Foremost in Understanding Emptiness: The Uncontentious Life of Venerable Subhūti – Practicing Emptiness Wisdom from the Diamond Sutra to Daily Life

In the Buddha's teachings, "emptiness" (śūnyatā) is one of the most central and profound concepts. And among the Buddha's ten great disciples, there was a venerable one who, for his deep understanding and practice of emptiness, was known as "Foremost in Understanding Emptiness." He was Venerable Subhūti, a sage who conversed with the Buddha in the Diamond Sutra and integrated the wisdom of emptiness into his daily life.

The Gate of Wisdom Opened by the Diamond Sutra

Venerable Subhūti's affinity with the Buddha is most vividly displayed in the Diamond Sutra. This scripture, in the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and Subhūti, explains the true meaning of "emptiness" layer by layer, becoming a representative work of Buddhist Prajñā thought.

At the beginning of the Diamond Sutra, Venerable Subhūti asks the Buddha: "World-Honored One, if a good man or a good woman develops the mind of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, how should they abide? How should they subdue their minds?" This question goes directly to the core of practice: How to settle the mind that seeks supreme enlightenment? How to subdue the afflictions and deluded thoughts of the mind?

The Buddha's answer is simple yet profound: "One should give rise to a mind that abides in nothing." This sentence has become the essence of the Diamond Sutra and indeed of all Mahayana Buddhism. It tells us that true practice is not about finding a fixed place to settle our minds, nor is it about forcefully suppressing our afflictions. It is about "abiding in nothing," not clinging to anything, including our own thoughts.

"Abiding in nothing" does not mean doing nothing. It means facing everything with an open, inclusive, and non-attached mind. When our minds are no longer bound by anything, we can truly give rise to the pure Bodhi mind and can perceive the true nature of all dharmas as they are.

In the Diamond Sutra, Venerable Subhūti constantly asks the Buddha questions, and the Buddha answers them one by one. Their dialogue is like a clash of wisdom, guiding us step by step into the profound mystery of emptiness.

The Samādhi of Non-Contention: Peace and Ease in Emptiness

Venerable Subhūti not only understood emptiness theoretically but, more importantly, he integrated the wisdom of emptiness into his practice and life. He cultivated the "samādhi of non-contention" and found true peace and ease in emptiness.

The "samādhi of non-contention" is not simply not arguing with people, but a deeper state of mind. It means that through the realization of emptiness, the practitioner has completely let go of attachment to "self" and "dharma," and there are no more conflicts or oppositions in the mind.

In the "samādhi of non-contention," the practitioner can view all beings with an equal mind, without distinctions of intimacy or aversion. He can tolerate everything, accept everything, and not create opposition with any person, matter, or thing.

Because Venerable Subhūti practiced the "samādhi of non-contention," he never argued with people about right and wrong, and never cared about gains and losses. He always maintained a peaceful mind and treated all beings with compassion.

This "non-contention" is not weakness or avoidance, but a transcendence based on the wisdom of emptiness. It is a more positive and powerful attitude towards life. Because when we are no longer moved by external disturbances, we can see the essence of things more clearly and solve problems more effectively.

Emptiness and Giving: The True Meaning of Giving Without Marks

Venerable Subhūti's understanding of giving also reflects his deep realization of emptiness. He believed that true giving should be "giving without marks."

"Giving without marks" means that when giving, one is not attached to the object of giving, the item given, or the act of giving itself. In other words, we should not give with the thought, "I am giving," "I gave this much," or "I gave to whom."

Because if we still have the attachment of "I" and a discriminating mind when we give, then this giving is not true giving; it will still bring affliction and bondage.

True giving should be to let go of all discrimination and attachment and to benefit all beings with a pure mind. This kind of giving is the most supreme and perfect giving, which can truly accumulate merit and lead to liberation.

Emptiness and Patience: A Mind as Thusness, Unmoving

Venerable Subhūti's spirit of "non-contention" is also reflected in his practice of patience. He could endure all insults and grievances without ever holding a grudge.

Once, a non-Buddhist deliberately made trouble for Venerable Subhūti, insulting and slandering him. Venerable Subhūti did not get angry, nor did he retort. He silently endured the other's attacks.

The non-Buddhist, seeing that Venerable Subhūti had no reaction, was very surprised and asked him, "Why don't you argue back? Didn't you hear what I said?"

Venerable Subhūti calmly replied, "I heard, but I will not let your words shake my mind. Your insults are like the wind blowing through empty space; they have no effect on me."

Venerable Subhūti's patience was not weakness or submission, but a transcendence based on the wisdom of emptiness. He understood that all external insults and slanders are just illusory phenomena with no real substance. As long as our minds are not shaken by these phenomena, we can maintain inner peace and tranquility.

The Life of Emptiness: The Application of Wisdom

Venerable Subhūti applied the wisdom of emptiness to all aspects of his life. His eating, sleeping, walking, and speaking were all filled with the spirit of emptiness.

When he ate, he was not picky about the food, nor did he crave delicious dishes. He simply treated eating as a way to sustain life, not to satisfy his palate.

When he slept, he was not attached to a comfortable bed, nor did he crave the enjoyment of sleep. He simply treated sleep as a way to restore his energy, not to escape reality.

When he walked, he was not rushed or restless, nor did he look around. He simply focused on each step in the present moment, feeling every movement of his body.

When he spoke, he did not lie, use frivolous words, slander, or use harsh language. He only spoke true, direct, gentle, and harmonious words.

Every word and action of Venerable Subhūti embodied the wisdom of emptiness. He looked at everything with the eye of emptiness, treated everything with the mind of emptiness, and attained true freedom and liberation in emptiness.

Conclusion: Entering Emptiness, Living in Ease

The life of Venerable Subhūti is a perfect demonstration of the wisdom of "emptiness." From his dialogue in the Diamond Sutra, he grasped the true meaning of emptiness. In his practice of the "samādhi of non-contention," he realized the state of emptiness. He integrated the wisdom of emptiness into his daily life, such as giving and patience, and lived a life of liberated ease.

The story of Venerable Subhūti inspires us: emptiness is not a distant, abstract concept, but a wisdom that can be implemented in daily life. As long as we are willing to learn and practice, we can, like Venerable Subhūti, enter into emptiness and live in ease. Let us take Venerable Subhūti as our model, learn the wisdom of emptiness, practice a life of non-contention, and ultimately walk towards the perfection and liberation of life.