Soh

Welcome to Awakening to Reality

Hello! Welcome to the Awakening to Reality site.

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1) The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide — by Nafis Rahman

ATR Practice Guide cover
The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide — cover

2) The Awakening to Reality Guide — Web Abridged Version

3) The Awakening to Reality Guide — Original Version (compiled by Soh)

  • Latest update: 12 January 2025
  • PDF · Long version (mirror) · EPUB
  • This is the original 1300+ page document on which the practice and abridged guides are based.
"I also want to say, actually the main ATR document >1200 pages helped me the most with insight... ...I did [read] it twice 😂 it was so helpful and these Mahamudra books supported ATR insights. Just thought to share." – Yin Ling

 

"To be honest, the document is ok [in length], because it’s by insight level. Each insight is like 100 plus pages except anatta [was] exceptionally long [if] I remember lol. If someone read and contemplate at the same time it’s good because the same point will repeat again and again like in the nikayas [traditional Buddhist scriptures in the Pali canon] and insight should arise by the end of it imo.", "A 1000 plus pages ebook written by a serious practitioner Soh Wei Yu that took me a month to read each time and I am so grateful for it. It’s a huge undertaking and I have benefitted from it more that I can ever imagine. Please read patiently." – Yin Ling
ATR Guide preview
ATR Guide preview

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Soh

Conversation — 27 August 2006

John: Read your email about the Ken Wilber page 250.

AEN: Okay, wait.

John: Fulcrum 10 is the peak of no-self (comments by Soh: actually as clarified later, it is more of substantialist nondual but not yet anatta realization) and beginning to understand emptiness as it is but not necessarily understood the meaning of emptiness. To date, Ken Wilber's description of enlightenment is closest to my description. (Note by Soh: However, Ken Wilber's understanding is still more of Stage 4 nondual, not yet anatta [stage 5] and emptiness [stage 6] as John Tan later clarified) It is from fulcrum 9-10. Except that fulcrum 7-9 is waking, dreaming, and dreamless is what I told you should not be followed. Let's take Longchen for example, from his understanding and my description to him, where do you think I am leading him?

AEN: Emptiness? No-self and emptiness.

John: Yes. So where was he when he first communicated with you?

AEN: In terms of fulcrum?

John: Yeah.

AEN: Fulcrum 9-10?

John: Yes. Did he go through 7 and 8?

AEN: No.

John: Okay then, how is one to experience fulcrum 9? That is what I disagree. :) In fact, true enlightenment should only start at 9. And a glimpse of our nature starts at 9.

AEN: You mean he said otherwise?

John: 7 can be the result of mindfulness.

AEN: Which page is 7?

John: Page 7? I mean fulcrum 7.

AEN: Oh, okay, found it.

John: Mindfulness can lead us to fulcrum 7. That is the result of being mindful and non-conceptual. But our true nature isn't experienced... means there is no this sudden awareness of 'I AMness'. (Soh: Also see: 1) Thusness/PasserBy's Seven Stages of Enlightenment (Available in Languages: AR, DA, DE, EN, ES, FR, HI, ID, IT, JA, KO, NE, PL, PT-BR, PT-PT, RU, TA, TH, VI, ZH) ) This 'I AMness' is a natural progression when the karmic propensities are still very strong and yet there is a sudden glimpse of our nature. At that moment, one is not able to discern what is the meaning of no-self. Why no doership and why no I? Because the experience of that Presence (They experience it as ISness, as Pure Presence but yet still fall back to 'Self') because of karmic propensities and habitual energy. They were being misled by the hypnotic spell of 'I'. And how to break this spell? That is the question. The experience is there but there is no clarity; this is the problem. So one must know exactly the stage to lead to the next stage by carefully breaking that spell of identification.

AEN: By the way, page 184 about fulcrum 7, there is some sort of nondualism experience? 'You're on a nature walk... and suddenly you look at a beautiful mountain and wham - there is no looker - just the mountain.'

John: Yes, that is experience of clarity without knowing the- nature.

AEN: It is a stage. Not 'I AMness'?

John: Yes... means one can experience clarity but has no understanding of AMness.

AEN: Oh, hmm, last time I think maybe I experienced fulcrum 7.

John: He must continue to practice. Yeah... when you told me about the clarity, about the awareness that everything seems so clear and real. This is come and go. And I told you to see the scenery but no one there. That is the vividness, the clarity... all these are the attributes of awareness. Now I tell you to experience the calmness to gather strength. Stillness of body and mind. This is tranquility and calmness, not clarity and luminosity. So one can experience clarity and vividness but the path of enlightenment hasn't started yet. There must be this intuitive understanding of 'I AM' then it begins. Like Eckhart Tolle. Like Longchen and Ken Wilber... all these people experience the 'Self'. The 'Self' is a misunderstood version. When I told Longchen first there is no I, no self, yet there is Presence, he was confused. Remember?

AEN: Yeah.

John: Then he was thinking can one experience to a high stage but yet is still ignorant of the source... this is the question he asked Bob. Remember?

AEN: Not too sure. Which post?

John: Hmm... what is his site URL?

AEN: Wait. Simpo Proboards20.

John: You are the one that sent me the post. Knock your head.

AEN: I mean around when?

John: Simpo Proboards20 Insight Board Thread 1118915725. Me of Me. :) Wow... took so long to look for this post that you sent me. :P

AEN: Yeah, thanks for looking.

John: Reply #8 on Oct 24, 2005, 12:39am. He was asking Bob can one be so aligned with vast absolute yet not aware of the thinker of thoughts. :) He doesn't dare to ask in religion/sects... :) He said so.

AEN: Why? Yeah, I mean why he wouldn't dare?

John: Shy to ask... later they'd say like all people in Buddhism forum are not enlightened. :P It is important that he breaks through that witness and sees it in manifestation; that is exactly what Ken Wilber said. :) In fact, I borrowed his books last week just because I saw this phrase. :P Otherwise no value.

AEN: Oh.

John: Because it is very common for one to sink back to the source. But for his case, it is a bit unique... he dwells completely into manifestation. And he experiences witnessing consciousness in all three stages: waking, dreaming, and dreamless. But the way he puts it into fulcrum 7 and 8 before 9 is experienced, I can't agree. I think it is not right and dangerous.

AEN: How come?

John: However, I like his books because of his experience.

AEN: Wait, fulcrum 8 is...? Fulcrum 7 is dangerous?

John: Because that sort of practice is first not towards liberation, meaning there is no wisdom in our nature but merely a stage. Next, the tranquil calm that is most important for any practices isn't mentioned. That to me is not right and very dangerous. A correct practice should lead one towards calmness, purity, and tranquility. This comes first, then even if one experiences nothing about our nature, one is able to benefit from such fruition. During death, ward off evils, solve daily problems, deal with mental stress. Such calmness itself is the 'mantra', is the cure for all the above, or serves as the base for it.

AEN: Ward off evil as in?

John: Yeah... when the mind is calm, there is little power over some person. It is difficult to penetrate such a mind.

AEN: Oh.

John: Therefore that must be the base of practice first. Only when conditions are right and one is quite sure that the practitioner is ready, then it is appropriate to guide one towards dreamless and dream stage... and real qualified masters are needed. Dealing with the mind itself into a realm that is not easily understood by people is dangerous. And those masters aren't sure themselves unless they are really high achievers. How many of them are truly so? Therefore one should refrain from such practice. And teachers must correctly advise their students or followers their practices toward achieving the virtuous attributes of the mind. And at the same time provide correct knowledge of our nature, leading them only when the conditions are right. Otherwise if a newbie asks then I start telling them this and that, or if TWE asked then reply this and that... then they are misled. Rather lead them towards the experience of the tranquil calm; it will solve their problems and experience the benefits and fruition of chanting and meditation. Then get them acquainted with dharma and have correct understanding of what our true nature is like. That's all. The page 250 of what Ken Wilber described is exactly what Longchen needs now; he must stabilize this experience and return to the practice of tranquility and calmness through letting go to master the thought pattern. With this mastery, he is able to completely allow the condition of sleep to manifest as it is. Now during night, sleep will definitely occur. Why? Because the conditions are there. The mind knows and is aware of it. Right?

AEN: Yeah.

John: When the conditions are there, there is manifestation, and that is itself the source. When we didn't sleep, it is not that the stage is high but rather we are unable to allow conditions to be as it is. If we can enter into deep sleep, it is because of this. One must observe the condition. When we are not able to take nothingness as an object which is so obvious during deep sleep, we are denying that condition. It is a form of subtle attachment and also not knowing emptiness. An attachment to the self. Natural awareness can be sustained but through another way. That is, one is able to control the thought patterns and allow thoughts to subside. Only after achieving this level, we have mastery we can go into it. That is achievement. When you read Ken Wilber's book, do know about what can be practiced, what can't. When in the future you face problems, you must know what can solve your problems. It is always about the mastery of our thoughts (the capacity to slow down and settle it) in a mundane world. Then it comes to ultimate liberation and enlightenment; that is the intuitive experience of our pristine nature. :) For one that experiences 'I AM', one can still take another 20 years to experience what Ken Wilber said. It is just a 'spell' that bonds, and it takes more than 20 years for him to break. Nothing changes, just a bond.

