The Diamond Sutra and the Forbearance of the Noble Ones: Do Not Rush to Call Yourself 'Enlightened'

Have you ever wondered: when you hear a dharma talk about emptiness, do you believe you have understood everything? But does that understanding truly make you an 'enlightened' person? In the Diamond Sutra, Subhuti once exclaimed: 'Five hundred years from now, if there are beings who hear this sutra, believe it, understand it, and uphold it, they will be truly rare.' So what is the secret to becoming one of those 'rare' people the sutra speaks of?

The Lament of Subhuti: Why Might the Sutras Be Lost?

Subhuti said that in the time of the Buddha, hearing the Diamond Sutra was an ordinary matter, because the Buddha was still there teaching. But after five hundred years, if there were still people who heard it, believed and understood it, and preserved it, that would be truly extraordinary. He feared the sutra would gradually be lost, because no one would transmit it, no one would understand it, no one would value it. And yet, why are some precious things hidden away, while other precious things are shared by everyone?

This sutra is not easy to understand, as Subhuti's lament suggests. It is only by good fortune that, because of the passages praising the merit of the sutra, many people, out of their craving for merit, kept the sutra alive until today.

It is precisely because of this praise of merit that the sutra has been passed down. But understanding its profound meaning is another matter entirely. Many people hear the Diamond Sutra and immediately assume it teaches 'this is empty, that is empty,' and think there is nothing more to do. That is a great misfortune.

The Conditions for 'Hearing and Understanding' and 'Transcending the Four Notions'

The sutra says: 'Whoever hears this sutra has transcended the four notions: the notion of self, the notion of person, the notion of being, and the notion of life span.' On the surface, 'transcending' seems easy, but in reality we are still full of the notion of self! Thầy Thích Chân Quang taught:

The notion of self is not a notion; the notions of person, being, and life span are not notions. Why? Because whoever abandons all notions is called a Buddha.

But it is not that simple. To abandon the four notions, two conditions are needed:

First: A clear goal — to transcend the four notions, to understand clearly what they are, and to hold the ideal of liberation.

Second: Deep meditative concentration — through meditative concentration, one attains focused attention and perfect wisdom.

Ascetics of other traditions may have supernatural powers and meditative concentration, but they lack the goal of transcending the four notions, so they are not called 'Buddhas.' We are fortunate to hear the Diamond Sutra and have the goal, but we lack meditative concentration. Therefore, let us diligently practice meditative concentration until it is complete.

The Perfection of Forbearance: Use Gentleness, Not Force

Today's dharma talk is titled 'The Forbearance of the Noble Ones.' Among the six perfections (the practices of the bodhisattva), forbearance is one of the most important virtues: it allows us to overcome difficulties, keep the mind calm, and remain unshaken by provocation. But forbearance does not mean passive endurance; it is a wisdom-filled softness, like the old saying 'soft rattan binds tightly.' Our ancestors taught that to tie something securely, do not use stiff rope, but soft. Life is the same. Do you want your children to listen to you? Do not shout or strike them; explain with care, and approach them with love. A wife who wishes to keep her husband should not dominate him, but speak gently and tenderly.

Our elders said it this way: soft rattan binds tightly.

Similarly, the saying 'a detour of a moment is faster than a shortcut of a day' reminds us not to always charge straight at our goals. Sometimes, by helping others succeed and supporting them, we are the ones who gain the most. That is the wisdom of one who practices.

The Middle Way: Practice Wholeheartedly While Regarding It as Nothing

The Diamond Sutra always teaches the Middle Way by saying something and then saying it again: 'The Tathagata teaches the first perfection, yet it is not the first perfection; that is called the first perfection.' The meaning is that we practice a perfection most diligently, while at the same time keeping the mind free of attachment, without clinging to the results.

Though we practice that perfection diligently, we still regard it as nothing.

This is the difficulty of the bodhisattva. Who among those watching a football match remains calm whether their team wins or loses? That person is one who has truly cultivated the mind of equanimity. Can you live each moment fully, give yourself completely to the world, and still regard it as nothing? That is the profound invitation of the Diamond Sutra.

Conclusion: Becoming One of the Rare Ones

The Diamond Sutra is not meant for superficial understanding. Merely hearing it does not make you a Buddha, but to hear this sutra, believe and understand it, and put it into practice is an extraordinarily rare opportunity. Strive to practice, cultivate forbearance, nurture a mind of compassion, and practice the perfections in the spirit of 'practicing while regarding it as nothing.' Only then are you worthy of being one of the rare ones in this life!