There Is Nothing To Attach To

Contemplating cessation (the fourth noble truth) is difficult because there is no concrete object of contemplation. It is, therefore, essential to contemplate the path that leads to the cessation of suffering. Contemplating the path means that you persist on the practice path in accordance with the three studies of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. There are people who think of themselves as great practitioners. They point to the number of years they have practiced and the experiences they have had. However, if their practice is not in accordance with these three studies, it cannot be considered Buddhist practice.

Unless you are fully enlightened, suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path still exist for you. Only when you experience genuine wisdom do the four noble truths reveal themselves as being empty and illusory. That is wisdom without outflows.

With the line "There is no wisdom and no attainment," the Heart Sutra goes one step further and removes attachment to wisdom itself. If you think that generating wisdom eliminates suffering, then you are still attached to the idea of wisdom. The Heart Sutra's intent is to remove all attachments from your mind, step by step. Most people cannot let go of one thing unless they have already grasped something else. The Heart Sutra speaks to this habit, and systematically removes all sources of attachment, until there is nothing left to attach to.

~Chan Master Sheng Yen, in There Is No Suffering