The Illusory Mind or the Enlightened Mind

Ordinary beings have an illusory mind, the mind that arises and ceases. In other words, ordinary beings have wandering thoughts. Enlightened beings have true minds that constantly dwell on truth. They do not have wandering thoughts, only deep concentration. Deep concentration is the state without discriminatory wandering thoughts or attachments.

However, this does not mean that we are idle all the time; we continue to do our job with a pure and completely aware mind. When the external environment no longer hinders or affects us, we have attained deep concentration.

Understanding this principle, we will know how to correct our improper behavior. When our six senses encounter the external environment, our thoughts, words, and deeds are improper because our senses follow the external conditions and we allow afflictions to take hold. We have been wrong for countless eons and this is the root of our improper behavior. We have buried our true nature and have allowed afflictions, especially those of views and thoughts, to be dominant. Thus, we have transformed the One True Dharma Realm into the Six Realms of Reincarnation. How are the Six Realms formed? They are formed by our attachments.

The first mistake from the view or thought affliction is our attachment to our bodies as we think that this body is “I”. This is why the Buddha told us there is no self and therefore our attachment to self is wrong. With the initial attachment to self, we have a mistake that is hard to undo. This body is not “I”. This body is something that we possess just like the clothes that we own.

If we understand this, we will realize that humans do not have births or deaths. Death is just like taking off our soiled clothes and birth is like putting on a new set of clothing. In the cycle of reincarnation, our birth and death is like changing clothes.

What then is “self”? In India, some religions believe that the spiritual self is I. In China, we call it the soul. In Buddhism, we call it the spirit. This state of believing that the spiritual self is “I” is higher than that which views the body as “I.” Why is it such an improvement? Because when one believes that when revolving in the cycle of reincarnation the spiritual self takes on a body just like someone takes on a piece of clothing, there is no fear of death. Rather, death is regarded as something quite normal.

If we have accumulated only good karma in this lifetime, then we will be reborn into the Three Good Realms—changing from a human into a heavenly being and having a much more beautiful and dignified appearance, a longer lifespan and greater good fortune. This is to “sow a good cause and reap a good result.” However, if we were to do bad deeds, then our body will change for the worse.

~ Ven. Master Chin Kung

Comments

[Hans Hämmig]

After many years of study, meditation and discussions, I have managed to describe in detail what mind, soul and spirit are, how they come into being and how they manifest, what happens during life and what happens at and after death. The result of these findings is that reincarnation does not exist. Science confirms this. Reality is expressed by the word reproduction.

Hans Hämmig, South Africa

[Venerable Wuling]

Hans, welcome and thank you for commenting.

Different people have different experiences and viewpoints. I believe what is important is that we respect those of others. Also, in Buddhism we learn that until we reach the level of an Arhat, our abilities are limited.

Thank you again for your comment.

[Jonathan Khor]

Thank you to Venerable Master Chin Kung for the very clear explanation. Thank you to Hans for the comment. And thank you to Venerable Wuling for the example on respect and harmony.

You all have shown me that I have much more to learn and practice! =D