No More Learning

SS: p. 120.
Three kinds of Insight are generally given to describe the degree of depth of the knowledge gained; Atisa mentions two of them here:
'! ) Insight from Study (thos-pa'i shes-rab/irutamayi-praiiii); 2) Insight from Reflection (bsam-pa las shes-rab/cintiimayi-prajiiii; 3) Insight from Con- templation (bsgom-pa'i shes-rab/bhiivaniimayi-prajiiii). For Kamalasila's explanation of this, see G. Tucci, Minor Buddhist Texts, Pt. II, p. 160.
In SS: p. 109.
In SS: p. 109.
In SS: p. 112.
O t . 5444, V ol. 103:251. 4f.
Ot. 5658, Precious Garland ofAdvicefor the King, stanza 48i.
The text is not found in the catalogues by this title as one of Saraha's compositions. Atisa takes the title and quote from Bodhibhadra's Chapter on Concentration Equipment [Ot. 5444, Vol. 103:252. 1], but supplies Saraha's name as author, which Bodhibhadra's text does not do.
10 Unidentified.
II
12
13
zhi-gnas/samatha: Calmness. The terms Calmness and Higher Vision (lhag- mthong/viiJasyanii) are found in most of the Mahayana siitras, always paired together. Calmness designates the meditative techniques of yogic concen- tration, which Atisa unfolds in this chapter; Higher Vision is the investigative analysis for Emptiness in the Perfection of Insight, which is the subject of the next chapter.
mngon-par shes-pa/abhijiiii: superknowledge. The five (or sometimes six) superknowledges have a long historical development in the siitras. See H. Dayal, Bodhisattva Doctrine in Sanskrit Literature, pp. 106-34.
op. cit. , p. 250. 5f. The nine limbs are Bodhibhadra's opening outline for his entire treatise, eas:h limb being explained in tum. Briefly summarised, the meaning of each of the Limbs is this:
1) Renunciation (of the worldly life);
2) Preparation (through study with a Guru);
3) Avoidance (of premature effort to seek others' good before having
attained realisation oneself);
4) Suppression (of worldly cares and anxieties); 5) Dissatisfaction with the world;
6) Mindfulness ofthe benefits (of Concentration); 7) Diligence (in the efforts of Concentration);
? 14
15
8) Integrating (Calmness with Higher Vision);
9) Means of Staying (in all the above virtues).
It is. remarkable that Atisa does not mention here the Nine States of Mind (sems-gnas/citta-sthiti) in Calmness proposed by Asailga in his Hearer's Level [Ot. 5537, Vol. 110:100. 3ff. ) which have become so well known to Tibetan monks through Tsong-kha-pa's Lam-rim chen-mo. where they are described at length. Perhaps Atisa felt that teaching was too advanced for his audience.
sems mnyam-par bzhag-pa/citta-samiihita: lit. , the balanced mind. or the mind in concentration. Here it is used as the equivalent of Concentration (ting-nge- 'dzin/samiidhi).
Ot. 5522. Vol. 108:20-5. Atisa omits Bodhibhadra's acknowledgement of the source. I have supplied the meaning of the partially cryptic statement of
the eight habits which remedy the five defects, following Sthiramati's Commentary on the "Classification o f the Middle and Extremes" [Ot. 5534, Vol. 109:176. 1ff. ].
THE SUPERKNOWLEDGES 125
16 Bodhibhadra, Chapter on Concentration Equipment [Ot. 5459, Vol. 103:266. 4].
17 18 19
20 21
22
23
24
25 26 27 28 29
30
Ot. 5521, Vol. 108:15. 5.
Ot. 5256, Vol. 96:26. 4.
mtshan-ma dang-bcas-pa/sa-nimitta (with-Signs) and mtshan-ma med-pa/a- nimitta (without-Signs) is a common distinction in yogic meditational practice, meaning simply the concentration of the mind on images, or concentrating the mind without the need for that kind of assistance- as the
Commentary goes on to explain.
The contemplation of oneself as a god is ? a common form of Tantric meditation. See A. Wayman, Fundamentals of Buddhist Tantra, p. 167. mi-sdug-pa/a-subha: disgusting. The traditional Buddhist meditation on the impermanence and foulness of the body, viewing it as a corpse under nine
aspects: blue; full of pus, insect-ridden, etc. Atisa is the author of a short meditation on the subject, Asubha-bhiivanii-krama [Ot. 5454). kha-tvam/khatvii: a staff with triple prongs and a skull at the top, carried by ascetics and yogins. It can be a symbol of Siva for Brahmanists, and also of Padmasambhava and other yogins for Tibetan Buddhists. For a long list and
illustration ofsuch insignia, see L. A. Waddell, The Buddhism ofTibet, pp. 340-1.
The five topics presented here by Bodhibhadra are of a Tantric nature and as such would be incomprehensible to the uninitiated. They are based on fundamental yogic concepts of breath (dbugs! priif}a), subtle signs (mtshan- ma phra-mo/sulq-ma-nimitta), and the drop (thig-le/bindu), but with additional liturgical and mystical significances.
Ordinary external Signs would be any external concentration object what- soever. Bodhibhadra does not bother with examples.
so-sor-rtog-pa'i shes-rab/pratyavelqanii-jniina.
Bodhibhadra, op. cit. , pp. 255. 2ff.
See Chapter 4, note 49.
In SS: pp. 196-7.
