8th Translation of One Thought Traveller's articles :)

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5b4d23f60102e0eu.html

于彼无相处,安稳又安稳
(2012-03-29 09:34:55)

At That Place of No-Form, It is Calm and Steady.

问:真心和妄心是什么关系?真心有哪些性质或者说真心有哪些功能呢?

Question: What is the relation between True Mind and False Mind? What characteristics/nature does True Mind have, or what kind of functions does the True Mind have?

1
不管真心妄心,反正人人只有一心。分真分妄,正是妄想之一。

1. No matter True or False Mind, anyway all men only have one mind. Discriminating between true and false is a form of delusional thinking.

2
妄心是什么?你所之思维运动、想三想四等皆是它;真心在哪里?凡你能找到的皆是妄心,不见它的踪影。

2. What is False Mind? Whatever thought movements, thinking this and that, is it; Where is True Mind? Whatever you are able to find are false mind, (you) do not see a trace of it.

3
离开妄心之外没有一个独立的真心。妄心真心相待而言,为除众生疑故,众佛菩萨假设施名句,立真以息妄,教人清净解脱。

3. Apart from false mind there is no independent true mind. False mind and true mind are spoken in dependence on each other, for the purpose of removing sentient beings’ doubts, the various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas established false names, established the True/Real to extinguish the False, teaching people about the tranquil liberation.

4
心不居停在身心的任何一处,但也不离它任何一处。于色身之中,小如微尘之细胞,其亦有觉;于妄心之内,状如无影之受念,心亦能知。

4. Mind does not reside at any spot of the body and mind, yet it also isn’t separate from any spot of it. Amidst the physical body, even a cell as tiny as a micro-dust, that also has awareness; in the false mind, even if a thought or feeling is shaped like tracelessness (formless?), the mind is still able to know.

5
心没有任何形象,任何所感受到它,若光若明,若动若静,若大若小,若周若遍等,皆不是其相。

5. Mind does not have any image, whatever that can be felt, whatever/whether the brilliance, movement, quiescence, large or small, all-pervasiveness etc, are not its image.

6
一切法无形象,心也不例外;一切法皆缘起,心也不例外。

6. All dharmas are without image, mind is also likewise; all dharmas are dependently arisen, mind is not otherwise.

7
一切见闻觉知,皆是真心之功能;一切思维举动,皆是妄心之现形。

7. All seeing, hearing, perceiving and knowing, are the functions of True Mind; all thoughts and movements are the revelations of false mind.

8
不要立真心为主,真心并不真;不要弃妄心为奴,妄心即是真心。

8. Do not establish True Mind as the Master, True Mind is not True/Real; do not discard the false mind as slave, False Mind is the True Mind.

9
不管真心是什么、叫什么或怎么样,它离不开五蕴;离开五蕴后没有一个叫心的东西——不管真心还是妄心。

9. No matter what True Mind is, or what it is called or what is it like, it is not apart from the five aggregates; apart from the five aggregates there is nothing that could be called mind – regardless whether it is True Mind or False Mind.


10
莫管它真心妄心,但去悟一切法无我,一切人无我,于诸法无我处,涅槃寂静。

10. Do not care about True Mind/False Mind, but go and realize that all dharmas are empty of self, all person/subject are empty of self, and at the no-self of all dharmas, (attain) Nirvana quiescence.

11
实证三法印,解佛之妙心;于彼无相处,安稳又安稳。

11.  Verify the three dharma seals, understand the marvelous mind of Buddha; at that place of no-form, it is calm and steady.


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Comments:

Today I wrote in Dharma Connection, "Citta (Mind) is not an entity but a process, and does not exist apart from the aggregates, nor does it exist apart from dependent origination (be it the afflicted twelve links of D.O. or the general D.O. that applies to both tainted and untainted experience). There is no citta apart from specific mental experience, and although mind is primordially pure this is only actualized by the insight of anatta since the sense of self would prevent the direct seeing of what mind actually is in its direct immediacy and purity."

Also,
Venerable Hui-Feng nicely explained the difference between the view of "atman" and "mindstream" (as taught by Buddha) in the Dharmawheel forum:

"In short:

"self" = "atman" / "pudgala" / "purisa" / etc.
--> permanent, blissful, autonomous entity, totally unaffected by any conditioned phenomena

"mind" = "citta" / "manas" / "vijnana" / etc.
--> stream of momentarily arising and ceasing states of consciousness, thus not an entity, each of which is conditioned by sense organ, sense object and preceding mental states

Neither are material.

That's a brief overview, lot's of things to nit pick at, but otherwise it'll require a 1000 page monograph to make everyone happy.

You'll need to study up on "dependent origination" (pratitya-samutpada) to get into any depth to answer your questions."


Update:

V. said, "I don't really resonate with True Mind and False Mind ... it is a little bit confusing when he is saying
"All seeing, hearing, perceiving and knowing, are the functions of True Mind; all thoughts and movements are the revelations of false mind."

If one studies the mind sees it is not like that... But this is my perception, i don't agree with diving the mind in "true" and "false"...."

I replied, "The point though, is that true mind and false mind are just convenient conventional designations, in the end "False Mind is the True Mind.", true mind is not real (it is empty of self or substance), and true mind is not other than dependently originated aggregates."

7th Translation of One Thought Traveller's articles :)

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5b4d23f60102e0fs.html

八正道:出离幻化缠绕的一条直路

(2012-03-30 13:14:57)

问:道家似乎很强调打坐修气脉、结丹,如此方能提升,**上师也很强调能量要够才能让神识出来,这才是修的第一步。可是禅宗强调直指人心见性成佛,是否就跨过了气脉、能量、结丹这些过程?还是自然存在这个过程呢?

The Noble Eightfold Path: Direct Path for Departing from Illusory Entanglements
(2012-03-30 13:14:57)

Question: The Taoists seems to emphasize on sitting meditation in order to cultivate the energy channels, forming the elixir, and in this way one progresses to higher levels. ** Guru also emphasizes very much that one must have enough energy before one could let the mind consciousness come out, and this is only the first step of cultivation. However the school of Zen emphasizes on directly pointing out Mind and becoming Buddha, does this leap over the process of energy channels, energy, forming the elixir? Or does this process naturally exists?