AEN: Hmm, I ask you, if a practitioner attains a very high stage this lifetime, will he still need to go through all the various stages Ken Wilber mentioned in the next lifetime?

John: Yeah. As far as I know.

AEN: I see.

John: But don't worry too much... because the strength of the practice is latent deep inside... How is the channel now?

AEN: The Buddhist channel? Okay, but quite quiet... still got some chatting but not much. And all the ops are gone. Last time there were like 10 ops, now only 2 left. Others all deregistered. 2 as in, including me.

John: MSN is better...

AEN: Yeah. Leonard says: 'That's life - no chance to even go for the chanting.' I said: 'How come? What happened?' Leonard says: 'Last night had dinner...' I said: 'I see...' Leonard says: 'Sometimes I feel that karma is something that cannot be avoided... I am trying so hard....'

John: Yes... he can't.

AEN: Leonard says: 'I wonder how the Buddha did it....'

John: A misunderstanding after the experience of the 'Self' is the creation of a super will. :) Buddha didn't do it; he allowed natural manifestation. That 'will' is a wrong interpretation of our true nature.

AEN: Do I say that to him?

John: Yes.

AEN: Okay.

John: Time to understand more about how 'thoughts' work. :P When we take 'thought' and dwell into the content, we will be affected. There is no escape. However, by concentrating on the virtuous qualities of the mind and nothing about the content of thoughts, we will be able to dissolve thoughts. Just the qualities. There is no need to care about the content... If he is able to dwell into those qualities, the content will subside. Because all along this has been overlooked, it cannot serve as a 'mantra' for overcoming problems.

Soh

读者提问(意译) 一位读者写道,许多非二元论的著作喜欢用熟悉的“海洋与浪”的比喻来说明 māyā(幻相):每一个个体生命就像一朵浪花或一个气泡,从“意识之海”中短暂涌起又复归于海。 从这个角度看,解脱常被描绘成“气泡破裂”——也就是分离幻觉消融于广大海洋。 但这位读者接着说,如果我们真的就是大海,那么另一朵浪花必然会再度形成。 海的本性是流动、澎湃与舞动;浪的游戏并不是需要修正的错误,而是大海之为海的展现。 同样地,意识自然以形相与经验而显现——它在“游戏”。 这种自发的 līlā(神圣游戏)并不与真实相违;它是“真理在运动”。

 

佛教与印度教传统常以“解脱生死轮回”为修行动机——不再回来,不再取受形色,因为有情存在与苦相连。 然而,从非二元的观照来看,一个问题浮现:若与“存在之海”从无真正分离,我们又如何可能真正“不会再成其为一朵浪”呢? 如果流动是大海之性,表达是意识之性,那么我们所谓的“再生”或“显现”也许是无尽者的自发律动,而非必须逃离的错误。 从这个角度,读者发现很难为那种以解脱为目标的艰苦修行而生起动力——因为若“海—浪”的譬喻成立,我们无非还会再成其浪(也许不在此界,而在他界)。

 

因此:为何还要修行? 这位读者请我有空时谈谈看法,并对 Awakening to Reality 上的资源表达感谢,称其助益良多。

 

Soh 的回复: 感谢你深思熟虑的来信。以佛教的视角而言,生起迫切修行之心至关重要。下面我将详细回应,展开关键要点,同时保留你所引用的内容。

 

1)为何要超越轮回生死? 在佛陀的早期经藏中,saṃsāra(轮回)无始,自上而下充满 dukkha(不满足/苦)。以下是佛陀的开示: 《相应部 15.13 第二品 三十位比丘 在王舍城附近的竹林园。其时,来自波婆(Pāvā)的三十位比丘前来见佛。他们皆住于旷野,只乞食而食,披着糙衣,唯有三衣在身;然而他们仍各自有系缚。诸比丘顶礼佛陀,退坐一旁。 后来这同样的三十位波婆比丘,在佛陀住舍卫城时又一次来访,于是有了雨安居后制衣法会的开许(Kd 7:1.1.1)。|波婆为末罗族之城,也是摩诃毗罗(Mahāvīra)示寂之处,致使耆那教一度陷入混乱。(耆那教方面则说那是那烂陀以东的另一座波婆。)或因此缘故,波婆遂与苦行严厉的比丘相关联,如本经所述:大迦叶在波婆闻知佛陀涅槃之讯;又有六十位波婆比丘联合“阿槃提与南方”的比丘,于第二次结集中主张严格律制(Kd 22:1.7.11.1)。 佛陀作是念:“这三十位来自波婆的比丘,居住旷野,只以乞食为食,披糙衣,唯有三衣在身;然而他们仍有系缚。见《相应部》16.5:2.1 对这些严厉行持的解释。何不为他们如是说法,使其于此座中以不执取而心解脱诸漏呢?” 佛陀于是告诸比丘:“比丘们!” “尊者!”他们回答。佛陀如是说: “比丘们!此迁流(生死轮回)无可知之初始。众生于无明所覆、爱欲所缚而游行迁流,其最初之点不可得。 诸比丘!你们意云何?你们在这漫长迁流中,被斩首时所流之血,和四大海水相比,何者为多?”

 

“诸比丘!你们怎么想?你们在这漫长迁流中,被斩首所流之血更多,还是四大海水更多?” “依我们对佛陀所教的理解,我们在漫长迁流中被斩首所流之血,多于四大海水。” “善哉,善哉,比丘们!你们这样理解我的教法很好。你们在漫长迁流中被斩首所流之血,确实多于四大海水。 你们长时作牛,被斩首时所流之血,多于四大海水;长时作水牛……绵羊……山羊……鹿……鸡……猪…… 长时作盗,因劫掠村落、拦路抢劫或通奸而被擒;作为盗被斩首时所流之血,也多于四大海水。 为什么呢?此迁流无有可知之最初……这已足以令你们对一切行法(诸行)生起厌离、无贪与解脱。” 佛陀如是说。比丘们欢喜随喜佛语。 当此经说时,那三十位来自波婆的比丘,于此座中以不执取而心解脱诸漏(无学果)。 (《相应部》15.13SuttaCentral

 

这等清醒的铺陈,旨在引发 saṁvega(迫切感)——要尽速止息苦因(贪、嗔、痴),而非令人生起绝望。

 

John Tan2006 “人生如浮云,到了尽头,百年如昨,如弹指间。若只是一生之事,是否开悟并不那么要紧。 世尊的洞见不止关乎一生;无量生世我们受苦,生生世世,无有穷尽……此即是苦。 这并非关乎逻辑或科学,在这个科学时代争执并无意义。踏上修行之路,亲证佛语之真。三法印之中,于我而言,‘苦’之真实义最难深入体会。 愿大众严肃对待佛陀的教诲。” (亦参见:On "Supernatural Powers" or Siddhis, and Past Lives https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2018/07/on-supernatural-powers-or-siddhis.html

 

另一位友人在经历一场重病后对我说:“这是一段极好的出离心训练……我宁愿死,也不愿再得一个会再度承受那等剧痛的身体。” 因此,不要让我们当下相对的安适或幸运(无常)蒙蔽了对轮回诸苦的认识——那些我们已于无数生世经历、且在解脱之前仍将再经历的苦;以及从生死轮回中解脱之重要性。 又一位已觉悟的友人 Sim Pern Chong 回忆了他大量的前世,并分享道: “我所学的‘言语之力(words of power)’修法之所以有用,是因为它会给阿赖耶(或潜意识——无论我们如何命名)开绿灯,让过去的种印进入显意识。 这使我能见到往昔生命中被遮蔽的痕迹。 目睹杀人与被杀、战争等等的场景,使我生起了终结这类生命经历的动机。”

 

“我也记得一世自己是个以人类为猎物的魔性存在。我相信我今生中的一些事件——例如被魔性存在攻击——是那一世的业报所致。 其他生命形态可能与今生完全不同,这对有‘前世遗忘’的人来说不易想象。一旦你真的看见了这一切,终结被动轮回的动机就会成为首要之务——至少对我而言如此。”

 

佛陀亦以盲龟浮出海面百年一遇、偶将颈穿漂木孔之譬喻,来比喻人身与正法相遇之稀有珍贵——几近不可得,故勿虚度(《相应部》56.48)。 他又教导我们应当如头巾着火般精勤用功,并宣说《火经》:六根境界正“燃烧”于贪、嗔与痴之火——这又是我们当下熄灭诸火的理由(《相应部》35.28)。

 

2)大乘的差别:从被迫再生到慈悲示现的自由 佛教并不主张有一个必须不断起浪的“永恒单一意识之海”。显现依缘起而有;因灭则果灭。龙树以简明偈语钉下此义:“凡依缘起者,我说即是空……此即中道。”(《中论》24:18 因而,解脱(涅槃)并非湮灭,而是止息烦恼之行相——尤其是“我执/我所执”的造作。在大乘中,圆满佛果被描述为不住涅槃(apratiṣṭhita-nirvāṇa):不再受业力所逼而轮转生死,却能以大悲自在示现,饶益有情。此与三身教相契,尤以应化身(nirmāṇakāya)为显(Encyclopedia of Buddhism)。 以菩萨道的进程言,至第八地(“不动地”)时,烦恼障尽;行持任运不动,自然利他。于彼等层次中,示现在众生间是方便善巧——而不如凡夫那样受苦(lotsawahouse.org)。

