Clinging to Illusory Dharmas: Illusion within Illusion; Dream Speaks of Dream within Dream

The reflections of the six dusts are like images in a mirror. Everything we see, hear, smell, taste, touch, think, and do—all of this is but a reflection in the mirror. When we observe the reflections in the mirror, no matter what feelings or thoughts we have about them, no matter how we wish to manipulate these reflections, they remain, after all, merely reflections—not real things. We discriminate among these reflections in the mirror: this reflection is so good, that one is so evil. Thus, we ceaselessly grasp and cling. Yet, no matter how hard we try, we grasp nothing real, for they are all reflections, devoid of true substance. Both the result and the process are ultimately empty. It is like the reflection of a tree in a river: no matter how much we admire and cling to it, it is ultimately unreal. Similarly, the moon reflected in the river—no matter how desperately monkeys try to grasp it, they never seize even a fraction of it, for there is no real moon in the river to begin with.

All the realms we encounter are likewise. It may seem as though we are experiencing something, yet in truth, we experience nothing real. We are merely interacting with reflections. The mental faculty directs the six consciousnesses to continuously engage in volition, contact, sensation, perception, and grasping. Yet, in reality, nothing substantial is grasped. It is all an interaction with reflections, and we ourselves are but one of these reflections. Illusory phenomena interacting with illusory phenomena—what reality is there to speak of? Nevertheless, we are unable to break free from these illusions, unable to realize the truth of these facts, due to our meager merit and ignorance.

The Buddhas, out of compassion for sentient beings, employ various teachings and parables to instruct them in cultivating precepts, concentration, and wisdom, to remove obscurations, and to recognize the truth: in this world, not a single dharma can truly be obtained. By calming the mind and eliminating delusions, one perceives the true reality. Only by following the Buddhas’ words and practicing sincerely can sentient beings see through the reflections, return to their inherent nature, and attain liberation.