The Black Box World (47)

Therefore, the transformation of all dharmas must begin with a change in the external appearances. These altered external appearances are then transmitted through the gross sense faculties to the subtle sense faculties, thus forming the internal appearances. However, since my hand cannot directly touch the book in the external appearances, how could it cause the book in the external appearances to change first, thereby inducing a change in the book within the internal appearances? Furthermore, consider the example of the six consciousnesses creating the karma of killing. The six consciousnesses can only interact with a person's internal appearances, not their external appearances. So how do the six consciousnesses cause the person's external appearances to cease? Moreover, it is the person's external appearances that must cease or be destroyed first, after which the internal appearances can then cease or be destroyed. Since the internal appearances arise from the external appearances and manifest based on them, it is certain that the external appearances must change first, and only then can the internal appearances follow suit. The profound mystery herein is left for those with affinity to contemplate diligently; it cannot be elaborated upon further here.