The
Great Garuda in Flight
Then,
in order to grant the possibility of keeping the mind
in its natural condition, the supreme source, pure and total
consciousness, taught this fundamental lung, the origin of the teachings beyond
action:
Listen,
Great Sattvavajra! Just like space, the state of non-action cannot be localized. The path of Dharma of absence of thought,
without abode or support, derives from a subde desire
tied to intention. However, such conceptual meditation does not at all
touch dharmakaya because self-arising wisdom is the
absence of thought naturally present in everything.
Thus, self-arising wisdom is the true non-discursive state,
the natural condition present in everything. It does not get attached to the
notion of non-action as if it were an object, nor does
it need antidotes in order to be corrected.
Even
if one were to seek the fundamental essence through [the twelve links of]
interdependence, the non-discursive state has no form, thus one accedes to it
only by remaining without concepts. As the essence
manifests naturally, only this can be dharmakaya.
It is
beyond all the possible parts or divisions of the atom From this
non-conceptualizable state, the wisdom of qualities
spontaneously arises: this is the essence of
total openness in which the discursive state is
directly present.
Whoever
enters this pure path achieves supreme equality.
As this state is unchanging and not subject to transformation, there
is no room for attachment. Likewise, as no object exists, there is no room for
the mind. Those
who get stuck in the desire for a concrete achievement always meditate on a
cause, but the state of equality does not derive from
the pleasure of attachment to such meditation. (but resting in being?- blogger)
As the
single dimension [of pure and total
consciousness] is all pervading, there is nothing to
add. As [self-arising wisdom] is without limits, there is nothing to take away from the ultimate dimension of
phenomena.
The manifestation of the ultimate nature does not give rise to any
special exaltation:
everything naturally abides in the state of total
wisdom There is no marvellous
object to see: the [nature] cannot be seen or heard and transcends all
definitions.
What
is deemed 'Dharma" and what is deemed "non-Dharma" are always
joined: an absolute reality to be considered a higher dimension does not exist.
Judging the path of enlightenment in terms of illusion and non-illusion one
achieves nothing. Self-arising wisdom transcends the limits of words. In the
condition of primordial expansion of the totality of one's state thoughts arise
as if they were a shadow. It is not non-exisent insofar as this non-existence
has a core that manifests. It is not empty insofar as this emptiness has its
own dimension. When one remembers the
nature of the sky, even without wishing for it, one obtains the happiness
beyond action and already present from the beginning.
It is
not an object to conceptualize, but from [this
condition] wisdom manifests. Some sages of the past, fixing their minds
with attachment [to their object of meditation], have been caught up in the
torments of effort and engagement.
Omniscience
arises only when one enters the path of the essence; when one conceptualizes
the condition "as it is," meditation becomes conceptual
Desiring
bliss is the disease of attachment: unless one cures it with the efficacious
medicine of unmovable equanimity, then even the causes of rebirth in the higher
states get stained by the passions.
The
perilous disease of those who adopt as their path what is not a path, drives
them to want to reach a goal, just like deer pursuing a mirage. However they
will never find their goal, not even by seeking it throughout the three worlds.
In fact, even though in this way one might reach the level of one of the ten
bhumis, the essence of enlightenment remains hindered.
Instantaneous
wisdom beyond all thoughts is like a precious jewel that comes from all the
teachers. It cannot be objectified and without needing to change, by its very nature, it completely satisfies all wishes.
Examining it, one does not find anything, but leaving it as it is it is the
source of all qualities. It does not appear
visibly yet it displays itself in all the aspects of manifestation.
Whoever is able to teach without the dualism of self and other is a precious
treasure because he or she teaches selflessly and compassionately the universal
object of realization.
It does not move from within,
yet there is nothing to seek within. It is not an object to which to get
attached or on which to fix one's aspiration. In the state beyond entering and
leaving there is no need to act [intentionally] for the benefit of beings
through selflessness and compassion: everything takes place naturally.
Wishing
for happiness, one moves away from it because happiness
is already present, and seeking it is like happiness seeking itself. Not
recognizing the essence of enlightenment, one aims for an outer object to
confirm.
However,
following this direction one does not see enlightenment.
As in reality no "enlightenment" exists [as a separate phenomenon],
nor does its name exist; displaying enlightenment and designating it with this
name are errors. Hoping to achieve enlightenment from outside is the wrong path. [In
the true nature] no form, not even an atom, exists of all phenomena that
appear.
It is
already perfect, beyond attachment, serene, immaterial, and not confined in a
form: the nature of the great nectar cannot be grasped by concepts.
Immense,
great, total existence, antidote for those who adhere to the lesser vehicles!
However
one should not get stuck on the concept of "great" because [the
nature] transcends the concepts of great and small The words of the scriptures and
their commentaries tied to concepts are like the drawings of a conjurer.
The
darkness of the wisdom of entering and leaving [does not] allow the birth [of
true wisdom]. This is the supreme vehicle.
This nature, which leaves everything and holds everything, is beyond
desire and grasping.
It does not give
birth to even a grain of complacency.
Like a gamda in flight, it has no worries; it is not afraid of losing anything
nor does it wish to accept anything.
That
which from the beginning is like the ocean, gives life to the variety of phenomena.
Qualities are infinite as space and have
no specific place whence they spring forth. As soon as [one understands] the essence of enlightenment, supreme
contemplation manifests.
Vision becomes like a vast sea, and the non-discursive state as immense
as the sky.
The sphere of experience of Samantabhadra is unborn and unchanging.
The
twelve causal links [of interdependence] are explanations created for the
benefit of the deluded: let the wise know this! Even though the six classes of
beings appear, they are nothing but the primordial path! If enjoyments are
anointed by compassion, in any object of pleasure one enjoys the essence of
enlightenment. Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous
crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of
existence and nothing other than total bliss.
All
phenomena being such, this is the true nature of existence. Thinking that
reality can seek itself, that the sky can seek itself or that an
"outer" reality can exist is as useless as attempting to put out fire
with fire.
This essence
of the non-discursive state is not hidden in anybody's mind. For those who experience the
essence of enlightenment beyond action, it becomes naturally present in all
circumstances.
[22.
The chapter on the state beyond concepts: The Great Garuda in Flight,
87.2-91.61]
THE
SUPREME SOURCE
