Part 21-3
At that time, Venerable Subhuti said to the Buddha, “World-Honoured One, will there be any sentient beings in the future who, upon hearing the Dharma, will give rise to a mind of faith?”
The Buddha replied, “Subhuti, they are not sentient beings, nor are they not sentient beings. Why is this so? Subhuti, the words ‘sentient beings’ used by the Realised One are not sentient beings, but are merely called ‘sentient beings’ by name.”
Commentary:
Subhuti thinks that the Dharma preached by the Buddha is so difficult that sentient beings in the future cannot appreciate it. However, the Buddha is more worried about Subhuti than about sentient beings in the future since he is deluded by the words ‘sentient beings’ mentioned by the Buddha during his Dharma talk. In truth, Subhuti, despite his failure to grasp the Buddha’s talk, had a belief that he himself appreciated it and doubted whether sentient beings in the future could understand it as he could.
This is why the Buddha said that the words ‘sentient beings’ used by the Realised One are not sentient beings, but are merely called ‘sentient beings’ by name.
We should ask ourselves whether or not we also accept the Buddha’s words as Subhuti did.
Student: “If sentient beings are not sentient beings, but just called sentient beings, what is the difference between sentient beings and the Buddha?”
Master: “He who is deluded by words such as sentient beings and the Buddha is called a sentient being, and he who isn’t is called the Buddha.”
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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