[All phenomena are primordially utterly unborn, unarisen, unabiding, unconditioned, unseen, unreal, unceasing …
appearing but empty, empty but still dependently co-appearing & relatively functional.]
Analysis of "Teaching how all phenomena are without origin" - 211
– A Mahayana Sutra –
source: https://read.84000.co/translation/toh180.html
[i.e. About the elucidation of the true nature & dynamic of phenomena
– physical, conceptual, mental; subject, relation / action, object; individual, collective, cosmic; pure & impure –
and the way to conduct oneself:
About acting without acting, more and more in accord with
the single principle of Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness / Suchness / Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas.
Acting more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature of Reality as it is here & now,
as pointed out by concepts like: the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
Acting in accord with valid conventional relative concepts, truths, methods, goals [T1],
but also more and more in accord with the emptiness of inherent existence of those adapted skillful means [T2] [U2T];
that is without any grasping / attachment / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points / absolutes & oppositions [Uopp / U2T-opp];
without falling for any extreme or middle about anything involved;
without accepting / affirming / seeking / doing anything in absolute terms,
without rejecting / negating / abandoning / eliminating / not-doing anything in absolute terms,
just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively [Middle Way];
without any di-vision between any subject, relation / action, and objects [U3S].]
More Analysis of Sutras : https://www.gilehtblog.com/2021/03/table-of-content.html
Table of content
[I.] Questions: How come everything in samsara is equivalent to awakening / nirvana [Uopp / U2T-opp]: primordially equal / pure / perfect / free / enlightened? What is the single principle, the unborn unchanging unceasing true nature & dynamic of reality as it is here & now, of all phenomena / dharmas [U2T]? What is the relation between the three spheres – subjects / beings, relations / actions, objects / phenomena – [U3S]? And what about the three stages of becoming?]
[II.] First Answer: Why do you ask? This would not be appropriate for beginning bodhisattvas who may not be ready for it.
[III.] Explanation of the reason for this unusual request / for these questions – it might be useful for those stuck in their attachment to concepts like opposition / strict non-attachment / strict discipline / causality or karma / mere-emptiness / the two truths together and in opposition, duality or non-duality …
[IV.] Answers: Ok! The Buddha accepts to teach without teaching the subtle meanings of the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths, Union of the three spheres, Union of opposites, Middle Way free from all extremes & middle.
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].][V.] Benefits of gaining an understanding of the single principle of all phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] and then gaining the acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming].
[VI.] Do not judge others: The Buddha-dharma is not about better discrimination / differentiation / judgment between good vs. evil in absolute terms. That is too dualistic and not in accord with Reality. Since everything is unborn [U2T], then there is no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing basis to discriminate / differentiate / judge things and beings. There is no real objective basis to accept / affirm / seek / do anything in absolute terms, or to reject / negate / abandon / eliminate / not-do anything in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively. Ex. So people should not judge / blame / criticise others in absolute terms, not become angry about the conduct of others; otherwise the karmic consequences would be disastrous for a very long time.
[VII.] Purification Through Direct Wisdom: When bodhisattvas fully assimilate this single principle of all phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T], they gain an understanding and later a direct realisation of the true nature & dynamic of the karmic cycle [U3S] as it is here & now, and thus gain the purification / transcendence of all karmic obscurations (not accepting, not rejecting it/them, just realising its/their true nature & dynamic as it is here & now).
[VIII.] How to interpret less-dualistically traditional Buddhist concepts from the perspective of this single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] and the unborn nature of all phenomena [U2T - three stages of becoming]?
i. How to understand the Four Noble Truths? Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T].
ii. How should we relate to the four applications of mindfulness? Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T].
iii. How should we relate to the five faculties? Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T].
iv. How should we relate to the seven limbs of awakening? Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T].
v. How should we relate to the eightfold path of noble beings? Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T].
i-v. Conclusion & benefits — A monk should endeavor in these teachings as explained. Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T].
[IX.] A dhāraṇī that relates all phenomena with the qualities of a buddha and causes the realization that all phenomena come down to a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
i. It is important to understand & directly perceive / realise / experience the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena – physical, conceptual, mental; body, speech, mind; subject, relation / action, object; pure, impure –. That is the only way to become free from them, to transcend them without rejecting / negating / abandoning them.
ii. It is not about accepting this while rejecting that. The Buddha did not.
iii. It is not about accepting nor rejecting the three poisons, or any other dharma – it is about realising without realising their inconceivable true inconceivable nature & dynamic as it is here & now [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T]. Meanwhile it is about acting without acting, more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature of Reality as it is here & now, more and more in accord with the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] free from all extremes & middle.
iv. Conclusion & benefits of this dhāraṇī. "They will attain unimpeded eloquence, the illumination of all phenomena, and become skilled in teaching the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]. They will relate all phenomena to the qualities of a buddha." That is they will be able to perceive the Buddha-nature in everything.
[X.] The teaching about the knowledge concerned with terminology and language: It is about being aware of the true nature & dynamic of words / concepts / ideas / speech / insults or nice words / calumny or honors / … and not getting too emotional or reactive about them, remaining equanimous / stable / without getting angry or attached. Never thinking in terms of dualities / opposition, never accepting this while rejecting that in absolute terms, never discriminating / differentiating / judging anything or anybody in absolute terms. Ex. not rejecting / being averse to attachment / anger / ignorance / non-discipline … while accepting / grasping / getting attached to non-attachment / non-anger / wisdom / discipline …, the same for any other dualistic situation. Not being the Mr. Know it all and super judgemental control freak. Always aware of the single principle [U2T / U3S / Uopp / Middle Way / tetralemma] about everything involved. After all there is no absolute; everything is like illusions 'there but not there'; everything is conventional / relative / merely labeled by the mind and thus empty of inherent existence [U2T]. Everything is primordially equal / pure / perfect / divine / complete / free / enlightened / the inseparable three kayas, the true Buddha.
[XI.] Concluding teaching without teaching using less absolutist & dualistic ideas, views, methods, goals — just for fearless Bodhisattvas & householders who are ready for it.
[XII.] Conclusion
Summary
[Questions and answers about the inconceivable timeless, unborn unconditioned, unchanging, unceasing [D] true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is here & now, as pointed by concepts like: the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] [A], the Union of the three spheres [U3S] [B], the Union of opposites [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]. And about how to act more and more in accord with it, the Middle Way [F] [G] – free from all extremes & middle –, acting without acting, not judging in absolute terms.]
While the Buddha is residing on Vulture Peak Mountain, the bodhisattva Siṃhavikrāntagāmin asks him a series of
[A] questions about [Genuine-]emptiness [U2T] [A]
[B] and the non-dual view in which the dichotomy between subject and object [and action] has been left behind [U3S / U2T-3S] [B]
[C] [and the same for all other dualities / triads / quads / etc. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C].]
(Note: See explanations about
[A] - Union of the Two truths [U2T],
[B] - Union of the three spheres [U3S / U2T-3S], and
[C] - Union of opposites in general [Uopp / U2T-opp], etc.
at the end of this text.)
The Buddha responds with a discourse in verse identifying
[A] the nature of phenomena as the single principle of [Genuine-]emptiness [U2T][ [A].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].] [A]
Later, he teaches the bodhisattva about
[X] the dangers of judging the behavior of other bodhisattvas,
[A] and the dangers of making any imputations about phenomena at all [A] —
explaining that both stem from ill-founded preconceptions that are transcended with spiritual awakening.
In an ensuing discussion with Mañjuśrī, the Buddha further
connects many standard Buddhist concepts and categories to
[D] the non-dual view that all phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
[A] and without intrinsic nature [U2T-all] [A].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Lastly, a god is instructed in
[C] the knowledge that overcomes the duality of various opposites [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C],
and Mañjuśrī concludes the sūtra by revealing the circumstances of his time as a beginning bodhisattva.
(i.e. THE MAIN MESSAGE of the sūtra unfolds as an explanation of the [inseparable] two truths.)
(i.e. and their inter-relation / equality / inseparability / interdependence / harmony / 'Union' – and
the need to act more and more in accord with this 'Union of the Two Truths [U2T]' free from all extremes & middle: ex.
i) Nihilism: not accepting / affirming / seeking / privileging one side / truth (ex. mere-emptiness / nothingness [T2] / nirvana)
while rejecting / negating / abandoning / ignoring / neglecting the other side / truth (ex. appearances [T1] / dependent origination / causality / relativity / functionality / laws / practices / samsara);
ii) Naïve realism: not accepting / affirming / seeking / privileging the other side / truth (ex. mere-appearances [T1] / dependent origination / causality / relativity / functionality / laws / skillful means / practices / the world / samsara)
while rejecting / negating / abandoning / ignoring / neglecting the first side / truth (ex. emptiness [T2] / nirvana);
iii) Dualism: not accepting both sides / truths together as if different and in opposition [2T],
iv) Monism / Oneness: neither: not rejecting both sides / truths as if identical / a cosmic oneness [1T].
It is 'acting without acting': acting in accord with valid conventional / relative truths [T1], but without any grasping / attachment / obsession / fixation / reification / reference points to anything as if existing independently / universally / absolutely / inherently, with inherently existing characteristics / properties / qualities, and in inherently existing relations / oppositions. [T2] [U2T] It is acting in accord with the Middle Way free from all extremes & middle.)
[Note: The two truths are:
T1: conventionally dependently co-arisen (interdependent) relatively functional ever-changing impermanent appearances, merely labeled / imputed / imagined / created by the mind in dependence of its conditioning / karma (in cycle), not completely non-existence;
T2: emptiness of inherent existence, not real existence;
U2T: those two truths, like any other pair of apparent opposites, are inseparable, interdependent, co-defined, co-relative, co-dependent, co-emergent, co-evolving, co-ceasing / co-transcended, in harmony, in 'Union' <==> thus empty of inherent existence.
They are tools to help us to get to the 'inconceivable' by refuting what 'Reality as it is' is not, all extreme views like: existence / dharma, non-existence / non-dharma, both together, neither; difference / manyness / diversity, identity / oneness / sameness, both together, neither; permanence / continuity, impermanence / discontinuity, both together, neither; individual, collective, cosmic, a combination of those, none of those; subject, relation / action / process, object, a combination of those, none of those; etc.
The three spheres: ex.
i. The subject / actor / goer / perceiver / knower / acquirer / owner,
ii. The relation / action / going / perceiving / knowing / acquiring / having
iii. The object / result / destination / perceived / known / acquired / possessions / karma / 5 aggregates / body & speech & mind.
Generalisations:
Whenever it is possible the comments of each section are expressed into a more global context. So they always cover more than just what is said in the various translations. The goal is to make the Big Picture more visible.
Note: All comments within (i.e. …) or [...] are from the commentator (me), not the translators.)
Introduction
Teaching How All Phenomena Are without Origin presents the Buddha Śākyamuni's
elucidation of the nature of phenomena [U2T] [A]
and the way to conduct oneself [Middle Way] [F] [G].
[i.e. Acting without acting, without any attachment, without falling into any extreme or middle, without accepting or rejecting anything in absolute terms, acting more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is here & now, as pointed by concepts like: the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] free from all extremes & middle ...]
His discourse is oriented around a series of paradoxes between conduct and wisdom, and specifically highlights the interplay of monastic discipline and the activities that best serve beings. To illustrate these paradoxes the Buddha draws on scenes from his own past lives and those of the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, scenes that are also meant to illustrate the negative karmic consequences of [judging /] criticizing the conduct of [others /] bodhisattvas [in absolute terms].
(i.e. There are no absolutes basis for judgment: In Reality as it is here & now, since the true nature of all dharmas is the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T], then there is no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing basis for discrimination / differentiation / judgment in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively. There are no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing words, concepts, truths / views, methods / paths, goals, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively; just possible adapted skillful means.)
The sūtra is set on Vulture Peak Mountain, where
the Buddha is asked a series of questions about
[Genuine-]emptiness [U2T] [A]
and the non-dual view [U3S / Uopp] [B] [C]
by the bodhisattva Siṃhavikrāntagāmin.
The Buddha responds with a discourse in verse identifying
the single principle of [Genuine-]emptiness as the nature of phenomena [A] [I],
but he cautions that immature bodhisattvas will not properly understand that teaching.
(i.e. The danger of falling into one extreme or another about the two truths (ex. mere-emptiness [T2], or 2T, or 1T, or any extreme / opposite of any duality / triad / quad / etc.)
Later, he tells the story of the two bodhisattvas Cāritramati and Viśuddhacāritra to illustrate
the dangers of judging the behavior of [others /] bodhisattvas
because of misunderstanding the nature of their skillful means.
He then explains, with great psychological insight, how such value judgements are generally based on ill-founded and preconceived notions (i.e. Attachment to one extreme or another) that need to be abandoned [transcended by realising their true nature & dynamic as it is here & now] by those who seek awakening.
