Diamond Sutra

Section 26  of Diamond Sutra 

By Buddha (maybe)
All conditioned phenomena,
Are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow,
Like dew or a flash of lightning;
Thus we shall perceive them.

       The author of this poem is presumed to be Buddha, he founder of the Buddhism. This poem compares all phenomena with things written in water. In other words, the matters are temporary and vulnerable. The second line compares phenomena as a dream, an illusion, a bubble and a shadow, which are unreal. The third line compares phenomena as dew and a flash of lightning, which are vemporary. By showing that the entire outside world is fake and temporary, the poem implies that only our inner senses are real and permanent. If the authorship is identified correctly, then this poem was composed 2500 years ago. At that time, the Indian people were living in severe poverty and suffering from hunger, diseases, and death.[1] Buddha was born an Indian prince and grew up happily. However, in his late 20s, he was shocked by the miseries that Indian people were experiencing. After a long time of ascetic life, he suddenly awakened and realized that all spiritual sufferings were originated from material desires. Thus, he contended that human beings should renunciate their material needs.[2] In this poem, he was trying to convince the audiences that all phenomena were temporary and vulnerable and as a result, man should not pursue this kind of stuff. In my point of view, the most crucial necessity for humans are enough food, which sustains our lives. The second best might be painkillers, which can be used to ease our struggling spirits. This poem tries to alleviate our pains by using similes to show that all conditioned phenomena were not important. Readers would feel much better, if they believe that what torment them are not important. In modern days, the sentiment of “all phenomena are temporary” is still instructive for us as well. Because it seems that many people are still trying their best to pursue money, success, and indulgence. No matter whether they get what they want or not, it’s likely that they would not keep away from sufferings. Because once they get, they want more; once they don’t, they get hurt. This poem helps us free ourselves from our endless material desires, which might evoke endless spiritual pains. 

[1] Gethin. Rupert, The Foundations of Buddhism, OUP Oxford, 1998, p. 21.
[2] Anderson. Carol , Pain and Its Ending: The Four Noble Truths in the Theravada Buddhist Canon, Routledge, 1999, p.185.

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