Why Does the Diamond Sutra State That the Merit of a Bodhisattva’s Non-Abiding Dāna Is Inconceivable?

Here, "appearances" refer to the appearances of the six dusts (objects of sense perception): form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma. When Bodhisattvas practice giving, they do not dwell on the appearances of form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma, nor are they attached to these appearances. Their minds are empty of these appearances, and when giving, they abide in the threefold purity of giving (giving without giver, receiver, or gift). They do not discriminate based on the recipient's gender, age, status (noble or lowly), wealth (rich or poor), power, position, or appearance. They do not distinguish whether the recipient is an enemy or a relative, but give equally. They do not calculate or dwell on which individuals' giving might bring them desired benefits, nor do they harbor expectations for any return in the form of the appearances of the six dusts, or wealth, sensual pleasures, fame, food, and sleep. They do not consider the value or worthiness of the items given. Wherever there is a need, they give unconditionally, without calculation or discrimination.

Those who can abandon all appearances, remain unattached to all appearances, and practice giving with the threefold purity possess vast minds. They are no longer ordinary people; their minds are empty, transcending the ordinary. They are truly great-hearted Bodhisattvas, endowed with profound wisdom of the empty nature of appearances. They are individuals of great merit and virtue. After great acts of giving, their wisdom and merit-virtue advance further. The blessings of empty wisdom are immeasurable and unrestricted; the merit and virtue obtained are boundless, limitless, and inconceivable. The extent of the merit and virtue attained corresponds directly to the vastness of the mind; merit and virtue are proportional to the mind's capacity, mutually supporting and enhancing each other. However, those who give while attached to appearances have minds constrained by appearances; their minds are small, and the merit and virtue they obtain are limited. How can a small vessel contain large objects? Blessings come according to the vessel's capacity: a great vessel receives great blessings, a small vessel receives small blessings—this is inevitable. Therefore, Bodhisattvas practice giving without dwelling on appearances; their capacity is vast, their minds like empty space. The merit and virtue they obtain is like empty space itself—immeasurable, boundless, and beyond conception.