The smart beginner, if they are really serious about Buddhism, has to find a path that will lead to the realization of pure Mind. The Sanskrit term “mârga” is usually translated by the English word path or way. We find this important term in the Noble Eightfold Path in Sanskrit as ârya-ashtânga-mârga. Mârga comes from √MÂRG. This root means seek, look for; search through, etc.
When cows look for water or green vegetation, they search and, at the same time, are making a path. This search, if successful, produces a proper path for other cows to follow which will take them to fresh water. The Buddha’s own path is sort of like this which led him to pure Mind whereby he became Buddha and led others on his path.
At first, we have to have the right view or right idea of pure Mind in order to eventually actualize it which is right samadhi. The additional components of this path which lie between right view and right samadhi help us to get to right samadhi so that we have a direct intuition of pure Mind.
The additional components of the path are resolve (samkalpa), meaning (vac), actions (karmânta), livelihood (jîva), striving (vyâyâma), mindfulness (smriti). These components are not to be taken as rules to follow. They are important components of the beginner’s psychological disposition which will help the beginner to go from the proper view of pure Mind to its eventual actualization.
What is obstructing the beginner’s ability to enter samadhi of pure Mind is, naturally, wrong view or the wrong idea of what Buddhism is really about. On the other hand, one who has right view or the right idea, would not regard, for example, the Five Aggregates as pure Mind, or the same, the self. They would also correctly see nirvana (P., nibbânadassanam). As we might acknowledge from this, right view or the right idea of what Buddhism is about is extremely important. It is a very profound notion.
Briefly, the Buddha’s path helps us to answer a koan. We can’t get to the samadhi of the koan without first having the right idea about koans that they are a Zen master’s expression of pure Mind. The beginner has to connect, for example, Joshu’s great Mu (no) with pure Mind or with other odd responses or gestures in other koans. How are they related, in other words? The wrong view of koans would be that they have nothing to do with pure Mind or our original nature.
One final thought about the Buddha’s path, in a three or six month retreat all the elements of the eightfold path work much better provided we start with the correct view. At some point the beginner has to become a serious hermit (rishi).
It is very common in buddhism that sentients choose THAT which confirms what they want to see, and not THAT which buddhism has to offer eg. The imageless truth body of the Unborn Mind.
One could pose the question what such an imageless truth body would be good for?
Well once the adept is awakened to its pure spiritual nature, which is pure light the reckognition of its truth is impossible to deny. Some of the first qualtites that are realized about it, is its deathless dynamic nature which is a Light not of this world or any other for that matter and and its infinite dynamics.
Hence the meaning of the word Bodhi-sattva (awakened light-being).
Another realization among many about its myriad qualities or properties, is that it is impervious to suffering or any future involuntary rebirth in a corporeal body consciousness subject to the laws of samsara.
When bodhidharmas body sat in that cave for nine years, this body and all its qualities was what the enlightened Spirit of 'bodhidharma' was studying.
The same could be said about Tilopa whom meditated over this body chained to the ground for twelve years.
It was they had discovered a super program, studying every line of code as to know its full potential.
It is like a kid receiving a long desired birthday present from its father then rushing to its room, opening the wrappings to study and enjoy every angel of the toy and of course experiment with its applications (dynamics). Of course that kid will not leave its room for while (grins).
Likewise the awakened adept experiencing this truth body, rejoices thus, because compared to this body the karmicallycomposite body of flesh, blood and bones, with its grey lump of matter on top of this stinking heap sereves only as a discerning consciousness for what once dwelled in ignorance of its true nature. This old heap of karma is instantly seen as nothing more but something inferior, subject to ageing, pain and other karmic misfortunes.
Where the karmic body (rented property from Mara) is subject to a hailstorm of karmic conditions, the truth body is free from such impediments.
Where the karmic body is bound to wither and die, the truth body is permanently itself and 'no-thing' else. Where the karmic body offers nothing but tiny moments of respite or joy, the truth body is the seat of nirvana.
Reading this one could pose this question;
If this is true, and buddhism according to all Buddhas and all the great Mind Masters offered this, how then do I arrive to that strategic end-point of my practise ?
With this question firmly set in ones being, one sets off and starts looking for clues relevant to the question, whether in proper dhyana or sutra reading or even in daily ordinary life.
Thus one applies only what is valid to Mind Only and not that which is merely a temporally 'rented' body with an attached composed consciousness of transitory impressions, desires and ideations.
In this way, one day will arrive where the first rays of the Buddha sun brakes through the vast clouds of vasana-energy. A day of sudden awakening which is called right view of the truth body, or Kensho.
This will of course reinforce ones resolve in reaching the strategic end-point, which is to fully actualize and possessthe truth body that is able to escape the realms of samsara , at a moments notice.
More about this can be read in The Lankavatara sutra (about its nature and qualities) and in the last chapters of the Avatamsaka Sutra (what marvellous things you can do with it). You just need the right set of "spiritual eyes" to decode these scriptures THAT which is hidden to most ordinary worldlings (Prithagjana).
Posted by: azanshi | March 27, 2013 at 05:47 AM