The Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra | Page 2

of person is not caught up in the idea of a self, a
person, a living being, or a life span. They are not caught up in the idea
of a dharma or the idea of a non-dharma. They are not caught up in the
notion that this is a sign and that is not a sign. Why? If you are caught

up in the idea of a dharma, you are also caught up in the ideas of a self,
a person, a living being, and a life span. If you are caught up in the idea
that there is no dharma, you are still caught up in the ideas of a self, a
person, a living being, and a life span. That is why we should not get
caught up in dharmas or in the idea that dharmas do not exist. This is
the hidden meaning when the Tathagata says,'Bhiksus, you should
know that all of the teachings I give to you are a raft. All teachings
must be abandoned, not to mention non-teachings."
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"What do you think, Subhuti, has the Tathagata arrived at the highest,
most fulfilled, awakened mind? Does the Tathagata give any teaching?"
The Venerable Subhuti replied, "As far as I have understood the Lord
Buddha's teachings, there is no independently existing object of mind
called the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind, nor is there any
independently existing teaching that the Tathagata gives. Why? The
teachings that the Tathagata has realized and spoken of cannot be
conceived of as separate, independent existences and therefore cannot
be described. The Tathagata's teaching is not self-existent nor is it
non-self-existent. Why? Because the noble teachers are only
distinguished from others in terms of the unconditioned."
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"What do you think, Subhuti? If someone were to fill the 3,000
chiliocosms with the seven precious treasures as an act of generosity,
would that person bring much happiness by this virtuous act?"
The Venerable Subhuti replied, "Yes, World-Honored One. It is
because the very natures of virtue and happiness are not virtue and
happiness that the Tathagata is able to speak about virtue and
happiness."
The Buddha said, "On the other hand, if there is someone who accepts
these teachings and puts them into practice, even if only a gatha of four
lines, and explains them to someone else, the happiness brought about

by this virtuous act far exceeds the happiness brought about by giving
the seven precious treasures. Why? Because, Subhuti, all Buddhas and
the dharma of the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind of all
Buddhas arise from these teachings. Subhuti, what is called
Buddhadharma is everything that is not Buddhadharma."
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"What do you think, Subhuti? Does a Stream-Enterer think, 'I have
attained the fruit of stream-entry.'?"
Subhuti replied, "No, World-Honored One. Why? Stream-Enterer
means to enter the stream, but in fact there is no stream to enter. One
does not enter a stream that is form, nor a stream that is sound, smell,
taste, touch, or object of mind. That is what we mean when we say
entering a stream."
"What do you think, Subhuti? Does a Once-Returner think, 'I have
attained the fruit of Once-Returning.'?"
Subhuti replied, "No, World-Honored One. Why? Once-Returner
means to go and return once more, but in truth there is no going just as
there is no returning. That is what we mean when we say
Once-Returner."
"What do you think, Subhuti? Does a Non-Returner think like this,'l
have attained the fruit of No-Return.'?"
Subhuti replied,"No, World-Honored One. Why? No-Return means not
to return to this world, but in fact there cannot be any Non-Returning.
That is what we mean when we say Non-Returner."
"What do you think, Subhuti? Does an Arhat think like this, 'I have
attained the fruit of Arhatship?"
Subhuti replied, "No, World-Honored One. Why? There is no
separately existing thing that can be called Arhat. If an Arhat gives rise
to the thought that he has attained the fruit of Arhatship, then he is still

caught up in the idea of a self, a person, a living being, and a life span.
World-Honored One, you have often said that I have attained the
concentration of peaceful abiding and that in the community, I am the
Arhat who has most transformed need and desire. World-Honored One,
if I were to think that I had attained the fruit of Arhatship, you certainly
would not have said that I love to dwell in the concentration of peaceful
abiding."
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The Buddha asked Subhuti, "In ancient times when the Tathagata
practiced under Buddha Dipankara, did he attain anything?"
Subhuti answered, "No, World-Honored One. In ancient times when
the Tathagata was practicing under Buddha Dipankara, he did not attain
anything."
"What do you think, Subhuti? Does a bodhisattva create a serene and
beautiful Buddha field?"
"No, World-Honored