Further to the earlier part of the Sutra “Buddha beyond form and appearance” and “There is no Buddha who attained enlightenment“, this chapter further describes that real Buddha cannot be recognized by its specific 32 characteristics in appearance, and that Buddha has not taught anything.

While some Buddhist scriptures describe Buddha to have 32 characteristics in appearance, it is also a well known scenario that whenever something genuine desired thing (like luxury goods) is known to the world, counterfeit appears as wolf covers in sheep’s clothes.  Therefore, when we see a Buddha/Bodhisattva comes with matching characteristics of what the scripture describes, be extra cautous: it could be a genuine perception, or it could be a demon appearing to test you! (refer to Chinese classic fiction – Journey to the West for some example of tests).  The Buddha foresaw this and therefore warned us ahead of time not to fall prey to these unreal imagination and counterfeit.

With 40+ years of teaching on earth, the Buddha has left with us many teachings perceived in sounds, words and languages.  While sound, words and languages are convenient ways that help us improve and proceed towards truth, ultimate teachings is beyond words and no word, and is beyond the describable “something” that was transmitted between the physical Buddha and his students. Therefore, from the absolute point of view, it is wrong to say that the Buddha had taught us anything, which imply a definable Buddha taught us some limited knowledge!

Real Buddha is beyond form, and no-form;

Real truth is beyond words, and no-word.

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如法受持分第十三

ACCEPTING AND UPHOLDING THE DHARMA OF “THUSNESS”, THIRTEEN

尔时，须菩提白佛言：世尊！当何名此经？我等云何奉持？
Subhuti then asked the Buddha: World Honoured One, what name should be given to this sutra and how should we receive and hold it (in mind)?”

佛告须菩提：是经名为《金刚般若波罗蜜》，以是名字，汝当奉持。
The Buddha said:This sutra should be called ‘The Diamond prajna-paramita’ under which name you should receive and hold it.

所以者何？须菩提！
佛说般若波罗蜜，则非般若波罗蜜。是名般若波罗蜜。
“Why? Because, Subhuti,
the Prajna- paramita as expounded by the Buddha, is not Prajna- paramita but is (merely) so called.

须菩提！于意云何？如来有所说法不？
“Subhuti, what do you think Does the Tathagata expound the Dharma?”

须菩提白佛言：世尊！如来无所说。
Subhuti said: “World Honoured One, the Tathagata does not expound anything.”

* * *

须菩提！于意云何？可以三十二相见如来不？
“Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Tathagata be perceived by means of His thirty-two physical characteristics ( laksanas )?”

不也，世尊！不可以三十二相得见如来。
“’No, World Honoured One. The Tathagata cannot be perceived by them.

何以故？如来说：三十二相，即是非相，是名三十二相。
“Why? Because the Tathagata says they are not real but are (merely) called the thirty-two physical characteristics.”

Can the Buddha be seen?  Can enlightened beings been recognized by certain appearance or form?

Although there are certain descriptions of how Buddha or Bodhisattva may look, ultimately the reality and awareness of the Buddha, like the nature of the Tao depicted in Daodejing, are beyond form and descriptions.  Therefore, real Buddha is beyond form and appearance.

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如理实见分第五

GENUINE DISCERNMENT OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SUCHNESS, FIVE

须菩提！于意云何？可以身相见如来不？
“Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Tathagata be seen by means of His bodily form?”

不也，世尊！不可以身相得见如来。
“No, World Honoured One, the Tathgate cannot be seen by means of His bodily form.

何以故？
“Why?

如来所说身相，即非身相。
“Because when the Tathagata speaks of bodily form, it is not (real) form.”

佛告须菩提：凡所有相，皆是虚妄。若见诸相非相，则见如来。
The Buddha said to Subhuti: “Everything with form is unreal; if all forms are seen as unreal, the Tathagata will be perceived.”