“However many species of living beings there are – whether born from eggs, from the womb, from moisture, or spontaneously; whether they have form or do not have form; whether they have perceptions or do not have perceptions; or whether it cannot be said of them that they have perceptions or that they do not have perceptions, we must lead all these beings to nirvana so that they can be liberated. Yet when this innumerable, immeasurable, infinite number of beings has become liberated, we do not, in truth, think that a single being has been liberated. Why is this so? If, Subhuti, a bodhisattva holds on to the idea that a self, a person, a living being, or a lifespan exists, that person is not a true bodhisattva.”

When we read this passage, we must look at ourselves and ask: “Is this vow at all related to my life and the life of my community? Are we practicing for ourselves or for others? Do we only want to uproot our own afflictions, or is our determination to study and practice to bring happiness to other living beings?”

[… ]

“And when this innumerable, immeasurable, infinite number of beings has become liberated, we do not, in truth, think that a single being has been liberated. ”

This is the first flash of lighting. The Buddha goes directly to the heart of the prajñaparamita, presenting the principle of formlessness. He tells us that a true practitioner helps all living beings in a natural and spontaneous way, without distinguish between the one who is helping and the one who is being helped. [… ] There is no distinction between them.  This is the principle of interbeing – coexistence, or mutual interdependence. “This is because that is”.