1 00:00:00,380 --> 00:00:01,179 The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment says 2 00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:03,258 You have been awake all along 3 00:00:03,980 --> 00:00:05,219 Have you ever felt this 4 00:00:05,780 --> 00:00:08,118 One day something suddenly clicks 5 00:00:08,259 --> 00:00:09,999 The insight comes so quickly 6 00:00:10,140 --> 00:00:12,859 That it hardly feels like learning something new 7 00:00:12,859 --> 00:00:14,679 It feels more like remembering 8 00:00:14,740 --> 00:00:16,939 As if the answer had always been there 9 00:00:16,940 --> 00:00:19,039 You simply had not seen it 10 00:00:19,500 --> 00:00:20,719 There is no going back 11 00:00:21,140 --> 00:00:23,719 You cannot pretend you do not know it anymore 12 00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:25,899 In that moment you vaguely sense 13 00:00:26,379 --> 00:00:27,759 This feels less like gaining something 14 00:00:27,780 --> 00:00:29,039 And more like recovering it 15 00:00:29,808 --> 00:00:30,168 Hello 16 00:00:30,409 --> 00:00:30,848 Everyone 17 00:00:31,048 --> 00:00:32,068 I am Leo Wang 18 00:00:32,208 --> 00:00:36,148 Today we turn to a remarkable scripture in Chinese Buddhism 19 00:00:36,368 --> 00:00:39,468 Its full title is the Great Expansive Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment of Definitive Meaning 20 00:00:39,688 --> 00:00:41,027 Usually called the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment 21 00:00:41,328 --> 00:00:43,307 Translated by Buddhatrata during the Tang dynasty 22 00:00:43,529 --> 00:00:46,947 It profoundly influenced Chan and Huayan Buddhism 23 00:00:47,088 --> 00:00:49,347 Master Zongmi wrote commentaries specifically on it 24 00:00:49,758 --> 00:00:50,877 What makes it so unusual 25 00:00:51,397 --> 00:00:54,137 Most scriptures tell you how to practice 26 00:00:54,717 --> 00:00:55,557 Which methods to use 27 00:00:55,838 --> 00:00:56,976 Which stages to follow 28 00:00:57,037 --> 00:00:58,936 What to overcome first and what to realize next 29 00:00:59,118 --> 00:01:01,737 But this sutra reveals its central claim immediately 30 00:01:02,238 --> 00:01:02,597 It says 31 00:01:03,037 --> 00:01:04,336 The thing you are searching for 32 00:01:04,558 --> 00:01:05,696 You already have 33 00:01:05,997 --> 00:01:08,496 You do not gain it only after completing your practice 34 00:01:08,517 --> 00:01:10,496 You have it right now at this very second 35 00:01:10,797 --> 00:01:12,776 You have never lost it 36 00:01:13,357 --> 00:01:15,157 That sounds like a comforting platitude right 37 00:01:15,797 --> 00:01:16,196 Hold on 38 00:01:16,558 --> 00:01:17,696 Let us unpack it 39 00:01:18,032 --> 00:01:20,291 First imagine a situation you may recognize 40 00:01:20,631 --> 00:01:22,270 Have you ever searched for something 41 00:01:23,112 --> 00:01:25,250 Your keys your phone your glasses 42 00:01:25,392 --> 00:01:27,770 You turn the whole room upside down but cannot find it 43 00:01:28,151 --> 00:01:29,731 Then someone walks over and says 44 00:01:29,871 --> 00:01:31,750 Is that not what you are holding 45 00:01:32,472 --> 00:01:33,270 You look down 46 00:01:33,711 --> 00:01:35,250 It has been in your hand all along 47 00:01:35,552 --> 00:01:37,130 You did not find it 48 00:01:37,192 --> 00:01:39,050 You finally noticed it 49 00:01:39,592 --> 00:01:41,371 The awakened nature described in this sutra 50 00:01:41,431 --> 00:01:44,371 Is that key you have been holding the whole time 51 00:01:44,980 --> 00:01:47,959 Its central idea is that awakened nature is inherently complete 52 00:01:48,540 --> 00:01:48,739 Awakening 53 00:01:49,221 --> 00:01:50,319 Means awareness 54 00:01:50,861 --> 00:01:51,060 Perfect 55 00:01:51,581 --> 00:01:53,119 Means complete and fully present 56 00:01:53,540 --> 00:01:56,879 Put into plain language this means 57 00:01:57,060 --> 00:01:58,959 Your capacity to be aware 58 00:01:58,980 --> 00:02:01,239 Has been whole from the beginning 59 00:02:01,500 --> 00:02:02,860 It was never pieced together 60 00:02:03,181 --> 00:02:04,840 Never manufactured later 61 00:02:04,861 --> 00:02:06,640 Never produced through spiritual practice 62 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:07,780 You might ask 63 00:02:08,101 --> 00:02:09,380 Then what