Question asked by Eli Levine
Good afternoon Pastors,
My question involves the Diamond Sutra. If I'm understanding it correctly, there is no "I" or other to save in this universe, therefore rendering the need to help others effectively moot. Somehow I'm not sure this is a correct interpretation of the Diamond Sutra. If it is, what then is the point of being here other than to be content, happy, and compassionate? What then is the point of existence or remaining in existence? Your guidance would be much appreciated. I know that suicide isn't a good action to take, but I'm not sure that living is a good thing either.
Dear Eli Levine,
What the Diamond Sutra is explaining is the topic of Emptiness, which is the non-inherent nature of all phenomena, including oneself and others. It is one of the highest meditation topics and realizations within Buddhism and therefore one of the hardest to grasp. This Sutra belongs to the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita) sutras, and most commentators agree that the Buddha is teaching us to “unlearn” our preconceived notions and perceptions of existence, which includes the Dharma itself.
Our preconceived notions are ingrained in us from birth (and even previous lifetimes), but they are dualistic. All forms, thoughts and conceptions are in fact illusory due to the incorrect way we perceive them. This however does not mean that they do not exist, but that they do not exist in the way we think about them. The Buddha encourages us to break away from our fixed way of thinking and the realisation of this is the realisation of Emptiness.
This does not mean that rendering the need to help others is moot. In fact the sutra exhorts us to assist other in their paths to liberation but without the preconceived notions of self and others. Thus in essence as you progress along the path, you liberate beings, without a dualistic notion of “self” and “Others”. This in itself is hard to grasp for the very reason that we have such ingrained preconceived notions about reality which the Buddha exhorts us to abandon.
Going further, the point of remaining in existence, or more correctly gaining complete enlightenment and emanating back into existence to help others – is for entire the same reason: to assist liberating beings without preconceived notions of self and others.
Due to Samsara being the endless cycle of sufferings as expounded by our most glorious teacher Buddha Shakyamuni, there is no way whatsoever that we can achieve any semblance of contentment, happiness or ultimate compassion due its very transient and impermanent nature. The only way we can achieve these states is when we are no longer bound by existence within Samsara, which is the goal of Buddhist practice. This is exemplified in the Four Noble Truths.
I hope this short answer help you.