Commentary on the Sutra of the Father and Son Compendium (122)

Is the sound heard in a dream truly existent?

Original Text: The Buddha said, "Great King, when the ear hears a neutral sound, it gives rise to the perception of neutrality. It is like a person in a dream hearing another preach non-definitive verses. What do you think? After this person awakens and recalls the sound heard in the dream, is it truly existent?" The King replied, "No, it is not."

The Buddha said, "Great King, is this person who clings to the dream as reality wise?" The King replied, "No, World-Honored One. Why? Because ultimately, there are no sounds in a dream, let alone non-definitive verses. It should be understood that this person vainly exhausts his mind without attaining anything real."

Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, sentient beings hear the sound of neutrality (transcending both extremes) and cling to it as real. This is like a person who, in a dream, hears another speak meaningless, incoherent phrases, then wakes from the dream and continuously recalls the language heard in the dream. What do you think—is this matter truly existent? King Śuddhodana replied: It is not truly existent, World-Honored One.

The Buddha said: Great King, is this person who regards his own dream as truly existent wise? King Śuddhodana replied: This person is not wise, World-Honored One. Why? Because ultimately, there are no sounds in a dream, let alone incoherent phrases. Truly, this person vainly drives his mind to exhaustion without any real substance.