The Stench of Enlightenment
Feb 24, 2013 10:34:04 GMT 1
Post by Shi Da Dao on Feb 24, 2013 10:34:04 GMT 1
The Ch’an masters often spoke of the barrier of the ‘gold obscuring chain’, the ‘stench of enlightenment’, and ‘placing a head upon a head’. All these metaphors refer to a state of mind that is mistaken for complete and full enlightenment, but in reality is the product of a small progress and a subtle, continuing delusion. A compassionate master at this point will provide the stimulus for the student to progress beyond this trap through often unconventional behaviour suitable to the task. In the modern day, due primarily to instant communication, information regarding meditative technique is readily available, but moment to moment expert guidance is not. This often leads to a little progress that is mistaken for true enlightenment.
In this deluded state, all thoughts that emerge from the mind are viewed mistakenly conceived as being of sublime wisdom, when in fact these thoughts are nothing but condensed ignorance presented as insight and a higher, more refined point of view. This stagnant state manifests as an angst ridden mind in a world that fails to appreciate its divine manifestation. Far from being enlightened, this is a very dangerous mindset to be trapped within. It karmically spreads delusion in a very efficient manner, seeking wealth and pleasure from those who come into contact with it. Its highly concentrated state makes ordinary delusion much more efficient in its manipulation of others. The individual who mistakenly thinks that he is enlightened, and those drawn into this deceptive net of delusion, are thrown into a situation of hellish cause and effect.
Ch’an does not set-up stages of attainment and certainly does not allow for delusion to masquerade as enlightenment. Delusion must be ruthlessly uprooted, ignored, suppressed, transcended and obliterated. Those stuck in this state must be assisted beyond it, and not allowed to wallow in it. At the top of the one hundred foot pole, there must be the courage to let go. Accolades mean nothing. If a practitioner thinks that he is enlightened, then obviously he is not. If a practitioner thinks that he is not enlightened, then obviously this is wrong. The answer lies beyond and behind all polarity, but the stench of enlightenment must not be permitted to ruin lives.
In this deluded state, all thoughts that emerge from the mind are viewed mistakenly conceived as being of sublime wisdom, when in fact these thoughts are nothing but condensed ignorance presented as insight and a higher, more refined point of view. This stagnant state manifests as an angst ridden mind in a world that fails to appreciate its divine manifestation. Far from being enlightened, this is a very dangerous mindset to be trapped within. It karmically spreads delusion in a very efficient manner, seeking wealth and pleasure from those who come into contact with it. Its highly concentrated state makes ordinary delusion much more efficient in its manipulation of others. The individual who mistakenly thinks that he is enlightened, and those drawn into this deceptive net of delusion, are thrown into a situation of hellish cause and effect.
Ch’an does not set-up stages of attainment and certainly does not allow for delusion to masquerade as enlightenment. Delusion must be ruthlessly uprooted, ignored, suppressed, transcended and obliterated. Those stuck in this state must be assisted beyond it, and not allowed to wallow in it. At the top of the one hundred foot pole, there must be the courage to let go. Accolades mean nothing. If a practitioner thinks that he is enlightened, then obviously he is not. If a practitioner thinks that he is not enlightened, then obviously this is wrong. The answer lies beyond and behind all polarity, but the stench of enlightenment must not be permitted to ruin lives.