Tag Archives: Perpetual Vigilance

The Pile of Snares

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Vajragoni

This Sutta’s cycle would have effectively wound-up at the completion of the last chapter on teaching. This apparent addition on “sensual pleasures” was a redaction added-on at a later date—most likely for the benefit of the community whose focus was a monastic counsel against carnal pleasures. The Tathāgata warns that adhering to the snare of sensuality will place one-square in the sights of Mara, the Evil One. The most effective remedial solution is to tune-into the eight-fold package of the meditation absorption, wherein one gains reassurance and protection and purification by mindful equanimity. 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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