Diamond Sutra – Buddha beyond form and appearance
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.”
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