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The Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra
NO RECEPTION AND NO GREED
CHAPTER 28
Sutra:
“Subhuti, a Bodhisattva might fill world systems equal to Ganges River’s sands with the seven precious gems and give them as a gift. But if another person were to know that all phenomena are devoid of self and accomplish patience, that Bodhisattva’s merit and virtue would surpass that of the previous Bodhisattva. And why? Subhuti, it is because Bodhisattvas do not receive blessings and virtue.”
Subhuti said to the Buddha, “World Honored One, how is it that Bodhisattvas do not receive blessings and virtue?” “Subhuti, since Bodhisattvas cannot be greedily attached to the blessings and virtue which they foster, they are said not to receive blessings and virtue.
Commentary:
But if another person were to know that all phenomena are devoid of self. “All phenomena” include all Buddhadharmas. Concisely, they include the four truths, the twelve causal conditions, the six paramitas, the six roots, the six dusts, the twelve places, and the eighteen realms. If someone knows those various phenomena are devoid of self, he does not attach to the marks of self or of things, for he knows that both persons and phenomena are devoid of self. With no attachment to self and no attachment to phenomena, the attachment to emptiness also disappears. At that time he accomplishes the patience of the non-existence of people and phenomena. In certifying to the patience of the non-existence of people and phenomena, one does not see the slightest phenomena produced or extinguished throughout the three realms. Although such patience can be experienced, it cannot be described.
If you do not see even the slightest phenomena produced and do not see even the slightest phenomena extinguished, does that mean there are no phenomena? That is correct. Originally there are no phenomena. But no phenomena still includes all phenomena. Words cannot express what is referred to by the patience of the nonexistence of phenomena.
The phrase, to know that all phenomena are devoid of self and accomplish patience is the most important point made in the Vajra Sutra. Why does a Bodhisattva merely by knowing all phenomena have no self and by realizing patience, have more merit and virtue than the Bodhisattva who gives vast amounts of wealth? It is because Bodhisattvas do not receive blessings and virtue. In other words, Bodhisattvas neither attach to receiving blessings and virtue, nor do they attach to not having blessings and virtue. It is not necessary for acts which generate blessings and virtue done by a Bodhisattva to have form or appearance. A Bodhisattva should not greedily become attached and say, “I fostered these blessings. I did that virtuous deed.” He should not have such attachments. When a Bodhisattva is not attached to anything, what is there to receive or not receive? Basically there is no reception or absence of reception. So the sutra says, “Bodhisattvas do not receive blessings.”
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