The Black Box World (VIII)

Why is it that what we perceive are all internal appearances, mere shadows within the black box? Let us explain from another perspective. External form objects (rūpa-dhātu) and our eye faculty possess spatial separation. The distances vary immensely—from form objects right before our nose to those extremely far away. The time required for them to be transmitted to the external eye faculty differs, even though all are accomplished by the Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) at speeds faster than light. Nevertheless, a time difference exists, resulting in the visual consciousness perceiving objects sequentially. If the visual consciousness directly perceived external form objects, we would see nearby objects first and distant ones later; it would be impossible to perceive distant and near objects simultaneously. However, if what we perceive are the internal form objects within the black box of the supreme sense base (adhyātmika-indriya) at the back of the brain, the situation differs. As long as the form objects are within the black box, the visual consciousness can perceive them simultaneously upon attention, regardless of distance or elevation.

Because the form objects within the black box are shadows residing within the supreme sense base, they have no spatial distance from the eye’s supreme sense base. As soon as the visual consciousness makes contact, it contacts them all simultaneously—it cannot see nearby objects first and distant ones later. Therefore, what our visual consciousness perceives are all shadows within the black box, not the substantial external form objects. After the visual consciousness contacts the internal form objects, it accepts, receives, and discerns them, thereby confirming what the form objects are. Thus, we know what the form objects are, and we know both distant and near objects simultaneously. In truth, distance is a delusional concept; there is no actual near or far—it is merely an illusion.

When we see form objects with our eyes, observe carefully: are distant and near objects both captured in the eye at the same time? Do all objects, regardless of distance or height, enter our field of vision simultaneously? Objects within the visual field are generally perceived at once, though this also depends on where our attention is focused. Unless our attention is concentrated solely on a single point or directed at very few form objects, we will not perceive other objects. If our attention is not fixed on one point, we can perceive all other form objects. This demonstrates that the form objects we see are the internal form objects already transformed by the eighth consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna) within the black box of the supreme sense base. What we perceive are precisely these shadows.

The same applies when we hear sounds. We hear distant and near sounds simultaneously—sounds from the left, right, above, below, east, west, north, south, and all directions—all are heard at the same time. That is because we are hearing the shadows of internal sound objects. In the Shurangama Sutra, the Buddha states that the ear faculty possesses the complete merit of 1,200 virtues; it can receive and hear sounds from all directions. Even with obstacles, sound can transmit through them.

This occurs because the eighth consciousness simultaneously transmits sounds from all directions through the ear faculty to the supreme sense base in the brain, forming sound images as internal appearances within that black box. Then, the auditory consciousness and mental consciousness manifest there. Thus, when the auditory consciousness hears sounds, it can perceive sounds from all directions simultaneously. From this, it should be clear that the form objects we see and the sounds we hear are all from the past. What we perceive and discern are all completed events of the past; hence, they are virtual and unreal. By the time we take action or respond, it is already a step later. This entire process of discernment and responsive action is belated; it can only alter or influence the unfolding of subsequent events.

The sound of thunder in the sky is extremely distant from the ear faculty, while the buzzing in our head is extremely close. Yet, we hear all these sounds simultaneously—that is the sound within the black box. The lightning in the sky is extremely distant from the eye faculty, while a finger an inch away is extremely close. Yet, the visual consciousness sees them simultaneously—that is the form object within the black box. The distant sandalwood fragrance is extremely far from the nose faculty, while the scent on our face is extremely close. Yet, the olfactory consciousness smells them simultaneously—that is the odor object within the black box. Sunlight in the sky is extremely distant from the body faculty, while a headache is extremely close. Yet, the tactile consciousness feels them simultaneously—that is the tactile object within the black box. All these five sense objects (rūpa, śabda, gandha, rasa, sparśa) are internal appearances within the black box at the back of the brain. When the conscious mind contacts them, it can receive and discern them all simultaneously.