Tag Archives: no-mind

False Imagination

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Vajragoni


Andrew Gable

  1. What is known as multiplicity-seeds multiply in the mind (citta); in what is revealed, the ignorant imagine birth and are delighted with dualism.

Thought is derived from a multiplicity of seeds in the mind tinged with associative functions in the Alaya-receptacle. The ignorant-minded perceive birth smothered with dualistic ramifications. Perhaps the best simile for the dualistic mind-show is a character found in Edmond Spencer’s (c. 1552–1599), The Faerie Queene—Duessa. Duessa is the opposite of Una, who represents primordial unity: read more

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The Long Night of the Mind

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Vajragoni

The Blog-series, Ascending the Noble Mountain of Primordial Perfection, could well be subtitled from the closing refrain of the last verse of the previous blog in this series: “[This] prajñā (wisdom) is for those who are willing to abandon the ‘long night’ of the mind and its characteristics.” Without the dreamy eye lifting its veil, it shall forever be plunged into the darkness, as Wŏnhyo says, “Since one does not achieve the cause of awakening, there is a “long night”; this is because the deceptive conceptions, which are beginningless, are a great dream.” That’s why it’s all about abandoning this long-night of the mind. Today’s accompanying image portrays a lonely streetlight on a long and foreboding dark night. Its inner-flame is barely visible—but for two tiny sparks—yet these lively embers continue to brave all the elements of the composed. There is a verse from my Dhammapada in Light of the Unborn which reads: read more

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Dharma-dust and Pigeon Shit

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Vajragoni

Hui Hai (720-814) 

Q: Is the nature of Absolute Reality truly void or not? If it is not really void, that suggests form; however, if it is truly void, that suggests annihilation. So upon which Dharma should sentient beings depend in their practice to attain Liberation? read more

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Mysterious Peaceful Joy

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Vajragoni

7. “The building up of good and evil both involve attachment to form.1 Those who, being attached to form, do evil have to undergo various incarnations unnecessarily; while those who, being attached to form, do good, subject themselves to toil and privation equally to no purpose. In either case it is better to achieve sudden self-realization and to grasp the fundamental Dharma. This Dharma is Mind, beyond which there is no Dharma; and this Mind is the Dharma, beyond which there is no mind. Mind in itself is not mind, yet neither is it no-mind. To say that Mind is no-mind implies something existent.2 Let there be a silent understanding and no more. Away with all thinking and explaining.  Then we may say that the Way of Words has been cut off and movements of the mind eliminated. This Mind is the pure Buddha-Source inherent in all men. All wriggling beings possessed of sentient life and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are of this one substance and do not differ. Differences arise from wrong-thinking only and lead to the creation of all kinds of karma.3” read more

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No-mind

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Vajragoni

Wake-up Sermon, part 1

The essence of the Way is detachment. And the goal of those who practice is freedom from appearances. The sutras say, Detachment is enlightenment because it negates appearances. Buddhahood means awareness. Mortals whose minds are aware reach the Way of Enlightenment and are therefore called Buddhas. The sutras say, “Those who free themselves from all appearances are called Buddhas.” The appearance of appearance as no appearance can’t be seen visually but can only be known by means of wisdom. Whoever hears and believes this teaching embarks on the Great Vehicle and leaves the three realms. read more

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