The Six Mindfulnesses are 1) the Buddha, 2) the Doctrine, 3) the Community, 4) Conduct, 5) Renunciation, and 6) the gods. The "short" Mindfulness practice drops the final three.
The virtues listed here comprise what is known as the "Thirty-seven Enlightenment Wings" (byang-chub kyi phyogs/bodhipalqa). They can be found individually in the Glossary.
? PART THREE
Higher Insight
? I II
III
PERFECTION OF INSIGHT
UNION OF INSIGHT AND MEANS
A Necessity of the Union
B Difference between the Two
FOUR GREAT PROOFS OF EMPTINESS
A Four Extremes
B Diamond-Particle
c Identity and Plurality
Stanza Page
41 130
42 130
43 131 44-46 133
47 135
48 136 49 137 50 137
v CONTEMPLATION A Emptiness
52 141
. 53 141 54 142 55 143
VI VII
VIII IX X
VERSES ON THE MIDDLE WAY 143
CHAPTER 6
Insight and Means
D Dependent Origination
IV SCHOOLS 139
A Middle Way 139
B Bibliography of Sastra 139
B W i s d o m
c Non-discursive Reasoning
56 147
57 147 B Bibliography of Siitras 149
BIOGRAPHY OF THE MASTERS 150
PROOF FROM SCRIPTURE
A Quotations
CULTIVATION OF HIGHER VISION
STAGES OF THE PATH
58 151 59 152
51 138
? 6
Insight and Means
Perfection of Insight
By means of the Insight that knows how to join Means with Insight, both the equipment of merit and the equipment of knowledge are integrated and perfected. As I was reflecting on this, I wrote [the stanzas] beginning:
BUT OBSCURATION IS NOT DESTROYED
WITHOUT THE PERFECTION OF INSIGHT. (Stanza 41b]
Calmness [by itself] cannot remove Karma and [its a~ompanying] A f f l i c t i o n a n d M a t u r a t i o n , o r t h e Obscuration [resulting from ignorance] of phenomena. 1 It is only when they are [discovered and] removed by Higher Vision that they are destroyed. Hence you must base yourself in Higher Vision; and that is the meaning of the next stanza:
HENCE, TO REMOVE ALL OBSCURATION
OF HIS AFFLICTION AND HIS KNOWLEDGE,
THE YOGIN MUST CONTINUALLY CULTIVATE THE
PERFECTION OF INSIGHT TOGETHER WITH MEANS. (Stanza 42]
Union of Insight and Means
Let me explain Means and Insight more fully. When I say [inStanza43)"SCRIPTURESAYSTHATBONDAGEIS . . ? ",Irefer to what both the Mount Gayii Sutra and the Sutra Set Forth by Vimalakzrti declare:
"Insight divorced from Means is bondage. Means divorced from Insight is also bondage. " 2
? And tO SUpport my saying "THEREFORE, NEGLECT NOT THIS UNION" [in Stanza 43], I quote from glorious Jfianak1rti:3
"One [then] truly progresses in the essence of Perfection of Insight, and in the Means which are Giving and the rest [of the Perfections]. " The Mount Gayii Sutra sum- marises the Bodhisattva Path, citing this very union: "It is Means and Insight. " And then it classifies the Means as the Perfections of Giving and the rest, the [Four] Infinitudes, the [Four] Means of Attraction, and so on. The [Satra Set Forth by] Ak~ayamati and the Cloud of
Jewels and other sutras say the same thing. [320a] But Insight is the factor that effectively and accurately delineates these Means. When it analyses them correctly, then they are effective; and therefore, when one adopts them for one's own and others' good, absolutely no
affliction results - it is as though one had a [protecting] mantra against poison. Furthermore, that same Sutra says: "Means is known as the collecting; Insight is known as accurately defining. " And the Producing the Power of Faith Satra:
"What is skill in Means? It is known as the gathering up of all virtue. And what is Insight? It is skill in knowing that all phenomena are undifferentiated. ''4
Necessity ofthe Union
Even [a bodhisattva already] established in the Levels must be grounded in both [Means and Insight]; therefore, it is not simply a matter of what inust be known. That is why sutras like the Ten Levels say: "It is wrong not to practise the rest of the Perfections as well. . . . On all ten of the Bodhisattva Levels all of the Perfections must still be practised. "5 And when there was a Bodhisattva who had a particular delight in [practising] the Perfection of Insight, the . /::,xtensive Satra: Compendium of All Phenomena said this on the subject:
" 0 Maitreya, the six Perfections of Enlightenment are to be understood correctly by the bodhisattvas. Some
INSIGHT AND MEANS 131
? 132 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
foolish men say that a bodhisattva need train only in the Perfection of Insight, and thereby have no need of the other Perfections. By so thinking, they are holding the restofthePerfectionsincontempt. . . "6 [320b]
And the holy Perfect EnlightenmentofVairocana:
"The wisdom of an Omniscient Being, rooted in the Great Compassion, andwith the Enlightenment Thought as its cause, has attained the perfection of the Means. "'
Since this is the case, one must rely on both [Means and Insight] at all times. And that was the way the Blessed One achieved. his Deferred Nirvat:ta. 8 Through [perfecting] the Means, Giving and the rest, He laid hold of that excellent result. thegreatestenjoyment:theForm-Body9 anditsfield of activity and its retinue - and hence does not remain in Nirvat:ta. Through his Perfection of Insight, rejecting what is false, he d<:>es not [truly] abide in Samsara- because it is of the very nature of falseness.
