Summary: A students asks Lama Shenpen to explain aspects of the nature of emptiness.
A student writes:
"In our group we're re-studying the 'Heart Sutra'. I've been slowly working through your retreat talks on that theme.
Some difficulties arise when I look at 'emptiness' in the context of that sutra.
You (in 'Buddha Within') say that Trangu Rimpoche says that both the emptiness of illusion and the emptiness of the ultimate are both implied in 'emptiness'.
Yet it is very difficult for me to get a sense that the emptiness of the ultimate is being implied in the 'Heart Sutra' apart from the concluding mantra.
How do I work towards a glimpse that both are being talked about?"
Lama Shenpen:
Do my talks on Dharmata (true nature, absolute reality) help with this?
How do you understand form is emptiness, emptiness is form, emptiness is not other than form, form is no other than emptiness?
If the sutra were simply saying form is an illusion and so is unreliable and not ultimate reality - why would it then go on to say emptiness is form?
Student:
"Also is it the case that when one sees that phenomenal reality is empty of permanence, satisfaction, substantiality that one also realises the ultimate being empty of impermanence, etc?"
.
Lama Shenpen:
Conditioned, created phenomena are empty of permanence, satisfactoriness and self.
It does not make sense to say ultimate being is empty of impermanence, suffering and self.
It is empty of anything false that we superimpose on it.
In other words it cannot be grasped by our concepts - it can only be known directly, experientially without concepts.
Student:
"I wonder if this is the case because of Khenpo Rimpoche's 'warning' about not over negating clear light in 'Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness'"
He is saying Ultimate reality is Prabhasvarachitta (clear light mind/heart)
It is empty of all that is false, not empty of the limitless Buddha qualities that are its innate nature.
The teachings on Buddhism Connect are selected from advice that Shenpen gives in response to questions asked by people studying with her in the Awakened Heart Sangha, a spiritual community formed by her students. Unfortunately, because of the demmands on her time Shenpen is not able to answer questions from members of the public.
If you are interested in working more closely with Shenpen - including asking her questions like this and getting personal advice - then we suggest you enrol on Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, a comprehensive training in Buddhist study, contemplation and meditation taught by Shenpen.
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