I came across the sharing on Causes and Conditions, Buddhism in Every Step from Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Hsin Yun.
To read more, you can click here for Causes and Conditions pdf file.
The Buddhist teachings differ from academic knowledge. Academic knowledge typically focuses on the explanation of appearances. It is an interpretation of reality based on name and form. In contrast, Buddhism teaches us to develop a penetrative understanding of the nature of phenomena that is perfect and complete.
Consider the human hand. Common knowledge simply says that it is a hand. Medical science looks at it as a structure of bones, muscles, nerves, and cells.Literature define the hand in terms of style, gesture,and expression. A philosophical analysis of the hand sees it as a symbol of destiny and friendship. In physics, the opening and closing of the hand is described by its forces and movement. In each analysis, the hand is regarded as real. The hand exists.
To read more, you can click here for Causes and Conditions pdf file.
The Buddhist teachings differ from academic knowledge. Academic knowledge typically focuses on the explanation of appearances. It is an interpretation of reality based on name and form. In contrast, Buddhism teaches us to develop a penetrative understanding of the nature of phenomena that is perfect and complete.
Consider the human hand. Common knowledge simply says that it is a hand. Medical science looks at it as a structure of bones, muscles, nerves, and cells.Literature define the hand in terms of style, gesture,and expression. A philosophical analysis of the hand sees it as a symbol of destiny and friendship. In physics, the opening and closing of the hand is described by its forces and movement. In each analysis, the hand is regarded as real. The hand exists.
In contrast, the Buddhist view of the human hand penetrates its essence. This view sees the hand itself as an illusory and temporary form, unstable in nature, which will eventually decay and vanish. As a phenomenon, the hand is empty.
Suppose one were to extend the hand and make a grasping motion. Common knowledge would say the hand moved and that some air and dust were grasped. The Diamond Sutra says that such things are “like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows, like dew and lightning.” The grasp only exists because of the combination of certain causes and conditions.
Suppose one were to extend the hand and make a grasping motion. Common knowledge would say the hand moved and that some air and dust were grasped. The Diamond Sutra says that such things are “like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows, like dew and lightning.” The grasp only exists because of the combination of certain causes and conditions.
I will relate another story to illustrate the existence of cause and condition. Once, King Milinda asked the monk Nagasena, “Are your eyes the real you?”
Nagasena replied, “No.”
King Milinda further inquired, “What about the ears?”
“No.”
“Does the nose represent you?”
“No.”
“Does the tongue represent you?”
“No.”
“Then, does it mean that your body is the real
you?”
“No, the existence of the body is only a temporary combination of phenomena.”
“The mind must be the real you then.”
“It is not that either.”
King Milinda was annoyed and asked further ,
“Well, if the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and thoughts are not you, then tell me, where is your true self?”
Nagasena replied, “No.”
King Milinda further inquired, “What about the ears?”
“No.”
“Does the nose represent you?”
“No.”
“Does the tongue represent you?”
“No.”
“Then, does it mean that your body is the real
you?”
“No, the existence of the body is only a temporary combination of phenomena.”
“The mind must be the real you then.”
“It is not that either.”
King Milinda was annoyed and asked further ,
“Well, if the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and thoughts are not you, then tell me, where is your true self?”
Nagasena grinned and replied with a question, “Does the window represent the house?”
The king was taken by surprise and struggled for an answer, “No.”
“How about the door?”
“No.”
“Do the bricks and tiles represent the house?” “No.”
“Then, what about the furniture and pillars?” “No, of course not.”
Nagasena smiled and asked, “If the window, door, bricks, tiles, furniture, and pillars do not represent the house, then where is the real house?”
King Milinda nally understood that causes,conditions, and effects cannot be separated nor understood through a biased and partial view. A house can only be built with the fulfilment of many conditions. Likewise, human existence also needs the satisfaction of many conditions. If we know the law of cause and condition, believe in its existence, plant good causes, and cultivate advantageous conditions, life will be a smooth, successful path. There is a poem that sums this up nicely:
If one understands
Cause and condition,One can find spring In the midst of autumn frost and winter snow.
The king was taken by surprise and struggled for an answer, “No.”
“How about the door?”
“No.”
“Do the bricks and tiles represent the house?” “No.”
“Then, what about the furniture and pillars?” “No, of course not.”
Nagasena smiled and asked, “If the window, door, bricks, tiles, furniture, and pillars do not represent the house, then where is the real house?”
King Milinda nally understood that causes,conditions, and effects cannot be separated nor understood through a biased and partial view. A house can only be built with the fulfilment of many conditions. Likewise, human existence also needs the satisfaction of many conditions. If we know the law of cause and condition, believe in its existence, plant good causes, and cultivate advantageous conditions, life will be a smooth, successful path. There is a poem that sums this up nicely:
If one understands
Cause and condition,One can find spring In the midst of autumn frost and winter snow.
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