Black Box World (Part 5)

Someone might ask: If I attain rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss at the end of my life, where is this Land of Ultimate Bliss? Is it real or illusory? Certainly, the Land of Ultimate Bliss we can perceive is also an image manifested by the eighth consciousness, the Tathagatagarbha. We cannot access the relatively real Land of Ultimate Bliss external to us. That relatively real external Land of Ultimate Bliss is jointly created and sustained by the Tathagatagarbha of Amitabha Buddha and all sentient beings who have karmic connections with Amitabha Buddha and the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Among the eight consciousnesses, only the eighth consciousness can truly access the so-called real material form of the Land of Ultimate Bliss external to us. Our six consciousnesses cannot access it; they can only perceive the images manifested by the eighth consciousness. Therefore, if one can reach the Land of Ultimate Bliss, one should understand which Land of Ultimate Bliss one is reaching and where exactly the Land of Ultimate Bliss is. One will also comprehend where the eighth consciousness manifests the lotus.

In reality, both the internal and external aspects of the Land of Ultimate Bliss exist, and both the internal and external aspects of the lotus flowers exist.

If we can attain rebirth, is it a true going and a true birth? At the moment of rebirth, are there truly external Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas coming to welcome us? Is there truly an external lotus flower for us to sit upon? Who can actually sit upon the real lotus flower? We cannot even truly sit upon the bed or chair in our own home.

We cannot truly reside in the relatively real external Land of Ultimate Bliss. If we reside anywhere, it is within the image manifested by our own eighth consciousness, dwelling within the Land of Ultimate Bliss inside the black box. All phenomena are illusory; not a single phenomenon is real. The eighth consciousness manifests the lotus and the Land of Ultimate Bliss within the black box. If the six consciousnesses can perceive it, they perceive this image; they do not contact the substantial Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a very crucial understanding. By diligently engaging in contemplative practice, one can cut off the view of self and gradually sever self-attachment, thereby attaining liberation.