The Illusory Nature of Distance

There is a flowerpot five meters ahead. What realm is this distance? Is it real? Based on what is the distance of five meters determined? The flowerpot is within the back of the mind, one's own body is within the back of the mind—there is originally no concept of distance; all is the represented aspect. The space in between is manifested within the back of the mind. Then, based on these three—the flowerpot, the body, and the space—consciousness determines the distance of five meters. Based on material dharmas, it manifests empty dharmas, and then judges the empty dharmas.

Yet in reality, all three are within the back of the mind, without separation or distance. The conclusion drawn by consciousness is like turtle’s fur and rabbit’s horns—so insubstantial that not even a shadow can be grasped. How is the distance within the back of the mind judged? There is fundamentally no distance or space. To judge distance requires reference objects, but reference objects are illusory, and the distance is even more false and illusory.