1

阎浮提众生,根性不同,修同一 名相法门,所修不同。为什么呢?因为对同一概念理解不同。例如,神识——有人是修神识的,那么,什么是神识?如何修?神识是一个独立的事物,还是并无真 体、仅是诸缘和合假影?神识能出能入、能来能去吗?在做有关神识的修行之前,若不先了解这些问题,那么修行将陷入不正确的作为。

1. The sentient beings of Jambudvipa (the southern continent in Indian cosmology – where we’re at) have varying root faculties. Although we may practice a single dharma door in name, what one cultivates are different. Why is this so? This is because what we understand with regards to a single concept are different. For example, mind-consciousness – some people are cultivating mind-consciousness, then, what is mind-consciousness? How do we cultivate it? Is mind-consciousness an independent thing, or is it without any real substance and purely an illusory appearance out of the coming together of various conditions? Can mind-consciousness go out and come in, can it come and go? Before cultivating anything with relation to the mind-consciousness, if we do not understand these issues, our cultivation will sink into incorrect action.

神识说白了就是意识——不管六 识七识八识,还是一二三四五识。因为我们的意识能变能现,神通无比,故称神,曰为神识。那么,如果神识就是意识,意识是修出来的吗?很显然,你修不修,它 就在那里。一切万法,不假修行,皆在彼处,法住法位。所谓修行,只是认出,认出诸法实相,解脱它对你的束缚,获取人生自由的。若你不能认识到这点,那么修 行反倒变成了缠缚。你修什么物,什么物就变成你的主,而你变成了它的奴隶;你修什么法,什么法是了你的主人,而你成了它的家奴。

The spirit-consciousness spoken plainly is the mind-consciousness – no matter whether it is the sixth consciousness, or seventh consciousness or the eighth consciousness, or the first, second, third, fourth and fifth consciousness. Because our mind-consciousness
can transform and manifest, its spiritual abilities are unparalleled, therefore it is called “spirit/god/divine”, therefore it is known as “spirit/god/divine consciousness”. Therefore, if this spirit-consciousness is mind-consciousness, is the mind-consciousness something that is the result of cultivation? Very evidently, regardless of whether you are cultivating or not cultivating, it is there. All ten thousand dharmas, without contrived practices, are at that place, the dharmas abide in their dharma position. Whenever you cultivate anything, that thing becomes your master, and you become its slave; no matter what dharma you cultivate, that dharma becomes your master, and you become its family bondservant.

所以,了解事物的实相,是真正 的修行。除此之外,皆是往头脑的深处去而不是往外来;如此,你又将卷入自己头脑创造的新故事了。在故事中千修万修,即使有所境界,也是虚假,不得解脱,最 终是枉费功夫;那样,如同猫在和自己造就的影子玩一样。神识不用你修,它本在那里。它不出不入,不来不去。看起来的出入来去,皆是幻影。那“出”去的肯定 是幻象,并且连那“出”也是假象。

Therefore, understanding the truth/reality of all things, is the true/correct practice. Anything else other than this is to walk into the deep reaches of the brain (i.e. entering into discursive thoughts) and not coming out of it; thereupon, you will again be drawn into the brain’s newly created stories.

意识如同镜子,镜像于镜子怎么 能出能入呢?镜子里有像,并不是有像“飞入”了镜子;镜子中无像,也并不是像又从镜子里“飞走”了。而镜子本身,也并无来去。因此,我们的神识没有个来 去。如果你认真深观的话,你会认识到,神识并没有独立的自体,诸缘和合才有神识。因为本没有独立的神识存在,所以谈论神识来去生灭等,皆成戏论了。

Mind-consciousness is just like a mirror, how can the reflection and the mirror be able to leave or enter? When the mirror has reflections, it is not that the reflection “flew into” the mirror; when the mirror does not have reflection, it is not the case that the reflection “flew out” from the mirror. As for the mirror itself, there is also no coming nor going. Therefore, our spirit/mind-consciousness does not have a coming or going. If you seriously contemplate, you will realize that spirit/mind-consciousness does not have any independent self-substance, there is spirit/mind-consciousness only when there is the coming together of conditions. Because there is originally no existence of an independent spirit/mind-consciousness, therefore discussing the coming and going, arising and cessation of spirit/mind-consciousness is simply mental proliferation.

我“修”神识,一是认识神识缘起自性空的本质,二是分辨净识染识,安于永不被染的净识,朝起暮睡,行住坐卧,于无所染中和光同尘。不关身体,不关能量,不关丹田。有身体处无身体,于能量中无能量,真心才是大丹田,我于此中结深缘。

When I “practice” spirit/mind-consciousness, firstly it is to recognise that spirit/mind-consciousness is dependently arisen and empty in nature, secondly it is to distinguish pure consciousness from defiled consciousness, and rest in the ever undefiled pure consciousness, upon rising up in the early morning from our sleep, during walking, standing, sitting and sleeping, within that non-defilement one merges with the brilliance and becomes one with the dust. This has nothing to do with body, energy, or dantien. At the place of the body, there is no body, in the midst of energy there is no energy, only true mind is the true dantien, I have deep affinity in this.

2

再说说身体。我以总相智,观身 体及世间万物,不见身体及万物,只见微尘;再观之,连微尘相也不见。我们的身体,以菩萨眼观之,是由无数无量微尘、极微尘,经由无数无量缘起、再缘起和合 而成。六地以上菩萨观之,只见微尘不见身体;再以甚深眼观之,微尘相也没有,唯有空相,唯识所显。

Let’s talk about the body. When I, with the wisdom that correctly understands the essence of the universe, contemplate/observe the body and the ten thousand things in the world, I do not conceive of a body or various ten thousand things, I only see micro-dust; upon further contemplation/observing, I also stop conceiving of the appearance of micro-dust. Our body when viewed with the eye of the Bodhisattva, is the result of countless and limitless dependent arising and formed in the aggregation of dependent origination through countless and limitless micro-dusts. The view of the Bodhisattva of the sixth bhumi and above, sees only micro-dusts but does not conceive of a body; and with further deep contemplation, there is not even the micro-dusts appearance, there is only empty-appearance, appearing due to consciousness only.

