Observations placeholder
Buddha - Diamond sutra - 04 Charity
Identifier
013156
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Section IV. Even the Most Beneficent Practices are Relative
Buddha: ..in the practice of charity a Bodhisattva should be detached. That is to say, he should practice charity without regard to appearances; without regard to sound, odor, touch, flavor or any quality. Subhuti, thus should the Bodhisattva practice charity without attachment. Wherefore? In such a case his merit is incalculable. Subhuti, what do you think? Can you measure all the space extending eastward?
Subhuti No, World-honored One, I cannot.
Buddha: Then can you, Subhuti, measure all the space extending southward, westward, northward, or in any other direction, including nadir and zenith?
Subhuti No, World-honored One, I cannot.
Buddha: Well, Subhuti, equally incalculable is the merit of the Bodhisattva who practices charity without any attachment to appearances. Subhuti, Bodhisattvas should persevere one-pointedly in this instruction.