is practice doing 64 00:02:09,981 --> 00:02:12,119 The sutra gives a very direct answer 65 00:02:12,461 --> 00:02:15,040 Practice does not create awakened nature 66 00:02:15,220 --> 00:02:18,439 It removes what obscures it 67 00:02:18,820 --> 00:02:20,899 Awakened nature itself was never broken 68 00:02:21,181 --> 00:02:22,640 And it never went anywhere 69 00:02:23,141 --> 00:02:25,320 When I first encountered this way of thinking 70 00:02:25,461 --> 00:02:26,439 I sat stunned for a long time 71 00:02:27,124 --> 00:02:30,704 It completely reverses our usual logic of progress 72 00:02:30,964 --> 00:02:32,824 From childhood we are taught 73 00:02:32,844 --> 00:02:33,944 Whatever you do not know 74 00:02:34,045 --> 00:02:35,824 You must acquire through learning 75 00:02:36,045 --> 00:02:37,044 Whatever abilities you lack 76 00:02:37,284 --> 00:02:38,903 You must develop through training 77 00:02:39,284 --> 00:02:40,083 From zero to one 78 00:02:40,325 --> 00:02:41,363 From absence to presence 79 00:02:41,365 --> 00:02:42,944 That is the direction we know 80 00:02:43,525 --> 00:02:44,403 But the sutra says 81 00:02:44,805 --> 00:02:46,343 When it comes to awakened nature 82 00:02:46,404 --> 00:02:47,984 The direction is reversed 83 00:02:48,205 --> 00:02:49,283 Not from absence to presence 84 00:02:49,645 --> 00:02:51,424 But from being hidden to being revealed 85 00:02:51,605 --> 00:02:53,164 You are not constructing a building 86 00:02:53,164 --> 00:02:54,863 You are cleaning a mirror 87 00:02:55,124 --> 00:02:55,444 Actually 88 00:02:55,805 --> 00:02:57,224 Even cleaning is not quite right 89 00:02:57,485 --> 00:03:00,143 In our last two episodes on the Platform Sutra 90 00:03:00,205 --> 00:03:02,044 We discussed Huineng saying originally there is not a single thing 91 00:03:02,045 --> 00:03:03,704 There is not even a mirror to clean 92 00:03:03,964 --> 00:03:06,183 This sutra takes it a step further 93 00:03:07,004 --> 00:03:07,363 It says 94 00:03:07,765 --> 00:03:09,104 Not only is cleaning unnecessary 95 00:03:09,325 --> 00:03:11,743 The obscuration itself is illusory 96 00:03:12,004 --> 00:03:15,686 This is where the sutra becomes truly startling 97 00:03:16,027 --> 00:03:17,067 There is a passage in the scripture 98 00:03:17,268 --> 00:03:18,366 Let me read it to you 99 00:03:19,148 --> 00:03:19,746 Good sons 100 00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:22,567 All the varied illusions of sentient beings 101 00:03:22,627 --> 00:03:24,806 Arise from the wondrous mind of perfect enlightenment of the Tathagata 102 00:03:24,907 --> 00:03:27,246 Like flowers in the sky arising from empty space 103 00:03:27,388 --> 00:03:29,267 Though illusory flowers vanish the nature of space remains intact 104 00:03:29,787 --> 00:03:32,086 The illusory minds of beings also cease through illusion 105 00:03:32,268 --> 00:03:34,406 When all illusions cease the awakened mind remains unmoving 106 00:03:34,587 --> 00:03:36,767 To speak of awakening in relation to illusion is also illusion 107 00:03:36,868 --> 00:03:39,007 To assert that awakening exists is still to remain within illusion 108 00:03:39,187 --> 00:03:41,366 To assert that awakening does not exist is likewise 109 00:03:41,708 --> 00:03:42,107 Therefore 110 00:03:42,548 --> 00:03:44,167 The cessation of illusion is called unmoving 111 00:03:44,467 --> 00:03:45,067 Good sons 112 00:03:45,548 --> 00:03:47,806 All bodhisattvas and sentient beings of the latter age 113 00:03:47,907 --> 00:03:50,887 Should leave behind all illusory and false realms 114 00:03:50,988 --> 00:03:53,406 Because they cling firmly to the mind that seeks separation 115 00:03:53,627 --> 00:03:55,767 That mind too being illusory must be left behind 116 00:03:55,828 --> 00:03:58,007 The illusion of leaving behind must also be left behind 117 00:03:58,108 --> 00:04:00,287 Leaving behind that illusion of separation must also be left behind 118 00:04:00,388 --> 00:04:02,727 When nothing remains to leave behind all illusions are removed 119 00:04:03,467 --> 00:04:05,567 As when two pieces of wood are rubbed together to make fire 120 00:04:05,668 --> 00:04:07,547 Once fire arises the wood is consumed and smoke and ash disperse 121 00:04:08,067 --> 00:04:10,366 Using illusion to cultivate away illusion is just like this 122 