The Dream of Becoming a Buddha: The First Step to Understanding the Diamond Sutra

Have you ever stood before a statue of the Buddha and wondered: "He was once a human being just like me. How did he attain enlightenment, while I remain forever caught up in daily worries? Is the dream of becoming a Buddha something too far-fetched?"

That question has probably arisen in the mind and heart of each of us at least once. And it is precisely the starting point of the Diamond Sutra – one of the foundational scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism.

A Great Ideal – The Beginning of Every Journey

In the Diamond Sutra, Subhuti asked the Buddha three questions: the ideal of practice, the doctrinal view to rely upon, and the method for taming the mind. Though these three questions are logical and rigorous, the most important thing lies in the very first question – what ideal must a practitioner have?

When coming to Buddhism, each person has a different goal: some only pray for a peaceful family, some enjoy exploring the teachings, some seek relaxation. But in the Diamond Sutra, Subhuti sets forth the ultimate ideal: one must attain supreme enlightenment just as the Buddha did. This is the greatest ideal, meant for souls with great aspiration.

"Whoever has the dream that one day they must become a Buddha – that is, attain supreme enlightenment – only such a person will feel joy deep inside when hearing this Diamond Sutra."

Thầy Thích Chân Quang emphasizes: if we listen to the Diamond Sutra and feel it is strange or disheartening, it is because our initial aspiration was not great enough. Therefore, to study this sutra, we must prepare a corresponding heart – a noble dream.

Wisdom and Compassion – The Two Gateways to a Great Dream

What makes a person dare to dream of becoming a Buddha? Not everyone dares to think of leaving home to become a monastic, let alone practicing to realize the path. According to Thầy Chân Quang, there are two foundations that give rise to a great ideal: wisdom and compassion.

"However great your wisdom is, that is how great your ideal will be. A small wisdom can never give rise to a great ideal. And let us add this: a great heart also gives rise to a great ideal."

Wisdom helps us understand the teachings and see that the path to enlightenment is real. Compassion makes us unwilling to live only for ourselves, but instead to wish to liberate all sentient beings. A person with a small heart, concerned only with themselves, can hardly develop a great aspiration. Therefore, to give rise to bodhicitta, we must cultivate wisdom and expand our loving heart.

Relying on Nothing – But Do Not Fall into the Abyss

After establishing the ideal, Subhuti asked: what doctrinal view should one rely upon in practice? The Buddha answered with a fresh perspective: "One should give rise to the mind without abiding anywhere" – relying on nothing at all. This may sound contradictory, but it is precisely here that we need to be careful.

"Do not hear 'abiding nowhere' and think that whenever anyone says anything, you refute it all. If you do that, you fall into the error of clinging to emptiness."

Thầy Chân Quang tells the story of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng being asked by a disciple: "The Patriarch taught that writing is not to be established – so why do you speak so much?" The Sixth Patriarch replied: "The four words 'writing is not to be established' are themselves writing." Therefore, if someone falls into wrong view, believing that "relying on nothing" means denying everything, they are destroying the Buddha's path. Rather, relying on nothing means relying on the very place where there is nothing to rely on – a letting go of all attachments, while still practicing in accordance with the teachings.

Taming the Mind – The Key to No Longer Being a Stranger in Buddhism

Subhuti's third question was: how does one subdue the mind? This is a matter of life and death. In Buddhism, gathering the mind into meditative concentration is essential. If the mind is not concentrated, we cannot realize the fruits of the noble path. If we only study much, understand much, and perform much merit, yet lack the power of meditative concentration, we remain standing outside the door.

"If we practice the Buddha's teachings but have not yet had those moments, or have not yet found the key to gathering our own mind, then with regard to Buddhism we are still standing outside the fence, outside the door."

Thầy Chân Quang shares his sadness at seeing many people go to temples and perform merit everywhere, yet never set aside time to sit in meditation. The Buddha sat in meditation and attained the path; we venerate him seated in meditation, yet we ourselves shy away from the difficulty of sitting still. Ask yourself: am I truly earnest about the work of taming my mind, or am I merely practicing in the style of "seeking blessings from merit and learning a little each day"?

Begin Today

The Diamond Sutra is not for beginners in practice. But its door opens to all who are ready to hold a great dream. Begin by bowing to the Buddha with your whole heart, expanding your wisdom and compassion, and setting aside time each day to sit quietly, listen, and let your mind rest. One day, you will find that you are no longer a guest, but have become a member of the Buddha's own household.