 

在到达第八地之前,菩萨于来世中或会“暂忘”而复再认得其体悟(往往在年少时);越第八地后,诸化现自始即为全知(对真实之知不被遗忘),乃至于受生之际亦是自由抉择地显现。 于大乘与金刚乘中,释迦牟尼在印度的示现被视为久已成就之佛之化现——与不住涅槃与三身教义相符(lotsawahouse.org)。 3)非二与无我:非断灭,亦非虚无 正如你直觉到的,“浪”(诸相)会不断游戏。佛教的关键在于它们“如何”显现:若有取著——“我为见者/闻者/主宰者”——则苦生;若但有所见唯见、所闻唯闻,而不于其后臆设见者/闻者,则寂静现前。 这是佛陀对巴希耶(Bāhiya)的教诫:“于所见唯见,于所闻唯闻……”——如是便是苦之终尽(《自说经》1.10)。 多年前我亦以自语撮要此义:涅槃是对贪、嗔、痴之止息——尤是对“知觉者/主宰者/自我/大我”的迷误之止息;并非毁灭一个真实自性(从未得见),而是止息执取流程。

 

这里引用《中部 140〈界分别经〉(MN 140 Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta)》的相关段落: https://suttacentral.net/mn140/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin 摘录:在他们的无明之中,曾经有执著的获得;这些已经被从根拔除,如椰子树桩般被截断、灭尽,以致将来不能再生起。 因此,如是具足之比丘,具足究竟的布施所依。因为这就是究竟胜义的布施——即舍离一切执著。 在他们的无明之中,曾经贪求,多欲与贪爱;这已被从根拔除,如椰子树桩般被截断、灭尽,以致将来不能再生起。 在他们的无明之中,曾经轻蔑,充满瞋恚与恶意;这已被从根拔除,如椰子树桩般被截断、灭尽,以致将来不能再生起。 在他们的无明之中,曾经愚痴,被迷惑充满;这已被从根拔除,如椰子树桩般被截断、灭尽,以致将来不能再生起。 因此,如是具足之比丘,具足究竟之寂静所依。因为这就是究竟胜义之寂静——即贪、瞋、痴之息灭。 ‘勿忽略智慧;守护真实;增长布施;只以寂静为修学目标。’这是我所说,也是我为何如此说。此即四种所依之论毕。于其所住之处,诸分别之流不再流注;而诸分别之流不再流注之处,彼即称为“寂静之圣者”。’所谓‘分别之流’(maññassavā)是独特的譬喻,与‘烦恼之流可能流注于一人’(āsavā assaveyyuṁ,增支 4.195:2.2)的观念相近。这是我所说,但我为何如此说? 一切分别皆是如是:‘我是’、‘我即此’、‘我将会是’、‘我将不会是’、‘我将有色’、‘我将无色’、‘我将有想’、‘我将无想’、‘我将非有想非无想’。 分别是一种疾病、疮疖与毒箭。越出一切分别者,称为寂静之圣者。 寂静之圣者不再生,不再老,不再死;他不为所动,不再憧憬。 因为已无任何能令其再生之因。既不再生,何由再老?不再老,何由再死?不再死,何由能动?不为所动,又能对何有所憧憬?”

 

重要的细微差别:在佛法中,对“明、清明、临在”的体会并不被否定;但也不会把它实有化为某个形上学的“自性”或单一基底。 缘起本身被教示为“空/中道”,它同时斩断了断灭与常一“本体性临在”的两种执取。

 

4)就 līlā/“游戏”之疑问作直接回应: 从大乘所见,这并非“海必须再次起浪”的被迫性。 被迫的轮转只要无明与业尚存便会继续;当其因止息,其果即止息(缘起)。 而“慈悲的游戏”是佛之自由、无功用的示现——既不住于生死,也不住于静止的灭尽——以化身随应示现以利众(nirmāṇakāya)。 因而修行动机不但不会削弱,反而更坚固:我们修行是为终息众苦之因,并获得真实饶益他者之能力。

 

5)具体应当培养什么: 般若(prajñā)——透见“人”与“法”皆无自性,从而净除二障:(一)烦恼障;(二)所知障(对自性实有的微细执取)——这二者是成佛之障蔽。 菩提心与六度(布施、持戒、忍辱、精进、禅定、智慧)——经十地而行,趋向任运无碍、以众生为先的自发事业(乃至并越第八地“不动地”)。 以上两条,务在日常次第稳健而真实地落实。 对初学而言,稳固的定学与观行的结合,较空泛的形上思辨更为关键。 如此,出离与大悲得以并行而不相违。

 

6)大乘见解 vs. Advaita/“梵—游戏”(并含对“普遍意识”的明确驳斥) 梵我论/Advaita 所说的梵(Brahman)与 līlā(神戏)与佛教基于缘起与空性的洞见并不相同。 在佛教中,对“清明/临在/光明性”的体认并不被否认,但我们并不立一个究竟的“自我”、一个普遍性的“见证者”,也不立包摄一切、单一的“意识实体”。 龙树的名言——“凡依缘起者,即是空;空即中道”——本身便遮止了这种实有化(reification)。 参阅: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/the-unfindable-fullness-how-drum.html 对于倾向外推“普遍心”的读者,下列文章直接驳斥该见,并说明其为何为偏离佛法的微细实有执: The Tendency to Extrapolate a Universal Consciousness”: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2018/12/the-tendency-to-extrapolate-universal.html No Universal Mind”: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2021/08/no-universal-mind.html No Universal Mind, Part 3”: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/03/no-universal-mind-part-3.html 回响 John Tan 20042006 年的评述: “虽已体验非二,但并不彻底。他回落到一个‘本源’,在两边摇摆。有没有在无条件时被体验到的见证者(Witness)?有没有那些无条件的显现片刻,其中‘见证者’被体验到?若有,那么那就是一场游戏;若无,则当知缘起之真理。还有第六阶段。临在(Presence)之性是空。” “佛法不过是以‘缘起’取代印度教的‘自性我’。保留清明、临在、光明,而去除究竟的‘自我’、主宰与至上者。仍需在每一次证成中尝、触、食、闻、见纯净的觉性(Pure Awareness)。而每一次证成都是真乐(Bliss)。”(2004 “第五阶段必须由缘起引导,否则会回沉到‘本源’。这往往会发生。所以不要小看那句‘显现即是本源’的简单话。它是非二的钥匙,继而通向缘起。必须是缘起引人出‘本源’,然后支离的片段才会归位。否则,我们就会有那些奇怪的理论,比如‘现实是 līlā,是上帝的游戏剧情’。这是因为没有理解因缘与条件,以及觉性如何即因缘与条件。当光明—空性在其全体中被体验时,那便是法身(dharmakāya)。只体验到光明显分并不够。最好不要谈所谓‘胜义身’。”(2006 更多脉络参阅: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/10/buddha-nature-vs-brahman.html

 

7)为何——此刻——以大迫切心修行 超越生死流转之所以重要,是因为佛陀宣说:轮回唯苦,其始不可得,所受之苦所成之“血海”多过四海(《相应部》15.13)。愿此引发迫切,不是冷漠。 证入第八地之菩萨或佛陀之化现,并不如凡夫那样受苦;他们以不住涅槃与三身之德,自在示现、引导有情。 人身难得,值遇正法尤为希有(盲龟喻,《相应部》56.48)。 当勤修如头巾着火(或头发着火)般——念生死无常,因缘瞬息,良机易失(《相应部》35.28《火经》)。 以上诸处均可参见 SuttaCentral

 

8)一句话的凝练撮要(与上文详释并行留存) 由于轮回唯苦,我们修行以究竟止息其因——无明与执著;其因灭,强制性的再生即灭。 于大乘,究竟觉者不坠入静止之断灭;他们从不住涅槃中以应化身自在示现,饶益群生。 这正是修行迫切之所以:人身极其珍稀,正法今在目前,当如火燎头而勤修,成就般若与大悲以利一切有情。 参见 SuttaCentral Soh

 

附注(Notes 文中引及之《相应部》15.13(“血多过四海”)、盲龟喻(《相应部》56.48)、开示(《自说经》1.10)、与《火经》(《相应部》35.28),皆据典籍出处(SuttaCentral)。 “不住涅槃”与“三身”以通行资料为据;第八地之要点则参考传统“道与果次第”的资源。 对“普遍意识”之驳斥,附列 ATR 201820212022 三篇说明。 上述链接均按原文保留为纯文本,不作链接化处理。 标签:涅槃、再生|

 

读者后续(意译) 他感谢我给出的详细佛教回应,并补充说,他的修行动机曾被“多重宇宙”观念所削弱(取材自永恒暴胀的宇宙学):若无数宇宙不断生起,相似事件或可在某处无尽重演,这会让解脱显得仿佛无意义。 即便如此,他仍认真对待所给建议——在浏览 Awakening to Reality 之后,他已新增了书单,打算加强每日修行,并希望尽早证得 I AM 阶段。 他提到自己对非二元有很强的概念把握,但尚无体验上的证得,也承认自己难以进行标准的静坐。 他随后提出一个关乎解脱学(soteriology)的具体问题:既然强调人身难得、迫切心与解脱,那么在 Thusness 的《七阶段》中,究竟哪一个阶段才算是从轮回与生死流转中获得解脱?

