The Middle Way teachings point us in a direction to understand reality in its essence, which is beyond duality. In particular, it is beyond our notions of finite and infinite. Every moment of being has ended, yet new moments unfailingly occur. Thus, our being and our experience do not seem to be either finite or infinite. We fear that moments of pain and anxiety will last forever and hope that moments of pleasure will never end. In this way, we bind ourselves to a fabricated reality.
The continuum of the aggregates
Is like the continuum of a butter lamp.
Therefore, to say that the aggregates are finite is illogical
And to say that they are infinite is illogical.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Day 57 of 365: Dependent Arising
That which is dependently arisen does not arise, and therefore is dependently arisen.
That which is brought about by the coming together of causes and conditions does not arise in the way that we think it does. There is a mere appearance of arising, but nothing singular, lasting, and independent has actually transpired. It is, therefore, dependently arisen, meaning it is just like our reflections in the mirror, like a water moon. We take things as real in a habituated way almost continuously. If we just think for a minute about the causes and conditions inseparable from what we are experiencing, reality can become less threatening, less solid, and more vivid.
That which is brought about by the coming together of causes and conditions does not arise in the way that we think it does. There is a mere appearance of arising, but nothing singular, lasting, and independent has actually transpired. It is, therefore, dependently arisen, meaning it is just like our reflections in the mirror, like a water moon. We take things as real in a habituated way almost continuously. If we just think for a minute about the causes and conditions inseparable from what we are experiencing, reality can become less threatening, less solid, and more vivid.
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