Hsin Shin Ming: “19. Changes that seem to occur before us, appear real only because of ignorance.”

Hsin Shin Ming: “19. Changes that seem to occur before us, appear real only because of ignorance.”

‘Changes that seem to occur before us, appear real’ means that we mistake what doesn’t occur for something that really occurs, that is, we are deluded by illusions. A good example of this is a dream we have during sleep.

‘Because of our ignorance’ means ‘because we can’t see things as they are’ or ‘because we can’t see things as empty’. Put in other words, we mistake illusions for reality just like we mistake a dream for reality during sleep, because we can’t see things as they are.

So, ancient masters would compare enlightenment with awakening from a dream by saying, “Awake from your dream, and all illusions will disappear by themselves.” According to the Diamond Sutra, Buddha also said, “If you can see all things as your dream, you will see the true-Self.”

Student: “How can I awake from my dream?”
Master: “Don’t think that you are asking me a question now.”

©Boo Ahm
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