The Diamond Sūtra

2. Where should practitioners abide mentally, and how should they control their thoughts?

時長老須菩提在大衆中。卽從座起、偏袒右肩、右膝著地 合掌恭敬而白佛言、希有世尊。如來善護念諸菩薩。善付囑諸菩薩。世尊、善男子善女人。發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心、應云何住,云何降伏其心。佛言、善哉善哉。須菩提、如汝所說。如來善護念諸菩薩、善付囑諸菩薩。汝今諦聽、當爲汝說。善男子、善女人。發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。應如 是住如是降伏其心。唯然世尊、願樂欲聞。

The elder Subhūti, who was in the great assembly, then arose from his seat, stood up, bared his right shoulder, kneeled down with his right knee, clasped his hands together and respectfully addressed the Buddha, saying: "How rare is the World Honored One! The Tathāgata is well mindful of all the bodhisattvas; he keeps them well in his fold.World Honored One, when good sons and good daughters seek peerless perfect enlightenment, in what should they abide, and how should they subdue their thoughts?"

The Buddha said, "Excellent! Excellent! Subhūti, it is as you have said. The Tathāgata is well mindful of all the bodhisattvas, and is skilful at keeping them in his fold. Now you listen well, and I shall explain it for you."

"If good sons and good daughters would like to arouse the mind of peerless perfect enlightenment, they should abide like this and subdue their thoughts like this."

The Venerable Subhūti said: "Yes, please do so, World Honored One. We are listening with great anticipation."

The Diamond Sūtra

1. Convocation of the Assembly

如是我聞。一時佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。與大比丘衆千二百五十人倶。爾時世尊食時著衣持缽入舍衛大城乞食。於其城中次第乞已。還至本處飯食訖。收衣缽如是我聞。一時佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。與大比丘衆千二百五十人倶。爾時世尊食時著衣持缽入舍衛大城乞食。於其城中次第乞已。還至本處飯食訖。收衣缽洗足已敷座而坐。

Thus I have heard. Once, the Buddha was staying in the Jetavana Grove in Śrāvastī with a community of 1250 monks. Then, at mealtime, the World Honored One put on his robe, took his bowl, and went into the great city of Śrāvastī to seek alms food, going from house to house within the city. Finishing, he returned home and took his meal. He then put away his robe and bowl, washed his feet, arranged his seat, and sat down.

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