Manifestations of the Body View

In real life, which aspects of conditioning can increase the view of self-existence? What are the reasons why the view of self-existence is difficult to eradicate? Why can those who eradicated the view of self-existence in past lives quickly eradicate it again upon encountering the Dharma in this life? By identifying all these phenomena and then gradually subduing the cherished attachment to the physical body, eradicating the view of self-existence will occur more swiftly. All forms of care and protection directed towards the physical body stem from the view of self-existence. In what aspects do we protect and cherish the physical body?

If we examine the precepts for monastics, we can understand why the Buddha established so many and such detailed rules. They were all set up to subdue the view of self-existence and the view of self. Monastics who do not understand this find the precepts too restrictive. If one diligently upholds the precepts established by the Buddha, one can attain liberation. The precepts of the Hinayana tradition are also called the Pratimokṣa vows (Individual Liberation vows). By upholding even one precept, one gains a measure of liberation. Therefore, as long as one renounces household life to practice, one will certainly attain the four fruitions of Arhatship in the future; there will always come a day of liberation. The benefits of renunciation are numerous: liberation and freedom.

The modern way of life makes it very difficult for people to eradicate the view of self-existence. People are too fastidious, picky, and indulgent, caring for nothing but comfort and enjoyment. To observe one's own view of self-existence, examine it from all aspects and angles of daily life: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and daily necessities. Observe it through the aspects of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. Investigate it by observing the experiences of seeing forms, hearing sounds, feeling touches, smelling scents, and tasting flavors. If you find yourself particularly valuing these aspects, being overly concerned about the physical body, excessively caring for and protecting it, or being very particular about the physical body's comforts, then the view of self-existence is relatively strong, and methods should be sought to subdue it.

The comparatively dull and monotonous lifestyle perceived by modern people is actually more conducive to nourishing the mind and easier for eradicating the view of self-existence and the view of self. Such a lifestyle makes it harder for people to become attached and greedy; the mind becomes simpler and purer. There is less focus on and concern for the physical body, making it easier to eradicate the view of self-existence. The sense of 'I' is also weaker, making it easier to eradicate the view of self. Furthermore, such a lifestyle does not waste blessings; supported by accumulated virtue, spiritual cultivation progresses rapidly. A true Bodhisattva should cherish their blessings and virtues dearly, not consuming them frivolously, hence they do not seek indulgence. When a Bodhisattva takes birth in this world, they do not choose a wealthy or noble family, to avoid having their blessings wasted needlessly during childhood under their parents' decisions. People nowadays neither understand nor pay attention to these matters of blessings and virtue. Unknowingly and carelessly, they consume them through indulgence, which is truly regrettable. They remain unaware, even taking pride in enjoying wealth and luxury. Parents must be responsible for their children and cannot casually make decisions that consume their children's blessings. If those blessings are consumed during childhood, upon growing up with diminished blessings, suffering arises. When they study Buddhism, insufficient blessings dedicated to spiritual cultivation make it difficult to achieve progress on the path.

In past eras, there were no various bodily adornments, no home decorations, no diverse array of clothes and foods. People did not apply anything to their bodies, nor did they spray anything indoors; excessive decoration was absent. Life was simple and plain, making it harder to become attached to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. People rarely maintained their physical bodies, their thoughts were simple, and the view of self-existence was easier to eradicate. For the wealthy, cultivation is difficult due to heavy greed; for the poor, giving is difficult due to scant blessings. Therefore, spiritual cultivation begins step by step, accumulating small efforts into great ones, gathering little into much. Cultivate good practice habits, and there is no worry about failing to realize the Way.