00:04:10,507 --> 00:04:12,686 Though all illusions end this does not fall into annihilation 123 00:04:12,907 --> 00:04:13,466 Good sons 124 00:04:13,828 --> 00:04:14,667 Recognizing illusion is already freedom from it 125 00:04:14,828 --> 00:04:15,586 No further means are needed 126 00:04:15,907 --> 00:04:16,746 Freedom from illusion is awakening itself 127 00:04:16,988 --> 00:04:18,127 There are no gradual stages 128 00:04:18,228 --> 00:04:21,646 All bodhisattvas and sentient beings of the latter age should practice accordingly 129 00:04:21,707 --> 00:04:24,252 Only then can they leave all illusions behind forever 130 00:04:24,434 --> 00:04:26,413 This passage contains an enormous amount 131 00:04:26,593 --> 00:04:28,893 But its heart lies in those final lines 132 00:04:29,273 --> 00:04:30,112 Recognizing illusion is already freedom from it 133 00:04:30,394 --> 00:04:31,153 No further means are needed 134 00:04:31,913 --> 00:04:32,672 Freedom from illusion is awakening itself 135 00:04:33,074 --> 00:04:34,213 There are no gradual stages 136 00:04:34,713 --> 00:04:36,172 Let me unpack this layer by layer 137 00:04:36,634 --> 00:04:37,773 Recognizing illusion is already freedom from it 138 00:04:38,223 --> 00:04:38,672 What does that mean 139 00:04:39,473 --> 00:04:41,853 The moment you recognize an illusion as an illusion 140 00:04:41,913 --> 00:04:43,973 You have already stepped out of it 141 00:04:44,273 --> 00:04:47,333 You do not need another action to pull yourself free 142 00:04:47,673 --> 00:04:49,153 The recognition itself 143 00:04:49,473 --> 00:04:50,453 Is the stepping out 144 00:04:51,237 --> 00:04:52,295 No further means are needed 145 00:04:52,797 --> 00:04:54,975 You do not need some special technique 146 00:04:55,396 --> 00:04:56,235 You do not need to chant a mantra 147 00:04:56,716 --> 00:04:58,576 Or meditate for three days and nights 148 00:04:58,836 --> 00:05:01,175 Or ask a guru to consecrate you 149 00:05:01,677 --> 00:05:03,055 Simply recognize it 150 00:05:03,557 --> 00:05:05,016 Freedom from illusion is awakening itself 151 00:05:05,516 --> 00:05:06,836 Once you step out of illusion 152 00:05:07,237 --> 00:05:08,815 That state is awakening 153 00:05:09,396 --> 00:05:12,896 Awakening is not another realm you still have to attain 154 00:05:13,276 --> 00:05:14,315 Once the obscuration is gone 155 00:05:14,757 --> 00:05:17,071 What remains is your original nature 156 00:05:17,492 --> 00:05:18,670 There are no gradual stages 157 00:05:19,132 --> 00:05:20,990 There is no step by step process 158 00:05:21,372 --> 00:05:23,511 Not thirty percent awakened first 159 00:05:23,531 --> 00:05:25,091 Then sixty percent 160 00:05:25,091 --> 00:05:26,591 And finally one hundred percent 161 00:05:27,011 --> 00:05:27,810 Awakening is awakening 162 00:05:28,172 --> 00:05:29,350 It happens in an instant 163 00:05:29,891 --> 00:05:31,571 Read those four lines together 164 00:05:31,771 --> 00:05:32,571 What are they saying 165 00:05:33,252 --> 00:05:33,810 They are saying 166 00:05:34,252 --> 00:05:36,350 Awakening is not a destination 167 00:05:36,612 --> 00:05:38,391 Awakening is a discovery 168 00:05:38,771 --> 00:05:40,831 You are not moving toward awakening 169 00:05:40,932 --> 00:05:44,166 You are discovering that you never left it 170 00:05:44,428 --> 00:05:45,447 This reasoning 171 00:05:45,467 --> 00:05:48,406 Connects with our earlier episode on the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana 172 00:05:48,428 --> 00:05:51,007 And its concept of original awakening 173 00:05:51,387 --> 00:05:53,806 That treatise speaks of one mind with two aspects 174 00:05:54,027 --> 00:05:56,127 The mind in its aspect of suchness 175 00:05:56,267 --> 00:05:58,046 Has always been pure 176 00:05:58,428 --> 00:06:01,366 The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment goes one step further 177 00:06:01,668 --> 00:06:04,007 It does not simply say the mind is originally pure 178 00:06:04,188 --> 00:06:06,887 It even removes the judgment of purity 179 00:06:07,188 --> 00:06:07,587 It says 180 00:06:07,907 --> 00:06:10,527 Even asserting awakening exists leaves you within illusion 181 00:06:10,827 --> 00:06:12,567 And denying awakening does the same 182 00:06:12,988 --> 00:06:14,346 Every verbal description 183 00:06:14,748 --> 