When [the above Siit:t:a] says, "If everyone who knows lists of phenomena10 by the dozen, as it were, is supposed to reject those phenomena; then how much more what are not phenomena! " - what it is saying is that one should reject any attachment to what is false in them; and not that one should not continue to exist for the sake of [others'] needs and fulfilment. One should embrace the Truth; that is what
-it means by saying "Do not grasp at what is false! " And so:
" A t all times be based in the Means Together with the Perfection of Insight; For because of it and from it,
One passes to the Deferred NirvaQa. "
That is what he [Jiianakirti] and his sources say. And my Guru [Bodhibhadra] also adds:
"If that is true, then one should have both Means and Insight at all times, and should accumulate and integrate the equipments ofmerit and ofknowledge. "11 [321a]
? Difference between the Two
Having shown the importance of combining Means with Insight, and that both must be had together, I now explain exactly what they are:
TO REMOVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT
WHAT INSIGHT IS, AND WHAT ARE MEANS,
I WILL MAKE CLEAR THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE MEANS AND INSIGHT. (Stanza 44]
I said "TO REMOVE ANY DOUBTS" because great Acaryas of old have spoken variously about the two; for instance some texts are quoted as saying:
"The Means is the Bodhisattva's
Great Compassion for creatures;
And its components differ according to The three aspects [that are involved]. " 12
Other sources say "the Means is the Thought of Enlighten- ment in its relative aspect. " 13
But in the root text I presentedwhat my Guru, glorious Bodhibhadra, said about this:
THE VICTORS HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THE MEANS
ARE ALL THE EQUIPMENTS OF VIRTUE,
STARTING WITH THE PERFECTION OF GIVING,
UP TO, BUT EXCLUDING, THAT OF INSIGHT. (Stanza 45)
Taking the words "STARTING WITH THE PERFECTION OF GIVING", Giving can here be distinguished according to the [above-mentioned] three aspects: [a] the Donor, [b] the Substance given, and [c] the Object (of one's giving). One can be a Donor for the sake of gain, honour, fame, and glory; or because one is besought by others; or out of compassion, or to show respect, and so on. The Substance given can be things like the Teaching or material goods or fearlessness or love. The Object of one's giving can be the Three Jewels, or a Guru's sustenance, or any creature of the five destinies. [321b]
INSIGHT AND MEANS 133
The Four Diamond Seats Tantra speaks at length [on
? 134 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
Giving] with phrases like "Sixty thousand Sudras took care of one pure Brahmin"; and the Siitras too, and the Hundred Explanations ofthe Doctrine, when talking about "not relying on another [non-Buddhist] teacher as the spiritual friend", and so on. In the Yoga Tantra called Conquest ofthe Triple World, the Blessed One says:
"There is a Giving of initiation, a Giving of the Teaching, a Giving of wealth, and a Giving of food, a Giving of fearlessness and a Giving of love. And these [gifts are given) respectively to: a disciple, a mind not [yet] alerted, a religious mendicant, and to Brahmins, the poor, animals, the faint-hearted, and to every creature. " 14
My words "sTARTING WITH [GrviNG]" indicate that [the Victors] have also explained the rest of the Perfections. In the Perfection of Conduct, for instance, [they teach that) there is the Conduct of a bodhisattva when he gets the first Thought of Enlightenment, and of one who has entered the Practice [Path], of one who will not turn back, of one who has attained Patience in non-arising phenomena,-'of one who is held back by but one rebirth, and of a bodhisattva in his final life. 15
"THAT THE MEANS ARE ALL THE EQUIPMENTS OF VIRTUE" points out that the Siitra passages [always] explain the rest of the Perfections in turn. You must consult the Siitras themselves for the full significance of these Perfections, and the other texts composed to clarify the Sfltras: the Compendium of Siitra, the Bodhisattva Levels, the
f! . rogress, in Practice, the Compendium of Training, and Acarya Sura's Conversations on the Perfections.
The theme of this stanza is exactly what it says:
ONE WHO COMBINES MASTERY OF THE MEANS
WITH A TRUE CULTIVATION OF INSIGHT,
WILL SWIFTLY ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMENT, BUT
NOT BY CULTIVATING MERELY NON-SELF. [Stanza 46)
What is Insight? [322a] It is either innate, or comes from
? study, or from reflection, or from contemplation - or as scripture says:
"He who penetrates to what is changeless In the words and states of all activity,
Let his be proclaimed as
'Insight of the Diamond Mind'. "
Thatiswhatitis. AndsoIgoontosayintheroottext:
"INSIGHT" IS FULLY EXPLAINED AS KNOWING
THE EMPTINESS OF INTRINSIC NATURE
IN COMPREHENDING THAT AGGREGATES AND SENSE-BASES AND ELEMENTS DO NOT ARISE. (Stanza 47)
All external and internal phenomena are included in the Aggregates, Elements, and Sense-bases; as the Blessed One has said, "0 Brahmin, the Aggregates, Elements, arid Sense-bases are everything meant by the word 'Every- thing'. " I will explain the words "Do NOT ARISE" later; but
the "FULLY EXPLAINED" means that the Buddhas and Gurus have said so. And I add here:
The Perfections and Means of Conversion,
The Four Infinitudes and Seven Limbs,
The Ten Religious Practices and other acts of virtue, The Seven Noble Riches and the Six Mindfulnesses; The mary. qala and offerings and circumambulation-
Are the Means which are the reason for the Enjoyment and Apparition Bodies.
