The highest truth and the way to it is revealed in this chapter.  If we adopt an open mind and examine carefully what being said,  we can see that what the Buddha suggests here – cultivate selflessly all good virtues – is no different from the core message of the founders of all other world’s great religions.   Only that the Buddha describes more explicitly the structure and potential pitfall of the self in the process.  That’s why, even though in the beginning different spiritual paths might look different, as we proceed, we start to see that teachings from the all great teachers merge, support each other, and point towards the same truth.  While lower truth is limiting and controlling, higher truth is all encompassing and liberating.

When the destination is reached, of course, the definition of “good virtue” too will become redundant and is not to be attached.

For those who has followed the pathway of nothingness or negation, it is helpful to be reminded that highest enlightenment is to be brought about through selfless good virtue, not selfless no virtue!

For our mutual reminder and encouragement.

* * *

净心行善分第二十三

A PURE MIND DOES WHOLESOME DEEDS, TWENTY-THREE

复次，须菩提！

是法平等，无有高下，是名阿耨多罗三藐三菩提；

“Furthermore, Subhuti,

this Dharma is universal and impartial; therefore it is called Supreme Enlightenment.”

以无我、无人、无众生、无寿者，修一切善法，则（即）得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。

须菩提！所言善法者，如来说非善法，是名善法。

“The practice of all good virtues (Dharmas), free from attachment to an ego, a personality, a being and a life, will result in the attainment of Supreme Enlightenment.”

“Subhuti, the so-called good virtues (Dharmas), the Tathagata says, are not good, but are (expediently) called good virtues.”