Delusion & Illusion in Zen Buddhism.

A quote.

'Delusion, Illusion:

To be deluded is to be totally deceived. Delusion implies a belief in something that is contrary to reality.

Illusion, on the other hand, suggests that what is seen has objective reality but is misinterpreted or seen falsely.

In Buddhism, delusion is ignorance, an unawareness of the true nature of thing or of the real meaning of existence.

We are deluded or led astray by our senses (which include the intellect and discriminating thoughts) insofar as they cause us to accept the phenomenal world as the Whole of reality when in fact it is but a limited and ephemeral aspect of reality, and to act as though the world is external to us when in truth it is but a reflection of ourselves. This does not mean that the relative world has no reality whatever.

When the masters say all phenomena are illusory, they mean that compared with Mind itself the world apprehended by the senses in such a partial and limited aspect of Truth that it is dreamlike.

See also: "Six Realms of Existence"'.

-- Quoted from: 'The Three Pillars of Zen' by Roshi Pilip Kapleau.
(I've reformatted the text to be easier to read).

Links:
- Ego, Delusions, Stiff Ideas & Mind's Veils,
- Reality is Illusion, Worldly Knowledge is Delusions,
- Emptiness, Interdependence, Equanimity & Illusory Nature of Reality.

An aspiration to Love beyond illusions, beyond attachments, and beyond the ego-clinging.

Introduction.

How to Love when one has to be free from illusory delusions, from attachments and clinging?

I do not know, but I think & try as best as i can. I aspire to understand the Enlightened Love, and to practice and prepare to practice the Enlightened, the Unconditional Love.

My current understanding is described in this article, I hope that my understanding will deepen and improve as time passes.


Definitions.

Beings differ from Phenomena in that beings have mind (having mind means that beings are mind and have bodies), while phenomena do not have mind.

Understanding the illusory nature of beings and phenomena means understanding that they/these will keep changing forms. This means that beings and phenomena will arise (be born), change and pass away (die). This process will keep repeating and continuing until one reaches Enlightenment, or so I think.

Time between death and rebirth is called: 'Bardo'.

Word: 'Bardo' literally means: 'between two', but - in buddhism at least - it often means one's state between death and rebirth, in short. (there are many bardo states, including: 'bardo of dying', 'bardo of meditation', 'bardo of dream', and more).

Attachment and clinging can refer to being enslaved/obsessed with someone's/something's current state, current form.

Emptiness of all beings and phenomena meanst that everything is nonpermanent, that everything changes and has 'illusory nature'.


How to be free of ego-attachment?

I think that one should understand the passing nature of one's ego, understand that one changes constantly. One should not cling to one's 'current form'. I think - but i have serious doubts on that still, so check by Yourself please - that one's body is part of the mind, that one's ego affects how one experiences body as existing in the current state, current form.


How to Love without clinging?

I think one should practice the Unconditional Love, the Enlightened Love that 'Has the Taste of Freedom'.

I think one should fight for Love instead of forcing a partner to be together with the 'other half' against his/her will.

I think that one should accept if/when a partner wishes to leave - either for a short while or for longer.

I think one should accept that Loved one will age and die, and accept that current forms will change, including the acceptance that partner's beauty will pass away with age.

One can still strive to be lover or a friend again, either in this or in next lives, I think.

I think that one should see a partner as mature person, as one who is liberated from ego, and should aspire for self-liberation as well.

Emptiness, Interdependence, Equanimity & Illusory Nature of Reality.

Interdependence.

Nothing, no being or phenomenon, is inherently independent, existing in isolation.

We, people & societes, phenomena & our tools, are born or created and exist in dependence of others, on causes & conditions.

Therefore we should develop Equanimity, as part of responsible attitude toward everyone.

Without responsibility world won't survive for future generations.

Composite ideas are dependent on our mind, as well as on their parts.

-- Derived from 'How to see yourself as you really are' book by Dalai Lama.


Emptiness.

'Emptiness, clarity and limitlessness are absolute qualities of mind that cannot be separated from one another.

Empty of independent existence, nothing arises by itself, but rather is dependent upon conditions.

Emptiness is the final nature of all uter and inner phenomena and cannot be grasped through concepts.

It's realization is the manifestation of the Truth State.'