But it is the Perfection of Insight alone That has the Insight which is the cause of
the Body ofTruth. 16
Four Great Proofs of Emptiness
0 Noble Y outh, what sort of method will lead to a direct experience of such "Insight" as this? I say that it is learned by [using] the Four Great Proofs. 17 And what are those Four? They are:
INSIGHT AND MEANS 135
? 136 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
[A] [B] [C] [D]
The Proof that refutes Arising in the Four Extremes; The Diamond-Particle Proof;
The Lack of identity or Plurality Proof; and
The Dependent Origination Proof. [322b]
I answer your question about what these Proofs are in the next four stanzas [48-51].
Four Extremes
AN EXISTENT'S ARISING IS IMPOSSIBLE;
A NON-EXISTENT'S IS LIKE FLOWERS IN THE SKY; 18
FOR A THING TO BE BOTH IS ABSURD FALLACY;
SO NEITHER DO THEY ORIGINA TE TOGETHER.
(Stanza 48]
This is the Proof that refutes Arising in the Four Extremes, in which I show that whatever phenomena already exist will not arise, because they have already arisen. And phenomena that do not exist will also not arise, because it could not be accomplisned by themselves [being non- existent], nor is there any cause for their arising. The third supposition, "FOR A THING TO BE BOTH [EXISTENT AND NON-
~XISTENT] " , has no reality to it whatsoever! Acarya Santideva also speaks on this subject:
"Why make up causes for An entity that [already] exists? Or again, if it does not exist, What need to find causes for it?
Not a hundred million causes Could change itfrom non-entity;
For how could that situation be real? And what is there other than what is?
If there is not entity when no existence, Then when does an entity originate? Non-entity cannot be separated
By means of a non-arising entity!
If there is no separation from non-entity,
Then there is no chance of an entity existing;
For that would be the absurdity of a double Intrinsic nature: there cannot be a non-entity entity!
Destruction likewise does not exist;
? Nor is there a basi's for permanence either.
Hence all these living creatures
Are without an arising and without a cessation. " 19
And he continues at some length on this theme.
Diamond-Particle
In this stanza I show the Diamond-Particle Proof:
SINCE AN ENTITY DOES NOT ARISE FROM ITSELF, AND IS NOT FROM ANOTHER, OR EVEN FROM BOTH, NOR IS IT YET WITHOUT CAUSE; THEREFORE IT HAS
NO INTRINSIC NA TURE BY WAY OF OWN-EXISTENCE. (Stanza 49}
And so, those who hold an external or internal Creator, such as an Atman or Fate or lsvara, [323a] or the Puru~aor Karma or Prak:rti or the GuQ. as or Brahman or Vi~Q. u20 - or even those of our own sects who admit that entities arise through the Six Causes and Four Conditions21 - are in error in their understanding. To refute them, Nagarjuna says in
his Basic Stanzas on the Middle Way: "Insight":
"There are never any entities
In which arising exists,
From themselves, from another, From both, nor without cause;"22
But you must study that text itself for the full meaning of this, as well as its six great commentaries and two sub- commentaries,Z3 along with the Middle Way Treatise: "Finely Woven", the Clear Words, the Blaze ofReasoning, and Supplement to the "Middle Way".
Identity and Plurality
I show the Lack of Identity or Plurality Proof in this stanza:
FURTHERMORE, IF? ONE ANALYSES ALL THINGS
AS IDENTITIES OR. MUL TIPLICITIES,
OWN-EXISTENCE IS NOT PERCEIVED; HENCE ONE IS
CERTAIN THAT INTRINSIC NATURES DO NOT EXIST. (Stanza 50]
INSIGHT AND MEANS 137
? 138 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
By "FURTHERMORE" I mean that I am still teaching you about the Proofs. The significance of"ANALYSES ALL THINGS ~S IDEN:_riTIES OR MULTIPLICITIES" can be explained by Acarya Santaraksita:
"The entities spoken of as 'self' and 'other',
In thecorrect sense are without intrinsic nature;
And because they lack identity and plurality,
Being without intrinsic nature, they are like reflections. " 2 4
Acarya Srlgupta says it too:
"This entire internal and external state,
In the correct sense is without intrinsic nature; And since it lacks identity or multiplicity,
It is therefore like a reflection. "25
But again you must study the texts themselves for the full meaning.
Dependent Origination
The Dependent Origination Proof is shown in the words:26
THE REASONING OF THE SEVENTY ST ANZAS ON EMPTINESS, ANDOFTEXTS LIKETHEBASICSTANZASONTHEMIDDLEWAY, EXPLAINS THE PROOF THAT ALL ENTITIES [323b]
ARE EMPTY OF INTRINSIC NATURE. [Stanza 51]
To understand the meaning of this Proof, you must study those texts themselves. The words "EXPLAINS THE PROOF" signifies that all the great Acaryas of old taught the proof that all entities are non-arising. And so, with Four Great Proofs such as these, the scholars have well established that absolutely every entity is non-arising, is not permanently fixed, passes beyond the suffering [caused] by intrinsic nature, is pure from its origin, is without root and without foundation, and that every phenomenon whatsoever is without substantiation.
