rise to a mind that abides nowhere. Subhuti, suppose there is a person whose body is like Mount Sumeru, king of mountains. What do you think? Would such a body be considered great?" Subhuti replied, "Very great, World-Honored One. And why? What the Buddha speaks of as 'not a real body' is called a great body."

Explanation: The Buddha asked Subhuti: "What do you think? When the Tathagata was formerly with Dipankara Buddha, was there any Dharma to be attained? Did he attain any Dharma?" Subhuti said: "No, World-Honored One. The Tathagata, when with Dipankara Buddha, truly attained no Dharma." The Buddha said: "Subhuti, what do you think? Does a Bodhisattva adorn a Buddha-land?" Subhuti said: "He does not adorn it, World-Honored One. Why? Because the act of adorning a Buddha-land is not true adornment; it is nominal adornment." The Buddha said: "Thus it is, Subhuti. All Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas should give rise to a pure mind in this way. They should not give rise to a mind abiding in form, nor should they give rise to a mind abiding in sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharmas. They should give rise to their minds abiding nowhere. Subhuti, suppose there is a person whose body is as immense as Mount Sumeru, king of mountains. What do you think, is this body not very great?" Subhuti said: "Very great, World-Honored One. Why? What the Buddha speaks of as 'not a real body' is what is called a great body."