Difference between revisions of "Ultimate Truth - Emptiness"
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Extracted from [[Transform]] Your [[Life]] by [[Venerable]] [[Geshe Kelsang Gyatso]]. | Extracted from [[Transform]] Your [[Life]] by [[Venerable]] [[Geshe Kelsang Gyatso]]. | ||
| − | [[Emptiness]] is not [[nothingness]], but is the real [[nature]] of [[phenomena]]. [[Ultimate truth]], [[emptiness]], and ultimate nature of [[phenomena]] are the same. | + | [[Emptiness]] is not [[nothingness]], but is the real [[nature]] of [[phenomena]]. [[Ultimate truth]], [[emptiness]], and [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[nature]] of [[phenomena]] are the same. |
We should [[know]] that all our problems arise because we do not realize [[ultimate truth]]. The [[reason]] we remain in [[samsara]]’s {{Wiki|prison}} is that due to our [[delusions]] we continue to engage in contaminated [[actions]]. All our [[delusions]] stem from [[self-grasping]] [[ignorance]]. | We should [[know]] that all our problems arise because we do not realize [[ultimate truth]]. The [[reason]] we remain in [[samsara]]’s {{Wiki|prison}} is that due to our [[delusions]] we continue to engage in contaminated [[actions]]. All our [[delusions]] stem from [[self-grasping]] [[ignorance]]. | ||
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[[Self-grasping]] [[ignorance]] is the source of all our negativity and problems, and the only way to eradicate it is to realize [[emptiness]]. [[Emptiness]] is not easy to understand, but it is extremely important that we make the [[effort]]. Ultimately our efforts will be rewarded by the [[permanent]] [[cessation]] of all [[suffering]] and the everlasting [[bliss]] of full [[enlightenment]]. | [[Self-grasping]] [[ignorance]] is the source of all our negativity and problems, and the only way to eradicate it is to realize [[emptiness]]. [[Emptiness]] is not easy to understand, but it is extremely important that we make the [[effort]]. Ultimately our efforts will be rewarded by the [[permanent]] [[cessation]] of all [[suffering]] and the everlasting [[bliss]] of full [[enlightenment]]. | ||
| − | The purpose of [[understanding]] and [[meditating]] on [[emptiness]] is to release our [[mind]] from wrong conceptions and mistaken [[appearances]] so that we shall become a completely [[pure]], or [[enlightened]], [[being]]. | + | The {{Wiki|purpose}} of [[understanding]] and [[meditating]] on [[emptiness]] is to [[release]] our [[mind]] from wrong conceptions and mistaken [[appearances]] so that we shall become a completely [[pure]], or [[enlightened]], [[being]]. |
| − | In this context, ‘wrong {{Wiki|conception}}’ refers to the [[mind]] of [[self-grasping]] [[ignorance]] – a {{Wiki|conceptual}} [[mind]] that [[grasps]] [[objects]] as truly [[existent]]; and ‘mistaken [[appearance]]’ refers to the [[appearance]] of truly [[existent]] [[objects]]. The former are the obstructions to [[liberation]] and the latter the obstructions to [[omniscience]]. Only a [[Buddha]] has abandoned both obstructions. | + | In this context, ‘wrong {{Wiki|conception}}’ refers to the [[mind]] of [[self-grasping]] [[ignorance]] – a {{Wiki|conceptual}} [[mind]] that [[grasps]] [[objects]] as truly [[existent]]; and ‘mistaken [[appearance]]’ refers to the [[appearance]] of truly [[existent]] [[objects]]. The former are the obstructions to [[liberation]] and the [[latter]] the obstructions to [[omniscience]]. Only a [[Buddha]] has abandoned both obstructions. |
[[File:THE MINDcccccc.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:THE MINDcccccc.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | There are two types of [[self-grasping]]: [[self-grasping]] of persons and [[self-grasping]] of [[phenomena]]. The first [[grasps]] our own or others’ [[self]], or I, as truly [[existent]], and the second [[grasps]] any [[phenomenon]] other than our own or others’ [[self]] as truly [[existent]]. [[Mind]]s that [[grasp]] our [[body]], our [[mind]], our possessions, and our [[world]] as truly [[existent]] are all examples of [[self-grasping]] of [[phenomena]]. | + | There are two types of [[self-grasping]]: [[self-grasping]] of persons and [[self-grasping]] of [[phenomena]]. The first [[grasps]] our [[own]] or others’ [[self]], or I, as truly [[existent]], and the second [[grasps]] any [[phenomenon]] other than our [[own]] or others’ [[self]] as truly [[existent]]. [[Mind]]s that [[grasp]] our [[body]], our [[mind]], our possessions, and our [[world]] as truly [[existent]] are all examples of [[self-grasping]] of [[phenomena]]. |
The main point of [[meditating]] on [[emptiness]] is to reduce and finally to eliminate both types of [[self-grasping]]. [[Self-grasping]] is the source of all our problems; the extent to which we [[suffer]] is directly proportional to the intensity of our [[self-grasping]]. | The main point of [[meditating]] on [[emptiness]] is to reduce and finally to eliminate both types of [[self-grasping]]. [[Self-grasping]] is the source of all our problems; the extent to which we [[suffer]] is directly proportional to the intensity of our [[self-grasping]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 18:02, 25 March 2015
Extracted from Transform Your Life by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
Emptiness is not nothingness, but is the real nature of phenomena. Ultimate truth, emptiness, and ultimate nature of phenomena are the same.
We should know that all our problems arise because we do not realize ultimate truth. The reason we remain in samsara’s prison is that due to our delusions we continue to engage in contaminated actions. All our delusions stem from self-grasping ignorance.
Self-grasping ignorance is the source of all our negativity and problems, and the only way to eradicate it is to realize emptiness. Emptiness is not easy to understand, but it is extremely important that we make the effort. Ultimately our efforts will be rewarded by the permanent cessation of all suffering and the everlasting bliss of full enlightenment.
The purpose of understanding and meditating on emptiness is to release our mind from wrong conceptions and mistaken appearances so that we shall become a completely pure, or enlightened, being.
In this context, ‘wrong conception’ refers to the mind of self-grasping ignorance – a conceptual mind that grasps objects as truly existent; and ‘mistaken appearance’ refers to the appearance of truly existent objects. The former are the obstructions to liberation and the latter the obstructions to omniscience. Only a Buddha has abandoned both obstructions.
There are two types of self-grasping: self-grasping of persons and self-grasping of phenomena. The first grasps our own or others’ self, or I, as truly existent, and the second grasps any phenomenon other than our own or others’ self as truly existent. Minds that grasp our body, our mind, our possessions, and our world as truly existent are all examples of self-grasping of phenomena.
The main point of meditating on emptiness is to reduce and finally to eliminate both types of self-grasping. Self-grasping is the source of all our problems; the extent to which we suffer is directly proportional to the intensity of our self-grasping.
For example, when our self-grasping is very strong, we feel a sharp mental pain when others simply tease us in a friendly way, whereas at times when our self-grasping is weak we just laugh with them. Once we completely destroy our self-grasping, all our problems will naturally disappear. Even temporarily, meditating on emptiness is very helpful for overcoming anxiety and worry.