? Schools
Middle Way
There is this to note about those scholars of India: Arya Asanga's orderly presentation of the Teaching enunciates the Mind-Only understanding of the Perfection of Insight, and the present day Gur_us Suvafl}. advipa and Santipa follow that interpretation. Acarya Nagarjuna explained the essence of the Teaching with his personal realisation of the great Middle Way which transcends the existence and non- existence of meaning in the Perfection of Insight. This he enunciated to a long line of other scholars, and the Guru
Bodhibhadra and venerable Kusulupa follow his inter- pretation today.
The nectar of Arya Nagarjuna's words Filled Aryadeva, Candrakirti, Bhavya And Santideva down to Bodhibhadra too; Even on me a little has been sprinkled.
And thus with their Four Great Proofs,
I establish the non-arising of all phenomena;
And following the steps of those Acaryas of old, (324a] I will hold to the tenets of the great Middle Way.
Or again, let me describe it this way:
There is nowadays a worsening,
Of people, of the times, of vice and views,
And even of life itself. Listening to texts profits not; So cultivate yoga on their essential meaning.
Were there time to listen to great long texts, They might be our (rescue] ships in these our days; But [for now] avoid all disturbance of mind,
And cultivate only the counsel of the holy.
There's so much to be learned in so little while, And we know not the length of this life's span;
So be like the goose straining milk from water,27 Taking only the pure desires from those you have.
Bibliography o f Siistra
Returning to the words "BASIC STANZAS ON THE MIDDLE
INSIGHT AND MEANS 139
? 140 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
W A Y " in my root text [Stanza 51], my reference is to [Nagarjuna's] Insight: Basic Stanzas on the Middle Way. And when I said "TEXTS LIKE", I had in mind such works as his No Fear from Anywhere, the Refutation of Objections, the Sixty Stanzas of Reasoning, the Seventy Stanzas on Emptiness, the Precious Garland, the Twenty Stanzas on Mahiiyiina, the Hundred Syllables, and [KamalasTia's] Rice Seedling Sutra Commentary.
By "TEXTS LIKE . . . " I also refer to the treatises composed by men such as venerable Aryadeva, the holy Acarya's gersonal disciple, and Candrakirti, Bhavaviveka, and Santideva.
Aryadeva is the author of the following: the Great "Finely Woven": a Middle Way Treatise, the Length of a Forearm, the Finger-Length Instruction, and the Heart of Wisdom Compendium.
The works of Acarya Candraklrti are: the Supplement to [Niigiirjuna's] "Treatise on the Middle Way", the Com- mentary on "The Sixty Stanzas of Reasoning", the Five Chapters on the Middle Way, and the Clear Words, and so on. _[324b]
Acarya Bhavaviveka's treatises are the Blaze of Reasoning: [Commentary] On "Essence of the Middle Way", the Lamp for "The Insight" [of Niigiirjuna], and others.
There are altogether eight commentaries on [Nagarjuna's] Basic Stanzas on the Middle Way: "Insight"- the No Fear from Anywhere by the Acarya himself, the Clear Words by Candraklrti, the Lamp for "Insight" of Bhavaviveka, Buddhapalita's commentary, and those composed by the Elder Sthiramati, and the Acaryas
Gul)amati, Gul)asx:l, and Gul)adatta.
In addition, [Bhavaviveka's] Lamp for "The Insight" has
two great sub-commentaries: one composed by Acarya Avalokitavrata, and Devasarma's White-Shining: On the Middle Way.
Besides these there are in India today men who have given serious reflection to this near ocean of presentations that the great interpreters ofNagarjuna's mind have made. And the reasoning in the texts they [in tum] wrote, also
? INSIGHT AND MEANS 141 EXPLAINS THE PROOF THAT ALL ENTITIES
ARE EMPTY OF INTRINSIC NA TURE. ~Stanza 51]
In each and every one [of all these texts] the Emptiness of all phenomena is conclusively proven. If I were to try [here] to clear up the wrong understanding others have, by using my Four Great Proofs, my own text would become altogether too big. Hence, I have said only a little bit about the subject, and have not elaborated. Here we are simply saying that the tenets of the great Middle Way are thus and so, but have not written about them extensively.
Contemplation
But for yogins who do desire to take these tenets to heart I give a brief synthesis, saying: [325a]
BUT WILL EXPLAIN ONLY PROVEN TENETS
IN ORDER TO FURTHER CONTEMPLATION. (Stanza 52]
I have not written here about cultivation of the Enlighten- ment Thought of Ultimate Truth28 as a means of assimilating the tenets. One must petition a Guru for that [instruction], after he has been won over.
Emptiness
THUS, NOT TO PERCEIVE INTRINSIC NATURE
IN ANY PHENOMENON WHATEVER
IS TO CONTEMPLATE ITS NON-SELF- WHICH
IS THE SAME AS CONTEMPLATING WITH INSIGHT. (Stanza 53]
I wrote this stanza in accordance with the gist of those tenets.
AND THIS INSIGHT WHICH DOES NOT SEE
INTRINSfC NATURE IN ANY PHENOMENA
IS THAT SAME INSIGHT EXPLAINED AS WISDOM.
CULTIVATE IT WITHOUT CONCEPTUAL THOUGHT. (Stanza 54]
My WOrds "DOES NOT SEE INTRINSIC NATURE IN ANY ? ? " mean that in whatever phenomenon you see, you see the
? 142 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
highest Thatness29 of its very non-existence. That is the expression used in many sutras. And for the meaning of it you should study Acarya [Arya-]deva's Destruction of Errors about the Middle Way, the Blaze of Reasoning, Supplementto"TheMiddleWay", and Avalokitavrataalso.
