Variations in the Perception of Form Among Different Sentient Beings

The same form is perceived differently by sentient beings, indicating that the perception of form is illusory. When a chopstick is placed in water, devas of the form realm absolutely do not see the phenomenon of bending, because they dwell above the sun, possessing their own radiance and thus needing no sunlight. Their perception of form remains unaffected by sunlight, requiring no illumination from it, and therefore they naturally do not see the chopstick as bent. Deva of the desire realm may also not necessarily see the bending phenomenon, because they do not rely on the brain as the superior sense faculties and do not live in a world of black boxes. Moreover, due to their vast merit, they perceive forms with the divine eye, which is far superior to the physical eye. All phenomena they perceive differ from those seen by beings below the deva realm. Furthermore, the moon resides in the Caturmaharajika heaven, while the sun resides in the Trayastrimsa heaven. The four heavens above Trayastrimsa have no sun or moon. The devas in these four heavens also do not need the light of the sun and moon to perceive forms; they too use the divine eye to see, and their perception fundamentally differs from that of humans.

For example, when seeing the same Ganges River, devas perceive lapis lazuli, humans perceive water, fish perceive palaces and homes, and hungry ghosts perceive flames. This is due to differences in merit, karma, and eyes. When devas see humans, dogs see humans, cows see humans, horses see humans, or cockroaches see humans, each perceives differently, experiences different feelings and thoughts, and thus reacts differently. Even when humans see humans, perceptions vary: seeing a woman from a man's perspective differs from seeing her from a woman's perspective; seeing from a child's perspective differs from seeing from an elder's perspective. Even among humans, due to differences in individual merit and karmic obstacles, perceptions of the same event vary. Consequently, feelings differ, thoughts differ, reactions differ, and choices differ. Therefore, what standard or reality can be said to exist in the perceptions of sentient beings? All are illusory and unreal.