 

Soh 的回复: 感谢你进一步而周到的回馈。以下给出一些直接、可行的指引,并就“成就”作若干澄清: 修行:力求简要而稳定 建议做两件事——(1)每日静坐;(2)加入自我探究。 每日静坐——安住、寂止内在喋喋不休,并且住持其中。目标是每天至少一次持续的静坐(逐步拉长到对你而言既具挑战、又可持续的扎实时长)。重读这篇短文并逐字遵行:Quietening the Inner Chatterawakeningtoreality.com)。按规律性来修持非常重要。 自我探究——在静坐期间或之后,加入短时段的“回光反照”:我是谁?或“未生之前,我是谁?”让这个问题切断叙事,将你落到“存在/纯净临在”之直接性中;然后就安住于此。ATR Practice Guide 对初期阶段与护栏有明确指引——按节次有条理地实践(awakeningtoreality.com)。 也建议你寻找一位开悟的良师/导师(线上或本地)。此页提供了一些推荐与建议:Finding an Awakened Spiritual Teacher and Mentorawakeningtoreality.com)。

 

关乎成就:何者终止轮回,何者开启见道 你问:哪一层级能“令你出轮回”。若以我们 ATRThusness 的语言与传统里程碑对照: 初步证得(Thusness 57 阶:明晰之无我,乃至摩诃/总作用与二空)大致相当于入流/初地——这是“见道”的开始,而非终点。它至为深要,但仍非从轮回中解脱。参见:Buddhahood: The End of All Emotional/Mental Afflictions and Knowledge Obscurations Awakening to Reality: Meaning of Stream-Entry 然而,证得入流或初地者,已断除堕于三恶趣的可能;自此以后只会在人间与天界受生。关于诸有境界,见 https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html 终止被迫再生(不再轮回循环)大体对应于声闻道之阿罗汉,或就菩萨道言,则为第八地(不动地)以上——其时烦恼障已尽,诸化现是自由而非被迫。(大乘以“不住涅槃”描述圆满佛果。)(The Wisdom Experience 至于终点:佛果=一切情绪/心行之烦恼尽、并且(后续)所知障净。那远超初地;这正是为何于见后仍须稳固禅修与融入生活修持。参见 ATR 相关讨论与索引条目 Buddhahood: The End of All Emotional/Mental Afflictions and Knowledge Obscurations.”(awakeningtoreality.com

 

多重宇宙与修行动机(极简回应) 即便永恒暴胀的多重宇宙真实存在,你的心续在世俗上仍与他者的心续有别。 佛法所对治的是此心续中导致苦与轮回的因(无明与执取);当这些因止息,被迫的再生即告止息,毫无例外。 真正能改变你生命的,正是上面所述的两步——每日静坐+自我探究,并依循 ATR Practice Guide 的次第,在明师的回馈下稳步推进(awakeningtoreality.com)。 解脱是“稳固的”:一旦解脱,便不可能“再度不解脱”。自此之后,你的心续已从轮回中解脱。 而且,你也就真正能够帮助此宇宙与彼宇宙中的其他心续获得同样的觉悟。 关于解脱之恒稳性,可参见 krodhaKyle Dixon)所言:

 

Author: krodha Date: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:50 pm Title: Re: The basis is one's unfabricated mind Content: Mere recognition of vidyā is initially unstable because karmic propensities have not been completely exhausted, buddhahood is not one's mere recognition of vidyā though, buddhahood is the result. 仅仅对明(vidyā)的认出在初期并不稳定,因为业习尚未完全穷尽;然而成佛并非只是对明的认出,成佛是其“果”。 Any propensities which have the potential for re-arising on the path are exhausted in buddhahood, and so the result therefore said to be irreversible. 一切在道上仍可能复起的串习于佛果中皆得穷尽,是故此果被称为不可逆转。 Buddhahood is described as a cessation, and what ceases is cause for the further arising and proliferation of delusion regarding the nature of phenomena. 佛果被描述为一种“止息”;所止息者,是关于诸法体性之迷乱得以进一步生起与繁衍的因。 For this reason, nirvana is said to be 'permanent', because due to the exhaustion of cause for the further proliferation of samsara, samsara no longer has any way to arise. 因此,涅槃被称为“常”(稳固不退);缘于令轮回得以延续与扩展之因业穷尽,轮回便再无由得以现起。 However nirvana is also a conventional designation which is only relevant in relation to the delusion of samsara which has been exhausted, and so nirvana is nothing real that exists in itself either. 然而,“涅槃”也是一种约俗之名,只在与已被穷尽之轮回迷乱的关系中才有其指称意义;因此,涅槃本身亦非自性实有之物。 Neither samsara nor nirvana can be found outside of the mind. 轮回与涅槃皆不可于心外觅得。 As Nāgārjuna states: 正如龙树所说: "Neither samsara nor nirvana exist; “轮回与涅槃皆不可得; instead, nirvana is the thorough knowledge of samsara" 涅槃不过是对轮回之透彻了知。” Tsele Natsok Rangdrol states: 察礼·那宗仁波切云: "You might ask, 'Why wouldn't confusion reoccur as before, after... [liberation has occured]?" This is because no basis [foundation] exists for its re-arising. Samantabhadra's liberation into the ground itself and the yogi liberated through practicing the path are both devoid of any basis [foundation] for reverting back to becoming a cause, just like a person who has recovered from a plague or the fruit of the se tree." “你或会问:‘既已解脱,为何迷乱不会像先前那样再度发生?’这是因为其复起已无所依之基。无论是普贤王如来于本基中之解脱,或是行者由修道而得之解脱,二者皆无再度回转为因之任何“基”(基础),犹如染瘟而愈之人或“se 树”之果。” He then states that the se tree is a particular tree which is poisonous to touch, causing blisters and swelling. However once recovered, one is then immune. 仁波切继而解释,“se 树”是一种触之会致疱肿的毒树;然而一旦痊愈,便获得免疫。 Lopon Tenzin Namdak also explains this principle of immunity: 堪布丹增南达克亦以“免疫”的道理如是说明: Anyone who follows the teachings of the Buddhas will most likely attain results and purify negative karmic causes. Then that person will be like a man who has caught smallpox in the past; he will never catch it again because he is immune. The sickness of Samsara will never come back. And this is the purpose of following the teachings." “任何随行诸佛教法之人,多半将得成就并净化恶业之因。于是彼就如曾患天花而今已痊愈之人;因具免疫,永不复染。轮回之病将不再回返——这便是奉行教法之目的。” —— 来源:Dharmawheel Scrappers Compilation of Krodhas Posts https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/05/table-of-contents-for-malcolm.html

 

致以慈心, Soh 标签:涅槃,再生|

 


以下为准确的简体中文翻译(按原样保留 johnsim pern chongsoh 等姓名与链接):


Soh Wei Yu
徽章图标

John Tan 的最早期学生之一在 2006 年证得了无我(anatta),在遇到 John Tan 之前,他被停留在 “I AM” 阶段多年。此前他加入了一个属于玫瑰十字会(Rosicrucian)的神秘主义团体,教师们对从 “I AM” 到非二元与无人格impersonality)有相当深入的经验,但并未进入无我。那些教师具备通灵能力,并确认了 Sim Pern Chong 的前世记忆(也就是说,他们也能看到 Sim 的前世)。该神秘团体的网站: http://www.plotinus.com/

Sim Pern Chong 的文章: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/search/label/Simpo%2FLongchen

Sim Pern Chong 以不可思议的细节记起了他的许多前世,因为他是以重历relive)的方式经历前世,而不仅仅是回想一些模糊的片段。他也知道他今生的妻子、女儿等人与他在前世的关系;另外,他的女儿在年幼时就展现出通灵能力(John Tan 评论说,这孩子看起来就像她的父亲)。他在两世之前曾是修习大圆满(Dzogchen)的宁玛派僧人。我记得他以前跟我说过,曾在俯瞰广阔大地的西藏高原修行。这一生,他在 2012 年再次与 Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche 结缘,是我叫他与我一同去参加那次retreat。但这也解释了他在很早——也许 2000 年代初——就对大圆满感兴趣。【更新,2024:】我最近见到了 Sim Pern Chong。当我提到自己在 2012 年第一次修持 Garab Dorje Guru Yoga 时曾闻到一种超凡的香气时,他说他在第一次修持时也有同样的体验——就在我们那年一同参加 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 的传法之后。真是令人惊叹的同步巧合。他还分享了在持咒过程中遭遇的其他非凡经历。

