Emptiness and Illusion in Mahayana Buddhism

The following quote by the Dalai Lama got me thinking about the topic:

"What is meant …by the term "illusion" is that phenomena do not exist independently of other phenomena, that their independent existence is illusory. This is all that is meant by "illusion", not that something is not really there."

Taking this in the context that Emptiness (Shunyata) is the ultimate reality, the true nature of emptiness, selflessness or non-duality, all other states are illusory to the extent that nothing has inherent independent existence. In Emptiness there is no duality such as Self/Other, right/wrong or samsara/nirvana.

Emptiness cannot be described in conventional terms and can only be experienced when one is far progressed along the meditation and wisdom path.

In the conventional samsaric world in which we live, we cannot escape from the interaction of I – the observer – and phenomena – the observed. The illusion is that the subject and the object are separate, whereas in ultimate reality they are the One Taste.

In studying phenomena, there are 12 aspects that combine to define a phenomenon at that instant in time. These are the basis of the concept of interdependent origination. In considering the I or Self, the five skandhas or aggregates define an individual at that instant in time.

But in both of these, each of the elements is in continual change, so the phenomena and the Self are constantly changing. Thus they have no inherent permanent or ongoing existence.

Our illusion is that we see the Self and phenomena as having inherent existence.

To summarise, in our samsaric state the Self and phenomena are there. The illusion is that they will continue to be there in their current state, when even in our relative reality they are in constant change. The ultimate reality is when we transcend this state of continual change and experience the true nature of Emptiness.

So in this state of constant change the hope for us all is that we can transcend the suffering by diligent meditation on merit and wisdom, guided by the teachings of Buddha and the practices brought to us by our teachers.

Thus ends this post. May whatever virtue or merit that derives from this posting be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Yours until next time, Vajramate.