The Profound Meaning of Consciousness-only in the Diamond Sutra (49)

Chapter Seven: No Attainment, No Teaching

Original text: 须菩提。于意云何。如来得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提耶。如来有所说法耶。须菩提言。如我解佛所说义。无有定法名阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。亦无有定法。如来可说。何以故。如来所说法。皆不可取。不可说。非法非非法。所以者何。一切圣贤。皆以无为法而有差别。

Explanation: The Buddha said: "Subhūti, what do you think? Has the Tathāgata attained anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi (unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment)? Has the Tathāgata taught any dharma?" Subhūti said: "As I understand the meaning of what the Buddha has taught, there is no fixed dharma that can be called anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, nor is there any fixed, unchanging dharma that the Tathāgata can proclaim. Why? Because the dharma taught by the Tathāgata cannot be grasped or clung to as truly existent, and therefore cannot be spoken of. The dharma taught by the Tathāgata is not the original unconditioned dharma itself, yet neither is it not the original unconditioned dharma. Why? Because all sages and noble ones differ by virtue of the unconditioned dharma."