Next follows a discussion with Mañjuśrī in which the Buddha explains that many standard Buddhist concepts and categories used to describe the path to awakening are mere imputations, and that their true import will be realized once
all phenomena are known to be unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
and without intrinsic nature [U2T-all] [A].
In their ensuing dialogue, various standard Buddhist expressions are relativized in terms of this ultimate, non-objectifying view.
This discussion demonstrates that the Buddhist path is only fully realized
once the habitual tendency to accept, reject,
or otherwise objectify phenomena, including phenomena of the path itself,
has been left behind [transcended, not accepted, not rejected]. [Middle Way] [F] [G]
In the last part of the sūtra, the Buddha, followed by Mañjuśrī, instructs a god named Playful Clairvoyant Lotus in
the knowledge that penetrates sound and language and enables one to
see through the duality of various opposites [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C].
Mañjuśrī is then induced to tell his story as a neophyte bodhisattva, to further illustrate
the problem of negatively judging the conduct of other spiritual practitioners
and underestimating the potential of a student.
The sūtra refers repeatedly to
the theme of the single principle, the realization of [Genuine-]emptiness [U2T] [A].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].] [A] (i.e. Emptiness free from all extremes & middle = Union of the Two Truths)
When this is known, all proscribed activity — indulgence in sense pleasures and disturbing emotions — need no longer be avoided [G].
However, since no one except the Buddha can be the final judge of another being's conduct or realization, bodhisattvas are strongly encouraged to avoid judging one another and to teach according to the student's capacity.
Fragments of a Sanskrit version of this sūtra have survived, as have two translations into Chinese by Kumārajīva (fourth century, Zhu fa wu xing jing 諸法無行經, Taishō 650) and Jñānagupta (fifth century, Fu shuo zhu fa ben wu jing 佛說諸法本無經, Taishō 651). The extant Sanskrit sections of the sūtra have been translated into English by Jens Braarvig, who also published a Sanskrit edition that includes parallel passages of the Tibetan and Chinese translations. In his introduction to the text, Braarvig tentatively dates the sole surviving Sanskrit manuscript to the fifth century ᴄᴇ, a considerably later date than that of Kumārajīva's Chinese translation. According to the colophon to the Tibetan translation, the sūtra was translated into Tibetan by the monk Rinchen Tso, a translator active sometime during the late eighth and early ninth centuries ᴄᴇ. However, the Tibetan translation is not included in the early ninth-century Denkarma (ldan dkar ma) inventory of Tibetan translations, so this dating and the attribution to Rinchen Tso cannot be verified by this source. The title of the text is, however, included in the Mahāvyutpatti (as entry no. 1362), so the dating of the Tibetan translation to the early ninth century does seem reasonable in spite of its absence from the Denkarma inventory.
The primary Tibetan text used for the present translation was the Degé (sde dge) edition, but the other editions considered in the Comparative Kangyur (dpe bsdur ma) were also consulted. In passages where the Sanskrit was available, it was consulted for our translation. However, as the Sanskrit and Tibetan manuscripts are often radically different, we have primarily based our translation on the Tibetan, except in those cases where the Sanskrit sheds light on, or clarifies, the Tibetan.
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The Noble Great Vehicle Sūtra
Teaching how all phenomena are without origin
The Translation
[Homage]
Homage to all buddhas and bodhisattvas.
[The Assembly:]
Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was staying at Vulture Peak Mountain in Rājagṛha together with a great monastic assembly of five hundred monks. Also gathered there were twelve thousand bodhisattvas, including the bodhisattva great being Vyūhapratimaṇḍita, the bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin, the bodhisattva great being Anāvaraṇaraśminirdhautaprabhātejorāśi, the bodhisattva great being Giriśikharamerusvararāja, the bodhisattva great being Priyaprahasitavimalaprabha, the bodhisattva great being Sūryacandrābhibhūtārci, the bodhisattva great being Paramavimalapaṭṭadhārin, the bodhisattva great being Niścaritatejaspadmapraphullitagātra, the bodhisattva great being Brahmasvaranirghoṣasvara, the bodhisattva great being Siṃharājagativikrīḍitamati, the bodhisattva great being Kanakārciśuddhavimalatejas, the bodhisattva great being Mṛdutaruṇasparśagātra, the bodhisattva great being Body That Expands Like a Golden Ornamented Victory Banner, the bodhisattva great being Daśaraśmimārabalapramardin, the bodhisattva great being Śāntīndriyeryāpathapraśāntagāmin, the bodhisattva great being Dharaṇīndharābhyudgatarāja, the bodhisattva great being Singer of Divine Melodies, the bodhisattva great being Sarvadharmeśvaravaśavikrāntagāmin, the bodhisattva great being Śrītejovimalagātra, and the bodhisattva great being Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta. Ninety-two thousand other bodhisattvas were also present.
[I. Questions:
How to reconcile conventional dependently arisen appearances & relative functionalities [T1] with emptiness of inherent existence [T2] [U2T] [A], to reconcile apparent opposites in general [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C], ex. the three spheres – subject, object, action – [U3S] [B]? How come everything in samsara is equivalent to awakening / nirvana [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]: primordially equal / pure / perfect / free / enlightened? What is the single principle [U2T] [A], the unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing [D] true nature & dynamic of reality as it is here & now, of all phenomena / dharmas? [I]
While beholding this bodhisattva assembly, the bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin stood up, draped his shawl over one shoulder, and knelt on his right knee. With his palms together he bowed toward the Blessed One and said in verse:
"Guide of boundless renown, please explain
How phenomena are without a life principle, personality, and self.
This supreme assembly, so sublime,
Is filled with peace, constant peace, and lasting peace.
"How can a view (-) be awakening (+)? [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
How can freedom from anger, jealousy, and pride,
Or from the nature of desire, be awakening?
Protector of boundless renown, please explain.
"Flawless one, how could the conditioned realm [samsara] (-),
In which there is no nirvāṇa, ever be awakening [nirvana] (+)? [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Compassionate Victorious One, please explain
How phenomena are non-dual. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
"How is it that phenomena (-) are utterly liberated (+)?
How are they equivalent to nirvāṇa and liberation (+)? [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Protector, explain that which is unbound
And unattached to any attachment, like space.
"You who have the voice of the kalaviṅka, Brahmā, and the gods,
A golden countenance flawless in its luster,
A pleasing luminosity, and all supreme qualities,
Please explain the single principle, the permanent nature of reality. [U2T] [A]
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
"How is it that obscuration (-) is the same as awakening (+)?
How is it that phenomena (-) are the nature of awakening (+)? [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
How are Dharma (+) and non-Dharma (-) alike? [Uopp - Equality of existence & non-existence.]
How are the two similar to space? [U2T] [A]
"When they are neither numerable [many] nor numberless [one],
How can phenomena (-) be similar to peace (+)? [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Faultless one, how is there no awakening (+) in them (-),
And no omniscience (++) either
"The nature of what has been, is, and will be done,
As well as apprehension (relation / action) and the apprehended (object), has never existed [nor non-existed].
Beings (subject) have also never existed [nor non-existed]. [U3S / U2T-3S] [B]
How is there no Dharma practice in that?
"There is no discipline or patience, [U2T] (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Nor is there ever any distorted discipline. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
There is no concentration or insight, [U2T]
So how could there ever be knowledge [wisdom] (+) or ignorance (-)?
"How are phenomena [primordially] stainless and pure,-
Nothing whatsoever, like space? [U2T] (i.e. 'Nothing' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)-
How is it that the nature of mind (subject) is never observed,
And that phenomena (objects) are devoid of mind (subject)? [U3S] [B]
"How is there no knowledge, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
No meditation, and nothing realized? [U2T]-
There is nothing to be abandoned anywhere, [Middle Way [F] [G]
[i.e. The Middle Way free from all extremes & middle; nothing to accept, nothing to reject in absolute terms.]
So how are beings like the element of space?
"Where reality is of a single principle, [U2T] [A]
There is no nature at all. (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Protector, please explain this principle of phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]
In which there is no arising at all. [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
"In it there is no learning, no worthy ones —
How could there be solitary buddhas?
Where there are no phenomena seeking awakening,
How could there be coming and going?
"Where there is no dwelling or support,
And no coming or going,
Phenomena are free of coming and going, [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
So how do they remain stable and unmoving like mountains?
"How is there no perception (relation / action) or form (object)? [U3S] [B]
How could the nature of form (-) be awakening (+)? [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
How are form (-) and awakening (+) not two? [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Stainless and eminent Victor, speak about these things.
"Where there is no Buddha, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
And where there is no Dharma or Saṅgha,
How could the supreme Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha
Be of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]?
"Where there is no emptiness or characteristics, [U2T-2T]
There is no gathering or separation. (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Phenomena are free of both name and being unnamed,-
So how is sound made audible, like an echo?
"Where there is no arising or non-arising, [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
And no faultless nirvāṇa, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
There is also no saṃsāra. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
How do all phenomena come down to a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A]?
"In that, there are no gods or nāgas,
No yakṣas, kinnaras, or spirits,
And no hell beings either, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
So how could there be any states of being? [U2T]
"How is it that the Protector's way of explaining phenomena,
And what is said by evil-minded tīrthikas,
Are not two different things? [Uopp / U2T-opp]
How is it that all words are the same?" [U2T] [A]
[II. First Answer:
Why do you ask? This would not be appropriate for beginning bodhisattvas who may not be ready for it.]
The Blessed One expressed his approval to the bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin, saying,
(i.e. There is no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing Truth to teach, only adapted skillful means like: the Union of the Two Truths [U2T], the Union of the three spheres [U3S], the Union of opposites [Uopp / U2T-opp], the Middle way free from all extremes & middle, the tetralemma …)
"Noble son, excellent, excellent! It is astonishing that you ask such questions that all worldly beings find difficult to grasp. Noble son, this is certainly acceptable, but why do you ask?
This is not a subject fit for beginning bodhisattvas who possess the views of emptiness, signlessness, wishlessness, non-arising, the intangible, no attributes, buddhas, and awakening.
Noble son, do not speak of this Dharma teaching in front of beginning bodhisattvas.
"Why? Because this teaching will entirely interrupt their roots of virtue.
It might cause them to regress from the awakening of the buddhas and fall into eternalism or nihilism. It is possible they will not understand what realization the thus-gone ones base their teachings on."
[III. Explanation of the reason for this unusual request / for these questions:
It might be useful for those stuck in one extreme or another: ex. attached to things like opposition / strict non-attachment / strict discipline / causality or karma / mere-emptiness / the two truths together and in opposition, duality or non-duality.]
The bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin replied,
"Blessed One, please explain this. In the future there will be bodhisattvas who have the views of emptiness, signlessness, wishlessness, non-arising, no attributes, buddhas, and awakening. They will conceptualize everything as emptiness and signlessness, be fond of speech, be attached to expressions, believe syllables to be pure, be inclined to conversation, and cling fondly to elegant expressions and names.
"If these bodhisattvas hear the Thus-Gone One teaching the Dharma beyond letters or words [inconceivable],
they will abandon these views and teach the Dharma according to whatever interests beings have.
Then, trained in skillful means, they will speak of having few desires but will not realize purity through it.
“They will speak of endeavoring in rituals but will not realize purity through it.
They will speak of vows but will not realize purity because of them.
They will criticize social obligations and become interested in complete disengagement from all phenomena.
They will praise the delights of solitude where there are no social obligations but will not realize purity because of it.
They will praise the mind of awakening and know the nature of the mind to be awakened.
"They will praise the extensive sūtra teachings and know all phenomena extensively.
They will express the words of the bodhisattvas and will not regard hearers, solitary buddhas, and buddhas as different.
"They will praise generosity and realize the equality of generosity.
They will praise discipline and realize natural discipline.
They will praise patience and see the fact that all phenomena are exhausted, purified, and unborn.
They will praise diligence and realize that no phenomenon requires seeking or effort.
They will show how millions of gateways of concentration and equilibrium are accomplished, and will know all phenomena to be naturally settled in equipoise.
They will offer a thousand kinds of praise to knowledge, and thereby realize the nature of knowledge and deficient knowledge.
"They will reveal the faults of attachment and not see anything to be attached to.
They will reveal the faults of aversion and not see anything to be averse to.
They will reveal the faults of stupidity and be inspired to separate all phenomena from the obscuration of stupidity.
"They will teach beings the danger of passing into hell, the animal realm, and of the realm of the lord of death, but they will not apprehend hell beings, the animal realm, or the realm of the lord of death.
They will teach the Dharma that aligns with beings' interests.
There are those who are interested in the single principle of emptiness [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T], and likewise there are those who are interested in the single principle of signlessness, wishlessness, non-arising, intangibility, and no attributes.
Therefore, Blessed One, hearers, solitary buddhas, and bodhisattva great beings who have just entered this vehicle do not have a vocabulary for such skillful means.
To remedy this, please provide a vocabulary for skillful means
to those who are interested in the profound and in the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]."
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
[IV. Answers
Ok! The Buddha accepts to teach without teaching the subtle meanings of the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T] [A], Union of the three spheres [U3S] [B], Union of opposites [Uopp] [C], Middle Way [F] [G] free from all extremes & middle.]
Then the Blessed One said to the bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin,
"Noble son, listen well and bear what I say in mind. I will explain this topic to you."
"Yes, Blessed One, I will."
The bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin then listened as instructed as the Blessed One spoke the following verses:
"Those who awaken to supreme awakening
Without being disturbed by attachment or aversion
Become victorious when they understand
It is because of desire (subject & relation / action) that all phenomena (object) have the nature of desire. [U3S]
"Do not objectify attachment,
And likewise do not objectify aversion or stupidity (i.e. It is not about rejecting / abandoning the three poisons).
Those who understand that all phenomena are like space [U2T] [A]
Will become victorious.
"View (-) and no-view (+) are of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].
Same [oneness] (+) and not-same [diversity] (-) are likewise the same. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
There is no Buddha, no Dharma, and no Saṅgha [no three Jewels] [U2T] [A]. (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Whoever understands this is wise.
"Just as someone who is dreaming
Dreams of awakening (final effect) and a buddha (subject / actor) taming (relation / action) beings (objets / result), [U3S-causality] [B]
But there is no true awakening (final effect) and there are no beings (subjects) [reaching enlightenment],
Likewise, the entire Dharma is in fact like that. (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
"Those who have set out for awakening (final effect / knowledge / state) found nothing at all. [U2T] [A]
They found nothing and will never find anything. (i.e. 'Nothing' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Knowledge (-) and awareness (+) (or object & subject) [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
are of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].
Knowing this, they will be victorious.
"The nature of beings is said to be awakening itself. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
The nature of awakening is all beings. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Beings and awakening [Buddha] — these are not two different things. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Knowing this, they become supreme beings.
"When a trained magician
Manifests a multitude of visual illusions [H],
The illusions appear [T1] but are nothing whatsoever [T2] [U2T] [A],
(i.e. 'Nothing' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
And yet they delight deluded beings.
"Attachment and aversion are always the same.
Stupidity and illusion also are always the same. [i.e. nothing really exist and change] [D]
Childish beings with averse, deluded minds
Are cast into the lower realms by their stupidity, (i.e. Because of their ignorance of the true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is here & now as pointed out by the concept of the Union of the Two Truths [U2T].)
"Reality is like an illusion [H] —
There is no attachment or aversion, and no stupidity whatsoever [U2T] [A]. (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Yet childish beings form concepts
And suffer in the fire of afflictive emotions.
"The knowledge that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
Entails there are no afflicted beings
Or anyone who has ever awakened, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Yet people form concepts and say, 'We will awaken.'
"Those who see there are no buddhas, no buddha qualities, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
That there have never been beings,
And who see space-like reality [U2T] [A]
Swiftly become the leaders of beings.
"There is no awakening for those who desire it;
They are as far from supreme awakening as the earth from the sky.
It is those who know reality to be illusory [H] [U2T] [A]
Who will swiftly attain buddhahood.
"There are those who think about discipline,
But they have no discipline; there is no discipline to see [U2T] [A]. (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Lax discipline and proper discipline are one; [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Those who know this become protectors.
"In their dreams, some beings
Act on their desires and experience pleasure.
Influenced by stupidity and delusion, they imagine women
When there never were any women at all. [U2T] [A]
"In delusion, childish beings falsely conceptualize
Lax discipline and proper discipline both.
There is neither discipline nor lax discipline. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Those who know this become protectors.
"Not knowing the nature of sound,
Those of childish mind become attached to labels.
Those who know these labels do not exist [U2T] [A] (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Attain the supreme strength of patience.
"Many beings have made the pledge to awaken,
And verbally explain that fact to others.
Verbally clinging to purity, they lose perseverance,
All while being fully immersed in awakening.
"Beings are attached to pure and confused activities,
Delight in words and talk, and are unwise.
If they do not know the nature of phenomena,
They will not awaken through the purity of words.
"How will those who boast of the emptiness of phenomena, (i.e. grasping at emptiness]
Who love arguing, have minds made hostile by conflict,
Think cruelly, and have no vows,
Ever have the Buddha's qualities or awakening?
"A cruel mind and patience are of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T];
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Knowing this, a person gives up anger.
Those who do not know the nature of beings
Have childish minds and are filled with anger.
"They say that all beings are devoid of self
And pray that the victors will liberate beings,
But merely mentioning this provokes their anger.
Because they harbor such aggression, do not speak a word to them.
"Those who love conflict and cultivate wrongdoing
May constantly sing the praises of patience.
Though they say that all phenomena are emptiness,
They are swollen with pride and thus perpetuate confusion.
"Attached to food and bound by the knot of ignorance,
They think of sense pleasures day and night.
They go to farms, villages, and towns,
And claim to liberate many beings.
"They say, 'I have compassion for all beings
And am benevolent to the whole world.'
But their words, impelled by an aggressive mind,
Undermine that very fact.
"You will never see or hear of
Malevolence and compassion coexisting.
Yet even people who are angry with each other
Aspire to the realm of limitless life.
"There are places as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River
Where violence and abuse predominate.
The victors will not visit these realms
Where the cultivation of sublime patience is neglected.
"Those who know that worlds are not worlds (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Will say that worlds are of the nature of space. [U2T] [A]
They have no concepts about the qualities of such worlds
And will proceed to the world of the supreme beings.
"It is said I should be patient with any harm done,
And that I should regard the Victor's heirs as teachers.
Never have I seen or heard of anger
In those who are thought of as teachers.
"They are attached to villages where they beg and receive food,
And criticize one another's conduct.
'This one is destined to be my student;
No one should go to see them,' they announce.
" 'No one can compare to me.
This person's conduct is impure,' they say.
Being unwise, they will not attain awakening;
They are completely impotent.
"One must bow one's head to bodhisattvas
Three times in the day and the same at night.
One must not think they are confused in any way,
And carry on acting the way one wishes.
"When seeing someone enjoying sense pleasures,
Do not think of them as being confused in any way.
Through the qualities of limitless awakened conduct,
They will attain awakening in the future.
"One does not become victorious all at once;
It is attained through gradual stages of logic and action.
It is acquired by donning the armor for many millions of eons
And not by any other means.
"With no thought, conceptuality, or attachment,
I too attain awakening similar to attachment.
Disturbing emotions do not exist and will never exist. [U2T] [A] (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Trust in this and attain sublime patience.
"One should engage with phenomena as beyond language (i.e. All phenomena are ultimately indescribable / inconceivable)
And see all sound as beyond sound.
One who trusts that phenomena are like this
Is free of attachment, aversion, and stupidity. (i.e. Liberation without liberation, without any attachment.)
"Attachment (-) and awakening (+) are the same — no less, no more. [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]-
Realize both to be beyond language. (i.e. All phenomena are ultimately indescribable / inconceivable)
Both are merely labels;
They are expressed in language [T1] yet do not exist [T2] [U2T] [A].
"When one knows all sounds are a single sound, [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]
Sound will never be multifarious.
Whatever I explain and whatever tīrthikas say
Are known to share this reality.
"These phenomena are expressed in sound through speech, [T1]
Yet the phenomena and the sound are not apprehended. [T2]
When one enters into this single principle of reality, [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A]
Supreme and unsurpassed patience is attained. (i.e. Gaining without gaining patience, without any grasping / attachment / reification.)
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
"Anger, patience, sense pleasures, and impatience
Should not be conceptualized or imputed [in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively].
-
When one knows the unborn in that way, [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
One becomes a faultless and supreme being.
[V. Benefits / Merit
Benefits of gaining an understanding of the single principle of all phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] and then gaining the acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming].]
"Imagine that someone took
All the grains of sand in the Ganges River
As it extends to the north, south, east, and west,
Made each grain into a buddha realm, and placed it in one direction.
"They then filled each of these buddha realms
With jewels for the victors
And made offerings to them for many millions of eons.
The merit of transcribing this discourse would be greater still.
For those who do so, merit will grow boundlessly.
"I entrust this discourse to those who have gone forth,
Striving for awakening in this way.
They will swiftly attain sublime patience.
"Those who teach the limitless gateways of this discourse
Will soon attain the dhāraṇīs.
They will obtain millions of discourses
And the qualities of eloquence and mental acuity.
"They will gain understanding by clearing the obstacles to words
And swiftly gain precise analytical knowledge.
Infinite buddhas will bestow the gift of eloquence
And teach many discourses in myriad ways.
"Whoever understands this principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A]
Will recollect many discourses on their own,
Travel to the sublime worlds,
And venerate the protectors upon arrival."
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Then the bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin said to the Blessed One,
"Blessed One, you have benefited all the beings who heard this teaching in verse."
"Noble son, do you see this assembly?"
"Blessed One, I do. Blessed One, there are innumerable beings gathered here for this Dharma teaching. Blessed One, the sky above is filled with gods, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, and mahoragas. Blessed One, many beings from other worlds also heard this teaching."
Then the Blessed One said this to the bodhisattva great being Siṃhavikrāntagāmin: "Noble son, as I was giving this Dharma teaching, ninety-eight thousand gods developed the acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D], ninety-two thousand yakṣas aroused the intention to attain unsurpassed and perfect awakening, and thirty-six thousand nāgas aroused the intention to awaken. Five hundred arrogant monks who falsely presumed their own attainment came to trust that all phenomena are of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A] when they heard this teaching, which is devoid of arrogance. Free from the causes that perpetuate cyclic existence, their minds were liberated from the defilements. Among this assembly of bodhisattvas, sixty-two thousand gained an unobscured understanding of all phenomena [U2T] [A] and then gained the acceptance that phenomena are unborn. [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Why was that?
"Noble son, this Dharma teaching is superb. Noble son, previously I myself fully assimilated the single principle of all phenomena [U2T] [A] in the presence of the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha Dīpaṅkara. Subsequently, I gained the acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D]. Noble son, hearing this Dharma teaching is equivalent to mastering all the six perfections. Noble son, I have stated that in realizing this principle, one completes all six perfections of the bodhisattva great beings.
Why is this?
"Noble son, even if bodhisattvas were to give generously, guard their discipline, practice patience, cultivate diligence, rest evenly in concentration, and authentically generate insight for as many eons as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, all their roots of virtue would eventually be exhausted if this Dharma principle was not understood. Noble son, consider what happened to the roots of virtue possessed by Devadatta. Noble son, Devadatta had thirty of the marks of a great person. He had such roots of virtue, but did not understand this Dharma principle, and so his roots of virtue expired and he was born in the great hell of Ceaseless Torment. Noble son, understand that the roots of virtue of those who have not fully assimilated this Dharma principle will expire, just as happened in his case.
[VI. Do not judge others:
The Buddha-dharma is not about better discrimination / differentiation / judgment between good vs. evil in absolute terms. That is too dualistic and not in accord with Reality. Since everything is unborn [U2T] [A] [D], then there is no independent / universal / absolute / inherently existing basis to discriminate / differentiate / judge things and beings. There is no real objective basis to accept / affirm / seek / do anything in absolute terms, or to reject / negate / abandon / eliminate / not-do anything in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively [F] [G]. Ex. So people should not judge / blame / criticise others in absolute terms, not become angry about the conduct of others; otherwise the karmic consequences would be disastrous for a very long time.]
[A STORY ILLUSTRATING THIS POINT:]
"Noble son, in the past, many countless, limitless, vast, and immeasurable eons ago, the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha Mervabhyudgatarāja came to the world. He was a blessed buddha who was learned and virtuous, a sugata, a knower of the world, an unsurpassed being, a charioteer who guides beings, and a teacher of gods and humans. The lifespan of this thus-gone one was ninety-nine trillion years. His world was called Kanakārcis, as that buddha realm was made entirely of gold. All its beings were in the process of attaining nirvāṇa through the three vehicles of the hearers, solitary buddhas, and bodhisattvas.
"All eighty trillion monks who were in the first assembly of that thus-gone one's hearers were worthy ones. They had exhausted the defilements, put down their burdens, attained benefit for themselves, and eliminated what bound them to existence. Their minds had been completely liberated by authentic teachings. The second assembly consisted of seventy trillion monks, the third of sixty trillion monks, and the fourth of fifty trillion, all of whom were worthy ones, had exhausted the defilements, had put down their burdens, had attained benefit for themselves, and had eliminated what bound them to existence. Their minds had been completely liberated by authentic teachings. There were twice as many nuns in the assembly, as well as twice as many laymen and laywomen. There were also twice as many bodhisattvas in the assembly, all of whom were irreversible beings, had gained acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D], were skilled in accomplishing the ways of absorption, and had attained the dhāraṇī of the boundless gateways. Given that this entire assembly was composed of those who could turn the wheel of Dharma of irreversibility, what need is there to mention the assembly of those who had newly entered the Bodhisattva Vehicle? Also in that assembly were a limitless number of followers of the vehicle of the solitary buddhas.
"Such was the limitless assembly, noble son, that had gathered around that blessed one. In the Kanakārcis world, all the plants and trees were made of jewels. From these trees came the sounds of emptiness, signlessness, wishlessness, non-arising, non-ceasing, intangibility, and no attributes. The presence of these sounds liberated the minds of the beings living in that world. After that thus-gone one had passed completely beyond suffering, his sublime Dharma remained for a thousand years, after which those sounds stopped reverberating from the trees.
"Noble son, the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha Mervabhyudgatarāja appointed a monk and Dharma teacher named Viśuddhacāritra as the holder of his sublime Dharma and then passed completely beyond suffering.
"At that time there was also a monk named Cāritramati. He had a great degree of pure discipline, had attained the five mundane super-knowledges, and was well trained in the Vinaya. This monk engaged in intense austerities, was inclined toward frugality, and worked within the community. He built a monastery where he lived, and where everyone in the community was oriented to pure discipline and committed to the qualities of purification. This monk cultivated diligence and always maintained the mind of awakening. He inspired other bodhisattvas to live this way of life and to adopt views with a reference point. He caused them to accept that all karmic predispositions are impermanent, that all karmic predispositions are painful, and that all karmic predispositions lack a self. This monk was skilled in absorption and possessed roots of virtue, yet he was not learned in the conduct of bodhisattvas.
"The monk and Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra was skilled in discerning those of superior and inferior faculties, and everyone in his community was intent on their commitment to the ascetic practices, had patience beyond reference point, and was skilled in means. Noble son, the Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra traveled with his community to the monastery where Cāritramati lived and took up residence there. From that monastery they went on regular alms rounds to villages, motivated by compassion for beings, and then returned to the monastery. In this way, he caused hundreds of thousands of families to develop faith in them. Everyone in the community behaved skillfully. They would also travel to the villages and teach beings the Dharma, and even established many hundreds of thousands of animals in unsurpassed and perfect awakening. The monk Cāritramati's community, however, was focused on concentration and did not travel to the villages.
"Cāritramati lost his faith in these other bodhisattvas, and so struck the wooden beam to call the monastic saṅgha to assembly. 'Who among us is properly maintaining their spiritual commitments? No one should travel to the villages. Your behavior is careless. You end up speaking too much, so what is accomplished by going to the villages? The Blessed One has instructed us to stay in monasteries, and indeed he has commended it. Therefore, you should not go to town but instead enjoy the bliss of concentration,' he ordered. But they did not heed his advice and continued visiting the villages.
"Noble son, when those monks were returning from the villages, the monk Cāritramati once again struck the wooden beam and called the monastic saṅgha to assembly. He gave them an ultimatum: 'If you are going to keep visiting the villages, you may not stay in this monastery.'
"Noble son, to protect the mind of Cāritramati, the monk and Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra then summoned his community and commanded them, 'Nobody shall go to the villages!' However, those monks were displeased that they were thenceforth unable to encounter any of the beings whom they were to ripen, and their roots of virtue waned.
"Noble son, after three months had passed, the monk and Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra moved from that monastery to another temple. He also traveled to towns, villages, provinces, realms, and royal courts, teaching the Dharma to beings.
"Noble son, the monk Cāritramati then saw how the Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra traveled repeatedly to the villages. He observed how those in Viśuddhacāritra's community persisted in their mundane conduct, and lost faith in them. He told many people, 'This monk has lax and perverse discipline. How could he gain awakening? Awakening for this monk is far off indeed. This monk is far too indulgent.'
"Noble son, sometime later, the time of the monk Cāritramati's death arrived. After he died, the ripening of this action caused him to plummet to the great hell of Ceaseless Torment, and he experienced the suffering of the great hells for nine hundred ninety billion eons. For another sixty lifetimes he encountered unpleasant speech, and for thirty-two thousand lifetimes he had no access to the renunciant's life. The residual traces of that karmic obscuration allowed him to become a renuncian during the time of the teachings of the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha Expanding Stainless Light. As a renuncian he did not attain even a semblance of patience, even though he practiced for sixty trillion years as if his head were on fire, and for many hundreds of thousands of lives his faculties remained dull.
"Noble son, if you believe that at that time, on that occasion, the monk and Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra was someone other than the Thus-Gone One Akṣobhya, you are mistaken. For at that time, on that occasion, the Thus-Gone One Akṣobhya was indeed the monk and Dharma teacher Viśuddhacāritra. Noble son, if you believe that at that time, on that occasion, the monk and Dharma teacher Cāritramati was someone other than me, then you are mistaken. For at that time, on that occasion, I was indeed the monk and Dharma teacher Cāritramati, and it was I who, because of his subtle methods, had distrustful thoughts about him. And because of the karmic obscurations I accumulated, I fell into the realm of hell beings.
"Noble son, there are karmic obscurations that are as subtle as that; and therefore, noble son, whoever does not wish for such karmic obscurations should not become angry about the conduct of others. All such types of conduct are worthy of trust. One should think, 'I do not know another person's mind. The behavior of beings is difficult to fathom.'
"It is recognizing the importance of this matter that the Thus-Gone One has given this Dharma advice: People should not judge one another. If they do, they only harm themselves. Only I or someone like me can judge people.
"Noble son, those who wish to protect themselves should not scrutinize the behavior of others. They should not criticize others, saying, 'They are like this and that, he or she is like this.' Rather, they should endeavor in the teachings of the Buddha day and night. Noble son, a bodhisattva who sincerely practices with a mind accustomed to the Dharma will be assiduous in not judging others.
[VII. Purification Through Direct Wisdom:
When bodhisattvas fully assimilate this single principle of all phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A], they gain an understanding and later a direct realisation of the true nature & dynamic of the karmic cycle [U3S] as it is here & now, and thus gain the purification / transcendence of all karmic obscurations (not accepting, not rejecting it/them, just realising its/their true nature & dynamic as it is here & now).]
"Noble son, suppose a bodhisattva were to establish all beings living throughout the great trichiliocosm on the path of the ten virtuous actions. Compared to that, if another bodhisattva were to take to solitude and merely arouse trust in the single principle of all phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A] for a single instant, or even just ask a question about it, inquire into it, teach on it, or recite it, then the merit of this would be far greater.
Why is that?
"Noble son, when bodhisattvas fully assimilate this principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A], they gain the purification of all karmic obscurations. They are then freed from all forms of attachment or anger toward beings and swiftly gain omniscience."
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Then Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta asked the Blessed One, "Blessed One, when you say 'karmic obscurations are purified,' how are these karmic obscurations purified?"
The Blessed One responded, "Mañjuśrī, a bodhisattva who knows that all phenomena are devoid of karma and ripening [U2T – karma] [A] gains the purification of karmic obscurations. Moreover, Mañjuśrī, a bodhisattva who sees the limit of attachment and the limit of reality as the same [U2T-2T], the limit of anger and the limit of reality as the same, and the limit of ignorance and the limit of reality as the same gains the purification of karmic obscurations. Moreover, Mañjuśrī, a bodhisattva who sees all beings and all phenomena as nirvāṇa's expanse [Uopp – samsara & nirvana] [C] gains the purification of karmic obscurations.
"Why is this, Mañjuśrī? If you hold a view, karma accumulates. Mañjuśrī, immature, ordinary, unlearned beings do not know all phenomena to be utterly beyond suffering. They therefore conceptualize self and other, and thus accumulate physical, verbal, and mental karma. Because of these mistaken imputations, they think, 'I am attached, I am angry, I am stupid.' If they become renunciants under the teachings of the Thus-Gone One, they go on to think, 'I am disciplined, I am chaste, I should transcend saṃsāra, I should attain nirvāṇa, and I should gain freedom from suffering.'
"Because of their mistaken imputations, they form concepts such as, 'These phenomena are virtuous, these are non-virtuous; these phenomena are to be known, these phenomena are to be avoided; these phenomena are to be actualized, these phenomena are to be cultivated; and suffering is to be understood, its origin is to be eliminated, cessation is to be actualized, and the path is to be cultivated. All karmic predispositions are impermanent, all karmic predispositions are painful, and all karmic predispositions are aflame. I must escape from karmic predispositions, whatever it takes!'
"When they conceptualize in this way, they form the perception that they are weary, and based on that indication, think, 'To know these phenomena is to understand suffering. I will eliminate its origin, whatever it takes!' They thus become deflated, worried, fearful, terrified, and horrified about everything, and think, 'To feel ashamed about phenomena is to eliminate the origin.' They will think, 'I should actualize cessation, whatever it takes!' They will impute labels on phenomena, and then form the perception of their cessation. They will think, 'Actualizing phenomena is cessation.' They will think, 'I should cultivate the path, whatever it takes!' They will go alone into solitude and focus on those practices, thus attaining tranquility. Their belief that they are weary and their attainment of tranquility will lead them to become disenchanted and disheartened with all phenomena. Their minds will turn away from them and they will become deflated, embarrassed, and reproachful. They will lose all excitement, and will think, 'I am free from all suffering. Compared to this, there is nothing more I need to do. I am a worthy one.' Then when they reach the point of death and see that they will be reborn, they will become doubtful and suspicious of the Buddha's awakening. The mind that falls into such doubt will be born in the great hell realms. All of this is because they have imputed labels onto unborn phenomena [U2T - three stages of becoming]."
[VIII. How to interpret less-dualistically traditional Buddhist concepts
From the perspective of this single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]
and the unborn nature of all phenomena [U2T - three stages of becoming]?]
[i. How to understand the Four Noble Truths?
Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T] [A].]
Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta then asked the Blessed One, "Blessed One, how should we view the four truths of noble beings?"
The Blessed One responded, "Mañjuśrī, whoever sees all karmic predispositions as unborn [U3S / U2T-3S] [B] understands suffering.
Whoever sees all phenomena as unoriginated [U2T - three stages of becoming] [D] eliminates the origin.
Whoever sees all phenomena as utterly beyond suffering [Uopp] [C] actualizes cessation.
Whoever sees all phenomena as intangible [U2T] [A] cultivates the path.
"Mañjuśrī, whoever sees the four truths of noble beings in this way will not form concepts such as, 'These phenomena are virtuous, and those are non-virtuous; these are to be understood, these are to be eliminated, these are to be actualized, and these are to be cultivated; suffering is to be understood, the origin is to be eliminated, cessation is to be actualized, and the path is to be cultivated.'
Why is that?
"Any phenomenon toward which ordinary and immature beings become attached, angry, or ignorant is seen to be unborn, non-existent, mistaken, imputed, and produced [D]. Therefore, no phenomena are accepted or rejected [F] [G]. This type of mind is not attached to the three realms and correctly sees that the entirety of the three realms is unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] and like an illusion, a dream, an echo, and a hallucination [H] [U2T] [A]. That mind regards all virtuous and non-virtuous phenomena to be like visual distortions [Uopp / U2T-opp] [C]. It sees the realm of attachment as the expanse of nirvāṇa [Uopp] [C]. Likewise, the elements of anger and ignorance are seen as the expanse of nirvāṇa [I].
(i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
"By seeing phenomena as having this nature, one will no longer be attached or angry toward any being.
Why is that?
Because one will no longer apprehend any phenomena to which one could be attached or angry.
With a mind equal to space, one does not even see the Buddha, nor does one see the Dharma or the Saṅgha. [U2T] [A]
Because one does not see any phenomena, one does not have any doubt about phenomena.
Without doubt, there is no perpetuation.
With no perpetuation, one attains nirvāṇa free from perpetuation.
Mañjuśrī, because the elder Subhūti understands phenomena in this way, he does not come to bow to the Thus-Gone One's feet.
Why is that?
If one does not apprehend oneself, how could one apprehend the Thus-Gone One? He is not there." [U2T] [A]
(i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
[ii. How should we relate to the four applications of mindfulness?
Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T] [A].]
Then Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta asked the Blessed One, "Blessed One, how should we relate to the four applications of mindfulness?"
The Blessed One responded, "Mañjuśrī,
teach renunciants of the future the application of mindfulness that examines the body in terms of its repulsiveness.
Teach the application of mindfulness that examines sensations in terms of their arising and ceasing.
Teach the application of mindfulness that examines the mind in terms of the fact that mind arises and ceases.
Teach the application of mindfulness that examines phenomena through the understanding that anything that is not perceived as whole is not perceived as a phenomenon."
(i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
Then Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta asked the Blessed One, "Blessed One, in that case, how should we relate to the four applications of mindfulness?"
The Blessed One responded, "Mañjuśrī, it is acceptable that you ask this, for the thus-gone ones' cryptic statements are hard to understand."
Mañjuśrī then requested of the Blessed One, "Blessed One, well then, please give a teaching on how to cultivate the four applications of mindfulness."
"Mañjuśrī," said the Blessed One, "whoever sees the body as being the same as space cultivates the application of mindfulness that examines the body.
Mañjuśrī, whoever does not apprehend sensations as being inner, outer, or neither cultivates the application of mindfulness that examines sensations.
Mañjuśrī, whoever understands that mind is just a label, cultivates the application of mindfulness that examines the mind.
Mañjuśrī, whoever does not apprehend virtuous and non-virtuous phenomena, cultivates the application of mindfulness that examines phenomena.
Mañjuśrī, this is how to relate to the four applications of mindfulness."
[iii. How should we relate to the five faculties?
Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T] [A].]
Mañjuśrī asked the Blessed One, "Blessed One, how should we relate to the five faculties?"
The Blessed One responded,
"Mañjuśrī, to see all phenomena as unborn because they are naturally non-arisen [U2T - three stages of becoming] is the faculty of faith.
Mañjuśrī, to not project the mind toward phenomena because they are free from notions of near or far is the faculty of diligence. Mañjuśrī, to not direct the mind toward phenomena or conceptualize them through mindfulness because they are free of reference point is the faculty of mindfulness.
Mañjuśrī, to not think about any phenomena is the faculty of absorption.
Mañjuśrī, because phenomena are free of birth and destruction [U2T - three stages of becoming], and of knowing and not knowing, to see that they are all naturally empty [U2T] is the faculty of insight.
Mañjuśrī, this is how to relate to the five faculties."
[iv. How should we relate to the seven limbs of awakening?
Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T] [A].]
Mañjuśrī asked the Blessed One, "Blessed One, how should we relate to the seven limbs of awakening?"
The Blessed One responded,
"Mañjuśrī, seeing that phenomena lack inherent nature [U2T] and cannot be an object of the mind [U3S] is the limb of authentic mindfulness. Mañjuśrī, because that which is virtuous, non-virtuous, and neutral cannot be established [Uopp / U2T-opp] once they have been dissected and examined, to not apprehend any phenomenon is the limb of authentic investigation.
Mañjuśrī, to not accept or reject [Middle Way] the three realms due to fully understanding the perception of realms [U3S] is the limb of authentic diligence.
Mañjuśrī, to not take joy in any of the karmic predispositions because joy and sorrow are thoroughly known [U3S] is the limb of authentic joy.
Mañjuśrī, to not apprehend apprehensible objects and to remain calm toward all phenomena [U3S] is the limb of authentic calm.
Mañjuśrī, to not apprehend the mind after meditating on and gaining realization about all phenomena [U3S] is the limb of authentic absorption.
Resting in equanimity without being based in, relying upon, being attached to, or knowing any phenomenon, and without closely examining any phenomena, is the limb of authentic equanimity.
Mañjuśrī, this is how to relate to the seven limbs of awakening."
[v. How should we relate to the eightfold path of noble beings?
Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T] [A].]
Mañjuśrī asked, "Blessed One, how should we relate to the eightfold path of noble beings?"
The Blessed One responded,
"Mañjuśrī, seeing that all phenomena are not unequal, are non-dual, and are indivisible, is right view. Mañjuśrī, seeing that there is nothing to examine, investigate, or scrutinize, insofar as all phenomena are imperceptible, is right thought.
Mañjuśrī, seeing that all phenomena are inexpressible, because of having grown deeply accustomed to equality and inexpressibility, is right speech.
Mañjuśrī, seeing that all phenomena (object) are without action (relation / action) and agent (subject), because of not apprehending an agent, is right action.
Mañjuśrī, maintaining the equality of livelihoods, and thus not amassing or diminishing any phenomena, is right livelihood. Mañjuśrī, doing absolutely nothing to phenomena, insofar as exertion and success do not exist, is right effort.
Mañjuśrī, to not direct the mind toward or be mindful of any phenomena, because of avoiding any mindful action, is right mindfulness.
Mañjuśrī, to not apprehend any phenomena, and thus rest naturally in equipoise, be without agitation, and recognize that there are no points of reference, is right absorption.
Mañjuśrī, this is how to relate to the eightfold path of noble beings.
[i-v. Conclusion & benefits
A monk should endeavor in these teachings as explained. Acting without acting, with more compassion and wisdom together; more and more in accord with the single principle [U2T] [A].]
"Mañjuśrī, those who know the four truths of noble beings and see the four applications of mindfulness, the five faculties, the seven limbs of awakening, and the eightfold path of noble beings in this way are said to have transcended negativity, to have reached the far shore, and to stand on level ground.
They are blissful and fearless, have set their burdens down, have stirred the dust, and are freed from everything.
They are unafflicted, worthy ones, and both ascetics and brahmins.
They are washed, perfected, and clean.
They are children of the Śākyas and heirs to the buddhas.
They have extracted the thorn, escaped the moat, leapt over the moat, removed the dart, and are free of fever.
They are monks, noble ones, and perfect victory banners.
"Mañjuśrī, monks who possess this type of patience are objects of generosity for the world and its gods, fit for all gifts and honors. Therefore, Mañjuśrī, if a monk wishes to make the consumption of food gained in alms rounds meaningful and seeks to tame the māras, pass beyond saṃsāra, attain nirvāṇa, be freed from suffering, and become an object of the generosity of the world and its gods, that monk should endeavor in these teachings as explained."
When this Dharma teaching was given, thirty thousand gods attained realization of the Dharma and scattered many coral tree flowers on the Blessed One and Mañjuśrī. They said, "Blessed One, at the very least, whoever simply hears this teaching will go forth in the teachings of the Thus-Gone One. And further there are those who, hearing it, will become devoted to and confident in it and become assiduous in pursuing it correctly. Blessed One, whoever simply hears this teaching will no longer be arrogant."
[IX. A dhāraṇī
A dhāraṇī that relates all phenomena with the qualities of a buddha [I]
and causes the realization that all phenomena come down to a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
[i. It is important to understand & directly perceive / realise / experience the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena – physical, conceptual, mental; body, speech, mind; subject, relation / action, object; pure, impure –.
That is the only way to become free from them, to transcend them without rejecting / negating / abandoning them.]
Then Mañjuśrī requested the Blessed One, "Blessed One, please teach the words of dhāraṇī taught by the thus-gone ones that causes bodhisattvas to attain unimpeded eloquence, the sound of which causes fearlessness —
a dhāraṇī that relates all phenomena with the qualities of a buddha
and causes the realization that all phenomena come down to
a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Please teach us the words of such a dhāraṇī."
The Blessed One said to Mañjuśrī, "Well then, Mañjuśrī, listen to this Dharma gateway.
It is a Dharma gateway through which bodhisattvas obtain
the illumination of all phenomena [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]
and swiftly attain the acceptance that phenomena are unborn. [U2T - three stages of becoming].
It is called teaching the words of the stake and the words of the seed.
"Mañjuśrī, what is this Dharma gateway called teaching the words of the stake and the words of the seed?
[a) It is important to understand & directly realise the Non-duality / Oneness / Uopp of all beings.]
"Mañjuśrī, all beings are of one mind [Uopp - self & others] (i) are seed words."
"Blessed One, why are these seed words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī,
because there is no apprehension of reference points (objects), there is no mind (subject) [U3S / U2T-3S].
Therefore, these are seed words.
"Mañjuśrī, all beings are of a single mode of being [U2T - all beings] (ii) are seed words."
"Blessed One, why are these seed words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are inclined to be without attachment; they are [like] space. Therefore, these are seed words.
"Mañjuśrī, all beings are a single being [Uopp - all beings] (iii) are seed words."
"Blessed One, why are these seed words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, because all beings are unborn, utterly unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming], unnamed, have only one path, and cannot be observed, they are taught to be a single being [Uopp - all beings]. Therefore, these are seed words.
[b) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena as it is here & now, including the three poisons.]
"Mañjuśrī, attachment (i) is a stake word."
"Blessed One, why is this a stake word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, attachment endures [T1] in the realm of reality in a manner of not enduring [T2] [U2T]. It does not waver or move and is naturally discrete. It does not waver. Therefore, this is a stake word.
"Mañjuśrī, aggression (ii) is a vajra word."
"Blessed One, why is this a vajra word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, aggression is indivisible, as for instance a vajra is indivisible and indestructible.
Likewise, Mañjuśrī,
phenomena [T1] do not exist [T2] as material [independent] objects [U2T],
thus they are indestructible and indivisible. Therefore, this is a vajra word.
"Mañjuśrī, stupidity (iii) is a wisdom word."
"Blessed One, why is this a wisdom word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are established by wisdom and are not unknown. For example, Mañjuśrī, space is not something that knows or does not know. Likewise, Mañjuśrī, phenomena neither know nor do not know. Because knowable things are utter peace, they neither know nor do not know. Therefore, this is a wisdom word.
[c) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena as it is here & now, including the five aggregates.]
"Mañjuśrī, form (i) is a stake word."
"Blessed One, why is this a stake word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, it is like this: because an iron bolt is rigid, it does not waver or move. Likewise, Mañjuśrī, all phenomena endure in the realm of reality in the manner of not enduring — they neither come nor go [U2T - three stages of becoming], cannot be appropriated, and are beyond effort. Because they are extremely stable, they do not endure. Therefore, this is a stake word.
"Mañjuśrī, feeling (ii) is a peace word."
"Blessed One, why is this a peace word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are naturally peaceful. Feelings do not exist internally, nor do they exist externally. They do not exist in the east, south, west, or north. They do not exist below or above, nor do they exist in any of the intermediate directions. Mañjuśrī, if the feeling of happiness existed internally, then happiness would bring all beings intense happiness. Conversely, Mañjuśrī, if the feeling of pain existed internally, then pain would cause all beings intense pain. Mañjuśrī, if feelings that are neither happiness nor pain existed internally, then all beings would experience intense dullness.
"Mañjuśrī, given that no feelings exist internally, externally, in the east, south, west, north, above or below, or in any intermediate direction, all beings are like grass or a wall — equal in being unborn and unceasing by nature [U2T - three stages of becoming]. Therefore, this is a peace word.
"Mañjuśrī, perception (iii) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, perception arises from imputation [T1]. It arises from the mistaken [T1] and is like an empty discontinuity [T2] [U2T]. Perceptions are essentially optical illusions [H] and are naturally discrete. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, karmic predisposition (iv) are seed words."
"Blessed One, why are these seed words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are uncountable, equal in terms of number, and like the center of the plantain tree. In that example, Mañjuśrī, the center of the plantain tree naturally does not grow, and therefore is totally non-existent and cannot be apprehended [U2T]. Likewise, Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are naturally discrete and have no labels. Therefore, these are seed words.
"Mañjuśrī, consciousness (v) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, consciousness is like an illusion [H]. It is unborn, unarisen, empty, signless, essenceless, and without attributes [U2T - three stages of becoming]. It is free of labels, just like space and the five fingers. Therefore, this is a seed word.
[d) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena as it is here & now, including the six sense objects.]
"Mañjuśrī, visible form (i) are seed words."
"Blessed One, why are these seed words?"
The Blessed One said, "For example, visual distortions appear [T1] but do not exist [T2] [U2T].
Likewise, Mañjuśrī,
all phenomena appear [T1] but do not exist [T2] [U2T].
The eye is deceived and the mind is deceived since visible forms are empty, hollow, false, and illusory [H]. Therefore, these are seed words.
"Mañjuśrī, sound (ii) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī,
phenomena cannot be separated and are non-dual [Uopp / U2T-opp].
The manifestation of their sound is like that of an echo. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, smell (iii) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, there are no phenomena (objects) that are apprehended as a nose, smell, or consciousness, thus there is no smelling (relation / action) (and subject) [U3S / U2T-3S]; it is naturally dull, and like space. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, taste (iv) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are naturally and essentially discrete, therefore they are inconceivable. When the element of taste is not apprehended, taste cannot be apprehended [U2T]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, touch (v) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are discrete, like space. Both our familiar body and what it touches do not arise and are discrete from touch, thus touch does not exist [U2T]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
[e) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena as it is here & now, including the four irreducible elements.]
"Mañjuśrī, earth (i) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are without mind, have no mind, are essenceless, unestablished, free of labels, and devoid of attributes, and have the nature of the realm of reality [U2T]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, water (ii) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, phenomena have no water, are not mixed with it, are not wet, and are like the water in a mirage [Like illusions [H]: 'There, but not there. [U2T]]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, fire (iii) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are without warmth, free of torment, naturally non-existent, and essentially peaceful. Being erroneous conceptual designations [T1], they never arise [T2] [U2T]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, wind (iv) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, because all phenomena are completely free of motion, they are unattached and unobscured. They completely transcend the path of the wind, have no attributes, and are essenceless [U2T]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
[f) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena as it is here & now, including the three Jewels: the equality of defilement and awakening, of pure and impure dharmas.]
