Perceiving the Lakṣaṇa of Rain After Dharma Realization

Question: After attaining enlightenment, when seeing the phenomenon of rain, does one naturally not cling to the image of rain in the mind, while still knowing it is raining? But before enlightenment, one easily clings to it, unless distracted by other matters or indifferent to the rain. Ordinary beings' original mental system is like a camera; it inherently seeks to retain impressions like film in the mind.

Answer: So-called non-attachment and non-abiding must be an inner practice when facing the phenomenon of rain and all phenomena. Avoiding phenomena precisely demonstrates an inability to be non-attached and non-abiding. Even Bodhisattvas at the Three Sage Stages after enlightenment will still cling to the image of rain upon seeing it, though less severely than before. Only from the First Ground onward can one gradually cease clinging to the image of rain, and it is not until the Eighth Ground that a Bodhisattva truly ceases clinging to the image of rain and all other phenomena.

Therefore, after enlightenment, one must turn to rely on True Suchness, but only upon reaching the First Ground can one truly speak of genuine turning to rely, because both the sixth and seventh consciousnesses have transformed into wisdom—this is the mark of turning to rely on True Suchness. An Eighth Ground Bodhisattva can turn to rely to a great extent, but it is still not ultimate. Bodhisattvas below the First Ground may chant slogans about turning to rely, but due to afflictions, they cannot succeed in turning to rely. True Suchness has no afflictions. Do the sixth and seventh consciousnesses resemble the nature of True Suchness? Not at all, due to their heavy defilement. Chanting slogans only becomes partially effective upon reaching the First Ground. As for those who have not attained enlightenment, chanting slogans is pure nonsense—they cannot even see their own true state yet boast about turning to rely. Before finding a refuge, what can they rely on? One cannot lift oneself up; it requires the support of the Tathagatagarbha and the law of karma to be uplifted.