What Is the Three Dharma-Seals About? (10)

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© Anonymous, August 15, 2013 at 11:01 PM (http://tantrismuskritik.blogspot.tw/2013/07/what-is-three-dharma-seals-about-8.html?showComment=1375861130031#c31099444883380578")

Then how should we understand the meaning of Emptiness Samadhi? (This is very important)


This Emptiness Samadhi is in fact related to “the truth about the cessation of sufferings 滅諦,” one of the Four Noble Truths.

Since “the truth about the cessation of sufferings” is related to the Emptiness Samadhi, sound-hearers understand the Emptiness Samadhi through this particular noble truth. How about solitary-realizers [pratyekabuddhas]? They can also realize the Three Samadhis, including the Emptiness Samadhi. How do they understand these Samadhis? They observe the ten links of dependent arising.

The noble truth about the cessation of sufferings does not mean eliminating all dharmas and ending up with nothingness. Then why is the noble truth about the cessation of sufferings called Emptiness Samadhi? When we attempt to discuss the original entity of all dharmas, how should we characterize it? And what does nirvana mean?

From the perspective of the noble truth about the cessation of sufferings, we can treat nirvana as a vessel that can hold the five aggregates. Then how should we characterize this vessel - nirvana - itself? We use the word “emptiness.”

For instance, we use a cup to hold ice cream. When the ice cream overflows because there is too much of it, we can only see the ice cream but not the cup. When that happens, how do we show the vessel by itself, where is the cup in this example? We have to finish up all the ice cream and wash up the cup. Once all the ice cream is gone, the cup itself will be clearly seen.

Therefore, when we talk about the nirvana by itself only, it is similar to presenting only the vessel itself. We have to characterize it as being in a state of emptiness, which means that it does not contain or hold anything. When it is filled up with things, it cannot be seen. The noble truth about the cessation of sufferings points to the realization of nirvana. What is nirvana? It is the vessel. When the five aggregates are eliminated, this vessel called nirvana will become “visible.” Thus, the vessel called nirvana must be in a state of emptiness. (Part 10)