Wonderless Mind

Student: If we do not depend upon any written word, with what and how must we conceived the mind?

Bodhidharma: If I have no Mind how could I reply? If you also had no Mind how could you ask? Making your request is mind in you; when I reply, that is Mind within me.

From the ancient, beginning less moments and through all the different times and places, the mind tries to cut through time and reject changes. In its heart the mind knows that it is its own sources of awakening. It has been said that mind, in itself, is the original Buddha, for without it no one could seek the different forms of Buddha.

It is impossible to either find or aspire toward the Buddha's Nirvana outside of the mind. Our self nature seems real and precious to us. In truth it is already neither cause nor effect. It is simply the effect of its own causes. Self has its own mind. This mind, in itself, is intrinsically Buddha. This mind is that which is already brightly shinning and serene. If, lacking experience, we say that there could be a Buddha or Buddha Wisdom outside of the mind, where could such a Buddha or (wisdom) be? Can empty space be held?

Empty space is just a name; it has no mental aspects, form, or size. It is impossible to either hold it or to drop it. Seeking Buddha hood outside of this mind would be like trying to hold such empty space. Since Buddha is a product of one's mind, how can it be possible to seek Buddha outside of the mind? Former and later Buddha’s have said: "Mind exists in the Buddha- Buddha exists in the Mind, only the mind is Buddha- Only Buddha is the mind." If Mind exists outside then Buddha is not; if Buddha exists outside then Mind is not. If Buddha did exist outside of the Mind, where could it be? If Buddha does not exist outside of the Mind, from where did it arise?

Not able to understand the original source of true Mind, false opinions and reasoning’s arise and our inexperienced nature misleads itself. We become empty of life, blind to its truth. This is how we become unfree beings. Buddha hood is the opposite of this condition, and free of all deception. Confused beings think and do not realize or understand the fact that one's mind is already Buddha. If you see Buddha is just your mind, do not seek Buddha outside of it. Buddha cannot be liberated by Buddha. Buddha cannot be realized if sought with the mind. Such a seeking would suggest that Buddha is outside of it. This view is caused only by not knowing that Buddha and your own Mind are identical. Being Buddha already, do not worship Buddha’s. Buddha being your mind does not constantly recall thoughts of Buddha’s.

Buddha, in itself, cannot read the sutras. Buddha, in itself, cannot uphold the monastic precepts. Buddha, in itself, does not have something to maintain or violate. Buddha, in itself, does not cause the good or the bad. If you truly seek Buddha, you must simply see the self nature which is Buddha. Without seeing self nature, no matter how well you are mindful of Buddha’s, read the Sutras, bow in ceremonies, or uphold the precepts, still no benefit will result.
Being mindful of the Buddha’s will promise you a happy next life.

Reading the Sutras may make you wise or knowledgeable. Upholding the precepts will let you be born in heaven. Aiding others will create a prosperous future time but, Buddha cannot be seen simply by doing any of these if you still do no know yourself clearly. You should awaken to the essence of life and death by finding and meeting a Master who already has attained the great awakening and can liberate you. One cannot be called Master if he has not yet seen self nature. Even if he has studied all twelve sections of the Sutras, he would still, without fail, fall into the sea of life, death and Triple World's karmic cycle. He would still be without freedom from great sufferings.