Changes After Enlightenment

The Chan masters say: After enlightenment, one is still the same person as before; only one's conduct is no longer what it used to be. This means that after enlightenment, from the outside, the person still appears to be the same person as before, yet his mental conduct, virtue, and other aspects are no longer the same as before—there have been changes, transformations; of course he has become purer and better, his virtue and cultivation have both improved, and his character has become more kindhearted, pure, and innocent. Why is that? He has realized the non-self of the five aggregates (pañca-skandha) and has thoroughly penetrated the mind-ground. Since there is no self, a portion of his selfishness and distracting thoughts has been removed, and his morality is naturally much nobler; his character and cultivation are naturally elevated considerably. His starting points, focal points, and breadth of perspective in doing things will all change, and his entire mental conduct becomes different, even though the person still has the same appearance as before.