00:06:16,887 Including the word awakening itself 184 00:06:17,027 --> 00:06:19,647 Is a tool used within the realm of illusion 185 00:06:20,027 --> 00:06:20,786 Once it has served its purpose 186 00:06:21,108 --> 00:06:22,743 You must put the tool down too 187 00:06:23,083 --> 00:06:25,143 It is like having a nightmare 188 00:06:25,604 --> 00:06:27,102 A tiger is chasing you 189 00:06:27,563 --> 00:06:28,482 You are terrified 190 00:06:28,683 --> 00:06:29,582 Running for your life 191 00:06:30,083 --> 00:06:31,222 Then you wake up 192 00:06:31,683 --> 00:06:33,203 What do you need to do after waking 193 00:06:33,883 --> 00:06:36,363 Fight another tiger to confirm you are awake 194 00:06:37,203 --> 00:06:38,022 No 195 00:06:38,563 --> 00:06:41,022 Waking up itself is the whole thing 196 00:06:41,404 --> 00:06:42,922 You do not need to prove you are awake 197 00:06:43,123 --> 00:06:44,556 You are simply awake 198 00:06:44,776 --> 00:06:46,675 But there is an enormous trap here 199 00:06:46,857 --> 00:06:48,136 Many people reading this 200 00:06:48,136 --> 00:06:50,275 Reach a very dangerous conclusion 201 00:06:50,657 --> 00:06:52,175 Since awakened nature is already present 202 00:06:52,456 --> 00:06:53,956 Since everything is illusion 203 00:06:54,177 --> 00:06:55,756 I do not need to do anything 204 00:06:55,857 --> 00:06:57,675 After all I am already a Buddha 205 00:06:57,977 --> 00:07:00,595 The sutra anticipates that very response 206 00:07:01,097 --> 00:07:02,215 So in another chapter 207 00:07:02,617 --> 00:07:04,196 It offers an even more startling passage 208 00:07:04,657 --> 00:07:05,215 Good sons 209 00:07:06,417 --> 00:07:08,516 All obstacles are ultimate awakening 210 00:07:08,776 --> 00:07:11,035 Mindfulness and its loss are both liberation 211 00:07:11,177 --> 00:07:13,396 Establishing and destroying teachings are both called nirvana 212 00:07:13,657 --> 00:07:16,035 Wisdom and ignorance are both prajna 213 00:07:16,177 --> 00:07:19,436 The attainments of bodhisattvas and outsiders are equally bodhi 214 00:07:19,617 --> 00:07:21,795 Ignorance and suchness are not different realms 215 00:07:21,936 --> 00:07:25,675 Discipline concentration wisdom lust anger and delusion are all pure conduct 216 00:07:25,857 --> 00:07:28,035 Sentient beings and their lands share the same Dharma nature 217 00:07:28,136 --> 00:07:30,155 Hells and heavenly palaces are all pure lands 218 00:07:30,256 --> 00:07:32,095 Those with and without Buddha nature equally attain Buddhahood 219 00:07:32,497 --> 00:07:34,475 All afflictions are ultimately liberation 220 00:07:34,617 --> 00:07:37,835 The oceanic wisdom of the Dharma realm sees all appearances as empty space 221 00:07:37,977 --> 00:07:40,411 This is called the Tathagata according with awakened nature 222 00:07:40,793 --> 00:07:41,512 Did you hear that 223 00:07:41,952 --> 00:07:43,772 All obstacles are ultimate awakening 224 00:07:44,072 --> 00:07:45,851 Lust anger and delusion are all pure conduct 225 00:07:46,113 --> 00:07:48,051 Hells and heavenly palaces are all pure lands 226 00:07:48,473 --> 00:07:49,931 If you read this literally 227 00:07:50,032 --> 00:07:52,392 It seems to say you can do whatever you want 228 00:07:52,392 --> 00:07:53,611 Since everything is awakening anyway 229 00:07:54,192 --> 00:07:56,091 Many people have indeed understood it that way 230 00:07:56,433 --> 00:07:57,931 Some people throughout history 231 00:07:57,952 --> 00:08:00,812 Have used this passage to justify indulgence 232 00:08:01,272 --> 00:08:03,012 But notice the final phrase 233 00:08:03,272 --> 00:08:05,227 The Tathagata according with awakened nature 234 00:08:05,768 --> 00:08:08,506 This passage is not describing your present condition 235 00:08:08,568 --> 00:08:09,907 It describes the realization of a Tathagata 236 00:08:10,448 --> 00:08:13,907 One who has seen completely through every illusion 237 00:08:14,047 --> 00:08:15,946 Looking back from that vantage point 238 00:08:16,047 --> 00:08:18,186 All oppositions dissolve 239 00:08:18,527 --> 00:08:19,527 For such a person 240 00:08:19,527 --> 00:08:21,987 Obstacles and awakening really are the same 241 00:08:22,088 --> 00:08:25,027 Because neither side can hold them anymore 242 00:08:25,287 --> 00:08:28,027 But for someone who has not reached that realization 