The Diamond Sutra: The Diamond That Cuts Through the "Self" and Attachment to Merit

Have you ever wondered what is the hardest thing in this world to cut? Diamonds can slice through almost anything, yet there exists something even harder. Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Buddha used the word "diamond" to describe a type of wisdom capable of shattering it. This refers to our selfish ego and the attachment to merit after performing good deeds.

Diamond: The Perfection of Wisdom

In the Diamond Sutra, the Buddha names it the "Diamond Prajnaparamita." Paramita means "crossing to the other shore," but ancient Indians understood it as perfect success or completion. Prajna is not ordinary intelligence; it is wisdom born from enlightenment, arising from a very pure mind. And diamond is the hardest substance, able to cut through the most difficult obstacles. Venerable Thich Chan Quang explains that we must bring this diamond-like wisdom inward to cut through the self.

So, what is the hardest thing to cut? It is not metal, but the stubborn ego. This is the part of us that cannot rest when others do not know the Dharma, or that desires to boast and feel proud whenever we perform a good deed.

Shattering Selfishness Within the Meditation Hall

Many people misunderstand spiritual practice as closing the door to find peace for oneself alone. However, the Diamond Sutra compels us to look beyond the walls and care for neighbors who are suffering. The teacher reminds us that to establish the mind and tame it, we must save many sentient beings. The sutra binds our own benefit tightly to the benefit of all beings.

When sitting in the meditation hall, we may feel peaceful. But when we step out the gate, do we feel compassion seeing people rushing about, unaware of the path? If we remain indifferent, the diamond wisdom has not yet struck our heart. The challenge is not only to maintain a pure mind but also to open our hearts to help the world.

The Pain of Misunderstanding the Diamond Sutra

If we interpret "everything is empty" to mean doing nothing at all, we turn Buddhism into passivity. The teacher recounts the Korean film "Little Monk," where an orphaned novice craves love, but his master remains cold because he believes everything is empty. Although the film won awards, it was a slap in the face to Buddhism. The teacher warns that anyone preaching that no action is needed contradicts the Diamond Sutra and causes misunderstanding of the Buddha's teachings.

People turn away from Buddhism because Buddhism has turned away from life. We must renew our practice, becoming temples filled with love. In fifty years, let films depict happy masters and novices, rather than sadness.

Practicing the Diamond Way

The teacher identifies two great challenges. First, overcoming laziness and indifference to serve sentient beings. Second, after serving many, letting go of attachment to merit. Creating merit is already difficult. But if we cling to that merit, we fail the ultimate goal of the Diamond Sutra, which is to destroy such attachment.

For example, when making offerings to the temple or helping brothers and sisters learn the Dharma, feeling a little pride is attachment to merit. We must remind ourselves to serve diligently without stopping at praise. When we see others proud of their merit, we should be compassionate, knowing everyone needs time to overcome this habit.

Buddhism Does Not Turn Its Back on Life

A disciple of the Buddha must be the first to show love and open their heart. The teacher shares a story of a Buddhist who disliked police officers because they seemed unloving. The teacher advised that since we know the Dharma first, we must love them first. This is cause and effect (karmic law). When we love life, life will respect Buddhism. Otherwise, we cannot blame the world for turning away.

We must never turn our backs on life. We have a responsibility to the world, and naturally, the world will take responsibility for the Dharma.

The teaching of the Diamond Sutra is perfection: doing everything for sentient beings without clinging to merit. When understood correctly, no ideology can shake us. Let us make a daily vow: on the path to liberation, always seek ways to help others know the Dharma. With diamond wisdom, we will cut through the "self" and attachment to merit, allowing the mind to abide in peace, so that the Buddha's teachings shine forever.