在那一世作为藏传僧人,这意味着他在前世肯定受过三皈依、发过菩提心等。但这并不代表他那一世就能解脱,因为大多数人并不能。也并不表示他已证得无我或空性,或到达初地等。事实上,他记得自己只是在作为藏传僧人的那一世证得了 “I AM”,那是他第一次踏入灵性修行(在那之前的几世,有一些事件促成或导致了他在后来的生命中走上灵性探索之路,但我在此不赘述)。

在紧接着的上一世,他没有遇到佛法,而是投生在西欧,我相信是法国。他在一幕被他重历的场景里参加了一战的堑壕战——意思是那体验真实而生动,仿佛他又身处其境。在那一幕里,他记得自己穿越战壕奔跑,中途停下片刻,想到他的妻子(我记得是这样),是一幕悲伤的画面。这给他带来某种创伤,也解释了他今生对战争的焦虑,而他的前世回忆帮助化解了这些创伤。在那一世,他同样只证得 “I AM”,并涉入神秘主义,这也解释了他在这辈子遇到 John Tan 之前与神秘主义团体之间的联系。

证得 “I AM” 并不能确保对投生有某种掌控之类的能力,甚至不是初地。尽管如此,Sim Pern Chong 确实回忆起在潜意识层面(他称为 “Alaya”[ 阿赖耶识指第八意识])有某种在投生前的规划或蓝图。我其实也有过那种印象,短暂地感到此生的灵性目的,仿佛有某种计划或意义。但我当然不是某位高阶存在的有意识化现、从出生即觉悟、无瑕的那种。(更新:关于化现一事,慧律法师表达得非常好,他大意是:

那些上师与老师,或直接、或默许学生这样说,以制造或放任一种印象——好像他们是大菩萨的化现,只是为了激发信心’——这是严重的过失。

我同意他的看法,也觉得这很像邪教、令人作呕。我绝不会让任何人神化我。

我拒绝让任何人产生我是什么化现的印象——这种行为完全是邪教式的。

当我把这件事告诉 John Tan 时,他也表示认同,他亲口说这很重要,甚至建议我在谈论他时务必不要神化他。)

这一生,他在 2004 年通过网络论坛结识了 John Tan,并证得了无我与空性。
Malcolm 说,那些能遇到大圆满教法的人,过去生与这些教法有业缘。多数精进如法修行的行者,会在中阴时得解脱。最差劲的那些,也会在三世之内解脱。所以并不是说你懂得大圆满就高阶或特别,反而可能说明我们是最差劲的修行人,在前世既没有在中阴解脱,也没有成就虹身。或许我们在许多前世都与这些法门有连结。

2024 Soh 更新:

Sim 分享说:为了让读到这些的人受益……我分享我亲身重历前世的经历。
在某一世里,我还是小男孩时收养了一只流浪狗。后来一战爆发,我被征召为步兵。家里的狗因无人照顾而死。这一世,狗变成了我必须照顾的某个人。业力就是这样运作。它并不会因为我是在被征召的战争中被迫离开而网开一面。
在另一个古老的前世,我在一群医学生里。一名被俘或为奴的女性……我也不清楚……我只是以第一人称看着那一幕……她被活体解剖。在这一世,这名女性成了我必须与之共同吃苦的人。这就是业力……而且它同样不会考虑那些学员是被迫执行解剖。
那些只动嘴下命令的人,并不承担下属亲自动手所造作的直接业。这就是黑暗势力操弄业力的方式,不知多久了……甚至可能早在人类出现之前。
这些在传统宗教经典中并未得到很好的阐述……因为我相信许多老师并没有真正深入到阿赖耶。多数老师只是鹦鹉学舌。无我的体证可以在色、声、香、味、触(六尘)层面被体验到……阿赖耶则是另一种贯通——是对意识不可见领域的贯通。没有什么能胜过直接现量(直接感知)所得的知识。

…………我也不太确定。我的方式只是在寻找洞见与保持心境开放之间取得精细的平衡。这就是我进展的方式。
在某个层面,这些知识本来就在那里……只是被常规的注意力所遮蔽。有时我也会为无法获得更全面的觉知而懊恼。顺带一提,我曾被一位存在训诫,过程很古怪:有人打电话给我,忽然说他的导师灵想和我说话。然后导师灵接管了那个人,对我说我忘了太多,需要恢复更完整的记忆。
我想 Achan Brahm 在这一领域有直接的了解……但他被三昧耶所约束,不会显露任何通灵能力。我在他最近的一段视频里看到,他提到自己无法谈论自己的前世而感到挫折。)注:Achan Brahm = Ajahn Brahmavamso”

(另一则 2024 年更新:Sim Pern Chong 还分享道:声音似乎也可能有更精微的对应……

我也有其他生命的渗漏’……这就是为什么我常发关于战争的内容,比如俄乌冲突。去年末,追溯来源不明的焦虑时,我实实在在地重历了一个似乎属于中古时代的场景:我是一名守军,敌人冲了上来……但眼前并非健壮的战士,而是年老或残疾的男人……这就是焦虑的起因——我该怎么办?砍杀他们?但我的良知又不允。这就是焦虑的原因——不知道接下来该怎么做。下一刻,主力敌军从我们侧翼长驱直入……迅猛无比。画面结束。
令我沮丧的是,千年之后,同样的战术与烂事仍然在俄乌冲突中被使用。毫无改变的事实说明轮回毫无希望……”
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· 回复 · 3 天前 · 已编辑

Soh Wei Yu
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Sim Pern Chong 还在十多年前于禅修中预见了这场新冠疫情,并把所见发在 sgForums——我至今记得那篇帖子:一幅所有飞机与交通都停摆的景象(正如封锁期间所发生的)。他也曾在 2004 年海啸前见到过预示性的景象,而这一次他又见到与全球暖化影响有关的异象。其后果极为灾难性,我不便透露过多细节。人类必须与自然合作共生,才能度过这场大难——这是一场关乎存亡的考验。就我个人而言,我只是在全球范围爆发前一个多月的禅修中得知此事,我写在这里: https://www.facebook.com/cyberlogy/posts/10163337237870226?__cft__[0]=AZWvDK4OQVQHBqnRdrbOW-ArbA3OCHFxMrA4MB5YYr8XKD88dw24zMr0_9ALNKeTsDEBQ2axJepO78DQPCRGcKfNAHmwbe1lnv_qZkUI8jZWZVNG0qLJH_Jz-nZAbzJH8Ig&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R 。我也事先提醒了几个人。
我过去在当兵那段时间禅修较多时,会有更多清明梦与这类异象。
说到这里,我要去打坐了。

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· 回复 · 3 天前 · 已编辑

Cheng Chen

兄弟,这是你写过的最棒的一篇!

1

· 回复 · 3 天前

Soh Wei Yu
徽章图标

我认为,我们许多人在许多世中都曾修行过,尽管并非总是如此。
我记得在 2012 年,当 John Tan 第一次在 Skype 视频里见到 Kyle Dixon 的那一刻,他直觉到 Kyle 米拉日巴[Milarepa] 有前世连结。近几年 John Tan 又再提醒我此事。根据百科,米拉日巴[Milarepa] 生活于 11 世纪。如果这是真的,那么也许 kyle 已经修法很多世了。John Tan 也只需看我一眼,就能通灵知晓很多关于我的事(无论是此生的事,还是近来发生在我身上而我未曾开口的事,而我能确认其属实,并为他如何知道而震惊)。
另一方面,像 Daniel Ingram 就声称他在近几世并不怎么灵性*
甚至还有像 j krishnamurti 这样的人记得自己曾是佛陀座下的一名学生、僧人—— http://www.buddhanet.net/bvk_study/bvk22a.htm
附注:这不是比谁修得世数更多的优越竞赛,只是分享一些有趣的故事。
*daniel ingram

至于世界劫或类似的事,我的前世体验大致如下,如果你认为这类体验有其可信性的话:
1)这一世,人类。
2)上一世,某种中等权力、显然有些放荡的男性嫉妒之神/术士,被一名我以某种方式亏待过的女性用匕首从背后刺死,我想。
3)某种像母臭鼬的动物,被一只巨大的黑狗或狼吃掉。
4)某种母蝙蝠,栖在洞顶的岩石坠落到地面时被砸死。
5)某种阴郁、巨大的、披甲的骸骨巨人,长久在太空中不眠不休地奔跑,挥舞巨剑几乎连续不断地战斗了几十万年,最终被类似龙的东西杀死。
6)某种巨大、胶质、多触手、非常异类的存在,长期生活在极黑暗的地方,可能在水下,我想。
除了某种感觉认为那只臭鼬与那只蝙蝠都是有德的母亲之外,我没有感觉到在更远的那些世里有任何深厚的佛法修为;事实上,我清楚地觉得上一世有点花花公子,也不太道德。信不信由你。
Daniel
The Buddha, Vipassana, J.Krishnamurti: Teachings - Krishnamurti; Dhamma - Buddha
BUDDHANET.NET
The Buddha, Vipassana, J.Krishnamurti: Teachings - Krishnamurti; Dhamma - Buddha
The Buddha, Vipassana, J.Krishnamurti: Teachings - Krishnamurti; Dhamma - Buddha