Wisdom
If this view of all other phenomena itself does not exist absolutely, you may ask, then does one's own mind [which sees) exist itself? To this I answer, "[IT] IS THAT SAME INSIGHT EXPLAINED AS WISDOM". That very investigative Insight by which the view exists, does not exist. And how is it non- existent, yoti ask? I say "[IT IS] EXPLAINED AS WISDOM". Insight itself is also explained by the Four Great Proofs, and if examined carefully it cannot be established. The Blessed One clearly teaches this meaning in the Sutra
Setting Forth the Two Truths:
("
"In the ultimate sense, when one analyses the Insight of all phenomena, even the examination does not truly exist and is without basis. Even that Insight, in the ultimate sense, does not truly exist and is without basis. Therefore, it is called 'Insight' [only] conventionally; but in the ultimate sense, that Insight has not truly arisen and is non-existent. "30
Arya Nagarjuna reflects on this [in his Essay on Enlighten- ment Thought]:
"The mind, which all the Buddhas
Have not seen is not a thing to be seen. [325b] For how could they see an entity
Which has no intrinsic;: nature? "31
And Acarya Aryadeva in his Heart of Wisdom Compendium:
"The scholars do not hold a consciousness either That [exists] in the ultimate sense;
It would be a very sky-lotus, because of
Its lack of identity or multiplicity. " 32
? INSIGHT AND MEANS 143 And Nagarjuna again [in his Essay]:
"To refute the grasping at a Self,
The Buddha taught the Aggregates, Elements, and so on. And the worthy ones destroyed even them
As being a species of the mind alone.
T o put down the fear of childish men, The Sage did preach the words that say 'All these things are only Mind';
But in truth, Mind itself is not! . . .
Although the Mahayanists' delights
Lie in [seeing] this Non-self of phenomena; Their own mind is non-arisen from the start, And in short, it is not! "33
Non-discursive Reasoning
And so now, if you have a clear understanding about the Self which outsiders impute [to be real], and about the Aggregates and so on, that [some of] our own sects impute [to be real], and about the [unreality of] mind and illusion- and if you are fixed in these meanings continually- then you must abandon discursive reasoning. As Arya Nagarjuna said:
"We hold that the Buddhas' Enlightenment Thought Has the pure characteristic of Emptiness, Unobscured by reasonings on the Self,
On the Aggregates and the rest, and even consciousness. "34
It is the elimination of this discursive reasoning I refer to when I said: [326a]
THE WORLD OF CHANGE SPRINGS FROM CONCEPTUAL THOUGHT, WHICH IS ITS VERY NATURE;
THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF SUCH
THOUGHT IS THE HIGHEST NIRVAJ':! A. (Stanza 55)
Verses on the Middle Way
In giving the meaning of the texts I have quoted above, I want to follow in the steps of a Guru who reached spiritual
? 144 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
perfection through the counsel of Arya Nagarjuna, N a g a r j u n a h a v i n g t h e g i f t f r o m A r y a Mafijugho~a (himself]. This Guru acquired the superknowledges, and understands the intent of all the Tantras and Siitras and the entire Discipline teachings. He sees [all] truth shining simultaneously in his mind, and is, moreover, a Guru of the unbroken lineage [from Mafijugho~a]. The glorious
Bodhibhadra is that Guru, [and I follow him here]:35
[1] If one analyses reality correctly,
Then the entire examination of all apparent Phenomena made by various schools
Is in error, and we hold them false.
[2] For example, a diseased eye, because defective, Sees sewing-needles or comb-hairs [in its vision], Or sees a double moon, or [as through] honeycomb: In this there is a knowledge that grasps something.
[3] For example, when asleep, under the power of sleep And of one's dispositions, one experiences
Pleasure and pain, forms and the like:
In this there is a knowledge that grasps something.
[4] Just so, from the very beginning,
The diseased eye of Ignorance with its defects Experiences internal and external entities:
In this there is a knowledge that grasps something. [5] And also from the very beginning,
In the great deep sleep of Ignorance,
Comes that dream of the Four Dispositions:36
In this there is an experience of the mind grasping. [6] But if one analyses in the actual ultimate sense What the real nature of these phenomena is, Those false comprehensions are unable
To prove whether they exist or not.
[7] For example, when the diseased eye is unfit, One cannot say the comb-hair does not exist; And when the diseased eye becomes fit,
One cannot say the comb-hair [riow] exists.
[8] For example, when one wakes from the sleep Of Ignorance, one cannot say he sees the dream; And as long as he is not awakened from the sleep, He cannot say the dream does not exist.
[9] When one recovers from the blinding disease, And when one awakens from his sleep, [326b]
? The dream, the comb-hair and the rest, and
Even the knowledge that grasps them do not exist.
[10] Just so, if one recovers from the eye-disease
Of Ignorance, and from the deep sleep of Ignorance, Everything that appears and is examined, and
Even the knowledge of experiencing them do not exist. [11] The [very] man who is declaiming "Destruction And non-destruction" [views] is destructible!
In his real nature he does not [even] exist;
So swiftly does this fool's analysis perish!
[12] "Then," says he, "[your] Acarya Santideva Cannot assert this Destructionist [view either];
For his instruction does not [even] exist,
And his texts are destructible [then too]! "
(13] For this man nothing can be made clearer; Not [even] the least [principle] can be put down. Study correctly what truly exists, and
By really seeing that you will be saved.
