Discursive Thoughts

A non-Buddhist once debated with the Buddha, proposing a thesis: "I do not experience any sensation." The Buddha said, "Do you still experience the sensation of 'not experiencing any sensation'?" The non-Buddhist was speechless. On his way back, he pondered: "No matter how I argue, I am defeated. The Buddha is the victor; I should take refuge." So he returned, sought the Buddha, shaved his head, ordained, and followed the Buddha to learn the Dharma.

Someone says: "I do not grasp at appearances or make distinctions." I ask: Is this very statement of yours grasping at appearances and making distinctions? If you say "I do not grasp at appearances or make distinctions," are you still making distinctions? The other party evades the question. Defeat is certain, yet they cannot courageously admit it. They are less honest than the non-Buddhist.

Someone says: "I am originally a Buddha." I ask: When did you ever sit on the altar to receive the worship and offerings of the world? When did you climb down from the altar? For what reason did you descend, ending up in such a state today?

Tracing back from this life to beginningless kalpas ago, you have never been a Buddha—not for a single day or moment. From beginningless kalpas upon beginningless kalpas ago, your ignorance has never been eradicated even a little. You have always been an ordinary being bound by karmic obstructions and the cycle of birth and death. You have always been revolving in the six realms of samsara without cease. You have always been bound together with pure great suffering. Therefore, the conclusion is: You are not originally a Buddha. The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment says: After gold is refined from ore, it will never again mingle with impurities and revert to being ore. Gold is forever gold. After becoming a Buddha, ignorance is utterly extinguished; it will never arise again, causing one to revert to being a sentient being. A Buddha forever abides as a Buddha; they do not become a sentient being again. The fundamental mind upon which Buddhahood relies can be said to be originally Buddha. But your five aggregates and seven consciousnesses are those of a sentient being, not a Buddha. Relying on the Buddha while remaining a sentient being bound by karmic obstructions and the cycle of birth and death is like sitting by a river yet suffering intense thirst, unable to drink the water. Whose fault is that?