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· 3 天前 · 已编辑

Soh Wei Yu
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Aayush Jain
我还是别再写了,不然就要变成《西游记》了。尤其是如果我开始谈我自己与 John 的一些经历——在清明梦、禅修等境中遇见并从诸佛菩萨处受教🤣——不过我觉得这些并不罕见,书里也写过。

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· 回复 · 3 天前

Soh:其实你遇到的人,也都有前世的因缘与因果。比如上面提到的 sim pern chong,他能准确记起为什么今生会遇到他的妻子……事实上,在某一世他是位科学家,对他今生的妻子实施过手术,他被日本政府强迫对受试者进行残酷试验。这份罪疚让他在下一世投入藏传佛教与灵性修行,并在那一世证得 “I AM”。从那一世起,他与大圆满的连结便已形成,这也显现在今生:在他成为佛教徒之前,就已对大圆满感兴趣。在他紧挨着的上一世,他住在法国,并以全身重历的方式体验在一战堑壕中作战的完整场景,那相当创伤。但记起它,某种程度上帮助他释放了今生的业力模式与创伤,包括对军旅的恐惧。xabir Snoovatar

那些直觉敏锐的人,能感知业力模式,能感到这些连结与因缘。
在法国的那一世,他也证得 “I AM”,并涉足西方神秘主义,这也解释了他在遇到 john tan 之前,为什么会接触玫瑰十字与西方神秘主义。

更新:Sim Pern Chong 写道:
我曾有一段极其清晰的记忆:作为士兵在泥泞的原野上奔跑,头顶正遭炮击。欧洲清晨的寒冷,以及我右手持枪奔跑的喘息……我至今仍记得。

我穿的制服、我扛的步枪,和这段视频里法国步兵的装备相似……这段视频也概括了战争的荒谬: https://youtu.be/8zcL0PuvYWo

在一世又一世中,我发现人类存在有一个反复出现的主题……那就是在江湖中生活,却身不由己

Soh 补充:

“‘因罪疚而走入藏传佛教’——他在那一世是藏传僧人,记得自己在群山中俯瞰广袤大地而禅修。

Mr Z 问:
所以你的意思是,前世在世俗上其实是一种有效的缘起方式。对吗?

Soh 回答:
是的……另外,sim pern chong 有许多非常有趣的记述。他能详尽地记起前世,以及他今生的妻子、女儿与他今生经历如何与前世的特定业因因缘相连。他们在前世的关系如何、为什么今生会再相遇,等等。

Mr Z 问:这不就是前世回溯治疗吗?
Brain Weiss 那一套?

Soh 回答:
不完全一样。大致有两类:一种是催眠式的前世回溯,进入类似出神的恍惚状态,这也是取回前世记忆的一条途径。但对 sim pern chong 来说,他也会通过入三摩地与禅那来回忆;当以这种方式回忆时,记忆是超清晰、真实的,是整具身心的记忆,如同他在重历事件。
或者正如 John Tan 2006 年谈到另一位行者时所说:

Session Start: Sat Feb 18 21:32:54 2006

Session Ident: ^john^

<ZeNn1th> 嗨,你有看到那篇关于禅修的帖子吗?

<^john^> 刚读完。

<^john^> :)

<^john^> 她没有正确体会到,而且因为基础还不够扎实,之后会遇到问题。

<ZeNn1th> 哦,我明白。她到底体验到了什么?

<ZeNn1th> 是禅那(jhana)吗?

<^john^> 是一种入定(定境)状态。

<^john^> 但还没有像 longchen [Sim Pern Chong] 那样深。

<ZeNn1th> 哦,明白。。

<ZeNn1th> 入定(定境)= 禅那(jhana)吗?

<ZeNn1th> 你所说的“入定(定境)”具体指什么?

<^john^> 以她目前的阶段,不建议去了解有关轮回(转生)与前世回溯的内容。

<^john^> 嗯。

<ZeNn1th> 她是想知道吗??

<ZeNn1th> 顺便问下,为什么不建议了解轮回这些?

<^john^> 只是我的建议啦;有些人会更容易执著于神秘体验。:)

<ZeNn1th> 嗯,不过 longchen [Sim Pern Chong] 的经验不就是禅那吧?

<ZeNn1th> 哦,我懂。。

<^john^> 因为当她回想起来时,她未必承受得了,也无法理解其中的全部意义。:)

<ZeN`n1th> 哦,我明白。

<^john^> 当一个人到达某种入定(定境)的程度时,就像她贴文里描述的那样,他就能够回忆起来。

<^john^> 是整具身心都会忆起,不只是心识。:)

<^john^> 记忆并不只在心识里。:P

<ZeN`n1th> 哦,我懂了……

<^john^> 总之先不要沉溺于这类东西,对修行并无实益。

<^john^> 🙂

Soh

A reader’s question (paraphrased)

A reader writes that much non-dual literature explains māyā with the familiar ocean-and-waves image: each individual life is like a wave or bubble that briefly rises from the ocean of consciousness and then subsides. From that perspective, liberation is often pictured as the bursting of the bubble—the dissolution of the illusion of separateness back into the vast sea.

But, the reader continues, if we truly are the sea, then another wave inevitably forms. The ocean’s nature is to move, surge, and dance; the play of waves is not an error to fix but an expression of what the sea is. Likewise, consciousness naturally manifests as forms and experiences—it plays. This spontaneous līlā (divine play) is not opposed to truth; it is truth in motion.

Both Buddhist and Hindu traditions often motivate practice with the wish to be free from the cycle of birth and death—to stop returning, to stop taking up form, since existence is bound up with suffering. Yet, viewed through non-duality, a question arises: if there is no real separation from the “ocean of being,” how could we ever truly avoid “becoming a wave” again?

If it is the very nature of the sea to move and the nature of consciousness to express itself, then what we call reincarnation or manifestation might be the spontaneous rhythm of the infinite rather than a mistake to escape. From this angle, the reader finds it hard to feel motivated for arduous spiritual practice aimed at liberation—because if the ocean-and-wave metaphor holds, we will simply become a wave again (perhaps not here, but in other realms). So: why practice at all? The reader asks for my view when I have time, and ends with thanks for the resources on Awakening to Reality, which they found immensely helpful.


Soh's Reply:


Thank you for your thoughtful note. From a Buddhist perspective it is critical to give rise to a deep urgency to practice. Below I respond in detail, expanding key points and keeping your references intact.
1) Why overcome cyclic existence?
In the Buddha’s early discourses, saṃsāra is beginningless and saturated with dukkha (unsatisfactoriness/suffering) from top to bottom. Here is what the Buddha taught:
**“Linked Discourses 15.13
Chapter Two
Thirty Mendicants
Near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove. Then thirty mendicants from Pāvā went to the Buddha. All of them lived in the wilderness, ate only almsfood, wore rag robes, and owned just three robes; yet they all still had fetters. They bowed to the Buddha and sat down to one side. The same thirty monks from Pāvā visited the Buddha on another occasion when he was at Sāvatthī, occasioning the allowance for the robe-making ceremony after the rains residence (Kd 7:1.1.1). | Pāvā, a town of the Mallas, was where Mahāvīra died, plunging the Jains into chaos. (The Jains, however, say this was another Pāvā east of Nāḷandā.) Perhaps because of this, Pāvā became associated with especially ascetic monks such as those in this discourse: Mahākassapa heard the news of the Buddha’s passing at Pāvā; and sixty monks from Pāvā allied with monks of “Avanti and the south” arguing for strict Vinaya in the Second Council (Kd 22:1.7.11.1).
Then it occurred to the Buddha, “These thirty mendicants from Pāvā live in the wilderness, eat only almsfood, wear rag robes, and own just three robes; yet they all still have fetters. See SN 16.5:2.1 for explanations of these strict observances.Why don’t I teach them the Dhamma in such a way that their minds are freed from defilements by not grasping while sitting in this very seat?”
Then the Buddha said to the mendicants, “Mendicants!”
“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:
“Mendicants, this transmigration has no known beginning. No first point is found of sentient beings roaming and transmigrating, shrouded by ignorance and fettered by craving.
What do you think? Which is more: the flow of blood you’ve shed when your head was chopped off while roaming and transmigrating for such a very long time, or the water in the four oceans?”
“As we understand the Buddha’s teaching, the flow of blood we’ve shed when our head was chopped off while roaming and transmigrating is more than the water in the four oceans.”
“Good, good, mendicants! It’s good that you understand my teaching like this. The flow of blood you’ve shed when your head was chopped off while roaming and transmigrating is indeed more than the water in the four oceans. For a long time you’ve been cows, and the flow of blood you’ve shed when your head was chopped off as a cow is more than the water in the four oceans. For a long time you’ve been buffalo … sheep … goats … deer … chickens … pigs … For a long time you’ve been bandits, arrested for raiding villages, highway robbery, or adultery. And the flow of blood you’ve shed when your head was chopped off as a bandit is more than the water in the four oceans.
Why is that? This transmigration has no known beginning. … This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.”
That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said. And while this discourse was being spoken, the minds of the thirty mendicants from Pāvā were freed from defilements by not grasping.”** (SN 15.13). (SuttaCentral)
This sober framing is meant to stir saṁvega—urgency to end the causes of suffering (craving, aversion, and delusion), not to despair.
John Tan, 2006:
“Life is like a passing cloud, when it comes to an end, a hundred years is like yesterday, like a snap of a finger. If it is only about one life, it really doesn’t matter whether we are enlightened. The insight that the Blessed One has is not just about one life; countless lives we suffered, life after life, unending…Such is suffering.
It is not about logic or science and there is really no point arguing in this scientific age. Take steps in practice and experience the truth of Buddha’s words. Of the 3 dharma seals, the truth of ‘suffering’ to me is most difficult to experience in depth.
May all take Buddha’s words seriously.”
(Also See: On "Supernatural Powers" or Siddhis, and Past Lives https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2018/07/on-supernatural-powers-or-siddhis.html )
Another friend told me after a bout of severe illness, “It was a great experience to develop renunciation.. I’d rather die than get a body which can experience that sort of pain again.” So do not let our present relative comforts or fortunate circumstances (which are impermanent) blind us to the pains of saṃsāra that we have undergone for countless lifetimes and shall undergo again prior to liberation, and the importance for liberation from cyclic rebirth.

