Q. According to the Diamond Sutra, the Buddha always has the Bodhisattvas in mind, protects them well. Why does the Buddha have the Bodhisattvas in mind and protect only them well?

A. The core of Buddhism is to realise that we, as perfect beings, are one with the Buddha. Being protected by the Buddha means realising that we are one with all other things as Emptiness, the true-Self, that is, we are always surrounded and protected by the true-Self, the Buddha. There is nothing but the true-Self and nothing to inflict harm upon us. Whether we are protected by the Buddha or not depends on whether or not we realise that we are one with the Buddha.

It is not because the Buddha is prejudiced but because the Bodhisattvas have realised they are one with the Buddha whilst sentient beings haven’t that the Buddha protects the Bodhisattvas well.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway