We started Lesson 19 of Learning from Buddha College & Seminary course DCB23 with a discussion of the truth of emptiness as expressed in the lines from the Heart Sutra that says, “. . . no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; . . . ” Some of the questions discussed are summarized here and in another article on “The Nature of Dharma Protectors.“:
How does one escape from the cycle of reincarnation?
“So, to end such suffering and to escape from this cycle of reincarnation, one first has to sever all attachment arising from the six sense bases contacting the six sense objects. Once the six sense objects are realized as empty, the five aggregates will naturally be realized as empty and tranquil. Only in this way can one liberate oneself from the cycle of birth and death.
Why can our original nature or appearance not emerge?
“However, the six sense objects are like dust. They relentlessly chase after our six sense bases. Moreover, the six sense bases loathe to part with the six sense objects. Whenever any of the six sense bases is used to follow something, the sense base will immediately focus on the thing. Analysis will then begin. In particular, the mind consciousness at all times and places, even when one is asleep with eyes closed, is still thinking about problems and matters. During sleep, it is generating memory-based dreams and so on. Thus, the six sense objects defile and cover the brightness of the consciousness of living beings, making it impossible for one’s own original appearance to emerge.”
How can we start learning how to become non-attached?
“Today, I repeatedly and clearly tell you disciples that you must achieve non-attachment. Non-attachment means that even when experiencing all kinds of coldness, warmth, frigidness, heat, irritation, verbal abuse, defamation, praise, and so on, you should view it all without differentiating, with a mind that is imperturbable. That is what is meant by non-attachment and non-differentiation. At the very least, you disciples should be able to be indifferent to such things. First try to be indifferent. After that you can gradually realize non-attachment. Actually, this is not the way to expound the sutra. However, I want to tell you disciples that this is a method. First be indifferent. Be a little more broad-minded. What is there to be attached to? Do not be attached to anything whatsoever. Doing this gradually is the right way. You will eventually be able to enter the state of realization.”
What are “objects of mind”?
“Objects of mind refer to all of the objects that the mind comes into contact with and takes in. That is, all states that our mind consciousness differentiates, whether they are external states or internal states, are referred to as objects of mind. They pervade the other five sense bases. Objects of mind are pervasively above the other five sense bases. When any other sense base comes into contact with a sense object, the mind sense base follows that sense base and concurrently performs its function. The mind sense base takes in sense objects with which the other sense bases come into contact and differentiates those objects.”
What is the “wisdom eye”?
“Although the eye sense base and other sense bases exist, if there is no mind consciousness following them to differentiate, then there is no attachment. With such non-abiding, one has the vision of the wisdom eye. When you are not attached, when you are not attached to the characteristics of the conditioned and illusory objects with which the five sense bases come into contact, when the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body have no mind consciousness that differentiates, then those sense bases naturally will have no way to come into contact with forms, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. Without coming into contact with forms, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches, they then become the essence of nature. That is called the vision of the wisdom eye. At such time, the effect of the wisdom eye is generated, and one will enter the state of no-characteristics. . . The same is true for all six sense bases. Thus, there are no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and objects of mind. Thus, forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and objects of mind are no longer there. Although the six sense bases come into contact with sense objects, without differentiation, they are non-existent. The same is true with respect to the sense bases besides the eyes, namely, the ears, nose, tongue, and body. It is the same principle. At this point, I believe you disciples will understand many truths. Why do they not exist? This is the reason. This is the truth that is unconditioned in nature.”
What does “No realm of eyes up to and including no realm of mind consciousness” refer to?
“[It] refers to all six consciousnesses being empty. It refers to our six consciousnesses all being empty. One thereby realizes the emptiness of those six mundane dharma realms. No realm of eyes means that the eye consciousness has no limit. That is, there is no such boundary relating to the eye consciousness. Since there is no limit, there is no constraint. There being no bounds, there naturally are no fetters. Because of not being attached, one is not bound. Not being bound, one immediately transcends the eighteen realms of cognition. One can instantly transcend the eighteen realms of cognition.”
Next:
We will start Lesson 19B of DCB23 at our October 26, 2024 ZOOM session at 9:00 am discussing the Heart Sutra, starting with question #215.
The class is still open to anyone who wants to join. If you have enrolled in C41 or DCB22 (or DCB21 or DCB26) you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the Saturday morning discussions. You will need to enroll in DCB23 to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions.
TO DATE: DCB23-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–II and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice
The recording of the October 19, 2024 DCB23-Lesson 19A class is now available. You must be enrolled in DCB23 in one of the membership programs at the LFBCS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBCS with your membership identification number AND are enrolled in this class.
“Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form. Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form. The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, conceptualization, action, or consciousness; no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; no avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . .”
October 19, 2024: Lesson 19A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . no forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; . . . ” (177-191 192-214) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 12, 2024: Lesson 18B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “. . . no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; . . . ” (155-176) and (HERE) for recording of class.
October 5, 2024: Lesson 18A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, conceptualization, action or consciousness; . . .” (133-154) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 28, 2024: Lesson 17B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease.” (122-132) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 21, 2024: Lesson 17A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease.” (86-89 and 90-121) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 14, 2024: Lesson 16B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” Second-Phase Principles” (71-85) and (HERE) for recording of class.
September 7, 2024: Lesson 16A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” Second-Phase Principles (49-70) and (HERE) for recording of class.
August 31, 2024: Lesson 15B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” (34-48) and (HERE) for recording of class.
August 24, 2024: Lesson 15A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–II, “Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ from Emptiness; Emptiness Does Not Differ from Form. Form is Emptiness; Emptiness Is Form.” (1-33) and (HERE) for recording of class.
CLICK for article on the entire text of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
CLICK for article with instructions on how to enroll in LFBCS classes and how to register for the 8 ZOOM discussions.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB22 and links to videos of all 21 ZOOM class discussions on DCB22 held from February 10, 2024 to August 3, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB21 and links to videos of all 18 ZOOM class discussions on DCB21 held from November 2022 to April 2023. Note: not all of the forwards, notes, and introductions are complete.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 2024 to June 2024.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
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