“You should therefore truly listen, Subhuti, and consider this well”. Listening is the first skill in the contemporary world of psychotherapy. To listen truly is not just to give ears carelessly or superficially, but to be attentive with all one’s mind, all one’s body. A good listener is someone who leans forward and looks the speaker in the eyes, nods his head in approval at agreeable points, ask questions when necessary and summarizes in his/her own words what was heard to confirm good understanding of the speaker’s intent. A good listener must be an understanding, emotional person. It is not surprising that in the Diamond Sutra, Subhuti, an arahant, who already attained the “no-rebirth” status, was still moved to tears! The word “truly” here also has the meaning of “examining/ scrutinizing thoroughly”, not just listening and trusting absent-mindedly. When we study Buddhism, it is interesting to note that the Buddha never imposed the teachings. He always said we must not believe immediately, but instead have to analyse, test and experience what He said for ourselves.

If we pay further attention still, we will see that the Buddha is speaking personally to Subhuti and only to him. “I shall tell you…” the Buddha said, which means “I shall not tell this to anyone else, because you are the one who knows how to ask important and ultimate questions. So I’ll tell only to you. Good men and women who want to achieve enlightenment should do things like this…like this”…

Just imagine how all of us would be attentive in this situation, how we all would prick up our ears in that forum! Everybody suddenly become astute eavesdroppers! Eavesdropping is a good way to… learn! The 6th patriarch Hue Nang naturally eavesdropped upon entering the temple, while daily pounding rice, cutting wood and cooking meals. Thanks to that, he immediately recognized that “fundamentally there is not a single thing” (Bổn lai vô nhất vật), while others remains lost in their quest. In classical text, when there is something secretive, private to share, one would say “This is how you do it … like this….” and that invites curiosity. Is that a special strategy the Buddha adopted to teach the Diamond Sutra? Are the Buddha and Subhuti playing their roles in the very modern participatory method?

Subhuti grinned widely: “Yes, yes, I very much wish to hear!”


https://thuvienhoasen.org/p26a22801/...ds-on-the-path