Part 15-2
“In summary, Subhuti, this Sutra has inconceivable, immeasurable, boundless virtues:” “The Realised One expounds it for those who set out on the Great Vehicle; he expounds it for those who set out on the Supreme Vehicle.”
Commentary:
As mentioned in the preceding parts, the Sutra implies the true-Self. This is why it is said to have inconceivable, immeasurable, boundless virtues. The Great Vehicle and the Supreme Vehicle are actually the same and represent the great wisdom, enlightenment that the historical Buddha attained. They are the final goal that all Buddhists pursue and a means by which we can achieve the goal at the same time. That’s why the Buddha used the word ‘Vehicle’ that implies an expedient means. Those who set out on the Great Vehicle signifies people who seek to attain the same great enlightenment that the historical Buddha attained through the great wisdom, the Buddha’s teaching.
‘The Realised One expounds it for those who set out on the Supreme Vehicle’ doesn’t mean that he expounds it selectively only for those who set out on the Supreme Vehicle but means that only those who set out on the Supreme Vehicle can grasp and accept his teaching. No matter how many people the Realised One may expound this Sutra to, it is meaningful only to those who can apprehend it.
Bodhidharma said that the Great Vehicle, or the Supreme Vehicle is the way all Bodhisattvas go, that they neither board the Vehicle nor don’t board the Vehicle and that they are never on board whilst being on board all day long. He means that we, aware that everything is empty, should not attached to the Buddha’s teaching while trying to attain enlightenment depending on it. Put in other words, he means that the Great Vehicle is not the Great Vehicle but just named as such. This is why it is said that the absence of the Vehicle is the Buddha’s Vehicle.
Student: “What is the Great Vehicle?”
Master: “It is before you now.”
Student: “How can I board it?”
Master: “It will sink the moment you put your foot on it.”
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 