243 00:08:28,167 --> 00:08:30,227 This passage is not an instruction manual 244 00:08:30,248 --> 00:08:31,626 It is a description of the view 245 00:08:31,888 --> 00:08:33,306 You are standing at the foot of a mountain 246 00:08:33,527 --> 00:08:36,107 Someone tells you what the view from the summit looks like 247 00:08:36,408 --> 00:08:38,646 Knowing what that view looks like 248 00:08:38,647 --> 00:08:40,987 Does not mean you can pretend you are already there 249 00:08:41,328 --> 00:08:42,046 Missing this distinction 250 00:08:42,367 --> 00:08:45,103 Is the easiest trap when reading this sutra 251 00:08:45,684 --> 00:08:47,902 You may have experienced something similar 252 00:08:48,084 --> 00:08:50,062 You read an insight in a book 253 00:08:50,084 --> 00:08:51,822 And feel you understand it completely 254 00:08:51,923 --> 00:08:53,022 But one day 255 00:08:53,084 --> 00:08:55,263 You actually face that situation in life 256 00:08:55,364 --> 00:08:56,883 And discover your reaction 257 00:08:56,883 --> 00:08:59,223 Has nothing to do with that insight 258 00:08:59,523 --> 00:09:00,883 Between knowing and living it 259 00:09:01,163 --> 00:09:03,022 There is a real distance 260 00:09:03,444 --> 00:09:05,983 The sutra does not deny that distance 261 00:09:06,204 --> 00:09:07,203 It simply tells you 262 00:09:07,484 --> 00:09:09,322 The capacity to cross it 263 00:09:09,324 --> 00:09:10,572 Is already yours 264 00:09:10,872 --> 00:09:13,051 The scripture offers another fascinating metaphor 265 00:09:13,433 --> 00:09:13,791 It says 266 00:09:14,272 --> 00:09:16,572 As when two pieces of wood are rubbed together to make fire 267 00:09:16,593 --> 00:09:18,852 Once fire arises the wood is consumed and smoke and ash disperse 268 00:09:19,112 --> 00:09:21,291 You rub two pieces of wood together to start a fire 269 00:09:21,673 --> 00:09:22,551 Once the fire is burning 270 00:09:22,913 --> 00:09:24,291 The wood is consumed too 271 00:09:24,553 --> 00:09:27,411 You cannot say practice manufactured fire inside the wood 272 00:09:27,752 --> 00:09:30,092 The possibility of fire was already there 273 00:09:30,352 --> 00:09:32,692 The wood supplied the conditions for its appearance 274 00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:34,391 And once those conditions have served their purpose 275 00:09:34,673 --> 00:09:36,692 They disappear as well 276 00:09:36,913 --> 00:09:37,832 Using illusion to cultivate away illusion 277 00:09:38,152 --> 00:09:39,675 Is just like this 278 00:09:40,095 --> 00:09:41,994 Those are the very words of the scripture 279 00:09:42,416 --> 00:09:43,994 You use illusion to work through illusion 280 00:09:44,536 --> 00:09:46,874 The method of practice is illusory 281 00:09:47,016 --> 00:09:49,394 And so are the afflictions being worked on 282 00:09:49,575 --> 00:09:50,894 Both pieces of wood burn away 283 00:09:51,095 --> 00:09:52,335 And the fire is no longer needed either 284 00:09:52,335 --> 00:09:53,354 Nothing remains 285 00:09:53,695 --> 00:09:55,195 But this is not annihilation 286 00:09:55,455 --> 00:09:56,535 The scripture specifically emphasizes 287 00:09:56,896 --> 00:09:57,854 Though all illusions end 288 00:09:58,136 --> 00:09:59,195 This does not fall into annihilation 289 00:09:59,656 --> 00:10:02,155 Those words are essential 290 00:10:02,495 --> 00:10:05,675 They draw a clear line between this sutra and nihilism 291 00:10:06,095 --> 00:10:09,114 When illusion disappears what remains is not a blank void 292 00:10:09,176 --> 00:10:10,514 The awakened mind remains unmoving 293 00:10:10,975 --> 00:10:12,374 That capacity for awareness 294 00:10:12,375 --> 00:10:14,035 That which has always been there 295 00:10:14,215 --> 00:10:16,352 Has never moved throughout the entire process 296 00:10:16,813 --> 00:10:19,511 Let me offer another way to understand this 297 00:10:19,813 --> 00:10:21,732 Have you ever noticed the screen in a cinema 298 00:10:22,412 --> 00:10:23,791 While a film is playing 299 00:10:23,892 --> 00:10:26,872 You see stories images and characters 300 00:10:27,213 --> 00:10:28,171 You may feel moved 301 00:10:28,453 --> 00:10:29,131 Or frightened 302 00:10:29,412 --> 00:10:30,391 Or tense 303 00:10:30,732 --> 00:10:31,771 But think carefully 304 00:10:32,173 --> 00:10:34,051 Has the screen itself