Vajra Sutra Commentary: The Foundation of Practice

In Chapter 23 of the Vajra Sutra, the Buddha revealed a soul-shaking truth to Subhuti:‘All phenomena are equal, without distinction of superiority or inferiority.’This is not merely a slogan—it is the fundamental path to Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi (Perfect Enlightenment). Practice is not about climbing a ladder, but realizing that all beings, from Buddhas down to ants, share the same true nature.

Core Mechanisms of Practice

Ontological Equality: What Subhuti seeks is not privilege. In the ocean of enlightenment, every drop is equally wet. Eliminating the mindset of superiority and inferiority is the essential remedy for arrogance and self-deprecation.
The Interplay of the Four Non-Abidances and Good Conduct: The key lies in understanding that ‘no self, no others, no beings, no lifespan’ is not mere emptiness or passive meditation, but the essential foundation for cultivating all good conduct. By not clinging to the notions of giver and receiver, virtuous actions can transcend worldly merit and become pure enlightenment.
The Dialectical Deconstruction of Good Conduct: The good conduct spoken of by the Tathagata is ultimately a skillful means. If one clings to a fixed, eternal notion of 'goodness,' one falls again into the trap of conceptual labels.

Case Study: The Volunteer Practicing Selfless Giving

Imagine a volunteer serving in a disaster zone. If they harbor the thought, 'I am a noble helper, he is a pitiful recipient,' this reflects a sense of superiority and inferiority (self and other). But in practicing equanimity, the volunteer sees the recipient as sharing the same enlightened essence. Giving becomes like cleaning dirt off one hand with the other—natural and without expectation of reward. This is 'cultivating all good conduct without self.'

Original Text

‘Furthermore, Subhuti, all phenomena are equal, without distinction of superior or inferior. This is called Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi. By practicing all good conduct without abiding in self, others, beings, or lifespan, one attains Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi.’—This passage reveals the key to enlightenment: the unity of a pure mind and active practice.

QUESTION 1

According to the sutra, what is the core quality of Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi?

Supernatural powers, surpassing all beings

All phenomena are equal, without distinction of superiority or inferiority

Detached from the world, not cultivating good conduct

Accumulating fame, achieving merit

QUESTION 2

How can one truly 'attain' Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi?

By winning through competition and debate

Simply sitting in stillness, without action

By practicing all good conduct without abiding in self, others, beings, or lifespan

Clinging to the conceptual labels of 'good conduct' in practice

QUESTION 3

What lesson does the phrase 'Good conduct, though said by the Tathagata to be not good conduct, is called good conduct' teach us?

Good conduct fundamentally does not exist, so there is no need to practice it

After doing good deeds, one should immediately boast to others

While doing good deeds, one should maintain a clear and open mind, free from attachment to labels

Distinguishing who truly deserves help

QUESTION 4

Equanimity is the fundamental remedy for which two psychological extremes?

Greed and delusion

Arrogance and self-deprecation

Fear and anger

Pursuit of fame and profit

QUESTION 5

What was Ananda’s main role in the Vajra Sutra?

The primary questioner

The recorder and transmitter

The Buddha's critic

The representative of secular power