"Like a tiny drop of dew, or a bubble floating in a stream, like a flash of lightning in a summer cloud, or a flickering lamp, an illusion, a phantom, or a dream... So is all conditioned existence to be seen"
'This is how to contemplate over conditioned existence in this fleeting world'
--- Goutama Buddha ( Ch 32, Vajra Sutra)
'Brahma Satyam Jagat mithya - is the basic tenet of Indian Advaita philosophy which speaks of the One Self, the Super Conscious and the rest illusory. A little understanding of what all this illusion about may be necessary here. At the gross level, all the apparent physical forms of world around us
are manifestation of energy. Things which one sees as existing are in reality non existing. For every object in the ultimate analysis can be traced back to the five elements which in turn are manifested form of Sakti (Energy) called Prakriti and Prakriti from Purusha- Super Consciousness. Since Nothing can come out of Nothingness, there can not be such thing like Absolute Emptiness. The Creation (manifested) 'per se' implies existence of a Creator (Un manifested) - The Ultimate Truth, the Supreme Consciousness.
Meditation is a vital channel by which one can perceive one's 'true nature '. For this, a good amount of exercise in calming the ever indulging mind is necessary. The path is straight. Simply to start relegating every thought that generates from time to time. Seeing the meditator's steadfast will power, the mind will bow down to the seeker. As the practice advances slowly the seeker comes to shred off the body consciousness and experiences that, the presence of the vital energy which is a driving force in him is omnipresent in each and every atom of this creation. When such wisdom is dawned , he is no more bound by or conditioned by his mind. All dualities of attributes, contours of all physical forms vanish. He does work but without any anticipation or expectation. His mind no longer makes unnecessary probes into the past and the future. This original mind or the True Self without any conceptualisation of I or Ego (Ahamkara-I, and Mamakara-Mine) is termed by the Buddhists as Buddha Nature. Here one point has to be clarified. The term 'No mind' is misconstrued by some as 'zero thought' stage of mind or without mind. But it is not so. The 'No mind' is actually the one which stops deliberating or discriminating about alternatives. It is a mind free from deluded thoughts. Hence the focus is on 'One Mind Object' at a time. This single mindfulness is also called Prajna (Wisdom).
A small anecdote to exemplify the above.... A disciple served a Buddhist monk for more than a decade and got vexed up for not getting any explicit Buddhist knowledge. He decided to leave in search of another monk who could impart Buddhist teachings. When he went to take permission, his guru asked, " Didn't you find the Buddhist teachings already here?" " No, you had not taught me any". " Don't lie! You had already received lot of Buddhist knowledge here. When you came to serve me tea, I accepted and drank it. When you served me food, I ate it. When you made salutations with your palms and bowed down respectfully for permission to leave, I consented in response. All these are Buddhist teachings. They stand for Prajna (wisdom) in our daily life!" The disciple got surprised, " Oh, This itself is Prajna ! Let me think over it ". The guru immediately said, " Don't think, because it generates differentiation and 'thinking' ceases any more to be Prajna !" By hearing this, the disciple got Enlightenment !
Such is the importance of Prajna Paramita (the Perfect Wisdom) of the Diamond (Vajra) Sutra. Even the most learned ones may some times commit mistakes in practice as is seen in the following short
story. ....A litterateur (man of letters), a highly learned monk specialised in the 'Vajra Parichheda Prajna Paramita Sutra (Diamond Sutra of Perfect Wisdom to Cut off the Illusory, Vajra Sutra in brief) and spent most of his career in teaching the scripture in various monasteries. Once he was travelling across the country for a far off monastery. The journey was tiresome. He was feeling hungry but he had no money. On the way he found an old lady selling some biscuits, condiments and tea by the road side. He introduced himself as a Vajra Sutra Scholar but penny less and requested to offer some snacks and tea in kindness. The old lady smiled and said, "All right ! I will offer the refreshments free, provided you answer to my simple question, How do you eat my refreshments ? Is it with your 'Past Mind', or 'Present Mind', or 'Future Mind' ?" The scholar got embarrassed at the wit of the old lady, spent a lot of time contemplating on the subject seriously, finding no answer he opened the Vajra Sutra along with Explanatory Notes and started perusing page by page thoroughly. But to his dismay he couldn't find right answer even after wasting long long hours. Finally he conceded ignorance about the right answer. Then the old lady smiled and told, " Oh then, you are a foolish monk ! Don't you know this much that you eat my refreshments with your mouth ?"
So, it's clear by now how the canny 'thoughtful mind' overshadows one's Prajna in day to day life.
'The minds of all disciples (seekers) should be purified of all thoughts that relate to seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching and discriminating. They should use their minds spontaneously and naturally, without being constrained by preconceived notions arising from the senses.' (Goutama Buddha, Ch. 10, Vajra Sutra).
Practising compassion and charity without attachment is the way to reaching the Highest Perfect Wisdom (Prajna Paramita); it's the way to becoming a living Buddha !
Om Shanti!
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