我们若能了解到这些,即知气脉、能量、丹田等是何物了。从实相上说,实有的身体尚且不可得,何况依据于身体而有的其他呢?若你以为身体实有,并在身体上作修作行(并不是不照顾它),千生万世,你的凡心只能递相缠绕,出离生死不能。

If we can understand all these, we shall know what exactly are those energy channels, energy, dantien etc. Speaking from truth’s perspective, the body is ungraspable/not-obtainable, let alone the other things that arise dependent on the body? If you think the body is really existent, and therefore practice based on that body (not that you aren’t taking care of it), then after a thousand births and ten thousand lifetimes, your ordinary mind will only be mutually entwined, unable to depart from birth and death.

于之解脱修行,身体不可执,意 识不可执。为什么呢?一、从实相法上讲,它们皆无常,它们皆无我。执著无常终将败坏之物,并在其之上要这要那,必将枉费功夫;如同在沙堡上雕龙雕马,并要 使它们常住一样。执无我之体而为实有,并就此谈这论那,必如玩笑;如同讲说石女子的儿子,高矮、胖瘦、大小一样。二、你若执著那些事物,决定不能完全解 脱。

As for liberation and practice, the body cannot be grasped, mind-consciousness cannot be grasped. Why is this? 1) From the perspective of the dharma of truth, they are all impermanent, they are all empty of self. Attaching to phenomena that are impermanent and eventually coming into decline, and desiring this and that over it, is surely a waste of time and energy; just like carving dragons and horses on sandcastles and wanting them to abide permanently. Attaching to what is without substance of self as really existing, and discussing this and that, is just like playing a joke; it is just like saying the son of a barren (stone) woman is tall or short, fat or thin, big or small. 2) If you attach to those events and phenomena, you will surely not be able to be completely liberated.

修行如果你要那样做,修身修神,炼意炼识,只如宝珠在南,欲取却往北走一样,终将无结果。因此,去认识诸法实相,是修行的重点。

If you want to practice in that way, practising body, practising spirit, cultivating mind and
cultivating consciousness, that would be like the precious pearl being at the south, yet walking towards the north, in the end there will be no result. Therefore, go and realize the truth of all dharmas, that is the key point about practice.

3

于诸修行解脱中,禅宗的教法干净利索,被许多上智利根人所欢喜。于之出离生死解脱,也确是直路。禅宗的教法,常被描述为:“直指人心,见性成佛。”

3.

Among all the practices and liberation, the teaching method of the Zen school is the quickest and cleanest, it is liked by many people with superior wisdom and sharp faculties. For liberating from birth and death, it is indeed a direct/straight path. The Zen school’s teaching method is often described as: “Directly pointing to Mind, realizing one’s nature and attaining Buddhahood.”

那么,禅德们所指向的人心是什么呢?所见到的性又是何物呢?以我此时见,大德们所指的人心是指“不动心”。不动心,又名“真心”、“直心”、“无心之心”、 “觉心”、“菩提心”、 “净识”、“净土”、“大圆镜智”等。为什么要认出它呢?认出它,足以出离百千万劫亿的生灭苦恼。如果有修行者能够认出它,这已经不容易了;若再能常安于它,将得到巨大的利益。但即使是这颗心,也不能执著它;执著它,仍然不能彻底出离生死。还必须进一步见性,见什么性呢?

In that case, what is the “Mind” that the virtuous people of Zen are talking about? What is the “nature” that they have realized? Based on what I know now, the Mind that great virtuous men were pointing to is “unmoving mind”. Unmoving mind, is also called “True Mind”, “Straight/Direct Mind”, “The Mind of No-Mind”, “Awareness Mind”, “Bodhi Mind”, “Pure Consciousness”, “Pure Land”, “The Great Perfect Mirror Wisdom” etc. Why should we recognise it? Recognizing it is enough to depart from the billions of kalpas of arising and ceasing suffering. If a practitioner is able to recognise it, this is already not easy; if one is further able to constantly abide in it, one will obtain enormous benefits. However even this mind should not be attached to, if we are attached to it, we will still be unable to thoroughly leave behind birth and death. One still needs to go a further step and realize one’s nature, what nature is to be realized?

见一切法无自性。如果我们的心也被看作,如同桌子、板凳、茶杯等一样东西的话,那么它是一颗明明晃晃的无体神灯。认识到这神灯虽然获得了极大的利益,但执著它却不可。因为:一、首先它不是诸法实相的终极之物,它之形相不能代表诸法实相,或说不是诸法实相本身;二、执著它有自性,亦必招大生死判官——断灭空。所以,是心不可执,有执必有恼。诸心不执时,才乃出生死。

Realize that all dharmas are without self-nature. If our Minds are being seen as objects similar to tables, stools, teacups etc, then it is a bodiless, gleaming and shining divine lamp. Even though recognising this divine lamp will result in enormous benefits, still it should not be attached to. This is because: 1) It is not the ultimate truth of all things, its appearance does not represent the truth of all phenomena, or in other words it is not the truth of all phenomena itself; 2) Attaching to it as having self-nature would certainly beckon upon
the judge of birth and death – the void of annihilation. Therefore, this mind cannot be attached to, if there are attachments there will be suffering. When all minds are not attached to, only then can one come out of birth and death.

