Commentary on the Diamond Sutra: Why Those Who Receive, Uphold, and Extensively Expound This Sutra Can Bear the Tathagata's Work

Fifteenth Section: Merits of Upholding the Sutra Original Text: Such persons carry the Tathagata's Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Why is this so? Subhuti, those who delight in lesser dharmas cling to views of self, person, sentient being, and life span. For them, this sutra cannot be heard, received, recited, or explained to others.

Explanation: Those capable of upholding, reciting, and widely expounding the Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra to sentient beings will carry the Tathagata's mission and ultimately achieve Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Why is this sutra expounded for those who generate the Bodhi-mind of the Great Vehicle and for those aspiring to the Supreme Vehicle? Subhuti, if one delights in the lesser Dharma of human and heavenly paths, one will cling to views of self, person, sentient being, and life span. Such a person practices minor wholesome deeds within the illusory five aggregates, seeking the karmic rewards of human and heavenly wealth and honor, believing there is a self to enjoy, a recipient of alms, and blessings to acquire. Consequently, they cannot accept the true Dharma of no-self mark, no-person mark, no-sentient-being mark, and no-life-span mark taught by the Tathagata, nor can they accept the existence of the indestructible Vajra reality—the mind of true reality beyond the four marks. Thus, they will not recite the Diamond Sutra, realize the Tathagatagarbha of true reality, nor expound the Great Vehicle Dharma of true reality to other sentient beings.

Those attached to the lesser vehicle of self-liberation, because their minds also cling to the four marks and mistakenly perceive the existence of their own five aggregates, fear that their five-aggregate self will again suffer in samsara. Thus, they hastily enter nirvana to escape the cycle of birth and death in the three realms, unwilling to turn their minds toward the practice of the Great Vehicle Bodhisattva Dharma. Therefore, they too will not come to hear, receive, or recite this sutra, and certainly cannot explain it to others.

Original Text: Subhuti, wherever this sutra is present, it should be venerated by all beings in the world—gods, humans, and asuras. Know that such a place is a stupa. All should pay reverence, circumambulate it with respect, and scatter various flowers and incense there.

Explanation: Subhuti, wherever this Diamond Sutra exists, wherever the indestructible Tathagatagarbha is present, all beings in the world—gods, humans, and asuras—should venerate this sutra and make offerings to the Great Vehicle Tathagata Buddha. You should know that wherever this sutra is found is a stupa, a sacred place of practice. All sentient beings should venerate and make offerings with utmost reverence, circumambulating the stupa with their entire being, scattering various fragrant flowers at that place to honor the Buddha's stupa and temple.

Why should such a place be venerated? Because this sutra is the Dharmakaya Buddha, the Tathagata. Only by venerating this Buddha can one ultimately attain Buddhahood; moreover, the primary offerings are made through upholding, reciting, relying upon, and practicing this sutra, which leads to final Buddhahood. Why is a place with this sutra a sacred site? Because all cultivation revolves around this sutra; all practices are performed within this sacred ground; all Dharma originates from this place; all salvific work for sentient beings is carried out here; ultimately, Buddhahood is attained at this site; all wisdom is perfected here; and all Buddha lands are established within this sacred ground. Why should one circumambulate this sutra with reverence? Because fundamentally, no sentient being or dharma can exist apart from this sutra. Whether one circumambulates or not, one is inherently bound to it. No matter how immense one's power may seem, none can ever be separated from this sutra or this stupa.