"Mañjuśrī, buddha (i) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, phenomena do not cause awakening; they lack awakening, realization, and perfect buddhahood. They do not approach awakening, but are isolated from that which causes awakening [effect]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, dharma (ii) is a seed word."
"Blessed One, why is this a seed word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are indivisible and cannot be split apart. They are free from being cut, and isolated from being cut. They are without labels, signless, without attributes, essenceless, and transcend language [inconceivable]. Therefore, this is a seed word.
"Mañjuśrī, saṅgha (iii) is a stake word."
"Blessed One, why is this a stake word?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, the noble saṅgha is firmly situated in reality itself. It is firmly situated in the realm of reality, the limit of reality, the equality of discipline and lax discipline [Uopp / U2T-opp], the equality of absorption and disturbance [Uopp / U2T-opp], the equality of insight and distorted insight [Uopp / U2T-opp], and
the equality of liberation and defilement [Uopp / U2T-opp].
Because it does not apprehend remaining or not remaining, it remains in all phenomena. Therefore, this is a stake word.
[g) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all phenomena as it is here & now: not really existent, ungraspable, free, baseless, beyond training.)
"Mañjuśrī, no phenomenon is an object (i) are stake words."
"Blessed One, why are they stake words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are space-like objects, inconceivable objects, and not objects. They are completely interrupted, insubstantial, and free from being interrupted, and thus are powerless. Therefore, these are stake words.
"Mañjuśrī, no phenomena can be apprehended as stake words."
"Blessed One, why are they stake words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are without basis or support. Because they are isolated from apprehension, they are not apprehended, not observed, disconnected, and not encountered or met with. Therefore, these are stake words.
"Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are ungraspable (ii) are stake words."
"Blessed One, why are they stake words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī,
all phenomena are wholly immersed in the realm of reality [UGM].
They are not abandoned, received, or sought out.
They are not aspired for; aspirations are entirely eradicated.
They are naturally quelled and are equal and similar to space.
Therefore, these are stake words.
"Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are free of the afflictions (iii) are stake words."
"Blessed One, why are they stake words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are stainless.
They are nothing at all [T2], yet are pure and luminous [T1] [U2T].
Because space is completely pure, they are utterly pure. Because the afflictions are not apprehended, there are no afflictions. Therefore, these are stake words.
"Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are baseless (iv) are stake words."
"Blessed One, why are they stake words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are insubstantial and powerless, and thus do not have a foundation [U2T]. Therefore, these are stake words.
"Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are beyond training (v) are stake words."
"Blessed One, why are they stake words?"
The Blessed One said, "Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are free from training. They are not something that can be trained in, cultivated, contemplated, thought about, maintained, gone to, persevered in, mistakenly persevered in, abandoned, actualized, disclosed, confessed, arranged, liberated, expressed, discussed, grasped at, cast aside, sent away, or forsaken. Why is this? Mañjuśrī, all phenomena are completely rejected and naturally not grasped at. They are always cast aside. This is not understood through knowing, nor is it something to understand through not knowing. Therefore, these are stake words."
Then Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta said to the Blessed One, "Blessed One, based on these stake words, I have discovered eloquence."
The Blessed One said to Mañjuśrī, "Then please speak with eloquence, Mañjuśrī."
[h) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all beings as it is here & now: all beings have the Buddha-nature and its inseparable qualities; all being are primordially equal, pure, perfect, divine, complete, free, enlightened, the inseparable three pure kayas, the true Buddha.]
Mañjuśrī replied, "Blessed One, all beings have attained awakening (i) are stake words." (i.e beings)
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, no phenomenon is attained, authentically attained, or acquired. Phenomena are not attainable, and they cannot be understood or realized. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have attained omniscience (ii) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, no beings exist at all, and it follows that the omniscient state is also insubstantial by nature. Therefore, I say, 'All beings have attained omniscience.'
Blessed One, omniscience is not viable as something that someone can attain.
Why is this?
Because, Blessed One,
omniscience is the nature of beings.
Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have omniscient wisdom (iii) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, all beings are without an essence; they are devoid of essence [U2T]. Because they share the same essence, it follows that they are the same as the Thus-Gone One [Uopp / U2T-opp],
and that they possess the nature of omniscient wisdom.
Therefore, they are stake words.
Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have the essence of awakening (iv) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī responded, "Blessed One, what is the meaning of the words the essence of awakening?"
The Blessed One said,
"The essence of awakening means that all phenomena have an essence of peace;
that all phenomena have an unborn essence [U2T - three stages of becoming];
that all phenomena have an insubstantial essence [U2T];
that all phenomena have an ungraspable essence;
and that all phenomena have an essence with no intrinsic nature [U2T].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
Mañjuśrī, this is the meaning of the expression the essence of awakening."
"Well then, Blessed One, is it not the case that beings always have this essence?"
"Yes, Mañjuśrī, that is the case," answered the Blessed One.
"Blessed One, that teaching shows that
all beings have the essence of awakening.
Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have attained patience (v) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, all beings have the qualities of being inexhaustible, unobscured, and unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming]. They possess an even patience that is devoid of linguistic designations. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have unimpeded eloquence (vi) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, every being who has eloquence, no matter who, does not exist anywhere in the ten directions [U2T]. Blessed One, considering that
all beings are free of obscurations,
are discrete, have attained equality, and that they maintain their own characteristics, they are non-existent.
Blessed One, this teaching shows that they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have attained dhāraṇī (vii) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One,
all beings perceive themselves as beings [T1], but this is a false imputation [T2] [U2T],
a mistaken concept that results in fixation on characteristics. And because of this, they cling to form, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have an affectionate mind (viii) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One,
beings [T1] are not beings [T2] [U2T].
They naturally have no malice, and have attained the equality in which malice and love are never present [Uopp / U2T-opp]. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have great compassion (ix) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One,
all beings have uncontrived and unfabricated compassion.
They have an essence of great compassion that is not beyond the scope of the thus gone ones' equality.
Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, all beings have meditative absorption (x) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, because beings are devoid of reference points, they have a nature [U2T]. Blessed One, a being's consciousness that emerges based on reference points is not concerned by those reference points. Why is this? Because, Blessed One, the consciousnesses involved in reference points are momentary. Therefore, they are stake words.
[i) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of Buddhas as it is here & now: Buddhas and ordinary sentient beings are not different, not identical, not both together, not neither; Buddhas are not with / without the three poisons, the three varjas, karma, etc.; they have transcended them, are free from them but not necessarily without them, by directly realising their true nature & dynamic as it is here & now.]
"Blessed One, all buddhas are endowed with attachment (i) are stake words." (i.e. Buddhas)
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, all buddhas have attachment. They have an essential nature of attachment, and in realizing this, do not part from equality. Thus they are glad, delighted, and joyful, and are free from afflictive emotions. Therefore, Blessed One,
attachment itself is awakening.
Why is this? Blessed One, realizing the essential nature of attachment is called awakening.
Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, the blessed buddhas have aggression (ii) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, the blessed buddhas remain in the equality of aggression [Uopp / U2T-opp], and correctly demonstrate the faults of all karmic predispositions. Because they realize the essential nature of aggression, it is said that they have aggression. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, the blessed buddhas have stupidity (iii) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, the blessed buddhas realize the essential nature of stupidity, and so remain in the equality of stupidity [Uopp / U2T-opp] and can elucidate all terms. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, the blessed buddhas have a real body (iv) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, the blessed buddhas reside in a real body, and because they understand that this real body is unborn and unarisen, phenomena do not increase, expand, or proliferate [U2T - three stages of becoming]. They remain as if not remaining. Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, the blessed buddhas have wrong views (iv) are stake words."
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One,
The blessed buddhas correctly demonstrate that composite phenomena are mistaken.
They correctly demonstrate that composite phenomena are incorrect.
They correctly demonstrate that composite phenomena are in error.
They realize equality through the characteristics of the essential nature of wrong views,
and thus demonstrate that conditioned phenomena are false, deceptive, and misleading.
Therefore, they are stake words.
"Blessed One, the blessed buddhas persist in mistakenness and discover awakening and the blessed buddhas persist in the obscurations, in the five sense pleasures, in attachment, in aggression, and in stupidity and discover awakening: those are stake words."
[j) It is important to understand & directly realise the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of all dharmas as it is here & now while using them as simple tools; not accepting them, not rejecting them. It is enough to be fully aware of their single principle [U2T / U3S / Uopp / Middle Way / tetralemma] and their unborn nature [U2T - three stages of becoming].]
"Mañjuśrī, why are they stake words?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One, this persisting expresses mistaken persisting."
The Blessed One asked, "Mañjuśrī, what is the meaning of the expression mistaken persisting?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Blessed One,
mistaken persisting, debased persisting, wavering, and vacillating are all designations for ordinary beings.
The blessed buddhas completely and perfectly persist in the equality of attachment, aggression, stupidity, the five sense pleasures, obscuration, and mistakenness.
While remaining in the essential nature of attachment, they fully awaken to unexcelled and perfect buddhahood.
While remaining in the essential nature of aggression, stupidity, the five sense pleasures, obscuration, and mistakenness, they fully awaken to unexcelled and perfect buddhahood."
[ii. It is not about accepting this while rejecting that.
The Buddha did not.]
Then the Blessed One asked Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta,
"Mañjuśrī, if someone were to ask you whether the thus-gone, worthy,
perfect Buddha has abandoned everything non-virtuous
and possesses all that is virtuous, how would you answer?" (i.e. Has the Buddha accepted this, while rejecting that?)
"Blessed One, if someone were to ask me whether the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha has abandoned everything non-virtuous and possesses all that is virtuous, I would give this answer:
First, pay respect to spiritual teachers.
Exert yourself in practice.
Do not join or separate from anything.
Do not accept or reject anything.
Do not apprehend or focus on anything.
Do not be indifferent toward or abandon anything.
Do not seek out or aspire for anything.
Do not look at anything as being the best, the worst, or as supreme.
Then you will come to know the scope of the Thus-Gone One.
This scope of the Thus-Gone One is inconceivable.
It lacks scope and has no scope.
It is completely lacking a scope.
Phenomena are eliminated (transcended)."
"Mañjuśrī, what are you trying to convey through such a statement?"
"Blessed One, in my statement I do not convey anything about any phenomena whatsoever [in absolute terms].
[iii. It is not about accepting nor rejecting the three poisons, or any other dharma.
It is about realising without realising their inconceivable true inconceivable nature & dynamic as it is here & now [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T]. Meanwhile it is about acting without acting, more and more in accord with the inconceivable true nature of Reality as it is here & now, more and more in accord with the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] free from all extremes & middle.]
Blessed One, when the blessed thus-gone ones sit at the seat of awakening,
do they see the arising or ceasing of any phenomena (to rank, to accept or reject in absolute terms)?" [U2T - three stages of becoming]
"Mañjuśrī, they do not."
"Blessed One,
how could one know phenomena that neither arise nor manifest and that possess neither virtue nor non-virtue?
What could be abandoned?
What could be cultivated?
What could be actualized?
What could be realized?"
Then from the sky above, ten thousand gods scattered many divine flowers, including water lilies, pink lotuses, white lotuses, coral tree flowers, great coral tree flowers, mañjūṣaka, and mahāmañjūṣaka flowers onto the Thus-Gone One and Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta.
They then bowed to the feet of the Thus-Gone One and Mañjuśrī and said,
"Blessed One, the splendor of being without attachment is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of non-duality [Uopp / U2T-opp] is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of insubstantiality [U2T] is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of being without afflictive emotions is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of suchness is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of unerring suchness [Ground / U2T] is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of the realm of reality [Ground / U2T] is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, the splendor of the limit of reality [Ground / U2T] is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, sacred splendor is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, supreme splendor is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, exalted splendor is Mañjuśrī.
Blessed One, unsurpassed splendor is Mañjuśrī."
Then Mañjuśrī addressed the gods:
"Divine beings, do not think about me and do not have preconceptions about me.
I do not see any qualities that can be called sublime, supreme, or highest. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Divine beings, I am the splendor of attachment, therefore I am Mañjuśrī.
I am the splendor of aggression, therefore I am Mañjuśrī.
I am the splendor of stupidity, therefore I am Mañjuśrī.
Divine beings, I have not transcended (in the sense of rejecting) attachment, aggression, or stupidity.
Divine beings, it is ordinary immature beings who attempt to transcend (in the sense of rejecting), pass beyond, and escape;
bodhisattvas do not transit, move, or transcend (in the sense of rejecting)."
The gods said,
"Well then, Mañjuśrī, do bodhisattvas not develop the qualities of a buddha?
Do they not progress through the ten grounds?"
