Monthly Archives: February 2021

Honeycomb Empty Space

[5: Conclusion and Recapitulation] Above, in response [6.22] to the questions of those lacking in faith, when explaining the dust contemplation, the emptiness contemplation, and the quiescent-activity contemplation, I briefly raised one [6.23] or two things about which some people … Continue reading

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Reciprocal Quiescence

[Section 4: Questions] Question: The passages you have been citing [5.18] pertain to the attainments reached by the buddhas themselves. Of what relevance could these things be for the mental states reachable by an ordinary being such as yourself? Answer: … Continue reading

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Quiescence within Activity

[Section 4: Quiescence within Activity] When you have clearly seen emptiness at all times, whether walking, standing, sitting, lying down, and even when eating, [4.26] you must then reflect as follows: “The Dharma is without duality, but if I am … Continue reading

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The Mind of Emptiness

[Section 3: The Emptiness of External Objects] There are yet other people who, when practicing the contemplation of dust, do not even [3.24] see any dust; from the very beginning they straightaway see the emptiness of all things. This is … Continue reading

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Scriptural Confirmations

[Section 2: Questions] [2.27] Question: What passages in the sacred teachings [endorse the dust contemplation]? [2.28] Answer: In the first fascicle of the Lankavatara Sutra it says: “What you analyze into motes of dust you will no longer falsely imagine … Continue reading

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Dust to Dust

Next, having first gazed upon the dust visible in a beam of light [1.12] coming through a window, when walking, standing, sitting, lying down, and even while eating, you must constantly imagine this dust within the beam of light. [1.13] … Continue reading

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Introductory Material (Dust Contemplation)

[Section 1: Introduction] The introductory line of the Dust Contemplation is missing some variables and thus has been stitched together: [1.1].. . way is not cut off. . . [1.2] . . . wisdom. When we say “wisdom,” the general … Continue reading

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The Dust Contemplation

In keeping with our annual Ash Wednesday tradition, it is time to commence again with an auspicious Dharma-series. This year the offering is quite apropos as it is indicative of those very “ashes” themselves: The Dust Contemplation. During the time … Continue reading

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