-- Quoted from 'Buddha & Love' book by Lama Ole Nydahl.


i experienced that by practicing & thinking on impermanence, emptiness - even sadness, weakness, or other mental difficulties can pass.


Equanimity.

'The fourth of the Four Immeasurables.

It means to remain free from attachment and aversion in a balanced and benevolvent state of mind'.

-- Quoted from 'Buddha & Love' book by Lama Ole Nydahl.

i think i read that equanimity practice at first results in calmness & balance, then develops to great joy.

i read that attachment & aversion are caused by ignorance, and are causes of multitude of other detrimential mind states.

i read that by understanding interdependent nature of beings & phenomena, by understanding & meditating on emptiness - ignorance can be uprooted.

ignorance in this context is not 'knowing not enough' alone, but also 'living with wrong knowledge', as for example ignorance is thinking that things or phenomena are inherently independent, existing in isolation.

It's proven scientificially that by helping others, one's joy & balanced mind state increases. By practicing equanimity, by removing ignorance, attachment & aversion / or in other words: by removing ignorance, craving & hatred / we can be in mind state allowing to truly help ourselves & others.


Illusory Nature of Reality.

With everything being empty, non-permanent, only change is certain.

As we fight for better reality, it might change for better.

With time old reality becomes obsolete truth, leaving many illusions in minds of those who are not following most recent changes.

Reality is not as it appears, as well.

Many things cannot be grasped by unenlightened mind, or are scientifically unproven - for example, Reincarnation.

-- Derived from 'How to see yourself as you really are' book by Dalai Lama, as well as from other sources.


Links:
- Delusion & Illusion in Zen Buddhism.

Reality is Illusion, Worldly Knowledge is Delusions.

A poem.

'Reality is Illusion,
Worldly Knowledge is Delusions.

Wise men do separate,
What's a light from what's a raft.

It is written in old lore,
Wisdom gone other shore.

Bits of knowledge carry there,
Where light is everywhere.

Worldly wisdom is Delusions,
Dharma lore - other shore.

Wise men do use rafts,
To help people, earn Dharma.

Using rafts we do can reach,
Place where light abundant.

Even if Delusions only,
For a while rafts do last.'


Commentary.

Above poem is a commentary to the 'Heart Sutra', that mentions 'wisdom going to the other shore', on one's Way to Enlightenment.

In above poem reality is illusion as it's play of light & shadow, that it's not set in stone - changes constantly, what is firm & real at first becomes obsolete in next moment.

Conditions change constantly, start to hold, hold, cease to hold, or don't hold - as the time flows.

Worldly Knowledge is full of delusions, can last for a while then be replaced with another wisdoms or sciences later. Scientific theorems are proven or disproven as time progress, what seems next big thing might turn to be nothing, just a delusion by a single scientific proof. Even if wisdom or science (also worldly wisdom) turns obsolete, it might reappear and prove useful in another times when conditions change.

Worldly Knowledge might be useful still in it's time frame, however. More importantly, it can serve to protect the causes of Enlightenment for All.

Worldly Knowledge can be a tool using which one can 'pay' for Dharma Lessons that lead to Liberation & Enlightenment.

In other words, this blog's author thinks that worldly knownledge can be a 'raft', that can be used to reach 'other shore' on the Way to Liberation & Enlightenment. After reaching 'other shore' rafts are no longer needed, there are other wisdoms & other useful methods there.

And finally, quoting a Buddhist Teacher (I won't tell his name here) from Warsaw Buddhist Meditation Center (In Warsaw, Poland, in Europe): 'One can use Form to go beyond the Form', which means that samsaric methods can be used to go beyond samsara, to reach Liberation & Enlightenment.


See also, if You wish: Perfecting Wisdom.


Wishes.

May all beings have happines and causes of happiness,

May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering,

May they always experience true happiness, which is totally free from suffering,

May they remain in the great equanimity, which is beyond attachment and aversion.


Mantras.

OM MAHAKALAYE SOHA
OM A RA PA CA NA DHIH
OM MANI PEME HUNG

OM AMI DEWA HRI
OM KALACHAKRA SOHA

OM AH HUNG BENZA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG

SHAMARPA CHENNO

KARMAPA CHENNO

Namaste, blessed be.


Links:
- Delusion & Illusion in Zen Buddhism.