修行者认识到这颗明明晃晃的真心,其实连四地菩萨位还没到。只在三地——发光地。因为你还没触及到人无我。到了四地,真正认识到人无我时,这颗真心执才能放下。如果将佛教的体系比喻为一栋四层小楼的话:如果你认识到一切人无我,你来到了佛楼的第一层;如果你认识到一切法无我,你来到了佛楼的第二层;如果你再认识到,诸法虽性空但不是无,虽显有但没有实(性)——你有无不执,任运无碍,活出那个认识,那么你到了第三层;跨过这三层,那么下一步,你可以进祖师庭,入方丈室,坐如来位,做三界人天大住持了。

When a practitioner recognises this gleaming and shining true mind, it is still actually not even attaining to the fourth bhumi of the Bodhisattva (stage). It is only at the third bhumi/ground – the ground of illuminating light. (translator’s note: this is just one of the many subjective interpretations of the bodhisattva bhumis, in general the first bhumi is already said to have realized twofold emptiness, and this author also posted a different and contradictory scheme elsewhere in which the first bhumi realizes firstfold emptiness and the sixth bhumi realizes secondfold emptiness) This is because you have not touched the no-self of person/subjective self. When one reaches the fourth bhumi/ground, when one then truly realizes the no-self of person/subject, only then will one be able to let go of this true-mind. If we use a four storey building as an analogy to the Buddhist system: if you recognise that all person/subject is empty of self, you have reached the first level of the Buddha-building, if you realize that all dharmas are empty of self, you have reached the second level of the Buddha-building; if you further realize that, although all dharmas are empty they are not nothing/void, although appearing they are without any reality (nature/substance) – you are not attached to presence and absence, being in accord with conditions without obstructions, living out that understanding, then you have arrived at the third level; when you pass through these three stages, then in the next stage, you can enter the hall of the patriarchs, enter into the room of the abbot, sit on the seat of the Tathagata (Buddha), and become the great abbot of the triple worlds, men and gods.

见一切法无自性,是为见性。能见性者,是为见佛。能演义出诸法无自性(非空非非空)者,名为成佛。直指人心,大德说有;见性成佛,祖师示空。显空显有,不偏不倚,圆满佛教,实相如斯。

Seeing that all dharmas are without self-nature is to realize the nature (of all things). One who is able to realize the nature, is to see the Buddha. If we can act out (actualize/live out that understanding?) of the no self-nature of all dharmas (
not empty, not not-empty), that is to become a Buddha. Pointing directly to Mind, the great virtuous people are talking about presence; realizing the nature and becoming Buddha, the patriarchs are showing emptiness. Displaying emptiness and displaying presence, not skewing and not leaning, is the complete/perfect teaching of Buddha, the truth/reality is just so.

4

诸修行者,若能一路正修行——正见、正知、正思维、正业、正命、正精进、正禅定等,直趋入如来室,成佛解脱,必定无疑。否则,若不“正见、正知、正思维、正业、正命、正精进、正定”等,必被搁著在身体、神识,乃至气脉、能量、丹田等幻树枝叶处。生死解脱,几有出期?

4.

If all practitioners can correctly practice throughout the way – right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration, etc, entering directly into the room of the Tathagata (Buddha), there will surely be no doubts that one will become Buddha and attain liberation. Otherwise, if we do not (practice) “right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration” etc, one will be placed at (cling to?) the body, mind consciousness, or even energy channels, energy, dantien etc – various illusory tree branches and leaves. Then, when will there come a time for the liberation from birth and death?

持佛正见教导,依佛八正道而行,修行解脱是条直路。若不如此,必将曲谄缠绕,欲出葛藤窝,非是易事。一切真想解脱者,听佛说教,用正知正见熏无明心,照佛说行,出离生死苦海,超诸三界六道,有期可望,路尽处必是天堂,悟真时即是解脱。

If we practice the Buddha’s right view and teachings, rely on the Buddha’s noble eightfold path and act accordingly, practicing and liberation is a straight and direct path. If we do not do so, one will surely twine around (go around in bends, like a vine entwining a tree), and if one desires to leave the entanglements, vines and cages, it is not an easy thing. All those who truly wishes to be liberated, should listen to the teachings of the Buddha, make use of right view to smoke out the mind of ignorance, act according to what the Buddha said, depart from birth and death and the sea of suffering, transcending the triple worlds and six realms. That achievement can be seen/longed for, and at the end of the road is heaven, when realizing reality it is liberation.


缠绕一万年,解脱在瞬间,这就是真“坐脱立亡”。能真坐脱立亡者,从此不生不灭,寿同无量寿佛,真实不虚。行者且去,于诸法无我处,寂静涅槃。息了世俗见,诸佛同现前。(南无阿弥陀佛!)

Having been entwined for ten thousand years, liberation is in an instant, this is the true “dying while sitting or standing”. Those who can truly drop while sitting and standing, from then on there is no birth nor cessation, the lifespan is equal to the infinite-life Buddha (Amitabha), this is true without falsity. The practitioner goes to the no-self of all dharmas, quiescent Nirvana. Ceasing worldly views, all Buddhas together appear in front. (Namo Amitabha Buddha!)


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Comments:

I particularly liked part 3. Told Thusness about it two weeks ago. Thusness has often mentioned ever since 2004/2005 when I first knew him that, "realizing mind is not the same as seeing nature".

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9:10am
Thusness

Well written.

There was once I wrote about
this before, any idea where was it?
9:16am
AEN


(2008)

(12:31 AM) Thusness: U must also remember that 见证真心,不明空性,只是明心,并未见性 (Realizing true mind, and not understanding its empty nature, this is only realizing mind, but not seeing nature)
(12:38 AM) Thusness: 明蕴即心,即是明心 (Understanding that the aggregates are Mind, that is to understand Mind)
(12:39 AM) Thusness: 蕴随缘现,即是见性 (The aggregates manifest according to conditions, this is to see its nature)

Thusness

Should be 见蘊明心 (Seeing aggregates and realizing Mind)

.......

Geoff (Dharmawheel's Jnana) said: "
Mind (sems) can be known. It's a mere clarity and awareness (gsal rig). And it can be known through direct perception as already mentioned here, and by 5heaps here.

The nature of the mind (sems nyid) can also be known. It is recognized as the inseparability of this cognitive clarity and emptiness."
.......
One Thought Traveller also said,

真心不离缘,离缘无心显。
非为因缘造,与缘不相间。

"True Mind is not apart from conditions, departing from conditions no mind manifests. It is not created by causes and conditions, it is not alternate with conditions."

