8th Issue (June, 2008)

The Heart of Diamond Sūtra

K.S. Chow

Dharma, not dharma and still dharma
Three-fold truth of
three contemplations in one mind
The contemplation of illusion
Followed by contemplation of Emptiness
consummated with Middle View
treading on the middle path

Relinquishing the four signs
Sign of self
Sign of person
Sign sentient beings
Sign of life span
Ceasing reification of all objects

Perceiving the illusion of multiplicity
Entrance into the door of non-duality
Transcending perceiver and the perceived
Manifesting the Dharma-dhātu
Not to dwell upon the five aggregates
Not to reify or objectify all beings or phenomena

Obliterating self or ego
the wise performs all actions
without grasping
culminating in non-action of all actions
Manifest of signless apprehension
This is non-dwelling in everything
This is the silence of the mind -
the true nirvāṇic mind

Nirvāṇa is
The mind of Tathāgata-garbha
The innermost Dharma-dhātu of Man
It is our original home
concealed by the cankers or defilements of
greed, hatred, delusion, pride and jealousy

The death of self-ego
indicating the birth of a Perfect Man
This is genuine salvation or emancipation
sought by all genuine religious beings of all denominations
traversing from this shore to other shore beyond
The noble quest is consummated