changed 305 00:10:34,652 --> 00:10:37,072 From the first shot to the last 306 00:10:37,132 --> 00:10:38,952 It is still a sheet of white fabric 307 00:10:39,213 --> 00:10:41,992 A horror film does not turn it black 308 00:10:42,132 --> 00:10:44,631 A comedy does not make it brighter 309 00:10:45,053 --> 00:10:47,671 Every story is projected onto it 310 00:10:47,732 --> 00:10:50,151 But none of those projections is the screen itself 311 00:10:50,612 --> 00:10:52,051 The awakened nature described in this sutra 312 00:10:52,412 --> 00:10:53,752 Is that screen 313 00:10:54,412 --> 00:10:55,492 Your joy anger sorrow and happiness 314 00:10:55,772 --> 00:10:57,051 Your afflictions and awakening 315 00:10:57,252 --> 00:10:58,732 Your ignorance and wisdom 316 00:10:58,732 --> 00:11:00,551 Are all films projected onto it 317 00:11:00,853 --> 00:11:02,492 Films have beginnings and endings 318 00:11:02,772 --> 00:11:03,832 The screen does not 319 00:11:04,012 --> 00:11:06,931 It does not wait until the film ends to exist 320 00:11:06,933 --> 00:11:09,291 It was there before the screening 321 00:11:09,293 --> 00:11:11,819 And remains after it ends 322 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,500 Another passage in the scripture reinforces this point 323 00:11:14,961 --> 00:11:15,559 Good sons 324 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:18,220 When bodhisattvas and sentient beings of the latter age 325 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:20,460 Succeed in cultivating this mind 326 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:22,779 There is neither cultivation nor attainment 327 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,260 Perfect enlightenment shines everywhere with no duality of stillness and cessation 328 00:11:25,321 --> 00:11:29,980 Countless inconceivable Buddha worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges 329 00:11:30,081 --> 00:11:32,460 Appear and disappear chaotically like flowers in the sky 330 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:33,799 Neither identical nor separate 331 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:35,319 Neither bondage nor liberation 332 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,260 Only then do they know that all beings are originally Buddhas 333 00:11:38,441 --> 00:11:41,100 Birth and death and nirvana are like a dream from yesterday 334 00:11:41,321 --> 00:11:42,720 All beings are originally Buddhas 335 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,509 Birth and death and nirvana are like a dream from yesterday 336 00:11:45,811 --> 00:11:46,950 Take this statement 337 00:11:47,051 --> 00:11:50,310 Alongside the seven searches for the mind in our episode on the Surangama Sutra 338 00:11:50,411 --> 00:11:51,430 And consider them together 339 00:11:51,811 --> 00:11:53,489 The Surangama Sutra asks where your mind is 340 00:11:53,850 --> 00:11:54,850 It asks seven times 341 00:11:54,850 --> 00:11:55,950 And overturns every answer 342 00:11:56,370 --> 00:11:57,590 Its method is subtraction 343 00:11:57,691 --> 00:12:00,509 Peeling away each place you think the mind resides 344 00:12:00,970 --> 00:12:02,670 The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment takes another approach 345 00:12:02,891 --> 00:12:04,310 It gives you the answer directly 346 00:12:04,730 --> 00:12:06,590 Your mind is not in any particular place 347 00:12:06,850 --> 00:12:09,509 Because awakened nature is like space itself 348 00:12:09,931 --> 00:12:12,710 You cannot ask where space is located within space 349 00:12:13,171 --> 00:12:15,710 Space is what accommodates every location 350 00:12:16,370 --> 00:12:18,509 These two scriptures take different paths 351 00:12:18,571 --> 00:12:20,070 Toward the same destination 352 00:12:20,531 --> 00:12:22,229 The Surangama Sutra works like surgery 353 00:12:22,370 --> 00:12:25,350 Cutting through the coverings so you can see for yourself 354 00:12:26,010 --> 00:12:28,190 The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment switches on the light 355 00:12:28,370 --> 00:12:30,810 And tells you this room has always been bright 356 00:12:30,811 --> 00:12:33,186 You have simply kept your eyes closed 357 00:12:33,728 --> 00:12:34,286 At this point 358 00:12:34,527 --> 00:12:35,786 