The underlying essence of phenomenal existence is Sunyata
-the non-substantial undifferentiated state of being.
Sunyata is the cause of all causes but itself has no
cause. That Sunyata is the cause by
itself –the Dharma Dhatu, the potential from which both Samsara and Nirvana is
possible.
Sunyata is monistic absolute undifferentiated
state. Sunyata does not mean empty or
refer emptiness. And it is not independent
of phenomenal existence.
Sunyata is the underlying essence of every phenomenal
existence. It is undifferentiated –Sunya,
and it is non-substance. It is the
essence of the Buddha Nature and as well of Ahankara -Ego.
It is from Sunyata rolls out the phenomenal existence. Once the phenomenal existence comes into
being its existence is sustained by Pratitya Samutpada –the dependent
co-arising.
Sunyata is Alaya –infinity, the consciousness beyond
conceptual mind. That Alaya Sunyata is in
every being. Within that Alaya Sunyata there exist Buddha Swabhava; the Buddha
Nature; an active principle, the potential for being enlightened. Without the Buddha Nature, the sentient being
would neither arouse aversion to Samsara nor desire for Nirvana.
Buddha Nature is Pure Self, the Self Awareness, the
purity of mind, and the potential for getting liberation from suffering and
attaining eternal happiness, and bliss.
Buddha Nature is pure consciousness. Perceiving life through and with pure
consciousness unfolds pure awareness, and realising that pure awareness means
living an enlightened life.
Buddha Nature is the True Self. It is Absolute. It is not arisen from dependent co-arising
and not subject to change. Anything that
has been caused by dependent co-arising and subject to change is not True Self,
not absolute, and therefore not Buddha Nature.
Buddha Nature is intrinsic and inherently existing within but it
is not recognized by the ordinary beings because their mind is constantly
deluded by Ego. A deluded mind cannot
recognise the Buddha Nature.
Buddha Nature is a state of non-discrimination, non-substantial
and imageless. In that perspective
Buddha Nature is Sunyata. But it is not
correct to say Sunyata is Buddha Nature, because Sunyata encompass all other
potentialities and natures.
Buddha Nature is Sunyata in its nature. It is real.
It is Nirvana itself. It is where
no false discrimination takes place, and no wrong perception takes place.
Realizing Buddha Nature means realizing the Primordial
Purity; the Bodhi Citta –the heart of enlightened mind.
With Buddha Nature the fear, the fear of being in hopeless state
is cast away. The cause of the fear is
Ego, and when Ego is renounced, the Buddha Nature shines forth.
Lord Buddha’s teaching on Tathagatagarbha –the womb of Buddha
Nature, consolidates confidence that there is a way out from Dukkha, by setting
life objectives on all positive attributes: Subha -the pure, Sukha -the happiness,
and Nitya -the eternal.
The teaching creates affinity to: (1) purity of mind (2) renounce arrogance:
pride, anger, hatred, and aversion, (3) get rid of ignorance; (4) get rid of Ego
that creates delusion with wrong perception which give rise to worldly desire, hatred, happiness,
distress, fear and worry, and (5) severe attachment to belief
on Atta or Atma, the substantial self; and instead cherish Buddha Nature.
When the Ego is renounced, the spur of (1) Purity of mind, (2)
Prajna –wisdom, (3) Jnana –awareness, (4) Karuna –compassion, and (5) Reverence;
and all other positive Karmic potentials begin to unfold.
Discovering Buddha
Nature is wisdom, while living with Ego is ignorance, the cause of illusion and
suffering.
Buddha Nature is the wisdom aspect, while Ego is the ignorance
aspect of existence. Ego manifests and
develops naturally, and dominates the life of a man while Buddha Nature has to
be discovered, and nurtured.
In Tathagata Garbha Sutra, Maha Parinirvana Sutra,
Anuatyapurna Atvanirdesa Sutra, Srimala Devi Simhananda Sutra, Lankavatara
Sutra, Ratna Gotra Vibhaga, Buddha Nature Treatise and others; Lord Buddha says;
“Purity of mind is the manifestation of Buddha Nature.”
In Anguttara Nikaya (1:5), Lord Buddha says: “O
Bhikkus! The mind is pure. It is defiled
by adventitious defilements. O
Bhikkus! The mind is pure. It obtains liberation from the adventitious
defilements.”
When mind is not pure, the wrong perception prevails. Any perception that is perceived by an impure
mind can only be an error. The Buddha
Nature cannot be recognized with an impure mind.
The root of suffering is the impure mind that yields wrong
perception. Searching happiness
outwardly in sense pleasure is a mistake caused by wrong perception. No one can correct that wrong perception but
by oneself. Do not think what is
suffering is happiness. That is a
mistake.
When one understands the nature of phenomenal
existence, one understands Sunyata. When
Sunyata is understood, the purity of mind develops.
Considering Anatma –not self as Atma –True Self, is a
big mistake. It had distorted the mind
of the people and it had been the cause of suffering. To correct this erroneous notion, Lord Buddha
gave his teaching on Anatma or Anatta –not self.
The doctrine of Anatta denies substantial existence of
independently and eternally existing substantial Atma, neither in the physical
mass nor in any of the fields of activities in the body. It neither exists substantially in five sense
organs, the five sense objects, the five sense consciousness i.e. seeing,
hearing, tasting, smelling and touching; the mind which is constantly perceiving
and having either right or wrong perception, nor in the six emotional feelings,
the living symptoms including desire, hatred, happiness, distress, fear and
worry.
Denying the existence of independently self-existing
substantial Atma within the aggregate body of man or existing externally, Lord
Buddha gave his sublime teaching on Buddha Swabhava –Buddha Nature.
“Do not do what you do not want others to do on to
you.”
May you be Well.
May you be Happy…………….
