the largest known structure in the universe
Good and evil all
arise from one’s own mind.
But tell me, besides your activities,
thoughts, and discrimination, what do you call
your own mind? Where does your mind come from?
If you can discern where your own mind comes from,
then boundless karmic obstruction will be cleared
away instantly, and all sorts of marvels will
come of themselves without
being sought.
When bodhisattvas who live a householder’s life cultivate the practices of home-leavers, it is like a lotus blooming in fire. It will always be hard to tame the will for fame and rank and power and position, not to mention all the myriad starting points of vexation and turmoil associated with the burning house of worldly existence. The only way is for you yourself to realize your fundamental, real, wondrous wholeness and reach the stage of great calm and stability and rest.
It would be best if you managed to cast off everything and be empty and ordinary. Thoroughly experience the absence of conditioned mind, and observe that all phenomena are like dreams and magical illusions. Be empty all the way through, and continue on clearing out your mind according to the time and the situation. Then you will have the same correct foundation as all the great enlightened laymen in buddhist tradition.
According to your own measure of power, you will transform those not yet enlightened so you can enter together into the uncontrived, uncluttered ocean of true nature. Then your life here on this earth will not be a loss.
If you wish
to bring the two matters
of birth and death to conclusion,
and pass directly beyond the triple-world,
you must penetrate the koan “This
very mind is Buddha.”
Tell me:
What is its principle?
How is it that this very mind
is Buddha? And “this very
mind” — just what is
it like?
Investigate it coming. Investigate it going.
Investigate it thoroughly and exhaustively.
All you have to do is keep this koan
constantly in your thoughts.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 4, Mêng / Youthful Folly
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