You might have a question 359 00:12:36,208 --> 00:12:38,546 If awakened nature is already complete 360 00:12:38,568 --> 00:12:40,387 If all beings are originally Buddhas 361 00:12:40,527 --> 00:12:43,206 Then what have so many practitioners been doing for twenty five hundred years 362 00:12:43,208 --> 00:12:44,286 With all those methods 363 00:12:44,287 --> 00:12:45,127 And all those schools 364 00:12:45,448 --> 00:12:46,806 What is all that effort for 365 00:12:47,488 --> 00:12:50,306 The answer in this sutra is wonderfully subtle 366 00:12:50,488 --> 00:12:50,847 It says 367 00:12:51,287 --> 00:12:53,027 There is neither cultivation nor attainment 368 00:12:53,328 --> 00:12:55,147 There is no separate action called cultivation 369 00:12:55,167 --> 00:12:57,426 And no separate result called attainment 370 00:12:57,728 --> 00:12:58,566 What we call practice 371 00:12:58,848 --> 00:13:00,446 Is simply the process of discovering 372 00:13:00,448 --> 00:13:03,315 That this has been yours all along 373 00:13:03,577 --> 00:13:05,276 Just like the metaphor of looking for your keys 374 00:13:05,337 --> 00:13:06,935 You search the room for ages 375 00:13:06,936 --> 00:13:08,756 Then discover the keys in your hand 376 00:13:08,936 --> 00:13:10,376 Can you say you found them 377 00:13:10,936 --> 00:13:12,695 Strictly speaking you did not 378 00:13:12,696 --> 00:13:14,315 Because they were never lost 379 00:13:14,737 --> 00:13:16,736 But can you say all that searching was unnecessary 380 00:13:17,416 --> 00:13:18,415 Without searching 381 00:13:18,416 --> 00:13:20,396 You might never have looked down at your hand 382 00:13:20,816 --> 00:13:22,876 Practice is that process of searching 383 00:13:23,257 --> 00:13:25,455 The searching itself did not produce the keys 384 00:13:25,457 --> 00:13:27,175 But it made you stop 385 00:13:27,176 --> 00:13:29,315 And finally notice what was in your hand 386 00:13:29,776 --> 00:13:31,915 That is what using illusion to work through illusion means 387 00:13:32,296 --> 00:13:33,256 The method is illusory 388 00:13:33,457 --> 00:13:34,876 And so is the problem 389 00:13:34,896 --> 00:13:37,756 But without a method you cannot see that the problem is illusory 390 00:13:37,896 --> 00:13:39,675 Both pieces of wood must burn away 391 00:13:39,696 --> 00:13:42,301 But without the wood you cannot start the fire 392 00:13:42,683 --> 00:13:44,702 The sutra also uses another metaphor 393 00:13:45,203 --> 00:13:47,222 Like flowers in the sky arising from empty space 394 00:13:47,602 --> 00:13:48,501 Flowers in the sky 395 00:13:48,963 --> 00:13:50,541 When something is wrong with your eyes 396 00:13:50,642 --> 00:13:52,822 You may see flowers floating in the sky 397 00:13:53,203 --> 00:13:54,242 Do those flowers exist 398 00:13:54,803 --> 00:13:55,901 Of course not 399 00:13:56,203 --> 00:13:57,421 But you saw them 400 00:13:57,563 --> 00:13:59,541 The act of seeing is real 401 00:13:59,642 --> 00:14:01,582 The content of what you see is false 402 00:14:01,923 --> 00:14:02,962 When your eyes recover 403 00:14:03,203 --> 00:14:04,342 The flowers disappear 404 00:14:04,602 --> 00:14:06,202 Can you say the flowers were destroyed 405 00:14:06,762 --> 00:14:07,122 No 406 00:14:07,642 --> 00:14:10,086 Because they never truly existed 407 00:14:10,467 --> 00:14:11,826 All the afflictions of sentient beings 408 00:14:12,268 --> 00:14:13,326 The sutra says 409 00:14:13,427 --> 00:14:14,606 Are those flowers in the sky 410 00:14:15,187 --> 00:14:18,206 They arise from the wondrous mind of perfect enlightenment 411 00:14:18,547 --> 00:14:21,127 Like flowers in the sky arising from empty space 412 00:14:21,587 --> 00:14:22,747 But when those flowers vanish 413 00:14:23,028 --> 00:14:24,407 Space is still there 414 00:14:24,667 --> 00:14:25,507 Though illusory flowers vanish 415 00:14:25,827 --> 00:14:26,966 The nature of space remains intact 416 00:14:27,348 --> 00:14:28,027 That nature of space 417 00:14:28,388 --> 00:14:30,312 Is awakened nature itself 418 00:14:30,852 --> 00:14:32,211 You may remember 419 00:14:32,212 --> 00:14:35,071 The analogy we developed in discussing Yogacara 420 00:14:35,413 --> 00:14:38,432 The storehouse consciousness is like a vast parameter space 421 00:14:38,653 --> 00:14:41,152 All the seeds are stored within