"Subhuti, suppose a bodhisattva took as many jewels as would fill worlds as numerous as the sand grains in the Ganges River and gave them in charity. Now suppose someone else knew the selflessness of all things and attained tolerance; this bodhisattva would surpass the blessings attained by the former bodhisattva.
"Why? Subhuti, it is because bodhisattvas do not accept blessings. Subhuti, the blessings produced by bodhisattvas are not supposed to be objects of greed and attachment; therefore it is said they no not accept blessings."[Thomas Cleary]
"Suppose, Subhuti, that a man or woman filled with the seven treasures as many galaxies as there are grains of sand in the great Ganges, and then offered them all to the Tathagatas; and suppose a Bodhisattva patiently forbore all dharmas, which in themselves have no essence. This Bodhisattvas would gain an immeasurably greater merit. And yet a Bodhisattva should gain no merit."
"But would not, Buddha," Subhuti asked, "A Bodhisattva gain much merit?"
"He would gain it, Subhuti, but he should not grasp it."
[Joshua Pritikin]
"Furthermore, Subhuti, if a noble son or daughter took as many worlds as there are grains of sand in the Ganges and covered them with the seven jewels and gave them as a gift to the tathagatas, the arhans, the fully enlightened ones, and a bodhisattva gained an acceptance of the selfless, birthless nature of dharmas, the body of merit produced as a result would be immeasurably, infinitely greater. And yet, Subhuti, this fearless bodhisattva would not obtain a body of merit."
The venerable Subhuti said, "But surely, Bhagavan, this bodhisattva would obtain a body of merit!"
The Buddha replied, "They would, Subhuti, but without grasping it. This is it called `obtaining.'"[Red Pine]
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