Differences in The Two Observational Methods
The approach of Eastern philosophy differs from that of Western philosophy. The latter seeks to expand human perception to observe the world, while the former turns off the first five senses and consciousness to achieve the same end.
Buddhism Is Not Subjective Idealism
Buddhism strives to guide individuals towards the ultimate truth by emphasizing the use of reasoning and understanding of its teachings without hindrances. It stands against the idea of Buddhism being an unattainable or detached concept.
Views Can Be Wrong, but Karma Never Is
Sometimes, the karmic consequences of misrepresenting Buddhist teachings can be far worse than taking a life. Killing ends a life, but corrupting someone with incorrect Dharma harms their wisdom-life. Comparing the two, harming one's wisdom-life is more severe and terrifying, with much longer-lasting effects.
The expression of view primarily deal with inferential cognition
It's crucial to understand that expressions of view are purely intellectual. They don't necessarily relate to one's spiritual attainment or moral character.
Same Words, Different Meanings: The Fluidity of View, Practice, and State
It's not that certain expressions can only be views, others only practice, and others only states. Any language can change meaning in different scenarios, contexts, and cultural backgrounds.
How to Give Rise to Genuine Renunciation (1)?
In short, to give rise to genuine renunciation, one must rely on long-term hearing, reflection, and practice to cultivate three correct core views.
How to Give Rise to Genuine Renunciation (3)？
Only by doing this over the long term will you gradually come to understand the importance of practice, what life should be used for, and what this world is really about.
How to Give Rise to Genuine Renunciation (2)?
Once a correct worldview is strong enough, our emotional side will naturally give rise at least to the experience of mere emptiness. We will genuinely feel that this world is illusory. Directly perceiving and experiencing this world as illusory—this is precisely what is meant by mere emptiness.
From View to Realization: Expressions of Cognition in Buddhist Practice
Given the vast range of expressive elements in Buddhism, we can categorize them into seven key types:1. Direct Perception 2. Views 3. Experiences 4. Practice 5. Insights 6. Enlightenment 7. States of Realization
Don’t Be Misled by Feel-Good Spiritual Advice
Listeners should be very cautious about this as well. Not only should they discern the views and methods of practice, but they should also understand that the same language can express different experiences and states of realization.
Why Brain-Based Cognition Inevitably Generates Attachment to Self and Phenomena?
Brain-based cognition inevitably believes that once the brain dies, life ends, and thus doesn't believe in samsara. Since brain-based cognition cannot see the function of the mind stream, it only believes in cause and effect on the physical realm, not in the causality of the mind.
True Proof Arises Through Practice: Individual-Based Self-Knowing
As these illusions dissolve, we see the true Vajrasattva—the formless, featureless essence, the real emptiness where ‘all phenomena are illusory.’ Beyond illusion lies the essence. And what follows this revelation? The realization that karmic obstacles inherently lack substance—true repentance.
The Transformative Path of Consciousness-Based Cognition
When you directly realize the nature of Emptiness through your own mind, you'll no longer believe that brain death marks the end of life. Instead, you'll develop a strong conviction in the cycles of rebirth and the potential for liberation.
The Six Senses Are Invalid Cognition: “Direct Perception” as a Human Convention
What we consider as direct perception through the six senses is a convention. For instance, what a normal human eye sees is defined as direct perception. However, from the ultimate Buddhist perspective, all six senses are invalid cognition.
Mind-Based Cognition: The Brain and Senses as Mere Instruments
Today's quantum mechanics has greatly altered our understanding of space-time, but it hasn't led to a massive qualitative change in our cognition.
From Probability to Causality: The Fundamental Limits of Scientific Cognition
Constrained by the subject and the method of observation, we cannot see the deeper reasons for the emergence and development of things, so we don't believe in the law of causality.
How can we simply explain the existence of samsara through Madhyamaka?
Although we can directly perceive matter, analysis—and even modern science—has already shown that matter lacks real substance and does not possess the capacity to propel samsara or generate phenomena.
The Inherent Limits of Brain Cognition
The human brain has inherent limitations. We attempt to overcome these by altering our environment and using tools like mathematics and logic. However, this approach rarely leads to fundamental changes in our perception.
Consciousness-Only: Transforming the World Begins with Transforming the Mind
The main changes should be made to internal conditions: on one hand, accumulating merit and purifying obscurations through the brain and senses, and on the other hand, halting brain and sensory activity to shift the direction of cognition.
Cognitive Transformation, Supernatural Powers, and the Causality
Thus, cognitive abilities change, the perception of space and time shifts, resulting in supernatural powers; values change, leading to the belief in the law of causality.