Mañjuśrī responded, "Divine beings, what do you think? Do you think that a mind and its mental states that are illusorily emanated can develop the qualities of a buddha and progress through the ten grounds?"
The gods answered, "Mañjuśrī, if they are found in an illusory person they would not exist, so how could the qualities of a buddha be developed and progress be made through the grounds?"
Mañjuśrī responded, "Likewise, divine beings, all phenomena are illusory [H] [U2T] and cannot be developed, mastered, or triumphed over (in absolute terms, just conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively. Therefore, they cannot be transcended (in the sense of rejecting)."
The gods said, "Well then, Mañjuśrī, have you not fully and perfectly awakened?"
Mañjuśrī replied, "What do you think? If an ordinary immature being, one who is caught up in attachment, were to sit at the seat of awakening, would they gain omniscient wisdom?"
The gods responded, "What? Mañjuśrī, are you an ordinary immature being who is caught up in attachment?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Exactly, divine beings. I am caught up in attachment. I am caught up in aggression. I am caught up in stupidity. I am a rival tīrthika. I cling to the mistaken."
The gods asked, "Mañjuśrī, what do you mean when you say, 'I am caught up in attachment. I am caught up in aggression. I am caught up in stupidity'?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Divine beings, I say so because I remain, without remaining, in the essence of attachment, aggression, and stupidity [U2T]. I remain nowhere in the ten directions."
The gods asked, "Mañjuśrī, how are you a rival tīrthika?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Divine beings, I am a rival tīrthika because I do not frequent rival tīrthikas."
The gods asked, "Mañjuśrī, how do you cling to the mistaken?"
Mañjuśrī answered, "Divine beings, I cling to the mistaken because I know all phenomena to be mistaken. I have realized them to be incorrect and erroneously imputed."
[iv. Conclusion & benefits of this dhāraṇī.
"They will attain unimpeded eloquence, the illumination of all phenomena, and become skilled in teaching the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T]. They will relate all phenomena to the qualities of a buddha." That is they will be able to perceive the Buddha-nature in everything.]
When they had heard Mañjuśrī's teaching, the ten thousand gods attained the acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming]. They said, "If those who hear these vajra words, seed words, and stake words are successful in their attainment, what need is there to speak of those who hear them, become inspired, feel trust, and transmit, chant, retain, read, teach, and likewise earnestly apply them?
They will attain unimpeded eloquence, the illumination of all phenomena, and
become skilled in teaching the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
They will relate all phenomena to the qualities of a buddha." [B3]
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
[X. The teaching about the knowledge concerned with terminology and language:
It is about being aware of the true nature & dynamic of words / concepts / ideas / speech / insults or nice words / calumny or honors / … and not getting too emotional or reactive about them, remaining equanimous / stable / without getting angry or attached. Never thinking in terms of dualities / opposition, never accepting this while rejecting that in absolute terms, never discriminating / differentiating / judging anything or anybody in absolute terms. Ex. not rejecting / being averse to attachment / anger / ignorance / non-discipline … while accepting / grasping / getting attached to non-attachment / non-anger / wisdom / discipline …, the same for any other dualistic situation. Not being the Mr. Know it all and super judgemental control freak. Always aware of the single principle [U2T / U3S / Uopp / iddle Way / tetralemma] about everything involved. After all there is no absolute; everything is like illusions [H] 'there but not there'; everything is conventional / relative / merely labeled by the mind and thus empty of inherent existence [U2T]. Everything is primordially equal / pure / perfect / divine / complete / free / enlightened / the inseparable three kayas, the true Buddha.]
[FIRST QUESTION:]
Then the god Playful Clairvoyant Lotus said, "Blessed One, please teach the knowledge concerned with terminology and language so that when bodhisattvas of the future hear this mode of Dharma, they will become fearless and untroubled, be free of anxiety, seek the realization of all terminology, have unhindered understanding, and have no doubts."
[FIRST ANSWER: WHY DO YOU ASK? …]
The Blessed One answered the god Playful Clairvoyant Lotus, saying, "Divine being, why are you asking about this subject?
It is acceptable that you did, but the knowledge concerned with terminology and language is not something that beginning bodhisattvas understand, assimilate, contemplate, consider, or evaluate easily. It is not something to be discussed in the presence of beginning bodhisattvas.
"Divine being, even if bodhisattva great beings who have mastered their engagement with terminology and language are insulted or spoken to unpleasantly with perverse words and poor speech for as many eons as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, they will not get angry.
Even if they are treated respectfully, honored, served, and venerated with pleasant items, food, bedding, medicines, and all sorts of provisions for as many eons as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, they will not develop attachment.
"Divine being, consider this example: worthy ones who have exhausted all defilements will not become attached to any phenomenon toward which one could become attached, nor will they become averse toward any phenomenon toward which one could become averse.
"Likewise, divine being, even if bodhisattvas who have mastered their engagement with terminology and language are served with all sorts of pleasant items for as many eons as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, they will not become attached.
Or if they are insulted or spoken to unpleasantly with perverse and poor language for as many eons as there are grains of sand in the Ganges, they will not become angry.
"Divine being, bodhisattvas who have mastered their engagement with terminology and language in this way will not be unsettled or disturbed by gain, loss, fame, infamy, praise, blame, happiness, or suffering. They will dominate all worldly phenomena and remain unmoving like the king of mountains."
[ASKING FOR MORE:]
At that point, the god Playful Clairvoyant Lotus asked of the Blessed One, "Blessed One, please speak more on the knowledge concerned with terminology and language, if indeed in the future there are to be bodhisattvas who have refined and purified their perceptions and who hear about this knowledge concerned with terminology and language, realize their own faults, and instruct others."
[SECOND ANSWER:]
The Blessed One replied to the god Playful Clairvoyant Lotus, "Divine being, because you asked I will explain this subject to you. Listen well and keep what I say in mind."
The god Playful Clairvoyant Lotus said, "Blessed One, I will do just that," and he listened just as the Blessed One had instructed.
The Blessed One then said, "Divine being,
if bodhisattvas have a negative perception of the term attachment and have the perception of being drawn to the term free of attachment, then they are not trained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they have the perception of the term anger being unwholesome and a positive perception of the term free from anger, then they are not trained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they have the perception of the term stupidity as unwholesome and a positive perception of the term free from stupidity, then they are not trained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they are fond of the term minimal attachment and irritated by the term significant attachment, then they are not trained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term contentment and irritated by the term discontentment, then they are not trained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term restrained and irritated by the term unrestrained, then they are not trained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term delight in solitude, and irritated by the term general public, then they are not trained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term buddha and irritated by the term tīrthikas, then they are not trained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term chaste and irritated by the term unchaste, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
"If they are irritated by the term pollution and fond of the term purification, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term reached maturity and irritated by the term immature person, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
"If they are fond of the term bliss and irritated by the term suffering, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term renunciant and irritated by the term householder, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
"If they are fond of the term transcendent and irritated by the term mundane, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they have a favorable perception of the term generosity and a perception of irritation with the term stinginess, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they have a perception of fondness for the term discipline and a perception of irritation with the term lax discipline, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they have a favorable perception of the term patience and a perception of irritation with the term malice, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they have a favorable perception of the term diligence and a perception of irritation with the term laziness, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they have a favorable perception of the term concentration and a perception of irritation with the term agitation, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they have a favorable perception of the term insight and a perception of irritation with the term faulty insight, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they are fond of the term near and irritated with the term far, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they feel contempt for the term saṃsāra and a have a favorable perception of the term nirvāṇa, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are irritated by the term near side and fond of the term far side, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
"If they feel contempt for the term town and are fond of the term monastery, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the term a life of solitude and irritated by the term social life, then they are untrained in knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
If they are fond of the monastic life and irritated by the householder's life, then they are untrained in the knowledge concerned with terminology and language.
"If they are fond of proper comportment and irritated by improper comportment, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of playfulness and irritated by a lack of playfulness, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of disciplined conduct and irritated by undisciplined conduct, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of untainted conduct and irritated by tainted conduct, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they are fond of conduct free from attachment and irritated by conduct driven by attachment, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of the perception of not being aggressive and irritated by the perception of being aggressive, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of the perception of being free from stupidity and irritated by the perception of being stupid, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they are fond of emptiness and irritated by conceptual perception, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of the absence of attributes and irritated by attributes, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
If they are fond of the absence of wishes and irritated by wishes, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they are fond of the conduct of bodhisattvas and irritated by the conduct of hearers and solitary buddhas, then they are untrained in the qualities of the Buddha.
"If they criticize the faults of bodhisattvas, then they are far from awakening and take on karmic obscurations.
If they chastise the conduct of bodhisattvas, they are far from awakening. If they criticize their behavior, they are far from awakening.
If one bodhisattva perceives another bodhisattva as inferior, or perceives themselves as superior, then they will harm themselves and take on karmic obscurations.
If one bodhisattva instructs and teaches another bodhisattva about this, they should maintain the perception of themselves as a teacher offering instruction and teachings.
A bodhisattva should never find fault in another bodhisattva, wondering if they have abandoned awakening.
"Divine being, the manner in which a bodhisattva's roots of virtue are severed in relation to another bodhisattva is unlike any other context. Therefore, divine being, one who wishes to preserve all the roots of virtue of bodhisattvas, wash away all karmic obscurations, and swiftly become unobscured regarding all phenomena should prostrate three times a day and three times a night to those who follow the vehicle of the bodhisattvas."
Then Mañjuśrī said to the Blessed One, "I will further pursue the meaning of what you, the Blessed One, have taught.
The term attachment and the term buddha are equivalent.
The term aggression and the term buddha are equivalent.
The term stupidity and the term buddha are equivalent.
The term tīrthika and the term buddha are equivalent. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
"The term few desires and the term many desires are equivalent.
The term content and the term discontent are equivalent.
The term restrained and the term unrestrained are equivalent.
The term life of solitude and the term social life are equivalent.
The term near side and the term far side are equivalent.
The term far and the term near are equivalent.
The term saṃsāra and the term nirvāṇa are equivalent.
The term town and the term hermitage are equivalent. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
"The term generosity and the term stinginess are equivalent.
The term discipline and the term lack of discipline are equivalent.
The term patience and the term malice are equivalent.
The term diligence and the term laziness are equivalent.
The term concentration and the sound agitation are equivalent.
The term insight and the term faulty insight are equivalent." [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Then the god Playful Clairvoyant Lotus asked Mañjuśrī, "Mañjuśrī, how are these terms equivalent?"
Mañjuśrī responded, "Divine being, how do you understand the term attachment?"
"I know it to be like an echo."
"In that case, divine being, how do you understand the term buddha?"
"Mañjuśrī, this is also precisely the same as an echo."
"Divine being, know this entire teaching to be equivalent in the manner just described."
[XI. Concluding teaching
Teaching without teaching using less absolutist & dualistic ideas, views, methods, goals — just for fearless Bodhisattvas & householders who are ready for it.]
[THE STORY OF A CONTROL FREAK NAMED JAYAMATI:]
Then the Blessed One said to Mañjuśrī, "Mañjuśrī, please tell us the story about how, when you were still a beginner and not yet fully assimilated this principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T], you formed karmic obscurations.
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
In the future, Mañjuśrī, that teaching will protect all those who pledge to be bodhisattvas from acquiring such karmic obscurations."
Mañjuśrī answered the Blessed One, "How would this be of benefit? Blessed One, if they were to hear of these erroneous karmic obscurations, they would only become depressed and think, 'Although Mañjuśrī has gained purification of karmic obscurations, he has acquired obscurations regarding all phenomena.'
"Blessed One, in the past, a countless, unreckonable, vast, limitless, and incomprehensible number of eons ago, the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha King Rhythm of a Lion's Roar appeared in the world. He was a person with proper knowledge and conduct, a well-gone one, a knower of the world, an unsurpassed guide who trains beings, a teacher of gods and humans, and a blessed buddha. The lifespan of this thus-gone one was trillions of years. He guided beings toward nirvāṇa through the three vehicles. The world was called Great Illumination, and all the trees and foliage in that world were all made of the seven precious jewels. The native trees resounded with the sounds of emptiness, signlessness, wishlessness, no birth, immateriality, and the lack of attributes. These sounds brought the beings of that world realization.
"The Thus-Gone One's first assembly of hearers consisted of nine hundred ninety million monks, all of whom were worthy ones who had exhausted the defilements, put down their burdens, attained their own benefit, and eliminated whatever bound them to existence. Their minds had been completely liberated by the authentic word.
"The second assembly consisted of nine hundred sixty million monks, the third was of nine hundred twenty million monks, and the fourth was of nine hundred twenty million monks. All of them were worthy ones who had exhausted the defilements, put down their burdens, attained their own benefit, and eliminated what bound them to existence. Their minds had been completely liberated by the authentic word.
