This pearl of wisdom was written by Tao-hsuan in the early part of the seventh century. He was an important Chinese Buddhist scholar and the founder of the Lu-Tsung disciplinary school of Chinese Buddhism.
One of the major teachings of the Buddha was written down as the Vinaya, which are the rules of conduct monastics living together. Tao-hsuan’s school was formed to deter the monastics from inappropriate behavior.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings as well as the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings inspired by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh are modern expressions of the vinaya teachings of the Buddha.
This pearl of wisdom was chosen by Lama Surya Das as part of the series of weekly words of wisdom.
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But suddenly self-conscious, it becomes the perfect pearl. Ignorance and wisdom are one. Remember that all things are mere appearances. Seeing that yourself differs not from the Buddha, Why then seek elsewhere for that which is the ideal?”
— Tao-hsuan |
Above, we see, “Ignorance and wisdom are one.” Thich Nhat Hanh would say, “Ignorance and wisdom inter-are!”
Together with “Remember that all things are mere appearances,” we recognize that nothing can exist by itself, alone. Everything must inter-be with everything else.
Knowing this, we can understand that “Seeing that yourself differs not from the Buddha” means that the Buddha is made only of non-Buddha elements and that we are the continuation of the Buddha.
So, “Why then seek elsewhere for that which is the ideal?” Please share.