Furthermore, yet another awakened friend, Sim Pern Chong, who has recalled plenty of his past lives, shared that "What I find useful about the “words of power” practice I was taught is that it gives the ālaya (or subconscious—however we name it) the green light to bring past imprints into conscious awareness.
This lets me see previously blocked impressions from other lives.
Seeing scenes of murdering and being murdered, wars, and so on has given me the motivation to end these kinds of life experiences.

I also remember a life in which I was a demonic entity hunting a human as prey. I believe some events in my current life—being attacked by a demonic entity—are karmic consequences of that.

Other lifetimes can be completely different from the present one, which people with past-life amnesia can’t easily fathom. Once you actually see this, the motivation to end compulsive rebirth becomes the main priority—at least in my case."


The Buddha also compared the rarity of a human rebirth and meeting the true Dharma to a blind turtle surfacing once every hundred years and by chance placing its neck through the hole of a drifting yoke—vanishingly rare and precious, so don’t waste it (SN 56.48). (SuttaCentral)
He urged us to strive as if one’s head or turban were on fire, and taught the Fire Sermon: our six sense fields are “burning” with greed, hate and delusion—another reason to cool the fires now (SN 35.28). (SuttaCentral)
2) A Mahāyāna difference: freedom from compelled rebirth vs. compassionate manifestation
Buddhism does not posit a single eternal “ocean of consciousness” that must keep waving. What appears does so through dependent arising; when its causes (especially ignorance) cease, the effects cease. Nāgārjuna crystallizes this: “Whatever is dependently arisen, that is explained to be emptiness … and is itself the middle way.” (MMK 24:18). 
Thus, liberation (nirvāṇa) is not annihilation but the ending of afflictive processes—especially “I-making” and “mine-making.” In Mahāyāna, full Buddhahood is described as non-abiding nirvāṇa (apratiṣṭhita-nirvāṇa): no longer compelled by karma to cycle in birth and death, yet able to freely manifest out of compassion to guide beings. This coheres with the trikāya teaching—especially the nirmāṇakāya, the Buddha’s compassionate emanation body. (Encyclopedia of Buddhism)
From the bodhisattva path perspective, by the eighth bhūmi (the “Immovable”), afflictive obscurations are exhausted; conduct becomes spontaneous, unshakable, and naturally for others’ benefit. Appearance among beings at that level is skillful means—without suffering as ordinary beings do. (lotsawahouse.org)
Prior to the eighth bhūmi, bodhisattvas may “forget” and re-recognize their realization after their next birth (often at a young age); post-eighth, emanations are fully conscious (knowledge of true nature unforgotten) even at conception, when they freely choose to appear. In Mahāyāna and Vajrayana Buddhism, Śākyamuni’s Indian appearance is taken as an emanation of a long-awakened Buddha—consistent with non-abiding nirvāṇa and trikāya. (lotsawahouse.org)
3) Non-duality and anattā (no-self): not annihilationism nor nihilism
As you intuited, “waves” (appearances) keep playing. In Buddhism, the crucial point is how they appear: when there is appropriation (“I as seer, hearer, controller”), dukkha arises; when there is just the seen, just the heard, without a seer/hearer imagined behind it, there is peace. This is the Buddha’s instruction to Bāhiya: “In the seen, just the seen; in the heard, just the heard … just this is the end of suffering” (Ud 1.10). (SuttaCentral)
Years ago I summarized the same point in my own words: nirvāṇa is the cessation of craving, aggression, and delusion—especially the delusion of a perceiver/controller/self/Self. It is not annihilating a real self (none was ever found); it is ending the clinging process. Without this delusion feeding I-me-mine-making, compelled rebirth ends—precisely the thrust of MN 140’s portrait of the “sage at peace … not reborn” after greed, hatred and delusion are “cut off at the root, like a palm stump.” (SuttaCentral)

Excerpt: “In their ignorance, they used to acquire attachments. Those have been cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so they are unable to arise in the future. Therefore a mendicant thus endowed is endowed with the ultimate foundation of generosity. For this is the ultimate noble generosity, namely, letting go of all attachments.
In their ignorance, they used to be covetous, full of desire and lust. That has been cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so it’s unable to arise in the future. In their ignorance, they used to be contemptuous, full of ill will and malevolence. That has been cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so it’s unable to arise in the future. In their ignorance, they used to be ignorant, full of delusion. That has been cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so it’s unable to arise in the future. Therefore a mendicant thus endowed is endowed with the ultimate foundation of peace. For this is the ultimate noble peace, namely, the pacification of greed, hate, and delusion.
‘Do not neglect wisdom; preserve truth; foster generosity; and train only for peace.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it. This concludes the discussion of the four foundations.
‘Where they stand, the streams of conceiving do not flow. And where the streams of conceiving do not flow, they are called a sage at peace.’ “Streams of conceiving” (maññassavā) is a unique image, allied to the notion that defilements may “stream on to” a person (āsavā assaveyyuṁ, AN 4.195:2.2). That’s what I said, but why did I say it?
These are all forms of conceiving: ‘I am’, ‘I am this’, ‘I will be’, ‘I will not be’, ‘I will have form’, ‘I will be formless’, ‘I will be percipient’, ‘I will be non-percipient’, ‘I will be neither percipient nor non-percipient.’ Conceiving is a disease, a boil, a dart. Having gone beyond all conceiving, one is called a sage at peace. The sage at peace is not reborn, does not grow old, and does not die. They are not shaken, and do not yearn. For they have nothing which would cause them to be reborn. Not being reborn, how could they grow old? Not growing old, how could they die? Not dying, how could they be shaken? Not shaking, for what could they yearn?”
 
