Transforming Wrong Views and Delusions Is the Prerequisite for Eradicating Self-View

By constantly contemplating the functions and roles of form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness, one realizes that they all originate from the tathāgatagarbha, born and endowed by it. Gradually, one gains a profound understanding that phenomena which are produced lack autonomy and cannot possess true reality. Since they lack true reality, there is also no substantial self-nature to speak of; phenomena lacking autonomy cannot possess self-nature and cannot be the self.

These concepts must gradually take shape. Upon reaching a certain level, one can sever the view of self and swiftly eliminate the afflictions of self-attachment, thereby attaining physical and mental liberation. The difficulty in eradicating the view of self arises because irrational notions accumulated over countless eons are deeply ingrained in the mind, making them hard to transform. Without transforming these notions, the view of self cannot be severed. Transforming our conceptual framework is the most crucial aspect of our practice. Once old thought patterns shift, it becomes easier to overturn previous erroneous views and deluded thinking, thereby establishing correct understanding, attaining great wisdom, and liberating the body and mind composed of the five aggregates.