[14] There are some of our own and others' schools Who have established that phenomena do exist,
And still others who say that they do not:
[15] But if one analyses reality correctly,
"Existence" and "Non-existence" as true extremes Themselves do not exist; and therefore
In no way can they ever be established.
[16] Although men outside the Guru-tradition
Have established things like Existence, Non-existence, Permanence and Destruction, with their inferring37 Insights, they will not touch their tiring goal.
[17] How many texts have been written
By Dharmakirti and Dharmottara and the rest- Texts of our own scholarly men to refute
These challenges of the heretics!
[18] Therefore I say, "There is no use in
Logic for cultivating the ultimate truth. "
If I put it any other way, then straightway
[My very] declaration on it is useless [too]!
[19] So throw out your texts on argumentation Which make inference supreme;
And cultivate the [Guru-] tradition's counsel, With the textual authority of Arya Nagarjuna. [20] The Middle Way follower knows the Thatness Which is freed from the Four Extremes: [327a]
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No Existence, no Non-existence,
No both together, nor negated either. 38 [21] The Middle Way realises the Thatness Which is freed from the Four Extremes: No Permanence, no Destruction,
No both together, nor negated either.
[22] Transcending views of Existence and Non~existence, And rejecting Permanence and Destruction,
Be freed from knowing and knowledge:
This is the basic text ofthe great Middle Way.
[23] Those who have made inference supreme,
Talk of Existence and Non-existence, of Permanence And Destruction, but in not pursuing the real nature, Their affirmations and negations perish!
[24] For example, although [assertions that] intrinsic Natures do exist for gold, sky, water and the rest, Are accompanied apparently by a fallacy,
They do not follow up the fallacy in them.
[25] Abandon [these] affirmations and negations, And cultivate only the Thatness that frees
With certainty from [false] affirmations;
And do not rest in [any] set oftenets.
[26] Cultivate only the instruction of the lineage Of Arya Nagarjuna and Aryadeva,
Of Candraki:rti, Bhavya, and Santideva.
[27] And if there is no one of that tradition,
Then study the texts composed by them
Over and over again.
[28] For they are the door to the "A"39 of all Phenomena, which from the start do not arise nor cease; Their real nature is Nirvai}a;
Of intrinsic nature they are pure.
[29] Even if seen, they are not seen:
What is called the "Seer" and "Thing Seen" And the "Seeing" do not exist at all!
The Sage is ever in equipoise. 40
[30] If one abandons all discursive reasoning And remains in the realm of True Reality,
He does not want such starts and advances41 Toward the knowledge of the great Yoga.
[31] Hence, those who have attained equipoise Themselves do not desire Buddhahood-
? As explained in the Non-Conceptual Formula - 42 While remaining on the [Bodhisattva] Levels.
[32] I have not enlarged on this subject here; [327b] [So] one must beg [its explanation] again and again From a Guru who understands my text- after one Has [first] made offerings and given him attendance. [33] Following in the steps ofBodhibhadra,
Who belongs to the lineage of that Arya Nagarjuna Prophesied by the Omniscient One,43
I shall not hold any tenets whatever!
Proof from Scripture
And now, having proven from reason that all phenomena are non-arising, I [now] show from scripture that this is the case in these stanzas:
MOREOVER, THE BLESSED ONE DECLARED:
"CONCEPTUAL THINKING IS THE GREAT IGNORANCE,
AND CASTS ONE INTO SAMSARA'S OCEAN; BUT
CLEAR AS THE SKY IS HIS CONTEMPLATION WHO
REMAINS IN CONCENTRA TION WITHOUT CONCEPTS. " (Stanza 56)
AND HE ALSO SA YS IN THE NON-CONCEPTUAL PROGRESS FORMULA: "WHEN A SON OF THE VICTOR MEDITATES ON
THIS HOLY DOCTRINE WITHOUT CONCEPTUAL THOUGHT,
AND TRANSCENDS THE ARDUOUS TRAILS OF SUCH THOUGHT,
HE GRADUALL Y A TIAINS THE NON-CONCEPTUAL. "44 (Stanza 57)*
WHEN THROUGH SCRIPTURE AND REASON ONE HAS
PENETRATED THE NON-INTRINSIC
NATURE OF ALL NON-ARISING PHENOMENA,
THEN COI\'TEMPLATE WITHOUT CONCEPTUAL THOUGHT. (Stanza 58)
Quotations
My root stanzas should be examined [carefully] at this point. The Blessed One spoke on this subject not only in the above but in other siitras too. He is clearly talking about it in the Exposition of the Undifferentiated Nature of All Phenomena when he says:
? Atisa has apparently abbreviated the root text. Seep. 11.