我们能够体验到的觉相——心 光,不离意识造作。若无清醒意识,即无此心此光。此心光觉相是一种净识,有善知识称它为真心,把它当作真我,作最终的归依。莫认此事。此光明心相亦是报化 佛,非法身佛。诸菩萨集居此地,求佛作祖者莫住此处。万法皆依缘起,有相无相皆无自性。本性无我,莫立我义。如此知见,方能究竟涅槃。若非如此,滞于幻化 之地。

"The Awareness-form that we are able to experience - the luminosity of mind, isn't separate from the activity of mind-consciousness. If there is no awake mental-consciousness, there will not be such mind or such brilliance. Such luminosity of mind and awareness-form is a form of pure consciousness, there are good spiritual advisors that treat it as True Mind and treat it as True Self, making it into an ultimate refuge. We should not be mistaken about this matter. This appearance of luminous mind is the Sambhogakaya Buddha, it is not the Dharmakaya Buddha. The Bodhisattva class abide in such ground, those who wish to become Buddhas and patriarches should not abide in such a place. All dharmas arise being supported by conditions, whether there is appearance or no appearance there is no self-nature. Our fundamental nature is empty of self, do not establish a view of self. With such a view, one will be able to attain ultimate Nirvana. Were it not so, one will remain stagnant in the ground of unreal illusions."


Tu-Shun

(Tu-shun (557-640), a specialist in the Hua-yen (Avatamsaka) Austra, became the first patriarch of the Hua-yen school of Chinese Buddhism. He is remembered as a monk with exceptional healing abilities who lived close to the peasants. Translation by Thomas Cleary)

Question: Things being thus, what about knowledge?

Answer: Knowledge accords with things, being in one and the same realm, made by conditions, tacitly conjoining, without rejecting anything, suddenly appearing, yet not without before and after. Therefore the sutra says, “The sphere of the universal eye, the pure body, I now will expound; let people listen carefully.” By way of explanation, the “universal eye” is the union of knowledge and reality, all at once revealing many things. This makes it clear that reality is known to the knowledge of the universal eye only and is not the sphere of any other knowledge. The “sphere” means things. This illustrates how the many things interpenetrate like the realm of Indra’s net of jewels – multiplied and remultiplied ad infinitum. The pure body illustrates how all things, as mentioned before, simultaneously enter each other. Ends and beginnings, being collectively formed by conditional origination, are impossible to trace to a basis – the seeing mind has nothing to rest on.

Now the celestial jewel net of Kanishka, or Indra, Emperor of Gods, is called the net of Indra. This imperial net is made all of jewels: because the jewels are clear, they reflect each other’s images, appearing in each other’s reflections upon reflections, ad infinitum, all appearing at once in one jewel, and in each one it is so – ultimately there is no going or coming. 



Now for the moment let us turn to the southwest direction and pick a jewel and check it. This jewel can show the reflections of all the jewels all at once – and just as this is so of this jewel, so it is of every other jewel: the reflection is multiplifed and remultiplifed over and over endlessly. These infinitely multiplying jewel reflections are all in one jewel and show clearly – the others do not hinder this. If you sit in one jewel, then you are sitting in all the jewels too. And the reverse applies to the totality if you follow the same reasoning. Since in one jewel you go into all the jewels without leaving this one jewel, so in all jewels you enter one jewel without leaving this one jewel.

Question: If you say that one enters all the jewels in one jewel without ever leaving this one jewel, how is it possible to enter all the jewels?

Answer: It is precisely by not leaving this one jewel that you can enter all the jewels. If you left this one jewel to enter all the jewels, you couldn’t enter all the jewels. Why? Because outside this jewel there are no separate jewels.

Question: If there are no jewels outside this one jewel, then this net is made of one jewel. How can you say then that it’s made of many jewels tied together?

Answer: It is precisely because there is only one jewel that many can be joined to form a net. Why? Because this one jewel alone forms the net – that is, if you take away this jewel there will be no net.

Question: If there is only one jewel, how can you speak of tying it into a net?


Answer: Tying many jewels to form a net is itself just one jewel. Why? “One” is the aspect of totality, containing the many in its formation. Since all would not exist if there were not one, this net is therefore made by one jewel. The all entering the one can be known by thinking about it in this way.

Question: Although the jewel in the southwest contains all the jewels in the ten directions completely, without remainder, there are jewels in every direction. How can you say then that the net is made of just one jewel?

Answer: All the jewels in the ten directions are in totality the one jewel of the southwest. Why? The jewel in the southwest is all the jewels of the ten directions. If you don’t believe that one jewel in the southwest is all the jewels in the ten directions, just put a dot on the jewel in the south-west. When one jewel is dotted, there are dots on all the jewels in all directions. Since there are dots on all the jewels in the ten directions, we know that all the jewels are one jewel. If anyone says that all the jewels in the ten directions are not one jewel in the southwest, could it be that one person simultaneously put dots on all the jewels in the ten directions? Even allowing the universal dotting of all the jewels in the ten directions, they are just one jewel. Since it is thus, using this one as beginning, the same is so when taking others first – multiplied over and over boundlessly, each dot is the same. It is obscure and hard to fathom: when one is complete, all is done. Such a subtle metaphor is applied to things to help us think about them, but things are not so; a simile is the same as not a simile – they resemble each other in a way, so we use it to speak of. What does this mean? These jewels only have their reflected images containing and entering each other – their substances are separate. Things are not like this, because their whole substance merges completely. The book on natural origination in the Hua-yen Sutrasays, “In order to benefit sentient beings and make them all understand, nonsimiles are used to illustrate real truth. Such a subtle teaching as this is hard to hear even in immeasurable eons; only those with perseverance and wisdom can hear of the matrix of the issue of thusness.” The sutra says, “Nonsimiles are used as similes. Those who practice should think of this in accord with the similes.”

Vairocana Buddha’s past practices
Made oceans of Buddha-fields all pure.
Immeasurable, innumerable, boundless,
He freely permeates all places.
The reality-body of the Buddha is inconceivable;
Formless, signless, without comparison,
It manifests material forms for the sake of beings.
In the ten directions they receive its teaching,
Nowhere not manifest.
In the atoms of all Buddha-fields
Vairocana manifests self-subsistent power,
Promising the thundering sound of the ocean of Buddhahood
To tame all the species of sentient beings.


Sixth translation. :)

(2012-03-27 09:46:55)

Original text:

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5b4d23f60102e0d2.html

无我:实相妙理之一
(2012-03-27 09:46:55)

No Self: One of Reality’s Marvelous Truths

问:什么是“无我”?怎么样做到“无我”?与世无争是“无我”的一种状态吗?那忘我呢?人常说的努力忘我的工作,忘我精神等是不是也是一种无我的表现形式呢?


