Part 14-15
“Subhuti, if Bodhisattvas perform acts of charity with their minds dwelling on things, they are similar to people who have gone into darkness and can see nothing.” “If Bodhisattvas perform acts of charity with their minds not dwelling on things, they are like people with sight in the sunlight, seeing all sorts of shapes things.” “Subhuti, in the future, if there are good men and good women who are able to accept and hold this sutra, read and recite it. the Realised One will know and see all of these people by means of the Buddha’s wisdom; all of them will achieve infinite, boundless merits.”
Commentary:
‘Doing something with one’s mind dwelling on things’ means being unable to see things as they are and being deluded by illusions, or forms and words when one does something. No matter how many acts of charity you may perform, although the acts of charity may be worth praising morally and help to build up good karma, they are nothing to do with true merit, enlightenment if you perform such acts with your mind dwelling on things.
On the contrary, doing something without one’s mind dwelling on things signifies seeing things as they are, that is, seeing things as the Buddha. Being able to accept and hold this Sutra, reading and reciting it implies that this Sutra leads people to do things without their minds dwelling on things. ‘The Realised One will know and see all of these people who are able to accept and hold this sutra, read and recite it, by means of the Buddha’s wisdom’ means that all of these people will attain enlightenment, the Buddha’s wisdom. This is to achieve infinite, boundless merits.
Student: “How can I achieve infinite, boundless merits?”
Master: “Read this Sutra without your mind dwelling on words.”
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 