Empirically Refuting Materialism Through Awakening and Samadhi
If we want to demonstrate that matter is an illusion and consciousness is fundamental, what are the available methods? Traditionally, in Buddhism, there have been two main approaches: awakening and meditation.
Can Spiritual Practice Overcome Illness and Attachment?
If we truly master our minds, dealing with illnesses should be an easy job.
If one realizes one’s true nature, is deep samadhi still necessary?
So, is deep samadhi necessary to recognize one’s true nature? It’s hard to say whether it’s necessary or not, but if you maintain the realization of Dzogchen, you will understand all forms of samadhi.
Illusion and Non-Valid Cognition in Mental Awareness
Mental cognition regards the external environment as merely a product of the mind’s discrimination, all of which are illusory, without absolute reality or falsehood.
What is ultimate cognition? How can ultimate cognition be achieved?
In ultimate cognition, it is believed that recognizing one’s own essence is ultimate, and this essence is inherently empty.
Why the Buddhist concept of Mind-Only Is Not philosophical idealism?
The Mind-Only doctrine in Buddhism should not be conflated with the idealism of Western philosophy, as the term “mind” carries distinct meanings in each.
Seeing, Hearing, Measuring—Yet Never Truly Knowing
This has led some philosophers to argue that humans might never truly know the true nature of the material world.
Why Buddhism Is So Often Misunderstood: A Call for Discernment
We should approach miraculous stories and legends about Buddhism with caution. Many are products of imagination and present a narrow view of the tradition. Buddhism's depth and breadth are truly vast - even after decades of study, one might feel they've only scratched the surface.
Why Human Cognition Cannot Penetrate the Essence of Matter?
In other words, if we accept that the essence of cognition is the brain, which is caused by the movement of matter, we will never find the essence. Philosophically, failing to find this essence results in a dichotomy. Claiming that matter is the essence while being unable to identify the essence of matter is inherently contradictory.
Why Scientific Instruments Still Cannot Reveal Ultimate Matter?
The quest for the smallest particles, whether through tools or theoretical models like strings and superstrings, is hindered by the fact that our methods of detection inevitably affect the very matter we seek to understand. Thus, the challenge remains to discern and explore the true essence of matter.
Why “All Phenomena Arise from the Mind” Is Hard to Truly Believe?
The external environment and light are both movements of the mind, a formation of causes and conditions, all without substance, and the essence of everything belongs to the mind, hence the phrase “all phenomena arise from the mind.
The Material Basis of Thought and Sensory Cognition
The cognition of the five senses is known as direct cognition. The functioning of these senses depends on specific material mediums and the support of mental consciousness, or brain activity.
What is materialistic cognition?
Materialism suggests that matter, in and of itself, lacks cognitive properties. Yet, when basic matter engages in movement and combination, it gains the capacity for cognition.
Outward Is Consciousness, Inward Is Wisdom
What, then, is this “wisdom”? In other words, it is when consciousness no longer discriminates outwardly but instead turns inward to discover what its ultimate ability to discriminate is. Gradually, one will understand: emptiness is indeed luminosity, the Tathagatagarbha, the Dharmata.
The Interrelationships Among the Bodhisattva’s Six Pāramitās (Part 2)
Of course, true patience is to abide in prajñā itself. At that point, there is no need to struggle against afflictive emotions; one simply does not depart from prajñā. For the nature of them is itself prajñā, and they can only ultimately dissolve into prajñā.
What would happen if the visualizer and the visualized are always different?
The “knowing” of thoughts is the cognizer, and the thoughts themselves are the cognized. Thus, the sameness or difference between the cognizer and the cognized creates the diversity in cognition.
Why are insights so important in meditation ?
Correct views and practices are fundamental in determining the accuracy of cognition and cognitive conclusions, underscoring the importance of study, contemplation, and meditative practice.
What is the highest level of cognition?
Among all religious forms of cognition, it is only Buddhism that can truly achieve the unity of “cognition” and “the object of cognition”.
What’s "meditative-induced forms"?
In Yogachara (Consciousness-Only) theory, the forms seen in samadhi are called "meditative-induced forms."
What is the difference between meditative concentration and insight meditation？
Therefore, meditative concentration and insight meditation are distinct practices. The latter refers to the insights or views employed during meditation.