THE NON EXISTENCE OF A SELF

3 subheadings when learning about wisdom

1. Realising the non existence of a self
   1. How to do this in meditation
      1. Generate merit- train in lower and medium scope
         1. understand the object ( the self)-
            • Who is to be refuted
         2. Thorough investigation
            • What are the full set of possibilities
         3. The self and aggregates are not the same
         4. The self and the aggregates are not different
   2. Refute self
      • “When you do not touch on the imputed thing,
      • You will not grasp it’s absence”-Engaging in the deeds of the Bodhisattvas
      • Seeing object m understand it and actually doesn’t exist
        • It is distinct in itself, because it is not the outcome of other conditions
        • It is self sufficient as an entity, because it is independent of anything else . It is not the outcome of anything else
      • Need to recognize it through vivid , personal mental experience through analytical process
      • If you do not find the proper object to refute, you will be in danger of falling into Nihilistic view– Nothingness- POT analogy. Component of POT’s -POT does not exist.
      • When we realise that this sense “I” isnt just something that we label the aggregates but it is established by body, mind,the aggregates themselves-form , feeling, perception, compositional factors, consciousness
      • 3 ways grasping at “I“
        • Those who have the view emptiness in their mindstreams- “I” is conceptional
        • Ordinary people who couldn’t care less about if the self is established by its own nature or not ( meaning that it exists inherently or not)-conventionally “I”
        • Those who with to establish that the “I” exist inherently- 8 worldly concern, self cherishing
   3. Refute all existence of all phenomena
      • self is not same nor different from the aggregates
   4. How to do this when not in meditation

2. Realising the non existence of phenomena

1. Condition phenomena- anything that comes about from causes and conditions.- compounded parts
   • physical things do not inherently exist
     • The pot and the pillar are separate
     • The pot and pillar are one
     • Both one and separate are conceptual labels only
   • consciousness does not inherently exist
     • Primary minds perceive the basic identity of an object
     • Mental factors perceive the features of the object
     • This doesn’t just cover physical things but also mental concepts, thoughts, ideas
       • Apart from mere conceptual imputation made upon the basis of the object ( components), consciousness is not establish( inherent existent) on its own part
       • It’s either a) the same b) separate from its past and future moments in time
       • if morning consciousness, evening consciousness,2 consciousness in a day then is multiple consciousness.
       • Consciousness is empty-a conventional cognition, it does not exst on the ultimate level
         • The object
         • Consciousness
         • The occupation of the consciousness on the object
   • nonassociated compositional factors does not inherently exits
     • compounded phenomena that is neither matter nor consciousness
       • Time as an object
2. Unconditioned phenomena- uncompounded parts
   • 2 types of cessation
     • Analytic cessation-meditation
     • Nonanalytic – when something does not happen or thing is not produced simply because the cause and conditions are not present
   • Space
     • no air, nothing, no matter
   • Emptiness
     • emptiness itself does not exist
     • It is divided into many components on the basis of imputation
     • Covers the whole range of particular bases of particular types of emptiness
     • Through analysis you can come to know whether these components can be established as either the same or separate in relation to the particular type of emptiness you are analysing
     • or whether the object in question is establish
3. The way to develop special insight
   1. Single pointed concentration and analysis( wisdom)
   2. Repeat process
   3. Go through 8 mental state and develop meditative suppleness
   4. Analytic meditation effortless accompanies the state of fixation
   5. When you achieve this level, you gain the true Special Insight of emptiness.

“For things to exist inherently means that things are not dependent upon other factors for their existence.

But because things do depend upon other factors for there can be no inherently existence objects”

-Chandrakirti

“First, reverse your meritless state,

Next refute the self,

Finally the one view refutes all,

He who knows this is skilled”

-Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Verses

The Six Perfection Wisdom-Special Insight ( Vipassana)

Special insight is a meditation that is a special form of wisdom, it can only arise properly when you have achieved single pointed concentration.

Shamatha gives us unshakable concentration needed to analyse an object thoroughly without distraction.

The suppleness achieved in Special insight is created by wisdom and can lead to full enlightenment and remove all faults and delusions.

Visualisation Buddha Shakyamuni

• 2 natures
  1. Conventional nature
  2. Ultimate Nature
• If we investigate further- we realise the ultimate nature – emptiness

We need 2 wings to achieve enlightenment

1. Method- Bodhicitta ( Lineage of Vast activities)
2. Wisdom- Realisation of emptiness ( Lineage of Profound View)

Prerequisites:

1. Devote to qualified Guru
2. Obtain instruction on emptiness
3. Accumulate merit as much as possible
4. Purify karma as much as possible
5. Petition your Guru ( and lineage masters ) constantly
6. Review your Guru as inseparable from your yidam ( meditational deity )

4 different levels on capabilities of the students:

1. That a person is empty of substantial ( real or importance) and autonomous ( on it’s own existence. This was prevent disciples form clinging to a personal self.
2. That there is a distinction between phenomena that truly exist and those do not
3. That phenomena do not truly exist but can be established by their natures
4. All phenomena by their nature does not exist.

There will be a monk and teach true meanings and abandon 2 extremes:

1. Nihilism– nothing has real existence , the lack of ultimate existence. No karma, no past and future lives
2. Substantialism ( Eternalism)– belief in a permanent and careless creator of everything. The self has a concrete essence which is independent , everlasting,singular and separate from everything else.

2 truths

1. Conventional truth: how something appears to us
2. Ultimate truth: how things really are, empty of inherent existence

Three types of visions:

1. Seeing a hallucination of the deity- winds enter the energy channels
2. The deity appears to the mental consciousness
3. When you actually see deity using one’s sense consciousness

Perfection of Wisdom Sutras emptiness is thought in 2 ways

1.Directly( Nagarjuna Root Verse of the Middle Way)

2.Indirectly ( Nagarjuna Precious Garland if advice for the King)

108 emptiness

8 Verses of Training the Mind

By thinking of all sentient beings ( All beings in 6 realms)

As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel ( the most precious things that people can own- wish and always get it)

For accomplishing the highest aim,

I will always hold them dear. ( Cherishing others)

Without sentient beings, we cannot develop compassion, bodhicitta ( mind and a way of operating solely for others and gain enlightenment )

Whenever I’m in the company of others,

I will regard myself as the lowest among all,

And from the depths of my heart

Cherish others as supreme.

In my every action, I will watch my mind,

And the moment destructive emotions arise,

I will confront them strongly and avert them,

Since they will hurt both me and others.

Whenever I see ill-natured people,

Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,

I will cherish them as something rare,

As though I’d found a priceless treasure.

Whenever someone out of envy

Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me,

I will take defeat upon myself,

And give the victory to others.

Even when someone I have helped,

Or in whom I have placed great hopes

Mistreats me very unjustly,

I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.

In brief, directly or indirectly,

I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers,

And secretly take upon myselfAll their hurt and suffering.

I will learn to keep all these practices

Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns.

May I recognize all things as like illusions,

And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.