A. It is because each sentient being has his or her own different perspective according to his or her karma; how highly educated he is, where he has lived, how rich he is, and so on. Let’s suppose there is a hamburger in front of five people as of 6pm. It will look more delicious and more attractive to one who ate neither breakfast nor lunch than to one who ate both. It may be a nice food to someone, but can be junk food to someone else at the same time. In fact, the hamburger never says, “I am delicious and attractive” nor does it have a prejudice in favour of hungry people, or against the full.
In the same way, when the Buddha reveals itself before us, it actually appears as one and the same to everyone, but looks different due to our perspectives created by karma. This is why ancient masters would say to their disciples, “Even if it appears ghost-faced and god-headed before you, never say that you don’t know it.”
©Boo Ahm
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