Question: What is “no self”? How do we accomplish “no self”?  Is being in harmony with the world a kind of state of “no self”? How about forgetting self? People often say that “a job of working hard, forgetting self”, the spirit of forgetting self, etc, are these a kind of expression of no self?

1
无我是一种事实,不需要你“如何”做到它,只需要你去发现它。
1.    No Self is a fact/truth, it does not require a “how” to accomplish it, it only requires you to discover it.

2
无我跟忘我不忘我没有关系,跟出世争或不争没有关系。无我是一切事物的实相。
2.    No Self and forgetting self bears no relations, (No Self) bears no relation with being in harmony or in disharmony with the world. No Self is the truth of all things.

3
一切事物没有我性——既没有自体,也没有自相,仅具假名;但又不是没有东西存在。这就是“无我”的含义。
3.    All things do not have self-nature - it neither has self-substance nor a self-form, it is purely a false designation/name; however it also does not mean that nothing exists. That is the meaning of “no self”.

4
于法无我,可以透过如实深观见证它;于人无我,既可以透过如实深观见证它,也可以透过修行觉知验证它。
4.    As for the no-self of dharma, one could witness it through deeply contemplating things as they really are; and as for the no-self of person (subject), one could witness it through deep contemplation, and one could also verify it through practicing awareness/mindfulness.

5
无我及无我的体验,不是坐而揣想的结果,也不是深思及逻辑推理的结果,是对万事万物如实观察的结果。
5.    No-Self and the experience of No-Self is not the result of conjecture while sitting, nor is it the result of deeply thinking and engaging in logical reasoning, rather it is the result of observing/examining things as they really are.

6
一切法(事物)无我是理性的事实。诸法无我,可分为人无我和法无我。
6.    The no-self of all dharmas (things) is a rational fact. The no-self of all dharmas can be categorized as the no-self of person and the no-self of dharma.

7
万事万物没有我性(诸法无我),是三法印之一,为三世诸佛同证。
7.    The myriads of things do not have self-nature (all dharmas are without self), it is one of the three dharma seals, and all buddhas of the three times (past, present and future) bear witness to it.

8
过去、现在、未来,一切观自在菩萨,行深般若波罗蜜多时,都可以见证它。
8.    Past, present, future, all bodhisattvas that contemplate/observes freedom, while deeply contemplating on the Prajnparamita, could witness it.

9
“五蕴皆空”、“诸法空相”等,是无我的另一种表达。“五蕴皆空”不是空掉五蕴,“诸法空相”不是没有诸法,而是万法本性是空、当体是空。
9.    “The five aggregates are empty”, “All dharmas are empty appearances”, etc, are other ways of expressing no-self. “Five aggregates are empty” does not mean emptying the five aggregates, “all dharmas are empty appearance” does not mean there isn’t any dharmas, rather it means the myriad dharmas are empty in nature, are empty in essence.

10
诸行者去印证般若波罗蜜多心经,以般若波罗蜜多心经印证,皆可知“无我”实相!
10.     All practitioners that proceeded to verify the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra, by the verification of the Prajnparamita Heart Sutra they could thereby know the truth of “no-self”!

11
无我妙理,是诸法实相之一,微妙极微妙,且去行证!
11.    The marvellous principle of no-self is one of the truths of all dharmas, it is extremely subtle, one should go and realize and actualize it!
   
Someone asked what Geoff might have meant with: "Or are “seer,” “sees,” and “seen,” just three conceptual labels applied to this experience in which the three parts are entirely interdependent?" - http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.sg/2012/09/great-resource-of-buddhas-teachings.html

I said, based on the seen and the conventional designation of the seen, does seeing have that conventional designation, or a seer, as there is no seeing without the seen or a seer. They are three interdependently arisen conventional designations applied to this experience but without being actual and inherently existing realities or entities.

I was also reminded of what Thusness wrote.

The knowing is precisely the known and vice versa.
Only in ignorance does the knowing appear to co-locate with the known.
If both are realized as mere conventions that arise in dependence of the other,
Then the middle way that severs the extremes can be understood.
My fifth translation of this author. This is an article by by One Thought Traveller (2013-04-03 05:51:05)

Translated by Soh (any help in improving this translation is greatly appreciated!)

Original text: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5b4d23f60102e6tg.html

凡夫众生,几乎人人都 以为有个我,且那么真实,那么实感。但却少有人去思考“我”到底是什么?在哪里?何模样?那些思考、寻证,且如实知见的人,则都成了证悟者、觉者、大解脱 者。实际到底有没有“我”呢?如果说有,为何世间一切高僧大德、诸证悟者都说无我?如果说没有,为什么普通大众却人人感觉有个我在?

Almost all ordinary sentient beings believe that there is a self, and that is so real, it feels so real. But few people contemplate what on earth is "self" actually? Where is it? What does it look like? Those who contemplate, fish for evidence (investigate), and those who knows and sees it as it is - all of these have become realized beings, awakened beings, great liberated beings. In truth, is there any "self"? If we say that there is, why is it that all the great venerable masters and all the realized beings have said that there is no self? If we say that there isn't (a self), why is it that all ordinary people feel like there exists a self?


若想谈我,首先得确定 “我”是什么?有哪些特征?具备何性可称为我?我者须具备两点:一是恒常不变,二是能够持物主宰。具备这两点才能称我,否则凭何说我?有一样东西,如果昨 天是这样,明天是那样,后天、后年、大后年、数十年后又完全是另一个样儿,则不能说是我。何以故?我则不变,变了何再说我(不是我了嘛)?这是其一。其 二,是我则得能随心所欲,而行持事物,凡事得能当得了家作得了主,不然何故称我?考察一下我们的身与心,凡事你能当得了家作得了主吗?于身,该老时你能不 让它老吗?肚子饿时你能让它不饿吗?生病时你能不让它生病吗?于心,烦恼时你能不烦恼吗?头脑想时你能不让它想吗?贪嗔痴起时你能控制它不起吗?于身于 心,你都不能作主、掌控,也不能保持它不变,是故可知,遍寻一切,没有符合这两点的一个“我”存在。