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"If you are talking about the realm of True Reality in terms of valid reasonings, then there is neither ultimate nor conventional meaning to it. " 45
And in the Bodhisattva Section Sutra he says, "There is one Truth, and that is cessation . . . ",46 continuing at great length in that sermon. In the Ornament of the Wisdom Engaging the Sphere ofAll Buddhas; he says:
"The Tathagata [himself] is ever a non-arising phenomenon; And all phenomena are like the Tathagata;
So purify the phenomena that do not exist in the worlds; They are the false delusions of foolish minds. " 4 7
And the holy Moon-Lamp:
"This ultimate truth that everything is empty of an intrinsic nature means that a phenomenon is without basis and its very nature does not exist. You have not understood my explanation of [causal] conditions- that was to prevent attachment [to phenomena] - but [in reality] there are no words, no statements to be made
about the character of a phenomenon. "48 In the Ocean o f Discipline: [328a]
"The extreme of [something being] prior is empty [of reality); the extreme of [something being] posterior is empty likewise: all Becoming [on the wheel of life] is empty at all points, and empty are the points [of change posited) by the heretics too. " 49
And the Descent into Lanka:
"Conventionally, everything exists; but the ultimate Truth is: intrinsic nature does not exist.
What we explain as correct conventional truth
(In reality] is in error about the non-existence of intrinsic
nature. "50
In the [Questions of] Suvikriintavikriimf Perfection of Insight:
? "The Tathagata's wisdom does not see anything at all. And why is that? Because no object exists for his wisdom [to see]! "51
And the Deeds ofthe Conqueror as Mother Siitra:
"Because the Blessed One had described the unique paradise of the Tathagata Ak~obhya to them, the assembled [bodhisattvas] begged him. '0 Blessed One, please show us that paradise! ' And when he made that [eastern] realm of the world appear for them, and then disappear again, he said, 'Just as this paradise of the Tathagata Ak~obhya disappears from the range of sight;
so also Body disappears from the range of sight; so also Feeling . . . "52
And he continues at length to speak [of the rest of the Aggregates and phenomena]. The Chapter of Sadaprarudita and the Removal of Ajata? atru's Regrets both treat this subject clearly.
Bibliography ofSiltras
Of course, the entire Siitra Collection ought to be studied, but the following deserve special attention for their clarity in these matters:
the Meeting ofFather and Son Siltra,
the Finger-Garland Siltra,
the Seal o f Wisdom Sutra,
the Secret Tathagata Sutra, [328b]
the Tathagata Set Forth by Vimalakirti Siltra, the Mindfulness ofthe Buddha Siltra,
the Subduing by Akii. Savar1Ja Siltra,
the Tathagata Essence Siltra,
the Sutra o f the Thirty-three,
the Questions ofKii. Syapa Sutra, thelnstructiononNon-ProductionofAllPhenomenaSiltra, the Tathagata's Compassion Siltra,
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the King o f Meditations Sutra,
the Seated before the Present Buddha Sutra,
the Sutra Setting Forth the Three Bodies,
the Questions ofVimaladatta Sutra,
the Questions o f the Girl Sumati Sutra,
the Questions o f the Girl Viriwlasuddha Sutra,
the Unwavering Light Sutra on Reality's Own Emptiness of
Intrinsic Nature,
the Descent into Lanka,
the Sutra Setting Forth the Two Truths,
the Sutra ofAkasagarbha,
the Questions o f the Serpent King Anavatapta Sutra, the Questions ofthe Serpent King Siigara Sutra,
the Sutra Showing the Unthinkable Secrets,
and the entire set of the Perfection o f Insight Sutras.
If I set down all the [pertinent] quotes from these Siitras here, my text would be altogether too long; so you must be very diligent in your study of all the Mahayana Siitras without exception.
Biography of the Masters
Besides the Siitra Collection, there are the treatises composed by men who dedicated themselves to the precise and infallible meaning of the essence of the Perfection of Insight; men such as the Aryan Acaryas Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, [329a] Candrak1rti, Santideva, Bhavaviveka, Asvagho~a and Candramitra. 53 Study their texts diligently as well because they unlock in a clear way the sense of the Siitras. If I were to quote them all here, my text would be
too_ big.
Arya Nagarjuna, although widely known and proclaimed
to be a Bodhisattva of the First Level by the longer Siitras and wise men of India, I myself have seen [mentioned] as a Bodhisattva of the Eighth Level in [some] Siitras. Aryadeva likewise I have seen [referred to] as a Bodhisattva who gained the Eighth Level, because of his
? instruction by Nagarjuna. Candrakirti had his con- secration54 to the Truth through the counsel of Nagarjuna, and attained the realisation of all phenomena as illusory. He lived for four hun? red years in India, working solely for t~e good of others. Santideva too received Maiijugho~a's gift through Nagarjuna's instruction, and saw the Truth. Bhavya, through Nagarjuna's teaching, [became] a master of reasoning and passed on [to Nirvana] in his same lifetime. Asvagho~a, through Aryadeva's. instruction, saw
the Truth, [329b] and Candramitra also.
Cultivation of Higher Vision
When you have learned these extensive teachings from scripture and reason, and ascertained their purpose, then with all doubts aside cultivate that non-conceptual thinking called "Higher Vision". And how do you do this? First of all, [by remembering] that entities are twofold: those that have form, and those that do not. And when you have cleared them away with the [Four] Great Proofs, you can
contemplate [with Higher Vision]. Hence my Guru says in his Chapter on Concentration Equipment:
"All phenomena are contained in the mind, and the mind is contained in the body; so you must put the body to work for the realm of Reality also. That is my counsel. " 55
If you know how to do that, there will be no conceptualising anywhere, and no grasping [at objects]; and leaving memory and all reflecting behind, remain in that [s! ate] until that enemy, the [mental] Sign, rises [again]. As Arya Nagarjuna said:
"I pay homage to the mind that does not examine With imaginings, and takes no stand [on anything]; To the mind devoid of memory and reflecting
And of topics, I pay homage.