The Meaning of "One Should Arouse the Mind Without Abiding Anywhere"

Original text of the Diamond Sutra, Section 10: The Buddha said: “That which is called ‘adornment of the Buddha-land’ is not adornment; it is merely called ‘adornment.’ Therefore, Subhuti, all Bodhisattva Mahasattvas should thus generate a pure mind. They should not generate the mind dwelling on sights, nor should they generate the mind dwelling on sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, or mental objects. They should generate the mind without dwelling anywhere.”

Explanation: Previously, the Buddha had already told Subhuti that Bodhisattva Mahasattvas should generate a pure mind in this manner. Therefore, they should not dwell on form (rūpa) to generate mental activity or thoughts. Regarding form, they should perceive sights as not-sights and not dwell on the characteristics of form. That which is called ‘form’ is not form; it is merely called ‘form.’ Form is merely a name; there is no substantial form. Bodhisattva Mahasattvas also should not dwell on sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, or mental objects (dharmas) to generate mental activity or thoughts. Regarding sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects, they should perceive sounds as not-sounds and not dwell on the characteristics of sound; perceive scents as not-scents and not dwell on the characteristics of scent; perceive tastes as not-tastes and not dwell on the characteristics of taste; perceive tangible objects as not-tangible objects and not dwell on the characteristics of touch; perceive mental objects (dharmas) as not-dharmas and not dwell on the characteristics of dharmas. That which is called ‘sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects’ is not sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects; it is merely called ‘sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects.’ Sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects are merely names; there is no substantial sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, or mental objects. Therefore, the World-Honored One instructed Bodhisattva Mahasattvas not to generate the mind dwelling on sights, not to generate the mind dwelling on sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, or mental objects, but to generate their pure mind without dwelling anywhere.

Here, ‘anywhere’ refers to sights, sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects. ‘Without dwelling anywhere’ means not dwelling on sights, sounds, scents, tastes, tangible objects, or mental objects. How should one cultivate this mind that dwells nowhere? This requires realizing the emptiness and lack of inherent nature of the five aggregates (skandhas) and the eighteen elements (dhātus) upon attaining the Path of Seeing (darśana-mārga) in either the Mahayana or Hinayana vehicle. After this realization, the sixth and seventh consciousnesses (mano-consciousness and manas) will no longer dwell on the objects of the six senses (six dusts) and will not cling to the characteristics of these objects. There are stages and levels within this process. Initially, it is certainly not very firm; one cannot completely avoid clinging to the characteristics of objects or dwelling on the six dusts. However, as long as one has genuinely realized the Path of Seeing, this is not a problem—it is only a matter of time.