"The assembly of bodhisattvas was similar in number, and they had all gained acceptance that phenomena are unborn [U2T - three stages of becoming] and were skilled in various styles of practice. Everyone in this bodhisattva assembly had served many billions of buddhas, were famed in many billions of buddha realms, had properly liberated many billions of beings, attained limitless gateways of dhāraṇī, and were skilled in the practice of billions of forms of absorption. This surely also applied to all the beginning bodhisattva great beings and those who had newly entered this vehicle. It would not be easy to describe in words these ornaments of the buddha realm of that thus-gone one. After the Thus-Gone One had passed into parinirvāṇa, his teachings remained for sixty thousand years, after which the sounds stopped reverberating from the trees.
"Blessed One, at that time there was a bodhisattva, a monk and Dharma teacher named Joyful King. Blessed One, the bodhisattva Joyful King was stuck in his ways, did nothing to improve his conduct, and did not turn away from worldly phenomena. The people there were of sharp faculties, eager from the outset, and solely devoted to the profound. To these beings, Joyful King did not praise having few desires, being contented, showing restraint, delighting in solitude, or not being social. Instead, he taught them that all phenomena are in essence desire, all phenomena are in essence aggression, all phenomena are in essence stupidity, and that all phenomena are unobscured. Using this method, he taught that all kinds of behavior have the same characteristic [Uopp / U2T-opp], and because he taught with this method, beings did not disapprove of the bodhisattva's conduct. They did not become angry, but attained a state of acceptance. They were confident and certain about the teachings of the Thus-Gone One.
"Also at that time there was a bodhisattva, a monk and Dharma teacher named Jayamati. Blessed One, that Dharma teacher Jayamati had attained the four concentrations. He had attained the four types of formless equipoise. He had taken up and maintained the twelve ascetic practices.
"However, Blessed One, the bodhisattva Jayamati found fault in those who needed training and criticized them. His mind was completely unstable. Blessed One, one time while the bodhisattva Jayamati was out on his alms round, he unknowingly went to a village that had been adopted by the bodhisattva Joyful King. In that village, he noticed the home of a young householder, and he went there, sitting down on a seat that was already prepared. He gave the young householder a discourse on having few desires. He talked about restraint, about the problems of being social. He praised the pleasures of solitude and of not being social. While in the presence of the young householder he described the bodhisattva Joyful King harshly: 'That monk leads many people astray. That monk causes people to have wrong views. That monk moves in society and teaches that attachment does not obscure, aggression does not obscure, stupidity does not obscure, and that no phenomenon obscures.'
"That young householder was of sharp faculties and had attained acceptance, so he said to the monk, 'Honorable one, how do you understand attachment?'
" 'Young householder, I know attachment to be polluting.'
" 'Well then, honorable one, is attachment inside or is it outside?'
" 'Attachment is not within, nor is it without.'
" 'Honorable one, given that attachment is not within or without, not in the east, the south, the west, the north, above, below, or in any other direction, it is unborn. When something is unborn, is it polluted, or is it purified?'
"When the monk Jayamati heard this teaching, he became disturbed and extremely unhappy. He did not take the alms, got up from his seat, and left.
"He left the house saying, 'Alas, this monk has led many people astray.' He returned to the monastery, subsequently went to the temple, and summoned all the other monks. Seeing that the monk Joyful King was present in the assembly, he said, 'This monk has led many people astray. This monk causes many people to have wrong view. He preaches that attachment does not obscure, that aggression does not obscure, that stupidity does not obscure, and that no phenomenon obscures.'
[A NICE TEACHING ABOUT THIS KIND OF ATTITUDE:]
"The bodhisattva Joyful King thought to himself, 'This monk has obviously accumulated karmic obscurations. Since this is beyond doubt, I will give him some profound advice. Even if I am not successful, it will at least serve as a catalyst for his cultivation of the qualities of awakening.'
"Then the bodhisattva Joyful King, addressing the entire monastic assembly, spoke the following verses:
" 'Attachment (-) is said to be nirvāṇa (+). [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Aggression and stupidity are the same.
They are dimensions of awakening (i.e. inseparable manifestations of the Ground) —
The Buddha's awakening is inconceivable.
" 'Whoever [dualistically] conceptualizes attachment [in absolute terms],
And likewise aggression and stupidity,
Is as far from the Buddha's awakening
As the earth is from the sky.
" 'Awakening (+) and attachment (-) are non-dual. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
They are identical, one and the same.
(i.e. Not different / dual, not identical / the same / non-dual, not both together, not neither.)
The immature who are fearful of these teachings
Are far from the Buddha's awakening.
" 'Attachment is unborn and imperishable [U2T - three stages of becoming],
Not something [real subject] that pollutes [real relation / action] the mind [a real object / mind / self]. [U3S]
Those who crave the imputed self
Are cast to the lower realms by attachment.
" 'Those who know there is no difference
In the qualities of attachment (-) and buddhahood (+) [Uopp / U2T-opp]
(i.e. Not different / dual, not identical / the same / non-dual, not both together, not neither.)
Also know the single expression, the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T],
and the lack of attributes,
And thus become a well-gone one.
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
" 'Those who [dualistically] conceptualize [/ oppose] discipline and its lack [of discipline] [in absolute terms]
Are drunk with vanity about discipline
And hold objective views;
For them there is no awakening, no buddha qualities.
" 'Those who think about staying in solitude [in absolute terms] (i.e. rejecting the world / appearances / samsara)
Praise themselves and denigrate others.
Those who look to solitude and reside there
Forego the higher realms, not to mention awakening.
" 'It is said that views (-) and awakening (+) are non-dual [Uopp / U2T-opp].
Those who properly realize
How names, letters, numbers, and words are used (i.e. the true nature & dynamic of the karmic cycle [U3S])
Are not far from the Buddha's awakening.
" 'The immature who [dualistically] conceptualize pollution (-) [in absolute terms],
And become attached to their views of purification (+),
Find themselves stuck in objectifying views
And experience no awakening or buddha qualities.
" 'Those who yearn for buddha qualities (+) [in absolute terms]
Remain far from a buddha's awakening.
Because they yearn for things that do not exist [U2T]
They further their experience of suffering.
" 'Those who do not [dualistically] conceptualize attachment (-) and aggression (-) [in absolute terms]
Have little stupidity (-) and look to awaken.
They are not far from a buddha's awakening
And will swiftly attain supreme patience.
" 'Those who see things as unconditioned (+) or conditioned (-) [in absolute terms]
Fail to elude the phenomena of saṃsāra.
Those who realize the equality of that domain [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Swiftly transform from a person to a buddha.
" 'Those who never see
A buddha's qualities or a buddha's purity (+) [in absolute terms]
Are not veiled by any phenomena (-),
Defeat Māra, and awaken to buddhahood.
" 'Anyone (subject) who wishes to liberate (relation / action) beings (objects)
Should not perceive a realm of beings [U3S].
All beings (-) without exception are like nirvāṇa (+). [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Whoever knows this becomes self-arisen.
" 'Those who pay no heed to the ways of solitude (+)
And put on airs of practice when they go to town
Are swindlers of the world and its gods.
For them there is no awakening or buddha qualities [U2T].
" 'Immature people who boast, "I am a buddha,"
Are defeated by their own stupidity.
A buddha's qualities are just like space.
There is no talk of acceptance and rejection.
" 'The victors never awaken to buddhahood, [U2T]
And they (subject) never liberate (relation / action) any beings (object). [U3S]
The immature have imputed [T1] these non-existent phenomena [T2] [U2T]
And [because they are not aware of it, they] are far from a buddha's awakening.
" 'Those who see these beings as afflicted
Give rise to their own endless affliction.
It is taught that these beings are not beings [U2T].
Those who perceive beings do not awaken.
" 'Those who see that beings are liberated
Know that attachment, aggression, and stupidity have never existed [U2T], (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
And that beings are at peace, tranquil, and calm —
They will become protectors.
" 'Those who see neither beings nor no-beings, (i.e. 'No' means not inherently existent / functional, not completely non-existent / non-functional / useless / meaningless, not both together, not neither.)
And do not apprehend a buddha's qualities as real [U2T],
Know that beings and buddhas are the same [Uopp / U2T-opp]
And so become protectors.
[i.e. [E] Tetralemma: Phenomena are not existent / functional, not non-existent / non-functional, not both together, not neither; not different / separate / many / dual / unequal, not identical / united / one / non-dual / equal, not both together, not neither; not permanent / continuous / eternal, not impermanent / discontinuous / annihilated, not both together, not neither; not positive (+), not negative (-), not both together, not neither; not this, not non-this, not both together, not neither; etc. Meaning their true nature & dynamic is indescribable / inconceivable, beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma (individual, collective, cosmic).)
" 'To think of affliction makes affliction real,
And the mind attuned to the proper path thus becomes afflicted.
If afflictive emotions are never imputed as the path,
The non-conceptual state of awakening is attained.
" 'Those who are fearful and unskilled in empty [T2] phenomena [T1] [U2T]
Are far from a buddha's awakening.
Those who have no doubt about the phenomena of emptiness [U2T]
Will attain a buddha's awakening.
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
" 'Those who wish to attain supreme awakening
Should not [dualistically] conceptualize the phenomena of attachment [in absolute terms].
The defining qualities of the phenomena of attachment (-)
Are the inconceivable qualities of buddhahood (+).
" 'Those who are unconcerned with a buddha's qualities,
Know the mind (-) and awakening (+) as unarisen, [U2T - three stages of becoming]
And know the non-duality of the mind and a buddha's awakening [Uopp / U2T-opp]—
They will become protectors.
" 'What is said by evil-minded tīrthikas (-)
And what is taught in the words of the buddhas (+)
Are not in any way different things. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Understanding this, one becomes a protector.
" 'Those who see awakening (+) and aspire for it
Are far from awakening and are not awakened.
Those who become protectors do not think,
"This is a buddha," or "Buddhas (+) and non-buddhas (-) are not the same." [Uopp / U2T-opp]
" 'Those who boast, saying, "I am liberating beings," [U3S]
And become attached to the perception of beings,
Will, in their delusion, maintain an objectifying view —
There is no awakening or buddha qualities for them.
" 'Attachment is not internal or external.
It does not exist in any of the cardinal or intermediate directions [U2T].
The immature believe that no phenomena exist (i.e. attachment to emptiness / non-existence),
And deludedly perceive attachment in this way.
" 'Like illusions [H], visual distortions, and echoes,
Similar to dreams and a barren woman's child,
None of these afflictive emotions can be observed. [U2T]
The immature do not understand this, and remain deluded.
" 'Conditioned (-) and unconditioned (+) phenomena
Are never two separate things. [Uopp / U2T-opp]
Everything uncountable (one) (+) or that can be counted (many) (-)
Are in this way treated as non-dual [Uopp / U2T-opp].
" 'If the immature boast they have the mind of awakening,
And have the conceit they are a buddha,
They abandon the seal of the reality of phenomena [U2T]
And thus have no buddha qualities or awakening.
" 'Those under the sway of [dualistic] concepts [in absolute terms] and who love talking
Never think about the meaning of what they say,
And are attached to their reputation and status.
It is doubtful if such people will awaken.
" 'It is said that the various views and awakening are non-dual [Uopp / U2T-opp].
Yet those who are unskilled in names, letters, numbers, and words,
And who fail to realize this fact,
Are far from a buddha's awakening.
" 'Those who are fond of talking and attached to labels,
Who maintain a view of the self,
And who conceptualize their few desires and contentment
Still live under the influence of desire.
" 'Those who flee in the face of phenomena that cause attachment
Are never able to elude such phenomena.
Those who accurately know [the true nature & dynamic of] the phenomena of attachment
Know the phenomena of attachment that are free of attachment.
" 'Even those who have long guarded their discipline
And cultivated concentration for eons
Do not have the mind for this teaching,
If they have not realized the limit of reality [U2T].
" 'Those who know this phenomena to be nothing whatsoever
Will never become attached to any phenomena.
Because they conceptualize discipline and lax discipline,
The immature will never escape the domain of reference points.
" 'Those who know that there is no discipline in discipline, [Uopp / U2T-opp]
And those who know the natural mode of discipline —
That lax discipline and discipline are of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] —
Never have lax discipline.
" 'In the absence of concepts about the Dharma of the King of Dharma,
One leads beings to the level of skillful means
And introduces the undefiled peace of awakening
Through the Dharma of the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
" 'The sublime teaching of the Dharma King is unwavering.
It is immaterial, without attributes,
and of a single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T].
[i.e. Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle = the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] = the single principle [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] [A].]
The immature who do not learn this teaching that is inherently empty
Will fall into a deep abyss.
" 'It is good to be a householder attached to the five sense pleasures,
Who has heard these teachings and has no fear.
Nor is there conceit in renouncing under these teachings,
And observing the ascetic practices.
" 'The self-arisen buddhas residing in the ten directions,