If we wish to discuss about self, first of all we have to determine what exactly is the “self”? What characteristics does it have? What natures must it possess in order to be called a self? Self would have to possess two points: first is eternal and unchanging, second is ability to dictate/control phenomena. Only when it possesses these two points, could it be called a self, otherwise based on what are we calling it self? There is one thing, if it is like this yesterday, tomorrow it is like that, the next day, the next year, and many years later, a decade later it is completely of another state, then it cannot be said to be self. Why is it so? Self is unchanging, if it has changed why call it self again (it is no longer self already)? This is point one. The second point is, if it is I/mine then we could have things happen the way the mind desires, and hold onto events and phenomena, whatever events should be under our management and control, otherwise why call it self? As for the body, when it is time to get old can you make it not get old? When the stomach is hungry are you able to make it not get hungry? When sick, can you make it not get sick? With regards to mind, when there’s suffering can you make it not suffer? When the brain is thinking can you make it not think? When craving, anger and ignorance arise can you control it not to arise? As with body and with mind, you are unable to dictate or take control of them, nor can you hold onto them without letting them change, therefore from these we could know, having looked everywhere there is nothing that fulfils these two points in which the “self” exists.

这是从理智上找不到一个能符合上述两点的存在,故说无我。但这只是理论上的,要感性地知道无我,还需要你去实际地考察、认证,这就是修证。既然没有我,那么谁知谁觉?能思考的是谁?谁在见闻觉知、吃喝拉撒?到 这里,正是你该起疑,该去弄明白的!!到这里,即使佛陀也不会把你说明白,故有“向上一路,千圣不传”之说;不是他们不传不说,而是他们说了传了不少,只 是你不明白。因为这事非得亲见一回不可。譬如世尊咬了一口庵摩罗果(苹果),啧啧赞叹,说它的味道多么美多么好多么脆甜可口,但不管他描述得那味道再真 实、再准确、再贴切、再形象、再丰富,你还是不明白,除非你也咬上一口。这就是证道的关键和重要性!

This is the inability to find any existence that could fulfill the two points stated above through intellectual reasoning, therefore saying/concluding that there is no self. However this is only the theoretical side, if we want to understand no-self on a perceptual/experiential level, you still need to practically investigate/examine/observe and authenticate, that is cultivation and realization. Since there is no self, then who is it that knows and who is it that is aware? Who is it that is able to think? Who is seeing, hearing, awaring, eating, drinking, shitting, pissing and sleeping? Coming to this point, this is precisely where you should give rise to doubt, where you should clarify/make clear!! Coming to this point, even the Buddha is unable to make you understand through speaking, therefore there is a saying, “one road going upwards, a thousand sages does not pass down”; it is not that they do not pass down (teachings) nor speak, rather it is that they have spoken and transmitted much but it is just that you do not understand. Because this matter calls for an intimate seeing (insight). For example, the World Honoured One (Buddha) bites an Amla fruit (apple), and was profuse in his praises, saying its taste is so wonderful and so crisp, fragrant and pleasant. However no matter how realistically he narrates that taste, no matter how accurate, how apt, how vivid, how rich, you are still unable to understand it, unless you also take a bite. This is the important point and crucial key towards attaining the way!

无我之时,诸事诸物, 见闻觉知,一点没少。没有我,但能知能觉,这其中的妙味,惟自证者能知。智乃自知,非关人我。恒沙妙用,自然而出。知、做但没有一个我,在身心的背后或里 面,没有一个作者,没有一个做者,也没有一个接受者,但一切事务作业照常完成,且行事高效,不生烦恼,甚妙甚妙。无我之知,知尽一切能知;无我之用,用尽 一切能用。总之无我,具足恒沙妙德。有知,但不知上立知,只用本知,即是无我之知(智)用。譬如明镜,本来能照,能照之镜,不说我能照。若镜说我能照,即 是镜神出。镜神出时,镜失本来,入于虚妄,所见都是虚幻。若镜神不于本照之中妄生我照能照,斯即神镜本来。我们的生命就是一面神镜,其情况和这一样,理无 二致。诸君深味此喻,能否从此豁然契入?智乃自知,此中无我。无我而知,是名真知。真知之知,同于佛知。

When there is no self, not one bit of all events and all phenomena, seeing, hearing, and awaring is missing. There is no self, but there’s the ability to know, the ability to be aware, the wonderful taste of this can only be known by those who have realized this themselves. Wisdom is self-known, it has nothing to do with a personal/subjective self. The wondrous functions of the sands of ganges (meaning: countless) naturally manifests. Knowing, doing (manifest) but there is no self, in the background of the mind and body, there is no actor, there is no doer, there is no receiver/feeler, yet all works and assignments continue to be accomplished as usual, furthermore the efficiency at work is high, no longer giving rise to suffering, it is truly wonderful. The knowing of no-self, knows away all knower; the function/uses of no-self, uses up all user/function-er. In brief, no-self is replete with (countless) wondrous virtues like sands of ganges. There is knowing, but one does not impute knowing on top of knowing, that is original knowing, and that is the knowing (wisdom) functions of no-self. Like a clear mirror, is always able to reflect, but the mirror that is able to reflect does not say I am able to reflect. (Note: I'm not too sure of the following translation so please suggest any corrections where needed) If the mirror says that I am able to reflect, the mirror's energy/spirit/divinity goes out. When the mirror's energy/spirit/divinity goes out, the mirror loses its originality, enters into illusions, and whatever one sees are illusions. If the mirror's energy does not deludedly give rise to I-reflect/subject-reflector in the midst of original reflection, that is the divine mirror’s original state. Our life is just like a divine mirror, that other situation is just like this, they are not two. All who deeply tastes this explanation, can you suddenly penetrate (and see)? Wisdom knows by itself, in it there is no self. Knowing without a self, is known as true knowing. The knowing of true knowing, is the same as Buddha’s knowing/knowledge.