Important nuance: In Buddhism, clarity/presence/luminosity is not denied—but it is also not reified as a metaphysical Self or singular substratum. Dependent origination itself is taught as emptiness/the middle way, which undercuts both annihilationism and an eternalistic “Presence” as ultimate substance. 
4) Addressing the Līlā / play concern directly
From a Mahāyāna lens, it’s not that “the ocean must wave again” by compulsion. Rather:
  • Compelled cycling continues so long as ignorance and karma persist; ending their causes ends compelled rebirth (dependent origination).
  • Compassionate play is the Buddha’s free, effortless manifestationnon-abiding in either saṃsāra or static cessation—appearing as needed for beings via nirmāṇakāya. (Encyclopedia of Buddhism)
So motivation for practice is stronger, not weaker: we practice to end suffering and to gain the capacity to truly help others.
5) What to cultivate concretely
  • Prajñā (wisdom) that sees through both “self” and “things” as inherently existent, purifying the two obscurations—(i) afflictive and (ii) cognitive (subtle grasping at inherent existence)—the twin veils preventing Buddhahood. (Encyclopedia of Buddhism)
  • Bodhicitta and the pāramitās (generosity, ethics, patience, vigor, concentration, wisdom), walking the ten bhūmis toward effortless, compassionate activity (to and beyond the eighth “Immovable”). (lotsawahouse.org)
6) Mahāyāna view vs. Advaita/“Brahman–Līlā” (plus explicit refutations of “universal consciousness”)
The Hindu/Advaita teaching of Brahman and Līlā differs from the Buddhist insight based on dependent origination and emptiness. In Buddhism, clarity/presence/luminosity is not denied, but we do not posit an ultimate Self, a universal Witness, or an all-embracing single consciousness-substance. Nāgārjuna’s dictum—dependent origination is emptiness; emptiness is the middle way—precludes that reification. (See: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/the-unfindable-fullness-how-drum.html )
For readers who tend to extrapolate a “Universal Mind,” the following pieces explicitly refute that view and explain why it is a subtle reification that deviates from Buddhadharma:
To echo John Tan’s comments back in year 2004~2006:
  • “Though non-duality is experienced, it is not thorough. He sank back to a source and ding dong in between. Is there Witness without conditions? Are there moments of manifestation without conditions where Witness is experienced? If there is, then it is a game. If not, then know the truth of Dependent Origination. There is a stage 6. The nature of Presence is empty.”
  • “Buddhism is nothing but replacing the ‘Self’ in Hinduism with Condition Arising. Keep the clarity, the presence, the luminosity and eliminate the ultimate ‘Self’, the controller, the supreme. Still you must taste, sense, eat, hear and see Pure Awareness in every authentication. And every authentication is Bliss.” (2004)
  • “The part of stage 5 must be led forward by DO [dependent origination], otherwise one will sink back to a source. Very often, this is the case. So don't underestimate the simple sentence of ‘manifestation is the source’. It is the key to non-duality then lead to DO. It must be DO that lead one out of the source. Then all broken pieces will slowly fall into place. Otherwise, we will have all those funny theories like reality is lila, a game plot of God. That is because causes and conditions is not understood, and how awareness becomes causes and conditions. When luminosity-emptiness is experienced in its total state, then it is dharmakaya. Experiencing the luminosity aspect itself is not enough. It is best not to talk about transcendental body.” (2006)
Read more context here: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/10/buddha-nature-vs-brahman.html . (This piece unpacks the difference between Buddha-nature and Brahman from a dependent-origination/emptiness perspective.)
7) Why practice with great urgency—now
  • Overcoming cyclic existence matters because the Buddha teaches that saṃsāra is only suffering; its beginning is untraceable and its ledger of pain exceeds the waters of the oceans (SN 15.13). Let this stir urgency, not apathy. (SuttaCentral)
  • A conscious emanation of an eighth-bhūmi bodhisattva or a Buddha does not suffer as we do; they freely manifest to guide and liberate—this is non-abiding nirvāṇa and trikāya in action. (Encyclopedia of Buddhism)
  • Our human birth is precious and rare (the blind turtle simile). We must practice as if our hair were on fire, mindful of death and impermanence, because conditions change swiftly and opportunities vanish. (SuttaCentral)
8) A crisp, one-breath summary (kept for convenience alongside the full exposition above)
Because saṃsāra is suffering, we practice to end its causes—ignorance and clinging. When those cease, compelled rebirth ceases. In Mahāyāna, the fully awakened do not dissolve into a static cessation; from non-abiding nirvāṇa they freely emanate (nirmāṇakāya) to help beings. This is why practice is urgent: our human life is exceedingly rare, the Dharma is available now, and we should train as if our hair were on fire, cultivating prajñā and compassion for the sake of all. (SuttaCentral)
Warmly,
Soh

Notes
  • SN 15.13 (oceans of blood), blind turtle (SN 56.48), Bāhiya (Ud 1.10), and Fire Sermon (SN 35.28) are all explicitly referenced with canonical sources. (SuttaCentral)
  • Non-abiding nirvāṇa and trikāya are grounded with accessible references; the eighth-bhūmi point is anchored in a traditional stages-and-paths resource. (Encyclopedia of Buddhism)
  • The refutations of “universal consciousness” are included with three specific links (ATR 2018/2021/2022). (awakeningtoreality.com


----

Reader’s follow-up (paraphrased)

He thanks me for the detailed Buddhist response, then adds that their motivation to practice has been blunted by multiverse ideas (drawn from eternal-inflation cosmology): if countless universes arise, similar events could recur endlessly somewhere, which can make liberation feel moot. Even so, they’re taking the advice seriously—after browsing Awakening to Reality they’ve added new books, intend to strengthen daily practice, and hope to realize the “I AM” stage soon. They note a strong conceptual grasp of non-duality but no experiential realization yet, and admit they struggle with sitting for standard meditation.

They then ask a specific question about soteriology: given the emphasis on the preciousness of human life, urgency, and liberation, which level in Thusness’s Seven Stages would actually count as liberation from saṃsāra and cyclical existence?


Soh's Reply:

Thanks for your thoughtful follow-up. A few direct, do-able pointers and some clarifications about attainments:
Practice: keep it simple and consistent
It’s advisable to do this—(1) sit daily and (2) add self-enquiry:
  1. Daily sitting — settle, quiet the inner talk, and stay. Aim for at least one sustained sit per day (work up to a solid length that’s genuinely challenging yet sustainable for you). Re-read this short piece and follow it to the letter: Quietening the Inner Chatter. (awakeningtoreality.com) It is important to practice this with regularity.
  2. Self-enquiry — add brief periods (during or after the sit) where you turn the light around: Who am I? or Before birth, Who am I? Let the question cut through story and drop you into immediacy of Beingness/Pure Presence; then rest right there. This is exactly how the ATR Practice Guide frames the early phase and its guardrails—work through the sections methodically. (awakeningtoreality.com)
It is advisable and important to also find a good awakened teacher/mentor (online or locally). This page has some recommendations and advises: Finding an Awakened Spiritual Teacher and Mentor. (awakeningtoreality.com)
On attainments: what ends saṁsāra vs. what begins the path of seeing
You asked which level “gets you out of samsara.” Using our ATR/Thusness language as a cross-walk to classical milestones:
  • Initial realization of Thusness Stages 5→7 (clear anattā through to Maha/Total Exertion and twofold emptiness) corresponds roughly to stream-entry / first bhūmi—the start of the path of seeing, not the finish line. It’s profound, but it is not liberation from cyclic existence. See: Buddhahood: The End of All Emotional/Mental Afflictions and Knowledge Obscurations and Awakening to Reality: Meaning of Stream-Entry. However, someone who has attained stream entry or the first bhumi puts an end to the possibility of rebirth in the lower realms or the planes of deprivation: only rebirths in human and deva [celestial] realms become possible from that point onwards. On the different planes of existences, see https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html
  • Liberation from compelled rebirth (no more saṁsāric cycling) corresponds to something like arahantship in the Sravaka path or, on the Bodhisattva path, eighth bhūmi (Acalā) and above—where afflictive obscurations are exhausted and emanations are free, not compelled. (Mahāyāna frames full Buddhahood as non-abiding nirvāṇa.) (The Wisdom Experience)
  • For the end-point: Buddhahood = the end of all emotional/mental afflictions and (later) the cognitive/knowledge obscurations. That is well beyond first bhūmi; it’s why steady meditation and integration after insight are indispensable. (See ATR discussions and index pages referencing “Buddhahood: The End of All Emotional/Mental Afflictions and Knowledge Obscurations.”) (awakeningtoreality.com)
Multiverse & motivation (very briefly)
Even if eternal-inflation multiverses exist, your mindstream is conventionally distinct and different from other mindstreams. Buddhist practice targets causes (ignorance/clinging) for suffering and cyclic rebirth in this stream: when those cease, compelled rebirth ceases, full stop. Cosmology doesn’t change that task. What will change your life is exactly the two steps above—daily sit + self-enquiry, guided by the ATR Practice Guide, with feedback from a qualified teacher. (awakeningtoreality.com)
Liberation is permanent: once liberated, you cannot become ‘un-liberated’ again. Your mindstream is liberated from that point onwards. It then becomes possible for you to genuinely help other mindstreams in this universe and the others attain the same awakening.
On the permanency of liberation, see what krodha [Kyle Dixon] wrote:
“Author: krodha
Date: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:50 pm
Title: Re: The basis is one's unfabricated mind
Content:
Mere recognition of vidyā is initially unstable because karmic propensities have not been completely exhausted, buddhahood is not one's mere recognition of vidyā though, buddhahood is the result.
Any propensities which have the potential for re-arising on the path are exhausted in buddhahood, and so the result therefore said to be irreversible. Buddhahood is described as a cessation, and what ceases is cause for the further arising and proliferation of delusion regarding the nature of phenomena.
For this reason, nirvana is said to be 'permanent', because due to the exhaustion of cause for the further proliferation of samsara, samsara no longer has any way to arise. However nirvana is also a conventional designation which is only relevant in relation to the delusion of samsara which has been exhausted, and so nirvana is nothing real that exists in itself either. Neither samsara nor nirvana can be found outside of the mind.
As Nāgārjuna states:
"Neither samsara nor nirvana exist;
instead, nirvana is the thorough knowledge of samsara"
Tsele Natsok Rangdrol states:
"You might ask, 'Why wouldn't confusion reoccur as before, after... [liberation has occured]?" This is because no basis [foundation] exists for its re-arising. Samantabhadra's liberation into the ground itself and the yogi liberated through practicing the path are both devoid of any basis [foundation] for reverting back to becoming a cause, just like a person who has recovered from a plague or the fruit of the se tree."
He then states that the se tree is a particular tree which is poisonous to touch, causing blisters and swelling. However once recovered, one is then immune.
Lopon Tenzin Namdak also explains this principle of immunity:
“Anyone who follows the teachings of the Buddhas will most likely attain results and purify negative karmic causes. Then that person will be like a man who has caught smallpox in the past; he will never catch it again because he is immune. The sickness of Samsara will never come back. And this is the purpose of following the teachings."
—- Source: Dharmawheel Scrapper’s Compilation of Krodha’s Posts https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/05/table-of-contents-for-malcolm.html



With metta,
Soh