Talk 9, Tibetan - English

English translation by Michele Martin.

Review notes kindly provided by Hanna Severin.

The Forth Vajra Point: The Element
9th presentation, Unchangingness

'Having faults that are adventitious
and qualities that are its nature,
it is afterwards the same as before.
This is dharma ever unchanging.'

Meaning:
'Likewise skandhas, elements and senses are based upon karma and mental poisons.
Karma and poisons are always based upon improper conceptual activity.
The improper conceptual activity fully abides on the purity of the mind.
Yet, the nature of the mind itself has no basis in all these phenomena.'

'The skandhas, entrances, and elements are to be known as resembling earth.
Karma and the mental poisons of beings should be envisaged as the water element.
Improper conceptual activity is viewed as being similar to the element of wind.
(Mind's) nature, as the element of space has no ground and no place of abiding.'

'The improper conceptual activity rest upon the nature of mind.
Improper conceptual activity brings about all the classes of karma and mental poisons.
From the water of karma and mental poisons the skandhas, entrances, and elements arise.
As this (world) arises and disintegrates, they will arise and disintegrate as well.'

'The nature of mind as the element of space
does not (depend upon) causes and conditions,
nor does it (depend on) a gathering of these.
It has neither arising, cessation, nor abiding'

' This clear and luminous nature of mind
is as changeless as space. It is not afflicted
by desire and so on, the adventitious stains,
which are sprung from incorrect thoughts.'

'It is not brought into existence
by the water of karma, of the poisons, and so on.
Hence it is also not consumed by the cruel fires
of dying, falling sick, and aging.'

'The three fires of death, sickness, and aging
are to be understood in their given sequence
as resembling the fire at the end of time,
the fire of hell, and the ordinary fire.'

'Having realized thatness, the nature of the (dharmakaya) just as it is
those of understanding are released from birth, sickness, aging, and death.
Though freefrom the destitution of birth and so on, they demonstrate these,
since by their (insight) they have given rise to compassion for beings.'

'The noble have eradicated the suffering
of dying, falling ill, and aging at its root,
which is being born due to karma and poisons.
There being no such (cause), there is no such (fruit).'

'Since they have seen reality as it is,
they are beyond being born and so on.
Yet, as the embodiment of compassion itself
they display birth, illness, old age, and death.'

'After the heirs of the Victorious Ones have realized this changeless state,
those who are blinded by ignorance see them as being born and so forth.
That such seeing should occur is truly wonderful and amazing.
When they have attained the field of experience of the noble
they show themselves as the field of experience of the children.
Hence means and compassion of the friends of beings are supreme.'

more verses are following...., completing the 9th presentation "Unchangingness"

Audio file (MP3)