Four

"Moreover, Subhuti, when bodhisattvas give a gift, they should not be attached to a thing. When they give a gift, they should not be attached to anything at all. They should not be attached to a sight when they give a gift. Nor should they be attached to a sound, a smell, a taste, a touch, or a dharma when they give a gift. Thus, Subhuti, fearless bodhisattvas should give a gift without being attached to the perception of an object. And why? Subhuti, the body of merit of those bodhisattvas who give a gift without being attached is not easy to measure. What do you think, Subhuti, is the space to the east easy to measure?"

Subhuti replied, "No it is not, Bhagavan."

The Budhha said, "Likewise, is the space to the south, to the west, to the north, in between, above, below, or in any of the ten directions easy to measure?"

Subhuti replied, "No it is not, Bhagavan."

The Buddha said, "So it is Subhuti. The body of merit of those bodhisattvas who give a gift without being attached is not easy to measure. Thus, Subhuti, those who set forth on the bodhisattva path should give a gift without being attached to the perception of an object." [Red Pine]

"A Bodhisattva should practice virtue without regard to appearances, unsupported by sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tactile sensations or mental attachments. A Bodhisattva should practice virtue without attachment to externals. Why? This is the way to being Buddha." [Joshua Pritikin]

"Furthermore, Subhuti, bodhisattvas should not dwell on anything as they practice charity. That means practicing charity without dwelling on forms, practicing charity without dwelling on sounds, scents, flavors, feelings, or phenomena.

"Subhuti. bodhisattvas should practice charity like this, not dwelling on appearances.

"Why? Because if bodhisattvas practice charity without dwelling on appearances, the blessings are inconceivable.

"Subhuti, what do you think--is the space to the east measurable in thought?"

"No, World Honroed One."

"Subhuti, is the space to the south, to the west, or the north, or the four intermediate directions, or the zenith, or the nadir, measurable in thought?"

"No, World Honored One."

"Subhuti, the blessing of bodhisattvas' practice of charity without dwelling on appearances is also like this--it cannot be measured in thought.

"Subhuti, bodhisattvas should live as they are taught." [Thomas Cleary]