Practicing Virtue Yet Forgetting Virtue: Lessons from the Diamond Sutra

**Summary:** The Diamond Sutra teaches us to exert all our effort in doing good deeds, yet never to cling to the merit gained. When we foresee a favorable karmic reward, we must forget it immediately to eradicate pride and open the door to boundless merit.

Have you ever received a compliment that predicted your future, such as "you will earn great blessings later," and you felt delighted, clinging tightly to that idea in your mind? If so, listen to the story from the Diamond Sutra to understand why you might lose those very blessings before you even receive them.

**What Dharma Did Buddha Receive from Dipankara Buddha?**

In the Diamond Sutra, the Buddha asked Subhuti: "Long ago, at the assembly of Dipankara Buddha, did the Tathagata attain any dharma?" Subhuti's answer was surprising: "World Honored One, no dharma was attained at all." This passage seems to contradict history, as the stories tell of Bodhisattva Sumati (a past life of Shakyamuni Buddha) who lay down in the mud as a bridge for Dipankara Buddha to cross, and was subsequently prophesied to become a Buddha named Shakyamuni.

If we consider it as having been attained, we lose the essence of the path.

Why must we say "no dharma was attained"? Because if the Bodhisattva had clung to the prophecy, pride would have arisen immediately, and he would never have become a Buddha. Likewise, when we plant a wholesome seed, a good result will surely follow. However, if we keep fantasizing and clutching at that future reward in our hearts, we lose the merit completely.

**Forget the Favorable Reward Immediately**

Venerable Thích Chân Quang gives an example: A Buddhist layperson works selflessly, makes offerings, and assists their fellow practitioners. The abbot praises them, saying, "You are a truly devoted and diligent Buddhist; you will receive great blessings in the future." If, after hearing this, the person simply thanks the abbot and forgets it immediately, that is true spiritual strength. Conversely, if they hold onto that praise in their heart, what happens? Pride arises at once.

He further illustrates this with the analogy of a child who is predicted to become a doctor someday. If the child forgets the prediction, they have a good chance of growing up to be a doctor. But if the child constantly remembers it and boasts, then "half of that potential is naturally lost, and they can no longer learn." This is the principle of cause and effect: clinging to a wholesome reward means losing it.

**Do Not Cling to Merit in Adorning Buddha Lands**

In the next passage, the Buddha asks: "Do Bodhisattvas adorn Buddha lands?" Subhuti replies: "No. Because to adorn a Buddha land is not to adorn anything at all; that is called adorning a Buddha land." "Adorning Buddha lands" refers to supporting the conditions for Buddha's teachings—organizing dharma halls, arranging chairs and equipment, inviting friends to listen to the teachings... All these are virtuous actions of a Bodhisattva.

Yet if one acts while clinging to merit and to the goodness of the action, the merit becomes limited. Therefore, Venerable Chân Quang emphasizes: if you foresee a favorable reward, you must forget it immediately. Why? Because holding that reward in your mind destroys your merit entirely.

**The Essence of the Diamond Sutra: Eradicating Pride**

The entire Diamond Sutra revolves around eradicating pride. Venerable Chân Quang summarizes it: "First, exert all effort in wholesome actions. Second, do not cling to merit to avoid pride." Whoever understands this understands the entire sutra.

The Diamond Sutra teaches us to exert our whole life doing wholesome deeds and to never cling to the merit, so that we do not become proud.

**Application for Ordinary People**

Although the sutra is spoken for Bodhisattvas, we can still learn its unchanging truth. Even for small good deeds, we must forget both the cause and the fruit. "We act quietly, in stillness. We do good without needing anyone to know. But the Buddha always knows." When we support others in spreading the teachings, we create the causes to become enlightened beings ourselves.

In closing, remember this: once pride arises, merit becomes limited and falls back. But if we learn to "regard as nothing" both our wholesome actions and their rewards, our merit will grow boundlessly, enabling us to become great Bodhisattvas.

Practice this starting today: exert all effort in doing good, then let it go. Do not let the "limit" of pride block your path to liberation.