无我的体验并不是神秘 莫测、遥不可及,普通大众也常体验,也常进入。只是不知。例如,专注的投入工作,忘我的进入娱乐,夜晚无思无梦时等,这些时刻我去了哪里?这些都是普通大 众进入无我状态的时刻,只是他们不知,不能从中领悟本来无我有智!这些忘我的时刻,都是进入和领悟无我的契机、入口。我们通常以为,忘我就是有一个我,是 你把它暂时给忘了。如果真有一个我你忘了,谁在那个忘的状态里见闻觉知,高效精确地处理正发生的一切呢?我们忘我的体验,是领悟无我的时刻与契机之一;我 们忘我时却能见闻觉知、应对一切的那个能和知,是我们所要认识和遇见的生命之神、之光(本识、本觉)!通常,当我们感觉不到我——忘我、无我的时刻,却能 更好地服务、应对一切;而我们感觉有我时,却又事事物物当不了家作不了主。由此可知,“我”实虚幻,无我时并不是真无我,有我时并不是真有我。在那本来状 态,即不是有我,也不是无我,其实际状况,让人如何说?

The experience of no-self is not veiled in mystery, nor is it beyond reach, ordinary people often experience it, and often enter it. It is only that they do not know it. For example, when one is concentrated and fully engaged in one’s work, one forgets one’s self and enters into joy, during sleep when there is no thinking nor dreams, at those times where have the self gone to? All these are the times when ordinary people enter into the state of no-self, it is only that they do not know it, and cannot realize the wisdom of “always already no-self” from this! All these times of forgetting self are the entries and opportunities for entering and realizing no-self. We often think that forgetting the self means there is a self, but you temporarily forgot about it. If there was truly a self that you have forgotten about, then who is there during the state of forgetting that is seeing, hearing, and awaring, and accurately dealing with whatever comes up? Our experience of forgetting self is one of the opportunities and gateways for realizing no-self; when we forget the self and yet is able to see, hear and be aware, that capacity and knowing that responses to everything is life’s divinity and light (original consciousness, original awareness) that we have to recognise and encounter! Usually, when we no longer feel a self – the times of forgetting self, no self, one is yet better able to serve others and face everything; but when we feel that there is a self, we’re however unable to dictate or take control of all the events and phenomena. From this we can know, “self” is in truth an illusion, when there is no self it is not that there is truly no self, when there is self it is not that there is truly a self. In that original state, it is not that there is a self, nor is it that there is no self, as for this actual condition, how can we put it?

本来无我,大众为何却又有明显、真实的我感(我的感觉)?一切生命,本来无我,但因最初 一念错觉、错认、错信而有我生,念念认同、念念加强而有我的主体感、存在感,长久无明地如此思、如此想、如此觉而使我的主体感、存在感,真实、逼真、坚 固,从而使我们不再怀疑和思考“我是什么、到底存在不存在”这回事。社会大众普遍这样认为我存在,且我们的故事相互支持,社会的法则也依此建立,因此有了 今天阎浮提众生普遍持我的现状。这个世界的大众,因知识见解不同而对“我”的主体认识有所不同:一般,孩子们会将“身体”视为我,普通成年人会将“心”视 为我,对身心现象作过思考探索、稍有些知识见解的人,则会进一步抽象出“灵魂”、“大我”、“梵我”、“神”等虚妄之物视为我。但,不管大众怎样认为,事 实不变,即使那我的感觉再真实、再逼真、再强烈,也只是个虚妄的认为,毫无实质性的认同!

There is always already no self, yet why is it that the masses have an obvious, (seemingly) real sense of self (feeling of self)? All lifeforms are always already without a self, but due to a mistaken thought at the beginning, a wrong identification, a wrong belief, that gave rise to self, and thought after thought agrees/affirms, thought after thought strengthens this sense of a subjective self, a feeling of existence, reality, seemingly real, and solid. All these made us stop doubting and contemplating “what is the self, does it even exist or not in final analysis?” Society and the masses commonly regard the self to be existing, and our stories mutually support each other, society’s laws are also built upon such, therefore there is the current situation of today whereby the sentient beings of Jambudvipa commonly holds onto a (notion of) self. Because the sentient beings of this world have varying knowledge and understandings, therefore they have different understandings with regards to the Subject-entity of "Self": generally, children treat the “body” as self, ordinary adults treat the “mind” as self, while those that have pondered over and explored, or those who have some knowledge and understandings, would go a step further and abstractify various illusory phenomena as Self such as a “soul”, “Great Self”, “Brahman”, “God”, etc. However, no matter what the masses conceive, the truth of things does not change, no matter how (seemingly) real that sense of self is or how strong it is, it is but a deluded conceiving, an understanding that is not in the least substantive (with basis)!

虽然本来无我,但大众 感受到了“我”,大众所感受的“我”是什么样?居于何处?如何来去?一切有情本来无我,“我”是寻思时刹那一念,是无始以来坚固错觉,它虚妄如梦中之物, 如镜中之像,如水中之月,如空中之响,如石女之子,如人之第二头,幻想而有,认同而真,不觉而实!如何描述“我”的样子?如同画鬼,如同描神,如同绘龙, 如同八岁的童子描述他第十八代子孙的模样,如同……。总之,本来无我,无所居处;本来无我,不来不去;本来无我,幻生幻灭。最后还要清楚的是:本来无我, 但有本智;本智亦幻,一切不实;凡所有相,皆是虚妄!

南无阿弥陀佛。


Although there is always already no self, yet the masses feel a “self”, what is that feeling of “self” of the masses like? Where does it abide in? How does it come and go? All sentient beings are always already without a self, “self” is just that flashing moment of thought during pondering, it is a solid illusion/wrong impression from without beginning, it is illusory like phenomena in a dream, like reflections of a mirror, like the moon in the pond, like the resounding in space, like the child of a stone-woman (barren woman), like the second head of a person, it appears through imagination, it (appears) real due to identification, it (seems) true due to not being awakened/aware. How do we narrate the face of “self”? It is like the ghost of a painting, it is like the god of a cat, it is like a pinacosaurus, it is like the eight year old child narrating the faces of his eighteenth generation’s descendents, it is like… All in all, there is always already no self, there is no where (which self) abides; there is originally/always already no self, no coming nor going; always already no self, illusorily appears and illusorily ceases. Finally, one must still be clear about: there is always already no self, but there is an innate/natural wisdom; that natural/innate wisdom too is illusory, everything is unreal; all forms are illusory!

Namo Amitabha Buddha.