it 422 00:14:41,613 --> 00:14:42,371 Change the seeds 423 00:14:42,692 --> 00:14:44,912 And the projected world changes 424 00:14:45,572 --> 00:14:48,552 This sutra pushes that framework one layer further 425 00:14:48,893 --> 00:14:49,251 It says 426 00:14:49,613 --> 00:14:52,632 The parameter space itself is also an illusory formation 427 00:14:52,893 --> 00:14:55,751 Awakened nature goes deeper than storehouse consciousness 428 00:14:56,172 --> 00:14:57,831 Storehouse consciousness is the machine 429 00:14:58,052 --> 00:15:00,871 Awakened nature is the electricity that allows it to run 430 00:15:01,332 --> 00:15:03,192 The machine does not produce the electricity 431 00:15:03,452 --> 00:15:04,532 Take the machine apart 432 00:15:04,773 --> 00:15:05,661 And the electricity remains 433 00:15:06,161 --> 00:15:08,460 In this episode I especially want to discuss 434 00:15:08,482 --> 00:15:10,980 A question that may have been lingering in your mind 435 00:15:11,441 --> 00:15:13,421 If these scriptures are right 436 00:15:13,642 --> 00:15:15,980 If awakened nature really has always been present 437 00:15:16,041 --> 00:15:17,440 Why can I not feel it 438 00:15:18,321 --> 00:15:19,860 The sutra answers 439 00:15:19,921 --> 00:15:22,021 You are using it every moment 440 00:15:22,201 --> 00:15:24,021 Your ability to understand these words now 441 00:15:24,041 --> 00:15:25,421 To think about these questions 442 00:15:25,681 --> 00:15:28,181 To resonate with something I say 443 00:15:28,402 --> 00:15:30,781 That which can think and resonate 444 00:15:30,961 --> 00:15:32,541 Is awakened nature at work 445 00:15:32,882 --> 00:15:34,240 It is not that you cannot feel it 446 00:15:34,522 --> 00:15:36,021 You are simply so accustomed to it 447 00:15:36,081 --> 00:15:38,261 That you treat it as background 448 00:15:38,561 --> 00:15:40,320 Just as you do not deliberately notice 449 00:15:40,321 --> 00:15:41,901 Your own breathing 450 00:15:42,201 --> 00:15:43,320 Breathing is always happening 451 00:15:43,642 --> 00:15:45,381 But you rarely pay attention 452 00:15:45,482 --> 00:15:47,141 Until someone reminds you 453 00:15:47,841 --> 00:15:49,141 Awakened nature is like that too 454 00:15:49,522 --> 00:15:51,141 It is not one of your experiences 455 00:15:51,482 --> 00:15:54,430 It is the very capacity to have experiences 456 00:15:54,852 --> 00:15:56,991 The power of this sutra lies here 457 00:15:57,092 --> 00:16:00,351 It brings the starting point and endpoint of practice together 458 00:16:00,651 --> 00:16:02,210 You think you begin at the foot of the mountain 459 00:16:02,531 --> 00:16:03,830 And end at the summit 460 00:16:04,131 --> 00:16:04,851 The sutra says 461 00:16:05,252 --> 00:16:07,231 You have been standing at the summit all along 462 00:16:07,452 --> 00:16:09,830 You simply mistook it for the foot of the mountain 463 00:16:10,212 --> 00:16:11,710 Practice is not climbing the mountain 464 00:16:11,852 --> 00:16:15,656 It is opening your eyes to see where you stand 465 00:16:15,877 --> 00:16:16,756 Recognizing illusion is already freedom from it 466 00:16:16,997 --> 00:16:18,057 No further means are needed 467 00:16:18,237 --> 00:16:19,116 Freedom from illusion is awakening itself 468 00:16:19,397 --> 00:16:20,536 There are no gradual stages 469 00:16:20,757 --> 00:16:24,097 These lines are the heart of the entire sutra 470 00:16:24,438 --> 00:16:26,977 It does not give you a complicated procedure 471 00:16:27,198 --> 00:16:29,656 It offers a reversal in understanding 472 00:16:30,038 --> 00:16:31,237 The question is not what you need to do 473 00:16:31,517 --> 00:16:33,136 But what you need to see 474 00:16:33,237 --> 00:16:34,357 And seeing 475 00:16:34,637 --> 00:16:35,796 Requires no preparation 476 00:16:35,798 --> 00:16:37,016 No qualifications 477 00:16:37,078 --> 00:16:39,596 No waiting for some special moment 478 00:16:40,365 --> 00:16:42,477 Do you think something being present all along 479 00:16:42,499 --> 00:16:44,289 And needing to discover it 480 00:16:44,430 --> 00:16:45,717 Are contradictory 481 00:16:46,201 --> 00:16:47,710 If you have wondered about this too 482 00:16:47,893 --> 00:16:49,602 Tell me your thoughts in the comments 483 00:16:49,945 --> 00:16:50,628 I am Leo Wang 484 00:16:50,951 --> 00:16:52,054 See you next time