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The Three Jewels
Hello,
In an article from wikipedia on the Three Jewels there is this:
Importance
The Triple Gem is in the center of one of the major practices of mental "reflection" in Buddhism; the reflection on the true qualities of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. These qualities are called the Mirror of the Dharma in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta and help the practitioner attain the true "mind like a mirror".
I don't understand what is meant with "mind like a mirror"
Thanks,
In an article from wikipedia on the Three Jewels there is this:
Importance
The Triple Gem is in the center of one of the major practices of mental "reflection" in Buddhism; the reflection on the true qualities of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. These qualities are called the Mirror of the Dharma in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta and help the practitioner attain the true "mind like a mirror".
I don't understand what is meant with "mind like a mirror"
Thanks,
0
Comments
Whatever phenominon appears before the mirror is reflected, but the mirror itself has no nature.
I am a little confused to say that this mind is attained, based on what I have said. Because I am using the mirror analogy to say how the mind is. Primordially rather than attained. Realized would make more sense than attained to me.
From here.
A "mind like a mirror" reflects reality perfectly without distortions (=delusions) and impurities. It sees things how they are, not how they are imagined/concocted. It is a metaphor for perfect wisdom.
Cheers, Thomas
I think the three gems are what you are left with when you confront reality by facing the Mirror of Dharma. Have a read of the passage many many times, it is pretty profound.
Isn't it clearly stated as the start of the path for enlightenment?
namaste
Hi Matt
A question for your erudition:
What does the Buddha tell Ananda about the actual, practical implementation of the Mirror of Dharma? How is it used?
namaste
I find it curious that you put that specifically for my 'erudition'. I cannot say for 100% what Buddha was instilling with the teaching to Ananda.
It seems to me that it is a "cutting free" message, Buddha telling to Ananda that the closest disciples to him were clear and ready to teach what they had been taught, that they were clear visioned "spotless mirrors" or whathaveyou. Assuring them that the clear vision of the dharma lived on in the lineage, that the disciples were polished, and without a selfish intent that would mar the reflection of truth that the Buddha stayed to teach. Assuring the next generation that they were placing their faith in teachers who had the boon of Buddha, so to speak.
What does it mean to you? And why the poke to me specifically?
With warmth,
Matt
You a smart and thoughtful cookie!:)
"Therefore, Ananda, I will give you the teaching called the Mirror of the Dhamma, possessing which the noble disciple, should he so desire, can declare of himself: 'There is no more rebirth for me in hell, nor as an animal or ghost, nor in any realm of woe. A stream-enterer am I, safe from falling into the states of misery, assured am I and bound for Enlightenment.'""
It seems to mean that when one is ready they can choose to declare that this is their last life and that starts the path.
What do you think of my interpretation?
You a smart and thoughtful cookie who I have had a good harma rapport with in the past...
namaste
I don't think it's a matter of just declaring it...
I'd think that when one reaches this point on the path to enlightenment it just becomes apparent... a mini-enlightenment, as it were...
But I know little and this is more an assumption than based on any deep knowledge of the Dharma or stages of enlightenment...
It seems so in the text...
Unless it's one of those bendy carnival ones that make you look really fat.
I think it is akin to saying: The innovation of having wings means that you can choose to declare that you can fly. It might be missing the whole "it enables you to fly" aspect of the teaching.
When Buddha spoke, what I hear is that he was declaring himself enlightened, that he saw clearly and precisely, that the truth he uncovered was passed skillfully on to his disciples, and that having faith in that, taking up the charge of being mindful, stills the process of being reborn in woe.
The reason I say this is a cutting free idea, is because it was in response to the disciples dealing with death. So on one hand, it speaks to the lay person, stating that having faith in the teachings liberates, but it also says that the disciples have the full confidence of their teacher.
Going deeper might hijack the thread, which gets the fede-frowny.
With warmth,
Matt
In short, lucid.
In fact the Triple Gem is the truth quality of all sentience instead of Buddhism per se.
The emptiness of serene with loving kindness :cool:
Hey aMatt...
I'd suggest if you want to delve deeper than might be appropriate in the Beginners forum, simply start a new thread in the experienced practitioner sub-board and just make a post for any wishing a more in depth look at the subject to kindly follow a provided link to said new thread...
This way a beginners dialogue can still continue and more experienced members interested in the topic can also explore the topic... The beginner also has the option to follow the new thread if he/she wishes...
with Metta
Johnathan
No Matt, I was referring specifically to The Mirror of Dharma not your conjecture upon the "whole show". So I wasn't asking about your understanding of Buddhism but specifically the passage and context pasted in from the MPS.
I don't think it can be, in the context of the stuff going before in the MPS your view doesn't really make sense to me. The Buddha gives a specific and pretty unambiguous (for the Suttas!) outline of the problem and solution, that being the aforementioned declaration.
OK, lets stop taking this in public, PM me if you like!:)
namaste
I'm not interested in a PM exchange at this time, however, I would like to point out that the part you pasted in is only the prelude to the teaching, it is not the teaching. The next few paragraphs depict the idea. The next line past your paste even says something to the effect of "So, what is the mirror exactly? I'll tell you."
I disagree.
I disagree.
1) He gives the MOD teaching, which is to declare "That there is no more..."
2) Then he gives the qualities the MOD teaching(or perhaps the full path, I am unsure of that)
3)Then he gives the results of the MOD, which is to move from the delacartion to the knowledge ("... thus know of himself..")
It's only four paragraphs.
I am not sure why you see it so differently.
I suspect you are starting from prior assumptions relevant to your view of Dharma. But the MOD is quite peculiar within Buddhism because it is so explicitly clear what is going on with it, at least to me.
Callout 8 does not contain the teachings. Verse 8 shows the impact of the teachings. Do you see how verse 10 mirrors 8, in that it depicts also the outro for 8's intro? This is common in the suttas, where the teachings are surrounded by how the disciple could expect the teaching to impact the journey. Many follow this same pattern:
A - This will be the teaching, so listen carefully
B - This is the content of the teaching
C - This was the teaching, so remember well
It is 9 that contains the content of the teaching. I have bolded the key phrases that signal where and what the teaching is, where it begins and where it ends.
So you say, yet you don't actually seem to be able to directly tell me what this teaching is. Which is strange as it seems to me very clearly stated in the text, namely, The path to enlightenment begins with the renunciation of any future rebirths for the renouncer.
Do you agree with this?
If you really cant see this in the text then i will bring it out for you, here or in PM.
Now if the sutta has some other teaching hidden up its sleeve, what is it?
That is irrelevant here (more so because the MPS is renowned as having the most "contributing authors".)
Ya ya, but what is the teaching of the Mirro of Dharma, I have stated what I think it is aboive. What do you think the teaching is?
Can you just tell me what you think the teaching is that you see so directly and, i am guessing you don't see as being, The path to enlightenment begins with the renunciation of any future rebirths for the renouncer.
namaste
With warmth,
Matt
Matt, you simply didn't.
I am being neither argumentative nor defensive.
You made a bold knowing claims that you can't explain, even when alternatives are clearly presented.
'nuffsaid
Yes, thank you. I have read your words and wish you well.
With warmth,
Matt